My Spoon Is Too Big!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Shawshank Redemption : Socratic Discussion

Click Here for Perham High School Socratic Discussion on The Shawshank Redemption

A story of hope is probably the last thing you would expect to think of in a prison movie. But, in The Shawshank Redemption, that is exactly what you will see. The Shawshank Redemption is the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man who was convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. He was sent to a high security, brutal, and scary prison in Shawshank, Maine, for two life sentences. Over the next years, he finds his way to acceping the prison and self-reliance through the terror and brutality of the prison system.
For being an independent film, the movie is a work of both art and hope. This film checks out with a 9/10 rating. It tells the story of how a man who will not surrender the only thing that cannot be taken from him by the prison- hope. From the first shot of the prison, you get a sense of how terrible life inside the prison must be. In Andy's first night there, he witnesses the death of a prison mate.

The performances in Shawshank are top notch, and the numerous scenes that are unforgettable go above and beyond there symbolic meanings. Red (Morgan Freeman), the convict who knows how to "get things," who actually says at one point, "I suppose there's a convict like me in every prison," is one of Andy's good friends. Andy is the stereotype of the innocent man doing time for a crime he did not commit. The story is predictable at times, but who can't predict what is going to happen in most movies.

The Shawshank Redemption is a film with remarkable staying power and, it sustains its suspense and tension throughout. The films idea of hope makes the movie one to remember.

Friday, May 11, 2012

V for Vendetta

Like the people of London were told to "Remember, remember the 5th of November," you too will always remember this film. V for Vendetta tells the tale of a future England run by an the government and a man who wears a Guy Fawks mask known as V (Hugo Weaving). He sets out to destroy the government. V is a terrorist, and he achieves his goals by murder and blowing things up. He appears in scenes wearing dark clothes and hidden behind a Guy Fawkes mask. His dialogue is so complex and full of high value that it’s almost another language. While in London’s deserted streets, he rescues Evey (Natalie Portman), a girl who was being messed with by Fingermen, the government’s secret police looking to rape her. The day is the 5th of November, a day the people of Britain will remember.
This is a definate, must see movie. I give this movie an 8/10 because of its high political based plot and symbolic structure. The creators of this movie imposed the symbolism of an egg to show how Evey's life has at a new beginning. She first is served an egg from V when he takes her in. I must say that you should listen very closely to V's words as they have great value and meaning.

V takes Evey under his wing, as he continues upon his scheme to destroy the government structure. V is a terrorist, but he does not terrorize the people. Instead, his goal is to awaken and empower them, while striking fear into England’s totalitarian government. “If you want to see who is responsible, look no further than a mirror,” he tells the country’s citizens. “I understand, you were afraid,” he says by way of forgiving them. It’s the people who put Britain’s corrupt, hate-driven government in power, and it’s the people who must stop it. “People should not be afraid of their governments... governments should be afraid of their people.”

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The Great Debaters

"An unjust law is no law at all." It would be very unjust to say this is a bad film. The Great Debaters, directed and starring Denzel Washington, falls just short of making my top ten list, but it is still very worthy of a 9/10. The underdog story of the Wiley College debate team shows sturggles blacks faced in the "Jim Crow" south. The discrimination and unjust laws degrading blacks was a daily routine in the 1930's. Mr. Tolson (Denzel Washington) plays the part of English professor at Wiley College, an all black school from Marshall, Texas. Tolson forms a debate team able to compete with any other debate team in the country. Eventually, Harvard accepts a challenge from Professor Tolson when they are undefeated. The debate team notices a major difference in the north compared to hte "Jim Crow" south.

The debate team consisted of four members, Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), and Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams). When Professor Tolson's politcal ideology starts to be heard of, Hamilton's father forces Hamilton to quit the team. The team also faces many problems such as witnessing a lynching and many internal arguments.
There are so many things to take from this film. Big changes often must come one small, painful step at a time. Tolson and his team share a special bond and he has taught them to choose between fighting back and laying low. He also teaches them to swallow their pride for the greater goal. Secondly, The Great Debaters shows us the heart-wreching reality of the racial discriminating south during the 1930's. The significant lynching scene will leave you dazed and winded like you've been punch in the stomach. It reminds us again that this was a life and death struggle, and it required incredible courage to take a stand.