The Prodigal Student Has Returned

As I have finally figured out how to manage this blog after extreme duress and difficulty, I can now write my first post. I suddenly feel I am 71 rather 17 after learning how to manage this contraption. I thought to myself as I wrote this post, that it must be one of great brilliance, so I apologize for my delay. Hopefully this elicits a positive response and not a sarcastic one that will bring me to flowing tears while clutching my 5 year old teddy bear Clarence. In my 1^st post I will tell of my previous experience with the one and only Mr. Bennett and some of my views on movies and such.

Coming into the class I have high expectations. I had Mr. Bennett all of freshman year and I honestly had great fun in that class. Anything from sarcastic comments to and about Kenley, discussions of everyday things, mixed with global history was unconventional yet educational. Personally I prefer that way of teaching in my opinion over reading off pieces off paper any day. I still remember the teasing Mr. Bennett gave me because I was the only guy who would read the troubadour love poem. Right after I read it, he continually told me to go and get Gaby and Boffa’s phone number. I even remember the random analytical things he said to us. Like if a person’s foot is spasmodically moving they really want to leave class. Everyday, the last five minutes film class usually has at least 2 people doing this which always brought t a smile. For Mr. Bennett to say he remembered me and said he was disappointed I didn’t do AP US on the day everyone was in Disney brought great joy. I was quite sad I had to do regular U.S. with Baldari myself and I shared your sentiments in that I was very disappointed I couldn’t join your class (Hopefully you were serious). The discussions shared of things like the old bird flu and your ridiculous memory of things I’ll remember far after I graduate. I have quite a good memory myself so I tend to put down things I enjoyed in my mind pat. It’s quite true that all Baldari talked about was her granddaughter. My niece was much cuter anyway.

Coming into the film class I must say I am impressed. I don’t usually watch serious films and tend to go more entertainment wise. However my preferences are not strict at all. I will agree with Bennett in that moral ambiguity is a great addition to character’s portrayal, but I don’t really find it necessary. I was very happy you said you liked Fight Club. The movie had great twists as well developed storyline and a strong message. I have become a huge Edward Norton fan over the years and the fact he was robbed of an Oscar in American History X to Life Is Beautiful’s Benigni was appalling. It also argued the point against Mr. Bennett mentioned about historical films getting the awards majority of the time. This is the one time I hoped it would be that way however and the fact this “indie” film won annoyed me. Indie films aren’t genres!

A movie I thought was very powerful and displayed moral ambiguity in it as well was The Dark Knight. I may be somewhat biased in that I have been a superhero comic fan since I was a youngin, but the movie itself is universally praised by not just myself. If people can sit and watch a boring mundane rip-off known as Benjamin Button (this was surely no box of chocolates) then spend that amount of time watching a much better film. Bruce Wayne battles crime in his town under the persona of Batman while wondering to himself can he stand by his code of honor of not killing the psychotic Joker. In the process it shows the point of how long does a man keep his honor in front of evil before he becomes the villain himself in that of DA Harvey Dent becoming the villain Two-Face. I thought everything from cinematography to character portrayal was original and powerful. Heath Ledger was certainly worthy of his Oscar as he gave downright chills and a believable outlook to the notorious fictional character. The fact the movie couldn’t garner a best picture for its originality and stunning display to fans annoyed me to no end. Unlike other action/superhero films it delved into the morality of the characters and the ethics that factor into corruption as well. I found it thought provoking and entertaining.

Hopefully if we get the chance, I hope at least one of the two Edward Norton films I mentioned or the Dark Knight are seen. I thought all three were films that brought entertainment and yet helped you gain something. When you asked to write films that we thought great I put down Slumdog Millionaire solely because it was a good film I recently saw. I personally hate movies of the Bollywood genre and I’m Indian of all ethnicities ironically. Give me a good war film any day over that. I’ll end my first post here and I hope you will excuse my verbosity. I share many of your sentiments on film and am learning something new everyday. I’m looking forward to some new memories in this class. I’ve already learned more than I did in Baldari’s.