I am happy to announce that I most likely (remember, schools change their minds all of the time) will have two sections of the Visual Literacy class next semester. I have so many ideas of how to tweak and change my curriculum. I also want to incorporate some different film studies. Plus, I have a student who is interested in starting a film club for next year. So exciting!
As many of my readers know, I am a film lover. I enjoy all kinds of films from all time periods. Yes, I even like some silent films. To me, films not only can provide an escape from life, but they can also remind us of how precious our lives are. For example, take a great film like "The Shawshank Redemption." At first glance it is a sad film, full of heartache, obstacles, and tragedy. But then, during that last scene on the shores of the Mexican village, there is such zest for life. There is passion and appreciation. Throughout the duration of the film viewers are taken on a roller coaster of emotion, are living the lives right there alongside the men of Shawshank prison. But at the end, the roller coaster comes to a stop and viewers have the chance to look around and feel contentment with all that they have. This is the power of a great film.
I have many favorites. Ask me to pick one and it would be close to impossible. I may be able to list my favorite science fiction film or comedy film but one favorite to rule them all - just can't do it.
Tell me about some of your favorite films. Why do you enjoy them? On what level do these films "speak" to you?
25 comments:
I enjoy films also but I don't think as much as you. I don't think I actually appreciate films and what goes into making them good. In our project, we talked about how films of this generation are just funny. They have no substance or morals to them. After your class I'm probably going to be more into looking at what goes into the film.
I am really excited to take your Visual Literacy class! I have three favorite movies, Donnie Darko, Edward Scissorhands, and Girl, Interrupted. All those movies are somewhat dark, but they are so great to watch. I love Donnie Darko because it is really creepy. Frank the bunny is awesome, and I love how it gets into his schizophrenia. Edward Scissorhands is simply beautiful. Johnn Depp plays him so well and Tim Burton is brilliant. Girl, Interrupted is one of my favorites because I want to either become a psychologist or work in a psych ward. I loved watching the kind of stories that would go on inside the mind of crazy people.
First of all I am very happy that you have two sections of the lit. class next year. I was worried I was not going to be able to take it because of Health Science 2 and 3. One of my favorite movies is the Amityville Horror. I love scary movies and books because of this movie. It is based on a true story which just makes everything that much more scary. The fact that it can happen and has happened is what speaks to me. In the movie Cabin Fever, a group of teens contract a flesh eating virus. Not too far fetched.
My favorite film would be Forest Gump. It is such a good movie. When people can mix humor and seriousness in a film, but still relay their message without the humor sabotaging that message, you know it is a great film. Plus I like his little sayings: "My momma used to tell me that life was like a box of chocolates..." Okay, I can't remember the rest of it, but it is still memorable (oximoron, haha).
The funny thing is that I've only seen it once, but I'm dying to see it again.
Lets see,I cant say films have ever really spoken to me. Except for a few sad or love movies that just give you chills. I would love to take you film class, but I have no room! =( It sounds like such a fun class. I love movies too. I could spend the whole weekend curled up on the couch just watching movie after movie. I tend to like intense movies. Of course I like the cute tennage movies too, but movies like we were soldiers. wow. that was an amazing film. I hope that film club gets started. I remember my friend who was a senior last year was in a film club, she loved it!
I'm still upset that I can't take your class next year, I think it would be a good finish to my high school career. Oh well, I'll get over it.
I think my favorite movie is Pride with Terrance Howard. I got to see the movie about a month after they finished production and I got to meet the people the characters were fashioned after. It was really cool because they went more in depth of what actually happened compared to the movies portrayal. It also means a lot to me because my mom had to go through similar things when she was in high school.
Your lit class is going to be very good; I can't wait to take it. I think many people lack observational and analyzation skills. With those skills you would be able to accomplish much. You know how I am, so you know to choose a favorite movie would be impossible, I love it all. I guess I don't have favorites because I don't stick to just one thing for too long because there's so much more I haven't seen and so much more to see.
I've always been a huge fan of cult films such as Donnie Darko, Pink Floyd's The Wall, The Breakfast Club, and The Warriors but not only because they are entertaining or very out there, but because they allow me to step outside the zone that we recognize as "The real world", they allow me and others to sptep away from society for a bit and enjoy a film to its fullest.
Beside fashion, my second devoted passion has always been watching films. I also dont have an exact favorite movie. Theres too many to choices from. Horror, comedy, thriller, romance, anime, foreign, you name it. Im so exciting for your lit. class next year. I know for a fact that you're going to take films to the next level.
I absolutely love watching movies. I prefer movies that make you think and piece together the plot, the ones that you have to watch 3 or 4 times to get every detail out of them. But, I also love Will Ferrell. All of his performances never cease to amaze me.
I love watching movies, but i'm sure you've seen way more than i ever will. I can't sit still watching a movie for almost two hours unless it's a really good movie. Even if it's really good i still get antsy. I hate it!
I enjoy watching many types of films, but my favorites are comedy. I also enjoy seeing suspense movies, but the types that aren't so bloody. Slingblade is my favorite movie of all time. Most people who aren't really from small towns in the South can't really relate to it, but I find it hilarious. Even though you might disagree, I like WIll Farrell movies. Some of my favorites are: Old School, Talladega Nights, Step-Brothers, and Night at the Roxbury. Chris Farley and Adam Sandler are also some actors/comedians that I like so I'll tune in to their movies whenever they are on.
Similarly to you I have a great love for movies. One of my favorite things about the summer is that I get to catch up on films that I never got to see in the theaters during the year. Every summer I do that program through blockbuster where you can rent as many movies as you want for an entire month. I basically watch any type of movie as long as it has been made within the last 10 years. I don't really have patience for older movies. I guess it is because I have been so spoiled by modern special effects
My favorite movie has to be Talledega Nights. It is the single greatest piece of film ever put together. I laughed, I cried, and I discovered the meaning of life all in the two hours I watched this movie for the first time. Will Farrel is a comedic genius and deserves every award he is eligible for and more. I would take a bullet in the heart for Will.
Well first off, I am verrrrry excited about the visual lit class! Mostly because i get to have you as a teacher again ;) I would have to say my favorite movies are the ones like Superbad, Knocked Up, and Step Brothers. Hahaha I don't know what it is that makes them so hilarious but some parts are just so true you have to laugh. Her and there, there will be a scene that relates to my life which connects me to the movie even more. I do appreciate films that have deeper meaning, but for the time being, these are my favorites.
That is so exciting! Your gonna be able to have your Visual Literacy class, and film club sounds great. Like you I am unable to chose one film to call my favorite I have many. But one that I really enjoyed was one you showed us in class, "V for Vendetta" it was a great film, I loved it. Hopefully you'll show us another film before our year ends.
One of my all time favorite movies would have to be A Walk to Remember. This movie isn't just for young women or girls who live vicariously through these romantic genres, it's also for anyone whose truly searched for meaning in life, whether that be a young girl or a mature man.
The plot of a teenage girl whose faith is strictly Christian, with a father who is way more protective of her than he should be having a rebellious young man fall in love with her and trying to win her heart with his every move. The plot isn't all that trivial and is pretty easy to understand and follow but it brings so much more to the table than a measly storyline.
When I watch this movie I'm captured into a plethora of feelings that push me to empathize with the characters, visualizing my own self into the film.
I enjoy old war movies very much. Gladiator, braveheart, The Messenger, all of those grab my attention. I don't know what it is or why, I guess I just like seeing people die :) I also enjoy all sorts of comedy films simply because they can get the mind off a bad mood and flip it over to a good one. I especially like comedy with dumb jokes that you hate. Observe and Report, Knocked Up, Bad Santa, all those kinds of crude humor movies. Hopefuly I'll be able to take your class next year. Bye bye..
Lateley I've been using the Visual Lit techniques so understanding movies and it actually works. When I watch a movie I actually think about what the director is trying to tell me. The movie is actually easier to understand and watching it is better. Well, anyways, thanks Mrs. S for teaching us these things.
Now whenever I watch a movie, I watch out for hints in the beginning for what it will be about. Even watching older movies that I've seen time after time, I pick up on these hints.
I really don't have a favorite movie, but I love movies with Seth Rogen, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler. They always cheer me up. Two other movies I really love are 10 Things I Hate About You and Girl, Interrupted. Usually I find that when a book (Girl, Interrupted) is made into a film, they butcher it, but this movie was so good!
I love watching movies but I only appreciate them for what they are. I never dig deep to analyze the underlying meaning of them. One of my favorite films would have to be Titanic. I don't know whether it's the fact that the event in the movie is based on a true event or if its just great acting but that movie really calls out to me. I think any movie that can make you go through a wave of emotions is a powerful one.
Well mrs.stoklosa, I completely agree with you when you say that movies provide an escape from life, because I believe that they really do. When I see a movie I really don’t think of anything else because I am really into the movie, and I think that’s an amazing thing because for that one hour and 30 minutes, you really feel like there are no problems and you are completely mesmerized by the film. Movies are also simply fun to watch, I love action and comedy movies, those are probably my favorite genre. Movies have a way of making you feel happy and at ease, that’s what I love about them.
MY three favorite movies of all time are definitely, transformers, I am legend, and the pursuit of happyness. In my opinion those are the best movies in existence, I could watch them, over and over again because they are just so thrilling, exciting, and every other emotion in the English language. The pursuit of happyness definitely touches me on an emotional level and makes me appreciate everything in life, it’s such an amazing peace, and will smith is an amazing actor. Which brings me to "I am legend", that movie was the most exciting movie ive ever seen, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next and where he would end up, it just kept me in abeyance the whole time. Transformers is probably the "sickest" movie I have ever seen, I just think the ideas in that movie are so amazing, and I grew up watching transformers, so seeing a real movie with that many amazing effects was mind blowing. Movies are the greatest things ever.
Stoklosa, I am balls-to-the-wall stoked for next years visual literacy class. It's gonna' be the bomb, can you dig it? I hope so. Anyway, since I enjoyed your class so much first semester, I eagerly look forward to putting my best forward and contributing in class. You're my favorite!
I loved "Shawshank Redemption" too. On the subject of prison movies, I also loved "The Green Mile" (like the drink, only spelled different". I also enjoy movies about adventures in nature, like "Into the Wild," and "The Edge."
Recently, I also saw a few movies (recommended by my brother), including "Lucky Number Slevin" "Green Street Hooligans" and "The Boondock Saints." Somehow I get the feeling that we wouldn't be allowed to watch those movies in your class, but I recommend them to you.
Kaley Wolf was also kind enough to type me up a copy of your movie list, And I was happy to see that I had seen/recognized the majority of the movies. I hope all is well on your end, and make a Facebook!
It's probably a belated response, but I'll do it anyway.
I'm a tad disturbed by the first response. Films of this generation are not only Scary Movie or Knocked Up. Aronofsky, Tarantino, Burton, Snyder - to only name American filmmakers that are alive and working - focus greatly on allegory, symbols, social commentary, commentary about life itself. Film is the conglomeration of photography, design of different types, music scoring, and - most importantly - literature. No script, no movie. Even those "funny films" (which I usually hate) are funny because they usually satirize or boldly accentuate a societal trait or a trait of any kind.
Mrs. Stoklosa, I don't know how else to put this, but I can't call you Mrs. Stoklosa anymore. There are two reasons: first, I graduated, I'm no longer a student, but I have hopes to keep in touch with you especially since I alway saw you as a friend in parallel to being a great teacher; second, because it breaks my heat you are not Mrs. Valencia. Ok, kidding but you know it was a little funny. So I hope it's cool if I use your first name from now on ( know you don't have a problem with it but the school does.
My favorite film... I have the same problem as you do - I can't choose. I can list some and it's obvious to you why they're my favorites. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Clockwork Orange, The Holy Mountain, Pi, The Fountain, The Graduate, Ballet Mechanique, Science of Sleep, M, Shoot the Piano Player, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pulp Fiction, Annie Hall, The Orphanage, The Shining, Pan's Labyrinth, El Topo, Amores Perros, Amelie. I could go on forever, actually.
So, what's your favorite book? (wink)
And to the Visual Literacy virgins, it's going to rape you... in a pleasant way.
Truly yours,
The Veteran
P.D. I got too much out of this class and Stoklosa is the illest.
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