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This has been a very interesting course at the same time it is much more then I was prepared for, although I learned a few things, I was actually hoping that it was going to be the type of course where you watch a movie and review it. Obviously this is much much more. I must say that I do see things and critique movies in ways that I never have before and to some extent I like it but honestly unless I have to I will never take another class in cinema due to the fact that for me some of the magic has been lost. I will never again see a movie the way I did before I took this class, maybe there should be a disclaimer!

Chapter one about killed me to read it until I got to the part about different types of film. All the technology advances since it was first invented and what the different types of films can do and when and why they are used. It also discussed the blockbusters and how they were originally shown at a few select theaters to attempt to build hype and it is still done occasionally when either a pre show is done for a film which is expected to be huge and also for more of the unique and controversial independent films.

The amount of money it takes to make and market a film and the amount of money that can be made is what chapter two was to me. I was amazed at the reality of the cost not just for the actors and actresses but the props and the special effects and all the crew that makes the film not to mention the producer and director and so on. It is even more amazing that considering how much is put out how profitable to industry really still is.

I think I was broadened by chapter three just in the aspect of I have never looked at films made here in the United States and said oh there’s another foreign film, because for me it isn’t a foreign film. But when it leaves and goes to Japan or France or any where out of the US, it has just become someone else’s foreign films. The other thing that really captured me is that foreign films that I have seen offer so much more depth mush more realism. I contribute this to the differences in cultures. What one culture finds acceptable another such as the US finds taboo. This in itself is funny since we act like such a liberated country, but we are really very prude.

The funny thing about chapter four was that I learned much of what is in chapter four by reading books by Danielle Steel, I recall reading one book in which the actress was contracted with MGM and at that time in my like I basically thought that is how it was and how it would always be. I do not know when I realized that Hollywood was not like that anymore but I found this chapter interesting because of my prior knowledge and interest in the subject no matter how naïve it was.

I was a bit surprised by the next chapter regarding the directors and what not. While I would have thought it to take a broad approach, I noticed that there was a lot of focus on just a few directors, Lucas was brought up time and time again which at first gave me a feeling that he must be overwhelmingly talented , but then I looked closer and my feelings are maybe the author of the book I am reading thinks Lucas is the most talented and maybe didn’t give enough credit to others or no credit to smaller names in the field. I was disappointed by this chapter and that feeling I think has stuck with me a bit.

I think I love chapter six just for the fact it is discussing indepedantant films what they stand for what they are willing to do to make there voices heard and the topics they discuss. I consider myself very open and even in the things I disagree with I still find it compelling to learn about. I have a much deeper respect for those in the independent film industry and look forward to seeing more of the films shown at the film festivals and the theater on Mill Ave. here in Arizona.

Also I was kind of surprised, even though I think I may have already know, but the still surprised at the fact that porn used to be shown in main stream theaters and made millions doing so. Now you see them in the rough parts of town in adult books store and such. In the same aspect it was interesting to read about how Hollywood and the public has set standards on acceptability even with horror films and shunned may of the independently made ones. The creativity that went in to marketing The Blair Witch Project was genius and worked very well.

The most interesting part of chapter 7 was the first page and then in regards to sequels. While most people myself included look forward to sequels of films they really enjoyed I think most of us are let down it was interesting to read about a sequels relevance and the whys and what fors and the thought that goes into them.

In “fixing it in digital” what stands out to me and what still does in reflecting on it is the comment from (soriano,2000;p.1) ” The real danger, many experts say, is that audiences eventually will no longer be thrilled by the ‘wow’ factor. “To a certain extent, we’re jading an audience,’ Hayes[visual effects supervisor, Tippett Studios] says. ‘How much more can you really do? ‘ Some already see signs of special effect burnout, ‘We call it “cinema puritae”, a whole generation that rejects special effects. Audiences are craving something real that feels real,’ says James B. Meigs, editor of Premiere magazine. He points to last summer’s sleeper hits as evidence that audiences are eager for less flash. The Sixth Sense had practically no special effects and grossed nearly $300 million and The Blair Witch Project, made for $60000, went to take in $140 million, the most successful independent film ever.

There really isn’t anything more that needs to be said from my perspective, The Sixth Sense was brilliant. I know I am jaded already.

Chapter nine made my laugh to really realize that we are taking theses rides we go on at Disneyland and turn it into a two hour ride we can take home and ride over and over on a little disk we put in a DVD player. It also makes me fearful to think about where the industry is going. I happen to like the way films were twenty years ago, I enjoy them now but change them much more and I am not sure what will happen. I will miss the films as I have always known them.

Oliver Stone was born in New York, NY on Sept. 15^TH , 1946. His father, Lou Stone was a Jewish stockbroker native to New York. Stones mother, Jacqueline was a catholic French and was from an upper class family. Stone lived well as his parents were wealthy. They lived in Manhattan and Stamford, Connecticut town homes. Stone spent the majority of his childhood with nannies, his parents spending much of their time in the social scene. Maybe because of this, Stone developed an early talent. He began writing marionette style skits at the age of five, in which he would cast his cousins to play the parts. At the age of seven, his father would pay him a quarter for each story he would write. At nine years of age, Stone began a nine hundred page book about his life and family. Stone attended Trinity School in Upper East Manhattan and later the college preparatory academy, Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Vacations for Stone were typically spent in France with his maternal grandparents. In 1961, during his junior year at Hill School, Stones parents divorced. Lou was having many extramarital affairs and was also quickly spiraling towards bankruptcy. Stone realize he had been taking his privileged life for granted when his father advised him that other then paying for his college, Stone would be on his own financially.

At this point, Stone considered becoming a mercenary in Congo. He decided against it and instead completed high school and then went on to Yale University to study liberal arts. He left one year later after being inspired by people such as Joseph Conrad and George Harrison and moved to Saigon. He was accepted into the Free Pacific Institute teaching program in 1965 at the age of 18. He only stayed for six months. Over the next two years Stone spent his time as a wiper on a U.S. merchant marine ship, then to Oregon and Guadalajara Mexico. In Mexico, he began writing ” A Child’s Night Dream” and he returned to Yale to try again. Unfortunately Stone devoted more time to his novel then to his studies and his grades suffered causing him to drop out again. He completed his novel but threw half of it into the East River after failing to interest a publisher, Shortly after in 1967 Stone enlisted in the US Army and requested combat duty in Vietnam. During his tour, he was injured several times earning him honors such as the Bronze STAR, Extraordinary acts of Courage Under Fire and the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster.

Stone went to Mexico after his discharge and was thrown in jail after trying to return to the US with 2 ounces of marijuana. Stone realized he needed to straiten up his life and enrolled in New York University film school. Stone proclaims this his salvation, a way to express his feelings and creativity. His first teacher was Director Martin Scorses, whom Stone credits for helping his to channel his rage. He wrote two short films while at the University. He graduated in 1971 with a fine arts degree. He wrote ten screen plays but worked as a cab driver and Xerox messenger to support himself since her was having a hard time getting noticed as a writer with out an agent.

In 1973, Stone age 27 finally sold one of his screenplays. Slowly his career began. He wrote the screenplay for Midnight Express and he began winning awards such as the Golden Glob and Writers Guild award for the screenplay. Stone put out a few disappointments such as The hand and Year of the Dragon. The trial Stone has gone through and life journeys he has taken may have helped him evolve into the daring, radical and liberating artist he is. He developed techniques such as fast editing, unpredictable angles, fluctuating colors and non-stop music flexible enough to accommodate dramas such as JFK, all the way to Comedies like U-Turn.

Heaven and Earth, Nixon and Any Given Sunday are all works from Stone. Heaven and Earth was part of a trilogy of Nam films from Stone. This is the only movie of Stone’s to ever be told from the woman’s perspective. This movie was compelling in that Stone tried to acknowledge that all the participants in the Nam war were right and wrong each in their own ways. The reflections Stone created through out the film were memorable but not unique as the same style was used in Nixon and Any Given Sunday. However Stone did something very right with this film, As Ebert said in his Heaven and Earth review, “Movies are not the best way to make a reasoned argument. For that you need the written word, which can be pinned down, footnoted, double checked and debated. Movies traffic emotion. They are about the way thing look and feel.” Stone has able to so both with this film.

Nixon on the other hand is Stone’s interpretation, combined with truth and dramatically interpreted events to create the “disjointed masterpiece” that is Nixon, as mentioned in the Film Tracks Nixon film review. The same reflection techniques occur in the film as in Heaven and Earth. Stone will go from one scene to a memory of the actually event. The cast was also unique and diverse. The cast was so large and the need for well known talent hindered the ability to match the perfect actor to the correct character. There were however a handful that could not have fit the image better, having striking resemblance’s to the real person. Joan Allen who portrayed Pat Nixon is an example of this.

Any Given Sunday is a mixture of perfection and style and creativity disaster. The movie while predictable was well told and overall fun to watch. Cameron Diaz and Jaime Foxx really got to test their talent as the characters they played were definitely out of their personal comfort zones. Stones attempts at his (what is seemingly becoming a trademark) reflection technique went horribly wrong in this film. Some of the shots created a early eighties feel with multi action frame scenes. Stone had great potential with this one but his creative drive got in the way cutting himself and the film short.

Over all if Stone continues to be the innovative, creative and edgy director we have all come to know his prestige will remain. Although slightly skeptical seeing as three randomly selected films have a very similar feel. Stone does need to remember to continue attempting new and artistic approaches. In doing so he will remain fresh and respected.

Oliver Stone- Annoted Bibliography

Oliver Stone Biograpy, Filmbug.com, Bio courtesy Warner Bros, 15^th April 2006

, Filmbug.com, Bio courtesy Warner Bros, 15 April 2006 

http://www.filmbug.com/db/1614-9

Oliver Stone Biograpy, Filmbug.com, Bio courtesy Warner Bros. for “Error! Bookmark not defined.” (21-Nov-2004) , 15^th April, 2006

, Filmbug.com, Bio courtesy Warner Bros. for “” (21-Nov-2004) , 15 April, 2006 

http://www.filmbug.com/db/1614

Holm, D.K. Oliver Stone, cinemonkey.com, 15^th April, 2006

http://www.cinemonkey.com/reviews/oliverstone/oliverstone.html

EBERT, ROGER Heaven And Earth ,

,December 24, 1993, rogerebert.suntimes.com, 15^th April 2006

December 24, 1993, rogerebert.suntimes.com, 15 April 2006.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19931224/REVIEWS/312240302/1023

Jacobs, Leslie Any Given Sunday (1999)-R, Showbizdata.com, 15^TH April, 2006

http://www.showbizdata.com/mreviews.cfm/224588/ANY_GIVEN_SUNDAY

China, Todd Nixon, filmtracks.com, 15^th April, 2006

http://www.filmtracks.com/titles/nixon.html

Filmaker Oliver Stone Biography, filmmakers.com, 15^th April 2006

, filmmakers.com, 15 April 2006 

http://www.filmmakers.com/artists/oliverstone/biography/index.htm#Top

While this was my favorite module, I do not think I was alone in this feeling in reading every ones elses posts. I found a lot of humor in the fact that many of our movies come from amusment rides and other theme park attractions. But I guess why not they did a great job with Pirates!!

I replied to Heide, Diane and Robb…thank you for the fun and interesting sites and comment you offered.

Unable to Furl the website from the computer I am using but I will make sure the site is listed. This is a fun interactive site, It offers a lot of interesting facts about the movie, a multitude of personal opions from other guests and other website links to go to.

WWW.rottentomatoes.com , May 4, 2006 7:48 pm

I unfortunatly am using a different computer then I normally do and I am unable to furl websites so the website I am intending to furl for the reading is on Interactive cinema. This site talks a lot about its evolution. WWW.ic.media.mit.edu , May 4 2006 7:40pm

The reading was interesting this time I was so happy. I found the most amuzement in the interactive cinema. While not really a radical concept since it is basicly an interactive video game which we already have but it is a novel idea. I would hope that the case would be that the movie would basically change to accomidate that decisions of the veiwers kind of like one of those old “Choose your own path” books. The movie of course was wonderful, I love this movie, I love Johnny, I love Orland, I love Keira…the was action and humor and romance and adventure and a bit of horror, What more can you ask for? Masterpeice!!!

Well, I wasn’t planning on watching these new episodes of Star wars, I didnt see the point and although the movie was ok I still don’t see the pint except to make money which I am sure they did. The digital was obviose in most parts and I guess I really don’t like movies all that much that are more digital then anything else…why have actors and actresses maybe the could digitalize thaose better as well.

While this might not be the best of sites I really enjoyed this persons passion in their hatered for this film and the first episode as well. They have seen the movie more then I have and have obviously put a lot of their knowledge of Star Wars into this site.

http://www.chefelf.com/starwars/ep2.php

I sill think I am losing my mind-No assesment 7? Correct me if I am wrong.