Tuesday, May 18, 2010
penetrating keanu/ ExistenZ
In "Penetrating Keanu" Cynthia Freeland argues in her comparison of The Matrix and Existenz that The Matrix, though "sleeker" is actually more "infantile" emotionally and philosophically and that, really, we have very little that is new to learn from the film. What reasons does she give for this claim? What evidence does she supply? Do you agree with her or not? Why or why not? Write a multi-paragraph blog entry engaging with Freeland's arguments.
before starting this blog i would have to say that my arguement may seem a bit incomplete since i've never seen Existenz, and although i have a small amount of helpful data in comparision to the different styles of the films. I would still need to see it to deliver a full subjective viewpoint.
However I understand what cynthia freeland is saying when she bashes the matrix. Although the movie is trying to deliver something new its still typical hollywood bullshit. The main protaganist (Neo)and supporting female role (Trinity) fit the stereotypes that we all know and...love. She doesnt agree with the way they describe the matrix, in my opinion she see's it as an excuse to throw in the special abilities these characters have while inside.And in short she's basically saying she preferes the way existenz handled many of the things she feels the matrix failed at. i cant bash the matrix because admittedly i liked it alot maybe im some sort of "geeky young male who yearns autonomy and super powers" as she so elequently puts it, but i cant compare it to existenz because i havent seent yet. But that goes without saying that i agree with some of her points so far, the matrix is a bit flashy, and sometimes i feel like its trying to balance style with meaning but thats only sometimes but either way it succeeds admirably. That being said the matrix is still a good film with interesting meanings behind everything. so until i see existenz...
(5/20/2010)
After seeing existenz i can now argue that this film has a deeper meaning than the matrix. my proof is the fact that i just didn't understand it. now i know that's a funny statement, but before any judgment is placed on my opinion i want to say its not hard to get the general concept or the idea of the film, and its not hard to understand that they were apparently just testing another game of another name for 20 minutes. but everything that happens in between is what makes the story (if it even really has one) questionable. I cant tell if the filmmakers intended to make a film so utterly confusing that when its done you just cant help but feel like you missed something or if it's all just really a crock of shit. Either way i'm sure there's more to everything and thats why think this film has a deeper meaning when compared to the matrix. The beauty of this film is that it really isn't the normal cliche hollywood film we're all use to,i cant really find that many stereotypes here and the beauty of the whole thing was that i wasn't sure what the hell was going to happen, if what was happening was real, and how it was going to end. overall there's a lot to be found here and i found hat this movie left me thinking and even considering giving it a re-watch.
before starting this blog i would have to say that my arguement may seem a bit incomplete since i've never seen Existenz, and although i have a small amount of helpful data in comparision to the different styles of the films. I would still need to see it to deliver a full subjective viewpoint.
However I understand what cynthia freeland is saying when she bashes the matrix. Although the movie is trying to deliver something new its still typical hollywood bullshit. The main protaganist (Neo)and supporting female role (Trinity) fit the stereotypes that we all know and...love. She doesnt agree with the way they describe the matrix, in my opinion she see's it as an excuse to throw in the special abilities these characters have while inside.And in short she's basically saying she preferes the way existenz handled many of the things she feels the matrix failed at. i cant bash the matrix because admittedly i liked it alot maybe im some sort of "geeky young male who yearns autonomy and super powers" as she so elequently puts it, but i cant compare it to existenz because i havent seent yet. But that goes without saying that i agree with some of her points so far, the matrix is a bit flashy, and sometimes i feel like its trying to balance style with meaning but thats only sometimes but either way it succeeds admirably. That being said the matrix is still a good film with interesting meanings behind everything. so until i see existenz...
(5/20/2010)
After seeing existenz i can now argue that this film has a deeper meaning than the matrix. my proof is the fact that i just didn't understand it. now i know that's a funny statement, but before any judgment is placed on my opinion i want to say its not hard to get the general concept or the idea of the film, and its not hard to understand that they were apparently just testing another game of another name for 20 minutes. but everything that happens in between is what makes the story (if it even really has one) questionable. I cant tell if the filmmakers intended to make a film so utterly confusing that when its done you just cant help but feel like you missed something or if it's all just really a crock of shit. Either way i'm sure there's more to everything and thats why think this film has a deeper meaning when compared to the matrix. The beauty of this film is that it really isn't the normal cliche hollywood film we're all use to,i cant really find that many stereotypes here and the beauty of the whole thing was that i wasn't sure what the hell was going to happen, if what was happening was real, and how it was going to end. overall there's a lot to be found here and i found hat this movie left me thinking and even considering giving it a re-watch.
blog 18 part 2
so we have created our outline (rough draft) we have the idea of what we intend to use. and later on today we will begin the editing process.
Outline
Network intro
Brief description of symbolism
Examples of symbolism in films
Ending (symbol speech)
Outline
Network intro
Brief description of symbolism
Examples of symbolism in films
Ending (symbol speech)
blog 18
today me and kris are going to outline, and or get started on the editing process of our project.
Are we really here, or there...or anywhere?
Are you, or could you, be living in the Matrix? How would you know?
Well the only answer to that question is exactly the question that's being asked...how would you know?. the matrix is a program. it's meant to show us what we "perceive" as reality. If we've known this world all our life how could we ever be so certain? or even have such a theory that we are living in a false world such as the matrix?. i dont think there would be anyway to know. unless you're neo and morpheus just so happens to pop into your life offering two pills that will either return you to your "dream" state or show you the "real" world. however there is a possibility we could already be living in the matrix. If you want to think about it from a technical viewpoint, look at the people around, look at the world today, there was a time when people had people skills, diversity was something you would see (sure you see the selected few who followed the trend but nowadays its all the same). If you want to find a true individual nowadays you have to search deeper and with the lack of effort a lot of people portray makes it hard to see anything genuine. As mentioned in the matrix Everybody is living in a dream world, technology is the proof behind this, people depend on it it's a necessity. You look around and you notice the texting, the tweeting, and the social networking sites. It's become part of their routine, it's become their second life, so in that sense yes we are living in the matrix. If you're thinking more along the lines of the movie, if i think we're floating in a pod of pink goo while our minds stay hooked up to a machine then like i said before how could we know?.
Well the only answer to that question is exactly the question that's being asked...how would you know?. the matrix is a program. it's meant to show us what we "perceive" as reality. If we've known this world all our life how could we ever be so certain? or even have such a theory that we are living in a false world such as the matrix?. i dont think there would be anyway to know. unless you're neo and morpheus just so happens to pop into your life offering two pills that will either return you to your "dream" state or show you the "real" world. however there is a possibility we could already be living in the matrix. If you want to think about it from a technical viewpoint, look at the people around, look at the world today, there was a time when people had people skills, diversity was something you would see (sure you see the selected few who followed the trend but nowadays its all the same). If you want to find a true individual nowadays you have to search deeper and with the lack of effort a lot of people portray makes it hard to see anything genuine. As mentioned in the matrix Everybody is living in a dream world, technology is the proof behind this, people depend on it it's a necessity. You look around and you notice the texting, the tweeting, and the social networking sites. It's become part of their routine, it's become their second life, so in that sense yes we are living in the matrix. If you're thinking more along the lines of the movie, if i think we're floating in a pod of pink goo while our minds stay hooked up to a machine then like i said before how could we know?.
sunrise outline
intro
thesis statement
example 1
example 2
example 3
example 4
example 5
example 6
closing statement
thesis statement
example 1
example 2
example 3
example 4
example 5
example 6
closing statement
sunrise
sunrise is a film that requires multiple views. (like pulp fiction) there's just something new you find every time you see it. everybody has a different perspective on this film, some are obvious things you notice that stand out as metaphors others are just things you see that were left there by the filmmakers themselves to have people like us talking about it. there is no right or wrong answer here just an observation supported by something relevant, someone could easily see it differently. now that i made that clear, on to what i intend to prove...
sunrise (as you already know) is a film of metaphors, in my paper i intend to prove the resemblance of the city woman to that of the vampire, and the transition of the main character as he juggles between his wife and the city woman.
in the film you immediatly notice the flaw the main protaganist has. He's infatuated with the woman from the city, he's driven by her influence. In the tracking shot thats shows him walking to the swamp to meet the city woman you can notice in his walk that he is a different person. in the early scene when he is home in the presence of his wife you see him standing straight he seems a little mischevious but non the less his wife's presence signifies purity, he doesnt seem to realize it but he's calm and ok in this state. As he makes his way to the city woman you begin to see him slouch and walk in a creepy manner as if he was a zombie or was forcing himself to move.
Another time you notice his transition is in the shot where he's going over the drowning of his wife in his head. its a medium close up shot he looks like a normal man observing his wife as she's feeding the chickens he then invisions her drowning while he imagines the city woman caressing him in a super imposed image. He then puts his head in his hands eventually lifts his head up and you begin to notice this black shade under his eyes he becomes this different person entirely.
But the most obvious reason that he is a different person (depending on who he's with) is shown early in the film. The neighbour women describe how the relationship between the married couple use to be saying "They used to be like children, carefree...always happy and laughing..." after the title card explains this you see a flashback of him, his wife, and their baby they all seem carefree and all is well and simple. Then another title card appears and it says "Now he ruins himself for that woman from the city - Money-lenders strip the farm - and his wife sits alone". another flashback shows the difference and all the change the city woman has brought as he selling his cows with a look of grief. it's safe to say he is a different person depending on which woman is present.
My next theory i intend to prove is the resemblence the city woman shares with the vamp. As we all know the vampire is a creature of the night, who feeds on the life form of living creatures, they never come out during the day, they have an influence about them that makes it easy to lure their prey to them and wherever they go it's sure to be bad news for someone. this can all be said for the city woman.
My first example begins with the fact that the city woman is never seen coming out during the day. the first shot to show this is the shot of the city woman in her room in the country, the room is dim with only a hint of light shining through one of the windows she's smoking and she has on a slinky black dress. The second fact is proven when the husband leaves his house to meet her at the swamp it's night time and it's the only time they ever meet.
another example that relates her to the vamp is her complexion she is very pale, you can notice this when the husband finally meets her at the swamp and the moonlight shines on her face. this a clear sign that she doesnt get enough sunlight and could very well be a creature of the night. Another small detail i want to add, vampires are a symbol of death they are the living dead they take life and dont really value it. before the husband finally meets the city woman there is a shot of her standing in the pale moon light twirling a flower (which represents life and all that the country has to offer) and then she carelessly throws it away this can reresent her disdain for the country and life itself. since vampires are creatures of death it can be said that she really doesnt appreciate life you can relate this to the fact that she suggested in a nonchalant manner to the husband that he kill his wife, as if it was no big deal, and as if life itself had no value.
My last example focuses on her influence. vampires are usually very charming they have this influence about them, and the ability to seduce and lure in their prey. This all relates to the husband and the difference in his behavior when he's with the city woman. You can first notice this in the tracking shot of the husband walking to the swamp when he goes to meet her, he almost seems like he's in a trance, and as if he's forcing himself to move. Another example can be seen in the shot when the city woman suggest that the husband drowns his wife, at first the husband is enraged he begins to choke the city woman but she kisses him and quickly changes his mind, this is a sign of the power she has over him. The next example is shown when the husband wakes up the next day and he begins to think about the act of murder he was asked to commit, after his thought he seems to have a change of heart but soon after a super impose image of the city woman appears and she's holding him smiling ensuring the fact that the city woman is in his mind, and has indeed influenced him enough to have him carry out her wishes.
i stated i would prove every theory i had with relevant information, i hope this will suffice.
sunrise (as you already know) is a film of metaphors, in my paper i intend to prove the resemblance of the city woman to that of the vampire, and the transition of the main character as he juggles between his wife and the city woman.
in the film you immediatly notice the flaw the main protaganist has. He's infatuated with the woman from the city, he's driven by her influence. In the tracking shot thats shows him walking to the swamp to meet the city woman you can notice in his walk that he is a different person. in the early scene when he is home in the presence of his wife you see him standing straight he seems a little mischevious but non the less his wife's presence signifies purity, he doesnt seem to realize it but he's calm and ok in this state. As he makes his way to the city woman you begin to see him slouch and walk in a creepy manner as if he was a zombie or was forcing himself to move.
Another time you notice his transition is in the shot where he's going over the drowning of his wife in his head. its a medium close up shot he looks like a normal man observing his wife as she's feeding the chickens he then invisions her drowning while he imagines the city woman caressing him in a super imposed image. He then puts his head in his hands eventually lifts his head up and you begin to notice this black shade under his eyes he becomes this different person entirely.
But the most obvious reason that he is a different person (depending on who he's with) is shown early in the film. The neighbour women describe how the relationship between the married couple use to be saying "They used to be like children, carefree...always happy and laughing..." after the title card explains this you see a flashback of him, his wife, and their baby they all seem carefree and all is well and simple. Then another title card appears and it says "Now he ruins himself for that woman from the city - Money-lenders strip the farm - and his wife sits alone". another flashback shows the difference and all the change the city woman has brought as he selling his cows with a look of grief. it's safe to say he is a different person depending on which woman is present.
My next theory i intend to prove is the resemblence the city woman shares with the vamp. As we all know the vampire is a creature of the night, who feeds on the life form of living creatures, they never come out during the day, they have an influence about them that makes it easy to lure their prey to them and wherever they go it's sure to be bad news for someone. this can all be said for the city woman.
My first example begins with the fact that the city woman is never seen coming out during the day. the first shot to show this is the shot of the city woman in her room in the country, the room is dim with only a hint of light shining through one of the windows she's smoking and she has on a slinky black dress. The second fact is proven when the husband leaves his house to meet her at the swamp it's night time and it's the only time they ever meet.
another example that relates her to the vamp is her complexion she is very pale, you can notice this when the husband finally meets her at the swamp and the moonlight shines on her face. this a clear sign that she doesnt get enough sunlight and could very well be a creature of the night. Another small detail i want to add, vampires are a symbol of death they are the living dead they take life and dont really value it. before the husband finally meets the city woman there is a shot of her standing in the pale moon light twirling a flower (which represents life and all that the country has to offer) and then she carelessly throws it away this can reresent her disdain for the country and life itself. since vampires are creatures of death it can be said that she really doesnt appreciate life you can relate this to the fact that she suggested in a nonchalant manner to the husband that he kill his wife, as if it was no big deal, and as if life itself had no value.
My last example focuses on her influence. vampires are usually very charming they have this influence about them, and the ability to seduce and lure in their prey. This all relates to the husband and the difference in his behavior when he's with the city woman. You can first notice this in the tracking shot of the husband walking to the swamp when he goes to meet her, he almost seems like he's in a trance, and as if he's forcing himself to move. Another example can be seen in the shot when the city woman suggest that the husband drowns his wife, at first the husband is enraged he begins to choke the city woman but she kisses him and quickly changes his mind, this is a sign of the power she has over him. The next example is shown when the husband wakes up the next day and he begins to think about the act of murder he was asked to commit, after his thought he seems to have a change of heart but soon after a super impose image of the city woman appears and she's holding him smiling ensuring the fact that the city woman is in his mind, and has indeed influenced him enough to have him carry out her wishes.
i stated i would prove every theory i had with relevant information, i hope this will suffice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
