Looking back at the era, what movie would you say represented that decade? In the ’50s, we saw many films that were anti-conformist, such as REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, which took place in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The ’50s also saw the birth of the teen, as the angst of the adolescent was first portrayed by actors like James Dean.
Boyhood
Which movie would represent a decade in the life of a kid? The movie, Boyhood, is a moving, uplifting film about coming-of-age in suburban Texas. The film tells the story of Mason, who grows from six to eighteen and is raised by his parents. The movie follows his family and the changes that occur in his life throughout the decade. He learns about the joys and trials of growing up in a dysfunctional family and is destined to become a man.
Which movie would represent a decade in the life of a boy? There are several choices, but the film that best captures that feeling would probably be “Boyhood” by Richard Linklater. The film is a satirical look at family life in a way that is universal, yet also reflects the narrowness of the medium. It’s also a movie about the development of an interest in photography, which serves as a metaphor for life in this decade.
Moonlight
If we were to look back at movies that defined the last decade, the film Moonlight would certainly be among the best. This film doesn’t force anything, instead allowing its unspoken moments to speak for themselves. In capturing the movement of teenage boys, Moonlight captures the experience of growing up as a black boy in America, and it goes beyond that experience in a profound way. This film is a testament to the importance of being yourself, and not conforming to the expectations of others.
In the first part of the film, the protagonist, Chiron (Mahershala Ali), an African-American boy who has fled his abusive mother Paula, finds refuge in an abandoned motel. Juan, the boy’s savior, finds Chiron in an abandoned motel and learns that he has been the target of bullies. He entrusts him to his girlfriend Theresa, where he discovers a lifelong friendship with a woman who would become his mentor. In the second segment, Chiron regains his memory and discovers his new life.
Skyfall
There are many aspects of the Bond films that define them as classics. There is glamour and the presence of gorgeous women, outrageous stunts, a ridiculous villain, and a sense of fun in the face of danger. The characters that make these movies so beloved are also present in Skyfall. In this case, Moneypenny, Q, and M all have a place in the film, but each one is in a very different context.
The 007 movies during the Craig era had a difficult time transitioning, but Skyfall has found its footing. Newman uses a musical score that reflects themes of old and new. A key motif is a recurring theme in the film, and Ralph Fiennes – who played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series – plays the villain. He encourages M to retire, and he questions the necessity of Bond’s return. However, he leaves M to brief Bond on his next assignment, which sends Bond to Shanghai.
Hustlers
If you are a millennial, you may be wondering how the film Hustlers would represent that decade. Though it follows a standard crime plot, it features a cast of women who are both fierce and vulnerable. A feminism-centered movie, Hustlers would appeal to the millennial generation as it aims to give female characters a voice. The film is also an anti-capitalist film, so the title suggests that it may not appeal to the generation of baby boomers.
The film is not without its controversy. It portrays economic inequality as a major issue, and criticizes the bad actors of Wall Street, but it also glorifies the ill-gotten wealth that these characters acquire. But what if you had been a teenager or a woman at the height of the ’80s, and were stung by the movie’s depiction of a working-class life? Hustlers would represent that decade, and the movie is a perfect example of how Hollywood is distorted by social injustice.
Back to the Future
The movie franchise was introduced 25 years ago, and its sequels have become a defining part of American pop culture. Filmed in Los Angeles and New York City, the trilogy has spawned sequels that reflect American culture today. The film franchise started with a single script, incorporating both the 1885 and 2015 plots. This story is a perfect example of how pop culture has changed since the original was released. For example, Tab has fallen out of favor with the rise of Diet Coke and Pepsi Free.
The film also depicted the era in which video games became widely available. As such, video games such as Wild Gunman would have been popular in 1985. The game, originally an electromechanical game in Japan, was updated for the Nintendo home console in the early 1980s. The Wild Gunman cabinet was custom-made for the Back to the Future series, with subtle reference to Buford Tannen, a recurring character in the third film. Both had the nickname Mad Dog, and the Wild Gunman lead character shares the same name. As a result, Wild Gunman would be seen as a futuristic Frodo Baggins, a young teenager trapped in 1955 by the mysterious Doc Brown.