Ultimate Film List

 

 

Warning: May contain subjectivity.

I will be compiling a list of my favourite films, in no particular order of favouritism of course, that would be far too tricky. Each choice will be classified into a genre and will be analysed for brief examples of iconography, codes and conventions used to assist in classifying it to that particular genre.

1. Shutter Island

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Shutter Island is the latest collaboration to date between directorial heavy-weight Martin Scorsese and the awe-inspiring Leonardo DiCaprio. With these two names attached to any film, you know you're going to be in for a treat. Shutter Island is a Psychological Thriller which takes place on a mental institution/prison in 1950's Boston, USA. A patient has mysteriously gone missing from her high security cell with no evidence of a struggle or any eyewitness accounts of her escape from the orderlies. US Marshalls Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) are ordered to investigate, but the island offers more enigma than that of an escaped inmate.

It's a challenge to list Codes and Conventions of a Thriller, particularly when they don't fall under the category of a "formula film". Scorsese, in my opinion can be considered an auteur in his profession as he likes to put his own styles, trademarks and twists on his films regardless of their genre which can mostly make them hard to classify, but the admiration for his creativity also adds to the appreciation of his work.

 

Codes and Conventions:

• Mise-en-scene; weather and elements can greatly impact the mood or feel of a particular scene. In Shutter Island, shortly after arrival the already overcast and bleak weather turns to torrential rain which remains constant throughout the entire film. This mirrors the atmosphere of the island, it's cold and unpredictable, which may mirror some definitions of a film under the 'Mystery' genre.
• Stock characters: In thrillers the main character tends to be either a hero or an anti-hero. In Shutter Island the label switches from the first to the former. However, the fact that the main character is a form of authority allows Shutter Island to fall nicely into the 'mystery' genre as it shows that there is a case that needs solving by a government official.
• Narrative: A common convention of a 'thriller' film is a twist, this may also cross over into the 'mystery' genre. The fact of the matter is, it keeps you guessing and on your toes and when cleverly disguised, a twist can substantially impact the enjoyment of viewer and get their pulse racing.
• Diagetic sounds: Most of the music throughout is quite heavy and dramatic which adds tension to the story.

Iconography:

• Fog - There is alot of this used in Shutter Island as the detectives are digging for clues and it is an instant reflection of enigma constructed in a 'mystery' film. Fog is dense and covers up all, like the case has been covered up.
• Marshall Badges - A common code for 'mystery' films is that the protagonist is an enforcer of the law and the badges show the importance of the case that needs solving.
• Lighting - The contrast of the picture is usually bleak and in scenes where investigation is taking place, there is lots of dark areas of space in the shot adding to the sense of 'unknown'.

2. Trainspotting

Genre: Crime, Drama

Trainspotting is a British film directed by the Manchester born director Danny Boyle. The story takes place in 90's Edinburgh, Scotland and follows the journey of Renton (McGregor) who is fighting a battle with heroin addiction and losing until he has a wake up call in a famous scene involving an infant, and intervention from his parents. His sobriety however isn't going to made easy when his degenerate friends Sickboy (Miller) and Begby (Carlyle) are on the scene.

Codes and Conventions:

• Stock characters: When discussing 'drama' there is usually a hero and a villain, with inclusion of a best friend. Trainspotting follows this formula with Renton acting as the hero (or maybe even anti-hero), Begby and Sickboy acting as the villains and Spud as the best friend.
• Mise-en-scene: In Trainspotting, almost every establishment where a scene takes place is a run down building in a poor and deprived area. This is to reflect the hardships of the people involved and the roughness of the area. Poverty is usually a large factor as to why people turn to crime and the settings throughout the film support the protagonists choice to take the path of recreational drugs and theft be able to cope. This supports the placement of Trainspotting under the 'crime' genre.
• Plots: In a large majority of 'Drama' pieces there is usually a romantic encounter which acts as a minor distraction to the main storyline. Trainspotting matches that theory with Renton having an albeit brief relationship with Diane. The mutual love is immediately out of the frame as Renton discovers that she is an underage school-girl.
• Motifs: Diagetic sound. Alot of the soundtrack used throughout the film is trendy rock music and contemporary popular tunes. Edgy rock music is usually associated with the 'crime' genre.

Iconography:

• Drugs: A well used prop in almost every 'crime' film to date.
• Money: A motive for 'crime would be to make as much money as readily available.
• Pubs: A common setting for "criminals" to meet or even for a person to "drown their sorrows" in a Drama.

3. Casino

Genre: Crime, Biographical, Gangster

I'm afraid to say that Scorsese will be getting a few mentions in this list, as I said at the start, there may be some subjectivity. It is my opinion that Scorsese is a genius and in fact my favourite director.

Casino follows the story of Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (DeNiro) in 1970's Las Vegas, USA. This film gives an insight to the criminal underworld that at the time would control Las Vegas with no challenge, whether that be down to bribes to district officials or violence to deter. Casino shows how a relationship turning sour can change a sure-fire arrangement into a complicated, power-struggle for control over a valuable asset. Be it in this case both a Casino and the affections of a woman.

Codes and Conventions:

• Locations: There are many scenes set in gangster "hangouts" whether they be in the back room of a liquor store of the VIP room of a Casino. Hangouts are key to 'Crime' films especially when the subject matter is the mob, as it can impact hugely on the narrative by the decision of one man.
• Narrator: It would obviously make sense for there to be a protagonist in a biographical film. However in one such as Casino the main character is constantly giving a voice over to gather more context about the current situation in the scenes shown and the relationships and opinions of other characters
• Themes: Greed. The fuel of a mafia-based film is that money is the be-all and end all, there's always lots of it around, but there's never enough and it's down to one person wanting more than their fair share to destroy the balance of an organisation.

Iconography:

• Poker table: A very famous icon to gangster films. All of the associates gathered around a table in a back room playing a game of cards. Perhaps most iconic in The Godfather.
• Cigars/Cigarettes: In almost every mafia-influenced movie their is a Don in a huge house behind a desk smoking hand rolled-cuban cigars which have been rolled on the thighs of a virgin.
• Iconic Actors: Robert DeNiro as we all well know is not guilty of being typecast, but it is apparent that he is excellent in the role of a gangster and for collaboration with Scorsese. We only need to look at Casino, Goodfellas and Mean Streets to see that he is an icon to the 'Gangster' genre.

4. Pulp Fiction

Genre: Crime, Thriller, Dark Comedy

Pulp Fiction is the second instalment is Tennessee born director Quentin Tarantino's career. Pulp Fiction was an instant success and was subject to much critical acclaim and still features regularly at the high end of 'best films' lists to date.

Codes and Conventions:

• Themes - Greed: Pulp Fiction is fuelled by money and power. The entire story is based on people thinking they can take what they want from others. This is stereotypical of 'crime'.
• Plots: Hitmen. These characters are usually associated with both Crime and Thriller films as a form of villain.

Iconography:

• Guns - A common weapon for gangsters or in fact any 'crime' or 'thriller' film.
• Hitmen - Associated with crime movies, especially when dressed in suits, it portays them to be "professional" killers
• The famous "rape" scene - and icon in itself when Bruce Willis is selecting his weapon of choice as his conscience kicks in.

5. Back to the Future

Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi

Back to The Future is set in 80's America and tells the story of high school student Marty McFly (Fox) who is inadvertently sent back through time 30 years by way of a time machine built from a DeLorean automobile by Doctor 'Doc' Emmett Brown (Lloyd). His time machine is out of power and he needs to find a way to get back to 1985 without jepoardising his future existence. Which won't be an easy task after he's taken to by his mother from 1955.

Codes and Conventions:

• Mise-en-Scene: Lots of use of blue, particuarly in the scenes where time travel is taking place.
• Plots: The fact alone that it is a film based on time travel suggests that it's science-fiction.
• Motifs - Diagetic sound. Particuarly around the time machine their are lots of futuristic, robotic noises as background audio.

Iconography:

• Characters - Mad Scientist - Doc Brown
• Colours - Blue, White - Show futuristic nature of film as they connote steel, electricity etc.