Identify the central arguments in both thematic readings. Articulate these in complete sentences using both the tools of quotation and paraphrase, making sure that you identify the source clearly when you quote/paraphrase. Produce at least two sizable paragraphs (one for each source) that identify their central arguments.
Post your arguments using the "Comments" button and remember to include the names of all your group members.
The argument of the first piece, Camp Kitsch, is that the feelings produced by 9/11 were used by companies to earn money through the sales of various patriotic items such as flags. “The long term effects of 9/11” include “racist paranoia” (Feil 1). Along with this ideal of paranoia, there is talk about how disaster movies either succeeded or failed after 9/11. According to Feil, directors feared their once accepted humorous takes of disaster would now be considered insensitive. “In cultural confusion following Sept 11, the taste for disaster imagery and the meanings attached to it alter considerably” (Feil 9).
ReplyDeleteThe argument that rises in the reading about the Titanic is the contrast between today’s realities versus history’s ideologies about classes, nature, gender, and culture (Zani 125). Zani mentions the inclusion of black people in the film. “No black people were aboard the Titanic” (Zani 126). This shows how today’s ideal of normal life can relate to those that existed on the Titanic, but are also fabricated to not be consider racist in today’s society. The entire purpose of Zani’s article is to show the process of racial and gender related freedoms gained in recent times.
Amber, Shaun, Kyle, Taylor
The central arguement in "From Camp to Kitsch" is the idea that Americans' started making disaster movies too soon after 9/11. Feil's used phrases such as "nevertheless releases" and "just eighteen months after" to enphasis that it was too soon for film complanies to be making movies that related to the disaster our country had just went through. Another example that Feil used to show that it was too soon for disaster movies is the fact that people may not want to undergo another tramatic experience that soon after 9/11.
ReplyDeleteThe main idea that Zani "Traumatic Disaster and Titanic Recuperation" was trying to convey was that the film "Titanic" was a movie that encouraged womens rights. The earlier parts of the article talk about how many people at first used both the film and the real disaster as an example of why women did not need more rights. Zani explains that "anti-suffragites" argued that the heroism depicted by both first hand accounts of the sinking of the Titanic and the film "Titanic" show men who valiantly allow women and children to get on rescue boats before themselves. Zani explains that this heroism was data for people opposing womens suffrage that supported their argumen(s). One quote in particular that supports this is, "henceforth, when a woman talks about woman's rights, she be answered with the word Titanic, nothing more - just Titanic" (Zani, 127). However, later in the article Zani explains that certain elements of the film "Titanic", especially the characters of Rose and Jack, have borderline feminist qualities. Zani analyzes that the character of Rose is dominant throughout the whole movie over Jack, her lover. She fends for herself, punching a man who tries to save her at one point, and after Rose and Jack begin their sexual relationship, which Rose initiates, she becomes clearly dominant to Jack.
Jake, Maria, Patrick, Darius
Kendall Krieg
ReplyDeleteAnn Weng
Mallory Kimble
Adrienne Saylor
In the 9/11 thematic reading the central argument was it was too soon to make comedic disaster movies. Certain producers prolonged the out put of their movies due to the bombing of the World Trade Centers. According to Producer Douglas Wick, "Any depictions of terrorism
in new movies would appear to be 'exploiting' the World Trade Center tragedy" (Feil, 123). Therefore, concluding Americans were not ready to view movies that portrayed possible real life disasters.
The central arugment of the Titanic thematic reading is the difference between the desire Americans had for exaggerated disater in Titanic to real life disasters. An example includes the Emperess of Ireland sinking almost two years after the Titanic. The disaster, however, was over looked by Americans, even with the 1,000 lives lost. Therefore, proving the media and exaggeration in the Titanic movie disaster made the real life disaster more popular.
Matt, Joe, Brian, Jeff
ReplyDeleteThe central argument in the article From Camp to Kitsch is that after disasters, such as 9/11, American attitudes towards movies became much more sensitive and the standards of film content changed dramatically. As the article states, “the critical reception and box office status of two films in particular demonstrate the impact of 9/11 on the popular taste for disaster: The Sum of All Fears (2002) and The Core (2003)” (Feil 119). Prior to this disaster film makers and audiences took a more lighthearted approach to adversity as evidenced by Zimsky’s film portraying the satirical end to Dr. Strangelove (Feil 121). As the attitude of Americans changed after 9/11 media content, especially the film industry, significantly altered their portrayal of disasters.
The main argument in the article about the Titanic is the issue of authenticity in the portrayal of disaster. There are often times differences between the reported accounts of the event and what actually happened. James Cameron put a ton of effort into recreating the ship to great accuracy in order to establish credibility and a firm sense of reality (Zani 129). However, the events portrayed throughout the film were greatly embellished. “…the movie has more in common structurally with Rambo II than it does with many elements of the actual disaster” (Zani 129). Although at first glance the media may give an accurate description of disasters such as the Titanic, they are often over glorified and therefore lose their historical value.
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ReplyDeleteIn the reading, “From Camp to Kitch- 9/11, Taste and the Imagination of Disaster,” the author provides insight on the disaster of September 11th and the way Americans and Hollywood have reacted. This problem “converges most emphatically and ominously in the oft-observed similarities between graphic shots of planes hitting the Twin Towers and the spectacle and style of Hollywood disaster movies” (Feil 122). Because of this catastrophe, it is now difficult to distinguish the differences between actual world events and what is portrayed in the movies. As Feil explains, Americans must learn to find the line between light-hearted entertainment and serious tragedies. The main problem is the decision of if Hollywood should be making such movies. There is no decrease in ticket sales; however, are they morally okay to be shown? The “fascinating yet revolting”(121) similitude between reality and these films describes the difficulty derived from taking real life disasters and playing them in the cinema.
ReplyDeleteIn the reading, “Traumatic Disaster and Titanic Recuperation,” the author is argues why after 100 years, it the Titanic still a “cultural Icon”(Zani 126). Humanity continuously is entertained by the romantic life. We “carry with us a burden of romantic notions”(126) which a shown throughout the movie Titanic. Zani gives an example of another disaster involving a ship sinking in Ireland and asks why was this not made into a major film and known by most of society? A reason for this is because of the lifestyle and problems that occurred on the boat. It is a common story of love and loss between different social classes.
Leah Raleigh Kathleen!