Pan's Labyrinth
Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and Pan (Doug Jones) discussing plans in the real world.
This movie feeds into my fairy tale persona, with a lost princess as the heroine, mythical creatures to contend with and all trying to make sense of a reality that is not understood by a young child. I enjoyed the costumes and the narrative so much that I showed my children the second task that Ofelia has to do, yes the scene of the Pale Man. I told them, this is the scariest part, so if you can handle this, you can watch the rest of the movie. Pan's Labyrinth (dir. Guillermo Del Toro, 2006) shows off excellent cinematography, costume, set and lighting designs. The costumes worn by the mythical creatures are so well developed and displayed that one simply feels they are in the mythical world with Sophia. Filming in Spain as the real setting for the movie helped create the distinct sights and sounds for the movie. And most films are not filmed in the real location where the movie is set. Del Toro's use of color tone to distinguish between the real (blue tones) and mythical (red and gold tones) world is so beautifully done, that I didn't notice it when I first watched this movie when it was released. The low key lighting in the real world is a stark contrast to the high key lighting of the mythical world. In 2007, this movie won several Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Guillermo Navarro), Best Production Design (Eugenio Caballero, Pilar Revuelta), and Best Make-up and Hairstyle (Montse Ribe, David Marti).
This movie feeds into my fairy tale persona, with a lost princess as the heroine, mythical creatures to contend with and all trying to make sense of a reality that is not understood by a young child. I enjoyed the costumes and the narrative so much that I showed my children the second task that Ofelia has to do, yes the scene of the Pale Man. I told them, this is the scariest part, so if you can handle this, you can watch the rest of the movie. Pan's Labyrinth (dir. Guillermo Del Toro, 2006) shows off excellent cinematography, costume, set and lighting designs. The costumes worn by the mythical creatures are so well developed and displayed that one simply feels they are in the mythical world with Sophia. Filming in Spain as the real setting for the movie helped create the distinct sights and sounds for the movie. And most films are not filmed in the real location where the movie is set. Del Toro's use of color tone to distinguish between the real (blue tones) and mythical (red and gold tones) world is so beautifully done, that I didn't notice it when I first watched this movie when it was released. The low key lighting in the real world is a stark contrast to the high key lighting of the mythical world. In 2007, this movie won several Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Guillermo Navarro), Best Production Design (Eugenio Caballero, Pilar Revuelta), and Best Make-up and Hairstyle (Montse Ribe, David Marti).
Sophia on a timed mission to open the correct lock box behind her without eating the feast sprawled in front of her.
Pulp Fiction
Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), two hitmen, preparing for the worst at a job they are told to take care of by their employer. Example of a worm's eye camera angle.
I choose this movie because when I saw it for the first time when I was a teenager I thought it was dumb and illogical because I didn't understand why anyone would create a story with the plot all twisted. Well, the plot of Pulp Fiction (dir. Quentin Tarantino, 1994) takes the audience on a journey that is confusing until the end. The editing, camera angles, diagetic sound are all done so well, that we don't know what to expect next from the characters. The rising action, climax and finally the resolution of the story all end in a surprising and peaceful mood. After watching this movie at least a dozen times, I have grown to love this film and can not wait to show my children this gruesome narrative. I absolutely applaud Tarantino for his creative plot schema and story twists.
I choose this movie because when I saw it for the first time when I was a teenager I thought it was dumb and illogical because I didn't understand why anyone would create a story with the plot all twisted. Well, the plot of Pulp Fiction (dir. Quentin Tarantino, 1994) takes the audience on a journey that is confusing until the end. The editing, camera angles, diagetic sound are all done so well, that we don't know what to expect next from the characters. The rising action, climax and finally the resolution of the story all end in a surprising and peaceful mood. After watching this movie at least a dozen times, I have grown to love this film and can not wait to show my children this gruesome narrative. I absolutely applaud Tarantino for his creative plot schema and story twists.
Unfolding drama of a dirty drug dealers house, notice the lighting, how it looks drab and dark, most of the light is focused on Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman). Mia is about to get an injection of epinephrine into her heart, not realistic, but great for the movie.
Raging Bull
Great low angle view of the fight as seen from an onlooker point of view. The sounds added with this angle make you feel like you are ringside.
I'm glad I was able to see this movie for the first time ever last week. I knew of it, but never experienced a movie quite like this. I wasn't expecting the whole movie to be in black and white, but I think it added to the ellipsis montage in the middle of the film. Raging Bull (dir. Martin Scorsese, 1980) showed the dirty side of boxing, but done with incredible editing with the CU's, match on action cuts, steadicam use, sound mixing and Foley sounds. The camera moves with the punches, pans, tilts, I was glad it wasn't like Rocky, I think that's what I was expecting, but instead I had an emotional connection with all the characters. You want Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) to succeed and become this great boxer from New York, but then, sadly he ends up getting in trouble with the law while in Florida. This movie won the Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Film Editing (Thelma Schoonmaker).
Master shot from the opening scene. This scene was filmed in slow motion with calming music to break the tension and brutality that is to come.
Toy Story
When Buzz Lightyear meets Woody and the rest of Andy's toys.
I choose this film as a must watch for any film buff because this movie is heartwarming, saddening and makes you feel for your toys that got tossed out when they were old and broken. Who doesn't want to relive their youth and appreciate their toys in a whole new light, especially if they really do come to life. Toy Story (dir. John Lasseter,1995) was the first of it's kind. Disney and Pixer joined forces to create a full CGI animated movie. However, it's not just the CGI that was jaw-dropping for its time, but the emotional connection we have to our innocence in childhood. The sound design helps us really feel involved with Woody and the whole gang, and inherently, into our playful moods as children. The depth of field feels so lifelike that we can easily understand the story with the help of the Foley sounds and the rack focus. I guess moving is a scary transition for toys and humans alike.
Chicago
"The name on everybody's lips is gonna be Roxie."
The reinvention of the modern day musical was a huge success with me in Chicago (dir. Rob Marshall, 2002). With the use of spot and back lighting we are given different perspectives of a Broadway production in film. The costumes, framing and editing enthrall the viewer visually, captivating the audience with the catchy soundtrack, and because of this, Chicago won numerous Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Best Costume Design (Colleen Atwood), Best Film Editing (Martin Walsh), Best Production Design (John Myhre and Gordon Slim) and Best Sound Mixing (Michael Minkler, Dominick Tavella, David Lee) for 2003. The mood of the movie is energetic, vengeful, but also pleasing to those who love a good song and dance routine. I have never seen the Broadway musical, but it's on my To-Do List. I love the theater and when I saw this film in the movie theater, I immediately wanted to know what kind of cinematography style this was, Rob Fosse created this stylistic dance for the stage. I enjoyed all the dance numbers, except maybe Cell Block Tango and sometimes criminals still get to make an honest and decent living, even after serving time.
The Revenant
Opening scene from The Revenant. Native Americans attacking the intruders from using and abusing their land.
I fell in love with this movie so much that I saw it twice in the movie theaters. The sweeping wild, high trees, bitter cold and rushing river sold me on this narrative. I feel, this was a very realistic fight for survival story. Revenge is key in this story, and like any good parent, a son's murder, is a good reason to avenge his death and die after the murderer is killed. I imagine this is what life would have been like in the 1800's, struggling to make a living and struggling to stay alive. The Revenant (dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 2016) illustrates Murch's approach to the Rule of Six exquisitely. Captivated by the location setting and the all around mis-en-scene, one can not help be feel like they are also scrambling to survive. With the worm's eye view of the trees, the establishing shots of the wilderness, and the panning/tilting of the camera during the opening scene, it's no wonder why this movie won the Academy Award for Best Director, Best Cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki) and Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) in 2016.
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