“Closer”: Deep Down, Are We Really Animals?
"Closer" (2004), directed by the late Mike Nichols, starring Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen, and based on the play of the same name by Patrick Marber, not only…
Is James Cameron’s “Aliens” Really an Allegory of the Vietnam War?
While Ridley Scott’s "Alien" explores metaphors of rape and birth, James Cameron’s "Aliens" can be read as an allegory for the Vietnam War.
How Accurate is “Bessie” as a Portrayal of Bessie Smith’s Adult Life?
Any biopic raises the question of how authentic the film was with its portrayal of the subject. A full examination would be extremely lengthy, but overall the consensus is that Bessie stays true to…
How is the Ending of “Bessie” an Ominous Foreshadowing of Bessie Smith’s Actual Fate?
Bessie was killed during a car accident where her boyfriend Richard Morgan lost control of the vehicle.
Is “Bessie” Accurate in its Depiction of Bessie Smith’s Childhood?
Bessie's early life is shown in a series of unexplained flashbacks. Do they reflect the truth?
Did “Bessie” Accurately Reflect Bessie Smith’s Sexuality and Relationships?
Bessie's sexuality and relationships were given a lot of attention in the film, and overall where representative of the real woman.
As Seen in “Bessie,” Was One of Bessie Smith’s Tent Shows Actually Interrupted By the KKK?
Historical references do validate the authenticity of the KKK showing up at Bessie's tent shows to attempt to burn them down.
Does “Bessie” Suffer From a Lack of Character Motivations?
Bessie is a great look at a powerful woman who absolutely deserves a spot in musical history, but its rendition of her life is frequently brusque in an attempt to cover too much, occasionally at…
“Bessie” is Billed as “22 Years in the Making” - What Does That Mean?
Bessie was originally eyed for production back in the early 1990s, but various factors prevented it from ever coming to fruition.
Who Was Ma Rainey, and How Did She Inspire Bessie Smith?
Ma Rainey was one of the first commercially-successful female singers of the blues in American music. She became a friend and mentor to Bessie Smith because of her powerful performance style and…
How Did “North by Northwest” Achieve the Look of Filming on the Face of Mt. Rushmore?
The only authentic shots of Mt. Rushmore in "North by Northwest" are the ones looking at the monument from a distance. The shooting and subsequent ambulance scenes were filmed in the…