Celine's Film Blog

 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN Do you find the ending of the film to be a satisfying resolution? why? - The ending was more ambiguous rather than satisfying as it definitely exceeded the audience's expectations. However, I love the way it is open to different interpretations and there's essentially no right or wrong answer. While the film has the look and feels of a classic Western, the morality of the story seems to be much more complex.  - One interpretation of the ending is how the dream may feel like the conclusion of a man who knows death is his next goal. He's already retired from the profession that his father did before him, his Father's been dead for years, and so his subconscious may be telling him that a reunion in the afterlife seems to lie ahead.  - Another interpretation could be that it could symbolize his guilt for Moss's death. Just like in his dream, he was entrusted with a task but he failed, despite promising Carla Jean, he would succeed. He most likely

 MESHES IN THE AFTERNOON    How does the film put us in the perspective of the main character? - POV shots (subjective camera) - Handheld camera movements  - Camera angling  - Use of sound - Jump cuts - Editing - Close-ups - Third-person omniscient Analysis

 THE GRANDMOTHER  DAVID LYNCH How does David Lynch use film techniques to  portray ordinary life as nightmarish? David Lynch uses several different filmmaker techniques in order to portray the film as nightmarish and surreal. His style is very distinctive so his techniques are easy to point out when compared to other films. For instance, his use of colour in the film includes grey undertones with an overall dark ambiance making the environment seem cold and unexpressive. Furthermore, the pasty white colour that consume their faces are made vivid by the high contrast editing, overall making the boy seem sickly. In addition, the red lipstick suggests that dialogue is forbidden, as the colour red holds negative connotations of danger and threat.  Moreover, another frequent technique that Lynch utilises is his cinematography. The jarring nature of frequent cuts when the parents are on screen makes them seem unpredictable and unfamiliar towards the audience. this adds to the tension as well

 What is the difference between objective and subjective perspective in film? - Subjective : We are viewing the film through the perspective and mindset of a specific character (POV) - Objective : The camera observes the action overall rather than specifically What ways can a filmmaker immerse you into a character's perspective? - Hand held camera movements  - Over the shoulder camera shots - Non-diegetic sounds - Close-ups  - Hallucinations/dreams - Camera angle editing  - Soundtrack Think of an example from a film you know. Is this scene shot objectively/subjectively? how can you tell?

 THE WESTERN GENRE KEY CONVENTIONS Cowboys Bad guys like criminals, outlaws, or bandits Sheriffs Native Americans Set in the American west Usually set in the 1850s towards the end of the 19th century Railways Adventure Gunslinging  Lawmen Desperadoes Duels & Shootouts The lawlessness of the region and era Revenge Saloons Ranches Western settlers or pioneers Descriptions of wilderness and vast landscapes Immense plains, tablelands and mountain ridges  Horsemanship Dilemmas  Moral dramas  Physical courage  Bar fights Leather boots Stetson hat Card games

 THE GRANDMOTHER  DAVID LYNCH How does David Lynch turn these ordinary aspects of life into surreal nightmares? Being born: - Jittery and twitchy movements in a stop motion manner - The parents come in straight up while the child comes in sideways, which could symbolise him being born in the wrong place and may not fit in - Aggressive and violent movements may be foreshadowing how the boy's parents will treat him during the film - We only hear animal noises, which makes the film seem animalistic. It may also be a representation of how newborn children perceive the world and are still unable to comprehend words - Barking and crawling, which is inhumane Growing up: - The boy is mostly been neglected by his parents - Sorrowful and isolating atmosphere - Grey undertones with an overall dark ambience, which makes the environment seem cold - Pasty white colour that consumes their faces made vivid by the high contrast film making the boy seem sickly. Also, the red lipstick suggests that d

 THE FINAL SCENE Cinematography Close-ups and mid shots of the children in the house. Shows a new conventional lifestyle for children creates a circular narrative of daily routine although their lifestyle has changed.  Establishing shot of the cottage - still at one with nature but with a compromise and different routine. Alignment with Ben - he's in the centre of the frame Ben looks out the window - he's reminiscing, he also sighs ( Ben has abandoned something he believed in for a while )  Bo and the wife missing, this scene is bittersweet Mise-en-scene Bright colourful house - reinforcing their beliefs. Sitting at a dinner table - they used to eat in the wilderness on the floor. Resourcefulness Rellian has taken Bo's place - he has matured He is being their dad rather than their teacher as he no longer questions their learning.  Bus symbolic of their escape, however in this scene the bus is parked with the wheels taken off, therefore suggesting that they aren't going