Analyzing a Movie’s Cultural Significance

Essay Three–

Analyzing a Movie’s Cultural Significance

Objective: In an essay of 5 pages (the Works Cited page does not count as part of the essay page count) write an essay that analyzes a  Movie’s cultural significance.  Basically, you are examining why the movie is relevant/popular with the viewing audience.

Your Argument/Analysis:  This is not an essay where you summarize the movie, nor are you writing an evaluation of whether you like or dislike the movie.  This essay is examining how the movie has major cultural significance. Your analysis is explaining why the movie resonates so well with its viewers.  Your analysis will also examine the cinematic techniques and other artistic devices the director uses that also contribute to the movie’s significance.  

Your essay will analyze the social, cultural, political, religious, and/or economic forces that explain the movie’s significance.  

• Is your movie a reflection of our society?  Why do we need to see ourselves in a “mirror”?
• Is your movie critiquing our society?  Why do we need to be critiqued?
• Is your movie nostalgic for the past?  Why?  

Your essay will also examine the cinematic and artistic techniques that also help establish the movie’s overall appeal.

• Is the character’s costuming telling of an evolution from good to bad?
• Does the director constantly use dim lighting to establish a scary and uncertain world that the main character must battle against?
• Is the movie about the eternal struggle of good versus evil?  How is that also displayed through symbols or clues in certain scenes throughout the episode?

Audience: Your reading audience is someone who has heard of the movie, and is familiar with it, but has not taken the time to analyze the movie with any real meaning.  Your essay will educate the reader that a movie is more than mindless entertainment.  Your essay will educate the reader on a movie’s power to educate society as well.

Sources:  At least 2 sources.  Chapter 7 “The Hollywood Sign: The Culture of American Film” (the Introduction section) is worth using as a source.  You may need to find film critics, film scholars, and media scholars as sources that will validate your position/argument for your analysis of movies.  Perhaps one of the essays in our textbook in Chapter 7 might be usable as a source for Essay 4.

Due Date: Sunday, August 8th at 11:50 p.m.

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Sample Outline for Inspiration…

I) Introduction

Thesis: The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is not a simple blockbuster movie; it has serious depth which makes it an excellent and timeless film.

Essay Map: The elements that contribute to the movie’s excellence are it’s characters, it’s storyline, and cinematic techniques. 

II) Body Paragraphs

A) First, the characters have rich and complex histories, which makes them relatable.

i) Bruce Wayne is a damaged person who seeks revenge as Batman. [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

ii) The Joker is a deranged person whose personal suffering pushes him to act out on society.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

iii) Commissioner Gordon represents the ultimate good and the need to always fight for it.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

B) Next, the storyline of The Dark Knight is very compelling which makes the audience think and ponder about morality.

i) The fight between good and evil is a timeless and popular storyline that enthralls many viewers.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

ii) The complex issue of Batman/Bruce Wayne wanting revenge and being a vigilante is questioned.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

iii) The idea of a hero is questioned through the actions of Batman versus Harvey Dent.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

C) Last, the cinematic techniques used in the film contribute to the film’s theme and character development, and also make it a work of art for the visual and aural senses.

i) The dark colors in the scenery promote the feeling of fear throughout the entire film.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

ii) The Joker’s makeup, hair, and costume help solidify him as an evil and chaotic character.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

iii) The music in certain scenes help promote fear and uneasiness which must be defeated.  [Describe and analyze a scene to provide depth and validate this example.  If there is a source to back up this example, quote or paraphrase it to further validate the example’s purpose.]

III) Conclusion

More than a meaningless action film, The Dark Knight is a rich and complex film that gets better with multiple viewings.

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