Election

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

In class this week we viewed the film Election, a 1999 comedy film directed and written by Alexander Payne and was adapted by the 1998 novel by the same title. The film starred Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Campbell and Chris Klein. The film had a budget of 25 million dollars and only brought in 14.5 million. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, and a Golden Globe Nomination for Reese Witherspoon in the Best Leading Actress in a comedy category. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  

The article I viewed for Election, was on the history and impact of Election, 15 years later. It spoke about its star, Reese Witherspoon, who moviegoers were only just getting to know but in 1999 with the release of Election and Cruel Intentions, Witherspoon began to emerge as a household name. It also brought up the top billing star Matthew Broderick, the actor with history of successful films under his belt. Plus the emerging success of brother and sister in the film Chris Klein and Jessica Campbell, unknown actors who played up their characters well. All together, these characters have made Election a cult classic. 

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

This article shows that there is proof that a film's longevity is not inherently tied to big budgets ot massive box office receipts but its fan and cast and how the cast uses what their took from the prior film and give to rest of their performances. Fifteen years later, Election still ranks among the most memorable releases of the past two decades and gave us some ironic characters like Tracy Flink and how the film has been a force in the world of pop culture.   

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.

I really enjoyed the film Election. I'm a huge fan of Reese Witherspoon and really enjoy her list of work. Nothing will come close to her performance in Legally Blonde though. She had great character and great dynamic in the film. She made this film work. She deserved her Golden Globe Nomination, the first of many. Overall, the film should really be given credit to the director Alexander Payne for making a great story and many laugh through out. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/election-oral-history_n_5248953.html

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: _Antonio Amorim______ Date: ________5/5/2015 

Three Kings

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

The film we viewed in class this week was Three Kings, a 1999 satirical war comedy film written and directed by David O. Russell. Based off the story by John Ridley, about a gold heist that takes place during the 1991 Iraqi uprising against Saddam Hussein following the end of the Persian Gulf War. The film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube. The film had a budget of 42 million dollars even though Warner Brothers wanted to lower it to 32 million. We all the discussed the dark cloud that followed O. Russell after this film after many fights broke out between him and his star George Clooney. This would then follow to his huge dispute Lily Tomlin in a later movie. That wouldn't change until his returning to the public eye in 2010 with the Oscar winning film The Fighter. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  

The article I found to related to the film was a New York Time article on the film and its importance of the America's conflict in the middle east over the last 20 years. David O Russell is in interviewed for the piece. He went on to say he wanted to show a different kind of war movie then previous generations had seen. He wanted to make that the audience saw the satirical points to be made that are usually replaced with action or serious patriotic drama. One other fact was that there were no glorified gunshots in the film. Russell, wanted every bullet to matter. He even went above that and even showed the audience what happens when someone is shot with a close up of a bullet plowing through soft tissue, the cavity filling with lime green bile. 

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

The article makes a perfect point on how society and the media depicts war time films. Three Kings was not that kind of movie when it came to a real war time film. The film had its more serious moments at some points but it had a very satirical look at the Gulf War because everyone was asking way this war even took place half the time. This film had no such of a attack or agenda on the America and Middle East conflict. 

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.

I can sit here and say that I fully enjoyed this film. From start to end the film had the right amount of action, fear, story, and just overall setting. The film to you to the turfs and shacks of the Gulf War. The characterization of the whole cast was spot on. The worked well together and you rooted for each and everyone. In particular, actor Jamie Kennedy. I was a huge fan of his work in Scream 1,2,3 and never really so any other of his work until today. I thought he brought a different variety to a the film. Also, Mark Wahlberg was spectacular in this film and really has grown over the years in his craft. Overall, I would recommended this film to any who has not watched it, its poppin! 

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/06/movies/film-one-film-two-wars-three-kings.html

 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: _Antonio Amorim______ Date: ________4/15/2015 

He Got Game

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

In class this week we viewed the film He Got Game, a 1998 sports-drama film written and directed by Spike Lee. The cast feature Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, Rosario Dawson, and Ray Allen in film debut. This film was the third of four films that featured collaborations with Lee and Washington. The budget of the film was 25 million and only brought in around 21 million. The score was done by Aaron Copland and songs in the film were created by Public Enemy. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  

The article I found on He Got Game was a article on Spike Lee. It was entitled, Courtside superfan Spike Lee makes a Basketball film with little Basketball. It talked about how the film had no real athletic competition. Many said that the film was more then Jesus picking a school to play at, its how he could get him and sister out of Coney Island and secure their future. The article as spoke about how the film was slightly off too, the idea of having a convicted criminal leave jail to better the governor was just off putting but again its a Spike Lee film. The article also spoke about the actors as well. Before Washington was the box office attraction that he is today he gave a great performance in He Got Game, Ray Allen having no acting training also held his own against the others and Rosario Dawson also had a great showing. They also discussed the removal that Lee gave Basketball and brought it back to ground level and not in a huge stadium. 

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

The article at first gave me a vibe that it was review on how bad the film was but it turn out to actually praise the film and the actors and actress in it. The film it self, had no type of actually playing basketball except the 3 hour long opening that took 4 years to get through and the 20 minute father and son match that no on knew what the score was. The article was right in the sense of how was it possible that Denzel Washington character was able to leave jail for a week and get away with that. The article also spoke about Ray Allen and his film debut and how he is now NBA star. Spike Lee wanted a NBA star to play Jesus in the film and Ray was open to play the role. Spike Lee's He Got Game was one of his less well know films but the story had a great plot and emotional ending. 

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.

What was going on in this film? I was so lost and had no idea what was going on. The film was about Basketball but seem to be more about sex and drugs then the actually sport. For the people that are praising the performance of Ray Allen; or you blind? 8 weeks of acting training? He needed so much more then 8 weeks. When you are acting along Denzel Washington, you need to bring it. Overall, the film felt very lackluster and stale. It felt to dark and the ending to me made no type of sense. I dislike this film so much I was about to not do a Blog because I felt the film wasn't important to film history or film cinema. 

http://www.avclub.com/article/courtside-superfan-spike-lee-makes-basketball-film-216647

 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: _Antonio Amorim______ Date: ________4/08/2015 

Fargo

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

In class this week we discussed the film, Fargo. A 1996 dark comedy crime film, edited, written,produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film features a powerhouse of actors from Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steven Buscemi and Peter Stormare just to name a few. The film was a huge critical success earning 7 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. It took home the Oscars for Best Orginal Screenplay and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Frances McDormand. The film had a budget of $ 7 million, and took in 60,000,000 at the box office. It also took home a SAG award for Best Actress for McDormand. The film since then has been added to the United States National Film Registry for preservation begin deemed culturally significant. Since then, the film has been made into a television series on FX with the Coen brothers producing the series. It took home the Emmys for Best Miniseries and Best Directing in a Miniseries. 

2) Find a related article (on the film, director, studio, actor/actress, artistic content, etc.) and summarize the content.  

I found a article on the 20 mind blowing facts on set and screen of Fargo. Some facts there were shocking to me was that the roles of Carl and Marge were written specifically for Steve Buscemi and Frances McDormand. McDormand didn't want to take the role at first due to how far along her character was in her pregnancy. She had to shoot scenes with a pregnancy suit and one day on set, the suits breasts burst. I mean it worked in her favor because she did walk out with an Oscar. Also, William H. Macy had read for a smaller part in film. The Coens did let him read for Jerry but felt the need to see other actors. Willam begged fir the role, even said he would kill his dogs for it. Finally, the Coens gave in and gave him the role and a Oscar nomination. Also in the film, in the beginning the first thing we see is a, This Is A True Story. Funny thing is, it wasn't at all a true story. It was a brunch of true stories put together to make one fake story. In the area of filming, several of Jerry's scenes he is in front of a window. The Coens did this on purpose so the audience can see the cars racing back and forth because you never know if one of those cars hold a couple of serial killers. He is also behind vertical blinds many times to give the illusion of jail bars. The last and final fact I thought was pretty cool was that the snow was faked. While the Minnesota average winter snowfall was normally 4 to 5 feet it was the second warmest winter in hundred years. The snow fir the must part was fake snow. 

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

The article really gave us a insight look in the process and making of Fargo. The Coen Brothers really had a great insight on what there wanted the film to be and become. Casting is so important to a film and Coen had the cast down perfectly in the image of what their needed and wanted. The most important detail has to be the fake snow. The actors played off the fake snow very well. Did also help that Joel Coen had married Frances McDormand since 1984 and have a child together. You can see the very important details that went in to McDormand character. All of these details had a positive impact on the film and is the reason Fargo is the hit that it is today. Even beginning remade in to a hit TV series. Clearly Coen Brothers had a special gift and look and hope for this film. 

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.

Overall, a really enjoyed the film Fargo. I love myself a Dark Comedy and this film did that and more. I"M NOT A BIG FAN OF FRANCES MCDORMAND, but after seeing this film and Oscar winning performance I have changed my mind. She was amazing and stunning in this film. T was blessed she was introduce at the time she was. I was looking hope in film after their killed all those people on the side of the road but then came in the saving grace of Frances McDormand. She the prefect amount of comedy and drama and overall hero that you wanted to root for. I can see why Fargo has gone on to become a great film and a bonus of remakes and a very successful up to date TV series. I loved the work and experience that went into the film Fargo. Plus, Frances McDormand should of won so many more awards for this film. Hands down the best performance I have seen in Film 1 and Film 2.

http://www.pajiba.com/seriously_random_lists/mindhole-blowers-20-facts-about-fargo-that-might-make-you-want-to-learn-how-to-talk-minnesotan.php

 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: _Antonio Amorim______ Date: ________4/01/2015