Katuran - State of Play

In the attempt to understand the relationship between politicians and the media, State of Play recognizes the connection between a reporter and representative. From the film my interpretation of the relationship did not turn out to be good. Everyone is using one another between the two industries of government and media. The media needs the government to make the stories and the government needs the media to spin the stories in certain ways. Both industries just want to make it to the level of fame. With in the movie there is a relationship between a reporter, Cal, and a representative, Collins. This relationship was once based on the aspects of friendship but now is used to gain the attention of the public. Cal must help Collins spin his affair in a positive manner and not make it seem as if the woman committed suicide. Although they had a background of friendship it didn’t change what either of them wanted from the outcome of the story. Collins wanted everything to be forgotten and wanted to still be seen as a loyal politician (if there is such a thing). And Cal wanted to be the reporter who got it all no matter what it took. Collins put Cal through all of the lies and dishonesty just so he could get the story he wanted out there in the media. Collins lied to Cal on many occasions just to get certain advantages of having a reporter “friend”. But Cal did use Collins to make his story. He put COlins through interviews that would reveal his true feelings, all to get the upper hand in the story. The movie shows the disgust both media and politicians have, and the way they can use one another for selfish reasons.

Krotulski - W Post

I think that one scene that represents a true evaluation of W’s presidency is the scene where he is meeting with the Army guys and they are telling him that there are no weapons of mass destruction. In the scene W gets very upset because he invaded Iraq to find the WMDs but now they are not there. He feels betrayed by the people around him and he is angered because he does not know what he is going to do next with the American people. I think this shows how W was out of the loop with the people around him. He was fooled into thinking that he was invading Iraq for WMDs only to find out it was really oil. Another scene is when W and Cheney are walking back to W’s office at the end of the movie. W asks Cheney what he should do and Cheney says they will just spin things on the public and make it look they are going for democracy now. This shows that W relies on Cheney a lot and that he is always looking for his opinion to follow even after he is basically screwed over. From the beginning W always listens to Cheney and now he does again. Also this shows a true side to Cheney. He says that they will just make it look like they are going for democracy. Cheney doesn’t actually care about making Iraq a better country. All he wants is oil and he is willing to lie to the American people to make sure he gets it.

Calder, Harold and Kumar

I think the film Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay does have a political message, however clumsy it may be. In the film the agent in charge of their case at Homeland Security is depicted as a racist idiot, and is generally inept at his job. The two leads, one East Asian the other Indian, and the people they encounter that are not white, are frequently stereotyped by the Homeland Security agent, and these stereotypes are played for

laughs. At the end of the movie Harold and Kumar smoke marijuana with George W. Bush, and he unapologetically comments on the failings within the system. The two leads are the victims of the incompetence and hypocrisy of government. While I do believe the film has a political message I do not think the film is, or even trying, to say anything new. I think the political nature of the film is simply a by-product of its plot, and the time in which it was produced. At the

time when the film was made, the topic of Guantanamo Bay was in the news constantly, and was talked about by everyone. Including the issue was just to make the movie more topical, and was just saying what people were thinking. The racial issues brought up in the film are mostly just for laughs. You do not often see lead roles go to non-whites, especially in teen comedies. I think simply by having two characters that are of different ethnicities, the issue of race is going to be brought up.

Krotulski - H and K Escape G Bay

The film Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is a continuation of the first movie and is about two good friends who decide to take a trip to Amsterdam to find Harold’s girl. On the plane on the way to Amsterdam, Kumar uses a homemade bong that looks like a bomb. The passengers freak out and the plane is taking back to the United States where the two are arrested and sent to Guantanamo Bay. Harold and Kumar escape and the rest of the film is the investigation lead by Fox to find the two men. Although the movie does glorify Kumar’s use of marijuana, I think there is also a political message. Throughout the film, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Fox, is portrayed to be a very ignorant even stupid, investigator. At separate points he is scene pouring out grape juice in front of an African American male and also spilling coins in front of Jews. I think that this is trying to show that people feel as though out country is being run by unintelligent people who do not know what they are doing. At a separate part at the end of the movie, the viewer sees President Bush smoking weed. He then says not to trust the government but to the trust the country itself. This is also giving the message that the people should not be looking to the government because it has things wrong with it, including the people, but rather they should be united through the country.

McCay Harold and Kumar Post

Do you think this film has any message other than a happily irreverent bong message. If you say no, you must explain why bong films are so attractive to your age group. If you say yes, please articulate the message. Remember, at least 250 words and a picture or a link.

Mardi Gras Post: Jarhead

Jarhead would be an excellent addition to this course. The film, directed by Sam Mendes, follows Anthony Swafford (Jake Gyllenhaal) and his experiences in the United States Marine Corps as a sniper in the Gulf War. Jarhead portrays the American military in a way that no other film has done before. By the end of the film, the audience questions what they previously believed about the Gulf War and the U.S. military. The military is not portrayed in a strictly negative way, but in a realistic, non-romantic, non-grandiose way. The audience sees the soldiers waiting around for the most part; even though he is a sniper, Swafford never fires a shot during the war. Alan Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) is an extremely interesting and telling character. He loves being a marine, however he is kicked out. In the end of the film (SPOILER ALERT!) he is killed, assumedly because he was dealing drugs. This brings to question how the U.S. government treats veterans when they leave the service and the life these veterans lead when they come home. This is a relevant topic because the government has been accused of not giving soldiers who have served in Iraq their fair share.

In addition to the relevant issues this film brings to light, the cinematography is wonderful. There are many great frames for a mise-en-scene analysis. The acting is superb as well. Jamie Foxx is hilarious yet moving in his performance as Staff Sergeant Sykes. Jake Gyllenhaal realistically expresses Swafford’s apathy, rage, and frustration with the Marine Corps and with life.

Jarhead should be added to this class because the film challenges America’s views on military and war, has superb cinematography, and wonderful acting.