Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
66 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
What Superhero film genre characteristic does this image best relate to? |
The Good vs. Evil Narrative |
|
What do the Superman and Batman characters have in common? |
1. Both created in the 1930's. 2. They use their powers/resources to help others. 3. They are loners- they have very few close relationships and maintain secret identities and distinctive costumes. 4. They both come from tough backgrounds- this is given as one of the reasons why they want to ‘give something back’ to society. |
|
How are the Superman and Batman characters different? |
1. Superman's powers are superhuman (flight, strength, impervious to injury, etc.) 2. Batman has a genius level IQ, great wealthy and fighting ability, but no superhuman powers. 3. Superman is motivated by the lessons of his fathers. Batman is motivated by revenge. |
|
Who directed Superman in 1978? |
Richard Donner |
|
Who starred as Superman? |
Christopher Reeve |
|
How did Superman/Clark Kent represent the good in the film? |
1. Despite having unlimited power, Superman used his powers to help others rather than himself. |
|
List five actions that Superman took in the 1978 film that shows he was a "good" character. |
1. Saved Lois Lane and the helicopter. 2. Captured the bank robbers. 3. Rescued Air Force One from crashing. 4. Repairing the damage to the San Andreas Fault caused by the nuclear blast. 5. Captured and returned Lex Luthor to the authorities rather than take revenge. |
|
Who played Superman's arch rival, Lex Luthor? |
Gene Hackman |
|
What influence did Jor-El and Jonathan Kent have on Superman/Clark Kent? |
They both taught him to use his great powers responsibly. By example, they showed him how to act with integrity. |
|
How much did Superman gross at the box office? |
$300,218,018 worldwide. In 1982, this was 10th highest grossing film of all time. |
|
What specific actions did Lex Luthor do in the film to show that he was evil? |
1. Lex Luthor hatched an evil scheme to destroy much of California with nuclear weapons and make money from the newly valuable land he owned. 2. Lex discovered Superman's weakness towards kryptonite. 3. Lex showed complete indifference to the suffering of others. 4. Lex had no friends and treated people poorly. |
|
IMPLICATIONS What were the audience expectations of Superman 1978? |
Superman first appeared in Action Comics in 1938. Since then he was in thousands of comics and on radio and TV. Most people had grown up with some idea of who Superman is. His red and yellow "S" is possibly the most recognisable symbol on Earth. He is an American icon that has become an internalized symbol for the world. Joseph Campbell suggested that superheroes are our modern version of mythology. He is the idealisation of what we want to be. |
|
IMPLICATIONS How did Superman: The Movie (1978) impact the Superhero film genre? |
Superman basically created the Superhero film genre. Why? Aside from capturing the spirit of the comic characters, the film was visually spectacular. The special effects were groundbreaking. They were done traditionally, with back projection, traveling matte shots, blue screen and optical printers. What made them special was the scaled. At the time, Superman had the highest production budget ever. |
|
INTERNAL GOOD vs. EVIL NARRATIVE Who played Batman in Tim Burton's 1989 film? |
Michael Keaton |
|
INTERNAL GOOD vs. EVIL NARRATIVE Describe evidence from the film that showed that Bruce Wayne/Batman had an internal struggle between his own good and evil impulses. |
1. It was rumoured that Batman pushed a criminal off the roof of a building. 2. Bruce Wayne is a loner who is socially awkward and has no real friends outside of Alfred the butler. 3. Batman arguably could have saved Jack Napier from falling into a vat of chemicals, but did not. 4. Bruce Wayne's outburst at Vicky's apartment ("you wanna get nuts?!") |
|
INTERNAL GOOD vs. EVIL NARRATIVE Why was Batman/Bruce Wayne so damaged? |
Bruce Wayne saw his mother and father murdered in front of him when he was 9 years old. |
|
INTERNAL GOOD vs. EVIL NARRATIVE Why would should we consider Batman to be an anti-hero? |
Tim Burton's version of Batman/Bruce Wayne is an antihero because he is alienated, isolated, and pushes the bounds of the law to defeat the Joker. |
|
INTERNAL GOOD vs. EVIL NARRATIVE What are some examples from the film of Batman being heroic? |
1. Capturing the thieves in the opening sequence. 2. Batman's rescue of Vicky Vale in the art museum. 3. Batman using the Batwing to divert the Joker's poison attack on Gotham. 4. Rescuing Vicky from the Joker's clutches at the top of the Cathedral. |
|
What actor played the Joker and Jack Napier? |
Jack Nicholson |
|
Describe Jack Napier before the accident that turned him into the Joker. |
Jack Napier was Boss Grissom's enforcer and right-hand-man in his criminal organisation. Jack was having an affair with Grissom's mistress, Alicia. Jack was ruthless and was a life long criminal. It was Jack who murdered Bruce Wayne's parents. |
|
What is Joker's origin story in Tim Burton's Batman? |
Boss Grissom set his right-hand man, Jack Napier, up to be killed by the corrupt police officer Lt. Eckhardt at Axis Chemicals. Batman and some other policeman arrived to foil the plan, but a stray bullet hit Napier. He staggered and slipped, but Batman could not save him from falling into a vat of boiling, toxic waste. Napier lived, but he came out transformed into Joker. |
|
List some examples from the film that show Joker being evil. |
1. Joker terrorises Gotham first by lacing hygiene products with a deadly chemical known as "Smilex", which causes victims to laugh to death. 2. Joker and his henchmen destroy and vandalise precious works of art. 3. Joker lured people to Gotham with the promise of free money and attempted to poison them. |
|
IMPLICATIONS How did the casting of Jack Nicholson impact the Superhero film genre? |
Nicholson gave the genre credibility in the film industry. The presence of a two-time Oscar winner hidden beneath layers of comic book makeup helped pave the way for future evildoers like Ian McKellen, Jeff Bridges and Willem Dafoe. Nineteen years later, Heath Ledger would win an Academy Award for his interpretation of the same diabolical character. |
|
IMPLICATIONS Explain how Tim Burton's use of the good vs. evil narrative in Batman changed the Superhero film genre. |
Before “Batman,” superhero movies took inspiration loosely from comicbooks, incorporating some aspects while ignoring others, often to fans’ displeasure. Burton rewrote the rules by mirroring imagery directly from the books themselves, particularly Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” and Alan Moore’s “Batman: The Killing Joke.” |
|
IMPLICATIONS How did the casting of Michael Keaton as Batman change the Superhero film genre? |
This changed what film Superheroes looked like. Although controversial at the time, Burton and producer Jon Peters insisted that comedic actor Michael Keaton had the "edgy, tormented quality” necessary to portray their darker version of Bruce Wayne and his costumed alter-ego. The film’s critical and financial success proved their quirky instincts correct. This risky decision opened doors for the unlikely casting of Tobey Maguire, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, and helped redefine what cinematic superheroes look like. |
|
How much did Batman gross at the box office? |
$411,348,924 worldwide It cost only $35 million to produce, so it was hugely profitable. |
|
What characteristics of the Superhero film Genre does this image best represent? |
Gender Stereotypes |
|
What does gender mean? |
Gender is the state of being male, female, or other which is determined by social customs and not by biology. Notions of Femininity and Masculinity are decided by the culture. |
|
What are examples of a "traditional view of gender?" |
A set of ideas about how “normal” men and/or women should look and act. -men become doctors/women become nurses -men are the breadwinners/women stay at home to take care of the family -men are tall and muscular/women are petite and thin -boys play with trucks/girls play with dolls -boys play rugby/girls play netball -boys are good at math and science/girls are good at English |
|
Who played Lois Lane in Superman (1978)? |
Margot Kidder |
|
List examples from the film of Lois Lane being a strong, independent woman in the film. |
1. Lois Lane is a dedicated journalist. 2. Lois asserts her power with Clark Kent. 3. Lois stands up to the mugger. 4. Lois puts herself in danger while trying to write a story in California. |
|
List some examples from Superman that showed Lois Lane in a traditional gender role. |
1. Lois showed a personality change when she was with Superman. She became more passive and weak as she fell for him. 2. Rather than fighting her own battles, Lois became a Damsel in Distress stereotype. |
|
What does the Damsel in Distress gender stereotype mean? |
A Damsel in Distress is usually a beautiful young woman placed in a dire predicament by a villain or monster and who requires a hero to achieve her rescue. |
|
Where does the Damsel in Distress gender stereotype come from? |
This is an old theme in world literature. Greek and Indian mythology, European literature and religious traditions are only a few examples of this stereotype going back thousands of years. |
|
What are the gender stereotypes of Clark Kent vs. Superman? |
Clark, is awkward, wears glasses, seems physically weak, has bad posture and comes across as a coward. He uses his intellect to get what he wants. This fits the stereotype that nerds are not "real men." Superman, is muscular, brave, uses his physical power to get what he wants. |
|
What is the "tart with a heart" gender stereotype? |
The tart with a heart (also known as the hooker with a heart of gold) is a stock character involving a sex worker with a hidden integrity and kindness. |
|
Who played Ms. Teschmacher in Superman? |
Valerie Perrine |
|
How does Ms. Teschmacher show she is a "tart with a heart?" |
Even though she works for Lex Luthor, Ms. Teschmacher saves Superman from drowning because underneath it all she is a good person. |
|
Who originated the Male Gaze Theory? |
Laura Mulvey |
|
What does the Male Gaze Theory mean? |
Have you ever noticed in films that the camera stays focused on a female's body a little longer than necessary and it doesn't add to the storyline? Or have you noticed in advertisements that women are scantily clad for no apparent reason? It's the idea that films and advertisements were created to please a heterosexual male audience. |
|
What is an example of the Male Gaze Theory in Superman? |
Most scenes with Ms. Teschmacher show her wearing skimpy clothing that showed off her body much more than other characters. We see her sunbathing topless, wearing a red skimpy dress as she pretended to faint in front of the soldiers and see her see-through top as she saves Superman from drowning. |
|
How does Lois act differently with Clark Kent and Superman? |
With Clark, Lois is in control. She is assertive, strong and direct, while he is bumbling and weak. In Superman's presence, Lois is passive, dumbstruck and smitten with him. |
|
IMPLICATIONS What message does Lois Lane and Superman's relationship send to audiences about gender? |
If Superman is the perfect man because he is strong, muscular, brave and solves problems with force, then Lois is only a "real woman" when she submits to the perfect man. This could influence the public's attitude about gender. This portrayal of gender in Superman could also reflect the attitudes of society in the 1930's and even the 1970's. |
|
IMPLICATIONS How might the Damsel in Distress gender stereotype used in Superman influence the genre? |
The financial success of the film reinforced the genre's use of this gender stereotype and influenced audience expectations about the gender of the heroes and those they saved. |
|
IMPLICATIONS How does The Male Gaze Theory show up in the development of the Superhero Film Genre? |
The few female superheroes that have appeared on screen are wearing much skimpier and sexual costumes than male superheroes. This reinforces the idea that these characters are aimed at heterosexual men and that their sexual appeal is more important than any other quality. |
|
Which actor plays Vicki Vale in Tim Burton's Batman (1989)? |
Kim Basinger |
|
How does the film establish Vicki Vale as a strong, independent woman? |
Vicki is a successful photojournalist. This profession is dangerous and we see proof that she covered important stories. We also see that her work was featured on the cover of Time Magazine. She tried to uncover the truth about Batman. During Joker's poison gas attack, she kept cool under fire and kept taking photos. |
|
List examples of Vicki Vale being portrayed as a Damsel in Distress? |
1. Batman saves Vicki from the Joker's Art museum attack. 2. Batman and Joker are literally fighting over her- she's the prize- at the end of the film. |
|
Give some evidence that Tim Burton's Batman has sexist features. |
Much of the portrayal of Vicki Vale is sexist. Examples: Vicki Vale, a reporter, does little to no reporting in the film, and actually getting a man to do any real work for her. Bruce Wayne actually walks into her home, tells her to shut up before man-handling her into a seat. Vicki Vale uses her sexuality to fight the Joker, as when she offers sexual favours to distract him before being saved by Batman. Vicki Vale must end up as a reward for the hero. |
|
How does Batman show evidence of The Male Gaze Theory? |
The first time we meet Vicky Vale, the camera pans up her outstretched legs as if the audience is checking her out. |
|
How is Vicki Vale's character in Batman a fake strong, independent woman? |
Vicki gives up her successful career as a photojournalist simply to be with Bruce Wayne/Batman. Her career is what brought her to Gotham to find out about Batman, but she had no second thoughts in giving this up for a man. |
|
IMPLICATIONS How would Vicki Vale's character- the fake strong, independent woman- influence the Superhero Film Genre? |
The Fake Strong, Independent Woman is common to most Superhero films. This allows cover for directors to show women in a seemingly more modern, independent light, while keeping the Damsel in Distress representation of women intact. |
|
What are the characteristics of the Fake Strong, Independent Woman character in Superhero films? |
She is always the love interest. Her goals and dreams, if they are mentioned at all, are left by the wayside by the story’s conclusion. She is often in need of rescue. She has no inner life. She is often introduced in ways that highlight her sex appeal. She has a typically "male job-" she’s an astrophysicist! Or a journalist, or a businesswoman, or a spy, or a hacker, or some other typically male, banally “badass” job that allows the director to feel his job is done as it regards positive female female-characters. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION How does Superman represent Metropolis in a realistic way? Give specific evidence from the film. |
The filmmakers of Superman tried to show Metropolis in a fairly realistic way as they would show New York City. Metropolis is a bustling, busy place. The mugging scene shows that there is some danger and crime there, but nothing too evil. The people can seem self-absorbed as when Clark Kent enters the offices of the Daily Planet. People seem genuinely concerned when others are endangered and happy when they are saved. They care. An example of this is when Superman saves the helicopter and Lois Lane from plummeting to the ground. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION How does Superman romanticise (show an unrealistic depiction) Metropolis? |
When you romanticise something you are making it seem more beautiful and touching than normal. Metropolis is romanticised in the film during Superman and Lois Lane's interview on her roof top apartment and later flight around the city at night. The atmosphere is romantic because of the soft lighting and quiet and calm atmosphere. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION How does Superman romanticise (show an unrealistic depiction) Smallville? |
Smallville is Clark Kent's (earth) hometown. It is a farming place and it is shown as a place of beauty and old fashioned virtue. The sky above the Kent farmhouse is always blue, the sun is always golden and people are kind. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION How was Metropolis a stand-in for New York City? |
Superman (1978) made no attempt to hide this similarity, as prominent New York landmarks are seen throughout the movies, including: the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, The United Nations Headquarters, The Empire State Building, The Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, and the New York Daily News offices. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION Why is New York City the model for Superhero film settings? |
Comic book tradition: New York’s central role in the superhero universe owes at least as much to its concentration of major comic book publishers. DC Comics and its forerunners, the publishers of Superman, were based there, which may help explain how New York became the standard setting for Superhero stories in films. |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION Who said "Metropolis is New York in the daytime; Gotham is New York at night?" |
Frank Miller |
|
URBAN SETTING CONVENTION How is the architecture and set design of Gotham City portrayed in Batman by Tim Burton and Anton Furst? |
Director Burton and set designer Anton Furst showed Gotham City to be: 1. Intentionally ugly- the architecture of the buildings did not match each other. 2. Dark and claustrophobic- the city was full of shadows, crowded streets. 3. Polluted so much that it looked dark during the day. |
|
URBAN SETTING List specific examples of how Gotham City is shown to be a dangerous place in Batman. |
1. The family is mugged in the opening scenes. 2. Police corruption of Detective Eckhardt 3. Boss Grissom and the other gangsters control the city. 4. Joker poisons make-up products. 5. Bruce Wayne's parents were murdered in front of him. 6. Joker attempts to gas the citizens during a parade. |
|
URBAN SETTING What evidence from the film shows that the people of Gotham City are corrupt? |
Even after knowing that Joker was a murderer, thousands of people from Gotham City showed up for the parade he gave because of his promise to give out free money. It showed their greed and corruption. |
|
URBAN SETTING How did Batman (1989) try to make people think of New York City in their portrayal of Gotham City? |
Batman's Gotham City is meant to be a nightmare variation on present-day New York City. Gotham City's Mayor Borg is a look-a-like of NYC's then mayor Ed Koch. |
|
URBAN SETTING What influenced Tim Burton and Anton Furst's dark portrayal of Gotham City? |
1. The 1920's German film by Fritz Lang, "Metropolis" 2. Art deco architecture. 3. The 1985 film, "Brazil." |
|
URBAN SETTING IMPLICATIONS- How did the negative portrayal of Gotham City in Batman reflect a fear of cities in the culture? |
The Decline of Cities in America in the 1970's and 1980's Many people were afraid of cities because of the recent problems there in the USA. The urban crisis of the 1960s continued to escalate in the 1970s, with major episodes of riots in many cities every summer. Cities also declined because jobs and middle class people left for the suburbs. Rundown housing was increasingly filled by an underclass, with high unemployment rates and high crime rates. |
|
What was the commercial and marketing Influence of Batman? |
In the months leading up to Batman's release in June 1989, the character experienced a pop culture craze known as "Batmania." Over $750 million worth of merchandise related to Batman was sold. |
