Arlington Road
Arlington
Road
Arlington road is a drama, mystery,
thriller film created in 1999 in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. The film was
created by Mark Pellington who has gone on to do other thriller and drama
films. Arlington road is a 1 hour 57 minute film.
Why I
choose this film?
I will be editing the first 5-6
minutes. I choose this film because right from the start there are sets of
enigmas which excite me as the audience. Furthermore the film has lots of
context to the wold in 1999 and also now. The film is a conspiracy thriller as
the heroine is the only one who knows that a certain group is bad.
I further chose this thriller because i enjoyed it and find it to be one of the best thrillers I've seen. The film also helps us to relate to the characters, in most scenes of the film its puts the audience in the characters shoes and make you feel every emotion that the character feels.
Summary
Arlington Road is a film based around
conspiracy theories and terrorism; in addition it is also about family life. Michael
Faraday who is played by Jeff Bridges is a widowed man living in the
suburbs of Houston Texas; he is a college teacher at the George Washington
University. In the film Michael finds a little boy walking in the middle of the
road injured. Once Michael takes him to the hospital he starts thinking in
anger to himself as the little boy has lived opposite him this whole time and
he didn't know it. Michael soon makes it his mission to get to know the family
and become their friends.
The more Michael got to know his neighbours, the Lang’s, the more he became suspicious about them and proceeded to look into their history. But that doesn't turn out to well for Michael as he is caught in the cross fire of a terrorist group trying to create fear in others.
Enigma
codes.
The opening of Arlington Road creates
many mysterious and unanswered questions. This makes the
audience feel more thrilled and in turn encourages them to continue
watching the film to get all the answers to their questions. The opening
sequence to the feel creates a big bubble of mystery and questions that the
audience want answers for. The starting scene of the film is a blurry long shot
of what looks like a boy walking towards us. Straight away this makes me ask
questions like; why is the camera shot fuzzy? Is it like that to make us feel
more suspenseful or is it trying to suggest to us that we should be confused?
Furthermore in the starting shot I’m wondering who is that walking, and why are
they walking towards us like that? Moreover where are they?
All these questions make the audience more excited to watch more of the film, so they can have all their questions answered to.
How
Are The Characters Established And Represented.
In the opening sequences of the film a
boy named Brady Lang is introduced to us very bizarrely. The first shot of
Brady is fuzzy and you can’t quite make out what’s happening. The boy is
walking in the middle of the road, stumbling and it looks like he’s not right.
One of the shots they use is a medium shot of the boy walking towards us. This
initial shot doesn't tell us much about his character but the quality of the
picture does. The image is very blurry which can imply that he’s not too sure
about stuff and he’s not very confident. The next shot with him in it is a
close up of his feet stumbling as he is walking towards the camera. The shot is
still blurry but you can make out that the person is wearing blue pumps. This
further proves that it’s a boy as in 1999 pumps were very popular shoes that
many kids would wear. The shot cam also implies that he isn't well because in
the shot he’s not very coordinated and he is stumbling everywhere. The next
shot dissolves in and we start to see a clearer image of what’s happening this
conveys that we will soon find out what will go on. The shot is a long shot of
a boy, Brady Lang, stumbling in the middle of the road grabbing hold of his
arm. If you look carefully you see blood down his arm. This illustrates a lot
about the character as it conveys that he is very week and not very smart.
The next shot that has Brady in is an
extreme close up of his eyes. He looks tired and possessed. This illustrates
the character to be very weird and also suggests that he doesn't fit in
anywhere. Furthermore in the shot there is non-diegetic sound of little kids
whispering this also gives the affect that Brady is haunted or possessed or
isn't right in the head because he is hearing voices.
Brady's character is further illustrated
in the next shot which is a Point of View shot. The shot makes us feel what he’s
feeling and puts us in his shoes. Moreover in the point of view shot he is
looking up to the sky and they lighting from the sky is very high key. This may
suggest that he wants to be a good boy because the colour white symbolises
purity and innocence therefore suggesting that he is a troublesome boy. The
idea of Brady being a bit mad is continued in a close up shot of Brady's neck
the voice can still be heard. The camera shot and angle can resemble the
thought of him having a devil and angle on his shoulders telling him what to do
and what not to do. The camera shots have got much clearer which implies that
little by little we are finding out what has happened to him. The boy is seen
to be very sweaty and his eyes are raw showing that he’s in pain the clearer
image adapts what we see from the previous image of his eyes. We see that he is
looking up as if he is dazed and confused; furthermore it gives us the affect
that maybe this boy has been beaten up because he looks in shock. The boy
becomes more frantic and aware of his surroundings as the clip goes on. The
image is still blurred implying that we don't know the whole story and we still
don't know much about Brady and what he’s like. The boy looks very well groomed
implying that he’s family is wealthy.
In this extreme close up we see another
shot of his eyes but this time he looks more worried and more alive than
before. His eyes are very wide and he is look around very fast for something,
this can imply that he’s a very intuitive and he asses his surroundings. This
gives me the feeling that maybe he’s learnt to do stuff like this from his
parents or maybe he is in the scouts. The next couple of shots have fast
paced editing which also backs of that Brady may be a bit mental. The close up
of his feet is repeated however now it is much this also shows suggests that
the clearer the image the more we know and from the 1st shot of his feet and
this shot as the audience we can say that we have learnt a lot about Brady as a
character. In the close up of his feet we see a drop of blood drip onto his
foot, this helps the audience learn more about him as the character. We now
find out that he is injured and that all his dazed looks are because he’s in
pain. Furthermore the blurry images can infer that he’s losing a lot of blood
therefore becoming very light headed. The image has become much clearer now and
we are also introduced to a new character, Michael Faraday. We see a behind the
shoulder shot of him driving his car he is wearing smart casual wear which
implies that he’s come home from his work. Once he sees the boy he pulls up
straight away this suggests that he has kids of his own and he is a father
figure. This can also infer that he is caring and put others needs before his
own.
We learn more about Brady as he is walking in the middle of the road and while Michael is shouting at him. Brady continues to walk forward either not listening or not able to turn around. This can imply that he’s like a damsel in distress he needs help with what he does. Michael runs up to the boy and turns him around to see blood all over him. This shot shows Michael to be nurturing and also backs up that he is very caring towards others. Also before Michael finds Brady you see a low angle, close up of Brady walking he’s face looks blank but gives a sense of determination. This conveys him to be very determined in what he does. This shot establishes Michael’s character to be nurturing and caring because as the camera dolly's round them he cradles Brady like a baby. This further implies that maybe he has a kid because he cares for him like it his own child. A zoom is used to focus in on Brady in the car while he is looking round the car, this makes his character seem scared but also brave because he's bleeding out but not over exaggerating about it. Michael’s character further gets established when we see a match on action of him speeding round a corner which illustrates that he would do anything to save others. Michael is a typical thriller character as he always puts others’ lives before his and goes out of his way to save then. Brady is a typical thriller character as he is an innocent child caught up in something big or an accident.
Locations
The first location in Arlington Road is
the suburban street in Houston, Texas. Houston is a typical location for this
thriller because it's about terrorism and bombs. And in other movies filmed in
Texas like "Armageddon" involve explosions and fire. This foreshadows
that something will blow up in the film. However being in the suburbs which
resembles family and peaceful living is also stereotypical because thrillers
like to make the audience feel as safe as possible.
Another location in the film is the
hospital, we don't know where the hospital is but it is a key location in the
film. Hospitals resemble blood and death which links to thrillers because many
thrillers end in death and blood scenes or fight scenes.
Camera
and Editing techniques
The most used shot in the opening is a
close up of Brady, the shot is frequently used because the directors want the
audience to see what's wrong with Brady, and it also puts the audience in his
perspective making them feel what he feels. Also an editing technique is used
once we started to learn more and more about Brady the camera would go less
blurry to tell the audience that they're gradually finding more out about him.
Another camera technique thy used was the match-on actions when Brady is
walking, it is consistent and helps the audience understand more. An editing
technique used for Michael is slow motion, this is used when Michael is running
up to Brady in the middle of the street, this technique is used to create an
atmosphere of anticipation, and will he get there in time? Why is he running up
to him?
Use of
Sound
At the very start of the opening there
was non-diegetic music which sounded eerie and very mad like, the sound is
trying to create fear and also confusion in the audience. Furthermore the music
is very child-like as well which links to Brady's character of being young and
innocent. Another non-diegetic noise is voices speaking to Brady inside his
head which gives the sense of the devil on his shoulder telling him what to do.
Another piece of music added in is worldly like he’s crazy of he’s on drugs.
Once Michael comes into scene the music becomes more upbeat which implies that he’s
character is very determined and thrill seeking. However the upbeat music is
also used as incidental music t suggests that Michael may crash into him or
will find. In the music there is a tick to it like a clock which conveys that he’s
running out of time. This makes the audience feel threatened and rushed as they
don't get a lot of time to process everything. The music then peaks once Michael
finds him and sees his eye, this is when we get a clearer image what’s
happening.
Some diegetic sound in the film is all
the talking. An example is when Brady screams, this makes the audience feel
helpless for him and also guilty because they've been watching him this whole
time and couldn't help. Furthermore the siring noise from the hospital can also
be seen as diegetic noise this is used to create an atmosphere of a hospital.
Titles
There's only one Title which is
Arlington road the title is on a road sign which links to the film because the
films named after a road and it’s about what happens down this road. The title
gives the affect that the road is a bit of a mystery because the title has been
put on the title sequence and you see a lot of images of family life but also
people stalking family lives.The title is tilted and very eerie.
Intended
Target Audience
In my opinion I think all ages between late 20's to mid-40's would like to watch this film. It is aimed at these
because it has a mature theme of terrorism and investigation that can get
confusing for many people. Furthermore because you have to families with kids
and therefore aim towards many people who have a family and kids.
Four
Brothers
Four Brothers is an; action, crime, thriller filmed in 2005 . The film was directed by John Singleton and produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura. John Singleton is directed Shaft which is and adventure thriller and earned a lot in the box office. Four Brothers was filmed in Detroit, Michigan and is based around a classic western "The sons of Katie Elder". this film runs for 109 minutes.
Why I Choose This Film.
I will be editing the opening to this film. I decide to analyse this film because in my opinion it is a really good film that includes a lot of different kind of genres. The film is an action and crime thriller which are my favourite kind of thrillers. The film also makes me think about family and the lengths we may go to to help my family or save them.
Summary
The film is about Four Brothers going back home to solve who killed their mother. The film includes a lot of violence and explains most stuff about their lives. The reason why the Brothers care so much is because the women that is murdered is actually their adoptive mother. She was the one that took them in, loved them and cared for them when no one else would. The film is mainly about a fight between a gang and the brothers. The gang is obviously more armed and more resourceful than them but they always try to pull through.
Evelyn's character is further introduced when she is in the shops talking to a boy about not stealing. She threatens to call the police which suggests that shes a law abiding citizen and also she cares for others. However when the shop owner calls the police station she does a cutting sign wit his hands to say put the fun down. This implies that she cares for others because she doesn't want them to get in trouble. In addition she doesn't care if you're a criminal because she likes to help people. Furthermore he character from this scene also suggest that she is quiet funny and is lenient, but if she needs to she can be harsh.
Also another character in the shot is Darnell, who is the boy who's trying to steal some candy. His character is represented to be hard and gangster like by how he dresses, but by the way he speaks to Evelyn he shows respect and innocence. This further implies that hes being brought up to be like a gangster even if he doesn't want to be. Also we learn more about Evelyn's character in this shot because, if the gangster-like boy is showing her respect then she is well loved and well-known in her community.However once we hear her trying to teach Darnell right from wrong she swears which implies that she knows how to make herself seem more dominant and make others feel a little scared of her.
This medium shot of Darnell and Evelyn looking at the shop keeper happens when Darnell apologises to the owner. Evelyn looks equally as sorry as Darnell is for stealing something. This can suggest that maybe she knows what its like to keep apologising to people for other mistakes. More over this reinforces the idea that shes very forgiving towards others. Darnell also looks sorry for himself this suggests that hes a good person that bad things happen to. This shot also links Evelyn and Darnell together which can convey that maybe bad things happen to Evelyn in the film. Forgiveness is a key theme in the opening because the shop owner also forgives Darnell for trying to steal his candy. When Evelyn tells Darnell to go home she has a sense of pride on her face like shes accomplished something else in her life.
However as Darnell runs out the shop we get a zoom out to a medium shot of the shop door and two men with their hoods up running towards it. This helps us learn about Darnell's character because as we get a zoom out we see the older more tougher boys, this can suggest that maybe this is what Darnell's destined to grow up to be like. We get a medium-long shot like a CCTV camera looking down on the shop owner and Evelyn. This introduces a sense of them being spied on and watched. We get a medium shot of the shop owner leaning on the counter looking at Evelyn, he looks at her as if hes known her forever. Suddenly the two men walk in with guns they start to threaten the shop owner. This shows them characters to be very hard and also racist as they start calling him names liken "Osama" which is a typical Muslim name. The shop owner begs him to take it and leave which shows his character to be a bit Coward-like but also that he doesn't like danger. A close up of Evelyn hiding in the corner shows her to be intimidated by them but also links to the fact that her luck is running out and not everyone can be forgiven. A long shot is shown of the shop owner getting shot by and shotgun. This implies that the characters are very powerful compared to anyone else and it also gives off the impression that this isn't their first time. The men notice that she in there and the camera changes to a long shot of the shop outside and a bang going off. This leaves us to think that Evelyn has been shot. However because we don't see a shot of her trying to tell them to stop it explains that her character knows what people like them are like. It further illustrates that shes not someone who begs for help she gets on with life.
Four Brothers, is underlined and lined at the top in white this can imply that they're trapped with each other and can't escape. It also suggests that nothing can separate them they are stuck together and connotes that they will help each other out. Four, is in a white colour showing that they're all equal. Brothers, is in a red colour which implies danger and violence this further suggests that if somethings happens to one of their brothers they will hunt down the person who done them wrong and make them suffer. Also the fact that the title is in the middle of the screen to the right a bit suggests that when they're together they feel powerfully and unstoppable and are thought highly of.
Enigma Codes
During the opening to this film i am asking many questions that are typical to the thriller genre. For example as i am beginning to watch the opening i am asking myself where is this set? And also Why has anther car pulled up along side it? Furthermore who is this old women? What are the gang doing there? Also why would they ill a innocent old women?How are the characters established?
At the start of the film we see the window wipers wiping the snow of the window, the shot type is a point of view which suggests that the director wants us to feel what she feel during the opening. The the shot focuses into dice hanging from the mirror, this can imply that the character is a hard person who gambles. A long shot of a car pulls up and tells us that the character may be a tough, gang man, because gang members normal had them sort of cars. Another cars pulls up behind it which introduces a threat to the opening as it seems like someones following this gang member. However to our surprise, a close up shows the person in the car to be a old woman. In the shot you still see dice which can imply that the woman is very tough. Furthermore dice are also links with chance, this conveys that maybe something bad is about to happen and her luck is going to run out. The car is still there looking at the women, who is, Evelyn Mercer, This can imply that the characters in the car are going to test her luck or demolish it.
Evelyn's character is further introduced when she is in the shops talking to a boy about not stealing. She threatens to call the police which suggests that shes a law abiding citizen and also she cares for others. However when the shop owner calls the police station she does a cutting sign wit his hands to say put the fun down. This implies that she cares for others because she doesn't want them to get in trouble. In addition she doesn't care if you're a criminal because she likes to help people. Furthermore he character from this scene also suggest that she is quiet funny and is lenient, but if she needs to she can be harsh.
Also another character in the shot is Darnell, who is the boy who's trying to steal some candy. His character is represented to be hard and gangster like by how he dresses, but by the way he speaks to Evelyn he shows respect and innocence. This further implies that hes being brought up to be like a gangster even if he doesn't want to be. Also we learn more about Evelyn's character in this shot because, if the gangster-like boy is showing her respect then she is well loved and well-known in her community.However once we hear her trying to teach Darnell right from wrong she swears which implies that she knows how to make herself seem more dominant and make others feel a little scared of her.
This medium shot of Darnell and Evelyn looking at the shop keeper happens when Darnell apologises to the owner. Evelyn looks equally as sorry as Darnell is for stealing something. This can suggest that maybe she knows what its like to keep apologising to people for other mistakes. More over this reinforces the idea that shes very forgiving towards others. Darnell also looks sorry for himself this suggests that hes a good person that bad things happen to. This shot also links Evelyn and Darnell together which can convey that maybe bad things happen to Evelyn in the film. Forgiveness is a key theme in the opening because the shop owner also forgives Darnell for trying to steal his candy. When Evelyn tells Darnell to go home she has a sense of pride on her face like shes accomplished something else in her life.
However as Darnell runs out the shop we get a zoom out to a medium shot of the shop door and two men with their hoods up running towards it. This helps us learn about Darnell's character because as we get a zoom out we see the older more tougher boys, this can suggest that maybe this is what Darnell's destined to grow up to be like. We get a medium-long shot like a CCTV camera looking down on the shop owner and Evelyn. This introduces a sense of them being spied on and watched. We get a medium shot of the shop owner leaning on the counter looking at Evelyn, he looks at her as if hes known her forever. Suddenly the two men walk in with guns they start to threaten the shop owner. This shows them characters to be very hard and also racist as they start calling him names liken "Osama" which is a typical Muslim name. The shop owner begs him to take it and leave which shows his character to be a bit Coward-like but also that he doesn't like danger. A close up of Evelyn hiding in the corner shows her to be intimidated by them but also links to the fact that her luck is running out and not everyone can be forgiven. A long shot is shown of the shop owner getting shot by and shotgun. This implies that the characters are very powerful compared to anyone else and it also gives off the impression that this isn't their first time. The men notice that she in there and the camera changes to a long shot of the shop outside and a bang going off. This leaves us to think that Evelyn has been shot. However because we don't see a shot of her trying to tell them to stop it explains that her character knows what people like them are like. It further illustrates that shes not someone who begs for help she gets on with life.
Locations
The only location used in the opening sequences is the corner shop in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit is a stereotypical location for this type of thriller because there is a lot of gang violence and corrupt police. However the corner shop isn't very stereotypical for this film because you don't associate a sweet shop with gang violence and death.
Camera and editing techniques
The most used shot is a medium shot but there are varied kinds of shots in the opening. One shot in the opening is a low angle which shows Evelyn's car and the gangsters car both pulling up next to each other. The shot shows that the gangsters were following Evelyn. this shot creates mystery and also expands on the enigma why are they following an old woman? While the shots are in the shop you see a lot of wide shots which illustrate space and safety. A match on action is used when the gangsters walk into the shop and when we see a long shot of the shop owners face becoming worried. This technique is used to create continuity throughout the opening. the editing starts of slow and continues but speeds up once the gangster walk in. This introduces fear and danger to the opening and makes people want to watch the rest of the film.
Use of Sound
The opening uses music which is non-diegetic sound, the song is "don't you want somebody to love" This highlights the whole film because Evelyn adopted four brothers years ago when no one else would. She loved them when no one else would. Another use of non-diegetic sound is incidental music when the gangsters shoot the shop keeper. This suggests that they're dangerous and aren't afraid to do anything, this also foreshadows Evelyn getting killed. Also before Evelyn gets shot we here a drum noise which further suggests that she is going to get killed. It also implies that its an execution because in the 1600's when someone would be beheaded or hung a drummer would drum till theyre dead.
Titles
The titles for Four Brothers are very b old and clear. The bold writing can iply that the brothers are "hard" and very scary.
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