In my opinion, a compelling and noteworthy movie is one that brings about strong emotions. Viewers should be able to feel whatever emotion is being portrayed by the actor whether it is fear, happiness, sadness, excitement, etc. Strong emotions make me feel as though I am right there in the movie. Another important factor is that the actor must be believable. In other words, I want to feel that I am not watching a Hollywood film but rather a true life story. I also feel that music plays an important role in movies. Most songs I listen to today will remind me of a particular scene in a movie because that is what was playing in the background. Music also ties in with the emotions being expressed in a movie. Sometimes I will hear a song and begin to picture a movie scene. Once I picture that scene I can begin to feel the emotions portrayed by the actor.
Both movies assigned, Le voyage dans la lune (A Trip to the Moon) directed by Georges Melies and The Great Train Robbery directed by Edwin S. Porter did not meet my criteria mentioned above for a compelling and noteworthy movie. Although both movies did contain classical music they did not bring about any strong emotions. The music was quick paced and made the movie seem as if it was being played in fast forward. I also found it very difficult to see the expressions on the faces of the actors. Therefore the only way to read emotions was through body language. The body movements were exaggerated, which is understandable seeing how there are no words to help the actors express their thoughts and emotions. Each movie did however have one scene which made me laugh. In Melies' movie, Le voyage dans la lune (A Trip to the Moon) I thought the face on the moon was rather funny.
In Porter's movie, The Great Train Robbery, I was surprised by the scene where a stuffed dummy was used instead of what we see in movies today which is a stunt double. (This scene was found at the four minute mark)
One of my favorite movies that meet the criteria mentioned above for a compelling and noteworthy film is the 1996 movie The Craft, written and directed by Andrew Fleming. The movie first reels me in with the song played during the opening credits. The song How Soon Is Now originally sung by The Smiths and covered by Love Spit Love sends chills throughout my entire body. Below is a video of the song sung by Love Spit Love.
Music Video "How Soon Is Now"
Every time I watch this movie I get crazy ideas about wanting to become a witch. Although the main characters use their magic for evil doings I feel I can connect more with the main character, Sarah played by Robin Tunney. She is the only natural born witch of the bunch and she is the only one to realize magic should be used for good and should never be used on others. Another scene in the movie that sends chills down my spine is the scene shown below. I have actually tried playing the Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board game with my friends.
Another movie I feel meets my criteria is the 2009 remake of The Last House on the Left, directed by Dennis Iliadis. The end of the movie had me jumping up and down on my bed. I was filled with excitement and joy because the antagonists who were murders were given a taste of their own medicine. The parents of the protagonist did everything in their power to seek revenge on the antagonists who raped and nearly killed their daughter. Below is a picture of the parents waiting to attack the antagonists. I can just feel their hatred and disgust and wish I was right there with them seeking revenge.
