SCOD - "Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall."

O

One Ringer

Tol Eressea
Aragorn stumbles upon a clue.

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1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?

Before reading your questions, the first thing I thought when I saw the image was, "Aragorn looks younger than usual here." I believe Viggo was around 41 when this scene was filmed. Dang he looked good for his age.

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?

He may be looking at Legolas but he appears also to be looking beyond him, trying to see what Legolas sees. Or he's using his Ninja powers to take in as much information about the countryside as possible...

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?

And while his eyes are drinking in as much as possible, his mind is making calculations, and he's probably telling himself that "it won't be long now... just a little bit further and we will rescue our friends."

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?

Nah, I'm just drinking in the awesomeness of Viggo's Strider.
 
Strider always does what needs to be done. He can't help Frodo, so he immediately takes on the task of saving Merry and Pippin. He's been running along for days, not giving up, just doing the right thing against all odds. He isn't called Estel for nothing.

Then, out of all expectation, he finds a fragile symbol of why he's doing this, and it stuns him momentarily. "Maybe we really do have a chance of finding them alive." He's been doggedly pursuing the bad guys in order to save good guys, which has been his lot, his duty, for years. Even someone of such unwavering perseverance can be taken aback to see proof that what he is doing matters. Everybody needs a little hope now and then.

The closeups are where you see important stuff like this, SA.[;)]
 
I think that Aragorn looks younger here because his face is relaxed. He has had it brought to his attention that more is going on here than even he is aware of or can control. And yes, there is a "hope against all hope" aspect creeping into it. He is looking at Legolas because he may understand what Aragorn is thinking and why. And he is also looking beyond Legolas, probably to his (hopefully/possibly) future Gmother-in-law, Galadriel, the reason why the leaves of Lórien behave as they do.
 
Are generally cheap ways of eliciting emotion in cinema, and a waste of the vast visual potential of the film canvas. Instead of giving us a manipulative closeup of Frodo crying, for example, give us a great composition that shows, through how the shot is set up, how alone Frodo feels. That's exploiting the visual language of cinema to its full potential.

Some film-makers, like Malick, pull extreme close-ups off in an interesting way, but I find PJ's overuse of the extreme closeup to be obnoxious.

Personal taste, that's all.

It's seen as perfectly valid for many film-makers.
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?
Considering how tired they'd have to have been at this point, I'd say he looks, not necessarily younger, but suddenly energized, re-invigorated, by the discovery of the brooch.

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?
I think he is picturing in his mind an entirely new set of circumstances now, he's visualizing now the possibilities - where they might be, what might be going on.

3.) In general, what sort of emotions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?
"There is always hope". And maybe a tiny hint of "Yesss! :)"

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?
Good image choice, One Ringer!
 
Speaking of the 'Frodo crying' close-up --

Right before that particular close-up, there is a shot of him heading away into a very expansive rocky landscape within which he appears very small and alone indeed. And that barren landscape is part of the composition of the close-up image, appearing around and beside and behind his face, which speaks to me as a visual expression of the emptiness outside reflecting the emptiness he feels inside.

I guess it's interesting how differently people can look at the same image. I found a great deal was expressed visually in the way that shot was composed.
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?

I agree with others that hope has been renewed and a weight has been lifted - at least lightened a bit - which has reinvigorated him.

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?

He looks like he's thinking hard about the implications of this find.

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?

Guarded optimism.

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?

Great shot. [:)]
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?: He's good-looking (as always) in this shot.

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?: It's the sudden realisation that Merry and Pippin might still be alive.

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?: Hope and determination.

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?: Epic picture!
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?

His eyes are wider than usual, and slightly surprised, and that always makes people look more vulnerable therefore younger.


2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?

He looks slightly startled as if he is thinking quickly of what to do next.

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?

to me he looks like he is reacting to something he is seeing, something is going on but i dont know what it is.

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?
I love his hair and costume
 
1.) I partly chose this shot because there's something a bit peculiar about the way Aragorn looks here; there's something youthful about him. Any thoughts or observations of your own?
He looks clean and fresh for someone who has been traveling by foot over rough country for days.

2.) We can assume he's looking at Legolas here, but is there something more going on with his eyes?
They seem focused inwardly - either thinking or remembering. He's interpreting an important and surprising sign.

3.) In general, what sort of emtions (if any at all) can be distinguished here?
Hope, excitement, wonder

4.) Any other thoughts/comments?
It reminds me of when I drop a piece of sausage or sandwich for my dog and after much uncertain hoping and wishing, she finally gets a treat and knows it all paid off and there might be more treats in the future if she is lucky and good.
 
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