Kelsey
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A few weekends ago Joey and I made our way over to Kansas to shoot a very
special senior portrait session for my cousin Kelsey! Here's just a little
tast...
11 years ago
Saturday, December 20, 2008
You Know your a filmmaker when...
So, I got the greatest idea for my christmas tree this year... why not use film for garland? Well, it worked fantastically, and is just another reason I am going to be a filmmaker!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Reel McCoy Movie pick- Pirates of the Caribbean
Okay, so since I love films so much, I thought I would share some of my absolute favorites with you guys. To begin this, I figured I'd pick one of my all time favorites!
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
I'm sure most of you have seen this movie, and if you haven't, go out and rent it. This is one of my all time favorites. I know a lot of people were skeptical when it was announced, because, hey, a film based off a disney attraction? But director Gore Verbinski did not disappoint. So here's some of the statistics:
Grossing a total of $305,411,224 dollars in the US Box offices, POTC is an action/adventure film running about two hours and thirteen minutes. Walt Disney Pictures gave this film a PG-13 rating, making it the first produced with anything but an R under Touchstone pictures label since the 1980's.
The movie made its first time appearance in Disneyland on June 28th of 2003- the first premier ever held in Disneyland California. Okay, so now why it gets a spot on the McCoy Wall of Fame:
1st: Acting (thats kinda a given)
Johnny Depp, a 'jack' of all characters, took a step out and showed the world something we had never seen. Critics were asking after the movie was reviewed 'is he drunk? is he gay? what is he?' His inspiration for the part came primarily from Keith Richards (who has a small cameo in the third film), a modern Day Pirate of this century.
2nd: Writing
Interwoven with the overall plot line of this film are several separate, smaller plot lines which not only enhance the overall depth of the film, but also give it another dimension- Each character has their own goals and missions they are trying to accomplish, and at the same time, those 'missions' lead them all down basically the same path. Will Turner is a blacksmith turned pirate to rescue the love of his life- Jack is a captain trying to regain his ship. Norrington is trying to win over the woman of his dreams while capturing the 'wrong-dooers' among them. interlacing these stories into the mail plot adds a more complete feel to the film- people are individual, and not always doing the same things for the same reasons.
3rd: Cinematography
Now, I'm not claiming this to be the most cinematically advanced piece of film ever to be produced- that award would have to be given to a film such as HERO or 300. But though it may not be one of a kind in work, it is still something that deserves to be mentioned. The colors and tones of the film complement the story wonderfully, adding to the emotions created by the writers and actors. This film was not meant to be a break through in new and un-seen cinematography work, but rather focus on the story and let the lighting and sets enhance, rather than take center stage.
Just like anyone, I do have my problems in certain parts of the film. No film is perfect- period. Here are some of the elements that bothered me:
Barbossa states that since they have been cursed, they could no longer feel the wind on their faces, nor the touch of women- so why then, I ask, do they yell when elizabeth pours hot coals onto their heads? or when Barbossa, after being handed Elizabeths dress, comments that it is still warm? One last point on this topic, when Elizabeth threatens to drop the medallian in the water, all the pirates gasp as she begins too... however, as shown later, being 'undead' they are able to walk under water with no problems... so why even care if she follows through with her threats?
No film is infallible- not even POCT. ;)
Of course, I'm not going to lye- I am one of the biggest Disneyland people there may be- however, the elements of this film I believe can stand on their own. Dispite slight continuity errors, the complex writing of the story, mixed with the acting and directing from a stellar cast, combine to create an unforgettable, and soon to be classic.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL
I'm sure most of you have seen this movie, and if you haven't, go out and rent it. This is one of my all time favorites. I know a lot of people were skeptical when it was announced, because, hey, a film based off a disney attraction? But director Gore Verbinski did not disappoint. So here's some of the statistics:
Grossing a total of $305,411,224 dollars in the US Box offices, POTC is an action/adventure film running about two hours and thirteen minutes. Walt Disney Pictures gave this film a PG-13 rating, making it the first produced with anything but an R under Touchstone pictures label since the 1980's.
The movie made its first time appearance in Disneyland on June 28th of 2003- the first premier ever held in Disneyland California. Okay, so now why it gets a spot on the McCoy Wall of Fame:
1st: Acting (thats kinda a given)
Johnny Depp, a 'jack' of all characters, took a step out and showed the world something we had never seen. Critics were asking after the movie was reviewed 'is he drunk? is he gay? what is he?' His inspiration for the part came primarily from Keith Richards (who has a small cameo in the third film), a modern Day Pirate of this century.
2nd: Writing
Interwoven with the overall plot line of this film are several separate, smaller plot lines which not only enhance the overall depth of the film, but also give it another dimension- Each character has their own goals and missions they are trying to accomplish, and at the same time, those 'missions' lead them all down basically the same path. Will Turner is a blacksmith turned pirate to rescue the love of his life- Jack is a captain trying to regain his ship. Norrington is trying to win over the woman of his dreams while capturing the 'wrong-dooers' among them. interlacing these stories into the mail plot adds a more complete feel to the film- people are individual, and not always doing the same things for the same reasons.
3rd: Cinematography
Now, I'm not claiming this to be the most cinematically advanced piece of film ever to be produced- that award would have to be given to a film such as HERO or 300. But though it may not be one of a kind in work, it is still something that deserves to be mentioned. The colors and tones of the film complement the story wonderfully, adding to the emotions created by the writers and actors. This film was not meant to be a break through in new and un-seen cinematography work, but rather focus on the story and let the lighting and sets enhance, rather than take center stage.
Just like anyone, I do have my problems in certain parts of the film. No film is perfect- period. Here are some of the elements that bothered me:
Barbossa states that since they have been cursed, they could no longer feel the wind on their faces, nor the touch of women- so why then, I ask, do they yell when elizabeth pours hot coals onto their heads? or when Barbossa, after being handed Elizabeths dress, comments that it is still warm? One last point on this topic, when Elizabeth threatens to drop the medallian in the water, all the pirates gasp as she begins too... however, as shown later, being 'undead' they are able to walk under water with no problems... so why even care if she follows through with her threats?
No film is infallible- not even POCT. ;)
Of course, I'm not going to lye- I am one of the biggest Disneyland people there may be- however, the elements of this film I believe can stand on their own. Dispite slight continuity errors, the complex writing of the story, mixed with the acting and directing from a stellar cast, combine to create an unforgettable, and soon to be classic.
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