First paragraph

"There are heroes... there are superheroes... and then there's Hancock [1]"

Is 'Hancock' a typical representation of a superhero?

'Hancock' is a 2008 blockbuster, made by the ever impressive Sony Entertainment along side Columbia pictures; the film details a superheros trouble in life, and exemplifies a mans struggle to be liked, this implies stereotypes of men's ego as well as the representations men are given with the patriarchal division between men and women. Further with other texts which portray superheros in a "macho" light, it can be said that all superheros are 'typical' as they conform to the stereotype of indestructible, unbeatable version of "man", "the film is a different take on the superhero genre and representation with an interesting, offbeat twist" [2]. More so 'Hancock' is seen as a person who does not care what other people think of him, however he still tries to help even though his good intentions lead to bad outcomes, therefore this displays the typical superhero, always trying to help. 'Hancock' further emphasises the patriotic side of himself with the eagle (bird of America) on his chest, it can be said that "'Hancock' creates a quintessentially American hero: flawed, frayed, but always sacrificing for the sake of others" [3], which at the end is what a typical representation of a superhero should do.

[1] FILM QUOTE - Tag line

[2] TONY MEDLEY - Tolucan Times - http://www.tonymedley.com/2008/Hancock.htm

[3] BRETT McCRACKEN - Media Guardian

Essay plan

Is 'Hancock' a typical representation of a superhero?

The main focus of my independent work is representations, however I will be commenting on genre as well. Further the main aim is to discuss if all superheros are typically portrayed, e.g. are they all the same. I chose 'Hancock' as firstly it is a very modern film, as well as this it n my opinion does not conform to the typical stereotype of a superhero.

INTRO:

I will begin my essay by firstly clearly showing my aim for the essay, as well as debating it; I will further describe the gist of the film and comment on the other texts I will include and why. More so I will end the intro on a open note, so that the readers of my essay will be able to see that I'm thinking about more than just one side (not being biast). Finally I will explore the difference between a hero and a superhero, this is so that it can be seen that people can be hero's but no one can be a superhero (patriarchal society). (G, R, A, IN, I)

SECTION 1:

In the opening para I will be discussing how superheros in general are seen to be the saviors, and how 'Hancock' fits in to this stereotype (making reference to superman, batman, Spiderman and how they fit in to stereotype). Therefore showing the typical superhero and further identifying them with audience (uses and gratifications theory Jay G. Blumler and Elihu Katz 1974)... QUOTE (Jones A (1993) 'Defending the Border: Men's Bodies and Venerability') EXPLAIN QUOTE! Also discuss how the quote gives belief to society (heroes = saviors = prosperity & peace). Counter argue talk about how 'Hancock' is not a typical superhero (destructive) and how he is fighting own battle drunk vs sober (Strauss - binary opposition) then bring in batman again (has no superhero powers, can be said he is just a vigilante HERO?) QUOTE (Felix Adler (American educator and founder of the Ethical Movement, 1851-1933) EXPLAIN QUOTE! (hope of man (patriarchal) so is 'Hancock' and all superheros just made to represent HOPE? End 1st para linking back to question... (S, E, R, ID, A, G)

SECTION 2:

This para will discuss how 'Hancock' is not a typical superhero, going into more detail with the brief look at it with the previous para... This para will show how 'Hancock' can be seen as a spoof, using evidence and the film 'Superhero movie' (both films comedy, takes the piss out of superheros)... Contradiction how 'Hancock' "suits and boots" up to get people to like him, (conforming to traditional superhero) QUOTE (Healey M. (1994) 'The Mark of a man Masculine identities and the Art of Macho Drag Critical Quarterly' 36 (1) 86 - 93.) EXPLAIN QUOTE! how he starts to become more feminised (caring about looks - stereotype of women) being represented as a normal superhero, as well as representing himself as the "protector of mother earth" (patriarchal views) men protectors of earth? (use quote from Spiderman to better describe this.... "With great power, comes even greater responsibility") with 'Hancock's' great power he has bigger responsibilities like the whole human economy as well as earth (main narrative)... Then end para by linking back to question. (R, I, N, A, S)

SECTION 3:

In this para, talk about the celebrification factor (Will Smith = idol = hero? and talk about Columbia pictures and their success), also go further in to the film and discuss why he drinks ('Hancock').... escape reality ? link to audience (uses and gratifications theory) not typical superhero (relies on drink)... at heart 'Hancock' might be afraid.... QUOTE (Umberto Eco (1932) Travels in Hyper-reality (Harcourt)... EXPLAIN QUOTE!... at heart he is afraid as he is not liked and people want him gone... people afraid and don't understand him link to other superhero texts.... (1st batman film original one, afraid at first)... talk further about image of 'Hancock' state not normal attire at first, ragged clothing analyse clothing (grey hat = clouded mind (drink to release tension?), eagle on front of hat = urge to be free, restricted people need his help?, Leather jacket = rebel (break laws) also young at heart, eagle t-shirt = freedom, fierce, patriotic (society = belief) (bird of America), black shades = mysterious, hiding)... link to question. (ML, R, ID, A, S, IN)

SECTION 4:

Compare other superheros that are not typical, e.g. 'Batman' - has no superpowers, is a human, can be killed, revenge motivates him (looking for parents killers, as well as saving Gothem in the process)... link to 'Hancock'... QUOTE (Carol Lynn Pearson (1994) 'The Hero Within':) EXPLAIN QUOTE!... batman = parents death (journey), confront dragons (killers), true selves (revenge = kill or not to kill?)... superman (Clark Kent), shy, weak, venerable, clumsy etc... not typical as superman is opposite (binary opposition, Levi Strauss)... Spiderman = (Peter Parker) nerdy, weak, afraid etc... Spiderman opposite to him... Spiderman 3 (bad Spiderman opposite to a typical rep of superhero, unforgiving, evil etc) ("never judge a book by its cover") this quote shortened down - Jean de La Fontaine (1929)???? (think it him)... Link back to question. (ID, A, R, G)

CONCLUSION:

Highlight key points covered in each para, linking back to REPRESENTATION (my main focus), involve in the other texts. e.g. how 'Batman, 'Spiderman, 'Superman' and 'Hancock' are all linked (not typical, in the sense 'Batman' no superpowers (human), 'Spiderman' (nerdy teen), 'Superman' - ulta-ego (Clark Kent-Clumsy, slow etc) and 'Hancock' - (drunk, not caring?)... bring in 'Superhero movie' - spoof how 'Hancock' can conform to this film genre!... QUOTE... "There are Heroes...There are Superheroes...and then there's 'Hancock'"... EXPLAIN QUOTE! how he more then a superhero... explain again difference between hero and superhero (heroes can be killed (have no powers) vigilantes e.g. police, firemen, surgeons, doctors, bystanders etc... superheroes unique, special, powerful etc.

ALL POINTS ABOVE IN ALL PARA'S NEED TO BE EXTENDED IN TO MORE THEN 1 PARA FOR EACH!

Posters

Why are women directors a rare sight ?

5 Reasons:

1) Film is such a male dominated industry. If you know some one higher up then there's a better chance of you (women) getting promoted and established.

2) Women and mother-hood don't mix, if a woman has a baby it will be very hard to balance a directing life as well as a motherly maternal life.

3) If women became directors, the categories of "bitch", "mother" and "sex symbol" will be gone as women will start to give true representations of how women are.

4) There are not enough role models out there, for women to strive for and try to become, so therefore making it harder for women directors to break into the scene.

5) Women are better at writing rather than directing, so they can do the script bit however it seems that men are more creative.

5 female directors

Jodie Foster:

In 1975, Jodie was offered the role of the prostitute 'Iris' in the movie Taxi Driver (1976). This role, for which she received an Academy Award nomination in the "Best Supporting Actress" category, marked a breakthrough in her career. In 1980, she graduated as the best of her class from the College Lycée Français and began to study English Literature at Yale University, from where she graduated magna cum laude in 1985. One tragic moment in her life was March 30th, 1981 when John Hinckley attempted to assassinate the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Hinkley was obsessed with Jodie and the movie Taxi Driver (1976), in which Travis Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, tried to shoot presidential candidate, Palantine. Despite the fact that Jodie never took acting lessons, she received two Oscars before she was thirty years of age. She received her first award for her part as Sarah Tobias in The Accused (1988) and the second one for her performance as Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Her films:

Flora Plum (2010) (pre-production)
Home for the Holidays (1995)
Little Man Tate (1991)

"Tales from the Darkside" (1 episode, 1988)

Stella Stevens:

Stevens was first under contract to 20th Century Fox, then dropped after six months. After winning the role of "Appassionata Von Climax" for the musical Li'l Abner (1959), she gained a contract with Paramount Pictures (1959-1963) and later Columbia Pictures (1964-1968). She shared the 1960 Golden Globe Award for, "Most Promising Newcomer - Female," with Tuesday Weld, Angie Dickinson and Janet Munro for, Say One For Me. Throughout her career, Stevens appeared in dozens of TV shows and was a regular on the 1981-1982 prime-time soap opera Flamingo Road. She teamed with the late Sandy Dennis in a touring production of an all-female version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, playing the messy one. She produced and directed two films, The Ranch (1989) and The American Heroine (1979).

Her films:

American Cowslip (2007) (pre-production) (attached)
Popstar (2005)
Hell to Pay (2005)
Glass Trap (2005)
Blessed (2004)
The Long Ride Home (2003)
Size 'Em Up (2001)
Invisible Mom (1997) (V)
Bikini Hotel (1997)
Virtual Combat (1996)
Body Chemistry 4: Full Exposure (1995) (V)
The Granny (1995)
Illicit Dreams (1995)
Star Hunter (1995) (V)

Maria Maggenti:

Maria Maggenti (born c. 1962) is a film director and screenwriter for film and television.
She has been the script editor and has written many episodes of the American television series, Without a Trace (2003), but is perhaps best known for her feature film, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995). Her film Puccini for Beginners was in competition at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2006. She was also an activist with ACT UP for many years. She attended Smith College and majored in Philosophy and Classics.

Her films:

Puccini for Beginners (2006)
The Love Letter (1999)
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995)
La Donna è mobile (1994)
Name Day (1993)
Waiting for War (1991)
The Love Monster (1990)
Doctors, Liars & Women (1988)

Diane Keaton:

Diane Keaton (born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946) is an Oscar-winning American film actress, director and producer. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970. Her first major film role was as Kay Adams in The Godfather (1972), but the films that shaped her early career were those with director and co-star Woody Allen, beginning with Play It Again Sam (1972). Her next two films for Allen were Sleeper (1973) and Love and Death (1975) and they established her as a comic actress. Her fourth film for Allen, the semi-autobiographical Annie Hall (1977) won her the Academy Award for Best Actress

Her Films:

Unstrung Heroes

The First Wives Club

Hanging Up

Kimberly Peirce:

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Peirce grew up in a trailer park. She graduated from Miami Sunset High School in Miami, Florida and attended the University of Chicago earning a degree in English and Japanese Literature. She moved for several years to Kobe, Japan, working as a photographer and model. Upon returning to America, she enrolled at Columbia University, earning an MFA in film. Initially, Peirce pursued a story about a female soldier in drag during the American Civil War for her thesis, but eventually nixed the plan due to a lack of personal connection with the story. While attending Columbia, Peirce read a Village Voice article about Brandon Teena, a transman raped and murdered in Falls City, Nebraska. Switching from her original thesis project, Peirce traveled to Falls City, where she researched and attended the trial of the two homicide suspects. The subsequent film short she made for her thesis in 1995 was nominated by Columbia faculty for a Princess Grace Award, and received an Astrea Production Grant. That grant and her involvement with the Sundance Institute;'s 1997 Sundance Filmmakers, Writers and Producers Labs helped her develop the short into the 1999 feature film Boys Don't Cry.

Her films:

"The Last Good Breath" (1994) (16mm short - director & writer)
Leopard of Tomorrow Program at 1994 Locarno International Film Festival
Boys Don't Cry (1999) (director & writer)
The L Word (2006) (director - 1 episode (Lifeline - 3x05), TV series)
Stop-Loss (2008) (director & writer)

1990's

'Fatal Attraction' - (1990)


'Species' - (1995)

'Fatal Attraction' is the male backlash (susan Faludi) she says that men were getting angry with the fact that women were gaining so much prestige so this film was made to show the needy side. This film also brings in the idea of femme fatale, which basically means deadly women, as the lead women is crazy and physcopathic. While the film 'Species' is a about a sex crazy alien, this can show the eagerness of females and can further show the 'whore' ideology, the character played by Sharan Stone is very promisicious eventhough she kills the men, this portrays power again of women being able to out power a man.

1980's

'Terminator' - (1984)


'Legend'- (1985)

'Terminator' shows the depiction of manhood, as "aggresive" and fight first think later attitude, the woman Sara is feeble and is not until O'Connor comes that she is safe, this film epitomizes the direction of representations of females was goin in the 1980's. Further reinforcing this is the film 'Legend' this shows the damsell in distress who creates chaos, when she inervertedly gets a unicorn captured and its horn chopped off she tries to do a solo misson and fix everything, unknown to herself that she is being lead in to a trap, in which the 'Dark Lord' seizes and hypnotizes her paving the way for Jake, Gump and other fairies on a mission to save not only her but the unicorn of light and life, which if killed sends the world into darkness.

1970's

'Star wars' - (1977)


'Alien' - (1979)

'Star wars' is a predominently male leading cast with Luke Skywalker, Obi Wun Kunobi, Hans Solo etc, however the female role is princess leia, she is seen as fragile but can put up a fight when needed and she does not conform to the traditional sterotyped female that always needs rescuing, however this does happen in the movie. While on the other hand 'Aliens' is about a woman that defies all odds to kill aliens, she shows power and reinforces the strength of women as the 70's became the second wave of feminism.

1960's

'The Sound of Music' (1965)


'Cleopatra' - 1963

'The sound of music' and 'Cleopatra' and two films which are the opposites of one another as 'The sound of music' shows the nurturing side of a woman and the lead character Marie (Julia Roberts) is seen as the 'Madonna' as she is pure a virgin and a nun, however 'Cleopatra' was a strong and prevalent leader in the Egyptian times seen by many as a 'Goddess' she was feared by men and woman alike, power was her prerogative. Even though in the 60's there was no real change for women as men were still "stealing the spotlight" some films like 'Cleopatra' brought to mind the empowerment of women.

1950's

'High Noon' - 1952

'Samson and Delilah' - (1950)

Both films show the strength of lead male roles in this era, 'High Noon' a traditional western "the tough west" is no real place for a woman, so therefore it can be said that the woman if there is any in this movie will act as the "damsel". While the classic 'Samson and Delilah' shows the power of a man and how they are "macho" and have been given the "hero" status however the power of a woman is all that was needed to bring a all mighty man weak to his knees. Thus showing maybe a change as women are now seeming to get more power from this ? Contradictory the 50's are mainly to do with male heroes who are assertive, confident and dominent.

Book Quotes

Jones A (1993) 'Defending the Border: Men's Bodies and Vuneralbility' Cultural srudies from Birmingham, no2
"Far from imposing dominatnt forms of masculinity upon the audience, film heroes allow the subject space to identify with an ideal self of either gender who embodies desired power".

Healey M. (1994) 'The Mark of a man Masculine identities and the Art of Macho Drag Crtical Quarterly' 36 (1) 86 - 93.
"Poofs can look like real men...therefore real men look like poofs."

Bob Dylan (1941) - Song writter/singer:
"I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom."

Umberto Eco (1932) Travels in Hyperreality (Harcourt):
"The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being honest but afraid like everybody else."

Henry Louis Mencken ('American humorous Journalist and Critic of American life' 1880-1956)
"Complete masculinity, ("heroes") and stupidity are often indistinguishable”

Carol Lynn Pearson (1994) 'The Hero Within':
"Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.”

Felix Adler (American educator and founder of the Ethical Movement, 1851-1933)
"The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.”

Norman Mailer (b. 1923), U.S. author. “Petty Notes on Some Sex in America,” (1966).
"Masculinity is not something given to you, but something you gain. And you gain it by winning small battles with honor".

Representations of gender today

Gender in contemporary TV programmes:

. In prime time TV shows, 1192-1993 men took 61% of the total number of speaking roles, women having 39%.

. 1995-1996 study found that men took 63% of the speaking roles, women having 37%.

. 1992-1993- 18% of the female characters took the major role and more than two thirds were the stars of domestic situation comedies.

. 1995-1996 43% of major characters were female, although still less than half.

. 1992-1993- 3% of women were represented as housewives as their main occupation- massive decrease from the 1970. An additional 8% of women were shown as 'homemakers'.

. 1995-1996- On a character b character basis, females male were equal in these respects.

. Overall the 1992-1993 study found that ' the women on prime time TV in the early 1990s was young, single, independent, and free from family and work place pressures' (Elasmer, Hasegawa and Brain, 1999:33).

. 1990s to a certain extent, programme makers arrived at a comfortable, not particularly- offensive modes of masculinity and femininity, which majority of the public seemed to think were acceptable.

Friends is a internationally popular sit-com,the programme series consisted of 3 males (Joey, Chandler and Ross) and 3 females (Monica, Rachel and Phoebe). The three males are shown with masculine qualities, although with some characteristics of "sensitivity" and "Gentleness" and male bonding. The three females are shown as "intelligent" and "non-housewifely".
This gives it a refreshing feel to it rather than the traditional family. Programmes such as "Ally McBeal" (1997) and "Sex and the City" (1998) put successful women at the forefront and focuses on their paths to and for sex.

Buffy is a female icon, a role model to younger teenage girls everywhere, as well as this it can be said she is there for male gaze (Laura Mulvey) this is just my opinion. Buffy has won 'Best television show' in SFX magazines annual readers poll over and over again. Which launched the idea of powerful and heroic women in TV, as seen from the 'New Adventures of Superman' as Louis Lane is a successful reporter as well as a strong independent women, who does at the end need help from the 'sweet and insecure' Superman.

Maggie Humm's Feminism and film:

"Film... often and anxiously envisions women stereotypically as good mother and bad hysterical careerists. in the past and today, every Hollywood women is some eles's other."

Michael Thomson:

"By all means be feisty, but never forget to be feminine".

Charlie Angels starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu all hired by an anonymous person named Charlie to solve mysteries. The girls are represented as the redhead (Barrymore), blond (Diaz) and brunet (Liu) these girls are portraying themselves as deadly but sexy, bringing in to mind the idea of 'femme fatale' (deadly women). The women are strong and independent however they are also seen as promiscuous, and the idea of 'the whore' comes to mind as they are role models as they save peoples lives but not after being half naked and doing other male gaze pleasuring activities.

The study talks about whether "girls power" leads to "girl violence"; this study is by psychologists, Muncer, Campbell, Jervis and Lewis (2001), respond to the growing concern of the Media term "Ladettes", these are women who are assertive with an aggressive attitude which are usually associated with "Lads".