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Science Fiction Film Analysis, 2004.
A comparative review of the films, "The Terminator", "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines", and "The Matrix Revolutions".
1,935 words (approx. 7.7 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the films, "The Terminator", "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines", and "The Matrix Revolutions" by providing an overview of the plots, including a look at the characters, the directors, and other interesting film particulars. It also reviews what the critics had to say about each film as a film in its own right and as part of a trilogy of films.
From the Paper
"It is the ?Year of Darkness,? 2029, and a powerful and intelligent computer named Skynet continues to battle human resistance on Earth, after nearly ? but not completely ? destroying all members of the human race in 1997. Skynet has learned how to send its cyborg assassin warriors (Terminators) backward through time travel; the story is built around Skynet sending The Terminator (Schwarzenegger) back to 1984, on a mission to kill the mother of one of the leaders of the resistance against Skynet. The mother in question is Sarah Conner (played by Linda Hamilton), whose son, John Conner, if allowed to be born, will later lead the remaining members of the human race in a winning campaign against the machines ? unless, of course, The Terminator can kill Sarah Conner and erase the possibility of John Conner battling the machines."
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Rodney Graham, 2005.
A look at the work of Canadian film maker and photographer, Rodney Graham.
1,250 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 42.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the theme of identity, or of changing identity, seen throughout Graham's work. The paper examines and analyzes several of Graham's pieces in order to illustrate this continuous theme. The paper explains how Graham's fascination with the permanent instability of the photographic, filmed self reflects his feeling that he never really had a clear vision of who he was as an individual or who he was as an artist.
From the Paper
"Rodney Graham is a Canadian artist, born in Vancouver in 1949. But he could be anyone?or so his art suggests. In Fishing on the Jetty, 2000, the Rodney Graham renders himself into his own text as a filmed subject. In this film/performance art piece, the viewer is witness to the sight of Graham playing Cary Grant in his own nautical version of Alfred Hitchcock?s ?To Catch a Thief.? Graham, within the context of the piece is himself, is the character of Grant, and is also the persona portrayed by ?Cary Grant,? the sublimely artificial romantic lead of the 1930?s classical film in a who-done-it about mistaken identity, a film where the actor portrays a constantly misleading man with a shape-shifting identity."
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"The Philadelphia Story", 2005.
An examination of the social context of the film, "The Philadelphia Story" (George Cukor, 1940).
3,105 words (approx. 12.4 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 90.95
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Abstract
The cultural relevance of the film, "The Philadelphia Story", can be found in the way the play achieved renown in the theater, in the translation of the play to film, in the way the story reflected the social order of the time, and in the way the film has spoken to generations since. The writer explains how the play was produced in 1939, the film in 1940, and at the time, the United States was emerging from the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II. It explains that the story is an escapist tale about the wealthy class, allowing the audience members to look in on a way of life they do not know directly. It also points out that the story takes place in a pre-feminist age, though it also has a feminist underpinning in the way it expresses ideas about the equality of the sexes and about the particular role for career women in the social order.
From the Paper
"In any case, Philip Barry wrote many plays which were ?glittering champagne comedies about the rich and sophisticated that managed at the same time to probe such weightier themes as the relations between men and women, rich and poor.? The Philadelphia Story tells the story of a wealthy family and the marital fortunes of the eldest daughter. The long-term appeal of the story is explained by Laura Mulvey in Freudian terms, and she offers an analysis of elements of the film on the basis of the pleasure principle. Mulvey carries her Freudian-based analysis into a different conception of the underlying tensions of the film and the themes elucidated by the interplay of characters in the structure of the story. Mulvey especially sees the film as appealing to the unconscious of the audience in terms of male/female contrasts and dichotomies, an idea extending beyond the immediate film to express a conception of the mythic nature of film as a continuing expression of male and female roles, stereotypes, and psychological states in a social setting. The characters in The Philadelphia Story can thus be seen as carrying into dramatic form the psychological tensions explained by Freudian analysis and perceived as having power as icons in society at large. In the film, the pairing of C.K. Dexter Haven and Tracy Lord contrasts with that of Connor and Elizabeth to illustrate societal expectations regarding male and female roles and the potential for women to represent castration for the male."
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"The Matrix" and the "Power of Myth", 2004.
An analysis of how the film, "The Matrix", follows the motif of a myth, as outlined by Joseph Campbell in his book, "The Power of Myth".
1,300 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how "The Matrix" is an example of a ?modern day myth? and how the format for a mythological hero story, laid out by Joseph Campbell in his "The Power of Myth", could easily be applied to many contemporary films and novels. It shows how our society?s thirst for these stories indicates something profound about human nature. Human beings want to know what is truly out there beyond the stars for they want to believe in something greater than themselves.
From the Paper
"Modern society has created an antiseptic and sterile setting for the story of human life. Neo recognizes this fact and feels that there was always something missing; there was always something not quite right. Neo is the hero of this story, and as such, the film begins with this general uneasiness in his character; a restlessness; a searching. According to Campbell the typical adventure begins with someone ?who feels there?s something lacking in the normal experiences available or permitted to the members of his society. This person then takes off on al series of adventures beyond the ordinary, either to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving elixir.? (Campbell 123). Neo soon meets Morpheus, and with his aid is reborn into the true world."
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Eastern Religion and U.S. Pop Culture, 2004.
A look at how Eastern Religion, Eastern mysticism, and magic influence the pop culture in America.
2,213 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 12 sources, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how ?Eastern religion?, also alluded to as ?Eastern mysticism? and ?mysticism? and the occult, along with magic and its many off-shoots, have had a considerable influence on American pop culture over the past few decades. It looks at how movies, books, and music all have been touched and enhanced by mysticism and its cousins.
Outline
Introduction to Eastern Religion, Eastern Mysticism and Magic
The Beatles and Transcendental Meditation: Rock Superstars Dipping into an Ancient Mysticism to find Peace in a World Drenched in Chaos and Materialism
Martin Scorsese and Eastern Mysticism
Harry Potter?s Magic as a Mystical Force in Pop Culture
From the Paper
"For many people who came of age and got into rock music in the 1960s and 1970s, and perhaps smoked some marijuana and even experimented with LSD, their interest in eastern religion and mysticism began with the Beatles? fascination with ? and association with ? the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was John Lennon and George Harrison, in particular, who embraced the Maharishi in the late 1970s and early 1980s, in the town of Rishikesh, deep in the Himalayan foothills of northern India. The media clamored for photos of the Beatles hanging out and drinking in the good vibes of this holy man in white robes who preached peace through self-awareness and higher consciousness through meditation."
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Gender and Stereotyping in Economic Organizations, 2004.
Examines the roles of gender stereotyping in organizations using the screenplay, "One Fine Day," as a case in point.
2,056 words (approx. 8.2 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
The role of women in the home and in the workplace began to change in the Twentieth Century. Women began entering the workforce in greater numbers, with the result that accepted roles in both families and organizations faced significant upheaval. The paper shows that the level of upheaval, however, is borne primarily by women, who remain burdened with the expectation that they will assume the primary responsibility for family duties, while conforming to male-dominated organizational behaviors. Despite significant gains made by women toward equality in both the workplace and the home over the past 30 years, many inequalities still exist, including wage issues, dress and deportment expectations, etc. These similarities and differences in gender and stereotypes are presented in the paper, with examples being taken from the movie, ?One Fine Day?.
From the Paper
"The one stereotype that is shared by both Melanie and Jack is that work will always take priority over family in a crunch. For both characters, each must address a critical work situation in one day while finding alternate arrangements for their respective children. At no point do either indicate that an option exists, and both comment that they will be fired if they don?t keep their respective work commitments. The underlying message is that work in America is more important than children, and this unfortunate workplace reality is shared by both men and women."
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Determinism and "Sliding Doors", 2005.
This paper defines the theory of determinism and examines how this theme is portrayed in Peter Howitt's movie, "Sliding Doors".
717 words (approx. 2.9 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 25.95
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Abstract
Determinism is an integral theme in director Peter Howitt's movie, "Sliding Doors". This paper explains how, in the movie, a small, seemingly insignificant act makes profound changes in the life of the lead character, Helen. Nonetheless, as the movie progresses, it becomes clear that some fundamental aspects of Helen's life, which are told in parallel stories, remain the same, suggesting some role for determinism.
From the Paper
"The movie, Sliding Doors, tackles the problem of determinism vs. free will head on. Sliding Doors examines two potential parallel life courses for a young British woman, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow). Helen is fired from her PR job, and goes home in the middle of the day on an underground train. In one timeline, Helen catches the train, and finds her lover, Gerry (played by John Lynch) in bed with Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn). She leaves the apartment, goes to a pub, where she runs into James (John Hannah), a young man she had spoken to on the train on the way home. Helen makes some major changes in her life and career, and begins to fall in love with James."
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"The Passion of the Christ", 2004.
A review of Mel Gibson?s film, ?The Passion of the Christ,? with a focus on the negative effects of the film.
864 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper presents a study of the scholarly and cultural ramifications of Mel Gibson?s film, ?The Passion of the Christ?. The impact of the film on New Testament studies is considered. The paper discusses the general cultural ramifications of the film.
From the Paper
"Any film concerning Christ?s passion is a combination of the four Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Gibson?s film is no exception, yet there are some points of emphasis in this particular work that may impact New Testament studies significantly. The first of these is the emphasis on the Jewish nation as sinners, rejecters of Christ and directly guilty for the crucifixion. The second is the emphasis on the brutality of Christ?s death in preference to the other elements of the salvation message, such as God?s love and Christ?s resurrection."
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?The Prince of Tides?, 2004.
Examines ethical issues in this movie based on the novel by Pat Conroy.
1,600 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper presents a plot summary of the screenplay, "The Prince of Tides," which centers around the character, Tom, who is called to New York to assist his sister?s therapist in trying to piece together the problems in his sister?s life. The paper then examines the ethical issues in the movie, especially the relationship between the therapist and Tom. It also includes a paragraph relating to the understanding of the ethical issues involved.
From the Paper
"By drawing Tom into her treatment for Savannah, she enters with him into an unspoken contract that she will take the information he has to offer, use it for her care of Savannah and do the best of her professional ability for all the individuals involved. Of all of the characters, Susan bears the most responsibility and therefore must be found to be the most culpable. When a professional begins to have personal feelings for the client, it is most appropriate for the professional to suppress these feelings and at least to arrange for transfer of the care of both the family member and the brother to another, less involved party. Beyond that, it is probably clinically inappropriate for Susan to continue her personal relationship with Tom since she comes to the relationship with the balance of power in her favor. She knows a lot about him, he does not know enough about her. She can sense his emotional pain and vulnerability and should not press that advantage."
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?Memento? and Narrative Closure, 2004.
An analysis of the movie, ?Memento? .
832 words (approx. 3.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 29.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Christopher Nolan?s motion picture, ?Memento,? is structurally in violation of the supposed commandments of filmmaking. At the beginning, the reader is introduced to ?Teddy? and ?Lenny,? the latter of whom has no short-term memory and lives in a quest to avenge his murdered wife. In particular, it looks at how the use of memory itself really functions more as an extended joke upon the viewer. It discusses how the film is a skillful deposal of the techniques of filmmaking rather than a truly satisfying narrative of either conflict or closure because it lacks psychological resonance of any kind as a story.
From the Paper
"The real drama or contest thus is not whom of these faceless and nameless harlots are the mother of the nameless infant but the one woman?s ability to redeem herself. Thus, in this sense ?Memento? is unsatisfying in a narrative form. The convoluted nature of how the narrative unfolds suggests that the individuals who ?get? what happens at the end are satisfied through intellectual understanding of the questions posed by the clever structure of the movie. But on a deeper and more emotive sense, the movie eschews any connection with the central protagonist. The man?s purported feelings for his dead wife are false?Lenny really killed her."
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Ellen DeGeneres, 2005.
A biographical look at Ellen DeGeneres and her open admission of homosexuality.
1,768 words (approx. 7.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the comedienne and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, and her candid exposure of her homosexuality. Specifically, it discusses DeGeneres and how her life has influenced the gay and lesbian community within the entertainment world.
From the Paper
"Ellen DeGeneres was born on January 26, 1958, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and spent much of her young life in the suburbs of New Orleans. She has a brother, Vance, who is four years older than she is, and grew up in a Christian Scientist family. Ellen spent her high school years in Atlanta, Texas, after her mother and father divorced and her mother moved to Atlanta. She seems to have been good at some athletics, such as tennis, and a bit heavyset. When she graduated from high school, she moved back to New Orleans and began working at a series of jobs like oyster shucking and running errands for a law firm. Her first job in comedy was as the emcee for a local club called "Clyde's Corner." She began her stand up comedy career at clubs in New Orleans, and entered the "Funniest Person in New Orleans" contest, which led to her winning the "Funniest Person in America" contest in 1982. She moved to San Francisco in 1983 to capitalize on her "Funniest Person" title, and then moved on to Los Angeles in 1986, where she worked such notable venues as The Improv."
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"The Shining", 2004.
A review of Stanley Kubrick's horror film, "The Shining," starring Jack Nicholson.
2,910 words (approx. 11.6 pages), 12 sources, MLA, $ 86.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of the film, "The Shining," exploring the dark, evil side of human nature. The psychological and supernatural aspects of this film are presented in relation to the characters. The paper describes the research the director, Kubrick, and co-author, novelist Diane Johnson, did in preparation for writing the movie script.
From the Paper
"There is another type of horror film that is even more disturbing to one?s psyche. Instead of a horrible brute or alien, this movie is about ?normal? people who are part of everyday life. They just happen to be serial killers, sadists, sociopaths and monsters in their own right. The main characters in Psycho, Silence of the Lamb and One Hour Photo are examples of such individuals. One of the best representations of this genre has to be The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson, ?Here?s Johnny,? doing his best imitation of evil. By the end of the film, the moviegoers are beyond the edge of their seats. This movie exemplifies a true ?tale of the irrational? that highlights something dark existing in human nature, similar to what happens to the main character Jack Torrance."
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Law and Justice in Literature and Film, 2004.
An analysis of how the issues of law and justice are presented in works by Martin Cruz Smith, William Shakespeare, Karl Marx, and the film, "Casablanca".
1,275 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
The 1980?s crime novel, "Gorky Park", by Cruz Smith, Shakespeare?s ?problem? play, ?Measure for Measure,? Marx and Engels's political manifesto, ?The Communist Manifesto?, and the World War II Warner Brothers motion picture, ?Casablanca?, all ask, at their respective narrative and philosophical hearts, the fundamental human question: What is justice? The paper shows that all grapple with the issue of how best to create a truly just society rather than one that is only superficially just. They ask, for example, whether just men and women or a just system of laws produce fair and equitable societies. Also, whether a fair code of laws or good people attempting to do what is right within any particular moral context is more important. The paper shows that, despite having been produced during different times and for different purposes, these four works form a textual unit that may be analyzed as argument by the critically inquisitive reader. Taken as a whole, this package of textual materials argues that the formulaic construction of law and government are meaningless, and the acts of good human beings alone can construct a truly just society.
From the Paper
"Marx and Engels called upon the reader, the member of the working proletariat, to respond to the text out of the outrage of his or her unjust experiences within the capitalist systems. The system must be changed, these authors counsel the reader. However, even these supreme advocates of systemic rather than personal and psychological change, must call forth within the reader a sense of sustained emotional outrage within his or her breast, without which no change would be possible. ?All that we want to do away with is the miserable character of this appropriation, under which the laborer lives merely to increase capital, and is allowed to live only in so far as the interest of the ruling class requires it.? (Chapter 2)"
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Feminism in Film, 2004.
Examines themes of feminism in the film"Psycho" , directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and Anne Sexton's poem, ?Briar Rose: Sleeping Beauty?.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 53.95
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Abstract
Both ?Briar Rose: Sleeping Beauty? by Anne Sexton and Alfred Hitchcock?s 1960 film, ?Psycho?, were constructed during relatively similar times in American history. This paper shows that, in terms of their theoretical construction in regards to feminism, these two works of art seem to come from completely different eras. The country or time of Sexton?s imagination takes the myth of Briar Rose, the name of Sleeping Beauty, and creates an articulation of initially subjugated, childhood, female silence that must be resolved through active female empowerment in marital adulthood. On the other hand, the paper shows that ?Psycho? begins with a journey of female empowerment that ends with the female?s demise.
From the Paper
"This desire to expiate herself of Crane?s guilt, of course, renders her unintentionally naked and vulnerable. Crane unintentionally lays herself open to being first watched by the voyeuristic eye of Norman Bates through a peephole, which the viewer involuntarily participates in. Crane becomes the target of his hidden, sexual rage. Then, she enters the final sleep of death at the end of her journey in the film, while Briar Rose ends Sexton?s poem with the desire to awaken from the limits of her feminine existence, the curtailing influence of marriage and home life."
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?They Shoot Horses. Don't They??, 2004.
A comparison of the book, ?They Shoot Horses. Don't They?? by Horace McCoy, with the movie version.
1,587 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
The paper talks about the comparison between the 1930?s novel, ?They Shoot Horses, Don?t They??, and the film with the same title, which adapted the storyline written by Horace McCoy. It explains how the novel deals with the issue of the Great Depression and how the movie, created at a later date, softens the image of this period.
From the Paper
"With its structure, storyline and expression the novel can be stated to be giving a murky glance at both, human disposition and human psychology. To say the least this is fast moving, atrocious crime novel. These elements are exposed through the participation of ?Couple 22? in a marathon dance contest being held in the state of California. The competition turns out to be a symbol of the severe and relentless drudge and toil of real life."
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