Thursday, May 1, 2008

indian jones, cartman, batman

Indian jones- Indian jones is seen in two perspectives. One from the average american who carries out a normal life and kids of all ages who see him as the adventure seeking hero who knows how to get out of any tight situation without a scratch, a man who can get the ladies, and a man who can almost do anything. He's interesting because he's has a backround in archaeology which is interesting because most super hero's dont seem to be smart or even know too much other than fighting bad guys. He on the other hand is a brain and has incentives based in his field of work to do what he does. Archeologists on the other hand see him the same as other people but know that what he does isnt really true for what he does on the most part. He goes after bad guys rather than search vigoursly like the other archeologists. He puts excitement into the job knowing that the movie relates to their work in a way.

Cartman- Cartman is seen as the little trouble child almost like a little chuckie with an attitude without the killing frenzie's. He is loved and hated because of who he is. His character is so outrageous and problematic that most like mid teens to young teens love it but parents most likely see it as a horrible influence for their kids and people in general. Parents probably see it as immoral and just something that will teach kids to do the wrong things like they do. He speaks freely and is quite controversial in almost every episode which gives hims his unique and distinct personality. 

4. Once you have done that, think about characters you have met in books, seen in movies or plays, or watched on TV. Pick one that is of particular interest to you. Write an entry in which you explain why this character is important to our culture in your opinion. What qualities does this character possess that makes him/her/it so intriguing? Why is this character important to our society (not just a small group of fans)?

Batman- I chose batman because he is one of the superheroes that whether you like it or not, have witnessed and know about it. It's basically as big as media can get, hes one of the originators of super heroes and is a prime example of a character setting an example. Hes important because he is a character who kids from age 4 and up just absolutely soak in what he has to give which is good things and fighting bad villains. it teaches you simple morals like doing the right thing and to help out people. hes just an example that you want to be, everyone wants to be him, even i do. Hes just the man at what he does and nearly never screws up and if he even does, hell fix it non-chalantly. Hes important to society because hes a figure that everyone knows and everyone someone wants to live their life out like him. Everyone would love to be unstoppable and invincible and be a normal person but do extraordinary things. Hes a figure that influences the young and follows you until your old and wrinkly. 

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

good bloggin stories

1. Those are the stories that you remember for a long time and is the learning steps of your young life. It gets the kids brains working without really and trying. It helps you develop a good sense of talking as well. They get pleasure and a fictional wonderworld which they may or may not quite get description wise but can make them happy for what they understand. They learn a good sense of knowledge



2. It expands your ideas and imagination to extremes and can keep your brain learning and in fine shape. It really helps you learn new creative ways of writing and stories told. Books are somethings that only stop when the imagiatino chooses to stop and is why its so good for you whenever.



3. It keeps people involved with society and their surroundings that are happening close and far away all in the same nation. it is something magical and can trigger peoples imaginations and really gets people to feel good when they get so involved into plots. It allows their imaginations to go crazy and paint a perfect canvas picture in their mind and visualize it as if it were a movie or better yet a reality.



4. I remember child hood books like the ginerbread man, the little teapot, the three little bears, goldylox and such which were all books that many people in the nation have read. It keeps peoples morals straight and not offset. I remember the childhood stories because they were short, had pictures, and put me to sleep. These were the stories that stuck with me; the ones that were short and simple. I connect everyone and mainly my Mother who read them to me usually before bed and id casually fall asleep.



5: Characteristics of a well-told storyDevelop a list of 7-10 characteristics that stories should have. Be specific. Do not just say that "stories should have good characters." What makes a character good? Think about what the author should do and how the reader should feel when reading.



1). Intriguing plot that leads to multiple outcomes

2). Characters who act well together and bounce ideas off of

3). Good dialogue that intrigues

4). Action

5). An epic ending

6). Clear, Concise, and awesome

7). original

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The spring time

I ejoy the spring. Its kind of a love/hate relationship because the winter is where i get to snowboard non stop and hang out majority with my snowboard buddies which is a nice change from edina. I think that the snowboard crowd is more of lovers than haters. I usually tend to see people hating more than less at Edina on other people and gossiping which is something i really could care less for. My snowboard buddies are the ones who see it the same wasy i do and you just talk about funny stuff and the conversations are just more exciting and i like to hang out with these kids more. This is why i dont like the spring to begin, the hate part. But then the love part comes in when the weather is nice, the sun is shining and warming, you can go swimming with your buddies. The best part is that i get to put my rims on my car which have havent see day for the winter. I like riding around with the windows down, the AC on, and just cruising with friends. You can go to the beach and be outside with your buddies, even though im usually outside all year long because of snowboarding. I really enjoy frisbee golf and is something i do a ton. Its going to be nice when you can walk around and enjoy the weather. I really enjoy that you can be outside in shorts and walk place to place. I dont mind walking from place to place when its nice out especially because you can save some money on gas. Its also a sign that the school year is coming to an end, and that this spring, highschool is coming to an end in a short few months. Im really looking forward to it and dont mind that the winter is over. I can snowboard in the summer at Mt.hood if i want to, is a mountain in oregon that has snow year round which i usually go to. They have camps up there and its usually just a super fun time to be with friends and enjoy yourself while snowboarding. I believe spring is one of the best seasons of the year because you have so much to look forward too.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Andre Nickatina

[Nickatina]Pain from a rap catMan you didn't know that3 AM, man, we bumping Bobby WomackMy homie keep all his bullets hollowThat's why I smell like Salvatori Faragomo with the diamond sparrowA rap cat with the BOSS apparelI put my rhymes on your block then I run it just like little DarrellMoney and dope, man, don't come for freeMan, I don't have no competition, ho, all I got is enemiesI turn around like a tornadoRock it like a baby cradleCall me Doctor J if you a baller and it's getting fatalI make MC's do angel dustTake 'em to the Bay Bridge, make 'em strip, tell 'em jumpI don't know why I get highI'm so in love with money I keep spending 'til it runs dryHot like a kettle, when the pedal hits the metalPinocchio you know son is Jepetio, hello.Deep fried just like Friday fishA lot a hot sauce, now we got it popping in this {}[Equipto]Yeah, in anything I do I put my everythingAlways feeling deep inside just like Mary J.Ha, I'm never panicing, I'm bored stiff as a mannequinGrew up fast just like AnikinBaby its gullible, its Alice in WonderlandAll the excuses in the world I can't understandCuz I'm a man of these times, the man to get highBlow big, but my gross is family timeAin't no way to intervene in my industryMoving quicker then a centipede on enemiesOne of a kind, once in a lifetime rhymes is writtenIt goes on, as long as time commences[Nickatina – Chorus][], it's like a jungle sometimesIt makes me wonder how I keep from going underWhen they hit me with the thunder and lightningits trifling, enlightening, and frighteningsome might think that it's even exciting[Nickatina]I'm like a Harley Davidson motorcycle, born to rideWith the force that the courts call the last JediI'm like a veteran, off Excedrin'scuz I be getting headaches from these Letterman'sI asked this little freak about my rap styleShe said, "It's so {}dope they might take you to trial."[], yeah, with Quipto and VagoRaps like a Tommy gun, watch how the body runRaps from the Tommy gun will make anybody run[Equipto]I'm bout to go in like a movie, but no stunt double so parachute meBut somehow I feel I survived on a flukyI have to hit the scene, livin' out my dreamsThen I said I was sorry to DJ's and MC'sComplete to everyone who kept their ear to the streetThen my homie came through with the Al Capone SuiteGot twice as deep, don't forget, you know how low they getIntimidating so I pose a threatComing like a slider, right by yaKnown to drop a rhyme in on time, and prescribing accurate alignmentThe center of attention, we'll bend a agendaTo enter this rap game the number one contenderThe outta sight, and dope lyrical white, and watchin' tricks fightin'Hyping up the crowd late night, and watching Tennessee TitansEverybody just loving because we like andI strike in first class light fast, just like lightning[Nickatina]I force my rhymes in your veins like hot shot of heroinYou'll got cold turkey trying to work meIt's like a pad lock, when you in the headlockSix in the morning and you didn't here the Feds knock[Nickatina – Chorus]It's like a jungle sometimesIt makes me wonder how I keep from going underWhen they hit me with the thunder and lightningIts trifling, enlightening, and frighteningsome might think that it's even exciting[Equipto]I'm consistent, adding all statisticsWhy don't we cover the spread like the [] never existedPhonographic rotate the plastic spinningLiving like I'm knowing it's gonna be a drastic endingPlaying classics, meditating these tactics to overcomeThe show is done, anticipating to roll a bluntBaby, getting anxious, hitting and I can't miss the focal pointWhen locals say, "[]."Man it's Equipto, put it all down for my homiesAnd rolling my [] right next to the policeNothing but love for all my homeboys hustling drugsUp in your program [] it up[Nickatina]I'm in the fast lane, the cash lane, some think it's a bad thingHitting 'em off with the C & H pure caneI get stuck in your membraneI'm like a [] at a party when you say look at them ringsI use a Motorola, the mood is baking sodaWhether it's in Denver, man, Houston, man, or North DakotaWith no apology, tech-tech-tech technologySome brother disin' me, or even thinkin' heI got the soul and the spirit of the wrath of KahnKick back and write just like the holy Koran[Nickatina – Chorus 2X]It's like a jungle sometimesIt makes me wonder how I keep from going underWhen they hit me with the thunder and lightningIts trifling, enlightening, and frighteningsome might think that it's even exciting



2. I chose this song by andre nickatina, the jungle, because he can rap like theres no tomorrow. He seems to make anything rhyme somehow whether its the most complicated word, but he still can somehow pull it off by rhyming it with another. His flow is just smooth and the rhymes make the song just go clean and smooth.



3). The jungle works very well for this song because hes talking about how his life is in the fastlane and pretty hectic, sort of like a jungle. Anything can happen in a jungle and he raps completely free when hes talking about his life and how so much stuff happens to him. Its all very unexpected, which is similiar to his rap because he raps about a lot of unrelated topics but makes it sound smooth to the ear.

4). He uses the metaphor, Im like a harley davidson which is used towards the start of the rap. It kind of just lets you know how his life goes down and how its very fast paced and that hes ready for anything. hes used to riding life in the fastlane like a harlye, which is fat and dangerous which works swell with the title, the jungle. Anything can happen. Another is very similiar, "im in the fast lane, the cash lane, some think its a bad thing." It relates to the other line i used and how the harley davidson represents that hes kind of out of control and a free spirit riding in the fast lane. hes very into money which is evident by saying hes in the "cash lane" which some see that can lead you to wrong things. But andre isnt afraid it seems and is ready for these things to happen or not. These lines make you think that nickatina is a man who doesnt stop for no one and is ready for anything at any given time. Hes a free spirit and ready to back himself up through fast and creative rhymes.

5).The tone of the song is very fast paced representing his life by the fast lane. He seems to endow a life that many cant keep up based upon the lyrics. I cant decipher many of the lyrics because he seems to rhyme any word with any word that works with the others. His tone is very fast paced and makes you think of a jungle because things are cluttered and unexpected in a jungle. Its kind of a survival of the fittest situation because the more your on your toes, the less likely youll be taken down by a bigger force. He raps very fast and can can rhyme mulitple times in one line which is showing the intensity of this song and that hes pretty serious about his life and the morals he lives by, which seem to be few.

Monday, February 25, 2008

1). I found that the play format was easy to get in depth in characters by having direct dialogue with two characters which really helped the audience get to know the characters. I did find it rather annoying that you only could write a few words and then switch to the other person which seemed repetitive in a way and seemed that it just took up space. I found it interesting to write it in play format because Im used towriting just essays and I found it to be more interesting and different and more unique than an essay. It's easy to get your point across through dialogue. I would be interested in a screenplay or Television show because those are things that ive been into my whole life and has allways caught my eye.

2). I would give a 10 year old advice in the world to never do drugs. Ive seen what drugs can do to someone and its not pretty. I would try to let them know that drugs are only a crutch for your life and only make you avoid your actual life and the problems in it. It's easy to run to drugs, but its cowardly to not face your problems face to face rather than use drugs to avoid it in a sense. I would tell them how it can completely change who you are and it can completely change your priorities in life which isnt something that you should really do. Drugs can change who you are and the damage it can take on relationship wise can be devastating such as with friends and family. They lead you down the wrong path and take you to places you never would want to go. I would tell them to just say no like they say in any drug class because its not hard to say no and easy to carry out with. Especially at this age of a 10 year old life they are going to start to see drugs more widely used once in middle school and highschool and i would want to warn them before they are interacted with a substance.

3). I believe that great pieces of literature can be written at any time. It only takes an idea and agreat writer to make a piece of work that will be remembered forever. Its not like the people of today can write better because of technology. People write well because of their ideas in their head and how they can critique these ideas on paper form. Writing is something that only a human can possess, not technology, so i believe its the person at any point in time who thinks of a great idea and can express this on paper thoroughly and in a way to keep the people entertained. The time periods may reflect a piece of literature as good too because maybe you write about a hot topic then and is seen as a huge event from today so it will always carry on and on.

Friday, February 22, 2008

1). Reading is subject to change over time and is something that will always change writer by writer. From such variety from writers, a writer must read other writers work because it allows the writer to be influenced by others. Every writer has another influence to their work because they all have some kind of motivation from another writer that they look up to and aim their work towards. Reading is the stepping stones for writing. Reading a new book will always be different from another and will never be seen as the same as another allowing for a lot of creativity, variety, and deep thought from someone. Writing isnt a template and is made through deep thought and influences. I feel that a writer needs to have a goal in what they want the writer to see and they can do this through their own style  but it can be influenced by another piece of work but they can critique that style and make it their own.

2). I see global warming as a huge dilemma in the world. Its something that isnt going to stop anytime soon and is growing exponentially. It scares me to think that the world may be gone in a couple hundred yaers possibly. We need to create more and enthuse others to recycle and put their share into helping the world. Its a problem that many dont seem that they want to do anything about because they dont see the developing problem that is going to be devastating to the world and the people in it. People dont want to help because its not something thats easily seen and thus, they dont want to help until it is something that they can see with their own eyes and effects themseleves.

3). I have been inspired by many snowboard movies for filming purposes. I would say that Burning Bridges has been a influential work for my filming eye and my editing eye. The way that they film and over white balance the shots make the shot something new too look at and are unique. The editing is something else in the snowboard world. They were the first to edit like they do and have black and white, 8mm film, and just not intense snowboarding, but more of a fun feeling. It really makes you enjoy snowboarding for what it is. The starting titles are always different and something you would never see coming and its always nice to see something new because its hard to think of new creative things. The riding in the video is also awesome because they portray each rider for who they are and dont try to make them someone else they arent. The creativity that they put into the film is something i hope to put into my own films because its caught my eye in a positive way and if i can capture this essense and put it in to my video, i hope it would do the same for my audience. Its very influential to me and is a video that will follow me into my future.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

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.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007


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.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

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.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

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.

Friday, November 2, 2007

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.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

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.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007


Guillermo del Toro’s Pans Labyrinth is a taste of reality, fantasy, and love. Through my first viewing of the film, I noticed that the whole movie had a distinguished color throughout the film. I realized first that the fantasy worlds were very rich, deep, and vibrant in colors. It almost felt welcoming until you discovered what was in these fantasy worlds. In reality, Ofelia the main the character, she feels discomfort and unaccepted. The only true love that she felt was the love for her mother, who died and was left with the last person she wanted to be with, El Captain. El Captain was displayed as a cold man who had no fear to kill. Guillermo del Toro’s commentary on the set design is exactly what I thought he tried to do. IN the fantasy worlds the colors are very warm, welcoming, and accepting while in reality, it was very cold colored like blues and greys. It conveys the point that Ofelia didn’t want to be in the real world, she wanted to be the princess that the faun said she would be.

There are many ideas that relate together in both worlds. For example, Guillermo del Toro describes in the commentary that there are doors that are important in both worlds. The doors that Ofelia can draw with chalk which makes a door anywhere she wants, helped her get through reality and discover her family in the underworld, where they could rejoin in peace and live together once again. In reality, the doors show importance to El captains presence because whenever he went in a room with one other man, he seemed to torture them and would leave everyone to believe that he is cold as ice and has no emotions or regrets when bashing a mans skull. This door closing can relate to the cold colors that we see in reality too. The cold colors help us get the picture that El Captain is a mean man, but the doors when they close, solidifies that he has no fear to kill. There are also keys in both worlds that seem to help vastly. The key that Ofelia gains is a key to succeeding and being the princess that she thrives to be, once again. Her first task is to be fearless with a very large scary frog monster that later pukes up a key. This key later on helps open a safe in another fantasy world. The keys in reality that Mercedes, the housekeeper, gains helps the other troops facing El Captain survive when supplies are scarce. She can unlock the ration shed and provide them with limited amount of goods.

In the end, we realize that there is a clash of reality and fantasy world when both colors are conveyed very vibrantly in the fort burning down. It signals us that the movie is ending and that something significant is going down. The manners fire is very vibrant and it reminds the viewer of the fantasy world that had deep and rich colors, which felt almost welcoming and nurturing. Throughout the film you can realize where and why Sofia is longing to be part of the underworld. It’s the only thing she can find with comfort, which shows through the colors conveyed because she has nothing in reality, a hateful stepfather who ends up shooting her. As the viewer, I realized that Sofia had no likings of reality and truthfully hated the position she was in. She realized she needed to leave. She found comfort in the fantasy world and the urge to discover what the underworld was, is what drove her to do the courageous things she did. Guillermo del Toro believes that conveying emotions is very important and that he wanted to work with everyone to make sure the sets were perfect. The colors conveyed in the movie help the viewer understand who the characters seem to be based on warmth or coldness of colors and where Sofia wants to go in the end, the underworld because of its welcoming presence.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

My Darling Clementine


I believe that one of the most significant image/scene presented in the movie is when the church is put up. It doesnt seem to be like a beatiful monument quite yet, but it shows so much more. It shows how the town has changed, a change of chaos to unity. Wyatt really shows leadership skills when entering and leading Tombstone to success.

We enter Tombstone almost immediately in the film and are assured that the town is a typical chaotic western town. Almost right away Wyatt realizes that the town sheriff doesnt enforce the law and this is why so many things can be done without a penalty. A lack in leadership is what the town seemed to have, which Wyatt imediately shows when arresting the drunk indian shooting crazily causing a ruckus. He shows the town that right there and then that he was the man to lead the town to success and so be it, they gave him the sheriffs job.

Throughout the time period that Wyatt manages Tombstone it gets a new facelift. Everyones attitude changed when there was someone to follow. The Church scene really shows us the unification that the town gained throughout this experience. It shows that they all had to come together and do something, and not fight about differences. The towns people seemed to have benefited very much with Wyatt as sheriff. He turned Tombstone around from a negative to a positive. The church shows the unity and teamwork that the towns people put in to make it showing the drastic change they have gained.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Citizen Kane

I believe that the filming was outstanding throughout Citizen Kane. It really seemed like something new and original, and it seems like it almost paved the way for future movies. It may or may not be that influential, but none the less its very unique. The scenes where they literally took out the floor boards just for that angle seemed very well shot. I feel the whole flow of angles weren't always new, but some just jumped out at you. The way he entered through the gate at the start, where they then craned down into a dinner table, seemed very creative. It was a cool new way to look at it and it was also a very good transition from one scene to the other. I also enjoyed the pan over all of Kane's possessions at the end. They shot it well enough to get the image that, Kane was seriously rich and that he owned a ton of stuff. Overall, i would say that he was very unique and different and it a cool way to view the film.

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Alien



Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, was a movie that defined science fiction, a movie that set the standard for all other scary movies. It was one of the first to really learn scare tactics that would literally have you jump out of your seat. The movie seriously had you thinking there was an alien coming out at any given moment. The movie was a hit because they had a cast of amazing new actors. They all seemed very tough and rugged, but yet intelligent and tactful. The leader was Ripley (Sigourney weaver), who lead the members throughout tough situations, with aliens popping out and killing at ease.

This movie would be similar star wars and fly for its time because all these movies seemed to set the stage for movies. Star wars was a movie that was set in space, which is the same for Alien. Alien relates to the fly because it was a science fiction movie that was very creative, yet disgusting. The aliens and the “fly” were pretty gruesome when face to face. Alien took place on a mining ship deep in space. The setting doesn’t change too often, unless when they discover the aliens on a new planet. The whole movie begins with a scare when an alien surprise attacks a crew member, rendering him unconscious for hours. We later discover that this thing that attacked him has embedded an alien inside of him, knowing in the future that this alien is going to cause some trouble. The aliens slowly, develop, mature, and kill the crew one by one. Ripley now has to act on instinct and survival tactics to get to one point of the ship to the next discovering deadly aliens all over the ship. The crew is left in a serious situation of survival that many view as an impossibility.

The plot seems to be very simplistic and very science fiction (fake). Everyone knows that if there were aliens this scary and deadly, no one would venture into space. These aliens are the classically definition of scary. The movie seemed realistic when it came down to acting. The cast seemed like they all fed off one another in times of survival. Ripley was a great leader because she was a ripped woman who had no intent to die, and lots of intent to kill aliens. She seemed to fit the part because no women other than her could have played her part. Most commonly a woman isn’t found to be that brave nor man; Ripley is the perfect leader of the movie. The crew mates all were very tough, but you could still sense that they were scared throughout. I believe that the main theme for Alien is to stay alive and that the strongest of the fit, only the strong survive. It seriously fit this movie because its everyone for theme self in the long run. It may be a team effort in some situations, but many cast members find themselves one on one with the alien, usually costing them their life. You really had to be ahead of the game and one step ahead of the aliens, who seemed to be everywhere. The crew was stuck in a sticky situation that only Ripley could resolve.

The acting in the movie was very well fit, the actors all preformed as if it was a true ship filled with aliens, just with a little more juice than most people. When I say juice, I mean they are tough cookies, people who aren’t afraid of anything, other than aliens. They all seemed very strong physically and emotionally, and yet knowledgeable at staying alive. They all acted tough, but only Ripley preformed to act tough the whole time. The lighting was found to be very similar throughout the terrifying film. It was very dark which made the audience much more scared. It felt as if they were an alien in every part of the ship, whether there was or wasn’t. It just added an effect that scared you throughout and kept you thinking. The ship was where the majority of the movie happened, It seemed to be very hi-tech but yet still junky and cluttered. The sides of the ship seemed very cluttered, and places where aliens could just sit and surprise attack. I believe that the music, the cinematic effect, helped the movie be as frightful as it was. Music is a key ingredient to scaring an audience. With a mix of some of the scariest aliens ever seen, a dark ship in space with no one to help, and some of the most intense music that only had you thinking ahead throughout, is what brings you the perfect elements of a perfect science fiction movie, a movie ahead of its time. Alien is a superb movie that set a path for many other scary movies.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

SupaBad

"The guy's either going think 'here's another guy with a fake ID', or here's McLovin, 25 year old Hawaiian organ donor," Evan. Super bad is super good, throughout the movie i found myself laughing out loud with the entire audience. It caught your attention from the first scene to the last scene with standout comedy. The lines in the film were all hilarious one liners that would promise to make anyone laugh. I feel that the comedy in the movie is really original and not just another movie. Most comedies seem clique, but Super Bad reaveals us with a whole new reel of comedy. TO bring out such comedy, i feel that they needed a perfect cast. The characters all vibe with one another and it really brings out the laughs. THey really work together to pull out every single last laugh of the audience. Whether it was McLovin, THe cops, or just the routine one liners, superbad was and is a hit. It seemed to be a dream to any teenager, having the cops be on your side for once. It's quite the underdog story and many find it to be entertaining. THe plot was quite basic, but the jokes kept on coming and coming with laugh after laugh. Superbad is a classic and i hope will be remember as one of the funniest movies in the summer of 07'!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Monday, September 17, 2007

Pulp Fiction Review





Quentin Tarantino brings us yet another original movie, Pulp Fiction. i not only find this movie to be one in a million, but i find it to be one of the most original and creative movies of its time. Not only I, but Lori Hoffman as well. Lori Hoffman critiques Pulp Fiction in only the best of ways in this review.

"Tarantino is never boring. IN the courses of three different tales that are woven together, we meet a thoughtful, intelligent hit man and his more explosive partner; a washed up fighter who isn't as punch drunk as he appears; a wild drug-loving gangsters moll; a couple of small time crooks who need a reality check, and a couple of perverted rednecks," Lori Hoffman.


Hoffman describes Tarantino as a director with a very unique personal style which he has seemed to perfected over the years. The movie as i remember, is filled with top of the line acting throughout weather it was one of the big name actors like Bruce Willis, Uma Therman, Samuel L. Jackson, or John Travolta. Each character brings a unique personality to the table which overall gave the viewer good over impression when it comes to originality. The movie seemed to be one of a kind, especially for the times. No one had seen such a violent movie with such interesting plots. Throughout the film, we discover many different and unique ways that Tarantino develops the characters through intense and terrifying scenes where only the strongest will survive.

Tarantino absorbed the language of cinema -- with extra study hours in film noir, blaxploitaiton and the french new wave -- and has now created his own language," Lori Hoffman


I agree very strongly that Tarantion has created his own language when it comes to filming in new creative ways and not following the conventional plot line. He went outside the box for Pulp Fiction when involving more than one story in the movie, but including three which all end up in messy situations. The situations only help the audience realize what the actor is truly like. Tarantino puts the characters in the most intense places which at times, can help reveal the character to the audience. There is never a dull moment throughout the film, Tarantino throws out some of the most absurd situations which only seem to catch the audience's attention.

"This is perhaps his most mind-altering skill -- putting all of us inside
his gloriously invented mind. He even jolts us by messing up the time frame of
his narrative. As the final of three stories begins, Tarantino takes a step or
two back in time. His characters have been running around at different moments
in time in circles that intersect,"Lori Hoffman

Tarantino has a
very unique style of filming and very out of the box. Throughout the film, you
find twists and turns which you would have never expected to happen. I agree
with Hoffman that the stories are very attention grabbing when each stories
characters run into one another. The movie in all, is very different which
appeals to the audience much more than a straight forward plot line. Tarantino brings us the whole story and then some when presenting this film. You seem to never find a dull moment throughout the film because there are these multiple stories happening all at once. The multiple story line keeps the audience in check with whats going on with the movie, the movie will always have the audiences attention with all the twists and turns. Pulp Fiction is arguably one of the greatest movies that Tarantino has created and will be remembered for its originality and
creativity.