Taxi Driver (1976)
Just as we saw in Straw Dogs a natural thrist for the kill is exhibited in Taxi Driver. As a viewer sitting down to watch a violent film there is an expectance to see some blood fly. However, for Taxi Driver I do not feel that that was the case in the delivery. Travis' osbervations of the world he lived in was at an extreme decline. As he said "the streets were/are overflowing with trash and filth."
There should be a sort of honor to be paid to characters that can develop fully with a concern larger than their own literal life. Travis- to the violent seeking viewer would be peged as the cult icon. However, to more deeply uderstand his role in society Travis needed to explode. The personal build up of being another Vietnam vet tossed back into society, expected to file back in line and essentially be another face in the crowd. What can be said for those individuals who pulled it off? A: They should be the cult icon, because they are rarer and less defined.
Taxi Driver has a lot to say about the quality of society in a quantative setting. The people are a mass and the quality is dinger with every step. Travis' character stepped out of his already disposition of serving his country to serve his city by personally being a Christ figure in saving Iris (the mass followers/ hookers) and literally getting away with contemplated murder (blood shed). Then, rose from his death (because for a moment Travis shot himself 3 times and was really alive after the last empty round)- to make a simple statment that a societal life is not for sale, wether it is a politicial campaigner or a down on luck runaway.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
An Urban Cowboy
Take out the dirt, the horses, and the classic tumble weed blowing across the main drag of a hard town and you have Death Wish. The main character Paul is the lone ranger left to take the law into his own hands because the corruption of city life it more than the judicial system can handle. The best part of it all- he is doing it for free.
One scene I found very compelling in relation to society and culture is the conversation with the police once they find out who the "vigilante" of NYC is. There is a mention that more police are needed- one for every citizen- however, a back comment is made that "No one would be able to pay the taxes". Taxes are what it comes down to when safety is questioned. More money means more protection. No wonder Paul took the hard fight of justice into his hands, and he was man enough to pull the trigger- FOR FREE!!
Death Wish (1974)
It would be an obvious notation to relate this vigilante to any number of comic book "heroes" however, Death Wish goes beyond fighting crime at the beckon for help. Paul did the opposite- he looked for trouble. This is the observation that separates Paul from any hero. Society did not get so bad that people were calling for help, Paul in turn was just as no good as the muggers he shot.
Back in the day of the wild west- if you had a gun and a decent shot, you could very well be a town sheriff. Paul might have gotten in touch with his inner Clint Eastwood while he traveled out west and felt the life sucking heat of the desert and saw a few slithering things- but really he was taking out his anger in a moral less society by capping a few punks.
If there is any lesson to be learned from this so called vigilante it is: If ya ain't wearin a star on your chest, you're gonna be run outta town by the men who are.
One scene I found very compelling in relation to society and culture is the conversation with the police once they find out who the "vigilante" of NYC is. There is a mention that more police are needed- one for every citizen- however, a back comment is made that "No one would be able to pay the taxes". Taxes are what it comes down to when safety is questioned. More money means more protection. No wonder Paul took the hard fight of justice into his hands, and he was man enough to pull the trigger- FOR FREE!!
Death Wish (1974)
It would be an obvious notation to relate this vigilante to any number of comic book "heroes" however, Death Wish goes beyond fighting crime at the beckon for help. Paul did the opposite- he looked for trouble. This is the observation that separates Paul from any hero. Society did not get so bad that people were calling for help, Paul in turn was just as no good as the muggers he shot.
Back in the day of the wild west- if you had a gun and a decent shot, you could very well be a town sheriff. Paul might have gotten in touch with his inner Clint Eastwood while he traveled out west and felt the life sucking heat of the desert and saw a few slithering things- but really he was taking out his anger in a moral less society by capping a few punks.
If there is any lesson to be learned from this so called vigilante it is: If ya ain't wearin a star on your chest, you're gonna be run outta town by the men who are.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Submissive Hidden Bomb
Straw Dogs (1971)
In Straw Dogs the dynamics between the different characters is the main focus for my observation.
Dustin Hoffman's character (David) is portrayed as a submissive male. Through the majority of the film his character does not display the barbaric/ masculine aggression that is often associated with the male gender. Susan George (Amy) portrayed the damsel in distress. Amy longs for a protector through out the entire film.
The film is divided into 2 major parts. Part 1: The set up for the breaking point. Part 2: Instinct ensues. The first half of the film is difficult to watch in a way that it is slow, quiet, and confusing. It is violent to the viewer to sit through an observation of a spineless husband ignore his beautiful wife. However, significance to the build up is hidden with in the boredom. The audience gains knowledge of David and his intellect. The ultimate battle that will take place- would put intellect (as an unnatural tool) against instinct (the natural means of survival). David ignores his instinct to fight for his trophy (wife) to defend his intellect. What gain does intellect have? The answer: 5 angry men.
It would be naive to ignore the role females play in this film. Janice, and Amy are portrayed as sex symbols for men to take. A large importance of the film is Amy's rape. However, the barbaric violation committed upon her ultimately satisfies her. To think of being raped in any sense is violent it's self. However, Amy longed for a protector. David was not able to provide that because he had been 'taught' not to result to violence. On the reverse Janice wanted sexual gratification- even if it was from the village retard. Her role is portrayed as lower than the masculine because of her ultimate helplessness.
The last part of the film, the riddle unravels. Who wins in an ultimate battle of wit between intellect, and instinct? The societal answer would be intellect. Because of civilization, and classification we are taught not to result to a barbaric state. Universities, and organizations hold intellect as a barrier between civilization and the animal kingdom. However, one concept is often forgotten- Humans are the top of the food chain. Instinct wins. The means to analyze, think, and observe separates humans from our furry friends. But when it comes to surviving, we are all in the same pyramid. David's learned values of intelligence were broken when his means to survive were breached. The primal instinct to use cunning survival skills allowed him to break away from his societal learned intellect and become the animal within.
Instinct: 1, Intellect: 0
In Straw Dogs the dynamics between the different characters is the main focus for my observation.
Dustin Hoffman's character (David) is portrayed as a submissive male. Through the majority of the film his character does not display the barbaric/ masculine aggression that is often associated with the male gender. Susan George (Amy) portrayed the damsel in distress. Amy longs for a protector through out the entire film.
The film is divided into 2 major parts. Part 1: The set up for the breaking point. Part 2: Instinct ensues. The first half of the film is difficult to watch in a way that it is slow, quiet, and confusing. It is violent to the viewer to sit through an observation of a spineless husband ignore his beautiful wife. However, significance to the build up is hidden with in the boredom. The audience gains knowledge of David and his intellect. The ultimate battle that will take place- would put intellect (as an unnatural tool) against instinct (the natural means of survival). David ignores his instinct to fight for his trophy (wife) to defend his intellect. What gain does intellect have? The answer: 5 angry men.
It would be naive to ignore the role females play in this film. Janice, and Amy are portrayed as sex symbols for men to take. A large importance of the film is Amy's rape. However, the barbaric violation committed upon her ultimately satisfies her. To think of being raped in any sense is violent it's self. However, Amy longed for a protector. David was not able to provide that because he had been 'taught' not to result to violence. On the reverse Janice wanted sexual gratification- even if it was from the village retard. Her role is portrayed as lower than the masculine because of her ultimate helplessness.
The last part of the film, the riddle unravels. Who wins in an ultimate battle of wit between intellect, and instinct? The societal answer would be intellect. Because of civilization, and classification we are taught not to result to a barbaric state. Universities, and organizations hold intellect as a barrier between civilization and the animal kingdom. However, one concept is often forgotten- Humans are the top of the food chain. Instinct wins. The means to analyze, think, and observe separates humans from our furry friends. But when it comes to surviving, we are all in the same pyramid. David's learned values of intelligence were broken when his means to survive were breached. The primal instinct to use cunning survival skills allowed him to break away from his societal learned intellect and become the animal within.
Instinct: 1, Intellect: 0
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