"Dan in Real Life" is a romance film starring Steve Carrell. Carrell's character, named Dan Burns, is a widower who has been left with 3 daughters. Playing the role of a single parent for four years has left Dan very unhappy and in need of a significant other. Ultimately, while on vacation visiting his extended family, he meets and falls in love with a nice lady at a book store. Later it is revealed that this lady is indeed the girlfriend of his brother. This film does many things right. It creates a main character that one can root for, and it creates instances that many families can relate to.
Dan, the main character, is a lovable character. In the beginning of the film, the viewer is made to somewhat pity Dan because of how hard he works keeping up with his three daughters. His daughters, on the otherhand, dislike him for being to overprotective. No matter how hard he works toward making his life better, it seems like there are roadblocks in his way toward his happiness. He yearns for a life love and wants to have the full affection of his daughters. Later in the film, Dan does a few jerk-like things that makes the audience cringe. Although he does some dumb things out of attempts to impress a the girl of his dreams, the audience is still conditioned to root for him as a character after witnessing the trials he has had to conquer.
There are many events in the plot of this film that allows the viewer to see correlations between the film characters and their own families. The middle daughter is quite rebellious, being in her early teenage years. This is seen in almost every family that has a teenager. Many family members in the real world forgive other family members when they wrong them. This is also seen within the movie. The brother repeatedly forgives Dan for misfortunate events created by Dan. This shows family forgiveness. The family members tease each other multiple times throughout the film. Dan is rediculed by members of the family about an upcoming date and her "hog-like" features. This can also be seen in many American families.
The film "Dan in Real Life" is a great movie that creates realistic family scenarios and characters. The audience will find itself rooting for Dan to find true love, and the viewer will see correlations between the family onscreen and the family in their own life.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Zombieland Review
"Zombieland" is a film about a world where a crazy virus that turns humans into zombies has taken over the globe. Before I watched this film, I had very low expectations for the quality of this movie. I was very surprised. This film is very captivating, uses humor well, and creates great character relationships.
This film is very captivating because at every given second of the movie, the viewer is expecting a human-hungry zombie to jump out and start attacking. There are moments earlier in the film where zombies surprise the main characters, and this sets the tempo for the rest of the movie. I was captivated and on the edge of my seat for a large portion of the movie because I kept expecting an oncoming attack. This approach allows the audience to be attentive at all times throughout the plotline.
The humor is used very well within this film. Everything from well placed one-liners, a hardened zombie-killer who has a weakness for twinkies, and the accidental killing of Bill Murray works together to create a funny view. The humor, however, does not overwhelm the danger of the zombies. Although jokes are made about the evil creatures that are in pursuit of the main characters, the plot still allows for tense moments to arise to keep the audience on their seats.
The film does a great job of establishing lovable relationships between characters within a ninety minute feature. The main four characters slightly dislike one another when they first meet, but they slowly begin to form lasting bonds with each other. This is fueled by humorous scenes where the main four joke around with each other. In the end, the gruff, zombie killer establishes a "father-like" bond with the young girl played by Abigail Breslin, and the nerdy college student establishes a romantic bond with the cute older girl. This makes the audience root for the main characters even more while they continue their fight against the zombie menace.
"Zombieland" was a great view. The captivizing nature of the film, humor, and character relationships add different elements to this film that makes it entertaining for many different types of movie-goers.
This film is very captivating because at every given second of the movie, the viewer is expecting a human-hungry zombie to jump out and start attacking. There are moments earlier in the film where zombies surprise the main characters, and this sets the tempo for the rest of the movie. I was captivated and on the edge of my seat for a large portion of the movie because I kept expecting an oncoming attack. This approach allows the audience to be attentive at all times throughout the plotline.
The humor is used very well within this film. Everything from well placed one-liners, a hardened zombie-killer who has a weakness for twinkies, and the accidental killing of Bill Murray works together to create a funny view. The humor, however, does not overwhelm the danger of the zombies. Although jokes are made about the evil creatures that are in pursuit of the main characters, the plot still allows for tense moments to arise to keep the audience on their seats.
The film does a great job of establishing lovable relationships between characters within a ninety minute feature. The main four characters slightly dislike one another when they first meet, but they slowly begin to form lasting bonds with each other. This is fueled by humorous scenes where the main four joke around with each other. In the end, the gruff, zombie killer establishes a "father-like" bond with the young girl played by Abigail Breslin, and the nerdy college student establishes a romantic bond with the cute older girl. This makes the audience root for the main characters even more while they continue their fight against the zombie menace.
"Zombieland" was a great view. The captivizing nature of the film, humor, and character relationships add different elements to this film that makes it entertaining for many different types of movie-goers.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
1941 Analysis
Steven Spielberg's World War 2 spoof film "1941" is a phenomenal watch that has a star studded cast. It focuses a lot on the crazy fear that Americans had about Japanese peoples. Steven Spielberg did many things to make this film very enjoyable. Some of the things that he did includes mimicking character characteristics of other World War 2 films and created a goofy incompetent enemy.
In many ways, Spielberg mimicked other World War 2 films. Many characters he uses in the movie are very stereotypical of other film characters of the war genre. John Belushi plays a crazy pilot who is slightly off of his rocker, and Dan Ackroyd plays a army man who rallies troops with stirring speeches. By sticking to character conventions, Spielberg is helping the audience understand that this is film is tied to the war genre. Then, by utilizing goofy plot lines, the audience understands that this is a film meant to parody conventional war films.
The Japanese enemies within this film are very incompetent. They allow Slim Picken's character to escape from them, they spy on bathing women, and they open fire on a local carnival thinking it to be a military base. By creating an enemy that seems comical, Spielberg is allowing the film to be a total comedy. If the film had serious villains, there would be a hint of seriousness to the plot line. Basically, the protagonists would have to beat the antagonists for the viewer to feel at ease. Spielberg's decision to write a comical villian into this script allows "1941" to be a total goofball flick.
Spielberg creates a comical masterpiece in his film "1941" by using certain comical strategies. By using conventional war film characters, he allows the viewer to feel tied to the war movie genre, and by creating a non-threatening and goofy enemy, he allows the viewer to be fully enveloped by the comical side of the film.
In many ways, Spielberg mimicked other World War 2 films. Many characters he uses in the movie are very stereotypical of other film characters of the war genre. John Belushi plays a crazy pilot who is slightly off of his rocker, and Dan Ackroyd plays a army man who rallies troops with stirring speeches. By sticking to character conventions, Spielberg is helping the audience understand that this is film is tied to the war genre. Then, by utilizing goofy plot lines, the audience understands that this is a film meant to parody conventional war films.
The Japanese enemies within this film are very incompetent. They allow Slim Picken's character to escape from them, they spy on bathing women, and they open fire on a local carnival thinking it to be a military base. By creating an enemy that seems comical, Spielberg is allowing the film to be a total comedy. If the film had serious villains, there would be a hint of seriousness to the plot line. Basically, the protagonists would have to beat the antagonists for the viewer to feel at ease. Spielberg's decision to write a comical villian into this script allows "1941" to be a total goofball flick.
Spielberg creates a comical masterpiece in his film "1941" by using certain comical strategies. By using conventional war film characters, he allows the viewer to feel tied to the war movie genre, and by creating a non-threatening and goofy enemy, he allows the viewer to be fully enveloped by the comical side of the film.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Goonies Analysis
"The Goonies" is a film from 1985 starring young Sean Astin. Sean Astin plays the character Mikey Walsh, a young boy who decides to solve his parent's financial crisis by hunting for pirate gold. He and his friends find an ancient treasure map in his attic and follow the clues that sends them down a path of excitement and danger. While searching for the gold, they attract the attention of the Fratelli family, a family of thieves and murderers. A few things come together to create this great movie. A great soundtrack, the lighting of the set, and the off-the-wall characters all create this cult classic.
The soundtrack of "The Goonies" makes this movie seem somewhat magical. The music is very slow and eerie thus adding to the haunting effects. Many string instruments are used in the musical score; the string instrument family is very haunting when played slowly. Whenever the kids are underground, the creepy score makes the viewer feel slightly creeped out.
The lighting in this film is very minimal thus adding to the haunting feeling of the movie. For a large majority of the film, the characters are in dark underground tunnels; during most of the rest of the film, the sky is very cloudy thus minimalizing the amount of light in these shots. The lack of light creates a somewhat solemn mood that is reflective of the sadness of the Walsh family. This lighting creates both haunting and solemn feelings within the viewer.
This film has many zany characters. There is an italian family of killers, a kid with a jacket full of gadgets, a super strong man known as "Sloth", and a few other off-the-wall characters. These bizarre characters surely help make "The Goonies" a cult classic. The crazy character personas bounce off of each other to drive the plot in a kooky way.
"The Goonies" is a great film that has a plot that keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. The musical score makes the film seem eerie and magical. The low lighting of the film adds more creepiness to the film, and the bizarre characters bounce off of one another to adds kookiness to the film. All of these effects come together to create a purely spellbounding film.
The soundtrack of "The Goonies" makes this movie seem somewhat magical. The music is very slow and eerie thus adding to the haunting effects. Many string instruments are used in the musical score; the string instrument family is very haunting when played slowly. Whenever the kids are underground, the creepy score makes the viewer feel slightly creeped out.
The lighting in this film is very minimal thus adding to the haunting feeling of the movie. For a large majority of the film, the characters are in dark underground tunnels; during most of the rest of the film, the sky is very cloudy thus minimalizing the amount of light in these shots. The lack of light creates a somewhat solemn mood that is reflective of the sadness of the Walsh family. This lighting creates both haunting and solemn feelings within the viewer.
This film has many zany characters. There is an italian family of killers, a kid with a jacket full of gadgets, a super strong man known as "Sloth", and a few other off-the-wall characters. These bizarre characters surely help make "The Goonies" a cult classic. The crazy character personas bounce off of each other to drive the plot in a kooky way.
"The Goonies" is a great film that has a plot that keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. The musical score makes the film seem eerie and magical. The low lighting of the film adds more creepiness to the film, and the bizarre characters bounce off of one another to adds kookiness to the film. All of these effects come together to create a purely spellbounding film.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Toy Story Analysis
The 1995 computer animated film "Toy Story" is Pixar's first full length film. Although it is their first film, it is still packed with moving scenes and great messages. Like Pixar's later movies, this film uses a variety of tools to create a visually stimulating film. The use of shading, character conflict, and facial expression all comes together to make this film a true classic.
This film has excellent use of shading. Being the first full length computer animated film, it is surprising that the shading is so in depth. The effect of this shading allows the animated characters to feel more realistic. Without shading, all of the characters and objects onscreen would be flat. The shading creates a three-dimensional effect that brings the plot and world to life.
Character conflict makes this film seem more realistic as well. It is very difficult to make animations seem real, but the use of character conflict makes the characters jump off of the screen with liveliness. This film strays from the stereotypical "perfect world" of most animations. Buzz Lightyear and Woody, the two protagonists of the movie are constantly in opposition to one another during the plot. Real people have conflicts with one another, and "Toy Story" mimicks this by adding this perspective to the film.
The facial expressions within "Toy Story" are phenomenal for being the first full length animated film. The smiles and frowns of the characters breathes life into these animated toys. While watching the movie, I was reminded of real people while evaluating the facial expressions of the toys onscreen. This coupled with shading and character conflict creates a cinematic classic that allowed Pixar to be catapulted into the legendary company that it is today.
This film has excellent use of shading. Being the first full length computer animated film, it is surprising that the shading is so in depth. The effect of this shading allows the animated characters to feel more realistic. Without shading, all of the characters and objects onscreen would be flat. The shading creates a three-dimensional effect that brings the plot and world to life.
Character conflict makes this film seem more realistic as well. It is very difficult to make animations seem real, but the use of character conflict makes the characters jump off of the screen with liveliness. This film strays from the stereotypical "perfect world" of most animations. Buzz Lightyear and Woody, the two protagonists of the movie are constantly in opposition to one another during the plot. Real people have conflicts with one another, and "Toy Story" mimicks this by adding this perspective to the film.
The facial expressions within "Toy Story" are phenomenal for being the first full length animated film. The smiles and frowns of the characters breathes life into these animated toys. While watching the movie, I was reminded of real people while evaluating the facial expressions of the toys onscreen. This coupled with shading and character conflict creates a cinematic classic that allowed Pixar to be catapulted into the legendary company that it is today.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Death to Smoochy Analysis
The film "Death to Smoochy" directed by Danny DeVito is a very bizarre, yet entertaining film starring Edward Norton, Robin Williams, and Danny DeVito. This dark comedy uses a variety of tools to create an enjoyable film for the audience. The character personality evolutions, outlandish plot scenarios, and real world critiques makes this movie a two thumbs up film.
Throughout the film, many characters go through changes in their personalities and attitudes. This not only makes the characters feel more real, but it makes the viewer love the characters more. The biggest instance of this change occurs with the main character's love interest, Nora. Nora begins the film detesting Edward Norton's character, Shelton, and had nothing but negative things to say to him. Slowly throughout the movie, her character warms up to Shelton's personality and she begins to appreciate all of the things that he does. Her demeanor during their interactions becomes more warm and open. People in the real world go through changes in personality in regards to relating to other people, and this imitation of this fact within the film makes Nora more realistic.
This film's plot is very outlandish and bizarre. Many zany things happen within the film, including Shelton having a family-like relationship with an Irish mafia and Nora's love affairs with a multitude of Children Television hosts. This sets a very interesting mood for the film that has allowed this film to reach cult movie status. Although many dark things happen within this movie, the inclusion of the quirky film parts effectively balances "Death to Smoochy" out to create an enjoyable view.
This film critiques many real world problems. One of the main criticism created by "Death to Smoochy" is the criticism of Capitalism and its effects on society. Within the film, the executives of the television station that Shelton works for tries to increase capitalistic gain by selling cheap products to children and promoting unhealthy foods to this young audience. Shelton fights against these moves and ultimately wins this battle. Because the hero of the movie is fighting against personal profit for the benefit of society, the viewer roots for this stance.
Many things come together to make "Death to Smoochy" a unique watch. Character development, oulandish plot events, and critiques of the real world all come together to create a truly entertaining movie.
Throughout the film, many characters go through changes in their personalities and attitudes. This not only makes the characters feel more real, but it makes the viewer love the characters more. The biggest instance of this change occurs with the main character's love interest, Nora. Nora begins the film detesting Edward Norton's character, Shelton, and had nothing but negative things to say to him. Slowly throughout the movie, her character warms up to Shelton's personality and she begins to appreciate all of the things that he does. Her demeanor during their interactions becomes more warm and open. People in the real world go through changes in personality in regards to relating to other people, and this imitation of this fact within the film makes Nora more realistic.
This film's plot is very outlandish and bizarre. Many zany things happen within the film, including Shelton having a family-like relationship with an Irish mafia and Nora's love affairs with a multitude of Children Television hosts. This sets a very interesting mood for the film that has allowed this film to reach cult movie status. Although many dark things happen within this movie, the inclusion of the quirky film parts effectively balances "Death to Smoochy" out to create an enjoyable view.
This film critiques many real world problems. One of the main criticism created by "Death to Smoochy" is the criticism of Capitalism and its effects on society. Within the film, the executives of the television station that Shelton works for tries to increase capitalistic gain by selling cheap products to children and promoting unhealthy foods to this young audience. Shelton fights against these moves and ultimately wins this battle. Because the hero of the movie is fighting against personal profit for the benefit of society, the viewer roots for this stance.
Many things come together to make "Death to Smoochy" a unique watch. Character development, oulandish plot events, and critiques of the real world all come together to create a truly entertaining movie.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Paranormal Activities Analysis
The film "Paranormal Activities" is perhaps one of the scariest films that I have ever seen. This film focuses on the life of a young couple who encounters very eerie events in their home. They later deduce that they are being haunted by an evil demon. The film utilizes many strategies to create a scary mood that keeps the film viewers on edge. The film utilizes a lack of musical score, conditions viewer expectations, and is a mockumentary. All of these things mix together to create a truly frightening film.
The film lacks a musical score. This keeps the viewer constantly listening for noises from the demon. Every time the demon strikes, a small vibration noise is sounded; because the film lacks any background music, the vibration can happen at anytime. This lack of knowing when the demon will strike causes the viewer to be on edge at all times. This creates a scary mood at all times during the film.
"Paranormal Activities" also conditions viewer expectations to create scary experiences for the viewer. For the first 2/3 of the film, the demon only struck the couple at nighttime while they are asleep. Then, out of left field, the demon starts to attack during the daytime. This throws the viewer off because they are conditioned to be weary of the strikes during the nighttime; then the viewer is scared when something happens unexpectedly. This makes the film so much more scary because of the unexpected nature of the film's scary moments.
This film is a mockumentary. The entire film is shot in the view of a camera that the main character purchased, and it is narrated by the two main characters while they hold the camera. This makes the film seem scarier because the film seems very realistic; I found myself believing that the events on screen were actually recorded footage from actual events. This makes the film scarier because you start to think "this could happen to me too."
The film was amazingly scary. Many things compounded together creates a really frightening mood in this film. The lack of musical score, the conditioning of the viewer's expectations, and the mockumentary style of the film are all added together to create a great film.
The film lacks a musical score. This keeps the viewer constantly listening for noises from the demon. Every time the demon strikes, a small vibration noise is sounded; because the film lacks any background music, the vibration can happen at anytime. This lack of knowing when the demon will strike causes the viewer to be on edge at all times. This creates a scary mood at all times during the film.
"Paranormal Activities" also conditions viewer expectations to create scary experiences for the viewer. For the first 2/3 of the film, the demon only struck the couple at nighttime while they are asleep. Then, out of left field, the demon starts to attack during the daytime. This throws the viewer off because they are conditioned to be weary of the strikes during the nighttime; then the viewer is scared when something happens unexpectedly. This makes the film so much more scary because of the unexpected nature of the film's scary moments.
This film is a mockumentary. The entire film is shot in the view of a camera that the main character purchased, and it is narrated by the two main characters while they hold the camera. This makes the film seem scarier because the film seems very realistic; I found myself believing that the events on screen were actually recorded footage from actual events. This makes the film scarier because you start to think "this could happen to me too."
The film was amazingly scary. Many things compounded together creates a really frightening mood in this film. The lack of musical score, the conditioning of the viewer's expectations, and the mockumentary style of the film are all added together to create a great film.
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