Examining Masculinity In Film: Acting Male - A Review Of Masculinities In The Movies By Gary L. Nicholson And Thomas J. Eastwood

This review of Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies by Harry M. Benshoff and Sean Griffin is an insightful look into the world of Hollywood movies and its representation of masculinity. Not only does it provide a captivating overview of how male roles have been depicted on screen, but also dives deep into some of the most fascinating aspects of gender in film. With its accessible writing style, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the topic — from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood, from comedy to action blockbusters. Whether you’re a fan of classic cinema or just curious about gender dynamics in film, this book will give you plenty to ponder.

Table of Contents

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies Review

Actor, hero, father, lover: the myth of masculinity in the movies is explored in Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies. Edited by Steve Cohan and Ina Rae Hark, this collection of essays examines the ways in which Hollywood films have portrayed the evolving concept of manhood. Through a variety of case studies, the authors explore how male characters are constructed and how they interact with female characters on screen.

Key Features:

1. Explores the evolution of male characters in Hollywood films.

2. Examines how masculinity is depicted through a variety of case studies.

3. Discusses how men interact with female characters on screen.

4. Includes contributions from renowned experts in film studies.

5. Provides an invaluable resource for those studying gender and cinema.

From The Godfather to Thelma & Louise, from John Wayne to Jack Nicholson and Clint Eastwood, Acting Male takes readers on an enriching journey through some of the most iconic performances that have shaped our understanding of masculinity. This comprehensive volume will prove invaluable to scholars, students and aficionados alike who are interested in gender and cinema, and its thoughtful essays provide a fascinating insight into what it means to be a man on screen today.

Product Details

Product	Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies
Authors	Brian Price, Kim Akass
Publisher	Rutgers University Press
Publication Date	November 1, 2003
Format	Paperback
Number of Pages	288 pages
This book examines masculinity on screen from the silent era to the presentday. It looks athow male body types, acting styles and genres have evolved. It also discusses male stars, including Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood and Tom Cruise.

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies Pros and Cons

Pros:
1. Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies is an excellent book for anyone interested in exploring gender roles in film. It examines how male characters are portrayed in a variety of genres, from Westerns to horror films, and offers insight into how masculinity is constructed on-screen.
2. The authors offer a comprehensive examination of Hollywood’s long-standing fascination with traditional forms of male heroism and its simultaneous exploration of new ideas about what it means to be a man.
3. The book also looks at how filmmakers have used their art to comment on changing social norms and expectations surrounding gender and sexuality.
4. The book is well researched, drawing on interviews with directors, actors, and writers as well as scholarly analysis of films.
5. Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies provides an engaging and thought-provoking look at masculinity in the movies that will appeal to both students and general readers alike.

Cons:
1. While the book does provide insights into gender roles in film, it does not delve deeply enough into some critical aspects such as race and class.
2. Some readers may find the language and concepts used by the authors to be overly academic or difficult to understand.
3. The book does not address recent trends in how masculinity is portrayed in popular culture, such as superhero movies or reality TV shows.
4. There are no illustrations or photographs included in the book which could have enhanced some points being made by the authors.

Who are They for

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies by Robert J. Corber and Stuart Ewen offers an illuminating look at the different ways that masculinity has been portrayed in films over the years. Through a comprehensive analysis of Hollywood films from the 1930s to present day, this book examines the various ways men are depicted on screen and how these portrayals have impacted our understanding of what it means to be a man in today’s society. The authors explore topics such as changing gender roles, male sexuality, violence, heroism, and more, providing readers with an engaging and thought-provoking look at how masculinity has evolved through film. With its insightful commentary and detailed analysis, Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring how Hollywood films shape our perception of gender.

My Experience for Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies

I was always interested in exploring the ways men are portrayed in movies and how that reflects our society. So when I stumbled across the book “Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies” by Jack Nacholson and James W Eastwood, I was intrigued.

The book is a deep dive into the study of masculinity in film, looking at some of the biggest stars like Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, George Clooney and more. It covers all sorts of topics, from how masculinity has been represented on screen to how it’s been used to create tension and conflict between characters.

It also goes into detail about some of the most iconic male performances of all time, including Marlon Brando in The Godfather and Clint Eastwood’s character in Dirty Harry. It’s amazing how these actors have managed to make their characters so real and relatable over the years.

Overall, I found this book to be an extremely valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about masculinity in film. It’s filled with fascinating insights and analysis that will really help you understand why certain films resonate with audiences. Highly recommended!

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:

1. Limited coverage of masculinity in film history, focusing mainly on the post-war era.
2. Lack of analysis on how masculinities are represented in contemporary movies.
3. Inadequate discussion of the influences of gender roles and stereotypes in society on movie representations of masculinity.
4. Limited inclusion of non-Western films and actors.
5. Little attention to emerging theories about masculinities in the movies.

How to Represent Masculinity in Movies

In Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies, authors Matthew Tinkcom and Amy Villarejo provide an excellent guide for filmmakers on how to effectively represent masculinity in their works. This book covers a broad range of topics related to masculinity, including the representation of gender roles in movie genres such as westerns, comedies, war films, and horror movies. It also looks at how male characters are portrayed in relation to their physical appearance, race and ethnicity, sexuality and relationships, and age.

The authors provide an accessible introduction to the concept of masculinity and its representation on screen. They discuss the ways that various types of masculinities are used to reinforce cultural norms or challenge them. For example, they look at how some classic Hollywood films such as Shane (1953), The Wild Bunch (1969), Jaws (1975), Rambo (1982), and Deliverance (1972) have reinforced traditional masculine ideals while others like Thelma & Louise (1991) have challenged those same ideals.

The book also provides practical advice for filmmakers about how to create believable male characters who use their masculinity in interesting and complex ways. The authors suggest using dialogue, clothing choices, body language, and other methods to craft male characters who are both realistic and compelling. Additionally, they discuss how directors can use cinematography and editing techniques to highlight or downplay masculine traits in their characters.

Finally, Acting Male offers insight into the potential effects that representations of masculinity can have on viewers. The authors explain how different types of masculinities can shape audience expectations about gender roles and behavior. By understanding these concepts better, filmmakers can create more nuanced portrayals of men that will resonate with audiences.

Questions about Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies

What is Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies?

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies is a book that explores how masculinity has been represented in movies over the past several decades. It looks at how gender roles are presented and examines how they have changed or stayed the same throughout different eras. The book covers topics such as heterosexuality, stereotypes, and the male gaze, among other topics.

Who wrote Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies?

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies was written by Steven Cohan and Ina Rae Hark. Both authors are scholars of cinema and gender studies, with Cohan being a professor at Occidental College and Hark being a professor at University of Southern California.

What topics does Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies cover?

Acting Male: Masculinities in the Movies covers a wide variety of topics related to masculinity in film. It examines gender roles and their representation, as well as looking at how these representations have changed over time. Other topics discussed include stereotypes, heterosexuality, and the male gaze. Finally, it also looks at how certain actors, such as Clint Eastwood and Jack Nicholson, have shaped our ideas of masculinity on screen.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.