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Leslie Halpern's Movie Lover Wiki
Welcome to a community for serious film buffs. Leslie Halpern is the author of two books about the movies: "Dreams on Film. The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science" and "Reel Romance. The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies." She also gives talks about the movies and works as a feature writer for the Film & TV section of the online magazine Suite101.com.
Visit Leslie's Home Page
Read Leslie’s blogs about romantic films and comedies
Complete list of Leslie’s articles posted on Suite101.com
| Why Movie Directors Use Recurring Dreams The worst part about nightmares is their tendency to repeat themselves. An isolated nightmare may not be cause for alarm, but recurrent nightmares with the same theme become quite troubling for most dreamers. The same is true with movie dream sequences. Directors use the emotional impact of recurring nightmares to ensure that characters deal with hidden fears and imminent dangers. In an essay written 20 years after the publication of his landmark book “The Interpretation of Dreams” in 1900, Sigmund Freud wrote that only one exception exists to his central idea of dream as wish fulfillment: Recurring dreams of a trauma are not considered wish fulfillment, but are attempts to gain control over the trauma so the pleasure principle can begin. Carl Jung also gave recurring dreams a higher priority, attaching little significance to the interpretation of single dreams. With a series of dreams, however, Jung said interpretations are more accurate because later dreams correct earlier mistakes. Movie directors often adapt this idea of unresolved issues becoming recurrent nightmares by using increasingly horrific elements in each dream until the matter is resolved. In the fantasy film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Harry’s recurrent dreams all take place in the same location with the same characters and have the same theme, yet their presentations differ greatly and therefore produce different emotions in the viewer. Each dream provides a little more information and provokes a little more fear, until Harry eventually visits the scene of his dreams in his waking life. Only then can his nightmares come to an end. Likewise in “Sleepy Hollow” (a mixture of Gothic romance, mystery thriller, and grisly horror film), Ichabod Crane is a man of science forced to come to terms with his fear of the supernatural through a series of frightening events in his life that trigger recurring nightmares of his past. Each dream provides another piece of the character’s psychological puzzle. When Ichabod bridges the gap between science and superstition, he frees himself of his nightmares. In the psychological thriller “Marnie,” a young woman has a multitude of phobias including recurrent nightmares caused by a repressed trauma from her childhood. As each dream reveals more of her background, they also increase in their horrifying intensity. Until these issues are addressed, analyzed, and conquered, she is held hostage by her past, unable to fully love herself or those around her. The most famous (and most recurring) movies about recurring dreams are those from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series. In these horror films, dream-linking teenagers must fight off a dead, disfigured child killer who comes alive in dreams so he can kill more children. These dreams are horrifying due to their content, repetition, and because all the teenagers dream of the same fiend: Freddy Krueger. One of the basic rules of dream sequences in movies, of course, is that if more than one person has the same dream, then it must be true. Troubling and terrifying recurring dreams are plentiful on the silver screen, particularly in the horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery thriller genres. For a quick sampling of other characters struggling with their unresolved issues through recurring dreams, watch “In Dreams” (horror), “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” (science fiction), “Eragon” (fantasy), and “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (thriller). Although the best directors strive for producing the greatest emotional impact in viewers and stretching the limits of cinematic sorcery in their dream sequences, it’s worth mentioning that lesser directors sometimes use recurring dream sequences merely as a means of providing a back story for the characters without a lot of boring narrative. In a well-made movie, the artistic aspects of dream sequences are equally balanced with the practical need to tell the full story. Copyright 2007 Leslie Halpern |  "Dreams on Film" explores why science is lost or distorted in the presentation of dream sequences in the movies and why audiences prefer the figurative truth of art over the literal truth of science.  Behind Spiderman's Mask Films Of Ingmar Bergman Dream Images In Paprika Review Of Paprika On DVD |
| Five Things Movies Can Teach You About Love Maybe you believe that date movies are merely a prelude to the rest of a romantic evening. That doesn’t have to be true. If you look a little deeper you can find a variety of great ideas for sealing the long-term romantic deal. Obviously, you don’t have to delve quite as deeply as in a Federico Fellini or Ingmar Bergman film, but date films aren’t just mindless fluff either. Based on their production dates (though often limited by their budgets), they show you exactly what men and women of each generation find heart-warming, romantic, and sexy. 1. Rain is Romantic. Rain showers aren’t the time to run for cover or hide under an umbrella. They’re for singing and dancing. An even better idea is kissing upside down (“Spider-Man”) or in the more traditional upright position if you prefer (“L.A. Story”). Rain storms also make the perfect setting for marriage proposals (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) or proclaiming your love. When the weather won’t cooperate, a well-timed sprinkler in the front yard will do (“Weird Science.”) 2. Horseback Riding Makes a Great Date. A moonlight ride is very romantic (“All the Pretty Horses”), but for the novice rider an afternoon ride is safer (“The Wedding Planner.”) This skill comes in particularly handy when fleeing a scene (“Runaway Bride”), though usually not your wedding day. And in terms of alternative lifestyle bonding (“Brokeback Mountain”), an invigorating ride is just the beginning. 3. You Have to Look the Part. Whether it’s dying the grey hair, losing the excess weight, or getting contact lenses, sometimes you just have to do what it takes to get the man (“Moonstruck,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “America’s Sweethearts”). Maybe it’s even waxing your chest or back hair to find the right woman (“The 40-year-old Virgin” and “Hitch”). Regardless of the expense or inconvenience, a few touch-ups are necessary in attracting a mate. 4. Dancing is Essential. Buy a dance video (“Napoleon Dynamite”) so you can practice in private, or sign up for lessons if you prefer a communal effort (“Shall We Dance?”), but you simply must learn to dance. Dancing was the key element used to help many onscreen couples fall in love: “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “A Knight’s Tale,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “Along Came Polly” to name a few. The right moves not only allow self-expression, but serve as a seductive means of advancing the relationship. 5. The Clothes Make the Man (and Woman). Julia Roberts dressed for success in “Pretty Woman” and “Erin Brockovich.” Reese Witherspoon perfected her entire pink ensemble in both installments of “Legally Blonde.” After traipsing through torrential rain (see item #1) and falling down a mudslide, both Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in “Romancing the Stone” turned things up a notch after a hot shower and clean new clothes. Remember “Annie Hall”? You may not recall a word Diane Keaton uttered, but you probably recall her wardrobe. Just like wearing a uniform at private school, black to a funeral, or sequins to the Academy Awards, everyone should realize that the right attire sets the mood for romance. Keep these five items in mind when planning your next big date, and maybe the evening will turn into a prelude for something much bigger and better than just one night’s entertainment. Copyright 2007 Leslie Halpern |  "Reel Romance" reviews 100 films with enough romance for her, enough action for him, and enough interesting characters, memorable moments, and involving stories for both. All 100 films meet three criteria: They appeal to both sexes, contain a plausible love story, and leave you feeling romantic. Read more of Leslie’s articles about romantic films: Farrelly Brothers Films Movies About Weddings Best Romantic Comedy Movie Moments When Harry Met Sally on DVD |
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, Jan 1 2009, 2:06 PM EST
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