Gus Van Sant's Constant Thematic and Cinematic Elements
The differences in these films could not be more blatant, and yet Gus Van Sant has found a way to portray the same messages and use the same techniques in each.

Looking back to the 1980's at the celebrities in the press and on television for all the wrong reasons doing all the wrong things. It doesn't matter whether what they did was embarrassing, stupid, ridiculous, career ruining (or sometimes boosting), dangerous or illegal, they were all caught and filmed or photographed, and we will never forget them. Narrated by Isla Blair, with contributions by Simon Donald, Russell Grant, Christine Hamilton, Lauren Harries (also as James Harries), James King, and Michael Winner. These moments included It's a Royal Knockout, Rob Lowe's sex tape, Boy George's heroin problems, Drew Barrymore's childhood meltdown (including taking drugs at a very young age), the many mistakes at The Brits 1989 and many more. Good!
The differences in these films could not be more blatant, and yet Gus Van Sant has found a way to portray the same messages and use the same techniques in each.
In 1977, Star Wars changed the world. It took the universe by storm, completely redefining everything everyone knew about movies. But then, in 1980, The Empire Strikes Back changed Star Wars. Sequels were not as well regarded back then as they are today.
Striving for validation. Let’s be frank….we ALL want to be successful. Whatever we put our efforts into, ideally it is to make it culminate in the best possible results across the board, especially when it comes to what career path we are pursuing. We WANT to excel, to shine, to advance, to be acknowledged. AND…let’s hope that we also wish to better everyone around us to boot. However, what occurs when those whom we initially put our trust in suddenly become a burden instead of a boon? Do we falter under the weight of rejection? Or STAND UP for WHO WE ARE?
After the untimely death of his brother by way of an ambush in Kandahar, Afghanistan, the protagonist, ‘81’(Alan Ritchson) unsuccessfully makes several attempts to become an Army Ranger. On his last mission to complete the Ranger selection process he and his squad encounter an otherworldly ‘soldier’.
A 2022 remake of the previous films of the same name, but with a more diverse cast, increasing representation and diversity.
The more biting satire is reserved for those on top of the power structure, such as the police, while those occupying lower levels are given more nuance and likability, even if they operate on the wrong side of the law. This principle gives Deep Cover its heart.