Friday, November 12, 2010

The Seventh Seal

The different language, subtitles and what not make this movie a bit hard to follow. But it is necessary, unless you are fluent in the swedish language, then the subtitles might truly tick you off. I feel the movie compensates with its somewhat dark comedy. It is the most comical movie thus far in my opinion but also has a very solemn side. Its hard to say that a movie about "black death" has the components of a comedy but it just does. I am fascinated by the idea of "chess with death", I first had the common thought of the game of chess being life and the struggle to put death in checkmate and keep life, but then i thought into it and maybe it signifies the idea that death could be so close to you, to even touch you, that only a chessboard is between you and eternal slumber but you make it to the end. I have also noticed a loss in christian faith, the lack of god's presence and input.

Runaway Train

Runaway Train was a very intriguing movie. The level of violence and gore was amusing and the vulgar language seemingly unnecessary gave me a good laugh. I specifically enjoyed comparing the warden to the character of Manny. The warden is portrayed as the evil guy and Manny as a role model. Manny is the escaped convict and The warden is supposed to be a keeper of the peace. I also found it ironic how Buck states his charge was statutory rape, but he comes off as a strong rapist when they first see Sara the female worker.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Citizen Kane

I really enjoy this movie because it reminds me of a somewhat "rags to riches" theme. The movie gets really interesting when an opponent running against Kane releases information about a scandal involving Susan Alexander and Kane. This gives a very good example of tough competition and what it takes to succeed in life, you cant be a pushover or too nice you have to be competitive and aggressive and thats what both men were. Kane tries to prove to everybody how much of an honest man he is and they believe him for the most part except for Leland he can see right through Kane.

The End - "All quiet on the western front"

The end of this movie is very symbolic and meaningful. As Paul reaches out for a a very colorful butterfly he moves slowly. Earlier in the movie there is reference to his butterfly collection and now it seems as if he is trying to get a firm grasp on life, and just as he is about to grasp it he killed. It shows how close somebody can get to something and it be taken away in one quick action. In my opinion Paul was better off dead because he couldn't go back home the life wasn't suitable for him and he had lost almost all of his friends on the front.

Friday, October 8, 2010

"MY" boots

Franz Kemmerick's death perfectly exemplifies the use of dehumanization in the movie "All Quiet on the Western Front". A man and friend dies and the only member that actually acknowledged it was Paul. Kemmerick's fancy boots created a dense fog around his death, Mueller was to occupied on taking those boots home he never even realized his friend was dying. In the end you realize that you aren't the one dead and that you have to get on with life. War turns men into very different people it makes you see things for what they are and Mueller saw Kemmerick's death as a shopping spree in Wal-mart or pay-less.