How far do the two films you have studied for this topic present similar messages and values?
Both Natural born killers and Badlands are based around the genre convention 'lovers on the lamb' of which two people go on a killing spree together whilst on the run. This genre is broken into the sub genre of, romance, road movies, and crime. Both of these films portray conventions of these throughout the films. which create similar messages and values however are presented in different ways.
Both of the films are based on true events, which the narrative is showing the lives of the mass murders on the run. Badlands is based on the killing spree that Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate committed. Natural Born killers is based on the killing spree that Rodney King committed.
One of the main messages that is presented in Natural Born Killers is that the media is influencing people and corrupts people through violent video games and television, mainly on the news. This is portrayed through a number of different techniques. For example the use of adding cartoons and well known, non diegetic, sound effects from cartoons such as the birds tweeting when a character is hurt, through using the non diegetic sound, it tries to make the act more light hearted which suggests the underlying violence in the media which is continuously in our surroundings. Some cartoons have been believed to influence violence towards children. To add to that it also suggests media influences violence very clearly in the opening scene when Mallory and Micky are in the diner, which is a typical road convention, and a point of view shot is used whilst holding the gun to create a shot similar to one used when playing ordinary video games in the comfort of your own home. This suggests that the more video games you play, you lose the sense of reality and the fantasy of the thrill you get from killing another person takes over as it almost becomes a 'natural' instinct.
Badlands presents a different kind of violence- gun violence. Although the bare minimum of media is used through out this film, the violence is very slow pace and the message they are trying to portray is that people will do anything to become famous. In this case, a mass murderer. This is shown as Kit models himself as James Dean and hands his belongings out to the coppers like he is a star. But because mass murderers were rare in the 1950's, by going on his rampage, Kit got the fame he desperately wanted through the media, as he wanted to be above the law, which further more compares to NBK, that by covering Kits story in the media, it has corrupted him further. To add to that a key theme used in Badlands is 'The American Dream'. Kit kills the people that he kills for love, although his and Holly's relationship is only built around the death of the people who get in their way. Although they don't have the intention to kill innocent people it's what keeps their relationship together. Towards the end of the film the authorities treat Kit like royalty and are fascinated by him. This is portrayed through low angle shots with Kit above the authorities on the plane which is showing the power and pride he has knowing people know his name.
He is treated this way because although we don't see it, Kit's crime has been televised and broadcasted across America and the authorities are almost honoured to be in his presence as he is now a famous and well known criminal, Also, although we witness both Kit and Holly being arrested which would be seen as the end for them, we actually see Kit at his happiest due to the fact he has finally got his American Dream which is the name he has attained for himself, knowing he has become famous. However a key message which is put across through these films is that, in NBK we see the consequences of there killing in the prison however in Badlands although we see them get caught, the only punishment we here they get is through the voice over from Holly through the non diegetic sound being used.
Another key message and value in NBK is the dysfunctional family. This is particularly highlighted in the scene where Mallory's dad is watching the wrestling. This scene is set out like a classic American sitcom. When Mallory's dad is talking about checking whether she's "clean", a canned laugh is used as non-diegetic sound. This makes the abuse seem comical as it's so Americanised and it shows that even television is making abuse funny due to it being shown as a popular American sitcom. Because, as an audience member, it makes you laugh at the absurdity of it, you become almost as bad as the father through how the "media" made you feel in this scene. The father and daughter relationship in this film compares to Badlands due to the fact of the unrealistic ideological beliefs, although NBK is more modern, both Mallory and Holly show a sense of loneliness and are waiting for the time to share compassion with someone who feels the same as they do, which leads to the partnerships they get involve with whilst being on the road due to the fact, the killing keeps the relationships together.
Both of the films are based on true events, which the narrative is showing the lives of the mass murders on the run. Badlands is based on the killing spree that Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate committed. Natural Born killers is based on the killing spree that Rodney King committed.
One of the main messages that is presented in Natural Born Killers is that the media is influencing people and corrupts people through violent video games and television, mainly on the news. This is portrayed through a number of different techniques. For example the use of adding cartoons and well known, non diegetic, sound effects from cartoons such as the birds tweeting when a character is hurt, through using the non diegetic sound, it tries to make the act more light hearted which suggests the underlying violence in the media which is continuously in our surroundings. Some cartoons have been believed to influence violence towards children. To add to that it also suggests media influences violence very clearly in the opening scene when Mallory and Micky are in the diner, which is a typical road convention, and a point of view shot is used whilst holding the gun to create a shot similar to one used when playing ordinary video games in the comfort of your own home. This suggests that the more video games you play, you lose the sense of reality and the fantasy of the thrill you get from killing another person takes over as it almost becomes a 'natural' instinct.
Badlands presents a different kind of violence- gun violence. Although the bare minimum of media is used through out this film, the violence is very slow pace and the message they are trying to portray is that people will do anything to become famous. In this case, a mass murderer. This is shown as Kit models himself as James Dean and hands his belongings out to the coppers like he is a star. But because mass murderers were rare in the 1950's, by going on his rampage, Kit got the fame he desperately wanted through the media, as he wanted to be above the law, which further more compares to NBK, that by covering Kits story in the media, it has corrupted him further. To add to that a key theme used in Badlands is 'The American Dream'. Kit kills the people that he kills for love, although his and Holly's relationship is only built around the death of the people who get in their way. Although they don't have the intention to kill innocent people it's what keeps their relationship together. Towards the end of the film the authorities treat Kit like royalty and are fascinated by him. This is portrayed through low angle shots with Kit above the authorities on the plane which is showing the power and pride he has knowing people know his name.
He is treated this way because although we don't see it, Kit's crime has been televised and broadcasted across America and the authorities are almost honoured to be in his presence as he is now a famous and well known criminal, Also, although we witness both Kit and Holly being arrested which would be seen as the end for them, we actually see Kit at his happiest due to the fact he has finally got his American Dream which is the name he has attained for himself, knowing he has become famous. However a key message which is put across through these films is that, in NBK we see the consequences of there killing in the prison however in Badlands although we see them get caught, the only punishment we here they get is through the voice over from Holly through the non diegetic sound being used.
Another key message and value in NBK is the dysfunctional family. This is particularly highlighted in the scene where Mallory's dad is watching the wrestling. This scene is set out like a classic American sitcom. When Mallory's dad is talking about checking whether she's "clean", a canned laugh is used as non-diegetic sound. This makes the abuse seem comical as it's so Americanised and it shows that even television is making abuse funny due to it being shown as a popular American sitcom. Because, as an audience member, it makes you laugh at the absurdity of it, you become almost as bad as the father through how the "media" made you feel in this scene. The father and daughter relationship in this film compares to Badlands due to the fact of the unrealistic ideological beliefs, although NBK is more modern, both Mallory and Holly show a sense of loneliness and are waiting for the time to share compassion with someone who feels the same as they do, which leads to the partnerships they get involve with whilst being on the road due to the fact, the killing keeps the relationships together.
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