Comparing and Contrasting Westerns

Stagecoach and True Grit are both great examples of classic westerns for a number of reasons. First, both of the movies very vividly show the difference and the conflict between good and evil. Both heroes, which are portrayed by John Wayne and Jeff Bridges, are great picks for these roles. Also, the characters Ringo and Cogburn are both shown to evolve throughout the story from outlaw to respected friend. Ringo is a criminal who after proving his loyalty to the stagecoach earns his freedom when the Marshall lets him escape. Cogburn is in the same situation and is viewed as a thug and a ruthless bounty hunter. But, after several days with Mattie, he realizes that there is some good in him and he ends up being the hero at the end and saving Mattie. Lastly, the setting and basic objective of both films follow the western outline to a tee. Stagecoach has the journey to Lordsburg with a fugitive across the plains and fights with Apaches and the fight of good vs. evil. True Grit has the journey across plains to find a fugitive and fights against rebels and the constant battle of good vs. evil. So, in conclusion, True Grit and Stagecoach are basically all the same elements of a classic western; they are just jumbled around and changed a little bit to make them different movies.

Comparing Unforgiven and True Grit, I actually found them to be opposites. Unforgiven, for example, has several key points where it is clearly revisionist and not classical. First, it does not show the battle of good vs. evil. It shows the good turning into evil when Munny turns from retired killer, back to his old ways of drinking and being ruthless. Secondly, it shows vividly how violent the West can be. Classical westerns show the good times and not the corruption. Unforgiven does the exact opposite by showing Little Bill beating people up in the streets and Munny going on a killing rampage at the end. Lastly, it is revisionist because it shows the vulnerability of cowboys who were originally thought to be the tough heroes everyone knew and loved. After the Schofield Kid kills one of the two targets in the bounty, he begins to cry because deep down, he is not as strong as he acts. Conversely, when you look at True Grit, it shows the toughness of the hero, it shows the good times in the west, it has a happy ending, and there is a clear line drawn between good and evil. This is why Unforgiven is a revisionist Western and True Grit is a classical Western.

True Grit as anything besides a classical western would be incorrect. They would be missing several key points that differentiate it from a revisionist western. First off, it takes place in the west in the small towns and open plains. It also shows the clear separation from good vs. evil, as mentioned before, between Cogburn and the man who killed Mattie’s father. Also, it has the ending that is typical of all classical westerns, the bad guys get what’s coming to them, the good guys are victorious, and it ends with a long, drawn out final scene with music to end the story. Lastly, the small set of characters in the story keeps it classical as well as the fact that they never stray from their views throughout the whole movie. These and presumably other examples are reason enough for why True Grit is a classical Western and not revisionist.

Online Film Analysis Assignment

1. Ocean's 11

In this little clip from Ocean’s 11, the mood is set right away with dim lighting in a dark room which gives the scene a more ominous look, like not all is what it seems. Then it moves outside to where everything is lively with the music playing and all seems to be over. Then the scene is drawn back to the poker game where a familiar face is shown. This unrestricted sense the viewer gets since the two familiar faces are obviously up to something, but the players in the game don’t. It provided anticipation to when their plan would happen. Also, the medium to close up shots provides a sense of POV in the shot to be like you were there yourself, loosing your money.

2. Silence of the Lambs

The shot opens with a close up of a man and a bug. It then has quick cuts for editing to show the separate views. The restricted view so far in the scene is of a woman who is trapped and the police that are ready to go in and save her. This spatial technique led us to believe that both houses were identical. Later in the shot however it shows that the went to the wrong house and then we infer that the girl cop, clarice, is now in danger. This draws the viewer in emotionally and if the clip were to go on longer, it would most likely have music or a scene to set the mood of anticipation of what will happen to the cop.

3. Magnolia

This clip was interesting for a number of reasons. First off, the entire clip was shot with either a tracking dolly or a steadicam following behind the subjects at a medium shot the whole time. There was also good lighting as to always be shown on the main subject. Lastly, the non diegetic music playing in the background set the mood without the cast actually hearing that music on set or as their characters.

4. Amadeus

This clip had several elements of film that were already covered in the previous three clips, but there were a few differences. The lighting was always behind the old man, giving him a dreary, old, insane lighting making him seem less credible or sane. The other man was given a positive light to show that he was a superior of some kind. The flashbacks help keep the coordination in the scenes. Lastly, when he started to play the song that was familiar, we were led to believe that he himself had written it. But in reality, it was Mozart who had written it. And this is where the mood shifts drastically.

Oscar Nominated Rankings

1. Toy Story
-Relatable
-Funny
-Brought back memories

2. Inception
-New age
-Captivating
-Great Special effects

3. The Social Network
-Funny
-Great acting and plot
-Appealed to my generation

4. True Grit
-Maddie was played perfectly
-Decent action scenes
-Plot could have used a little more

5. The King's Speech
-Great premise
-Good acting on all parts
-Believable

6. Winter's Bone
-Sad
-A long-shot film
-Stereotypical

Reviews of my six movies:

6. Winter's Bone:

I thought that this movie, out of all the six, was by far the weakest. I was surprised it got the nomination to be completely honest. I was mainly upset with how stereotypical the movie came off as. Everything in the movie from the drab scenery to the pick up trucks, to the drug abuse. The whole movie became predictable because, in a way, of seen this whole plot before. The runaway family member who is running from the law, the desperate family member trying to find him to save the family and them self, and lastly, all the futile obstacles they have to overcome along the way. The only difference between this movie and all the others i just described is that this movie has no happy ending to be content about or remember when this ordeal was all over. The one positive was that the effects really captured the sub par plot perfectly with the lighting and music and all that. It deserved a lower score.

5. The King's Speech:

Personally, the only reason this movie got a five and not a higher rank is because the other movies were so good, that this film, even though amazing it itself, couldn't make the cut. I'll explain why. The plot of this film was great. Never would I have thought this movie would be good but i was really drawn in. I felt a levelness with someone of high ranking. Though just a movie, I felt that I was having the same problem as the King, and was longing to fix it myself. The camera angles were very helpful in how believable the movie was because it showed everyone from a level field of view. No one man was given more light or attention because of what he or she was in the movie. I loved that. Overall, this movie was great and I hope that the techniques to improve the King's speech problem will also help me with mine.

4. True Grit:

At first, I was gonna have this movie be lower on the ranking because the plot didn't really draw me in. But then I gave the actress who played Mattie, the rank she helped this movie earn. Her acting was sublime. There was nothing she could have done to improve it. Conversely, the movie could have aided her with some affects of their own. The lighting was decent but didn't show as much emotion. The plot, however creative, could have used some more jolts and bumps in the road to keep the viewers hooked on what would happen next. And, the editing was a little too direct. I'm not sure if it was the point of the cinematographer to have it that way, but it would have had a been more effective of a story line if the movie flowed as one unit. I really didn't have much to say about this film. One suggestion, it could have used more fight scenes to make it more of the John Wayne type of film.

3. The Social Network:

This movie was basically in a three way tie for first. It was excellent. Everything in the movie was done perfectly, from the acting of Mark Zuckerburg to the comedic deliverance of the well written plot, to the music. The music was what made it really great for me. It was subtle at times when the mood was tense or slow. But, it was loud and evident when it was exciting or suspenseful. The music really added to the movie. The acting was also quite excellent, to the witty and quick responses of Mark to the fast talking Justin Timberlake, the movie was a powerhouse. The way the movie drew me in was amazing. I felt like I was on campus at times. The only reason this movie wasn't the best, was the editing and transitions. The constant flashbacks needed utmost precision in editing or they would not be as effective as they could be. It did a great job but lacked on a few scenes where I began to forget what was going on or got lost. But overall, a must see movie.

2. Inception:

This movie showed me sides of film and ideas that I didn't think possible. The effects in this movie are what really stood out for me. If it wasn't the buildings around me caving in or the slow mo scenes, or the zero gravity. This movie had it all. A great plot, great scenes, a good idea that I wouldn't have thought of in my wildest dreams. The flashbacks and the explanations of what was going on really helped me stay on track. Without that, you can get lost pretty easily. The on downfall that can easily be overlooked is that the plot can be really difficult to follow and understand. The movie needs to be seen at least twice and cannot be given a nonchalant attitude when watching it. The movie needs your full attention or a key scene could go right over your head. All of that is simple enough and the breath taking special affects easily overshadow the minor imperfections. The reason it's not first though... The ending. The never ending controversy of the ending has gotten everyone's attention, which isn't a bad thing, but I found it frustrating not knowing exactly what happened. You can decide for yourself because it's a treat to watch.

1. Toy Story 3:

Best movie of the year! It surpasses all others. The way it captivates an audience is like non other. It has everything. From the love story, to the escape scenes, to the comedy, to the sadness. Every mood you have will be tested. You will laugh and cry and scream and cringe and hold on to your seat the entire movie. It will captivate you no mater what is going on. The long wait was worth it. It appeals to all ages. For some it will bring back memories of your childhood. For others it will remind them that their children are all grown up. And, for the avid movie watchers, it will remind you of how far we have come since the very first toy story when it came out many years ago. The special effects in this movie are not spectacular, but all elements that they have are essential to this movie. They are shown in a way that makes you feel like your toys may be doing the same when you go off to college. My mom cried when she saw it and I couldn't stop talking about. There is nothing bad about this movie and the fact that it appeals to all ages is what truly makes it remarkable. Best movie I've seen in a while.

My First Movie Review

Brainstorming for Film: Inception

• Awesome
• Futuristic
• Difficult to follow
• Well Acted
• Good Plot
• Confused
• Loved it
• Innovative
• A first of it's kind
• Well written
• Good Directing
• Possible Video Game
• Intense
• Far Out
• Good Music

Review of Inception:

I really liked the fact that Christopher Nolan took an idea that no one would have ever thought of, dreams, and made it into an award winning movie. I loved the fact that the directors used new ideas and theories to make this far-out themed movie seem more futuristic and give the viewers a sense of what life would be like if we lived in another world or time. The music that accompanies the scenes are very fitting and quite catching when you listen again. A possible negative could be that the movie is sometimes difficult to follow and comprehend, but besides that, the movie was awesome and when you pay attention, the plot is very well written and acted. I thought this was a great movie and would recommend it to any one who likes movies.