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.



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.”

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.
   

Top Ten Movies All-Time

10) Phantom of the Opera 

 9) Avatar  

 8) Twilight Saga  

 7) 21  

 6) Shooter  

 5) The Green Mile  

 4) The Bourne Series  

 3) Pursuit of Happyness   

 2) The Ringer  

 1) Dumb and Dumber  

The Simpsons Movie

Three Puns:

1) "Dome Depot"

2) "My boys are always praying through the knees." -Flanders

3)  Marge's knitting says, "Dome sweet Dome."

Five Satirical/Political Comments/Actions:

1) "I was elected to lead, not to read." -President Schwarzenegger

2) In the Itchy and Scratchy Show, they have a Hillary '08 sign.

3) "One more poke and it's a federal offense." -EPA Officer

4) "Welcome to Alaska, here's $1,000 for letting the oil companies ravage our state's natural beauty."

5) "The government actually found someone we're looking for."

Five Ironic/Mocking Comments/Actions:

1) "For once the the rich white man is in charge."

2) While looking through the bible, Homer says, "This book doesn't have any answers."

3) "If you find a greasier burger, you're in Mexico."

4) When Green Day starts sinking, they make a mockery of The Titanic by playing the violins.

5) When the penguin is killed in Grand Theft Walrus, they are making fun of the movie Happy Feet.

PHS Paradiso

"PHS Paradiso"

Senior Hall

Infamous Stairway

Junior Box

Trapped

"Old School"

Rating Scale

A movie that recieves a 10/10 fits into my top ten all time favorite movies!

A movie that recieves a 9/10 is a must see movie that falls just short of making my top ten all time movies list.

A movie that receives an 8/10 exceeds expectations and is a must see.

A movie that receives a 7/10 meets the expectations, but is nothing beyond extraordinary. I would still recommend this film.

A movie that receives a 6/10 is nothing I would ever watch again. It's border-line bad and doesn't meet expectations.

A movie that receives a 5/10 is bad, but it still needs to receive a rating.

Anything below a five is not worthy of making my blog!

The Graduate

"One Word: Plastics." This was one example of change symbolized the rebellious youth of the 1960's. In The Graduate, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is college graduate who seeks not to live the successful adult life. He is not your typical college graduate; instead, Ben is quite the awkward character when it comes to interactions with women. Without caring about his future, Ben floats in his parents pool and, "Sows some wild oats." Taking Mr. Robinson's (Murray Hamilton) advice, Ben takes his chance and has an affair with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) after she seduces him. Oblivious to the whole situation, Mr. Robinson believes it would be a good idea for Ben to take Elaine (Katharine Ross), Mr. and Mrs. Robinsons' daughter, out. This only adds to the drama of this comic film.
This is a must see movie. I highly recommend viewing this film on account that you will laugh and enjoy the entirety of this movie. I give this movie a 8/10. The film really shows how the rebellious youth of the 1960's changed so many students. Ben relates to life as a game. He says, "It's like I was playing some kind of game, but the rules don't make any sense to me. They're being made up by all the wrong people. I mean no one makes them up. They seem to make themselves up." Ben was on the right path having graduated from college and having a bright future in front of him, but Ben's rebellion changes his life forever. Not only has he decided not to continue his successful, Ben also gets caught up in a double family love triangle. The lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel's soundtrack directly relate to what is happening at the time. It is very easy to interpret the life and feelings when these songs are played. "So, here's to you Mrs. Robinson."

Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock's new idea of a suspenseful, horror movie has completely added a new element to the movie industry. Psycho was the first horror movie ever produced and not only was it a success, the new style has ever since been a huge attraction for many movie viewers. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and her lover, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), are unable to live happily together because of Sam's debt. When Marion is trusted to bank $40,000 for her employer, Marion seizes the oppurtunity to start a new, debt-free life with Sam. Marion grows tired while driving and decides to pull off the highway and stay the night at The Bates Motel. The motel is run by a man named Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). When Norman's mother finds out a woman is staying at the motel, she makes sure that Norman and Marion will never have a "living relationship."

Alfred Hitchcock's choice of producing this film in black and white was a genius idea. The movie would have been nowehre near the same if it were in color. In black and white the movie gives more of a suspenseful tone to it. It makes some scenes darker which makes the movie that much more intense. With Hitchcock's new ideas and great production, I would give this movie a 8/10. Not only did he introduce a new genre to the movie world, Hitchcock produced one of the all-time greatest horror films. I would highly recommend watching this film not only because it was the first horror film, but because of its twisted plot which keeps you on edge the entire movie. This movie grabs your attention and blocks out the real world. You wouldn't even notice a fly if it landed on you, let alone swat it.

Ben-Hur : Socratic Discussion

(Picture Provided by SoundOnSight)

Click Here for Perham High School Film Studies Socratic Discussion on Ben-Hur

Citizen Kane

Just as Mr. Kane, "Always gagged on the silver spoon," I about gagged over the plot of this film. There is no other reason to watch this film other than the fact that it is critically claimed as one of the best films ever made. Sure it has a great message to the audience, but the plot is very boring. This is no film I would suggest to watch on a Friday family night or friendly movie night. Citizen Kane is a film you would watch when you are home alone on a Friday night with no friends to hang out with.

The film starts out like a movie you would watch in Science class. It is no attention grabber and almost put me to sleep in the first ten minutes. Charles Foster Kane, played by Orson Welles (also the director), was a rich man who was very successful in the business world and could have whatever he wanted. The story is about reporters examining the legacy he left behind. As the reporters talk to different people, the film has flashbacks of Mr. Kane's life. Unless you are the person who loves learning about someone's life, you will probably fall far short of enjoying this film. Kane was very successful in starting a newspaper business which reached extremely high circulation numbers. He soon gains the love of many people and the hate of others. You either loved him or hated him, there was no in between. Kane eventually gains the confidence and demand for more power. When Kane runs for governor, he encounters conflict with Jim Gettys, his opponent, who reveals a secret Kane's wife, Emily. The reason the plot of this film is so terrible, is its only purpose is trying to find the meaning of Charles Foster Kane's meaning to his dying word-- "rosebud."

It is very obvious why the critics name this film as possibly the best film ever-- its message to society. Citizen Kane shows how one can, at one moment, have the love of an entire world, but never have happiness. Money cannot buy happiness, and Kane learned that the hard way. There was only one thing that made him happy-- "rosebud." The question is, "What was rosebud?" Even though it seemed like a pointless plot, I still give the film a solid 7/10. It does have an important message to

society and the the cinematography is absolutely phenomenal for 1941. This is a must see film since it is critically claimed one of the best films ever. It is a one and done movie; you will probably not watch this more than one time, but you have to since the critics call it one of the best films ever.   

Gone With the Wind

"Quite frankly, I don't give a damn," about this movie! It never completely got me into the movie. Even though this movie is #1 box office in sales with inflation, it still does not live up to expectations. Do not get over excited about seeing this movie. It is nothing more than 6/10 movie. Sure it was made many years ago, but the slow paced cinematography does not compare to modern day viewing. Because of the slow pace, the movie fails to grab and keep your attention.

Due to Scarlett's ongoing love for Ashley, she is never satisfied with anyone she marries. I feel Scarlett is the antagonist just because of her spoiled rotten attitude. There are more people cheering against
her her than there are cheering for her. When she can't find love, she wants money. She uses hissy-fits to get her way when something doesn't go her way. Rhett being the truthful southern man knows and accepts what is happening around him. I believe his role in the movie is to show Scarlett what true love is, but what happens when she finds true love? As much struggle as it may take to turn Scarlett into a loving person may be too dangerous and exhausting for the human body to endure. She is not an easy person to handle and be around. At one point Rhett tells her, "Heaven help a man who truly loves you." I find it funny because it is 100% true. No man in their right mind would want to be with Scarlett for the rest of his life. For instance, when Ashley marries Melanie, Scarlett immediately marries just to try and make Ashley jealous. Scarlett feels she is the only one who should be with him. She never faces the fact that Ashley loves Melanie and is not going to leave her. Since Scarlett is so persistent on getting Ashley, Ashley tends to give in a little and then quickly realizes he does not want Scarlett. Rhett all the while plays his role of  unintentionally teaching Scarlett of Maslov's Hierarchy of needs.

If you are more of an action, thriller, or comedy type person, this is most definitely not a movie to watch. Sure it is #1 in Box Office all time, but you will never keep with the plot. I often found myself dazing off thinking about other things rather than watching the movie. It's not a creative, exciting movie like you see now-a-days. It won't be a movie you would bring up in conversation with a friend or at the dinner table. It falls short of providing an entertaining plot to keep an audience's attention.

One symbol portrayed in, "Gone With the Wind" is the horse. You will find the significance of the horse when you come across the death of Scarlett's father. A horse is an archetypal of symbol of the carrier of death. In the movie, Scarlett's father dies while being carried on a horse. Hence death being carried by a horse. Scarlett's father's death was pretty unlikely and unusual. When you see him die, you are more likely to laugh at the acting of the death rather than feel the mourn of his death.

Since this is the #1 Box Office movie of all time with inflation, it is obviously one you would want to see just to see how good it really is. I'm sorry to say that you will probably be very disappointed in watching this movie. This is 222 minutes of your life that you will wish you had back.