Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

We are approaching the end of the semester and I can say that I am looking forward to break, but I am going to miss Fiction Field 2. I enjoyed my projects and I feel like I learned more about directing from my first project than any other film I have worked on, even though it was only a minute long. I learned that length is not important as detail and action.

I also got a chance to try script supervising, which I did enjoy. I realized the importance and difficult that can come with keeping track of shots and how long they are.

I really enjoyed my classmates and their creativity on the different projects. I learned more about the collaboration process that comes from making student films. I discovered what qualities a person should have for them to be good to work with. Crew chemistry is probably one of the most important things that a producer should keep in mind and that is something I will remember when I do my thesis next year.

At first, I was not sure of what to think of the blogs posts, but as time went on, I realized it was a great way to force me to sit down and watch a movie or a television episode every week. It gave me time to relax and think about my major and the medium I want to work in.

To end the semester, here is my top movie list of the year, all of which I recommend.

5. The Master

4. Moonrise Kingdom

3. Argo

2. Skyfall

1. Lincoln

Skyfall

I went to see the new James Bond movie in theaters yesterday. I really liked it. The part that I found particularly interesting was the opening credit sequence. In every Bond movie, the credit sequence is always unique and aesthetically pleasing. As the industry has improved its technology, the Bond movies have improved their opening sequences. I especially liked the song used for this film's opening credits,"Skyfall" sung by Adele (one of my favorite artists). Her voice is low and almost haunting in this song and complements the visuals nicely. It also brings out the sexuality in the visuals, which is the goal of every Bond movie: to make sex an exciting and almost deadly mystery that surrounds the main character. I know we talked in class about how important it is that sound match up with video and I think that this sequence is a good example of the mediums complementing each other. The rest of the movie was great. It was action-packed and visually pleasing. I especially liked the use of "fire" to light various scenes. It made for really cool visuals. I would suggest that everyone see it over break! Below is a link to a website that has a clip of the credits.

Skyfall Credits

Shaken, not Stirred

James Bond is more than a character, he is a film institution in his own right. "Skyfall," the 23rd movie of the franchise, third of the new reboot series," is approaching us. To prepare, my roommate and I watched "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace," starring all around bad ass Daniel Craig, to prepare for this new film. During the movie, we talked about why we liked Bond, and we appreciate the serious talk and that, even though we love the hokey gadgets of years past, the world needs the realist tools and fight scenes.

We both loved "Casino Royale" and we both were bored with "Quantum of Solace." We talked about what makes one good and one bad.

"Quantum" is all action. There is a story and it would be a good one if the movie just gave us time to breath and take it in. It's about oil, water, corrupt governments, money, CIA coups, a secret organization and revenge, always a good motivator for movie character. By the time the movie was over, I felt only a little bit less empty than why I saw it in 2008 in theaters.

"Casino Royale" was more of a thriller than an action movie, and hopefully the new one will stick with that. It gave us a torture scene that made every male in the audience cringe in pain, attack Bond's favorite gadget.

The movies get rid of the crazy plans for world domination with the silly lairs and names and create a world where men want money more than anything else. Bond doesn't say all of his catch phrases and we haven't gotten Miss Moneypenny and Q, who both will be in "Skyfall." I think what Quantum was missing was a villain who actually was a character and not a generic action film villain. Javier Barden, who played "Anton Chigurh," one of the best movie villains, and he got the oscar for that performance in "No Country for Old Men" might be able to bring some personality to the next Bond film. Hopefully, I will feel shaken (with excitement) and not stirred (with anger) at "Skyfall."