I can't remember ever seeing a film with more moral problems and issues than Roger Kumbles Cruel Intentions. Although the film is intended to be a dark comedy and a teenage version of Dangerous Liaisons, Cruel Intentions is a mature and often shocking look at a potential realistic situation played up as a fantasy tale that offers a sickening example of the moral decay present in our society. Morals seem to change from generation to generation, and as time goes on it seems that at one time what was disgusting and immoral in our society is now second nature and pure entertainment for today's generation. An example of this might be to take the idea of a show consisting of uncensored sexual intercourse, and having it actually become a feasible form of entertainment in the future. But even if we never reach that repulsive depth of moral depravity, what the teenagers in today's society see as purely fun and entertainment, the adults in the same environment might decipher as sick and morally wrong. It is a mix of both this idea and the movie's extremely risqué' and at times graphic message, that in my opinion would make adults of past generations hate this film.
In our every day lives sibling rivalry is as ancient as humanity itself, but in Cruel Intentions it is taken to a whole new level. The film is centered around the immoral lives of Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillipe) and his stepsister Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who both live together away from their divorced parents, and are spoiled beyond reality by a rich inheritance. Sebastian and Kathryn love to play, but not in the "it's-just-for-fun" way. They love to dehumanize other people, and concur them as sexual conquests. However it's more than a game between the two, i...
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...around comes around, as Kathryn's life from that point on was ruined just as she had ruined (ended) Sebastian's.
Overall I felt this movie was extremely well done. The cinematography and art direction were beautiful and the acting was superb. The film took me through the lives of people who had no conscious, and- no morals and the damage that resulted from it. Its themes were mature in the sense that the situations in this movie that would normally contain adults were written onto teens that in my opinion were almost too wise beyond their years. The movies content was beyond immoral and the fact that the film was centered on youth and hardly ever showed an adult with more than a line proved its focus on moral decay. All in all I was highly intrigued by this movie and felt that the director did a wonderful job with his 90210 interpretation of Dangerous Liaisons.
All siblings are cruel to one another in many different ways; but the story written by James Hurst called "The Scarlet Ibis" takes the idea to a whole new level.
Overall the film was a very informative film for a more homophobic audience. The content was relatable and connected well with the information and discussions that have been within our society for a long time. It was a well-done film that really questions the homophobic opinions and while this is still a very real debate in today’s society the film does a great job at arguing the homophobic opinions.
The MPAA rating system was once a good source for people to find out whether a movie would contain immoral or violent images; currently the system has grown to become ineffective in today’s society. Society changes as well as movies; content and subject matter has changed for movies of this generation. If the system is not changed it will not help parents to know what movies will be appropriate for their children to watch. Because of the influence and prevalence of movies in our society and culture today a rating system is important, if that system fails to do its duty the negative influence that the movies can have on the children and youth of tomorrow will be great.
...rony” such as the “premature deaths and suicides” it caused and the “dull and sanctimonious films” it spawned.
In recent times, such stereotyped categorizations of films are becoming inapplicable. ‘Blockbusters’ with celebrity-studded casts may have plots in which characters explore the depths of the human psyche, or avant-garde film techniques. Titles like ‘American Beauty’ (1999), ‘Fight Club’ (1999) and ‘Kill Bill 2’ (2004) come readily into mind. Hollywood perhaps could be gradually losing its stigma as a money-hungry machine churning out predictable, unintelligent flicks for mass consumption. While whether this image of Hollywood is justified remains open to debate, earlier films in the 60’s and 70’s like ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ (1967) and ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976) already revealed signs of depth and avant-garde film techniques. These films were successful as not only did they appeal to the mass audience, but they managed to communicate alternate messages to select groups who understood subtleties within them.
Looking after something you create is one point it brings up. Frankenstein created his creature so he should have looked after it but instead just because he didn't like the way it looked he ran away. He never taught his creature anything so for all the creature knew it could have been okay to kill people and suchlike. That relates to today as some children who were not taught right from wrong by their parents watch films like Scream and I know what you did last summer where murdering seems cool as it involves Jennifer Love Hewit, Sarah Michelle Geller and Neve Cambell getting killed. The children watch these and think "I want to be like that scary guy with the mask" and they go and try to kill someone. If they do they get charged for the offence but many people think that the children's parents should be blamed as they never taught the child right from wrong and they didn't stop the child (sometimes as young as eight or nine) from watching the video which is rated eighteen or fifteen. When the filmmakers hear about how their film was responsible for a death they never (except for once) take the film away from the public and what they usually do is make a less violent sequel, which isn't really helping anyone and less violence still is some violence.
Many Americans love films, the meanings behind those films and the impact some films have on people’s lives. Ever since films were created there have been people and organizations that have tried to censor and block what the public can and cannot see. Even to this day there are certain things that if put on film because of censorship, would never make it to the public. This is very sad. Film is one of this country’s great expressive outlets. Many filmmakers and the people who enjoy what these filmmakers put out are effected by the horrible concept of censorship. When a film is put out to the public it is first reviewed by a movie rating board who then assigns the film a rating to tell people what age groups the film is suitable for and what the film contains. Movie selection for minors should solely be the responsibility of that child’s parent, not some critic that watches films and then makes decisions for other people about who can watch it and who can’t. People just need to start to understand the real meaning of free speech and expression in this country. Too many people are taking it for granted. People who are for the censorship of films may argue that it’s for the good of our children, shielding them from violence and sex, and not exposing them to something that they claim may be mentally harm...
The first thing I will go over is the actors. Overall, they did a fantastic job and portrayed the characters well. Zachery Schaftlein, who played Father Brenden Flynn, and Abigail Elmore, Sister Aloysius Beauvier, both did a fantastic job in their roles. I loved the
“Art is emotion. The use of film, I say, putting it together, and making it have an affect on an audience is the main function of film,’ said Alfred Hitchcock, in the CBC interview. (Hitchcock, A Talk with Hitchcock.) The movies have been a big part of culture since it was invented. Though, every film is not good, all may be somewhat impactful. Alfred Hitchcock, a man that has directed many big movies, couldn’t have known the impact of one of the most shocking and controversial movie ever. Hitchcock’s Psycho effected the way the current entertainment industry shows mental health, sexuality, suspense, and awareness in culture. With amazing violence and suggestive sexual content, the movie crossed some censorship lines. Arguably Hitchcock’s largest hit, still lives in current media today.
Really, I have very few issues with the movie and to share them here would spoil the greatness but they are so minimal and fleeting it almost feels silly to think about. In a world of PG-13 “horror” films, it is rather nice to know that The Crazies earned its hard R rating fair and square. It may be lacking in underlying social commentary (as I’m sure the original did, thanks Romero), but this is one hell of a movie that will shock you enough, you won’t even miss it.
Most children experience agony and hope as they face the struggles of sibling rivalry throughout their childhood. This situation has been experienced by children, of whom may or may not have siblings, for hundreds of years. Several stories represent this crisis, including the Biblical story of Abel and Cain which was written over 3000 years ago. Abel of whom was forced to be Cain’s ash-brother. Cain had developed an intense feeling of jealousy of Abel when his offering to the Lord was rejected while Abel’s was accepted. This caused him great agony, but he wasn’t the only one. The fairytale “Cinderella” encompasses the ideas of sibling rivalry as well as the agonies and hopes that correspond with it.
It is full of drama but it does not leave the facts behind regarding deviant behavior. Not only it provides a take on deviance but it also suggests that anything can be corrected if one positive step is taken to that direction. This movie has a strong appeal to those who choose deviant behavior over peace and are behaving anti-social. This film should be watched by every young person at least one so that they can understand the psychological turmoil one goes through after they commit something to harm others just to prove a point. It is never too late to choose the right way and Derek shows that very precisely. I would love to watch this film again as it gives a very positive vibe to me and I have learnt a lot from
There is no doubt that movies entertain a person. However, over sexualized movies have the capability of poisoning minds which are easily shapeable-for example Fifty shades of gray. Children are told not to view it, however that does nothing to stop the viewing of the movie. Not only does it corrupt young minds it hands them unlimited access to the findings of adult
This movie evoke many feelings in me. The first feelings that this movie evoked in me was disgust and horror. When I realized what those men were doing to that little girl, I was disgusted and horrified. As the daughter of a rape victim and a
I view this as one of the few truly great movies of all time. I say this because it carries all of the basic cinematic elements that compose a great film. These elements begin with the characters. You can hardly expect to enjoy a movie if the characters are not believable. In this particular movie the characters were not only believable but you could identify yourself a little in one or all of the characters. One thing that can have an unfortunate detraction from even a good movie is anachronisms. The only one I found was a halogen bulb in a light fixture. However, I doubt anyone would notice were they not looking for one. This movie can be enjoyed by even the most mentally devoid of audiences. The reason for this is that most people do not like being bossed around or forced to do anything. It did make me think about how little freedom we actually have in life and how we all need to live just a little bit more.