‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ franchise
The first one was released in 1984, this was also written and directed by Wes Craven, and became the most popular horror movie of its time. It’s based around the character Freddy Kruger who kills teens in their sleep. This franchise consitst of 8 slasher movies, a television show, a novel and comic books. Now New Line Cinema haven taken the character to movie such as ‘Freddy vs Jason’. 1988, a television series was produced with Freddy as the host. The pilot episode focused on the night Freddy was burned alive by the angry parents of the children he had killed, though the rest of the series featured episodes with independent plots. Twelve novels, separate from the adaptations of the films, and multiple comic book series were published featuring Freddy Krueger. Micheal Bay and his production team are looking to reboot the Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise, the film is scheduled to be released on 16th April, 2010).
Thursday, 2 April 2009
“Scream" Franchise
Scream- 1996 Directed by Wes Carven, who also directed “Nightmare on Elm Street”
It revitalised the slasher film genre in the mid 1990’s, the two main films which are referred to throughout the film are ‘Halloween’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. The movie ‘Scream’ uses irony which was recognised as a device which carried on in the rest of the ‘Scream’ movies. Foe example when the character Randy lists all the typical conventions which happen in o Slasher movie, which ironically is happening to that group of teens. The fact that they know the signs and don’t react to them is ironic. Its also ironic that Sydney’s mums death and the deaths happening in her small town are related.
Scream 2- (1997)
This movie following from the first also uses irony as in the beginning its ironic that the first couple in the movie are murdered during the same time when they went to watch a preview of the movie “Stab”, which of course connotes death. Also once again Randy discusses the “rules” in a slasher movie, pointing out the obvious which know one has yet managed to overcome. Of course in the end the killer turns out to be the mother of Sydney’s previous boyfriend, Mrs Loomis, which kind of follows the twist of Friday the 13th , as the mother kills people for her son.
Scream 3- (2000)
Sydney has now moved to an excluded area in California, of course how ironic to move in the middle of nowhere. The cast and crew of the latest movie are ironically being killed one by one; the guy who was wrongfully convicted of Sydney’s mum murder is also murdered for not giving up Sydney’s whereabouts. So that eliminates him from being the suspect again. The killer reveals himself to be Roman (who had faked his own murder), the connection being that he is Maureen's illegitimate son and Sidney's half-brother. He brings out John (who had been gagged and stuffed at a corner of the room) and kills him in front of Sidney. It is further revealed that Roman is a product of rape, which occurred during Maureen's brief stint as a movie actress. Roman tells Sidney that her mother left her father and cheated on him with Hank Loomis, causing Mrs. Loomis to leave her husband. Roman told Billy Loomis why his mother had left his father, and convinced him to kill Maureen. Roman also told Billy to have an accomplice who was weak and easily willing to help him out, which turned out to be Stu Macher
HOW IT’S POST-MODERN. It can be argued it’s post-modern as it embodies various genres of movies to create it own new form. For example the way it uses irony can be kind of seen as comical.
Pastiche- postmodern playwriting technique that fuses a variety of styles, genres, and story lines to create a new form- This is relevant to scream as the director has used different genres from different movies and embedded them into Scream. For example ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ as it’s a sci-fi.
Irony- an outcome of events that is the opposite of what was, or might have been, expected. Its ironic how the teenagers themselves know the typical conventions of slasher films, but yet still manage to become a victim of one.
Intertextuality- is the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. It can refer to an author’s borrowing and transformation of a prior text. This is relevant as the film itself makes references to films such as ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’
Scream- 1996 Directed by Wes Carven, who also directed “Nightmare on Elm Street”
It revitalised the slasher film genre in the mid 1990’s, the two main films which are referred to throughout the film are ‘Halloween’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. The movie ‘Scream’ uses irony which was recognised as a device which carried on in the rest of the ‘Scream’ movies. Foe example when the character Randy lists all the typical conventions which happen in o Slasher movie, which ironically is happening to that group of teens. The fact that they know the signs and don’t react to them is ironic. Its also ironic that Sydney’s mums death and the deaths happening in her small town are related.
Scream 2- (1997)
This movie following from the first also uses irony as in the beginning its ironic that the first couple in the movie are murdered during the same time when they went to watch a preview of the movie “Stab”, which of course connotes death. Also once again Randy discusses the “rules” in a slasher movie, pointing out the obvious which know one has yet managed to overcome. Of course in the end the killer turns out to be the mother of Sydney’s previous boyfriend, Mrs Loomis, which kind of follows the twist of Friday the 13th , as the mother kills people for her son.
Scream 3- (2000)
Sydney has now moved to an excluded area in California, of course how ironic to move in the middle of nowhere. The cast and crew of the latest movie are ironically being killed one by one; the guy who was wrongfully convicted of Sydney’s mum murder is also murdered for not giving up Sydney’s whereabouts. So that eliminates him from being the suspect again. The killer reveals himself to be Roman (who had faked his own murder), the connection being that he is Maureen's illegitimate son and Sidney's half-brother. He brings out John (who had been gagged and stuffed at a corner of the room) and kills him in front of Sidney. It is further revealed that Roman is a product of rape, which occurred during Maureen's brief stint as a movie actress. Roman tells Sidney that her mother left her father and cheated on him with Hank Loomis, causing Mrs. Loomis to leave her husband. Roman told Billy Loomis why his mother had left his father, and convinced him to kill Maureen. Roman also told Billy to have an accomplice who was weak and easily willing to help him out, which turned out to be Stu Macher
HOW IT’S POST-MODERN. It can be argued it’s post-modern as it embodies various genres of movies to create it own new form. For example the way it uses irony can be kind of seen as comical.
Pastiche- postmodern playwriting technique that fuses a variety of styles, genres, and story lines to create a new form- This is relevant to scream as the director has used different genres from different movies and embedded them into Scream. For example ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ as it’s a sci-fi.
Irony- an outcome of events that is the opposite of what was, or might have been, expected. Its ironic how the teenagers themselves know the typical conventions of slasher films, but yet still manage to become a victim of one.
Intertextuality- is the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. It can refer to an author’s borrowing and transformation of a prior text. This is relevant as the film itself makes references to films such as ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’
Friday, 13 March 2009
UNIT 1
-Genre is an important concept throughout film and media studies and is becoming familiar in every day use
-Genre are not ‘fixed’, we use genre to help us understand films and the processes of making them.
- It's a concept that allows and helps scholars to study films, film making and the audience’s response for these films
UNIT 2
- Genres are actually dynamic, the definition of any particular genres is Fluid
- Iconography can be both visual image and sound image
- Most genres offer a narrative of "Reassurance"
- Some characters are so “tightly" associated with the genre that they then become "Generic types"
UNIT 3
-"Hollywood is a generic cinema, which is not quite the same as saying it is a cinema of genres" Richard Maltby, 1995
- Genre began to decline because genre theorist argued that "genres began as fairly loose groupings that gradually evolved towards a "mature" or "classic" period."
- "B" films and genres, like genre fiction, were seen as "low status" by critics and commentators
UNIT 4
There different pleasures that audiences get from film genres. These pleasures are:
1. Emotional Pleasures-Some genres are generically designed to make the audience feel emotional in different ways
2. Visceral Pleasures- This is how the film is style to have a physical effect on audiences
3. Intellectual Puzzles- This allows the audience to interact and allows them to try and unravel the mystery of "whodunnit"
4. Counter-Culture Attraction- Where the audience can unravel the genre from the conventions of the the films or in other words, the "Repertoire of Elements"
UNIT5
"Ellis" stated that "Stars hold a "promise" to audiences"
Film theorist "Dyer" stated that Stars are seen as "Commodity", which is an important asset or element of making and selling a film
The relationship between stars and genrer are fluid
-Genre is an important concept throughout film and media studies and is becoming familiar in every day use
-Genre are not ‘fixed’, we use genre to help us understand films and the processes of making them.
- It's a concept that allows and helps scholars to study films, film making and the audience’s response for these films
UNIT 2
- Genres are actually dynamic, the definition of any particular genres is Fluid
- Iconography can be both visual image and sound image
- Most genres offer a narrative of "Reassurance"
- Some characters are so “tightly" associated with the genre that they then become "Generic types"
UNIT 3
-"Hollywood is a generic cinema, which is not quite the same as saying it is a cinema of genres" Richard Maltby, 1995
- Genre began to decline because genre theorist argued that "genres began as fairly loose groupings that gradually evolved towards a "mature" or "classic" period."
- "B" films and genres, like genre fiction, were seen as "low status" by critics and commentators
UNIT 4
There different pleasures that audiences get from film genres. These pleasures are:
1. Emotional Pleasures-Some genres are generically designed to make the audience feel emotional in different ways
2. Visceral Pleasures- This is how the film is style to have a physical effect on audiences
3. Intellectual Puzzles- This allows the audience to interact and allows them to try and unravel the mystery of "whodunnit"
4. Counter-Culture Attraction- Where the audience can unravel the genre from the conventions of the the films or in other words, the "Repertoire of Elements"
UNIT5
"Ellis" stated that "Stars hold a "promise" to audiences"
Film theorist "Dyer" stated that Stars are seen as "Commodity", which is an important asset or element of making and selling a film
The relationship between stars and genrer are fluid
Monday, 16 February 2009
ARTICLES ON ASIANS
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/04/india-women
"I debated with an Asian woman named Nirmala on the BBC Asian Network radio station, who emphatically believed Asian women should not drink or be seen in bars, and could give no other explanation for her reasoning"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/30/india
"But what is depressing is how the post-film discussion by the Indian elite has remained stalled. Rather than soul searching about the future of slums, we have irritation that a western film about India should win more international accolades than homegrown cinema. On top of that comes the accusation that the west's fascination with "poverty porn" is voyeuristic, that the west somehow fails to understand India."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/mar/21/radio.raceintheuk
"One in 10 BBC staff are now from ethnic minorities and account for 4.4% of senior management at the BBC. British Asians form 4% of the population and ethnic minorities represent 8% of all Britons."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jan/24/broadcasting.mondaymediasection
This article shows the most powerful british asians, and explains what each of them do. For example number:
"1 Waheed AlliAge: 40 Labour peer At the age of 34, Lord Alli became the youngest peer in parliament, and it was thought that he might help the prime minister reach out to a younger generation. He influenced government policy during the drafting of the Communications Bill in 2003, and took over as chairman of the media rights company Chorion in the same year."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/nov/04/race.broadcasting
This article is about the most important asians to the media:
"Ayesha Dharker - actress Daljit Dhaliwal - newscaster/journalist, CNN George Alagiah - newscaster/journalist, BBC Krishnan Guru Murthy - newscaster/journalist, Channel 4 Mishal Husain - newscaster/journalist, BBC Naresh Ramchandani - advertising Saira Shah - journalist Sangita Shah - economist and journalist"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/04/india-women
"I debated with an Asian woman named Nirmala on the BBC Asian Network radio station, who emphatically believed Asian women should not drink or be seen in bars, and could give no other explanation for her reasoning"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/30/india
"But what is depressing is how the post-film discussion by the Indian elite has remained stalled. Rather than soul searching about the future of slums, we have irritation that a western film about India should win more international accolades than homegrown cinema. On top of that comes the accusation that the west's fascination with "poverty porn" is voyeuristic, that the west somehow fails to understand India."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/mar/21/radio.raceintheuk
"One in 10 BBC staff are now from ethnic minorities and account for 4.4% of senior management at the BBC. British Asians form 4% of the population and ethnic minorities represent 8% of all Britons."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jan/24/broadcasting.mondaymediasection
This article shows the most powerful british asians, and explains what each of them do. For example number:
"1 Waheed AlliAge: 40 Labour peer At the age of 34, Lord Alli became the youngest peer in parliament, and it was thought that he might help the prime minister reach out to a younger generation. He influenced government policy during the drafting of the Communications Bill in 2003, and took over as chairman of the media rights company Chorion in the same year."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2003/nov/04/race.broadcasting
This article is about the most important asians to the media:
"Ayesha Dharker - actress Daljit Dhaliwal - newscaster/journalist, CNN George Alagiah - newscaster/journalist, BBC Krishnan Guru Murthy - newscaster/journalist, Channel 4 Mishal Husain - newscaster/journalist, BBC Naresh Ramchandani - advertising Saira Shah - journalist Sangita Shah - economist and journalist"
Monday, 9 February 2009
links for Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jan/18/slumdog-millionaire-british-asian-reaction
"India's commercial capital may be booming but there's a dark underbelly of crime, deprivation and poverty that is often ignored or misrepresented by Indian cinema and the government."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/24/oscars-india-slumdog-millionaire-ian-jack
“The more interesting question is: whom do we trust to best describe the experience of the poor? Ideally, the answer should be the poor themselves”
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article5461351.ece
“Slumdog doesn’t simply plunder India’s troubled past and a boy’s bitter-sweet memories in order to look forward. What’s great about the film is that it looks sideways as the past and future grind past each other like tectonic plates”
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/
"Digs into India's gritty depths, where it juxtaposes squalor, exploitation and corruption with humanity's fight to overcome it"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jan/18/slumdog-millionaire-british-asian-reaction
"India's commercial capital may be booming but there's a dark underbelly of crime, deprivation and poverty that is often ignored or misrepresented by Indian cinema and the government."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/24/oscars-india-slumdog-millionaire-ian-jack
“The more interesting question is: whom do we trust to best describe the experience of the poor? Ideally, the answer should be the poor themselves”
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article5461351.ece
“Slumdog doesn’t simply plunder India’s troubled past and a boy’s bitter-sweet memories in order to look forward. What’s great about the film is that it looks sideways as the past and future grind past each other like tectonic plates”
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/
"Digs into India's gritty depths, where it juxtaposes squalor, exploitation and corruption with humanity's fight to overcome it"
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
My view of Slumdog Millionaire is that it shows the two sides India which it has. Danny Boyle shows the less developed areas and the treatment people from the slums get, which is usually covered up by the Indian Government. It shows the true reality of how the poorer half live . However it also shows how Mumbai is becoming developed and how India’s commercially becoming more known.
He also shows how an ordinary teenager from the slums can be smarter then a doctor or a lawyer, which challenge the stereotype of the working class being stupid. Further more the fact it’s an Indian working class teenager, challenges the stereotype of ‘The Other’. However some parts conform to the stereotype, as there is a scene where a mob comes into a village and kills every one, showing them to be barbaric. Also the question of how can a British film maker go to India and show an accurate representation of the slums, is it really possible, are the representations really accurate? I think the movie shows the harsh reality of what India’s rural areas are like, which is ignored by the government.
Spavak, who is a post colonist theorist, suggests movies like Slumdog Millionaire, which is made by a British Director, promoting India, are trying to get rid of ‘white guilt’. Some aspects of the film does conform to the oriental stereotype, for example Jamal is uneducated but wise, as his life experiences able him to answer the question which wins him 20 million rupees.
My view of Slumdog Millionaire is that it shows the two sides India which it has. Danny Boyle shows the less developed areas and the treatment people from the slums get, which is usually covered up by the Indian Government. It shows the true reality of how the poorer half live . However it also shows how Mumbai is becoming developed and how India’s commercially becoming more known.
He also shows how an ordinary teenager from the slums can be smarter then a doctor or a lawyer, which challenge the stereotype of the working class being stupid. Further more the fact it’s an Indian working class teenager, challenges the stereotype of ‘The Other’. However some parts conform to the stereotype, as there is a scene where a mob comes into a village and kills every one, showing them to be barbaric. Also the question of how can a British film maker go to India and show an accurate representation of the slums, is it really possible, are the representations really accurate? I think the movie shows the harsh reality of what India’s rural areas are like, which is ignored by the government.
Spavak, who is a post colonist theorist, suggests movies like Slumdog Millionaire, which is made by a British Director, promoting India, are trying to get rid of ‘white guilt’. Some aspects of the film does conform to the oriental stereotype, for example Jamal is uneducated but wise, as his life experiences able him to answer the question which wins him 20 million rupees.
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