Stranger Things : Be Reel Blog
I recently began to watch the highly popular show on Netflix Stranger Things.I have seen a majority of people I know freaking out over the release of season two so I became curious of what the fuss was about. After a couple of episodes I was hooked. I binged watched this show and finished both seasons in two days and honestly this show is definitely one of my new favorites and I cannot wait til season 3! I got hooked by always feeling like I was on the edge of my seat. I always craved more. After each episode no matter how hard I tried I couldn't help but watch the next one immediately. I do have to say that season 2 definitely wasn't as good as season 1 but it was still enticing to keep watching non-stop. Subjectively, I enjoyed this series because of all the 80’s tie ins. Usually I am not a fan of the Sci-Fi genre however this had a lot of references that I know since I have always been a fan of the 80s because honestly who hasn't. I think this show does a good job of showing how they dressed back,how everyone smoked cigarettes all the time, the kinds of music they listened to, the cars, the crowded arcades etc;.Objectively this series has a lot of qualities that left myself and most likely a majority of other viewers wanting more. These were the director's specific choices of mise-en-scene elements. Their decision to have low key lighting,different changing camera angles, non diegetic audio and different dominant colors that were specific to the real world and the Upside Down. These elements of mise-en-scene overall create suspense and a sense of curiosity for what comes next in the viewers. A scene that has a lot of these elements combined is a scene from season one where Eleven defeats the Demogorgon or also know as the “Goodbye Mike” scene. The electricity in the school is all out of whack which causes the lights to glitch and make the screen go from barely lit to dark making it difficult to see. The way the camera zooms in on the door just as the screeching of the monster stops and then we see the Demogorgon barge in. The way the non diegetic audio of the music in the background is suspense and epic itself. The colors in the scene themselves are all dark tones of blues.greens and blacks relating to that eerie and dark sense of the Upside Down. These elements all help create the suspense of this scene. I rate this series Good Good and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Hey Tor!!
ReplyDeleteI just recently started watching Stranger Things and I completely agree with your opinion on this show, it is amazing! I enjoy and love every single moment of this show. I am currently on episode 4 of the first season but I am seriously hooked and am probably going to finish the whole entire first season tonight and maybe even the second...lol! I am so cringey as you already know haha! I also agree with your points about the mise en scene elements in the show...they are amazing and contribute to the whole entire feeling of edginess in the series. I also agree with your description of the 80s theme that you described in your blog, the 80s was such an interesting decade. From the clothing to the weird but catchy music, the 80s was an amazing decade and in the show they demonstrate the decade so well and its fascinating how they use prevalent items that were in the 80s and use them in the series and show how they develop the suspense and creepiness of the show. The colors that you mentioned in your blog are completely true in creating a more eerie and creepy tone throughout the series. I would also give this series a good good rating because of all the elements that you mentioned and because the series is just amazing!
Love,
Shannon
I started watching the most popular show right now, Stranger things on Thursday due to how many blog posts there were about. Almost every be reel blog had the shows rated Good good and this made me super interested in the series. I ended up absolutely loving this show and became completely obsessed so the obvious thing to do was to binged watch both seasons in three days. I find the whole concept of the upside down super interesting and different than any other show I have watched. I instantly feel in love with all the characters (especially Dustin) on the show because they all showed a different aspect of the time period. To be completely honest I thought this show was going to be a cheesy 80’s show but 100% pleasantly surprised me when it captured the time perfectly from the outfits and even the style of the houses. They included details like cars to fit the time, music and even the language they use. From the references to all the 80’s movies in the show to the even the wallpaper and wood paneling on the walls, this show is straight from the past. I always wondered what it was like back and this show gives a accurate description. I'm in love with this show and can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Stranger Things is an amazing TV show, with amazing in depth characters. Finishing season 2 within four days, I have to disagree that season 1 was better. I think that they enhanced and brought out many of the character's personalities and development within the second season. Although I agree with you about the topic of the 80's, with all the references to several 80's classic movies, this show helps bring an emotional appeal to all audiences, because like you said "who doest love the 80's"
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