Teenagers

My thoughts in general: So, I watched the music video for My Chemical Romance's "Teenagers." Honestly, I didn't like it. I didn't like the song or the video. While I have enjoyed My Chemical Romance (MCR) stuff in the past, this one really didn't do it for me. It really just seemed like they wanted to make something a little more accessible to general (teenage) audiences in an effort to expand their fan base. The video just seemed full of typical imagery that tried to convey this idea of "why teenagers scare adults." The cheerleaders... typical. Bradley, in his blog about this video, touched on the similarity between this one (and it's cheerleaders, etc.) and the video for Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." He has some very interesting things to say. Check it out. It's linked here. So, anyway, the teenagers in the crowd. I thought it was interesting at first when they were just sitting not doing anything. It reminded me of a classroom. However, once they started rioting, it totally felt contrived. Obviously, it was scripted that way, but that's not the way I mean it was contrived. It felt like they wanted a point in the video to "rally the troops" (the viewers of the video), and this was the weak excuse for conveying it in the video for a weak excuse for a song. Lame. It also strikes me how different this song/video is from other MCR work. I saw them in concert when they played with Alkaline Trio in 2005 (maybe 2006, but I'm pretty sure it was 2005). Alkaline Trio put on a great show, and I loved it. Then, MCR took the stage, and I guess it didn't really do it for me then either. As they played onstage, behind them there were pseudo-Catholic images being projected that really just gave a really creepy vibe. It was simply unpleasant. With that memory, I watched this video and was hit by something totally different. It seemed like it was trying to be catchy, mainstream, and rallying. However, in reality, it was lame.

My thoughts on application: The main thing I thought about application to the classroom is how this song/video seem to try to change MCR's style/image to be more inviting in general to gain a wider fan base. I think it would be interesting to start a discussion by comparing this song/video with previous MCR work. The comparison would be interesting as we discuss how the band's sound and image has changed.

The Bourne Identity

My thoughts in general: I recently watched the 1988 made-for-TV version The Bourne Identity. It stars Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith. I enjoyed it. It's about 3 hours long, and is clearly a product of the '80s. The styles of dress, the cars, etc. all date it. However, the picture quality and other production aspects also date it to '80s television. It is distinctly different than Matt Damon's Bourne.


My thoughts on application: The newer version of The Bourne Identity has become very popular. It has been successful enough to prompt the making of two sequels. The Bourne trilogy was originally written by Robert Ludlum. However, the recent success of Bourne has led to other Bourne novels written by other authors, which is an interesting development. The new Bourne employs a lot of handheld camera work, which is quite different from the static camera used in the television movie. The Bourne portrayed by Richard Chamberlain is very different form the Bourne portrayed by Matt Damon. There are also other distinct differences that provide for an interesting discussion on adaptation. The discussion could include how films represent the time in which they were made and how different versions seek to appeal to the contemporary audience. These versions of this now-popular movie could be a good way to initiate this discussion.

Paul Hunt

My thoughts in general: Paul Hunt is a gymnast who performs (or at least performed) comedy gymnastics routines. I found some videos of these routines on YouTube. It's really amazing to see how effortlessly he performs his routines. Even though the routines include "mistakes," it's apparent how carefully planned every "mistake" really is. I also this appeals to the gymnast in me.



My thoughts on application: One of the amazing things I find about Paul Hunt's comic routines is the obvious proficiency that he has to properly execute gymnastics skills. I think this idea of being able to do things well the proper way before parodying it (or "doing your own thing") is a good lesson to bring into the classroom. I think a lot of times students want to jump the gun in starting to do things the way they want to, which leaves them lacking the background and foundation of knowing how to properly execute skills. This applies in all areas (writing, other media production, sports, etc.), and I think these videos could be an engaging way to begin this discussion with students.

Be Kind Rewind, Part 2

My thoughts in general: After watching the film, I went to the film's official website, http://www.bekindmovie.com, and found it to be quite fascinating. On the website, there are all the "sweded" films, a page where you can upload your own face onto a film poster, and a way to upload your own "sweded" webpage.

Here are two examples:

Sweded Ghostbusters Trailer


Sweded Robocop Trailer



My thoughts on application: This website was really intriguing to me because of the way it extended the film viewing experience. In thinking about media literacy, this use of media was interesting because of the way it employs a different medium to continue the experience of the film. Bringing this into the classroom would allow for discussion about the ways different media approach content to make it "its own." I think it would be an interesting assignment to have students create a webpage for a video that they produce themselves. This assignment would force them to think about how online content and a web-based medium alters their approach to their own creation. Thus, making them rethink and revise ideas for different media could initiate some good discussion about media literacy.

Be Kind Rewind

My thoughts in general: I recently saw Michel Gondry's newest film Be Kind Rewind. I have enjoyed the previous films directed by Gondry, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep. I liked this latest film, too, but not as much as the previous two films. In Be Kind Rewind, after erasing all the videos in a video rental store, Jack Black and Mos Def make their own versions of films, which they call "sweding." There are many humorous parts in the film, and Jack Black is his usual self, which is occasionally funny.

My thoughts on application: Even though it is comedic, the main theme of the film is to make movies. Gondry, in his typical way, uses creativity in "sweding" the films. This idea of being creative and using ingenuity to overcome the limits of low-budget, homemade films is one that can translate directly into the classroom. I think this film could be used to encourage and open up students to thinking about movie making in new ways.

Green Day as Bluegrass

My thoughts in general: Looking at the picture of the band Green Day above brings to mind the music, the image, and the attitude associated with the band. Green Day is a popular band, and its music has come to define and identify many people over the last decade or so that the band has been making music. Though their sound and image has changed some (especially with the album American Idiot), they are role models (at least in style and attitude) for many of my generation and the upcoming generation. Even on BYU campus, you see students walking around looking like Billie Joe Armstrong and the other members of the band (with the possible exception of guys not wearing eyeliner (also known as "guy-liner" in certain circles). They are icons of punk rock. However, in a new album called Green Day Blue Grass: Pickin' on Green Day - A Bluegrass Tribute, bluegrass music artists have released their own versions of Green Day songs:


I've listened to a few songs, and I've liked it so far. However, I like Green Day and bluegrass, so it's an interesting combination that works for me. The songs have been arranged in a bluegrass style which is quite enjoyable. Since the lyrics are more prominent in bluegrass (instead of becoming overpowered at times by the music), there seems to be more emphasis placed on the lyrics in this album, which makes for an interesting message.

My thoughts on application: Punk rock can often be perceived as "angry music" with music that accompanies this message. However, bluegrass is not usually angry, so combining this style with the Green Day, provides for an interesting discussion on the message/meaning of the music. This would be a good discussion in the classroom, especially because of the accessibility of the band Green Day to high school students. This could provide for an interesting discussion about media, its adoption and adaptation by other media, and how meaning changes (or doesn't change) based on the lyrics and the style of music that supports them. Music is a big part of our lives, so it is an important medium to discussion when considering media literacy. Are bluegrass covers of punk songs just fun or does it alter the message of the song? What is the connection between music, lyrics, and meaning?

The Nines

My thoughts in general: I recently watched the film The Nines, which is written and directed by John August (who wrote the screenplay for Big Fish and other films). In The Nines, there are three separate segments, and each segment has the same actors playing different roles. The first segment begins with Ryan Reynolds playing an actor who confined to house arrest. While in the house, he is confronted with a note that reads "Look for the nines" written in his own handwriting. He has no recollection of writing this cryptic note and has no idea what it means. This sets an almost mystery/thriller feel to the film; then, the next segment begins. In the second segment, Reynolds plays a television writer who is trying to sell his idea for a new show. In this segment, we find out that he wrote the "Look for the nines" note to himself. In the third segment, Reynolds plays a computer game designer, who has created a game similar to The Sims (or Sim City). This segment leads to the resolution where we find out that Reynolds (who is a god-like being) has really been playing different roles in this real world that he has created, like a game designer playing different characters in his own game.


My thoughts on application: I liked this film, but I preferred the film that it started out being rather than the film that it ended up being. However, I think the film is interesting in how it blends the worlds of film, television, and computer gaming. In addition to the blending of these worlds, the film also questions reality (where is the line between reality and virtual reality?). As far as finding an application of this film to the classroom, I think the main point for application is to discuss how the film blends the worlds of film, gaming, etc. Students are living in such mediated worlds, so I think it would be a worthwhile discussion to see what students think about living through film, television, and gaming. Are these worlds reality for them? How do these worlds affect other realities? I think this could be a very productive discussion.