Breaking down a film to understand underlying concepts and character portrayals and the different interpretations within a film.
8
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1answer
139 views
What do the colours in the different areas in The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover signify?
Peter Greenaway's art house epic The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover was adored by many critics but never got a wide audience. The movie is set in various rooms of a restaurant frequented by a ...
8
votes
1answer
384 views
Was the Wheel of Pain actual or allegorical?
My contention (once I got past my teenage years) was that the Wheel of Pain, in the original Conan the Barbarian movie, was supposed to be alegorical...a symbol of Conan's difficult upbringing as a ...
8
votes
1answer
83 views
Is Ethan's and Lindsey's relationship seen as platonic?
Based on the long scene for the rescue of Lindsey and the fact that the movie continues even after the mission was a failure, Ethan could have just gone back home. The first plot that we are aware of ...
8
votes
1answer
241 views
The 'same landscape shot' conundrum
During the first scene of the film we're shown a montage of landscape shots (actually Iceland) as establishment for the section when the CGI 'guy' drinks, disintegrates and drops into the waterfall.
...
7
votes
1answer
345 views
What fills the void left by the lack of character development in Inception?
Most of the characters excluding Cobb and his wife, do not have very developed roles. The roles are actually shallow and it is at times hard to see the motivation behind characters to do what they do.
...
7
votes
4answers
477 views
What is the purpose or meaning behind the Hot Rod in the Iron Man series?
In several scenes in both Iron Man 1 & 2, we see several references and scenes to Hot Rods throughout both movies.
Whether it be the screen savers on the computers, Tony constantly working on ...
7
votes
2answers
84 views
Who is elder in Charlie and Alan?
In the TV series 'Two & a half men',Charlie and Alan are brothers, but there is no indication that who is elder. Even Wikipedia doesn't say anything about this.
I have watched only season 1.
So ...
7
votes
2answers
423 views
Do the words 'Billy don't be a hero' mean anything to you?
In the pilot episode of Friends, there is a scene in Ross's apartment where he is talking to Joey and Chandler about his failed marriage with his ex-wife Carol.
Ross says that he is worried that ...
7
votes
2answers
239 views
South Park and references to Mohammad
In the most controversial episode of South Park, involving Mohammad, did the producers Trey Parker and Matt Stone intend to show the face of Mohommed, or did they cave into network pressures demanded ...
7
votes
3answers
816 views
What does Bruce Wayne pack on his third attempt of leaving the pit in Dark Knight Rises?
Right before Bruce Wayne attempts to leave the pit he packs up something in a towel and wraps it around his body.
Does anyone see what he packs?
7
votes
1answer
761 views
Does Hattori Hanzo commit suicide in Kill Bill?
Hattori Hanzo in Kill Bill says that despite he made a blood oath to never make another sword, he would make one for the Bride because of the goal she has.
When he later hands over the sword, he is ...
7
votes
1answer
175 views
Is Independence Day a comedy spoof?
I haven't seen it since I walked out of the theater disgusted in 1996, but I've recently been wondering if the movie Independence Day was intended to be a comedy.
I was 19 then, and I went to see ...
7
votes
2answers
131 views
Who is the person who passes in front of the narrator on the automated walkway?
In Fight Club, before we see the scene of the Narrator (Ed Norton) meeting Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) for the first time on the airplane, we see another scene - here the narrator is passing on an ...
7
votes
1answer
370 views
How do Cobol's agents know Cobb was in the Mombasa motel?
In Inception, in the Mombasa chase scene, How do the Cobol Engineering's agents know Cobb had arrived in Mombasa?
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does Batman trust Selina Kyle all the time?
In The Dark Knight Rises, in the beginning of the movie Selina Kyle stole a necklace from Bruce's home as well as taking finger prints of Batman and helping Bane to steal from the share market. Then, ...
7
votes
1answer
74 views
Angier actually British?
In the Prestige, when the identity of Lord Caldlow is revealed to be Angier, he speaks with a British accent instead of the American accent he's used all film. Which is the real voice?
7
votes
1answer
217 views
Why did Phoebe hate massage parlors?
Though Phoebe was working as Massage Professional, why did she hate massage parlors? And convincing her friends not to go there?
7
votes
1answer
135 views
Is Peter Venkman from ghostbusters a narcissist?
In Ghostbusters I scientist Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) has a very interesting personality, he is always flirting with female clients and is more laid back it seems than the other Ghostbusters. While ...
7
votes
2answers
995 views
Why was Teddy using Leonard in Memento?
If you can believe Teddy's lies then he was a cop who had worked on the case of the break in, attack on Leonard and rape of Leonard's wife. He then worked with Leonard and helped him track down and ...
7
votes
3answers
752 views
What is the point of the masturbation scene in Donnie Darko?
While reading this question What was Frank? it reminded me of one scene in Donnie Darko that I especially don't get how it ties into the story or why it's even there. He is under hypnosis with his ...
7
votes
1answer
114 views
Is classic literature a common and intentional inspiration for the Coen Brothers?
It is widely accepted that "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" is a modern retelling of Homer's "Odyssey."
I can see some allusions to the Inferno chapters from Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" in the ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Why didn't James believe Beckham was alive in Hurt Locker?
After watching The Hurt Locker, I initially thought the dead boy covered up with bomb was Beckham, but after googling I'm certain they were two different kids. Now, I am puzzled to know,
What's the ...
7
votes
1answer
463 views
Is there real connection between The Machinist and Dostoyevsky's books?
I've asked myself why the imaginary co-worker of Reznik in The Machinist (2004) is called Ivan, and why Reznik himself reads "The Idiot".
According to Wikipedia, Ivan is reference to "The Brothers ...
7
votes
1answer
913 views
What happens to Alex at the end of Shallow Grave?
Up front: Do NOT read any answers to this question if you haven't seen the movie, unless you really don't care about spoilers.
At the end of the movie it was not obvious to me what Alex's ultimate ...
7
votes
1answer
376 views
First occurrence of subliminal messages in film?
Subliminal messages in films isn't a new thing. They have taken many forms by flashing words for a single frame, using iconic images on props and product placements.
There are also stories in the ...
7
votes
1answer
281 views
Ending of “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” (2009)?
I just watched "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" and I was wondering about the ending.
Immediately after Nicholas Cage's character snorts a line from the bag of uncut heroin and sits next to ...
7
votes
1answer
120 views
Why is she calling him a loser?
In the very last scene of Moneyball (2011), Billy listens to song that his daughter recorded for him while driving in his car.
She changed the lyrics in the end, singing
You're such a loser, dad,
...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the implicit meaning of Mal's riddle in Inception?
You're waiting for a train. A train that will take you far away. You
know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for
sure. But it doesn't matter, because we'll be together.
...
6
votes
2answers
258 views
Why does the cowboy stab the woman in Unforgiven?
In Unforgiven,Why does the cowboy stab the woman in the beginning of the movie?
Was he crazy?
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Why did Nolan choose “Non, je ne regrette rien” as a kick song in Inception?
Can someone explain to me the reason behind Christopher Nolan choosing Edith Piaf's Non, je ne regrette rien as a kick song in Inception?
6
votes
1answer
311 views
Which was the first movie with alternate ending?
Was "The Game of Death(1978)" the first movie with alternate ending?
In Game of Death,
after Billy was attacking Dr. Land, he falls from the rooftop. The police arrest Billy and the ambulance takes ...
6
votes
1answer
699 views
Rubbing dirt on hands scene in Gladiator
In Gladiator, every time before a war scene, Maximus picks up a small quantity of dirt from around his feet and rubs it on his hands. Sometimes he smells his hands after the battle. What was the ...
6
votes
2answers
257 views
Dead Alive relation with Evil Dead
Was Dead Alive influenced by Evil Dead ?
I see that Dead Alive have a lot of the ideas of Evil Dead such as exaggerated blood bath, monster puppets and stuff.
Is Evil Dead the pioneer of this type ...
6
votes
1answer
161 views
Is Django bullet-proof or immortal?
In the Movie, Django Unchained, there is a part where Django is in a big gunfight in Candy's House, he stands up and pulls his coat off and it looks like bullets fall to the ground, couldn't quite ...
6
votes
2answers
620 views
Is the martial arts choreography in the 2010 remake of Karate Kid realistic?
I am looking for an authoritative reference that supports either the plausibility or implausibility of the moves and techniques used by Jaden Smith / Jackie Chan in the remake of the Karate Kid.
It's ...
6
votes
1answer
182 views
Why did Ricky's dad kick him out?
In the movie American Beauty, towards the end of the movie a scene happens which leads Ricky's father to believe that he was gay. He confronts Ricky and Ricky lies to him, telling him that he is gay. ...
6
votes
1answer
144 views
What is Scott Pilgrim's motivation for fighting Gideon the second time?
After his demise to Gideon towards the end of the movie. Scott is trapped in the deserted sub-space world, left to contemplate his mistakes for, seemingly, eternity.
However, he suddenly remembers ...
6
votes
2answers
435 views
Would a psychopath create a false positive Voight-Kampff test result?
The Voight-Kampff test (the so-called "empathy test") in the film has been bothering me for some time...
It is acknowledged in the film that the test can give a false negative - Rachael would have ...
6
votes
1answer
323 views
When did the writers decide that Dallas season 9 was a dream?
I'm watching through Dallas, and I'm to season 9 (by the DVD numbering; I understand it was previously called season 8). Patrick Duffy left at the end of season 8. Season 9 is all a dream Pam was ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Is Nebula 9 a real (or maybe inspired) show?
In Episode 6 of Season 5 of Castle ('Final Frontier'), there is a murder, wherein the body is placed inside a fake spaceship designed for the 'Nebula 9 Fan Experience'.
I Googled Nebula 9 and all ...
6
votes
1answer
205 views
Inception: Transferring a totem
In "Inception" it seems that Cobb takes over the user of Mal's totem (the spinning top).
If the totem is a personal item that helps you keep your hold on reality, can the totem really be transferred ...
6
votes
1answer
237 views
Why is “Based on a True Story” used?
I have had little to no interest in a movie that claims it is "Based On a True Story" since Fargo. It's well known that it was a lie that Fargo was based on a true story. There are many movies though ...
6
votes
1answer
752 views
Was Rear Window making a statement about 1950s gender roles?
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of mise-en-scène, whereby in film just about every inch of every frame of a film was intentional. Rear Window is one of his greatest and most influential films. ...
6
votes
2answers
520 views
What is the Significance of the train wreck in Hugo?
In the middle-end part of the movie Hugo, there is a train incident (symbolizing Montparnasse Train Wreck, 1895, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_wreck) in the station. It seems pretty strange that ...
6
votes
1answer
485 views
What is the message behind Where the Wild Things Are?
What really is the message behind the movie, Where The Wild Things Are?
I've seen the movie year ago, and still couldn't figure it out.
6
votes
2answers
67 views
Is the man in the flashbacks really the Man in Black?
In Season 6 E15 it is shown that Jacob and the Man in Black are really twin brothers and are raised by the mysterious woman that lives on the Island who grants Jacob the powers of the protector.
...
6
votes
1answer
230 views
Where do the historical accuracies end and fiction begin in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?
There are innumerable fictions in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (based on Seth Graeme Smith's 2010 novel). From the existence of vampires, to the mass collection of silver to combat the ...
6
votes
1answer
451 views
How can the ending of “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” be explained?
In the end of the movie Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Park Dong-jin get's killed by the group of communists, that Yu-sun is member of. But earlier in the movie it is explained, that Yu-sun is the only ...
6
votes
1answer
131 views
What is the device of Alex Trusks at the end of Hypercube?
Cube series are really complicated movie series.
At the end of the Hypercube, Kate gives a device some serious guys (some military guys maybe). This device was taken from Alex Trusks' neck.
What is ...
5
votes
1answer
147 views
What was so dangerous about the listening device?
Batman has Lucius Fox man a device that monitors all of the cell phones in Gotham to give Batman an edge in his fight against the Joker. Fox is so against using this device that he says he will resign ...
