Heavenly Creatures - clubbed to death

Jackie Brown - Establishing the character.

Jackie Brown Analysis

The smooth handling of the camera in this clip suggests that this character is calm and relaxed person. It also reflects how confident and reveals a controlling attribute about her as we can quite clearly see by the way she is dominating the frame. It allows us to easily establish the character and immediately respect and like her.

Once Upon a Time in America analysis.

Once Upon a Time in America (1)

Thelma and Louise. ( click and will enlarge)

Essex Boys- Opening

Director: 

Terry Winsor

Writers: 

Jeff Pope, Terry Winsor

Stars:

 Charlie Creed-Miles, Sean Bean and Gareth Milne

The first shot is created in noir lighting. Noir lighting gives the scene a gloomy and murky atmosphere, this effect also allows us to identify that the film is a thriller because of the noir convention used. The noir lighting in a garage where props such as the car and the cage are in juxtaposition creating a claustrophobic space of which suggests that Billy has no or little hope of escaping building anxiety for the audience, this also connotates isolation. This could imply that this character is an outcast or a withdrawn person. The effect of ambient lighting and diegetic sounds in this scene makes the audience think of their own reactions in that situation because it makes the scene realistic and they can sympathise with the character because most audiences have garages themselves and have probably experienced this sort of fearful atmosphere. The use of the medium establishing shot allows us to see only a part of the garage, leaving room for the audience to imagine other menacing props or incidences that may happen. You then see a shadow of someone standing near the light in the distance of the shot, this instantly creates suspense as you don't know who it is and what they are doing in this isolated garage-expectedly alone.

 Another claustrophobic close up shot, and the windows are covered in dust and cobwebs which creates an eerie atmosphere. Over the top of this shot we have a non-diegetic voice over, so we can have an insight to his thoughts, engaging with the audience. We also get reinforcement of the location as we know he is from Essex because of his accent. 

It then goes to an incredibly well thought out shot of a man standing there after putting on the window wiper to get rid of all the grime from the window, the fact that the there is dirt smeared onto the window could suggest that the character  revealed is disgusting and filled with impurities because as he is standing behind the grime stricken window, it shows he's clean and presentable on the outside, but, on the inside he is crammed with terror. The point of view shot allows the audience to put themselves in the characters position feeling shocked and overwhelmed because you didn't expect this random man to appear. His flamboyant shirt and leather jacket reflects a stereotypical gangster to the audience so we immediately know that he will be threatening and villainous. It also suggests to us more thriller conventions as we now have a criminal.

We then get taken into a scene that represents Britain as bleak, dull and tedious- which is an ideal atmosphere for a thriller. Non-diegetic soundtrack plays as we watch the speeding car drive into a vanishing point, this builds up excitement for the audience as it implies that they need to be somewhere or are getting away from someone. The idea of them going into a tunnel gives the impression that they are always hiding, as tunnels take them away from the outside world.

 When they enter the claustrophobic tunnel we see a point of view shot of the 'criminals' disappearing into the distance - the audience feel anxious. This shot also replicates the shot of when you look through the barrel of a gun, suggesting some people  are after them, or they are after some people. This shot creates mystery and tension for the audience and is a reminder of the thriller genre. The use of the tunnel also keeps you in anticipation as you actually have no idea of where they are going, or what they are about to do.

Passing through the tunnel you see this amazing close up shot of the lights reflecting onto the car window,  representing prison and crime and that these people are sinful and immoral and suggests that they are going to now induce a crime. But, however you do see the facial expression of the young boy and you can see that he knows he's going to be doing something wrong, his body language is closed so this could show the little insecurity he has. Whereas, the man in the back ground is completely relaxed with his open body language and slouchy posture, this shows how superior he thinks he is as this shot looks like he has told the boy to drive him somewhere. This could also express how isolated both of them are because they have completely separated themselves and never talk to each other in the car.

                                                                                                       

Close up of 'gangter' looking in disgust shows his hatred and his animosity towards something. You know he's going to do something immoral, but you don't know what, this shot leaves the audience building up more tension. Blooded white coats and dead animal is the new location, where you know he's going to commit a crime as he takes out a baton-type weapon with him as he gets out of the white, enigmatic van. Tracking shot of the 'gangster' walking and then the 'victim' walking, (shot reverse shot) builds up even more tension as you don't know when he will lash out, you don't expect it to be soon as they are many witnesses and usually with a crime you see places of seclusion where the murderer would never be found. 

After the crime happens you see a the young boy and the criminal driving away in the plain white van, creating inscrutability. You hear the sound of the vans engine creating realism and the sound of the victim in the back screeching and howling, they react in no way possible, suggesting they do this frequently and are oblivious to distressing help calls. The criminal also complains that he has blood on his shirt, showing his immoral and selfish character you can see he has been completely demoralized.

tbc..

The murder scene of 'Witness'.

Director: Peter Weir

Writers:  William Kelley (story), Pamela Wallace (story),

Stars: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas

This film starts off with an eight year old character named Samuel Lap. He is Amish because he is wearing an Amish costume which involves simple black trousers with braces, a blue shirt, a black jacket and a black bowler/derby hat. The Amish community all wear the same clothing because they believe that clothing for men and women tends to serve utilitarian purposes and is not designed to accentuate physical features.

Unlike outside communities, the Amish do not believe that clothing is meant to distinguish the individual from the group by making that person more "attractive" over others. The Amish identity is important in the film because the representation of  Philadelphia in America  where the Amish  mother and child travel to, and the fact that  Amish church groups usually seek to maintain a degree of separation from the non-Amish world. Philadelphia is a stereotypical place where murders and crimes constantly take place, whereas the Amish community from which the mother and child come from, is very religious so everyone follows certain rules and guide lines. The followers of this religion are under pressure to behave and function in a completely different  to Americans, for example they choose not to use power-line electricity, telephones, and automobiles and anyone who chooses not to abide by the rules, will instantly be excommunicated and then shunned. The fact that this film uses this culture to reinforce stereotypes is very interesting. The use of a culture that would never usually mix with the out-side community is very strange itself.

Firstly, the scene starts of with the young boy, Sam, looking up at an extremely revealing statue in a dim lit train station that is beyond his cultural reference. The dim lighting creates a murky and sinister atmosphere. The camera angle is from Sam's point of view, looking up, (a low angle shot), showing that the statue shows significance and power over the boy revealing his vulnerability. Then, there is another low angle, close-up shot of Sam looking up at the statue which shows his expression where you see his confusion and curiosity. Then, the camera shows Sam as a comparison to the outside world by using a high angle shot from the statue's point of view. This shows how insignificant Sam is and suggests he is a person who is reserved. You then see the mother pull Sam away from the statue, suggesting that she thought it was inappropriate for him to be looking at. You then see the two characters sitting alone in a very isolated area, where you see a vanishing point into the corner. This allows the audience to experience enigma and it also establishes the location of where they are.

Sam then asks his mother if he could to the toilet. His mother carelessly allows him to go independently. This reflects her naivety and the culture of the Amish society, because she assumes he will be safe from experience at home. You see Sam walking off into the vanishing point leaving us with suspense. It then cuts to a medium close up of a man washing his face into a wash basin.

The toilets are a generic location for thrillers because they are claustrophobic which indicates that something is going to happen, creating tension. You hear menacing non-diegetic soundtrack playing as you hear a diegetic sound of the door opening- creating anxiety for the audience. This scene is ambient lit, making it more realistic and believable for the audience. The sound stops and you see a close-up of the villian washing his face- revealing his importance with-in the film. Soundtrack and diegetic sounds stop. You see Sam walking into a particularly dark cubicle with the man watching him, through the mirror. Whilst this is happening, you hear footsteps of someone in the background- there is a low angle shot of a man in a suit reflecting authority or high class. Because we don't see his face, this leaves the audience with enigma and keeps the mystery going. The crime happens and you see the man's face who walked in for the first time. Shot reverse shot shows us the expressions on the victim, attacker and Sam's face, this is a good technique because it allows you to see the reactions of the characters at different times when you are not seeing the actual crime happening. The idea of Sam secretly hiding in the toilets and watching through the crack of the cubicle, creates tension and enigma because you don't know if anything will happen to him.

It then cuts to a close up on the weapon which is a knife. A point of view shot from Sam watching allows us to see the horrific murder as if you were actually there. This also reinforces the immediate danger he is now in. The murder finishes and you see Sam backing away from the door, and the attacker hears him, you feel his fear and suspense climbs through your body at this stage. There is silence and all you can hear and see is the threatening sounds and shots of the attackers footsteps, with this he is violently opening the doors of the other cubicles-rapidly increasing anticipation for Sam. Cutting suddenly to a close up of Sam trying to lock the door, with difficulty, builds up enormous amounts of panic and tension. You then get the close up of the villains feet as his progressively gets closer and closer. As the attacker struggles to get in to Sams cubicle, Sam shows his intelligence as he quickly slides onto the next cubicle. He then symbolises his religion as he stands like Jesus on top of the toilet seat. He stands with his arms stretched out- like Jesus and the cross which could represent that Jesus saved him.

Best Thriller Films I've seen!

Unknown
A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, (not even his wife), believes him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is.
  I really enjoyed this film as it really knew how to build suspense, in one scene the main character (Liam Neeson) is lying on a hospital bed, and a man who has been 'stalking' him has finally found him and has started injecting this poison I think it is into his blood. And you see the man (Liam) reaching for the scissors, but you only see the man's hand getting slowly closer to them to the the tube off of him. There is very daunting music playing at this point and the camera angles switch from the man's hand and the footsteps of the stalker who noticed what the man was trying to do. I found this technique very thrilling and it really built up suspense really well.


This film is also set in Germany where there is lots of snow and ice to the feeling of the film is quite dark and dreary and most scenes are shot at night.
                                                                                                     Trailer

The Butterfly effect

Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher), who suffered severe traumas as a boy (Logan Lerman) and a teenager (John Patrick Amedori), blacks out frequently, often at moments of high stress. While searching for an answer to heal his emotional wounds, he finds that when he reads from his adolescent journals, he travels back in time, and is able to essentially "redo" parts of his past, and thereby causing the blackouts he experienced as a child. There are consequences of his choices, however, that he then propagates back to the present; his alternate futures vary from frat boy to prisoner to amputee. As he continues to do this, he realizes that even though his intentions are good, the actions he takes have unintended consequences.

I found parts if this film very distressing but in a way quite realistic, it brings out real crimes that people really take part in and shows you everything about them. For example in one scene, one of Evan's friends when he was younger, kidnapped his dog, but it in a potato sack, and left it to burn on a bonfire whilst you can here the sound of the dog whimpering whilst the camera is focused on the boys arguing and Evan crying. I remember this so vividly because this scene made me really distressed. Another scene is where his lovers dad made them participate in pornographic sex scenes when they were only seven years old. I thought that this was disgusting, however, they did this scene well and made me feel this disgust by just showing the man and his expressions whilst he is holding the camera, that shot is what made that scene shocking and realistic.

Winter's Bone

 

Winter's Bone (2010)

  100 min  -  Drama | Mystery | Thriller   -  17 September 2010 (UK)

7.3

Your rating:

    -/10  

Ratings: 7.3/10 from 34,684 users   Metascore: 90/100 
Reviews: 213 user | 300 critic | 38 from Metacritic.com

An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

Director:

Debra Granik

Writers:

Debra Granik (screenplay), Anne Rosellini (screenplay), and 1 more credit »

Stars:

Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes and Garret Dillahunt

Positive Review

21 June 2010 | by bobbobwhite (san ramon ca) – 

This film tells the sad story of inbred, poverty-stricken, Missouri Ozark hillbillies trying to scratch out a living on poor soil and even worse personal resources, so it was no wonder meth production was embraced as a life-changing profit center that had the illegal potential to change their lives for the better. Their poor lives before meth had a certain dignity in the hard struggle for survival in an uncaring world that had passed them by or never allowed them to catch up, either or both, but cheap and dangerous drug production leading to fast but risky money took these unfortunates down a road that surely few would have chosen if they had a chance beforehand to see any of the personal and social harm it created in a society already at great risk of decent survival. What great harm it did was shown and acted brilliantly, as it pushed these already at-risk people lower down the chain of life than before and surely even lower than the wild animals they had to kill for food.

A young girl of 17, seeming older than her years, beaten up and beaten down, wary of those around her but needing their help, and with 2 young siblings and a helpless mother to care for, she learned that her drug-making, drugged-out father disappeared and missed a court date for a drug arrest, and the most important task of her life then became finding her father before they lost their meager home to bondsmen, as that sorry home place was all they had in the world but it was home and she intended with all her heart and soul to do whatever it took to keep it and her family together. The acting throughout was appropriately serious to deadly, with hardly even a smile to be seen, and left us thankful as seldom before for whatever our own lives give us compared to those in the story.

Such a grim and foreboding task the daughter had, with imminent harm threatening around every corner she turned and behind every door on which she knocked, even those of relatives. Determination can get you far, but only so far unless you get a few breaks, and that long quest for a decent break was what kept viewer's eyes glued to the screen until it all played out in the end as could be expected in that dire situation.

Bleak, stark, harsh, mean, cruel...all those tough adjectives were present in full force throughout her search, but present also was her eternal fire of human spirit and family duty that would never quit. When actual survival is at stake, this story showed well that some of us truly can find the right stuff to survive when no better choices are possible.

Negative Review.

A plodding bore, 10 February 2011

A girl is searching for her presumably dead father in order to prevent her house from being seized by a bondsman. The father turned out to be murdered in a community effort to prevent him from talking to the police about the neighborhood's little drug operation. The claustrophobic atmosphere in the film is accompanied by dry local dialog which won't exactly make you spin in your seat. By the time the film is over, you have gained nothing in terms of entertainment or a better understanding of what the hell it is that makes these people tick. The film just kind of drags on for 100 minutes and then ends. It's not a poorly made film by any means, it just begs the question why anyone would bother to create it in the first place.