Color Code of Hero

The article, Cracking the Color Code of Hero, written by Robert Mackey, tells the collaboration of Chinese director Zhang Yimou and Australian cinematographer, Christopher Doyle. Mackey says Yimou is known for quiet beauty in his composed shots, while Doyle is known for improvising with the camera and likes to 'find the film' as he is shooting it. Mackey mentions the film functions like a prism with frames of red, blue, white, green, and black. He also says the coloration is the movie's theme. The article continues with discussion about the colors; red, blue, white, and green.

Work of Zhang Yimou

The Chinese filmmaker, Zhang Yimou, is well-known in his films for reoccurring themes in the hardships of the Chinese people. This theme is portrayed in his films, To Live and Not One Less. His use of sensitivity in color is also depicted through his film, Hero. Hero became one of the few foreign- language films to be featured number one in the United States Box Office. In the Wikipidia article, it also mentions a brief overview of Yimou and the work he has created. As I read about the films he produced, I saw a recurrences of Asian-cultured films and martial arts. Visit the page to receive detailed information about his life, list of films created, and more.

A National and Ideological Approach to Three Kings

In Jude Davies journal article, Diversity. America. Leadership. Good over evil.' Hollywood Multiculturalism and American Imperialism in Independence Day and Three Kings, it says how Hollywood typifies the "vulgar multicularism" and imperialist United States nationalism in the 1990's about the films. She takes an ideological and national approach in her critiques about the film and the Persian Gulf War. The link will provide the article and her view of the film.

David O. Russell

In the website above, information is given about David O. Russell and about four of his films that he directed. Each film has a short overview of the film's plot and information of the way Russell directed it. Russell's film, Three Kings, is discussed in the article. The article stated that the director used "different film types and developing techniques to project a scale of emotions." The article also mentions Russell gives the film authenticity to the story by using people who experienced the war first hand on both sides.

He has a way of portraying relationships that no one else can seem to master, giving his characters a really thick depth.

Zemeckis

Academy Award-winning American movie director, writer, and producer, Robert Zemeckis, is known for his special effects reflected through his films. In the Wikipidia Encyclopedia Website, an overview of his life, schooling, career, and his interest in effects and digital film-making is discussed. Special effects include live action with animation in his film, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Another example is in his film, Forrest Gump, where he places the main character in scenes with well-known historical figures such as John F. Kennedy. Forrest Gump is the film that won him an Academy Award for Best Director.

No other contemporary director has used special effects to more dramatic and narrative purpose...As writer and director, he has rarely allowed the show to lose sight of...human realities.
- Film Critic David Thomson

Forrest Gump- A Fictional Character

In the article, Forrest Gump: A Controversal Approach of American History, is an article dealing with historic events in the movie Forrest Gump. The article is written by Ludovic Courtes, from the George Washington University. He states in his article how various events taken in the film can be a controversal argument. An example Courtes has used from the film is when Forrest reveals the political scandal of the Watergate. Courtes also says that Forrest is a fictional character and the movie shows us how he deals with certain trauma events in history.

From the movie, one can get the impression that the author tried to have him movie embracing a whole part of the American History by just showing it through the eyes of a fictional character.

Film As Religion

John C. Lyden, an author, makes an approach to religion, morals, and myth in his book, Film as Religion. He discusses in the book about specific views in an ideological way in film, primarily the topic of religion. The link is attached to the book. In the first few pages, the article/book discusses the overview of film, religion, and how it will be discussed within the chapters.

Most of the approaches can be understood as falling into one of two categories (or a combination of both thereof) that I would define as"theological or ideological".

Formalism

In the Wikipidia website article, the term formalism is discussed in detail. It tells us that formalism is a trait in film making. It states that formalism includes editing, shot composition, camera movement, set design, and more.

Ideological Views in Forrest Gump

The article "A Struggle of Contending Stories": Race, Gender, and Political Memory in Forrest Gump," written by Jennifer Hyland Wang, explains how political conservatives use the film to articulate a traditional version of recent American history and to define their political background in the 1994 congressional elections. It discusses how Forrest became a cultural and political image to "re-define America." This article will help stimulate the ideological points in the final paper.

King Kong Critical Review

Gary Johnson criticizes in a review on Peter Jackson's film, King Kong. He provides information on why the film is one of the great works of American cinema. For example he says, " [ The film] contains brilliant stop -motion photography that would remain state-of-the-art for decades to come and it tells arguably the greatest adventure story in the history of cinema." In addition, he gives information of many weaknesses the film contains. To get more information on Johnson's critical review, on King Kong, click on the link.

More Than Just A Stereotype

In the 1985 film, The Breakfast Club, tells a story of five different kids coming from five different groups in high school. They all spend a day of detention together and end up surpassing their views of each other's specific stereotype. Some of the hours spent was by listening and learning about each other. The theme of getting to know a person for who they are instead of their specific stereotype is reflected throughout the film.
In the Wikipidia link attached, an overview of the film is shown, as well as the story of how the main characters came from different cliques. Also, I found that by reading the plot the five teens got to know each other during detention in a deeper sense instead of not talking to a person that is not like themselves. The quote comes from a letter that one of the teens wrote for their detention assignment and read aloud.

You see us as you want to see us...in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at 7 o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed.

Schindler's List

I believe the film Schindler's List is a film that is capable of successfully completing the major film project with any of four of the six methods. Major film producer and director, Steven Spielberg, produced a true story film about a man named Oskar Schindler and his heroic capabilities of saving over 1,000 Jews during the tragic time of the Holocaust. He resisted the Jews being sent to concentration camps by hiring them to work in his factory. I recommend this film to anyone interested in history and the Holocaust. The Wikipedia website not only includes a brief analysis about the film, but also, an extended plot, the cast, production information, the many awards received, the differences between the movie and book, external links, and more.

Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire. The List is Life.