Film Review: Les Miserables

1) Provide a description of the film. Discuss the plot and characters and how they influenced the film. Was the plot line or character development more important? Why?
The basic, basic plot of les mis follows a man named Jean Valjean. First, he is imprisoned for stealing bread. Once he is freed, he flees (and breaks parole) to go and start a new, honest life for himself. He becomes the mayor of the town and owns a factory. One of his workers is a poor woman who has a child being kept by innkeepers. The woman dies, but Jean takes care of her daughter, Cosette. Eventually, he dies, but cosette gets married and is happy. Ps this whole time the jerk Javert was chasing him. But then he committed suicide.
In my opinion, the characters and the plot are equally important. The story is so heartbreaking, but the characters are written as such resilient, kind, and good people that it is almost less tragic. They are just equally amazing and fantastic so I couldn't choose which was more important

2) Think critically about how the film was shot, directed, use of lighting, etc. What do you think was effective in the making of the film? What took away or could have been done differently to enhance the  film?

I think the cinematography in this rendition was amazing. The close ups of the characters really made it all the more emotional. The setting was AMazing-- I was very impressed with how the setting looked honestly so much like france, and it was just straight beautiful. One thing that, in my opinion, could have been done differently was the casting of cosette. I just really don't like amanda seyfried and thought she was awful in the part. sorry bout it. 

3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?

I really enjoyed it! I thought it was honestly so good, pretty true to the book, and It was a beautiful film to watch. 

ps... shout out to all my haters who doubted me. I did it. Only three weeks later. whatevs. yolo. 

Dialogue Scene Critique: Dark Knight

Who are the characters involved? 

Different scary clown things, one of them is the joker. Also, the bank guy. 

What does each scene tell you about the characters? 

It shows how violent and cutthroat each of the clowns are. It also shows the joker's need for money, and lack of respect for human life. 

How does the dialogue influence the scene?

It explains who is paying the clowns, and how in the dark each of them are. 

How does the setting and actions affect the essence or mood of the film and upcoming scenes?

It portrays a very dark mood, and sets the stage for the rest of the film. 

What can you gather from watching this scene?   Are you lead into thinking things about the characters or potential plot?  What is that?  Describe.

This scene sets up a villain who is clearly a criminal mastermind. It also shows that the joker is violent, and it leads you to wonder what he will do next. 

Dialogue Scene Critique

Rounders

Who are the characters involved? 

Matt Damon is a law student, he goes into a room with a bunch of other Judges and DA's

What does each scene tell you about the characters? 

It shows that Matt is a careful and responsible young man, but he knows a ton about playing cards. However, he does not join in the game when invited. 

How does the dialogue influence the scene?

It creates a sense that Matt Damon is a likable and knowledgeable person. 

How does the setting and actions affect the essence or mood of the film and upcoming scenes?

It affects the scene by making it calm and just sort of serene. The setting makes the movie seem important yet laid back. 

What can you gather from watching this scene?   Are you lead into thinking things about the characters or potential plot?  What is that?  Describe.

Yes, this scene causes me to think that Matt Damon has a backstory about playing cards and gambling, and the plot could evolve to involve that part of his life. 

Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom

1) Provide a description of the film. Discuss the plot and characters and how they influenced the film. Was the plot line or character development more important? Why?
This movie, directed by Wes Anderson, is about two twelve year old children who run away together to try and find a haven from their unhappy lives. The boy, Sam, is an orphan who attends a boy scout camp during the summer. When he meets the girl, Suzy, they decide to run away together and hike to an old Indian trail. They interact with many different adults and other children throughout the film, and each one is very important to the tone of the film. In my opinion, both the plot line AND the characters were very crucial to the overall effect of the movie, but the characters were probably the most unique that I have seen in a while. They were all very interesting and entertaining, but in a completely original way, which is what made the film so special. 
2) Think critically about how the film was shot, directed, use of lighting, etc. What do you think was effective in the making of the film? What took away or could have been done differently to enhance the film?
I loved the way this film was shot. I think that the beginning scenes especially are very unique, and effective in the tone of the film. I basically loved everything about it, including the setting, unique lighting, scenery, directing, etc. If I have to choose one thing to change about it it would be the dialogue, which at some points I found hard to hear/understand, but I loved practically everything else.
3) What is you overall opinion of the film? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?
I loved the film. I thought it was well done, had fantastic acting, and found it to be unique and original. I would absolutely recommend it, because of the overall uplifting tone to the movie as well as the fantastic cast, scenery, plot, and directing style. 

1) Describe the Film

In this short film, Charlie Chaplin plays a common tramp. At the beginning, another hobo switches his sandwich with a brick, so he eats some grass instead. Then, the hobo starts to annoy and bother a farmers daughter, so Chaplin helps save the girl (and he uses the brick to attack the hobo). More hobos show up, but he fends them off as well, and as payment the girl gives him work on her farm. After working there and fending off more hobos (and accidentally being shot), the girl's boyfriend arrives at the farm, so Chaplin leaves.
2) What do you notice about Chaplin's acting style? How does his style help enhance the film?

His acting style is very funny in the way that he moves. Throughout the film, he would move around a lot, and express emotions through his body. He made things very funny, even with his movements and silly situations that he was in.
3) How do you feel about the Chaplin's character? 

I liked the character of the Tramp, he was a likable and almost noble character.
4) What are your overall impressions of the film?

I enjoyed the silly things that happened during the film, and I did enjoy Charlie Chaplin's acting style. I thought that the plot was a little sad, and it was pretty sad to see him alone, but it was an overall very nice film. 

Georges Meiles

1. One thing I noticed about Melies' style is that uses many camera tricks and illusions. His films are almost surreal, with bizarre plot lines and dream- like shots. 
2. Some consistent elements that appeared throughout his films is a feeling of surrealism and unrealistic plots. He also uses many different tricks that appear to have one person appear in a scene multiple times. He used camera tricks and illusions in almost every one of his films that we saw today. 
3. Yes, I enjoyed many of his films, especially One Man Band and The Prolific Magical Egg. I thought that the tricks and and layering of film made it very visually interesting, and I loved the idea of the egg morphing into different objects. 
4. One thing that I am going to take away from watching these films is a real appreciation for layering and blocking film. I really loved the way he made himself appear multiple times in one scene, and i hope to maybe be able to do that in one of my films. 

The Last Farm

This film follows the story of an elderly man. From the beginning it is clear that his daughter is going to check him and his wife into an elderly care home. However, it becomes clear that his wife has died, and he soon does the same. I thought that the plot was the most important part of this film. It was so striking and powerful that I think it is more memorable than the characters. The film only really follows the old man, and he is really the only one we get to know. His wife is dead by the time the film starts, so the audience never really gets to know her. The daughter does not even speak until the second half of the film, even though he has a conversation with her in the begininning. This shows that the plot is more memorable than the characters. One thing I took away from the film is that, as cheesy as it sounds, love really is an incredibly powerful emotion. This man obviously loves his wife more than anything in the world, to the point that he can not imagine living without her. Another interesting thing is that he loves his daughter, but his overwhelming love for his wife overpowers any guilt he might feel about his the sadness his daughter and granddaughter are going to experience. It taught me that love is one of the most powerful emotions in the world.