The Godfather

1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.


                                 For the final film in our class, we watched the Godather. Already an American classic on paper, the film was adapted by the popular novel of the same name. Directed by Francis Frod Coppola, the film was filled by an iconic cast led by Marlon Brando, of the screen's biggest names, and followed was the future of Hollywood, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton. The films tells the story of a crime family during the 40's and events that followed, that would change the family forever. Again, we talked about the film's characters being anti-heroes, and that despite how bad they are, we still love them and root for them throughout the film. By many as THE greatest film of all time and the winner of 3 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director for Coppola, and Best Actor for Brando.

2. Find a related article and summarize the content.


                                    The image of the mafia as been around for over 100 years. During the time of prohibition, gangsters were well known and well feared. It was in the 20's and the 30's where organized ruled with an iron fist. Figures like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano are what inspired the gangster films of the 30's, 40's, and so on. Films like Scarface, the 1932 version, The Public Enemy, and Little Caesar have all been inspired by those gangsters. The mob movies we know of now, like the Godfather and Goodfellas, and even television, The Sopranos, have been inspired by the real criminals of the 20th century.  


http://www.history.com/topics/the-godfather-and-the-mafia-in-popular-culture

3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.

                                    The criminals of that era took advantage of their surroundings. Prohibition was a dream because it would allow them to finance in liquor and to move it around the country, without being discovered, although some were founded out. It all went downhill when prohibition was abolished, the business was destroyed. These criminals and the ones that came after, inspired the criminals on screen.


4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.


                                     After watching it, I wanted to watch it again. I thought The Godfather was an incredible film to watch, and it was my first time watching it as well. Many say Citizen Kane is the greatest film of all time, but I don't think so and have seen that film. The Godfather is, to me, the greatest film ever seen.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Brian Meyers   Date: 5/8/13 


 
                                   

The Graduate

1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.


                                           We talked about The Graduate and how it changed the way film was then and how it is now. The Graduate was released in 1967, and was one of the top grossing movies of that year. Based on a novel of the same name, The Graduate tells of a recent college gradaute who's lifestyle is dramatically changed after having an affair with an older woman. It stars Dustin Hoffman, in possibly in his first big film role, Anne Bancroft, and Katherine Ross. We talked on how Hoffman's character is an anti-hero and how his attitude and behavior change throughout the film. My teacher said that the film would relate to us personally, seeing that we are college students and that the film is about a college graduate's life after college.

2. Find a related article and summarize the content.


                                            The Graduate tackles the issues of society, gender and generation throughout the film. A new generation was forming in the 1960's, and it had to do with being rebellious. With women wanting equality, and dividing the country on the view of war, these issues were put onto film for audiences to relate with. The film is set in the suburbs and reolve around people who are wealthy. Benjamin himself is a college graduate, unsure of what he wants do with his future, or if he even has one. He thens he seduced by Mrs. Robinson, who has known him for a long time. As the affair continues, his behavior changes, as once was uptight and quiet, now is the total opposite. His character quickly becomes an anti-hero, someone the audience can relate to.

http://www.articlemyriad.com/issues-gender-generation-film-graduate/

3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.


                                           These issues are shown and talked about in the film. It's afilm that make grow a conscience and think about your future. How your whole life can change because of a woman. Benjamin's life changes very quickly in the film, and that this new side of him displays the question, What is your future? The film came out during a time where he were trying to decide if we should trust our country on deciding our futures, and that Benjamin's life is an example of that. That can you change your life, or will someone do it for you?

4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article. 


                                           From the start, I extremely enjoyed the film and do consider it to be a new favorite of mine. I can relate to the film being a college student and looking forward to graduating. Waht the film does is show an example of a college gradute's journey towards his future and then changing it. Can I or any other person do that? We can only try and see what happens.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Brian Meyers     Date: 5/8/13


                     

Casablanca

1. Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.


                                      After watching Citizen Kane, we talked about another classic American film, Casablanca. The film was released after America entered in World War 2. We talked about the director of the film, Michael Curtiz, who ended up wininng the Best Director Oscar for directing Casablanca. We talked about the film's two main stars, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Bogart is highly recognized as one of the greatest screen actors, possibly the best. Bergman, a famed swedish actress, is also highly regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood's history. The film was based off of a play of the same name. We went over the film's themes, love, romance, honor, war, and how they were used in the film. Set in World War 2 Monaco, nightclub owner Rick's past comes up as a lost love of his shows up. This film is noted for being one of the greatest films of all time, and memorable for it's many quotes, including "Here's looking at you kid", "Round up the usual suspects", "Play it again, Sam" and "We'll always have Paris." Casablanca is the winner of 3 Oscars, including Best Picture. 

2. Find a related article and summarize the content. 


                                   Perhaps the greatest film critic of all time, Roger Ebert reminiscences about Casablanca on the 50th anniversery of the film. Ebert's first sentence boldly shows what he thinks of the film: "Casablanca" is the Movie. By that, you can tell that he is a fan of it, probably gave the film 4 stars himself. He describes the film as something you have to see, and that many, before the age of 21, see the film, and say it's one of their favorite films. He goes on to say that on its 50th anniversery, everyone involved in the film is dead and what a shame that is.

http://www.reelclassics.com/Movies/Casablanca/casablanca-article3.htm

3. Apply the article to the film screened in class.

                                 
                                  I can see why Ebert is obsessed with the film, because it is an American film classic. I can relate because I too feel what he feels about it, it is a great film to watch for the first time. I know Ebert died recently, and what a shame it is not to know what he thinks of the films in the future, but he knows his movies, and his word is safe to say that if it's good, it's good, if it's bad, it's bad, but if it's great, it's great.

4. Write a critical analysis of the film, including your personal opinion, formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text material and the article.

                                

                                  Now, after seeing the film first hand, I have to say, that is was a great experience. The film was really good, and it did not matter how long ago the film was released, it was iconic to witness. I mean, it one of the greatest films of all time, who would judge that! I look forward to watching Casablanca again, in the near future.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.

Name: Brian Meyers    Date: 5/8/13