Insights

General insights from Miguel Bigueur.

USS Saratoga Tragedy: A Sailor’s Fateful Night in the Red Sea

/ Miguel Antonio Bigueur / 37 Comments

5 Minutes

This is a true story of my time serving aboard the Super Sara.

A Chilling Night in the Red Sea

The evening of December 22nd, 1990, seemed like just another night aboard the USS Saratoga. The colossal aircraft carrier had anchored off the coast of Haifa, Israel earlier that day. The air was filled with anticipation and relief as many of my fellow sailors eagerly disembarked for some much-needed shore leave, yearning for a taste of freedom after the relentless demands of flight operations over the past several nights. The vibrant promise of Haifa’s streets called to them, but exhaustion weighed heavier on my shoulders, and I chose the solace of sleep over the allure of the city.

Little did I know that my decision to remain on the ship would become a pivotal moment in my life, marking the night with an indelible memory of tragedy.

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Masterful Planting and Payoff: Unveiling The Others (2001)

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When it comes to masterful planting and payoff in cinema, “The Others” (2001) starring Nicole Kidman is a prime example. Kidman delivers a riveting performance as Grace, a mother living in a sprawling countryside mansion with her two children, Anne and Nicolas. The family is isolated, with the father away at war, creating a perfect setup for this suspenseful ghost story.

The plot thickens on an autumn day when three peculiar caretakers arrive at the mansion seeking employment: Mr. Tuttle, the antisocial gardener; Mrs. Mills, an old, good-natured lady; and Lydia, a mute young girl. Grace, overwhelmed by the enormous task of managing the mansion alone, decides to hire them. But the situation is odd—Grace had not advertised for help, adding an immediate layer of mystery.

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The Impact of Gangster Films on American Culture

/ Miguel Antonio Bigueur / 3 Comments
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The Godfather

37 Minutes

Introduction

This paper will explore and define the gangster genre in American film history. Gangster films are centered on the criminal actions of bank robbers, hoodlums, petty theft, and bootlegging alcohol during prohibition and operate outside the law without regard to the safety of human life.

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French New Wave: Innovating Independent Filmmaking

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The French New Wave, a revolutionary cinematic movement, was driven by the filmmakers’ independence from major studios, primarily due to their limited budgets. This financial constraint paradoxically unleashed a wave of creativity, as directors and writers were free from the commercial pressures and formulaic demands of traditional studio systems. They embraced innovation out of necessity, using whatever materials were at hand to craft their stories.

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The Bicycle Thief: Allegorical Quest for Dignity and Survival

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The Thematic and Ironic Connections in “The Bicycle Thief”

In Vittorio De Sica’s “The Bicycle Thief,” the film intricately weaves the destinies of two bicycle thieves, illustrating the cyclical nature of poverty and desperation. The first thief steals a bicycle because he cannot afford one, aiming to sell it for survival. Antonio, the protagonist, mirrors this act of theft when he steals a bicycle out of sheer necessity to maintain his livelihood after losing his own. This mirroring establishes a poignant irony: both men are driven to the same desperate act by economic hardship, blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator.

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Robert Bresson’s non-Actors in contrast to German Expressionism

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As a film critic, I can deeply appreciate the innovative use of non-actors in cinema, and I wholeheartedly endorse the idea of casting them in films. The magic lies in the director’s ability to harness the raw, unfiltered authenticity that non-actors bring to their roles. With thorough rehearsals and meticulous script readings, a director can discover non-actors who not only fit the character’s profile but can also deliver a performance that resonates with audiences on a profound level.

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Bleak Moments: British Cultural Reflection Film

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Un Chien Andalou: A Surrealist Journey

“Un Chien Andalou” is a quintessential formalist film, drenched in the director’s unrestrained vision. What a whirlwind! This film, teetering on the edge of disturbing, defies traditional narrative structure, resulting in a flow that feels disjointed. Though this chaos is deliberate, it didn’t quite resonate with me. The editing is erratic, and combined with its silent nature, it can leave the audience feeling adrift. This film demands viewers with boundless imaginations to piece together its fragmented vision. Bold and avant-garde for its late 1920s release, it was a daring attempt to push cinematic boundaries.

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