This film was a true example of magical realism. In definition alone, "Magical realism is characterized by two conflicting perspectives, one based on a rational view of reality and the other on the acceptance of the supernatural as prosaic reality".
This film was peppered with examples, such as the first; the exaggeration of tears of joy overflowing the house when Dona Elena gave birth to Tita. Then it was said that the sun dried up this flood and the salt from the tears were used to cook with all their meals.
I enjoyed how the creator of this film correlated Tita's passion of emotion she poured into her cooking with the experience of whom ever consumes the food. When everyone at the wedding ate the cake that Tita cried into the reaction was unremarkably poetic to how she felt when she was crying~Yearning for their true love and sad for their loss.
I think the most extravagant and most memorable scene was the expression of passion from the quail with rose petal sauce that Tita made. This was another emotion filled meal made after Pedro gave Tita roses and her mother demanded for them to be thrown away. In protest to her mother and her heated love and passion for Pedro she cooks with them only to have everyone that consumes the meal to feel the heat and passion the Tita and Pedro have for each other. And who could forget the scene with Gertrudis' response to the meal...she was past the boiling point when she set the shower house on fire from her desire and passion of her consumption.
I enjoyed this film for the magical realism that encircled a beautiful love story. To be able to enjoy a story/film is to understand what the character is feeling. Yes, it was extravagant but you knew exactly what emotion guided each character down their chosen path. It WAS magical, poetic and beautiful.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Motorcycle Diaries post by Renee Williams
What scene(s) of the film display experiences that possibly helped shape his personality as a future leader?
I think the defining moment is this film that started the wheels of revolution turning for Ernesto would be when he ran into the couple in the desert and heard their story of suffering due to communist take over.
When Ernesto and Ganardo left the mines; Ernesto felt the reality of what was happening. Watching grown men who were starving, sit and wait to be picked to work in the mines like it was a lottery of chance for mere change.
As Ernesto and Ganardo continued their journey more and more signs of poverty and despair became more evident. Peru there was no money and no jobs, just women making art work and clothing.
The Incan Ruins of Machu Picu was a picture of reality of what can happen to an educated, organized, and strong culture when overtaken by military force.
The visit to Lima was a beneficial aspect of their adventure that helped shape Ernesto's personality to become a future leader. This is where he met Dr. Pesce, who had a plethora of knowledge and books about the revolution and what it stood for and against.
Ernesto's stay in San Pablo had sealed the deal ;by being able to live with and care for and treat the people who were afflicted with poverty and disease. To actually be separated by a river really made the point clear. Doctors, nurses, nuns, and other staff on one side while the treated were on the other side of the Amazon River. I admire Ernesto for his courage, compassion, and determination to swim across the river to spend his birthday with the ones he cared about.... Why should they be left out????? And in this the fire burns.
~Renee Williams
I think the defining moment is this film that started the wheels of revolution turning for Ernesto would be when he ran into the couple in the desert and heard their story of suffering due to communist take over.
When Ernesto and Ganardo left the mines; Ernesto felt the reality of what was happening. Watching grown men who were starving, sit and wait to be picked to work in the mines like it was a lottery of chance for mere change.
As Ernesto and Ganardo continued their journey more and more signs of poverty and despair became more evident. Peru there was no money and no jobs, just women making art work and clothing.
The Incan Ruins of Machu Picu was a picture of reality of what can happen to an educated, organized, and strong culture when overtaken by military force.
The visit to Lima was a beneficial aspect of their adventure that helped shape Ernesto's personality to become a future leader. This is where he met Dr. Pesce, who had a plethora of knowledge and books about the revolution and what it stood for and against.
Ernesto's stay in San Pablo had sealed the deal ;by being able to live with and care for and treat the people who were afflicted with poverty and disease. To actually be separated by a river really made the point clear. Doctors, nurses, nuns, and other staff on one side while the treated were on the other side of the Amazon River. I admire Ernesto for his courage, compassion, and determination to swim across the river to spend his birthday with the ones he cared about.... Why should they be left out????? And in this the fire burns.
~Renee Williams
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown Discussion questions by Renee Williams
The Spanish comedy: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was set in Madrid, Spain. I found this film as an out-there, slap- shtick comedy. I caught myself laughing at the absurd situations the main character, Pepa, kept finding herself in while trying to chase down her lover, Ivan. This film had alot of coincidences that pulled itself in a full circle.
I found the interactions of the Spanish speaking women with the men in the same culture as "no holds bar"... there was no personal space during dialog and the women (especially Pepa) had a very sexual/ forward way with words and approach.
The differences between women in the film and today's American women range between eccentric and forward. Similarities were also seen such as being vulnerable to being in love and determined for closure. Pepa was a strong character not only with her words but with her actions. In the end she had risen above her emotions after she had the closure she needed.
My impression about this film plot varies from the good, the bad and the ugly. After viewing my first Spanish comedy I understand that the Spanish culture has a different style of comedy/humor than the American culture. The plot was based on a woman (Pepa) who fell in love and had a relationship with a married man (Ivan). This movie kept taking you through a whirl wind tunnel of incidents that led Pepa to run into Ivan's son, accidentally drug his fiance with gazpacho laced with barbiturates then riding around town with a whacked out taxi driver. All the while her model friend comes to the condo running from the law because of involvement with falling in love and sheltering a terrorist. Oh oh oh..... but it gets better...... Ivan's psychotic wife knocks on the door to the condo to confront Pepa of the affair with two cops at her side to investigate the terrorist situation. HELLO, now with everyone in the condo (with the comatose fiance, mind you) Pepa offers everyone some laced gazpacho. The wife is the only one who does not drink because she has revenge on her mind....the cops pass out and Ivan's wife is off with thier guns on the back of a hijacked motorcycle with her wig-a-blazin' and her 50's pink Jackie Kennedy suit on. Pepa in the crazy taxi drivers ride in hot pursuit to stop Ivan's wife from killing Ivan at the airport, who is running away from all his responsibilities. (Pepa, his wife and son and reality). All ends well though....Pepa saves Ivan and has closure by ending the dysfunctional relationship. WOW...it was just too much for me, too many full circle coincidences.
I am really not sure if there is a difference between women from Spanish America and women from Spanish Europe. After viewing this film my impression of women from Spanish Europe has been swayed to thinking that they are brimming with casual sexual confidence with a drive to get things done. My only experience of women of the Spanish American culture would be the films I have viewed in this course. I feel that this culture of women have a strength and determination to get things done. Working hard to effectivly complete a task.
I found the interactions of the Spanish speaking women with the men in the same culture as "no holds bar"... there was no personal space during dialog and the women (especially Pepa) had a very sexual/ forward way with words and approach.
The differences between women in the film and today's American women range between eccentric and forward. Similarities were also seen such as being vulnerable to being in love and determined for closure. Pepa was a strong character not only with her words but with her actions. In the end she had risen above her emotions after she had the closure she needed.
My impression about this film plot varies from the good, the bad and the ugly. After viewing my first Spanish comedy I understand that the Spanish culture has a different style of comedy/humor than the American culture. The plot was based on a woman (Pepa) who fell in love and had a relationship with a married man (Ivan). This movie kept taking you through a whirl wind tunnel of incidents that led Pepa to run into Ivan's son, accidentally drug his fiance with gazpacho laced with barbiturates then riding around town with a whacked out taxi driver. All the while her model friend comes to the condo running from the law because of involvement with falling in love and sheltering a terrorist. Oh oh oh..... but it gets better...... Ivan's psychotic wife knocks on the door to the condo to confront Pepa of the affair with two cops at her side to investigate the terrorist situation. HELLO, now with everyone in the condo (with the comatose fiance, mind you) Pepa offers everyone some laced gazpacho. The wife is the only one who does not drink because she has revenge on her mind....the cops pass out and Ivan's wife is off with thier guns on the back of a hijacked motorcycle with her wig-a-blazin' and her 50's pink Jackie Kennedy suit on. Pepa in the crazy taxi drivers ride in hot pursuit to stop Ivan's wife from killing Ivan at the airport, who is running away from all his responsibilities. (Pepa, his wife and son and reality). All ends well though....Pepa saves Ivan and has closure by ending the dysfunctional relationship. WOW...it was just too much for me, too many full circle coincidences.
I am really not sure if there is a difference between women from Spanish America and women from Spanish Europe. After viewing this film my impression of women from Spanish Europe has been swayed to thinking that they are brimming with casual sexual confidence with a drive to get things done. My only experience of women of the Spanish American culture would be the films I have viewed in this course. I feel that this culture of women have a strength and determination to get things done. Working hard to effectivly complete a task.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Machuca: Plot Segmentation by Renee Williams
1. English School for Boys (St. Patrick's)
a. Visual of different classes (uniforms/ tattered street cloths)
b. Father McEnroe- *immediately enforces equality between social classes in class
c. Gonzalo and Pedro meet for the first time
2. Friendship begins by the hatred and bullying of another boy of the upper social class.
a. Ride home with a friend -Willie
b. Sell flags at both Marches
*A. SOCIALIST: Jump if your not a commie
*B. COMMUNIST: Jump if your not a mummy (rich and spoiled)
3. Gonzalo goes with mom to her boyfriends place (Roberto)
4. Gonzalo helps Pedro with his test
5. The fun begins~Gonzalo is now a kid~no bearers, no restrictions
6. The social class revealed
a. when test is returned Pedro received 4 points and Gonzalo received 7 points. Gonzalo admits he intentionally did worse on Pedro's test "they would have known" if you got 7 points
7. Trying to break the bariers
a. Silvana shares the condensed milk with the boys with kisses.
8. The fire of jealousy and comunisim start
a. Silvana and Gonzalo watching movie together, Pedro sits next to them alone
b. Church pigs set on fire due to being sick/dead~~~~*End of Socialism
9. The ugly truth is said aloud
a. Pedro's father confronts Pedro with Gonzalo's social class and fortune of moving up in the world, while Pedro will always be "cleaning toilets"
10. Church Meeting
a. When will things change, not this time
11. The March
a. Gonzalo witnesses Silvana and his mother fighting~watching the classes fight
12. Fight at the home front
a. Silvana and Pedro gang up on Gonzalo by taking off with his bike
b. Gonzalo retaliates with racial/social class slur at them
13. Gonzalo's father leaves
a. for buisness trip or forever?
14. News of a new era
a. Salvador Allende overthrown and killed by Dictator/military General Augusto Pinochet
b. School taken over by military, Father McEnroe removed from his position of princapal
15. Gonzalo returns home~empty
a. ALONE
16. Evil change at its worst
a. Gonzalo goes to santy town to visit with Pedro
b. Military clearing out people, burning shacks and belongings
c. "Uncle" Willie beaten for selling flags for both parties
d. Silvana shot and killed for trying to save Willie
17. Social class to the rescue
a. Soldier was going to load Gonzalo in the truck with the shanty town residents, Gonzalo scared and pulling away..lpleads with soldier to "take a look at me!" he was let go
18. A long ride to a new home
a. Gonzalo arrives at his new home, Roberto's
19. Classroom of dismay
a. Gonzalo leaves with test sheet blank
20. Alone and forever changed
a. Gonzalo rides his bike to shanty town, no a soul to be seen
a. Visual of different classes (uniforms/ tattered street cloths)
b. Father McEnroe- *immediately enforces equality between social classes in class
c. Gonzalo and Pedro meet for the first time
2. Friendship begins by the hatred and bullying of another boy of the upper social class.
a. Ride home with a friend -Willie
b. Sell flags at both Marches
*A. SOCIALIST: Jump if your not a commie
*B. COMMUNIST: Jump if your not a mummy (rich and spoiled)
3. Gonzalo goes with mom to her boyfriends place (Roberto)
4. Gonzalo helps Pedro with his test
5. The fun begins~Gonzalo is now a kid~no bearers, no restrictions
6. The social class revealed
a. when test is returned Pedro received 4 points and Gonzalo received 7 points. Gonzalo admits he intentionally did worse on Pedro's test "they would have known" if you got 7 points
7. Trying to break the bariers
a. Silvana shares the condensed milk with the boys with kisses.
8. The fire of jealousy and comunisim start
a. Silvana and Gonzalo watching movie together, Pedro sits next to them alone
b. Church pigs set on fire due to being sick/dead~~~~*End of Socialism
9. The ugly truth is said aloud
a. Pedro's father confronts Pedro with Gonzalo's social class and fortune of moving up in the world, while Pedro will always be "cleaning toilets"
10. Church Meeting
a. When will things change, not this time
11. The March
a. Gonzalo witnesses Silvana and his mother fighting~watching the classes fight
12. Fight at the home front
a. Silvana and Pedro gang up on Gonzalo by taking off with his bike
b. Gonzalo retaliates with racial/social class slur at them
13. Gonzalo's father leaves
a. for buisness trip or forever?
14. News of a new era
a. Salvador Allende overthrown and killed by Dictator/military General Augusto Pinochet
b. School taken over by military, Father McEnroe removed from his position of princapal
15. Gonzalo returns home~empty
a. ALONE
16. Evil change at its worst
a. Gonzalo goes to santy town to visit with Pedro
b. Military clearing out people, burning shacks and belongings
c. "Uncle" Willie beaten for selling flags for both parties
d. Silvana shot and killed for trying to save Willie
17. Social class to the rescue
a. Soldier was going to load Gonzalo in the truck with the shanty town residents, Gonzalo scared and pulling away..lpleads with soldier to "take a look at me!" he was let go
18. A long ride to a new home
a. Gonzalo arrives at his new home, Roberto's
19. Classroom of dismay
a. Gonzalo leaves with test sheet blank
20. Alone and forever changed
a. Gonzalo rides his bike to shanty town, no a soul to be seen
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Machuca Questions by Renee Williams
1) The interaction between Gonzalo and Pedro began and ended because of their differences. Pedro was teased and picked on for being poor by one of the class mates. Gonzalo was approached to pick on him as well, but helps Pedro instead. Pedro helps Gonzalo when he is being bullied as well. From this grows a friendship and a journey about political differences, social class and financial hierarchy.
2)Yes, you can easily see the differences between the two social classes between the rich and the poor. The first glimpse is seen at the English School for Boys, St. Patricks: the poor....tattered clothing, insecure posture while being announced. the rich....suits with cocky attitudes. Living situations were also quite different. Gonzalo lives in a house with his own room, closet full of clothes and shoes. Pedro lives in shanty town in a one room shack with his mom, baby sister, friend (Silvana) and sometimes the father (drunk).
3)The message I obtained from this film was that as a child you can look through rose colored glasses and see the world for what it should be and try to make a difference or change, but when society changes its way you will most likely have to change with it. Race, religion, culture and political sway you can't control. YOU can change your opinion and your beliefs.
4)I found this movie compelling. It was not sugar coated and it was in your face. I loved all the symbolism such as the "Lone Ranger"- symbolizing the friendship of Pedro and Gonzalo. The burning of the pigs- the end of socialism, the three children and the condensed can of milk-the bridge between classes...... etc. I also believe think that Gonzalo's father represented neutralism, and if that is so......WOW! He leaves showing that not only this new political culture can not handle a neutral state, but the family can not as well. WOW
2)Yes, you can easily see the differences between the two social classes between the rich and the poor. The first glimpse is seen at the English School for Boys, St. Patricks: the poor....tattered clothing, insecure posture while being announced. the rich....suits with cocky attitudes. Living situations were also quite different. Gonzalo lives in a house with his own room, closet full of clothes and shoes. Pedro lives in shanty town in a one room shack with his mom, baby sister, friend (Silvana) and sometimes the father (drunk).
3)The message I obtained from this film was that as a child you can look through rose colored glasses and see the world for what it should be and try to make a difference or change, but when society changes its way you will most likely have to change with it. Race, religion, culture and political sway you can't control. YOU can change your opinion and your beliefs.
4)I found this movie compelling. It was not sugar coated and it was in your face. I loved all the symbolism such as the "Lone Ranger"- symbolizing the friendship of Pedro and Gonzalo. The burning of the pigs- the end of socialism, the three children and the condensed can of milk-the bridge between classes...... etc. I also believe think that Gonzalo's father represented neutralism, and if that is so......WOW! He leaves showing that not only this new political culture can not handle a neutral state, but the family can not as well. WOW
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Under the Same Moon Questions
1) Rosario left her son (Carlitos) with his grandmother in Mexico to build a better life for him. She was trying to pay a lawyer to legalize citizenship for Carlitos to join her in the US. Rosario was also working two jobs and studying for citizenship.
2)I think Rosario made this difficult decision to make a better life for herself and her son. Carlito's father left them and went to America without word, I think Rosario wanted to show Carlitos that there is hope and strength in family. Which he proves day in and day out by taking on the responsibilities of taking care of his grandmother, going to school, and working at such a young age.
3) They were both sad and lonely without each other. Missing out on birthdays and many milestones they could have shared together. Individually: Carlitos missed out of being a boy....hanging out with his friend was always dismissed because he worked and took care of his grandmother. Rosario had to deal with an unkind employer "Cruella DeVille" who did not appreciate her and hatefully reminded her she is an illegal alien.
4) I believe that most mothers would sacrifice what they could if only to help their children have a better future. Even in the US mothers (single or married) work one or more jobs as well as go to school just so they can help their children have a comfortable life and educated future.
2)I think Rosario made this difficult decision to make a better life for herself and her son. Carlito's father left them and went to America without word, I think Rosario wanted to show Carlitos that there is hope and strength in family. Which he proves day in and day out by taking on the responsibilities of taking care of his grandmother, going to school, and working at such a young age.
3) They were both sad and lonely without each other. Missing out on birthdays and many milestones they could have shared together. Individually: Carlitos missed out of being a boy....hanging out with his friend was always dismissed because he worked and took care of his grandmother. Rosario had to deal with an unkind employer "Cruella DeVille" who did not appreciate her and hatefully reminded her she is an illegal alien.
4) I believe that most mothers would sacrifice what they could if only to help their children have a better future. Even in the US mothers (single or married) work one or more jobs as well as go to school just so they can help their children have a comfortable life and educated future.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Under the Same Moon: Plot Segmentation by: Rene'e Williams
1. Opening scene: expository information
a. Rosario escaping
b. Rosario waking up in LA
c. Carlitos waking up in Mexico
2. Phone Call
a. Greetings and salutations
b. description of LA pay phone location *
c. cut off
3. Birthday Party
a. surprise from mom (pinata)
b. uncles suprise (daddy existance/ mom's neglect ?)
4. Day in LA (Rosario)/ Day in Mexico (Carlitos)
a. Mr. Right or Mr. Right now/ meeting the smugglers
5. Grandma dies
a. Carlitos respectfully says goodbye
b. Carlitos journey begins to LA/ smuggler ride begins
6. Finding mom and the LA pay phone
a. crossing paths
7. The wedding of Mr. Right/ Mr. Right now.......
a. Not right now
b. reallity call from Mexico
c. the search for Carlitos begins
8. Memory serves up a happing ending
a. Carlitos finds the pay phone/ Rosario finds Carlitos where her heart has been for too many years.
1. Opening scene: expository information
a. Rosario escaping
b. Rosario waking up in LA
c. Carlitos waking up in Mexico
2. Phone Call
a. Greetings and salutations
b. description of LA pay phone location *
c. cut off
3. Birthday Party
a. surprise from mom (pinata)
b. uncles suprise (daddy existance/ mom's neglect ?)
4. Day in LA (Rosario)/ Day in Mexico (Carlitos)
a. Mr. Right or Mr. Right now/ meeting the smugglers
5. Grandma dies
a. Carlitos respectfully says goodbye
b. Carlitos journey begins to LA/ smuggler ride begins
6. Finding mom and the LA pay phone
a. crossing paths
7. The wedding of Mr. Right/ Mr. Right now.......
a. Not right now
b. reallity call from Mexico
c. the search for Carlitos begins
8. Memory serves up a happing ending
a. Carlitos finds the pay phone/ Rosario finds Carlitos where her heart has been for too many years.
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