Montage and Pure Cinema: Rear Window

I think the comparison between Jeff and the viewer is fair. Since the viewer sees everything that Jeff sees, we are essentially in the same position that he is, of course we don't have to worry about being seen staring into someone else's house. Often times I do feel uncomfortable seeing certain scenes in a movie. Sometimes I ask myself "Do I really need to see this?", and I feel slightly intrusive looking at scenes into the personal lives of the characters.

Rear Window

Rear Window is an Alfred Hitchcock film that revolves around the use of the Kuleshov Effect, by alternating between what the character sees with their reaction. Rear Window uses this effect perfectly, making the viewer as if they are the main character in the story. Along with the technical use of the camera, this movie has good acting, led by James Stewart, and has a reeling story. It is an obvious influenc to the 2007 film Disturbia, and is essentially the same film, just substituting certain story aspects. Overall, it is one of my favorite movies seen so far this year and I highly recomend it.

The Night They Raider Minsky's

The Night They Raided Minsky's is a comedy based on burlesque shows from the 1920's. Although the film does not particularly draw to my age group, some of the slapstick humor, as well as physical comedy made this an enjoyable viewing experience. This movie used a combination of black-and-white and color in a select few scenes in the city. The camera also employed fast motion during some scenes which aided to their comedic success. It also employed the Kuleshov Effect to a certain degree, showing the performance on stage, then showing the reaction of the audience. Overall, this film had its moments, but failed to deliver a performance that would have set it apart from others good movies.

Spike Lee's Do the RIght Thing: Territorial Struggle

1. The position and angle of the camera can be used to make the streets look smaller, and the characters look closer together. Mookie picks up the trash can and throws it through the window of the restaurant in one shot, signifying the closeness of the block. The street represents a barrier because of the Italian restaurant on one side and the Korean market on the other. Without the movie telling you, it is easy to tell that the day of the events is extremely hot due to the use of the camera.
2. There is a distinct barrier between the Sal and his sons, the Korean family, and the black people who live in the neighborhood. This is due to the fact that the two families each control a section in the neighborhood. While the black characers dislike the way that the institutions are run, they are a big part of their lives that they cannot do without. The way Sal and the owners of the store are treated and treat others prove the dislike of the different races towards each other.

Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee chronicles racial conflicts in Brooklyn. It was shown in my film studies class because of its use of mise-en-scene. It takes place in one neighborhood, and shows some of the racial issues that occur. It features music in a prominent role, as it much of it is the music that the characters hear as well, instead of just a soundtrack. I also enjoyed the camera angles used for many scenes. Such as the closeup and slanted screen used in the confrontation between Sal and Raheem. The fact that it takes place on one block, in one day adds to the effect of the set used and the music played by Radio Raheem. This film uses a variety of characters, many of whom are not thoroughly examined. This makes the characters seem more like actual people, instead of characters of a movie. Overall, it was a very interesting film by a very talented director.

Traffic

Traffic is a film hich uses multiple color filters to distinguish the multiple storylines which link to form the plot of the movie. In a way similar to Vantage Point, Traffic contains multiple characters in multiple separate storylines converging into one. The yellow filter is used in the scenes in Mexico and add to the desert-like feel. There is a blue filter used in the scenes surrounding Michael Douglas' family. The film also has a grainy texture, which adds to the overall feel of the movie.

Traffic has a star studded cast, many of which only make cameos. It has a well-developed storyline, and it comes together very well. While the film was slightly long, it was not a boring as other films of its length.

Robin Hood

I recently watched The Adventures of Robin Hood from 1938 starring Errol Flynn. This film contains a great combination of comedy and action, along with beautiful coloring. Produced in Technicolor, it contains a vivid display of colors, most notably green. After seeing this film, I was reminded of the first time I watched The Wizard of Oz, seeing the spectacular colors contrasting to the typical film of its day. This film also had a spectacular flm score, one which I compare to that of the Star Wars franchise.

The colors of this film are bright, almost to the point of looking like a book, or a cartoon. However, this fits well and makes this film one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen. THe acting is great, and the film has an everlasting comedic effect, making it funny 70 years later.