"In Bruges" opening review

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ilO75OmtUo&feature=related"></a>

The opening scene begins with a low resonating note on a piano. The music continues in a sombre manner creating the perfect atmosphere to suit the following montage of images from the city of Bruges.

A series of seemingly insignificant objects and buildings are seen bathed in Chiaroscuro lighting, accompanied by a pitch black background highlighting these images.

This suggests that that the images are more relevant than we know at this point of the film. As we make our way through the slide show a voice begins to dictate the events that lead the talker to end up in Bruges. He describes how "after I killed him" he threw the gun in the Thames and washed the blood off of his hands in a burger king. The images at this point appear very gothic providing an atmospheric backdrop to his words, however the mention of burger king pushes a very ordinary idea in to our minds creating a disturbing contrast of thoughts. It raises the idea that something so sinister could be happening in somewhere so ordinary as a fast food restaurant. We then hear him say that someone has told them to get to Bruges and "wait for instructions" implying that the narrator works as a hit man for some mysterious character whom we no nothing about. Finally, after admitting to at the time not knowing where Bruges was the narrator states abruptly "it's in Belgium" ending the scene in a light hearted manner, readying us for the less sinister next scene.

The lighting, music and tone of voice used reflects the mood of the film generating an atmosphere which is familiar to both this movie and the genre which it is associated with.

Ideas On Media

GCSE RESULTS

1 C
5 B's
4 A's
2 A*'S

Spanish C
Maths B
Statistics B
Biology B
Chemistry B
ICT B
History A
Media A
Physics A
English Literature A
English Language A*
RE A*

Outside of school

Cycling
Reading
Films
Drumming
Gym
Working in a Pub as a Kitchen Assistant (Kitchen Bitch)

Media Interests

I'm interested in the writing/ journalism side of media particularly in regards to reviewing and reporting.

Favorite Newspapers

The Guardian and Independent due to their generally untainted and informative views on USEFUL stories.

Favorite Radio Stations

BBC 2 in the mornings simply because it's so easy to listen to without actually having to pay attention.

Favorite Music, Downloading and Band Influence

I can't pinpoint any specific genre that I would call my favorite. I like anything, from Vampire Weekend to Andrew Lloyd Webber. However I do have a weird obsession with music from Japan.

To obtain Music I either borrow from others or use Itunes. I have nothing against illegal downloading (recording artists are rich enough as it is) but I tend to stay clear of this.

I have no idea what the "in" bands are wearing right now and I don't own any band related clothes so as far as influence goes I can't see that I am - but who knows what I'm being told subconsciously.

Video Games

Most games bore me quickly but I do enjoy the socializing side of them. I prefer RPG's to FPS's.

I'm confident that most people are smart enough to define the difference between games and reality so I wouldn't say that games are the cause of violence. however younger (stupider) generations may develop some biased views on aspects such as war.

Technology

Without it communication would be relatively rubbish and information gathering would be rather more tedious. We also rely on it for keeping the world running so my view on technology is appreciation more than anything.

For the media topic at A level technology is crucial due to the need for filming equipment, editing software and internet blogs etc.

Favorite Television

BBC is by far the best channel for an all round package of comedy, information, news etc however the 4 series of channels tend to do better on the comedy scene. I have nothing good to say about ITV, most of what they produce is utter rubbish.

My favorite shows when it comes to television tend to be comedies such as IT Crowd, Peep Show and The Mighty Boosh. I also enjoy some of the comic cartoons like Family Guy and South Park. Finally I have a small addiction to Anime shows.

Films

In contrast to television my favorite films tend to be the more memorable action, thriller or historical films.

My favorite films include: Pan's Labyrinth, The Lord of the Rings; The Prestige; The Green Mile; Braveheart etc.

Films I hate include: The Golden Compass the whole series of Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans things; Cloverfield (nothing happened) etc.

I like to watch films at home but I also enjoy the cinema if I'm with a group.
The best cinema in my opinion is Cinema City due to its comfort and style.

Previous Media

For GCSE I produced an opening sequence to a thriller and I also created the end of high school film for my schools leavers day.

Conclusion

Out of all media productions the one that has most pissed me off is the Golden Compass movie. a terrible movie in every respect and the best way for Sir Ian Mckellen to destroy his reputation.

The most influential piece has been His Dark materials (surprise surprise) the book series that the golden compass was based on. The Religious demoralization and themes on life generated such thought provocation that I have now read them four times as well as other literature associated with them.

Media that has changed my view on the world? Weirdly enough an anime. The anime/manga Deathnote revealed some truths which I won't describe.

If I had to construct a media text with a message for England it would be something showing England's inability to see through pretty front men politicians.

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