1. My Reaction
I really enjoyed Shaft. I think what I liked most was the "toughness" aspect of Shaft. It's hard to describe, but he is tough in a different way than people in movies are these days. I know we talked about it in class, but nowadays its all about blowing things up and having automatic weapons. Shaft just had intimidation and a pistol, which he barely used. It reminds me of Dirty Harry in some ways, where Clint Eastwood just needs a handgun and a tough look. He gets the job done.
I also love how Shaft is such a wise guy. He calls people "baby" just to push their buttons.
2. Class Discussion
I loved how people said it was cheesy but tasteful. I totally agree. The fact that he breaks out into a really loud laugh (when in a normal situation that wouldn't work at all) is perfect. If the movie were to try and be serious, the cheese factor would ruin it. But they almost have a sense of humor about the actual film itself, as if they want it to be a little cheesy.
Someone in class mentioned how stereotypes are overblown. The Italians are super mafia, etc. They only show different cultures to their extremes. They won't just show people who are sort of "neutral", the people in the film have to be extremely stereotypical.
3. Reading
One of the main ideas is how masculinity and the things that portray masculinity have changed over the years. It definitely is a shift in our culture. Now we need "hard body muscle men" and back then it wasn't about that as much. Now it is aggression and meat heads and back then it was intimidation and respect. I think respect is one of those huge factors that has changed over the years. Like, what does it take to earn or gain respect? How does one go about getting respect?
On page 122 it says "Masculinity is thus clearly defined by sexual prowess and male conquest at the start of Park's film." This reading talks about the new Shaft, but I think the definition of masculinity has changed since the days of the original Shaft. The reading also mentions hyper-masculinity and how that signals a change in society and culture. I don't know why everything has shifted so extremely.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Dr. Strangelove
1. My Impression
I thought this movie was disturbing. The way that such serious issues are made comical bummed me out a bit. So many people died during World War II and the real dropping of the Atomic Bomb ruined so much life. That being said, even though this is about the Cold War and the fear of Communism, I still found the way that such destruction was taken so lightly to be a bummer.
I think that that was probably Kubrik's point, to make a mockery of how serious this issue was and that it can be in the hands of such idiotic people.
2. Class Discussion
I like how we had the discussion that everyone thinks they are heroes, even when they are going to destroy the world so no one will be alive. Especially the Air Force pilots who will do anything to drop the bomb, even ride it to the destruction, just to be heroes and "all Americans". They don't take the time to think about the real consequences that result; which i think is another one of Kubrik's points. People are so caught up in trying to be a hero that they don't think about anything else or the consequences.
3. Reading
I love how Kubrik messes with the American LIberal Consensus and what it means to be a hero. I figured there would have been at least one person in the movie who does something that we would actually find as heroic. I don't think i saw that at all. The whole idea of proliferation of nuclear arms is so ridiculous to me, i don't think it was hard for Kubrik to satirize it. The fact that our world was willing to live like that i can't even imagine. Knowing that if one bomb drops anywhere the world ends. He also made it a strong point to pick on the leaders of the countries, some still trying to salute Hitler, one that doesn't have any balls, etc. Overall, i think Kubrik does a great job at showing America and the world how ridiculous things can get.
When it comes to satirizing the war in the middle east, I would say we need to mention issues like weapons of mass destruction (that would be an easy one to address). I think if Kubrik made the film, he would show the negative feelings for Americans and possibly vice versa, in a humorous light. I think there are so many terrible things that he could choose to pick on.
I thought this movie was disturbing. The way that such serious issues are made comical bummed me out a bit. So many people died during World War II and the real dropping of the Atomic Bomb ruined so much life. That being said, even though this is about the Cold War and the fear of Communism, I still found the way that such destruction was taken so lightly to be a bummer.
I think that that was probably Kubrik's point, to make a mockery of how serious this issue was and that it can be in the hands of such idiotic people.
2. Class Discussion
I like how we had the discussion that everyone thinks they are heroes, even when they are going to destroy the world so no one will be alive. Especially the Air Force pilots who will do anything to drop the bomb, even ride it to the destruction, just to be heroes and "all Americans". They don't take the time to think about the real consequences that result; which i think is another one of Kubrik's points. People are so caught up in trying to be a hero that they don't think about anything else or the consequences.
3. Reading
I love how Kubrik messes with the American LIberal Consensus and what it means to be a hero. I figured there would have been at least one person in the movie who does something that we would actually find as heroic. I don't think i saw that at all. The whole idea of proliferation of nuclear arms is so ridiculous to me, i don't think it was hard for Kubrik to satirize it. The fact that our world was willing to live like that i can't even imagine. Knowing that if one bomb drops anywhere the world ends. He also made it a strong point to pick on the leaders of the countries, some still trying to salute Hitler, one that doesn't have any balls, etc. Overall, i think Kubrik does a great job at showing America and the world how ridiculous things can get.
When it comes to satirizing the war in the middle east, I would say we need to mention issues like weapons of mass destruction (that would be an easy one to address). I think if Kubrik made the film, he would show the negative feelings for Americans and possibly vice versa, in a humorous light. I think there are so many terrible things that he could choose to pick on.
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