The Blind Side

In the movie The Blind Side I chose the three actors Sandra Bullock (Leigh Anne Tuohy), Tim McGraw (Sean Tuohy), and Quinton Aaron (Michael Oher).  Each of these characters has their own classification of acting.  Sandra Bullock for example is a wild card being she interprets her roles and brings them to life.   Tim McGraw would be considered a wild card actor.  Quentin Aaron would be an impersonator.

 Sandra Bullock & Quinton Aaron in the Blind Side  Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeneality

Sandra Bullock can adapt and become her character.  In The Blind Side she plays an upper class, outspoken big hearted mom who takes in a black kid off the street who has nothing but another change of clothes.  In this movie she is an impersonator as she is playing the role of the real life Leigh Anne Tuohy the foster mom of Michael Oher.  She learned her mannerisms, dialect, and behaviors. There is also an uncanny resemblance between the two also.  In the movie Miss Congeniality Bullock plays the exact opposite role.  She is an FBI agent who enters the Miss USA Contest to keep the event from being bombed.  In this role she is not into high class glam where in The Blind Side she is dressed to the nines in heels and preppy clothes.

Tim McGraw in The Blind Side        Tim McGraw in 4 Christmases

Tim McGraw is considered to be a wild card also as he adapts and becomes the characters.  When he played Sean Tuohy he was impersonating the real Sean Tuohy.   He owned most of the Memphis fast food chains but was laid back and soft spoken.  He always backed the decisions of his family and was a great Dad.  In the movie 4 Christmases his role was a supporting actor being the immature brother to Vince Vaughn’s dysfunctional family.  His character is a backwoods redneck that loved wresting and was all about abusing the brother who had it all when they saw each other.  These roles are two completely opposite characters and acting styles.

    Quinton Aaron in the Blind Side                                           Aaron Quinton in Be Kind Rewind

The third actor in this movie would be Quinton Aaron.  Quinton since he is early in his career would have to be considered a wild card also.   The Blind Side was his first leading role where he had to impersonate the real Michael Oher.  He became the character.  His acting was superb as he became went from a foster kid on the street with no one to being an NFL player.  You could see him grow and change once given the chance.  He may look big and intimidating but he was soft spoken.  His protective instincts for family and football team made the movie.  Quinton film debut was in the movie Be Kind Rewind as the Lion King Guy.  In this role he was a supporting actor. He is plays a big kind hearted thug who picks the Lion King out of three other movies.  His cronies fuss at him asking who was the baby who picked it. Quinton has appeared in many television series such as Law and Order SVU, One Tree Hill.  He is a very flexible charter but in these two movies his personality shines.

The real Tuohys and Michael Oher

The Blind Side- Sandra Bullock & Quinton Aaron http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3404828160/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_8

Miss Congeniality Photo- Sandra Bullock. http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA4MDU4MzQyOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDk0MDIzMw@@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg

Tim McGraw in The Blind Side- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3572600320/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_nm_sf_3

Tim McGraw in 4 Christmases- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm285054208/tt0369436?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_20

Aaron Quinton in the Blind Side- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3488714240/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_3

Aaron Quinton –Be Kind Rewind – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82X8vtIpMpQ

The Real Tuohys- http://a66c7b.medialib.glogster.com/media/bb/bb6d553dca8a196da42a3f39b3a7ab092370f8c2ba63a37603cb78c4e6d44786/blind-side-true-story13.jpg

The Blind Side

In the movie The Blind Side I chose the three actors Sandra Bullock (Leigh Anne Tuohy), Tim McGraw (Sean Tuohy), and Quinton Aaron (Michael Oher).  Each of these characters has their own classification of acting.  Sandra Bullock for example is a wild card being she interprets her roles and brings them to life.   Tim McGraw would be considered a wild card actor.  Quentin Aaron would be an impersonator.

The Blind Side – Sandra Bullock  Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeneality

Sandra Bullock can adapt and become her character.  In The Blind Side she plays an upper class, outspoken big hearted mom who takes in a black kid off the street who has nothing but another change of clothes.  In this movie she is an impersonator as she is playing the role of the real life Leigh Anne Tuohy the foster mom of Michael Oher.  She learned her mannerisms, dialect, and behaviors. There is also an uncanny resemblance between the two also.  In the movie Miss Congeniality Bullock plays the exact opposite role.  She is an FBI agent who enters the Miss USA Contest to keep the event from being bombed.  In this role she is not into high class glam where in The Blind Side she is dressed to the nines in heels and preppy clothes.

Tim McGraw in The Blind Side        Tim McGraw in 4 Christmases

Tim McGraw is considered to be a wild card also as he adapts and becomes the characters.  When he played Sean Tuohy he was impersonating the real Sean Tuohy.   He owned most of the Memphis fast food chains but was laid back and soft spoken.  He always backed the decisions of his family and was a great Dad.  In the movie 4 Christmases his role was a supporting actor being the immature brother to Vince Vaughn’s dysfunctional family.  His character is a backwoods redneck that loved wresting and was all about abusing the brother who had it all when they saw each other.  These roles are two completely opposite characters and acting styles.

Quinton Aaron in the Blind Side                                           Aaron Quinton in Be Kind Rewind

The third actor in this movie would be Quinton Aaron.  Quinton since he is early in his career would have to be considered a wild card also.   The Blind Side was his first leading role where he had to impersonate the real Michael Oher.  He became the character.  His acting was superb as he became went from a foster kid on the street with no one to being an NFL player.  You could see him grow and change once given the chance.  He may look big and intimidating but he was soft spoken.  His protective instincts for family and football team made the movie.  Quinton film debut was in the movie Be Kind Rewind as the Lion King Guy.  In this role he was a supporting actor. He is plays a big kind hearted thug who picks the Lion King out of three other movies.  His cronies fuss at him asking who was the baby who picked it. Quinton has appeared in many television series such as Law and Order SVU, One Tree Hill.  He is a very flexible charter but in these two movies his personality shines.

The real Tuohys and Michael Oher

The Blind Side- Sandra Bullock & Quinton Aaron http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3404828160/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_8

Miss Congeniality Photo- Sandra Bullock. http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA4MDU4MzQyOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDk0MDIzMw@@._V1_SX640_SY720_.jpg

Tim McGraw in The Blind Side- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3572600320/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_nm_sf_3

Tim McGraw in 4 Christmases- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm285054208/tt0369436?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_20

Aaron Quinton in the Blind Side- http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3488714240/tt0878804?ref_=ttmi_mi_all_sf_3

Aaron Quinton –Be Kind Rewind – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82X8vtIpMpQ

The Real Tuohys- http://a66c7b.medialib.glogster.com/media/bb/bb6d553dca8a196da42a3f39b3a7ab092370f8c2ba63a37603cb78c4e6d44786/blind-side-true-story13.jpg

The Lion King- Sound

Mufasa’s ghost returns to remind Simba where he came from and he is the true King of Pride Rock.  This is the turning point in the movie with the dialogue, special effects, and sound.

The stampede scene uses simple dialogue then the intensity of music and the surreal sound of the hoofs of the stampede as well as the cracking of the branch Simba is clinging to.

The three basic categories of sound in film are dialogue, sound effects, and music.  Dialogue is the basic conversation between characters (Goodykoontz & Jacob, 2011, pg 172).  Sound effects in a movie get the audience involved in the movie.  This happens when there is the organ playing to create fear or when a scary part is going to happen in a horror film, or its can be the natural sounds of the area in which the scene is shot.  Music is used to enhance the mood and gives the audience the idea of the feeling the film writer wanted to portray at a certain time.  The Lion King is full of sound throughout the movie.

In the very beginning of the movie the song “The Circle of Life” starts to play as the sun comes up on the African lands run toward Pride Rick where the new Prince of the Pride Lands is to be announced.  The New Prince Simba is introduced.  This is the main theme of movie.  The dialogue is important as the Mufasa tries to teach Simba the way of life as he will be the new King.  Mufasa explains the circle of life.  All dialogue keeps the audience engaged as well as the use of sound effects and music

The most prevalent use of sound effects has to be the stampede scene after the Hyenas provoked antelope.  During this scene there is a simple dialogue with the sounds of rocks clattering.  All of a sudden there is loud roaring in the background.  As the stampede accelerates the rumble gets louder making the audience feel as if they were in or near the stampede.  The shots taken of the hoofs and the views from overhead makes the scene seem more real.  The music gets very intense and you can hear the limb break Simba was holding on too.  The music changes after Mufasa tries to crawl to the top and Scar claws his paws before he falls to his death.  After the stampede and Mufasa is killed Scar blames Simba and convinces him to run away.

The music in the Lion King is not only the songs placed at the right moment, but also the use African related music.  The sound effects were very real as there were the sounds of the waterfalls, and the lapping sound when Nala and Simba were drinking form the pool.  The best way to determine the genre from the sounds of this movie would have to be the sound of the voice of some of the characters like Rafiki, Zazu, Timon, and Pumba.  Not only have that but we all known animals do not talk.

If there were no Sound to the Lion King only dialogue the effect would totally change.  The sound effects, dialogue, and music is what makes the movie.  If this were to be a silent movie the audience should possibly understand the film.  The one scene that would change the movie dramatically is the scene where Mufasa appears to Simba telling him who he was.  This is the turning point on the film.  Simba realizes he has to grow up and become king to save the Pride Lands.

References

DisneyAndSpiritLover, (nd).The Lion King-Mufasa Ghost in the Sky. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5XhsWKDYYw

Goodykoontz, B. & Jacobs, C. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, Ca. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Joaninha015, (nd). The Lion King-Stampede. Retrieved from:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m-42ek85G4

The Lion King-Lighting

 

 

Everything light touches scene is an example of three-point lighting with main back light being on Mufasa and Simba

Mufasa coming to see Scar- This is a good use of low-key lighting

 

Simba takes his rightful place as the King of Pride Rock- This is a prime example of high-key lighting.

 

 

 

In The Lion King the use of lighting and colors is the essence of the film. High key lighting is used mostly throughout the movie except in the scenes where the evil Scar or the Hyenas are involved. These shots are normally dark for the sign of evil. High key lighting is a very bright light over everything, with few shadows and relatively low contrast between the lightest and darkest parts of the scene (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011, p. 110). One of the best and most known scenes of the movie is when Mufasa and Simba are sitting on the rock and Mufasa looking over the Pride Lands. This is a great example of three point lighting as the backlight is shining on the back of the lions. Mufasa and Simba are “popping out” of the background of the Pride land.  In the very beginning after Simba is born and Scar does not to go the ceremony due to jealousy Mufasa pays him a visit. This scene is an example of low-key lighting as there is a single source of light coming from the outside. Mufasa is blurred in the background as Scar is up feint ion the shadows of his cave. In the scene toward the end of the movie where Simba takes his place as King is one of the best uses of high-key lighting. This scene is a happy and prideful scene as the new King takes his rightful reign. 

The lighting and the use of color throughout the movie was perfectly balanced. The good characters, such as Mufasa, Simba, Rafiki, Timon, and Pumba were bright in color and the lighting was more focused on them showing their good and brightness. The low key lighting was used on the evil characters that were dull in color. These characters are Scar and the Hyenas. There is one more than one theme in this movie. The first being the circle of life and the second being good versus evil. The colors and lighting effects are suited to the animation genre.

If the lighting were different then the effect of the scenes would not have been as clear and the messages would get lost. The good characters and bad characters could not be as fun to watch. The low key lighting was perfect for the dark evil side as well as the high key lighting for the good side; balancing the good versus evil. The lighting and color gave the audience a clue as to what was about to happen whether it be good, evil, or both.

References
Goodykoontz, B. & Jacobs, C. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, Ca. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
http://www.lionking.org/~affinity/sunrise.jpg

http://movies.disney.com/the-lion-king-gallery#image/52f5316b0a172d5ba800791d

The Lion King

The Circle of Life

 

The Lion King

Writers: Irene Mecchi and Jonathon Roberts

Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff

Main Actors: Jonathan Taylor-Thomas (as the voice of young Simba), Matthew Broderick (as the voice of Simba), James Earl Jones (as the voice of Mufasa), Jeremy Irons (as the voice of Scar), Moria Kelly (as the voice of adult Nala), Robert Guillaume (as the voice ofRafik)i, and Rowan Atkinson (as the voice of Zazu)

Released 16 June 1994

The Lion King shows the journey of a lion cub from cub to adulthood.  He has to accept his royal destiny to become King of the Pride Lands.  In the beginning Simba is an honored prince, the son of King Mufasa.  As a rambunctious cub he gets into trouble leading to the death of Mufasa.  Scar, the evil uncle, murders Mufasa and drives Simba away so he can become King.  After Simba runs away he befriends Timon, a meekrat, and Pumba, a warthog. They all grow up with not a care in the world. Yet they give Simba wisdom along the way.  An older almost adult Simba is visited by his father’s, Mufasa, spirit. The purpose of the visit was to reclaim his title of King away from the evil Scar. As he returns to the village he finds it abandoned and run by hyenas. The truth comes out about the murder as Scar tried to kill Simba as he did with his brother.  A new King emerges, he rightful King.

The Lion King was basically written in chronological order from the day Simba was born, except in a few places where Simba has flashbacks of his father’s death.  The atheistic choice fits this movie well as it keeps the audience involved with the growing up of young Simba into the shoes of his father he has to fill.

The character development is strong as it shows the stages of Simba’s life through the chronological order.  It allows the audience to see how he had grown and the responsibilities he has to accept.  When he returns to the Pride Lands after seeing Nala the strong adult Simba is the one that reappears to face the evil Uncle Scar.  Foreshadowing is used in the very end when Scar is telling everyone it was the hyenas that running everything.  This led to the moment they took care of Scar in the end as he said they were the enemy.

The Lion King if written in another format may have given the audience a better dose of intrigue.  Since this is more a movie for children then the chronological order made more sense.

References

http://putlocker.is/watch-the-lion-king-online-free-putlocker.html

Mecchi, I & Roberts, J. (2011, Mar 31). The Lion King-The Circle of Life. Video file Retrieved from: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zLx_JtcQVI