My Reading History.

EARLY YEARS: As a child my mum would to read me some of these books, later on i would learn to read them by myself...

PRIMARY SCHOOL: I started reading harder books in primary school at around grade two. These books improved my English and introduced me to the joy of reading.

LATER ON: Soon my love of reading grew and my mum bought me classic stories to read and to experience on my own, such as Treasure Island, Little Women, Moby Dick, Great Expectations etc.

HIGH SCHOOL: At school i read many new novels that i would never would have picked up normally.

 NOW: i really love to read in my spare time (which isn't alot now day), i enjoy reading well written, dark, intriguing novels that have clever plots and complex characters.

Odor of Chrysanthemum. D.H Lawrence.

Odor of chrysanthemums, a clever title which showed the contrast between the attractiveness of the delicate chrysanthemum and the way it was paired with such a repugnant word such as 'odour' shows the authors clever use of words which is only the beginning to this dreary short story. 
The story starts off by introducing a grim and dull town full of depression and sorrow creating an immediate image of misery, and a grey setting just by the writers descriptive words to emphasize the setting and the effect it has on it's characters and their lives. 
The characters are lifeless and miserable, reflecting their surroundings, and they seem to have a lack of emotion and life within the story.
Much of the characters within the story have a forced emotion about them. Clearly described by the author, each action by the character is lifeless and slow, every sense is described brilliantly, portraying the way the town lives and how the people struggle to lift their spirits and keep on going.
Such quotes as "the trucks thumped heavily passed each other" and "large bony vine clutch dot the house" are examples of how the author is able to indirectly use unrelated scenarios to imply the desolate atmosphere of the town.
This story sets the feeling of being trapped and isolated from everything, it gives it's reader an insight into the harsh reality of this very depressing period in history (the lead up to WWII in England) and the hardship that comes with life and it's complications.

Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock.

Psycho, a 1960's psychological thriller created by Alfred Hitchcock, is a deeply suspenseful film about a young man, Norman Bates, who is isolated from reality along a forgotten freeway where he owns a string of cabins for travelers. Unsuspecting to anyone, unusual and timid Norman is actually a vicious murderer plagued with a psychological problem caused by his unusual relationship with his long dead mother. Heading in the direction of The Bates Motel, is a young Marion, a real-estate secutary from Phoenix, running from the Law after stealing a large amount of money from her workplace.

Why was Psycho such a blockbuster hit? And how has it maintained it's popularity over the years surpassing all the other horror films coming to our screens? This black and white, low-budget film was brilliantly edited and it's simple structure flawlessly mastered the art of suspense as it guided the audience through the story of the elaborate nature of the mind. It seems that the real success with this film has to be due to its trademark shower scene, and deeper into the scene it would be the high pitched, shrieking of the scratching violin which the director seems to have applied to any scene which may have any type of suspense in it, whether it just be Marion driving in her car fleeing from her crimes, or in the renowned shower scene which would not have been nearly as frightening if it hadn't been for the background music.

The disturbing themes within the film explore corruption and confused identity of it's charters, human vulnerability, the deadly temptations of money, the fascination and complexities of the human mind, murder in its true and raw form and the consequences of life's actions.

Psycho also broke all film conventions by displaying its leading female character, Janet Leigh, having a lunchtime affair in her sexy white underwear in the first scene; this was unheard of during this period in film, and Hitchcock made a very bold decision to show an actress in her underwear during his film. This scene not only showed Hitchcock's courage to show such a somewhat provocative scene, it also showed literary technique and a more meaningful insight into the way the audience saw the Marion, first as an innocent character and once she committed the crime, Marion is seen wearing black lingerie showing her change of character throughout the beginning of the film.

Considering that Psycho has been seen as one of films greatest thrillers, violence is only present for about two minutes in total on the film. In about a third of the way through, during the shower murder scene and the second when a Phoenix detective named Arbogast is stabbed at the top of a flight of stairs and topples backwards down the staircase. This reminds us that all the horror and suspense is created in the mind of the audience.

Like many of Hitchcock's films, Psycho is extremely layered and complex, and filled with brilliant and memorable editing which creates a strong involvement in the film and the plot for it's audience. Although it's one of the most frightening films ever made, it has many hidden techniques which creates the perfect elements of a great dark film.

My Favorite Scene From A Movie. Forrest Gump.

When i was asked to think of one memorable movie scene that i distinctly remember due to its many cinematic elements which created a strong emotion for the viewer; i would have to pick the movie Forrest Gump made in 1994 staring Tom Hanks and directed Robert Zemeckis. The scene in particular would have to be where young, crippled Forrest Gump is being chased down a long lane by the immature bullies in his Southern home town, and in this distance his childhood love and best friend Jenny screams "run Forrest, run!". This scene allowed me to feel real emotion for this young character i hardly knew due to the many skilled techniques used by the director and editors to include the viewer into the life of the character and really empathize for his unfortunate situation. This short heart felt scene is filled with joy, shock, exhilaration, hurt and suspense; all emotions conjured up by watching a short scene of a simple minded boy discovering the ability to protect himself from abuse and torment over the years on the very first day he learnt how to RUN!

At the start of the scene the image of young Forrest, in the confinement of his large metal leg braises, clearly restrained and unable to defend himself from the big bullies allows the audience to sympathize for the character and his situation. The director follows Forrest's pathetic attempt to escape the brutal abuse of the neighborhood boys, as he awkwardly hobbles towards safety. This short sequence creates sympathy towards Forrest and excitement as we watch the bullies gain on Forrest.

The backwards racing camera, speeding in the direction of the fleeing Forrest creates suspense during the chase. All the while facing the determined bullies on their bikes quickly closing in on Forrest. This scene was extremely successful in creating a sense of urgency not only with the flawless editing throughout the pursuit, but also with the loud grinding of the tires against the gravel, this allows the viewer to feel as if they are in the chase themselves, as the loud effects creates even more anticipation.

Steadily Forrest is able to handle his restrained legs and his original handicapped form is shattered, as he breaks free from his limitations and runs full speed away from the bullies, leaving them in shocked and covered in his dust. This scene executes perfectly uplifting and exhilarating, the director was able to achieve a feel good scene with very few words but so many tiny elements that make such a strong reaction possible.

Some technical feature i observed during this scene would be the effect of slow motion, this effect was repeated throughout the short scene as to fully appreciate the situation and experience the elation of Forrest's good fortune. Whilst the bullies were riding towards Forrest and when his leg braises were shattered slow motion was used. The background music during the slow motion sequence creates an uplifting feel with the violins playing raising the spirits of the audience and surely capable of producing tears of joy in anyone. 
The camera position, panning along the lane at a high speed also created a sense of speed during the chase, allowing the audience to once again feel in the chase and caught up in the excitement of the story.

Naturally this scene makes any viewer unconsciously smile, and fill up with joy for this unique young boy, this scene is inspiring and uplifting and without a doubt on of the best ever made.