Online Film Analysis Assignment

1. Ocean's 11

Throughout this four minute clip many different camera and framing shots are taken. First off, a straight-on angle is used several times showing the participants in the poker game. Also, it is used again to show the connection between George Clooney and Brad Pitt at the end of the game. Secondly, a close-up is taken of Brad Pitt's hand when he is dealing the cards to all  of the players. Also, a medium shot is used to show several players at the same time. A long shot is used as well to show the setting at the casino. I noticed that the camera is always on one subject at a time and doesn't gradually move to the next. Instead it jumps to the following subject quickly.

2. Silence of the Lambs

The scene starts off right away with a close up shot of him holding a bug, then followed by a long shot showing the swat team around the house. The scene also starts off extremely quiet so you can hear the dog whimper and the girl scream at him. The silence gives the scene a mysterious and sort of creepy feel to it. Also, throughout the scene we see two perspectives of a house. One being surrounded by a swat team, and the other in the basement holding a women hostage. At the end of the scene we learn that they are two different house, and that the swat team has found the wrong house.

3. Magnolia

During the two minute clip the whole scene is shot with a steadicam following each subject throughout the building. What I really like about it is that it does not follow the same subject the whole time. It focuses mainly on the older man (father?) and the son with his mother, but not at the same it. It switched between the two. Also, it follows other people too, for example the elderly women about to enter the conference room. There is also non diegetic sound in the background that gives it almost an odd feel.

4. Amadeus

The scene begins with both of them sitting down talking to each other with a medium shot. While sitting there, the camera switched between long shot, showing both of them sitting, and a medium shot when it focuses on the speaker. Then it is followed by crosscutting, bringing him back to his earlier days when he composed music. When this flashback begins there is coordination, where there is only music playing and no sound.

Best Picture Nominee

1. Inception:

-Clever

-Unique

-Great plot

I put this as my top movie for Best Picture Nominee for several reasons. First off, the story was so unique that it made this movie a one-of-a-kind. The story line caught my attention immedietly, always keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout. However, the story was not its' only strong suit, the performance by all the actors weas amazing. I thought Leonardo DiCaprio was the man for the role. He honestly made the movie in my opinion. Lastly, the reason why this is ahead of all other movies is because the movie made me think once it was done, which really made it enjoyable.

2. Toy Story 3:

-Closure

-Family Oriented

-Great Story

Toy Story is something that I have had all my life, and I thought the third lived up to my expectations. The plot of the movie was simple, yet very entertaining. Not once did I find myself bored of the movie. I put this below Inception because yes it was a great movie, but it didn't have that WOW factor. The ending was perfect, and it's the perfect closure to the story, it just can't top Inception for me. One thing that I love about Toy Story is that it is so relatable to everyones childhood.

3. The Social Network:

-Witty
-Entertaining
-Great Script

I was very suprised by how great this movie was. I went into it thinking it was going to be another mediocre movie, but I was wrong. This was such a well written movie, that had great acting! It doesn't beat Toy Story 3 for me because I grew up with Toy Story and I have always loved the Toy Storys'. However, I am not saying Social Network is not good, because it definitely is. I still think that a movie about Facebook is a pretty lame idea, but they could not have done it any better.

4. True Grit:

-Different
-Unnecessary Violence
-Good Movie

I have always been a fan of westerns, which of course leads me to loving the movie. The reason it's placed as number four is not because I don't like this movie, but the other three movies were just that good. I have nothing bad to say about True Grit, the acting was amazing, the story was great, and it was an all around great movie.

5. The King's Speech:

-Slow
-Good Acting
-Interesting Story

I was suprised by how much i enjoyed this movie. I did like it but I cannot say I loved it. The movie had this odd factor that made me want to keep watching it even though it was very predictable. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Bertie and Lynell develop infront of me. I would recommend it to others who have not seen it, but I would not suggest buying it. I liked True Grit more because I am a fan of westerns and I love Jeff Bridges as an actor.

6. Winter's Bone:

-Dull
-Dark
-Drugs

I am not a fan of this movie. Not because it was an independent film or because the main character was a girl, but because the story was so boring. Not once did I find myself wanting to know what was about to happen, I just couldn't get into it. The premise of the movie was very dark and difficult to relate to.  I would not recommend this movie to anyone.