The final screening in this class was none other than film lover extraordinaire Quinten Tarentinos latest film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The film takes place in 1969 “Hollywoods Golden Age”. It follows western actor Rick Dalton as he comes to grips with his withering career getting further from the hype he used to have. MEANWHILE the film also manages to tell the tale of the Manson Family and the murder of Sharon Tate, or as this film ends, the murder of the Manson family, he then merges these two plots together for an entertaining 2 and a half hour film and boy is it a journey.

I first saw this film in theaters when it came out, I absolutely loved it. It seemed a lot different than films of his past like he took themes and aesthetics from old films of his and made this movie. It also is a love story to old Hollywood and the films which are some of his biggest inspirations. Watching this film I couldn’t help but recognize everything I learned in past classes of yours and how he was incorporating so much of Hollywood and film history into one film. The spaghetti westerns, the Trippy hippy films of the 60s, the action, the low budget sexy films. There is so much jammed packed into this movie. Another notable part was Margo Robie playing Sharon Tate, she was so charming. In one of the readings this week the author says “The Film Gives Sharon Tate the life she was denied” and I think that sums up a lot of this film perfectly. He rewrote history the way he wanted to, he painted it in his own loving way, its warm and affectionate, something that hasn’t necessarily been shown in films of his past, or at least not to this extent. The ending is bittersweet, It is a sigh of relief when history is changed and everyone ends up happy and safe, sadly this was not the reality of the situation. Walking out of the theater after watching it the first time I felt sad and happy, it’s nice to at least imagine this ideal world.

This film fits in with the class because it is an ode to everything that makes up cult films and films in general. Sharon Tate herself starred in a few cult films one being Valley Of The Dolls. (Side note, great album if anyone into music, Dorthy Ashby does a cover of the film’s theme on her album Afro-Harping which is phenomenal, check it.) Tarantino has created many cult films in the past, I expect this one will follow in the footsteps of those prior, especially for film lovers all over, its a must watch!

Now for the second half of this blog, a reflection on the semester.

First, writing this is extremely bitter sweet as it will be my last blog ever for one of these courses. The second I took my first film class, Intro To Film I was hooked. Ive always been a movie lover so to find a class where i get to discover new films and talk about them, learn more about everything that goes into them was like a dream come true. Ive always had so much fun in every film course i have taken and will 100% look back on them as a favorite part of my undergraduate years. I have learned so much, a lot of which has helped me become inspired with my own painting and photo practice.

This class was so much fun! I am a big fan in cult films in general, all types. I was delighted when we covered a few of my favorites such has Carnival Of Souls (I went through a phase where I listened to that soundtrack constantly, loved the creepy organ music.) Suspira was another one of my favorites that I came into the class already knowing. My friend and i actually went to a show in buffalo last fall of the artist who did the soundtrack Goblin, they preformed the music of Suspiria live, it was absolutely insane being able to experience that intense soundtrack in person. And then obviously John Waters Pink Flamingos. John waters is the king of camp as we learned, everything about his style screams over the top extreme which is what makes him so interesting to watch.

And despite having seen a few of these films, it still felt fresh, new and fun after reading the material and  getting to understand them further. As for the films that were new that i enjoyed. Honestly, most of these films were really interesting and brought a whole new set of ideas to the scope of the weird genre that is cult films. They all taught me something new and planted ideas in my head.

3. The Warriors– The way this film painted New York City and also the pure thrill of this film.

2. Matinee– This film was beautiful and goofy at the same time. We also got to read and learn about the interesting human that William Castle was, that alone put this film into my favorite list.

and 1. Valerie And Her Week Of Wonders – This film was my favorite, visually it was everything i could want. Moody soft color pallets are my favorite tone, or black and white. This film was dizzying and surreal, it felt like a fever dream which is something that appealed to me. It certainly made me feel uncomfortable at times which is something that makes a cult film.

As for my least favorite films it probably had to be Detroit Rock City. Not saying it wasn’t good or enjoyable, actually I think the reason it wasn’t my favorite is probably because in highschool while going through the inevitable angsty phase i spend a tremendous amount of time watching corny rock n roll flicks like this, so it just didn’t really bring anything new for me.

Overall, This course taught me a lot and made me think in ways i hadn’t before, it really sharpened my understanding of cult film and films in general. It was yet another great class.

Thank you much prof. Schlegel for really guiding and shaping my love for film, I have a better understanding and excitement for one of my favorite mediums and for that I am eternally grateful, I will carry what I’ve learned with me as I continue my journey in life!