Miracle

Sadly, I only got to see the ending of this film, so I didn't really know the back story or the characters. But overall I thought it was pretty good. I got to see the hockey game and watch them beat the USSR. I really loved the scene where the coach told them in the arena to take it in, when everyone was shouting for USA. The ending gave me chills, and it's just so awesome to know that this event happened.

From what I know, in this time in the Cold War and the Iranian hostages (shoutout to Argo), the US was going through some really tough times. The Olympics were a relief and a break from the series of bad going in our society. This game, against the Soviets was such a big deal because (making an assumption..missed the movie) I believe that one of the best American players were injured, and then went on to play in the Olympic game. Then I would explain how American won and it was such an exciting win because the guys on the team weren't payed NHL players like they are today, but just guys who were really good at hockey.

An event for me in which I truly felt that America just put aside differences and came together was when the terrible shooting at Sandy Hook took place. It was not a cheerful or happy event, but the spirit of the American people, who all took a step back and looked at our country and our gun laws and began to demand regulation. In this moment, the strength and survival instinct of the American people made me so proud to be American, even in the face of such a disgusting, vile, act of hatred. This time was hard, but the reaction of the American people truly warmed my heart.

42

Overall, this film was a home run! I thought every aspect of this movie was well done; the script, the cast, the props. Honestly it was great. I've never seen the actor who played Jackie before, but I thought he did such a good job channeling Jackie's emotions and portraying that to the viewers. It just felt so real to me, how he felt. I also thought that the actors in the movie, some who I've seen in shows like Grey's Anatomy and Suburgatory give great performances in a very heavy film. I think the film had the potential to be to heavy, but they covered all their bases perfectly, and made an excellent movie.

Jackie Robinson lead the way in sports history, as well as general American history. At the time, people were shocked and were going to/did treat him so badly. It was a shock to the American people that someone who isn't white could play professional baseball. But guess what? It's 2014 and Jason Collins just signed with the Brooklyn Nets as the first out, gay NBA player. Michael Sam just came out as a gay football player. These guys are doing what Jackie did, just in different situations. They are breaking down barriers, and in 10 or 20 years, we are going to laugh about the time when sports wasn't filled with gay men. It is the issue of the times, and I think that Jackie truly helped lead the way to break down the barriers. We learn from Jackie tolerance, acceptance, and individual strength that we need to live our life regardless of the people who insist on shutting us down.

I think I would use all of his values in my day to day life as a person. I believe in who he his and his beliefs. Am I the same person and will I have the same barriers to overcome? Absolutely not. I knowingly live a very privileged life where I am so fortunate to not be treated badly because of my religion or skin color or gender. I know that if I drove 20 minutes away, I could be the only Jew. But in life I will have to deal with smaller barriers that with my values I know I can overcome.

I think Jackie is saying that a meaningful, well-lived life is one that made a difference for someone else, and who paved the way. I think what he is saying has some truth, but we also have to remember that the difference we make in someones life can be a small one. Even if for one day you made a difference, it counts. Will I ever break racial barriers in sports? Probably 100% not. But that, to me doesn't mean my life is a waste. If from my opinions and my need to speak out and demand change makes someone, somewhere feel something, or help someone, then I think my life counts. I think we all contribute in our own way, sometimes good and bad. But we all contribute to society in ways that we may not be able to appreciate right now, but in the future we will.

Cinderella Man

I think that we refer to events as a Cinderella story, because partly the rags to riches, but also because the event was so unlikely, and featured such an underdog, and people are so shocked when it happens. I think the movie was aptly named Cinderella man because he went from dirt poor, to wealthy with his boxing earnings, as well as the fact that he won and he really shouldn't have. Overall, I liked the story, because obviously I want someone to do well, but I really don't like Russell Crowe, so I wasn't always rooting for him. I have a hard time deciding if I like the James Braddock shown in the movie because for me it was just Russell Crowe in great shape, not a new person that I got to learn about. Anyways, I think many people deal with issues of poverty and hunger and I think that they get themselves into sticky situations to try and fix their life. I think they are different today because more people are willing to accept government help, but honestly in some areas jobs are still hard to find and kids are still hungry. I think our children will face the basic poverty and job issues, but I really feel that the government will have gained too much control and invasion of our privacy, so they will be dealing with that.

 I would 100% steal if it depended on the health and wellness of my family. If I was hungry, or my siblings were hungry, and what I was stealing wouldn't physically harm someone else then yes of course I would take something. I think in these situations, morals are complicated because in normal situations I think you should not take something that isn't yours, but in life or death situations I wouldn't even bat an eye.

I understand that his family is upset but honestly it is a Hollywood movie, and the audience needs a villain and a reason to have hope. If they displayed him as a very nice guy, and that the death of the other boxer was an accident, it would take away all the drama and give no real purpose to the fight. The movie needs the villain, and I think it takes away from the story to not have Max portrayed badly, simply because then you have no good reason to cheer for James over Max, if both are nice guys just trying to fight.


I think that it is admirable and pathetic. Admirable in the sense of putting his ego aside and doing what he needs to do to help his family, but also pathetic but he has no pride. It is really a lose-lose situation in my opinion, but he needed the money and needed to support himself and his family. I think that it shows how he is willing to forgive, and sometimes too much, but knows how to act in situations that require him to do something to help someone else.

Tombstone

At first, I really did not like Tombstone due to the fact that I don't care about Old West and cowboys. I also hate guns, so the excessive gun violence made me angry. But as the movie progressed I actually grew to like it. I think Kurt Russell did a really good job, but there was times in the movie that were kind of confusing and I had no idea what was going on. I also thought that there were too many side stories going on that made me confused. I think the general plot was interesting and a good movie, but there was too many gun fights and different characters that made me lose interest or just get confused. Another petty thing that bothered me was the terrible special effects. I understand this movie isn't super new, but the effects and props were so bad and that made me distracted. Overall, the cast was pretty good and it was fun finding actors that I recognize, specifically John Corbett aka Aidan Shaw. I'm not sure if I would refer this movie just because it isn't a genre that personally interests me, but I did like it and think Kurt Russell did a very good job. 

I think the phrase legendary is so stupid. People overuse it and refer to something that was great and amazing as legendary. I don't know how I would define legendary but I don't think most things that are said to be legendary really are. An event that is legendary is something so special and unique that it only happens once, ever, and the only time it could have ever happened was in that one instance. Nothing in the film was legendary. Wyatt Earp was cool and confident and had some good moves, but he isn't a legend. And the crazy amount of killing he did, in my books that is not legendary that is disgusting. I understand that the cowboys were equally brutal, but I just don't think killing a killer makes any sense. It is just hypocritical. Honestly, there is no part of the Wild West that appeals to me. I think the behavior is awful and the greed for wealth is gross. I'm not interested in that whatsoever. 

Glory

As a movie and famous people lover, I was so excited to start watching 'Glory', as I think Morgan Freeman is magnificent, and I really like Denzel Washington. I also like movies that tell a story. I thought that overall, it was a good movie. It wasn't great, but it wasn't awful. I thought Matthew Broderick was such a bad choice for a man who is supposed to be tough as nails at points, and then has a change of heart. The entire movie I never was confident that I knew where he stood, because his acting wasn't clear. I also thought that the movie, although interesting, was a lot of nothing. I'm not sure how I would describe the plot. They were training, and then they were ripping their checks, and then some battles. I think the big moment was obviously the last battle, but then the movie just ended. I would have liked more background on the troops and the men. It is hard to care about characters when you don't really know anything about them. One scene that really left an impression on me was when they were singing around the camp fire. It seemed so real and natural, and I momentarily forgot they were actors. Overall, it was a nice movie that I enjoyed watching, but would have no desire to see again.


I think that people will die for their country have much more love, pride, bravery, and respect for their country than I do for mine. They see the good in the country, and the positive that can hopefully come out of them fighting. Of course I have so much respect for veterans, and people who fight, but personally I just don't think fighting will ever get anyone anywhere in the long run. But nonetheless, in some ways I think the 54th are heroes for risking their lives to fight for freedom, but on the other hand, they completely abandoned their families who were in slavery. I do understand that they were fighting to demolish slavery, but that is just something that I think about, that sense of leaving. So yes I think the men of the 54th are heroes, for fighting and knowing the consequences, but I do not think Shaw is a hero. He was so high and mighty for so long, and treated them with such disrespect, that even when his actions changed and he became more accepting, I just didn't like him the entire time.

I believe the significance of this story is to show the initial change in behavior towards African-American men, and their dedication to freedom and equal treatment, as well as obviously ending slavery in the South. The story progresses over time and highlights several men as key leaders, who courageously stand in the front line during the battle at Fort Wagner, knowingly risking their lives and their rights as free men. But in this instance they show the Confederates that they will literally fight to the death in order to restore freedom and equality across the Nation, regardless of the pigment of your skin. Their actions and bravery, coupled with the leadership of the men highlight the most important and thought provoking scene in the entire movie, in my opinion.