The Purge Movies (The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, and The Purge: Election Year) are a collection of dystopian horror films that have drawn in millions of viewers. Analyze the popularity of the films and relate them to today's reality (the US government, government officials, corrupt leaders, etc.) Discuss the fantasy that the films illustrate and why they are so popular in today's society.
I think people find so much interest in the Purge movies because they present a legitimately plausible dystopic future. The Hunger Games could be a nice comparison. Although "it could happen" too, there are a lot more steps that would need to be taken. Is the Purge more realistic than most other American dystopias? – Slaidey8 years ago
I think this is a very interesting topic. It would be even more so if you could address the link between the opposing components of American culture of "law and order" and "breaking the law". Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn both wrote a lot about law and justice conflicting and anarchism. How does this translate into the popularity of The Purge? Are these movies's popularity symptomatic of a wind of rebellion? Why does society opposes anarchism so much, and yet loves these movies? There is something really interesting to do with this idea. – Léandre Larouche8 years ago
I believe that society; well American society has become so addicted to this survivor of the fittest ideology that if you are not fit to survive you are just a waste. I am slowly starting to see more Tv shows and movies portray this idea that everyone needs to get into fighting shape. For instance The Walking Dead. This show is produced by AMC, although like every other zombie/ virus movie this show truly teaches to the value of keeping in shape and illustrating the importance of knowing how to survive. – Karolyn118 years ago
The new movie "Bad Moms" starring Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell focuses on the many pressures of mothers in today's society and how hard it is to be a so called "good mom". The characters struggle to keep up with work, keeping a house, the PTA and raising their kids. Analyze the characters in the film and how or if the movie accurately represents the role of mother's in today's society. Discuss the many pressures on mothers today and how a mother's role is very different than it had been in previous decades.
Very good topic! In today's society there is an increase in divorce rates as well as single mothers who have to provide food, emotional, mental support for the family, and provide financial support as well. There is a strain on the mother especially if she is alone and does not have any additional support. I would not call it bad mothering but how has the expectations of a mother today differ than in the 1900's-1980's. – hwm52118 years ago
This is definitely a relevant topic in today's age, especially given the many double standards mothers and women, in general, face. – padmatat8 years ago
Analyze the difference of how chick flicks portray women in the early 2000s vs how they portay women now. The focus will be on the relationships they are apart of and how they interact with men and other women.
I really like the idea of this topic. The cultural differences between the early 2000s and now should also be included to further analyze the differences in how women are portrayed in chick flicks. A difference in cultural norms could explain why women are portrayed differently. – TaylorNCampbell8 years ago
You can compare a marylin Monroe chik flick to a chik flick today. – asd52618 years ago
In terms of how women look from the past to now, I think it's important to add how women were seen as stay at home moms doing just family stuff early on and now they are shown in a career type role in a love story. They are seen as more independent now looking for love where as before dependent on a man looking for love. – Mal4158 years ago
Definitely, the world surrounding romantic comedies has changed vastly from the urban dating landscape of the '90s/early 2000's era, with the assertive women of Sex and the City and Sandra Bullock rom-coms, to the increasingly complex films and tv shows of recent years. I think a recent trend has been that of movies focused on men and women trying, and failing, to just be friends. We have almost gotten to the post-romance era. In the film How to Be Single, the female lead, torn between multiple men, finally ends up with... no one. And this seems to be a culturally acceptable story ending now, the anti-romance. This would be a very interesting exploration! – Claire8 years ago
I wish this topic was one which was talked about more often. The "chick flicks" have changed so much over the past years. You should analyze how woman are starting to be portrayed differently and are starting to become more independent. – sabrinakasymov8 years ago
I like this topic very much. There is definitely a difference in how women are portrayed in film then versus now and much of that can be seen in chick flicks. I feel as though chick flicks in the early 2000's were centered around "cat fights" between two girls fighting for the same guy in an immature and demeaning manner. The chick flicks today center more around pressing issues that women face that can be taken more seriously. – samriley8 years ago
I usually assume that all chick flicks are the same so I love this idea! It will be interesting to see chick flicks analyzed as a respected genre, rather than some to cry and eat ice cream to. – nicodipas8 years ago
You should try the Bechdel test on early chick flicks versus modern ones. I would guess that there are significantly more films from this decade that pass the test. – Amanda8 years ago
Hindi cinema, or "Bollywood," is one of the world's largest and widely viewed film industries, churning out over 1,000 films every year. However, despite its wide reach and highly commercial appeal, Bollywood has yet to crack the American popular market. Why might this be? What facets of Hindi cinema might turn away an American audience? How might a Bollywood film market itself to an American audience?
You read my mind in suggesting this topic. Crossovers and adaptations to new markets are always interesting. I want to write this topic!
Munjeera – Munjeera9 years ago
Thank you for your note, Munjeera! I can't wait to see what you write! – sophiacatherine9 years ago
Most people don't know well other cultured movies are an mostly associated bollywood with its music. It should really expand on that as well as the plot and type of character-use it has when it comes to their movies in their country. – cjeacat8 years ago
From movies like "Air Force One" and "Independence Day" to the Tom Clancy movies to more modern productions like "The Kingsmen," show how the President of the United States has been shown in movies. How has the role of the President changed over time, and does it reflect the changes in the political climate at the time?
"White House Down" features Jamie Foxx as our first Black President who has plenty of smarts and guts to help overthrow an invasion of home grown terrorists. In November 2015 a TV documentary, "Lincoln: American Mastermind" exposed the myth of "Honest Abe" and the skulduggery of Lincoln's campaign manager and staff. Lincoln was a "master politician, clever tactician, and skilled manipulator, bending men to his will." He was all about getting elected. This was broadcast less than a week before most of our presidential primaries. – Lorraine8 years ago
You could also use tv shows such as Scandal. – asd52618 years ago
Love this topic. We have always been obsessed with adulating our president in film with predominantly in positive portrayals. However it would be very interesting to note minute differences between these positive portrayals- how personal to the stories get? Is our president sensitive or stoic? Would be interesting to see how the presidential portrayal changes after this race... – AndyJanz8 years ago
9/11 was the most devastating terror attack on American soil, and consequently its repercussions are still felt 15 years later. Examine how 9/11 influenced American media, in both the immediate aftermath and more long-term reflections. Don't focus just on films and TV shows about 9/11, but look more at how it informed film aesthetics, story-lines, and how we depict terrorism and political issues in film and television (e.g., how depictions of destruction changed in the advent of 9/11, analyzing the 9/11-like imagery of films such as Spielberg's War of the Worlds, and the DC Cinematic Universe). Focus on specific themes these films tackle in the wake of 9/11, such as PTSD, fear of the unknown threat, and, again, the proper response to terrorism.
This is a hugely broad topic. Is there a way to narrow this down? As it stands, this could be like at least five or six different articles. I could write one just on Spiderman. – Christen Mandracchia8 years ago
This topic is a good one, but it covers a lot of ground. I would focus on just a certain movie or just include some of the films and TV shows from the years right after 9/11. There have been a lot of movies and TV shows that display the affects of 9/11 in the past 15 years. – TaylorNCampbell8 years ago
I've witnessed a lot of Internet arguments and debates in my day, but one hotly contested topic I've never understood is the admiration and isolation of Hoosiers. If you say anything remotely negative about it, people jump down your throat faster than you can say "triangle offense." My question is why? To me, Hoosiers is boring, Gene Hackman's character isn't even remotely likeable, the team's players are garbage both dimensionally and hoops-wise (minus Jimmy Chitwood, I guess), and it doesn't even focus on the more compelling team: South Bend. Analyze why Hoosiers still stands the test of time for so many people, and why it should still be considered required viewing for sports fans.
I think the writer should show how the movie emphasizes teamwork while at the same time giving Chitwood a second chance. Even the coach even gets a second chance after hitting a player years before. Is there a contradiction? Should Chitwood have gotten a second chance? What does that say about teamwork? When Chitwood rejoined the team did winning then become the only thing? Was the coach the anti-Wooden, a coach who never told his players to win, but to do their best? And, speaking of anti-Wooden - who sat his Indiana State team for the 1946 NAIA tournament because it barred his lone African American player - is Hoosiers racist? – Tigey8 years ago
Which movie or movies show(s) the most realistic human aging? What makes the portrayal of the aging process especially realistic or effective? Besides physical changes, what psychological, mental, or spiritual changes are shown in the film(s)? What, if any, abilities lost with youth are most dearly missed?
The first film that came to mind after reading this topic was Mr. Holmes starring Ian McKellen. It does a fantastic job showing how someone like Sherlock Holmes, famous for his sharp intellect, also must eventually deal with the challenges of old age, specifically memory loss. – KennethC8 years ago
Interesting topic. Some films that come to mind: Burn After Reading (the Coen brothers' ode to aging), Up (an all around perfect film, that forces its audience - comprised predominantly of children - to confront mortality in its first fifteen minutes), While We're Young (a heartwarming indie flick about middle age), and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (not exactly "realistic" per se, but examines the subject well and seriously drives home the point of "youth is wasted on the young"). – ProtoCanon8 years ago
Kenneth, your comment makes me think of Flowers for Algernon where the intellectual drop-off for a genius is sharper than for an average person. I know that's a special case, but wonder if it's generally true. ProtoCanon, I saw that someone had written either an article or a topic regarding unusual aging (I think), and it included Benjamin Button, Eric Roth's Forrest Gump part two, in my opinion. I also love Up. If you like music, Bob Dylan's "Highlands" - an ode to longing for youth - will steal 16 minutes of your brief life in what seems like five. It'll also bring a whole new meaning to hard-boiled eggs and an artist's pencil. – Tigey8 years ago
Perhaps I'm biased because I've been thinking of this film A LOT lately, but I'm fascinated with the representation of age and mental health portrayed in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" Obviously, this film is quite dramatic given it's both a psychological thriller and from the 60's, however, its dedication to representing the damaging effects of untreated mental illness is inspired. Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were in their 50's at the time, and neither was cinched, glamorized, or portrayed too empathetically; indeed, both of them were, through makeup and wardrobe, pushed to their frumpiest. Although I'm sure Simone de Beauvior would have something to say about the connection of age and madness or age and disgust (a la her book, "The Coming of Age"), the film pulls no stops examining how haggard these sisters have become after exceptionally rough lives, both due to the unfairness of their childhood and their choices as adults. – Kitty Davies8 years ago
Kitty, that's a whole new angle on the topic: dysfunctional child is father to the dysfunctional man and how that accelerates aging. Our choices live past our deaths through our survivors. It's easy for me to blame ancestors for the poor choices I make today, but not easy to determine how much of my stuff is really their stuff, and how much is my own lack of character. It's important to choose the right parents. – Tigey8 years ago
What do you mean by "realistic aging"? Every person ages differently. – T. Palomino2 years ago
