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.