16/12/08

16/12/08

in this lesson we analysed professional big thriller movies and began comparing the common traits that each shared amongst themselves, not only but also the unique features within them individually


the shining was most likely my favourite thriller out of the set, it convey an oxymoronic theme if you will. The scene with the young boy riding his tricycle through the hall ways of a hotel- a location people can relate to*- portrayed an innocent young boy, however it seemed bizarre as us the audience, seemingly considerably older, are as if following this young boy. Also this means that because we turn every corner after him, we are in some ways more vulnerable than a "young boy". The most shocking part by far, evident of the outcries of the classroom, was when the two twin girls appeared in his mind.


Arlington road was also a very effective piece of film footage, the bizarre opening credits baffles the audience though can still be construde as a beautiful artistic opening. after the credits, the camera loosely focusses on a young boy, the audience is left pondering if he is on drugs or so on. However, the shocking revelation leaves the audience gasping in shock- he has had his hand severed.

28 days later follows a lost lonely man as he attempts to investigate the deserted london. Because london is such a massive city- being the capital of england- many audiences can relate to it, how would you feel if everyone did disappear?

also the mise-en-scene amazingly captured the sense of abandonment i.e. hanging phone lines.

collateral immediately portrays tom cruises character as a character to be focussed on, by slowing down the footage that presents his characters entrance, automatically the audience realise "oh he's important", also once again because they did the exchanging of the briefcases in a public area, it leaves the mind to wonder; oh i wonder if someone does this in reality?

finally, a very strong thriller would be "what lies beneathe" a strong film that focusses on the heroine who investigates the bizarre happenings of her home, the lighting is dull, the location is familiar (a home) and she is eventually led to the bathroom that is steamy (not exactly out of the ordinary for many of us)- though she finds this displacing...and so she investigates, the gradual suspenseful build up aided by the non deigtic sounds create a shocking entrance when another character is seen in the reflection upon the water in the bath.


*thrillers are only thrilling when an audience can relate to it, only then can the film "play on their minds".