Hito Steyerl’s “How Not to Be Seen”: Critique of Invisibility and Surveillance

Visual Composition and Subject Matter in the Artwork The piece “How Not to Be Seen: A Fucking Didactic Educational.MOV File,” created by Hito Steyerl in 2013, presents a parody of an instructional or educational video. Visually, it mixes real camera footage, photographs, and 3D animations. The consistent imagery used in...

Comparative Analysis of Maria Full of Grace and Mules on Drug Trade and Human Exploitation

Exploitation and Vulnerability in the Drug Trade In numerous aspects, Maria’s experience in the movie Maria Full of Grace is comparable to what the Mules characters go through. Both movies examine how ruthless criminal syndicates take advantage of weak people and the hazardous universe of the illicit drug trade. Maria...

Deviance and Dysfunction of Criminal Duos in Cold Blood and Fargo Films

Introduction In crime cinema, the relationships between criminal pairings can have a big impact on the story and give important clues about the personalities and interactions of the characters. This essay examines and compares the criminal duos shown in the movies Cold Blood and Fargo. It specifically looks at their...

Intimacy, Isolation, and Gender Roles in The Graduate’s Portrayal of Early Adulthood

Introduction The journey of Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, is explored in the widely regarded film The Graduate by Mike Nichols. The plot develops as Benjamin, feeling defeated and aimless in the face of adult duties and society expectations, returns to his parents’ suburban house. When he starts an...

Tarantino’s Cinematic Rebellion: Nonlinear Narratives in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill

Introduction: Identifying the Film and Its Comparative Frame Quentin Tarantino is a genius aesthete and walking encyclopedia, director of inimitable bloody scenes, author of unforgettable dialogues, and a collector of icons. His creation, Pulp Fiction, has revived the career of John Travolta, made Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman look...

Review of ‘The Bucket List’ Film: Portrayal of Death and Messages About Coping

Film Summary The movie The Bucket List is splendid and laden with comedy and drama. It involves two aged gentlemen with contrasting personalities. Billionaire businessman Edward Cole and skilled mechanic Carter Chambers are diagnosed with terminal cancer. They end up sharing a ward according to the hospital’s policy. They are...

Cinematic Techniques, Sound, and Tone in the “Rocky” Film

Notable Special Effects, Camera Tricks, and Stunts Rocky is one of the greatest films of the 1970s. It integrates various special effects, camera techniques, and stunts to appeal to the viewers. For instance, the movie employs a montage sequence where a series of shots are used to develop a continuous...

Reader Response Criticism of the “Horton Hears a Who!” Film

Introduction Reader response criticism concentrates on the reader’s experience and interpretation of a text. It emphasizes the importance of personal reactions and emotions in understanding the meaning of a work. When applying this criticism style to the movie Horton Hears a Who (2008), it becomes evident that it is making...

John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982): A Timeless Horror Classic

Introduction In the vast range of horror cinema, a standout production that deserves admiration is the 1982 film “The Thing.” As a dedicated horror genre enthusiast, I have crossed numerous cinematic landscapes, yet this particular product by John Carpenter has left an unforgettable impression. This essay argues that this film...

Interpersonal Conflict: Marvel Cinematic Universe

The conflict between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a classic example of interpersonal conflict. The conflict situation arises when their differing opinions on government oversight of the Avengers lead to a rift in their friendship and a physical confrontation between the two characters. Tony...

Interpretation of the “Shattered Glass” Film

The goals of journalism include highlighting current news, informing citizens, and covering recent events. People want to believe that they access interesting and, what is more important, credible material in the local media. In their turn, writers, editors, and other experts create institutions that study the world and decide on...

The History of Bugs Bunny Cartoon

Introduction Bugs Bunny, an animated character, was created back in the 1930s by Leon Schlesinger. It gained popularity after featuring in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series released in 1930 and 1931 respectively. For instance, Merrie Melodies started airing in 1931, during the golden age era of American animation...

John Hughes: The Life and Legacy of a Teen Film Icon

Physical Development 1950 saw the birth of John in a little Midwest village. He had three sisters and was the sole male. For his first 12 years in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, he was a Gordie Howe supporter of the Detroit Red Wings. When he was younger, John remembered being “sort...

The Film “Selma” by Ava DuVernay

Despite being criticized for the cast and some techniques used, Selma, the film about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., primarily received positive reviews. The central ambiguity was probably the fact that the leader of the American Civil Rights Movement was played by British actor David...

Costume Design in the Soylent Green Film

Introduction One of the most outstanding examples of an American ecological dystopia is the 1973 film Soylent Green, produced, directed, and edited by Richard Fleischer, Walter Seltzer, and Russell Thacher. It is based on the plot of a 1996 book by Harry Harrison. To craft this exciting tale, the director,...

Master of Deceit in “Othello”: Iago in the Film Adaptation

Introduction Shakespeare’s drama Othello revolves around love, deception, jealousy, and eventually tragedy, which is a story of star-crossed lovers. In the play, Iago forces Othello, Desdemona, and Emilia to indulge in obscene acts to further his cunning scheme, crippling their emotional awareness as they fail to recognize the consequences of...

“A Passage to India” Movie Review

Introduction The problem of cultural bias and unwillingness to accept other nationalities and traditions is relevant to this day. Thus, the study of various filmographic works is valuable because it can provide an understanding of the reasons why these mechanisms arise. The painting “A Passage to India” in 1984 is...

Rhetoric Tactics in The King’s Speech Film

Public speaking is an emotionally and physically challenging task. Not only does it frighten inexperienced speakers, but it can also cause anxiety in public figures. The King’s Speech showcases the strategies used by the ascendant monarch of the British Empire to overcome his own fear of public speaking. Out of...

“The Truman Show” Film by Peter Weir

Thinking about how philosophy started, there are parallels in The Truman Show between myth and reason. The rationale for the similarities in the film is evident in how Christof has allowed Truman to have a “normal life.” Truman’s reality, the myth in the film, is created, and Christof makes him...

Review of “Black Gold” by Mark James Francis & Nick Francis

Black Gold is a documentary released in 2006 that deals with a non-evident but the extremely crucial problem the world faces today. The film is about coffee production with a special focus on the position of farmers in Ethiopia, which is the birthplace of coffee that produces the most high-quality...

Fiction Analysis: The Exposition in “Avatar”

Introduction The exposition in “Avatar” begins with the presentation of the main character, Jake Sully – a military officer who is permanently wheelchair-bound due to an injury. He has enrolled in a special program designed to help humanity communicate with the native population of the planet Pandora – the Na’vi....

The Social Dilemma by Jeff Orlowski Review

With the advent of modern technology and social media networks, communication has become much easier. However, as Sophocles, a Greek tragedian, once said: “Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse” (The Social Dilemma 00:00:17). The Social Dilemma, a documentary released in 2020 by Netflix, examines the expansion...

Branagh’s Adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare

Summary Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare has influenced many generations of dramatists and filmmakers. Most of the classic works or films inspired by the play attempted to resemble the original work as closely as possible and added a little variation to the existing topics. Shakespeare’s work explored love...

The “Shameless” TV Series by John Wells

The topic of poverty and the portrayal of people living in low social and economic conditions are not so popular among TV series creators and producers. Although the number of people who lives beyond the level of poverty and suffers from social inequalities is rising annually, they are either underrepresented...

The Film “Do the Right Thing” by Spike Lee

The given film review focuses on Do the Right Thing, directed, produced, and written by Spike Lee. The reflection addresses two key scenes by analyzing how directors and cinematographers shape meaning in the movie. The emphasis is put on choices made of the shots and angles with their corresponding reasons....

Analysis of a Scene in the Film “Vertigo”

Released in 1958, the film Vertigo by director Alfred Hitchcock never fails to captivate its audience with its haunting motives and intriguing, tragic story of the main protagonist. It tells the story of the former detective John Ferguson, nicknamed Scottie, who retires from his duty due to his struggles with...

“Moonlight” Directed by Barry Jenkins

Moonlight is an American film that was produced and released in 2016. Barry Jenkins wrote and directed the movie, which starred eight black men. The movie features only black characters and is about the LGBTQ community. Essentially, it tells the story of Chiron, a young boy who showcases his life...

The Film “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Rob Marshall

Introduction The movie Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), directed by Rob Marshall, is based on the book of the same name, written by Arthur Golden in 1997. The film represents the life of a young Japanese girl, Chiyo Sakamoto, whose parents sold her and her sister, Satsu, into prostitution because...

Walter Salles’s Film The Motorcycle Diaries Analysis

Walter Salles’s film The Motorcycle Diaries focuses on the journey across South America of young “Che” Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado. Ernesto “Che” Guevara is well-known worldwide as a Latino-American revolutionary who became a symbol of rebellion. At the same time, most people forget that he was not only...

The Film “The Post” by Steven Spielberg

Press freedom is an important phenomenon in ensuring non-biased reporting and news. This paper analyzes The Post, a film where Washington Post was in dilemma of publishing leaked documents on the United States’ failures in Vietnam. Although the government knew that the war in Vietnam was taking a wrong path,...

Popular Culture in “Inglourious Basterds” Film

World War II movies are not usually associated with popular culture. Screenwriters use themes of Nazi oppression, the brutality of war, and the bravery of the allied forces, which have been cultivated for over seventy years. Yet, one of the most well-known and controversial movies about World War II, Inglourious...

Aspects of the Film “Fruitvale Station”

Introduction Movies about discrimination against black people have always had an increased interest from the audience. The film Fruitvale Station is a 2013 autobiographical drama about Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old African American man who was shot by the Bart police in Oakland in 2009 (El-Mahmoud, 2020). Oskar has a...

The Film “Apollo 13” by Ron Howard

Apollo 13 is indeed not only a breathtaking and uplifting movie but also a great collection of diverse situations with the successful application of Critical Incident Management. Its most visible elements are the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities shown by the spaceship crew. Jim’s identification of the burst helium disk...

Criticism of the Netflix Series “The Squid Game”

As is often the case, literary works, or any other form of “text” with broad appeal cannot be evaluated from only one perspective. There are a considerable number of people living on the planet, and each of them has its own cultural and ethnic background. The presence and quality of...

“The UN Sex Abuse Scandal”: The UN Sexual Violence in War-Torn Countries

Ramita Navai’s documentary “The UN Sex Abuse Scandal” traces specific allegations of predatory behaviors of some UN peacekeepers in conflict countries worldwide, with detailed interviews from survivors of sex abuse. More than 2000 allegations of UN sexual abuse have been reported and recorded in Congo, Cambodia, Bosnia, and Haiti in...

“The Bear Came Over the Mountain”: True Love and Alzheimer’s Disease

Introduction Severe illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, often appear in various literary works, movies, and other art forms. An example of such a work is the short story “The bear came over the mountain” written by Alice Munro and published in The New Yorker journal. The story is about a...

Martin Scorsese’s Impact on Cinema

Cinema is represented by various films and numerous people involved in the process of filmmaking. Some of those people stand out in the eyes of the public more since they have a great influence on the industry. An example of such a person is Martin Scorsese, known for movies like...

The Public Enemy and The Godfather Films Analysis

Introduction The idea of comparative analysis of films is a technique that endeavors to comprehend a film by relating it to another film. This article seeks to compare two films (The Public Enemy and The Godfather) by analyzing the common themes and stylistic devices used. The two films have several...

The “Flowers of Shanghai” Movie by Hou Hsiao-Hsien

The visual elements play a major in movies since they further highlight certain topics and themes explored through dialogues and actions of characters. The visual language of films provides another dimension to the story shown to the audience and enables viewers to have a fuller experience of what they see...

“Frida”: Background Information, Plot, Criticism, and Personal Response

Background Information and a Star Rating Julie Taymor’s Frida is a biographical drama based on Frida Kahlo’s life story. The movie premiered in 2002, producing box sales revenues exceeding its initial budget by more than four times (“Frida: 2002, Biography/Drama, 2h 3m”). As per the movie’s aggregated rating, Frida’s average...

Portrayal of Worldviews in “Les Misérables”

During their lives, people find themselves in a kaleidoscope of encounters, make various decisions and cope with the outcome. Such a way of things inevitably leads to the accumulation of experience, which, in turn, is used to build a personal perception of everything that happened, is happening, or will happen...

“The Silence of the Lambs”: Characters, Storyline, and Themes

Introduction Psychology often interests people who are not scholars or students of the corresponding faculty. As such, movie directors and screenwriters find phenomena that this scientific field describes as inspirational. Obviously, mental disorders receive special attention from film creators due to the fact that people like to observe the unusual...

Politics in “28 Days Later” Film by Danny Boyle

If the definition of politics is the management of power and conflict, then my favorite movie, 28 Days Later, is political because it focuses on the fight for power and the attempt to resolve a dispute between two opposed parties. Politics and its impact on human life is essential not...

“American Psycho”: Plot and Main Ideas

Outline American Psycho is a film made as a critique of the materialistic American society, the incompetence of law enforcement, and misogynistic violence. Working as a black comedy, it combines elements of horror with more light-hearted aspects to lampshade the world around it. Additionally, the film exists as an interesting...

The Film “The Great Gatsby” and the American Dream

The expression “The American Dream” has different ideas in people’s imaginations, but it is united by the idea of wealth and happy life. This idea often includes a successful career, a loving family, and a respectful place in society. However, this concept can also have specific images, as well as...

Value of Film in Explaining History

Introduction Cinematograph has become a powerful medium at storytelling in modern times. Film is a way that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the context of the setting and story. Since the inception of film as a popular medium, it has used the stories of the past as the...

Visual Effects in the “1917” Movie

1917 follows the story of two British soldiers as they rush in trying to stop the British attack from falling into an ambush. The film received numerous awards and positive reviews and is credited as an incredible achievement in planning, camera work, and editing. The final result looks as if...

The Iconic Moments in the Film “Gold Rush 1925”

The most iconic moment in the movie is when Charlie Chaplin prepares and eats his shoe not to starve from hunger. He serves the shoe on a dish with shoelaces as spaghetti, which puts the viewer in laughter. The funniest thing about the moment in the movie is the face...

Polanski’s and Kurzel’s Film Adaptations of Macbeth

Introduction Film adaptations of plays have been common throughout the existence of the movie industry. However, even more so than book adaptations, plays are notoriously hard to get right as they were specifically created to be played out on stage. This is even more applicable to Shakespeare’s work, which has...

“A Beautiful Mind” and “Erin Brockovich” Films

“Erin Brockovich” is a beautifully filmed narrative of a chronicler by Soderbergh, the center of attraction is human grit and perseverance, working flawlessly for the public good. More importantly, it is a monumental monument to a brave woman, skillfully constructed by the talent of one of the best actresses in...

“Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football” Documentary

Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football is a documentary film about a tight-knit community of Muslim Americans in Dearborn, Michigan, who are focused on their passion and support for the Fordson High School football team. The story begins at Fordson High School, a public school that was once attended by only white...

Cinematography and Visuals in the Tenet Film

Introduction Visual perception is one of the essential sources of information for the human brain. This idea has been effectively utilized in the filmmaking industry, allowing directors to transmit profound ideas subtly. Christopher Nolan is a renowned expert in cinematography, which makes his works worth examining from this point of...

Adolescent Development in “Little Man Tate”

The human development process is highly complex, multifaceted since any person throughout their life experiences many events, each of which affects the formation of their personality. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to understand the way of thinking of another character. Fortunately, many psychological theories allow analyzing the behavior of people....

“Through a Glass Darkly” Movie Analysis

Through a Glass Darkly is a Swedish drama directed by Ernst Ingmar Bergman in 1961. The film presents the story of Karin, diagnosed with schizophrenia, who spends vacations with her husband, Martin, younger brother, Minus, and father, David. The author of the present paper agrees with the given response on...

Rhetorical Analysis of a Film “Us”

Introduction The Film Theorists is a YouTube channel that, as the name suggests, discusses various theories about movies. In this case, the video essay is concerned with the 2019 horror film “Us” directed by Jordan Peele. The video argues that the central theme throughout the film is that of the...

Philosophy of the Bronies in “My Little Pony” Fandom

Introduction The critical examination of popular social trends is an essential component of analytical social science research. It makes it possible to qualitatively identify and measure not only sentiments peculiar to individual groups and communities but also for the population as a whole. The best medium for the contemporary and...

The First Episode of Grey’s Anatomy

The first episode of the series reveals the characters in all their versatility and at the same time remains within the archetypes of plotline design for further development. There are many main characters, and they are for every taste. This paper will focus only on the interns, however, there are...

“Bowling for Columbine“ by Michael Moore

Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary that tells about the infamous Columbine massacre in 1999 and the problem of violence in the United States in general. In addition to the fact that the second amendment to the US Constitution guarantees citizens’ right to possess and carry weapons, the National...

Type of Animation in “The Cat Came Back” Film

Typically viewed as one of the traditional animation types, cel animation has grown to be associated immediately with the specified genre. Although new methods have nearly ousted cel animation, its legacy remains unparalleled since it allows for a tremendous variety of stylistic options. “The Cat Came Back,” a short animated...

Beauty and the Beast’: Movie Review

The beautiful, but swaggering Prince Adam was punished for arrogance and exorbitant pride. The sorceress cast a spell on Adam and his entire castle. The handsome Prince turned into a terrible furry monster, and his faithful servants became household items: utensils, candlesticks, watches, and other trinkets. This sorceress left Adam...

Politics in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” by Capra

Introduction People have always been keen on politics and events around it, and cinema did not bypass political agendas since its inception. Films show political processes in different ways depending on their initial purposes. Some movies criticize and judge governmental actions, while others aim to nurture patriotic feelings and idealize...

Masters of Production: The Hidden Art of Hollywood

Each movie has its message to deliver to the audience, and there are many filmmaking approaches to doing it, such as the choice of genre, characters, design, and locations. The documentary Masters of Production: The Hidden Art of Hollywood is directed by John J. Flynn, and reflects the main concepts...

“Good Hair” and “Americas: Mirrors of the Heart”: Documentaries Comparison

Introduction Racial identity may be defined as a specific sense of belonging to a particular racial group. It is based on the person’s perception that he or she shares the same heritage with this group. The examination of racial identity is highly essential for the evaluation of historical and social...

Movie Review: Miss Evers’ Boys

The Tuskegee experiment that took place in America over a period of four decades was an ethical catastrophe. The movie, “Miss Evers’ Boys”, captures the emotional and physical effects of the experiment on the participants, most of who succumbed to the disease. The experiment was a violation of most, if...

Shakespeare’s Othello Movie Adaptation Overview and Social Relevance

Introduction Theatrical and cinematic adaptations of classic plays may differ from writers’ vision and intentions. Oliver Parker’s movie based on Shakespeare’s Othello is an example of what happens when a classical literary work is altered to fit into mainstream cinema’s characteristics. Parts of the play beloved by Shakespeare’s readers were...

“The Food Matters” by James Colquhoun

The Food Matters movie’s trailer explores the topic of the modern food industry’s deplorable state and presents experts’ opinions. The general message is that food sold in stores is often dangerous for people’s health due to the artificial substances contained in it and that pharmaceutical companies keep people unhealthy by...

Theory Application to Television Series

Introduction Contemporary individuals usually see movies and television series as a means of entertainment and relaxation. They watch them after a busy day at work or university to bond with their friends and relatives and forget about everyday problems. On the other hand, it should be noted that movies are...

Clash of the Titans: The Remake of Perseus and Why Is He So Popular

Introduction Perseus, a Greek demi-god, is one of the most known and loved heroes in mythology. The recent movie Clash of the Titans (2010), which retells the story of Perseus, proves the fact that his bravery is still not forgotten. Most likely Perseus is still so popular and discussed today...

“Black Panther”: Dealing With Real-Life Social Issues

The number of science-fiction and superhero films is constantly increasing, and many of them deal with serious problems. Black Panther is an example of such a movie, which demonstrates how science interacts with literature and society. Directed by Ryan Coogler and based on Marvel Comics, it shows fictional events, but...

Personality Traits of Melba Pattillo Beals in “Warriors Don’t Cry”

Racial segregation remains one of the most shameful blemishes on the history of the United States. As introspect into the specified time slot shows, introducing regulations aimed at the integration of institutions and communities was failing due to the misalignment between the blatant racism of American society and the idea...

A Review of Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7

Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7 portrays the experience of a “real-time” movie, following the life of a protagonist, waiting for biopsy results. The picture explores many themes, including a unique exploration of accepting a life with a severe illness and a mortality concept. Directed by the only female...

William Shakespeare, His Life and Works

The exact date of the birth of William Shakespeare has not been preserved. It is believed that he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564. His childhood passed in a large and wealthy family; he was the third child among seven brothers and sisters. At the age of 20, Shakespeare...

Touch of Hitchcock: Psycho and Vertigo

There are movies with an interesting plot and a strong cast, after watching which people change their lives. Some movies influence the way of how the whole filmmaking industry is developed, and the work of Alfred Hitchcock is one of such significant contributions. In the 20th century, this director demonstrated...

The Movie My Family/ Mi Familia: Mise en Scene Analysis

Possible Influences of Monet and Rivera The movie My Family (Mi Familia), directed by Nava in 1995, offers many interesting visuals that showcase the view of Mexican American culture. The film starts with shots of Mexico, including some shots of nature, slowly shifting toward a town with people. Moreover, in...

“Freedom Song”: Movie Review

Freedom Song is one of the most interesting movies that enlist in the dramatic genre of movies. Watching Freedom Song had been a great experience as it managed to provide a great deal of knowledge regarding the consequences of the civil rights war during the 1960s. The main theme of...

Picnic Scene in “Citizen Kane” Movie by Orson Welles

Introduction The film “Citizen Kane” is a 1941 drama motion picture directed by Orson Welles. The production narrates about a millionaire who seems to receive little happiness from his wealth and needs to hide his sensitive personality under the cynical mask. The present paper will analyze the Everglades Picnic scene...

Character Analysis in the Mean Girls Movie

Character Analysis The movie Mean Girls explains how gifted students act. One of the myths and stereotypes of a gifted person states the person can solve the average class problem faster than the normal student. Some myths and stereotypes of gifted persons are correct. Mean Girls Summary The Mean Girls...

“Avatar” the Film by J. Cameron

Avatar (2009) is a highly successful science fiction film created by James Cameron. It stars Sam Worthington, Michele Rodriquez, and Stephen Lang among others. The film has both human and computer-generated actors. The temporal setting of the film is the year 2154 when human beings are presumed to own a...

“Last One Picked…First One Picked On” Documentary

When most people reflect on their child hood, they will always think about pleasurable memories that tend to describe those relatively untroubled stage of their life e.g. field trip, award presentation etc. but for this children it is a different world, all they reflect on is a life of loneliness...

Japanese Filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki, and His Influence on Me

Introduction Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most famous filmmakers in Asian cinema. He is specialized in animated films. Hayao Miyazaki was born on January 5th, 1941 in Tokyo, Japan. He started his career in 1965 when he worked as an artist in the film, “Gulliver’s Travels Beyond the Moon”....

Political Science. Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting” Film

Introduction Poor socio-economic conditions are obvious within the lives of the main characters from the very beginning of the film as Will is picked up in an old car from a dilapidated house with a great deal of junk in front of it. These shifts to an Ivy League scene...

Max Ophuls’ ‘Letter From an Unknown Woman’: Film Narration Analysis

Introduction The notion of narration has always been a subject of controversy within the community of filmmakers and philosophers. Who narrates the movie, whether the outlook is entirely based on a character’s perception, or whether the narrator is placed outside the world where events are happening are some of the...

Freud’s Ideas in Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” Film

One of the themes that Freud finds in the relationship between humans and society is that “taboos, laws, and customs impose … restrictions, which affect both men and women” (27). According to the philosopher, there exists a constant struggle between one’s drive to reach happiness by means that may clash...

Zavattini and Neorealism: Analysis of The Essay

Introduction Cinematography can be seen as a reflection of trends and beliefs existing in the society. Neorealism became people’s response to the atrocities of the war and the path to understanding the world and all of its dimensions. Italian neorealism is regarded as one of the most influential movements in...

Women’s Fates in Japanese Films

Introduction The Japanese society could be classified as patriarchal whereby women are seen as weak and their place is at home to take care of their families. This entrenched belief that women are subordinate and submissive has infiltrated the film-making industry where such themes continue to the perpetuated. The societal...

Fritz Lang and German Expressionism: Legacy of ‘Metropolis’

One of the most important areas in the history of art ‑ German expressionism ‑ started using a visual picture to convey not only the story but also the characters’ emotional state. Among the prominent representatives of German expressionism in films, there was director Fritz Lang. He can be called...

The Worth of Heroes and Villains in Nolan’s “The Dark Knight”

Talking about the conflicts between heroes and villains in movies or literature, one should recognize the story of Batman as one of the strongest examples of how evil is born, developed, and controlled. This film franchise contains a number of characters as protagonists or antagonists and, what is more important,...

“Life Is Beautiful” Film by Roberto Benigni

Introduction Holocaust films have always attracted considerable attention from the public and the media, especially when it comes to the western world. Life Is Beautiful (1997) is one of the cinematographic works that stand out against the rest due to its use of humor, as well as an emphasis on...

NCIS TV Series: Narrative Structure and Characters

Although NCIS cannot be considered the longest running show in the U.S. primetime broadcast, it has definitely cemented its position as one of the most popular TV series. Started in 2003, NCIS centers around a group of people belonging to the titular department and solving crimes, which might seem as...

Insights from “Race: The Power of an Illusion” on Racial Inequality

“The house we live in” is the final episode of “Race: the power of an illusion”. This episode is mainly focused on individual behaviors and attitudes of institutions that created and shaped race in the United States before and after the Second World War. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the ways...

Standpoint Feminist Theory

The feminist standpoint theory is a politically modeled theory that tends to lean towards social epistemology. The central premise of the feminist standpoint theory is that the people who are subjected to marginalization are more advantaged when it comes to possessing information than those people who are not subjected to...

Hollywood’s Stereotyping of Arabs: Dehumanization and Bias

Introduction One of the main aspects of today’s living is that people in Western countries most commonly form their opinions of those who profess different cultural/religious values, based on how these ‘others’ are being represented by the mainstream media. This situation, however, cannot be referred to as being fully normal,...

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians”

Introduction The Kardashian family is famous for a reality TV show known as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK)” whose concept emerged from an infamous sex scandal by one of its members (Kim Kardashian). Reality shows are trending because of a culture of celebrity worship and society’s obsession with fame...

“Sleepers” a Film by Barry Levinson

Introduction In every society, there are certain values and conditions that are usually established, and it is expected that they are naturally followed by every member of the society and passed through generations without active questioning or suggestions of radical changes. In assessing Immanuel Kant’s theory on morality, we shall...

The Movie The Birth of a Nation

Sales Pitch The Birth of a Nation will open a new era in the cinematography. It is not just a movie, but a whole epic that reveals the intricate relationship between people, military battles, the lives of ordinary citizens, and the political intrigue that have been woven for the eternity...

The Godfather Movie: Scoring and Visual Style

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather always gets included in many critics’ top 100 best films list. It is hard to argue against its inclusion in a list that talks about the greatest achievements in cinematic history. It is not a good idea to ignore this film, because writers, journalists, and...

Predicting the Future of Film Narrative

The History of Film Introduction What started as a novelty in the 1890s with the innovation of the cinema cameras has become a popular culture in the world. The art of cinema making has experienced tremendous innovation, growth, and development since the first less than a minute-long silent clips were...

Analysis of “12 Angry Men”: Themes and Dramatic Techniques

Introduction This is an American drama movie where a group of 12 men is involved in discussing the judgment for a murder case involving a slum boy. The twelve jurors argue about the evidence presented in this case where an 18-year-old young man is claimed to have killed his father...

Motion Picture Analysis: “42” by Brian Helgeland

Introduction The issues of racism and inequality remain topical in present-day life. Nowadays, ethnic and social equity are regarded as essential rights of every human being, but only several decades ago a large part of the American non-major population was exposed to segregation and unjust treatment in every aspect of...

Film Terms: Aesthetic and Cultural Analysis in Cinematic Studies

Term Identification Racial Melodrama This descriptive term is concerned with the films that belong to the cinematographic subgenre melodrama, with their directors having made a deliberate point of using the ‘race card’ to increase the emotional appeal of these movies’ plots to the audiences. The most commonly explored motif in...

“In and Out of Africa” by Fred J. Lincoln Documentary

In and Out of Africa is a documentary film that engages the viewers into an intelligent and perceptive overview of African art and culture. The documentary explores authenticity, racial politics with humor and irony, as well as emphasizes the role of transnational trade in shaping African art. The movie intertwines...

Racism and Masculinity in the Film “A Soldier’s Story”

Discrimination and prejudice always result in pain and suffering. The magnitude of these can vary from the Nazi genocide of Jews, the American use of Blacks as slaves – which could involve e.g. using them as test subjects, for instance, to perform more than thirty gynecologic surgeries on a 17-year-old...

Revisiting Classic Comedy: Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein

The film Young Frankenstein is often viewed by many critics as one Mel Brooks’ best works because it eloquently demonstrates the best elements of parody as a cinematographic genre. To some degree, this movie illustrates the way in which classical literary archetypes can be dramatically transformed. In particular, Mel Brooks...

The Last Samurai: Cultural Contrasts, Character Transformation, and Historical Parallels

Cultural Contrasts Between Western and Eastern Civilizations Many people compare Western and Eastern civilizations. Clothing, food, customs, and other aspects of life in these two regions differ significantly. In Western culture, practicality and functionality usually prevail, while in Eastern culture, more attention is paid to aesthetics and tradition. For example,...

Vengeance, Gender Roles, and Patriarchy in The Searchers and True Grit

Plot Overview of The Searchers The film The Searchers, directed by John Ford, is a western movie about the conflict between two communities in the USA. When a soldier returns home after eight years, his village is attacked by the Comanche. The film narrates the life of the soldier, Ethan...

Zodiac Movie Analysis: Investigators’ Pursuit of Truth and Criminal Mysteries

Introduction A compelling movie based on actual events, Zodiac goes into the intricate and fascinating realm of investigations. This crime drama explores the true account of the infamous Zodiac killer, whose identity remained a mystery for many years. These movies provide more than just amusement; they pique people’s interest and...

Comedy, Trauma, and Challenging Cultural Conformity in Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette

Introduction For a long time, laughter has been perceived as the best medicine. However, in the 21st century, some challenge the conventional limitations of humor, showing how it is necessary to focus on reality, too. Hannah Gadsby is a well-known Australian comedian who, in 2018, released her Netflix special, Nanette....

The Pursuit of Happyness: Identity, Parenting, and Resilience

Introduction The movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006) is a biographical drama film based on the life of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless. The movie accurately depicts the struggles of teens indirectly through the main character’s journey to overcome poverty and adversity. Accuracy of the Film’s Depiction...

Exploring Stereotypes and Interpersonal Dynamics in the Crash Film

Introduction The movie Crash, directed by Paul Haggis, explores cultural stereotypes and prejudice in modern-day Los Angeles. The film follows diverse characters whose paths cross unexpectedly, highlighting the complex interplay of race, class, and culture. This paper will analyze three characters from the movie and their interactions, specifically looking at...

The ‘Right to Fail’ Documentary and Mental Health Transition Policies in New York

Overview of the Documentary I watched “Right to Fail,” a documentary that discusses the outcomes of the transition of severe mental illness in New Yorkers from a tightly controlled setting to independent homes following a federal court order in 2014. According to the documentary, thousands of individuals with severe mental...

“The Power of Art” Documentary by Simon Schama

The documentary “The Power of Art”, produced by Simon Schama, tells the story of remarkable artists and how they transformed the world of art. Caravaggio’s unique usage of lighting was a significant visual piece, and his works marked a conversion to realism, making Caravaggio one of the most prominent and...

The Autumn Sonata Film by Ingmar Bergman

Scandinavian Film Tendencies The Autumn Sonata, directed by Ingmar Bergman, was chosen to analyze the film. First, it will be important to determine the features of Scandinavian films’ tendencies and highlight the characteristics of Autumn Sonata that correspond to these tendencies. First, Scandinavian films focus intensely on social realism and...

Colangelo’s “Worth”: Drama Movie Review

Introduction Worth is a biographical drama based on events perfectly captured by Sara Colangelo. The 9-11 terror consequences horrified the national systems since stability and protection were no longer valid guarantees. Lawyers, insurers, and bankers had to suffer as well: they were forced to perform a humiliating job – assess...

Children and Gender: Growing Up Trans by Frontline PBS Review

In today’s world, there is a distinct difference between gender and sex, the spread of which is especially important. Increasingly people are faced with the problem of identifying themselves as male or female. As a consequence of this fact, adults have an opportunity to make a transition to living a...

The Hadza: Last of the First Film by Bill Benenson

The documentary, The Hadza: Last of the First, highlights the hunting and gathering practices and way of life of the Hadza tribe in Tanzania. I like how the film reflects the natural lifestyle of the Hadza, such as construction, social life, and hunting techniques. The historical prologue of the tribe...

Food, Inc., Produced by Kenner Review

Upon its release, the documentary Food, Inc., produced by Kenner (2008), profoundly impacted society, showing the true realities of food production under the capitalistic conditions of the modern USA. The major objective of the given movie is to investigate the corporate farming business in the USA and factors that are...

Meaning of Symbolism in the Film “Parasite”

Introduction The film, Parasite, is directed by Bong Joon-ho and was released on May 21, 2019. The viewer follows the lives of individuals who choose to pursue employment opportunities from wealthy family. To achieve their goals, these family members design an ingenious plan of posing as qualified workers. The storyline...

The Films “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” and “Hachiko Monogatari”

Introduction The global mass media industry is becoming more diverse due to the wave of globalization and people’s ability to access a wide variety of movies. In the past, analysts have identified unique differences in the storylines and cinematic attributes of Asian and Western films. This reality exists due to...

“The Price of Sugar” by Documentary Bill Haney

“The Price of Sugar” is a documentary on the lives of Haitian sugarcane cutters in the Dominican Republic and the local priest Father Christopher Hartley. The documentary touches on multiple subjects, but the ones I found most interesting were the moral price of consuming sugar from such farms and Father...

Psychoanalytic Criticism of “The Wall” Film by Alan Parker

Among the theories of literary criticism, psychoanalytic criticism is one of the most interesting and complicated methods. It can be used for analysing the artwork to both decipher the message of the author and investigate the way the audience perceives this message. In this paper, the film The Wall (1982)...

Criteria for Referring a Film to the “Great Works of Cinema”

Cinema canon is understood as a place untouched by human critique, malice, and displeasure where some films belong. Indeed, there are some acknowledged masterpieces of the film industry with thousands of fans ready to silence anyone speaking against their favorite movies. However, the criteria to include a film in the...

How I Met Your Mother and Friends Shows Comparison

Introduction In the past few decades, countless television series have been produced, with each being distinct but many having certain similarities. For instance, viewers often state that Friends and HIMYM (How I Met Your Mother) are quite alike, as the latter seems to have borrowed specific elements of the former...

“Nanook of the North” by Robert J. Flaherty

The sophisticated voyage in Nanook of the North is organized according to the periods of a year, from summer through winter. Instead of using linear chronology, it uses an episodic framework, and it has four action sequences that show my, Nanook’s, skill in obtaining food by fishing and hunting walruses,...

Conflicts in the Film “A Clockwork Orange”

Introduction A Clockwork Orange is a controversial film brought to the screen by Stanley Kubrick in 1971, based on Anthony Burgess’s eponymous novel. One of the apparent movie conflicts that can be observed is between the values of individual choice and society’s need for control, or, in simpler words, between...

“A Monster Calls” by J. A. Bayona, within the Concepts of Trauma Psychology

A Monster Calls is a young person fantasy movie that has received widespread acclaim and several accolades. This film is famous and will be converted into a film; it is a brief movie in which a monster portrays the character of a friend in order to speed up the recovery...

“Fences”: Wilson’s Play and Washington’s Movie

Introduction For this creative, analytical essay, I decided to take the work of Fences, which proved itself worthy in many iterations. As for comparison, I chose to use the movie by Denzel Washington and the original play from the film, the play by August Wilson. Both works are fascinating, and...

Kardashian Nation Work in America’s Klan

Kardashian Nation Work in America’s Klan is Lofton’s discourse on the Kardashian family as a contemporary new media phenomenon in the American socio-cultural field. It starts with a preface about the Melissa Click incident and ends with a defensive speech about her. From the viewpoints of readers who are not...

The Movie “Gran Torino” by Clint Eastwood

Introduction Representing a generation through the depiction of a single character is a challenging task. In his movie Gran Torino, Clint Eastwood has played an exceptional role that reveals how changes in one’s cultural environment can cause a person to change their views on societal cohesion. In the example of...

Japanese Animation: “My Neighbour Totoro” Film

“MI VECINO TOTORO – Clip #2 Subtitulado “Paraguas””. YouTube, uploaded by Vértigo Films, 2018, Web. The video “MI VECINO TOTORO – Clip #2 Subtitulado “Paraguas” shows a scene from the animation “My Neighbour Totoro” and can be found on YouTube. It was uploaded in 2018 and served as a good...

Examination of Repression in “Persepolis”

Major historical events transcribed by people who directly witnessed them are essential for creating a comprehensive understanding of the situational conditions of that time. Assessments made by individuals who remained close to the transpiring situations and were impacted by the scenarios greatly aid the researchers in establishing the communal attitudes...

“Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied”: The Generation Z and Gender Roles

The documentary “Straightlaced: How Gender’s Got Us All Tied” by Debra Chasnoff explores the lives of teens through the lens of gender roles. The author gives students from California high schools an opportunity to openly speak their minds about gender diversity and speak about the sexual orientation pressures they experience...

Oliver Stone’s Interpretation of the Vietnam War

Introduction History entails a detailed analysis and examination of past events and describing how they affected or supported human affairs. Investigators and scholars rely on different mediums or sources to learn more about different occurrences and happenings. Over the years, history has been documented in letters, written materials, and oral...

“The Perfect Dictatorship” by Luis Estrada: The Concept of Dictatorship

Presumably, the best-known markers of a dictatorship are a personality cult and the systematic oppression of human liberties in a certain state. A combination of the two results in the lack of the possibility for the citizens to “change their rulers peacefully,” which Dent (2005) indicates in his dictionary (p....

Silent Films and Foley Artists

A silent film is a black-and-white movie without sound. From the invention of film technology to the advent of modern sound films, silent films were the most popular entertainment. At first, there was no sound in the films, then they were with musical accompaniment, and then the help of Foley...

Social Conditions Reflected in Tokyo Sonata Film

Introduction Tokyo Sonata is a film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, a prolific director in Japan’s television and film industry. The film is Kurosawa’s most internationally applauded work as it depicts real life rather than his usual supernatural films. Kurosawa uses this film to show social issues by observing the cracks...

Race and Ethnicity in “The Long Walk Home” Film

Summary For this study, a film called “The Long Walk Home” was selected, which was first released in 1991. This cinematic film tells the story of two families who faced crisis times in American history. One of the wives is a decent black maid who works hard both at work...

“Gladiator” Ridley Scott: Plot, Themes, and Key Features

Introduction Ridley Scott’s, Gladiator is one of the most influential films of the 21st century. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, the movie was released in the year 2000. The film incorporated other supportive actors, including; Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Richard Harriss. It won critical accolades, large...

Movie Review: Life as We Know It

“Life As We Know It” is a 2010 American comedy movie starring Holly and Eric. Their best friend couple, Peter and Alison, were crushed and died in a road accident leaving behind a small child called Sophie. Shortly after the crash, Eric and Holly learned that their friends had appointed...

Chinese vs. Taiwanese Film Production

Background Film production in China and Taiwan has evolved over the years because of the changes in socio-economic and political forces. According to Poujol (2019), the evolution of the film industry in the two countries can be traced back to the period when the region was under Japanese rule. The...

The “Real Value” Documentary Directed by Borkowski

The “Real Value” documentary is a film that depicts businesses and the alternative approaches to generating financial gain. The first relevant idea from this movie is that businesses can create value that is beyond the profit they generate. The second idea is that the majority of American businesses are built...

“The Neighbor’s Window”: Film Review

All people at a certain moment doubt their own choice and think how their life would have developed in a different situation or layout. The characters of the movie “The Neighbor’s Window” Alli and her husband Jacob, watching the life of their neighbors, begin to remember their youth and regret...

“Watchmen” Film in Relation to the American Dream

Introduction Watchmen is the title of the film that I have chosen to study for this assignment. The film was released in March 2009 with gross sales of $107.5M. One of the most startling aspects of Watchmen is the brutal reality of the consequences of achieving the ‘American Dream.’ The...

“And the Band Played On” During the AIDS Pandemic

“And the Band Played On” The movie “And the Band Played On” touches on different prevalent issues during the AIDS pandemic that afflicted the world in the 1980s. It is a film that chronicled the initial days of the pandemic and the bias and prejudice experienced by homosexuals, who were...

Evaluating HBO Max’s Resources, Capabilities, and Competitiveness

Core VRIN-based Competencies of HBO Max Quality content Quality content is the number one core competency in the media industry. Warner Media owned HBO offers TV shows and movies to the audience. Its content is unique and has been known for establishing milestones in the TV industry. For instance, its...

12 Years a Slave: The Analysis of the Film

Introduction Reading history books is one way of learning about the past. However, many individuals need visual stimulation to be able to connect with a situation, person, or event that happened hundreds of years ago. Thus, movies based on memoirs or biographies are excellent ways for people to see and...

“I Love Lucy”: Retrospect, Supporting and Subverting Gender Roles

Introduction TV shows of the past might appear to be simply relics of the bygone era at first sight. However, on further analysis, they can reveal a treasure trove of peculiar details and facts about the time slot that it is expected to portray. Moreover, with the fingerprints of multiple...

Batman vs. Joker in “The Dark Knight” Film by Nolan

The confrontation between the Joker and Batman is one of the favorite topics for comics and cinema. Both images are fascinating and well-developed since Batman is not an absolute hero, and the Joker can hardly be called an uncharismatic villain. Nevertheless, the confrontation of these two characters can be analyzed...