When you watch a war movie you expect war. War is gunfire, blood, and chaos in camoflouge. Characters are directly related to the war, like the sharpshooter whose hand is steadied by God, or the school teacher who is the natural born leader of the platoon, or the reserved lunatic who loves being at war. O'Brien recognizes and focuses on the human condition of the people who are at war.
O'brien refers back to him being a writer in Twist, and forth to what he "remembers" of the war as a character in his own story with a sort of effortless stream of consciousness. You are often reminded that you are reading about people at war. Twist is a war story about war stories, with a twist. While most "war-genre-fanatics" look for the general's strategy and machine-gun action, O'Brien tells us about "elephant grass weighted with wind, bowing under the stir of a helicopter's blades... bending low, but then rising straight again when the chopper went away." These are the things that O'Brien chooses to share with us. This is what he considers to be important.
The Man I Killed gives some gory detail, jaws in throats, upper lips and teeth gone, and a star-shaped hole for an eye. But, at no moment is the description pornographic, it's written with intent. Tim is staring at the body, particularly what had been the face, of the man he killed. The entire exercise is concerned with thought. He's thinking about something - himself, war, the boy he killed, whys, whens, and hows - and so am I, both while reading and after. Tim doesn't speak once in the story. Make a popular summer blockbuster movie out of that. To me, there is so much more in the image of a young asian man with a star-shaped hole where his eye used to be, three strips of flesh ripped from his cheek, and a butterfly crawling on his forehead, killed at war by an American, than some genre conscious war film could ever generate.
I may not have seen enough war movies to name all the conventions of the genre, but I can certainly recognize how different O'Brien's stories are.
I have to be honest, I was fooled. I thought that O'Brien had actually seen and been and done all the things he referred to throughout Twist and The Man I Killed. I don't know if my opinion matters or if it even belongs here, but I can't explained how incredible I think those three stories were. I was blown away. I'm jealous and want to go back and read them again, in order, for the first time.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
1/31
Continuing on with our consideration of genre, for Monday read the second part of Chandler's piece ('Working Within Genres') and the (very short) O'Brien stories you can find among the links. Realize that there are three pdf files at that link, and try to read them in the following order: 'Spin,' 'The Man I Killed,' and then 'Good Form.'
When you've done that, write and post an analysis of these stories (and O'Brien in general if you know The Things They Carried), which specifically deals with the way that O'Brien breaks with the war story genre. That is, O'Brien writes in a post-Apocalypse Now, post-Platoon, era, and is well aware of a reader's expectations regarding war stories. How do these works undermine or work against those expectations? Be sure to establish to the degree possible what those expectations are, and then quote the details of the stories to show how O'Brien breaks with them both in his subject and his form.
One rule: In the response quote O'Brien at least two times, twice as well (the second section).
And this week also write a one or two paragraph comment on someone else's response. Except (and here's a reward) the first person to post--whoever does that gets out of the comment
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Rita Morales ( Romantic Comedy)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Short Story/ Film
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Author: Truman Capote
Breakfast at tiffany’s is a beautiful short story which was transmitted to an onscreen classic .In the movie breakfast at tiffany’s we are introduced to Holly Golightly a young ,witty, and at sometimes naïve young women whom resides in New York City. Holly Golightly’s aspirations are to live a life of luxury and financial security; this is why we often see throughout the movie that the men she becomes romantically involved with poses extreme wealth. That is until she meets her new neighbor Paul who is a writer, they establish a platonic friendship that later builds into a romance.
I believe this fist a perfect mold of what a romantic comedy translates to. It is my belief for a story to be considered a romantic comedy it must poses the following; for the most part we are often introduced to two characters that have two different perspectives on life, and somehow they teach each other their life’s mantra. Both characters enlighten each other. What makes this romantic is that often the barriers or impediments that are put on their love are by the actual characters themselves, then unfolding into a realization by the end of the story. What makes it a comedy is the irony of two people whom seem completely opposed to each other’s life’s belief are often more alike than they make out to be or is often unwilling to accept.
For example my favorite scene from Breakfast at tiffanies is at the end when she and Paul are in a cab heading towards the airport. Holly’s boyfriend has invited her to live in Brazil with him where he is a very important man. Paul then presents Holly with a letter in which it states that he and holly can no longer be together due to some trouble she had gotten herself into. She’s so stubborn that she decided to go anyways. Paul thought that by reading this letter it would make her stay, but it did the opposite it reinforced her idea that all men are “Rat’s” as she would say, although she admitted to Paul that she had never considered him a rat but felt a disappointment in herself for falling in love, something she didn’t believe existed. Paul then blurts to her how he’ still in love with her. Holly then follows by saying that she belongs to no one and that she is a wild spirit. Holly is unwilling to let herself fall in love because being in love would mean being vulnerable to another person. Holly tells Paul that he wants to put her in a cage in which he replies “all I want to do is love you” Holly’s response is “it’s the same thing”. Paul then storms out of the cab but before he leaves he explains to her that the cage which she speaks of was put there by herself and her unwillingness to except that love sometimes does have happy endings.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Author: Truman Capote
Breakfast at tiffany’s is a beautiful short story which was transmitted to an onscreen classic .In the movie breakfast at tiffany’s we are introduced to Holly Golightly a young ,witty, and at sometimes naïve young women whom resides in New York City. Holly Golightly’s aspirations are to live a life of luxury and financial security; this is why we often see throughout the movie that the men she becomes romantically involved with poses extreme wealth. That is until she meets her new neighbor Paul who is a writer, they establish a platonic friendship that later builds into a romance.
I believe this fist a perfect mold of what a romantic comedy translates to. It is my belief for a story to be considered a romantic comedy it must poses the following; for the most part we are often introduced to two characters that have two different perspectives on life, and somehow they teach each other their life’s mantra. Both characters enlighten each other. What makes this romantic is that often the barriers or impediments that are put on their love are by the actual characters themselves, then unfolding into a realization by the end of the story. What makes it a comedy is the irony of two people whom seem completely opposed to each other’s life’s belief are often more alike than they make out to be or is often unwilling to accept.
For example my favorite scene from Breakfast at tiffanies is at the end when she and Paul are in a cab heading towards the airport. Holly’s boyfriend has invited her to live in Brazil with him where he is a very important man. Paul then presents Holly with a letter in which it states that he and holly can no longer be together due to some trouble she had gotten herself into. She’s so stubborn that she decided to go anyways. Paul thought that by reading this letter it would make her stay, but it did the opposite it reinforced her idea that all men are “Rat’s” as she would say, although she admitted to Paul that she had never considered him a rat but felt a disappointment in herself for falling in love, something she didn’t believe existed. Paul then blurts to her how he’ still in love with her. Holly then follows by saying that she belongs to no one and that she is a wild spirit. Holly is unwilling to let herself fall in love because being in love would mean being vulnerable to another person. Holly tells Paul that he wants to put her in a cage in which he replies “all I want to do is love you” Holly’s response is “it’s the same thing”. Paul then storms out of the cab but before he leaves he explains to her that the cage which she speaks of was put there by herself and her unwillingness to except that love sometimes does have happy endings.
"Tombstone" Western Genre
According to Daniel Chandler’s “An introduction to Genre Theory, The Problem of definition” “the term genre is used in rhetoric, literary theory, media theory, and refer to a distinctive type of text. Genre’s can refer to a type of style of a movie. Movie genres can be considered westerns, musicals, fictions, and thrillers/horrors. One particular movie titled “Tombstone” has a western genre.
In this movie, Wyatt Earp and his brothers move to Tombstone Arizona where they fight off their enemies with the help of Earp’s best friend Doc Holliday. Earp, his brothers, and Holliday form a group called the lawmakers. The lawmakers fight the “cowboys” in an attempt to tame the west. The most memorable part of this movie, is when Holliday becomes very ill with Tuberculosis, and still manages to dress up in his best friend’s clothes to battle the cowboys who attempt to kill his friend Earp. Ironically, Holliday wins the battle, and ever since has been known as the “fasted gun’ in the west.
Tombstone meets the expectations of a western genre, because like many other western movies, the war was fought on a white civilization that was vulnerable by savages known as the cowboys, who tried to take over. Similar to several westerns, there is usually a calm/lonesome hero, who kills when it is necessary. In “Tombstone”, Holliday fulfills that role. Holliday is usually the shadow of Wyatt Earp. The one who didn’t receive much credit in the beginning. Another expectation that this movie satisfied, is the insertion of vicious enemies, that threaten their civilization. The cowboys portray these characters. The typical role of the women is also an expectation that Tombstone consisted of. Wyatt meets a young women, who is sensitive, and understanding towards his feelings, when no one else seems to care, however she moves away, with a desire to escape the disaster the land had come to. When the lawmakers finally got the land under their control, she moved back, and married Earp. The setting of this western movie also fulfills the expectation that most western have. Tombstone consisted of flat land, grassy areas, and few mountains. By allison jones
In this movie, Wyatt Earp and his brothers move to Tombstone Arizona where they fight off their enemies with the help of Earp’s best friend Doc Holliday. Earp, his brothers, and Holliday form a group called the lawmakers. The lawmakers fight the “cowboys” in an attempt to tame the west. The most memorable part of this movie, is when Holliday becomes very ill with Tuberculosis, and still manages to dress up in his best friend’s clothes to battle the cowboys who attempt to kill his friend Earp. Ironically, Holliday wins the battle, and ever since has been known as the “fasted gun’ in the west.
Tombstone meets the expectations of a western genre, because like many other western movies, the war was fought on a white civilization that was vulnerable by savages known as the cowboys, who tried to take over. Similar to several westerns, there is usually a calm/lonesome hero, who kills when it is necessary. In “Tombstone”, Holliday fulfills that role. Holliday is usually the shadow of Wyatt Earp. The one who didn’t receive much credit in the beginning. Another expectation that this movie satisfied, is the insertion of vicious enemies, that threaten their civilization. The cowboys portray these characters. The typical role of the women is also an expectation that Tombstone consisted of. Wyatt meets a young women, who is sensitive, and understanding towards his feelings, when no one else seems to care, however she moves away, with a desire to escape the disaster the land had come to. When the lawmakers finally got the land under their control, she moved back, and married Earp. The setting of this western movie also fulfills the expectation that most western have. Tombstone consisted of flat land, grassy areas, and few mountains. By allison jones
1/29
As of now, 8:04 p.m, any further postings are welcome, but cannot be considered for credit (except perhaps for Jess, who seems to have had some technical difficulties).
'Star Wars' as Science Fiction and Fantasy
Title: Star Wars (Episodes I – VI)
Writer and Director: George Lucas
Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy
I say this specifically because very few works seem to hold as much weight as this saga in helping to define the genre they are in. From the Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi Lucas’ epic has done much to shape what we as an audience consider being science fiction. However, for the work Star Wars has done to codify a lot of aspects of Sci-Fi, a closer examination reveals that it actually does so while playing against type and diverging from the formula of science fiction numerous times to tell its story.
George Lucas had no hand in actually creating the genre of science fiction. That honor is more formally ascribed to Jules Verne and the concept of fantasy which sci-fi often crosses with is an even more ancient concept that has no real singular architect.
The general public often equates science fiction with visions of the future but from the outset we’re told that this story takes place “A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” It may seem that Lucas is trying to clue us into the fact that there are going to be far older themes dealt with in the story go beyond his vision of this world but exist in it.
Both trilogies in the story tell the journeys of two men Anakin and Luke Skywalker. The first tells the journey of Anakin’s “fall” from grace and how his fall ultimately creates dire consequences for the entire galaxy around him. The second is the journey of his son Luke and how he restores the light his father snuffed out and ultimately redeems Darth Vader and restores harmony.
Put together they tell the story of an age much in the same way that reading the Bible can be seen as the story of the promise of God, its loss, its restoration at the hands of the Moses and the Patriarchs, its loss again at the hands of the Romans and its second restoration at the hand of Jesus.
MILA 18: Historical Fiction
Title: Mila 18
Author: Leon Uris
Genre: Historical Fiction
Mila 18 is one of Leon Uris’s lesser-known novels, albeit largely because Paul Newman did not star in its movie adaptation, as he did Uris’s Exodus. In either case, Mila 18 may be classified as a work from the genre of historical fiction; that is, fictional characters are placed amid historically accurate settings. Mila 18 is the story of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the revolt of the ghetto inhabitants against the brutal Nazi regime, in a failed effort to evade deportation to the death camps. As Uris establishes in the novel’s forward, “the places and events described actually happened. The characters are fictitious”- hence my assessment of this book as historical fiction. The tale is fraught with drama, romance, action and overwhelming tragedy, which is altogether intensified by the understanding that the circumstances are true.
Interestingly, Leon Uris’s chosen historical setting is not merely a backdrop for the narrative of the characters. Rather, the characters drive and determine the action, playing a role in the historical outcome. To site one example, Andrei Androski is a Jewish Polish army officer central to the narrative, in fact leading the uprising in the ghetto. Mila 18’s characters create the historical situation for the reader. The readers follows ordinary characters and through them experiences peaceful Poland invaded by the Nazis, brutality, isolation into the ghetto, starvation and desperation that goads them to revolt.
The Warsaw ghetto forty-day uprising against the Nazis, persistent against all odds, is the narrative’s climax. Failure was fated. But, in one last fictitious maneuver, (pitying either his readers or characters) Uris delivers more survivors from the ghetto in his narrative, than actually, historically, escaped the Warsaw ghetto.
Author: Leon Uris
Genre: Historical Fiction
Mila 18 is one of Leon Uris’s lesser-known novels, albeit largely because Paul Newman did not star in its movie adaptation, as he did Uris’s Exodus. In either case, Mila 18 may be classified as a work from the genre of historical fiction; that is, fictional characters are placed amid historically accurate settings. Mila 18 is the story of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising, the revolt of the ghetto inhabitants against the brutal Nazi regime, in a failed effort to evade deportation to the death camps. As Uris establishes in the novel’s forward, “the places and events described actually happened. The characters are fictitious”- hence my assessment of this book as historical fiction. The tale is fraught with drama, romance, action and overwhelming tragedy, which is altogether intensified by the understanding that the circumstances are true.
Interestingly, Leon Uris’s chosen historical setting is not merely a backdrop for the narrative of the characters. Rather, the characters drive and determine the action, playing a role in the historical outcome. To site one example, Andrei Androski is a Jewish Polish army officer central to the narrative, in fact leading the uprising in the ghetto. Mila 18’s characters create the historical situation for the reader. The readers follows ordinary characters and through them experiences peaceful Poland invaded by the Nazis, brutality, isolation into the ghetto, starvation and desperation that goads them to revolt.
The Warsaw ghetto forty-day uprising against the Nazis, persistent against all odds, is the narrative’s climax. Failure was fated. But, in one last fictitious maneuver, (pitying either his readers or characters) Uris delivers more survivors from the ghetto in his narrative, than actually, historically, escaped the Warsaw ghetto.
Heroes classified in the Science Fiction Genre
Heroes classified in the Science Fiction Genre
The television series Heroes fits the genre science fiction because it deals with impossible genetic evolution and superhuman abilities. According to the The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms & Theory, “some [science fiction] is concerned with supernatural forces and agencies.” Some of the characters’ abilities are as simple as precognitive dreams and as complex as creating electricity. Each character and their ability(ies) change their lives and the lives around them as they discover what they are capable of. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms & Theory says that science fiction “includes trips to other worlds, quests, and is concerned with dystopia.” One example in Heroes that illustrates this is that Hiro’s gift has him on a ‘mission to save the world,’ as he travels through and freezes time. An instance of another element of science fiction is shown when Peter enters the future
The First Story that Came to Mind ... Election '08.
Narmada Sahabir
English 110
First Writing Assignment
The first story that came to mind today, I heard on 1010 WINS while driving to school. It was reported on the Election Coverage of ’08 that Senator Ted Kennedy along with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, President Kennedy’s daughter and his son, Patrick Kennedy was planning on endorsing Barack Obama. He is one of the eight Presidential Democratic candidates of ’08. The other seven Presidential democratic candidates are Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson. Throughout the campaigning the most publicized candidates have been Clinton, Obama and Edwards. I particularly remembered this story because I love politics and government.
When I was in high school, my American History teacher gave us a project and that was to follow the Senator Election of ’06. This was the year Senator Hillary Clinton was up for re-election. For the project we had to watch the debates and analyze public advertisements. I learned that politics isn’t easy especially for a woman. I found that so surprising especially in this day and age. During the debates candidates attacked Senator Clinton personally. They criticized her personal life and said she couldn’t handle her “personal affairs”. I was so shocked that grown intelligent men would be so malicious, they knew she did an excellent job as a senator before and she was all of the candidates real competition. So instead of being real men and accepting their defeat they spread personal rumors about the Senator and it was all over the newspapers and the internet. I was amazed to see how composed and humble Senator Clinton always appeared and I always admired that. Senator Clinton ultimately won because she was the best candidate for the job. This project was a real eye opener for me and ever since I’ve been a Hillary Clinton supporter.
This story particularly remained vivid in my mind because I am currently following Election ’08 and Candidate Barack Obama hasn’t used any of these personal tactics that I’ve seen during her Senator election and I must commend on that. He encompasses everything that a Presidential candidate should have as well as Senator Hillary Clinton. I can’t help but wonder whether Obama’s new endorsement will change the minds of Clinton’s supporters. I also remembered this story because of a slogan add campaign that I heard it says that “real men will vote for Hillary Clinton”.
*A link about this storyhttp://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/01/28/ap4583908.html
My thoughts on the first class.
After the first class I must admit Mr. Henkle made me a little nervous with how much work he said would be involved, but I think I'll be able to manage. I thought the first class was very intresting, I liked how Mr. Henkle knows how to relate to students. He knows how to be funny at times but he seems to also be able to serious when the time comes. Most teachers don't know how to make the distinction. I'm excited about this class because it seems to be very different from the previous classes that I have taken here at Queens. I guess only time will tell.
Juno- Comedy
I recently decided to see what all the hype was about and checked out a 2007 movie called Juno. Any and every expectation I could have possibly had was surpassed greatly by this movie. Juno is by far one of the best comedies I have seen in a long time. It is intelligent, funny, and heart-warming at times. The movie is entirely carried by it's amazing dialogue and the wonderful characters that delivered stunning performances.
The movie's protagonist played by Ellen Page does an amazing job of making light of a situation so serious as teenage pregnancy, that you almost begin to worry that there is this sinister side to her. She makes these inappropriate jokes about how China shoots babies out of shirt guns, to the couple that will potentially adopt her child. Juno's father and stepmother are the next key characters who steal the scenes with their humor. As Juno tells her parents that she is pregnant, their reaction is priceless. They seem to not be very surprised and act as if she simply told them she was suspended from school or something of that manner. Individually, her parents have their moments of astounding comedy. For example, when the ultrasound technician makes an inappropriate comment about Juno being unwed, for lack of a better phrase her stepmother "rips the technician a new one."
Juno's boyfriend is brilliantly portrayed as 16 year old who was wise beyond his years, in a very simple way. He cares for Juno and displays a great sense of maturity with his dialogue and his actions in such a serious situation as impregnating his girlfriend.
Finally, the last two characters played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, as the potential adoptive parents of Juno's baby, bring a subtle sense of drama to the movie. They have serious problems in their relationship that can not be resolved with simply adopting a baby.
Overall, the characters of this movie are driven by their superb dialogue. Diablo Cody's writing is what really makes this movie a comedy. In addition, you throw in some incredible actors who convey amazing amounts of humor with their facial expressions and body language and you have an remarkable comedy.
The movie's protagonist played by Ellen Page does an amazing job of making light of a situation so serious as teenage pregnancy, that you almost begin to worry that there is this sinister side to her. She makes these inappropriate jokes about how China shoots babies out of shirt guns, to the couple that will potentially adopt her child. Juno's father and stepmother are the next key characters who steal the scenes with their humor. As Juno tells her parents that she is pregnant, their reaction is priceless. They seem to not be very surprised and act as if she simply told them she was suspended from school or something of that manner. Individually, her parents have their moments of astounding comedy. For example, when the ultrasound technician makes an inappropriate comment about Juno being unwed, for lack of a better phrase her stepmother "rips the technician a new one."
Juno's boyfriend is brilliantly portrayed as 16 year old who was wise beyond his years, in a very simple way. He cares for Juno and displays a great sense of maturity with his dialogue and his actions in such a serious situation as impregnating his girlfriend.
Finally, the last two characters played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, as the potential adoptive parents of Juno's baby, bring a subtle sense of drama to the movie. They have serious problems in their relationship that can not be resolved with simply adopting a baby.
Overall, the characters of this movie are driven by their superb dialogue. Diablo Cody's writing is what really makes this movie a comedy. In addition, you throw in some incredible actors who convey amazing amounts of humor with their facial expressions and body language and you have an remarkable comedy.
27 Dresses: Romantic Comedy
Director Anne Fletcher and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna’s recent release, 27 Dresses, starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden, fulfills many expectations of the romantic comedy genre, including a surprising love interest, the love chase, comedic relief, and a happy ending.
Heigl plays the movie’s protagonist who has been a bridesmaid 27 times, embodying the “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” stereotype. She is a hopeless romantic and saves clips by her favorite author who writes wedding announcements.
When the movie opens, Heigl’s initial love interest, her boss, does not notice her. Heigl unknowingly meets the wedding announcement author, played by Marsden, at a wedding. He secretly begins writing an article about Heigl and, obeying the rules of the romantic comedy, falls in love with her. However, Marsden is a cynic burned by love, and when Heigl learns he feigns the romantic feeling behind the wedding announcements he writes, she begins to lose faith in love. However, the two are conveniently stranded in an Upstate bar, get tipsy, and lead their fellow drinkers in a sing-along to “Benny and the Jets.” This scene follows the surprising or forbidden love interest requirement of the romantic comedy formula.
The love chase comes next. All romantic comedies end the same way, but the writers, directors, and actors do their best to make the audience build frustration and anticipation so the happy ending is all the more sweet once it finally comes. The article is published against Marsden’s wishes, and Heigl proceeds to call off their romance. Marsden persists, and eventually he rescues her from a public falling out she has with her sister and encourages her to start living her own life.
Before the happy ending, the movie does serve a few laughs, which any member of its genre must. Aside from several unsuccessful jokes about co-ed bridal showers and bridesmaid dress jokes, Heigl reminds us that she starred in the more successful romantic comedy Knocked Up by delivering some effective one-liners. At one point Marsden asks her if she ever gets frustrated with her role, and she responds by saying, “Well, of course. I’m not Jesus.”
27 Dresses culminates in a neat, happy ending delivered like a Christmas present with all the bows and trimming. Heigl and Marsden’s characters are getting married on the beach, and the audience can be relieved that the protagonist has finally made it to the altar. The true cherry on top is that all 27 women whose weddings Heigl was in are standing on the beach in the dresses Heigl wore when she was in their weddings.
27 Dresses is no cinematic masterpiece, but its audience does not expect to witness high art from the genre of romantic comedy. They want a beautiful actress playing the girl next door whose teeth would never be that white and whose hair would never be that straight in real life. They want easy jokes and a happy couple, which 27 Dresses promises and delivers, fulfilling the expectations of the romantic comedy drama. Romantic comedies are there to reaffirm the hope and power of love while generating billions of dollars in revenue because that's a message most of us like to hear.
Heigl plays the movie’s protagonist who has been a bridesmaid 27 times, embodying the “always a bridesmaid, never a bride” stereotype. She is a hopeless romantic and saves clips by her favorite author who writes wedding announcements.
When the movie opens, Heigl’s initial love interest, her boss, does not notice her. Heigl unknowingly meets the wedding announcement author, played by Marsden, at a wedding. He secretly begins writing an article about Heigl and, obeying the rules of the romantic comedy, falls in love with her. However, Marsden is a cynic burned by love, and when Heigl learns he feigns the romantic feeling behind the wedding announcements he writes, she begins to lose faith in love. However, the two are conveniently stranded in an Upstate bar, get tipsy, and lead their fellow drinkers in a sing-along to “Benny and the Jets.” This scene follows the surprising or forbidden love interest requirement of the romantic comedy formula.
The love chase comes next. All romantic comedies end the same way, but the writers, directors, and actors do their best to make the audience build frustration and anticipation so the happy ending is all the more sweet once it finally comes. The article is published against Marsden’s wishes, and Heigl proceeds to call off their romance. Marsden persists, and eventually he rescues her from a public falling out she has with her sister and encourages her to start living her own life.
Before the happy ending, the movie does serve a few laughs, which any member of its genre must. Aside from several unsuccessful jokes about co-ed bridal showers and bridesmaid dress jokes, Heigl reminds us that she starred in the more successful romantic comedy Knocked Up by delivering some effective one-liners. At one point Marsden asks her if she ever gets frustrated with her role, and she responds by saying, “Well, of course. I’m not Jesus.”
27 Dresses culminates in a neat, happy ending delivered like a Christmas present with all the bows and trimming. Heigl and Marsden’s characters are getting married on the beach, and the audience can be relieved that the protagonist has finally made it to the altar. The true cherry on top is that all 27 women whose weddings Heigl was in are standing on the beach in the dresses Heigl wore when she was in their weddings.
27 Dresses is no cinematic masterpiece, but its audience does not expect to witness high art from the genre of romantic comedy. They want a beautiful actress playing the girl next door whose teeth would never be that white and whose hair would never be that straight in real life. They want easy jokes and a happy couple, which 27 Dresses promises and delivers, fulfilling the expectations of the romantic comedy drama. Romantic comedies are there to reaffirm the hope and power of love while generating billions of dollars in revenue because that's a message most of us like to hear.
Michelle Spera detective fiction/macabre
genre - detective fiction/macabre
title - The Raven and Other Poems and Tales
author - Edgar Allen Poe
This collection of short stories consists of some of Edgar Allen Poe's most famous and amazing works. Born into a life filled with disappointment and loneliness, it is no wonder that most of his stories depict vivid murders and poems that seem a mystery all their own. This collection includes stories such as "The Black Cat", "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado", as well as poems like, "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee". All of these stories have death and madness as a theme running through all of them.
In all stories, the main characters are driven mad by other agents, whether it be guilt, revenge or simply insanity and rage. In, "The Tell-tale Heart", a man is driven mad by the sound of a beating heart belonging to his victim buried under the floor boards. "The Black Cat" is about a man murdering his wife and burying her in a wall along with his enemy, the black cat and "The Cask of Amontillado is about a man who is driven so mad by revenge, that he chains a man to middle of the floor in a wine cellar and turns the room into a tomb, building a wall over the sounds of his screams.
The poems as well take this grotesque turn and although "Annabel Lee" does have a notation of love, Annabel Lee is taken from her lover and brought down to a watery grave. "The Raven", probably Poe's most famous poem, also has a man going crazy by the repetition of a raven's taunting mantra, "Nevermore". Althouugh, these brief summaries do not at all do justice to the depth of Poe's work, they give what is needed to classify them in the genre of detective fiction and macabre, staying ttrue to the idea that stoires are not just a single genre, but can fit into many types.
Poe basically invented the genre detective fiction. Usually describing a crime of murder and being about the work of a detective investigating a murder, Poe has written many stories (The Murders at Rue Morgue) that fit into this genre. Two women are horribly killed, but the room is locked from the inside preventing the killer from escaping. The story follows the deduction work of the detective, Mr. Dupin as he solves the murder. For this type of fiction, Poe's stories especially fit because as a reader, we expect detective work to be done, just as the title suggests.
More commonly, Poe's stories fall under the genre, macabre, characterized by grotesque and horrifying atmospheres. Themes of death and horror are usually deliberate. Poe uses amazing detail that many authors did not even consider at that time. In, "The Black Cat", the murder of the man's wife is described as, " I withdrew my arm from her grasp and buried the axe in her brain. She fell dead upon the spot without a groan." (Poe, The Black Cat) Since these ideas of the grotesque are intentional, it would make sense that the input of these detailed deaths are seemingly not very important and written very casually. The imagery Poe uses in both his short stories and poems creates a dark tone in which the reader can still hear the screams within the sealed wall as they close the book.
title - The Raven and Other Poems and Tales
author - Edgar Allen Poe
This collection of short stories consists of some of Edgar Allen Poe's most famous and amazing works. Born into a life filled with disappointment and loneliness, it is no wonder that most of his stories depict vivid murders and poems that seem a mystery all their own. This collection includes stories such as "The Black Cat", "The Tell-tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado", as well as poems like, "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee". All of these stories have death and madness as a theme running through all of them.
In all stories, the main characters are driven mad by other agents, whether it be guilt, revenge or simply insanity and rage. In, "The Tell-tale Heart", a man is driven mad by the sound of a beating heart belonging to his victim buried under the floor boards. "The Black Cat" is about a man murdering his wife and burying her in a wall along with his enemy, the black cat and "The Cask of Amontillado is about a man who is driven so mad by revenge, that he chains a man to middle of the floor in a wine cellar and turns the room into a tomb, building a wall over the sounds of his screams.
The poems as well take this grotesque turn and although "Annabel Lee" does have a notation of love, Annabel Lee is taken from her lover and brought down to a watery grave. "The Raven", probably Poe's most famous poem, also has a man going crazy by the repetition of a raven's taunting mantra, "Nevermore". Althouugh, these brief summaries do not at all do justice to the depth of Poe's work, they give what is needed to classify them in the genre of detective fiction and macabre, staying ttrue to the idea that stoires are not just a single genre, but can fit into many types.
Poe basically invented the genre detective fiction. Usually describing a crime of murder and being about the work of a detective investigating a murder, Poe has written many stories (The Murders at Rue Morgue) that fit into this genre. Two women are horribly killed, but the room is locked from the inside preventing the killer from escaping. The story follows the deduction work of the detective, Mr. Dupin as he solves the murder. For this type of fiction, Poe's stories especially fit because as a reader, we expect detective work to be done, just as the title suggests.
More commonly, Poe's stories fall under the genre, macabre, characterized by grotesque and horrifying atmospheres. Themes of death and horror are usually deliberate. Poe uses amazing detail that many authors did not even consider at that time. In, "The Black Cat", the murder of the man's wife is described as, " I withdrew my arm from her grasp and buried the axe in her brain. She fell dead upon the spot without a groan." (Poe, The Black Cat) Since these ideas of the grotesque are intentional, it would make sense that the input of these detailed deaths are seemingly not very important and written very casually. The imagery Poe uses in both his short stories and poems creates a dark tone in which the reader can still hear the screams within the sealed wall as they close the book.
Big Nothing as Black Comedy
Title: The Big Nothing
Director: Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Genre: Black Comedy
A British film set in Oregon, Big Nothing bleeds dark, ironic humor characteristic of the black comedy genre. In the film, Charlie (played by David Schwimmer) joins a coworker in an attempt to blackmail a local clergyman who frequents illegal porn sites. Once this basic premise is set in motion, everything that can go wrong will, and the humor stems from the lightness with which the movie approaches its own morbidity as well as the irony of the unlikely situations.
The first taste of the film's dark irony is when Charlie arrives at his new job for an interview. After sidestepping the puddle he parks next to, Charlie slams his car door, breaking his window and setting off his car alarm. Charlie's day gets better; when he actually gets the job as a technical support operator, his first customer berates him. Following Gus' (Simon Pegg) lead, Charlie puts the caller on hold and responds with insults relating to the caller's wife. However, Charlie failed to put the caller, whose wife had died six months earlier, on hold, and loses his job (yes, on his first day).
With a blackmail plan perfectly conceived, Charlie, Gus, and Josie McBroom (Alice Eve) set it in motion. However, as Charlie is in a local bar, establishing Gus' alibi, a walk to the 24/7 gas station whose owner never closes, he discovers the owner is in the bar celebrating his 80th birthday. Charlie runs to the Reverend's house, only to find an unconscious body on the living room floor. Believing the man dead, Charlie drags the remains into the septic tank and searches the house for Gus, who non-nonchalantly relays the fight and that he knocked out the victim. The dead body doesn't sober the picture at all, in fact, it makes for a gag. Charlie has to use an ugly garden gnome to weigh the body down.
It's this levity concerning death and the numerous ironic twists and pitfalls of the characters that makes Big Nothing a black comedy, a genre defined by its satire of death (too paraphrase Wikipedia, like the example of Kenny dying in every episode of South Park).
Director: Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Genre: Black Comedy
A British film set in Oregon, Big Nothing bleeds dark, ironic humor characteristic of the black comedy genre. In the film, Charlie (played by David Schwimmer) joins a coworker in an attempt to blackmail a local clergyman who frequents illegal porn sites. Once this basic premise is set in motion, everything that can go wrong will, and the humor stems from the lightness with which the movie approaches its own morbidity as well as the irony of the unlikely situations.
The first taste of the film's dark irony is when Charlie arrives at his new job for an interview. After sidestepping the puddle he parks next to, Charlie slams his car door, breaking his window and setting off his car alarm. Charlie's day gets better; when he actually gets the job as a technical support operator, his first customer berates him. Following Gus' (Simon Pegg) lead, Charlie puts the caller on hold and responds with insults relating to the caller's wife. However, Charlie failed to put the caller, whose wife had died six months earlier, on hold, and loses his job (yes, on his first day).
With a blackmail plan perfectly conceived, Charlie, Gus, and Josie McBroom (Alice Eve) set it in motion. However, as Charlie is in a local bar, establishing Gus' alibi, a walk to the 24/7 gas station whose owner never closes, he discovers the owner is in the bar celebrating his 80th birthday. Charlie runs to the Reverend's house, only to find an unconscious body on the living room floor. Believing the man dead, Charlie drags the remains into the septic tank and searches the house for Gus, who non-nonchalantly relays the fight and that he knocked out the victim. The dead body doesn't sober the picture at all, in fact, it makes for a gag. Charlie has to use an ugly garden gnome to weigh the body down.
It's this levity concerning death and the numerous ironic twists and pitfalls of the characters that makes Big Nothing a black comedy, a genre defined by its satire of death (too paraphrase Wikipedia, like the example of Kenny dying in every episode of South Park).
Alejandra Portillo (Women's Fiction)
Genre:Womens Fiction
Title:Peyton Amberg
Author:Tama Janowitz
This novel was about a women named Peyton Amberg who married very young to escape her unexciting life,but what she quickly realized was that marriage was not the answer.
She married a dentist named Barry who was anything but exciting ,he was hard working ,boring, and allergic to just about everything.
Peyton decided to become a travel agent so that so could travel and explore the world to find some excitement.Her fist trip was to Brazil where her wallet,passport,and palne ticket w2as stolen when she went to use the restroom. Luckily for her she met a man named Germano who helped her. He let her stay with him in his hotel room , brought her expensive clothes ,jewelry,and took her to dinner . The author never explain how she returned home without a passport. Throughout the novel Peyton has many lovers who seem unrealistic, and gets herself into situation that could only happen to character in a book or movie.
Towards the end of the novel she travels to Hong Kong with Xian Rong a thief , whom she met at the airport . Xian Rong becomes Peyton's lover right away and convinces her to join his crew of thieves. The way the robberies are describe in the novel seem amatauer and unprofessional for someone who dose this as a living.
This novel 's genre definitely has the have the word fiction attached to it , because of all the impossible situations describe by the author. Any women who has been married for years and feel that their lives are m0re routine then before they were married can relate to the novel's main character Peyton.
Title:Peyton Amberg
Author:Tama Janowitz
This novel was about a women named Peyton Amberg who married very young to escape her unexciting life,but what she quickly realized was that marriage was not the answer.
She married a dentist named Barry who was anything but exciting ,he was hard working ,boring, and allergic to just about everything.
Peyton decided to become a travel agent so that so could travel and explore the world to find some excitement.Her fist trip was to Brazil where her wallet,passport,and palne ticket w2as stolen when she went to use the restroom. Luckily for her she met a man named Germano who helped her. He let her stay with him in his hotel room , brought her expensive clothes ,jewelry,and took her to dinner . The author never explain how she returned home without a passport. Throughout the novel Peyton has many lovers who seem unrealistic, and gets herself into situation that could only happen to character in a book or movie.
Towards the end of the novel she travels to Hong Kong with Xian Rong a thief , whom she met at the airport . Xian Rong becomes Peyton's lover right away and convinces her to join his crew of thieves. The way the robberies are describe in the novel seem amatauer and unprofessional for someone who dose this as a living.
This novel 's genre definitely has the have the word fiction attached to it , because of all the impossible situations describe by the author. Any women who has been married for years and feel that their lives are m0re routine then before they were married can relate to the novel's main character Peyton.
"Reign over me" as a drama
Title-Reign over me
Written and directed by-Mike Binder
Genre-Drama
In the film “Reign over me”, the main character, Charlie Fineman, suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. His whole family died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The film focuses on Charlie’s condition and friendship with former college roommate, Alan Johnson. The serious subject manner of the film is why I label it as a drama.
While the movie does feature some comedy, I do not believe it was enough to qualify the movie as a comedy, in fact, the comedy only adds to the realism of the film since none of the comedy makes light of Charlie’s condition or the 9/11 attacks. The comedic lines seem like typical responses to average “ever day” speech and doesn’t seem forced. The movie offers few scenes of violence, and takes place during the year 2007, which was the year it was made.
In a drama I expect a story to be told in a serious manner. Most dramas have extensive dialogue and usually involve a character coming to terms with something, or how the world affects the characters. Unlike action movies, which involve the solving of problems through force, or comedies that present the solution to the conflict through humor, a drama will solve it through talking.
The subplot of the film deals with Alan’s marital problems. He feels that he is being emotionally suffocated by his wife and wishes to have some freedom. His time with Charlie helps him understand how easily his whole life could change and grows to appreciate the time he spends with his wife. Basically the two characters end up saving each other. Alan helps Charlie deal with his loss and Charlie restores Alan’s love of his wife and feeling of adventure.
Written and directed by-Mike Binder
Genre-Drama
In the film “Reign over me”, the main character, Charlie Fineman, suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. His whole family died in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The film focuses on Charlie’s condition and friendship with former college roommate, Alan Johnson. The serious subject manner of the film is why I label it as a drama.
While the movie does feature some comedy, I do not believe it was enough to qualify the movie as a comedy, in fact, the comedy only adds to the realism of the film since none of the comedy makes light of Charlie’s condition or the 9/11 attacks. The comedic lines seem like typical responses to average “ever day” speech and doesn’t seem forced. The movie offers few scenes of violence, and takes place during the year 2007, which was the year it was made.
In a drama I expect a story to be told in a serious manner. Most dramas have extensive dialogue and usually involve a character coming to terms with something, or how the world affects the characters. Unlike action movies, which involve the solving of problems through force, or comedies that present the solution to the conflict through humor, a drama will solve it through talking.
The subplot of the film deals with Alan’s marital problems. He feels that he is being emotionally suffocated by his wife and wishes to have some freedom. His time with Charlie helps him understand how easily his whole life could change and grows to appreciate the time he spends with his wife. Basically the two characters end up saving each other. Alan helps Charlie deal with his loss and Charlie restores Alan’s love of his wife and feeling of adventure.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Genre: Erotica
Genre: Erotica 
Title: Diary of a Sex Fiend
Author: Abby Lee
Type: Memoir/ Sexuality
Main Entry: erot·i·ca
Title: Diary of a Sex Fiend
Author: Abby Lee
Type: Memoir/ Sexuality
Main Entry: erot·i·ca
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Pronunciation: i-'rä-ti-k&
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek erOtika, neuter plural of erOtikos
1 : literary or artistic works having an erotic theme or quality 2 : depictions of things erotic
Abby Lee wrote a book intending it to be a memoir but soon it skewed to becoming an erotica intended for both woman and men to enjoy. Diary of a Sex Fiend is not a book that our mother would recommend we read, is not a book we would feel comfortable reading on the train, but is a book we can all relate to. Lee shares an intimate detail of her search for love and numerous one night stands.
Erotica is not pornography; erotica portrays the human anatomy and sexuality in forms of art whether it is through literature, poetry, photography, sculptures, movies, etc. Erotica should not make one feel "sleazy" or "cheap", erotica delves beneath the known and studies the taboo of our own sexual behaviors. Lee uncovers many secrets woman and men hid due to the restrictions of our every day lives.
I believe that Lee’s book Diary of a Sex Fiend falls under the genre of erotica because the words she wrote in her book ambiguously define erotica. She might not say things eloquently or tastefully at all times, but that’s what allows us to enjoy the read, smile a bit, and blush a ton. It shocks us to realize that what we feel she feels too.
Abby Lee wrote a book intending it to be a memoir but soon it skewed to becoming an erotica intended for both woman and men to enjoy. Diary of a Sex Fiend is not a book that our mother would recommend we read, is not a book we would feel comfortable reading on the train, but is a book we can all relate to. Lee shares an intimate detail of her search for love and numerous one night stands.
Erotica is not pornography; erotica portrays the human anatomy and sexuality in forms of art whether it is through literature, poetry, photography, sculptures, movies, etc. Erotica should not make one feel "sleazy" or "cheap", erotica delves beneath the known and studies the taboo of our own sexual behaviors. Lee uncovers many secrets woman and men hid due to the restrictions of our every day lives.
I believe that Lee’s book Diary of a Sex Fiend falls under the genre of erotica because the words she wrote in her book ambiguously define erotica. She might not say things eloquently or tastefully at all times, but that’s what allows us to enjoy the read, smile a bit, and blush a ton. It shocks us to realize that what we feel she feels too.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Welcome
(read this posting in its entirety. See the bottom for Wednesday's instructions)
As the class blog for EN 150W (Section AM3WA) at Queens College, this blog will be our primary means of general communication. Be sure to check it after every class, as much of the time this will be the only place to learn about the readings and assignments due for the next meeting (that is, don't assume that my not mentioning anything due next class means there isn't anything due the next class).
In addition, you will be required to post here a response of approximately 250-500 words, as well as a one or two paragraph comment on a classmate’s earlier response, before each class. These will be due by 9pm the night before class (Sunday and Tuesday) , and are critical to your grade. We will use them to generate our in-class discussion, and they will also make up a portion of your participation for the course. This cannot be stressed enough--if posts are not here by 9 p.m., this portion of your grade will suffer. And if you cannot work that much writing into your schedule, you should consider another course.
More importantly, use this space for writing about the readings for the course, the class discussions, and for commenting on one another's responses. While formality is not overemphasized here, be sure to be as clear (spell as you might on a paper and not as you might on a phone) and intelligent as you can manage, and be specific about the texts you are writing about (that is, quote them). Also, when writing about another student's response, be respectful but also thoughtful ('Kelly was totally right!' is less useful than what Kelly's comment make you think).
You'll find a copy of the syllabus to the right. I will try to make changes to it as we go, but it's best not to assume that it is up to date, and to look to these posts for changes and adjustments to the course.
As the class blog for EN 150W (Section AM3WA) at Queens College, this blog will be our primary means of general communication. Be sure to check it after every class, as much of the time this will be the only place to learn about the readings and assignments due for the next meeting (that is, don't assume that my not mentioning anything due next class means there isn't anything due the next class).
In addition, you will be required to post here a response of approximately 250-500 words, as well as a one or two paragraph comment on a classmate’s earlier response, before each class. These will be due by 9pm the night before class (Sunday and Tuesday) , and are critical to your grade. We will use them to generate our in-class discussion, and they will also make up a portion of your participation for the course. This cannot be stressed enough--if posts are not here by 9 p.m., this portion of your grade will suffer. And if you cannot work that much writing into your schedule, you should consider another course.
More importantly, use this space for writing about the readings for the course, the class discussions, and for commenting on one another's responses. While formality is not overemphasized here, be sure to be as clear (spell as you might on a paper and not as you might on a phone) and intelligent as you can manage, and be specific about the texts you are writing about (that is, quote them). Also, when writing about another student's response, be respectful but also thoughtful ('Kelly was totally right!' is less useful than what Kelly's comment make you think).
You'll find a copy of the syllabus to the right. I will try to make changes to it as we go, but it's best not to assume that it is up to date, and to look to these posts for changes and adjustments to the course.
For Wednesday, read the first section of the Chandler on Genre ('The Problem of Definition'), and 'The Purpose of This Creature Man' by Lee K. Abbott. Then, in a 250-500 words, post a response in which you consider one work (a movie, for example) which you think of as part of a genre. Give the genre, and write a few paragraphs why you think the work fits the genre. That is, what expectations of the genre does it meet? Be sure to discuss specific scenes and moments from the work.
Post all responses as separate posts, not comments to my post.
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