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Parasite(2019) Review

*Warning Spoilers* Parasite ,the film that won best movie in my heart ,was indeed a masterpiece in my eyes. My initial viewing of the film I was taken away by the engaging plot and dialogue. Parasite is a South Korean film about two families from different spectrums of the social class. The Kim Family consists of Ki-woo(son),Ki-Jung (daughter),Chung-sook(mother) and Ki-taek (Father).The Kim's family is of the lower social class struggling to make ends meet living in a basement apartment which symbolizes their status in society .On the other end of the spectrum we have the Park Family ,which consists of Dong-ik(Father), Yeon-gyo(Mother),Da-hye(daughter) and Da-song(Son).The Park family is depicted to of the higher social class which has everything readily available to their convenience and they live in a beautiful ,modern contemporary home. Eventually, the two families world intertwined as the Kims try to leech off of the Park`s for their personal gain. The entire montage of  the Kim family slowly replacing the Park`s helpers ,gaining trust and filling up other roles in the household was really fun to watch. The intricate planning and sophisticated mindset of the family was a comedic relief which made the ending of the film all the more shocking and remarkable. 

Bong Joon Ho, the director of Parasite, did an amazing job in conveying the social divide in Korea in a way which viewers from different societies can relate to. One evidence of how Bong Joon Ho depicted social class was with the use of sunlight or lighting. The Kim family was often seen in low ,cheap lighting  in their basement with minimal sunlight seeping through. The lack of sunlight creates that needed atmosphere of the family's struggle and further reinforces the fact that they are poor. At the Park household we see the sunlight beaming through the wide  windows all day long. I sensed the feeling of joy, privilege and wealth by just the way the sunlight was incorporated into the Park household. The lighting in the home was also an indicative of higher wealth. The softness of the warm-coloured lights depicted the exclusiveness and luxury of the rich households. An interesting thing i realized in the film which is mirrored in real life was how they appeal to aesthetics as an indication of wealth more than showcasing an individual's qualities and talents to justify why there at that high level in society with the slight exception of Dong -ik.

A major indication in the film`s theme of class divide was the use of smell. Smell was used to express raw emotions of anger, disgust, discomfort and distrust. For many instances throughout the film ,we see how Dong-ik was very much impacted by the Kim`s Family distinct smell which would later lead to Ki-Taek underlying anger and envy towards people of the upper class. The underlying resentment made him kill Dong -ik. The distinct smell of the Kim`s Family symbolizes poverty and the idea that cleanliness is used  to person's social status in many parts of the world. For the Kim family, smell is also used an inescapable truth that regardless of how they try to progress in life ,they're reminded of their past which haunts them.

One scene I found really interesting was when Ki -Taek and his children were escaping the house in the rain to avoid getting caught by the Park Family. During that scene we see rain being used a device to depict the rich and the poor in a somewhat latent manner. During the absence of the Park Family, we see the Kim family enjoying the comfort of the Park family home whilst relaxing to the sound of the rain. It created the atmosphere of security and privilege which is a common indicative of wealth. The scenes that follows was a complete contrast to this as when Ki-taek and his family arrive to their basement home being completely flooded by the rain and their toilet overflowing with feces. In this scene I was overwhelmed by the strong indication of lower class struggle and the vivid display of personal loss. The contrast in that scene reflects the theme of the movie really well and also goes back to my point that rain was used as an aesthetic to appeal to societal status. In the Park household, rain was used as a device for scenery and peace whereas, for the Kim family ,rain was a used as a device for discomfort and danger. It is also good to note the settlement of each home. The rich household being on a highland whereas the Kim household is underground is an obvious indication of social divide.

 The ending of the movie highlights that Ki-taek can't really be free from the imprisonment of poverty. In the end we see how the idea of wealth becomes both a prison and a fantasy for the Kim family, a dream they`ll chase but will never  come true .In the end they were back to where they started ,.Ki-taek being stuck in a basement and Ki-woo only able to look at the house from a distance. In today's society ,”income inequality “ has been a hot topic, which is strange in the fact that it implies we can just rebalances the scales through economic programs and government intervention. Time and time again ,we see that it is not that easy to arrive at a balance as many factors goes into play. Factors such as systemic racism, poor allocation of resources ,history are few of the many factors that make the concept of equality an impossible event in the world today. I do think that the film takes a very pessimistic stance on the issue but there is some truth to it. The film brings up the fact that economic immobility is still definitely relevant in this society we live in today. People who are born into poverty have a hard to almost impossible chance of progressing in the world and those people born into wealth are always going to be at the top. Generational curse in today society is still happening in many parts of the world but is gradually declining due to various outlets being innovated for one`s personal gain. Though it makes you wonder if one born in poverty can truly overcome the social divide or is everything in life by chance?.

 Overall, I thought parasite was a masterpiece of a film. This was one of a few films that I found really engaging and the themes of isolation, class divide ,generational wealth invites meaningful conversations and relatability. I believe that a lot more can be said for the film as many bits of cleverly done hidden details can be overlooked. This only proves Parasite ,being a timeless film as one can revisit to find new information that they may have overlooked or didn't notice on their previous viewing. I would recommend everyone to watch this film ,the Korean language brought a rich sense of authenticity which I always enjoy in any non-English films. This is a film which truly is perfect in my eyes.

Film Rating:10/10

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Rear Window (1954) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Rear window is about a photographer by the name of L.B Jefferies(Stewart) who broke his leg during his job, leaving him stuck in his apartment to recover. An instance such as this has left Jefferies to become very depressed and agitated especially by the commitment he has with his significant other (Kelly).He distracts him selves by sneakily observing the lives of his neighbors through their windows which I still find  creepy but in the end it was justifiable. Throughout the film, Stewart witnessed a murder from his apartment window and we see how he gradually fleshes out the crime  drawing others such as his personal helper and his girlfriend into his intrigue until the film culminates in a hero versus villain showdown. The camera shot used to see the point of view of Jeffries was quite interesting. It felt as if it was a page out of a comic book with no coherent plot as each individuals neighbours has their own life story being depicted throughout the film and each getting a spotlight in moments of the film. The murderer was suspected to be his neighbor Lar Thorwald(Raymond Burr) where he killed his wife for being nagging  and buried her in the floral border. Alfred Hitchcock also known as the “Master of Suspense” really provide a story that was witty, suspenseful, sad, funny and wise, the film confronts an audience with its complicity in the stories they see, but also finds a way to work to  a great hero-and-killer confrontation in the end.

The film techniques used throughout the film were combined beautifully to create a great film. Camera angles, camera movement, setting, framing and the brilliant skills of actors such as Grace Kelly(Lisa Carol),James Stewart(L.B Jefferies ) ,Thelma Ritter (Stella) along with other great actors were some of the major techniques used to make the film unique. The setting of the film was clear and simple being an apartment to what seems to be located in New York. As a viewer it was easy to follow along as there wasn't much going on in the background to distract or draw attention away from the main plotline. We get a very masterfully done camera shot(long shot) of all of the neighboring apartments that L.B Jefferies  can observe. This allows the audience to make as much sense of the diegetic world within the film as the audience would the real world that surrounds them.

The camera movement was done in a way which mirrors a real person's perspective of the world, trying to slowly pan over a view to make sense of what is going on. I felt like I was there with L.B in that room looking at the happenings of all of his strange neighbors. The size of shot in film is generally used to indicate a subject's importance and in Hitchcock we are given the indication that what L.B Jeffries is observing is of great importance to the overall plot of the film. Another thing I found interesting in the film was the women's physical superiority in the film. In many of the mid shots, the woman is shown to be superior to the protagonist to suggest that they all have a meaningful purpose in L.B life. Lisa in the her first scene set the helps to reinforce the theme of passive watching commonly used throughout the film. In that scene Jeff is asleep but before we can see her face ,we see her shadow over Jefferies face almost menacing looking. This scene  really depicts  her power in looking down on the unconscious Jeff. Subsequently, her upright position and mobility contrasted with Jeff’s semi-horizontal posture, his restricted movements all helped to reinforce the theme. 

At the climax of the film with the hero vs villain confrontation, Hitchcock brilliance was showcased. The scene started off on a close up of Jefferies as he notices that the lights of Thornwald`s apartment was out. The film then returns to the same medium close up of Jefferies, who quickly answers a telephone as it rings, revealing that he believes that Thornwald has left his apartment. Jefferies realizes that the caller is not the person he expected it to be. The film way of showing Jefferies `s slip up was a slow zoom on his face which invokes fear and anxiety as it reveals to Burr that he was being spied on, ending the shot in a close up frame. Jefferies does not realize what he has just revealed until, after momentarily seeming confused, he glances over at the neighbouring window. The tightening of the frame in conjunction with the character’s realization helps to convey the importance of the mistake that has just occurred. This is followed by the light seeping through under the door frame, from the point of view of the Jefferies. This shot is important, because it subtly indicates to the viewer that this doorway will be important in the scene. Moments after Burr barged into Jeffries apartment to attack him. The film reverts  to a shot of Jefferies, but this time from a high angle, close up. I found this shot important as we the viewers, are reminded of the severe disadvantage that the Jefferies is in to a  fight. He slowly and smoothly turns towards the door in his wheelchair. The high angle shows Jeff’s lack of power  in the impending confrontation. The scene again cuts back to the doorway, further building tension and suspense.  An eye level mid shot of Jeff in his wheelchair follows, again highlighting  Jefferie`s disadvantage. This shot continues, with the camera being raised up and tilted down as Jefferies struggles to make his way across his apartment. The subsequent shots as he tries to maneuver in his wheelchair, proves  that without the presence of Lisa or Stella, he is truly alone and defenseless. The use of close up shots on certain objects in this scene signifies the necessity of these items within the scene. For example, the added close up shot of the camera flash on Jefferies’ lap. It is in these final few shots that the use of lighting becomes especially prevalent. Jefferies returns to his position at the window, hiding in the shadows. As the doorway slowly creeps open revealing a portion of Thornwald`s face, lit in the darkness, we view him from a low angle, again reinforcing his dominance in this confrontation. During this scene, the film beautifully paces the shots and creates a feeling of fear ,anxiety  and claustrophobia in the small apartment. The dark lighting emphasizes the small apartment with only small portions of light beaming into the room. Overall, I think Rear window was a really engaging film and will recommend others to check it out.

Film Rating:9/10

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Casablanca (1940) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Set during World War II ,at the time of the Nazis invasion and French resistance ,The film takes place in Casablanca when Morocco was once a crossroad for spies .traitors, refugees, merchants, French resistance and Nazis. The film centers around Rick Blaine; an American who owns a nightclub in Casablanca. To the public eye he seems to be an individual who only care for himself and doesn't partake in political disputes. Through this does hold some truth ,however, there have been instances where he helps individuals acquiring transit papers to leave Casablanca in pursuit of a better life. I like the diversity in the film and the actors were brilliant. The opening scene really providing a proper overview of Rick personality and his stance on politics. When asked by German Strauss “What is your nationality ?” and Rick replies with “I`m a Drunkard”. I think this line really set the archetype for this character. In some films and shows the main protagonist could have an disliking or nonchalance towards the world and people due to a dark past but along the film we see a change in leading characters attitudes ,mindset and or beliefs. This argument is further reinforced when Rick said this one line, ”I stick myself out for nobody” which implies that this is his personal code in life. Though engulfed in a very historical and political driven theme, the events of Nazis invasion was viewed through the lens of love and romance and a bit of comedic relief. 

As the film progresses, we are introduced to the relationship between Rick Blaine and Llsa Lund, past lovers before the Germans invaded France. Throughout that time period in France , it is good to note all of the close up shots with both of these past lovers. I believe this was used to symbolize their love and intimacy towards each other. The audience is left to focus on the foreground and ignore the Nazis invasion for a brief moment before it started to deeply impact their lives which left them to be separated from each other. We see llsa returns in Rick Blaine`s life and the atmosphere changed from joyous to ominous ,grim and mysterious. One thing that I found interesting in this film is the actor over dramatic expressions to depict their emotions and Casablanca had brilliant actors which I believe did a perfect job. I enjoyed this classic film in particular because with other Black and white films I think was dull and they didn't put in the effort to negate the obvious disadvantage of being a black and white film, the lack of vibrancy; colour. I can see in that case why Casablanca was regarded so highly for a 1940`s film.

The lighting in the film was a very important aspect which in the  black and white films, the effects of lighting and shadows is very much amplified in the film. In Casablanca it was used brilliantly to to symbolize patriotism, nostalgia ,overall strong emotions. A perfect example of all three aspects being highlighted in this film would be in the scene of the France anthem. During that scene this German regime was singing their anthem and the atmosphere in the café was very gloomy and blended with the black and white of the film rather than contrasting. Victor Llazo, a French revolutionist and Ilsa husband, went to the band at Rick Café to insist on them playing the French anthem, “La Marseillaise” to quiet out the group of Nazis. In this scene we can see the spotlight or lighting being directed to Victor Llazo, This shows Victor Llazo as a beacon of hope for the French people in that scene. Though being a key light ,Victor was not the center of attention but better yet all the people at the café singing to the French anthem were. At the end of that scene we see a young woman passionately say “Vive La France” which translates to Long Live France. I thought this scene was beautiful and I could feel the strong emotions and patriotism being poured out. The tears were said to very much genuine as many of the extras there were actual refugees at the time of World War two and the Nazis occupation of France. The lighting on that woman in the end gave the impression of nostalgia, I think in that scene she reminiscing a time before the Nazis invasion and wishes to return to her home and hope things will get back to the way they were.

Ilsa Lund(Ingrid Bergman) was another lead character where the lighting played a great role for her character. Most of the lighting used were used to to direct attention to her face for the audience. I believe that the lighting highlighted many expressions of love, sincerity and fear especially in her eyes. The close up shots in  relation with the lighting were done to capture Ilsa feelings at the time. An example would be in the scene with Rick and Ilsa where was caught trying to steal steal the transit papers from Rick and the film theme of lost love was highlighted in this scene. Her eyes were “shining” with tears at the fact that Ilsa actually lost someone who she loved at one point, that person was Rick. The pain associated with the loss of any loved one regardless of whether the love is that of the past or present, was very much evident in Ilsa's eyes. Another of Casablanca`s lighting technique with Ilsa would be at the bar.Sam,the pianist and Rick `s old friend at the bar. Ilsa asked him if he could play “As Time Goes by". After being refused, she pleads with him to play the song and in that instant , you  can see  small but vividly apparent balls of light in her eyes. If one thinks about ‘shining’ eyes perhaps one may think of emotions such as excitement or sincerity, which was the impression I got from her.

 In conclusion ,I enjoyed the patriotism, use of lighting and the fleeting romance of Rick and Ilsa throughout the film. The close up angles and lighting  in addition to the acting and music played quite a substantial role in the development of the plot line in Casablanca as well as connecting to the time period in which the film was produced. In summary, the major filmic techniques of lighting, framing and shooting angles in addition to actor and camera movement technique played quite substantial roles in not only the development of the plot line Casablanca, but also the connection of the work to the time period in which it was produced. Lighting and specifically black and white film highlighted the time period as well as its limitations in terms of providing audiences with an intriguing experience. Finally, the shot angles, with a lead character on, helped to clearly convey the larger context of the film in addition to evoking certain emotional responses among viewers. I would most definitely recommend this timeless romance classic to my friends and family for its richness and historic experiences. 

Film Rating:8.5/10

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Forrest Gump (1994) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Directed by Robert ,Forrest Gump is a movie I`ve never seen before for its  unique plotline. The story takes place in the point of view of Forrest Gump, a wholesome man who grew up with a disability where he had struggle walking. He miraculously overcame it and was able to run really fast. Forrest Gump then narrates his entire life on a bench to strangers .His story has its many successes and downfall being involved whether indirectly or directly in many American historical events between the 1950s and 1980s. We get a very strange yet unique perspectives of these historical events such as desegregation, vietnam- war, the assassinations and attempted assassinations of different presidents, The Black Panthers, Wingate and natural disasters. Through out the film the audience are able to take a guess on the what time period is taking place because of the music which I thought was a clever idea. As the timeline progress we hear popular music which really sets the atmosphere of the scene taking place. I enjoyed Tom Hanks  his performance in the show and we can see how talented Tom Hanks is as an actor. I enjoyed his narration of his own story it was unique yet engaging .The production of this movie was what got to me as well.A movie created in the 1990s yet it look so polished and clean compared to some films made years after.   After digging into the behind the scenes of the film I then found out that the film had won many awards such as the academy award for best picture which was quite impressive. The camera shots of the beautiful scenery where Forrest Gump did his marathon was truly breathtaking.

The cinematography of the film is good to note. The camera angles played an important role in showing Forrest`s reaction to all of the historical events taking place. Throughout the film we are given a point of view camera angle to show what Forest is seeing through his eyes. When Forrest was in the army, many close up shot sizes were used to show the dirt, blood and scars on Forest from the war. Another scene where close up shots were used was in the Ping-Pong battle. The scene had many extreme close ups on Forrest eyes to show his concentration during the match and his determination to win.   

The plot is obviously the seller in this film. I enjoyed Forrest Gump`s wholesome energy despite being someone with not a high IQ and incapable of understanding certain social queues at times, His upbringing was very fun to watch. He managed to be involved in many historical events due to his success in life.

He received a medal of honor from the President for his service in the Vietnam War which was very interesting to see Forest`s perception of the event. The on and off love story between Forrest Gump and Jenny was quite frustrating to watch for the most part. The back and forth with Jenny and her inability to commit was quite bothersome yet understandable. Jenny grew up with an abusive father who would sexually assault her and her sisters and we see it transpire in her endeavors with other men and not being able to experience what real love is. Only with Forrest she knows deep down that he is the right match for her but not wanting Forrest to fight her demons or invite trouble into his life ,she runs away. You can see both a reflection in both Jenny and Forrest`s life .They both grew up together and were always running away. However I think Forrest for the majority of his life was running away from an obstacle that could potentially harm is life whereas Jenny was running away from what could have been a chance at a receiving genuine happiness in her life due to the traumatic experience of her past.

Overall I thought this was a brilliant film filled with light hearted moments which felt like a breath of fresh air. I would most definitely recommend others  who haven't to check it out.

Film Rating:8/10

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Dark Knight (2008) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Dark Knight tells a very complex and intricate story of the DC comic vigilante Batman and the villain Joker. Batman is a fictional vigilante hero which I grew up watching.I fell in love with the animated series of Justice League and then gradually became a fan of the DC universe overall. Batman hides behind this mask to protect the innocent and fight injustice in the city of Gotham where he was born and raised. Dark Knight follows which takes place after Batman Rises.

The film does not follow the generic good vs evil plot line ,though Batman is considered “good” he is a very complex character who people often mistake him for a bad guy because his methods of action may cause more harm than good.Many citizens blames him for the death of many policemen and others.Whereas Joker is more of a villain,he is a very cynical individual ,whose actions are intricately design to pose moral dilemmas.I really enjoyed The Joker performance in this film,I've only seen a few Joker films but I must say that Heath Ledger really dominated this role.He completely thrown himself into the world and the effort  was much clear.This is coming from someone who has just seen this film for the first time.One of his moral dilemmas I found quite interesting was when he orchestrated the prisoners and the civilians to be on two ships which were strapped with explosions.Each party had the detonator to blow up each others ships.Now we see the civilians quickly voted for the the ship with the prisoners to be bombed.I think it was quite interesting and it had me very much engage.This dilemma reveals how impulsive and how humans can revert to primal tendencies when it is a means of survival.However it didn't end in bloodshed but rather neither of the parties could possible detonate the bomb as they know they would have to live with the guilt for the rest of lives and nobody wants the blame to be placed on them.

Batman is played by Christopher Bale,I enjoyed Christopher Bale`s batman.I think that the film wasn't overly produced to the point where everything seems perfectly polish.With this production style I found batman more credible and also vulnerable,The film really wanted to highlight Batman being human and not a superheroes which I thought was very important,I enjoyed seeing the action sequences taken place when Batman is in combat ,It was very fluid and the camera movements aren't as choppy and hard to follow.

 Another key character I found interesting was District Attorney Harvey Dent Aaron Eckhart,His story was quite depressing being one who was very notable and popular in Gotham for incarcerating many people.As the movie progress ,we see the fall of this important figure because of the Joker psychotic methods.This reveals the Joker`s cynical mindset and elaborate he is with his crimes.He did not target Batman but intricately throughout the film we see that all along he was targeting Harvey.We see how it really diminished the city`s moral and we can see how it affected the police department;it was a great loss to see him succumbed to the dark side because of the lost of his love one Rachel.

 On a cinematography stance, The use of camera movement was very prevalent in this film. An example of this would be at the rooftop scene with Batman, Gordon and Harvey discussing their plan to combat the Joker. The camera circles these three characters which invokes the feeling of urgency and did create the needed tension for the situation at hand. The camera movement for Batman`s action was very fluid and the mid shots reflects the precision of his movements as a character.

During the party scene, The Joker held up Rachel with a knife and during that scene the camera movement was very much prevalent. The camera is  shown circling both characters then transitioning into a close up shot between the two Rachel and The Joker. The scene blurs out the guests and the Joker is presented at slightly lower camera angle than Rachel as a way to assert dominance. The use of this technique creates the feeling of fear, intimidation and discomfort as the audience can only focus on the Joker more than Rachel. Throughout the film, Rachel is seen as a strong character who takes disrespect from no one. However ,we see the contrast in this film as she cowers in the presence of the Joker. I think this scene is important because because it helps the audience to understand why Joker is most feared criminal in Gotham.

The film had some very timeless and thought provoking quotes which I found quite interesting. Here is one that stood out to me, “The world is cruel. The only morality in a cruel world is chance.” I think to some extent I can agree. We see so many injustices in the world and how people were simply at the wrong place at the same time. It is quite depressing but it's the reality we live in.

All in all the movie was pretty solid and engaging. We were faced with many moral dilemmas which invited a lot of thought provoking discussion which I think was really good. The camera movement was very memorable for me as it all presented ideas and highlighted themes of struggle between good vs evil. I would definitely recommend this to others so I can hear their take on these situations .One quote that should further convince you to check out this film would be “You can die a hero or live as long to see yourself become the villain”.

Film Rating:8/10

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Lord of War(2005) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Starring Nicolas Cage ,Lord of War starts off with Nicolas Cage standing on a sea of bullet shells then delivers an interesting fact about. The movie presents its themes of gun violence, murder, crime rather quickly with showing us the the whole production process of ammunition and how it is distributed across the world , ending a life with swiftness. I enjoy how this entire scene was presented through the bullet point of view, unique. The atmosphere of this film through was grim, hopeless and they really delivered in creating that feeling. Lord Of War is a film about an international arms dealer by the name of Yuri Orlov. Throughout the film, we are given his background and his journey on how he became one of the most notable arms dealers in the planet.

The opening scene of the film really stood out to me for it`s cinematography. The Point of View camerawork depicting the life of a bullet was done brilliantly. The audience is able to identify the craftmanship of the bullet and how deadly such a small object can be. The CGI elements were barely noticeable and crisp as it provides close to authentic visualization of gun usage. 

At first I had  a bit of sentiment for Yuri after he gave a bit of background into his life having to lie about his identity and culture to survive but it does provide a foreshadowing for future events. Throughout the film, I feel no remorse for this character and he himself calls him a necessary evil therefore I think he is obviously the worst person on earth and I don't agree with his motives and beliefs in no way whatsoever. Though I will admit that he is actually good at what he does unfortunately. My opinion would`ve changed if he had listen to his wife and be consistent in his legal ventures but he did not and revert to his gun-dealing business as the rewards were bigger and faster. I think of him as a greedy ,conniving, cynical individual. I don't think Yuri Orlov character was made to be liked or appreciated to say the least anyway.

The film really did a great job in highlighting the innate  evil of men and also how this evil can be generational. One moment in the film that had the most emotional impact for would most definitely be the children wielding these weapons. At such a young age they have been taught to perform these dreadful deeds which results in cycles. A child grows up and instill this same knowledge to their child. It really hit home for me as a person who has seen multiple cases like this happening at my home country of children killing their loved ones and random people who they know nothing about due to gang affiliations. What hurts the most is that some children may not want to be involved in these horrific tragedies but aren't given the choice at birth.

During the closing scene of the film ,It was more of a neutral ending  as it wasn't as memorable in my opinion. I can indeed say that the fact about the leading world powers being the top gun dealers in the world was a bit overwhelming. It did remind me of how cruel the world is to say the least. I felt a bit uneasy but for obvious reasons as the film shaped itself to be.

Another thing I found  interesting about the ending is that the scene really opens up a lot of real world issues  happening in our society today. It helps to provide authenticity to the film itself as it is based on real events. I thought it was rather frightening that the President of the United States ,such an important figure, has the power to cause such chaos and destruction even though many world leaders preach about freedom and prosperity. It really reveals the hypocrisy of these world leaders in today's society and how easily swayed to violence they all are. This ,however, is not surprising ,we see everyday of the countless amounts of violent acts such as the civil wars, international warfare, bombing to name a few that these countries are involved in with a complex ,lengthy violent history to back this up. Over centuries we see learn about the rise and fall of many of these nations and it's very much a cycle of violence and peace for we see that one or two events can easily trigger a world war and it is dangerous to think now of a war of that scale to take place with all these advances in technology it is highly likely to cause great destruction and loss than ever before. It makes you wonder why the these world leaders have this much firepower to begin with. Weapons capable of exterminating a grand total of the world population and would be near to impossible to recover from. But why is all of this necessary? It really shows us how when humans are faced with great adversities will revert to our primal state in order to survive. It makes you wonder if we truly have evolved as a society. It was a good watch but as a film I didn't found it as engaging, Yuri as a character wasn't as entertaining to maintain attention.  I didn't find the plot to be as thrilling as it was a bit bland for me. Though it addresses the world`s cruelty and it`s cycle of violence, I didn't find anything substantial in the plot that makes it memorable for me. .A film I would recommend for the sole reason of hearing feedback about that brilliant done opening and the factoid in the end.

Film Rating:7.5/10

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Shawshank Redemption (1994) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover,Andy Duframe serves two life sentences for each murder. The film explores the gritty gruesome tedious routine of life in Jail. The movie explored themes such as Crime and Justice.Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins was a banker and in the opening scene when he and other in mates arrived at Shawshank Penitentary. I enjoyed his development throughout the film. Andy was quiet and very reserved for understandable reason,trying to make sense of the world and as the movie progresses he starts to open up and then we were introduced to someone who he would grew to be his friend. His name was Red played by the brilliant actor Morgan Freeman. I thoroughly enjoyed Morgan Freeman performances in this film. He plays the wise man and secret businessman in the penitentiary by the name Red. He delivered a lot of think pieces throughout the film. The tone of his voice and his charisma really helps in being engaged to what we was saying.Throughout the film,we see Red as the leader of what may seem to be the most wellknown people in that prison ,as it could be because they have been in prison the longest so they grew relations and  establish connections over the years.We see Red using his status to secure valuable materials for inmates at a cost ,materials such as cigarette ,whiskey,posters and even a rock hammer.I enjoyed a scene where Red talks about the psychological warfare which happens on a day to day basis in prison which is completely obvious but its truly interesting seeing how it plays out the film.In the beginning we see one the new inmates went unto complete insanity and begs to be free from prison,the scene helps to provide a more authentic feel and the events which follows the warden mercilessly beating this new innate to death shows the gruesome of what actually happens in prison.Red in the movie also plays the narrator and he played the role well as it was quite easy to follow along with the events going on the film. 

A particular scene I found quite interesting was when Red brought up institutionalized.It was a topic i heard so little of about how people being convicted for so long are ill equipped to tackle the changes of fast paced society if they were ever to be released .Red brought up the case with Brooke a fellow innate and librarian at the prison who got parole but soon after committed suicide after coming to terms with the fact that he cant and will never be able to survive in society as a free man at such a old age with little to no support.It`s rather bitter sweet that Red says that in Prison Brooke was an important and educated figure but in the outside world where he is considered “free”,he is a nobody and he has never been so isolated his entire life.This concept can also be applied to a free man.A person in the labour force can also be confined as he or she may behave been doing the same tasks for a large portion of their life and that said workforce haas taken away the abilitybto function in or experience other aspects of life as it was all taken away from them,it quite scary to say the least.

Andy and Red friendship was quite interesting to see. In the beginning it seems as a mentor and student bond but gradually progress to be a friendship with equal knowledge and wisdom. I enjoyed how Red and Andy came up with unconventional ways to run things in prison.I enjoyed the synergy between them as one they both respect and see each other values.We see the two venture into various business and refurbishing projects through jail which i found quite odd yet delightful to watch 

The warden is a paradoxical character throughout the film. Though being a man who seems to follow Christianity ,we see him exhibit qualities which objectifies the qualities one should follow as a Christian. I found quite upsetting to see him performing certain activities he does which goes against his belief such as killing ,deceit and greed.

As a film itself Shawshank was thoroughly engaging despite the gruesome and distastefulness of the happenings of prison. We see how isolation from the outside advancing world can build up character or completely shatter it. This is one of my favourite movies and I would recommend it to anyone to watch.

Film Rating:9/10

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Contagion(2011) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

As we are stuck by the hard sense of Deja Vu, it is good to know that all things will come to an end as long as we have hope to power through, whether it be a course in university or a massive pandemic taking millions of lives day by day,  we must have hope. Contagion is a film about an unknown virus that rapidly fuels a global pandemic. We see the effects of this virus in the opening of this film slowly affecting citizens from different parts of the world but did not show specifically where this unknown virus started. The film music really sets the mood of the film which is very gloom and ominous as if something bigger was about to happen as the movie progresses. We see a familiar face in the opening scenes Beth Emhoff(Gwyneth Paltrow)was the first person we see who started showing symptoms of the virus. The film does however manages to maintain a steady pace throughout even though this unknown virus was rapidly spreading and becoming more common and deadly. I really like the close up shots with the individuals who were showing clear signs of the virus.” The camera also focuses on the objects and surface these affected citizens has physically touched. A small but much needed camera shot to suggest that the virus is contagious and how it easily be  spread to one individual to the next. I enjoyed the camera shot of all the different countries in the world and how every scene highlights something that is distinguish between each country. For example in London without looking at the caption they give us a shot of the London buses which is a very distinct feature in England. The caption which highlights the different countries that this virus is spreading was pretty clever in my opinion. The caption has the days of the virus as it spreads, the city and country and also the population of that area. I think that adding the population really opens up the world and shows the audience how much lives can be affected by this virus. The days is also good at allowing the audience to see how far the virus has gone and how deadly it becomes by each passing day.

Progressing in the movie we are introduced to Mitch Emhoff played by Matt Damon. Mitch Emhoff is seen to be  miraculously immune to the virus and throughout we get to see as the world deteriorates from his point of view. We see an actual setting which will be a reoccurring place throughout the film, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention located in Atlanta,Georgia. In this scene we are firstly introduced to a recurring character throughout  Lawrence Fishburne who plays a Doctor in the film. He is the first of the main characters who was made known of his occupation. We see the ups and downs of this character in these horrific times as he and other medical experts  rapidly tries to find a vaccine. I enjoyed how they show the health sector and the different strenuous labor they have to go through on a daily. It allows the audience to have a deeper respect and admiration for these doctors. I enjoy Lawrence Fishbourne character in this film ,

Moving a bit further in the movie we are then introduced to Alan. Alan played by Jude Law is another key figure in any film revolving a pandemic which is the Media. The radical journalists who always want to seek out the “truth” and get hurt because of it. He in my opinion is the embodiment of controversy and sensationalism with all of his takes used in the film.

All in all Contagion is a good watch and I would definitely recommend you watch it. Though it may hit home in this current time ,it also can provide an inside look at what may possible take place in these health organizations whenever an impactful event such as a global pandemic may take place.

Film Rating:7.5/10

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Shake Hands with the Devil (2007) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Directed By Roger Spottiswoode,

Shake hands with the tells the events of the Rwandan Genocide from the United Nations point-of-view. The movie focuses on Romeo Dallaire ,A UN general who led the peacekeeping mission in Rwanda during the genocide. We see him narrating hs experiences during his time in Rwanda .In contrast to Hotel Rwanda, Shake Hands with the devil focus more on Daillare leadership role, his struggle to protect the innocent to the best of his capability. The movie was very gruesome and vivid seeing the systemic extermination of Tutsi and Hutu all over Rwanda. The mood was meant to be grim and intense   which was made to inflict sympathy and even anger for the audience. I think it was very important to evoke these emotions to the audience to show the seriousness of the situation. The movie was not as “Hollywood” as Hotel Rwanda in terms of big celebrities and it felt a bit more authentic in terms of setting. The movie was filmed in the actually location of Rwanda which I really liked. As a film I preferred Hotel Rwanda only because the acting was better in my opinion. As a film the camera shots were great. I enjoyed many scenes where they showcase the beauty of the country. It makes you think that even the most beautiful of places can be turned into darkness in an instant. Another key element was the camera movement, I think it was rather good in terms of showing all of the action taken place.

Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire played by Roy Dupuis ,did a great job in embodying the role playing military goodwill ambassador as we see him puts all his efforts in protecting the Tutsi children and Hutu allies. Throughout the Film we had a deeper insight on the UN  and their neglect and abandonment towards Rwanda saying it`s a lost cause. Showing little to no care for the genocide taken, The US and other world powers such as France have turned a blind eye to the carnage that took place in the former Belgian colony. I am content to see how this situation was taken from Romeo Dallaire as it provides more perspective and made me respect the Lieutenant -General more. It was a refreshing seeing how determine Romeo was though having scarce resources and also given multiple chances to escape from this horrendous event. Though I enjoyed Roy Dupis acting the film as whole I didn't quite enjoy. I tend to compare it with Hotel Rwanda a lot though being from two different perspectives. I felt that I learnt a bit more of the cultural aspects of Rwanda as I experience the music ,the foods,their religious beliefs and the art was displayed more vividly in Hotel Rwanda than in this film. Though being film at the location ,I think that the movie did not capitalize on the deep rooted culture that Rwanda has to offer and I felt they could have done a better job. Another flaw I wanted to point out is the lack of character insight for these diplomats in the Film. We were given little to no proper reason as to why these US and France diplomats have come to terms of abandoning Rwanda and not giving adequate aid for this humanitarian crisis. All in all, I think that my favorite thing about the show was Lieutenant -General Romeo Dallaire as he was a very memorable character in this film.I definitely recommend that you watch this film though a bit flawed it is powerful and it teaches about the dark side of history that we can not allow to be forgotten.As Romeo Dallaire himself said to his men ,”we will stay to bear witness to that which the world does not want to see".

Film Rating:7.5/10

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Hotel Rwanda(2004) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Hotel Rwanda (2004) takes place in Rwanda in the year 1994 and encompasses the Rwandan Genocide. We see the events of the Rwandan genocide from the point of view of Paul Rubasesgaina (Don Cheadle).Kigali,Rwanda,1994,The Hutu President, was allegedly killed by Tutsi rebels which sparked a series a mass killing of the Tutsi ,a rough estimate of over a million Tutsi members died. Paul Rubasesgaina is a hotel manager who runs the four-star Hotel Des Milles Collines in the capital city of Kigali. I really admired Don Cheadle performance in this ,he embodies the role of a deceptive, strategic, apologetic and all round suited and competent boss really well. The movie begins with a commenter on the media as he gives a slight backstory of the Hutu and Tutsi rivalry .This technique is reminiscent of Alfonso Cuaron`s Children Of Men as we the audience is directed to pay attention to the background. The movie progresses as  Paul and his friend and employee Dube driving through the streets of Kigali and we see his entrepreneur and marketing knowledge being put in full effect as he lectures the economic benefits of a cigarette. I like the camera technique being used in the car. The established shot really helped in diverting my attention to the conversation rather than focusing on the background or outside of the car. Despite the daunting gruesome themes which are associated with this movie such genocide and war, I really enjoyed how they displayed Rwanda`s vibrant culture to the screen. Following Paul and Dube we see the vibrant atmosphere of Kigali. Bustling with vendors ,Hutu protest marchers all layered with bright coloured clothing and props. Continuing on culture, the film music with the real music playing at many parts of the film helps to promote the authenticity of this make belief Rwanda country. The conflict between Hutu and Tutsi is multi layered and many parties are involved whether international and local. I think the film did a good job in highlighting these parties. Fast Forwarding in the movie ,we see 

Paul joining Colonel Oliver of the U.N forces and General Bizimungu of the Hutu armed Forces, in that instances we are introduced to the main parties involved in the genocide. Shortly after, whilst Paul was driving, we are then introduced to the RTLM ,Hutu Power Radio. The media being common for promoting sensationalism and propaganda was seen in full effect in this film. The media instilled fear and anger which led to the spark of war after announcing that President was shot down by allegedly Tutsi Rebels. The media is seen as bias and instigating after speculating that is was the Tutsi who played a role in the death of the President. Then began a series of mass murdering ,exploitation of Tutsi and Hutu who helped the Tutsi as well as burning of their homes by the Hutu militia Interahamwe .Paul and his wife Tatiana who is Tutsi does everything in their power to protect their family and also other Tutsi in need of help. Tatiana played by Sophie Okonedo did an amazing job in playing the strong ,caring and loving mother and wife throughout the film, I respect her character very much.

 Paul has to use his influence and his favors to help his family maneuver through this chaos. I found it interesting how money holds so much value to humans during every event. really shows the greed of Man. Throughout the show we see various themes such as a prejudice neglect and uprising take place. As a movie it was very engaging to watch and learning about the actual genocide that took place it wasn`t totally accurate as it is a Hollywood film. One thing I was made aware of is that Hotel Rwanda didn't showcase the UN involvement in a good light as they were very much determined to provide assistance and did way more than how the movie presented it. I would definitely recommend before viewing this movie to read up a bit on the Rwanda Genocide to educate yourself so you`ll be able to decipher what is accurate or inaccurate about the film. Anyone who is interested in experiencing what took place during the Rwanda Genocide should give it a chance.

Film Rating :8/10

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The Island (2005) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

If you have watched the Matrix and any dystopian film in history about clones and existential crisis you will see clear similarity in The Island. The Island(2005) is set in a future where humanity has the technology to clone humans. In the beginning the Merrick Institute appeared as a safe haven for “humans” after some inexplicable pathogen wiped out the majority of the human population. The citizens at the institute have been give an opportunity to be placed in a lottery. A broadcast is put out every day with slogans and instructions about the lottery where the citizens gather to see who will win .Whoever wins the Lottery has the opportunity to live out there lives at the one pathogen-free zone in the world. As far fetched as it is for us viewers ,majority of the citizens were conditioned to believe in this proposition however one citizen displays one unique trait which Dr.Merrick fears, curiosity. His name is Lincoln Six Echo one of the protagonist of the film. Lincoln Six Echo was played brilliantly by Ewan McGregor, from start to finish. Lincoln Six Echo noticed a pattern of his everyday life which seems controlled. He noticed this when he had breakfast at the start of the film,he wanted bacon but was given oatmeal. This small action led him to seek out the true nature of the institute. The use of setting, props, costumes presents the façade of a utopia, this was later debunked by Lincoln .

We see throughout the film with the change of setting that the the once perceived utopia was the complete opposite. Upon finding out that the Merrick Institute was actually a facility where they created and raise clones of people and are referred to as products. Lincoln along with with countless others are products made to be sold as replacement their human counterparts for healthy organs. Fast forwarding the film changed paced as we see the clear influence of Michael Bay techniques being put on spotlight. Lincoln Six Echo accompanied by his friend and fellow product Jordan Six Delta embarks and high action sequence to escape the institute whilst being chased by the institute`s secret army. I really loved Scarlett Johansson  who plays Jordan Six Echo performance was really great. Her persona of a naïve citizen with the knowledge of a 15 year old was pretty believable in the start of the film. She then transitions into a fearless battle ready woman which I believe she embodied that persona beautifully.

However, I disliked  Michael Bay decision for the direction of the movie in general. The film presents itself as two separate films being merge together and it didn't flow good I would say. Both parts of the film on its own was relatively watchable and I enjoyed it, but as a film I think that it stray a bit from the main theme and plot into a cheesy Hollywood blockbuster filled with over the top explosive action ,high speed chase and overall excessive amounts of action sequels where the camera movement is fast paced. I preferred if they would've tone it down a bit as many of the sequences didn't correlation and was far from believable. An example of this would be the scene where Lincoln and Jordan was hanging on for dear life on the highest level of a building on a company logo. They were being chased by the secret army`s helicopter and in all the chaos the building logo started to collapsed with Lincoln and Jordan due to the helicopter colliding into the logo and everyone started to fall to their death. However by some strange circumstance Lincoln and Jordan were left totally unscathed by the huge fall .A miracle? I think not , that was just another one of  Michael Bay`s pizzazz and logic. If you're into MIchael Bay`s over the top ,hyper sexualized films then you'll enjoy this film and would definitely recommend. I personally didn't enjoy the plot it was too far fetch and lack correlation and direction. However, I do enjoy the cast performances and they definitely carried the film for me. This would be one of films I would least likely return to.

Film Rating:7/10

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Children of Men (2006) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Children of Men is set in the year 2027, where the world has plummeted to devastation, extreme social injustices, mass-murdering, biowarfare, famine...an absolute low. All of this was a result of a mysterious phenomenon where humans are no longer able to reproduce leaving mankind on the brink of extinction. The story focuses on our protagonist Theo and our beloved Kee, Theo Faron, previously a bureaucrat, who was tired of the state of the world after news of his child passing away. The movie begins with Theo at the café watching the news about the youngest person in the world passing at 18 years old. Shocked yet not surprised, Theo walks out of the café only seconds after a bomb destroys it. As he crouches and froze in fear that this isn’t your typical action motion picture of our hero not fearing death and you will do this throughout the movie. I really liked how they introduced Britain into the film. The camera movement shows what goes on in the background rather than the character’s point of view which was done very beautifully and seamlessly. Using this technique we can see Britain being divided into the land of the rich and the land of the poor and oppressed which comprises immigrants and refugees. Theo in this film was able to experience the lives of these two worlds in Britain being a man of great influence and connections. The film is flooded with historical references whether it be art, architecture, graffiti as we see the symbolism of many being reflected in the film. Britain, as the last functioning nation, has closed its borders and is engaged in a war between the establishment and a band of rebels who support immigrant rights. We were given an insight into this rebel group when they kidnapped Theo and also the leader of this rebel group Julian Moore; Theo`s former lover and the mother of his lost child. Julian Moore who played Julian Taylor was a charismatic leader who does not take no for an answer. Her respect is evident by her interactions with fellow rebel members. She and her rebel group proposed a plan to Theo which was to ultimately protect the key to the future of mankind. Fast-forwarding in the movie we were then introduced to our next main protagonist Kee. Kee sparked hope into Theo for the future of humanity in a beautiful way. The movie then takes us on a journey with these two filled with brilliant action sequences from militia warfare to distaste abuse and oppression of immigrants by the militia of the nation. A particular scene that stood out to me was when Kee and Theo were trying to escape from the war between the military and the rebel groups. A standstill took place and everything and everyone went silent and allowed them to pass. Why was everyone at a standstill? I`d leave it up to your interpretation. However, that scene was very symbolic to me as it shows that despite their cruel and violent nature, there is hope for the future. 

Children of Men I would say fit the criteria of a good film. The storyline is engaging and said previously is filled with cultural references which is fun to spot out. An example of this would be the scene where Kee first revealed her pregnancy in the barn, her posture is said to be reminiscent of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus which was a reference to maternity. Essentially, these references are mainly highlighted in the background. The background in Children of Men was the main focus of the movie.  I would say this technique is very distinctive of Cuaron’s work as he tends to divert the audience’s attention to what is taking place in the background rather than focusing on the lead characters. At the beginning of the film when the credits are being shown Cuaron`s technique was already at play. The credits being played whilst the news report about the youngest in the world dying is an example of this technique. In the opening scene, when Theo was exiting the cafe, The camera transitions from Theo to display a small overview of the futuristic yet dreary conditions of 2027 London. We see the media as a mirror of our current society which usually inflicts negative emotions on us and how it is still inflicting fear into the citizens. I liked the quality of the movie, though being a movie made in 2005, the production quality was impressive and I can see the effort being put into the film. The use of camera techniques during the movie was well done. During the scene with the rebel uprising and Theo and Kee headed into the building filled with refugees, The handheld camera movement throughout that scene really brought a rich authenticity to the scene and you feel deeply for the harsh treatment of the immigrants.

 In conclusion, Children of Men overall was a really good dystopian film. We explored themes such as oppression, hope, famine, war and anarchy in a very unique and engaging manner thanks to Cuaron. The film ending with Kee birthing the baby early and was assisted in reaching the boat during the refugee uprising at Bexhill. Many powerful scenes took place during that action sequence I found really interesting. The birth of the baby was one of the  most significant moments as it shows the hope of mankind in a very beautiful way as the war was forced to cease fire as Theo and Kee exited the war ground to make it to the boat. A powerful yet brief moment as all the chaos and violence resumed only seconds after they made their way out. I think that Theo`s character development was truly heartwarming and can easily resonate with a lot of people. He was a relatable protagonist in the end and I love Clive Owen’s performance. He definitely did an amazing job. The plot was engaging and the cast was brilliant. I would definitely recommend this movie as a must-watch to others. I would give Children I personally think this is a beautiful film despite the obvious gory violence and chaos. If you are into dystopian films and curious about a world where humans are longer able to reproduce leaving mankind on the brink of extinction then Children of Men is a must watch.

 Film Rating:9/10

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V for Vendetta (2005) Review

*Warning Spoilers*

 V for Vendetta was a good watch. I enjoyed V`s (Hugo Weaves) acting thoroughly. His ability to deliver a solid performance, all behind a mask, emoting solely with his voice. Punchy dialogues, witty delivery make it intensely watchable. Natalie’s acting was good but wasn’t the best in my opinion. I couldn't feel the emotion she was trying to portray in some scenes. An example would be the entire dialogue with Gordon at his home after Evey escaped V. The film technique used was interesting and enjoyable to spot out. For instance, the camera angles throughout the movie were used brilliantly. In the final scene where they capture the large group of citizens who were dressed like V to pay homage and support his political movements and ideologies. I think it was a way to show how impactful his life was, better yet his idea, suggesting that his efforts were not made in vain. This is also an innuendo for potential activists who share the same mindset and ideology to rise up and challenge the corrupted political power. A statement that resonated with me was by V he said, “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people. ”A quote that is reflected in the final scenes of the movie as the government was made vulnerable to the people and left no choice but to conform. I loved it because it shows that the power of the people is stronger than the government or any authoritarian power that is in control. It was a beautiful and timeless film, timeless being the fact that certain themes are used throughout such as Freedom and Anarchy which I think were the central themes in the film. V is described as an anarchist, someone who believes that all government powers are corrupt for they infringe on the will and freedom of the people. It is clear that his actions throughout are committed to the freedom of the people and this is the main reason why I enjoyed the film. I would definitely recommend, V for Vendetta is good if you are into dystopian films centered around a peculiar yet charismatic protagonist who wants to free his world of corruption in a vigilante fashion.

Film Rating: 8/10