Film review

Menace II society

Menace II society is a film based on black teenage youths living in the streets of Los Angeles. The film is narrated by the main character Caine Turner whose 18 years old, who talks about his life being a drug dealer and a car thief. His best friend O-Dog whose known as a viscious thug, gets into an altication with a couple that own a local store, who accuse both him and Caine of attempting to rob the shop. Out of anger O-Dog shoots the shopkeeper and his wife and then decides to rob him. Caine and O-Dog are hired by a local hood Chauncy, for a car insurance scheme but are caught in the process and arrested by police, a detective attempts to link Caine to the store killings by matching fingerprints. Caine is then released and continues to hijack cars, and begins to enjoy the 'hustler' lifestyle.

Throughout the duration of the film we begin to see how the effect of Caine's new life effects himself as well as others around him. His cousin and one of his crew members, he's also shot at twice, the first time he survives but the second time which happens at the end of the film he is fatally wounded.
The genre of this film is Crime/Drama, which is not only portrayed through the storyline, but also through the use of certain cinematic techniques .

The editing used in this film help portray the genre of the film; continuity editing is used throughout the film. The pace of the film is particulary fast, which supports the action scenes in the film which involve, shooting, fighting, and driving. However slow motion pace is also used, the slow motion builds tension in certain sequences. The continuity editing helps carry the narrative forward, 180-degree is used when characters exchange dialogue and shot reverse shot. Flashback are also used during particular parts of Caine's narration in the film, flash effects and different transitions; fades, wipes and dissolves portray the past events and the passing of time as he's explaining. Eliptical editing is another technique used in the film, jump cuts, cut away, cross and inter-cutting were used; these support the action that is taking place within the movie. The cross-cutting helped build suspense between the group when Caine and his cousin were attacked, and his friends were on their way to meet them.

Overall the storyline of the film was very effective, loads of teenagers could relate to certain scenes in the film. As the viewer I felt that I could relate or have some sort of feeling towards the characters which is an important aspect to have in a film; even though the film is more than 10years old watching it never seems to get old.

                                                      Madea's Big Happy Family

Madea's Big Happy Family is a comedy drama film based on a family trying to come together during the illness of Madea's niece Shirley whose dying from cancer and has less than 4-6 weeks to live. Shirley is desperate to get all the 3 of her kids Byron, Tammy, Kmberly and their family to come around for dinner so she could announce the news, but due to on-going conflict between the children she can't seem to get them to get along and stay for dinner. With nothing seem to be working out another family member Aunt Bam decides to call upon Madea to help get Shirley's kids together. The first night Madea manages to get them to come for dinner an intense arguement occurs between Tammy and Kimberly, the arguement ends with Byron finding out that Kimberley who thought was is sister is actually his mother.

Even though there's a serious storyline behind the film, but there's also comical moments in film involving Madea which I continuously find hilarious. Not only is it the obvious funny situations in the film that show it's a comedy, but also the mis en scene thats involved. The lighting is very bright throughout which gives it a postive feel, also the character's costumes are bright and colourful. Apart from the cinematic techniques, some of the character's acting was over the top such as Sabrina whose Byron's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, her over the top acting also brought the funny concept to the film.

Madea's big happy family is one of my favourite films because it's a comedy that has a very serious stroyline line with an important message. Having this could position the audience to not only have a good time but learn something whilst watching it.