1. I chose to watch Flyboys. Flyboys is about WWI before America became involved. The young American men who disagreed with America not getting involved in the war decided to volunteer to fight alongside the French. Some men decided that they wanted to learn how to fly. The first of them, known as the Lafayette Escadrille, was a small squadron of only 38 men. It wasn't long after their efforts that America joined their cause.
2. This movie touches on what we have talked about with WWI. We have talked about the many different types of stratigies that the different nations used, aviation being one. We also talked about the devastating destruction of the war, which was very great. To have willingly entered into this war was a very brave act, and seeing as how this movie is based on a true story, it is visible just how important this war and, in term, world peace was to the young men who willingly volunteered.
3. This movie changed my thoughts of the war greatly. It became clear to me just how dangerous the war was and just how brave the men were that volunteered. I now understand why so many young men lied about their age to serve in the war. If you had fought in the war, you would have brought great honor to your name, and that it why many young men did so.
4. I really liked this movie because it gave me a different view on WWI than just reading facts straight out of a text book. I loved the fact that it was based off of a true story, so it is easy to relate it to the war without wondering if what you are watching is factual or false.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Blood Diamond 5th Period
The movie I watched was “Blood Diamond”. The movie takes place in the African country of Sierra Leone; and has two main characters, one being Solomon, a fisherman, and the other Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler and also an ex-mercenary. Solomon’s village is invaded by the RUF, causing him to be separated from his family, and they also kidnap his son, Dia and turn him into a child soldier. Solomon is enslaved into a diamond field (the RUF use the diamonds to fund the war). While working at the fields, Solomon finds a large diamond of pink coloring, a captain sees him hide it and almost kills him, but the field is raided by government forces, and they are both taken to a prison in Freetown. Danny is caught smuggling diamonds into Liberia, and he is sent to the prison in Freetown also.
While in prison, Danny hears the captain and Solomon talking about the large diamond, it intrigues Danny so he decides to hunt it. Danny is released and later arranges for Solomon to be released from prison. He strikes a deal with Solomon: help him find the diamond, and he will help find his family. In the end, Solomon saves Dia, but Danny dies. Solomon sells the diamond to Danny’s ex-employers for a large amount of money, and they also give him his family back.
The movie touches on several elements of World History that we have learned in class. The elements include African rebels, child soldiers, and blood diamonds. The film takes place during the last year of the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1999. The movie helped me understand how bad African countries can be torn apart during a Civil war and also showed me the horrors of war. The movie also gave me more knowledge about blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined in war zones to fund rebels. The fact that African rebels and diamond companies across the world profit off of these diamonds anger me. After anyone with any morals watches the film, they would think twice before purchasing diamond jewelry.
I enjoyed watching this movie. The movie helped me appreciate my safe life in America. The makers of the movie did a great job in showing how corrupt diamond companies are and in showing the horrors of African civil wars. The movie is very educational to anyone who is willing to watch it. I actually thought it was a good movie too, and I would recommend it to anyone willing to learn more about African civil wars and blood diamonds.
Black Robe
The film that I watched was the Black Robe. This movie was about a Jesuit priest who goes on a mission to convert the Algonquin and Huron Indians to Christianity. On his journey, his faith is tested from many troublesome events. The Algonquin Indians do not respect his religion. Because the priest prays and baptizes people, they also call him a demon throughout the entire movie. While on their tough journey, the Algonquin Indians decide to leave Laforgue behind. While hiding, the Iroquois Indians, a tribe that wants to solve all problems with violence, raided his possessions. The Algonquin tribe came back and got into a bloody fight leaving them with only 5 members left. The Iroquois take them back to their village and torture them severally, leaving Laforgue with only 4 fingers on his right hand. Annuka, the only Algonquin girl remaining, seduces the Iroquois guard and escapes herself and her friends. At this moment, there are only 4 remaining members on the mission, Laforgue, Annuka, Chomina, and Daniel. Soon after their escape, Chomina dies from an arrowhead being logged in his back from the Iroquois attack. Annuka, Daniel, and Laforgue journeyed on. When arriving at the Huron village, Annuka and Daniel left Laforgue to go on to safety. The Huron people asked Laforgue to baptize and convert them to Christianity. Fifteen years after their baptizing, they were murdered by the Iroquois tribe.
Black Robe expresses many elements of World History. One of those elements is the harshness and impact weather came be on travelers. It affected the Algonquin immensely because of the severity of the bitter coldness. Another element is the conflict between the French and Indian people. The Indian people did not accept the Frenchmen or their culture because they believed the French were inferior to them. The clash among Indian tribes was a huge element of World History that was depicted in this film. The Huron and Algonquin people were seen as mediocre to the Iroquois people. Lastly, the spread of Christianity was an important element in this movie. Laforgue’s struggle to keep his faith and to introduce it to new people was a very hard task to achieve. But through this fight, the priest accomplished what he came to accomplish.
This film reinforced my understanding of embracing your faith. It shows that with strong will and courage you can conquer your goals to help others in need, as Laforgue did. It also reinforced my knowledge of the cruelty that the Indians used in dealing with their enemies. An example of this from the movie is when meeting the Iroquois leader, one must go through a tunnel of Iroquois members armed with clubs to beat them. Later, the leader cut off Laforgue’s finger. Also, they slit the young child’s throat without having any remorse. The Iroquois leader expressed many horrible statics they were going to use to kill the 4 remaining travelers including burning them alive on a stake and to peel every single piece of skin off their bodies but to be sure they were alive to feel every moment of it.
In my opinion, I thought the film was very graphic but real. It was full of violence and inappropriate behavior that I was not expecting but, I do understand that that is what those people went through back in the harsh times of 1634. I was not imagining that much brutality and gruesomeness to be in the film. I thought the parts were played particularly well. With the suspense and connection I developed to the characters, the film kept me attentive and interested. All in all, I liked this film.
Black Robe expresses many elements of World History. One of those elements is the harshness and impact weather came be on travelers. It affected the Algonquin immensely because of the severity of the bitter coldness. Another element is the conflict between the French and Indian people. The Indian people did not accept the Frenchmen or their culture because they believed the French were inferior to them. The clash among Indian tribes was a huge element of World History that was depicted in this film. The Huron and Algonquin people were seen as mediocre to the Iroquois people. Lastly, the spread of Christianity was an important element in this movie. Laforgue’s struggle to keep his faith and to introduce it to new people was a very hard task to achieve. But through this fight, the priest accomplished what he came to accomplish.
This film reinforced my understanding of embracing your faith. It shows that with strong will and courage you can conquer your goals to help others in need, as Laforgue did. It also reinforced my knowledge of the cruelty that the Indians used in dealing with their enemies. An example of this from the movie is when meeting the Iroquois leader, one must go through a tunnel of Iroquois members armed with clubs to beat them. Later, the leader cut off Laforgue’s finger. Also, they slit the young child’s throat without having any remorse. The Iroquois leader expressed many horrible statics they were going to use to kill the 4 remaining travelers including burning them alive on a stake and to peel every single piece of skin off their bodies but to be sure they were alive to feel every moment of it.
In my opinion, I thought the film was very graphic but real. It was full of violence and inappropriate behavior that I was not expecting but, I do understand that that is what those people went through back in the harsh times of 1634. I was not imagining that much brutality and gruesomeness to be in the film. I thought the parts were played particularly well. With the suspense and connection I developed to the characters, the film kept me attentive and interested. All in all, I liked this film.
Invictus
The film I chose to watch was "Invictus" starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. It was about newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela trying to reunite the country of South Africa through a rugby team. He was in prison for twenty seven years for a fight against apartheid. When he was elected, he did not want revenge, instead, he was forgiving. Nelson Mandela just wanted his counrty to be united as one.
The elements of "World History" that was touched on by this film is the unity of South Africa. Nelson Mandela is a very peaceful and loving man and just wanted his country to support one another no matter what race. The rugby team helped out with that because the movie has a picture at the very end of the movie of a white hand and black hand on a trophy. It symbolizes that Nelson Mandela brought the races together to work as one.
The film changed my idea of this historical event because I did not know that one man did all of that for the counrty of South Africa. Also I did not know how peaceful and forgiving Nelson Mandela is to the people that locked him away. Throughout the film, there are clips of poor neighborhoods and middle to higher class neighborhoods in South Africa. It is the growing gap between the rich and the poor shown, but Nelson Mandela does his best to eliminate those gaps.
I thought the movie was very good. It displays the images of South Africa and the struggles they go through very well. Also it depicts very well how much one sports team matters to a counrty. It is a great movie and I recommend it for anyone.
The elements of "World History" that was touched on by this film is the unity of South Africa. Nelson Mandela is a very peaceful and loving man and just wanted his country to support one another no matter what race. The rugby team helped out with that because the movie has a picture at the very end of the movie of a white hand and black hand on a trophy. It symbolizes that Nelson Mandela brought the races together to work as one.
The film changed my idea of this historical event because I did not know that one man did all of that for the counrty of South Africa. Also I did not know how peaceful and forgiving Nelson Mandela is to the people that locked him away. Throughout the film, there are clips of poor neighborhoods and middle to higher class neighborhoods in South Africa. It is the growing gap between the rich and the poor shown, but Nelson Mandela does his best to eliminate those gaps.
I thought the movie was very good. It displays the images of South Africa and the struggles they go through very well. Also it depicts very well how much one sports team matters to a counrty. It is a great movie and I recommend it for anyone.
Flyboys
1. I chose to watch Flyboys, a film made in 2006. This movie tells the struggles a group of American men endured during World War I. The men volunteered to serve the French military prior to America's entrance in the war. They ventured on to become members of the French fighter pilots, and take down many German planes. The movie is based on a true story, and reveals what happened to each of the American men at the end.
2. Flyboys concentrated on the middle years of World War I, before American entry. It showed the relationship between the allied countries and how their teamwork helped them throughout the war. The movie also demonstrated the brutality of war, despite the common illusion of only glory coming from war. The American men form friendships during their training and learn that every person there has a purpose in the war. This movie shows the inner battle the soldiers face, having to deal with such loss.
3. The movie helped me realize that not only are the soldiers fighting against other men, but they are fighting for much more. The men struggled with loyalty, expectations from their family, love, loss, and the reality of war. The first time the group of men flew, one threw up as soon as he touched the ground. They each had to meet high expectations, backed up by only a little training. The history and feelings that were felt in that time became a reality within this film.
4. I thought that this film would be like a traditional action movie, and not impact me too much. However, as I continued to watch it, I found myself surprised how much I could relate to the soldiers. My dad was in the air force, and I asked him if he knew people who flew fighter planes like the ones in the movie. I was surprised to find that my grandpa flew ones just like it, and shot down planes much like the actors in the film did. I really liked this movie and I am glad that I understand the reality of the soldiers' situation a little bit more now.
Mr. McDonald's World History: 4th Honors
The movie I chose to watch was Out of Africa, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. The movie is about a woman, Karen Blixen, who has a farm in Africa and everything that happens in her life while she has her farm in Africa. In the beginning of the movie she decides to marry one of her friends so she can hold more power in the world because she could not because she is female and living in the early nineteen hundreds. As the movie progresses, elements of World War I are depicted. The farm she has is a coffee farm which proves to give her many obstacles to overcome. She ends up having to move away from Africa, divorcing her husband, and her lover dies.
From the beginning of the movie, elements of World History are shown. The main character is a Barroness from Denmark, and one of the high class people she is often associated with asks her what side she thinks Denmark will be on if a war is to break out. She answers, "on it's own I hope". Eventually, the war does break out and her husband goes to fight, even though she does not want him to. Another historical element is the white European men essentially taking over African colonies. Geography is also an important element of the movie, because the movie takes place in parts of Africa, and parts of Europe. Overall, the story would not have been able to occur if World War One had not happened because many of the plot lines of the movie were because of the war.
The movie changed my perspective of how white Europeans treated black Africans. Before the movie I thought that when Europeans would go to Africa they would be treated horrible and everyone hated Europeans, when that was not always the case. This true story, showed a woman who really cared about what happened to the people on her farm. She doctors a sick child, takes into conssideration the feelings of their chief, and builds a school for the children of the village. The people who live in the area ador her and whenever she leaves them they always anticipate her arrival, especially one of the men who work ariund her house that she grew very close to.
I really enjoyed the film, it was entertaining as well as interesting. The filming was phenominal, and the movie had a lot of cute moments. Although the movie was very enjoyable, it did end on a sad note, which was most unfortunate. The acting was also good, and the accent was believable. All in all, I would have liked to watch this movie in my spare time, and the elements of world history were tied in wonderfully.
From the beginning of the movie, elements of World History are shown. The main character is a Barroness from Denmark, and one of the high class people she is often associated with asks her what side she thinks Denmark will be on if a war is to break out. She answers, "on it's own I hope". Eventually, the war does break out and her husband goes to fight, even though she does not want him to. Another historical element is the white European men essentially taking over African colonies. Geography is also an important element of the movie, because the movie takes place in parts of Africa, and parts of Europe. Overall, the story would not have been able to occur if World War One had not happened because many of the plot lines of the movie were because of the war.
The movie changed my perspective of how white Europeans treated black Africans. Before the movie I thought that when Europeans would go to Africa they would be treated horrible and everyone hated Europeans, when that was not always the case. This true story, showed a woman who really cared about what happened to the people on her farm. She doctors a sick child, takes into conssideration the feelings of their chief, and builds a school for the children of the village. The people who live in the area ador her and whenever she leaves them they always anticipate her arrival, especially one of the men who work ariund her house that she grew very close to.
I really enjoyed the film, it was entertaining as well as interesting. The filming was phenominal, and the movie had a lot of cute moments. Although the movie was very enjoyable, it did end on a sad note, which was most unfortunate. The acting was also good, and the accent was believable. All in all, I would have liked to watch this movie in my spare time, and the elements of world history were tied in wonderfully.
Invictus
"Invitcus" Is about Nelson Mandela being released after 27 years and workd to bring abot the end of the racism nad the initiation of full democratic elections; Madeline wins the race for president of south africa His first challenge is "balancing blakc aspirations with white fears". There is alot of racial issues in south africa going on during this time. He hires a security team of both black and white officials causing tention at first, but then using the sport to bring them together. He wants the rugby team to win the world cup this year. He turns to the captain of the springboks rugby team pienaar. The team trains, but the players voice is poor to th public because of their record. By the end the team wins their final match and the racial tention is broke. This ties into our conversation in class about racism. What tools we can use to break it and how it was done.
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