"Being The Gazer"

"Rear Window" is one of those films that just goes to prove that suspense and story can be created by simple techniques of the camera and amazing acting selections. This film is one that I have always wished to watch, but never took the time rent it or watch it when it is on tv. Being forced to watch it in class, I was a little nervous as to how it would come across. It's as if I have had this image of what the movie must be, in my head for so long, that to finally get the chance to watch it, it may result in disappointment.

Then the movie started and the unique Hitchcock style proved otherwise. I wanted to begin my viewing experience by asking myself, if during the film you become disenchanted or you feel the limitations set by this film are too predictable, then call it as a failure. However, if you get lost in the theme and the choices made deliver to that them, call it what it is, a success. I was so engulfed in this film, it was almost hard to put my finger on why. The films theme of viewership, presented by the gaze, is a strange enigma that I wouldn't expect to be so hypnotized by. I in fact, act similarly to the main character. He sits in the solitude of his apartment engulfed in what is bound to be a mysterious and unescapable image. As an audience member, I am forced to do the same from my sit among dozens of others.

One implementation that Hitchcock used, that helped gize the gaze a universal feel, was the cameras point of view. At many times throughout, our 2d screen becomes a telescope, binoculars, or a camera held by the main character, the gazer, and it thusly transfers ownership of the gaze to us, the audience. This became one of the most powerful instance of a limitation Hitchcock utilized. This is why the subject of the gaze was so easily accesible by the audience. Ultimately this is why it was a successful film. It set out to cover a theme that was promised to the audience, and it delivers it. 

Jaws: Not just ANY blockbuster

Jaws. A film all about a true phobia or terror. It all starts as a group of adolescents first encounter the beast on the beach. The big suspense creator is that we never see the beast! Something truly unique about this film is throughout the film the shots of the beast are minimal and as it terrorizes, the shark is truly hidden to the viewer and those being attacked. Jaws is one of those films that will remain one of the greatest ever made. It creates the core of suspense people hope to get every time they encounter a scary movie. During the process of creating this particular suspense film, it is safe to say Spielberg coined, while not necessarily inventing, several creative techniques to making sure the thrill was maximized throughout. Spielberg has many themes in his film, but one I find interesting is his personal theme of going back to his favorite filmmakers, treating them as mentors and guides in his creative process. Hitchcock played an important role in creating the suspense scenes in Jaws. In particular, those scenes where you focus directly on the character, torment on their face, the camera jerks in a very fluid way. The first kill of the movie with the woman nude in the ocean was just one of those shots. She is focused on fully and her movement, while treacherous, is also very rhythmic and sickening to watch. The scene where the head floats out of the boat, mimics Hitchcock in the POV shot. A shot like that seemed to add so much more than the other possibilities where the audience is an innocent bystander or we witness the action from above the water. No, we were 3 feet from the head and that made all the difference. I thought it was brilliant and inspirational for Spielberg to turn to this "mentor" kind of outlet rather than giving up when failure was more than immanent. His mentors, Hitchcock in this case, never let him down and with the exception of the latest Indianian Jones, never will.

Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed is a wonderful example of creating something totally different, and producing it from seemingly nothing. The film takes a real life article that states a man is looking for someone to time travel back in time with him and safety is not guaranteed. The characters in the film look to find this person to understand his motive behind writing what has to be a clever joke. When they find him they begin to see that he is very different than everyone else. We are stuck between is he telling the truth or is he crazy. After a turn of events the audience and the characters within the piece come under the discovery together that the FBI is actually after him and in fact he has time traveled before. It is a wonderful payoff after watching such a film.

The director creates motivation for the audience as we somewhat fall down this rabbit hole of concepts and happenings. I think it was very well acted by the actors chosen. Aubrey Plaza is a great person to follow throughout because much of what we think she thinks and asks the time traveler. The soundtrack adds wonderment and deepens the storyline itself. The song "Big Machine" sung by the time traveling character, played by Mark Duplass, is a point in the film where both the characters and the audience almost don't care if he is insane or not, we learn to cherish him. 

I believe this movie had all the capabilities to be horrible. The storyline idea isn't something many people would care to tackle, but simply the the screenplay makes this piece relatable and poetic. The fact that all it is adapted from is one sentence in an old newspaper is also quite impressive. The cinematography of invasive compostions makes this piece a little emotional at times and heartfelt at others. All in all it is a perfect blending of beautiful writing and photography. Sometimes finding something as original as this is the greatest of payoffs. 

Argo F*&$ Yourself

The Oscar award winning best picture of the year was an interesting watch indeed. The film follows the real story of diplomats who find themselves stuck in Iran under trying times to say the least. They must find themselves shelter under refuge of the Canadian embassy. These basic hostages to Iran cannot find there way back to the United States. The main character, an FBI agent, develops a plan to pose as a hollywood film production looking to film a sci fi film in Iran. By teaching all the diplomats how to remain under cover he saves their lives making it make to the USA.
Ben Affleck was the director in this film and I do believe he added much more credibility to his name with this piece. I havent always been  big fan of his other works personally but the characterization and action he created made this film exciting and believable to watch. The set design was spectacular and raw. His choices for the characters were both spot on, in reflection of those in the real events, as well as spectacular portrayals of being captured and imprisoned. He had a mixture of very well known actors and some not so familiar to hollywood screen, both working together. This was an interesting choice. I think it strengthens the piece  because much of the other film choices were almost too hollywood and blockbuster like. The screenplay itself is adapted from a book and true events. It was an easy piece to watch in the sense that, we already know it is something audiences will invest into. While it was an amazing film to watch, I don't know if it is the most memorable film ever, it just fit the mold as a crowd pleaser. If anything it was a safe film to make. It had the action and some famous faces, placing the film on a silver platter for the viewers.