Miracle at St Anna and Inglorious Bastards comparison

Miracle at St Anna and Inglorious Bastards comparison

Miracle at St’ Anna (2008) was directed by Spike Lee. It follows  the story of four black American soldiers during WW2 from the British perspective. It displays the friendships between characters and how their environment affects their emotions. Inglorious Bastards (2009), was directed by Quentin Tarantino is similarly set during World War 2, however, this is taken from a French Jewish viewpoint and displays the emotions towards the Hitler and the Nazis  in a negative way. Evidently these films are set in the same time frame but display different opinions on the war; however both want Hitler and the Nazis to perish.

Miracle at St’ Anna provided a cliff hanger beginning. In the first scene we witness an unidentified character being shot in broad daylight this automatically opens up questions. Who shot him? Why did they? What did they do? This for me was a very successfully beginning because automatically your attention is caught and you receive an understanding of the situation.  Alternatively Inglorious Basterds begins with a family being interrogated until a hibernating Jewish family is discovered and shot ( all but the eldest daughter). This already answer your questions and in a way the film could have ended right there in that first scene there was an introduction, climax, and cliff hanger ending. There for the following scene was like a new start to the film.

Inglorious Bastards follows a linear narrative, linear narratives follow a straight line; starting at the beginning, moving to the middle and proceeding to the end of the story, however there was a part of the film that jumps from 1941 to 1944. Miracle at St’  Anna on the other hand follows a nonlinear narrative because it is usually set during the war which in context of the film is the past and is shown in flashbacks. I feel that Miracle at St’ Anna was harder to follow as it was very disjointed, by doing this my interest slipped at times as the film wasn’t able to grasp my full attention.

In conclusion I preferred inglorious bastards. My reasoning behind this is the story line was a lot easier to follow I fully understood the plot which engaged me until the very end of the film. I also feel that Quentin Tarantino’s imaginative take on the war allowed us to have an insight into a Jewish woman’s perspective. Throughout the film we are aware of her position in society at this time which added suspense onto her getting rediscovered by the Nazis.

reflective analysis

Robyn Matthews Reflective Analysis

For my AS film studies production coarse work I planned and created a sequence for a comedic thriller. I decided the target audience would be between 11 and 21 year olds. This is because younger audiences may be disturbed by the dramatic ending however as their isn’t any grief I felt 11 was a suitable minimum audience age. I used certain micro features such as cinematography and sound to employ a understandable clear narrative with different dynamic qualities.

My film is a collection of shots exploring the peculiar habits of my cat. In the opening sequence of my film You see a DVD being posted through the letter box. I then cut from a mid shot into a close up where you see the film is entitled Biscuit the movie this Is then placed into the DVD player. I feel using a close up of the case was a key shot in the story of my film. The viewers attention is then drawn to the title giving them an insight into the movie to keep them engaged and focused. This was an easy sequence in the film as the planning I had done allowed to be organised and know what I was shooting.

I then progress into the next sequence, which is an inception of footage. It is from the viewpoint of my cat walking through the garden towards the cat flap. I don’t like the shot I used for this because it was taking from eyesight level of a human where as it should have been a worm shot as my cats viewpoint is much lower. I feel after reviewing my film that this may confuse the audience from who the perspective the film is from. Therefor when planning for films in the future I am gong to make sure I write the purpose of the shots and specifically how to shoot it to prevent mistakes.

One of the micro features I focused on was sound.  I muted all my video clips and added additional music tracks as the complement. In the beginning I used a slow upbeat song for the introduction and the affect of a broken record and crickets to go into the following scene with classical music. This contrast in sound influenced the viewers emotions and thoughts towards the film. As the music in this section is happy and smoothing they feel relaxed and can appreciate the shots. However in the latter half of my film I used music with a large amount of suspense to build the tension and arouse the audiences fear. This suspense  I feel kept them focused on the plot and make them want to continue to watch to discover the upcoming events. It also added to the narrative and gave a plot to my film. An improvement I would make would be to add a storyline earlier on in my film. This is because as it is I feel that the beginning sequences are meaning less and irrelevant to an extent. In future film I will add a voiceover to create a deeper understanding of the characters to the audience and put context to the footage.

The setting I chose for my film was in my house. This was suitable and relevant as this is the environment suitable for a domestic pet. This gave a relatable context to the audience as they all have a homely environment that they can associate with. This allows them to emphasise with the characters and create an emotional attachment to them. They subconsciously develop a relationship with the cat similar to one they have for their own person pets or even family members.

One specific shot I feel went well was the two lines of action editing. I altered between a medium shot of the “murderer” picking up a large amount of washing and a medium shot of my cat walking up the stairs. These are placed between one another showing that both events are happening the same time. This adds suspense as it foreshadows the forth-coming events. This is a key sequence of shots in my film as it is the centre of the plot where the film has reached its climax. The audience is aware that all the next shots will be a result of this key sequence so their attention is held. 

Whist filming I found it difficult to use a variety of shots in an innovative way. As my character was small it was difficult to get a successful close up of him. Perhaps I should have done a few close ups of objects in my house to highlight the location and the cats association with the family such as a picture framed of the cat.

Grand Budapest Hotel review

Robyn Matthews                                             The Great Budapest Hotel Review

 

The Great Budapest Hotel directed by Wes Anderson in 2014 is a comedic drama. Starring Ralph Fiennes as ‘Mr Gustav’ and his lobby boy assistant Zero played by ‘Tony Revelori’. They embark on an adventure of success as they unravel the mystery behind the Great Budapest Hotel, we also get an insight of how the two characters friendship grew and how their lives entwined with one another. There is much violence and humour, this film also explores themes of power and success but all in all love comes through and saves people more than money.

I feel that this was an excellent film as it cleverly revealed a sequence of scenarios that came to the final conclusion. They did not give too much away at the beginning which gave the viewer a wondering engagement with the film.  It was full of surprises and gags which plucked a reaction from the audience. One scene in the film I found particular comedic was when a man was knocking on the giant gates and the guards head just popped around a regular sized door adjacent to it. The film is full of thoughtful comedic values but at the same time the producers didn’t go excessive and make it seem repetitive.

I did however feel that the slow beginning and revealing of the plot made the film drag and appear long than it was. At moments the audience attention was lost due to boredom and confusion. I do feel however that these scenes didn’t last too long and the audience was quickly drawn back in.

 

What else was interesting was the episodic stricter of the film. We are shown at the beginning a girl walking towards a graveyard. We then travel back in time where the hotel owner is discussing his story with one of his customers. We are then entering the first phase of the story. It is in first person as it is being told which is unique it’s a inception of fables.

I would definitely recommend this film to other. However I would say it is more suitable for older audiences in their twenty’s and older. The reasoning behind this is that you need to be motivated and interested in the film to continuously watch it and I don’t feel younger people will have the attention span and motivation to watch it towards the end. The reasoning behind this is that it is quite mentally stretching and you need that understanding and thought track of events in your head to piece it all together.

As film script

Robyn Matthews As Film Script

Shot one: Opening credits, music compliment to shot.

      

                                                                        Scene one: Front room

Shot two: Mid shot of front door. To get a clear view of the dvd being posted. Shot then moves forward to a close up of the DVD.

Shot three: Mid shot of DVD case being opened and DVD removed and placed in DVD player.

Shot four: Close up of television. (Broken record sound affect, music compliment stops).

                                                                        Scene Two: Garden

Shot four: Worm shot of garden looking towards house progresses towards cat flap. (Foot steps sound affects).

Shot five: Close up of digital clock. (Crickets sound affects)

                                                                        Scene Three: Daily life

Shot five: Long shot from above. (Different music begins)

Biscuit: “Never a moment of peace in this house!”

Shot six: Over the shoulder shot of Biscuit.

Biscuit: “All these cameras following me about”

Shot seven: Birdseye view of kitchen floor. Cat food poured over floor.

Biscuit: “No. No. No. What are you doing? I’m hungry but that is really unsanitary I mean seriously… Gosh humans are so stupid!”

Shot eight: Long shot of Biscuit in garden

Biscuit: “Pretends to stare deeply in distance in hopes these fools leave me alone”

Shot nine: Long shot of Biscuit sitting on table

Biscuit: “Ok the classic sit on table this will annoy them”

Shot ten: Long shot of biscuit in kitchen.

Shot eleven: Wide shot of Biscuit lying sideways

Biscuit: “BALL! AAHH!!

Shot twelve: Worm shot, Biscuit plays with mouse toy.

Biscuit: Hehehe mouse hahaha so funny I’m dying ahh

Shot thirteen: Close up of Biscuits face

Shot fourteen: Long shot of biscuit on the table.

“Sigh”

Shot fifteen: Birdseye view of Biscuit eating

Biscuit: “God I eat too much might get diebeties,ahh well you get nine lives for a reason!”

Shot sixteen: Wide shot of Biscuit jumping through window , pans out to the right.

Biscuit: “lost about seven lives doing this stunt or was it eight ahh doesn’t matter?”

                                                                        Scene Four: The accident

Shot seventeen: Close up of calendar displaying text ‘The accident’

Shot eighteen: Mid shot of murderer picking up washing.

Shot nineteen: Long shot of biscuit walking up stair

Back to an upwards long shot of murderer walking down the stairs. Finishing in blackout.

Shot twenty: Wide shot of bedroom (Previous music stops, Church bell music compliment)

 Shot twenty one: Worm shot looking up the stairs

Shot twenty two: Birds eye view of kitchen flooring

Shot twenty three: Mid shot of stairs

Shot twenty four: Mid shot of dining room

-Credits-

Nebraska review draft £

Nebraska scene analysis 

Nebraska (2013) directed by Alexander Payne is a black and white comedic drama. An old Married man, Woody Grant and David Grant (Woody's son), played by Will Forte journey together through Woody's hometown to seek his million dollar prize.

 The entire film is in black and white. This cinematography isn't recognized as greatly in more modern films; I feel that it provides us with a more creative perspective to modern filming showing that new filming techniques don't compliment every film. Prior to this film The Artist (2011) was similarly a black and white film which won an oscar. As a result this may have inspired Alexander Payne to make the decision to use this affect in Nebraska. Alexander Payne said at the New York Film Festival, Autumn of 2013, "It's just so darn beautiful,". This monochrome affect also creates an incomplete feeling and makes me emphasize Woody's situation. Perhaps this cinematography was used to create an insight into Woody's perspective on life showing he may not see life to its full potential and this is also reimbursed by his fixation on this one goal. Another interpretation of this technique could be that due to Woody's deteriorating mental state he perceived to be an anthropoid: inhumane. I feel this way because most animals don't have the capability to see in color, he may be more animal like. An example of this is when Woody converses with David his expressions are very bland and mutual. therefor this justifies my interpretation as emotions are one of the main characteristics that make us individual as a species.

In the beginning of this scene there is a wide shot of the car coming towards the camera, (image 1), this connotes that they could be approaching their destination as the director chose not to shoot the car from behind. Alternatively they could be approaching the end of the film. Next the shot pans out the left which presents the rest of the road as it turns, thus displaying that their has been a change in direction for Woody and David. As an accompaniment to this shot slow, dreary music is played to reiterate the mood created in the previous scene.

(Image 1)

The next shot is inside the car we alter between a mid shot of David and Woody giving the affect that we are seeing things through the person not in shot's eyes: (image's 2&3). These shots are also in a shallow debt of field making the subject of the shot very clear in this case: Woody and David.  By doing this it provides a feeling of intimacy between us and the characters as we feel we are personally being spoken to; it is also suggesting that Woody being allowed to drive the car, which is the topic of conversation, is a matter not to be taken lightly and all their focus needs to be fixated on the most important thing at that current moment.

(image2)(image 3)

The performance in this scene is particularly good  the contrast in characters is clearly displayed through the dynamic changes in their vocals. Their thoughts are expressed in different ways as David is presented to be more extroverted; his feelings are clearly portrayed. Also his role of authority is unusual as he plays the son. Woody Grant on the other hand is described as "a man of few words" and his emotions are hard to read especially those towards David. David has a very enthusiastic tone which is amplified by his facial expressions and hand gestures. You see a lot of movement in his face in contrast to Woody who is very stiff and slow.

There next is a medium shot of the pair taken from the inside of the car (image 4). As Woody and David cross over the front of the car the camera is in a shallow debt of field again drawing your attention to Woody now becoming the driver. This connotes that Woody is now in control. Woody is now displayed as the superior character this connotes the progression of the characters and how their roles of leadship develop through the film. Alternatively it could display how David's connection and trust between himself and Woody has increased dramatically. After Woody returned from war his confidence was shattered and his independence was removed. He put all his emotions into driving and when his license was taken away from him so was his man hood. Now this opportunity to drive has arose he has returned to a fixed mental state of capability and maturity as his freedom has been returned. Essentially he been given the tools to recover from war at last.

(image 4)

Silence is in the background of the next few shots of Woody. This adds intensity to the situation; we also are clearly displayed the couples emotions through movements and facial expressions. A close up of woodys hand changing the gear stick into drive is shown and similarly a close up of his foot on the gas peddle close up's are used to make you aware of certain key movements with in scenes. They notify you of the important details about the characters to help you get a clearer understanding of their background with out telling you. Also it was used to make the viewer aware Woody is about to start driving. This connotes he is experiencing a form of anxiety driving the first time in a while. .

The music complement from the beginning of the scene continues as the car starts to move. As this music is slow and calming it reassures the viewer that David has faith in Woody which gives us satisfaction. The music also begins whenever the car is in motion which also denotes that driving is a good thing. This may be because it means the characters are continuing with their journey towards their evident destination. This could also show that Woody has now regained his independence after this was first taken away from him after he had returned for war. His confidence was shattered and now he is driving he feels as if he has regained his self esteem.

A long shot is used of one of Woody's friends, he quotes "Hey there, looking good Woody", this use of speech breaks the silence of verbal communication between the characters. This significantly also shows the viewer that driving gives him confidence again. He then makes a fast snap at David to "Get down." This is also the first quick determined decision he has made which furthermore adds to the progression of the character development. He could also be seen as cocky driving this van however the viewer emphasises with him as this is the first moment he has reached a goal on the entire film.

We then get a wide shot from outside the car. We see leaves being blown away by a gust of wind, (image 5). This connotes that all the confusion between the characters and allegations about this million dollar have been cleared up. A clean slate has subconsciously appeared for Woody as he can now leave this town once again at peace. The road also is being cleared for him as this happens resulting in any obstacles which may interfere with his driving being removed; this is showing that this scene is not meant to make you uneasy but give you a clam, happy atmosphere for the characters.

 

 

(image 5)

The next mid shot is taken from below, David's perspective (image 6). A shot like this shows superiority and confidence. It presents a figurative hierarchy between the characters as Woody is on top he is presented with the most power. We are looking up on him. Alternatively in contrast the next shot is taken from Woody's perspective at David,  taken from above it makes David look small and inferior giving him back the role as the son in this relationship. (image 7)
(image 7)                    (image 6)


The next shot is a mid shot of an old friend of Woody's whom he had conflict with previously in the film (image 8). The camera is moving whilst the shot is in focus showing he is being left behind as he approaches the end of the screen. He looks directly at the camera which is taken from the perspective of Woody with a confused expression. He cannot understand how Woody had received the truck after he was embarrassed and shown his pamphlet to be faux. At this point you realise the film wasn't about the money it was about the understanding of the more important things in life. The bonding with David had made him a richer man than anyone else in that town.

(image 8)

In the final shot you see a long shot of the car driving off into the horizon (image 9). The composition of this shot notifies us that all previous issues have been resolved as they are driving off to a new path. You also can't see where the road leads to which connotes that there is no fixed route for either Woody or David and both can go where ever they like as of now.

My Final Film

Biscuit film shots