Genre Research

Top 5 Thriller Films

5. L. A. Confidential (1997)

An excellent crime thriller set back in the old days in Los Angeles. With a great cast (Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger) and great characters, the movie focuses on three cops who investigate a shooting at a cafe in their own special ways. A great thriller and mystery. When a film evokes an era as well as L.A. Confidential does, people take notice. It could be argued that it is easier to replicate the recent past than the distant on film, and in a sense this is true. Costumes, language, and the necessary absence of the modern in "period pieces" make them expensive and difficult to film. But couldn't it be argued that it is just as difficult to make a film about more recent periods? I have no knowledge of how a Victorian era table was set, or what a knight really spoke like; we are subject to the directors view of reality. But what if a good deal of your audience lived through the time you are portraying, as in the case of the 1950's? I can even envision my grandfather coming back from WW2 to a booming economy, and living in the world Curtis Hanson created.The real genus of this film is that it creates not only a physical world, but one with all the politics, corruption, racism and inequity of the time. As a result we feel the characters motivations and understand their faults all the better; Bud White, Ed Exley, Lynn Bracken and Lana Turner all live here. This film, like others that make us believe we are there for two hours (and $7.50), will endure. I was thinking a perfect double feature would be with Chinatown, another film that will stand the test of time. By John Stacy from Providence, RI

4. The Shining (1980)

"Here's Johnny!" This movie is hauntingly chilling. It is full of long suspenseful camera work mastered by Kubric. The acting provided by Jack Nicholson is excellent! Set in an old creepy and isolated mansion in Colorado, we watch a kind family become affected by cabin fever and ghosts. I can't say how scary some of the camera work is, how is draws the viewer to notice how the scene is isolated. A great performance by Nicholson, and a great thriller. When Jack Torrance (Nicholson) is offered a job as winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel he accepts it as an opportunity to work on his novel in an isolated environment. He is told stories of the last caretaker going mad and butchering his family but isn't deterred. He arrives at the Overlook Hotel with his wife (Duvall) and child Danny (Lloyd) and is shown around the hotel by the cook (Scatman Crothers) who has the gift of perception. The cook warns Danny that the hotel can be of particular danger for those with the gift. It's only a matter of time before Jack begins to act increasingly erratic.This is one of Jack Nicholson's finest roles, his increasingly unhinged character is amusing and terrifying in almost equal measures. Duvall plays the role of the terrorised wife quite well - she does look like she's genuinely filled with fear - but doesn't have much else to do. Lloyd is excellent as the boy, although he doesn't have too much emotion to express. However no doubt that this is Jack's show.The story doesn't stick to King's novel and is better for it; this is Kubrick's Shining. The film has plenty of genuinely scary moments but manages to keep a creepy atmosphere all through - especially as the ghosts come out and Jack begins to move between his reality and the reality that is gradually claiming him.Kubrick is excellent here, his cold direction adds to the overall creep factor of the film. It's one of the best examples of his masterful touch.Overall this is an excellent horror movie - because the focus is on horror and fear rather than gore alone (as with modern horrors). Jack is excellent in one of his best roles ever and the whole package is delivered in a cold creepy manner by a sadly lost director.

3. Psycho (1960)

Another great classic from Alfred Hitchcock. One of the most creepy/suspenseful/thrilling movies of all time. Great acting from Perkins. Though this film was extremely low budget, it is a great movie. Very scary. Made into a remake, and the remake ACTUALLY isn't that bad except it's the same as the first one without Perkins. NR. Let me start out by saying that I am a fan of Alfred Hitchcock. This movie, in my opinion, is his best work ever. But I think that Hitchcock owes a lot of his success to his long time partner Bernard Herman, who scored the music for many of his films including this one. Anthony Perkins filled the shoes of Norman Bates perfectly. He didn't overact, and he didn't underact. Janet Leigh wasn't the best person to portray Marion, but she played the part fairly adequetly. However, I liked Vera Miles the best in this film. Hitchcock had her in mind for the role after she had to quit working on his last film "Vertigo". She was probably the key role here, since she was the one who discovered Norman's terrifying secret. Tony Award-winning actor Martin Basalm was terrific in his brief appearance as the private detective trying to track Marion down. John Gavin was ok, but nothing to brag about. Hitchcock made a wise decision in filming the movie in black and white, and made history when he demanded that no one be let into the theater after the movie started in order not to cause confusion. This is the most brilliant film I have ever seen, and I give it 5 stars (out of 5).

2. Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The movie that swept the Oscars with best actor, actress, and best film! This creepy suspense movie is one of the most disturbing thrillers of all. After young women are being kidnapped and skinned (skinned as in a person slicing off the skin of the woman), FBI agent Clarice Starling (Foster) investigates. To help profile the madman she gets help from Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, who is locked up in prison. Lecter is played by Anthony Hopkins, who exhibits a shockingly thrilling performance as the insane, cannibalistic, genius. A great movie full of great characters, acting, and full of suspense! Not for little kiddies. With Silence of the Lambs comes some much needed recognition for the horror genre. It is a first-rate production all around. It boasts a witty and suspenseful script based on the Thomas Harris novel, full of great lines. It has marvelous direction from Demme. Demme creates suspense very well throughout and uses some great directorial shots such as the twin frames of Clarice ringing a doorbell and the FBI men breaking into a home. The two lead actors won oscars for their performances...each deserved. Foster is very good in her role, but it is Anthony Hopkins that literally lights up the screen with his complex portrayal of a complex serial killer. Hopkins does the seemingly impossible. He frightens you with his outrageousness and yet illicts some pity/compassion(albeit not a lot) for his situation. He says his lines with reservedness when needed and brashness when needed. The rest of the cast is also quite good with Anthony Heald a standout as a unethical, petty doctor in charge of Hopkins. Of course the story of the other killer is very very chilling as well. A quality film in all aspects!

1. Memento (2000)

If you look at the other opinions, you probably won't see this movie there because it came out during the 2000-2001 time. However this movie is an excellent thriller. The plot is genius. Leonard (Guy Pearce) and his wife are attacked in their own home. Leonard's wife is raped and murdered. Leonard was thrown onto a mirror and now Leonard cannot make new memories, he forgets things after 15 minutes or so, however he can remember everything before the accident. So Leonard goes on a mission to kill the man who killed his wife, but its not that easy since he can't remember the clues, so to take clues he must keep track with Polaroid pictures, notes and tattoes. Along with Carrie Ann-Moss and Joe Polantino, this is a great thriller. Full of suspense, camera work, and scenes each engineered to keep you thinking. Go see it now. If you hate reality-based film-making this is awful. If you hate Film Noir, this is ugly. But for me, Nolan has convinced me he is one of the most important directors out there. I was even thinking, "It must be easy to edit a movie so that it's all backwards." But it's not, it's not any easier - and he leaves you straining and watching from scene to scene, searching for the truth. Even the final revelation will affect each viewer and leaves them searching for their own "ultimate truth" according to their own experience.Most people comment about manipulation in connection with this movie, but after watching the last scene, I'm convinced that manipulation is not the main theme at all. I don't want to spoil it for you, but the basis of unfolding backwards in time is that you are enlisted to scrutinize the film trying to discover some set of motivations behind each character's actions later in time that makes sense. If you think you would enjoy this sort of puzzle, I think you will enjoy this excellently crafted film.

Codes + Conventions

Lighting - Sets the mood and scene, can also create mystery

Sound - Can create tension/suspense

Plot twists - To keep the audience in suspense

Stereotypical characters - So the audience can relate to situations that the characters find themselves in

Low angle shot - To create power and status

Close ups - Show emotion and reaction

Dull/dark lighting - Creates a scary atmosphere which allows hidden things to happen

Quick cuts - This builds suspense and speed, which could signify action and or violence without blood and gore

Person with psychological problems - Creates an unpredictable/anything can happen mood which helps the plot twist

Intelligent bad person - Capable of doing things psychological

Innocent victim - Usually placed outside their comfort zone where they can't get help Iconography - Knife - death

Masks - something to hide

Black clothing - danger

Setting - Normally big cities at the beginning but end up somewhere deserted, where there's no help.

Representation

Men are typically the killer/bad person

Women are usually the victim and represented in a sexual way

Children are normally vulnerable and can be a victim, sometimes they can also be quite creepy

Old people are typically not nice people as they are represented as devious and creepy

Reviews and Analysis

Advanced Film Making Techniques

Flash Forward - An interjected scene that takes the narrative forward in time either by a jump cut or by speeding the film up. It's used to create a quick jump forward in time.

Subjective Shot - Where the audience sees what a character sees. Used to put an audience into the scene. Often a hand held camera is used.

Objective Shot - When a scene is shot from the viewpoint of a spectator watching from outside the scene, there is no technique to the shot. Used to let the audience make their own opinion.

Reverse Angle Shot - A shot of an object or person taken in the opposite direction or viewpoint of the proceeding shot. Such as a object being surrounded by people, the shot could show the surrounding people as if viewing it from the objects pov or the object from the surrounding people's pov. It is used to make things more interesting.

Canted Angle/Dutch Angle - Where the camera is tilted sideways so that the world of film seems to have tipped over. This creates an unnatural feel where the world isn't quite right.

Insert Shot - A close up shot that is inserted into a wider shot in a scene. This is used to draw attention to a particular object/person/emotion.

Cutaway - A sudden shift to another scene of action or a different viewing angle, or it can also be a shot inserted between scenes to effect transition (as a bridge scene)

Cutting Rhythm - How fast or slow scenes are cut. Such as in action scenes, editing will be fast paced but in a romantic scene they will be slow and flow more smoothly.

Montage - The portrayal of action or ideas through the use of many short shots.

Jump Cut - A transition between 2 scenes that have identical subjects in slightly different screen locations.

Clock Wipe - A transition that sweeps a radius around the centre point of the screen like a clock hand. Used to signal a change in time.

Negative Image - A image with the colour value reversed from positive to negative. Normally used in a low budget film to create a surreal ghostly effect.

Flash Frame - A very short frame that appears in a quick sequence (could also be an editing mistake). Used to show information quickly.

Fast Motion - Where film is sped up so things appear faster than they actually would in real life. This emphasises speed, to make things appear out of control and something is about to happen.

Flash Back - A segment of film that breaks normal chronological order to make it stand out, usually done with an effect or transition.

Auteur - A filmmaker who has individual style and complete control over all elements of production. This gives the film it's own personal and unique stamp.

Cinema Verite - A technique of documentary film making in which the camera records actual people and events without direction. This is used to add realism.

Sound Effects (SFX) - Where sounds are placed over the top of scenes, used to add more emotion, drama and understanding.

Talk to Camera - Where a person looks/talks 'full face' directly to the camera. Normally used with announcers, presenters, newsreaders to show authority with the audience.

Selective Focus - Where one part of the shot is blurred out to draw audiences attention to what is in focus and emphasises it.

Tilt Shot - Where the shot looks up at or down at an object. Used for more dramatic shots. A downward tilt shows a larger area and vulnerability, an upward tilt shows power and authority.

Tracking Shot (Dolly/Trucking) - The action of smoothly moving the camera along a path parallel to the path the object is using. Used to follow something for a long period of time smoothly.

High Key Lighting - A style of lighting used in film, tv, and photography to reduce the lighting ratio, which reduces skin imperfections, looses shadows, and generally makes the frame brighter. This technique is normally used in comedy and romance to create a sunny, happy, perfect effect.

Back Lighting - Where the person or object is lit from behind to create a fuzzy glow or halo effect. When only lit from behind with no front lighting, just back lighting this can create a silhouette.

Ambient light - Used by photographers and other visual arts to refer to the illumination surrounding a subject or scene. Can create a natural or unnatural effect depending on how it is used.

Cameo Lighting - This is basically like a spotlight that only lights only the subject to focus the audiences attention. The background is in darkness as if they have momentarily frozen.

Diegetic Sound - This is all of the sound that the audience and people in the scene can hear but only if we can also see where the sound is coming from.

Non Diegetic Sound - This is the sound that only the audience can hear such as tension music, it can also be all the sounds we can hear but not see where they are coming from on screen.

Camera Angles

Big Close Up (BCU) - to show emotion, empathy, emphasis

Mid Shot (MS) - to show a character and some of their body language
Two Shot (2-shot) - to emphasise an interaction, an intimate moment or convosation

High Angle Shot (HA) - to show a weak, powerless status

Close Up (CU) - to show emotion

Medium Long Shot (MLS) - same as mid shot but shows more body language and setting

Three Shot (3-shot) - creates an intimate settingto involve the audience
Low Angle Shot (LA) - to show a intimidating, powerful status

Medium Close Up (MCU) - not so intimate but close enough to show body language

Long/Wide Shot (LS/WS) - to establish the setting

Over The Shoulder (O-S) - to show a point of view and to put the audience in dramatic irony