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.