Blog 2

After reading the introduction chapter to Engaging Cinema, what are your initial thoughts as to studying the subject of film?

The first chapter of Engaging Cinema really intrigued me.  It gave me insight to a new aspect of film that I had never thought of before.  Studying film seems really interesting because there are so many different areas that you can examine.  I like how the first chapter talked about how in a coupe of hours a film can tell a whole life story.  After reading this book and taking this class, I feel like I will never look at film the way that I did previously.

Are movies a social danger or a social benefit?

I have always viewed movies as something you watch and simply that. Now that I am faced with this question, I am not sure where I stand.  If movies have good content they are a social benefit. On the other hand, if movies have bad content they may be a social danger.  By seeing something done in a movie, often times it suddenly makes it acceptable in the real world.  I feel like movies have altered our traditions and culture. Society is driven by media and movies would be a major contributor to that.  Don't get me wrong, I think that movies are a great thing, but used in the wrong way they may pose a threat to society.

Blog 1

What are your thoughts about taking the class History Through Film? What do you hope to get out of this class and what strength do you bring to the class that will help us all progress forward as we learn?

I am really excited about taking this History Through Film Class.  It will be a much different approach of learning than my other classes.  A lot of the material we cover is through technology and film.  I have never used Blogger before so this is something new. I hope that by taking this class I will be prepared for college because I know I will be taking classes similar to this there.  I can't really think of any particular strengths that I bring to the class other than that I am the only Junior in the class so I have a younger perspective on things than the Seniors.  I also currently taking United States History so it will be interesting to see how the two classes work together and if there is a different perspective on the material.