Do The Right Thing

I found Do The Right Thing to be one of the best moies so far this year. It kept my attention throughout. I felt that a major theme in this story is speaking your mind and expressing your way the way you want. I felt that little to no one took crap from anyone else. The Pizzeria owner Sal didnt take anything from his customers who sometimes put up arguements. He stood up for what he believed in, which at one point was mainly the pictures on his wall and what they represent to him. He defended himself through culture and believed that he coudl do what he wanted, especially on his wall at his Pizzeria. Buggin' out was no exception of speaking his mind. He tried to boycott the pizzeria and eventually from being so upset fromt he pictures, he ended up bringing up a fight that ended it all resulting in Radio Rakim's death. Radio Rakim spoke his mind and no one really resisted his personality because of his big size. His size did help, but i believe if he wasnt as big, he still would have repped the " Fight the Power" on his boombox till the end which was ultimately his death. He died over his boombox and the way he expressed himself. Mookie at the end also stood up for himself by throwing the garbage in the window destorying the pizzeria. He stood up for what he believed in, which was Radio Rakim over Sal, resulting in chaos in the city street. I believe that everyone stood up for what they believed in, they stood tall, they stood strong and woudlnt take anything from anyone. This is what kept me going the whole movie because the personalities were so different and attention grabbing.

Battle of Algiers i found to be a very unique film and original in its film styles and its plot line, something completey out of this world and so real. I listened to the audio of :: NPR Story: All Things Considered Audio , They believe it is one of the most realistic reenactments of a terrorism attack. It does portray a very terroristic style and without a doubt is filled with terrorism. It obviously is realistic because searches have been preformed like this for the safety of society. I feel that terrorism is left open to ones mind. It is a basic example of terrorism i believe, but if you use your head you can creat terrorism in a whole different mannor. I see that it relates to 9/11 very much because of the bombings. The bombings in the buildings were planned to work and work effectively, which they did, very similiar to 9/11. The bombings were planned strategically, and followed through with pride from terrorists. They did end up dieing in their bombings which is a difference but they all risked many dangers to help their side. I do believe that all countries are all different which they say, and to follow the movie as an example and the lines it draws. It is a guideline to terrorism and what the effects they can turn into towards a society which is a negative impact. Pride seems to be something that is the pushing force for each side, not to lose and to never give up. It seems that no one ever will give up to save lives, they must live and prove a point that they are the dominant force. Their seems to not be a peaceful way out of it if it starts in a violent way. All in all, I feel the Battle Of Algiers is a great example of how to address a terrorist problem and how to possibly react to it with the least pain inflicted towards a side or another.

Memento

Memento was quite a change in movies. It was very different from the other Film noir movies we watched because it didnt seem to be set at the same time, it wasnt 100% black and white, and it was just newer age. There were defiantely details like low key lighting which i picked up right away as well as the switching on and off of black and white filming. I felt this was a unique film noir movie and as well, a unique film. Its a movie where it seems lots of thought process had to go through it. Im not saying other movies dont, but that this one just had you thinking the whole time. It was very creative in the way it was filmed. Going from the end to the start is very different and a great way to tell a film if you can pull it off. It keeps the viewers watching and on their feet, because if you miss a scene you may seem to be lost. Each scene was very unique and each scene kept you geussing of who had the motive to do what, what is happening because at times, you were put out with a blank sheet and had no clue what was going on. I felt that the unique filming style they portrayed is what made this movie a success. It kept you going throughout and there was never a dull moment to be found. Memento is a classic and is an exceptional portrayl of film noir, just a little different.

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity was a whole new idea too me. I never suspected a film to be put into a category of "film noir" just because of these characteristics. I just thought that these movies were just cool, under the radar, sneaky, and dark. Throughout Double Indemnity, Neff is displayed as a character who is in it for the money, greed, and love. On the other hand, Phyllis is in on the scheme for a new life and money. They both are on similiar grounds which really helps create team ethics which would most likely turn out to be the best in the end, even though such didnt happen. I felt that Film noir is very distinct in the various way they are filmed. I noticed that throughout, even if it was day time, shadows were conveyed at any given time. It gave off the essence of trying to be unnoticed and to be under the radar. It always kept you geussing. For example in the first scene, we dont see Neff's face until he goes into a very horribly lit room only by a light. The shadows convey a gloomy feeling, and kind of like everyone is out to get you and to watch your back. It gives the characters much more distinct characteristics. They all seem eery, in it for themselve, and ready for the worst. Film Noir and Double Indemnity are prime examples that reflect one another.

Groundhog Day was a transformation from one person to a whole new person. Phil began the story as a self centered, errogant man. He didnt really care one bit about his co-workers and just kind of lead the way like he superior to them and everyone else around. As the day keeps on repeating and repeating, we begin his transformation. He eventually learns that, being cruel and acting superior wasnt working out for him, it just got to him that it got old. I feel that the theme of the movie is treat others like you want to be treated. He becomes true to himself, which allows him to be true to others such as Rita, who who eventually falls in love with based on his true self and not the self centered self. I believe that after he realized that being negative towards others was the wrong way to live, he started to learn that being kind isnt so bad afterall. Its much easier and in the long run it helped him gain a love and possible life with Rita. His first attempt to sleep with Rita was sleezy because he just made the date perfect which made it almost creepy and weird. At the end, he was his true self and let her know who he was by gaining so much positivity from others he helped prior in the day. It really impressed her and i believe that since he treated others nice, they treated him nice which ulitimately landed him a date with Rita, and the begginning of tomorrow, which has seemed like a year.

Bringing Up Baby

Bringing up Baby brought a new aspect to film to me, annoyance. Within the first five minutes of listening to Susan talk about literally nothing and manipulate the situation at any given time almost sent me to the insane asylum. It's impossible to not notice Susan, shes brings so much emphasis into what she does. Susan is a type of character that craves attention and will do so by creating a scene. In The movie, you find that she clings on to David almost instantly and makes all her problems, his. David isnt the one to speak up, so she works on this trait that davids lacks. Multiple times we see Susan doing a wrong, and manipulating the situation and causing David to feel the guilt. Susan is a problem that David cant get rid of, she clung on since the start and stayed to the end. Susan is a nuscense throughout and literally just her voice made me want to punch a baby (kidding). I find that the reason this film went as big as it did, was because of the annoyance factor susan brought. It's too a point where its so annoying, it keeps your attention throughout. I find that the theme of annoyance kept the audiences attention and didnt let anyone daze off.

Westerns: a preference in taste

I dont think thats its fading out. I feel as if this question is aiming towards the teen audience because i do believe that most teens dont find interest within western themed movies. Teenagers want to relate to their surroundings and want to watch movies of interest. Most teens dont have experience with living a western lifestyle riding horses, whereing spurs, and living in the rugged rural west. I feel that as life grows on you, some people begin to find new interests past their teen years and will run possibly run into an interest in a western themed hobby. im not saying it will happen, but the possibilities are much more possible because you have that much more freedom to do what you want when older. I feel that as a teenager, your more involved with friends, society, driving, and family not so much duels and roping caddle. Its a complete preference question. For example, i find no interest in love movies, but im sure that majority of females do as well as males. I just dont find it interesting and spell binding to keep me watching a whole movie about love. On the flip side, i do feel that superhero movies are easier to watch because the director has so much to work with, they can recreate reality and create a fantasy land and put it back into reality. The west is complete reality and all of the stories cant be changed as much compared to "super hero" movies. To asnwer the question of if america doesnt enjoy the past, i find this impossible to believe. People are so intrigued with the past and the history that millions of people have jobs just studying the past. Kids are forced to study the past, its obviously not something that should be forgotten about, many films from the past or based in the past are very influential. The old movies are the stepping stones and the layout for movies we view today. To say that old/original movies and ideas are boring and lame, is considerable to calling your favorite movie from today bad because chances are, without movies in the past, the movie wouldnt be anything like it is today. In the end, i believe its all about preferences, priorities, and influences within society.