1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.
"Citizen Kane" , a classic film by Orson Welles is remembered as one of the greatest films of all time. Welles casts himself as the lead actor as well as he directs, and produces his first feature film. Welles receives high honor for his cinematography, music, and narrative structure in the film. "Citizen Kane" is known for its wonderful production and Welles is recognized as developing this production a pure masterpiece. One could argue that Welles was ahead of his time in his visual style, as he learned and mocked styles of film greats such as King Vidor and John Ford.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-07-08/entertainment/0507080040_1_jed-leland-charles-foster-kane-orson-welles
"Just what's so great about 'Citizen Kane?'," is an article that was published in the Chicago Tribune July 8, 2005. In a short clear article writer Michael Wilmington focuses on the qualities of Citizen Kane, and suggests to readers why watching Citizen Kane is a great experience. Wilmington writes, "Dome younger moviegoers even profess themselves bored with "Kane" and puzzled by its renown, They find it hard to follow. Boring? Never." In his following words he writes about how "Citizen Kane" is not like any other normal film and takes some understanding to really be able to stay along with the movie making it a movie of "aesthetic shock and exhilaration." Explaining that, "It's a film of deep long views that take you far past the borders and boundaries where other movies stop. Wilmington then goes on to explain how the soundtrack and the cinematography play along perfectly and enhances the film making it captivating from beginning to end.
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.
The article supports the way I felt about the film because it is relatable to my opinions in which I didn't really understand the movie fully my first time watching it. Being a younger minded individual, and growing up watching more understanding films I had to really follow and observe closely how Welles portrays a story in a different structure through flashbacks to deliver a very sorry full story of a publisher who had his ups and downs and dies with his last words being something significant to his reasoning in which he lived his life. Welles' use of sound and production using frames really comes together perfectly to provide a vivid plot and storyline, and is reasoning into why the film was so successful.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text materials and the article.
"Citizen Kane" is an enjoyable film and was known as the best movie ever for centuries for many reasons. All the elements in which are in the film are comprised to make a very intellectual and thought provoking film. It isn't an ordinary film for sure, and it does stand out in the way it produced and also the way it is narratively structured. Welles' was indeed ahead of his time when making the film as he captures frame by frame of cinematography genius to deliver such an interesting film. His acting as well as his screenplay is said to had been linked to his actual life and I can definitely see the comparison. "Citizen Kane" is the type a film you can watch 60 times and still learn something new every time and also will not lose attention as the film captivates viewers through sound and structure from beginning to end.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Gone with the wind
1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.
The 1939 blockbuster film "Gone With The Wind" is a film in which deserves all the praise. It is one of the most beloved, enduring, and popular films of all time. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh co-star to deliver a cinematic masterpiece of a love and hate relationship that transpire to a great plot line taken place in the Civil War era. The film takes us back to civil war times as we explore the rough times Americans and African Americans went through in the time of despair. The film is recognized in the African American cinema as African American actress Hattie McDaniel is well known for her role as Mammy, in which she was the first African American to win an Academy Award in the selection for best supporting actress.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content.
http://www.gulf-times.com/entertainment/240/details/412239/gone-with-the-wind-turns-75
An article was published in the Gulf times, a daily Arabic newspaper published in Qatar, Doha, titled "Gone with the Wind turns 75" talking about the 75th anniversary of the feature film "Gone with the Wind" directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood. The article talks about the portrayal of the Civil War in the film and how the film shows is not exactly accurate at the events it shows. The article mentions how slavery is a key component of the film and that even though African American actress Hattie McDaniel won the Academy Award for best actress the film still shows little respect for African Americans during that time period and how since its opening the film has been criticized about that. "So Gone with the Wind despite being a cinematic masterpiece, is a politically a disaster." This quote from the article reveals that although the film showed parts about slaves it didn't show the bigger picture in which some southern slave owners treated their slaves as family members, but others were quite brutal and didn't show respect. Basically meaning the movie didn't cover all aspects of the Civil War and the initial purpose that the war was fought
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.
The article did support the cinematic genius behind the production of "Gone with the Wind." The article also mad me change the way of thinking now that I have read the article and viewed the film. The film did show mostly all positives about slaves and slave masters having a good relationship with each other. I'm sure that slave masters like that did exist in that time period but they were not a lot of them. I believe the film could have been more realistic if it showed some of the more negative themes of slavery as well as the positive to serve as a purpose of giving history to a time period in which America was split into two different parties.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.
Before watching the film and learning that this was one of the top films recognized in African American Cinema I was expecting to see more African American actors in the film. The film did glorify slaves during the Civil War and showed the brighter sides of the Southern plantations. The film was very believable and enjoyable as I could watch a piece of history in time where not much history had been recorded and America was still fighting for overall equality and peace amongst the nation. I admired Clark Gable as well as Vivien Leigh's work in the film and also gained more knowledge about early film making and production.
The 1939 blockbuster film "Gone With The Wind" is a film in which deserves all the praise. It is one of the most beloved, enduring, and popular films of all time. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh co-star to deliver a cinematic masterpiece of a love and hate relationship that transpire to a great plot line taken place in the Civil War era. The film takes us back to civil war times as we explore the rough times Americans and African Americans went through in the time of despair. The film is recognized in the African American cinema as African American actress Hattie McDaniel is well known for her role as Mammy, in which she was the first African American to win an Academy Award in the selection for best supporting actress.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content.
http://www.gulf-times.com/entertainment/240/details/412239/gone-with-the-wind-turns-75
An article was published in the Gulf times, a daily Arabic newspaper published in Qatar, Doha, titled "Gone with the Wind turns 75" talking about the 75th anniversary of the feature film "Gone with the Wind" directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood. The article talks about the portrayal of the Civil War in the film and how the film shows is not exactly accurate at the events it shows. The article mentions how slavery is a key component of the film and that even though African American actress Hattie McDaniel won the Academy Award for best actress the film still shows little respect for African Americans during that time period and how since its opening the film has been criticized about that. "So Gone with the Wind despite being a cinematic masterpiece, is a politically a disaster." This quote from the article reveals that although the film showed parts about slaves it didn't show the bigger picture in which some southern slave owners treated their slaves as family members, but others were quite brutal and didn't show respect. Basically meaning the movie didn't cover all aspects of the Civil War and the initial purpose that the war was fought
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.
The article did support the cinematic genius behind the production of "Gone with the Wind." The article also mad me change the way of thinking now that I have read the article and viewed the film. The film did show mostly all positives about slaves and slave masters having a good relationship with each other. I'm sure that slave masters like that did exist in that time period but they were not a lot of them. I believe the film could have been more realistic if it showed some of the more negative themes of slavery as well as the positive to serve as a purpose of giving history to a time period in which America was split into two different parties.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.
Before watching the film and learning that this was one of the top films recognized in African American Cinema I was expecting to see more African American actors in the film. The film did glorify slaves during the Civil War and showed the brighter sides of the Southern plantations. The film was very believable and enjoyable as I could watch a piece of history in time where not much history had been recorded and America was still fighting for overall equality and peace amongst the nation. I admired Clark Gable as well as Vivien Leigh's work in the film and also gained more knowledge about early film making and production.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Stagecoach
1. Relate what was discussed in class or in the text to the screening?
John Ford is a director known mostly known for his western films. Stagecoach is one of his most famous western films, known for its dramatic cinematography. The film is shot at Monument Valley as Ford uses the location on the Arizona-Utah border, to provide a landscape view as the star actor John Wayne does heroic actions. The film was nominated for a Academy Award in the categories of best picture, best director, best art direction, best cinematography, and film editing.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/23/entertainment/la-ca-second-20100523
On May 23, 2010, an article was published in the Los Angeles Times by Sam Adams, titled "A Second Look: John Ford's 'Stagecoach." The article starts off with the iconic quote that Ford said at a Directors Guild meeting in 1950 introducing himself, "My name's John Ford. I make westerns." In the beginning of the article Adams talks about Stagecoach not being Ford's first western but was a film in which Ford did some things for the first time such as using the landscape of Monument Valley and the establishment of John Wayne as his favored leading man. The article then glorifies Ford's work for his cinematography and how he puts everything together perfectly in unison from his ordinary scenes to his action scenes. Stagecoach was brilliant in many aspects of the cinema and the article explains how other directors used John Ford's tactics to develop different films. "Ceilings hang low, inspiring the muslin-topped mise-en-scène of "Citizen Kane," whose novice director watched Ford's film dozens of times to learn his craft," is an example of how other directors appreciated Ford's work.
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.
The article provided more positive insight to which Stagecoach was so successful and is known as of the most successful western films to ever be made. After reading the article and doing additional research I learned that Ford was very intelligent in his craft and knew exactly how he wanted to make his western become a hit. Ford knew that John Wayne was meant for the role and all the other supporting actors were significant in the film's success. At first Wayne didn't even want the role of the Ringo Kid, but Ford knew that he would fit perfect and after the film Wayne received more positive recognition and would become Ford's lead man for upcoming films.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text materials and the article.
"Every string in Ford's ensemble vibrates in perfect unison, from John Carradine's gaunt Southern gambler, whose gallant gestures clash with his ignoble profession, to Trevor's pride-stung whore, whose expulsion from polite society takes the form of a joyless parade, a sanctimonious procession of black-clad matrons whose drawn faces suggest a world no living soul would care to inhabit," this quote from Adam's article was very intriguing to me because it exemplifies the true definition on Ford's work ethic. It is clear that Ford was very dedicated to his directing and made movies smartly and accordingly. At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy a western movie because I am not really a big fan for cowboys and Indians but from watching the movie my opinion of westerns has changed as I actually had enjoyment in watching the stunts and shots that showed John Wayne performing incredible acts. For the film to be so old it still showed very good background and landscape views making it seem very realistic in a sense.
John Ford is a director known mostly known for his western films. Stagecoach is one of his most famous western films, known for its dramatic cinematography. The film is shot at Monument Valley as Ford uses the location on the Arizona-Utah border, to provide a landscape view as the star actor John Wayne does heroic actions. The film was nominated for a Academy Award in the categories of best picture, best director, best art direction, best cinematography, and film editing.
2. Find a related article and summarize the content.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/23/entertainment/la-ca-second-20100523
On May 23, 2010, an article was published in the Los Angeles Times by Sam Adams, titled "A Second Look: John Ford's 'Stagecoach." The article starts off with the iconic quote that Ford said at a Directors Guild meeting in 1950 introducing himself, "My name's John Ford. I make westerns." In the beginning of the article Adams talks about Stagecoach not being Ford's first western but was a film in which Ford did some things for the first time such as using the landscape of Monument Valley and the establishment of John Wayne as his favored leading man. The article then glorifies Ford's work for his cinematography and how he puts everything together perfectly in unison from his ordinary scenes to his action scenes. Stagecoach was brilliant in many aspects of the cinema and the article explains how other directors used John Ford's tactics to develop different films. "Ceilings hang low, inspiring the muslin-topped mise-en-scène of "Citizen Kane," whose novice director watched Ford's film dozens of times to learn his craft," is an example of how other directors appreciated Ford's work.
3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.
The article provided more positive insight to which Stagecoach was so successful and is known as of the most successful western films to ever be made. After reading the article and doing additional research I learned that Ford was very intelligent in his craft and knew exactly how he wanted to make his western become a hit. Ford knew that John Wayne was meant for the role and all the other supporting actors were significant in the film's success. At first Wayne didn't even want the role of the Ringo Kid, but Ford knew that he would fit perfect and after the film Wayne received more positive recognition and would become Ford's lead man for upcoming films.
4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text materials and the article.
"Every string in Ford's ensemble vibrates in perfect unison, from John Carradine's gaunt Southern gambler, whose gallant gestures clash with his ignoble profession, to Trevor's pride-stung whore, whose expulsion from polite society takes the form of a joyless parade, a sanctimonious procession of black-clad matrons whose drawn faces suggest a world no living soul would care to inhabit," this quote from Adam's article was very intriguing to me because it exemplifies the true definition on Ford's work ethic. It is clear that Ford was very dedicated to his directing and made movies smartly and accordingly. At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy a western movie because I am not really a big fan for cowboys and Indians but from watching the movie my opinion of westerns has changed as I actually had enjoyment in watching the stunts and shots that showed John Wayne performing incredible acts. For the film to be so old it still showed very good background and landscape views making it seem very realistic in a sense.
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