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1. Why did you think the directors of the three films chose their specific color palettes for the sets and props?

The first film, “Dumplings”, had quite a neutral color palette with its setting consisting of everyday scenes that may be familiar to the audience. It was not like the typical horror color palette of American horror movies where it was mostly dark and eerie. While watching the film, I noticed that the film was mostly set during the day. This horror movie’s theme mostly showcased gore with its aspects of cannibalism.

The second film, “cut” was also more of a gory film than the typical jumpscare movie. It only had one setting which was a blue room with a checkered pattern floor, which was quite fancy looking. It was actually the director’s home that was transformed into a movie set by the stranger. I would describe the vibe and color palette of this movie to be mysterious and eerie. The props were also really well done, significantly the wife who was trapped on the piano with the sharp wires.

The third film “Box” had quite a gloomy color palette, which actually reminded me of the scenes in “The Grudge” which is also a Japanese horror film. I noticed the dominant color of blue filters in the sad and lonely scenes of the film (scenes of the main character, Kyoko) and red filters for the eerie and creepy aspects of the film. One of the main settings of the film was set in a circus where the protagonist, Kyoko used to work with her twin sister whom she killed.

2. What do you think these choices for the set are meant to convey to the audience?

Overall, the three extremes push the limit of your typical surprise element horror film. It focused a lot on gore and story elements and less about the special effects, most especially Dumpling. It also pushes the audience to really focus on these story elements and something to ponder once they finish the movie as it is very eerie and grotesque.

3. In your opinion as an audience member, were these choices for the setting used effectively?

Definitely, the 3 movies overall had pretty standard and simple settings and focused more on gore and story elements. To compare, horror films such as “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” is a popular horror Korean film that was mostly set in a haunted asylum. In a movie analysis perspective, the setting of Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum was truly remarkable. You can tell the amount of effort they put into creating the setting as it was huge and truly gave an eerie vibe. However, I would say that one of the three extremes, most especially “Dumpling” , was a horror film that made me feel creeped out and turned my head away several times. It was to the point where I could barely watch the movie. Nonetheless, I do get that it was the given intention of the movie for its audience.

4. For you as a viewer, what were the standout costume and makeup choices in these films?

“Cut” was definitely one of the more impressive ones than the other two, despite the fact it was only shot in one setting. The props of the wife being stuck on the piano woven with wires was truly well done. And in certain shots, I would say that it was quite beautiful-looking in an eerie way. The gore and blood scenes were also very impressive and looked convincing.

In Box one of my favorites design, costume and makeup choices was the circus scenes, and mainly the children dressed in ballerina costumes. I would say that their costumes were the highlights of the scary scenes in the film, as their doll-like faces and odd mannerisms made them seem very uncanny.

5. What were these costume or makeup choices meant to say about the characters we were watching?

For the movie, cut the wife being gagged and woven in wires in a piano and is practically at the brink of death makes her the most vulnerable character based on this costume choice. Her life is left in the hands of her husband, who has to make a decision whether or not to kill a young girl in order to save his wife from her fingers getting cut off.

For the movie box, the young ghost-looking girls dressed in ballerina costumes who were intertwined. These costumes, in my understanding, are supposed to resemble the spirit of the dead twin sister of Kyoko, hence their ghostly and creepy looking appearances.

6. Of all three shorts, which film did you like best and why?

I would say Dumpling, but it is definitely something that I would not watch again but can definitely say it was the most effective movie for me. You can truly tell it was a horror film made to twist your stomach and turn your head away several times. From the shocking reveal of a fetus being the main ingredient of the dumplings, scenes of abortion, adultery, and cannibalism. This movie was honestly at its peak with grotesque scenes. Despite the fact that I have come to terms to never see this movie again, for the movie’s intent, it was quite well done.

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1. How did the film's lighting distinguish the scenes concerning the four main characters' POV?  Discuss in terms of Lighting Quality, Direction, Source and Color.

1. Woman in the Blonde Wig

2. He QiWu (Pineapple Man)

3. Cop 663

4. Faye

Chungking express is definitely a movie that in terms of its lighting quality and color is what you would call “aesthetically pleasing” it is pure eye candy towards artists. It is a kind of movie where you can search on Pinterest and multiple scene captures pop out that are visually pleasing to the eye. In terms of how they distinguish the four main characters, firstly starting with He Qiwu. Qiwu is a cop that is going through a rough time after being dumped by his girlfriend. Throughout the film he looks visibly lonely and empty, most of the direction, color and lighting do a really good job in conveying this.

Qiwu has multiple shots which conveys his feelings of loneliness and someone desperate for love once more after being dumped, being almost isolated in every scene. Based on my observation, a lot of the colors are blue which is a symbol of loneliness.

However, he eventually meets the woman in a blonde wig in a bar, whom he flirts with and wants to get to know. Even insisting that she looks lonely. The color then changes into a shade of warm yellow, and based on my observation somehow symbolizes that he felt a sign of hope and happiness at that moment.

Moving onto the woman in a blonde wig, a drug smuggler and a truly mysterious woman. A lot of her scenes display or convey a lot of dominance, with her keeping her chin up, holding up a gun and wearing red sunglasses. Additionally, red is also a color that symbolizes danger and violence, which possibly represents her background of being a drug smuggler and constantly being on the run. Her mannerisms and color palette as a character is the embodiment of mystery and danger.

I’d also like to point out that most of the lighting quality displays soft lighting in which the shadows aren’t necessarily clear and pristine. But in this scene, it shows visible edges. In which again, truly conveys her mysteriousness and intimidating presence as a character.

Next is cop 663, another police officer character going through yet again another heartbreak, dumped by a flight attendant. Just like Qi Wu is going through loneliness and isolation. Based on my observation, a lot of his scenes in terms of the lighting quality consisted of a lot of soft lighting scenarios with a mix of dark, moody lighting as well. Just like Qi Wu, I personally observed a lot of his scenes depicted his lonesomeness as a character.

Lastly, Faye Wong, she is seen as an eccentric but lively character. In terms of lighting quality, a majority of it consisted of soft lighting but accompanied by ambient lighting. She can be seen dancing around with music, working. All in all she just had a lot of fun and quirky moments.

2. What do these specific lighting choices for each character convey to you, as a viewer?

They say and represent a lot about the mood and emotion of a scene. For instance, the side lighting in the picture above of the blonde haired woman displays a dramatic mood of ambiguity and intimidation. In addition, I'd like to also point out the beautiful ambient lighting in which the colors/environment surrounding the light affects the subject’s face. Thus, creates more color variety in many scenes.

Here are a few examples of such:

3. Whose lighting setup, among our four characters, gave you the clearest idea of the character you were watching?

I would say the character that gave me the clearest idea of the character I was watching is the woman in a blonde wig. As mentioned earlier a number of her lighting scenarios displayed an aura of mysteriousness, intimidation and loneliness. With an ambient lighting of blue symbolizing loneliness, hard and side lighting symbolizing intimidation and mysteriousness.

4. As a matter of personal preference, which character's lighting scheme was your favorite?

Based on my observation, Faye is a quirky and adventurous character which matches her lighting scheme and colors quite a lot. Most of her lighting scenarios consisted of brightly lit settings and soft lighting. With that being said, it truly represented who she was as a character.

5. As a matter of personal preference, who was your favorite character and why?

I’ve personally always loved characters which present an air of mystery and as the audience it makes you want to get to know that character more. That is why the woman in a blonde wig is my favorite character in the movie. In addition, she’s your typical likable, aloof and intimidating female character and I’ve personally always liked that trope as well.

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Agent Kujan

1. Figure expressions

Agent Kujan is played by none other than Chazz Palminteri and I’ve personally always been a fan of his acting skills when I first watched him in Modern family. From his personality, appearance and voice, he seems to be born to play a role in a thriller film. He is the lead investigator in the film and investigators need to evoke an air of intimidation in which I think Palmentri did a really good job at. His overall vibe and expressions with his fierce expressions but at the same time a relaxed face. He does a really great job at making his acting seem natural and not over exceeding any expressions.

2. Figure movements

As mentioned earlier, as a lead investigator he is supposed to seem intelligent and full of intimidation. To highlight this, one scene during an investigation where he delivered the line “I’m smarter than you” really sold it away. The help of the camera angle really helped emphasize this as well when Kujan was in the majority of the shot and the person being interrogated was at the side of the camera angle but blurred. It truly contributed in making Agent Kujan more domineering.

3. Sound Elements

There are not many sound elements in the film as they focus a lot on scenes and dialogue. It is moreso ambient noise that is being heard. I believe that this is done to really sell out the realism and air of mystery the film tries to evoke. This also includes a lot of scenes with Agent Kujan on it.

Verbal Kint

1. Figure expressions

By far one of the most interesting and well-written characters of the movie. In the movie he is known as Keyser Soze/Verbal Kint played by Kevin Spacey. He is dubbed as “The Devil” and what is the most interesting about his figure expressions is his almost nonchalant nature. The actor does a really good job in making him seem all weak and relaxed, but inside lies a ruthless crime lord that is well known in the criminal underworld.

2. Figure movements

I believe that one of the best movements and expressions played by Kevin Spacey in the film was the ending scene. He was yet again being questioned by Agent Kujan, in which Verbal Kint was seen crying and showing weakness. Watching the movie, the twist was really convincing and this was due to the incredible movement and expressions played by Kevin Spacey. The last scene of Verbal Kint walking out the office crying and minutes later getting into his car and smoking a cigarette while Kujan ran out trying to chase him was such an amazing performance. Really shows Verbal Kint’s skills as a mastermind and con artist.

3. Sound Elements

The highlight of the sound elements that really emphasized Verbal Kint’s character as a con artist and mastermind was during the last scene. The build up of him being revealed as the true antagonist, with this scene being accompanied by overlapping dialogues and unsettling music was truly one of a kind.

Dean Keaton

1. Figure expressions

Once known to be a corrupt police officer but finds himself back into the life of crime to pull a heist. Based on my observation with how Keaton's Figure expressions are delivered is someone who is conflicted. An individual who wants to put his past behind him, but again, is conflicted as crime seems to be a part of his nature. Gabriel Byrne, the actor for Dean Keaton does a really amazing job in delivering these expressions. Someone who has a desire to leave the past behind him but also someone who accepts the life of crime.

2. Figure movements

Based on observation, Keaton seems to be a character that is wise and at the same time, intimidating. He looks to be someone who has truly gone through a lot. This is the nature I observed as an audience towards this character based on his movements.

3. Sound Elements

Much like Agent Kujan, a lot of his scenes are accompanied by ambient noise to also evoke or display an air of mystery around his character. All in all, I observed that most thriller/mystery murder films consist of ambient noises such as rain or any type of noise around their environment.

Select two scenes from the film that you feel made great use of blocking and explain why you think it was presented so well. What did these two presentations convey to you as an audience member watching the film?

First scene:

The first scene was during the part where Dean Keaton was speaking to his girlfriend, arguing. The scene later built up the other suspects staring at him in different angles, intimidatingly. My perception of this scene is how Keaton is conflicted with turning his back on the life of crime, but the other suspects staring at him may be a symbol of them tempting him to go back. It was overall just a fierce scene, it had little to no talking and was really effective in telling a story as an audience.

Second Scene:

Secondly, has to be the ending scene of the Usual Suspects. It is dubbed by many as the best scene of the whole movie. Verbal Kint was revealed as Keyser Soze and not Keaton. The best of this whole scene was the realization of Kujan through the police sketch, he then rushes out to look for Verbal Kint being accompanied by overlapping dialogues and intense music to really add to the rich storytelling and build up to the ending. And with the movie ending with Verbal Kint or “Keyser”, limping out and getting into the car with Kobayashi. The film then ends with a quote by the true mastermind, "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist, and like that...he's gone”. All in all, it was just brilliant in displaying choreography, editing, sound effects, figure expressions and movements. As an audience watching, it truly built up the intense feeling, wherein the ending seemed satisfying but at the same time was not.