Unit 5 Civil Rights Movement

To see a very moving speech from Martin Luther King Please follow this link! http://youtube.com/watch?v=gZLvSnr6s50
LET FREEDOM RING!

Remember the Titans
“Remember the Titans” was released September 29, 2000. This film was written by Gregory Allen Howard of the WGA and directed by Boaz Yakin. Remember the Titans won eight awards and received fifteen nominations. This film focuses on the racism that took place during the 1970’s when schools were segregated and many jobs were open to only white citizens.

Plot
This film takes place in 1971 at Alexandria, Virginia. Racial tension is high as segregation is taken away from T.C. Williams High School. Coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington) is given the opportunity to take the job of a successful white coach named Yoast (Will Patton) which he unwillingly takes. Throughout the film these two coaches feud while trying to get their newly anti-segregated football team to learn to respect and support each other.

Actors
Denzel Washington plays the role of Coach Herman Boone, a promising African American head coach. Denzel Washington plays the voice of reason in this movie; he always keeps a level head and doesn’t take any shortcuts. His acting is incredibly believable and never dull, from his Gettysburg address to simply talking to his family; Denzel Washington’s acting was flawless.
Will Patton plays the role of Coach Bill Yoast, who has been replaced as head coach by Herman Boone. Patton’s acting was fair but it seems like he tried too hard to compete with Denzel Washington. Throughout the film Patton acting seems to try to jerk tears rather than make sense. As Yoast, Patton is forced into a position where he must choose between what is best for his team and what is best for him, the choice is painfully obvious early into the film.


Presentation
The film was presented quite nicely. The camera work was great and so was the lighting. The only problem I had with the presentation was the vast amount of clichés. A couple of examples of this would be the long haired guy from California who kissed one of his teammates, or the overweight kid on the team who thinks he will never amount to anything but ends up being successful in life.

What happened during this time period?
During this time period, African Americans were not given the same rights as others. The Civil Rights movement exploded. The changes felt in this time period helped evolve the world into what it is today. Martin Luther King gave his “I have a dream” speech which helped open the eyes of all Americans to the potential world of equality. His well thought out speeches and peaceful ways won him the Nobel Peace Prize. On December 1st 1955, Rosa Parks defied the segregation laws and refused to give up her seat on a bus. She was arrested for breaking the segregation law which led to a huge amount of support towards the Civil Rights Movement.

Comparison
The movie stays true to history by displaying the lack of tolerance found in this time period. It was difficult for an African American to get a well paying job, if they were qualified enough to get this job it was just as difficult to keep it as companies often preferred to have an all white staff. There was a short mention of the battle at Gettysburg, as well. Unfortunately, however, that is all this film offered historically. Disney took out a lot of the historical relevance in order to make a movie that could possibly make the audience shed a tear.

What have I learned?
To be honest I didn’t learn much from the movie I chose, but I did learn a fair amount from the links on the course pages. Martin Luther king was a great man who changed history for the better. Although it may be a little presumptuous to say that racism is gone, I can honestly say it has been minimized. For example, this November there is not only a black candidate running for president but a woman as well. This is all possible thanks to the events in this time period, especially the Civil Rights Movement.


*****I give this movie 7 out of 10 stars.*****

Unit 3 Film Review: Back to the Future

Setting of Back to the Future
Written and Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future was released on July 3rd 1985. This film won an Oscar 12 other awards, and 22 nominations. Back to the Future mainly takes place in 1955 in a small town. This film is considered a comedy/action/adventure/sci-fi film; almost anyone can find something they like about it.

Plot
The year is 1985 and Doc Brown creates a time machine, one thing leads to another and Marty McFly is sent thirty years into the past. Marty accidentally stops his parents from meeting and has to convince his mother who is infatuated with him to like his father. Will Marty make it back to the future unharmed or will history be forever changed?

Actors
Michael J. Fox plays the role of Marty McFly, a teenager who is just getting his life figured out. Michael J. Fox truly brings his character to life with his rebellious and witty comebacks. Watch his acting close enough and you may even find some adult humor hidden throughout the film.

Christopher Lloyd plays the role of Dr. Emmett Brown, the scientist that sends Marty back in time. Lloyd’s acting was great in my opinion; he came off as an eccentric, perhaps slightly delusional scientist with impossible ideas who always seems to come through when it counts.

Presentation
The special effects in this movie were impressive considering how old this film was. They were nice enough to appreciate, but not so over-the-top that it distracts from the film. The town in this film seemed to mirror the easy-going feel that you would likely find watching leave it to beaver.

What happened during this time period?
In the 1950’s it the television became popular and it was possible for a family to afford a single set. The Civil Rights Movement ignited thanks to the actions taken by Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on the bus just because of the color of her skin. Eisenhower was President for two terms after helping to win World War II. Eisenhower was president from 1953 until 1961.


Comparison
This movie has quite a few obvious differences seeing as it is a science fiction film. One of which was the involvement of time machines; as cool as it would have been, I doubt anyone has traveled to the 1950’s in a DeLorean. There was very little historical information to speak of throughout the film besides the occasional mention of Presidents. One thing that could be taken from this film as historical was the care-free attitude of the people. The television was just becoming affordable for households and the changes in social groups helped lead to the rebellious youths of the 1960’s.

What have I learned?
A lot of this information I already knew from previous history courses, but I didn’t realize how television was taking over in this time period. Programs like the Howdy Doody show were used to get kids to convince their parents to buy them products from sponsors. Eisenhower was the first president to utilize the television for his campaign. This, and the fact that he helped win WWII likely helped him hold his two terms as president.

****I give this film 4/5 star review****

Unit 10 Road to Perdition film review.

Setting of the Road to Perdition
Road to Perdition was released on July 12, 2002. It received a single Oscar, as well as twelve other wins. Written by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner of the Writers Guild Association, Road to Perdition was Directed by Sam Mendez. This film takes place during the winter of 1931 in Chicago.

Plot
Road to Perdition is about a twelve year old boy named Michael who finds out how his father has been putting food on the table; murdering people as a hit man. When Michael’s father, Mike, realizes that his son is in danger he rushes home to protect him only to find his wife and other son are dead. Mike takes Michael out of the house and tries to protect him, while at the same time getting revenge on those who have wronged his family.

Actors
Tom Hanks plays the role of Mike Sullivan, a man who is hired as a hit man for a crime boss named John Rooney. Mike see’s Rooney as a father figure and remains loyal to him for many years. Throughout the movie you Mike’s character becomes less aggressive and more of a father to his son Michael.

Tyler Hoechlin plays the role of Michael Sullivan, a twelve year old boy who sees his father kill a man. This action leads to the eventual death of his mother and brother, throughout the movie you can see Michael’s guilt grow. Although Tyler doesn’t get very many lines playing the role of Michael, he does a good job of showing his characters progression.

Presentation
I wasn’t very fond of the presentation of this film; I feel the lines were forced and that it took too long to get into the main story. The film is two hours long and could have done without the first forty minutes. The scenery was bland and the camera angles actually gave me a migraine. All in all the presentation was very disappointing.

What happened during this time period?
In the booming 1920’s women were finally allowed to vote thanks to the ratification of the 19th amendment. By 1923, out economy was stronger than ever before thanks to Harding. The 1920’s were a great year for most Americans; many purchased their first vehicles, owned household appliances, and went out for entertainment often. This streak ended in 1929 when the booming stock market crashed, leading to the great depression. During the great depression, our economy was in horrible shape and people were becoming miserable. One in every five people was left without a job, and businesses were shutting down.

Comparison
This film takes place in the great depression, and because of that many people are left without jobs. It is this fact that leads to Mike Sullivan taking his job as a hit man. He often thanks John Rooney for allowing him to work under him, claiming that if it weren’t for him his family would have nothing. The only other thing this film has in common with the timeframe it was based upon was the sense of corruption and desperation. Police officers taking bribes to look the other way while families do despicable acts just to survive, all in all not a very happy time for Americans.

What have I learned?
I have learned from the reading material and my movie that the people in this time period went through some serious highs and lows. Women finally gained the right to vote, African Americans began to join our culture in places like Detroit and Chicago, and job security was a given. Only ten years later when the stock market crashed one in every five people were unemployed and people were generally miserable.

*****I give this film a 6/10*****

Unit 9 Film Review: The Lost Battalion.

Setting of the Lost Battalion

The lost battalion is a made for T.V. movie that was released on December 2, 2001. Directed by Russell Mulcahy, It was written by James Carabatsos of the Writers Guild Association, and was made to be seen on A&E. This film was nominated for three prime time Emmys, along with three other nominations and two wins.

Plot

This movie tells the true story of how former New York lawyer, Major Charles White Whittlesey is sent on a suicide mission to take the French territory that was held by German forces in the Argonne Forest. The Major takes 500 men in with him and is promised support from the French and other allied nations but receives nothing. Major Whittlesey holds his position against all odds, hoping that what he and his men are doing will help end World War I.

Actors

Rick Schroder takes the lead role as Major Charles White Whittlesey; a man who used to be a lawyer in New York who agreed with Woodrow’s anti-war campaign. Schroder portrays the Major as a very serious person who is looking out for the safety of his men. Whittlesey tries to keep his battalion looking sharp even after suffering many casualties in order to show no sign of weakness.

Jay Rodan plays the role of Lt. Leak, an “apple Knocker” from Texas who just can’t seem to understand them City folk. Most of the movie the gangsters from New York pick on Leak because he’s from a small town and often can’t understand what they are saying. Throughout the movie the soldiers bond with one another and try to help keep each other’s morale up. Jar Rodan did a fair job at portraying Leak as a naïve boy from a small town.

Presentation

The presentation in this film was excellent; to be honest most war movies bore me to tears, sometimes taking me four or five sessions just to finish it. This film was different, however; the characters were diverse and intriguing and there was no shortage of action. Whether it is the German forces firing upon the 308 or the allies accidentally bombing the American encampment there was always something going on. The acting was superb and the battles were realistic.

What happened during this time period?

Tension was building between America and Germany on May 7, 1915, as a German submarine sunk a British liner which held 1,198 people, 128 of whom were Americans. Wilson Woodrow ordered an immediate halt to attacks on liners and Merchant ships. The German’s agreed to this but attacked two more vessels over the next two years; Wilson demanded that Germany abandoned submarine warfare, or he would break their diplomatic relations. Again, Germany agreed, and again, Germany attacked. On January 31, 1917, Germany began attacking U.S. Vessels, and after five were sunk Wilson Woodrow asked congress for a declaration of war; it was quickly approved on April 2, 1917. America was now part of the First World War.

During World War I many battles were fought to gain control of strategic territories, including the Meuse-Argonne, which cracked Germany’s vaunted Hindenburg Line. Nearly two million Americans were set out to fight in this war, with help from the French and British. Women in America began doing the jobs that the soldiers used to do, many even joining the military to help build weapons or heal the wounded. On November 11, 1918 in the 11th hour, Germany agreed to an Armistice and the war was over. Although many Americans died in World War I, even more were infected by the Flu which took many lives. Later, Woodrow established the League of Nations which contained the leader of each nation; the purpose of this group was to resolve conflicts without going to war.

Comparison

This film was quite accurate on a number of levels; the movie is based on a real battalion which was sent on a suicide mission in order to advance into the Argonne Forest. These were considered to be acceptable losses by high ranking Generals who likely had little remorse for what they were doing. This movie also showed that battalions were sometimes composed of a very diverse set of people; French, Americans, British, and people from Poland. Also, there was always a chance that Americans could bomb their own encampments on mistake while trying to strike the enemy.

What have I learned?

In this unit, I have learned how World War I began and ended. I also learned how the groundwork was laid for World War II from our unreasonable requests of Germany. We claimed that Germany was solely responsible for the war and that they should cover the multi-billion dollar cost in reparations, even though there were many other nations involved in the conflict. Also, before this unit I had no idea that women helped prepare the weapons and vehicles that our soldiers used.

*****I give this film an 8/10*****

Unit 8 Project: Unforgiven film review

Setting of Unforgiven

Unforgiven was released on August 7th 1992. It received four Oscars and 30 other wins. The film was written by David Webb Peoples of the Writers Guild Association, Clint Eastwood directed the film and also took the lead role as William ‘Bill’ Munny. The film is based in the Wild West time period in the latter half of the 19th century.

Plot

The story of Unforgiven begins when two cowboys come to the quiet town of Big Whisky. The cowboys stop by a whore house and when the entertainer mutters something unfavorable about the cowboy, he, with the help of his partner, cut the prostitute all over her body. The Sheriff, Little Bill gives the two cowboys a slap on the wrist, taking a few horses from each man with no whippings or jail time. The women of the whore house put their money together and seek the aid of willing bounty hunters to punish the cowboys properly. Word reaches a young would be killer who enlists the aid of a formerly renown killer to claim the reward.

Actors

Clint Eastwood played the role of William ‘Bill’ Munny, a man who was once revered as a ruthless bounty hunter. Munny had taken the life of men, women, and children; pretty much anything that moved at some point in his life. He stopped killing and started raising a family and a farm, a decade later however, Munny’s wife has passed on and his pigs are dying rapidly; money is short and in order to provide for his children Munny returns to his former occupation as a bounty hunter for one final kill, but has he lost his touch?

Morgan Freeman plays the role of Ned Logan, a long time friend of Munny who had been through many fights with him. Ned plays as the voice of reason throughout the movie that doubts the usefulness of “The Schofield Kid,” and often tests him. Towards the end of the movie Ned decides to go back home, turning his back on the money when he realizes the risk is too great. Ned gets caught and is brutally beaten to death as the Sheriff tries to get information on his two partners.

Presentation

I have never been too fond of Western films in general, but this film was bearable. Clint Eastwood performed exceptionally well with the exception of some of his dialogue which went on for a bit too long. Most of the dialogue was him talking about how he didn’t feel right doing what he was doing; this allowed viewers to see that although he was far from being a hero in this film, he wasn’t a true villain either. The backdrops were repetitive, but that is to be expected from this time period.

What happened during this time period?

The Wild West time period began and ended in the 19th Century. A key theme in this time period was conquest. Americans were trying to take over any land they could find including the land of Indians, in order to pave the way for more towns and railroads. It wasn’t only the white man attacking Indians, however; the Ute’s helped the white man conquer the Navajo Indians. When people weren’t trying to take over land they were trying to make a living; perhaps you would pay for food with the money you earned at the local tavern? Perhaps you made your living as a bounty hunter, killing wrongdoers with the promise of a cash reward.

Comparison

This movie displays how small towns functioned back in this time period very well. The sheriff in a town held the majority of the power and if he were corrupt enough to take bribes from would-be prisoners it would be easy for him to let them go. Another important aspect of history seen in this film would be how people could take the law into their own hands; if the price was right you could hire a bounty hunter to take out anyone you wanted.

What have I learned?

I have learned that in this time period courts weren’t used as often as they could have been. In smaller towns people could be executed just on suspicion of a crime. One important fact I had never known was that Indians worked with the White Man in order to get rid of rival factions of Indians. In these Indian wars many Indians had their land and their livestock stolen from them.