Final

Guillermo Del Torro is best known for his famous horror films. In his movies, he uses monsters to express his feelings toward monsters and he identify his films by using monsters because of his deep passion towards them. He also tries to give others a creative side and unique imagination. Del Toro creates these monsters to emphasize the reality of his work. As a child Del Toro had many thoughts and dreams of monsters, which now greatly has an affect on his work.

In the Devil's Backbone Del Toro used an orphanage as a building of gothic romance and used the ghost story to prove the same thing that he wanted to prove in Pan's Labyrinth, that is the only real monsters are human. In the Devil's Backbone,emphasized on the true definition of a ghost because a ghost is a tragedy doomed to repeat itself time and time again and something dead that still seems to be alive. His intentions were to express to viewers that his reason for using ghosts were to show othere hat the ghost are not what they are afraid of and that what they are really afraid of are people.

In Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo Del Torro used the pale man for the viewers to find his work more appealing. When he use these effects thaey are only tools to make his work look less like a fairytale and more realistic.

From my point of view I would say that Guillermo Del Toro has a significant relationship with monsters and treat his monsters as if they are real people.

The Bad Sleep Well

The Bad Sleep Well was the first film to be produced under Akira Kirosawa's production company. In this particular film Kirosawa combines elements from Shakespaere's play Hamlet, which is Akira Kirosawa's favorite play.Kurosawa’s film has far more r, realism. On the other hand, Shakespeare's play reflects more upon poetry instead of drama. This movie is mainly about Koichi Nishi, who is a young executive wants revenge for his father's death and decides to search for the killer himself.

Although this was not one of my favorite movies, I noticed how creative Kirosawa was when he did this movie. For instance the sound, and the ay he used the lighting. Everything was done in black and whit photography. He also had great focus camera work. On the action scenes in this movie the camera was very focused when it captured things, especially the movement.

As far as the costumes in the movie, I would have to say that they were fine because they were definitely apart of the Japanese culture.

The Conversation

The title of the movie basically explains what the movie is all about. The movie revolves around Harry Caul, a surveillance expert that finds a conversation between a woman and a man in a courtyard quiute interesting. With the devices that he built himself, he realizes that he may have put the two people in danger by recording their conversation. Although this was not the first time that this occurred, Harry was very paranoid and almost delusional because he feared that he was being watched. This explains why his apartment have several locks on the door. I can say that this movie was suspenseful because you didn't know what was going to occur next because something strange would suddenly happen. For instance, the part when Harry ws in the hotel and he stepped on the balcony after hearing screaming from the next room and a bloody hand appears on the glass. It affects him because he hides under the cover and goes crazy, you would think he was trying to think nothing ever happened. In this film, I would have to say that I really didn't care for the sound. It really annoyed me because it sounded as if someone was talking in a microphone with stuffed paper of some kind in their mouths the majority of the time. The costumes in this film were okay but I was aware of the raincoat that Harry wore after it was pointed out and I couldn't understand why someone would decide to do such a thing for without a purpose, being that it was dry outside. The setting of the film mainly took place in the courtyard, at his office, and in the hotel. Overall I would say that this was a film that you definitely had to pay close attention to in order to understand what was going on and I found it pretty much interesting.

The Pursiut of Happiness

In this particular movie, the director,Gabriele Muccino, did a fantastic job as well as all of the actors that contributed their time also. On a scale from one to ten, I would give this film a perfect score because it didn't seem to have any flaws.The lighting was good, being that the film was shot both day and night. I didn't find too many special effects and if there were some, they weren't very noticeable. I also found the costumes to be appropriate because in the movie we were dealing with a working environment and a learning environment. In each environment the sytles of clothing were different. In the working environment there were people wearing suits ad ties and in the daycare, the children wore jeans and shirts. The sound was also great in the movie because it was mostly filmed in crowded areas and everything was clear, including everything that was going on in the backgrounds. I also think many families can relate to the movie in many different ways because many families are struggling and trying to make end meet.

The Old Man and the Sea

In the movie, The Old Man and the Sea, the director, Ernest Hemingway did a great job with the setting because the majority of the film took place in the sea and the film was about an old fisherman who decided to go fishing and expected to defeat fish. In the film I think that the special effects were good because whenever there was action, the camera captured everything between the man and the fish. Everything seemed so real and there were several moments where they captured action under water also. I think the costumes were also appropriate. The sound in this film was also better than what I expected to be, due to the film being old.

O Brother Where Art Thou

I would start off by saying this film was one of my favorites. In this movie, nothing seemed to be wrong. It was intersting and I liked the way the men talked. I think because the film was not as old as the other movies and it was filmed a few years back that it helped the sound and made it easier due to all of the new technology that has been introduced. When it comes down to the costumes, I also didn't find anything to be unappropriate. The special effects were also good. In the scene where the police showed up to arrest the men and the barn was set on fire, I think the way the little boy drove through it was quite good because they made it look as if it really happened, although we knew the car would have probably gone up in flames also.

Billy Jack

I found the film Billy Jack to be an interesting film. I enjoyed the continuous action that occured throughout the film and I thought it was a good thing. In this film I think that the special effects were just a little bad. For example, when fighting occured and blood appeared, it seemed to have an orange look instead of red. It looked more like orange paint.The sound in the film was also good in my opinion, considering the fact that it was absolutely an older movie. Whenever there was a scene with action, everything, such as the shootings seemed as if it was really taking place.Therefore the sound effects were great. As far as the costumes , I think everything was perfect. The director,T.C. Frank did a fantastic job in this movie because I feel it was a film about more than action. The movie emphasized the importance of being yourself, being treated with fairness no matter where you are from, and having pride.

The Peach Orchard

In this dream was more like a mystery. After the little boy realized that there were six people and his sister told him there were only five girls, he ran after a little girl that was really a spirit. Her spirit played the role of a messenger in this dream. As she leads him to the area, that was once a peach orchard he notice that she suddenly disappears. At this time there are many dolls. The dolls are also spirits. The boy started to cry after he was told that it was his family's fault that the peach trees were cut down. They felt that he was crying because he liked peaches but the trees meant much more to him. He cried because the trees originally bloomed there and are no longer there. After he tell them the reason he cries they see that he is really a good boy and is ashamed of what his family did. The dolls begin to dance and shortly the trees bloom once more. Next, the little girl appears one again, and he began to run after her. She disappears again and he notice that all of the trees are gone except for one. That one tree is the little girl's spirit. The dolls were also spirits because the dolls personify the peach tree. The tree is just a message to the little boy.

Sunshine Through the Rain

This particular dream was based on curiosity and consequence. Although his mother warned him not to go in the woods, he went because he wanted to see what was the reason why she didn't want him in the woods.This particular dream focused on deciet. It was more like Adam and Eve's story.

Chinese Cinema VS. American Cinema

Chinese cinema seems to reflect their culture and history. For example, in Hero the movie is set during the same time as China's first emperor, which symbolizes China's pride.Chinese cinema tell us about China’s rise in power.Chinese cinema explains the themes, stories, and morals. Most Chinese films are known to focus on patriotism and honor. Chinese cinema is basically based upon the things that are happening now or the things that have taken place in the pass. It also deals with the important things that are meaningful and very i,portant to Chinese today. On the other hand, American cinema connects subjects such as history, business, and English with other studies. American cinema focuses more on the society and what is going on today. It also has many different styles. American cinema isn't as traditional as Chinese cinema or as meaningful. Both types of cinema are different but share some characteristics because they can both reflect on romance and other things that we deal with as humans. American cinema deals more on different lifestyles while Chinese cinema mainly focus on their own lifestyle.

The Devil's Backbone

The Devi'ls Backbone was a really interesting movie. I think Guillermo Del Torro did a great job with this movie in every area. I also feel like everything was set up the way it appeared for a particular reason. I also like the way he emphasized on the true definition of a ghost because a ghost is a tragedy doomed to repeat itself time and time again and something dead that still seems to be alive. In the movie Santi, the ghost, appeared many times and seemed to be alive to some of the boys in the orphanage.

I think the special effects in the movie were great because everything seemed so real. The way Santi appeared and the explosion that took place. I think the costumes were also perfect for the film. The lighting was also good in the film because on every part of the movie it was either dark or bright at all of the right times. I also think the sound and sets in the movie went well with the type of movie it was because it helped build suspense for example, the long halls.

Personal Entry

I think the more movies we watch in cinematography, the better we will become when it comes down to critiqueing more films that we will watch in the future. So far I have been enjoying the class better since I have adjusted to things and I hope to contiue enjoying it although it could be a little challenging.

Journal 2/02/07

Personal Entry

I think we should watch many different types of films,to be specific, old and new. I think knowing the differences between the way old films were compared to modern films are is important.

Critique

Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda was an excellent movie. In my opinion there weren't any flaws at all. I think Terry George did an outstanding job as director. As far as the lighting, sound, costumes, sets and special effects, everything was great. Hotel Rwanda was a touching and inspiring film, especially being that it is a true story. The movie put me in a mind frame as if I was right there when everything happened. When it comes down to special effects I was impressed because it really made everything look so real because of the bombs and gun shots.There weren't many sets in the movie. Of course one was the hotel, Don Cheadle's house, and the camp.

News Article

The Grapes of Wrath(1940)

The 1940 film, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, represents a film when everything in film came together. Today the film seems most remarkable for the way its style reflects a range of strong emotions. Although the film is 67 years old, the only scene that dates poorly was the ending that was later added by Darryl F. Zanuck. His intentions were to dilute the harshness of the story. In the restored version of The grapes of Wrath, John Steinbck feels that the film was harsher than his book in its portrayal of the Joad family's situation. The Grapes of Wrath no longer exists but an incomplete nitrate composite dupe negative from the Museum of Modern Art in New York were used to create new archival film elements.

Rear Window

Critique:

Rear Window was a good movie in my opinion. On a scale from one to ten, I would give it a seven. Throughout the movie, I never lost interest. I think the comedy and suspense in the movie really gained my attention. Although Rear Window was an interesting movie, I would have to say the lighting in the movie could have been brighter. On some parts of the movie the lighting was a little dark. My other concern in the movie was with the special effects. I think the part when Jeff fell over the balcony could have been improved so that it would look realistic. As far as costumes, direction, and sound, I think each area was good for the time that the movie was filmed. Being that the movie was filmed in 1954, I think the costumes were perfect. Overall I really enjoyed Rear Window.

Personal Entry:

I think Cinematography is an interesting course although it is a critical course as well. So far I like the course and I expect to gain more knowledge about movies in the future.

News Article:
Points East Project Rebirth: 10 Years at Ground Zero
A month after September 2001 terrorists attacks, Tom Lapin, a New York cinematographer, received a call from Jim Whitaker, the president of Imagine Entertainment to ask if a long time-lapse film was possible. After Tom suggested that it would be possible and by spring of 2002, Jim Whitaker's project was in process. Halfway through its 10 year timeline, Project Rebirth was a reconstruction of Ground Zero. After some interviews, Whitaker and Lappin decided to use the highest-quality recording formats available. The format allowed them to get a wide field of view without going to a wider lens. Their goal was to capture wide views with close-ups of the construction. Volunteer labor and donations made Project Rebirth Possible.

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