Stanford Theatre Field Trip

Movies that interest me: 1.Gun Crazy, 2.Gunga Din, 3.Green for Danger
Im interested to go on any day.
My parents cannot drive.

Eisenstien and Hitchcock

Some film techniques that Eisenstein used in the Odessa steps sequence were close-ups, tracking shots, and use of music to buildup suspense are just a few. After watching the shower scene in Psycho some film techniques to compare and contrast were the use of music and the close-ups, also the slow motion of the scene developing showing everything coming to fruition builds up anticipation. What makes the scene memorable is everything I just mentioned and at certain points it moved fast and then slow.

The Master of Suspense

I believe that Hitchcock is the master of suspense because the link to this blog shows filmmakers who are average and depressed how to make a great suspenseful movie, that by itself says allot that you can learn lessons from him, he is on high pedestal. Some techniques he uses are frame for emotion, camera is not a camera, point of view editing, montage gives you control, and keep the story simple are just a few. Yes I have noticed some of these techniques in rear window like keeping the story simple I believe.

The Showdown

Some film techniques that Sergio Leone used in the final shootout among Blondie, Tuco and Angel Eyes were high angle shots, jumpcuts, pan shots and allot of close ups of there faces and to and from each other. The music was same throughout the film very epic and suspenseful and it showed very slowly what one or the other person was about to do reaching for there gun. Camera movement was fast and suspenseful. He reinvents the typical western device by adding all these new techniques and incorporating them in the film. 

Evolution of the Western

The western has changed over time by there being a wide more style of it for instance Brokeback Mountain in years past the western genre would have never made a film about two gay cowboys, as with time things change and expand more but I believe that for the most part they are the same. I think that this reflects changes in the U.S. or the world a little, just showing how people can open up to bigger and more ideas not just one basis for the western genre.

Reinventing the Western

The characteristics of the westerns are from the 1960s and 1970s they often have more pessimistic view, glorifying a rebellious anti-hero and highlighting the cynicism, brutality and inequality of the American West. "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" is a western by the plot and the actors in the film, I think another add is it takes place in the west and I believe it is a spaghetti western. I think that "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly differs from "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence by definitely the theme song which is cool and funny its a classic and I think its a little more gritty, it also tells the back story of the civil war which is nice, allot of explosions.

Film Festival Reflection

My thoughts on the film "Cost of a Soul" are that the film is really great and just to see the film was an experience. I think the film can go big and should be shown in the theatres, I was surprised that this was a small time film it didn't feel like it. I don't think I can compare this film to any that we have studied in class. I think that I wouldn't make any improvements to the film it is good as it is, although I didn't like the suitcase I didn't think it was necessary.