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:

.

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.