http://animatedfilms.suite101.com/article.cfm/movie_review_wanted
*The following are by review-crazed Jeff Bayer
http://thescorecardreview.com/film-reviews/2007/12/12/bucket-list/490
http://thescorecardreview.com/film-reviews/2008/07/17/the-dark-knight/125
*Interviewed by Richard Jobson,a special appearance in London's National Film Theatre - All infront of a packed audience, as it was followed by a screening of his latest film [at the time, of course] Under Suspicion:
http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,344698,00.html#article_continue
*Foreevr more to come!...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2000/jul/14/guardianinterviewsatbfisouthbank2
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89946042
Richard Dyer on 'Star Construction'
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/20629/richard_dyers_theory_of_movie_stars.html
http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/michaelwalford/entry/stars_and_star/
Seven - DVD Content
http://www.sevenmovie.com/lust.htm
Thursday 6 November 2008
A Freeman Focused
This is the object: Through my focus group with a number of Morgan Freeman fans/viewers, gather information that is extorior to my own thoughts and opinions. I have selected a fil film clips of Freeman, all which present him at his best - performance wise. I am going to show these clips to my focus group(s), for them to familiarize with the work of Morgan, as the clips will be followed with a series of questions that are in strong referance to my SSR's area of investigation.
*Expectations: To receive varied ideas on what and how Morgan Freeman's performances, across a body of films, effects his audiences - hopefully, ideas that reinforce the current ideaology that I have been following since the beginning of this project.
Begin
'How does Morgan Freeman (on screen) appear at first sight? What's your first impressions?'
LR: He looks like a Grandad, so you recognize him as an old, trusted, mature figure.
JS: Even inthe roles where he's not that trusted, he seems like a trusting character.So even in roles where he seems a bit mysterious and can be a bit nasty, you can still go 'C'aww, Freeman!'.
LR: 'Go on Grandad!'
Me: So you would say he is a lovable character?
JS: With his white hair, and his crazy (dinky) spots.
Me: So his physical attributes!...
JS: Mhum. He seems quite proper...
Me: And his got bold, strong eyes...
LR: I think it's the grey hair.
Me: ...they're not that intimidating.
JS: I like to think that no matter what film you watch that includes Freeman, his performances differs - obviously due to character - but he's got that same feel to all of his acts. You can always go 'That's a Freeman.'
Me: That's exactly what I was going to ask next.
'Do you see a recurring theme between Morgan Freemans performances? And what is it that links them together?'
LR and Joe: Yes.
LR: In his films, he is always the moral guardian.
JS: - Yep! -
LR: Like 'Don't shoot me in the face. I am God, so listen to me as I am the best.
JS: And in films like Se7en and Bruce ALmighty, he is always, higher than others. He has this higher status. In Bruce Almighty - God. In Se7en - The chief. In The Shawshank Redemption - the one that's been there a long time and knows best. He's higher up in power to everyone else.
What do you think of Morgan Freeman's voice? In reference to factor such as volume, pace, pitch, clarity.
JS: He's recognizable. He does narrative pieces doesn't he. It's quite passive. Even when he shouts, it's not like a crazy man.
Me:There's not that much aggression or stress.
LR: I don't think he could do any characters that are scary, because his voice is just too... it's like Barry White.
Me: Monotone?
LR: Yeah. And his voice is consistant. Always.
JS: Yeah.
Me: It suggests the idea that he never needs to bother changing his voice to get his message across, ?
JS: I think he neevr needs to change his voice. That's what I think. That when Freeman is speaking, noone else is going to speak. Where he has that status appeal, and with his voice it's like teachers, they won't raise their voice. They'll keep it at one tone and volume, to speak down to you. That voice of authoirty. I think he has that.
How do you feel with his voice? When you listen to his narration pieces, does his voice effect you in any way? For example, as if it's a voice of guidance, or...
JS: Well that all depends on his role of course.
*Expectations: To receive varied ideas on what and how Morgan Freeman's performances, across a body of films, effects his audiences - hopefully, ideas that reinforce the current ideaology that I have been following since the beginning of this project.
Begin
'How does Morgan Freeman (on screen) appear at first sight? What's your first impressions?'
LR: He looks like a Grandad, so you recognize him as an old, trusted, mature figure.
JS: Even inthe roles where he's not that trusted, he seems like a trusting character.So even in roles where he seems a bit mysterious and can be a bit nasty, you can still go 'C'aww, Freeman!'.
LR: 'Go on Grandad!'
Me: So you would say he is a lovable character?
JS: With his white hair, and his crazy (dinky) spots.
Me: So his physical attributes!...
JS: Mhum. He seems quite proper...
Me: And his got bold, strong eyes...
LR: I think it's the grey hair.
Me: ...they're not that intimidating.
JS: I like to think that no matter what film you watch that includes Freeman, his performances differs - obviously due to character - but he's got that same feel to all of his acts. You can always go 'That's a Freeman.'
Me: That's exactly what I was going to ask next.
'Do you see a recurring theme between Morgan Freemans performances? And what is it that links them together?'
LR and Joe: Yes.
LR: In his films, he is always the moral guardian.
JS: - Yep! -
LR: Like 'Don't shoot me in the face. I am God, so listen to me as I am the best.
JS: And in films like Se7en and Bruce ALmighty, he is always, higher than others. He has this higher status. In Bruce Almighty - God. In Se7en - The chief. In The Shawshank Redemption - the one that's been there a long time and knows best. He's higher up in power to everyone else.
What do you think of Morgan Freeman's voice? In reference to factor such as volume, pace, pitch, clarity.
JS: He's recognizable. He does narrative pieces doesn't he. It's quite passive. Even when he shouts, it's not like a crazy man.
Me:There's not that much aggression or stress.
LR: I don't think he could do any characters that are scary, because his voice is just too... it's like Barry White.
Me: Monotone?
LR: Yeah. And his voice is consistant. Always.
JS: Yeah.
Me: It suggests the idea that he never needs to bother changing his voice to get his message across, ?
JS: I think he neevr needs to change his voice. That's what I think. That when Freeman is speaking, noone else is going to speak. Where he has that status appeal, and with his voice it's like teachers, they won't raise their voice. They'll keep it at one tone and volume, to speak down to you. That voice of authoirty. I think he has that.
How do you feel with his voice? When you listen to his narration pieces, does his voice effect you in any way? For example, as if it's a voice of guidance, or...
JS: Well that all depends on his role of course.
Friday 17 October 2008
A Freeman Presentation
It was rushed, and you all know it! Aaagh!...
I gave an introduction to the rest of my FS class in referance to my SSR project on (yes, you guessed it) Mr. Morgan Freeman. I explained my hypothesis/statement, and what my intentions are for this segment of the course.
The presentation itself included a film clip from Bruce Almighty, which presents us with a personal and intimate conversation between main protagonist Bruce (Jim Carrey) and God (Freeman!). I chose this clip out of others for one significant factor, which I believed at the time (and still do) was that the scene shows us, the viewer, an insight to Bruce's experience of learning a lesson from a much higher power - God.
We copy what Bruce does, we attentively listen to Freeman's words of wisdom, as he gives the reporter only a few sentences with his authouritive voice, as only a few sentences is all Freeman needs to put us in a trance of a near-religious nature.
Oh isn't that a coinsedent? I'm talking about how Freeman fans and viewers can look at the performer as a religous character, and I just so happened to pick a scene where he plays (dare I say it "of all people,"), God himself!
With the presentation, it was down to either the closing scene of Bruce Almighty, or the ending scene of Se7en that would have been used to help back-up my hypothesis and thoughts of my subject, as either of the scenes put Freeman in a position of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. However, the endings to each of the films have complete opposite resolutions (Bruce Almighty ends with a moral, which is sent with happiness and rejoice. Se7en however, portrays a much more tragic fall for protagonist Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), as Freeman's character Detective William Somerset is seen distraught and defeated after failing his efforts to make cop David Mills do the right thing and surpress himself from commiting the last (and as portrayed in this film, the most dramatically inevitable) sin of the all, wrath.
*BACK TO THE PRESENTATION!
I got varied responses from my fellow Film Students, with their thoughts on Morgan Freeman's performances' effects in a film, but more importantly on their effects on the viewer. Most students referred to personal experiences, as so did I, but as a group we tread ground on the codes and conventions of Freeman's characters:
- The connections between each of his characters in a series of films he's appeared in.
- The performances themselves - critical analysis on his character's motives, attitudes, backgrounds, beliefs and perceptions.
At the closing moments of my presentation, I stated my future intentions and objectives:
1.) To research and explore the vast pool of thoughts and studies on Morgan Freeman and his characters, via blogs, discussion boards and Focus Groups.
2.) To research interviews of Morgan Freeman, and study his own thoughts and opinions on his performances through a range of his films; in particular, films that portray his characters as how Freeman himself is seen by his fan base - moralistic, wise, and fatherly.
*There's always room for improvement, and help would be much appreciated. Any links, videos, books, ect. on my subject that you may come across, please notify me...or else.
'"Or else" what?'.
'Oh I dunno, it's just an expression...'
I gave an introduction to the rest of my FS class in referance to my SSR project on (yes, you guessed it) Mr. Morgan Freeman. I explained my hypothesis/statement, and what my intentions are for this segment of the course.
The presentation itself included a film clip from Bruce Almighty, which presents us with a personal and intimate conversation between main protagonist Bruce (Jim Carrey) and God (Freeman!). I chose this clip out of others for one significant factor, which I believed at the time (and still do) was that the scene shows us, the viewer, an insight to Bruce's experience of learning a lesson from a much higher power - God.
We copy what Bruce does, we attentively listen to Freeman's words of wisdom, as he gives the reporter only a few sentences with his authouritive voice, as only a few sentences is all Freeman needs to put us in a trance of a near-religious nature.
Oh isn't that a coinsedent? I'm talking about how Freeman fans and viewers can look at the performer as a religous character, and I just so happened to pick a scene where he plays (dare I say it "of all people,"), God himself!
With the presentation, it was down to either the closing scene of Bruce Almighty, or the ending scene of Se7en that would have been used to help back-up my hypothesis and thoughts of my subject, as either of the scenes put Freeman in a position of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. However, the endings to each of the films have complete opposite resolutions (Bruce Almighty ends with a moral, which is sent with happiness and rejoice. Se7en however, portrays a much more tragic fall for protagonist Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), as Freeman's character Detective William Somerset is seen distraught and defeated after failing his efforts to make cop David Mills do the right thing and surpress himself from commiting the last (and as portrayed in this film, the most dramatically inevitable) sin of the all, wrath.
*BACK TO THE PRESENTATION!
I got varied responses from my fellow Film Students, with their thoughts on Morgan Freeman's performances' effects in a film, but more importantly on their effects on the viewer. Most students referred to personal experiences, as so did I, but as a group we tread ground on the codes and conventions of Freeman's characters:
- The connections between each of his characters in a series of films he's appeared in.
- The performances themselves - critical analysis on his character's motives, attitudes, backgrounds, beliefs and perceptions.
At the closing moments of my presentation, I stated my future intentions and objectives:
1.) To research and explore the vast pool of thoughts and studies on Morgan Freeman and his characters, via blogs, discussion boards and Focus Groups.
2.) To research interviews of Morgan Freeman, and study his own thoughts and opinions on his performances through a range of his films; in particular, films that portray his characters as how Freeman himself is seen by his fan base - moralistic, wise, and fatherly.
*There's always room for improvement, and help would be much appreciated. Any links, videos, books, ect. on my subject that you may come across, please notify me...or else.
'"Or else" what?'.
'Oh I dunno, it's just an expression...'
Thursday 16 October 2008
A Freeman Introduction
Greetings fellow Bloggers. I'm a student at Welling 6th Form, and this particular blog is specified at a current Film Studies project; a SSR (Small Scale Research) on a chosen subject, which/who shall be researched and undergo thorough investigation in an attempt to gather sufficient information and discuss a provided (and self made) hypothesis/statement:
"An exploration of the influence that Morgan freeman's performances have on the idealogical values of his fans."
I have chose three films that shall be at the core of my study, one which is a Focus Film, with the other two for back-up information and to help reinforce my ideas. And these are:
Focus Film - The Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994)
Secondary and Back-up films - Bruce Almighty (Tom Shadyac, 2003), and Seven (David Fincher, 1995)
I chose these films for fairly obvious, but none-the-less valuble reasons. In each of the three films, actor Morgan Freeman has performed and played roles which have depicted a man of much wise, knowledgeable, moralistic and fatherly values. A person who all viewers like to percieve as the wise, old, inspirational figure. Through personal experiences, I can confidantly say that after watching the performances that Freeman presents mtself and fellow viewers, we leave the cinema screening (or DVD player) with a wierd feeling, as if we have just gone through a life changing session on moralistic values. I have often walked away from films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Seven, questioning my own perceptions and thoughts on life, and how 'good a person' I am.
Some (including me) can say that Morgan Freeman is almost a figure of religious stature; a person to worship almost. As viewers, we listen carefully do his demeaning voice and take in his words of perfected understanding, as if it is Freeman himself reaching out to us, giving us fortunate folk the chance of bettering ourselves. This can most apparent to me in my early teen years, as I was a true obsessive of Tom Shadyac's Bruce Almighty...
...wait, there's more to come.
"An exploration of the influence that Morgan freeman's performances have on the idealogical values of his fans."
I have chose three films that shall be at the core of my study, one which is a Focus Film, with the other two for back-up information and to help reinforce my ideas. And these are:
Focus Film - The Shawshank Redemption (Frank Darabont, 1994)
Secondary and Back-up films - Bruce Almighty (Tom Shadyac, 2003), and Seven (David Fincher, 1995)
I chose these films for fairly obvious, but none-the-less valuble reasons. In each of the three films, actor Morgan Freeman has performed and played roles which have depicted a man of much wise, knowledgeable, moralistic and fatherly values. A person who all viewers like to percieve as the wise, old, inspirational figure. Through personal experiences, I can confidantly say that after watching the performances that Freeman presents mtself and fellow viewers, we leave the cinema screening (or DVD player) with a wierd feeling, as if we have just gone through a life changing session on moralistic values. I have often walked away from films such as The Shawshank Redemption and Seven, questioning my own perceptions and thoughts on life, and how 'good a person' I am.
Some (including me) can say that Morgan Freeman is almost a figure of religious stature; a person to worship almost. As viewers, we listen carefully do his demeaning voice and take in his words of perfected understanding, as if it is Freeman himself reaching out to us, giving us fortunate folk the chance of bettering ourselves. This can most apparent to me in my early teen years, as I was a true obsessive of Tom Shadyac's Bruce Almighty...
...wait, there's more to come.
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