MYST #3: A Cinderella Story
A Cinderella Story is such a classic movie. I have seen it probably a million times and it still never gets old. Yes, it is a cheesy, typical, romantic, chick flick movie, but I still love it. It is basically a play off of the original Cinderella movie, but focused more on a modern day scenario. Sam Montgomery (Hilary Duff) lives her life for everyone else. Her dad died as a little girl, and she was then forced to live with her evil step-mom and step-sisters. They, of course, make her life terrible. The only thing that gets her from day to day is the fact that she has a secret email relationship with an unknown fellow student (Chad Michael Murry). What Sam doesn't know is, the guy she has been emailing is really football captain, Austin Ames. The movie is really funny and cute. I would definitely recommend it for girls who love classic romantic movies. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars for its ability to make a classic fairy tale relatable to modern girls.
There really wasn't a lot of interesting camera techniques or angles in the movie. During this one scene at the Halloween dance, the camera gave a bird's eye view of the dance floor scene. I thought this was really interesting because the audience was able to see all of the cool costumes from a high above angle. Also, in another scene, the camera showed a long, narrow shot of Sam walking through the hallways with all these people making fun of her from behind. This is a key scene because the way it was shot shows how Sam is compared to the rest of the world. It is used to show how out of place she feels. This movie reminds me a lot of the movie Sydney White with Amanda Bynes. That movie is supposed to be based off of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Again, like a Cinderella Story, the movie modernizes a classic fairy tale story. Both have a happy ending where the guy gets the girl.
One key scene that really stood out to me was when Sam and Austin are dancing together at the Halloween dance. They were outside alone in this really pretty gazebo with flowers all around. Music was playing and it was just the two of them. They were dancing and playing 10 questions to see if Austin could guess who Sam really was. At the time, he still didn't know who she was since she was wearing a mask. It was a really cute scene in the movie and it allowed the audience to see how the two interacted face to face versus email to email. Also, the camera sort of spun around the gazebo while they danced, focusing only on the two of them. It was a scenic setting and made for a good part of the movie.
Overall, I really enjoyed watching this movie. If interested after reading this post, check out the movie trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBkrUVRoAY8
One key scene that really stood out to me was when Sam and Austin are dancing together at the Halloween dance. They were outside alone in this really pretty gazebo with flowers all around. Music was playing and it was just the two of them. They were dancing and playing 10 questions to see if Austin could guess who Sam really was. At the time, he still didn't know who she was since she was wearing a mask. It was a really cute scene in the movie and it allowed the audience to see how the two interacted face to face versus email to email. Also, the camera sort of spun around the gazebo while they danced, focusing only on the two of them. It was a scenic setting and made for a good part of the movie.
Overall, I really enjoyed watching this movie. If interested after reading this post, check out the movie trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBkrUVRoAY8
Katherine i really enjoyed your post i like the original cinderella so i might give this one a try. I've seen some movies with hillary duff before and they weren't as bad as i thought they would be, i'm not usually one for chick flicks but it seems alright. so maybe if my mother ever suggests we watch one i can suggest this one. i'm suprised it didnt have any baseball players in it ;)
ReplyDeleteI loved your post on this movie. You're right, it is a classic. I've seen this movie so many times and it never gets old. I like your honesty about the cinematic elements, it shows that this is an unbiased critique.
ReplyDeleteWell done on this post Katherine. I love this movie so much because it never gets old. I have to agree with you that that scene where they are dancing outside is so romantic and cute. Also i remember that scene where she is walling down the staircase in her pretty white dress while everyone is staring at her.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, good job on the review. I havent seen this movie nor do i plan on it, but if my girlfriend ever wants to watch a chick flick ill suggest this. Good analysis on the camera work, movies like this its hard to see what exactly is being done cinematographically. I thought your review was thoughtful and detailed. Good job. A+
ReplyDeleteGreat job Katherine. I guess it seems that everyone is remaking old fairytale stories these days. I feel like every other movie out in theaters is a spinoff of something that came before it. I actually have seen movie, a few years ago... I think that the whole idea of this movie is way too flowery and unrealistic but despite that it has the feel good quality that makes it hard not to like. One of my favorite quotes is also mentioned in this movie which is great. Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. That's one thing I will agree with, the movie does present positive themes to people that would watch this movie which is of course important given its audience.
ReplyDeleteI have also seen this movie a million times! I haven't seen it in so long though so after reading this review I want to see it again! I also liked how they did a bird's eye view during the dance scene because it showed the dance as a whole. Also one of the saddest parts of the movie is when she is walking down the hall and everyone is laughing at her, I agree that the way they angled this shot really added to the effect. I really like movies that take fairy tales and make them into modern day movies, I can't wait to see this movie again!
ReplyDeleteNice job with these MYSTs. Good details and good analysis. I've never heard of "A Cinderella Story," but from the comments you got it seems I'm in the minority. Keep up the good work.
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