Kurosawa Week 1 (Roshomon and Sanshiro Sugata)

In class this week, we watched Roshomon (1950) and Sanshiro Sugata (1943). Roshomon was Kurosawa's first film that was seen by Hollywood audiences. It was Kurosawa's debut to the world. Sanshiro Sugata was the first film that Kurosawa ever made at all.

FILM RESPONSES (5 POINTS EACH)

Here are the response questions you were expected to answer for each film. As long as you answer all the questions, these responses can be very short. You can handwrite these or email them to jwagner@ehhs.us:

ROSHOMON:

• What do you think really happened with the crime in the film? Why?
• What is this film's outlook on life? Do you agree or disagree with that outlook? Explain.
• After seeing this film, do you think you'll enjoy or not enjoy Kurosawa's films? Why?

SANSHIRO SUGATA:

• Name one moment when an axis cut was used in this film. Why do you think Kurosawa used it in that moment?

ESSAY (20 POINTS)

Then, on Friday, we wrote essays. The essay needs to be 500 words in length. It should follow the criteria found in this link. Email your essay to jwagner@ehhs.us. Your essay can be on one of the following topics:

• Consider ways that either Roshomon or Sanshiro Sugata touched you personally. Write an essay about the themes or other elements of the films that were important to you and why they matter to you so deeply. You will probably want to include a little bit of personal life story/experience if you do this one.
• In class, we learned that Akira Kurosawa was a painter at first. Write about how you feel his painter instincts come out in the films we've seen. Use specific examples from Roshomon and Sanshiro Sugata. Feel free to include screen shots from the films if it helps you make your point. (You can find screen shots on the internet.)
• Write a critical review of either Roshomon or Sanshiro Sugata. In your review, imagine that you are writing to a typical teenage audience. Without spoiling the ending, write about what your teenage audience might like or not like about the movie. Remember that this is a recommendation to help them decide if they should see it or not.
• Pick another essay topic you would like to write about that relates to the films Roshomon and/or Sanshiro Sugata. Have Will or Josh approve the essay topic and then write the essay.

Citizen Kane (1941)

Most versions of the AFI 100 list and many other best film lists put this as the most important film ever made. It was also Orson Welles' first movie (kind of sad that he made the best movie ever first and then had to make great but not-as-awesome films for the rest of his career—it's a strange thing to make your magnum opus first).

Hopefully you noticed as you watched Citizen Kane that it had a very different feel to it than the other films we've watched in this class. There are many ways in which this film is the first modern movie. For example, the J-cut and the L-cut, two techniques that are standard practice in every movie made now, were first used in Citizen Kane. Also, the technique of telling the story told through flashbacks had never been done before Cane but is often done now and not considered particularly groundbreaking anymore.

This shot is an example of the innovation used in this film. Cameras
at the time could not get both characters in focus but Welles
demanded that they both be in focus so they took each shot
separately and then put them together.

This film was used to end this class on purpose. It represents the culmination of the evolution of
cinema during the era that we've focused on in this class. We started with Lumiere and Edison films that were just moving images without sound or much of a story. Then we evolved to silent films that did tell a story and used the tools of cinematography in more-and-more innovative ways until they culminated with the high silent era.

Then came sound and more innovations that compensated for the weaknesses of sound. Eventually Hollywood reached the golden age and then the golden year. Lots of movies were made and filmmakers figured out better and better ways to tell stories until Citizen Kane came along. This film really is a culmination of everything that happened before and the film that brings us into the modern cinematic age. Watch films before and after Citizen Kane and you will notice a difference.

When you comment about Citizen Kane, you need to answer three of the following questions:

• Why do you think so many great film lists put this film at the top? Remember the four criteria the AFI list creators use to measure a great film.
• What would you say the theme of this film is? Justify your response with at least three specific examples from the film.
• We know what the critics say but what do you think? Do you personally think Citizen Kane is a good movie? Why or why not?
  
• I wrote above that Citizen Kane changed the way movies are made. As you watched the film, did you notice moments that seemed like more advanced filmmaking then the films we've watched earlier in this class? If so, please describe what you say and explain why you feel it is more advanced.
• Make your own top ten list of movies we've watched in this class and write it in your response. What criteria did you use to make the list? Which film gets the #1 spot on your list and why?
• How about "rosebud"?

Third Movie at Home

Now is the time to pick the final film from the AFI list that you haven't seen and will watch at home for this class. Then post about it here in the comments below this very post.

You need to have watched the film and posted about it by November 3.

If you have lost your AFI list, you can access it by clicking here.

Now, when you post about the film, you need to do the following:

1. State the name of the film you watched.
2. Write three full paragraphs about it.
3. Answer four of the following questions:

• Do you feel the film you watched is more like an Edison film or more like a Lumiere film? Why?
• 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?
• 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?
• Was this film made pre-Hays code, during the Hays code, or after the Hays code was over? If it was made during the Hays code, what moments did you notice that were obviously censored or "toned down" because of the Hays code? If it was made before or after the Hays code, what moments did you notice that would not have been allowed during the Hays code?
• Would you recommend this film to other members of the class? Why or why not?

The Golden Year

1939, Hollywood's Golden Year. So called because so many films were made that year and so many of them are remembered as classics. We watched two films from 1939 in class. They are listed below with questions about each:

Destry Rides Again (1939)

This was one of three films made in the Golden Year starring Jimmy Stewart. Perhaps that was why the year was golden: because Jimmy Stewart made a lot of movies! Destry is a Western and, prior to recent history, Westerns were a staple in Hollywood. You could always count on someone making a Western at any given time and they were successful (thus, they kept making them). But Destry is no ordinary Western. The generic gunslinging sheriff hero is replaced with a peaceful man.

Answer the following questions:

• How do you feel about the twist of having a peaceful sheriff? Did it work for you? Or would you prefer to have the typical sheriff that takes out the bad guys with his gun and grit? Why?
• This film is well remembered by many an intelligent person. You'll notice it is on the windows in the hallway by the studio. It's on some critic's lists of great films. Why do you think some smart film appreciators like it so much? Do you like it? Why or why not?
• If you were to remake this film, what would you do to improve it? (And don't just say, "add color".)

Gone With the Wind (1939)

There is one word that definitely, for sure, describes this film: long. Clocking in at 3 hours and 53 minutes, it is definitely an experience to watch the whole thing. For this reason, the post on this film will be worth twice as much a normal one.

Answer the following questions about this film:

• This film is included on the AFI 100 list. Why do you think that is?
• Did you like this film or not? Explain in detail.
• Do you feel this film needs to be as long as it is? Do you think it should be shorter? If you do think it's too long, explain what parts you think should be cut out and why. If you like the length, explain why you feel the story deserves this running time.

EXTRA CREDIT: Them (2006)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!


As a fun, internationally, Halloween treat, we watched Them, or in French, Ils.  I'm excited to know what you guys think.  This is just extra credit, so don't stress about getting it done, but if you want to share your thoughts about this and get some free bonus points, well, that'd be awesome!

This movie was selected to be in oodles of festivals.  It was nominated for oodles of awards at these festivals, including best picture at the Neuchatel International Film Festival and at the Sitges-Catalonian International Film Festival.   

Different types of horror resonate with different people - some people are deeply terrified of creepy clowns.  Others are deeply affected by monsters.  Others are terrified of ghosts.  For me, the scariest thing are intruders - real people with twisted desires to hurt others.  Man, that gets to me...  And Ils executes this kind of terror expertly, and thus it succeeds in reaching deep into my soul and giving me the chills!  Two thumbs up from me. 

• What'd you think?  Did you think it deserves the praise it got?  Why or why not?
• Did you enjoy the movie?
• If you are a horror movie fan, how does this one rank in your opinion?

Later Talkies (late 1930's, early 1940's)

In this post, you'll respond to the three films listed below. As you respond, you will want to remember what we discussed in class regarding the Hayes Code, the Great Depression, and the Hollywood Golden Era.

The Great Dictator (1940)

This is Charlie Chaplin's first true talkie. Before this, he occasionally put dialogue in his films (e.g. the silly talking at the beginning of City Lights) but this was the first film where there was dialogue throughout the entire movie.

This film is also a great example of Chaplin's social consciousness. At this time, World War II was about the start (and most could see the signs) but it hadn't started yet. Chaplin was using the power of cinema to raise awareness of Hitler's true colors. In so doing, he made of fun of the most dangerous man on earth. Well done, Chaplin. Well done.

Here are the questions to answer in regards to The Great Dictator:

• What do you make of Chaplin's use of dialogue? What was it like for you to hear Chaplin's voice throughout the film? In what ways was this film still silent-film-like in spite of the presence of dialogue?
• What moment of the film do you feel had the most powerful message in regards to World War II? What made this moment so powerful?
• Do you feel this film still has messages for us today? Explain.

It Happened One Night (1934)

This film was directed by Frank Capra. Capra was the first director to become a star. Before him, people went to see films made by certain studios or by certain actors but no one would go to see films made by certain directors (the three silent greats are exceptions in that they also acted in their films). But Capra would put his name in large font on his films and on their posters and people would go to see films just because Capra made them.

Capra was known for making films that were incredibly optimistic. They would deal with the problems of the time but they would always end at the most hopeful moment possible. This appealed to audiences during the Great Depression.

It is also important to note that this film won five Academy Awards:

Award	Result	Winner
Best Picture	Won	Columbia Pictures (Frank Capra and Harry Cohn)
Best Director	Won	Frank Capra
Best Actor	Won	Clark Gable
Best Actress	Won	Claudette Colbert
Best Writing, Adaptation	Won	Robert Riskin

Answer the following questions about It Happened One Night:

• Why do you feel that audiences during the Great Depression liked Frank Capra's films so much? Why might they like this film?
• Did you like or dislike this film? Why? Please explain in detail.
• Pick one of the five Academy Awards that this film won and write about why you feel it earned that award.

The Wolf Man (1941)

This is an example of the kind of monster movies that were rampant during the Hollywood Golden Era. It was a fun treat for Halloween as well as an important example of a genre that dominated an era. As we talked about in class, the monster movie was to the Hollywood Golden Era (1930's and early 40's) as the superhero movie is to use today. 

As you respond to this film, please answer the following questions:

• Why do you think people in 1941 liked this sort of film?
• Did you like or dislike this film? Why? Explain in detail.
• Did you notice any moments in the film that you think were toned down because of the Hayes Code? Tell us more.
• How do you feel the special effects of this film compare to the Melies films made 29 years earlier? Were they better? Worse? The same? Please explain in detail and provide examples.

Hong Kong Cinema! Sweet!

Oh Hong Kong cinema, how I love thee.

I hope you've enjoyed this week we've spent enjoying Hong Kong and what it has to offer to the world of cinema!

I adore films from this part of the world.  They are so unique, so confident in what they are, and so enjoyable!  They made their movies for their people, and gave them all the emotion, humor, and action they could for the price of a ticket!  Because of that, we get some pretty cool, crazy, awesome stuff!

We started with a classic Jackie Chan, Operation Condor (1991), a classic Chan filled with humor
and insane, non-wire fighting stunts all done by himself.  This film was also dubbed, the Hong Kong non-dubbed version impossible to find (unless you're from Europe, or, like, um, Hong Kong).  It is how I first saw it, and despite the dubbing, I fell in love with Jackie Chan.

• Did you like this movie?  Why or why not?
• Did the english dubbing bother you, or were you ok with it?

Next, we watched some SWEET Jet Li, and it was in Chinese, no dubbing.  Tai-Chi Master (1993) was through and through an Hong Kong film, kept in tact, down to the over the top, not quite so realistic punching noises, and crazy awesome wire-work stunts.  Different from Jackie Chan, in that Chan's fighting was wire-free, how did you:

• Enjoy this film in comparison to Operation Condor?  Did you like it better in the actual language, no dubbing, but with subtitles, or not?  
• Did you like the wire-fu fighting or Jackie's no-wire fighting better?  Why?

Forbidden Kingdom (2008)!  An American made Kung Fu movie, but one where you can tell the Pacific Rim was a love letter to Japanese monster movies.
filmmakers LOVE Hong Kong cinema.  This movie is essentially a big love letter to Kung Fu movies, like Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim is a love letter to Japanese monster movies.

• Do you think it is cool that people from other countries try to mimic another country's style?  Why or why not?
• How did you like this movie?  Did you feel like the American writer and director did a good job making a Hong Kong film?
• Of the three films we watched for our week in Hong Kong, which one did you like best?