Personal Choice Film Evaluation - Movie Review Example

PERSONAL CHOICE FILM EVALUATION Personal Choice Movie Evaluation # Film Dead Poets Society Film 1989 Director: Peter Weir Written by: Tom Schulman: Actors/Actresses playing teachers: Robin Williams – John Keating Norman Lloyd - Headmaster Gale Nolan Context: The movie is set in 1959 during a time when societal morals and values are shifting. The backdrop for the movie is on the campus of an upper class prep school for boys where tradition as strived for centuries and the students historically are expected pursue the paths that generally lead to the Ivy League campuses to complete formal educational training. The undercurrent throughout the movie is that taking the prescribed route into and through life may not be the path that leads to a life of self-fulfillment and ultimately satisfaction. View of Teaching: The teaching style of the main character, John Keating is one in which he challenges the students to live life with passion using poetry and prose as inspiration. His teaching methods are unconventional and unorthodox by the standards of the day in which the movie is set as exhibited in the scene in which he dresses in Scottish kilts and stands on a desk in the classroom to emphasis the delivery of the day’s message. Keating stretches the minds and imagination of his students by compelling them to look at life’s experiences from different perspectives. In most cases his suggestions are in direct contrast to the opinions and views the boys have been exposed in their adolescence and that are held by their family members. View of Students: The view of the students in Dead Poets Society from the character John Keating’s perspective is one in which they are looked at as not having taken the time to question the standards and beliefs of their upbringing. He views them as conducting and living life as robots and simply going along with the beliefs and demands of those in positions of authority. Whereas his underlying intentions are to stimulate thought in the students by doing so he inadvertently unnerves some and empowers others. Describe the Actors/Actresses: Robin Williams: The portrayal of John Keating is not unlike the other roles he had previously played in which he is unconventional and goes against the norm. His stellar delivery of John Keating as on the edge personality who does not make excuses for being an independent thinker and one that does not fit into the standard mold as expected or outlined by the choices of others was evident by the multiple honors and awards he received. Norman Lloyd: The Headmaster Gale Nolan of the school portrays a staunch, unyielding personality who insists on tradition continuing despite the evidence of change being a formidable force. Robert Sean Leonard: Playing Neil Perry is a lively “A” student with natural leadership abilities, but who is in conflict and tortured by his authoritarian father. His father plans every detail of his life without taking into consideration his desires to pursue another path. Ethan Hawk: Todd Anderson in the movie is a new student who is shy, insecure, confused, and unhappy. Three quotes from the film: John Keating: “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” John Keating: “Sucking the marrow out of life doesnt mean choking on the bone.” John Keating: "Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Dont be resigned to that. Break out!" Themes: Boys striving for self-realization Tradition (Authority) versus non-conformity Power of charismatic leaders (teachers) The effect of family pressure Rebellion Critical Thinking Skills: In analyzing the plot and evaluating the themes as depicted throughout the movie the single most apparent lesson gained is the power teachers have on the minds and spirits of those in their charge. Even though the setting was on a school campus the lesson(s) are applicable in all situations in which the position has the potential of conveying influence. Teaching is not merely a task assigned or given to teachers but as parents, older younger siblings, associates, and the list is endless in which ones behavior, attitudes, and opinions can have affect the choices and lives of others. My personal reaction: Initially I found the movie uninteresting it was only after the film received such high honors and acclaim from the Academy that I revisited the film and fully grasped the merit of the film. After watching the movie several times I reflected on previous instructors and teachers that had encountered and how with simply a suggestion he or she had triggered a new or different way of thinking in me. Consequently Dead Poets Society has become one of my favorites. PERSONAL CHOICE FILM EVALUATION Personal Choice Movie Evaluation # Name: Date: Film Title: Take the Lead Film Date: 2006 Director: Liz Friedlander Written by: Dianne Houston Actors/Actresses playing teachers: Antonio Banderas – Pierre Dulaine John Ortiz – Mr. Temple Alfre Woodard – Principal Augustine James Context: The movie is based on a true story of a New York ballroom dancing instructor who decides to give back to the community by going into an impoverished school offering to teach a troubled group of teens how to dance. He chooses to teach by imposing structure and expectations on the students who have up until that point had been dismissed and labeled as unteachable and incorrigible. View of Teaching: Dulaine’s (Antonio Banderas) teaching style is that of mutual respect; he chose to teach respect for others and for oneself by treating each student with respect. His view of teaching was one in which he looked for the students strengths to build self-confidence on minimizing their weaknesses. He was firm, direct, and accepted no excuses for failure or giving up. View of Students: Individually each student in the group assigned to Mr. Dulaine had obstacles to overcome that easily could have been accepted as reasons for their not performing in school. The mini stories within the film described the personal challenges the student lived with away from school. Most coming from broken families, many being forced by circumstances not of their own making to forged out an existence for not only themselves but for younger siblings as well. However one character in the movie becomes a part of the group not because she is from an impoverished, socially disadvantaged group but because within her own socio-economic group she is a misfit. Describe the Actors/Actresses: Antonio Banderas: As Pierre Dulaine delivers a heartfelt performance in which his dancing prowess is showcased and his ability to successfully use manners, charm, and charisma as tools to teach and inspire. Rob Brown, Yaya Alafra, Sharron Matthews: The leaders within the group of students were casted in roles in which the despair of the lives of the characters were convincing. Alfre Woodard: Principal Augustine James reflected the despair of principals across the country overwhelmed with the flaws of the educational system, the impossibility of educating in environments where children have disengaged from the learning process, and the overwhelming sense of futility in trying to make a difference. Three quotes from the film: Pierre Dulaine: “To do something, anything, is hard. Its much easier to blame your father, your mother, the environment, the government, the lack of money, but even if you find a place to assign the blame, it doesnt make the problems go away.” Pierre Dulaine: “I want to teach your kids to dance. Pierre Dulaine: “Sometimes the best way to conquer an enemy is to get right up in his face.” Themes: 1 All children have the capacity to be taught and to learn. 2 Instilling self-confidence in children can be a catalyst for self-actualization and achievement. 3 Children learn differently and learning can be fun. 4 Accentuate a child’s strengths and talent(s) to be an effective teacher Critical Thinking Skills: The underlying themes in the film emphases the importance of finding value in children regardless to their behavior understanding that the behavior is a direct response to unseen circumstances. The main character displayed compassion a quality not always prevalent in the classroom setting or the educational system. Thinking critically about the motivation behind the film’s origin and ultimate production is motivation for other unconventional teachers with special gifts and training. One observation is that with patience and determination anything can be accomplished when the concept of teamwork is implemented and executed. My personal reaction: Take the Lead is an energetic, entertaining movie full of just enough complexity to keep the story engaging. Watching the film motivated me to consider taking ballroom dancing lessons for fitness and fun. One noticeable feature within the film is how the mixture of races, ethnicities, socio-economic divides, hair, styles of clothing, and other distinguishing differences dissolved as the students learned to respect themselves as unique and others as individuals and not a class or group of people. PERSONAL CHOICE FILM EVALUATION Personal Choice Movie Evaluation # Name: Date: Film Title: Akeelah and the BEE Film Date: 2006 Director: Doug Atchison Written By: Doug Atchison Actors/Actresses playing teachers: Keke Palmer : Akeelah Anderson Laurence Fishburne : Dr. Joshua Larabee Angela Bassett: Tanya ANderson Curtis Armstrong: Mr. Welch Context: The story is about an eleven year old African-American girl who uses spelling as a means and method of remembering her father who died when she was six. Even though the Scripp’s National Spelling BEE is the backdrop of the film, the BEE is the catalyst for bringing about healing in the lives of the characters. View of Teaching: The general view of the students by the teachers is restrictive in that most of the teachers were unaware of hidden abilities. The teachers did not realize the importance of challenging the students beyond their expected grade levels. Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne) however having the perspective of a college professor sparked the imagination of Akeelah beyond what she had been normally accustomed to View of Students: The main characters (students) were a group of exceptionally bright children that were oblivious to the greatest within until the competitiveness of the BEE caused them to excel in way unimagined. Describe the Actors/Actresses: Keke Palmer : Plays in the leading role of Akeelah Anderson an 11-year old student at a young age as experienced the pain of death with the passing of her father. As a means of finding solace and acceptance of his passing she continues to develop the exceptional skill of using words for comfort. Laurence Fishburne: Portraying Dr. Joshua Larabee is a college professor who takes interest in a young girl with exceptional spelling skills. The underlying story is that Akeelah reminds Dr. Larabee of his daughter that he had hoped would win the Scripp’s Contest but who had died. Angela Bassett: Adds another dimension to the movie as Akeelah’s mother, Tanya Anderson who abandoned her hopes and dreams of of attending medical school. Tanya Anderson is distracted by the lost of her husband, the burden of being a single parent, and the tasks of managing a home. In her existence she is unaware of the brilliance in her youngest daughter. Three quotes from the film: 1 Dr. Joshua Larabee: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. Its not just in some of us; its in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others).” (Williams, 1972, pp. 190-191). 2 Akeelah: “Okay. But when Im at the bee, and they tell me to spell some little fish from Australia or some weird bacteria on the moon, were going to wish wed done a little bit more ""rotemorizing"" and not so much essay reading. If you dont mind me saying.” 3 Akeelah: “You know that feeling where no matter what you do or where you go, you just dont fit in? I dont know the word for that. Alienation, estrangement, incompatibility? Naw, those aint right. But theres got to be a word for it, because thats how I feel all the time. “ Themes: 1 Determination can conquer all life’s challenges and unknowns. 2 After brokenness, pain, and disappointment healing and new life come. 3 Each life is connected and the connections can have life altering affects on one another Critical Thinking Skills: The film is a wholesome, family oriented with inspirational undertones. The film underscored how flawed the educational system is in America. Even though as a fictional storyline, the movie reflected the disparities within the school districts and systems. Akeelah and the BEE is just a microcosmos of society, the haves and have nots. The film made evident the invisible divides that exists. It showed how generally held opinions as to ones abilities are often discounted due to race, color, creed, financial status and social standing. Whether the producers intended to made a statement to impact social consciousness or simply to make a wholesome family friendly film is unknown, however after viewing the movies they accomplished both. My personal reaction: I rooted for Akeelah and in doing so became aware of potential bias within myself. I wanted the least likely, underserved character to win. The movie made me reflect on how many exceptional, gifted children are lost in schools and communities that will never be given the opportunities as portrayed in the movie. On one hand I was made happy by the movement of events, then on the other hand I was sadden once the magnitude of the realization of just how many children face similar and in most cases more severe challenges that those faced by the children depicted in the film. PERSONAL CHOICE FILM EVALUATION Personal Choice Movie Evaluation # Name: Date: Film Title: Waiting for Superman Film Date: 2010 Director: David Guggenheim Written By: David Guggenheim Actors/Actresses playing teachers: Geoffrey Canada the founder of a system of charter schools in Harlem, New York speaks candidly throughout the film addressing the various needs and concerns in the communities in which the school systems serves. Context: This film is a non-fictional documentary that highlighted the plight of the American public educational system. The documentary shed light on the declining and decaying methods educators use to prepare students to enter the workforce and to compete in the global arena. The tangents addressed in the movie are the effects the educational training has on targeted segments of society and how due to the malfunction of the system, students are becoming more disengaged and disenchanted about their future prospects. The filmmakers contrast the successes and failures of charter schools and the long range ramifications the current course of the education system will ultimately have on the quality of life within the United States and the potential effects the training or lack thereof will have on international commerce and foreign relations. View of Teaching: The teachers and administrators that choose to speak on the record for the film each had various opinions about the root of the problems and possible solutions to fix the problems the national educational systems has. However the one notable factor that all educators and administrators held in common was the glaring fact that the American education system is broken and in need of a complete transformation. View of Students: Students from all socio-economic groups were depicted as being directly or indirectly affected by the current conditions that exists in the educational system. The questions or comments presented emphasized the value and importance of each individual student as being entitled to the tools and equipment needed in order to successfully compete with the foreign countries. Additional research revealed how other industrialized countries are going to great lengths to more than adequately preparing their students for the future. Describe the Actors/Actresses: The personalities presented on camera were real life people that work within the education system or were parents of children and students encountering the defects of the system. Three quotes from the film: 1 Geoffrey Canada: “Superman, ain’t comin’” 2 “This country spends more to incarcerate someone for four years than it would cost to educate the same inmate in private school for 12 years (and likely keep him/her out of prison)”. 3 “ Failing schools can’t always be blamed on failing neighborhoods; failing neighborhoods can be blamed on failing schools”. Themes: 1 The American public education system is broken 2 Without proper preparation American children and students will not be able to compete with other countries students because of the quality of the school system. 3 Teachers are no longer teaching but preparing for tests. Critical Thinking Skills: The intent of the film was to shed light on the increasingly crumbling education system in the United States and to educate the masses of society as to possible solutions Thinking about the film brought to mind the influence a united force within the country could have on education reform if those that are committed to making changes demand change and take the necessary steps to ensure reformation of the education system is a top priority. The thought of the future generations lacking the qualities and skills necessary to manage and maintain the standard of life within the United States was a frightening one. But the realization that because of the lack of a comprehensive training program America’s children will continue to be left behind. My personal reaction: One of my reactions to the film was anger. The realization that as one of the wealthiest countries on the planet and to know that the leaders with the power to make a difference have chosen not to was igniting. Thinking too about the billions of taxpayers money allocated for worthless programs and the countries greatest natural resource, our children and teachers are disregarded as unnecessary and not deserving of adequate funding only intensified the anger and frustration. PERSONAL CHOICE FILM EVALUATION Personal Choice Movie Evaluation # Name: Date: Film Title: Radio Film Date: 2003 Director: Mike Tollin Actors/Actresses playing teachers: Ed Harris – Harold Jones, the head basketball coach Alfre Woodard – Principal Daniels Context: The movie plot deals with the difficulties the mentally challenged have adjusting within society. The storyline involves a head basketball coach (Ed Harris) who lives by some principles that sets him apart from others within his community of peers. His relationship which later blossoms into a friendship with Radio (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) inspires the team members that he coaches, and changes the attitudes of the people in the town the story takes place in. View of Teaching: Harold Jones’s philosophy of teaching is to treat everyone regardless to disability or position in life with dignity and respect. Other characters held a different view as to the value of an individual’s dignity and failed to displace compassion when dealing with those that were different. View of Students: The students in the movie were portrayed as being someone indifferent when it came to honoring others and considering the needs and feelings of those that may look or be different within their circles. Some of the characters were influenced by peer pressure to mistreat Radio and others simply dismissed him as being inadequate or insignificant. Describe the Actors/Actresses: Ed Harris: The character of Harold Jones was a man that lived by a set of principles that did not change or were altered simply because someone looked different or spoke with a different accent. He was a man of substance and held mankind as God’s creation that was entitled to respect and fair treatment. He did not succumb to the pressures of the politics of the school or the prejudices of the community in which the movie was portrayed. Cuba Gooding, Jr.: As “Radio” Cuba Goodings, Jr.’s performance was remarkable. Radio was a complex personality even though he lacked the intellectual acumen and did not have the social standing of prominence in the community. The ability to maintain the childlike, simple, aloof behavior throughout the film was a remarkable accomplishment. Three quotes from the film: 1 Its never a mistake to care for someone. Thats *always* a good thing 2 You want strawberry pie or apple pie? 3 Radio: [holding pants up to the phone for approval] How dese ones, Co Jones? Themes: 1 Being different is okay 2 Each person has the potential to contribute something worthy to society 3 Every human being is entitled to fair treatment, honor and respect 4 Acts of kindness have untraceable, reverberating effects Critical Thinking Skills: The movie at times was slow moving and the plot predictable, but the lessons taught were memorable. The characters on the surface were uncomplicated but underneath the surface the complexity of human relationships and the invisible cords that bind one life to another were unmistakably apparent throughout the movie. The movie prompted a self-examination as to my beliefs about those with physical and mental challenges. My personal reaction: Watching “Radio” brought back to mind the simple ways of living and how the value of honoring others produces great rewards. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and the principles the directors and writers conveyed throughout the story’s plot. Read More