Journal #6 Reasons Why You Are Wrong

While scrolling through The AV Club, I noticed there was a “My Year of Flops” section.  I began reading the list hoping to find a terrible film that I could rant about how much of a waste of time it was to watch.  However, I came across “The Invention of Lying” on this list.  I loved that movie and have seen it several times.  Nathan Robin, the reviewer, spent 1,100 words talking about all the good things in the film, and then stated in three paragraphs that the only reason he did not like it was because of the main character falls in love with a “shallow, superficial, mean, and obsessive” girl.  I argue that this was a very clever movie that decided to change the view of love.  Instead of having a love scene like any other movie, they changed love entirely, just like they changed religion, film, and social interactions in this made up world.  If love had stayed the same, it would have ruined the plot of the film.

Journal #5 Quit Your Crying

While scrolling down the articles in PopMatters, I came across an article, “Male Bashing On TV."  My first thought while reading this article was that it was humorous.   But after reading 22 paragraphs of a man complaining that men are being ridiculed on TV I began to get irritated.  The author, Michael Abernathy, even went as far as stating,” Young and Nathanson (academicians that published a book on this issue) argue that in addition to being portrayed as generally unintelligent, men are ridiculed, rejected, and physically abused in the media. Such behavior, they suggest, “would never be acceptable if directed at women.”  This made me gasp with disgust.  Woman did not have the right to vote until 1920 because it was assumed that women were too stupid to be able to decide who to vote for.  Not until the 1900’s were women looked at as equals.  And look at us now!

                When TV shows were first created, series like “I Love Lucy” came on that depicted women as silly house wives how cleaned and cooked, but they just seemed to always mess it up.  But don’t worry, their big strong men always came home and fixed the mess.  Woman’s roles were a little bit better in the 50’s with shows like “Leave It To Beaver” where they played honest housewives and mothers whose opinion didn’t matter.  It was not until the 90’s and 00’s when women began to play intelligent human beings with a voice.  So do I feel sorry for men in today’s society because they are seen as “equal or less intelligent” then women.  Not one bit.

Journal #4 Living Off the Land

                Winter’s Bone is unlike any film that I have ever seen before.  It is dramatic, but in a small town kind of way.  The reason I enjoy this movie is that is shows morals that differ from my own, and yet I can respect them and these morals make the actions of the main character, Ree, seem more realistic.  Ree wanted to go to the army but after her father went missing and her mother had emotional problems, she had to step up to take care of her little brother and sister.

                One of the scenes that really stood out was Dee teaching her siblings how to shoot a gun and hunt.  The scene is simple, but it shows just how this family thinks.  When a friend arrives and asks what they are doing, Dee replies that she is teaching the children how to live on their own.  Most people are not worried about a child living on their own, but Dee knows that she is the only family they have left and if something happens to her, they need to survive on their own.  After forcing her brother to gut a squirrel, she tells them to come watch her cook it.  She is training these children how to live off the land.  This scene adds an emotional value to the film.

Journal #2 Looking Deep Into Film

                After viewing "Looking at Movies: Film Analysis," I thought that it was organized and very educational.  I thought that the video did a good job explain what film analysis is and why it is important.  I also thought it was a good idea to use videos that most people had heard of and probably enjoyed such as, Juno, Donnie Darko, and The Green Mile.  Using known movies allows people to understand what the video is trying to show such as the cultural influence.  However, I do think that film analysis can become too much about critiquing or trying to find detail in something that is really only supposed to be enjoyed.  One example is the scene with the red roses with the white fence in the background and a beautiful blue sky.  The video then analyzed the roses symbolic value, saturated color, and low camera angle.  Roses should be enjoyed because they are beautiful, not analyzed because it was placed in the movie.

                I also believe that the video was complicated and is sometimes hard to follow.  Because I have never read, watched, or had any previous experience with film analysis, I had trouble keeping up with how much information was given to me in such a short time period.  I do think that anyone who has had previous experience with film analysis would find this video easier to follow and better equipped for their needs.

Journal #1: Jersey is Taking Over America

Everybody has heard of the Jersey Shore crew. A group of 8 guidos living together with no consequences. The cast members drink, smoosh, and party as much as they want to, all while making thousands of dollars per episode. Fans can't wait to watch the fights, drama, partying, and more fighting every week on MTV. Sara Jane Pohlman from PopMatterswrote an article called "Come at me bro!: What 20-somethings see in 'Jersey Shore'" and explain why fans are addicted to this show so much.

I agree with the paragraph in the article that says that preteens are learning from the TV show. Adults who watch Jersey Shore can analyze the drama and partying and realize that on average, no one party's that much and that their arguments are very immature. Even though this is a reality TV show, it is made for ratings. However, preteens think that all college students party every night, drinking has no consequences, and drama is a way of life. And Jersey Shore is teaching kids that hooking up with strangers at a party is normal. Of course the show does not show all the cast members going to the doctor once a month with a different STD.

           

I also agree with PopMatters when they explain why college students watch Jersey Shore: It causes dram. I personally watch for the ridiculous fights and the constant drama between house members. Watching almost 30-year-olds dance at a club does not keep me entertained. I do, however, enjoy watching Snooki throw champagne bottles at Mike’s head. In real life, she would have been arrested. I think the idea of being able to say whatever is on your mind and then saying a simple “I’m sorry” and getting away it is what attracts people. Because in the real world, if you call your best friend a slut, you usually have consequences that you have to deal with, like getting a new best friend.

"Procrastination"

Picture