90s movies may forever be my favorite movies. For whatever reason, whether comedy, drama, or horror, I feel this overwhelming sense of peace when one of my favorite 90s films is on. Is it just nostalgia or do they actually hold up? I suppose that’s always debatable. But there is a thin line between what is considered one of the “best” movies, and those movies that become so iconic, they define a decade. Some fans praise films for the technical and creative masterpieces that they are, while others love the movies they love because they have impacted them in some…
Although we may not always consciously realize it, we seek out stories for their themes. The movies that most affect us - the ones we cherish and carry with us throughout our lives - are those with common themes that have profoundly affected and even changed us. And yet, because movie themes are often buried deep within a story’s structure, it can be hard to articulate or even recognize them. This article will analyze how seven classic movies deliver profound movie experiences through common story themes.Continue reading Movie Themes: Examples of Common Themes for Screenwriters
When we talk about storytelling, we often refer to it as a craft. Beyond the characters and worlds storytellers create, they must also craft an engaging plot. This is what carries us through great movies, books, and plays. And the only way to craft a great plot is to understand its building blocks — plot points. Continue reading What is a Plot Point in Storytelling — Examples Explained
The resolution, the all-important finale, the final act where all threads come together and we find some semblance of closure. It's in these final moments that the heart of as story should beats the loudest. Crafting a great ending means having a solid understanding of resolution and how to write or not write one to tell the best story.Continue reading What is Resolution in Story — Types & Functions Explained
Karma can be a very satisfying element in storytelling and that's exactly what poetic justice (aka poetic irony) can provide. There is a risk that the attempt at poetic irony might come across as trite or unrealistic but when it works, it works. What is poetic justice? Let's define it with a couple of examples to give you an idea of how it can be done well with the satisfaction quota met.Continue reading What is Poetic Justice? Definition and Examples for Screenwriters
The golden age of cinema is surprisingly dark. From 1941 to 1959, American audiences were captivated by melodramas about hard-boiled detectives, dangerous dames, and pulpy mysteries with literary origins. It’s a style that would later be known as film noir. Many of the movies in that classic film noir era-inspired cinema for decades to come. In recognition of that, we’ve compiled a list of the best film noir movies of all time — not only from a critical perspective but also by their influence on the genre and beyond.Continue reading 15 Best Film Noir Movies of All Time, Ranked for…