Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (Weighed But Found Wanting) 1974

Movie Poster

Considered as Lino Brocka’s “first novel”, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang is a drama film starring Lolita Rodriguez, Christopher De Leon, Mario O’hara and Eddie Garcia. It was released on May 30, 1974 with a running time of 128 minutes. The film had eight nominations from FAMAS(Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) Awards and won six awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Christopher De Leon), Best Actress (Lolita Rodriguez), Best Director (Lino Brocka), Best Musical Score (Lutgardo Labad), Best Theme Song (Emmanuel Lacaba for Awit ni Koala).


The story began from a flashback of a crying woman having an abortion. She was accompanied by a man named Cesar (Eddie Garcia) with an old woman, an abortionist. Kuala (Lolita Rodriguez), the pregnant woman, was pleading them to stop but was ignored. After that, she was shown burying her child under a tree.

Berto showing the rattle to Kuala

A dirty, crazy, short bald-patched haired and different Kuala who wanders on the streets of Sta. Rita and sleeps in front of the church was shown. She is an outcast and was always mocked by the society. Berto (Mario O'Hara) who was called Bertong Ketong (Berto the leper), who seeks woman companionship, has the same treatment by the society like Kuala. He has a house in a cemetery together with his dog, Lupa. Berto attracted Kuala by the sound of a rattle and there he bathed, feed and took care of her. He treated her like a normal person and lets her stay there and sleep.

Junior (Christopher De Leon), Cesar’s son was a teenage guy who is somehow different from the society. He was Evangeline’s boyfriend (Hilda Koronel) who then becomes the wife of his close friend. Junior also had a one night special relationship with Milagros (Laurice Guillen), an illegitimate child and sister of one of his peers. But after what they had, Milagros left him without anything. The things that happened to Junior drew him close to Kuala and Berto, the latter always gives him advises and stories from his own life like how he learned to love Kuala and asks for nothing in return, how the society makes fun of them and how he made Junior re-think at laughing at others when Junior talked about his gay teacher and made fun of it.

Junior talking about his gay teacher

One day, Kuala was seen by one of the members La Asociacion de las Damas Cristianas pregnant. Kuala was then taken away from Berto for him not to be able to touch her again. He accepted what had happened but a lot more pain caused Berto when he lost his dog Lupa and found out that it was killed and eaten by the drinking bystanders who made him eat his own pet.


Junior tried to seek help from his father to let Kuala out of the care of the association but got nothing from him. On Christmas time, Berto asked Junior to give Kuala a gift. It was the rattle that always attracts Kuala.

One night, Kuala was on labor and instead of getting help from the sisters of the association, she escaped and went to Berto’s place all blood on her legs. Berto then seek for help and went to the doctor’s house that refused to believe in what he was saying. Berto then held him as a hostage out of desperation. The wife of the doctor then seeks for the townsfolk’s’ help and news spread like a wild fire. Everybody was then following Berto and the doctor as they were on their way to Berto’s place. The police then came and Junior shouted to stop them but failed when they already shot Berto. Junior came to Berto, who had his farewell speech.

Junior crying over Berto's death

 They then heard a baby’s cry in Berto’s house. There, they saw Kuala with her baby. Junior came near her and talked to her then Kuala suddenly remembered everything: Cesar, her abortion, Junior and Berto, who took care and loved her despite her condition. She then gave her baby to Junior and dies. Junior exits through the crowd who gave him a way to walk through with an indifferent looks on their faces. 

Kuala giving her baby to Junior

Junior with the baby walking through the crowd

Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang was directed by Lino Brocka and co-written the story with Mario O’Hara who also produced the film. 

This classic film has the lighting that builds up the mood of the situation. It has these dramatic and sullen aura which gives justice for its drama genre. It also helps set up the character’s emotion which gives an additional flavor for the film. On the other hand, I am quite worried about the background music in some parts of the movie. The first part where Kuala was having an abortion has a very disturbing background. In my opinion, it does not match nor helps in building the act, it was a one of the most sensitive and important part of the film and should have been given a much more soulful background in it. Contrary to the first scoring, the background music of Kuala where she was shown wandering the streets and sleeping outside the church has a very emotional and genuine feeling in it. I like it very much to the point that I pity Kuala for what had happened to her life. It was so personal to me and I was also happy for the fact that the title of the movie was in the lyrics of the song. The music was provided by Lutgardo Labad and Emmanuel Lacaba. No wonder why it won as the Best Theme Song for FAMAS. 

The Structuralist Film Theory is very strong in this film. The shots were created to convey message. A good example would be when Berto saw Kuala lying somewhere with her legs wide open. Berto’s face and Kuala’s legs were shown alternately which gives us the message that Berto wants to have sex with Kuala even if his expression is unreadable. 

The editing is fine considering it is an old movie. The transitions were normal which fades from one scene to another. There are just some shots were it is kind of unstable like when Berto was showing Kuala the rattle but it is very effective since it establishes the mood of the acting. Establishing shots were also shown which helps the viewer know where the place is happening.

Lolita Rodriguez played as Kuala and was so great at it. Her character was very strong considering she had a minimal dialogue. She justified her role by actions and facial expressions and I should give her two-thumbs up for that because I really appreciate and understand how hard it is to deliver such role without even saying anything. Junior was portrayed by Christopher De Leon and I think there is no one that could ever be anymore perfect for the role. He had this good guy look on him which is needed strongly for his character. The way he throws his lines were also undeniably good. He does it with conviction and genuine feelings. His facial expressions are good as well especially when he cried of Berto’s death and when he walked through the crowd while holding the baby. For some unknown reason, my favorite character is Berto who was portrayed by the late Mario O’Hara. He gave justice to the wise yet society-outcast character. He makes me pity and appreciate him. His character was so moving and it can be seen happening in real life. 

Eddie Garcia played as Cesar and of course, he was perfect for the role. Known as the womanizer and called “Manoy” even in real life, he makes me hate him. As an antagonist in any story, if you make the viewers hate you, then you are doing great. Well, I can absolutely say that he did great then. I kind of had a problem with Milagros played by Laurice Guillen since her character did not have a closure. She was gone just like that. I don’t know if it is part of the story to leave the people thinking or anything but I think it would have been best if something was heard from her after she and Junior had sex. On the acting skills, she was just fine with her character, not really outstanding. She could have had a lot more emotions on her face because her role was quite forgettable. She was only remembered because the viewers were looking for her after she her character vanished. The other minor characters like Evangeline played by Hilda Koronel, The Association with Anita Linda and others, Junior’s friends and the town’s people acted very natural. Since I am a Filipino, I can relate so much in some of their characters because some of it are still seen and felt nowadays. They were quite convincing in their respective roles.

The film was so realistic that every Filipino can relate to it. Some may deny it, some may just shrug their shoulders and some will agree to me. It is just a sad fact about how the society can dictate someone’s life. Like Kuala and Berto, they are neglected and considered an outcast because they are different from the others. The things is, being different is not so bad. What makes someone bad is how narrow-minded and hypocrite he can be. We are all trying to fit in a society that judges us even before we do something. After watching Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, you should ask yourself. Are you any different from them?

(c) Angelu Gawaran

The Others (2001)

Theatrical release Poster

In Jersey, The Channel Islands of year 1945, starts the story of a Catholic mother named Gracie Stewart (Nicole Kidman) together with her two little children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley).

Three servants arrived at their house – Mrs. Mills (Fionnulla Flanagan) as their new nanny and housekeeper, Mr. Tuttle (Eric Sykes) as their new gardener and Lydia (Elaine Cassidy) a young mute girl, as their new maid. They were told about the condition of the children that they cannot be exposed to any light stronger than a candle, the reason why they are also home-schooled and Gracie serves as their teacher.

Bizarre happenings were felt at the time the servants arrived.  Gracie felt that something was wrong and it became stronger when Anne said she was seeing other people and there was a boy named Victor living in the house.  She also drew a picture of four people—a man and a woman, the young boy named Victor and an old woman whom she claimed that she sees the most.  Gracie searched the entire house with a shotgun to look for the “intruders”, she thought that Anne was just inventing it to scare her little brother Nicholas until she heard the piano play by itself inside an empty room. She also found some post-mortem photograph. She asked Mrs. Mills to burn them because she felt uncomfortable with them inside their house.

Gracie searching for the "intruders"

Gracie then went out to get a priest and have their house blessed. A heavy and thick fog welcomed her that has been there longer than it has been it should be. She then lost herself and accidentally found her husband Charles (Christopher Eccleston) whom she thought died in the war. They then went back to the mansion but Charles was not himself and was always alone in the room.

Anne and Gracie fitting the dress

Meanwhile, Gracie gave her daughter a bride-looking dress that she sewed herself for Anne’s communion.  Gracie left and let Anne enjoy her dress for a few more minutes. When she came back, she saw the old woman (Renée Asherson) that Anne drew in her daughter’s dress and attacked it not knowing that she attacked Anne instead. Anne then became distant to her mother. Mrs. Mills told Anne that she was also seeing the intruders but must not tell her mother because she said that Gracie was not yet ready for it.

Anne told her father about what happened. Gracie explained to him that it was not Anne that she saw that’s why she attacked it. Charles then said that he was going back to the military. She told him that the war has already ended but he still left the next morning.

Gracie was awakened one morning by the screams of her children when they found out that the curtains that protect them from sunlight was nowhere in sight. She blamed the servants from removing it and commanded them to help her look for it. She hid her children in a safe room and searched for the curtains while holding a shotgun. She then thinks that they are the cause of the disappearance of the curtains and castes them out.

Post-mortem Photograph of the servants

Anne and Nicholas sneaked out that night to find their father and stumble into the graves of their servants, who then suddenly appeared. This was also the time where Gracie found a post-mortem photograph of their servants. In the yard, the children ran back to the mansion with Gracie already outside holding a shotgun. She tried to shoot them but misses and Mrs. Mills told her instead that they were already killed by tuberculosis for more than half a century ago. Gracie ran back to the house and locked the door, Anne told her that they saw their servants’ graves and should not open the door. Gracie then told the children to go hide upstairs. The servants, outside the door, told her that they must learn to live together, “the living and the dead”. Gracie shouted at them that they should “leave them in peace”. The children then hid upstairs in a closet. Downstairs, the servants told the truth: the intruders are actually inside the house and they are the one who took the curtains. Mrs. Mills also said that “sooner or later they’ll find you”.

The old woman found the children. They then learned that the old woman is a communicator of spirits of the dead (a medium) and discovered that they were the ghosts and not the intruders. 

the "Intruders/ Vistors"

It was also revealed that Gracie killed her own children and then committed suicide. Gracie cannot believe with what she was seeing and attacked the “intruders” by ripping the papers on the table with force. She then realized and remembered everything: before the servants came, she went insane because of her missing husband and frustrations that lead her to kill her own children with a pillow then puts the shotgun in her forehead and pulled the trigger. She thought everything was fine after that and was thinking that they were given another chance to live. Mrs. Mills also told Gracie that they’ll learn to get along together with the living and sometimes forget that there are other people inside their house. The children can now be exposed to sunlight since they do not have their sensitive condition anymore.

On a window, Gracie and the children were looking outside. Victor’s family then moved out. The gate of the mansion was shown with a sign of “For Sale” in it.

Gracie and the children on the window

For Sale sign outside the mansion

Under the Structuralist Film Theory and based on how it was described, the film was basically and mostly based on it. It conveys meanings through shots which is great for films since it is a visual type of medium and thus needs a “Show don’t tell” type of acts. It has some formalist film theory in it too since the shots, sound and set design, lighting were somehow artistic and speaks for art especially the story itself.

The film has the lighting that it needs. Dark shots were perfect for most of the scenes since the story has it that they need to keep the lights down. The sound was thrilling when it should be like when Gracie was looking for the intruders and she was inside the room where she found the photographs. It made my heart beat fast because of the suspense. The setting was creepy and it justified that they do not have neighbors to call on to, the house also have this haunted-house like aura. The shots were perfect; I can’t even tell anything that could go wrong with it. It has establishing shots of the mansion, the inside of the house and the characters faces were shown greatly when an emotion was arching up. The editing is almost flawless; it was like sewed from shots to shots.

Nicole Kidman played as Gracie Stewart and was so great. She gave justice by being so elegant and classic; she also has this intimidating look on her that is just perfect for her character since the setting of the movie was in year 1945. And is should not forget Alakina Mann as Anne Stewart because she has the most outstanding character in all. Her physical features, the way she frowns, speaks was just so how Anne I was expecting to be.  She did not just gave justified her role, she also made it stand out. I just love her character personally. James Bentley as Nicholas is so cute. He looked helpless and dependent which complements the story he is in. Fionnula Flanagan as Bertha Mills was good enough for the character. She seems scary especially towards the end of the movie when she was telling the truth to Gracie but still possesses a caring aura in her. Eric Sykes as Edmund Tuttle has not been exposed much on the movie but helped by building his own mysterious character. I should applaud Elaine Cassidy as Lydia because even if she did not have any dialogue (she was mute in the movie) she stood out to me like Alakina did and for some unknown reason, she left a mark to me. The old woman on the other hand, was portrayed by Renée Asherson was just fine. I think the reason why she was scary was because of her eyes which was not natural obviously but I think any old woman (physically) can do her role. It was not as effective as I was wishing it to be. 

The film was Written and Directed by Alejandro Amenabar, who was also in-charge with the music. I should give him a two thumbs-up for creating such a great film that has a great twist. I am such a fan of Psychological Horror films and he made it an unforgettable one. 

(c) Angelu Gawaran

The Others (2001) official Trailer :

Cellular

               “If the signal dies so does she.” With the tagline of the 2004 thriller, action, drama and crime film, Cellular, which runs for one hour and thirty-four minutes, avid fanatics of thriller/suspense films, would easily grasp what the film is all about.  The film which was released on the 10^th of September 2004, is all about Jessica Martin (Kim Basinger), a middle-aged woman who is a high school Biology teacher, a mother of one kid named, Ricky Martin (Adam Taylot Gordon) and a wife to Craig Martin (Richard Burgi) who works in a real state. The film started as Jessica Martin dropped off his son, Ricky Martin just nearby from their Brentwood mansion to his son’s school bus. As Jessica Martin went back to her mansion, a gang with their leader, Ethan Greer (Jason Statham) who was able to enter the Martin’s residence by smashing the house’s backdoor window, unexpectedly kidnapped her. As Jessica Martin was thrown inside a van, she was placed in an attic of a house with no idea in mind where she is particularly. As Jessica was shivering due to the intense fear brought by the gruesome situation which transformed her ‘normal’ life before into a desolate one, luckily, she found a telephone but not totally usable because it is a bit broken and the wires on it were already worn out. Nonetheless, as a Science teacher, she was able to fix the broken wires on the telephone and she was able to dial a random number fortunately. As she pressed numbers on the telephone, she was able to call a young man who is just hanging out with friends and doing nothing in a beach named Ryan (Chris Evans). As Ryan answered the call from his mobile, Jessica, who was still shook and traumatized, talked to Ryan instantly as she hears Ryan’s voice and she asked for help. She told Ryan that she was kidnapped and that she barely needs his help and that help is by going to the police. At first, Ryan did not believe Jessica thinking that she is just fooling him. Nevertheless, as Ryan hears Jessica and her abductors who kidnapped her from their mansion, that is the time wherein Ryan started to believe Jessica. As they talk over the phone, Jessica told Ryan to go to his son’s school because the kidnappers would also get her son. As Ryan went to the school, Jessica dictates what her son looks like, what he wears, what his bag looks like. As Ryan saw the kid with The Lord of the Rings backpack, the kid was already captivated by the kidnappers. As Ryan reported to Jessica what happened, she warned Ryan that her family is really in so much danger because her abductors are now planning to get his husband, Craig who is boarding in LAX anytime. Jessica’s abductors are targeting Craig’s financial properties knowing that he is working in a real state plus the fact that their family is affluent. Ryan did not get Craig too. Jessica felt so helpless. As Jessica saw her son and her husband, she made a way to escape their abductors and they rode in an SUV. The film ended as the police officer Mooney helped Ryan to rescue Jessica and her family. Mooney together with Ryan, they killed Ethan Greer. As the film ended, finally, Jessica met Ryan and maybe for a consolation, she asked Ryan, “Is there anything I could ever do?” Ryan replied, “Jessica, don’t ever call me again.”

When it comes to the directing of David R. Ellis, the film was well directed. The director has justified the genre of the film. The film was indeed full of thrill like what the thrill-seeker spectators of the movie are up to. However, there are some notable mistakes in the film that are under the responsibilities of a Director that are also worth mentioning for the betterment of the film. As I watched the film to review and criticize some mistakes committed and as I conducted a thorough scrutiny of the mistakes of the film via the internet, I found out numerous mistakes. One of which is when Ryan is waiting for Ethan Greer (Jason Statham) to call him back, the ringtone heard is monophonic. The type of phone Ryan has plays polyphonic ringtones only. In addition, another mistake that can be seen in the film is when Ethan and Ryan fought in the boat shed. You can see that one of Ethan's hits does not go even nearby Ryan's face and still he falls! Another, in the film, Ryan is supposed to be going to LAX, but when he enters the airport, you can see that it is not in LAX. 

Moreover, talking about the cinematography of the film or the art of motion picture photography, the shooting of the film accompanied by the apparatuses utilized, were great. The cinematographer of the film, Gary Capo, used different shots and film techniques.  

Furthermore, when it comes to the acting of the actors like Kim Basinger, Jessica Martin in the film, she has portrayed her role in the natural way she could. Like the scenes when she was trying to fix the telephone and when she was trying to call Ryan via the phone. Fantasy it is, but Kim Basinger has acted the way that it would look more realistic in the eyes of the audience. Additionally, Jason Statham was also great when it comes to his acting in the film. He has showed and proved to us that he is not just good when he is the protagonist of a film, but also even when he is portraying an antagonist role he can still act the outstanding and distinguished way he acts similarly with his protagonist roles before. More than that, looking at the screenplay of the film, the script was well written by the screenwriters, Chris Morgan and Larry Cohen. One part of the lines of the actors that I did like the most is when Ryan told Jessica not to call him ever again; sounds sarcastic and funny at the same time.

Filtering the film with the use of theory, this film falls under Structuralist Film Theory. In the film, there are various shots and angles used in the film used to show and convey meaning to the audience to what will happen next. In the film, the type of shot used when Jessica Martin was kidnapped was different with the type of shot/angle used when his son was in school being kidnapped also by the abductors that conveys to the audience that her son would also be kidnapped next after her. The type of shot used in the scene of Jessica Martin’s son, conveys to the audience what will happen next and that would be his son will also be captivated. As we all know, in Structuralist Film Theory, it emphasizes how films convey meaning through the use of codes or symbols. Lighting, angle, shot duration and all other elements are also part of the ‘codes and conventions’ the Structuralist Film Theory is talking about. 

(c) Judd V. Bantug

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2

Theatrical Poster

Due to the unauthenticated allegation of the Volturi to the daughter of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, Renesmee, imputing that Renesmee is an immortal child, this caused the brutal and ghastly fight scenes between the Cullens together with their other friends and with the Volturi. As Aro, the leader of the Volturi and Dr. Carlisle Cullen, the "adoptive father" of Alice, Edward, Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie and the husband of Esme Cullen, jumped off into the air and fought. Hence, the head of Dr. Carlisle was cut off with his corpse laid down which triggered the Cullens to fight back and redeem for their father's death. Moreover, As they continue to fight, many of the Cullens and of their friends died. Jasper Cullen died. Esme Cullen, was thrown off on a steep wall made by the division of the snow wherein they are battling. Also, many of Jacob's friends, the wolves, who also helped the Cullens, unfortunately died. At the end of their fight, where almost everyone was already dead, cut-off heads and corpses filling the whole place, Bella and Edward ran to Aro and killed him by means of cutting his head off like what he always do. But can you believe that all of these were just part of Alice Cullen's vision? No one died. No one suffered. No one sacrificed. Nothing at all. All of these horrible things that definitely drove us spectators of the film to be startled, were just part of Alice's vision with a primary objective which is just to show and let Aro know what will happen to him if he will insist to continue the battle.

Breaking Dawn Fight Scene

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, a 2012 drama, romantic, fantasy film directed by Bill Condon with writers Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay) and based on the novel of Stephanie Meyer which runs for one hour and fifteen minutes is definitely the best novel of the totality of the Twilight film. The film is about the birth of Renesmee, the half-human and half-vampire daughter of Bella and Edward. At the beginning of the story, everything is just fine and sound. Truly, they are living an effervescent life that time with Renesmee on their side. Suddenly, the Volturi came in and start accusing false allegation against Renesmee which did start the gruesome battle of the Volturi and the Cullens together with their friends whom they asked for help in order to fight the Volturi. 

When it comes to the technical elements of the film, I adore all the editing styles. When Renesmee was still a baby, the director of the movie and all other cast of the film have already shown to the spectators of the film what the baby is about. Who is she and what is she. They have showed to the audience that that baby was a half-human and half-vampire that is why the physical outlook appearance of it is somehow matured. As we all know, a vampire matures instantly and so the editors of the film must be able to show the manifestations of a matured baby even though it is still a baby and they have shown it! (To the editors of the film, great!)

When it comes to the directing of Bill Condon, I really admire the way he directed the whole film. Like what I have said previously, you can see the twist that Bill Condon did in order to showcase the abrupt scenes that the audience are not expecting to happen. As I read through some sources, they said that the fighting scenes were not really part of the book but just added by when they were shooting the film. I greatly esteem the directing of the film. I believe that 'twists' in a film is one of the most essential thing that directors should focus on because with this, they are indeed driving the emotions of the spectators of the film. 

In addition, when it comes to the acting of the actors in the film, I cannot see any negative thing when it comes to their acting. All of them were great and they have portrayed their roles in the film the way it should be portrayed. Like what happened in the fighting scenes, they used their powers to fight the Volturi. Like with Alice, she acted the way she should act using her power of vision, to think of the future and what will happen. Same with Bella, with her power to help the Cullens endure the pain whenever they are in danger. Bella also acted in the natural way she should portray her power as some like the 'shield' of the Cullens. 

Furthermore, talking about the film's cinematography, it really deserves a tons of applause for Guillermo Navarro, the Twilight Saga's cinematographer. Excellent motion picture photography. From the beginning of the film wherein the credits are being shown, up to the ending part of the film, the photographs behind were really great and really shows that the apparatuses used were state-of-the-art. 

The film falls under Apparatus Theory. Like what is said in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparatus_theory, It maintains that cinema is by nature ideological and that cinema maintains the dominant ideology of the culture within the viewer. In the film, the dogma of the vampires were introduced from the very start of the first novel of the film and up to the last, in Breaking Dawn - Part 2. We, as spectators of the film, have seen the articles of faith of the vampire clan, Cullens, specifically. 

They say, impossible things are impossible and so they are impossible to be done. Nevertheless, as the blockbuster and talk of the town film leaved its avid fans and supporters, the film also leaved us with a beautiful message that the genuine love inculcated between two lovers is the only key to open the door of strength and courage to surpass all the obstacles along the way that are impossible to overcome. As what they always say, "Love conquers all." 

(c) Judd V. Bantug

Mean Girls (2004)

Theatrical Poster

Comedy and Chick Flicks films are very usual to us. Slapsticks are cliché and usually used to make people laugh but the movie Mean Girls, a 2004 American teen comedy-drama film, is aspiring to be different. With their wit and sarcastic approach, in my opinion, I believe it is one of the greatest films in their genre.


The story starts from a 16 year-old homeschooled girl named Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan). Together with her parents, they went back to US after living in Africa for 12 years. There, she has to go to a public school and has difficulty adjusting. She then met Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damien (Daniel Franzese) and was introduced to different types of “groups” or cliques in their school. Cady was told to avoid the most famous group called “The Plastics” with Regina George (Rachel McAdams) as the Queen Bee, Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert) as the one who knows everybody’s business and Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried) as the “one of the dumbest girl” but she attracted their attention and they became interested on her. She was then considered as the newest member of the group. Janis took it as a way to seek revenge to Regina.


With Janis’ plan, Cady is to join the Plastics and spy on the things that they say and do. They went to the mall after class and then to Regina’s house where she found about the “Burn Book” where they put mean things about all the girls in their school and some teachers. She also had a massive crush to Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett) who unfortunately was Regina’s ex-boyfriend. Cady was invited by Aaron to a Halloween Costume Party where Regina backstabbed Cady by telling Aaron some mean things about her. Regina then manages to get Aaron back. Cady walked out and went to Janis’ and Damien’s place where they planned to take avenge to what Regina has done. They were to destroy and cut all of Regina’s “resources” by making Regina and Aaron separate, ruin her body and turning Regina’s friends to be against her. They did some mean tricks which seemed to be unsuccessful.

The "Burn Book"

After some unsuccessful tries, they then succeed in making Aaron and Regina separate when Cady told Aaron that Regina was cheating on him. They also made Regina ate chocolate bars which can make someone gain weight and made Gretchen crack the secrets by making her feel like Regina was mad at her. Cady also realized that in order to get Aaron notice her, she has to “really commit” by failing her Calculus subject on purpose so that Aaron could tutor her. Without her knowing, she is slowly becoming a real mean girl and somewhat forgetting about Janis and Damien.

Regina then found out what Cady was doing and decided to take revenge by putting her picture and wrote mean things about herself in the Burn Book. Regina gave it to their principal and it made her look like she was a victim. Cady, Gretchen and Karen were the only girls that were not in the book and were called to the principal’s office, meanwhile, Regina had copies of the pages of the book and scattered it on the hallways and a riot between all the girls had started.

The girls were then gathered in the gymnasium and an activity led by the Math Teacher, Ms. Norbury (Tina Fey) was made. The girls realized that all of them are guilty of backstabbing and hurting other people’s feelings. One by one, they are to say sorry for the things that they have done. Janis then revealed the truth about Cady and their plan of sabotaging her. Regina walked out of rage and Cady followed her telling Regina that she was sorry. Accidentally as they were talking, Regina got hit by a bus and luckily survived. Rumors spread that Cady intentionally pushed Regina in front of a bus.

Cady then took all the blame and responsibility by saying that she was the one who wrote the Burn Book. She “sucked the poisoned out” by apologizing to the people that she hurt like Ms. Norbury. Ms. Norbury then asked her to join the Mathletes in exchange of what she has done. As she was competing, she was saying mean things inside her mind about the girl on the other group but realized that making fun of the girl won’t stop her from beating Cady and there she regained her focus and was able to win the competition.

They were able to go back to their school for the Spring Fling Dance and Cady was announced as the Spring Fling Queen. She then had a speech about the things that she learned from her mistakes. She broke the crown into pieces and gave it to the girls in the dance. Cady then made up with Janis and Damien, Aaron and the plastics.

At the end, the plastics broke up and had a new life on their own. Aaron went to college, Janis had a relationship with Kevin Gnapoor, captain of the Mathletes, and had their lives and the “Girl World” in peace.

Lindsay Lohan’s acting was very good because she gave justice to the character that she’s portraying. It was exactly how I am imagining “Cady Heron” should be but Rachel McAdams stood out for me because she convinced me with her acting skills that she is a very mean girl. She did what a “fabulous but evil” should be.

As much as I love their characters, I think Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Franzese kind of lack in justifying their roles. It was not so smooth and it felt somewhat scripted.

By the Formalist Film Theory, the scripts thrown written by Tina Fey were very funny, sarcastic and fresh. It has a very youthful yet witty taste. The musical scoring is great for it matches what the scene was asking. Video editing was smooth and continuous. I got some problems and noticed that the film lacked to establish shots. The mall, Cady’s house and the school were not established. I remember getting to the point where I got confused if it was Cady’s house or not.

The film directed by Mark Waters was based on Rosalind Wiseman's Queen Bees and Wannabes, but Tina Fey, who played as the Math teacher Ms. Norbury, created an “overarching plot” since she felt that it was lacking some. 

A lot of lessons could be learned from watching the movie. From small family problems of lacking communication (due to Cady’s attitude where she became a real mean girl) to being a normal person that should be sensitive to the people around her. Especially learning that making fun of other people will never help us to be successful and instead of looking at other people’s flaws, we should focus on more important things like studying, family and friends.

                                                                                                            (c) Angelu Gawaran

Mean Girls (2004) Trailer: