The Birds

The Birds

Horror movies during this time are very different from the horror movies now. The horror movies now are more gruesome. This movie was actually really scary, although it wasn't as scary as what I'm used to. I mean, birds attacking people is really scary. It makes you think about whether or not you should go outside. Those birds were crazy, just flying down attacking some little kids. I liked this movie simply because, I was able to see how far horror films have gotten from then to now. It's amazing to see how for we have came, in a relatively short period of time. This film was a bit boring, but it was acceptable, mainly because this was made in a different time, where this was considered horrifying. I enjoyed this film a lot. 

American Graffiti (1973)

American Graffiti (1973)





The soundtrack was very important in this movie. I thought the movie was boring, but the music helped it alot. The soundtrack is the only thing I liked about it, and thats only because I know some of the songs. My granny taught me the songs, so it kind of made me think of us in the car singing along to the cassette tapes that she had. It made me really happy. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good movie, but it's just not my style. I like excitement, and comedy. This film didn't provide much of either. It was confusing. If it would have had a more directed purpose, then I believe it would have been better.

Final Blog (1st Semester)

Final Blog

"The Maltese Falcon" has been one of my favorite films so far. My favorite part is when Spade says the bird is made out of the stuff dreams are made of, because it's a great comparison. It makes you think about what it means. It takes you a little while to understand it. It's a beautiful thing to say. So I liked this film because of the message.

"American Graffiti" in my opinion, is the most boring movie I have watched. Nothing was happening. Another reason is because I was lost. I didn't know what the film was about. It was kind of just all over the place. I think it was  was just about teenage lives in the 60's, I'm not sure.

"The Great Escape" is also one of my favorite films. I love history, and I loved the story of the pilots trying to escape from the camp. They put all the escapees in the same camp, and it was interesting to see them all working together, trying to get out.

"War of the Worlds" was also boring, and I'm not one for Sci Fi. I don't have a real reason why I don't like it.

"Bambi" is my favorite Disney Movie. I love the hand painted scenes. I think thats just amazing how someone could paint all of that. It's beautiful. I love the story as well. It has some humor as well as some scene's that were very sad. It was an emotional film. It kept me entertained throughout the whole film, I never got bored with this film.

(I only had 2 films that I didn't like.)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

In "It's A Wonderful Life", George is the underdog. He is a regular guy that grew up in Bedford Falls. He plans to travel around the world, and go to college, and he almost goes. He saves his money and he gets up enough to go, his plans quickly change as his father passes away, and he is left with the family business. The business doesn't get much money in, so naturally he doesn't have much money. He donesn't really have anything going for him. He went threw all kinds of stuff to keep the loan place open. He did it for everyone else, he didn't do it for himself at all. It payed off at the end of the day. 

The underdog won. Potter was trying to do everything he could to make George give him the loan place, but he wouldn't. Then George lost $8,000, so he went to Potter begging for money. Potter refused, but it turned out that he didn't need Potter's help to begin with. Once the community heard the George needed help, they all pitched in and gave some money, and everything worked out fine.

There was also a lot of courage displayed by George. He ran his father's business just so his community would have a way to do things without having to go crawling to Potter for money. He gave up his dreams, so people in his town would have a way to do things without worrying about Potter threatening them. Also with the money he saved to travel, he sent his brother to college, since he wouldn't be using it anytime soon. 

Sgt. York (1941)

Sgt. York (1941)

Hannah Steed

The message in "Sgt. York" leads to patriotism. The message was about having to do things that you wouldn't want to. Sometimes, you are put in situations that require you to do things that you don't want to. Alvin York, was is a rough spot in his life, he got straight and started doing right by god. He was then called upon by  the government to go into the army. He was forced to make a decision,  kill people, or die / let other people to die. You lose either way really, but something had to be done. He chose to protect his friends/country, and kill the threat. He didn't want to, but he had to. The message in this movie is an amazing one. The message applies to everyone, not just a certain group of people, but everyone. Everyone one is going to come to a point in their life, where they have to do something that they don't really want to do, but it has to be done. This is where the patriotism comes in, other than the fact of him being in the army. Soldiers aren't just out killing people for the fun of it. They don't want to do that, they don't enjoy it, they aren't set out to kill everyone they see. They are protecting their families, friends, leaders. This movie is amazing, I loved it.

A Hard Day's Night (1964) & Help! (1965)

A Hard Day's Night (1964) & Help! (1965)

The Beatles movies were great. It's slightly because I love anything to do with the Beatles, but also because they were great films. Both films were very different films.

"A Hard Day's Night" is like a comedic "day in the life" kind of movie, I feel like it was very promotional. It was mainly about their lives with the new fame, how they dealt with all the craziness going on around them, and their music of course. It is kind of like a rock-n-roll, "High School Musical". The music really empowered the movie, I personally don't think it would have been as good with out the music.It was about them before they were cultural icons, because I think their career really took off after these films. This film is stands out of its time, rock , and even its genre. I think that this film was a very influential one, there is no way that is isn't, it's just so good.

Unlike "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!" is for more entertainment purposes rather that promotional. "Help!" is a silly movie. There is nothing funnier than watching a bunch of crazy, religion obsessed, money crazed people chase the Beatles around for a ring. The humor in this film is based on sarcasm, although they act out funny scenes. The songs in the film are great, and they are presented in an interesting way. I don't think they go well with the story, but they work visually.  I loved both of these films very much, I wouldn't change a thing about either one of them. They are great the way they are.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Greed is exemplified greatly in this story, because all anyone cares about is finding that bird. People are dying over it, and no one cares, everyone if so focused on finding that statue. It's insane. All they was is money. Ms. Oshanase (I think than's her name) planned out this whole scheme to get the bird from Miles, she went into Spade and Miles' office to get them to help her. She had Miles killed and everything. Gutman was this big shot gangster after the falcon as well. Just about everyone in this film wanted the statue, and no one cared how they got it. 

Sam says the bird is made out of "the stuff dreams are made of." because it is. Because people were chasing it like people chase dreams. Everyone wanted "it" so bad they couldn't stand it. I say "it" because they didn't want the statue, they could care less about that statue. They wanted the money (happiness) that came from finding it. Just like dreams. People strive for happiness, no matter who we are or what are trying to do, we all want to be happy. We want to be happy so bad, that we do things that we don't want to or that we don't have to do. Example: Along with a million other people, I'm going to college to pursue a career that will allow me to ultimately lead me to be happy. That statue made all those people act like complete fools, one man chased it for years. Why? Because they wanted money and satisfaction, which all lead to happiness. :)