American films

Media Final 1) The likelihood of a white male to be imprisoned in their lifetime in America is one in seventeen. The likelihood of a black male to be imprisoned is one in three. Approximately 40% of all who are incarcerated in the US are African American. While, they only make up 12.3% of the population. These are some key statistics that were mentioned in the documentary “13th” directed by Ava DuVernay. This documentary is named after the 13th amendment which says, “Neither slavery nor…

them once they came off the ship. The main character Vallon mentioned how even though he was 2 hours from where he landed, the people treated them all the same. 1:12:00 into the movie, William Cutting said as the people left the ships, “I see no Americans, I see trespassers.” Within an hour into the movie, it seemed that regardless of age, people would still be racist, since in a not so subtle scene, an officer raised his police stick at what seemed to be a passing ‘colored’ child who was…

What comes to mind when you hear the name, Dorothy Dandridge? Many think of her arguably best film, 1954's Carmen Jones, while others remember the sultry but unconventional femme fatale. Today, Dandridge is hailed as a pioneer for African-American women in film. In fact, Dorothy Dandridge was the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress. However, her legacy remained unacknowledged by the mainstream entertainment industry until 1999, when Halle Berry…

The American dream is based on the desires found as a result of the American lifestyle. A common theme found throughout the interviews was an inherent plea for stability. A significant percent of the people interviewed came from foreign countries for various reasons such as a want for a better life not just for themselves but for their children. Making an enormous move like that might be the reason why many of them had such an innate craving for stability. Another major component was this…

character and identity” (2011: 4). These words by African American author Melissa Harris-Perry may sound harsh, but it is still the unpleasant truth African American women today should deal with. Throughout American history, African American women have been discriminated against on a social, political and economic level, and over the last couple of decades their inferior position. (Versluys. 2014 p. 44) For example, Halle Berry was the African American woman that won an Academy Award for Best…

As an African American woman and one who comes from a family of immigrants, I often didn’t see enough people who represented me in film. The depiction of African Americans in film were either slaves or poverty-stricken. I saw a plethora of ‘token’ characters and punch lines of various jokes but never just people. The women I saw were either damsels in distress or the subjects of men’s manic pixie dreams. They were neither strong nor independent, the person I was taught to become. As a result,…

With American big blockbuster and independent films (Indies), there are many factors that contribute to the production of each. Even though both types of films can be great there are similarities and difference in the way they are made. The budget, cast, and film production concept are the biggest factors I will expand upon. The biggest difference between independent movies and big production movies is the budget the film is allotted. While in the comedy “22 Jump Street”, the budget was 65…

the Native Americans. In this time era, relationships were built on a hostile foundation, considering the dynamics and the motives of everyone coming into past day America. Native American war parties assisted in the British and French colonial wars in 1757. The French and Indian war was occurring while the British were fighting the French for land in North America. They had been fighting for 3 years. The Indians had fought on both sides (for the French and the British). The American colonists…

Willing, witty, and wild would be words to describe Chris Kyle, in the intriguing film American Sniper. Directed by not only an incredible actor but director as well, Clint Eastwood explains the ascending and descending rollercoaster of a life Chris Kyle is living. Eastwood exemplifies the difficulties veterans face when they are getting ready to, are in, and come back from serving. Not only do they have to prepare from being away from loved ones, born or yet to be born, but, they have to also…

of young American Indians living in Los Angeles after urban relocation. They struggle to overcome many obstacles and try to survive in the city, yet they all hold their own visions for their city life. Many American Indians left the reserve, hoping to find a good job, a nice home and education for their children (Rocky Mountain PBS). However, when they arrived at the city, they found that everything they knew was gone and they felt lost in the city. Just like the characters in the film “the…