The Best of  Practical Effects 😆 

The definition of a practical effect is "an illusion created for movies and television by props, camerawork, computer graphics, etc", according to google. The opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the best examples of the use of practical effects with props. Shot in one continuous shot. It proves the dedication, precision, and accuracy with which film makers once had to work before the use of computers became widely available. In a world with way too much overuse of CGI. Please give me more of this!

Response to Tsotsi

The use of  diegetic and non- diegetic sounds were essential elements of this film. Arguably non -diegetic sound in the form of the amazing soundtrack played a bigger role. Most of the songs on the album were performed by Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane or Zola, both South African musicians. The songs are in the genres of Hip hop, Afro-Pop, or Kwiato, which is a mix of house music with some African sounds. Being that the story focused around a gang of thugs in Johannesburg that seems very appropriate because those genres originated in the inner cities.  It definitely added to the coolness factor in a lot of scenes. There were a few scenes where Tsotsi and his gang were walking down the street and the soundtrack started playing and it was just amazing. An interesting use of the soundtrack for non -diegetic purposes was used to provide comic relief in the scene where Tsotsi tries to quiet the crying baby. Tsotsi turns on the radio and an upbeat song starts playing and he starts dancing around. It was so cute to watch and definitely puts a much needed smile on your face after witnessing the somber event that proceeded it. 

OH Behave...

For my interesting transition I chose the opening scene from the third installment of the Austin Powers trilogy. My blog was getting a little too serious and I wasn't going to stand for it lol. What's more interesting than a dance sequence within a dance sequence that breaks the fourth wall more than once. Ummm nothing... exactly. 

Response to "The Whale Rider"

"The Whale Rider” is the story of a little girl that, due to cultural practices was never allowed to live up to her full potential. It follows the life of a little girl named Paikea Aparana who was of Maori descent. She comes from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the original whale rider, Paikea, who was a male. Maori people are the native inhabitants of New Zealand. They are people that due to historical events, mainly the British colonization of New Zealand, have seen their culture and ancient ways of life deteriorate. They are people who struggle with avoiding assimilation into mainstream culture. Basically, this tribe has fallen on hard times. There are issues with crime, absent fathers, poverty, and alcoholism. And Pai's Grandfather, Koro, the current head of the tribe thinks that the only way to be saved is with the prophesized birth of the whale rider who will lead the tribe in the right direction. The only problem is that all signs point to Pai being the true leader but it will never be accepted because Maori culture is a patriarchal society that will never accept a female leader.

            Interesting Camera Movement

"Kill Bill" has got to be one of my favorite action movies of all time! I personally like volume 1 better than volume 2 but that's another story. I love the fact that it centers on a female heroine. That it is about vengeance and that there is good balance between storytelling and action. The scene that I chose to show interesting camera angle was the climax of the movie. When the main character, Black Mamba (a.k.a "The Bride") takes on O-Ren Ishii's army of guard dogs known as the Crazy 88. The camera starts out at a low angle and follows the weapon of one of the henchman until we see his face. This gives us a good perspective of the size of the weapon. The camera then switches to a medium shot. Then, into a crane shot where the camera slowly moves upward so the audience can have the perspective that the aerial shot gives us. The view from the aerial shot along with the music builds up the suspense because from that angle we can see that she is completely surrounded and the henchman start closing in on her (oooo, scary 😱). The camera then goes back to show the heroine's sword as she raises from the floor and brings it up to her face. I love that the camera then moves to a closeup of the sword to show the henchmen's reflections. The cameraman then uses a combination panning, close -up on the heroine's face, panning, back shot, panning, close - up shot again, jumps back to an aerial shot and slowly moves the camera back down to focus in on the heroine before she springs into action. It is such a great build up to the fight and I do have to say that the use of diegetic sound of the sword definitely gives it a little something extra. Definitely a great scene 😊.

Symbolism in " The Road Home"

They say love is an action, not a verb. Well I say love can be an object and I'm pretty sure Zhang Yimou would agree. Not much dialogue was passed between the protagonists of  the beautiful love story that is "The Road Home." That's because words are not necessary when there are so many objects in a film that attest to the love that the two main characters shared for over half a century (tear). The bowl, where Di lovingly placed all of her best dishes for the teacher to enjoy; The basket, which was the excuse for Di to cross paths with the teacher. The well, which was the perfect meeting spot and excuse to walk past the school "just to hear HIS voice; and finally the barrette, that the teacher got for Di that was a promise to come back for her. All symbols of love!

Visual Style of the 400 Blows

The 400 blows was François Truffaut's film debut and was part of the French new wave movement. Many elements of the film attest to that. For example, the fact that it was shot in black and white. It uses raw sound, meaning that all of the sound is natural and not edited. For example, there are many shots of the main character, Antoine, where you can hear him dragging his feet around his apartment. The audience can also hear the sound of feet on concrete when he runs up and down the stairs in a tizzy. There is also my personal favorite, the sound of children writing and turning pages in their notebooks. It amplifies the natural sound of the world around you. Other elements of French new wave in the film are many close up and panning shots and of course the ambiguous ending.

 

About me...

I am Mexican-American. I loved movies and shows when I was younger but started deviating from them when I was older and I didn't have a lot of time on my hands. What I love in the arts more than anything is theater. The first movie I ever saw in a theater was Titanic. As far as foreign films go, I am mostly familiar with movies from the golden age of Mexican cinema just because that's what was mostly played on the TV when I was growing up. I'll watch anything with Jorge Negrete. I am really excited for the semester ahead in this class and hope to sharpen my observational skills as a result.