City of God: Opening Scene analysis

City of God opening scene is an introduction into many of the themes that the narrative will entail.
the film textn goes against Hollywood films as it does not start with an establishing shot.
Frenetic editing and the dietetic sound within the opening lends itself to the idea of unease of life in the favela which can be interpreted as a symbol of conflict.  An extreem close of of a knife adds to this, and the editing quickly cuts between the knife and a black screen accompanied by dietetic sound which builds on the sense of unease within the opening of the film.
Life and culture continues to juxtapose tradition Hollywood films as the props used within this scene reflect life very stereotypical to how life may be within the slums.
Images of children also reflect what life is like in the slums as it may be considered as 'cheep' and there is a low life expectancy. Editing also reflects this as the frenetic pace draws parallels to the chaotic life in the slums.
The chicken plays a key role in the opening scene, as it could represent the internal conflict of our protagonist , Rocket, who wishes to escape the slums and this is represented in the chase that takes place as the chicken runs away.

A Bout De Souffle Film response

One of the first new wave films, A Bout De Souffle, uses unconventional filming methods which contrast heavily to the American cinema during that period. Some of these methods include:

• Lack of narrative - The lack of any meaningful narrative was one of the key differences between this french new wave film, and that of other films during that period. A basic conceptual idea follows a male protagonist by the name of Michel - an anti hero. Having a gangster persona, he challenges the heroic ideal of many American protagonists during the period. There is a lack of cause and effect within the narrative also leads to a somewhat unsatisfactory ending where it seems as if nothing was resolved or achieved.
• Editing -  the editing of the movie reflects the art house style that the french new wave films brought. The pacing of the scenes would reflect the mood or atmosphere of the characters, this is most noticeable within the taxi scene where fast paced editing is used to show the impatience of Michel.
• Protagonist - Percieved as an anti hero - Michel does not fit most, if not any, of the characteristics of common American protagonist. He does not seem to have any motive to allow the narrative to unfold, and holds traits which contrast the heroic traditional protagonist of that time.
• Art style - The style in which the film was created was made for the purpose of being a more artistic style. this in itslef made the films production very different to that of other films of that time, which lead to the style of the french new wave being created.

Scene analysis: Double indemnity

As the film draws to a conclusion, Keyes is sure that something is wrong with the Dietrichson case. During an unfortunate timing, he comes to Walters apartment at the same time the Phyllis is meant to be coming up.The scene starts with Keyes in the foreground, as an over powering presence against Walter, who almost seems to blend into the the scenery around him. The lamp in the background allows for shadows to be cast, presenting Keyes in a darker, more predominant light, enforcing him as a powerful figure at this part during the film. This is also reflected in the dialogue, with Keyes bombarding Walter with questions, almost accusing him of what he has done. This builds tension in the scene as we are worried about the effects of Keyes finding out the truth.
Keyes paces back and forth from the camera, which zooms in and out to match his pace, further enforcing that the cojnveresation is in his control. When facing the camera his is enforcing his power in the situation and distances himself from Walter. The camera angle changes and we have a mid shot of the two in darker lighting. Keyes darker suit and hat, contrasting even more so against Walters lighter suit.
It is at this point when there is a long accusing pause after 'Maybe he didn't know he was insured.'

Film responce: Double indemnity

Double Indemnity focuses on a insurance salesman and revolves around his experience in the business. When he enters the dietrichson household for a review on car insurance, his perspective on life changes. Being a straight up man, with his morals in check, he is twisted in the web that the spider woman, Phyllis, and all his morals are turned around in her flirtations.
He is seduced into using his skills in the business to kill of her unloving husband and rid her of a unhappy marriage. He plans to kill him in a unusual circumstance so the insurance company will pay out more hence the title 'Double Indemnity'.
The narration follows Walter as the main protagionist and the story unfolds from his confessions. he recounts his story of his and Phyllis meeting and the plotting of her husbands death. As the story unfolds, we begin to see that Phyllis is not as vulnerable as she had made out and that there is a lot of mystery about her character.
This leads Walter to questioning his decisions and he becomes remorseful and tries to make things right buy killing Phyllis.

Georgy Girl scene analysis

Opening with a classing female motion associated with the 60's, we have the swinging of the main character, Georgy's (Lynn Redgrave), handbag. The upbeat music that introduces this scene reflects the character of Georgy and the boundless energy of what is to be introduced into the movie. The colourless image follows her down the street, the independence of this is a clear contrast from the other black and white films of the 50's. On arriving at a salon, we see the character of Georgy peer into a hair salon, which very much shows what many working class females were like at this time. The fact that we see the character is not like this can lead is to the assumption that she is not working class but middle class. Upon making the decision to get her hair styled, we see that she is conflicted with this decision, reflecting with the middle class morals that she has. However, we see that in making the decision she detaches herself of this lifestyle and accepts the hair cut, which could be a precursor to other decisions that will be made later on in the movie.
Once she exits from the shop, we the see the regret in her decision as she goes running off to the toilets in order to change her appearance to what it was.

Film response: Alfie

An unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle. Alfie (Michael Caine) is the main character that the narrative follows, and often he speaks to the audience directly.We see this within the opening of the movie once we get a feel of the character and his 'meetings'.
Concealed within the darkness, he hides and 

Short Film: Response

The Forgotten Hit:

This was the first of the short films that I had watched, it was very interesting with plot twists, flashbacks and a compelling narrative. The scenes are very monotone, using mainly black and white which represent the lack of emotion, and maybe memory of the character.

Indecision:

With the second short film that we saw, I did not find the story compelling at all. However, the film was very good in the aspect of mes en scene, great costume and sticking true to the character with the old car.  The editing was also good, with the revolving scene section, that was done very well. I really enjoyed the sound, or lack of, with the only sound being the voice over which i though suited the film very well.

Farewell Charlie Power:

The longest of the three films and the most detail in them as well. There was both a compelling narrative, great use of mes en scene, truly representing the area the film is located in. Other aspects were also done well, with great seamless editing, accompanied by a sound track

Film response: Se7en

The film 'Se7en (1995)' directed by David Fincher was very enjoyable. The narrative of the film follows two opposing detectives who have a clear binary opposition in the way they think, behave, view the crimes and there response to them. This leads them to fall out to begin with, however as the series of killings take place we see the characters develop and begin to behave the same towards the end of the film.


Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.As the killings continue they seem no further in catching the killer than they ever had, until they find his apartment. This is one of the highest action points in the film building up the the almost death of detective Mills, but why wasn't he killed?

The next big part in the film is when the killer

Figure expresion: The Place Beyond The Pines

Within the flim 'The Place Beyond The Pines' figure expression is used to influence the audiences views of the characters. Within the film we are introduced to three main characters, their stories and how they all link together. The figure expression in each character is different, telling the stories in different ways, however the film fits together so well showing the power of figure expression within this film.

The first story is based on the character of Luke (Ryan Gosling) who leads a free lifestyle. His image shows him to be free spirited, rebellious and unpredictable and this is further shown through the many tattoos he has and the life style he lives. He is a motorcyclist in a fair, living in danger and also constantly moving; that is until he finds out he has a son. Luke throws his whole lifestyle away to try and support his child, which gives us more understanding of his mysterious past.
However, it isn't long before he begins to live recklessly again, turning to a lift of crime in bank robbing to try and support his new family. He is desperate and this is shown through the fast pacing of his life which he lives on his bike. As the story of Luke begins to draw to a close, we see everything he has worked for fall apart. The rejection of money from the mother of his children, the fight between Luke and the boyfriend and ultimately the death in his last robbery as he tries to escape. We see the desperation in Luke as he phones the mother of his child one last time, we can here his panic in his breath and the brutal end to his life as he gets shot out of the window, last being sprawled on the pavement in a pool of blood.

The policeman who shot Luke is the second character who is introduces and now the narrative of the story moves to Avery (Bradly Cooper). A polar opposite to the character of Luke, Avery is a policeman dedicated to doing the right thing. He is caught in between a conflict of duties after the shooting of Luke, were he finds out that his fellow officers are not as just as he is. He believes he is doing the right thing when he turns over his friends, which causes his career to improve being promoted. The care and compassion he has for his job is reflected in the duty he has for his family, and in his own son.

The next story is set in the future, and is based around the sons of the two previous characters. Within the story of the characters AJ (Emory Cohen) and Jason (Dane DeHaan), we see the conflict of Luke and Avery arise once again.

Cinematography: Goodfellas

Within the first scene we see of young Henry, there is the use of an extreme close shot of his eye.The nature of this shot represents his fixation on his dream of becoming a gangster. Zooming out reveals the whole character of Henry, showing everything that he is compared to everything he wants to become. This is the shown when the camera pans around the neighborhood to show the cab station along side the other gangsters who are there. Back to Henry we see he framed by the binds of his room, in darkness. Like prison bars, the blinds are used to show the captivity of Henry, and how he wishes to escape to become a gangster, and the darkness further enforces this as he seems unhappy of where his is.

(scene when he shows his mother his clothes)

(two scenes of my own choice)

Mes-en-scene: Misery

With the introduction of the film, you are introduced to Paul Sheldon the protagonist, the main narrative of the story as a writer of a famous series of books called ‘Misery’. Like Sheldon, the place in which he stays to write his books, it is recluse, quite and reserved. Set in the snowy country side in solitude is where the main events of the story occur. 

In completion of his final book, Sheldon sets of back to his home, however he is caught in a snow storm. It is this storm that allows the events of the film to unfold, the atmosphere becoming dark and bleak, a foreshadowing of events that might occur.

During the snow storm, Paul crashes his car, only to be saved by a mysterious figure, which is later to be revealed as Annie Wilkes. Unlike Pauls smartly dressed, professional attire, Annie dresses in warm motherly clothing which leads the viewer into believing that she is a caring figure. This is also reinforced by the help and care that she seemingly gives Paul.

Unlike Wilkes caring nature, Paul is very cold and distant in the beginnings of his new to be recovery room. Paul rarely shows any signs of happiness throughout the film, even in the beginning before the accident. Now dressed in hospital gowns, the severity of the accident is now clear, which contributed to his bitterness.

As the film progresses the lighting darkens, from high key lighting to low key lighting, along with Annie’s mood. The difference between her attitude and the abuse that she gives Paul is a binary opposition. This leads the viewer to empathise with Paul and will him to survive the torture that he is being put through.

The stereo type that the viewer initially gives Annie because of the motherly attitude adds even more to the shock of the events that happen in this isolated house in the countryside, being an enigma code. Some of the acts and emotions that she shows leads her to be almost child like, being easy to anger, old fashioned and allowing her emotions to be effected by the weather.

I feel that the best part of mes-en-scene used within the whole film is the props. Annie has a whole selection of props that build on her character, getting ever more so dangerous leading from medicine, to the razorblade, the gun and the worst being the sledge hammer.

Paul’s freedom would not have been possible within the objects at his disposal, most important of is the wheel chair. The typewriter is almost as important as the wheel chair is, enabling Paul be able to write and to ultimately burn his final book and then to end Annie’s life giving him the freedom that he was trying to get throughout the film; freedom from misery.

Film Review: Misery

My initial thoughts of the film were good. The two opposing main characters which have different views, personalities and desires keep the story interesting. As the events unfold in the story there is initial foreshadowing within the character of Annie, showing hostility towards Paul. At first these acts are minor, initially starting with the argument ageaist swearing, the leading to the spilling of the soup. The point at which I found the story to get the most interesing and grab my attention was the scene in which Paul asks for different paper.
It is at this point we see that the caring motherly figure of Annie can turn sour, this is represented by the darkening lighting, easy to anger attitude and ever sinister props being used. I feel that this is the point in which the film begins to get ever more interesting, introducing the sheriff to be a more important character in finding Paul.
Violent events within the film become more common and yet more violent. The later scenes becoming very dark with the worst being the leg breaking scene. At this point you feel a true sense of the dark intentions of Annie, her ever growing anger and hostility towards Paul and her mental stability, which changes from being very childish and innocent to dark and violent. I feel this part of the film shows the true 'Misery' that Paul has gone through.
The sense of helplessness at this section of the film leads the viewer to feel all is lost. However, there begins to be hope when the sheriff enters the house, and again when he hears Paul in the basement. This brief gimps of hope is quickly torn away by Annie and we are left with an even deeper pit of dispair for Paul's character. I liked this part the most of the film because it is a true representation of the title that it is given.
At the end of the film when Annie is killed and the events after, I feel took away from the rest of the film. More so in the events with his publisher, I feel that this gave hope and some happiness in the end, which was unfitting compared to the rest of the film as well as the title.

7/10

How is mise-en-scene used in Brighton Rock in the potrayal of the main character: Pinkie Brown

Setting-
Takes place in several key locations being:

• seaside/peer (Key location and one of Brighton most attractive features)
• pinkies bedroom (Lets you know a little more about the main character)
• cliff side (One of the main scenes of suspense and character development)
• country side

All of these areas are within Brighton, which is part of the title of the film.

Costume-

The costume reflects the fashion of the area and period that the film is set it. Everyone is smartly dressed wearing dresses and suits. Pinkie is also wearing this, however it could potentially be for another reason being his connection to gangsters/mobsters.

Lighting-

Throughout the film and in each scene, the lighting used is mostly dim, showing a lack of colour that could possible relate to Pinkies emotions and feelings.

Expression-

His expressions and emotions also support this idea as the main character is general sad and angry. The only positive emotion is shown when his is with Rose.

Props-

All of the main props that are used are classed as violent, from the rock used to bash in the head of another character, the knife used to cut and injure, gun used for protection. One of the key items is the ticket used to obtain the picture and this also is surrounded by violence, from the reason for getting it, and also the way it is obtained.

First film assignment - Favourite

Favourite:

• Film – Stand by me
• Actor – Emma Stone
• Director – j j abrams
• British film – Shaun of the dead

Why film studies :

• Help me gain a better understanding into the film industry
• Interest
• Hobby
• Want a future career in film as a script writer.