The Cinematic Sage

  As film enthusiasts, we know that trailers are more than just a preview, they are a promise of the experience to come. The 1996 trailer for “Matilda”, based on Roald Dahl’s book, sets out to attract audiences with a glimpse of the whimsical and magical world of a young girl  who grows up feeling alone and not apart of her twisted family. Her father sells used cars for a higher price and her mother runs off to play bingo every chance she gets. Matilda is ultimately ignored but what they don't know is the power that she holds inside. But does it achieve its purpose? Let’s break down a couple of key choices the trailer makes: its use of color and the overall tone.    Before diving into the trailer’s choices, let’s establish the rhetorical situation. The trailer for “Matilda” aims to attract a broad audience, including children who can rel ate to Matilda’s story of feeling left out yet magical. Its purpose is to generate excitement and curiosity about the film, pro...

 "Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a movie that plays with the idea of absurdism in fascinating ways. Absurdism is about the belief that life is random, meaningless, and sometimes strange. This film digs deep into the concept but also flips it around.  This movie fully embraces absurdism by throwing the main character, Evelyn Wang, into a series of wild and bizarre realties. In one world, people have hot dogs for fingers and in another rocks have feelings. These strange situations highlight the absurdist idea that life can be chaotic. The movie's plot is and at times feel random and unpredictable as you don't know what will come next, much like the idea of absurdism that life doesn't always make sense.  Not only does the film challenge the positive side of absurdism, but also the negative aspects by adding a lot of heart and meaning to Evelyn's journey. Even though she's surrounded by extreme madness, her adventure is about understanding herself and r...

 In Barry Jenkins' film Moonlight (2016), a young black man by the name of Chiron is growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood, and he is struggling with identity and masculinity. This theme is particularly touching where Chiron, now a teenager, shares a deeply personal moment with his friend Kevin on a moonlit beach. In this scene Chiron is exemplifying extreme vulnerability because he opens up to Kevin, expressing his deepest insecurities and fears. Kevin, in return, shows tenderness and understanding, leading to an intimate moment between the two. This scene marks a pivotal point in Chiron's life where he feels safe enough to reveal his true self. The moonlight, symbolizing harsh realities of his daily life, creates a space where Chiron can momentarily shed his tough skin.  The author, Jenkins, uses visual and auditory cues to showcase this vulnerability. The sound of the waves, the soft lighting, and the close-up shots of the characters' faces all contribute to a feeling...

 Greetings, fellow film enthusiasts! I am Maximilian "Maxine" Rocco, your dedicated guide through the vast, mesmerizing world of cinema. My journey into the realm of film critique began in the backrooms of  independent theaters, where the scent of popcorn mingled with the aura of untold stories waiting to unfold on the silver screen.  My taste in film is quite expanded, from animation that is vibrant and versatile that conveys deep emotions and complex stories, romantic comedies that are heartwarming yet filled with laughter, and superhero films that bring comic book legends to life with spectacular special effects and epic battles. However I am not fond of science fiction as there are too many technical terms or musical's with the overload of singing that seems non stop.  Why should you listen to my opinion? My perspective is from many years of passionate movie-watching and analysis. I believe that no matter the genre or budget every film holds a potential for great...