Thursday, April 5, 2007
Jonathan Hughes-Fight Club
Fight Club is an extremely intelligent film with an important message, however the film turns some people off, due to the violent aspects presented. However it is important to look at the fighting and violence that takes place between the men of the fight club as a ritualistic way of bringing the men closer to one another. There is also a difference between violence with the intent of malica and the violence that is in the film. The fighting that takes place between the men is voluntary, and serves to elevate the men participating from thier mundane and boring lives, into that of warriors. I feel that the film's concept and message is hard to top. It will certainly make the viewer think, and it will require a few viewing before one can fully grasp the concept behind the film. Not to mention that the twist at the end of the film is wickedly designed to throw the viewer for a loop.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Jonathan Hughes-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In my opinion this is Jim Carrey's best work. It was difficult at first to accept him in any other role besides Ace Ventura Pet Detective, but after watching the film a few times I was able to block that side of the actor out and enjoy his performance. The film centers around love, and all the horrible things that go along with love. In my short years on this earth I have dabbled with love and some times I wish that I could have those memories erased from my databank, however sometimes I look at those instances and think how many valuable lessons I learned from them. Each love lost or gained helps to develop our character and teaches things about us that otherwise we would have never known. In Eternal Sunsine, Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet fall madly in love, but then their relationship starts to crumble and both are left heart broken but neither one really knows how the other feels. Kate Winslets character undergoes and experimental procedure to erase all memories of her former love, and heartbroken by the news of this, Jim Carrey's character has the same procedure. They later meet again, and fall back in love without realizing the events that took place in the past. This film ponders the question of eros, and whether or not the soul has a true mate. The films connection to religion is grounded in the fact that true love or eros is evidence of a god. Without god love would not exist.
Jonathan Hughes-The Jacket
The Jacket, is an suspense driven thriller that hurls the viewer into the life of Jack Starks, a soldier recently returned from the Middle East after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Jack is later accused of murdering a police officer and is placed inside a mental institution where he is the guinea pig in a experiment, where he is given a controversial drug, placed inside a straightjacket,and locked inside a morgue. Due to Jack's head trauma, he is not sure of the events that took place, and then while in the straightjacket, he has a vision of his impending death that is only a few days ahead. Jack knows that he will die and there is nothing he can do to change his fate, however he uses his time he has left on earth to define who he is a person, and make the world better for those around him. This film touches on elements of religion, including the concept of fate and the afterlife. Being locked in the morgue helps Jack to except his fate and his death.
Jonathan Hughes-Decalogue
The Decalogue is a Polish series of short films made for television, that examines the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, through artistic interpretation. I personally had a difficult time connecting the stories themselves to the Ten Commandments, but I did appreciate the films from an artistic point of view. The director, Krzysztof Kieslowski, who is known for his work in documentary film making, allows his talentes as a filmaker to shine through in this series. The first short film we watched was based on the first commandment, Thou shall no other gods before me. I can losely see the connection to the story, which feature a man who bases his whole life on reason and logic, but when if fails he is faced with a harsh reality. In this short story I assume that the other god which the man is putting before God is technoloy and reason. He relys on them to determine his actions, instead of God. The next short story we watch was based on the fifth commandent, Thou shall not kill. In this film a murder takes place with no motive or purpose. I see the connection here with the commandment, which is fairly self explanatory, dont kill. Overall I thought that this was an intresting series. I certainly appreciate the symbolism used to represent the Ten Commandments. I also think that this series is great for religious studies because the Ten Commandments are not guidelines for Christianity alone, but work within all societies and religions.
Jonathan Hughes-300
The film 300 greatly entertained me, while at the same time taught me valuable lessons in history, military strategy, and greek mythology. Thermopylae, the focal point in the film was strategically the only place where King Leonidas, and his 300 Spartan volunteet soldiers could face the massive Persian army lead by King Xerxes. Frank Miller who created a graphic novel about the 300 Spartans and the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., included a great deal of historically factual innformation, which to me made the story all the better. The Greeks religion did play a vast role in the story of Leonidas and his men. Before a king could enter the state's military in a battle or war, he had to first consult an oracle, who was supposedly in direct contact with the gods. Only after the king has consulted with the oracle, and has been granted permission to procede with war, may the soldiers of Sparta be allowed to fight. In the film, Leonidas consults the oracle, who has been corrupted by her keepers and the drugs she has used to supposedly contact the gods. The oracle relays the gods message to not go and fight the Persians, but as we all know that did not stop Leonidas from protecting his family and the land he loves. Overall I greatly enjoyed the film, and I felt that it taught a very entertaining history lesson.
Greg McCracken- Eternal Sunshine
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a very well created movie which includes a message that people should really learn: the world isn't like what they tell you in how-to books. So often people create the false conception that everything will be perfect when you meet the right person and that person will complete you. The truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as the perfect relationship, and that the only way to feel complete is to do so yourself. Instead, relationships serve as beautful moments which we remember in order to get through this confusing life.
Eternal Sunshine begins the story at the end and works backwards. As the movie progresses, you understand that Joel and Clementine were in a relationship with each other. This relationship turned sour as Clementine got bored with Joel and Joel discovered that Clementine was not the answer to everything he was missing in his own life. Joel and Clementine each go through a procedure that erases their relationship from each others minds. As Joel enters his mind and watches as Clementine is erased, he realizes that she was much more important to him than he previously realized. Joel sees that he doesn't need to be completed by her, but instead only needs to be with her. Though she doesn't make life perfect, she does make life better.
This is the lesson that must be taught. A relationship is not the answer to every problem, and a problem in a relationship does not mean it's a bad relationship. Instead, a relationship is a way in which people learn to enjoy moments with people they love.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a very well created movie which includes a message that people should really learn: the world isn't like what they tell you in how-to books. So often people create the false conception that everything will be perfect when you meet the right person and that person will complete you. The truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as the perfect relationship, and that the only way to feel complete is to do so yourself. Instead, relationships serve as beautful moments which we remember in order to get through this confusing life.
Eternal Sunshine begins the story at the end and works backwards. As the movie progresses, you understand that Joel and Clementine were in a relationship with each other. This relationship turned sour as Clementine got bored with Joel and Joel discovered that Clementine was not the answer to everything he was missing in his own life. Joel and Clementine each go through a procedure that erases their relationship from each others minds. As Joel enters his mind and watches as Clementine is erased, he realizes that she was much more important to him than he previously realized. Joel sees that he doesn't need to be completed by her, but instead only needs to be with her. Though she doesn't make life perfect, she does make life better.
This is the lesson that must be taught. A relationship is not the answer to every problem, and a problem in a relationship does not mean it's a bad relationship. Instead, a relationship is a way in which people learn to enjoy moments with people they love.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Querube Barber - The Ten Commandments
The Decalogue is a series of 10 movies originally made for Polish
television. These movies show the Ten Commandments through life situations. The first movie of The Decalogue was about the First Commandment found in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me.” This movie had an interesting beginning but a sad ending. First, it was hard to figure out who was the man by the lake. Every time he was shown, this man sat watching everything. He kept a fire going. This man represented God.
There was also a father, Krzysztof with his son, Pawel. It was apparent that Krzysztof loved Pawel and had a good relationship with him. Krzysztof taught his son many things about science and computer, but he failed to follow Proverbs 22:6 which says, “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Krzysztof never talked to Pawel about God. Once when Pawel asked his father about death, Krzysztof gave him a scientific explanation. Even though his answer was correct, Krzysztof failed to see that Pawel was looking for more than a scientific explanation. Pawel was more interested in knowing about spiritual things like what happens after death.
Krzysztof was very intelligent; however, he had no regard for God. Proverbs 1:7 says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Krzysztof trusted his own knowledge and not the knowledge that comes from God. His computer and his knowledge were his god. This unfortunate mistake cost Krzysztof the life of his son. He told Pawel that he could go ice skating on the lake. Krzysztof trusted his calculations about the temperature of the lake. His calculation proved to be wrong. The ice broke and Pawel fell and died. Krzysztof looks for his son desperately. He found out that his son was death. This scene was very moving and painful. Krzysztof placed his faith in his own ability and left God out of the picture.
So, how does this first movie represent the First Commandment? It showed us that we cannot make gods out of things, and we should not place our faith on things but rather in the one and only God.
The second movie was based on the Fifth Commandment found in Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.” In this movie, we saw how a young man brutally murdered a taxi driver.
At first glance, we might say that the taxi driver did not have a say in his outcome. Several people wanted to use his service as a taxi driver. He rejected them and chose to give his service to a young man who would become his murderer. He did have a choice of whom to give service. He made a bad choice. The result of his bad choice was fatal.
While watching his actions of the taxi driver, most people would have a hard connecting with him in anyway. The taxi driver was a cruel and wicked individual who mocked people. However, when he knew he was about to be murdered, he mentioned his wife. To me, that showed that he was concerned about her welfare if he was not around to take care of her. Therefore, he showed some tenderness in his heart, at least towards her.
The young murderer was also a mean individual but had some tenderness for small girls. For example, when he was at the restaurant, he was friendly and playful with the young girls outside the window. Perhaps because they reminded him of his little sister. Also when he was about to die, he was concerned about his mother.
It could be easy for anyone watching the movie to judge the taxi driver and the young man for their evil doing. Even though most of us would never consider killing a person, let’s remember that we all have our own sins. We read in Isaiah 53:6 that “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” All of us have committed sin and continue to sin. Therefore, we have all “fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. We all need a Savior.
There is a price to pay for sin. Because of this, many believe in the death penalty. However, others feel differently. They wonder if the state has the right to take an individual’s life as penalty for the sin that an individual has committed.
television. These movies show the Ten Commandments through life situations. The first movie of The Decalogue was about the First Commandment found in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me.” This movie had an interesting beginning but a sad ending. First, it was hard to figure out who was the man by the lake. Every time he was shown, this man sat watching everything. He kept a fire going. This man represented God.
There was also a father, Krzysztof with his son, Pawel. It was apparent that Krzysztof loved Pawel and had a good relationship with him. Krzysztof taught his son many things about science and computer, but he failed to follow Proverbs 22:6 which says, “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Krzysztof never talked to Pawel about God. Once when Pawel asked his father about death, Krzysztof gave him a scientific explanation. Even though his answer was correct, Krzysztof failed to see that Pawel was looking for more than a scientific explanation. Pawel was more interested in knowing about spiritual things like what happens after death.
Krzysztof was very intelligent; however, he had no regard for God. Proverbs 1:7 says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Krzysztof trusted his own knowledge and not the knowledge that comes from God. His computer and his knowledge were his god. This unfortunate mistake cost Krzysztof the life of his son. He told Pawel that he could go ice skating on the lake. Krzysztof trusted his calculations about the temperature of the lake. His calculation proved to be wrong. The ice broke and Pawel fell and died. Krzysztof looks for his son desperately. He found out that his son was death. This scene was very moving and painful. Krzysztof placed his faith in his own ability and left God out of the picture.
So, how does this first movie represent the First Commandment? It showed us that we cannot make gods out of things, and we should not place our faith on things but rather in the one and only God.
The second movie was based on the Fifth Commandment found in Exodus 20:13, “You shall not murder.” In this movie, we saw how a young man brutally murdered a taxi driver.
At first glance, we might say that the taxi driver did not have a say in his outcome. Several people wanted to use his service as a taxi driver. He rejected them and chose to give his service to a young man who would become his murderer. He did have a choice of whom to give service. He made a bad choice. The result of his bad choice was fatal.
While watching his actions of the taxi driver, most people would have a hard connecting with him in anyway. The taxi driver was a cruel and wicked individual who mocked people. However, when he knew he was about to be murdered, he mentioned his wife. To me, that showed that he was concerned about her welfare if he was not around to take care of her. Therefore, he showed some tenderness in his heart, at least towards her.
The young murderer was also a mean individual but had some tenderness for small girls. For example, when he was at the restaurant, he was friendly and playful with the young girls outside the window. Perhaps because they reminded him of his little sister. Also when he was about to die, he was concerned about his mother.
It could be easy for anyone watching the movie to judge the taxi driver and the young man for their evil doing. Even though most of us would never consider killing a person, let’s remember that we all have our own sins. We read in Isaiah 53:6 that “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” All of us have committed sin and continue to sin. Therefore, we have all “fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. We all need a Savior.
There is a price to pay for sin. Because of this, many believe in the death penalty. However, others feel differently. They wonder if the state has the right to take an individual’s life as penalty for the sin that an individual has committed.
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