To Freak, So Chic!
Welcome back class, did you manage to escape last weeks film unbitten? We started off the period in films that introduced talking with quite a mouthful wouldn't you agree? Sorry no more biting jokes I promise. A little warning, this weeks film gets a little freaky, but before we can get to it lets talk Dracula!
Dracula:
Bela Lugosi's Dracula, the film from which all other modern vampire movies spring from was our assignment last week. While all of the movies we have watched up to this point have been interesting, I don't think I enjoyed any of them as much as I did Dracula. Dracula was expertly crafted in every way possible. From the cinematography, to the audio production, to the acting this film was excellent in all regards. The two things that need special attention are the Lighting design and Bela Lugosi's performance itself. The lighting was amazing and established a perfect mood throughout the entire film. The lighting also helped with what would have to be considered an early special effect. When Dracula was using his hypnotic abilities on the minds of others the effect of highlighting his eyes while letting the rest of the scene darken was simple yet communicated perfectly what was happening. Like I said before, from a technical stand point I found the movie perfect and beautiful to watch.
That brings us to Bela Lugosi and his performance of the titular count. Even with the film being perfectly crafted from a technical stand point, it could have easily been a joke if not for the high caliber acting brought by Lugosi. Lugosi plays the count with a subtlety that is not generally associated with Dracula. Too often Dracula is portrayed as an over the top Liberace who drinks blood, but Lugosi gives the Count all of the grace that someone who has a royal title would exhibit. After watching this movie it is actually a little disappointing that when people think of Dracula they are more likely to think the Count from Sesame Street than they are Bela Lugosi, the Original Dracula.This Weeks Homework:
Are you ready to get freaky and join the circus? This week we have a horror film of an entirely different breed. This week we are watching the 1932 film Freaks. This film is notroiously famous for one of the scenes during its climax. I am not going to spoil it for you, but this is a film that will mess with your head. Another point of interest is all of the so called "Freaks" in this film were actually well known circus side show performers. So grab your peanuts and popcorn, we are going to the circus to watch "Freaks"!
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