When I first saw that the Film Class was being offered and then when it was put on my schedule, I was ecstatic. Ever since we started watching films at the end of AP American last year, I wished that the film class would come back and even tried to lobby for it to return as a class. The fact that it became a reality is amazing, and a month into the class I couldn't be happier.
However, because of this, the film class has become a blessing and a curse. It has been a blessing for obvious reasons. It is almost certainly (Since I am discussing the film class, I should avoid complete absolutes, as per Mr. Bennett's request) the best class that I have taken in my high school. It is very enjoyable and with the advent of this blog, it has opened my eyes to the film opinions and critiques of my classmates, and allowed for an open and flowing discussion on films, something that has helped me greatly. It has increased my already high interest in films and allowed me to see films I probably would not have watched on my own.
However, there is also a downside, but it is technically also a good thing. Because I am so interested in the film class and the blog, I spend more time here then on my other homework, like my AP Classes. I am constantly checking if anyone has written another post and I have read almost all of the blog posts by everyone so far, as well as written my own. However, this takes up a lot of time and if I decide to watch a movie that night, it adds to the amount of time. In other words, I am slightly addicted to the film class and this blog.
To put it in perspective, I spend about 30x more time a night on the blog than on my Brayman Calculus Homework, and about 6x more time on the blog or things related to film than on my AP English and Poli Sci classes combined. Believe me, I am doing the farthest thing from complaining. I couldn't be happier with the film class and from reading the great comments of my classmates, but it probably isn't the most prudent idea to spend the majority of my nights on an elective class, but as a senior, it gives me a perfect reason to procrastinate on the not exciting classes that I am forced to take.
It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of such a well-informed and interesting class. I hope to read more insightful comments and therefore allow myself to spend even less time on my other classes' homework.
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Well, I just submitted your marking period grade, which is a 100%, so hopefully that will somewhat offset the diminshed grade you may possibly receive in Mr. Brayman's class. But truthfully, James, did you ever really need a reason NOT to do Mr. Brayman's homework?
ReplyDeleteI saw In Bruges, by the way, and enjoyed it immensely. It reminded me a bit of the work of that Polish director who died. He did that trilogy that was so amazing Blue, Red, and White. He also did a series of one hour films on the Ten Commandments. Oh yeah. Krzysztof Kieslowski. Check that out as you continue your foreign movie fling.
Truthfully, you don't need any reason to not do Mr. Brayman's homework, and frankly I am not doing any worse in his class but I am just spending less time on it. But certainly it is much more enjoyable to not do his homework or any other teachers in place of watching a great film by someone like say Krzysztof Kieslowski. I will certainly look for one of his films. It sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am glad you enjoyed In Bruges. It wasn't perfect but it was a well-done film, and since you went to Bruges, I guess you could easily attest to its accuracy. It is too bad, they left out your favorite painting from the film, but I guess they can't be perfect. And don't worry about missing the fat American having the heart attack -- my father also missed the connection so you certainly are not alone.
Thank you for the great and I look forward to this continuing dialogue over the next 3 months.
"Because I am so interested in the film class and the blog, I spend more time here then on my other homework, like my AP Classes. I am constantly checking if anyone has written another post and I have read almost all of the blog posts by everyone so far, as well as written my own. However, this takes up a lot of time and if I decide to watch a movie that night, it adds to the amount of time. In other words, I am slightly addicted to the film class and this blog."
ReplyDeleteGood to know I'm not the only one then =)
I never really payed attention to other homework in the first place, so the change has been negligible for me haha. Don't get me wrong, I don't shirk on my obligations, I just don't put as much effort in as I used to. I used to be on my own blog every 10 minutes anyway, so being able to write one for this class is just a bonus for me. I absolutely love it. I also like how this class finally introduced me to other people I can talk to about movies, intelligently. If I tried talking to my girlfriend about Midnight Cowboy, she'd just stare at me and say "that's nice". This has seriously been my best experience in this school so far.
ReplyDeleteStanley Kubrick once said that he didn't like school because he did not feel it was teaching him anything he really NEEDED to know. I believe one quote from him was "I never learned anything at all from school, and I didn't read a book for pleasure until I was 19". I think he would have felt differently if he took this class.