American History X

I was very disturbed when I found out that we had to watch this movie as the best film that depicts the American life. I had never seen this movie before but had heard about the black man that dies by having his head smashed into a curb. Needless to say, I really enjoyed every minute of this movie. I was shocked, but also touched by the overall message of the movie and even shed a few tears at the end.

Edward Norton was a phenoemnal actor playing Derek, a man who was involved in a group called the D.O.C.(Disciples of Christ). He led this group and brain washed many people into hating people from other races especially the blacks. The whole movie is really disturbing seeing how much hate consumes these followers of the Disciples of Christ. Derek's mission is to make everyone aware of his opinions on different races and make life a living hell for anyone who is an illegal immigrant or for anyone who is black. Derek is really a great leader, he's dynamic, he has charisma, and he is very passionate about his beliefs. I am not surprised that he had so many followers despite the horrible things he made them to do. Derek's main follower was his little brother Danny.

Derek and Danny both grew up in a typical loving home with a mom, a dad and two sisters. Derek's life didn't turn upside down until his father was killed. It is apparent that this was the turning point that led the family to destruction. The mom lost control over her children and suffered health problems from the stress of raising such rebellious children. There seems to be a lot of anger and resentment from Derek against even his own family. He turns on his sister, his mom and can't seem to control his temper. Derek has such a strong personality that cannot be tamed without major consequences. Derek does wind up turning his life around after spending three grueling years in prison for killing two black gang members. Prison was the best thing that could have ever happened to Derek. It was during his stay that he developed some compassion for the blacks and ironically grew to dislike the white men. It was in this terrible place that he actually opened up to a black man and began to realize the admirable qualities that they possess. Upon returning from prison Derek did a 180 and began to leave his old ways.

The story unravels when Derek changes his ways and tries to undo the harm he has caused in other people's lives, especially his little brother. Danny begins to follow the path of destruction that his older brother once followed. Danny gets in trouble at school and gets assigned a project to write a paper on his broters life. It's through the writing of this paper where we learn the history of the family and understand why they are in their current situation. This paper is very significant in causing flashbacks and details that are very essential to the story. The paper symbolizes Danny's decision to make things right in his own life and to embrace humanity.

The saddest part of this story is the realization that bad things happen to people who don't deserve it. Although Derek repented for his wrong doings he had to suffer the worst consequence of having his little brother shot. Danny was such a great kid that did not deserve what he got. Danny was the one that had a great heart, who was going to make something of himself and who decided to write this paper to redeem his history grade. Derek deserved this ill act while Danny's the one that had his life cut short. The last scene was so disheartening because Danny's future was shot just like his poor lifeless body. I keep seeing the flashbacks of the two young brothers on the beach running around with innocent smiles. This just reminds me of how sweet life can be and how it should be. Hate only leads to desctruction. Bitterness and resentment can eat away at a person's soul and damage themselves more than it can hurt anyone else. The ending was really beautiful showing the sunset and the waves. I am very happy I was forced to watch this movie. I appreciate the way it made me think and feel.

The Motorcycle Diaries

This film is a beautiful picture of friendship while two young men journey accross South America seeking adventure. The film is based off of Ernesto Guevara journals telling about the trek he and his friend Alberto Granado endured through Latin America. Although the film showed great scenery and culture, I felt rather detached throughout the majority of the film up until the very end. At the end I realized the amazing discoveries Ernesto Guevara had made through his travels and also within himself.

The first half of the movie is spent following these two boys on their motorcycle as they travel accross Argentina, Chile, Peru, Columbia and Venezuela. The trip starts off in the boys home country, Argentina. Ernesto decides to take a break from his studies eventhough he is supposed to graduate in one more semester as a doctor. I think Ernesto knows deep down that this is the time for him to discover himself before settling down with a girl and a career. It's unclear throughout the film whether he loses his girlfriend because of his decision to travel or if she met someone else. I have a feeling that she decided to move on because she was tired of waiting around for Ernesto and was ready to get married. Ernesto had to make many sacrifices to put his life on hold so he could truly find his passion. By putting his education and family on hold Ernesto clearly discovered himself and his purpose for life. I know he made the right decision in taking this journey with Alberto.

Alberto is a man who is very different from Ernesto. He seems a lot more selfish and celf-centered. Alberto is more interested in women and one-night stands while Ernesto is more full of compassion and likes to keep his word. Alberto is great at bull-shitting, he exaggerates the truth and makes up stories to get what he wants. Ernesto is also a very honest man, he tells people the truth even if he knows they don't want to hear it. Alberto is very fake, he will tell people exactly what they want to hear even if there is zero truth to it. There could not be two more opposite personalities shown in this film, however these two do compliment eachother because they are so different form one another. A phrase in the movie really describes the relationship between these two men it says, "What we had in common-our restlessness, our impassioned spirits, and a love for the open road." I believe this is all it takes to create the inseperable bond these two formed.

The film shows amazing landscape. We see all different kinds of climates, however two specific scenes from the motorcycle journey really stick out in my mind. The first being the scene where the boys run into the cows. I just love that they were out on the open road and all of the sudden they come accross a herd of cows and didn't have any brakes on their motorcyle to stop them from hitting these helpless animals. The second scene that was beautifully filmed was the scene through the mountain climate in the Andes. It was such a contrast to see all of that snow and was unbelievable that their fragile little motorcycle could even function in the snow. We come to find out that it actually can't as the boys are left to drag their motorcycle through the freezing conditions.

My favorite part of this film is the last 10-15 minutes. I love how they ended the film with the saying from the very beginning of the movie, "This isn't a tale of heroic feats. It's about two lives running parallel for awhile, with common aspirations and similar dreams. Both Ernesto and Alberto were forever changed as they were touched by their experiences especially through their connection with the leper colony. There is a strong division between the leper people and other colonies. Both Ernesto and Alberto work towards diminishing the division between these lepers and the rest of the world. They do this by refusing to wear gloves and Ernesto also does this by swimming accross the Amazon River to join the other side on his birthday. Ernesto has begun to understand the inequities he was shown throughout his journey and does what he thinks is right to bridge that gap. As Ernesto says at the end of the film, "Wandering around our America has changed me more than I thought. I am not me anymore. At least I am not the same me I was." This is a beautiful ending to a fantastic story.

Beat the Drum

South Africa is a beautiful country full of culture, farmland and cities. This film shows two aspects of South Africa as we look both at the countryside and the city. The farmland that was first shown is so simple yet wonderful. Rolling hills flow through the land and families live close to eachother. I love the idea of living on a farm, raising your own crops and providing for a family. However, we see a very sad aspect of life that is destroyed by a terrible epidemic known as AIDS. We see many families ripped apart from AIDS. The saddest part is that many think there's a terrible curse that is killing of their family members and are not aware or educated about AIDS. Musa's family is clueless about the real curse that has come over his family. His family is willing to sacrifice their valuable animals to undo the curse they think is upon them. Musa is then forced to move to the city to raise some money to but a new cow for his family.

Musa's journey to Johannesberg is a vivid depiction of Africa's landscape. We see wild animals wandering through the land. Musa seems very confident through his journey, he is just accustomed to his surroundings and shows us his bravery through his lonely travels. The roads are paved with dirt and although we mostly see brownish red dirt covering the landscape it still radiates beauty by showing us the purity of nature. I feel at peace when I see the natural beauty of Africa and see all the life that dwells among the land.

Once Musa reaches Johannesberg we begin to see the city life of South Africa. The city can be a very dangerous place to live. This city is full of crime, rape and AIDS. We also see the struggle for survival, many are homeless and frantically looking to make money. We see Musa become a window cleaner while he competes with many others for business opportunities. The city does not look like a desirable place to live. It is basically a place for people to earn money so they can send it to their families back home.

I believe the main purpose of this film is to raise awareness about AIDS. We see how so many people are ashamed to talk about it and many don't even know what it is. Prevention can't be practiced if people are unwilling to learn about AIDS and come up with solutions to keep themselves safe. Africa has lost so many people to this disease and will continue to unless awareness is spread. It's a shame that such a beautiful country is so deadly. However, we can look to the future and hope for education and prevention.