Studying the Success of the Films The Revenge of the Nerds - Assignment Example

15th April Film Studies Introduction One of the key areas of studies that have become common in most of the institutions of higher learning is film studies. This refers to an interdisciplinary program that focuses on theory, history as well as criticism of cinema in addition to other moving images. Another notable aspect of film studies is that it takes a number of critical approaches that are adopted during production and creation of films. In the contemporary world, film studies involve various methods of teaching culture and history. As the technology evolves and the introduction of You Tube and 3-D film, films are currently used to teach learners about art and culture that is adopted by various people locally and globally. This paper seeks to discuss the topic of film and how they have impacted on the field of film studies. One of the notable films that have been used to expand the cultural understanding of films is revenge of the Nerds is a comedian film that covers social life in a college campus. The film, which portrays a group of nerds in their effort to stop harassment by the means of persecuting jock fraternity, involves various stars such as Anthony Edwards, Robert Carradine, TedMcGinley, Brian Tochi, Curtis Armstrong, John Goodman and Michelle Meyrink among others. Being directed by Stephen Spielberg, Revenge of the Nerds is noted to be one of the funniest movies. In the movie, Nerds Lewis Skolnick who in this case is Carradine and Gilbert Lowe who is Edwards joins Adams College to pursue computer science. During their studies, most of the college footballers forms a movement referred to as Apha Betas and they are involved in burning of their fraternity house. This is followed by ejecting the residents staying in freshmen dorm. Even though a renovation is done on the nerd’s house, a rock is painted with the phrase Nerds Get Out. The most important issue that the actors in the film cover is violence. As experienced actors they portray the situation that faces freshmen under the hands of older students. In their effort to revenge, the nerds undertake a panty raid on Pi Delta Pi house where they install a camera that seeks to spy on the women while they undress. Additionally, the nerds pour a strong liquid that is referred to as Liquid heat on the football player’s jock straps leading to a painful and humiliating football practice. The Apha Betas however continues with their harassment for example by leaving a burning nerd sign outside the houses. The film, which ends with the nerds celebrating their victory by announcing we are champions, candidly indicates the way the various classes in the society aim at controlling the other lower classes and their resources (Ian 19). Actors in the movie have adopted various film theories to achieve their objectives. The success of the film was due to the contributions done by Stephen Spielberg. During his career Steven Spielberg influenced a number of films that had high budgets making him to be recognized in the film industry that made him to be awarded with Liberty Award in 2009. Mean Streets is another film that is relevant in today industry. As a crime film that was produced in 1973, the film, which was directed by Martin Scorsese, involves two major stars namely Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel. In the film, Charlie (Harvey Keitel) is a young man of the Italian American origin who aims at moving up in the mafia group that is referred to as New York Mafia. However, Johny Boy (Robert Niro), who is a small time gambler, hampers Charlie feelings. Charlie, on his part is torn between mafia ambitions and Catholicism. As the film continues, cases of insults emerge with Michael is seen to pointing a gun at Johnny. Charlie car is short by henchman resulting to the injuries for Johnny and Charlie. The film, which ends with paramedics taking the criminal away after the arriving of an ambulance, cleary indicates the impact of crimes in the lives of members of society and the criminals. The actors portray the activities that are undertaken by mafia groups in US. Martin Scorsese, the director of Mean Streets is a skilled film maker who was born in 1942 and grew up in Queens NY among priests and gangsters. After going to seminary, he joined The New York University. Martin is also known for his expertise in producing, acting, screenwriting and a film historian. His main themes in more than 80 films that he has played part in addresses modern crime, Italian-American identity, concepts of roman catholic and gang conflict. As a skilled film maker who supported the Democratic Party during President Obama campaign, Scorsese has been awarded various honors from organization such as the National Italian American Foundation, Total Film magazine, National Film School in Lodz and the National Endowment for the humanities among others. On its part, Apocalypse Now is an epic adventure war film that was produced by Francis Coppola in 1979. The movie which was also directed by Francis Coppola involves renowned actors such as Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen among others. The film covers on issues that occurred during the Vietnam War, where Willard (Martin Sheen) is seen drinking heavily in a cheap Saigon hotel after his failed marriage as well as ruminating on his life. After meeting the military intelligence officers, Willard is given the role of following Nung River and to find Special Forces colonel referred to as Walter Kurtz. He also joins a Navy and agrees to take the responsibility that he was given by the chief commander, crewmen Lance and Mr. clean. The film which ends by the world fading to black provides a clear picture of the war that took place in Vietnam and the role of the US Army special operations officers. One of the notable aspects that the actors in the film indicate is the effective coordination of the issues that emerge even though they are quire enormous. During his duties as an assistant for Francis Ford Coppola on the film referred to as The Rain People, Geroge Lucas as well as Steven Spielberg encouraged John Millus to write a film covering on Vietnam War. Through the financial support that Coppola gave to Millus, the film screen play was written in 1969 and it was originally referred as The Psychedelic Soldier (Jeffrey 29). Originally, Isao Tomita, a Japanese composer was given the role of providing the initial score but he accompanied the film crew in Philippines, the label contracts deterred his involvement. Francis Coppola is an American film producer who was born at Detroit, Michigan in 1939. His experience and expertise in film direction made him to play a major role in the new Hollywood wave of film production (Gleiberman 37). One of the films that made Coppola to enjoy a very strong directorial prominence was The Godfather that was released in 1972. The director, whose work revolves on more than 100 films, has invested in various sectors such as winery, resorts, literary publications, and lifestyle brands among others. As a comedy film based in Canada, Starbuck is a film that was directed by Ken Scott covers stars like Julie LeBreton, Patrick Huard, and Antonie Bertrand among others. The film plot covers the 1988 prologue where David is seen at Quebec sperm bank while he was making donation. At one time he recognized that Valerie, his girlfriend, was pregnant and a lawyer at the sperm bank informs David that he has fathered more than 533 children. After winning a law suit where he received $200,000 and kept his identity secret. Despite being told by the lawyer not to reveal his identity by the lawyer, he secretly sent an e-mail to the media and identified himself leading to many children showing up to have a view of him since he fathered all of them. Ken Scott significantly contributed to the success of Starbucks. He is a screenwriter, director, and an actor who is based in Canada. Best known for his major role in comedy groups such as Les Bizarroides, he attended a university in Montreal where he obtained a degree in cinematography. Through the various episodes that he wrote in 2002, Ken became to be well known was provided with an opportunity to direct various films such as Sticky Fingers, Doctor Sleep, Starbucks, and Delivery Man among others. As the result of his significant role in the firm industry, Scott was awarded various honors for example during Sudanese Film Festival, nominated during Prix Jutra and the Genie awards. Sorcerer is an American thriller film that is based in US and released in 1977. The film, which was directed by William Friedkin who was also the director, was edited by Bud Smith and Robert Lambert. Some of the notable stars in the Sorcerer are Roy Scheider, Amidou, Bruno Cremer, and Ramon Bieri. In the plot of the film, Sorcerer has four segments that represent various characters in different parts of the world. These include Vignette#1-Veracruz, Vignette#2-Jerusalem, Vignette#3-Paris and Vignette#4 that represent Elizabeth, New Jersey, US. In the film, Jackie, Kassem and Victor assume fake identities while in South America. While Kassem and Maquez live in a very poor village, their savings become inadequate to migrate. This film aims at showing the living standard of people in different parts of the world and their reactions on the life challenges. William Friedkin, the sorcerer director was born in 1935. As renowned director, a screenwriter and a producer, William career took position in 1965 after directing Good Times (Friedkin 26). Afterwards, he embarked on production of various films an aspect that made him to be awarded by various organizations. Some of major awards that Ken received include Academy Award, Golden Globes, Directors Guild of America, Razzie Awards, Saturn Awards, Empire Awards, and honor during Venice Film and Locarno International Film Festivals. Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is clear that film industry has significantly developed. The contribution of the established directors, mostly located in US, have done great work in researching and recording of films for the purpose of assist film studies researchers and teachers. Through the films, we are in a position to learn about the culture of other communities across the globe. Works Cited Friedkin, W. The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir. New York: HarperCollins, 2013.Print. Gleiberman, O. Gross Oversights. 2014 Entertainment Weekly. Ian, H. International Film Guide. New York: Macmillan Publishers, 2012.Print. Jeffrey, C. Hollywood auteur: Francis Coppola. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988.Print. Read More