Contemporary Criticism InJezebel, Drums Along The Mohawk, And Unconquered?

By reading Andrew’s essay, I also learned why it is usually harder to capture the feeling of a work. Instead of thinking that the director did a horrible job of adapting a work of literature, I am now more likely to step back and reflect on why and how the film was and felt different than the original text.

There are many differences to be found between F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, written in 1925, and the movie directed by Baz Luhrmann in 2013. These differences are examples of how times have really changed. In 1925, instances of racism and sexism were not uncommon. However, racism and sexism are not really tolerated or accepted in today’s time. To suit the modern audience, instances of racism and sexism were omitted in the production of the movie. Many other differences can be found between the movie and the book. As times change, so do the accepted norms of society. The changes can be found seen in the characters and themes of the story.

Baz Lurhmann’s creation of the film Romeo and Juliet has shown that today’s audience can still understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Typically, when a modern audience think of Shakespeare, they immediately think it will be boring, yet Lurhmann successfully rejuvenates Romeo and Juliet. In his film production he uses a number of different cinematic techniques, costumes and a formidably enjoyable soundtrack; yet changes not one word from Shakespeare’s original play, thus making it appeal to a modern audience.

Harold and Maude, a movie directed by Hal Ashby and released in the 1970’s, did not receive much attention and popularity when first released. Since the movie depicted obsession with suicide through a 20-year-old character Harold, the movie received backlash because during the 1970’s there were high rates of suicides among teenagers and college students. However, over time college students found the movie very entertaining, therefore bringing the movie into the lights and making it a cult hit. In Blue Velvet, a neo-noir mystery film directed by David Lynch and released in 1986, received a variety of critical responses from a wide range of audience, but this movie’s unique style earned Lynch his second nomination for Best Director. The idea of innocent getting caught in a web of evil is portrayed through the character Jeffrey Beaumont, who first encounter’s a severed ear in a grassy abandoned field. In this paper I will compare and contrast these two movies that include key actors Bud Cort, played as Harold, and Kyle MacLachlan, played as Jeffrey and include a few key points that have made these movies enjoyable to watch.

During the 1800s and 1900s, authors styles of writing were very different than it is today. Their language and use of words was written in a way that impacted the readers very differently than today. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” “Rappaccini’s Daughter,” and “The Jilting of Granny Weatherall” were all read and watched to compare and contrast the similarities and differences. Three literary components stood out when comparing and contrasting, including character, setting, and plot. These three stories, written by Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Katherine Anne Porter, can be compared to their corresponding movies, through the three literary components of character, setting, and plot.

Being one of the world’s most popular art forms, it was inevitable that these archetypes would find their way into film as well. In this essay I will argue that the

This is a small assignment to review some of the things we've seen and discussed this quarter, and to consider them in the greater context of film history. Answer these to the best of your ability. Give these fleshed out answers. And where you can, site specific examples from movies we've watched or movies you've watched.

This essay is based on films of the same story, told in different ways, with emphasis, themes, meaning and interpretation shaped or shaded by the situation of the storyteller; the cinematic mise-en-scene. Based on the same story, the films reveal and reflect the film-maker’s social norms and views, emerging from their different national contexts. While exploring the two films, this essay will examine elements of film language or semiotics: color saturation (or black and white), sound, setting, type of camera angles used; repetition of visual motifs (Metz, 1985). The two films explored were made in the 1960s. Neither film is American, yet both reveal influences and reflections on American cinema and American power; the Western film, adherence or detracting from Hollywood Classical cinema tropes, i.e. close-ups, shot-reverse-shot, POV, depth of field (Bazin, 1985: 128-9). The two films are Kurasawa’s Yojimbo (1961) and Leone’s Fistful of Dollars (1964), from Japan and Italy, respectively. How are they different; how similar? Why do they use the same plot,

After comparing and contrasting observations, the discussion could then shift to trying to critically understand the film as a cultural reflection of the period by discussing the historical context. Examining why the American western was so popular to film audiences and producers during the mid-to-late 20th century may help explore whether these films reflected a certain zeitgeist. Some questions that the movies raise are: How does the western reflect 20th century politics? Which 20th century values are portrayed within these films? Do these films help contribute to a consensus of support around America’s status as a

It is common knowledge that books transformed into movies are prone to decline in quality; only in very rare occasions do the roles of this alternate. There is even a further infrequency when both the book and the film demonstrate equal quality and excellence. A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry embodies this rarity. A renowned play written by a black woman in the heart of the Civil Rights movement is an accomplishment in itself, however, having success and additionally, a produced movie, raises it to a completely new level. CHANGING CHARACTERS SOMETIMES WORKS OUT FOR THE BEST BECAUSE IT ADDS MORE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THEIR LIFE. MAKES THINGS MORE PERSONAL. RUTH IS THIS EXAMPLE. Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun demonstrates a lesser complexity

In this paper it will discuss the directors portrayal of the

Now some people may say that the fashion, music, and slang today and in the World of The Outsiders are very different, but others would say that they are very similar. The most noticeable differences between the two eras is definitely the music. The music is so different now than it was back in the World of The Outsiders, today we have rap and alternative music. Although some of the music back then is still popular and doing well today. Another major difference between the two eras is the fashion, the fashion couldn’t be much more different today than it used to be. Today the trendy clothes include crop tops, sweatshirts, leggings, ripped jeans, and very revealing clothing. Whereas in the world of The Outsiders the popular clothing included

Late into the game, but I guess better than never; a shroud of admiration have surrounded the film since its general release, almost as if the world have given it a standing ovation for its seemingly substantial contributions. I entered the theatre with low expectations, which was anchored by the fact that I have yet to see any of George Miller’s previous cult trilogy. It was my understanding that it promises to entertain through its energetic and bombastic set pieces, and offer up thoughtful commentary in its depiction of the world and its dynamics.

Understanding movies comes from describing and analyzing the cinematic, theatrical, and literary elements that combine to create meaning. These steps create a basic understanding of the artistic and technical elements found in moviemaking. In addition, the major characteristics of different film genres and classic movies will be analyzed. The purpose of this paper is analyzing the Academy Award winning film Chicago. This paper will describe the six steps that a person should think about when watching a movie. These steps include, (1) analysis of the narrative: story, plot and meaning; (2) theatrical elements, (3) cinematography, (4) editing, (5) sound and the (6) complete package.

It is common in today's media-driven society to reach into the past for inspiration and ideas. A trend has developed where original works are transformed into other mediums. For example: books are turned into movies and/or plays, movies are turned into weekly sitcoms, and cartoons will spawn empires (Disney). These things happen so often that an audience rarely stops to question the level of authenticity that remains after these conversions. Perhaps it is only when a project is not well received that people begin to think of the difficulties involved with changing a work's genre. Using Gulliver's Travels as an example, discrepancies and additions in the movie can be