Detail how setting is used in creating meaning and understanding in Batman Begins.

Setting in Batman Begins:

From the skyline and streets of Gotham City, to the Chinese prison and Tibetan monastery, each setting in Batman Begins is recognisable as belonging to our world, or recognisable as being a part of regularly exposed cultures. This conveys the meaning that although Batman Begins is a superhero film, Batman’s world is governed by the same natural laws as ours which has the effect of making what we see performed by Batman an even stronger contrast and more impressive as well as informing the viewer about Batman’s character and that at heart he is the same as you and I unlike superheroes such as Superman.

Settings used in the film such as the early Gotham City and the grandeur of the Wayne house are used my Nolan to create a harsher contrast between Wayne’s wealth and the poverty stricken members of Gotham. Early on in the film this use of setting is used to create empathy and enhance the desperate measures that one of the characters is facing when he kills Wayne’s parents.

The oriental settings of the monastery and prison, to many western viewers, enhance the feeling of the unknown and “magic” that is being portrayed which makes what Wayne is seeking and learning appear to be ever more dangerous and unsettling, as the surroundings are so unknown to the viewer. It links back in with old ideas of the orient as being mysterious and also a lot more traditional.

Trailer Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vak9ZLfhGnQ

Film response - Misery

The film Misery is based on the psychological thriller written by Stephen King, starring Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes and James Caan as Paul Sheldon. The narrative in Misery has potential to be dull and drag but in this film both Bates and Caan keep good pace on screen without overloading the viewer. Bates plays an excellent Annie managing to bring great depth to the character, a quality I think could exploited more by that of Caan's character. Although the viewer feels empathetic towards the character of Paul the viewer doesn't see many levels or much depth to his character, we only see the persona he puts forward to the character of Annie as opposed to delving into the psychological trauma and battle he must be going through. The way Bates plays Annie however easily affects the viewer, making them feel ever more uncomfortable by the way the character effortlessly and realistically slips between the lovable motherly figure and the psychopathic and often detached persona she takes on. This unnerving role makes it often difficult to watch even before the violence and is incredibly effective, especially how she manages to do this almost child like language as opposed tot he rather affluent and often dirty language of Paul.

Detail how the main characters (Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon) are established through the mise-en-scene in the film Misery (1990)

The film opens with protagonist Paul Sheldon sat typing at his desk. The order and ritual shown in his actions suggests that he is the one with psychotic tendencies as opposed to the character of Annie Wilkes, revealed later in the film, who comes across as somewhat scatty. This need for order from Paul is confirmed by the owner of the Silver Creek Lodge who says “He doesn’t like things to be out of the ordinary” and recalls the ritualistic approach Paul has to writing his books. Later on in the film when forced to write a new book by Annie he manages to write what she describes as “His best book yet” despite the change in circumstances and pressure he is under. 

When leaving the Silver Creek Lodge there is direct binary opposition in the choice of music playing, a rather upbeat ‘groovy’ song which is playing in the car when the blizzard starts and carries on when he crashes the car. Another example of binary opposition in the crash is the colour of Paul’s red shirt against the white snow letting the viewer aware that he’s badly hurt and in immediate danger.

Paul awakes in a homely yet isolated cottage which is when the character of Annie Wilkes is introduced. She portrayed as a stereotypical mother figure, dressed in rather motherly clothes and shown as quite ruddy. Although she says she’s a nurse she has an odd approach to showing Paul his legs, she appears to get glee and pride from the sight of his legs. What first seems to be empathy for Paul’s pain is questioned when she smiles and seems to focus on her handy work as opposed to his pain; she doesn’t shy away from showing him his legs. 

It’s made clear that she wears a cross as it’s always visible and on display, combined with her role as a nurse and her motherly way tending to Paul makes her seem quite charitable at first.
The bed with Paul in is placed centrally in the room and the cameras focus on him in the middle as if she has him on display the idea of her keeping him as a trophy is  supported whilst she’s shaving him and cleaning him up, as if she’s making him presentable for something. Annie uses a cut throat razor as opposed to a more modern day razor to shave Paul, the viewer is made to feel rather on edge through this by the close up on the throat.


She says “All done, like a baby” making him appear helpless and enhancing her motherly nature, the idea of binary opposition comes in to play here as she says how much she admires him and how great he is. He is obviously successful as his agent’s talks of his wealth at start of film, yet he is being cared for by this homely woman, living in small town; showing a strong and obvious power reversal.
The way she speaks to him, very subtle at first, is often quite commanding as in he should thank her, good thing she was there which as the film and her character develops turns into look what you’ve made me do as her psychotic side becomes more prevalent.

Mise en scene - Brighton Rock

Detail how the main character in Brighton Rock is established using mise-en-scene.

Costume: 

• Simple suits - classic gangbusters/ mobster like
• Slick
• Doesn't appear flashy but obviously not old or shabby 
• (Prop) Flickknife - more skilled and subtle than a gun, more traditionally ganglike

 Lighting:

• Dark with no main lighting (Only back lit) 
• Face rarely lit or highlighted - Either hiding or not important, also creates an air of mystey

 Figure:

• Front of funeral procession - Suggests key role but looked down upon by others
• Dominates people he doesn't know but is equally dominated by those close to him
• Name suggests small / insignificant (childish nickname)
• Torturing of the spider and harm to others - suggests a lack in empathy
• Goes on about traditional values - attempt to gain respect and display worth

 Expression:

• Harsh
• Intense

Setting:

• Dark
• Dank
• Holiday spot but shown as constantly dismal

Intro Questions

Favourite Film: The Dark Knight /Star Wars Saga
Favourite Actor: Robert Downey Jr
Favourite British Film: Atonement
Favourite Director: Ian Curtis

Why I have chosen to do film studies:
It uses and can develop a broad range of skills making it applicable to many other subjects as well as that it covers a virtually endless selection of topics such a politics, class etc