Monday, 14 December 2009

Quotes From Websites In Relation To Critical Investigation

The Effect of Gangster Culture on the Gangster Film Genre, Jim Thomas
During the 1980’s the cocaine craze has been desired as the character Tony Montana was the inspiration from the film Scarface. Cocaine is power. A large proportion of Miami is built on cocaine money, many the dealers tried to launder their money into real estate but when the buildings were under construction the dealers were conveniently arrested and the properties seized by the government.
Clearly the quote illustrates how black money can clearly help individuals to earn more and more money continuously. It explains how the use of drugs (cocaine) glamorised in the 1980 Scaface film had assisted the protagonist and can help to generate a higher income by simply using drug finance (quick money) to invest into industries.
The conventions in Menace II Society are similar to that text of Brian De Palmas Scaface but in a racially tense context. The opening sequence of the film shows the main character being watched as if they are about to steal and then retailing and shooting the Chinese shop keepers. The code of racial discrimination is instantly shown here and the original conventions of murder and violence.
Unmistakably the use of the gun/shooting described in the beginning of the film clearly demonstrates how individuals that carry guns are cool and are distinguished as being gangsters. Unlike early gangster films, the generation now includes a larger minority; audience may be influenced to become gangsters as there’s no reason to be judged on their ethnicity.
http://www.slideshare.net/Jthomas1/the-effect-of-gangster-culture-on-the-gangster-film-genre-presentation
The Real Good-fella, Mark Kermode
The man who inspired Goodfellas, the film considered to be a Scorsese masterpiece, has been jailed for a drugs conviction. It's a real-life twist 15 years too late for the film, which is rated one of the best ever.
Having testified against his former mob bosses to escape prison, it's goodbye to violent crime, riches and glamour, and hallo to anonymity, police protection and putting out the garbage.
Anyone who recoiled at the violence of the film, memorably demonstrated by Oscar-winner Joe Pesci, would have considered Hill's decision to stick his head above the parapet of anonymity as suicidal, but events this week suggest the biggest threat to himself came from within.
“For the average cinema audience, Goodfellas was the full package”

Despite Henry Hill playing the role character of Ray Liotta where he’d commit crimes a risk breaking the law in the film; he has now in fact broken the law in real life. This clearly shows that the iconography glamorised in the movies reflects reality or possibly influence those watching. Since the man who glamorized the use of drugs in the media has actually in truth preformed his actions off set. To some extent this shows how acting the gangster lifestyle has had an affect on his life since he apply his experiences to his everyday lifestyle.
Early 30's Gangster Genre, Howard Hawks
The typical conventions of a 1930’s gangster genre are smart suits, acts of violence, murder, weapons, and luxury items associated with the lifestyle such as cigars and fine liquors, the influence from time is obvious here as Al Capone was well known for fulfilling all the above conventions. He wore the most expensive suits money could buy, constantly smoked cigars and once stabbed someone to death at a dinner party with a folk rather than a knife. The gangsters in the films are often portrayed as ignorant, remorseless, and childish criminals who don’t comprehend the enormity of their actions.
This quote simply analyses the stereotypical props and iconography that was demonstrated within the Gangster film genre specifically during the 1930’s. It also states the way in which the lifestyles of criminals usual tend to involve expensive accessories such as branded clothes, as well as luxurious food and drinks such as Al Capone only drinking champagne for example.
http://www.slideshare.net/mjarry/early-gangster-genre
Film Genres, John M. Grace
Crime films such as Casino feature the sinister actions of criminals, mobster, bank robbers, underworld figures and ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life.
The quote simply states the types of gangsters typically shown within movies as well as informing us that their lifestyles always strive to some sort of law breaking in order to for them to live their lives in a civilised manor.
http://www.slideshare.net/newestprod/film-genres-presentation
Gnagster Film - Pulp Fiction vs. Goodfellas
‘The Gangster Genre’ is a genre that exposes themes and ideas central to America and the American way of life. The traditional elements that are explored in the typical Gangster film include; the importance of family, loyalty, power, corruption and the ‘American Dream’. However, three modern incamations of the gangster genre; ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Scarface’, and ‘Pulp Fiction’ seek to rework and update these elements by expanding on traditional conventions and by introducing new ones to the gangster formula. These reworked elements include: the corrupting influence of drugs and women, revolutionary dialogue and a new and exciting emphasis on music.
Top 5 Reasons Why We Love Mafia Movies
We Want the Gangster Lifestyle!: Especially now with the economy woes, the lifestyles portrayed by these gangster characters is another trait we would love to possess. I mean everything from Scarface's grand staircase Mansion, the
Goodfellas Cadillacs, the freshly pressed Armani suits filling up Ace's Las Vegas closets, the gorgeous women filling up the club booths beside Carlito Brigante and even being the owners of the most happening bars/clubs is a lifestyle most would dream about. Almost everyone in America at least wants has a desire to have more than enough means of living to be stylish and live the way they want all the time. This is usually how gangster figures are portrayed in mafia/crime films.
http://hubpages.com/hub/top5mafiamovie
The Independent Moviemaker - Understanding Genre: the Gangster Film
Every genre has an archetypical storyline specific to the particular genre. This is particularly true of the Gangster genre. Popularized in the 1930s, this genre is all about impatience. The 'hero' is a man who wants it all, but doesn't want to go through the normal channels to get it. A typical gangster in these stories doesn't have time to advance slowly through the ranks - he wants it all, and he wants it now.
The strength of this genre is watching the rise and fall of a person who breaks society's rules. Like Icarus reaching for the sun, the gangster must pay the price for wanting everything. The roots of this genre are steeped in Greek mythology, where hubris was always punished swiftly by the gods.
Motifs of The Gangster Genre:1. The hero is an immigrant who dislikes his low status in life and wants more.2. Unlike the Western, this story takes place in the big city. The wide open plains have been traded in for the seedy alleyways and wharves of the urban jungle. 3. The gangster can only gain power by taking it. It is survival of the fittest, and the only law is the law of the jungle.4. The only loyalty the gangster feels is for his own immigrant roots. 5. Success is measured in material goods - flashy cars, expensive clothes, and mansions. Women are measures of success as well.6. The hero's antagonist is society, and the enforcers of the law. The police, the FBI, the CIA represent the enforcers of societal status quo.7. The end justifies the means.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/143685/the_independent_moviemaker_understanding.htm

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