2. Johnny Depp is revered today as being not only an amazing actor, but as an inspiring person as well. He has been in several films like the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Edward Scissor hands, The Tourist, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many other film. His acting career is spontaneous to say the least. In the Pirates of the Caribbean films, he plays the "Captain" Jack Sparrow, who one can argue makes the films. Not only is his acting spot on, but Jack Sparrow as a character is interesting to say the least. His humor, cunning and relationships with other characters is a perfect blend. Unfortunately I have no seen any of his other films so I can't analyze any specific pattern in his acting. It seems that he does gravitate towards characters in films who have many layers. Depp's unique acting style allows him to really put himself in his characters shoes and bring a high level of quality to his films. Depp is a Jack of all Trades kind of actor, he also tends be the main character of his films. His next role in a film is unpredictable.
3. One of my favorite films is Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. My single favorite character would be Sam Wise who takes the role of Frodo Baggin's protector. Over the course of the film the two start of strong, deal with conflict but ultimately Sam becomes Frodo's savior. The reason I like Sam as a character is the lesson that teaches through his actions. One of the most tense parts of the films is Sam being framed and tricked into leaving Frodo who gets captured. Sam feels torn that he has come so far only to be pushed away by his best friend. The acting is spot on and the viewer genuinely feels bad for Sam. The camera placement was just as important to driving the feelings of the characters home. This scene makes Sam's heroic rescue of Frodo that much more satisfying and heartwarming for the viewer. Through the Lord of the Rings series Sam plays the under-appreciated yet loyal friend. The perspective that Jackson wants his audience to have is Sam's and the pain that he feels. This scene was a great success as a conflict in the film, and giving the audience a strong emotional reaction to an event.
4. Anti-heroes have been a large part of film, these characters are not only cool but seem human and can be related to by the every day person. There are also heroes which are perfect in that they will only do good and will make personal sacrifices. Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight has the idea of both these heroes fighting each other. Harvey Dent is supposed to represent a hero who is good and is even referred to as Gotham's "white knight". Nolan plays with the idea of being a hero with the idea that a hero will die a hero or live long enough to become a villain. This is more than an interesting plot twist and conflict, the idea of being a perfect hero is shown as a ridiculous and short lived path. On the other end there is Batman who is referred to as a "Dark Knight" despite being the ultimate hero. This makes Batman an anti hero, which today is the more preferred type of character. A strong person with a dark past, and difficult life mixed with the ultimate representation of the fight of good and evil makes for a good and relatable character.
5. For a film to have any lasting affect on an audience there needs to be a real message and a compatible narrative tied to it. A film like Casablanca is a good example of self sacrifice. As long as a viewer is really immersed into a film there is a possibility of giving them a lesson. A film must also relate directly to a certain part of a persons life. Today's films are targeted towards creating an over the top action filled experience. A viewer must be able to put themselves comfortably in a characters shoes. Today it seems that films are so widespread, varied and viewed so often that there is no lasting affect on a viewer.
6. Suspension of disbelief is the technique of taking something that is impossible and making an audience believe that it could happen for its duration. Christopher Nolan's Inception is the perfect example of suspending belief. The movie is just so cool and desirable that people don't care about its impossibility. In this case, having control over a dream would mean that one could do what ever they wanted with no consequences. Not only is this idea appealing, but it seems like it could be real. Appeal and a little hope is enough to make even a realist ignore how "impossible" a film may be and believe that something can really happen.
7. A film that is influenced by a corporation can influence the ideas that are part of the film, while the actors and directors decide the way that idea is shown. In James Cameron's Avatar the idea of doing what is right even if it means betraying your own people is portrayed. Betrayal is usually a bad thing, but the perspectives and motivations can change the entire meaning. The two warring sides in Avatar are the native Na'vi and the more advanced and powerful humans. As usual the more powerful side is greedy in search for wealth, while the weaker side is seen as peaceful and in the end the good guys. Similarly a corporation can influence a certain side in a film to make them selves look good.
3. One of my favorite films is Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. My single favorite character would be Sam Wise who takes the role of Frodo Baggin's protector. Over the course of the film the two start of strong, deal with conflict but ultimately Sam becomes Frodo's savior. The reason I like Sam as a character is the lesson that teaches through his actions. One of the most tense parts of the films is Sam being framed and tricked into leaving Frodo who gets captured. Sam feels torn that he has come so far only to be pushed away by his best friend. The acting is spot on and the viewer genuinely feels bad for Sam. The camera placement was just as important to driving the feelings of the characters home. This scene makes Sam's heroic rescue of Frodo that much more satisfying and heartwarming for the viewer. Through the Lord of the Rings series Sam plays the under-appreciated yet loyal friend. The perspective that Jackson wants his audience to have is Sam's and the pain that he feels. This scene was a great success as a conflict in the film, and giving the audience a strong emotional reaction to an event.
4. Anti-heroes have been a large part of film, these characters are not only cool but seem human and can be related to by the every day person. There are also heroes which are perfect in that they will only do good and will make personal sacrifices. Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight has the idea of both these heroes fighting each other. Harvey Dent is supposed to represent a hero who is good and is even referred to as Gotham's "white knight". Nolan plays with the idea of being a hero with the idea that a hero will die a hero or live long enough to become a villain. This is more than an interesting plot twist and conflict, the idea of being a perfect hero is shown as a ridiculous and short lived path. On the other end there is Batman who is referred to as a "Dark Knight" despite being the ultimate hero. This makes Batman an anti hero, which today is the more preferred type of character. A strong person with a dark past, and difficult life mixed with the ultimate representation of the fight of good and evil makes for a good and relatable character.
5. For a film to have any lasting affect on an audience there needs to be a real message and a compatible narrative tied to it. A film like Casablanca is a good example of self sacrifice. As long as a viewer is really immersed into a film there is a possibility of giving them a lesson. A film must also relate directly to a certain part of a persons life. Today's films are targeted towards creating an over the top action filled experience. A viewer must be able to put themselves comfortably in a characters shoes. Today it seems that films are so widespread, varied and viewed so often that there is no lasting affect on a viewer.
6. Suspension of disbelief is the technique of taking something that is impossible and making an audience believe that it could happen for its duration. Christopher Nolan's Inception is the perfect example of suspending belief. The movie is just so cool and desirable that people don't care about its impossibility. In this case, having control over a dream would mean that one could do what ever they wanted with no consequences. Not only is this idea appealing, but it seems like it could be real. Appeal and a little hope is enough to make even a realist ignore how "impossible" a film may be and believe that something can really happen.
7. A film that is influenced by a corporation can influence the ideas that are part of the film, while the actors and directors decide the way that idea is shown. In James Cameron's Avatar the idea of doing what is right even if it means betraying your own people is portrayed. Betrayal is usually a bad thing, but the perspectives and motivations can change the entire meaning. The two warring sides in Avatar are the native Na'vi and the more advanced and powerful humans. As usual the more powerful side is greedy in search for wealth, while the weaker side is seen as peaceful and in the end the good guys. Similarly a corporation can influence a certain side in a film to make them selves look good.
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