This is what you have to do: pick a movie from the AFI 100 list and then comment about it here. Have fun with this! There are probably titles you saw on the AFI list the first day that caused you to think, "I wonder what that is," or, "I've been meaning check that out." Or maybe there's a film that was mentioned in class or elsewhere that sounded interesting to you. This is your chance to finally see that film and get class points for doing so!
When you comment, be sure to follow these instructions:- Your comment needs to be a full 3 PARAGRAPHS long.
- Your comment needs to include the name of the film you watched.
- Your comment should answer four of the following questions:
- Did anything we've learned in film history class so far help you appreciate the film more? If so, tell us which thing that we learned helped you and how it helped?
- Do you feel the film you watched is more like an Edison film or more like a Lumiere film? Why?
- Why do you feel the film you watched is on the AFI 100 list? Remember the four criteria the AFI used to make their list.
- Were any of the special effects invented by Melies used in the film? If so, state which Melies special effect was used and describe how it was used in one moment of the film.
- Were there any moments of the film that had particularly impressive cinematography, editing, acting, writing, lighting, sound, etc. If so, describe the moment to us and tell us what was so special about the use of the filmic element?
- Would you recommend this film to other members of the class? Why or why not?
Over the weekend, i watched the Wizard of oz for the first time. I know how pathetic that is, but im glad i finally got to watch it. Since in film history we talked about how difficult and tedious it is to make a film, especially back in the day. I think for the time it was made, the wizard of oz was made beautifully.Realizing all the work that was put into the set and everything made me appreciate it more.
ReplyDeleteI think the film made the list because it was "culturally impactful" as in it impacted the culture and people loved it , theres a reason why its a classic.it's historically important, obviously, because its so incredibly important to alot of people. It is artistically important because it was made beautifully and It has inspired many other films and plays.
I think for the time, the movie was impressive, especially at the part they showed The wizard, they had to have put alot of effort into the special effects. Not only that, but the whole set was set up pretty great. I would recommend this movie to everyone because its entertaining and its a classic. You dont want to be like me and not have seen this movie until youre in high school.
Erin Allgood
Good job on the three paragraphs, Erin! Good job commenting on the sets, why you'd recommending it, why it is on the AFI list in your opinion, and how film history influenced your liking of it. You mention that it is a classic, and a reason why it is a classic, but you don't go deep into the reasons, what made it so impactful to the people at the time. I'd love more detail on that. Thanks Erin! Good job.
DeleteOver the weekend I watched Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. I can’t decide whether or not it was more of an Edison or a Lumiere film. It shows different aspects of both. They set up scenes which are like Edison films that are staged just to build up character and to get you emotionally invested in the story. There are also scenes in the senate that are technically staged but have a realistic feel to them as if they were filming a really dramatic session in senate, so both types are represented.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scene from this movie was at the very end when Mr. Smith called a filibuster to prove his innocence and show that there were corruptions that needed to be fixed in the government. He stands for almost a full day trying to prove his point and Jimmy Stewart played his role very convincingly and you are really rooting for him to win.
I would recommend this movie to anyone. It has a great story with great characters that are portrayed by great actors. It makes you emotionally invested in the characters and the good guy wins in the end so it pays off.
Tigger Payne 2nd
Tigger,
DeleteYour explanation for why it's using both Edison and Lumiere elements is great. You have three paragraphs, and that is cool! You answers are well written and thought out. Although you wrote 3 paragraphs, you only answered 3 questions, and the assignment is to comment on 4 of the questions. Just something to look out for next time.
The Graduate! You guys have no idea how much I enjoyed watching this movie. I'm gonna start off with my overall favorite, (I usually save these for last) the cinematography! Goodness how I loved the cinematography. Without spoiling anything, there's this scene where its out of focus and slowly goes to focus. I literally flipped when the cinematographer did what he did. Focus meant more than clarity of image in that scene, it meant clarity of a problem for the character. (I'm just gonna go ahead and express this as the fact on why I think its on the Top 100 of the AFI list.)
ReplyDeleteNow that I got all that out of my system. I feel like I did appreciate this movie more because I paid more attention on the things they didn't verbally tell me. Silent film relied mostly on physical interpretation. The Graduate had great use in that. Example, the very know shot of him stuck in the cougars seduction by having him locked between the triangle that her leg created.
I would totally recommend this movie to everyone. I appreciate the story they portrayed, but I appreciate the Cinematography even more. It helped a lot with the story. For 1967, this movie is fantastic. Dustin Hoffman's acting is great in my opinion. I think you guys can tell that I really enjoyed this movie.
Dustin Hoffman is great. I tell you what, he's so, so talented! Oh, Dustin...
DeleteThis is a great post, Gerson. You wrote three thought out paragraphs, and you answered at least 4 of the questions. Swell job, my friend!
Ok, Over the weekend i watched "The Wizard Of Oz" witch i thought was a pretty good i think what i learned in film history helped me appreciate it more just because of what they had to work with then and what we have to work with now and the special effects were harder to do back then then they are now and they look a lot better now too
ReplyDeletei think that the tornado special effect was pretty impressive cause i'm not really sure how they did it but i thought that was cool. i think it made the AFI's 100 list because it is a classic movie and a lot of people still love too watch that movie today and i think it is a great part of film history.
i would recommend this movie to other members of the class but only if there into family movies and classics but if they are into action or horror than probably not but despite all of that i think it is a really good movie
Thanks for being honest on why or why not you'd recommend this movie. That is awesome. Good job with the three paragraphs, my friend! You answered 4 of the questions, which was great. Good job!
DeleteI would have liked to have had a little more detail in your explanation of why you consider it a classic movie that deserves AFI 100 status. Indeed, it is an old film, and thus historical by nature, but what makes it a "great" part of film history.
Ok, Over the weekend i watched "The Wizard Of Oz" witch i thought was a pretty good i think what i learned in film history helped me appreciate it more just because of what they had to work with then and what we have to work with now and the special effects were harder to do back then then they are now and they look a lot better now too
ReplyDeletei think that the tornado special effect was pretty impressive cause i'm not really sure how they did it but i thought that was cool. i think it made the AFI's 100 list because it is a classic movie and a lot of people still love too watch that movie today and i think it is a great part of film history.
i would recommend this movie to other members of the class but only if there into family movies and classics but if they are into action or horror than probably not but despite all of that i think it is a really good movie
My friend, Isaiah, you answered four of the questions as instructed. Good work reading the instructions carefully and following them!
DeleteI'm glad the assignment helped you to see "The Wizard of Oz". It is indeed a classic that all should see. You are now a more cultured man.
Did you know that this was the first technicolor movie? When people first went to Oz with Dorothy, they would have been blown away because they were used to black and white. And I agree that the tornado effect would have been way impressive in 1939.
I like how you hit on one of the four points of the AFI criteria for a great film: culturally important. You are right that this film is culturally important in that many people know and love it and quote it and know it. Are any of the other three AFI criteria present? Most films on the AFI 100 list have more than one of the four points. Reply below to give more thoughts on this.
Patience Montoya
ReplyDeleteThe movie i chose to watch from the afi top 100 list was The sixth sense. I think it's more like a lumiere brothers film because they went different locations to film. They didn't just bring things to the camera. I think one of the criteria putting this film on the afi list is that it's artistically important.
I dont know if any of melies special effects were used in this film, though im sure there are a few. I lo ed the acting of the guy in the beginning whos in his underwear freaking out in that guys house. I also think the little boy does amazing acting especially with his famous "i see dead people" line.
I would recommend this movie to my classmates because i thought it was a very good film. There was good acting, good editing, and a good story. It was also pretty scary at some parts too.
Graded.
DeleteI believe the film Silence of the lambs is on the top 100 list because it is easily one of the most iconic horror films in history. With quotes like “It puts the lotion on it’s skin or it gets the hose again.” and “Hello Clarice” popping up in everything from Dr. Dolittle 2 to the television hit FRIENDS. Popularity over time seems to have only decreased slightly since it’s release. It’s still one of the most classic Halloween movies of all time with teens watching every year to get into the scary time spirit. It is also a major award winner having gained 27 major awards in the years 1991 and 1992.
ReplyDeleteI did actually enjoy it more than I would have without this class because I noticed the editing and camera work a lot more. It was pretty great in my opinion. It told a lot of the story without it having to be explained and added feelings that words alone would have failed to make.
There were many moments of the film that had particularly impressive cinematography, editing, acting, writing, lighting, sound, etc. The writing was very on point with how a real sociopathic and intelligent serial killer would behave and think. The acting was great for the main detective in training, Hannibal and the only survivor of Buffalo Bill’s killing spree. The detective plays distraught and inquisitive well. Hannibal plays intelligent and plotting great. The last victim plays hopeless but, fiery pretty intensely. All around the acting was great in my eyes. I’d rate it a ten out of ten and it will be on my wish list this year. Not recommended for the squeamish or highly moral but, for anyone in the class who enjoys a good thrill of blood, murder and insanity as much as I do I highly recommend this for your viewing pleasure.
Yours truly,
Jack Johnson
AKA. Chris Johnson
Graded.
DeleteSo I watched the movie Taxi Driver for my independent watch a movie at home assignment. I feel like the movie Taxi Driver made the A.F.I. top 100 list because it kinda had a fowling after it came out and I feel like that hit two of the criteria to be on the list the two criteria being cultural impact and historical significance. I can see why this movie was, it just fantastic, it was dark, romantic and had very interesting characters. So I feel like the A.F.I. picked a good movie to put as number 47 on the list.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this movie was more like an Edison movie. Because it just felt more studio made. Just because it takes place in a lot of the same places, and doesn't really have a documentary feeling that the Lumiere brothers had. the writing in this movie was great. it was just a good story about a man fighting to protect the ones he loved, but the hero is kinda crazy. Travis has the mind of a villain, but the heart of a hero, he just has such a rich personality, and it was impressive that a character like that could have been written.
Would I recommend this to another student? Well it really depends it has a lot of violence and adult stuff in it, but if they are fine with that kind of stuff then for sure, I just loved this movie and I feel like the other students could appreciate it too.
Graded.
DeleteCasablanca!
ReplyDeleteFor my movie at home I watched Casablanca. This film was definitely an Edison style film with elaborate sets, realistic acting (well, for the most part) and lighting styles. I adored the lighting in this film. I would recomend this for a friend becuase it has a an easy to follow plot that has a good balance of comedy, romance, and suspense. Not to mention beautiful and detailed sets and gorgeous lighting.
The scene where Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) is sitting in his bar after hours drinking alone waiting for a young woman named Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) is very visually appealing with the lighting. They have search light that graze of the the dark inside of the bar creating almost a ticking clock effect without the sound building a bit of suspense as he waits for the woman. There’s a harsh light set up towards the back of the room shining upon what looks like a white wall not only creating a beautiful plant silhouette but also backlights Rick so he doesn’t merge with the darkness of the rest of the bar. There’s also a very soft light across his face that is bright enough that you can clearly make out his face but still allows some sort of a shadow to go across his face giving almost a feeling of broken and uneasiness. I think it creates this feeling because up until this point rick has always had a full light on him and is very calm and collected and suddenly you find him in this vulnerable place. When Ilsa finally arrives she opens the door right as the search light illuminated her creating a beautiful silhouette that is visually stunning and effective in foreshadowing the dramatic scene that lies a head.
I think this Film is on the A.F.I top 100 list is because it has had a huge cultural impact on our country. During the year of 1977 it was the most shown film of television. Harvard University still to this day screens this film during the week of finals. This has been a tradition since 1957 when it was originally started by the Brattle Theater in Massachusetts. It also won three Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay. Not to mention continues to inspire young artists today. I know it inspired me for a few scene remakes!
Graded.
DeleteI watched Annie Hall for my first film at home last night (11-10-14) and it was pretty good actually. For a movie from the 70's I really liked it. The main character reminded me of one from a video game I have. The character in the video game "Darkness II" was probably based of of the character from the movie. Except in the game he was 10x crazier.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if what I have learned in the class has helped my understanding and appreciation of the movie, but I did enjoy it rather thoroughly.
The film felt more like a Lumiere film, it didn't feel stationary, it felt (and was) more mobile. The story moved all over the place and really expanded the perception of the world they were in.
The directing and the character development are what I believe to have placed this film on the AFI 100 list. It certainly has earned it's place. The raw content of the movie was splendid and made me laugh. My parents at first went, "Oh this was directed by that guy..." but then they laughed and enjoyed it too. Even in the more mature content of the story it had some real deep thought going on and it made sense in real life situations. This was a story, not some crappy explosion feature, but a REAL story.
I would recommend this film to other people, firstly because at the same time it's a good laugh, it's rather serious and has a point. It has some more depressing parts in it too, but the comedic relief and deep cognitive thought of the story not only distract from that but work in harmony with it.
I love this film so much.
DeleteI love when he brings the filmmaker out to talk with the guy in the line, waiting to get into the theater. That is actually one of my favorite moments in any movie. So golden.
You might try out some other Woody Allen films. He pretty much always plays the same character in all his films. And it's fun that he stars in and directs most of them like the early silent greats did.
Graded.
I watched Jaws-
ReplyDeletethe things I found most interesting about this movie wasn't necessarily the script but the special effects even tho they were cheesy and definitely had a very 'syfy' feel to it, also the sound was very memorable in the ways of fighting the giant shark.
what I've learned in this class so far really helped me understand and have a better appreciation for this movie in the way that special effects and camera work and how it has come to be.
I would recommend this movie to people who have an open mind and who aren't judgmental towards a more syfy feel of movies and slightly cheesy scripts.
The Sound of Music
ReplyDeleteThis film was more like an Edison film because it had actors and sets. Unlike the Lumiere brothers who would rather film stuff that people wouldn’t ever be able to see. I don’t really think anything we’ve learned helped me appreciate this film more.
I think that it might have been on the list because it had some cultural impact. Because it took place during World War II movie, it showed parts where it was during the war .I don’t think that there were any parts that had to be changed because of the Hayes-code.
The singing in this film was really impressive to me. The actors did a good job getting into character in this movie. It was probably hard to do editing stuff when they were dancing and singing, because of the technology they had back then. I really liked this movie and would probably recommend it to other people.
1st half of Intolerance
ReplyDeleteit was actually pretty okay for how old it was, not exactly my favorite, but I can see why it's on the AFI 100 list. I think the biggest reason it was on the list was because of the innovative film style used in it. it used a lot of color to tell you who they were talking about and what exactly was happening at the moment,and i thought that was cool.
i would recommend this to my classmates because it is a very well made film. but beware, this film takes a lot of dedication and time to watch. you cant just let it run in the background because you have to know exactly whats happening to understand it. plus it starts off slow, but it gets better.
This film was definitely an edison film,unless they had a time machine.
Josh Payne
Learning about silent film history in class helped me find the subtle nuances in the humour I had missed before. We didn’t specifically talk about it, but the use of props was great. It was essential to the story.
ReplyDeleteThe color was so vivid. The same vividness is reflected in the songs and dancing. There’s a high level of energy throughout the film as people fall in love, deal with conflicts, and rediscover who they are. It’s a timeless movie. People always have to reinvent themselves as time and circumstances change. It’s playful. Every time I watch it, I just want to get up and dance.
I would absolutely recommend Singing in the Rain to the class. Although, I don’t think they would enjoy it as much as I do. It’s so fun. The story is told through song, which I believe is the best way to tell something.
I'm not sure why it says it's 12:30. It really is 11:30.
Delete