THEATER: FILM AND CULTURE 1070 PROFESSOR JULIE HEATON (SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
YAHOO GROUPS.COM
FINAL POST: I have really enjoyed this class. Everyone contributed and worked hard on their posts/presentations. Diversity is a valuable asset, this class effectively taught appreciation for many different thought processes and theater appreciation. I enjoyed watching movies from a different vantage point. Film watching is still enjoyable but, even more so now that I understand what it takes to create movies. It's not just about the experience a viewer receives from the film. It's about the creativity, hard work and vision that goes into creating a film that, keeps people going back for more entertainment. I enjoyed the foreign film assignement as well as the horror film assignment. Though I'm still not a fan of many horror films, Dell and Tuck versus evil certainly changed my perception a bit. I find myself verbally critiqueing movies while my daughter is present. She reminds me that I'm ruining the experience for her, teenagers May you all have happy experiences in your future. PAY IT FORWARD- the world is a happier place when we embrace charity and thoughtfullness.
fantastic_film_friday:yahoogroups.com (january 2012 - february 2012)
AUTHOR: CARRIE MITCHELL 10
ASSIGNMENT #3
I chose the dinner scene from Meet the Parents as it not only brings tension but keeps you laughing from beginning to end. Some of the issues included Greg Fokkers' lack of family home cooked dinners around the table and having to fight for containers of Chinese food which, brought empathy from Deena & possibly any gullible viewer tuning into the first of many uncomfortable moments. Jack (the father) wanting Greg to bless the smorgasbord so amply placed before everyone even though HIS religious beliefs conflicted. This situation forced Greg to fabricate a wild prayer based on the song that was played in the Oyster Bay Drug Store Jack and Greg previously visited, creating humorous tension. This fabrication produced disbelief from Jack introducing his sarcasm, praise from Deena introducing her soft nature and pure enjoyment from the viewer over everyone's participation in the incident. Gregs' notice of Jacks mothers urn paved the way for more uncomfortable moments as he assumed it was one of Jacks stashes of Nanny cameras. The viewer can't help but to laugh and feel for Greg in his compromising situation. As Jack alleviates the tension with his forgiveness of Greg, Deena suggests Jack recite his tribute poem to his mother he created from his doctors suggestion of therapy. As Jack reads his poem, he informs the viewer and fellow characters of how he selfishly tried to keep his mother alive while, her cancer ate away her organs like an unstoppable rebel force. This tension creates a fit of laughter within the viewer as the dinner scene becomes more slanted against Greg. As Jack brings up Greg's home city and the fact Greg milked animals on his fabricated home farm in Motown, Greg trumps up a story that he milked the family cat-Gappeto. Everyone at the table and the viewer were in dismay. Thanks to Greg, it's reassuring that you can milk anything with nipples :0) Jacks sarcastic comment of "I have nipples, can you milk me" seals the already slanted case against Greg. If this scene hadn't already given the viewer all the entertainment it was looking for, Greg returns to the table with a cheap bottle of champagne and while opening it, inadvertently pops the cork and sends it head into Jacks mothers fully loaded urn. As the urn crashes to the ground spewing all her remains, Jinxie the cat runs quickly over digs, squats and buries its own remains. The horror in everyone's eyes is the icing on the cake. The whole scene builds pity for Greg, uncomfortable segments and uncontrollable laughter. The film form provides soft lighting and ambiance within the home giving a comfortable atmosphere yet, leaves no comfort for the insults to land within the scene. The lighting is soft for Greg and Deena which showcase their personalities while, Jack and Pam's lighting is colder reflecting their own personalities (more so Jacks) unity. The shot introduces the actors not only by their placement but, by the placement of vases behind Jack, the rule of 3's of lights behind Greg in the homes background and, the placement of glasses on the table. The families clothing more subtle while, Greg's brighter plaid jacket makes him stand out. The scene keeps the viewer in empathy for Greg while enjoying the insults thrown at him simultaneously. Completely enjoyable!!!!
stupendous_slcc_saturday (february 2012 - May 2012)
AUTHOR: CARRIE MITCHELL 10 (STARTING POST # 237)
Historical analysis #13-Carrie Mitchell
Erin Bockovich is an example of a historical film because: Erin Bockovich is a self- determined woman, mother and an advocate for helping people to stand up and make a difference. She has used her talents to make a difference in not only her life but others as well. This story is a true account of one woman's effect on people's lives, justice, and societal perspectives. It is an accurate account of an historical event. The film sites facts dating back to 1965 and in the uncovering of secrets created by Pacific Gas & Electric. It uncovers unscrupulous behaviors which led to an eventual settlement that not only helped to mend deep wounds of the 600 victims involved but, to bring awareness to society. The scenes of Erin's home were shot on location as well as the restaurant "Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse" which was just around the corner. The actress in the movie playing the waitress was none other than Erin Brockovich herself, according to IAMNOTASTALKER.COM story by Lindsey July 15, 2009. The movie was also filmed in dusty locations of Hinckley, California. According to HUFF POST GREEN, The Internet newspaper-March 18, 2012, Erin Brochovich has returned to Hinckley to test Chromium-Polluted Water. It has been found that the tainted water which should have been cleaned up, is moving and seeping into the groundwater. The new concern is that they didn't bring the giant PG&E to its knees as they once thought they had as well as, further contamination affecting more people. This new fact may yet lead to an awakening of the Erin Brockovich blockbuster and societal awareness. In many historical films, period costumes are required to create the total experience. Historical films commonly are noted for their expense due to costuming, the type of director and actors. The film's final budget was $50.8 million with 20 million going to Julia Roberts. She was the first actress paid that amount of money in film history (another historical groundbreaking fact). This film has gone on to gross $125,000,000.00 in the US and in Canada. If we want to label any film historical, I'd say it has surpassed our expectations.
CULTURAL STUDIES FOREIGN FILM #14 CARRIE MITCHELL
IN DARKENSS Agnieszka Holland
In Darkness was a very well made, true story set in the Nazi occupied city of Lvov, Poland. In such a tumultuous time in world history where people took advantage of Holocaust victims in the most desperate of times, a sewer worker named Socha takes advantage of the profits that were made from hiding Jewish people in sewers. In the process of his business dealings, he becomes endeared to the refugees and protects them at his own risk. I found this movie rather interesting as, I grew up watching World War II documentaries with my parents. The darkness of the times was evident to me by watching real footage of Holocaust camps. The movie brought the coldness of humanity to the forefront by watching man kind's cruelty affect the victims of that terrible era. The actors were effective in portraying the pain and fear the victims faced. I was in absolute horror watching ignorant Nazi's force victims to dance as they taunted them, Nazi soldiers cutting off beards while, shearing off pieces of flesh from the victims face. Innocent people hung at the expense of Nazi ignorance. The rage one feels from the pure evil inflicted upon the innocent is indescribable! While so much went so wrong for these victims, they remained grateful for their survival and to those that helped. We as Americans can learn a great deal about gratitude even in our current economic difficulties by watching films like In Darkness. A scene in the movie showed a young girl moving a rat out of the way while she colored, as if it didn't affect her in the least bit. This scene showed how even in the darkest of experiences, man can still survive and remain human. I found the filming to be quite natural. By this I mean, it seems as if American films are more romanticized and sugar coated. It is refreshing to watch a film where PC isn't such an issue and that facts are portrayed as they are, simple. There were intimate scenes I had no problems watching (while I was alone) though, I would have been uncomfortable watching them with others. Even those scenes were well done and natural. I've heard it said that Europeans are not as prudish about displaying nudity and intimacy as Americans are. We may indeed learn from this concept. Life is not to be trivialized and brushed over for public whims. Life is meant to be real and shown in all its forms, the beautiful, horrible, humanistic and natural. The filming, story and atmosphere of the Tower theater Salt Lake City where, I reviewed In Darkness,came together beautifully in telling a very old but very true story. It leaves one remembering (only if they are intelligent) that, if humanity does not learn from the past, it is destined to repeat it!!!
END NOTE:
IT WAS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I PARTICIPATED IN FILM AND CULTURE 1070 JANUARY - MAY 2012, AND PROUD TO ADMIT I EARNED AN A GRADE. MY MOVIE VIEWING EXPERIENCE HAS CHANGED SINCE I ATTENDED THIS CLASS HOWEVER, IT HAS ONLY ENHANCED MY LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE ART OF FILM. CREATIVITY IS THE ESSENCE OF CHANGE AND SUCCESS. IN FILM WE HAVE SEEN SUCH CLASSICS AS, FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE 1921 ( RUDOLPH VELENTINO), GONE WITH THE WIND 1939 (CLARK GABLE), CASABLANCA 1942 (INGRID BERGMAN AND HUMPHREY BOGART). MORE RECENT CLASSICS SUCH AS JAWS 1975 (RICHARD DREYFUSS), STAR WARS 1977 (HARRISON FORD), INDIANA JONES 1981(HARRISON FORD),TITANIC 1997( LEONARDO DICAPRIO) AND AVATAR 2009 (SAM WORTHINGTON) HAVE CONTINUED THE LEGACY OF INSPIRATIONAL FILM ART.
FILM AND CULTURE 1070 HAS PROVIDED A FORUM FOR WHICH I CAN EXTEND MY CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS AS WELL AS, TO ENJOY THE MOMENT I AM IN WHEN WATCHING THEATER/FILM. TO THINK BEYOND WHAT MY EYES CAN SEE AND INTO CREATIVE ART THROUGH THE EYES OF IT'S DIRECTOR/CREATOR. I CONTINUE TO BE INSPIRED BY THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
WHILE IN MY YOUTH, MY MOST FAVORITE MOMENTS WERE THE TIMES I SPENT WITH MY PARENTS ATTENDING, THE COACH LIGHT DINNER THEATER (1980'S) IN CONNECTICUT. SUCH MUSICALS AS, BRIGADOON AND THE STUDENT PRINCE ARE INSPIRATIONAL AND MEMORABLE.
MAY THEATER AND FILM CONTINUE TO INSPIRE GENERATIONS TO COME.