What are we watching now..

Yesterday, we started watching It's a wonderful Life. (To be in the christmas spirit) We've both enjoying it and it will probably become one of our favorites. Also, it is going to be our last film of 2010!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We'll start writing again soon!

Colleen's Poster

(This is a poster that I made during English class not long after we finished watching Casablanca)

Soon to be Christmas!! (Merry Christmas everyone!)

Since we last posted we’ve watched even more movies!!  

To date we’ve watched…

2001: A Space Odyssey
A Clockwork Orange
Singing in the Rain (Certain scenes)
Westside Story
Frankenstein
The Bride of Frankenstein
The Mighty Peking Man

Once again, we’ll tell you which films we liked the most and the least.

The Best:

Kim – My favorite movie out of the ones we’ve most recently watched would have to be Westside story. However, I really liked the majority of these films. I really liked Westside Story because first of all, I really like musicals, and since I have not seen all of Singing in the Rain, I did not include it when making my decision. I found that Westside Story was easier to remember, and the catchy songs made it so much easier to want to watch it again in again. My only disappointment would be the voiceovers during the songs.

Colleen – Out of all the movies we’ve been watching I think my favorite has been A Clockwork Orange. It honestly was the most different movie I’ve ever seen but its awkwardness was some how interesting. Compared to the other films, as I’ve said, it was different but the main character followed an interesting plot line and helped keep me interested. I think that whenever you consider watching the film you need to keep the atmosphere of the film in mind. It’s not a film that will increase a happy mood or really even a sad on at that.. It leaves you feeling almost with little feeling at all. But it still was my favorite film of them al.  

The Worst:

Kim – My least favorite so far, is The Mighty Peking Man. I don’t hate the movie, but to compare it to all the films we have watched, I just can’t give it the same appreciation. I liked that even with the little amount they had to work with; they were still able to pull it off to make a pretty good movie. Some of the scenes were just so unbelievable that they were incredible. It was so amusing to watch, and really kept you watching to see what crazy thing was going to happen next. The worst part about this film is that the dubbing was horrible throughout, and the background screen was really unrealistic.

Colleen – I agree with Kim. I didn’t really enjoy The Mighty Peking Man as much as the others because it wasn’t as high quality. I felt they did a great job with what they could.. But it still just wasn’t enough to make it outstanding. I also agree that dubbing wasn’t very good. I mean it was dubbed from Japanese to English but it ended up being mostly funny and it made it a little harder to pay attention to the storyline. I also felt that it was very similar to King Kong and it made to wonder how original was the movie really..   

English Essay

So, the following is the essay that I chose to write for my english class. Since the work I do in my media studies class typically blends into my english class I decided to look into the meaning behind the movie 2001 a Space Odyssey. After watching the film origionally Mr. Corey, Kim and I tried talking about what we thought the meaning of the film was, however, we didn't really understand what it was that we had just finished. So, Mr. Corey asked both of us to write a few pages about the topic and then we would look back to it and try a discussion again. After I had finished writing the assignment I decided I would look a little more into the ideas I had already talked about... So, I wrote the following essay.

"You're free to speculate as you wish about the philosophical and allegorical meaning of the film—and such speculation is one indication that it has succeeded in gripping the audience at a deep level—but I don't want to spell out a verbal road map for 2001 that every viewer will feel obligated to pursue or else fear he's missed the point."[1] The statement made by Stanley Kubrick leaves the viewer with just as many questions, if not more, as they would have had before reading the quote. He suggests that all interpretations are correct and acts as if everyone should be open to others ideas. The film was created with the idea that it would end up finishing, almost, open ended. When interviewed he left nothing more than subtle hints as to what his personal interpretation truly was, wanting to leave his viewers with their own comprehensions. So.. What is the meaning of this movie?

When watching the film you’re immediately shown a scene that is set in prehistoric Africa. Although in order to understand what happens shortly into the film, you need to look a little farther back in time. Roughly four million years ago something unexpected entered the universe close to Jupiter on a course toward Earth. This unexpected thing was extraterrestrials; they came with a gift, the monolith. [2]  This may seem to hold little significance however; its placement is not aesthetic. Instead it deeply holds strong knowledge.  “The mysterious monolithic stone slab is a technological machine belonging to aliens in space, one of hundreds of such monoliths sent to Earth to test, teach and transform the apes into higher-order, intelligent beings.”[3]

Returning to the opening scene, you’re greeted by a tribe of apes living in the simplest form.  “They scrape together a meager life and live a marginal existence, unable to fully protect themselves from the elements or from other competitors, predators and carnivores.”[4] Survival is based on cries between groups and aggression through intimidation. Upon their discovery of the monolith, however, a revelation occurs. Out of curiosity, apes gather and ponder the meaning and purpose of this strange object. It appears there is no effect on them until one ape becomes amused with a pile of bones. He begins to “play” watching the bones fly as he hits them. This then becomes the development of early weapons and the understanding of higher protection. The apes begin to develop new methods and become stronger still existing harmoniously with other tribes. That is, until the need for water can no longer be shared. With their new bone weapon they are able to over take the other tribe sending a strong message, death. They’ve now shown how powerful they are and start conquering the terrain they have.  “The 'enlightened' apes gain domination in the animal world, establish their territorial domain, and take an evolutionary step or leap toward (or away from) humanity.”[5] The monolith was the reason for development of new ideas and the apes survival. “..The monolith is a tool, an artefact of an alien civilization. It comes in many sizes and appears in many places, always in the purpose of advancing intelligent life.”[6] One can only assume the transition from bone to space craft indicated that the apes development over another four millions years was successful.

The second part of this scene is shown on a journey to the moon where the viewer is left clueless with only comments of strange activity. Through all the visible technology that Kubrick displays on screen you’re able to see how comfortable man has become on Earth. Their comfort is based on the idea of technology working for the better and solely in their favour. Humans have created all forms of technology to perform even the simplest tasks. With the technology they now have it is easy to see they have “conquered” planet Earth. Meaning humans no longer fear the simplest of things. This allowed a new system of characteristics that had changed greatly from the apes seen in the beginning of the film. Humans are no longer curious, questioning or scared beings. They feel as if there is no mystery as to what is beyond and have no fear when entering the outer universe.  Although there has been massive technical advances made on Earth, humans once again can be considered children. Previous tasks such as eating, walking and using the bathroom no longer are simple. The human species still has a lot to learn about space. Unfortunately,  they are overconfident and unable to recognize this need. “Kubrick’s point: the master of Earth is just a child in space.”[7] 

Meeting the monolith once again, this time in on the moon, humans face its discovery differently from the first time. There is no feeling of fear or question as to what it is. Instead they happily take a video, even farther showing their cockiness; the human species has come far. That is until a high pitched sound is omitted from the monolith, acting as an alarm. “It alerts or signals the ancient civilization that buried it on the Moon that man is about to reach another more improved advanced level of consciousness and intelligence.”[8] Similar to the first discovery ,it was placed millions of years before acting as a sentinel to prove not only that humans had reached the moon but also that they still had a great deal to learn about the universe. It's uncertain if the characters involved  in this scene die or if they survive. But shortly after, you're moved eighteen months into the future where humans are in space once again, on a mission toward Jupiter.

On the second journey, it is no longer only humans entering space. What is considered the ultimate tool joins them, HAL. The HAL 9000 computer that is built into the ship operates as a human’s brain and nerve system would. He sees little relevance in the presence of humans. “Humans are just maintenance men at the end of their evolution. The ultimate tool doesn’t need these apes anymore.”[9] In the beginning, he works seamlessly, but by estimating failure of the ships antenna the human members no longer trust his judgement. HAL recognizes that he is being second guessed and becomes angry. He decides he is right and the only way to save “his” mission is to eliminate the other members. Since humans have little impact on his system HAL easily is able to control the outcome he wants. When returning the antenna after testing HAL is able to take the opportunity to release the man from his harness, sending him into space.  The other crew member acts quickly and successfully saves his co-member but HAL has thought ahead. Unfortunately, man has not lost all ability and is still able to overtake his tools.  With the simplest of tools, the screwdriver, the remaining crew member is easily able to shut HAL down.[10] The man is now alone in space, without his tools, finishing the unknown mission until a voice prompter informs him his journey to the Jupiter has ended.

The final part involves the discovery of the monolith, this time orbiting near Jupiter. As the final character, watches in amazement, it begins to cover the light from the other planets. Man has evolved and once again he is curious and afraid. Using the space pod the man moves slowly toward the monolith and is carried on a journey through what seems to be a large light show, representing time. When the lights stop he's seen in a large room alone still in his spacesuit. He quickly ages within a matter of minutes and is left with only one task, his own death. When he is on the edge of death is body is cast aside, leaving his spirit to be reborn. The final image you’re left with is a fetus orbiting around the Earth.

Through all the development man had undergone, it ultimately ended up affecting the population in a negative way. Humans had changed there was no real time for them to understand the consequences and significance of their actions. The push for technology almost destroyed the human species. “Have you gotten it yet, Earthman? Your evolution depended so much on your technology, that it almost replaced you.. and  in the end tried to destroy you. Now without your tools, what is left of you?”[11] In the beginning  we lived harmoniously with the planet Earth working together to survive. Perhaps if we had developed our tools differently and kept our original characteristics the need to be reminded of technological strides wouldn’t have been present. The monolith worked as a guide helping move along through time and pose questions as to where all human knowledge came from. “Monoliths link the primeval, futuristic, and mystical sections of the film.”[12] Farther proving what problems can occur when your technology begins to become smarter then you. The idea expressed throughout the film is understanding the developments you make, how exactly they work and your own personal character toward everything you have and have had.   

---

[1] Norden, Eric. “Interview: Stanley Kubrick,” Playboy, 169, (September 1968)

[2] New Media Giants. “Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained,” <http://www.kubrick2001.com/> (25 November 2010) A monolith is defined as a single large block or piece of stone, as in architecture or sculpture. Monolith. (1984). In David B. Guralnik (Ed.), Webster’s New World Dictionary (p. 921, 2nd ed). New York: Simon & Schuster.

[3] Dirks, Tim. “2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),” <http://www.filmsite.org/twot.html> (November 29,2010)

[4] Dirks, Tim. “2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),”

[5] Dirks, Tim. “2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),”

[6] Clarke, Arthur C. 2001: A Space Odyssey (New York: New American Press, 1968).

[7] New Media Giants. “Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained,”

[8] Dirks, Tim. “2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),”

[9] New Media Giants. “Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained,”

[10] New Media Giants. “Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained,”

[11] New Media Giants. “Kubrick 2001: The Space Odyssey Explained,”

[12] Dirks, Tim. “2001: A Space Odyssey (1968),”

Well... I guess this is regularly...

After discussing the first movies we watched (Psycho, Taxi Driver, The Birds, Rear Window and Casablanca) we’re going to mention the movie we liked the most, the least and why we chose them.    

The BEST!!!!!

Kim: My personal favorite out of the first five was Psycho. I think it was probably the suspense that really held my attention, and kept me on edge throughout most of the film. I liked the storyline, and the use of the mother’s character. Hitchcock kept the audience guessing throughout the movie, and therefore made the ending that much more amusing to watch. Considering how old the movie is, and that there was no colour used, the editing was really well done, and resulted in an all-round classic film.  

Colleen: I would have to agree with the choice Kim made for a director but I liked Rear Window a little more. I liked the set design and the idea the neighborhood. As creepy as that is.. It was interesting how you were usually able to see what/ where all the characters were. The storyline was interesting and made me what to keep watching. The plot, as well, kept you on edge wanting to see if the main character was ever going to get to leave his home. Overall, it was a well done film; Hitchcock did a great job.    

The WORST!!!!!!!!! (But not really cause they’re all good!)

Kim: My least favorite was probably Taxi Driver. It’s not that I didn’t like the movie; it just did not hold my attention in the same way as all the others. Unlike the others, I have a harder time remembering the movie.  The movie was well done, there just wasn’t enough suspense. The movie didn’t give me anything to think about throughout the film, not to mention I probably didn’t get as much out of the movie because I didn’t understand what was going on at that time period when the movie took place.

Colleen:  For this one I do agree with Kim 100%. I’m not really sure why but I didn’t really like Taxi Driver as much as the other ones. I didn’t feel as involved and I didn’t really feel that it flowed through out the film. It left me with a very disturbed feeling and I just didn’t feel it was as up to par. I understand it was a great film but out of the all of them it was my least favorite.

Hello

So, this is our first post! As it will probably only be Mr. Corey who initially reads this 'wonderful' blog, we won't have to explain the purpose of all of this...BUT we will anyway!!

Starting from the beginning, my name is Colleen. And sitting next to me at the moment is my friend and fellow classmate Kim. We're currently both enrolled in Media Studies 120 with an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL GIFTED SMART FRIENDLY GENIUS MASTERMIND of a teacher. (Yes, we did just suck up, Mr. Corey.) As well our school has been working with project based learning in several classes, this is no exception. So we've deicded to watch various types of film, much like the previous way the course was constructed.

Thus far we've completed four movies..

The Birds
Psycho
Rear Window
Taxi Driver

And currently we're in the process of watching..

Casablanca


For the duration of this semester we'll be posting, regularily, our impressions, thoughts and likes/ dislikes of the movies we view.