Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 29
Today was our final class! We completed course evaluations and prepared for the final. I have to thank you, Dr. Hendricks, for allowing us to opt out of the final!!! It made my day. Actually, it made my whole week :) I really enjoyed this class, and honestly learned a lot!!!
Yosemite
In yesterday's NY Times, there was a neat article on Ansel Adams. The article gave a little background on Adams, but was esentially about how many photographers are venturing to Yosemite National Park in hopes of capturing photos that mirror those of Adams. More than anything, the article made me really jealous and depressed that I'm not there too! :( Oh well, maybe one day I'll be able to see the sites for myself. Until then, Ansel Adams's work will suffice :)
Miley Photos
(Ok, so just ignore Bobby Kennedy in the background! I couldn't find the photo anywhere else)Ok, so I couldn't resist the temptation to comment on this new "Miley Cirus Crisis" that is apparently all over the news. I must say that the press has blown this up in to some sort of crisis situation when the girl just took some tasteful photos! Granted, the girl is only 15 and I understand that she appeals to children. However, what's so wrong with the photo. There's no nudity, it's not overly sexual...it's just her back. Obviously, as Annie Leibovitz did take the photo after all, it's very beautiful. People really need to relax a little. The poor girl has gone on some apologizing campaign, when she did nothing wrong. Honestly, loosen up people!!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Amores Perros
I recently watched Amores Perros (Love's a Bitch, In English) and I felt like I had to write about it (mostly because it left me GREATLY disturbed!). The film is directed by Iñárritu, the same guy who did Babel. Although the film has a great message, I couldn't get past the disturbing images/violence. The film features MANY dog fighting scenes with graphic violence. The dogs were bloody and crying out in pain. The scenes were so graphic that I still keep thinking about them (over a week later). Firstly, this film once again reinforced the visual power of film. Even though I consciously know that this didn't REALLY happen, I can't help but think of it as reality. However, the film also made me think about how desinsitized I am to violence against humans, but not animals. If the violence had been against a man, woman, or even a child, I honestly think that I would have been okay with it. It's just something about animals...I can't stand to see them hurt :( Nevertheless, I must comment on the film's positive aspects as well. The film is divided into three "chapters" and are not in chronological order (much like Babel I have heard). In doing so, the film's innovative style keeps the viewer entertained and contributes to the film's overall quality.
Thursday, April 24
Today, we looked at 3 different silent films by early filmmakers who were experimenting with film in the 1920s. These films are part of a series called "Light Rythms".
The first film was by Man Ray. This film, "Le Retour a la raison" (return to reason), has no actors or spoken words. This film is clearly a part of the Dada movement. The music and changing images are very important.
The second film was Ballet Mecanique by Leger and Dudley Murphy. This film is a take on the machine age and there are many changing/swinging images which reflect movement and machines. The film seems to represent the relationship between machines and humans.
The final film was Anemic Cinema by Marcel Duchamp. This film alternates between two basic concepts. The first is swirly black and white lines. The second is swirly quirky words. Each time, the images and words change slightly, but are still of this basic concept. The music is extremely important as it changes with each changing image.
Each of the films has a great deal of energy and repitition. They all seem to be reflecting on the modern age and its relationship to humanity.
We completed class by discussing the differences and similarities between Avant garde cinema and Hollywood Classical Cinema.
Avant Garde= difficult to identify with in the same way as classical, deals with unconscious, surrealism
Classical= wants to present normal/average perspective, humanistic identification
The first film was by Man Ray. This film, "Le Retour a la raison" (return to reason), has no actors or spoken words. This film is clearly a part of the Dada movement. The music and changing images are very important.
The second film was Ballet Mecanique by Leger and Dudley Murphy. This film is a take on the machine age and there are many changing/swinging images which reflect movement and machines. The film seems to represent the relationship between machines and humans.
The final film was Anemic Cinema by Marcel Duchamp. This film alternates between two basic concepts. The first is swirly black and white lines. The second is swirly quirky words. Each time, the images and words change slightly, but are still of this basic concept. The music is extremely important as it changes with each changing image.
Each of the films has a great deal of energy and repitition. They all seem to be reflecting on the modern age and its relationship to humanity.
We completed class by discussing the differences and similarities between Avant garde cinema and Hollywood Classical Cinema.
Avant Garde= difficult to identify with in the same way as classical, deals with unconscious, surrealism
Classical= wants to present normal/average perspective, humanistic identification
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22
Today, we continued watching films based on Beckett's plays.
We began by watching "Act without words II". This is another silent film. The film features two actors in sacks. The background is a film strip and they appear to be apart of the film strip (thus it is very self reflexive). The first actor awakes and is very depressed. The second actor, however, is much more upbeat. They certainly represent two very different perspectives. Throughout the film, the music and movement is very important in order to represent these perspectives. Again, there is some unkown outside force controlling the men.
We next watched "Come and Go", which was directed by John Crowley. This film features 3 older women sitting side by side. The women are reflecting on their pasts. The entire film is taken in no more than 4 or 5 shots. The movment and clothing is very important. The women seem to represent the complexities of relationships.
We completed class by viewing "play", which is another Beckett film. This one was directed by Anthony Minghella. This film is very unique and features 3 actors talking quickly in some dark, cemetary-esque place. Makeup and the setting are very important for the film's effect. The actors are reflecting on adultery. Although there is no clear interpretation, it seems to convey the impact of adultery.
We began by watching "Act without words II". This is another silent film. The film features two actors in sacks. The background is a film strip and they appear to be apart of the film strip (thus it is very self reflexive). The first actor awakes and is very depressed. The second actor, however, is much more upbeat. They certainly represent two very different perspectives. Throughout the film, the music and movement is very important in order to represent these perspectives. Again, there is some unkown outside force controlling the men.
We next watched "Come and Go", which was directed by John Crowley. This film features 3 older women sitting side by side. The women are reflecting on their pasts. The entire film is taken in no more than 4 or 5 shots. The movment and clothing is very important. The women seem to represent the complexities of relationships.
We completed class by viewing "play", which is another Beckett film. This one was directed by Anthony Minghella. This film is very unique and features 3 actors talking quickly in some dark, cemetary-esque place. Makeup and the setting are very important for the film's effect. The actors are reflecting on adultery. Although there is no clear interpretation, it seems to convey the impact of adultery.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 17
Today, we viewed several short films that are part of the series, "Becket on Film". This series is an attempt to make films out of most of Samuel Beckett's plays. Samuel Beckett was a leading 20th century playwright. He was born in Ireland, but lived in Paris in the 20s and 30s when Paris was the center of the artistic world. He wrote plays that founded the "theater of the absurd". These plays are part of the avant-garde and are largely a response to the world wars. The plays are interesting as they do not tell the audience what to think, they leave that to us.
The first film we looked at was "Breath". This film was directed by Damien Hirst, who is a very famous British artist. The film was very short and was simply a deep inhale and exhale while certain objects floated around. These objects (hospital things, computers, ashtray with a sawstika, trash, etc.) have no order and are quite chaotic. This combination of items and the breathing are indicative of an attempt by Beckett to comment on smoking and its very real negative effects. By showing the hospital items it shows what technology has given us, but the cigarette ashtray shows how easily everything can be taken away. I found the film particularly difficult to watch as my dad passed away from lung cancer. Then again, it also reinforced the power of film as I was deeply affected by a few seconds of film.
The next film we watched was "Act without words 1" which was directed by Karel Reisz. The film features a man trapped in the desert. Throughout the film, objects such as water, boxes, scissors, etc. that could potentially save him appear. However, as soon as the objects are within his reach, they are taken away by some unknown force. This shows again how easily things can be taken away right when they seem to be within grasp.
The first film we looked at was "Breath". This film was directed by Damien Hirst, who is a very famous British artist. The film was very short and was simply a deep inhale and exhale while certain objects floated around. These objects (hospital things, computers, ashtray with a sawstika, trash, etc.) have no order and are quite chaotic. This combination of items and the breathing are indicative of an attempt by Beckett to comment on smoking and its very real negative effects. By showing the hospital items it shows what technology has given us, but the cigarette ashtray shows how easily everything can be taken away. I found the film particularly difficult to watch as my dad passed away from lung cancer. Then again, it also reinforced the power of film as I was deeply affected by a few seconds of film.
The next film we watched was "Act without words 1" which was directed by Karel Reisz. The film features a man trapped in the desert. Throughout the film, objects such as water, boxes, scissors, etc. that could potentially save him appear. However, as soon as the objects are within his reach, they are taken away by some unknown force. This shows again how easily things can be taken away right when they seem to be within grasp.
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