music selections

Fratres

Music Composed by Arvo Pärt

These piece reminded of a dark grey color. I imagined something like an aztech before a battle. Nervous, desperate 

Not very inspiring for me. 

Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a, (Allegro molto)

Music Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich

Very traditional string arrangement. 

Reminds me of someone rushing to work. 

High energy, bright primary colors 

Peer Gynt: Ase’s Death

Music Composed by Edvard Grieg

Burgendy, meloncholy 

I imagine an old aging women remembering her golden days 

definiely reminds of death 

Pastorale d’eté

Music Composed by Arthur Honegger

Springtime feelings

different shades of greens 

birth

Two Elegiac Melodies: The Wounded Heart

Music Composed by Edvard Grieg

Red and Navy

Latin

Two Elegiac Melodies: The Last Spring

Music Composed by Edvard Grieg

Very literally beautiful music

Romance, love, 

Shakeshpere in love 

Pavane, Op. 50

Music Composed by Gabriel Fauré

Pastel

Wondering, confusion

children, youth 

THIS IS THE ONE I AM DOING 

String Quartet No. 3, Allegretto

Music Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich

Playful, problem-esque 

young girls, teenagers 

Gus Van Sant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzfup-OOPWQ


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mU1uFeywD8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg_9FQk6UnA

• American Filmmaker 
• Grew up in Portland, OR (very influential in his films) 
• Attended RISD for visual art, switched major to cinematography
• most influential filmmaker to him was Andy Warhol
• His successful early indie films include Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho  
• His breakout film was Good Will Hunting which won several academy awards 
• Began making experimental arthouse films again, such as  Elephant which won best film at Cannes
• Is a musician, has released two albums 
• common themes of disturbed youth and homosexuality 

I personally enjoy his ability to tell stories and his incredible character development. His camera work is often simple and unstyalized, but still using things like panning shots and fonts in nearly all of his films. 

Oscars Reactions !

The 2014 Academy Awards: my first question was why am I excited for this? Is it because of my new found interest in film or because nearly every new film I'd seen for 2014 were very impressive (even If I didn't love them myself, I could see how others might and thought they were well made.) Perhaps I mix of both. Obviously I had too much time on my hands, because I watched a good amount of the red carpet segment too. Oh how great it was to watch those attractive, talented and rich people showing off their attire.  As far as the show goes, here were some of my thoughts throughout:

• Wow, Ellen Degeneres somehow manages to be funny and charming without using shock factor or overly mean jokes!
• I felt like the kind of movies I hate (romantic comedies, testosterone filled action films) were put on the sidelines. That was nice.
• 12 years a slave is going to win best picture.
• This year, besides the classics (Meryl Streep, Leonardo Decaprio) there were many new faces on the A list celebrities. For example: Lupita Nyong was the newborn baby of the oscars, seemed like everyone there admired her and was on her side. 
• I'm glad that one film did not win EVERYTHING (although Gravity was pretty close)  
• 12 years a slave is going to win best picture 
• All of the music preformances were enjoyable and diverse. I especially enjoyed The quiet performance of The Moon Song 
• If theres anything that made me mad, it was the fact that Win Butler and Owen Pallet did not win best score for Her. That was one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a very long time, by some of my favorite musicians. Any of the others I didn't feel particular about, but that one I did and it made me kind of sad. 
• There were many rememberable moments, more then other years I'd say. Both the ones that were purposeful or a funny accident. Cough cough, Adele Dazeem. 

My top 4 favorite movies

This is a very loosely titled list, I watch alot of films and pinpointing 5 favorites is not very easy. But I tried to think of what movies I can watch over and over again, and always leave me if not happy, satisfied. They are not in any particular order

1. Amelie
This was probably the first foreign film that I enjoyed. French culture and lauguage are some of my favorites, so I decided to watch this. But It appealed to me on so many levels. I love Amelie as a character and all the memorable and meaningful things she says. I love how it is a unique take on a love story. This is a well made film that everyone should watch.

2. Across The Universe
This is a musical movie that only uses Beatles songs, and tells a story through them. I love the visuals in this film, every shot could be a picture. I wouldn't call this a 'gulity pleasure' but it doesn't have the best story. It still makes me happy when I watch it

3. Good Will Hunting
I don't cry often at movies (unless its a documentary about dying animals or something) but I connected with the emotion in this movie right after I watched it.  The acting (by Matt Damon and Robin Williams) is incredible and the character growth. I don't often like intense dramas, but this was an exception. I also love the soundtrack by Elliott Smith

4. Rushmore
This is a movie where when I'm watching it I want to repeatedly say "I love this movie". It is probably the most clever and witty thing I've seen. Max Fischer saved latin, what did you ever do? I don't really have much more to say, except that I love this movie.

Self Portrait

For my self portrait, I showed two outlooks, the past and the president expressed through the colors yellow and red. I looked around my room for idems with memories attached to them, such as an old baby picture or beloved stuffed animal. I also found idems (randomly to some extent) that have attachements to me currently. This was the only way I could give a full portrait of myself, I am defined by my past and my present.
I composed a lo-fi chord progression that expressed remembering and experiencing

The Vicious Kind Review

On thursday night, I took a leap of boredom by randomly finding something to watch on Netflix. I saw that this film featured an Actor I knew from the hilarious show Parks and Rec. I was surprised to see it was catigorized as a "dark comedy/drama." I'm also not a huge fan of dramas (unless they are directed by Wes Anderson) so the idea of me sitting through this movie without re-choosing with a longshot. I noticed immediately that the shots were beautiful, the scenery of overcast, small town Maine was very nice to look at. A guy is visiting his home from college, bringing his girlfriend for the first time. His brother lives there and feels an attraction to the girlfriend. He is mentally unstable from the last relationship he was in, and this causes many problems.  I think the "dark comedy" in this film can be credited to the main character Caleb. Bitter, sarcastic and crude, he's broken personality provided for shock and fascination. This made the romantic aspect of the movie more complicated. I felt myself sympathizing with Caleb, he was extremely broken. The family and relationship drama aspects were very prominent in this movie, but it had enough complexity to keep it interesting. I enjoyed this film very much. 

Commercial Review

The commercial I chose is called "not ever" I believe it was aired in Scotland around a year ago. It's been floating around the internet because of its controversial and new angle at the topic. I found that this commercial is extremely effective and thought provoking. I love how at first you might assume it was a commercial for alcohol, typical scene in a bar with men admiring women. Hopefully, the things the man says will catch everyone off guard (or the scary thought that it's relatable). It then jump cuts to another typical situation of a women shopping for clothes. You might think she'll ask if the skirt is cute or stylish, but the exaggerated straight forwardness is a shocking element. It's the casualness is what makes it effective, and I don't think theres a way to wrongly interpret, because no one ever is asking for it.

'Her' movie review

What we have here, a non-typical, futuristic love story by a eccentric cult followed director sounds like any film fans dream. Spike Jonzes history includes some of the most visually appealing music documentarys and whimsical movies such as Where The Wild Things Are. Her, his newest film is the story of a man named Theodore who has became quite lonely and anti-social since his last relationship ended. He sees an ad for  the latest form of artificial intelligence and decides on a whim to purchase it. It comes as a positive surprise how personable and charming 'her' voice is (she is named Samantha). Theo finds himself drawn to their conversations and helping her expand  on the world that she has no former knowledge of. Left in the situation of being in love with the computer leaves lots of room for judgement and confusion.

I started and left this movie with a ponderous emotion. How could a movie about such an absurd topic be  heart felt and relatable, essential ingredients in a love story? Yet, I felt this movie was the most heart felt and relatable film I've seen in a very long time. Theodore as a character very clear developed but made very destinct patterns in his decisions, so you felt like you knew him. We're there occasional moments where you were my thoughts were "Dude, she doesn't exist  , definitely. But, I tried to remember just because I think it might be off according to my life and opinions, thats not a valid reason to look down on the movie. With curtain parts cut, I think the strangeness of the pairing could have been completely overlooked. But hey, maybe that wasn't the goal. Go into this movie with a simple outlook, leave with one: some crazy guys in love with his computer. Its not a hard film to follow, but paying attention is essential, not to mention it is filmed absolutely beautifully. The crystal clear close ups and detailed scenery gave it that uber realistic, futuristic feel.