Jake Van Dorn

    Film and literature are two media forms that are so closely related, that we often forget there is a distinction between them. We often just view the movie as an extension of the book because most movies are based on novels or short stories. Because we are accustomed to this sequence of production, first the novel, then the motion picture, we often find ourselves making value judgments about a movie, based upon our feelings on the novel. It is this overlapping of the creative processes that prevents us from seeing movies as distinct and separate art forms from the novels they are based on.

Although the best reasons for “going to the movies” are to be entertained and eat popcorn, understanding a film is actually quite complex. Movies are not only a reflection of life, they also have the capability of shaping our norms, values, attitudes, and perception of life. Through the media of film, one can find stories of practically anything imaginable and some things unimaginable. Movie-makers use their art to entertain, to promote political agendas, to educate, and to present life as it is, was, or could be. They can present truth, truth as they interpret it, or simply ignore truth altogether. A movie can be a work of fiction, non-fiction, or anything in-between. A film is an artist’s interpretation. What one takes away from a film depends upon how one interprets what has been seen and heard. Understanding film is indeed difficult.

Cinema is a cornerstone of American Culture and values with diverse selections and infinite choices available. There are many ways to discriminate between movies including genres, quality, plot, and many others. It is clear however that there are qualities that stand out which help us rank certain filmsa above others. The most noteworthy movies share many similar aspects which set them a step ahead of all the others.

In the best movies and tv shows they have some qualities in common. These qualities engaged us as the audience to watch the whole things instead of sleeping half way through it. These qualities make us feel what the character feel when something bad or good happen to him or her. Make us sad when a innocent character is killed. This lead us to tell all of our friends to watch this certain movie or tv show.

There’s more to a good movie than most people think. Judgement comes down to personal taste. A good movie will have, not just interesting but inspiring characters. Characters that, while watching the film, will make us empathize and care about what happens to them throughout their cinematic journey throughout the film. It allows the audience to converse about their views on who were the good guys and who were the bad.

It intrigues me when you see a movie and you notice all the costumes, hairstyle, and the place the movie was shot and all you can think is I won’t change a thing in the movie. Each movie I watched displays a specific mise-en-scene with the lighting, costumes, setting, and behavior of the characters. Another thing I think makes a great movie is the non-diegeticea sound in it, because it’s also what makes you sit at the edge of your seat.

The genre of the film is comedy and the lighting in it conveys its light-hearted tone. Although some scenes deal with mystery, crime, and murder (happening off-screen), the high-key lighting manages to keep the mood comedic at all times.

What truly makes a movie fantastic? I tried to answer this question by creating a list of my five favorite films: Kill Bill (2003), The Truman Show (1998), Legally Blonde (2001), The Wizard of Oz (1939), and Star Wars (1977). Unfortunately, these films are not exactly similar in any obvious way. Although these films vary greatly from feel good films to intense action pieces, there are similar qualities in all of them. For example, although Legally Blonde and Star Wars seem to have little to nothing in common, both of the protagonists in these stories are brought into new worlds. They deal with new experiences and problems that they have never dealt with before, like studying for LSATs or learning how to master the force. Although

Manning and Shackford-Bradley explain that films present multiple perspectives, specifically subjective experiences (38). As each person, is able to take out something different from the film. While Marks talks about films as skin and explains the effect works can have among different audiences (xi). Thus meaning, films have the ability to leave audiences with different marks. Symbolism is also discussed in this unit.

What started this so called “War on Drugs,” and why was it started? Drugs were first known to be used recreationally in the early nineteenth century. The drug most widely used then was marijuana, which before the Civil War was a major source of income for farmers in America (Casa Palmera). It wasn’t until 1971 that a “war” against drugs was started by President Nixon (DPA), when he stated that drugs were, “public enemy number one in America” (WBGU PBS). He held the belief that in order to stop the increase in use of drugs, it was, as he stated, “necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive” (Stanford University). This seemed like a great idea at the time, but since then, new drugs have been developing every day, while the old laws stay in place.

Every movie has a different impact on its viewers. Some films evoke wonder and excitement, while others provoke fear or sorrow, but all films contain an influential message or theme. Movies are much deeper when you really sit down and think why such a film was made in the first place. If we know the issues involved and background story then the story will have a personal touch with you.

In opening scenes of The Dark Knight Rises (2012), director Christopher Nolan uses mise-en-scene film elements to amplify the state of Bruce Wayne’s physical and emotional health. He accomplishes this through the use of framing, lighting, décor, costume, and acting. During the party at Wayne’s mansion, Nolan highlights Wayne’s isolation by using an extreme long shot from the perspective of a party-goer, to a balcony where his silhouette is shown. The distance between Wayne and the party represents his separation from social activities. Later, when Selina Kyle poses as a waitress to bring Wayne his dinner, Nolan uses dim lighting and décor objects such as covered furniture and piles of belongings on the floor to show that Wayne is living

For decades the film industry has grasped our attention by allowing us to be able to relate and sympathize with the characters that they have created. Their ability to take real life situations and come up with unique,clever,and amusing outcomes makes the movie more memorable. Since motion pictures are so diverse it's impossible for a person to not be influenced by one or more movies. Whether that influence be positive or negative it will surly make you look at a situation in a different light. Not too long ago a film by the name of  “Inside Out” hit the big screen.

There are many different elements of film that filmmakers can utilize to make a film. Direction, storyline, cinematography, mise en scene, as well as point of view and tone can all lend a hand in making a film great. One might say that the most important aspect of a film is the script. Others might argue the actors are the most important part. However, an impressive balance of all of the different elements of film are what can elevate a film to greatness. That is why the best film viewed this semester is Night of the Living Dead.

Every so often a movie is released with such tense anticipation and glamorous visual art that the public is drawn to this dramatic rendition of life in the theatre. For even just two hours or so, you are put into a different lifestyle. Action, drama or comedy it may be. We are thrust into a different way of thinking. We are forced to learn the characters thoughts and feelings. The hard work and artistic skill that goes into these magnificent films is not an easy thing to mimic. Out of the thousands of movies released worldwide each year only a handful are truly worthy of the label film art. Most of the great movies are either produced by a multi million dollar