Final Exam Blog

Title: Final Exam Blog

By: Samantha Streahle 

Hollywood and the media greatly define our society. Once something reaches the media the entire world hears about it. People are more likely to believe what they see in movies and the media because they think its accurate. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to films based on historical events because they are not always 100% accurate. Views of what our history was really like easily get misconstrued through media and movies. 

When it comes to Hollywood they want something that will sell. They often through extra scenes in movies to keep it more interesting even though it never really occurred. A lot of the movies get denied their original scripts of what they want to include because the government does not want the truth to be told. When a lot of the war films are being made they request assistance from the government. Many scripts are altered to make the Army or the government look better. If they want their help whatever they want changed or taken out happens. They always want to make sure all of their angles are covered and they keep themselves safe.  

While many of the films we viewed in class were filled with accuracy there were also many inaccuracies. The movie "Glory" took place in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War. It followed the 54th Massachusetts Infantry. General Shaw was put in charge of the first infantry to be made up of African Americans. The struggles they faced because of their race were all accurate and most of the fighting scenes were. One scene that stood out very much is the scene where they burned the villages. Something like that never would have happened. They would have never burned an innocent village down and hit the women and children. 

"Forrest Gump" was both accurate and inaccurate in a unique way. The time period was set from the 1950's to the 1980's. It showed two opposite spectrum's of the way people lived. How they lived was all accurate. The inaccuracies in this film were mostly meant to be comical. In the film Forrest and his mother rent their house out to people passing through the town. His mother comes upstairs to find him in a room with one of the men who was staying there. He's dancing along to the music the man's playing and does some strange dance. The man, who is later discovered to be Elvis Presley, asks Forrest to show him that dance again. A couple days later they see Elvis doing the dance Forrest showed him on national television. In the movie Forrest was supposedly the one who taught Elvis Presley his signature dance. We know this is false but it was a comical way to include something historical from that time period.

The last film we viewed was "The Help." This film takes place during the 1960's during the time of segregation and civil rights. The majority of the things that took place in this film were accurate and would have really happened. The white owners were just as uppity and disrespectful back then as they were portrayed in the movie. Not all of them were like that but they were too afraid to stand up against it. The maids were treated with such little respect even though they did everything for the families they worked for. Nothing was exaggerated to make it seem worse because it was actually that bad. 

Overall, the way Hollywood and the media depicts history definitely influences our society and the way we view things. Our perspectives are easily swayed by things we see in films or on television because they're believable. 

Movie Review: "The Help"

Title: "The Help" 

By: Samantha Streahle 

We've just viewed the film "The Help." This film focuses on both perspectives of racial discrimination and civil rights. It follows multiple maids throughout their lives showing the struggles they encounter every day that not everybody gets to see. It deals with the physical and emotional struggles that people during this time had to endure.

After returning from college Skeeter is determined to follow her dreams of becoming a writer. Unlike her friends Skeeter is more kind-hearted. Being raised by her maid Constantine has given her insight into the lives these people live and she has way more appreciation for them. Her friends see them just as a piece of property and show little respect to them. Not everyone felt this way but they were too afraid to speak up so nothing was done. These maids spend their lives caring for and raising white children while their own are home being looked after by someone else. After getting a new job as a writer Skeeter turns to one of the maids, Aibileen, for help. She wants to write from the perspective of "the help." They both know it will be very dangerous but they decide in the end it will be worth. Through a lot of time and hard work they get dozens of stories from dozens of maids are able to publish a book. They know it won't end discrimination right away but it is a step closer in the right direction. 

I felt all of the actor/actresses in this film did a great job. They all got so into character. If the character can make you hate them you know they're doing a good job. Some of the actresses really got on my nerves because they were so mean but they did a great job. The emotion put into some of the scenes was very intense. 

One of the lessons that could be taken from this movie is that sometimes all it takes is one person and some courage. By banding together and pulling out their inner-strength they were able to accomplish something that no one would even dare to do. 

Out of all of the films we've viewed so far this was by far my favorite. My attention was kept the entire time. It was so well done and the story line was great. It was sad to know that the things that were put into this movie really occurred. A lot of the scenes were very accurate. You would see signs that had arrows pointing in the direction for "colored." People were treated with such little respect just because of their skin color. The film did a great job of showing what a day in these people's lives were like. They raised children that weren't even their own and you would think they would get some sort of appreciation for that.

I would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. I think everybody could appreciate and get enjoyment out of this film. It was absolutely amazing in my eyes and I would watch it over 100 times. The rating of the movie is PG-13. 

5 out of 5 stars 

Movie Review: Top Gun

Title: "Top Gun"

By: Samantha Streahle

"Top Gun" follows naval pilots on their journey's and learning experiences in the Navy. It follows one man in particular, Pete Mitchell, also known as Maverick. While it shows their struggles and hardships in their flight training it also follows him through struggles in his personal life.

Pete Mitchell, also known as Maverick, is one of the men in the Navy who is chosen to get sent to one of the best training camps. He and his partner "Goose" are sent to Top Gun. Here they go through intense training and compete to be the very best. His time spent here is filled with constant competition. While here he also runs into a woman at the bar who he's instantly drawn over to. After trying to get her attention he later discovers that she is also part of the Navy. The movie focuses a large portion on the love story between the two while still intertwining his flight experiences.

None of the acting was bad but none of it really stood out either. At some parts it seemed like some of the actors were trying too hard. Tom Cruise is a good actor but throughout the film there were certain parts where I felt he looked like he was trying too hard. I felt his character was very cocky and conceited at times. In general the majority of the actors did a fine job.

I liked the movie and it was able to keep my attention throughout the entire thing. At first I thought it would be more about the war and Navy but it was concentrated largely on the love story between Maverick and Charlie. I felt that threw a lot of people off and that's why there were more complaints. Personally, I enjoyed it and it was able to keep my attention.

Anyone would be able to enjoy this movie because it has a little bit of everything. It has both action and a love story so it can grab the attention of multiple audiences. The movie is rated PG. Overall I enjoyed the movie.

4 out of 5 stars

Forrest Gump Activity 1

Title: Forrest Gump
By: Samantha Streahle

During the film Forrest and his mother rent out their homes to people passing through the town. Elvis Presley is depicted in the movie as one of the men who stay at their house. In the movie they make it seem like Elvis got his famous dance move from Forrest. Forrest is shown shaking his legs and dancing while Elvis is playing the guitar. He seems very interested in what Forrest is doing and asks them to keep doing it. While walking down the street Forrest and his mother see Elvis on the tv doing the dance move that he showed him.

When Forrest got asked to play for the All-American team they used actual footage of the real team meeting the president. They cut the footage to make it look like Forrest was really there. It showed players talking to the president and were able to make it look like he did too.

The assassination of JFK was briefly shown in the film because it took place during the time period in which it really happened. They included real footage of the president being shot. Forrest was telling a story when he mentioned the assassination but he was not really there when it happened.

Movie Review: "Platoon"

Title: "Platoon"
By: Samantha Streahle

We've just viewed the film "Platoon" and this was definitely one of the more intense films I've seen. It depicts the Vietnam War and the soldiers struggles with the war and  themselves. The film focuses on one character in particular, Chris Taylor. He soon finds out whether his decision to volunteer for the war was such a good one or not.

"Platoon" is based off of the events that occurred in the Vietnam War. Chris Taylor, played by Charlie Sheen, is a college student that has decided to drop out and join the war effort. He felt that it was not fair that only the poor had to fight. What seems like a good idea at the time soon turns out to be more than he expected. Being the new kid he feels isolated from the rest of the group. Some of the things he witnesses he will never be able to unsee. Chris confides and highly respects one the men named Elias. He and Barnes always seem to butt heads and it is almost a portrayal of good and evil. This war tests the men and puts them in unimaginable situations.

Charlie Sheen was one of the main characters in this film that I felt did a very good job. You could see his characters growth throughout the film. He first started off as very timid and as he was exposed to more he lost all of his inhibitions. It was clear that he was almost losing his mind at some points. As time went on you could see him maturing and learning to stand up for himself about what he knew was right and what he knew was wrong. The actors who played Barnes and Elias also did a good job. They were almost symbols of good and evil.

This film had it's positives and negatives. It accurately depicted things that really occurred during the war no matter how harsh they were, The movie was very realistic. Some of the scenes were very graphic and it was hard to watch. The scene where they went into the village and completely destroyed it was one of the hardest. Watching them kill the people and do awful things to them was not easy. Whether they were helping the enemy or not they were still human and it did not make it right.

This movie showed that you really need inner-strength to be able to do these things. Being involved in this really changes you as a person. It also taught that you have to stand up for yourself and what you know is right. The character Chris was able to mature and find this out throughout the film.

I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in the Vietnam War. It gave a lot of insight to what really happened during the war and some things that might not have been shown to the public. I would forewarn people before watching that the movie can get very intense. The rating of the movie is R.

4 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: "Against The Wall"

Title: "Against The Wall"

By: Samantha Streahle 

The film "Against The Wall" is based on the true story of the Attica Prison riot. One of the newest guards, Michael Smith, and a few of his other colleagues get caught in the middle of the riot. As the inmates begin to take control the guards struggle to contain and fight for their lives. 

The Attica Correctional Facility is located in Attica, New York. The uprising took place in 1971 when the jail was still operating. Following in his fathers footsteps, Michael Smith takes on the job as a guard at the prison. He does not have much time to prepare himself for what's about to happen. The inmates are fed up with the conditions and the way they are treated. When they've finally decided they've had enough they intend to do something about it. Nothing could prepare the guards or anyone for what happens in Attica. 

All of the actors did a good job. I felt the actors who played the inmates did exceptionally well. When the main conflict occurred I was immediately drawn in by how well they acted. I couldn't stop watching to see what they would do next. There was constantly something going on.

Out of all of the movies we have viewed so far this has been one of my favorites. It was full of action and there was always something to keep my attention. As soon as the conflict began it never slowed down. It was one thing after another. From the start of the riot until the end I couldn't stop watching. Even though some of the scenes were very graphic it was very realistic because those things did happen.

The theme or moral of this film is that enough is enough. People eventually reach a point that they can't take anymore and will do anything to get what they deserve. Even though these inmates did awful things they were still human and still deserved to be treated with some sort of decency. The guards finally felt what the inmates have been feeling for all those years when they gave them a taste of their own medicine.

This film could be viewed by anyone. I never thought that it would catch my interest as much as it did. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to give it a watch. Anyone who is interested in the events that took place during the Attica Prison riot would find this film very useful. Most of the film accurately represented what happened. This movie is rated R. Overall I really liked this movie.

5 out 5

Samantha Streahle is a junior at Sterling High School, She works at Chick-Fil-A and is involved in a total of three sports. Since middle school she has played basketball and softball and has just recently gotten involved in volleyball. When she's not working she enjoys hanging out with her friends. While she doesn't mind just relaxing she also likes adventure and new opportunities. 

Movie Review: Zero Dark Thirty

Title: "Zero Dark Thirty"
By: Samantha Streahle

We've just viewed the film "Zero Dark Thirty." This film follows rookie CIA agent, Maya, on her journey to find Osama Bin Laden after the attacks of 9/11. She spends many years searching, torturing, and hard work attempting to reach her goal. This film will take you through all of the blood, sweat, and tears put into this mission.

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the goal of the CIA was find and capture the head of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden. Maya is new to the agency and is assigned the task of finding him. At first witnessing the tactics they use is very difficult for her but she learns to accept that they are necessary. She is faced with many trials and errors throughout her journey. These experiences only make her more determined and lead to her obsession with finding and capturing the master mind behind all of this.

All of the actors and actresses did a good job in retelling the story. In particular, Jessica Chastain, Maya did a phenomenal job. She really gave this part her all physically and emotionally. You could see the stress she was put under in her face and the way she handled things. One of the other main characters Dan, played by Jason Clarke, also did a very good job. He was very adamant in his acting and really had to put any emotions or feelings aside for this part. His character had to torture the prisoners and to be able to do that you have to have little or no conscience. Even though it was just acting it still had to be difficult to fake it.

I really enjoyed this movie because I am interested in learning about the events that took place on September 11, 2001, and the details that not everyone has been made aware of. For the most part the film accurately represented the events that took place in capturing Osama Bin Laden. The only complaint I would have is the scene where they actually shoot and kill him. It is not really made clear that it is him and there is some confusion. No one specifically says it is him and there's just a lot of screaming. They quickly take his body and get back into the helicopter. It all happens very quickly. Aside from the confusion I really enjoyed the rest of the movie.

The main lesson or theme I took out of this film is perseverance. No matter how difficult things got or how much she wanted to give up she never did. The whole team did whatever they could to make the mission a success. It took a lot of time and team work to make the whole thing happen but they never gave up on each other. They went in with a goal and even though it took many years they didn't give up until they reached it.

I feel that anyone would would enjoy this movie. Anyone who is interested in learning more in depth about the attacks on 9/11, like myself, would find this movie to be useful. The majority of the movie was very accurate so you would be able to take a lot out of viewing it. I would not recommend it to anyone who cannot handle violence and very graphic scenes because there were quite a couple. Some of the scene's were very intense but they were realistic. The rating of this movie is R. Overall, I found the movie to be very good and would recommend it to others.

4.8 out of 5 stars

Samantha Streahle is a junior at Sterling High School. She works at Chick-Fil-A and is involved in a total of three sports. Since middle school she has played basketball and softball and has just recently gotten involved in volleyball. When she's not working she enjoys hanging out with her friends. While she doesn't mind just relaxing she also likes adventure and new opportunities.

Movie Review: Glory

Title: "Glory"

By: Samantha Streahle 

We've just viewed the film Glory and I would like to give an opinion about it. This movie portrayed the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry. Being that they were one of the first black units organized they endured more than the average soldier. Along with fighting for their lives they had to deal with the prejudices within the unit. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw would be appointed as colonel of the 54th and would have to deal with all of the baggage that came with it.

The movie "Glory" takes place during the time of the Civil War. While he is back at home visiting his family twenty-six year old Robert Shaw is introduced to Frederick Douglass. Shaw is s member of a prominent Boston abolitionist family. He's offered a promotion to the rank of colonel and is put in command of the first all black regiment. The Fifty-fourth Massachusetts was organized in March 1863. The volunteers continue to grow until they have enough recruits for an army. The regiment was composed of mostly free blacks throughout the north. Not only does Shaw have the responsibility of training and leading these men but he also has to deal with all of the trials and tribulations that come with having an army of black men. Not all of the other men showed respect to them for that reason. They struggled to get proper materials and uniforms for this reason. The men had the option to leave but when asked none of them did. They all stayed, endured the hardships, fought until the end, and became a family.

I felt the actors in this movie did a very good job. They all put a lot of emotion into their characters. You could really see it in Matthew Broderick (Col. Shaw). When he had to make a decision he didn't want to you could see the pain and sympathy in his face. He always wanted to do the right thing even if he couldn't sometimes. All of the main characters such as Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and Andre Braugher portrayed their characters extremely well. One actor that stood out in particular was Jihmi Kennedy. He portrayed every specific detail down to his studder and shaking when he was nervous. I felt he made it seem very real.

The movie overall was very well done and the actors did a very good job. All but a couple of the scenes were pretty accurate. For me personally the movie did not interest me that much. It didn't really keep my attention. Aside from my personal opinion it was a well done movie.

The main lesson that I think everyone could learn from this movie is that race does not matter. We're all fighting for the same purpose and the same freedom. If you have someone's back you have their back it doesn't matter color your skin is. Skin color does not determine the type of person you are or what you're worth. Everyone deserves an equal chance at having the same opportunities.

Anyone who enjoys history would enjoy this movie. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't because you most likely won't enjoy it. It was not a bad movie at all it just depends on how you feel about them. The movie is rated R.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Samantha Streahle is a junior at Sterling High School, She works at Chick-Fil-A and is involved in a total of three sports. Since middle school she has played basketball and softball and has just recently gotten involved in volleyball. When she's not working she enjoys hanging out with her friends. While she doesn't mind just relaxing she also likes adventure and new opportunities. 

Movie Review: The Patriot

Title: "The Patriot"

By Samantha Streahle

I've just viewed the movie "The Patriot" and would like to give some input on it. The movie gives an interpretation of a family from the Revolutionary War. It's loosely based on someone who really existed and participated in the war. It's filled with action packed and filled with drama.  Although not every single detail was accurate it did a good job in portraying the events that occurred.

The year is 1776 and the story begins in colonial South Carolina. It focuses on the life and family of Benjamin Martin, a post war hero in the French-Indian War who wants nothing more than to live the rest of his life in peace. Benjamin has seven children. Unlike himself, his two eldest sons can't wait to enlist in the newly formed "Continental Army." When South Carolina decides to join in the rebellion against England things take a turn for the worse for Benjamin and his family. Until the war finally ends their lives are filled with hardship and loss.

The main character, Benjamin Martin, is played by Mel Gibson. He does an incredible job of expressing his emotion and really getting into character in this movie. His son Gabriel is played by Heath Ledger who does a great job as well. You could feel their pain throughout the movie, The antagonist in this movie is Col. William Tavington who is played by Jason Isaacs. I felt he did an amazing job when it came to playing this part. He did such a great job playing the bad guy that you felt actual hatred for him. There were a few background actors who could have done a better job but overall it was a job well done.

I enjoyed the movie very much. It includes one of my favorite actors, Heath Ledger. While there are a lot of inaccuracies in the movie it does a good job of portraying the war and the events that occurred in it. It shows you a lot of the struggles these people went through. You really felt their pain. Some of the parts were exaggerated but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The scene where they burned the church would have never happened but it really hit hard watching it.

The main lesson in this movie is to always fight  for what you stand for. No matter how difficult things got these people stood there ground and fought for their homes. Whether it meant risking or giving up  their lives they did it. Because of their sacrifices we're able to live the way we do today.

I feel all different groups of people would be able to enjoy this movie. Usually you think that only people who are interested in history would like this but personally I enjoyed it very much. History is not one of my favorite subjects but I got a lot from this movie. I would recommend this to everyone who is willing to give it a try. Some who are really into history may notice the inaccuracies very easily but overall it's a very good movie.

3.5 out of 5

Samantha Streahle is a junior at Sterling High School. She works at Chick Fil A and is involved in a total of three sports. Since middle school she has played basketball and softball and has just recently gotten involved in volleyball. When she's not working she enjoys hanging out with her friends. While she doesn't mind just relaxing she also likes adventure and new opportunities.