People love suspense, that feeling of not knowing what’s going to happen, that something exciting, thrilling, or terrifying could happen at any moment is something that captivates audiences, and it what makes events such as professional sports (esports included) so exciting to watch. Suspense is also the lifeline in which action, horror, and thriller films live or die by. Fail to create suspense, and you fail to be effective with your audience. Suspense is important, but can easily be created; the issue is to make it effective, just having a few scenes of suspense won’t cut it in today’s films, in order to be effective in today’s media heavy world, you have to be able to keep the suspense running throughout the entirety of the film. Few movies have been able to do this properly, but if we take a step back a few years we will find that one movie in particular movie was able to pull this off better than almost any other movie to date. That film is the “almost-classic” film Se7en. Se7en follows the tale of two New York detectives in a riveting quest to catch a serial killer as he plots to torture and murder a person based off of the “Seven deadly sins”, a piece from the Bible, where God reveals the seven actions he finds the most deplorable: gluttony, greed, sloth (laziness), haughtiness (self-centered), lust, wrath, and envy. (Proverbs 6:16-19) The film’s pace is what creates all the suspense, it’s a slow burn, the movie starts off very slow, character development is set aside in order to create the atmosphere needed. The scenes of where character development takes place feel awkward and uneasy, but not in a way that works against the movie. The suspense still carries through the scenes of character development, it is never set aside, no scene in the movie feels safe or without suspense. What makes the movie so good is when the suspense really starts to build. About two-thirds into the movie is when the first scene with real action occurs. Using some connections within the FBI, the detectives are able to narrow down the list of possible suspects, when they confront the apartment of their suspect, a man in a trench coat pulls a gun on them and opens fire, and this leads to a 5 minute long chase scene in which the killer manages to escape. The movie begins to pick up its pace here, the killings begin to increase, and as the serial killer begins to edge closer and closer to his final plan, the detectives begin to become more stressed and jaded. The climax of the movie is where all the suspense boils over, we come face-to-face with the killer, the killer’s plan is close to an end, and we see what all the suspense of the movie has come to, before coming to a sudden and abrupt end. The ending if the movie is one of shock, the movie ends so swiftly after the climax, that you almost feel that there should be more to it, however, I feel that to extend the movie is to lessen the impact that the abrupt ending has, as it allows for it keeps the audience at the edge of their seat, even in the final moments of the film. Se7en is a movie that will be remembered for its endless suspense and gritty storytelling; it is a movie that excels in keeping its audience riveted to their seats, biting their nails, and locked in a state of suspenseful fear, even up until the final moments of the film. It is a movie all films in this genre to aspire to be, a slow burn, with meaningful action, that’s purposeful, but never over-the-top, the essence of a true thriller movie.
0 Comments
Sounds are what make a movie. Having a good soundtrack as well as good sound effects are crucial to making a good movie. If your soundtrack doesn’t live up to the scenes in the movie, then the atmosphere of the scene can be lost. Sound effects are equally important as a poor sounds can drastically reduce the viewing experience of the film. One genre that is the most dependant on proper sound structure is the Science Fiction genre. Because Sci-Fi movies often deal with futuristic elements and settings, most sound artists have to be able design sounds that enhance the futuristic setting, without making them seem overly unrealistic or silly. The common tropes of these sounds usually involve harsher synths which are usually very unique, sometimes weird sounds in order to push an idea of futurism. A good example of sound effects used designed in a way that isn’t over the top is in the sci-fi movie “Minority Report”. For the rest of the article I will be referencing this movie in order to show my point. Minority Report isn’t a movie set in the far future, but rather one set in a near future, only about 40 years ahead. There are some elements in the movie that seem over the top, but for the most part, the futurism is reasonable, with some of the technologies in the movie, like self-driving cars and motion controlled screens, becoming more of a reality today. The sounds of movie are, at least for the most part, grounded in reality. The “spider-crew” scene near the middle of the film is special because it the drones used in the scene don’t sound overly futuristic, sure their movements seem a bit overdone, but the sounds they made were only that of the clinks when their legs hit the ground, likewise, the use of conventional weaponry and not some futuristic elctro-gun-lazer-thing, as seen in most sci-fi films are a nice touch, as the sound of a gunshot is much more recognizable and iconic than that of a more futuristic gun. The sounds of the screens and computers in the movie also sound more like real computers today, they don’t make any weird noise, and don’t even look all that different. My one criticism is how the cars are portrayed in the movie. Transportation vehicle, be it spaceships or cars in sci-fi films are always given some outlandish noise that is supposed to show some sort of super-efficient engine that runs on unobtanium or whatever futuristic propulsion system exist in 3023 or whatever year the film takes place, it’s a shame to see Minority Report follow a similar trend, as, even 15-ish years ago, electric cars were looking more and more like the future of transportation at the time, especially with the fairly popular GM EV-1 existing around the same time. There also nicer touches when it comes to the sound effects in the film, mainly revolving around the police’s gear in the film. There is always the sound of a small “charge up” sound that exists whenever the police forces in the film always take out a part of their gear in the movie, the sounds are more muted and subtle than in other sci-fi films, but it allows for greater impact in some scenes, especially near the end of the movie, where our main protagonist gets arrested. The scene is also quite impactful as it takes place whilst the audio in the film is almost muted, with only the slight ringing in the background as if someone has either been near an explosion or has been shot. When used right, this effect adds so much more impact and suspense to a scene (The confrontation scene between Carnegie and Eli in “The Book of Eli”, a personal favourite of mine, is a good example of this effect being used). Minority Report is a good example of a movie that uses its sound effects to its full advantage. Its sounds are effective without being over-the-top or cliché, while at the same time it has an excellent story with good pacing. As stated before, sound effects are crucial to a movie, especially a movie like Minority Report. Sci-Fi films often suffer from outlandish and often downright silly sounds that detract from the viewing experience, but when done right, it can create a film that’s engaging, action packed, immersive, and even make a normal film a classic.
I’ll be honest, I’ve been putting off writing an article about Indiana Jones for a while, mainly because I feel there’s nothing really more to say that’s already been said, but then again, there’s something about Raiders of the Lost Ark that makes it interesting, the time of release, the setting, the characters all have traits and characteristics that seem to look to the future. There are parts of the movie that seem to mimic those movies that would come after it, as if Indiana Jones was the father of some of these movie tropes. Raiders of the Lost Ark was, for the early 80’s filled with action. From sword fights, to shootouts, there was enough action to keep the audience entertained, at least for the next few years until John Wu’s gun’s blazing action films released in the late 80’s/early 90’s. The action isn’t “Typical-American-action-movie” over-the-top, but the movie allows for good action, even movie’s story progresses at a rather slow pace. The plotline itself is something that the movie excels at. Not only is the story captivating and exciting, it’s well paced and easy to follow. The movie allows for its story to be the thing that keeps people engaged, rather than using excssive action and multiple moments of “Shock Factor” in order to keep people hooked on the story. The power of the plot is that it plays on people’s nature to be curious. No-one knows what will happen if they open the Ark, we don’t know what power the object holds, we don’t know what’s inside the temple, but we want to find out, and that what makes this movie so good. The Indiana Jones movies has remained a staple of movie culture for years, it is by far a classic and the movies have attracted a loyal group of fans the world over. The Indiana Jones movie will continue to be a classic, because the amazing story, the well-paced action, and the curiosity that drives us, in which the movie appeals to. All of these things make for a movie that will truly be remembered as a classic.
Certain things in this world are truly timeless, from old video games to classic movies, there are just somethings that will never get old. I had the recent pleasure to watch a classic movie that has, even to this day, remained relevant and can still be experienced even today, and enjoyed in a modern and engaging way. The movie I’m referring to is the 1961 romance film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. The film follows the story of a wayward author and a delusional, yet surprisingly philosophical, women. The two form a bond together, and as one thing leads to another as usual in romance films, the two eventually find love. What makes this movie so special, and why I believe it has held up for so long, and still remains applicable when compared to today’s movie’s is how simple everything is. This may sound odd, but I find the story has a form of simplicity that allows for the characters to be so relatable, as well as making the story unforgettable. The notice of this simplicity is with the setting and the design of the characters. The apartment in which our female protagonist, Holly Golightly, lives in is simple, with a few pieces of well-designed furniture, solid colour walls, and overall looks quite clean. There is almost nothing in the apartment, except for maybe to rotary phone that dates the apartment. Same goes for the fashion that the characters; Paul dresses in a simple suit and tie, while Holly’s dresses are usually solid colours and pencil skirts that would still look modern by today’s standards. I’ve said that this movie could easily be remade today, and all a director would have to do is to replace the cars in the city scenes with modern ones and the movie would probably still be a hit. However, it’s not by setting or fashion alone that makes the movie so timeless, the key is in the storytelling. What makes Breakfast at Tiffany’s such a timeless piece is how relatable the characters are. Most romance movies are so intent on setting up some magical fairy-tell romance that it makes the story seem petty and predictable. You know the two are going to be in love by the end of the movie because the director is intent on making sure these two are so obviously in love, but are so oblivious to it that most of the time you feel like whacking them over the head and just yelling at them for being so idiotically oblivious. Not in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. There are points in this movie where Paul seems, for lack of a better word, friend-zoned, or sections where you honestly think that everything is not going to work out, hell, the first kissing scene isn’t until the very end of the film. This movie finds a way to keep you engaged in the romance aspect of this film, without ever being obnoxious about it. In many ways Breakfast at Tiffany’s feels more like a drama in its events or even, and I know this is an odd and probably shocking comparison, a slice-of-life series. You never feel burdened by the storytelling, and in most cases, is probably how some actual people fell in love. In conclusion, Breakfast at Tiffany’s has held up all this year because it was able to craft an excellent romance film, without using any of the cheesy and cliché romance fil tropes; instead it focuses on keeping the characters simple and relatable, which are, in my mind, the key to making something truly timeless.
Every decade has its own unique set of cultural influences and effects on society. From the popular music of the time, to the scientific advances that paved the way for future endeavors, each decade has left its mark on toady’s life, none of which are perhaps as easily recognizable of the previous decade. This post will explore the cultural aspects of the previous decade, how society, and its influences have shaped the world as we know it today, and how the legacies of the 2000’s have led to the world we have today. The Media is what shapes a society and its culture, and in the early 2000’s, media was growing at a rapid pace. With the internet on the rise, information was growing at a rapid pace. Even though it was still in its infancy, the internet allowed for a rapid sharing of information as well as broadened communication horizons. The internet also allowed for something never seen before: The rise of eSports. As multiplayer video games such as Counter-Strike, Quake, Halo, and the original DOTA were on the rise, early tournaments began to pop up, and gaming conventions such as Dreamhack allowed for numerous spectators to watch their favourite teams battle it out. The internet also allowed for information to be easily shared to the world, revolutionizing research and communication. It meant that students no longer had to resort to long library sessions and searching through endless amounts of books for information, they could now spend an hour or so online in order to do the research needed. The music and film industries also began to take advantage of the internet and its growing popularity. Early streaming services such as Napster and later SoundCloud allowed for an easier platform for music distribution, as well as giving rise to a number of smaller artists, allowing them to reach a larger audience than before, and video streaming sites such as YouTube allowed for a large spreading of amateur videos, as well as providing an outlet for larger companies to advertise on. The music of the decade allowed for the rise of many one-hit wonders in popular music, as well as a gradual shift of these genres. In the early days of the decade, the popular music was centralized around pop-punk and pop-rock genres, with artists such as Sum 41 and The All-American Rejects making a name for themselves through their energetic style and lyrics that resonated with most teens of the time. However, the popular genre eventually began shifting to songs with a more electronic influence, with artists such as Katy Perry beginning to dominate the charts, but the full scope of electronic music wouldn’t be recognized, at least by the mainstream media, until well into the following decade. Movies also saw major advancements during the 2000’s, mainly in the swift progression and adoption of CGI effects, as well as fully computer animated movies, as pioneered by Pixar and Disney. These, along with much newer approaches in storytelling, helped shaped many of today’s stories and cultural views. The mindset going into the 2000’s was hopeful and full of idealism. People believed they were moving into the future, as they were entering a new millennium, and with it, a new era of prosperity and wealth, and although that may have been true for the early parts of the decade, by the end, people’s ideas were brought down to reality, but in the harder times near the end of the decade, emerged something else. A sense of resilience that would last into the next decade, a mindset of perseverance and determination which would give way to some of the most important advancements of the present day both in science and culture.
The following is an informative article about Duncan "Thorin" Shields, written for my media studies class. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/Thooorin
Duncan “Thorin” Shields is a Scottish eSports analyst and self-labeled “eSports Historian” known for his down to earth analysts and sarcastic personality. He is one of the premier analysts for eSports and is knowledgeable in several of the top eSports games, primarily Counter-Strike, DOTA 2, and League of Legends. Atop of his eSports casting, he also runs two YouTube channels: “Thorin”s Thoughts”, where he discusses pertinent topics involving various eSports (Roster changes, reflections on notable and historic games, criticisms of teams and players, etc.), and “Thorin’s Side”, a personal channel where he discusses non-eSports related topics in the same format as “Thorin’s Thoughts”. These topics vary greatly, from philosophy to general product reviews. Thorin presents his topics in a factual and well thought out manner, he always strives to present the most clear, and realistic viewpoint when looking at a topic, both eSports or otherwise. He will always try to look at both sides of a story, as well as try to build up as much context around an event or situation as possible (Good example being his re-visiting of the infamous Fnatic vs. LDLC boost during Dreamhack Winter 2014). However, his personal bias is clearly noticeable when analyzing a topic, and he is often known in the eSports industry for his witty and sarcastic attitude. Because of said attitude, he is often criticized for being unprofessional or taking his criticisms and banter too far. He is often known for being brash and outspoken, as well as often saying things that can be taken as quite offensive. He has built up a large following, and often appears as an analyst for most large eSports events, mainly large Counter-Strike Tournaments. Notable tournaments include ESL One Cologne (2016), ELeague Major (2017), MLG Columbus (2016), Dreamhack Winter (2013/14), and ESL One New York (2016). |
About Me:Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find various articles about all sorts of topics. Politics, Music, Video Games, eSports, and many other topics I feel the need to write about. Archives
February 2018
Categories |