Tommy’s Film Blog

Use of Film Form:  -mostly long shots (to frame large scale stunts, set pieces and gags); especially in One Week -exaggerated performances -long takes (to display large scale stunts, set pieces and gags in their entirety) -mostly invisible editing Buster Keaton's Film Persona: -working class/rural American -relatable everyman -aspirational/American dream -clumsy/eccentric -outsider -hopeless romantic  Representations: -traditional/outdated gender roles •man does hard, blue collar work as wife supports him/does more "feminine work" •man must fend off rival suitor for wife's hand/love -hard-working blue collar working class •builder in One Week, farmer in The Scarecrow Silent Comedy Techniques: -Large scale stunts/action scenes at climax •house spinning in "One Week", and chase in "The Scarecrow" -slapstick comedy through exaggerated performance, set-up and pay-off -post-modern techniques •fourth wall break in "One Week"; cameraman covers l

 The first thing heard in Pan's Labyrinth, before anything is shown onscreen, is a lullaby being hummed. On a first viewing, this could be seen as due to the fairy tale, storybook like nature of the film, however, after seeing the film in full, the audience know that it is also what Carmen hums to Ofelia as she dies at the end of the film. Immediately, this hints that many of the events of the film, specifically the fantasy elements, may not be real, but instead imagined by the child protagonist; this theory is also justified by the fact it lingers on a black screen means that this opening scene is from Ofelia's perspective as she dies, as her eyes are shut, and begins to repeat the events of the film back to herself. This is quickly juxtaposed by the text that follows, which explains the political situation in Spain in the time that it's set. The film then shows Ofelia, laying on the floor, breathing heavily, and being held, likely by her mother, as the lullaby is still hu

 The opening scene of City of God immediately establishes the fast pace and chaotic tone of the film in general through rapid-fire editing. The first thing we see in the film is the screen cutting from black to a close-up shot of a knife being sharpened, which immediately tells the audience that this film will be violent. The film does this repeatedly as fast paced samba music fades in, increasing the pace of which the film cuts from the black screen to the knife, immediately increasing the adrenaline of the audience and preparing them for the film. Even the title screen, which remains on screen for only 3 seconds, is not still, as it includes both a fast zoom out, as well as shaky cam. The music finally fades all the way in, just as it is established as non-diegetic, as we see it being performed by villagers, with others dancing. The film swiftly cuts between this and other people cooking, as well as defeathering a chicken that had previously been killed. Not only does this continue t

In the second to last scene from Trainspotting; Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie are in a bar; celebrating their successful drug deal and the money they acquired from it. Due to his anger issues that are consistently shown throughout the film, after bumping into a man and spilling some beer,  Begbie begins to argue with, and eventually starts to attack him, bloodying him and severely injuring him in the process. During this, Sick Boy and Spud try to intervene, but he continues to act the same way towards them, questioning their friendship, as up to this point, we have only seen Begbie use intimidation to get what he wants from them. Throughout this, we get intimate close-ups of Renton looking at the bag, with the other three being nothing but silhouettes in the background, and their arguments sound like they are much further in the distance than they are. This suggests not only that Renton has an opportunity and take the money for himself, but also his emotional distance from the othe

 In the opening scene of Shaun of the Dead, it is revealed that Liz has not met Shaun's mother, to the shock of David. Dianne asks Shaun if he doesn't get along with his mother, to which Shaun avoids her question. This leads the audience to speculate that Shaun does have a poor relationshíp with his mum, which is furthered by the scene in which he is approached by his stepfather, Philip, while he is at work, who reminds Shaun that he forgot to buy he flowers on mother's day. However, after we meet Barbara (Shaun's mum), it is made apparent that she and Shaun has a strong relationship with Barbara, but not with Philip, and their disagreements about Philip sometimes get in the way of their relationship. For example, Shaun refuses to refer to Philip as his Dad, despite him playing a paternal role in his life since he was 12. When Shaun and Ed worry about Barbara being bitten, it comes as a relief to both of them that it is only Philip, seeming completely unsympathetic towa

 In the opening shot of Shaun of the Dead, Shaun stares blankly at the camera, deep in thought. We are not told or shown what he is thinking about, however, it is assumable that he is thinking about his relationships, mainly with Liz and Ed, and whether or not he wants these to change. The way in which he stares at the camera resembles the famous "Kubrick stare", which is used in Kubrick's films to show derangement; in this case, as it is a satirical comedy, the meaning behind this stare is less severe, and hints more towards Shaun being tired, overwhelmed and fed up. The fact that he is simultaneously reinforces this. When he is called by Liz, he has to look in a different direction, reinforcing the fact that he was not paying attention to her, despite the fact they are having an important discussion which could determine the future of their relationship. Liz believes that Ed, Shaun's best friend that he lives with, is getting in the way of Shaun and Liz's relati