“Vertigo” (Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, 1958)

The opening sequence was unlike anything of its time. Saul bass created a title sequence that is as unnerving as perhaps acrophobia is to James Stewart’s character Scottie Ferguson. The original score by Muir Mathieson builds tension through the title sequence and transitions to a rooftop chase in San Francisco where we are first introduced to Scottie Ferguson. As they leap from buildings, Ferguson slips and catches himself on a gutter. The famous “Dolly Zoom” from his point of view shows a camera trick introduced by Hitchcock that has been considered revolutionary in the film industry. Unknown Second unit director of Photography Irmin Roberts created this trick where the camera is pulled back from the scene while the lens zooms into it. After learning about Ferguson’s condition, acrophobia, some back-story is introduced between Ferguson and Barbara Bel Geddes character Midge Wood. (The location itself is almost a contradiction to Fergusons phobia. He is seen driving up and down these massive rolling hills but is unable to climb a simple flight of stairs. Hitchcock uses many subtle paradoxes’ to show the condition of Ferguson, shooting in the Red Wood Forest for example, where there are some of the tallest trees on earth.) Ferguson and Wood engage in small talk about the future of Ferguson as a detective and an old acquaintance that has got in touch with him again. This Acquaintance employs Ferguson to follow his ill wife, whom he believes is possessed. For the better half of the film Ferguson is trying to understand what Kim Novak’s Character Madeleine Elster is dealing with. Ferguson saves her from a botched suicide attempt at the Golden Gate Bridge but when the time comes to truly save her Ferguson is crippled by his phobia and is unable to do so. From this point on we see a weakened man struggling to come to terms with loosing the love of his life. As Ferguson attempts to move on with his life he meets a women that is eerily familiar. The latter of the film is his attempt to turn this woman into Madeleine. While he does we learn some haunting back-story about who this women really is and what her intentions were with Ferguson. As she agrees to transform into this women, Ferguson is slowing piecing the story. The biggest indication that something is terribly wrong was a simple grey suit that Madeleine wears. It’s always been to odd to dress one of the main characters, especially a blonde, in all grey, it’s certainly an indication that something is off-putting about this character. As the story winds to an end, Ferguson makes this women re-live the haunting death of Madeleine at the mission in San Juan Batista. The Actually bell tower that is in the film isn’t real, some trick camera work implies that it’s there; according to IMDb the dolly zoom in the stairwell of the bell tower cost $19,000 for only a few seconds of screen time. During the haunting conclusion Ferguson is able to overcome his phobia and wrap up the story with costly consequences for his love.
Hitchcock has always been praised as the master of suspense and “Vertigo” is a testament to his skills as a film director and storyteller. Hailed as his masterpiece, “Vertigo” is a landmark achievement in film. Though it didn’t receive the praise it has today when it was initially released in 1958, “Vertigo” is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made.

Kayne West, “All of the lights” (Directed by Hype Williams, 2011)

Kanye West has a new music video out for the song, “All of the lights” from his fifth studio album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” Collaborating with artists Rihanna and Kid Cudi, this is one of the more anthemic songs on his new album. Acclaimed Hip-Hop artist Hype Williams directed this music video as he has so many others. Unlike the usual Hip-Hop music videos Williams has created “All of the lights” is a blatant rip off of Gaspar Noe’s 2009 film “Enter the Void.” The similarities are uncanny. The opening title sequence of “Enter the void” is a visceral mind-fuck that has never been done before. The bright texts flash continuously giving the viewer only seconds to read what they later realize is the credits for the film. Every single frame of this sequence is a constant changing text with bright, flashing motion graphics incorporated throughout. Those who are familiar with the film will tell you that the title sequence is a triumph in the collaboration of text, motion graphics and frantic editing techniques.

West and Williams use this distinct editing technique without giving Noe any credit for the inspiration of this music video. The video its self is actually quite good because of the introduction of this sequence in a music video. But one could argue that the titles of “Enter the void” are a music video in their own right. The rest of “All of the lights” follows the typical structure for any Hip-Hop video, the beautiful Rihanna wearing an outfit that looks like it was made from electrical tape, West fighting with a girl and jumping on cops cars. It has all the makings of a decent music video but the obvious stolen sequences from “Enter the void” makes this video is a crime to the art of the film. West will unfortunately receive praise for this music video because the general population isn’t necessarily familiar with Gaspar Noe or “Enter the void.” This wouldn’t be a problem if West gave credit where credit is due. “Enter the void” is so unique that trying to get away with this music video as an original piece of art is ludicrous.

Follow the links to view the similarities...

"All of the lights"

"Enter the void"

"Wisdom" Andrew Zuckerman

Nelson Mandela, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear myself more times that I can remember, but I hid it behind a mask of boldness. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers it.”

Published in 2008, Andrew Zuckerman’s “Wisdom” is a collection of still life photographs. This on-going piece includes a film and a traveling exhibition. With support from the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Zuckerman has been able to share this amazing collection with people all over the world.

The subjects in “Wisdom” include musicians like Bill Withers, actors, politicians, and the second man to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin. These patriarchs have influenced their respected countries and professions for many decades. If this were only a collection of portraits it would still receive praise. Zuckerman is literally able to capture their wisdom in each photo. However, the content of the interviews is priceless. The first quote by, Desmond Tutu says it all, “One of the greatest gifts we can give to another generation is our experience, our wisdom.” And that’s exactly what this book entails.

Every subject has two photos. The pictures are blown up to twelve inches, showing remarkable detail. This incredible photo is staring back at the reader giving the subject’s words ownership and life. The cover photo went to Clint Eastwood, a fitting choice to go with one of the most recognizable faces in film history. Eastwood was quoted on page 68, “If a person is confident enough in the way they feel, whether it’s an art form or whether it’s just in life, it comes off---you don’t have anything to prove; you can just be what you are.” The entire book is filled with guidance from people that have in some way contributed to society. It doesn’t suggest that any advice the reader may have gotten from their grandparents is trivial. “Wisdom” allows the reader to learn from people who have lived unique lives, to gain a perspective on their collective knowledge of living and of living in the spotlight.

This book has a few imperfections though. The text is rather small and untraditionally placed on the pages. If this book were intended only for the people in it, I imagine some of them would have a hard time reading it.

Zuckerman’s first book, “Creature” is a collection of still life animals that came out in 2007. “Wisdom” was published the following year. “Bird” was published in 2009 and his fourth installment of still-life photos “Music” came out last year.

"Wisdom" stands alone as the most powerful of Andrew Zuckerman's work. The insight shared by these iconic figures needs to be cherished and taught.