The final week of screening brings us to our final set of blogs. I would like to start this last one by extending my thanks to all of you for a wonderful semester (apart obviously from the pandemic.)

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” was a great film to conclude this class. Quinten Tarantino has always been a director I have admired through my recent years of “enlightened” cinematic viewing (thanks to film classes at AU.) However, this film is an absolute game-changer. We have always known Tarantino for his brilliant twists and “Hollywood” endings when he addresses a historical injustice and gives it new life with a happier ending than what is written down in the history books. For this film, that only partially holds true. The dramatic “cartoon-like” violence that ensued in this film near the end put everyone’s mind at ease as it would seem the “bad guys” have met their match with Brad Pitt (probably because of his role in fight club.) Leo’s contribution was one that I saw coming as an earlier camera shot the inside of his maintenance shed held a little too long on a certain fire-breathing device for me to not draw a foreshadow. The pair beat down the three villains with the help of a very smart and good girl (the dog; yeas I looked the dog up and her name is Brandy and she is a fine girl.)

After all the commotion, our minds are almost left to rest on the idea that once again Tarantino has made everything better; we are reminded that this beautiful masterpiece of cinema is non-fiction. The words “Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood” appear, and we are left somber and a reminder of what really happened, and the tragedy that overtook all of Hollywood.

The readings this week were great, and really helped create a better understanding of this film. I also found a lot of YouTube videos that really explained a lot of Tarantino’s work. My favorite clip from the ones that found talked about this film as Tarantino’s “love letter to Hollywood.” This is a concept that we have talked about in class before last week. This film encapsulates Hollywood, and Los Angeles during 1969. The actors where the biggest proponent of this clip in explaining why this film is viewed as a love letter. Kurt Russel was convinced of this after only reading a few pages of the script; it reminded him of his experiences in 1969, and the people he knew (including stuntmen).

Watching this movie, although it was a touch long, was great. However, reading more about its context and underlying meanings was sensational. It brought out an entirely new perspective and tattooed my brain forever. Quinten Tarantino is not just gore, he is a storyteller, and a damn good one at that.

This class will be a tough one to leave. It has strengthened my understanding of cult movies as the weeks have progressed. If you would have told me during my senior year of high school that I was going to be writing a weekly blog for a history of the motion picture class, I probably would have laughed and said “yeah right.” If you would have continued by saying “oh yeah and the next year after that one, you’ll be doing the same thing for a cult movies class.” I would have told you that you have gone mad. But after that first week of history of the motion picture, I WAS HOOKED! Throughout my four years at Alfred University as an accounting student, I have developed a deep-seeded lust for films of all types from all different eras (Except really scary ones). This experience can only be labeled as priceless, for I have been given the tools to understand not only movies, but the directors and why the movies were even created in the first place. I honestly cannot say it enough but thank you all for letting me on the “film ship” and thank you Professor Schlegel for being our captain.

My favorite film that we watched this year is an honest “hold a gun to my head” and ill still tell you this three-way tie. The three films (in no particular order) are “The Warriors”, “Detroit Rock City”, and “Dazed and Confused”. One thing these films have in common is that I never would have seen them if it were not for this class. All these films have now developed a special place in my heart because of how incredible they are. They have helped me understand the platform of cult cinema, and learn to love it. I agree with the order that we discussed as a class that these movies should fit in with the likes of “Susperia” and “Sid and Nancy” because they complement each other nicely and bridge gaps in not only culture but exuding moods.

My least favorite film this year would have to be “Pink Flamingos.” Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the film whole-heartedly. I just think that of all of the films, I like this one the least. There was a lot of things that I expected to see when I sat down in that chair to watch the screening that night, but those things were completely stomped to bits by the filthiest person alive. I know that this film will continue to be shown to future cult cinema classes, and I completely encourage it, because I will NEVER forget the night I watched “Pink Flamingos.”

The most interesting film in my opinion that we watched was “Valerie and her Week of Wonders.” I was fortunate enough to present the readings for that week, and I think had I not had to present them, my level of appreciation for the film and understanding of it, might not have been as high.

The overall workings of this class were as suspected flawless. Even in a time of world crisis, this class as still remained an anchor in my life, and I am sure the same thing holds true for my peers. Thank God for you all, thank God for Quinten Tarantino, AND THANK GOD FOR CULT CINEMA.

The link below is the final project.

https://youtu.be/lTHZsfD0CP0