West Side Story - Mise-en-scene

The movie is a romantic musical that depicts gang and violence present from the 60's until today. It shows the racism of the whites against the latinos. Centered at the love story of Tony and Maria, the film also branches with culture reality and men killing trying to each other for the love of their own. 

The setting is set during the 50's when Americans and Latinos couldn't get along, being against each other's group and forming gangs. Considering this, the film uses Low-key lighting characterizing high contrast although colored. The costumes on the other hand fit the setting of the story as well as the personalities of the casts connoting the physical stereotypical appearances. 

The music helps the audience predict the e vents of the story. The songs arranged rightfully also gives an outward emotion to the viewers luring sympathy for the expression of love by the two protagonists.

In addition, I would like to point out that the story somehow reminds me of the tragic young love of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet which also involved a family/ group feud. Similarly, the film ends with the idea of the living wanting the hatred to stop since it destroys lives. .

West Side Story is not just an ordinary love story. Aside from the reflection of realistic race reaction present to humans, it also leaves a lesson of pride and glory of men and boys. 

Babel: Cinematography

Filmed in different countries, with different characters of various cultures and races, Babel unfolds a story narrated in sub-stories that contribute to the main event and conflict of the film.

The movie has its own camera movement rhyming the stress of the story as it undergoes tragedies and obstacles. As one can notice in the film, certain things were focused in an amount of time signifying that the object is an important element in the story.

The resolution is modern as well as the graphics. The color and mood of the film changes by the setting which gives a tendency of confusion to the viewers of why the story seems to skip to another.Also, the effects of the film was observantly uniformed to each country or setting. In the part where the Japanese girl is focused, the lighting seems bright and contemporary, matching the youth of the subject.

The movement of the cameras involved a lot of running and zooming in which helped in the emphasis of the scenes. The style of the cinematography also appeared as that of a reality TV show that could somehow either contribute to the understanding of the story or add to the dilemma of the messed up events.

Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros - A Movie Review

The movie is about a young boy Maxi, growing up as a lady-like. After his mother died, his father and two older brothers have resorted to illegal jobs for survival. Conflict appears when Maxi meets an attractive police officer Victor.

The story represents the economic situation of the bigger population in our country. Although we are a growing country, there are some areas that still suffer from poverty. The movement of the camera although inconvenient to look at, also has something to say with the theme of the movie since it is an indie film. The setting itself is the reality of poverty and the cinematography perfectly matches it.

Maxi can also be a representation of each of us who are torn apart from hard choices: what we want to attend to and what we need to attend to. Maxi represents the puberty of "gay" individuals who grow in the same environment.

Typical as the film is, the story depicts a different concept. It shows another side of which were promiscuous to some but often disregarded. Illegal acts brought by fear of not surviving and struggles that many children are undergoing through having witness the real world in their young age.

Little Miss Sunshine: Characterization

Packed with dysfunctional characters gathered together for a trip to a kiddie beauty pageant "Little Miss Sunshine" of which the youngest among the family would be performing to. Along the way, they meet problems that at the end strengthens their relationship as a whole.

Each of the casts presented convincing roles which made their characters more recognizable and identified through the development of the story. Perhaps, among all, the best actor for me was Dwayne Hoover played by Paul Dano. He conveys a strange role but plays it very well, you won't even have a hint that this guy portraying a role of a 15-year-old boy is actually a 22-year-old man.

I would also like to recognize the performance of Steve Carell since I'd say, his role was quite unusual from his roles in other movies.

Pride and Prejudice: A Film Review [Movie Representation]

The cliche story of a woman and a man coming from different social statuses in life - this is what the movie would appear like. But along the story, it would turn out that there is something more to the film than the usual impressions. 

Elizabeth Bennet comes from a family of six daughters whose father wishes them to marry before he dies. Then comes Mr. Darcy, a wealthy bachelor who finds himself in love with one of the girls. Both of them share each other's pride and prejudice, making it a barrier for them to admit their love for each other. 

The story is depicted in a British setting in the late eighteenth century. It may not be too transparent but the progress of the story shows what is commonly present to all of us - (the title itself) our pride and prejudice. People often deny what they truly feel because they fear hurt. Mr. Darcy possessed this kind of attitude in the movie. With a huge pride in his ego, he primarily denies what he feels for Elizabeth. Elizabeth on the other hand, prejudges Mr. Darcy based on what she heard from other people. This is also present to most people since many would rather accept the rumor than know the truth from the person himself. And this is often corrected by an unexpected event that proves the prejudice wrong. 

The story represents the twist and turns of love that is true to some, especially to those who are surrounded with odds against what they feel for someone. Society will often influence people with who they should be with, what they should be and where they should be but fortunately, the progress of the story fights against this general society that is even present til today. 

All throughout the movie, many lessons about life and love will be caught and if you are emotional enough, you may cry at the end. It's not just the usual romantic story and it's not just a love story. Pride and Prejudice will most likely leave you a thought that either accepting the truth or making it clear can lead you to a happy ever after.