Emanuel Levy
Cinema 24/7
Is there any value in evaluating or judging films based on their opening scenes, or sequences.
The analysis must begin with the first scene of the movie. If the movie opens with titles, it’s the first scene after the opening titles.
Some of these openings are actually a few scenes compiled together into a heist, or a meeting, or something of that nature.
Selected metrics are:
Grab Factor: Did the scene grab or at least draw and intrigue my attention?
Memorability: Does the scene instantly come to mind when I say the film’s title.
Sets the Story or the Tone: How well does it work for the movie? Is it part of a bigger picture?
Film Theory: Movie Beginnings–Brilliant Opening Scenes (“The Player,” “Trainspotting”)
Film Theory: Movie Beginnings–Brilliant Opening Scenes (“The Player,” “Trainspotting”)
Criteria for Selecting Movies with Brilliant, Revelatory Opening Scenes
Is there any value in evaluating or judging films based on their opening scenes, or sequences.
The analysis must begin with the first scene of the movie. If the movie opens with titles, it’s the first scene after the opening titles.
Some of these openings are actually a few scenes compiled together into a heist, or a meeting, or something of that nature.
Selected metrics are:
Grab Factor: Did the scene grab or at least draw and intrigue my attention?
Memorability: Does the scene instantly come to mind when I say the film’s title.
Sets the Story or the Tone: How well does it work for the movie? Is it part of a bigger picture?