Question
many people feel that movie isn;t a success if it doesn’t force viewers to think about an important issue or idea. others argue that movies are successful as long as they entertain us; they don’t have any ideological, political, or social agenda. what is your personal opinion on this topic? is being entertaining enough, or should movies provide more?
Sample paper
Movie Review
The film industry produces movies that revolved around a particular theme. Some of these movies are based on true life stories, while others are purely the work of fiction. Regardless of the nature of movies, they all have an underlying theme, or involve a power struggle between the villain and the superhero. Most movies mirrors life as it occurs in society. They are a reflection of the moral values, beliefs and attitudes held by society. They portray life as it occurs in actuality, or as a conception of the filmmaker. Movies should not only serve to entertain, but also pass an ideological, political, or social agenda to viewers.
Movies are an important part of most people’s lives. People may spend hours watching movies mainly due to their entertainment value. However, most movies have moral values or lessons that they pass along to viewers. Movies present viewers with role models that they can emulate. The superheroes in movies are role models who often portray how people should live in the society. The superheroes are not only entertaining, but depict ideals ways in which people should behave. The villains may also be entertaining, but they usually carry the negative traits. In the end, the villains are punished for their evil deeds. The morality depicted in movies is hedged on filmmaker’s values or what he/she considers right or wrong. This represents the social agenda of movies. Movies should therefore not just entertain but pass important moral values to viewers.
Movies show viewers a particular ideological perspective. This is by depicting certain characters, behaviors, institutions, or motives as appealing. Another set is also depicted as repellent or negative. This is often in line with the society’s values, traditions or beliefs. The entertainment value of movies is closely linked with the ideological perspective. For instance, viewers realize the entertainment value of movies out of the suspense created when the villains and superheroes in the movie confront each other. In the end, it is the superheroes who carries the day. Even though a movie is purely meant to entertain, there are still some underlying ideological perspectives that reflect the moral standing of the filmmaker.
Most movies depict the moral values, beliefs, and ethics in society. Even fictitious movies are based on interaction of characters and conflicts that emanate from this interaction. In fiction movies, conflicting value systems form the basic plot of the play. All societies have a set of beliefs or a particular ideological perspective. The ideological perspective reflects a set of ideas that are either held consciously or unconsciously by individuals in the society. The conscious or unconscious ideas are the ones that make up individuals’ goals, beliefs, motivations, and expectations. Since movies explain life as it occurs in society, they should inherently help to propagate the ideological perspectives to future generations. Movies should help viewers reevaluate their ideological, political, and social standings in society. They should pass a message to viewers along with the ability to keep viewers entertained.
Millions of people spend their free time watching movies. Statistics indicate that the average U.S. child spends more time watching movies than playing with other children or engaging in outdoor activities. Adults also spend much of their time watching movies either at home or in theatres. This impacts the viewers’ view of the world since they spend most of their time assimilating what they are seeing in the movies. Watching movies can impact the individuals understanding of ethics and the manner in which they interpret ethical and moral guidelines (Cotton, 1997). With regard to this, movies should aim at impacting certain values or lessons to intended viewers. They should help viewers to critically reexamine their moral judgment, values, morals, and beliefs they hold as true. Movies should positively impact viewers or inspire them in a particular way.
When making a movie, directors, producers and writers are driven by the need to convey a particular message or idea to viewers. However, the critical question is whether movies pass acceptable ethical values to individuals and especially the young. Parents must ensure that children watch recommended movies to avoid getting the wrong perception about things (Cotton, 1997). Certain movies may lead to confusion or inculcate negative ethical values among children. Parents should interact with children as they watch movies in order to help them understand the deeper meaning of the movie. Movies should help children develop a positive view of the world and above all, develop a positive mindset. Movies should therefore not just entertain but bear an important social agenda.
Movies helps to tell a particular story in a visually compelling manner. Just like published materials such as novels and books, they should bear a particular ideological, political, or social agenda. Print materials such as novels, poems, and plays provide more to readers than just the bear entertainment value. Such materials help readers develop critical thinking and reflection skills. Similarly, movies should help readers develop critical skills in various areas. Movies should thus provide more than bear entertainment.
Reference
Cotton, R. (1997). Movies and morals. Retrieved from http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/movies.html
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