High Noon: A Hidden Allegory for McCarthyism

by Bill Grinnell High Noon was about a lot more than just a man standing up to evil. Westerns used to be more that just Westerns. I’m willing to bet most people don’t know that. Westerns (along with Sci-Fi) were used for years as a way to disguise social and political commentary. Audiences would look… Continue reading High Noon: A Hidden Allegory for McCarthyism

Chinatown

Part of the American New Wave Series Chinatown (1974) is easily one of the five best films of the American New Wave. There’s something very special about a movie that makes you want to watch it over and over so you can find more depth to the story. It captures your interest and never lets… Continue reading Chinatown

The Graduate

The Graduate (1967) is the seminal film of the late 60s. It spoke to an entire generation of youth who were disillusioned and disaffected. The Baby Boomers had more expectations placed upon them than any previous generation. As their ideals about what America was supposed to be came crashing down around them, the Boomers began… Continue reading The Graduate

Network

Network (1976) was the lamentation and exhortation of writer Paddy Chayefsky. A lamentation of the corruption of the medium by moneyed interests, and the exhortation to do something about it lest television descend into the depravity depicted in the film. He was saying “this is how far this has gotten, and this is where it’s going… Continue reading Network

Some Like it Hot

Flawless Some Like it Hot (1959) is widely considered to be the greatest screen comedy of all time. Yet before its release that would have been hard to imagine. The film was swarmed by controversy including worries about homosexuality, cross dressing, and sexuality. America has grown up quite a lot since then, and today it’s… Continue reading Some Like it Hot

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