The Life of a Lobby Boy.

Minor film review: 8.7/10

Wes Anderson is a pretty polarizing film maker. Be it over the top sets, blinding pastel colors, or the slow motion montage, he has definitely imposed his trademark style. The Grand Budapest Hotel not only follows these traditions, but builds upon them. After earning academy award buzz from his last venture Moonrise Kingdom, Anderson has tossed his hat once again for significant critical buzz. The film captures all of the good of his best films. The cast with the majority of similar faces, adds a few new comers to his film catalog, specifically the lead Ralph Fiennes who steals the movie. Although the film does add new dimensions to the Anderson cannon, it does feel similar to its predecessors during multiple scenes. Luckily for the film, the similarities do not stray away from the visual spectacular Anderson paints onto his canvas.

Reflection #8

With the semester closing to the end, we are shifting gears towards our final paper. With that in mind our class is beginning our preparations. First thing we did was view a documentary in class called Captialism: A Love Story. The film was very captivating and at times shocking. Director and writer Michael Moore is no stranger to evasive and thought provoking film making, as his reputation as a sociopolitical documentation  is well known. His other films Bowling for Columbine, and Fahrenheit 9/11 are both in the similar vein as the film we viewed in class. The film itself revolves around the topic of capitalism, and first hand stories about people who have been harmed by it. After viewing the film, it makes me more aware and educated about the economical state of society and the role big business and the government ultimately has. I will make sure to use the film as a trusted resource in my final paper.

Reflection #7

Presentations have ended and we are now moving towards our next term paper. The semester feels as if it has flew by at this point. With the being said, coursework has begun to pile up. In a matter of two weeks I have three papers due, readings that need to be done, and somehow find time for a "spring break." Regardless of my hectic schedule, I am pleased with how I have done this semester. With one class (critical theory being the exception, my classes have been relatively pleasant and interesting. Here is to hoping the rest of the semester goes smoothly!

On a side note,

One of the benefits to college courses is the introduction to texts that I before would not have been familiar to. This past week I read three short stories by Tim O'Brien. All of which were amazing to read, the amount of detail and power O'Brien writes in is truly left me in awe. In the same vein, I currently am reading Native Son by Richard Wright for my African American literature class. The book has blown away my expectations. It is graphic, intense, and filled with layers of a deeper meanings.