Has Disney really recycled animations in their feature films?
Disney didn't exactly "recycle" animations, but they did animate sequences in the same way multiple times when they -- or, more specifically, Disney animator and director Wolfgang…
How big is Westeros compared to our world?
Game of Thrones' universe can be hard to accurately translate to real-world terms, but George R. R. Martin says Westeros, the hub of most of the story's action, is about the size of South…
How does “The Dressmaker” show the transformative powers of fashion?
Through lavish couture dresses, “The Dressmaker” reveals how fashion can be transformative, for better or for worse.
How is “The Dressmaker” different from the book?
While "The Dressmaker" is a faithful adaptation of Rosalie Ham's novel of the same name, the film experiments with multiple genres, from revenge comedy to spaghetti western.…
What are the differences between the different “Star Trek” series?
Star Trek is officially 50 years old, and has come a long way from the bright colors and low-budget goofiness of The Original Series.
How do the spiritual representations in Snow White & Seven Dwarfs influence its ending?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was the first of a new era in which it became the first full-length animated feature that progressively re-defined cinema. Like many classic Disney…
How was the “Carrie” blood soaking scene shot?
Carrie's famous prom blood soak is a praactical effect using an actual bucket of fake blood dumped onto the performers.
What does the feather in “Forrest Gump” symbolize?
The feather represents fate, destiny, happenstance, and the wondrously uncontrollable nature of life.
What kind of contraceptive did Anna buy for Mary on “Downton Abbey”?
A cervical cap is likely the device Anna purchased for Lady Mary's secret sex getaway with Tony Gillingham.
How does the music of “Downton Abbey” service the narrative?
John Lunn's music in "Downton Abbey" helps connect storylines across seasons and characters to remind us what's going on.
Ask the Professor: Why is the spinning wheel scene in “400 Blows” so memorable and iconic?
"400 Blows" is an innovative film that experimented with technology in order to create its memorable spinning wheel scene.
Ask the Professor: Is “400 Blows” a semi-autobiography of Francois Truffaut?
When casting for "400 Blows," director Francois Truffaut chose actor Jean-Pierre Léaud not for his acting ability, but because Truffaut identified with Léaud's biography.