Now that the semester is coming to a close, I decided to go back and reread my previous blog posts. I can't say that I've taken the time to go through my entries after the initial publishing. It's strange to go back and read them and remember my headspace when writing them or what was going on in my life during that time. Memories rush back of sitting decker auditorium, locking eyes with my friends when something unexpected or hilarious happened, hearing Dr. Esa laugh at a scene that no one else found as funny, and chuckling at the one person who was always asleep and snoring during the screening. Overall, I didn't really find this course challenging. After taking both Intro to Cinema & Film Analysis: Hitchcock , I was used to this style of class. It was difficult to keep up with the journal entries from time to time. I really appreciated the variety of films we watched (even if I didn't agree with the choices of the films). I don't think I would hav...
Big Night follows the story of Primo & Secondo, two first-generation Italian immigrant brothers, as they try to keep their traditional Italian restaurant in 1950's New Jersey. During the entirety of the film, we watch the brothers fight with not only each other but also struggling with the aspects of life that come with trying to achieve the American Dream. Each brother represents a conflicting ideology. We see evidence of this within the first 10 minutes of the film. Two customers are complaining to Secondo about not being able to see the shrimp in the risotto and wanting to have spaghetti and meatballs despite Secondo advising against it. Nevertheless, he pushes his feelings aside and asks Secundo to abide by the customers' wishes. Outraged, he rants, calling them "Philistines" and screaming about the traditional Italian way. In this scene, Secundo represents the idea of assimilating to popular culture while Primo represents the idea of sticking to traditio...