The Longest Average Shot Lengths in Modern Hollywood. Director Alfonso Cuar. His 2. 00. 6 movie Children of Men features threerelatively long single takes: the scene where Kee gives birth (3: 1. Assuming that the movie runs 2 hours long (theactual run time hasn’t been announced yet), that would mean that each shot is,on average, slightly longer than 4. That’s extremely long forcontemporary Hollywood, where shots typically don’t last longer than a fewseconds each. For instance, Michael Bay’s Transformers movies are prettyrapidly cut, with Average Shot Lengths (ASLs) between 3 and 3. Butthat’s not altogether unusual. For instance, Inception (2. ASL of 3. 1. Drive, for instance, which was directedby the Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, features pretty long takes, andan ASL of 7 seconds/shot). But that’s still much faster than what Cuar? Oris Gravity going to set some new record? To answer that question, I turned tothe Cinemetrics Database, an online databasefor ASLs and other measurements for films. Interpersonal love refers to love between human beings. It is a much more potent sentiment than a simple liking for another. Unrequited love refers to those feelings. At first, Palin supported the Gravina Island Bridge Project, otherwise known as the 'Bridge to Nowhere'. In September 2006, during a stop in Ketchikan as. Stay up to date with your favourite Crime & Investigation shows and when they're airing with the CITV TV Guide. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Downloadable Books and Magazines BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download. MANCHESTER PRIDE INVESTIGATION. Latest (Feb 2016) You can now walk into the gay village during Manchester Pride without buying a wristband. This is thanks to the.It’s important to note that the datathere is submitted by volunteers, and very prone to errors. Furthermore, thedatabase is also far from complete. Still, it’s a very useful tool. First, I clicked“Show all,” so I could sort the films by ASL—simple enough. I saw right awaythat Russian Ark was #1, which makes sense. That 2. 00. 2 film consists of only a single shot, and thereby yields an ASL of 5. So far, the database appearedcorrect. The next step was harder. I importedthe sorted data into Excel, and began distinguishing the Hollywood films fromthe rest. This is important because, as already noted, lots of foreign films containlonger takes than their US counterparts. But we want to know how remarkable Gravity is going to appear in UScineplexes this summer. I took out a lot of works by familiar European names here: B. Again, we want tocompare Gravity to recent Hollywoodfilms. Shot length slowed down a lot when sound was introduced, and has beenspeeding up over the past eighty- something years. For instance, Howard Hawks’s His Girl Friday (1. ASL ofabout 1. 5 seconds. Rope (1. 94. 8, Alfred Hitchcock),ASL = 4. OK, this isn’t a recentrecent film, but it has to be noted, as it’s most likely the highest ASL in. Hollywood. Hitchcock used only 1. Wikipedia pagelists them). Down by Law (1. 98. Jim Jarmusch),ASL = 5. Elephant (2. 00. 3, Gus Van Sant),ASL = 4. Bullets Over Broadway (1. Woody Allen), ASL = 4. Last Days (2. 00. Gus Van Sant),ASL = 4. Actually, we’ve already encounteredan omission. The #2 film isn’t in the database (yet)—that being Gus Van Sant’s Gerry (2. Elephant and Last Days. Gerry is one of my favorite of Van Sant’sfilms, and since I’ve seen it many times I know that its footage of Matt Damonand Casey Affleck wandering through different deserts doesn’t feature muchcutting, The IMDb trivia page for the film claims that it consists of exactly 1. ASL of 6. 1. 8. One entry that stood out was Blizzard, a 2. Star Trek. There are two records for this film: 4. One entry I could overlook, but two raised my suspicions (even if theirclaims wildly differ). So I obtained a copy of the film and gave it a look. And. I didn’t watch the whole thing, but I can report that, unless there’ssome 1. ASL is entirelytypical—about 3–4 seconds per shot. After that, Woody Allen has a lot ofthe list locked up: 8. Alice (1. 99. 0, Woody Allen), ASL =4. Sweetgrass (2. 00. Ilisa Barbash& Lucien Castaing- Taylor), ASL = 3. Redacted (2. 00. 7, Brian De Palma),ASL = 3. Don’t Drink the Water (1. Woody Allen), ASL = 3. Everyone Says I Love You (1. Woody Allen), ASL = 3. Shadows and Fog (1. Woody. Allen), ASL = 3. Celebrity (1. 99. Woody Allen),ASL = 3. September (1. 98. Woody Allen),ASL = 3. Slacker (1. 99. 1, Richard. Linklater), ASL = 3. Vernon, Florida (1. Errol. Morris), ASL = 3. Cloverfield (2. 00. Matt Reeves),ASL = 2. Husbands & Wives (1. Woody. Allen), ASL = 2. Manhattan Murder Mystery (1. Woody Allen), ASL = 2. Another Woman (1. Woody. Allen), ASL = 2. Gates of Heaven (1. Errol. Morris), ASL = 2. Mystery Train (1. Jim. Jarmusch), ASL = 2. Rules of Attraction (2. Roger. Avary), ASL = 2. Hannah and Her Sisters (1. Woody Allen), ASL = 2. Grizzly Man (2. 00. Werner Herzog),ASL = 2. This isn’t surprising. Woody Allenhas long been noted for his reluctance to cut, and his preference for shootingwhole scenes in single takes. This makes shooting the film more complicated,but it does allow actors more flexibility in their performances (since they canmove about the set more freely), and greatly speeds up the editing process. That said, it is odd that the sorteddata didn’t include any Woody Allen film made after 1. Their absence wouldindicate one of two things: that the man has changed his way of working (which. I don’t think is the case), or that his later films have yet to be analyzed andincluded. I find the latter possibility more likely. It is a remarkable film for many reasons, featuring anextraordinarily wide variety of cinematic techniques: splitscreen, reversedfootage, extensive slow motion, and more. And it does contain many wonderful longtakes—but it also contains a sequence comprised of hundreds, if not thousands, ofrapid cuts. My guess is that whoever was measuring the film chose not to count allthe shots in that section, which is of course incorrect. He’s taughtclasses at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest College,De. Paul University, Facets Multimedia, and Story. Studio Chicago. He’s also thenonfiction / reviews editor of the online journal. Requited. He recentlystarted the Ph. D program in Creative Writing at the University of Illinois at. Chicago. In his sparetime, he contributes to the group blogs Big. Otherand. HTMLGIANT. Follow him on Twitter at @adjameson. Top Dramas to Watch (1. Note: These are only series we’ve seen in their entirety. Also, I’ve separated ratings into how much I like something and how good I think it is objectively. Because there’s often a big difference. Javabeans’ ratings in black. Girlfriday’s ratings in blue. K- DRAMA SERIESHOW MUCH I ENJOY IT vs. HOW I RATE IT (of 1. Days (2. 01. 1)4. Decent effort at making a sentimental ghostly- possession story, mucky execution. Love the theme and tone, despite flaws in structure. Low- key, slice- of- life, hint of dolor. The relationships that spring up between the five housemates are fresh, winsome, and complicated in a nicely satisfying way. I wish they’d given it more production value, because the content was a breath of fresh air. Cold plot.(5 / 5)All In (2. It was almost swallowed by its own hype, but there’s a reason why every revenge/success/empire story tries to emulate this one. Kim Hee- sun is awesome as a kickass fake high schooler, but Ji- soo steals the show as a tough guy with marshmallow center. Wait, is that not the moral of the story? A ruthless editor would have done wonders. Heartwarming and nostalgic, but also makes you tear your hair out. Captures the pounding fervor and emotional extremes of youth with humor and heart. Sharply written, with affection. Quirky, dark, sweetly satisfying. A faster plot would’ve done wonders. Starts out bloody and badass, but winds down into predictable and safe. Cute chemistry from the leads and funny situations, although the workplace storylines drag the thing down. Fantastically directed to infuse even the most mundane moments with energy, with a career- defining performance by Ji Hyun- woo. Lost interest after episode 6. Heart- warming and hilarious as this motley mock family becomes a real one, without dipping into cheesiness. Kim Myung- min is a hoot. Should’ve been more moving, more powerful, more sensical. Draggy plot, painfully green acting. Namgoong Min is delightfully weird, and Minah cutely offbeat. The “mystery” is overplayed and the chaebols are fairly one- note, but turn your brain off in those scenes and the show is good breezy fun. Feel- good and satisfying. Hits that rom- com sweet spot. Akin to an emotional drive- by. Still, the leads have adorable chemistry. This one has comedy, a nice episodic pace, and most importantly, a lot of heart. One of my all- time faves. Yeah, good luck with that. The fandom frenzy was sometimes more fun than the show itself. By all accounts this should have been a disaster, but the sum of its parts is better than you’d think—you’ll be screaming at your screen while reaching for the next episode. Nothing new, but a good family drama with a fresh- faced foursome in a compelling love square. There isn’t much actual plot, but it’s an introspective watch with heartwarming relationships. Messy execution can dull the shine from the coming- of- age poignancy, but the feel- good nature has a way of warming the cockles. Worth a watch for the performances, though I wish the action was as good as the written material. But the story lost focus and the production was thrown into backstage turmoil late in the game, fizzling out disappointingly. Had enough plot for eight episodes, but at twenty, it stretched my patience thin, despite my love for the amazing cast. Action, intrigue, humor, heart. Now I want every drama to be as badass and heartfelt. Damn you, City Hunter! Features loose plotting and a light feel, though second half gets heavier. At times cheeky, at times poignant. It’s too bad that only half the story was engaging (hers), while the other half suffered from bad writing (his). Adorable main couple, great supporting cast, easy to zip through. Fun rapport between the agency family, breezy romance, and well- used cameos keep things zippy. A heavy hitter emotionally, though not in angst- ridden or melodramatic ways. It depicts the heartbreaking moments in everyday life, told in phenomenal performances by dramaland veterans. Sometimes hard to watch, but often rewarding. Jae Hee is wonderful, and the directing is sharp. A sentimental favorite. Plot wasn’t much to speak of, but it had that sweet romance, endearing military bromance, and charming Song Joong- ki. Not really my cup of tea, but I recognize that it had a magic touch. But it also flows lightly and easily, making it a crowd- pleaser with a cast of mostly likable characters and a few who are fun to hate. Do they make a pill for that? But the best thing about it? Made every shot moody, crisp, and stunning. And there’s no denying the idea itself was intriguing. But taken straight, as a drama? A showcase for its idol cast; if only they were better actors, it could’ve been even better. Earnest in the best way. It tries both too hard and not enough. The adult storylines had great potential, but landed in a spin cycle of the same conflict for dozens and dozens of episodes. I watched with fervor but am still waiting for my refund for the hours I spent. Slick and beautifully shot, but emotionally feels empty. Cute, but forgettable. A fascinating look at how money corrupts, with memorable performances. Main couple is sweet, but it’s really the ex- girlfriends with strong personalities who add the pep and zing. Kang Ji- hwan is the only good thing here. At least the leads and their romantic connection hold up their end; the rest tends to plod along. Only I wouldn’t sit through all the episodes again. Its humor overdoes the slapstick, but the Hong sisters writers keep the plot moving. The humor lost me, and the chemistry never went past tepid. It didn’t help that I hated the main character. Takes some frustrating plot turns that may have you reaching for something to break. As SBS’s banner show for its makjang- free policy, it tries a little too hard to be so free of conflict that it errs on the side of bland. The first half is pitch- perfect, balancing humor and insight; the second half drags. Wish the plot hadn’t lost steam in the end. Jung Il- woo is a hoot. Plot spins its wheels a bit, but it’s sweet and funny. Cheeky in the best way. Witty with a touch of dark humor. Set in a funeral home, it gives lovely, quirky insights on life and death. Pleasant, with gorgeous leads Won Bin and Fukada Kyoko, but unexceptional. It’s overrated (plot becomes repetitive), but enjoyable. This show has major stones, venturing dark and grim to fearless degrees. It’s not perfect—though its grand, stirring culmination more than makes up for earlier missteps. The slow pace and lack of surprise can be frustrating, but it offers an intensive psychological study of some damaged characters. Doesn’t have time to really get you in the heart, but sets up a great world. If this is the future of cable, I’m onboard. The plot’s just there as a vehicle for the acting and the cute. Plot’s overly convoluted, but strong performances and speedy pace keep it exciting. Too bad the plot spun itself into a destructive tornado. Then I’ll be forced to answer. Oh, who are we kidding; Jung Il- woo, it’s all your fault. Banking isn’t that sexy, but the writing and performances are solid. Not that I can defend the show, not even for the actors, who are normally so much better. Gorgeous rendering of fictional monarchy—if only the plot didn’t drag. Candy- coated, but all the sweeter for it. Disappointing start and poor acting. Still, picked up toward end, inversely to its ratings. Predictable but enjoyable, like comfort food. Dramatic thriller veers into over- the- top territory, but the underdog revenge plot can get addictive. Maybe I’ll like you better then. I had fun, but I also tore a lot of hair out. I’ll let you decide if the pain is worth it. Both Kim Kang- woo and Jo Yeo- jung have been better in almost anything else they’ve done. Always delivered more than I thought to ask for, and left me with a full heart. A big tease, and then nobody got off. Rom- com drama blue balls. Like one long angsty music video. Miss (2. 00. 7)aka Hello Baby! Lee Da- hae can do (and has done) better. Packs a lot of heart into those 2. Slice of life and poignant. Poignant and funny for most of its run. The mistaken identity hijinks are a hoot and the acting is a little bit genius. The tone is uneven, but Kang Ji- hwan is wonderful. Only two episodes, it’s a silly, Shrek- like goof. But even two Hyun Bins can’t save a badly plotted story. Got off to a great start, and I was humming the songs for weeks. But then it went nowhere. Unfortunately, a slow place and business machinations nobody cares about drag it down. Nice overall character trajectories for our leads. The legal stuff is unrealistic, but who’s watching this for the law? The cast of quirky characters is memorable, the show’s message heartfelt, and the couple rivals my favorites of all time. Not many noona romances are sizzling, but this one lights some sparks. Slickly executed and well acted, though it left me wanting more development for all the characters. More style than substance, a fun ride with eye candy. But it’s definitely slick and fun, if you don’t care about gaping plot holes. Genuinely quirky sense of humor with absurdist comic- book sensibility. Was a laugh- out- loud winner for me; might be a total pass for others. It’s got the potential to be, but is marred by poor acting and weird pacing—it’s like a highlight reel of a longer family drama. Yet, oddly, it draws you in with its good- naturedness and warmth. Strengths are its light comedy and the hero’s cute backup team. The villains and romance are its weaknesses. Cha Tae- hyun is winning as always. Consistently solid storytelling, but I would’ve taken lower lows to get higher highs. The rest, I could take or leave. Quite possibly genius melding of historical record and sci- fi mystery. Campy, a little sloppy, and way over- the- top, though its manic energy was fun. Without Ji Sung, it would’ve been such a mess. It could do with better finesse in many areas, but has so much heart that it’s bursting at the seams. But what really makes it stand out is the fact that henceforth, I will always see dramaland through the lens of this show’s world.
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