A History of Violence
The opening of this thriller starts tranquil and quiet. The pacing is very slow and creates a tedious effect, leaving the audience wondering what's going to happen. The scene is set in a small motel;the mis-en-scene of this opening makes the film seem desolate and deserted. The camera work is still and slow using a tracking shot to follow the characters. This opening fits in with the typical conventions of a thriller because it adds suspense because of how slow the pace is. Action then picks up when the opening comes to an ending. This leaves a short cliffhanger for the audience, questioning why the man killed all of those people in the hotel and why the man shot the child. Following the convention of tension, there is a part in the scene where we are left with one guy sitting in a car while the other goes into the reception. This leaves us clueless and left in the dark about what is happening. The sound of crickets is played continuously then transitions into loud dramatic music, this suggests an oncoming action sequence.
No Country for Old Men
The mis-en-scene is shown to be in a desert. The fact that it is set in the desert contributes the stranded feel the opening has, barely anyone is around creating an eerie atmosphere. The pace picks up with quick editing of an action sequence. Moreover, there's a gradual build up of sinister music being played in the background. Suggesting suspense is increasing and the main character becomes more and more ominous to the audience. During this scene there's various camera shots, to give the viewer an idea of the setting. Additionally, the use of camera shots is used to the advantage of the killing scene as it makes the scene more fast paced, increasing the adrenaline of the audience.
Zodiac
The opening of this film fits into the criteria of a thriller because it starts off normally, where the characters don't seem to be in any danger. The music is lighthearted and does not signify a crisis, which leaves the audience wondering what could go wrong - this can also gain suspense. The pace is prolonged as we are waiting for something bad to happen. As the killer shows up the editing pace slows down as there are quick shots from one person getting shot to the next. The music in the background progressively increasing and becomes louder, as the killer shots the young people. heightening the pace.
Brick
Brick starts in a culvert with a close up of a girl's arm lying presumably dead, with a teenage boy hovering around her. The atmosphere created makes the audience unclear of what is going on - generating suspense, this is shown in the beginning. When showing a series of close ups we are uncertain about what is taking place. Furthermore, the music of this opening is creepy and unsettling for viewers suggesting that the movie will create this tone throughout, or often. The blue tint of the scene shows a melancholy environment and a cold one too.
