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Showing posts from October, 2023

The Usual Suspects Analysis

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 The Usual Suspects is neo-noir crime film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. Released August, 16, 1995, the film centers around the interrogation of Verbal Kint, a criminal, who is recounting his involvement in a heist with his colleagues that is orchestrated by the mysterious Keyser Söze. As the film unravels, the movie reveal's more and more information about the heist and how an explosion on a boat that left many dead came to be. In a twist of events, the story unravels one of the biggest plot twists in cinematic history.  "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist," This quote is the key centering of the film. As you watch the film and get to the end this quote that resonates with audiences will tell you the genius behind Verbal Kint and the story. The film does a very good job on visual effects and the action scenes really captivate the audience. This film is not a usual crime film thats filled

Get Out Summary and Analysis

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"Get Out," directed by Jordan Peele, is a thought-provoking and socially relevant horror film that dives into the topics of racism and cultural appropriation in modern day United States. The story follows a young African American man, Chris, who visits his white girlfriend's, Rose, family estate for a weekend getaway, only to uncover a series of disturbing secrets and a sinister plot that threatens his existence as a human being. Peele masterfully blends elements of suspense, satire, and psychological horror, creating a film that serves as both an entertaining thriller and a thought-provoking exploration of racial dynamics adding a mix of comedic background to the film.  Get Out's use of shots an angles is also something to rave about. From close ups and jump scares, the film captivates the audience, including myself. At times I saw my fellow class mates yelling at the screen for the characters to run away and not do certain things. The suspense really brought the fi

Chapter 2 Analysis:

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The chapter begins by giving out steps on how to watch a movie: "Step One: Evolve an optic nerve that “refreshes” at a rate of about 13 to 30 hertz in a normal active state.That’s 13 to 30 cycles per second. Fortunately, that bit has already been taken care of over the past several million years. You have one of them in your head right now. Step Two: Project a series of still images captured in sequence at a rate at least twice that of your optic nerve’s ability to respond. Let’s say 24 images, or frames, per second. Step Three: Don’t talk during the movie. That’s super annoying" The chapter discusses cinematic language and the art of observing a film while paying attention to the angles of the shots. Terms such as: Close-Ups, Low and High Angle shots, and medium and long shots. Movie directors use these techniques with the  goal of evoking specific emotional responses from the viewers. After delving into these insights, one gains a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of

Marie Antoinette by Sofia Copolla

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Although not my favorite film, "Marie Antoinette", for a variety of compelling reasons, is an enjoyable film that humanizes a historical figure that was seen as equal with god.. Firstly, the film's visual aesthetics are colorfully captivating. Directed by Sofia Coppola, the movie brilliantly captures the grandeur and extravagance of 18th-century French court life. From the lavish costumes to the intricate set designs, every scene is a visually appealing. Kirsten Dunst's portrayal of Marie Antoinette is both endearing and relatable, making it easy to connect with the young queen as she navigates the challenges of her new life in the French court.  What truly sets this film apart for me is its soundtrack. It blends modern and period-appropriate music, creating a unique auditory experience. For example, the use of the song, "I Want Candy" by Bow WoW Wow modernizes 18th Century Marie Antoinette and makes her more relatable. The unconventional use of 1980s and ea

Rear Window

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Recently, we watched Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 American thriller film Rear Window! Written by John Michael Hayes, the story centers around a magazine photographer L.B Jefferies, played by James Stewart. Confined to a leg cast and wheelchair, due to getting hit by a racecar while on the job, Jefferies had no other option, to pass the time, but to watch the lives of his neighbors as a form of entertainment. But the more that he watched, the more he became immersed in the lives of his neighbors. Jeffries thus takes notice of his neighbor Lars and begins to suspect nefarious activities after his wife seemingly disappears. As the day goes on, Jeffries becomes more and more convinced that Lars is a murderer and becomes increasingly obsessed with proving it. Rear Window is regarded as a film ahead of its time. Its plot, cinematography, and story were all meant to captivate an audience and create a first-person atmosphere in which the audience feels like they are a part of the movie. The fil

Dr. Caligary Study Questions and Review

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 Dr. Caligari study questions What is the essential story? - The story begins when a man named Francis is telling a story, of his past with an old friend Alan, to another man. In this story Francis and Alan are at a carnival and attend the Dr. Caligari and his somnambulist show. There the somnambulist predicts that Alan is to die the next night. Alan then is murdered the next night and Francis is on a mission to solve the mystery behind Alan's death. How does the film tell its story? - The film is told like a story. Francis is flashes back to his past to explain his experience with Dr. Caligari and his somnambulist. To further dive into the question, there are lot of bodily interactions. Meaning the use of body language was used to convey a lot of information to the audience including creepy lighting to convey an eerie atmosphere. What conventions of cinematic storytelling does it use? -  There are lot of bodily interactions. Meaning the use of body language was used to convey a lo