American Cinema

In American Cinema an analysis can be made regarding the main character's goal. In American Cinema, it seems like the hero always succeeds. However, is this a detrimental ending? We learn more from failure than from success (or at least this is what we believe), so the constant successes of the heroes is teaching us very little.

Films do not show what does not work. Instead, films seem to attempt to show the viewer what does work and the hero succeeds because of the beliefs presented, or hidden, in the film. It is the film's point of view regarding a topic. The point of view of films can change the viewer's behavior to act like the characters in movies. The truth is it might not allow us to succeed. Films are like an argument hidden within the artform. Is our cinema due for alteration to allow for more open arguments? What form (genre) is the best for arguments?

Everyone loves a good ending, but does the ending always have to be good and predictable? Film should not contain a predictable ending but this is what has happened for America's Cinema. In film plot, we generally establish a "Major Dramatic Question" and the film ends with the resolution of the question.

Examples of Major Dramatic Questions in Films

Will Batman stop the Joker?

Will Shrek get his swamp back?

Will Frodo destroy the ring?

The answer to any dramatic question is either a yes or a no. In American Cinema, or Hollywood Cinema (Is there a distinction. Probably), it seems the answer is always yes.

This is perhaps the most important parody of our time in film. If you agree with the "Trailer for Every Oscar Winning Film," then perhaps movies have become too predictable. While this can be viewed as an assault on trailers, a trailer is made from a movie's parts. Also, while this trailer does not highlight every film, films tend to have one or many of the elements.

Perhaps the recycled distractions have something new within all of their frames, but a change in form does not guarantee a change in content. The content is what the film is arguing. Brecht said "Art is inevitably political." Politics is simply a viewpoint and is really argument, for or against a belief.