[Light vs. Shadow] Film Discussion Thread!

[hazelkrs1]

 

Welcome to the Light vs. Shadow Film Discussion Thread!

 

Here we will discuss, examine, and probe into the Light vs. Shadow theme and how it is expressed in cinema. It's not just as simple as good vs. evil either; many don't notice it outright but often directors and cinemaphotographers work tirelessly to achieve the right balance in light and shadow in their shots. A lot of work is done to try and artifically capture light and shadow effects as well, to help translate the story visually. Even in terms of the musical score and sound effects, there is an attempt to create the same effect that you get with the flame and the void, which is another analogy for light vs. shadow.

 

So enjoy yourselves here and feel completely free to offer your input into the discussion, I consider myself a movie buff as many others on Dragonmount seem to be, and here is a perfect chance for you to sound off on your favorite movies and how they relate to the theme of light vs. shadow.

 

Note: This is a generally open-ended conversation and all viewpoints are appreciated and encouraged, however please try to keep the discussion focused on the theme this thread is about and try to contain your urge to spam

[hazelkrs1]

To start things off, let's examine the classical sense of Light vs. Shadow that we most often see: Good vs. Evil. Obviously it's not difficult to find a movie which uses this theme, but some employ it much more expertly than others.

 

What are some of your favorite movies that feature the fight of good against evil, and how do you feel they use Light and Shadow to communicate the story to the viewer?

[Talya]

I have to say, my favourite films have to be Lord of the rings and Star Wars...both sets have a good and evil side. having this in a film really seems to make it a hit. I'm sure a lot of the top films have this in to a degree. In both these examples though are those that get corrupted and come back to the light, this I think appeals to a lot of people, there is redemption for those that really seem to have fallen under the evil power (whatever it might be). Star wars is very obvious in this, where as Lord of the Rings is much more subtle. This may due to the ages that they try to appeal too.

 

Star wars is much more obvious with it's black and white, Lord of the Rings is not, allowing the evil to move slowly into all areas and suducing those there. (eg Saurman, Boromir).

[Pantsonfire]

And even in Frodo's growing madness towards the end. As the ring's corruption sets in.....

[hazelkrs1]

Lord of the Rings and Star Wars are definitely huge archetypes for this theme, especially Star Wars with it's "Dark Side". One of the biggest draws to fantasy in general I've noticed is it's representation of good vs. bad. Which makes it kind of interesting that fantasy genre movies have become so popular nowadays.

 

What about vengeance movies? Have you ever noticed how much we love antiheroes? I love the job they've done with the X-men movies, and Wolverine is such a huge hit in those films. Part of this is Hugh Jackman I'll admit, he's definitely some eye candy for the female fans out there lol. I think it has more to do with the blend of good and bad in him however. Any one else have any good suggestions for antiheroes?

[Ithillian Turambar]

In star wars you actually see Luke's journey to the almost dark side in his attire. He begins the films wearing white. Wears grey in number 2 and finally wears black in Jedi. I have to say that Jedi is my favourite because Luke is just much more interesting :)

 

The Nightwatch series of films were very intiguing in that even the 'light' faction were pretty dark and grim. Of course V in Vendetta was gloriously dark - but in a wonderful and righteous manner. Who would not totally side with him. And the bad angels 'Maaaaaaaaat Daaaaaaaaammmooooooon' in Dogma were hilariously funny - and you did kind of root for them as they lifted the little people up and dropped them and tried to get one over on God.

 

*might have gone off topic slightly sorry*

[Turin Turambar]

In Star Wars there are other smaller glimpses of redemption as well. Take Han Solo, He was a smuggler that worked for a mafia boss(Jabba) that ended up overcoming his selfish nature to save the day.

 

(btw Ithi, LOVE Dogma.)

[hazelkrs1]

ROFL we've already brought up several great movies. Dogma is actually a great example because it flips some of the common notions about good and evil and light and shadow on their heads. It fairly overtly suggests that God is infallible, and plays with some of the traditional catholic roles all over the place (Selma Hayek as a Muse :drool:)

 

What about movies that focus more on the blending of good and evil, not just the transformation between? Most of the time they're referred to as dark comedies, but they usually have an interesting mixture of both light and dark themes. Magnolia, while crazy long, did a good job with this I think.

[Talya]

I haven't seen Magnolia, but I LOVED Dogma. As for the Anti hero, they do tend to be good, with a dark side. Han Solo, was a rogue, smuggler etc, but he didn't have a bad heart, so turned out to be good. I think that is the difference, they maybe on the wrong side, but there is something about them that is good and so appeals to people. One of my other fav films is Boondock Saints. Those tow do some awful things, but they do them to awful people so it finds you siding with them and rooting for them at the end!

[Leelou]

Movies that I see as light and dark:

 

Donnie Darko - You have a troubled teen (Donnie Darko) who is faced with an alternate reality collapsing around him. We follow him as he goes down a dark path to find light in the end. During his journey, he made peace with his family, found love and destroyed a man who was into kiddie porn. He destroys the alternate reality so that everything can be better for those he touched.

 

Pan's Labyrinth - Very dark movie. If you can stand Spanish with English subtitles, it is a must see. It is a dark fairy tale following a young girl, Ofelia, in Spain 1944. It mixes a reality of fascist reign with strange and magical creatures in a overgrown labyrinth.

 

Any Disney movie - There is always good vs. evil in Disney movies. Some of them are quite dark while others are more on the lighter side.

[hazelkrs1]

Pan's Labyrinth was so epic! Also did a nice job of flipping the conventional fantasy genre on it's head with the ending...

 

@ Donnie Darko: very good movie as well. I also like the visuals, and for being a very dark movie has a good many scenes in daylight and stuff.

 

Boondock Saints is just epic. Nuff said. Actually that's not true, everyone go ahead and say something about how awesome the Saints are. Just please don't flame the sequel too hard

[Leelou]

Their Irish and from Boston, what's not to love? :p

[Ithillian Turambar]

Pan's Labyrinth made me cry.

[Leelou]

What about vengeance movies? Have you ever noticed how much we love antiheroes? I love the job they've done with the X-men movies, and Wolverine is such a huge hit in those films. Part of this is Hugh Jackman I'll admit, he's definitely some eye candy for the female fans out there lol. I think it has more to do with the blend of good and bad in him however. Any one else have any good suggestions for antiheroes?

 

*drools about Hugh Jackman*

 

Catwoman aka Selina Kyle (soon to be played by Anne Hathaway ) is a good example of an antihero. She's mainly a burglar, is against killing, is enemies of Batman but has been known to help him from time to time.

[Turin Turambar]

Catwoman. Mmmmmmmmmm

 

She is a character that is flawed and willing to break a few eggs to make her omelette.

[Leelou]

Oh, I forgot my favorite movie: The 5th Element - definitely shows good vs evil. Good = Light = 5th Element (Leeloo) to save all humankind. Evil = Shadow = Mr. Shadow wants to destroy all life.

[Turin Turambar]

Another one of those type characters could be the moster hunter Van Helsing. At least in the movie he is a bit of a rebel. (and more Hugh for you Leelou)

[Ithillian Turambar]

I love the fifth element. Donny Darko was cool. Constantine is another film that deals with light vs dark / good vs evil - with its central character a lost cause who already know he will go to hell when he dies. Some brilliant hellfire scenes too.

 

Can I mention the use of light and dark in Avatar - specifically the scene where Jake is on his own for the first time and fashions a lamp to keep out the dark. This light actually leads to him getting attacked and it is only when it is extinguished that he can see the true beauty of his surroundings.

[Ithillian Turambar]

Apologies for the double post, but Turin's talk of unicorns reminded me of another film where light and darkness were used extensively. Blade Runner! The constant darkness of the ground level with the dismal rain, contrasted with the light and bright offices of the higher ups.

 

Here the bad guys and good guys are definitely blurred. The series sixers just want to live. The blade runner himself even begins to doubt that what he does is right. And of course at the end, the unicorn, he may even be a Series Six himself.

 

At the end Batty says one of the most wonderful quotes ever, 'I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die.' He actually saves Decker's life.

 

'I don't know why he saved my life. Maybe in those last moments he loved life more than he ever had before. Not just his life - anybody's life; my life. All he'd wanted were the same answers the rest of us want. Where did I come from? Where am I going? How long have I got? All I could do was sit there and watch him die.'

 

And the role of good guy/bad guy completes its flip into murky greyness.

 

Love this film. Love it.

[Turin Turambar]

Blade Runner is excellent. And very fitting for this discussion. I need to watch it again. It has been too long.

[hazelkrs1]

Once again INCREDIBLE movies brought up, the Fifth Element and Bladerunner are personal favorites of mine. In fact I was Corbin Dallas for Halloween 3 years ago

 

I think it's interesting that Bladerunner is considered a dark movie in general because of it's atmosphere and subject matter, yet it has such a positive underlying theme throughout the movie. In fact a lot of movies that are considered "dark" often have very uplifting tones underneath the dark surface.

 

Has anyone seen the movie "Dark City"?

 

It has a very interesting premise itself, great sci-fi movie, and as you can guess the vast majority of the movie is filled with shadowy noirish scenes.

[Ithillian Turambar]

I haven't seen that.

 

I do like films that seem a bit dark on the surface,but underneath there are stories of hope, redemption, love, sacrifice etc - all very noble causes.

 

If I turn my eye mainstream now - I also love Underworld. Kate Beckinsale is my total girl crush in that film. I also like the way it weaves around from werewolves as the monsters and vampires as civilised - through to a reversal of that fact. Also the change in Selene's character as she realises the person who she thought was her saviour was actually the destroyer of her whole family.

 

In the second one - I particularly liked when the super vampire/werewolf hybrid ripped the white werewolf's head off.

 

O_o

[Leelou]

Dark City is a great movie. Haven't seen it in a few years though.

[Turin Turambar]

*temporary insanity due to Kate Beckinsale in that outfit*

 

*not quite over it*

 

*okay* The twist in who was good and who was evil there was great. Viktor was a magnificient baddie. How obvious was it tho that the treacherous underling was named craven?

[Leelou]

Kate Beckinsale is hot. I really liked the Underworld movies with the Vampires and Werewolves and am looking forward to the new one coming out. :)