The Cove

Documentaries have always interested me for one main reason: either they were going to be awesome or absolutely terrible. I always felt as if there was no in between. They're a "hit or miss" one might say. In the case of The Cove, it was a great success.

In my experience of watching documentaries, they are very different from films. The main difference is that documentaries completely aim to inform viewers about a topic. Some documentaries might only want to inform viewers, while others might want to prove something to viewers. The Cove was a documentary that focused all of its attention on bringing attention to the killing of dolphins off the coast of Japan.

I have very mixed emotions about The Cove. I am currently a biology major with both a chemistry minor and environmental science minor. My pre-professional concentration is in veterinary medicine. It seems as if The Cove would definitely be a documentary that would interest me! For the most part, I was extremely interested, until the very end of the The Cove.

The information, mission, and hopes of the documentary were very well presented throughout the film. Viewers were given the opportunity to get to know the activists on many different levels. Also, the activists did a great job presenting a vast array of information through the use of interviews and on-site footage in Japan. In fact, it seemed as if the majority of the documentary was filmed in Japan. However, The Cove isn't one of those documentaries that just throws statistics and facts at the viewers. There was some of that, but it wasn't too noticeable due to the constant action. Not to sound cruel, but hunting and killing is action that keeps attention. People might not want to watch it, but for some reason they can't look away. Also, the undercover operations that the activists organized were very exciting and added to the interest level significantly.

The bottom line of this documentary, however, was to bring attention to the killings of dolphins off the coast of Japan. Was it done effectively? If people in land-locked North Dakota are watching, I'd say The Cove was definitely a success. The activists were successful because of their organized strategy. They used interviews with government officials, interviews with the general public about radiation and dolphin meat consumption, hidden cameras, and underwater technology to capture valuable and pertinent information. Through all these techniques, the activists were able to tap into the emotions of viewers and spread their message.

As I mentioned before, my emotions were mixed as I watched The Cove. It is apparent that the killing of dolphins off the coast of Japan is not being done in a humane way. For this reason, I was very upset when the documentary showed the killings. Also, since the levels of mercury are very high in dolphin meat, it is concerning that people are eating dolphin. Even more shocking is that dolphin meat was being served in Japanese schools for lunch! However, all progress that this documentary and activists had done was destroyed when Ric O'Barry went into the IWC meeting with a television strapped to his chest. This was the action of a radical activist and not an effective way of spreading the message to influential people.

In the end, The Cove was a very successful film because of the actions taken by activists. They did not sit outside a government building shouting and holding signs. They took matters into their own hands and took many dangerous risks. The risks paid off when the documentary was able to connect with viewers emotionally. This is essential for the success of a documentary and The Cove is a documentary that could really make a difference in the world.

Smoke Signals

Drama? Comedy? I'm not really sure if the movie Smoke Signals was presented in a very good way. Directors have very specific purposes in making films, and I'm not sure if this film was presented efficiently. There was a lot going on in this film, yet it did still have a central message. It could have been done differently with a much more effective impact. Smoke Signals was very confusing to me and it was not one of my favorite films.

First of all, there were many mixed signals within this film. In a lot of scenes, there would be very serious dialogue followed by characters acting very comical. I am familiar with the role of comic relief, but it seemed very out of place and almost detracted from the purpose of each scene. Personally, I was interested more in Thomas (the comic relief character) than Victor and his struggles. I didn't connect with Victor due to my constant laughter whenever Thomas spoke. Comic relief is essential in dramas and films with serious tones, but it should not overshadow or take away from the main parts of the film. This occurred numerous times throughout Smoke Signals. Though I was confused and distracted from the film's message, I was able to understand the themes and the plot. The underlying themes were quite obvious: alcohol abuse, abandonment, and unlikely friendships.

Alcoholism was very apparent and a problem for the characters in Smoke Signals. If it wasn't for Arnold's drunkenness, the film would have been much different or nonexistent. Whether Arnold would've become an alcoholic is debatable, but he might not have become such a guilty, troubled, and abusive man. Alcohol was a very popular object in this film, as it was referenced or placed in scenes many times. It definitely had an impact on the entire Coeur D'Alene Reservation, not only Victor and his father.

The abandonment theme ties into the unlikely friendship that was formed between Thomas and Victor. Thomas was saved by Arnold in the fire that Arnold started. Therefore, Thomas was grateful to Arnold and always wanted to talk to Victor about how great a man Arnold was. Over the years, Victor became very annoyed of Thomas, but also grew fond of him and formed a strange friendship. The two were brought even closer together with Arnold's death.

Since Smoke Signals did tackled some tough issues in alcohol abuse and abandonment, comic relief was essential. However, I have a problem with the way it was done. Personally, I do not feel that it was done in a respectful way. The Indian Reservation setting was not necessary. The same story could have been told in any other setting with characters of any nationality or race. The characters could have even been of different races and still had the same story. I felt that in many cases the Native American population was made fun of. I would've been extremely offended if I was of Native American ancestry.

In conclusion, this would not be a film that I would watch again or recommend that others watch. Perhaps there were themes that I did not see or fully appreciate in this film. Yet, I feel that this film was embarrassing at times to the Native American population. I have many Native American friends that also have this thought; however, there are other Native friends of mine that absolutley love this movie. It all comes down to the viewer's perception. As for myself, Smoke Signals would not be a film that I'd rate high.

The Cider House Rules

Wow! It isn't too often that I will sit down to watch a movie two days in a row. The Cider House Rules is one of those films that I could actually watch three days in a row. It was without a doubt one of the best films that I have seen in the past few months. There is so much to the this film and viewers can always see more if they take time appreciate all the movie's features.  So many different aspects made this film enjoyable for me. The multiple themes, the music, and symbolism make it very enjoyable and entertaining to watch.

Upon first watching the film, I felt that the movie was about abortion. The orphanage doctor was fine with performing abortions, while his apprentice was not okay with it. I felt a connection to this because I am interested in both the medical field and the topic of abortion. Most of the time, I am not in favor of abortion. However, after watching The Cider House Rules, my thoughts were definitely challenged. As shown in the film, if a person wants an operation done, they will find a way to have it. Sometimes that means the operation will be performed by poorly trained people in unsanitary conditions. This can lead to even more problems and complications. In the end, I found myself contemplating whether it is best to lose one life, or two from improper and unsafe operations.

Another moral issue revolved around rape. A father raped his daughter and no one did or said anything about it. His daughter became pregnant and the apprentice, who was against performing abortions, knew that he could do the operation safely and correctly for the daughter. Without needing any convincing, the apprentice did perform the abortion because he knew it was the right thing to do. Sure, it was against his morals and he would have rather not done it, but he had to break his own rules.
This could very well be the ultimate message behind The Cider House Rules, as there were many instances where rules were broken. For example, the doctor at the orphanage had been breaking the law for years by performing abortions because he knew he could help the women while others might not be able to safely. The apprentice broke his own personal rule to save the pregnant daughter from possible harm. The migrant workers that lived in the Cider House broke nearly all the rules that were listed on the wall. And lastly, when the daughter stabbed her father in the night, the apple orchard workers decided it was best to lie to police and not tell the truth as to how the father died. As the father said, "Sometimes you gotta break the rules to set things straight."

In the end, this movie has been one of the best movies that I have ever seen. My reasoning might sound illogical, but sometimes you gotta break the rules, right? I am a person that knows exactly where I stand on moral and social issues. I do not like it when my beliefs are challenged or insulted in any way, but who does? This movie definitely challenged my beliefs on certain issues and now I find myself rethinking my stances. It is amazing how films, like The Cider House Rules, can have such an effect on viewers. After all, that is partly the reason why a director chooses to make a film. They want to give viewers something that makes them think deeply. The Cider House Rules is a film that definitely gives viewers something to think about and appreciate afterwards.

The Full Monty

For a film that isn't too old, I was very surprised that I've never heard about The Full Monty, and as I read the summary of the movie, I wasn't too impressed. Watching a film about male strippers is not at the top of my movie viewing list. However, being that this film was a comedy, I tried to keep an open mind. As it turns out, The Full Monty turned out to be very good film and was much more than my initial expectations.

While watching the film, I did not have the most positive outlook on the movie. Since my initial thoughts were negative, it took some thinking after the film was over to fully appreciate the underlying message in The Full Monty. At first, I thought about how the main characters were struggling with no work and and relationship issues. One of the supporting roles even attempted suicide! Obviously these men felt they were at "rock-bottom" and things couldn't get any worse.

I found it very amusing that the actors felt the best option to pick themselves up was stripping. But once a viewer accepts that the film really isn't about stripping, they can see that The Full Monty addresses a lot of social issues. The way these issues were presented was brilliant being that the film was a comedy and viewers must really focus on the underlying plot to fully understand them. The most obvious issue in The Full Monty would be custody rights. After all, the whole plot and idea of stripping to earn money is what the film is based on. But there were also many other issues addressed more lightly in this film. For example, one of the main characters was very self-conscious about his weight and two supporting actors turned out to be gay. The Full Monty did a great job presenting these issues in a comical way.

If the plot and underlying social issues weren't enough to keep the viewers entertained, The Full Monty had another useful technique (and no, it wasn't the stripping). The selection of music and songs used in this film was amazing. A majority of the songs used in the film were hits when they were released by their respective artists. "You Sexy Thing," "Land of a Thousand Dances," "Flashdance (What a Feeling)," and "We are Family" are just a few of the songs used in this film. The popularity of these songs has certainly not decreased since their releases.

The phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" does actually have some truth and I feel that it should also be applied to films. Initially, I was not interested in this film and definitely did not want to spend my time watching it. However, there was much more to this film than I had anticipated. If I ever run into similar problems that these characters experienced, I will immediately think of The Full Monty. And I can't say what will happen after that, but perhaps my luck will turn around!

Little Miss Sunshine

It isn't too often that a film lacks a main character. I mean, what is a story without a main character? Who is the audience supposed to relate to? While the film Little Miss Sunshine might not have a main character, viewers will not have trouble finding someone to relate to in this cast.

The acting in this film was not overshadowed by any one character. There were multiple characters that each contributed equally through the use of an ensemble cast. This was a unique way to represent the story and that is why I feel that many viewers would be able to relate to this film. It was so realistic; all the actors in the ensemble cast represented a typical family. For example, each person in this film had a dream that they were completely dedicated to fulfilling. The father in Little Miss Sunshine wanted success for an inspirational program that he created, the son in this film took a vow of silence to show his dedication in becoming a pilot, and the daughter was focused on winning the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. The use of an ensemble cast provided many connections that viewers can make with each character.

Again, the reality of this film definitely made it a success. Most viewers will be able to relate to a at least one character in some way. Standing in the way of each character's dream was a struggle or challenge that had to be overcome. However, not all of the dreams in Little Miss Sunshine were fulfilled, just as people fail to fulfill dreams in real life. As seen in this film, there were financial burdens and even death that complicated life for the family.  In the end, the family pulled together despite their struggles and became one unit. It served as a message of hope during a rough period and many viewers can appreciate that.

As for the use of sound in this movie, there was only one part that actually stood out to me: the car horn that did not stop beeping. It took me some time to realize the significance and purpose that the car horn played in Little Miss Sunshine. It was almost a constantly nagging sound that represented the families constant conflict and just how dysfunctional they are. This reiterates the point that the family in Little Miss Sunshine was very similar to normal families in today's society.

In conclusion, the casting and acting in this film is what made it great. Each character was unique, but able to relate to viewers in some way. There was not any overshadowing of characters by a main or central character, which allowed viewers to view the characters as equals. Little Miss Sunshine proves that movies can have great success without superstar actors or a single main character.

The Dark Knight

Batman is a character that people from all generations can recognize easily. With his start in comic books, Batman has now moved on to the big screen. It seems that comic book characters have been becoming increasingly popular at the box office. For example, Spiderman, The Avengers, and  Ironman have all had great success in recent years and I enjoyed watching all of them. So naturally, it was no surprise to me that Batman in The Dark Knight was also a great movie.

This was actually the second time that I had watched The Dark Knight, and I was definitely able to pick up on a lot more information in the movie. The first time I watched this film, I was completely focused on the Joker, played by Heath Ledger. There were several reasons for this. The first, and probably most obvious, is that the entire world was shocked by his death (as many people believed his role in this film directly related to his death). The second reason, was due to the fact that I was honestly creeped out by the guy.

If his personality wasn't enough to scare a person, the color of the Joker's costume and makeup did the job. His hair was dyed a tinted green color, his clothes were purple and green, his makeup white, red, and black. Noting about these colors seemed to mesh and that was done for a specific reason. The Joker was a very chaotic, unpredictable character. The director wanted the viewers to be afraid and nervous when they saw the character. This emotion was accomplished with the help of colors used in the Joker's costume and makeup. They were aggressive, random, and spontaneous. It all helped play into the fact that viewers never knew what the Joker was going to do next.

But these colors have been used to portray the Joker ever since the comic book was created. When the director chose to use the same makeup and costume for the film, the only other thing needed was an actor. Acting in any movie is crucial, and after watching The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger was definitely the right choice to cast as the Joker. Everything about Ledger's acting was spot-on. The facial expressions, the body movements, the quirky ticks were exactly what I'd expect from a psychopathic killer. Ledger completely took on the role of the Joker, focused internally, and became the character. After all, many think this role lead to his death.

The music and sound of The Dark Knight were also incredible. The sounds of explosion, gunfire, and the Joker's haunting laugh all added significantly to the feeling of reality in this film. Music also has a large impact on viewers, and some could argue that it has a larger effect on viewers than added sound effects. There was so much drama, action, and tension in this film. The music contributed greatly in every scene to help express the emotion that the director wanted to convey. When one stops to notice the music in films, they can hear that there is some music playing in almost every scene. Music and sound each have specific purposes that add significantly to movies.

Overall, this movie was incredible. It was the classic film about good versus evil, but there was so much more going on. It was action-packed, realistic, and entertaining. Though it was a longer film, I never felt bored or wanted the film to end. I was very glad to see that this film's success lead to another great film by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight Rises, and hope that more Batman films are produced in the future.

Memento

"Wait a second...what?" I can't count how many times this phrase was said when I sat down to watch the film Memento. That phrase was said not only after the opening scene, and but also after the ending scene. There have only been a few movies that I have watched in the past that have had this effect on me. I'm having troubles sleeping at night, I can't concentrate in class, and every time I see a person with a tattoo I get suspicious as to why they have it. It might sound as if Memento had a negative effect on me, but that is far from the truth!

This film was utterly and completely mind-boggling. Even now, I still cannot totally comprehend what I watched. How did the movie end? Or should I be asking how it began? Were the main characters static or dynamic? These aren't even a fraction of the questions that remain. I cannot even pinpoint Memento's message after I watched the film not only once, but twice! But, that is what I absolutely loved about this movie. There are so many different answers to all of the questions that remain in this film due in large part to the great work by the film's editors.

From scene to scene, the editors chose to use inside/out editing. The scenes would open with a very specific image and then would later show viewers where the scene is taking place, which characters are present in the scene, and what is happening overall in the scene. I also interpreted this form of editing as a direct correlation to the way the entire film was created. For example, the film opened with very specific scenes and the viewer was able to put the information presented in those scenes together to make connections as the film progressed. In this way, the techniques used to create the entire movie were very similar to the way each individual scene was constructed.

The color usage was a bit confusing, but very unique at the same time. It wasn't until the second time I watched Memento that I was able to come up with an explanation for the transitions of colors. Throughout Memento, some scenes were in color while others were in black and white. I noticed that, for the most part, the black and white scenes were flashbacks in Leonard's (the main character) life. They also seemed to play in chronological order from earlier events to later events in Leonard's life. Again, this might not have been the case in every black and white scene as it would require much further analysis to completely understand. However, one thing that I am very certain of is the use of colored scenes and what they represented. The color scenes played in reverse chronological order. The first scene of the movie was actually the ending to the film's plot. As with Memento's  ending scene, it was actually the beginning of the plot. This use of colors was a very creative way to keep viewers' attention.

An even more creative and brilliant way to keep viewers' attention is the way the plot was portrayed through the process of editing. So many movies follow the basic structure of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The choice to completely reverse this structure made Memento a much better film in my opinion. There are not many movies that choose to do so, but it really captivates the viewers and makes them think and keep interest in trying to understand the film.

While some people may prefer to watch films that don't require a deep thought process, I love movies that make you focus on every detail and leave you still not fully understanding the film. This lack of knowing or closure is what makes viewers want to watch a film over and over. Memento is a great example of a film that can be interpreted differently every time it is watched. That is one of the great things about complex films. There are so many different interpretations that allow viewers to discuss and debate with each other. For this reason, Memento is a film that is well worth watching.