Top 5 Films

Top 5 Films:

#1: Lincoln directed by Steven Spielberg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiSAbAuLhqs

This nearly life-summarizing selection of Lincoln’s accomplishments are bonded with excellent adaption to historical research and memorable dialogue. Daniel Day-Lewis’ interpretation of Lincoln’s everyday actions and witty stories dramatize the character to extreme proportions and enable viewers to become immersed within the interactions. The movie causes me to personally ponder the outcome of the congressional meeting every time I come across certain sections of the movie.
Will slavery be abolished?

#2: Argo directed by Ben Affleck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w918Eh3fij0

Rediscovering the era of the Middle-Eastern tensions with the American embassy in Tehran, the film illustrates the range of class discussions surrounding the topic; maintaining a interestingly distant approach from a plot of the true story. We are constantly challenged to accept the plot as truth, and its surrealist properties do not aid to accomplish such form of comprehension! I especially adore the connections to current conflicts; shown in a way that truly reexamines human, moral fibers.

#3: Bernie directed by Richard Linklater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG7i37HDK7Y

Once again, the surrealist qualities of an actor (formerly known for his Nacho Libre crude humor) are able to comedically twist a tragedy into a satire. The murder and segmented mind of the individual is easily pinpointed. A favorite moment of mine is when he redecorates a corpse in the mortuary, which is later revealed to be a class for future undertakers! This form of dark humor follows throughout the film. It was enjoyable two times, and I doubt any less funny the third!

#4: The Adventures of Tintin directed by Steven Spielberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ua_4ajpP58

Having read all the series in their original language since the dawn of literacy, I can acknowledge that it is the character I am most influenced by. The amazing product movie is personally considered a coincidence. Tintin’s adventures are brought to cinema and in a way represent the culmination of Herges’ life work. The film represents the character’s adoption by Spielberg, who seems to understand the symbolic meaning of Tintin and the character’s possibilities. 

#5: Hugo directed by Martin Scorsese

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-kP-olcpM

The complexity of character-building dominates the entirety of the film; causing the audience to become entranced by the situations expressed during the film. As Hugo explores his father’s death, the story creates an intense sensation of fondness towards the plot and Hugo’s interaction with other individuals. Hugo’s run-ins with the station manager, while certainly plot-demoralizing, allow for many smirks at the expressed, basic humor. 

A Good Film Relies on...

Film, being the most energetic form of art, must continually absorb the audience's attention and emotions into a storyline completely detached from the targeted viewers. As another universe unfolds, the script writer must distinguish certain scenes that will serve as a major outline of events; contrasting with those that pry seemingly unimportant details that become vital participants of the overall product. Crafted similarly to an essay, shots must be varied to not seem bland or fade into forgetfulness. Therefore, script editors must congregate amongst the film editors to produce the most visually attractive film. Visionary arts cannot be the sole attribute to a film; the scripting procedures must as intuitive for the audience to fully appreciate the movie. In Spielberg’s Lincoln, the research of the scripting crews are prominent features of the film, accented by the large range of shot types. Shots are rarely static, they constantly search to accumulate emotion. An important static shot, nondiegetic in audio nature, occurs near the beginning; during Lincoln’s reiteration of his address to a group of soldiers. He is situated in a off-centered Medium Shot while he delivers choice quotes of his speech to the collected soldiers. At this moment, he narrates the speech, and it serves as a historical and moral recapitulation of his personal beliefs. Through obvious collaboration between production teams, the film is able to “catch the audience up to speed” and begin the film. Certain metaphorical elements physically surrounding Lincoln, the rain and mud he stands in and upon, are quickly noted and incorporated into the meaning of the piece; a transition visibly insisted upon by the shots and sounds of the particular scene. 

Similar techniques are employed in other recent movies, such as Argo; yet seem to be portrayed further by respect to the overarching role of acting. Nearly tangible emotions are generated through character’s acting, aided by the film composition, yet that are able to stand individually as an insight within the generated filmic world. The morally decaying and constant stress of threat is easily conveyed through the character’s actions, including the audience in the world conflicts of the era.

Finally, any movie must, at a certain point, include an amount of historically-accepted piece of information. It is on this tidbit of knowledge that any form of symbolism is able to arise, as including a small amount of details will further facilitate audience members to become engaged within a movie. In the case of Argo and Lincoln, this is a prominent feature. Nonetheless, this attention to detail is present in many films, and seems to be the root of the success of any movie.

Combined, these three elements are the basis of filmmaking, and contribute to an improved experience for the audience.