Mirrors are often used as a tool to reflect upon the self. They refract a different image of ourselves, of an ideal or pensive self. Sometimes mirrors are used to start a reflection on acting and taking on a different role. Think about Hamlet. Or Anna Magnani in Bellissima. There are loads of examples in theatre and film , worth looking at, and even visual arts and paintings that interrogate this idea and asks us to take part in this reflection. Would be good to look at some of the philosophical implications and theories too.
I think Black Swan would be a great example to look at through the lens of Freud's notion of a "doppelganger" or "the double" and the way the film uses mirrors to reflect it. – CriticalOtaku9 years ago
"Spring Breakers" was given mixed reviews by audiences. Many thought that it was a work of art– genius, even. Others found it to be lacking in story and actual content. What are your thoughts on the movie? What made it good? What made it bad?
If I was to write this topic, then I would focus more on its cons. Spring Breakers comes across as an exploitative action film. Another idea could be to compare/contrast Spring Breakers with Baise Moi, as to which is truly a feminist film. – Ryan Errington9 years ago
Spring Breakers is an amazing experiment in cinematic explotation. SB is a movie where every trailer made it look like a skin filled party movie. Billed as the movie where Selena Gomez "breaks bad". Instead after getting all these (for lack of a better term) meat-head like people into the theatres the director reveals this film that is nothing like that. The film opens up with a traditional "spreak break pan" showing attractive young people having a good time in mexico repleate with alcohol and nudity and then for the rest of the movie you never go back to that. It's just hanging there never to be addressed again. As far as Selena Gomez goes she plays the religiously Christian girl who fights every step of evil they take AND she's the first one to leave. The most scandalous thing she did in the movie was wear a bikini to my recollection. The movie is violent, there's drugs and sex. But unlike giving the director a blow job to maintain his artistic vision [not porn. title escapes me at the moment] I left spring breakers feeling like there was an artistic and subversive goal behind everything. It's not the movie I was expecting by far. I would have watched it by myself instead of suggesting it with my friends had I known but I thought it was a surprisingly good movie. – wolfkin9 years ago
After discussing the film with several other film students, I have discovered that most people believe the film to be amazing (genius, even). I do believe that it has it's merits, however I believe that the story is lacking. The constant slow-motion of boobs and butts is distracting and objectifying to women. "Spring Break" does not accurately portray the spring break season and goes off-road from any inkling of a story. What are your thoughts on the matter?
I actually wasn't too impressed by Spring Breakers. I found it to be excessively crass. I would however, like to see someone change my mind! – Luke Stephenson9 years ago
Analyze how film portrays success by using examples. Explain why these takes on success are important and correlate to the rest of the film.
I think it's important to clarify what one means by "success" because it's such a subjective term. Is it happiness? Is it career advancement? Or is that what you're trying to get at how films take on? – Helen Parshall9 years ago
Are you describing successful characters and what makes them seem successful to the audience? Are you comparing these descriptions of success to society? – nicolewethington9 years ago
Many times artwork comes across amateurish. This has been ongoing since the beginning of time. Are there films that have made it to the big screen that got more attention than they should have? Did these film concepts appear as something you could've easily created yourself?
Whoever picks this up should choose the direction they decide to take this one wisely. There are a lot of places a topic this broad could go. From the original description, it looks like the Lauren is looking for a list-type article, but I think an analysis of how individual "amateurish" films got big would be appropriate, as well as an examination of the trend as a whole. – Austin10 years ago
Michael Bay would be a good example here. – Luke Smith9 years ago
Perhaps "Unfriended" would be a good film to analyze? Films that lack actual content. I agree with Luke, Michael Bay would be a great director to discuss. His films tend to lack an actual story and are fluffed up with explosions, fight scenes, and unnecessary romantic interests (*cough* Megan Fox *cough*). – nicolewethington9 years ago
Maybe this should be expanded to other genres. As its premise started with "art" I know that the annoying Orange is my biggest pet peeve. Maybe it even raises homicidal thoughts in me. Perhaps looking at how some of these amateurish process are low budget with lie overhead edging allows companies to see better profit margins much like "Reality TV" trends to Jane lower cost then scripted dramas. – fchery9 years ago
Disney has been unstoppable in recent years, not only do they own Marvel Studios and Pixar but they recently bought LucasFilm thus buying Star Wars. How may other studios combat their domination? Is there hope for a more diverse film landscape?
Interesting topic! I can't actually think of any kids' movies that aren't Disney. It'd be worth digging up some non-Disney examples to compare/contrast. – Jessica Marie Farrugia9 years ago
This is an absolutely terrifying topic. Terrifying in that it is a really good idea and extremely relevant. I hope someone writes this. It would be nice for the writer to explore the possible corrupt greed of this corporate entity over the sacrifice of art and distinct identity forms. – Starvix Draxon9 years ago
Sofia Coppola is set to direct a live-action version of The Little Mermaid, apparently complete with all the gruesome details from the original stories. These kinds of myths are often much more bloody than their disney (and similar) adaptations let on – are there any other horrific fairy tales that deserve an uncensored adaptation?
I believe most of them need to be viewed in a different way. It would be interesting to have a look at Coppola's previous films. I always thought there was something quite 'fairytaley' about Virgin Suicides for example, or Marie Antoinette. It's in the style, the characters' psychology and the sets/colours. Would be interesting to examine that closely – Rachel Elfassy Bitoun9 years ago
In the last few months I've seen different adaptations of Grimm fairy tales and I've been upset that they aren't as true to form. I want to see something like the original Cinderella tale in movie form, or any other Disney created movie turned into it's original form. Snow White, Rapunzel, any other "princess" movie needs an uncensored adaptation. – KatrinaRose18169 years ago
Movie trailers are often criticized by audiences for giving away too much of the movie, potentially revealing major events or spoilers before the film's release, and nowhere is this more exemplary than the backlash received by Terminator Genisys's second trailer. However, around that same time, a teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered and received wide critical acclaim for building on excitement without revealing too much. These two trailers beg an important question: how much should Hollywood trailers show to audiences?
Excellent topic! I always feel that trailers should at least tell us what the movie is about. But I don't feel like the Force Awakens really told me anything. Whereas I felt I knew what Terminator Genisys is about. I think it would be a good idea to approach this from the perspective of someone who doesn't go to the movies very often. Like what would get them to see this movie from said trailer. – Cagney9 years ago
It would also be interesting to see how this concept varies across genre. Action versus thriller versus drama, etc. So, I'd encourage anyone who takes up this topic to at least explore trailers from different genres to see if there is a difference in what is being shown. – BethanyS9 years ago
Great topic! It really bugs me when trailers get sloppy and just blend a whole bunch of scenes that give it all away... I think trailers should be put together with artistry - to tantalise the viewer! – Jessica Marie Farrugia9 years ago
Actually I like it when a trailer reveals information, so long as it doesn't spoil the film. Often times I find trailers to be extremely misleading and even a turn-off at times. – Starvix Draxon9 years ago
