Questions for Babel

Here are some questions for the film 'Babel:'

1. What is your favourite 'story' and why?


2. How are the characters' lives/stories related in the plot?


3. What evidence do we find that Susan has experienced a miscarriage or similar tragedy?


4. Are children capable of evil, or are they just unaware of consequences? If they behave evil, what has made them that way? (eg would the young lad still be evil if a gun was not placed in his care? [that is, IF he is actually evil])


5. Several different cultures are explored in this film. How do they differ? How are they similar? Can you find one thing that is similar to all cultures? (hint: children)


6. How far are the settings integral to the plot (think of the setting as a character)?


7. How is love represented in different forms in this film?


8. Is Brad Pitt more or less of a hunk in this film? ;) Seriously though, what makes Richard a good husband?

In the Woods - Tana French

I finished the novel and actually said, "what the?" as I shut it. I actually looked through the back of the book to see if I was missing the last page! I'm struggling to add to my previous review, and I am struggling to think of discussion questions for this book. But I'll give it a go:

1. In what ways do you admire Adam/Rob? What are the strengths of his character? (eg I thought him a hunk at first [until I learned more about his personality!]
2. How far is the setting of the woods integral to the plot? (eg could it have been as effective a story if it were set at the beach?)
3. What does the rain represent in the novel? We see it a lot - what purpose does it serve? Foreshadowing, tragedy, that something is about to be solved, that Rob is in trouble etc?
4. Does Rob treat Cassie poorly, or does she take advantage of him?
5. Do you think that a male and female can ever be 'just good friends?'
6. What is it that really drives Rob mad? The woods, lack of sleep, unsolved mysteries, memories, lust for Cassie, his past etc?
7. What is the pendant/charm that is found at the end, and what purpose does its placement/existence serve?
8. Are you satisfied with the ending? Why? Why not?

Wolf Creek (R)

Amanda recommended this film to me (as well as Perfume). She painted a picture for me: the backpaker murders. She warned me that this film was so scary my back would probably ache with the sheer suspense of it all. The bloke at my local video store warned me that it would scare the pants off me. The image of a bloodstained brunette on the front cover worried me, so I was quite nervous as I got ready to watch it.

In my opinion, it is not that scary. It is really sad though, what happened to the girls. The graffic scenes are disturbing but the level of violence is not too terrible ... in my opinion. I find it harder to fathom that anybody could be so cruel. It scares me that this dude is still out there. We have so much faith that our national protection will actually protect us. That somebody could hunt down a person is really quite awful.

I will watch this film again, because there are hints throughout that can help us understand the story better. Krissy's laughter really annoyed me. I liked Liz. I thought that Ben was ok - cute but annoying in some ways. That he survives (this is based on true events) is a miracle.

Recommended viewing for those who are not easily freaked ***

Perfume

I really like this film. I love the raw setting. The opening scenes were vile and raw and my eyes were glued to the screen in the manner of looking at roadkill ("Oh gross, I can't look" [but look anyway]). I liked the plot and the making of perfume: I thought this interesting and well researched. I thought it sad that the young women were killed and dumped in their vulnerability, but as far as murder stories go, I though this was a good one.

Until the really strange final scenes filled the screen. My mouth agape, I couldn't quite work out what the heck was happening. How bizarre. That the scent of the women could render an evil man an angel; unfathomable.

The protagonist is weird and I thought him unlikeable. He has no soul and no scent, and he appears in the dark in many scenes, slowly appearing as if he were a ghost. His sillhouette enters our vision before his face does - eerie!

And the wonderfully rich colours: opulent emerald, ravishing red - the girls' hair flying in the wind, wonderful rich colours and tumbling curls. The pukey greys and sloshing sounds in the opening scenes is foul but brilliant: slashes on the screen of gutting animals and the raw brutality that is the fishmarket.

Overall I rate this film average (see it because it's different) **

In the Woods - Tana French

Giving up on Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes" (too annoyingly multi-POV [point-of-view]), I have begun my FIRST EVER crime novel, "In the Woods." This is an intriguing story. Unfortumately, however, I am finding the same problem with any crime novel I've tried to read: it's written badly. There are far too many broken, interrupted clauses that I forget what the sentence is about. Please, write simple sentences; use punctuation properly!

Anyway, I will persevere, because this is a book we're doing for our mum's group reading circle (I like the term 'circle' because it sounds much more D&M).

I reckon the protagonist and narrator, Adam/Robert is a hunk! I don't know why. He just is. A bit annoying, but sexy. And I am hopeful of a romance between him and Cassie, his force partner. I really like the story; I really like the setting; and I like the characters. The whole murdered child thing is completely off, but I like the mystery of the children who go missing in the woods etc.

So, I'm, like*, up to page 100, so don't give anything away. It's quite depressing that I'm only 1/5 the way through. I'll write a better review when I'm finished...

* Sorry, I've caught this terrible bug from my students, where, like, you write how you speak? Except I don't even speak like that? I've just, like, caught the way they write?

UGH!

De Ja Vu

I watched "de Ja Vu" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it! Denzel Washington played Doug, a very gentle and caring fonrensic investigator. Val Kilmer was in it too, as was a very beautiful woman - I think her name is Erika something.

The story goes that there is an attack on a ferry and lots of people are killed. Doug is sent to investigate. Through some interesting technology he and his team learn that they can change the past. I can't go into any more detail than that.

The film features lots of neutral tones except for Claire, who wears pretty colours. The scenes are fluid and blend to tell the story in an understandable way. The dialogue is clear and Denzel's silky voice is just a pleasure to hear.

I enjoyed the plot and the film was gripping and intriguing. Some of the sci fi parts were over the top - or so I thought until I realised that there are no limits with fantasy and sci fi. Don't get the wrong idea about this film though - it is actually reasonably realistic, not way-out like a lot of films from that genre are.

I really enjoyed this film. *****

Babel

I would not say that this film is terribly enjoyable, but I will say that this film is gripping, well structured and harrowing.

It is the story of a gun, and its impact on the lives of several people from different countries. Its impace left people raw; viewers see the characters at their most vulnerable. Pain and suffering in its many forms is a major theme of this text - portrayed through simple camera techniques. The stories of the different characters are tied in so well, despite the differing time frames.

The settings are vivid and complement the overal atmosphere of the scene. The bright lights in Tokyo contrast with Chieko's grief. The arid desolateness of Morocco contrast with the blood that stains Susan and Richard's clothing. The red dress that Amelia wears to the wedding stands out in all its absurdity in the desert. The tourist bus contrasts to the mud brick houses of Morocco.

Speech is fast paced and at times furious. The different languages contrast and thus the label Babel is suitable to this film; how people of different cultures are related through one incident.

The moral questions are paramount in this film. Firstly, the issue of guns and who should use them and be allowed to have them. The issue of incest is one that I find awkward and terrifying. Other questions, such as how could a busload of tourists leave one of their company to die - are people so terrified and selfish in times of fear, that they would let others suffer instead? What does that say of the human race?

Do I recommend this film? Most certainly. Be prepared for a contrast of colours, languages, cultures and values.

*****

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

It is so cold; my hands are barely able to move!

I am teaching this book to my year 8s. I have just finished reading it and I love it!

Stargirl is about a girl, Stargirl, who is different to the mainstream (annoying) teenager. She sings happy birthday to people; she wears long skirts and no makeup. I think she is lovely. However, she is not admired by the schoolkids. Until she becomes a cheerleader, and she becomes popular. When SG is popular it is like the kids' eyes have opened and they are born again (and other cliches). They become nice to eachother! But then they think she does something wrong - she barracks for the other basketball team too, and the entire school shuns her!

Leo, the narrator, has a thing with Stargirl. They seem to have a very beautiful, natural, innocent love affair. But he gets shunned too, so he asks her to be normal. And she loves him so much she becomes normal.

This novel covers many themes. The publication my school has has a reading guide at the end. I have been devising some thought-provoking journal entries too. Throughout the book, there are several activities that SG does that I might get my students to do.

How to be a starperson:

• Get a jar (literal or metaphoric). Write down things that make you happy and put them in the jar. Write down things that make you unhappy and put them outside the jar. Try altering it each day.


• Observe somebody for a day. Write them a card that you think will mean a lot to them. Or get to know someone and write them a letter.


• Take photos of a friend or relative. Give them a little scrapbook to remind them of what they did (could be a long-term project for loved ones).

Reflections

1. Who are the 'star people' in your life (the people who are truly happy, "a little more in touch with our beginnings, a little more in touch with the stuff we're made of")?


2. How important is it to be liked by other people? To fit in? To belong? How would you feel if you weren't/didn't?


3. Are you a star person or a normal person? How do you know? Would you like to be a star person?


4. Archie says (41): "You'll learn more by your questions than her answers." What does he mean?


5. Stargirl seems in tune with nature. She even has an 'enchanted place.' Do you believe in enchanted places? Do you have one? Is it more a state of mind? How can it be created and what would you expect from it?


6. Would you change who you are for the person you love?


7. If you were Leo, how would you respond to Stargirl?


8. Search: find as many similes and metaphors as you can (the book is riddled with them!)

I recommend this book. Although it is written for teens, it is a quick, enjoyable read for all. 180+p. ****

I finished "Notes on a Scandal" by Zoe Heller

I finished the book. It was such a quick read. It only took me a few days. I enjoyed it. I think it is more about the character Barbara than the affair between Sheba and her student. How gross - an affair with a child. I can't fathom why or how. Maybe that is why I chose to concentrate on Barbara instead.

Barbara is insecure yet self righteous. She is old, staid and quite weird. She is obsessive, possessive and emotionally attached to her cat. She is lonely because she is not such a good friend. She is intriguing. I am not sure if she is a good person or not. I don't really like her. I sort of liked her...she's odd.

I recommend this read. It is different and enjoyable yet irksome. ***1/2

Some questions:

1. Do you admire Barbara? What are her good qualities?
2. Sheba is beautiful and lovely. Why does she choose to have an affair with Connolly?
3. Can we justify and forgive Sheba for her love for Connolly?
4. Is Barbara's cat, Portia, a metaphor for her relationship with Sheba?
5. What do you think happens to Sheba at the end of the novel?

Notes on a Scandal - novel

I picked this novel because I want to see the film and novels are always better. I have not read very much but I am already so engrossed in the text! It is written from the point of view of Barbara, a staid old maid who teaches at St George, where Sheba, a beautiful woman comes to work. Barbara has an unhealthy obsession with Sheba. Sheba has an inappropriate relationship with a young student. The 'notes' in this book are actually Barbara's account. I love the story. I feel that I can relate to the school setting and the relationships between staff members. It is not uncommon for teachers to marry their ex-students. I know a few who have. The relationships don't last though. Not often anyway. I can relate to the descriptions of students and classes and the school as a whole.

This novel is fascinating and I hate to put it down. It is not a very easy read because Barbara uses pretentious huge long words that I don't understand. I can't be bothered reading with my dictionary on hand, although Monte (DH) says I should. I might go back and highlight the big words to get a better understanding - but the point of the big words is to show how self-important Barbara is, I reckon.

Anyway, I recommend this novel. It is great (so far). ****