Even though it was not necessarily similar to current Hollywood horror films, I would still denote “The Vanishing” as a horror film, for many reasons. First, horror films use the idea of suspense to bring about emotional responses in the viewers. In the very beginning of the film, when Rex and Saskia run out of gasoline in the tunnel I could not help but feel a certain suspense quickly build. When the gasoline runs out, the shot is fairly lit, because they are inside the car. However, the dialogue between Rex and Saskia remind the viewer that this is indeed a dangerous situation, because the oncoming traffic will not be able to see them. Then the camera goes to the beginning of the tunnel showing a truck entering the tunnel validating the dialogue the viewer just heard. When the camera goes back to the car, we see that both characters are getting nervous. Saskia goes through her belongings to find a flashlight but is originally unable to find it. While she is frantically looking for a flashlight, Rex decides to leave the car and walk down the tunnel. While the camera follows Rex down the dark tunnel, the viewer hears Saskia frantically screaming Rex’s name. Despite the screaming, Rex continues to walk down the tunnel and when the light hits his face, Rex actually gives a small smirk. As a result, I feel that this scene utilizes many different characteristics representative in a horror film. First, this scene is established with Saskia bringing about a potential conflict when she notices that the amount of fuel in the car is low. Next, this scene uses the darkness of the tunnel to foreshadow a possible conflict and to bring about a sense of uneasiness in the viewer. After, the scene uses the tension and excitement of the dialogue between Saskia and Rex to even further the tension felt by the viewer. Lastly, the viewer gets a sense of the loneliness felt by Saskia as Rex walked away. As a result, I feel that this scene encompasses many attributes of a horror film.

I also felt that this was a horror film, because it gave a look into the mind of a psychopath. Typically, viewers of horror films get to know psychopaths from the perspective of the protagonist. However, in this film the viewer was forced into the mind of the psychopath and heard the reasons why he did the horrible things he did through the dialogue he had with Rex. As a result, I feel that this is the main reason that the Vanishing is denoted as a horror film, because it forces the viewer into the mind that he or she feels uncomfortble to enter.

I do not think that The Killer of Sheep will be in my list of top ten movies. Although the film had a few redeeming qualities that I found commendable and interesting, I absolutely found The Killer of Sheep very difficult to watch simply, because it lacked so many of the characteristics that I feel are necessary in a film. I typically enjoy films with character development where the main character undergoes a kind of struggle and in the process the viewer learns more about the main character. The Killer of Sheep had little to no character development, because Stan, the main character, never really had a specific struggle. Stan was not posed with an immanent problem that had to be solved, instead, we the viewers watched him aimlessly go through his day.

I also found the camera work to be inconsistent and frustrating. The camera would remain on a scene of children playing for very long periods of time. However, in other instances, the camera would randomly jump from place to place and lacked continuity when actions were taking place. For example, Stan had a guest over and the guest made a joke and started laughing hysterically; however, the camera remained on the guest and did not show Stan’s reaction although during the whole conversation it had been going back and forth between the two characters. As a result, I found the inconsistent shot lengths to be fairly frustrating.

Overall, I felt that this movie lacked those qualities that would make this movie something that I would watch for enjoyment. However, I will say that this film was interesting, because it was different. Instead of watching a fictional story, I felt as if I was watching a National Geographic documentary on humans in their natural habitat. I feel that this movie could be used for some kind of thesis to prove what life was like for African Americans in that certain time period. As a result, I found The Killer of Sheep interesting and thought provoking but not necessarily fun to watch.

Clint Eastwood’s aura is simply due to his contemplative nature that he brings to every single character he portrays. His slow motions and thoughtful nature is vital for the acceptance of his characters by the viewer. Most people have moral standards and very easily relate themselves to a hero of high morals. Countless movies are about the quintessential hero who does no wrong and goes about life trying to make life better for himself and others. However, some if not all of Clint Eastwood characters have a dark side but this is accepted by the viewers, because of his characters contemplative nature. Every motion, whether it is talking slowly in a deep raspy voice or slowly reaching for a gun, his characters always seem to have some sort of plan. His characters always seem to have thought through their actions with great care and due to this care and contemplation the typical viewer of the film accepts this hero despite his certain lack of typical moral code.

Furthermore, my father loves Clint Eastwood movies, especially The Good the Bad and the Ugly, and ever since I was a young child, whenever the movie was being showed on television he would immediately get extremely excited and watch the entire film despite the fact the film is three hours long. Until now, I never could really appreciate his love of this movie, because I was much like Kael in the article "Western Go Home! Sergio Leone and the Death of the Western in american Film Criticism," by William McClain. I expected a western where I could easily identify myself as the hero. However, I believe it takes a certain kind of maturity and confidence to relate oneself to a person that is not perfect such as a Clint Eastwood’s character, Blondie. Blondie was pragmatic and used society’s obligations to his own advantage but never goes against his own moral code which does not necessarily align with society’s moral code. He had his own way of looking at the world and was strong in his convictions and as a result exudes a certain masculinity because of his confidence.  As a result, Clint Eastwood brought about his aura by using his general contemplative nature and by using the use of his confidence in his own convictions and moral code resulting in a different kind of hero that intrigues the viewer, because it is certainly different from any other hero ever seen.

Although Awara is from a completely different time and location, I feel that this film had a great deal of similarities with current popular Hollywood movies. As I was watching Awara, I could not help but feel as if I was watching a cartoon that was being portrayed through real people.  Through the use of exaggerated expression, music, dancing, and a basic plot of good versus bad, I felt as if I was actually watching a Disney film. There were many times in which the characters seemed to be expressing their emotions of anger and love in a way that was almost too obvious. Second, the use of music and dancing in the film is reminiscent of old Disney movies where one of the main characters would burst into spontaneous sound and start dancing. Lastly, all animated movies have a deranged villain who generally plays a large role in the plot of the movie. This villain acts out of vengeance and greed and multiple times through the movie has monologues as to why he or she is doing their horrible tasks. This could be seen through Jagga, the villain in Awara who frequently would reminded the viewer that he was training the son of the judge to be a bandit for the sole purpose of seeking vengeance on the judge.  As a result, I feel that Awara has many similarities with current popular animated movies.