Waltz with Bashir

This animated film is based on the Lebanon War in 1982 and his experience. The soldier is in search of some of his lost memories and wonders why he cannot recollect some of his experiences by speaking to others and trying to regain parts of which he can remember to piece together the full story.

Notes:

• Character shares his concerns and issues with his friend. The constant use of smoking and drinking could show stressed the character feels.
• We also see from physical appearance:

Beard Stubble

Unbuttoned Shirt

Blank/Emotionless facial expressions.

From this we can an idea of how the character may feel and how the creator would like to portray his feelings. Appearance can say what words can’t.

• The use of colours at the beginning during his ‘flashbacks’ dictates the mood of the film. The use of limited colours can speak for itself and depict the environment.
• Approx. 7:20 – we hear quite sad/emotional background music. This mixed with a limited colour palette sets the tone and atmosphere. It can tell us that it could have been quite a traumatic/emotional ordeal for the character.
• The fact that the main character can not remember specific memories about his time during the war adds mystery to the film from the onset. It gives the film direction, in the sense of it becomes a journey for the character and for us the viewers.

Voices of Ground Zero:

This documentary is based on the tragic events that took place on the morning of September 11^th, 2001. The footage is filmed by journalists who were in Manhattan and around ground zero. The journalist interview members of the public who watch the events unfold during the morning. We hear the thoughts of New Yorkers; from anger to shock to sadness and despair. Many come up with their own theories of what happened on that tragic morning.

Notes: 

• From the beginning we hear music that causes suspense, followed by sirens, which indicates something bad has happened.
• Footage cuts between interviews and the burning towers multiple times at the beginning as if it is a small introduction to what is happening while the soundtrack plays in the background.
• The narrator describes the type of morning it was on the morning of September 11^th and how the public are getting on with their daily activities and describing the weather, sports, news headlines.
• The narrator then states the time and describes how the event unfolds/ We see footage of by-standers looking congregated on the streets watching above and emergency services on the way to the scene.
• The narrator continues to give a timeline of the events as they unfold after each significant time of event.
• The journalists catch different versions of footage, some from a further distance where we can see the towers from quite far away, which magnifies the damages done.
• Throughout most of the film we hear emergency services sirens; this is a constant reminder of how involved they were throughout the stages of event.
• Journalists capture footage of live news reports from parked vehicles in which the public are listening to.
• We see actual footage of the second plane hitting the second tower.
• The journalists capture footage of the rumbling tower as it collapses, with everyone running in panic and shock.

Lone Survivor:

This is a film based on a true story, about four Navy SEALs during a reconnaissance mission who end up being ambushed by members of the Taliban. It dramatizes the real-life mission Operation Red Wings and its unsuccess where we see self-sacrifice and heroism at its finest.

Notes:

• During the opening sequence footage from the documentary: Navy SEALs – BUDS Class 234. Despite Lone Survivor being a feature film showing part of a real military documentary shows more authenticity towards the storyline.
•  Trauma shown from the beginning where we see the character Marcus Luttrell wounded and being resuscitated by medics. Therefore, from the beginning we have an idea of how it may end for that character.
• While the 4 main character are talking at a table (Approx. 16:20) the camera angel circles round the table while they talk. This camera angle technique may have been used to signify the bond and important between the characters.
• Approx. 20:03 we see aerial shots of chinook helicopters flying over the mountains of Afghanistan
• Approx. 35:30 The 4 soldiers come across 3 locals in the mountains. The music starts to build the suspense, until a decision is made on what to do with the locals, it stops abruptly.
• Approx. 01:08:15 We see the first solider Danny get mortally injured.
• Approx. 01:17:30 We see the second solider and leader Mike get killed whilst sacrificing himself to gain signal and call for extra support.
• Approx. 01:25:40 We see the tired solider Axe get killed after being separated from Marcus.
• All throughout the gun fight the sound effects are extremely real and accurate, even down to the silenced gunshots. Explosions from grenades are also important along with the ‘ear ringing’ sound effect that comes after.