Why Did Chaplin Make “Modern Times” as a Silent Film, a Decade After the Invention of Talkies?
As a mostly silent film released almost a decade into the existence of talking pictures, the production of the film itself echoed Chaplin's critique of technology and the forward march of the…
How Does “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” Build on a Tradition of American Camp Films?
"Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp" and its film predecessor build on a long tradition of American camp films that have given summer camp a special resonance in American culture.
“Inside Out” - Making Mindful Improvements: Under the Hood of “Inside Out” (Part 2 of 2)
One of the most substantial things "Inside Out" could have done differently would be to have real stakes and a real ticking clock - one that holds up on repeat viewing. The obvious choice…
“Inside Out” - Making Mindful Improvements: The Challenge of Changes (Part 1 of 2)
A question recently submitted to ScreenPrism regarding "Inside Out" asks "What changes would you have made to this movie?" The query itself raises interesting questions. What…
Why Was the Title Song in “Singin’ in the Rain” so Challenging to Film?
Though it comes off as a fleet-footed, whimsical reverie of grace and harmony, Gene Kelly's famous dance sequence was a daunting cinematic feat to record. But many of the trivia…
In “Pulp Fiction,” Why Are Bathrooms a Notable Motif?
Just as mundane conversation plays a major role in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction," visits to bathroom serve as a plot device with surprisingly significant consequences. But why…
How Does “Singin’ in the Rain” Use Music and Setting to Shift Don’s Love from the Fictional to Real World?
In "Singing in the Rain," there’s a connection between choreography, setting, and music that allows Don’s facade to break down over the course of the film.
What Is the Origin of “Highlander’s” Immortals, and What Are Their Rules?
The origin of Highlander's Immortals was established and subsequently removed from the franchise's canon. While the origin of the franchise's Immortals is to remain a mystery, the…
Why Did “Get On Up” Director Tate Taylor Decide to Break the Fourth Wall During the Film?
Director Tate Taylor thought breaking the fourth wall in "Get On Up" would provide audiences with something they wouldn't expect in a biopic, and also spoke to the character of James…
For “Get On Up,” How Did Chadwick Boseman Learn Brown’s Moves and Physicality?
Becoming James Brown for Get On Up required tons of dance practice and research by the film's lead, Chadwick Boseman.
Does “Get On Up” Examine the Complexity of Brown’s Music and How It Was Written?
"Get On Up" presents James Brown as a self-absorbed artist who saw himself as one of the most important musicians who ever lived - and he was - but Tate Taylor’s film fails to truly…
How Accurate is “Get On Up” to Real Life?
"Get On Up" is relatively accurate in depicting the moments the film chooses to show. Though it frequently lacks depth, the superficial facts of most of the movie's events are correct.