Looking at Reservoir Dogs and Hostel 2

One of the sequences we are planning is a torture scene. We wanted to do this because on The Payoff we tried adding a tussle between Brandy and Charlie. We quickly realised that without proper choreography the actors couldn't comfortably do the performance. A simple punch, kick or slap can look convincing with some clever angles and editing, but needs preparation.

We looked at the classic ear cutting torture scene from Reservoir Dogs. This scene is probably the most memorable of the film, for reasons you never see. Its funny how many people can remember the horrible graphic ear slicing, well in truth you never get to see it.

The whole scene is shot as if your head is the camera. All the shots are shaky, I first thought that this might be because they were on a low budget, but after we discussed it as a group it came evident that it was purpose. At the ear cutting point the camera turns away to a wall, as if the audience is too scared to watch it.

I think this is really effective, it leaves it open to the audiences mind, let them fill in the gaps. Sometimes the audience will think of something much worse than what the director was going to do. It also works in the films favor, with it being less graphic the age rating might stay down.

We also watched parts of Hostel 2. Never seen the whole film and really don't want to from what i saw (shite). However, I wasn't watching it for entertainment. The sound effects and art direction you could say are near perfect for the style of film. The film gives the audience what they want, and a little more. I couldn't tell if the torture rooms where sets or locations. At a guess I would say sets. They looked like a dirty mechanics workshop, the torture weapons looked the same. The scary thing about the weapons are most of them you can find in your average tools box/shed. Bringing that sense of realism, thats the real scare for the audience, the chance that it could be real and happen to you, or does it happen and if so where?

In the same night we also watched Misery for suspense and Frighteners for sound effects.