Thursday, April 9, 2009

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

 1. What is your favorite scene in the film and why?

Although there are many scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed in the film "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" I must say that my favourite was the scene when the 4 men travel to the radio station and record the Soggy Bottom Boys soon to be hit single, "Man Of Constant Sorrow". I enjoyed this scene so much as it is both unexpected and entertaining. You would not expect these three escaped prisoners would have such smooth and melodic voices. However, we soon learn that they are up-and-coming country superstars! This scene is ironic in that all the men wanted was their 10 dollars for recording a single, however it resulted in an uncontrollable love and admiration for them and their music throughout the little town in Mississippi. 

2. Research and find pictures that you've seen with the starring actors. Discuss their range as actors and what you find interesting about their work.

GEORGE CLOONEY 
                                                          
       Starring In: Spy Kids and Burn After Reading
 
Clearly from the two movies I have shown above that George Clooney has starred in he is not an actor that is restricted to one type of movie. Burn after reading is a new type of comedy and isn't the typical slapstick hollywood "funny". In complete opposition to this Spy Kids is a children's action movie about, as you could probably tell from the name, kids who are spies. Furthermore, this shows George Clooney's versatility and the vastness of roles that he can effectively portray. 

JOHN TUTURRO
     
Starring In: Transformers and Don't Mess With the Zohan

John Turturro is an actor unlike any other. Although many people are not as familiar with him as say George Clooney, he is a comedic genius in whatever role he is playing. This actor is so unique as he is able to bring a smile onto the faces of audiences regardless of how villainous his character may be. 
                                          
3. What reasons are given for the alterations in colour in the film? How do you feel about them? What do they contribute to the film?
It is clear when watching the film that its colour tones are different from most movies, as the creators used digital colour correction, which gives the movie a sepia-tinted appearance. It was said by the cinematographer of the film "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou" that the reason for this tint was,

"Ethan and Joel (Coen) favored a dry, dusty Delta look with golden sunsets. They wanted it to look like an old hand-tinted picture, with the intensity of colors dictated by the scene and natural skin tones that were all shades of the rainbow."

I feel as though that this was a good decision on the part of the Coen brothers as it fits the theme of the film perfectly. The warm yellow tones are suited to the Mississippi setting and give the audience a warm and almost cozy feeling while watching the movie. Furthermore, it creates what is called "Magic Hour" throughout the film and the yellow glow makes it appears as though the sun is always just about to rise or set.

4. Find 5 'references' to other films or stories in the movie and list them.
Reference 1: In the scene where the trio and George Nelson are sitting around the fire after the robbery at Itta Bena, there are Greek columns in the background. 
Reference 2: The scene where Ulysses, Pete and Delmar come upon the KKK meeting is a reference to the scene in The Wizard of Oz (1939) when the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion sneak up on the Witch's castle. The chanting and formation marching of the Witch's guards are mimicked by the KKK members. Infiltration is achieved in both films by overpowering three guards and KKK members respectively and donning their garb.

Reference 3: The cabin in the valley before it is flooded is a replica of the cabin from The Evil Dead (1981), a movie directed by Sam Raimi, a friend and co-conspirator of the Coens.
Reference 4: When Everett, Pete, Delmar, and Tommy encounter the sheriff at the cabin, the sheriff remarks, "End of the road, boys. It's had its twists and turns." The opening line of The Odysseyis "Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns."
Reference 5: Everett also comes back to stop the marriage and fight Vernon, much as Odysseus comes back to kill the suitors. Everett, however, is badly beaten by Vernon, perhaps creating a parallel with Telemachus' inability to discharge his mother's suitors.

5. Discuss any other Coen Brothers movies you have seen with respect to this one based on criteria of your own choosing.
Other Coen Brother films that I have seen include Burn After Reading and No Country For Old Men. All of these films can be enjoyed by both movie enthusiatists as well as average people who just go to be entertained. The plotlines of all three films are easy to follow however, if you are a true movie lover it is nearly impossible to not notice all of the undertones and references.

6. What did you think of the music in the film? 
Probably the reason I enjoyed the movie most was because of the soundtrack and after watching the film I found myself humming "Man of Constant Sorrow" uncontrollably. All of the music in the film was very fitting to the setting and theme of the movie, and had a country, bluesy feeling. 

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