Raging Bully

" Raging Bull" is a genius piece of filmmaking!Robert DeNiro perfectly portrays the sorted, sad life of the one-time prize winning boxer Jake Lamotta in the years between 1943 and 1964.Jakes lifelong dream is to get a shot at the middleweight title without ever having to adhere to traditional avenues to arrive there.His manager and brother played by Joe Pesci,attempts to channel Jakes raging talent into a lucrative career for both men and their families.The movie profiles the havoc that is unleashed unto all that come into contact with Jake Lamotta,inside and outside of the ring.This movie is a showcase for D.W.Griffiths' expert editing techniques,executed by D.P. Michael Chapman.The film is shot in black and white lending the gritty brutal feel of actually attending a live fight.The use of some actual footage of Jake LaMotta fights bring us front and center of the boxing ring.D.W.Griffiths' methods are evidenced in the editing of this movie with the use of techniques suchas cutting and photography, slo-mo,freeze frame,blurred shots.The cinematography evokes a visceral reaction of the viewer with no words needing to be spoken by the actors.I give this movie a two thumbs way up,if I had more ,they would be pointed toward the sky as well!This is a supremely acted ,filmed,and edited movie.

Run Lola Run

Run,Lola run for your life!Lola is driven,at the behest of her drug-dealing boyfriend,to run all around town and secure monies so that his life may be spared. The director of photography,Frank Griebe, uses a myriad of camera techniques,such as;instant replay,speed-up,long shots,black and white,tight framing,depth movement and anything else that has ever been invented regarding a camera to convey to the viewer just how desparate the situation is. When none of these techniques get the message across,the film switches over to animation!These styles of cinematography are perfect for the storyline of an unstable couple involved with drugs and the havoc this lifestyle brings with it. If you dont like the movies' ending Tom Tykwer provides two more options for you by retelling the tale thrice over. This movies' movement reminds us somewaht of Harrison Ford running through the streets in "The Fugitive". The plot lacks the depth of "The Fugitive"and save the animation is almost documentary in content. Lola frequently moves laterally in frames which tells us that she is dogged in her pursuit of the cash. We get to see depth shots with Lola looking strait into the camera,or Lola running away from the camera which enables us to feel the breathlessness of her constant movement. I give this film two thumbs up for entertainment factor.

Heath Ledger's Farewell

I have chosen a frame to evaluate for placement of objects and characters. This frame occurs after tony joins the cast and revamps the setting to attack replacements for Valentina. The camera views Heath Ledger from slightly below and places him center frame, surrounded by high contrast visual elements,and using high key lighting. Tony speaks to a group of ladies gathered in front of the imaginarium. Heath Ledgers placement at camera center alerts us to the fact that he is the center of attention,he is the most omnipotent! The frame is used as an isolating device,the shot is tight with only Tony speaking. The two-dimensional frame becomes three-dimensional to my eye with the usage of the black and white painted squares on the wall. We would expect the subject matter to be attracting for Tony is attempting to persuade the ladies to enter the imaginarium. Heath Ledger is shot in the full front position,giving us the suggestion of intimacy by proximity, but his face is hidden by a white face mask,which evokes emotions of mystery and inaccessibility. We are drawn into this frame by Ledger and at the same time distracted by Valentina in the shot, almost on top of ,but behind him. Valentina appears to be portraying Eve with the poisonous fruit dangling over her head as she absent-mindedly strokes her hair with a brush,I think this is the eye-stop in this frame. The rule of thirds is observed with the placement of the "please take generously" chalkboard,Valentina,and Tony. A left to right movement of the eye is used, frame is closed, and presentation is an isolated movement with Tony and the audience. The frame is tight with Tony kneeling up against the offering box. The backdrop of black and white harlequin painted squares may suggest a carnival atmosphere, "hey come in here, have fun, live your dreams". The background of eve in the garden of Eden may suggest utopia. the gauzy white drapery gives an ethereal feel, with all of these being the content and canvas to the story line of this film.