Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Film Review #2
TRON: Legacy
1) Provide a description of the film. Discuss the plot and characters and how they influenced the film. Was the plot line or character development more important? Why?
TRON:Legacy is a film about a boy, Sam Flynn who, after losing his father many many years before, receives contact from his dad, Kevin Flynn he thought to be dead. Sam decides to investigate the source of the message and ends up at his fathers old arcade. At the arcade, Sam discovers secret room where apparently Kevin had been working from quite sometime. While sitting at the desk, Sam accidentally turns on a machine behind him, which sends him into what is known as "the grid". In the grid, Sam discovers a new world that his father was trying to create many years before. It turns out however, that Clue, Kevin's artificial intelligence equal, has taken over and is trying to create "the perfect system". In his quest to create the perfect system, Clue runs Kevin out of his creation and now has set his eyes on the real world, where he seeks to eliminate all imperfections, and as Kevin puts it "What is more imperfect then our world?" Kevin also discovers a new race whilst on the grid. This race is formed by an "isomorphic algorithm". This new algorithm basically can solve the world's problems such as diseases, hunger and what not. Clue, in his quest for perfection, slaughters all of the "isos", but only one remains, Quorra. Kevin and Sam must now stop Clue from reaching the real world and destroying at all, and they must save Quorra, the best possible thing that could happen to humanity.
Overall, the plot line was what drove the story. Sam and Kevin do the whole father son deal that has been done many times over, but this idea of a A.I., threatening to set the world straight through violence and dictatorship and that Kevin has created something that the world is in dire need of is original and thought provoking. This greater good is what motivates characters, even those that are as stubborn as Kevin, to do something about it.
2) Think critically about how the film was shot, directed, use of lighting, etc. What do you think was effective in the making of the film? What took away or could have been done differently to enhance the film?
The film was shot entirely in front of a green screen, save for a few reality scenes. The lighting was simple, and everything had a glow. The bad guys were printed with orange, good were white. But the whole idea of being inside a computer was adapted beautifully that even some nature lovers could enjoy. The film was shot like any other film, but what really made it was the special effects. The special effects of the cars, airplanes, explosions looking like little pixels bursting in air, and the make up and colors of certain characters to give them the computer feel was incredible. Nothing really could have been done different, except maybe more scenes of the "games" or history on how Kevin got stuck on the grid and how Clue came to power would have been great. But that is asking a lot considering how much they have already done.
3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
Overall, it was great. The soundtrack was made by the infamous french artists "Daft Punk" which only made it better. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has ever been fascinated by technology in any way shape or form because it brings a new thinking to how technology evolves and never stops evolving and what could happen if not controlled properly. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Artist
1) Describe the film.
The film was about a very talented actor during the silent film era, who is at his prime. During his life of popularity, he encounters a fan, who in turn tries out to become an actor. With the motivation of George Valentine, the male character, Peppy Miller makes her way towards stardom through "talking" pictures, while George is left in the dust and forgotten. George attempts at becoming his own director, but the movie fails in a bust and he eventually goes broke, especially after the stock market crash. With Peppy Miller becoming ever more famous and George Valentine becomes ever so depressed, things start to spiral downward and George Valentine's pride could drive him to the ground.
2) How is the story driven? By the characters or plot?
The story is driving by both. We get into the very depressing and emotional part due to Valentine's pride, dragging him down. However, he turns around because of the character, Peppy Miller, Valetine's love, brings he back to life. The plot line also drives the story. With the rising fame of Peppy Miller in her talkies, and the downward spiral Valentine endurs after being left in the technological dust. Because of this exchange of success, Valentine's pride gets the best of him.
3) Talk about the cinematography. How was the use of lighting, acting, camera angles scene development used to help enhance the film?
With only black and white, the best effects to add were the contrast of light and dark. One scene where this is effectively used is in the shot where Valentine knocks over the camera, and a beam of light shines towards the audience's perspective, giving the room a feeling of chaos and disorder, which was exactly what was happening.
4) What was you favorite scene from the film? Why? Describe the scene as well as how it was shot.
My favorite scene was in the beginning, where we see Valentine's true nature. He is a jokester but also at the same time very pompous and self-centered. We also see in the scene the showing of Valentine's movie. The angle from which the camera is positioned inside the theater experiments with filming film and capturing the audience's opinions and emotions toward the film.
5) What is the experience of watching a silent film like? How does it relate to watching a "talkie"?
I first thought it was boring, and never would have watched it if I wasn't recommended by some many people. It took more of looking at the characters and figuring things out for yourself on what is happening in the movie. It's more difficult to understand and though-provoking. You eventually get really into the film because you are focused on it so much, increasing your feelings toward the characters. Compared to a talkie, it is more interactive. It's not like a "talkie", where everything is told to the audience, resulting in a lack of thinking and interest in the piece.
6) Would you encourage others to view the film? Why or why not?
I highly recommend others to watch it. Even if you can't stand silent films, it's important to understand where movies came from and not only get a history lesson, but experience a different work of art instead of just common, mindless humor that most production companies spew out today.
The film was about a very talented actor during the silent film era, who is at his prime. During his life of popularity, he encounters a fan, who in turn tries out to become an actor. With the motivation of George Valentine, the male character, Peppy Miller makes her way towards stardom through "talking" pictures, while George is left in the dust and forgotten. George attempts at becoming his own director, but the movie fails in a bust and he eventually goes broke, especially after the stock market crash. With Peppy Miller becoming ever more famous and George Valentine becomes ever so depressed, things start to spiral downward and George Valentine's pride could drive him to the ground.
2) How is the story driven? By the characters or plot?
The story is driving by both. We get into the very depressing and emotional part due to Valentine's pride, dragging him down. However, he turns around because of the character, Peppy Miller, Valetine's love, brings he back to life. The plot line also drives the story. With the rising fame of Peppy Miller in her talkies, and the downward spiral Valentine endurs after being left in the technological dust. Because of this exchange of success, Valentine's pride gets the best of him.
3) Talk about the cinematography. How was the use of lighting, acting, camera angles scene development used to help enhance the film?
With only black and white, the best effects to add were the contrast of light and dark. One scene where this is effectively used is in the shot where Valentine knocks over the camera, and a beam of light shines towards the audience's perspective, giving the room a feeling of chaos and disorder, which was exactly what was happening.
4) What was you favorite scene from the film? Why? Describe the scene as well as how it was shot.
My favorite scene was in the beginning, where we see Valentine's true nature. He is a jokester but also at the same time very pompous and self-centered. We also see in the scene the showing of Valentine's movie. The angle from which the camera is positioned inside the theater experiments with filming film and capturing the audience's opinions and emotions toward the film.
5) What is the experience of watching a silent film like? How does it relate to watching a "talkie"?
I first thought it was boring, and never would have watched it if I wasn't recommended by some many people. It took more of looking at the characters and figuring things out for yourself on what is happening in the movie. It's more difficult to understand and though-provoking. You eventually get really into the film because you are focused on it so much, increasing your feelings toward the characters. Compared to a talkie, it is more interactive. It's not like a "talkie", where everything is told to the audience, resulting in a lack of thinking and interest in the piece.
6) Would you encourage others to view the film? Why or why not?
I highly recommend others to watch it. Even if you can't stand silent films, it's important to understand where movies came from and not only get a history lesson, but experience a different work of art instead of just common, mindless humor that most production companies spew out today.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Day
1) Describe your film
My film is a brief overview of what goes on at school throughout a day. I mostly use creative shots along with music from "The xx" to create a feeling of nostalgia from our fast lives.
2) What was the mood you were going for?
The modd I was going for was somewhere around the feeling of a day at school. The hustle and bustle and sometimes stressful feeling that school provokes.
3) Do you think you were effective in representing the mood? Why/How?
In a way, yes. I did capture a fair amount of what goes on at Pinewood. But it can be also be confusing as the emotion isn't clear as I would like it to be.
4) How did the use of sound or music influence the film?
The music was the main force behind the film. It added more to the emotion of going through life and gave life to the still shots of nature.
5) Would you do anything different?
I would probably add more scenes and choose a different song that was longer, to try and encompass even more of what goes on at school.
6) What are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of the fact that I got up at 6 am to go film the sunrise and get the shots I needed. It was the first time I ever did something like that. Probably won't be the last.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Film Review #1
Drive
1) Provide a description of the film. Discuss the plot and characters and how they influenced the film. Was the plot line or character development more important? Why?
The film starts off with a young man, in his late 20s or early 30s, apparently driving for two criminals, who just robbed some building in L.A. He then makes his way through L.A., avoiding all the police searching for the him. Realizing that he will get caught, he escapes by ditching the car the Clippers game and blending in with the crowd, walking right by police. We figure out that doing under the table jobs and being a movie stunt driver is his job, all the while working at a auto shop as well. Eventually, the shop owner of where he works, involves him in stock car racing, the owner and financer of the team is a mob member. "Kid" eventually befriends his neighbor, Irene, played by Carey Mulligan and her young son, Benicio. We learn that the father is in prison. "Kid" and Irene become very good friends and "Kid" watches out for Benicio, acting as a father figure. The father in prison is released and this separates "Kid" and Irene. However, after the father, Standard, notices that "Kid" was taking care of his family, he thanks him and invites "Kid" over to dinner. One day, "Kid" stumbles upon Standard and Benicio, where Standard has been beaten up by thugs and Benicio is hiding in the corner. We learn Standard is in debt to some bad people, and "Kid" decides to help him out by being his getaway driver for heist Standard is supposed to commit, in order to settle his debts with the mob. The heist was a setup and Benicio is killed, but "Kid" gets away. "Kid" now has the mob's money, and has made some enemies that he doesn't want. We also learn that the mob "Kid" and Standard stole from the mob who sponsors his stock car racing. "Kid" now must figure out how to protect Irene and Benicio, and settle the debt he has mistakenly made.
The character development was minimal. It is classified as a neo-noir film. This genre is all about a main character who is a "badass" but the audience knows little about, adding to the mysterious effect of the character. The most important was the plot. You at first think it is going one way, but then changes after we learn of Standard's debts he must pay. Everything must be put on hold before anyone can move on with their life.
2) Think critically about how the film was shot, directed, use of lighting, etc. What do you think was effective in the making of the film? What took away or could have been done differently to enhance the film?
The film was shot incredibly. Car movies are common, and sometimes can be boring because the same exact shots of cars flipping over and exploding are overused. But this movie introduces brand new cinematography that has never been before. Or at least I haven't. Lighting was sort of 80s-ish, with purple and blue lighting on the character's faces at night. The most effective was probably the cinematography. It is a great source for anyone who is looking for new ways to shoot, should watch. My favorite two shots were 1) Where "Kid" sees two thugs walking by in a parking garage. The camera is placed inside the car, in the passenger seat, looking out at the driver and the two thugs walking by. Then the car pulls in, all the while maintaing view of the thugs. My next favorite is when "Kid" is going to settle debts and wearing a mask to keep is identity hidden. The angle is from inside a pizza parlor, looking out, where we see "Kid" walk up to the door and stare inside, deciding what his next move would be. Keep a look out for those two when watching it. Another key factor was the music, the music was this kind of 80s synthesizer based soundtrack. It worked well with the theme and makes you want to listen the same music when you drive. Nothing could have been done differently. It was a great homage to noir films by Nicolas Refn.
3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
Highly recommend it. While the film is quite artsy and can be boring, not understandable, and "weird" in a way, it was fantastic because of each shot was taken into careful consideration and made the film art, instead of simply entertainment.
1) Provide a description of the film. Discuss the plot and characters and how they influenced the film. Was the plot line or character development more important? Why?
The film starts off with a young man, in his late 20s or early 30s, apparently driving for two criminals, who just robbed some building in L.A. He then makes his way through L.A., avoiding all the police searching for the him. Realizing that he will get caught, he escapes by ditching the car the Clippers game and blending in with the crowd, walking right by police. We figure out that doing under the table jobs and being a movie stunt driver is his job, all the while working at a auto shop as well. Eventually, the shop owner of where he works, involves him in stock car racing, the owner and financer of the team is a mob member. "Kid" eventually befriends his neighbor, Irene, played by Carey Mulligan and her young son, Benicio. We learn that the father is in prison. "Kid" and Irene become very good friends and "Kid" watches out for Benicio, acting as a father figure. The father in prison is released and this separates "Kid" and Irene. However, after the father, Standard, notices that "Kid" was taking care of his family, he thanks him and invites "Kid" over to dinner. One day, "Kid" stumbles upon Standard and Benicio, where Standard has been beaten up by thugs and Benicio is hiding in the corner. We learn Standard is in debt to some bad people, and "Kid" decides to help him out by being his getaway driver for heist Standard is supposed to commit, in order to settle his debts with the mob. The heist was a setup and Benicio is killed, but "Kid" gets away. "Kid" now has the mob's money, and has made some enemies that he doesn't want. We also learn that the mob "Kid" and Standard stole from the mob who sponsors his stock car racing. "Kid" now must figure out how to protect Irene and Benicio, and settle the debt he has mistakenly made.
The character development was minimal. It is classified as a neo-noir film. This genre is all about a main character who is a "badass" but the audience knows little about, adding to the mysterious effect of the character. The most important was the plot. You at first think it is going one way, but then changes after we learn of Standard's debts he must pay. Everything must be put on hold before anyone can move on with their life.
2) Think critically about how the film was shot, directed, use of lighting, etc. What do you think was effective in the making of the film? What took away or could have been done differently to enhance the film?
The film was shot incredibly. Car movies are common, and sometimes can be boring because the same exact shots of cars flipping over and exploding are overused. But this movie introduces brand new cinematography that has never been before. Or at least I haven't. Lighting was sort of 80s-ish, with purple and blue lighting on the character's faces at night. The most effective was probably the cinematography. It is a great source for anyone who is looking for new ways to shoot, should watch. My favorite two shots were 1) Where "Kid" sees two thugs walking by in a parking garage. The camera is placed inside the car, in the passenger seat, looking out at the driver and the two thugs walking by. Then the car pulls in, all the while maintaing view of the thugs. My next favorite is when "Kid" is going to settle debts and wearing a mask to keep is identity hidden. The angle is from inside a pizza parlor, looking out, where we see "Kid" walk up to the door and stare inside, deciding what his next move would be. Keep a look out for those two when watching it. Another key factor was the music, the music was this kind of 80s synthesizer based soundtrack. It worked well with the theme and makes you want to listen the same music when you drive. Nothing could have been done differently. It was a great homage to noir films by Nicolas Refn.
3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
Highly recommend it. While the film is quite artsy and can be boring, not understandable, and "weird" in a way, it was fantastic because of each shot was taken into careful consideration and made the film art, instead of simply entertainment.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Last Farm Critique
1) In 50 words or less tell what the film was about.
The film was about an old man, who recently lost his wife, struggles to find purpose in the world without his wife. Eventually, the old man decides his place was, is and always will be with her, and he keeps true to that in the biggest way.
2) What was more important/memorable/significant? The plot or the characters? Why?
The most significant, in my opinion, was the ending burial scene. Everything that took place in the film was leading up to his end, and after multiple viewings, the burial scene still sends a wave of sadness, respect, and leaving with a new idea of death, love, and commitment.
3) What did you take away from the film?
What I mostly took away from it was a new perspective. Suicide was always a weird subject to me. I've never been to that point of depression, but I can understand how people go through it. I would think it would be one of the most frightening situations possible. But the Old man greets death with dignity and fearlessness, and he does this because of love. So sometimes death isn't a going away, but a coming to, a coming to something that someone lost in their living life, something that cannot be found in their living life.
The film was about an old man, who recently lost his wife, struggles to find purpose in the world without his wife. Eventually, the old man decides his place was, is and always will be with her, and he keeps true to that in the biggest way.
2) What was more important/memorable/significant? The plot or the characters? Why?
The most significant, in my opinion, was the ending burial scene. Everything that took place in the film was leading up to his end, and after multiple viewings, the burial scene still sends a wave of sadness, respect, and leaving with a new idea of death, love, and commitment.
3) What did you take away from the film?
What I mostly took away from it was a new perspective. Suicide was always a weird subject to me. I've never been to that point of depression, but I can understand how people go through it. I would think it would be one of the most frightening situations possible. But the Old man greets death with dignity and fearlessness, and he does this because of love. So sometimes death isn't a going away, but a coming to, a coming to something that someone lost in their living life, something that cannot be found in their living life.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Very Short Films Critique
2 Men
Most important was the narrator. He was the whole idea behind the film, he acted as a human brain and the thought process our brains go through when they see a certain event, such as two men running.
I'm a little bit more aware of my thought process now when I see something. That's what this film does, it makes you think of thinking.
My Best Friend is Sweating
This film takes to light when men get nervous and sweat very much during their wedding day. It takes a turn for the worse when the groom dies and turns to sweat.
The most significant was the groom. He was provided the best insight to what was happening, but then we realize nervousness takes over and turns into a giant puddle of sweat.
I don't really know what I would take away from this film. I think at most it just made me more aware of the most random stuff that I could use for inspiration and make a film out of it and make it as a crazy, and confusing as possible.
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