This Coen Brothers Unit that we just had has been my favorite unit so far. Not just in Art of Film II, but Art of Film I, as well. The Coens are geniuses at incorporate violence and mystery with humor and comical characters. The movie that did that the best, in my opinion, was Fargo. Fargo is also a great movie for Minnesotans because it takes place in the Twin Cities, which allows it to gain a larger intrigue from many Minnesotans. In one scene where Jerry Lundegaard was standing outside his father-in-law's car dealership, you can see a sign saying "100 North/South" just under "Xenia Place" or something like that, which is highway 394 and its intersection with highway 100. (I thought that was pretty cool...) Even though the movie itself completely embelished Minnesotan accents and at some points it was hard to even listen to certain characters, I thought that the movie was really good
One of my absolute favorite scenes in the movie can be summed up with a single word and everyone should know what I'm talking about: Woodchipper. Yes, the woodchipper scene where Gaear Grimsrud (?) kills Carl Showalter and puts his body through, well, the woodchipper. I had been talking to my friends about the movie, and immediately when I brought up if they had seen it or not, they asked, "Isn't that the movie where the guy gets put in the woodchipper?" I thought it was funny that the movie was really known for the scene.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Altman Blog
As we wrap up the unit on director Robert Altman, I must say that the unit gave me more of an insight on a new brand of film makers. Altman's use potrayal of realism and abstract themes in his films are definately what make him a great director. This unit, my favorite of the movies we watched was The Player. I enjoyed the insight that Altman gave the viewers as far as Hollywood life is concerned.
A big part of the movie as far as main character Griffin Mill was concerned was the making of the movie Habeas Corpus. The question brought up in class (what the purpose of the Habeas Corpus subplot was) was one that I am stil confused about. In my mind, I feel like the subplot was simply a way for Griffin to get his slumping career back, but I am unaware of any other symbolism involved. I feel like there could be a deeper meaning, but I am unable to grasp that meaning. On another note, I really liked the character in the movie who brought the Habeas Corpus idea because he was funny as to how he explained his image of the film. The line I particularly liked was, "No homo ending. The girl must die." Or something of that nature. To wrap things up, I really thought that this Altman unit broadened my horizons on one of filmmakings' greats.
A big part of the movie as far as main character Griffin Mill was concerned was the making of the movie Habeas Corpus. The question brought up in class (what the purpose of the Habeas Corpus subplot was) was one that I am stil confused about. In my mind, I feel like the subplot was simply a way for Griffin to get his slumping career back, but I am unaware of any other symbolism involved. I feel like there could be a deeper meaning, but I am unable to grasp that meaning. On another note, I really liked the character in the movie who brought the Habeas Corpus idea because he was funny as to how he explained his image of the film. The line I particularly liked was, "No homo ending. The girl must die." Or something of that nature. To wrap things up, I really thought that this Altman unit broadened my horizons on one of filmmakings' greats.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Gangs of New York
In my part of our study regarding director Martin Scorsese, I watched his movie "Gangs of New York." The film was about, well, the gangs in New York City during the Civil War. The time is around 1862, which was only a year after the war had started. There was large amounts of unrest in the city, which was filled with immigrants, political corruption, and gangs. The film features an Irishman in his twenties, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonargo DiCaprio), who seeks revenge on a large social machine, Bill Cuttining (Daniel Day Lewis), after the empowered social leader killed his father in a battle. However, as Amsterdam tries to gain money, he becomes increasingly close to Cutting, but when Amsterdam tries to kill him, Cutting spares Vallon, leaving him branded. Around all that specific conflict, however, is the local outrage regarding the Union's Draft requirements. In the end, Amsterdam's gang is about to face off against Cutting's gang, when suddenly the fight gets attacked by the Union military who had been killing mobs that whole day. Cutting dies, yet it is a bittersweet victory for Amsterdam, because the fight never really started nor was official, and Cutting was already seriously injured before Amsterdam finished him off.
As Andy had posted regarding Scorsese's film "The Departed," this director uses a lot of gore. "Gangs of New York" is no exception, with its two big battle scenes as well as countless bloody murders throughout the entire film. It is clear and evident that Scorsese uses a lot of gore and violence in his films, however the violence isn't just there to attract more viewers, it's there for a reason: to show how corrupt our societies are. "Gangs of New York" takes place primarily in what is called 5 Points, otherwise known as a place for crime and murder. All the violence that occurs is not only between workers, but also between police and firemen as well. There is a clear portrayal of violence and gore, which is consistent with most Scorsese films.
Another point that I would like to bring up regarding themes/common traits of Scorsese films would be the use of gangs/mobs. All the movies that our group is watching for this assignment ("The Departed," "Gangs of New York," "Goodfellas," and "Casino) have a clear use of gangs and/or the mafia. In fact, the plot centers around these groups. In "Gangs of New York," gangs are used to portray a brotherhood or a sense of belief. Most of the Irish gangs were friends from back home in some way, but also shared a common belief or goal, which was usually a hatred for American injustices towards immigrants. Also, the American gangs shared the same views as well: hatred for immigrants and blacks. Bill Cutting is a firm believer that America should belong to native-born Americans, and he shows the audience by killing innocent immigrants but also by hating political machines, ie Boss Tweed, who would give welfare to the immigrants in order for their vote.
As Andy had posted regarding Scorsese's film "The Departed," this director uses a lot of gore. "Gangs of New York" is no exception, with its two big battle scenes as well as countless bloody murders throughout the entire film. It is clear and evident that Scorsese uses a lot of gore and violence in his films, however the violence isn't just there to attract more viewers, it's there for a reason: to show how corrupt our societies are. "Gangs of New York" takes place primarily in what is called 5 Points, otherwise known as a place for crime and murder. All the violence that occurs is not only between workers, but also between police and firemen as well. There is a clear portrayal of violence and gore, which is consistent with most Scorsese films.
Another point that I would like to bring up regarding themes/common traits of Scorsese films would be the use of gangs/mobs. All the movies that our group is watching for this assignment ("The Departed," "Gangs of New York," "Goodfellas," and "Casino) have a clear use of gangs and/or the mafia. In fact, the plot centers around these groups. In "Gangs of New York," gangs are used to portray a brotherhood or a sense of belief. Most of the Irish gangs were friends from back home in some way, but also shared a common belief or goal, which was usually a hatred for American injustices towards immigrants. Also, the American gangs shared the same views as well: hatred for immigrants and blacks. Bill Cutting is a firm believer that America should belong to native-born Americans, and he shows the audience by killing innocent immigrants but also by hating political machines, ie Boss Tweed, who would give welfare to the immigrants in order for their vote.
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