Fargo 1996

The use of long takes, wide shots and dramatic metaphorical mise-en-scene.
Fargo openeing shots resemble isolatation and hardship due to weather conditions- Isolation is a psychological concept i.e. being lost in the snow,buried and dying of hypothermia etc.
The landscape is really important for Amercian culture as they have masses of land - important part of mise- en- scene.
There is a juxtaposition from a black to white background - always used in Thrillers.
The sleet creates an enigma because you can't see anything i.e. Who's driving the car?
The pace - use of a long take which creates tension and anticipation, with the slow driving and the particular music it gives the car real importance.

Fargo Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEYPIO8DlY4

Cape fear 1991:

Strong simple imagery .
The use of water / lake.
Shot with Chiarascuro lighting.
A dark lit lake - enigma.. drown/being drowned/ something lurking in it.
The choice of just shooting the water in the dark light unlocks lots of primal fears.
Instead of cutting to a location or to a character dissolves are used which makes people and objects very ominous.

Cape Fear Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwhVBVcQfpE