keep your chin up.

This week was the first time I had watched the film screening The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I remember this movie being highly recommended by my friends when it was released in 2012 but I had never taken the time to sit down and view it myself. I’m glad I did.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower took a different approach on the typical stories told in film of teenagers. It wasn’t about kids with seemingly perfect lives “adventuring”, partying in their mansions, getting upset about petty drama, and being the most popular kids on the sports team.

No, instead this film got in touch with the outsiders, and I think that’s just what teenagers need. The years of being a teen are often spent trying so hard to fit in and for people who are different from the rest, well, they’re different. The beginning of the film gives more of an impression of a young freshman just trying to find his place, I didn’t take him as being “weird” but more just a bit lost. As the movie continues it becomes clear that Charlie’s troubles are deeper than what is on the surface. His family seems to be a close but also disconnected. His friends are all a bit special in their own way, some are just going against the status-quo- listening to unpopular music, some are LGBTQ+, some are deciding what they believe, some are looking for someone to love…etc.

As I continued watching the movie to find out that Charlie is dealing with serious trauma of abuse from childhood it made the film even greater to me. Often subjects (such as sexual abuse), are not talked about. Mental health has not received enough awareness, and a story like this shows just how much of a strong influence this can have on a kid. They can’t just grow out of it, and it shouldn’t be ignored. Perks of Being a Wallflower was a message, a sort of letter written not just to the outsiders, but to everyone trying to find who they are, in the end it will be okay. There are brighter days ahead. We all need that, especially now. I love that.

Intro to Film was my first film class, and Dr. Schlegel I thoroughly enjoyed it. Your classes never disappoint. I learned more this semester about film than I ever have, especially about concepts, background, and the true art that film is. My favorite films from the syllabus were Get Out, The Artist, Thin Blue Line, Ed Wood, and 1917. The Perks of Being a Wallflower was definitely also a favorite as our last screening.

In the first half of the semester understanding the making of films and learning to see “beyond” just what I was watching made the films much more entertaining. Having the ability and knowledge to pinpoint the things we have learned about throughout the semester (such as the cinematography, mise-en-scene, narrative, etc.) while watching a film has been my biggest takeaway. Our group presentations were my favorite assignment we received, analyzing the title sequence of The Player, and seeing the others from each group was a great learning experience. Thank you for a great class even during this crazy time! See you next semester!!

John Hughes

Neon, denim, cool kicks, permed hair, dancing, and music. These are among the things that I instantly think of when it comes to the 1980s. I also picture a teenager, and probably a suburban town. All of these characteristics I associate with the 1980s have to do with some of my favorite movies from that time, and they all relate to-  John Hughes. 

John Hughes was born in Lansing, Michigan. At the age of 12 he moved to the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. After dropping out of the University of Arizona, Hughes began a career in Advertising. He then landed a job as a writer for Delta House, a TV show which was adapted from National Lampoon’s Animal House. 

After writing on several of National Lampoon’s comedies, Hughes made his debut as a writer-director, and received credit for Sixteen Candles in 1984. This was just the start of the many movies Hughes would direct in the 1980s that would give him the Auteur title. From the years of 1984-1991 Hughes would be the Director of, and release at least one film. These films included favorite comedies such as The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Home Alone, Pretty in Pink, Uncle Buck, etc. 

John Hughes movies can be identified by the common story of white (Hughes’ films rarely had diversity), and often privileged teenagers who live in the Chicago suburbs- more specifically a town called Shermer, Illinois. Although Shermer was not a real town, it represented the towns in which Hughes grew up in and around, and most of the characters in his films were from this town. Hughes often used his own life and what he knew through the stories and characters of his films. In Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Cameron is seen multiple times wearing a Red Wings jersey, this is Hughes bringing in his early upbringing and representing Detroit. These things represent the common Mise-en-scene in Hughes’ films. 

John Hughes gained popularity because he was one of the few directors at this time who were identifying with the young-adults that his films were aimed towards. Rather than just watching films for entertainment, teens could now relate to and recognize the films they were watching. And this did not fade away, teenagers will always face trials, and the films Hughes made spoke directly to them. In a 1985 interview with Chicago Tribune movie critic Gene Siskel, Hughes said that many filmmakers “portray teenagers as immoral and ignorant with pursuits that are pretty base. They seem to think that teenagers aren’t very bright. But I haven’t found that to be the case. I listen to kids. I respect them. I don’t discount anything they have to say just because they’re only 16 years old.”

This is why so many teens loved the films that John Hughes made. These movies showed that being an adult may be hard, but being a teenager was tough as well. Because of the way that characters in Hughes’ films seemed to lack respect for authority such as their parents, or the school principal, many may have viewed his films as telling the wrong message. John Hughes directed this way relying on how parents often seem to misinterpret teenagers, and the common struggles that they are going through which included their want to rebel. In many of his films Hughes’ characters often have problems based around their parents, and often rooted from their parents. Rather than relying on adults to fix them, John Hughes’ went against the norm of parents always knowing best.

John Hughes’ films captured the stereotypes of teenagers, popular kids in school, drama of highschoolers in the suburbs, cliques, etc. They had recognizable characters who were self-aware, and sounded and acted more as adults than they did children. They understood what it was like to be a teen in America, and they were honest about their struggles which so many teenagers who were viewing the films could relate to. 

  In movies such as The Breakfast Club Hughes’ showed how despite differences and social norms teenagers could be friends with and find common ground with those who were not just like them. 

Other traits that identified a John Hughes’ movie from other directors were the actors cast in the films. Among many who gained popularity from Hughes were Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Emilio Estevez, Robert Downey Jr… and many other famous actors who we all know today. Many of these actors were also seen and could be identified with John Hughes’ films. Molly Ringwald appeared in several of his films including Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. 

John Hughes was also known for filming style, his films often show characters speaking to the audience and looking directly at the camera. Hughes filmed close-up shots looking into the eyes of the actors to show the deep focus they were portraying while locking eyes with another cast member. Other common traits of Hughes were the sound-effects he used of punches, boings, laughs, etc. And also the soundtrack of popular 1980s songs which are still played today. 

Today John Hughes’ movies are famously quoted by many, including one we have all probably heard often, “life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”- Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. John Hughes’ career in Hollywood ended early in the 1990s, and in 2009 he unexpectedly passed away at a young age of 49 years old. But the way that Hughes portrayed teenagers of America influenced writers and directors in how they would begin to tell stories of youth through films and TV shows for years to come.

References:

Evans, Neil. “Filmmaker Retrospective: The Iconic Teen Movies of John Hughes.” Taste of Cinema – Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists, 27 Mar. 2019, http://www.tasteofcinema.com/2014/filmmaker-retrospective-the-iconic-teen-movies-of-john-hughes/.

https://studylib.net/doc/10007907/john-hughes-the-auteur

“Pop Rhetoric: John Hughes and ’80s Auteur Relevance.” The McGill Tribune, 4 Apr. 2016, http://www.mcgilltribune.com/a-e/pop-rhetoric-john-hughes-and-80s-auteur-relevance-441040/.

“Ranking: Every John Hughes Movie From Worst to Best.” Consequence of Sound, 26 Feb. 2020, consequenceofsound.net/2020/02/ranking-john-hughes-movies/full-post/.

Through Their Eyes – Glory

Representation involves how realistic a film portrays a story, an experience in life, making it appear as reality.  It also makes way for a full story to be told. Historical representation is shown through the film we watched this week, Glory. Though this film was not entirely accurate with the stories it told for the soldiers in the movie, it represented the time which it took place and how the black men who were in the Army felt, as well as what they went through.

This film tells the story of the first African American regiment which was led by Col. Robert Gould. Gould allowed the black men to be a part of the Army, though at first, he seemed to be more concerned with having power over them, in the end it seems as if he finally understood the men and therefore chose to fight with them. When watching this film, I felt a lot of emotion, and I think that was a very powerful thing in the film. It displayed how the white men were thought to be “above” the black men and showed their day to day lives of becoming the first African Americans in the Army.

It showed perseverance, and extreme determination. It gave a clear understanding to why they wanted to fight and prove themselves. Though the was not a happy ending of all of black and white men returning home together after war to celebrate with each other, this film dug deeper. These men changed history. For many years black men were not allowed to enlist in the military due to the belief that they were going to interfere with the white soldiers- this group of men proved themselves more than able to be in the military and therefore made way for black soldiers from then on.

By connecting with the characters and learning about them we are able to watch the movie with feeling and emotion. I felt multiple pangs in my chest during the film and I believe that’s what the director wanted. They wanted the audience to understand history through feeling. I felt upset, and I felt worried at times as well. Knowing that this film represented a true story heightened those emotions, through fiction you may feel uncomfortable but know it is technically “fake.” It is not the same for a film based on true stories. It is very sad to watch the trials which others had to endure. But I believe that it what makes this a great film, it captures the audience’s attention and allows us to see this time through the eyes of those men.

Alternate blog title: Ferris Bueller’s Day [ON]

Changing Reality– Get Out

            Get Out was not a typical horror film, though it had components of a horror it did not follow many of the ideas that most people would associate with the horror genre. Nonetheless it was a film unlike anything I have ever seen before. Get Out took the idea of systematic racism to the next level. Rather than having a typical scary “monster” in the film, racism was the monster. And it was frightening. The film found a way to trigger many emotions. Fear, sadness, and even some laughter and happiness. As the film continued there were many questions raised about what was happening, and what would be happening. In the end it was a gut-wrenching realization of how the white family were portraying how terrifying it is just to be black in America. And this could not be more real than it is today.

            Throughout the film we see how Rose and her family claim to not be racist by trying to prove that they are not through words. They continuously tell Chris that they are not racist, and constantly point out that he is black. Rose’s family represents many of the white supremacists in America who simply say that there is no difference between black and white, and act as if this is no longer an issue. By doing this they actually are proving their ignorance and avoiding the very-real problem that is racism. Rather than fight against it, they stand beside it.

            Chris’ friend Rod Williams is the one who seen pointing out to Chris why he needs to “get out” of the estate of the white family. He says how everyone knows what happens to black people in those places. In the beginning of the film we also see a black man who is kidnapped in the “white” suburbs. Another reference to how black people are often questioned and feel as if they do not belong in the suburban areas of America.

            In class we spoke about Narrative in relation to Ideology. Defined Ideology is “a system of ideas, beliefs and values that form the basis of social, cultural and political theories or systems.” Get Out is a perfect representation of a film based around Ideology. It speaks directly to the theories and systems that are experienced by black people in America every day. It shines a light on the racial horror in America and forces its viewers to also feel that fear through the film.

            When watching the alternate ending to Get Out I did not like it at first. I appreciated how the story had a “happy” ending in the original, and I liked that Chris came out on top and killed the entire family of monsters. However, the alternate ending was much more realistic sadly on what would happen in the typical murder between a black and white man. Would the black man even receive a chance to prove he was defending himself? Most likely not. And that is one of the most important reasons that we need change in America.

I believe Get Out is a masterpiece. Art. It is a call for help and hope for realization for all of the American people. Racism must end, we must be created equal, and the only way to change the societal norms is to change ourselves and those around us.

Go VOTE.

#BlackLivesMatter

the Author

            Ed Wood- a director, a movie, a transvestite, a wannabe, a lover of film. Watching this film gave us a glimpse of the complicated life of a Hollywood hopeful, whether he had talent in the eyes of award-winning movie makes, there is no doubt that Ed Wood was persistent and seemingly determined. We talked about Auteur Theory this week; Auteur is the French word for Author. This theory gives us the idea that the Film Director is the Author of that film and we should be able to clearly differentiate and pick up on that person’s style of directing through the films that they make. Ed Wood not only introduces us to the Auteur Theory of Ed Wood Jr. the Director, but also displays Auteur Theory that we know and many love, from Tim Burton.

             I thought Ed Wood was an excellent film which displayed good insight into the life of not only Ed Wood as a director, but how the world of Hollywood was back in a time like the 1950’s. I’m sure many of these things are still true for young aspiring directors and filmmakers who want to be involved in film but may not be the right talent, or have the right tools.

            Auteur theory makes a movie’s director clearly recognizable, and Tim Burton’s certainly are. When I hear his name or think of Tim Burton usually the first movie that comes to mind is The Nightmare Before Christmas, it was the very first movie of his that I was introduced to at a young age. After that his movies were easily identifiable to me. Tim Burton films have a particular genre, mise-en-scene, themes etc. Although Ed Wood was not what we normally think of in terms of a Tim Burton film, it still highlighted his style. Through filming, the black and white, almost vintage look, and an actor like Johnny Depp, who has performed in more than a handful of Tim Burton films.

            In Ed Wood we see this man who is a con-artist and misleads people to invest in his films with the promise and assurance that they will make the money back once it hits the big screen. He also used stories which related to himself, such as Glen or Glenda where he expressed himself as a transvestite. Through all of this we learn what makes him an Auteur, including Ed Wood’s films consistently feature the same actors (the lack of actors willing to work with him probably played a large part in this), using a clearly low-budget studio and props, and most shots used in the films being first takes. These are the same traits which led him to be awarded the Worst Director of All Time.

A Simple Plan

            A Simple Plan, to my surprise, caught my attention from the start. As the movie started the scene was set on a cold wintry day- we saw snow, fields and trees, a farm, the crows, and a fox. My hometown is in a rural area much like this one, and I thought of it (I also thought of the winter that is quickly approaching us). When Hank Mitchell found the money and deceased pilot in the airplane it did not seem too abnormal that someone would want to take the money instead of reporting an accident, especially considering the characters life situations. Hank was a husband, soon-to-be father and the college graduate of his family. Jacob (Hank’s brother) was unemployed, and Lou was just a regular guy who needed money as well. The characters were pretty typical of what you would see in a small town. This shows how A Simple Plan is a great example of a Classical Hollywood Narrative. Each character has definable traits, and the film has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

However, when Hank killed the farmer on the snowmobile it caught me by surprise. How could someone just do that? I contemplated it but as the film continued it started to become clearer. All three of the men wanted the money, even Hank’s wife wanted him to do whatever he needed to keep the money without getting caught. Soon it became a story less of not getting caught by the law, and in turn it became about the how many lives it took for Hank Mitchell to be the last man standing. In the end, he came out with much less of things that mattered to him in his life. In its entirety the film gave many opportunities for effects, build-up, unexpected moments, and emotions.

I believe this film was more realistic than pessimistic. We do not live in a perfect world and when put in hard situations humans will turn their backs on each other (even those who they may care about) to save themselves and get what they want or think they need in that time. Thinking of human nature, I think humans will do whatever they can to survive and that is exactly what this film portrays. Hank Mitchell did not want to go to prison, and I do not think he wanted to ever be the murderer of family, friends, and innocent strangers, but he thought this was what he needed to do to live and protect himself, his wife and child. In the beginning of the movie we see the fox kills the chickens, the crows eat the dead man, the dog chases the fox in attempt to kill- and the humans are no different with each other. It’s all a game of survival and in this story, there are no limits for just how far a man will go to save himself.