Capital Punishment in the U.S., Part 1

After watching the movie Dead Man Walking, and reviewing the handout with information about how the death penalty is enforced in different parts of the United States, did you learn anything new or surprising?

Using the 'Comment' function on this post, please write a short paragraph that describes and explains at least one thing or fact you learned from reading the handout. We will begin our class on Monday with a discussion of this question, so please make to write your post BEFORE then.

Have a happy and healthy Halloween weekend, everyone - see you Monday!

The Music of LA Confidential

Using the 'Comment' function on this post, please write a paragraph or two (about 150 words) in response to some of the questions that we talked about in class today:

1. What are soundtracks like in movies from your home country? Do they feature popular songs? Songs without lyrics? Traditional music? Etc ...

2. Do you think music can reinforce the message or heighten the emotional impact of a movie? If so, how?

3. Look at your handout and re-read the lyrics to the Johnny Mercer song "Accentuate the Positive," featured in the movie LA Confidential, before answering the questions below:

3a. Where in the movie (in which scene or scenes) does this song appear?

3b. What is happening to the characters while this song is playing?

3c. Why do you think the director chose to include this song in the movie?

3d. How does this song contribute to the overall “point” or “message” the filmmakers are trying to convey?

The "Real" Stars of LA Confidential

As we discussed in class today, many of the events and characters from the movie LA Confidential are based on true historical events and real people. I have posted pictures of some of these people below. Where possible, I have included pictures of their movie alter egos (e.g., a picture of the real Mickey Cohen followed by a picture of the actor who played him in the movie).

1. Veronica Lake
2. Lynn Bracken (as played by actor Kim Basinger)
3. The Real Mickey Cohen
4. The "Movie" Mickey Cohen (as played by actor Paul Guilfoyle)
5. The Real Johnny Stompanato & The Real Lana Turner
6. The "Movie" Johnny Stompanato & Lana Turner (as played by actors Paolo Seganti & Brenda Bakke)
7. The Real Rita Hayworth
8. Model Amber Smith (who plays Sue Lefferts in the movie)

Class Recap 10/18 2010

Today, we discussed about what was story of LA Confidential, which is seen so far. At that time, we were struggling to remember what it was. Finally, we did it well. We could find out 4 main characters. Then we started watching movie from the beginning part because it was too long time ago to continue each scene.

After watching, Greer gave us homework, which is about what does American dream mean to you. Therefore, we should ask that to 3 people by Friday.

Class Recap 10/15/2010

today, i'll talk about our midterm test. The test have 4 paat. First is vocabulary, part two is about movie's timeline, part three is some questions about American Culture in movie, the last part is write an essay. About a what is your favourite movie why? and the movie how change your mind in American Culture. i think if we saw all the movie and review vocabulary. your tast will be good.

Class Recap 10/13/2010

  Today, we talk about midterm on Friday. We got 2 more handouts from Happy Gilmore, and one piece paper about sth on American Culture midterm. We review three movies in today, four group write timeline from each movie. We wrote down at least 10 important events(in order)from each movie.—Happy
Gilmore, Jaws, and Slience of the Lambs.
  Greer will give us some information about Ghostbusters and Jaws, we should review all of them. Such as important event, key quotes, vacabulary, and examples of American culture. I think we need recall those movies, and take timeline from each of them, keep main message in our mind. Take easy to face on American Culture midterm.
  After this week, we finish our midterm, we will watch new movie— L.A. Confidential. And next, maybe we will watch romantic movies. Go on watch movies on Ameican Culture class and have fun.
  The last, good luck for everyone on Friday's midterm.

Handout Info: Jaws & Ghostbusters

Jaws (1975)

Characters:
Roy Scheider – Chief Brody
Richard Dreyfuss – Matt Hooper
Robert Shaw – Captain Quint
Lorraine Ray – Mrs. Brody
Murray Hamilton – Mayor Vaughn

Plot Summary:

A Great White Shark decides to make the small beach resort town of Amity his private feeding grounds. This greatly frustrates the town police chief who wants to close the beaches to chase the shark away. He is thwarted in his efforts by the town's mayor who finally relents when nothing else seems to work and the chief, a scientist, and an old fisherman with revenge on his mind take to the sea to kill the beast.

Vocabulary:

Thwarted-
Relents-
Revenge-
Resort-
Take to the sea-
Greatly-
Police chief-
Work-
On his mind-
Efforts-

Important Quotes:

“I don't want no volunteers, I don't want no mates. There’s just too many captains on this island. Ten thousand dollars for me, by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, the whole damn thing.”

“We’re going to need a bigger boat.”

==========

Ghostbusters (1984)

Characters:

Bill Murray – Peter Venkman
Dan Akroyd – Raymond Stanz
Sigourney Weaver – Dana Barrett
Harold Ramis – Egon Spendler
Rick Moranis – Louis Tully
Ernie Hudson– Winston Zeddmore

Plot Summary:
After being kicked out of their university, parapsychology professors Spengler, Stantz and Venkman decide to go into business for themselves by trapping and removing ghosts from haunted houses. After some initial skepticism, business is soon booming as The Ghost Busters rid New York of its undead. When a downtown skyscraper becomes the focal point of spirit activity linked to the ancient god Gozer, however, the problem may be more than the team can handle.


Vocabulary:

Kicked out-
Go into business-
Initial-
Skepticism-
Business is booming-
Rid-
Skyscraper-
Focal point-
Linked to-
Handle-


Important Quotes:

“Ray. When someone asks if you're a god … you say YES!”

“I'm Winston Zeddmore, Your Honor. I've only been with the company for a couple of weeks, but these things are real. Since I joined these men, I've seen shit that'll turn you white.”

Midterm Review Info

For those of you who were not in class today (or for those of you who do not have the handout in front of you and would like a quick reminder), here is some information about the MIDTERM EXAM!!!

I will be emailing you all with the handout information for Jaws and Ghostbusters later this afternoon. In the meantime, if you have questions, write me an email or ask me in Lab class tomorrow. Happy studying!

=======================================================================
Things that will be on this Friday’s American Culture midterm (10/15/10):

Movies: Jaws, Ghostbusters, Silence of the Lambs, Happy Gilmore

For each movie: important events
main characters
key quotes
vocabulary
examples of American culture AND how these examples compare to
your own culture (e.g., comparing the nursing home in Happy
Gilmore to how elderly people are treated in your home country)

Format: short answer questions (comprehension, reflection)
vocabulary matching
quote identification
definitions (culture, American, humor, etc)
timelines (putting events in order and making your own timelines)
essay
=======================================================================

North Korean Humor

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to a blog post that is about jokes told by North Koreans who have left North Korea and are nowing living elsewhere (e.g. Japan, South Korea).

When you have the time - AFTER the midterm exam is over, of course! - please take a few minutes to read the post and then tell me what you think. Do you think some or any of these jokes are funny? Why or why not? What did you learn about North Koreans and North Korean culture from reading this post?

You can find a link to the blog post here.

Enjoy! (and good luck on the midterm!!)

Class Recap 08, Oct 2010

On Friday, we discussed about what is the difference between our own country’s culture and American culture and found a lot of differences. Firstly, Depending on countries, people’s favorite sports are really different. In the movie which is “Happy Gilmore”, He used to be an ice hockey player then finally I became a golf player. Due to the fact, we realized that ice hockey and golf are one of the most interesting sports in the US. However, almost all students in our class mentioned that the both are not popular except Russians. For example, people in the US, Canada and Russia are really into Ice Hockey. Thus, we understood that sports are related with country’s culture geographically. Secondly, it is true that the way to respect elderly people is completely different each country. In the movie, we also watched Happy Gilmore’s behavior that he tends to fight with older people and abuse everyone when he was upset. On the other hand, people in Asia usually look up to elderly people, especially in Korea.

As a result, we are now able to find a lot of different American cultures such as sports and respect for the elderly, but I am still wondering why some countries should respect old people or other countries do not need to look up to them. I think it is hard to understand culture, but is really interesting to experience. Therefore, I believe that I am looking forward to something happening to me because of different culture.

Class Recap 9/24/2010

Today, we statred to talk about what makes you laugh. On this class, Greer and Alan showed us two kind of funny video. In Aleen's video, there was a iiter and cute girl dressed up like an woman, she came to an apartment to ask for rent. this cute girl doesn't as same as what she looks like, she said some bad words and drinking beer. it is very unusual and unnatural. I do not think this video is funny, because it absolutely made by adult. Alan showed us an advertisemet of vehicle. in my opinion, this video is not funny too. but i like this video, bcause it has a specially idea that makes us suprised. i do not know what kind of funny video can makes me absolutely happy. Do i think too much, or maybe i should ENJOY my life.

Class Recap 06 Oct 2010

On Wednesday class, at the begining, we discussed some question about the main characters and some story plots in "HAPPY GILMORE". We reviewed the movie that we watched on Monday's class. Then we continued to watch the rest movie.

I like the movie very much. It is fun and interesting to me. I think maybe this movie is easiler to understand for us. Because the movie is talking about personal experiance, it may happen to each people from different counties, we can think about it. So it would be confused to us. The movie we watched "Animal House", I think it is talking about the special culture fraternity from America, the other countries have not this kind of culture, we can't understand about it. In conclusion, I like the movie very much and thank you for Greer to pick this movie for us. I am expecting for the ending.

Class Recap 10/04/2010

On Monday at the beginning of class we had a discussion about professional athletes in our home countries, golf and ice hockey. We also discussed life of elderly relatives and how they are treated. I was really surprised, because there is a really big difference between taking care of them in different countries. For example in China life of old people is much better than in Russia. One more thing we discussed is what makes us angry and how does our culture view people who are angry.

After that we started watching the movie 'Happy Gilmore'. It's about a guy who dreamed to be an ice hockey player, but he started golf career because of some conditions.

Class Recap Oct. 1

On Friday, we've discussed about the humour, and how people from different countries feel it. Each country has its own culture, values, which are differents than the other countries, and this point can influence the point of view of people about the humour. For example, american humour, which is usually too much and stupid, can make laugh a lot of people, and others not. Some countries enjoy it, and others not. For example, french people love american humour, and the majority of comedies are american.
In the second part of the class, we watched some funny videos, that we had to find from youtube, of some students. For example, we watched a video with a baby laughing, an other from Greer, with funny hip-hop hamsters dancing for an ad, a video with people who are falling down and hurt themselves, and so on. After the end of each video, Greer asked us to tell if you find it funny or not. And we've noticed that the opinions were contrasted. And we also distinguished two types of humour : real humour coming from real life, and fictive humour coming from imagination.
A a conclusion we can say that each person feels the humour differently because of his/her mind, culture, and the the humour is not universel.