Reality

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Distance from Reality

Some of the most impactful cinema has been composed of fantastical realms far set from reality. What is it about such fantasy that keeps audiences entranced? How are filmmakers still able, after all these years of a seemingly everlasting genre, to create groundbreaking films which continue to fascinate enormous groups of people?

  • I'd suggest mentioning the movie Pan's Labyrinth. The film is a fantastic example of blurring the line between fantasy and reality, which not many films do. – StefAnghel 8 years ago
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  • I don't know that one article can tackle successful fantasy in cinema. I'd recommend utilizing a case study of world-building through Hollywood and noting how it went right by citing and sampling instances through which it's gone wrong. I would definitely read a case study, and that would help focus the topic. – Piper CJ 8 years ago
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  • Unfortunately, not all films under the fantasy genre have this impact on audiences, so it would be better to write about this by picking a specific fantasy film, or series, that makes viewers feel 'entranced'. Also, if you look up "fantasy" in IMDB as a genre, you get a list with about 10,000 movies from "Suicide Squad" to "Shrek", so maybe identify further what you have in mind (eg. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, etc.) – Suman 8 years ago
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  • Great topic, but I do agree with the preceding notes suggesting possibly adding in a title, or two, to set the mood for what you are attempting to highlight. As for fantasy, it is the ultimate means of escapism--except when the fantastical world is highlighting all that is wrong with society, such as dystopian society. Let's take, for instance, Harry Potter. It is a wondrous place of excitement, nostalgia, familial relations, friendships, emotional and mental growth, and has a wonderful score. How many times have you wished you could eat in the dining hall and have the owls deliver mail to you :-)? – danielle577 8 years ago
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Where is the Reality?

Scripted television shows have been struggling of late, most especially the sitcom. It used to be that shows lasted for six seasons or more (M*A*S*H with 11 seasons, Friends with 10, Seinfeld with 9, Will and Grace with 8 etc. etc.). These shows were clever and all of which, even a series about nothing (Seinfeld), have had re-runs playing since they went off the air. Now shows follow the same trite scripts: eventually all focusing more on relationships and/or unrealistic story lines. So what could be the solution? Reality shows? No. Even reality shows are not that realistic, having been dramatized by producers to get increased ratings.

So what can be done? It is important that viewers, especially the young and impressionable, see shows that can be simultaneously entertaining and educational. Television is so popular that it has the power to influence one’s perception of the events of their own life so it is important that at least some of the shows send positive messages and are relatable.

  • Whoever covers this topic should define "reality." Munjeera – Munjeera 8 years ago
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  • I don't think it is clear enough what this topic is. You speak about reality, but then mention sitcoms which aren't necessarily known for their realism. I'm not sure what the focus of this topic is: shows becoming less realistic and more sensationalist, the opportunity for change in television. These are interesting concepts, but I think you need to create a very clear contention, which is not made clear above. – Matthew Sims 8 years ago
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