1. As we watch progress through the film, "The Hurt Locker", how is the idea of realism being used for this movie? What kind of effects do you think this has on viewers?
The ideas behind this movie are very real actually in terms of how accurately portrayed the movie is. Some of the stuff is very real the dangers of insurgents being there to take care of the bomb squad just with the click of a button or a phone call is the difference between any bomb squad getting home to the barracks safe, or them being completely blow away by the very bomb they try diffusing. This realistic sense that the main character could be blown up at anytime is what really adds to the impact of this movie, and of course there is the basic tuning of the story line to add to the effect of the movie which is regular, but the full effect of the movie is still there as the story goes on and they try to diffuse more and more bombs.

2. What do you think your biggest take away is from this class? What would be a suggestion to make the class better for next year?
  I personally believe the biggest take away from the class would be that: even though Hollywood may say that it is based on a true story. You can always count on the fact that there will be somewhat of a twist to the story to make more appealing to the audience. Knowing this you can deduct what you know is actual history, and what part is fictional work of Hollywood. Knowing this you are able to ask your self questions about the movie, which in my mind ruins the effect because I then cannot concentrate on the movie. Not being able to concentrate on the movie is a huge bother for me, because I like to get into the movie I am watching so I can feel the full effect of it.

Types of Documentary

Nichols writes, "The fact that there is more than one mode of documentary film strongly suggests that the representation of reality is not an objective, cut-and-dried affair. Although there may be only one historical world, and even if certain facts about it can be agreed upon as objectively true, the ways of seeing and representing that world, like the ways of interpreting it, vary considerably."

The fact that Nichols says this is proof to how extraordinary the film world is and how it can affect how some people think about some aspects of history. The multiple different ways of looking at a certain historical event, and using those multiple ways to represent and portray the event in a way that can be more appealing to the viewers.

I think that Nichols hits it right on the nail as he gives an inspiring view on his take of documentary films and how they have many different ways to be portrayed to the audience.

Blog Entry #2

Question: In our book, Nicholas writes, "An Attentive viewer must also be familiar with the repertoire of choices a director faces to recognize her decisions as choices rather than as simply the product of the camera's mechanical ability to record images". What do you think Nicholas is trying to say in this statement and what are your thoughts?


I think what he means when he talks about this is that it is not only just the camera who is defining what is going on in the scene as to where it is the director who decides the emotion and physical appeal of the characters. The director is the person who will decide what the scene will depict towards the viewers who may be able to relate to the characters position in this scene or maybe even others.


 Although the camera does a lot it is usually up to the director whether something will stay in the movie or it will be cut from it and cast aside. This is usually a process that the director will follow where they will shoot one scene multiple times only to just leave it for the next day.


My personal thoughts on this statement is that it is almost an equal bout on which is more important. Because, without the camera would the directors really be able to make these wonderful works of art that take so much time and work just to make one scene? The fact is that without both roles that the camera and the director par take in movies really would not be the same without them.

Engaging Cinema

I thought of the text that we read was very interesting. I think that studying the subject of film will be an interesting subject to go through, and pick apart everything that goes into making a modern day film. There is so much visual effects that go into making movies it is almost unreal from the man made explosions to guns that fire of dummy rounds to make it look so real.

Are movies a social danger or social benefit?

I think in a sense they are both a danger and a benefit to the social ways we have today. Movies can teach many things other than just crime and murder like some horrific horror movies like "Saw" and also the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The movies can teach how beautiful nature is and just how propelling love can actually be; it shows the possibilities on how men and women can overcome struggle for the better of their lives and their loved ones. Movies are such a powerful form of entertainment they make people feel invincible, and quite literally the people who view these movies actually think they are. Seeing a movie that has someone coming from the slums and attaining success is a real motivation for you to actually do something with your life. But, in my opinion in the end it is only up to the people to do good or bad with what they learned from the movie.

My first blog

As the second semester to my senior year heads on its way; I am taking classes that will prepare me for the college life. Also known as the real world to others. I have taken many classes but none like the one I am about to take. I will be taking History Through Film a seemingly fun class that will offer a different view on some historic events.

The things I wish to learn in this class are simple: I want to find out if some of the historical events portrayed on screen are accurate, and if not how much of the movie is actually real, I want to have fun doing a blog fore I have never used one before, and finally I wish to learn more about some of the historical events that I did not know about.

I have a strong knowledge of some history, but it can be a little foggy at times. I can do really good in subjects that interest me, and history is one of those subjects. History intrigues me; it makes me want to learn more, and the more I know the more I want to learn.