Hey guys!! We finally made it to the final stretch. And to top it off we have a action filled film Run Lola Run. This film kept the wheels in my head spinning. To be brutally honest I was not very into the idea of watching this film. Yet I was actually surprised the movie wasn’t that bad. The beginning seemed to drag for me but the film is composed of a lot of high stake action. What was awkward and a bit strange turned out to be a good film. The idea of the recycle of moments of time seems very cliché and played out to me. But the way the main character goes about things adds more wildness . I give props to the great actions scenes. And the Camera For making me think I got whiplash a few times. Very realistic movements with the characters pace,
Yet it seemed to again get away from me when there were constant shots of running. They really stuck to their title.
i really appreciated the mix up produced within the film. Like the realness embedded into the main characters relationship those little talks really too them away for the super close unproblematic men and women made up in films. Not the typical Bonnie and Clyde. This is our first film where there are two styles of films
. Now one thing that I get constantly as a repetitive message to make decisions wisely even if you get a second chance and don’t forget to scream your head off while doing it sometimes. It adds spunk.
What a good and plot convent super power/gift. Great movie idea just not enough plot development and character motivation. That is my own harsh critic.
This year in class has been a crazy one filled with memories that will stick. More knowledge to spit out at the dinner table to sound smarter. To start this off I can’t forget the classics.
Opening up the conversation to deep diving into cinema made me look at film from a different view. Naturally I watch movies and the deepest I’ve ever looked was into the cast list. This skill of mine was matched with watching movie debunking on YouTube. With this class I have opened my mind to the seriousness of the behind the scenes work. To begin I was introduced to early film and early Hollywood.
Can I say wow What a change we have seen. Although I only had to see cds become more popular than vhs in my life. I missed the introduction of real change in cinema. Huge things like the early 1900. Introducing soundtracks to film and adding audio as well ,like screeching tires sounds. Then adding visual actions like sort of a early green screen. Things like that added more to the classics I love today. Where do I began?? Saying I’m glad I got to discuss and hear the cinematic classics is an understatement. From Frankenstein to Bonnie and Clyde and many in between. I’ve been pushed out my comfort to watch movies I would never even watch the trailers for. One movie I enjoyed was wild strawberries. It was pretty cool to see such an older movie touch on a relatable emotional state in different walks of life. I also enjoyed the importance to background details in the film it’s self. Usually I see random stand-ins or open streets and buildings. The correlation between background and mood really stuck. The true way to add symbolism.
Then another movie I actually found interest in is L’Avventura by Michelan Antonioni . Even though I do feel bad that Everyone seemed to not care that she still was missing. They even found happiness without her. What a impression.
I loved the scenery and the use of natural background. Regardless of the lack of connection to the characters or their issues. It was a great film to get dragged into. Countless scenes of neutral backgrounds of ocean and nature.
Lastly I love that I get to see a film that is unforgettable like Easy Rider. The countless scenes of badass mortcycles only add to the general overview of Desert. What a great new fresh film idea (for its time). I haven’t made much of a try to get into the genre of rock but that soundtrack has made me go crazy. I absolutely enjoyed it.
This movie was the cherry on top of the year. A true American dream film. Filled with rule breaking scenes. The strey away from the limitation of what is allowed in film. The nicest middle finger I’ve seen done in the industry . Nothing stale about the feelings of denial and the acceptance of real loss.
Even if I can’t relate with the motives of the characters I sympathize with the idea of getting away and finding a dream. To die defying what strands hold you down. Great way to depict hippies. This class has been the best of the year and I’m glad to have finished it with such hits and I enjoyed hearing everyones great presentations. Hope this last week isn’t as stressful as it seems to be for me.
I cant believe it has already been an entire semester of History of Film! Time really does go by fast when you are stressed out! We watched a pleather of fantastic classic films this semester, but our last screening to watch and blog about was Run Lola Run. I have already seen this movie, we watched it in foundations. It was honestly a relief that this weeks movie I had seen before, because when I went to watch it again for class I already had a pretty good gist of the basic premise around the story. I often feel that the storyline or narrative is the hardest to wrap my head around when watching a movie, especially when it’s dubbed over from another language. I was also extremely busy these past two weeks, and was relieved I didn’t have give it my undivided attention, like one does the first time around. Though I love nothing more than watching movies repeatedly. Watching movies over and over again leads for better understanding of the concept (duh) and also personally, a sense of comfort. Watching Run Lola Run for the second time, was better than the first, I was able to appreciate all for what its worth rather than being an absolute sponge the first time.
These sppoky-psychedelic-cyber-punk animations in a live action movie, just go way too hard.
I cant lie, I have had little motivation to do much lately, stress and anxiety tends to make me shut down. I only skimmed the readings last week in preparation for class and the blog but then I lost my shit and shut down. I read the text excerpt this week, and it felt good. I guess I mean it felt good to really delve into a reading– even in the midst of my adhd brain being on absolute overdrive. I was able to shine new light upon Run Lola Run, establish a more contextual understanding of the premise behind the film (especially in its nature of being a German film). It still continues to rattle my brain that a movie can thrive with such a simple plot. Our reading this weeks states; “The plot thatserves as a mere skeleton is condensed into the first few minutes of the film,” Tom Tykwer meerly popped off with visual effects, and motifs of cinema, rather than developing and intensive plot. The plot became the last thing I was really worried about when encountered with all the experimental exploration being shown on screen. All the techno-glitch-cartoon-montage stooofff is shown below in one great clip form the movie:
Barbara Kosta says how Lola “literally embodies the animated image and the essence of cinema,” and for me that is the most thrilling aspect of Run Lola Run.
At the beginning of the semester I was excited to see Run Lola Run on the syllabus, among other films that rung bell; such as Diva, The Fly and The Bride of Frankenstein. I was really pleased with the selection of films we watched, I feel much more versed in film after this course. Honestly, I assumed the first half of the class would be dry and slow– I was just thinking “sheesh a bunch of old silents were so past this!!” But DUHH MIA this is a history course!! And it was quite the opposite because to be fair, it was far more compelling to delve into topics I don’t already think I know about. I was able to learn about them and perceive them without my own prior (possibly bias) connotations.
Diva
The Fly
Bonnie and Clyde (we love Faye Dunnaway!!)
I was just so excited about so many of the screenings this semester, I will most defiantly be watching them all over this summer. I could have gone without Grand Hotel– though I can respect and appreciate it. This is something I was incapable of doing a year ago, now I can give the movie the benefit of the doubt and understand them for their notoriety in a historical context. I liked most of the films before the 1960s, like Wild Strawberries , it is defiantly up there in my top 3 this semester. I had a lot of fun learning about Hollywoods Revival and the movies prior. It is more my time period of familiar movies like, but even Bonnie and Clyde or The Fly.
Lets break it down now–
TOP 3:
Diva
L’aaventura
Sunrise-a Song of two Humans
BOTTOM 2
Out of the Past
Grand Hotel
My favorite presentation, Singing in the Rain.
It’s not that I disliked these two movies, they just captivated and interested me the least, I can understand their historical relevance for the class. We had group presentations on some pretty stellar history lessons from some classic films throughout cinema history. They were great don’t get me wrong, I really did think each presentation was a great added bit of knowledge to the curriculum– BUT I do think it was much more difficult to work in a group project right now. During the pandemic it’s been hard to connect with students I don’t know because it is all virtual, and most people don’t turn on their camera or frankly don’t care about the assignment and do their part last minute– v frustrating. So what I am saying is I think this class could have benefited from individual projects, like we had in Cult Films, rather than a group one. Less pressure and stress on us, and I think it could have been more fun.
Mr. Dante 😊
I must not forget about the unforgettable– Mr. Dante. What a treat, that zoom call will truly live with me forever, though I tried to save the recording and it doesn’t open! Dr. S could you send it to me again? I appreciate the time and effort put into you getting him here Dr. S, meeting and obtaining a wealth of wisdom from a 70 year old director is just iconic. Joe Dante made some films that I had no idea were him until this class started, such as Piranha.
This class was one of the harder Schlegel classes I have taken, but I am happy to have gained the knowledge I have. I do apologize for me not being as present in class, I have been unmotivated to talk to speak up lately, especially in a classroom setting. Anyway, I cant wait to watch all the movies from the syllabus over with my mom and friends this summer. Again thank you Dr.S for a fantastic semester!
Well, everybody — here we are. After fifteen vigorous weeks of film watching, analytical conversing, and blog writing, we have reached the finish line. And if you’ve never experienced a grand finale, this week serves as the ultimate champion in that arena. The emergence of Industrial Light and Magic, the narrative shattering footsteps of a woman named Lola, and the motion picture excursion that landed us at this very point… Read along as I construct it all into one last written work and bid my farewell to the course that led us on the most riveting cinematic journey of a lifetime.
The dawn of the mid-1970s has arrived, and filmmaker George Lucas has just crafted a route to space… in his head. Having already translated an intricate idea into words on a page, Lucas was eager to mold the mere firing of his brain’s neurons into an image we could all enjoy. Thus, he devised a masterful plan to develop an entire team dedicated to turning his vision into a seeming reality on a two-dimensional screen. On May 26th, 1975, the birth of George Lucas’s visual effects baby was marked down in the motion picture history books.
Industrial Light and Magic logo.
Suitably named Industrial Light and Magic, this division of the Lucasfilm production company was the perfect blend of art and technology implemented by a rag-tag group of talented individuals. Within only a couple years of its existence, ILM successfully rendered the illusion of an entire world in outer space out of George Lucas’s fictional descriptions, and with that, a Star Wars was born.
Star Wars film poster.
ILM blowing the ceiling and doors off of the film industry – using its groundbreaking visual effects techniques to completely revive the filmmaking domain.
At the time of its conception, ILM stood tall as one of the only visual effects teams in the realm of cinema; the presence of such an institution was virtually nonexistent within each of Hollywood’s major studios. Considering the historical success of Lucas’s 1977 Star Wars debut, it was obvious that this visual effects team held a special detonator, and its first production had pressed its thumb down on the button. With the ceiling and doors blown clear off the film industry, filmmakers looked around to see an endless expanse of opportunity and creation.
Through the use of groundbreakingly innovative tools and technologies, including computer generated imagery, ILM was able to assist directors in dusting off genres that had once been avoided due to the lack of people and resources needed to create worthy images. This legendary special effects division held its hand out to any studio or filmmaker with a unique vision and story to tell, leading Industrial Light and Magic to realize the imaginative premises of over 300 movies, including every Star Wars film, E.T., The Goonies, the Back to the Future trilogy, Innerspace, the Jurassic Park films, the Harry Potter series, the Pirates of the Carribean films, and many more. Inspired to create the impossible, ILM continuously operates the systems that allow for our teleportation to worlds we could only dream of experiencing. In addition to completely revolutionising and reviving the film industry with its visual effects takeover, Industrial Light and Magic has proven countless times that filmmaking lies in the midst of endless possibilities.
This notion of using film to uproot traditions and explore the infinite scope of potentiality seemed to be holding true for German director Tom Tykwer as he crafted his 1998 loaded hit titled Run Lola Run. Rather than diving straight into the fabricated world within the film, I think it would benefit us to first unpack the context that inspired and framed this fictional storyline.
Run Lola Run film poster.
Contrary to any surface interpretations of the film, Run Lola Run upholds a universal message that simultaneously serves as a reflection and exemplification of the reconstructive state of Germany during the 1990s. Following the unfathomable death and destruction harbored by World War II, all of Europe found itself in complete disarray. Germany, having been one of the war’s main perpetrators, was forced to grapple with the broken pieces left behind by a strict agenda built on gruesome immorality. Its surrender in May of 1945 and the accelerating principles of the Cold War in 1947 forced the tattered country to eventually make a formal declaration regarding its split into two independent nations: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), allied to the Western democracies that once occupied it, and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), allied to the Soviet Union. Its capital, Berlin, was also shattered in two and divided by a wall built in 1961 by the eastern dictatorship, which stood as a true symbol for the broken nation.
Map of a divided Germany.East Germany border guards watching over the Berlin Wall.
Destruction of the Berlin Wall.A unified Germany at last.
In 1989, political changes in eastern Europe were combined with German civil unrest to turn the tides of the country’s fate. The government of East Germany had slowly lost its footing in the foundation of power, leading it to announce the freedom of East Berliners to travel to the West. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the first step toward German reunification, which was officially achieved on October 3rd, 1990. The decade to follow would involve a reflection on Germany’s rather unstable history, a learned lesson from past mistakes, and a focus on the rebuilding and consolidation of a nation.
So, after that brief history lesson, you are probably wondering how this is at all relevant to an action, thriller, drama, experimental, crime film made by Tom Tykwer in 1998. Well for starters, the very premise of the picture would not exist if it weren’t for “a postunification confusion owing to the divide that still exists between the eastern and western parts of Berlin” when Lola’s taxi mistakenly takes her to the Grunewald Street in the eastern part rather than the western part (Kosta 175). It is this unfortunate mishap that triggers the unraveling of fictional events, for it causes Lola to be late in meeting her petty-criminal boyfriend, Manni, who is responsible for delivering 100,000 Deutschmarks to his threatening boss, Ronnie. With no ride, Manni is left to take the subway, which he accidentally leaves the bag of money on for a homeless man to snatch up. Manni calls Lola in a panic — he only has 20 minutes to get the money to Ronnie or he will be killed for failing to carry out the task. Lola embarks on a race against time as she sprints through the streets of Berlin in an attempt to obtain the cash and save her boyfriend. Her 20 minute trek is played out three times, with each portrayal containing slight variations that alter the outcomes of her situation and of those around her.
Lola’s appearances on screen are accompanied by enticing cinematography, fast-paced edits, bright colors, and images of significant Berlin locations that are flashed for as long as she is striding through them. “Tykwer insists that the film is a Berlin film… The fast-paced editing that lends vitality to the urban setting and its resilient and determined protagonist Lola suggest a new cultural identity in a postwall era” (Kosta 167). Lola is aware of the mistakes that lead her to undesirable endings, so, rather than repeating them, she chooses to learn from them in order to continue moving forward as her focus remains fixed on protecting the life of her lover. “Lola is oriented toward the future. Her stride is resolute and unwavering; she never gazes back. The piles of bricks and open ditches, the construction sites that she passes, represent renewal. Berlin… stands for the future of a new Germany… a city under construction that must reinvent itself, and Lola becomes its agent — a superhero of the contemporary German cultural scene” (Kosta 175).
Lola on the phone with Manni.Manni in a panic as Lola races against the clock.Lola running through the streets of Berlin.
Tykwer purposefully subverts the linear narrative style of film by placing Lola in a loop that wraps around three times. While propped up as a mirror in front of the establishment of a new Germany, this avant-garde film also provides every viewer with a unique and captivating glimpse into the powerful force of will and the way in which it can defy the constraints of fate — a concept that is continually embodied by Lola. Every human is prone to making mistakes; however, it is the knowledge we gain from the consequences to our actions and the choices we make afterwards that grant us at least some control over our destiny as we exist within the universe.
“Tykwer’s decision to explore multiple modes echoes the film’s exploration of possibility and potential — of manifold destiny. Lola’s repeated struggles against the tyranny of time produce dramatic ripples, every stride a choice, and where this sequence really shines is in its willingness to examine those choices and embrace a multifarious vision.”
Lola Landekic
This discussion of learning from personal error, free will, and the changing of fate is actually quite ironic because I wasn’t even in this class at the start of the semester. I had originally signed up for biology; however, after a few days of experiencing no chemistry with the class (pun intended), I decided to browse for a course that would provide me with some more entertainment. A simple misjudgment on registration day, my choice to pick up this class, and the igniting force of free will… this combination is one that has since changed my life forever, for a once lost Sarah is now in love with her newfound path toward filmmaking.
Now that I’ve gotten that clever transition out of the way, let’s talk about this semester’s cinematic haul. Throughout the past fourteen weeks, each blog that I produced predominantly expressed an educational or informational output regarding what I watched and learned. So, I’ve decided that my final piece is going to perform as our vehicle, transporting us throughout our historical roadmap of cinema, while I act as the tour guide, briefly explaining how each attraction personally impacted me.
Our cinematic roadmap. (yes, we are on the wrong side of the road)
SUNRISE — A SONG OF TWO HUMANS
(F.W. MURNAU, 1927)
As I laid my eyes on this picture, I was struck for the first time by the true art that makes a silent film. Every single aspect of the story is told through expression, shadow, and cinematography — thus the viewer is left to completely immerse themselves in the silence in order to understand the drama unfolding on screen. By surrendering my attentive gaze to the power and beauty of the silence, I was able to form a deep appreciation for the way a lack of words leaves so much room for innovation and interpretation.
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN
(JAMES WHALE, 1935)
This week’s focus on Bride of Frankenstein as a major player in the Universal Horror franchise granted me a brand new perspective on fright that I’ve never experienced. Prior to watching this film and discussing it, I had never really considered the way in which both horror movies and the fear tolerance of audiences have evolved. In contrast to the often paranormal horror films that are produced today with the sole intention of petrifying a viewer, Bride of Frankenstein used its monster storyline to portray deeper, more genuine meanings that each person watching could apply to their own lives in order to enhance their senses of morality.
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
(WILLIAM WYLER, 1946)
In addition to watching the film’s immaculate and realistic depiction of life for soldiers as they return home to an alien America after World War II, I was also being mesmerized by Greg Toland’s masterful work behind the picture’s moving imagery; this is what sparked my true love for and focus on cinematography.
OUT OF THE PAST
(JACQUES TOURNEUR, 1947)
I was completely engulfed by the dark realm of film noir. The premise and cinematography within the film alone was intriguing to follow, but when I learned of its clever rooting in the reflection of the darkness that followed the evils of World War II, my appreciation sky rocketed. After watching this screening, I began to truly understand the value films hold as they mirror the realities that create them.
WILD STRAWBERRIES
(INGMAR BERGMAN, 1957)
When we were assigned this film, my life was at a pretty chaotic point — a theme that has seemed to hold steady throughout the past 20 years of my existence. As I followed the aging Dr. Isak Borg on his physical and psychological journey, however, I was reminded of how important it is to extract every ounce of meaning I can from my experiences, for all that I go through adds to the person I am and the person I will become.
BONNIE AND CLYDE
(Arthur Penn, 1967)
This was definitely one of my most favorite weeks, for I was able to unlock so much knowledge regarding the underground exploitation cinema movement and its roll in providing a foundation in the mainstream movie realm for transgressive films like Bonnie and Clyde. I was also absolutely fascinated by this film’s brilliant echoing of the emergence of a 1960s counterculture generation. Thanks to my mom, I have come to develop a mindset similar to that of a grounded hippie, so Penn’s seamless translation of the dueling sides of the sixties into a semi-fictional version of the historical tale of Bonnie and Clyde was pretty awesome to bear witness to and understand.
PIRAHNA
(Joe Dante, 1978)
Although I loved this week’s semi-spoof film, it wasn’t the screening that left a mark on me, but rather the associated experience. Getting the opportunity to meet Joe Dante was something that will stay with me forever (thank you Dr. S). I am so drawn to B-movies and the genuine comradery and creativity that upholds the independent film industry, so being able to retain 2 hours worth of invaluable information and wisdom straight from the mouth of a B-movie legend himself was quite humbling. Mr. Dante truly changed my life, for he is personified proof of all that can be accomplished from hard work and taking initiative (now you know the answer).
DIVA
(JEAN-JACQUES BEINEIX, 1981)
This film showed me that the setting can, in fact, be the main character. The very premise Diva seemed to be crafted around the desire to exhibit artistic shots, which I think is what made the film so intriguing (it’s no surprise that Philippe Rousselot won an Oscar for his cinematography). Through its unique images, this screening was able to gently coax me away from my anxious need to fully understand every element of that which I am perceiving. Rather than fumbling for information, I found myself simply observing the art that framed the bizarre plot.
And, with that, we have arrived back at the present — stamping one last blog in books. As difficult as it is for me to say goodbye to COMM 304, this class has gifted me with an abundance of cinematic enjoyment, knowledge, and appreciation that I will clutch tightly as I continue to pursue my filmmaking dreams. Here’s to the successful completion of journey throughout the history of the motion picture. See ya later, everyone.
That’s a wrap!
— Published by Sarah Johnson
Works Referenced:
Run Lola Run, Tom Tykwer
Industrial Light and Magic Documentary
“Tom Tykwer’s Run Lola Run and the Usual Suspects: The Avant-Garde, Popular Culture, and History,” Barbara Kosta
Tom Tykwer’s film Run Lola Run is phenomenally directed, and Mathilde Bonnefoy, in particular, did an outstanding job in the editing department, as the film is just fine filmed with a fast pace that is entertaining rather than tiring, and it is still beautifully energetic and riveting with very seamless transitions between the repeated scenarios. It’s still very well taken, with some great action scenes, and after being repeated twice, the main character’s running never gets old. It has some unforgettable imagery and strong dialogue. The characters scream excessively, but they are nevertheless portrayed realistically. Without a doubt, this is one of the most original and fascinating films of the 1990s.
Lola is played by German actress Franka Potente, a young lady who runs the whole duration of the film without exhibiting any signs of exhaustion.
This demonstrates Potente’s outstanding physical condition before filming began. Potente does an excellent job of keeping Tykwer’s concept alive and well. Franka is a standout in this movie. Her overall screen appearance is as effervescent as ever, and it’s not just because of her fiery locks. She commands attention without saying anything.
She was already young and in the early stages of her acting career when this film was released, so Run Lola Run served as an excellent vehicle for her, propelling her to bigger roles in the future.
She gives a great performance and puts in a lot of effort in her role. With all of her contributions, and with Tykwer as director, she is the true star and the driving force behind the film “Run Lola Run.”
The film never really discusses what is going on – how Lola is given a second chance on this particular day, and another chance to play it out – but that isn’t always a bad thing. It’s much more interesting to watch Lola try to achieve her goal, which is shot and handled with extreme precision.
super sexy sensuous color scheme
Another thing that struck me from the outset of the movie, whether it was the red hair or the red phone, was the film’s monotonous colour scheme. The team is called the Reds. Veggies. Yellows are a bright color. Over and over again, and right in front of your eyes. Tykwer wasn’t going for subtlety; he wanted to deliver a straightforward and unmistakable message–another connection to time. Yellow would work right in as a slowing of time or even a difficult choice that must be taken, so red simply means stop and green clearly means independence or go.
Reflecting on this semester, I heavily regret the weeks that I didn’t write a blog. It’s a great allegory for how this semester has gone in that I wound up procrastinating things I actually enjoy, and it would consequently be painful. What can ya do. I wish I had written about The Fly in all its glorious grotesqueness, as it was one of the films that founded my interest in horror (horror movies were too scary but 80s horror? Just right for some reason) As well as Geena’s Davis’ ingenious acting. I also regret not writing about Ruggles of Red Gap because it was genuinely unlike anything I’d ever seen before, and incredibly hilarious. The comedic timing still resonates and I found myself wondering constantly about what being a part of the film industry in 1935 would have been like, especially for funny women.
I quite loved L’avventura and told my parents to watch it immediately because they’re the type of Italy-lovers that love to point to the cathedrals and capes that they recognize.
Only such a beautiful scenery and tone could balance out the moody actors and actresses, sulking on the meditteranean. Grand Hotel was so classically beautiful, and an interesting comparison to how many times my sister has made me watch The Grand Budapest Hotel. Something about hotels, they’re so subliminal and dreamy. The concept of the big three Hollywood studios interests me so much, especially after watching Hail Caesar! By the Coen Brothers. So much drama, like 90210 but with pacific northwest accents.
heavenly
My favorite week was definitely Bonnie and Clyde. It was such a beautiful film that encapsulated so much teenage angst, freedom and rock and roll with a gnarly shootout at the end. Some films hit you right in the heart, and this was definitely one of them.
Pauline Kael puts it perfectly, “puts the sting back in death” and I would say brought some sexiness to the Depression in which it was set. Weirdly it mimics the star-crossed but destructive lovers of Sid and Nancy which was also my favorite film of the course from cult movies, though both films were very differently gut-wrenching.
Meeting Joe Dante was also a highlight of this class, and really felt super cool to have him tell me some films by name that I could watch from his era of inspiration. I’m always looking for new sources, and Gremlins weirdly pulled me out of a funk that I’d been in. It’s almost like the absurdity of it made me realize how absurd what we are dealing with right now. Like, just continuing on with classes and life as if it’s not a constant struggle. Reminds me of the scene where the girl is just going crazy trying to serve all the Gremlins in the bar, and trying to take their orders and give them drinks, like it’s gotten to a point where we don’t even notice how absurd this all is.
THIS. This is what this month has felt like. also 1:56 to see the coolest Gremlin alive
Not to be too abstract, but I am very grateful for these foundational films. I’m hungry to watch things out of the context of school for the summer, but only because I will have so much time to look back on what I’ve wanted to see this year. I feel like I’ve grown from my disappointments, and that my writing has persevered a bit. Thank you to everyone for reading and commenting on my blogs with their silly little titles. I get a lot of joy from putting this work out there, and it feels good to have it perceived.
Wow! I didn’t expect this movie to take me on such a whirlwind. Honestly, I can’t believe we’re on our very last blog of this course. My time in this semester has been highly entertaining and informative to be a part of, and I couldn’t have asked for a better professor to take us on this ride into film history. Firstly, I would love to mention that this week’s selection was impressive, inspirational, and unforgettable. To see how even in 1998, many characteristics seen in modern movies are being shown back then. Characters such as Lola, who reminds me much of our beloved Leeloo from the Fifth Element, have much antsy and spontaneous energy. I adore the connection this movie has to present-day films such as “Happy Death Day,” “Groundhog Day” ( 1993), and so many more. The repetitive nature of reliving multiple lives or going over is a common theme that we see today in our modern films. And who could forget “The Tin Drum,” which captured the audience’s eyes? In the movie “The Tin Drum,” the young boy’s high-pitched scream shatters glasses and a clock that resemble the impression of Lola within “Run Lola Run,”; which provides homage to its inspiration. The dazzling movie of “Run Lola’s Run” had techno music and excellent illustration that brought you into the world of what Lola was going through every time she had to find the 100K for her boyfriend. Throughout this movie, I was on the edge of my seat as the twisted action, comedic and thrilling adventure of Lola allowed me to experience an extraordinary way of telling the dramatic life of the youth.
To be specific, in this era, Germany was going through a new rebranding of independent films. This movie breaking out as an international hit, held onto headlines as Germany decided to re-envision a more youthful group of filmmakers. After World War II, Germany found itself in a pickle as they couldn’t seem to pick themselves up within the film industry. A group of young filmmakers banned together to create Filmverlag der Autoren, “authors’ film publusing group” within West Germany. This earlier generation of filmmakers was dimly knowledgeable of the effect the Nazis had on Germany, so they went into filmmaking with an open eye but still relevant on the impact it had on society. Many of the works that we see from these filmmakers, such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wender, Alexander Kluge, etc., contributed to the new German cinema. This new wave popularized Germany with international cinema and gave Germany a fighting chance to refresh its viewpoint on society. My takeaway from these movies ah that they connect with the audience by providing an out-of-the-world feel towards the society in which the film lives.
In addition to this, I would like to mention that comm 304 was a fantastic experience. I found a new beloved interest throughout this course and finding a more profound social understanding within the film. Before joining this course, I was a film watcher who watched them go without realizing that all these social relevancies connect themselves with each piece. Now I can’t help but still sit back and analyze what each film meant to society to the youth’s culture, even the protest. It’s little things such as color or camera motion or technology, or even the shot itself that creates a dynamic feel that you can’t seem to understand if you don’t take a magnifying glass and search deeply. My favorite film within this course has to be “Sunrise: A song of two humans.” This film has opened my eyes to not only an utterly silent error but a newly awakened appreciation. German director F.W. Murnau, using effects and title cards, and even emotions, gave his movie such depth that I’ve never seen in future silent films. I appreciated how he used technical skills within effects to pull off a boat scene and the daydreams and even the close-ups. His outstanding style choice put him in my book as one of the most notable directors. And let’s not mention that this movie was budgeted at $200,000. As an audience member, we don’t see much of today’s low-budget funding for the film is pretty much unheard of, but who’s to say $200,000 back then was 1,000,000 now. I hope to continue my research into director F.W. Murnau’s work as he has inspired a few of my future pieces.
While I may be closed off two American films, it is still essential to know that everyone influences one another worldwide. In contrast, I know many other blogs will mention a movie that they disliked within our syllabus, but I believe that every film has its pros and cons and why I adore them. I found that taking a bit from each movie and just taking the time to understand why a director or a producer or even the cinematographer would take those drastic moves within the film helps me know how important and relevant each piece is. So too close often, I don’t have the worst movie within this course selection. Nonetheless, by connecting historical reference with the changes within the art of filmmaking, we can now understand as a modern society what may or may not have happened during that time. And how it has affected us today. All in all, the films we have watched and the discussions we have had within this course have opened Pandora’s box of information, knowledge, and wisdom to move forward in my pursuit of Learning film history.
Well, here we are: the final blog. Fourteen weeks have passed and we’re ending it with the spectacularly spunky Run Lola Run.Run Lola Run was released in 1998, written and directed by Tom Tykwer, and stars Franka Potente as our protagonist. The plot of the movie surrounds Lola’s mad dash to come up with the 100,000 marks to save her boyfriend’s life in 20 minutes. In reality it’s more like Manni requests that Lola comes up with the money he lost to “pRovE HeR LoVe” for him or else he’ll take the easy way out and rob a bank himself. So Lola does what she must and attempts to find him the money some way, although it takes her two repeats to get it right; almost like a video game. Now, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen Run Lola Run. It was first shown to me in a freshman art class and I remember instantly thinking it wasn’t like any movie I’d seen before. That’s because Run Lola Run has a little bit of every genre in it: action, drama, adventure, romance. Not to mention stunning and unusual visuals, including an animation sequence that helps explain the time jumps in Lola’s journey. One of the aspects I enjoyed in Run Lola Run was the side-story snapshots of the background characters that Lola encounters, I really think it adds to the uniqueness of the film. In class we talked briefly about cinema du look, this combined with the running shots and jump cuts felt similar to the movement. But my favorite part of the movie was its aesthetic. It’s obvious that the movie holds a style that is unique to movies coming out in the late 90’s, the fashion as well as general look is easy to pinpoint, I might as well mention the similarities in Lola’s appearance and Leeloo’s in The Fifth Element.
One thing that stuck out to me after reading the Kosta essay on Run Lola Run, was the comparison of the movie’s narrative timeline to that of a video game as well as a cartoon. We all know that Lola gets three tries to get the money and meet Manni but it’s more than just a time jump. It’s like she has a certain amount of lives, when one is used up she must reproach her strategy and try again. I thought it was also interesting to compare the movie’s realm of reality to that of a cartoon considering there is animation already added into it. When you think about it, though, the movie does in fact imitate the fantastical worlds that we often see in cartoons. Characters have superpowers or events are exaggerated, Lola breaks glass with her scream, and situations are amped up to make for a more exciting outcome. So Run Lola Run really does feel a lot like watching a live-action cartoon.
It’s weird to think the semester is already over; time flies, right? The history of the motion picture, a trip from the development of film technology to a full-blown story telling medium. There was so much information packed into this course that it’s hard to believe we really started with the very beginning of film. If I were to pick my favorite topics discussed this semester it would come down to Italian neorealism, 80’s body culture, and the exploitation film & midnight movie circuit. In all of these topics we were able to see the depth that film reached as a diverse medium. In neorealism we see a different approach to storytelling through cinematography and narrative. In the week of 80’s body culture we looked at the way society influences the movies being created at the time. In exploitation we learned about the industry and the more alternative side of Hollywood. This course not only provided us with a vast array of lenses to view movies through but it also provided us with the skills to continue our learning.
As a naturally indecisive person I will not be choosing just one favorite screening as I cannot do that, so I will choose my top three instead. The first will have to go to Wild Strawberries, this was one that I enjoyed on multiple levels. I loved the look of the film, it’s dreamy feel, and the story itself. I had been awaiting when I would watch a Bergman film and this one did not disappoint, although I have yet to see more. I also related a lot to the existentialism of the film, so that definitely added to my enjoyment. My second favorite screening was The Bride of Frankenstein, what can I say? I’m a sucker for camp and over-the-top set design. What I really enjoyed about it was that it made me laugh, there were so many little things to love about it. And the big reveal at the end of the bride herself was enough to secure its place in my top three. My third and final favorite screening has to go to The Fly, any movie that can pull a visceral reaction out of me is one that I will remember. I also really enjoyed the concept of the abject in our discussion that week.
Another film class down, and a new minor added. Here’s to the next one!
Run Lola Run in an interesting film that always kept me guessing as to what would happen next. With each reality I tried to guess what she would do differently and how the world would change to no avail. The movie initially seems like an over dramatic love story with more running than the Olympics but then it quite literally switched things up on you. I was hook when she got shot only to be thoroughly confused when time resets to around 2o ism minutes earlier. On her second go around so many things were different from her being slightly slower and she somehow got to Mani faster. Then in the third timeline she willed into being a double jackpot and her and Mani made out like bandits. It was a wild story from start to finish.
As we discussed in class this movie reminded me of many different media. First off it reminded me of a Disney Channel original movie. The over the top acting close ups and cinematography were all reminiscent of such movies. In class we talked about how this movie must have influenced Disney later and I 5hink that was pretty cool. A also felt like this movie was a lot like the first season of the new Dr. Who. Early 2000’s and late 90’s just look so distinct with what just kind of looks like bad quality cameras to me but I’m not a film major and don’t know anything. Anyway, there is just tons of running with nothing but footsteps and music in both media and the acting was similarly over the top in both. Not that I didn’t love both but they do just seem so similar to me. The last movie this movie made me think of was Momento just because both movies mess with your perception of time and make you think a lot about wat is going on and I really liked Momento so I think this movie just has lots of aspects that I liked.
Before this movie I never really thought about movies that came out of germany except the very genocide-y ones and while Diva was the first French movie I had ever seen, there is nothing anyone could do to make me respect that country, however, this movie made me realise that perhaps european films could be just as good as american ones.
Now comes the interesting part of the blog where we walk through memory lane. A silly blog with chris, the part of the show where Chris writes a silly blog. I want to start off by talking about my favorite 3 movies and then my 3 favorite movies we watched in this class.
My favorite movie we watched this semester was The Ruggles of Red Gap by far. It was really funny with lots of colorful characters you couldn’t help but like. The premise is funny, the dialogue was funny, the setting was funny, It was just a great comedy I have recommended to many people already. It also had a happy ending and a pro-american message I could get behind which says that all people are equal and when you put in the effort, you are rewarded. Can’t think of a better movie than this all semester.
The second best would probably be Bonnie and Clyde. A great action movie about two legendary outlaws I had always heard about but never looked into provided an engaging story that kept me entertained and interested. The characters were endearing and strangely relatable. It’s a bummer there was so much tragedy in their lives but its what they signed up for and it’s what they got.
My third favorite was close but I quite enjoyed Sunrise at the very beginning of the class. It was a bit weird but I hadn’t seen many silent films and I was impressed with how good it was with no dialogue. The over the top malice of the first half mixed with the comedic hyjinx of the second left an impression on me and I quite enjoyed the movie.
This post is getting a bit long So i will just state my 3 least favorite movies really quick and why. Wild Strawberries, L’Avventura, and Diva would have to be my least favorites. The first to for being boring and depressing with plots and characters I didn’t care for and making me feel like i wasted 3-4 hours of my life just to get an art credit. They were really bad and I’m sorry if that offends anyone but its not an opinion, its truth. That’s just a joke but I just feel like they weren’t very good films. Diva was just to artsy farts for me and I have a generally disdain for anything french.
Othing things about this class I just want to talk about really quickly are that I loved getting to hear from Mr. Dante and just listening to his story and insight is just something I won’t forget. Learning about the time around when monster films were really big was cool to and just bridging the gap between film and history was a fun experience and I thank Prof. Schlegel for teaching all of us this semester.
Hey everybody! I guess this is the last blog that we will be writing for this class which is bittersweet. I’m not sure if there was a better way to end the class than to watch ‘Run Lola Run’! It literally displays a full circle moment AND although this semester has been difficult, in the end we did it! (too bad our reward wasn’t $100,000) At first, I was very spectacle of the movie. I am not a fan of cartoons and the beginning was just… weird, but as it went on I found myself appreciating this “weirdness” more and more. It gave the movie spunk and character that it otherwise wouldn’t have had. There are countless films out there where time it played with and characters live moments in their lives over again, but Run Lola Run was different than those other films.
Another element in this movie that makes it stand out is the story line. I am not sure I have ever watched a film with such a simple, yet complex plot as Run Lola Run… I mean, it is literally about finding $100,000 dollars and half of the run time is spent on watching Lola run (no wonder it’s called run time lol). I would go as far as to say that this kind of story line could not be pulled off in any other kind of movie, perhaps no other movie after this film was released. It is just so unique that if another film was produced that is similar, it would be completely obvious and not worth applause. I am not sure that the acting or editing/transitions were even that good in the film, but the way that Tom Tykwer used the storyline and cartoons together really made this film for me.
Something that stood out to me in this film as compared to the ones we have watched this semester is how the two main characters, Lola and Manny, have this Bonnie and Clyde dynamic going on. I am not sure if this is intentional, or just another example of the impact that Bonnie and Clyde still has on film today. Either way, it was really interesting for me to be able to make that connection after having watched so many new films over this semester. I also think that it is worth noting how different love is displayed in film (all over the world) from the 1920’s until present day cinema. I wonder if how we display love in film now is how love was viewed back then, but now society says that it is okay to show this side of love off publicly instead of holding it as a taboo subject.
Speaking of connections to other films we have watched, I think it is truly astonishing how much cinema has progressed throughout the years. This class has taught me a lot about how quickly technology improves and how creative the minds behind it are. We went from having to draw images with extremely small differences in them and flick through them so fast that there was an illusion of movement to hoping on the T.V. and watching Netflix every night before bed. In order to fully appreciate the technology in todays world, it is SO important to be reminded of how it was all started and film is a great way to study that progression.
After reflecting on what we have learned this semester, I realized that it didn’t take very long after pictures were beginning to be captured and mobilized for the art of motion picture to take-off. Taking a look at some of the films we watched, after Grand Hotel in 1932 major productions were coming out left and right! These films weren’t just your everyday movie… some of them are hits to this day, almost 100 years later. It has been interesting to see the progression of social norms from a film perspective. You sit in history class and hear about how things were in the past, but film actually captures views on life at different points in time. It also shows the changes in what was acceptable to talk about or show in public as society progressed. Look at the difference between Sunrise – A Song of Two Humans compared to L’Avventura or Bonnie and Clyde. The sexual scandal in Sunrise was ahead of its time at that point, but when you look at the opening scene of Bonnie and Clyde one would think that Sunrise was a show for kids to watch. Similarly with L’Avventura and all of the sex scenes/allegations incorporated into the movie… Sunrise is practically PG.
Along with the societal progression that we see in film over the years, we also see the content become more and more diverse. Suddenly there are genres for horror, drama, adventure, war, the list goes on and on. This is when producers began valuing creativity and expression over what society considered normal and functional to be displayed on screen. In my opinion, this is when film truly got interesting. I loved Bonnie and Clyde, Ruggles of Red Gap, Piranha, and Wild Strawberries. These films are all over the place in terms of genre, but they all show examples of creativity in the film industry which helps them to stick out for generations after their release.
Although there were some films which I didn’t particularly enjoy watching, I think that they along with the rest of our screenings have benefitted me both in knowledge and appreciation for the art of film. Without this class, I may not have ever seen half of the films that we saw this semester and in all honesty that would be disappointing. While these movies, especially the older ones gave me quite a bit of insight on the mechanics of technology and the history of society, they were also incredibly enjoyable to view! I know that I have benefitted academically and creatively throughout my experience this semester and hope that you all have as well! Thank you for all of the wonderful discussions and blogs this over these past few months!
Wow, can you believe it the last blog. What a wild semester it has been and what great films we have seen this semester. This week’s screening was none other than Run Lola Run directed by Tom Tykwer in 1998. This film reminded me of quite a few films I watched when I was younger. The film it most reminded me of was The Fifth Element directed by Luc Besson in 1997. Now for those of you who have seen The Fifth Element you can probably guess why I thought of it, Leeloo. Both Lola and Leeloo look alike, from the way they carry themselves to the way they look. There are so many things that they have in common. Another is that they both hold the key to stop the death of the ones they love. The plots are similar as well the men in both films are in trouble and you know what they say behind every great man is a great woman. In this case Lola and Leeloo are the great woman that save everyone.
This film was big on the sequence of making decisions at each decision having a different cause and effect. Which brings me to another found that Run Lola Run reminded me of, Before I fall directed by Ry Russo-Young in 2017 and Happy Death Day directed by Christopher Landon in 2017. All of these films deal with time loops, where the Actors repeat the same event or day over and over until they make the right decision or choose the right path to break the cycle. Then I was watching it reminded of films I have seen that deal with different timelines. I was reminded of this every time Lola pasted someone and their life story changed. Their life could have been bad at first and then second time Lola would pass these people their story would be the complete opposite.
This film’s sensory aspect was absolutely amazing as well as the music throughout the film. The setting of the film is very gloomy but here is Lola running all throughout her town in Germany with her bright red hair. The scenes from this film makes you feel like you are actually next to Lola running with her. It makes you get anxious to see if she’s actually going to make it in time. This film is 81 minutes long, however this film is in a span of 20 minutes. How is that possible, well this film is all about possibilities. We watch Lola make different decisions every time the clock resets, leaving her with 20 minutes to find $100,000. The same event happened three times throughout the film. Lola does the first option which was to the supermarket with her boyfriend and that story line ends with her dying. the second time it ends with her robbing her dad, who works at a bank, and her boyfriend dying. Then the third time’s a charm, she goes to a casino and wins the money and makes it on time to where she was supposed to meet her boyfriend at, however he’s not there. He what’s chasing the homeless man who ended up taking his money everything is sorted out and now they have an extra $100,000. Call it luck if you must but this film is all about benign the rules of the universe.
Coming back full circle into saying what an eventful semester it has been. We have watched so many amazing films this semester. many that I will probably watch again and recommend to a lot of people. I am not going to lie, I was really skeptical about watching many black and white films and recently watching films that are not in English. However, after watching them they have caught my attention more than American films. I am more interested now in silent pieces and I’m comfortable watching films and television shows that aren’t in English. One silent piece that we watched the semester was Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans directed by F.W. Murnau In 1927. This was the one that made me fall in love with silent black and white films. I absolutely love this film from the cinematography all the way to the characterization of the actors and the plot.
I realized a lot of the films we watched dealt with time. Whether it was the past catching up to you or wondering what the future holds add in some cases running out of time. In the film Out of Pass directed by Jacques Tourneur in 1947, the leading male Jeff Bailey tries to run away from his past however it ends up coming back to haunt him and he has to finish what he started. Another film that we watch that dealt with time was Wild Strawberries directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1959. This film was very confusing at first but as you continue to watch it you realize that it is about an old man turning his life around before his time on the Earth is up. It was almost as if this was a common theme in films because even in the film Bonnie and Clyde directed by Arthur Penn in 1967, reality finally caught up to them. To even this week’s film Run Lola Run we see reality being altered into different possibilities.
Then as the semester continued we saw film itself grow into something no one could have imagined. Every film is its own masterpiece of its time and even after, if I must say. Watching films from different time periods from different countries really open your eyes to how much film has grown. From having films only being black and white to now using CGI the growth of technology in films has only just begun and there’s no saying how further filming can go.
I want to end this blog by thanking Dr. Schlegel for opening my eyes to a different side of film. Also for introducing us to films that I fell in love with, I would’ve never thought to watch those films before taking this course. Thank you to everyone, it was a long semester but we finally made it through the storm.
Run Lola Run, I didn’t think the name of the movie would be so literal. I think 90 percent of the movie is her running. This girl has some wheels and she must be a track star because I know my big body self would not be running that much.
The movie starts out with Lola talking to her boyfriend on the phone and he is explaining the world of trouble he is in. If you ask me he brought it upon himself because how do you leave a bag of 100,000 marks behind on the train. If I was me and I was transporting a gang members money that bag would be glued to my hand it would never leave. People make mistakes though so he ended up leaving the 100,000 marks . Right from the beginning the boyfriend blames his trouble on Lola because she was late. This becomes a common theme throughout the film, they both end up robbing a bank and he once again says I wouldn’t be doing this if you came sooner. Something else I noticed in the film is Lola gets hit with adulthood in the film. She goes to her father for the money and instead of giving her the money he tells her nah I’m leaving you and your mom and I’m going to make an actual happy family. You know how much of a shit day that is, your boyfriend is on the verge of being killed because he can’t keep track of 100,000 marks, then your father basically tell you to fuck off he is going to make a better family. Not only that but then she gets caught up in a robbery because she was too late to get to her boyfriend.
Switching gears let’s talk a little about CGI and ILM ( Industrial Light and Magic. I enjoyed watching this. It was cool to learn about how they do CGI and how much of a process it actually is. It has never really crossed my mind on how they made the ships and everything else that was not the characters. I wanna say that I have way more respect for CGI than ever before. ILM made me more appreciative of CGI films like Star Wars and Gladiator. The film that I am most impressed with is transformers. The entire movie is basically CGI and those films are not short and do not lack any detail.
I enjoyed these films this week. Run Lola Run kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was a good action film. ILM made me appreciate films with CGI a lot more.
But let’s switch it up, let’s talk about this semester and the crazy journey we have been on in this class
Man what a year this year has been a chaotic one but this has been one of my favorite classes. Reading everyone’s blogs to see what they have had to say about our screenings was one of my favorite things about this class. The blogs were something new instead of turning in paper assignments or stuff like that. Before coming into this class I had little to no knowledge of film but this class taught me a lot
We started at the end of the 19th century with silent films. Before this class I did not know the importance of silent films. Silent films mapped out a foundation for our films today. We started with the Great Train Robbery. I never knew that I would actually enjoy a movie with no sound. This film was kind of low quality compared to us today. It was more of a chopped and cut by cut film. After we explored silent films a little bit we started to transition over to films with sound. This transition was drastic but subtle at the same time. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans is an example of how sound was in films, this film just had music playing in the background while the actors really set the mood with their acting. A trip to the Moon is another example of early sound and special effects in films, this film was more documentary style with props moving around a still camera.
Jumping forward a little bit, we started to learn more about early horror films like Frankenstein, and the Bride of Frankenstein. These two films are like the holy grail of early horror films. Frankenstein’s costume was terrifying to people, it was this big monster who was thought to want to kill everyone but in reality he just wanted a friend. Comparing Frankenstein to horror films today he looks like a child’s movie. More modern films are more focused on gore And violence like slasher films. I think the most scary thing we had watched in this class was The Fly. That nasty but awesome film was a great example of the things horror films today try to hit on. This mad scientist turns himself into a bug and just goes crazy, the props and makeup in the movie were in my opinion just phenomenal. During the transition from human to the fly he had body parts falling off, they had little robots that played the inside out monkey and the final form of The Fly.
With more gruesome and scary movies becoming popular it led us into the semester where we talked about censorship in films. One of the more famous forms of censorship we talked about was the Hays code. This set of rules limited the amount of sex that was allowed in films, it also did not allow interracial couples. Also same sex couple was not allowed. As films progressed on and the Hays code was later abolished we started to talk about how we rate films today. This film is not yet rated laid out perfect on what is wrong with the system today. They are very biased on what they let pass or not. In the film they discussed how if you got a NC-17 your film would basically not show, but there were no set rules on what could pass and what could not it is based on how they feel while watching the film.
Slowly crawling to the end of the semester we started talking about more modern films. I wanna give my group a little shout out, good work group four. I think we did a really good job and I will be watching Gladiator again. In more modern films like gladiator computer generated images or CGI is a big role. Also movies like transformers and Star Wars where they use a lot of CGI were great hits because of CGI. Gladiator and Star Wars we’re big films for the production of CGI.
This is a sad sad time but it brings us to the end of this course. This one of three of my classes that I got excited to attend. I loved reading your blogs. It was nice to see what everyone thought or analyzed from the films. Also I want to thank professor Schlegel for having this class. It was so much fun and I learned a lot, and I also can’t forget about meeting Joe Dante. It was cool to meet an actual director. Well I hope you all the best and nothing but success. It has been a pleasure.
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History of the Motion Picture 