United 93

I think that United 93 is a very intense movie. From start to finish I was glued to my seat, and the last 30 minutes had my heart beating rapidly. I really liked how they filmed the movie - I knew what was going to happen, as did most of the people that watched the film, but you never knew when it was going to happen. I thought that the hijackers were portrayed very well, I was surprised to see that they acted with a nervousness and fear that seemed unprecedented to terrorists. I didn't think they got nervous and scared just like the passengers did. The movie made me feel kind of insecure. To think that this could happen to any passenger jet is terrifying, I fly all the time. It also gave me a deep pride in our country when I saw the passengers unite and reclaim the plane, even though it crashed. It gave me a new perspective on terrorism and flying, I've never seen anything from that point of view. I would say the film fills me with dispair. Overall, the fact that this could happen to a country as great as the US is shocking to me. We like to think our country is so safe, so secure and so powerful. More generally, it fills me with dispair more in terms of the human race. The fact that humans could do this to other humans, to an entire nation, is terrible. We're supposed to love, not go to war with each other. I think that we should never forget the reaction our country had. We all came together for New York and the victims of 9/11. The post - 9/11 efforts to bring our nation together were great. We truly were United States, and we should attempt to keep that unity.

Apollo 13

I thought Apollo 13 was a good movie. From start to finish I was very interested, although towards the end I felt it began to drag out. I liked how Tom Hanks played the very experienced, responsible astronaut. I always trusted his character. I also liked the way "Houston" tried so hard to bring the Astronauts back, once they were in a crisis. It gave me feelings of great pride in this country. I also thought it was interesting to see how Nasa works, as well as how the government works with it. I don't like that Nasa funding has been cut, so it's pretty disappointing to see that film and realize how much potential we are wasting. I think Space is awesome. I've always said I want to go to outer space at some point, and extra terrestrial life fascinates me, so watching this movie was pretty cool. If I could attach a theme to this film, I would say it would be to never give up. If the Astronauts had given up, they surely wouldn't have been able to survive, and if the people working at Nasa had given up, there is no way they would've been able to get back to Earth.

Parkland

I thought that Parkland was okay. The story of JFK's assassination has actually always been very interesting to me, I've always wanted to learn more about it and I've been to the museum in Dallas. I really thought I was going to love the movie, but I didn't. The movie made me feel kind of eerie... The thought of someone actually killing the President of the United States, arguably the most important man in the world, is absolutely horrifying. I liked the character of the guy who recorded the event. I thought the actor did a very good job and that the character had good morals. It is obviously applicable today as it is an unforgettable day in American history, so it is relevant to pretty much everyone.

INTERVIEW WITH GRANDMA
"I was at home. My mother called me into the TV room to look at the TV.
Being scared. When we found out he died, my parents were crying and I felt unsafe in America.
My family was obviously very sad. We supported JFK and seeing that happen was immense. My friends were also sad.
I don't know, I suppose it could be.
He was such a young, charismatic guy. You loved to watch him on TV. He was smart and very moral. He was a great president."

Kill the Irishman

Although I missed part of the movie as I was at the dentist on Brainard... Kill the Irishman was a pretty awesome movie, undoubtably one of the better movies you've shown us. It was pretty sweet to see Cleveland portrayed the way it was in the film, as most people just think of Cleveland as boring and a terrible place to live. I learned so much, I never knew the mob had such a presence right in my backyard. I also loved Danny Greene. His no BS attitude was pretty much what I expected, and after seeing the film I think he was a total badass. The movie made me feel lucky, I'm happy that organized crime in Cleveland has been done away with. I would describe Danny Greene as a leader. He was a visionary who wanted things done his way, and was very loyal and protective of his home. He says so many times throughout the film, "Cleveland is all I know". He has my utmost respect.

42

I felt that 42 was a very good movie. I really liked it from start to finish. I really liked the actor who portrayed Jackie Robinson. I liked that he wasn't one to put up with bull - he was a fighter, especially in a time of so much racial prejudice. The movie made me feel really inspired, watching someone stand up for what they believe in, in the face of so much fear, to play the game he loved. The movie is very historic, as the event acts as a major catalyst for all future African Americans who want to play ball. Jackie Robinson absolutely helped this country. What he did allowed so many other African Americans to be a part of the beautiful game. So many greats, like Hank Aaron, owe their entire careers to people like Jackie. I agree with Jackie's quote. It is our duty as civilians living in the greatest country on Earth to hold true to our original founding beliefs, which, ultimately, were to be a country where freedom was #1. How can we say that if people like Jackie Robinson wouldn't be allowed to play sports because of the color of their skin? Jackie's values are all extremely prevalent to me, and I have used all of them at one time or another to overcome my own barriers. They are all important, from courage through to excellence.

The Godfather

The Godfather is great. It tells the story of the Corleone family, one of five major mob families in New York. I really liked how the story was told from the perspective of the Corleone's, not from the outside. It gave a very interesting perspective on the mafia. The movie made me feel somewhat lucky, I'm glad organized crime isn't as prevalent today as it once was. I've already seen the Godfather, but I still think that it is phenomenal. I really liked Vito Corleone. I feel that he epitomizes the 'mob boss' connotation, and acts as the guardian for the family. It isn't as applicable today, but it still acts as a historic film. Vito Corleone is the moral center of the film, as he is the one that everyone looks up to. He has built up such a reputation, and everyone respects him. Whatever he says goes, and whatever he says is usually very wise. When he died, I felt that a giant passed. He was my favorite character in the movie, and did act as a moral center. It was hard to watch. I absolutely think the film is a classic. No other film can come close to achieving what the Godfather did, through the perspective it was shown in, the great story, the wonderful acting and the reputation it has built up.

War Horse

I thought War Horse was a touching movie, although I didn't love it. I thought it was a little too "hollywood" to empathize with. I liked the story, about how Joey is so strong and constantly defies the odds. I like that his owner loves him so much and will do anything to bring him back. However, I felt that it was unrealistic. The horse and its owner were in immediate danger and near death situations so frequently, the fact that they both survived and met up again later is so unbelievable to me. The movie did make me feel really happy at the end, but there were times throughout the film where I couldn't look. I will remember it as a story about a heroic animal. One thing I did like was the horses first owner, after the one who Joey is taken from initially. He is a very nice man and he truly feels for both Joey and his initial owner, and even draws pictures to send home. I guess, in todays society, one could say that when there's a will, there's a way.

Cinderella Man

At first, I was extremely skeptical about Cinderella Man. It started off really slowly, so I was uninterested for the first day. Coming back to it, I worried I would be bored and wouldn't like it. I could not have been more wrong. The movie picked up extremely quickly, and I found myself hanging off the edge of my seat by the end of the film. The movie made me feel really lucky, and really motivated. First and foremost, seeing the way people lived in the Great Depression really made me appreciate what I have even more. I couldn't imagine living the way they had to. It also motivated me. Braddock worked so hard to get to where he got, and came out, as an underdog, on top. I will always think of Braddock when I start slacking. I did like the way they portrayed Baer, although it wasn't inaccurate. As if you weren't already pulling for Braddock, the viewer is enthralled with hate, and wants Braddock to smash Baer's face in. It's definitely applicable to today. Work hard and it will pay off. In my opinion, Braddock being the ultimate underdog, in all occasions, is what the people of American loved most. He is a symbol of hope because he started at the bottom, fought off adversity, and ended up on top.

Glory

All in all, I thought the movie was decent. I thought it was a quality film about a good story. With that said, I really just never got into it. I thought that the casting of General Shaw was done poorly. I just kept picturing Ferris Bueller, so I couldn't take him seriously. I did like the characters that Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington portrayed, however. The movie made me feel proud to be an American, after all, equality is what this country is about. It was good to see how an African American regiment came through all doubt and ended up being the first line to charge into Fort Wagner. I now know the story of the 54th, one I will never forget. I think that the story is very applicable to today's society, as racism is still very much an issue. It shows that all it takes is an open mind, and you will surely change the way you feel about other race's. I particularly liked the scene in the movie where Denzel's character met the white soldier he had gotten into a tussle with for the second time, but this time, the White soldier saluted the 54th. He changed his opinion. I think that people are willing to risk their lives for their country in times of need due to honor, valor, and selflessness. They know that if they don't step up, someone else will, and it is an honor to die for such a fantastic country. I think that both the men of the 54th and Shaw are immensely heroic. Shaw knew the potential consequences of his actions, he knew what could happen to him if he were caught. But he did it anyway, because it was what he truly believed in. As for the men of the 54th, wanting to fight for a country that had been so terrible to them is very brave, even though they knew they would gain their freedom if they won. I think this story is extremely significant because it tells the story of how African American men won their right to be in the US Military, how they sacrificed their lives for the White men that were so terrible to them, and how they fought for their freedom.

Braveheart

I love Braveheart. I saw the movie for the first time at the young age of nine, which is probably far too early for a film of that nature, but I've watched it every year or so since then. I love the story of William Wallace. Although not 100% accurate, his humble beginnings to his valiant end portray a fascinating story. I think Mel Gibson did a very good job at portraying such a character. Whenever I watch the movie, I am left in a certain mood. I kind of want to pick up a sword and fight for something, but the brave Americans of the 18th century already did that for me, so I don't really know what to do with myself. In addition to William Wallace, I really enjoy Hamish, his best friend. I think he adds some necessary comic relief to the movie, but also plays a key role in supporting Wallace. The quote "Every man dies. Not every man really lives" resinates deeply in me. I think that when Wallace says this, he is saying that regardless of what you do, you are going to die. No man lives forever. It's what you do while you live that counts. In context, he was telling the men that, yes, they could leave the battle and survive, but eventually the effect the English would have on Scotland would be immense, and surely their lives and wellbeing would be impacted by it. You can leave, and survive, or you can stay, and fight for the freedom of Scotland, and the infinite generations that will come. 

The Gladiator

I really liked The Gladiator. From beginning to end I was thoroughly intrigued and entertained. I thought that the action scenes were very well done and that Maximus's character was portrayed very well - the extravagant hero who dies for his country. Commodus was the only part of the movie I didn't like. He was weird. The movie made me feel kind of nostalgic - not really in a sense of me remembering similar events but more in the sense of me wanting life to be more like that. I'm really fascinated by the history of the Roman empire, and I really wish there was some way to go back in time and see what it was like. I really liked Maximus. I thought that throughout the film, he portrayed behavior consistent to his character, although I was angry that he didn't ever just proclaim that he was to be made leader after Commodus's fathers death. I realize that it's Hollywood and there would be no movie had he been given power, but it just made me mad. I think that this film is relevant to most people. Obviously it is a good film to watch for people who are into the Roman empire or into combat, but it is also a great story. If I had to attach a theme or moral to the film, I guess I would say that honor trumps all else. Maximus always displayed behavior that proved that he put honor first. He always believed in the glory of Rome. He never complained about the terrible situation he had been placed in, didn't try to kill Commodus when he was given the chance, but waited until it was okay in the eyes of Rome to do so. Essentially, although I have seen the film many times, I had a great time watching it again and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Initial Thoughts

Why did you take this class and what are your expectations for the semester?

Honestly, I took this class because I enjoy watching movies. When I first heard about this class, I knew I had to take it. Watching movies during school was way to good of an option to pass up. After speaking to friends, I was even more intrigued when I discovered how much everyone enjoyed taking the class. Looking at the film selections for the semester, I am very excited to start watching. All of the movies I have seen, I loved, and those I haven't yet seen, I really want to see. For the semester, I really just want to enjoy watching all of these films.