A classic "femme fatale" shot in Double Indemnity

        I chose this shot because it is very characteristic of a "femme-fatale" shot in film noir. First notice the background furnishings in the house; they are ornate and imply wealth and some extravagance. This suggests that Miss Deitrichson surrounds herself with expensive things because she has a certain vanity she must keep if she is to be a successful con-woman. Also, notice the lines in this shot; the wall design, window blinds, desk, and carpet all form horizontal/diagonal lines that point towards Miss Deitrichson. This combined with her being in the dead center of the frame assures the viewer that she must be and is the center of attention. She is drawing you in to her act with the extravagance and her deceiving fake tears, this is characteristic of the femme fatale character trying to fool you to seek her own ends. However, behind her act and her big affront of beauty and wealth and fake emotions, lies her dark and evil intentions. This is characterized by the stark shadow on the wall behind her on the right side of the frame; while she is the center of attention and the frame, there is always an inescapable shadow lurking behind her.

Minority Report Still Analysis

      
               In this still Spielberg chose to create something of a shot within a shot; the camera is outside the house and depicts window which frames a scene within the house. The light inside the house includes serene yellows and rustic pale browns, and there is a slight bloom or glow on some of the whites, together making for a picture that is peaceful, calm, and almost dreamlike. Within the window frame the female is in the foreground while the two males are in another room in the background; while the males are included in this scene, she is clearly the primary focus.
              More information is revealed or implied when you take a step back and consider the exterior of the house in this frame. First, the horizontal lines of the woodwork point towards the interior scene, thus drawing the viewers eyes in. In this final shot of the film, one of the last things we see is this scene within the window frame, this simulated frame combined with the sedentary action in the house creates a look akin to that of a framed painting. The window contains this picaresque scene very neatly; it is a very conclusionary shot that was chosen to remain in the audience' heads after the credits roll. It is a shot that feels very wrapped up with a bow and leaves no hints of fear or uncertainty; an aesthetic choice to create the feel of a peaceful, contented ending to a movie that is full of mystery and doubts.