I need some help comparing Falling Down's consumerism themes with Fight Club for a college paper. I'm supposed to have three main points which can be one point from each movie, than a 3rd point from both movies but I can't think of how to compare the themes together.

Is consumerism the right word for Falling Down? Is there another movie you can think of that would be better to use than Falling Down? I'm definitely using Fight Club but I need to a second movie with anti-consumerism themes.

Thanks to anyone who can help. I'm just starting out with this film analysis thing, and I'm struggling a bit.

And I apologize if anyone is annoyed with a help me with my homework thread.

[KipDynamite]Your mom goes to college. [/KipDynamite]

cheers, (and good luck)

-the Jesus

How about using the original Dawn of the Dead???

Do you have to use anti-consumerism as a theme? With those two movies, it might be better to use anarchism or anti-authority or something similar. I can't think of any other film with such an overt theme of anti-consumerism (other than the already mentioned Dawn of the Dead).

That's the 1st thought that came to mind when I read the title.

There's a mean anti-consumerist streak in Alex Cox's Repo Man too. But that movie is way too cool to be tied down to simple social criticism.

How to Get Ahead in Advertising?

Some documentary maybe. I remember bowling for columbine has some parts about consumption (related to fear). Or maybe something like The Corporation....

I don't think either is really a good idea, but I'm you've got nothing else maybe it'll do.

Regarding Fight Club, you could compare it to Calvin and Hobbes:

http://metaphilm.com/philm.php?id=29_0_2_0

Great read.

How about American Psycho.

Thanks everyone. I've decided to go with American Pyscho. The subject has to be consumer culture. We have to compare the movies with a previous paper we wrote.

I'm still struggling with a third topic though. Any suggestions? I have
1. What we conusme shapes our identity.
2. Consumerism negatively shapes our behavior patterns (excessive consumption, materialism).

And for #3 I'm thinking:
3. Consumerism has a negative impact on our emotions (Bateman = emptiness, Fight Club I'm not sure of).

Thanks again to everyone's suggestions. I did pick up the Dawn of the Dead, and the allegory of zombies=mindless shoppers is great, but I couldn't find enough material for a paper.