Final Blogging Assignment

1. As we watch progress through the film, "The Hurt Locker", how is the idea of realism being used for this movie? What kind of effects do you think this has on viewers?
As we watched the movie, we are presented with scenes that some say are very similar to true events in the war. The film does not sugar coat things but shows more truth than fiction. I do not believe we realize just what our nation's soldiers encounter and because this film's realistic scenes, we are able to imagine, to an extent, what it is like. Because of the film's showing of the brutal outcomes of war, us viewers gain more patriotism and feel more support for our nations' protectors. As I watched the film, I gained more patriotism but i also gained more hate towards the terrorist that have cause thousands of deaths over the past years. Seeing surprised attacks and people being filled with fears, I felt useless. We say we support our troops yet we continue to complain that our coffee is too cold or our food was not prepared right. We should feel ashamed for such complaints when our soldiers actually have something to complain about. Former soldiers of this war that have watched this film probably become overwhelmed with sadness having to remember those conditions they had endured.

2. What do you think your biggest take away is from this class? What would be a suggestion to make the class better for next year?
I believe the greatest take away is the knowing how inaccurate Hollywood films can be in terms of historical events. It is amazing to see how Hollywood filmmakers change history to follow a more interesting story line that the viewers will enjoy. I would suggest focusing more on the history of films and less on how films are created. I felt that learning about the art of film making was more suited for an actual film art class not a history film class. Don't get me wrong, I do believe being educated on the evolution of film was important in the class but the information of point of view, camera positioning, types of documentaries, etc. was irrelevant.

Documentaries

     Nichols writes, "The fact that there is more than one mode of documentary film strongly suggests that the representation of reality is not an objective, cut-and-dried affair. Although there may be only one historical world, and even if certain facts about it can be agreed upon as objectively true, the ways of seeing and representing that world, like the ways of interpreting it, vary considerably."

• Based on this statement, blog about what exactly you think this means and how the 6 modes of documentary film factor into this idea.

     What Nichols is trying to say is that a historical event can be interpreted differently by the view depending on the filmmaker's perspective on the subject. In the expository mode, the viewer is guided through a documentary by a voice the he or she only hears but never sees the narrator of the film. in this mode and like the poetic mode, the purpose is to build up the views emotions to think one thing. Unlike the poetic and expository mode, with the observational mode an entire event's outcome is capture throughout the film and lacks the filmmaker's interactions. The observational and participatory modes are similar but in the participatory mode, the filmmaker interacts with his subjects. A filmmaker using the participatory mode may ask individuals unexpected questions. With the reflexive mode, the film may consist of actors that portray the actual individuals that had been in a certain historical event. With such a variety of modes in the documentary film world, filmmakers can create films that provide the viewer with different perspectives.

Blog Entry 30-2

In our book, Nichols writes, "An attentive viewer must also be familiar with the repertoire of choices a directory faces to recognize her decisions as choices rather than as simply the product of the camera's mechanical ability to record images." What do you think Nichols is trying to say in this statement and what are your thoughts?
I feel that what Nichols is trying to say is that each director has his or her own methods of filming and filming requires more thought than we, the viewer, think. Each film that we have seen requires careful planning to allow the viewer to see different forms of perspective to add interest to a film. After reading this section, I was amazed by the array of film techniques. This understanding of how carefully a film is created gives me a new admiration towards the art of film and its creators.    

Post entry for Jan. 20-24 2014

1. After reading the introduction chapter to Engaging Cinema, what are your initial thoughts as to studying the subject of film? 
After reading the introduction, I became amazed by how films have changed over time. The text stated that some critics don't consider film art any more because of the increase in sex and violence in film. Growing up watching today's films witch often contain sex and violence, I don't find critics' response to today's movies true. I was also amazed how the creation and showing of movies has changed in a short time. Film has gone from being made on highly flammable, black and white film to completely computer animated and edited. Such great changes makes one wonder, what will the future of film bring us and how can/will it change.  

2.Are movies a social danger or a social benefit?
In my opinion, films are more of a social benefit than a danger. Film is seen as more of a fun, recreational activity to do with family and friends. Some may believe film may influence one to do things that are not considered right. If there are such events where people say he or she caused danger or harm to society because of a film, I believe there must be other influences that caused a person to act in such way. 

First Post

1. What are your thoughts about taking the class History through Film? What do you hope to get out of this class and what strength do you bring to the class that will help us all progress as we learn?

• (What are your thoughts about taking the class History through Film?) I believe this class will be an exciting experience. We are often miss lead due to films changing how history actually happened. This class will allow me to understand just how much film distorts historical events.

• (What do you hope to get out of this class and what strength do you bring to the class that will help us all progress as we learn?)I hope I will be able to increase my knowledge about historical events that have occurred throughout the world. With this knowledge I hope to be able to inform others about historical events that have occurred and describe the inaccurate, historical material in popular movies. I believe my biggest strength that I bring to this class is having the learned knowledge that I have received taking past history and social study classes.