Blog Response #16--Seven Samurai

Please read this essay by Roger Ebert and respond to the following question...

Please discuss in three paragraphs (perhaps discussing three scenes) how the following statement is represented through the film's mise-en-scene.

"That purpose was to make a samurai movie that was anchored in ancient Japanese culture and yet argued for a flexible humanism in place of rigid traditions. One of the central truths of "Seven Samurai" is that the samurai and the villagers who hire them are of different castes and must never mix. Indeed, we learn that these villagers had earlier been hostile to samurai--and one of them, even now, hysterically fears that a samurai will make off with his daughter. Yet the bandits represent a greater threat, and so the samurai are hired, valued and resented in about equal measure."

Blog Response #15--White Heat

In at least 3 hearty paragraphs, discuss White Heat, as well as the characteristics of the gangster genre and its role as an art form. In your discussion, bring in another gangster film you've seen on your own (The Godfather, Goodfellas, etc.). Your discussion should be in relation to the Warshow article I handed out on Wednesday and the idea of the gangster as an individual. I want to see at least 2 quotes from the article in your discussion. Don't forget, your film textbook has a great section on gangster genre.

Even though I will not be in school, this is due by Thursday, May 19. I will log on from home to read your responses.

Also, your films should be edited by Friday, May 20. I want to arrive at school Monday morning and be able to watch the 2 chase movies.

Online space for your films...

I'm in the process of uploading everyone's films...

http://photobucket.com/chsibfilm

Gates of Heaven Monday Night!

For those of you interested in one of the most critically acclaimed and highly regarded documentaries ever produced (and, yes, one of my favorites), tune into Turner Classic Movies (ch. 50) Monday night at 8:00. Here's IMdb's link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077598/

For Roger Ebert's take on the film, click here. You'll like it if you like pets and if you like good film. I will say you probably will think it is sort of weird, but that is usually what makes for good documentary material.

Extra credit for anyone who watches it and posts a review (at least 2 hearty paragraphs) here.

Blog Response #14 -- Bringing Up Baby

Think about the film's mise-en-scene. Choose a scene in the film and discuss the mise-en-scene (costumes, set, etc.) and its relation to the scene and the film as a whole. Use at least 2 hearty paragraphs for your discussion.

Also, please post your favorite line from the film. Mine is: "In a minute, Mr. Peabody!" We use this at home a lot.

George Eastman House

I hope you all had a good time on our field trip and learned a little something. I learned that George Eastman left a death note that read: Friends: My work is done. Why wait? I also learned a bit about how photos were taken during the Civil War. Thanks, Miles, for pointing out the interesting video.

Oh, and I had no idea that the George Eastman House is home to Selznick School of Film Preservation. Check it out: http://selznickschool.eastmanhouse.org/

Please let me know what you learned, found interesting, etc. And, have a great weekend! Don't forget to watch a film from the film movement you've chosen for your Independent Study!

Blog Response Lucky 13--The 400 Blows

I hope you all have read the essay by Marilyn Fabe. If you haven't yet, go away from your computer right now and take 15 minutes to read the essay.

OK. Now, take a look at this quote from Truffaut in a 1966 interview:

"Before I met Rossellini, I wanted to make films of course, but it seemed impossible. A dream. He made it all seem easy. He has a powerful gift for simplification. He told me, it isn't hard to write a screenplay, you only have to look at the reality around you...The 400 Blows owes a great deal to Rossellini...[H]e showed me that things must be close to life."

Think about this quote and respond to it, using at least one scene from The 400 Blows. Feel free to include evidence from Rome Open City to back up any statements you make regarding Rossellini's filmmaking style. Write at least 2 meaty paragraphs (be sure to write cinematically) and use at least one quote from the Marilyn Fabe essay.

Due: Wednesday, April 13.

Don't forget to choose your film movement and at least one film for your practice Independent Study--write this out and hand in by Monday, April 11.