This is your time!

“Movies can and do have tremendous influence in shaping young lives…” Walt Disney. Walt Disney is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time and he was able to inspire people to watch movies. He took old fairy tales and turned them into masterpieces. He made cartoons during World War II in favor of American and their cause. Now we can go back and watch these films and appreciate them in completely different senses. Disney’s animated films like Snow White or Cinderella are not movies that are shown in the classroom but these movies spark the imaginations of children all over the world. Now I am able to recall many Disney films from my childhood and remember why they were special to me. They created a bond that cannot be broken in society.

I am not here to talk about Disney, even though he was a brilliant mind. I am here to discuss movies and education. I have shared my story and I have asked a professor of mine to explain why she loves movies as much as I do. I have talked about Shakespeare and history. All of these topics all bring students together and create an environment that is an equal playing field for all. I guess what I am trying to say is that through my passion for film it has made me want to learn more about the world around me and get as much information as I can. Many people have photographic memory or can retain information about the microorganisms that live in our world. But the one thing that keeps everyone on the same playing field is movies. There are films for everyone. A Biology major can watch a movie like Gattaca and probably be interested in the movie. Or someone who is very artistic and loves to paint would probably love The Agony and the Ecstasy or Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Many of my friends say that I am a huge Movie nerd. Now I believe that I love movies a lot more than my friends but I am not a movie nerd to the extent that many other movies buffs or nerds are. I have taken two film history classes in my college career so far the movies that are presented in the class are movies that I have either never heard of or that I have never seen. I have not come face to face with a movie that I have seen before. I think it is great to be introduced to new things, new ideas. This is why I think movies are crucial for students in school. Yes, most students think that it is a way to get out of class for that day, but surprisingly enough most of the students watch and enjoy the movie and the significance of it to the classroom. There have been books I have read that I had a hard time reading and understanding but through the medium of film I was able to understand and comprehend the book better.

Much is captured on film that is educational. One of the main films I remember watching a lot when I was in school was Schoolhouse Rock. This was a film I saw almost every year and by the end I was able to sing along to the songs in it. I still can sing some of the songs from the movie. This is a prime example of using a movie that is educational. There is a film of the actual Woodstock. Now in grade school we did not discuss the era or specific event but once I reached college I was faced to look more into Woodstock in my Popular Culture class. This documentary about Woodstock was helpful to see what actually happened there but also see the different types of people coming and celebrating music and peace. There are other documentaries that captured World War II which I had to watch in my class. Being able to see these events and follow along with the textbook is very helpful. It takes the words off the page and we are able to see clips of the different air raids or battles. We are able to see the destruction of the cities and the devastation on the faces of the soldiers and citizens.

Documentaries are used a lot in History classes, which is one of my favorite subjects, but it is not the only way to show some of what might happened. I guess I cannot express how important I think it is for students to be able to expand their minds through books, photos, and movies. Variety, for me, is the key to unlocking the students mind and helping them understand what they are studying.

I think it is also important to point out that movies are able to talk about events and topics that are very hard on society. Gay Marriage. Abortion. Abuse. Politics. These are subjects that film can really challenge and open the minds of people. These movies should be shown in a classroom. I feel that children need to have their minds opened. Using the medium of movies is one of the best ways to show people a completely new view on issues, people, time periods, events, and imagination. This medium has been around for over a hundred years and I think that this medium will be around for hundreds more years as long as it educates and opens the minds of all who see it.

People need to learn outside of the classroom as well. This is the only way for us to grow and learn as much as we can. I think going to the movies is a great way for people to open up their minds to the different possibilities the world gives us. For example, there have been a couple movies that have come out recently that are based on real people and real events in our history. I think these films are great films that the younger generation needs to see so that they can learn their own history. J. Edgar came out recently with Leonardo DiCaprio as J.Edgar and this movie shows him as a young man working his way up in the Bureau and then finally becoming the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I found this movie to be very interesting because it helped me understand the FBI. I hope that a teacher would show this film to their classroom once it is released because the movies spans around 50 years and provides a detailed portrait of our history. Frost/Nixon came out a couple years ago about the famous interview between President Richard Nixon and British TV personality David Frost. This movie shows the interview process and the background of one of the biggest corruptions in our nation's history. I had never really known what had happened besides the words Watergate and Impeachment. Now I am able to say I have a better understanding of this president.

There are also films that keep coming out based on very famous novels and best sellers. Harry Potter is obviously a very popular serious that might not be read in school because it is 'controversial.' I think that is a little absurd but people are entitled to their opinions. There are other movies that have come out like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I have stated in a previous post that I read this while in school and now there is a live action film, which I think is great in sticking close to the book. Pride and Prejudice was made a couple of years ago. I thought this was a great film of a classic novel. Soon there will be versions of The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations, both novels I had to read in High School. I think that updating these classic tales is a smart way to get younger audiences into reading these classic novels. I do not like Great Expectations. I felt that it was a hard novel to read but I did watch the 1946 version in school. It was the best version at the time but now they are updating this novel and will hopefully bring Charles Dickens story to life. Also The Great Gatsby is also becoming more dated. The great thing about the film industry is that there is rarely ever one version of a novel or story. They are always changing to be able to tell the story.

I firmly believe that the classroom needs to have some form of film for the students to be able to grow but I also think that students need to take initiative and see things might be more obscure and educational. Rarely have I seen a teenager choose to see a documentary about the government or the education system just for fun. I think there comes a time where the younger generation should go see these documentaries or more historical films and not just the cheap thrill movies. I love to watch all types of films. I hope that my generation will soon be able to go see something that is out of their comfort zone.

As a student talking to another student "This is your time! Now go out there and take it!"

My History of Movies in the Classroom

As a child I was not a very good reader and I did not do very well in school. My teachers moved me into a group where I had to do extra reading and writing classes just so I could keep up with my regular class. This continued for a long time until I was able to read a book in class and then watch the film afterwards.

I read Little House on the Prairie when I was in 3rd grade. I had a hard time visualizing what was going on in the book and so my teacher let us watch clips from the movie and TV show so we could get a better understanding of what we were reading. This was one of the first times I was able to enjoy a book. Before then I hated reading because it was hard for me to read something that did not interest me.

In 5th grade I read The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I had to do a book report on it. I love this book now but when I first read it I was not as interested in it. But at that time there was a cartoon movie of the book and I was able to watch it and get a better understanding and appreciation for what was happening in the book.

Once I got into Intermediate school, the teachers became more lenient about showing the class a movie about what we had been reading or learning about. During this time I grew to love history and especially history movies. My classes allowed me to expand my mind through film.

It wasn't until my Freshman year in High School when I was in my Honors World History class that I was able to watch films based on actual events. My teacher thought it would be a good idea to show what it might have been like during certain time periods. We also read The Odyssey in his class and he showed us the movie. The movie really helped me and the class get through the Epic Poem by Homer. It brought his words to life. This class later went on to watch Schindler's List. This movie shows what it was like during the Holocaust and nobody in my class had ever seen anything like it before. The movie had been out for sometime but we were all too young to see it. My teacher did not show any of the sex scenes but he showed us the rest of the movie.

Ever since then I have been reading books I do not like or understand and watch their movie version of the book or the time period to help me better understand the book or the time period. I had another professor have us watch the 10th Anniversary Version of Les Miserables just so we could understand the characters and see some of what the characters are going through in the book by Victor Hugo.

I will always strive to learn and gain as much knowledge as I can. Going to the Movies and reading books help me do that. Some teachers do not think that watching movies in class will hep their students. I say that is just them being blind. Kids need to be able to imagine and see things that are not just on the page. This is why I am so steadfast in my beliefs of why movies and school go hand in hand.

A conversation with Katherine Restaino Dick Ph.D.

I have been talking about how I think movies are great for educational purposes. Because of my topic I thought it would be a great opportunity to discuss this topic with a scholar who is just as and even more passionate than I am.

I attend Fairleigh Dickinso University and here I have taken a couple of film classes. There is one professor in particular, I feel, is the best at the University. Katherine Restaino Dick, Ph.D. is one of the most respected professors in the Communications Department and in the University. I decided to ask her a few questions on the subject of movies and Education.

• Do you think that movies should be taught in the classroom? Why or Why not?

Thank you for asking me about the role of movies in the classroom. Film is an important reinforcement. Students who read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will find reinforcement by watching a film version. History related to the Revolutionary War is enhanced by seeing the films Johnny Tremaine and 1776. Gone With the Wind makes the Civil War come alive.

• 
  
  Do you like going to the movies? Why or Why not?

I enjoy going to the movies, but I usually wait until they are on television or I buy a DVD. It's a pain to go to movies theaters today because members of the audience often talk and scrunch on popcorn.

• Do you learn or get anything out of the movie after seeing it? Do you think that movies are an important part of scoiety?

Films make you think about cultural issues and social problems. Every time I watch The Deerhunter, I recall the early days of my teaching career during the Vietnam War. The young men who were subject to the draft could get a deferment if they were full-time college students. What would the instructor do if she had to fail the student?

I found this last question she posed to be extremely enlightening. I would never have thought about this because of when I was born and because my generation has not had to face anything like that before. Being able to watch a movie that is set in a time that I am not familiar with really opens my eyes to what it might have been like and with that I am able to see into history or into literature.

Movies are a very important part in our society but also in theclassroom. How else is a student sippossed to see what happens in war or during a depression?

My Life in the Movies

I have blogged about different subjects and different movies that I love. I have yet to explain my real love of movies and learning. This is what I wanted to focus on today.

I grew up in a home that is filled with art and culture. My dad would read me stories of fantasy and adventure as I would fall asleep. My older sister would buy me books by authors that would take me to a world that I had never seen before. My mom would take me to Disneyland when I was not feeling well. But as a family we would go to the Movies and I would experience some of the most amazing sights and sounds that changed my life. Before I go on I should probably explain who my parents are and who my sister is.

My dad is a professor of Theater at Chapman University. He specializes in Shakespeare and Directing and through out my life I have been around him while he has taught his students about the intricacies of Shakespeare and Directing. He also spent summers directing many Shakespeare productions where I was able to see Shakespeare's works come to life. My Mom teaches at an Intermediate School. Recently she has become the head of the Art program at the school. This involves any type of performing art or creative arts in the school. And my sister graduated with her Bachelors in Theater and is now getting her Masters in directing in Canada. As you can see we love the arts. But they also love learning.

Because my parents love the arts and education I sort of became obsessed with the movies and learning from movies. I am currently taking a class about Crime in Film. I am required to watch a wide variety of movies in order to understand crime in film. But, after class I go straight onto IMDB and I research more about the movie I have just seen. The website I visit the most, more than Facebook, is IMDB. My teachers would show movies in the classroom and I always thought it was a great day in class. I learn so much from watching movies and I feel that the classroom is a great way for students to grow as individuals. If I were a teacher I would try to use movies as much as possible to try and expand the minds of my students. Sometimes students can only see what is on the page, what the movies do is show another world that we are not familiar with.

I want to say that the Oscars is like my Super Bowl. Last year The King's Speech won for best picture. This film is about a country finding something and someone to believe in during a time of terrible struggle. This is a great movie for a history class and even a speech class. Movies help me understand things, they take me to a different world and they show me a world I could have never imagined. Some of my favorite movies are from movies that I watched in school.

How-To choose the best film for your class!

Movies.

A simple media but choosing the right film is always the hardest and most frustrating part, in my opinion. I think it is even harder when you need to choose the proper movie for the class as well. So I have decided to give you some steps into how to choose the proper film for a classroom.

First:

The movie needs to be suitable for all ages. Meaning, that you should rarely choose a rated R movie unless you are in college or you are only showing a clip from that rated R movie. To be safe try and stick to the PG and PG-13 movies.

Second:

What class are you teaching? For the purposes of this how-to, lets say you are trying to pick a movie for an English class. It is important to not watch a movie for each novel that you read in class. I think that you should provide your students with the idea of watching the novel that you have read.

Third:

Choose what novel you want to show the movie version of. In my personal opinion, the most complex and hardest book to understand is probably the best choice to watch a movie for.

Fourth:

Last I think it is important put an assignment with the movie. Some students do not read the novels they are assigned and wait to watch the film. Putting an assignment with the film is important so the student will pay attention and not just fall asleep. For example, compare the novel to the movie.

I love watching films in class but what I think is the most important part is writing about it afterwards. I think the student would retain more information if they are told to read the novel, watch the movie, and compare the two.

History through Movies!!

I have discussed movies about History before and some of my favorites but I thought it would be a great idea to show you a blog that takes you through movies that depict different time periods!

HISTORY MOVIES!

I found this blog to be extremely interesting. I love History and I love movies, what could be better than a blog about where they are one in the same? History is a very important subject. It is where we learn from our mistakes and grow from those mistakes. This blog ranges from the very beginning of civilizations until the end of World War II. We go threw school learning about different cultures and civilizations. We learn about the past. This blog is great to find knew movies for teachers to show to their students. There are lists of movies that are strictly about the bible or about the Victorian age. Anything you would want in a history movie list, its here.

I do have some scruples about this blog, however none that should turn you away from the blog. This blog lists movies and gives a small synopsis about the movies but I think that the blog could have a little more writing maybe explaining the time period a little more. The layout is very simple and fitting for its History themed blog. My main problem with this blog is that it stops at World War II. I love World War II but there are many great films that are about very important times in our nations history. For example, films about the Vietnam War are not listed or about the Civil Rights movement. These are parts of history that I think are also needed to be shown to students learning about modern history.

This has blog helped me find movies, in time periods I find interesting. I love learning and expanding my mind. With this blog I am able to find movies that are not as well known. I recommend this website to anyone who loves History and Movies as much as I do.

Sports in Film!

Baseball.
Hockey.
Basketball.
Football.
Gymnastics.
Boxing.
Soccer.
Cheerleading.

These are just some examples of sports that have been portrayed in film. Physical Education, also known as P.E., is a part of school that students either want to go to or dread to go to. I personally loved P.E. because I was athletic and I found it to be fun and an escape. Sadly, others do not. What is great about film is that it can be shown on a rainy day or a snow day. Most of the time, sports films are ways of inspiring people, at least that is what they do for me.

I am an athletic person. I love watching sports and I love playing them. Some of my favorite movies revolve around sports. They have such a great message and strength behind them. A P.E. teacher, instead of making their students run, could sit down with their students and watch a movie that is inspirational and teaches students about team and courage.

Some of my favorites are:

1. A League of Their Own
2. Miracle
3. Remember the Titans
4. Bend it Like Beckham
5. Cinderella Man
6. Coach Carter
7. Stick It!
8. The Sandlot
9. Bring it On
10. Hoosiers
11. Rudy
    

As a child I would watch A League of Their Own over and over again because the story is unbelievable and powerful. I play softball and the fact that women played baseball and sold out stadiums is amazing. These movies give people strength and hope. I believe that everyone should watch a sports films because their is growth in the story. Some of the movies are based on real events which is again unbelievable and inspiring.

There are many movies that are about students and education. Movies are able to show what teachers can do in the classroom. Movies can take real stories and show the rest of the world how incredible these stories are. There is a blog post that was dedicated to stories about students and teachers. They have great stories and messages every student. Below there is a link to the website listing the many great films about Education.

25 Best Movies About Education Ever Made

This is a great list of films and documentaries that are centered around Education. The films on the list are all movies that inspire change and growth. One of the movies on the list is Precious. This movie centers around an abused teen mother who has a hard time in school. This story shows her growth through the education system with her teacher helping her and giving her hope along the way. A film that is also on this list is but is the polar opposite of Precious is School of Rock. School of Rock is a film about a washed up rocker who starts substitute teaching for elementary school kids. This film is great because it shows that art and music can really help kids through school and help them find an identity.

The Documentaries on this site are also remarkable. The top of the list is Waiting for Superman. This is a great story about kids who want to go to school but the education system is failing them. People want to learn and this movie is a great way of showing education in film. It is true and gritty.

I loved this blog. It was a great way to find out more about movies that focus on Education.

Books and Movies go Hand in Hand

Some people do not like to read, but some people like to watch movies. Good thing most classic novels have been made into film. English is one class that uses film a lot to help students understand a novel better. I love doing both. I am not saying that you should forget the book and just watch the movie. I am saying that after you read a book, sometimes it is easier after reading a book to watch the movie to make sure you retain the information that is given to you.

In 9th grade my teacher made us read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I do not like this book whatsoever but the one thing that got me through this book was the film of the same name made in (1946). I thought the story was very complex and thick but the movie helped me get through the density of the novel.

In the 10th grade my class read Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare, but this play, at that age, was very hard for me to get into and understand. My teacher at the time put in Julius Caesar so we could understand what is going on in the story.

In the 11th grade my class read East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I love this book but the beginning of the book is very complex and a little dull because Steinbeck is outlining the story. The film version of with James Dean is a great version of the story. It focuses the main part of the novel on the story of Cal. This film helped get the essence of the novel.

In the 12th grade my class read The Natural by Bernard Malamud. I had a hard time getting into this book. I did not like the character and I had a hard time understanding the character. The movie version with Robert Redford shows the character in a better light and helped me understand what was going on in the story. The Natural, the movie, is different from the book but being able to see Malamud's vision on the big screen is very helpful.

Even in college professors assign movies for the students to watch to help understand the different texts they have to read. English is one of the best subjects for students to better understand different stories and themes.

The main thing for people to understand is that the books, most of the time, are better than its film counterpart. The movie should be used to help tell but not to replace the book. The books are very important for the student to be able to read the words and sentences they methodically wrote in their novels.

Shakespeare Knows How to Rap!

Shakespeare is hard to understand. Thankfully there is a play that makes Shakespeare ten times easier for people. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare ABRIDGED! is a great show for anyone studying Shakespeare. The show only has three actors. These three actors perform all of Shakespeare's works. These three actors make it easy for people to understand Shakespeare. This video is just a small part of the show. In this clip the three actors RAP Othello the Moor of Venice. This rap is able to tell the whole story of Othello in 3 minutes.




The actors who are performing the show in this clip are the actually writers of the show. They take the tragedy of this show and they make it relevant for today and they make it interesting and funny. I love watching this clip and the others like it because it really helps people understand what happens in the plays. Another great thing about this video is that it is funny. People learn a lot more and retain information better if they are having a good time, rather than being bored.

This is not necessarily a film but this can be purchased in a video store or on Amazon. In the 12th grade I was introduced to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare ABRIDGED! I had already fallen in love with Shakespeare and his words but this made me love it even more because they find the humor of the plays and tell the story through the humor. I suggest everyone to see this because it is hilarious and very educational and helpful. I also suggest this to any teacher teaching a Shakespearean play.

Pictures say a thousand words

Hamlet.

Prince. Loved. Lonely. Torn. Angry.

Hamlet is one of the greatest plays in the English language. It is a classic story that we can see in many different movie forms. It is also one of the most read plays in the world. English teachers love to teach this play. It is a story with important themes and beautiful words. This play has been made into many different movies. Each of these movies has a different poster that goes along with the movie.

The first is Laurence Olivier's Hamlet. Olivier is seen holding a skull in the poster. This poster to me shows Hamlet's crazier sad side. He is holding Yorick an old friend of his, a jester. Yorik would entertain him in court but is now dead. This poster also shows the tragedy of the play.

The second is Mel Gibson's Hamlet. In this poster Gibson is holding a sword. This poster is different from Olivier's because Gibson's Hamlet is more combative and revengeful. This shows the violence in Hamlet. Many of the characters die from a knife or from a sword in Hamlet and this poster shows the extreme violence of the play.

The third poster is Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet. This poster is very different from a traditional Hamlet poster. This poster shows Hamlet facing a crowd. Hamlet loves to put on shows in the play. He acts differently in the presence of others. I think this posters shows more of Hamlet's playful side which is rarely seen in the play.

All three of these posters shows Hamlet's different sides. They are perfect posters that really grab the attention of the audience. All three of these movies are great to help tell the story of Hamlet. All three actors show Hamlet in a completely different light which is helpful for students to better understand Hamlet and the many themes of the play.

To Read Shakespeare, Or Not To Read Shakespeare, That is the Question!

“He words me, girls, he words me” (Antony and Cleopatra).

William Shakespeare is one of the most important writers of all time. He wrote about society. Even 400 years after his death his words still reflect and are about society. Everyone has come across a play written by Shakespeare. While I was in High School I read Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, and Julius Caesar. Most students hate reading Shakespeare because they find it confusing. Shakespeare was not meant to be read it was meant to be HEARD. The great thing the film industry does is make films based on Shakespeare’s 36 plays. Almost every Shakespeare play has been made into a movie so if you need to understand one of his plays I suggest renting one of the movies.

Here are some of my favourite Shakespeare plays made into movies.

1. Taming of the Shrew (1967)
2. Hamlet (2009)
3. Romeo and Juliet (1968)
4. Richard III (1955)
5. Henry V (1989)
6. As You Like It (2006)

These movies are Shakespeare’s plays just made into movies but there are movies that are based on Shakespeare’s plays but are his plays without his Dialogue. One Shakespeare play to look forward to comes out in 2012, called Coriolanus.

Here is a list of movies that are based on Shakespeare’s plays.

1. The Lion King (Hamlet)
2. Kiss Me Kate (Taming of the Shrew)
3. West Side Story (Romeo and Juliet)
4. She’s The Man (Twelfth Night)
5. O (Othello)
6. My Own Private Idaho (Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI)

Shakespeare is a well known writer who has blessed the world with his words. These movies can be used in a classroom setting. Shakespeare is hard to understand for most people. Movies help simplify the text and create a story that the viewer is easier to follow. I have talked to many people about Shakespeare being made into film and I have not heard any negativity on the subject. Even if the movie is a bad movie, the students will still be able to hear the words and hear the meaning behind them. I love Shakespeare. I love different adaptations of Shakespeare. I love going to the Theatre to see Shakespeare. I think Shakespeare is very helpful for students to learn more about themselves and the world around them.

"This above all: to thine own self be true" (Hamlet).

Animated Movies are Great for All Ages!

Great Animated Movies for the whole Family!

The Lion King

Up

Toy Story 1 and Toy Story 3

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Pocahontas

Finding Nemo

Cinderella

Snow White

How to Train Your Dragon

The Prince of Egypt

The Great Mouse Detective

The Rescuers

The Fox and the Hound

Peter Pan

The Aristocats

Robin Hood

There are PLENTY more movies out there that are great. This is just a tiny sample of some of them. I love all of these movies and think they are great movies for children and for adults. I'm 21 and I still love to watch The Lion King and Peter Pan. These are classic movies that need to be watched.

The best part of these movies is that some of them help children understand and maybe learn a little history, like in The Prince of Egypt and Pocahontas. The other movies are based on different pieces of literature, old and new. Some are based on legend (Robin Hood) and some are based off many famous and classic novels (The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Peter Pan). Some of the stories give great life lessons about friendship and trust (The Fox and the Hound).

All of these movies entertain me but also have taught me through out my life.

Top Movies to look forward to!

Okay, obviously I love movies but do you? and do you know what movies are coming out? Well I do. I have been looking all over the internet and going to the movies to figure out what I think are movies to look forward to.

First... The Ides of March (Opening Oct. 7, 2011)

This movie stars George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, and Paul Giamatti. This movie delves into the extreme and chaotic world of Politics and what it does to people. This movie looks wonderful and is based on an exceptional play called "Farragut North."

Here is a link to the Ides of March Trailer:

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Second... J. Edgar (Opening Nov. 9, 2011)

This movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, playing J. Edgar Hoover. This movie is about J. Edgar and how he created the FBI and the way the system was run. This will show his 40 years as the head of the FBI and his personal life. I can't wait to see this film!

Here is a link to the J. Edgar Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6lveTYlHic

Third... A Dangerous Method (Opening Nov. 23, 2011)

This movie stars Keira Knightly, Viggo Mortensen, and Michael Fassbender. This movie is about the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. The fascinating part of the movie is that this is a subject most people would not touch but I feel like this will open peoples minds to these two intelligent men who lead a different way of thinking.

Here is a link to A Dangerous Method Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjyP9DjUdVk

Fourth... Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Opening Dec. 9, 2011)

What can excite you more that a story of secrets, lies, action, and murder? I think this one can! The trailer does not give much away but this movie is stacked with an excellent cast that will take viewers of this film to a whole new level of cinema. I can't wait to get immersed in Gary Oldman's character and story throughout this movie.

Here is a link to the Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPKhWXhiMSw

Fifth... The Iron Lady (Opening Dec. 16, 2011)

There is something about seeing a movie about one of the toughest Prime Ministers England has ever seen. Meryl Strep plays the Iron Lady herself, Margret Thatcher. This was a woman who changed the way England's Parliament was run. They have only released a teaser trailer and seeing Meryl Strep as Maggie Thatcher is extraordinary. This movies goes through the years that Thatcher is running one of the most powerful nations in the world.

Here is a link to the Iron Lady Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlBr-3aDTHg

Sixth... The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Opening Dec. 21, 2011)

Tattoo's, Murder, Sex, Deception, Mystery. All of these things describe this movie! This has been adapted from the amazing Swedish film of the same name. This is a stunning cast with Direction from David Fincher, The Social Network and Fight Club). I will be one of the first people in line to see this movie!

Here is a link to the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrFgnizJ7qY

Seventh... War Horse (Opening Dec. 25, 2011)

First off, this was a book that was made into a play that is now being made into a movie. This is a Tony and Oliver Award Winning Play that has been taken under the Wing of Steven Spielberg. This is an amazing story of a boy and his horse. Now the wonderful part of this story is that it is set during World War One. The horse, named Joey, goes to War and Albert, the boy, goes after him. I have no doubt in my mind that this movie will blow people away! I suggest you see it!

Here is a link to the War Horse Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPNyNr2Kp4w

Eighth... Coriolanus (Opening Jan. 13, 2012)

A Shakespeare play that has not been commercialized. Ralph Fiennes stars as Coriolanus and directs this new version of this classic play. Fiennes has set his interpretation of Coriolanus in modern times with the leading men in combat boots with guns. This play is set around a two roman hero's who basically take revenge against the city.

Here is a link to the Coriolanus Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsYrGIQnmxo

Ninth... The Hunger Games (Opening March 23, 2012)

This is one of my most anticipated movies to see! I am a huge Harry Potter fan and now that it is over, I need a series to replace what I have lost. This is the series for me. This movie is about a place in the future that is set up into Districts. In this world each year the Capital chooses two tributes, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18, to go to the Capital and fight to the death. The games are filmed live and there can only be one winner. The Story follows Katniss, a member from District 12 who enters into the 74th Hunger Games. This is a story that has not really been seen before. This is a must see! May the odds be ever in your favor!

Here is a link to the Hunger Games Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAWODq_dMFI

Tenth... The Avengers (Opening May 4, 2012)

Joss Whedon. Enough Said. He is writing and directing this comic book saga. Anyone who loves superhero movies, Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doll House, Angel, Serenity), and any thing nerdy this is the movie for you. I am totally one of those people and can't wait to see how Whedon will take these superheros and take on evil. By the way if you have seen Thor, Captain America, Iron Man etc. you will see these heroes band together in one epic movie!

Here is a link to the Avengers Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zatgnqdIefs

All of these movies can be found on IMDB (www.imdb.com). This database is a great way to see what is going on in Film and TV

Time through Movies

History... So many movies are set in different times and places. Sometimes they are based in truth and provide a window into a world we have never seen before. A lot of History movies provide entertainment but some provide the right amount of truth.

Movies for World History:
--Gladiator
--Spartacus
--Ben Hur
--Kingdom of Heaven
--Braveheart
--Gandhi
--Schindler's List

Movies for American History:
--The Patriot
--Saving Private Ryan
--Glory
--The Conspirator
--Patton
--Frost/Nixon
--The Last of the Mohicans

All these movies are great movies that history classes can show to their students to help them understand what happened during those times. Obviously the students need to be told that not all of these are true but showing students what might have happened or what happened during these times.

What are your favorite movies to watch in school?

There are a lot of great movies out there. It is hard sometimes to choose someone’s favorite movies. SO I have decided I would choose my favorite movies that I watched in school and continue watching because these movies inspired me to continue to research more after I had seen them.

1. East of Eden.
This 1950’s movie starring James Dean is a great way for students to see a great American novel come to life but also enjoy a story that people are not completely used to.
2. Schindler’s List.
I watched this in my History class in 9th grade. This movie opened my eyes to a world that I had never really thought of before. It is a great movie to be shared and to be seen among students.
3. Identity.
I watched this in a psychology class. This movie was amazing to see into the mind of a schizophrenic. This movie is a thriller but makes you wonder what personality will win in the end.
4. Girl Interrupted.
I saw this movie in my History of Film class: Dark place of the mind. Not only does this movie show a troubled teenager who wants to do more with herself and a struggle she faces but also it shows history that teenagers today did not understand.
5. Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Even though this movie is funny and might not be taken seriously I saw this in an English class because even though most of it is silly , the story of King Arthur is a very important part of myth and stories being passed down.

Can Art Be A Movie?

There are many classes that talk about the history of Art and the history behind the brush strokes. I personally love Art and its history and there are plenty of movies that show Art and its creation. For Example, in Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio's character is an artist but they also discuss many paintings by Van Gogh.

There are great movies that revolve strictly around painters and the way they work. A perfect example is Girl with a Pearl Earring . This movie tells the story of Johannes Vermeer a very famous Dutch painter who painted his most famous painting of the same name. This movies shows the way Vermeer painted and the way he used dummies to paint his paintings but for his painting Girl with a Pearl Earring he used a model. This movie talks about the girl who became the face of one of the most famous paintings in history. I recommend this to anyone even if you are not studying art. It shows a time and a place that people today are not familiar with and the way the world worked then. The acting is great, the costumes are superb, and the story is fascinating.

The next movie that I think really does a great job talking about art is Mona Lisa Smile . This tells the story of an Art History professor who is teaching women about art and the meaning behind it. I love this movie because it is about women finding themselves but also learning about some of the greatest art in history.

What can a Sports Movie Do For You?

I love sports films. I think they are great ways for people to see other people grow and be better at a challenging sport. My AP History professor showed me Miracle in class and I feel in love. I think it is a wonderful way to inspire people. Maybe I am far fetched but I truely believe that these sports movies Inspire people or at least I think that is what they are meant to do. More great films are Remember the Titans, Friday Night Lights, Jerry Maguire, Radio, and A League of Their Own.

Recently a film came out called Moneyball. This film is a great film. Brad Pitt did a great job showing the world of Baseball to those who might not understand what really goes on in the MLB. This movie centers around the Oakland Athletic's, a team that most people on the East Coast do not really know about but it shows the struggles of a team that has a small budget compared to a team that has an exorbitant amount of money. The movie compares the Yankee's to the Athletic's, money wise.

Yankee's (120 million) to Athletic's (40 million)

I think that is a little unfare when it comes to scouting and getting players that make up a good roster. This movie is sentimental, uplifting, and sad. It is rare to get a movie like this and show the inner workings of a league that has been around for a hundred years. I recomend this movie to everyone. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill knock it out of the ball park, literally.

Why Movies are Great

Going to the movies used to be one of the most popular places to go as a teenager but sadly this is rarely true anymore. For me, on the other hand, it is true. I love the movies. Movies are in fact a happy place. In college there are classes that are solely dedicated to watching movies. I happen to enjoy these classes because it opens my mind to movies I had never heard of. It expands my knowledge of a certain genre or even an event that has taken place in history. I took a class called, "Dark places of the mind." this class revolved around watching movies about psychopaths or people who were put in mental institutions. Movies like Psycho, or Girl Interrupted. Now I am taking a class called "History of Film: the Crime Film." This class will show movies about the mob or police films like the Godfather or Gangs of New York. Movies take people to a place they have never dreamed of or had them experience something that was completely foreign to them.

Some Educators believe that movies will do nothing for a student whose mind is always growing. They think that it is a waste of time and will accomplish nothing. In my opinion this is crap.

I studied abroad last year in England. I took many hard classes that really challenged me. We had to go to a lecture with our professor an then every other week have a tutorial with the same professor. My hardest class was Psychology. I could never wrap my mind around this subject and I struggled with understanding concepts but for our tutorials our professor would assign a movie for you to watch. These movies commented about certain situations that we had discussed in lecture. These movies really helped me understand what was going on in this class. I saw a German film called "The Wave" where a teacher creates a dictatorship out of a classroom and how pressure from peers could drive people to either join the dictatorship or stand against it and be ostracized. It helped me understand the social pressures that people faced.

If you take an English class and you are assigned a novel, most likely this novel has been turned into a movie and if a student is having a hard time reading it, the student should watch the movie version. In my experience reading Shakespeare is very hard on students but thankfully most of his plays have been made into movies and therefor easily accessible to a student struggling with the Elizabethan language.

Movies provide a way in. They can take you to a magical land or into a psychopaths worst nightmare or even back in time to a world we have only read about and never really seen. I don't care what people say about movies, for me they are a way for me to learn and grow. I will never stop seeing knew or old films. I think everyone should experience the something they are maybe not familiar with like a sci-fi movie or maybe into a romantic novel. Movies like "Milk" or Frost/Nixon" shows the youth what was going on before they were born. Movies are a great way to experience knew world, emotions, and realities. Hopefully you will be able to experience and enjoy movies as much as I do.

Science in Movies!

I thought I would start with a subject that most people would say “there isn’t an appropriate movie that you can watch in that class.” So I decided to start with Science. This maybe a broad subject but it is a lot easier to narrow down movies that fit into this category than specifying the science like organic chemistry. When I talk about subjects I am going to be more broad because there are some subjects that are very hard to narrow down. So Science, when you think of Science you don’t think of a specific movie. In fact there are a couple movies that talk about genes and the way the body works.
My first example is Lorenzo’s Oil. This movie stars Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon. This movie is about a boy who “develops a disease so rare that nobody is working on a cure, so his father decides to learn all about it and tackle the problem himself” (IMDB). Now this movie is a very emotional movie and a true story. Lorenzo is diagnosed with ALD, a brain disorder. This movie goes in detail the steps to take to stop a disease like this and the many attempts the family makes to stop the disease. Eventually the family comes up with a type of oil that does help prevent the diseased cells from spreading.
This movie is a fun way for students to be entertained but also learn something about a diseases and the way they can affect people’s lives. I personally love this movie and think because of a movie that was made like this there have been more steps taken to better understand ALD and how to stop it from happening.
The next movie that I thought I would discuss that also involves Science is Gattaca. This movie stars Uma Therman, Ethan Hawke, and Jude Law. This movie is about “a genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.” This movie takes place in the future where doctors can tell you whether or not a child will live based on their genes. Ethan Hawke’s character only wants to be able to fulfill his dream and he takes on Jude Law’s genes so that he can travel to space. This movie is another way for students to learn about genes and DNA and what might happen in the future about doctors being able to genetically change fetuses.
I love this movie. It is a very different story line that some people are not used to but this movie helped me understand better about genetics and that people’s bodies and DNA can grow and change. People believed that because of Hawke’s inferiority he would not be able to go into space but his body and DNA was not weak but in fact strong and defied expectations.
There are plenty of other movies that are about science and show amazing stories of people wanting something and being able to pursue their passion. October Sky is about a high school student who becomes an amateur Rocket Builder. Stories inspire students, fiction or non-fiction. I may not have become a scientist or a doctor but without these movies I would not have learned or understood as much about genetics and DNA if I hadn’t watched it.

Introduction

Through out my school years Movies have played a large part of my educational experience. Yes movies are not true adaptations are not true to history but they can and do provide a way into what might have happened during medieval times, roman times, and revolutionary times. I am here to prove that the movies are not just a waste of time in the classroom but actually a teachers closest friend to help students get a better idea of their subject matter. I will also go in depth into different subjects where you think a movie would not traditionally fit. Stay tuned and find out how wonderful movies truly are in an Educational Setting! Movies got me through school and really have made me want to learn more about the movie, about the people involved, or the troubles they had faced.