“Psycho” is one of the most horrifying movies by Alfred Hitchcock. Although there were no grandiose shots, Hitchcock was able to invoke horror and thrill among the audience because of how he presented the crime scene and how he provided close ups of the victims. The black and white screen adds more horrifying effect and delivers an eerie atmosphere. Hitchcock introduces the viewers to the film’s characters and invites them to enter their world through consistent close up shots. By doing so, the audience establishes a much closer contact with the character and they seem to observe his/her experience from a nearer distance. One of these scenes is the part where Marion drives the car while the background is the voice of her boss searching for her and the $40, 000 that she stole.
Music greatly contributed to the film as it heightens the feeling of horror. Hitchcock is also excellent in mixing sounds in order to add horror and thrill. For instance the scene in the shower room is filled with silence first, then the relaxing sound of the shower and finally replaced with a sound of panic. The murders were not that morbid and gross but Hitchcock’s style of presenting the crime is eerie and elicits fear among the viewers. Blood dripping together with the water and a close up shot of the dead Marion’s eyes are just enough to chill the audience. Lastly, Anthony Perkins had delivered a convincing performance. His shifting facial expressions from the blank look to different emotions gives justice to his psychotic character. That moment when he showed a devilish smile is one of the most scary parts of the movie- even more scary than the scenes at the Bates motel.
Die Hard: A movie Review by First Name Last Name
John McTiernan’s “Die Hard” is one of the best movies of the action genre. What makes it more appealing is Bruce Willis natural sense of humor even during dangerous moments. His charisma as an actor also adds appeal and entertainment to every scene. His jokes relieves the viewer’s agony in order to prepare them for greater thrill. The stunts that Willis have done in this film are also done by some action icons in contemporary action films. However, since the first “Die Hard” movie is released in 1988, it is best to assume that Willis was the first or at least one of the first Hollywood stars to hit it big in the action genre. No doubt that this movie have inspired modern films of the same genre.
Aside from the thrilling actions, “Die Hard’s” plot makes the movie more interesting. The beginning of the movie which was shoot during Christmas Eve and the adorable girl calling her mom asking if her daddy would spend the holidays with them grabs the attention of the viewers. In addition, the scene at the Nakatomi company where the employees are gathered for the Christmas party is nostalgic that establishes connection with the audience.
The cinematography is fantastic. The areal shots of high-rise buildings, elevators helicopters, shattering glasses and bomb explosions are overwhelming and they look realistic. It is apparent that the producer have spent an ample budget to come up with this great movie.
The Truman Show: A film Review by First Name Last Name
“The Truman Show” is a good mix of comedy and drama. Jim Carry really fits his role as an unsuspecting normal guy who is not aware that his life is being broadcast to the public through a reality TV show. The script is clever and well-presented. Even if there is always a humorous scene, the devastating fact remains which strikes the viewers’ empathy towards the protagonist. Truman Burbank was adopted by a selfish corporation who have made him live in a world of illusion. The most wonderful scene in the film is when a light that is used in theater falls near his car. This scene stirs the readers’ interest as this is the initial step towards Truman’s realization that he is living with actors and actresses that Christof have hired for the reality show.
The shots are really like episodes of the modern reality television show in the US. The interviews with the shows cast adds spice to the film aside from the funny incidents. Among the funny moments in the movie is when they pour rain on Truman alone and not in the whole area.
The ending of the movie is the most dramatic part because after thirty years of being a “puppet” of Christof and living in a world he created and with the people he employed as cast, Truman have finally find the stairway leading to exit. His moving dialogue “In case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight” and takes a bow is a scene of triumph which the audience wants to see.
Interstellar: A film Review by First Name Last Name
Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” is a breath taking sci-fi film featuring Anne Hathaway. What makes this movie a hit is the simplicity of its plot narrating man’s struggle of a new planet where they can survive because earth was doomed by crop blight.
As expected in a sci-fi movie, “Interstellar” is filled with several digital effects. The scene where Amelia and Cooper enters the black hole welcomes the audience to the outer space where they catch a closer glimpse of what a black hole looks like. Nolan excellently provides a clear simulation of the galaxies and cosmic events. The effects is impressive because it is not ambitious; rather the cosmic elements like whirlpools were realistically represented through accurate visuals. Additionally, the space craft endurance is not overly represented. It looks like one of NASA’s space crafts unlike in other films which makes a space aircraft appear like a thing of magic.
Another good element of the film is that even though the setting is the future, the events are still anchored on reality. The story suggests that while traveling in space is possible with the help of modern science, it is still the most dangerous adventure. The theme is also inspiring and enlightening as it wants the viewers to realize that they should take care of the Earth because it is near impossible to find a new planet that can sustain human life.
Pulp Fiction: A Movie Review by First Name Last Name
Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction is one of the most mesmerizing and hilarious films of the 90’s. The dialogues are amazingly witty which makes the film extremely funny. John Travolta and co-star Samuel Jackson give outstanding performances and always give justice to their individual characters. To note, the mere facial expression of Samuel Jackson is enough to entertain the viewers. And the misquoted or paraphrased verses from the Bible that he proclaims in a very serious manner sounds clever and adds more substance to the plot.
One of the best aspect of the film is its clever screenplay. Tarantino is also good in cinematography capturing every humorous angle of the protagonists. It also good that the plot is not presented in chronological order because it makes the audience curious and wants to go on watching to discover the whole story. It is a chopped narrative and the viewers are urged to find the pieces and put it together like a puzzle in order to know how the three stories are part of one big story.
Although the film contains violent scenes and profane language, it also tackles positive things like God and Divine intervention. Samuel Jackson who plays as the hitman quits his job of killing after seeing a sign from God.
Into the Wild: A Film Review by First Name Last Name
Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild” is a biographical film released in 2007 that narrates the life and adventure of Christopher McCandless. The movie’s non-linear order of events makes it more interesting to watch as it switches from the protagonists adventure in the wilderness of Alaska and his travels for two years that ultimately lead him to such wilderness. Though it is based on a true to life story, the plot is not boring. The story is interesting- a son who left his parents and traded his home for a life of solitude in a distant forest.
Sound plays an important part in Penn’s masterpiece. The music complements the scene and triggers emotional responses from the audience. For example, the music that plays during the last part of the movie speaks of memories of his past adventures, realizations of his mistakes and feeling of regrets.
“Into the Wild” is an inspiring film. It embodies a significant theme that most people takes for granted. It teaches the readers that “happiness is only real when shared.” The scene where he writes this quote in a book is captivating and indeed, this one quote makes the whole movie worth watching. This film documentary teaches the viewers to value their parents and understand the true meaning of happiness.
