I am super curious to see how you all, being high school students yourselves, reacted to the movie. Did the fact that you are currently experiencing high school make this movie mean anything to you that it wouldn't have if you weren't in high school?
What, overall, did you think of the film? What were your favorite parts? Why? What conventions of noir did you notice? How did your background in noir affect your experience with this movie?
P.S.: I am pretty certain that everyone who did not watch the movie in class said they were planning on doing so at home. So, I assume that everyone should be able to do this post then. If you are unable to complete this post because you are unable to view the movie, let me know and I will happily give you an alternative assignment :)
P.S.S.: Tolkein (you know, the guy who writes the Hobbit books) is a great writer because he describes stuff good.
I'm gonna first say that, I had the hardest time following this movie. But I'm not saying it wasn't good. I enjoyed it. The one really obscure scene I thought was with the whole dope deal and yet instead of going to the police, he threatens to go to the Asst. Vice Principal. That part is thought was funny but kinda dumb. Joesph Gordon-Levitt I think did a pretty good job portraying the character.
ReplyDeleteWith him going to the Vice Principal, that was part of the idea that made the dialog so amazing. They kept it in a high school kinda derpy setting. Kids in school, oddly enough, their first thought is usually to go to the police, they go to someone they know a little better, in this case he knew the VP and had some deals with him in the past clearly, and now, this is just another deal he's making with him. He's getting something out of it. Cause if he talked to the police himself, then he would be a suspcious character and they'd trace down a lot of things he may have done or tried pinning some of the junk on him. But if you tell someone with authority like the VP and be an annonimous tip, then nothing gets lead back to you and the person still gets pinned.
DeleteNot sure if that helped clarify anything but I hope it did.
Oh I know why he went to the Vice Principal, I just thought it was extremely quirky. Still thought it was smart and cool but quirky ha.
DeleteI agree with Tyson. I loved this movie. I'd like to be the first to say that the cinematographer is a genius. I was amazed by every shot I saw. This movie is a win-win in every aspect. Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a great job portraying the character and the writing was astounding. It really brought the noir aspect an entire new feel for me with the way that it was written. The dialogue felt noir-ish for the era without sounding completely forced. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion on the cinematographer.
DeleteI also agree with Tyson and Carlos when it comes to the slightly muddled nature of the plot, but I think it was a function of being a film noir. It seems as though many of the true noirs had hundreds of little weird clues and red herrings and strange plot twists and understanding all the nuances and logistics of the plot really wasnt completely necessary.
ReplyDeleteI'm a true believer in experiencing a movie, because what are they but visual storytelling? When you analyze them like you would a novel, there might be some problems.
As a visual story Brick is absolutely beautiful. The shots they used succeeded in many ways; they didn't just show you what was happening, they were all so purposeful in their placement. Each one adding a new layer of emotion, symbolism, beauty, and even foreshadowing.
Even if Brick was a failure visually, it would be a very interesting and clever film. It took the conventions of noir and spun it around with a sense of childish charm and dry wit. This almost inside joke clashes very surreally with the harsh reality in the film. Clever unassuming humor mixed with the very serious real world made all the emotionally heavy scenes (and even the film as a whole) much more poignant.
I loved the take of teenagers in this plot. It makes the film more relate able then if it were adults.
ReplyDeleteThe cinematography was pretty nifty with the use of unbalanced shots and strong contrasts of light and dark like in a typical film noir, while still using a modern take. I think my favorite thing in this movie was the cinematography.
I love the fact that it's about teenagers, because the whole noir take on a very lighthearted time of life made the contrast between that and the scary mystery very surreal and strange as an audience member.
DeleteI loved this movie so much! The dialog was fantastic! I love how they made is so dorky at times and mixed it in with the teenager's life and kept it in that perspective of things they experiences. It was so clever in its own little ways, in ways I really don't think many hollywood artists would be able to catch now days. I have to say my favorite part was the King Pin's mom serving everyone juice totally oblivious to the danger her son is actually doing.
ReplyDeleteNalani, two words Private Investments.
DeleteDo it.
Hello Mr. Anonymous! Could you clarify what you are trying to say for me please? I'm a little confused. It would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
DeleteI meant to put this here. WOOPS.
Oh never mind sorry I misread, I thought you said hollywood wouldnt really take a chance on such a artsy movie now days. That's why I said get private investments
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ReplyDeleteI had an exceptionally difficult time follow the plot of the movie. It was very difficult for me to focus on what was happening because I could not get myself to focus on it. It was a good movie though I liked it except for the simple fact that I couldn't just sit and watch it.
ReplyDeleteAngell Chandler
So Levitt is a total babe, so i liked looking at him the whole time it makes the movie 1,000 times better but I think he looks better with shorter hair. ANY WAY (: This movie was a little more likable because of it being high school kids, but i was so lost and i didnt really even know what even happened or what was going on with the girl. But i get lost in every movie i watch so maybe it was just me haha. I didnt really like the shootings, personally, just not my favorite taste in movies. Absolutely a good movie though. (:
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Levitt is a total babe, he gives off the jersey look with the shorter hair which is cool. If you ever seen Third Rock from the Sun, he had the longest hair.
DeleteDon't feel bad because I got lost and I'm sure we're not the only ones (Angell) and that's okay.
I wonder how much budget this movie had?
i loved this movie. my really enjoyed the Pin's character and what he said. Levitt is one of my favorite actors. i thought this movie was well made.
ReplyDeleteI really wish i could have been here to see it. The film sounds incredible I might just have to look it up on netflix or something. I would love to see a film noir made so newly and see what it has in common with the old ones.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this movie. it seemed so intense. Everyone was impossibly cool and colleted and in the buisness deep. they took everthing so seriously but yet it all seems so normal to do drugs. but school is still the biggest thing in there life. It just mystified me and thats what i love. But besdies what i just said. i really lkked the noir storytelling and the femme fatale was perfect. it was deffinately film noir told in a really cool way
ReplyDeleteBrick has been a favorite of mine since 7th-ish grade.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I watch this movie I appreciate it more and more.
Especially after taking film classes, and ESPECIALLY after film noir class.
Amazing movie and totally something we could do here at East Hollywood.