This series delves into the depths of cinema, television, and the broader culture of moving images. It explores these media within their social and cultural frameworks, offering a global perspective on image production worldwide. The collection highlights the links between film, television, and video art. It addresses critical issues of race, class, and gender, embracing the convergence of history and theory in moving image studies.
Arguing that the commercial film industry reflects white domination of American society, this book traces an African Americans protesting screen images of blacks as criminals, servants, comics, athletes, and sidekicks. It also looks at the controversies surrounding role choices by stars like Sidney Poitier, Eddie Murphy, and Whoopie Goldberg.
This analysis delves into significant western films from 1946 to 1962, exploring their impact on and reflection of the cultural climate of the era. By examining a dozen key films in detail, it connects them to one another and to a broader context, highlighting how these cinematic works contributed to the mythology of the American frontier. The study reveals the intricate relationship between film and culture during a transformative period in American history.
The United States emerged from World War II with superpower status and quickly entered a period of economic prosperity. The same period marked the heyday of the western film. This book examines many of the significant westerns released between 1946 and 1962, analyzing how they responded to and influenced the cultural climate of the country.
Focusing on the transformative "magic hour" of film, this anthology compiles the author's insightful movie reviews, cultural critiques, and political essays from a pivotal era marked by significant historical events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Trade Towers. Through a lens of cinematic and social exploration, the collection reflects on the interplay between art and culture during times of change, offering readers a rich tapestry of thought-provoking commentary.