Genre Theory Essay

Tags: film wealth genre sperm space godfather video games family organized crime theory youtube space station

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 704 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 4

Page 1 of 2

The Godfather is the quintessential example of the gangster genre, which includes “films that deal with organized crime, often with mob families,” (Chapter 4). In fact, The Godfather also fits squarely within the gangster genre because it is nostalgic and romanticized, offering “recreations of past eras” in which Italian-American mafia families like the Corleones did dominate both licit and illicit business activities and politics in American cities. A sub-genre of the crime film, gangster movies like The Godfather are unique because the audience is rooting for the bad guys, not the cops. Even when the protagonists of the film kill people, they are still tragic heroes. “Many gangster characters then had a certain mystique that made them appealing, almost heroic, in their ability to overcome youthful poverty and oppression to rise in power and wealth,” (Chapter 4).

In The Godfather, Michael Corleone did not necessarily overcome poverty, because he was born into the biggest family in New York. This is evident immediately from the opening scene of the film that shows the great wealth and power his family amassed (For example, the opening scene shows the Don Corleone seated in his position of power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i96VS_z8y7g). What makes Michael a hero is his willingness to do his duty as the son, taking over reluctantly after his father dies to become the new Godfather.

Stuck Writing Your "Genre Theory" Essay?

View All Our Example Genre Theory Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Michael’s brothers are incapable of leading the family, but he also recognizes that if he does not rise to the occasion, the consequences would be far worse for his community. Therefore, The Godfather shows that family ties and loyalty create different and equally as important ethical frameworks than the prevailing norms of behavior and criminality in the dominant culture. For example, the opening scene shows the Don Corleone seated in his position of power telling the petitioner that he will not do him a favor because he has failed to show himself to be a true friend of the family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i96VS_z8y7g).

Mis-en-Scene

Mis-en-scene refers to the entire visual array on screen in any given scene in the film. When viewing a cinematic masterpiece like Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, paying attention to mis-en-scene helps deepen understanding of effective cinematography. In one scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwBmPiOmEGQ), Hal will not let Poole back onto the station. Poole is floating in orbit in the tiny pod. To enhance the dramatic effect of this scene, Kubrick uses mis-en-scene techniques. In….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


References

Clarke, A. & Mitchell, G. (2011). Film and the development of interactive narrative. International Conference on Virtual Storytelling. Pp. 81-89. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/3-540-45420-9_10

Nofz, M.P. & Vendy, P. (2002). When computers say it with feeling. Journal of Communication Inquiry 26(1): 26-45.
Textbook Chapters 4, 5

 
Related Essays

Fantasy Genre Film Wizard of Oz

Genre theory offers a useful means of classifying films according to their tropes and conventions. Although films constructed purposely to fit into a specific genre can be criticized for being overly commercial, genre theory does reveal how American audiences do react favorably towards familiar themes, actors, directorial styles, plots, and imagery (“Movie Genres”). Moreover, genres reveal the power of archetypes in storytelling. Even when a film does not fit neatly within one and only one genre, or when a film straddles many genres at once, the plot and characterization may… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Genre Theory" (2018, April 19) Retrieved April 16, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/genre-theory-essay

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Genre Theory" 19 April 2018. Web.16 April. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/genre-theory-essay>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Genre Theory", 19 April 2018, Accessed.16 April. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/genre-theory-essay
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example