I don’t exactly plan on writing in this blog everyday, but given its novelty at the moment, I just can’t resist writing everything that comes to mind. I am currently in the library attempting to ‘study’ for an exam and thought it would be fitting to combine a blog post with a study session. As Ricky from TPB would say: “Getting two birds stoned at once.”
I’m a big fan of films, or movies as most people call them. I am finishing up a film studies minor tomorrow, with my final exam in “Introduction to Film Studies”. I didn’t really do the minor in the right order and basically started with the real film classes and am now ending with the introduction class. After completing an array of film studies courses, which included Russian Film, Germanic/Holocaust, Joan of Arc, Comic Books, and Film Direction itself; I can only recommend how enjoyable it was. Naturally, the courses weren’t very challenging, but even they were tougher than this introduction course. After the first class (which was back in September) I haven’t attended a single one aside from the mid-term in December. I am now one night away from the final exam, but still not even phased. Why, you ask? Well because I get to blog about this shit and quantify the info in my head as well yours.

The Films:

1. The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)
   A science fiction film, very genre specific. Sadly, I never watched it, so we’ll move on.
2. The Thin Blue Line (Erroll Morris, 1988)
   A documentary film (also on the course theme of film genres) it documents something about cops. I never watched this one either…
   
   
3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Howard Hawks, 1953)
   The course theme was gender and spectatorship, I did actually watch this one, but kind of like a background movie. Nevertheless, if you haven’t seen this film (and why would you, it’s from freakin’ 1953), I honestly recommend it. It was HUGE in its time and is interesting simply from a generational perspective. Marilyn Monroe ain’t to hard on the eyes either…
   
   
4. Tank Girl (Rachel Talalay, 1995)
   A theme of feminist alternatives, the movie was quite awful. It was just trying too hard with its integrated animated sequences and over-acting of the main character. It had a couple bright moments here and there, but I can definitely resonate with why it flopped so hard in the box office. The one lasting detail of the film was its general premise, where the world is suffering from a critical water shortage and one company strives control the global supply. Naturally, laws and civilities are thrown out the window—but Tank Girl saves the day for the innocent (you can see where the plot goes astray).
   
   
5. Mississippi Burning (Alan Parker, 1989)
   The course theme was race and representation and this movie was bad-ass to the max. Willem Defoe was stellar as usual, but Gene Hackman really kicked some KKK ass. The two represent FBI agents brought in to a small southern town to investigate the speculated racial murder of three public relations workers, two Jewish men and a black man. The film addresses the prominent racial issues that existed in the South and is based on a true story. It evokes passion from the viewer, has a great soundtrack and personifies the justice of good vs. evil. Highly recommended. 
   
   
6. Do The Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989)
   This film also fell into the theme of race and representation, but addressed such issues in a much different presentation. On the hottest day of the year in a racially divided down, tempers get out of hand and the separate races class. Lee does a remarkable job in expressing the ignorance of racism, ending with iconic quotes from both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. It’s entertaining and delectably different then most films you seen. I also recommend it.
   
   
7. Live Free or Die Hard (Len Wiseman, 2007)
   A course theme of masculinity and social class, it is the fourth and much delayed installment of a classic series. It’s overly action-packed, unrealistic, and over-dramatic—but who can complain about Bruce Willis kicking ass in his 50’s? Taking on the role of John McLean, the guy is once again beating down terrorists and epitomizing the term “hero”. It’s an easy watch and constantly entertaining, I’d recommend it as a late night, post-bar flick or a hungover one. 
   
   
8. The Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)
   What better way to end the course with perhaps the greatest trilogy of all time? Although the focus was masculinity and social class, I was too engulfed in the magical realm of middle earth to even care about themes. Hobbits, elves, dwarves, wizards, orks, humans and the undead— all taking part in the most epic battle ever conveyed on film. Not only do I recommend this trilogy, because almost everyone has seen it, but I recommend the true LOTR experience. Dedicate an entire night to the trilogy; watch all three extended versions in a row and you’ll be dreaming of Middle Earth for weeks.

Still no real idea of what will be on the final exam, I enjoyed seeing and appreciating some new films. The course themes of race and representation were the most prevalent for me and from it I recommend Mississippi Burning as the curriculum must see flick.