Blog #5 Music Blog

Title: North By Northwest
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Music Title: Prelude

I chose this musical piece because it is a good way to start off this film.  The music is full of suspense and the rhythm is quick just like the fast paced New York lifestyle shown.  The music affected me by making me wonder what is ahead in this film.  During the clip you see skyscrapers and people filled in the streets rushing to their destinations.  It made me wonder what is the rush and what is this film going to be about?  I believe this musical piece was effective because this film is suspenseful just like the music.

Title: Punch Drunk Love
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Music Title: He Needs Me (remix)

During this musical piece Lena is walking fast toward Barry, Barry extends out his arm but Lena gives him a hug and they embrace and kiss.  You can see people walking by quickly while they embrace, in a way it shows that they are enjoying that moment and time has stopped for them but not for everyone else.  The music goes great with this scene because it is awkward just like these two characters.  Barry tells Lena he is in Hawaii on business but he's really there to see her.  The music effected me with its words "he needs me" because Barry does need Lena, they both like each other but don't know how to go about it.  The music was successful because it was a cute song for the quirky kinda weird characters, Barry and Lena.

Title: The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Music Title: Waltz (Sicilian)

In the beginning of the film clip you hear crickets, which to me means its early morning.  Then the music begins, which is the reason I chose this film clip.  That music makes me think of the Godfather films, I love the way it sounds soft but tragic.  In this clip Jack Waltz wakes up to find the head of his prized stallions in his bed.  The music is successful in this clip because it makes you feel like that's what happens when you refuse a deal with the godfather.  The music also speeds up when the character Jack realizes there's blood on his bed then the pace continues to speed up and makes you wonder what is under the sheets.  The music stops when he sees it's his stallion and you hear him yelling.  Very effective music for this great film.

Title: Hairspray
Director: Adam Shankman
Music Title: You Can't Stop The Beat

I chose this musical piece because I love this film.  It's a musical and I am not a fan of musicals at all but the music in this film makes me love this movie.  The musical piece I chose was the last song "You Can't Stop The Beat" it gives all the main characters a time to shine.  I like how the music is upbeat and makes you want to dance.  The music in this piece is successful and effective because it goes with the film which is crossing boundaries.  Doesn't matter what size or color you are music and dancing tears down those walls.

http://youtu.be/MGKXXJQCX3chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGKXXJQCX3c&feature=player_detailpage

Tim Burton interviewed on The Treatment

Tim Burton is a film director, producer, writer and artist.  Some of the films he is known for is Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, and, The Nightmare Before Christmas.  During his interview with Elvis Mitchell on The Treatment, which aired February 20, 2013 he talks about his latest film Frankenweenie.

Tim Burton is someone I admire in the film industry.  I love the creativity of his films especially the characters.  During the interview Burton mentions how he grew up by a cemetery which to him was normal.  He didn’t view the cemetery as scary or creepy like others do.  Another interesting fact he mentioned about his childhood and growing up was that he flinched at hugs.  He didn’t grow up in a home that showed much emotion and that went into his characters, specifically Edward Scissorhands.

One of the questions Tim Burton gets asked a lot is which character he identifies with.  In The Treatment he states, “I try to identify with a lot of characters, Scissorhands, Ed Wood or whatever.  Those are all true but I definitely identify with Sweeney Todd as well, there’s something about his interior nature and yes and no answers.”  Many directors identify with characters in their film, with Tim Burton there’s a dark mysterious side to him which reflects in his films and art.  I believe this quote is noteworthy because like he mentioned it’s a question that many people want to know.

In the film Frankenweenie Tim Burton made it in black and white.  He states, If you deprive people of let’s say color, other emotions kind of come out stronger you know you get something and that’s what I felt.”  Making Frankenweenie in black and white it gave the feel for the movie or emotion like Tim Burton mentioned.  Frankenweenie is about a boy who brings his dog Sparky back to life.  I believe this quote is noteworthy because in many of Tim Burton’s films there’s a darkness to them, but not in a scary way.  For example in his film Edward Scissorhands the character is dressed in all black but he is very gentle and timid.  Also in the film The Nightmare Before Christmas the film is in color but not bright color.

Tim Burton has been seen as someone different in the film industry when it comes to style.  He mentions, “When you’re perceived as something different you’re always trying to kind of explain your way into the normal world I guess in some way…  people start labeling you as somebody strange or weird, you sort of give up and go ok well if that’s what you think then it became sort of a liberation.”  Tim Burton’s films are different; when you view one of his films you know the characters are going to be unique as well as the film.  This quote is noteworthy because I believe this attitude has a lot to do with Tim Burton’s success.  By him being ok with being viewed as weird in a sense, he’s able to do his work freely without caring what others say.

I learned a lot of about Tim Burton’s style in this interview.  As well as where he gets some of the ideas for his films.  Tim Burton contributes a lot of creativity in the film world with his great talent.