What is “The Intern” Saying About Working Women?
Despite the "You Go, Girl!" attitude of this story about a female tech startup CEO befriending an elderly male intern, there are some conservative gender politics hidden in the film. What…
How Did the “Love & Mercy” Filmmakers Create Such Real-Looking Faux Documentary Footage?
"Love & Mercy" employed the use of handheld Super 16 cameras to capture footage that looked like it was recorded decades ago and portrayed a nostalgic, almost romantic tone…
How Did “The Birth of a Nation” Impact Real-World History and Race Relations?
Not only did racist epic “The Birth of a Nation” influence mainstream film editing, but its also impacted the dynamics of the NAACP and the KKK, along with helping a particular movie mogul on…
Is Emily Blunt’s Character in “Sicario” a Strong Female Character?
Emily Blunt plays a woman with a gun again. Is this one yet another "strong female character" or something more nuanced?
What Are Some Ways in Which “Star Trek: DS9” is a Tonally Darker Show Than its Predecessors?
"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" took a darker tone to its subject matter by opening up to conflict in a more human and believable way.
Was “Battleship Potemkin” Inspired by a True Story?
While “Battleship Potemkin” is a piece of political propaganda, it was actually based on a real-life mutiny…a mutiny that didn’t exactly have a happy ending.
Why Was “Battleship Potemkin” Censored Around the World?
While “Battleship Potemkin” was initially praised in the Soviet Union, it met opposition in countries like France, Germany, the U.S., and the U.K. because the governments of the world feared it…
How Did “The Birth of a Nation” Revolutionize Cinema?
In “The Birth of a Nation,” director D.W. Griffith implemented and perfected a number of film techniques (such as parallel editing and the close-up) that would influence the entire future of…
After Directing “The Birth of a Nation,” How Did D.W. Griffith React to his Critics?
When “The Birth of Nation” hit theaters, it sparked protests by the NAACP and was banned in several cities. Hurt by allegations of racism, Griffith responded by directing two films that…
How Did “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” Showcase the Talents of Sophia Loren?
"Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" is a great resume of everything that has made Sophia Loren a cinematic legend over the past 60 years.
In “Chinatown,” Why are There So Many References to Eyes and Vision?
In Polanski's iconic story of an L.A. private eye exposing the corrupt underworld of the Los Angeles water system, vision and eyes play an important symbolic role.
How is the Message of “Children of Men” Conveyed Through the Film’s Religious Subtext?
The hero of "Children of Men" is an amalgam of Noah, Moses, and Joseph, trapped in the body of a disheveled Clive Owen. Drawing on Ecclesiastes, Genesis, and the New Testament, the film…