"At midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper." "And that will be the end of the fairy tale."

Fairy tales. The stuff of dreams. We all believe that our lives will turn into a fairy tale at some point. That Prince Charming will sweep us off our feet and carry us away into a place called Happily Ever After. Yet, life never seems to happen that way. Most films these days give the false hope that everyone will find their happily ever after in the most extreme and unlikely circumstances. Yet, Audrey Hepburn's romantic comedy Roman Holiday, exemplifies the sweetness of young love and innocence while at the same time writing an ending that seems realistic due to the circumstances. Roman Holiday follows the life of a young princess who goes missing for a day in Rome as she galavants across the city with a handsome reporter (Gregory Peck). The two ultimately fall in love but realize their fate can only be real for one night. Fairy tales. They aren't always what they seem. But in the end, everyone can find their happily ever after.

"Because some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn."

It's a scary world out there. Now, more than ever, it's scary. Criminals of the past are not what they are now. Back then, criminals had motives. They had goals, desires, rage, envy, vengeance to be repaid. Presently, there is a new generation of criminals. Criminals that kill just for the thrill of it. For no apparent reason. Criminals that ram airplanes into towers. Criminals that just want to watch the world burn. Christopher Nolan's movie, The Dark Knight, harnesses the essence of this new criminality and puts it into terms that the general public can understand. He puts Heath Ledger into the role of the Joker, a man who knows no boundaries and just "wants to watch the world burn." It is difficult to try and understand how people could just want to kill for fun. The movie brings about a frustrating thought that people just simply are not born with empathy or compassionate in their bodies and do not care about anything or anyone. And this is a world, that I do not want to be a part of.

"On the day of my judgment, when I stand before God, and He asks me why did I kill one of his true miracles, what am I gonna say? That it was my job? My job?"

Stephen King's greatest novel (and arguably best film) ever made is The Green Mile. In truth, this is one of the most touching and humble films that has ever been created, not because of the cinematography or the fact that Tom Hanks is the lead character, but because of the story. The story that disguises human truths all throughout it. A story about life, death, and the uncertainty of what is right vs. wrong. The story takes place in 1935, in a Georgia prison on what is known as the "Green Mile" or death row. The story incorporates the numerous, and wildly crazy, inmates that live on the mile waiting for their untimely demise. One inmate in particular, John Coffey, parallels a Christ-like figure who can perform miracles and healing powers. However, he has been wrongly accused of raping and murdering two young girls and has been sentenced to death. The course of the story sees the death of multiple men, a mouse, and inevitably, John Coffey. Coffey sacrifices himself because he is so aware of the pain and sensitive to the evils that have come into this world that he decides to take the punishment that is given him and dies in the electric chair. The story chronicles the New Testament and how human truths can disguise what is right and what is wrong. Innocence is the key to a long, yet naive, life.

"Are you really saying that the President can do something illegal?" "I'm saying that when the President does it it's NOT illegal!"

1974 was a big year for the United States. People Magazine publishes its first edition. The FIFA World Cup begins its competition. WTO (World Trade Organization) is established. And Richard Nixon becomes the first president to resign his position as President of the United States of America. This is after the events of the Watergate Scandal that tarnished the image of the president and his affiliates. Yet, Nixon resigned before he could be put on trial for the crimes he allegedly committed and Ford pardoned him before he could be tried in a federal court. So, the American people felt they were cheated justice. Enter David Frost. A British talk show host who felt it was his duty to bring the American people truth that never seemed to be realized. This film (created in 2008) is a sort of documentary that chronicles the trials and tribulations of how David Frost got the confession from Richard Nixon and effectively ending his political career, and making Watergate a legendary dark spot in the history of political corruption. The film is an excellent representation of how both sides perceived the interview process as a war. A debate between David and Goliath. Yet, as in the Biblical tale, David triumphs over Goliath.

"This is either madness...or brilliance." "It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide."

Pirates of the Caribbean. One of the best Disney films made in this generation. Disney has made a dastardly escape from the cutesy animated films that have so fondly filled our childhood memories. And the trilogy has become one of the most successful film trilogies in Disney history, and in American film history altogether. The film bridges the gap between childish and action adventure. It is an accumulation of dramatic history, fantasy references, action fights, and romantic connections (with the occasional humor provided the outlandish Captain Jack Sparrow). The movie, even though was supposed to end with the third film At World's End, has now decided to continue on the quest to find the Fountain of Youth. I am actually quite disappointed with this decision, because I had already mourned the death of this trilogy. It will be interesting to see how the fourth film fairs in the box office, and under the critical eyes of the American public, without the inclusion of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Can Johnny Depp pull it off all by himself? We'll see May 20th.

"We are Spinal Tap from the UK--you must be the USA!"

Spinal Tap. One of the original and funniest rockumentaries of all time. The film was created by Christopher Guest and his usual crew of funny people to make this exceptional fake documentary of a UK rock group in the 1980s. I had not seen the film until this past weekend when someone suggested it to me. I never realized the similarities of how many films and even television shows these days take on the concept of a mockumentary. The film is meant to be a tribute to "Britain's loudest band" who is on tour in the US trying to hit it big. The film's director constantly praises the foolish band members who don't know their left shoe from their right. The film is hilarious, not due to slap stick comedy, but because of the references made to rock cliches and funny analogies to other rock groups at the time, this classic film has become legendary.

"You thought you could be Mrs. de Winter, live in her house, walk in her steps, take the things that were hers! But she's too strong for you. You can't fight her - no one ever got the better of her. Never, never. She was beaten in the end, but it wasn't a man, it wasn't a woman."

Fear. It is the single, most terrifying concept known to mankind. It is notorious for paralyzing those who seek it, or those who are haunted by it. Yet, fear is not a tangible object. In fact, fear does not have a face or a voice or any physical attributes that can cause real harm to those who seek it. Alfred Hitchcock is the father of fear. Because he takes the essence of fear and harnesses it to its core. In his 1940 film Rebecca, Hitchcock demonstrates the core of fear "you are afraid of what you cannot see." The film surrounds a newly married couple and the haunted memories of the late wife's ghost. However, throughout the entire film, you never see Rebecca. There is not one picture of her, one flashback, or image of the late wife. And she is the ghost to be feared. The sheer memory of her paralyzes the new wife and almost makes her commit suicide. This is why Hitchcock is the master of fear, because he can make the viewer afraid of something that never appears. The sheer anticipation of Rebecca's arrival can make the audience afraid.

"Well, we movie stars get the glory. I guess we have to take the little heartaches that go with it. People think we lead lives of glamour and romance, but we're really lonely - terribly lonely."

Whenever I feel sick or down, I always watch one of my favorite go-to films: Singin' in the Rain. I used to watch old musicals with my dad when I was little. We watched all the good Rodgers & Hammerstein classics: The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, The King and I, South Pacific, etc. etc. It was a good way to connect to my dad and especially when I was sick, he would stay home from work and show me movies from his childhood. So, whenever I am homesick or feeling under the weather, Singin' in the Rain is my remedy. However, now that I am constantly analyzing old films and putting them in context of media studies, it is hard not to make criticisms and parallels to U.S. popular culture today. Back in the 1950s, or even in the 1920s which is the time period in which the movie is set, the actors make a startling connection to fame then and now. Various and expansive transformations have occurred between the pop culture in America then and now. One common thread seems to remain: movie stars marry movie stars to get divorced and be lonely. I know this seems like a bold statement and there are exceptions, yet fame proves to be a lonely career.

"Of course it's unfair. We're women. Our choices are never easy."

The movie Titanic has become a staple in American cinema as competitively one of the best movies of all time. It was released in 1997 with starring roles from Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Victor Garber, and Kathy Bates. And I'm sure we have all seen the "I'm the king of the world!" scene in which Leo is standing at the bow of the ship with his arms outstretched. It has become somewhat a staple scene in all of American contemporary films. However, one of the underlying themes and motifs of this film focuses on feminism. Rose DeWitt Bukater is a daughter of a wealthy businessman and a passive mother who reminds Rose of her place in society. So, when her father leaves them without any money, Rose's mother realizes the only thing they can do is hide behind their good name and marry Rose off to a wealthy, potentially powerful man. This gives the audience insight into how females fit into society during the early 1900s in Europe as well as in the United States. Women did not make choices based on what they wanted to do, but based on what others wanted them to do. And just as Rose's mother thoughtfully consoled her daughter about the decision she was forced to make, "We're women. Our choices are never easy."

"Would you give up your life for someone else..."

It's been quite a long time since I have watched a substantially compelling film that kept my attention and did not bore me to tears. The one film that has stood out above the rest is an independent film titled "Conviction" starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell. The film centers around the life of Betty Anne Waters and her relationship with her older brother Kenny Waters. The film begins with moving shots of a bloody crime scene, yet no body is shown. Kenny has been tried and convicted of the murder of Katherine Brow in Ayer, Massachusetts in 1980. Betty Anne seems to be the only person who believes her brother's innocence and obsesses with exonerating him. She gets her GED, attends college, and even gets her law degree to become her brother's attorney and find new evidence to set him free. The story revolves around Betty Anne and her past with her older brother and why she has decided to devote her life to fulfilling the innocence of her brother. Swank and Rockwell give commanding performances in the film and truly show the love and admiration that siblings have for one another. Waters' determination and perseverance eventually pays off, however not without the ups and downs that constantly drive her away from her husband, and her sons. The case consumes her life and she can no longer commit to a full-time normal family life until her brother is set free. This entire movie was quite moving for me, as it made me think of my relationships with my siblings and my parents. What made me think is the question that Betty Anne's younger son asks his older brother: "Would you give up your life for me?" It is a question that cannot be answered until the situation presents itself. We all would like to say that we would, yet, would we do the devoted thing?

"...we gotta get something different. Something unusual, something that's easy to say and hard to forget."

Josef von Sternberg’s classic independent film, Blonde Venus, incorporates the trials and tribulations of a woman who is caught up in the glamour of the cabaret stage. Marlene Dietrich portrays Helen Faraday. Helen starts off the film as a stay-at-home mother who has retired from show business to be with her family. However, when she returns to work, she is given the name Helen Jones. In addition to a new name, the club owner where she is employed gives her the stage persona, the Blonde Venus, the film’s namesake. Once she returns to the stage, she takes on the personas that were assigned to her at the beginning of the film. Even though she has a child, she does not constrain her identity to that role. Von Sternberg utilizes the motif of a jungle-like atmosphere to symbolize the chaos that ensues once Helen takes off as a fugitive on the run in addition to the trials and tribulations that she endures. Elements of the mise-en-scene in the scene when Helen hits rock bottom and goes to the women’s shelter reflect a sense of turmoil. The setting, costumes, acting, lighting, and space for this particular scene lend to this jungle motif is present throughout the entire film, establishing great significance for the main character and the storyline.the jungle motif is expressed though the mise-en-scene he creates in addition to giving the audience a look at how the Great Depression era damaged the soul of America. Von Sternberg was surprisingly insightful in creating this motif to signify the complexity of the plotline and the chaos that is evident in the film. He likens the film to that of a jungle-like mentality that is easy to relate and that to which the audience can comprehend.  Additionally, he compares the Great Depression to the jungle of reality in that people must trust their instincts to survive: Eat, or be eaten.

"Here's to lookin at you, kid."

When a person thinks about classical Hollywood films, there is always one film that stands out above the rest. One image, one scene, one movie that each and every individual (even if they haven’t seen the film) imagine if asked about iconic Hollywood filmography. That film is Michael Curtiz’s 1943 Academy Award winning film, Casablanca. The film was made during World War II and is set to begin right before America joins in the fight. This film was made popular strictly by the wartime culture and moral that was spreading throughout the nation.  However, the underlying themes and motivations behind the film make it a timeless film of a century. Even though Casablanca seems to be a world away from the war in Europe, the viewer is constantly reminded of the fragility of secrecy and the sensation of being watched at all times. The audience is constantly reminded of the war in Europe and the German occupation not only in Europe, but in the European territories in Africa as well. The director uses the African front in order to educate the American audience about that front of the war. It also creates a paradise-like atmosphere that somewhat produces an escape from the atrocities of war. Lighting, especially watchlights, are extremely significant to the entire mise-en-scene of each scene that is set at nighttime throughout the film. In the 1943 classic Hollywood film, Casablanca, Michael Curtis utilizes the spotlight and different aspects of harsh contrast to utilize the motif that everyone in the film is constantly being guarded and watched due to the overlying premise of war and the loss of freedoms that are associated with the occupation.

The scenes in which the spotlight is shown on the characters and scenes where low-key lighting is utilized demonstrate the cinematographer’s actions to express the Nazi’s constant evil eye glaring on the characters in the film. Lighting is an essential aspect of the mise-en-scene concept in that it creates atmosphere in a black-and-white film such as this. Casablanca’s use of different lighting techniques to create a warlike atmosphere really spooks the audience and makes them feel as though they are being watched…“Here’s to lookin at you, kid.”

"...What shall the history books read?"

“But in the pages of history, every once in a while, fate reaches out and extends its hand…What shall the history books read?” It seems that in this day and age, people cannot change the course of history. Ordinary, normal civilians lie in wait and watch the world change and evolve without their involvement in contributing to its success or failures. In September 2001, a faceless enemy attacked the United States. Planes were crashed into a tower, the tower collapsed, people died. And there was nothing Americans could do about it. The people did not know the enemy or understand why they wanted to kill innocent Americans. They could not comprehend the enemy that lay in wait across the sea hoping for its chance to attack. In October 2008, the American people watched in awe as the stock market crashed to numbers that haven’t been seen since the Great Crash of 1929. The reason for the plummeting economy? The decisions were made by a few high executives working for big Wall Street companies who took the bailout money from the government and used it to pay for the bonuses of the executives before the company let go thousands of its employees. The American people could not do anything but stand by and watch the country’s government officials decide their fate for them. The world has entered an era in which people feel as though they do not have control of their own destinies.

Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 Nazi-killer film Inglourious Basterds gives the people control of World War II, well in a cinematic realm anyways.  The movie chronicles the idea that ordinary people can change the course of history and change what the history books read. The film is about a group of vigilante American soldiers deep behind enemy lines whose job is to kill Nazis. Simultaneously, a young Jewish girl whose family was killed at the beginning of the film by Colonel Landa, plans to take down the entire Nazi high ranking officers by burning down her theatre. The Basterds also take part in the plan and both succeed in killing the four major Third Reich officers: Joseph Goebbals, Hermann Göring, Martin Bormann, and most importantly Adolf Hitler. This movie gives back to the cinematic audience the control that they need in a time that they do not have control in their own world. Hitler dies in a movie theatre. Tarantino rewrites history in which the girl whose family was tragically killed by Hitler, takes her revenge and kills Hitler and ends the war in one night. Quentin Tarantino’s blockbuster hit, Inglourious Basterds, allows the cinematic audience to rewrite history and control their own destinies when the modern world will not allow them to.   

Even though the events in the movie did not occur in reality, there is a reason for Tarantino’s odd interpretation of history. In this day and age, there is a situation in which people feel as though they have no control over themselves. They do not have control over their own destinies, due to lack of privacy and increasing dependency on social networking sites. September 11^th and these sites make people believe that there isn’t anything to be done. America is being involved in wars where it does not know or understand its enemies. In addition, Americans do not support the war they are fighting nor know the faceless enemies they are trying to win victory over. In a war against terror, Tarantino believes that people could escape on a cinematic realm and give control back to the people to rewrite history. So, let’s rewrite the history books. 

New Beginnings Come From Past Endings

New beginnings come from past endings.
The feelings of nostalgia are frequently prevalent in classic films. Nostalgia is a strategic tactic to get people to think back to the past and revisit good memories. For example, Forrest Gump is a phenomenal film that documents a young man's life throughout American history as he is incorporated into the historical events of the time period. I recently watched this movie and began to think about what makes movies great. And I started to think about what other classic movies used nostalgia to become great. Meet Me in St. Louis is one of the nostalgic classics that most people associate with good memories. The movie was made in 1944 and is set in 1905-06. It was a time period that audiences remembered fondly and through film, could live again. The early 1900's were a great time in American history and most people remembered the World's Fair in St. Louis. The movie was one of the best selling films of all time.

In addition, most films these days stem from historical events, for what reason I don't know. Is it because there are no new ORIGINAL plotlines to begin a screenplay? Or is it that we are entering an era that people don't want untold stories to be forgotten? Well, whatever the reason, historical/nostalgic movies seem to be among the classic films that have ever been made. You know a good movie when you can sit and rewatch it over and over again without getting sick of it. Nostalgia. It's a classic alright.