'Patch Adams'
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5 pages in length. Hunter 'Patch' Adams saw beyond society's brusque and compassionless approach to medicine in a mighty attempt to change the system. After spending self-imposed time in a mental institution, he came to realize why people were not getting better and were, in fact, oftentimes getting worse. The lack of humanistic care made glaringly apparent by the medical community's unemotional arms-length attitude was precisely what Adams sought to correct, believing that a world without the ability to touch the individual along with healing the disease is no world with which he wanted to associate. Against the odds of the powers that be, Adams continued his endeavor to change the very essence of health care by employing the sociological perspective of symbolic interactionism as a means by which to apply a humane and holistic approach to medicine. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: TLCpatch1.rtf

'Selena' - Analyzed
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This 4 page research paper examines the 1997 biographical film covering the short life and career of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Perez. Specifically discussed are Selena's opening and closing scenes, asks and answers five questions pertaining to the film, and considers a particularly thought-provoking aspect of the film.
Filename: Selena.wps

'Short Cuts:' Book and Film
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A 5 page paper comparing one of Raymond Carver's stories to its counterpart in Robert Altman's film of the same name. The film has been hailed as an example of creative genius, but it appears to be little more than a big-screen version of daytime TV. The story discussed is Carver's 'Jerry and Betty and Sam,' in which (book) Al becomes (film) Gene. Both react to crises in their lives by having affairs, alienating their families and generally spending far too much energy in their own self-absorption. The paper acknowledges critical acclaim but reserves praise. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: KSshortCuts.rtf

'The Green Berets' vs. 'Casualties of War' / Analyzed
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This 6 page research paper examines two different war films made in two different decades, The Green Berets (1968) and Casualties of War (1989). Specifically discussed are how the two films reflect the decades in which each were made, the world at the time, changes in audience tastes, etc. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Filename: Warfilm.wps

'The Long Walk Home' And '4 Little Girls'
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This 5 page report discusses these two movies in the context of the historical theme of racism in America in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Both serve as historical documents of one aspect of America's recent past. No sources cited.
Filename: Film4g.wps

'The Sweet Herafter' - Movie By Egoyan, Novel By Banks
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This 6 page report discusses the 1997 movie 'The Sweet Hereafter' that tells the horrendous story of a school bus accident that kills 14 of a small town's children. The bus driver, who survives talks about meeting up with the children again in the 'sweet hereafter.' The writer presents some possibilities as to what she meant by that statement. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Sweether.wps

'The Thin Blue Line' vs. 'Brother's Keeper' / Filmmakers' Techniques
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This 7 page essay examines the documentary filmmakers' techniques and approach to their subjects in the films "The Thin Blue Line" (1988), "Brother's Keeper" (1992) and "Let's Get Lost" (1989). Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Filename: Bluebro.wps

'The Usual Suspects' & 'The Odyssey'
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This 5 page essay discusses the 1995 movie 'The Usual Suspects' and compares Kevin Spacey's character 'Verbal Kint' with Odysseus of 'The Odyssey.' The premise the writer takes is that, in many ways, the stories are almost the same. The writer also shows that there has to be a bit of a scoundrel in every good guy and good in every scoundrel. No additional sources cited.
Filename: Suspody.wps

'Thousand Pieces of Gold' - Analyzed
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This 4 page research paper examines the 1991 film of nineteenth century Asian prejudice in America, Thousand Pieces of Gold. Specifically discussed are the film's opening and closing scenes, asks and answers five questions pertaining to the film, and considers a particularly thought-provoking aspect of the film.
Filename: Thousand.wps