Month: April 2021

According to the New York Times report, Martin Scorsese explained how people misinterpreted his words. He further explained his words and thoughts on why Marvel movies do not count as cinema to him. One of the claims he mentioned, “….cinema was about revelation — aesthetic, emotional and spiritual revelation.”(Scorsese 2019) In his opinion and his knowledge, Martin believed the idea of a cinema is more of a higher level of enlightenment. Something that is unknown before but could be carried out in the artistic form. Movies from Marvel lack the idea of the art form that he was looking for. However,  people have different opinions and thoughts on his comments on Marvel movies. Bryan Hutchinson is a fan of Martin Scorsese but he didn’t agree with his statement. In Bryan’s opinion, Marvel movies are also a kind of art. The only difference is that it is a comic book based art. As stated in the text, “Marvel movies are works of art just as the comic book art on which they are based. They are a new type of movie-going experience that appeals to an entire generation of fans who grew up reading the stories and connecting with the characters, heroes and anti-heroes.”(Hutchinson) In Bryan’s perspective, Marvel movies count as a new form of art. It can not be compared to the old style of cinema. As we developed more and more movies and ideas, we should be open minded and accept different kinds of them.

Another reason Martin believed Marvel movies do not count as cinema is because cinema is supposed to bring new things and experiences to the audience. Martin said, “…When I watch a movie by any of those filmmakers, I know I’m going to see something absolutely new and be taken to unexpected and maybe even unnameable areas of experience. My sense of what is possible in telling stories with moving images and sounds is going to be expanded.”(Scorsese 2019) His idea of a cinema is movies that expanded our horizon. We should be able to find new things to learn every time. We are not just watching the same elements and plots appearing over and over again. Marvel movies are mostly focused on hero stories, which is a material that many movies used. In Martin’s perspective, these types of materials may bored many audiences. However, Sam Prell has another aspect that differs from Martin’s idea. Marvel movies are one of the most famous movies produced in the past few years. They are very different from other movies. They have their specialties. Sam Prell says, “Marvel Studios is keeping audiences’ attention by making each MCU project reflect the stylings and tropes of a different genre.”(Prell 2016) The reason why Marvel could be so famous all over the world is because they combine different elements in each movie. Even though they are all the same type of  “hero” stories but they have various differences. These differences also brought them success. Each hero in the Marvel studio has their own story, power and life experiences. That makes the difference. It’s the part where people feel connected with and special about it. 

 

In summation, people who don’t agree with Martin Scorsese’s statement believed that there are many nice things he didn’t see in Marvel movies. Including the connection, differences, and new technology/generation that connects people to the movies. That is exactly the reason how they become so famous and well known all over the world.

Reference:

Hutchinson, W., Hutchinson, B., & Bryan Hutchinson I became a writer because I saw a ghost. I had my first paranormal experience when I was 8 years old. At first. (n.d.). Are marvel movies art? (there’s no easy way to say this…). Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://positivewriter.com/are-marvel-movies-art/

Prell, S. (2016, January 15). Every Marvel movie is a different genre, and That’s why the mcu works. Retrieved April 08, 2021, from https://www.gamesradar.com/every-marvel-movie-different-genre-and-s-why-mcu-works/

One reason that Scorsese thought Marvel movies are not cinemas is due to his definition of cinema. He said, “And that was the key for us: it was an art form. There was some debate about that at the time, so we stood up for cinema as an equal to literature or music or dance. ” (Scorsese, 2019) He thought cinema is an art form and Marvel is not an art. However, Eric Kohn said that the definition of cinema needs to take revise. He stated that” To that end, we may have reached a breaking point, in which the obvious definition of cinema requires a revision. Marvel movies are a certain kind of cinema, but they exist in a different category altogether from the ones that other filmmakers consider their vocation. And that means there is zero sense in asking filmmakers from that other, non-Marvel category to assess Marvel movies in any way that might reflect back on their own work.” (Kohn, 2019, October 23). As time goes by, the definition of cinema needs to change. Marvel movies, as a new form of movies, should be included in cinema like Eric said.

Another reason why Scorsese believed that Marvel movies are not movies is because he believed that Marvel movies lack emotion with the audience. In the article, he said, “Many of the elements that define cinema as I know it are there in Marvel pictures. What’s not there is revelation, mystery or genuine emotional danger. Nothing is at risk. The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes.” However, Marvel Movies has convey emotional. Aubreyonna Van Hoose said, “Many heroes face internal conflict like Bruce Banner’s inability to unleash Hulk during Avengers: Infinity War, or Spider-Man’s internal conflict with the unwillingness to accept his new responsibility as a superhero in “Spider Man: Far From Home.” All of these are clear indications of creating a form of communication of emotional or psychological experiences from the character to the viewer.” (Aubreyonna Van Hoose, 2021, February 25). Aubreyonna Van Hoose used real examples from Marvel movies proved that there are emotion conveying in Marvel movies instead of what Scorsese said. Those so-called heroes are actually no different from us. They will also express their emotions. They smile because they protect the people they cherish, they feel anger when they when they have conflicts, and they feel and cry sad because their companions leave. These scenes are delivered to our audience through the screen and let us know that they have the same emotions as the people in the realities like us. They are not an omnipotent “superman” and they are not without emotions. I still remember that when I watched Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man said to Thanos, “And I am Iron Man”. and “Pepper Potts said “I love you three thousand times.” to Iron Man, who sacrificed himself in the final of the film, I shed tears. There is no doubt that I was moved by the emotion that the movie brought.

 

Link 1: Kohn, E. (2019, October 23). Marvel movies VS. Cinema: WHY Martin Scorsese and others should sit out this debate. Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://www.indiewire.com/2019/10/scorsese-marvel-movies-vs-cinema-debate-1202183984/#!

Link 2: Aubreyonna Van Hoose | Pulse Reporter. (2021, February 25). Are marvel movies real cinema? Retrieved April 04, 2021, from https://www.bgfalconmedia.com/entertainment/are-marvel-movies-real-cinema/article_7b45b71c-f0f8-11e9-af58-dbb5430acccb.html

 

In this opinion piece, the author addresses his own viewpoints about the Marvel movies. The first claim that the author makes is Marvel movies are not art. “ Cinema was about revelation — aesthetic, emotional and spiritual revelation” ( Scorsese, 2019). In Marvel movies, Scorsese doesn’t see the elements of art, which builds a sense of connection with people. In his perspective, cinema is about inspiring people to be creative and form new ways to diversify art forms. They could agree or contradict with certain values and faiths. In other words, movies could have different forms. Movies intend to have the power to influence people deep in their hearts and make them think differently. People have strong feelings to agree or disagree with certain things, which could lead to different discussions. In addition, Scorsese doesn’t feel related to Marvel movies because everything could be predicted. Scorsese believes that Marvel movies have no risks and doesn’t bring surprises. He reveals his understanding in movies and believes that people will feel a strong connection between movies and themselves. 

          The second claim that the author makes is Marvel movies don’t challenge the current market trends. “ The pictures are made to satisfy a specific set of demands, and they are designed as variations on a finite number of themes” ( Scorsese, 2019). This evidence suggests that Marvel pictures are the pictures that only focus on fulfilling people’s expectations about certain themes, which Marvel movies directors predict is a popular trend and most people will like it. In other words, movie directors tend to cater to the market and make profits. The market then becomes limited and does not improve. 

          Even though the author argues that Marvel movies are not cinema, Marvel movies bring more opportunities in economic benefits and promote gender equality to the public. “ Disney has earned more than $18.2 billion at the global box office from Marvel movies since purchasing the company in 2009” ( Whitten, 2019). This evidence demonstrates that Marvel movies gain huge public attention and economic profits in just a decade, which is very fast and has potential developments. The success of Marvel movies brings more economic growth and the filmmakers have more chances to produce more adventurous films. In addition, Marvel movies also contain female representation and break the old impressions of males being superheroes. Marvel movies create equal representation of women and powers of women in Captain Marvel ( Itzkoff, 2019). Marvel movies bring diversity of characters from both female and male positions and encourage women to be strong and confident. Women can embrace who she is and believe that she is able to achieve anything she wants. Marvel movies bring up a lot of racial and cultural history, which builds a real basis for the character and connects people to characters in the movie. The themes of each Marvel movie become meaningful and viral. Most people face struggles in the real life, they could get inspirations  from movies and move forwards with their life.

 

Whitten, S. (2019, July 22). Disney bought Marvel for $4 billion in 2009, a decade later it’s made more than $18 billion at the global box office. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/21/disney-has-made-more-than-18-billion-from-marvel-films-since-2012.html.

Itzkoff, D. (2019, February 28). Can ‘Captain Marvel’ Fix Marvel’s Woman Problem? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/28/movies/captain-marvel.html?searchResultPosition=1.

 

In order to complete this assignment, please follow the directions below:

1. 1. Click on My Sites and click Writing 2150t: Spring 2021 to enter the site.
   2. Hover your cursor over the “+ New” and select Post.
   3. Write your post (or copy and paste it from your another document) and give your post a title.
   4. Select the “Marvel” category along the right side and uncheck any other categories.
   5. Publish your post.