Successful Movies

Paper Summary:

The author of this paper discusses Tim Dirks' criteria for movie success, and suggests that "Scream" (1996) is a more successful movie, financially and artistically, than "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997). The paper analyzes how "I Know What You Did Last Summer" is a financially successful film, in terms of box office draw and in terms of having a sequel, which is one sign of financial success. The paper further analyzes how "Scream", on the other hand, is a successful movie in more than just financial ways, including artistic innovation and outstanding acting.

From the Paper:

"Some other successful movies "provide hidden meanings, new psychological truths, great visual moments, mythic resonance, philosophical insight, lyrical beauty, fresh insights into how to view the world, or enlightened understanding", e.g., The Big Sleep (1946) or Chinatown (1974). Others (e.g., Steven Spielberg's break-out movie Jaws (1975) are simply huge financial blockbusters.
In terms of the relative success of two other movies, Scream (1996) with its $100+ million box office gross (Berardinelli) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), which had a cumulative domestic box office of $69 million("The Movie Business in 1997") are both successful in terms of one of Dirks' criteria for movie success: box office draw."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Caszatt, Sean. "Movie Reviews [Scream]." Celebritywonder.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006, from:< http://www.celebritywonder.com/movie/1996_Scream.html>.
• Dirks, Tim. "Greatest Films: Specific Selection Criteria." 100 Greatest Films: Film Selection Criteria: Part 2. 2006. Retrieved March 13, 2006, from: <http://www.filmsite.org/criteria2.html>.
• Ebert, Roger. "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved March 12, 2006, From: <http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20000625/REVIEWS08/6250301/1023>.
• "Film Forum: The First Official Passion of the Christ Reviews." February 19, 2004. Seethepassion.com. Retrieved March 13, 2006, from: < http://www.seethepassion.com/article.php?id=199.html>.
• Fraumeni, Paul. "What Makes a Great Film?" Ask Us at U of T. Retrieved March 13, 2006, from: http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bios/askus35.htm>.

More papers on Successful Movies:

• Term Paper # 148517 : "Western Movies"
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• Term Paper # 96196 : "Made-for-Television Movies"

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