The Wizard of Oz: Film Review

The Wizard of Oz, is a 1939 America musical film directed by Victor Fleming, and was based on the children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Frank Baum. The original screen play was written by Noel Langley. The film features Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch of the North, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Frank Morgan as the Wizard.
The film follows Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, who lives with her Aunt and Uncle, in their depression-era farm, and she dreams of a better place. After a destructive tornado hits the farm, Dorothy and her dog Toto are magically transported to the Land of Oz. Dorothy is instructed by the Good Witch of the North to follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. On her journey she meets many great characters like: the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.
This movie employs many different film techniques which aid in its fantastical journey. For example, the very beginning of the film there is a direct shot of Dorothy’s dog Toto. This shot is taken at a close-up distance. The camera is also slightly tilted downward to show the expression of anger on Toto’s face. This scene was an extremely short take. His expression is in reaction to not wanting to be taken by the Witch and put into her bike basket.
Another example of a well done camera shot is done with a wide angle. This shot is done in black and white, which then later adds to the beauty of all the color seen in the Land of Oz. It starts with Dorothy opening a door to the colorful World of Oz. Up to this point the movie has been black and white. She stops as soon as she steps into Oz. This shot is straight on, the camera moves into Oz first through the door. This is accompanied by a sound track that is light and natural. In essence, the camera and Dorothy enter Oz together. Next, we see Dorothy close up, and she looks around in shock at everything around her. She then walks out of the shot.
Other camera angles that occurred later in the film include, a close up shot of the Wicked Witch riding the broom stick. This shot puts emphasis on the skywriting “Surrender Dorothy.” This shot then trials behind the witch, and builds up a feeling of suspense.
In the end, The Wizard of Oz is a great film filled with suspense, and laughter. It uses symbolism like the red ruby slippers representing the importance of home. Dorothy uses repetition to further show this when she says, “There is no place like home, there is no place like home.” It also involves themes such as not giving up on one’s dreams, and always opens to adventure and life’s mysteries. Though it takes place in a mystical land, the excellent acting and camera techniques make it extremely real and vivid.

Journal 1: The Bucket List

The Bucket List


I once lost someone who I was really close to. Their death made me feel like a part of my childhood was taken from me. It made me reflect on the importance and value of the time I do have. But it also made me think about how death is not a laughing matter. I held this philosophy, but then was surprised by my desire to see the movie “The Bucket List.” I think the reason being, I wondered could death be something we could make light of ?
After reading the review that Kyle Smith wrote on “The Bucket List,” I want to see it now more then ever. I normally do not think death is something that one can laugh at. After reading how the director handles the topic, it seems like from the critic’s standpoint, they make it comical, regardless of the topic itself. “Hollywood dislikes old people and loathes philosophy, but older viewers especially will find that this script touches important questions with wit and grace” (Smith, 1). This quote exemplifies the balance that is found between the topic of death and humor. The critic goes even further to say, “Carter and Edward's discussion of religion hits all the essentials while being succinct and witty: "We live, we die, and the wheels of the bus go round and round," says Edward” (Smith, 2). This is not the typical attitude or remark I expected to hear when referring to death.
The characters that were picked for this movie, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman seem like they could make a good team. After seeing Jack Nicholson in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” it is easy to imagine him making the most depressing things funny enough to laugh at. For example, in this movie he is in a mental hospital. He is put there against his will, and yet he seems to make the best of a bad situation. I found it interesting at the time, seeing a movie that could be both comical and heavy. Immediately after hearing about “The Bucket List” from friends, I knew this movie had the potential to do the same thing: parallel two opposites to make a comedy. The reviewer brings up how the characters are polar opposites of each other, and in turn do not hit it off. In the beginning, Nicholson is a big time CEO, and Morgan Freeman is a mechanic. Yet they are forced to share a room together. This room is only divided by a thin curtain. Knowing typical Hollywood movies, this sets them up for some ups and downs, but laughs for the viewers along the way. Furthermore, based off past movie viewing experiences, one can assume, they become friends.
I really am a sucker for feel good movies that are easy to relate to my own life. As the critic calls this movie a “popcorn picture” I can see how this would be (Smith, 2). In the end, the critic summed it up, in my mind, when he stated, “Actors tell us that dying is easy, comedy is hard. But comedies about dying are hardest of all” (Smith, 2).

My First Post

Introductory Blog:



This class has already opened my eyes to the depth used in film-making. For example, I used to mostly pay attention to plot line. I am seeing now that there is much more to the movie then the plot. Such as: camera angels, lighting, sound and costumes/make up. I am exicted to see how this class will contiue to influence me as a film critic.