Parflex Division 3

Sorry this is late again.
So I am done with my PowerPoint for harness #503. My sponsor checked it over and he said I am ready to present. All I have to do now is prepare my presentation, make some editorial changes on my PowerPoint, and have my sponsor sign my final papers.

This week was basically the same as usual. I worked at my desk most of the time, trying to make my PowerPoint a masterpiece. I would sometimes go back into the factory and check out a few things. One thing that was different this week is that I had one of the factory workers build the harness by following my PowerPoint directions. She gave me some great help by saying what is helpful and what can removed or replaced. It made me realize that I probably should have done this more often than just once.

Mr. Harris came in today for about 45 minutes. I gave him a little summary about what I've been doing and showed him the factory and built a little bit of the harness in front of him. He was shocked about how complicated the harness looked as a finished project. It isn't really all that complicated if you break it down into step-by-step format. IT just looks a little intimidating. He enjoyed how I've been working hard and the fact that what I'm doing is helpful to the company and will be used after I leave. He said that's a rare case for senior projects, which is nice to hear. I plan on putting some pictures up for our final post. Until next time =)

End of the American Dream?

At the end of McCabe & Mrs. Miller, McCabe may have defeated the bounty hunters sent to kill him, but he can only stumble through the snow, slowly bleeding to death. What does this film say about the small-time enterpreneur and the Goliath corporation? Is the American Dream dead?

Death of a Cowboy

After an extended stay in McCabe's whorehouse, a cowboy is ready to return to his cattle, but first wants to buy a pair of socks. The cowboy, not much of a shot, is accosted by a ruthless gunman at the bridge and shot dead as he reaches for his gun (so the gunman can "fix" it). Many of us in the audience gasped or shook our heads at this scene. What purpose, if any, is there to this scene? Or is it's lack of meaning itself meaningful? Is it an effective scene? What does it convey, if anything?

How the West Looked and Sounded

Robert Altman utilized disntinctive techniques of cinematography and sound in McCabe & Mrs. Miller. He used natural light during the day and subdued lighting to capture the look of gaslight during the night. He used sound that often captured all the noise in the room without differentiated individual voices. Thus much of the film looks dark and dingy and sounds noisy and unfocused. Does the lighting and sound add to the experience of watching the film -- or does it detract? Does it provide a sense of life in the West at the turn of the twentieth century? Or does it distract from the story?

Please Do Eat the Daisies

The two main characters in Daisies are constantly eating or at least playing with food. They have lavish dinners at restaurants, bathe in milk and playfully slice bananas and sausage. This trend culminates in the scene in which they sneak into a feast, indulge their palattes, and engage in a food fight. What is the point of all this food, glorious food? Can you make sense of the use of food in at least some of these scenes?

A Feminist Farce?

Daisies is the first film we have screened by a female director that focuses on women protagonists. Yet this film is far from an easy film to interpret. Do you see a feminist "message" in the film? Or is this film lampooning such a message? Is this film highlighting and ridiculing sexist views of women? What about the fact that the women protagonists are hardly the paragons of virtue? Please enlighten us.

The Music Inside My Head

Toward the end of Pierrot le Fou, Ferdinand encounters a man on a dock who hears a song that Fredinand cannot hear (and we the audience can hear it initially and then we cannot). The man then relates a story of love (and love gone awry) associated with the song. After the story, Ferdinand jumps on a boat and the man is never seen again. What is the purpose of the song and the story? Is it just another odd appendange, an experimental flourish? Or does it highlight an important theme or symbol of the movie?

Postmodern Cinema (and Television)

We discussed postmodernism in class: the idea that film, literature or art does not have any transcendental meaning but merely rehashes the same ol', same ol' again and again. Some symptoms of this idea are calling attention to the artificiality or fiction of art, abundant allusions, and the disintegration of the distinction between high and low art. Where do you see examples of postmodern in Pierrot le Fou? In Daisies? Do you see these features in other films -- or even television shows? Please make your examples as detailed as you can.

What's New About the New Wave?

French New wave auteurs like Godard envisioned their films as a radical re-visoning of the static filmmaking of the French studio system. What experimental ideas or techniques did you notice in Pierrot le Fou (could you explain in some detail)? How do these experiments change the way we enjoy a film? Are they engaged or annoying? Do they bring meaning to the film? Do they make fun of the whole idea of bringing meaning to film?

LIFE: Discovery Channel's New Show

Life is the new and improved version of Planet Earth. I was amazed when I first saw the show. The use of camera techniques makes nature seem even more interesting than it already is. It is by far the best educational show I have ever seen.

Mono No Aware

Mono no aware is the Japanese idea of the awareness of the transience of beauty and the ultimate sadness of life. After watching Tokyo Story can you better understand this concept? What were your emotional feelings at the end of the film? What were you thinking when you saw the final image: the old man alone in the house fanning himself?

The Japanese Aesthetic

For many moviegoers, the films of Ozu are typically Japanese, drawing on a history of theater, printmaking, and Zen rituals that are very different from the West. Do you find an aesthetic or "feel" to Tokyo Story that is different from American or even European films? If you know anything about Japanese culture, do you see parallels between this film and other Japanese art or rituals? Do you gain a sense of mono no aware, the appreciation of the inherent sadness of life due to the transcience of beauty?

The Post-War World

Two films we have screened, Bicycle Thieves and Tokyo Story, are set in the years immediately after World War II, in countries defeated by the United States and its allies. What can we learn about the nature of the war from its aftermath? What do these films tell us about the costs of the war? Do we have any clues about the ascent of America and its culture in the post-war world?

Individual Episodes or A Continous Storyline?

What type of television series do you prefer, one that has individual episodes where the viewer doesn't need see the previous episode in order to follow along or a series that adheres to a storyline?

Chick Flicks

So.....I'm a big fan...No big deal....

What is your favorite?  Please go into great detail about the sappy details of the film and how you feel about the relationships between the main couple the film is focused on.

Fathers and Sons

In the final scene of Bicycle Thieves we observed an intricate layering of point of view. Antonio looked at his son Bruno and vice versa. We saw Antonio steal a bycicle, but also we saw Bruno watching Antonio steal a bicylce. In what way is this scene about the relationship between father and son? How does that act of watching fit into this relationship? Are there other scenes that support your ideas?

Fides

When Antonio's bicycle is stolen, he loses more than a bike. The brand name of the bicycle "Fides" (Faith in Latin) suggest it has symbolic value. What is the significance of that symbol? What does Antonio lose?

Jay Gatsby vs. Charles Foster Kane

Most of us read The Great Gatsby in our junior English class. Both Gatsby and Citizen Kane, produced about twenty years apart, focus on a man who some might say is the epitome of success. What similarities and differences do you see? Are these works celebrations or critiques of these men, or somewhere in between? Or something else?

Rosebud

Rosebud is perhaps the most famous symbol in movie history. What is the significance of the name "rosebud?" What is the significance of the sled? Is it the key to understanding Kane's life or just one missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle that does not explain much at all?

Faulkner,Eliot and Joyce --- Oh My!

Citizen Kane has a distinctive narrative technique in which Welles tells Kane's story from multiple perspectives and uses flashbacks rather than a chronological order. Do you see any connection between Welles' storytelling and modernist fiction? Why do you think he tells his story using these innovative techniques rather that just a straightforward narrative?

Cooking Programs on Television

What is everyone's favorite cooking program and why? How do the different camera angles make the food appear more appetizing?

Cinematheque and Film Festival

For everyone who's interested, here are links to the websites for the Cleveland Cinematheque and the upcoming Cleveland International Film Festival.
Cinematheque Schedule
Cleveland International Film Festival

Using the sites, you can access more detailed descriptions of all of the featured films. The Festival is at Tower City Cinemas and goes from March 18 until March 28. Enjoy!

Is Friday Feminist or Feeble-Minded?

Hildy Johnson is a confident career woman who can compete with men (and defeat them) in the dog-eat-dog world of journalism. She is even willing to divorce her man if he doesn't treat he right. Yet, at the same time, she seeks the domestic joys of children and caring for her man -- and in the end returns to the rascal who she left in the first place. What is the role of women in this film? Does is tell us anything about "modern" women in 1940's America?

Marriage -- and Divorce -- His Girl Friday Style

His Girl Friday charts the marriage and divorce and remarriage of Walter and Hildy and the engagement -- and near marriage -- of Hildy and Bruce. What is this film saying about that state of marriage in the modern world?

Sequels?

It seems like more and more sequels are being produced these days. Some are a true continuation of the original storyline while others are just an attempt to cash in on the profits of the predecessor.

If you directed a highly popular film, profits aside, would you make a sequel? Does the possibility of creating an equal or better film that boosts popularity for the whole series outweigh the risk of creating a flop that depreciates the original? Is that even a legitimate concern considering the films can be viewed separately?

What Rules? What Game?

What is the meaning of the title of The Rules of the Game? What is the "game"? What are the "rules"? How does one "win" the game? What are the penalties for breaking the rules?

The Hunt

Perhaps the most famous scene from The Rules of the Game involves the scene in which the Marquis' guest shoot rabbit and pheasant beaten from the forest by the gamekeeper. What is so distinctive and striking about the scene? Why does it pack such an emotional punch? What is the deeper significance or symbolism of this scene?

Disney Movies

Disney is one of those childhood franchises that you can return to when you're older and not feel weird about it. Disney has touched many of us as most of us can list many of their movies. So I ranked my top 3 and said why I liked it:

1: The Lion King This movie is by far my favorite animated movie, let alone Disney movie. It uses so many different styles to attract so many different audiences. It has comedy through the characters of Timon and Puma. Its hero's struggles gives the audience so many reasons to root for him. The death of Mufasa is so deep that it brings tears to children and adults alike. I've watched this movie so many times that I could recite many lines from it.

2: Aladdin This movie became one of my favorites since i was 2 months old. It was the first movie I saw in theaters and my parents say I enjoyed it so much I didn't make a sound. My brother loved it more than I did. He would force my parents to reenact the movie at home. My dad would play the Genie/Jafar, my mom was Jasmine, Brandon was Aladdin, and I was Abu. It also has one of my favorite songs: "A Whole New World"

3: Hercules Hercules story is actually not my favorite. It departs so far away from the actual story of Hercules that it kind of got annoying to me. The only reason why I adore this movie is because of its music. Zero to Hero is so catchy and whenever Ii see that movie, that song is stuck in my head for at least a week. Also Gospel Truth and "Star is Born" are a few more fantastic songs.

Disney has impacted so many people around the world. These effects are different for each person. Mine mostly is the music. I can't get enough of it. Rank your top 3 Disney favorites if you like.

Dexter: TV series about a serial killer

I don't know if anyone has seen this in the class, but I just finished season 4 of the show and was amazed at how well done the show was. Without a doubt it is my favorite TV show out there. The plot and storyline are extremely well done. The way the producers give you information that some characters are not aware is unbelievable. Also, in the show we live in the head of a serial killer and are aware of what he is thinking. The plot unfolds itself perfectly and every single thing makes sense and is connected. Lastly, by the use of flashbacks and different distorted or unfocused images the significance of the past unravels smoothly informing us of events happening in the present.

Style in Service of Substance

F. W. Murnau, the director of The Last Laugh, used a wide palette of virtuoso film techniques to express the feelings of his everyman doorman: pride, terror, drunkenness, and despair. Focus on a single scene or technique and describe how the technique expressed an emotion, a state of mind or otherwise served to make a point.

Tragedy of the Common Man?

When the unnamed doorman in The Last Laugh is demoted to bathroom attendant, his world collapses. At the end of the film he is estranged from his family, fellow workers and neighbors and only the night watchman gives him succor. Is this film a tragedy in the Aristotelian sense? Is it an indictment of the society of the time? Or, to put the point another way, whose fault is the doorman's downfall?

Can comedies be great movies?

The film we just watched, the General, is considered a good movie, for its plot, cinematography etc. However, can it, or any other comedy movie, ever be considered truly great? (as in on par with The Godfather, Citizen Kane and others). Because they are inherently non-serious, can comedies be considered in league with those others? Or do they just have a short shelf-life, where movies like The Hangover are funny now, they will probably be considered unimportant in the future. What do you think? Do you have any examples of comedies that can be considered great?

Favorite James Bond Movie

In your opinion, what is your favorite James Bond movie you have ever seen? Could be from the 60s with Sean Connery or a more recent one with Daniel Craig (boo).

Hero? Should we care?

This movie has an interesting pull on the viewer. It makes them root for the "hero" when they aren't really the hero in history. As many people know, The Confederacy lost the Civil War and they are considered by most people incorrect in their decisions. Now I would never root for The South if the movie took place during the Civil War, but for some reason this movie is an exception. I can't help but to like the engineer. The comedy overrides the dislike I have for The Confederacy. Why might this happen? Does the comedy make you forget about who the hero of the movie truly is? Is it the fact that the movie portrays the north as abductors? Is it because the engineer is so clumsy and hilarious that you can't help but to like him? What do you think?

Heroes Anyone?

In the movie The General Johnnie Gray, a simple engineer,tries to win the heart of his girlfriend by enlisting in the army. Although he is refused, he eventually takes on a group of Northern soldiers who hijack his train. What does this movie tell us about heroism?

The Thrill Is Gone?

We can no longer view the Lumieres Brothers first films with an "innocent eye." We no longer dive under our seats as we watch an oncoming train approach the screen. From our perspective of computer-generating special effects, early cinema can often appear "charming," but also primitive, naive and perhaps a bit boring. But is that true of all silent film we have seen in this class? Can early cinema having any intellectual or entertainment value for our times (beyond the historical value of trying to recapture the innocent eye)?