Michael Clayton

My thoughts in general: Last weekend, I saw Michael Clayton from writer/director Tony Gilroy. This film has been nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Original Screenplay, and Original Score, which I guess is some indication of the quality of the film. I am not convinced that this film should win any of these awards; however, I am not opposed to the nominations. The film stars George Clooney, who is hit-and-miss in his various performances; this is a hit. Clooney's character, the titular Michael Clayton, is a lawyer who gets caught in a John Grisham-esque suspense thriller in which he knows something incriminating about a powerful corporation that wants to silence him. The film felt very much like other movies based on novels by John Grisham, yet this film was not over-dramatic like most John Grisham-adapted films.

My thoughts on application: Again, I don't really know how to use this in a classroom. One thought I have is to compare it with a Grisham-based film. This comparison could show overly-dramatic filmmaking in contrast to simple well done filmmaking that has confidence in its story, acting, etc.

Fahrenheit 451

My thoughts in general: I have begun dramatically reading Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 for some friends. This dramatic reading follows my reading of Twilight, which is probably one of the worst books ever written. Thus, it is quite a relief to be reading something that is actually quality literature and is worth reading. While reading, I supply different voices for all the characters and otherwise "dramatically" read the text. I guess this adds an interesting element to my experience with the media (as well as the experience of others). The book is fascinating--not only in story/subject matter but also in the literariness of the writing. This is my first time reading Fahrenheit 451, so my dramatic read is based largely on my initial reaction to the text. I find that reading aloud in this way provides me with an unique experience with the language that is used and the manner in which it is used. The written text creates strong, visual mental images through the use of descriptive language that is more than simple utility. The rhythm of the text is especially apparent as I read it to others. I am enjoying reading this book because it is actually engaging me as I read and as it demonstrates the effective use of language to convey atmosphere in addition to story.


My thoughts on application: I think that this text could be applied to teaching in several ways. First, it could be studied as literature. Though I never read it in school, I imagine that it is already used often in English/literature classes. However, I think that reading it aloud has added for me a different understanding than just reading it silently. I remember that in my English/lit classes, the assignment usually was just to read books silently to myself. Occasionally, we would read aloud in class, but that was just to get through the book. I think it might be an interesting teaching method to have students prepare to read certain portions of the book with the intent to emphasize how the text uses writing techniques like imagery, metaphor, etc. It could also be an interesting study in literature-to-film adaptation. It could be interesting and informative to compare Francois Truffaut's 1966 film adaptation to the book itself. It might be helpful to discuss whether or not the literary elements like rhythm and visual description of the written text were translated into film language and if so, how. Apparently, Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) is working on his own film adaptation of the book. Could be interesting....

An Artist's Vision

Happy Valley

My thoughts in general: Happy Valley is a documentary that I saw at the LDS Film Festival last week. It is about drug abuse in Utah County. It has a great message about the need to open our eyes to the reality of what is actually going on around us. However much some people want to discount, or at least not acknowledge, the "seedy" side of Happy Valley, we are not living in a Utopia, and it is important to know how to help our friends and family in recognizing addiction and properly dealing with it. In the film, we witness the reconciliation of a woman and a girl who is in prison for killing the woman's daughter by assisting her in a heroin overdose. Though the message is an important one, there were things about the filmmaking itself that did not sit well with me. The film seemed at times to just be a hodgepodge of stories lacking an overall cohesion. But overall, it was worth watching, and I feel that my criticism should not prevent anyone from seeing this film.

My thoughts on application: Well, I think I found a film that could actually be used in the classroom. The discussion of drug abuse (including the abuse of prescription drugs) is an important one, and I think this film can be a helpful aid. It could be used in a discussion of how to edit a film from lots of footage into something manageable, especially when there is so much to say that is worthwhile. This film could be analyzed to see where it succeeded and where it did not. However, as mentioned above, I think this film could most importantly be used to discuss important issues of drug abuse, specifically in "Happy Valley." In the film, there is some discussion of the influence of media. This would be particularly pertinent in a classroom discussion. The filmmakers met some participants in the documentary through the use of billboard advertising, which I think makes a case for the benefit of media. Thus, this could lend itself to a conversation about the benefits and detriments of media. Conversation is necessary.

American Gangster

My thoughts in general: American Gangster is Ridley Scott's new film starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. It is based on the true story of a gangster from Manhattan and the policeman who is trying to stop him and his criminal activities. In the 1970's, Frank Lucas created a huge heroin smuggling business and became rich and powerful (the basic premise of any gangster film). Though it has been nominated for many awards, it has yet to win any really significant awards. This film was not very satisfying for me. The acting was typical--Denzel Washington was the same smooth-talking, toothy-grin-flashing, powerful man who suddenly bursts into throwing-my-coffee-mug-into-the-wall rage (wait, have I seen this before? Man on Fire? Deja Vu?) while Russell Crowe was the looked-down-upon-until-I-prove-I-am-right, almost-reclusive, stuttering-at-times outsider (A Beautiful Mind, anyone?). Acting aside, it was interesting to portray a based-on-a-true-story rise of a black gangster, since most past gangster films have focused on Italians. Yet, it lacked some key elements of the classic gangster picture and reinforced to me the post-modern world in which we live. Having recently written a study on the gangster genre, I anticipated seeing this film, yet it was difficult when my generic expectations were not met.

My thoughts on application: Like Atonement, this film is rated R, yet setting aside the inability of using this in a classroom, I find some areas that could be worthwhile discussion. As mentioned above, this film could be used to analyze the gangster genre--how it fits, how it doesn't fit, why, etc. It could also be analyzed as a historical text, and it could be compared to the real story of Frank Lucas. It would also be an interesting study for its inclusion in the repertoire of Ridley Scott films. However, all these ideas seem to be of more benefit to critical film studies than to classroom assistance. Hmm....

Atonement

My thoughts in general: As I was reviewing the media with which I have interacted in the last week, I realize that many (probably most) of the media I experience are films. Thus, I fear that most of my media blogs will be about films that I watch, but I hope that this will change and that I will begin to recognize the other media that surrounds me and include it in my blogging. However, that being an optimistic future and this being the film-dominated present, I will first write about the film Atonement. This is a new film starring Keira Knightley and directed by Joe Wright, who directed Pride and Prejudice, also starring Keira Knightley. Well, Atonement has been nominated for a bunch of awards and won 2 Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture - Drama. Films that I really want to see are often few and far-between. However, Atonement is one of these few, and I was excited to see it. After watching it, I understand why awards academies like it so much, but it was somewhat disappointing for me. Keira Knightley's acting reminded me of pretty much every other performance she has given, and acting-wise, the film didn't seem much different from Wright's Pride and Prejudice. There were good performances, including one by the seasoned Vanessa Redgrave, but her short part fit her so well, it was almost too expected . . . but something that the Academy likes. The idea of atonement was approached in an interesting way that really did cause me to reflect, though. Ultimately, it was not as fulfilling as I would have hoped, but it was not a waste of time.

My thoughts on application: Since Atonement is rated R, it couldn't couldn't really be applied in a high school setting, and it would be a limited use even at BYU. However, here is what I think is applicable. It has some interesting portrayals of WWII, which could be used to discuss the War--it could be analyzed for accuracy, it could be compared to other filmic depictions of WWII, etc. Also, since it based on Ian McEwan's novel, it could be used as a study of novel-to-film adaptation. Overall, the theme of atoning for one's misdeeds could used as a discussion point with any group (that could appropriately watch the film). This discussion lends itself to contemplating the future effects of our present actions. Forethought and prudence seem to be lacking at times in our instant-gratification, in-your-face, over-the-top society (I'm thinking Jackass and other ridiculous media).

Welcome to Media Stiff

Well, here I am. With this, I preface my media musings. My red-black dichromatic ensemble in this picture is inspired by one of my favorite bands, Alkaline Trio.