Ask the Professor: Why does “400 Blows” end on a freeze frame? What was influential about it?
The open-ended ending of "400 Blows" leaves the audience to reflect back on the film and decide for themselves what happens to the characters.
Ask the Professor: Why does “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” end with a freeze frame?
By ending on a freeze frame, the Western myth of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid can live on.
Why is “Mr. Holmes” more like “Gods and Monsters” than other Sherlock Holmes films?
Although "Mr. Holmes" is a Sherlock Holmes film, its unusual depiction of the detective makes the film more similar to Bill Condon's other film "Gods and Monsters."
Why did “Vertigo” beat out “Citizen Kane” as Greatest Film in the 2012 Sight & Sound Poll?
The Hitchcock classic finally dethroned "Citizen Kane" in 2012, but why?
Ask the Professor: In “Exterminating Angel,” why can’t the guests leave?
The reason behind why the guests in "Exterminating Angel" can't leave relates back to director Buñuel's Marxist perspective.
Ask the Professor: What was the political background of Buñuel’s “Exterminating Angel”?
Because Buñuel's Marxist perspective was evident in his films, they became controversial in both Spain and Mexico.
Ask the Professor: Why do “Exterminating Angel” and “Discreet Charm” satirize the ritual of eating?
Both Buñuel's "The Exterminating Angel" and "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" satirize the ritual of eating to reveal the unwritten rules around basic interactions.
Ask the Professor: How does “Exterminating Angel” compare to Buñuel’s earlier surrealist films?
The understated surrealism of "The Exterminating Angel" makes it one of Buñuel's most successful films.
Ask the Professor: Do “Butch Cassidy,” “The Wild Bunch” and “Bonnie and Clyde” glorify violence?
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Wild Bunch" and "Bonnie and Clyde" use violence to represent the counterculture of the 1960s. But do they glorify the outlaws?
Ask the Professor: What is the significance of the “Raindrops” sequence in “Butch Cassidy”?
By including a pop song for the bicycle scene in "Butch Cassidy," director John Ford created a memorable and iconic scene that goes against the Western genre.
Ask the Professor: How does “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” comment on the Western genre?
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" overturns our expectations of the Western genre by breaking the rules.
Ask the Professor: How is “Butch Cassidy” different from a classic Western?
"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" experiments with structure and tone to question the Western genre.