Rob Mackie http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2007/oct/11/dvdreviews.actionandadventure
"Into Hell's mouth we march," for example, is their equivalent of "I'll be off now then", and hardly any line of the script can be said without an exclamation mark and/or a sore throat. Lead actor Gerard Butler, as Leonidas, responds with lots of shouting and whispering, like a Govan rep version of Al Pacino.
The Reason i had chose this quote, is because, as Mackie says that the script is written to eitha be shouted or whispered, this shows that the male dominance is shown through shouting in front of other and whispering can be shown from the soft side in frontof women.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Youtube Clip Analysis
M: The setting of this scene is on a battle filed full of dead bodies and blood.
The scene is full of masucline men making it a pairiarchal society.
The main effect used through the whole scene is mainly slow motion. This is used to increase tension over the audience. The slow motion is also used to show the power of a spratan, for example when Leeonidas throws the spear, the slow motion effect shows how power the throw is.
The ending shot is a low angle shot of Leeonidas breathing his last breath before he is killed withh a millin shots. The low angle shot shows, although he has lost the battle his being is still superior.
Another shot used is a 360 angle shot, the camera circles Leeonidas when he struggling to get up, this shot is a close up to show his facial expressions. 'My queen!....and my wife....my love' are the last words he says which shows that his wife is the most important thing within his life. he only realises this when he has failed.
I: The ideologies put across from this clip, is that it is a pairiarchal scoety and a male dominant society where women don't exist on the battle filed, this shows that females still have their roles of sitting home doing chores and house wife roles. The whole battle field is full of men showing that all men have the power to look after their family.
Leeonidas is the main chracter which shows that his power is the most important thing, but when he looses that power, his was blinded and then reliased that his wife was the most important thing.
The Persian king shows differnt ideologies, although he contains females feautures of piercings and dark make up and eye liner, this shows that he may be in touch with his inner feminity, by caring what he looks like. His voice may be very deep, which is a contrast of a very femininie man with a deep voice.
G: The genre is an action and adventure, the action is shown through the battle and weponry. the adventure is shown through the low key lighting horizons and setting.
R: The representations shown through the scene are the representations of male dominance and feamle house wifes.
Male dominance is shown through the paitriarchal society and the superior shot of a powerless protaginist.
The representation of the female house wife is shown through how Leeoniodas mentions is wife before death as women ar not present but she is at home worrying about him in the battle.
The last representation is of the NEW MAN, this is shown through the charcater image, although he may contain masuclinity and the crave for power like evry man, he has deicied to shown his inner feminitty on the outside.
A: The audience is targted through the genre and gory battles. The genre will target people who like action genre's and people who like to watch adventure films.
I: The Institution of this film is unavailiable from the cip, as this clip is just a scene from the film
N: The narrative structure of this clip doesn't follow TODOROV's theory, the whole film may, but tis clip doesn't, as the protaginist tries to kill the king and but to and dies himself, this shows that the ending is not resovled and Leeonidas's power has not been regained
Thursday, 11 September 2008
This is Sparta? The history behind the movie '300'
Go tell the Spartans, passerby. That here, by Spartan law, we lie, read the ancient elegy on stone at Thermopylae, the ancient battle site where the Greeks, 300 Spartans and their allies, held off masses of invading Persians in 480 BC. Hollywood, our modern Mount Olympus that churns out fresh myths along with popcorn and soda pop, is taking on this historical battle that defined ancient Greece long ago.
Thermopylae was a narrow mountain pass, wide enough for one chariot, with cliffs on one side and the sea on the other, according to the historian Herodotus. There, a small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta met an invading army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers — perhaps 800,000, according to accounts from the time. After two days of the lightly-armored invaders being slaughtered by the spear-wielding and heavily armored Greeks, treachery enabled the forces of Persia's emperor, Xeres, to outflank the Greeks guarding the pass. Leonidas dismissed the bulk of his army, again according to legend, and his remaining force of 300 Spartans and allies fought a suicidal holding action against the invaders.
The battle ended up a costly victory for the Persians, sort of the Alamo of their invasion, giving the Greeks time, and inspiration, to regroup and defeat them later in the war. The example of the Spartans and their allies has lived on, inspiring military codes still alive today, as well as some of the best quotes in history, such as Leonidas' "Come take them," his reply to a Persian request to lay down his arms.
In 300, which opens Friday and is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller, filmmakers add fantastical elements to the story of the fight, one whose drama would seem to call for little embellishment. USA TODAY asked Paul Cartledge, author of Thermopylae: The Battle that Changed the World, who has seen a preview of the movie, to give his take on how Hollywood stacks up against Herodotus, whose writings give the best account of the fight:
Thermopylae was a narrow mountain pass, wide enough for one chariot, with cliffs on one side and the sea on the other, according to the historian Herodotus. There, a small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta met an invading army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers — perhaps 800,000, according to accounts from the time. After two days of the lightly-armored invaders being slaughtered by the spear-wielding and heavily armored Greeks, treachery enabled the forces of Persia's emperor, Xeres, to outflank the Greeks guarding the pass. Leonidas dismissed the bulk of his army, again according to legend, and his remaining force of 300 Spartans and allies fought a suicidal holding action against the invaders.
The battle ended up a costly victory for the Persians, sort of the Alamo of their invasion, giving the Greeks time, and inspiration, to regroup and defeat them later in the war. The example of the Spartans and their allies has lived on, inspiring military codes still alive today, as well as some of the best quotes in history, such as Leonidas' "Come take them," his reply to a Persian request to lay down his arms.
In 300, which opens Friday and is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller, filmmakers add fantastical elements to the story of the fight, one whose drama would seem to call for little embellishment. USA TODAY asked Paul Cartledge, author of Thermopylae: The Battle that Changed the World, who has seen a preview of the movie, to give his take on how Hollywood stacks up against Herodotus, whose writings give the best account of the fight:
Film review on the types of shots and effects
First lets analyze what exactly this film is made of. Basically, the whole thing is just one epic fighting scene after another. Most noticeably is the camera work and the visual effects. Every shot seems like it was intended to be a work of art. The colors, the characters, the costumes, the backgrounds... every little detail has been given so much attention. During the big fights you'll also instantly notice the unique editing. There are a lot of "time slowdowns" throughout the battles which show what exactly is happening. Fatal wounds that slowly leak blood spatters in the air, decapitated heads traveling in slow-motion across the screen... it's all there.
If you are easily impressed by beautiful landscapes, wonderful camera-work and editing and powerful acting then go see this. Right. Now. You'll be missing out if you don't. There is so much to see, so much power in the way this comic is translated to the big screen... It'll leave you in awe.However, you are looking for a good story, clever plot twists, some innovating to the world of the movies then skip this. 300 contains nothing of this, nor does it wants to give you this.
If you are easily impressed by beautiful landscapes, wonderful camera-work and editing and powerful acting then go see this. Right. Now. You'll be missing out if you don't. There is so much to see, so much power in the way this comic is translated to the big screen... It'll leave you in awe.However, you are looking for a good story, clever plot twists, some innovating to the world of the movies then skip this. 300 contains nothing of this, nor does it wants to give you this.
300 Analysis
Media Representations & Ideologies
The person who is mainly being represented is Leonidas (Gerad Butler) to be a masuline male. The ideologies that are shown from this character; are typical male dominance and a paitriotic breadwinner. The individual is a king of Sparta and who is going war with th persian's to win back his glory and respect of Sparta.
The scene where he leaves his family to go to war is a typical breadwinner scene as the individual is leaving the family to go war (work). And the wife is left to take care of the children and in her case also the village.
The reason this individual is being represented in this way is because the individual contains power over his family and over his country. His power concerns many as it is up to him to take his pure bred army to save Sparta.
His representation should be presented this way of having the masculine attitude of control and the boldness to show he is pshyically capiable.
Media Languages
The main connotations within this film are that you are the one who must look after the family and other close individuals. this applies only to the male sex as females role tend to be presented as the common housewife who is use for cooking and cleaning and completing all home chores.
These connotations are presented through a scene where Leonidas gathers a group of pure bred spartans from their families to save their country. When the king leaves the Queen doesn't hold as much powerr as king Leonidas had. This shows that female Equality doesn't exist within this film.
the Non-verbal meaning from this film are clearly shown from a scene were Leonidas leaves his wife to go to war and his wife's expression show sadness and tears, but the males is agression saying he must do this for his country and leaving speechless with no buy or i love you shows that his country is more important than his love. This clearly shows that the new man has dissapeared as the new man wouldn;t show violence as they have gone throyugh an evolutiony stage were they have grown out of the violent stage to a stage where love and caring is replaced.
Narrative
The narrative follows TODOROV's theory of the equilibrium-Disequilibrium-revolution.
Equilibrium: Sparta is living happy training and producing pure bbred spartan children. They are lving there life in incraesing their lands.
Diseqilibrium: The persian God king sends a messenger to say to Leonidas that his country must fall under the power of Persia or his city will suffer. Leonidas disagrees and a war is f0rmed.
Revolution: Leonidas looses the war but one survivor produces a larger amry of spartans years after to go to war.
The hero's are created through them standing up for their country and city. The hero's are sacrifing themselves in a war against millions to 300.
The villians are created through the structure by them attacking constantly.
The narrative structure is shown to bring tension upon the 300 against 1million and the fight techniques and slow motion actio and gore to present they will win the battle. But the storyline ends with a realistic revolution of themdoing damage but loosing a 300 to 1million battle.
Genre
The film genre is mainly action and adventure. The action is from the great action sequences. 300 Has the best rateing for action scenes as slow mation, gory blood and zoom in and outs are used to entice the audience and increase tension upson the scene.
The adventure is created through the climax and scenary within the film. The film has many setting which makes it an adventure and follows the spartyans to differnt parts of the country.
All scene tend to be male dominant or masucline. It tends to be a patirialchal society and female are either typical houysef wifes or connoted as sex objects and pleasure.
The person who is mainly being represented is Leonidas (Gerad Butler) to be a masuline male. The ideologies that are shown from this character; are typical male dominance and a paitriotic breadwinner. The individual is a king of Sparta and who is going war with th persian's to win back his glory and respect of Sparta.
The scene where he leaves his family to go to war is a typical breadwinner scene as the individual is leaving the family to go war (work). And the wife is left to take care of the children and in her case also the village.
The reason this individual is being represented in this way is because the individual contains power over his family and over his country. His power concerns many as it is up to him to take his pure bred army to save Sparta.
His representation should be presented this way of having the masculine attitude of control and the boldness to show he is pshyically capiable.
Media Languages
The main connotations within this film are that you are the one who must look after the family and other close individuals. this applies only to the male sex as females role tend to be presented as the common housewife who is use for cooking and cleaning and completing all home chores.
These connotations are presented through a scene where Leonidas gathers a group of pure bred spartans from their families to save their country. When the king leaves the Queen doesn't hold as much powerr as king Leonidas had. This shows that female Equality doesn't exist within this film.
the Non-verbal meaning from this film are clearly shown from a scene were Leonidas leaves his wife to go to war and his wife's expression show sadness and tears, but the males is agression saying he must do this for his country and leaving speechless with no buy or i love you shows that his country is more important than his love. This clearly shows that the new man has dissapeared as the new man wouldn;t show violence as they have gone throyugh an evolutiony stage were they have grown out of the violent stage to a stage where love and caring is replaced.
Narrative
The narrative follows TODOROV's theory of the equilibrium-Disequilibrium-revolution.
Equilibrium: Sparta is living happy training and producing pure bbred spartan children. They are lving there life in incraesing their lands.
Diseqilibrium: The persian God king sends a messenger to say to Leonidas that his country must fall under the power of Persia or his city will suffer. Leonidas disagrees and a war is f0rmed.
Revolution: Leonidas looses the war but one survivor produces a larger amry of spartans years after to go to war.
The hero's are created through them standing up for their country and city. The hero's are sacrifing themselves in a war against millions to 300.
The villians are created through the structure by them attacking constantly.
The narrative structure is shown to bring tension upon the 300 against 1million and the fight techniques and slow motion actio and gore to present they will win the battle. But the storyline ends with a realistic revolution of themdoing damage but loosing a 300 to 1million battle.
Genre
The film genre is mainly action and adventure. The action is from the great action sequences. 300 Has the best rateing for action scenes as slow mation, gory blood and zoom in and outs are used to entice the audience and increase tension upson the scene.
The adventure is created through the climax and scenary within the film. The film has many setting which makes it an adventure and follows the spartyans to differnt parts of the country.
All scene tend to be male dominant or masucline. It tends to be a patirialchal society and female are either typical houysef wifes or connoted as sex objects and pleasure.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Common Stereotypes of Men in Media
The Joker is a very popular character with boys, perhaps because laughter is part of their own "mask of masculinity." A potential negative consequence of this stereotype is the assumption that boys and men should not be serious or emotional. However, researchers have also argued that humorous roles can be used to expand definitions of masculinity.
The Action Hero is "strong, but not necessarily silent. He is often angry. Above all, he is aggressive in the extreme and, increasingly over the past several decades, he engages in violent behavior."
The Strong Silent Type focuses on "being in charge, acting decisively, containing emotion, and succeeding with women." This stereotype reinforces the assumption that men and boys should always be in control, and that talking about one’s feelings is a sign of weakness.
The Big Shot is defined by his professional status. He is the "epitome of success, embodying the characteristics and acquiring the possessions that society deems valuable." This stereotype suggests that a real man must be economically powerful and socially successful.
Another common stereotype...
The Buffoon commonly appears as a bungling father figure in TV ads and sitcoms. Usually well-intentioned and light-hearted, these characters range from slightly inept to completely hopeless when it comes to parenting their children or dealing with domestic (or workplace) issues.
The Action Hero is "strong, but not necessarily silent. He is often angry. Above all, he is aggressive in the extreme and, increasingly over the past several decades, he engages in violent behavior."
The Strong Silent Type focuses on "being in charge, acting decisively, containing emotion, and succeeding with women." This stereotype reinforces the assumption that men and boys should always be in control, and that talking about one’s feelings is a sign of weakness.
The Big Shot is defined by his professional status. He is the "epitome of success, embodying the characteristics and acquiring the possessions that society deems valuable." This stereotype suggests that a real man must be economically powerful and socially successful.
Another common stereotype...
The Buffoon commonly appears as a bungling father figure in TV ads and sitcoms. Usually well-intentioned and light-hearted, these characters range from slightly inept to completely hopeless when it comes to parenting their children or dealing with domestic (or workplace) issues.
Action Scene
This scene contains alot of slow motion effects to emphasise the action and the skills the spartan has. The tends to be a side tracking shot. It is one whole scene with no cuts and edits.
The scenbe also contains zoom ins and zoom outs. This technique is known not to be used at the same time for example zooming out and into a scene in one go, but 300 sucessfully breaks the rule by using slow motion when zooming in to increase the tension upon the scene. After the slow motion the camera zooms out and the scene is back into normal speed.
Study Plan and Research
Title:
Why is ‘300’ representing males with old fashion Ideologies?
Is the New Man Dead?
Hypothesis:
Over the years male roles tend to be the same but they have picked up a new type of value in society. Male’s now have interacted with their inner femininity. This doesn’t mean they are ‘Homosexual’. We refer to this as the ‘new man’. Why is ‘300’ representing males in an old fashion way with old ideologies and stereotypes.
MIGRAIN:
M.
1. A shot of 300 men going to war - A patriarchal society
2. Superior shot of the protagonist – male dominance
3. Shot of protagonist leaving family – ideology of the male breadwinner
I.
Warner Brothers Pictures
G.
1. Action/Adventure
2. Film Noir: is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style.
R.
1. Stereotypes of males of their male dominance, they own Sparta also how they are going to war for their country and family. The aggression within the film, typical male testosterone of aggression, war, blood gore etc.
2. How the females are represented as sex objects (modernised), but also as women who stay home and look after the children. Typical ‘house-wife’ stereotypes (old fashion).
A.
Working class males. C1 & C2. Young males aged 15+
I.
1. Aggression, sex objects (males and females), male dominance, house-wife values, breadwinner stereotypes, patriarchal society.
N.
1. Hero-Villain (PROP) Spartans and Persians
2. Good & Bad (LEVI STRAUS) – Spartans and Persians
3. Equilibrium (Spartans and Persians get along) –Disequilibrium (They both go to war) – Realisation (300 Spartans Die) – New Equilibrium (A new army of Spartans is born)
4. But the film isn’t a happy ending, as the 300 Spartans die.
5. Enigma Codes (BARTHES) – What will happen with the new army?
Wider Context (SHEP)
1. The new man being introduced (1980’s – 2008+)
2. Feminism, the Women’s Movement of the 1960s, the War and the impact on Women, women gaining the vote, communities, suffragettes, the education of girls and women. Equal Pay act.
3. Rights for homosexuality
4. The loss of the breadwinner, that the man serviced the woman. They had children. She stayed at home and cooked. ( new women roles)
Other Texts to link to:
Troy
Rocky Balboa
James Bond
Why is ‘300’ representing males with old fashion Ideologies?
Is the New Man Dead?
Hypothesis:
Over the years male roles tend to be the same but they have picked up a new type of value in society. Male’s now have interacted with their inner femininity. This doesn’t mean they are ‘Homosexual’. We refer to this as the ‘new man’. Why is ‘300’ representing males in an old fashion way with old ideologies and stereotypes.
MIGRAIN:
M.
1. A shot of 300 men going to war - A patriarchal society
2. Superior shot of the protagonist – male dominance
3. Shot of protagonist leaving family – ideology of the male breadwinner
I.
Warner Brothers Pictures
G.
1. Action/Adventure
2. Film Noir: is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style.
R.
1. Stereotypes of males of their male dominance, they own Sparta also how they are going to war for their country and family. The aggression within the film, typical male testosterone of aggression, war, blood gore etc.
2. How the females are represented as sex objects (modernised), but also as women who stay home and look after the children. Typical ‘house-wife’ stereotypes (old fashion).
A.
Working class males. C1 & C2. Young males aged 15+
I.
1. Aggression, sex objects (males and females), male dominance, house-wife values, breadwinner stereotypes, patriarchal society.
N.
1. Hero-Villain (PROP) Spartans and Persians
2. Good & Bad (LEVI STRAUS) – Spartans and Persians
3. Equilibrium (Spartans and Persians get along) –Disequilibrium (They both go to war) – Realisation (300 Spartans Die) – New Equilibrium (A new army of Spartans is born)
4. But the film isn’t a happy ending, as the 300 Spartans die.
5. Enigma Codes (BARTHES) – What will happen with the new army?
Wider Context (SHEP)
1. The new man being introduced (1980’s – 2008+)
2. Feminism, the Women’s Movement of the 1960s, the War and the impact on Women, women gaining the vote, communities, suffragettes, the education of girls and women. Equal Pay act.
3. Rights for homosexuality
4. The loss of the breadwinner, that the man serviced the woman. They had children. She stayed at home and cooked. ( new women roles)
Other Texts to link to:
Troy
Rocky Balboa
James Bond
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