Violence

Let the Right One In is violent, but yet it is nothing compared to the violence we see in many American films.

Much has been said about violence in the media and how it effects society. Some say that it has created a much more violent society, but others would argue that the violence we see acts as a release, that is, by experience violence on screen we exorcist it from ourselves and then don't need to be violent.

What do you think?

Critics

We all have those movies we loved but the critics hated, and that might lead us to dismiss or dislike a critic or the idea of critics. Really, why to they dislike so many movies people like? What gives them the right to say what is good and bad? The answer is, who ever is paying them.

People read reviews because they want to get the scoop on a film prior to spending $10 to see it. Many critics have studied film and understand, in an artistic sense, the potential of a film. When a film doesn't live up to the notion of what great film is, that is it is seen as not meeting a certain level of excellence in all areas, individual areas(acting, writing, direction), or on a purely as entertainment, critics will tell you about it. But it is our right to entirely disagree with them. Everyday movie goers go to films to be entertained, and if you were entertained, great--regardless of what a critic says.

There is another way to test your own level of "like" of a film, categorize it. If you went to see an action film-say Transformers. Well, how did it meet up with what you feel is an exceptional action film, say Iron Man? Was it not as good? In what ways? The acting wasn't as convincing, the plot wasn't as dynamic, and the action was too over the top. So if Iron Man is your "A" grade action film, what would you give Transformers, a "C", "B-"? If you can do this, watch out, your fast on your way to becoming a critic. All you need is your own website.

The question is, what do you think of critics? And tell me about a film you loved some critics hated.

Performance

We are looking into acting this week.

Among my favorite performances in a film is Peter O'toole in Lawrence of Arabia. He is able to communicate everything he feels in a single look. The determination Lawrence (the real person) needed to set out and conquer is ever-present, that is, until he is broken. The event that changes Lawrence is not seen, only alluded to, but the horror and affect of it resonates through O'toole for the remainder of the film.

Is there a performance that resonated with you in a way that transcends a normal movie-going experience?

Expectations

I was down in LA and needed to kill time so the traffic wouldn't be so bad, so I popped into a multiplex to see Public Enemy. It's a powerful that stretches the use of digital technology. Much has been written about this, but from what I have read, something has been missed. I know I am too aware of film-making techniques as I watch some films--I'd love to turn this off sometimes--but some of the digital elements of the film are too noticeable for my tastes. I get taken out of the story set before me. There are shots amazing shots and moments of film-making that are stunning, but I really want to fully engrossed in the tale that is being told, not the technique.

This is a hard film to grasp onto. The action is dynamic, the sets/costumes etc. beautifully created, and the acting polished, but something still left me at too far a distance to say Pubic Enemies is as brilliant as it seems like it should be.

I wanted more, or something else, but what is at fault? Me or the film? We're my expectations/hope for something special too much for the film to meet.

Anyone have any stories about expectations and films? Was there an instance where a film didn't live up to the hype, did live up to the hype, or how about a time when you had little or no expectations and a film really surprised you?

Directors

I'm excited for the new Michael Mann film, Public Enemies. I've admired Mann as a director since Heat. His use of camera, powerful storylines(usually "guy" films), and the performances he brings out in the actors he works with almost always are excellent cinema.

Here is a link to NY Times review of the film by Manola Dargis, an excellent critic.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/movies/01enemies.html

The first line of the review is, "Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies” is a grave and beautiful work of art." For her (Dargis) to begin a review this way lets me know I'm in for an interesting experience in the cinema.

Question for the blog is, Which director/s make you want to go to the movies to see what they have created?

Heroes

Politicians and athletes are getting in trouble left and right. Our recently deceased Pop Icon led a troubled life. Movies are need heroes, but are heroes relevant? Are there any left today? Or are we too jaded now for classic heroes? Was hero worship always faulty?

What do you think of the idea of heroes? What movie hero best represents your idea of heroism?

Hello,

Class is canceled due to jury duty. Sorry. We will be watching a Kurosawa film, though not Seven Samurai( I knew it was long but forgot it was 3 1/2 hours). It is a fantastic film, one of the classics. I'll choose a different Kurosawa film this weekend and then adjust the schedule.

I will also email the first set of questions and instructions.

Have a great weekend.

Alan