What,
for you, were the most memorable scenes from the many films we watched this
year? Choose three to share. Why were these scenes memorable for you? Think
about what made them work well and why—mention camera work and editing in your
answer. I will try to bring as many of the originals as possible.
My first favourite scene occurs in the first dream in Kurosawa’s film (“Sunshine through Rain”) where the boy returns to the gate of his home after seeing the strange characters in the forest. It begins with a low shot of puddles, then the boy’s lower body as he runs home (from the waist down). The camera then tilt pans up to show he and his mother at the gate opposite him. The boy approaches his mother and she admonishes him. Throughout the boy appears small as the camera is low and emphasizes his mother’s height. Then the small sword appears!
ReplyDeleteIn “Carrie” I’m a big fan of the “boot camp” punishment scene after the girls have tortured poor Carrie in the showers and have a detention with the PE teacher. My favourite shot is as the teacher walks along the row of girls doing their push ups. All we see are her shoes and socks as the camera is basically at ground level. As she passes, the girls who are out of view collapse as she goes along the line. A bit of humour here from De Palma in the midst of a horrifying film!
Lastly is the famous world globe scene in “The Great Dictator.” The scene begins in medium shot with Chaplin seen from the knees up as he begins to play with the globe. Each time he bounces the globe higher, the camera pans up to see the globe up near the ceiling (no sign of Chaplin). There are some subtle zooms that add to the intimacy. Watching the two minutes again made me appreciate the genius of Charlie Chaplin!
Wow, there were so many good ones, it's hard to decide. So I am choosing, The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Yes, my movie, An American Haunting, and Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThe Girl with the Pearl Earring: This one I do not have a favorite scene, or will I explain camera angles. This one was all about the visualization and the sound. Absolutely stunning. I loved how they made it look like a painting, the darkness of it setting the mood, as well as the music playing it's part to create mixed emotions. Setting moods of intimacy, innocents, fear, and rage.
Everything meshed together so wonderfully, creating a thrilling, erotic romance. I could feel everything each character had to offer.
An American Haunting: I did not choose this movie as a favourite when I shared it in class, but for what it had to offer in the way of camera angles and effects. My favourite scene was near the end, when they try to get away from the ghost. I liked how the camera weaved in and out, side to side, creating a ghostly presence. Camera is in the air, as the spirit went through each room looking for the girl, finally realizing she had fled, and the spirit now rushes towards the woods where the girl was in the carriage. The camera now even higher up as if it were a bird. The camera is now at ground level either in front or off to the side of the characters. A tree falls in front of the carriage, the carriage comes to halt, only to hit the tree and flip into the air, landing on the wheels with a huge crash. The suspense created in this scene by the camera angles, music, and effects, scared me off my seat.
Carrie: This movie was very well played, I liked this one right up until the house sinks into the ground. Didn’t care for that scene. My favourite scene was the prom scene. When the two of them are dancing. The camera as down low, and the characters are spinning in an opposite direction from the camera that was circling them. Creating an intimate and happy moment for Carrie. Also a bit of suspense as the spinning speeds up, suggesting that maybe this evening will not be so romantic.
I want to also mention that I loved the Hitchcock films. Both were superb. I did not have a favourite scene. I loved them from start to ending.
There were movies that we watched and I really did not pick up on camera angles or what they were for. It was just a good movie. Thanks to you all for the fabulous mix of movies.