Research - Color Grading and Color Palettes

Through my research on rom-coms, I came to understand that these films create their signature look with the aid of color, which does way more than make things look appealing. Color grading is actually one of the most powerful storytelling tools filmmakers have, and it's something I never really paid attention to until I started analyzing these movies. The way colors are manipulated in post-production can completely change how viewers feel about a scene, even before dialogue begins. In romantic comedies, color choices aren't random; they're carefully designed to make us feel warm, hopeful, and invested in the love story unfolding on screen.

What Is Color Grading?

Color grading is the process of adjusting colors in a film during post-production to achieve a specific emotional goal. When I first learned about this, I thought it was just about making footage look consistent, but that's color correction. Color grading goes deeper, creating color palettes that evoke particular emotions.

So it wasn't a surprise to learn that rom-coms rely heavily on warm color palettes to create that inviting, comfortable feeling. Warm tones, like oranges, yellows, pinks, and reds, reinforce a sense of warmth in the story. In Anyone But You, the warm, sun-drenched beach scenes use golden and peachy tones that make the romantic moments feel genuine.

The psychology behind this is simple. Warmth makes us think of sunny days and cozy moments, all positive emotions. Cold colors make us think of isolation or unease. That's why rom-coms lean toward warmth while thrillers use cooler palettes.

Cool vs. warm grading, Anyone But You

Warm Palettes Create Romance

When I started analyzing recent rom-coms, I noticed warm color palettes appear in almost every romantic moment. In Fly Me to the Moon, the 1960s setting is enhanced by warm, slightly vintage-looking tones that evoke nostalgia. The soft pinks, oranges, and yellows create intimacy between the leads.

Romantic comedies use pastel shades like beige, pink, and lilac to establish their signature look. In Rye Lane, vibrant yet warm colors throughout London create a playful and optimistic atmosphere. The film uses saturated reds, oranges, and yellows during happy moments, making the world feel alive.

What makes warm palettes work is contrast. Low contrast grades create a softer, dream-like look that diffuses tension. This is perfect for rom-coms because we want to feel comfortable, not on edge. In Hot Frosty, the warm holiday palette of reds, golds, and warm whites created a cozy atmosphere that supports the romantic storyline.

Vibrant color palette, Rye Lane

Vintage colors, Fly Me To The Moon

Color Progression Shows Emotion

I really liked that filmmakers use color progression to show emotional shifts. Colors aren't just set once; they change as the relationship develops. Colors become warmer during "good times" montages, then shift cooler during conflicts.

In Upgraded, the color palette starts with cooler, neutral tones when the main character is living her normal life. As she falls for the male lead, the colors warm up significantly. This visual shift mirrors her emotional journey without needing dialogue.

Genre-specific color choices matter. Rom-coms need warm, saturated palettes that suggest playfulness and comfort. This is completely different from how dramas use cooler tones to evoke tension. The color palette immediately signals what kind of emotional experience we're about to have.

In Red, White, and Royal Blue, the American scenes have warmer, brighter grading with golds, while the British palace scenes are cooler with blues and grays. This visual distinction helps separate the two worlds and makes the romance feel like it's bridging different universes.

America and Britain color differences, Red, White, and Royal Blue

Self-Reflection

Researching the technical elements of rom-coms has helped me understand how much intentional design goes into creating the genre's signature feel. Focusing on cinematography, lighting, mise-en-scène, sound design, and color grading showed me that these elements don't work in isolation; they all contribute to making audiences feel warm, hopeful, and invested in the love story. I can now see how a two-shot combined with warm lighting and soft color grading creates intimacy in ways I never noticed before. Understanding these technical conventions has given me a framework for how Nicole and I should approach our brief.

That said, I think we'll do well with location selection and color choices, since we can control those aspects relatively easily. However, I'm concerned about achieving the right lighting, especially motivational lighting that enhances practicals without looking artificial. We also might struggle with color grading in post-production since I don't have much experience with it yet, even though I now understand the principles. Additionally, while I know what cinematography techniques to use, actually attempting to do smooth camera movements might be challenging with our lack of equipment and experience. 

Because of these concerns, I feel like I still need to research more on the practical side of filmmaking, specifically, how to set up lighting and which affordable color grading tools I should use. I also want to look into how other student filmmakers have achieved rom-com aesthetics with limited resources. Understanding the theory is one thing, but translating it into our actual brief will require additional research on the production and post-production process.

Links used:
https://noamkroll.com/the-psychology-of-color-grading-its-emotional-impact-on-your-audience/
https://filmora.wondershare.com/more-tips/different-color-grading.html
https://www.descript.com/blog/article/what-is-color-grading-learn-the-importance-of-stylizing-footage
https://www.cinema-luts.com/color-grading/
https://pixflow.net/blog/how-to-guide-viewer-attention-with-colors-in-film-a-cinematic-guide-to-color-grading-and-storytelling/
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-use-color-in-film-50-examples-of-movie-color-palettes/
https://www.studentfilmmakers.com/cinematographers-and-the-color-palette-the-impact-of-color/
https://digitalsynopsis.com/design/cinema-palettes-famous-movie-colors/
https://c-istudios.com/color-grading-enhances-film-storytelling/
https://pixflow.net/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-film-color-theory-and-palettes/

Research - Technical Codes and Conventions of Romantic-Comedies

When I started researching romantic-comedies, I realized that there's actually a whole technical language that filmmakers use to create that warm, hopeful feeling we get when watching rom-coms. What I found most interesting is how specific camera techniques, lighting choices, location selections, and sound design all work together to make the audience get the effect intended by the director. By researching about the technical elements of romantic-comedies, I can get a full understanding of how my partner and I should plan to complete our brief. 

Cinematography and Visual Language

Essential Shot Types

When I was watching rom-coms from the past few years, I noticed that certain shots kept appearing over and over. Two shots are probably the most common; they show both characters in the same frame, which visually represents their connection. In Fly Me to the Moon, you can see this technique used frequently when the leads are working together, establishing their partnership before romance develops.

Another crucial shot are close-ups, which create "The Moment", which is the climactic romantic scene, usually a kiss, where everything comes together. Many of the best rom-coms use close-ups during this scene to increase intimacy and emotional impact on the audience. What I found interesting is that filmmakers often experiment with different camera angles and movements during these moments. They'll zoom or pan around the actors to create fresh perspectives on the standard and classic kiss we've all seen before. The goal is to sell the moment and make it feel special, while still adhering to expectations of a romance. 

Two shot, Fly Me To The Moon 

"The Moment", The Fall Guy 

The Over-the-Shoulder Technique

Over-the-shoulder shots appear very often; for example, in Fall Guy, this technique is used during conversations between multiple characters. Not only are these shots easy to set up and film, but they make conversations feel more intimate. You can see the facial expressions of the person speaking while keeping the other character in-frame, and body language is somewhat visible too. This establishes the relationship dynamic, whether it's hostile, friendly, or romantic, without dialogue. 

Over-the-shoulder, The Fall Guy 

Lighting and Atmosphere

When I started learning about lighting in rom-coms, I saw that it can set the mood more than any other aspect of cinematography. Soft, gentle light with focus on the leads can make even mundane scenes have romantic undertones. The genre relies on three key elements: warm light, soft light, and high-key lighting.

Warm and soft lighting is essential because it creates intimacy and comfort. Filmmakers avoid hard lighting that creates harsh shadows as everything should be pleasing to the eye. In Hit Man, warm lighting during romantic dinner scenes establishes the connection between characters. Rom-coms use high-key lighting or natural lighting the most to create that typical bright atmosphere. Unlike horror films, rom-coms keep scenes bright even during conflicts. In Upgraded, high-key lighting maintains the optimistic tone throughout.

Motivational lighting is when off-camera lights enhance natural sources within the scene. When you see string lights or candles, there are usually brighter lights off-camera matching their color temperature. In Red, White, and Royal Blue, string lights and candles create atmosphere during intimate scenes, enhanced by hidden sources. 

Warm/Soft lighting, Hit Man

Motivational lighting, Upgraded 

Mise-en-Scène: Locations and Costumes

Conventional Rom-Com Locations

Cities seem to be the most common setting where rom-coms take place. The genre involves places with quite a lot of people around, which creates that bright, social atmosphere, allowing for many social interactions. There's no strict rule about urban versus suburban, but locations need to allow characters to spend time together and develop relationships.

Common locations:

• Coffee shops (I Want You Back)
• Parks and gardens
• Rooftops (Ghosted)
• Workplaces (The Perfect Find)
• Schools or colleges (Crush)
• Beaches (Palm Springs)
• Exterior dining areas at night

Coffee shop, I Want You Back 

Park scene, Música

Sound Design and Editing

Voice-Over and Musical Choices

Voice-overs are used to "speak" characters' minds, which helps audiences become more engaged. By hearing a character's inner thoughts, only we know their feelings, making it frustrating when the other characters have no clue. In To All the Boys: Always and Forever, voice-over narration tells Lara Jean's perspective throughout, creating intimacy and dramatic irony.

Background music is also very important for setting emotional tones. The songs are usually well-known pop songs with lyrics that relate to the story. Music is typically upbeat during happy moments with family, friends, or romantic partners, then shifts to slow and melancholic during climactic relationship conflicts. In Hot Frosty, the soundtrack moves between cheerful holiday music and yearning ballads depending on the emotional beats. This non-diegetic sound smooths out editing, especially during dialogue-free sequences that would feel boring without audio.

  To All The Boys I've Loved Before: Always and Forever
Narration by Lara Jean

Editing Techniques and Pacing

I was really surprised when I learned that comedy is a genre that's defined by the editing room. Even bad jokes can get laughs if camera angles and editing are tight and fast-paced. Even in the case of rom-coms, most disliked ones are due to poor editing. Good editing doesn't require expensive programs though; even basic editing software can get the job done if there is an understanding of timing and rhythm.

The real challenge for editors is finding that perfect balance between romantic drama and playful comedy. Some rom-coms lean serious with comedy through wry dialogue, while others are more slapstick and whimsical. Somebody I Used to Know balances these elements by using tight editing during comedic mishaps and slower pacing during emotional revelations.

Funny scene in Somebody I Used To Know

Emotional scene in Somebody I Used To Know

Links used:
https://prezi.com/rkxwxfdt1wj4/codes-conventions-of-romcom/
https://beckywarda2coursework.blogspot.com/2014/09/conventions-of-romantic-comedy-film.html
https://nofilmschool.com/romcom-genre#
https://georgedavisonstudios.com/blog/decoding-how-filmmakers-create-romantic-comedies/
https://medium.com/aputure/filming-romantic-scenes-b0326bdb1f09
https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/rom-com-genre-filmmaking-elements/

Research - Final Research

01/20/25




After looking through our combined four sub-genres, Nicole and I decided that we will make our brief a romance-comedy. Rom-coms hold a special place in our hearts for us, and it's something that we find gives us hope and allows us to relate to the characters in a more personal way, which is something we want our viewers to experience. In order to achieve the wanted result, we would need to research conventions typical of rom-coms. 

Typical scenes:

One of the most recognizable scenes in a rom-com is the meet-cute, the moment when the two leads first cross paths. This encounter is usually awkward and thus, quite funny, which immediately establishes chemistry while setting the tone of the film. Meet-cutes exist to keep the audience curious and have them root for the relationship from the very beginning. Since meet-cutes can vary, I think it will be quite easy to create one for our brief. 

Another iconic scene is the montage or “good times” sequence, where the couple grows closer. These scenes often show dates, shared routines, or playful moments set to upbeat music, to show time passing while highlighting emotional progress. They allow the audience to believe in the relationship without sitting through every interaction, reinforcing why these two people belong together.

Rom-coms also rely heavily on the near/breakup moment, where misunderstandings or outside pressures pull the couple apart. This scene raises the emotional stakes and creates tension, even though the audience expects them to be okay and get back together. Its purpose isn’t to end the love story, but to test it, making the eventual joy from reuniting feel especially emotionally satisfying.

                                                 Kat and Patrick's montage at the bookstore, 10 Things I Hate About You

Meet-cute of Anna and William in William's bookstore, Notting Hill

Lara Jean and Peter break up, To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Links used:
https://screencraft.org/blog/the-9-elements-of-all-great-rom-coms/
https://www.amctheatres.com/amc-scene/10-elements-every-rom-com-needs
https://www.fromfadeintofadeout.com/blog/rom-coms-structure-a-match-made-in-heaven
https://nofilmschool.com/romantic-comedy-definition#

Codes and Conventions:

A key convention of romantic comedies is the use of contrasting character archetypes. The central couple is often built around opposites; different personalities, social classes, or lifestyles, which results in natural conflicts and is the perfect place to add in humor. This contrast is achieved through dialogue, costume, and behavior of the characters, and it keeps audiences engaged by allowing growth and compromise to drive the romance, much alike real couples. 

Rom-coms also follow clear cinematography and lighting conventions that reinforce their tone. Two-shots and close-ups are used to emphasize emotional connection and comedic reactions, while natural lighting creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, and adds to the romantic tone. These visual choices make the genre feel comforting, encouraging viewers to emotionally invest in the characters.

Sound and editing further help the rom-com experience, like using popular music soundtracks that help signal emotional shifts, while slower pacing and continuity editing keep the story easy to follow. Voiceovers or musical cues are used to guide the audience’s feelings, ensuring that both the comedy and romance land without confusion or give them whiplash. Editing can also be used to add nostalgia by using old techniques, as drawing out such feelings enhance the experience of viewers. 

Overall Reflection:

Researching genres both broadly and in-depth helped me understand how films rely on shared expectations, but focusing specifically on rom-com conventions allowed me to understand exactly how much thought goes into making sure the audience understands the intended messages. I can now see how character types, structure, and film techniques work together rather than independently, and how I should think about achieving them. That said, I feel like I still need to research some more on producing, especially casting, since a rom-com heavily depends on strong chemistry between actors. Because of this, I’m not sure sure whether a romantic comedy is the most realistic choice for our project, as finding willing participants may be difficult. Choosing a different genre or combining them may be necessary, but I don't think it will hinder us in the process of creating our brief.

Links used:
https://prezi.com/rkxwxfdt1wj4/codes-conventions-of-romcom/
https://beckywarda2coursework.blogspot.com/2014/09/conventions-of-romantic-comedy-film.html
https://nofilmschool.com/romcom-genre#

Research - Potential Sub-genres

01/19/25


My partner Nicole and I reviewed each other's research on genres and found that we both thought the most interesting was fantasy and comedy. Now that we have narrowed it down to two, we have to research sub-genres that may be suitable for our brief. She research romance-comedy and fantasy-drama. I have decided to learn about comedy-adventure and and fantasy-mystery, both of which I really adore. 

Comedy-Adventure:

Those who think adventure-comedies are just silly jokes and chase scenes should rewatch some of the classics. This genre thrives on chaos and endorphins because they combine fast-paced adventures with sharp humor. These films keep audiences on the edge of their seats while making them laugh out loud using dangerous stunts and clever satirical dialogue. People love this mix because it’s unpredictable; you never know when a joke will land or what crazy obstacle the characters will face next. Films like Free Guy or Shanghai Noon show how humor and adventure can coexist, creating stories that are both thrilling and entertaining.

What makes comedy-adventure work is its balance of tension and release, as audiences connect with flawed and realistic protagonists who are in impossible situations. Daring escape scenes with a perfectly timed punchlines create a kind of emotional payoff that I personally find both satisfying and addictive. Beyond the laughs, these films can also comment on social issues or poke fun at cultural norms, giving them an extra layer that keeps viewers coming back.

To do this, directors use fast editing, unexpected twists, and a mix of visual and verbal comedy to keep stories unpredictable. Some of the best films also include genre-blending, or international perspectives, making adventure-comedy feel fresh even when audiences have seen similar setups before. It’s a genre that thrives on risk and an eagerness to change expectations, which is why it continues to capture attention worldwide.

 

Target Audience
Comedy-adventure films appeal to a broad audience, but they are especially popular with younger viewers. According to a 2025 Global Cinema Foundation survey, audiences under 34 are the most excited about upcoming comedies and action/adventure films, drawn to the mix of laughs and thrills—a fast-paced, unpredictable blend that offers real emotional payoff.

Yet the appeal isn’t limited to the young. Over half of all moviegoers said they want more comedies and action/adventure titles, showing that anyone looking for fun, excitement, and relatable, flawed protagonists can get hooked. It’s the perfect combo of spectacle and humor that keeps diverse audiences coming back for more.

Distribution
Comedy-adventure films are mostly produced by major Hollywood studios that know how to balance laughs with action like Universal, Warner Bros., and Paramount. They have big franchises like Indiana Jones and Guardians of the Galaxy that mix humor, thrills, and memorable characters. Disney adds its own magic with Pirates of the Caribbean, while Sony and 20th Century Studios create visually exciting worlds that keep audiences engaged. These studios have the resources to make films that appeal to wide audiences, and can make sure that comedy-adventures reach theaters worldwide.

Links used:
https://www.tasteray.com/articles/movie-adventure-comedy-cinema
https://indydhanjalalevelmedia.weebly.com/specific-genre-research.html
https://indydhanjalalevelmedia.weebly.com/genre-and-audience-analysis.html
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/moviegoers-comedies-thrillers-global-cinema-study-1236340585/
https://travsd.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/the-great-comedians-and-their-studios/
https://glcoverage.com/2024/11/07/companies-that-make-action-adventure-films/

Comedy-Horror

Comedy-horror is one of the most interesting subgenres because it makes audiences experience two opposite emotions at the same time. The genre combines genuine terror with perfectly timed humor, creating stories where jump scares are immediately followed by jokes that acknowledge how ridiculous horror tropes can be. Films like M3GAN or Bodies Bodies Bodies prove that fear and laughter shouldn't be isolated; they actually enhance each other. The thrill of being scared followed by the release of laughter creates a relieving experience that straight horror or pure comedy doesn't have. 

The balance between tension and release is what keeps audiences hooked. Comedy-horror often makes fun of traditional horror clichés, like characters walking into dark rooms alone, ignoring obvious warning signs, or splitting up when they should stick together, which gives viewers permission to laugh at their fears while still experiencing genuine scares. Directors use contrasting tones and self-aware humor to keep stories unpredictable, creating moments that feel fresh even when the setups are familiar.

Beyond entertainment, these films can comment on social or cultural issues in ways that feel less intense than straight drama. The comedy provides a buffer that allows filmmakers to explore darker themes without overwhelming audiences. Some of the best films include comments about the horror genre itself or blend in elements from other genres entirely, subverting expectations and balancing opposing emotions in ways that continue to capture attention worldwide.

Target Audience

Gen Z audiences have loved comedy-horror more than any other demographic. According to recent surveys, horror ranks as their third favorite genre at 28%, just behind comedy at 48% and action at 29%. Among horror's subgenres specifically, 55% of Americans enjoy comedic horror, making it one of the most popular variations alongside psychological and paranormal horror. The 18-30 age group makes up 60% of the horror audience, drawn to the genre's ability to provide both thrills and humor without taking itself too seriously.

Comedy-horror also attracts people who grew up in the 1980s and early 1990s, now aged 30-44, since they experienced films like Evil Dead II and Beetlejuice. The genre's appeal comes from having something for everyone, comedy fans get laughs, horror fans get scares, and everyone gets an entertaining hybrid. It's this flexibility that keeps diverse audiences coming back for more, whether they're watching in theaters or streaming at home.

Distribution

Blumhouse Productions has become the biggest force in comedy-horror, producing low-budget films that incorporate comedic elements like Freaky and the Happy Death Day franchise. Major studios have also started through specialized divisions; New Line Cinema, a Warner Bros. unit, is especially known for horror franchises that blend comedy with scares.

Independent distributors like A24 have established themselves with comedy-horror like with Bodies Bodies Bodies, while Troma Entertainment specializes in low-budget indie productions. Paramount and Sony also produce comedy-horror through their divisions, giving the subgenre access to global theatrical releases and streaming platforms. The variety of production companies means comedy-horror reaches audiences at every budget level, from major blockbusters to underground cult classics.

Links used:
https://collider.com/best-fantasy-movies-deliver-everything-you-want/
https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/mysteries
https://www.mandy.com/magazine/article/mystery-genre-in-film-and-tv-79307/
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1466787/popularity-of-science-fiction-fantasy-as-online-content-genre-in-the-us/
https://www.henson.com/fantasy-scifi/

Research - Finding Genres

01/18/25


As we start preparing for our briefs, my partner, Nicole, and I are trying to find a suitable genre to make our 2 minute film introduction. We have some ideas for what we don't want to do; such as sci-fi, thriller, and horror, and especially not musical or sports. Through process of elimination we decided to research mystery, adventure, fantasy, romance, comedy, and western to get ideas and see what interests us. Nicole and I are dividing the research evenly, with her doing mystery, adventure, and comedy, while I will do fantasy, romance, western. 

Fantasy: 

Fantasy is defined as fiction that is set in a faraway land or fictional universe, and sometimes inspired by mythology or folklore. Fantasy usually has many tropes, especially classic ones like Good vs. Evil and Quest or Journey and they help the stories be exciting and imaginative, providing a different reality from real life.

The Quest or Journey trope focuses on a character leaving their normal life and traveling through dangerous or magical places to achieve an important goal. Along the way, they face obstacles that help them grow and change. This trope makes fantasy feel adventurous and engaging, and it keeps the audience interested in what will happen next. 

Most fantasies are inspired by mythology and folklore, where it borrows ideas from traditional legends and fairy tales that have been passed down for centuries. These include:
- witches

- magical creatures

- enchanted objects

- curses

- heroic journeys
- battles between good and evil
Because these stories are culturally familiar, they give fantasy films a timeless quality and help audiences quickly understand the rules and meanings of the fantasy world. 

Some of my favorite fantasy movies are:

       

        

Wizard vs. Doctor

The Wizard of Oz and Doctor Dolittle have a lot of the same fantasy notes. Both drop an ordinary person into an extraordinary world, like Dorothy into the colorful land of Oz, and Dr. Dolittle into a world where he can talk to animals. Each goes on a big adventure, meets strange creatures, and faces challenges that couldn't happen in real life. On paper, they’re both packed with the a good fantasy's essential ingredients.

However, The Wizard of Oz just works better as a fantasy especially because every magical element in Oz connects back to Dorothy’s emotional journey. The Yellow Brick Road, Wicked Witch, and many other characters all matter to her goal of getting home, making the audience feel like they're right there with her. In Doctor Dolittle, the fantasy feels more like a collection of fun ideas, with a two-headed llama, a giant snail, but without that same emotional pull. It’s entertaining, but it doesn’t pull the audience into its world as completely. Oz doesn’t just show you a fantasy, it makes you believe in one.

Links used:

https://ellapointon.weebly.com/conventions-of-the-fantasy-genre.html-f
https://nofilmschool.com/fantasy-genre-f
https://medium.com/@joshegosi/the-roots-of-dark-fantasy-in-mythology-and-folklore-a1b20f7db552
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/american-oz-why-wizard-oz-so-wonderful/
https://www.nytimes.com/1967/12/20/archives/screen-that-grand-zoomanitarian-doctor-dolittle-arrives-for-the.html

Romance:

At its heart, the romance genre is storytelling that puts love front and center, and showcases the exploration of emotional connection and intimacy. People enjoy it because it shows both the joys and struggles of love, making it relatable and engaging, while turning our own feelings into a satisfying story. The genre relies on classic tropes like Love at First Sight, Opposites Attract, Forbidden Love, and Will-They-Won’t-They tension to create excitement and keep audiences invested. Romance can appear in many forms, from historical dramas to rom-coms and even romantic fantasy, which is why it remains so popular.

Love at First Sight is a classic romance trope where two characters feel an instant and undeniable connection, as if destiny brought them together. It often happens in a memorable moment, like across a crowded room, at a carnival, or in a chaotic scene. Some iconic characters with this trope are:

- Tony and Maria in West Side Story

- Noah and Allie in The Notebook

This trope works because it gives the romance a magical, epic beginning, making audiences believe the couple is meant to be and immediately invest in their story.

Another popular trope is The Breakup & Grand Gesture, where a couple faces a major crisis, like a misunderstanding or outside pressure, that tears them apart, creating an “all is lost” moment. The story then builds to a dramatic payoff, where one character goes to extreme lengths to prove their love and win the other back, whether it’s a rain-soaked confession, a public speech, or a heartfelt declaration at a wedding. This trope works because it raises the emotional stakes, delivers a satisfying resolution, and leaves audiences with a sense of hope.

I tend to keep romance movies only for special occasions, and so far my favorites are:

 

       

Slow-burn or Memory Loss?

Both The Notebook and 50 First Dates are romance films, but they handle the genre very differently. The Notebook is a sweeping love story following Allie and Noah over decades, filled with heartbreak, family pressure, and the emotional weight of long-term relationships. In contrast, 50 First Dates is more comedic, focusing on Henry’s efforts to win Lucy’s love every single day due to her memory loss, creating funny and repetitive situations. Both films use classic romance tropes like Love at First Sight and The Breakup & Grand Gesture, but The Notebook emphasizes epic, emotional stakes, while 50 First Dates leans into humor and charm.

When comparing the two, The Notebook stands out as the stronger example of romance because the audience becomes completely absorbed in a world of passion and fated love. Its use of tropes feels meaningful: every separation, letter, and reunion carries emotional weight, making audiences feel the depth of the characters’ connection. 50 First Dates is entertaining and heartwarming, but the daily reset prevents the story from building the same timeless emotional impact, making it more of a lighthearted, feel-good comedy than an unforgettable romance.

Links used:

https://nofilmschool.com/romance-movie-genre#

https://www.mandy.com/magazine/article/romance-genre-explained-79192/
https://musiccitydrivein.com/2020/11/10/the-notebook-film-review/
https://www.vogue.com/article/things-i-thought-50-first-dates

Western:

This genre holds a unique place in film because they capture the spirit of the American frontier. These stories aren’t just about cowboy hats or high-noon duels; they’re about survival, justice, and morality in an untamed land. Westerns often focus on rugged people traveling harsh landscapes, and establishing control over situations or areas. 

One of the most recognizable tropes in Westerns is the lone hero, often a cowboy or gunslinger who works by their own moral code. This character usually stands apart from society by fighting against danger and injustice alone while defending people or enforcing justice in lawless towns. Examples include Ethan Edwards in The Searchers or Man with No Name in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The lone hero trope is popular because it creates tension in the movie while highlighting that individual and their courage, which is important to the genre's appeal. 

Another key trope is the dramatic showdown, usually a gunfight between enemy groups of law and chaos. These moments are tests of the character's skills and courage, and often take place in iconic locations like dusty streets or saloons. Classic examples include the duels in High Noon and the standoffs of Unforgiven. Showdowns are important because they intensify suspense while providing a strong resolution, that goes back to the genre’s focus on justice, honor, and survival in a harsh world.

Although I don't watch Western's, these are some I've heard of:
 

     

Corruption and Trauma

Killers of the Flower Moon and The Harder They Fall are both examples of Westerns, each showing the genre in its own way. Killers sticks to historical events, diving into justice, corruption, and revenge in 1920s Oklahoma with the Osage Nation, while The Harder They Fall is all about style, action, and big, dramatic showdowns. Both have horses, gunfights, and that classic frontier vibe, with characters facing moral choices, survival challenges, and the age-old law versus lawlessness conflict. They hit the main Western beats, but in very different ways.

Between the two, Killers of the Flower Moon comes out on top as a stronger Western. It feels more grounded and real, mixing classic Western themes like revenge and honor with a story based on actual events. The stakes are scarier, the choices matter more, and you can really feel the harshness of the frontier life and the manipulation felt by the Osage people. It sticks in your mind long after the credits roll, unlike the lighter Harder They Fall.

Links used:
https://nofilmschool.com/western-genre#

https://www.sothetheorygoes.com/the-western-genre/

https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?title_type=feature&genres=western

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killers_of_the_flower_moon

https://ireviewwesterns.com/the-harder-they-fall-review/