1930's Analyzing "Freaks"

After seeing the movie "Freaks" one cannot help but think of AHS: Freakshow, and draw comparisons and differences of course. Not only did both utilize real “freaks” in the films which was something that caused quite an uproar in those times, but now at least with Freakshow is a way to showcase that these so called “freaks” are people who are real, and can be very talented. Actors such as Mat Fraser who played the Illustrated Seal, Rose Siggins as Legless Suzy and Jyoti Amge as Ma Petite, these people are “different” and they are quite talented and very much real. It is different to be able to see them in television, one can only hope that one day, they will be able to act as just as anyone else and not be type casted as “freaks” but as regular human beings.

The movie Freaks portrays the people in the sideshow as creepy little monsters, it either depicts them as children, or poor, sad creatures trying to live as normally as they can, but then are shown to be cruel and twisted, they disfigure a woman who ruined one of their own, and despite the efforts toward the end of the film to leave us on a different note, we are left with a bitter after taste. Though in the AHS: Freakshow, something very similar occurs toward the beginning of the season, when the “freaks” kill a police officer that is trying to run them out. Yet, by the end of the show the “normal” people are the ones who end up being morally disturbed and the true monsters, while the “freaks” are trying to lead normal lives with happy endings, they become victims and at the end heroes in a way.

 The atmosphere at plenty of times is the same, trying to depict good sunny days with normalcy, while dark, stormy underlay. Showing the “freaks” as misunderstood people, who live in the dark, trying to achieve some sort of normalcy, a tight-knit group with their own sense of justice, twisted as it may be. Both film and show, depict the “freaks” as misunderstood, but essentially good people, who try to protect their own as family regardless of how wrongful their actions are. And the “normal” people as the true monsters, how Cleo who is perfect is truly twisted and horrible on the inside, while Hans who is a “small person” is truly big at heart and a true good hearted human being. In AHS, it is the same thing; the “freaks” are trying to lead normal lives, while the rich kid, who is handsome and perfect, is truly a sociopath, murderous monster.

Overall the movie was dark and a tad depressing, yet morbid curiosity kept me glued to the screen, and it is just disturbing and fascinating. Understandingly why is it a true Cult Film.

Silent Era slapstick comedy vs. newage slapstick

Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, undeniable are the most know masters of the Silent Era. They displayed a type of comedy that is rarely seen today. They employed slapstick comedy, which is still employed today but it is done in an entirely different manner. I think that when it was done in the 20s it was done in a classy way, they were acrobats performing refined, well thought out gags. They were almost magicians performing impossible feats in front of a camera, they planned their gags, and made sure they would impress and entertain. Plenty of times you look at them bouncing on the walls, the floor thinking, how do they even do that? They were so agile that it seemed as if they were made of bouncy plastic, instead of being human.

Now in this age and time, the movies that now are so called “slapstick” tend to be grotesque and crude. There is nothing refined about the way they do this genre, now it’s all about ridiculous comedy, and who hurts more in the end. Movies such as Mouse Hunt, Mr. Deeds, and the incredibly stupid Dumb and Dumber (which incidentally is the best title for that horrid movie) are what are considered “slapstick”. Personally I cannot begin to stand them, there is nothing refined about them, they hardly even have a decent script, at least one would think that since the gags aren’t elaborate and beautiful anymore, at least the script would be decent. I do not enjoy this type of comedy, I find it grotesque and vulgar, and it is an insult to the greats of the golden era to be placed in the same category as these terrible films.

Introduction

Hello everybody!!!

My name is Veronica Cordero; I’m a senior in Fashion Design. I am from Ecuador originally, but I've lived here for more than half my life. I have a passion for movies, it began when I was very young, my mom, and my grandma both love movies. They would often take me to watch them, may it be a Disney or anything that they thought I would like. I specially loved the older classics, my first love was Mary Poppins, just love the musicals. My love for vintage movies also came from my Mom, who thought I would like I Love Lucy and played it for me when I was three, and I have been in love with her ever since. Since I loved Lucy my mom figured she could try Charlie Chaplin, and of course I just fell in love with the magic he weaved. Ever since then movies have been a way to escape and dream for me. I love to be able to go back in time to the golden times of long ago, watch movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Arsenic and Old Lace, Bringing up Baby, How to Catch a thief, and many other classics. 

My favorite thing actually is being able to watch a movie that has been adapted from a movie, and it is true to the book. I love being able to see characters I feel in love with in the book come to life. I have a special place in my heart for musicals, considering that music is my other passion, so putting them together just seems perfect. I wish my life were actually a musical that would be just perfect.
You can see I used the word Love a lot, that really shows why I wanted to take this class.