Yojimbo is Akira Kurosawa's take on Western-style film. Though set in 1860, both the plot and cinematography resemble that of a traditional Western while still retaining a strong Japanese influence.
The opening scene empowers the main character, Sanjuro. Only his backside is displayed as he trots through the wildness. Sanjuro's odd stance with his arms tucked inside his kimono, combined with his posture and gait, reveal a sense of confidence. The music used in this scene also enhances this complex as the samurai marches to the beat of the percussion. This confidence is also seen in his first major confrontation with the villagers. Little conversations leads to swift action and a minor fight scene causing the death of three troublemakers and also setting the tone for the rest of the film; Sanjuro is a powerful force not to be reckoned with.
The setting almost identically resembles the set of a Western; a small, desolate town with a main road down the center surrounded by open wilderness and mountains in the background. The Japanese influence is maintained with costumes, props, such as weaponry, and interior decoration.
Kurosawa's trademark sweeping transition is implemented in Yojimbo, as most of his other films.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
Tucker: The Man and His Dream is a film directed by Francis Ford Copolla about Preston Tucker and his vision of producing his own cars. The film retells the story of the Tucker Corporation from it's humble beginnings, to a hopeful future, to it's immediate and sudden downfall, somewhat serving as a documentary about Preston Tucker, the Tucker '48, and the state of the auto industry in the 1940's.
The plot naturally advances with the suspenseful decisions made often throughout the story and with the help of Tucker's witty, yet cheerful character. Tucker has relatively lighthearted and often childish or unrealistic reactions to serious business matters. The plot also incorporates a history lesson as well. In order to start up his company, receive funding and property, and ensure that he had fair access to materials, Tucker had to interact with the government on several levels, though mostly economic. The influence of the powerful Big Three, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, in the automobile industry directly controlled government in that area.
Copolla creatively implemented transitions by simply having the character slide into the next scene, where the new set, perhaps hundreds of miles away in the film, would conveniently be located behind the door or a few steps away. Most notably the scene where Tucker is speaking to his wife in a phone booth, assuring her that he'll be home shortly, and instead of opening the phone booth door to the hallway, it is the front door of their home. This technique is used sparingly in the film, which adds an element of surprise when a character suddenly appears somewhere else not expected, but ever so smoothly.
The spotlight effect is infused with the natural lighting of many indoor scenes, such as inside the Tucker home, a board meeting, or a conversation under a lamp post late at night. This likens the setting to what one would expect to see on a stage, as performed in a play. It particularly draws attention to the actions taking place in such a setting.
Most recognizable is the big band score that is heard during most of the film. This adds an element of cheeriness throughout the entire film and highlights the hopefulness of Tucker's dream in spite of opposition.
The plot naturally advances with the suspenseful decisions made often throughout the story and with the help of Tucker's witty, yet cheerful character. Tucker has relatively lighthearted and often childish or unrealistic reactions to serious business matters. The plot also incorporates a history lesson as well. In order to start up his company, receive funding and property, and ensure that he had fair access to materials, Tucker had to interact with the government on several levels, though mostly economic. The influence of the powerful Big Three, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, in the automobile industry directly controlled government in that area.
Copolla creatively implemented transitions by simply having the character slide into the next scene, where the new set, perhaps hundreds of miles away in the film, would conveniently be located behind the door or a few steps away. Most notably the scene where Tucker is speaking to his wife in a phone booth, assuring her that he'll be home shortly, and instead of opening the phone booth door to the hallway, it is the front door of their home. This technique is used sparingly in the film, which adds an element of surprise when a character suddenly appears somewhere else not expected, but ever so smoothly.
The spotlight effect is infused with the natural lighting of many indoor scenes, such as inside the Tucker home, a board meeting, or a conversation under a lamp post late at night. This likens the setting to what one would expect to see on a stage, as performed in a play. It particularly draws attention to the actions taking place in such a setting.
Most recognizable is the big band score that is heard during most of the film. This adds an element of cheeriness throughout the entire film and highlights the hopefulness of Tucker's dream in spite of opposition.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Movie-Going Experience
With the improvements and significant price drops of home theater systems in the past few years, the movie-going experience almost appears to be a trivial pastime. It seems like every few months ticket and concession prices are rising. Why do we even bother going to the theaters anymore?Going to see a movie is more than just going to see a movie. Most often it is a social experience as well. It's a chance to see what's coming next with the previews, it's a chance to get that one snack you can't find anywhere else, it's a chance to enjoy oneself. At the theater, you can immerse yourself in the film, temporarily away from the distractions of the real world.
Watching a movie at the theater definitely has it's perks: huge screens, great sound, company, and sometimes even luxury. Legally, the movie theatre is the only place to see the hottest new flicks, but illegal methods or patience can change that, which brings us to the flipside, the home movie experience.
As mentioned previously, quality is no longer much of an issue with improved home theater systems. Seemingly everyone has a beautiful, widescreen HDTV now, and a halfway decent surround sound system isn't hard to come by either. So now you have a setup in your living room that rivals that of some big expensive theatre. You can view movies at your discretion, from the comfort of your own home, in your pajamas, while an enjoying a delicious meal or reasonably priced snacks at the same time.
Though not as taboo as before, one can even enjoy the same first-run movies at home with bootlegs. No, they're not only sold by sketchy characters in front of the corner store in the hood any more. Besides downloading movies online, there is also a very well organized system if you have the "hook-up". Lists are released weekly of what the movie man has acquired or his full collection, with details on whether it is a studio copy, regular quality, a DVD rip, or an in-movie recording, and even sometimes specials such as 5-for-$20 or buy 3, get one free. The decision to purchase bootlegs pretty much boils down to ethics.
The most apparent difference between the movie-going experience and the home theater experience is the cost. At first, the home theater experience may appear cheaper, but the initial costs are far more expensive and it must be a long-term investment in order to be worthwhile. Ignoring the initial costs for the home-theater system, let's compare the annual costs. For a family of four, an average trip to the movies would cost about $60 ($8/ticket, ~$30 in snacks). This would equate to $720 in movie-going expenses for an entire year. For the price of one movie trip, the family could by three new-release DVDs or 15 bootlegs -- either way, everyone in the family gets something they like. On a monthly basis, the family could buy one new-release movie and order pizza for about $40 and spend $480 annually. Of course DVDs go on sale all the time but never movie tickets. (Sidenote: There are so many factors that contribute to both movie-viewing experiences that it's pretty much impossible to fully evaluate both. Well I could, but I won't.)
So is the movie-going experience still worth it? Yes and no. For some popular, action-packed, must-see movies like Transformers 2 coming out this summer, absolutely. But for other casual films that don't necessarily demand the perks of seeing it in a theater, probably not. Another factor not to be ignored is the reason for watching a movie; is it for the plot, the cinematography, the hype, the actors, the social experience, the message? These also all influence how one physically views a movie.
It is not to by implied that one should abandon one system for the other; actually, the best situation would probably be to have a healthy combination of both. Even though it may be a huge splurge nowadays, who doesn't love staring at 20ft screen while munching on $10 popcorn, $4 candy, and $6 soda?
Ten Myths About Digital
Videography created a list of myths surrounding digital technologies. This article stemmed from all the buzz and confusion surrounding the DTV transition and involves misconceptions spewed by those pretending to be in-the-know or those simply uninformed. Much of the confusion is a result of the lack of an official, appropriate, and widely accepted definition of the word 'digital'. The undefined expression has many meanings, applications, and interpretations, many of which the author details, in length, in the article.
The list:
1. On Feb. 18 of next year, broadcasters will have to start transmitting HDTV.
2. Digital is another word for binary.
3. Digital is always perfectly reproducible.
4. Digital is better than analog.
5. Digital is noise free.
6. Digital is new.
7. Digital is more flexible.
8. Bits are bits.
9. Old media are analog.
10. Digital will change everything.
The Article
The list:
1. On Feb. 18 of next year, broadcasters will have to start transmitting HDTV.
2. Digital is another word for binary.
3. Digital is always perfectly reproducible.
4. Digital is better than analog.
5. Digital is noise free.
6. Digital is new.
7. Digital is more flexible.
8. Bits are bits.
9. Old media are analog.
10. Digital will change everything.
The Article
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thank You For Smoking
Jason Reitman does an excellent job of masking a vital message in Thank You For Smoking.
Tobacco spokesman, Nick Naylor, is contracted to save the tobacco industry. The quick thinking and slick-tongued spokesman can practically talk his way out of anything and convince almost anyone to do anything. While he does not smoke himself and must remain a role model for his son, who is now the stepson of a physician, he also must do his job. Just as Nick evaluates his morals as his son questions them, the film frames the platform for the viewer to do the same. Common transitions are also nicely integrated to show change of location.
The thought-provoking story exposes the corruption in the tobacco industry, but reminds us that those working in it are human too.
Tobacco spokesman, Nick Naylor, is contracted to save the tobacco industry. The quick thinking and slick-tongued spokesman can practically talk his way out of anything and convince almost anyone to do anything. While he does not smoke himself and must remain a role model for his son, who is now the stepson of a physician, he also must do his job. Just as Nick evaluates his morals as his son questions them, the film frames the platform for the viewer to do the same. Common transitions are also nicely integrated to show change of location.
The thought-provoking story exposes the corruption in the tobacco industry, but reminds us that those working in it are human too.
The Laughing Club
The Laughing Club is a documentary detailing the relatively new tradition of laughing -- just for the heck of it.
When one thinks of a documentary, one may experience a flash back to high school history courses with ancient black and white clips with a monotonous narrator, perhaps spiced up with a few slides and transitions. The Laughing Club is not one of these, thank goodness.
The documentary showcases various laughing clubs throughout India. The documentary takes the viewer on an intellectual journey. It introduces the concept to the viewer, allows the viewer to question it, explains the benefits and enjoyment through interviews and showing the spread of such clubs, and leaves the viewer chuckling and wanting to try it out for themselves.
Recently, a news channel covered a story about a seminar given to various corporate employees about laughing that was very similar to the laughing clubs of India. It also detailed how one particular company added a slide from the 3rd to 1st floor of the office to create a happier environment. I wonder how this will effect business...
When one thinks of a documentary, one may experience a flash back to high school history courses with ancient black and white clips with a monotonous narrator, perhaps spiced up with a few slides and transitions. The Laughing Club is not one of these, thank goodness.
The documentary showcases various laughing clubs throughout India. The documentary takes the viewer on an intellectual journey. It introduces the concept to the viewer, allows the viewer to question it, explains the benefits and enjoyment through interviews and showing the spread of such clubs, and leaves the viewer chuckling and wanting to try it out for themselves.
Recently, a news channel covered a story about a seminar given to various corporate employees about laughing that was very similar to the laughing clubs of India. It also detailed how one particular company added a slide from the 3rd to 1st floor of the office to create a happier environment. I wonder how this will effect business...
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