Hollywood: What You Need To Know.

Martin SCORSESE

2007-10-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Scorsese is the last in my directors that you need to know.
First, the most important aspect about Scorsese’s work is the THEME. Take note of these......

Theme 1= Italian American Identity. ‘He has achieved success that reflects his own Italian American upbringing.’

Theme 2= Scorsese uses Roman Catholic concepts of guilt, redemption and violence in the American society. ‘Goodfellas’

Theme 3= Lead characters are often sociopathic! Or often want to be accepted in society. Character Jake La Motta in ‘Raging Bull’ is desperate for his families love and support but ‘something always comes between them.’

Moving onto Scorsese’s style.

Style 1= He begins his films with segments taken from the middle and end of a story. This you need to look out for. This technique is not unique. Read on and you will see Tarantino has this ‘non-linear’ storyline. Scorsese uses much older subject matter/content.

Style 2= He frequently uses New York City as a main setting. See ‘Gangs of New York’.

Style 3= Use of ‘Slow Motion.’ Slo-mo teamed with jump shots and point of view used in ‘Taxi Driver’ helped Robert DeNiro’s performance’ be so intense.

Look out for this when watching some of his iconic films.
You need to see; ‘Casino’and ‘Goodfellas’.

Steven SPIELBERG- The Blockbuster King

2007-10-24T04:19:00.000-07:00

'The most powerful and influential figure in the motion picture industry.' Forbes.com

Good intro? There is more.........

Known to some as the 'blockbuster king'
'Jaws' was the first ever blockbuster.
Seven Academy Award nominations thanks to 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.'

Ok, Spielberg is not the best director of all time. He certainly is not one of my favourites, but you NEED to know about him because he has virtually dominated the Hollywood film industry for over 30 years!
Spielberg, unlike most hugely successful directors has changed his style of filming and has dealt with a variety of 'issues' from the beginning of his career until the present day. During the early years he mainly distributed Sci-Fi, Adventure films. They were often seen as an 'archetype' of modern Hollywood blockbuster film-making.

In recent years, he is known for tackling much more emotionally powerful issues. 'Schlinder's List' is commented as 'the best film about the Holoaust.' War was a theme in 'Saving Private Ryan.' Recently, Spielberg presented the effects of terrorism in 'Munich.'

Spielberg, partly due the longevity of his career has managed to cater for the masses. 'Jaws' for the adventure and thriller lovers, 'War of the Worlds' for Sci-Fi followers and 'ET' for kids, (that is if you're not terrified of little ugly alien thingys).

His films often deal with several re-occuring themes. Most deal with ordinary people searching for or coming into contact with extraordinary beings.
You need to look at 'ET' for this. Character Elliott is shown as a 'normal boy.' until one day he meets a lost alien. After naming him the 'Extra Terrestrial' Elliott vows to help 'ET' find his way home.

The most persistent theme throughout his work and by far the most noticeable is the tension between parent-child relationships. in particular the relationship between father and son. In 'Minority Report' character John Anderton played by Tom cruise is a broken man after his son disappears.

Spielberg has not always got it right. OK, so he has mostly got it right but not every production has been a huge global success and box office smash. '1941' a World War 2 film was described by critics as having 'moderate box office success' but not the hit studios were hoping for. It was considered a 'flop' by comparison to 'Jaws' and 'Close Encounters.'
'Hook' released in 1991 received hit and miss reviews. It made $119 million worldwide but cost
$70 to make. Very low for Spielberg standards.

You need to know about Steven Spielberg not because of the hype that surrounds him. Not because he is the 'Western world's most famous living film-maker.' But because you cannot find a better example of MAINSTREAM CINEMA that tackles such strong social themes. often shocking, touching or just plain entertainment shot to such a high standard. Spielberg has earned the right to be known as the number one Hollywood director.

Alfred HITCHCOCK

2007-10-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Iconic, highly influential and British born. Hitchcock pioneered many techniques in the suspense and thriller genre.

You need to know about Hitchcock because his career has spanned from six decades, including The Silent Era, through the intervention of Talkies to the Colour Era.

You need to know that Hitchcock draws mainly on fear and fantasy. A common theme is that he often portrays innocent people caught up in circumstances beyond their control or understanding. You can see this in 'Vertigo'.

One key TRADEMARK of Hitchcock you need to know.
He cameos in most of his films, often carrying a musical instrument. Look out for this when watching the following; The Birds, Psycho, The 39 Steps, Rebecca and Topaz.

This tiny post doesn't do the 'master of suspense' justice, so you must watch these classic and iconic films to appreciate his work. You NEED to know about Hitchcock.

Quentin TARANTINO (believe the hype)

2007-10-22T06:26:00.000-07:00

Even if you have never watched one of his films you would have definitely heard his name. Tarantino is the biggest director to emerge in the early 1990's. breaking the mould with Reservoir Dogs.
What You Need To Know About Tarantino: non-linear storylines, stylized violence, sharp dialogue and pop culture obsessions.

Does that mean anything? Let me explain......Non- Linear storylines.
Before Mr QT we were all relatively happy, watching the beginning of a film, meeting the characters, establishing a plot. Progressing to the middle where a problem or event occurs, then off to the end for the resolution. Que Pulp Fiction. Characters named 'Honey Bunny' and 'Pumpkin' hold up a restaurant. The plot then shifts to two different characters 'Jules' and 'Vincent'. At the end of the film, it returns back to the restaurant and all four characters are together. Understand?

Next, Stylized violence. No better example is there for this than Kill Bill Vol 1. You only have to look at the poster to see how lethal weapons are glamourized.

Sharp dialogue, taken from Jackie brown:

Ordell Robbie: 'I found her on a bus stop two days ago outta Georgia, bare foot, country as a chicken coop. I took her to my place in Compton. Told her it was Hollywood'.
Louis: 'She believed you?'
Ordell Robbie: 'Hell yeah! To her dumb country ass, Compton is Hollywood, closest she's ever been anyway.'

Last on the list, Pop culture obsessions. In Pulp Fiction, it's the talk about a 'The Royal With Cheese' and 'the metric system'. All very random but will come clear if you watch. References to things we are surrounded by and see every day are often highlighted by QT at every possible chance. Some critics say he does this to relate to a wider audience. The idea that if you recognise something you can relate to it and therefore enjoy it more. Others think he does it to make his content stand out. And that, you cannot disagree with!

You need to know about Quentin Tarantino because he single- handedly changed the style of filming in the 90's. Every film a hit and every film unique.

And then there was..........Grindhouse. The third major collaboration with Robert Rodriguez.
Essentially an amazing idea. Presented as one full length feature, made up of two short films 'Planet Terror', RR's effort, and 'Deathproof' by QT. The films were even joined together by fake trailers! It didn't go quite to plan. the box office taking in the opening weekend were the lowest ever for Tarantino's career. And if you watch it you'll know why. Firstly I must say, it is fantastic. It did deserve better. But, they made one big mistake. Not many people will understand it enough to appreciate it. Someone who enjoys film but doesn't particularly follow them would be completely lost. A quick word of advice, watch Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Sin City and Kill Bill first! trust me, you'll love them.