How does the editing in “Scandal” comment on the public and private lives of political figures?
The fast-paced editing in "Scandal" manipulates how we see the characters, while the slower moments reveal the disconnect between the inner and outer lives of public figures.
What made the dialogue of “His Girl Friday” so revolutionary in 1940?
The fast-paced dialogue in "His Girl Friday" was revolutionary for the time and remains one of the film's most memorable components.
Why is the female lead in “His Girl Friday” crucial to the film’s success?
"His Girl Friday" took a stage play with no female lead and gave it one, transforming the material into a screwball romantic comedy with legendary banter and narrative power.
Did “His Girl Friday” reflect the behaviors of classic news men or help create the stereotype?
Journalists lived a hard life in the early 20th century. "His Girl Friday" helped reinvent their image, presenting reporters in an energetic new light that still retained the realities of…
Which characters in “Titanic” were real people?
"Titanic" contains a wealth of real-life characters, as well as some fictional ones created to drive the narrative.
What does “double coding” mean as an interpretive strategy for film and television?
Double coding claims that the same project can have different meanings for different cultural groups.
Is Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho” actually a serial killer, or is it in his head?
While the film leaves it ambiguous as to whether Patrick Bateman's murders really occur, the narrative, director, and screenwriter of "American Psycho" offer insight into what…
Was the Western genre “queer” before “Brokeback Mountain”?
Contrary to what you might think, queer culture and Western Cinema went hand in hand well before "Brokeback Mountain."
Should “Forrest Gump” be viewed as conservative propaganda?
Is "Forrest Gump" intended to be a pro-conservative film, or was its interpretation of such a product of the politics of 1994?
How was Greenbow, Alabama, in “Forrest Gump” influenced by the art of Norman Rockwell?
Robert Zemeckis referred to Norman Rockwell's mid-20th century artwork when designing the town of Greenbow, Alabama for "Forrest Gump."
Outside the romantic comedy structure, would Annie in “Sleepless in Seattle” be seen as a stalker?
"Sleepless in Seattle" is a classic romantic comedy, but it's also a film about a woman stalking a guy.
What’s the meaning of the tiramisu joke in “Sleepless in Seattle”?
The tiramisu joke in "Sleepless in Seattle" was funny in 1993 because people didn't know about the food. Now, it's funny because it's hard to imagine people not knowing…