Why Does “House of Cards” Look so Sterile? What’s the Thematic Significance of the Set Design?
The production design on "House of Cards" is extensive and deliberate. Designer Steve Arnold made the sets for the White House and other notable locations as accurate as possible. Beyond…
Is the product Placement on “House of Cards” Out of Control or Does it Help the Story?
Product placement runs rampant in "House of Cards" -- is this distracting, or does it serve the story?
Do Women Actually Run the “Game of Thrones” World? What Is the Show’s View on Gender?
On the surface, Game of Thrones may appear misogynistic in its character portrayal, but digging deeper reveals a more complicated truth.
What Does “Game of Thrones” Say About Love? How Does That Apply to Life in Westeros?
Game of Thrones is filled with death, deceit, hate, lies and fear - but love is an equally prominent theme throughout the story.
What Makes the Structure of “Game of Thrones” Unusual for TV?
What makes the story structure of "Game of Thrones" unusual for a television show, and why does the hit series make these choices?
Why Aren’t the Characters on “Catastrophe” Traditionally Likable?
Catastrophe is not a traditional romantic comedy. It is more “romantic” than “Romantic.” Throughout the first season, the relationship between Sharon (Sharon Horgan) and Rob (Rob Delaney)…
How Does the 1990s “Highlander” Series Fit Into the Continuity of the “Highlander” Universe?
"Highlander: The Series" takes place after the events of the first two films but builds more on the first -- with some notable changes. Overall, the "Highlander" universe is not…
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…