My favorite movie scene

I would have to say that one of my favorite scenes would have to be a scene from the movie 'The Notebook'. My favorite scene from the movie is when the two lovers Ellie and Noah are finally united and finally admit their love for one another. I like this scene because the whole movie has been working towards this moment. The scene is so happy that it lifts your heart and for the criers like myself it leaves you sobbing. The scene is shot from above from and angle and then zooms in as the couple link arms to show the distance closing between them. This scene is very bright and reflects the happiness of the mood. It's a simple scene but it says so much and is able to sum up the love between the two characters.

Psycho

Today in class we watched the world famous film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho. Fifty years on this movie is still known by all for its shower scene and thriller music.  Psycho became the benchmark for all horror movies and a benchmark for films in general.  This is due to the originality of the film.  The film although a little tame compared to modern day films pushed social boundaries of the sixties community. The film shows led actress Janet Leigh in her underwear numerous times and hints towards her having a rather promiscuous life with her secret lover.

The film pushed the viewer’s emotional boundaries.  The thought of someone being murdered in their shower was unthought-of and still is.  Therefore the main characters death in the shower added a new level to horror stories and the now famous scene has been remade numerous times.  The complex story line behind Psycho also added a new depth to horror movies. Filmmakers have also used the shooting style used to shot Psycho-making films far more sophisticated.  These shots include showing the neck of a character to show emotion and tension.   

Psycho almost didn't go to the cinemas when The MPAA refused to pass the film because they claimed they could see Janet Leigh's nipple during the shower scene. As a result of the apparent nudity the film bore an R rating.

The film managed to really grip its audience from the beginning.  The sharpness of the music made me feel a sense of tension.  The filming and portrayal of the characters left a feeling of unease in my stomach.  As many were shown as people who couldn’t be trusted and bore a mentally deranged side.  On watching the shower scene I felt extremely shaken.  This is mainly because I usually feel safe and secure in the shower and to see someone get killed in the shower leaves you feeling invaded and insecure.  It's quiet disturbing thinking that you could be killed in a place where usually you have privacy. 

The use of music in the film was very well done.  Music was used to set the mood and I think that the director used it to his advantage in order to create the perfect horror movie.

The idea of killing off the main character half way through the film was unthought-of of and therefore started a whole new idea about the sequence of films. 

Even though Psycho had an extremely low budget it turned out to be one of the most influential horror films in history because it broke the rules of society and challenged the world of film.  

Film Texts

Film Texts

Today in class we watched a series of snippets from films and responded to them.

Don’t look now -1973

For this film we watched the first 5minuets and after doing so a great deal could be drawn from the movie.  Tension is immediately established as scenes showing a small girl playing and her parents flip to and fro.  The young girl is wearing a red coat and from this we can tell that she is going to play a significant in the story.  She plays with a war figurine and this allows the viewer to place a sense of time with the film.  The young girl seems innocent and petit.  As the young girl plays we and taken into her house where her parents sit.  Her father’s expression is very dramatic and he seems withdrawn.  We can tell that something is at play and the switching between the girl and her parents quickens and their actions become mirrored.  When the girl drowns the scene moves in slow motion allowing you to feel the pain being experienced by the father.  The viewer is also left feeling sick in the stomach from the intensity of this scene.  The scene seems so real as the father tries in vain to save his little girl.  As the girl drowns the photo, which the father was looking, at previously beings to change shape and form to connect the girl’s tragic end to the photograph.

2001 A Space Odyssey-1968

The film opens with a very famous piece of music that reflects man’s superiority and conquers over the universe.  As the music plays the scene zooms in on the plants as they aligned and the sun can be seen rising over the earth symbolising the rise of man.  This scene illustrates man’s superiority and sets a new revolution in film that is now widely used by other directors.

The Seventh Seal- 1957

Images of the sky appear introducing the theme of God and a high power and sense of freedom. A bird flies through the skies showing the freedom and purity of life.  The music is the background is soft and the symphony of instruments combine to form a mood setter for the actions of characters.  A figure in a dark coat with a white face appears.  Automatically we can see that he is mysterious and his character is related to religion.

Fanny and Alexander- 1982

This film beginning with water flowing calmly and then hitting small bumps causing the flow to become rough and rapid.  This is symbolic of the character’s journey in the film and sets the scene perfectly.   The young boy at the beginning of the film is seen playing with puppets reflects the innocence of the boy.  He sits slumped over a sign of boredom on his face.  His sluggish actions give the viewer the feeling that his parents neglect the boy.  As he wonders through the dark and empty house we feel empty and neglect.  As he searches for life suspense builds through the music and slow movement of the opening of the door.