Shall We Dance

I'm starting to think this is more of a Anthro class than an arts class based on the movies we've been watching. This movie is a remake of the Japanese version released in 1996. I think the main point of the film is really directed at us guys who have no intentions of signing up for dance lesson anytime soon (although I might think about if Jennifer Lopez was my instructor too!). It's really a romantic comedy of an accountant with a fairly lucrative job who seemingly has all that his heart could desire yet feels like he is missing something in his life. In attempt to fill this void he joins a local dance studio and begins taking lessons. There is quite a bit of drama that builds throughout the movie around him and his family leading towards an explosion of events near the end of the movie. But definitely the general concept of the movie = don't be afraid of trying new things no matter what your peers might think ie: guys don't be afraid to take dance lessons. Although it may have slightly softened my view of dance I'm still holding strong on not taking lessons, at least for the next 40 years or so.

Billy Elliot

Both a musical and a film, Billy Elliot is the story of a young boy fascinated with dancing, in particular ballet, and the struggles that he survived through with his family. Ballet is usually associated as being very feminine especially since it is often only woman performing ballet. This film tries to show us that ballet isn't only for girls as shown through the story of Billy Elliot. It's sad that we/I tend to think negatively toward male dancers even to the point where they may disliked or hated because of what they enjoy doing in their spare time. Billy Elliot succeeds in proving that dancing can be like any other sport and is for both boys and girls. It emphasizes that thinking otherwise is not only dense but also hypocritical.

Maya Lin, A Strong Clear Light

This film documents the many great achievements Maya Lin has made since her major piece of art back in 1980. "Maya" means courage and she uses every ounce of courage and determination in each of works. Her first major art piece was the Vietnam Memorial, she was 21 at the time and submitted her art piece into a competition of which she was later chosen as the winner. In each of her works she places an emphasis on contrasting her work with the environment surrounding the location. This in effect makes it more inviting and not as stark. Sometimes even before even seeing the location she might take several months to learn in detail about the monuments meaning.

The Buena Vista Social Club

When I think of musicians I tend to think of mega wealthy people singing in high class recording studios somewhere in Los Angeles, whether the artist is good at what he/she does is determined not only by talent but often by poplarity. (ie: every singer that has come through Disney's pipeline) The Buena Vista Social Club opened my eyes to a whole other side to the music industry. The side where there is little to no money received, the side where studios dont fix your errors in order to make you sound better, where looks don't matter; all that you have to be is the best at what you do. The individuals in this film started with really nothing at all, but what they had was a love for music and this love eventually transformed into talent which they showcased together in many small settings and eventually at Carnegie Hall. Their music was impressive enough for me to download every one of their songs.