Brigadoom

So here's a nice old film that I watched a while ago during a "family movie night" at home. It's kind of interesting to look back at it and notice more behind the scenes type ideas. Like these scene, where I will put a link up, its one of the biggest action actually happens. They are chassing Harry and you see how the producers addeed the music so loud and intese to get the audience on their toes. It's also got a odd ending which I think goes perfect though, with the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPGv3yr3Lpk&feature=related

I Walked With a Zombie

When I first saw I Walked With a Zombie my initial impression was that I really liked all the cinematography and the mood of the film. But when you told us how the sets of the film were all just built on a stage I came to appreciate the film even more. I loved the scene of Jessica and the nurse walking through the cornfields and the makers of the movie did an outstanding job of making it look like a gigantic field being blown by strong winds when really it was all created on a small stage. I found it very impressive that even movies from this long ago are able to amaze and convince its audiences of a false reality.

Calagari's Mise en Scene

Although I had difficulty keeping up with the movie, from the lack of dialogue and information given to the audience, I find that the Mise en Scene for The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari was very appreciable. It was the actual camera and directing that told the story and made us feel a bit on edge. At this time, keep in mind that the director did not move the camera during a cut, therefore the actors and their surroundings had to be perfectly arranged and planned to make each scene disturbing for the audience. The combination of the camera shots, background sets, and positioning of the actors on stage made the film more unsettling than just a black and white silent movie that would put us to sleep. The image above, my favorite shot, is the result of the use of all three Mise en Scene factors. I mean, everyone has to admit that its just plain creepy.

"I Walked with a Zombie": Scarry?

I found the movie to be incredibly entertaining, and was very different to other horror movies that I have seen, even older ones. When I think of clasic zombie movies, I think of things such as "Night of the Living Dead." The somewhat stereotypical zombies are trying to get us. This was much different though. Though I wouldn't describe it as scary, the whole movie had a very creepy vibe to it. I also though it was interesting on how it explored the culture of voodoo, and how different cultures viewed the existence of zombies. One culture sees Jessica Holland as suffering from a medical condition, while the other sees her to be a zombie.

The way that films have been evolving is so amazing. Sometimes I think that films are loosing some of the fundementals that older films had in the earlier days. Like how to to use angles to really force the message the writer/producer is trying to send. I'm not saying all films are lacking of fundementals, but some do.

"The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari" - 1920

The full-length version of this German Expressionist film is your assigned viewing for next week (streamable on Netflix). "Calagari" is considered by many to be the first great horror film. The score for this clip assembly is a modern composition that captures the fear and madness of the original.

"I Walked With a Zombie" - 1943

Sorry about the cancellation of tonight's class. All audio issues will be settled by tomorrow (Thurs.) night. You may attend then if you missed the Wednesday class. I will also show this again before the term is over so everyone will have a chance to see it. Of the nine horror movies Val Lewton produced for RKO Studios in the 1940s,this is my personal favorite. All of them are good, but this is a fine example of what could be done within the studio system for a very low budget. Of course, great writing and direction don't hurt either.