Wednesday, October 24, 2012


Monday, October 15, 2012

1) What did you notice/learn about Méliès' style?
He uses many special effects, using "cinemagic." He also used matte to superimpose films together and duplicate himself or make objects appear. Also, he used stop motion for making objects disappear or appear.

2) Were there consistent elements in his films? What were they?

some consistent elements were magical and surreal like the moon, disappearing chair, eggs.  His set design was also amazing, and effects were added in the background.

3) Did you enjoy his films? Which ones? Why?
yes, all of them, as it was impressive to see what effects he made with no computer programs. 

4) What will you take away with you from watching these films?
I'm amazed at how far we've come in little over a century, but also how awesome Méliès's films were for his time.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

film review #2



Casino Royale


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?


I think the plot line was more important. The character, James Bond, doesn't change at all throughout the movie, but the plot is full of suspense and action. The movie tells the story of James Bond, a secret agent for the british government. He needs to win a high-stakes texas hold'em to put financial pressure on LeChiffre, a french villain. Pressure from LeChiffre's creditors would force him to cooperate with the government. Bond wins the tournament in the end, and gets tortured by LeChiffre to win back the money. The money Bond won gets stolen by Vesper, and he pursues her. He finds out her boyfriend was kidnapeed by the organization behind LeChiffre, and that she delivered the money to save Bond. Bond finally kills the head of the organization.


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?


I think the way the film was shot was very effective. It was slower and had many pan shots during the poker scenes, to indicate pressure and stress. During the action parts, the shots were fast-paced, which was effective in conveying the mood of the scenes. I don't think the film could have been better.



3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?


I would recommend this film to everyone who likes action movies and the past James Bond movies as the action scenes are very-well made and the explosions/deaths are not overkill.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Film Review #1



The Bourne Identity tells the story of an amnesiac who tries to find out who he is. He finds out
that he was a covert agent for a company within the CIA, and failed to assassinate an african
dictator. He attempts to cut all ties with his  past, and manages to do so only by fighting agents
from the same program as him. In the end, he lives in italy and owns a scooter shop. I would say
that both the plot and the character are important in this movie, as the character re-discovers his
past throughout the movie. I like the shots in this film, as the action scenes were fast paced and
seemed very real. I can’t think of any way to make the film better. I would definitely recommend
this film to anyone, as it blends suspense, action, and mystery all together in an amazing film.

Friday, September 7, 2012

1) A man buries his wife after sleeping with her dead body and puts himself in the grave with her
2) The character was more important, as the movie provided insight to his relationship with his wife
3) I took away that losing one of the only people you know and have lived with your entire life could mean losing yourself
1) A man getting married and his best man sit in the sun THe best man gives the groom a massage, and the groom starts dissolving into water.
2)The characters are more important, as there is no plot.
3)I didn't take anything away from the film as their was no plot and i could not percieve a moral

1)a man tells the story of another man who caught his wife with his best man, and tells everyone about it at their wedding. Then the man pulls out a crossbow and says he can't wait that long
2)the plot, as their are many twists and turns
3)I took away that a cheating lover makes people do hurtful things

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

1) In 50 words or less tell what the film was about.


2) What was more important/memorable/significant? The plot or the characters? Why?
3) What did you take away from the film?