Change Your Image
lisalaurine
Reviews
Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2006)
Unsettling yet unforgettable documentary on dehumanization
Kudos to Dr. Jack Shaheen for his no nonsense and uncomforting look at how not only Hollywood movies but even children's cartoon shows have demonized, dehumanized and wrought havoc on the peoples of the Middle East, Islam, Iran and Palestinians. From the early pre-20th century colonial images of Arabs and Iranians as the aggressive, sub-human Other, Reel Bad Arabs dives into 100 plus years of movies that have stereotype Arabs as lecherous, dangerous and lesser from both children and adult movies. The saddening part of this demonization is that most of these stereotypes are practically unnoticeable to any movie goer or viewer. No matter how many time one watches movies where the Middle East is automatically associated with terror or oppression of women will one think of an alternative more positive or balanced view of the region or the peoples who live there. The negative stereotype of Arabs and Iranians have passed through so many generations continuously through frequent television stations such as FX, Spike TV, TNT, & even Cartoon Network (older repeating cartoon shows from the early 30's & 40's vilify and insult the culture and hertiage of the Middle East) it is little wonder the War on Terror wasn't criticized until four to five years after it started on September 11! As Shaheen argues we have been so ingrained, propagandized and filled with the negative images of Arabs and Iranians as people who are lesser or "The Other" that it is little wonder wars in Iraq, Palestine-Israel, Sudan continues and the deaths of Iraqis, Palestinians, Israelis and Darfuris do not matter or count as newsworthy to the general public. High recommendation for all students, parents and politicians who fail to see what generations of negative stereotyping can have on a society as a whole!
Holly Hobbie & Friends (2006)
A surprising excellent children's movie for parents too!
Don't let the childlike designs and characters fool you from seeing this gem of a well written, throughout and thought provoking movie. While the title may seem like the usual "Kiddie" movie of today's young children, Holly Hobbie and Friends is anything but a toddler's eye view of the world.
The movie introduces the viewer to the family and world of Holly Hobbie and her friends. Using unique animation, where similarities can be drawn to Strawberry Shortcake, the movie takes you on a journey literally from Hobbie's hometown to her grandmother's house for her aunt's birthday. The dialogue and script are well written to the point that there is no distinction between the dialogs of the adults or Holly and her friends. There is no dumbing down or sugarcoating of life and its learning environment. Holly and her friends spend the time at her grandmother's home exploring the cornfield. One of her friends happens to be believe in aliens. When Holly dismisses that aliens exist, it upsets her friend to point she runs away to hide in Grandmother's barn. Again there isn't any of the usual "Ha, ha" soundtrack (common in other movie) playing in the background while Holly tries to locate her friend to apologize.
While Holly and her friends are out searching for aliens after she has apologize to her friend, her aunt bakes pies for the family. Much to her chagrin, each pie that is baked is eaten by her husband, Holly's uncle. To teach the uncle a lesson, her aunt stitches up his shirt to make it look as though it shrunk. The trick is to make the uncle look as though he grew fatter. The trick works in having the uncle change his pie eating ways but the trick is just as hurtful and mean as it would be if displayed in a teenage film.
Despite the title, movie is unique for not only its childlike innocent but its very adult view of the world, life's lessons, bad habits and not being judgemental towards others. A Must see and recommendation for all who say kiddie movies aren't as clever as they use to be! Don't miss a chance to see this excellent and surprisingly original movie!
Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West (2005)
Propaganda modeled after North Korea
Most of the clips, sound bytes and interviewees here have pretty much restated what is already talked about in the media. This film works well in not only showing an eye opening for those less news savvy but it also serves to scare the daylights of those who are not usually given a much more complex view of why hatred is rampant in many Islamic communities around the world. This film paints a picture for those who would not care less to think deeply that all Muslims are terrorists or violent and irrational. The left is also painted as a supporter of terrorism and is pointed at as the cause of radical Islam in the West. This film would do well at Fox News and other mainstream media who only see one side of the story. Shame, shame for lumping 1.1 billion people into a single pot of hatred and for pointing fingers at the left only.
Zi hu die (2003)
Purple Butterfly-a look at Neo-Realism today
While the story might give one an eye sore and a headache having to keep up with the multiple characters in the storyline, there is an air of independent film-making that transcends the film's confusion. One should also note how excellent the camera-work is for those who enjoy the Italian Neo-realist films of the 1940's and 50's.
This film is perhaps one of the most interesting of films on Chinese history told from the perspective of the Chinese themselves. The background, actors, crowded train stations and gunfights, would seem difficult to recreate in an independent film. However, the director succeeds in creating 1930's Japanese occupied Shanghai and how war affects those who are involved, both politically & non-politically. For anyone who hasn't seen a film from China other than the heavily laden Kung Fu movies made here in the U.S., Purple Butterfly is both a refresher and an excellent look at Neo-Realism in Chinese Cinema today.
Hotaru no haka (1988)
Real tale about war told in Buddhist form
Through violence, you may 'solve' one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.
Apparently some believe in the unrealistic idea of a hero forever caught in a battle with the bad guy. Well for those who follow those heroes, Grave of the Fireflies isn't about praising war, conveying pride for one country or blaming others. This is about how our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world in the past and in the present live during war. There is no "hero" and our enemies aren't "cold hearted barbarians" everyone is a human being. No one is greater or more powerful than anyone else. And for those who haven't notice the movie represents Buddhism and just about every other religion around the world. The theme is universal, there is no end to human suffering and that is true even today as it was then.
I'm not an expert on Buddhism but while reading upon it I noticed how true the Noble Eightfold Path explained the scenes in Grave of the Fireflies. There are three categories. The first is wisdom. Seita's wisdom or right understanding was to become less dependent on his aunt for he and his small sister Setsuko's survival. By living in the bomb shelter Seita believed they could survive on their own. The second category virtue was difficult for Seita to follow. Virtue in Buddhism means to stay clear from any form of stealing or lying. But when a Man or child is desperate the virtue of keeping your promise to not disobey is avoided. Seita steals peppers from an impoverished farmer's yard to feed his little sister. And he can not be blamed for becoming a thief no one else would help him. Finally the third category-concentration Seita is able to put away his greedy ways of stealing to take care of his young sister. Well it's not easy to explain the aspect of Buddhism but you might want to check it out before seeing Grave of the Fireflies also recommend learning Japanese Culture as well...
Info for Noble Eighfold Path provided by wikipedia.org: Buddhism/Noble Eighfold Path