Summary
- I chose the blind side because it is a football movie and I love football
- DELETE ALL OF MR. LE DUC’s ALL UPPERCASE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE
Film Analysis
Film Title | The Blind Side |
Year | 2009 |
Director | John Lee Hancock |
Country | USA |
Genre | Sports |
If you could work on this film (change it), what would you change and why? | Nothing, it is great |
Film information can be found at imdb.com
As you view films, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots, and movement work to create particular meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, and emphasize themes. In addition to shot distances, angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound.
Ask yourself the following questions:
TOPIC | YOUR NOTES |
1. Who is the protagonist? | Big Mike |
2. Who is the antagonist? | His past life |
3. What is the conflict? | He is trying to make it to college football out of the hood |
4. What is the theme or central, unifying concept? (summarize in one or two words) | Perseverance |
5. How is the story told (linear, non-linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, at regular intervals) | regular intervals |
6. What “happens” in the plot (Brief description)? | He makes it out of the hood to the NFL |
7. How does the film influence particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing, characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such reactions? | It shows how sad and bad the hood was for him and how it affected him |
8. Is the setting realistic or stylized? What atmosphere does the setting suggest? Do particular objects or settings serve symbolic functions? | Realistic because it shows what the hood is like |
9. How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character? | They are dressed up normally |
10. How does the lighting design shape our perception of character, space, or mood? | Most of it is natural light so it shows the faces expressions |
11. How do camera angles and camera movements shape our view of characters or spaces? What do you see cinematically? | It shows it from a close up a lot to see expressions |
12. What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image? What stands out about the music? | The music is used to create suspense or sadness |
13. How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? Describe how this film influences or connects to a culture? | He goes from a poor family to a super rich family |
14. Give an example of what a film critic had to say about this film. Use credible sources and cite sources.Example: “The Shawshank Redemption Movie Review (1994) | Roger Ebert.” All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 June 2015. | A film critic from rotten tomatoes said it was ” one of the most influential sports films ever” |
15. Select one scene no longer than 5 minutes that represents well the whole film and shows relevant cinematic elements. Write a one-sentence description of the scene and record the time of the scene.Example: from 1:05:00 to 1:10:00.Explain why you chose this scene. | About 25 minutes in he is picked up by the rick family while walking home and he spends the night at their house and his journey with them begins |
16. In the selected scene: write a sentence for each of the elements below to justify why this scene best represents the film: | |
a. Screenwriting: | The family was super nice and welcoming |
b. Sound Design: | Big Mike was very quiet when asked to come with them |
c. Camera Movements/Angles: | The angles show the sadness in his face |
d. Light Setup: | It was very dark because it was at night |
e. Soundtrack/Score: | There was no music added |
18. What’s the socio-cultural context of this film? |