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Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is one of the most influential psychological horror films of all time. The film follows Marion Crane, a woman on the run after stealing $40,000, who checks into the isolated Bates Motel, run by the seemingly shy and awkward Norman Bates. The film masterfully plays with psychological tension, deception, and the unsettling relationship between Norman and his mysterious mother. I first watched Psycho in high school, and it left a lasting impression on me. Even though it’s an older black-and-white movie, the suspense and eerie atmosphere kept me completely engaged. The way Hitchcock built tension without relying on excessive gore was something I hadn’t really seen before, and it made me appreciate how powerful storytelling and cinematography can be. The film’s ending, with its disturbing revelations about Norman Bates, genuinely shocked me, and I remember discussing it with my classmates afterward. Watching Psycho in high school introduced me to classic horror in a way that made me understand why it’s still considered one of the greatest thrillers of all time.

Source

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Psycho-film-1960

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Fahrenheit 451 is a film based on the novel by Ray Bradbury. While I can’t say it’s one of my all-time favorite movies, I did enjoy both the book and the film when I was in high school. The film, directed by François Truffaut, falls under the sci-fi genre and depicts a dystopian society where all reading materials are banned, and firemen ironically burn books.

Something about dystopian narratives has always caught my attention, much like the film The Giver. However, the adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 didn’t perfectly capture the novel. For starters, when the film was initially released, critics described it as “pretentious and pedantic.” The film also faced clear limitations in its technology. For example, the mechanical hound from the novel had to be left out because there was simply no way to depict it realistically with 1960s technology. Instead, the film replaced it with firemen using jetpacks, which is somewhat comical in retrospect.

Sources: Film Authority. Fahrenheit 451 (1966) Review. 21 Dec. 2020, https://film-authority.com/2020/12/21/fahrenheit-451/.

Le Cinema Dreams. Fahrenheit 451 (1966). 6 Apr. 2013, https://lecinemadreams.blogspot.com/2013/04/fahrenheit-451-1966.html.

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The Rise of New Hollywood (Late 1960s) - Denisse Castroman

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The Rise of New Hollywood (Late 1960s) - Denisse Castroman

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One of the biggest changes in film during the 1960s was the start of New Hollywood, also called the American New Wave. By the late 60s, the old Hollywood studio system was falling apart, and a new group of directors started doing things their own way. They moved away from the usual storytelling and censorship rules and were inspired by European films and all the cultural shifts happening at the time. This included the civil rights movement, anti-war protests, and youth rebellion. Movies like Bonnie and Clyde from 1967, directed by Arthur Penn, and The Graduate from 1967, directed by Mike Nichols, really stood out because they were bold and pushed boundaries. These films had more graphic content, showed characters that weren’t typical heroes, and used editing styles people hadn’t really seen before. Audiences responded to it, and it proved that people were ready for something new. This shift gave younger filmmakers more freedom and changed the direction of American movies going into the 1970s. It wasn’t just about film either. It reflected the bigger changes happening in society at the time.

Sources:
Biskind, Peter. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood
Cook, David A. Lost Illusions: American Cinema in the Shadow of Watergate and Vietnam, 1970–1979
AMC Filmsite: https://www.filmsite.org/60sintro.html
British Film Institute: https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/american-new-wave-10-key-films

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The Exorcist (1973), directed by William Friedkin, is said to be one of the most influential movies ever made. The Exorcist brought horror to new creative and cultural heights at a time when it was generally written off as low-budget entertainment. It demonstrated that horror could be both critically and financially successful by fusing innovative filmmaking techniques with religious and psychological issues.

The Exorcist was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It broke down barriers by demonstrating that a movie about spiritual strife and demonic evil could be taken as seriously as a drama. The production of later classics like Jaws (1975), Alien (1979), and The Omen (1976) was influenced by the studios' decision to finance more ambitious and superior horror films as a result of this acclaim.

In a technical sense, The Exorcist transformed the genre of horror filmmaking. Friedkin made the horror seems realistic by using a gritty, documentary-style realism. The creative use of lighting, sound design, and practical effects produced an eerie and immersive environment that tested the audience's tolerance. Visceral imagery, psychological tension, and genuine acting raised the bar for emotional impact and cinematic reality.

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Jaws: The New Era of Progression of Old Hollywood -Yureli FloresGonzalez

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Jaws: The New Era of Progression of Old Hollywood -Yureli FloresGonzalez

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The end of the 60's came to an end but the film industry was looking at trouble and lost half a billion dollars from 1969-1972. Although Jaws wasn't the first blockbuster movie, it sure did save the blockbuster era and new era of movies. It was referred to as the "miracle of evolution". It wasn't one of the highest-budget blockbusters yet it still paved the way for many new movies coming out. A lot of what helped these new movies get exposure was the rise of VHS tapes and cable TV. Jaws was an important film from the 70s because it started a whole newer era of films that allowed the further success of "King Kong" in 1976 and "Orca-Whale Killer" in 1977 among many others. These films would observe closely what made Jaws so successful and took marketing skills as well as similar theatrical elements. It is said that Jaws made the recovery from the industry depression and was another example of "New Hollywood". It allowed more high-budget blockbusters and allowed for their return to the studios. It paved the way for many superhero films and book movie adaptations. The 70s was a progressive era is how I thought about it.

Source:

https://aperture.byu.edu/?p=44#:~:text=Jaws%20is%20a%20good%20reference,1978)%E2%80%9D%20(213).

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The Godfather is one of my favorite movies of all time and it’s considered an all time classic. Released in 1972, directed by Francis Ford Coppola & inspired by Mario Puzo’s mafia novel, the Godfather continues to be highly regarded today. The movie managed to bridge "old Hollywood” & “new Hollywood” that was rapidly changing in the 1970s. The movie made references to old gangster films dating back to the 1920s which made it relevant with fans of the genre. The movie also combines actors from two distinct eras, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.

The cinematography of the film is one of its strong suits. The harsh contrast of blacks and whites help set the tone and mood of the film, starting with the opening introduction of Marlon Brando’s Godfather in the opening scenes. The director of photography, Gordon Willis. took full advantage of existing technology, of film stocks and lenses that allowed him to create layers of black and shadow never done in film. There are other shots that are underlit with deliberate purpose.

In summary, the Godfather pushed technology and style to a new level while maintaining some relation and tributing older films in the genre.

Sources: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/03/film-scholar-explains-why-the-godfather-has-lasting-appeal/

https://www.filmsite.org/godf.html

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From the 1950's to the 1970's there was a film movement in Japan called the "New Wave". The films produced in this movement were rejecting the more common Japanese style of film making at the time, with younger filmmakers choosing to cover more taboo subjects. Japanese New Wave films tended to cover the topics of sexuality, the changing roles of women in post WWII Japan, political unrest, and other facets of identity. Directors began to use bold, experimental cinematography in their films to convey their stories. Some of the hallmark traits of a film in this movement are surrealism and bolder and more experimental, as opposed to more conservative traditional Japanese films. Prominent JNW films contain anything from crime films to historical films with an erotic flare to them. The rise in Japanese counterculture made way for directors like Nagisa Oshima to create films like "In the Realm of the Senses (1976)" that approach the Japanese social structure and sexuality, creating outrage in the general public but being celebrated in non-mainstream circles.

Screencap: Tokyo Drifter (1966) - Seijun Suzuki

https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Late_Japanese_New_Wave_Documentary_and_Cinematic_Truth_Charting_the_Theory_and_Method_of_Graphic_Sensitivity_Towards_Cultural_Otherness/5027636?file=8492144

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Scarface: An "American" Dream- Daniel Godinez

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Scarface: An "American" Dream- Daniel Godinez

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The 1980s introduced a handful of films that were forever etched into the history of the greatest films ever made. One of the earlier films was Scarface. Released in 1983, it features a Cuban immigrant who finds his way to America to find success. While trying to achieve the American Dream, Tony Montana finds his way into one of the biggest businesses in the world and works his way up as a drug lord. This was concurrent with the war on drugs that was happening during President Ronald Reagan's term. The film highlights the reality of the drug trade and how everyone is destined for the same path, jail or death. Throughout the film, Tony slowly loses himself to this business as greed overpowers his ambition. This was one of the few films at the time to show gore on the big screen, and with it came some iconic lines that still resonated with film viewers. It did however spark controversy among Latinos, specifically Cubans as they didn't want to be categorized as drug lords just for being Cubans like Tony Montana. This caused protests and even personal threats to the crew.

Scarface is idolized to this day by both viewers and filmmakers themselves as it sets an example of how storytelling can take time to show the development of a character. Immersing the viewers in the characters' minds is important as it helps establish a connection between the two. The film uses bold colors throughout the movie as it takes place in Miami where one is reminded of the hot and humid weather along with the vibrant and pastel colors that painted the city in the 80s. Tony Montana gradually starts wearing darker colors as his character loses himself more and more. To this day, Scarface remains iconic and often talked about when it comes to films that have made an impact as its popularity also made its stamp on pop culture and hip-hop.

Source: The Story Behind Scarface - Cinema Scholars

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October 19, 1985 the first Blockbuster Video is opened

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October 19, 1985 the first Blockbuster Video is opened

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In the 1980’s purchasing new movies was a real investment, VHS tapes often came with a steep price tag of $70-$100.  Software developers David and Sandy Cook were eager to get out of their tech jobs with Texas oil companies and saw lots of opportunity in the home video market. Using their knowledge and experience in the tech field they revolutionized at home movie watching by opening the first Blockbuster Video in Dallas, Texas October 19, 1985. One of the ideas from tech savvy Cook that made Blockbuster stand out was the introduction of using barcodes and RFID tags to keep track of all video rentals electronically. But what kept people coming back was the incredible branding, the bright lights, the candy and popcorn at the counter perfect for movie nights, film knowledgable staff, and the consistency of moving in new films rolling in. In the beginning of 1987 Blockbuster Video had 19 locations and by the end of the year there were 133 locations and sales had risen from $7.4 million to $43.2 million. The success of Blockbuster continued throughout the 80’s and 90’s but unfortunately saw it’s demise in the 00’s due to a crippling $1 billion debt, and their inability to keep up in the digital entertainment industry.

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Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) changed the film industry in the 1990s. It allows filmmakers to create visuals that were impossible. CGI had been experimented with in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it became a major tool used in films. One of the biggest innovations came with Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991). T2 introduced the first realistic CGI character the liquid-metal T-1000. A couple years later, Jurassic Park (1993) shocked audiences by using CGI to bring dinosaurs to life. They blended digital effects with animatronics to create a sense of realism. Toy Story became the first fully CGI-animated feature film, proving that entire movies could be made digitally. CGI evolved more with The Matrix (1999), that introduced the iconic bullet-time effect that merged CGI with live-action. These advancements opened opportunities for digital filmmaking and for the future of special effects in movies. The success of CGI-driven films in the 1990s changed the way movies were made but also changes audience expectations with films and how CGI an essential part of modern cinema.

Syfy. (2024 July). How James Cameron made Terminator 2’s liquid metal CGI effects. Retrieved from https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/how-james-cameron-made-terminator-2-liquid-metal-cgi-effects

Screen Rant. (2020, June). Why Jurassic Park’s CGI still looks so good. Retrieved from https://screenrant.com/jurassic-park-cgi-still-good-how-explained/

Motion Pictures Association. (2017, August). Looking back at the VFX of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Retrieved from https://www.motionpictures.org/2017/08/looking-back-vfx-terminator-2-judgement-day/

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Christopher Nolan and The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)- Andrea Palomino

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Christopher Nolan and The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012)- Andrea Palomino

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Christopher Nolan is one of most well known directors, praised for his work in The Dark Knight Trilogy and Interstellar. Another one of his films Memento (2000) was his second Oscar winning film, gaining popularity for its unique narrative. The Dark Knight Trilogy, a more darker and serious take on Batman, was a success in the box office, the first film Batman Begins earning around $372 million. Nolan wanted to highlight the realistic aspects of Batman and the guilt that came with it, exploring darker topics. The films brought back popularity to the superhero Batman. Some of the scenes in the first 2 films of Gotham City were actually shot in Chicago. The trilogy was nominated for 8 Oscars and 2 were won, Heath Ledger aka Joker won Best Supporting Actor and another Oscar for Best Sound editing. The second film , The Dark Knight (2008) was nominated for multiple awards and made over $1 billion worldwide. This trilogy is considered one of the best live actions of a superhero and Nolan's realistic storytelling has influenced superhero films we see today.

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0372784/?ref_=ls_t_1

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634240/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/christopher-nolan-on-how-villains-defined-the-dark-knight-trilogy-more-than-batman-1202808441/

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Peter Jackson and his groundbreaking work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003)-Adamari Zavaleta

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Peter Jackson and his groundbreaking work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003)-Adamari Zavaleta

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The Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, brought J.R.R. Tolkien's books to life in the early 2000s. With modern visual effects, realistic motion capture for the character Gollum, and creative fight sequences, these movies were revolutionary in the 2000s. The trilogy, which was entirely filmed in New Zealand, established new standards for fantasy storytelling while showcasing the country's beautiful scenery. The final movie tied the record for the most Oscars won by a single film with 11 wins, including Best Picture and Best Director. Future franchises like the TV series Game of Thrones and movies like Harry Potter were influenced by Jackson's work. His innovative filmmaking techniques and dedication to world-building made The Lord of the Rings a cinematic milestone of the 2000s.

Sources:

https://www.filmsite.org/2000sintro3.html

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001392/

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DVDs came to existence as early as 1995 developed by the popular companies Sony, Panasonic, Philips and Toshiba and although they were first released in Japan in 1996, it wasn't until the spring of 1997 when they debuted in the United States. At first, people were skeptical due to them being so used to VHS tapes and not knowing how a thin silver disk could possibly contain an entire film, but there were also those who were intrigued and curious by this. People quickly began to realize the superior picture quality and how much more convenient they were in size and by 2002, more than 80 million DVDs had been sold making it the fastest electronic adaption thus far. By June of 2003, DVD rentals had surpassed VHS rentals and companies like Netflix and Blockbuster were now representing DVDs by more than 30%. The quick adaptation and development of DVDs gave people a much better and enjoyable experience in their film watching and storage in their homes. As DVDs kept growing, this also led to the decline of VHS tapes and VCR players in where as early as 2006, the last few films were released as. VHS tapes.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/10/14/dvd-rising/

https://variety.com/2007/digital/features/how-dvds-became-a-success-1117963617/

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YouTube came out in 2005, started by three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The site made it super simple for anyone to upload, share, and view online, which changed the game. The first video ever uploaded was “Me at the Zoo,” starting a whole new digital era, showing that literally anyone could share their content with the world. It quickly turned into a go-to spot for movie studios and filmmakers to drop trailers, clips, and ads, totally changing how people find and watch movies. YouTube’s viral thing also helped change marketing, fan culture, and even how movies made money back in the 2000s. YouTube grew fast because it made sharing videos easy, social, and available everywhere. Pretty quickly, millions of people were watching and uploading clips every day. In 2006, Google saw how great it could be and bought YouTube for $1.65 billion, which made it a huge deal in the media. YouTube changed the movie scene too. It turned into a great venue where movie studios can share trailers, interviews, and behind-the-scenes clips and reach more people than traditional advertising ever could. It also lets independent creators and filmmakers in the same way utilize the platform to upload short films, fan videos, and creative content, which in turn helped democratize filmmaking and the new voices in the industry. By the late 2000s, YouTube was not just a website; it changed how we watch, make, and talk about films. When it started, it sparked a whole new thing in the media and changed entertainment for years.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/YouTube

https://www.vdocipher.com/blog/history-of-youtube/

https://interestingengineering.com/culture/youtubes-history-and-its-impact-on-the-internet

https://nofilmschool.com/when-did-youtube-become-popular

https://arxiv.org/pdf/0707.3670