Exam question on setting - lovers on the lam

What is the significance about setting and/or place in your chosen American films?

In the two American films I have used in Badlands(1973) and Natural Born killers(1996).  There are many similarities and differences with some key settings chosen which represent different things throughout each of the films. 

The wide landscapes, in the long shots in Badlands are very significant because the wild american desert is used a lot in the scenes where a lot of key scenes for Kit takes place. For example his surrender/capture at the end of the film. To add to that there are many shots of Kit and Holly in the desert in the car, which is a typical convention of a road movie, which could portray the open space as them being free, as america is viewed as a 'free' country and I believed this is projected through the use of scenery and open places in the desert. 

In Natural Born Killers, Micky and Mallory married themselves on a bridge. This was a very significant setting as it can reference them leaving there old life and entering a new one as they cross the bridge. This is portrayed through the use of long shots to establish this setting. Also this compares to Badlands as they also come across a train track bridge which represents them together crossing into a 'bad' land.  

Also the scenes in both Mallory's and Holly's house is very significant. Holly's house in Badlands was very suburban although the family did not match these normal traits. Holly's mother died giving birth to her and there for her dad was left with her as she grew up without a mother. This dysfunctional family is a theme which occurs in both films. Mallory's house is quite alternate to Holly's. Mallory has a much more stereotypical family, which consisted of her mother,father and little brother. However the dysfunction occurs in the house as her father sexually abuses her which is shown through the use of close ups of the father and Mallory. We can also prove this through the performance of the characters in key scenes which occur in Mallory's home setting from key lines in the diegetic sound such as " you never tried to stop it" which Mallory says before setting her mother on fire. This is showing some sort of revenge for Mallory. In comparison Mallory goes through a great deal compared to Holly in Badlands due to the fact Holly is too naive to realise the dysfunction and just wants to feel loved, however due to the time period of change in NBK it is evident there is a lot more to the change in Mallory than just loneliness. 

Section C practice question 2

Discuss some of the similarities and difference between the two films you have studied for this topic with particular reference to narrative and genre features.

One of the main conventions in the lovers on the lamb genre is romance. This sub genre is significant in both Natural Born Killers and Badlands. Badlands is presented in a less passionate way than in Natural Born Killers, in that we see no real romance amongst Kit and Holly. This is a connotation of the immaturity and innocence of the two; however in NBK the romance is very obvious and strong amongst the two.

In both of these films there is also some sort of obstacle which must be defeated so the couple can have their freedom and begin their rampage. In both Badlands and natural born killers this obstacle is the family of the girl in the couple. This links in with the genre convention of the dysfunctional family due to the fact both Mallory and Holly feel very lonely and want to feel loved and get the attention of the right person.  However although both families are killed to help the lovers start there journey on the road the narrative stories are very different. For example in Badlands the use of Holly's voice overs of non diegetic sound show a sense of naivety through the tone of her voice because although Kit has just killed her dad, she does not show any passion or emotion. However, on the other hand, in NBK Micky and Mallory work more of a duo (lovers) to kill the obstacle getting in there way which is her parents, as Mallory actively participates in killing her father and rejoicing when he is dead! This point could be due to the time periods both films were set, for example Badlands was set in the 1950's where women were represented as being very passive, quite and dependent on the man however NBK identifies the change of this idea in the 90's due to the fact women can be just as aggressive as men can, sometimes worse.

The editing in both films are very different which creates a very different narrative structure. In Badlands it is very classical and slow paced from scene to scene which gives a sense of the importance in each killing, however they are very overlooked, which contrasts to the experimental, energetic editing used in NBK. This could have been due to the fact that it reflects the time period in the 1990's and how media can make such a big effect and then suddenly drop a part of the story to sell more copies of the more dramatic story lines.

Section C exam questions Lovers on the Lam

How far do the two films you have studied for this topic present similar messages and values?

Both Natural born killers and Badlands are based around the genre convention 'lovers on the lamb' of which two people go on a killing spree together whilst on the run.  This genre is broken into the sub genre of, romance, road movies, and crime. Both of these films portray conventions of these throughout the films. which create similar messages and values however are presented in different ways.

Both of the films are based on true events, which the narrative is showing the lives of the mass murders on the run. Badlands is based on the killing spree that Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate committed. Natural Born killers is based on the killing spree that Rodney King committed.

One of the main messages that is presented in Natural Born Killers is that the media is influencing people and corrupts people through violent video games and television, mainly on the news. This is portrayed through a number of different techniques. For example the use of adding cartoons and well known, non diegetic, sound effects from cartoons such as the birds tweeting when a character is hurt, through using the non diegetic sound, it tries to make the act more light hearted which suggests the underlying violence in the media which is continuously in our surroundings. Some cartoons have been believed to influence violence towards children. To add to that it also suggests media influences violence very clearly in the opening scene when Mallory and Micky are in the diner, which is a typical road convention, and a point of view shot is used whilst holding the gun to create a shot similar to one used when playing ordinary video games in the comfort of your own home. This suggests that the more video games you play, you lose the sense of reality and the fantasy of the thrill you get from killing another person takes over as it almost becomes a 'natural' instinct.

  Badlands presents a different kind of violence- gun violence. Although the bare minimum of media is used through out this film, the violence is very slow pace and the message they are trying to portray is that people will do anything to become famous. In this case, a mass murderer. This is shown as Kit models himself as James Dean and hands his belongings out to the coppers like he is a star. But because mass murderers were rare in the 1950's, by going on his rampage, Kit got the fame he desperately wanted through the media, as he wanted to be above the law, which further more compares to NBK, that by covering Kits story in the media, it has corrupted him further.  To add to that a key theme used in Badlands is 'The American Dream'. Kit kills the people that he kills for love,   although his and Holly's relationship is only built around the death of the people who get in their way. Although they don't have the intention to kill innocent people it's what keeps their relationship together. Towards the end of the film the authorities treat Kit like  royalty and are fascinated by him. This is portrayed through low angle shots with Kit above the authorities on the plane which is showing the power and pride he has knowing people know his name.
He is treated this way because although we don't see it, Kit's crime has been televised and broadcasted across America and the authorities are almost honoured to be in his presence as he is now a famous and well known criminal, Also, although we witness both Kit and Holly being arrested which would be seen as the end for them, we actually see Kit at his happiest due to the fact he has finally got his American Dream which is the name he has attained for himself, knowing he has become famous.  However a key message which is put across through these films is that, in NBK we see the consequences of there killing in the prison however in Badlands although we see them get caught, the only punishment we here they get is through the voice over from Holly through the non diegetic sound being used.

 Another key message and value in NBK is the dysfunctional family. This is particularly highlighted in the scene where Mallory's dad is watching the wrestling. This scene is set out like a classic American sitcom. When Mallory's dad is talking about checking whether she's "clean", a canned laugh is used as non-diegetic sound. This makes the abuse seem comical as it's so Americanised and it shows that even television is making abuse funny due to it being shown as a popular American sitcom. Because, as an audience member, it makes you laugh at the absurdity of it, you become almost as bad as the father through how the "media" made you feel in this scene.  The father and daughter relationship in this film compares to Badlands due to the fact of the unrealistic ideological beliefs, although NBK is more modern, both Mallory and Holly show a sense of loneliness and are waiting for the time to share compassion with someone who feels the same as they do, which leads to the partnerships they get involve with whilst being on the road due to the fact, the killing keeps the relationships together.






 

Favourtie film of the summer

My Favourite Film of the Summer

Les Miserables                      

Les Miserables is described as the ‘Musical Phenomenon’ and I couldn’t agree more! It’s not just my favourite film of the summer it has easily stretched to my favourite film of the year. This new movie by Tom Hooper is a success and I feel it has been well directed with outstanding music. Not only do the heart warming but deep songs grab your attention, the huge stars which took the leads such as Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) and Fantine (Anne Hathaway) made it enjoyable for all!

The first time I watched Les Miserables was at the cinema, and with previously never seeing the production I had no clue what was in store for myself and my family. I have visited the cinema numerous times to see many different films, however for the first time, I witnessed a film being applauded and cheered by the audience. That was just from one viewing at the Odeon! The intensity and empowerment of the music sent shivers down my spine throughout the whole viewing and I have a feeling the rest of the audience felt the same.

As soon as I got my hands on Les Miserables on DVD there was no stopping me. I could watch it again and again and I would still feel the suspense all the way through and of course the frog in my throat would still be there at the end, when Jean Valjean's time was there to move on to heaven.

Although Les Mis smashed the box office whilst competing with the west end performance I would not recommend it to all. Unfortunately if you’re not a fan of musicals then I wouldn’t suggest this would be the film for you because approximately 99% of the dialogue is in song. This proves that it does limit the fans that are interested in this genre however there was more than enough to make this film a success! There were many characters in this film who built up the emotions of their ‘miserable’ lives, with each of them linked together to create the main plot.

However the character which really caught my eye was Samantha Barks who played Eponine. She was chasing after the man who was never going to love her the way she loved him. She portrayed this inner emotion in her outstanding song ‘ on my own’. I find this part of the film the most powerful but simple way of expressing an emotion which doesn’t change as decades go by. So, this shows that although this was set in the 19th century, we still can relate to her all this time later in today’s day and age. In conclusion Les Mis might not be that Saturday night, comedy, feel factor film however Les Miserables really is a movie about hope. That one act of kindness can change someone’s life for good. I feel, this is the concept that many people loved about this film and what made it so intriguing to watch whenever a movie night was suggested!

The lone ranger Box office flop

Box Office Flop!!

 

 Why was the Lone ranger a box office flop?

The new Disney film The Lone Ranger was released in UK Cinemas on Friday 9^th August 2013 however it was considered to be a box office failure. Unfortunately before the release date it was set to be another enormous failure for Walt Disney Studios due to many slip ups making the film.

The producers, Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski, definitely were not on a short budget for making this film, with an approximate $250 million; however, although the money was there it was not used wisely. This suggests that budgets were running out of control usually because the film producers do not have a concrete vision in mind when they start making the film. This led to them wasting money. To add to that, this contributed to making this film a failure because without a clear vision going forward, whatever the movie end up being it effectively results in massive rewrites and re-imaginings.  Due to this it does not bear the same effect the story teller would have had in mind.

On the other hand, this new Disney film advertises their film with the actors that are starring in it. For example Johnny Depp plays a leading role. This automatically creates a wide target audience for fans of Jonny Depp due to him being in previous hit films such as the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Although, unfortunately, Johnny Depp is not seen as a guaranteed money maker and it is suggested that Johnny Depp's guaranteed film success is over!

Being a Walt Disney film automatically gives it a label that it should be a fun, loving film. This should’ve helped the movie get the target audience it needed. Never the less there is too much competition, as the box office is currently jam packed with films such as; Man of steel, Monsters University, White house Down and Despicable Me 2. Which are all set to be box office hits.  Due to this, by the time this film hits, people will likely feel warn out from emptying their wallets for £8 tickets and may be seen as ‘wallet exhaustion’.  Although this film will appeal to many people, there is such a wide variety of films before The Lone Ranger so there is no drastic need to see this film.

To add to that, in this film the colour palette is suggested to be very blond. Leading by example, such films as; Alice and Wonderland, Avatar and Pirates of the Caribbean are all box office hits that used colour to expand the overall beauty of the film. This keeps the audience interested.  Conversely, in The Lone Rangers movie trailer it gives a largely black and white feel to it, so unfortunately the bland lack of colour is sure to create some disinterest in the film.

In conclusion Production problems do reveal film weaknesses which have pushed back the film to make it a box office flop. So, although the stars and money is there for the Walt Disney film, the vision and originality isn’t. To add to that western films are also a no go which did not help the popularity of this film because cowboys seem to no longer be the film spectacle they once were.