The GodFather

1. Mario Puzo's The Godfather a 1972 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, staring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire . Before his popular Godfather trilogy, former UCLA film student Francis Ford Coppola directed Apocalypse now and the conversation . The Godfather was nominated for eleven academy awards,including Best supporting actor, Best director and sound editing,costume design The film won three out of the eleven awards (Best picture) (Best actor Marlon Brando) (Best adapted screenplay)  . The Godfather II was nominated for eleven academy awards and won six. The themes in The Godfather was family; a different kind of family as opposed to society examining the mafia. Family values included, the wedding, baptism, 50 scenes with food. The themes also included the Anti- hero, the bad guys are really the good guys. The audience root for the bad guys despite that they are criminals and murders. The film included 23 on screen deaths. The impact on thee film revised the gangster genre. The influence on every mob story movies and show made after The Godfather were Scorses: Good fellas, and the hit TV show The Soprano's. The box office for the Godfather when released in 1972 made $82 million in the US and , worldwide it  made $134 million a total of $244 million. It is one of the highest grossing films of all time.

2.  http://www.articlemyriad.com/role-food-film-godfather/

The article I chosen is the role of food in the film "The Godfather" . The very detailed article talks about how food plays a significant role in Mario Puzo's  The Godfather and in Francis Ford Coppola's film make of Puzo's  novel. The author talks about how the persistent references to food suggest a deeper symbolic meaning, of personal honor ethnic authenticity and family relationships. Throughout every different stage and plot in the film there is a reference to food. The food scenes make the audience have a warm side to the family, and make them see the good in the Corleone's. One food scene that plays a major role in The Godfather is when the last generation of the family (Michael Corleone) begins to have a separate identity that breaks from both the family and cultural tradition. This shows shows in the food scene when the table is almost bare and the women leave the table, emphasizing on the split that is about to occur in the family. The author states that the higher  the Corleone's claim into the social ladder instead of eating at fancy restaurants, the Corleone's stick to what they know, they would prefer a prepared ravioli by a family member to a lobster or caviar meal any day. There food keeps them intact to their ethnic roots, and it confirms that the family has achieved a certain degree of stability and success.

3. The article was a good read, it made me think more about one of the main themes in the film family. With The Godfather film having 50 different food scenes, it did show how important food and family was to the Corleone family, and how food wasn't just for pleasure or enjoyment, it was more then that. Food represented family. As the article states food was a "symbol of personal honor, ethnic authenticity, and family relationships, as well as accomplishment and security". As an Italian cultural who takes pride in food and family, It really did show how down to earth and family orientated the Corleone's really were, and how there lifestyle never took them out of there element, which was serving the family business and doing anything to protect there family.

4.  The Godfather was a remarkable movie, Director Francis Ford Coppola did an amazing job casting the characters, and directing the film, the scene placement was also done wonderfully . The plot of the movie was very intriguing and great to watch. Being my second time watching the film , I believe I developed  a better understanding of the movie.

It Happened One Night

1. 1934's It happened one night. Directed by Frank Capra staring Clark Gable as Peter and Claudette Colbert as Ellie. The film won an academy award for Best director ,and Academy awards for Best actor in a leading role (Clark Gable) and Best actress in a leading role (Claudette Colbert), Best Writing Adaptation (Robert Riskin) and Best Picture Columbia . Frank Capra born May 18th 1907 in Italy, he was the son of illiterate Sicilian peasants who came to America when he was 6. Capra was one of Hollywood's pre-eminent directors in the 1930's and 40's, One of the first whose name appeared on marquees and above the title in film credits. He was the first to win three directorial Oscars  for "It Happened One Night" (1934), "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936) and "You Can't Take It With You" (1938). Capra movies were idealistic, sentimental and patriotic. His major films showed his art of improvisation as well as showing sympathy and humor during the 1930's.

http://jacksonville.typepad.com/patum_peperium/2009/04/it-happened-.html

2) The article opens up with the author stating that It happened one night would have been nothing without the casting of Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, and how it was impossible to imagine anyone else in those roles, although Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert weren’t the first choices for the movie . Director Capra's first choice for the male lead role was Robert Montgomery who was refused to be loaned out to Columbia by Louis B. Mayer . Clark Gable was then chosen for the lead male role, but according to the article Clark Gable was chosen to teach him a lesson by Louis B. Mayer since his career had been fadeing, and Gable was asking for extravagant money demands . Columbia only paid him $10,000. Clark Gable’s character Peter was originally suppose to be a college educated chemist who goes through a number of odd jobs and frequent unemployment but after several actresses turned down the  role of Ellie ,Capra changed Peters character role, after Myles Connolly a former newspaper reporter suggested to Capra to have peters character be a hard but idealistic reporter determined to win his job back .
       For the leading female role when MGM Actress Myrna Loy rejected the leading female role along with Miriam Hopkins and Margaret Sullavan. Claudette Colbert soon was in the talks for the leading female role. Colbert turned up her nose at Columbia's offer due to prier engagements, and the fact that she had no liking towards the script , as well as her being used to Paramount’s glamorous setting's and costumes . After Colbert’s dislikes were heard she was then offered $50,000 for the film whose total production cost was $325,000. Colbert contract also called for additional payments if the film went into overtime. In the end Colbert took the part because she mostly wanted to work with Clark Gable . It was said that Gable complained about Colbert making more in overtime then he made for the picture.
      The author stated that it was all worth it because Clark and Colbert made such a good team in the movie. The author continues by stating that the audience who viewed the film in 1934 liked that leading man Clark Gable, because he humbling, educated and in the end was finally able to win the spoiled brat heiress . Since the movie was made around the depression the audience thought more importantly that it represented a level of class barriers in the depression ;especially how Clarks character peter was able to stretch a dollar which struck a level of sympathy with the Depression audience. Capra and Riskin also portrayed Elle’s rich girl character more sympathetically as well, but he did see Colbert’s character as the epitome of all the rich and classy stuck up women who ever denied him. Capra also thought Colbert had a great figure and for the wall’s of Jericho scene Capra though Colbert was perfect for that scene. Colbert was even hesitant about flashing her leg in the hitch hiking scene ,Capra had to ease her into that. Although there was a lot of joking around from Gable during the Wall’s of Jericho scene one in particularly that had to do with a prop potato

3) The article definitely gave me insight on the film, especially on how the leading characters were chosen, I felt that the long process of finally choosing the leading characters was all worth it in the end. Even though Capra didn’t want Gable as the leading man at first, I felt that Capra’s opinion changed at the end when he received an academy award for Best Director . From reading the article I also felt that Colbert’s character in the movie as a spoiled heiress was exactly how she was acting in real life when it came to taken the leading female role. Especially in her contract having her being paid extra if the film went into overtime, and Columbia paying her $50,000 from the $325,000 budget just for her to play the leading lady. As well as Gables character originally being written as a college educated chemist who goes through a number of odd jobs,and frequent unemployment I found that to be quit interesting. I as well didn’t know that the film was filmed during the time of the great depression ,and Gable’s character was appreciated by the depression audience; since he new how to stretch a dollar out, and how he won the rich girl at the end. Gable’s character didn’t even want the $10,000 reward in the end for returning Ellie to her father. He just gave Ellie’s father a $39.60 bill for the bus ticket from Miami to New York that him and Ellie took ,which was very humbling of Gable’s character showing that he wasn’t in it for the big reward or the story but in the end he was in it for Ellie’s love . In the end the article was informative and will written, and gave me a better view of the movie and the thoughts of Director Capra.

　

4)   It happened one night was a classic black and white film. The chemistry between Ellie and Peter was wonderful. I thought that Capra did a good job at casting these leading Characters. Even though he didn’t want Gable at first, and getting Colbert cost the Company some extra money in the end it was all worth it. Director Capra showed the trails and tribulations of a run away rich girl, who ends up meeting a decent man who is nice enough to take care of her throughout there wild journey, and even when Gable’s character find’s out that Colbert’s Character was a run away, and there was a $10,000 reward if she was returned to her father . Gable’s character still didn’t send her on the next bus running to Miami .He stuck by Ellie’s side and even ended up saving her from a man who wanted to sell her out for the $10,000 reward .

The Graduate

1.    Mike Nichols (1967) film The Graduate written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham. Box office for this film was $40million. The film was nominated for seven academy awards, winning one for Best Director, it lost a lot of awards to its competitor in the heat of the night. The Graduate was one of the first true youth rebellion movies; the movie consist of values of society and what to do after Graduation.
    Director Mike Nichols is one of only twelve people to have won all the major American entertainment awards including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award in 2001, he was awarded the national medal of arts. He received the lifetime achievement award from the American film institute in 2010. Other films Mike Nichols directed include Catch 22,Silk wood, Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf, Working girl, Closer angels in America.
    The Graduate consisted a lot of interesting, obvious camera shots and cutting. The cuts and Camera movement are often obvious to the viewer. The innovative use of sound and Dialogue, starting in one scene and ending in another. Long lens compresses space especially in the running scene at the end. Dramatic changes in time through framing of objects (Mrs. Robinsons legs). Tight framing is symbolic of uptight Benjamin.  the camera loosens as Ben becomes more worldly, his clothes change he starts to smoke and drink and becomes more vocally fluid/confident forceful/ rebellious.
    Dustin Hoffman nominated for Best Actor, The Graduate his first starring role. No actor has ever won more than two Best Actor AA’s Dustin Hoffman won Best Actor in Kramer Vs. Kramer and Rain Man. Dustin Hoffman was nominated for Best Actor in The Graduate, Lenny, Tootsie, and Wag the dog.
    Anne Bancort (Mrs. Robinson) Received an Oscar in (The Miracle Worker) and is a Tony Winner. Katharine Ross (Elaine) also played in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, Stepford Wives. Simon and Garfunkel music was used throughout The Graduate the sound leads the story (pool scenes drive in, car speed) 

  http://www.unc.edu/~nmurphy/Graduate.html

2.     The article is introduced as being a classic film set in Los Angels through the 1960’s and displayed through the eyes of Benjamin Braddock played by Dustin Hoofman. The author states that the director seems to show only shots of Benjamin, facial reaction in key points of the film.  Because of the camera angel, and key shot elements that were taken of Benjamin throughout The Graduate; it displays how everyone is connected by Ben’s character, and how there is truly no order in his world; that seems filled with madness and chaos.
    The author continues the article by stating that you think everyone lives perfect lifestyles and has everything that anyone could want in life, but the reality is everyone in The graduate is an outsider in their own world. How Ben’s first captured in the beginning of the film with a blank facial expression; as he’s making his way through the LAX airport.  How even his blank expression continues when he has his intimate moments with Mrs. Robinson; which showed the non connection and emotion that he lacked from both society and Mrs. Robinson. The author continues by talking about Mrs. Robinson and how she’s considered an outsider. In the 1950’s traditional families played a major role in society, where in the 1960’s open sexuality became a norm and big families and stay at home mom’s weren’t as popular as they were. The author believed  the  director’s took a funny approach towards the issue within the film through Mrs. Robinson’s character; who in the first scene  of the movie is seducing Ben. Although the author believes that Mrs. Robinson seems to lack the emotion that Elaine posses, and you can see that threw the angels that the director decides to take with close-ups on Mrs. Robinson's face and actions, rather than on her physical appearance. In the case of  Elaine and Ben how they seem to be confused about the decision they made regarding the wedding, and question whether they are truly in love. This shows how characters with The Graduate seem to act more out of passion and curiosity instead of love because they grew up in a society where love and morality were non- existent. The author ends the article with his opinion about the movie, and how he feels that the film was not about someone leaving college and entering the real world, but Ben actually leaving the real world and entering this distant world where people are trying to become  The Graduate of life, love and  misunderstandings.

3.     The article was an opinionated piece on the film, reading it broadened my aspect on the film. The author explains in the article the camera views that were used in the film, and Ben’s stern facial expressions that he had throughout the film due to the lack of emotion that he had, because of the non loving society that he lived in . The authors view on Mrs. Robinson had me think a little more about Mrs. Robinson especially how she’s portrayed , she’s not what you would expect a 1960’s housewife to be she’s the complete opposite, she’s adventures and does what she pleases. You could tell she knows what she wants within the first five minutes of the film. It didn’t dawn on me that no one in the film has an emotional connection, and the last minute decision that Elaine makes to run off with Ben. During the bus scene it shows how the characters act more out of passion and curiosity instead of out of love. Ben and Elaine don’t really know what love is because of the society they grew up in. Ben’s parents show no type of affection for each other throughout the film, and Elaine’s parents are on the verge of divorce. In the end the article helped me better understand the true meaning of The Graduate.

4.     The Graduate was an interesting film, Director Mike Nichols and Writers Buck Henry and  Calder Willingham vision for the film was done well . Dustin’s Hoffman’s portrayal of Ben was done just right. Even though he doesn’t show as much emotions as he should. I found his blank facial expressions and monotone voice to be quit humorous from time to time. For a whole summer and half a year to pass, Ben sure went through a lot, probably more then he ever has with his four years of college combined . I’m not to big on Ben marrying Elaine. It was a rushed decision, and I feel he only did it so he could prove to his parents that he really is trying to make something out of himself. Ben in my opinion should of got a job and waited for another opportunity to meet a young lady who’s mom he didn’t sleep with. For Elaine to even take Ben after what he did was absurd and plan out disgusting, and it shows that Elaine doesn’t value herself. The ending could of elongated more, I felt them riding into the sunset wasn’t the best ending. Myself as the viewer wanted to know what happens next, and if Elaine and Ben even continue to be with each other.