#1. As we watch progress through the film, "The Hurt Locker", how is the idea of realism being used for this movie? What kind of effects do you think that has on the viewers?
This movie is definitely very realistic. According to all of the reviews, they are very close when it comes to depicting real-life events. The kinds of things that are happening to the main characters have happened to many men and women who have served our country. I think that this has a huge effect on viewers. For most of us, we don't know what it is like in those kinds of areas or even in those kinds of situations. It is interesting and eye-opening at the same time. I think that through movies like this, we get a better view of what is happening around us.
#2. What do you think your biggest take away is from this class? What would be a suggestion to make the class better for next year?
The biggest take away is definitely the way I view film now. Just last night I went to the movie, "Noah." I found myself judging or critiquing the movie and how it was filmed the whole time without even realizing it until the end. It is definitely something I learned to do from this class, and now it is almost second nature so I will probably continue to do that. I think for next year, they really should try and make a video of their own. I know that we discussed doing that this year but just ran out of time. I think for future classes it would be a really fun experience and it will help them see just how difficult film-making is. They should have to almost study what they are doing the movie on just as a director would for a major movie. I think that would bring the history aspect back into that assignment.
