What Two Key Features of the Source Novel Does “Carol” the Film Strive to Preserve?
At a New York City panel discussion in November, 2015, screenplay writer Phyllis Nagy addressed the two most important features of the source novel that Nagy fought to preserve in the film…
What Is So Legendary About the “An American in Paris” Ballet Sequence?
The "An American in Paris Ballet" is one of the most famous dance sequences in the history of cinema. It heavily contributed to the film's Academy Award win for Best Picture in 1951…
What Gender Messages Does “Inside Out” Send to Girls?
The way "Inside Out" gives genders to our emotions, as well as the body types it uses to depict Joy and Sadness, could send a harmful message to young girls.
Why Do Some “Star Trek” Fans Enjoy Pairing Kirk and Spock as Lovers?
"Star Trek" fans have long enjoyed the theory that Kirk and Spock are lovers. Kirk/Spock is most popular among straight females, and a gender binary is at the heart of its appeal.
What Is in Del’s Trunk in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”?
Del's trunk in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" serves as a joke and a representation of a salesman's life on the road. More than that, it has symbolic weight revealed by the…
How Does “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” Show John Hughes’ Aptitude for Understanding Characters?
"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" allows for all the typical conventions of a comedy with a surprisingly apt understanding of its characters.
Why Was “Alice in Wonderland” Poorly Received by Audiences in 1951?
"Alice in Wonderland" was a failure upon release, and didn't pick up in popularity until two decades later, during the drug culture of the late 1960s.
How Does a Line in “The Sweet Smell of Success” Reveal the Relationship Between the Main Characters?
"Match me, Sidney," is a pivotal quote in terms of the character progression of Sidney Falco.
What Are Some of the Prominent Themes in “Alice in Wonderland”?
The prominent themes in "Alice in Wonderland" all surround the idea of a child growing up and facing adolescence and adulthood.
Does the Humor of “Wayne’s World” Work on Modern Audiences?
"Wayne's World" is still funny to those who remember the early 1990s and can have a context for the film's pop culture and social foundation. To modern viewers used to comedies…
“Mediterranea” Director Answers ScreenPrism Questions on Political Films and the Immigrant Crisis
The director of "Mediterranea" answers our questions about the current immigrant crisis, social change through film, and what message he aims to send.
When Is Holocaust-Related Humor Considered Acceptable, and When Does It Cross a Line?
Holocaust-related humor has long focus on Nazi ridicule, a relatively safe territory, but in recent years comedians have tested out more edgy humor about one of history's most tragic events.