In a three-year period in the 1970’s, Al Pacino quickly established himself as a versatile actor capable of portraying intense and complex characters with great depth and authenticity. A relatively unknown stage actor at the time, Pacino starred in The Godfather (1972), Serpico (1973), The Godfather, Part II (1974), and Dog Day Afternoon (1975), cementing him as one of the greatest film actors of his generation. We will look at his entire career of work, spanning over 50 years.

With his impressive body of work, spanning comedy, drama, and directing, Tom Hanks has established himself as one of the most respected and beloved actors of his generation. From his early comedic TV and film roles like Splash (1984), Hanks would become one of the most iconic and acclaimed actors in film history with films like Big (1988), Forrest Gump (1994), Apollo 13 (1995), Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Cast Away (2000).

Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, Meryl Streep has been giving great performances in films like in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), where she won her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to star in a series of critically acclaimed films such as Sophie's Choice (1982), Out of Africa (1985), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), and Mamma Mia! (2008) among many others that we will explore in this lecture.

One of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Austrian-born American director, writer, and producer Billy Wilder is known for films such as Some Like It Hot (1959), The Lost Weekend (1945), Stalag 17 (1953), Irma La Douce (1963), Sunset Boulevard (1950) and The Apartment (1960), among many others that we will explore in this lecture.

With 12 Academy Award nominations, Jack Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in the Academy’s history. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, once for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and once for As Good as It Gets (1997). In this lecture, we will look at his career, his per and his iconic roles in films like Easy Rider (1969), Five Easy Pieces (1970), Chinatown (1974), The Shining (1980), A Few Good Men (1992), and The Departed (2006) among many others.

Steve Martin has had a remarkable career spanning decades. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a stand-up comedian. After transitioning to acting, starring in iconic films like “The Jerk,” “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” and “Father of the Bride”, his comedic talent and charisma earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. We look at Martin’s career, focusing on his acting in films and television as well as his music, writing, and Broadway performances.

“The Godfather” films continue to fascinate and entertain audiences and have become some of the most enduring in the industry. The program will analyze clips from the films, and from the documentary "The Godfather Legacy”, for insights into the development, production, and cultural and cinematic legacy of the films.

The “spaghetti western” was born in the first half of the 1960’s and lasted until the second half of the 1970’s. It got its name from the fact that most of them were directed and produced by Italians. One of the most influential filmmakers of all time, Sergio Leone made many of the greats. This lecture will discuss their history, style, influences and origins, and their influence on later generations of filmmakers. Clips from films will include “The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly” (1966) “Once Upon A Time In The West” (1968) “The Great Silence” (1968), and more.

Meryl Streep is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of her generation, with a prolific career spanning over four decades, earning numerous awards and accolades for her performances. This lecture will explore some of her stage and film history, highlighting greatest roles in films like "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979)"Sophie's Choice" (1982), and "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006), among many others.

This lecture explores the career of Steven Spielberg is widely considered one of the most influential and successful filmmakers of all time. With a career spanning over four decades, he is best known for his epic blockbusters, such as “Jaws“ (1975), “Close Encounters of the Third Kind“ (1977), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981), and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982). In addition to his blockbuster hits, Spielberg is also known for his emotionally charged dramas, such as “Schindler's List” (1993), and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), widely considered among the greatest films of all time.

Women have faced systemic marginalization in the field of science as for centuries, societal norms and gender biases have limited women's access to education, entry to prestigious scientific institutions, career opportunities, and recognition in the scientific community. Despite barriers, pioneering scientists like physicist Marie Curie (1867-1934), chemist Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958), mathematician Ada Lovelace, and astrophysicist Andrea Ghez, just to name a few, have made significant contributions to their respective fields. This lecture will cover a dozen or so of the most pioneering women of science and the importance of their discoveries and contributions to our world today.

This lecture explores films about computers and artificial intelligence (AI), and the potential consequences and ethical dilemmas associated with advanced technology. From classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) and "Star Wars" (1977) to modern blockbusters like "Ex Machina" (2014) and "Her" (2013), these films raise questions about the limits of human-robot interactions, the consequences of unchecked AI development, and the blurred lines between humanity and machines.

Over the course of the history of TV, film, and advertising, women have generally been defined in very narrow roles. This lecture examines the evolution of the portrayal of women in media, from the earliest days of print and film, to the present, and the continued push for more representation, both on and off screen, of women and their stories in film, television and media.

‘Elements of Cinema’ explores film art as visual storytelling, cinematography, editing, sound design, narrative structure, and performance converging to evoke emotion, convey messages, and create a unique audio-visual experience.

Director Christopher Nolan has created mind-bending and visually stunning films, including "Inception," exploring dreams within dreams; "The Dark Knight Trilogy," redefining superhero movies; "Interstellar," a space-time odyssey; "Dunkirk," a tense World War II epic; and his latest “Oppenheimer” about the creation of the Manhattan Project. Nolan's films often challenge conventional storytelling and push the boundaries of cinema, leaving audiences captivated and contemplating long after the credits roll.

This first of a 6 part class that examines the language and elements of the art of cinema, we will focus on the art of directing by examining some of the great films from the great directors, examining their choices relating to cinematography, editing, casting, acting, music and sound design.

Graphic novels and comics have greatly impacted film, inspiring successful adaptations like "The Dark Knight" and "Superman”, as well as graphic novels like “Watchmen” and “300”. They blend print and screen, enabling inventive storytelling and visuals, pushing cinematic boundaries.

Iconic American actress Meryl Streep, renowned for her unparalleled talent, has garnered numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, for her roles in films like "Sophie's Choice," "The Iron Lady," and "Kramer vs. Kramer." Streep's versatility shines in diverse genres, from drama to comedy, making her a beloved figure in the world of cinema.

Tom Hanks is an iconic American actor known for his versatile roles in films such as "Forrest Gump," "Saving Private Ryan," "Cast Away," and "Philadelphia" He's won two Oscars and is celebrated for his enduring career and contributions to cinema.

Director Ingmar Bergman is noted for his versatile camerawork and fragmented narrative style, which contribute to his bleak depiction of human loneliness, vulnerability, and torment. Through clips of classic films like Wild Strawberries (1957), The Seventh Seal (1958), The Virgin Spring (1960), Through A Glass Darkly (1961), Persona (1966), and others, as well as clips from interviews with Bergman and others,we will explore the body of work of the Swedish master’s existential and soul-searching films that constitute one of the richest bodies of work in the history of cinema.

Jack Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, with twelve Academy Award nominations, making him the most nominated male actor in the Academy’s history. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice, once for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975) and once for “As Good as It Gets” (1997). In this lecture, we will look at his career and his iconic roles in films like “Easy Rider” (1969), “Five Easy Pieces” (1970), “Chinatown” (1974), “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), “The Shining” (1980), “Batman” (1989), “A Few Good Men” (1992), and “The Departed” (2006).

We trace the history of human communication from our earliest ancestors millions of years ago and the development of spoken and written language. Then earliest expressions of art, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature, the development of mass media, and the technologies that changed the world - the printing press, photography, telegraph, telephone, film, radio, and television, our current Information Age, the rise of the internet and the future of human communication.

An exploration of films about artists, including Vincent Van Gogh: “Lust For Life” (1956), “Van Gogh” (1991), “Loving Vincent” (2017), and “At Eternities Gate” (2018), Frida Kahlo: “Frida” (2002), “Pablo Picasso: Surviving Picasso” (1996), Jean-Michel Basquiat: “Basquiat” (1996), Johannes Vermeer: “Girl with the Pearl Earring” (2003), and Michelangelo: “The Agony and the Ecstasy” (1965), among others.

De Niro first gained his reputation as a volatile actor in "Mean Streets" (1973), his first film with director Martin Scorsese. He received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Godfather: Part II" (1974) and received Academy Award nominations for best actor in "Taxi Driver" (1976), "The Deer Hunter" (1978) and "Cape Fear" (1991). He received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull" (1980). As of 2022, De Niro is 79-years-old. He has never retired from acting, and continues to work regularly in film.

Women have always been a force in filmmaking, but often their talents were suppressed by a male dominated industry. We will examine the dynamics of sexism in the film industry, the challenges women have met and often overcome, and the artistic achievements of female directors over the years. Presented as a private event at the East Meadow Library for the Meadowbrook Women’s Initiative.

Music has an important part to play in the making of a great film. Sometimes, a music’s original score fits perfectly into the tenor of a film, and becomes as much a part of it’s success as the cinematography, acting, or editing. Other times, just the right song meets just the right scene, and a skilled director can take advantage of existing music, such as Martin Scorsese’s use of the the Derek and the Dominos “Layla" in Goodfellas (1990), Stanley Kubrick’s use of Richard Strauss’s "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Through clips and discussion of various films, we will see how music, as part of a soundtrack or original scores in films like Psycho (1960), Jaws (1974), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), can create indelible cinematic moments.

As a writer, director, producer and performer, few entertainers have had a career as influential as Mel Brooks. From his early days as a Borscht Belt comic and performer to his tv writer on Your Show Of Shows and others, to his well known directing cannon with comic classics like Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and The Producers (1967), and History of the World, Part 1 (1981), his body of work is impressive. What’s even more impressive is that he is still working after all these years! Brooks' influence can be seen in many contemporary comedies, and he has inspired generations of filmmakers and comedians with his unique brand of humor.

Quentin Tarantino is known as both a great director and a great writer, and his films have given us some of the most iconic and memorable characters and moments in cinema history. His films are characterized by nonlinear storylines, dark humor, aestheticization of violence, extended scenes of dialogue, ensemble casts, and references to popular culture. Through interviews and clips from classic films including Pulp Fiction (1994), Inglorious Basterds (2009), Django Unchained (2012), Reservoir Dogs (1992), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), we will examine the career, style, and cinematic techniques, as well as the subjects and motifs, of one of the great directors.

This lecture for the Women’s Transition Network of Long Island held at Jericho Public Library, will look at the depiction of women in the media over the years, from the earliest print media advertising, television, and films to the changing modern media landscape.