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Eighth Grade: Film Analysis

This Past week in class we watched Bo Burnham’s directorial debut “Eighth Grade” A story about a fourteen year old girl going through not only the drama’s that ensue but also what it is like to be a shy child in age of oversharing and social media addictions.

The main character of Kayla is  an incredibly shy and socially awkward and has a difficult time interacting with her peers. The only way we as an audience really get to understand how Kayla feels is through her Inspirational YouTube vlog in which she talks about her life and indirectly the problems and insecurities she faces. 

Being that I went through middle school before the elegance of social media which took the world by storm, I have some trouble relating to Kayla and some of her issues. But I also have two little sisters which did grow up in Kayla’s universe. 

So when the film progresses with the high school senior trying to take advantage of the underage Kayla I became very uncomfortable and personally wanted to lash out at the senior boy. The scary this is that this happens quiet often to shy and young girls who are too scared to stand up for themselves.

Luckily for Kayla, she was able to stand her ground and was able to come out of her experience and out of the trauma that is the eighth grade triumphant and able to wield the confidence and self insurgence to face High school and the the new road ahead.

Well done to all involve in the making of the film it was a snapshot of a time many of us adults don’t want to look back on because of our own awkwardness, but still a time that taught us a lot about who we wanted to become. 

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Review and Analysis of Todd Haynes Film “Safe” - Part Two of the Criticism Assignment

- Critical Analysis of the film “Safe” written by Todd Haynes -

Carol does in fact undergo a very serious transformation throughout the film, and although Carol suffers from an extreme physical transformation it is the charges of her character that go through an even more dramatic evolution. To me it seems that the sicker Carol becomes, the more emotionally she blossoms. It is the effort and stress that Carol faces doing mundane housekeeping tasks that seems to change once she learns of her possible environmental illness. Once she sees the flyer and finds a meeting she is finally able to passionately pursue something, and for carol it is informing herself and hopefully regaining her health. Whenever Carol deals with anything connected to the normalcy of her life such as baby showers, aerobic classes, and fruit salad lunches she feels immense amounts of stress, but once she begins to seek medical understanding outside her doctor, she becomes more confident.

There are many factors that play into Carol’s journey, the first of which is this constant buzz of news and radio that carol is always listening to. It seems as though Carol listens to the news, radio chatter, and even other women looking for something to relate to her feelings but none of it does, so as a result carol begins to feel even more secluded and less likely to speak up. The wardrobe plays a large role too, Carol is constantly trying to fit in so she wears what all the other wives wear, she gets her hair permed like the other women do as well all in hopes of feeling some kind of connection. The only thing we see carol truly enjoy and care about is her milk, which ends up being one of her many allergies. I have some questions on the milk’s significance but i mostly think of it as the “potion” of which she needed to get through the day, and when she no longer could drink it, dealing with all the stresses and disappointments of her life became less and less bearable.

As far as characters go, it seemed that they were all one of two things “healing” or “harming” Carol’s health. The people she meets after her ailments begin especially the friends she makes at the treatment center all seem to be helping her. They listen to her struggles, relate and value her situation, and give her a place in a welcoming community that seems to offer Carol her first taste of unconditional love. This in turn allows Carol to learn to love herself. But the people in Carol’s life from before her sickness began often undermine her feelings and experiences and make Carol feel bad about herself and even begin to gaslight her. Near the end of the film Carol’s husband and step son come to visit her and she starts to have a reaction from being close to her husband. Carol blames it on his perfume but then her assures her he isn't wearing any which leads us to believe that it is his presence and the conditions of his affection that make Carol feel sick both mentally and physically. I find that fascinating.

I have quite a few predictions on what is actually making Carol sick. I cant be sure what is right and wrong but my strongest idea of what causes her illness is her loneliness. Carol is one of the loneliest characters ive ever read. Any interaction she has is a highly thought out and lacks any real weight or meaning. Carol simply goes through the motions trying her best to not allow the spotlight to fall on her, for fear of rejection. Even her warmer interactions with her husband are entirely based on her filling his needs as a homemaker and more so as a sexual outlet. All of her relationships are built on conditions and if she fails to live up to them her plastic life will fall apart like a barbie dream house that always looks way cooler in the sears catalog. Once she is sick her greatest fear comes true, she is no longer able to not interact the way she feels so much stress to and is thrust under the spotlight of illness, gossip, and trying to talk about herself “get real’ with a therapist . In short Carol is in a dark place but once she finds that flyer and begins to find people that not only believe her but also relate to her experience, Carol becomes an empowered women. Although a lot about what the people around her say seems a bit off and the group she joins ends up feeling a little cultish, it is the fact that she is valued that give Carol emotional strength. All in all this film was a challenge all the way through and Carol was a difficult character to figure out. But even though i felt like many metaphors went beyond me and the story seemed foggy, I did enjoy the film and took quite a lot of questions and thoughts away from it.

Overall The film is defiantly a powerful statement, and in my opinion was produced before its time. I did enjoy that the film make me think and ask questions. I highly recommend watching this film and challenging our own ideas of heath and illness.

Best,

Amber

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Love Witch, are you a Feminist Icon for the “New Age”?

After watching the film “The Love Witch” directed by the talented Anna Biller , I developed a lot of questions about whether or not the film  is a feminist statement, or a statement about returning to more conservative gender roles.

The main Character  Elaine (Samantha Robinson), a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. Elaine makes love potions and Gothic pagan painting, then picks up men and seduces them. However, Her potions seem to work too well, leaving her with a pile of love crazed victims.

 Eventually Elaine meets the man of her dreams who is also the Detective in charge of solving the mysterious deaths and disappearances of young men. her desperation to be loved eventually drives Elaine to the brink of insanity.

Elaine often times speaks about how men are fragile when it comes to feelings, which is rather progressive, but then she often follows up these statements with ideas about how it’s a woman’s job to please, and cook, and care for her man.

Personally I think all of the flip flopping of feminine perspective is a bit of a joke on Anna Biller’s part. Between the over the top 70′s/ Witchy decor and the melodramatic dialogue which feels an awful lot like a made for TV drama, we get the sense that the films real message is hidden under pentagrams and mountains of baby blue eye shadow.

Overall I find the film to in fact be a very feminist statement, through a non-obvious lens. Between the used tampon scene in which Elaine directly addresses the fact that most men haven't seen a used tampon, and the overall positive message about female sexuality. 

Elaine is unapologetic about the kind of witch she is and know exactly what she wants. Even though She make not call herself a feminist, the idea that women can choose to work a demanding career like her friend Trish, or instead be a black widow love witch who seduces and prays on men, is a very feminist rock star concept.

Well done Anna Biller, I’m drinking your love potion.

Best,

Amber

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“Maniac” Criticism Analysis

A current show that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is Netflix’s new mini series “Maniac.” It is a show that follows two emotionally damaged individuals who enter into strange and dangerous drug trail that is supposed to help the subjects overcoming their deepest emotional trauma. the main characters are played by Jonah Hill and Emma Stone and their acting range throughout the show is really impressive. The show is both thrilling and has a dark quirky comedy as well as heart tugging dramatic moments, I highly recommend it. I enjoyed the show so much that I decided to look and see what critics have to say about it.  An article titled “Maniac is a hell of a drug” written by Jen Chaney, and published in Vulture Magazine had mostly good things to say about the show. Chaney state within the article:

“Maniac is exhilarating to watch and a lot to process. It’s not as interested in highlighting the realities of depression or other mental illnesses as it is in capturing the core truths about them: how they isolate people, play tricks inside the brain, and can’t necessarily be cured through any single, simple means. It’s most accurate to describe it as a drama, but it’s really a hybrid of a bunch of genres, including dark comedy. The fact that it’s so consistently able to elicit laughter is one of Maniac’s best qualities. That, and its full embrace of utter randomness. Did I mention that at one point, Jonah Hill turns into a hawk on this show? Because if I didn’t, it’s worth noting.”

Although I do agree that the show doesn't spend much time or effort on the realities of mental illness, the point of the show is more so to show the internal struggles of individuals who have spent their lives secluding themselves from other and that once they learn to work together they have a much more fulfilled life.

Wired Magazine’s Writer Brian Raftery had some very negative thoughts about the show, as written in his article “MANIAC IS THE MOST NETFLIX-Y NETFLIX SHOW YET. IN A BAD WAY”

Raftery states:

“Maniac might just drive you mad. Netflix's new 10-part sci-fi drama—starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, and directed by True Detective shepherd Cary Joji Fukunaga—seems like the sort of cancel-all-plans event upon which the streaming service prides itself. Instead, it demonstrates what happens when Netflix's prestige- and pedigree-obsessed creative strategy overrides all functionality. This isn't a TV show. It's a pricey, claptrappy, long-form Iowa Writers' Workshop application. And it's all filtered through the lens of somebody who seems to have watched every Kubrick movie a half-dozen times, without ever laughing once. Maybe you'll be able to get through the whole thing. By episode six, I was on the ice-blue line of insanity.”

Raftery seems to have a lot of strong feelings about the show. Personally I greatly enjoyed Maniac and I think if he is looking for a more artistic and deeper dive into the subconsciousness he should not be using a mainstream film and television streaming service. I understand that the show feels a bit disorganized and often takes strange and unpredictable turns but that is the point. The show isn’t political and making any big opinions. It’s dark and whimsical and fun! The ac ting is fresh and the story keeps you on your toes maybe Raftery should consider a different streaming service in Netflix isn’t giving him the “Big Ideas” hes so desperate for, or better yet maybe he should take that “Long form Iowa Writers’ workshop” maybe he’d learn a thing or two. 

Overall I found Maniac to be a roller-coaster of emotions and i loved it. Both of these critics made good points which could become possible notes in the future if the show continues, but Maniac is certainly entertaining enough for me.

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Offred or Of-Ford ...

Today in class we watched the first episode of the first season of the Hulu original series “The Handmade’s Tale.” The show is about a dystopian future in which an extreme religious christian group overthrows the United States government and starts a war on life as we know it. There focus in the return to biblical moral values and solving the infertility problem of the world. The way in which this group wants to re-populate is through handmaids. The religious group in charge collects fertile women living within the USA with threat of torture or death forces them to comply with being impregnated by the religious group’s top officials.

The first episode focuses on the main character who’s original name was June. Once captured, she is violently re-educated into adopting the oppressive handmaid ideology. Handmaid’s are given the name of which officer they are currently serving, ultimately stripping them of their identity. 

Within the first episode, a scene was presented that struck me as being very reflective of the Kavanaugh vs Ford senate hearing. Within the scene, Jeniene, one of the handmaids in training, is forced to recall a sexual assault from her high school years and then the other women are forced to repeat again and again that is was her fault in the form of chanting it into her face.

After watching Ford speak in front of the senate and then listening to the extremely invasive and equally uncomfortable questioning from the Republican prosecutor, its hard to not draw parallels between the scenes of Handmaid’s tale and the hearing.

Although the treatment of women is very far off and extreme within the fictional Handmaid’s tale, it is an accurate visual art piece depicting the current frustration of which women feel toward their government today.  

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The McLuhan Effect

While reading The 1969 Playboy Interview of Marshall McLuhan we as the reader are introduced to many different ideas of what technology is, how it has affected us in the past, and maybe most importantly how it will continue to affect us in the present and future.

The first point McLuhan brought up that i found interesting is this idea that the Phonetic Alphabet as important as it is, is still a step backward as far as social understanding and communication between humans. 

My first thought on the topic is that a statement that bold is ridiculous and pious, but upon reconsidering McLuhan ideas of the danger of the Phonetic Alphabet, I think I understand his point. Before the categorization of emotions and social situations into a collection of words, I’m sure we read each others faces. I can not remember a day when everyone I’ve met has met my gaze.

Have we really forgotten that it is a basic human social need to feel seen? 

The next point McLuhan makes that really strikes a cord with me is the idea of “Narcissus Narcosis” Which simply means that we as a society have gone numb to our addictions to technology and how deeply it affects us. This idea is referred to in this way because of how Narcissus the Greek God fell in love with his own reflection not knowing it was himself. This idea harps upon some hidden truth that we are unable to see in our own “technological use reflection”.

An example of such an idea in action, is the use of GPS in cars. I personally would not be able to get to a new place with only a map. I've grown up using GPS wherever I go, therefore I am normally unaware that I am unable to successfully travel without that technology at my disposal. 

McLuhan makes many more points throughout his interview such as hot and cold media and other topics that I find rather overly complicated and wordy, But regardless of the interview’s extreme media observation, his points still hold value today and make us think deeper about how we use technology everyday within our own lives. 

Technology, it most defiantly makes life easier, 

but does it really make us better?

Best,

Amber

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What Bravery Looks Like:

Last week the country was divided even farther as we as a nation sat and watched the Christina Ford/ Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Senate hearing. And whispered our opinions on who was lying over oath. 

I personally found the entire process of the hearing incredibly difficult to watch. It was clear to all present that Dr. Ford a very soft spoken woman, was very uncomfortable and emotional while being rapidly questioned by The Republican's spokeswoman. 

The whole idea of having a female prosecutor mouthpiece for the republican members is troubling to me. I assume that the all male panel did not want to appear aggressive or overly invasive in questioning. therefore they hired a woman to do their dirty work. Interesting.

During the sections of the hearing that I was able to watch, I remember  a statement being made something along the lines of

 “This being a teachable moment for America.”

 Being that Dr. Ford is an educator I thought that statement was fitting.

Education is a humble career to pursue, and to allow yourself to be ripped apart by a nation you are a contributing member of is terrifying. Dr. Ford had nothing to gain by coming forward with these allegations, her life and life of her family have been put in danger because she chose to stand up for herself. Isn't stopping a dangerous man from gaining a powerful position something we all should be rooting for. 

America, “Boys will be boys” is not good enough anymore!

 It’s time that this nation’s government learns how to listen to voices of those it is sworn to protect.

Dr. Christina Ford, I am sorry for how this nation has judged you. I believe you, and want you to know you’re bravery is unparalleled. 

Best,

Amber

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Black Mirror: Nose Dive Analysis

Wow what a trip. This episode always leaves me feeling riddled with anxiety and very uncomfortable about checking my Instagram. This universe feels like what the world would be like if high school went on forever, if people were endlessly valued only if they were pretty, and popular, and liked the right kind of things online. THE HORROR! 

Personally I feel horrible for the character Lacey who’s life is turned upside down after being asked to be the maid of honor at a ex friend’s wedding. This ex friend Naomi is also rated significantly higher than Lacey which in this world makes her a better “quality” person. Lacey hoping to bump her own score by racking in likes from other high rankers at the wedding accepts the position “maid of honor” happily.

You see in this world the higher you are socially ranked the more power you have. Meaning: a better job, better apartment, better friends, literally better EVERYTHING, and Lacey wants to keep climbing that latter just like everyone else. 

After a series of unfortunate events which make Lacey’s score drop dramatically as well as making it seemingly impossible for her to get to the wedding, she meets an older lady truck driver who takes her part of the way and gives her a new outlook on whats really important and life. This new insight leads Lacey to show up at her ex friend Naomi's wedding looking like a train wreck and say what she has always REALLY wanted to say. 

Which is basically that Naomi is a backstabbing, shallow bitch, that doesn't care who she hurts. After this public disgrace Lacey’s score drops to literally zero, she is arrested and thrown in jail, and is stripped of her technology. It is only then after engaging in a rather impolite screaming match with another inmate does Lacey realize she is finally “Free.” Free to say how she really feels and to not constantly live in fear and anxiety of literally EVERYONE”S judgmental gaze. 

As horrible as it was to watch Lacey fall and lose everything she ever wanted, it was also so refreshing to see her finally face the bitch Naomi of her past and verbally/publicly rip her apart with the ferocity of a tiger!

Lacey,  you get out and bring down the rest of this Social Media Patriarchy with you!

Thanks for reading my thoughts and feelings.

Until next time,

Amber 

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Twin Peaks Analysis

Class Analysis of Twin Peaks:

After watching the first episode in  class I continued to watch the entire first season over the weekend. And boy “That’s a damn good soup opera!” Honestly when we first started the show I didn’t  know what to think. The show has a Twilight Zone quality that makes it hard to determine what is normal and what will happen next! Agent Cooper is such an intriguing and lovable character that easy to be pulled right into his peculiar point of view. As I finished the first season I have every intention to continue watching this television concoction of “art house meets daytime drama.” It really is a clever and surprisingly dark comedy. 

Even though there are so many quirky characters it becomes easy to follow their missteps and odd side plots and love triangles. The show has snappy and sometimes sappy dialog and comedic timing that kills, overall I’m not quiet sure how this got to be on prime time television because of it’s oddities but I’m certainly glad it did. 

My only complaint would be Lynch's lack of non-victim female characters, and although some of them have developed into stronger characters there is defiantly more effort put into crafting multidimensional male characters. which is annoying to me both as an actress and an audience member.

That’s really all I have to say for now, other than boy does the show put me in the mood for some jelly donuts and some damn good coffee!

Until next time,

Amber 

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Black Mirror Episode Analysis

Today in class we watched the Netflix Show Black Mirror, more specifically the episode “shut up and dance.” *Warning spoilers ahead!*

 I have personally watched every season of the show and I definitely find this particular episode to be one of the most disturbing. It is a world wind study on our lack of privacy in the digital world and how the idea of how our perceived “free will” fades away when ones reputation and public/personal image is on the line. The main character Kenny a young and unsuspecting teen is dragged into being a victim of online hacking and blackmail. He is forced to do many tasks leading him down a dark rabbit hole which eventually leads to the complete destruction of Kenny’s sense of self and inner moral judgement. 

By the end of the episode Kenny has robbed a bank and killed someone in order to keep his secrete under wraps, but the unnamed blackmailer still releases evidence of Kenny’s hidden desires all over the internet. Leaving us with the gut wrenching fact that none of his actions mattered at all and his life is pretty much over. This episode always leaves me feeling uneasy. On one hand you fell horrible for Kenny and on the other the details of his digression/blackmail material are so horrendous, that part of me wants no part in feeling bad for him. 

To me the episode is all about how our perceived image can sometimes misaligned from our hidden lives and guilty pleasures we seek out on the internet, that the internet normally allows judgement free access to. The truth is that people navigate the real world far differently that their secrete lives on line and when threatened with reveling that somehow our public lives are a “Sham” we will do almost anything to stop the world and the ones we love from viewing us as a freak or a degenerate. Which leaves us exiled from the inner circles we hold dearest.

We judge, it’s something we all as humans do to protect ourselves and find our pack, but the threat remains: If your secretes were the ones on trial would you look so shiny through the microscope of the public’s lens? 

Thanks for reading and feel free to leave comments below!

Best,

Amber

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Hi Tumblr World!

This is all very new to me but this is a blog for my “Impacts of Television and Digital Culture” class. I’m not sure what I’ll be blogging about yet but feel free to follow me on here while I figure it all out! :)

Best,

Media Girl Guru