Select three statements from the "Anticipation Guide for Film Deconstruction Unit" handout you received in class. For each of the three statements you select, write 150+ words--for a total of 450+ words--explaining why you agree or disagree with the statements. To what extent do you agree with these statements? Why? Be thorough. Be scholarly. Prove you're thinking hard about your Team Presentation and Individual Essay. (A Marxist "reading" of Cinderella enlightens us and exposes a lot of underlying, subconscious meaning. The only/best way to get fame, power, and wealth--to climb the "social ladder"--is by being beautiful and having a Fairy Godmother? Be sure to use the critical lenses we have studied in your Individual Essay.)
118 comments:
#13. No director is that much better than any other director
I agree that no director is that much better than any other director. Even though all directors create a movie different or different in their view they are all 'making' a movie but they do it their own way and own perspective. So that makes me think that they do things different then other directors and they are different but they are no better than a different director because they all have their strong points and weak points in film making. A person may think a certain director is better than the rest but they all have weak spots where their film takes a down fall so no director is that much better than any other director.
#5. Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be.
I agree that a movie is necessary for us to escape from the every day to day life. People go watch romantic movies if they are in a relationship where they feel there is romance or if they are longing for a relationship and the romantic movie would give them a sort of hope. People go to a comedy ether if they are in a bad mood and need to feel better or if they are in a good mood and just want some more laughs. Some people go to a scary movie because they know that they are not real and need some excitement in their life. Movies provide a escape for people from a boring day of school and work. They are tired of the same thing day in and day out so they go to a movie to escape the norm and fill a spot in their bodies that is longing for change. For a brief hour or two they are someone else or can imagine themselves as a different person and imagine themselves in the characters situation on the screen.
#3. We decide a film's greatness by its actors.
Personally I disagree with this statement because I am a person who doesn't care the name of a actor and if they are a 'good' or 'bad' actor. I go to a movie to go to a movie and to do and feel something different for a few hours. The actors or actresses in a film is something I could care less about. Some actors get 'big' from a small part in a movie. People who are not well known can make a good movie too just like the people who are 'stars.' I have seen movies where 'big' actors have been in it and it was a horrible film. If you think about it those 'stars' had to start somewhere and they were a nobody at one time in their life too. So a movie cannot be decided good or bad by its actors.
I agree with number twelve that movies can inspire you to do great things and/ or change yourself forever. After watching the movie The Blindside, you come out wanting to do something nice for somebody else, even if it is just something little. The Blindside made me really want to consider doing foster care when I am older to help children that are less fortunate and have had a hard life. After watching movies and you see how the character’s actions affected them, you may choose to change your life and not make the same mistakes that the person in the movie made. Another movie that can inspire you to do great things is Remember the Titans. This movie inspires the viewers to accept people for who they are on the inside, not what color they are on the outside. This movie also inspires you to go for you dreams not matter how big they are, because if you believe hard enough that you can do it, you might just be able to achieve it.
I definitely agree with number twenty-three that that fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-fast places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. Movies benefit hugely because what little kid reads the paper where movies are advertised or reviewed, not many. In today’s fast paced world many children eat at a fast-food place at least usually once a week and if the movie is being advertised in the form of toys from the kid’s meals and the toys are neat the kids will try and persuade their parents to take them to the movie. Then if the child has already seen a movie and enjoyed it and a fast-food place comes out with toys endorsing that movie a child is likely going to want to eat at that place so they can get the toy. I remember when the Shrek movies came out and McDonalds had their toys, whenever my little sister got to choose that was the place we always went because she wanted a Shrek toy.
I also agree with number twenty that people will pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental, and emotional stimulation because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about. People are willing to pay $8 to go see a movie so they can have two hours where they don’t have to focus on work, family, or what is going on around them. There is always a reason Hollywood makes a movie over the top with characters who have marvelous lives. If Hollywood made movies about average people, who live average lives, nobody would want to go see that movie because why would they want to watch that, when it is their own life. People are also willing to pay to see a movie because it gives them a chance to relax after they have had a hard day at work or at school. Hollywood is smart and make movies that people want to see, with beautiful people and rich lives. They makes movies that show the viewer what being rich is about.
I disagree with twenty-five that when an ending is “bad” or when evil wins, the audience should demand/ get their money back. I think this statement is ridiculous because you take a risk when you go to see a movie, if it is not good then it is not the theatres problem. If you don’t know if it is going to be good then don’t go see it in theatres, wait until it comes out on DVD and rent it for a couple bucks. Even if the evil wins there is no reason that someone should try and get their money back. The director made the movie the way it is and if you don’t like it I guess that is just tough, you don’t get your money back. Just because you don’t like the money doesn’t mean that the theatre should have to pay you back. We could all just say we didn’t like the movie, just so we could get our money back and then the theatre would not be making money and they would have to shut the place down and we would never get see a movie there again.
I also disagree with number three, that we decide a film’s greatness by its actors. I don’t base a film’s greatness by its actors because half the time I don’t even know who is in the film; I am terrible at remembering the names of actors. A film is great because of the story line of what happens to whom and who does what in the film, not who is in the film. It takes a lot of things to make a film happen and it is not just the actors in the film it is the camera angles and lighting too. A lot of work goes into making a film so we should be giving credit to everyone including director who is the main artistic mind behind the production and the producers. So if you base a film’s greatness by its actors you should really rethink that because there are other people that put their time and effort into the film too.
I agree with number twelve, that movies can inspire you to do great things and/ or change yourself forever. After seeing the movie To Save a Life, I completely agree with this statement. That movie makes you want to go out there and make new friends and make someone else’s day the best that it can be. This movie shows that just the littlest of things in life can make someone else’s day. This movie also shows that your life can change in an instant and that humans make mistakes and no one is perfect. This movie can truly change your life forever. Movies can also inspire you to do great things like The Blindside inspires you to do something nice for someone else. It inspires you to be a better person and to lend a hand to someone in need.
SAMANTHA HAGEN 3
The first Sentence I choice off the anticipation guide was number one. The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists. I definitely agree with this statement. There is so many actors and actress that can play such diverse rolls that is amazing. Take Amanda Seyfield for example she played the ditzy blonde in Mean Girls then she played a total opposite roll in Dear John. There are many people in Hollywood who don’t get the respect they deserve, people thing that there handed there money but I think that acting is harder then people think. And once many celebrities become famous and start making a lot of money what can make them really extraordinary is what they do with money. Many celebrities donate to charities or to other counties. Some even go over to the other counties to help out and I think that’s what makes them great not only there acting skills.
For the second sentence of film deconstruction anticipation guide I choose sentence seventeen this sentence is major actors are worth ever penny of their $20 million per movie salaries. I disagree with this statement 75%. I don’t always enjoy movies more with major actors because they don’t seem as real. I know sometime people will see a movie just because someone is in. They know it will be good, that is true for Adam Sandler movies with me. But when it’s a drama or something and its all major actors I don’t buy into as much I would rather it be actors I have never seen before so it seems so much more real. And if a movie spent all of there $20 million so they could have major actors just act in there film the quality of the movie probably will suck. The movie Valentine Day I am planning on seeing tomorrow looks really good but there is SO MANY big stars in it, I wonder if it will be that great.
The third sentence I choice was sentence 23. Its about how the fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in win-win moneymaker. This is true, I notice when a kids movie is coming out Mc Donalds is all over it in their Happy Meal toys. But I also noticed that movies and tv shows will pay to have there product in the production. For example In Big Daddy they go to Mc Donalds in the morning, that’s advertising to a great deal of people and I was watching What I like about you the other day after school and they were eating Chiles. They were drinking out of the cups but neatly in the back ground the bags said Chiles and the other bag said To-Go. They new it would help advertise that they had to-go food and it was a way not to have commercials.
I agree with number seven: “Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have. I agree with this because when women are feeling down, alone, or lost they aren’t going to watch an action packed war movie to make them feel better. They are going to watch a chick flick where the guy is always so sweet to the girl because that movie will make them feel the same way, wanted, loved, and helpless. Women want to feel a range of emotions and that is what chick flicks are filled with. They will range from fury to ecstasy. During a chick flick one can cry be happy, mad, annoyed, loved all while watching one simple movie, but not as simple as it may seem. A chick flick covers so many emotions that it can’t even be close to being considered simple. Chick flicks are meant for emotional sympathy/release and not problem solving. A woman doesn’t need to think while watching this kind of movie. This is her time to sit back and relax, enjoy and dream.
I also agree with number eleven: Independent filmmaking – with small budgets, domestic settings, relatable circumstances, and realistic/poignant plots – is better than huge-budget, formulaic blockbusterizing. Even if these films don’t have the best camera and lighting techniques they can still be amazing because of the point they get across. A lot of the Kodak movies are very touching and meaningful and tell a real story. I believe that the movies that relate to a real story can be the most amazing movies. These kinds of movies can change ones morals, values, ethics, and worldviews. Unlike Hollywood films that are so far from realistic films made with a small budget help us relate to everyday lives. I think while watching the small budget films one shouldn’t pay attention to the background sense of things but more to the message. A small budget film would be an easy one to deconstruct when it comes to lighting techniques and camera angles and it would get hammered, but the message is what means so much more.
I didn’t agree with number seventeen: Major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries. I understand that it takes a lot of work and time to make a movie, but $20 million dollars is a bit ridiculous. Not only are they getting the fame of being in a movie, but they are getting paid to do it. To an average person just being in a film would be an honor. Today people are getting caught up in money more than ever. With the economic situation where it’s at money has a person worrying. The actors are already famous, have plenty of money and are probably making many movies throughout their carrier...their set. It’s awesome to see someone famous donate a significant amount of money to a disaster that may have just happened, and to us it seems like a lot, but to them it doesn't even make a dent. I think we need to find a better way to spend money. Everyone is special in their own way and have so many talents...they don't get paid for them.
Wright_7
I disagree with Victoria's statement pertaining to #13. Some directors ARE better than others. All directors are not on the same performance level, just as all athletes are not as equally athletic and all students are not as equally collegiate. This is a prime example of what separates Hollywood's finest (Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Peter Jackson, the Coen Brothers, Jerry Bruckheimer,etc.) from the rest of the pack. Similarly, LeBron James would be considered exceptionally better than a benchwarmer from another team. To say that directors are all merely doing their job and that there is no difference between them is utterly false and somewhat ignorant. Could one also say then that all doctors, teachers, lawyers, etc. are on the same level? That's not true at all. Some directors simply have more experience than others, or they are naturally better/more poised/more knowledgeable with cameras/camera angles/lighting/creating the ideal soundtrack. On the other hand, all directors have strengths and weaknesses, and some are more adept to incorporate action in their films to romance. However, as the film progresses and is eventually made, the overall quality of the director is revealed.
I agree with #6. War films DO indeed give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have. Men that want adventure, excitement, blood, gore, death, power, victory, strategy, risk, danger, and the overwhelming brotherhood that accompanies it all watch war films. Women go to chick flicks to fill emotional gaps in their life. Men do, as well, yet in war-format. Frequent chick-flick viewers may be deprived of love, trust, desire, romance, and other emotions. Men watch war movies to fill their desires of adventure and action. Additionally, men that come from backgrounds of unstable families/few friends may relish war movies due to the brotherhood among soldiers/bonding/friendship of one another/stable environments. It would seem amazing for a teenage boy to be given the chance to fight his way through an army of Nazis, or to infiltrate an outpost from behind enemy lines. Yet, if sincerely put in this situation, the odds would be almost overwhelming. No one wants to die, let alone sleep in a foreign, dangerous country. That's why men enjoy simulating the experience, safely, via films.
I also agree with #9. Films CAN permanently affect/influence the ways we view the world. After viewing _Gran Torino_ for the first time, I called my grandpa and talked to him for a half hour. Moreover, _Gran Torino_ affected me and my understanding of others. It allowed me to view the world from the eyes of Walt Kowaltski, the main character in _Gran Torino_ (played by Clint Eastwood). I saw myself as one of Walt's spoiled, bratty grandchildren who only want the benefits in life (without any of the responsibilities). I saw a glimpse of how typical old men see life, themselves, and others. I witnessed that traditions/customs/cultures can be carried over throughout a lifetime (Walt's racial tendencies//smoking/drinking/chewing habits). After showing this movie to my little sister, Paige, she vowed to help our elderly neighbor, Darrell, shovel his driveway (as a sort-of repentance for her previous attitude/ignorance of her elders). Finally, this action proves that I was not the only one affected by such a passionate movie.
10."There is a distinct Hollywood formula to making money with blockbusters. It goes like this: Hot woman + attractive, yet 'normal' guy + explosions+ drama= fortune made"
- I chose this one because films that have all or most of these aspects, have great outcomes in sales. Which proves that many people like the movie. The hot woman will catch all of the men's attention, the normal guy will makes guys feel like they can relate of have a chance at the hot woman. Also, explosions catch almost everyone's atttention because it shows that there is action taking place, if there is a lot of action it tends to keep the viewer on their toes.Drama catches a womans attention because it means that there is an intense moment in the movie and women like that because it's usually something that wouldn't happen in everyday life. Although, not every 'good' movie has explosions in it. Also, some really well planned out and put together movies have normal looking people. I think normal looking people are better because you can relate to the character a little better when they are not drop dead gorgeous. Also, I like movies that have drama, but have drama that is relatable. Situations that could easily occur in a normal person's life.
20."People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation- becuase our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about."
-When people have the money to go to a movie they will spend it because it is an escape from reality. We as humans need this escape to help us deal with the stress of everyday life. Watching a movie can take us to a different place or time period for a couple of hours. While we watch movies, we don't think about what is going on in our lives, we focus on what is going on in the characters lives. Movies make great distractions from life and life's stressors. If people did not have movies to help them get a break from life, then many more people would be crabby,stressed, and on edge. These escapes are worth the money because they help humans cope with things they are dealing with from day to day. Viewers tend to watch movies that appeal to their emotions. If a person is sad, they may choose to watch a movie that is sad that way they have a reason to cry. Also, if someonen is angry or upset they may watch a movie with violence or a lot of explosions because it will cause their adrenaline to rush and give them the feeling that they are taking out their anger even when they are not actually doing anything physical to get rid of the anger.
23."The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker."
- If a movie is trying to advertise to a little kid then it is a good idea to put their advertising money into fast-food advertisement. Simply becuase many children every day eat out and get Happy Meals or something similair. Then once they get the toy or see the picture on the bag, the kids are more likely to beg their parents to go see the movie or buy a movie. Also, if a restaurant or fast-food place is advertising for a movie it can also draw kids into wanting that food. If they can associate a movie to a fast-food restaurant then the restaurant is likely to make a lot of money off of the kids that are going to try to talk to their parents into eating at that particular establishment. Mcdonald's and Burger King are probably the best known fast-food restaurants that do this. They both always have toys from upcoming movie and have pictures all over the kid's meal bags. They are directly selling to the kids.
Megan Bly
Period 7
I agree with the statement, “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways”. I agree with this statement because the music in the film tells the viewer how to feel. During certain scenes in a movie, there should be a certain type of music, which tells the viewer the mood. In the movie No Country for old men, there is little to no music being played throughout the whole movie. The director probably did this because he wanted to make the movie feel realistic and show that Chigur is a common-type person, who could show up in your house at any time. The “soundtrack” of No Country for Old Men could be the shuffling of boots, rapid heart rates and the heavy breathing of the victims of Chigur. In suspense type movies, there is usually an upbeat suspenseful type music that gets the viewer pulled in and scared. If there were a romantic song being played during a suspense scene, the viewer wouldn’t feel the suspense, and the movie wouldn’t be scary or suspenseful at all, therefore, the soundtrack of the film adds to the viewers experience in significant ways.
I agree with the statement “movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be”. I agree with the first part of this statement “movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture” because movies make you experience and feel things that we don’t have in our lives. People go to movies to become the character in the movie and live through their eyes. I disagree with the second half of the statement, “because our realities aren’t what they should be”. I think that movies show a different way of living and other people’s point of view of living, but I don’t think that our realities aren’t what they should be. Romantic movies show love and commitment but that doesn’t mean that you have to have that in your own life to be complete. War movies show men as being brave and honorable but men don’t need to join the war to be brave and honorable. Movies make you see things through a new light, but they don’t tell you what is missing in your life or tell you how you should be living it.
I both agree, and disagree with the statement “we decide a film’s greatness by its actors”. I agree with the statement because, if an actor does a terrible job in acting, the movie wouldn’t be as good as it could be. If the actor does a great job, the film could be good, if the storyline and the movie itself were good. I disagree with the statement because I could care less if the actor was famous or not. I personally don’t recognize actors by name and really don’t care who the actor is in the movie unless they are one of my favorites. If a person in the movie is famous, but is a terrible actor, then the film wouldn’t be great. An example of this is Taylor Swift. If she was in a movie, because she is famous and well liked, a lot of people would go to the movie, but if she was a bad actor, the movie wouldn’t be as great as it could have been if there had been a random but really great actor.
I agree with number two on the Anticipation Guide which is: The greatest movies have the best camera and lighting techniques. The camera and lighting techniques are what keeps all of the viewers into the movie; it’s what keeps the viewers guessing what is going to happen next and is what keeps their attention. The best movies do not just have the best actors, because if they did, the same movies would always have the same actors, and we would get tired of some the people we love very, very quickly. Also, this is how other, new actors get discovered. I had never heard of Liam Neeson before Taken, and now he is one of my favorite actors. No Country For Old Men kept its viewers’ attention by constantly changing up the way they did their camera-work. They will show a first person view of an actor, and that gives you time to think about what the actor is looking at; and then they will actually show you what they were looking at. This is a great way to keep viewers into the movie. I also agree with number ten on the list: There is a distinct Hollywood formula to making money with blockbusters. It goes like this: Hot woman + attractive, yet “normal” guy + explosions + drama = fortune made. This is a sad, but true reality of life. People will go to movies that arouse their interests, and cool explosions and hot women do that for most guys; while the drama and attractive guy will hook most girls. Instead of people going to new movies to discover what might be a great new movie, they go to the same movies, with the same actors. All of the top movies have things that people LIKE to go to movies to see: P.S. I Love You has the attractive Gerard Butler, while Transformers has the hot woman and cool explosions. I agree with number twenty on the guide: People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation-because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about. People NEED the escapes from reality that movies bring to get us out of our mundane, boring, and monotonous lives. Hollywood knows this, and capitalizes on this by making movies that they KNOW will sell. The movie trailers are what hook all of the viewers, and they only have one short commercial to catch someone’s attention. So they make these amazing trailers out of clips from the movie with everything that people want to see when they go to the movie: the big explosions, the hot women, the cute guys, and the drama. By making these trailers, they get their name out there and make us WANT to see the movies.
5. Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be.
I agree with the statement because many times people don’t like their own life so they choose to watch movies as a way of coping. These days there is a movie type for everyone. If you have a problem you can find a movie to relate to that has a better outcome to the problem than in your own life. You can escape by fantasizing about being in the movie or having a life like the one in the movie. It makes you forget how boring, hectic, lonely, unsuccessful, or tragic your life truly is. For example if a workingman watches the movie “Office Space” he will escape his own life by imagining he is like the men who do whatever they want or just nothing. He escapes his own boring life and becomes engulfed with the life of the people in the movie.
7. “Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have.
I agree with this statement also because many women use chick flicks to relate to the men in their lives. I, myself, can relate to this because when I see a good chick flick I think to myself I hope I find a man like that to marry or date. Except in the movies, they don’t show the men in the movies ever doing anything wrong, always just being sweet and handsome. Every woman in the world wants a handsome, loving, nice man. The saying “tall, dark, and handsome” does no justice when movies make men seem so amazing. For example the movie “P.S. I Love You” shows how cute and caring a guy can be. Except, I don’t know very many men who would’ve thought of doing something like that. Now every women who has seen that movie wishes she could find a man that will take her breath away and fill her heart with love like he did.
25. When an ending is “bad” or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back.
I don’t know if I agree or disagree with this statement because I went to the movie “The Box” and in the end good didn’t win. Sometimes I think that if evil wins it teaches a lesson in life, that not everything has a happy ending. But also when endings like “The Box” occur people want their money back. I know I did. I thought it was an awful ending and that the movie was ruined when it was over. It was a major shock and when someone would ask me if it was good I would tell me that it was interesting, but the ending sucked. So I guess in a way I am split down the middle with this statement, because this movie also made me think if I was in this situation what would I do? I don’t think that theaters should give you your money back, but I do think it sucks when the ending doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it or at least pictured it to be. In my opinion if an ending is a surprise for the worst, the movie sucks.
4. There is a definite skill to watching a film well—to really experience it effectively. You develop this skill as you watch more movies—and you get more out of the films as you get better. I agree with this statement because once you start trying it out, you subconsciously begin to make it a natural talent and you start to see things that others would completely miss. I can relate to this because before this unit, I would just watch movies for entertainment just like every other person. But when we started dissecting every little detail in the lighting and camera work, even the abstract nouns portrayed in the movies, I began to catch more and more in other movies that I never noticed before. The more movies that I watch using this type of thinking, it becomes a natural thing to notice different things that are symbols or important towards the movie. Everything that is put into a movie has meaning to it.
5. Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be. I agree with this statement but I would put it as”…because our realities aren’t what we want them to be”. Movies give people the opportunity to dive into something that they are not around in everyday life and they get to experience something new and hopefully amusing. Some people use movies to keep their life exciting and to mix it up. A lot of people use movies to pass the time as well. The movies that are the most successful are the ones that are creative and invites the viewer to a new world. Some people use movies to relieve stress and to just to sit back and relax. Some people live pretty boring lives and these movies give them the chance to imagine themselves as a certain character and do the things that they get to do.
16. The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. I agree with this statement because the music in a movie dictates how our emotion will be during a certain scene. In scary movies, the music may go higher or completely stop to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat wondering what is going to happen next. If a happy moment is occurring, the music is soothing and pleasurable. If the scene has a sad moment, the music will usually have a slow tempo and have a downer mood to it. The music plus the visual of the scene added together make the viewer attached to the movie and the viewer feels what the characters do. Directors want the viewers to be connected to a movie like that to make them involved also. A movie isn’t anything without the viewers and their reactions to the movie. The music helps add the emotions flow for the viewer.
I do not agree with number twenty-one; the majority of the time screenplays that have unrealistic dialogue do far better than movies with realistic dialogue included in the script. One prime example of this is the epic, high-fantasy “Lord of the Rings” series. In these movies the characters live on the continent of Middle-Earth which is located in Arda. The movies follow a group of Hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) in which they traverse Middle-Earth to destroy the ring. This ring was created by the Dark Lord Sauron in which it was “the one ring to rule them all” regarding the other nineteen rings divided between the Humans, Elves, and the Dwarves. These movies are full of fantasy and mystery as the group reaches Mount Doom and casts the dreaded ring into the center of the volcano. A reason why the unrealistic dialogue works in this movie is because the setting is so rich and mysterious to the audience, that they instantly are drawn to how it sounds; another reason why the dialogue works is because “Middle Earth is set not at a physically distant time, but rather "at a different stage of imagination” (Tolkien, 1971).
I also do not agree with number twenty-five. When a movie has an ending that has evil being triumphant over good, I don’t think that an audience should feel cheated out of their money. As an audience we go to the movie theater to be entertained and get away from our reality; however most movies we watch have the guy getting the girl or a “…and they lived happily ever after”; but sometimes when evil wins, it is a rude awakening for us. Even though it is just a movie, you, as an audience member, are part of the actors’ reality in the movie. This is one of the simple movie strategies, capture the audience’s attention and manipulate it, for good or evil. A great example is almost all of the sequels in a trilogy, like Star Wars. In “The Empire Strikes Back”, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker are fighting on a cat walk over a void, as Luke goes up to parry, Vader goes to disarm Luke, which cuts his hand off. A weak Luke Skywalker is told by Vader that he is his father. This is a huge blow to Luke and the audience, in which the audience and Luke are thinking the same thing, “No”. Skywalker continuously denies it and decides to attempt suicide instead of joining Vader. He ends up being saved by the Millennium Falcon piloted by Lando and Chewbacca. The ending scene is Luke having his new robotic hand around Leia’s shoulders. This ending is very powerful because it shows the group going towards the unknown of space. The scene also shows Luke comforting his twin sister at their loss of Luke’s best friend and Leia’s possible love interest, Han Solo; thus showing that the Empire has truly struck back and the bad guys have won.
I full heartedly agree with number sixteen, that the soundtrack of a film actually adds to the viewer’s experience. If a giant battle is about to take place, some well placed music can really set the mood for the upcoming battle; such as the battles in “Lord of the Rings”. Before the battle is about to take place, the audience hears a Welsh song, it is solemn and slow, but it tells the audience that these soldiers are grave going into the battle; however when the fighting starts the music picks up in tempo and loudness. After the soldiers are done doing battle, the music reverts back to a Welsh chant as the soldiers tend to the wounded or mourn over the dead. Another movie where there being a lack of a soundtrack is “No Country for Old Men”. The lack of a soundtrack works so well for this movie because in real life, there is no soundtrack to go with, we must make our own. This idea was shown in the trailer for this movie, in which Skip Lievsay used gun shots and ambient noise to make the music for the trailer.
-Matt Thompson p 6
Sara Barnes
Pd. 5
#9
What we believe in as people depends a lot on who we are and what experiences we have had. Many people believe different things because they have had different encounters and people with the same opinions maybe have had similar encounters as someone else. Films may influence the way that we view things for awhile, but I do not think that it is something that will influence you forever, because that is maybe not who you are or how you were raised. Mr. Christensen said in class that One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest changed him forever, he said that it made him never want to be mean to people, and to fight for something that is right even if you are going to loose. I believe that this book influenced him, but I’m sure that the way he was raised and his background influenced him more than the book or movie did. If Mr. Christensen watched the movie The Strangers he could be influenced to be a serial killer, but his background and upbringing would not permit him to do that.
#4
I believe that there is a definite skill to watching movies, really watch them and analyze them. Many people watch movies to be entertained, and think nothing of hidden meanings, camera angels or symbols that are present in movies. They probably do not even notice that these things are and aide to making the movie enjoyable and give it more meaning. In class, we have been deconstructing movies for a long time, and it is still challenging to notice everything in movies, practice is very important in that aspect. The deeper we analyze films, the more meaning we get out of them. The deeper meaning makes the film more interesting.
#16
If we watched an action film without a soundtrack, the film would probably be less interesting and we would not like it as well as other action movies with soundtracks. When I watch an intense action scene, there is almost always “pump-up” music playing in the background to get me more into the film and the action. Not only action films use the music technique, romance movies use this also. They play beautiful songs in the background to make you feel more intimate with the scene. Also, if you really listen to the music in the background the words usually relate to the scene you are watching. You may not notice, but your subconscious surely does.
I believe #6 hits the pin on the head. i think many guys wish they had the strength and guts to go over seas and fight but are not capable. I think it is a safe thing to say that men play games such as Call of Duty, in order to fill the space that they have that wants to fight and protect their country but they are happy when they can tehn just shut the game off and spend time with their friends and family. I believe war films do the same things for guys. it gives them the adventure, blood and guts, and strength that they wish they had in real life. i also think that men go to war films to get an exaggerated version of what is really going on. they life the fake reality that movie portray that makes them seem a little bit manlier in the fact that the guys in these movies show emotion when they get hit and some guys like to think they wouldnt so they seem a little tougher.
i disagree with #14. i think people should see fillms of all kinds not just ones that enforce their beliefs but ones that challenge their beliefs and make them stronger. i think by challenging your beliefs you grow stronger in them and gain more selfrespect through them. i belive it is important to watch things that you might not like because by opening up your mind to new things helps us to like new things or become more aware of the things you dont like. i also think people should watch things that offend them so they better understand why they get offended by things, i think watching offensive things would really help over dramaztic people so they lessen their overreactions to small things.
i partially agree and disagree with #11. i think small budget films are good because they dont have the budget to overdo dumb little things and they pay more attention to things that are neccessary and truely needed. i think they pay more attention to camera angles and the plot when they dont have millions of dollars to blow on over done explosions. but i disagree becasue sometimes a little more money helps a movie thrive and become huge. with the help of effects like not over done but still good explosions or lighting effects or sound effects a movie can become even more eye catching. also with a bigger budget you can have a better soundtrack that helps your movie flow better and become more enjoyable than if you use songs from other movies that might make people lose focus because they are trying to figure out where else they have heard that song.
Roeder_5
1. 6 Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t wheat they should be. I agree that movies are “escapes” in our culture but I don’t believe they are necessary. Life is never what you want it to be and some movies make you realize your life is crap and you have no chance of ever being what that movie shows. Movies such as Cinderella show you that you can go from rags to riches with the snap of your fingers. Whereas movies like Taken are entertaining and show portray a life that is worse than most that you would not want to be in that situation in your life. Movies are not necessary but they sure do help depending on what movies you choose to see. There are so many movies out there that are for pure entertainment that really are escapes. Movies like the Hangover are great examples of movies that are for pure entertainment and escapes from reality of living in a crappy state such as South Dakota where nothing cool ever happens.
2.12 & 18- Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. Movies can change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews. I agree with both of these completely. Movies like To Save a Life change a person forever. I went to that movie two times and both times it made me realize the realities of high school. They also gave me an understanding of how some people can feel like they are not worth it and living isn’t worth it for them. The movie shows how judgmental so many kids are in high school and some of the values of students that are not important. There are many scenes that show the harshness of high school. In a one scene it shows how judgmental people are even when they are at church. It tells you that you can’t go anywhere without being judged and having people look at you as if you don’t belong. How can you judge that somebody does not belong in church? It also shows you the reality of how unloved people feel sometimes.
3. 7- “Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have. I disagree with this statement for the most part. Most chick flicks are about perfect romances and love stories that always have a happy ending where the girls gets the boy of her dreams. This makes single women that watch these feel horrible and make them want to give up on trying to find love. Very rarely do you ever see a chick flick where the girl ends up single and lonely. Movies like the “The Notebook” which is the definition of chick flicks shows how love prevails until the end. Even though she forgets who he is she remembers for a split second and he stays by her side through it all and dies with her still in love with her. The movie does not fill emotional holes but more makes women want a man that will chase her and love nobody but her for the rest of his life. Through her almost marrying somebody else and forgetting who he was Noah stays with her and loves her through it all. All girls wish for love like that but rarely find it. Most will find divorce rates higher than success.
I agree with the statement that “Chick Flicks” fill the emotional holes woman have because chick flicks are very powerful and women watch them when they're feeling down about something. For instance, If a woman was down about her and her boyfriend breaking up, she would probably watch a movie about either breaking up and being sad or a movie about her boyfriend treating her like gold. Woman watch movies that they can relate to so they know other people understand them. I think the directors of Chick Flicks know exactly what woman need in order for them to feel better. Hollywood understands why woman are sad and analyzes it. If woman crave things, they are going to watch a movie about it to up their self esteem. Also woman would watch these movies if their having a “girl’s night” so they all can relate and it’s the best time to watch those types of movies.
I agree with the statement ‘Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.’ After seeing certain movies, you can have changed views or understand people better. After the movie blind side, a lot of families felt inspired to help out with the homeless and give money to them because not all homeless people don’t want to try or be like that, It’s because they were raised in that type of family. Movies can easily make you emotional and cry because of the soundtracks and the relationship to real life issues. Inspiring movies can help you understand how people feel after something bad has gone wrong with their life. We view things a certain way because we were either are taught that way or we don’t pay close attention to things. Movies can make you think twice about doing certain things and to lend a hand to people in need.
I agree with the statement ‘The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways.’ In p.s. I love you, the constant music that goes throughout the movie is flashbacks of Jerry (the dead husband), and the song playing “I love you till the end.” He is already dead and its relevant throughout the movie because he cant always be there for her and the dead happened so quickly. Music makes a viewer more emotional and have more deep feelings towards the movie. If you click mute while watching the movie, things seem less emotional in sad movies or less scary in scary movies because there is no background music making you nervous as to what’s to come. Music is very important and the director purposely adds certain music that pertains to the movie to get more of an experience out of it.
Joey Brannan P.5
#6 I agree with this one "War films give men....." Because its true we watch these movies and feel like a BA because our normal boring lives don’t involve kicking another person or armies butt it just involves everyday work yada yada yada. We as men enjoy experiencing these things because it makes us feel manlier and gives us all something to relate to or talk about in conversation. Most men would never want to do this war thing but some actually go through with the idea and join the military and later find out its nothing Hollywood has made it its terrible and evil beyond belief. That is why some come back with traumatic results and end up going on a rampage in civilian life because of the horrors war posses. Men want to feel like BA's it's just natural for us to feel this way and by watching war films we get kind of that experience except for those who take it to far and actually start killing people.
#8 I agree but disagree with this statement of when your in a movie theatre your wasting time and filling your gut. The reason I agree with this is because if you go to a movie for say to just go with your girlfriend or whomever because they wanted to see this movie but in reality you didn’t you just sit there wasting valuable time and money that’s usually hard earned and filling your gut on popcorn that is ridiculously overpriced. If you go to the movie to actually watch it and get something out of it then its worth while. IF you go to experience the movie and actually watch it and put yourself in the places of the actors or actresses then your getting something out of the movie and your stimulating your mind and becoming a more intelligent thinker.
#25 When a movie ending is bad and you don’t like it I disagree that you should get your money back. This is a risk and everybody knows risk either benefit your or ruin you and it is the same here you chose to go to the movie and you chose to pay for it the directors didn’t force you or anyone else to come to their movie although they may have persuaded you through advertisements. It’s just a risk that you take and if you don’t like it then that movie usually gets bad rap and other people choose not to go to it that’s how it works in the world you take the risk and get back what that risk comes out to be weather bad or good it was your choice. When you make that choice you learn from it and choose never to do it again.
JOEY BRANNAN
I agreed with number one. “The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists.” There are many great artists out their, and we need great artists to make a great film. their goals are to stick out from the rest of the good artists, and become a great artist so people continue to want and to see their movies. Also it is these artists that make us want to watch a movie and become a fan of that movie. These great Hollywood artists, use groundbreaking technology to make great effects, and to really make the movie great, and to make the movie stand out. Some of these effects are the camera angles used, the soundtracks, where and when music is played, explosions, symbols, and many other great aspects to the work of art that they are creating. But also the artists could be actors. Whitch leads me to my next statement.
I agreed with number twelve. “Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.” I agree because when people go to watch a movie, they expect it or them to be great, or to be inspiring or life changing. Like sports movies, almost all of them are inspirational. At least from what I have seen? But not only are they inspirational, but they can also change your life because you want to have what they have, or do what they do, make as much money as they do. Although movies are made to inspire, in the way that they inspire us are most likely unreasonable goals for some of us because we may never accomplish that in real life. Perhaps this is the reason that people tend to watch inspirational movies because they want to set the bar higher for themselves, or to give them something to fight for.
I also agreed with number seventeen. “Major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries.” I agree with that statement 100% because major actors are vital to making a great film because if they are well known, people will, more often than not, watch a film with their favorite actor in it, and this will help sell many more copies of the movie. And when the actors or actresses are getting paid $20 million per film they tend to try, and work a little harder, thus helping make the film great. Also having these great actors in your film or movie will pay for it self in no time. But in order to be a great actor in a film you need to have a great director. If you have these two things, you will have yourself a pretty great movie. And a great work of art.
Chris Kujawa
#3 "We decide a film's greatness by its actors". I would say that we do decide a film's greatness by its actors. A movie with someone very well known like Tom Cruise is going to make a lot more than a movie with unknown actors/actresses. Depending on if the movie gets enough hype, unknowns can be discovered and by starring in a low budget film. If an actor/actress is very good at what they do a film will make more money and be greater if a well known person is starring in it.
#16 "The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways". i completely agree with this statement! There are many movies that just wouldnt be what they are without the soundtrack added to it. Look at star wars, anyone could just be listening to the music from this movie and automatically know what its from. Same with jaws when someone is about to get eaten, the music becomes a little more ominous/scary and we know whats going to happen and the suspence has got us on the edge of our seat. The distinguished music that plays whenever an actor is doing something heroic can almost give you goosebumbs and "feel" for the character, they could be getting killed doing someone or just doing something to save someone but the music sets the mood.
#21 "Screenplays that have realistic dialogue are always better". Why would people pay 8 bucks to sit and listen to something they here everyday just walking down the street. A movie should be more outgoing and crazy in real life, meaning the dialogue should also be a little crazy or controversal. Without the funny one-liners or jokes added into a horror film movies just would be movies, they would be real life with a little more blood. Dialogue can make or break a movie because it can set the mood on whats going to happen or explain information or use forshadowing. Realistic dialogue would just make a movie boring and uninteresting to most people.
Jordan Meyers p.5
I agree with the statement “the Hollywood industry is full of extraordinary artists.” I agree with this statement because if these people are being paid by the millions just to create films then they must be doing something out of the ordinary. When a film maker goes to make a movie it takes them at least a year just to make the entire film. It takes them weeks just to make a single scene the way that they want the scene to be. With metaphors and hidden meanings in the plot, and also lots of action take time and lots of money to do. If a movie maker wants to make a good movie, they need to write a good script that must take a long time; it’s equal to writing a novel. They also need to get quality actors that can create the image that the director is looking for.
I also agree with the statement “the greatest movies have the best camera and lighting techniques.” This is true because if the camera was not positioned in a certain way in a certain scene then it would change the effect on the viewer. When the lighting is dark in a scene, then the film viewer feels as though something is going to be gory or scary. When the lighting is bright and sunny, it then gives the viewer a feeling of good tidings and happy times. If the camera is positioned so that it looks up at a certain character in the movie, it makes that character look possibly scarier or looked up to or envied. When the camera is angled down at a certain character, then that character is either made small or is frowned upon by the audience. The camera and lighting techniques in movies make them much more enjoyable by the audience.
The statement “independent filmmaking-with small budgets, domestic settings, relatable circumstances, and realistic/poignant plots-is better than huge-budget, formulaic blockbustering” is also an agreeable statement. I agree with this because when you can relate to a movie better, then it makes the movie more entertaining to you. When the plot can be realistic and poignant then the viewer feels as if they are a part of the movie and not just outside looking in at it. With the domestic settings you can just imagine what it would be like if the movies plot were to happen in your town or city. When these movies do not use formulaic blockbustering then the movie is not easily foreseeable what is going to happen in the plot. With the normal people and the normal settings you can see the plot as if you were the characters. These statements and others in the hand out are easy to agree with.
# 3. I disagree with this statement. I am a huge fan of Twilight and there weren’t any actors/actresses in the film that I knew about. I am not a person who knows a lot of actors and actresses. I may know a few of the more famous people such as Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt but who doesn’t know who those people are. This weekend I saw a movie, Management, with Jennifer Anitson and Steve Zahn. Just because these two good actors/actresses are in it doesn’t make it good. This movie was actually really dumb and pointless. To determine if a movie is good or bad by its actors would be determining if a house is nice enough to live in it or not without actually going inside. You have to look at the inside or watch to movie to see if it is good.
#7 I agree with this. Some girls may have a boyfriend but he isn’t what the girl really wants. In most chick flicks the guys are perfect. Women have an emotional hole that only these “perfect guys” can fulfill. Chick flicks help girls want to find the perfect man. Watching these films help woman realize that getting abused is not ok. Not every guy acts like that. There is a perfect guy out there for everyone. You just have to wait it out and hope to find him someday.
#14 I disagree with this statement too. If you only went to a movie that reinforces what you believe, think and feel like there wouldn’t be a lot of movies you could see. Movies have many different things you can get from it. There isn’t just one main thing happening in a movie. Like in the Blind Side there is racist things happening and judgmental things, but also talking about how one person could change your life, helping out the people that need it is a good deed and should be done more often by people. Movies are suppose to make you think more and maybe change they way you think or believe. Blind Side wants people to help others out more and stop being so racist.
“Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have. I disagree with this because for me it does not fill emotional holes. “Chick flicks” I just relate to more, these movies look into women and see where they are coming from and how they think differently from men. Even though these moves usually have more of and emotion does not mean that they fill a hole, most of these movies help women through what they are going through, this is what I mean by relating to them. I also disagree with this statement because it is discriminates against women by saying that we all have emotional holes and movie fill them when women find other ways, “chick flicks” only take up a little bit of that.
I agree with the statement the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. Most movies have a soundtrack to add that resemblance to the movie. Like in Office Space when workers beat the printer to the most outrageous rap song while they are geeky workers. This helps to the humor because of how opposite the geeky workers are to the rap song. Music helps the viewer with their emotions. In “chick flicks” you get the pop happy music because it always works out so with the “happy songs” you feel a side of relief and know what is happening. Soundtracks also help the experience because they are more likely to remember the movie and the song. Because of these more viewers will go out and buy the soundtrack or a song from the movie.
Movies can change your values, morals, ethics, worldviews; I agree but disagree to this statement. I mostly agree because movies are very powerful and change how people see things. Slumdog millionaire is an example of that. This movie helped the viewer see what is going on in India. This movie, when I saw it, made me realize that I and luck to live in the United States and to have a home. To follow a boy and girl grow up and show what they have to fight for to live, trying to live is hard for them enough finding clothes and a place to live is even harder. But because of this movie the actors who where really slumdogs, have become famous and now a house and live quite well. To Save a Life also changes your morals. This movie is ridiculously powerful. It cover everything from teen pregnancy, suicide, abuse and more. This movie helps the viewer see that everyone needs to be recognized and loved for who they are. I disagree with this statement though because while these affect me and viewers it only last for a short period of time. To Save a Life made me realize things I did not see but after about a week I went back to how I was and lost things that I should have kept. While viewers want to change when seeing these types of movies they do not have the courage to do it.
Personally I would have to agree with number 16. The soundtrack for a film, by far, is one of the most important aspects to a movie and the way people watch movies. Like the movie Avatar, in the beginnings of an epic battle scene it starts off somewhat quiet, but with low drums beating. Once all of the hover ships turn a corner the music picks up into chanting and other instruments of epic proportion. When it is quiet it is getting the viewer ready for what is about to happen, and once it happens there is a big crescendo to get the viewer more involved with the battle. In the middle of the battle the music decrescendos when all hope is seemed to be at a loss for the good guys, then the music picks back up again when something somewhat unexpected but spectacular happens, hence adding to the viewer's experience in significant ways.
I would have to completely disagree with number 13. This says that no director is that much better than any other director. For comparison purposes Michael Bay, director for Pearl Harbor, and James Cameron, director of Avatar, are on completely different levels. Pearl Harbor was horribly directed. This would include planes flying over the Pearl Harbor memorial, seeing the camera crew in the reflection of a car hub cap, having a license plate on a car with the wrong year, non-accurate special effects, and many more. Bay did an awful job on this. Now compared to James Cameron they are not even in the same league. Cameron did a spectacular job in directing Avatar, making no visible mistakes. Also the special effects are without a doubt breaking a new high in advanced special effects, they are way more believable than in Pearl Harbor. So of course directors can be better than other directors, it is just like actors can be better than other actors, it is obvious.
I believe number 18 is an accurate statement. It states that movies can change your values, morals, ethics, and world views. The movie I am analyzing is Avatar. This movie is a pretty big green movie. Saying we should not destroy places for personal gain. People who like this movie and want to relate more to it would be much better about destroying natural habitats and littering. This movie also changes my view about us human beings. We are outrageously greedy. We want and need money to sustain our living and to even be powerful. In the movie it shows us going to war just to destroy natural places to get a mineral that is worth a lot on earth. In the movie the main character Jake Sully tells the natives that the Sky People (humans) destroyed their mother, now they have come to destroy theirs, just for money and power. I do not want to be like this so I think it has changed some morals and my view of the world. We should stop being so greedy and learn to respect the ground we live on.
Danny Sellers
MEAGAN DONOVAN
#23 - The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. I agree with this statement completely. Advertising in movies is so apparent sometimes that it is annoying. I recently went to It’s Complicated and found that every single vehicle was a new Toyota model, and that McDonald’s was in every hand of a passersby on the streets. When Transformers came out Happy Meal boxes were loaded with Optimus Prime pop-outs, toys, and word finds…all promoting the movie. In return your child would beg you to please please please take them to see it. You also find yourself wanting to see it because you recently saw the commercial about the McDonald’s cash prize sweepstake with autobots and desepticons and found the graphics to be fantastic. McDonald’s feels the monetary gain from children wanting their Transformer toys, and Transformers feels the gain from movie comers. Advertising and fast-food go hand in hand with “feeding” each others’ popularity and money piles.
#10 - There is a distinct Hollywood formula to making money with blockbusters. It goes like this: Hot woman = attractive, yet “normal” guy + explosions + drama = fortune made. I disagree with this statement in so many different ways. In so many films this may be true. Films such as Transformers, Jennifer’s Body, and Wanted are exemplify this formula, and yes its fantastic box office statuses. However, other films such as P.S. I Love You, Dear John, Valentine’s Day, and so many others are movies that speak of real life situations and romance, and have done very well in the box office. It is stereotypical to say that all men wish for the “formula” in movies, but I could not agree more. I might also argue that women watch the mushy movies to fill their emotional voids, and that the romantic comedies and dramas have as great of a chance actually occurring as the Hollywood formula movies.
#5 - Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be. I both agree and disagree with this statement. I agree in that movies are necessary escapes. We are so stressed out with life sometimes, and seem to find it so dreadful that we just want to watch how wonderful some one else’s pretend life is; to see that glimmer of hope for 2 hours and 50 minutes that things might not be so bad after all. I feel this is why we so many enjoy fantasy films; they are a completely different world into which we can totally escape. I disagree with this statement because I think our realities are what they should be. It would not be entertaining to watch a movie in which their lives were “normal” like ours are, it would just be boring. If everyone lived a Hollywood lifestyle nothing would be amusing and we would all be more “boring and normal” than we are currently.
Cassie Grogan Pr 1
I agree with the statement, “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways”. Wheather pepople want to believe it or not the soundtracks of films influce how we watch films. If you are watching a movie and it had no music, the movie would mean less and you would not be able to understand certain parts. Say you are watching a scary movie. The camera is pointed on the main actor. The camera angle is creeping up on the main character. If there was no music in this part of the film the viewer could assume that it is just camera work. But if there was eerie or creepy music playing as the camera descends on the actor/actress, then the viewer can be alert and assume that someone is creeping up on the actor/actress or something is about to happen to them. With out a soundtrack of some kind movies would not be as good as they are, they would be less entertaining, and they would not make us think about why the music is like that.
The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. I agree with this statement completely. Advertising a movie is the key to making the movie become a huge success. Without advertisments movies would not catch people's attentions. No one would know about it, therefore no one would go to see it. The more a movie is advertised the more likely it will be a success. Fast food resturants, like McDonald's, are not dumb. They realize this so, they get on board the advertisment band wagon. They advertise cool movies that would appeal to children. They will put little toys in the children's happy meals, and they will advertise the movie on the happy meal container. They know that the children will see the advertisment and will beg their partents to go see the movie. The toys that they put in the kid's meals also draw the children's attention because they become little "must haves" for the children. They will have up to five different collector toys that they put in their kid's meals. McDonald's do this because they know that the children will want to have them all, therefore they will beg their parents to go to McDonalds untill they have every last one of the toys. By doing this McDonalds makes a huge profit, which benifits them, but it also benifits the movie as well because the movie is being advertised on all the McDonald's wrappers and all of the toys relate to the movie.
Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be. I agree with this one, but yet I also disagree to a certain extent. I agree with it because we all wish we had a fairytail life, a hot body, and money. So we will automatically be drawn to those kinds of movies. The average american does not have the fairytail life, bod, or the money so they will go get "lost" in a movie, pretending that they are the main character and life is all good. When the movie is over however they will come out of their fantasy life and realize it was just a movie and become depressed because they don't have all the money in the world, they don't have to hot chick as a girlfriend or ect. I don't agree with this statement thought because not everyone is this way. There are two different types of people who I believe that aren't affected by movies in this way. The first type of person is the one who has it all. They have the money, the girl, and the live the good life. Why would they go watch a movie to escape when they have it all? The second type of person is the ones who have their head on their shoulders. They know where they are at in their life, they know that life is not easy and that they can't just expect to be handed everything on a silver platter. They realize that life isnt really like that, and they are ok with that reality.
#5 Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be. Its true an average american shows in some way a sense of longing for something better. Movies show us what we can do and lets us live other peoples lives. We get to experience some of our fantasies and dreams. A lot of people also just don't have the time to go off and have adventures. Watching a movie is like cramming all of our adventures into a two hour sitting. We get to experience first hand what it would be like to do some amazing things all for the nominal fee of eight dollars. Movies have become a necessity in life for everyone. Without movies everyone would go and live average lives doing everything the same on a day by day basis. Some of us wouldn't know half the things that are out there in the world. I strongly believe that watching and experiencing a movie is a big part of how we live today.
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I do believe that this statement is true. A lot of the movies I see affect me and sometimes reflect how i see things on a day to day basis. You feel what the characters in the movie go through and sometimes you don't want to do the same thing so you alter the way you live so that it caters to that need. You don't want to have to experience their pain. Sometimes you want to be like a character in a movie so you change how you do stuff so that you can be some what identical to them. Some people dress like characters, while some people act like them. I feel that movies rub off on people subconsciously and consciously and we are all affected by them. And yes i do believe a lot of it is permanent.
#16 The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways. I think the soundtrack is almost as important as the plot of a movie. The music brings you into the film and guides you along. It builds a whole new level of connection with the characters and you almost become one of them. It tells you how to feel and when to feel it. I feel i like movies with really good soundtracks more than movies with poorly done music. For instance if a part in a movie is at a crescendo it literally makes the hairs on my arm stand up and i feel really alive and into the movie which draws me back to that movie in the near future. I think that the plot is like the heart of the movie while the music is the soul and it just helps guide you along on a journey.
#1. The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists. When most people think of an artist, they tend to picture famous painters, drawers, sculptors, etc. But what people do not realize is that they are previewing an artist’s work when they leisurely watch a film for entertainment. Filmmaking is truly an art in itself. Not just any average joe can put together a great film, it takes a lot of time and patience, and also requires an extraordinary amount of talent. There are many aspects to making a film that directors in a sense hide from nonchalant moviegoers such as: lighting, camera angles, soundtrack, and sequencing. All these artistic aspects are absolutely necessary in order for a film to be considered great. Directors also have to avoid following the movie “formula”. They have to make sure that their film is original and well crafted in order to separate their work from other predictable plots and also to win the critics over.
#20. People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation – because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about. The writers of films are not idiots, they realize that in order for people to pay money and go see their films that they are going to have to create another world for Americans to envision themselves in, in order to escape their dull, bland lives full of monotony and struggles. Everyone’s life is lacking in some way or another, at least that is what most people think. They always want more and do not like settling for what they already have. Whether it is family, love, friendship, a dream job, money, fame, etc. no one has everything that they would like to have. And Hollywood knows this. They are constantly making feel good films where no matter what the situation in the end everything works out perfectly, and that is exactly what most Americans like to see and pay good money for.
#23. The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. In our fast paced lives it is likely that at some point in the week or month that most Americans will stop by a fast-food place to grab a bite to eat. By putting movie advertisement on cups and food bags it helps to make a movie more popular and recognizable to the public. Which then enables some Americans to go see this movie. Children are the biggest targets by far. Most children will order a kid’s meal, which usually comes with a toy. This toy could defiantly be considered a form of advertising. If a child gets a toy in their kid’s meal and the character is from a particular movie, they are more likely to beg their parents to go see that movie than a movie that is not advertised at a fast-food place. Also some little kids go to fast-food places just to get the toy from their favorite movie. So either way you look at it, both the fast-food places and the movie industry win.
Richmond_3
#5, Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be. I half agree with this statement. I would totally agree with the statement if it read like 'Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities are not what WE WANT THEM TO be.' No one wants a boring life, like what most people lead. We want exciting and interesting, something you could write a book about. Besides, no one would go to see these movies if the characters lives were like ours, how boring and uniteresting. We want our realities to be different, but I do not think the human race could handle it if we lived like in the movies. I think we would all go insane from the drama and intensity in these movies. We can not live those lives because than we would not have anything to bauck at when we went to the movies or a hollywood starlet over dosed on drugs, went to rehab, and came out clean. Nothing would shock us, and I agree with Meagan on the fact that our lives would still be considered boring.
#13, No director is that much better than any other director. The director makes the movies, if he/she sucks, than the movie will suck. I could not go out and make a movie that would be a blockbuster hit, I know I could not, and I'll never be anyway near as good as Steven Spielberg, Steven King, or anyone like that. Plus there are different levels of directing, you can not compare someone who makes Disney movies to someone who makes horror films. They just can not be compared to each other. And everyones opinions are different, some people do not like horror, and some people do not like chick flicks, so their opinion would be incompitant it they just do not like a certain type of movie. So when the directors tastes are different, and the movie-goers tastes are different, there is going to be some major clashing of interest, therefore, I completely disagree with this statement, too many different opinions being mixed around in a bowl of soup.
#16, The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways. I absolutely agree with this statement. The directors choose this music for a certain reason, they are not just going to put random music, unless it is one of those 'making fun of movies' movies. Especially if the music would be distracting to the point of the music. There is NOT going to be a romantic love sing with screamo music in the background and there is not going to be goupy love music during an intense 'dun dun duunn' seen either, it would make absolutely no sense what so ever and it would totally take away from, and ruin, the movie. There is even a point when there is not a soundtrack, like we discussed with No Country For Old Men. The lack of music adds to the intensity, foreboding, and point of the movie. If the soundtrack is not chosen write, it can totally destroy the movie.
#1-I agree with number one on the anticipation guide. The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists. Let us be honest with our selves-if it were not for movies and the awesome artists involved in them-life would surely be very, very boring. If we did not have movies to go see and if we were not able to experience those feelings and emotions conveyed in them life would be plain. Certain actors can make people feel certain ways by their abilities, they make us feel annoyed, happy, scared, sad, and angry all because of their talent. Directors show us all sorts of camera angles and points of view that we would never see if movies were just one angle, all the time. Movies let us experience happenings through other people that we might never get the chance to do in our world, like fight Davey Jones on a pirate ship or Journey to the Center of the Earth. Movies and the individuals involved in them help us to live out fantasies and childhood dreams.
#6-I also agree with number six on the anticipation guide. War films give men experiences they wish they had--but are glad they don't have. I can definately agree with this one after taking the class "Hollywood vs. History" with Mr. Anderson. In that class I could tell all the boys were really into the war movies and talked about "If I was there I would have done this" and "If I had that gun I would have done that" and "I would have loved to fight that guy!" But they all know that they never would, or would have been really really scared had they been there. Men like to be seen as heroes, especially as war heroes. Also men love guns and loud noises. I mean, what little boy haven't you seen pointing his fingers like guns at other little boys AND making the perfect sound effects? It is in men's genes to like war and want to be in war and represents liberty to fight for their country. But I am going to take a wild guess and bet that if you asked any guy they would have been scared to serve in WWII or something like that. I know that after I saw the scenes of the men getting killed even before they got off the boats onto Omaha Beach on DDay would have scared me for sure.
#14-Lastly, I agree with number fourteen on the anticipation guide. People should always go to/see movies that reinforce what they believe, think, feel, like. People are not going to go to movies that they do not want to see right? I know I would not. For example, if a person is an atheist, I am pretty sure they did not go to "The Davinci Code" or "Angels in the Outfield". People are going to go to movies that they want to see and they are going to go to movies that agree with what they think, they are not going to go to movies that represent things they do not believe in. Another example, if someone is really artsy and likes painting and literature, they would probably prefer and Indy film of some sort to "Friday Night Lights". People should go to movies that they think they will enjoy and go to movies that portray what they think and what their beliefs are.
#6 War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have.
I agree with this, at least mostly. some guys want to go to war to serve their country and make they families proud. other guys say they want to but really dont because of the risk of them loosing their lives. this is a true statement because the men watching the movie see the men in the movie, and think to themselves what it could be like if they went to war. instead of imagining it they can watch the movie and see how it would go or how it goes for the actor in the movie, so then the viewer can see if it will go good or bad. if it goes good or bad the viewer can see which actors lived and which ones died and imagine themselves and the ones that lived. even though the viewers can imagine themselves as the actors they still think the the back of their heads that they could die, so they want to have that war experience but at the same time they dont.
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.
I agree with this statement. some movies have great effects on people and they dont even know it but some people watch movies and completely change their lives. people watch movies and see how success full some actors are and they say the want to be like them so they set out to do everything they can to be just like them. other times people watch the movies and see a bum on the street and think that they dont want to be like that person, so they do everything they can so they dont turn out like that when they grow up. goin back to my last number (#6), sometimes people will watch war movies and then decide they want to go to war and make great changes to their country. even if the movie doesn't inspire you to do great things i believe movies change you whether you know it or not.
#16 The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways.
I agree with this statement, the music selection in movies is very essential, it can make or break a movie. a good movie will have good music, sometimes the music will be well known other time not as much but the music has to go along with the scene in the movie. the music in a movie can tell you when the scene will get good/bad or when the scene is beginning/ending if someone will die or if someone will be heroic. the music in the movie is like the story line that you follow. it sets the plot for the movie. in most movies they use music that people know just so that if the scene isnt the best they can hear a song that they know/like and forget the the scene is crappy and concentrate on the music. like the statement says, it adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways, this is the way i interpret the soundtracks in movies. other people might think differently or agree, everybody has different views.
#1 The hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists.
yes i believe this is true because some directors love their jobs so much they do a great job of it while directing they have to worry about the little details cause sometimes those are the things that need to stand out and they are always trying new things to get the best picture for the shot or have the actors do the little things even better just to make the film that much better and to give the viewer more feeling while watching the movie or show. they all take pride in what they are doing and that is to create a great film, the directors want to feel for the characters that is why there is so much emotion in so many films its a way to sell tickets. plus if they weren't extraordinary artist they would not get paid the millions of dollars they get for creating such works of art.
#5 Movies are necessary escapes in our culture, because our realities arent what they should be.
i also believe this is true because we all live boring lives none of us are out on the street fighting crime or flying across the world to fight notorious criminals or trying to save are loved ones. we are all just hard working americans just trying to get through life and fit in. Movies offer us an escape to put ourselves into someone elses shoes to make us think and ask what if. Giving us the sense of being more than what we really are by doing all the action and stunts in a movie jumping building to building without getting hurt. Its all about the life of an adventure. It is easier to pay $9 dollars to sit in a building and watch someone else do it then rather doing it yourself. It is our escape into a sometimes an easier world to, too take away the stress from your every day living and problems.
#17
major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries
i do not agree with this statement some actors can be totally amazing in one movie then just fail in their next movie they make. it almost seems like some actors get done with one movie then go to the next right away just to get more money which sometimes leads to the movies that are not all that great. Adam Sandler is one of these actors the world knows him as the funny guy but in some movies he is way to serious like spanglish its just not him. But others like click, Mr. Deeds, and Big Daddy those characters are the ones we know the guy that is their to make us laugh and feel good. Most actors have what they are known for and what we expect of them so when they get into different roles it is sometimes harder to tell wether or not they were really meant for that movie. So it all depends on how they are portrayed in the film they are acting in.
Martinmaas_5
#12. Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I strongly agree with this statement because I feel that movies like To Save A Life really are a big wake up call to a lot of people. Some people have experience with hard problems like depression and suicide in their life or in a friends life, how do you deal with that? Not in a week or a month, it takes time, it will change you forever. The movie does an amazing job of putting you in the main characters shoes from when he is a child and all the events that lead up to the main action. It really portrays how teens are and how they party, their sexual life, and mainly cliques. Students know that there are cliques and that people get left out, but not all are aware that it is not their job to push people away but the help bring people together. It doesn’t always work out how it does in the movies, some people just like to be left alone and that is fine. No one has the right to decide who gets left out or why.
#16. The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. I agree with this statement because soundtracks are essential to movies, they direct how we feel throughout the film. When watching a scary movie we know when something may happen when the music speeds up and is heavy. This tells us that something may happen, causing anticipation before the action happens. Music can also be very drastic compared to what is really happening. For example, in a movie where there is a battle going on and it is in slow motion there may be very calm music. This adds to the movie and makes you see beauty in something that is so ugly and evil. But music can also make us feel happy and warm. Like in a love scene on a beach at sunset or a couple splashing around happily in the water. It is their moment so we watch them and the music adds to the romance and bliss.
#20. People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental and emotional stimulation – because our lives are lacking in way Hollywood knows about. I agree with this and that Hollywood targets young girls especially. They do this mainly by love stories like The Notebook or even Titanic. The girls see all of this passion and romance in the movies and look at their average life and it’s not nearly as exciting. So by watching these films they get a little taste of what it is like to have all that excitement. This is also similar for guys and war movies or movies like What Happens In Vegas. All of the craziness and random events that could never happen in our little town are brought to life and they get to see it and experience it, sort of. The movies can only do so much but it is better then nothing.
1. The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists
There are many extraordinary artists like Steven Spielberg. Every one of his movies was a hit and nobody that watched them will ever forget them. Works like Jaws, E.T., Indiana Jones, Back to the future, Jurassic Park, and The Flintstones. Who wouldn’t like movies that make you want to keep watching because of action, dinosaurs, comedy, and other things that you wouldn’t think about without watching the movies. There’s just something people like about fighting and that make them care for the main characters and want them to make it to the end of the movie and not die. They think that when there is screaming involved then the movie is going to be even more full of action and there may be some unexpected twist that will make it even more awesome and memorable. But aside from the action of the movie, there is the drama between friends and loved ones that can make you love the characters in the movie even more.
5. Movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be.
Sometimes people think that there lives are not exciting enough, so they want to fill the void by watching a show about someone that has a more exciting life than they do so it will make them feel better because they can imagine themselves to be like that person so their life seems to be a little more exciting because of it. If they feel unloved they can watch a movie with people a romance that they wish was theirs. If they feel weak they can watch a movie with someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger and imagine themselves to be just like them. If they are sad because they have no car to drive around in they can rent a movie with lots of awesome fast cars and can imagine what it would be like if they had a car like that and feel like their life is that much better because of it.
23. The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in happy meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker.
The fast food industry does help to promote movies because there is usually a toy put out based on the movie that they know will appeal to kids. They put a commercial on saying something like buy a happy meal at McDonalds and get a free toy with it. The kids will continually say mom lets go to McDonalds, dad lets go to McDonalds until they get them to go there. The kid will get the toy and have a blast playing with it, they will keep saying how awesome the toys. Eventually they will want to get a different one of those toys to play with and the process will begin again and the parents will take them back and eventually the kids will want to watch the movie and will ask their parents to get them the movie. The kids will then want one of the parents to watch it with them and if it appeals to the parent they will want the next in the series and will tell others about the movie and they will watch it and so on and so forth
#3 i would have to disagree with. I disagree with it because you don't decide that a movie is good by who is in it. You decide if a movie is good by its story line. You also decide if it is a good movie by how the acting is done. I also find movies are good by how they move you. If a movie can effect your life or your outlook on something it is a good movie. I could go to a movie with someone i didn't know how they were and say wow that was a good movie and walk away happy even though it didn't have Brade Pitt or some hot actress in it.
#5 I find that movies are very necessary as an escape from reality. With out movies it would be hard to find something to relive stress that a good war movie does or even for some movies a good cry only when its needed though. I find it is the same as music when i am angry i tend to listen music that helps me take out the stress or the angry that i am feeling. I also find that walking out of a movie i am content and happy. They make you happy even though you may not have been when you went into one.
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I find this statement very true. I find the movies that are your fav. tend to be life changing. Like one of my fav. movies right now is V for Vendetta. I find the interesting and it does a good job and drawing you into what the main character is saying that some times the idea of someone is more important then the person them self. I find that i tend to look at the purpose someone is doing something now more then just what they are doing. The movie also says that an idea could/will live on forever even though that the person has died. So yes a movie can change you forever or inspire you to do great things with your life.
Emily Gardner
#3 I agree and disagree with statement this statement; We decide the films greatness by its actors. When I hear about a movie I look to see who is in it. If there are good actors in the movie I am more likely to see it. If the actor does a great job then the movie will be successful. If the actor does a terrible job the movie will not be as successful as it could be. Even if the plot/story is the best written, and there is no well known actor the movie may not be the most successful. I could disagree with this statement by saying that I would not care less if there was a famous person or not in the movie. Some of the famous actors are not always the most talented. When you have new actors you don’t go to a movie having high expectations for them. So you will not be able to judge their acting.
#12 I agree with the statement; Movies can inspire you to do great things and/ or change your life forever. I probably wouldn’t agree with this statement a couple of weeks about but after watching the movie “To Save a Life” I changed my mind. Watching the movie made me understand the realities of some high school. Having watched this I understand that you have to listen and be a good friend. I also noticed that people in that movie were very judgmental. They judged everybody from just who they are to what they believe. When going to a movie you don’t think that that particular movie will change your life. Expect some movies do make you leave feeling better and wanting to change. I think some of the best movies are the ones that can inspire us to be better and possibly change our lives forever.
#1 I agree with the statement; The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists. If we did not have so many extraordinary actors we would not have good movies. Having good movies makes us able to have a fairy tale life unfortunately lives without good movies would just be plain and boring. There are many actors and actresses that are very extraordinary. They can play so many different people that it is amazing and how they can transform from one character to another. Most actors do not only act they donate. They can donate time, money and more. Actors are not only the artist in Hollywood. Directors are also extraordinary artists. They have the ability to see and do things that ordinary people can not. The directors can show different camera angels, lighting techniques and much more that people with no experience deconstructing films can not see. Directors have the ability to make us feel certain ways; sad, happy, scared, angry, excited.
Remember, 450 words is the bare minimum. Found on the right hand column of this site-- "Specific ways to earn points:"
Originality & critical thinking
Use/mention of literary devices like symbolism, metaphor, simile foreshadowing, mood, conflict and
specific examples of devices
Comparisons to other things you've read, seen, heard (art, music, films, plays, shows, stories)
Depth: creation of meaning and real excavation of/for meaning
Length: thoroughness and thoughtfulness
I agree with the first statement. That the hollywood film industry is full of extraordinary artists. The people there know what they are doing and how to do it. Some people are not very good actors but they don't attempt for a career in acting (normally). The directors are chosen also for a reason, they know how and why to do things, they know when lights are called for or a line or some other thing. The screen writers also are important because they make the movies that we love, hate or anything in between. The reason we like these movies is because they are so well made that we can almost believe that what is given to us is true. Even the people who put on the makeup are artists because when a character is shown to have a scar we don't know if it is real or not because of how great these people are at their jobs.
I greatly disagree with the twenty-fith statement, because, first of all, that is a chance that we have taken in putting our money towards a movie. You pay your money to watch a movie, and they let you watch that movie, so why should you get your money back? Also, movies that have endings such as this can get the viewer thinking about how bad the world can be, and why things are they way they are. Why do we constantly want good to win? Because we like to see ourselves as the good guys and we all want to win. When evil wins we are discouraged of our "happy ending" and are forced to see the way things are mostly in this world. So the only reason they have to demand their money back is discomfort. These movies are made to cause discomfort. Movies like this are important to our society.
For the fourth statement.
I am not completely at ease with this statement because I don't see this as a "skill" per say, but how well a person can get into an idea, or if they even want to. If a person goes into a movie and is a stoic disbeliever in what the movie is trying to say then the message will not hit them and they will not like the movie. But if a viewer goes into a movei with a blank slate then they are more likely to get into a movie. And if a viewer is a hardcore believer in what the movie is going to say, and if the movie says what they want it to say then the movie is an instant hit with them regardless if the movie is with everyone else. The best way to watch a movie, in my eyes, is to go into it not expecting to get anything out of it and just accept everything they tell you regardless of if it goes against your beliefs or not. This way you can get the full meaning of the movie. As Aristotle said, "It is the sign of a great mind to be able to entertain an idea without accepting it".
I agree with statement number 1.
"The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists." It takes a lot of people to make a movie possible and if somebody doesn't do their job right then the whole thing could be ruined. Actors are a big part of this process but not the only part. All of the people that work behind the scenes to make the special effects, music, sets, and even make-up people are all part of the process that makes Hollywood what it is. If you think about it, it is really sad because the only place where all of the movie that put time and effort into a movie get recognized and receive credit for their hard work is the credits. The credits to so people is still part of the movie and is worth watching, but to others it is just a signal to tell them that the movie is over and they can go on with their lives. I love the quote from "The Simpsons Movie" where Homer says as the credits are rolling, "A lot of people have work hard on this movie and all they ask is that you memorize their names."
I also agreed with the number 3.
"We decide a film's greatness by its actors. I think a lot of people do this even if they don't think they do. For example if a movie has actors and actresses such as Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, or Megan Fox; they are more apt to go to it that movie rather than one that has a bunch of unknown actors and actresses. People always say that if they hate a movie it is because the acting sucked. Well in that case you have a couple of people to blame. You can blame the actor for obvious reasons. You can also blame the director for have something in the movie that the actor couldn't do well. You can and should also blame the casting director for casting the wrong person for a role when there were hundreds of other actors who would done a better job. I feel bad for the actors sometimes because they always get chewed out for something that they did wrong when other people should be equally blamed for it.
The third statement that I agreed with is number 13. "No director is that much better than any other director." Yes, some director are more well known than others but that doesn't mean that they are better than them. Some directors like Steven Spielberg have directed a lot of different types of film genres, while others like George Lucas have only done one film genre. Just because we see their names more than we see other directors names doesn't mean that they are any better or worse than any other director. It might take some time for a director to find his calling or mojo but when he/she finally does he/she can become just as famous for their film making like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have.
#3: We decide a film’s greatness by its actors. I agree and disagree with this statement. I think it’s somewhat true because if a movie has a hot mega star as the lead, people will want to see that movie no matter what it’s about. I bet some of the best money making movies only made as much as they did because of the actors they got to be in it. On the other hand, just because a movie has a certain actor, doesn’t mean people will go rushing to that movie either. If a movie seems like it has a good plot or if it is based off a book, people will still want to see it. There is so much more to a film than its actors. Some people I’m sure, will go to a movie based on the director, not the actors at all. I don’t’ think a movie should be destined to be great just because of it’s actors. It could be a great movie and people are missing out just because the movie budget didn’t allow for major Hollywood actors.
#16: The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. I definitely agree with this statement. Having a good or bad soundtrack can make or break a movie for most viewers. If there is great upbeat music, people are generally more involved in the movie. If a movie has songs and music that don’t even follow along with the scenes in the movie, that would not only confuse people, but it would also not be entertaining at all. With horror movies in particular, music sets you up and almost tells you how to feel. If something scary is going to happen soon, the music is telling you that by playing the eerie music. But in a romantic movie, if there is a heartfelt scene, there is usually orchestra music. It makes you feel happy for the people in the scene. Also, in sports movies if people win the game, there is upbeat, triumphant music that almost makes you want to get up and cheer for them also.
#20: People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental and emotional stimulation- because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about. I agree with this statement because we generally go to movies to get an escape from our lives. People are extremely busy and can be very stressed out and sometimes going to a movie and soaking up some fairy tale life can make us feel better. People spend $8 just for the movie ticket and at least $20 if they get popcorn, pop, and candy along with it. But if that means that we can forget about our lives for two hours, it seems like fun to me. Hollywood makes movies with incredibly hot actors to suck women into seeing a movie, and it works too. We go to that movie, then go home and wish we had a hot guy like that to come home to every night.
I partially agree with number 17. I do not believe that all major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries. I think some actors are great and deserve the money but some famous actors are just in way too many movies. When you see the same actor in different movies it does not make the movie realistic which takes away from the movies effect. For example I can not watch a movie with John Travolta in it without thinking of the movie Grease. I also think some of the less famous actors should get more money. Normally unknown actors have to prove themselves so they do great work that deserves a better salary. Also actors get paid ridiculous amounts of money. To me they do not do anything very important to society. Yes, some do donate their money to charities but other just buy fancy cars and houses while regular people work their whole lives and never make $20 million.
I agree with number 23 about the fast-food industry benefiting from money making movies. At McDonalds and Burger King their kids meals all have movie related toys in them generally. This makes kids want to watch the movie and afterwards eat some fast food to get the toy. Both the movie and the fast food place target kids because they know if a child begs their parents enough they will get to see the movie that matches their new toy. Fast-food places also have movie ads on drink cups and food bags which advertizes to the adults. The movies benefit from this because they get the name of the movie out into the public by another means other than tv. People who eat out will see the movie ads and then see the movie. So either way you look at it these two industries benefit thanks to each other.
Number 1 I also agree with. The hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists. Movies are a form of artwork. Not just anybody can pick up a movie camera and direct an amazing film. It takes talented people to do this job. Directors pay attention to every detail in a film. I personally could never come up with these brillent ideas. The actors are also artists. They play their roles in a realistic way so audiences can relate to them. Rachel Mcadams for example plays many different roles each of which are very realistic. In Mean Girls she is great as Regina George yet in a completely different role in Red Eye she acts excellently in a serious role. If movies are not artwork then why do we pay money to view them?
Megan Short pd 3
I agree with number six: "War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad the don't have". Most men wish that they could defend their country but are either scared to die for their country, the commitment that comes with signing up, or they have other plans for what they would like to do with their future. Watching movies like "Saving Private Ryan" or "We Were Soliders" give them kind of the front man view on what it is really like and to see how gruesome war really is and the emotion that is goes along with war and being in the military! You see the bravery that comes along with being in war and you can feel they pain that they have when they are away from home or when a buddy of theirs gets shot or is sent away, so they feel lonely and abandonment. You can even feel how generals feel not just privates. They have the most pressure by following through with orders. Not what typical guys have in mind for a future, but watching them you get a little respect that they signed their lives on the line for us!
I also agree with number sixteen: "The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experiences in significant ways". Songs or instrumentals adds to scenes in alot of ways, it builds emotions of the viewers. They build that "awh" moments in romantic movies, the "holy gosh" movies in gory movies, and the "hide under the cover" moments in horror films. You will always be able to tell when something good or bad is going to happen just by the music playing in the background. Without music it would feel like everyday life, without a soundtract, I think that movies would be boring and not normal. Soundtracts also promotes a movie. If you see previews to a movie and it doesn't look like something you might enjoy, you could check out the soundtract and could possibly figure out what the movie is about by piecing the pieces together and make the final decision. Like with all the new Transformers movies you can be guarentee a new Linkin Park song.
Finally, I agree with number 13: "No director is that much better than any other director". Most people have a favorite director. Mine are Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg, or Tim Burton. All these have different genres of films they produced, but all are extraordinary artists. They are best at what they do and make films that they think will help them. Even if other directors think that it is not a good film, the one who created the film saw it through there eyes and visions. Everyone is comfortable in there own mind-set and prove themselves everytime they have a new film get out in theaters. I agree with Victoria's statement when they all have weak points and strong points. The weak that is in films can only make a director better and help them improve as a director. And the strong points are something that they have already accomplished and should be praised about. This is why no director is better than others. They all have things to improve, everyone has faults.
Hall_6
I agree with number twelve: Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I strongly agree with the part that movies can change a person but the forever part is a little iffy. Some movies that change peoples life are most like "The Blind Side" in that they are movies full of compassion and love or some generous act that is not very common and catches peoples attention. Movies can inspire someone to do something that they usually would not do such as give some money to a homeless man or help the needy. For a movie to change someones life the movie must feel so amazingly real to the viewer that they want to have the same feeling outside of the theater. The movie has to be touching emotionally and strong enough to get noticed.
I also agree with number six: War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have. Men like many things with explosions and guns. Games, movies, magazines you name it there are ones about war for guys to read and watch. Men are obsessed with war because men are suppose to be heroic and tough and nothing gives men more experience in being manly while doing nothing then watching a war movie. Men love playing war games also. For example "Call of Duty: Modern warfare 2" for the Xbox is a HUGE hit with many teen and even into the 30's age men. It allows them to experience war without actually getting shot.
I STRONGLY agree with number seven: "Chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have. Women run on drama, hormones, and emotion. Almost all women that I know love chick flicks. They give the girls the drama that they desire. Chick flicks also make a fashion statement for the girls that watch to know what to wear and how to do there hair. Without chick flicks girls might melt right off the face of the planet. Ok, not really, but girls do LOVE their chick flicks. They even have their own catigory in movies and films so they are a big thing.
I agree with #16, “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways.” What would a scary movie be without the change to uneasy, slowly getting louder music when something bad is going to happen in the film? It creates suspense and attaches the viewer emotionally. Also, in action movies/war movies, when something really good has just happened, there is almost always very loud/proud sounding music. This adds to the mood and helps the viewer to also feel proud for the character. Soundtracks are placed in certain places of a film very carefully to attach the viewer and add to the emotion of the scene. For example, in The Notebook 1940’s music is played often to help the viewer understand the time frame. It helps us to feel like we are living back in time with the characters of the film. Without soundtracks, movies would be bland.
I disagree with # 8, “when you’re in a theatre, you’re just wasting time and filling your gut.” In my opinion, when you’re in a theatre, you’re thinking critically and getting out of your own life for a couple of hours to add some excitement to life. And, what’s wrong with filling your gut with delicious popcorn every now and then? The entire movie experience helps you to feel certain things that you don’t have to go through yourself. For example, The Notebook makes you feel the inseparable love that Noah and Allie had. You feel the handful of emotions from everything that happens in the film, without spending a lifetime chasing love the way the characters do in the film. Also, some war movies are even good for education and help viewers realize that war is dead serious. Many people would like to know what war is like, but don’t actually want to experience it themselves.
I also disagree with # 25, “When an ending is “bad” or evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back.” First of all, the audience paid for the movie not knowing if they would like it or not. They’re the ones who took the chance. If they didn’t want this type of ending they could have looked up reviews online or asked others who had seen it already about it. Also, I think that these types of endings are much more realistic. Who wants to go to a movie that ends in a predictable happy ending every time? I have noticed that in most animated Disney movies, everything always works out perfectly in the ending. This could be a bad thing for children to see. They need to realize that things usually don’t end as happily as the movies make them seem. In No Country for Old Men, the ending is brilliant. It leaves you wondering what happens to Chigurh and makes you think about the corruptness of society today. It was something different for once.
blog by Justin Gabbert
1. Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be. This statement is entirely true. Movies are designed to entertain us. They seperate ourselves from reality. Everyone likes to watch movies because our lives just aren't good enough. War films for example give men the ability to escape to a jungle and fight and kill everything in sight without ever having to leave the couch. Westerns bring us back to the olden days and give us a sense of a "true" hero. Movies are like time machines. The help us to go anywhere we want and at any time. I can live during WWII, or fight a king from the mid-evil ages. Movies are the gateways to a reality that some cannot create themselves.
2. Movies can inspire you to do great things. Movies are powerful influencers. They give us this sense of feeling that we want to do more than we're able to. Movies are bigger more awesome than our common lives. We dream to have even just a moment of such awesomeness. People are always reenacting movies or quoting them. I don’t go through a single day where I don’t relate to a movie. Movies help create moral boundaries. When someone in a movie that I really enjoy does or says something I want to repeat it. I want to be just like them. When soldiers give their lives for their comrades, it makes me want to have just one moment where I could give my all for those dear to me. Even though it may sound ridiculous that you would put yourself and your friends in danger people still do it. Movies such as Jack Ass put warning labels on their movies so people don't repeat their dangerous stunts. People still do them anyways. When I see deep inspirational movies it makes me want to commit more to myself and others. I saw the movie "Goal" and it taught me never to give up on your dreams. This soccer movie made me go out and pick up a soccer ball and start juggling. I became so confident and proud of myself just because I saw a chance. I thought, hey if he can push on, why can't I? Movies where made to inspire others. Just like novels and music, movies give us the motivation to do and give more with our lives.
3. The fast-food industry helps movies be poplular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. Fast-food industries help bring movies to life. McDonalds gives out toy figures and boxes advertising movies. Some people dont even call movies movies untill their on a happy meal box. Children love the toys and they want more. So parents take them to movies to get the kids to want something else. Movies are huge advertisements. In movies themselves there is advertisement. Theater prices are exspensive so why not just go to burger kind or wendy's after the movies for a cheap deal. You go from one familiar environment to another. Food industries can't lose with a good movie, and a movie can't lose with free advertisement. They share a win-win situation with each other. They help complete the world in full circle.
Charlie Sellers_6
#13-I disagree with number thirteen on the anticipation guide. It says that no director is that much better than any other director. I think that there are a lot of stand out directors in this world. Like Steven Spielberg for example, he has directed so many great movies and I do not think that anybody could compare to him. What this statement is saying is that someone like Jared Hess who directed Napoleon Dynamite is just as good as Steven Spielberg and I really do not agree with that. Steven Spielberg has obviously directed way better and more entertaining movies than Jared Hess has any day. Whoever would think that this statement is completely wrong and they have to think about what makes the movie. The director has a great role in this and if the movie is not very good then the director cannot be much better than the movie.
#6-I agree with number six. It says war films give men experience they wish they had-but are glad they do not have. I think that war films really do give men experience that they wish that they had because usually the main character in the movie does a lot of killing and goes through a lot of action. Usually someone will die if they do a lot of killing, but in the movies, most of them stay alive and live a happy, fulfilling life with there beautiful wife. Men are enjoying these movies because they get to go through the action in the movie and not actually experience and possibly get wounded or die. They can just sit in their comfortable chairs, eating some popcorn, drinking some pop, and maybe eating some candy while relaxing, watching all of the action going on in front of them, and not even worrying about bullets going past them and almost being shot.
#21-I disagree with number twenty-one on the anticipation guide. It says that screenplays that have realistic dialogue are always better. Movies such as "Lord of the Rings" and "Avatar", I think are two of the best movies of all time and both of those are not really realistic at all. Movies like "The Blind Side" and "Precious", the more realistic movies, are worse, in my opinion because they do not have very much action in them compared to the other two movies. I think that a great movie consists of intense action and nonrealistic ideas because you can dream about those movies and want them to come true. In the other movies those things can happen and it is not very exciting because a lot of people, like me, like to fantasize about being in a whole new world and just being off this planet and trying something totally new.
We decide a film’s greatness by its actors: I’m saying that this is a false statement. The reason why this is definitely a false statement is because I have seen great movies without knowing anything about the actors at all. Personally whenever I go to watch a movie I never know who the actor is anyways, although if a movie had Will Smith in it I would probably go and watch it. Moving on, I believe we determine the greatness of the movie by the plot and how exactly the movie made you feel. If the movie gave you the feeling you were looking for most people believe that is the greatness of the movie. I have never heard anyone say to me this movie is great because “so in so” is in it. That would be a ridiculous reason to go see a movie. When I go to see a movie I read the back cover so I know what the plot is going to be.
Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or changed yourself forever: This statement I am going to have to say that I agree with. When discussing this in class there was quite a bit of controversy which I was surprised. There are movies that I have seen that I know have inspired me and/or changed myself forever. I can name some of the right now: Fireproof, The Blindside, and Facing the Giants. These movies are all Christian based so I hold it close it me and they always make me want to improve myself, they inspire me to do great things, to be better than I am right now. When you leave the movie theatre or just get done watching it at home you have this feeling about you that makes you feel like you just won a victory. It makes you want to go out and do the same thing and do something people are not expecting.
People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation---because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about: Of course people are going to pay money for this kind of thing! I know that my life is pretty boring and I watch a movie from time to time because I need that little ‘umph’ in me. A lot of the time I want a crying movie so I can escape my problems and think my problems aren’t as bad as theirs. At the end of the movie it makes me feel better. People are always lacking the type of excitement that Hollywood creates for people. Their lives are never going to be as action filled as ‘Transformers’ and they will never end up being the best football player in the world like in ‘The Blindside.’ People want the escape, they don’t want to go to a movie that is exactly how their life is. Even if pricing goes up at movie theatres people are still going to go and watch movies it is a business that will never fail.
#7 Chick Flicks fill the emotional holes that women have.
I mostly agree with this one. A lot of the chick flicks are the same with a girl and a boy who fall in love. Every girl watches these movies and wants what happens in it to happen to her. She wants to have this amazing fairy tale happy ending to be real in her life. It is a girls fantasy to have a good looking guy fall in love with you and sweep you off your feet. While a girl watches this happening to someone they don't think about the situation and that it usually doesn't happen and it is just a fantasy. The reason these movies are popular is because the directors know exactly what teenage girls want and fantasize about. I disagree with the statement though because not always does a girl watch a chick flick and have hope for finding some perfect guy to be with. Some girls watch these films and it reminds them of what they can not will not and do not have. That means, emotionally they feel really bad. They feel like all of these other girls are finding their perfect man and they are stuck all alone. It all depends on how the person sees the film. They look at it from a negative or positive perspective, just like seeing a glass half full or empty.
#25 When an ending is bad or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back.
I do not agree with this one. I think if you go to a movie you are going to it because you think it appeals to you. I know that I wouldn't go to a movie that I thought looked completely stupid! When you are at a movie and you think it is "bad" then you should just leave. You shouldn't be able to get your money back because you didn't like it. You had a choice to go to that movie in the first place you weren't forced to be there. Everyone is different and sees and likes things differently. If you go to a movie and don't like it and ask for your money back that is like going out to eat at a restaurant, ordering something then eat every last bite and then go and complain that you didn't like it. That doesn't make any sense you had a choice of getting what you wanted in the first place.
#13 No director is that much better than any other director.
I disagree with this statement. All directors have the same job of making something for someone to enjoy but, not all of them can make a lot of people happy. I bet it could be proven that the more money or the number of famous/known actors are in the movie determines how much money and how many people go see and/or buy your film. Certain directors get awarded for how great of a job they did. How could there even be awards for directors if they were all exactly the same. That would be like saying every person that does the same job does it the same as everyone else does that job. We know that is not true. Not every teacher that teacher a particular subject teaches it the same as the other teachers teaching that subject. There are good and bad teachers and directors. It is your opinion. The better the director the more likely it is that more people are going to like them and they will be awarded for their skill.
We decide a films greatness by its actors. This statement is 100 percent true. The actors can completely make or break a movie and can decide how good it is for the viewer. When watching a movie if you know that the person on the screen is just an actor and doesn’t completely make you believe they are the character they are portraying it can completely ruin a movie in my opinion. You know when watching a movie if the person is just not that good at acting and it can make the film really horrible and make it not worth watching. Also when you see previews for a movie you know when the actor’s names come up whether you’re going to go see the movie or not because some actors are just better than others and can make the movie that much better if they are in it.
25. When an ending is bad or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back. I completely disagree with this statement. I sometimes like these kinds of endings. I believe they can add more meaning to the end of a film or can send some serious messages. They can say that good doesn’t always triumph over evil. That there is evil in this world so bad things will happen good people will die and bad people will get away. It’s not perfect but it’s life and some directors want to say that with their movies. I enjoyed the movie No Country For Old Men. I felt it had a good ending and sent a really good message and was just a total kind of shocker type ending that will leave the audience thinking and wondering. So people shouldn’t demand their money back but instead think about the ending and why the director made it that way.
4. There is a definite skill to watching a film well, to really experience it effectively. I agree with this statement because there is definitely a skill to getting everything out of a movie that the director wanted you to and to make the movies even more enjoyable. Now sure you can just watch a movie as an escape and for simple enjoyment, but if you really want to learn and analyze a movie to get everything out of it there is some skill required. You need to be able to take in everything like lighting and camera angles. And the transition between scenes and characters reactions to things in the movie. Even things that seem random that are in the background of scenes can have deep meaning and allusions and foreshadowing to other parts of the film that can add a lot of meaning.
#7:
I do believe that chick flicks are made to fill an emotional void in women. I do not think that all women take advantage of this, however. Some women are satisfied with their lives the way they are and yearn for nothing more than what they have. But for most women, especially at this day in age, want and want and want - no real regard to 'need' but what a chick flick provides is an escape, and a depiction of the unrealistic perfect circumstances in life that we all dream of happening to us. We know that in reality it will never happen to us, but by showing movies we get a taste for what it would be like. Chick flicks can also improve a woman's self esteem. Movies like 'odd girl out' are more of the chick-y variety and show how bad cliques can be and what you can do to overcome that. Other chick flicks may include 'sharing the secret' and 'for the love of nancy' yes they are old but they depict a situation where a person overcame a barrier to their life-inspiring the viewer to do the same.
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#12:
Like I said about chick flicks, movies can inspire you to change yourself and do great things. Movies showing a person in your same immediate situation and how they deal and over come with that may inspire you to do the same, because people who suffer disorders often isolate themselves as much as possible, so they don't really know anyone else is like them - thus feeling misunderstood...watching movies is an isolated way out of isolation if you will.......movies like 'mean girls' may encourage a person NOT to be like the girls in that movie because of what they caused withing their school. The movie 'to save a life' can hit a very emotional part of somebodys soul, especially if you have been touched by suicide, you may change yourself, the little things...like saying hello or smiling, or not saying that rude comment or backstabbing that friend by rumors. Because you never know when it will be too much for somebody. It's cliche but true: Sticks and stones may break her bones but words may make her kill herself.
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#11:
Honestly, I do not believe that there is a "formula" to making great movies. I know it is contrary to popular belief but this is what I believe. The reason I think that is because there are a lot of movies out there, 'sharing the secret' for example that do not contain extraordinary people...the actors in those movies are more generic - making them more believable and relatable to the viewer's life. Many great movies are based upon a simple situation with conflicts/drama etc... but a movie doesn't have to have hot actors/actresses, explosions and drama in it to be good. There are so many other factors into a movie that make it great - like the point of it/story behind it. But I guess if you just want a movie to entertain you and display graphic images of skankily dressed people then go for it! but I good movie is in the eyes and mind of the viewer.
#23 the fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in happy meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. i agree with this because it is true. The movie Harold and Kumar go to White Castle. This movie is about two guys trying there hardest to go get some burgers from a resturant called white castle. They go through the worst day of there lives trying to get there. But through all the good and bad times they went through they made it, and it was good. After seeing this movie it inspired me to go there and try some of there food. The movie made White Castle seem like the new McDonalds when personally i didnt think it was all that great. In Happy Gilmore while he golfs there are pepsi signs all over if you pay attention. Companies pay alot of money to get there company advertised in a movie and for the most part it pays off. i would have never known about white castle if it were not for that movie and they made about five dollars off me. and if a hundred thousand people watch it.. thats five hundred thousand dollars they made for being in that movie.
#9 (Films permanentyl affect and influence the ways we view the world.) - The whole world is connected within public opinion. The way the audience takes in mass media impacts their social and cultural lives. The people,cars, clothes, money, guns, drugs, and the actions they act out are all intended to catch our eye; they make us want to reinforce our own behavior by being like them. We read magazines to feel some kind of interaction with the world. Of course some poeple watch television merely for emotional releife such as comedy. the ways people try to reproduce their self image can be bad but someimtes good. some people take the message in more than other and turn it into an acting career , others go only for the self image and unconciously drift away from their native selves.
#13 No director is that much better than any other director. I dissagree with this even though all directors do the same thing. Some directors go above the norm and strike the community with something amazing. The movie that i am deconstructing is filmed by Darren Aronofsky a director from Brooklyn, New york. i think he is a great director. his use in Lighting and camera angles made the movie draw me in and look at the movie in aww and disbalief. Even though the movie line is hard to follow and take in. i like the way Darren used Macro Photography to create the key visual effects. it is different from what most directors do. All directors have there own style of filming they like which makes all directors different. they have there own tastes in different lighting, sound, and camera angle techniches which make every director different.
1. The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways. This one catches my attention because soundtracks to a certain extent make the movie and help move the plot along. In some cases, when you are watching a horror film the soundtrack or mysterious music in the background can ruin or give away a suspensful part of the movie. Other times though, the soundtrack adds to the intensity of the movie or makes it comical. Most movies would not be as great without the music in the background. Movies to a certain extent have a formula and necessities : actors/actresses, plot, setting, and much more - but the soundtrack is also a vital part of a movie in my opinion. Without a soundtrack the movie is dull and not as interesting. Action movies or fight scenes would be lame without upbeat B.A. music in the background to build the intensity. In romantic movies the slow cute love songs are touching and appeal to our emotions. Horror movies in my opinion can go both ways, sometimes the soundtrack is awesome and keeps the plot moving and makes in more intense, but other times it gives away the parts that are supposed to be suspensful and scary. Soundtracks are awesome and make the movie what it is -- to some it all up!
2. "Chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have. I agree with this statement because from personal experience I go to chick flicks because they are cute and you want the romantic relationships the hollywood stars have in the movies. You can relate in ways, but in others you wish your life was like theirs. You can get lost in the movies and imagine a life like that. All human beings have an emotional hole to be filled. Whether that be by a person or whatever, but it's there and chick flicks for the 2 hours you are watching that movie you can fill that hole and like I said, get lost in the movie. Relate it to your life or want that for yourself. Movies that make you cry help fill that emotional hole. Whether it is "P.s I Love You" or "Marley and Me" -- these movies make you cry or get attached to the characters or dogs or whatever the case may be. It is easier to watch movies that you can relate to or understand and get attached. Also, if the chick flick has specific characters that you love, you can imagine a life with them or how awesome it would be to be in a relationship with that person. Such as David Beckham, he is not a movie star but if he was I would view and purchase every one of them, because he is that sexy. I love David Beckham. I also love Meg Ryan - I own many of her movies because I think she is awesome and I can get attached to her movies easily. Romantic comedies in my opinion definately fill the emotional holes for most women.
3. We decide a film's greatness by its actors/actresses. I disagree and agree with this one. In some cases people will see a small portion of a movie preview and see an actor or actress they like and already make up their mind that they want to see it. I do that all the time, but other times when you watch a movie with unfarmiliar characters it makes the movie more realistic and less fakey in my opinion. Sometimes, I feel the more well known and frequently seen actors and actresses seem less realistic in movies because they are some well known and popular. Also, the unfarmiliar ones can surprise you and have an awesome role they play very well. If I see a movie preview with Channing Tatum or something like that I will probably end up payin money to rent purchase or see it in theaters. For example, the movie "Dear John" - I have already heard it is not a very good movie, but because I love Channing and started the book I will probably still go pay money to see it. Hollywood stars influence movies and how popular they are for sure, there is no doubt about that. The movies that maybe don't make it as far with unfarmiliar characters can be just as enlightening and interesting. It all depends on who is in it and who is viewing it.
Number 25: When an ending is “bad” or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back. I strongly disagree with this statement. Just because you do not like the ending of a movie, you should not demand to get your money back. Some people love the ending of movies, and some people may hate the ending. It is a matter of opinion. If you are the one who chose to go spend money on a movie, then you cannot just get it back based on opinion. If that were the case, then a lot of people would be demanding their money back, whether they liked the ending or not. Some endings where evil wins are actually good because they are going against the the formula of most movies. An example of this is the movie No Country for Old Men. This movie’s ending went against the norm and some people loved it.
Number 7: “Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have. I agree with this statement. There is not a girl I know that does not like chick flicks. I think movies are escapes for people, especially chick flicks for girls. In chick flicks there is always a perfect, romantic guy that the girl falls in love with. There is usually some girl drama, but the girl always ends up with the guy in the end. Doesn’t every girl want this in life? Most of the time it is not possible to have it as good as they do in the movies. When I am watching chick flicks, I escape from reality into the movie and everything feels so much more positive. It makes you forget your life for a couple hours and all of the stresses you have in it. A lot of girls watch these movies when they are feeling down and need some cheering up.
Number 12: Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I agree with this statement. There are many inspirational movies out there and there are many caring and giving people. Movies can open up your eyes on things you never really think about. There are movies showing the poverty and poor living conditions of people around the world, which can be a big eye-opener. A movie that is really inspiring is the movie Pay it Forward. It is about a boy that doesn’t have a very good life but wants to make a difference in the world. For every good deed done, he pays forward three new good deeds to three different people. Anyone that has seen this movie sees how big of a heart this boy has. This makes you want to do something good for somebody, even if it is small. It is the thought that counts. Even though most people that see inspirational movies probably won’t go out and make a difference, there are some that do at least think about these things which can make you grow as a person.
Melissa Bendixen
Period 6
I agree with ‘ There is a definite skill to wawtching a film well – to really experience it effectively. You develop this skill as you watch more movies – and you get more out of the films as you get better’. I agree with this because I used to just watch movies for enjoyment and was very passive about them. Now when I watch movies I notice signs, symbols, and things that actually mean something. I can’t watch a movie without noticing the little things anymore which isn’t a bad thing. When you notice the little things, you get the little jokes you may have missed in earlier times. You’re more scholarly and worldly when you can understand everything in a movie.
I also agree with ‘War films give men experiences they wish they had – but are glad they don’t have’. I agree because it’s understandable. Nobody wants to be on that battlefield with guns blazing and death all around you. By watching these movies, men can feel as if they were there…like they know what it was like, because we all know that’s what guys like…to know everything. They also have the pressure of the symbolic messages saying that if you don’t join the Army or Navy, you’re not a man. All men want to feel manly. By watching these movies they can have that manly feeling and think they know everything. They are perfect movies for them. Also they help US know what happened and/or is happening on the war front. War movies are good for all.
The last one I agree with is ‘People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental and emotional stimulation – because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about’. I agree with this one because it’s true. I go to many movies to just get away from everything else…to experience a type of fairytale that I won’t find anywhere else. Movies like ‘The Notebook’ and many others gives mostly girls that romance that they feel they need or want in their lives without having to go out and risk it all themselves. Comedies as well, when you’re down you may want to just go to a movie to have a few laughs and help brighten your day. Or a scary one when you’re feeling mischievous and want a good thrill, something to get your heart racing and get excited about. There are movies for everybody and every mood you can think of. It’s just up to us to see past the laughs and the thrills and see what the story is really about.
I agree with statement number eighteen. It says, “Movies can change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews.” Movies can change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews because many movies have a profound effect on people. Blood Diamond, for example, showed people what it actually takes to get a diamond in the United States. Some people may consider not buying a diamond ring after seeing Blood Diamond. Movies like Blood Diamond may not permanently change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews, but they at least stay with you for a little while and make you think about those things that you may not usually think of. To Save A Life may also be a movie that could change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews. I haven’t seen the movie, but I have heard that it would be a movie that changes you, at least for a little while.
I disagree with statement number seventeen. It says, “Major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries.” It is ridiculous that actors are paid that much in the first place. Some actors definitely do not deserve the $20 million per movie because they may be a new actor or are not as good at acting. It does take a lot of time and work to make a movie, but I do not believe that it is worth $20 million. Money has become way too much of an obsession for people today, especially in Hollywood. Other than the $20 million, they also get fame and become more and more of a celebrity. It is true that people often go to see a movie just because one of their favorite actors or actresses is in it. I am guessing that those actors and actresses that are favorites get paid even more than the ones that are just starting.
I agree with statement number sixteen. It says, “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways.” Whether a movie has a soundtrack or not, the soundtrack definitely affects the mood of the movie. No Country for Old Men and Paranormal Activity are two movies without a soundtrack. The fact that they do not have a soundtrack fits with the movie, though. The movies are both thrillers and have a lot of suspense. It would be cliché to have a soundtrack where the scary music starts just before something scary happens. Movies with a soundtrack have music that creates different emotions for the viewer. A movie with a happy ending will most likely have happy music playing at the end. The music can guide you through a movie, and it is very important to the progression of a movie.
#4 I agree with this because watching a film well and effectively is a skill. And to get better at something you practice that skill no mater if that skill has to do with sports or music practice builds foundations. The more movies you watch the more experience you have under your belt. Each movie may or may not help analyze other films. But the more you do it you become better even if you don’t agree. Also I think that the more you put into a movie the more you get out of it. If you get what is going on while watching a movie chances are you will like that movie better than others. I also feel that you become open to more things as in cultural views, and pretty much anything. It can also help you see the world and things different and make you more aware of the things you have never seen before or would have ever thought about.
#9 I 100% agree with the way TV shows, movies and advertisements change peoples views. Whether that view is about being more or less sexist, more or less racist, more or less aware, more or less tolerant, more or less loving, more or less tough so on and so on. Growing up watching TV and movies my personal views on High School students of outward appearances isn’t what it is in real life. These movies and TV shows portray students looking like they are 20-25 not an average 16 or 17 year old. But I guess that’s the way the casting goes. But I Think it’s hurtful to younger people’s views. Because of this I look at my friends and myself and still think we look younger than everyone else at the high school age where in reality I know from this class that is not true at all.
#16 Being an avid music lover and am going to major in Music I strongly agree that the soundtracks of films add to the viewers in many significant ways. Music like filmmaking is an art alone yes they both are great but put the two together you have the emotion and stories of the songwriters to play on with the acting, camera angles, lighting and the directors and film writers story. Songs during a movie can add so much more action, tears, love and laughs to a scene. I like to compare this to cooking. Lets say your have a steak, yes alone it is terrific but add a seasoning to it and it just makes it that much better. Soundtracks also bring more revenue to a particular film which in some cases can make or break the movie.
The statement “movies are necessary ‘escapes’ in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be” is a very accurate sentence. When we watch movies, we don’t think about our lives, we focus on what we are watching and not how horrible our lives are compared to what we are watching. We all need ourselves to be free from the bondage of reality and allow the movies to wash over us, releasing our minds into a surreal state that puts us directly into the movie, giving us freedom from our world, and a skeleton key into theirs’. Without these escapes, we couldn’t visualize all the awesome things we can’t experience for ourselves. For example, Avatar allows us to see a world with beauty and a vast array of florescent colors, but without movies, we would never be able to see a world like this, since it’s nonexistent. A movie can completely change our perspective on life as well. I’ve gone into a comedy absolutely miserable and come out completely ecstatic to be alive! Without the movie to change my mood, I would have had to cheer myself up, which would be much harder to obtain without a humorous stimulant to influence my mood.
The sentence “We decide a film’s greatness by its’ actors” is an astonishing true statement, which you don’t realize until you take a step back and think about it. The movie Jennifer’s Body is a perfect example for this statement. Many people went to that movie thinking it would be awesome just because Megan Fox was in it. After the movie opened, the first week’s sales skyrocketed, and then they plummeted faster than a shooting star. People found that this statement makes a lot of sense after looking back on how they felt before and after the movie, because they said to themselves “why did I want to see that movie so bad, the plot was horrible!” then they realize they only went because of Megan Fox. So obviously, hot chicks does not equal good movie, they need a good plot AND a hot chick. That way people will talk up the movie after they see it, and not say things like “That movie sucked so bad, nobody should ever see that, EVER!”
The sentence “Major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries” is accurate to a degree. I wouldn’t say they deserve $20 million, but they really do deserve a large amount of money, but not $20 million. The actors help promote the movies without even telling the viewer what the movie is even about. The movie The Men who stare at Goats was a horrible movie, but it had George Clooney in it, so it had to be good, right? Him being in it massively promoted the movie, and I’m guessing he got paid millions just to be in it, even though it was a flop. So overall, actors are worth the money, but they are paid a little too much for some roles, but to some producers, the publicity they bring is well worth the price tag.
#7- I disagree with this one. Chick flicks do not fill emotional holes in women. They probably make them bigger. Its true that chick flicks are more relatable for women, but when I'm watching a movie and the guy in it is just so romantic and sweet, I say to myself I'm going to find a guy just like that. But the thing is, there is no guy like that out there. Yes, there are guys who share some of those romantic qualities, but no guy is perfect. Chick flicks give women unrealistic expectations of how a relationship should be and then leave us disappointed when our relationship isn't like that. I hope that most women who watch chick flicks don't expect a relationship like those and when their relationships don't turn out like those I hope they don't fall apart. Its true that maybe chick flicks will fill those emotional holes for awhile, but mostly they'll just leave us wanting something we can never have.
#16- I definately agree that the soundtrack of a film add to the viewer's experience in significant ways. Action scenes wouldn't be as intense without that awesome music behind it. Romantic scenes wouldn't seem as sweet without the soft, beautiful violin music in the background. Music helps set the mood of whatever the director is trying to portray. Sometimes you can't even hear what's happening, but because of the type of music thats playing you know exactly what's going on. For instance, if in a movie a person dies, when the messenger goes to tell they're loved one, you hardly ever hear what they say. You just see their facial expressions and hear the sad music and you just know. Also, music adds suspense in horror movies and thrillers. Soundtracks can also introduce a time period. If a movie takes place in the 60's, then obviously it will only have music from that time period. It'll help introduce the setting.
#25- I disagree that if an ending is "bad" or when evil wins, the audience should demend/get their money back. Its true that sometimes when I'm disappointed with the ending I wish I could get my money back, but then I remember how I was entertained by the rest of the film. What a film is worth shouldn't depend on the ending alone. You have to remember the other content of the film. Also, if in every movie good won all the time, eventually people would get bored. You just have to throw in the movie where evil wins, if anything to make us think. These ending are also sometimes more realistic, rather than the "everything is perfect and just the way it should be" type endings. In society things don't always work out the way they should...why should things always work out in movies? Endings where evil win depict the corruptness in society. Also, since it was the viewer's choice to go see the movie, they can't complain about the ending. If they wanted to make sure that they ending was good, they should've done a little research.
ya
#17
I personally did not agree with this one because, there are movies that an actor doesn't get paid $20 million but the movie totally out beats other movies where there are actors like Adam Sandler that do get paid millions for just being in the movie. Like No Country for Old men, do you think that those actors were paid $20 million dollars for that movie? I don't think so, I personally don't believe that anyway. Other movies would be Super Troopers, Redline, and Office Space.
#23
I agreed with this one because you go to McDonald's or Burger King and you hear the little kids that get the happy meals just whine to their parents about going to see that movie, which gets other people around them to think about taking their grand children or children to it. It's like a multiple firecracker, once you light the fuse it just keeps sending off chain reactions to others. Plus little kids just get the happy meals for the toys in the meals, some hardly ever eat the food inside unless they really are hungry, I remember back when i was 6 that's all i wanted was the happy meals for the toys, but than my parents made me eat all my food before I could even look at the toy, boy did I snarf down my food fast. Other places that advertise movies, games, etc. Would have to be Subway, Dairy Queen, Taco Johns, and Taco Bell.
#12
I agreed with this statement because I've watched films before and had it inspire me to go out and either change my life or go do something that benefited me in a great manor. Films that are action packed and get you off your seat with excitement really get me going, snowboarding films just drive me crazy and get me to go out and try some of the stuff they pulled off, unless I know I really can't do that, than I can only dream. Other movies that have a story line that hits close to the heart can make you rethink choices that you may have done and make you go back and either fix them or change them so it benefits both parties if there are any. I personally like the films that get me off my seat and get my head filled with the thoughts of going and trying it out, makes me start thinking about it and occupies me for a while, at least I'm not bored right?
Anderson_7
#12:
I strongly believe that moives inspire you to do great things! The moive Blind side is said to be a touching, careing film that discuss problem we are dealing with today. Dealing with homeless teenagers, and them trying to get an education. This moive inspired me to want to help other teenagers my age. Which i have a few months ago, my mom and I singed up to go to the soup kitchen and feed the homeless. I have been wanting to go back and help out again after whatching this moive. Anouther inspiring moive is To save a Life. This moive also deals with teenagers, and how to cope with their problems. Unfortanlly one of them could not handle the pressure from day to day riducle from his peers and shot himself. This does happen frequently in our counry. It makes me think, why do we have to be so mean? What did they do to us, to make us hate them? I belive that the reason people just pick and bully on people is because those girls and boys are just to insucre with themselves so they take it out on other people to make them feel more suppior to the other peers. Other than inspiring teenager moives. A moive that inspires me personally is any kind of dancing moives. Just like the moive Fame does just that. It gets me inspired to go dance, and try new steps.
#20:
I also think People pay alot of money for just two hours of entertainment. I am one of those people, I spend to much money on the weekends going to moives. I cant help it. Moives are an escape to me just like it is for everone eles out their. I like feeling like someone eles for a change. I like the emotions i dont have to work for. Moives make you sad, they can make you happy and glad, they can also make you mad and frustrated. To get those feelings all you have to do is sit their! No work involved. People spend 8.50$ for their ticket and usally you can not resist that delsisous smell of butter popcorn so they spend at least 20$ on that. You have to spend the money to get that experiance of a differnt life. Hollywood makes moives with incredibly hot actors to suck women and men into seeing a moive, and it works! We go to that moive, then go home and wish we had a hot guy or woman like that to come home to every night.
#10:
There is a distint Hollywood formula to makin money with blockbusters. It goes like this, Hot Woman + Hot guy + explosions + drama= A fortune! I Agree a 105% with this formula. You need theis kep points to sell a moive! Take transformers you have Megan Fox, and Shia LaBeouf with hot cars and explostions and you have a million dollars right their! I belive all men wish for this formula in moives because they wont step foot in a chick flick. Like the moives Dear John, when in rome and more. Also I have been starting to think maybe the reason why guys dont like these moives is because they know deep down that us girls are going their just because we want to see how a good relationship works. Even though we are already in a good realationship, but maybe he could be more like Edward in twighlight? or John, in Dear John? The guys just dont want to feel bad, becuase they can fly around and sparkle! Us girls would feel hurt if a guy took us to a moive to try and show us to be more like Megan Fox, Jennifer Ansiton.
For my questions I chose number nineteen, number two, and number six. I believe that some movies that are made for teens are beautifully knitted together through soundtracks, camera angles, lighting, settings, characters, and the most important thing the script. Most movies that are made for teens I personally believe that they are not made that well; they tend to focus on parties, and naked girls. Honestly, I get sick of all of the same stuff just with different names, titles, locations, and a little twist. Movies like Mean Girls are truly in short supply for teenagers. However there are a lot of movies that bridge the gap between artfully created movies, and movies that are all about making a quick buck. These kinds of movies for teenagers are predominately horror movies; laying on the edge of good movies and bad movies they seem to be fairly predictable, yet offer insightful camera angles, abstract sets, and soundtracks and plots that have some underlining message through the movie.
For number two; I believe that a lot of the best movies use very creative camera angles, and lighting techniques to portray the desired emotion they want onto the audience. However if they get too distracted into the camera angles and lighting it could distract from what the director and writers are trying to say, and begins to steal attention from the plot. If the director and writers cooperate on what the movie should and should not have, and compromise; they can make a two hour master piece that will be remember for decades by its viewers. If both parties are willing and insightful in their work the can create a phenomenon like The Dark Knight; where it becomes instant pop culture and leads audiences gripping to the ends of their seats, hanging by every passing moment of the film. Dark Knight is a great example of what can happen if the director, and writers are on the same page.
Number six is all about experiences that some men dream about. I can personally relate to this statement. I wish I had some war experiences, but on the other side I would not want some of the experiences. The experiences I can live without would be the fear, all of the wartime nightmares of my fallen comrades, and friends dying in front of me. Memories that I would cherish would be spending time with my men, and knowing that I am personally protecting everything, everyone, and the soul idea of true freedom. I could live with the sleepless nights caused by post war dreams and hallucinations of gory, raw, bleak scenes of war unfold through my conscious. Faces would haunt me of the men I killed, the look in their eyes permanently burned into the back of my brain like the first steps of my first born child. War is a terrible, yet very beautiful thing; beautiful that it creates friendships that last a lifetime, yet terrible for the mental scars, and loss of value in life.
Ryan Hansen
Chelsea Mattson pd. 7
#7 "chick flicks fill the emotional holes women have." I agree with this. As a woman when things go wrong, or I’m not happy with my current situation, I tend to watch movies that can take me away from it, and bring me into the shoes of a girl with a lifestyle opposite of mine. It's simple, escape your problems and get away from your mind, movies are like a vacation for your bad thought process. When break ups happen, an emotional void needs to be filled, often times chick flicks have romances, deep ones that makes you wish you had the 'ideal' man in your life that the main character has in the movie. We want to see movies that bring us to tears, to make us laugh, and that we can relate too. Girls like to watch chick flicks together to bond over them and talk about experiences. Chick flicks can help you see other peoples lives not work out, and maybe even give you faith that your life will work out for the best, some are really inspiring, and others can help you use a less harsh lens on yourself(better self image), and not see every imperfection. They are generally sad, but strong. I recently saw Dear John in theatres which I would classify as somewhat of a chick flick. In my opinion the movie was phenomenal, it made me cry, and I was able to look through the eyes of savanna(the main actress) and really live her story, i believe that is why movies such as these are loved by woman, they give you a time to escape your problems/life and enjoy someone else's. They can teach life lessons, and fill voids that just aren't getting filled by something else.
#16 "the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways." This is so true. Music has always been around in some form or another. In films it speaks to the viewer in words that everyone can interpret differently, reaching more emotions than just speech can alone. Some one can hear a song in a movie and relate it with something in their life, and the person sitting next to them can be relating it to something totally different. Neither relation is right nor wrong, is music itself not right or wrong. Producers use music to reach and capture the attention of viewers. If talk goes on the entire time, it can get boring; it's a perfect advertising technique. People can send a text during talking if they aren't that captured by it, but usually people want to know why a certain piece of music is being used. Almost every movie commercial has a sound or type of music in it. The music goes with the rhythm of the film, if you like horror movies, you will turn to your TV if you hear a creepy sounding noise, if you like slower, country songs you'll turn to your TV to see what its advertising. Music tells a story that words simply can't, it's usually used to highlight the main parts/turning points in films. Everyone likes music in some sort of way, and everyone wants their life to have a soundtrack. It's said your life will flash across your eyes someday, make sure it is worth watching- everyone also wants to hear something, they want to hear music playing in the video of their life when they get their fist kiss or when a family member dies. Music documents experiences, emotions, and people. They even make bumper stickers that say music is my anti-drug, and have songs with lyrics like "your voice is the soundtrack to my summer". It’s all true, everyone wants some sort of meaningful melody to their life, and they want it to be worth living for and worth listening to. Movie producers/directors know what a big role music plays in our society, they use this to their advantage, making significance by music to whoever wants to listen. The same emotions can't be brought out by just words.
Chelsea Mattson pd. 7 (cont.)
The last statement i picked was#12 "movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever". I agree with this, but also i believe it goes the other way as well, to say that movies can also inspire you to do awful things, and feel really bad. Some movies make you feel great things and want to do great things, others bring out emotions of anger and hurt. It depends entirely on the type of film you’re watching. If you are watching a movie like thirteen then it makes you think piercing your lip, nose, and navel are the only ways to be popular in high school, and that getting drunk, high, sneaking out lying, and murdering is the way to go about life. On the other hand movies like Christian based movies or even just charming movies make you want to do good for other people, like my sister's keeper made me want to volunteer at the hospital. People old and young learn from and develop life philosophies from films weather they realize it or not. The black beauty films, and the film Hidalgo shaped my life tremendously, I really got into horses when i was younger and now horse back riding is and always will be a big part of my life, the bring it on movies made cheerleading look like fun, so i became a cheerleader. This isn't to say every movie i see i want to pursue; just that certain movies really form the lives of individuals. Movies make you want to do or be a certain way, media shaping life, all it is. They hand you the passion for something, weather or not you want to reach out and go for it. Movies inspire people to become fire fighters to save lives, or drug dealers since it looks b.a. They have an astounding effect on our culture, our actions, and our minds. They can make or break, heal or hurt; it all depends on content, and vulnerability.
Mandy T. pd 6
I agree with #2, 'The greatest movies have the best camera and lighting techniques.' When you watch a movie you want 'lights, camera, action.' You want all the moods that you can put into it. To get what you want you have to have the different lightings and camera angles. They really make the movie worth what it is meant to be. With the lighting you want it to make your outfir look good; or his eyes to standout. You want the guy to jump out in the dark, not in broad daylight. In the dark your more mysterious; but in the light your all nice and happy/ cheerful, and colorful.
#12, 'Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.' In most ways I agree with this statement because there are movies out there that can changes oneslife and views of what they see around them. For better or for worse. YOu can chose who you want to be and how you want to live your life. Most movies aren't just out there to watch, they are there to tell you to look and listen to what may or may not go on in the real world. You may even be the main character the actors are being. Just like in Cinderella and Snow White, you don't have to know who you are. They both strived at first in their own ways. You don't have to have someone there to do your work. They chose their lives though some may say for the money or for prince charming; but either way they changed.
I also agree with #16, 'The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways.' The music in the movie can declare whether it is in or out. Like in a movie that is a musical if there were only words and no music people would be lost and confused. It would be nothing. YOu don't know what the feelings are supposed to be or what the song is really supposed to sound like. Is ir sad, happy, mad? YOu hear different sounds in every movie. My favorite movies are when they have a flavor of everything such as sweet slow, country, abd pop/rock. It makes it exciting and can open up ones mind to the meaning behing it. A movie without a soundtrack is like a chocolate chip cookie without the chocolate chips; or a school without students and teachers. It means nothing. It's as if it is only there just to say it was made to be there with no meaning what so ever. It makes it boring with no life and rhythmn. I do know that the only films that are good with no sound or music are horror silent films. You can get freaked out and you have to guess what they are saying. They make you contemplate what is going to happen.
7. “Chick flicks” fill the emotional holes women have.
I agree with this statement because most women use chick flick movies to relate to their own personal lives with men. In these chick flick movies they show that men never do anything wrong and that the women do at least something wrong in the movie. The producers of the “chick flick” movies tend to find hot guys that women will crave over and someday want to marry or date these kind of men. In these movies the guys are mostly all in shape have a nice body, hair, teeth and eyes that grab your attention when you look at them. If you look in our society today not all men are like that. Some men are sweet and care about their girl and gives flowers or candy everyday, which most girls love. But then you have guys that are complete jerks and girls don’t like that as much. With these movies with hot guys in them girls just fantasize how someday they will find the same type of guy when they get older.
16. The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways.
I also agree with this because without the soundtrack it doesn’t add the significant effect that the movie has. Such as if you were watching a scary movie and there was nothing in the background it wouldn’t be as scary as in if you had the thumping scary music or the crashing and banging noises. Or if you are happening to watch a love movie or something that has a happy feeling they can be playing smoothing music in the background because you would never know if its supposed to be a relaxing moment and up beating setting. Also with the soundtrack, it can lead you into the movie and makes you feel like you are in the movie and guides you along. I like it because it brings more effect to the viewer.
12. Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.
Lastly I agree with this statement because some movies do change your life. For example, when Dr. Talcott brought us to the movie “To Save a Life” it shows that just because your not friends with someone you have been close to when you were friends doesn’t mean you cant talk to them in high school because they are in a “different” group than you are. This movie truly does show the realities of some high schools around the nation. These characters in the movie seemed very judgmental, like if you weren’t popular it showed because they looked down upon other people that weren’t as good as them or outsiders. I personally think this movie shows a lot and can change a persons life. Besides that it can also inspire young teenagers for the rest of their lives, or possibly change them for the good.
#18 Movies can change your values, morals, ethics, and worldviews.
I agree with this statement 100%. Recently I went to Valentine’s Day the movie and before the movie I didn’t think valentine’s day is that big of a deal. It is just a day to spend money on your significant other. After watching that movie I now think Valentine’s Day is a day of reminder to always show your love no matter what time of the year it is. Love is something that should be shown 24/7 not just every now and than. Another movie that had changed my worldviews would be Eagle Eye. This movie made me think about how much technology is controlling the majority of peoples’ lives. I used to think technology is the most amazing thing ever created. Now I do not worship technology like I had before. I try my hardest to use technology less but these days it is really hard to communicate to some people with out this technology.
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.
I do not agree completely with this one. Yes, one may go to a very touching movie and think to themselves, “I want to make a difference!” but how many of the people that say that actually do something about it. It is a very great and inspiring thought but it is impossible to get everyone inspired to do great things and change forever. Also the more movies you will see the more your views and the more you will change. I know that I change my mind all the time and I know as I listen to other peoples views I understand how they think I will change how I think about a certain topic. “Movies may not change your mind forever but will forever change your mind.” If this were the statement we were to discuss I would highly agree! Movies can be very inspiring but will not change you forever.
#3 We decide the films greatness by its actors.
I believe we decide weather or not to see the move by its actors. Because there are certain actors in a movie it does not mean that the movie is going to be fantastic. I believe if the actors are well known and liked the movies tend to be a little better because you love the actors in it. I could disagree or agree with this statement. I see understand the controversy. I know I love every movie with Adam Sandler in it. If he is in a movie coming out that would probably drive me to see the movie. But it can also add to the greatness of the movie. I think a better statement would be “If the actors are well known and liked we tend to think the movie is better than what it may actually be.” Actors like Adam Sandler add hype for people to go to the theatres and see the movies before everyone else does.
I think number six on the Anticipation Guide is one hundred percent true. “War films give men experiences they wish they had- but are glad they don’t have to”. Men of all ages wish at some point to go on an adventure. This adventure can be hiking to the top of the Rockies or Sailing across the ocean, but for some men it is to go to war and defend their country. They would get the friendships, the adventure, and to be a hero. Being a hero is important to a lot of people. Who doesn’t want to come home and have everyone you know thanking you and looking up to you? Even if this isn’t their main motivation it definitely has an impact. When men watch a war film they are getting the experience. They get the good but don’t have to get the cold, loneliness, or the death.
I think number five is also true, “Movies are necessary ‘escapes’ in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be”. I think our culture is full of people that hate their jobs or hate their even hate their lives. Movies are their escape, their way out. When they go to a movie it is like they are entering a new world, everything they are experiencing in their lives is gone for a short time. They get taken into this world. You could almost compare movies as a safe alternative to drugs and alcohol. I might be stretching it a bit, but if people are escaping their lives by watching movies then they aren’t escaping their lives by getting high or drinking. When you are using drugs and alcohol you are escaping your life. When some people are watching films they are escaping their life. So maybe you can watch movies instead of doing drugs.
I think number sixteen is very true. “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways”. I think this is most evident in scary movies. Next time you are watching a scary movie do an experiment; push the mute button on you remote. The movie’s scary rating goes at least 5 notches down. The music gets you nervous for what you know is going to happen but the (good) character does not know is going to happen. Music is also important in action movies. When the main character is getting in his big scene where he is going to kick all the bad guys’ butts, the music become loud and fast and your heart starts pounding. The music sucks you into the movie and enhances your viewing experience.
Ashley Mork
Number sixteen is probably the one i agree with most. the soundtrack of a film basically makes you feel certain emotions. the beat of the song, the lyrics and everything about it makes you feel certain ways. When there is a slow song you are more likely to feel sad and down than if there was a fast song or like a rap song playing. Sometimes soundtracks are written for the specific movie like in tarzan but other movies like the hangover just take songs and place them in the movie at certain points like scene change or basically when they want you to feel a certain emotion. Soundtracks also add suspence to movies and add to action movies. Like playing fast and loud movies in action movies makes them way better and scary sounding music in scary movies.
i dont agree at all with number 8. when you are in a theatre you are forced out of reality and into a world that you wish you could be in. alot of chick flicks are about a love story that every girl wishes she had and a movie about it lets her, for those two hours, be absorbed in and feel like the actress in the movie. also like in war movies it lets the men that dont actually get to experience that action in real life experience it in a way where they cant get hurt.
i dont agree with 19. movies that are made for teens arnt always nessesarily made excellently. they are made to be funny. as long as they are funny they will be good. no teen is going to sit down to watch a movie and be like oh the camera angles and lighting in this movie suck. teens could care less. as long as it is funny and about stuff they care about and things they can relate to. a movie is just fine to them. it doesnt have to be some multi-million dollar movie teens dont care.
#20 Idk about eveyone but i would spend some cash for a two hour movie even a hour and a half long movie because right now my life is so boring all i do is wake up go to school do the same thing everyday in school then go the intership and home it is so boring the highlight of my day is farmville thats how sad my life is right now i just cant wait for summer to come so i wont have to spend alot of money on a movie just to make myself feel good for an hour to two hours. yes i beleive 100% in this question because movie star lives are much much much better then anyone of our's just cause they have a butt load of money to make themself's happy.
#16 is very ture that soundtrack to a movie basically makes the movie what it is. If its a scary part coming up you no because of the music that is playing or if its just a sweet BA moment you know cause the music they play just makes that scene so much cooler and makes you want to be them at that moment. but some times the soundtrack and trick you by playing heart pounding music but nothing ends up happening. Then there are movies that have to soundtrack like 'no country for old men' which makes that movie how it is today sure the dierctor could of but a soundtrack on this movie and it still might of been a good movie but it was good enough with out it.
#2 I agree with this question all the way because every great director will try almost every angle and lighting to get the perfect shot every angle we see is made so we can only see what the director wants us to see he wouldn't do some dumb shot and show somthing random in the scene cause that would just ruin the shot unless he wanted the viewer's to think about way he had us she some random object or person in the background. but some directors have there own unique techniques which arn't how movie formula's work out in the end but that is just want makes the view's think and wonder more about the film which i enjoy some of the movies they actually take some thinking ability.
#7-"'Chick Flicks' fill the emotional holes women have.
I believe this statement all the way! We women LOVE these types of movies; this is what we want our lives like. Most men aren't going to be that generous, caring, beautiful man we find in movies. We all want a man to be exactly like majority of chick flick actors. Women feel their lives would be much better with that loving boyfriend. Or maybe a woman that has problems with her boyfriend then just imagines life with a man like the ones in chick flicks. Also, if women don't have a man in the first place, they set standards high due to chick flicks, and have trouble finding one; so they just fill the holes with the chick flicks. If a woman has a great man, they usually don't get too into chick flicks as much as other women. Overall, women love the chick flicks because we WISH our men were like the ones in the movies. Men don’t watch chick flicks usually because they don’t have as many emotional holes as women do.
#16- “The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways.”
I believe very much in this statement as well. The soundtrack sets the stage for a movie. For instance, a horror film always has that quiet, creepy music playing in the background, and it gradually gets faster and louder! Then you know for a fact something is going to happen. Good or bad, you know it’s coming, and you can’t stop it, yet you can cover your eyes or leave the room to avoid the scary parts. And after watching “No Country For Old Men”, I realized that without a soundtrack it’s actually scarier. You wouldn’t think it would be cause you wouldn’t know when the scary parts are. But it catches you off guard without a soundtrack. If it’s a musical, the soundtrack is very important. In most musicals the songs are catchy, hence why so many love musicals. If the songs aren’t catchy, the movie isn’t. The soundtracks set the scene for the movie. If it’s going to be a kid’s movie, chick flick, horror/suspense. Whatever the movie, the soundtrack is a HUGE deal to the viewer’s experience for sure!
#12-“Movies can inspire you to do great things and /or change yourself forever.”
I strongly believe in this statement as well. Many movies these days are coming out with brilliant plots and themes; it’s almost impossible to not want to do great things. If someone in a movie is doing a great thing for others or the world, it’s going to inspire you to become the hero and try to change yourself. Even if it’s nothing big, if you see something done that you don’t do, but you think it’d help others out, you’ll end up trying to help, no doubt. For example, if you see someone trying to “Go Green” which is all the rage right now, then you will want to try to change your ways so you don’t harm the Earth. Another way would be just being kind. If you see the results of a kind act in a movie and how the person on the receiving end acts, then it may drive you to become that nice person! Overall, people are inspired by movies to do/try great things and change yourself forever!
#12. Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I think this varies for some people. It depends how much the topic of the movie has an effect on you. If you watch a movie and the next day you decide to do something nice for someone or join a group or send money, you are doing a great thing. Also I went to "How to Save a Life" and I think that it changed my views on a lot of things. It has probably changed my life forever, and that is because we have had kids at our school and around the area commit suicide and it is something that effects us and is REAL and happens CONSTANTLY. Yeah, a sports movie may inspire you to play better for a couple games, that is still doing something good for your team. But the deeper more important issues? Those images and bigger things like that stick in our memories and in our brains. We can relate to those issues. Never would I ever want to feel responsible for someone committing suicide so maybe you will think twice about something you might regret like putting someone down because they are poor or not wearing the right clothes. Also the movie "Mean Girls" makes me want to be a better friend, and although that may not effect guys or other girls the way it effects me, those movies are still reaching others that take things very personal like me.
#16 The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways. I have sat through a film and absolutely loved the song that played at a particular scene, and then I would get the song and not be that impressed with the song alone. When songs are put in specific areas of the movie, it is supposed to get you to feel an emotion. Slow music, for people falling in love or losing a lost one. Fast music for actors in a hurry or in a crazy scene. And suspenseful music for a scene so you are suspecting something and you become scared. That is why soundtracks sell so well. When you hear that song that you heard in the movie at that part you loved, you feel that emotion that you felt in the movie. Songs add a lot to movies. We don't want movies that have absolutely no sound, unless it is "No Country for Old Men" where the silence adds suspense, and there is no music that really fits that movie.
#3 We decide a film's greatness by its actors. I agree and disagree with this statement. Some people go to movies because of the actors, but they may or may not like the movie. Also what this could mean is that we can decide if the movie is good by it's acting. If the acting is cheesey, it is almost painful to watch. But if the actor literally has you happy, crying, feeling their pain, you automatically are attracted to that actor and love their performance. But actors have different performances in the different roles they have to portray. Adam Sandler is a good actor when he is in funny movies because he is funny, but when he is in a serious movie it is hard for me to take him seriously. I think Megan Fox is a horrible actress, yet people go to her movies because she is hot.
Laura Hieb Pd. 5
13. No director is that much better than any other director. I disagree because if no other director was better than another then why does one movie get better box office numbers than another. I believe that if a director is good then the numbers will show it. A good director can take on a bad movie and it could show good numbers. I also think that directing takes time just like coaching a team, your first year coaching is going to be way different then the 5th year of coaching. Just like coaching, directing takes experience. After directing a couple of films you are going to understand the ropes a little bit more and then you will get better at knowing what is good for a certain situation and what people want to see and what will entertain them.
21. Screenplays that have realistic dialogue are always better. I agree with this statement. If it is not realistic then I don’t care about it as much and it is harder to put myself in there position and so then the movie has less meaning then a realistic movie. Some movies that are comedy are also easier to get into but movies that have absolutely no realisticness to them are way harder to get into because movies that you can relate to you are going to care about more. It is a natural thing for us to care about our lives before someone else’s. So if it is something that we care about and that we can put ourselves in the situation then it is already got us hooked and then we pay to watch it and then we buy the movie. It is a win win situation.
19. Movies intended for teens are usually made excellently. I could not decide on if I agreed with this or disagreed. I do not see very many movies but the ones that I do see I know are good before I spend my time on watching them. I do know that there are movies out there that are not that great and they were made for teens. The last “made for teen” movie that I saw was TO SAVE A LIFE and I loved it. It was made excellently. Teens get pregnant and teens drink, it is something that we all know happens, it is something teens can relate to. If the movie did not have mistakes like that then it would not be as realistic so we would not take it as serious or care about the movie as much.
“There is a definite skill to watching a film well—to really experience it effectively. You develop this skill as you watch more movies—and you get more out of the films as you get better.” I definitely agree with this statement. I think just watching a movie would be really pointless. If people didn’t get anything out of a movie, the film industry would be a total failure. Movies are meant to stick in people’s memories, to keep people from making mistakes, and to help them to make the right decisions. Some people might disagree that watching a film well is a skill, but in all reality, everyone who watches a movie and thinks about the true meaning is doing so in a skillful manner. I also agree with the statement saying that the more films you watch, the better you get. Just about every film has a different message its trying to push through to the public, if you notice all of these hidden messages, it’ll make you a better person and a more skillful analyzer.
“Films permanently affect and influence the ways we view the world. Films can make us more/less racist, more/less sexist, more/less aware, more/less tolerant, more/less loving, or more/less tough.” I agree and disagree with this statement. I agree in the way that it affects the way that we view the world. Some films show the viewers a lot of bad things that happen around us, some things that we have never noticed before. They influence us to see things that we didn’t really care too much about before and a lot of these things are major wrongs in our society. If we didn’t have movies to influence us, we would be either oblivious to what’s wrong or not care enough to do something about it. Another statement on our anticipation guide that goes along with this is, “Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever.” This is not only how movies affect society, it’s also on how the affect you as an individual. One person can make a huge difference.
“People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation—because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about.” I partially agree with this statement. I think most people go see movies for the entertainment, but I don’t think they will pay an excessive amount for it. I also don’t think anyone does it for an escape because watching someone in a movie with a better or worse life than you usually doesn’t make you feel good about yourself. If they have a better life, you feel sorry for yourself, and if they have a worse life then you feel bad for them and not being able to help them. I don’t really know about the mental and emotional part for sure either. Mental is understandable because people like to think that they are right and that the world is good, and sometimes they like being proven wrong so they understand more of why society is so bad. The emotional part is differential. I think we like feeling bad for other people, because we know that their lives are worse than ours. So yeah, I guess Hollywood knows how to intrigue us, and knows what type of movies to make to stimulate our senses and break open our wallets.
Jessi Lunstra pd.5
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I agree with this statement, I will not say if/how ive been inspired but movies can inspire people to become something, or to achieve a task. Movies can help a persons "vision" of success or a dream form.
#16 "the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways." I agree with this statement. The soundtrack is key in many films, imagine starwars without its classic epic score it just wouldnt be the same movie. The soundtrack sets the mood it can create suspense amplify any emotion in horror movies the eerie music that gets you saying oh crap someones about to get killed or somethings gonna come out of no where and make me jump that makes horror movies such a rush. Music/soundtrack/score are omnipotent to all movies they give everything more depth. Some movies however I.E. "no country for old men" play off the lack of soundtrack to make things more vivid and real its a good technique to create an atmosphere.
#25- I disagree that if an ending is "bad" or when evil wins, the audience should demend/get their money back. I agree tenfold with this statement, too many times have i went to movies with some friends and a couple are pissed about the ending or just the film in general its stupid, going to movies is about seeing things from new perspectives, inheriting and feeling deep messages, sometimes movies end on cliffhangers and make you wonder, sometimes movies end bittersweet and leave a lump in the throat, sometimes they dont end how you fathomed, sometimes they end fairytale. It is an innevitability it is a good innevitability accept it embrace it, keep an open mind when going to new films dont have tunnel vision experience something and feel something new. It pisses me off so bad when people are cross about how a movie ends it really does.
Kashi
#12 Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I agree with this statement, I will not say if/how ive been inspired but movies can inspire people to become something, or to achieve a task. Movies can help a persons "vision" of success or a dream form.
#16 "the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways." I agree with this statement. The soundtrack is key in many films, imagine starwars without its classic epic score it just wouldnt be the same movie. The soundtrack sets the mood it can create suspense amplify any emotion in horror movies the eerie music that gets you saying oh crap someones about to get killed or somethings gonna come out of no where and make me jump that makes horror movies such a rush. Music/soundtrack/score are omnipotent to all movies they give everything more depth. Some movies however I.E. "no country for old men" play off the lack of soundtrack to make things more vivid and real its a good technique to create an atmosphere.
#25- I disagree that if an ending is "bad" or when evil wins, the audience should demend/get their money back. I agree tenfold with this statement, too many times have i went to movies with some friends and a couple are pissed about the ending or just the film in general its stupid, going to movies is about seeing things from new perspectives, inheriting and feeling deep messages, sometimes movies end on cliffhangers and make you wonder, sometimes movies end bittersweet and leave a lump in the throat, sometimes they dont end how you fathomed, sometimes they end fairytale. It is an innevitability it is a good innevitability accept it embrace it, keep an open mind when going to new films dont have tunnel vision experience something and feel something new. It pisses me off so bad when people are cross about how a movie ends it really does.
Kashi
The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker.
I actually get the privilege of traveling to the Hollywood area this coming weekend again. I once traveled there with the school on a band trip. :) It was very interesting. Some billboards along the roads are 3 maybe even 5 times the size of the ones here in South Dakota. Other billboards are so large that they are plastered on the side of buildings! The topic I am trying to get across is that advertising for the Hollywood industry is critical. By having a movie advertised on the side of a little kids happy meal it makes the kids beg and plead their parents to take them to that particular movie. And of course, parents like to please their kids so they take them or buy the movie when it comes out. Not only does this method work for the side of kid's meal bags and billboards, it also plays a very affective role in TV advertising. For example generally you will find a McDonalds ad on the Disney channel, advertising there new animated film toys that come with the kids meals. Do I like that advertising has come to this? Not exactly, but I do think it is ingenious marketing.
The Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists.
This statement is critically true. Film making is just as much of an art as dancing, drawing, music, and photography. In fact film is just many photographs taken from certain angles and put into a series. There are so many different forms of art, ice skating is even seen as a form of art (art using the body). The Hollywood artists do not just stop at Actors, Actresses, and Directors, it can be seen to extend to the make up artists, the animators, and even the stunt doubles. One must also consider the fact that if the movie is based off of a book that the author is an extraordinary artist also.
Films permanently affect and influence the ways we view the world. Films can make us more/less racist, more/less sexist, more/less aware, more/less tolerant, more/less loving, more/less tough.
I am especially supportive of the statement that films can make us more/less aware of the world around us. Many teenagers do not watch the news but do pay attention to the latest and greatest movies out in theaters. Teenagers like to be entertained and films containing world wide controversial issues is a great way for the film makers to open the adolescents eyes and mind to the world they are growing up in. A couple wonderful examples of these types of films are Blood Diamond and Hotel Rwanda, they both say "look how terrible things are in Africa, and you're doing nothing to stop it?”(says a reviewer on IMDb.com). Maybe then teenagers will start to understand things more and become more mature. Films can help people see more clearly on all of these topics especially tolerance. Films show conflicts from multiple views.. . .not just good cop bad cop but is some intricate films show the effect of those around them. When these characters are introduced is when we start to really care about the film.
1."chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have. Is almost one of the most brilliant things i have ever heard. They really do, they go and give girls every little thing they wish a for in a man. Everyone has a similar story. Guy mets girl and the romance starts. Almost every human being wishes for this. You wish you life was like theres. The note book is one of the most romantic movies that girls like i think. they all talk about how this is the way a guy should be. But if most tried to do what he did and kept talking to her. they would call him a creep and tell him to get lost if he wasn't the most attractive. That movie in my mind made me think that women might start attempting for these lower guys. alot of people when watching a chick flick get lost in it. And If there is a character they love its a done deal. They become head over heals for the movie and dream of what a life with him might be when, really he could be some man whore in real life and really that perfect guy is somewhere else.
2. Movies can inspire you to do great things and/ or change yourself forever. In a way they do but i don't know if they make you change yourself forever. When you watch a good football movie and your in season you are pumped after you watch it. But as the week goes on you soon loose that hype. They almost inspire you to become a better person in the long run. By how the people turn out in the movie no matter how they are brought up. they become good people and don't got as low as the bad people they keep there cool and stay strong to be good remodels. They work hard and show honor to what they love. Even when down in the 4th quarter! they stay strong and work together as a team and friends. They don't loose there cool and get pissed and yell at each other they are a family. and That is why they are so inspirational.
3. When an ending is ''bad" or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back. Not every movie and have the same ending! For example in dark night the joker wins and no one really realizes it! he gets harvey dent to go mad and go and steal gordons family and hold them hostage the joker tricks the audience and no one sees it. But they see the batman catch him. but the joker always makes it so batman is wanted. Another way the joker won. The bad is winning 2-1. If evil was never to win, it would get boring. You have to change up the ending or people would have no reason to stay and watch. If it is a bad ending then i really don't know what to say. Most arn't bad but just pointless or make you feel dumb and lost. They might even end it so you want to come watch a second season. But they should still rap it up enough to make it a good ending.
1. "We decide a film's greatness by its actors." I agree a 100% with that statement because what guy isnt going to want to watch a movie that has megan fox in it? Sometimes it doesnt even matter what movie it is as long as an actor that they like are in it, as so in Dear John, many saw because Channing Tatum is in it; But also many dont just base the greatness by its actors on just looks, they may just watch movies because the actors are really good at acting and not just base everything on appearance. With this statements, there could be arguements about what age group would base the greatness of the movie on the actors, or why they choose the movie, seeing older people wouldnt base the movies excellence on appearance, but when leaving the choice up to teenagers, they will of course; thats how they will pick to watch what movies.
2. "Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever." I also a agree with that statement because, there have been several movies I have seen that make me want to change what I do to make myself a better person, or go out and want to help other people, and not just do stuff to benefit me, but there are also movies out there that can have a bad effect on yourself and others, like for example gun movies or fighting movies, they may lean towards telling you its alright to go and fight, which may lead to you going out and fighting and getting in trouble with the law, and that could change your life, another thing people could say about this would be that no movies can change your life because there all "fake" but not just because there fake means that there's nothing behind the stories, they make the movies about a topic that is supposed to reach out and effect you.
3. "The fat-food industry helps movies be popular by havingmovie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker."
I would have to agree with that because whenever a little kid movie comes out Mcdonalds usually has the toys and everything dealing with the kids around that movie to try to get that kid to ask his parents to go see it, which they know that kids usually get there way with things like that. It also is advertising for Mcdonalds for instance because if your eating there one night and see them advertising for this movie you maybe more likely to go then to not if you wouldnt have seen the stuff for the movie. Many fast food places even fight over which movie to advertise for because they know that having advertisments on bags, cups etc brings in alot of new customers in another had it IS a win-win moneymaker.
Katie Carlson Pd-6
#23- The fast-good industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on the food bags, dring cups, and in Happy meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker.
This is especially true for the Disney movies or movies that are PG and attract younger kids attention. They go into the store and see the big case of toys that you can get in the Happy Meal's. They start to learn the characters of the movie and if they look appealing, which they always will, they will be more intrigued to learn about those characters and will be anticipating the movie release and always ask their parents about it and when they can go see it. The kids then want to collect every character, some for boys so that they will keep coming back, and some for girls so they will come back just wanting to get the character that they did not get the first time. It's sheer genius by the movie maker and the store that endorses them. Even though it may cost the McDonald's and Burger King's to get the movie to allow this it is a huge money making move.
#6 War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have.
I agree with this statement completly. All the guys want to be that BAMF of a soldier that show's no fear in the middle of battle. Guys have the most respect for those guys because they have no fear like we all wish that we all had. They wish that they could lay down their lives for their country in it's time of need but some guys just dont have what it takes. They go to war films to get what they dont get in their ordinary lives. They get the sudden rush of an attack or a ambush by the enemy and feel like they're in the movie and are laying down everything that they have for their country. They live for the Honor that the war vets recieve when they come back but know that they couldnt do the job that they have to do and respect the vets greatly for that.
#14- People should always go to/see movies that reinforce what they believe, think, feel, like.
This is the exact opposite of what some film directors want. If they only got people to go to their films that is what that certain people believe in and expect to make a killing in the box office they wouldnt have a chance. There would be no SciFi films like Avatar or ET which are box office killers. Can you really tell me that the amount of people that went to see those movies believed in any of that? If you only go to movies that you believe are right by the world then your thinking will never change and you will never be able to see anything other than what you want to see. Movies teach you to look outside of what you see in your everyday life so that you can broaden your horizons in life and the way that you see people in general. You wont dislike them just for the way they think or view the world.
#16: Using the appropriate soundtrack during certain parts of a movie can add to the total affect of what is really happening. For example: using Garry Glitters “Rock and Roll” during a football game in the movie the Replacements tells the viewer that the team that isn’t suppose to win is actually on a roll and going to win throughout the movie. that song tells you that they are going to do some damage. The bottom line is that the sound track is a storyline within itself is telling the viewer what it is about even though they might not be following the story line with in the movie as its being portrayed. Music selection for the soundtrack is as important, if not more than important, to the director and producers then how the movie has been written. In my opinion, the soundtrack makes or breaks a movie.
#5: People in general have an expectation as to how their lives should be. When they realize that their lives is not what they expected them to be they turn to movies, music, and fantasy to fulfill those needs of what their life should be. People often feel that they in someway have been robbed of that perfect life and resort to other things to stimulate that fantasy weather it’d be movies, drugs, or music. They use these tools to satisfy their need for that perfect life they always dreamed about. People go to movies for an escape from reality because their lives are what they expected them to be and by going to movies it’s a way they can dream, think and live a life that they don’t acquire. People need to get a grip on reality and stop living in their fantasy “little worlds” and deal with the truth and what is going on around them and live their own lives.
#7: Chick Flicks are a tool used by Hollywood that plays upon vulnerable emotions of women making them believe the romance and love can really happen, but in reality men and women are completely different. Men don’t act the way they are portray and women need to grasp on reality and stop thinking that men are they way they are in the movies. Women don’t act the way they do as their character in the movies at all. Chick Flicks are all a fantasy that not only women but men as well, that the movie is all a fantasy. Women are very demanding, men don’t usually do what movies say, and they are stuck to believing that that world and life could happen and be their own. And the standards are set to high to do mainstream media and Hollywood perception of what women really want.
DAN NELSON pd.#6
#5. Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be.
I agree with this statement in which movies ARE necessary "escapes" in our culture, but i disagree that are realities aren't what they should be. Our realities are EXACTLY what they should be because we are what we make them. The reason that people do not think that their realities are what they should be is because they've seen too many movies like "Cinderella" were she has a basically perfect life in the end but it's not what it should be because, first off, she's in a "fairytale land" and second she's a "princess"... obviously, unless you live in England or your own alternate reality, that is NOT gonna happen. But, movies are definantly an escape because people have stressful lives and they need something to take their minds off of it. So, they "escape" from it to enjoy an alternate reality and they think about what is going on in the movie, and not what is going on in their real lives.
#3 We decide the films greatness by its actors.
I definantly do NOT agree with this statement at all what so ever. Films are made great by the director and the director only. The actors are only people that are good at taking instructions from said directors and pretending they are who they are not. Yeah when you see a movie that has an actor you like you will probably like that movie more, but people should ask themselves WHY they like that person? is it because of how they are in REAL life or how one of their other movies are? Because if it is how one of their other movies are, you're missing the whole point of the movie you are watching at the moment because they are two completely different directors and you could be giving certain directors either more or less credit depending on how you like the actor. But really, my point is, directors make movies great, not their peons.
#25. If an ending is "bad" or when evil wins, the audience should demend/get their money back.
I most disagree with this statement because why should all movies be like our perfect little disney movies? Woman is in trouble with a beast or bad guy, strong handsome prince man swings his way into the picture, he gives the monster a little piece of his mind, the monster/ beast never bothers them again, accepts defeat, the prince and now princess fall deeply in love that they've always dreamed of and live happily ever after. Screw that, i am not five anymore. I want something like the prince cant make it in time princess gets hurt somehow or another or gets punched in the face by the beast THEN the prince show's up, and trys to stick up for the princess, then HE gets knocked around by the monster a bit and the monster gets the castle and money, but the "once shoud-be princess" and "prince" have to move and have to try and afford their own new house down the street in the ghetto part of the neighborhood. Ok, that may have been too far but still, the "good" endings get sooooo old after a while, i just want that stuff to stop. I want an ending like "No Country for Old Men"'s ending where it keeps you thinking. I want something that you'll want to get in that movie and and punch that beast in the face. I do not want the same old same old feeling of - "awwwww, so perfect", i want an ending that is more like, holy crap! I wanna get in there and take that castle from that darned monster and put him in his place myself. But basically, I JUST WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT! PLEASE!
cj wachter.
#7. "Chick flicks" fill the emotion holes women have.
I agree with this statement. Every woman wants a man who treats her nice, buys her flowers, and takes her out. In reality that will most likely never happen. Instead of dwelling on the satifactions they want in life watching a heartfelt movie helps our emotions. When we watch a movie full of romance we feel so happy for the woman in it, we feel a little releif almost. Also watching a chick flick sometimes gives us a sense of hope that maybe sometime we could find our price charming to treat us like a princess. Basically in all moives there is a woman who meets the man of her dreams, stuggles to get him, and always ends up super happy in the end - what all woman want! What ever type of "chick flick" it is, it helps satisfy the emotions a woman is desiring and makes us feel better about ourselves most of the time.
#20 People will always pay a lot of money for two hours of entertainment, escape, mental & emotional stimulation-because our lives are lacking in ways Hollywood knows about. I also agree with this statement. When someone goes to a movie and says it is good it leads other people to go. Even in the movie is bad people want to find out their own opnion and see for themselves. Hollywood knows dreamy, built, sexy men attract all the women and half naked gorgeous girls will attracked all the men. They know moives were everyones dream comes true with help them make serious cash. They know that using actors everyone loves will also help them make money. Who doesn't want to go to a movie and escape from there everyday life for a couple hours. Getting a break and relaxing, eating some popcorn is exactly what movie makers know you love to do.
#19 Movies intended for teens are usually made excellently. I can go both ways with this one. Movie makers who create films toward teens know if they involve sex, alcohol, and sexy people they will attrack teens. So in a sense they know once one teen hears about the movie, sees it, and likes it millions of more teens with hopefully see and like it. I also disagree because a moive filled with sex, alcohol, and sexy people isn't exactly an "excellent" movie for teens. Although things will never change, movies like those gives teens bad ideas. For example - throwing partys, underage drinking, doing drugs, ect. If many parents had a choice they would not want their teen doing any of those things. However in reality we all know that parys and drinking will always happen no matter what. Movie makers do make them "excellently" becuase they know how to attrack teens but not so much "excellently" with the bad influences they have on teens.
13. "No director is that much better than any other director." i strongly disagree with this. Say there is the exact movie in theaters and they came out at the same time and one is directed by Steven Spielberg and the other a no namer which one are you more likely to go see? And also with more known directors comes better know actors and in general a better made movie
6. "War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have." also i think that alot of the people that watch these movies that are or arent men just want to see what thier family members or family friends go through so they know just how lucky the US is to have people that will risk their lives to save ours.
16. "the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways." i fully agree with this statement. The soundtrack tells you when to be scared when to jump when to relax. If the music is really up beat and moving fast you know that something is about to happen. A perfect example of this is jaws, when they are out on the water and all you hear is the ba ba ba ba and it gets faster and faster you know that something is about to happen like another attack or the discovery of another body..but if this were true in all the cases it would get boring watchin a movie and listening to the sounds in it. some film directors do great things with this and throw you off with the fast moving noises and then nothing happens
#16 The soundtrack of a film defiantly adds to the viewers experience of the film. It creates different moods that the viewer can feel. It can also help a viewer prepare for what is about the happen next. The soundtrack can also force the viewer to unknowingly think about what is happening and to maybe what will happen in the future. A pleasant song can make the viewer happy about what is going on. A dark gloomy song can make the viewer feel scared or afraid of something. A fast paced song can create the feeling that whatever happening is moving faster than it actually is and that it could be going so fast it is uncontrollable. Lack of a soundtrack and just the input of sporadic sounds can also add to the viewers experience. The sounds "highlight" parts that may need a boost or make an impression on the viewer to remember later on in the movie.
#20 I would have to say most of the people i know go to movies to escape the real world and to be entertained. Hollywood knows that many people in today’s world are unhappy with their lives because of outside influences (ex: advertisements) and problems in their life. They create worlds in which everyone would like to live in but that are unrealistic. This is why Hollywood creates happy cheery movies so that people can fantasize and insert themselves into the movie. This is also why fantasy movies are created like Harry Potter and Twilight. Millions of people want to drop their real lives and have a good time waving a wand around not having to do anything or having a love affair with so called "hot" guys. Hollywood knows that some people want to think and be stimulated when the watch a film. This is why mystery movies and movies that have deep morals and lessons are created. Hollywood also involves more symbolic meaning and more plot twists to make the viewers mind more confused which gives the viewer a sense of accomplishment and feel more intelligent when they figure out the meanings.
#17 Major actors are defiantly worth every cent of the $20 million the rake in each movie. First off, some people only go to movies to see a particular actor. People get addicted to the actor and their artistic style and can't get enough of it. Second, big actors that are involved in sequels can't be changed. Take for example the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies. If the producers felt like throwing out Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow the ticket sales would drop dramatically. There would be a couple reasons people wouldn't see the new movie. First, loyal fans of Depp would refuse to see the movie because they hold a grudge because he was dropped. Second, people would think that the movie would loose a certain feeling without the same actor playing the character.
Swenson_7
One statement I choose to discuss is the idea that “chick flicks” fill the emotional hole that women have. I completely agree with that statement, being a chick myself I understand how it is appealing. Most women have a hectic life, constant pressures, a busy schedule, and on top of that they try to maintain the happy idealistic home life they desire. By going to a chick flick film women are able to feel like they are the ones being saved not only from the things they don’t like about their life, but from the imperfections of their significant other. They are able to get away from everything that doesn’t go accordingly in their life and escape into a reality where the turnout is “perfect”. The plot usually never seems to become too complex, it’s fairly easy to predict, girl is unhappy with her life, girl meets idealistic boy, boy and girl date and are happy, drama between boy and girl, boy and girl break up but no matter what the circumstances boy and girl get back together and its happy ever after. Its cheesy and ridiculous but women want the perfect guy and perfect life so for an 8$ escape why not buy into all the chick flicks?
Another statement I choose to discuss is the statement that the soundtrack adds to the viewers experience in a significant way. I am half and half on this especially after watching No Country for Old Men. Throughout the entire movie a was frightened without the usual music soundtrack, but that was due to, I believe the directing, they made it scary by making it real, or at least seem like it’s a real possibility. I think that in most movies soundtracks do add greatly to not only the experience of the viewers but the emotions as well. In different genres of movies there are different soundtracks, with horror movies there is the creepy, suspenseful, thriller soundtrack; with romantic the soft, sweet, emotional soundtrack; with the action there is the predictable hard core kind of rock or new age popular rock along with the intense attention gripping thrilling sounds, and with the westerns there is the twangy country sound, like a steal guitar, or the classic desolate music with spurs or guns shots in the background. No matter what type of movie it is the sound track plays a large role in grabbing your attention and emotions while you’re watching the film.
The final statement I am commenting on is the statement that when evil wins or the ending is “bad” people should demand to get their money back. I don’t agree with this because reality isn’t fair and in life you don’t always get what you want. Now, I think that people like to be pleased by seeing a film and expect it to end the way they’d want it to, unrealistically, usually. However when people go to films and the ending in “bad” its usually when you as a viewer don’t get what you want, whether it be the happy ending or the conclusion to the suspense throughout the film. I think that people pay 8$ to watch a film to escape the evils of reality that they have to face on a regular basis. When it doesn’t turn out with the pretty bow tie happy ending people don’t like it because it reminds them of the evil of everyday life and the world.
I agree that movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture. Reality sucks to an extent compared to these alternate universes where a normal guy can be the hero of the day and get a smoking hot chick too. Or two brothers can just go around and fix the wrong in this world according to the strict law of God. It’s awesome to think about if you were in that situation how you would treat the responsibility, would you stay on the righteous, selfless path, or would you be dirtier and use it to benefit yourself more than others and suffer the potential consequences. Have you ever wondered how it would be if you could fight for your country in the Great War or how life would be if you met the perfect person for you who just fit the exact mold for what completes you. But not only that, have a perfect life together. Wouldn’t it just be dandy to be able to walk out of your house one day and jump into your car and drive across the U.S. and go to Florida and start a new life as a street racer? Movies depict what we wish our lives were but can’t be because if we all did what we wanted to do “there'd be no janitors, because no one would clean shit up if they had a million dollars”. (Michael Bolton, Office Space 1999)
I also strongly agree with statement 11. Independent films, at least to me, are far more superior to Hollywood blockbusters that are all the same as one another. Movies that include anti-heroes and normal people in which you can connect with are so much more monumental and impacting. People in similar positions, living standards, and life complications are so much easier to connect with, and it’s easier to become “lost” within their story. For example, I can see my brother and I going around Boston killing all of the drug dealers, pimps, and evil doers easier than me being locked up in prison to compete in a Death Race. Both highly unlikely that it will ever happen to me, but one is much easier to relate to than the other. I love the fact that even though they are both unrealistic that they both make you feel as if you’re experiencing what is happening in their worlds.
I strongly disagree with point 14. If you just watch movies that back up your opinion than what are you really watching for? Sure you can analyze aspects of your movies but aren’t you really missing out more on all the movies that disagree with you. Can you be nearly as influenced and enlightened by the movies that agree with your opinion as those that oppose your beliefs? The movies that make a difference in your life are the ones that open your eyes to things you didn’t know about, sides of a story you haven’t heard. You are really just denying yourself if you only watch movies you agree with. For example I watched the movie 17 Again tonight and was actually surprised to find that it wasn’t another Zac Effron movie where he’s the ultimate stud with a perfect life. I prejudged it and almost didn’t watch it, but since I had seen everything else on TV, I decided to watch it instead. I was quite delighted, pleased, and humored by the movie further proving my point to not just watch what you like. Give all movies a chance because you might find something you like. Maybe not something life changing but something you might not mind watching again.
#13- No director is that much better than any other director
I agree with this statement. Although we may not think that one director is better, we just make some more public than other. It is true that we usually like to watch movies directed/produced by one specific filmmaker, but if we were to explore one of the products of a lesser-known filmmaker, then we could learn to appreciate their products. For example, Steven Spielberg has directed or produced many movies over the years. Some recent films are the Transformers movies, Disturbia, and Eagle Eye, the film I am analyzing for my essay. Since he is a well-known director and producer, people enjoy going to his films because he produces many new and exciting movies every year. As for the lesser-known directors, no one really knows much about them. If you look for them on-line, it is difficult to find out much about them. If only we would look out for the newcomers, then we could be entertained much more.
#6- War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don’t have.
I agree, but disagree with this statement. I think that for the younger generation, we need these films to experience something besides the everyday life. At this time in our lives, we do not know what we want to be and/or do in our lives. But for those who have been there and experienced these situations every day, then they do not want to relive that kind of scenario again. It is such a traumatic time that no one should ever be subjected to this every day. For me, I would rather not want to worry every morning about going out to fight and possibly die in the line of duty. Though it is a highly respected thing to do, for the average American, we do not want to go to war, worry about dying and leaving our loved ones behind. I think that men do not need these releases in life, but they do prepare them for certain circumstances in life.
#12-Movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever
I disagree with this statement. Yes, they can inspire us for a short time, but forever is not very likely. There have been movies that I have thought about changing, but a few minutes later, I have completely forgotten what I was trying or going to do. If people were to change forever by simply watching a film, then the world would be a completely different place than what it is today. Actually, most of the films created in the last four years, might not have been created at all because of what those directors and producers were inspired by in their youth and from previous films. For most viewers, we are inspired for a few days at the most, but most likely, we forget most of what we were planning on doing before we get a chance to do it. What a world it would be if we were changed by a movie.
I agree with number nine: films permanently affect and influence the ways we view the world; films can make us more/less racist, more/less sexist, more/less aware, more/less tolerant, more/less loving, more/less tough. I agree with this statement because of movies like The Soloist and To Save A Life. The movie The Soloist is about a newspaper columnist, Steve Lopez, who befriends a homeless man, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, who is also mentally ill. This film shows people that everyone one has a story and is important; also that you can learn from other people. It teaches the viewer that people need to care more about every individual they encounter throughout their life because you don’t know what they have gone/are going through. The Soloist also helps people to see that they need to get involved with volunteer work and helping other people because there are so many people in our country and in the world who need help. To Save A Life is about two boys who were best friends up until high school. When they got to high school, as many friends do, they drifted apart. One of the boys became popular and the other had no friends. The boy who didn’t have friends came to school with a gun and shot himself; the popular boy struggles with his emotions after the suicide. He decides to try to be friends with anyone who needs a friend and just make their life better. This movie shows the viewer that there are a lot of people who think about committing suicide because of their peers. To Save A Life shows us that we need to be more humane toward each other because you never know how your actions could affect those around you. Both of these movies have changed the way I view life.
One of the statements I disagree with is number seventeen: major actors are worth every penny of their $20 million per movie salaries. Although movie directors may agree that actors are worth this ridiculous amount of money so they can sell more movies by using well-known actors and actresses, I disagree with this statement. Using well-known actors and actresses may help sell more movies and make films more popular, but I believe that paying a person $20 million dollars for being in one movie is wasteful. There are so many other things that could be done with all of that money. You could pay for homes to be built for people who are living on the streets; you could buy food for people who don’t have enough money to buy food; there are a variety of ways you could help others with an amount of money that high. It is crazy to think that some people are going hungry while others have so much money. Yes, some celebrities donate money to charities, but so many people are greedy and keep everything they have for themselves. I think the money could be used in better, more productive ways.
Statement number five says: movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be. I agree that movies are necessary escapes in our culture, but I disagree with the end that says they are necessary because our realities aren’t what they should be. Movies are a great way to sit back and forget about the problems of our lives. They let us relax and think about something other than reality for a couple hours. I disagree with the second half of that statement because who is to say what our realities should be? Life is complicated and unpredictable; something good or something bad could be coming right around the corner. This is just how life is. It is not good to say that movies are how our lives should be, because the actors and actresses in movies are doing exactly that, acting. The movie is not real life, so it does not need to include all of the problems in our lives, which is why there is usually a happy ending. Life doesn’t always have a happy ending, we want it to be that way, but that’s not how it works.
Lindsay Dohrman
One i chose was number three - " We decide our film's greatness by its actors." I completely agree. A movie with horrible acting..you're not going to get someones attention therefore you're not going to like the movie. It doesnt matter who the actor is...it could be someone really popular who sucks at acting - i would still consider that movie horrible. It also could be someone who is not very known/popular..and they could be a great actor. bad actor = horrible movie.
I also chose number six "War films give men experiences they wish they had—but are glad they don’t have." I also very much agree with this statement. When men watch war movie when a guy gets his head blown off, all you hear is "woahhh awesome." ya, they may think its cool, but who really wants to experience that, and i know noone would like to experience that.
I also chose number twenty three. "The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker." I also agree with this statement, especially at McDonald's. They always have their toys from movies that little kids want. Maybe the toy is cool, so they think they need to see the movie. So the kids beg their parents to take them to that movie, which helps the movie make some big bucks.
Lindsay Dohrman period 5
Number 6 states: War films give men experiences they wish they had---but are glad they do not have. I certainly agree with this statement. War films definitely give men the experiences they desire to have, but are thankful that they do not. I mean let’s face it; most men enjoy adventures, excitement, action, blood, gore, death, and power. This pretty much explains the average war movie, which is why they are such a big hit with men. This is also similar to women and chick flicks. An average chick flick viewer could feel a lack of love, romance, desire, and other similar emotions which leads them to seek out something to fill those emotional gaps. Now I am not saying that all guys are blood thirsty wannabe killers because they enjoy their war films, they are simply trying to fill their desires of adventure and actions. Also men that feel as if they are not respected or looked to as a leader in life could have an effect on the liking of war films. They see the characters within the movie gaining respect from one another forming a brother hood, or bond, with each other and desire it. This is why men enjoy the experience of war films.
Number 23 states: The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads & toys on the food bags, drink cups, and in happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. I completely agree with this statement. As you watch more and more movies nowadays you begin to realize the more advertisements being placed throughout the movie that it becomes annoying to the viewer. After going through and experiencing the advertisement unit in CBE this year, I began to notice a lot more hidden advertisements within current movies. These advertisers later return the favor for the movie company by adding their movie characters to their own commercials, drinks, food bags, and toys. It is a classic example of “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” It’s a win win situation. A prime example of this is with the recent movie Transformers. Within the movie you can notice various advertisements throughout the movie such as McDonalds. So once Transformers came out Happy Meals, toys, commercials, drink cups, and even signs were loaded with the main characters we all grew to love from the movie. So you go eat and spend your money there.
Number 16 states: The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. I would have to agree with this statement. Music can make or break a film, without the right choice of music the film can have a far lesser chance of making the viewer feel the way they are supposed to. The soundtrack to a film is kind of like a map for the movie. The music in the film can tell you many things throughout the movie such as if something good or bad is about to happen. The right music selection can make the viewers feel many different emotions such as suspense, relief, terror, happiness, etcetera. This is way film directors go through the trouble to higher an entire group of professionals to be put in charge of the soundtrack. It is that important. In my opinion, soundtracks make the viewer feel more, or get more out of the scene in movies than the scene itself. Just think back to all the horror films you have watched in the past. If you try watching all of the scary parts with mute on, it would not be nearly as terrifying. This statement is true in my opinion for these reasons.
#9 I definitely agree with number nine, films permanently affect and influence the ways we view the world. Viewers of these films have a preset way of thinking before viewing these films, but may change due to the acting of their favorite characters. Like in Harold and Kumar, the racist jokes are nonstop and make you laugh cause they are so rediculous. Viewers don't necessarilly laugh for racist reasons, but after viewing the film they think why those jokes we're funny and how they were so successful making the whole theater laugh. Racism is a touchy thing, you either are racist or you are not. Watching a movie like Harold and Kumar makes you feel guilty for laughing at some things or could make you more racist by learning more racist jokes. Then there is movies like Remember the Titans. This classic makes people realize that color doesnt matter and should matter in having a successful team and even a successful life. The players are slow to allow diversity but after awhile they grow up and see that the only thing that really matters is who someone is. You see this a lot in sports movies. Allowance of multicultured teams is one of the ways teams are formed.
#23 I totally agree that the fast food industry pays to advertise movies on their products since their sales will be boosted dramatically. When kids go nuts to go to McDonalds or Burger King, they see the toys that come with the kids meal and they instantly want to become apart of that world. They become more curious when they leave the restaurant and start playing with these toys at home. While playing, if they havnt seen the movie, they wont know how to play exactly and they will go nuts until they know for sure. Or it could be the other way around. The kids could see the movie and then demand to go to the restaurant with the toys from the movie they just saw. If the movie is successful, the restaurant with the movie merchandise will have equal or more success as they sell food to these brainwashed kids.
#3 I strongly disagree with number 3. We definitely dont decide a films greatness by its actors. In my opinion, movies are great by the plot, jokes, and music. The movies got to have a good plot and it has to flow good for me to determine it great. It cant be just floating around or bouncing back and fourth, cause when i watch a movie i want to be stress free and try to enjoy myself for a couple of hours. The jokes have to be fresh and hilarious. No one likes an over used joke and it makes the viewer very annoyed to pay money for old jokes. Jokes could be old, but the way they say it has to be way different than ever before. The music is also very crucial. Whenever i hear a song from the American Pie movies, I think how awesome it would be to hang out with those guys and laugh at Stiffler everyday. Some movies that start off at film festivals dont have big actors at all but are very successful since people need more than just well known actors in the movies to be successful. Sometimes its better to have new actors since you dont think of past roles while watching the movie. Come on, Gerald Butler was in 300 and the ugly truth...you're kidding me!
Ryan Mudder
Period 3
I agree with number one. The amount of time and money put into a movie proves that it is a art that many people care about. A movie now days demands a lot of time and effort and the people that make movies are artists. There is skilled artists that write movies for a living. Just like a football player is a professsional football player there is extraordinary artists that write movies. Not just anyone can write a movie it takes a great mind and a lot of time. the actors in a movie can make or break a movie. If the acting isnt very good and has horrible artists acting stuff out the movies just isnt as good. Since the movie is a fine art that would make the movie theater an art gallery. We as american love new up to date things we get tired of old movies after awhile but there is always new films/art projects coming out. The movie business is one of the biggest art industries there is now days.
I agree with number 4 there is a skill that comes along with watching movies. As little kids we all started out watching movies like The Lion King, Toy Story, Bambi, and Pocahontas all these movies have a straight forward plot. they are perfect for little kids. When we got older we started watching more developed and take a higher level of thinking to comprehend. We gain experience over the years and you start wanting to watch the higher level of thinking movies. People like different movies that are out there. For example a lot of people loved avatar and so did I. But I know for a fact that some peopl didnt. I think that this is just proof of how different people range on there movie watching skill. Avatar is a long and very detailed movie. If someone is not an avid movie watcher i can see how they might not like the movie because it involves a lot of thought.
I do believe that number 10 is true. Movie writers and directors see what movies go and they know how make that type of movie by using a certain formula. A lot of the blockbuster hits like Transformers for example has the exact formula as the one mentioned in the guide. That movie made millions and was and still is very poplar. I think of a tv show that airs on a certain tv station like cbs, nbc, or abc. When one of those companies find out a tv show that really goes well the other companies want the same thing. They use the same formula to come up with a similar show. They want the audience and the movie industry wants the viewers and their money. There is formulas used and they are used all the time but people still go to the movies. Even though they know what will happen viewers still go for their movie fix.
Austin Sumner P.6
The three statements on the anticipation guide that really caught my eye were numbers 2,5, and 6. After learning about the deconstruction of movies i've realized that a lot of my favorite movies have some awesome camera angles. So I agreed with number 2 that the greatest movies have the best camera and lighting techniques. I dont really understand the whole lighting techniques so basically I'm going to talk about camera angles. Camera angles are important because they give you the point of view of the actors which tell you first off what they are seeing which could possibly tell you what they are thinking or feeling. In the Hurt Locker, I remember one specifically. As SGT. James is walking up to the first bomb with his new unit the camera is looking down from the top story of a building he is under. Next its on the ground. Then it shows an Iraqi insergent on the top story looking down at SGT. James from the same position the camera was in seconds before. It caught my eye the first time cause I thought their might have been someone up there looking after their bomb.
Next, I'm going with #5, Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be. I agree and disagree with this one. I agree that movies do give us that escape that we need, a little absurdity, like we see in The Hangover. People stealing cops cars and getting away with it. Finding a baby in the closet and figuring out that you married its mother the night before. I love watching films like this and imagining what it would be like. But what I dont agree with is the second part, "our realitilies aren't what they should be." To me this is saying that its alright to steal cop cars and find babies and tigers and almost miss a wedding. That would make our nation one big insane, unsafe place.
Lastly I agree with #6, war films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't. I am a huge fan of war movies, for example, saving private ryan, the hurt locker, black hawk down, I could go on. I think I like them so much because I want to know how they feel and how war really is because we hear about it everyday, people dying, more people going over, and stuff like that. Some of the terrible thing that our soldiers have seen and done cant really be put to words and I know that I cant even imagine what its like. But these films really do give us an idea of how horrible war is and how people risk their lives every second they are over there. They are true heros that deserve more credit than they already get.
Watching a film well DOES take a definate skill. It takes patience, cooperation, an open mind, and one's total attention. A person needs to be watching the film instead of just looking at it. Study characters, study settings, and study the overall plot. It is understandable that after the first time watching a movie, the viewer doesn't catch absolutely everything. I'm just as guilty of this as anyone. I never get it the first time. This is why movies that aren't filled to the brim with violence and bumpin nasties are harder to watch. People don't want to put any thought into them!
I believe that movies can inspire someone to do great things. When it comes to changing one's life forever, though, eh. People undoubtedly go through phases in their lives. If they see something in a movie that they think is absolutely amazing, they will be inspired. But after time, that inspiration may go away and a new type of it will arise. Somebody could be obsessed with Clint Eastwood and want to make their life cowboyish. Then after watching a 50 Cent movie, be totally inspired in a different direction and decide they want to rap. I'm not saying this is always the case, but often times it is. And yes, I too have been through plenty of phases. I'm glad though that some phases just stick with us. We learn from them, and can look back and still find enjoyment in many aspects from them. Nostalgia is born too from our own lives' time slots.
Movies intended for teens suck!! Why is it that film makers have to make teen movies so simple and cliche. I'm actually offended. I'm not retarded and just because I don't have epilepsy does not mean that I want to watch explosions and guns go off every millisecond. I also don't want to see all that reflect off of Vin Diesel's bald head. He's one of those actors that is featured in a lot of films like these. Nothing but awesome one-liners of how much ass he kicks will be heard from his, or any actor in a similair genre's mouth. I want to be shown how much passion these directors have. People arguably go to films to be put into a new life, right? Well then put them into one with at least a little intelligence! Please.
No director is that much better than any other director.
Every director can be great. There's no director that's amazingly better than any other. There are millions of directors out there. Some don't do an awesome job, and some don't know the meaning of a "bad movie" because they're just that good. All in all though, they strive to teach us something through their movies, and that's what's important. Even the worst of movies could have the greatest significance on ones life through the message it sends. Directing is about sending a message through a story line, therefore no director is that much better than another, because they all encourage learning.
Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be.
I actually completely disagree with this. Our culture is so much better than the culture of, say, an African village, and yet we recieve the escape of a movie and they don't, when they may need it so much more. We are greedy and feel like we need the escape because it makes us feel good. Drugs can make someone "feel good" but that HARDLY makes them a need because of the response it gives. People want to see movies because it allows their imagination to have fun. It's not a need though.
The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways. Most definitely yes. If I were to watch a sad scene in some movie I wouldn't feel nearly as sad if the sappy, melancholy music wasn't playing in the back ground. Or in an action film, if the "Hero" is winning a fight and it's just him and the bad guy making noise, it's not nearly as effective if some pop/techno/rock/rap song isn't playing in the background. Music gives the movie atmosphere, and helps us to connect with what's going on. In a humor film, if guy sees girl and that cheesy romance song that makes everyone laugh doesn't play, then the scene isn't nearly as funny. So yes, I strongly agree that music adds to a viewers experience.
1. I agree with the statement, "We decide a film's greatness by its actors" on the anticipation guide. Sometimes we even decide a film's greatness before seeing the movie because of it's all star cast and alluring trailer. Personally, I can say that I'm more likely to go see a movie if there's a certain well recognized actor or actress in a film. Their presence gives me some sort of assurance that I will be getting my money's worth and leave satisfied. If an actor or actress's performance is inadequate, the movie becomes less believable to the viewer. Viewers expect an actor like Denzel Washington to only act in top notch movies, to do otherwise would only hurt their career. Unfortunately, some films suffer due to the lead actor or actress being unknown. For example, the movie "Precious" has yet to come to Sioux Falls because the lead is played by unknown actress, Gabourey Sidibe. It's sad that some people miss out on good films like that for this reason.
2. I would have to agree with number seven on the Anticipation guide. Though some women may not want to admit it, I feel "chick flicks" can act as a temporary fix and fill the emotional holes we encounter in life.
Why else would we go to these movies? Today's film directors know exactly what women are looking for in these so called "chick flicks". They cater to our emotions and for a good 90 or so minutes, we're allowed to become completely consumed in the story line and imagine what our less than perfect lives would be like if we were in the character's shoes. We can all feel like something's missing at times, and these "chick flicks" fill our emotional holes just like war films speak to the aggressive nature of males. However, just because it's called a "chick flick" doesn't mean that a man can't appreciate such a film :)
3. I completely agree with the statement of how a soundtrack adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways. Soundtracks are capable of transporting us back in time. Just try to imagine what any movie would be like without music. It wouldn't be remotely close to conveying the same impact without the soundtrack. Music is what sets the tone of each scene and gives viewers hints of what's to come. In horror movies especially, the music will often change right before an important event. For example, in the movie "Jaws", even if you couldn't see the circling fins, you knew by the infamous "duh-duh, duh-duh, duh-duh" that there was a shark in the water and something terrible was about to happen. I believe that the soundtrack has the ability to make or break a movie. Without the proper music in the appropriate places, you won't be able to achieve the full effect of a film.
-Hilary Peterson
16. The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer’s experience in significant ways: I think this is true because of musicals. Musicals let you hear the words and make you sing along, when your singing along you are self-consciously thinking about what it says. Also, soundtracks lyrics always have a purpose, either to add sarcasm or true meaning. Even if there aren’t words to the music, the music gets so much louder when a climactic scene is approaching. Music is a touchy subject though, most people don’t like certain music, so if the music to the movie is bad it might ruin some of the enjoyment, or at least I know it does to my friends. Very rarely are movies good that don’t have soundtrack to me, except for No Country for Old men. I liked how that didn’t have a soundtrack because they wanted to say life doesn’t have a soundtrack. That was entertaining and interesting.
23. The fast-food industry helps movies be popular by having movie ads and toys on food bags, drink cups, and in Happy Meals. The fast-food places then benefit hugely in a win-win moneymaker. I remember when I was really young; I used to beg my mom to take me to McDonalds when they had toys from a popular movie like the princesses from the fairytales. When I babysit kids and my little pony toys where in the happy meals we would HAVE to go get one or I was a bad person, then after we went and got one, the girls would want to watch the movie. It’s just a circle. When you see a toy you want to see the movie and then when you see the movies you want another toy. I think its really bad that they use sexist movies for children though. They think that the little pony toy is better when I would rather have an Avatar totally.
25. When the ending is “bad” or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back. Well this one makes me the most annoyed. If everyone got there money back if the movie wasn’t perfect then no directors would try anything new. They would stick to the stupid formula hot women plus attractive, normal guy, explosions, drama. I think that not every person will like the movie, and honestly most people would just say they didn’t like the movie to get their money back (but that’s more of an ethnic problem). Movies are a risk just like every other job. I think that movies are better that don’t fit the norm because they teach you something. Even if its not a liked concept its still good to learn about.
Valerie Beck, p.7
Films permanently affect and influence the ways we view the world. i do agree with this statement. the reason i do is because some people really do take in movies and learn from them and take them seriously. movies definitely change my view on different types of people, views as well as places. The magic of a movie is that it can make you love or hate just about anything...it is a persuasive art form.
I think the whole point of movies are to move people, or influence people in some way. movies or television with their programs have been helping us keep up with news on daily life. This thing has a direct influence on our behavior.Because if you were watching a action movie, you know where people jump off buildings and set up bombs stuff like that, it effects mostly on kids and they start wanting to be just like those people on tv, so they start doing the stuff they do. try to imitate movie actor or actress 's dress and dialogue. I would say younger generation are infleuenced by television or movies by various way,such as they use dialogue of actress or actor , dress ,hair style . teenage children usually follow their favourite character,s behavior .
do major actors deserve $20 million per movie? I do think they get paid so ridiculously much because it's just the way the stupid entertainment industry works and it's as if they actually own the world of business.being an actor vs a surgeon and the actor can make 2x or more as the surgeon, who's doing something more worthy. However, I do understand the concept of acting and it's not that easy a thing. It comes naturally to some people, but that's a small portion, lots do train a lot for it, and even still, lots of actors still suck as you'll notice in so many movies.When you think that doctors, fireamen, policemen and teachers do a very important job, but they don't get paid as much, it seems unfair. The celebrities get their money from people liking their music, or acting.but as movies have been getting more and more elaborate as time goes on, the cost to make them rise dramatically and the stars are demanding more money. Actors shouldn’t get paid for movies that they are in continuously; they should get paid only for the work on the actual movie. but part of being an successful actor also includes being a star, which means control of their life is taken from them by the public and it happens to cost a lot of money. people really look up to these actors so if they arent looking good all the time then there looked down apon.
People pay irrational amounts for movie popcorn and soda to just watch a movie. well during the great depression movie theaters were providing a means of escape and they werent super expensive. since television hadnt been invented yet, movie theaters were acting like a big television set. And people needed an inexpensive snack to eat during a cheap movie. popcorn met the requirements by being very cheap to make. It is also fun to eat. It might just be a tradition. might be a habbit of wanting to eat while just sitting and watching a movie. also sense you are being completely intertained visually and mentally they need something to stimulate there taste buds. or maybe some people just cant stay still while watching a movie they need something to keep them kinda busy. it might just depend on the movie too. some people dont like to eat while watching horror movies because it can be gruesome. and might make them throwup. or if the movie is action packed then they might want to eat from the excitment. or if your bored with a movie you might want to eat. like if a guy goes to a chick flick he might be eating just to have something to entertain him.
movies inspire you to do great things. this is true, even if it doesnt directly make u go out and do something good it makes u think about some things u do wrong in ur life and how u can change them and be better, which is good because a lot of ppl connect with movies and ppl in movies. if you see someone do something impossible or something hard that they normally woulndt do and had to try harder than normal then it kind of makes u try harder at the things u do and the way u do them. this is good because it can overall make our world a better place and safer for our next generation. also, no director is better than any other one, ya sure some ppl's opinions of some directors are that they make better movies but when it comes down to it it is the message that the director is trying to get through to the audience. all directors have something that they want ppl to see or understand and that is what makes a movie unique, but those directors might not have the money or the chances to have the same special effects and animations as other ones do so therefore the other ones are better? wrong, it just means the quality of the movie is better but the story might even be worse. its like comparing yourself to steven spielberg, he has more money therefore more things at his disposal to use yet u may have a better story for a movie but only have a camera from wal mart. this doesnt mean u suck, because ur story means something to you and the ppl ur trying to reach and thats all that matters in a movie. people will pay good money to see a movie so they can escape their own boring lives. this is true, movies give ppl the chance to be something they cant, it gives them a chance to be a super hero or a spy or even a different species. even if it is someone poor and cant afford to pay a lot all the time, they will save money to go at least sometimes because it gives them that feeling of greatness that the might not feel by working at mcdonalds or living somewhere in poverty. they get away from the crappiness that they live with. it rlly helps people if the movie is relateable.
Joe Egge P.5
I almost completely agree with number ten from the anticipation guide. That formula (hot woman + attractive, yet "normal" guy + explosions + drama = fortune made) is literally the most genius way to put it, good, scholarly thinking Mr. C. To deconstruct what you thought up, Hot woman, every single guy, whether gay or straight, would have to admit that they like seeing a beautiful, young girl in action moives, whether they are the good girls or the bad girls. The "normal" guy can be put into a relation with all the same guys that like seeing the chicks. The
"normalness" is there to make guys feel like they are good and cool like the actor, and have a chance with the hot woman. Explosions, every one, male or female, loves a good, cool explosion. Oddly enough, the destruction of things really kind of hits a trigger for people, it turns them on or something. Now drama, this is where I don't agree so much with the formula. I, for one, hate drama. It causes stress for young teens, and adults. (if no one knows this yet, the number one reason I'm sick of high school, and have almost completely given up trying, is because of all the childish drama.) Put this all together and wha-la. You got yourself a multi-million dollar making film. MONEY IN THE BANK
To contradict my last statement, I also am intrigued by number eleven. the independent film making also is fascinating because it gives the film that feeling of originality. it puts the setting in OUR time and OUR land, allowing people to go, "oh hey, i've been to this place before" or something like that. a real low key, low class place that you wouldn't normally find billionaire actors and directors for that matter. I personally like it because it makes me feel better about how America spends it's money, not on the expensive, unnecessary stuff. Sometimes, the other money is given away to the poor, depending on the director/actor.
Lastly, I agree with number sixteen on the guide. "the soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways," all i can add is "No doubt." The music plays an important role by setting up the mood before you see what is about to happen on the screen in front of you. the music gives the film that little extra "umph" that it may need. UNLESS you were watching "No Country for Old Men." That movie is probably my only exception for number 16. otherwise music is the best way to set moods in a movie, with out showing, right away, what the scene entails.
#4 There is a definite skill to watching movies-to really experience it effectively. You develop this skill as you watch more movies-and you get more out of films as you get better. I believe this statement to be true. When you are younger your not paying attention to all of the litle details therefore some movies you won't understand/get anything out of. As you get older and have more experiences you can relate more and understand more fully. The more you can interperet in a film the more you can get out of it. The directors don't just put things there for no reason. If you like just being blindly entertained then maybe this isn't for you. But if you want to think for yourself this skill is a must.
#6. War films give men experiences they wish they had-but are glad they don't have. Men always have this feeling inside of them that is full of adrenaline and adventure. this leads them to think that war would be a fun adventorous ride. Some macho war films demonstrate this feeling to men. Though they are horrible atrocious events, men are compelled to be part of these heroic adventures. Some war films do not do this. Some war films portray war as so horrible and terrifying that you will never want to go to war. These films are probobly more accurate.
#15 The western is a fabulous genre. The western is great because they don't have to follow the same rules as modern films. There is no law, no establishment, which means opens up endless possibilities for great stories. There is also a kind of rough gritty feeling to the actors that can just blow you away. Western films are normally about vengeance and justice. Justice in our time is brought about by the police. In these films there is no police force, just a lone sheriff versus a roughe bandit. I also love the standoff that you often see in these movies. One man versus one man, fighting for the girl and the respect of their peers. These scences are very powerful and suspensful.
Katie Lindner Pd.7
Hollywood movie industry is full of extraordinary artists- I agree wholeheartedly to this statement because if they weren't such amazing artists in Hollywood today, (assuming that Hollywood is just the movie-scene in general)we wouldn't have third dementional movies, or amazing special effects or other things of that nature. For examplein an action packed movie you see people get killed and blown up and it actually looks like it, so film producers and their crews make things look real, establishing themselves as true artists. It also depends on what your defenition of 'artists' actually is. If your defenition consists of people who draw and paint stuff, Hollywood artists do not fall short of that description. Movie sets need to be painted, sci-fi characters need to be created, and so forth.
We decide a film's greatness by it's actors- I only kind of agree, if a movie comes out with a famous actress such as megan fox, guys will flock to it because they think she's hot and they know her. People see other movies with great actors and assume the upcoming movie will match its greatness. For me personally, if I was given the chance to view a movie with an actor I didn't know, or a movie with someone like Adam Sandler, of course I'd see the one with the person whom I knew and enjoy. A film can easily be made or broken from it's actors. If Dave Chapelle were to be an actor for a movie about slavery, it just wouldn't be convincing; but if gosh darn Denzel Washington to take his place, the movie would be worth watching. I also can bet that there are movies out in the world that are truly fantastic and inspirational, but the public never hears about them because they don't star the most famous actors/actresses.
When your in a theater you're just wasting your time and filling your gut- I disagree. I go to movies to not waste time; but to enjoy the movie and relax and I feel that movies aren't created to waste people's time, I only go to a movie if I choose to, not because I just want to burn some minutes. For some, though, that idea could hold true. It's all truly based on a person's perspective on things, but for my own opinion, I love going to movies and the feeling you get after watching a great one. After watching a movie like 300 it just makes you want to go and act like a spartan and kick butt, and some movies even inspire you to do great things. For some, watching movies may be a waste of time but for me, I love them.
I agree with number six that war films give men experiences they wish they had, but are glad they don’t have to. Men like to feel that they can protect anyone and we get mad or frustrated if they can’t prove they manhood to the people they know. This can put men is tough situations like if they really do not want to risk their lives because no one want to leave there loved ones at home. In our society it is difficult for a man to say no to enlisting and going off to war. One thing that proves this is that when a kid turns eighteen they must sign up for the draft and maybe even sign their lives away, which they love and enjoy. That being said I would not hesitate to leave my life and serve for my country, because to keep our lives the way they are we must protect it.
I also agree with number five that movies are necessary “escapes” in our culture, because our realities aren’t what they should be. It a fact that we as Americans work more and have more stressful lives then most of the world. For some getting away for a couple hours on a Friday night helps them stay sane in there hectic life. I think everyone has their own coping methods. Some have unhealthy methods like drugs or alcohol, while others eat there stresses away. A movie can make you pretend your life is not so boring and can put you in someone else’s life as a secret agent that needs to save the world. But the people that have the job they love and a fulfilling life, they do not need a movie to leave their reality or ease their stress.
I strongly agree with number twelve that movies can inspire you to do great things and/or change yourself forever. I know this is true because it has happened to me on more than one occasion. The movie Law Abiding Citizen made me judge the law a little differently. The main character (Gerard Butler) convinces a Judge at one point to let him back on the street after admitting he had just killed someone. It made me think that we should make decisions as lawful people, and do what is morally correct. This is just one example of how a movie can open your mind and change some beliefs. Beliefs that you may have never cared to think about or maybe end beliefs you are more prejudice against and if you go to the movie with an open mind you may change some things about yourself.
#5 Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be.
I believe this is true because although we live in the greatest country in the world, the United States, we also live in one of the most corrupt countries in the world. The U.S. is slowly but unlikely heading toward a revolution with the current health care crisis and other hot topic issues. Also the everyday hard working American's life sucks. A typical day would consist of waking up, going to work, taking care of your kids, and going to bed. How do we escape this boring routine? Some Americans go to bars, some just sit around, and some go to movies. Movies fill the voids in our boring lives. Americans look at the main characters and wonder and wish life was as easy as the main characters in most movies.
#7 "Chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have.
I totally agree with this statement. Women that watch chick flicks are filling what they wish their spouses did for them. Chick flicks are unfair to both men and women I believe because no matter how romances are in movies most of the time finding a relationship like one in a chick flick will be impossible. Most adult relationships have arguments, financial issues, and lots of divorces which is hardly depicted in chick flicks.
#16 The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways.
I agree with this statement also because the music in the backround of a movie depicts the mood of the film. For example in office space the hip-hop played while the guy was going to work showed how he felt about his job. Also in most gangster films they have rap in the background to describe how growing up on the streets was. In my film The Shawshank redemption the music is suttle to represent the lonliness of what its like to be in prison. Music in films also brings maybe a little more interest to certain films. A lot of movies that are coming out soon are using Jay-z's song 'Run This Town' to advertise their films. The song talks about Jay-Z selling drugs on the streets, so it gives people the feeling that the film being advertised may be about the same topic.
#5 Movies are necessary "escapes" in our culture, because our realities aren't what they should be.
I believe this is true because although we live in the greatest country in the world, the United States, we also live in one of the most corrupt countries in the world. The U.S. is slowly but unlikely heading toward a revolution with the current health care crisis and other hot topic issues. Also the everyday hard working American's life sucks. A typical day would consist of waking up, going to work, taking care of your kids, and going to bed. How do we escape this boring routine? Some Americans go to bars, some just sit around, and some go to movies. Movies fill the voids in our boring lives. Americans look at the main characters and wonder and wish life was as easy as the main characters in most movies.
#7 "Chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have.
I totally agree with this statement. Women that watch chick flicks are filling what they wish their spouses did for them. Chick flicks are unfair to both men and women I believe because no matter how romances are in movies most of the time finding a relationship like one in a chick flick will be impossible. Most adult relationships have arguments, financial issues, and lots of divorces which is hardly depicted in chick flicks.
#16 The soundtrack of a film adds to the viewer's experience in significant ways.
I agree with this statement also because the music in the backround of a movie depicts the mood of the film. For example in office space the hip-hop played while the guy was going to work showed how he felt about his job. Also in most gangster films they have rap in the background to describe how growing up on the streets was. In my film The Shawshank redemption the music is suttle to represent the lonliness of what its like to be in prison. Music in films also brings maybe a little more interest to certain films. A lot of movies that are coming out soon are using Jay-z's song 'Run This Town' to advertise their films. The song talks about Jay-Z selling drugs on the streets, so it gives people the feeling that the film being advertised may be about the same topic.
A.J. Plummer Pd.3
No director is that much better than any other director. I agree with this state. There is many reasons why this should be a true statement because all the tactics in the film world everyone uses they are all using the same techniques. The thing that really seperates directors out is the the ones who land the big production sets then they can use the better special effects and hurry the better actors and naturally their movie looks alot better, whereas some director with small production set still use the same angles and camera lighting and all the directing techniques but they cant get enough money for special effects and other stuff to make the movie look more realistic, plus they cant attrach the top notch actors because they dont have the cash flow so just by those means alone the director with the bigger production sets will have a movie that is more appealing to the public.
The next theme i would like to talk about is the fact that A movies greatness is determined by its actors. I agree with this statement, I believe the greatness of the movie lies within the actors, and for the simple reason that they are our narrarators throughout the movie and they are the ones that give the movie its character, and no matter how good the directing is or the production set if you do not have the right actor then its all for nothing because the movie just wont be right. My ex. of this would be in the new version of king kong jack black who we know as a comedian and comedian rock star is playing the serious role of a movie producer back in the 1920s. This role wasnt made for him he just could not bring the character to life and that for me ruined the movie, even though it had awesome special effects and i loved the plot to it just the simple fact that the actor wasnt right for his role ruined the whole movie for me.
The last one im gonna analyze is the hollywood movie industry is filled with amazing artist. i agree with this one ten fold. Movie is a form of theatre entertaining, and all theatre entertainers are artist so everyone in the movie industry are artists also. The directors are the biggest artists in my mind they are the ones that use all the different techniques, lighting angles, and camera shots to create the perfect scene. They have to have an imagination to get a feel for how they want the character to feel so they can cast the right guy. The Actor has to be really artistic because they have to bring their character to life and act out scenes perfectly adding in their own ideas for certain shots, and lighting spots. And of course the ppl working the tech crews are artist too cause they set up the stages creatively and the make up artist give life to the characters with how they want them to look.
I strongly agree with twenty-three about the fast food industry making movies money. Some people don’t watch a lot of TV but who doesn’t go to McDonalds or Burger King. And every little kid wants a happy meal. They play with the toys and like them so they end up wanting to go to the movie. Every parents try as hard as they can to grant what there child wants so they go. Everything about happy meals try to persuade the child to come back again or watch the movie. I remember when I was a kid I wanted to go to McDonalds just to play with the spy kids toys. I loved the toys so I had to go to the movie. Its all about the money in the movie world and get the name out there.
I strongly disagree with twenty-five about getting your money back if the movie is bad. They want you to go into the movie its your fault for paying for it. You may be disappointed but still, producers put a lot of money and hard work into those movies. If that was the case people would just go in and out saying they didn’t like it and get there money back. They’d lose money not make money.
I also agree with statement 7 that chick flicks fill the emotional wholes women have when there sad. If a women was sad about a break up or something she would watch a love story. She will then have the hope that maybe there is another guy out there for me. Maybe someday ill find true love and have a relationship like that. There is a reason why guys don’t like these movies as much as girls do. Guys aren’t as emotional as women.
Shad Smith
Cody San Miguel P.5
I would first have to say that i agree with the statement that war films give men the experiences they wish they had but are glad they don't have. I think as a part of the genetic code, all males on the planet want to fight, have to fight, maybe even love to fight. But there are very few of us willing to put our lives on the line to fight. I love war movies especially ones that have both the action and heroics as well as the other side that makes you not want to. I personally have wanted to join the marines or the army, but i do fear losing my life like most men who choose not to join the armed forces. Men love the action, the heroics, total studliness of gion out shooting things, getting dirty and coming back in after a nice days work. But nobody wants to take a chance and lose their life.
The second phrase i would have to completely agree with is the fact that movies are necessary escapes for people in our culture becuase our realities arent what they should be. I believe this to be totally true becuase our lives suck. they honestly do. most people have boring lives with boring houses and jobs. sure we always have a few things that make it a little more entertaining but with movies we can imagine, we can get away from the boring normality of life and experience totall awesomeness for 2-3 hours. People always dislike things in thier lives and have to spice things up a bit so i personally think it is only natural that we seek escapes from the real world.
The last statement i agree with is that we as a society decide a film's greatness by its actors. yes some people prefer indy films with nobody's and low budgets to huge films making noise in the hollywood industry, but the reality of it is we love films with huge actors, famous directors, and outragously bloated budgets that can make hugh hephner look poor. The films that are always nominated for the most awards, and win the most awards, are the films with more than a couple of huge actors and guys like micheal bay and steven spilburg directing them. its not necessarily right...but it is truth.
1. #8 "When you're in a theatre, you're just wasting tie and filling yourgut".
I strongly disagree with this statement. films are the best way to scape from a normal and boring life. Films are messages and thoughts that the directors what us to know to thin about. We dont watch movies just because, we watch movies to have an adventure. To scape to other world that we witch we could be at or not. Some films area about hereos that we want to be, so we watch movies to become them but at the same time not going through what they go through. Movies affect us the way we look at stuff and the we live it. We can live many life and learn new cultures without leaving the country. Men and women Love to watch movies where is hot babes and muscular dudes because we want to dream about what we cant have.
2. #9 Films permanently effect and influence the way we view the world. Films can make us more/ less sexist, more/less aware, more/ less tolerant, more/ less loving, more/ less tough, more.
i believe with these statemete. There are many kinds of films they are made in every aspect of life. There is a movie for every kind of viewer,there are classic, action, suspense, thrill, history, romantic, mystery, biography, research based, animals, and others. Every topic of films have a diffrent effect and influece on viewers. For example a romantic film make a you more romatic towards your partner, it can also give you tips how to persuade and please you partner or the person you love. A action movie gives you an influece of fighting, murdering,becoming aggresive and doing stuff with more demand.A suspense movie gives you influence of suspense in life, a person who regularly watches suspense movies finds suspense in real life. They dont like to live dull life they want to have an adventure in every step. A historical movie tell about ancient life, we learn about our them and try to do what they did. Some films stories provide memorable lessons that we can learn to make our lives better.
3. #10 There is a distinct Hollywood formula to maing money with blockbusters. It goes like this: Hot women + attractive, yet "normal"guy.
I agree with this statement. Hot woman have big effect in films. Some people watch a movie because of a hot woman because they dream about what they want to have in their dreams. The same way is with the woman watch their favorite actors in movies. Films effect make moveis more intense and more believable. It keeps our eyes intertain and our minds focus on the movie. Movies makers spend a fortune in this characterstics but they know that it works and makes lots of money.
B. Olson Period 5
I agree with #7 Chick flicks fill the emotional holes women have. Girls watch these movies because they love the feelings it causes them to feel. Such as P.S. I love you or the Notebook, two movies that show great emotion and passion. Girls love that romantic passionate thought in life. Just like how men love their action, women love their romantic passionate films. Women in my eyes are emotional and they like movies that give them the emotional experience they could see themselves. It seems as if its a stereotype women seem to up hold. Is that why we call them Chick Flicks?? Because they are girl Films!
I disagree with No director is that much better than any other director because there is other Directors who seem to create better movies than others. Theres alot of work behind films and i mean creative work. To get the viewers attention and grasp them and pull them into the movie takes a great deal of directing the film. Details and details are what i think make the little biggest importance in films. Some directors just do not have the skills as some.
I agree #21 Screenplays that have realistic dialogue are always better, for it shows the detail in a film. Such as if we were in a foriegn country, you cannot make them speak english! I think it ruins the movie and the experience your trying to witness. For example if i was in Japan in the move Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift; Im not goin to go to Tokyo and find Japanese speaking english they are goin to be speaking japanese! The dialect gives more character to the foreign people and causes you to experience the the setting.
Number three, We decide a film's greatness by its actors, is absolutely true. I like movies that get my attention but what gets my attention even more is the actors playing in the movie. Most people look at trailers and if the see someone playing in the movies like Brad Pitt, you have most peoples attention because they're great actors. Also if you liked a movie they played in before you are more likely to want to see how the did in the next movie. Whether we like it or not, I believe we have a predetermined analysis of how a movie will turn out literally just based on the actors. If you like the actor, and they are good, you are more likely to assume the movie will also be good.
The next number I saw that caught my attention was number twenty-five, When the ending is “bad” or when evil wins, the audience should demand/get their money back, and personally, i do not believe this to be true. Not all movies can have a happy ending because thats not reality. Of course, we use movies as a way to escape reality, but if the director was trying to convey a meaning about our reality, then of course it will not be happy. Now that is horrible to say that our lives are not happy endings, but it is very true. Life is not always about a happy ending, especially in America when all we pursue is the "American Dream" but it still seems that people who have achieved that are unhappy. Why else would we have such high suicide rates? Happy endings in movies aren't always nessecary. Also what one person might consider a 'horrible' ending, someone else might literally love. Endings, and satisfaction of course, is absolutely opinon and not everyone has the same opinion.
The next number i agree with is number seven, "Chick flicks" fill the emotional holes women have. Women are emotional creatures, what person on this earth doesn't know that, and they have emotional needs that are often not filled with reality. In reality, men are not going to be amazingly sweet in perfect, but it is very, very nice to beleive that someday we will find them. Reality obviously tells us that we cannot have everything that we want in a man. If that was so the divorce rate would not be 1:2. That is not a lot of marriges making it forever. Women have emotional voids and happily, romance movies fill that void for a short period of time. That is why they are such big hits a lot of the time, because we wanna fill the void over and over. Movies can do just that.
Ashley Wise Pd.6
The first number I chose was number ten. It says that there is a formula to making a blockbuster film. It says a Hot woman, a normal looking attractive guy, and drama is how you make a good movie. I left out explosions because that could have been changed to good special effects. It think this brings up a good point to think about. As movie viewers, do we really all crowed to see what is basically the same movie over and over again. While the formula theory may be true, when I saw it I immediately thought it was the perfect description for Transformers, I think that it may be the formula for academy awards, but it isn’t the only type of good movie. I think there are other aspects that are important to movie making. The writing, camera work, directing, and also meanings or themes are also parts of movies that are directly related to how good the movie is. I think that the formula is probably the right formula for a perfect preview, but I think that there are more important parts that need to be good to make a good movie.
The second point I chose was point number twelve. It argues that movies can inspire you to do great things or change yourself forever. I agree to a large extent with that statement. Movies can make you want to better yourself and your situation in life. Not only your own situation but also the situations of some people who are less fortunate then you or. Take my movie for example. After watching To Save a Life, my drive to help others with cutting and depression was reinforced a great deal. It inspired me to not only talk to people who were struggling, but to actually form an organization. The goal of that organizations is to effectively create a network of people who are driven to take problems like cutting and come as close to eliminating them from our school and area as we can. I would say that the movie inspired me to take something that I was doing and I stood for, and make it larger than myself.
The third and final statement I have chosen is statement number 14. It says that people should always go to and see movies that reinforce what they believe, think and feel. While I agree that seeing movies that share your beliefs is good, they should not be the only movies you see. I have a favorite quote from Socrates that fits this same idea. Socrates said, back in his day, “It is that mark of a wise man to entertain an idea without accepting it.” If we can not make ourselves subject to other opinions then our own, then why do we bother ourselves with thinking or analyzing at all. If we can take opinions from multiple angles and us them to form our own multidimensional beliefs, then we can make ourselves more accepting of other people who think differently then ourselves. This could be the ground work for the elimination of racism, sexism, or social class discrimination. Going to a movie with a different opinion could be the beginning of being a more tolerant individual.
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I'm new here and just wanted to drop by with a little "hello" message (sorry if I have posted in the wrong section!)
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