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Showing posts from September, 2023

Love, Loss, and Laughter: Deconstructing The War of the Roses

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The War of the Roses, 1989 Directed By: Danny DeVito Link to Trailer "The War of the Roses" film from 1989, directed by Danny DeVito. The plot follows Oliver Rose's former happy marriage to Barbara, a stunning and brilliant woman, is told by the successful attorney. The Roses, who were at first very in love, discover that their union begins to fail as time goes on. The turning point occurs when Oliver chooses to pursue partnership at his legal practice, prioritizing his professional goals over his wife's emotional needs. As the couple's frustration increases, bitterness and animosity start beneath the surface. Barbara chooses to file for divorce because she feels unloved and abandoned. But when it comes to their shared home, a reminder of their past happiness, neither of them are prepared to compromise. A crude, crazy, and more destructive struggle for control of the house unfolds. The Roses convert their once-lovely home into a battleground by employing a number ...

Revolutionary Roads: A Cinematic Journey with Thelma & Louise

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Thelma & Louise, 1991 Directed By: Ridley Scott Link to Trailer Thelma and Louise is a 1991 film directed by Ridley Scott. Thelma Dickinson and Louise Sawyer, two friends, are the main characters of the film. They go on a weekend trip. But when Thelma is the target of a failed sexual assault, their vacation takes a negative turn. Louise kills the attacker in self-defense, which causes a series of events to occur that drive the other woman to run away. Their at first amusing adventure, which involves them avoiding the law, develops into a thrilling and dramatic journey of empowerment and defiance of social standards. They leave a path of chaos in their wake as they encounter both allies and enemies along the route. The movie looks at themes like friendship, freedom, and the limitations placed on women in systems of patriarchy. These conventions are questioned by Thelma and Louise as they fight for justice and independence. The movie's tragic and empowering climax estab...

Behind the Wheel of Madness: Analyzing Taxi Driver

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Taxi Driver, 1976 Directed By: Martin Scorsese Link "Taxi Driver" follows a Vietnam War veteran named Travis Bickle, who works the night shift as a taxi driver in the gritty streets of New York City, and is explored in terms of his life and mental state. The movie's story takes viewers on an unsettling journey inside an unwell person's head and delivers a biting critique about urban loneliness, and the effects of uncontrolled fixation. As Travis begins his work as a cab driver, the movie opens with his insomnia-driven ramblings. Travis's solitude is presented against the backdrop of the dark and filthy New York City of the 1970s. His interactions with different passengers—from an unfaithful husband to a distraught gun dealer—offer insights into the moral decline of the metropolis.Travis's fixation on Betsy, a campaign worker, reveals his infatuation with the notion of "cleaning up" the city. The turning point in his path was his mistaken attempt to i...

Revisiting the Dark Heart of Hollywood: 'Sunset Boulevard'

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Sunset Boulevard, 1950 Directed By: Billy Wilder Link to Trailer "Sunset Boulevard" is a classic film released in 1950. The plot begins with Joe Gillis, the main character, a Hollywood screenwriter who is having financial difficulty. When Joe unintentionally finds the decaying mansion of former silent film star Norma Desmond on Sunset Boulevard, he is in a crisis of employment and money. Joe is mistaken for a funeral director by Norma, who asks him for assistance in planning the funeral for her pet chimpanzee. Norma lives alone with her butler and former director, Max von Mayerling. Joe quickly finds that Norma is a fading and naive silent film actress who thinks she is still important in the film industry. Joe, who is badly in need of money, agrees to stay at her mansion and edit the script she has written for her spectacular return. She makes him her friend and lover, giving him gifts and devotion. Joe begins to feel stuck in Norma's world over time, but he is unable to...

Love Letters and Poetic Transformations: An In-Depth Analysis of Il Postino: The Postman

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Il Postino: The Postman, 1994 Directed By: Michael Radford Link to Trailer The Post Man takes place in the early 1950s on the little Italian island of Ischia. A humble and quiet fisherman named Mario Ruoppolo is hired to carry mail to island residents as a postman. Although Mario lacks sophistication and education, he is eager to grow and learn. Pablo Neruda, a well-known poet from Chile who is exiled for political reasons, lands on the island one day. Neruda is fleeing capture and living in self-imposed exile. He has made the peaceful island his haven. Neruda's personal postman, Mario, is tasked with bringing him his mail. Mario grows increasingly intrigued by Neruda's words and insight as he spends more time with the poet. In response, Neruda acknowledges Mario's curiosity and gives him advice on how to write poetry and communicate his emotions. Mario develops a romantic relationship with Beatrice Russo, a local woman, during this time. He finds it difficult to tell her h...

The Road to Apocalypse: Analyzing Mad Max 2

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Mad Max 2, 1981 Director: George Miller Link to Trailer Mad Max 2 is a dystopian film that follows Rockatansky, a former police officer who is now an outsider and is attempting to survive in this hostile environment. A group of survivors led by the charismatic Pappagallo are discovered by Max. Pappagallo and his crew have discovered a huge gasoline-filled tanker truck and are attempting to move it to an area known as the "Oil Refinery," where they hope to guarantee their future. But a vicious band of criminals led by the mysterious and vicious Lord Humungus is continually attacking them. Max joins Pappagallo's crew after he agrees to assist them in defending the tanker in exchange for a cut of the gasoline. In an effort to help the survivors from the marauders and make it to the safety of the Oil Refinery, Max upgrades his renowned car, the Interceptor. The movie is known for both its unique post-apocalyptic backdrop and its dramatic and exciting car chases.  "Mad Ma...

Journey of the Soul: A Critique of La Strada

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La Strada, 1954 Directed By: Federico Fellini Link to Trailer The film follows a straightforward and innocent young woman from a small Italian coastal village named Gelsomina is the main character. Gelsomina becomes Zampan's assistant and is compelled to travel with him after her poor family sells her to the ruthless and vicious traveling circus artist. Zampano is known for his impressive strength displays, which include breaking chains and bending iron bars as part of his circus act. Additionally, he is harsh and emotionally aloof toward Gelsomina, mistreating her and frequently subjecting her to his violent outbursts. Despite being mistreated, Gelsomina is still loyal to Zampano because she feels like he adopted her. Gelsomina and Zampano run into a variety of people and situations while traveling together, including a troupe of wandering performers and a group of monks. Through her interactions with these individuals, Gelsomina starts to question her commitment to Zampano and be...

From Radio Waves to Romance: Dissecting Sleepless in Seattle

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Sleepless in Seattle, 1993 Directed By: Nora Ephron Link to Trailer "Sleepless in Seattle" is a romantic comedy film released in 1993 that follows Sam Baldwin. He recently moved to Seattle with his little son Jonah. He is a widower. Sam is still grieving his wife's passing and finding it difficult to go on with his life. Jonah worries about his father's loneliness and contacts a radio talk show on Christmas Eve to ask for his father to find a new wife. Baltimore newspaper reporter Annie Reed is listening to Jonah's call on the radio program. She is betrothed to Walter, a reliable but somewhat drab man. Despite being engaged, Annie remains fascinated by Sam's narrative and his search for true love. Annie makes the decision to write Sam a letter, which Jonah then sneakily delivers. Despite being engaged to Walter, Annie's reaction to Sam's letter causes her to become fixated on the prospect of meeting him. She decides to take a spontaneous trip to Seattl...