Final Ranking of Films

Overall I enjoyed all movies watched throughout the semester some were just not of my interest but it still was good to learn about different cinematographic elements and styles. Below is my final ranking of the films:

Sherlock Jr.- Amazing stunts performed and a masterpiece of American cinema, better than Chaplin. 6

Freaks- Amazed by the people who played in that film, uncharacteristic horror film. 7

Detour- Interesting twist throughout film, enjoyed cinematographic elements of darkness and shadows over characters faces. 9

Awara- Overrated, didn’t not enjoy musical genre and cinematographic elements. 12

The Good The Bad and the Ugly- American classic, Clint Eastwood is the greatest western actor of all time over John Wayne. 4

Killer of Sheep- Underrated film, confusing at first but great metaphors and doesn’t matter that story does not have plot. 8

The Vanishing- Interesting take on serial killer film, was not as intimidating because you saw him fail several times. 10

My Own Private Idaho- Great cinematographic elements, as well as use of Shakespearian language. 5

O Brother Where Art Thou- Revival of bluegrass music, constant spiritual conversation between characters. 1

Wendy and Lucy- Didn’t care for the minimalist style. 11

Moonrise Kingdom- Framing of Wes Anderson was amazing, dialogue between characters great. 2

End of Watch- Impressed by different cinematography styles and making characters feel real. 3

Scene Analysis: End of Watch

In this scene analysis of End of Watch, Brian and Mike have just run into an ambush with gangsters shooting at them and they have determined the only way for them to get out is to fight their way out. The first screenshot shows them both leaving the apartment the temporarily hid in to buy some time. The scene is dark to show uncertainty of what is outside of the door and both of the characters are in the shot Mike in the center and Brian off to the right. The second shot is a close up on Mike as he walks through the door checking to see if the coast is clear for them to continue. The third screenshot the camera jumps to what is behind Brian while he is checking the first side of the hallway a gang member in the center of the frame raising a gun to fire at them. I found it interesting that we do not see the faces of the two main characters when this happens to see their reaction but rather the face of the gang member ready to shoot. The fourth screenshot which in this scene I think is the most important, the camera jumps to first person which happens a lot in this film of Brian's view as we can see his hand and gun in the center of the frame as he shoots the gang member and we can see him start to fall to the floor as blood explodes from him. The fifth screen shot is when the audience finally sees the reaction of the two main characters Mike in an extreme close up in the center looking puzzled and alarmed as if to show he was not expecting someone right outside the door, and Brian over his left shoulder gun still raised. The final screen shot is both characters in the middle of the frame Brian walking in front of Mike and his victim lay lifeless next to him as they walk on determined to make it out alive. This scene only begins to show the panic that these characters are experiencing and the camera shows that jumping quickly from one shot to another and leaves the audience almost in a state of confusion because it can be difficult to understand what is going on, but that all ties into how the characters are felling in that same moment.

Disconnected Family in Moonrise Kingdom

This scene which is actually one of the opening scenes in the film and while watching it I was really impressed with the way Wes Anderson is able to fit so much into one shot. The camera starts in the far back room where the boys are playing a game, then it pulls back and goes to the dining room where Mr. Bishop (Bill Murray) is sitting and reading the newspaper, then it goes to the kitchen where Mrs. Bishop (Frances McDormand) is filing her nails and smoking a cigarette, and then finally it gets to the final room where Suzy is looking through her binoculars. When the camera finally stops it shows the family "together" in four different rooms not paying attention to what the other members are doing. I think Wes Anderson is trying to show with this frame is that if you want to see the Bishop family together you have to get a shot of multiple rooms at once or else you will never see them together. Analyzing what each character is doing I think reflects their personality throughout the film. The boys (who can barely be seen in this shot) are always content where they are playing a game in their own little world. Mr. Bishop is reading the paper and seems to be trying to distract himself from other things going on around him (possibly foreshadowing to his knowing of his wife's other love interest.) Mrs. Bishop has a look of worry on her face as she smokes her cigarette possibly worried about her husbands knowledge of her other love interest with Captain Sharp or concern about her rebellious daughter Suzy. Finally you have Suzy who is looking for adventure or a better place to be rather than her home which she will soon leave to runaway with Stan. This screenshot overall is very telling of the disconnect between the Bishop family but is also a great way to show what each family member is doing throughout the house in single shot.