donnayad

[donnayad]

Review on Themes of Ganja and Hess

“Ganja & Hess” (1973) was an interesting film to watch in our course. Unlike most horror movies, this cult classic directed by Bill Gunn takes it beyond the conventional limits. It is more than just a story thread; it addresses addition, it is rooted in African ancestral background, love among blacks is portrayed differently, and it touches on spirituality and religion, The film departs from the conventional understanding of a vampire movie from the moment Dr. Hess Green played so well by Duane Jones gets stabbed by an old dagger. Intangible connotations of addiction become personified in ‘the vampiric transformation’: it describes both thirst for blood as well as inner pains connected to becoming a slave for ‘the addictive’. All of that points to Unconventional Vampirism. Ganja and Hess impressed me for being strongly connected to African mythologies and spiritualities. In addition, Dr. Hess’s transformation was facilitated by the ancient catalytic dagger, which served as a link between superstition and traditional beliefs. Adding African roots makes it real thus giving a new perspective on this horror which is not based in Europe. The depiction of black love stories is scanty in cinematic landscapes, while this movie portrays the same in an unexampled manner. Love is explored deeper than on the surface, challenging romance narratives about women loving men without any reason apart from their good appearance. The inclusion of different Christ-related symbols and images hooked me to the movie as it progressed. It is interesting that he battles with his vampirism, which plays a contrasting role compared to traditional thematics of atonement and eternal peace. This made me query conventional religious stories about life, death, and existence beyond. However, “Ganja & Hess” goes further than this mere challenge to Christianity and explores larger spiritual issues. The vampiric transformation turns into a symbol of the universal search for significance and relationships that transcend the physical plane. It provokes people to think about their own spiritual path while questioning organized religions. “Ganja & Hess” is a movie set in the world that has relatable themes. You will find addiction of all sorts, different cultural experiences, unique love stories, and explorations of a spiritual nature. Bill Gunn’s outlook on horror is like a breath of fresh air. It is somehow different yet it could appeal to everyone wherever you go and whatever your beliefs are. 

[donnayad]

Themes and Relation of “Tales From The Hood”

The view of ‘Tales From The Hood’ has been deep which exceeded race barriers as it spoke to every person’s quest against corruption and complexity of social affairs. The story “Rogue Cop Revelation” hit home touching a chord relating to many who have been subjected to oppression by corrupt forces. As such, it raised issues about institutional accountability and the collective quest for fairness across barriers of race. The theme of child abuse and the roles played by the members of a particular community was explored in “Boys Do Get Bruised”. These protectors represented the joint duty we have as individuals to safeguard what belongs to everyone’s children. Therefore, regardless of race, we showed concern for the welfare of our young ones. The depiction of racism in US politics as illustrated in ‘KKK Comeuppance’ was an eye-opener for everyone showing that it is risky to allow racist ideas to flourish in the political environment. It generated thoughts on how it might have been a product of larger societal views about the dangerous nature of polarizing opinions regardless of race. The film turned itself into something as it explored the traumatic history of slavery and what it meant for the shared human condition as we wrestle with our own legacies of injustice. The haunting ghosts of the past haunted these characters were a metaphor for how the communities regardless of their race and beliefs never forget what is done to them but still have a chance to live. This is because those who have tried to explore crimes within the context of social problems such as poverty resonate well with “Hard-Core Converts”. The general message was one of hope, telling viewers to believe that any one person – regardless of their racial identity – could be rehabilitated and have their lives changed for the better. "Tales from the Hood" effectively became a cross-cultural film journey that united spectators of all ethnicities in the battle for survival against the personal distress brought on by our society and uncertainties about one's own identity. The film's themes acted as a call to action, discussion, and reflection, reminding us that racial barriers must be overcome in order for everyone to work together in the pursuit of justice. It really reflects on a way to show activism through film, teaching all people no matter what race or even age, to be treated equally and to be more aware of what is going on in the world. 

[donnayad]

Movie Review on ‘Candyman’

Sitting down to watch the 1992 “Candyman” left me anticipating what was coming next i.e. the 2021 sequel. The two films, which are divided by almost three decades, present a striking view on such universal issues as racism, folk lore, and what it means for us today.It may be a horror classic. But “Candyman” of 1992 by Bernard Rose. Is more than just a scary story. The story of a vengeful spirit summoned by those who uttered his name five times in front of the mirror-The Candyman. Candyman becomes a metaphor for racial discrimination and brutality against African Americans and reflects the fears and racial legends of those days. The Candyman is iconically brought alive by Tony Todd, an actor who manages to haunt even in his absence. The main and complicated subject of interracial love is one of the major themes in the original “Candyman” and its sequel from 2021. They defy racism and show the love that is greater than race. Crossing racial barriers in apartheid has serious consequences. It means that love can be beyond color and is a strong statement. This theme is revisited and expanded upon in the 2021 version, highlighting how modern society still challenges interracial love and the link between this and the Candyman legend. Obsessive love is another theme in Candyman. Considering there is interracial love it is shocking to see obsessive love as a theme as well. Most of the story revolves around Candyman’s obsession towards Helen in that 1992 movie. However, his love for her is both possessive and destructive in blending love and obsession. As expected, Helen’s involvement in her infatuation with Candyman results in an equally frightful metamorphosis. Desire evolves into compulsion before turning into a destructive force in this theme which probes the dark side of love. Therefore, the role of a leader and other workers of a company should be clearly defined. These are some of the central themes in the original Candyman and 2021 follow up, where they are seamlessly woven together and presented as a compelling story going beyond the horror genre’s stereotypical tropes. These films push boundaries making us face our prejudices, fear and ideas towards what is real, the myth and love, race, and the self. The investigation of sophisticated and sometimes unpleasant topics makes the “Candyman” series an interesting social commentary on what is in our minds. I really reccomend watching both the 1992 version and the newer version of Candyman, both very good films that have interesting themes. 

[donnayad]

Movie Review on ‘Us’

Jordan Peele’s “Us” is a chillingly provocative horror film that elevates the genre in an entirely different direction. It is not only horror but an uneasy examination of man’s nature and society's breakdown. Peele’s storytelling is both compelling and disorienting. With skill in suspending fear and suspense, he builds a net of uneasiness around the reader so that you remain glued to your chair throughout the movie. Some of the “Us” themes make it different from other horror movies. It is actually very savvy about the nature of human beings being contradictory—a theme that leaves me very uneasy throughout most of the film. Doppelgangers represent the shadow sides of ourselves that we do not want to see, hear, feel, or speak about. Class issues and unequal situations are subjects that, among others, the film briefly sketches, hinting at what a society’s negligence can result in and how it relates to privilege and poverty. The tethered are underground and represent the notion, by way of parallelism, of the underclass concealed from the public. This representation of deprived minorities speaks about inequality within society as well as the results of social irresponsibility towards other individuals. Another theme is the use of duality, which can take different forms, but the concept is the same, i.e., that there is another side to everyone that can be considered a shadow. In the movie, the doppelgangers are used figuratively to express this concept, with them functioning as literal reflections of the primary figures. This movie had a deeper meaning, especially with the doppelganger. There are many demons people are afraid to face, and in some cases, you need to face your fear. “The Tethered” are the doppelgängers, and they make the main characters face their buried fears and insecurities and raise issues regarding self, the role of upbringing, and society's identity. It depicts that we can be frightened by those who are different from us. The creepy twin people are normal, but we fear them because they appear scary. It is just like having a phobia for something that is not understood. “Us” is undoubtedly a masterpiece in the world of cinema, but it may leave some audiences confused or dissatisfied because it does not tie every loose end at the end. The lack of a clear resolution may frustrate those looking for unambiguous solutions. Indeed, “Us” constitutes a riveting portrayal of dualism, contemporary social evils, and self-horror. The film is not only about jump scares; rather, it is a chilling reflection on human nature, and Jordan Peele establishes himself as a master of the horror genre. “Us” is worth watching if you want to have a thoughtful and heart-thumping time.

[donnayad]

 Movie Analysis of ‘Get Out’

‘Get Out’ by Jordan Peele is a horror film with a much deeper meaning behind the initial picture. The film claims that in a white-dominated society, to live a longer better life, you need to have a white brain. So, the Armitage family engages in several unethical and immoral actions. Under social hospitality, the family dupes and coerces their visitors, primarily young black people, into visiting their estate. They show themselves as accepting and open-minded, leading these people into a false sense of security. The sense of security guarantees the individuals a longer life if they undergo hypnosis and brain switching. The Armitage family's most immoral and unethical activity is transplanting the brains of their old, rich white family members into the bodies of their black victims. This heinous operation violates the victims' bodies, consent, and humanity to the uttermost. It effectively entails robbing the lives of these young black people. The themes in this film point to society and race and how it affected individuals to think a certain way. The fundamental focus of the film is racial prejudice and the black experience in America. The way the characters felt the need to do this is the most enthralling theme of all. They were driven to make this choice because, in a white dominant society, it goes into identity and how racial background affects everyone around you. In class we spoke about a main theme I felt resonated with me, which was alienation. Chris, the protagonist, frequently feels like an outcast in his largely white society. The film examines the feelings of loneliness and discomfort that might occur when a person is in the minority in a certain situation. He felt alone like an outsider which made him want the brain switch to feel more included. Finally a main theme I noticed was cultural appropriation in the film. The film discusses white people's appropriation of black culture. The narrative revolves around the concept of appropriating pieces from another culture without completely knowing or respecting their value. Chris didn’t know what he was getting into with the white brain, because not knowing the culture of it all and how people lived for so long in that society, drove him to this. The Armitage family uses hypnosis to drive you away from your own identity, how manipulation can really be perceived in different ways, and how culture sets us apart from each other and brings us together. This film was very interesting to watch, and I look forward to talking about it more in the upcoming weeks.

[donnayad]

Movie Review on ‘Wake’ by Bree Newsome

After watching the short film Wake by Bree Newsome, I felt there were deeper lessons to be learned than those on the surface. The film takes place in the 1900s and is a very religion-based film. The church ladies who judge women left and right make the main character feel like she needs to have a significant other. She gets impatient about waiting for the right guy to come along, and after hearing these women constantly spread their concerns and laughs, she decided to take matters into her own hands. This scene alone shows that people's opinions take a toll on someone to the point where they will do anything to get them to stop talking about her and making rude remarks. Also, her father suddenly died; she just felt she needed the perfect man and went to the woods to summon the perfect man and perfect life. She summons the spirit that gives her the perfect man she had made in her mind, and it turns out that he seems to be a demon. The main character begins to hear voices, and the perfect man she created says, “We wouldn't want anyone to know the truth” (Newsome, 2010). This scares the main character, and she finds out that magic does not work the way she believed it to. In my eyes, this showed the consequences of her actions. You can’t always get what you wish for, and there are always consequences to your actions. We later find out at the end of the film that she murdered her father by not giving him his medication. The consequence of her action was getting this perfect man given to her, who turns out to be a demon. The spirit tells her that you can’t take back what you wish for, and again, the main character has not learned her lesson and decides to take matters into her own hands. She decides to murder him the same way she murdered her father. She poisons the demon, and he dies. Again, she gets punished, and it turns out she is pregnant with the demon baby. The main point of this film is that you really get what you ask for, and there are consequences for every action. Every parent teaches that you shouldn't take more than you can chew, and she felt like she could have it all. There were more consequences than good things that happened in this film, and although it was a horror film, there were deep-rooted lessons throughout the film. It wasn’t the type of horror where you jump at every scene; you were jumping at the outcomes of every choice she made. Great film and I would recommend it to all.