Her

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The book Flashback: A Brief History of Films, describes how director Spike Jonze's generation of filmmakers is ushering in a rebirth of Hollywood. Films such as Jonze's Being John Malkovich, and the Wachowski siblings' The Matrix are headlining a new wave of successful films. Like Lucas, Spielberg, and Kubrick before him, Spike Jonze brings a fresh and divergent take on traditional Hollywood. Her is a film unlike romantic comedies that came before it in that it examines a new type of relationship - one between a man and a computer. Never before had such a subject matter been seen in cinema. However, the film's influence is already apparent. Just as Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark influenced adventure films in the 1980s and 1990s, films released in the wake of Her, such as Transcendence have begun to include artificial intelligence as a major force in the story. This new trend shows that Spike Jonze is now a source of inspiration and influence for the next generation of revolutionary film makers.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.wired.com/2014/01/will-influential-ui-design-minority-report/

An article on wired.com discusses the aesthetics of the future world depicted in Her. The film features a future world where technology has not changed the world, but has instead dissolved into it. In Her's world, people still use desktop computers, Bluetooth-like headsets, and television monitors. Even the phones used by the characters in the film reflect this idea of integrated technology. According to the article, director Spike Jonze is highly critical of modern day smart phones which require too much attention. In Her, the characters are seen using their phones considerably less frequently and the phones themselves are designed to look more like a pocket matchbook than the hulking devices they are today. Also discussed in the article is the nature of the artificial intelligences seen in the film. As stated in the article the writers of the film created an operating system (OS) meant to simplify itself in order to emulate human behavior, offering an aid to solve a problem rather than having all the answers.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

Unlike Star Trek, Minority Report, and Back to the Future Part II, Her's future does not focus on a world entirely altered by the presence of technology. In fact, most of the technology seen in the film already exists. Wireless miniature headsets, voice command computers, pocket-sized phones with powerful operating systems, and immersive interactive videogames have already become common place over the past ten or so years. Where the design of Her differs from other future-based films is that the look and feel of technology has actually reverted. Computers are not the size of eyeglasses, nor are they three-dimensional simulations. The OS is still displayed on a desktop monitor with loading screens and files and folders to sort all the data on the hard drive. Even the video games played by the main character, Theo, is not far off from current technologies which utilize physical player motions to control the in-game action. It is this delicate and minor adjustment of current technologies that makes the future of Her believable.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Her is a strangely enticing film about the relationship between a man and his computer's operating system. On one hand, it is a love story about two people of completely different realities, in this case one of them is virtual, who find love and solace in one another. On the other hand it is a tragic story about a lonely man who can only find happiness when he interacts with a machine programmed to pinpoint and exploit what makes him happy. The film strings the audience along in the false romance and at a critical moment takes a step back to point out the obvious - that this man is dating a computer and this Pygmalion-like love story has to end. This moment of epiphany is what jolts the man, and by extension the audience, to realize that his perfect relationship might just be too perfect and his romance with a computer might be more embarrassing than it is heartwarming. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______5/13/14_________________

The King of Comedy

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

According to Flashback: A Brief History of Film, Martin Scorsese's films are rarely polished, and many scenes are disjointed and at times inconsistent. The book states that the director manages to force such incoherent scenes together simply through his own personality. An example of this found in The King of Comedy is the lack of clarity regarding reality and fantasy. At numerous times in the film the main character, Rupert Pupkin has vivid and complex fantasies where he is a colleague and close friend with his idol Jerry Langford. The film never explicitly states or visually shows when a daydream begins and ends, often leaving it to the audience to determine when the film has crossed over.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://thedissolve.com/features/movie-of-the-week/387-the-king-of-comedy-forum-is-rupert-pupkin-funny-an/

In an article posted on Thedissolve.com there is a roundtable discussion of the film The King of Comedy. The topics highlighted in this forum are style/storytelling, Fame and Fandom, Comedy of Discomfort, and Jerry Lewis. In the fame and fandom portion writer Tasha Robinson highlights the irony of Rupert Pupkin's plight to become a celebrity. Robinson writes that Pupkin frequently daydreams about becoming famous and having casual conversations with high-profile stars, never realizing that being in such a position will make him the target of obsessive groupies and lunatics, much like himself. The drawbacks of fame are depicted by Jerry Langford, who cannot leave his own home without being mobbed by crowds of fans and stopped by people on the street. Keith Phillips, another contributor to the discussion, notes how interesting it is to see how fans made contact with celebrities before the days of the internet.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

According to Robinson, Phillips, and the other contributors to the discussion regarding The King of Comedy, the film shows both sides of celebrity culture. From Pupkin's perspective the glamorous and fabulous side of stardom is shown, where everyone is a friend and constantly pumping up everyone else with praises. From Langford's perspective the demanding and at times uncomfortable side of fame is highlighted, teeming with crazed groupies and demanding fans. In the end, the film shows that neither side of stardom is all that appealing, varying form a desperate and hopeless attempt to gain a celebrity's attention to an equally desperate and hopeless search to escape the fame and constant attention from the fans.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

The King of Comedy is a satire of modern culture and the emphasis of importance on celebrities. Pupkin and several other characters in the film eagerly await the brief appearance of their idols, often going at great lengths to garner their attention. It is a social satire which highlights what is valued in modern culture. This film is a perfect example of Scorsese's clever and at times sarcastic style of film making. At the end of King of Comedy Rupert Pupkin is shown before an off-screen live audience at the taping of what is presumably his first television comedy special. Scorsese leaves clues in this scene and earlier in the film to allow the viewer to decide if Pupkin really became famous, or is imaging his fortune. Throughout the movie Pupkin is shown having daydreams complete with visual and auditory stimulations, but the film also shows that whenever Pupkin is in this reality vague elements of the real world around him remain. At the end of the film when Pupkin is about to begin his television special, the curtain behind him is very similar in appearance to prison stripes. Scorsese leaves it to the audience to interpret this as a coincidence or a clue that Pupkin is again fantasizing. It is Scorsese's method of surreptitiously leading the audience to make their own conclusions that makes him one of the most unique and recognizable film makers of the modern era.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______5/4/14_________________

Three Kings

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In class it was discussed that Three Kings director David O. Russell was very demanding and aggressive with his actors, even coming to a physical confrontation with actor George Clooney. Also related in the class was that fellow director Spike Jonze takes a rare turn at acting in the film portraying the bumbling and mildly dim-witted Private Vig. Additionally, even though the film depicts an Iraqi desert landscape, the film was shot entirely in America. Russell's questionable casting and demanding directing pays off for the director as Three Kings is a very gritty and emotional film which portrays a sense of war and bewilderment in a foreign land precisely and minutely.  

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst/webpages4/filmnotes/fnf03n3.html

An article on the University of Albany's website explains that David O. Russell began film school at age twenty-eight, much later than the average student. According to the article Russell began his career as a social activist before transitioning his energies to film. The article goes on to state that Russell tends to insert political or social opinions into his films, typically surreptitiously under layers of action and surreal detail. In the case of Three Kings Russell attempts to portray a somber and defeatist attitude toward military involvement in Iraq, similar to the attitude in many films about Vietnam. The article also claims that Russell makes frequent reference to the films that inspired him such as Apocalypse Now, Too Hot To Handle, and The Man Who Would be King.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

Every character in Russell's film seems to have an agenda and an opinion. The film is rife with lectures highlighting the opinions of both sides of the Gulf War. In the end, however, all the characters seem to converge on a middle ground agreement which satisfies both parties. Perhaps instead of demonizing American involvement in the Gulf War Russell's desire was to see a peaceful and mutually beneficial arrangement between the American military and Iraqi refugees. Whatever the case, Three Kings is clearly an opinion piece which seeks to inform and to persuade.

Three Kings seems to be a part of a long line of Hollywood references/inspirations. The University of Albany's website claims that the film makes reference to Apocalypse Now, among other films, in the same manner that Raiders of the Lost Ark pays tribute to classic adventure films such as Hong Kong and Zorro Rides Again. Raiders of the Lost Ark was in turn an inspiration for the Mummy and National Treasure films as well as the Tomb Raider and Uncharted video game series. Hollywood directors seem to enjoy paying respect to their influences and recreating scenes and imagery from their favorite films.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Russell's decision to cast Spike Jonze, a non-actor, in a major role as well as his conflicts with Clooney seem to indicate his very specific style of directing. Because of this it can be inferred that Three Kings was shot and acted exactly as Russell envisioned it. However it is unknown exactly how much of the story was Russell's original idea and to what extent the original screenwriter John Ridley, who still receives a story credit, had influence and input on the final draft of the film's script.

One of the most unique aspects of Three Kings is its visual style. Action scenes teem with kinetic energy and flashbacks are inter cut with a humorous flare. Also of note is Russell's sense of humor. The director seems to enjoy a dark and somewhat sadistic sense of humor reminiscent of the Coen brothers, with a jaded and blasé depiction of killing which at times seems to be deliberately comical. The film abruptly jumps between drama and comedy, sometimes not clearly defining when a scene is supposed to be funny or serious. It is this strange feeling of mixed emotions which seems to appeal to a majority of film critics and reviewers, and what makes Three Kings such a highly regarded film.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______4/23/14_________________

Fargo

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The textbook Flashback: A Brief History of Film states that a common theme amongst the Coen brothers' films is incompetence. The brothers frequently employ unintelligent characters who are no where near as smart as they think they are. In the case of Fargo, the ignorance of the major characters serves two purposes: it advances the plot and provides the dark humor of the film. The plot of Fargo can be boiled down to a harebrained extortion scheme which became unnecessarily complicated due to the botched execution of the plan. It becomes a comedy of errors which continues to increase in lunacy. The book goes on to say that even though the movie ends on a high note, it is undercut by a somber and pessimistic tone regarding the human species.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/fargo.asp

An article on snopes.com claims that the opening disclaimer of Fargo which reads "This is a true story. The events depicted in this film took place in Minnesota in 1987. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred" is completely false. The article goes on to say that the only vaguely similar event that actually took place was the disappearance of Helle Crafts, a Danish flight attendant living in Connecticut in 1986. According to snopes.com Crafts' husband was accused of murdering her, chopping up her body, and feeding her though a wood chipper. The article indicates that this is only a passing resemblance and it is likely the Coen Brothers' weren't even aware of this event. The article concludes that the biggest clue that Fargo's claim is false is the standard "no resemblance to any persons living or dead" note which appears in the end credits of the film.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

The false disclaimer at the beginning of the movie coincides with the Coens' sense of humor. The brothers seem to enjoy clever in jokes and comical misdirection. Ironically, Fargo's claim of truth is opposite Dr. Strangelove's claim to fiction. Fargo's opening text claims the film is based on a true story when in reality it is wholly fictional, whereas Dr. Strangelove is stated to be a work of fiction but directly parodies members of the US Military in the 1960s. The text at the beginning of Fargo is a sarcastic tease which sets the tone for the rest of the film.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Claiming the film is a true story gives it a greater overall impact. The knowledge, even if incorrect, makes the actions of the movie's characters seem all the more meaningful if it was done by and to real people. It gives the film a more realistic and harsh tone which actively involves the audience emotionally. Conversely, the characters speak and interact with one another in a very awkward and alienating manner - discussions are uncomfortable and conversations are very light. Fargo is the movie that established the Coen Brothers' unique sense of humor. Even as early as the movie's trailer the brothers' comedic style is apparent - at first attempting to sell the movie as a lighthearted romp. Almost on a dime the trailer changes tone and shows the true nature of the film as a dark and gritty mystery thriller. In the end Fargo is a hard film to digest, never clearly explaining whether it wants to be a comedy or a dark mystery story. It is this awkward realm of unsure discomfort that makes the Coen Brothers' films so unique and original.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______4/22/14_________________

Shawshank Redemption

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

Much of the class discussion focused on the behind the scenes of Shawshank Redemption. One interesting bit of trivia discussed in class is the fact that in order to show a mug shot of a young Morgan Freeman a photograph of Freeman's son, Alfonso Freeman, was used. Alfonso Freeman also appears in a minor role as a young convict. Using an image of Freeman's son as a substitute for his own shows the resourcefulness of Hollywood directors before it was possible to digitally de-age an image of Freeman himself to create the effect. In class it was also discussed that the interiors of Shawshank State Prison were constructed entirely from the ground up. While it is not uncommon for a set to be constructed specifically for one movie, Shawshank Prison is an impressively complex set that shows the level of craftsmanship used in Hollywood films before green screens and digital sets were more commonplace.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.moviemistakes.com/film1146

The website Moviemistakes.com reveals many continuity, editing, and factual errors in famous movies, including Shawshank Redemption. Among the more interesting mistakes in the film is the factual error from Andy's escape scene. According to the website the sewage pipe that Andy breaks in order to make his escape would not spew its contents like a geyser as it depicted in the movie. In order for the contents of a pipe to shoot from an opening the pipe would need to have built up pressure. Since, in the next scene, Andy is shown crawling through the pipe to an open air egress there obviously would be no pressure in the pipe. The website also points out a minor plot hole also associated with Andy's escape. When inspecting Andy's empty room it is shown that a poster Andy used to cover a hole he burrowed is taped to the wall on all four sides. The website claims that this would be impossible to accomplish after climbing into the small hole. According to the website the film's director claims that the mistake is a "movie cheat."

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

It is entirely possible that the filmmakers neither knew or cared about the factual error presented in Andy's escape scene. Perhaps the filmmakers were more concerned with showing Andy's struggle in his journey to freedom. Additionally, having the contents of the sewage pipe spray out of its breech adds more drama to the scene. While the mistake regarding the poster in Andy's room is interesting, it is ultimately negligible. It is not the type of mistake that most moviegoers would notice and does not affect the continuity of the film whatsoever. It was most likely caused by a inattentive set designer. The film's director most likely did not notice the error until production was too far along and did not consider it worthwhile to re-shoot the scene.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

It is almost hard to believe that The Shawshank Redemption is a Stephen King story. The film contains no child characters and does not involve the supernatural. Even King's perennial reference to Maine is subtle in the overall context of the movie. It is King's departure from his normal format that makes Shawshank Redemption so unique. But aside from Stephen King, the film is notable for its depiction of prison life. Shawhank State Prison is not the romanticized institution of Jailhouse Rock, nor is it a stereotype. While it is not necessarily the setting that makes the film memorable, it does add a unique change of pace and shows a realm of humanity not often tread in Hollywood. Additionally the film has been the subject of parody in many films and television shows such as Family Guy and Robot Chicken. Because of its location and notoriety Shawshank Redemption is perhaps one of the most recognizable movies ever made.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______4/8/14_________________

Dazed and Confused

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The textbook Flashback: A Brief History of Film relates that Richard Linklater, director of Dazed and Confused is often bracketed with fellow cult film giant Kevin Smith. Perhaps this is because Linklater's character Slater, played by Rory Cochrane from Dazed and Confused, is nearly identical to Smith's character Jay, played by Jason Mews from Clerks, in appearance, concept, and portrayal. Both filmmakers employ quick and witty dialogue rife with references and humorous jabs, both made films with a pre-star Ben Affleck, and both have made movies about deplorable young people. On a conceptual level the two writers/directors are very similar. The difference is in execution - Smith's films have a more amateur visual style, but have stronger humor and more concise story, whereas Linklater's have more advanced visuals but weaker humor and a less coherent story. Both filmmakers are nevertheless highly regarded in their genres.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-20th-anniversary-20-craziest-facts-about-the-cult-classic.html

On thedailybeast.com is an article titled Dazed and Confused 20th Anniversary: 20 Crazy Facts About the Cult Classic. In one of the more interesting facts related in the article is one that reveals that stars Jason London and Shawn Andrews had a difficult time working together, frequently coming to blows in arguments and refusing to perform scenes which involved both actors. Because of this many of the scenes which involved both actors were either avoided or rewritten and Andrew's character was replaced with Matthew McConaughey's in the final scene. Another interesting tidbit of information in the article is the origin of McConaughey's phrase "all right, all right, all right." According to the article the actor was inspired to improvise the line from a live recording of the Doors in which front man Jim Morrison repeated the phrase between two songs.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

London and Andrew's feud is reminiscent of the long-standing distain between actors Chevy Chase and Bill Murray. Both relationships are strained and have prevented the actors from working together. Dazed and Confused director Richard Linklater resolved the dispute between his actors by deleting many scenes that required the two to act together and breaking them up when their fights escalated to physical contact. Conversely, Chase and Murray were forced to work together by director Harold Ramis in the film Caddyshack. The origin of Matthew McConaughey's oft-quoted line is not a unique one in Hollywood. Many films such as The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Being John Malkovich have memorable lines and sequences that were completely improvised.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Like American Graffiti before it, Dazed and Confused is a coming-of-age film set in a specific period of American history. Examined here is the aimless life of 1970s high school graduates, wavering between drugs, sex, and alcohol searching for meaning. The film's plot lazily drifts from story to story, never deeply focusing on any specific character or scene. This is done in order to create a sense of directionless wandering of a young adult. It is this atmosphere that earns the movie its title. The film also takes great effort to expand upon its timely context with styles, music, traditions, and props that are reminiscent of the 1970s. This attention to detail creates a more in depth experience and an accurate depiction of its timeframe. 

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______3/31/14_________________

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

1.) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

 In the textbook Flashback: A Brief History of Film it is stated that Sex, Lies, and Videotape was the movie that opening the floodgate to begin the independent film boom. While by 1989 independent films such as Evil Dead I and II and Eraserhead were already attracting attention it was Steven Soderbergh's movie that brought independent films into the cinematic spotlight. Since Sex, Lies and Videotape there have been a plethora of films produced independently such as Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity that have managed to become blockbuster commercial successes. What Soderbergh's film proves is that a movie doesn't need to have the financial backing of a major Hollywood studio to be both compelling and successful.

2.) Find a related article and summarize the content.

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sex-lies-and-videotape-1989

Roger Ebert begins his review of Sex Lies and Videotape by explaining that the argument behind the film is that conversation is often better and more satisfying than sex. Ebert writes that conversation, like Graham's hobby, can be more intimate, voluptuous, and lasting than any physical encounter. Ebert also praises James Spader's performance in the movie, believing it to be a risk-taking role that portrays both intrigue and seduction. He concludes his review by stating that the movie is more intelligent than heartfelt and more clever than enlightening.

3.) Apply the article to the film screened in class.

Ebert's theory of the film's message seems to hold true. In Sex, Lies and Videotape the major characters are either impotent or unable to derive pleasure from intercourse. Instead, after removing the negative and sexually charged influences in their lives, they make a connections in other ways. It shows that two people can have an intimate relationship without having to constantly sexually pleasure each other. Ebert's critique of Spader, describing his performance as both intriguing and seductive, is perhaps derived from the actor's awkward yet likable on screen persona. Graham, Spader's character in the film, is in one way very quiet - staring long and uncomfortably at the other characters and causing many pauses in conversation and in another way very likable and friendly. In other ways he is very heartfelt - a brutal sense of honesty penetrating his character. It is the character's mysterious yet revealing disposition that shows the depth of James Spader's performance.

4.) Write a critical analysis of the film.

Sex, Lies and Videotape is perhaps the only movie where the major relationship does not lead to, or at lest hint at, sex. It has been the long standing stereotype of both cinema and real life that two people in love will have intercourse. Perhaps it is this deviation from convention that first brought attention to the movie. Sex, Lies, and Videotape's success is perhaps mostly derived from its minimalist style of storytelling. Instead of a grandiose and overacted romance, Sex, Lies, and Videotape is a story about imperfect people who behave in a very realistic manner. Absent are the drawn-out and phony love monologues, and gone are preconceived notions of what a happy romance entails. It is this focus on human emotions that makes Sex, Lies, and Videotape so endearing and enduring and moved the general film-going audience to realize that a romantic movie can have a happy ending outside of the bedroom.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 
1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 

Name: ______Alex Wisniewski______________  Date: _______3/23/14_________________