Movies!

I work at Blockbuster so most of my time is customer service and movie critique. I watch many movies and love my job. The people I work with on a day-to-day basis are pretty cool. If I had to choice a favorite movie it would have to be, "Shooter" with Mark Walberg. The reality of the movie makes it a real suspense. Intense action and gun battles keeps you on the edge of your seat. The best part has to be dramatic betrayal of the government. Mark Walberg is a retired marine sniper. His partner and him are left to die in a country they weren't suppose to be in, by the U.S. government, in which his partner is shot and killed, and he returns to the U.S. and retires. The government comes to him when they feel there will be a Presidential assassination, and request Walberg to plan the assassination so that they can know what the real assassin would do to prevent the assassination. Long story short, they set up Walberg for the assassination, he later seeks his revenge, proves his innocence, kills our corrupt government officials, and gets the beautiful women. The climax of the film and resolution are both very intense. What in this movie wouldn't you like? I would highly recommend this to anyone. Anyone have movie suggests they would like to share? Anyone want to discuss a film?

Coast Guard

Everything in my life thus far points in the direction of a military service. The other day we listened to a poem in class that made me realize that the Coast Guard is that service. I'm sure everyone has seen the "Guardian" with Aston Kutcher and Kevin Cosner; I've always particularly enjoyed the idea of saving lives. I love the dramatic scenes, thrills, and suspense in this film. I've been doing extensive research on the matter and my step father is retired navy, twenty years, so I've been well informed and already benefited from the military myself. I've decided to take the next step in my life and join the United States Coast Guard. Most of us in this class are looking for college educations, of course that why we are here, but is this a wise choice? I'm willing to take criticism from anyone who is willing to give it.

Mark Yakich

Some class periods ago, we listened to a very emotional poem. The poem was filled with hatred, betrayal, and abandonment. Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans devastated the lies of many individuals and families. Through this poem we were able to realize only a small amount of emotion survivors could express. Read by nine individuals; all symbolizing different voices and points of view. The poem really opened my heart for the people that had to suffer this disaster, and has opened my eyes to my future. I have decided to join the United States Coast Guard.

A Streetcar Named Desire

After going to the play "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams, I really thought the actors and actresses performances were astonishing. They were all consumed in their characters. I enjoyed the imagery of the story. Almost stereotypical abusive relationship covered with desire. It depicts very well that desire is only one ingredient in a relationship. Stanley, being the abusive husband, accompanied by Stella, the abused yet "blind" wife. "Blind" meaning, her perception of relationship was consumed with desire her personal well being, set aside. Blanch's character helped define the real Stanley in the end. I really enjoyed the play and the story line.

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"Harrison Bergeron"

The year is 2081, capitalism and Democracy no longer exists. Prevailing is Soviet-style Totalitarianism. Evidence of this exists in the acknowledgement that there no longer are differences, advantages, or competition. Without these factors the population remains one big governmentally controlled faction deemed as Equality. Equality so extreme personal rights protected by the Constitution of the United States are infringed upon, and are no longer allowing for an American Democracy or Capitalism society. Factions among the population are not evident. Ones such as social class, wealth, athleticism, and intellegence. All of these factors are now controlled by the Government through technological mind control as well as laws, the create the idea of so-called equality. As in "A&P," this Soviet-style government also contains a faction, or group of individuals with the same ideas or beliefs. In "A&P" the faction can be defined as the sheep-like society. Even through sports for young children today, even the losing team recieves medals to display equality. If all competition is eliminated, what other to do then follow the norm? One can only eliminate so many differences before too long everyone is controlled like robotic figures that have no purpose other then completing tasks they are assigned.

Answers to Questions on "Where Are You Going...."

Group 1.
The title "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" can be interpreted as expressing the conflict, the main character, Connie has to endure when targeted by Arnold Friend. The author illustrates Connie as the main character in that Connie's purity, will, soul are over-taken by Friend. She has to endure change. I believe this reflects the title of the story. The question contains two parts signifying that great change has taken place, not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally. "You" refers to the characters sense of safety, her will, her soul, her purity.

Group 2.
Arnold Friend , outsider who seems to sexually targets women. He is depicted as a middle-aged man, clean and sleek, and controlling through emotion. I think the last name "Friend" contributes irony, in that he is creepy and definitely not "A. Friend." His car, clothing, language all depict and image of an impersonator of a young hip male, yet an outsider; almost making the reader of the story curious of where he is from and his intentions. Connie begins to question the identity of A. Friend when she studies details such as clothing, language, and "...the way he tapped one fist against the other in homage to the perpetual music behind him." To Connie examining these details she concludes his age must be much older.

Group 3.
The significance of the numbers 33 19 17 on A. Friend's car might symbolize sex. When all three numbers are added together they equal 69. Connie's family criticize Connie for her beauty. I don't think that they fully understand how constant criticizing has impacted her emotions in a negative way. There roles in the story are brief only to add to Connie's conflict. At the end of the story Arnold Friend takes Connie to a field to hold her. This is where the story ends, however, I think that Connie was raped and then returned to her home later mentally distraught.

Group 4.
In the story "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" the author illustrates that the stories setting was place in a small town. Small town generally have the reputation of low crime and a sense of hospitality. Most people know just about everyone else. This setting adds to the story dramatically. This shows that A. Friend could have been an outsider and that his actions might not ever be revealed.

Where are you going? Where have you been?

Literature, not just a class we all have to endure in order to pass school, but much more. Through various forms of literature such as: films, articles, novels, short-stories, songs, etc... meaning can be derived. Stories are portrayed and moral messages may be interpreted. Literature preserves our heritage and culture. Through literature one may learn where they have been, and where they may be going. In reading over "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" and watching the film Smooth Talk, similarities are evident. Mostly descriptive details portrayed by the author are depicted in the film. Open to interpretation is whether or not Connie, victim of Arnold Friend-a sexual predator, is raped. The three articles on Charles Schmid, accused of three counts of murder in 1966, show that his three women victims remain similar, in that all three of the women prove to be decease. Alleen Rowe, one of Schmid's victims, relates to Connie, for she too is raped. Both girls are portrayed as the prey. All of these passages relate in one central idea that there are predators and rapist out in the world and young women are commonly victims. There are many points of iterations or commonality between all of these works of literature.