Tag Archives: opening scene

Rush Hour

tumblr_m2ked2LVfP1qdm3xfo2_250 Rush Hour Starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan Happens to my favorite movie of all times. This flim is based on characters created by Ross LaManna and was released in 1998. The Opening scene to this movie in my opinion is the best opening scene I have ever seen for a action/comedy movie. This opening scene captures the viewers and give them an everlasting taste of what is to come in the rest of the flim. Carter (Chris Tucker) who in this scene, is trying to bust a guy for selling explosives (C4) is interrupted by two other officers in uniform. C4 is some of the most deadly explosives there is and should be taken very seriously but in this scene Carter is pretty jokey and lighten the mood of the movie. Even while engaging in a gun battle in the traffic heavy streets of LA , Carter finds a way to bring comic relief to the tense situation. When he does apprehend the  guy in which he was trying to bust he began to dance like his good friend Michael Jackson in the street after the car explodes because of the c4.  This to me engagages the viewers and make them yearn for whats next to come.

Homework #2: Opening Scenes-The Matrix, an example of Bordwell and Thompson’s ‘hard’ opening?

Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) in opening scene of The Wachowski Brothers, The Matrix (1999)
Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) in opening scene of The Wachowski Brothers, The Matrix (1999)

Bordwell and Thompson begin chapter 2 in Film Art with a discussion of the importance of opening scenes in movies by contrasting the differences between two Steven Spielberg movies, Jurassic Park (1993) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Bordwell and Thompson describe the start of Jurassic Park as a “hard” opening filled with action that helps build suspense toward an encounter with a T-rex. The beginning of The Matrix is similar to the what Bordwell and Thompson describe as a ‘hard’ opening. According to movie legend the opening sequence of The Matrix was filmed first and cost $10M. Studio executives were so impressed with the opening that they funded the entire project, which in the end cost over $60M.

Share with the class a favorite opening scene by including a link in your post (video.google.com and youtube are good sources for video clips) and discuss why you find the opening so compelling. If you can’t find a clip and want to discuss a film anyway, include a link or an image to the movie.

To complete this homework assignment, note whether you Post or Comment. For Homework #2, Diamonds and Spades will submit a Post and Clubs and Hearts will Comment (choose any of your classmates’ posts to comment on).

To students submitting a Post, please check off the category Student Post and please tag your posts (i.e., add the name of the movie as your tag)! In order to post, you have to be a member of the class, simply click “Join” on the Class Profile to become a member. If you’re unsure how to submit a post, follow the instructions under Blogging Guidelines and/or contact me!

To students submitting a Comment, choose any of your classmates’ posts to comment on. Watch the clip in their post and tell the class what you think are its strengths/weaknesses.

Homework #2 is DUE BEFORE CLASS September 17th.‹Diamonds and Spades Post, Clubs and Hearts Comment, note your blog group! Email me if you forget.