Talk About Movies: Part 4
Somehow threads merged, so here's part 4 of our ongoing movie discussion.
A few of these seem really odd when you think about it. If the frame is tilted but the actor's head is not, does that mean they were leaning over?
The one with the woman in the window is really weird.
this is what happens when you recenter and level the shot to a more conventional framing.
Fascinating stuff. This thread is, and has been for years, an outstanding place for film discussion.
I just watched a pretty good documentary on youtube: Frisbee - The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher. I didn't see The Jesus Revolution movie from a few years ago, and have zero desire to btw, but this is about one of the main characters, his real story.
If you like this type of thing, you'll probably like it. It's not slick at all, not great moviemaking, but it's an interesting story. And it really happened, to real people no less! Some of whom are still around to chew over it all on camera.
Guaranteed they will chuckle at the soundtrack.
Are they already familiar with the actors?
Are you students familiar with the concept of the 'Dutch angle?
If so, tell them to pay attention to the shots and to look for the anchoring line in the framing...
If they pay attention, you can nearly always find a line within the shot that anchors the image to the horizontal and vertical lines of the frame itself... like the horizontal eyes on wells in the shot above. good dutch angle does this, bad dutch an
I never knew this technique had a name and deliberate motivation. I feel like The Dutch Angle and various other techniques are sub consciously picked up by audiences and help contribute to any conversation where the viewer comments, "I love the way it was shot." or "I love the cinematography." Most of us cannot tell you the names of the techniques but on a subconscious level we're right there with the filmmaker.
Humblebrag namedrop moment. I was part of a group interview with Park Chan-wook and I asked him about his cinematographer and how they plan their shots and composition. He said that when he starts writing the script, he brings in his cinematographer and he's right there with him while he writes the script. That's how early he gets involved! I was blown away by that, Sidenote, I'll never forget the way Chan-wook's face lit up when I mentioned his DP, Chung-hoong Chun. This took place during his festival run of The Handmaiden.
If anyone is curious about The Dutch Angle, Studio Binder has a fascinating dive into it, using De Palma's Mission Impossible as an example.
I never knew this technique had a name and deliberate motivation. I feel like The Dutch Angle and various other techniques are sub consciously picked up by audiences and help contribute to any conversation where the viewer comments, "I love the way it was shot." or "I love the cinematography." Most of us cannot tell you the names of the techniques but on a subconscious level we're right there with the filmmaker.
Humblebrag namedrop moment. I was part of a group interview with Park Chan-wook and
supposedly the name is actually 'Deutsch Angle'... for the early German silent era film movement, consequently everyone now refers to it as the Dutch Angle.
please be aware, not all usage of the 'Dutch Angle' is created equal. Some directors use it like wielding an Axe and some like using a scalpel. I feel nauseated when it is used ineffectually.
To me, Carol Reed's application is the pinnacle of tasteful usage.
I also noticed The Rza was the composer for Kill Bill Vol 1 only, and not Vol 2. I wonder why that is. I really enjoyed his work here and he did a terrific job with The Man With the Iron Fists.
There are so many subtle things that are oddly satisfying, like this shot with Nikki coming home directly in the middle between Black Mamba and Copperhead, framed perfectly with the window pane.
Uma Thurman is absolutely stunning throughout.
I love the visual storytelling of The Bride meeting Hattori
One of my favorite little moments in any film, and I really don’t know why, is right at the end of their meet. After she says “…you have a huge obligation…” and he spells “Bill” it’s that samurai slash he wipes over the “I”. I freaking love that so much!!
I never knew this technique had a name and deliberate motivation. I feel like The Dutch Angle and various other techniques are sub consciously picked up by audiences and help contribute to any conversation where the viewer comments, "I love the way it was shot." or "I love the cinematography." Most of us cannot tell you the names of the techniques but on a subconscious level we're right there with the filmmaker.
Humblebrag namedrop moment. I was part of a group interview with Park Chan-wook and
thank you for this, had no idea what earlier discussion of dutch angles were - kind of surprised since i took a lot of film classes in college
thank you for this, had no idea what earlier discussion of dutch angles were - kind of surprised since i took a lot of film classes in college
Like I said above, I prefer canted frame to Dutch angle. Intro to Film Studies books use one or the other to describe the same thing.
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One of my favorite little moments in any film, and I really don’t know why, is right at the end of their meet. After she says “…you have a huge obligation…” and he spells “Bill” it’s that samurai slash he wipes over the “I”. I freaking love that so much!!
I also appreciate that moment. And there's something about the way they both write "B" even their printing is pleasing to the eye!
One of my alltime favorite one liners is from River’s Edge (a movie full of great ones, they’re basically the entire script), when Dennis Hopper says to his cracked & peeling doll, “You weren’t supposed to get old.”
Snuck into 2010 Odyssey Two after and that is likely the best value movie day I ever had. 2010 is certainly the GOAT “thrown together group of experts saves the world
Spoiler
not all of them make it
” movie.
I attribute that view less to the fact that they can't get the illustration and color grading correct and more to the way that the animated characters move.
movement based in a Newtonian world is MUCH DIFFERENT than the way that they move in a modern commercial movie... and subconsciously our brain knows the difference.
if anyone thinks a 100 ton mass of flesh can jump like a fluffy kitty cat, I have a bridge to nowhere I would like to sell you.
it's the same with modern fight sequences and the inc
Almost fifty years on and Rocky still has the best fight scenes, in large part because they didn’t know what they were doing and actually hit each other.
I also appreciate that moment. And there's something about the way they both write "B" even their printing is pleasing to the eye!
It's breathtaking the stuff you guys can see. Sonny Chiba. Big star who also choreographed fight scenes for other people's movies. When he was in kindergarten hr learned to make his letters with a brush as well as with a pencil. When you lift the brush from the paper, if you lessen the pressure on the brush you get that attenuation of stroke for that triangular shape. Of course Sonny Chiba being Sonny Chiba, he can do it with his finger on a pane of glass.
Almost fifty years on and Rocky still has the best fight scenes, in large part because they didn’t know what they were doing and actually hit each other.
It's funny, I was thinking about this the other day and it lead me to review two of my favorite Action sequence 'Panning' shots.
Way of the Dragon (1972)
The Shining (1980)
No punches were pulled in either shot... and our brain inherently knows the difference between staged, and real.
Live Long and prosper 'Practical Effects'
When I taught film, I would often use this video about David Fincher's insane camera movements:
Broken YouTube LinkI tried to watch The Spy that Came in From the Cold last night and found it dreadful to watch. I read the book last summer and ama Le Carre fan but that old school style of movie and camera work, line delivery, etc. is just uninteresting to me
Bailed 45 mins in
Do you have patience for other things in life?
You finished the book didn't you?
I liked The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Great cinematography and Richard Burton.
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Go see Companion. Don’t watch the trailer and don’t talk to anyone who has seen it.
This is what I'm talking about with the pace and rhythm of Sally Menke's edit with Kill Bill. Peep this clip I put together. It was profound as I watched it. Bill tells Bud that The Bride is coming to kill him. We get a tight close-up on Bud where we're given time to process it, we watch in real time as he accepts his fate. It's a beautiful pause and no doubt a lot went into the writing, direction, staging and editing of this scene. MAXIMUM EMOTION
I saw A Real Pain with my brother, who is suffering from mental health issues that are all too similar to Benji's. No direction in life, bouts of irrational anger about trivialities, a condescending view of the "system" and institutions, etc. I personally identified with Benjji's cousin David -a bit buttoned up, afraid of letting his hair down, frustrated with his troubled relative.
I thought my brother would hate it for striking too close to home, but he said he really enjoyed the film. I think anyone would find this both funny and uncomfortable. It's a sensitive work that mostly deals well with mental health, and what it's like to be around someone you love who is dealing this issues.
Couple of quibbles - the revelation about what Benji did was a bit over the top. Benji (and David's) pain was tangible and real enough without that history. Also, I think the tour group would have been glad to see the back of the two lads.
Chasing The Dragon (2017)
There's a job at the construction site tonight: $2 for showing up $30 for fighting.
Rumble Fu!
We are screwed: Here's your coffee and pineapple bun, Brother Rock!
In Hong Kong temptation is everywhere!: Thank you Brother Piggy.
Now we're dancing Disco: Holy side-head-butt Fu!
What about your Granny in China?
Drum solo: Now we're dancing the Twist!
Old BMW 1001 as a gangster car: When's the last time you saw that?
Kai Tak: Ten feet up!
It’s only Fireworks Fu!
Oh my goodness: What a mess you're in!
Good cops, bad cops, very bad cops, even worse cops!
We eared Brother Chubby!
Now we're in an ambush in Bangcock: And dancing the Batusi!!!
Life or death, poverty or riches, it's all destined!
Double double cross
Double double double cross
Double double cross!
--Basho
Drink pee!
He's a vegetable!: You're a good brother BANGxBANG!
Imagine Once Upon a Time in America and Godfathers I--III amalgamated, then sent to a script doctor for relocation to Kowloon Walled City!
Not the stylized Kung Fu of the Shaw Brothers or the baletic gunfighting of John Woo - this is mayhem! But not gratuitous violence -- there is nothing gratuitous about it.
This is the most amazing find of a Hong Kong action flick I’ve had in a long long time. Loved it. Brother Ho; Brother Piggy; Brother Rock; Brother Chubby; Brother Comic; Brother Grizzly Bear, and most of all, Sister Rose -- Check them out!
