The Godfather

 

 

1)             Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppola. This is a gritty gangster story about the Corleone family, the rise of a new don and the fall of many others. This film is regarded as one of the best films in history, and is often mentioned to be at the top spot with Citizen Kane. The Godfather has gotten 11 Academy Award nominations and took home three wins. Including best picture, best adapted screenplay and Marlon Brando winning for best actor. With a heavyweight cast featuring names like Robert Duvall, Al Pacino, and Dianne Keaton, this film delivers and defines gangster movies and brought back the genre to what it is today.

 

2)             Find a related article and summarize the content

http://www.history.com/topics/the-godfather-and-the-mafia-in-popular-culture

 

This article talks about how The Godfather changed the genre for gangster films, instead of giving the societies prospective on what the mafia is like, criminals, murderers of innocents. The article depicts The Godfather to be told from the family’s perspective. Something of a breath of fresh air, finally the gangsters get to share their side of the story. The article also talks how The Godfather paved the way for films like Goodfellas to be made. The article mentions that the main theme for this film was family and it was told from the family’s side, the family is seen brutal to their enemies and sympathetic to their friends.

 

3)             Apply the article to the film screened in class.

This article gave me a new perspective toward the movie. I agree with how there really isn’t a film like The Godfather. It really changed the genre of gangster flicks, inspired directors to produce shows like The Sopranos or movies like Goodfellas, The Untouchables. This article really broadens the horizons and puts this film into perspective to the way that you never get to see the family’s side of the story, only the cops or society. However the only cop shown with a speaking role happens to be corrupt. This shows how director Francis Ford Coppola wanted this film to be seen. Something different and its legacy still lives on.

 

4)             Write a critical analysis of the film

The Godfather is an excellent film, in my opinion should be ranked number one on the American Film Institute’s list. The theme of family is presented strongly in this film, it almost gives teachings on how to be with your own family. Loyalty, respect, honor, all these themes come into play. The line where Vito Corleone says “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family, isn’t a man at all”. That just defines the whole premise of his morals and ethics. And he’s right, if you watch this movie you can get a very good understanding of family value. That’s something I took away after the screening of this film. The shots and sequences shown were suspenseful and captivating. The cast was stellar and delivered every scene with a punch. This movie will forever be on my top five list of great films.  

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM
1) (x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) (x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) (x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) (x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) (x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) (x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) (x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: _________________Erik L. Rivera _____________________ Date: 5-2-13 ____________________________