In both of their respective texts, Marjorie Garber and Roger Baker discuss the ever-increasing prevalence of “transvestism” (or what is modernly known as “drag”) in popular American culture. Although the American public typically disapproves of individuals blurring the boundaries of gender, the use of cross-dressing as entertainment has generally been embraced and met with great acclaim. In Vested Interests: Cross-Dressing and Cultural Anxiety, Garber argues that films like Tootsie (1982) is significant in that it portrays a heterosexual man living as a woman. While many enjoyed the movie believing that Tootsie was commentary on the relationship between men and women, Garber claims that the film is actually about transvestism. To ignore this…
In the television show Suits, Mike Ross is a college dropout with an impeccable memory that has allowed him to pass the bar exams multiple times without attending law school. He can smooth talk his way through anything, including an interview for a high end law firm in New York City. Mike went to a hotel to drop off a briefcase filled with marijuana but noticed there were undercover cops looking for him. He slipped into an open room and quickly realized he entered a Harvard law graduate interview. Having passed the bar exam, Mike walks into the interview and wows Harvey Specter, a top-notch lawyer conducting the interviews. Harvey takes a gamble, hiring Mike as his new associate. Both Harvey and Mike cover up the fact that not only did Mike not graduate from Harvard law, but he isn’t a legitimate lawyer.…
“Inconceivable!” Stated Wallace Shawn in The Princess Bride. This amazing cinematography was written by William Goldman. This cinema is a lovely fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman named Buttercup and her true love Westley. He must find her after a long separation and save her. In this classic film, they have to battle the evils of a mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. The Princess Bride is based on William Goldman’s novel.…
In the movie, Bridegroom, there were many cultural differences aroused throughout the entire movie. Shane Bitney Crone struggled at a young age with anxiety from the fact of the acceptance that he was gay. He was afraid that no one would accept him for being this way, and everyone would look down upon him. His mother was his biggest supporter; she was there to pick him up when the kids at school shamed him for being attracted to guys. Also, his sisters and father played a huge role in his support team. Throughout the years until he graduated high school, he struggled with finding the acceptance of who he was, and where he belonged in this world. Little did he know that in another state a boy was struggling as well,…
Stunning scenes of landscapes, trees, and clouds fill the scenes of The Revenant. Snow fills the open-void of the wilderness and sunlight bleeds through the spaces between the tall, dark trees. The camera mainly focuses on Hugh Glass as he attempts to take his revenge upon John Fitzgerald, who murdered Hugh’s son. The camera pans smoothly during calm shots of vistas and nature, while the camera rapidly shakes during the intense attacks of the Native Americans. Rivers flow smoothly, and in some shots, Hugh’s fearful, beaten face fills the frame as he struggles to evade the threats of Native Americans. The contrasting nature of the scenes in The Revenant is effective in immersing the viewers in the environment, portraying a message of conservation, and developing a captivating, simplistic storyline.…
In the movie The Rookie, directed by John Lee Hancock, the director tells a story about a high school baseball coach from Texas named Jimmy Morris. Morris’s dream throughout his life was to make it to the big leagues and play with the very best in the game. He faced multiple challenges that tried to hold him back from his dream. One of the challenges he faced was his dad, his father disapproved of him playing baseball and didn’t support him playing at a young age. Another big challenge was the town Morris’s family moved to, they didn’t care for baseball and there was nowhere to play. In the end, an injury ended his career and he knew it was time to give it up. Eventually, Morris got married and had three children,…
This analysis will examine the following focal points, panopticism, scoptophilic instincts, and visual pleasure. First, the analysis will examine panopticism in relation to embedded “secret politics” within the film, The Day I Became a Woman. Second, the analysis will compare both scoptophilic instinct with visual pleasure.…
The film "The Castle" presents us with a representation of an Australian family. Most people would agree however that they are not a typical family. A few of the reasons is, for this is that there is no such thing as a typical family, roles have changed and people are not so community minded as shown in the film.…
Film has proven to be a medium through which society frames its expectations of gender performance and derives its accepted societal norms. This paper will call attention to how “chick flicks”, and in particular how the sub-genre of makeover films influence how women are expected to portray their femininity. The Devil Wears Prada is a perfect example of a makeover film within the chick flick genre. The “chick flick” genre is often described as movies that are meant to serve as entertainment for women that examine independent and self-sufficient heroines that portray female empowerment. Within the “chick flick”…
Film and television has taken over the world we live in, becoming one of the most popular ways for different personalities to express their stories in local and worldwide settings. Film allows auteurs to capture the essence of time, emotional circumstances and cultural differences in order to create stories that linger in the minds of their audiences. In particular, this is demonstrated in Australian film. Historically, Australian film tends to explore the cultural difficulties associated between Indigenous and ‘white’ Australia. The relationship between these two very different cultures is showcased in the early years of film in an incredibly marginalised, stereotypical fashion, often portraying Indigenous Australians as mysterious, mythical…
Through this essay, I will attempt to examine various codes and character portrayals that contribute to the representation of women within the domain of film fiction. My intention is to review exactly how women are represented and investigate whether fictional characters play a part in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Laura Mulvey will be intermittently mentioned as a pioneering figure of feminist film theory, her discourse will be applied and challenged within the following pages.…
In conclusion, the costumes used in the film The Young Victoria have a significant meaning and impact on the film. While there is the element of appealing to the audience for the director to consider, this paper reveals that there is more meaning to the costume choices than just appealing to the audience. Rather, the director chose the ornate and revealing costumes of Victoria and the other women to show the disparity of power between individuals. This helps the audience unconsciously grasp the significance of certain characters, particularly Victoria, and her eventual rise to…
In the movie “Bernie”, we follow the story and between a Carthage, Texas funeral director Bernie Tiede, and his co-dependent relationship with a wealthy widow, Marjorie Nugent. As “Bernie” unfolds, we see the companionship turn for the worse as Ms. Nugent’s ill-temper causes Bernie to snap – and lands her dead in her freezer. This movie brings up some questions, specifically regarding image. After analysis, the question I keep coming back to is “Was Bernie genuine and sincere? Or was it all a façade?” Although Bernie committed a horrible crime, I believe the answer to this question is “yes”- Bernie was a genuine man.…
Summary: Discusses the Australian film, The Castle. Explores how Australia is depicted in the film. Provides a plot summary.…
The Glass Menagerie is a play of a family who is incredibly unstable. The play is about many other things, however the childlike minds of the main characters are a main point of the film. Each character of the film is caught within their own fantasy. Their inability to stay in reality hurts each character differently. Restoration is not actually attained in this film, however there was a desire from the mother, Amanda, for restoration. This movie is not a good depiction of restoration because no restoration actually takes place. A simple definition of restoration is putting things back to the way they were. Laura has always been aloof and crippled, and Tom never seemed to be interested in the reality in front of him so there is nothing to put back. Amanda is however trying to recreate her youth through the many reminiscing’s of her past the forcing of Laura to get gentlemen callers, and the nagging of Tom to stay home are Amanda’s way of trying to seek restoration. Although incredibly flawed, Amanda does try her best for the people she loves, Tom and Laura. Her feeble attempts at restoration only show that care that she has for her family even though her the way she shows it is flawed.…