Do The Right Thing

In class when we were discussing about if mookie "did the right thing", I noticed how how much emphasis Spike Lee really wanted that perticular scene to have, and how it reflects on the films message about racism. First off, I personally think that mookie had every right to be mad, since one of his good friends, radio rahim, was killed by the cops as a result of sal's pizzera. But, I also believe that by mookie throwing the garbage can, it did'nt solve anything, it just made everything get more out of hand.

I also agreed with Mr. Klobuchar on how radio rahim was asking for it the entire movie, and how it was actually his own fault that later ended up to him getting killed. I also agreed with how the cops had every right to hold him back, because he was resisting. Its not like the cops had arrested him, and then beaten him to death.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie, because it has a great moral, but Lee also usses innovative ways of filming with using colors, or camera angles to give the story a third dimension type feeling to it. I also thought Lee did a great job of using humor to keep the audience entertained. In conclusion, I thought this perticular movie, out of all the movies we've watched, was by far the deepest in terms of having your own opinion, which I think is really cool.

The Battle of Algiers

Peter Rainer from New York Movies, describes how The Battle of Algiers is later recognized by many critics as one of the most realistic reinactments of all time. Rainer also said how Pontecorvo's approach to directing was a much looser, caught in the moment type of filming, although everything is carefully choreographed. Rainer believes that this way of filming adds a realistic feel through the progression of the film.

Though at times I thought some of the scenes were a bit aukward, I can see how Pontecorvo used this way of filming to add a sense of realism though each event taking place. I also agreed with Rainer about how Pontecorvo showed what the terrorists felt before each bombing, and how it again adds realism to the movie. Overall I thought the article was really good because Rainer gave insight to what the movie is about, but also about what Pontecorvo thought of it, and the techniques he used to make the film as realistic as possible.

Memento is Awesome!!!!

The movie Memento, directed by Christopher Nolan, is a true masterpiece of what can be accomplished on camera. This movie was unique in how the color scenes went back into time. At the same time, the black and white scenes moved ahead until the two merged into each other near the end of the film to bring closure to the movie. I personally thought this style of filming was smart because in the opening scene when Leonard shoots Teddy, it leaves the audience with the feeling of suspense because they want to see all of the events that took place leading up to the killing.

Another unique style of filming that I noticed was how Nolan left small clues in the story that did not make any sense until the end when it all added up. I thought Nolan also did a great job of giving this movie a film noir feel to it; mostly due to the black and white scenes. With both of these techniques used in the movie, it gave the film both a classic but also a new age spin to it.

Overall, I really enjoyed watching Memento due to the fact that it showed what is possible to do on camera. It also showed how certain feelings or expressions can be displayed by images, which I thought was very interesting. In conclusion, this movie has all of the necessary elements to make it an outstanding movie, in my opinion at least.

Kiss Me Deadly

I thought the movie, Kiss Me Deadly, by Robert Aldrich is the perfect portrayal of a film noir, which later gave way to the classic detective-type movie such as James Bond. The main character, Mike Hammer, is the foundation that this movie relies on to make it the movie that it was. I also thought that it was interesting how Aldrich decided to add a sci-fi type plot to the movie near the end. Unlike other film noirs, this film used different methods of conveying the story to ultimately be regarded by many critics as the best film noir ever made.

Another unique trait in this movie is that the story had multiple main conflicts; unlike the classic film noir, which usually only had one main conflict. Though at times this kind of plot was confusing, it added another demension to the genre of film noir. This movie was one of the first films to have multiple conflicts, which later gave way to how movies are done today.

In conclusion, I liked the movie because Aldrich did a great job of connecting all of the conflicts of the movie at the end. Most film noirs that were made around this time period never had multiple main characters or multiple conflicts, which made this movie unique. This movie was a milestone for the genre of the classic detective movies for a variety of reasons. This movie also used many different techniques of filming that directors are still using today.

Double Indemnity

The film, Double Indemnity, directed by Billy Wilder, is a true example of the genre of film noir for many different reasons. This movie has all of the common characteristics to be considered a film noir, which helped set the tone for many other movies of this genre that were made during this time period. It is in this genre of filming that directors could get very creative with lighting, make-up, acting, etc.

Though this movie was somewhat "cheesy" in parts, I thought that the director did an excellent job of using every technique possible to his advantage to truly show the potential behind the genre of film noir. I also thought the actors did a great job of staying in character throughout the entire movie. In conclusion, I think that this movie is a great example of how directors can use techniques of filming to create a mood that carries throughout the entire film.

Groundhog Day

The movie Groundhog Day, directed by Harold Ramis, is a true display of what you can do with a camera. I personally thought that it was quite clever how Ramis used the camera to create the story of Groundhog Day in such a unique style of filming. I also thought that Bill Murray did a great job. If it was not for his humor, the movie would not have been nearly as amusing.

Though this movie is inevitably repetitive, I thought Ramis did a good job of entertaining the audience with Bill Murray's sense of sarcasim throughout the entire movie. Without the humor aspect of this film, the plot alone would be extremely annoying. I also thought that Ramis had good intentions of making this movie have a good moral or lesson behind the story, which is to enjoy and make the most of each day.

Overall, I thought that this movie was very well done since it shows how the camera has the possibility of making this type of movie. Though most people like this movie for the humor, I actually really enjoyed this movie's story because it is perfect for Bill Murray's type of acting as well as his sense of humor. In conclusion, this movie has all of the good elements that a good movie should have: A good story, great actors, and innovative filming.

Bringing up Baby

I personally thought the director of this movie, Howard Hawks, did a great job with the overall photography this movie needed, to be considered a romantic comedy. With this movie being produced in 1938, theres no question that this movie's photography was nothing less than marveled about. I also thought that Hawks did a great job at showing contrast between the characters, though his way of photography so the audience can better understand everything that is going on. Without this movie's sense of photography, theres no doubt this movie would have been as susessful as it was, for it's time.

I also noticed that the role of photography in this movie was quite different than other movies during it's time. Unlike other movies, the use of photography added contrast to the ever changing plot that this movie so desired for. I believe that it's through this way of photography, is why comedy like this is so sucessful.