Daughters of the Dust

Image from:http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/cultural/1998_99/daughters.jpg

It took me a while to watch this movie. I found it difficult to watch and understand in only one night. I had to watch Daughters of The Dust in pieces throughout a few days. It was also not until I viewed the director’s commentary that I could fully understand the significance of this film and appreciate the director’s intentions for the movie.

I appreciated much about this film. I appreciated the sense of African American womanhood which was translated into family values and also a sense of independence within the characters. I also appreciated the acting from most of the actors in the movie. Although I could not always understand what was being said, I could always feel the emotion or the intensity or frivolity of a particular scene.

Although containing an obscure and often confusing plot line which did not really follow one clear path, I thought that many ideas were clearly expressed through this film. Family values were expressed as well as acceptance of the new, valuing of the old and familiar, a sense of independence, and freedom as a particular race and as an individual being. These ideas and values are really what made this movie interesting to me and I appreciate Daughters of the Dust for clearly and creatively expressing the ideas, emotions and values of African American women at the turn of the 20^th century.

Casablanca

On many movie lists such as “Top 100 All Time Best Movies Ever” I have always noticed that the film Casablanca is always on the lists. Since I had never seen Casablanca before, I really did not understand why it was on the list. However, after viewing Casablanca, I can understand a little more as to why it is regarded as one of the best movies ever made.

For the most part I really enjoyed this movie. However, there were times when I felt a little bored with the film. I mostly enjoyed the plot. I thought it was cleverly twisted and humorous as well. It was definitely a movie to sit down and not think and simply relax to.

However, I felt as if some parts in the film were pretty corny. This could be because of the time during which it was made. For people back in the 1940’s, this movie probably was not as corny or goofy as I felt it was. The murder scenes were ridiculously unrealistic. The famous “Here’s looking at you, Kid” line, I felt, was a little over used and almost used at inappropriate times. I felt like when the line was used, it was in the wrong context or it was just so random. It could have been because throughout the entire movie I was expecting to hear the line and so when I finally did hear it, it just jumped at me and made too much of an impact. Even so, I felt as if that specific line had been a little played up and therefore made it kind of silly when I actually heard the line.

In terms of one of the greatest movies ever made, I feel as if people regard this movie as one of the best because of the plot and some of the ‘twists’. And, because of this movie’s creative plot, I too enjoyed this movie. However, I’m not sure I would regard Casablanca as one of the best movies ever made.

Feeling Connected...

When you view a movie for the first time, you aren’t always consciously analyzing the film to decipher why a specific shot is used, why a certain camera angle is used and so on. Most of the time one views a movie simply for entertainment. However, if you would decide to watch a movie in pieces, analyzing specific shots or scenes, it is possible that you may be able to take more from the film than just a few laughs or a few shed tears.

I took part in analyzing a specific scene in the Spike Lee film, Do the Right Thing. I analyzed the final scene in which Mookie and Sal are engaged in conversation, arguing about the money and Sal’s Pizzeria.

Through looking at this scene closely, timing each shot, recording the set up of each shot, and looking at each piece in relation to the others, I was able to notice a few different things about this scene. First off all, most of the shots were extremely short. Each shot was only a few seconds long. This was because most of this scene was based on a conversation between Sal and Mookie. Because the shots were very short, it made the viewer feel like they were actively engaged in the conversation. For one second I was Mookie looking at and listening to Sal. The other second I was Sal, listening and looking at Mookie. Many of the shots were also close ups of Mookie and Sal which also actively engaged me in their conversation.

The fact that these shots were so short and frequently switched from character to character allowed for a bit of intensity which was appropriate because the conversation itself was a bit tense. The only time when I felt as if I was taken out of the intensity was when the camera left the individual shots of the two characters and pulled back to a shot of both Mookie and Sal. This I remember quite clearly because I felt like I had left the conversation and was reminded that I was not actually part of their conversation.

In all, I believe the shorts shots and close-ups of Sal and Mookie were extremely effective in creating a conversation in which the viewer could feel a close connection to. Many of the other shots followed the characters’ movements as well. One shot in particular is a shot of Mookie picking up money that Sal threw at him. The shot follows Mookie from behind, almost ‘bending over’ with Mookie as he picks up the money. I think this shot is really great because I remember kind of being confused while I was watching this shot but realizing what was happening and feeling even more connected to the conversation and what was going on between Mookie and Sal.

The short intense shots throughout this scene made the scene between Mookie and Sal more appealing to the viewer in that they could become actively involved in the conversation. However, it also effectively pulled the viewer away so that the viewer could remember that they were not actually a part of the conversation. When you view a movie in its entirety, you do not always catch why a particular scene or shot is used the way it is used. You do not always catch the intentions of the director. However, when you are able to analyze a small portion of the film and really look at how it is constructed, you may find something more to the movie or feel more of a connection and know the reasons why you may feel that connection.

The movie, Raging Bull directed by Martin Scorsese was an intense film during specific scenes but was unable to keep my attention. The movie was mainly about the life of boxer Jake LaMotta. It went through LaMotta’s (The Raging Bull) fights and personal life, mostly consisting of nasty fights with his wives and friends/relatives. The story line was okay, but I wasn’t left too impressed. I was mostly left angry at Robert De Niro, who played the part of The Raging Bull. I was left angered at how ‘instantly’ fat he became towards the end of the film and how mentally and emotionally unstable his character was throughout the movie. I was hoping for some sort of reconciliation with reality for the Bull, or some sort of change of lifestyle, perhaps a realization of how completely awful he was to everyone and how his entire life was a testimony of the selfishness and pride that consumed him. However, I was left feeling uneasy, like he hadn’t changed at all. The only time I felt a little hopeful, that there could possibly be a renewal of the Bull’s mindset, was when he was thrown into prison and was pitching a fit, pounding his head and fists against the wall. However, at the end of the film, he was back where he began; working for himself, convincing himself that he was better than anyone else. I felt as if the movie was a long sequence of fights, verbal and physical, and mental instability.
Although I did not enjoy the story line, I thought the acting was great. If Robert De Niro was able to play a part convincingly enough to actually get me angry and frustrated at Robert De Niro himself, not just the character he was playing, I’d say that his acting was pretty influential. I also was impressed with the editing and particular shots that they used throughout the film. The shots that stood out to me the most were the shots during the actual boxing scenes. The use of slow motion, close ups and different camera angles created some very realistic and gruesome fighting scenes. Nevertheless, other than the acting and camera work, I wasn’t impressed with the story line which resulted in causing me to be distracted and withdrawn throughout the entire film.

I Wasn't Left so Breathless After all...

Image from: http://blogs.indiewire.com/reverseshot/archives/breathless%20criterion%20PDVD_020.jpg

To be completely honest, I’m not quite sure how I felt about this film. The movie Breathless was one of the most awkward movies I have ever seen. It was confusing, it made no sense, and I feel like it demanded a lot of patience from the viewer. However, I really enjoyed the beginning of the film, but towards the middle-end of the movie, I was lost in the confusion.
I feel that what made the movie so confusing was the confusing dialogue between the actors. Things that the actors said to each other were very confusing and usually did not make any sense. It didn’t seem very natural or realistic whatsoever. Many parts of the movie seemed almost goofy or tacky. Part of this goofiness and confusion was seen directly from one of the main characters; Patricia. Patricia Franchini was dramatic one second, calm the next. She knew what she wanted and then confused everyone, even herself, the next second.
I feel like the confusion and uncomfortable feelings I felt throughout the entire movie simply built up so that when the movie was finished I almost felt relieved. I felt relieved that the main character, Michel had died so now Patricia could go on with her life, hopefully in a sane fashion, and I felt relieved simply because the movie was finished.
However, the film did use some interesting editing techniques that could be worth mentioning. Still, other than to observe or analyze the obscure use of editing in this film, I’m not completely sure this movie is one that I would want to watch again.

Do the Right Thing 2

Image from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e9/DRT_Mookie_Sal.jpg/800px-DRT_Mookie_Sal.jpg

Do the Right Thing incorporated many aspects of mise en scéne throughout the duration of the film. Along with the creative camera angles, I believe mise en scéne was one of the most influential parts about this film that made it so powerful. I believe props and the setting were two aspects of mise en scéne that were effective in this film.

First of all, props were used effectively. One prop that really stood out to me was the use of pizza boxes. Every time Mookie was sent out to do a delivery, he took with him a pizza box. The fact that he had a pizza box gave him the excuse to spend time walking around town and talking to people around the city. Because he was a delivery boy and had ‘pizzas’ to deliver, he was able to get away from his job and walk around the city which also allowed for him (and the audience) to experience different situations between other characters in the film. Another prop that was extremely influential in the film was obviously Radio Raheem’s boom box. The destruction of the boom box by Sal is what set off the entire town in an uproar that destroyed Sal’s Pizzeria and which killed Radio Raheem. Throughout the movie, however, the audience learns to almost despise the boom box because it is so loud and obnoxious. The radio is owned by an individual who is very tough and unkind which is ironic since the radio itself sets off a wildfire of hatred and violence.

Secondly, the setting throughout this film was influential. The fact that the entire story takes place in the city really makes this film work. Imagine if the same characters were living in the country or on a farm or in a suburban neighborhood. Most of what happened throughout the film takes place on the block. The most influential setting for me personally were the scenes which depicted the three men in front of the red wall. Those scenes always seemed to take me away from the reality of ‘city’ life and it is not until the end of the film that you realize that the red wall is actually across the street from Sal’s Pizzeria.

In all, the most influential aspects of mise en scéne that the film Do the Right Thing incorporates are props and the setting. Props help to develop the story line of the film while the setting helps to create a realistic feel for the movie. Although there are many aspects of mise en scéne that are influential throughout this film, I believe that the use of props and the setting are the most dominant pieces.

Do The Right Thing

Image from: http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/24/arts/25cell650.4.jpg


I wasn't really sure what to expect from this film. I knew a little about Spike Lee as a director, but I really did not know what was in store for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Do The Right Thing kept my attention from the beginning. I really enjoyed the entire film. The characters were funny and unique. Each character had a distinct personality which really made the movie unique as well.
My only criticism of the film was the violent ending. I was not expecting that specific ending at all and it really caught me off guard. The fact that I was left feeling like nothing had been resolved and that we were being told “such is life” and that violent uproars like the one at Sal’s Pizzeria are expected and in a sense ‘ignored’, made me a bit disappointed. I wanted more from the movie to feel better about what had happened, to feel reassured that friendships would be re-established, or that maybe they really hadn’t killed Radio Raheem.
Even so, possibly this lack of a concrete ending was the purpose. It left me feeling as if things needed to be reconciled. Maybe the reason things were not reconciled or explained was so that the viewer could simply imagine for themselves what would happen or what the next day would be like.
In all, I loved the style of this film. The bright colors, the frequent use of a diagonal camera angle really made this film distinct. Even though I was frustrated with the ending, I still feel as if this film was great and definitely worth watching again.