Natural Born Killers
Oliver Stone's Portrayal of the Effects of Violent MediaWhen I was young the only time I willingly woke up early was on Sunday mornings. I would throw on a robe over my pajamas and run down stairs with my brother to the living room and sit myself in the middle of the couch, which was directly in front of our television. To me the best part of the week was watching the morning cartoons with the family while eating breakfast. We always enjoyed good laughs watching the Coyote try to catch the Roadrunner, and I was jealous of the special powers and military devices in cartoons like 'X-Men' and 'GI.Joe'. The habitual watching of cartoons eventually transformed as I reached my teen years. Instead of cartoons I watched music videos and movies. All of my life I have been growing up with the television, watching and learning from the characters and images on the screen. I realize now that the media greatly effects our lives and the lives of today's youth, often in ways that we do not realize. In Natural Born Killers, a film written and directed by Oliver Stone he portrays what he believes are the negative effects from the media on America's youth. On April 20, 1999 during school two students wearing commando attire opened gunf
Stone also uses the parody of the "I Love Lucy" shows to demonstrate how television shows desensitize children. In all sitcoms, a fake audience laugh track is used to highlight humorous comments or actions. During the "I Love Mallory", show when her father made disrespectful remarks to his wife and when he sexually abused Mallory a live audience would most likely voice disgust, but in Stones version he adds laughter. Stone uses laughter in these areas to ease the tension cause by the fathers' unacceptable actions. Stone's underlying messages in the parody states that audiences have been desensitized by television shows with violence and abuse, so much that it is a laughing matter. Oliver Stone's movie also incorporates the popularity of music and music videos with teens. Many believe that a teen's choice of music will influence how they act in society. Music with fowl language and/or satanic verses are deemed by many as one of the causes for destructive teens. In Stone's movie the distinct use of up beat music combined with image jump-cuts, and awkward camera angles in the movie seem to be the same style as music videos often seen on MTV, a popular television station geared towards teens and young adults. In Natural Born Killers Oliver Stone uses an array of cinematic techniques to portray how negative media influence children, which may lead to a destructive role in society. Stones movie Natural Born Killers is made for adults, to show how different media's in today's society are corrupting the youth. The use of cartooned killings, using music video cinematography and violence as entertainment all parallel to experiences a typical youth will have while growing up. Stone believes it is not the responsibility of the media to raise today's youth, as an entertainer he is simple the 'messenger'. Oliver Stone uses the characters of Mickey and Mallory, both whom did not receive any love during their childhood years, parents are the pivotal part of a family needed to let a "crack
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Approximate Word count = 1351
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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