Music to Blog To

North by Northwest- by Alfred Hitchcock

"Prelude"- conducted by Joel McNeely performed by Slovak national Symphony 

Prelude is the music used at the beginning of the film North by Northwest. The film is a mystery thriller based on the president of mistaken identity. The film follows an advertising executive (Roger Thornhill) who is mistaken for someone else by foreign spies. In the opening credit we are treated to prelude, which correlates great with the story line about to follow. You sort of receive a James bond type feel because the music is quick, sharp and makes the credits seem like they’re leading to something very suspenseful. It very interesting to analyze the soundtrack choice for this film because you see that without any dialogue and just music the story moves along just fine. I think that the director and producer of this film did a great job at putting music and scenes together. The prelude like its name sets up the audience for what’s thought to be one of the best thriller movies in history.

Punch-Drunk Love-Paul Thomas Anderson

"He needs me"- music by Jon Brion

First, id like to start by saying this is a must watch film for any romantics. Secondly this song has to be one of the softest and relaxing melodies out there. This song is used in the soundtrack of the film Punch Drunk love starring comedian and actor Adam Sandler and Actress Emily Watson. The scene in which the music is used is the most powerful scene in the movie where Lena races towards Barry and instead of shaking his hand like Barry intends they embrace in a heart warming kiss. The music is ideal and relaxing even though her walk is fierce you the music entails that there is a sense of urgency but with a happy tone. The music plays trough their kiss in which only they are lost in while the crowds behind them keep moving. This applies to the symbolism of the film and what the values it represents are. What helps create a powerful scene is you are captivated by the beautiful tune playing yet you are only visually able to see two silhouettes embrace and kiss. The scene is wonderful it stirs up many good feeling that’s why these films are often dubbed "feel good movies". The song choice is perfect it sets the tone for the scene because the melody gives you a relaxing vibe and really captures the scene for what it is love and a long awaited kiss.

The Godfather- Francis Ford Coppola

"The Baptism"-Music by Nino Nota and Carmine Coppola

 We open with a scene that establishes a new dynasty for the mob and what better music to execute a blood bath of murders than "The Baptism". "Wow" is my first thought and amazing scene music choice and editing by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Their is little introduction to be done here with this cult classic and favorite, headline by the amazing Al Pacino as Michael Corleone and his father the best actor of all time Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone. The scene, for those not to familiar, starts with the soundtrack of church music playing and a baptism-taking place. Flash before your eyes Michael Corleone renouncing all sins and excepting the father as his lord and savior. A few edit cuts here and there and we have the bloodiest Baptism ever brought to film. Wonderful scene cuts give us a view of all the hits being executed by Michael’s henchmen. The music in the scene makes you think here’s this guy son of the mob praying accepting the lord and changing his ways. The music lures you into this false sense of belief when "bam" Shotgun to the eye, machine guns to a sexing couple, shots to the back shots trough revolving doors all of his enemy’s met with the same fait. This entire happening while you are being suede by the sound of the now daunting "Baptism". The music really brings you to life in this scene as you experience some gruesome murders. I sat there thinking to myself what a perfect way to clear yourself of unwanted people and catch them al in their most vulnerable moments. The film is truly the best the music and scene combine make for the most powerful scenes the eye can bare.

Armageddon-Michael Bay

Don’t Want to Miss a thing- Aerosmith

This song by Aerosmith is a true classic its recognizable everywhere and played one the greatest tracks for a scene in the film Armageddon. The Cast for this picture includes Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler and Ben Affleck among others. A.j Frost (Ben Affleck) recruited for the mission to save earth from a Texas sized asteroid has fallen in love with Grace Stamper (Liv Tyler). As they spend what could be their remaining days together they sit and chat by a small house near a lake with an amazing view. The car a classic nonetheless, the house is picturesque the two share a special moment and then queue the music. The song tells the story for these two lovers with its title explaining all. "I don’t want to miss a thing" is the story for these two lovers with what seems almost set as his impeding doom A.j Frost is preparing to embark on a mission that will more than likely cost him his life. The two share a moment of playfulness and deep stares as the music begins to play in the background. The song was instantly number one on Americas Top One hundred. It is also known as Aerosmith’s best hit. The music and this scene go perfect together as they both collaborated to make this a perfect hit. The song is a personal favorite although id never admitted to any of my friends because it was one of the first pictures I saw in theaters growing up. I think as a child I was blown away by the intensity and the power of the scene. The situation seems grim and everything was very depressing and then the music takes you over that last bar in which you can no longer control your emotions. The music and the scene are a perfect blend because they help each other and cause the audience to feel for both characters. Great film, great soundtrack and personal favorite a must watch because you wont want to close your eyes and miss a thing.

The art of dark films "Noir"

1) "Noir...a person who finds himself caught in a net" Errol Morris. What errol morris was trying to convey about noir was its dark tone and its unresolved no resolution endings. The genre of noir was created to question the mind to enjoy films with no ending or with no resolution. These can be films in which no one gets caught, the bad guy isnt killed or brought to justice. These films are intended to push the envelope and what the public views as the norm. The perfect example of Noir is Double Indemnity. We can see the film is noir when phyllis and walter scheme to kill phyllis's husband. THe film becomes more of a noir movie when her husband is actually murdered. This is what gives the film that noir that dark feel. Someone innocent is murdered for the purpose of the film to continue with no just motive. This is but one example of the movies we enjoy that are of noir origin.
 "men have always been endangered by a strong sexual female" Janey Place. That phrase alone can be said to sum up femme fatale. The desire and attraction men have towards a strong female presence. Men are willing to do anything for a beautiful lady and that is clearly what happens in Double Indemnity. Phyllis is the typical femme fatale because she poses all the requirements to be one. She is beautiful, strong and with a dark will. Phyllis lust and greed leads her husband to his death. In the process involving walter by seducing him and making him to her will. Their for proving that men are always a sucker for a pretty women. Walter Neff's character is smitten by phyllis and is turn becomes a murderer in order to satisfy his desire and lust for her. It is phyllis greed and beauty that make her the perfect description of a femme fatale.
Noir photography, lighting and location- The noir style of photography lighting and location all use "shadows"and poor lighting to create and effect of dark tone. the lighting and theme set in double indemnity was used to create this crazed world of fast paced dark toned mood. The camera angle create mysteries and confusion. When they come up close in gives you a private look into the actors feelings and reactions. Neo- noir is a directors interpretation and "homage" into a new genre and generation of noir. The comparison is almost identical because whether the film is black and white or in color the tone of the movie is set once the plot starts to unravel. Lawrence Kasdan said it best "if you look at the real world the real world is in color" The relationship from noir and neo-noir is very similar and both will always convey the same feel and mood.

Thoughts of Noteworthy, Deserving and 5 star quality films

The criteria for an award winning film depends on the viewer. Different people have different taste but speaking for the general output I would say their are 3 defining aspects. The first has to be the cast a film is only as good as its cast. The work the dedication and the performance actors give on the screen can define the trajectory of a films success. The second its the producer and director of the film. Tis can make or break a film. This person or persons are where the idea flows, they are the decider of which direction the film goes and whether the scene is good enough or not. This person ensures the quality of the film. Lastly the music and audio of a film, this can prove to be one of the most powerful tools the picture can have. Often moviemakers can make or break films depending on the audio of the film. If the movie is silent or there is a scene, which requires silence, it has to be time perfectly. These 3 criteria are of the upmost importance for films and the quality they bring to their public. Motion Pictures like le voyage dans la lune and the great train robbery can often be disregarded by today’s generation. People often look for sound and music. Films such as these try and portray motion pictures by using their scenes to capture the essence of their films. This particular film does this by using great scenery and props. The film gives you incredible visuals making up for what they’re lacking of in other areas. This films covers my criteria of great producers and directors who where able to manage the films scenes perfectly.

Below I have included two films, which most moviegoers have seen or heard of at the very least. Amadeus a film intended to bring to the big screen the life and death of Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart has for me all the components of a deserving 5 star film. From its producer to the cast the films comes together perfectly capturing the essence of what was Mozart’s work and a bitter rivalry of love and hate between himself and Saliery the court composer. This was the very first film I purchased and it has forever earned a spot in my collection. The film intertwines music and silent acting and it proves to be the toughest scenes to view as emotions run high with none or few words spoken. Another Film that says so much trough its scenes with saying very little is Schindlers list. This film captures Oscar schindlers curiosity and detailed attention to the Nazi officers entering the room. Just from the short clips provided these films capture your attention immediately. Enjoy

JUSTME!!

Films are the quintessential form of expression. Society finds their escape into alternate forms of the universes and how we perceive it. One moment you can be intwined in a romantic comedy in where the underdog gets the girl.Next, you find yourself exploring space and the universe meeting makeshift creatures when strange dialogues. Whatever the film is we find our imaginations running free and wild. i have found that we as people try to connect and compare our lives to the films we watched. I find that a share a real passion for films and the message they try to portray to the public. I love the art of film the creative process the character development and the final product. All aspects of film are amazing. My personal perception of films is that they make people happy because they provide the crowds with alternatives to life and how things could be, should be or will be. Films can look in the future and retrace the past no matter the timeline of a film we are bound to experience an escape into an alternative reality. Films are a pass time, a hobby, and my passion. Im Just Alex so lets "Just" love films together.