Robertson-Mars Attacks

The film Mars Attacks satirizes the United States government quite a lot in that they take singular elements that are prominent in most situations of the American society as well as films that replicate them same situations. Jack Nicholson’s character is extremely respected but honestly for no good reason. The plot pretty much mocks the fact that he is the president. The film uses him as a figure head rather than a person in control. He constantly is asking other people what to do such as the general and the Secretary of Press character and the professor of the university. Juxtaposed with the president of Independence day, he seems more into what would present him with the best photo option for the situation. The president of Independence Day is trying to find a way to fix the situation and find a way to defeat these creatures that are trying to kill his people. He cares when Jack Nicholson doesn’t.  The General is mocked in that he is regarded as a person that constantly wants engage in war rather than holding back and seeing what the situation actually offers. He is loud and thinks everyone else’s plan is idiotic and stupid and his is the only plan that seems right. The professor is satirized in that he is shown smoking a pipe, the archetypal professor of that time period, and when he speaks, he tries to sound intelligent. He actually isn’t though. When he speaks though, he actually sounds unintelligent. He is the person that should know what is going on and should be able to give us some information on the topic of the martians but he fails. He talks matter-of-factly. Other characters that are satirized are the television reporters. Both of them, Sara Jessica Parkers and Micheal J Fox’s character take themselves too seriously. Sara Jessica Parker’s character is only worried about flirting with the professor, even when both of them are reduced to not much more than a head. Micheal J Fox’s character is just into his appearances rather than what he is actually reporting on. They are mocking the idea of reporters in that they are trying to say that the reporters of today don’t actually know what they are talking about. The movie in its entirety is a joke on the rest of movies in the science fiction genre and really does an excellent job in getting the message across that it is indeed a joke.  

                                                                   Shelby Robertson

Shelby Robertson- Catwoman and her effects!

Since Catwoman's character is so dynamic, it plays a huge part in plot line of the Batman returns, and in comparison, it is vastly different from the role that Vicki Vale's character played in the previous movie. Catwoman's character interacts with both sides of Bruce Wayne's character; she appeals to his emotions while being completely gorgeous, but she is also very destructive to his alter ego Batman. 

When we see the two of them in a scene together, she is very alluring to Bruce Wayne. Her looks are everything a man could desire. Her new found confidence after her "dying experience" contributes to this greatly. Rather than being quite and demure, she now demands attention with every entrance to a room, with every word she speaks, as well as every time Bruce enters the room. She draws Bruce in even more every time that she interacts with him. She plays on the stereotypical idea that all men are attracted to the young, beautiful, and alluring woman. Their relationship helps build tension throughout the film. The audience constantly is reminded of the fact that these two characters are enemies. The audience knows that the two cannot be together, yet their two "human" sides are seems to think otherwise. The back and forth constantly evokes emotion from the viewer. They ask "can this happen? How can this happen, or be possible?"

 

When the two are their alter egos, the situation is similar, but more destructive than when they weren't. Batman, still being a man, is still attracted to the beautiful woman. This causes him to let down his guard and almost get killed a few times. When Catwoman first fights with Batman, he only deflects, rather than returns the hits. This is foolish because he knows that this character is opposing him. Its quite apparent in that scene that she wants to do him harm. Since he is so into her appearences, he doesn't protect himself. She uses this to her advantage. When he finally does hit Catwoman, and only at the instance when he is truly about to die, she flings her self onto the ground and ridicules him. How dare he hit a woman! Again we find Batman enticed by her womanly ways and she has him in her palm again. Here is another instance of when we find the back and forth motion helping to build the plot line of the story. 

Film Noir in Batman!

 FILM NOIR IN BATMAN!

Film Noir is a much used technique in Tim Burton’s rendition of Batman. The film encases some of the most basic characteristics of film noir, but the way that Burton uses them is what adds an in-depth layer to the film that most films in general can only dream to obtain. The film encases this dark theme throughout it, metaphorically and realistically, as well as an internal struggle within the two main characters as well as between the two of these societal outcasts. Specific to this film, lighting and menace play enormous parts.

The lighting of the film is one of the most noticeable movie traits that can be spotted easily. The majority of the film is set in a dark setting where, when color is introduced, plays a large role. The darkness adds to the scene of the city. Gotham: a crime ridden society where the corruption has spread to even the highest of corporate office. (Random side note: has anyone ever noticed how insanely similar the words corporate and corrupt are? I found that hilairious.) Nobody knows what exactly is going on: the darkness of lightning hides things from the viewer just like the darkness of how corrupt the government is hidden from the city’s people. The corporate officials constantly refute that there is a "Batman", a person that is trying to in all honesty, benefit the citizens, by trying to minimize crime rates. The darkness hides the possibility of there being anything good. When color is introduced, such as the bright qualities of the Joker’s wardrobe, a new issue is brought to light. There now is a person that wants all of this attention, has absolutely no morals, is a trickster, and will stop at NOTHING to obtain his idea of fame, even commit countless unnecessary (I am not saying that any murder is necessary) murders. This use of color symbolizes a rebirth of issues into Gotham city’s spotlight. This film noir technique causes a cognitive shift in the viewers mind.

Menace between the two societal outcasts also in a film noir driving force of the film. There is constantly this hatred between the Joker and Batman: The Joker hates Batman for stealing the spotlight and fames that Gotham city offers, and Batman has such a strong animosity for the Joker because he witnessed his parents murdered for petty cash at a young age by Jack Nappier. The constant menace between the two back and forth causing an entertaining progress to the film.

Robertson: My Introduction

Hi guys! 

This past week has been extremely hectic as well as a tremendous amount of fun. About a week ago, I took a look around my room, shoved my dear and precious belongings into plastic storage containers, into my car, and drove to Loyola University. The drive for me however wasn’t that long though; a few miles from the Westbank to the Eastbank were all it took! Even though I didn’t travel that far from the nest, it still brought on all the same feelings that I’m sure the majority of my peers are experiencing. Thankfully, I was welcomed into the Loyola community with welcoming arms and my journey into the rest of my life quickly began. I unpacked my baggage, an entire car load of it, and then headed off to meet my neighbors in the Buddig dorm. The majority of the people that I have met (and am still meeting!) are incredibly kind and helpful. Countless times have I found myself bumping into them for directions and overall advice.  Let me reiterate, I have received nothing but help! :D  

Books have brought on entirely different experience. The day before classes began was when I decided it was the perfect time to order my textbooks from the bookstore on campus. Yes. I Know. What an incredibly stupid decision I had made.  And can I just express my utter dissatisfaction in the fact that a school bookstore doesn’t have the books required to take the classes on its campus?! (let alone provide them for free) I’ve been in the book store at least eight times over the past four days only to keep hearing one of the following three responses: “Your books aren’t here yet.” “We don’t actually have your books.” (Despite them telling me online that they were indeed in stock) and “Your art materials will be here in about six months.”  As you probably could’ve guessed by now, this process has been oh so stressful. 

Aside from the pain-staking process of obtaining my class materials, the actual classes have been a breeze and I can tell I will love them. The class I am most excited for is “The World of Tim Burton”, and no I am not just saying because this is the class that this blog post pertains too, simply because the subject of it is exceptionally enticing to me. I have seen almost all of his films and I cannot wait to delve right into the material. The discussions are sure to be mentally stimulating as well as entertaining!