REBGuest

Truly addicted to art, cinema, literature, animation, theatre and music... I need my daily dose of culture and this is where I get it!

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  • Articles
    19
  • Featured
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    Latest Articles

    Arts
    41

    Michael Jackson’s XSCAPE: Why the Posthumous Album is Worth a Listen

    Michael Jackson has been dead for five years now yet the legend is still at the forefront of the musical...

    REBGuest

    Arts
    45

    The Art of Tim Burton: The Artist Before The Filmmaker

    From the very moving Edward Scissorhands to the delirious Dark Shadows, Tim Burton has always been able to carry the...

    REBGuest

    Literature
    94

    The Political Message of The Hunger Games

    With 4.3 million copies sold in 2010, The Hunger Games rapidly became a cultural phenomenon. Its popularity tripled after the...

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    Literature
    20

    Learning The Limits Of Our Values In Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”

    Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, set in 1940s New York, shows us the limits of our moral, social...

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    Arts
    37

    America In A Song: A Cultural Study Through Music

    American culture has influenced the world through centuries, with impacts on the political, social, economic and cultural landscape of the...

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    Literature
    17

    Madame Bovary or the Struggles of Individual Psychology vs. Social Oppression

    In Madame Bovary, Flaubert combines the study of individual psychology with the social observation of contemporary France. Both are inseparable,...

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    Food Art
    Arts
    31

    Food Art: The Art That Will Make You Drool

    In the 21st century, it is becoming harder to come up with original ideas and to create unusual or unique...

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    Film
    26

    Double Indemnity: An In-Depth Look At A Film Noir Classic

    In many ways, Woody Allen's quote encompasses all the main elements that make Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (Paramount Pictures, USA,...

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    Latest Topics

    2
    arts
    The Beatles
    Write this topic

    Why did it take so long for The Beatles to be on Spotify?

    On the 24th December at 12.01 am, The Beatles' music became available on different online streaming platforms like Spotify, Deezer and Amazon. Explore why this has taken so long. What are the conditions for an artist to put his music online? What are the politics of music streaming? Why were The Beatles' franchise to reluctant to go into streaming? What is there to win/to loose?

    • Most of it probably comes down to 1) who owns the rights to the song 2) how much streaming services have to pay – JLaurenceCohen 9 years ago
      1
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    2
    film
    Woody Allen Soundtracks
    Write this topic

    Soundtrack in Woody Allen films

    Woody Allen is a jazz musician himself and always feature jazz soundtracks in his films. Analyse the use of soundtracks in Woody Allen films. How do they add to his style, to the characters, to the narrative, to the atmosphere? How do they vary in his American films and in his European films? Share some titles!

    • Do you think narrowing the scope to specifically Woody Allen movies cuts off fertile ground for criticism and analysis? Just off the top of the dome: The Coen Brothers, Tarantino, Romero, Woo, and Burton strike me as directors/writers whose music selection is as, if not more, important to their movies as the acting, script, etc. Could the topic be expanded to include a critical discussion of the ways specific genres of film (noir, western, comedy, drama, etc) use specific genres of music (jazz, country, rock, pop, etc.), or would that confuse the issue? – Bo 9 years ago
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    • That's true but that would mean an extensive and very long article, whereas focusing on one filmmaker in 1 article allows more depth in the analysis. A series of articles could be done like that - one on Tarantino, one on Burton... But I know a lot of people have already written on these directors and their taste in music, whereas the interest in Woody Allen's soundtracks is lower. – Rachel Elfassy Bitoun 9 years ago
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    • I do agree with Rachel, this is such an extensive topic on its own that adding more would probably hurt the articles overall effectiveness. – Austin Bender 9 years ago
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    Add Note
    0
    film
    Sorrentino
    Write this topic

    Sorrentino: A retrospective

    With his latest film 'Youth', Sorrentino has once again impressed with his mastery of the camera, his unique sense of the image and the way he uses the visual to capture human emotions at its core.

    It would be interesting to have a look at his film career and compare his films. What defines him as a director? What defines his style? What is it that appeals to audiences? What differentiates him from other directors?

      Add Note
      2
      film
      Trailers
      Write this topic

      The evolutin of Film Trailers

      Today, film trailers are longer than ever, and the editing often takes the most important moments of a film and throws them at the audience. They often show too much and we get the impression that we have seen the whole film just by watching a condescended 3 min version of it. How have trailers evolved through film history? Look at the trailer for Anatomy of A Murder for example, when director and producer directly address the spectators to promote their film. What happened to voice-over? How are they aesthetically different today?

      • There are a great many trailers from the early days of cinema, especially for B-movies, where all they were were a carefully condensed version of the film, just as they are today. They could range from one and a half up to even four minutes. They almost always had an excited voice over artist speaking about the characters, the locales, and the ups and downs of the plot. They even revealed big twists just like they do now, completely ruining most of the suspense just so people will know what they're getting before they go in the theater. I think the strange thing is that this style of trailer design has always been a part of the movie industry, but always for the lesser quality projects. Only now has this style of trailer moved into the mainstream except for the most special of occasions: causing our enjoyment of these arguably better quality films to be ruined before we get to see them from beginning to end. So although movie trailers for the A-list projects have undoubtedly gotten worse and less "teaser" like, disallowing us to be mystified before sitting down for the real thing, I think an article on this subject just might a bit more revealing about Hollywood's standards of the past than one might realize. – FilmmakerJ 9 years ago
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      • I like your initial question, "How have trailers evolved through film history?" By itself, that is an interesting topic to address, and I believe needs answered. However, I do wonder if a more complex analysis - such as a content analysis - is needed to fully answer the question. An exchange of opinions does little to provide an answer. In addition, I suggest that you avoid the latter questions posed at the end. Dealing with voice over and aesthetic changes are much more specific questions that can be dealt with, and deserve to be dealt with, on their own merits. Focusing on a historical trajectory of film trailers is a good place to start. The other questions can be branched off on their own. On a separate note, be sure you spell correctly. I do not believe you meant "evolitin" in your title. =) – Mark 9 years ago
        1
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      1
      literature
      children's literature
      Write this topic

      A compilation of the most controversial/original children's books

      What I mean by controversial is unusual, original, thought-provoking…How do these books break with the tradition of children's literature, or play with it in some way? How do they refer to modernity and explain contemporary problems? A Monster Calls, a children's book about cancer, or This Is Not My Hat' are particularly good examples.

      • I think this would be a very interesting article! Maybe you could talk about how society as a whole feels about these books. Do they find the modernity suitable for children or is it considered too mature for them? – sarajean221 9 years ago
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      • May I suggest 'Tango Makes Three' as a possible example too? It's a marvellous tale of homosexual love in penguins. – mattdoylemedia 9 years ago
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      3
      film
      Jungle Book
      Write this topic

      Expectations for the live action Jungle Book 2016

      Disney is once again releasing a live action version of one of its classics: The Jungle Book, starring Bill Murray, Scarlet Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken and Idris Elba…

      What can we expect from the film, in the light of other live-action films made like Cinderella, and the others to come (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast)? What standards should it meet in your opinion? What are the risks of turning the Jungle Book animation film into a live action?

      • In the case of the Jungle Book, it's important to say it's been done before. There have been live action remakes of that film so looking at how they did and what their poor qualities were might help the substance of this article. Neel Sethi will be playing Moogli so it's also important to point out that this film will not only be starring known talent, but new talent since Sethi isn't relatively well known. – SpectreWriter 9 years ago
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      • An article on this topic should also include how Kaa's sex has been made female instead of male, on top of Disney essentially retelling their version of The Jungle Book all over again. Perhaps Disney's remake could've used elements from the original Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling as well (Shere Khan being deformed, Kaa having been an ally to Mowgli instead, etc.) that would've made the remake stand more on its own ground and not be a rehash with relatively unknown actors. – dsoumilas 9 years ago
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      • I clicked approve, but I would change the angle of this. EVERYONE can easily poke out flaws and to be honest it is just band wagoning at this point to find fault with a live action remake of this film. Sure it has been done before with the Jungle Book, but they were all crap and unremarkable. Taking a different spin like the positives of the remake would be way cooler and way more interesting. Complaining or finding risks in the remake is preaching to an unimaginative choir at this point. No one is talking about how, yes we loved the animated version, but it was soooo racist. This remake could be visually stunning, still have what we love from the animation, but not be classic disney racist. No one wants to read another negative article about remakes, because we all know what they will say and most people already agree with the points. So do something new, fun, and fresh. – Erin Derwin 9 years ago
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      • You are right, although the questions suggested here were not meant to be taken as positive or negative remarks, or criticisms. They are here to help evaluating in a neutral way the expectations we can have about this film, what things we would like to see and problems the team could face. – Rachel Elfassy Bitoun 9 years ago
        2
      • I think the cast alone pretty much guarantees the success of this film. – JinKobayashiHearMe 9 years ago
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      Add Note
      0
      film
      Mary Poppins
      Write this topic

      Sequel to Mary Poppins

      After 51 years, Disney has just announced a sequel to the classic. The production of the first film took many years due to a struggle with rights.

      Write an article about how this classic could be revisited and extended in a sequel. You can make it personal too by asking yourself a few questions (that most people share anyway) like : is this a good idea? Is Rob Marshall a strong decision? Could the making be as difficult as the first one, or even more complex? What can we expect? What would you/we like to see?

      • Also support ideas regarding the negatives and positives of adapting classic Disney films as live action. Malificent, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast ect. – Joseph Manduke IV 9 years ago
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      • True, yet Mary Poppins was mostly a live action film with some animated sequences. Would be interesting to see how they translate that in the sequel! – Rachel Elfassy Bitoun 9 years ago
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      • Is it necessary to make a sequel to Mary Poppins? Not really. Toping the original is going to be really tough, though it could be interesting if they stick closer to the book in tone. – Aaron Hatch 9 years ago
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      • What kind of sequel could this be, given how nearly everyone or almost everyone in the original film by Disney are dead? That is, unless the sequel to Disney's Mary Poppins is going to be based on one of the many sequel books to the original Mary Poppins story by P. L. Travers. Still though, the way Disney rendered their first Mary Poppins film in 1964 does make it look quite dated in both animation and film rendering (though maybe not the music itself). Therefore, a sequel that's closer to the books could work; otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any solid point to a Mary Poppins' continuation after fifty years or so. – dsoumilas 9 years ago
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      • I would stick with just Mary Poppins and not branch out to other films like Malificent and Cinderella. Mary Poppins has enough meat to it that you don't need that fatty filler to get the word count up. I would look at the Disney film Saving Mr. Banks. The film puts so much importance on the history of creating the film and the importance of it being just the way it is. There is a beautiful message in that film and would recreating Mary Poppins tarnish not only the meaning of the film Saving Mr. Banks, but Marry Poppins? Or is this all playing into the same idea? – Erin Derwin 9 years ago
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      • There is a series of Mary Poppins books (3 I think) that predate the original film just as there are about 12 Oz books that predate The Wizard of Oz. Everyone knows the movies, but very few people know about the books. I read the Oz books as a kid, but I haven't read the Mary Poppins books even though I suspect that the first in the series was used as a source text for the film. It's possible that the sequel to the movie will be based on another book in the series. It's another avenue to explore. – Elisabeth 9 years ago
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      5
      Published
      film
      Posters
      Write this topic

      The art of Posters

      As we know, a visual element or an image can be powerful tools to promote an idea, a project, an attitude or a film. Who are behind the conception of film posters? What can a film poster say about a film? Why are we so attached to them and keep on putting them in our rooms and offices? Who decides on the way posters should be marketed, designed, distributed? Why are some posters like Pulp Fiction or Scarface still so popular years after and what makes a poster successful and convincing?

      • Another interesting point would be how a poster made by marketing is often seperately made from those who made the film. So controversy over how women like Black Widow are edited on posters would be interesting. – Erin Derwin 9 years ago
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      • There's just something so aesthetically appealing about movie posters that make people want to see them. I guess it's also the notion of creating a movie poster that no one's ever seen before, something along the lines of that. I know that the Blade Runner poster wanted me to see the film; same with Pulp Fiction and Space Odyssey. – AlyssaMariano 9 years ago
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      Latest Comments

      Jun 10, 2016
      REB

      Thanks for reading this article 🙂 I agree with you that Freudian theories are very limited, that is why I did not give any opinion on these theories. I am just aware that the Babadook as it is written, with a male child, can somehow ‘fit’ Freudian approaches, to an extent. I agree that it is more limited with the two others films, which is why I did not develop the Freudian approach on the other two, although the over attachment to the mother appears in all of the films. One would have to read Freud’s theory about the female child a little bit more I think.

      		 Maternal Horror Films: Understanding the 'Dysfunctional' Mother
      Feb 24, 2016
      REB

      A beautiful piece, very well documented! I like all the links you make and the way you use visuals (images and informative video) to ground your arguments. Make the reading very easy!

      		 The Sublime's Effects in Gothic Fiction
      Feb 23, 2016
      REB

      Hi Ang, yes this is my full name, first and both last names. I appreciate this a lot, thank you! I’m glad my articles can help out people in their research. Can I ask you in what context you are citing this?

      		 Double Indemnity: An In-Depth Look At A Film Noir Classic
      Feb 21, 2016
      REB

      It is gaining academic recognition yes, but this is only very recent and is not a primary focus – still rare to encounter academics talking about it in universities for example. But more importantly, it is not particularly gaining recognition in publishing houses and literary markets, and really not with customers. I hope the academic recognition will raise awareness and help things change in a world that defines itself as being ‘global’.

      		 Translating Children Books: Difficulties and Reluctances
      Feb 21, 2016
      REB

      I do not feel like characters being of a different gender or race would be a problem, as it is how children can learn about new cultures and diversity, through different characters. The topics need to be chosen carefully yes, but opening to new topics can be a benefit and an extra step towards embracing diversity and difference. Double-meanings and historical baggage can be problematic to translate, yet selecting appropriate books and working carefully on the translation would still allow more foreign books to reach our bookshops.

      		 Translating Children Books: Difficulties and Reluctances
      Feb 21, 2016
      REB

      This is true, which is why a lot of work and care needs to go into publishing translations. Unfortunately, publishers are not so keen on putting the necessary work and care which is why they dismiss translations so easily. Therefore it creates disparities within the markets which becomes narrow and exclusively English-speaking, and customers loose on great books.

      And although I agree, these books are already designed for children so they are appropriate. To take the time to find solutions to avoid certain anachronisms and deal with the difficulties of language for example would show a real interest in other cultures and facilitate cultural exchange.

      		 Translating Children Books: Difficulties and Reluctances
      Jan 6, 2016
      REB

      Excellent analysis of a fascinating concept. I absolutely love how you go about it and explore so many different facets of the problem of making decisions, and groing old in Peter Pan, all grounded in solid sources. Good job!

      		 The Problem of Peter Pan: Should Choices Hurt?
      Oct 22, 2015
      REB

      Very interesting article! It’s nice to see that TV is finally keeping up with its time and allowing to represent all communities and individuals, with no regards to their sexual preference, gender, colour or religion. Yet we are not quite there yet, there is so much more to do, these are only baby steps. The problem is that they are also defined and pointed out by other characters as transgender, therefore their difference is not completely accepted by society yet.

      		 Transgender Characters on Television: Quality vs. Quantity
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