When watching these types of movies, which I don't really consider documentaries, but very biased, opinionated, directors point of view getting shoved down your throat-mentaries, you have to think about these situations for yourself and don't get caught up and brain washed by the facts and stories they are telling you. Yes they are giving you facts, but they aren't giving you the whole story on those facts, or only half the fact and leaving out the ands, buts and or's. They touch on this in the article Out of Focus and explain many ways how they seem to bend the truth.
Perfect example is Sicko by Michael Moore. Moore loves finding the worst case scenario from the side he disagrees with and the best case scenario from the side he does agree with and compares them. And while we are sitting here watching that, he wants us to think, Oh my goodness, how can we be doing that to our people, while other countries have it so great and have no problems with health care.
After so long of watching it I just continued to sit there every time he showed and American family or person and thought about all of the other people in this country that dont have any problems with the health care. Yes I'm sure the health care plan in the US is far from perfect and has some work to do, but the way Moore makes it seem is every family in the US is in a situation like this, or end up in a situation like that, which is not true.
One of the parts that really got underneath my skin was when he pulls up to Guantanomo Bay with a boat full of people and starts yelling at the guards in the tower. This is one of the most rediculous things he could have done. I kind of wish his boat would have hit a mine or he would have got sniped out of his boat for trespassing or something. And if he thinks its so great living with fidel and the crew, he should just stay down there and see how long he can make it with out a Big Mac.
When I read the article Sicko: Heavily Doctored there is a part in that article that I never thought of, they go on to talk about how Moore never says what the problem with the US health program is, he just complains about it with out pin-pointing the problem, which basically means he isnt really sure what the problem is either. They also mention about France's health care system and how it seemed to good to be true, which it was. How they are in deficit of 2.7 billion dollars.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Matrix
I remember watching the Matrix when it first came out and not really understanding it but just thinking it was cool because of all the special effects and fighting and guns, but this time around I actually understood what was going on, and why it was going on.
The special effects in this film are one of a kind and were pretty groundbreaking back in the day if I remember correctly. The thing that really set them over the edge was the slow motion of the bullets. Also all the figthing and jumping and action stuff was pretty cool but the bullets were definitely something never seen before.
After reading the article I can see where the guy is coming from when he compares Neo to Jesus. Which is pretty obvious when you think about it. Neo is the chosen one selected to save the human race. Sounds a lot like Jesus's story. Also they compare Morpheus to John the Baptist, Trinity to Mary Magdalene, and Cypher to Judas. The article also says something about the most fundamental problem according to Buddhism is our ignorance of existential reality. Which relates a lot to the Matrix.
After watching the Matrix for the second time I began to enjoy it more and more as it went on. Its cinematography really sucks you into the movie and is very well planned out. The story line is deep and makes you think. And once again the special effects and action are a step ahead of the rest.
The special effects in this film are one of a kind and were pretty groundbreaking back in the day if I remember correctly. The thing that really set them over the edge was the slow motion of the bullets. Also all the figthing and jumping and action stuff was pretty cool but the bullets were definitely something never seen before.
After reading the article I can see where the guy is coming from when he compares Neo to Jesus. Which is pretty obvious when you think about it. Neo is the chosen one selected to save the human race. Sounds a lot like Jesus's story. Also they compare Morpheus to John the Baptist, Trinity to Mary Magdalene, and Cypher to Judas. The article also says something about the most fundamental problem according to Buddhism is our ignorance of existential reality. Which relates a lot to the Matrix.
After watching the Matrix for the second time I began to enjoy it more and more as it went on. Its cinematography really sucks you into the movie and is very well planned out. The story line is deep and makes you think. And once again the special effects and action are a step ahead of the rest.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Dark Knight
The first movie review I read is from AMC. It talks about how Heath Ledger feels like a medium channeling an icon than an actor performing a role. They also talk about how he has all these amazing traits that other all time great actors had. One of the last things they mention in the first article is how people claim Ledger lost himself in the Jokers character after the movie was done shooting and they compare it to a similar thing Dustin Hoffman did in Marathon Man.
After reading this first article my initial reaction was I agreed with how they say he was like a medium channeling the Joker on to the screen to us. He did such a good job it was made it seem like the Joker really existed in our world. And when they talk about Ledger losing himself in the role, I can really see where that is possible. When you act a certain way for so long its hard to stop some of the habits you create. And he portrayed the Joker so well it was almost like he actually became him.
The next article I read was from Rolling Stone. One of the first things the author says on Ledger is, "I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker." And he goes on to talk about how he doesn't wear a mask and hair and teeth really add to the character. He also talks about how Ledger does roles not out of vanity or the need to be liked as he shows total commitment to every role he takes on. One of the last thing he comments on is how Ledger's Joker has no gray areas.
I really like the part of this article that talks about how Ledger doesn't do roles to become famous or liked. He does them because its what he loves and wants to do and he puts all of his soul into his roles. And when they talk about how good he was as the Joker, I definitely have to agree, he made that movie tens times better than it would have been with somebody else as the Joker. When talking about the gray areas and how Ledger's Joker doesn't have any, I will also have to agree with that because you get to feel like you know the Joker and all his emotions and feelings through Ledgers acting.
We read that the ultimate goal of an actor should be to make us believe completely in the reality of the character. Ledger over achieved this goal I would have to say. When becoming the character you have to learn the characters reflexes and natural reactions, and when people say Ledger got lost in the role, this is probably why. The people of the Dark Knight did an excellent job of casting this film.
After reading this first article my initial reaction was I agreed with how they say he was like a medium channeling the Joker on to the screen to us. He did such a good job it was made it seem like the Joker really existed in our world. And when they talk about Ledger losing himself in the role, I can really see where that is possible. When you act a certain way for so long its hard to stop some of the habits you create. And he portrayed the Joker so well it was almost like he actually became him.
The next article I read was from Rolling Stone. One of the first things the author says on Ledger is, "I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker." And he goes on to talk about how he doesn't wear a mask and hair and teeth really add to the character. He also talks about how Ledger does roles not out of vanity or the need to be liked as he shows total commitment to every role he takes on. One of the last thing he comments on is how Ledger's Joker has no gray areas.
I really like the part of this article that talks about how Ledger doesn't do roles to become famous or liked. He does them because its what he loves and wants to do and he puts all of his soul into his roles. And when they talk about how good he was as the Joker, I definitely have to agree, he made that movie tens times better than it would have been with somebody else as the Joker. When talking about the gray areas and how Ledger's Joker doesn't have any, I will also have to agree with that because you get to feel like you know the Joker and all his emotions and feelings through Ledgers acting.
We read that the ultimate goal of an actor should be to make us believe completely in the reality of the character. Ledger over achieved this goal I would have to say. When becoming the character you have to learn the characters reflexes and natural reactions, and when people say Ledger got lost in the role, this is probably why. The people of the Dark Knight did an excellent job of casting this film.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
What? Am I nervous ? Its you whos in the hot seat, my friend!
Well what can I say about this movie.
I must admit I asked somebody what it was about before I went to it and they told me that it was about some guy that goes on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and wins. I thought he was just joking and being a smart ass. Well sure enough the guy was telling the truth, that is exactly what it is about. Well sorta, its a lot more complicated than that, but that gives you a whiff of it.
Slumdog Millionaire is a story about a guy, Jamal, who grew up in the slums and has had many events happen in his life growing up there. These events all end up helping him answer questions on the game show.
This film put you right into how life is living in the slums, it makes the situation very real for you. A lot of people, including me, have no idea what life like that is like and it really puts it into perspective for you. The location of the movie definitely makes the movie, this story line would not be very interesting without it. I can understand how it won so many awards, it keeps your attention in the movie the whole time by hitting all of your emotions and feelings. They also used good cinematography and music which also kept your attention.
I enjoyed the way it was told by flashbacks and helps you understand Jamal and why he knows each answer, it was very interesting. Those events are very real and really puts it into perspective for you. Its also becomes a feel good story about a underdog that only really has one hope in his life, and that is to find Latika, a girl that he has had a connection with from the moment he met her.
Another part of the film I liked is how they Salim and Jamal are shown growing up and you can kind of tell how they are going to be when they grow up. Salim most of the time is doing all the money making schemes and pretty much only cares about himself. Jamal is usually following his brother in his ways but shows that he cares about other people other than himself, especially Latika. When they are shown grown it basically is the same way. Salim is in a mob gang just worried about making money, and Jamal still only cares about Latika and you can really tell when he answers the last question even though he doesnt know it, because either way he has been reuinted with her.
I really enjoyed this movie, even though I was very skeptical going into it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to watch it.
Well what can I say about this movie.
I must admit I asked somebody what it was about before I went to it and they told me that it was about some guy that goes on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and wins. I thought he was just joking and being a smart ass. Well sure enough the guy was telling the truth, that is exactly what it is about. Well sorta, its a lot more complicated than that, but that gives you a whiff of it.
Slumdog Millionaire is a story about a guy, Jamal, who grew up in the slums and has had many events happen in his life growing up there. These events all end up helping him answer questions on the game show.
This film put you right into how life is living in the slums, it makes the situation very real for you. A lot of people, including me, have no idea what life like that is like and it really puts it into perspective for you. The location of the movie definitely makes the movie, this story line would not be very interesting without it. I can understand how it won so many awards, it keeps your attention in the movie the whole time by hitting all of your emotions and feelings. They also used good cinematography and music which also kept your attention.
I enjoyed the way it was told by flashbacks and helps you understand Jamal and why he knows each answer, it was very interesting. Those events are very real and really puts it into perspective for you. Its also becomes a feel good story about a underdog that only really has one hope in his life, and that is to find Latika, a girl that he has had a connection with from the moment he met her.
Another part of the film I liked is how they Salim and Jamal are shown growing up and you can kind of tell how they are going to be when they grow up. Salim most of the time is doing all the money making schemes and pretty much only cares about himself. Jamal is usually following his brother in his ways but shows that he cares about other people other than himself, especially Latika. When they are shown grown it basically is the same way. Salim is in a mob gang just worried about making money, and Jamal still only cares about Latika and you can really tell when he answers the last question even though he doesnt know it, because either way he has been reuinted with her.
I really enjoyed this movie, even though I was very skeptical going into it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to watch it.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Amelie
At least you'll never be a vegetable, even artichokes have hearts.
Interesting.
Quite interesting.
I can't say I have ever had a film experience like the one when I had when I watched Amelie. I felt like I was lost but knew exactly what was going on at the same time.
Basically at the beginning we had a little girl who was home schooled so didn't have any friends. Because of this she had to rely on her imagination and became very independent. As for the rest of the movie she is in her 20's or so and one single event changed her life. Princess Di got in a car accident and died. From that moment she saw that on TV it seemed that her goal in life was to create happiness for people in a kind of mysterious way.
So I have been sitting here for 5 minutes now trying to think of the program objective for this film and I finally think I have something. I'm going to have to say that it is you dont always have to do big things to make change or bring happiness. Sometimes all you need is a few little things to change a persons perspective on life.
As far as the cinematography goes I think they did a great job. For important things they always had bright colors. And when they would go into "x-ray" mode to show us something that we wouldnt have known without them highlighting it for us. For example, when Amelie sees Nino and they show her heart, or when she copies a key for the vendors apartment. Also they always emphasized little sounds that we probably here everyday but dont really take a notice to.
Overall I actually enjoyed this movie, cant believe I just said that because I had myself convinced that this movie would be a waste of my time. It shows us that even little things can affect our lives and an imagination is an important thing to have. It is a very clever, witty, mysterious movie and I'm glad I experienced it
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Artistic/ Visual Design
Questions for "Do the Right Thing":
1. The set of this film plays a huge factor into the storyline itself. The set is a block in Brooklyn on an extremely hot day with people from multiple ethnic backgrounds living amongst each other. With each of them on the brink of breaking.
2. I think it was shot in this set because to do a movie like this that is exactly where I would picture it. We have multiple races wanting respect from each other living in the Bronx where everybody knows everybody on the block but they also hate everybody that is a different race.
3. The costumes of the characters are very stereotypical. He has the African-Americans dressed in shorts and Nikes, the American-Italians with beaters and greasy type hair, and the Koreans in khaki pants and a button ups.
4. I think the lighting is very appropriate. The plot has it at 100 degrees outside so it is very light for most of the movie. And when its cooling down in the evening the lighting dims a bit. He definitely uses most High-Key lighting.
5. That for most part this movie has a comical or light mood.
6. As far as colors the only thing I really noticed is that the younger African-Americans all wore bright colors saying that they are youthful and full of energy. For The Mayor and Mother Sister they wore dull colors showing that they have lived most of there lives and now are just observing. For Sal and his sons they were just black and white, just plain nothing special.
Questions for The Dark Knight:
1. I would have to say the set really isn't as important as the storyline for this movie.
2. Well the main set would be Gotham and I think its shot there, well because there is no Batman with no Gotham.
3. Well the costume for Batman himself is all black saying that he has a hard and dark personality. Maybe has a secret deep inside him. The other main costume would be for the Joker and his is a purple suit. Showing he has a very flamboyant attitude.
4. The lighting for this film is very appropriate. A lot of the movie is dark and shadows. It is low key lighting.
5. He is using low key lighting to show that Gotham has been taken over by evil and a lot of bad things are happening.
6. The colors are prominent with Batman being in a black suit. This is saying he is feared, also makes him very intimidating. And as for the purple and green used by the Joker means he has more of a light personality. The red for his lips shows the pain he has from the scars.
1. The set of this film plays a huge factor into the storyline itself. The set is a block in Brooklyn on an extremely hot day with people from multiple ethnic backgrounds living amongst each other. With each of them on the brink of breaking.
2. I think it was shot in this set because to do a movie like this that is exactly where I would picture it. We have multiple races wanting respect from each other living in the Bronx where everybody knows everybody on the block but they also hate everybody that is a different race.
3. The costumes of the characters are very stereotypical. He has the African-Americans dressed in shorts and Nikes, the American-Italians with beaters and greasy type hair, and the Koreans in khaki pants and a button ups.
4. I think the lighting is very appropriate. The plot has it at 100 degrees outside so it is very light for most of the movie. And when its cooling down in the evening the lighting dims a bit. He definitely uses most High-Key lighting.
5. That for most part this movie has a comical or light mood.
6. As far as colors the only thing I really noticed is that the younger African-Americans all wore bright colors saying that they are youthful and full of energy. For The Mayor and Mother Sister they wore dull colors showing that they have lived most of there lives and now are just observing. For Sal and his sons they were just black and white, just plain nothing special.
Questions for The Dark Knight:
1. I would have to say the set really isn't as important as the storyline for this movie.
2. Well the main set would be Gotham and I think its shot there, well because there is no Batman with no Gotham.
3. Well the costume for Batman himself is all black saying that he has a hard and dark personality. Maybe has a secret deep inside him. The other main costume would be for the Joker and his is a purple suit. Showing he has a very flamboyant attitude.
4. The lighting for this film is very appropriate. A lot of the movie is dark and shadows. It is low key lighting.
5. He is using low key lighting to show that Gotham has been taken over by evil and a lot of bad things are happening.
6. The colors are prominent with Batman being in a black suit. This is saying he is feared, also makes him very intimidating. And as for the purple and green used by the Joker means he has more of a light personality. The red for his lips shows the pain he has from the scars.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Good Will Hunting
Do you like apples?
Yea.
Well, I got her number. How do you like them apples?
A non black and white flick, now that's what I'm talking about!
So where do I start?
Well main character Will Hunting, has a gift that a very, very limited group of people have in this crazy world. He has the gift of being highly intelligent, way above average. With a photographic memory he can basically figure out any and every formula, theory, book, art, you name it, he knows it.
Growing up on the south side of Boston, living a rough life, foster home to foster home he never was able to take advantage of this talent, nor did he want to. He just wanted to be normal, have a brewski with the guys, go out chasing women, and work a blue collar job.
Simple YET Complex.
Perfect example for this movie. Good Will Hunting is pretty gol dang simple when it comes to the way it is presented. Lets look at what we have: smart kid, Boston, beer, cigarettes, friends, girls. Pretty simple if you ask me, just like everyday life, well if I lived in Boston not Bismarck. Now comes the complex part of the movie. We have ol' Will here having constant conflicts with himself. He has a hard time letting people into his life because of his history of people walking out on him. He also has a hard time excepting who he is and who he wants to be.
As far as the characterization through appearance, you would be way off by looking at Will. We got a poor 20 year old kid, who is drinking and smoking for over half of the movie, working as a janitor. Nobody would come to the conclusion that he is a super genius by looking at him.
Then we have the privilege to hear Will talk, and the characterization through dialogue comes into play. We now know that will is highly intelligent. It especially comes into effect during the bar scene when he confronts the weird looking MIT grad who is blowing smoke about something to try to impress some girls.
The reason this film is a good movie is because of the credibility that this is very possible to happen. It gives off a good feeling to the viewers. I know I enjoyed it because the thought of something like that happening is very interesting and makes for a great story.
Overall I loved this movie, humor, seriousness, real life situations. Couldn't have spent my Wednesday night any better.
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