TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

Memorial Day often gets grouped in with the unofficial start of summer. It is the long weekend that brings backyard barbecues, beach trips, road trips , and the first real feeling that the season has finally shifted. But at its heart, Memorial Day is about remembrance. It is a day to honor the people of the armed forces who lost their lives in service, and to reflect on the cost of the freedom we often take for granted.  There are many ways to observe Memorial Day, from visiting memorials and cemeteries to participating in the National Moment of Remembrance. Another way we continue to engage with history is through the stories we tell and return to. Film has always had a unique way of preserving memory, not only by showing the battles themselves, but by exploring courage, grief, justice, and the lasting impact of violence long after the fighting ends on individuals and society. This Memorial Day , we’re highlighting The Great Escape II: The Untold Story and The Quick and the Dead...

The tragedy of September 11, 2001, reshaped so many facets of our world, and film and media are no exception . The immense impact of the attacks introduced new genres and themes in film and media. This blog explores how 9/11 influences American cinema, the emergence of new cinematic themes and genres, and why movies based on tragedy are so popular. We’ll also dive into some movies based on 9/11, such as The Rest of Us , directed by Dr. Linda G. Mills.  Immediately after the attacks, the media avoided showing destruction, shifting away from the disaster-laden blockbusters of the 1990s. Some films and TV shows, such as Sex and the City, even removed images of the Twin Towers from the opening credits of shows and scenes in movies. Most famously, the teaser trailer and poster for Spider-Man were edited so that the Twin Towers could no longer be seen in the background. In the Vox Article Movies, Patriotism and Cultural Amnesia , Lindsay Ellis states, “The two-year period immediately ...

Memorial Day , often associated with the unofficial start of summer , is more than just a day for pool parties and barbecues. It's a day of profound significance, dedicated to honoring and remembering the people of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a solemn reminder of the price of freedom and encourages us to reflect on the countless sacrifices made by soldiers throughout the rich tapestry of American history.  Memorial Day can be celebrated in many ways, such as visiting the graves of fallen soldiers , participating in a national moment of remembrance , or engaging with the actual stories of soldiers throughout history. One powerful way these stories are told is through literature and films that capture the heroism, struggles, and camaraderie of those who served.  We wanted to highlight the films Fallen Not Forgotten and Pearl Harbor: A Day of Infamy , currently streaming on TheArchive ,...