QUEER CINEMA- BILLY HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS

Queer cinema also known as Queer theory. Queer theory actually is a field of critical theory that emerged in the early 1991s. Explores and challenges the way in which heterosexuality is constructed as normal and the way in which the media has limited the representations of gay men and women. Challenges the traditionally held assumptions that there is an op-positional divide between gay and heterosexual. Suggest sexual identity is more fluid. 

SYNOPSIS 

Billy is a photographer who yearns to reproduce classic Hollywood Screen Kisses with gay male couples dressed for the part. Spurned by his lover Fernando, he goes out in search of his friends for his re-creation shots. At a party he finds the face he has been looking for, Gabriel. Billy's affection turns to infatuation and his seemingly ambiguous sexuality. Surrounded, urged, cajoled and consoled on by his friends Perry and George, Billy goes in search of the truth of Gabriel's sexuality, his own screen kiss and happiness with the right man.

ANALYSIS

The first theory of queer that can find in this film is re-evaluates subjectivity and takes pride in difference. This films is considered romance but is re-appropriating romance. It is because usually a normal romance film created a love story is between a girl and a guy, which is heterosexual. On the other hand, the homosexual is relating to or sexual activity between persons of the same sex.In this romance film, there are including heterosexual film and homosexual film. However, the homosexual romance was the dominant while the heterosexual romance was the minority in this film. 

Besides that, there is also the feminist theory in this film. For example, there was a pinky lady who performance and singing a song on the stage. This women's voice was a women voice and her sound was pleasant to the ear but her face doesn't seem like a women at all. All the man will stereotype the characteristics of women are slim body, long hair, heavily make-up and so on. Therefore, this scene was obviously show the feminist theory. 

Lastly, we can observed that the last scene in this film was Billy and another guy were standing inside the photography exhibition and the position of their standing was bright whereas out of their standing position was very dark. It was meaning that the filmmaker was wanted to show that the dark side was do not share the homosexual as you can observed that the dark side was bigger than the bright side. Therefore, it was try to show that the dark side is the dominant whereas the bright side is the minority.  

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, 'Gender trouble' is evident everywhere in mainstream media. Queer theorists suggest this is the evidence of a move towards increasing tolerance of sexual diversity. Others argue that these representations simply present alternatives to the 'norm' of heterosexuality.

FEMINIST FILM THEORY- EASY A

INTRODUCTION

What is feminist film? Feminist film theory is theoretical film criticism derived from feminist politics and feminist theory. Feminist have many approaches to cinema a analysis, regarding the film elements analysis and their theoretical underpinnings. In early film theory and criticism was directed at the stereotype representation of women in classic Hollywood film. This stereotyped image of women in classic Hollywood had a negative effect on female spectators. Therefore, their was a call for more positive representations of women in Hollywood. In classic Hollywood film is derived towards more positive representations of women but is till not enough. But the main problems is that classic cinema narrative is constructed by men. Therefore, representing women from a male perspective. In classic cinema the representation of women was how men viewed women. 

SYNOPSIS

Olive, a quirky, assertive, and yet unnoticed high school, played by Emma Stone, makes up a story for her best friend, Rihannon, about losing her virginity. In the process, her fake story is overheard by a gossipy "Jesus freak" who spreads the rumor. Her lie becomes the talk of the school and a reputation is created. Olive, somewhat enticed by her new found notoriety, decides to play into the "slut" persona. In fact, inspired by her class assignment reading of "The Scarlet Letter," she sews a red A on all of her clothes.Her gay friend, Brandon, who has been incessantly physically and socially bullied asks her to fake having sex with him to give him some peace. Their plan works and other boys begin giving Olive gift cards to have her say they did sexual things together in order to look cooler.Olive continues to play into the slut persona, at first much to her amusement. However, with the passing of time she realizes the web of lies she has weaved is actually causing her more problems than she had anticipated. And with a series of twists, that would include spoilers if I go into them, Olive decides to reveal the truth to everyone.

ANALYSIS

The first theory can be found is Olive was being discriminated in the movie. It is because the character of Olive is a kind and sympathetic women as she paid by the guys and in willing to help them so that the guys had a opportunity to lie them about having an matter with Olive. As this rumors about Olive had been spread out so everyone who were around Olive started to discuss her. 

Besides that, Olive was enjoyed getting the attention although she was being looked in a wrong manner even had been discrimination from other people. Actually the film are reflection of society. Therefore, Easy A was a patriarchal society. For example, one of the scene is have a guy asked Olive foe help by the pool, in the beginning Olive was reject it. However, when Olive notice the guy emotional after the rejection, she went back to help him. Thus, due to the character of Olive is sympathetic so you can see that how she help the guys. Adding on, Olive's best friend which are Rhi and Marianne help Olive protested when everyone given her a bad name. Another scene can be related this scene is Olive helped Mrs Griffith by telling everyone about she was the person who cause the Marianne's boyfriend obtain a disease. Even though Mrs Griffith had married, but she thought everything done by her is correct as she is at the legal age. 

Lastly, the character of Mrs Penderghast who is Olive's mother is a liberal women and open-minded parents. It is because she was understand her children's thoughts. As you can see the scene about Olive was telling her mother about Brandon and everything that had happened is school. We can obviously observe that Mrs Penderghast was showing some support to Olive by giving her some advice and sharing her past story to Olive so that Olive would not be depressions. 

Moreover, the next character is called Marianne. She is a fanatic women because she always judgement a person by her own religion and believe that everything has happened according to God. She was hate Olive because she can't accept that Olive sex with many partners before marriage. As she was religious in Christian so everything issue that she talking was related to Bible. 

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, the movie of Easy A was showing various of representation of females including bad portray and good portray. Therefore, film nowadays was not only negative portray of female and also positive portray of females.  

DOCUMENTARY- THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

What is documentary? Documentary is a type of film that is based on the real world and real people, depicting things as they are or telling about historical events in a supposedly truthful or objective manner. Motion picture that shapes and interprets factual material for purposes of education or entertainment. Therefore, there are biggest differences between fiction film and non-fiction film. Fiction film is refers to literature created from the imagination whereas nonfiction is refers to literature based in fact. However,  the truthiness of documentary lose its reliability because every techniques, equipment, angles, footage and other technical decisions are based on the filmmaker. 

THEORIES

There are 6 types of modes represented documentary such as Poetic, expository, observational, participatory, reflexive and performative. Firstly, poetic documentary is instead of using traditional linear continuity to create story structure, the poetic documentary filmmaker arrives at its point by arranging footage in an order to evoke an audience association through tone, rhythm, or spatial juxtaposition. 

Besides that, the expository of documentary is constructs a specific argument or a point of view for the audience. Generally, the formula is a resonating, authoritative voice that tells you something with corresponding footage proving that it is, indeed, true.

Moreover, the observational of documentary is exactly what they sound like and they aim to simply observe the world around them. This mode is also made audiences to observe themselves and let them come out with their own conclusion on it.

Furthermore, the participatory of documentary is include the filmmaker within the narrative. This could be as minor as the filmmaker’s voice being heard behind the camera, prodding subjects with questions or cues, usually by being interviewed. 

In addition, the reflexive documentaries are similar to Participatory in that they often include the filmmaker within the film. However, unlike Participatory, they make no attempts to explore an outside subject. Rather, they focus solely on themselves and the act of them making the film. 

Lastly, the performative of documentary is an experimental combination of styles used to stress subject experience and share an emotional response to the world. They often connect personal accounts or experience juxtaposed with larger political or historical issues. The performative documentary also emphasizes truth as relative, favoring a personal take over the objective lens. 

SYNOPSIS

The Blair Witch Project, co-writer/director/editors Eduardo Sanchez and Dan Myrick's faux documentary about an urban legend, has created its own mythology.  They had interviewed a local folks about this incident. After this interview, they set on a trip into the woods to collect this documentary footage for their project. Unfortunately, this project takes a frightening turn because the students were losing their way in the woods. Thus, this project begin horrific. 


ANALYSIS

In this documentary, there are three modes of representation which are the reflexive, interactive and performative. Besides that, the techniques of this documentary to shoot by interactive and reflexive and overall of this film was used the performative representation. 

First of the mode can be found in the film is reflective representation. It is because at the beginning 15 minutes of the film, there are three main cast were talking about what type of camera and equipment would be prepared to shoot this documentary. On the other hand, the camera's footage had been constantly exposed by the three main cast and they also showing their camera to the audience through the mirror. Besides that, there are many shaky footage shot in the film. It is because they wanted to remind audience that they are watching a documentary as well as nonfiction film. The handheld camera cause the film become more horror because it makes the film seem more real and it was happened in real time. 

In addition, performative representation also can be found in the film. As you can see that in the beginning the students are passionate and excited for shooting their documentary. Before enter the woods, they were happy to buy foods, introduced their camera and having fun. However, when they start to occur some horrible incident such as unknown stone graves build around their tent, entering the voodoo ground, child's voices at night, as you can see that they show their suffering and afraid through expression and action in this film. Adding on, when they started to feel depression and misfortune because they had losing their way in the woods. Therefore, they shows the conflict happened between the students in the film. 


Lastly, another mode had been used in this film is the interactive representation. They went to town and interview a person who had encounter this incident before. Adding on, during this interview was including the students' voice and even showing their body parts. Therefore, this effect enhance the authenticity between the interaction of the interviewer and the students and audience will think this was real and overall activities was supernatural. 


CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, I think the Blair Witch Project was better then other documentary because it can made the audiences fell into the filmmaker's trap and think this documentary was real and happened in real time in spite of this documentary was fake. 

FILM NOIR : The Maltese Falcon

First and foremost, what is film Noir? Film Noir means was coined by French film critics who noticed the trend of how 'dark', downbeat and black the looks and themes were of many American crime and detective films released in France to theaters following the war. Film Noir is unlike classic Hollywood comedies and musicals , film Noir is crime film. The features of film style is a dark and violent criminal world. Besides that, the motive of characters in the film are greed, lust, ambition and drown in fear. Film Noir is developed during and after World War II, taking advantage of the post-war- effects. The post-war- effects are present in Hollywood in the 1940s that resulted in Film Noir and that the post-war- effects can also describe or define the topic.  In Film Noir, it is a battle between the male protagonist(anti-hero) and the femme fatale. 

SYNOPSIS

Maltese Falcon is a film Noir. The story actually is talk about how Sam Spade is on a quest to find the Maltese Falcon. Ms Wonderly is a beautiful but secretive woman. When Ms Wonderly was brought the case to Sam Spade, he was accepted and gets more than he has bargained for. The most coincidentally, when Ms Wonderly shows up, trouble will follow like Sam's partner is murdered and a man was demanded Sam Spade to locate a valuable statuette.

Sam had fall into the trap of danger and crime. Thus, Sam realizes that he must immediately find the things they all are also find it. This things is the bejeweled Maltese Falcon.


ANALYSIS

First of the theories that Maltese Falcon used is low-key lighting. Low-key lighting is a technique used in film and television to create mood or set the tone of a scene. Often associated with the dark look of film noir.

For example, Sam Spade had been followed by a man that he does not know when he was walking out of the alley. In addition, there are distortions in this film which is low-angle shots.the visual language of a low-angle shot is to convey to the audience that the character is either heroic, strong, or dominating.

For example, when Sam Spade was met with Mr Gutman at his hotel room,  Mr Gutman was holding a cigar on his hand. This scene was shot with low angle. Thus, it was not only shows that the dominate in the scene is the cigar in Mr Gutman's hand, and also the dominating character is Mr Gutman in that scene.



Moreover, there are also the mise-en-scene in this film which is several scene were set is cramped areas.

For example, the cramped areas in this film are Sam Spade's office and his apartment. They were set in those rooms seem very cramped to shot for the scenes such as Sam Spade placed his bed in the room where he confronted people at his apartment.

Adding on, the whole film are setting with city bound. It was only set in San Francisco.   



Furthermore, the characters had the trait of being corrupted in this film.

For example, when Sam Spade visited Ms O'Shauneesy at her hotel room, Sam Spade asked 500 dollars from Ms O'Shauneesy. 

Another example is when Ms O'Shauneesy request Sam Spade to help her in the case, Sam Spade's partner, Miles told that he can help Ms O'Shauneesy. It was showed that Miles was lecherous because he was corrupted in a way.




CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, The Maltese Falcon is a good example of film Noir. The film is includes used of low key lighting, low angle shot of distortions, mise-en-scene was set with cramped areas, city bound and trait of being corrupted. These few theories made this film was perfect and entertaining no matter it was a black and white film.

DARK CITY

DARK CITY

Today I will be talking about several German Expressionism had used in this film, Dark City. 

Synopsis

In the beginning, John Murdoch  who has lost his memory and is placed in maze like city. Therefore, he had a mission which is to find out why at the stroke of 12. He cannot fall asleep at the night but others citizens can. Besides that, he also had a mission which is to find out his memory because he had lost his memory but has a short memory about him being at Shell Beach. Finally, he had restore his memory and happy ending with his girlfriend, Emma.

Analysis

In this film, there is distortions that can be seen. Distortions means is a change, twist, or exaggeration that makes something appear different from the way it really is. You can distort an image, a thought, or even an idea. For example, when John Murdoch and Mr Book were combat, they used their power and tuning power turning into translucent pattern. Another example is as you can see that when the aliens are moving, the way they move are by levitating.However, the way of the aliens levitate seems to be in a posture that makes it look like it is distorted. The last example is the aliens are using the power to reshape several buildings while the building is changing.

Another elements that can be seen in the film is surreal effect. Surreal effect is strange and not seeming real. For example, the city was seem like maze. There is one of the character had try a way to escape from this city but he had failed it, On the other hand, when Emma met Doctor Schreber, the thought of the maze can be notice in his office. Doctor Schreber put a mouse into a maze and see the mouse whether can escape from the maze. 

In this film, the self-analysis can be found. Self-analysis is a systematic attempt by an individual to understand his or her own personality without the aid of another person. For example, John Murdoch had lost his memory and finding the place which is Shell Beach. He started to find out the answer at his surroundings without any person help him.  

Besides that, revolt also can be found in this film. Revolt is they refuse to be controlled or ruled, and take action against authority. For example, Doctor Schreber intention to help John Murdoch to against the system. Thus, when Mr Book requested Doctor Schreber to imprint John, he inject John's memory that John was looking for. This scene clearly show the revolt when Doctor Schreber was against the aliens.

Another example is when John had discovered that he was able to tune, he went to aliens there and against their system. He use his powers to against the aliens in order to find the answers that he is looking for.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this movie had use several German Expressions such as distortions, surreal, self analysis and revolt. When this film had used the German Expressions, it created a amazing and meaningful film. 

PARANORMAN

Today I will talk about two genres and a movie taking as the example of genre in this blog, which is 'PARANORMAN'.

HORROR

What is Horror film? Horror film Horror film is a genre that aims to create a sense of fear, panic, alarm, and dread for the audience. These films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the audience through a portrayal of their worst fears and nightmares. Horror films usually center on the arrival of an evil force, person, or event. Many Horror films include mythical creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and zombies. Traditionally, Horror films incorporate a large amount of violence and gore into the plot. Though it has its own style, Horror film often overlaps into Fantasy, Thriller, and Science-Fiction genres.

First of the example of horror in this movie 'PARANORMAN', in drama class Norman has been cast as a pilgrim in the school play, which tells the story of the Blithe Hollow Witch who killed seven puritan settlers before being hanged from a tree. During the rehearsal, Norman's mind drifts and in his mind he watches as the class-stage begins burning away and ghostly faces appear all around him.

Second example of horror is at school, Norman runs into the bathroom and shuts himself in a stall, unaware that Alvin is occupying the stall next to his. Norman has a vision of the stall coming to life: the toilet overflows, the tiled walls ripple in waves, the walls close in on him. Alvin intently listens to Norman's frightened yelps. Norman crawls up onto the tank and is surprised as the toilet seat flips open, revealing the ghost of Mr. Prenderghast within. His ghost leaps from the bowl and floats before Norman. He catches Norman up-to-speed. He tells him that every year for the last three centuries someone in Blithe Hollow has had the ability to communicate with the dead, and that on the same night every year that person has been tasked with going to the grave of the Blithe Hollow Witch and reading a book aloud. Mr. Prenderghast has been doing it for years, and was going to do it tonight, but died before he could do it. Since Norman is the only other "dead-speaker" in town, the task has fallen to him. The book is at Mr. Prederghast's house, in his dead body's hands. Norman must go and retrieve the book and read it at the Witch's grave or all hell will break loose.

The third example of horror is after a lengthy trek, he comes to the burial site where he sees 7 gravestones arranged in a circle. With the sun quickly setting Norman opens the book and begins to read aloud. To his surprise the book is nothing more than a fairy tale -- Sleeping Beauty, but nothing out of the ordinary. Alvin arrives and bully Norman thought his book. Norman tries to take the book back, to complete the mission, but the sun fully sets and the ground begins to quake. Dark clouds, with green lightning, erupt over the cemetery. One-by-one the tombstones crack and their occupants, 7 of them, awaken. The zombies circle the pair of them and Norman, able to speak with the dead, overhears the most prominent of the seven say "STOP!" Alvin freaks out and the two flee the cemetery.

The forth example of horror is Neil, Mitch and Courtney get into Mitch's van to find Norman. As they speed along the rural road en route to the cemetery they nearly hit Norman and Alvin who emerge from the woods with the Zombies hot on their tail, and Mitch, distracted by Norman and Alvin, suddenly flattens a man standing in the road. Mitch exits the van and inspects the body. He quickly discovers that it's the Zombie leader and punts his head into the woods. The van is surrounded by Zombies and Mitch steps on it, unaware that the leader has latched himself to the back of the speeding van. The group frantically speeds through town, nearly running over a motorcycle cop, Sheriff Hooper (Tempestt Bledsoe), who turns around and pursues the van. The high-speed chase comes to a stop when the van veers off the main road, rolls down an embankment, and miraculously lands in a parking space without killing anybody. The Zombie leader, in pieces, follows after them.

The fifth example of horror is the townspeople, who have congregated in the town center are prepared to storm the Town Hall to kill the Zombies, but their plans are foiled as the children slowly exit the building, guarding the Zombies behind them.

Norman tells them that the Zombies mean them no harm and that they are afraid of them. The ghostly clouds swirl above them and send down lightning which shatters the bronze Witch statue at the center of the square. The ominous clouds cackle with hatred. The townspeople see the error of their ways and allow the lead Zombie to take Norman to the Witch's grave. Norman's parents drive Norman, Courtney, and the lead Zombie to the edge of the forest and carefully make their way into the woods. The trees crack and explode ahead of them, barring all but Norman from entering the forest.

At its center Norman sees the young girl from his vision, Aggie (Jodelle Ferland), only glowing bright yellow with violent electricity coursing through her. She is next to the tree from which she was hanged. Norman attempts to approach her, but she blocks his every attempt. First she sends sharp roots up out of the ground at Norman and then she tears the ground apart, sending large chunks of it hundreds of feet in the air, with Norman upon them. Norman leaps toward her and extends his hand to meet hers.

The sixth example  of  horror is the dark, swirling, evil clouds appear over the town square, and an evil Witch-like face materializes within them. Green lightning bolts rain down on Norman, and one nearly misses Norman, hitting the leather-bound book instead, frying it.

Comedy

What is comedy film in the genre? Comedy is a genre of film that uses humor as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is to illicit laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters. Although the comedy film may take on some serious material, most have a happy ending. Comedy film has the tendency to become a hybrid sub-genre because humor can be incorporated into many other genres. Comedies are more likely than other films to fall back on the success and popularity of an individual star.

First example of comedy in this movie is Mr. Prenderghast returns to his dilapidated home, enters his bedroom, and grabs a strange leather-bound book from his desk. As he turns to leave and his soul come out from his body but return back to his body and said 'he can not die so fast at this time'. However, he suddenly die and his soul cant return back to his body, with the book firmly in his hands. His spirit leaves his body, and the frustrated and now dead Mr. Prenderghast realizes that he is a ghost, and has a mission to accomplish before he can move on to Paradise.

The second example is when zombies come to the town, there is a town man is vending machine to buy food. He had put in the money and the food is turning out.

Suddenly, there are some zombies coming to the man, he was nervous and dont know what should he do, he waiting the food drop down from machine but he see the zombies were coming. When zombies arrives the man there, the man run away but the food had dropped out.

However, the man run back to take it and run away with shouting.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, there are few genres in this 'PARANORMAN' movie such as horror, comedy, teens film and action. However, I had give two example of horror and comedy. The target audience of this film is teenagers between 13-19 years old because this age of teenagers is turn into the rebellious period. Therefore, this is a good example of film to teenagers.

ZOMBIELAND- ROMANCE

What is romance film? The romance film defined as a genre where the plot revolves around the love between two main characters as they endure the highs and lows of love.

In this Zombieland film, there are several scene are consider romance.

Firstly, the romances that occur are between Columbus and his hot neighbor 406. When the nation is viral outbreak and dystonia, Columbus didn’t plan to leave his dorm, but the night the epidemic began, Columbus was sitting around when his hot neighbor “406” started knocking on his door. He opened the door and 406 (Amber Heard) tells him about the “crazy psycho” who tried to take a bite out of her. Columbus gives her some Mountain Dew and lets her rest on his couch.

They fall asleep together. Thus, this was a romance scene between Columbus and his hot neighbor 406.

 Besides that, there are several romance scene between Columbus and Wichita. For example, when they stops at an out of the way Native Indian store. They look around and then trash the store in order to entertain themselves. Columbus puts on a bit of cologne in order to attract Wichita. He thought that maybe Wichita like this cologne smells. When they group leaves, Wichita points out that Columbus smells like perfume. 

The second romance scene between Columbus and Wichita are while Wichita was driving and Tallahassee and Little Rock sleep, Wichita apologizes for her insensitivity to Columbus. Wichita drives the car back to the old car that they abandoned on the side of the road in order to let Columbus can drive back to his East town for finding his parents. However, Columbus decided to stay because Wichita is someone he has always wanted to be with. They smile to each other because they seem like don't let each other leave alone and cannot without you in this moment. 

The third romance scene between Columbus and Wichita are they alone together in a room. Wichita and Columbus get drunk and dance together. When they are dancing together, they were about to kiss.

However, Tallahassee had unintentional disturb them and coming in asking for help. Wichita tells Columbus that she and her sister will do anything to survive.

The forth romance scene between Columbus and Wichita are no matter how was Wichita cast away from them, Columbus still decided follow Wichita to go the Pacific theme park and find her. This scene was proved that love is blind. Tallahassee was not agree it in the beginning, but when Tallahassee saw Columbus keep persistent attitude, he also decided go to Pacific theme park with Columbus. 

The last romance scene between Columbus and Wichita are when Columbus saw Wichita and Little Rock are in dangerous, he risked his life to rescue them. How he was risked his life to rescue them? First, Columbus is chased by zombies through a haunted house but escapes. Another is Columbus about to reach Wichita and Little Rock when he runs into a giant zombie clown.

When he saw the clown, he decided to break his rules which is 'don't be a hero' changing to 'be a hero'.  

 He notes the irony in the situation and proceeds to beat it to death and rescue Wichita and Little Rock.

After rescue them, Columbus put her hair away initiative kissed Wichita, and Wichita told her a real name to Columbus.