Miracle
I've never watched a hockey game in my life, but I was thrilled by the film Miracle and consider it to be one of the best sports films out there. I had come into this class, having already seen the film a few times, but it did not dull my experience. The event truly was a miracle and this film backs that up by providing an accurate interpretation of the team's chemistry and hockey matches. The games were by far the most interesting part of the movie. The matches were action packed, short, and suspenseful. Maybe a little over exaggerated, but they still captured my full attention. I consider the 1980 U.S Hockey Team to be one of the most significant underdogs in the history of sports. No one could believe a team that struggled so greatly in the beginning could win the entire olympics. I think this is a lesson for everyone to keep note of. Sports may never see such a huge upset ever again, but the lesson must be kept that anything is possible and miracles can happen.
The 1970's were a turbulent decade in American history and the 1980 U.S Hockey Team provided some relief and patriotism for struggling Americans. American patriotism had been lacking as a result of  the defeat in Vietnam, the watergate scandal, the economic slowdown, energy crisis and foreign failures such as the hostages in Iran and invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets. The Miracle on ice shifted public attitude in the United States and gave people a reason to feel good again. The U.S team came into the games expected to place 4th place at best. However, after a slow and rough start, the U.S team started to shock the world. The most influential and miraculous win in the games is considered to be the match against the Soviet Union, which resulted in a close 4-3 win over the Soviet Union. This is the match that gave the U.S the upper edge in the games and provided hope. After winning the Gold Medal, Americans had even more to feel good about. The success of the U.S team resulted in a resurgence of American Prestige .
I cannot provide a significant example of an event relating to sports having the same impact in my lifetime, but events such as what happened on September 11, 2001, greatly changed American attitude. After 9/11 American felt closer together and a greater sense of community. The event was not a positive one, but had some positive outcomes such as the increased security on U.S soil and the American people coming together as a nation in a time of grief.  

Apollo 13
Apollo 13 was an exhilarating film that provided suspense and excitement. I enjoyed the two different perspectives, one being from the astronauts standpoint and the other from Houston. Both were vital to the mission and reputation at stake. The crew encountered problem after problem and even in the most desperate of times, including when most electrical power was shut down and co2 was at extreme levels, the crew with the technical assistance of ground control, persevered to bring the astronauts safely back to earth. Lives and reputation were at stake and it would have been big news around the world if these astronauts had failed to survive. What I really liked about this movie was the overall excitement of encountering difficult and many times complex issues and finding a way to stay positive and fix the issue. There really wasn't a dull moment in this film. It was interesting to see how ground control operated and their significance to the survival of the astronauts. Most of the time they worked together, with the exception of some rash decisions being made by intelligent individuals, that actually turned out to work. I really hope to see humans on the moon again in the next 10-15 years. It is crazy to think that the United States, let alone any other space exploration team, has not gone to the moon in decades. I also want to see humans someday reach mars which would be a huge milestone for our advanced technology. It will happen, but the question is when.
As I mentioned above, I think the main theme in this film is perseverance. There were so many times in this film where the astronauts were on the brink of death, but somehow ground control and the crew found a way to solve the issue and not give up. There were so many things going wrong and it was easy just to say that they were doomed. However, Houston never stopped working to improve the situation and the Crew never once quit on themselves or mission control. Problem after problem, solution after solution, the team persevered and this is the only reason they were able to return safely. The lesson learned from this mission was that failure is not an option. It sounds cliche, but it really does mean something. So much was on the line in this case and everybody did the most they could to ensure no lives would be lost.  

Parkland
Parkland was a solid movie that provided me with a different perspective relating to the events and hours after the initial assassination of John F. Kennedy. It was clear from the footage that the president was not going to survive the sniper shot to the head, but it was still interesting to see how he was treated at Parkland hospital and the reaction of many Americans. It was a somber day for almost all Americans regardless of their party affiliation. Presidents are rarely assassinated and already with the social and political turmoil of the 60's, the assassination further more added to the chaos in the United States during that time. The one thing I wish this film provided were the conspiracies surrounding the assassination of JFK. I find the conspiracies involving his death somewhat convincing and interesting, but the film fails to provide that side of the story. Regardless of what many believe, the film accurately portrayed the events that occurred and for that, this film deserves recognition. We may never know if Oswald assassinated the president without orders from other individuals (or even if he delivered the kill shot), but we do know that his assassination impacted the hearts of many Americans for years to come. I am glad we watched this film because I had not known much about the assassination of JFK before watching and discussing this film.  

The Butler
Cecil Gaines had the opportunity to serve 8 presidents during his time at the white house. The film was adequate, but there were some great aspects, including the incorporation of his later years and the election of the first black president. After watching this film, I felt a new respect toward black Americans and specifically those who have contributed to the on going civil rights movement (African Americans are still not completely equal even today). The Butler made me realize how far we have really come. Just 50 years ago the Civil Rights movement was in full swing and Cecil was not provided the same opportunities and rights as hes provided today. As time progressed in the white house, he saw the changes taking place from an even more interesting perspective. Lastly, the election of Barack Obama must have been an epiphanic moment for not only Cecil himself, but for all African Americans familiar with the past and history of the United States. Although this film was not one of my favorite class films, it did help me realize the importance of having a black president for the first time, and the effort and emotion that came with it, even many years before his time in office.

The Helper 
Although a touching story, this film did not capture my interest. There was just too little happening. Other films have been able to grab my interest without including much action and interesting scenes, but this film failed to do so. The one thing this film does right is the accurate portrayal of African Americans in that particular geological area, during that time period. This film does not mask any of the true characteristics of African Americans during that time, including speech and behavior. This is a truly honest portrayal of southern African Americans and I appreciate that.
The Jim Crow Laws in the south are today considered inhumane and ideologically wrong. Black and White humans were truly separate according to the laws and execution of the laws. Many white southerners justified these laws by saying yes they were separate, but EQUAL. However, equality did not exist among the races in the south and even today we see similarities. For example there was a law that stated whites could not marry blacks, but today we laws that exist that don't allow for same-sex marriage. Although not supportive of homosexuality, I do believe people should have the choice to make decisions involving sexual preference and marriage. Every human should be treated equally, and although African Americans have come a long way, America has still not excepted everyone.

Today, you could make an argument for either side answering the question "are African Americans truly better off today than they were previous to the Civil Rights Movement. In my opinion African American's still face unfairness and inequality in many different aspects of life, but are provided with equally biased opportunities as well. For example African Americans have a much better chance of getting accepted into colleges and graduate school (like Med school) solely based on race. Disagree or agree, America has come a long way (We even have an African American President!), but challenges still exist for many minorities living in the United States.  

The Pianist
This film has provided me with a new perspective on the horrors of the holocaust and what it was truly like to be persecuted and mistreated. I normally do not say this about many films, but The Pianist was almost hard for me to watch. It was gruesome not graphically, but psychologically. It is hard to imagine that people could treat others this way and get away with it. It is one thing to read or hear stories about the Holocaust, but it is seeing the violence that actually sheds light on the true magnitude of the inhumanity that took occurred in the ghettos. The only other film that has made me feel this way was The Passion of The Christ, an equally sad but influential film. Lastly, was the actor playing Wladyslaw Szpilman really playing the piano?

I believe Hosenfeld saved Wladyslaw Szpilman to justify his previous (and possibly future) guilt about the cruelty and violence he was condoning. He probably saw an innocent man, who had no reason to be killed. In addition, the general may of had an epiphany and probably realized his actions were wrong and needed religious or just moral forgiveness. Szpilman would risk any opportunity to survive. I believe he saw the German general as an opportunity to make it out alive, after all he had an even smaller chance of survival hiding and providing on his own, without the help and protection of other individuals. He took the risky chance of trusting Hosenfeld, but it is the reason he survived.

Defiance
Defiance is an inspirational film and at times hard to watch. I embraced the courageousness and perseverance of over a thousand jews stranded in a forest for over a year. I can't even imagine myself going through an ordeal such as theirs without either breaking down mentally or physically. Not only did these people successfully hide from the Nazis for a very long time, but they also fought back against the Germans when they were discovered in the forest, something fairly uncommon at the time for Jews in Europe to do. They surprised the Germans with overwhelming force at the end of the film and were able to save over a thousand jews from inhumane acts. The surviving Jews saved many more jews intangibly and are remembered today for what they did in that hostile forest.
I agree partially with both because in my opinion, violence must be avoided unless completely necessary for survival, which would relate to their situation. Violence is justifiable for them to survive against the Germans, but it is unnecessary to kill innocent people like the Germans.
These are related because they have the opportunity to kill Germans, but that does not literally mean kill random Germans.
I do not agree with Bielskis and it is cliche to say fighting back is just as bad as the true killers. It was necessary to kill Germans in order to survive. They were in no way doing wrong by killing Germans and are probably saving many more lives by doing so. Other instances of murder may not be as justifiable.
I agree completely with Obama's statement regarding evil and force. However I disagree with Simon's statement explaining that evil only causes more evil. There is no way the Holocost could of been stopped by a nonviolent movement. IF hitler was willing to go to such lengths to try and abolish an entire religion, what makes you think words or even protesting would stop him? It just isn't realistic to say that negotiations and a nonviolent movement could of stopped the horrors that took place
 

Memphis Belle-

I had watched this movie having small bias against world war two films. The only film I truly enjoy about the world war era is Saving Private Ryan, but I admit that I did think this film was better than previous films I had watched about 20th century warfare. I consider Memphis Belle only a satisfactory film, but there were some great aspects of the film including the story that the movie portrays. I thought the actual plot and characters were well done and I have great respect for the men who defended the United States during World War II and all wars. It is fascinating to watch a film about a group of young men preservering through challenges I will never experience. I also like the subtle humor that is included in the film. The film failed to stimulate my "woah" or "wow" senses, but battles were still interesting enough to keep my full attention. Maybe the bias I came with to watch the film is the reason I did not think this movie was spectacular, but regardless of my bias against world war II films, I would still recommend this film to future students because of the interesting historical story told about a brave group of soldiers. 

1. 42 is one of the best sports films I have ever seen and makes me appreciate playing baseball even more. I am glad we watched a film that I could relate to easily and make connections to my own life. Jackie Robinson was not only a courageous athlete, but also a man with strong character and self control. After watching 42, I find it hard to imagine how anyone could go through what Jackie had to go through, without quitting or throwing a huge tantrum. Jackie did have a mental breakdown, but never once did he take out his anger on the players or cause physical harm. Only a man with strong morals and character can break baseball's color barrier and do it with such class. The best aspect of the film was the fact that I could easily follow the story and nothing in the movie seemed overly complicated to follow or excessive. It is a simple movie that is easy to follow and this is what makes it a great film for all ages (if parents condone the strong language).
2. I believe Jackie did indeed help this country, but I don't think he should deserve all the credit. Many African Americans that followed Jackie's lead dealt with the same issues Jackie had to go through. Other African Americans who played professional sports alongside with white athletes should receive recognition like Jackie did. I do believe what Jackie did was more courages and significant to overall racial equality than most other African American athletes that came before or after, but I still do not believe he should receive ALL the attention. Jackie Robinson did what most people would never even attempt and that is why he is so significant to American history. He was not only a great athlete, but a leader and model for African American athletes everywhere. I agree with Jackie's quote because self centered people will never be remembered. Only people who greatly affect other people in a positive (and sometimes negative way) are remembered by future generations. It is important to influence others because people only get one lifetime to live on this planet and it should be spent positively affecting others and yourself.
3. Jackie's values can be applied to many aspects of life including school. For example, determination and persistence are key to becoming and remaining a successful student. Great students must stay focused on their goals, work, and tasks, and must show persistent effort in their academics. Commitment and excellence can also be directly applied to achieving academic success.
       

1. I thought Cinderella Man was an adequate movie. I am personally not a fan of boxing, but I thought this movie was a good take on an interesting boxer. Cinderella Man is an inspirational movie about James Braddock, a legendary boxer. I find it very amusing that this film was based on a real story and how James Braddock, an ordinary boxer, overcame obstacles and became a rememberable boxer. The actual boxing fights were interesting to watch, but seemed excessive and exaggerated. I also wish the ending was done differently because in my opinion, the movie ends too quickly right after the last fight. I just felt like there was more to the end of the film and his career in general. Overall, this is my favorite boxing film by far, but when compared to other sports film I have seen, I only consider it only "okay".
2. A Cinderella man is someone who enjoys a quick rise to greatness. Braddock is a great example of someone who became great under difficult circumstances and pressure. Braddock's career was almost finished until he found something deep inside and persevered to become a heavyweight champion.
3. I believe Braddock was doing all he could to take care of his family, regardless if he stole food. Braddock had to take extreme measures to ensure his family survived and had a meal to eat. Under these circumstances, what Braddock did can be justified. Personally, I would do whatever I had to, to ensure that my family had a meal to eat, even if that meant resorting to illegal activities.

1. The Godfather lives up to its reputation and is one of history's best films. It can be a bit confusing if you do not devote all your attention to watching the film. The first few times I watched this film, there were many scenes where I would not know who the characters were or what was going on. Having seen it for the third time, I now have a better understanding of the plot and characters. One thing I liked a lot was that the film did not feel like a movie made in the 70's. I usually like older films less because of how they look and their special effects. However, in my opinion, The Godfather looks like a more modern film, with the exception of music. The only thing I did not like about this film was the repetitive "Godfather musical reframe". This was the melody that was repeated for what seemed like every 5 minutes in the film. It is not significant enough to change my overall positive opinion of the movie, but it is an annoyance of mine. Out of all the mafia movies in existence, The Godfather is the one everyone remembers and knows. There is a reason The Godfather is sometimes considered the best film ever made. This film is a gem.
2. Vito Corleone may be involved in organized crime and considered a violent criminal, but he does stick to his strong morals. He is loyal to his friends and family. Many people actually consider him to be very generous. He tends to only use violence when necessary and not just when he feels like it. People close to Corleone respect him very much and this is evident through-out the movie.
3. I think organized crime is a threat to society and should be abolished. I felt relief when Corleone died because many more lives were saved. Murder is not justifiable and Corleone ran an operation that cut many lives short. The world was slightly better a place after that day.
4. The Godfather is worthy of being titled at classic. It still receives a great amount of attention today even though the film was released in 1972. Films that significantly excite the public and critics deserve respect. Most people have heard of the Godfather at least once, just like how most people know other classics like Star Wars. Based on reviews and the audience's opinions alone, the Godfather can be considered a classic. I have even come across websites that lists the Godfather as the best movie ever created. Based on all of these factors, it is safe to say The Godfather is a defiant classic

1. Kill the Irishman was a solid film in the realm of popular, mafia,  films. I could relate to the film easily because of its Cleveland setting. The characters may have not been relatable, but just being from Cleveland and watching a movie portraying historical events that occurred within adequate driving distance, was something unique and special. I did not even know that Cleveland had a collection of organized crime groups, until I watched this film. This film provided me with a very different perspective of Cleveland, a side of Cleveland I did not know ever existed. Kill the Irishman will never be as successful as The Godfather series was, but I think any Clevelander will find this film interesting and relatable, especially those of older generations. The best part of the film had to be at the end when the mobsters were taken down and the organized crime era in Cleveland quickly diminished. The entire film I was wondering how these criminals were getting away with sometimes horrific crimes and it started to irritate me. I was glad to see justice served at the end and as for Greene dying, I was relieved by that too. No matter how generous a murderer is, they are still a murderer!
2. Danny Greene can be described a serious man, who must get his way or conflicts arise. I would consider him to be excessively confident and this is evident by how he reacts in the first scene, after the attempted car bombing. He screams no one can kill him, but of course this is false. Greene is considered by many lower class citizens to be very generous and some even compare him to Robin Hood. I would not describe him being a Robin Hood like character, other than the fact that he did help up the community's citizens is some ways. Greene looks like a tough guy, but not the typical tan, accented,  italian mobster type.

 

1. Glory was a great film that brought attention to the topic of discrimination and the Civil War. I liked Glory because it really made me feel pity and idealize those men who fought for the north, despite discrimination from their own army members.  It was even hard to watch the flogging of a soldier because he tried to find some well conditioned shoes to wear. Movies that can provoke this kind of deep emotion and connection are obviously well done films. I question why African American soldiers would even fight for an army that treated them so horribly at first. Ending Slavery was goal of the war, but it wasn't a primary part of the war until later on. So it just makes me wonder how brave men like the 54th Massachusetts could have the ambition to fight for an army who didn't even want them there. Despite discrimination they persevered and I think think this is why I feel so strongly about racism and the film Glory.
2. Men and Woman who fight willingly or unwillingly for the United States are hero's depending on your perspective. In my perspective they are heros because they fight for democracy and a constitution that I believe is fair. In the eyes of some one from the Middle East or Russia, those same soldiers may be seen as "evil". It really depends on perspective, but personally I believe every man or woman who has fought for our beliefs should be considered a hero. This includes the 54th Massachusetts and Shaw who fought to abolish slavery. They are considered more heroic to me because they faced more adversity than most men in warfare ever have.
3. The significance of this story is to show that many brave African American men existed during the civil war era and helped changed the United States forever. The Massachusetts 54th would change American societies' norms because it was the first time black men could fight along whites. At first,  the members of the 54th felt disrespected and discriminated upon, but later on were awarded with the applause and standing ovation they deserved. The perseverance of all the men involved in the Massachusetts 54th, deserves recognition even today.

Kingdom of Heaven was a well done modern take on a highly controversial topic. I can understand why critics of the movie see the portrayal of Christians or Muslims as historically inaccurate. Personally, I believe you could argue for either side on the topic of who was portrayed worse or better in the movie. I think Kingdom of Heaven does not have a specific bias, rather just historical inaccuracies and misrepresentations of both sides. I thought the first half of the film was significantly slow and lacked amusement, but it was important to understanding the situation in Jerusalem. In my perspective, the first half of the movie was a prolog for the real action and climax of the movie. The slow start did not necessarily make me dislike the entire film. Kingdom of Heaven is still very well done and does a good job in my opinion of replicating the time period of the Crusades. Ancient Jerusalem looks adequate, but it is the detail inside the buildings that makes the film feel Ancient. Overall, this is another good film, but does not exceed my expectations of a "great" film. The confusing start (I had no idea where, who, what was going on) and the slow build up to the climax were the deciding factors between Kingdom of Heaven being a great film or just an adequate one.

1. Braveheart is another classic film I enjoy and respect very much. Braveheart is a great movie because it incorporates feelings of love, loss, war, and violence, all into one epic adventure for independence. I also adore the fact that the movie is based on a real, historical, character and event. My interpretation of the real William Wallace is biased on how Mel Gibson portrayed him, but after watching Braveheart, I have a profound respect for him. Over-all the movie was violent, but not as gory as modern films like the Saw series. The movie incorporates realistic violence and gore to help support the realism in reenacting the battles and costumes of that unique time period. A modern remake of the movie or a new movie similar to Braveheart, would be a good addition to historical-based films. With the graphic capabilities of movies today, Braveheart, or a movie of a similar topic, could be even more of a classic.

2. The quote, "Every man dies. Not every man really lives", relates to heroism and the idea of a lasting legacy. To live, means to fight for and support what you believe in and not go through life " not living" and contributing to society. Everyone dies but some people are remembered after their death because of what they did or accomplished while living. William Wallace is an example of what this quotes means in realistic terms. He fought for Scottish freedom and is still known today for his actions while he was living.  This quote applies to my life because I want to live without following the orders of others and want to be remembered long after my death. I may not accomplish my second goal, but I still want to go through life with no big regrets and without the interference of people or governments making decisions for me.

1. I have seen The Gladiator about 5 times now, but it never ceases to amuse me. It is one of my favorite movies of all time and I will continue to watch it when the opportunity presents itself. I really like how it depicts ancient Rome. It looks like ancient Rome as I imagine it, and even the colosseum seems like an exact replica of the real thing. The costumes, architecture, and weapons make me feel like I am watching a real gladiator battle and not an improvised, cheaply replicated battle. I definitely support the amount of blood and violence in the movie because it adds a sense of realness and maturity to the battles and overall plot. I wish Gladiator was 100% historically accurate and based on a real person (not several), or even historically accurate in the way Commodus dies. Besides these scarce inaccuracies, the movie portrays the ancient Roman Empire very well. The movie made me love the hero Maximus and despise the emperor Commodus. This is what the movie intended to do and it does it very well. When watching the movie, I personally admire Maximus for being brave and seeking revenge. This is another reason why I love The Gladiator so much. Overall The Gladiator is a great historical movie and it can't get much better than the action packed, bloody, gladiator battles.

2. I believe the moral of the story is that perseverance and passion, is something successful hero's possess. Maximus could have died many times through-out the movie but his desire to stay alive and get revenge on the emperor, helped him persevere through the most difficult of challenges. There are many movies based on hero's and their actions, but The Gladiator is unique in the way it portrays a hero. In The Gladiator, a slave, who has no social power over the emperor, can still be a hero and take down an emperor like Commodus. This is why the hero theme of The Gladiator is unique to movies of a similar theme.


 


   

Day 1

I think I will enjoy watching movies and discussing them after. I hope there is a lot more movie watching than actual work. Hopefully I learn more about historical events by watching movies in this class.