Phantom of the Paradise as a Postmodern Horror Essay

Phantom of the Paradise as a Postmodern Horror - Essay Example The paper will lucidly look into some of the postmodernism aspect of films using the movie as the only reference. It will explain how the movie approaches traditional ideas in non-traditional ways. Some of the common features of postmodernism that have been portrayed in this movie are pastiche, metafiction, paranoia, maximalism, temporal distortion, and techno-culture and hyper-reality. To begin with, the character attire or dressing in the movie is quite different from what was there earlier on. The main character of the film has put on a metallic gown. Others, especially the women, in most of these movies we watch have their own dresses. Most of the dresses worn by women characters are those that that have a close relationship to that of the current American dressing. This is a clear implication that the existing American dressing codes came about as a result of such places. Moreover, the characters themselves. The metallic robe symbolically worn by Roderick Heath represents obedie nce to the law, as well as, protection of oneself. The different dressing models have led to the upcoming of different styles of making dressings in order to meet everybody’s expectations and desires. The current dressing system probably has its origin from the movie. The dressing is also symbolic on the counterculture nature of postmodern horror movies. The other aspect of the movie that brings to the light of the readers is about heroism in most horror movies. It is mainly found among men; however, hero is a woman. Heroes, in horror movies normally act as the main characters of the movies displaying their strengths of defeating a supernatural or extremely energetic character (antagonist). Using various expressive cinema techniques, the director has managed to show certain repeating devices such as scenes and most of the time the entire movie. The cinema techniques originated or evolved due to the issue of postmodernism. Postmodernism brought with itself certain learning, as well as, artistic techniques that affected the entire world of artists, especially on the horror movies (Foster 41). Another technique related to the above is the use of temporal distortion. The movie’s plot is not well organized with certain events overlapping. For instance, the appearance of Roderick Heath at the washroom where one of the music performers is taking a shower is a symbol intentional improper arrangement of the plot. Pastiche is another aspect found in films that have been affected by postmodernism. It refers to the imitation of certain or several works by other people or other genres of literature. Most of the events or characters in the movie have been imitated from other works of arts. The idea of Winslow becoming a terrorist and a killer of Swans is an imitation of certain works of history that have been saved in different historical materials. For instance, being a killer of another person has another meaning altogether and can be compared to past war ex periences such as world war II. Moreover, the image or the way the killing takes place is too simple and unbelievable to some extent. He stabbed him to death using a break of a bird mask from one of the dancers. This is a clear indication of the effects that technology has (Grant 76). Therefore, postmodernism is regarded as the epitome of all the recordings that are done seven today by highly respected printing and publishing houses. Postmodernism is the source of high technology that affects the reproduction of

Transit Oriented Development, Cheltenham Racecourse Essay

Transit Oriented Development, Cheltenham Racecourse - Essay Example A new station will replace the old one and the location will be 200 meters from the present location moving south east. The new station will cater to the racecourse land which at present is not in use. The empty racecourse will be converted into a residential area of medium to high density population. The new station will be catering to a bigger area thus making the unused piece of land more alive. The proposal would include a children's playground and a pedestrian access to the train. Green space. with benches. that are arranged, would serve as the waiting area for the train commuters. A bicycle parking is also considered. Convenient stores are to be installed for a 24 hour services. A bus interchange coming from the Boulevards must be taken into consideration. Restrooms must be present in the area to encourage more commuters to use the station. Retail and commercial area would have a clear access from the Port road via Cheltenham Point and the residential area thereby, making it a friendly route thru a series of trees, landscape, walkable space with lushed trees that would serve as shade for walkers, thus bringing the site more closer and reachable making the area a site a more delightful place to live in. To meet the needs of the residents means providing them a safe and easily approachable setup thereby reducing their need to travel by cars. Creating a safe environment, is separating the rail line from the commercial and residential area with a screen of lined trees which will also reduce the noise that is generated by the traffic. There must be sufficient car parking and cycle parking near the retail area for the customers. In its zoning, the north side will be of mixed use and the south side is for retail, industrial and commercial purposes. There are major features of a Transit Oriented Development. These include the goals, and the mixed use of moderate to high density residential or commercial area, with close .proximity to public transport. It must be located with in 400 - 800 meter radius from the transit stop, and incorporates a design feature that encourages transit ridership, pedestrians and cyclists. In return, it would reduce car dependency, urban sprawl and traffic congestion that will assist in resolving global issues such as global warming and world oil depletion. Since Adelaide is one of the highest car dependent city in the world, transit oriented development will reduce the car dependency of the city. The reasons for car dependency is the lack efficient public transport and urban sprawl. Recent research had also shown that there is a strong link between the ease of use of public transport and the reduction of car dependency. Therefore, the low density suburbs and greater dispersion between employment reta il and service facilities make pedestrian accessibility and public transport less feasible. The key elements of TOD would be the mixed land use, pedestrian and cycling friendly design elements, and the convenience and efficiency of public transport system. These elements will contribute to the reduction of car usage. The methodology to be adopted in the implementation of TOD will be the reviewed literature on transit oriented development and the discussion of existing knowledge of the site. In the discussion of existing knowledge of the site, a review of current plans for site is necessary. Also included in the discussion is the examination of location of station with