The movie Simon Birch (1998) directed by Mark Steven Johnson, based on the book A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, is a comedy-drama that will have you laughing one minute and tearing up another. With the help of the cinematographer Aaron Schneider, and the main characters Ian Michael Smith (Simon) and Joseph Mazzello/Jim Carrey (Joe), it is a beautifully created movie. It is a four out of four star movie because of the good use of characters and cinematography.
In North by Northwest, the main character Roger Thornhill is mistaken to be a spy named George Kaplan by the villainous Phillip Vandamm and his henchmen. When no one believes him about his own kidnapping, not even his mother, Thornhill flees persecution from his pursuers as he seeks the real Kaplan. Along the way, he unknowingly meets the spy the false Kaplan identity was a cover for, the secondary protagonist and his love interest, Eve Kendall. North by Northwest is a visually stunning and thrilling action film of the classic Hollywood film narrative, with romance and injustice. It uses cinematography and film techniques such as misé en-scene, shot duration,
Madison Avenue advertising executive Roger Thornhill’s (Cary Grant) life changes drastically after he is kidnapped and mistaken for a spy named George Kaplan. After a successful escape from attempted murder by Phillip Vandamm (James Mason), Roger Thornhill begins a journey to search for George Kaplan. On his itinerary, he meets the beautiful Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint). A romantic relationship is started between the two, leaving Thornhill to believe that Even Kendall would cooperate and help him to meet Kaplan. What he does not know is that she actually works for Vandamm. More action-packed events, involving the two characters, occur, all leading to a dramatic ending sequence of events.
The intriguing world of Casablanca, displays a wondrous mise-en-scene in fashion that accentuates emotions and feeling through aspects of cinematography. From the movement of the camera, to the intricacy of the shot distances chosen to be included within the frame, the film reveals important elements of the diegesis without uttering a sound. The cinematography of Casablanca gives the audience an insight into the intimacy of Rick and Ilsa's relationship, and seeks to situate the viewer’s attention to the space and time of the film.
Shutter Island, a psychological thriller, directed by Martin Scorsese incorporates techniques throughout to reveal the truth in Shutter Island. The film, based on a missing patient investigation, turns out as a cover up psychological experiment designed to bring Edward (Teddy) Daniels back to sanity concludes to be the truth. This essay discusses that by analysing certain scenes, including the opening scene, Teddy and Chuck addresses Dr Cawley, and whislt Teddy and Chuck interview the patients. These three scenes assist to expose Shutter Island through film techniques such as camera angle and mise en scene.
The film “Raging Bull” made in 1980 by Martin Scorsese was based on a self destructive, highly emotional boxer named Jake La Motta as he battles through life. As his fierce attitude and violent temper takes him to the top of ring it ruins his family and life outside of boxing. Throughout the film we discussed the importance of the cinematography through out the film and why it played such an important role in developing “Raging bull”. Also the theme of anger and violence is displayed throughout the film. Jake never changes, from start to finish he is an emotional wreck, isolated and quick tempered.
Furthermore, the shot styles between the films are reflective of each other. The extreme close-ups, slow moving camera, and mis-en-scene are impactful in creating atmosphere. In the third film, the slow moving camera takes on a presence rather than a character, which embodies the omens that are essential to the films
A variety of shots are used in remarkable ways in the movie, as illustrated in the film, the wide shots are used to introduce the location of the film, Shutter Island. Another example are the close up shots on Daniels, specifically when he is at the sink looking in the mirror, this is used to show his dual
My opinion on Danny Boyle 's camera angle use is that he executed the film technique well, and well enough the help all viewers to see the perspective he wanted to give of the characters and India. Through the camera angles I learnt more about Jamal and his challenges towards poverty, in which I was able to relate back to the theme “Brutality of
Science fiction has become increasingly popular over the past few years as new innovative technology has made it possible for films to become more realistic. Avatar, being one of the highest ranked sci-fi films to be made, is a clear example of how the film industry is on a fast moving track towards a new era of science fiction storytelling. James Cameron’s Avatar exercised all new forms of cinematographic tools in order to bring one’s imagination to real life.
The first sequence is the last scene from Apocalypse Now (1979) which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. This scene is popularly known as “The Horror” and is a hybrid of classical paradigm and formalist style. It is a classical paradigm because the sequence is actually going about with a story which means that some of the parts are continually edited revealed to be in one setting which is the jungle where Captain Willard takes on with his assigned mission to deal with Colonel Kurtz. On the other hand, the scene is also a formalist style which particularly touches on each of the montage types. First, it is a conceptual type of montage because the theme
In the feature film, Rear Window, released in 1984 and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, parallels and counterpoints are employed to create narrative contrast. This ultimately enhances the character development of the protagonist, Jeff, and his romantic, Lisa. Set in a New York apartment block during the 1950s, the film explores the notions of voyeurism, dissatisfaction and the perceptions of monogamy. The discovery of a murder in an opposite apartment draws Jeff and Lisa together in their determination to solve the case. Central to the subplot, Hitchcock masterfully uses the relationships in other apartments, as well as cinematic techniques, to illuminate the progression of Jeff’s and Lisa’s relationship.
Over the past century, film has served as a powerful means of communication to a global audience and has become a vital part of the contemporary culture in a world that is increasingly saturated by visual content. Due to the immediacy and the all-encompassing nature of film, the process of watching a film, is widely perceived to be a passive activity by the general masses. However, quoting Smith in his article about the study of film, “nothing could be further from the truth.” The study and understanding of film as an art form enhances the way we watch and appreciate films. It requires the audience's active participation and interaction with the film in order to fully comprehend the directors' intention behind every creative decision. With
Director Kathryn Bigelow’s use of hand-held camera (shaky camera) techniques as in a documentary style, allows the viewers to feel
Baz Luhrmann’s films are known their ability to make a watcher feel as if they are part of the show. Between his use of camera angles, shots and the use of a narrator, it’s no wonder he is able to keep viewers on the edge of their seat. But how does Baz Luhrmann pull off this spectacular feat of his? This is probably explained best by referring to Baz Luhrmann’s films and how he himself has evolved as a director.