Debate motion: This house prefers a world where climate change is a conspiracy, but people still believe it.
How has this been reflected in futuristic sci-fi films or series (take Stargate for example) that portray theories about the future etc.? Did people believe in the effects of climate change more in the past than today and why?
Edit for clarification: Though this is the first topic I've introduced I thought it would be better to keep it open to interpretation. The primary aim of this topic is to encourage you to think about how current day problems facing society were reflected only as conspiracy theories in old movies. From this, determine if you think people took issues like climate change more seriously when they didn't exist or weren't as prominent.
You've marked the all the rejections as revised, but your topic has not changed since. Please add more context to the topic and tighten your thesis. leaving an open-ended question to have a topic "open to interpretation" does not help someone who is potentially looking to write this topic. – Pamela Maria6 years ago
Discuss the representations of climate change in old films and its real-life implications on society – TheAuthortoria6 years ago
The source of people's disbelief in climate change is wilder than we first think. Many of these people are flat-earthers. Many believe the government is lying to us about everything. I spoke to one who wonders why affluent property investors are still investing in homes that apparently would be destroyed in the next few years – surely they'd know the truth, she thinks. It requires a complete transformation of someone's frame of reference, not just a change of opinion. – naseemrad6 years ago
You mention Stargate - which fascinates me. Can you make the connection between Stargate and your topic more explicit. – Elpis19886 years ago
The sub-genre of comedy that focuses on shocking sexual depictions, over-the-top jokes, and hyper-unrealistic scenarios seems to be going strong in 2019. Films such as American Pie (1999), Superbad (2007), and The Hangover (2009) cemented a place in the medium for these narratives with all of their try-hard humor and problematic treatment of identity (homophobic and misogynistic jokes galore!). Weaker off-shoots began to form as quick cash-grabs for studios looking to ride the wave of the main-stream comedies noted, and now the market seems to be saturated with them.
My interest with this sub-genre has taken shape after watching Blockers (2018), a film in which two up-tight parents (Leslie Mann and John Cena) team up with a laid-back father (Ike Barinholtz) to prevent their daughters from having sex on prom night. While Mann and Cena have more obvious motivations – not wanting to see their children lose their innocence – Barinholtz's goal is more nuanced. He's fully convinced that his daughter is gay (something she is still unsure of herself), and he is concerned that she is being pressured by her friends to have sex with a guy in order to feel accepted.
The set-up is the perfect representation of the interesting dichotomy that this film, and similar films in the sub-genre, present. While the plot is filled with ridiculous humor that is overly vulgar, graphic, and inconsistent, the "heart" or "message" of the film is clearly a positive one. In the case of Blockers, it's incredibly blunt in addressing identity politics to differing levels of success, but I believe it would be hard for the audience to walk away angry with the normalizing way in which the gay character is casually accepted by her friends and family, acknowledging the next stage of inclusive progress needed in the U.S.
My question for this topic is – does the graphic, vulgar, shock comedy sub-genre have the potential to encourage social acceptance, or is it a futile attempt that should be abandoned since the sub-genre has been pigeon-holed (by the creators and public) into a category of film that is designed to profit from being anti-politically correct or overtly offensive to shock the audience? I would love to hear additional thoughts on this topic as well as more titles that may fit into this small movement of shock comedies that are grappling with socially positive themes.
I've seen nothing but severely conflicting opinions on whether the Marvel films are going in a good direction or not. Audiences appear to be either diehard fans of the entire franchise, or completely disillusioned about the direction of the films. Despite this, there's a continuously large following, and I'd be interested to know why.
This is definitely interesting division to explore. It might be worth digging into why a similar but largely more negative split is occurring in the DCU as well. Is there something about these comic book worlds that especially lend themselves to diehardness and division? – JustinMoir6 years ago
Lately, a lot of movies are coming out and do not end the way that viewers hope: everyone together and happy. While this seems like it would turn a lot of people away from movies, especially those about love and relationships, it actually is improving ratings and gaining more viewers because many of those in the audience can relate to the negative life events. Is this bringing us closer as a society and enhancing reality, or have we lost the original goal of movies which was to give viewers an escape from reality?
I think it's an interesting issue, one worth researching further. I do not agree, however, with the generalisation. There are movies which are simply for entertainment (escapism), but there are also other ones which are very thought-provoking. It is difficult to take a stance that argues one or the other. I would suggest, instead, looking into some examples from both poles and exploring the effects and goals both types of movies have. :)
– Kaya6 years ago
I love the idea of this topic, especially now that The Avengers series has come to an end. Although "End Game" ended relatively happily, major characters were still sacrificed and lost, something superhero fans are not accustomed to (and "Infinity War" had everyone shook). Another good example is the popularity of Game of Thrones where death is ever present and characters perpetually suffer through tragedies. I especially like you bringing up romance movies, and personally think the sad endings are grounding people to reality and feeling more for the situations. Are we as a culture, growing up? – Slaidey6 years ago
I really like the idea of this post, but I am not so sure that all viewers are actually expecting or 'hoping' a movie to be ending a particular way ('together and happy'). Yes, a lot of movies are created with the intent to create some Utopian, idealised fantasy of happily ever after, but I also think that in the past there has been a lot of movies created along the romantic-comedy genre that end this way, and may be just what people expect to see sometimes. I think that the creation of movies that do not end in happy bliss are a good thing; maybe because it shows that in life things are not so perfect (and thus people can relate). But also, it may be a good thing as far as movies go in general, as variety in movie endings is always new and exciting. So, in fact, it may just be that viewers are just liking the different 'end' of movies, or it could be, like you said, because it relates to their own personal life. Regardless, movies are not real, they are art forms, depictions, and products of society and culture, and they take on different meanings to whomever may be viewing them. – jessicarealist6 years ago
It is a very interesting issue and agree that it is something to look further into! And also I agree that some people are just liking the different end of movie or somehow related to their life and personal issues ! – sunshinemegz896 years ago
With art now mirroring real life where not every ending is a happy fairy tale one, it offers more solace and acceptance to those who are really struggling with severe problems when not everything goes their way. It is okay to win and many times, lose. Not great endings allows people the chance of having something/one relatable to them and their fates in current times of increasing loneliness. For example, if a character they cared about failed miserably and then, a similar situation befell them, it will not prove as devastating as compared to having plots where everything is always happening perfectly as people on social media and increasingly in real lives, are trying to portray. – Dr. Vishnu Unnithan5 years ago
You don't need to be a dead rockstar to be martyred anymore! Rocketman (the film) is being released May 31, documenting Elton John's rise to fame. Bohemian Rhapsody (the film) came out last year, depicting Freddie Mercury's tribulations. This is It and Leaving Neverland offer some disturbingly different accounts of Michael Jackson's career. The Dirt (Motley Crue film) was torn to shreds for its authenticity shortly after its release. Compare and contrast rockumentary films and discuss what impact these glorified stories have on fans. Does it matter whether a rockstar is alive or dead when the film is made?
A legend in his own lunchtime! Nice idea for an article. Good luck to whomever picks it. You have my vote, emaglio. Approved. – Amyus6 years ago
No, it does not matter if the musician is dead or alive and it is essential that we show successive generations the musical talent of artists who played instruments because music is something which is disappearing form the curricula of schools across the United States and unfortunately commercial successes are almost never musicians anymore. Rockumentaries are essential to introduce new generations to the alternative to rap, to show them how Freddy Mercury was so talented at piano and how a beautiful melody enhances well-written lyrics. I know this is not what you asked but I wanted to comment on the importance of these biopics in the revival of real music not synthesized detritus. All of the musicians you mentioned played at least one instrument and it is VITAL that we continue to educate successive generations about the beauty and artistry of music. – youngmollflanders6 years ago
Analyse how the male characters are perceived in Avengers Endgame; especially the character of Thor. The movie breaks down conventions surrounding strong, and stereotypically masculine characters showing Thor in despair and defeated unable to deal with his 'failures'.
One scene that I feel is relative to this is Captain America being part of a support group for survivors of The Snap incident. – Kevin Mohammed6 years ago
This is a good topic as it talks about a serious issue as it relates to a popular film with a large reach. I think it would be good to also address how it shows Thor's mental health in a more comedic light and whether that is good or not for mental health awareness. – TheDude6 years ago
We’re seeing an increasing number of movies where the majority of the music is unoriginal, but the music is one of the best parts of these movies for many people. Examples include both Guardians of the Galaxy movies, the Shrek series, and Gnomeo and Juliet. For the movie Baby Driver, action scenes were carefully choreographed to match the soundtrack, rather than music being composed or selected to match the action. Movies about musicians, like Bohemian Rhapsody and the upcoming Rocketman and Yesterday, are in similar situations. Can we call these films Art Films? Is their unoriginality a flaw? Can they be compared to movies with iconic, original scores by John Williams or Michael Giacchino? Are they only becoming more popular because we are in an era with so much good “classic” music to fall back on?
Something interesting to look into would be artists chosen to compose these "various artist" soundtracks for movies: such as how Lorde was in charged with the Hunger Games series. Another interesting thing to note is that many of these movies now have two OSTs -- one with orchestral music and the other with a compilation of more "pop" tracks. – Pamela Maria6 years ago
Definitely something to look into is why these are so popular psychologically for the public and its most likely to do recognition and glossy easy watching. They make the most money but are films that are structurally disorganized, though are constantly stimulating bc of everything visually pleasurable and most importantly: a song we recognize.
Think about why films like pitch perfect or Sing were successful... it could be because the time we just wanna sing along because its one big nostalgic throwback.
Guardians of galaxy example taking tracks that were canonized by past films, knowing people will love them but give the image of being ‘retro’ hits even tho we didnt grow up hearing those songs on the radio.... we just watched pulp fiction or virgin suicides – ariannacancian6 years ago
I agree with the notes about nostalgia and how OSTs are being carefully crafted to fit films that rely so heavily on songs that are not originally created for the film. More specifically, to the question of art, I'm not sure if comparing them to original scores would be beneficial, but viewing them as a different form of art could be extremely interesting since it does take a lot of thought, time, and artistic skill to select and place songs that will effectively improve certain scenes within films. Baby Driver is a great example that you note because it is a little jarring at times when some songs don't seem to fully fit or hit nostalgia as much as others, showing how the artistic slip-ups can have an impact on the structure of the visuals. Something that affects your engagement with a film so much deserves recognition as art, especially when it is done well. I would love to see this topic fully researched and expanded! – Aaron6 years ago
I have to say that original music is vital to a good movie and I cannot think of one great movie that was written for a soundtrack. I know of a great work in which a director and songwriter collaborated but the screenplay was brilliant and nominated for an Oscar. It is in my top ten American films: P.T. Andersen's:Magnolia. – youngmollflanders6 years ago
Christopher Nolan's epic 2010 blockbuster Inception drew on centuries of literature and philosophy. From Zhuangzi's ancient Chinese story of a man who dreamed of being a butterfly to the dream labyrinths of Borges to the work of Philip K. Dick, there is a rich literary history of ideas tucked inside this movie. Analyze the influences and help readers find the books that helped inspire this great film.
Cool idea! Maybe dig deeper for the 'why' of performing this task: does it reveal an overarching theme or format for these genres/styles of texts? What is the message here? – Heather Lambert6 years ago
Awesome idea! I love knowing the little contextual Easter eggs hidden in films. This article could give Inception some more weight (i.e. it's based on real ideas, not just made up for entertainment purposes). – Gemma Ferguson6 years ago
You can look upon the films of Luis Bunuel- Un Chien Andalou, Discreet Charms of the Bourgeoisie. Most of his works are based on the complexity of dreams. – Azira101phale6 years ago
It's also worth noting that Nolan admittedly drew upon the works of Satoshi Kon - in particular, the surreal and somewhat disturbing anime feature film 'Paprika' - for 'Inception'. – Amyus6 years ago
While it may not be literature, Paprika, a 2006 Japaneses film, could also be an interesting comparison to Inception. Paprika Deals with a machine that you allow someone to infiltrate another person's dreams. – Sean Gadus6 years ago
