Movie References in TV Commercials

I was watching TV the other day and a Pistachios commercial came on recreating the famous shower scene from Psycho. I thought it was pretty cool and I wanted to share it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gMrKHLVPyE

A Big 5 Winner!

It Happened One Night (1934) is one of three films to win the five greatest categories in the Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay.  The two other films were One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991). It Happened One Night is the foundation for all romantic comedies.  This film was released right before the start of the Hays Code (which would censor films) and included the actors disrobing, and Mr Shapeley's admissions to adultery.  Although there wasn't much to censor it would have been frowned upon after 1934.  With a great story, excellent acting and cinematography that captures the 1930s depression perfectly, IHON is a true classic and stands the test of time.  Gable and Colbert have instant chemistry in this film, as depicted in one of the first scenes on the bus when Ellen is sleeping and holding onto Peter's lapel - the look on Peter's face is priceless.  These two actors proceed with effortless charm and charisma throughout the film that the movie's 105 minutes seem to fly by.   It's funny that Peter Warne and Mr Shapeley became the inspiration for Bugs Bunny.  Guess Bugs got Gable's ears!!

Tolkien and the Modern Surveillance State

J.R.R. Tolkien appears to get it right with Lord of the Rings and our modern society.  Please check out the

link below - the article examines the works of Tolkien, Orwell and even Aldous Huxley, and how accurate they were with our society today.  It does seem like our society is moving toward a Mordor-like hell with constant surveillance, lack of empathy, paranoia, and incompetence built into the system.  Where is our Frodo?  Oh yeah he's living in Moscow and his name is Edward Snowden!


Here's the article:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2013/07/tolkien_v_orwell_who_understood_modern_surveillance_best.html

Apple in 1984

How is this ad ironic? Approach this question with your 21st century mindset.

The Most Falconful Time of the Year

This weekend, the Golden Globe nominations came bounding down the social media chimneys of the world! Huzzah!!!! I awoke! I am the Film Falcon, and 'tis the season for me to rise, rise, rise...like a phoenix...except more like a falcon....a phoecon, or a falnix, maybe..or whatever.

I come out of hiding each year to bring important film awards season news, predictions, critiques, office pools and discussions. I take over the blog of that Mr. Costal character, whom I suppose most of you have never even heard of.

My job, this year, will be inordinately easy since that  poser Costal doesn't even post anymore. He took a paper-pusher office job 'cuz he's soft. I always found him suspect. When he told me he shamelessly abandoned the Film Institute--and me--and the blog -- and this good thing we got going right here, you know what I says to him, I says, "Your situation. For you, would be concurrently improved if I had two hundred dollars in my back pocket right now."

So then he's all like, "You're a falcon...you don't have back pockets."

And I'm all like "Shut up. Ya suspect!"

He's a bird hater. I think we all know that. And I heard he sleeps in a Cedar Crick t-shirt. Just sayin'. I can fly. I see things.

Anywho...I'm back. You're here. Let's not let pettiness with Cubans hold us down. I want to give you all the tools to prepare yourselves for being true auteurs this season. I want you on top of the best films of the year.

It's an interesting year. The studios are not even hiding the formula. Summer is for blockbusters. Super heroes. Vampire love. That sort of thing. You know, films that actually make money. Oscar movies are meant to win Oscars. They don't need to make money. The money comes from the acclaim. I'll explain more on that later, but part of the way that works is by putting films in theaters as Oscar buzz mounts. The film needs to come out as close to the ceremony as possible. Too close and no one sees the film. Too far and the Academy forgets how good it is.

The Daily Show

Welcome to Oceania.

Capra Time

Week of 12/16:  Frank Capra Films

This week we will be studying the films of Frank Capra, you will identify his films, themes and analyze two of his films in class.  On Friday we will view It's a Wonderful Life, and on Wednesday we will view Mr Smith Goes to Washington.  These two films capture the essence of Frank Capra and I'm sure you will really like them.

For someone that was born in Sicily, Frank Capra has come to represent so-called old time 'American values':  selflessness, anti-materialism,  small town heroes fighting corruption,  rural,  workers,  innocence, goodness, and truth.  Are these the values that America holds dear, or are they something different?  These themes are at the heart of Capra's films, some more so than others, but they stand the test of time due to their refreshing emphasis on values that capture the American spirit, and something we should all try emulate.

Dystopia Now

Don't worry about anything - technology is the answer to everything.  Put your faith in iPads, iPods, Macs, Netflix, cable tv, candy crush, or any other technological innovation and you create your own dystopian society.  Technology is the new religion of America.  Everyone is enraptured by their cell phones, people have to check them constantly.  Everything has to be shared, nothing private.  People are atomized and separated from one another; the collective and community aspects die slowly.  People are constantly rushed, with no time to think deeply, there is no silence.  There is a sense of something being off-kilter and not right.  No matter how much you buy it never fills the emptiness.  Many drown their sorrows in drugs and alcohol.  Is life not to be slowly contemplated?  How many people let life come to them?  America has become Brave New World, and we didn't need outsiders we created it ourselves.  As Goethe said "Man errors as long as he strives".  Speed, efficiency, results based, progress are all considered American today.  However there is another tradition which goes against this modern divergence- transcendentalism.  A movement for simplicity, solitude, reflection, thinking, anti-consumerism and mindfulness.  I for one refuse to give in to the 'herd' mentality and gladly oppose this death culture and so should everyone who truly cares about others.  If each of us refuse to give in,  if we fight against it, if we live our lives under another model we can finally truly free ourselves.

Film Groups

Group 1: Luke, Sam "Mom-Jeans" Guzman, Tyler Thompson, Ish, Lil' Raff, Vince, Alex, and Hugo

Group 2: Tran, Jon "Hundy" Mitchell, Kenny Merlock, Kelsey, Liepe, Christina, and Isaiah

Group 3: Chloe, Tyler Baldi, Kenny Huynh, Alejandra, Christl, Nicole, Erin, and Abigail

Group 4: Ryan, Stefen, Carly, Charlotte, Allie, Jonnor Cohnson, Devon, and Dindak

Group 5: Brandon, Kerwin, Gabe, Cass, Cam, Blake, and Erica

Here's the plan for tomorrow:

You will all work in your groups to complete the first section of your scripts. In total, there will be five portions of the script:

Exposition-->Rising Action-->Climax-->Falling Action-->Denouement

The exposition should consists of:

• an introduction of your protagonist
• an introduction/explanation of Big Brother
• an explanation of the changes brought to Oakcrest (Feel free to use another name) in regards to curriculum, personal expression, social interaction, etc.

The exposition also needs to include some form of narration; it will be necessary to explain the arrival of Big Brother. The format for your script is as follows:

• Typed, double-spaced, size 12 Times New Roman

Here is a sample portion of a script:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Group Member Names

Mr. Clark, Mr. Lockwood, and Mr. Weisback

The Film Institute

17 Dec. 2013

Working Title

Introduce the setting and scene in italics. Perhaps something like this: the camera, positioned voyeuristically, shows a young man sitting  in front of a computer. He is in a lab surrounded by others all dressed in dismal blue overalls. He is typing frantically, and though panicked, he can be seen making an effort not to look away from his computer monitor. The camera then shifts to a hallway shot depicting a powerful, mustachioed man walking briskly down the hallway. He enters the room, and the students all stand up and face him. This mustachioed man begins talking, and the voice-ever narration begins.

Protagonist: Everything changed when he arrived, and by "he" I mean Big Brother. When he first arrived, he promised a return of discipline to the Oak, and frankly, he delivered. Little did we know that this meant an end to creativity, and end to friendship, and really, an end to all of us as individuals.

The man with the mustache leaves. The workers sit down and continue their work. The girl next to Protagonist begins subtly talking out of the side of her mouth.

Girl: Seriously, they want to extend the school day until six--kids will start dropping like flies.

Protagonist: I know. Can he really lock us all in the "keep" if we don't comply?

Girl: I don't know. The last person sent to the keep... who knows where he is? I heard he transferred. I don't buy it. Not for one second.

The young man on the Protagonist's other side chimes in.

Boy: I love Big Brother. Those who don't comply, well, they deserve the keep! We are getting two more hours of education. Big Brother truly loves us and wants us all to succeed.

Protagonist: Yeah, you're right. Look, I got to finish this report on the positive effects of corporal discipline.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I think you get the idea. 

Your exposition scripts are due Tuesday, December 17th.

Like Video Games - Big Brother Does Too!

Big Brother Alert!

From:  NSA/FISA Central Command Center

To: All middle to mediocre federal bureaucrats with job justification issues

Subject:  Monitor all XBox Live games & all possible video games

>>Please monitor all video games for possible terrorist activity.  It seems terrorists like to blow up and kill people.  Video game users also like to shoot and blow up things - logically they are or could/may be the same thing, or vice versa.  Budget is unlimited.<<

In another chilling report, it seems like the NSA is watching video games for terrorist activity.  If you play World of Warcraft and Second Life among others the NSA has been gathering data on millions of users which many view as a violation of their privacy.  NSA spies have created avatars to "snoop and try to recruit informers, while also collecting data and contents of communications between players".  Apparently terrorists use fake identities, the NSA believes they will use video games as a way to communicate with each other.  However, to date there has not been any success in capturing a terrorist through monitoring of video games.  Watch out  - that Orc you were talking to might be a federal bureaucrat!  I feel a whole lot safer!!

Here's the article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/world/spies-dragnet-reaches-a-playing-field-of-elves-and-trolls.html?ref=us

The Reason Why the World Loves Mandela

In an earlier post I showed how modern doublespeak has changed America's perception of Mandela, here's the real reason why Mandela has become a worldwide saint to the world's elite.

In an article in today's NYTimes' Business Section titled "How Mandela Shifted Views on Freedom of Markets" it explains that Mandela attended a meeting in Davos, Switzerland in 1992 with all the world's economic policy makers.  Prior to this meeting Mandela and the ANC (Africa National Congress) Mandela's political party were set on nationalizing industry, banks, and mines.  After this meeting Mandela changed his mind on the nationalization program and instead opened up South Africa to foreign investment and more privatization.  So the shift was made from nationalizing private industry (bad Mandela prior to 1992) to increased privatization and capitalism (good Mandela after 1992).  This is why the world's elites find him so appealing.  It is not because he resisted apartheid and brought more democracy to South Africa.  Remember he was listed as a terrorist and a communist sympathizer in the years prior to 1988.  Mandela was a threat to the capitalist system when he advocated nationalization of industry to redistribute profits to the poor.  Moreover, he might have set a 'bad' example to the rest of the developing world who may have done the same thing.  Afterwards he became a hero because he no longer threatened capitalism and instead opened up the country even more to foreign investment.

So here are the results for South Africa's increased privatization:   53% of its citizens live below $2 a day, official unemployment rate is 25%,  white households earn 6x more than black households, black men have an unemployment rate of 50%,  whites hold 75% of all management jobs, inequality is huge and getting worse, HIV/AIDs is one of the worst in the world at 30% of adults according to the UN.

Just after Mandela left office, the UN crime statistics have South Africa as the worst in the world for murder and assault - 74 gun murders per 100,000 population. A 2005 survey dubbed South Africa the "rape capital" of the world, with a rate of 118.3 rapes per 100,000 population, according to South Africa's Channel 4 News. Mandela did good things such as fighting the apartheid regime, but overall his change in position regarding economic policies has not made South Africa better - yes blacks have the ability to vote, but what does that get them? This is why the world's policy elites love Mandela, the adulation for him is not for equality, democracy or a real chance at a better life - those are words on everyone's lips, but instead those words are simply a cover for his 'real' accomplishments - privatization, foreign investment, and wealth allocation for the rich.

No wonder why the world's top officials are there lionizing Mandela, but what are the poor celebrating?

Here's the articles: 

NYTimes Article

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/12/09/how-mandela-shifted-views-on-freedom-of-markets/?ref=business&_r=0


S. Africa Channel 4 Article
http://www.channel4.com/news/president-legacy-nelson-mandela-achievements-in-government

2nd Marking Period Interims Due Friday

2nd Marking Period Interim Reports are due from teachers on Friday  12/13

Here's the assignments you needed to hand-in:

Metropolis Questions - 100 pts.

Matrix Questions - 50 pts.

Blade Runner Critique - 100 pts.

Chaplin 'The Kid' (4 questions) - 20 pts.

City Lights (purple sheet) Questions - 56 pts.

Examples of 'Doublespeak'

Check out the link below for examples of modern doublespeak from the Center for Media and

Democracy.

 I found myself thinking of this tonight because of Nelson Mandela's death.  He was a liberating figure for the poor black South Africans, unfortunately he is also a victim of doublespeak.  Since he stepped down as president of South Africa in 1999 he has become the media darling and hero around the world,  especially in the West.  For those who remember American policy during the 1980's and previous years Mandela was anything but a hero, he was a actually considered a terrorist - funny how things change.  According to the NY Times from May 9, 2009  the political party that Mandela belonged  the African National Congress (ANC) was labeled a "notorious terrorist group" by our government. Fortunately for Mandela in 1988 the US government removed the ANC from its terrorist watch-list, consequently Mandela was able to enter the US without a waiver.  It is amazing the media overlooks this now especially since the ANC  is very closely affiliated with the South African Communist Party, but none of this is deemed worthy of  mentioning by the media now.  The real goals of the ANC was laid out in a statement called the 'Freedom Charter' (see link below) - all that talk about the people controlling the wealth and banks makes me think the US wouldn't exactly approve of it.  See what you think.

Maybe it went down the memory hole...

Here's a great article about the changing US view of Nelson Mandela:

http://www.voanews.com/content/us-view-of-mandela-changed-from-cold-war-communist-to-anti-aparthied-hero/1804745.html

Link for Doublespeak:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Doublespeak

Freedom Charter:

http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?id=72

Chaplin Time

Week of 12/6:

This week it's all about Charlie Chaplin - one of the most important figures in film history.

We will examine Chaplin's life and also several of his films.

Films this week:

'The Tramp'
'The Kid'
'City Lights'


Here's The Tramp:

Here's The Kid:

City Lights Link:

http://vimeo.com/77229035

Is Film Where It's At?

Are films dying?  Is the industry heading to the land of VHS, Atari, AOL?  It seems Netflix and cable tv have put the final nail into movies, but is this actually true?  Maybe movies have an area where they are supreme, for example 3-D and Imax screens where, at least for now, it would be hard to replicate at home.  This is the topic of the December 1, NYTimes Magazine article, "The Big Picture Strikes Back" (see below for the link).  In the article director Steven Soderbergh states, "there is less and less room in the business for artistic integrity and specificity of vision; in the age-old struggle between art and commerce, art is being routed".  The article points out that yes cable tv is supreme right now giving examples such as the finale of Breaking Bad had 10,300,000 viewers, and Netflix having 6 million new subscribers.  These are definitely true facts about the power and supremacy of cable and on-line media, but there are some great films that have come out this year, and the last several years that break the mold of commercial blockbusters. The films below need to be viewed on a big screen, not even a 60" screen will have the same effect.

Here are some of the films that I have seen and highly recommend:

12 Years a Slave:

Directed by Steven McQueen (not that one he's dead) and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor - you'll hear of him again when he's receiving an Oscar for Best Actor for his work in this film.  Brad Pitt has a minor role, but was one of the producers for this film, it also stars Michael Fassbender as a demonic slave owner.  This film grabs you instantly and doesn't let you go - it reminds me of the brutal scenes in  Amistad, but those lasted thirty minutes, not the entire film.  It depicts the institution of slavery as America's original sin and condemns those involved with it by its brutality and barbarity.  Viewing this on a big screen is the way to go for this film, when I left the theater I was stunned.

Gravity:

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this film actually gave me vertigo, but in a good way.  The cinematography and visual effects are second to none and should win Oscars for these categories.  The film is a gripping survival story and although the dialogue is tedious at times, this film is what a big screen needs - huge visuals of the Earth, the silence and blackness of space, the camera work that puts you right there, and more - best to see this in 3-D!  Sandra Bullock has more bad luck than I do driving on Halloween!

Nebraska:

If you liked The Descendants and Sideways, then you'll love this film.  As usual with an Alexander Payne film, this focuses on ordinary people - in this case Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) plays an almost invalid curmudgeon who thinks he won a million dollar lottery and needs to get to Lincoln, Nebraska - he lives in Billings, Montana.  His younger son decides to take a road trip with him, and they meet up with old neighbors, friends and nightmarish relatives along the way.  The visuals in this film (it's filmed in black and white) are grainy and like Woody emphasize the decay and dilapidated state of the Midwest.  This is another film that loses the visual 'punch' if seen on a small screen. June Squibb plays Woody's wife and steals the show with her one-liners!

Here's the trailer for Nebraska:

Here's the link for the NY Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/01/magazine/the-big-picture-strikes-back.html?ref=magazine&_r=0

Big Brother has come to Oakcrest...

Yes, you: members of the prestigious Film Institute. But the time has come to rise up and dare to portray the dystopian nightmare Oakcrest has become since the arrival of our great "protector," Big Brother.

Hopefully from reading 1984 and watching Metropolis, Blade Runner, The Matrix, V for Vendetta, and Children of Men, you  have arrived at the conclusion that artistic expression is the enemy of totalitarian regimes.

Alas, we will combat Big Brother through the means of cinematic expression, a truly collaborative form of art.

"Artists use lies to tell the truth."

_________________________________________________________________________________
Both classes of the Film Institute will be expected to complete a 7-10 minute short film depicting the effects of Big Brother here at Oakcrest High School.

The following is a list of questions that the short films should explore:

• Define Big Brother: Who is (s)he? How did (s)he come to power? What does (s)he represent?
• Who are the enemies of this newly, Big-Brothered Oakcrest? Do the alliances shift? Explain.
• What are the hierarchical  classes at Oakcrest? Are there proles? Upper party members? Explain.
• How does Oakcrest control thought and expression?
• How have the arts been affected? Sports? Curriculum?
• What is the state of the Oakcrest media program? 
• Are students allowed to have interpersonal relationships?

The films must include/portray the following:

• A 20 or more page script 
• A completed storyboard depicting the shots to be used in the film
• A "2 Minute Hate"
• Narration: Due to the short running time, this is key.
• Words, phrases, and ideas from Newspeak (http://www.newspeakdictionary.com/ns-dict.html); the film must contain at least 5 specific uses of the language.
• Big Brother: flyers, posters, etc.
• A character must cross Big Brother and pay the price. The consequences and ensuing reprogramming must be depicted.
• Appropriate music (Radiohead encouraged. I'll lend you Hail to the Thief if you so desire!)

This project will consist of an on-going, collaborative effort. Each class must select members to fill the following roles:

• Director - The director is in "charge" of the film. (S)he supervises the story and oversees the production, making creative decisions that ultimately shape the final product.
• Production Designer - The production designer creates the "look" of the film. This job also includes wardrobe selection.
• Screenwriter - Although the plot and concept for the film will be collaboratively inspired, these students will be responsible for composing the 20 page script. Improvised dialogue is permitted, but the film must be scripted!
• Director of Photography - The DP is responsible for planning the shots used to compose the film. The DP must completed a detailed storyboard prior to filming.
• Cameramen - To portray a world in which residents are constantly observed, the films will be shot solely with iPhones. Sideways only; don't forget!
• Editor - The editor is responsible for compiling the footage into a smoothly transitioned film. This job also entails the task of creating credits.
• Actors - Each member of the group must appear in the film in some way or the other. Don't look directly at the camera. 

When is this due? I don't know. We will spend this week brainstorming: reading 1984, discussing the films we have watched, and working on concocting a plot.