The Godfather

1 In class we spoke of how The Godfather set the bar for mobster movies. Every mob film since then has copied or used actions taken directly from the film. It also introduced the audience to a new way of looking at the bad guys. We now see their back stories. We see that they have family and morals and this makes them likeable. Through this they gain sympathy and understanding. 

2 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/godfatherhowe.htm

The article speaks of how tightly knit the family is in this movie, how each member plays a significant role, from the hot head older brother to the lawyer adopted brother to the youngest who is not to be involved with the family business. 

The article continues with how Coppola thought that his movie was just another movie. He had no idea that it would be such an influential peace of cinema. From the editing, the score, and even the set design had been use in one way or another in other gangster movie replicas.

On the surface the movie was about mobsters but beneath the crime life was a story about capitalism, family, greed, love and America as a whole.

3 The Godfather was a clear staple to American cinema and helped identify what a gangster film is. Since that movies conception no other mob film has come close in sense of story, attitude, unity, and all around success. Tony Montana and Jimmy the Gent would have never come to be if it weren’t for Don Corleone. 

4 My Review: This movie is the pinnacle of mob movies. Though long it is worth the wait. There is never a dull moment. There is action fused with logic. There is a strategy to every move the “family” makes and nothing is left in vain. Vengeance and respect go hand in hand with this movie. It is the most honorable crime family to date. The second movie is also good but stay clear from the third.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

A Clockwork Orange

1 Our professor spoke on how Stanley Kubrick did everything except write the book the movie was based on. He directed, wrote the screen play, and produced the movie. Because of this he was able to really immerse himself in his projects and make sure everything was to his liking. 

2 http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-clockwork-orange-1972

The article talks about how the main character, Alex, is a rapist and criminal but for no simple reason. It’s not his parents.  It is not due to his environment or peers. From his liking of classical music, in particular Beethoven, to his actions and decisions are not influenced buy no one but the director. The only reason he is like this is because it fits the story and nothing more. But what can be expected if it is loosely based of the book. 

3 The discussion in class tells me that Stanley Kubrick was practically in charge of everything.  The article leads me to believe that there is no reason for the character being the way he is but only because he fits the story. The makes me think there is no real point to the movie.  

4 My Review: the character is not likeable. He gives you no reason to like him. He isn’t an anti hero, a hero or even a likable villain. He doesn’t give you a sense of sympathy for his predicament. He is just simply scum. There is no sense of justice to come to anyone in this story. The movie could pass for a documentary because of its lack of anything, THE LIFE OF ALEX as told through the eyes of STANLEY KUBRICK. There is barely drama, no real action, not a comical movie in the slightest, and only to cynics could one consider the rape as romance.  The movie is simply bad. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

The big Sleep

1 The Big Sleep is categorized as film noir. It is a style that emphasized cynical attitudes and sexual motives in crime dramas. These types of movies were prevalent between the 1940’s and the 1950’s. Associated with film noir is low-key lighting and the classic black and white style of the film from back then.

2 http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/45/The-Big-Sleep/articles.html

The article speaks on how the movie was a crime drama to the core. It was a very complicated woven story with intricate details that left most confused yet still enticed. According to the article, “Chandler (the writer of book that the movie was based on) claimed that Hawks (Producer/Director) even sent him a telegram, wanting to know who had committed one of the murders.” None of that matters though, because the dialogue and love story is enough to entertain and distract from the movies faults.

The film had gone through some changes throughout its conception. For example, in an effort to bring forth the raunchy attitudes that made Lauren Bacall a star, the director brought in Julius Epstein to write and add to the story. This was seen in the scene between her and Bogart and they are having a clear double-entendre conversation about horseback riding.

3 This movie pushed the boundary in regards to themes that weren’t allowed in movies at those times. The movie was very explicit and both the article and conversation in class covered that. It was high in sexual innuendos such as Humphrey Bogart and the ACME book store clerk having the book store closed for the afternoon, or the conversation about riding horseback.

4 Sexuality is woven into the drama as if they were meant to be, and it clearly shows that they were. Humphrey Bogart plays his role as a detective while not missing a beat to flatter, insult, or wittily make comments to and about anyone with showing remorse no matter what the scenario. He is as quick with the mouth as he is with the hand.

Lauren Bacall plays her role well also. She is a temptress, yet has wit of her own… almost as if she is the female counter part to Bogart’s role. The two of them make the film work because the story had me confused, yet it still kept me entertained and enthralled. Over all it’s a good movie and has great replay value… especially if you actually want to comprehend the story more.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

The Graduate

1: The movie, The Graduate, was directed by Mike Nichols and is based on the book by Charles Webb. The movie had positive reviews upon release and received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screen Play.

 2 http://www.newrepublic.com/article/120348/stanley-kauffmann-reviews-mike-nichols-graduate

According to the review, at the time the movie pushed boundaries when it came to the bedroom scenes and the language used. The reviewer, Stanley Kauffmann, describes it as “daring, let alone opportunistic”.  The plot of the movie, as seen through Dustin Hoffman’s performance, is well executed. His character seems to be the type of person who clearly has no clue of what he wants to do with his life. He has parents and his parents' friends telling him what to do. Every time he tries to get away, he can’t. He tries to make good moral calls but fails when he has the affair with Mrs. Robinson. He then tries to redeem himself by coming clean with the woman he really wants to be with, her daughter. It sets up for an interesting story.

Stanley’s only criticism was camera placement.

3 My Review: The movie was ok. Personally, I thought that Dustin Hoffman’s performance was stale and the character he played seems to be too much of a pushover, although I can somewhat understand this because of the time period the movie was shot. The soundtrack of the movie made sense due to the songs and the clever placement of the lyrics in the song. At times it seemed that the same three songs were over used, leading me to dislike the movie all together. I agree with the critic’s thoughts on the camera placement, but to go even further, the transitions did not flow very well. At times, I was lost on the literal direction the film was going. The movement of the camera in reference to transitions was hard to follow.  Also, it could be that his artistic approach just completely went over my head, but the whole “focusing on a background object after something dramatic happened and the characters walk of screen” didn’t seem artistic and if it was supposed to emphasize something… it didn’t, for me at least.

The movie is watchable! But enjoyable? To each their own.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Gone with the Wind

1 In class we spoke of the role of African Americans during this time period. They were predominantly viewed as slaves and portrayed a lovable innocent helper or a low class citizen with poor grammar and lower intelligence. Those roles typically depicted the way white people view blacks instead of their true nature. In Gone with the Wind, the African American role is a clear example of this.

2 http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/12/01/the-problem-with-gone-with-the-wind/

The article basically talks about how the movie, and book it is based off of, have a strong emphasis of women power. The movie is filled with strong women who though want men clearly do not need them. The other main point of the article is to show how racist the views of white people were then. Their depiction on the African American is as a whole in the eyes of the Caucasian man and women was much eschewed of the black’s character.

3 The discussion in class and article clear state the how racist the movies mind set is. Think about the time the movie was made.  1939 when the civil war was about to go down, not only that but the majority of the movie takes place in the south. There is nothing more that could be expected from the film. It is a love story with undertones of racism.

4 MY REVIEW: so long it had an intermission. The story is about a woman that loves what she can’t have and if she doesn’t get it someone close to her dies. Two dead husbands, both parents dyeing, and a dead daughter all lead up to the best quote in the movie, “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.” Given by her third husband right before he leaves her. This quote summarizes my feeling towards the flick. I don’t really understand its significance in the development of today’s film unless it was just a formula of what not to do.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Stagecoach

1. In class we discussed how stagecoach, directed by John Forn, was the movie that made the western genre popular. It was the role that popularized John Wayne.

2. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91227/Stagecoach/articles.html
The article describes John Fords relationship with the cast of the movie. For the most part he was hard on them. He would call Andy Devine a big tub of lard and gave other cast members verbal abuse. Wayne received some of it but would use it to give a stronger performance. Despite Ford's relationship with many of the cast members, he would become friends with the Navajo Indians. he would cast them as the Apache warriors of this film as well as cast them in other indigenous roles in other films.
The article also described John Wayne's acting in the flick. Though this was the role that put John Wayne on the map, he wasn't paid very much. The main thing that got him recognize was his reactions to other characters. He would be able say everything with his reactions and showed his engagement in the conversation with his facial expressions.

3. While watching the film I didn't quite understand why it was held in such high regards. After understanding that it was a follow up to what had primarily been silent films, I understood. The film had action, a love interest, and decent story. A drunk doctor, a misunderstood prostitute , a lovable outlaw, and a few others make up a group of people headed on a journey filled with danger and obstacles. Through out the experience, though the came from different backgrounds, they came to understand and care fro each other a bit more. Pre reading the article, I hadn't understood why Wayne's role was so well loved but now looking back I realized it wasn't what he was say but his overall performance that made him so good at what he did.

4. For being such an old movie the film had great action. Thinking that those actors had no stunt men is amazing. The scene with the man falling between the six horses and going under the buggy with no injuries would make an actor of todays status second guess the role. The amount of Indians being thrown from horses without the use of CGI is impressive. With all the action the, the movie's plot does not suffer. The love interest between an outlaw and prostitute carries out well, he cares not of her prostituting past nor does she of his criminal ways. He simply sees that she is a gentle person with a kind heart and that is good enough. The drunk adds humor while the Indians with guns add danger. The movie had great transitions and camera work leaving me with a clear understanding of the direction of the film. For a black and white western, this movie satisfied most if not all of what was to be expected.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (x  ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (  x) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (  x) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.