A Timeless Hit, "Unchained Melody" in the film GHOST

Film: GHOST /Director: Jerry Zucker/"Unchained Melody"/Written and composed by Hy Zaret and Alex North/Preformed by The Righteous Bothers

GHOST   

Released in 1990

Director: Jerry Zucker

Staring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg

“UNCHAINED MELODY”

Written and composed by Hy Zaret and Alex North in 1955. There is many version of this song. Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and Roy Orbison are some of the artists who have recorded a version of "Unchained Melody."

The Righteous Brothers

In 1965, the Righteous Brothers covered the song and made it on the top 100 lists. In 1990, the song reached the top 100 lists again when it was revived in the film Ghost.

The scene takes place in the middle of the night, Demi Moore staring as Molly can’t sleep so she starts working with ceramics. Patrick Swayze staring as Sam Wheat and as Molly’s boyfriend comes into the scene. The music is diegetic. The song, “Unchained Melody” is coming from the jute box in Molly’s studio. The music fits right into the scene and one automatically starts feeling the romance in the air once the music starts playing. This three-minute scene is known for its romantic essence.

            The romantic music in the scene combined with the imagery in the film, not only physically affected me but emotionally as well. I remember watching Ghost as a little girl probably around the age of five, I don’t remember exactly how I felt when I seen this clip for the first time but it has always been memorable ever since. I remember as a little girl, this scene became my new definition of what LOVE is. Now as I re-watch this clip, I honestly get butterflies, a giant blushing smile and I am just so happy for Demi Moore/Molly because it looks like true love and it feels like true love. This scene is still describes my definition for love. This scene lights up my face and makes me glow; it brings back memories of having a first kiss.  

            This scene succeeded in its intended response in showing the viewers how much love the characters in the film had for each other. This feeling of the overwhelming amount of love in this scene is important in the movie. When Sam dies it is heartbreaking because Molly lost her true love and the audience feels her heart ache. This song is famously well known and has become a forever-memorable classic love scene and love song. I still want to be Demi Moore in scene and have Patrick Swayze touch my hands as I work on ceramics while “Unchained Melody” is playing in the background.  

Quentin Tarantino Interviewed on The Treatment

Quentin Tarantino is a well-known film director, writer and cinematographer. Some of the films he is know for is Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol.1 and 2, Death Proof and plenty others. On the Treatment Show, Tarantino is interviewed for his 2009 film Inglorious Basterds. The interview took place on August 19, 2009, 2:30pm

I learned some interesting things about Quentin Tarantino and about the film Inglourious Basterds. I learned that Inglourious Bastards was Tarantino first original screenplay after Pulp Fiction. It took him ten years to finish writing the script. Instead of having writers block, Tarantino had the opposite. He couldn’t stop writing; he kept adding more and more characters to the script. He had no idea who was going to play the characters. He pointed out that in order for an actor to get a part in one of his roles an actor needs two things. The first one being intelligence, because in order for a character to get his jokes they have to be able to understand them. Second, the actor has to have the love for language, so they cannot be afraid of the dialogue. This is how Tarantino chooses his actors, especially for Inglourious Basterds because of the French and German dialogue.

Tarantino discusses how he couldn’t stop writing and he couldn’t see how this script was going to turn into a three-hour movie. He had a problem adding more and more characters. However he states, “If you write as many characters as I did, in the piece…you have no idea whose going to play them”. Tarantino is discussing how most of the characters in the film were not made for a specific actor. He said he had fun with this because the characters on paper had no limitations. Therefore when picking the actors he did not have to adjust the dialogue for the actors if they did not know how to read it how Tarantino wrote it. Instead, he chose actors that the language and dialogue would be organic for them.

Tarantino states, “I love the idea of the undesirable narrator” he is describing Shosanna, the theater owner in Inglourious Basterds. In the film, Tarantino introduces Shosanna’s character to the audience, as a Jew in hiding but not really describing what happened to her and how she survived the Nazi genocide. He said it would be boring describing what happen to her and that would be a whole movie in itself. Through out the movie Shosanna describes to the Nazi soldiers how she came to own a movie a theater. However, as in POV of audience we cannot trust what she is saying. So throughout the movie we are unsure of her background up until be she tells her black employee, “I love you and you love me and you’re the only one I can trust.”

Evils Mitchell and Tarantino are discussing what type of genre best describes Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino discusses how he adds a sudden twist in the genre of five guys who are absolutely essential in the scene to finish a mission. He is describing another movie where these men are doing a difficult task to complete the mission and then the mission is completed. However, in Inglourious Basterds, five guys are needed to complete the mission, although everything goes wrong. He describes this as,  “Really life, rearing its ugly head into genre.” He ends up describing the genre of Inglourious Basterds into an adventure type.  He described how the chapter structure in movies, the narrator could jump around throughout the film and eventually intertwine the charters and plot together. Although for the first time he is telling a story from beginning to end. Adding the big climax towards the end following the genre type by doing an adventure movie.

Overall I liked the interview with Elvis Mitchell and Quentin Tarantino in the Treatment show. I got more of a feel for Tarantino’s work. I am a big fan of Tarantino’s movies, so it was interesting hearing him talk about what he likes in characters and what he looks for when he is looking for a character to play the role. I like how Tarantino describes how he made Inglourious Basterds into an adventure movie. Tarantino work has a unique style, flavor and twist throughout his films, allowing the audience to noticing different ways a film director can change an average film into something gory, dark, humorous and entertaining.  

CINEMATOGRAPHY: DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

OVERALL LOOK

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is the true story Jean- Dominique Bauby the editor for Elle, who in his forties suffers a stroke in front of his son. In the hospitable he is diagnosed with a rare disease called locked-in syndrome, which paralyzes his entire body, only allowing him to communicate with one working eyelid. Jean-Dominique's illness has him immobilized in bed. The cinematography has  some shots taking in his point of view, where many of the camera shots are taking in low angle and even Dutch angle shots, showing Jeans confusion. There is a lot of close-ups in the film because the characters were adjusting themselves to be visible in the eye of Jean, since he is unable to move and readjust himself.  As part of the audience, one begins to feel sorry for the character and hope's Jean is able recieve a miracle or a cure for his illness. However, his tragedy displays how inspiring and strong Jeans character was.

IMAGES

This image is crucial point in the film because at this point of the movie we know that we are seeing the movie through the eyes of Jean- Dominique. When this scene is shot, one tends to turn a way because you can almost feel the pain and vulnerablity that Jean can be feeling. From this point on Jean and the audience really know how serious locked-in syndrome is, since Jean with all his might was trying to tell the doctors to STOP however there is no way he possibly could. 

 

 SHOT LENGTHS

Shot lengths in the film are quite long. For instance, in the shot where the speech therapist was explain the alphabet and how that particular alphabet was not the normal one but they were the letters that the average person uses. The speech therapist goes over the alphabet letter by letter waiting for Jean to respond through his eyelid. This shot shows how Jean is quite frustrated and how easily he just wants to give up. 

 SHOT TYPES

This shot type is a Close-Up shot; the camera pays very close attention to the subject. The close-up shot provides the viewer the exclusive view of the characters emotions and state of mind. The film is shot in the point of view of Jean; through out the movie the characters quite frequently adjust themselves in the vision of Jean. Jean is unable to move so whatever is in front him is what he is only able to see. This shot type allows the audience to be in the position of Jean. 

CAMARA ANGLES 

This angle conveys that something strange is going on by tilting the camera and slanting the camera level from its normal, horizontal and vertical position, this angle is made to give the viewer the impression that in the world of film, the world is off balance. The angle enhances the shot to convey weirdness when Jean starts to awaken from his coma. Jean is unaware of what has happened, not even knowing he is paralyzed. 

The Dutch Angle

This is a low-angle shot that allows the audience to see Jean remembering how great it was to drive again and be out an about again without the dependents of others.

Low-Angle

 COMPOSITION
    The composition of a shot within the scene are balanced conforming to the rule of thirds. The composition of scene in Diving Bell and the Butterfly are balanced through out the scene showing a variety of emotions that Jean Dominique displays. From remembering his past and his struggles in thriving to perceiver so he can finish his book.

 CAMARA MOVEMENT
      In the beginning of the film the camera movement is a little off.  Not only is Jean unaware of what is going on in his world but the audience is also unaware of what is going on in the film. As Jean begins to awaken the camera movement, focuses and gets clearer and clearer. As Jeans progress in the hospitable gets better so does the quality of the camera movement.  Many of the scenes are shot in the point of view of Jean, while he is in bed. Since he is immobilized so is the camera, the camera is in a tilt or pan motion sitting on a stationary access moving horizontally or vertically. Portraying the eye motions of Jean, since that is the only thing he can move.

 CINEMATOGRAPHY STYLE
Cinematography is the process of capturing moving images on film. When cinematography calls attention to itself can be a mistake or misjudgment on the filmmaker, maybe when the filmmaker is barely getting a sense of camera's actions and capabilities.  However the art of cinematography can call attention to itself purposely, notifying the audience of the specific angles or close-up that make us understand with different types of emotions on how the characters are feeling. In The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, cinematography allows the film to give the audience a taste of how it would be like in the shoes of Jean Dominique. With the point-of-view shots and low angle we can begin to imagine a life in bed.  

Nichole Kidman

• Born in Honolulu, Hawaii from Australian parents. 
• First acting role was a sheep in a school nativity play
• By 10 she joined an acting school
• At a very young age she wanted to build her life around acting
• In 1999, her first clame to fame in the U.S. was in the movie Dead Calm.
• Married to Tom  Cruise from 1991-2001and two adopted children during their relationship
• In 2002, First Oscar nomination for Best Actress in Moulin Rouge and Golden Globe nominations and won for Best Actress in A musical. 
• In 2003, won an Academy Award, a golden Globe and a BAFTA Award in her portrayal of writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours. (the only Australian to win a best actress Oscar)
• She also voiced Norma Jean in Happy Feet, the mother of Mumble.
• Many of her roles have been followed with controversy do to there erotic nature. 
• Famous for "sheer recklessness of instinct the fact that she does not feel failure."
• In 2006, Awarded Australia's Highest Honer, The Companion in the Order of Australia. 
• Also serves as  Goodwill Ambassador of UN Woman to advance female rights and empowerment.

FILM NOIR: A NEW GENRE OF MOVIES THAT I LEARNED TO LIKE

Errol Morris a director, describes in the first ten minutes in the documentary of Film Noir how “Noir is concerned with error and with confusion. The noir idea, is that we don’t know whats going on but we do know something bad is going to happen.” This  quote not only  describes noir films but also Double Indemnity. Double Indemnity is a film that has suspense and mystery throughout the movie. The audience is unaware of what will happen next but the tone and the musical score in the movie makes it obviously  and predictable that something horrible will happen. 

Barbara Stanwyck,  Phyllis in Double Indemnity is the definition of a femme fatale. The trend in the film noir is that the female character is usually a “Powerful sexual female, who is very dangerous” says Scholar, Janey Place.  “She uses sexuality to get what she's after. Not the man, he’s just another tool. She’s after something for herself. ” Phyllis is a character who uses her sexuality to get what she wants. She she sees her opportunity when  Walter (Fred MacMurray) is selling accident insurance. Phyllis uses Walter as tool to kill her husband, While Walter is thinking he is killing Phyllis's husband so that he and Phyllis can be together. However Phyllis has other plans in mind. Woman in film noir movies take on a certain role and a recurring theme of being independent, very smart and extremely sexual. There flirtatious and sexual manner is what gets there victims/men characters in a world of trouble involving murder and death. 

The signature visual tone in film noir movies is the ability to adjust lights and shadows, with an intense musical tone. Film noir movies contain a lot of deep shadows, bright sources with controlled lighting. In film noir it is very economical to stage a seen because its dark shadows with bright lights allows the audience to only focus on the characters while everything else is hidden in darkness. In film noir shadows are important because it adds much mystery to the audience because the audience does not know what lays in the dark. It is like light against the dark which is said to be like good versus evil. It makes film noir more mysterious and makes oneself wonder. In Double Indemnity the scene where Walter invites himself to the  Phyllis’s home with intentions of murder. Phyllis knows what his intentions are and makes the living room and entrance way very dark, turning off all the lights. Adding more suspense and confusing when Walter walks in. In the scene when Walter murders Phyllis’s husband the musical score is purely instrumental which makes Double Indemnity so edging.  An instrumental score in the murder scene in the car make Phyllis look insane, and evil. While the dark shadows add another level of evilness and craziness in  Phylliss’s eyes. 

Comparing neo noir movies and film noir movies with Chinatown and Double Indemnity are completely two different types of genres. They are similar in way they that they are both dealing with the main character narrating the movie. There is similarities with the “same” seductive powerful female character who plays an innocent role but ends off the film with death.  Lighting and color is a major difference when comparing a neo noir film with film noir. When describing the visuals in a neo noir film  a color noir film it is not the same as film noir because the audience needs the shadows to have the feeling of suspense in there guts. With color it takes the fun of the dark tones, shadows and bright lights. The visuals need to be in black and white because film noir creates certain tones with black and white movies that colored visuals can not copy. The musical score for neo noir movies is different from noir films even though they are both still only instrumentals the instrumentals do not adds as much suspense compered to film noir movie in the 1940s. The sound sounds different making it less suspseful taking away the mystery. I would choose the original style of film noir because it is more natural then the copy of a neo noir film that gives it less flavor in certain aspects like shadows for example that the real film noir has. 

 femme fatale

Criteria for a Good Movie

 Criteria for a good movie

Having a great plot can be essential to a film’s success. Depending on the genre of the film, the importance of having a “Great Plot”, can vary.

Cinematography is one of the key elements for a great film. This consists of effects and techniques that make up the movie’s characteristics. These simple effects are often be overlooked by the general viewer but it is important to know that the simple inclusion of shadows, camera angles, movements and other effects add to the overall interpretation of the film.

In my opinion, the inclusion of a great soundtrack is one of the most crucial elements to a top notch film. After all, it is the sound that leads up to prominent points within the film. They are the highs and the lows and the clues to what we think is going to happen next.

·         Comparison

There are obvious differences with films of today and early films such as Le voyage dans la lune and The Great Train Robbery. Although there is difference, there is also some correlation. For instance, the intent of including a plot that catches the viewer and keeps them interested is implemented in the early films and many of our films today. Le voyage dans la lune revolves around space travel, a subject that has been timeless in the art of film from its beginnings.

The effects used in both films seem to be what was accessible at the time. In comparing these films with today, it is apparent that technology has and always will play a major role in the creation of film.

In regards to the soundtracks, Le voyage dans la lune’s music was not the original score for the film and was implemented later, therefore the comparison in my mind could not be adequately made.

·         Favorite films

For a lover of film, it is impossible to have a favorite film, but of course, there are some that seem to directly target my interest.
Gone with the Wind has to be one of these films that I speak of. It is filled with all key elements that make a movie interesting. When I consider that the book was published in 1936 and the film was released in 1939, it completely allowed me to consider all the criteria that made this movie a classic. Present was a great plot, awesome effects, for the time, and a powerful soundtrack that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat. The inclusion of battle scenes and action keeps the viewer attentive rather than letting them become overwhelmed with the real plot of a love triangle.
The second film that I have chosen to include is Billy Elliott. Once again we have all the key elements that make an instant classic. We have an awesome plot, great camera angles, lighting and shadows, while being accompanied by a blistering soundtrack. This is a move that everyone should see.

Champion Flick!

I Love Them All!

I am not to sure if I have a type of movie I would choose to watch. I like all types of movie ranging from horror classics, to the informative documentaries and to the classic chick flick. I am not a film buff in anyway. I can go on for months without watching a movie. It has been said that I only watch movies to past the time because I describe them as BORING!!! However, I love to watch movies. Classic horror movies like The Shinning, The Poltergeist and  The Omen. I am also a fan of classic 80’s films like the Goonies, Repoman, Valley GIrl, Suburbia, Breakfast Club, The Outsiders, Sixteen Candles and Boys in the Hood. One of my favorite directors is Quentin Tarantino. His comical twisted humor with a great soundtrack make the majority of his movies my most entertaining. Movies like Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Four Rooms, Death Proof and Natural born Killers makes for a most entertaining  couple of hours. I also like to watch documentaries about all sort of things, ranging from animals, music, places and all sorts of interesting people. Documentaries of true maters, for example, The Cove, is a interesting movie about dolphin killing, and may stop you from supporting marine life entertainment parks like Sea World. There are all sorts of genres that catch my attention and the movies I listed, I can watch time after time.

Tarantino's Death Proof on of my favorite scenes :)

Scary movies give me the creeps but they are classic and I love them.