"V for Vendetta" was a film I both enjoyed and disliked. I thought the plot line was skillfully drafted and unique, but I personally didn't like the violence and graphicness of the picture. With that said, I think showing the violence was the most successful way to display the seriousness of the situations and the corrupt, totalitarian government. Natalie Portman did a great job in this film, as well has Hugo Weaving, who had a challenging role of demonstrating his character only from his body movements and voice. The combination of action and a more broad, political theme was well balanced, and the suspenseful plot line kept me interested the entire film.

"Singin' in the Rain" was my favorite in class viewings this semester. To me it had the perfect balance of music, dialog, humor, and conflict. I thought the acting was great and the relationships between the characters Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden was fun to watch develop. The film had a great plot line, and satisfying ending. The musical pieces were very well done, as was the choreography that went along with them. Overall, I thought it was a fun, well made, entertaining movie that I would highly recommend!

I agree with Katie in her post about her favorite films that I liked Kung Fu Hustle the best out of the films we watched in class, mostly because I was pleasantly surprised by the humor, amazing choreography and movement, the suspense, and the creativity of the plot in general. Usually, Kung Fu movies would not be my first choice, but I ended up really enjoying this one.

But my favorite assigned viewing has to be Black Narcissus. Of course, the most amazing part to me was the vibrancy of the colors, unlike anything else I have seen in a film. They really caught the viewers eye and added to the enjoyment of the movie. The suspense in the scene where sister Ruth goes insane is also added to with the lighting and the colors, which I really enjoyed. As such an early film using color, I was really surprised by how well it was done and how much I really did enjoy it. Overall, I think this class has taught me the importance of keeping an open mind, because I was pleasantly surprised by so many movies we watched that I would never choose to watch on my own.

Favorite Movies

Since, it's the last class of the semester, I thought I would share my favorite in-class viewing and assigned viewing. My favorite in-class movie was "Kung-fu Hustle" because I was surprised by how funny and well made it was. When I saw the title, I instantly formed a negative judgement because Kung-fu type movies have never interested or entertained me but in the first five minutes I knew it was going to be a great movie. I laughed the entire time and there was never a boring moment in the film. I would definitely watch this movie over and over again.

My favorite assigned movie was "One Flew Over the Cockoo's Nest". I had already seen it before but the second time it was even better. Jack Nicholson is one of my favorite actors and he is amazing in this roll. Even though the ending disappointed me both times because I was rooting for R.P. and not Nurse Ratched, the movie is entertaining and well made. The characters are well described and you want each one of them to succeed.

We watched some amazing movies this semester but these two were by far my favorite.

Chapter 12- Citizen Kane

In honor of our last chapter which focuses on Citizen Kane I thought I would post this interesting review. It brings up a lot of fascinating viewpoints that aren't obvious after only one viewing. Good luck on the exam tonight!

http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/reviews.php?id=8558

Rashomon

This week we were required to watch the film Rashomon for Western Heritage. At first I thought the film was a little ridiculous, with all of the over exaggerated acting styles, but looking back now I really enjoyed the artistic aspect of the movie. The angles used to highlight certain viewpoints and the overall cinematography was beautiful. I have never seen a black and white film with such breathtaking shots and and such a complex filming technique. I really enjoyed the artistic aspect of the film and recommend that if you watch it to watch for the visuals and not the dialogue.

oh Cittizen Kane......why again.

Personally I feel that this film isnt worthy of being the "finally" of our class. Yes it tells a story and yes it is touching but it is obvious from the get-go what rosebud is and I find it hard to pay attention for an entire movie when you already know the ending and all the stuff in the middle is just a filler.

Citizen Kane

Unfortunately I felt this was one of the worst films I've ever seen, it didn't capture my attention. I believe the camera angles were great as it was the first for many different cinema techniques however, I felt it was slow moving and the content wasn't very interesting. I didn't enjoy how the whole underlying mystery as to what Rosebud meant was really a wooden sledge. I felt there could have been something more interesting then that. Overall i loved the depth of field within the film i felt the clarity of the picture was good. I will never watch it again though.

China Town

I quite enojyed China Town, I felt it had a slow begginning but it picked up pace eventually. I think Jack Nicholson was a great choice of actor for his role as he knows how to conduct himself in many different scenarios. I enjoy the idea of shadowing of Film Noir as it is generally a 'Hollywood crime drama". there are different elements of film noir that we see from the emphasis on cynical attitudes and sexual motivations throughout the film. I enjoy the use of characters features of fully distinguish the mood of each 'personality'. He uses eyes as a window to unveiling the next scene, for example the wide eyed expression on Evelyn Mulways face often sheds light on the mystery that has not yet been uncovered. I enjoy Polanskis use of time jump and it really creates an intense atmosphere for the viewer. You see the great use of time jump when Nicholson puts the clock under the wheel of a suspect. It then jumps to the shattered glass with the time in which the suspect left fixed on the screen. Then Nicholson says 'Jesus he was there all night!' which unravels another mystery.

V for Vendetta

I think V for Vendetta was a great film. i feel the cinematography was great as it capture the true essence of each character. I watched this film when I was younger and watched it again only to realize there was so much i wasn't aware of in the film. I enjoy the fact that it is based in London (as that where I'm from). The phrase 'remember remember the 5t of November' is a commonly known phrase in England and I don't think the film thoroughly explained what it symbolizes. The story line is interesting and upbeat, there are many twists in the story as the character relationship unfolds. The drama is of a high pace and is always moving. I love the soundtrack to the film as i feel it really captures the intensity of the acting as well as the lighting. There is a constant darkening to the scenes to reflect evil which i feel is so cleverly done.

The Bicycle Thief

Hey Guys. Here is a really fascinating article on The Bicycle Thief. It talks about the Italian neorealism of the moive and it also talks a little about the director. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990319/REVIEWS08/903190306/1023

V for Vendetta

I really enjoyed watching V for Vendetta as the movie had similar elements of George Orwell's 1984 and Batman. I liked the use of the character V who brought good action and elements of mystery through his Guy Fawkes mask. It was very interesting to see a somewhat modern take on the 1984 concept and introducing a character who fights for justice.

Movies

Whats interesting about this film class is that there are many great films of different genres of movies. I just wish that there was at least one good sports movies in the pile. Does anyone know of a good sports movie to watch?

My Thoughts on V for Vendetta

I truly enjoyed watching V for Vendetta a couple of weeks ago. For some reason, I had not seen that movie since it first came out on DVD. I have to say, it was definitely a different experience seeing it again now that I am older. It's hard to believe how much a person can change and mature in just the course of a few years. I felt that I could relate to the movie easier this time, because I have become a lot more knowledgeable of government and politics over the past few years. I also felt that the timing of this particular viewing couldn't have been at a better time: the day before I had heard for the first time about the government potentially passing that bill that would give them the ability to censor anything on the Internet. Let's just hope that the U.S. doesn't become like what it was in England in V for Vendetta!

V For Vendetta

I really enjoyed watching this movie. I had never seen it before and I had heard so much about it. I thought it was really well done. It was interesting to see a movie in a different perspective from other side.

Immortals

This past weekend I went to go see the movie Immortals, a story of the struggle to maintain the balance between Greek gods and the mortals below them. The main character, Theseus, is a peasant bastard living in a costal village in ancient Greece, who is thrust into a power struggle between the gods and King Hyperion (played by Mickey Rourke) on his quest to set the Titans free. This is filmed in a way that mimics 300, with a lot of sepia and shirtless men and has the same amount of blood and angry yelling. Personally, I didn't like the movie, it was pretty predictable and had a somewhat bland story line that didn't really keep me interested. I think my opinion isn't the majority, seeing as the people I went with loved it so if you're thinking about seeing Immortals check it out, you might like it, you might not.

I had previously seen V for Vendetta a few times before we watched it in class. The first time i watched it was with my mother and she had read the novel it was based on. I live in Britain, i was born in 1990 so i missed thatchers conservative government of the 80's that this was in response too. I remember both my parents had such disdain for that government and both enjoyed the film. As mentioned in class you have got to be impressed by the acting behind the mask, the movements and gestures mimic the voice recording perfectly. I am curious how many takes it took to get some of those scenes perfect?

The film is culturally relevant right now, at a time in our lives where there is a lot of social movement and attempts to facilitate a lot of social change. V for Vendetta will have been have very poignant film for anyone who was involved in the XL protest or Occupy Movements.

To finish i just think V is a tremendous film and i am glad we got to watch it.

V for vendetta

This movie is one of, if not my favorite movie of all time. It is movies like this that are the reason every movie I watch, I truly watch with undivided attention. Some people watch movies purely for entertainment, but early in my life I learned that they can be much more then that. Movies can teach us things about society, ideas, and even ourselves. Whenever I watch a movie I look for 3 things: a good cast, good ideas, and a good plot. in order for me to truly consider it a good movie it must have all 3. This does not mean that these are the only types of movies that I enjoy, but it does mean that I won't truly appreciate it as a work of art unless all 3 are present--This is why I liked v for vendetta so much; All 3 things were so obviously present that every time I watch it (which is frequently) I am completely engaged in it even though I know what is coming next. A films ability to completely engage it's audience even though they know what happens is in my opinion what defines a great film.

Screenplay of V for Vendetta

One of the great novels of the last few decades was Alan Moore's classic V for Vendetta. The novel itself is not about false flags or the media's role in public thought. Moore fiercely defends his work and opposes the changes cinema has made to his stories. However, the adjustments made to "Vendetta" have added new depth to Moore's work. After rereading the novel last week, I can affirm that the changes made add new depth. The modernization of the film regarding September 11th and the Iraq War bring the story to the present. Also the intense focus on the media's role in daily life is expanded and examined throiugh the film; accidentally skewering punditry and political speeches. Added in is the timeless line "we don't make up the news, that's the government's job."

V for Vendetta

I really enjoyed watching the film V for Vendetta and I thought the timing of the showing was perfect. We are in the midst of the Occupy movement and many of us just participated in the Keystone XL Pipeline protest in D.C.. The themes that I took away from the film were anarchy, revolution, social justice, and corrupt politics. At the end of the film, thousands of people rush the town wearing V masks. All the people had different stories and reasons for wanting to stand up to the government, but they all came together nonetheless. This reminded me of the Occupy movements. When I attended the movement in Savannah some people were actually wearing the V masks. I thought it was interesting how V was meant to represent everyone in the story, and even everyone in general. The character development of Natalie Portman's character was also extremely powerful and helped kept the story intriguing. I really enjoyed the underlying message of V for Vendetta and think we saw it at the perfect time in our generation's effort to stick up for ourselves above our government and fight for change.

Chinatown Trivia

Loved the viewing of Chinatown. Here are some fun trivia facts from IMDb about the movie.

Jake Gittes was named after Jack Nicholson's friend, producer Harry Gittes.

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #21 Greatest Movie of All Time.

The role of Evelyn Mulwray was originally intended for the producer's wife, Ali MacGraw, but she lost the role when she divorced him for Steve McQueen.

The scene where Roman Polanski slits Jack Nicholson's nose was extremely complex to film, and the two men involved got so tired of explaining how it was done (by using a specially-constructed knife with a short hinge that would be safe as long as it was handled VERY carefully) that they began to claim Nicholson's nose was actually cut.

The movie's line "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown." was voted as the #74 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100).

Chinatown

I really enjoyed watching Jack Nicholson in Chinatown. I really liked him as the Joker in Batman and how he really committed to the part. In this movie felt he did the same thing and really committed to the part of J.J. Gittes. It seems no matter what role he plays he fully commits to it. As well as the part of R.P. in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

further horror recommendations

Yeah, it's a little past Halloween but I saw a few of you posting about "scary movies". I would highly recommend getting your hands on a copy of Dario Argento's "Suspiria". Visually, it's one of the most distinct films in the horror genre I've ever seen (possibly in any genre). The score is by a band called Goblin (is there a more perfect name?) and is simply unlike anything I've ever heard in a film.

There's also some other gems out there that are just outright creepy and/or disturbing that don't have to resort to cheap torture scenes like the Saw, Final Destination, or Hostel series. Try the original "Last House on the Left" (Ada Washington as the chicken lady!). Lucio Fulci's "Zombi" has a classic underwater scene where a zombie battles a shark for crying out loud!

For some campy fun and amazing makeup and special effects done on a shoestring budget I'd highly recommend the original Evil Dead. There are a million and one "special editions" as it has gained quite a cult following over the years.

Film Suggestion.

I recently re-watched a film i had seen quite a number of years ago. The film is titled ''Trainspotting'' some of you may have heard of it before. It is a British film from 1996, it depicts the journey through life of a group of loosely connected, heroin addicted friends who live in the economically depressed Edinburgh.

The film can be quite graphic in its depictions of drug taking but i highly recommend it, it has won numerous awards and is one of my favorite films ever. I have attached the trailer so you guy can get an idea before deciding to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvLvLmzYUwg

Enjoy!!

Twentieth Century

I really enjoyed this movie especially Jaffe, I thought it was really interesting to see how he built up Lily and then she ends up leaving him for Hollywood. Watching him crumble and then trying to find her again. The rise and fall of the director was interesting to watch as well rise of Lily

Scary Movies to watch

There's some good scary movies that aren't the best but I guess worth watching.

Let The Right One In, Silent Hill, The Ruins, Grudge, The Hills Have Eyes, The Saw series.

Those are only some of the ones I have heard of, but I can't tell you if they are any good because I don't watch that many scary movies.

HALLOWEEN

Trying to get into the halloween spirit me and some friends were looking through the horror movies that netflix has to offer. We are having some trouble finding ones that look good and that we haven't already seen. Anybody know any good ones that are streamable?

I thoroughly enjoyed watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for homework this week. The acting and character development was incredible and the film successfully evoked many emotions within me. I thought it raised a lot of interesting ethical questions about how to go about "treating" the mentally ill. I liked how McMurphy wanted all the men in the ward to experience the real world by taking them fishing, getting them drunk/laid, and trying to show them a baseball game. I agree that simply throwing these people into the real world and the mainstream way of life can have a positive affect on their mental illness.

The film also reminded me of one of my favorite movies, It's Kind of A Funny Story. Also based on a book, this film involves a suicidal teenager who checks himself into a mental hospital. The characters he encounters and the progress they make throughout the movie are very similar. They even reference OFOTCK which I was not aware of until watching a particular scene. If you enjoyed this week's film definitely check out It's Kind of a Funny Story. It's a bit more comedic, modern, and quirky, but still an excellent movie.

All About Eve's Obsession with Margo

Wow All About Eve. Where to start.....Eve is creepy to say the least. I know that there are a lot of genuinely kind people in this world but some of them just cannot be trusted, Eve is one of them. Eve is slowly stealing Margo's life. Eve causes the downward spiral of Margo's self confidence and it slowly drives her crazy, she gives up on life and doesnt trust people. Overall Eve is just plain obsessed with Margo and he life. Margo's life is just slowly slipping about and falling into Eve's lap. Oh and I recently saw Good Will Hunting and I highly suggest it for anyone who liked the film Saving Private Ryan or Erin Brockovitch :)

Marlon Brando

If you liked Marlon Brando in Down on the Waterfront, Check out some of the other great movies he has been in.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000008/

Saw

So on friday my friend went to Paranormal Activity 3 and when he got back we had a long conversation about horror movies... I told him how I really liked the Saw movies ( I've only seen the first 3 so far) and he said that was ridiculous cause all they are is blood and gore. But for some reason I was intrigued by the plot and I loved the twists that the first 2 movies had. I haven't found many people that agree with me that these movies are at least decent, what do you all think? I know there is a lot of sick stuff in them but once I got over that I really liked the unexpected endings.

"But I tried, didn't I, God Dammit. At least I did that."

I read Ken Kesey's book in high school and have seen the movie before, but never appreciated the acting until I was told to do so, which is a shame. All of those actors made the performance of their lives and I can't believe I didn't notice it until now. Jack Nicholson played the ideal R.P. McMurphy that Kesey described in his novel; full of life, and freedom and wisdom (hence my favorite quote above) even though crude and violent at times. Most of the actors we see today in various films also made the cast of crazies phenomenal, like Christopher Lloyd and Danny DeVito. Although not crazy in life, they did an excellent job pretending to be. Not only was the acting spot on and made the movie amazing, but One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest is one of my favorite movies. I love the theme of one sane man showing what it is truly like to live and feel freedom under the oppression of (arguably) one of the most evil villains ever created in human history, Nurse Ratched. Although the movie was mostly heart-warming, the ending still is a heavy hitter as one of the darkest endings I have yet to see in flim. I love this movie and the acting from all of the cast members, from the wild antics of R.P. McMurphy, to the bitchy smirk of Nurse Ratched, made it all the better.

On The Waterfront

What a great old school gangster movie - i love that era that it portrays when the mob ran riot! I think black and white really gives those types of film an edge on more modern creations. As far as the acting, i could hardly believe that guy was Marlon Brando i must admit i haven't seen many of his films but he was brilliant, i understand why this movie was chosen for the acting category. Additionally i did not recognized the actor but whoever played the priest was also a very powerful actor playing an equally powerful role!

All in all great film!

Horror Fans

Hey Guys,

For all you horror fans out there I thought I would give a little fun. They might not all be wonderfully filmed or directed but they are most certainly scary.

http://movies.msn.com/paralleluniverse/50-scariest-movies/photo-gallery/feature/?gt1=28101

For those of you who liked "On the Waterfront" I'd recommend checking out some of the involved actors other films as well. Karl Malden (Father Barry) had a long run and impressive career and has a large selection of films to choose from. One of my favorite films of all-time is Sidney Lumet's "12 Angry Men" which has Lee J. Cobb (Johnny Friendly) playing a hothead once again. Much like this film there is a slew of terrific actors in 12 Angry Men. You have a young Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Ed Begley, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, E.G. Marshall, etc.
If you don't immediately recognize some of the names look them up and I guarantee you've seen some of their other films.

Something Cool About Citizen Kane

As I was studying up for today's midterm exam, I came across an interesting factoid while reading about the different kinds of focus. Citizen Kane was Orson Wells' first venture into motion pictures, and it is often said that the film really made Wells love film. As a newcomber to film production, Wells knew nothing about film making, or the deep focus that made the film so memorable. Wells said that all of the innovative film making strategies that he developed came from ignorance of film altogether. In other words, because Wells was trying to develop his own way, he was able to produce new techniques because he did not know what had and had not been done, as well as what strategies were effective/not effective. As we all saw on the first day of class, these strategies were all extremely effective.

The Wizard of Oz

An old film I wanted to watch today is The Wizard of Oz! It's a great film to watch regarding to lighting, colors, sound and designing of the set. It's amazing how people come up with such imagination. Especially the clothing the actors wear and the make up and just imagine how much they have to work on because it's an old film with not that much technology like today and how good it turned out. I'm not a fan of the songs as much as some might be, but I do like a good musical like Singing in the Rain. Only in the past few years have I really gotten into musicals with my family. I can't remember when I first saw The Wizard of Oz but it is a great film to wath once in a while when you are feeling in that magical mood.

13 Assassins

I was really excited to watch 13 Assassin a lot of my friends back home really liked this movie and hadn't seen it yet. All of the action scenes were really well done and it exceeded my expectations even from what my friends told me.

Singing In The Rain

After we watched Singing In The Rain I talked to my mom about it the next day. She remembered watching the movie as a child. She remembered all of the characters in the movie when I talked about them. It was interesting to hear her talk about a movie that came out when she was a child and compare them to movies that are coming out now.

Win Win

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lixOX9bajIc&feature=related
I rented the movie 'Win Win' the other night starring Paul Giamatti. I recommend this movie to everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminds me a lot of the Blindside but with less hype. Paul Giamatti does an incredible job as always. It has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes as well so I'm not the only one who liked it I guess. Check it out.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

A student just informed me that "The Conversation" is no longer available for streaming. If so, disregard this weeks viewing assignment. Also, there will be no question involving this film on the Mid-Term Exam. See you in class.
Best regards, Tom H.

Singing in the rain

One would think an old movie, would not entertain one. I shall agree with that, but singing the rain proved me wrong. I found myself humming the song, and skipping merrily back to my dorm with a lot of energy strangely. I thought the movie was very well filmed for it's age and I loved the colors and dancing. I wish I could possess such talent. So needless to say I was proven wrong and singing in the rain actually made me want to sing in the rain and be happy. who would've thought?

Singing in the Rain and Magic Mike

I really enjoyed Singing in the Rain. I felt it was very well done as well as very entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the dancing and singing numbers, although I suppose that was the point since it was a musical!

On a side note, apparently they are currently filming a movie called Magic Mike with Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey in the St. Pete area. I had heard they were at the Don Cesar for a bit, but they're supposed to be filming on the Pinellas Bayway Bridge today and/or tomorrow. Maybe one of us will run into them this weekend!

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/channing-tatum-stripper-movie-magic-mike-begins-filming-on-sunset-beach/1196113

"Singin' in the rain". Let me tell you it was the funniest movie I have seen in a while. I loved the comedy love triangle esque theme. I just loved how Hollywood turned around and made fun of their silent actors. Im going to start babbling on and on so Im just going to end it here and just say one more time that i loved loved loved this movie :)

Is The Conversation streamable on Netflix??

Editing documentary

I became interested in the making of movies when I took a video editing class in 7th grade. I knew editing was important, but after watching the documentary last wednesday it has completely changed my view of it. One quote that really got to me is when the director of a movie (forgot which movie) said that after writing and filming the movie he was so excited to get it in the editing room so that he could finally make the movie. I always thought that when the movie was being filmed the director and editor already knew exactly how every scene was going to be edited. Apparently this was completely incorrect.

"For a Spoonful of Borscht"

Whoa. 1926. The editing cuts and the camera shots almost seemed modern. I can see why Soviet Montage is such a subject of discussion in film studies. As I read the chapter in our book, I understood that older silent movies had very little camera movements and long shots. This 1926 film with its camera shots and the famous editing cuts as seen in the Odessa Steps sequence really were phenomenal and way ahead of its time (of course being that of a different style which would become a of editing style used today). There were a lot of scenes that really stood out beside the most cliched Odessa Steps sequence where I really admired the editing. The scenes of the bowl of borscht and the scene of the sailor smashing the plate were great examples of D. W. Griffith's style of editing. Instead of shooting a long, boring shot. The film was edited to include bits of other shots to interrupt the main concentration. The plate scene, as I recall, also made an attempt to be a continuous edit but with the interruption of a close up of the sailors hand wielding the plate. Although there were a few flaws, the uniqueness of the editing in this film really was impressive and explains Battleship Potemkin's reputation of being a groundbreaking film.

13 Assassins Reflection

After watching this film I couldn't help but wonder why I haven't seen it sooner. I'm glad it was assigned to our list because it was an all around great film. The fact that it was based on a true incident made it even more interesting. For this reason I plan on watching the original 1963 black and white version. The only flaw I feel was in character development. It was hard to remember each characters role in the intricate storyline. Otherwise I loved the film, as did the group of friends I watched it with.

film editing, michael cody

I watch a bunch of films, but I dont know much about the production of films, specifically editing. I did not realize how much work it takes. A good amount of film has to be gone through, cut out or moved, and often times this process is repeated several times. This must be a frustrating part of film making for the film maker because I doubt any film maker wants to really cut anything out of the original film. New technology must make the process easier than it was back in the day and I beleive that while editing will still be tedious, newer technology might make it easier.

Movie Editors

I really enjoyed watching the movie about film editors because it completely changed how I will watch movies in the future. I never realized how heavily the entire project relies on the work of its editors. The editing process is more than just throwing a bunch of clips together, but rather it is an art of directing the audience's attention paying strong attention to timing, fluidity, and motion. When I watch movies now I will pay much more attention to how many shots are incorporated into each scene as well as the timing of the scene changes. The career appeals to me because of how much control an editor can have both artistically and technically. I found it interesting how the editor is the one who spends the most one-on-one time with the film's director and how their relationship has a great effect on the end product.

hope this works

Top 10 Best Film Editing Sequences

Found this article on the some of the most excellent film editing sequences throughout the years and how film editing has changed. I found it a pretty interesting read:

http://www.filmsite.org/bestfilmediting.html

I also found this article on film editing and the Oscars in The New York Times archives:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/movies/awardsseason/06harr.html

Top 100 Movies.

Firstly, i have to say i don't particularly like Kung-Fu movies and did not know what to expect with Kung-Fu hustle but i really enjoyed it. I liked the seriousness of parts mixed with cartoon elements. The looney toons comparison in class was perfect!

I found this link while i was ''stumbling'', it is a list of what are considered the top 100 movies complete with brief plot description, memorable moments, why people love the movie, best quotes and screenshot. Many of the movies were mentioned as peoples favorites in class and 1 or 2 i think we are actually watching - Citizen Kane is on there. Anyway check it out....

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/AUqBAs/www.lifed.com/top-100-best-movies-of-all-time

I just finished 13 Assassins and it was really good for a Samaria movie. Personally I am not too fond of Samaria movies, mostly because i feel that the idea is really over done, but it held my attention and the action scenes were really awesome but honestly I dont think ill ever be a huge fan of action movies. But that's just me. I think the fights scenes were more believable than most and that if you are an action fan this film is a must.

13 Assassins

I just finished watching 13 assassins. I thought the story line was really entertaining and always moving in a direction. With some bloody action movies the story gets lost in the fighting and the movie itself suffers. Even in the final battle scene there was a direction. The way the camera moved inside the village really made it seem like an unescapable maze. Then when the lord and his three body guards finally walk out into the open it really felt like a whole other world. Even the last shot when the final samurai is walking away from the village and the last walkway crumbles and falls behind him, it was like a literal closure to that part of his life.

13 Assassins' Movement

First of all, before watching this movie, for some reason, I had conceived the notion that 13 Assassins was not going to be entertaining. I thought it was going to be another martial art movie with the same old story. But once the action started picking up, I found myself exclaiming to my roommate: "Holy ?#@% ! This is really good!" But, relating back to the theme of movement, any time a samurai would unsheathe his sword, there were excellent camera shots that added to the more detailed movement that really would hit an audience hard and connect them deeper to the characters or the story; specifically the opening suicide scene. With a close up shot of the man, never revealing any knife or blood, the slightest movement of his shoulders or body made me wince. The close up amplified the brutality, even though most of the action was not visible. To make me wince, only showing the bare minimum of a suicide, is quite a skill possessed by the director. The way that the camera showed some details and hid the others throughout the movie would cause any slight sword motion to make anyone in the audience say "Holy ?#@% !"

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari Reflection.

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, in my opinion, was a great film. The shots were taken in such a way that the viewer feels a sense of being uneased, uncomfortable, and maybe even claustrophobic. One of the most interesting aspects to me was that of the dialogue boxes. They had a cartoon like back round, which complemented the cartoon like set the film had. In fact, the whole movie seemed to have a sense of choppy cartoon style animation, which made it such an interesting horror film to me.

Rewatching Kung Fu Hustle

Tonight we watched Kung Fu Hustle in class. I'd seen it before maybe five years ago so I didn't remember much about it. I only remember that I didn't like it that much the first time. I found it a bit weird and I didn't like the acting at all.

This time I was able to appreciate all the choreography and camera work more, but I still think some of the fight scenes were a bit over the top at some points. I liked the humour most of the time but at some points it didn't work on me at all. I still found some of the acting a bit weird, but that might be because I'm used to the "Hollywood" way of acting. All in all, I think the film was a great example of how movement can be portrayed in films. The fighting scenes are definitely one of the most skillfully created scenes in martial arts action movies. I prefer more realistic scenes, but combining real martial arts with CGI requires, without a doubt, as much (or even more) skill as shooting "traditional" martial arts scenes.

I walked with a zombie cinematography

I really liked the way that I walked with a Zombie was shot. The whole movie was pretty basic, but with the right camera angles and lighting, the cinematographer could make the dullest scene like inside a bedroom seem like alot more than what it was. The use of shadows and darkness over some of the charachters faces added alot to the feeling of dread when that tall black gaurd came looking for the plantation owners wife.

Cabinet of Dr Caligari 1920

Dr Caligari has really wonderful sets that add to the surreal quality of the film and evoke a sort of eeriness that would not have been as powerful without them. The painted on shadows create a patchiness to the scenes as though, even indoors and during the day, they are foreshadowing some kind of danger for the characters. On another level it also implies that the "reality" of the action is not, in fact, reality, but a dream conjured up by the main character. The windows and doors are not rectangular and are so surreal that watching the movie is similar to a tour through the Dali museum. This surreality makes the viewer think. Is the whole story true, or is the main character actually insane and his whole tale is the delusion he lives in, like Shutter Island? One of the best aspects is that it leaves this question unanswered. We have the choice whether to believe in the Director, or Dr Caligari.

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.

Interesting facts about Black Narcissus

Here are some interesting facts about the movie from IMDb.


1.The much admired Himalayan scenery was all created in the studio (with glass shots and hanging miniatures).

2.The backdrops were blown-up black and white photographs. The art department then gave them their breathtaking colors by using pastel chalks on top of them.

3.Because of the Technicolor camera and film stock, the sets needed an astounding 800 foot-candles (8,600 lux) of illuminance just to operate at T2.8, which was the widest lens aperture setting.

4.Jack Cardiff said that the lighting and color palette of this film was inspired by the works of 17th-century Dutch painter Vermeer.

5.Jack Cardiff came up with the idea of starting the rainfall end scene by first having a few drops hit the rhubarb leaves before cueing a full-force rainstorm. He personally created the first drops with water from a cup when the scene was shot. Michael Powell was so pleased with the effect that he decided to make the scene, originally the penultimate one, the closing shot. Cardiff, however, was a great fan of the original scene (which had already been shot) that was supposed to follow this one and close the film. To this day Cardiff amusingly calls the opening drops of the rainfall "the worst idea I ever had".

Black Narcisus....Good or evil

I completely agree. The cinematography is amazing in this film and truly does aid the development of the characters throughout the film. Outside of the cinematography the movie didnt hold my attention too well and the storyline was in my opinion lacking and a bit slow.

Cinematography in "Black Narcissus"

Okay, the first thing that jumped out at me watching Black Narcissus was the cinematography used to portray the character, Sister Ruth. For those who have seen the movie already know what I am about to say. The cinematographers style for portraying Sister Ruth is incredible. You see Sister Ruth transform from the white, pure nun to the dark, haggard, psychopathic killer toward the end, mostly aided by the use of cinematography. For example, the scene where Sister Clodagh and Sister Ruth have a serious conversation about leaving the convent. Sister Clodagh, notably in her white robes, is placed in front of the window with sun shining through so bright, that it occasionally over-exposing the camera. This probably represents her true purity. However, Sister Ruth is placed in front of a smaller window with the light beginning to fade in the dark room, representing her movement away from the convent community. As her metamorphosis goes on, she is repeatedly put in dark places, with dark clothing, decorated with evil, sometimes scary looking makeup, all of which use the skill of cinematography to its fullest manipulation. Not a bad movie for a bunch of nuns....

Film Suggestion.

I went to the movies last night and watched the film ''Drive'' it stars Ryan Gosling and Albert Brooks. I had a few choice of different movies when i went but chose Drive because it has had a very positive critical reception. I still don't know really what to make of it as a movie whether i like it or not it was very unusually directed and shot but the acting from Gosling (although there was not much dialogue at all) i thought was very good. Director Winding Refn won the Best Director Award at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival for Drive.

I have attached a link to the trailer - as i said i am still not sure if i like it, but i would encourage people to see it, just because it is unusual and different to most recent film releases.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAc23x2JJG0

I thought Citizen Kane was such a good movie. Personally, I usually get bored with black and white movies but this movie drew me in from the very beginning. You really get to know Kane and all of his flaws. This movie is very different from other movies from its time.

first time blogging

not really sure what I'm supposed to say, but I thought that citizen cane was an excellent movie. the use of actors that had never been in a major production before, I thought added to how natural the movie felt. The movie also gave a sense, towards the end, of how cane had become so powerful but still could not keep the love of the people he cared about.

Martin Scorsese on "Citizen Kane"

Thought this was pretty cool:

How one of the most famous directors of today received his inspiration to direct movies from the groundbreaking work of the young Orson Welles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Uh0fkrwIE&feature=grec_index

Critical Review of Citizen Kane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiS-E-u9M6A&feature=fvst

Interesting film review of the film I found helpful....reviews the theme of isolation within the character of Kane

Citizen Kane - Trailer.

I found this on youtube claims it is the original trailer for Citizen Kane - interesting thought to see how much film trailers have developed since the 1940's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXIr1P9Fm5A

$60,000 for Rosebud sled?

Take a look to see who purchased the Rosebud sled.

http://b93radio.com/blogs/post/cmckenzie/2011/may/04/10-most-ridiculous-celebrity-purchases-all-time/

ORSON WELLES - WAR OF THE WORLDS

Here is an older Welles talking about the 1938 radio broadcast that landed him on the cover of Time Magazine and turned Hollywood's attention toward him.

SYLLABUS - FALL 2011

Elements of Film
Fall 2011
Tom Hammond

This course is an introduction to film analysis and criticism. Being able to identify and interpret the various components of a film is vital to understanding the most important and influential art form of the last century and this one as well. We will watch films and clips in class. You will be assigned feature-length films to watch as homework as well as readings from the required text. There will be a class blog for you to participate in and an individual project.

Class Blog: http://filmelements.blogspot.com. You will be invited to post on this website.

Instructors Contact Information – phone: 813-900-4759, email: hammontm@eckerd.edu or thammond1946@yahoo.com
Face to face meetings can be arranged before or after class.

Required Text:

Louis Giannetti, “Understanding Movies”

Netflix – A monthly subscription is a good idea for the semester. All assigned movies are “streamable” on Netflix. It costs $8 per month and the first month is usually free. You can obtain all the films at the library, but availability might be a problem with 25 students and a limited number of copies on hand. You can rent or buy, but Netflix is easily the most convenient and affordable method. If you subscribe and for an extra $7, you can receive the films by mail as well as streaming. Turnaround is 2-3 days.

Course Requirements and Grading:

• Attendance & Participation 20% of grade
• Contribution to Class Blog 20% of grade
• Midterm & Final Exam 40% of grade
• Final Project 20% of grade
• Extra Credit Project (+10% of grade)

Attendance & Participation – Every class covers a component of film history, theory and criticism vital to your overall understanding of the subject. If you can’t avoid missing a class, let me know in advance. Any pattern of absence or chronic lateness will be noted and will adversely impact your final grade. Speak up in class. If that is difficult for you, bring in something that will inspire discussion.


The Class Blog – You will be invited to author on the blog. You can make comments on existing posts, post photos, videos or your own writing. You can add links and suggested readings and viewings as well. The Blog is a component of participation. Contributing to it will generate interest in the class and good grades for you.

Mid-Term & Final Exams – You are responsible for knowing the content of the assigned readings, and being familiar with class and required outside viewings. The exams will be a combination of objective and short answer questions.

Final Project – Here are the guidelines for the final project:

• You will create a visual essay that will either tell a story or make a point.
• It will consist of twelve (12) photographs taken by you. No more, no less.
• You may use sound, but only music. No dialogue, narration or sound effects.
• No text unless it naturally occurs in the photo (street signs, etc.).
• Project to be submitted on a disc and presented as a projection to the class.
• Submit a short paper (1-2 pages) explaining the project and pertinent details about the photos.
We will be viewing these projects during the last two weeks of class. Try to incorporate as many of the concepts that we learned about during the semester. You will show your project first without comment. A class critique will follow along with a second viewing. Be prepared to discuss the details of your choices and your process in putting the project together.
If you wish to do this assignment as a video rather than still images, talk to me about the possible guidelines.

Extra Credit – You can keep a journal of films you view outside the requirements of class. You should choose from movies that are mentioned or illustrated in the text book. Write a paragraph or more for each entry explaining how this film relates to the subjects we are studying in class along with a personal opinion. Turn in your work before the end of the semester in organized and printed form.

Academic Integrity – If you use an idea from another source, you can quote it or paraphrase it, but please CITE IT. Failure to do so will be a violation of the Honor Code.

The Eckerd College Honor Code: “On my honor, as an Eckerd College student, I pledge not to lie, cheat or steal, nor to tolerate these behaviors in others.”

To affirm this, you will write, “Pledged” followed by your signature on all assignments, papers and exams.


Assignment Schedule:

• All readings are chapters in the required text, “Understanding Movies” by Louis Gannetti.
• Assigned Viewings are films you are required to see outside of class (all “streamable” on Netflix).
• In class we will watch feature films, scenes and clips from various movies and documentary material on filmmaking. Much of this will also be posted on the Blog for your further study.

Week 1: Introduction
Introduction of students and professor
Review of syllabus
In-class viewing: “Citizen Kane”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 1

Week 2: Photography
Lecture: Cinematography
In-class viewing: “Visions of Light”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 2
Assigned viewing: “Black Narcissus”

Week 3: Mise en Scene
Lecture: Mise en Scene
In-class viewing: “I Walked With a Zombie”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 3
Assigned viewing: “The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari” (1920)

Week 4: Movement
Lecture: Cinematic Movement
In-class viewing: “Kung Fu Hustle”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 4
Assigned viewing: “13 Assassins”

Week 5: Editing
Lecture: Film Editing
In-class viewing: “The Cutting Edge”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 5
Assigned Viewing: “Battleship Potemkin”

Week 6: Sound
Lecture: Film Sound
In-class viewing: “Singin’ in the Rain”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 6
Assigned viewing: “The Conversation”

Week 7: Acting – MIDTERM EXAM
Lecture: Film Acting
In-class viewing: “On the Waterfront”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 7
Assigned viewing: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Week 8: Drama
Lecture: Drama
In-class viewing: “Twentieth Century”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 8
Assigned viewing: “All About Eve”

Week 9: Story
Lecture: Storytelling
In-class viewing: “8 ½”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 9
Assigned viewing: “High Noon”

Week 10: Writing
Lecture: Screenwriting
In-class viewing: “Chinatown”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 10
Assigned viewing: “The Grapes of Wrath”

Week 11: Ideology
Lecture: Theme
In-class viewing: “V for Vendetta”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 11
Assigned viewing: “To Be Or Not To Be” (1942)

Week 12: Theory
Lecture: Film Theory & Criticism
In-class viewing: “The Bicycle Thief”
Assigned reading: Giannetti, Chapter 12
Assigned viewing: “Blue Velvet”

Week 13: Thanksgiving – no class

Week 14: Synthesis – FINAL EXAM
Lecture: Re-viewing “Citizen Kane”
In-class viewing: “Citizen Kane
Individual Project Presentations due


EMERGENCY INFORMATION

In the event of an emergency or campus shutdown, class work will continue online at:

www.filmelements.blogspot.com

You will be invited to contribute as a blog correspondent at the beginning of the semester. This is part of the participation segment of your grade and the location for all information if class can’t be held as scheduled. Assignments will be posted there as well as suggested readings. Video lectures will be available if a shutdown continues for more than one week. Under those circumstances, you may also post any written assignments on the blog or send them to my email at:

hammontm@eckerd.edu or thammond1946@yahoo.com

You can contact me by phone at: 813-900-4759

Be sure to review the school handout on procedure in the event of a hurricane.


ELEMENTS OF FILM – REQUIRED VIEWINGS
“The Cabinet of Dr. Calagari” – 1920
“Battleship Potemkin” – 1925
“Twentieth Century” – 1934
“The Grapes of Wrath” – 1940
“Citizen Kane” – 1941
“To Be Or Not To Be” – 1942
“I Walked With a Zombie” – 1943
“Black Narcissus” – 1947
“The Bicycle Thief” - 1948
“All About Eve” – 1950
“Singin’ in the Rain” - 1951
“High Noon” – 1952
“On the Waterfront” – 1954
“8 ½” – 1963
“Chinatown” – 1974
“The Conversation” – 1974
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” – 1975
“Blue Velvet” – 1986
“Visions of Light” – 1992
“The Cutting Edge” – 2004
“Kung Fu Hustle” – 2004
“V For Vendetta” – 2006
“13 Assassins” - 2010

SANTA SANGRE

Writer-director Alejandro Jodorowsky does not subscribe to the ideologies of conventional cinema. Boy rarely gets girl, there's no such thing as happily ever after, and plot is secondary to mood. His idiosyncratic films chart a course that few other filmmakers would dare navigate; the Chilean-born auteur first made his mark with 1970's El Topo, a surreal mash-up of mystic Western, philosophical tract and drug-fueled surrealism. Championed by the likes of John Lennon and his business partner, Allen Klein, Jodorowsky acquired funding to create 1973's The Holy Mountain, an even more outré work primarily concerned with metaphysical matters. As with his two previous, best-known works, Santa Sangre blends many disparate ingredients into its intoxicating cinematic stew, creating a remarkable work that provides some truly indelible images. Santa Sangre, just as with other Jodorowsky films, is not for everyone, but for those who place themselves in his capable hands, they will experience the outer limits of cinema's possibilities. Highly recommended.

Movie Quiz!

Check out this movie quiz:


Famous Objects From Classic Movies!

Some of the icons are a little hard to see. A ton of movies we watched in this class are on that list including [SPOILER] yojimbo!


My score was 71-10--top that!

First Class

I was thinking about the question that Professor Hammond asked the first night. The question was what movie made you cry or made you feel something. I would have to add Green Mile to that list. They know the man is innocent, but they sent him to the electric chair any way.

The other movie that I think has a real cool scene in it is the Book Of Eli, it is right after he killed the cat and he spends the night in this abandoned house he sits on the floor and puts on Al Green and the song he listens to is "How can you mend a broken heart" I think its cool how they used this song to explain the situation that he and the rest of the world is in.

Im Here

http://www.imheremovie.com/

This is a short film by Spike Jonze, I think it is worth watching I have seen it three times already and I am very impressed by it. Hope you like it as much as me.

Vertigo

Since we discussed Vertigo in class several times, I decided to watch the Alfred Hitchcock movie. It was a good use of 2 hours and 9 minutes of my time. Jimmy Stewart plays a much different character than his normal films. The film opens with an extreme close up of an eye. You can see many emotions in the eye within the few minutes of watching it which gets you wondering what she sees to make her emotions change so quickly. Stewarts character Scottie Ferguson has Vertigo. His acrophobia is seen several times using the Zolly technique. This gives you a real sense of what he is feeling. If you are a Jimmy Stewart or Hitchcock fan, I highly recommend this movie.

PEL: Elements of Film
Brenda Singleton

The Hays Code

(This Motion Picture Industry "code" was formally adopted in 1934, lost steam in the 1950s and was totally gone by the 1960's.)

The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930 (Hays Code)

If motion pictures present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful force for the improvement of mankind

A Code to Govern the Making of Talking, Synchronized and Silent Motion Pictures. Formulated and formally adopted by The Association of Motion Picture Producers, Inc. and The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. in March 1930.

Motion picture producers recognize the high trust and confidence which have been placed in them by the people of the world and which have made motion pictures a universal form of entertainment.

They recognize their responsibility to the public because of this trust and because entertainment and art are important influences in the life of a nation.

Hence, though regarding motion pictures primarily as entertainment without any explicit purpose of teaching or propaganda, they know that the motion picture within its own field of entertainment may be directly responsible for spiritual or moral progress, for higher types of social life, and for much correct thinking.

During the rapid transition from silent to talking pictures they have realized the necessity and the opportunity of subscribing to a Code to govern the production of talking pictures and of re-acknowledging this responsibility.

On their part, they ask from the public and from public leaders a sympathetic understanding of their purposes and problems and a spirit of cooperation that will allow them the freedom and opportunity necessary to bring the motion picture to a still higher level of wholesome entertainment for all the people.

General Principles

1. No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil or sin.

2. Correct standards of life, subject only to the requirements of drama and entertainment, shall be presented.

3. Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation.

Particular Applications

I. Crimes Against the Law
These shall never be presented in such a way as to throw sympathy with the crime as against law and justice or to inspire others with a desire for imitation.

1. Murder

a. The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation.

b. Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail.

c. Revenge in modern times shall not be justified.

2. Methods of Crime should not be explicitly presented.

a. Theft, robbery, safe-cracking, and dynamiting of trains, mines, buildings, etc., should not be detailed in method.

b. Arson must subject to the same safeguards.

c. The use of firearms should be restricted to the essentials.

d. Methods of smuggling should not be presented.

3. Illegal drug traffic must never be presented.

4. The use of liquor in American life, when not required by the plot or for proper characterization, will not be shown.

II. Sex
The sanctity of the institution of marriage and the home shall be upheld. Pictures shall not infer that low forms of sex relationship are the accepted or common thing.

1. Adultery, sometimes necessary plot material, must not be explicitly treated, or justified, or presented attractively.

2. Scenes of Passion

a. They should not be introduced when not essential to the plot.

b. Excessive and lustful kissing, lustful embraces, suggestive postures and gestures, are not to be shown.

c. In general passion should so be treated that these scenes do not stimulate the lower and baser element.

3. Seduction or Rape

a. They should never be more than suggested, and only when essential for the plot, and even then never shown by explicit method.

b. They are never the proper subject for comedy.

4. Sex perversion or any inference to it is forbidden.

5. White slavery shall not be treated.

6. Miscegenation (sex relationships between the white and black races) is forbidden.

7. Sex hygiene and venereal diseases are not subjects for motion pictures.

8. Scenes of actual child birth, in fact or in silhouette, are never to be presented.

9. Children's sex organs are never to be exposed.

III. Vulgarity
The treatment of low, disgusting, unpleasant, though not necessarily evil, subjects should always be subject to the dictates of good taste and a regard for the sensibilities of the audience.

IV. Obscenity
Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, song, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience) is forbidden.

V. Profanity
Pointed profanity (this includes the words, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ - unless used reverently - Hell, S.O.B., damn, Gawd), or every other profane or vulgar expression however used, is forbidden.

VI. Costume
1. Complete nudity is never permitted. This includes nudity in fact or in silhouette, or any lecherous or licentious notice thereof by other characters in the picture.

2. Undressing scenes should be avoided, and never used save where essential to the plot.

3. Indecent or undue exposure is forbidden.

4. Dancing or costumes intended to permit undue exposure or indecent movements in the dance are forbidden.

VII. Dances
1. Dances suggesting or representing sexual actions or indecent passions are forbidden.

2. Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene.

VIII. Religion
1. No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith.

2. Ministers of religion in their character as ministers of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villains.

3. Ceremonies of any definite religion should be carefully and respectfully handled.

IX. Locations
The treatment of bedrooms must be governed by good taste and delicacy.

X. National Feelings
1. The use of the Flag shall be consistently respectful.

2. The history, institutions, prominent people and citizenry of other nations shall be represented fairly.

XI. Titles
Salacious, indecent, or obscene titles shall not be used.

XII. Repellent Subjects
The following subjects must be treated within the careful limits of good taste:
1. Actual hangings or electrocutions as legal punishments for crime.
2. Third degree methods.
3. Brutality and possible gruesomeness.
4. Branding of people or animals.
5. Apparent cruelty to children or animals.
6. The sale of women, or a woman selling her virtue.
7. Surgical operations.

Reasons Supporting the Preamble of the Code

I. Theatrical motion pictures, that is, pictures intended for the theatre as distinct from pictures intended for churches, schools, lecture halls, educational movements, social reform movements, etc., are primarily to be regarded as ENTERTAINMENT.

Mankind has always recognized the importance of entertainment and its value in rebuilding the bodies and souls of human beings.

But it has always recognized that entertainment can be a character either HELPFUL or HARMFUL to the human race, and in consequence has clearly distinguished between:

a. Entertainment which tends to improve the race, or at least to re-create and rebuild human beings exhausted with the realities of life; and

b. Entertainment which tends to degrade human beings, or to lower their standards of life and living.

Hence the MORAL IMPORTANCE of entertainment is something which has been universally recognized. It enters intimately into the lives of men and women and affects them closely; it occupies their minds and affections during leisure hours; and ultimately touches the whole of their lives. A man may be judged by his standard of entertainment as easily as by the standard of his work.

So correct entertainment raises the whole standard of a nation.

Wrong entertainment lowers the whole living conditions and moral ideals of a race.

Note, for example, the healthy reactions to healthful sports, like baseball, golf; the unhealthy reactions to sports like cockfighting, bullfighting, bear baiting, etc.

Note, too, the effect on ancient nations of gladiatorial combats, the obscene plays of Roman times, etc.

II. Motion pictures are very important as ART.

Though a new art, possibly a combination art, it has the same object as the other arts, the presentation of human thought, emotion, and experience, in terms of an appeal to the soul through the senses.

Here, as in entertainment,

Art enters intimately into the lives of human beings.

Art can be morally good, lifting men to higher levels. This has been done through good music, great painting, authentic fiction, poetry, drama.

Art can be morally evil it its effects. This is the case clearly enough with unclean art, indecent books, suggestive drama. The effect on the lives of men and women are obvious.

Note: It has often been argued that art itself is unmoral, neither good nor bad. This is true of the THING which is music, painting, poetry, etc. But the THING is the PRODUCT of some person's mind, and the intention of that mind was either good or bad morally when it produced the thing. Besides, the thing has its EFFECT upon those who come into contact with it. In both these ways, that is, as a product of a mind and as the cause of definite effects, it has a deep moral significance and unmistakable moral quality.

Hence: The motion pictures, which are the most popular of modern arts for the masses, have their moral quality from the intention of the minds which produce them and from their effects on the moral lives and reactions of their audiences. This gives them a most important morality.

1. They reproduce the morality of the men who use the pictures as a medium for the expression of their ideas and ideals.

2. They affect the moral standards of those who, through the screen, take in these ideas and ideals.

In the case of motion pictures, the effect may be particularly emphasized because no art has so quick and so widespread an appeal to the masses. It has become in an incredibly short period the art of the multitudes.

III. The motion picture, because of its importance as entertainment and because of the trust placed in it by the peoples of the world, has special MORAL OBLIGATIONS:

A. Most arts appeal to the mature. This art appeals at once to every class, mature, immature, developed, undeveloped, law abiding, criminal. Music has its grades for different classes; so has literature and drama. This art of the motion picture, combining as it does the two fundamental appeals of looking at a picture and listening to a story, at once reaches every class of society.

B. By reason of the mobility of film and the ease of picture distribution, and because the possibility of duplicating positives in large quantities, this art reaches places unpenetrated by other forms of art.

C. Because of these two facts, it is difficult to produce films intended for only certain classes of people. The exhibitors' theatres are built for the masses, for the cultivated and the rude, the mature and the immature, the self-respecting and the criminal. Films, unlike books and music, can with difficulty be confined to certain selected groups.

D. The latitude given to film material cannot, in consequence, be as wide as the latitude given to book material. In addition:

a. A book describes; a film vividly presents. One presents on a cold page; the other by apparently living people.

b. A book reaches the mind through words merely; a film reaches the eyes and ears through the reproduction of actual events.

c. The reaction of a reader to a book depends largely on the keenness of the reader's imagination; the reaction to a film depends on the vividness of presentation.

Hence many things which might be described or suggested in a book could not possibly be presented in a film.

E. This is also true when comparing the film with the newspaper.

a. Newspapers present by description, films by actual presentation.

b. Newspapers are after the fact and present things as having taken place; the film gives the events in the process of enactment and with apparent reality of life.

F. Everything possible in a play is not possible in a film:

a. Because of the larger audience of the film, and its consequential mixed character. Psychologically, the larger the audience, the lower the moral mass resistance to suggestion.

b. Because through light, enlargement of character, presentation, scenic emphasis, etc., the screen story is brought closer to the audience than the play.

c. The enthusiasm for and interest in the film actors and actresses, developed beyond anything of the sort in history, makes the audience largely sympathetic toward the characters they portray and the stories in which they figure. Hence the audience is more ready to confuse actor and actress and the characters they portray, and it is most receptive of the emotions and ideals presented by the favorite stars.

G. Small communities, remote from sophistication and from the hardening process which often takes place in the ethical and moral standards of larger cities, are easily and readily reached by any sort of film.

H. The grandeur of mass settings, large action, spectacular features, etc., affects and arouses more intensely the emotional side of the audience.

In general, the mobility, popularity, accessibility, emotional appeal, vividness, straightforward presentation of fact in the film make for more intimate contact with a larger audience and for greater emotional appeal.

Hence the larger moral responsibilities of the motion pictures.

Reasons Underlying the General Principles

I. No picture shall be produced which will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never be thrown to the side of crime, wrong-doing, evil or sin.

This is done:

1. When evil is made to appear attractive and alluring, and good is made to appear unattractive.

2. When the sympathy of the audience is thrown on the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil, sin. The same is true of a film that would thrown sympathy against goodness, honor, innocence, purity or honesty.

Note: Sympathy with a person who sins is not the same as sympathy with the sin or crime of which he is guilty. We may feel sorry for the plight of the murderer or even understand the circumstances which led him to his crime: we may not feel sympathy with the wrong which he has done. The presentation of evil is often essential for art or fiction or drama. This in itself is not wrong provided:

a. That evil is not presented alluringly. Even if later in the film the evil is condemned or punished, it must not be allowed to appear so attractive that the audience's emotions are drawn to desire or approve so strongly that later the condemnation is forgotten and only the apparent joy of sin is remembered.

b. That throughout, the audience feels sure that evil is wrong and good is right.

II. Correct standards of life shall, as far as possible, be presented.

A wide knowledge of life and of living is made possible through the film. When right standards are consistently presented, the motion picture exercises the most powerful influences. It builds character, develops right ideals, inculcates correct principles, and all this in attractive story form.

If motion pictures consistently hold up for admiration high types of characters and present stories that will affect lives for the better, they can become the most powerful force for the improvement of mankind.

III. Law, natural or human, shall not be ridiculed, nor shall sympathy be created for its violation.

By natural law is understood the law which is written in the hearts of all mankind, the greater underlying principles of right and justice dictated by conscience.

By human law is understood the law written by civilized nations.

1. The presentation of crimes against the law is often necessary for the carrying out of the plot. But the presentation must not throw sympathy with the crime as against the law nor with the criminal as against those who punish him.

2. The courts of the land should not be presented as unjust. This does not mean that a single court may not be presented as unjust, much less that a single court official must not be presented this way. But the court system of the country must not suffer as a result of this presentation.

Reasons Underlying the Particular Applications

I. Sin and evil enter into the story of human beings and hence in themselves are valid dramatic material.

II. In the use of this material, it must be distinguished between sin which repels by it very nature, and sins which often attract.

a. In the first class come murder, most theft, many legal crimes, lying, hypocrisy, cruelty, etc.

b. In the second class come sex sins, sins and crimes of apparent heroism, such as banditry, daring thefts, leadership in evil, organized crime, revenge, etc.

The first class needs less care in treatment, as sins and crimes of this class are naturally unattractive. The audience instinctively condemns all such and is repelled.

Hence the important objective must be to avoid the hardening of the audience, especially of those who are young and impressionable, to the thought and fact of crime. People can become accustomed even to murder, cruelty, brutality, and repellent crimes, if these are too frequently repeated.

The second class needs great care in handling, as the response of human nature to their appeal is obvious. This is treated more fully below.

III. A careful distinction can be made between films intended for general distribution, and films intended for use in theatres restricted to a limited audience. Themes and plots quite appropriate for the latter would be altogether out of place and dangerous in the former.

Note: The practice of using a general theatre and limiting its patronage to "Adults Only" is not completely satisfactory and is only partially effective.

However, maturer minds may easily understand and accept without harm subject matter in plots which do younger people positive harm.

Hence: If there should be created a special type of theatre, catering exclusively to an adult audience, for plays of this character (plays with problem themes, difficult discussions and maturer treatment) it would seem to afford an outlet, which does not now exist, for pictures unsuitable for general distribution but permissible for exhibitions to a restricted audience.

I. Crimes Against the Law
The treatment of crimes against the law must not:

1. Teach methods of crime.
2. Inspire potential criminals with a desire for imitation.
3. Make criminals seem heroic and justified.

Revenge in modern times shall not be justified. In lands and ages of less developed civilization and moral principles, revenge may sometimes be presented. This would be the case especially in places where no law exists to cover the crime because of which revenge is committed.

Because of its evil consequences, the drug traffic should not be presented in any form. The existence of the trade should not be brought to the attention of audiences.

The use of liquor should never be excessively presented. In scenes from American life, the necessities of plot and proper characterization alone justify its use. And in this case, it should be shown with moderation.

II. Sex
Out of a regard for the sanctity of marriage and the home, the triangle, that is, the love of a third party for one already married, needs careful handling. The treatment should not throw sympathy against marriage as an institution.

Scenes of passion must be treated with an honest acknowledgement of human nature and its normal reactions. Many scenes cannot be presented without arousing dangerous emotions on the part of the immature, the young or the criminal classes.

Even within the limits of pure love, certain facts have been universally regarded by lawmakers as outside the limits of safe presentation.

In the case of impure love, the love which society has always regarded as wrong and which has been banned by divine law, the following are important:

1. Impure love must not be presented as attractive and beautiful.

2. It must not be the subject of comedy or farce, or treated as material for laughter.

3. It must not be presented in such a way to arouse passion or morbid curiosity on the part of the audience.

4. It must not be made to seem right and permissible.

5. It general, it must not be detailed in method and manner.

III. Vulgarity; IV. Obscenity; V. Profanity; hardly need further explanation than is contained in the Code.

VI. Costume
General Principles:

1. The effect of nudity or semi-nudity upon the normal man or woman, and much more upon the young and upon immature persons, has been honestly recognized by all lawmakers and moralists.

2. Hence the fact that the nude or semi-nude body may be beautiful does not make its use in the films moral. For, in addition to its beauty, the effect of the nude or semi-nude body on the normal individual must be taken into consideration.

3. Nudity or semi-nudity used simply to put a "punch" into a picture comes under the head of immoral actions. It is immoral in its effect on the average audience.

4. Nudity can never be permitted as being necessary for the plot. Semi-nudity must not result in undue or indecent exposures.

5. Transparent or translucent materials and silhouette are frequently more suggestive than actual exposure.

VII. Dances
Dancing in general is recognized as an art and as a beautiful form of expressing human emotions.

But dances which suggest or represent sexual actions, whether performed solo or with two or more; dances intended to excite the emotional reaction of an audience; dances with movement of the breasts, excessive body movements while the feet are stationary, violate decency and are wrong.

VIII. Religion
The reason why ministers of religion may not be comic characters or villains is simply because the attitude taken toward them may easily become the attitude taken toward religion in general. Religion is lowered in the minds of the audience because of the lowering of the audience's respect for a minister.

IX. Locations
Certain places are so closely and thoroughly associated with sexual life or with sexual sin that their use must be carefully limited.

X. National Feelings
The just rights, history, and feelings of any nation are entitled to most careful consideration and respectful treatment.

XI. Titles
As the title of a picture is the brand on that particular type of goods, it must conform to the ethical practices of all such honest business.

XII. Repellent Subjects
Such subjects are occasionally necessary for the plot. Their treatment must never offend good taste nor injure the sensibilities of an audience.