God of Love is a basic, well-made film. The length and style fortunately help it to succeed instead of conflicting with it. While it's difficult to love all aspects of the motion picture, it's anything but difficult to appreciate the remarkable world that Matheny has created in the eighteen minutes we experience of it. What is harder to foresee, nonetheless, is exactly how one of a kind the tone of the film is. It's comedic without being especially amusing, and it's inspiring without being notably passionate. On the off-chance that anything, it's just charming. The wisdom of this film comes in its cinematography, which is truly done very well. Each shot looks wonderful, and the high contrast style fits the lounge setting great. The film feels exceptionally natural and certifiable thanks in large part to these expressive decisions.
This short film is well put together and blissfully simple. The black and white opposed to color made the tone well known from the beginning. The lightening in the shots were very well done, especially when they are playing on stage. What is also interesting about this film is that you get the feeling that the setting takes place a super long time ago, but when you look at the people in the audience they look like they are definitely from this time. There is also a part where they are video chatting, another example of how it takes place in this time despite the black and white theme. The narration from the start helped give the viewer a taste of what was to come before they went into the dialogue. Matheny did an amazing job of deciding how to frame each shot. Putting close ups in at the right parts. Overall, this was a simple and pleasing short film. Very well put together and strategic.
It was a well clear and simple storytelling and direction style. The use of black and white instead of colors was very smart choice by the maker, and infant it worked very well in context of the story. Editing played important part in the film, as we discussed in class today about how each frame is important in editing and watching all the footage in the editing room, I think that they have also used some footage which came like blessing out of nowhere to the editor. I also agree with Kelsey in the point that maker is defiantly not trying to create illusion of old times but at the same time uses the black and white color for visuals. At first when I saw the film was eighteen minute long, I presume that it might be boring and confusing, but it was very simple story put together in short time. He really made it look simplest. I liked the story and the title of the film.
Braedan Snow: God of Love by Luke Matheny This short film was very cinematic, and followed the basic story structure of a movie. The story reminded me of a typical romantic comedy, but with the mise en scene separates it from one you would see in theaters. The fact alone that the film is in black and white gives it a different feel than a basic movie. The shot composition is also something that stuck out to me, as Matheny would experiment with the framing here and there. For example the camera was tilted at a Dutch angle at one point during crowd shots, and the depth of field was noticeably shortened during the outdoor shots at the park; another point in which this occurred was when Raymond and Kelly kissed. The shallow depth of field was very effective during these shots specifically, because due to that and the tight close up, their emotions were well showcased, and the viewer could tell exactly what was going on without the actors even speaking. There were also a lot of experimental camera movements I noticed during the film, for example during the Raymond and Kelly montage, the camera would quickly pan right to transition into the next shot, and I thought that this was well done and it worked with the feel of the shots. Rarely were there any static shots, overall most the time the camera would move in some shape or form, rather that be a tilt, pan, or full on handheld. This short film had a pretty unique essence about it, and overall it was well done.
Alex Harris: God of Love by Luke Matheny This is a very cute concept. The storytelling is very well paced, though it can get a little slow through the date scenes. The use of black and white, while unnecessary for setting and time, adds to the feel of the film. giving it a bit more character and helping to feed the classical romance side of the film. The writing and dialogue, however, give a more modern romantic comedy feel. This sort of clash between the two styles allows the film to really stand out from both genres. With great camera work, set design, and casting this film put up a real fight for my favorite of the class. But sadly, still falls in second place due to its slower points. Overall, a very enjoyable and fun film.
Ella Oprandy: God of Love by Luke Matheny God of Love was an exceptional film. Witty, funny, and pleasantly surprising, this short film defied my expectations in several ways. Its presentation of a caring and respectful male friendship was well-done in its believability. I thought the instances of Fozzie's dedication to preserving his and Ray's friendship in such a potentially sticky situation set the stage perfectly for the moment in which Ray truly becomes the God of Love, by bringing Fozzie and Kelly together. In addition, this film had a lot of humor to it. It able to combine a few silly moments with real wit and cleverness. I found myself laughing out loud at several of the jokes and other elements which I wasn't expecting. I thought the decision to shoot in black and white was a puzzling one. I expected Ray to fall in love towards the end of the film thus reverting the picture to color, though I think had Matheny ended up doing that, it could have been a step toward the cliché which I thought, overall, he avoided doing. Perhaps the decision to shoot in black and white stemmed from a desire to minimalize the distractions that come along with color. God of Love was a shining example of what a romantic-comedy should be, regardless of length, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
This short film does a lot of things, that for a short film, is kind of rare so to speak. The combinations of the time periods of filming, scenes in black and white and the dialogue of a modern day romantic comedy are something that I thought was kind of odd, but it works and there's a balance, one is not overpowering the other. The title pointing to the Greek mythology and how Ray becomes Cupid and Ray's journey as Cupid was a nice idea of ending a film instead of just bringing him and Kelly together. The aesthetics of the film, camera angles, editing, lighting, set design, and casting really added to the film as well. All of these aesthetics point to how people now try to find the "love of their life". That we try to look towards any sign of love, for example the prayers to God from a not so religious person looking the answers, attempting to date all these "random" people seeing if they are the one, just doing anything for love essentially. But in the end, he realizes that you can't decide your fate, in the case of Ray, but you can help others, in the case of Fozzie and Kelly and the cases of other people who need guidance to help get to their significant other. However towards the end of the film, I was expecting some sort of color, whether it was the bow n arrow or the numerous couples that occurred at the end, just something to highlight that factor of a happy ending, but that didn't happen , but it didn't render the film whatsoever.
Alex Hubbard: God of Love by Luke Matheny The use of black and white in this film gave me preconceived ideas about the film before it delved farther into the story. It was a misdirection. At first I thought it would be like an old style movie with a classic simple storyline, but the quirky humor and imaginative story quickly changed my perspective. One of the greatest features in this film was the decisions when the editor decided to not make a cut. Many moment seemed longer drawn out than in most traditional films. The cuts were less dramatic and made the film honest and simple. For example, the cuts surrounding the moment when the lead character finally threw a dart at his best friend. There wasn't a giant build in music and the cuts stayed long and simple instead of rapidly cutting back and forth. The slow cuts during that scene made me rev up the intensity of the moment in my head instead of the film itself overplaying and overbuilding the intensity of the moment. The simplistic and long-lasting shots were my favorite part of this film. It kept things simple, and in doing so, it kept me interested.
Virginia Nobles: Wow what a long short and definitely different. Okay so the goofy looking guy, Raymond Goodfellow, starts off by praying to God that his crush will fall in love with him. I guess she is the drummer that is part of his act in which he sings and throws darts. The film is shot in black and white which isn't really a bad thing as I honestly forgot about the lack of color about 10 seconds into the film. Raymond receives a box with magic love darts that he tries to use on Kelly but that doesn't work because she's actually in love with Raymond's best friend. Raymond eventually uses the darts to help Rami fall in love with Kelly too. Which is a selfless act and the you realize that Raymond is basically Cupid. The shots were very well composed and the sound was very nice and smooth. It was just the right amount of lightly funny. It was simple yet complex which is hard to pull off but was done beautifully.
Katy Hale: God of Love by Luke Matheny God of Love was a black and white film that showed a lot of perspective and meaning of images throughout the duration of the film. This film was very unpredictable. At first, I thought it was going to be about something else, and it completely took me in the wrong direction. The film kept directing my eyes else wear. Once I figured out the plot of the film, it was easier to understand but I was very caught off guard at times. The film was very simple and truthful, although it was leading me in different directions at times. It was a very honest and realistic film to watch. The characters were easy and gentle and the plot was simple. Some parts were very dragged out, but it made sense why they were towards the end of the film. Everything was very simple and "well done" which kept me intact throughout the film. Nice piece.
Luke Mathery’s film, God of Love was excellent. The plot was very well put together and easy to follow. It is believed the music choice of the classical genre fits the concept of the film. What I really like about the film is that the entire film was in black & white, which gave its own uniqueness value. Each shot throughout the entire film was well thought out. It had a variety of camera angels which I really liked. Overall, very great film.
God of Love: Kathryn Flandermeyer I love this film's fantasy approach and how it turns a myth into a modern story. The black and white adds to the faux-historical quality. It's hard to tell exactly what era it takes place in (although the Skype does restrict the window). The prop work is simple and cartoony, but it's excellent within the style of the film. One of my favorite bits of this is the dialogue. It's written with a wittiness that keeps even basic conversations from getting dry. The "look it's Barack Obama" line had me laughing. I like the ambiguousness of the ending: can Ray really control what he does, or is he just setting up things already fated to happen? Is the reason it doesn't work on Kelly because they're not meant to be, or that the darts don't work when he's part of the pair? It's different from the traditional cupid story where it's all very clear. I liked the slow pull elements of the camera work when he was lying in his bed and praying. It added padding space to a scene that needed to take its time, without making it feel like we were just sitting there and waiting for the scene to expire. I felt the pull was intended to reveal something, which kept my attention while it took the needed time. Overall, liked it and its fabulism.
God of Love is a love letter to film noir. The black and white color palette, deep focus, and fatalistic themes of classic noir are inverted to a shallow focus and fatal themes in the lighter connotation of destiny and love. The characters, as in a noir film, are doomed, not to die or be imprisoned, but to fall in love with one another, no matter how much control Goodfellow thinks he has. His bassist's relationship and the pairings shown near the end of the short are evidence that ultimately, it is fate who is in control of this story and who falls in love with who, not Goodfellow, because regardless of his actions and the power he believes he has, he never truly influences events, only accelerates that which would happen anyway. Kelly and Fozzie, Frank and Angela, and all the couples in the jazz club were going to fall in love eventually, with or without darts and arrows. This playful twist on classic noir's fatalism makes for a light and joyful film.
This whimsical rom-com makes use of filming in black and white. In doing so, the viewer is forced to rely on the dialogue and not distracted by color hues to accent what has happening. The film opens with wide shot of Raymond on his moto riding down the road in the country side. There are number of med shot, single and double, as we dive into the story and the characters lives. There is a great dolly moment when we walk with Raymond and his pals down the streets of Brooklyn. I notice all three scenes in the bar were filled back to back as the characters retained their same outfits and much the same facial movements. Likely the entire scene was filmed for a master take, shot a few more times for specific angels, the insert shots of the dart board, and then the former used for the later scenes. I enjoyed this film and its rom-com quality with an element of surprise unexpected. Our main character becomes the 'giver' of love and not the receiver as we would have originally thought. At first I thought the film would have been better as a feature but after viewing see how the limited time frame aided in keeping the film within the sole requrements; it didn't take any rabbit trails - everything added to the scene and/or pushed the story along.
This video was my favorite video of the year thus far. I loved the comedy and irony behind it. The black and white aspect helped play into the black and white irony of love and the story of love that was displayed. It was creative and I found myself being in a similar, more realistic situation. I also thought it was a very modern spin on the classic story of Cupid portrayed in a perfectly ironic character. The film's capitalization of irony was executed in top tier fashion.
Rolf Konrad: God of Love by Luke Matheny First thing I’d like to comment on is the choice of black and white for the entire film. I am not sure why this was decided, but I am glad it was done. This short film looks excellent. I paused multiple times throughout it just took look and observe some of the shots. Many of the shots were a lot of close up centered shots of the actor’s faces which I really enjoyed seeing. One part of the film that I enjoyed seeing was when he collected the group of individuals to fall in love. I liked seeing the close up shots and then the wide shots of the large group of people that were accumulating from his darts. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would not mind watching this again.
Peyton Wilkins: God of Love God of Love is a playful short about love and fate. It was shot in black in white, which personally bothers me. I feel like the film would have had the same effect if it were in color. The colors would not have been too distracting and the black and white makes the film feel older than it is. The lighting is great as are the shot variations. I found the story charming with the hidden meaning that fate is in control over the magical darts. No matter how hard he tried, Raymond could not alter fate and that is why Kelly did not fall in love with him.
Kyle Heinze: God of Love by Luke Matheny I felt that this film used a wide variety of storytelling techniques to construct a narrative that was both unique and captivating. Matheny did a great job of drawing emotion from the audience, whether it be comedic or serious. The lighting was very well-done, and was apparent even though the film was black and white. The film was well-edited, allowing for a smoothly-flowing story arc that kept the viewer engaged throughout. Overall, I think the director achieved his purpose by constructing a clear story accompanied by high-quality acting and an impressive use of visual techniques.
God of Love: Dylan Milinkovich I loved this short film. It follows a Mr. Goodfellow who asks God for some of being with the girl that he really likes. He gets bestowed love darts that make the target fall in love for the first person they see for 6 hours. After the 6 hours is up the person can either stay in love and reveal their true feelings or they can leave basically back to normal life. I loved the well written story. Mr. Goodfellow never found his love but he in the end caused the destiny of others. The music fit the scene very well when it came to him admiring her and later going on dates at the opera. Each shot fit well. I really liked the shot that at the beginning where he is talking to God and the look room is very small but the band is playing behind him. Overall it was a great film and I enjoyed it.
God of love is what a short film should be. It is self contained, in the fact that it's story is completed in 20 minutes. It isn't more than it should be and because of that the viewer is left with a complete sense. The character development is quick and is often based on the actions of characters. The main character is very unique, and his opening monologue develops who he is as a person, as well as his prayer. I thought this narration set the scene well and closed the story up nice too. The choice of having the film set in modern time, while still using classic film elements such as black and white gave it a timeless look that won't be outdated as technology evolves. I thought that the story itself was simple, but cute and very well written, as well as very funny. I thought the acting really drove the film home, and added to an already great film.
Tyler Mcilwain: God of Love by Luke Matheny This was an exigent short film using witty humor, black and white tones, and a cute overall message. This was a great example of how it is best to have a script first, then build with characters and settings. It was a longer short film that had the viewer questioning the whole way through. The music and narrative arch was rather simple with little rises and falls throughout. For example when he shoots his best friend there is no extra crescendos, it continues the story like normal. This choice in the film goes along with how “love” cannot be rushed or forced, only left to let happen. It was also interesting to see the one person left alone in the end be responsible for everyone else’s love. This was a very cute story and well shot. My favorite shots were of him shooting the darts in different areas. May have been challenging to film and cut together but end result was seamless.
Keri Drake: God of Love by Luke Matheny I love how this film is shot in black and white, I feel like it fits the vibe the film is trying to give off. The variety of shot compositions used was amazing when showing the different scenes of emotions. This video took a turn to me in the one scene where the characters broke out of their shell and fell in love only to realize it was a dream making this a cute love story. Seemed as if this entire film was based off of a timer whether it was his alarm or doorbell causing him to wake up from his dreams. I loved the wide shot of all of the couples towards the end all in love and Raymond's ending scene. All in all, a very good production and well put together piece of work.
This is a simple, well-made short story in black and white. It was a super cool idea, and it was funny and charming. I feel like the lack of color made it more impactful, as I was less focused on the details of the people and moreso interested in their actions. The shots were composed well, and the music perfectly matched not only the subject matter and theme, but also meshed well with the presentation of the piece. The lighting especially was excellent; nothing was under or overexposed. Overall, I really liked it
Miranda Fulmore: God of Love by Luke Matheny This film has become one of my favorites that we have watched this semester. It's comical, the actors are perfect for each part, the story line is genius, the script is extremely well written, the music fits perfectly and the use black and white of the images really ties it all together.
Let's start first with the script. It's naturally hysterical. The humor of this film is on point, and the actors portraying these characters couldn't have done better. In addition, I loved the use of black and white in this film especially since it's supposed to be set in present day. Even though the use of black and white and the music they perform may lead you differently you can tell by subtle pop culture references like where the main character says "hey is that Barack Obama?" Normally, I may not be as sure with using these settings and portraying it as a different time period while actually making it in the present. However, I think these elements didn't distract from the story or the film but instead tied it all together.
Chris O'Connor: God of Love by Luke Matheny I really liked this film because of the variety of techniques used. The length of the film allowed for the story to be completely fleshed out. The story was easy to follow and paved a concise plot for the viewer. The use of black and white played into the theme of love and irony. I enjoyed the shot composition through the variety of shots composed. Overall an interesting film about love.
This was my favorite short so far by far. It was witty, poignant, classy, clever, and cute. The black-and-white high-key photography and musical selection combined to create a tasteful and intriguing atmosphere, and the incredibly fluid editing and shot selection kept a nicely dry, idiosyncratic rhythm going the entire time. It was brilliantly written and acted, of course, and the use of wide-angles, static camera placement and reasonably lavish set design to create comedy and surreal-realism was awesome. Seriously, that film was great.
Sam Sheriff: I absolutely adored God of Love by Luke Matheny! From the very first shot I was hooked. The cinematography was beautiful and the picture was crisp with its perfect black and white. I thought that the story and its dry humor were brilliant and that everyone in the piece acted very well. One tiny detail that was a bit subpar to me was the sound mixing. I thought that the sound was captured well, but at times I wished that the dialogue volume was raised a bit, because it was sometimes hard to hear exactly what they were saying. Other than that problem which was pretty minor, I loved this film. Looking this film up, I can see why it won an Oscar!
I enjoyed this short film. I particularly liked how they chose to do it in black and white because I feel that it allowed for less distractions and more focus on the characters and the plot. The script and dialogue I loved, mainly due to the dry humor that was put into the script. One thing I would have to make a comment on would be the fact that I felt at certain points the dialogue seemed a tad quiet and I felt that the sound mixer could have adjusted the volume of the actors. Other than that tho I feel that this film was executed quite well with the plot immersiveness and the shot variety!
I really enjoyed this film. I feel like the black and white affect contributed to the film's feeling. It helps us focus on the dialogue of the story more than the scenery. I love the dry humor and how the script is laid out. I also love how Raymond becomes "Cupid." It makes his character more interesting than just a lonesome boy wanting a girl to fall in love with him. It's great how he uses the dart to stab Kelly for a chance at love. The shots of him working on her falling in love with him are beautiful. They're very clever and wonderfully framed.
My favorite part is the turn of events, where he discovers that she didn't fall in love with him. Once again, the black and white helps the feeling and contributes to the sadness. The music is also an important detail. It is also great how he starts "darting" random people to try to find the perfect girl. Instead of being a true "Cupid" and helping more people fall in love, he uses them all on himself. I thought it was hysterical.
He then becomes the true "Cupid" and hits the guitar player, Fausy, who Kelly truly loves but Fausy doesn't seem interested. He hits Fausy with the last dart and they fall in love. I thought that was a great plot twist. I did not expect it at all.
Raymond actually becomes Cupid when he receives a bow and arrow and we are left with him riding around "striking" people with love. He is the "God of Love." That was great. I really enjoyed this short film!
I really enjoyed this film. I feel like the black and white affect contributed to the film's feeling. It helps us focus on the dialogue of the story more than the scenery. I love the dry humor and how the script is laid out. I also love how Raymond becomes "Cupid." It makes his character more interesting than just a lonesome boy wanting a girl to fall in love with him. It's great how he uses the dart to stab Kelly for a chance at love. The shots of him working on her falling in love with him are beautiful. They're very clever and wonderfully framed.
My favorite part is the turn of events, where he discovers that she didn't fall in love with him. Once again, the black and white helps the feeling and contributes to the sadness. The music is also an important detail. It is also great how he starts "darting" random people to try to find the perfect girl. Instead of being a true "Cupid" and helping more people fall in love, he uses them all on himself. I thought it was hysterical.
He then becomes the true "Cupid" and hits the guitar player, Fausy, who Kelly truly loves but Fausy doesn't seem interested. He hits Fausy with the last dart and they fall in love. I thought that was a great plot twist. I did not expect it at all.
Raymond actually becomes Cupid when he receives a bow and arrow and we are left with him riding around "striking" people with love. He is the "God of Love." That was great. I really enjoyed this short film!
I enjoyed this short very much. I was not expecting it to go the way it did toward the end. It was a twist that I think made him the true victor of the story. One of my favorite parts of this short was the black and white coloring. Although I felt like this was a dramedy for the most part, I felt like the black and white coloring showed how the protagonist was actually depressed and frustrated with how his love life was turning out. As for that twist at the end, that was the best part. I was not expecting him to become the God of Love but I really liked that he did.
Gretchen Franz: God of Love This was such a well-developed short film, I specifically appreciated how the intro was brought back as a conclusion to bring the film in full circle. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the main character and his best friend and their witty and natural dialogue. The shot variety was well planned and the choice to make the film in black and white only enhanced the theme and experience of the film. Overall, I was very satisfied with this film.
Anthony Reed; God of Love by Luke Matheny This film was composed very well through out the whole thing. The head room, over the shoulder, and inserts were almost perfect examples of how the books tell us we should frame our shots. One thing that I noticed about the film is that for artistic purposes they used some techniques that we are told not to really do, but I guess they work for certain projects. For example there are a few scenes where the actors are framed completely in the center of the frame or facing the corner of the frame with little look room. I did enjoy the high contrast of the black and white look. The highlights were bright and the shadows and blacks were very dark and crisp. The story itself was a great modern spin on the tale of Cupid.
Jordan Williams "God of Love" by Luke Matheny was very well developed. This narrative was phenomenal and you can really see the thought process behind this. How the story began at the end was genius and then gradually unveiling that he fantasized of being love and then discovers that he desired others to be in love and to be happy. The darts and the bow and arrows were greatly placed to give the audience a peak of who he was. Great shots were also planned well. Good short film!
God of Love is a basic, well-made film. The length and style fortunately help it to succeed instead of conflicting with it. While it's difficult to love all aspects of the motion picture, it's anything but difficult to appreciate the remarkable world that Matheny has created in the eighteen minutes we experience of it. What is harder to foresee, nonetheless, is exactly how one of a kind the tone of the film is. It's comedic without being especially amusing, and it's inspiring without being notably passionate. On the off-chance that anything, it's just charming. The wisdom of this film comes in its cinematography, which is truly done very well. Each shot looks wonderful, and the high contrast style fits the lounge setting great. The film feels exceptionally natural and certifiable thanks in large part to these expressive decisions.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Peterson: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis short film is well put together and blissfully simple. The black and white opposed to color made the tone well known from the beginning. The lightening in the shots were very well done, especially when they are playing on stage. What is also interesting about this film is that you get the feeling that the setting takes place a super long time ago, but when you look at the people in the audience they look like they are definitely from this time. There is also a part where they are video chatting, another example of how it takes place in this time despite the black and white theme. The narration from the start helped give the viewer a taste of what was to come before they went into the dialogue. Matheny did an amazing job of deciding how to frame each shot. Putting close ups in at the right parts. Overall, this was a simple and pleasing short film. Very well put together and strategic.
It was a well clear and simple storytelling and direction style. The use of black and white instead of colors was very smart choice by the maker, and infant it worked very well in context of the story. Editing played important part in the film, as we discussed in class today about how each frame is important in editing and watching all the footage in the editing room, I think that they have also used some footage which came like blessing out of nowhere to the editor. I also agree with Kelsey in the point that maker is defiantly not trying to create illusion of old times but at the same time uses the black and white color for visuals. At first when I saw the film was eighteen minute long, I presume that it might be boring and confusing, but it was very simple story put together in short time. He really made it look simplest. I liked the story and the title of the film.
ReplyDeleteBraedan Snow: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis short film was very cinematic, and followed the basic story structure of a movie. The story reminded me of a typical romantic comedy, but with the mise en scene separates it from one you would see in theaters. The fact alone that the film is in black and white gives it a different feel than a basic movie. The shot composition is also something that stuck out to me, as Matheny would experiment with the framing here and there. For example the camera was tilted at a Dutch angle at one point during crowd shots, and the depth of field was noticeably shortened during the outdoor shots at the park; another point in which this occurred was when Raymond and Kelly kissed. The shallow depth of field was very effective during these shots specifically, because due to that and the tight close up, their emotions were well showcased, and the viewer could tell exactly what was going on without the actors even speaking. There were also a lot of experimental camera movements I noticed during the film, for example during the Raymond and Kelly montage, the camera would quickly pan right to transition into the next shot, and I thought that this was well done and it worked with the feel of the shots. Rarely were there any static shots, overall most the time the camera would move in some shape or form, rather that be a tilt, pan, or full on handheld. This short film had a pretty unique essence about it, and overall it was well done.
Alex Harris: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cute concept. The storytelling is very well paced, though it can get a little slow through the date scenes. The use of black and white, while unnecessary for setting and time, adds to the feel of the film. giving it a bit more character and helping to feed the classical romance side of the film. The writing and dialogue, however, give a more modern romantic comedy feel. This sort of clash between the two styles allows the film to really stand out from both genres. With great camera work, set design, and casting this film put up a real fight for my favorite of the class. But sadly, still falls in second place due to its slower points. Overall, a very enjoyable and fun film.
Ella Oprandy: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteGod of Love was an exceptional film. Witty, funny, and pleasantly surprising, this short film defied my expectations in several ways. Its presentation of a caring and respectful male friendship was well-done in its believability. I thought the instances of Fozzie's dedication to preserving his and Ray's friendship in such a potentially sticky situation set the stage perfectly for the moment in which Ray truly becomes the God of Love, by bringing Fozzie and Kelly together. In addition, this film had a lot of humor to it. It able to combine a few silly moments with real wit and cleverness. I found myself laughing out loud at several of the jokes and other elements which I wasn't expecting. I thought the decision to shoot in black and white was a puzzling one. I expected Ray to fall in love towards the end of the film thus reverting the picture to color, though I think had Matheny ended up doing that, it could have been a step toward the cliché which I thought, overall, he avoided doing. Perhaps the decision to shoot in black and white stemmed from a desire to minimalize the distractions that come along with color. God of Love was a shining example of what a romantic-comedy should be, regardless of length, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Karenya Garrett: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis short film does a lot of things, that for a short film, is kind of rare so to speak. The combinations of the time periods of filming, scenes in black and white and the dialogue of a modern day romantic comedy are something that I thought was kind of odd, but it works and there's a balance, one is not overpowering the other. The title pointing to the Greek mythology and how Ray becomes Cupid and Ray's journey as Cupid was a nice idea of ending a film instead of just bringing him and Kelly together. The aesthetics of the film, camera angles, editing, lighting, set design, and casting really added to the film as well. All of these aesthetics point to how people now try to find the "love of their life". That we try to look towards any sign of love, for example the prayers to God from a not so religious person looking the answers, attempting to date all these "random" people seeing if they are the one, just doing anything for love essentially. But in the end, he realizes that you can't decide your fate, in the case of Ray, but you can help others, in the case of Fozzie and Kelly and the cases of other people who need guidance to help get to their significant other. However towards the end of the film, I was expecting some sort of color, whether it was the bow n arrow or the numerous couples that occurred at the end, just something to highlight that factor of a happy ending, but that didn't happen , but it didn't render the film whatsoever.
Alex Hubbard: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThe use of black and white in this film gave me preconceived ideas about the film before it delved farther into the story. It was a misdirection. At first I thought it would be like an old style movie with a classic simple storyline, but the quirky humor and imaginative story quickly changed my perspective.
One of the greatest features in this film was the decisions when the editor decided to not make a cut. Many moment seemed longer drawn out than in most traditional films. The cuts were less dramatic and made the film honest and simple. For example, the cuts surrounding the moment when the lead character finally threw a dart at his best friend. There wasn't a giant build in music and the cuts stayed long and simple instead of rapidly cutting back and forth. The slow cuts during that scene made me rev up the intensity of the moment in my head instead of the film itself overplaying and overbuilding the intensity of the moment.
The simplistic and long-lasting shots were my favorite part of this film. It kept things simple, and in doing so, it kept me interested.
Virginia Nobles: Wow what a long short and definitely different. Okay so the goofy looking guy, Raymond Goodfellow, starts off by praying to God that his crush will fall in love with him. I guess she is the drummer that is part of his act in which he sings and throws darts. The film is shot in black and white which isn't really a bad thing as I honestly forgot about the lack of color about 10 seconds into the film. Raymond receives a box with magic love darts that he tries to use on Kelly but that doesn't work because she's actually in love with Raymond's best friend. Raymond eventually uses the darts to help Rami fall in love with Kelly too. Which is a selfless act and the you realize that Raymond is basically Cupid. The shots were very well composed and the sound was very nice and smooth. It was just the right amount of lightly funny. It was simple yet complex which is hard to pull off but was done beautifully.
ReplyDeleteKaty Hale: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteGod of Love was a black and white film that showed a lot of perspective and meaning of images throughout the duration of the film. This film was very unpredictable. At first, I thought it was going to be about something else, and it completely took me in the wrong direction. The film kept directing my eyes else wear. Once I figured out the plot of the film, it was easier to understand but I was very caught off guard at times. The film was very simple and truthful, although it was leading me in different directions at times. It was a very honest and realistic film to watch. The characters were easy and gentle and the plot was simple. Some parts were very dragged out, but it made sense why they were towards the end of the film. Everything was very simple and "well done" which kept me intact throughout the film. Nice piece.
Kristin Whitely : God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteLuke Mathery’s film, God of Love was excellent. The plot was very well put together and easy to follow. It is believed the music choice of the classical genre fits the concept of the film. What I really like about the film is that the entire film was in black & white, which gave its own uniqueness value. Each shot throughout the entire film was well thought out. It had a variety of camera angels which I really liked. Overall, very great film.
God of Love: Kathryn Flandermeyer
ReplyDeleteI love this film's fantasy approach and how it turns a myth into a modern story. The black and white adds to the faux-historical quality. It's hard to tell exactly what era it takes place in (although the Skype does restrict the window). The prop work is simple and cartoony, but it's excellent within the style of the film.
One of my favorite bits of this is the dialogue. It's written with a wittiness that keeps even basic conversations from getting dry. The "look it's Barack Obama" line had me laughing.
I like the ambiguousness of the ending: can Ray really control what he does, or is he just setting up things already fated to happen? Is the reason it doesn't work on Kelly because they're not meant to be, or that the darts don't work when he's part of the pair? It's different from the traditional cupid story where it's all very clear.
I liked the slow pull elements of the camera work when he was lying in his bed and praying. It added padding space to a scene that needed to take its time, without making it feel like we were just sitting there and waiting for the scene to expire. I felt the pull was intended to reveal something, which kept my attention while it took the needed time.
Overall, liked it and its fabulism.
Jonathan Holle
ReplyDeleteGod of Love is a love letter to film noir. The black and white color palette, deep focus, and fatalistic themes of classic noir are inverted to a shallow focus and fatal themes in the lighter connotation of destiny and love. The characters, as in a noir film, are doomed, not to die or be imprisoned, but to fall in love with one another, no matter how much control Goodfellow thinks he has. His bassist's relationship and the pairings shown near the end of the short are evidence that ultimately, it is fate who is in control of this story and who falls in love with who, not Goodfellow, because regardless of his actions and the power he believes he has, he never truly influences events, only accelerates that which would happen anyway. Kelly and Fozzie, Frank and Angela, and all the couples in the jazz club were going to fall in love eventually, with or without darts and arrows. This playful twist on classic noir's fatalism makes for a light and joyful film.
God of Love
ReplyDeleteThis whimsical rom-com makes use of filming in black and white. In doing so, the viewer is forced to rely on the dialogue and not distracted by color hues to accent what has happening. The film opens with wide shot of Raymond on his moto riding down the road in the country side. There are number of med shot, single and double, as we dive into the story and the characters lives. There is a great dolly moment when we walk with Raymond and his pals down the streets of Brooklyn. I notice all three scenes in the bar were filled back to back as the characters retained their same outfits and much the same facial movements. Likely the entire scene was filmed for a master take, shot a few more times for specific angels, the insert shots of the dart board, and then the former used for the later scenes. I enjoyed this film and its rom-com quality with an element of surprise unexpected. Our main character becomes the 'giver' of love and not the receiver as we would have originally thought. At first I thought the film would have been better as a feature but after viewing see how the limited time frame aided in keeping the film within the sole requrements; it didn't take any rabbit trails - everything added to the scene and/or pushed the story along.
This video was my favorite video of the year thus far. I loved the comedy and irony behind it. The black and white aspect helped play into the black and white irony of love and the story of love that was displayed. It was creative and I found myself being in a similar, more realistic situation. I also thought it was a very modern spin on the classic story of Cupid portrayed in a perfectly ironic character. The film's capitalization of irony was executed in top tier fashion.
ReplyDeleteRolf Konrad: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteFirst thing I’d like to comment on is the choice of black and white for the entire film. I am not sure why this was decided, but I am glad it was done. This short film looks excellent. I paused multiple times throughout it just took look and observe some of the shots. Many of the shots were a lot of close up centered shots of the actor’s faces which I really enjoyed seeing. One part of the film that I enjoyed seeing was when he collected the group of individuals to fall in love. I liked seeing the close up shots and then the wide shots of the large group of people that were accumulating from his darts. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would not mind watching this again.
Peyton Wilkins: God of Love
ReplyDeleteGod of Love is a playful short about love and fate. It was shot in black in white, which personally bothers me. I feel like the film would have had the same effect if it were in color. The colors would not have been too distracting and the black and white makes the film feel older than it is. The lighting is great as are the shot variations. I found the story charming with the hidden meaning that fate is in control over the magical darts. No matter how hard he tried, Raymond could not alter fate and that is why Kelly did not fall in love with him.
Kyle Heinze: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI felt that this film used a wide variety of storytelling techniques to construct a narrative that was both unique and captivating. Matheny did a great job of drawing emotion from the audience, whether it be comedic or serious. The lighting was very well-done, and was apparent even though the film was black and white. The film was well-edited, allowing for a smoothly-flowing story arc that kept the viewer engaged throughout. Overall, I think the director achieved his purpose by constructing a clear story accompanied by high-quality acting and an impressive use of visual techniques.
God of Love: Dylan Milinkovich
ReplyDeleteI loved this short film. It follows a Mr. Goodfellow who asks God for some of being with the girl that he really likes. He gets bestowed love darts that make the target fall in love for the first person they see for 6 hours. After the 6 hours is up the person can either stay in love and reveal their true feelings or they can leave basically back to normal life. I loved the well written story. Mr. Goodfellow never found his love but he in the end caused the destiny of others. The music fit the scene very well when it came to him admiring her and later going on dates at the opera. Each shot fit well. I really liked the shot that at the beginning where he is talking to God and the look room is very small but the band is playing behind him. Overall it was a great film and I enjoyed it.
Nick Stellon: God of Love
ReplyDeleteGod of love is what a short film should be. It is self contained, in the fact that it's story is completed in 20 minutes. It isn't more than it should be and because of that the viewer is left with a complete sense. The character development is quick and is often based on the actions of characters. The main character is very unique, and his opening monologue develops who he is as a person, as well as his prayer. I thought this narration set the scene well and closed the story up nice too. The choice of having the film set in modern time, while still using classic film elements such as black and white gave it a timeless look that won't be outdated as technology evolves. I thought that the story itself was simple, but cute and very well written, as well as very funny. I thought the acting really drove the film home, and added to an already great film.
Tyler Mcilwain: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis was an exigent short film using witty humor, black and white tones, and a cute overall message. This was a great example of how it is best to have a script first, then build with characters and settings. It was a longer short film that had the viewer questioning the whole way through. The music and narrative arch was rather simple with little rises and falls throughout. For example when he shoots his best friend there is no extra crescendos, it continues the story like normal. This choice in the film goes along with how “love” cannot be rushed or forced, only left to let happen. It was also interesting to see the one person left alone in the end be responsible for everyone else’s love. This was a very cute story and well shot. My favorite shots were of him shooting the darts in different areas. May have been challenging to film and cut together but end result was seamless.
Keri Drake: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI love how this film is shot in black and white, I feel like it fits the vibe the film is trying to give off. The variety of shot compositions used was amazing when showing the different scenes of emotions. This video took a turn to me in the one scene where the characters broke out of their shell and fell in love only to realize it was a dream making this a cute love story. Seemed as if this entire film was based off of a timer whether it was his alarm or doorbell causing him to wake up from his dreams. I loved the wide shot of all of the couples towards the end all in love and Raymond's ending scene. All in all, a very good production and well put together piece of work.
Ben Boynton: God of Love
ReplyDeleteThis is a simple, well-made short story in black and white. It was a super cool idea, and it was funny and charming. I feel like the lack of color made it more impactful, as I was less focused on the details of the people and moreso interested in their actions.
The shots were composed well, and the music perfectly matched not only the subject matter and theme, but also meshed well with the presentation of the piece. The lighting especially was excellent; nothing was under or overexposed. Overall, I really liked it
Miranda Fulmore: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis film has become one of my favorites that we have watched this semester. It's comical, the actors are perfect for each part, the story line is genius, the script is extremely well written, the music fits perfectly and the use black and white of the images really ties it all together.
Let's start first with the script. It's naturally hysterical. The humor of this film is on point, and the actors portraying these characters couldn't have done better. In addition, I loved the use of black and white in this film especially since it's supposed to be set in present day. Even though the use of black and white and the music they perform may lead you differently you can tell by subtle pop culture references like where the main character says "hey is that Barack Obama?" Normally, I may not be as sure with using these settings and portraying it as a different time period while actually making it in the present. However, I think these elements didn't distract from the story or the film but instead tied it all together.
Chris O'Connor: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI really liked this film because of the variety of techniques used. The length of the film allowed for the story to be completely fleshed out. The story was easy to follow and paved a concise plot for the viewer. The use of black and white played into the theme of love and irony. I enjoyed the shot composition through the variety of shots composed. Overall an interesting film about love.
This was my favorite short so far by far. It was witty, poignant, classy, clever, and cute. The black-and-white high-key photography and musical selection combined to create a tasteful and intriguing atmosphere, and the incredibly fluid editing and shot selection kept a nicely dry, idiosyncratic rhythm going the entire time. It was brilliantly written and acted, of course, and the use of wide-angles, static camera placement and reasonably lavish set design to create comedy and surreal-realism was awesome. Seriously, that film was great.
ReplyDeleteSam Sheriff: I absolutely adored God of Love by Luke Matheny! From the very first shot I was hooked. The cinematography was beautiful and the picture was crisp with its perfect black and white. I thought that the story and its dry humor were brilliant and that everyone in the piece acted very well. One tiny detail that was a bit subpar to me was the sound mixing. I thought that the sound was captured well, but at times I wished that the dialogue volume was raised a bit, because it was sometimes hard to hear exactly what they were saying. Other than that problem which was pretty minor, I loved this film. Looking this film up, I can see why it won an Oscar!
ReplyDeleteJustin LaSor: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this short film. I particularly liked how they chose to do it in black and white because I feel that it allowed for less distractions and more focus on the characters and the plot. The script and dialogue I loved, mainly due to the dry humor that was put into the script. One thing I would have to make a comment on would be the fact that I felt at certain points the dialogue seemed a tad quiet and I felt that the sound mixer could have adjusted the volume of the actors. Other than that tho I feel that this film was executed quite well with the plot immersiveness and the shot variety!
Cody Quinn: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this film. I feel like the black and white affect contributed to the film's feeling. It helps us focus on the dialogue of the story more than the scenery. I love the dry humor and how the script is laid out.
I also love how Raymond becomes "Cupid." It makes his character more interesting than just a lonesome boy wanting a girl to fall in love with him. It's great how he uses the dart to stab Kelly for a chance at love. The shots of him working on her falling in love with him are beautiful. They're very clever and wonderfully framed.
My favorite part is the turn of events, where he discovers that she didn't fall in love with him. Once again, the black and white helps the feeling and contributes to the sadness. The music is also an important detail. It is also great how he starts "darting" random people to try to find the perfect girl. Instead of being a true "Cupid" and helping more people fall in love, he uses them all on himself. I thought it was hysterical.
He then becomes the true "Cupid" and hits the guitar player, Fausy, who Kelly truly loves but Fausy doesn't seem interested. He hits Fausy with the last dart and they fall in love. I thought that was a great plot twist. I did not expect it at all.
Raymond actually becomes Cupid when he receives a bow and arrow and we are left with him riding around "striking" people with love. He is the "God of Love." That was great. I really enjoyed this short film!
Cody Quinn: God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this film. I feel like the black and white affect contributed to the film's feeling. It helps us focus on the dialogue of the story more than the scenery. I love the dry humor and how the script is laid out.
I also love how Raymond becomes "Cupid." It makes his character more interesting than just a lonesome boy wanting a girl to fall in love with him. It's great how he uses the dart to stab Kelly for a chance at love. The shots of him working on her falling in love with him are beautiful. They're very clever and wonderfully framed.
My favorite part is the turn of events, where he discovers that she didn't fall in love with him. Once again, the black and white helps the feeling and contributes to the sadness. The music is also an important detail. It is also great how he starts "darting" random people to try to find the perfect girl. Instead of being a true "Cupid" and helping more people fall in love, he uses them all on himself. I thought it was hysterical.
He then becomes the true "Cupid" and hits the guitar player, Fausy, who Kelly truly loves but Fausy doesn't seem interested. He hits Fausy with the last dart and they fall in love. I thought that was a great plot twist. I did not expect it at all.
Raymond actually becomes Cupid when he receives a bow and arrow and we are left with him riding around "striking" people with love. He is the "God of Love." That was great. I really enjoyed this short film!
Sam Flowers : God of Love
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this short very much. I was not expecting it to go the way it did toward the end. It was a twist that I think made him the true victor of the story. One of my favorite parts of this short was the black and white coloring. Although I felt like this was a dramedy for the most part, I felt like the black and white coloring showed how the protagonist was actually depressed and frustrated with how his love life was turning out. As for that twist at the end, that was the best part. I was not expecting him to become the God of Love but I really liked that he did.
Gretchen Franz: God of Love
ReplyDeleteThis was such a well-developed short film, I specifically appreciated how the intro was brought back as a conclusion to bring the film in full circle. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the main character and his best friend and their witty and natural dialogue. The shot variety was well planned and the choice to make the film in black and white only enhanced the theme and experience of the film. Overall, I was very satisfied with this film.
Anthony Reed; God of Love by Luke Matheny
ReplyDeleteThis film was composed very well through out the whole thing. The head room, over the shoulder, and inserts were almost perfect examples of how the books tell us we should frame our shots. One thing that I noticed about the film is that for artistic purposes they used some techniques that we are told not to really do, but I guess they work for certain projects. For example there are a few scenes where the actors are framed completely in the center of the frame or facing the corner of the frame with little look room. I did enjoy the high contrast of the black and white look. The highlights were bright and the shadows and blacks were very dark and crisp. The story itself was a great modern spin on the tale of Cupid.
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ReplyDeleteJordan Williams
ReplyDelete"God of Love" by Luke Matheny was very well developed. This narrative was phenomenal and you can really see the thought process behind this. How the story began at the end was genius and then gradually unveiling that he fantasized of being love and then discovers that he desired others to be in love and to be happy. The darts and the bow and arrows were greatly placed to give the audience a peak of who he was. Great shots were also planned well. Good short film!