Essays and Research Papers on Film & Television

A 4 page essay reviewing and analyzing the film Amadeus. In this version of Mozart's biography, the story is told through a series of flashbacks as perceived by Mozart's chief antagonist, Salieri. Salieri's hatred and bitterness, which he harbors even after Mozart's death lead to the destruction of both men. No additional sources cited.

This paper explores Richard Condon's book and Frankenheimer's movie 'The Manchurian Candidate' in terms of conspiracy theory and McCarthyism of the era (1959-1960). There is a brief comparison of the two and a short biography of Condon. The book focuses on the psychological and political aspects of the story. Bibliography lists 4 sources. JVcondon.rtf

A 4 page research paper/essay that analyzes the use of sound in this film. Director Martin Scorsese's 1990 film Goodfellas (produced by Irwin Winkler; released by Warner Brothers) focuses on life is like as a member of the Mafia. Based on the real-life biography of gangster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), the movie chronicles Henry's life ...

6 pages in length. The distinction between narrative and fiction is that narrative is derived from reality, whereas fiction is born of someone's imagination. That is not to say that either one presents a better form of documentary than the other, but rather to recognize that one's foundations is based in truth, while ...

The man who put together the NBC Thursday night lineup of Friends and Frazier is considered one of the giants of network television, yet with the end of those sitcom series in 2004, some are predicting that the giant will take a big fall. Others, say it won’t happen. Zucker has proved himself and will ...

This 10 page paper takes a look at this infamous inventor's stint in the motion picture business. Edison's life and times are explored. Eastman's role is duly noted. A section on the MPPC is included. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 5 page film report that examines the movie Apollo 13 from the perspective of a management consultant who has been brought in by NASA in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the management strategies employed by those involved as portrayed by the movie. No additional sources cite.

The Wedding Banquet: This 7-page essay examines the themes relevant to courtship, marriage, homosexuality, and gender roles in the film, The Wedding Banquet, while also discussing the pertinent characters’ filial obligations from divergent perspectives. Through a counterfeit marriage, (born of the younger generation’s desire to get on with their disparate lives), a recognition of the ...

This 6 page paper explores the philosophies of Mihel Foucault in regards to power and knowledge and how it pertains to the study of human interaction. T. Kim Trang Tran's documentary of the plight of Cambodian women under the Khmer Rouge is examined in light of Foucault's theories. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page study of Orson Welles' film based on Kafka's famous novel. Special attention is given to the relationship between sexuality, impotence, and power. No bibliography.

In seven pages this paper examines reviews and religious commentaries on this film regarding what they reveal about its depiction of religion and its relationship to American culture. Five sources are cited in the bibliography.

A 5 page research paper/essay that examines a cultural product, in this case the book and movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, for religious themes. The writer argues that J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece has a distinctly Christian orientation, despite its many aspects drawn from pagan myth. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the role of religion in the films “The Gangs of New York” and “Far and Away.” Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines religion in the 1960 film Inherit the Wind. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper that describes how camera techniques, mise-en-scene, and imagery combine to underscore the theme of pessimism and the view that religion does not offer effective answers to life's problems. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

In three pages this reaction paper on the film Maria Full of Grace considers the manipulative aspects of the drug industry that has become almost like a religion for some and purely political for others, and discusses why Maria and other impoverished people like her would get involved in drug trafficking as mule in an ...

This 4-page paper examines the movie Dead Man Walking written and directed by Tim Robbins and how religion and capital punishment can be controversial. There are 2 sources cited.

A 3 page analysis of the film Cape Fear. The focus of the essay is justice and if either of the two male characters, Cady or Bowden, acted in a just and fair manner. Bowden may have acted against legal ethics but was his action just? No additional sources cited.

This five-page-paper is an in-depth discussion on the development of Method Acting and the man who invented it. Konstantin Stanislavski was an actor who developed a step by step process to acting that involved the use of the actor's own emotions as well as physical logic. Bibliography lists four sources.

In 2 pages, the author analyzes Robert De Niro's acting skill in "Awakenings" (19990). The style and effect of his performance are noted as well as what makes him believable. The question of whether his delivery is effective and convincing is answered, as well as whether he uses formalistic technique or method acting. ...

A 3 page paper which compares Kurtz, from the film “Heart of Darkness” based on Conrad’s novel of the same name, and the ancient character of Gilgamesh. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This is a 9 page paper on television’s reliance on negative ethnic stereotypes and violence to depict its stories. “The Sopranos” is used as an example. Critics argue that much of television today seems to rely on negative ethnic stereotypes, violence or both to receive high ratings and in doing so portrays inaccurate distortions of ...

This is a 10 page paper discussing the program access rules for cable TV as originally enacted in 1992 in the Cable Consumer Protection and Competition Act passed by Congress. Since the introduction of the Act which was meant to spur competition but still contained many restrictions the cable industry has still remained dominant in ...

This 6 page report discusses the 1972 movie “The Godfather” and the ways in which the movies of Francis Ford Coppola’s “Godfather” epic serve as an example of the ways in which the style and form of a movie often follows the most basic of classic storylines. In them, modern audiences experiences the journey of ...

A 5 page paper which examines the history and evolution of documentary film. Bibliography lists 7 sources.