First of all (this just rocked my world), I am--apparently--this super incredible WRITER OF AWESOMENESS. At least, according to my film teacher I am. Seriously, he went on and on and on to THE WHOLE CLASS about how I wrote this simply AMAZING PAPER that was the equivalence of LITERARY GOLD of something about THIRTY TIMES in roughly TEN MINUTES. Ummm...yeah? I think my entire class probably hates me by now BUT it is a GREAT RELIEF to hear this after I got rejected by La Vie as a permanent writer. SO THAT IS PRETTY COOL.

The greatest thing about the whole ordeal? THAT PAPER WAS NOTHING BUT 100% BULL. Seriously. It's just something I slapped together and I didn't even think it was that great. So I feel a bit weird that it got so much praise. I'm glad it happened...but it's just weird...

Anyways...For your consideration:

"Nosferatu! That name alone can chill the blood..." It is with these words that Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau begins his classic 1922 version of Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, Dracula. From the very beginning, the music seems to evoke feelings of a backwards little hamlet. From the opening, Hutter’s love for his wife Ellen is quite apparent if not expressed in an altogether quirky manner. Ellen on the other hand comes off at first as wholly unappreciative. Greta Schröder and Gustav von Wangenheim’s acting is impeccable, as is that of the entire cast. Alexander Granach innovatively brings the eccentric and creepy Knock to life. Each and every actor (and actress) masterfully uses the exaggerated movements and facial expressions that are essential to properly conveying emotion in a silent film without over doing his or her own part. The effect is a staged presentation that is not overly dramatic, but unnatural enough to support the strangeness of the overall story.

Of course, it is Max Schreck’s eerily haunting performance as Graf Orlok that is one of the crowning features of this film. He effectively brings to life the mystery and horror of the Count whilst not overplaying the role. He manages his motion in an almost other-worldly way that brings added depth to the character. His facial expressions seem inhuman. His portrayal of the vampire (which consisted of perhaps only ten minutes of the entire film) was so realistic that it lead to rumors that he was, in fact, himself a vampire, hence his amazing ability to bring Count Orlok to life so convincingly.

Throughout the film, blatant foreshadowing is used to both frighten the viewers and key them into the true horrors that await Hutter and the rest of the cast as the story unfolds. Likewise, the use of creative lighting is employed to articulate the mood and tone of the scenes. Shadow and light are used to highlight various sentiments of the film.

The scenes themselves were of an average length, but the shots composing the scenes themselves were shorter, suggesting a slightly manic feel to the film. There were a few jump cuts and a few of the shots were filmed quite awkwardly. And though this was probably due to a lack in the availability of what we would now call “every day” techniques, I find that it added to the unsettling feel of the film and enhanced the overall experience.

Overall, I felt that this was an amazing film and one of the best horror films I have ever seen. The acting, in combination with Murnau’s seamless direction and the perfectly on-par shooting, created a flawlessly staged production that stands out from a crowd of poor Dracula remakes and sloppily-filmed horror movies. The overall uncomfortable and frightening tone is well conveyed through an effective use of lighting, coverage, and strategy that is absolutely top-notch. On the whole, Murnau’s adaptation of this old favorite easily ranks as one of the most striking films to ever be viewed.

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Also, in honor of the utterly brilliant and enlightened naive_wanderer: WHY UTERUS WHYYYYYYY?

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UMMMM I AM HUNGRY AND CANNOT THINK OF WHAT TO EAT. ALSO, I JUST SAW A SQUIRREL PASS BY MY WINDOW.

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I think I'm going to buy the white OP that Meta gave out in their Lucky Packs....because I want an OP or JSK and cannot seem to find any other that will allow me to afford Oni-Con as well. My only question is this: HOW DO I COORDINATE?!!?! Seriously, all I have are black shoes...so I can't really do shiro-loli. HELP! I do not want to buy more shoes (Ok...yes I do, but my wallet doesn't....) :\ I suppose I could go out and buy a small bit of white fabric to make a headbow...but WHAT ABOUT SHOES?!?!? GAWDS...I have NEVER lacked the correct shoes for ANYTHING. Probably because I buy shoes ALL. THE. TIME.

So help....