Good Movie Reviews
G.I.Joe Retaliation
Alonso Duralde of The Wrap
https://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/gi-joe-retaliation-review-saturday-morning-cartoon-writ-large-82726
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Claudia Puig of USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/01/25/hansel-and-gretel-review/1864211/
Both movie reviews above are in my opinion, very well-written. A good movie review is entertaining, helpful, concise and the arguments must be supported with evidence. Both reviews above does just that. Both reviewers helped me decide whether I will watch the movies or not. In addition, they were both funny and very cleverly mocked the movies.
Salvador Dali: Othello Dreaming Venice
The title of this artwork is Othello Dreaming Venice. It was painted by Salvador Dali (surrealist painter) in 1982. This painting is very interesting and can be approached and interpreted in many ways. Firstly, the man in the painting is Othello and judging by his face, it can be interpreted as Othello dreaming about something and stuck in a deep reverie. We know from prior knowledge that Othello is an outsider and is often alienated from the community This can infer that Othello is dreaming about home. The color of the painting which is yellow, the color of happiness which reflects Othello's state of mind when dreaming of home. Othello is yet only dreaming of home and he is still in a foreign place. The yellow is a little dull and the hole in the middle of Othello's heart represents the Othello's sadness and the fact that something is missing (presence of home) when he is Venice.
Act 3 Scene 1 Presentation Reflection
Part: Act 3 Scene 1
Group: Seungbeom, Jaehee, Jon Eric, Eelco
It was really tricky for us to present to the class the scene in the right way that makes it interactive, fun and informative for the class because we were the first group to go. We decided to split the class and assign each faction a part of the scene and make them present to the class their part. We asked questions afterwards concerning the specific parts. We realized after our presentation that this form of presentation did not arouse interesting discussions and debates which was present in the other groups' presentations. Also some of the questions we asked were not very deep. Besides this, I believe we did a satisfactory job in making sure the entire class understood the scene.
Othello - Iago
Annotation Iago's Soliloquy at the end of Act 1
What are Iago's motives?
According to Iago
Iago says in Act 1 Scene 3, "I hate the Moor: And it is thought abroad, that 'twixt my sheets. He has done my office." Here, Iago is saying that he hates Othello because of the rumor that he slept with his wife. Iago also said prior to the rumor that he is jealous of Cassio because Iago wasn't promoted to the position of lieutenant but Cassio was.
According to Me
The two reasons Iago mentions is contradictory because one minute he says this and another minute he says that. Due to this contradiction, I believe Iago's real motif is jealousy of Othello's high rank when Othello is an outsider. Iago has a binary thinking process and therefore causes him to get angry due to his inferiority. Iago is not thinking about why he is lower but instead just thinking why Othello is higher. Iago also says, "I'm not who you think I am" which proves the point that his claims can very well not be true.
What are Iago’s opinions about women and people who are different?
Iago believes women are useless, worthless, foolish, unfaithful, inconsistent and valueless. Iago believes that women are below men and he refers to them as creatures and animals and even property. He says he would rather trade his soul with a baboon rather than to fall in love with a woman. He believes falling in love with such being is stupid. He says, "[love] is merely a lust of the blood." and when he goes to Brabantio in Act 1 Scene 1, he says his daughter [Desdemona] was 'stolen' not taken referring to her as a property. This
is unlike Othello who thinks falling in love is fulfilling and honorable. Iago
believes to love a woman is to show weakness.
People Who Are Different
Iago is racist and this is shown in Act 1 Scene 3, "The moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose, as asses are." Iago also says in Act 1 Scene 1, "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe..." When Othello says black ram and talks badly about him, it can be shown that Iago does not like different people.
Iago's Way of Thinking
Iago thinks in binary codes; it is either this or that.
Iago's mind is either reason or sex.
Iago has a pessimistic, bitter, dark and cynical view of the world and people.
However, he is very persuasive.
People Who Are Different
Iago is racist and this is shown in Act 1 Scene 3, "The moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose, as asses are." Iago also says in Act 1 Scene 1, "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram, is tupping your white ewe..." When Othello says black ram and talks badly about him, it can be shown that Iago does not like different people.
Iago's Way of Thinking
Iago thinks in binary codes; it is either this or that.
Iago's mind is either reason or sex.
Iago has a pessimistic, bitter, dark and cynical view of the world and people.
However, he is very persuasive.
Othello - Main Characters - Breif
- Iago
- Antagonist
- Venetian
- Ensign
- Othello
- Protagonist
- Moor
- General
- Desdemona
- Pure
- High-class
Poetry Cafe Poem
Where The Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Background Information
This poem was written by Shel Silverstein, an american poet, in 1974 (Post-modern). This poem is the title piece of his book of children's stories called "Where The Sidewalk Ends". Silverstein was a famous children's author and his poem "Where The Sidewalk Ends" also refers to children.
Meaning Behind Poem
Even though Silverstein's book of children's stories is for children, the title poem is actually aimed for adults. The poem is saying that adults live in a dark and dreary world "sidewalk" while the children live in joy and fun. Shel Silverstein implies that adults should leave the "sidewalk" and start living in the mindset of children. Where the sidewalk ends.
Literary Devices Used In Poem
Where The Sidewalk Ends is a 16-verse poem with 3 stanzas. The first two stanzas have the same rhyme scheme but the third one doesn't because it is in a way a repeat of the last four lines of stanza 2. (ABCCCB DAEEEA EEEA) This entire poem is an extended metaphor of life describing the place the sidewalk ends as a place full of joy. Silverstein masterfully uses imagery in the entire poem. He describes the sidewalk and the place where it ends with very descriptive words that makes the readers visualize the place. Another literary device used in the poem is enjambment. Silverstein uses the device five times in the poem. Finally Silverstein also uses alliteration of the letter "b" and repetition of "children" to emphasize his point.
Why Did I Choose This Poem
I chose this poem because it simply has a wonderful meaning. It is a metaphor of the current world. I believe the world does run the way Silverstein implies. When I was a younger than I am now, I was always happy, never any stress and no future contemplations. However as I grew up, I started entering the "sidewalk". I believe we should all at times take a step back and live like children, in a land full of joy and happiness - where the sidewalk ends.
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Background Information
This poem was written by Shel Silverstein, an american poet, in 1974 (Post-modern). This poem is the title piece of his book of children's stories called "Where The Sidewalk Ends". Silverstein was a famous children's author and his poem "Where The Sidewalk Ends" also refers to children.
Meaning Behind Poem
Even though Silverstein's book of children's stories is for children, the title poem is actually aimed for adults. The poem is saying that adults live in a dark and dreary world "sidewalk" while the children live in joy and fun. Shel Silverstein implies that adults should leave the "sidewalk" and start living in the mindset of children. Where the sidewalk ends.
Literary Devices Used In Poem
Where The Sidewalk Ends is a 16-verse poem with 3 stanzas. The first two stanzas have the same rhyme scheme but the third one doesn't because it is in a way a repeat of the last four lines of stanza 2. (ABCCCB DAEEEA EEEA) This entire poem is an extended metaphor of life describing the place the sidewalk ends as a place full of joy. Silverstein masterfully uses imagery in the entire poem. He describes the sidewalk and the place where it ends with very descriptive words that makes the readers visualize the place. Another literary device used in the poem is enjambment. Silverstein uses the device five times in the poem. Finally Silverstein also uses alliteration of the letter "b" and repetition of "children" to emphasize his point.
Why Did I Choose This Poem
I chose this poem because it simply has a wonderful meaning. It is a metaphor of the current world. I believe the world does run the way Silverstein implies. When I was a younger than I am now, I was always happy, never any stress and no future contemplations. However as I grew up, I started entering the "sidewalk". I believe we should all at times take a step back and live like children, in a land full of joy and happiness - where the sidewalk ends.
Othello' Speech (Act 1 Scene 3) - Annotation
2-4-13
Is Othello an effective speaker? Is he persuasive? What persuasive strategies does Othello use to win over his audience?
Othello is a very effective and convincing speaker because
he uses many different persuasive techniques. Firstly, he uses the rule of
three in his introduction mainly to make an appeal to whom he is talking to. He
is starting his speech like how people would do it during a debate. This is in
a way sucking up to the listeners. Secondly, he uses alliteration and
repetition to make his speech even more convincing and emphasizes his point.
Thirdly, he makes another appeal to them by admitting what he did. By doing
this, he sets the record straight and he establishes veracity. Fourthly, he
switches the sentence structure around in some sentences putting more emphasis
on his point. Fifthly, Othello uses several Caesuras to again give emphasis and
giving the listeners time to think about his point. Lastly, Othello continues
to remind the listeners that he is noble soldier and he is very important so
that no matter what sort of offenses he admits, the listeners still feel
empathy. In conclusion, Othello using many different kinds of techniques makes
him truly an effective writer.
Pros and Cons of Multimodal Articles
Advantages
Attract non-readers
Eye-appealing
Disadvantages
People won't read the text
No imagery
Not everyone can access
Attract non-readers
Eye-appealing
Disadvantages
People won't read the text
No imagery
Not everyone can access
Anthem For Doomed Youth - Worksheet
When I first read this poem it was pretty difficult to understand the poem because of the sophisticated diction and the very lyrical form. Another thing I found out was that the poem had a specific rhyme pattern and after I counted the number of lines, I realized it was a sonnet.
1. Why is the poem called ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’?
a. The title of the poem is very ironic because the two parts are negating each other in a way. Anthem is usually a positive thing showing positive things about something. But on the other hand, doomed youth is a negative word meaning troubled and despondent young people. The poem itself is very negative about war so the title using its ironic meaning can fully emphasize the truth behind the poem.
2.
What
does the simile, ‘who die as cattle’ suggest about the deaths of
the young soldiers?
a. Cattles are large animals with hooves
that are usually slaughtered for meat. Saying that soldiers die as cattle are
saying the soldiers get slaughtered likes animals.
3.
Which
weapons of war are described in the octet (the first eight lines of the
sonnet)?
a. Rifles are described in the octet.
4.
How
does the poetry to capture the sounds and atmosphere of the battlefield where
the soldiers died? Use quotations from the octet
(the first
eight lines of the sonnet) to support your answer.
a. Owen uses alliteration and imagery to
convey the sound and atmosphere of the battlefield.
·
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
·
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
·
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells
· Nor any voice of
mourning save the choirs,—
· The shrill,
demented choirs of wailing shells;
· And bugles
calling for them from sad shires.
5.
Why
do you think religious words are used in the octet? What is the poet
trying to say about organized religion and its relevance to the soldiers?
a. Poet is saying that in war, religion will
not affect them. Owen is sort of implying that most soldiers care about
religion but Owen is saying that during war, religion will not be present.
6.
Why
is there a break in the sonnet after the octet? Which words link
the two parts
of the sonnet together?
a. There is a break between the two parts
because the first is talking about rifles and the second is talking about
goodbyes. The religious words used in the first octet link the two parts
together.
7.
Which
words used in the sestet (the last six lines of the sonnet) would we
associate with a funeral?
a.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
b.
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
8.
What
do the young soldiers have instead of a
funeral?
a. They won’t have anything; no candles and
no bells but the sounds of weapons, war and a bugle.
9.
Why
are these two ideas contrasted in the sestet?
a. Owen is deliberately trying to emphasize
the consequences of war and by contrasting the two different “ceremonies”, a
clear understanding will occur in the readers’ minds.
10. What is the overall impression of the war
that the
poet is trying to create for the reader?
a. In a nutshell, Owen is trying to say war
is BAD; it is not a good place to die, because the only things that will say
goodbye to one who goes to war is the sound of a rifle and a bugle.
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