Abstract
This paper examines the importance of music and dance in the extremely successful film industry in India. It explains that because Indian films are made predominantly for semi-literate audiences, they contain numerous action scenes (fights), elaborate song and dance sequences, a fair dose of slapstick comedy and an obligatory love story. This paper discusses why this industry is so successful and the role music and dance play in its success.

From the Paper
"In its historical development, India's film industry paralleled that of the West. Dadasaheb Phalke's Raja Harishchandra, the first silent film for popular consumption, appeared in 1913; Alam Ara, the first "talkie," was released in 1931. But the Indian cinema derived its unique flavor from the older Indian musical theater-particularly from the Urdu poetic dramas of the late nineteenth century. The influence of this tradition ensured that Indian movies would favor mythological or legendary-historical stories, that their dialogue would carry an Urdu flavor even in languages other than Urdu, and that every film would be a musical."

Tags:bollywood, cinema

Abstract
This paper explains that the classic film "Singin' in the Rain" appeals to a broad audience because not only is it a good song and dance movie but also it contains the genre of romance and comedy. The author points out that the musical aspect of the film combines backstage and integrated styles; the fifteen song and dance routines are based on different themes throughout the film, which provides built-in unity through its structure of repetition and variation. The paper relates that the romantic aspect of the film helps to create drama in the plot, carry the plot along and create empathy for Kathy's character; the comedic aspect of the film helps bring it together productively.

From the Paper
"Another ideology of the film was dignity. Don repeats his famous line, "Dignity, always dignity" as he tells the story of how he maintained his esteem when working his way to the top. Kathy strives to maintain her dignity when she does the singing for Lina because she isn't getting credit for her vocal talent as she should be. The studio heads keep Lina from speaking in public without Kathy backing her up because they fear that if the audience hears Lina's real voice she will lose the dignity in her career. Even though Cosmo never became a huge star like Don he still maintains his cheerfulness and dignity and continues to fully support his friend."

Tags:comedy, ideology, romance, music, dance

Abstract
This paper explains that the movie is a refreshing and provocative story of a Japanese man who breaks out of his humdrum existence through the unlikely intervention of ballroom dancing lessons. It discusses how Suo's adept direction makes this film erotically charged and hilariously comic at the same time, as well as full of interesting and believable characters. The cinematography is flawless and engaging, and the viewer is soon immersed in the world of the unlikely hero. Ultimately, the movie's greatest strength is in its ability transform the mundane and comic into the beautiful and sublime.

From the Paper
"Shall We Dance" is director Masayuki Suo's largest break into North American cinema. Previously, his works include a "pink" (X-rated) movie called "Daughter in Law", a TV drama, a documentary called "A Taxing Woman", and a major picture called "Manic Zen", followed by a movie depicting a college Sumo wrestler. Though released in English, "Manic Zen" was only seen in movie festivals and not released in the United States. When asked about Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu's influence on "Shall We Dance", Suo replies, " I didn't think very much about Ozu, therefore I don't know how I was influenced... However, he credits Ozu as a great influence on his first movie, "Daughter-in-Law" (Kaufman)."

Tags:japanese, film

Abstract
This paper provides a brief review of the musical comedy "Hairspray," directed by Adam Shankman. The review provides a summary, a discussion of elements of mise en scene and the director's style, and a personal reaction to the film.

From the Paper
"Adam Shankman's "Hairspray" tells the story of plump teen Tracy Turnblad who is a typical high school student who loves to tease her hair and race home with her friend Prudy after a boring day of classes to watch the local teen dance-a-thon, The Corny Collins Show. Run by a popular group known as the Council, Tracy ultimately lands a gig on the TV show. To the dismay of three-time Miss Hairspray-winner Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma, the TV station manager, Tracy's popularity grows..."

Tags:movies, choreography, integration, 1960s, racism, dance-a-thons

Abstract
In this paper, the author argues that the film "Crash" was an exaggerated representation of racism and urban life in the 21st Century. However, it honestly reflects realities in artistic terms. The paper further explains that the film is about cultures "crashing" into each other. According to the writer's perspective, the film shows viewers that diversity isn't an easy game to play in a city crammed with cars, loathing, refugees and attitude. The paper briefly examines two other films--"Mississippi Burning" and "Dances with Wolves" and their messages about racism and tolerance.

From the Paper
"Meanwhile, it is the thesis of this paper that while this movie was an eye-popping, jaw-dropping jolt of hideously racist individuals living out various twisted ethnocentric ideologies, it is in broad brushstrokes a gross exaggeration of 21st Century urban life. And yet at the same time, it honestly reflects realities in artistic terms. It is what we see it is, and more: a glut of pilgrims from diverse points of entry, polarized by a political system that borders on fascism, yet in their hearts a love that fights for survival can snuff out the loathing in wink of a jaundiced eye. "

Tags:stereotypes, Mississippi Burning, Dances with Wolves, urban life

Abstract
This paper explains that, although the classic film "The Sound of Music" captures the audience's attention with song and dance, its authenticity is questionable. The real von Trapp family story is compared with the film version family. Issues of the costumes, the role of religion in society, the themes of totalitarianism and conformism and Nazi-occupied Austria as projected in "The Sound of Music" are evaluated.

From the Paper
"Conformism is perhaps the most common theme in the story of the von Trapps. While some Austrians took on the idea of appeasing Hitler, Captain von Trapp refused to conform to the new laws surrounding him. The movie shows his love for Austria in his rendition of the country's folksong "Edelweiss" and the way he "obviously displays the Austrian flag" at his dinner party in the film. Captain von Trapp in real life was actually Italian so his love for Austria was embellished.

Tags:totalitarianism, play clothes, roman catholic, nazi totalitarianism

Abstract
This paper explains that Kevin Costner's "Dances with Wolves" is a western film popular in the late twentieth century; however, Costner's image of the Sioux tribe as being highly acculturated is a different interpretation of this genre. In this film, the author relates, Costner joins the Sioux tribe instead of being a supporter of the Manifest Destiny and civilizing the tribe to western standards. The paper asserts that, whereas Costner showed the Sioux tribe members as possessing a great amount of intelligence and organizational skills, he did not demonstrate their expression of any kind of feelings.

From the Paper
"Costner managed to make an extraordinary Western in an era when such films are a thing of the past. Dunbar is presented as a man that loves life and all the good things about it. He expresses a sentiment of extreme pride when he prefers to die rather than have his leg amputated. Most people have returned to their homes after the war with the desire to have a normal life and a well-paid job. Dunbar, in contrast, chooses to remain in the military to protect an abandoned U.S. garrison on the western frontier. Total isolation does not seem strange to Dunbar and he immediately adapts to life in solitude, interacting only with Cisco, his horse, and Two Socks, his wolf."

Tags:rules clashes, lakota language, nature expressionless

From the Paper
"The opening Civil War battlefield scene, in this movie, gives the first insight into one of Dunbar's personality Archetypes. He has been so severely, rounded, facing possible amputation of his foot, that he wants to die. Dunbar finds himself in a desperate situation that he has little control over causing him to experience feelings of misery and impotence. With great agony, he finds his way back to the front lines and makes a suicidal ride in front of the Confederate soldiers. "

Tags:hero, jung, movies, persona, personality, psychology

Abstract
This paper examines how physical comedy does not stop at slapstick and considers how the movies of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could also be defined as physical comedy. Through a review of several of their movies with an emphasis on "Top Hat", it demonstrates how all of their movies, made in the mid-1930s, shortly after sound had been added to films in the previous decade have elements of hilarity which can be attributed to physical comedy.

Outline
Sophisticated, Funny and Physical: The Romances of Astaire and Rogers
Let's Get Physical, Depression-Era Style
The Namesake Dance as Comedy
Feathers and Fred
A Short Compendium of More Fred and Ginger Physical Comedy

From the Paper
"In the natural comedic way of things, Dale runs into Jerry by chance and they hit it off. But then Jerry sends her flowers billed to Hardwick's room and a bellman points Jerry out to her, so she'll have a name to go with the face of the man she's interested in; he had just called himself "Adam" since she said she didn't know him from Adam in an early line. Unfortunately, in that instant, Horace and Jerry trade places and Dale ends up thinking it is her friend Madge's husband with whom she is falling in love. And, of course, Jerry and Horace know nothing abut this. Neither does Madge at first. When she does hear of it, what she is told is, naturally, also wrong."

Tags:slapstick, top, hat, dance

Abstract
This paper discusses the film "Dances With Wolves" in relation to man's inhumanity to man, culture, our attitudes towards other cultures, and the media's portrayal of other cultures through the medium of film.

From the paper:

"The film ?Dances With Wolves? (Costner) looks in detail at the way strangers get to know each other. It is seen from the point of view of John Dunbar, a lieutenant fighting during the American Civil War. We meet the wounded hero in a field hospital just as he is about to have his leg amputated. However, when the doctors leave, he decides to rejoin his regiment, and invites death by riding his horse in a suicidal charge at the enemy lines."

Tags:america, american, americans, civil, costner, culture, dances, film, indians, inhumanity, kevin, man, native, north, race, sioux, war, westerns, wolves