GENRE UPDATE
As of yesterday I decided that the genre I will be following is psychological horror, even though it's completely different than what I was swaying to before it is true to myself being my favorite sub genre. I love watching horror movies I don't know if it's the thrill or the reliable plot lines I find them being my comfort genre and one I am particularly interested in. I am currently a senior in high school looking to pursue criminology in college so the topics of behavioral studies and law are ones that peak my interests, and I would rather work with a genre I feel passionate about.
In this post I will be focusing on three film openings "The House That Jack Built" (2018), "American Psycho" (2000), and "Dressed To Kill" (1980)
The film opens with a lonesome man in his car who plans over to a "vulnerable" women on the side of the road who car has broken down. She requests assistance upon their first interaction almost insisting upon it. As her drives her to the car repair shop the dialogue between the two foreshadows what is yet to come additionally establishing the women's persona as annoying and chatty. The woman makes comments on him possibly being a serial killer as she almost threatens him to ensure her safety making it clear that if he tried to hurt her she could kill him with the car jack. When arrived at the car shop scenes of vast forestry is made clear to establish the isolation of the location. The mad drops the women off at her car declaring it a lost cause through she almost demands he take her back to the car shop as she enters his car without an answer. This time she is making fun of him hitting his ego by stating he is to wimpy to be a serial killer, triggering something in him he immediately picks up the jack and bashes her face in without a second thought, there is some light irony in this as she claimed she was going to use it to defend herself. Then a faceless voice begins to comment on the situation comparing it to art almost mimicking what the character believes in this situation after hearing such Jack (the man) responds to the voice claiming it is art. The opening ends with Jack establishing his desperation to be seen as an engineer.
American Psycho
The film opens as it rolls through the credits on a solid white background the music is faint until the noticeable red droplets fall on the screen to the musical notes. These droplets can be inferred as blood creating a striking contrast with the minimalistic white background. As the music picks up in pace the droplets rain down slightly faster until one splatters the reveal the film tittle establishing a theme. The color red is made significant as now red "sauce" is being poured meticulously and a knife makes a brief appearance this isn't necessarily scary although its pacing makes it captivating. The knife then slices through steak on a harsher beat of the music almost foreshadowing what is to come. The consistency of vibrant colored dishes juxtaposes the minimalist title sequence as the scenery is now elegant and poised filled with extravagant dishes being served and consumed. One table in particular is focused on with a few business men talking about work and making insulting comments, this is like a reflection on materialism and narcissism.
Dressed To Kill
The opening credits for this film are almost two minutes just passing one after the other in a simple aesthetic white font on a black background, the font doesn't seem too representative of the film itself. It begins with a tracking shot into a green and brightly light bathroom where a man shaves his face with a razor and the women in showering. The camera zooms into a close up of the women it the shower who seems completely entranced by the man with the music being soft and romantic, as the women goes through the process of her shower. Though the music shifts and plays a startling on edge sound as she is raped. It appears as though this is a traumatic memory as she attempts to reach out the man in the bathroom with her he notices nothing. This opening scene leaves much to mystery as it only introduces one character and doesn't go into much depth.
Analysis
Overall, I have found inspiration from each of these films and will continue to utilize the data and research I have collected to enhance my work. Moving forward I want to look into more character based films like Norman Bates from Psycho, or Kevin Wendell Crumb in split to further assist in my storyline and mise-en-scene.
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