Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Two films that will most definitely freak you out on Halloween!
Want to watch a film or two that are suspenseful and scary this Halloween? Watch these - the first 'Alien' (in space no one can hear you scream), and the original '86 version of 'The Hitcher'. Rutger Hauer in the Hitcher is one of the meanest, scariest, sob ever! If these two don't get to you watch the Exorcist in a graveyard! See if you're not scared then! If they don't freak you out - give up the horror genre completely, or make your own horror film.
Hey you. Yes, you!
I just wanted to see if anyone is interested in the AFI Ghost Story Contest? If so, let me know! I want to participate.. but obviously not alone.
Love Always,
Samantha
Love Always,
Samantha
Kubrick... genius or GENIUS?
As a quick response to Alexander Peralejo's blog, I would just like to point out another film that everyone in the Oakcrest Film Institute should (definitely) watch, and then quickly add to their 'Movies' list on Facebook called, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. This Academy-Award winning film is not only mind blowing, with its spectacular visual effects and brilliantly-written screenplay, but it can also act as a catalyst for your inner-most thoughts... with so many undetermined meanings, answers, and thought provoking questions, it is a wonder why any of Kubrick's films have yet to be brought up for discussion in or out of class.
Stanley Kubrick is the mastermind-of-a-director who also wrote and produced films such as 'A Clockwork Orange', 'The Shining', 'Full Metal Jacket', and 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (and some other joint with Tom Cruise, you know...). So I advise anyone who has not seen his movies to drive to Blockbuster (yes, at 12:06 am) and rent them! And please believe me when I say that they are worth every minute of your time! They will NOT disappoint. Thank you and goodnight.
Here is the opening to '2001': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWnmCu3U09w
Stanley Kubrick is the mastermind-of-a-director who also wrote and produced films such as 'A Clockwork Orange', 'The Shining', 'Full Metal Jacket', and 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' (and some other joint with Tom Cruise, you know...). So I advise anyone who has not seen his movies to drive to Blockbuster (yes, at 12:06 am) and rent them! And please believe me when I say that they are worth every minute of your time! They will NOT disappoint. Thank you and goodnight.
Here is the opening to '2001': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWnmCu3U09w
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The World Forgetting by the World Forgot
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind...
A movie that the film institute students MUST watch because of its use of amazing camera work by Michel Gondry and probably the most creative storyline i have ever watched. This screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman. I must say everytime i watch this movie i catch a new thing that is important to the storyline, ESOTSM uses science fiction to explore the life of Joel Barrishe's(Jim Carrey) memory and love life. i found the URL for my number one movie!!! this site has some cool things in it. look through everything...
http://www.eternalsunshine.com/
A movie that the film institute students MUST watch because of its use of amazing camera work by Michel Gondry and probably the most creative storyline i have ever watched. This screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman. I must say everytime i watch this movie i catch a new thing that is important to the storyline, ESOTSM uses science fiction to explore the life of Joel Barrishe's(Jim Carrey) memory and love life. i found the URL for my number one movie!!! this site has some cool things in it. look through everything...
http://www.eternalsunshine.com/
Jesus, Mary and Joseph...the Irish in Film
Read this article from the NYT on Pride and Glory and Irish stereotypes...You must post something on one of this week's articles to receive credit, so get movin O'Malley!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/movies/26barr.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/movies/26barr.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Don't Let the Wrong One in Either
Read "Let the Right One In" NYT review and comment...possible topics include:
1. the simple: aren't little vampire girls the creepiest type of vampires?
2. the hot topic: why do you think human/vampire relationships are so chic right now? (Let...In, Twilight, True Blood, etc)
3. the academic: are human/vampire relationships really just a manifestation of Victorian era social suppressions?
4. the Christmasy: If you were dating a vampire, what would you get it for Christmas? Or, would Halloween be more the gift exchange type holiday?
1. the simple: aren't little vampire girls the creepiest type of vampires?
2. the hot topic: why do you think human/vampire relationships are so chic right now? (Let...In, Twilight, True Blood, etc)
3. the academic: are human/vampire relationships really just a manifestation of Victorian era social suppressions?
4. the Christmasy: If you were dating a vampire, what would you get it for Christmas? Or, would Halloween be more the gift exchange type holiday?
Sent to Bed Without a Championship
Last night, for the first time ever, a World Series games was "suspended." Not "delayed." Not "postponed." Not "rained out." It was "suspended," as if it had taken HGH or hung around with Adam Jones. For the 1st time in 604 World Series games, Monday's Game 5 was "suspended."
Last night's game could not go on. That was not only obvious to Commissioner Bud Selig, the field crew and grounds crew, it was also obvious to even the most casual baseball fan. And since this was a World Series game, there were millions of them watching. My wife, who wouldn't understand the intricacies of baseball even if Oprah committed an hour show to it, commented that baseball players were "wusses" as she flipped over to fall asleep.
It got me thinking. Are baseball players really just "wusses?" The truth is, babseball isn't played in the pouring rain, not because of its athletes, but because of its rules. You can't throw a proper off-speed pitch with a soaked ball. You can't plant your front leg to get your weight behind a swing in the mud. You simply can't play defense on slick grass. Sure, weather changes football games a bit, but sloppy, snowy football games are a lot more fun to watch. Since ultimately, sports is entertainment, that somehow makes it justifiable. Wet baseball is not better baseball; it's not even more interesting baseball. Rain changes the game incredibly. It provides an offensive advantage that is antithetical to the strategy and execution of the game itself.
The proof was in last night's pudding, as the pudding itself puddled around second base. Jimmy Rollins had no shot at grounding a ball within his reach. Cole Hamels, an off-speed pitcher, looked helpless as he shook off both signs and the sloshing splashes of a soaked cap. Carlos Ruiz had no shot at BJ Upton, who took second base easily, using the base paths as a Slip'N'Slide. By the top of the 5th innning, in the year's most important baseball game, the weather had altered the game impossibly.
I am the last person in the world to defend the Philadelphia Phillies (Go Mets!), but they got hosed last night. Carlos Pena answered Bud Selig's prayers. The commissioner, placed in a horrific, Halloween-style horror show, lose/lose situation thanks to the fickleness of Philadelphia autumns, probably prayed. I imagine he got right down on his knobby knees, luxury-box pretzel in hand, and begged the baseball Gods for a Rays score. A Rays score that would allow him to send an entire city...a drunk, celebration-ready city...to bed without a championship. A Rays score that would make it ok to change the rules without riots. And Pena (previously hitless in the Series, mind you) answered. He knocked in Upton and made "calling" the game easy.
But Selig didn't "call" the game. He made up a "call." He didn't hand the Phillies the first-ever truncated baseball championship. And he couldn't have. No one would've wanted that. So what do baseball people want?
The fans want a dry night to celebrate, sure, but they also want fairness and good baseball. They want a home game championship. The players want to play their game under fair conditions. MLB wants more games and more TV revenue. The Rays want four innings worth of hope, even though Rays hits in this Series have been as sparse as Sarah Pailin's resume. The Phillies want to win the title in a full, home game. They want champagne and a packed house. They want dry grass to roll around on when they win the World Series, and frankly, they deserve it.
So, I understand Selig's personal decision to throw out the rules on this one. It was the right thing to do, but his timing was terrible, even dangerous. Even unfair. If the commish was gonna throw out the rules anyway, how could he possibly justify allowing the game to go on in a typhoon? How could he put the players, the rules and the integrity of baseball on the line? How could he not tell anyone? The answer is simple...to save his own ass. Because Carlos Pena's bat made it impossible for the Phillies, its management, its players, and the entire, God forsaken City of Brotherly Love, to stand up and object to the commissioner's rule change. Selig handed the Rays a run on a soaking wet, slippery silver platter by allowing the game to go on under ridiculous conditions. All to save a little face. Ah, the new brand of leadership.
Last night's game could not go on. That was not only obvious to Commissioner Bud Selig, the field crew and grounds crew, it was also obvious to even the most casual baseball fan. And since this was a World Series game, there were millions of them watching. My wife, who wouldn't understand the intricacies of baseball even if Oprah committed an hour show to it, commented that baseball players were "wusses" as she flipped over to fall asleep.
It got me thinking. Are baseball players really just "wusses?" The truth is, babseball isn't played in the pouring rain, not because of its athletes, but because of its rules. You can't throw a proper off-speed pitch with a soaked ball. You can't plant your front leg to get your weight behind a swing in the mud. You simply can't play defense on slick grass. Sure, weather changes football games a bit, but sloppy, snowy football games are a lot more fun to watch. Since ultimately, sports is entertainment, that somehow makes it justifiable. Wet baseball is not better baseball; it's not even more interesting baseball. Rain changes the game incredibly. It provides an offensive advantage that is antithetical to the strategy and execution of the game itself.
The proof was in last night's pudding, as the pudding itself puddled around second base. Jimmy Rollins had no shot at grounding a ball within his reach. Cole Hamels, an off-speed pitcher, looked helpless as he shook off both signs and the sloshing splashes of a soaked cap. Carlos Ruiz had no shot at BJ Upton, who took second base easily, using the base paths as a Slip'N'Slide. By the top of the 5th innning, in the year's most important baseball game, the weather had altered the game impossibly.
I am the last person in the world to defend the Philadelphia Phillies (Go Mets!), but they got hosed last night. Carlos Pena answered Bud Selig's prayers. The commissioner, placed in a horrific, Halloween-style horror show, lose/lose situation thanks to the fickleness of Philadelphia autumns, probably prayed. I imagine he got right down on his knobby knees, luxury-box pretzel in hand, and begged the baseball Gods for a Rays score. A Rays score that would allow him to send an entire city...a drunk, celebration-ready city...to bed without a championship. A Rays score that would make it ok to change the rules without riots. And Pena (previously hitless in the Series, mind you) answered. He knocked in Upton and made "calling" the game easy.
But Selig didn't "call" the game. He made up a "call." He didn't hand the Phillies the first-ever truncated baseball championship. And he couldn't have. No one would've wanted that. So what do baseball people want?
The fans want a dry night to celebrate, sure, but they also want fairness and good baseball. They want a home game championship. The players want to play their game under fair conditions. MLB wants more games and more TV revenue. The Rays want four innings worth of hope, even though Rays hits in this Series have been as sparse as Sarah Pailin's resume. The Phillies want to win the title in a full, home game. They want champagne and a packed house. They want dry grass to roll around on when they win the World Series, and frankly, they deserve it.
So, I understand Selig's personal decision to throw out the rules on this one. It was the right thing to do, but his timing was terrible, even dangerous. Even unfair. If the commish was gonna throw out the rules anyway, how could he possibly justify allowing the game to go on in a typhoon? How could he put the players, the rules and the integrity of baseball on the line? How could he not tell anyone? The answer is simple...to save his own ass. Because Carlos Pena's bat made it impossible for the Phillies, its management, its players, and the entire, God forsaken City of Brotherly Love, to stand up and object to the commissioner's rule change. Selig handed the Rays a run on a soaking wet, slippery silver platter by allowing the game to go on under ridiculous conditions. All to save a little face. Ah, the new brand of leadership.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Scariest Halloween Ever
It's zero hour. The stroke of midnight. The witching hour. The zombies have surrounded the house. They have broken through the glass windows and shattered the doors into splinters. Their ghoulish eyes set upon me. Their salivating grins shine in the dense moonlight. I pull my orange and blue covers tighter around my neck. Hopeless. Gasping. Praying. My David Wright pajamas soaked in sweat.
They are upon me now. Surrounding my bed. Wild screams and noises bubbling up from within their gruesome army. They are dripping, oozing stench. I know I am done. Their clawed fingers dart toward me. They say horrible things like "Mondee" instead of "Monday" and "iggles" instead of "eagles." Are they even human? I am lost in a sea of blood red. Blood red. Red.
I let out one final gasp as they overcome me..."let's go rays." Is it a hopeless screech in the darkest night?
They are upon me now. Surrounding my bed. Wild screams and noises bubbling up from within their gruesome army. They are dripping, oozing stench. I know I am done. Their clawed fingers dart toward me. They say horrible things like "Mondee" instead of "Monday" and "iggles" instead of "eagles." Are they even human? I am lost in a sea of blood red. Blood red. Red.
I let out one final gasp as they overcome me..."let's go rays." Is it a hopeless screech in the darkest night?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Assignments:
1) Nine 'Birth of a Nation' Questions
2) Read NY Times Spike Lee Article
3) 10 Movies selection for November & weekly press kit
2) Read NY Times Spike Lee Article
3) 10 Movies selection for November & weekly press kit
Inaugural Blog
This is the first blog for the Oakcrest Film Institute. Please be aware that I am new to this, so please reserve all mockery for more private moments.
Welcome...FI family...past and present!
First, Widdy and I conceptualized a place where all members of our little community can come, share ideas, film critiques, works in progress, updates, philosophies, arguments, etc.
One of the most important aspects of this institute has always been sustainability. In other words, our dream was to keep institute graduates connected through college and beyond. A viable alumni base will add tremendous value to our community as it provides a film marketplace. On a casual level (not too casual, please, keep in mind this is a HIGH SCHOOL blog), we could share ideas, film interests, movie recommendations. More importantly, though, we can share news and projects we are working on. Movie opportunities and needs from the different campuses our alumni base represents, as well as news from the hottest film school on Cologne Avenue in beautiful, downtown Mays Landing!
For this year's students, one other important part of this will be to draw your attention to the handy-dandy links list attached to this site. You will find this list will contain several resources to insure your domination of "The Game." This will also be a great way for us to stay updated on the changes to "The Game."
So...more soon. Until then, enjoy!
Welcome...FI family...past and present!
First, Widdy and I conceptualized a place where all members of our little community can come, share ideas, film critiques, works in progress, updates, philosophies, arguments, etc.
One of the most important aspects of this institute has always been sustainability. In other words, our dream was to keep institute graduates connected through college and beyond. A viable alumni base will add tremendous value to our community as it provides a film marketplace. On a casual level (not too casual, please, keep in mind this is a HIGH SCHOOL blog), we could share ideas, film interests, movie recommendations. More importantly, though, we can share news and projects we are working on. Movie opportunities and needs from the different campuses our alumni base represents, as well as news from the hottest film school on Cologne Avenue in beautiful, downtown Mays Landing!
For this year's students, one other important part of this will be to draw your attention to the handy-dandy links list attached to this site. You will find this list will contain several resources to insure your domination of "The Game." This will also be a great way for us to stay updated on the changes to "The Game."
So...more soon. Until then, enjoy!
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