60's to 90's Movies

While the basis of movies has changed from the 60's to 90's in obvious ways, such as in genres, I view the shift in age demographics with far more interest. For much of time period, Movies were always focused on adults with the 80's introducing teenagers. The nineties completely changed the landscape with the introduction of an array of child focused movies, such as Toy Story, Babe, Home Alone, Lion. King and Tarzan. For the first time, producers realized that children movies are the most lucrative age group, as seen by the fact that Shrek, Ice Age and Toy Story are some of the most successful movie franchises in history. Beyond the basic shift in age focus, movies advanced along with technology. They changed from several still cameras to the rotating cameras made famous with Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, which would be replaced by CGI and animations in the 90's. Movies have improved over the decades because of the clear cut images compared to the grainy westerns seen in Butch Cassidy. 

The 90's is the best decade of movies because it is probably the one I have seen the most movies from. Most of my childhood revolved around watching Pixar and Disney movies on repeat, such as Toy Story and the Lion King. Beyond the movies of my childhood, I would say the best movie of the decade would be The Big 

Lebowski. I like the movie just because of the extreme and weird nature of the characters and plot. From the characters stuck in their past, such as the Dudes hippie life and Walters Vietnam, to the bizarre scenes of bowling. The Big Lebowski provided an interesting perspective of an array of generations, which is not seen in most movies. Overall, the 90's was the best decade for movies in my mind. 

60's to 90's: Music in America

Music in America has radically changed from the 1960's to now. The changes reflected in music directly correlate the changes seen within America, whether it be politically or socially. The changes in music began in the 60's with the introduction of psychedelic and hard rock with bands such as the Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. These bands reflected the growing Special Relationship as well as the prevalence of drugs and hippies with society. The seventies witnessed the continual prevalence of Rock with mixing in of Punk and Disco. These new genres reflected the changing racial dynamic of America. Punk was the response for whites "losing" power, while Disco was the music for newly empowered minorities, such as Blacks and Homosexuals. The music of the 80's transitioned from a rock-centric culture to a more pop-centric one. Young and controversial artists arose with messages of care free living, which reflected the downfall of the Soviets. The 90's broke away completely with an array of music dominating the landscape. Pop and Rock developed into the two popular genres with sub genres such as Grunge and Rap. The 90's reflected controversial events such as racial inequality in the only superpower. The music of America has changed because America itself jas changed. 

90's Music

The music of the 90's ranges in the middle for personal appeal. For myself, The sixties and seventies are best with the 90's closely behind. Though the music styles that emerged do not personally appeal to me, the radical changes brought by the music does. The emergence of Rap and Grunge rock broke away from the 80's in a way similar to the 60's with the 50's. These new styles confronted new issues never discussed before in pop culture, such as racial warfare and inequality. The message of the music was radical for pop culture in a way similar to the 60's with drugs/sex in mainstream culture. The music reflected controversial events of the decade such as racial inequality (King), Clinton and changes brought by new technology. Both Rap and Grunge were the key aspects of the decade, striking out against institutions. Grunge interests me due to the role of Kurt Cobain, especially since he is often referred to as a modern John Lennon. Though I don't like the music of Grunge, the long term influence of it does, including with the Foo Fighters and Red Chili Peppers. The music of the 90's is undeniably heavily influential who brought about artists and songs that will always be remembered, such as Tupac, BIG and Cobain. Though I do not enjoy the music of the 90's, the radical changes and messages brought with it will continue to have long lasting influence on music. 

90's TV

Seinfeld, Friends and Simpsons were the three main shows we watched in class. Personally, Seinfeld is the best, which was heavily influenced by the fact that I watched it with my dad all the time growing up. However, I enjoy Seinfeld because it mixes slapstick and situational humor along with a varying cast. Seinfeld has an array of characters with Kramers hippie style and Costanza's competitive personality combined with dozens of side characters that are involved. Seinfeld also featured several plot lines that each character followed. By comparison, Friends has always seemed like a cheap rip off of Seinfeld with less diversity of plot and characters. Friends has a linear plot that is similar for most characters and revolves completely on the main characters. Also the portrayal of the characters was interesting, with Elaine working for a prestigious publishing company while the women of Friends are unemployed or are waitresses. The final show was the Simpsons which is difficult to compare to the other shows. The Simpsons provided a similar plot to Seinfeld with a mix of slapstick and situational comedy, but added an aspect of satire. I enjoy the Simpsons because of the array of comedy, but the low level of quality of the show does take away from the value of the show. Overall I would say Seinfeld was the best with the Simpsons and then Friends. 

Impeachment

The Whitewater investigation does not seem like a serious proposition for impeachment, but the role of perjury and obstruction of justice do. Though Bill Clinton repeatedly lied to the media, I do not think that he could be impeached on perjury. First, he was not under oath when he made the statements and the technicality of the wording did mean that his statements were correct . His actions were extremely negative, his relationship with Lewinsky and the perjury charges of the case do not seem worth of impeachment. The second charge of obstruction of justice does make more sense however. The continual manipulation of documents by the Clintons both had a negative impact of public opinion but made it seem like they were conducting shady dealings. However, I believe that the "not guilty" vote was right because there was never concrete evidence to prove that Bill Clinton obstructed justice personally. I believe that the event had a major effect on Americans because it exhibited the partisanship of Congress and the trustworthiness of public figures ranging back to Nixon. Though the case most likely did not change peoples political views, as seen in the 2000 elections, it probably brought more skepticism similar to what was seen with Nixon. 

90's Topics

- Interventions: Balkans, Iraq, Panama 

- Rise of Terrorism

- Gardner Museum Heist 

- OJ Simpson case

80's Movie

The movies we watched in class were Platoon, Ferris Buellers Day Off and Breakfast Club. 

The Break fast Club represented five stereotypical teenagers in detention, who argue/bond with one and other along with their advisor. The movie interestingly portrayed the the 1980's, especially the Cold War and consumerism. In the movie, one of the girls exhibits the booming consumerism of the decade, with a fancy car and clothing. The ending of the movie provides commentary on the decade as well. Due to the rising rhetoric of Reagan, many feared the Soviets even more, which the movie commented on when they portrayed the Jock dating the weird nerdy girl. Just like the how the jock perceived the Girl as an odd and extreme person, many viewed the Soviets in a similar light. By having the two opposites attract, the movie provides Americans the belief that friendship with the Soviets is possible. 

Ferris Bueller fell in to a similar genre with a focus on three teenagers and their fight against authority. The movie, like the Breakfast club, continued to reflect the role of consumerism in the decade. Within the movie, a friend of Bueller has a garage which has an array of classic cars. Also the movie includes a scene of depicting high class life in America. 

The final movie, Platoon, portrays men in the Vietnam war, and the real toll it took on people. The movie demonstrated the willingness to admit the wrongs made during the Vietnam War. By portraying the grueling scenes of destruction, Platoon placed blame on everyone and no one. It made people hate the soldiers for their atrocities yet sympathize with them for the hell they lived with everyday. The movie represented a transition to a period of healing and acceptance for many americans. 

    I enjoyed the movies of the 1980's, especially Platoon since it gave an interesting and more realistic portrayal of Vietnam war.