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filmlover33
Reviews
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The Medium is the Message
Stanley Kubrik takes a technically remarkable approach in presenting a purely cinematic experience, and what the medium, itself, has to offer. We observe certain techniques as Kubrik attempts to juxtapose various themes relating to technology and its influence on the environment. From the opening dawn of man sequence to the slow space orbiting, Kubrik engulfs the audience in a manner similar to technology captivating society. As we see the apes playing with the prodigious "tool," Kubrik sequentially cuts to space of a matching image of the spaceship. The juxtaposition of these images signifies the new age of technology and its eventual enormous influence on the environment. Very appropriately, we see how some of the men are put into hybernation during the mission, similar to how in space we feel a sense of confinement, isolation, and detachment from humanity and environment. In order to enhance the theme of technology's effect on humanity, we see how the astronauts use very little dialogue, demonstrating unenthusiastically without displaying any emotions, while the computer, HAL, expresses emotions in a more dramatic manner. Through Kubrik's creative mind, simply stated, he indicates that, HAL reacts in humanistic terms; while the human's actions and reactions are limited and controlled by technology.
During the final stages of the film, we can observe the impressive special effects which may be beyond the viewers comprehension, and still holds its ground today. In the process, the technique serves to challenge the viewer to question his or her own environment and culture. In the final shot, we see the child orbiting in space which signifies that he has been born to another level or possible celestial body, something that the audience finds unimagineable.
Stands as one of the best films ever to emphatically suggest the influence technology has in shaping societal conditions. Surely, there have been other films which dabbled with the same theme and have taken similar techniques, but none to the level of the space odyssey, in which it doesn't just offer numerous techniques, but the fact that the MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE.
Blur (2007)
Great Low-budget Film!
I am always intrigued to watch low-budget films and to see how, if at all, they make up for the tight budget. For a low-budget film and a director's debut, this film exceeds any marginal expectations and delightfully presents a chilling tale through a very unique, visual approach. From the beginning of the film, director Nick Briscoe, captures the mood with a style that is very much reminiscent of Hitchcock in the way the camera slowly tampers with the feelings of the characters who remain at an unusual, or at times, uneasy distance from the audience. As a result, it is a technique that, much like the master of suspense created, divides voyeurism from paranoia. However, in Blur, Briscoe tells the story through visual images which represent more than just the aforementioned characteristic. As the story takes us through a mystified vision of the main character's paranoia and sexual illusions, we are presented with the idea of an identity becoming blurred. During the scene at the party, with everyone dressed up and wearing masks, references toward Greek mythology are presented and suggests the main message of the story. However, what makes this low-budget film impressive, is that the story succeeds in creating ambiguity, forcing us to find a specific message found through visual representations, and by looking underneath the surface.
Even though it may seem like a simple story, there is a strange complexity in the way the film is structured.
Highly recommend it!