SESSION 9

SESSION 9

Session 9 is a psychological thriller that is a considerable way off of the mainstream “horror” track of films that have come out around the time this film has.

            When a small asbestos removal company begins work on an abandoned mental institution, we as the audience quickly learn that there may be more to the stories of each of the workers. Gordon Fleming, the owner of the hazmat company, takes on the job at the hospital despite his current fragile relationship with his wife. Mike, Phil, Hank and Jeff, the other crew members, along with Gordon have just a short time to remove the hazardous materials from the massive structure. But, when Mike discovers a series of hidden tapes between a patient and a doctor, the films events begin to take a turn for the worst. Hank gets attacked one night and doesn’t show up to work the next day, Gordon tell Phil why he and his wife are having hard times. As the film progresses in its horrifying state, the audience learns that Gordon actually killed his wife and child as a result of the voice, Simon, he hears in his head. As for the crew, things do not get much better than Gordon’s wife.

            Session 9 employs a series of twisted story elements to tell the story in an original way. Using the tapes that Mike listens to as a sub story for the entire film, the audience undertakes the roles of a doctor in the mental institution – both listening to the patient and watching the crew members who become increasingly distant. Also, the film is more than just a gore-ridden horror flick that slashes any audience that watches. Instead, the film uses the psychological aspects of the mind, almost literally, to entice the audience into fear.

            While the film is most surely a new and original take on horrifying storytelling – using a lack of gore as a tool to push the film dark and twisted nature -- I was not overwhelming impressed with the film as a whole. The film’s pacing is somewhat slow and the ending of the film left a gaping hole of dissatisfaction for me. Truthfully, I was still trying to piece together the events of the film upon the conclusion and while they “fit,” the fitting was rugged and misshapen.

CHILDREN OF MEN

CHILDREN OF MEN

There are no more children. There are no more pregnancies. There is no more hope. Except for one last person who may be the key to world once lived.

            Children of Men is a hard-hitting sci-fi thriller centered on a near-ruined society that has been faced with infertility among the world’s inhabitants. When one time activist Theo Faron meets up with his ex-wife, she asks for his help in getting papers for a refugee named Kee – who may be the last hope for humanity’s survival. From there, it becomes Theo’s main duty to transport Kee to the elusive Tomorrow ship, which is believed to be a group of people whose primary work consists of finding a cure to the world’s infertility.

            Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón employs a series of art-based techniques which give the film an original direction. One aspect includes the single-take action sequences, otherwise known as oners. The takes, such as the car-sequence when the group of activists, including Theo and Julian, are trying to escape from the refugees, exemplify the overall style and artistic direction of the film – which essentially is a gritty society with limited technological innovation since the previous society that inhabited. Furthermore, the long one take sequences pinpoint the director’s choice to portray a raw and documentary type film which ultimately allows the audience to become entrapped within the world of the film. Other aspects of this film which aid the overall style and artistic direction include the film’s cinematography and thematic elements. The cinematography aids greatly in portraying the era upon which society is living in during this time – on the brink of war

and with hope almost nonexistent. Furthermore, the thematic elements of hope and faith continue to push the story and allow empathy to be created within the struggling, gritty world that the film takes place.

            Personally, I think Alfonso Cuarón did a fantastic job utilizing the elements of production to create this film and portray a grimy society against the hope of humanity surviving for generations to come.

            This film is a great example of how action mixed with a great direction, story and themes can come together to create a film that is both politically appeasing and intriguing to watch.

FORREST GUMP

FORREST GUMP

The life of Forrest Gump is one like no other. It is the life of an All American life of a war veteran, star ping pong player and million dollar fishing company owner.

            Forrest Gump is a story about a man’s life and the influence of his life on some of the most important events in America during the 20^th century. Forrest Gump has a lower IQ than most people, but his upbringing has taught him to work hard and never expect things in life. Through his naive actions, Gump travels the world and becomes a dignified war veteran, star athlete, shrimping boat captain and wealthy investor. But one thing continues to elude Gump and that is the woman he loves, Jenny. Jenny is a free spirit who travels the world for a different reason – she searches to forget her abusive childhood and find peace. After years of searching, she finally returns home to Forrest where the two get married and live for a short time before Jenny passes away from an unknown virus. It is near then that Forrest discovers that he has a son.

            Forest Gump is well portrayed as a film and well directed by Robert Zemeckis. Furthermore, the acting by the main characters, such as Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, is a primary factor in this film’s success – being able to hone in on Gump’s flaws and use them as structural bases for the actions of the character. The comprehensive soundtrack and soundscapes further aid the visual story that this film encompasses and allows the epic drama to develop and flourish into a great film.

            The film Forrest Gump innovative visual effects, such as Gump’s interactions with dead figures and Lt. Dan’s amputated legs, mixed with the symbolic figures, such as Gump’s experiences, push this film to the level of Best Picture. The film’s structure is simple, like Gump’s character, as the entire film up to present day is told only to a few people sitting on a bench waiting for a bus. The film overall, however, stands for much more and is a great representation of American cinema.

JAWS

JAWS

Lurking beneath millions of gallons of blue salt water  – roaming, waiting. Waiting. Then, swimming. Swimming faster, then faster, then faster. Finally, attacking. At last, silence.

            Jaws, arguably the world’s first blockbuster film, is a suspense filled rollercoaster that leaves the audience on the edge of their chairs throughout the whole film as the journey to catch a killer shark progresses. Chief Brody, a newcomer to Amity Island, wants to have a safe first summer as thousands of tourists flock to the town. But all bets are off when a girl’s body is found and her cause of death is ruled a shark attack. After trying to shut down beaches unsuccessfully, Chief Brody and Amity Island are hit with another shark attack – this time killing a young boy. As the film progresses, Chief Brody and Shark expert Matt Hooper hire Quint – a fisherman who claims he can find and catch the man-eating shark. As the trio set off on their expedition to catch the shark, they soon find themselves fighting more than just a big fish.

            Director Steven Spielberg’s use of camera in Jaws in one of the most notable features this film employs – creating an overwhelming feeling of suspense among the audience. Since Bruce, the mechanical shark used in the film, was very sporadic and never worked correctly, Spielberg was forced to use the camera as a medium for the shark. By doing this, the audience rarely sees the actual fish until further in the film, ultimately creating emotions of suspense, bewilderment and fear as the killer animal roams the waters off of Amity. Other notable features within the film include the score by John Williams which further induces fear among the audience as the relentless combination of notes grind together and create signals for horror. Finally, Spielberg’s ability to capture and hold onto the audience using fear as a channel allowed for the explosive ending of the film to have an overwhelmingly satisfying effect on the audience.

            Spielberg made Jaws what it is today – a great work of film that shows and tells a greater story. His direction, whether always purposeful or because of problems, allowed for fear to resonate with the audience who view this film and created a

            Jaws is one of the great works that truly marks the beginning of the Hollywood blockbuster era. Great story combined with the fear evoked from the film allowed Jaws to become one of the most well-known films around the world.