Historical text analysis and research
Chosen text: Goodfellas (1990)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQ6fd6iO_c
- How society and the issue you are investigating has changed over the years and how these changes are reflected in different media texts?
The censorship that this film had back in the 90's has changed significantly int he 21st century cinema. For its time period, this film contained a lot of graphical content that would have most likely stirred up controversy for a film. Everything from stabbing scenes to shooting scene's, majority of the killing scenes in this film were too graphical especially during the 90's. Furthermore, the psychopathic portrayal of Tommy Devito was something unique to audiences, as it was a portrayal of an actual man in real life. But audience members may be used to this portrayal as films such as Freddie and The Shinning show off similar character to Devito's and therefore it may not come across something too shocking.
The one way that this portrayal has changed is its shift in genre. The psychopathic story lines and character have now shifted to horror genre as it basically gives audiences a separation from this portrayal. It can be considered as a way of 'dumbing-down audiences' as they cant handle graphical content for a crime film and therefore the character has to shift to a completely different genre, most likely horror.
The one way that this portrayal has changed is its shift in genre. The psychopathic story lines and character have now shifted to horror genre as it basically gives audiences a separation from this portrayal. It can be considered as a way of 'dumbing-down audiences' as they cant handle graphical content for a crime film and therefore the character has to shift to a completely different genre, most likely horror.
- How popular culture reflects the 'spirit of the age' or zeitgeist?
The text very much reflects the time period it was created in. The use of the props and speech is something that is carried over to the film and not necessarily a significant part of the film. The creation and widespread of the mafia all over America was something that Americans were very afraid of, as they have previously been used to seeing such people involved in attacks. The film was essentially mirroring societies fears of the mafia at the time as there was so much news coverage of them at the time.
- How is it similar/different to your main text?
Similarities- The things that are similar in this text to my original/main text is the psychopathic approach that the character 'Tommy Devito' has. The reason why I hold interest in this character is causerie Goodfellas isn't an intentional horror/gory film. It's a biopic of an actual event and people that had taken place long ago. This is similar to the Dark Knight as the film director wasn't wanting to make a horror-like film, its the audiences reaction to the characters that made the Joker feel more like a character that has been ripped out of a horror film due to his portrayal. The character Tommy Devito shows traits that the Joker has in the Dark Knight film. His over-the-top killing spree's and his verbal communication is what generally creates the horror feel in this character which is what the Joker has in the film.
Differences- The main difference is the approach to the character as well as the entire genre that this film is based off of. The film is a biopic about an actual event whereas The Dark Knight is based on a fictional character as well as being in the superhero genre.
Differences- The main difference is the approach to the character as well as the entire genre that this film is based off of. The film is a biopic about an actual event whereas The Dark Knight is based on a fictional character as well as being in the superhero genre.
- How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?
Society has changed very much. Their expectations for films is defined by its genre. They know what to expect to when they watch a comedy, or an action film. However during the 20th century, there was different aspects of many genres in one film. Audiences deemed this to be 'acceptable' and has been like this till now. There has been a great split during the ages where audiences can no longer handle such content which now results in characters and themes to be only suitable for a specific genre.
Chosen text: Batman (1960's)
- How society and the issue you are investigating has changed over the years and how these changes are reflected in different media texts?
This is very much the same source as my original text The Dark Knight as these two texts are based off of the same characters as well as the villain I am focusing on. The Joker is the key element I was to discuss in this essay regarding his portrayal being completely different due to the time period it being set it. This portrayal of the batman and the joker is very camp-like as well as being dumbed down for audience members.
- How popular culture reflects the 'spirit of the age' or zeitgeist?
These characters were best suited to fit the time period it was designed for. The 1960's is more of a fun time period, where there was largely comedy shows dominating audience pleasures and this was no exception. There weren't any graphical content during that time, majority of such things were censored and therefore this show was to reinforce the typical American values and expectations towards a TV show. People wanted to see camp like theme and more of a less serious tone to it, and this is what the show reflected.
- How is it similar/different to your main text?
Similarities: This text shares the same characters that I am investigating which is the batman characters. This is essentially a different and historical portrayal of the text I am viewing as it can show how times have changed and how audience demand for more serious content has changed over the years. Furthermore, the text does follow some aspects of the original DC character of batman, as a detective which is a similarity between the two texts.
Differences: There are many differences between the two texts as the characters are portrayed in very different ways. The Dark Knight batman is portrayed as dark and gritty and approaches the audience with a more serious matter. However the batman tv show has a more comedic approach to it, trying to fit the norm with what audiences during that time would expect from a tv show. They expected slapstick comedy and hilarious tones rather than serious tones.
Differences: There are many differences between the two texts as the characters are portrayed in very different ways. The Dark Knight batman is portrayed as dark and gritty and approaches the audience with a more serious matter. However the batman tv show has a more comedic approach to it, trying to fit the norm with what audiences during that time would expect from a tv show. They expected slapstick comedy and hilarious tones rather than serious tones.
- How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?
Audience has changed so much since the 60's. They don't want the 'kiddy' portrayal of a character. They have grown to like serious themes and tones in movies, things that show a unique twist to what they were expecting. Which is what many films in today's society are doing. Films such as Man of Steel show a very dark tone to the character, ways in which audiences have never experienced or even imagined. The ideology of changing a camp-like content and having its own fresh take is something that is common in today's society. Characters like the Joker had shown this when Jack Nicholson portrayed the joker in Tim Burton's batman movie. It was a fresh take on the joker, one of which made his scary rather than the 60's way of being presented as 'stupid' or 'funny'.
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