The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend September 30, 2007
This is one of my favorite movies about Pete Maravich, a college basketball that owns the NCAA scoring record and an amazing NBA player as well. This movie is about his freshman year in high school and his playing on the team and dealing with common adolescent problems in the 1950’s. The movie starts with him playing in a thunderstorm at night and his dad drives up and Pete looks like he is going to be in trouble, but his dad starts playing with him. It really shows how much his dad, who was a college basketball coach and ex-marine, and him value the sport of basketball. It goes on with his narration of how much the game meant to him and how hard he worked at perfecting his basketball skills. It captured my interest with things like his narration, and being in the 1950’s, it was a cool take on life back then. It sets the stage for the rest of the movie by showing him make the team, but having conflicts with the players, coach, and family. This allows the movie to show how he overcomes these and how he came out a better person on the end of it.
Gone September 30, 2007
Gone in 60 Seconds is by far one of my favorite movies and ironically enough I love the intro to the movie. The introduction starts off with introducing the actors and showing pictures of the characters and cars (the main point of this movie is stealing cars). The song playing is a very famous song that captures the viewer’s attention and it shows a lot of random pictures and objects that keep the viewers interested. The introduction sets the stage for the rest of the movie cause the music is very dramatic and then once the music stops it shows a very dramatic scene where these kids are trying to steal a car and get chased by the cops. I do not think the director missed any points on the introduction. It is by far one of my favorite movies and when I hear people talking about the movie I always remember the very beginning because it is one of my fav parts and got me so hooked to the movie.
A Jurassic Introduction By Ross September 30, 2007
One of my favorite movies when I was a kid, and one that I watched often, was Jurassic Park. I think it has an excellent introduction as far as introducing important concepts of the movie. It shows an insignificant man getting sucked into a cage and violently eaten by a dinosaur. The main concept being that dinosaurs are mean and they will eat you. It does not show the actual dinosaur though which makes a viewer curious as to what ate the man and forces them to view more. This sets the stage well for the rest of the movie well because when ever you see a dinosaur you think back to the very first scene.
Reign Over Me (2007)–By Julia G.K September 28, 2007
The begining of this movie shows a clip of Charlie (Adam Sandler) riding on a motor powered scooter, while listening to music. The next clip shows Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), Charlie’s old roommate, as a dentist. This tells the viewer that the film will probably have to do with some type of friendship, or interaction, between the two. This turns out to be true later in the film. The important concept is that these two individuals turn out to be old roommates and they work together to solve a problem that Charlie faces. It captures the viewer interest with music and by showing the two separate lives. The viewer wishes to know what will be happen to them. I do not think that the film fails in any of the important factors in capturing the viewer’s attention.
Dazed and Confused, by christian September 28, 2007
Dazed and Confused starts with a car driving in slow motion to the tune of Areosmith’s Sweet Emotion. in the car the passenger is rolling a joint and then it goes thru shots of most of the major characters. also, you can see that it is a high school and it tells you that it is the last day of school in 1976. it does a good job of introducing the main purpose of the movie and importent concepts by showing that it is a high school and that the movie is going to be about the day in the life of a bunch of drinking and smoking teens. it does a good job of capturing the audience because it shows kids doing drugs and hanging out. you are curious about what is going to happen. also, it does a great job at setting the stage for the rest of the movie. everything you need to know is in the introduction. you see all the major characters, you know they do drugs, you know its a high school and you know that it is the last day of school.
English/Varsity Blues September 28, 2007
A film that I know pretty well off the top of my head and one of my personal favorites is the movie Varsity Blues. The introduction to this film starts out showing different shots of a small town. These are of the town itself, a billboard of a football player in his front yard, which tells the person watching that this is going to be about a small town that puts a lot of emphasis and pride into their hometown high school football team. It captures the viewers interest and attention by turning from serene pictures of this town to a truck speeding around to all these players houses. It uses comedy and loud music to capture the attention of the viewers. It sets the stage for the rest of the movie by showing one teammate picking up the rest of the teammates in his truck and when the quarterback comes walking out the music changes to something to the effect of hail to the chief to symbolize how important the quarterback is and is going to be to the movie. I dont think that it fails in any point and it is a very informing introduction. Right away we tell it is going to be funny and about a small town football team that loses its oh so important quarterback. Although they really cannot compare this introduction to that of a paper since the main things that catch a viewers attention are changes in music and mood due to actually being able to see what happens.
good luck chuck September 28, 2007
Good Luck Chuck starts off with a group of 10 year old kids sitting in the basement playing spin the bottle. Chucks friend was obviously obsessed with the girls and being chosen to go into the closet. He constantly brags about what hes done with girls and what his dad has told him. When it is Chucks turn to go into the closet the bottle stops on a goth girl who is in love with him. They go into the closet where she proceeds to attack him and do what she believe people who are in love do. When Chuck kicks her off she is mad and puts a curse on him so that no girl will ever fall in love with him. This introduction definitely caught my attention because it was funny. Also, it set the mood for the whole movie and gave the needed background information.
“Blow” Kyles thoughts September 28, 2007
The movie Blow is a documentary on the Bolivian cocaine trade. It starts with showing the transportation of hundreds of pounds of Blow. The use of illegal drugs is of course a good way to catch the viewers attention. The show depicts the growth of a drug lord named George Young, while he makes a spiralling ascent to the top of the drug ring on the western half of the U.S. the use of angles and incredible acting makes the movie a wonderful show. the intro. works well for the film. if you like drugs you will watch the contraband with intrigue, if you are against the drug trade you will still watch, to possible learn more or to watch with disdain. you might watch it to see Penelope Cruz!
Hot Fuzz, by:chris m. September 28, 2007
The film “Hot Fuzz” begins with a very elaborate introduction of the main character which sets the stage for the viewers attachment to this character. The film is pretty clear on introducing its pupose after it has moved on from its main character rant to the actual plot. This film shows right off that it is about one excelling police officer’s journey in being surrounded by other people who are not as good as him at what he does. I think the film captures interest by moving fast right from the begining. It uses a subtle comedy base and by attaching your to the character early on it sets the stage for the rest of the movie.
posting 5- jon robitaille September 28, 2007
layer cake is has a very vivid introduction. it starts out by following the main character through a grocery store in the vision as he dreams it. he is a cocaine dealer and believes that one day coke will be as common as bread. this sets the scene for a very interesting movie. the rest of the movie essentially works off this idea. it deals with the business and personal side of dealing drugs and how although it was his dream to be a successful dealer with lots of money and a good life, the drug business ends up screwing him in the end. this is briefly referred to in the intro but he speaks like it could never happen to him and how only fools allow this to happen.
Calmi Cuori Appassionati by Mariko September 27, 2007
This movie started with a scene of a couple. They were promising to meet at the cathedral in Florence after 10 years. But the soundtrack was so depressed, as if this promise would not be accomplished and they would break up in 10 years. So at this point, the filmmaker introduced its purpose very well. This movie captured viewer’s interest by mixing depressed and fun music and emphasizing the defference of Florence and Tokyo. People in Florence, they try to maintain their old town . On the other hand, People in Tokyo, they always seek future, like new building, trend. I think the motive of this movie is past, present and future.After they broke up, both of them couldn’t forget each other, and they were obsessed by the past and anxious for the future, because they didn’t want to see the fact; they broke up completely. However , the big problem of this movie is that the filmmaker cut a lot of transition . So it is difficult to interpret the movie without reading book of this movie. That’s why people who watched only the movie feel bored.
Death Sentence September 26, 2007
I just recently saw the movie death sentence and its first twenty minutes was an introduction that follows this textual explanation of an introduction. The first part of the movie shows the two sides. One is a family that has two kids and one kid is an excellent hockey player. Then you see the other characters that are gangsters that kill people and live a crazy lif of crime. These two sides dont mix until the hockey player son is murdered by the game in an intiation killing. The dad spots one of the man and decides to take revenge into his own responsibility. The movies main idea is that this family man turns into a killer to get revenge. The introduction builds us up very well before we even know what the movie is about. Introductions are important they lay out the ground work for the rest of the production whether its an essay, article or movie. I can remember countless times asking my friends in a movie “wait whos that guy and why is he there” i have this confusion that is caused by a poor introduction.
3:10 to Yuma what a show September 25, 2007
In the intro to this movie it sets up the theme that a rancher is in dire need of money becuase in the first scene he gets his barn burned down and a little later it tells this happens because he is behind on some payments. In this beginning scene it also shows that he has lost his foot in the past and this sets up a large part of the movie because he feels he has to prove himself becuase he is no longer a whole man. This opening scene captures the viewers interest because it starts right with action and right off poses the question what is going on. It pretty well sets the stage for the rest of the movie because the rest of the movie is about this rancher proving to his son that he is still worth something and also him transporting a fugative to get money for his ranch. In regards to movies this one has a pretty good introduction, there is a initial question of what is going on but all questions are answered in full as the movie goes on. It was very well done in my opinion and has a very good introduction.
3:10 to Yuma what a show September 25, 2007
In the intro to this movie it sets up the theme that a rancher is in dire need of money becuase in the first scene he gets his barn burned down and a little later it tells this happens because he is behind on some payments. In this beginning scene it also shows that he has lost his foot in the past and this sets up a large part of the movie because he feels he has to prove himself becuase he is no longer a whole man. This opening scene captures the viewers interest because it starts right with action and right off poses the question what is going on. It pretty well sets the stage for the rest of the movie because the rest of the movie is about this rancher proving to his son that he is still worth something and also him transporting a fugative to get money for his ranch. In regards to movies this one has a pretty good introduction, there is a initial question of what is going on but all questions are answered in full as the movie goes on. It was very well done in my opinion and has a very good introduction.
Posting 5 by Jennifer September 25, 2007
The movie 8 Seconds introduces the purpose of the film right away. Lane states as a young child that he wants to ride bulls and he is not afraid of them. It captures your attention by being very loud and full of action. Bulls come running in while Lane and his father sit and watch. It sets the stage for the rest of the movie because it is a movie about bull riding and how he looks up to his father. He is just a young boy and is already interested in it and asking questions to his father. This was a dream of his since he was little and he goes on to live his dream of being the best bull rider there ever was.
Requiem for an English post, By Coleridge September 25, 2007
I have seen Requiem for a dream recently. I found it to be quite informing on the results of habitual drug abuse and drug addictions.
The movie starts off, in the main characters mothers house. He is stealing her Television. He has no car, so the main character his friend wheel it across the city, when he meets the pawn man, he says, “Hello again Jack. You had to bring the stand this time too?” The next day, or later that day, Jacks Mother comes and picks up the TV. The pawn broker suggests she press charges, but she insists that jack is a good boy, and doesn’t need that. Later the movie goes into what I call the beginning of the end. Where all the characters start on their paths that lead to a hellish or nightmarish reality.
The Movie focuses on almost all of the major addiction and drugs, and ties it to a specific character. Take the mother for example, she receives a call telling her she won a chance to be on TV, she gets excited, and tries to loose weight. Diet and exercise don’t really work, so the Mother goes to a bad doctor who basically gives her speed. Later she doesn’t eat or sleep for that matter. Finally she goes to the TV station and asks them why she can’t be on TV, the lady explains it takes time, it could be a month or a couple of years. Because she is hopped up on speed she looks very horrible and the lady calls the cops. The cops in turn take the lady to a mental institution. She doesn’t eat or comply with the staff, so they give her electro-therapy. And that’s how speed ruins her life. Now there are other characters that go through different paths as well, but I won’t ruin the movie.
Basically, if you have ever thought if doing hardcore drugs, watch this movie, you’ll never want to do them.
Posting 5 – Writing September 24, 2007
For this posting, you should have read the section on introductions, transitions, and conclusions. This page (from the Purdue site) has some more helpful advice and more links.
Describe the beginning of a movie you’ve seen recently (or perhaps one that is a favorite and you know well offhand). Now analyze it as an introduction:
- How does it introduce the purpose of the film and any important concepts?
- How does it capture the viewer’s interest?
- How does it set the stage for the rest of the movie?
- If it seems to fail in any of these points, discuss how and why you think it failed and what you would do if you were the filmmaker to improve this film’s introduction.
Now see if you can apply any of these strategies to your essay’s introduction. A second post on this process is not required but would be appreciated, interesting, and possibly useful to your peers.
Rocky is affected with the sickness of procrastination, sickness, and misintrepretation of Achebe September 19, 2007
I have to disagree with Achebe, saying that the abuse of language is a bad thing. I think one of the great things about language is the ability to manipulate words and meanings. Not everything is black and white. I know politicians and and advertisers misrepresents their words, but I believe that keeps my mind sharp and on my toes. If language wasn’t abuse then we would never put any thought into what the person is trying to say. With abuse we can comptiplate and get different meanings to sayings, therefore making it more personalized to us. This also helps people find other people that think like them because they can say something like, ”Dude, thats what I thought Ozzie Osbourne was trying to say. ” Abuse is usually a bad thing, but in this case I think it has positive effects.
Kyles view of Achebes thoughts September 17, 2007
The dry, sarcastic humor that Chinua Achebe uses is amusing to me. The wording and language selection he puts to use is interesting, for as he is writing a text about the desecration of the english language he twists it to express his own thoughts. Now i’m not calling him a hypocrite, but it is interesting. The fact that he would ridicule others for twisting the language to meet their needs, and at the same time he would use the language to express his own views with a certain hidden honesty. The advertising companies encouraging you to “be progressive, use ABC toothpaste” does not degrate the language in my opinion, language is a tool meant to be manipulated to fit each individual needs. But as the advertising companies use slight of toungue to convey their thoughts, Achebe does too. The implications made towards people in postions to speak publically, allows the reader to infer into what Achebe feels toward politicians and the misstrust and decietfullness that he feels they share. The simple slip of a term is excusable(596,17), but the need to extrapolate upon it only shows the authors need to use language to express his own feelings toward public figures.
Erik on Achebe’s Literature. September 17, 2007
This class has shown a large emphasis on ideas instead of actions. Without language these ideas would have been lost and could not have influenced our world. Written language is one of the greatest creations that we as a species have invented. Language and literature have so much power the bible would be a perfect example of the power that language can have on a society. A seemingly long myth about the creation of the world and of our creator, but it caused almost every war that has been fought. Language brings so many people together, but it can also serve as a barrier. What if you were placed in a room with a native Italian speaking person and given a set of questions to ask the other person? It would be very difficult to do so.
Posting 4 – Achebe By Julia GK September 17, 2007
Achebe says that language was the most important tool in the creation of society. I think he is right, and I have a strong feeling about that. When we arrive a place that people speak different language, then we will realize how important laguage is. We are different from animals, because we know how to thinking, animals are not. We talk to others and let them know what we think. At the same time, language can help us to avoiding a lot of trouble with its power.
Ross: The Caveman September 17, 2007
I would like to tell a story which happened to me last night. My partener and I were working on a project in the library on the second floor. We weren’t getting much done as we were waiting for a third member to arrive. It wasn’t long before we saw him, sitting on a bench a floor below us. “How are we to get his attention?” we asked ourselves. Going down to get him would take far too long. Then almost at the same time the lightbulb lit above our heads: “We will throw a gluestick at him.” While calculating the desired angle of launch for our projectile, accounting for wind resistance and the pull of gravity as well as the many innocent bistanders, I began to think of Achebe and his writings. As I stood there, gluestick in hand, I pictured the caveman weilding the rock. Than it hit me, why not just yell his name. “Hey Matt we’re up here.” Looking around to locate the source of this vocal information Matt realized where we were and started up towards us. It turned out to be much easier then throwing the gluestick and I might have done it too had I not read Achebe’s writing.
achebe posting- Jon R September 16, 2007
Achebe’s thoughts on communication and relaying information i believe were revolutionary. he was a modest man for the most part and this is how he wanted people to view him. although his message may be strong for certain instances it is not solely his opinion that he is representing. he write for the ones he cares about and for his community. he is a noble messenger, without the prejudice of political pressure and writing for the sake of money. his intentions are entirely different. he truly write s for the people. this is the way it should be. you shouldn’t have to go searching for a paper that doesn’t only reflect what the government tells it to. writers need to be free.
Language separating man from beast September 16, 2007
Achebe presents some good points in this piece about language, its use and how it can be abused. I found some of the content on page 597 to be intriguing , especially when he talks about our ancestors crossing the first threshold from bestiality to humanness using language. He starts out this writing telling us about the caveman story and how a language could have been used as opposed to inflicting pain on another to get your point across. What about his idea that language could maybe help solve a lot of our problems in the world? This is an overlooked idea that really does make sense. If us humans would take time more often to listen to what others have to say then maybe a lot of our problems could be solved using words and not physical force such as war, for example.
Another good point was using language abusively. Some of us are very powerful with words. I personally consider myself manipulative if I want to be simply by using words. I have of course used this at times to hurt others. Like Mariko brought up in her post, language can be manipulated by advertisers to “fool” society into thinking one thing when they mean another. I think that we just oftentimes underestimate the power of language and words and Achebe brings up a good point in his writing if you really stop and think about what kind of chaos the world would be in without this median to help us communicate with each other.
Achebe and Ridge September 16, 2007
I feel that Achebe is right. Language helps define a social class. Language like education, separates the true man, from it’s polar opposite. Achebe tries to touch every one by implying that God, or a higher power, is based on language. He compares it to Judaism and Christianity’s belief system. For language is a means of sharing ideas, without it no-one really learns. Sure some people could learn the trial and error way, but Plato talks about a teacher figure. i feel that Plato is not totally correct in saying that we NEED a teacher figure, but I feel that this style is more true than the trial and error method.
This is something I plan to use in my paper, so feel free to comment on it, it would help alot. Thanks
Ridge.
Achebe by Mac September 16, 2007
Achabe says “language was crucial to the creation of society” (p.593) this is true on many levels. without language we wouldnt exist and would not be able to advance in any way. this would cause the human race to be extinct. also without communication we are lost. language has been abused and as achebe says “can be turned from its original purpose into something useless or even deadly.” (p.597) i agree completely with this, language has been abused and this abuse has been the cause of many fights or wars through our time.
Achebe September 16, 2007
Without language we would get no where in life. Actually, we may not even exist. “One does have a feeling that without language we should have long been extinct (page 593).” Achebe seems to believe that language has been abused. “Can be turned from its original purpose and into something useless or even deadly (page 597).” I agree with him. There are so many ways to say and interpret different words that it has become decieving.
Achebe by Cam W September 16, 2007
Language is a very powerful tool. The toungue is said to be the strongest muscle in the body, figuratively and literally. Great leaders are great leaders because primarily they are influential speakers. It is not always by action but by words that sway people. Eventually the actions will expose the words, however language is still the greatest tool for human kind. Achebe makes a valid point when he says that although humans are the only specie that seeks violence, it also prevents violence and prevents quite possibly the extinction of the human race.
So much good or bad can come from the mouth. Words that may have the same initial meaning can be taken badly in certain contexts. It is important, especially in this day and age, to be cautious of not offending anyone. Still words can do much good for humans and so what Achebe wrote was an extremely important and relavent topic for humanity and it could even be argued that is should be a required text at the highschool level.
Achebe September 16, 2007
Achebe basically says that educationa and society cannot exist without the other. Education needs language to express ones thoughts and also there would be no society without language. Achebe definitly knew what he was talking about when he said language has evolved over time. The problem is that we like everything else abuse it. Language can be used in very minipulative ways and is not always the best thing. As beneficial as it is, it can also cause many problems.
September 16, 2007
ok, i liked readin this. i was so into it that i was a bit disappointed when it had to end. a sudden stop for me. now i like to point out the communication of the infant and mother. i liked that. it hits home for me. right now i am looking at two pictures of when my 2nd son was an infant. the first picture (revenge pic, naked in the tub) he is crying so hard. in the 2nd picture (right after the first pic. was taken) he is not crying. i too tried the trial and error, guessing and what he needed, knowing he need tub time. it was in fact, that he needed this big washcloth drapped across his belly to forever hold his peace. he actually fell asleep during bath time. now, i wouldnt have gone thru about 5 minutes of pure stress trying to figure out what was wrong, if my child of 1 month, could tell me he felt safe with that washcloth against him. language is great. sometimes glorified. but not always the best. good for the people that are good, but what, if it falls into the “wrong hands”?
the doondari descended the second time.
and he took the five elements
and he shaped them into mand
but man was proud
then doondari created blindeness and blindness defeated man
but when blindness became too proud
doondari created sleep and sleep defeated blindness
but when sleep became too proud
doondari created worry and worry defeated sleep
but when worry became too proud
doondari created death and death defeated worry.
Man is destroyed by pride. (all of this on pg. 598) language is so creative, it can be used in anyway we want. poetry, riddles or flat out to the point. we use it, we abuse it. we make love with it, we make hate with it. without it, we might not exist. but somehow i doubt this. we are not entirely seperated by animals. we are animals the same, just with opposable thumbs and we can tell you “fuck you” a whole lot easier. (pardon the language). we merely proved we are some what more intelligent than animals. history repeats itself, does our language not? could we not be using the same words just different ways 10 thousand times over? as long as we listen to what we need to hear and not garbage, maybe we can save our language. (ok, i better end this, i am so super tired and i have no idea what i was gettin at anymore…..)
Tommy D. Thoughts on Achebe September 16, 2007
E.) I thought is was interesting how Achebe says that language can be a good thing or a bad thing. I like how he used the examples of a cave man in the wrong cave and a mother with a newborn to show that language is so benificial to people and how it can solve all sorts of problems. Then to show that language could be bad he came up with the quote, ” crime rates are increasing at a decreasing rate of increase.” The gift of language can be misused like all of man kinds creation. Wars can be starts because of someone with a silver tongue and no brains. Another way language can be a good thing according to Achebe is there would be no society if there was no language or communication, and Achebe means real societies not like a bee or ant coloney. I liked this excerpt from Acherbe, he is so passionate about language and just the magnificents of human’s ability to communicate. I agree with what he is saying we would not have much today if we could not converse with all people of the world. I also liked this reading becuase it is the first time I have heard this argument, it is very interesting.
September 16, 2007
“It has long been known that language, like any other human invention, can be abused, can be turned from its origional purpose into something useless or even deadly.”(Achebe 597) Languages can be manipulated in many different ways including; sales piches, advertising, magazines, and many more. Achebe mentions “”Be progressive! Use ABC toothpaste!” or invites you to a “saving spree” in a department store;..” (Achebe 597) Linguistic abuse can lead to many unwanted things, including; confusion, underminding, violence, and worst, world corruption.
