Pulp Fiction Journal 3 Baybay!

Pulp Fiction (Tarantino, 1994) is a classic film and a landmark as one of the top one hundred movies of all time. The style that the movie was shot in is very unique. Tarantino's untouched directing skills and blatent style really set this movie apart from other films. He starts the movie with a shot in a little restaurant that is about to be robbed and then cuts back to where the story begins. He ends the movie back where it started finishing the scene in the restaurant and resolving the moral conflict of one of the main characters, Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson). All aspects of this film are remarkable, but what i think sets this apart are the amazing roles played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.

I feel that these actors were chosen for these roles because they fit the part so well. John Travolta just looks like an old time gangster. He is smooth and relentless. Also he is an amazing dancer. Tarantino puts him in a scene with Uma Therman where they are at a fun old time restaurant and they put on a truely amazing dance in the middle of the room. This is one of my favorite scenes and I think Quentin put this in just to showcase Travolta's slick moves. Jackson on the other hand is a more rough guy. He is also more mature then Travolta in the film and is seen as somewhat of a mentor. He goes through a moral developement as the plot unravels. In the beggining he is a rutheless gangster, killing enemies and taking names. In the end however he overcomes his sinful nature when he feels he was touched by God. A man takes four shots at him point blank and they all seemingly pass right though him and hit the wall behind. This changes him. I think the main reason he was chosen was because he fit so well with Travolta.

Both of these actors have played many different parts in other films. Travolta is maybe a little more versitile as he goes from being a T-Bird in Grease and a goofy father figure in Look Whose Talking to a murderous gangster in Pulp Fiction, but Jackson has also played around with different roles. He has played a basketball coach in Coach Carter where he taught young urban kids how to play the game with sportsmanship and honor. Also he was a scientist in Deep Blue Sea, searching for a cure to Alzhiemers disease. Both of these men are very versitile and accomplished actors.

Westerns

I agree with the point of this article that states "the genre has virtually bit the dust." You don't see any good westerns coming out today unless they are with big stars like Pitt. I think that the genre is just too slow for viewers today who are used to seeing fast car chases and technological advancements taking place on the big screen. I like how the author noted that directors today run into obstacles that weren't present in older westerns. The protected land and lack of open range makes it tough to shoot these films. Also I think that it makes it tough for viewers to imagine. Everyone is so used to looking outside and seeing a 6 lane highway that a simple horseback trail seems unreal. I hope westerns make a comback because they are a big part of American history and people should appreciate that.

Philadelphia

The sound in Philadelphia helps put you into the set with the phone ringing and the construction noise outside. Also you notice when Washington denies Hanks there is silence before the response. Then the nondiegetic music comes in as he leaves. This creates mood and sort of lets you feel Hanks pain.

Magnolia

This seen is from the movie Magnolia directed by Thomas Paul Anderson. It contains much of cast of the amazing Boogie Nights, also a Thomas Anderson film, replacing Mark Walberg with Tom Cruz. The "frogs" seen is one of the intreaging and shocking clips I have seen and I thought you should check it out! (exodus 8:2)

Journal #2 Film Review

Chinatown is a classic film by Roman Polanski that sucks the audience into a twisted plot through the amazing performances of Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. The film is set in 1930 as private investigator J. J. Gittes (Nicholson) attempts to bust a case of adultery, but instead unravels a far more complex issue involving water control in L.A.

The spotlight is set on the greed of men in power and the corruption that tags along with the possition. Probably the best part of this film is Robert Towne's script. Towne molds the characters into place with his witty and ferocious script. Unlike a lot of films, Chinatown puts you into the characters minds. You get a feel for who they are and what they are going through. J.J. Gittes, for example, leads you to through his background as a former cop in chinatown and why he left the force.

The cinematography in Chinatown really puts you in the set. You get all angles of conversation which helps to reveal the thought process of Gittes. He masters problem solving in manipulating public situations.
The music placed in the film guides you on an emotional rollercoaster. It emphasizes suspense and thrill in the movie.

One recurring symbol you'll notice is the mention of Chinatown, the place you find yourself but never want to be in. This symbolizes a few things including Gittes' relationship with Evelyn (Dunaway) in how he really has no idea what hes into along with the whole plot in general. People in the movie constantly comming up to Gittes and telling him that he doesn't know what hes getting into. One last thing worth mentioning about Chinatown is the perfect use of set. All of the different sets guide you through the seens to where you end up in Chinatown.

Chinatown is a fantastic thriller that has stood the test of time. If you liked the Godfather then you should see this film

Journal #1 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a film by Charlie Kaufman and Michel Gondry that strays far from what is known as a normal "Hollywood Film". Jeff Otto, the critic of this film, sees the movie as a demonstration of a relationship that has gone wrong.

Kaufman and Gondry have fired at full force on every cylinder to create a
beautiful, touching and realistic portrayal of a relationship gone awry. By
realistic, I mean the realistic, flawed relationship of Clementine (Kate
Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey), not the memory-erasing plot device.

I couldn't have said it better. This film is a story about the relationship of Clemintine (Winslet) and Joel (Carrey). Joel is an extremely quiet man, a thinker some would say, and Clemintine is outgoing and displays quite bizarre behavior throughout the film. They fall in love, but after a fight Clemintine decides to have her memory erased of her entire relationship with Joel. Joel eventually figures out what has happened and does the same. While the memory erasing process is taking place, though, he decides that he doesn't want to loose his memories of Clemintine. The movie goes back and forth from memory to reality as Joel fights for his loving memories of Clemintine. Jeff Otto sees the story in much of the same light as I do. He enjoys the twisted plot and how in all the surrealism there is still so much that can be related to real life relationships.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a wonderful, thought-provoking film. It
is so rare to see a film that shows real people and their relationships in an
unflinching, honest way.

Another thing I enjoyed on Jeff's critique of this film was his knowledge of the characters and how so much credit was given to their performances. He talks about Jim Carrey and how through his career he has switched back and forth from comedy to drama. "Carrey has never been better." I agree completely with this statement. After seeing many of his comedies from Ace Ventura to Liar Liar you notice a complete twist in style. It takes a great actor to be able to switch from being a complete goof to playing the part of a troubled man with no self confidence.

Jeff also comments on Kaufman's gift for storytelling. I liked this especially because of how original this movie is.

Kaufman breaks the barriers of conventional storytelling, an artist painting
outside the lines.

The movies plot is twisted, but its not so rediculous that you can't follow it. I think Kaufman has definitally shown his talent for storytelling with this film in how there is so much obserdity yet is so easily related to everyday life. All in all I truely enjoed Jeff Otto's critique of this film and couldn't agree with it more. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of the better films I have ever seen and it is nice to see credit given where it is so well deserved.

Favorite Movie ; )

Garden State is a twisted love story between two young adults who are trying to find their own identity. One reason that this falls under the category of my all time favorites is because of the balance of dry humor and interesting conflicts. The characters (Braff and Portman) struggle with internal conflicts rather than the typical obvious external affairs. Also, the film has one of the most original soundtracks I've heard.