The Hollywood Style
As you watch the introduction video, take notes. Be able to answer the question:
1. What elements define the Hollywood Style?
2. What draws people to Hollywood movies?
Casablanca (1942)
"I stick my neck out for nobody."
- Rick (Humphrey Bogart)
Overview
The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama Casablanca (1942), always found on top-ten lists of films, is a masterful tale of two men vying for the same woman's love in a love triangle. The story of political and romantic espionage is set against the backdrop of the wartime conflict between democracy and totalitarianism. [The date given for the film is often given as either 1942 and 1943. That is because its limited premiere was in 1942, but the film did not play nationally, or in Los Angeles, until 1943.]
With rich and smoky atmosphere, anti-Nazi propaganda, Max Steiner's superb musical score, suspense, unforgettable characters (supposedly 34 nationalities are included in its cast) and memorable lines of dialogue (e.g., "Here's lookin' at you, kid," and the inaccurately-quoted "Play it again, Sam"), it is one of the most popular, magical (and flawless) films of all time - focused on the themes of lost love, honor and duty, self-sacrifice and romance within a chaotic world.
Taken from http://www.filmsite.org/casa.html
The Making of Casablanca (Brief Video - Part 1)
As you watch the introduction video, take notes. Be able to answer the question:
1. What elements define the Hollywood Style?
2. What draws people to Hollywood movies?
Casablanca (1942)
"I stick my neck out for nobody."
- Rick (Humphrey Bogart)
Overview
The classic and much-loved romantic melodrama Casablanca (1942), always found on top-ten lists of films, is a masterful tale of two men vying for the same woman's love in a love triangle. The story of political and romantic espionage is set against the backdrop of the wartime conflict between democracy and totalitarianism. [The date given for the film is often given as either 1942 and 1943. That is because its limited premiere was in 1942, but the film did not play nationally, or in Los Angeles, until 1943.]
With rich and smoky atmosphere, anti-Nazi propaganda, Max Steiner's superb musical score, suspense, unforgettable characters (supposedly 34 nationalities are included in its cast) and memorable lines of dialogue (e.g., "Here's lookin' at you, kid," and the inaccurately-quoted "Play it again, Sam"), it is one of the most popular, magical (and flawless) films of all time - focused on the themes of lost love, honor and duty, self-sacrifice and romance within a chaotic world.
Taken from http://www.filmsite.org/casa.html
The Making of Casablanca (Brief Video - Part 1)
The Making of Casablanca (Brief Video - Part 2)
Raiders of the Ark (1982)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (later marketed as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) is a 1981 American fantasy-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It was the first installment in the Indiana Jones film franchise to be released, though it is the second in internal chronological order. It pits Indiana Jones (Ford) against a group of Nazis who are searching for the Ark of the Covenant which Adolf Hitler believes will make their army invincible. The film co-stars Karen Allen as Indiana's former lover, Marion Ravenwood;Paul Freeman as Indiana's nemesis, French archaeologist René Belloq; John Rhys-Davies as Indiana's sidekick, Sallah; Ronald Lacey as Gestapoagent Arnold Toht; and Denholm Elliott as Indiana's colleague, Marcus Brody.
The film originated from Lucas' desire to create a modern version of the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. Production was based at Elstree Studios, England; but filming also took place in La Rochelle, Tunisia, Hawaii, and California from June to September 1980.
Released on June 12, 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became the year's top-grossing film and remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1982, including Best Picture, and won four (Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects) and a fifth Special Achievement Award for its Sound Effects Editing. The film's critical and popular success led to three additional films, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), the television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992–1996), and 15 video games as of 2009. In 1999, the film was included in the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry as having been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Raiders is ranked among the greatest films of all time in the action-adventure genre and often in general. It is cited as a classic film in the genre. - taken from Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiders_of_the_Lost_Ark)
The film originated from Lucas' desire to create a modern version of the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. Production was based at Elstree Studios, England; but filming also took place in La Rochelle, Tunisia, Hawaii, and California from June to September 1980.
Released on June 12, 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became the year's top-grossing film and remains one of the highest-grossing films ever made. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards in 1982, including Best Picture, and won four (Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects) and a fifth Special Achievement Award for its Sound Effects Editing. The film's critical and popular success led to three additional films, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), the television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992–1996), and 15 video games as of 2009. In 1999, the film was included in the U.S. Library of Congress' National Film Registry as having been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Raiders is ranked among the greatest films of all time in the action-adventure genre and often in general. It is cited as a classic film in the genre. - taken from Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raiders_of_the_Lost_Ark)
Viewing Questions: Please consider these focus questions as you take notes on the film. I will stop each day for you to complete your notes after the screening. Be prepared to write about these questions on the blog when we have finished the film.
- Produced in 1981, how does Raiders of the Lost Ark still demonstrate the classic “Hollywood Style,” in which effects like music, costume, lighting, sound and special effects play a role in moving the plot or story line forward?
- How is Casablanca (1941) an influential film for Raiders of the Lost Ark? What elements of the film (lighting, costume, sound, camera angles and shots, etc.) do both films share? Specifically, how does Raiders also use similar elements of story line, pacing, and theme in the film?
- In Raiders of the Lost Ark, the role of Indian Jones (Harrison Ford) shares some significant similarities with Humphrey Bogart’s character of Rick Blaine in Casablanca. Discuss those similarities, and also, find any distinct differences between the characters. Consider why those differences are made by the director.
- In Raiders of the Lost Ark, the role of Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) is a clear departure from the role of Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) in Casablanca. In what ways does she represent a very different type of Hollywood heroine than Ilsa? What scenes exemplify this difference? What might her characterization say about modern (1980’s) viewing audience tastes?
The Modern Hollywood Style: The Life of Pi (2012)
Life of Pi is a 2012 American-Indian-British computer-animated adventure drama film based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name. Directed by Ang Lee, the film's adapted screenplay was written by David Magee, and it stars Suraj Sharma,Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu, Tabu, and Adil Hussain.
The storyline revolves around a 16-year-old Indian boy who survives a shipwreck in which his family dies, and is stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
The film had its worldwide premiere as the opening film of the 50th New York Film Festival at both the Walter Reade Theater and Alice Tully Hall in New York City on September 28, 2012.
Life of Pi emerged as a critical and commercial success, earning over $609 million worldwide. It was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards which included the Best Picture – Drama and the Best Director and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. At the 85th Academy Awards it had eleven nominations, including Best Picture, and won four (the most for the evening) including Best Director for Ang Lee. (taken from wikipedia.com)
Viewing Questions: Please consider these focus questions as you take notes on the film. I will stop each day for you to complete your notes after the screening. Be prepared to write about these questions on the blog when we have finished the film.
1. How does The Life of Pi serve as a modern example of the Hollywood Style? Consider how the movie provides excellent story (that can appeal to a global viewership) and an engaging main character while entertaining with cutting-edge computer animation and images?
2. What thematic elements (hope, the human spirit, overcoming conflict, bravery and adventure) does the film share with both Casablanca and Raiders of the Lost Ark?
3. This movie is a visual treat. What were some of your favorite images? Your favorite moments? Why?
4. What version of Pi (his name and his story) do you prefer? What do you think these two versions represent?
Click Here For The Making of The Life of Pi
Life of Pi: VFX of Richard Parker
Life of Pi is a 2012 American-Indian-British computer-animated adventure drama film based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name. Directed by Ang Lee, the film's adapted screenplay was written by David Magee, and it stars Suraj Sharma,Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu, Tabu, and Adil Hussain.
The storyline revolves around a 16-year-old Indian boy who survives a shipwreck in which his family dies, and is stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
The film had its worldwide premiere as the opening film of the 50th New York Film Festival at both the Walter Reade Theater and Alice Tully Hall in New York City on September 28, 2012.
Life of Pi emerged as a critical and commercial success, earning over $609 million worldwide. It was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards which included the Best Picture – Drama and the Best Director and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. At the 85th Academy Awards it had eleven nominations, including Best Picture, and won four (the most for the evening) including Best Director for Ang Lee. (taken from wikipedia.com)
Viewing Questions: Please consider these focus questions as you take notes on the film. I will stop each day for you to complete your notes after the screening. Be prepared to write about these questions on the blog when we have finished the film.
1. How does The Life of Pi serve as a modern example of the Hollywood Style? Consider how the movie provides excellent story (that can appeal to a global viewership) and an engaging main character while entertaining with cutting-edge computer animation and images?
2. What thematic elements (hope, the human spirit, overcoming conflict, bravery and adventure) does the film share with both Casablanca and Raiders of the Lost Ark?
3. This movie is a visual treat. What were some of your favorite images? Your favorite moments? Why?
4. What version of Pi (his name and his story) do you prefer? What do you think these two versions represent?
Click Here For The Making of The Life of Pi
Life of Pi: VFX of Richard Parker