While so closely examining the elements of American Beauty and the many genres that it is a part of, I began thinking about what other movies could compare to the broad scope that this movie covers. It may surprise you, but one movie in particular popped into my head: Kill Bill.
While the film cannot compare in terms of acting and deep storytelling to American Beauty, Kill Bill is a mess of genres and a feast of visual communication. Everything from the Cantonese fighting temple to the desert of California becomes almost unreal to us by, not only the insane actions of the characters, but by the angles of shots, colors used (and in some cases, not used), elaborate and unexpected costumes, etc. The genres covered include action, dark comedy, road, in some cases anime, some could argue a Western, martial arts, and the list goes on.
When looking at Kill Bill though, one cannot help but think of other films. So much is jammed into the movie (or movies, since it has two volumes) that it is almost impossible not to compare it, and it's quite possible that this is what Quentin Tarantino wanted when he made the film. It is a perfect example of how old styles can be used to create something completely new. While breaking down a scene shot by shot is interesting, looking at this movie in such a way that would explain the justification of every action and reference would, to me, shed the most light on this bizarre film. In any case, it is the perfect example of a lot of culture at work.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Hard Times of Telling Truth
Just how far should a journalist go? Just how far should the law go?
These are the questions that are raised by the case of two of Village Voice Media's leaders in the company's Arizona holding, the Phoenix New Times. Executive Editor Michael Lacey and Chairman/CEO Jim Larkin, have been arrested on the basis that they gave away "grand jury information" in their last new story, "Grand Jury Targets New Times and Its Readers.” They were also accused of giving away the home address of the sheriff of Maricopa, AZ, Joe Arpaio.
The Society of Professional Journalists is staunchly defending the two men on the basis of the First Amendment. SPJ president, Clint Brewer, also cited contradictory state laws in Arizona as being the cause of the arrests. Part of the uproar is also due to the attempt by the prosecutors in the case to unearth the records of use of the New Times' paper and Web site.
According to Lacey and Larkin, their arrest is the result of stories they have written that criticized the Maricopa sheriff along with County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
The story on the whole is causing great concern in the journalistic community about the ability of officials to censor journalists and its affect on free speech. This community is also counting on the general public to see these events as having a "chilling" affect on the press and what it can report to us.
Providing information for those who do not have the means is the job of journalists and we count on them to be on our side. This often means that journalists are put into positions where it seems, at least to government officials, that they are breaking the rules. But to Lacey, this is part of his job.
“We're being arrested for raising hell," he said. "It's sort of a tradition journalism has.”
As future journalists or future workers in the journalism field, I urge you to look at this situation for yourselves and ask yourself the question: How much does free speech matter? For this seems to be the ultimate question that separates the true journalists from those who merely report what information they are content to have.
These are the questions that are raised by the case of two of Village Voice Media's leaders in the company's Arizona holding, the Phoenix New Times. Executive Editor Michael Lacey and Chairman/CEO Jim Larkin, have been arrested on the basis that they gave away "grand jury information" in their last new story, "Grand Jury Targets New Times and Its Readers.” They were also accused of giving away the home address of the sheriff of Maricopa, AZ, Joe Arpaio.
The Society of Professional Journalists is staunchly defending the two men on the basis of the First Amendment. SPJ president, Clint Brewer, also cited contradictory state laws in Arizona as being the cause of the arrests. Part of the uproar is also due to the attempt by the prosecutors in the case to unearth the records of use of the New Times' paper and Web site.
According to Lacey and Larkin, their arrest is the result of stories they have written that criticized the Maricopa sheriff along with County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
The story on the whole is causing great concern in the journalistic community about the ability of officials to censor journalists and its affect on free speech. This community is also counting on the general public to see these events as having a "chilling" affect on the press and what it can report to us.
Providing information for those who do not have the means is the job of journalists and we count on them to be on our side. This often means that journalists are put into positions where it seems, at least to government officials, that they are breaking the rules. But to Lacey, this is part of his job.
“We're being arrested for raising hell," he said. "It's sort of a tradition journalism has.”
As future journalists or future workers in the journalism field, I urge you to look at this situation for yourselves and ask yourself the question: How much does free speech matter? For this seems to be the ultimate question that separates the true journalists from those who merely report what information they are content to have.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
"I'm just an ordinary guy with nothing to lose."
After watching American Beauty for the first time, there were several things that I couldn't get out of my head. Kevin Spacey's voice throughout the whole really got to me, though he spoke with such simplicity. The classic angles of the shots of each scene made almost every moment look like a framed photo. The colors running throughout were like a perfect, unused paint palette.
When considering all of these pieces, it's easy to see that this seeming perfection and simplicity make a mockery of the ideology that the characters are supposed to uphold. The "perfect family unit" is irrevocably shattered by selfishness, isolation and unhappiness. The man who is supposed to be the breadwinner and head of the family lives under the psychotic perfection of his wife. He later breaks from her domination, but he is still content not being the main breadwinner as long as he has the freedom to do whatever he pleases. The young daughter separates herself from her parents and engages in a not-so typical relationship with the boy next door. The new suburban neighbors keep to themselves and hide secrets that are disturbingly deep and convoluted. All of the elements of the perfect family in the perfect suburb in America are there, but the people involved ultimately either refuse to adhere to the ideology that these elements are supposed to maintain, or work to keep up the ideology in ways that ultimately break it down.
On the whole, the movie seems to encapsulate the beauty of imperfection. We have a dominant ideology in the American culture that makes us believe that perfection is what breeds happiness and the ideal state. The pursuit of this perfection though, is too consuming for humans to handle all throughout their lives. As Ricky's movies in the film show us, by losing the focus of perfection and ideological restrictions, one can find beauty in almost anything.
Newspaper 2.0
In a world where the future of newspapers is uncertain, a group has begged to ask the question: What will the newspaper look like in 2020?
The World Association of Newspapers invited a group of experts to come together to answer this question, and their responses were based on current trends that seem to be coming out in the media. The group, which featured, "futurists, academics, industry insiders, internet pioneers and other media experts", will have their findings published by the Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project. These findings may indeed work to influence future newspaper models since they were prominently featured at the World Digital Publishing conference in Amsterdam. The event hosted more than 400 media executives from all over the world.
The newspaper of the future could be anything from streamlined and personally-tailored news, to exclusively electronic media, to glossy, magazine formats. The Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project works to keep up with the trends in media in order to keep newspapers from going the way of the dodo. With their work, the print newspapers we know today, could be unrecognizable in a mere thirteen years. Still, by becoming unrecognizable, they will hopefully become more noticeable.
The World Association of Newspapers invited a group of experts to come together to answer this question, and their responses were based on current trends that seem to be coming out in the media. The group, which featured, "futurists, academics, industry insiders, internet pioneers and other media experts", will have their findings published by the Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project. These findings may indeed work to influence future newspaper models since they were prominently featured at the World Digital Publishing conference in Amsterdam. The event hosted more than 400 media executives from all over the world.
The newspaper of the future could be anything from streamlined and personally-tailored news, to exclusively electronic media, to glossy, magazine formats. The Shaping the Future of the Newspaper project works to keep up with the trends in media in order to keep newspapers from going the way of the dodo. With their work, the print newspapers we know today, could be unrecognizable in a mere thirteen years. Still, by becoming unrecognizable, they will hopefully become more noticeable.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Preserve the Pygmies!!
Who says technology and and hunting and gathering don't mix?
The Mbendjele Yaka people of the Congo along with one of Africa's largest logging companies are working together to map out the land belonging to the tribe. They hope, through the use of satellites and GPS, to preserve the land that these people call home. By showing where they hunt, bury their dead, and dwell, the logging company hopes to avoid ruining the territory the people call home.
The logging company also hopes that, through this system, more awareness will be raised for the pygmies and tribes like them. Though it is a small step toward saving a dying habitat, it is a step in the right direction that many industries would be wise to follow.
The Mbendjele Yaka people of the Congo along with one of Africa's largest logging companies are working together to map out the land belonging to the tribe. They hope, through the use of satellites and GPS, to preserve the land that these people call home. By showing where they hunt, bury their dead, and dwell, the logging company hopes to avoid ruining the territory the people call home.
The logging company also hopes that, through this system, more awareness will be raised for the pygmies and tribes like them. Though it is a small step toward saving a dying habitat, it is a step in the right direction that many industries would be wise to follow.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Prime of My Subjectivity II
Upon further investigation into my revelation that my generation is the current darling of the media, I realized that the media is only the surface.
The current presidential campaign, which has already consumed the media and the minds of so many citizens, is gunning hard for the late teen, early 20s demographic. Why else would presidential candidates be so keen on bringing their young and beautiful children with them to political events? While it has been common in the past for candidates to show off their children to appeal to the parental voters, kids on the campaign trail have been serving even more of a purpose. Republican Mike Huckabee's daughter, Sarah, has been called her father's, " field director, character witness and no-nonsense adviser".
Candidates have also been unashamed to bring celebrities on the trail. In the case of John Edwards, actor James Denton has been touting the candidate in especially high-youth areas like tailgate parties and colleges. While this device could be used to sway a candidate of almost any age, the celebrity craze is a noted interest of the young and can be a very powerful tool for a candidate --even if that tool is a piece-of-meat plumber.
The candidate who, to me, goes most for the youth jugular would be Barack Obama. His whole campaign which is focused on "hope" and "a fresh start" very effectively evokes images of youth and vitality. This kind of appeal is what young voters hope he will bring to the White House.
While my generation should feel privileged to be so valued, we must also be wary. Flash and glamour may be appealing, but with all of this focus, we must be prepared to ask the tough questions of all our candidates. With the power on our side, we have the ability to make a difference.
The current presidential campaign, which has already consumed the media and the minds of so many citizens, is gunning hard for the late teen, early 20s demographic. Why else would presidential candidates be so keen on bringing their young and beautiful children with them to political events? While it has been common in the past for candidates to show off their children to appeal to the parental voters, kids on the campaign trail have been serving even more of a purpose. Republican Mike Huckabee's daughter, Sarah, has been called her father's, " field director, character witness and no-nonsense adviser".
Candidates have also been unashamed to bring celebrities on the trail. In the case of John Edwards, actor James Denton has been touting the candidate in especially high-youth areas like tailgate parties and colleges. While this device could be used to sway a candidate of almost any age, the celebrity craze is a noted interest of the young and can be a very powerful tool for a candidate --even if that tool is a piece-of-meat plumber.
The candidate who, to me, goes most for the youth jugular would be Barack Obama. His whole campaign which is focused on "hope" and "a fresh start" very effectively evokes images of youth and vitality. This kind of appeal is what young voters hope he will bring to the White House.
While my generation should feel privileged to be so valued, we must also be wary. Flash and glamour may be appealing, but with all of this focus, we must be prepared to ask the tough questions of all our candidates. With the power on our side, we have the ability to make a difference.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Hey kids, let's go to the Newseum!
It's heartening to a journalism student to know there is a place for news and journalists to be read and honored beyond the daily paper.
The Newseum, which will be opening its new facilities in Washington D.C. next year, will feature news articles and stories from around the world. This new forum seems to appreciate the writing of news as an art form that can give even greater insight into our cultures. Today's most celebrated editors have even been asked to come in and review the featured articles.
The museum's permanent exhibits will feature such sections as:
-the Great Hall of News
- News History
- Interactive Newsroom
- 9/11 Gallery
- Internet, TV and Radio
- Pulitzer Prize Photos
- Berlin Wall
- First Amendment Gallery
- World News
- Great Books
- Today's Front Pages
- The Journalists Memorial
In addition to updating its facilities, the Newseum has begun creating an online version of itself so that anyone in the world can view their exhibits -- an interesting parallel to the direction that news itself is heading. Indeed, the Washington Post poses the question of what will become of museums in the future in an accompanying article. Still, these two classic forms combined seem to be generating a good amount of public interest and hopefully will help to maintain the quality of both.
The Newseum, which will be opening its new facilities in Washington D.C. next year, will feature news articles and stories from around the world. This new forum seems to appreciate the writing of news as an art form that can give even greater insight into our cultures. Today's most celebrated editors have even been asked to come in and review the featured articles.
The museum's permanent exhibits will feature such sections as:
-the Great Hall of News
- News History
- Interactive Newsroom
- 9/11 Gallery
- Internet, TV and Radio
- Pulitzer Prize Photos
- Berlin Wall
- First Amendment Gallery
- World News
- Great Books
- Today's Front Pages
- The Journalists Memorial
In addition to updating its facilities, the Newseum has begun creating an online version of itself so that anyone in the world can view their exhibits -- an interesting parallel to the direction that news itself is heading. Indeed, the Washington Post poses the question of what will become of museums in the future in an accompanying article. Still, these two classic forms combined seem to be generating a good amount of public interest and hopefully will help to maintain the quality of both.
The Prime of My Subjectivity
As I was sitting and pondering subjectivity -- a thing I often do -- I began to take a look around and critically examine how I look at the world. In doing this, I realized that the way I see the world now is close to the most positive that I'll ever see it. This surprised me, but I found a lot of evidence as to why this would be true.
When looking at the world (a world that is largely shaped by the media) it is easy to see why my outlook would be so rosy. Being a 21-year-old female in college, I represent many of the ideals of our culture: youth, opportunity, vitality, etc. The world is constructed to make it seem as if it were at my feet. Though this at times may be the case, I also came to realize how my positive subjectivity is most likely made to be that way through heavy interpellation.
The systems I am a part of have every reason to make me feel like I am in control. My college, for example, is always asking me my opinion of how it's doing by inviting me to dinners and meetings. They want me to feel as if I have a large stake in what happens to the system. This feeling of "mattering" gets even stronger when looking at the commercial world that is all about youth and being increasingly dominated by feminine culture. To be young is to be beautiful and many companies make my age group into the poster children of how everyone should be.
Youth on its own has so much control in our world. Young people are seen as the ones who can make a true difference in the world and we can do it better and more efficiently than anyone else. This is humorously paralleled by the popular Mac computer commercials that show youth as being synonymous with efficiency and great work. A plethora of other markets strive to point out this same angle.
While it may just be a side-effect of the systems I happen to be a part of, I truly feel that I'm sitting in the best position that the ideological world will allow. Interpellation and subjectivity work together to give people certain positions in the world, and as far as I can see, they are both heavily in my favor. I would hate to be a 48-year-old male in my world . . .
When looking at the world (a world that is largely shaped by the media) it is easy to see why my outlook would be so rosy. Being a 21-year-old female in college, I represent many of the ideals of our culture: youth, opportunity, vitality, etc. The world is constructed to make it seem as if it were at my feet. Though this at times may be the case, I also came to realize how my positive subjectivity is most likely made to be that way through heavy interpellation.
The systems I am a part of have every reason to make me feel like I am in control. My college, for example, is always asking me my opinion of how it's doing by inviting me to dinners and meetings. They want me to feel as if I have a large stake in what happens to the system. This feeling of "mattering" gets even stronger when looking at the commercial world that is all about youth and being increasingly dominated by feminine culture. To be young is to be beautiful and many companies make my age group into the poster children of how everyone should be.
Youth on its own has so much control in our world. Young people are seen as the ones who can make a true difference in the world and we can do it better and more efficiently than anyone else. This is humorously paralleled by the popular Mac computer commercials that show youth as being synonymous with efficiency and great work. A plethora of other markets strive to point out this same angle.
While it may just be a side-effect of the systems I happen to be a part of, I truly feel that I'm sitting in the best position that the ideological world will allow. Interpellation and subjectivity work together to give people certain positions in the world, and as far as I can see, they are both heavily in my favor. I would hate to be a 48-year-old male in my world . . .
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