On Wednesday April 15, I was given the privilege in participating in the Reel Canada film festival for the second year in a row. Last year I was able to see two great Canadian films Bollywood Hollywood and Fido. Though I greatly enjoyed both movies, I didn't really like having to watch the films in small halls with flimsy projectors.
This year was a little different because we were able to watch our movies at the Grande movie theatre. I believe this made the film festival feel more legitimate and it made it easier to see/ experience the films. I also thought it was great that we got to be with other students from other schools.
The movie that I watched in the morning was Water. Water was directed by Deepa Mehta and starred Seema Biswas, Lisa Ray, and Sarala Kariyawasam. Released in 2005, it received 3 Genie Awards, and was even nominated for an Oscar for best Foreign Language Film. Though the film is critically acclaimed and very well respected, I have to admit that I was not a huge fan. I found the movie to be very slow with not much a happening in such a long period of time.
I could tell that this film was definitely not targeted towards teenagers.
One thing that I did enjoy about the movie, was the cinematography and use of colour. Every once and a while after a very dark part, I would be jolted by a pop of colour in a very bright and energetic scene. These rare, but beautiful scenes kept me somewhat interested throughout the film. After the film, the sound recorder, Slyvian Arseneault came in for a Q & A. He told us a little a bit about his experience shooting in Sri Lanka and working with Deepa. Even though the audience wasn't really enthralled by him, I found it really interesting to hear about the behind the scenes making of Water.
Here is the trailer for Water:
In the afternoon I saw the 2007 documentary Sharkwater. Sharkwater was starred, written, directed, produced, and edited by Rob Stewart. It has great critical acclaim and has been nominated for over a dozen awards around the world.
Sharkwater, was a complete change of pace from Water, but in a good way. It was filled with jolts, stunning visuals, and an interesting story. One of my favourite things about Sharkwater was that even though it was a documentary, it had many elements that you would find in a drama. In the movie there were police chases, flesh-eating diseases, and machine guns. While educating us about the dangers of shark-finning, we followed an interesting storyline was followed that kept us intrigued and entertained.
One thing that I found very distracting in Sharkwater was the narration.
The narration was done by Rob Stewart who sounded like an annoying beach bum. I found it very distracting listening to his voice and trying to take seriously what he was saying. I feel that as the director, Rob Stewart should have gotten someone else to do the voice-overs so that this wouldn't be an issue. After the film, Rob Stewart came and talked to us about the process of shooting Sharkwater. I found this to be extremely interesting since he had put so much of himself into the film. He talked more about the issues of shark-finning and also gave us some insight as to how he shot some of those beautiful underwater sequences. I think it is incredible that someone like Rob Stewart, with no film background, can make an amazing Canadian documentary that has made such an impact on the world. It is nice to know that even though his film has international acclaim, Rob still cares about the Canadian film industry.
Here is the trailer for Sharkwater:
Overall, the Reel Canada Film Festival was a complete success! Even though I found some movies were better than others, it is great being able to see some home-grown talent on the big screen. The day was really fun and I hope I can go again next year!
Ever since hitting Broadway 2006, critics and fans have not stopped praising the controversial rock musical, Spring Awakening. Spring Awakening recieved 8 Tony awards and is currently on a tour across North America.I first heard of Spring Awakening when a friend of mine saw it in Toronto. She raved on about how incredible it was, and how I HAD to see it. Not knowing much about it, me and my grandmother bought tickets to the April 18th matinee. In the days leading up to the performance, I did a little research to see what the show was all about. When reading the synopsis on Wikipedia, these were the words/ phrases that stuck out: dreams of erotic nature, masturbation, sexual abuse, and abortion. At this point I started freaking out. With this type of subject matter, how will I be able to get through a 3 hour long performance with my grandma!
When going to Spring Awakening, though I was completely prepared to have the most awkward and uncomfortable of my life, I was 100% wrong. The musical was AMAZING and even my grandmother loved it! The show touches on controversial and racy subject matter, but it is put together in a natural and tasteful way.
My favourite part of Spring Awakening was definitely the music. The performers were out of this world incredible, and the songs were catchy and heartfelt. I even bought the soundtrack afterwards!
The only thing that I'm mad about, is that I didn't discover Spring Awakening until just recently. Today is their closing show in Toronto, which means I won't be able to see any more performances. If you are in a city where Spring Awakening is playing, GO SEE IT! You definintely won't regret it.
Here is a tour montage on YouTube which plays one of my favourite songs in the background:
And here is a tour music video of one of my other favourite songs, 'Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)'
PS. That song you hear in the background of my blog, is a recording of the Broadway cast's performance at the 2007 Tony Awards.
What is your favourite scene in the movie?
The scene that I remember most vividly from O Brother, Where Art Thou? is the part where Everett, Pete, Delmar and Tommy are at the radio station recording the song 'Man of Constant Sorrow'. 'Man of Constant Sorrow' is an extremely catchy song and it was in my head for days after watching that scene. I liked it so much that I even downloaded it onto my computer when I got home! After doing some research, I learned that George Clooney practiced his singing for weeks, but in the end his singing voice was dubbed by country blues singer Dan Tyminski. Though it would have been nice to hear George Clooney's real singing voice, Dan Tyminski did a great job with the song.
Another thing I loved about this scene was the reflections of The Soggy Bottom Boys/ the man at the radio station. Those little details have great effects on the film.
Check out the scene here:
Research and find pictures that you've seen with the starring actors. Discuss their range as actors and what you find interesting about their work.
George Clooney
Movies I've SeenBurn After Reading
Ocean's Thirteen
Ocean's Twelve
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Ocean's Eleven
Spy Kids
Three Kings
From Dusk Till Dawn
George Clooney has had a long, famed career that has spanned over two decades. From the films I have seen, it is clear that Clooney tends to go for the roles where he is quick-witted, charismatic and the leader of the pack. In Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, Clooney plays Danny Ocean, a character very similar to Everett in O Brother, Where Art Thou. Danny Ocean and Everett are both smooth-talking criminals with an attractive exterior.
An interesting fact about George Clooney is that he has directed several films including: Leatherheads, Good Night and Good Luck, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
He has also worked many directors several times including: Steven Soderbergh (6 times), Robert Rodriguez (3 times) and the Coen brothers (3 times).
John Turturro
Movies I've SeenAnger Management
Mr. Deeds
Though I haven't seen many of John Turturro's films, I can tell that he goes for a wide range of roles. Turturro has showed his funny side been in comedies such as Mr. Deeds and Anger Management as well as his serious side in dramas such as The Good Sheppard and Secret Window.
John Turturro has also worked with many directors several times including: Spike Lee (9 times), the Coen brothers (4 times) and Michael Bay (3 times).
Tim Blake Nelson
Movies I've SeenFido
Meet the Fockers
Scooby Doo 2
Holes
Minority Report
Tim Blake Nelson has been in over 30 films ranging from children movies (Scooby Doo 2, Holes) comedies (Meet the Fockers, Hoot), and thrillers (Minority Report, Syriana). From the films that I have seen, it seems that he never plays the same character twice. Whether its comedic or dramatic, Nelson always brings something different and fresh to each of his movies.
Tim Blake Nelson has also directed, written and produced several films including: The Grey Zone, Kansas, and Eye of God.
What reasons are given for the alterations in colour in the film? How do you feel about them? What do they contribute to the film?
The cinematographer for the film, Roger Deakins, said that the alterations in colour were made "they wanted it to look like an old hand-tinted picture, with the intensity of colors dictated by the scene and natural skin tones that were all shades of the rainbow." I feel that this was sucessfully accomplished and the alterations gave the film an aged look. The lack of bright colours helped create an atmosphere of the depression of the 1930's.
Find 5 'references' to others films or stories in the movie and list them.
- The Wizard of Oz
- The Ten Commandments
- The Blues Brothers
- The Graduate
- Moby Dick
Discuss any other Coen Brothers movies you have seen with respect to this one based on criteria of your own choosing.
The other Coen Brothers movies that I have seen are, No Country for Old Men and Burn After Reading, both have themes similar to O Brother, Where Art Thou. No Country for Old Men is about a drug deal gone wrong causing chaos and action to ensue. The film includes several botched crimes, an ongoing chase, and a time period from the past. These are all elements that are also in O Brother.
On the other hand, Burn After Reading, is an off-beat, black comedy which also stars George Clooney. Much like No Country, it includes several botched crimes, and an ongoing chase. It also has that quirky, smart-witted comedy that is used in O Brother.
What is your opinion of the music used in the film? Why do you think it was chosen?
Though I have never been a fan of folk music before, I loved the music used in O Brother, Where Art Thou. The song 'Man of Constant Sorrows' was stuck in my head for days after watching the movie. I believe the music was chosen because that was what people were listening to back then in Mississipi. Bluesgrass was the sound of the south at the time. I think that the music effectively gave the feel of the 30's to the film and helped create a great atmosphere for the era.
