'Jaws' & 'Star Wars' / Contextual Approach to Media Criticism
[ send me this paper ]
This 8 page research paper offers a historical analysis of how the phenomenal box-office success of blockbuster films Jaws and Star Wars forever changed the film-making industry. Specifically discussed are the impact upon popular culture, economics, technological innovations, influence exerted by directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, merchandising, and mass appeal. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
Filename: Starjaws.wps

'Mambo Kings' - Analyzed
[ send me this paper ]
This 4 page research paper examines the 1992 musical film, Mambo Kings. Specifically discussed are The Mambo Kings' opening and closing scenes, asks and answers five questions pertaining to the film, and considers a particularly thought-provoking aspect of the film.
Filename: Mambo.wps

'My Own Private Idaho' / Formal & Stylistic Characteristics
[ send me this paper ]
A 6 page paper analyzing Gus Van Sant's use of mise-en-scene and editing cinematic techniques in his 1991 film, My Own Private Idaho, to convey of narrative and thematic expression. This critical analysis is then compared with how film scholars David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson would evaluate the film. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: Pridaho.wps

'night Mother, Tragic but not Tragedy
[ send me this paper ]
A 4 page essay that argues that Marsha Norman's play 'night, Mother fails to fit the definition of Greek tragedy. This examination of the play reveals that it is not Greek tragedy, merely tragic, because Jessie's final act accomplishes no purpose. It is merely her final abdication of personal responsibility. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: khnornm.rtf

'Out of the Past': Classical Hollywood Narrative and Film Noir
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page paper which discusses the 1947 film, by Tourneur, 'Out of the Past,' as it relates to classical Hollywood and film noir. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: RAoutp~2.wps

'Patch Adams'
[ send me this paper ]
5 pages in length. Hunter 'Patch' Adams saw beyond society's brusque and compassionless approach to medicine in a mighty attempt to change the system. After spending self-imposed time in a mental institution, he came to realize why people were not getting better and were, in fact, oftentimes getting worse. The lack of humanistic care made glaringly apparent by the medical community's unemotional arms-length attitude was precisely what Adams sought to correct, believing that a world without the ability to touch the individual along with healing the disease is no world with which he wanted to associate. Against the odds of the powers that be, Adams continued his endeavor to change the very essence of health care by employing the sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism as a means by which to apply a humane and holistic approach to medicine. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: TLCpatch1.rtf

'Selena' - Analyzed
[ send me this paper ]
This 4 page research paper examines the 1997 biographical film covering the short life and career of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Perez. Specifically discussed are Selena's opening and closing scenes, asks and answers five questions pertaining to the film, and considers a particularly thought-provoking aspect of the film.
Filename: Selena.wps

'Short Cuts:' Book and Film
[ send me this paper ]
A 5 page paper comparing one of Raymond Carver's stories to its counterpart in Robert Altman's film of the same name. The film has been hailed as an example of creative genius, but it appears to be little more than a big-screen version of daytime TV. The story discussed is Carver's 'Jerry and Betty and Sam,' in which (book) Al becomes (film) Gene. Both react to crises in their lives by having affairs, alienating their families and generally spending far too much energy in their own self-absorption. The paper acknowledges critical acclaim but reserves praise. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: KSshortCuts.rtf

'The Green Berets' vs. 'Casualties of War' / Analyzed
[ send me this paper ]
This 6 page research paper examines two different war films made in two different decades, The Green Berets (1968) and Casualties of War (1989). Specifically discussed are how the two films reflect the decades in which each were made, the world at the time, changes in audience tastes, etc. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: Warfilm.doc

'The Long Walk Home' And '4 Little Girls'
[ send me this paper ]
This 5 page report discusses these two movies in the context of the historical theme of racism in America in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Both serve as historical documents of one aspect of America's recent past. No sources cited.
Filename: Film4g.wps