Rear Window (1954, USA) Alfred Hitchcock
- Reporter LB Jeffries is confined to his house for 6 weeks in a wheelchair
- Was injured while photographing an auto race collision
- High-intensity worker who isn't made to be kept inside or domesticated
- Passes the hours by spying on his various neighbors throughout the day
- Has a nurse come over daily whom he confides in and helps characterize him through their dialogue
- Also has a beautiful, rich girlfriend who comes by at night and wants to be with him.
- He resists monogamy with her because everything in her life is perfect and he can't seem them together due to their professions
- LB observes an ecclectic mixture of people in his neighbors.
- Beautiful gymnast who is constantly being courted but never the right man
- Frustrated upper-class young man who can't find love
- Sad widow who still carries on as though her husband were there. Alcoholism impending
- LB pays the most attention to a wife and husband couple who appear unhappy (but we never have audio confirmation)
- When wife disappears and LB observes the husband coming and going at odd hours of the night, he begins to investigate.
- Meets resistance from everyone initially, slowly his detective friend and the 2 women in his life become more and more intrigued.
- Movie poses an interesting dilemma in trying to do the right thing but with no real evidence (don't know what you actually see because there's no accompanying audio)
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Atonement (2007, USA) Joe Wright
Sound:
- Short, crisp keystrokes to begin the movie.
- Possibly used to indicate the forward and direct manner of the 9yr old girl
- The sound of the keystrokes contrasted against the empty silence makes it all the audience has to pay attention to (no visual). Captures audience's whole attention.
- Music used to dictate the audience's mood as we watch interaction on screen between characters.
- Sometimes, music is used during speech to further the emotions meant to be felt by the audience.
- Use of music in one scene then absolute silence in the very next creates a sense of contrast and lets the audience know about the severity of the scene
- Silence motif in this movie is very prevalent.
- Little girl's silence about who really was taking advantage of the red-headed girl is ironic. She has no problem telling a mis-led fabricated story though
Costumes:
- 1930s clothing
- Clothing used as a way to characterize everyone in the movie without the use of words
- You can identify a person's social class and potential employment by looking at clothes
- Also gives an indication of the relative age of the characters
- Dull colors used to indicate a lack of emotion or spark
- Conversely, bright colors are used to pop and capture the audience's attention
- Costumes are simple in that, a dress that is provocative usually indicates a provocative woman
- Nurse's outfits are crisp and pristine, just as the nurses are expected to be
- Keira Knightley's green dress garnered a huge amount of attention for Oscar's best costume design.
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Breathless (1960, France) Jean-Luc Godard
- Michel, the protagonist, is a petty criminal
- Womanizing, slefish con artist
- Cops pull him over in a stolen vehicle early in the movie
- Michel shoots him and flees. Ending destination goal is Italy
- We see him involved with multiple women, no emotional investment
- Adopts Humphrey Bogart's demeanor
- Endlessly chases an American girl named Patricia who's selling newspapers in the streets of Paris.
- She wants to be a journalist
- Sleeps with her boss for an opportunity to interview
- Jump cuts used frequently: Conversation continues normally but characters skip 1-3seconds of movement
- Innovative for this time
- Patricia decides to trust him, then ultimately betrays him after helping him avoid the police
Reaction:
I enjoyed watching this movie. Michel's approach to life provided an endless stream of entertaining events that proved the filmmaker to be both clever and witty. I read that a majority of the dialogue was written just prior to the scenes being shot. In addition, the filming took place sporadically on a hand-held camera without the approval of any locations on Paris. As a result, Godard was able to capture a spontaneous feel throughout the entirety of the film.
Key Scene:
Michel's constant obsession with Humphrey Bogart becomes very apparent to the viewer when he begins to adopt his mannerisms and demeanor. The constant rubbing of his lips is a unintentional tick that Humphrey Bogart, the person not actor, has in real life. Michel's imitation indicates his desire to be just like Bogart as evidenced when he is checking himself in the mirror to secure his image. Also, we see Michel checking his appearance against the posters of Humphrey Bogart that are throughout the movie.
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The Hurt Locker (2008, USA) Kathryn Bigelow
- "The rush of battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug."
- Hand-held camera used frequently
- Lots of different POV shots.
- Soldiers, passive observer, potential terrorists looking on, long shots
- William James (Jeremy Renner) replaces deceased EOD team leader
- Reckless and seeking to satisfy his need for adrenaline rush, unconcerned about death
- Juxtaposed next to JT Sanborn, former Ranger who is textbook soldier in his dsicipline
- Sanborn openly contemplates killing James with their 3 team member in an "accidental" testing explosion. Concerned that James will get them all killed.
- Ride back to base but stop on the way to assist mercenaries with a flat tire. 3 of them killed, possible bonding experience between James and Sanborn as they work 1-2 team on the sniper rifle.
- EOD team gets drunk together afterwards, bonding. James takes it a bit too far with Sanborn.
- James defends his wife when Sanborn jokes she's dumb for staying with him. He says she isn't dumb, just loyal.
- Sanborn on the verge of passing out asks James if he thinks Sanborn has what it takes to put on the suit, "Hell no."
- Also learn James has depth and isn't complete sociopath when he seeks revenge on those who allegedly killed his friend "Beckham", a 12 yr old who sells him DVDs. James thought he found him dead and filled with explosives in a warehouse.
- James leads Sanborn and Eldridge into dangerous and unnecessary man-hunt for people who made a large bomb/fire in a village. Eldridge captured and they rescue him but not without shooting him in the leg.
- Later sees Beckham walking around. ignores him, can't cope with the possibility?
- Eldridge, usually tame and soft-spoken, lashes out at James as he is airlifted from base the next morning, saying none of this would've happened if he didn't need his adrenaline rush.
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Capturing the Friedmans (2003, USA) Andrew Jarecki
- Absolutely look like child molesters.
- Seemingly socially inept and withdrawn.
- Computer teacher with huge collection of child pornography
- Mother saw the rest of her family for what it was eventually.
- Had to go through numerous arguments where she was outnumbered and berated by the husband and 3 boys.
- Husband said, "It's my issue and it's private." Wouldn't talk about it.
- Shrink said nothing wrong
- Allegedly sodomized young boys during piano lessons for years.
- Mother was committed for awhile, raised $$ for bail etc
- Dirty, lying, conniving perverts
- 40 counts of sodomy
- Stop animation used in living room scene the night before trial.
- 4 years of charges brought to trial.
- Would dress up as clown and entertain small children at parties.
- Joking about it in the car on the morning of the trial
- Sold the crying and emotional aspect in court after previously laughing about it hours before.
- People thinking innocent are some combination of blind, deaf, and dumb
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A Single Man (2009, USA) Tom Ford
-Lonely, depressed, single, gay man. Widowed, planning suicide throughout the film.
- Phone call from family won't allow him to come to funeral: "Family only"
- 16yr relationship
- Difference in lighting between present and fond flashbacks/memories
- Him walking thru a sea of people, all going in one direction, he in the opposite on college sidewalk.
- "Minorities are just people" during his projecting lecture in class
- Lighting/colors changed as he talked to possibly gay student he was having a connection with.
- Bright colors contrast with him (His neighbors @ the bank)
-"One thing worthwhile, those few times when I could really, truly connect with another human being.
- Beach scene: "You can't go out like that." "Don't you know we're invisible?"
- During his moments of clarity, the silence finally drowns out the noise, and he finds bliss and contentment.
- Died of heart attack after one of these moments, arguably he had decided to continue living and accept that his partner was gone
- Trying to find correct position to die in - humorous and indicative he's not entirely eager to go through with it.
- Colors illuminate when he is experiencing one of "life's gifts."
- When asked about his future plans by multiple characters, he's intentionally yet subtly vague and noncommittal.
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Gosford Park (2001, USA) Robert Altman
- Aristocrats packing and leaving mansion? Rainy, bright colors.
- 1930s post WWI
- Drive to another mansion, stopped briefly and offered help which they rudely denied.
- Deep space: Thru front door to hallway
- Entire mansion used as deep space.
- Seemingly multiple storylines/subplots using depth in camera shots
- Use talk amongst the 2 classes (Aristocracy/Servants) to characterize each other via gossip and contrasts.
- Unhappy marriage - "Try to make her look respectable" Husband to maid re: wife
- Everyone bashing everyone else behind closed doors, perfectly pleasant face-to-face
- Clive Owen stoic, grew up in orphanage
- Fake butler, Ryan Phillipe - Wiseman?
- Wiseman rape attempt
- Unhappy couple married for father's money, husband found out it was less than origginally thought, now unhappy with finances and ashamed of his wife
- Maid in bathtub- "Why do we spend our lives living through them?"
- Charlie Chan goes to London - Movie title: Murder in a vacation mansion. Irony
- Ryan Phillipe not Scottish but an actor practicing for his role
- 2 murder attempts. Poison then stabbing
- Worst. Detective. Ever.
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Shark In The Head (Czech Republic, 2004) Maria Prochazkova
- Man on sidewalk in boxers smoking/talking to strangers with no apparent reason
- Gave expensive coat to random girl, asked nothing in return
- Searches trash cans every morning?
- Tries to open window, spazzes, takes pill, camera does a 180 and he can go outside now, relief
- Helpful w/ construction crew
- Sits at window and observes world
- Hallucinates with newspaper - Scizophrenic?
- TV and trash cans - his life
- Shark flash intermittently while watching TV
- Cut/paste photos to have company? Sees other windows of many people
- No door - window his way to the world
- Red light/balls/Santas
- Present from lady (box of meats/fruits/beer/cigs)
- Built xmas tree/ornaments from trash. Pictures used as company under the tree
- Sad when it rains bc inside, she didn't pass by
- Music freezes/he hustles to window when she walks by, misses her
- She has her head down, disappointment? He sighs
- Punching hoes in black curtain for stars?
- White walls empty in his APT
- Chicken sounds overwhelming, red marbles spills?
- End of cigarette butt - talking about retirement home
- Multiple hands going over closed window
- Wanted to feel fresh air/rain, started seeing talking heads in other windows. Frightened him
- Red lighting motif?
- She brings him champagne and leaves (dream?)
- Marbles are pills - medicine for schizophrenia
- "If you start to believe in yourself then you must be God"
Memento (USA, 2000) Director Christopher Nolan
- Bloody picture to start, murder?
- Shaking picture to develop. Fading instead - reverse sequence?
- Leonard with a "condition"
- "Need a system if you're going to make it"
- "Remember Sammy Jankis"
- "Used to be insurance claim investigator"
- Movie alternating between sepia toned and color scenes.
- Reverse chronological order for color scenes
- Anterograde memory loss
- Sammy has a slight look of recognition, prompts Leonard to test further.
- "How am I supposed to heal if I can't feel time?"
- Microflash of Lenny in a mental institution, he's possibly Sammy Jankis?
- Teddy snaps and tells Lenny entire truth? - His wife survived the attack and it was his insulin overdose that killed her. He had been creating his own fantasy to find John G. attacker on repeat for some time now because he can't accept/remember that his wife tested his condition and died.
- Coincidence that Teddy's real name was John G and Lenny decides to forget that truth and make him his next victim
- Ink motif
- Ambiguous storyline, not sure if wife survived or if he was in mental institution. ("Memories can be created, falsified, and manipulated."
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Psycho (USA, 1960), Director Alfred Hitchcock
Question: Whether the characters will emerge victorious in the constant battle between good and evil that exists in everyone.
Formulation: Marion clearly a good woman who makes a bad impulsive decision. Influenced by Cassidy who ignorantly states that all of life's unhappiness can be bought away.
Promise of an answer: We follow Marion throughout the entirety of the opening act. Can only assume we'll see what happens to her since we've devoted so much time.
Fraud: We see Marion's potential for a split personality in her eyes in the rear view mirror of the car, devious yet devoid of real emotion.
Equivocation: Marion isn't forthcoming with Norman in their conversations but in the end realizes that she has fallen into one of "life's pitfalls" and resolves to return the money.
Blocking: Her shower-scene death
Partial Answer: Marion resolves to leave "very early" in the morning, presumably to return in time for Monday morning to deposit the rest of the money.
Disclosure: Scrap of leftover accounting notebook paper found in the toilet by Lila, proving Marion's decision to do the right thing.
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Full Metal Jacket (USA, 1987), Director Stanley Kubrick - Slow pacing/Extreme attention to detail
Syuzhet:
- Begins with haircuts on young empty-eyed pre-boot camp soldiers.
- Long hair/liberal hippie stark contrast to what they're being molded into
- Intro boot camp scene sets tone for first 1/2 of movie
- Unity/Teamwork (Brainwashing) begins immediately with rifle prayer before bed
- Pvt. Gomer Pyle instantly target of harshest criticism amongst soldiers, both within and from Drill Sgt
- Pyle shown to be incompetent and behind in every aspect.
- Pvt Joker assigned squad leader position, also responsible for keeping Pyle from falling too far behind
- Soap bar abuse scene of Pyle, Joker reluctantly joins in then revels in it
- Pyle finds success in long rifle work, is slowly losing grip on sanity
- Bathroom murder/suicide scene - Pyle pushed to the edge
- Vietnam, Joker charged with writing for army paper and bringing false promises of hope
- Joker and best friend Rafterman join with infantry unit.
- Observe and condemn dehumanization of soldiers
- Joker "How can you shoot women and children?"
- Sniper scene, while desensitized to enemy, still feel for injured companions
- Joker shoots teenage female sniper.
- No soul left innocent
Prsentation (Diegetic and Non-Diegetic):
- Multiple pop culture songs non-diegetically incorporated. Used to set mood and/or for irony purposes
- Grey area in Joker narrating intermittently.
Structure:
- Basic Camp
- Bathroom Pvt Pyle Scene
- Vietnam Stars and Stripes Paper meeting
- Vietnamese attack on base
- Joker/Rafterman into the field
- Commentary on dead bodies from all soldiers
- Battle
- Interviews w/ soldiers
- Sniper scene
- Mickey Mouse
Visual and Auditory Effects:
- Songs/Rifle Prayer promotes unity/loss of identity
- Pvt Piles fatigues notably darker than other in formation
- Visually pan into Pyle's empty face/eyes during Lee Harvey Oswalt former marine talk
- Imminent music played during Pyle's bathroom scene, eyes trigger end of his sanity
- Ominous music as approaching possible ambush in 1st firefight of movie (shaky/moving camera)
- First slow motion of movie in sniper shots
