Thursday, February 12, 2009
Babett's Feast/Rant
I thought that similiarly to Cold Fever, the role of religion in Babbette's Feast was mitigated by other more prevalent themes. While the ideas of love and ritual are a part of religion they are not precisely what I expected from this class. Belief and faith are beautiful things within themselves but religion is the institionalized facet that more often than not blights whatever it touches. I had assumed that we would either be examining the role of religion as an institution or belief and faith as completely separate entities within film. I still am baffled as to how religion, belief, or faith comes into play in "Like Water for Chocolate". Insight?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Matthew Winant - Bunny (2/10/2009)
The short film Bunny visually discussing the transcendent of the afterlife. One wonders, why is it that the oven is the door to following the light to the afterlife? Curiously enough, while watching the short clip, I was more interested in the Bunny's husband, when they had gotten married, why did they love each other, what were their occupations. It did not occur to me that her death and transcendence were important, she was old, alone, and definitely sad that her husband has long been gone. It is a great thing that is with the Creator now, and that her passing was not difficult for anyone else, as most deaths deeply hurt families emotionally. Like I said, the story of her passing does not interest me, I am so compelled to figure out her life, what she had accomplished and what her husband had accomplished. All in all, the story is not sad, but joyous as her faith in the Father has brought her toward Him in the end.
Matthew Winant - Taken (2/10/2009)
“Now is not the time for dick measuring!”
While there is little religious symbolism in the action flick Taken starring Liam Neeson, there is plenty of revenge, action, killing, and a small side of awesome. This peculiar film came out this past weekend in America; however, it has been released worldwide as early as last February. Because of this, I have seen the film multiple times, once in French, once in Spanish, and a couple of times in English, and I must say that even though the film was originally made in France, good ol' Liam Neeson yelling in English is the best way to see this film. It is almost a cross of James Bond and the Bourne Movies, Nesson's character Bryan Miles is a retired “preventer” who wishes to spend more time with his daughter, who is being sheltered by his ex-wife and new rich-husband. Without revealing to much in terms of spoilers, the main stretch of a religious theme is redemption and purity. I will only go into redemption in this post as to not go into the ending of the film. Bryan attempts to redeem his family life by retiring early, even though he still has the insight of a spy, and spend more time with his only daughter who is now 17. When his daughter wishes to fly to France with her friend Amanda, Bryan of course is reluctant, as he knows what can happen in the real world if you are not careful. Long story short, as seen be the trailers, Bryan's daughter is taken which only leads Bryan on a one-man killing spree of the PG-13 variety, which amazingly enough is good enough for everyone. At some points the action is almost humorous, especially if your watching the film with a group of action-junkies. Bryan's redemption comes at the end of the film when his family life is saved, and he does not miss the action of being an international spy. Overall, the film is great, but short – but this is not always a bad thing – and is worth watching with a group of friends and to discuss the character evolution that occurs throughout the film.
While there is little religious symbolism in the action flick Taken starring Liam Neeson, there is plenty of revenge, action, killing, and a small side of awesome. This peculiar film came out this past weekend in America; however, it has been released worldwide as early as last February. Because of this, I have seen the film multiple times, once in French, once in Spanish, and a couple of times in English, and I must say that even though the film was originally made in France, good ol' Liam Neeson yelling in English is the best way to see this film. It is almost a cross of James Bond and the Bourne Movies, Nesson's character Bryan Miles is a retired “preventer” who wishes to spend more time with his daughter, who is being sheltered by his ex-wife and new rich-husband. Without revealing to much in terms of spoilers, the main stretch of a religious theme is redemption and purity. I will only go into redemption in this post as to not go into the ending of the film. Bryan attempts to redeem his family life by retiring early, even though he still has the insight of a spy, and spend more time with his only daughter who is now 17. When his daughter wishes to fly to France with her friend Amanda, Bryan of course is reluctant, as he knows what can happen in the real world if you are not careful. Long story short, as seen be the trailers, Bryan's daughter is taken which only leads Bryan on a one-man killing spree of the PG-13 variety, which amazingly enough is good enough for everyone. At some points the action is almost humorous, especially if your watching the film with a group of action-junkies. Bryan's redemption comes at the end of the film when his family life is saved, and he does not miss the action of being an international spy. Overall, the film is great, but short – but this is not always a bad thing – and is worth watching with a group of friends and to discuss the character evolution that occurs throughout the film.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Cold Fever : Wilbert Hill
This film was very interesting. The film started very slow for me. I tried to understand what was happening in the beginning but finally caught on when his parents started talking to him through the advertisement to come to Iceland and show his burial respects to his mother and father. The Japanese business man was not into rituals and traditions. He did not have a very honorable relationship with his parents. This man was very comfortable in his life; he did not respect or understand the act of ritual or tradition. The young Japanese business man was a career oriented man, who was very busy.
This film focuses on the significance of ritual and tradition. Their was a women in the film who tried to teach the Japanese business man of the significance of burial and memorial. She views a funeral as a time to celebrate the life of the person who was deceased. She also believed that a funeral service was a beautiful event. The music at a funeral was absolutely beautiful to her. She tried to get the young Japanese man to understand that death is a wonderful part of life that should be celebrated by the tradition of burial or a memorial.
By the end of the movie I really understood the importance of sacred ritual and tradition. Death is a part of life that should be celebrated. The sacred ritual takes place when humans exemplify respect for the life that the now deceased person once lived. The Japanese man finally had to cross that bridge of sacred ritual by himself at the end of the film, and come to the realization that I must put my feelings aside and righteously show my loving respects to my parents.
This film focuses on the significance of ritual and tradition. Their was a women in the film who tried to teach the Japanese business man of the significance of burial and memorial. She views a funeral as a time to celebrate the life of the person who was deceased. She also believed that a funeral service was a beautiful event. The music at a funeral was absolutely beautiful to her. She tried to get the young Japanese man to understand that death is a wonderful part of life that should be celebrated by the tradition of burial or a memorial.
By the end of the movie I really understood the importance of sacred ritual and tradition. Death is a part of life that should be celebrated. The sacred ritual takes place when humans exemplify respect for the life that the now deceased person once lived. The Japanese man finally had to cross that bridge of sacred ritual by himself at the end of the film, and come to the realization that I must put my feelings aside and righteously show my loving respects to my parents.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Cold Fever
Nick Lynch
2/4/09
Of the films we have watched so far, Cold Fever is the one I liked the least. The film and our discussion afterward seemed to point to rituals as integral parts of growth and development as individuals. I do not understand this importance as by definition, a ritual is an "established or presribed procedure" and in terms of living life and growing through one's experiences, to ritualize ones life not only seems to add unneccessary complexity and rigidness, but seems to demand that these rituals be repeated which seems counteractive towards growth. While I can see the merit in reliving old experiences don't the new ones more often provide previously unseen insight?
2/4/09
Of the films we have watched so far, Cold Fever is the one I liked the least. The film and our discussion afterward seemed to point to rituals as integral parts of growth and development as individuals. I do not understand this importance as by definition, a ritual is an "established or presribed procedure" and in terms of living life and growing through one's experiences, to ritualize ones life not only seems to add unneccessary complexity and rigidness, but seems to demand that these rituals be repeated which seems counteractive towards growth. While I can see the merit in reliving old experiences don't the new ones more often provide previously unseen insight?
Wilbert Hill Jr. "The Seventh Seal"
The Seventh Seal was a movie of faith, hope, deceit, and doubt. There were many symbols and metaphors represented in the movie. This movie was very interesting to me, I really enjoyed the cinematography of the film. This film made me think about the importance of faith in a humans life. Also it made me think how doubt and deceit can lead you to a life full of misery and anguish. Joseph and Mary in this movie were examples of believers who kept the faith in the "wholly other". Antonius was and example of a double minded individual who was confused about his belief. Antonius came to the realization that he wanted to have knowledge rather than have faith and believe. Death collected the lives of those in the movie who wanted to live a life unto themselves rather than sacrifice their own life and believe and have faith in the "wholly other" to give them a prosperous life. This was a grand movie of faith, decisions, and death, I really liked the movie.
Bunny- a short film
2-4
Bunny is a short film on the journey to the afterlife where an act of vengeance turns to an act of deliverance to the transcendent. In this “white light” that entrances Bunny to climb inside an oven is the question I raise; what is in this vision of death?
I am passionate about music. In almost all situations I bring a quote from a song to mind; I am a music quote junkie. When watching this film, two relatable song quotes that are rich with religious context and are great topics for discussion were recalled to memory. The artist Brand New, one of my high school favorites, explains their ideas on what happens in their song “Jesus Christ” concerning the moment of passing and questions of death:
“Well, Jesus Christ I’m not scared to die
I’m a little bit scared of what comes after.
Do I get the gold chariot?
Do I float through the ceiling?
Do I divide and fall apart?
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark.”
Not much speaks more clearly to me than the first two lines of those lyrics. In addition, the artist Iron & Wine in their song “Trapeze Swinger” paint the afterlife from their eyes. This quote is more reflective of the arrival at heaven:
“And then, they went on to say
That the pearly gates had some eloquent graffiti.
Like 'we'll meet again,'
And 'fuck the man,'
And 'tell my mother not to worry,'
And angels with their gray handshakes…
We’re always done in such a hurry.”
Since the first experience with this song I have since then envisioned heaven to look like this battered wall of expression. The question I would like to bring to discussion is:
1. A comparison of these three visions of what the afterlife would be
2. How congruent they are to your own?
Bunny is a short film on the journey to the afterlife where an act of vengeance turns to an act of deliverance to the transcendent. In this “white light” that entrances Bunny to climb inside an oven is the question I raise; what is in this vision of death?
I am passionate about music. In almost all situations I bring a quote from a song to mind; I am a music quote junkie. When watching this film, two relatable song quotes that are rich with religious context and are great topics for discussion were recalled to memory. The artist Brand New, one of my high school favorites, explains their ideas on what happens in their song “Jesus Christ” concerning the moment of passing and questions of death:
“Well, Jesus Christ I’m not scared to die
I’m a little bit scared of what comes after.
Do I get the gold chariot?
Do I float through the ceiling?
Do I divide and fall apart?
Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark.”
Not much speaks more clearly to me than the first two lines of those lyrics. In addition, the artist Iron & Wine in their song “Trapeze Swinger” paint the afterlife from their eyes. This quote is more reflective of the arrival at heaven:
“And then, they went on to say
That the pearly gates had some eloquent graffiti.
Like 'we'll meet again,'
And 'fuck the man,'
And 'tell my mother not to worry,'
And angels with their gray handshakes…
We’re always done in such a hurry.”
Since the first experience with this song I have since then envisioned heaven to look like this battered wall of expression. The question I would like to bring to discussion is:
1. A comparison of these three visions of what the afterlife would be
2. How congruent they are to your own?
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