Popular Culture in America - Essay Example

 “Popular Culture in America” Part1. Introduction American popular culture was one of the most significant and globally extends cultural form. Movie, music, television, and sports are presented here. American widespread culture and beliefs expressed itself through almost all means Babe Ruth, Baseball, Elvis Presley, Mickey Mouse the Simpsons. These name, type, and phrases have attached further tangible American products in scattering across the globe. America tends to be a net exporter of culture; it absorbs numerous other cultural traditions with relative simplicity. Performers and actors like these have developed into ever more ubiquitous in people's lives across the world. American popular culture with its above mention icons and consumer goods were likely recognized by foreign civilization in an assortment of differing ways (Crothers, 2012, pp.10-18). 1.1: The Spread of American Popular Culture Globalization allows foreign companies to share out American cultural products, which include film, TV, music and books (Crothers, 2012, pp.20). In recent years, American music, movies, and TV shows have constantly gained more and more audiences globally. Similarly foreign media groups provide the increase of American popular culture as well. Part: 2. The Godfather: Family values and ethnic pride Swann (2012) states that Cultural value of The Godfather trilogy begins in its depiction of the American Dream, and effectively American culture. James Truslow Adams illustrates the American Dream in his book, Epic of America, as a “Vision and fantasy of a land-living in which lifecycle should be improved and more well-off and filled for all nobleman, with opportunities and chances for every one according to their ability, skills or achievement” (Swann, 2012). 2.1: The Godfather The Godfather was based in the late 1940's in New York City. The story was concerning the Corleone family, which was headed by Vito Corleone. He had four sons, older son named Santino, also known as Sunny. After that son was Fredo and the youngest son was Mechael which was in the military at the beginning of the movie and afterward stepped up to be the head of the family business (Swann, 2012). Lastly, there was the adopted son Tom .Vito too had a daughter, Connie who went during the pain of the family business and she was not even concerned in it. According to Cuizon, (2008) The Godfather was a sort of confusing, yet extremely entertaining movie in which the godfather, who was Vito Corleone, listens to needs and request from other people. Sollozo propel some of his people to kill the godfather, and after he was shot, it was not identified whether he was alive or dead. Sonny, the eldest son in the Corleone family, go on with the family business, they send Michael to slay both Sollozo and his bodyguard. Later than he does this, Michael flee and goes to live in Sicily; and then Sonny gets slaughter, and Don Corleone go back to his home. After a few years, Michael came back to America and continues the business. And they end up by assassination of all the other Five Families; Don Corleone dies, and Michael Corleone becomes the new Godfathers. (Cuizon ,2008) 2.2: Analysis I consider this as a fantastic film; although at times I consider I was mystified, may be because of all the fresh characters, and the lengthy plot. Yet it amazed me, since it has a well-planned plot, and you can recognize the whole thing entirely well, however it doesn’t seem like it. The film was truly admired by audiences from all around the world. Each scene of this film was well designed and rich by the contextual aspects which have been waiting to be interpreted; such as the Baptism scene was able to be declared as master-piece work, and also the enormous filming work of all time. Coppola applies these exceptional aspects to generate the optional visual presentation throughout his film which not only enlighten the story but also position the thematic note, and in the same time build up audiences’ emotions, leading them straight to the world of Corleone Family’s business, solving and facing conflicts in concert with these characters. Part: 3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a 2002 American romantic comedy film written by and starring Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding was about a 30-year old and single woman named Toula Portokalos who though has lived an incredibly Greek life-style, settle on to pursue a relationship with a non-Greek man. Toula Portokalos (Nia Vardalos) was a 30 years old girl from a traditional Greek family, and works in her family's restaurant (Dancing Zorba's) in Chicago. She was the only girl in her family how was considered as a disappointment for not getting married at the right age i.e. thirty. Her family anticipates her to "marry a Greek. But Toula was looking for more in life, in her big family she often found herself very lonely. She desires to join computer classes for making herself more enhanced professional and relinquish her waitress job. Her mother persuades her father Gus (Michael Constantine) to allow her to take computer classes. She modifies herself by replacing thick glasses with contact lenses, be dressed in her hair curly, and begin to use makeup. She started working in her aunt's travel agency by the permission of her father and she feels much better in her new job. One day she observed that Ian was looking at her through the window. They finally initiate themselves and start on dating. Toula remain the relationship covert from her family. But Gus find out one day and gets wild knowing that his daughter was dating with a non-Greek young man and establish searching an appropriate “Greek” groom for her. Ian and Toula carry on seeing each other beside Gus's wishes. Ian proposes to marry her, she accepts. In the meantime, Toula also meet up with Ian’s mother (Fiona Reid) and father (Bruce Gray) and they accept her rather simply. But, the wedding preparation becomes a hard exercise for Ian and Toula, as they have to handle the Big Greek Family and Ian’s parents. Gus persists on inviting the whole church to the ceremony. A lot of confusions are formed by Toula’s family members and relatives as everyone tries to assist in the wedding preparation as per one’s best achievable way. This romantic comedy takes two different life styles and brings them together to show the differences of cultural. When Toula meet Ian’s parents, Toula realizes how diverse the families really were. Though, she could look through all of that because she really loves Ian Miller. The core point of the movie was to demonstrate that true love prevails over all. 3.1: Analysis: This movie was chosen because of its potential to wrap a broad range of topics that include, gender relationships, cultural dimensions theories and culture conflict. One more reason of selecting this movie was that it spins around ‘Greek’ culture which was probable to be professed as ‘foreign culture’, although in this movie, there could be potential that gives over-dramatized presentation of Greek culture. Part: 4. A Beautiful Mind Holleran (n.d) stated that A Beautiful Mind was released in 2001 and directed by Ron Howard, the film, which stars Russell Crowe as John Nash; dramatically determine the effects of psychosis on the patient, its family and the wider community. Nash, a brilliant mathematician, started to believe that he has been approached by a shadowy government agency to help out with code breaking. As his sickness progresses, he becomes extra guarded. He was not capable to function well at work, and he scares his wife. Devoted involuntarily for coma therapy and other treatments, Nash get better somewhat. Even though later course was marked by non-adherence and disabling negative sign, he ultimately makes it in his work harder to reintegrate into the academic community (Holleran, n.d). Although the movie was based on a true story, the director has admitted taking liberties for dramatic effect, raising doubt as to how much should be believe. 4.1: Analysis: The film was leading and influential that will and should be used in psychiatric education. The best audiences may be patients, families, and the general public, who will get an outstanding introduction to schizophrenia: its symptoms, course, treatments, and complications. The film may also be recommended for patients struggling with discouragement about recovery. Part 5. Conclusion Film and television create division of our popular culture. Our life styles have more and more been linked with television and film one mean or the other. Family life style and accepting of the world are continually reflected by these two mediums. Films and mass media in broad and has impacted very much on how we spend our daily lives. An absolute masterpiece film, The Godfather was terrific in its plot planning, inspiring theme and also exclusive which make it well famed and in becoming one of the greatest films yet made in the history. According to Welsch and Adams (2005, pp. 76), My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a fun-filled film from beginning to end. Though a small independent film, it stormed in to hearts of viewers across a broad spectrum of cultural backgrounds and became “the most economically victorious ethnic film in American cinematic history (Welsch and Adams, 2005, pp. 76). Furthermore Rosenstock (2003) stated that A Beautiful Mind can illustrate how hallucination develop, how patients could consider such thoughts to be accurate, and how such symptoms can demolish their lives and the lives of their family and friends too. Films subsist in meticulous social and cultural contexts, and a film speaks to the spectators a particular vision of the world and what’s usual, possible, undesirable, and desirable. It also influence and reflect social and cultural norms and attitudes.( Rosenstock,2003) Part.5: References Crothers, Lane. Globalization and American Popular Culture. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012. Print. Welsch, R., J., Adams, Q., J., “Multicultural Films: A Reference Guide”. United States of America. Greenwood Publishing Group. (2005), pp.76.Print Swann, T. "The Godfather: Cultural Value." eCorseir.com. 2 May 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. . Cuizon ,G." The Godfather: Dissecting Michael Corleone".Bukisa.com.15 Dec 2008. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. Rosenstock,J."Beyond A Beautiful Mind: Film Choices for Teaching Schizophrenia".Academic Psychiatry.1 June.2003 Web. 29 Nov 2012. Holleran,S."Who's Wedding Is It, Anyway?".boxofficemojo. N.d., Web. 29 Nov 2012 Read More