Comments on: Explaining America in movies

By: squirtgun

squirtgun — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 21:15:27 +0000

The Godfather–for me, hands down, the great American movie. Underneath, it’s not about the Mafia or crime or even family honor (whatever the hell that means) . . . it’s about the immigrant experience in America . . . and far more importantly, the consumptive nature of capitalism.

I’d also include Once Upon a Time in the West. (Though made by an Italian, it’s THE great movie about both the historical west and the mythical west . . . and their mutual influence on the American character.)

Toss in Chinatown, To Kill a Mockingbird, Shane, It’s a Wonderful Life, On the Waterfront, the Best Years of Our Lives, Midnight Cowboy and Dr. Strangelove . . . you’re getting there . . . .

By: Amara

Amara — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 07:29:21 +0000

Dear Joanne, When I moved to Europe, seeing/hearing my beloved Star Trek dubbed in German, French, Italian, or other languages was very strange for me. _None_ of my colleagues had heard their real voices! So in my seminars of wavelets, I thought to educate them with this facet. I found a recording of Captain Kirk's voice, played it so they could hear the real thing, and then made a wavelet transform to show them how the frequencies could be separated. And since Paramount or Universal, or whoever owns Star Trek cannot copyright a wavelet transform of Kirk's voice, I felt safe putting these transforms at my web site. (scroll down to the bottom of the page)

By: JoAnne

JoAnne — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 04:58:45 +0000

Amara: I have seen the orginal Star Trek dubbed in Italian. I have to confess that the ever-logical Spock speaking in emotional Italian made me laugh!

By: bittergradstudent

bittergradstudent — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 04:45:07 +0000

Shortly, however, I think that this might tell you more about America, and yourself, than all those other movies combined. how I wish I was in the pitch meeting.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 04:39:07 +0000

Some wonderful choices but a few I expected are not suggested by anyone. I am Canadian and in my early 50’s, both of which affect my view of our perplexing, fascinating,strong and sometimes scary neighbour to the south. I would have expected to see more Westerns and at least one like Platoon or Full Metal Jacket. From my northern viewpoint these are big parts of the American zeitgeist (and why not Inherit the Wind while I think of it, I expect a remake soon, perhaps Intelligently Design the Wind)

By: sisyphus

sisyphus — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 22:46:07 +0000

Ten million movies couldn’t explain America.

By: David Guarrera

David Guarrera — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:42:25 +0000

Sorry, era, but your misquotation actually made me feel pain. The real quotation is more along the lines of:

Kay: Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don’t have men killed.

Michael: Now who’s being naive, Kay?

By: Amara

Amara — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:26:46 +0000

Ah but Kieslowski films are mind manna for a lifetime… (Try to rent those!)

By: Ijon Tichy

Ijon Tichy — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 05:12:58 +0000

Pyracantha, my advice is don’t waste your time. Your local book library contains more manna for your mind than all the video stores in the world.

By: era

era — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 02:51:44 +0000

Actually, The GodFather is also very American. Apart from the nice portrayal of the challenges faced by the new immigrants, it unmasks the naive view of people towards politicians(of both parties) that is a lot truer than many realize.

Kate asks Michael,” Why can’t your family be in politics, like a senator, instead of being in crime?”

Michael, “Kate, you are so naive.”