Tia Whitehead - BA (Hons) Computer Animation Arts

Here is a list of the films that I have reviewed for Phil's perspectives film program: Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2001) Inception (2010)  Mulholland Drive (2001) Scream (1996) Moulin Rouge (2001) Funny Games US (2007) Dancer in the Dark (2000) The Truman Show (1998)

Hyper-realism -  Hyper-reality is an inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a simulation of reality, especially in technologically advanced postmodern societies. Hyperreality is seen as a condition in which what is real and what is fiction are seamlessly blended together so that there is no clear distinction between where one ends and the other begins. Simulation -   is an approximate imitation of the operation of a process or system; the act of simulating first requires a model is developed. This model is a well-defined description of the simulated subject, and represents its key characteristics, such as its behavior, functions and abstract or physical properties. Simulacra -  an image or representation of someone or something. 'Fake news' -  is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate disinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media.

Metafiction -  fiction that draws attention to and directly comments upon its status as fiction Intertextuality -   Intertextuality is the shaping of a text's meaning by another text. It is the interconnection between similar or related works of literature that reflect and influence an audience's interpretation of the text. Mise-en-abyme -  Mise en abyme is a formal technique of placing a copy of an image within itself, often in a way that suggests an infinitely recurring sequence. In film theory and literary theory, it refers to the technique of inserting a story within a story. The 4th wall - I s a performance convention in which an invisible, imagined  wall  separates actors from the audience. While the audience can see through this " wall ", the convention assumes, the actors act as if they cannot.

Figure 1. Movie poster Hyper-reality  - Throughout the film it is shown that Truman is living within hyper-reality itself. This is as he is born into a world where he has all of his life filmed, without him knowing. This is hyper-reality as this is very unlikely to happen in reality. Figure 2. The Truman Show behind the scenes Breaking the 4th wall - In the film Truman begins to realise that his life is not what he thinks, he realises that things start to happen when people know where he is and what he is likely  to do. After going against what he would normally do, Truman goes to a building and finds people eating lunch, having a drink and chatting 'behind the scenes', causing him to think even more about his life being a lie.  Nostalgia - Just like Celebration Town in Florida, Seahaven Island, where Truman lives, is shown to be an old fashioned, perfect American town from the past. Figure 3. Truman in The Truman Show Simulation  - The film n...

Figure 1. Movie poster Hand held cameras: Throughout the film hand held cameras are used to give the film a weird perspective. This makes it seem as though the camera man or woman is actually within the film and almost makes it seem like the film is a documentary documenting her life. Figure 2. Selma singing and dancing in the factory Camera location: When the camera is not being held it is usually placed in weird locations, such as behind objects or on the walls, as though we are watching what is unfolding through a security camera or like we are hidden away and should not be watching it. Reality vs Fantasy: Throughout the film scenes randomly change from what is happening in reality for Selma to what she is thinking is happening inside of her head. This causes the audience to not only become confused, but also question why she is thinking like she is. Figure 3. Selma singing in the courtroom Obscure timeline:  Throughout the film it is no...

Normativity -    the phenomenon in human societies of designating some actions or outcomes as good or desirable or permissible and others as bad or undesirable or impermissible Binary opposition -  is a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in  meaning .  Binary opposition  is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical  opposites  are strictly  defined  and set off against one another Differance -    a French term coined by Jacques Derrida. It is a central concept in Derrida's deconstruction, a critical outlook concerned with the relationship between text and meaning Reinscribe -   to reestablish or rename in a new and especially stronger form or context Cognitive dissonance - T he state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change Judith Butler -  is an American philosopher and gender theor...

The canon - A    text that is accepted as superior to or more significant than other texts within the same field DWEMs (Dead White European Males) -  a writer, philosopher, or other significant figure whose importance and talents may have been exaggerated by virtue of his belonging to a historically dominant gender and ethnic group Phallocentrism -  concentrates on the idea that masculinity  is the central focus and source of power and authority. Because of this, all male interests and needs are  exalted  while females are made  subservient  to male desires. Eurocentrism -  Eurocentrism  (also Eurocentricity or Western-centrism) is a worldview centered on or biased towards Western civilization. The exact scope of centrism varies from the entire Western world to only Europe or even just Western Europe (especially during the Cold War) Postcolonialism - ( or   postcolonial )  studies is the academic study of the cu...

Avant-garde -  new and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature Nostalgia -  a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past Appropriation -    the act of taking something for your own use, usually without permission Pastiche -  an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period Parody -  an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect Irony -  the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect Ideology -  a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy Genre -  a style or category of art, music, or literature S herrie Levine -  Sherrie Levine , (born April 17, 1947, Hazelton, Pa., U.S.), American  conceptual  artist known for remaking famous 20th...

Metanarrative -   a narrative account that experiments with or explores the idea of storytelling, often by drawing attention to its own artificiality.  In critical theory and particularly in postmodernism is a narrative about narratives of historical  meaning , experience, or knowledge, which offers a society legitimation through the anticipated completion of a (as yet unrealized) master idea. Essentialism -  a belief that things have a set of characteristics which make them what they are, and that the task of science and philosophy is their discovery and expression; the doctrine that essence is prior to existence Utopian -  modelled on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic Axiomatic -  self-evident or unquestionable Dystopian -  relating to or denoting an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one Scepticism -  a sceptical attitude; ...

The Enlightenment Project  - I s the attempt to  define  and explain the human predicament through science as well as to achieve mastery over it through the use of a social technology Modernity -  the quality or condition of being modern. a topic in the humanities and social sciences, is both a historical period (the modern era ), as well as the ensemble of particular socio-cultural  norms , attitudes and practices that arose in the wake of the  Renaissance —in the " Age of Reason " of 17th-century thought and the 18th-century " Enlightenment " Structuralism -  a method of interpretation and analysis of aspects of human cognition, behaviour, culture, and experience, which focuses on relationships of contrast between elements in a conceptual system Ahistorical -  lacking historical perspective or context Irreducible -  not able to be reduced or simplified Objective -  (of a person or their judgement) not influenced by per...

Figure 1. Movie poster (2007) Breaking the 4th wall - Throughout the film there are multiple points where the main characters 'break the 4th wall' by speaking to the camera and looking at the camera.  Diegetic sounds - Unlike typical horror films, Funny Games only uses diegetic sounds throughout the movie to create panic and worry. Non-diegetic sounds such as music are not used.  Figure 2. George Junior's death A estheticization of violence  - In the film the family's Son, George Junior, is shot in the head with a shot gun. Although the death isn't shown in the film, blood is shown splattered across the TV, which was is next to George Junior, implying that the death was violent and fast. After the death, a pool of blood is shown to quickly expand from beneath his corpse. Figure 3. Son death scene  Realistic timings - Once George Junior has been murdered the film's story almost begins to slow down, this is as it shows both pare...

High modernism - A form of modernity characterised by an unfaltering confidence in science and technology as means to reorder the social and natural world. Capitalist -  An economic system based on the freedom of private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system, and competitive markets. Superabundance - A much larger quantity than is needed. Disconnected - Having a connection broken. (of a person) lacking contact with reality. (of speech, writing, or thought) lacking a logical sequence. Pop - Like or admired by many people or by a particular person or group and intended for or suited to taste, understanding, or means of the general public rather than specialists or intellectuals. Fragmentary - Consisting of small disconnected or incomplete parts. Eclectic nostalgia - Eclectic -  Something made from a variety o...

Figure 1. Movie poster Non-linear narrative -  The film starts by Christian explaining that the love of his life has died. The film then cuts back to before she has died and what has happened up to the first scene that we see is shown. Figure 2. Christian and Satine dancing on clouds above Paris Hyper realism - Throughout the film characters interact with the surrounding set in ways that would be impossible in reality.  One example of this is when Christian (Ewan McGregor ) and Satine (Nichole Kidman) step out onto clouds and begin to dance above the city of Paris. Mashup - As the film is a musical different songs are heard throughout the film. Each of the songs used were modern for the time the film was released but did not relate to 1899 which was the year that the movie was set. Due to this, the modern songs had been adapted to make them suit the time period but they are still very noticeable by the audience. Creativity - During the first 15 minutes or so ...

Figure 1. Movie poster (1996) Scream is a 1996 mystery/ slasher film directed by Wes Craven. In the film a young, teenage girl is gruesomely murdered, sparking more murders throughout the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. In the film the characters are unaware that the killer has been living among them, slowly finding ways to kill the victims. Throughout the film references to other horror movies are made such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th.  How does Scream relate to Postmodernism: A estheticization of violence - Throughout the film, Wes Craven focuses on the violence of the murders committed. A variety of shots are used throughout the film to show the murders after they have happened and during.  Figure 2. Murder of Steve Figure 3. Murder of Casey Hyper realism - Scream can be seen as realistic as the film was set in the present day (1996) when it was released, but it can also be seen as hyper realistic. This is as the murders ...

Figure 1. Mulholland Drive Movie Poster (2001) Intertextuality - In the film a variety of genres are shown. The Western genre is shown when the cowboy appears. The romance genre is shown when Rita and Diane get intimate with each other and the Mystery genre is shown throughout the film through the different scenes as the audience does not know which parts of the movie is reality and which is not. Hyper realism - The film is an example of hyper realism as throughout the film the audience is unable to distinguish which scenes are 'real' to the character and which are not. Figure 2. Cowboy scene Non-linear narrative - The film has a non-linear narrative as the scenes flick between what is reality and what is not. So much so that the audience are unable to see which parts of the film Diane has actual gone through.  The unreliable narrator - Due to being unable to distinguish reality in the film, the audience are unable to trust / believe Diane throughou...

Figure 1. Inception movie poster (2010) Hyper reality  - Inception has a lot of hyper reality shown through out the film. This is evident as the characters are able to appear in other character's dreams which can not happen in reality. The characters are also able to warp the dreams, an example of this is when Adriadne (Ellen Page) starts to cause the city to bend in Cobb's (Leonardo Dicaprio) dream.  Throughout the film CGI is heavily used to help ensure that the film is seen as more realistic to its audience. The CGI also helps create unrealistic effects that would be impossible to create otherwise. For example, the scene where the city bends. Figure 2. City bending (2010) Linear narrative - The film is shown to have a linear story, meaning that the film stays to one story and one time line although time does act differently in the character's reality world and dream world. For example, 15 minutes in reality is 1 hour in the character's dream state. Thi...

Figure 1. Kill Bill Movie Poster (2003) Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill (2003) is a crime and mystery film that is iconic for it's postmodern film design due to the use of many different film types combining together to create the film.  1.  Intertextuality  -  Kill Bill  is created using film conventions from many different films. This is shown through Tarantino's use of Japanese style fighting scenes and mystery. Figure 2. Fight scene  2.  Non-linear narrative  - There is a strong use of non-linear narrative through the film, meaning that the film's story line and narrative are disjointed. This is shown in the film with flash backs, for example, when 'The Bride' (Uma Thurman) see's Vernita Green (Vivica. A. Fox) and the siren sounds. Figure 3. Flash back  3.  Challenging gender stereotypes  - The main character in action films are usually muscular men with a woman as either their lo...