Studio Ghibli films shape childhoods. They give us a peek into the window of Japanese culture through detailed animations. They teach life lessons that change peoples' worldview. Most importantly, they bring life into our monotonous lives in a fast-paced world where the small things that bring us joy often go unappreciated. Each film sucks the audience into a world of its own.

The unique storytelling, beautifully orchestrated music, extreme attention to detail, and masterfully established balance between imagination and reality that is consistent throughout each and every film creates a truly immersive experience that has yet to be outmatched. Each film brings the audience into a new world that gives people a chance to momentarily forget about the heavy burdens within their own lives.

The Grave of the Fireflies takes us on a heart-wrenching journey with two young siblings suffering from the tragedies of war. My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo rekindle a warm spark of joy within the soul, bringing back the nostalgia of a carefree childhood. Howl's Moving Castle helps people learn the importance of facing life to make the most out of it in a story of true love that goes beyond physical appearances. Castle in the Sky is another story about youngsters that goes deep into the importance of fighting corruption with compassion, as well as the significance of respecting nature. The list is endless, and the true value of such life-changing films cannot be fully appreciated without having experienced it first-hand.

Studio Ghibli films have given people a taste of the true potential of the movie industry: a small glimpse of the movie industry's ability to have a great impact on peoples' lives and make the world a better place.

I believe Lord of the Rings made a major impact on the movie industry, particularly in the realm of fantasy.

1. Visual affects. These movies set an expectation for the affects surrounding beings and creatures that exist only in the mind and must be slowly brought to life by an animator.

2. These movies also brought fantasy to a place where it was appreciated, and not just for weirdos.

3. Tall elves.

Thank you for your time.

I recently watched Spider, the 2002 film directed by David Cronenberg and found it to be an excellent use of the media. I make no claims to being able to assess the film industry as a whole, or to declare any proclamation about most influence. True my father was an aspiring film director at heart, and even produced a few amateur short films in his youth. After failing admittance to Film School, he was somewhat bitter though he remained forever passionate about cinema, and my sister studied film to compensate, but did not pursue the field further. So, I will admit to having some background.... a  little.

Spider, demonstrated a keen awareness of the ever important element of Timing, and a masterful trickery in visuals. The film had for me the intense intimacy of Krapp's Last Tape, a film version that I had seen years ago, the original featuring Patrick Magee (who Samuel Beckett specifically wrote the part for in this one-man play). In that script, there is the brilliant use of the recording device. In Spider, the gimmick involves ambiguity/clarity in audio and visual, to powerful effect. Metaphorically, a writing on the mind, if you will...

I was painfully aware of the labor of each passing moment, and the intense focus on small things (obscured from the audience) being given by Dennis Cleg, the mentally unstable protagonist. The pacing quickened in duration of the film, gradually, along with slight of hands that brought home the conflict of the man known as Spider. The pet name given to him by his beloved mother. It was clear to me from the beginning that he adored his mother and detested his father, specifically for how he undermined her true spirit.

It stands out as a critical moment, when his Mom retells a story about a mother spider who's work is done after setting up the nest and laying the eggs. We feel as if his whole personhood is in opposition to this proposed ending. He obsessively threads, fibers and words, tying all things back to his mother, whose philosophy is Reality.

In accord with this adopted philosophy, her poetic being and filial affection diminish quickly as Spider ages... instead weaving her life around a Dad that is absorbed in the physical not the figurative. The key moment illustrated when Mom tries to serve a meal sweetly expressing how much she loves when we-stay-home-together, and Dad rises pushing away the plate with disgust and declares he's had enough of this place.. this place where he is most obviously hardly at... and Mom begins to change her self to meet him half way, eventually decaying all the way into a sad alcoholic demise.

We witness this commencement with old and young Spider spying at the door way to Mom's bedroom. Admiring herself in some new flimsy dress, she turns with a disconcerting giggle, and asks "Do you think Daddy will like it?" ....and  little Spider runs from her, in painful angst as old Spider gawks at the whole of the scene unraveling.

The grown person of Dennis Cleg (Spider) is inserted into the reliving of childhood memory throughout the film, and we have the distinct impression of perspectives being skewed... the words in his little brown notebook eventually take on clarity for the viewer and look like nothing more than gibberish!! The women in his life all begin to look like one woman, Mom (played by one actress Miranda Richardson).

Gas an exceptional allusion in this plot as it evokes the idiom of being gassy---no not like that! but as chatty--- we notice with a cringe that his Mom has all but stopped talking to him!! And he is grieving this loss of words without being able to adequately articulate the essence of the absence that is so tormenting him.

The remaining twist, which I will not divulge any further, to prevent spoiler for those who haven't seen it... Is who is responsible for the Murder? And did it occur in fact or only as a mental snap...?

I've no idea if this film left as much as a residual trace of influence on the film industry, but it did leave a lasting impression on me. I am as compelled on viewing this film for the first time yesterday, as I was years ago impressed on viewing Last Year in Marienbad, another film to be commended for the visual and auditory narration, underscoring the tricks that the mind and memory play on our perception of Reality.

Thanks for reading.

Imagine, for a moment, that it is 1999. Amidst the vibrant movie culture of the age, films were investing more and more energy into special effects, music, actors... the average film cost about 53 million dollars by 1998, and many films far exceeded that, easily costing a hundred million dollars or more.

In the midst of this, there comes a new horror movie with a budget of 200,000-750,000 dollars— an order of magnitude smaller than other films.

The Blair Witch Project revolutionized horror with "found footage" style filming. The immersive experience led to many people questioning whether it was real or fake. Actors in the movie, in the promotional viewing, were listed as either "missing" or "deceased" in accordance with the characters of the movie. It grossed nearly 250 million dollars in the box office, rendering it one of the most successful independent films, and ranked 41st in the most successful horror movie of all time. The Blair Witch Project was proof that movies didn't need an exorbitant budget in order to be successful.

The Blair Witch Project revolutionized horror and blurred the lines between reality and fiction, and for that reason, it changed the movie industry forever.

A film building the basis for Star Wars, The Matrix, Jurassic Park, and Avatar is often left out. The film is "The Birth of a Nation" from 1915. While the film is widely regarded as a masterpiece of technical filmmaking and storytelling, it is also notorious for its deeply problematic themes.

The film's technical achievements were groundbreaking for the time, including its use of close-ups, cross-cutting, and parallel editing. Having in mind that The first World War was raging across the ocean, let's us have a thought of how ahead of its time the film was.

It was a commercial and critical success, grossing over $10 million at the box office. For that time, it was a huge sum.

The film's impact on cinema cannot be overstated. It established many of the narrative and technical conventions of modern filmmaking, such as the use of flashback, parallel editing, and the creation of epic, sprawling stories.

Overall, "The Birth of a Nation" is a film that changed the course of cinema forever, both for its technical achievements and its controversial content. Its legacy serves as a reminder of the power of film to both reflect and shape society's beliefs and values.

To be quite frank, I do not know much about the film industry. I don't even really like movies that much, and really prefer to read over watch. That being said it won't be a shock when I do not offer a traditional world shifting movie as an answer to this prompt (I was thinking about doing Jaws but decided against it). When I reveal the movie I believe ''changed the industry forever I beg you, dear reader, to reconsider your eye roll (unless you are Native American, then its warranted).

Twilight.

And yes, I am an eighteen year old girl. And yes I am wearing a T-shirt with the Twilight movie poster graphically printed onto it right now, as I type these words. I bought it from Target.

And Why ? Why did this horrendous film drenched in teenage angst and bone breaking awkwardness change the film industry ? Just look me in the eyes and tell me it didn't (you probably can since you're probably a Film Bro but bare with me). Tell me that it did not fundamentally form a part of pop culture as it is understood today !

You simply cannot.

There are too many iconic elements : Taylor Lautner's wig, the blue filter, the Baseball Scene, Kristen Stewart true to character (to a T) acting, etc. etc.

Twilight was the first among a string of Young Adult films to really cater towards normal teenage girls (The Princess Diaries, Mean Girls, etc. etc.) To at least try and depict a normal teenage girl. And yes, in some ways the movie failed in that aspect but, hey, it was 2008. Nobody was quite normal then. But at least it was a start, and now more movies than ever are dedicated to teenage girls

Plus the movie began one of the fiercest arguments in the history of the film universe (again I wouldn't really know). You either loved it or you hated it. It was teenage girls against the world, fighting for their lives in the trenches defending this movie, defending why they liked it when they shouldn't have had to, because society will hate on anything that teenage girls decide they enjoy.

And the teenage girls were rather victorious. The movie has made its mark on pop culture.

I think this movie has made the film industry realize that teenage girls are a worthy audience, and that is ground breaking. That is industry altering.

Thank you.

Seldom in the history of Hollywood has the perfect ensemble cast been built in the way Mel Brooks did with the inimitable 1974 classic, Young Frankenstein. It wasn't a flashy production, and it didn't use any of the special effects that were the hallmark of the theater during the 1970's and beyond, but it remains one of the most endearing and well-crafted cinematic masterpieces this writer has ever had the joy to watch over and over again.

The deadpan delivery that was presented on the theater screen was, based on the outtakes and b-roll bloopers, a very small percentage of what was filmed, and must have been almost as much fun to edit and produce as it was for them to perform. The chemistry between the actors was magic, the direction was inspired, and the writing was a level unto itself.

Sadly, most of this brilliant cast is either no longer with us, but such is the fate of all great movies as they approach their 50th birthday. Thankfully, the movie itself will live on indefinitely, and generations to come will get to experience the sheer joy that this movie embodies.

Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman were an incredible backbone for the movie, and brilliant supporting roles by Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, and the legendary Cloris Leachman, were bolstered by cameos from Leon Askin, Kenneth Mars, and no less than Gene Hackman himself. Together, they helped to create a movie that was not only witty and hilarious, but beautifully vibrant even while being presented in black and white.

The one-liners in this movie are still some of the best remembered utterances ever filmed. In many ways, this movie was the pinnacle of Mel Brooks's creative endeavors, and deserves to be enshrined in the Cinematic Hall of Fame.

Yes it seems ancient, but this full length animated feature radically transformed the future of movie-making. It included color, sounds, accurate artistic portrayal of humans, and keeps its audience entertained for a full hour and a half! Plus, we can all agree that the songs are unforgettable….

In second place: The Wizard of Oz. Bright, colorful, full of singing and laughter, combining black-and-white film with colored to reflect the change from real life to Oz, re-using several actors between the two worlds…It was almost as if Oz was a fantasy dream too wonderful and heavenly to be true.

Thanks for the challenge! Really had me thinking.