Cutting Edges: The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Figure 1- Film poster

The Blair Witch Project (1999) was directed by Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrich. The film is about three  journalism students (Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams) who travel to the Maryland forest to make a documentary about a tale of the 'Blair Witch'.  When the students get lost in the wood and they begin  to hear terrifying noises.

The film is very scary because of  terrifying sound effect is used and they are amateur with these people as no inexperienced or unskilled in a particular activity who wants to be a filmmakers. The director uses of the light effects as a torch in some of the scene. "The Blair Witch Project" is scary because it doesn't really show you anything ... a lesson that other horror directors would be well-served to learn. There's only a brief moment when you see blood, but it registers like a howitzer." (Tatara 1999)

Figure 2 - Still image

In the film has a poor camerawork appears apart in which was found a footage style showing the constant movement of the camera as been giving a trigger motion sickness for some viewers as well as it is a simple to be irritating to others."As the Blair Witch that shows which is filled with a numerous shots pointed at the ground as the characters plod." (Banham 2015)

Figure 3- Still image

Overall, The film feel is such as if the audience are watching real life people rather than actors. who are  actually trying to document these strange things that are happening. It also makes the viewer feel rather uncomfortable as the sound design is very harsh and unnerving.it feels as if it is possible that the viewer can identify with the actors as it comes across as a documentary giving a similar uncomfortable and frightened feel. All of this atmosphere makes The Blair Witch Project  an interesting experience, it show that it is a brilliant example of an impactful film being made on a small budget.

Bibliography

Banham, J. (2015) The Blair Witch Project Film reviews. Available at: http://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/#!The-Blair-Witch-Project-ThrowbackThursday/cu0l/561d5b9d0cf2c6c64372b211 (Accessed: 3 May 2016).


Ebert R. (1999) The Blair witch project movie review (1999). Available at:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-blair-witch-project-1999 (Accessed on 19 April 2016)

Tatara, P. (1999) Review: ‘Blair witch’ not just a walk in the woods - July 22, 1999. Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9907/22/review.blairwitch/ (Accessed: 19 April 2016)

Illustration List

Figure 1- Film poster
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Blair_Witch_Project.jpg
(Accessed on 19 April 2016)

Figure 2 - Still image
http://www.cineclub.de/images/Blair_Witch_2.jpg ( Accessed on 19 April 2016)

Figure 3- Still image
http://kitleys.startlogic.com/images/Crosssroads/Blairwitch/cc-bwp2.jpg
( Accessed on 19 April 2016) 

Cutting Edges: The Six Sense (1999)

The Six Sense (1999)  was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film genres  are drama, mystery and thriller. The story follows a young boy named Cole (Haley Joel Osment) and a child psychologist Malcolm, ( Bruce Willis). "This film came out 17 years ago, and it is still contains the greatest twist ending since its released." (Howard 2014). As the film begins for the first-time viewer had no ideas that Dr. Malcom Crowe (Bruce Willis) was dead until the last scene.

Figure 1 - Flim poster

The music in the film is brilliant.  The sound effect used in some emotional scenes in the movie really helps to build up the mood and suits the scenes perfectly."James Newton Howard's The Sixth Sense is a nigh-perfect example of superior craftsmanship". (Barry 10/5/2003). The music in opening credit can be described as tense, sad and mysterious. Through the music the viewer is informed that the film is a psychological thriller.

The young character (Haley Joel Osment) appears in most of the scenes. he acted very well in the film. he is particularly good in the hospital scene (figure 3) when he is dreams of dead people "There are fairly involved dialogue passages between Willis and Osment that require good timing, reactions and the ability to listen. Osment is more than equal to them." (Ebert 1999)

Figure 2 - Still image

Figure 3 - 'I see dead people'

The famous film scene (figure 3) shows that Cole is  in a hospital bed and he finally tells to Malcolm about the truth that he can see dead people. This is where he says: "I see dead people... Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead... They're everywhere." ( Reilly 2014)

Many website  refer to colour symbolism used in the film. The colour red is used many times in the film showing in different scene such as red balloon. "When Cole wears a red jumper, the tent in Cole room, the door knob to the basement, the church door are bright red, Anna dress at the anniversary dinner and the red pen that Cole uses to scribble the voice of a ghost. Which warns the viewer red is both  danger and ghost." (Muse 2012)

Figure 4 - Cloe and Malcolm

In the film (figure 4) the camera shot is an important moment of  showing both characters supported visually when a POV shot emphasises Malcolm moving physically closer to Cole.
The singles become a two-shots and wider angles to a close-up and even extreme close-ups as more is revealed about the pair. (Figure 4) shows the unease of the boy communicating with the psychologist.

Bibliography:

Barry, J. (2003) The sixth sense soundtrack (1999). Available at: http://www.soundtrack.net/album/the-sixth-sense/ (Accessed: 3 May 2016).

Ebert, R. (1999) 'The Six  Sense' At http:// www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-sixth-sense-1999
(Accessed on: 12 April 2016)

Howard, M. (2014) The sixth sense ending has never been matched. Available at: http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a29642/the-sixth-sense-ending/ (Accessed: 12 April 2016).

McShane, J. (2014) 37 days to Halloween: The sixth sense « JimmMcShane.Com. Available at: http://jimmmcshane.com/content/2010/09/the-sixth-sense/ (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Muse, S. (2012) Colour symbolism: Red in the sixth sense. Available at: http://screenmuse.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/colour-symbolism-red-in-the-sixth-sense/ (Accessed: 3 May 2016).

Reilly, K. (2014) Hello, bustle.Com only works with JavaScript. Available at: http://www.bustle.com/articles/33625-the-sixth-sense-surprise-ending-is-obvious-if-you-pay-attention-to-these-6-clues (Accessed: 16 April 2016).

Illustration:

Figure 1- Film poster
http://cdn.traileraddict.com/content/walt-disney-pictures/thesixthsense.jpg
(Accessed on 12 April 2016)

Figure 2 - Still image
http://www.oocities.org/uyamain2/HaleyJoelOsment/hjoss05.jpg
( Accessed on 12 April 2016)

Figure 3- 'I see dead people'
http://cdn2-www.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/gallery/25-badass-best-picture-nominees/the-sixth-sense-buena-vista-pictures.jpg (Accessed on 16 April 2016

Figure 4 - Cole and Malcolm
http://fandimefilmu.cz/gal/Clanky/Bruce_Willis_TOP5/normal_Bruce_Willis_top5_The_Sixth_Sense.jpg
( Accessed on 14 April 2016)

Cutting Edges: The Wicker Man (1973)

Figure 1 - Film Poster

The Wicker Man (1973) was directed by Robin Hardy and the film genres  are drama, mystery, classic and horror. The story follows the police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle who tries to investigate the disappearance of a young girl Rowan Morrison (Gerry Cowper).

However the main character reach the town and ask the residents about her but no one responses including the girl's mother (Irene Summer)  about the missing girl. Which he tries to find some clues for example her name was found in the school recorded.


This film is super creepy and messed up because of naked women dancing around the fire and public nudity sex. " The Willow song from The Wicker Man is a soundtrack in 1973. Britt Ekland  as Willow who sings it nude in her room, and trying to seduce the main character in the next room".(Opalstardream 2014)

Figure 2 - Still image

The May Pole Song in (figure 2) from The Wicker Man is a upbeat song showing expresses, symbiosis and the interdependence of life. "Composed, arranged and recorded by Paul Giovanni and Magnet, The Wicker Man soundtrack contains folk songs performed by characters in the film (including some by members of the cast). For example, Lesley Mackie, who plays the character of Daisy in the film, sings the opening song, and various others in the CD Soundtrack." (Froster 2008). An enchanting soundtrack is blending marvellously into 'The Wicker Man' which shows the viewer into false sense of security.

Figure 3 - Still image

Near the end of scene in (figure 3) it shows that he found the young girl  Rowan Morrison and trying to escape from the other members but the hero was tricked from the character Lord Summerisle played by Christopher Lee and he ended up burned to death in The Wicker Man. "(Christopher Lee). The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation, slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society, building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective." (Rottentomatoes)






Bibliography:

Foster, L. (2008) May Pole song from the wicker man (1973). Available at: http://hengruh.livejournal.com/5786.html (Accessed: 22 April 2016).

The Wicker Man 1973 http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wicker_man_1973/
(Accessed on 23 April 2016)

Opalstardream (2014) Sneaker pimps - how do (willow’s song). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj917lqC3SY (Accessed:5 April 2016).

Illustration List

Figure 1- Film Poster

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/The_Wicker_Man_(1973_film)_UK_poster.jpg/220px-The_Wicker_Man_(1973_film)_UK_poster.jpg ( Accessed on 5 April 2016)

Figure 2 - Still image

http://cinapse.co/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/the_wicker_man7.jpg ( Accessed on 5 April 2016)

Figure 3- Still image

http://crypticrock.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The_Wicker_Manbanner.png

(Accessed on 23 April 2016)

Cutting Edges: Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Figure 1- Film poster

Rosemary's Baby (1968) was directed by Roman Polanski and the movie is based on Ira Levin's novel about modern-day witches and demons. The film genre is horror. The film starts with Rosemary  (Mia Farrow) and her husband Guy (John Cassavetes) moving into a new apartment building in New York City.

"The use of lighting in the film and the director Polanski's  use of the warm lighting with dark undertone is seen to contribute to the uneasy theme throughout the film. Although there is  warm yellow lighting, the audience is still made to feel cautious due to the deeper tones, adding a sinister element." ( Reid 2015). (Figure 2) For example the scene in which Rosemary wake up in a bed only to find she is covered in mysterious scratches.



 Figure 2- Still image

figure 3- Still image

In the film the camera shows a close-up is used when the necklace is first seen in the film and later when it is given to Rosemary.(Figure 3) "This draws the viewer attention to the object and implies that it will play a significant role in the film." ( Reid 2015)

Figure 4 - Still image

It has been noted that the character of Rosemary is dressed throughout the film in blue and white. (As the end scene figure 4). This has been done to connect Rosemary with the virgin Mary to contrast her  with the demon baby. Basically it is good versus evil.

This film received critical acclaim and rotten tomatoes give it a score of 99%

 

Bibliography:

Greco, J. (2010) Rosemary’s baby (1968) Roman Polanski. Available at: https://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/rosemarys-baby-1968-roman-polanski/ (Accessed: 10 April 2016).

Rosemary Baby http://www.rottentomatoes.com/ (accessed on 21 April 2016)

Reid .J(2015) Rosemary’s baby analysis. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaxgGfW0su4 (Accessed: 17 April 2016).

Illustration List

Figure 1- Film poster

http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/rosemarys-baby-1968/large_zVjvNrKs5EYXrvHPpuRovjnLIml.jpg ( Accessed on 26 march 2016)

Figure 2 -Still image
http://static.cotecine.fr/tb/Photos/663x369/crop/ROSEMARY%20S%20BABY%20PHOTO2.JPG
( Accessed on 21 April 2016)

Figure 3 - Still image http://static.nme.com/images/article/2013RosemarysBaby_Press_Paramount_111213.jpg
( Accessed on 21 April 2016)

Figure 4- Still image
http://frocktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/final-knife.jpg (Accessed on 10 April 2016)

Cutting Edges: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Figure 1- Film poster

Close Encounters of the third kind (1977) was directed by Steven Spielberg. The film genres are  science fiction, action, adventure, mystery & suspense and fantasy.  This film came in the same year as 'Star wars A New Hope' (1977) with also had special effects such as the bright colours such as the orange light of the UFO's, that still looks good  today.

The opening scene of the film is shown in total darkness, until the UFO appears with blinding flash lights to provide the viewer with a magical experience. It plays on the time of space travel, science  and cinema, which represents a celebration of technology. It is a film of overwhelming imagery along with a way of communication which was later further established with The Extra-Terrestrials (E.T.) (1982). Which is not through words but through a harmonious combination of music and signs.“Kubrick would have cracked the ET if he'd had another year,” Steven Spielberg said in an interview after the premiere of his “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, with its alien being that was not improbable, ridiculous or anticlimactic." (Ebert 1977).

"The memorable music is made up of five tones using major and minor scales and was composed by John Williams who also wrote the music for Jaws and ET".  (Ars-Nova software 2012)

Figure 2 - Still image

.

Figure 3 - The Projection Room

The Mother Ship (figure 3) is the main focus of the film because it diverts the attention of the viewer which connects while following the same music notes. "Spielberg' film not only matches it for technique landing of the Mother Ship being the cinema's most spectacular special effect since de Mille's parting of the Red Sea it surpasses it in its religious sense of awe." (Sinyard 1987:47-50)

Bibliography:

Ars-Nova Software (2012) Where do the 5 tones with hand symbols in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" come from? http://www.ars-nova.com/Theory%20Q&A/Q35.html
(Accessed: 12 April 2016)

Ebert, R. (1977) Preview: Close encounters of the Third kind | Roger Ebert’s journal. Available at: http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/preview-close-encounters-of-the-third-kind (Accessed: 21 February 2016).

Sinyard, N. (1987) Films of Steven Spielberg, the (bison book S.). Twickenham, Middlesex: Hamlyn

Illustration List:

Figure 1- Film poster
http://coolspotters.com/files/wallpapers/67135/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-mobile-wallpaper.jpg ( Accessed on 21 February 2016)

Figure 2- Still image

http://images.mentalfloss.com/sites/default/files/styles/insert_main_wide_image/public/579875huk.png

(Accessed on 21 February 2016)

 Figure 3- The Projection Room

http://screenmusings.org/movie/blu-ray/Close-Encounters-of-the-Third-Kind/images/Close-Encounters-of-the-Third-Kind-274.jpg  (Accessed on 21 February 2016)

Cutting Edges: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Figure 1- Film poster

E.T The Extra- Terrestrial (1982) is a science fiction and adventure film  that was directed by Steven  Spielberg. The story is based on a young boy named Elliot and he is played by Henry Thomas. Who meets a friendly alien E.T that was accidentally let behind on Earth and was separated from his family and home. The film was nominated for the best sound effect editing, best visual effects and best sound

Figure 2 - Still image

This film show how the camerawork is strongly telling the story and  detailed by the dolly movements and swopping the aerials shots. All of these visual elements blended together showcase in some of the most iconic shots in cinematic history. "In E.T. Spielberg attempts to re- discover the child in every adult. He does this not simply by underplaying the adults' roles in the film but by shooting most of the action at the child eye level." (Sinyard 1987:83)

Figure 3 - Still image

The scene shows  the cycle chase which suddenly takes to the skies so that the shadow of the bike can be seen soaring across the moon. Peter Pan (1953) shows the similar scene of the main character of Peter Pan taking the children to fly along with him across the sky.  "E.T. are a lot of potent myths, It is very skillfully blended together with Peter Pan (1953)  from Babes in the Wood, the fantasy of a friendly or otherworldly creatures who can work miracles but who also need human protection from human aggression." (Sinyard 1987:83).

"Unlike Close Encounters (1977), ET does not concentrate on special effects but more the emotional connection between the young boy and E.T. The director Spielberg forces the viewer to identify with the children' s world." (Sinyard 1987:83).  In one of the last scenes  the children are cycling to escape from the scientists and adults.  This seen impossible task but with extra terrestrial magic and to the audiences delight, the bike begin to  unexpectedly fly  and the children and E.T. manage to escape. Once again, John Williams music adds to the emotional effect and impact of the film.

Bibliography:

Arnold, G. (1982) ‘E.T.’: Steven Spielberg’s joyful excursion, back to childhood, forward to the unknown. Available at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/22/AR2005062201424.html (Accessed:24 March 2016).

Sinyard, N. (1987) Films of Steven Spielberg, the (bison book S.). Twickenham, Middlesex: Hamlyn

Vidani, P. (2013) Steven Spielberg: E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. Available at: http://directorsseries.tumblr.com/post/58268246176/Steven-Spielberg-et-the-extra-terrestrial (Accessed: 9 April 2016).

Illustration List

Figure 1- Film poster

http://www.cinemit.com/images/coolposters/et.jpg ( Accessed on 24 March 2016)

Figure 2- Still image
http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-UW711_et_E_20121008123632.jpg
(Accessed on 24 March 2016)

Figure 3- Still image
http://www.fiatforum.com/gallery/data/500/ET_the_Extra-Terrestrial_3.jpg
Accessed on 10 April 2016)

CUTTING EDGES : Jaws (1975) Film Review

Figure 1- film poster

Jaws (1975) is an American thriller film was directed by Steven Spielberg and It is based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel. The genres of this film are drama, action, adventure, mystery and suspense. The movie is a story about a shark is threatening the island of Amity. At the beginning of the film there is a girl in the middle of the ocean and suddenly the sharks attacks her, (Susan Backline). The use of the camera suggests that sometimes in the shot you cannot see the shark as it is attacking below the ocean of the scenes of the film.

Figure 2-  Beach at Amity Island

Then in the beach scene on Amity Island where the tourists are enjoying and swimming in the sea,  a group of children swim a bit far from the others and suddenly the shark attacks. "The thing about a shark, he's got lifeless .black eyes, like a doll's eyes. When he comes after you, he doesn't seem to be living until he bites you, and those black eyes roll over white. . . ." (Ebert 2000)

Figure 3- Still image

The music was influenced by another film. "It might be worth to recall that Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring'  (2011) was used by Disney to evoke prehistoric monsters in the film  'Fantasia'  (1940), and this may well had an influence on the sound of fear that Williams created. By such means, the horror of the shark its transferred into the imagination of the audience." (Sinyard 1987:32). In the film the sound  of the music tell that the shark is going to attack.

Bibliography:

Burlingame, J. (2012) The film music society: John Williams recalls ‘jaws’ - by Jon Burlingame - by Jon Burlingame. Available at: http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2012/081412.html
(Accessed: 20 February 2016).

Ebert, R. (2000) Jaws movie review & film summary (1975) | Available at:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-jaws-1975 (Accessed 9 February 2016)

Ebert, R. (2008) Roy Scheider, 1932-2008 | interviews. Available at: http://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/roy-scheider-1932-2008 (Accessed: 9 February 2016)

Kermode, M. (2015) Jaws, 40 years on: ‘One of the truly great and lasting classics of American cinema’. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/may/31/jaws-40-years-on-truly-great-lasting-classics-of-america-cinema (Accessed: 10 February 2016).

Sinyard, N. (1987) Films of Steven Spielberg, the (bison book S.). Twickenham, Middlesex: Hamlyn


Illustration List:

Figure 1- Flim poster

https://garethrhodes.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/movie_-_jaws_wallpaper.jpg

( Accessed on 9 February 2016)

Figure 2- Beach at Amity Island
http://derekwinnert.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/470.jpg
(Accessed on 28 February 2016)

Figure 3- Still image

http://www.geekedoutnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/jaws_shot4l.jpg
( Accessed on 20 February 2016)

CUTTING EDGES : Duel (1971) Film Review

Figure 1- Film poster

Duel (1971) was directed by Steven Spielberg is an action, mystery and thriller film which also a TV film. Spielberg's first feature film shows a tense, relentless tale, of two vehicles, one a cars and the other huge truck. It is about a mysterious truck driver which decided to chase the driver of  a car played by Dennis Weaver, down for no apparent reason. The director does a stunning job of making the  vehicles the focus of  the film as we never fully see the truck driver. He only can be noticed by his arm and feet here and there appearing in the shot

Figure 2 -Still image

The story is based on an California businessman set out on a car trip also happens to pass a certain truck on a two-lane road. The truck however, which seems to have a mind  of its own, clearly seen wants revenge and spends the rest of the journey getting the driver.

Figure 3 - The last scene

The last scene of Duel (1971)  along with the truck screams sound effect was used again by Spielberg at the end of Jaws (1975). It say a lot about the connection of both films and  'the original 'scream' sounds effect was influenced from taken the horror classic film of  Creature of the Black Lagoon (1954).' ( YouTube 17/07/2014)

Figure 4 - David Mann in a Chuck’s Café

“David Mann is a man trapped: by the intrusive world around him, in a potentially loveless marriage, and in the pressure and responsibilities of a man just trying to make an honest living to care for those he is responsible for. Worse, he’ll soon have another random adversary breathing heavily down his neck, one that’ll make all of his other pressures seem like child’s play.” (Schober 2015)

 

In an early scene the viewer learns that David Mann has difficulties in his married life, this is shown through a telephone call. (Figure 4) sees that the character  David Mann is stressed out further in the chuck café  because he is trying to find out who is the driver of the truck is . When he spies on the truck driver in the chuck café that shows a few men who looks like a cowboy and any could be the truck driver.

Bibliography:

Editors, T. (2014) Book excerpt: Steven Spielberg and duel: The making of a film career | Balder and dash. Available at: http://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/book-excerpt-steven-spielberg-and-duel-the-making-of-a-film-career (Accessed: 14 February 2016).

Schober, A. (2015) Steven Spielberg’s duel (1971) and the road to interpretation: Steven Spielberg and duel: The making of a film career by Steven Awalt. Available at: http://sensesofcinema.com/2015/book-reviews/steven-spielbergs-duel/ (Accessed: 14 February)

The Devil on Wheels (2014) Duel truck scream. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meSa7PPInwU (Accessed: 23 February 2016).

Maslin, J. (1983) Movie review - duel - ’SPIELBERG’S ‘DUEL,’ FOUR-WHEEL COMBAT. Available at: 

http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804EFD81138F936A25757C0A965948260
(Accessed: 7 February 2016).

Illustration List:

Figure 1 - Film poster
http://images.moviepostershop.com/duel-movie-poster-1971-1020376106.jpg
( Accessed on 7 February 2016)

Figure 2- Still image
https://moviefilmreviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/carandtruck.jpg
(Accessed on 7 February 2016)

Figure 3- The last scene
http://p5.storage.canalblog.com/56/52/110219/44727333.jpg
(Accessed on 7 February 2016)

Figure 4- David Mann in a Chuck's café
https://evelynfilmfan.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/duel_1.jpg
(Accessed on 24 February 2016)

CUTTING EDGES: 'The Birds' (1963) Film Review

Figure 1- Film poster

The Bird (1963)  was directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the story by Daphne du Maurier. The film  has a several genres made up of comedy, romance and horror which works alongside the bizarre 'attack the birds' story. The film is about one of the most disturbing sequences in cinematic history a women tiptoes throughout a house in three staccato shots. (Sooke 2015)  She discover the bloody corpse of its occupant on the bed, his eyes sockets two black holes  dripping with gore.

"The scene is just one of several grisly moments in Alfred Hitchcock's peerless horror flick, The Birds, made three years after his scorching success with Psycho." (Sooke 2015)

Figure 2- Bird Horde

They make sound rather than music and the sound effects of the birds 'crashes quite literally into the inhabitants of Bodega Bay' (Scovell 2014). The sound is very important to create atmosphere because it was difficult to film a large number of birds attacking a town. In the scene where birds attack the residents of the town.(Figure3) 'the sound builds and builds again without ever reaching a crescendo in the end it simply dies away leaving unease and expectation in its wake'. (Scovell 2014)

"The Birds is a perfect showcase of this as well as an innovative experiment with new sound technology, more associated with the avant-garde than Hollywood composition." (Scovell 2014)

Figure 3 - Crows Attack the Students

This film is interesting because of the attack at the school that shows all the crows gattered around in the playground area next to the school. It show that how the crows attacks the students while their running away from the crows. It makes the viewer wonder how the shot was made?

Bibliography:

Sooke, A. (2015) The birds, review: ‘Disturbing’. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11334674/The-Birds-review-disturbing.html (Accessed: 26 January 2016).

Scovell, A. (2014) Sounds of the birds (1963) - Alfred Hitchcock. Available at: http://celluloidwickerman.com/2014/09/04/sounds-of-the-birds-1963-alfred-hitchcock/
(Accessed:26 January 2016)

Matthews, H. (2012) The birds (1963) – movie review. Available at: https://roobla.com/2012/10/30/the-birds-1963-movie-review/ (Accessed: 26 January 2016).

Illustration List:

Figure 1- Film poster
http://hitchcock.tv/mov/birds/images/birds.jpg ( Accessed on 26 January 2016)

Figure 2 - Bird Horde
http://ferdyonfilms.com/birds28.jpg ( Accessed on 26 January 2016)

Figure 3-  Crows Attack the Student
http://cinema-lifestyle.com/cinematography/filminglocation/locations/thebirds/moviepic028.jpg (Accessed on 13 February 2016)

Cutting Edges 1: Rope (1948)' Film Review

Figure 1- Movie poster

 Rope (1948) was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by  Arthur Lauents, Hume Cronyn and Ben Hecht and  the music was composed by Leo F.Forbstein. The film is about a story of two men called Brandon (John Dell) and Philip (Farley Granger) who kill their friend David for fun during the house party."Good and evil, right and wrong were invented for the ordinary average man, the inferior man, because he needs them," claims Brandon, the deluded mastermind of the murder." (Hutchinson 2015). The film also James Stewart as a good guy.
"He’s in the chest! It’s right there!” For me, it wasn’t enough of a “hook” – I didn’t know whether I was supposed to be rooting for the two men to get away with the crime, or whether I should be cheering on Stewart’s character." (Snow 2011)




When the film was made the camera they were using was so big for the set that they would knock over all the furniture. The film's claustrophobic feel is strengthened trough the coffin-chest that is rarely out of shot and the camera follows the actors around every square inch of the confined set. It shows that in each shot taken the camera would either pass by an object or character, or get very close to a character to help with the storyline.

figure 2- House party

Figure 3-  Rope set

The director Hitchcock decided to shoot the film in this way, where he had to devise an innovative method for moving the camera. Rope was Hitchcock's  first film shot in Technicolour means the camera he used was the size of a small car also followed the actors through the set pieces  of the individual rooms. The furniture had to be placed on the wheels and rolled them out of the way of the monster camera with the film crew to move as coordinated to swoop in and silently roll set pieces away to make room for the camera. 

This film is interesting because of the camera angle and close up shot for each scene in the film to give the viewer a clue as to the mind set off characters.

Bibliography:

CROWTHER, B. (1948) Movie review - rope - THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; ‘ rope,’ an exercise in suspense directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is new bill at the globe. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=980DE3D81630E03BBC4F51DFBE668383659EDE (Accessed: 16 January 2016)

Hutchinson, P. (2015) My favourite Hitchcock: Rope. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2012/jul/27/my-favourite-hitchcock-rope
(Accessed: 16 January 2016).

Snow, R. (2011) Reviews of classic movies: Hitchcock’s ‘rope’. Available at: https://robertsnow.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/review-rope-1948/ (Accessed: 16 January 2016).

Illustrations:

Figure 1- Movie poster
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/34e0f5052ef3ff18b39554babdf6ff8c8ef00c93cbd992fec9fa10f72d877489.jpg
(Accessed 16th  January 2016)

Figure 2- House party
http://thisdistractedglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/Rope%20pic%201.jpg
(Accessed 16th January 2016)

Figure 3- Rope set
https://lisathatcher.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/rope-set.jpg
(Accessed 16th January 2016)

Only God Forgives 2013 - Film Review

Figure 1- Movie poster

Only God Forgives (2013)  is a visually stunning film by Danish director and written by Nicolas Winding Renfn . The movie is about the beauty, grace and horror of martial arts and it contains strong bloody violence which  features a lot of Thai language with subtitles and spoken dialogue."Emotionally, our artistic expression consists of sex or violence. It all boils down to those two pure emotions that we have." (Arikan 2013)
The director has stated that he wanted "Only God Forgives" the movie to be a Western set in Bangkok. The film was shot in Bangkok but the way it has been shown, according to Al Arikan, writing for Roger Eber.com, suggested that  the Thai capital comes across like the film itself as affected and artificial.

Two brother Billy (Tom Burke) and Julian (Ryan Gosling) are working in Thailand as boxing promoters and drugs dealers.The first few minutes of the story, the elder brother Billy rapes and kills a 16 year old prostitute and he is killed by the girl's distraught father The mother of the brothers ( Kristin Scott Thomas) shows up to collect the body of her favorite son.

Figure 2 - Crystal 

The film reason why the colours are so thematic is because of the hidden symbolic or possibly real nature of the film premise.The Chang characters is suggested as God in human form and these in  his almost psychic abilities good visual design and direction. Nicholas Winding Renfn said in the interview that he encouraged actor to think he is a god . He symbolically represents God and is portrayed as larger than life. powerful and highly respected.  The red and orange lights provide a fiery hellish colour scheme along with Bangkok  which is condemned to rainy, smoggy and moody looking area.

Figure 3- Red and orange light

The film also concentrates on the unhealthy relationship between mother and son and has been likened to the Oedipus complex.

"If the tables were turned your brother would have found your killer and brought his head to me on a fucking platter.” Crystal’s attitude towards Julian swings between aggressive disappointment and sexual possessiveness, defining his emotional repression punctuated with eruptions of masochistic violence." (Llinares 2013)

Bibliography:

Ali Arikan, 2013, Roger Ebert.com, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/only-god-forgives-2013 (Accessed on 23 December 2015)

Llinares, D. (2013) Only god Forgives. Available at: http://www.alternatetakes.co.uk/?2013,8,517 (Accessed: 17 January 2016).

Illustrations:

Figure 1- Movie poster
http://images.mymovies.net/images/film/cin/350x522/fid12927.jpg (Accessed on 23 December 2015

Figure 2- Crystal
http://www.filmmisery.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Only-God-Forgives2.png
( Accessed om 23 December 2015)

Figure 3- Red and orange light
https://terrymalloyspigeoncoop.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/only-god-forgives-image-01.jpg
( Accessed pm 17 January 2016)