Cultural Analysis of "Natalie Portman, excellent special effect?"

In this post, I will be analyzing the cultural messages in the article "Natalie Portman, excellent special effect?" from Slate.

"Black Swan" 10/3/15 via Wikipedia. Fair Use

Cultural Words

• "CGI augmentation": As filmmaking has evolved more and more along the lines of technology, nearly every film uses computer enhancements to make a statement. Some believe that this lessens the authenticity of the film, while others believe that this can push a film into greatness.
• "special effect": This connects to the summer Hollywood blockbuster idea: the notion that a film doesn't necessarily have to be good plotwise but visually stunning/pleasing instead.
• "sensational": This word connects to the entertainment business of today, which uses "shock jock" stunts to get audiences interested. Moviegoers like to be unsettled and seek out the things that might disturb them because they want the thrill of something different.

Thesis/ Main Idea

"Is what Natalie Portman doing in Black Swan great acting?"

My Summary of the Thesis Statement:  

In a time of heavy special effects in movies, audiences cannot consider drastic physical change "good acting". These actors are merely props that draw interest to the movie.