The Wizard of Oz(1939) film log Musical made before 1960

Name of Film: The Wizard of Oz

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/?ref_=sr_1

Film Website: http://thewizardofoz.warnerbros.com/

Director: Victor Fleming

Date released: 1939

Basic storyline: Dorthy Gale(Judy Garland) is a typical farm girl who really doesn’t know what she wants and doesn’t really like the life she has been given. A terrible storm comes by and a twister happens to wisp her, her house, and her dog toto away. She later awakens in this mysterious land called Oz and she is soon greeted by very odd and strange people including Glinda(Billie Burke) the good witch. Dorthy then finds out shortly afterward that to get back home to Kansas she must seek out the help of the powerful wizard of oz. On her way she runs into a few who accompany her on her journey such as the scarecrow(Ray Bolger), the tin man( Jack Haley), and the cowardly lion(Bert Lahr). The group then seek out following the yellow brick road to get to the wizard and have their wishes come true. 

When and Where did I watch this: I watched this 3/23/13 at my parent’s house on their television. 

Why did I choose this film: I chose this film because I remembered seeing it as a kid and loved it. I felt that it was a good movie with a good story, plot, and lesson at the end. I thought that it was a good movie musical to do for my musical made before 1960 film log and the music was great in it. 

What did I like about the film: I liked it’s story and how interesting how the realm of fantasy was portrayed. Especially signifying how wonderful the land of oz was for example before Dorthy entered the land of oz the movie was in black & white but as soon as she entered oz the movie transitioned into color. I also really liked the music in this film it was catchy and fit well with the film. 

What did I not like about the film: There was nothing in this movie that I did not like. I really enjoyed the film. 

Would I recommend it: Yes, I would recommend this film. It is a good family film with a good story and morals to follow. The music in it was good especially for any young child who watches this and I felt that this was a very good and entertaining movie musical. I would defiantly recommend this film.  

Mise-en-Scene: Chapter 4

Film for Scenic and Costume Design: 

Name of Film: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

Year it was released: 2005 

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/?ref_=sr_1

Director: Tim Burton 

Production Designer: Alex McDowell

Art Directors: David Allday, Francois Audouy, Matthew Gray, Sean Haworth, James Lewis, Andy Nicholson, Kevin Phipps, Stuart Rose, and Leslie Tomkins

Costume Designer: Gabriella Pescucci 

Why did I choose this film for scenic and costume design: I chose this film because it is a very good representation. The sets are done so perfectly to fit the scene and the storyline. Their are so many costumes used in like every scene of the movie that brings out each character and describes them so perfectly. One example of this would be each costume used for the oompa loompa(Deep Roy), his character has a costume for every scene his character is portrayed in. 

Films with good and bad acting

Most realistic acting: Keanu Reeves in The Matrix I believe he did a great portrayal of the character and his role in the story quite believable especially for the viewer. 

Least realistic acting: Kristen Stewart in Twilight I found her acting was not at all believable in this film and that she lacked emotion in her character. 

Favorite star or actor: Robert Downey Jr.

Example of stylized acting: For example Robert Downey Jr. who play Iron man in Iron man and Iron man 2 sticks with his own unique style of acting which really brings the character over the top. The way Robert portrays the character makes other characters in the film hate or be annoyed of him but for viewers and audiences they just love him and the hilarity.  

 

Wind Chill Film log #8

Name of Film: Wind Chill

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486051/?ref_=sr_1

Film Website: http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/wind-chill

Director: Gregory Jacobs

Basic storyline: Two college kids that include a young man(Ashton Holmes) decides to give a ride home to a young college girl(Emily Blunt) who is in desperate need to get home for Christmas. As the two head out on the road the two realize that they know nothing about the other or so one of them thought. The girl then starts to notice as the trip progresses on that the young stranger giving her a ride home knows a little too much about her. To avoid any awkward situations the stranger decides to get her home quicker and he takes this shortcut down a remote road. A snow storm picks up as the two drive on and the road is suddenly turning less visible. Out of nowhere a car appears and to avoid it the stranger drives right off the road unintentionally. When the two young college students come to, they realize that they are now stranded in this snow storm with no food, warmth, or a way to contact anybody. To make matters worse the two start to see paranormal and strange events occurring on the road around them. Events that appeared to have happened on this road dating back to the 1950’s. 

When and where did I watch this: I watched this 3/10/13 at my parent’s house and I watched this on the television in my old room.

Why did I choose this film: I chose this film because I thought that it was a very spooky movie and it was not like most horror or suspense films.

What did I like about the film: I liked how this movie tried to bring out more of a scary ghost tale type story like one where you would hear around a campfire. For example neither of the main character’s name’s are ever mentioned in the movie which makes one wonder who the characters are and brings out the point that the two characters are strangers to each other. I also like how their is no gore, and violence which brings more in depth the scariness in the story. Which makes the film more spooky to a viewer.

What did I not like about the film: I did not like how there was a lot to follow through the course of the film. For example the viewer is first introduced that the lead male character knows a lot about the woman he’s giving a ride to but she knows nothing about him and its scaring her. Then there’s the wreck and the two must strive to survive until help comes. Then there’s hauntings of ghosts of those who died on that very road many years ago. I believe that they put to much to follow in the movie that can kind of lead a viewer to be some what confused. 

Would I recommend this film: Yes, I would recommend this film. It is a very entertaining film to watch. I would also recommend it for it’s unique portrayal of story which most scary movies do not do. It really brings out the ghost story in this film and it is worth it to watch.  

 

Final Destination 5 film log #5

Name of film: Final Destination 5 

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1622979/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Film Website: http://finaldestinationmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/#/trailer

Director: Steven Quale

Basic storyline: A group of coworkers is off on a company retreat. The group includes Sam Lawton(Nicholas D’Agosto), Molly Harper(Emma Bell), Peter Friedkin(Miles Fisher), Candice  Hooper(Ellen Wroe), Olivia Castle(Jacqueline Maclnnes Wood), Issac Palmer(P.J. Byrne), Nathan Sears(Arlen Escarpeta), their boss Dennis Lapman(David Koechner), and a few others. While on their trip the group’s bus is driving through a suspension bridge that’s under construction at the same time. As the group gets halfway through the bridge it starts to collapse and the group tries to escape but only Molly makes it across safely while the others perish. At this instance Sam awakens from this disaster and is back on the bus. Events start to play out on the bus as they did before the bridge collapsed. Sam suddenly realizes that he had a premonition of what was about to happen. Sam makes an effort to get everyone off the bus and away from danger before it is too late. However even with Sam’s efforts he is only able to save himself, Molly, Peter, Candice, Issac, Nathan, Olivia, and Dennis, while the rest of the coworkers and everyone else on the bridge dies. A few days later at the memorial Sam and Peter run into this man who warns them that death doesn’t like to be cheated. The next day Candice is killed in a freak accident. Sam soon finds himself to believe that death is after him and all the others who cheated death on that bridge. 

When and Where did I watch this: I watched this on the Saturday of 2/16/13 in my dorm room on my laptop. 

Why did I choose this film: I chose this film because I thought that it had a great story and plot. I also felt that this film added more depth into it’s story than it’s predecessors in this franchise which made this film more entertaining and suspenseful. 

What did I like about the film: I liked the story that was brought out in this movie, it made one feel for the characters and actually understand what their going through. 

What did I not like about the film: I did not like how in certain scenes their was not enough build up. Where some of things in the film were actually very predictable and not so surprising. 

Would I recommend this film: I would recommend this to young adults, I wouldn’t really say this is a family movie. However Final Destination 5 has its moments where it is very entertaining and fun to watch. It has a really good story and a good plot and I think that this sequel in the franchise is probably the best so far. 

Film log #6 The Matrix

Name of film: The Matrix

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/?ref_=sr_1

Film Website: http://www.movie-page.com/1999/Matrix.htm

Directors: Andy and Lana Wachowski

Basic storyline: A computer hacker named Leo(Keanu Reeves) runs into a mysterious woman by the name of Trinity(Carrie-Anne Moss) and she introduces him to a group of rebels led by a man named Morpheus(Laurence Fishburne). Morpheus informs Neo that the world is not what it seems to be and they are entering a war that can threaten humanity. Morpheus tells Neo that he is the chosen one, the messiah that can help bring an end to this war. Hesitantly Neo agrees to help Morpheus and the group of rebels and he soon wakes up in a technological hellish version of the world he grew up in. Here Neo meets with Morpheus and the rebels again only here their plans are to train Neo so that he can fight and survive in the place called “The Matrix.” 

When and Where did I watch this: I watched this February 20th 2/20/13. I watched this at my parent’s house on their computer.

Why did I choose this film: It is a good and entertaining film to watch with much suspense. I also felt like this was a good film to do a plot segmentation over. 

What did I like about this film: I liked how it had good editing and transitions between scenes. I liked the overall story that was portrayed that can really draw a viewer in.

What did I not like about this film: The only thing I didn’t like was certain things in the movie were drawn out that sometimes confused me, such as some of the fighting scenes. I felt that it was a little bit drawn out in some of them. 

Would I recommend this film: Yes, I would recommend this film to any audience. The story and the suspense brought out in this film is captivating. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat the first time I saw it and it was just as good the 2nd time. I believe that most viewers would enjoy nearly every second of this film. So yes, I would recommend this film. 

Slumdog millionaire film log

Name of film: Slumdog millionaire

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/?ref_=sr_1

Film Website: None 

Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan

Basic storyline: A teen who grew up in the slums(Dev Patel) ends up on a game show called “Who wants to be a millionaire?” The movie starts off with him being interrogated for cheating on the game show. However through the course of the movie you find out through his life history and experiences is why he knows the answers to the questions asked on the game show. You also find out not too long in the movie that the real reason he is on the game show is that he is calling out to a young woman(Freida Pinto) that he has been in love with since he was a child and has been pursuing her his entire life. 

When and Where did I watch this: I watched this this past Saturday 3/2/13 in my dorm room on my TV

Why did I choose this film: I chose this film because I saw it before when I was in junior high and I really liked it, and thought that it would be a good film to watch again especially for a film log.

What did I like about the film: I liked the basic plot and story to it. I liked how the scenes tied in with the plot where each scene transition went well with each other.  I liked the culture expressed through the movie. I also liked the love story the main character Jamal went through to finally be with the love of his life.

What did I not like about this film: I didn’t like it when it ended. 

Would I recommend this film: I would defiantly recommend this film to anybody. The story itself is inspirational and moving. It is a film that would keep the viewer watching and just dying to know what happened next, even to the very end.  

 

Plot Segmentation (The Matrix) posted at 11:58 pm 3/1/13

Scene 1:

• Armed policemen enter a hotel to arrest a woman dressed in black called Trinity.
• Trinity defeats the policemen and is chased from building to building by an agent.
• Trinity makes a desperate dash to a phone booth before a truck drives right through it and Trinity disappears.

Scene 2

• A hacker named Neo is portrayed asleep in front of his monitor, until messages appear on the screen telling him what to do next. 
• A group of shady looking people arrive at Neo’s door and he gives them a disk and the group invites Neo to go with them and he does.

Scene 3

• Neo then arrives at a rave bar and runs into Trinity and she warns him that they are in great danger.

Scene 4

• Neo awakens the next day and goes to his job at Metacortex. He receives a package from a Thomas Anderson.
• Neo finds a cell phone in the package and it immediately rings. Neo answers it and there is a man at the other end who says “They are coming for you!”
• Agents then approach Neo and the man on the phone informs Neo to escape but Neo rejects and goes with the agents anyway.

Scene 5

• Neo is taken to an interrogation room where the agents confront him especially a one Agent Smith.
• Agent Smith asks for Neo’s help to capture someone by the name of Morpheus who they believe is a Terrorist.
• Neo refuses the agents demands and is pinned to the table and the agents inject a small probe into his belly button.

Scene 6

• Neo awakens then in his own bed and immediately gets a phone call from Morpheus who tells him to meet them under the bridge.
• Neo goes to the bridge and is picked up by Trinity and another woman.
• Trinity then uses a device to remove the probe that was in Neo’s belly button.

Scene 7

•  Trinity takes Neo to Morpheus and Morpheus informs him about the Matrix and everything that is going on.
• Morpheus then offers Neo two pills: to take the red pill or to take the blue pill.
• Neo takes the blue pill.

Scene 8

• Neo awakens inside a pod with his hair gone and tubes stuck to his skin. 
• Morpheus and his crew rescue Neo and inform him “Welcome to the real world!”

Scene 9

• Neo awakens in this world of machines. He finds himself in the construct a place where newly awakened humans get taught to deal with the matrix. 

Scene 10

• Neo awakens and Morpheus informs him of a great war and how he can not go back to the life he used to live. 
• Neo then gets training from a guy named Tank.

Scene 11

• Neo then stars sparing and using the Kung fu he was taught to train with Morpheus. 

Scene 12

• Morpheus and Neo walk down a town street that turns out to be a simulation that is supposed to resemble the matrix. 

Scene 13

• A ship called Nebuchadnezzar sees the holographic image of a squiddy, a search and destroy sentinel, which is on their trail. They set the ship down in a huge sewer system and turn off the power.
• Two squiddies search for the ship — the crew can see them — but they move on.

Scene 14

• Neo startles Cypher, who is working at a computer console.
  

Scene 15

• Cypher is now in a fancy restaurant with Agent Smith in the Matrix.and Agent Smith asks if they have a deal.
  

Scene 16

• Neo and the rest of the crew are in the Nebuchadnezzar’s dining room enjoying a meal.

Scene 17

•  Morpheus, Trinity, Neo, Apoc, Switch, Mouse and Cypher are jacked into the Matrix. As they walk out of a warehouse Cypher secretly throws his cell phone into the garbage.

Scene 18

• Neo meets with the Oracle. 

Scene 19

• An Agent takes over the body of one of the policemen, reaches into the wall, and grabs Neo by the neck. Morpheus, who is above Neo in the walls, breaks through the wall and lands on the agent, yelling to Trinity to get Neo out of the building.

Scene 20

• A fierce battle between Agent Smith and Morpheus ends with Morpheus face down on the tile. Agent Smith sends the police unit in to beat him with their batons.
  

Scene 21

• Trinity attempts to call Tank but Cypher pulls the headset off of the smoking remains of Tank and answers. As Cypher talks to Trinity inside the Matrix.
  

Scene 22

• Cypher pulls the plug out of the back of Apoc’s head, and Apoc falls down dead in the Matrix.
  

Scene 23

• Tank kills Cypher

Scene 24

• The agents torture Morpheus. 
• Neo and Trinity go to try to rescue Morpheus.

Scene 25

• Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus run from Agent Smith into the subway. 
• Trinity and Morpheus exit the matrix and Neo fights Agent Smith.

Scene 26

• Neo defeats Agent Smith
• End Credits.

Plot segmentation: I felt like this movie was a really good and entertaining film. I feel like every piece of the movie fitted together very well with each scene and the plot. It worked especially well when the scene transitioned back and forth between the matrix and reality. It kept the viewer wondering what happened next going from one world to the other. As the story was narrating itself one would see what would be happening in the matrix something totally different was happening at the same time in reality. For example when in reality Cypher was talking to Neo and one would might think that Cypher might just be another friend Neo can depend on to help fight this long war. However in the matrix Cypher was then portrayed talking to Agent Smith arranging a deal to Neo and the team’s downfall. The plot in this movie was very complex however with the order that it was placed with each scene and it going from scene to scene worked perfectly. So I would conclude that The Matrix directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski  was a good and entertaining use of plot segmentation and I liked seeing it come together.