Alfred Hitchcock: Unreeled

There is one crucial film maker, who I have failed to look at and focus on in the past. His name is Alfred Hitchcock. Due to my limited knowledge of this famous film maker and documentarian, I inquired the help of an individual to help restore knowledge of him.

Dr. Paul Tiessen, a Professor of the Department of English and Film Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, Ontario campus enlightened me on the works and primary controversies and affects of Alfred Hitchcock.

I initiated the conversation by asking Dr. Tiessen if he could enlighten me on whether or not he feels that Hitchcock's work was controversial at some point.

He responded, "Hitchcock made films from the mid-1920s to the mid-1970s -- first mainly in England (where he was born in 1899) and then, after 1939, in the United States -- and much of his work was fairly controversial. With his 1960 American film, Psycho, in particular, he shot into the foreground as a controversial director. It made ordinary things, not only those drawn from the American way of life, but also movie-going itself, seem something other than what people had come to expect. It made movie-going seem more openly dangerous, more openly illicit, than what it had been".

On that note, do you believe in your opinion that Hitchcock's films had any effect on his audience, for example Americans, Canadians or the world at large?

Dr. Tiessen added that, "With Psycho, and also later films like The Birds, Hitchcock's work changed the way people in North America in particular came to understand movies, and opened up new doors for the horror film, for example".

Additionally, do you feel that his work contributed to the many different and unique films that we see in the contemporary film world?

"Hitchcock increased the emphasis on what any given director could produce as an "auteur" or "author," and helped to intensify society's interest in the work and vision of any given filmmaker throughout the course of his or her filmmaking career".

What is your overall take on documentaries, particularly controversial films like Fahrenheit 9/11? Do you think they are essential in terms of bringing awareness to compelling issues in today’s society? Or do you think they can be damaging and manipulate society into believing things that could or not be accurate?

"The documentary tradition goes back to the 1920s and even earlier, and reserved for itself a place outside the movie mainstream. However, in recent years, the documentary -- through filmmakers like Michael Moore -- has moved closer to mainstream methods of distribution and exhibition. Certainly documentaries, like any film, can manipulate viewers; hence documentary filmmakers, as well as film critics and viewers, have to be alert to their responsibility to speak honestly and critically and intelligently to each other".

Lastly, what is your overall opinion on Hitchcock's films, and why? "Hitchcock's films are, generally, enormously interesting, not simply because they are often so entertaining, but also because they make the moviegoer aware of her or his role as moviegoer -- for example, as voyeur -- and the kinds of responsibilities that go along with that"(Dr. Paul Tiessen).

-C.M.L

Perez Hilton

Perez Hilton, a celebrity famous for his blogging and gossip-reporting on Hollywood’s best. This website has it all, almost like a library of topics a blogger such as myself could use to talk about. Perez Hilton’s website is home to blogs, reviews, interviews, videos and of course most famous for its pictures.

This also is a perfect place to just sit down, scroll and have a laugh at all the things celebrities are doing everyday to get the attention of the media, even if they do not want to be documented or published in a magazine, in Perez’s case, posted on the web for the world to see.

Although a well-known limitation for this website , is its label as a gossip column, where the information published and broadcasted could be inaccurate. Ultimately, the information’s legitimacy is a toss-up. On that note, this factor of Perez Hilton’s website establishes it as itself being controversial, especially if things published and broadcasted are crucial to the reputations of some of the Hollywood victims.
But don’t let that stop you from blogging!

-C.M.L

Film Threats Blog

This website is essentially "the truth of entertainment". This is a wide- variety website that deals with movies. It covers, new headlines published by the media on new and interesting films and documentaries. Also, it is home to movie reviews published by these films, interviews with big Hollywood stars and documentarians. Film Threats, is also structured on the basis of its blogs.

The blogs that are published on this website are about new big Hollywood films that are currently cashing in loads of money at the box office. Moreover, this website also is a key source for movie-goers to check out the ratings of films they want to see in theatres.

If you are thinking of seeing a movie in theatres this month, definitely check out this website. Film Threat currently published posts on The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Fourth Kind, and one of the most controversial films of 2009 The Anti-Christ, which came out in late July.

-C.M.L

YouTube

YouTube, is an example of new media and a new advancement in participatory culture.
In terms of hollywood films and documentary controversies that exist in media culture, it is a prime advantage. YouTube is a great accessory to help find videos that are exist and are openly alive on the web. Most of these webs for the most part, will not be published and broadcasted on live television, except for the brief example of MTV.

Moreover, YouTube not only has current videos, but also it has past videos going all the way back to the beginning of television, and even further. Although like alot of media, YouTube has a great limitation in terms of legibility. Due to the wide variety of participatory culture, that is the consumers of YouTube being producers, by producing their own videos and posting them on the website. With this, the concept of fact or fiction plays a huge role in determining whether or not YouTube contributes to the controversy and gossip, or if it destroys the gossip.

In final, are you the tube?

-C.M.L

Michael Moore

This website is the official website of America’s leading man of controversy. His documentaries focus on the leading issues in America and he has over a dozen films. His most recent documentary, “Capitalism: A Love Story.” This documentary deals with the catastrophic consequences of corporate supremacy on Americans, and the rest of the world.

Moore’s throne of controversy is rewarded to him after the release of Fahrenheit 9/11 shortly following the devastating tragedy of September 11, 2001 in the United States. This documentary followed the mistakes made with the Bush party prior and following that day. Fahrenheit 9/11 caused a lot of uneasiness in America, but at the same time it opened many eyes, and also is said to be a contributing factor to the election of new and current President Barrack Obama.

Overall, I feel that Moore’s work is enlightening; he is a strong individual who genuinely represents the idea of individual freedom, and freedom of speech. Even though he usually is not well liked by some, in his eyes it is not about being liked or appreciated, it is about the truth being known to the public.

-C.M.L

VIDEO CULTURE

Video Culture is a website similar to mine. It is a blog that deals with past, present and upcoming films that have risen a lot of controversy. Video Culture doesn't just focus its research on documentary style films, but mainly focuses on big time Hollywood movies. This particular blog is where I got some of my ideas from. Even though I have not written about most of them, it sure spiked my interest and made me watch them. Video Culture also focuses on controversial documentaries/ ‘mokumentaries’; and of course normal films that are not a part of mainstream films like those presented in Hollywood.

So if controversial films float your boat check out this website, it sure will open your eyes to new types of films covering many different and interesting topics and issues that exist in many societies around the world.

-C.M.L

MTV MOVIE BLOG

MTV is an important and easy way to find out the latest gossip with entertainment, whether being in the film industry, music industry, or all of the media industry. Similarly, to Perez Hilton, this website is a fast way to know if all the gossip everyone is talking about is true.

The MTV Movie Blog, not only confirms if the latest celebrity or movie gossip is true or not, but it also incorporates professional opinions to make their work legible and accurate. Legibility is an essential key in journalism, and this website, and TV network is a great example of it. Especially, as MTV is a fresh type of new media journalism that is progressively becoming more and more popular in today's society.

-C.M.L

The Exorcist:: The Spine- Tingling Thriller!

The 1973 original horror flick shares deep secrets on how they got their "special effects."
There are few who have seen The Exorcist who could ever forget the scenes where little Linda Blair spins her head all the way around, her mouth spitting green bile and uttering horrifying obscenities. Her possession is real and captivating.
Considering the film was released in 1973 you have to give it to the special effects team, they did a pretty sufficient job considering how special effects were in its infancy stage at this time. Having this considered, one must question, how did the directors manage to make the film look so real? That is because my fellow horror movie lovers, it is real. Well, don’t get to excited... Linda Blair was not officially possessed by a demon. When I say real, I mean that the actors had no stunt doubles they actually did the stunts. For instance, the director of the film insisted that Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn (Blair’s on-screen mother) be placed in harnesses while crewmembers yanked them violently about. As a result, Ellen Burstyn suffered a permanent spinal injury because of a harness jerking her too hard during the filming of the sequence where her possessed daughter throws her away from the bed. Want to hear something cooler? Want to know how the directors captured the eerie and haunting ambiance of the film? Well, the bedroom set, in order to imprison a genuine icy breath, had to be refrigerated and was chilled by four air conditioners, which every so often sank the temperatures to 30-40 below zero!
If you thought that the actors were simply acting being freezing cold in parkas, and seeing their own breath... think again! This film doesn’t need any more help climbing the controversial ladder, then it already has. Even when The Exorcist was released in 1973, there was still uneasiness due the sensitive subject matter it brought with it. This is because at that point in time, there were few movies that dealt with demonic possession, principally a coloured film with horrifying, high-tech special effects.

But, for now,

“Let the Power of Christ Compel You!.”

C.M.L

Borat versus Frat Party Boys!

If there is one thing Sacha Baron Cohen is successful at, other than making us laugh our head offs, or peeing our pants, it’s stirring the pot of controversy.
His first uproarious documentary 'Borat: Cultural Learning’s of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' which is based off Cohen’s HBO series “Da Ali G Show.”
In case nobody has seen this documentary, a word of caution: if you don’t like the concept of visually crude humour than I would recommend putting it back on the blockbuster shelf before renting it. Believe me, it is quite graphic.
Now to the juicy part, the documentary involves Cohen or ‘Borat’ interviewing people across America, however, it appears as though the interviewees of Borat allegedly are unaware that it is actually Sacha Baron Cohen’s alias interviewing them. As a result, some of Borat’s interviewees in particular a couple fraternity members from South Carolina University, appeared to be incredibly drunk as they made insulting comments about women and minorities to Cohen's alias. Following the release of the film on the big screen, the fraternity members sued Cohen with the defence that they were duped into appearing drunk on film, and engaging in behaviour that they otherwise would not have engaged in.
Moreover, “They were induced to agree to participate and were told the name of the fraternity and the name of their school wouldn't be used," said the plaintiffs' attorney, Olivier Taillieu. "They were put into an RV and were made to believe they were picking up Borat the hitchhiker."
I suspect that seeing their faces up on the big screen came as a shock to the young men,especially with the all the derogatory comments they made.

Who would have known that such a great comedy would have ignited so much controversy...
I think everyone could have guessed.
Pamela Anderson being kidnapped in a ‘wedding sack’, ring a bell to anyone?

-C.M.L

Paranormal Activity!

This past Friday, I saw Paranormal Activity.
Just a quick note, up until this movie, I have yet to be thoroughly afraid of any kind of horror film. Well, at least scared enough to not be able to sleep and keep my light on, and sleep with pretty much every stuffed animal I own. However, this movie was great, and don't forget frightening and exhilarating.

I have heard many mixed reviews on this film, some people believe that it is fake, and not real at all. But on the other hand, you have other viewers who literally believe in ghosts and paranormal activity and genuinely fear and believe in ghosts and spirits.

In my opinion, if there was anything in this film that I found humorous was Mika the boyfriend and one of the two main characters in the film. His ignorance of the undead and his tempting of the demonic presence really amuses me, because any sane person, in this circumstance would never ever tempt or antagonize this being. Although it was an attempt at comic relief that succeeded in my opinion.

I really want to talk about what happened in this movie, but I don't want to give it away to those who haven't seen. But in my advanced horror movie opinion I would give this movie 5 stars for scaring the life out of me, and leaving me still wanting more.

Go see it!
Check out the link below to watch the trailer!

-C.M.L

Moore! Moore! Moore!

- picture from http://www.mooreexposed.com/
Okay so I am pretty certain, that you all have one way or another heard of Michael Moore. And if you haven’t than do not fret because I will surely enlighten you! I am not going to get into his life story or anything, basically just the real juicy part of it. Just some background information so you can understand where this unbelievable director is coming from. Moore was a journalism drop out student from the University of Michigan-Flint; University was literally on the backburner for him, because he had bigger plans for himself. He moved to California and became involved in the documentary business. He has directed and produced over ten films. His most famous films: Bowling for Columbine (2002), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2005), Sicko (2007), Capitalism: A Love Story (2009). The most popular documentary that has really stirred up the American people is Fahrenheit 9/11. A film entirely dedicated to bringing awareness to America that George W. Bush and the US government was behind the devastating attacks on September 11, 2001, and he truly reveals crucial details that the entire country not to mention the entire world was kept in the dark about on that tragic day that are justly sickening to me. Also because this film had awakened so much controversy, the Pro-Bush public had quite the interesting view of Mr. Moore. Check out the link below of a website totally on slamming Michael Moore and everything he stands for!! I myself was quite surprised to see that. Ultimately this subject of Bush and the US government being involved in the 9/11 attacks is strictly up to you to believe, but just consider one thing, if you do believe that this could not in any way be true, which some Americans do believe that, I recommend watching this film it is incredibly eye opening and can rock your world, just like it did mine!
http://www.mooreexposed.com/

-C.M.L

Feeding on the Controversy

(Photo taken from www.michaelmoore.com)

Welcome movie lovers!
If there is one thing I love in this world, it is movies! But what I love even more is the controversy that literally springs up from the movies that we watch everyday! Like movies like the hilarious... and crude Borat and another Sascha Baron Cohen and new 2009 hit blockbuster Bruno! Basically these aliases of Baron were a hit on his HBO sitcom “Da Ali G Show”. But that show and all of his alias’ will be a whole separate topic entirely that I will talk about. But for now let’s stick with the documentaries that are really affecting issues that are truly affecting our lives today, and in one film particularly, the lives of Americans. This blogger has found a director that really brings controversy to his documentaries and has got the public really talking, especially the American public. Michael Moore! He’s a George W. Bush critic that takes his theories to the next level. Want to know what Moore really thinks of Bush? And do you also want to know what the American public think of Moore and of Bush after Moore's films? Stay tuned for my next post dedicated entirely on Michael Moore!

-C.M.L