To start off my blogging career, I would like to talk about a movie most dear to me that has very important thematic elements. Emphasizing Family, Trust, and Loyalty I would like to review the Oscar winning "The Godfather". 

Set in New York City during the 1940s , this is a movie adaptation that came out in 1972 based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name. Francis Ford Coppola directed the movie using his Italian lighting technique called "Chiaroscuro". This literally means "light-dark" and is usually a technique used in paintings to emphasize contrasts in themes and colors to better express emotions. Fitting the story-line, the darkness envelops the background of almost every scene, while the light is used just enough to be able to recognize the characters. A perfect example would be when the Godfather is shot and sent to the hospital somewhere in the first half of the movie. Although it is almost unnoticeable, the shadow is cast upon him and the light from a nearby lamp illuminates Michael Corleone (his son) signifying the shift of power. [To be fair, I will not spoil anything else from the movie for all of you haven't already seen it.] 

Another big element in the movie is the juxtaposition of the crime members' personalities. Although the characters are criminals, they are set in a good light, as helpful neighbors and friends who would do anything for friends and family. With this comes the issue of trust and loyalty. A soldier (lower-ranked mafia member) would kill anybody the Don (head of the crime family) wants him to, but is also sworn as the head of his own family and must meet the needs of them or else he wouldn't be considered a man. If a soldier betrays the Don, he betrays the family; and there would be no remorse in his punishment. Morality is also a key factor that influences most of the Don's decisions throughout the course of his life, and Michael's during the movie. This is a contrasting juxtaposition that actually separates average criminals from the mafia and other such organizations. All of these elements resound within each one of us which is why this dark crime drama hits us hard every time emotionally. 

The story-line thus follows the rise of Michael Corleone's rise to power and the family's dealings with the others who want to bring the Corleone family down. 

If you haven't seen this movie, I strongly recommend it.