When asked what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of NYC most would say skyscrapers. So if Manhattan is so well known for its amazing skyline, how does it compare to Dubai? Not very well, to say the least.

To some extent I think NYC is just another city. It would be false to say that there is nothing special about NYC. However, every city is different and unique and I don’t think some skyscrapers, or times square, or the statue of liberty makes NYC any more special and worthy of attention than any other city.

However, second only to Tokyo, NYC is the richest city. I think that is definitely the reason why NYC is so idealized. Money is almost always reflected in someway in the films we watched. Wall Street, The Producers, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s clearly express the importance of money through their clothing (Hepburn’s Givenchy dress), by showing how the rich live (Bud’s and Gekko’s fancy apartments), and by straight up talking about money. These three films also portray NYC as a center of power and wealth.

My favorite film would have to be The Muppets take Manhattan. The movie was very cute and funny. I really liked the fact that it was a film for all audiences and there were some truths in the film, like the rats in the restaurants, Mrs. Piggy getting street harassed, and Kermit getting hit by a car. The movie lacked substance which was fine by me as it was very entertaining- not all films need a greater purpose.

While none of these films we watched expresses my view of NYC, the Muppets take Manhattan and Wall Street do come close. Although I don’t see the need or purpose for all the hype NYC gets, one factor that set NYC apart it would be NYC is a place where people are after money, fame, or both.

I do think that money and fame are very very very very important factors in todays society- but more so here in NYC than in perhaps any other city in the world. Wall Street and The Muppets take Manhattan are similar in that they show people (or puppets) trying to “make it big” in the city and that NYC is a place where dreams come true. However they do so in very different ways. Wall Street portrays NYC as a place where deceit is necessary to climb to the top and the rich are marked with a brand of dishonesty. Many of the famous and rich got to where they are today by cheating, selling their morals, and stepping on others. While I believe that this is accurate 8/10 times. I think its possible for someone to succeed honestly- as shown in the Muppets take Manhattan. Also the dreams of the main characters in these films are are to be rich and to be famous- two qualities which are very characteristic of New York. I think you can find so many people willing to sell out for money and fame in NYC (Anyone come to mind?). New York maintains a culture where success= money and fame. NYC is definitely a city which overly romanticizes fame and money.

Selling out means giving in, that is, to adopt a moral code other than your own- usually for money and fame.

If we wish to focus our attention of films, many films include unnecessary parts, or play up or play down certain things in order to feed to the common man’s taste. A perfect example would be “The Gangs of New York.” Was a love story necessary? Was brothel scene important? No- if the artists intent was to send a message. Yes -if their intent was to make money and increase views.

Selling out is selling out when the artist’s message cannot be easily discerned due to all the “extras” they add. But in all films there is some element of entertainment, as I am sure that one common goal of every producer is to make a film or production enjoyable for its viewers. When an artist sells out they create even when that means they go against their own morals and ideas. Moreover, I think selling out is when an artist’s desire to produce something liked is greater than their desire to create something meaningful.

I would say that the majority of movies serve as entertainment. The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Hobbit, and Captain America, are just a few. And one could argue that there are implied lessons within these films but its not the lesson that is being stressed it is the love story, the action- the things that should be meaningless if the creators intent was to send a message.

But on the other hand people will seldom become involved or think about things that do not interest them. So an artist is challenged to create an interesting story- to feed to the common interests to some degree. If their purpose were to send a message then they would also hope to send this message to as many people as possible.

Furthermore, an artist has to eat, they have families, they pay rent and tax– they need to make money. Not only do they need to create but they need to create well- they need to be successful. In our society a successful film is one that gets the most views, that is- the one that rakes in the cash. This is a choice an artist has to make- to adapt to societies wants or to live by their morals and to tell their story as they want to. There are many artists who choose the latter- they are the people we never hear about who produce the films we never watch.

While I do have sympathy to those who have sold out, I admire those who have not. But why criticize artists alone? They aren’t the only sellouts. How many others have chose professions solely for the income? Haven’t they sold themselves to the whim of being rich? Money is given such a high value, so much more importance and esteem than it deserves; it is the basis almost all sellouts.

An artist can produce successfully while maintaining some degree of social or political value. Doing this would call for a compromise. Many film producers settle for this middle ground. I doubt a movie is produced exactly how a director envisioned it. They must add or take out parts depending on what would sell- but they are able to maintain a balance. The spectrum isn’t black and white. An artist can completely sell out, refuse to sell out, or settle for some place in between.

The artist is caught in a trap, so to speak. Do they abide by their principles and produce work that would not maximize sales, do they forsake their ideals and allow their creation to be dictated by the taste of society, or do they settle for some in between?

Racism affects everyone- from the victims, to the abuser, to the bystanders and silent onlookers, to those oblivious to it. Racism is a tree that has its roots latched everywhere. I know what it feels like to be a victim of racism, and I am sure that many of you have experienced some form of it. And so, my favorite film this semester has been Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing.

The film brings to light the effects and results of racism. It showed that when racism is prevalent nobody wins. Radio Raheem lost his life and Sal lost his restaurant. It showed the destructive power of anger, hatred, and racism. A society of such is doomed for disaster.

This film made me wonder if there is a way to effectively eradicate racism. Although many say that education is the key to end racism I don’t necessarily think this is true. Yes, through education others will realize that stereotypes are not true. However, I am very sure that even some of the most educated are racist. I think the key lies in realizing what it truly means to be human: for all to appreciate each other for their differences, not to act oblivious to them; not to be “colorblind”. I know a lot of people who say they are “colorblind” or they don’t see race. I told a lady once, “Well if you didn’t see race you wouldn’t have said you’re colorblind, right?” The conversation didn’t go well from there but it ended with her telling me how racist I was and that I needed to be more open-minded, which was very ironic. Anyways, our color, or any aspect of our appearance for that matter, is a part of us. Saying you don’t see the color of ones skin isn’t the right way to go about things. Look at everyone just as they are and appreciate the difference, the uniqueness, and the beauty of human nature, do not say you are colorblind because you’re not fooling anyone anyways.

Racism can be a touchy topic that many people avoid so I really liked that this film confronted this topic. I also found this film very thought provoking. My favorite part was when Sal’s restaurant was destroyed. The angry mob could of easily attacked Sal and his boys but they destroyed the restaurant. The crowd let out their frustration- and the mob was not only blacks, but is consisted of all races of the neighborhood. Everyone banded together against the injustice that they were all so familiar with. This is a phenomenon I was always interested in. Even when there is dissent in a community or group they will band together against a common evil. I think it shouldn’t take evil to draw us together, but rather humanity should bring us together.

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

-Audre Lorde