Book of Eli - Ending Scene

Alcatraz
As Eli and Solara make it to the Alcatraz safe haven we assume all hope is lost, due to Carnegie having the Bible. ( The whole point of the movie). However, parallel editing is used to build the tension and show the audience new hope when Carnegie opens the bible and finds its in brail. This shocking information for the audience infers that Eli is blind. Although there are many clues during the film, this confirms it.


Eli's Death
Freshly washed and clothed Eli recites all of the Bible, no minor feat, even though he's dying. His final mission in life is to tell the story of the bible. Inspirational and relaxing music is played during this scene, including his death to show he didn't die for nothing and to look towards the future. A crane shot (as seen to the right) is used during this scene to show all of the events happening as well as possibly to represent God is looking down on Eli. His position lying on the benches could possibly forebode his death to come.

Faith
'Solara' means sun and light etc. possibly reflecting the hope she brings for Eli; she helps him finish his quest, showing him the light and will carry his legacy in the future, as well as the knowledge and power of the Bible. At the start of the movie, Eli says God told him to deliver the book west. His never ending faith is expressed throughout however there is never any proof that God had a part in it. This could be for the audiences benefit, showing that faith is needed in life. God and the bible is a main theme in the post apocalyptic genre, ironic when so many have died and the world has deteriated. Although faith in this time may stop some from going mad.

Age Ratings

Below is a PowerPoint all about Age Ratings and how they are used to classify films. Examples of each are also shown.

The Road - Ending Scene

Fathers Death
In the ending scene of The Road the tragedy of the fathers death sets the unforgiving and desolate mood to the film. Throughout, themes of death are expressed thoroughly, possibly foreboding the adults demise. The emotional goodbye from the father and son elicits emotional pleasures from the audience. The view of the child as innocent increases the sympathy expressed, especially when the child cries. This scene would probably be more emotional to those who have children. The mans final moments hugging the child show unconditional love, the fact that this has now been taken away, shows lack of hope and creates uncertainty for the child moving forward.
Gun Scene
The first thing the child collects from his fathers body is the gun, possibly to signify the responsibility he can only now just face. His fathers words of protection stay with him; when faced with a potential enemy his first instinct is to hold him at gunpoint. The fact that he was reluctant to shoot however, expresses the humanity he still possesses and could be seen as an asset or a curse.
The Family

The final scene shows the boy agreeing to go with the family, promising to take care of him. The possibility of a mothers love and family causes to boy to go with them, even though they could be monsters. The panning shot of all of them, the children and dog included is foreign and wanted for the boy. They look normal and he wants to be apart of that. The fact he left his fathers body on the side of the road could be considered shocking to some audience viewers. It lacks sentimentality although this boy probably doesn't understand the concept of burying etc. It looks as though he's
abandoning his father for a better life, and in my opinion makes him look a bit ungrateful. However, because the boy now has someone to take care of him the audience can get some closure they otherwise may've not gotten. In the harsh reality of this world, the boy probably would've died or become a killer. This way we look hopeful for the future of humanity.

Costume in different genres

In different genres there are certain types of clothing more commonly used than others.

Post-apocalyptic

 In these situations worn, dusty, grungy, dirty and stained clothing are most common, no hygiene and unable to wash clothes shows how a lack of resources has led you to re-purpose clothing and materials that you have found for survival. In desert situations, sunglasses would be vital to avoid blinding. Boots are a major must have; if your feet become damaged or blistered you cannot move making it a matter of life or death. Earthy colours such as browns, greens and greys are used. This can be seen in 'The Road' where the father and son wear baggy, dirty stained clothing and layers to protect them from the elements, emphasising the lack of clean water they have to clean themselves with.

  

 

Sci-fi

Futuristic costumes are worn to reflect our idea of fashion in the future. Leather and metal are often used throughout. Women are often reflected in tight, form fitting clothing suggesting even in the future, women are exploited. Although ironically, women are often presented as more powerful in these clothes in sci-fi films. Metallic colours such as silver are used as well as purple and blue; possibly to reflect space. Technology and science feature throughout the clothes to show the scientific advancement and to emphasise the use in the plot of the film.

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Period Drama

Old fashioned clothing from the era of the film are usually the ones used; typically dresses and suits from the Victorian era. long dresses that cover most of the body are used for women. As the focus of the drama is mainly on royalty, expensive necklaces, looking dresses and gloves are also used to show the wealth from the people involved. Black and brown sophisticated suits are worn by men as they were considered upper class, these can be paired with top hats. In 1940s period dramas, women are shown to have more form fitting, less layered clothing. Floral patterns are common.

My Opening Scene

In my opening scene, I will use dark, earthy colours

Audience

I looked at stereotypical audiences for the post-apocalyptic genre we studied. Using YouGov, I found and combined the audiences for the film openings we studied to show a general audience for the post-apocalyptic genre.

I am legend
Gender: Male
Age: 40-54
Social grade: ABC1
Top Region: Midlands
Interests: Movies, Music, Science
Online for: 26-30 hrs per week
Entertainment: Die hard, The Dark knight, Cliffhanger, Futurama, Star Trek, Blade, The Yogi bear show

Book of Eli
Gender: Male
Age: 40-54
Social grade: ABC1
Top Region: North West
Interests: International news, Science, Movies
Online for: 26-30 hrs per week
Entertainment: I am legend, Rambo, The Dark knight, The twilight Zone, Charlie Brooker's weekly wipe, The walking dead

The Road
Gender: Male
Age: 40-54
Social grade: ABC1
Top Region: North West
Interests: Movies, books, international news
Online for: 16-20 hrs per week
Entertainment: Batman, The x-files, Mad Max, Seven, The Walking Dead, Celebrity Mastermind, Flowers

28 Days Later
Gender: Male
Age: 25-39
Social grade: ABC1
Top Region: South Coast
Interests: Movies, Video games, Music
Online for: 41-45 hrs per week
Entertainment: The exorcist, Final Destination, The Thing, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, NCIS:LA, Dexter

All the movies have an older, male age range except 28 days later which is slightly younger. All have a social grade of ABC1 which means well educated, well-paid jobs and intelligent. The interests are all educated and suggest the older generation. The Road suggests an older audience however due to the 16-20 hours a week online. Compared to 28 days later with 41-45 hours it suggests The Road could contain features more suitable for an older audience. Interestingly, all the average audiences' entertainment preferences have action, adventure and some sci-fi elements. What's strange is that almost all contained some form of comedy which is the opposite of most general post apocalyptic movies.
From this we can gather the general post-apocalyptic audience, according to YouGov, is:

Post apocalyptic Genre
Gender: Male
Age: 35-54
Social grade: ABC1
Top Region: North West
Interests: Movies, Music, International News
Online For: 20-35 hrs per week
Entertainment: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi, and some comedy

Mise en Scene

Book of Eli

Props:

Gun–he's prepared to defend the ownership of the book. He will kill for it.

Book- positioned away from the threat.

Sink – grubby, indicating an uncomfortable place/cell. Could indicate lack of use due to water unavailable.

Costume: Hers designed to look attractive to seduce Eli, hair’s brushed, childish? etc. He is clean, has practical clothing.

  Lighting: He is in the light connoting good, whereas she is in the dark connoting danger and bad intentions. This creates contrast and shows the perception of these two characters from the audiences perspective may differ from reality.
Facial Expressions: She is apprehensive and scared of Eli. Eli looks focused and ready to kill.


Props: Gas lamp as they don’t have electricity.
Old movie poster – Emphasises the apocalypse is in the future.
Food -  Canned food suggesting lack of resources, given Eli is a guest.
Costume: (see above)
Body Language: positioned towards each other suggesting intimacy and comfortableness.

 28 Days Later

Lighting: Dark connoting danger or lack of hope for the characters.
Clothing: Dark, dirty clothing and both wear hats. They are more comfortable hiding in the shadows as if they dont they may be killed.


The Road
Props: Can – Precious, item of significance, shows fathers love for his son as he's passing it to him. 
Clothing: Layers of dirty clothing show the harsh climate. Baggy suggesting they stole them/ they didn’t have a choice, needing them, to survive.
Facial expressions: loving father and a confused son. Son probably hasn’t seen a can of coke for a while.
Lighting: Dull, grey. Suggests the world is dying and their life is bleak.


I am Legend

Props: gun - only for hunting use, casually wields it as hes not expecting any human danger.
Dog - Loyal to the man, the only source of friendship so they cling to each other.
Background - Abandoned cars and overgrown streets emphisises the lack of human activity. The fact hes walking in the middle of the street suggests confidence

(I don't know what happened to this)