Get Your Film Knowledge Up — The Power of Film on TCM

by Jason Godbey

The Power of Film is a new documentary series on Turner Classic Movies hosted by UCLA professor emeritus and founding chair of UCLA’s Film and Television Producers Program, Howard Suber.

In the series, Suber discusses some of America’s most pivotal films and why they have made such an impact on our culture: The Godfather Saga, Citizen Kane, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey and more recent films like Moonlight and No Time to Die along with many more. In his professorial tone, he tells us about the different aspects of film: story, characters, and what makes film so powerful as a medium.

Watching the show is a bit like sitting in a virtual classroom, listening to the professor lecture with some wonderful visual aids from some of the greatest films ever created. It’s not the sexiest way to present this information, but the scenes used are well-chosen, entertaining, and at times very moving.

For those of us who went to film school or have a vast movie lexicon, some of this material may seem like familiar territory, but it also serves as a sweet reminder of what made us fall in love with movies. For those looking to expand their knowledge, this series can definitely serve as a helpful guide, or possibly spark a new interest in the art of film.

Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on January 10, 2024.