Mike Giuffrida

Some of the most iconic films in history centered around virtual reality (VR). Having another world opens up limitless possibilities in storytelling. Here are three films centered on VR that have made their mark on cinema history. Mike Giuffrida . Image source: alienationmentale.wordpress.com Tron : When “Tron” first came out, critics were divided, not knowing what to make of it. But as time passed, this visual spectacle became a cult classic and earned its place as one of the most recognizable films of all-time. Not only did “Tron” push the envelope of science fiction, but it also pioneered so many filmmaking techniques still studied and used today. Mike Giuffrida . The Lawnmower Man : While not as big a hit as the other two films on this list, “The Lawnmower Man” is still recognized as one of the pioneering VR films in the post-“Tron” era. Based on the book by Stephen King, this sci-fi suspense thriller portrayed VR as a power-giving entity that allowed the film’s antagonis...

The greatest films from a true American legend -- Mike Giuffrida Image source: time.com For over 50 years, Martin Scorsese has been a fixture in Hollywood. Before he made his directorial debut with the stunning “Taxi Driver,” Scorsese had been studying with the best and brightest, honing his craft at film directing. Responsible for so many of the greatest and grittiest movies known to man, Scorsese hasn’t shown any signs of stopping. Mike Giuffrida . Goodfellas : Often compared to “The Godfather” in terms of cinematic scope and influence, “Goodfellas” is a sprawling adventure into the life of a player in organized crime. With golden performances from Robert de Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta, “Goodfellas” features the story of the mafia in incredible brutality. Seldom are films directed this perfectly. Image source: amazon.co.uk The Departed : Mike Giuffrida. Not too many people know that “The Departed” is actually an American remake of the Hong Kong thriller “Infernal ...

I’m Mike Giuffrida and I’m taking film and acting classes. Last week, we had one of the most interesting sessions since I started going to school here. Our professor, who also happens to be a renowned cinematographer discussed two films that changed modern cinema forever. First off, he mentioned Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather,” and how the history of film could be halved before and after this masterpiece came out. “The Godfather” not only defined an era, it also stood head and shoulders above any film created before or since. Our professor mentions only two other films that come close, “Citizen Kane” and “Gone with the Wind.” However, unlike “The Godfather,” both “Citizen Kane” and “Gone with the Wind” aren’t nearly as beloved, and haven’t stood the test of time with film going fans.                     Image source: mentalfloss.com The second movie our professor mentioned was “The Matrix.” He mentioned that the Wa...

For us aspiring actors, there have been iconic performances over the years that we can’t help but admire. Some of us even go that extra mile and try to emulate these greats. I’ve come up with a list of our favorite performances since the ‘70s. Image source: businessinsider.com '70s: Marlon Brando in 'The Godfather' When one talks about iconic performances, no one in the era comes close to Bradon’s take on Vito Corleone, a role that is still relevant today, nearly 50 years later. For me, he beats out Robert de Niro’s performance in “Taxi Driver.” '80s: Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining' As Jack Torrance, Nicholson gave one of the most brilliant, and by brilliant we mean terrifying portrayals of man’s descent into madness. And Nicholson did it in a way only he could. ’90s: Anthony Hopkins in 'The Silence of the Lambs' With less than 20 minutes of screen time, Hopkins held the audiences and Jodi Foster in the palm of his hand. He also...