Do the Right Thing

This movie I believe touched on a lot of different subjects. Even though Spike Lee was going for that "ah-ha i got you" moment it provided much more than just that. I think this movie was suppose to illustrate racial tension and violence amongst races in the city or urban setting. This I believe was covered very well but in doing so it, I believe, only helped to perpetuate racial tension instead of decreasing it. First of all, it was not seen as a few "individuals" making wrong decisions, it turned into a person of a certain race doing something wrong. This in itself was a bad idea to emphasize. First of all the cop did the wrong thing hands down but now it's all white people's faults and it's Sal's fault for killing him? no that is completely incorrect but the veil of racial hatred blinds those from that crucial fact. We feel bad for Sal because Sal had nothing to do with the killing. And we don't feel bad for RadioRaheem because he was not well liked and he was rude and repulsive. Not because he was Black but because he was just a weird and crazy guy. There in lies the problem, when do people start taking responsiblility for individual actions?

NPR: The Review

I thought it was very cool that it got so many awards and gratification even upon being viewed at a later date. Also I think it was very cool how they said it used "neo-documentary" techniques. Because I don't think I could have said it any better. It had done a fine job and really stayed true to the "non-fiction" feel. That was another part that i really liked about it. Because that part was also very true and ran parallel to what i was thinking as well.

China Town

This movie was a very interesting modern Film Noir. A lot of the components that made this movie were like its predecessor aka Kiss me Deadly and Out of the Past, though this time it had a little modern flare. To begin with it was in color. Though many believe for this reason alone it should not be counted among the regal realm of Film Noir I don't believe it does anything to truly harm the title of Film noir. Because like it said in the packet, "it is about mood and tone.." and I believe China Town does just that. For example having a detective such as Gittes, "Check" having a Femfatal aka Ms. Morae "Check" having the main characters be weary of the future "Check" having a complicated past "Check". If anything this movie exemplifies what a film Noir is. Even though it doesn't fit the mold exactly sometimes one must break the mold to truly make the mold.

Kiss Me Deadly

This film left a bad taste in my mouth regarding Film Noirs. I have a high regard for Film Noirs in general they are very well done, at least the ones I saw before Kiss Me Deadly. I'm sorry if I'm knocking Kiss Me Deadly too much but it's just that it was too jumbled and had too much mellow drama. Some of the aspects were fun to laugh at but I was unable to take them seriously. One character who only made car noises for the majority of this screen time. Yes indeed it's Va-Va-Voom himself. This character I thought did very little to help the movie's plot. Also the beginning of the movie was anything but typical. It had lets say a very interesting sound track to accompany the opening credits. Also I feel the opening credits were very irritating and annoying. I guess if that's what they were going for they succeeded. But like I said before the movie I believe the movie was a comical show. Even though it can be listed under the "B" movie umbrella that does not however give it the right to be an awful movie. I think overall the movie did a fine job in satirizing the Film Noir genre. I also understand that this movie was to expand our film going palette but believe me this is one movie I won't suggest to my friends when they want something "new" to watch. Many of the components within the movie were far to distracting, such as a sweating women, Va-Va-Voom and also the Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa box at the end. I'm sorry if these opinions clash with yours but I guess i'm just not ready to accept a bad movie with a blind eye.

Out of the Past

This movie for me embodied every man's struggle with beautiful women. Even though their personalities may repulse you, you are still lured in by that sweet smile or alluring gaze. For Jeff it was no different. This woman shot other men and in the end even tried shooting him, but he still stayed loyal. For me this was kinda a let down. Because I thought of Jeff as being a patient and meticulous guy who can knock guys out with one punch while answering phones. But when it comes to women he crumbles. But overall Jeff's character was still pretty cool. He was always very articulate when he was talking with the other guys and with Wit. Not to say he wasn't very talented with the ladies but it always seemed he got the short end of the stick. This movie I believe really points out the battle of the sexes and how even though women do some crazy things (not to say men don't but in this case it's a woman) men (as in Jeff) come back. I don't know if this was a fad going on during the time of the movie but I still see the same things going on now a days. In closing I believe Jeff really does need to set the gallows high because he's in for one hell of a plunge.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I think this movie makes a strong connection between the movie world and the real world. An interesting conversation we had at the beginning of the movie was if anyone would want to have their memory erased, or at least a portion. There were a lot of mixed reviews though I had thought that first everyone would have been anti-memory loss but as people started to speak I started to see how maybe having portions of your memory erased wouldn't be that bad. For some their past is riddled with bad experiences and sometimes less than flattering moments, so to have those erased may actually solve some of the present problems they are facing now. But in all fairness to erase one's past is also erasing what makes them who they are. And for that reason alone i don't believe that memory erasing should be allowed. Also when would it stop, and where would just "mood swings" become "memory mashing" I don't think people should be able to erase frivolous information or events. An example of frivolous would be trying to erase that embarrassing Christmas party or that unfortunate hockey game. To erase these moments would be erasing our learning experiences, no matter how humbling they may be. Over all memories play a large role in how we function and make up our memory bank of mistakes and stumbles so that we can be more prepared for the future. To erase that would be to erase ourselves.

His Girl Friday

I think the movie pokes fun at a number of societal figures. They range from the down-to-earth average Joe to the man of power and prestige, the mayor. This movie does an amazing job breaking down and rebuilding the characters with a hint of satiric spice. For example, the character who delivers the reprieve to the mayor is just some average Joe. But the movie goes on to make him out to be a family man with very little competence and stature. This I believe is to the further press the point that being normal, is well, boring. Another example of boring being normal is the character of Bruce. Though he is a mild mannered and kind fellow he is never able to grasp the situation quite as quickly as Hildy and her male counter part Walter. Clearly this is a jibe at the common man and how bland his life is in comparison to that of a fancy and sophisticated newsman such as Walter. Another example of caste criticism is the character of Hildy. Though she is a women she plays a very dominating role in this movie. From her sometimes violent encounters with Walter to her cool headed demeanor in tight situations, she's a man but much more attractive. She combats the common stereotype of helplessness and demolishes the standards of quietness and submissiveness. A good example of a women stereotype is the character of Molly who ultimately jumps off a building, go figure. This movie does a fine job of taking common issues and positions and warping them into something funny and unexpected.