Film Research Paper
Format for the Film Review Paper:
A. Use the MLA format.
B. Each review should be 3-4 pages.
C. A Works Cited Page is required FOR EACH FILM. A paper without one will receive an automatic THREE POINTS DEDUCTION FOR EACH FILM REVIEW (That could add up to 15 points for five films.)
D. EACH film review must have at least FIVE works cited and at least FIVE endnotes. Use the MLA format. Points will be deducted for fewer than what is required.
E. Use the MLA format for your citations of research.
F. Please follow the narrative organization I laid out above.
REMEMBER—FIVE DIFFERENT GENRE. EACH REVIEW MUST BE LABELED FROM A SPECIFIC FILM ERA STATED AT THE TOP OF THE REVIEW
1. Watch the film and research the definition of the film genre you have selected. An example: what has been the formula for the romantic comedy over time? Has that formula changed in time?
2.
Research and discuss the key film cast: Actor, Actress, Supporting roles
3.
Research the director and producer—which studio (s) distributed the film
4.
Any key artists involved: cinematographer, editor, art director, etc.
A STUDENT CAN WRITE A REVIEW FOCUSING ON THE ARTIST: An example: Would “Citizen Kane” be the same film if Greg Toland had not been the cinematographer? Film is a collaborative process and your paper should reflect that.
5. Did the film correspond to similar films in that genre? An example: does “Blazing Saddles” stay within the formula of the western genre? Whichever five genres you select, ask that question.
6. In each essay there should be a review of two scenes that you feel helped make the film work. Discuss: lighting, use of color, shot selections, editing, angles, etc.
7.
Critical reviews, box office and any award nominations
8. Your assessment of the story and the film.
9. Use a narrative format. You can use an outline format but only in a narrative style.
Running Head:
FILM PAPER SELECTION
1
FILM PAPER SELECTION 8
FILM PAPER SELECTION
Film 1 (silent era)
Film: the cabinet of Dr. Caligari Genre: gothic fiction Category: expressionist film
Narrative
The cabinet of Dr. Caligari is the first German expressionist film. The reason for selecting it is because it is said that it is because of its success that other films in this style followed due to its distortion, exaggeration, and fantasy that are used to convey this motion. Historians have considered this film as the pinnacle of expressionism. The film took idea from both Film Noir and Romantic period thus coming up with an exceptional film where shadows were used in exaggerating unnatural and monstrous traits
Research
Gothic fiction combines fiction ad horror, death, and at times romance emphasizing both emotions and pleasurable kind of terror. The settings are often dark, gloomy, and full of secret chambers and dungeons even today due to the distinct gloomy and dark nature associated with it. Not much has changed about it. This film conforms to the typical gothic horror genre. Francis is recalling horrible experiences that he together with his fiancée Jane went through. Wiene, the director, chose to use shadows and the casting o shadows in highlighting and exaggerating the traits that the audience universally identifies as horror. This would not have been possible were it not for his exceptional efforts. The film primarily focuses on aesthetics and it also uses a twisted visual style in conveying what is taking place throughout the film. Lighting has amplified conventional characteristics expected of horror genre such as hunched back. The film greatly relied on the effects of infrequent angles, color, and defining old lines in creating a distorted version of reality.
Film 2 (Golden Age)
Film: Bringing Up Baby Genre: comedies Category: the golden age of films
Narrative
The reason for choosing this film is because, in as much as the initial reception was heart folding, this film has continued receiving worldwide accreditation with time. It is believed that other than entertainment, this film was intended at sending the message of social stratification. The film also included the gay joke to indicate the distance that the society then associated homosexuals with reality. Even though this film was not received with appraisal during this period, it has continued receiving positive interests as time moves. The film continued gaining royalties, awards, and accreditation as one of the best screwball comedies.
Research
The comedy genre is purposed at creating humor and laughs for the audience something that this film has very well succeeded in. comedy has developed over time into a more subgenre where it is being featured in most films. In this film, the director brought out an extra-ordinary mixture of cultural stereotyping as well as psychological romantic intrigues. This is exemplified by Alice’s character who is portrayed in love with the idea of David having a successful museum rather than him as a person. The director brought out comedy at its peak with the misfortunes following paleontologist in his journey of appeasing Mrs. random. The director creates a sort of journey where one event leads to the other. for instance, the leopard is ruing away, the dog stealing the bone, David and Susan being locked in the cell by mistake, all of which adds flair and humor. This film presented a challenge with light since half of it took place at night. However, the scenes indoors used high key lighting with few shadows ad contrast making it stand out.
Film 3 (1960’s -1980’s)
Film: Bonnie and Clyde Genre: action (gangster) Category: new Hollywood films
Narrative
This is a 1967 American biographical crime film. The reason for its selection is because it is considered to be one of the first films of the new Hollywood era thus a landmark film. The film broke a lot of cinematic taboos. The success it gained made the other makers of films start becoming more open in presenting both sex and violence in the films. It received academy awards for the best-supporting actress and best cinematography.
Research
Gangster genres are films that focus o gangs and organized crimes. This is a subgenre of crime film that involves large criminal organizations or some small groups of gangs performing illegal acts. This film fits well in this genre because it involves a couple that travels the country in stolen cars robbing banks and murdering the people who stood in their love triangle of crime. Clyde and bonnie joined forces where they together refused to struggle without jobs thus they decided to pick the easy immoral route of survival which was a crime. The director of the film wanted it to be very real ad untheatrical. The director captured a rugged semi-documentary effect on film in the sticking black and white cinematography. The film was however well light and there was no overdone color which played out well to bring out great stock photos and pictures.
Film 4 (1990’s to date)
Film: eyes wide shut Genre: drama Category: new Hollywood films
Narrative
The reason for choosing this film is because it is carefully constructed in the sum of its elements and the ways that these elements interact with each other. This film is said to have a haunting effect of creating curiosity, fear, and anxiety among the audience. The film creates mosaic symbolism in the eyes of the viewer depositing fragments of concepts in their minds. It is characterized by the slow pace that makes it easier to explore the filmic medium and securing the effects of its elements.
Research
Drama is a serious story that hinges on events that happens regularly in the day to day lives. This film well fits as a drama because it focuses on two characters and how they arc over time. It is however mashed up with other genres to make the audience more engaged. This film creates a sensation of voyeurism to the viewer. The director did an incredible job in the use of color and sounds in this film. For instance, in this film, the blue, red, and yellow colors stand out the most. Similarly, there is another element of sound that stands out in this film. Sounds such as voices as well as external and internal music add fear, shock, and distress to the audience. For instance, the blue color dominates during the confession scene which drives a disturbed and pensive Bill who is required to answer to a medical emergency.
Film 5 (film of choice)
Film: Dances with Wolves Genre: drama Category: new Hollywood films
Narrative
The reason for choosing this film is because this film is said to have swept the epic western drama with its amazing poignancy, deft direction as well as breathtaking cinematography. It won seven academy awards which included the best pictures, best directors, and best cinematography.
Research
Lieutenant Dunbar is given a task in the remote western Civil War post where he makes friends with wolves and Indians. This film has stimulated compassion and thoughtful consideration o the culture being explored. The movie is trying to convey the message of the tendency of one culture seeing the other as inferior. In this film, the director did an excellent job r instance in the skinned buffalo scene where fake animals that were made of paper were used they looked like real animals.
References
Bonnie and Clyde: retrieved from;
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bonnie+and+clyde+film+on+youtube&qs=SC&pq=bonnie+and+clyde+film+you&sc=8-25&cvid=1AC716F02F884BCFB0E092F29238B89F&sp=1&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dbonnie%2band%2bclyde%2bfilm%2bon%2byoutube%26qs%3dSC%26pq%3dbonnie%2band%2bclyde%2bfilm%2byou%26sc%3d8-25%26cvid%3d1AC716F02F884BCFB0E092F29238B89F%26FORM%3dQBRE%26sp%3d1&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=8F43B8717F01EB03D81D8F43B8717F01EB03D81D&FORM=WRVORC
Bringing Up Baby: retrieved from:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Bringing+Up+Baby+film&PC=U531&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dBringing%2bUp%2bBaby%2bfilm%26FORM%3dANCMS9%26PC%3dU531&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=0B8A324175FB248FFE5C0B8A324175FB248FFE5C&FORM=WRVORC
Dances with Wolves:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Dances+with+Wolves+film+you+tube+&qs=n&sp=-1&pq=dances+with+wolves+film+you+t&sc=0-29&sk=&cvid=89A36C732A9543A1B157480452184FAF&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dDances%2bwith%2bWolves%2bfilm%2byou%2btube%2b%26qs%3dn%26form%3dQBRE%26sp%3d-1%26pq%3ddances%2bwith%2bwolves%2bfilm%2byou%2bt%26sc%3d0-29%26sk%3d%26cvid%3d89A36C732A9543A1B157480452184FAF&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=47BD5B7504D21E2B60D647BD5B7504D21E2B60D6&FORM=WRVORC
Eyes wide shut: retrieved from:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=eyes+wide+shut+film+youtube&cvid=cbfd1f7b10664d15b7f961360049fef6&PC=U531&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3deyes%2bwide%2bshut%2bfilm%2byoutube%26cvid%3dcbfd1f7b10664d15b7f961360049fef6%26FORM%3dANNTA1%26PC%3dU531&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=F667F697BFE214802BFAF667F697BFE214802BFA&FORM=WRVORC
The cabinet of Dr. Caligari: retrieved from:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+cabinet+of+Dr.+Caligari+film&cvid=2ac833cbadfc49da8fc3035caa7addd9&PC=U531&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dthe%2bcabinet%2bof%2bDr.%2bCaligari%2bfilm%26cvid%3d2ac833cbadfc49da8fc3035caa7addd9%26FORM%3dANNTA1%26PC%3dU531&view=detail&mmscn=vwrc&mid=E3877ACCCD58F8F625A6E3877ACCCD58F8F625A6&FORM=WRVORC