Analyze the difference in your mind and the mind of critics when a break in filming conventions such as the 180 rule is an intention subversion or a simple mistake and what it says about the film and the filmmaker.
A paper that examines the psychological aspects of hypersexuality's presence in horror movies, and a historical timeline of its escalation.
This sounds like an extremely interesting article and I hope you go forward with it! It will definitely take a lot of dense research regarding information and studies on the psychological effects of hypersexuality in horror films but I think you have a wonderful, intriguing idea to jump off from! I can't wait to read what you come up with as I think this is a very important topic. – leahw9 years ago
This can certainly prove to be a new horror era if really done well, but what you have to make sure that you write in manner that one reading it can still relate it to a horror movie and not a porn. – EmilyWrites9 years ago
Analyse and explain the similarities between Professor Xavier from the X-men comics and Martin Luther King Jr. Do the same for Magneto and Malcolm X. Finally, analyse the relationship, ideals, and tensions between the two fictional characters and how it might relate to the ideas and relationship between Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X.
This looks like it is going to be a really good compare and contrast topic. – Munjeera9 years ago
Never thought of that. Maybe also relate to the time period the comics were written in and possible influences given when they were being written.
– Jutor9 years ago
I agree with Munjeera. It's a comparison I've heard mentioned before, but I think by comparing and contrasting the fictional characters with their corresponding historical figures, you can give an in-depth take on the idea. – akb19949 years ago
This comparison occurred to me when I read an article on the Artifice about Magneto Testament and its take on the Holocaust, although I can't remember where I initially came across this way of thinking about the two characters. Of course, we're talking about a specific phase in Malcolm X's thinking, and exaggerated to a more extreme and theatrical degree. If Magneto can be read as a parallel to Malcolm X's "by any means necessary" philosophy, then Xavier becomes the representative of Dr. King's "I have a dream." It's an engaging way of thinking about it, but not perfect. For one, Dr. King was non-violent. While Xavier has some resistance to the idea of violence, the X Men wouldn't be the X Men if they were simply advocates of peaceful protest. In fact, their main interest, by and large, is in keeping bad mutants in check, rather than mobilising fellow mutants to fight the oppressive status quo. Obviously, this does not parallel MLK. – TKing9 years ago
X-men was written and modeled to represent these two men exactly. It's not a coincidence; that was the original intent. The story is supposed to be the race struggle. – CharmieJay9 years ago
On what grounds, though? Any reasoning behind this specific comparison? – T. Palomino2 years ago
Since the success of Marvel's "The Avengers" and the films connected with it, the series of crossover superhero films has become the next big thing. Analyze and discuss this phenomenon in connection with DC's less than stellar efforts to establish much of the same (including possible missteps such as refusing to put the TV versions of their characters in their films), as well as compare with other properties of these companies that are distinct from their "cinematic universes" (e.g., the X-Men series, the Dark Knight Trilogy). Why was "The Avengers" a success, but "Age of Ultron" and "Batman v. Superman" met with middling or downright negative response? When does it work and when it is too much too soon? Is the complexity inherent in this concept ultimately worth it? With many suffering "superhero fatigue" from the glut of comic-book films in theaters, is this ultimately a concept worth pursuing in the future?
A few things to consider...there are moviegoers who are well-versed on the comic book series of these films and take the material very seriously. As with book adaptations, audiences become frustrated when a film is untrue to the original story. As for "The Avengers,"...part of the appeal, in my opinion is the numerous characters featured that lead to audiences to find a connection with a particular character(s). As for "Batman v. Superman," I do believe part of the problem was the characters--especially that of Batman--not staying true to his perceived persona, as previously established. When a character that is beloved acts differently than what people expect, audiences become angered. Now, "The Dark Knight Series," with met with exceptional critical and viewer praise. Why is this? Well, the films were exceptionally done, and the moral conflicts, the human turmoil, and the complex multi-dimensional villains provided audiences with not only a high-octante film, but one that viewers connected with on an emotional level. – danielle5779 years ago
In addition, it might also be interesting to discuss X-Men, and 20th Centurty Fox's lack of continuity throughout not only their trilogies, but the whole movie franchise. – Maureen9 years ago
Part of what sets Marvel apart from other production studios is that they spent more time building their universe. I can't remember there being any shared universes in major studio movies before Iron Man came out, and Marvel had a game plan that they were working from. Now that other studios have seen how successful a universe with multiple connected properties can be, they're jumping on the bandwagon, but without enough time to sufficiently build the worlds that their characters exist in. Also, and danielle said this, Marvel was working with B-level comic characters, so they had to make sure the characters and they're stories were engaging before relying on the spectacle of a superhero fight. DC/WB knows that the names Batman and Superman will sell tickets, so they felt confident in throwing the two together without taking into account their core characteristics or how they would deal with the world around them (which has been done fantastically in several animated movies and TV shows). A lack of widespread familiarity with characters like Iron Man or Captain America meant that marvel could define these characters in stand alone stories, and then put them on a team knowing what the dynamic of that team would be. – chrischan9 years ago
Analyze the way in which the film industry has changed over the past 10, 20, or even more years, focusing on the ways in which the changes in audience preference have led to changes in Hollywood, and the films we see in today's society. Consider the ways that society has changed over the years, and how as things become more/less prevalent in society, they become more/less prevalent on the big screen. Contemplate what drives current films to be made, and what impact we, the audience, have on these films. For example, pick a genre of film such as spy or superhero, and consider how they were filmed based on the times (ex. films made in WWII vs films made now), how the societal norms have changed (ex. more/new technology, civil rights), and how the political and social actions of the time period in which the film was made and how that played into the way the film was created.
Lily could you give some examples which may help clarify the direction you would suggest the writer of this topic should pursue? Thank you. – Munjeera9 years ago
Of course! I just updated the topic with some examples. Thank you for your input! – LilyaRider9 years ago
The rights for Namor the Submariner has officially reverted back to Marvel Studios. With every character in the current MCU adding a certain physical and emotional aspect to the Avengers' dynamic, what would Namor's contribution be? Could his aquatic setting provide a similar contrast as Thor's Asgard?
More fighting and graphics is required. – Zyana Hault9 years ago
Based on what I know about Namor, he might be best introduced as an enemy to the Avengers. He's often protrayed as such, and I think they could play up the angle of him reacting to what he thinks are attacks against him and his kingdom via pollution from the surface. He seems like a character who could really put the majority of the human race into perspective with the MCU, since in the other movies the villain is doing something blatantly evil for the sake of evil, and it's often hard to sympathize with their motives.people as a whole are usually the victims/a general population that needs protection from a villain doing something undeniably evil. He could be one of few villains in the MCU whose motives are relatable. – chrischan9 years ago
Seven years later, is it still a little premature to talk about this subject? – T. Palomino2 years ago
Discuss sci-fi's use of technology to build "the perfect woman." Why are androids given a gender in the first place? Do androids have a sense of autonomy or are they content to be used as a semi-sentient sex toy? Is this a fetish or a case of misogyny? Why are male androids in film rarely given the same sexualized treatment?
Good question. It is like asking why GPS and computer voices are female. Probably because the creators were male. Male androids like Data are rarely sexualized. – Munjeera9 years ago
Like Munjeera said, a person's creations are often based upon their own ideal. Therefore it's more than likely that the original concept comes from a guy trying to be ambitious about his own personal desires. – Kevin Mohammed9 years ago
You can even go further back than The Stepford Wives. A great starting place would be Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis, which also features a sexualized female robot.
Also, if you're going to discuss these films, you must address that most of them were made to critique misogynistic views. Ira Levin, William Goldman, and Bryan Forbes have all gone on the record to stress that The Stepford Wives was intended to parody views of "the ideal women" upon being accused of sexism by people who didn't understand its satire.
In Ex Machina, it's important to note how the film acknowledges the very tradition that you're addressing. Nathan specifically designs Ava to be sexually attractive to Caleb (even drawing inspiration from his porn searches), but the expectation is subverted when Ava uses her sexuality in tandem with her superior intelligence to outsmart both men and escape from the confides of their narrow patriarchal viewpoint (symbolically manifested as Nathan's mancave-esque research facility).
Just because a female robot is sexualized, it doesn't mean that it's necessarily just to satisfy the sexual fantasies of the presumably male spectator. The films that endure are often those which were ahead of their times in addressing the social disparity between men and women. – ProtoCanon9 years ago
If only there were more of them! – Munjeera6 years ago
Analyse the dynamic between Russell Crowe's character and Ryan Gosling's character in the new movie, The Nice Guys. I find that this dynamic is a new take on noire films. Perhaps a new era of this genre that involves two unlikely characters that find themselves in a particular situation; considered to each as the "big dirty." For once, it doesn't seem to involve the cops. . . and has sense of humor.
