This section contains excerpts of papers I wrote while studying for my M.A. in Cinema Studies at New York University. My concentration was on the more seemingly innocuous films such as Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, and Edward Scissorhands. When examined closely these films revealed many layers of both insight and contradictions.

Krzysztof Kieslowski's Red: The Individual's Role in Fraternity

This excerpt is part of a paper written on Red, the final film of Kieslowski's masterful "Three Colors" trilogy. It is a close examination of the use of technology in the film and its indirect plea to overcome individual alienation and recognize the importance of fraternity.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: Contradictions and Consumerism

This is a look at the capitalist discourse that surrounds one of my favorite childhood books and films. This text certainly expresses a profound ambivalence toward children and their potentially dangerous role in consumerism and capitalism.

Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands: The Mark of Artistic Integrity

This is a brief discussion of the role Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands plays within the horror film genre. This piece attempts to locate Edward as the ambivalent figure that is filled with both humanity and monstrosity.