Yojimbo

One of Akira Kurosawa's many Samurai films. Although that does not place this film under the generic Japanese action genre. Kurosawa's use of an amazing story, and cinematography to support the story, makes for an amazing visual feast.





The main charactor, No Name, is an odd samurai that is in an odd situation. This is clearly shown in the opening sequence when he walks on screen with his arms not in his sleeves and then he scratches himself. The use of rule of third is seen all through out the film even up to the end title.

The samurai places himself in the middle of a conflict, and physically in the middle of the town.




The same can be said about the bartender, this shot contsist of a pan that shows both sides of the bartender suspended in the air.



All these shots hold up to the claim that any screen shot of a Kurosawa film is a work of art. This adds support to the emotional envolvment of the bar tender, and the moral descision that the Samurai needs to make on the subject of the man, his son, and his wife. It shows two sides the problem.




To show that the samurai was not completly integrated into any of the rival families, Kurosawa used shots like this, in putting the Samurai in the FG and the bandits in the BG, creates distance between them.


Akira Kurosawa is known for putting on film EXACTLY what he wants, This wind and dust combination was not by chance. I hate to spoil it, but in the film you can clearly see the nozzle effect that is pushing the dust behind the Samurai in the BG.

End of the year sprint

Well, its the end of the year, and we have another sprint to do.

The reviews are coming up Mr. Calder, all of them will be up by the end of the week.

Things to come?

• Clash of the Titans
• The Spirit
• A combination post on Yojimbo, Django, Fist full of dollars, and Sukiyaki Western Django.
  

Midterm Throne of Blood.

A film about supertition. The cinematographer of Throne of Blood used many different techniques and styles to project the ambiance of the story.

To give the audience a feel for the betrayal and deceit in the story, Kurosawa uses obstacles in front of the camera. It gives the film a "peeping-Tom" feeling.

Kurosawa maintained the Asian style throughout the film, while still telling an English story by emphasizing facial expressions, just how Asian culture does. This can be seen in the wife's role. She has NO facial expressions which expresses her cold-heartiness.

For the supernatural aspects of the film, Kurosawa uses Natural elements such as Wind, Fog, Rain, Trees, etc. Basically nature in itself. when the ghost appears there is a gust of wind, a billow of fog, just to further add to the creepiness factor.

Lighting paid a huge role in the movie, mainly because the film is monochrome. The lighting added even more expression to the already expressed faces. one main example is Miki in the picture that I will upload ASAP.

The long needed post (Movie Review)

Well, we have all been waiting for this (Mr. Calder especially )...... A Movie Review !!!

I just watched the movie 12 Monkeys, and it has made its way up to my top "Time Travel" movies. The film has many "uncomfortable" camera angles that support the running theme, "disorientation". The audience is given many slanted and distorted shots setting the visuals for two different time lines, and giving the effect of mental strain.

I recommend the movie to anyone that enjoys a confusing "Back to the future-esque" plot. The film itself made a direct connection to Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo. It also made this connection indirectly by contrasting the actors roles (in Vertigo, the male role is the "sane" one, and the female was "insane". In 12 Monkeys it was the opposite)

On futher investigation, I found out that the director of 12 Monkeys is the Writer and Director of the Monty Python series, Terry Gilliam

Be sure to check out more from this director.

Oscar time !!!

Guys, I am going to comment on the Oscars.... and its gonna be lengthy :)

I will edit later

***

..... Im screwed......

you know the saying "Up a creek without a paddle"? Well I got a new one for you guys.... "knee deep in a project without hard drive space"

Kinda lengthy... but it has a ring to it. 

I CANT WAIT FOR THIS DAMN STIMULUS PACKAGE TO COME INTO EFFECT!

this is just more stress piled on to the mountain of crap I have in my life right now.... How the heck am I going to be able to pay for college? especially a film school?..... -sigh- well... lets see how the big guy up there has things planned out.

now back to my god forsaken project.....

(Dont worry Mr. Calder, the reviews on the movies are coming up asap)

-Josue

Sneak peek of "Valentines"

Hey there readers, 

as many of you may know, I have been working on a spontanious project for Valentines day, well here is the update

I have gotten some footage that I wanted, but not all of it. I am running out of room on my comp for rendering, and its killing me. I know that i will end up re-shooting this baby,  and it will come out better :)

I have my good friend/associate Nate DeCarmo (you may know his brother Colin DeCarmo) 

helping me with music.

so like I stated in Facebook, the film is in the beta stage.... and well..... how would you like a sneak preview?

:D

I thought so.