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Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss - Tommy O'Haver

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http://static1.squarespace.com/static/545813b0e4b02b2abc692a7d/545815afe4b0d615f8a635e8/545815afe4b0d615f8a635f2/1415058886015/billyshollywoodscreenkiss.jpg?format=1000w INTRODUCTION This review is written in attempt to determine the elements of Queer theory found in the film Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss directed by Tommy O'Haver in 1998. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approaches to genres. THEORY DISCUSSION New Queer Cinema is a term often used to describe renaissance of gay or lesbian film-making by Americans in the 90s. However, this independent film movement mainly focuses on males desire in male homosexual cinema rather than lesbianism. The theory also discussed the confusion of sexual and gender identity in its film, portrayed through various intimate visuals and suggestive contents. The film usually targets both straight and non-straight viewers as it is not necessarily made for or limited to LGBT community only.  SYNOPS...
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March of the Penguins - National Geographic

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https://cdn.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/march-of-the-penguins.jpg INTRODUCTION This review is written in attempt to determine the elements of Expository mode of representation in the documentary March of the Penguins by National Geographic in 2005. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approaches to genres. THEORY DISCUSSION Documentaries assessments are based on objectivity. The filmed events are not staged in order to provide authentic look and content to viewers.  There are six modes of representations in documentary which are poetic, expository, observational, interactive, reflexive, and performative.  Expository mode of representation in documentaries can be identified when there are authoritative voice-over or Voice-of-God commentary to make the documentary sound romantic and didactic. SYNOPSIS The cycle of life of the Emperor's penguins is disclosed in this documentary. Every autumn, these animals...
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Legally Blonde - Robert Luketic

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INTRODUCTION This review is written in attempt to determine the elements of Feminist film theory in the film Legally Blonde directed by Roberts Luketic in 2001. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approach in genres.  THEORY DISCUSSION Feminism in film is to break discrimination, stereotyping, objectification, oppression, and patriarchy society. It exposes the misinterpretation of women through assumed predetermined sexual identity also known as female repression by patriarchal society. The film usually look at various female representation and compare them to seek out the final resolution of the "preferred" women.  SYNOPSIS Elle Woods is the president of her sorority, a Hawaiian Tropic girl, Miss June in her campus calendar, and, above all, a natural blonde.  She dates the cutest fraternity boy on campus and wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But, there's just one thing stopping Warner from poppin...
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À bout de souffle (Breathless) - Jean-Luc Godard

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INTRODUCTION This review is written in attempt to determine the elements of French New Wave in Breathless by Jean-Luc Godard in 1960. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approach in genres. THEORY DISCUSSION French New Wave emerged in the 1950s during the mobile camera era where shooting and film-making outside studio became possible due to portability of camera. The filmmakers were filming reality to show the truth, and followed the characters around during the shoot.  The film usually puts a sane man in a lunatic asylum which then leads him to frustration and eventually go insane. French New Wave favors mise-en-scene to let visuals tell story, manipulates mise-en-shots and intensify script to create meaning.  French New Wave  rejects montage aesthetics and continuity editing. Traditional filming style is also rejected to avoid making an escapist film. It makes sure the audience would think about the film while watching it. SYNOPSIS ...
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Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thief) - Vittorio De Sica

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https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/topic_images/p19c7d0hjr1jacnc91a96mr953.jpg INTRODUCTION This review is written in an attempt to determine the elements of Italian Neorealism found in the film Ladri di biciclette directed by Vittorio De Sica in 1948. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approaches to genres.  THEORY DISCUSSION According to cineCollage (n. d.), Italian Neorealism is a style of film characterized by stories set among the poor and lower working class, filmed on location, and frequently using non-professional actors. The films mostly reflect the conditions and everyday life of people in Italy after World War II (WWII) economically and mentally such as poverty and desperation.  Italian Neorealism generally abolishes planned plots, the scripts are improvised on site. Due to limited budget, they don't film it in studios or hire professional actors. Instead, filmmaker uses real local people and real locations to establis...
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The Maltese Falcon - John Huston

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https://events.kcrw.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/MAL002AG-1600x900-c-default.jpg INTRODUCTION This review is written in an attempt to determine the elements of Film Noir in the film The Maltese Falcon directed by John Huston in 1941. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approach to genres.  THEORY DISCUSSION Film Noir features a world of criminals, darkness, and violence. The characters's central motives are usually greed, lust, and ambition as there are no good person in the film. Every character is up to something and never reveal their real side. Film Noir also portrays fear and desire in reality as the world is not always pure and simple.  Visually, Film Noir is usually dark with lots of shadows due to high-contrast lighting, and it's German expressionistic. It also has cynical, dark, and pessimistic themes with corrupted characters, blurred morals and intellect, and features hard-boiled antihero vs femme fatale.   SYNOPSIS ...
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Sleepy Hollow - Tim Burton

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https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hDBGBCamBvI/maxresdefault.jpg Introduction This review is written in an attempt to determine the German Expressionistic elements found in Sleepy Hollow directed by Tim Burton in 1999. The theory to use is semantic/syntactic approach to genres.  Theory Discussion Semantic approach which is related to the visual aspects of the film determines the German Expressionistic elements in the film such as Gothic settings with dramatic shadows, unnatural acts of characters as well as realities in the film.  In terms of Syntactic approach which is the thematic aspects of the film, revolt, madness, self-analysis, primitive, and sexual savagery determines the German Expressionistic elements in the film.  Synopsis Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murder cases where the heads of victims cannot be found at the scene. Ichabod does not believe in the locals when they tell him that th...
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