A Deep Dive

    This was such a good movie! I have seen so many movies with similar themes such as Fresh (2022) and Ready or Not (2019). I was fascinated by how well the actors portrayed this story, specifically in the scene where Rose is speaking on the phone with Rod. She keeps empty facial expressions, as if she is in that hypnotized trance, while adding emotion to her voice to seem as if she cared. I wasn't suspicious of Rose though until she couldn't find her keys and then I knew. I loved how the opening scene ties into the story as well. I went back to rewatch the opening scene after Chris took the car and saw the mask from the beginning. I was rooting for all of those captured people to find their way out and I was so sad they all ended up dying (except Chris of course, who survived).      The music really added to the story as well. I love when thriller/horror movies use music as important elements because it makes the story e...

    After learning about Mise en Scene in class, I was hyper-aware of every detail the director made while watching this movie. The color schemes, music choices, and cinematography gave the movie such a mix of a regal yet modern feel. Sofia Cappola is known to give her characters such a lonely feel to them, using features like having a wide camera shot for just the protagonist or having the protagonist look longingly out the window. There were many times when Marie would be away and having fun but then the contrast of having a distant wide shot of her standing alone and looking melancholy would give that classic Cappola feel.      I found myself feeling very fond of her character and how difficult it must have been to be a young girl in that position of power. You can see all the energetic and youthful energy she has but she is in a position where she is to remain poised and do as she's told. She goes though a sense of rebellion, as you can see when she cheats o...

     After watching Rear Window, I was reflecting by thinking about the cinematic choices and what I learned after reading chapter 2. A scene that gave the illusion it was shot in one shot was the opening scene of Rear Window. The opening scene pans to each window in the city and hints at what the main character is going to be looking at through the window. It was such a strong choice to have this be the opening scene because it shows a little of what is going on in each window before getting into more detail throughout the movie.       The director used differences in perspective to show the people outside his window. The camera often played as if it was coming from the perspective of the main character and was focusing on what he was looking at. This led to the audience questioning what was occurring in the other homes when he wasn't looking. Having the story taken in this direction keeps the audience on their toes about what is going to happen next ...

     After watching Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari (1920), I can say I do not like older films because of how unsettled I was. The spooky music, unique makeup, unrealistic sets, and lack of dialogue made me uncomfortable. I had difficulty following along with the plot because I had to stop and read after every dialogue point. The actors made me uncomfortable as well and I think it is because of all I know about actors' lives back then, Judy Garland for example. Life was very different in the 20s and I don't like traveling there through film.       The cinematography and scenery were obviously unrealistic and tacky, so I felt like I was watching something the whole time instead of being sucked into the movie and forgetting it was fictional like normal. The plot was very unique, I have to say. I found myself genuinely interested in the plot and LOVED the plot twist. That truly made the story for me because it set me back and made me think. I have always st...

    In 1896, Alice Guy- Blaché wrote, directed, and edited her first film, The Cabbage Fairy. She even starred in the film as the fairy. In the movie, a fairy is in a field of cabbages and pulls babies out to set them on the ground where the camera can see them. Since this is one of the first films ever made, it is short, has no dialogue, and is shot from one camera angle. The cinematography is lacking because of how old it is, as there is no change in scenery. In current years, most people find this film weird and confusing but in a way, that can be said about modern films made today as well. You could probably rack your brain for a deeper meaning like audiences do nowadays with "strange" films.     An example of a modern film that can be seen similarly is The Menu (2022). This film is about a strange, prestigious restaurant with a head chef who takes his craft a little too seriously. Weird things happen throughout the whole movie that audiences ...

     In class, we watched the short film Snowy. This was about a pet turtle and his pursuit of happiness. We were introduced to the family that owns this 24-year-old turtle and got to know who the owners are. In this, we learned that the turtle was adopted by one of the sons in the family, but through the years, became very important to the father in the family, Larry. The short film walks us through Larry's work to keep Snowy alive and provides Snowy with the attention no one else in the family seems to give him. You come to the conclusion that Larry cares a great deal about Snowy, but may be going about it in the wrong way.       Snowy is shown as very closed off and in his shell the majority of the time. He tries to eat a worm, which is mentioned that he loves, but throws it up because he can't eat it. Larry goes on a journey to take better care of Snowy and pursues other avenues to help Snowy. Through reaching out to a professional with turtles in ...

          Hi! My name is Emma Akers and I am an Interactive Media Studies major with a minor in Film and Screen Studies! I love reading, music, and obviously film. This is my first year at North Central College and I am so glad this was the school I chose. I have a passion for cinematography and film so I decided to study it! I am from Indiana and learned about North Central from my sister who is a senior here. I have 2 dogs named Oliver and Teddy who are by far the best little dogs ever. I listen to all types of music and genres and don't really have a favorite. This goes for movies as well, it's hard to choose a favorite when there are so many.           A movie that got me into film was Rocketman (2019). The cinematography particularly and the decisions the director made were so fascinating to me that I wanted to pursue a career in working on projects like that. I will gladly have a conversation about the specifics of my opi...