My hubby and I watch films often. We enjoy seeing films that require close viewing, reflection, and tell a great story. Of course, we are also always willing to watch a fun film solely because it is fun. We buy in to the awfulness (not a word) of these films and embrace the silliness because thankfully that is a side of ourselves that has not yet been victim to the realities of the world.
Today we went to see "The Wrestler," not because the performances in the film were nominated for Oscars, but because it just looked like a quality flick, and we like quality flicks. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. The acting was phenomenal and the story was even better. There was humor, drama, tragedy, and love - all rolled in to neat package that was neither cheesy or unrealistic. I highly recommend seeing it.
But then, maybe you should not see it. I don't say this because "The Wrestler" was not a great film. I say it because I just don't think many of my students would get it. I don't know if any of my students would understand living their dream, even if it kills you, physically and mentally. I don't know if any of my students would understand the feeling of being so incredibly passionate about anything. And finally, I don't know if my students could appreciate something that does not directly have an effect on their own lives.
Now, don't get me wrong. I don't say any of these things because I dislike my students. I think I have a great group of students who have the potential to change the world. But, that is all I see now, potential. I don't see too many of them taking the steps they need to take to utilize that potential in a beneficial way.
Some of you may say that I being too hard on you. Some of you may say that I am dead wrong. Some of you may begrudgingly agree with me.
I'd love to hear your thoughts...
20 comments:
Mrs. S - you are wrong! I think that....
I think you may be right! I'm a kid and I'm admitting that not all but most only have the potential right now. What makes people achievers is when they take control of their potential and use it to benefit themselves and others!
I think that you are right. Alot of students,not all, not al have the potential that can benefit themselves and other. But the only way to benefit themselves and others is if they use that potential to their advantage. Right now I think I only use about 75% of my full potential in some cases when I should be using 100% of it. On the other hand some students have a lot of potential they use for the good of everyone.
I wouldn't say that all we have is "potential" because we have more than just that. We can and we will change the world, when the time is right and we have the resources. I would say that not every one is selfless enough to care about anyone but them selves but for many of us, there is more to life than just looking out for number 1. With a little time I can promise you that we will use this potential you see and make something great out of it.
You know, you actually have a good point there. Most students would most likely not understand what it's like to make such sacrifices for the benefits of others. Kids today are selfish, only doing things for themselves. If anything, they would watch it for any liable amounts of violence. There are some students that would understand, however. It's not like all the students in your class are selfish... Right?
I think you're right too, students don't usually use all potential they have during high school. I know my mom always tell me not to "just slide by", which I think a lot of kids do. We do the bare minimum to get an A, just enough to get a 90. A lot of students don't bother to use all of their potential because its enough.
Hmmm... this definitley opens up a plethora of thoughts within my brain. You say this in your post; 'I don't know if any of my students would understand the feeling of being so incredibly passionate about anything.'
I, personally, would have to be an objection to that opinion. And I think over time, you may get to see that part of me (English happens to be ONE of my passions- and you happen to be my English teacher... so, we'll see).
I have a passion for many of the little things in life and don't expect me to take anything (especially knowledge) for granted.
There's my input.
I feel that the point you made requires some proof. I believe that all students have the potential to succeed but only a few of them encounter it and use it to their advantange, I feel that most students just need something to help them find their potential to succeed deep inside them.
Miss your weird
Thanks for telling me to watch the movie and not to watch the movie, it makes perfect sense. You never know what we're capable of. You always say our public schools system sucks because they don't think we're capable of or do not push us enough or whatever you think i forgot, but how would you know if you don't go and push us or find out. On the other hand you could just be right I don't really know, I guess we'll just have to go and see.
-Kevin Arregoces
I do believe you are right. But then again everybody has unused potential. People use their potential at different levels which in a way I believe actually helps our society. If it wasn't for the plumber who decided that he didn't want to go to college and pursue a higher paying job. I believe that he as a human has the potential to do great things but because he did not fully utilize his potential he is just doing a dirty job that doesn't pay too great. But as you probably know we need him to make us strong as a society of people.
Oh God here comes my response. Mrs. S i see your point. It's clear throughout the hallways of Cypress that there are plenty of students with potential, barely any with initiative. But those with initiative are uplifting! I'm known for people watching and I've seen people around the school that I don't see amounting to anything but then they surprise you. I'll give you a great example. In first hour, the row next to me, third seat. Colin, or Collin i'm not exactly sure, Robinson. Without knowing him as a person and fitting myself into the teenage persona I would stereotype him as another airhead jock that cares about nothing else but sports and that most likely will get into a better college than I will just because of his ability as a football player and the connections his father has. Then you handed us this blog assignment, boy was i thrilled. So rummaging through the blog URL's you posted on your site I found his and I thought to myself, why not? I was right about one thing, he's obsessed with sports. But his writing is monumental. His voice just strikes out at you as you read those blogs. All kinds of literary devices are used and I found myself cracking up more than once at some of his statements. He took something he loved and wrote about it with more skill and technique than I have about my interests. My point is that you never know how much potential or initiative someone has just by the way they act or the way they present themselves nowadays. It's like you said the first day of the new semester, stupidity doesn't exist it's just a front people put on to make themselves seem facetious.
And just to finish on a lighter note. I have not seen "The Wrestler," but I'm very critical of movies I watch. I've never liked the juvenile "Scary Movie" or "Epic Movie" sagas because I don't find them comical at all. Most movies no longer entertain me and are extremely predictable but every once in a while an amazing film comes out of the blue. Recently only two films have really caught my attention. One was "Gran Torino," I'm sure the movie posters of Clint Eastwood with a rifle and the hype that its "Prime Vintage Eastwood" does everything but attract you to the film but it's actually not another "Macho Men; shoot first, ask questions later film." The film is actually humorous in a lot of parts and the ending definitely made me tear up, and that doesn't happen often. I wasn't to excited to see the film, i was actually dragged to it by my dad but I came out smiling and satisfied. It was a great film and the story line will catch your attention from the start. It also does a great depiction of consumerism and gives you a hilarious look at an old man's view of his teenage grandchildren and their "new generation." Highly recommended.
And for a non stop laughing experience Jim Carrey's "Yes Man" is perfect. For lack of a better statement, I almost peed my pants.
I think it's a shame that people my age rarely, if ever, actually sit down and take a good listen at what a movie is trying to say. One of my favorite movie is called Waking Life. The movie in itself is very abstract but I like the ideology behind the conversations between the characters. I'm not saying I sit down and overanalyze every movie I see but I like being able to understand them. A lot of the people I know miss half the fun of a movie because they only laugh at the denotation and not the connotation.
Mrs.Stoklosa, i agree with you on some of your statements, i thinks its fine if you dont see potential yet. I think everybody has potential to do something they love. If you don't enjoy something you wont want to achieve or go higher in that subject. On the subject of the movie the "wrestler", i have to say i do love Mickey Rourke. All of his other films are great, 91/2 weeks is my favorite movie. I havent seen him since that movie and recently found out what he looks like now and about his past. Its truly hard to watch him now i just can't believe all the drugs and with everything he's done. He truly looks like a mess. I could not watch that movie (as good of a movie as it may be) its hard to see him like that.
Ms.S I don't think you can be hard on us it is just that some kids are not used to doing big work and working with computers like you do. And i think you are right A lot of kids have a lot of potential but don't use it. Maybe you might say you can be hard on us. But that is the only way our full potential comes out.
I agree for the most part when you say "I don't know if any of my students would understand living their dream, even if it kills you, physically and mentally." because being as young as we are have have never had that experince yet. However, i don't agree with the fact that you think we can't apperciate it. All though this might not have happened to us personally we might know of someone who it has happened to, and what a difficult time they went through. We are old enough to understand the concept but might not be impacted the way others will be because it had happened to them. By the way a fantastic movie that i think you will enjoy is 7 pounds it is a very deep movie.
I think that your right saying that all we have is potential. But thats just now. We,as young adults, cant be expected to be passionate about something special to us. Most of us are seventeen. Meaning most of us dont even know what we want to do when we get older. In fact, alot of us dont even know yet what we want to do this weekend.
This is the time in our lives that we are molded into thoughs passionate people you talk about. Just because you dont see it now, doesnt mean it wont be there in the early future.
Personally I believe that it is too broad a statement to say that many of your students would not get a movie of such emotional magnitude. Enjoying a movie is about being able to relate to it, and by the age of 17 many students have witnessed enough in their life to relate to a deeper plot. Like you I throughouly enjoy movies such as the Wrestler as do many of my peers. I feel by age 17 most people are ready for these type of movies.
for the megoraty of the students you are right. But as for me i would whatever possible to live out my dream.
I do believe that people are perfectly capable of completely devoting themselves to one cause because I live that out myself. No matter how much sacrifice it takes, I believe the only key to happiness is true, 100% honest pursuit of your dreams. I believe those who do not have that passion for life do not deserve life itself. I am not naive even though I may sound like it. I am actually really wise beyond my years (not to toot my own horn or anything). I'm the man of my house and I believe that you do have students other than myself who are definitely in pursuit of their passions.
Well I don't really understand if this blog is about the movie you mentioned or if that was an introduction to your idea that none of us ever go for what we want. I have simply come to realize that it is not going to happen and I need to deal with it. Maybe if I was a charcacter in a disney movie I could live on to do what I want to do, but sadly I'm just an average kid. A little below average actually, but I can settle for that. I'm not going to try something that won't happen.
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