1980
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Closing Images
Happy Halloween everyone!
Showing posts with label 1980's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1980's. Show all posts
31 October 2015
03 September 2015
31 August 2011
Lonesome Dove
Dir. Simon Wincer
1989
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Yes, it's a television miniseries; but one with extremely cinematic roots and imagery. Wincer, no slouch in compositions nor in recognition of the tropes of the genre, frames the beginning and ending of the entire series with very similar shots. Both are from the Hat Creek Cattle Creek Company side of the little gully looking onto the "main drag," as it were, of Lonesome Dove itself. Yet our perspective has shifted completely. We have moved from left to right, as if reading in a book.
An entire journey has been undertaken; thousands of miles and many dead left in its wake. The ending shot is beautiful, yes, but notice that we can't see the iconic saloon. When Gus died, did the saloon burn at the same time? What was one, without the other? And we ask that question of Call as he turns back and walks across the bridge. What is he without his friend? Yes, there was a "hell of a vision" that drove them on the cattle drive, but what to make of the vision now that the one who had it sees no more?
1989
Opening Image:
Closing Image:
Yes, it's a television miniseries; but one with extremely cinematic roots and imagery. Wincer, no slouch in compositions nor in recognition of the tropes of the genre, frames the beginning and ending of the entire series with very similar shots. Both are from the Hat Creek Cattle Creek Company side of the little gully looking onto the "main drag," as it were, of Lonesome Dove itself. Yet our perspective has shifted completely. We have moved from left to right, as if reading in a book.
An entire journey has been undertaken; thousands of miles and many dead left in its wake. The ending shot is beautiful, yes, but notice that we can't see the iconic saloon. When Gus died, did the saloon burn at the same time? What was one, without the other? And we ask that question of Call as he turns back and walks across the bridge. What is he without his friend? Yes, there was a "hell of a vision" that drove them on the cattle drive, but what to make of the vision now that the one who had it sees no more?
06 April 2011
Full Metal Jacket
Dir. Stanley Kubrick
1987
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Opening with multiple future-marine grunt's heads being sheared, Kubrick establishes his theme of de-humanization by the military machine. Over and over again in the film the individual is de-emphasized and punished. At the end, when all innocence has been lost (symbolically represented by the pre-pubescent girl sniper) all the marines march together, shadows against flame. They whistle the mickey-mouse club theme in unison. Personality burned away until they are perfect copies of one-another.
1987
Opening Image:
Closing Image:
Opening with multiple future-marine grunt's heads being sheared, Kubrick establishes his theme of de-humanization by the military machine. Over and over again in the film the individual is de-emphasized and punished. At the end, when all innocence has been lost (symbolically represented by the pre-pubescent girl sniper) all the marines march together, shadows against flame. They whistle the mickey-mouse club theme in unison. Personality burned away until they are perfect copies of one-another.
21 March 2011
09 March 2011
El Sur
Dir. Victor Erice
1983
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Erice gives us extremely enigmatic images to open and close El Sur. A window, frame left, gradually brightens to reveal not a brand new day filled with possibilities, but the death of Estrella's father. Just out of frame at the end await Estrella's taxi to the titular south. Implied is that out that window lay opportunity that her father could never fully give her and even tried to hide from her. Only in his tragic guilt-ridden death could Estrella fully engage on her journey to discover him.
1983
Opening Image:
Closing Image:
Erice gives us extremely enigmatic images to open and close El Sur. A window, frame left, gradually brightens to reveal not a brand new day filled with possibilities, but the death of Estrella's father. Just out of frame at the end await Estrella's taxi to the titular south. Implied is that out that window lay opportunity that her father could never fully give her and even tried to hide from her. Only in his tragic guilt-ridden death could Estrella fully engage on her journey to discover him.
08 March 2011
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dir. Frank Oz
1988
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Here they go again. The object of desire located center frame. For these conning scoundrels, only one thing matters, and Oz makes sure to represent that right up front and re-emphasizes it again during the closing sequence. To the protagonists, the human figure represents not beings with souls and personalities, but simply the amount of jewels and money they carry--and can be scammed out of.
1988
Opening Image:
Closing Image:
Here they go again. The object of desire located center frame. For these conning scoundrels, only one thing matters, and Oz makes sure to represent that right up front and re-emphasizes it again during the closing sequence. To the protagonists, the human figure represents not beings with souls and personalities, but simply the amount of jewels and money they carry--and can be scammed out of.
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