Begin By Reading Chapter 91 Rent And View One Of The Films

Begin By Reading Chapter 91rent And View One Of The Films From The Li

Begin By Reading Chapter 91. Rent and view one of the films from the list below. You should view the film at least twice. Take notes as you go and pause and replay scenes that you don’t understand or that you find particularly interesting. Write a paper that answers the questions below. a. For minimum credit, answer all the questions below. Be sure to number your answers. b. More complete answers will receive higher scores. c. MLA style essays usually earn the highest scores compared to short answer essays. Papers must be typewritten and double-spaced. No papers will be accepted by e-mail. Maximum length: five to seven pages.

Review Questions:

1. What is the true subject or theme of the film, and what kind of statement, if any, does the film make about the subject? Which elements and which scenes contribute most to addressing the theme of the film?
2. How do all of the separate elements of the film relate to and contribute to the theme, central purpose, or total effect? Film Elements:
   1. Narrative – The manner in which the story is told. What is the plot structure? Is it chronological or non-linear? Are there flashbacks or other narrative devices and why are they used?
   2. Acting – the qualities of the performances. Is the acting realistic or is it mannered? Are the characters dynamic (do they change as the film progresses)? How?
   3. Cinematography – The qualities of photography and lighting. Identify specific scenes and camera shots that you thought were particularly interesting.
   4. Editing – The pace and tempo, the use of transitions, and the organization of the narrative. Identify any editing technique you thought was particularly interesting.
   5. Art Direction and Design – Locations, sets, effects, props, costumes, and make-up.
3. What scenes in the film show the director’s style and how do they show it?
4. What were your personal reactions to the film? What are your personal reasons for liking or disliking the film?

Film List: Indie Films: Another Earth (2011), Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) Great Directors: Coppola – The Outsiders (1983) Polanski – Macbeth (1971), Frantic (1988), Ninth Gate (1999) Eastwood – Pale Rider (1985) Scorsese – Casino (1985), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris (2011) P.T. Anderson – Hard Eight (1996), There Will Be Blood (2007), Phantom Thread (2017)

Paper For Above instruction

For this assignment, I selected the film There Will Be Blood (2007), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, as it exemplifies unique cinematic elements and exemplifies a strong thematic narrative. The film explores themes of greed, power, and the corrupting influence of capitalism, with Anderson’s distinctive style reinforcing these themes through visual storytelling, character development, and meticulous editing.

The true subject of There Will Be Blood revolves around the destructive pursuit of wealth and the moral blindness it engenders. The film presents a commentary on American capitalism and individual greed, reflecting on how these forces shape human behavior and societal structures. The central character, Daniel Plainview, embodies this obsession, with scenes illustrating his moral descent—particularly his confrontations with Eli Sunday and his eventual isolation demonstrate this destructive trajectory. A key scene that underscores this theme is Plainview’s violent outburst in the bowling alley, highlighting his loss of moral compass in his relentless quest for wealth.

The elements of filmmaking directly contribute to emphasizing this theme. Anderson’s narrative employs a non-linear structure, blending flashbacks and present-day scenes to reveal Plainview’s early life and the evolution of his greed. This device allows viewers to understand the roots of his moral corruption, as seen in scenes where his childhood drawings of wealth contrast sharply with his later ruthless pursuits. The acting performances are intense, with Daniel Day-Lewis delivering a disturbingly realistic portrayal of Plainview’s descent into madness. His transformation from an ambitious entrepreneur to a孤独 and morally bankrupt figure is compelling and convincing.

Cinematographically, the film employs stark lighting and desolate landscapes to reflect the bleakness of Plainview’s moral universe. The use of close-up shots intensifies the emotional extremes of characters, while wide shots of oil fields symbolize the expansive and invasive nature of capitalism. Anderson’s editing techniques, such as rapid cuts during moments of conflict and long, slow takes to build tension, effectively mirror the internal turmoil of characters. The scene where Plainview finally confronts Eli in the church demonstrates Anderson’s mastery of pacing and tone, intensifying the emotional impact.

Art direction further reinforces the film’s themes, with locations like the barren oil fields and period-appropriate costumes creating an immersive historical setting. Props such as oil drills and primitive tools illustrate the materialistic pursuit at the heart of the story, while make-up emphasizes character aged and hardened by greed and obsession.

Anderson’s directorial style is evident in several iconic scenes, notably the confrontation in the church, where camera angles and sound design heighten the tension. The use of low-angle shots makes Plainview appear imposing, while the abrupt silence before his outburst emphasizes his psychological unraveling—a hallmark of Anderson’s style of building emotional crescendo through visual and auditory cues.

Personally, I found There Will Be Blood to be a powerful film that provokes reflection on human nature and economic pursuits. The film’s bleak tone and intense performances evoke a visceral reaction, making it memorable and impactful. I appreciated how Anderson used symbolism and visual contrast to reinforce the thematic core, though at times the slow pacing challenged my engagement. Nonetheless, the film’s complex characters and morally ambiguous narrative made it a compelling watch, fostering a deeper understanding of the destructive side of ambition.

References

• Coppola, F. F. (1983). The Outsiders [Film]. United States: Zoetrope Studios.
• Polanski, R. (1971). Macbeth [Film]. United Kingdom: Platform Films.
• Polanski, R. (1988). Frantic [Film]. United Kingdom/France: Castro Films.
• Polanski, R. (1999). Ninth Gate [Film]. United States: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.
• Eastwood, C. (1985). Pale Rider [Film]. United States: Malpaso Productions.
• Scorsese, M. (1985). Casino [Film]. United States: Regency Enterprises.
• Scorsese, M. (1988). The Last Temptation of Christ [Film]. United States: Universal Pictures.
• Woody Allen. (2011). Midnight in Paris [Film]. United States: Gravier Productions.
• P.T. Anderson. (1996). Hard Eight [Film]. United States: Miramax Films.
• P.T. Anderson. (2007). There Will Be Blood [Film]. United States: Ghoulardi Film Company.