American Trailers
This extended video-essay charts the development and possible future of the America movie trailer. Beginning in 1912, taking in the coming of television and suggesting where it might go in the age of the internet.
Tag Archives: Steven Spielberg
136. American Sniper
Clint Eastwood’s latest film has earned 6 Oscar nominations and is breaking box-office records. But does it deserve all the controversy it is generating?
74. Hollywood’s History Lesson
When it comes to history, we are told that Hollywood always make mistakes. But could it be that it’s the historians who get it wrong?
73. Who Framed Roger Rabbit
The very definition of ‘landmark film’, without it would there be no Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story or even Avatar.
71. The Summer Blockbuster
With young audiences off from school, Hollywood knows there is more money to be made in the summer than at any other time.
68. Black & White
When it comes to cinema, many people consider black & white as old. Yet the same people also consider it beautiful. Surely black & white is more than that?
Spielberg’s Techniques
This video-essay examines Steven Spielberg’s career, from his days in television up until War Horse, and shows how he uses the disciplines of cinema to secure specific emotional responses.
59. The Breakfast Club
By no means the first teen-drama, The Breakfast Club is not just a landmark film for teenagers. It’s essential viewing for adults and teachers as well.
56. Surrealism in Cinema
Originally, surrealism set out to shock. But it has become such a normal element in cinema, has it lost its original power?
53. Brazil
Brazil is Terry Gilliam’s masterpiece. But when he first showed it to the studio, they didn’t know what to make of it. So they decided not to release it.
Blade Runner
This video-essay on Blade Runner examines how Ridley Scott visualizes the film’s numerous and seemingly disparate themes of urbanity, ecology, identity and mortality.
45. Spielberg & Friends
Steven Spielberg is one of Hollywood’s most influential filmmakers ever, so what accounts for his phenomenal success?
41. Paths of Glory
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Humphrey Cobb’s novel was not shown in France for three decades and despite the passing years, it still has the power to shock.
22. Religion in Film
With so many faiths being practiced in America, Hollywood knows better than to show people praying. As a result, ‘religion’ is found in some unexpected places.
5. Terrorism in Film
As far back as World War II, Hollywood cinema has assisted in promoting American foreign policy. How has it responded to the 9/11 atrocities?
3. Stand By Me
Under Rob Reiner’s direction, William Goldman’s script excised all of the supernatural elements of of Stephen King’s short story and became a surprise hit in 1986.
