Wizard of Oz: Hit Me With Your Best Shot
March 7th 2013 03:02
My submission for Hit Me With Your Best Shot version The Wizard of Oz, as hosted by The Film Experience.
The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939)
The Wizard of Oz is a film that was ingrained in my childhood as something I always loved yet maybe didn’t fully understand why. Now, it’s a film I will consistently watch whenever it is on TV and not just as a “background” film either. That’s because my eyes are constantly drawn to it, absorbing the cinematography, the art direction, and the popping colors when Dorothy arrives in Oz.
When I see the trailers and TV spots for Raimi’s new film, a piece of my heart sinks; the colors I’m seeing aren’t natural, the visual effects are cartoonish and overt. In 1939, Cinemascope and (glorious!) Technicolor allowed a fascinating, gorgeous film to be made. 74 years later and Hollywood has succumb to overwrought special effects and a mindset that excess = quality. This simply isn’t the case. I would take the gorgeous shots and visuals from the original 1939 film than anything I’ve seen thus far of Raimi’s latest (except, perhaps, the black and white shots of the hot air balloon).
To pick one shot from The Wizard of Oz seems impossible. However there was one that immediately jumped out at me:
This shot seems like it should be something out of a thriller or a horror film. As if a killer has taken to writing on the wall, stating “you’re next” or something equally horrifying. Except this is in the sky, a grand scale threat, and the witch is telling Dorothy to surrender. “Surrender.“ Such strong verbiage. The shot itself is perfectly framed; the moment evoked intense and jarring.
Other shots that were very strong contenders:
It’s one of the most obvious choices but, seriously, just look at it. It’s stunning. And the slow reveal is one of the best in cinematic history.
I love the music that fits perfectly with this shot. The colors are irrestiably. Those ruby red slippers contrasting with the sharp yellow of the brick road. It's a feast for the eyes.
(screencaps found here)
What's your favorite shot?
The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939)
The Wizard of Oz is a film that was ingrained in my childhood as something I always loved yet maybe didn’t fully understand why. Now, it’s a film I will consistently watch whenever it is on TV and not just as a “background” film either. That’s because my eyes are constantly drawn to it, absorbing the cinematography, the art direction, and the popping colors when Dorothy arrives in Oz.
When I see the trailers and TV spots for Raimi’s new film, a piece of my heart sinks; the colors I’m seeing aren’t natural, the visual effects are cartoonish and overt. In 1939, Cinemascope and (glorious!) Technicolor allowed a fascinating, gorgeous film to be made. 74 years later and Hollywood has succumb to overwrought special effects and a mindset that excess = quality. This simply isn’t the case. I would take the gorgeous shots and visuals from the original 1939 film than anything I’ve seen thus far of Raimi’s latest (except, perhaps, the black and white shots of the hot air balloon).
To pick one shot from The Wizard of Oz seems impossible. However there was one that immediately jumped out at me:
This shot seems like it should be something out of a thriller or a horror film. As if a killer has taken to writing on the wall, stating “you’re next” or something equally horrifying. Except this is in the sky, a grand scale threat, and the witch is telling Dorothy to surrender. “Surrender.“ Such strong verbiage. The shot itself is perfectly framed; the moment evoked intense and jarring.
Other shots that were very strong contenders:
It’s one of the most obvious choices but, seriously, just look at it. It’s stunning. And the slow reveal is one of the best in cinematic history.
I love the music that fits perfectly with this shot. The colors are irrestiably. Those ruby red slippers contrasting with the sharp yellow of the brick road. It's a feast for the eyes.
(screencaps found here)
What's your favorite shot?
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