Looking at 1990s Hong Kong in Wong Kar-Wai’s Chungking Express and modern-day Iran in Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation, I examine each film through the country it’s based in, how it sets the scene for the daily lives of the characters and interacts with the plot at hand.
McLovin' turned 30 this year and to celebrate we're taking a look back at the success of Superbad.
One of the most important film schools in the history of cinema and of the cultural industry, Soviet cinema showed the world the power of the arts and shaped film techniques as we know it today. Here is some of that history and its legacy for all filmmakers.
Read More
Want to expand your knowledge of film but don’t know where to start? Check out this list of film recommendations for new cinephiles!
Read More
While there are many debates continuing to take place concerning the state of horror films, filmmakers such as Jordan Peele and Ari Aster have centered commentaries about life and societal connection, especially through the lens of how reality is an everyday horror. The purpose of this article is to connect those aspects with how effective their delivery is when joined with the central themes of their work and overall tones of their films. As the horror genre is stereotyped to be cheesy, predictable, and (sometimes) lackluster, with these two filmmakers, there is a clear draw to make films centered on the human experience, specifically when referring to the everyday traumas folks endure.
Read More
Watchmen (2019), based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, reconstructed the ways audiences think of superheroes as well as superhero fiction itself. The series centers on manifestations of white supremacy as well as the idealization of vigilantism, which is part of what makes it distinct from other action and science-fiction media. In this essay, I will explore the way Watchmen defied the archetypes and traditions of the speculative fiction genre and the implications this may have for the future of the genre.
Read More
Through his songs, it is clear that Alex Turner, frontman of the band Arctic Monkeys, has created a very particular world, reflected in both the lyrical and melodic aspects of his music. His taste in movies, as seen in the numerous references incorporated in his songs, is no less unique, ranging from French New Wave to American science fiction and British kitchen sink drama films. Through this list, we will discover the fascinating world which Turner has immersed himself in, offering him infinite inspiration for his songs.
Read More
Twenty years ago Baz Luhrmann gifted audiences Moulin Rouge! and I’ve been in love with it from the moment I first watched it. Inspired by the cabaret culture and theatrics of the real life nightclub, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of star crossed lovers Christian and Satine amid this bohemian world. Though it borrows from the likes of Elton John and Nirvana and draws inspiration from a variety of sources, the film’s postmodernist style of storytelling makes it one of the most original films of the last two decades. In this article, I discuss (and yes, gush over) the iconic movie musical that kicked off 21st century cinema with fireworks, the Can-Can, and a love story for the ages.
Read More
Undeniably, we wear sunglasses as a piece of fashion to help shield us from the sun, they match with our outfits and constantly change as the trends go by. But when a character in a movie wears sunglasses, it's a statement. Here's my evaluation of characters that wear shades.
Read More
Tom Thacker’s quarantine-made The Hollow Bind leans into territories of the avant-garde, reminiscent of Jean Cocteau’s The Blood of a Poet and others of the art film category. Despite its ostensible references, there is tenacity and originality to its conception. Submerged in the vacant hostility of an artist’s studio, viewers are tempted to reconcile the definitions of artist, art, and audience—revealing their slippage.
Read More
Already finished with Euphoria and stuck wondering what you should watch next? Well, you came to the right place. Here are five of Madeleine’s favorite HBO Max series that you need to get on ASAP!
Read More
Danish film Another Round is set to be remade with American production, following its critical success. Although frequently frowned upon by film buffs, remakes can be entirely different from the original. Some remakes are truly creative gems in their own right, while others are only cheap box office ploys with no substance. Looking back at examples of each, I share my thoughts on whether or not Another Round should be remade.
Read More
Cinema and pornography once walked hand in hand, but along with the 90s came the internet and its never ending possibilities of content production and distribution. As a consequence, porn consumption saw an unbelievable increase, bringing countless problems along with it. This article discusses the rise and fall of mainstream adult films, what is pornography as opposed to erotic art, and the potential of the latter when it comes to dismantling the power dynamics of pornography.
Read More
Teen dramas suck in their audience and make them want more. Here are a few shows that have influenced popular culture, trends, and society in general.
Read MoreYears after the famous cult series Skins wrapped, actresses April Pearson and Laya Lewis speak out about their traumatic experiences on the show.
'Romance Doll' might seem like every other movie about the sex doll industry, but it actually takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on the social implications of sex dolls, the film highlights how sex dolls represent an idealization and how work can affect relationships. The relationship in 'Romance Doll' also reflects the hardships of Japanese society and working culture, and teaches us lessons about life and love along the way.
Read More
Pop culture wants you to believe that modern Judaism is either gawky teenage boys or neurotic grown men. The Nanny and Shiva Baby challenge this depiction while embracing the anxiety of young Jewish womanhood.
Read MoreIn the film 500 Days of Summer, many have debated who is at fault for the end of Summer and Tom’s relationship. I plan to deconstruct why it is unfair to vilify Summer and will relay the true message of the film, demonstrating the importance of realizing your own bias.
Read More
A discussion about the ways in which Black stories and perspectives have been commodified and co-opted for the purpose of white saviorism, narcissism, and a lack of accountability. As we have constantly seen the locomotion of oppression persist, it must be acknowledged that Black and marginalized communities are expected to take a backseat when it comes to our own narratives. The constant focus on Black trauma is used for the sole motivation of encouraging white people to be less racist; a tactic rooted in respectability politics and a reliance on Black experiences for corporate greed and gain.
Read More
Over the past decade Judd Apatow has quickly become one of the most prominent comedy-makers of the 21st century. Since his directorial debut in 2005 with The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Apatow keeps attracting more and more viewers to his unique films, establishing himself as a comedy giant. Here’s a guide to his filmography, looking at six films/TV shows either directed, written or produced by him to help you dive into his comedic world.
Read More