Hi guys!!! Here's some more work for you, hopefully one that you will enjoy.
Task 1
In a review about the movie, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat say:(http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=1015)
"As Good As It Gets is a shaggy dog romantic comedy. All its messages are worth taking to heart. Don't judge people too quickly. Never write anyone off. Even the weirdest and most irritating people are full of surprises. Everyone is capable of love."What do you think about their view? Is it true that everyone deserves a chance? Can you remember any personal experience/s in which you were surprised by somebody you didn't think well of?
Write a comment in which you will express your own ideas and will also give an opinion about what the classmate who has written before you has said. I know! Everyone will try to be the first one! But.... the first writer will comment on the last student or anyone he/she chooses.
Deadline: August 23
Task 2
I'm posting several reviews of the movie Your task is to either choose one review or parts of different reviews and say why you agree or disagree with it.Some of them have been shortened and I'm including the source in case you want to read more.
Deadline: August 4
http://www.ardemgaz.com/cgi/showreview.pl?Jack+Nicholson~+As+Good+as+It+Gets
by PHILIP MARTINARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
James L. Brooks' As Good as It Gets is a precariously balanced movie, one that flirts with smugness. That it isn't awful is in some respects amazing. It is tempting to write it off as one of those designer romantic comedies for readers of The New Yorker, quiche-eaters and the urbane elite. It makes such smug assumptions about its audience, its demographics are so finely tuned: Yes, here we have the brave working-class woman struggling to make it while caring for a sickly child. Here we have the sweet, gay painter who seems more connected to his little dog than any human being. And over here we have the most unpleasant man in the world, an obsessive-compulsive romance novelist who, as movie irony must have it, seems absolutely incapable of love. It could have been one bad chick flick, a predictable smarmathon replete with psychobabble about wounded inner children. It would end with swelling music and a long-deferred kiss. But Brooks is not stupid. He cast Jack Nicholson as the misanthrope and that made all the difference. Now As Good as It Gets is being hailed in some quarters as a leading Academy Award contender. It showed up on a bunch of critics' "10 best" lists. It's a box-office hit. The fact that Nicholson is playing this character tells us something. A canny director can make use of this phenomenon.
by PHILIP MARTINARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
James L. Brooks' As Good as It Gets is a precariously balanced movie, one that flirts with smugness. That it isn't awful is in some respects amazing. It is tempting to write it off as one of those designer romantic comedies for readers of The New Yorker, quiche-eaters and the urbane elite. It makes such smug assumptions about its audience, its demographics are so finely tuned: Yes, here we have the brave working-class woman struggling to make it while caring for a sickly child. Here we have the sweet, gay painter who seems more connected to his little dog than any human being. And over here we have the most unpleasant man in the world, an obsessive-compulsive romance novelist who, as movie irony must have it, seems absolutely incapable of love. It could have been one bad chick flick, a predictable smarmathon replete with psychobabble about wounded inner children. It would end with swelling music and a long-deferred kiss. But Brooks is not stupid. He cast Jack Nicholson as the misanthrope and that made all the difference. Now As Good as It Gets is being hailed in some quarters as a leading Academy Award contender. It showed up on a bunch of critics' "10 best" lists. It's a box-office hit. The fact that Nicholson is playing this character tells us something. A canny director can make use of this phenomenon.
http://movies.tvguide.com/good-gets/review/132715
You have to admire the sheer audacity of a comedy that opens with a man heaving a little dog down a garbage chute. Dogs, after all -- especially ugly-cute ones that look like they should be auditioning for Gremlins 3 -- are the sacred cows of contemporary Hollywood. That said, Verdell the ankle-biter recovers and proves to be the downfall of his tormentor, Melvin the monster. Melvin (Jack Nicholson) is a cranky, clinically obsessive-compulsive romance writer who lobs atomic bomb-quality put-downs at all who cross his path, including neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear), who provides plenty of ammo by being gay, an artist and Verdell's indulgent owner. Melvin is simply repugnant, a hideous and self-centered caricature of a human being, and Nicholson's performance is fearlessly repellent. Melvin's rituals include a daily trip to the restaurant where he's served by Carol (Helen Hunt), the only waitress who can stomach his endless abuse. Carol, of course, has her own troubles: She's the single mother of gravely ill Spence (Jesse James). Verdell's vengeance starts when Simon is brutally assaulted by a hustler-turned-model (Skeet Ulrich) and his droogies: Simon's art dealer (Cuba Gooding Jr.) bullies Melvin into tending Verdell while Simon is hospitalized, and to his own amazement, Melvin falls for the scruffy pup. When Simon reclaims Verdell, Melvin shifts his newfound beneficence to Carol, getting Spence to a fancy doctor. While the initial surprise of Nicholson's devastating cruelty gives the impression that anything can happen, the picture settles into an all-too-predictable (and unconvincing) end. "As good as it gets" is an overstatement. The movie's too long, and the direction is sometimes slack -- but the script is crammed with withering ripostes, ably delivered by Nicholson and Hunt.
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/78205/as_good_as_it_gets.html
The film may be more ambitious and sophisticated than most Hollywood comedy-dramas, but for all the delight it takes in Melvin's outrageous sarcasm, it never quite eschews cornball cliché. Nicholson gives a committed, credible, typically charismatic performance, and the rest of the cast lends able support. The trouble lies in the rambling narrative, Brooks' cautious direction and the cosy tone which renders the whole thing reminiscent of an extended sitcom.
Author: GA
http://www.darkhorizons.com/reviews/65/As-Good-as-it-Gets
By Garth Franklin
Not only one of the best romantic comedies of the year, but one of the best films in ages - "As Good as it Gets" certainly lives up to its title. With a truckload of cynical laughs and some compelling emotional moments, .
The performances are truly great all around, Jack Nicholson gives a career highlight performance as the obsessive-compulsive 'Melvin' who's totally upfront and somewhat . Rarely does the two romantic leads match each other in quality, but Helen Hunt plays her best role yet making her character likable, funny, intelligent and emotional.
Greg Kinnear puts in a surprising and enjoyable performance as 'Simon', a gay artist and neighbour who puts up with Melvin's insults (which fly thick and fast) and like the leads is both funny and emotionally real. Cuba Gooding Jr. does excellent work with his few minutes of screen time, playing a gay art dealer who sells Simon's work and stands up to Melvin whenever he puts Simon down - a guy full of assertiveness and realism that is very rarely given to any gay film characters.
All the remaining supporting roles are enjoyable, ranging from Shirley Knight as Carol's excitable mother who just exudes cheerfulness, Yeardley Smith in a brief but funny cameo (always liked her), and of course the scene-stealer being Verdell who is quite simply the cutest and funniest dog I've ever seen in a movie.
The character-driven script is extremely intelligent, the plot is a bit thin but the pacing is fast and there rarely comes any dull moments. It also doesn't fall into the boring 'schmaltzy' last half hour as so many romantic comedies do, and in fact takes an audacious step by running around 50 minutes longer than most.
Any faults? Well there really isn't any particular scenes that stick in one's memory (eg. the "When Harry met Sally" restaurant-orgasm scene), there are some points where the film drags but quickly picks up again - the best example coming early on involving Kinnear drawing a sketch of Skeet Urlich's character and then being beaten by a gang of robbers.
The unpleasantness of the moment though is lifted by a very funny scene in the hospital involving Kinnear, Gooding Jr. & Smith. "As Good as it Gets" is definitely one of the best films of 1997, and though it just misses becoming a 'classic film, it's still thoroughly entertaining and you'll leave the cinema with a very warm and content feeling.
You have to admire the sheer audacity of a comedy that opens with a man heaving a little dog down a garbage chute. Dogs, after all -- especially ugly-cute ones that look like they should be auditioning for Gremlins 3 -- are the sacred cows of contemporary Hollywood. That said, Verdell the ankle-biter recovers and proves to be the downfall of his tormentor, Melvin the monster. Melvin (Jack Nicholson) is a cranky, clinically obsessive-compulsive romance writer who lobs atomic bomb-quality put-downs at all who cross his path, including neighbor Simon (Greg Kinnear), who provides plenty of ammo by being gay, an artist and Verdell's indulgent owner. Melvin is simply repugnant, a hideous and self-centered caricature of a human being, and Nicholson's performance is fearlessly repellent. Melvin's rituals include a daily trip to the restaurant where he's served by Carol (Helen Hunt), the only waitress who can stomach his endless abuse. Carol, of course, has her own troubles: She's the single mother of gravely ill Spence (Jesse James). Verdell's vengeance starts when Simon is brutally assaulted by a hustler-turned-model (Skeet Ulrich) and his droogies: Simon's art dealer (Cuba Gooding Jr.) bullies Melvin into tending Verdell while Simon is hospitalized, and to his own amazement, Melvin falls for the scruffy pup. When Simon reclaims Verdell, Melvin shifts his newfound beneficence to Carol, getting Spence to a fancy doctor. While the initial surprise of Nicholson's devastating cruelty gives the impression that anything can happen, the picture settles into an all-too-predictable (and unconvincing) end. "As good as it gets" is an overstatement. The movie's too long, and the direction is sometimes slack -- but the script is crammed with withering ripostes, ably delivered by Nicholson and Hunt.
http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/78205/as_good_as_it_gets.html
The film may be more ambitious and sophisticated than most Hollywood comedy-dramas, but for all the delight it takes in Melvin's outrageous sarcasm, it never quite eschews cornball cliché. Nicholson gives a committed, credible, typically charismatic performance, and the rest of the cast lends able support. The trouble lies in the rambling narrative, Brooks' cautious direction and the cosy tone which renders the whole thing reminiscent of an extended sitcom.
Author: GA
http://www.darkhorizons.com/reviews/65/As-Good-as-it-Gets
By Garth Franklin
Not only one of the best romantic comedies of the year, but one of the best films in ages - "As Good as it Gets" certainly lives up to its title. With a truckload of cynical laughs and some compelling emotional moments, .
The performances are truly great all around, Jack Nicholson gives a career highlight performance as the obsessive-compulsive 'Melvin' who's totally upfront and somewhat . Rarely does the two romantic leads match each other in quality, but Helen Hunt plays her best role yet making her character likable, funny, intelligent and emotional.
Greg Kinnear puts in a surprising and enjoyable performance as 'Simon', a gay artist and neighbour who puts up with Melvin's insults (which fly thick and fast) and like the leads is both funny and emotionally real. Cuba Gooding Jr. does excellent work with his few minutes of screen time, playing a gay art dealer who sells Simon's work and stands up to Melvin whenever he puts Simon down - a guy full of assertiveness and realism that is very rarely given to any gay film characters.
All the remaining supporting roles are enjoyable, ranging from Shirley Knight as Carol's excitable mother who just exudes cheerfulness, Yeardley Smith in a brief but funny cameo (always liked her), and of course the scene-stealer being Verdell who is quite simply the cutest and funniest dog I've ever seen in a movie.
The character-driven script is extremely intelligent, the plot is a bit thin but the pacing is fast and there rarely comes any dull moments. It also doesn't fall into the boring 'schmaltzy' last half hour as so many romantic comedies do, and in fact takes an audacious step by running around 50 minutes longer than most.
Any faults? Well there really isn't any particular scenes that stick in one's memory (eg. the "When Harry met Sally" restaurant-orgasm scene), there are some points where the film drags but quickly picks up again - the best example coming early on involving Kinnear drawing a sketch of Skeet Urlich's character and then being beaten by a gang of robbers.
The unpleasantness of the moment though is lifted by a very funny scene in the hospital involving Kinnear, Gooding Jr. & Smith. "As Good as it Gets" is definitely one of the best films of 1997, and though it just misses becoming a 'classic film, it's still thoroughly entertaining and you'll leave the cinema with a very warm and content feeling.
Hi everybody!!
ResponderEliminarTask 1:
I totally agree with this statement. Every single person is capable of showing love. Some of them are really shy, introverted or even irritating but this doesn’t mean that they cannot express love. Moreover, I believe that this is the real message of the movie. We shouldn’t judge people, we need to LISTEN to them and in that way, I’m sure that we won’t be so judgemental.
When I was younger, I judged people in different ways. However, when I grew older, I realized that it didn’t make sense. I truly believe that it’s a waste of time and energy. Everyone should and must live according their values (without hurting people). As Ian MaClaren said: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle”.
Task 2:
I’ve chosen the second review.
I completely agree with the idea that choosing a dog (especially for the opening scene) is a great one. This review was written in an ironical way, which is great! The person who wrote it described every single character perfectly.
However, I don’t think that the movie is too long. I don’t know much about this industry but I believe that the script is excellent and there is no cracks. Everything is carefully chosen. Even though the end can be considered “too predictable”, I can’t imagine another final for this wonderful story.
very good job Florencia!!
EliminarTask1
ResponderEliminarHello everybody!! I agree with Florencia and this statement. On one hand, I totally agree with you, Flor in that everybody needs an opportunity and that everybody shows or not what she/he is feeling. We should not judge anybody because of her/his appearance or way of thinking. We are all different but at the same time, so equal, and imperfect that no one is better than the other. We have to let him/her be, to know her/him. But, on the other hand I don’t consider the film a long joke that ends in a silly or disappointing way. I strongly believe that it has the perfect ending for such a film. It is an overwhelming story that let you with the feeling that everything is possible, that if you want to change something on you, you can do it. Everything is possible, it’s up to you.
Personally, I would say that although I’m too shy, I really enjoy being with people. Even when I don’t know them, I’m always ready to listen and meet new people because life has taught me in the hardest way. We may spend our entire life trying to change the other and what for? Isn’t it better to know the differences instead of being bored with the similarities?
Task 2
I’ve chosen the last review:
I go along with this last one because the reviewer could show in words what the viewer enjoyed in the scrim. The characters were wisely chosen and made of it the best film of that time and even nowadays. It’s a completely recommended film to watch with your family. The two leading characters match to each other perfectly, the dog is the most loving animal I’ve ever seen in a film, and everything flows steadily to the end. People need to watch more happy endings to fill their hearts with hopes.
way to go Moni!!! great job
EliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarFirst of all, I totally agree with this statement: “Don´t judge people too quickly”.
Some years ago I judged a man because of his appearance and the place where he lived, and after some time that I shared with him, I realized that he was an excellent and hard-working man. So I also go along with Monica that we are all different but at the same time so equal!
Task 2:
I´ve chosen the second review and I agree with Flor that choosing a dog (especially for the opening scene) is a great idea. I consider Verdell a wonderful actor!! I think that the characters are well- described in this review. And from my point of view, they are great actors who evoked authentic and heart- felt emotions.
Maybe the film could have been shorter but it is still highly enjoyable and it is also remarkably well-written.
I really recommend this film!!
Good for you Nati !!
EliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarHi there, sweets! I have just read Frederic and Mary Ann’s review, and I have to say that it summarizes “As good as it gets” perfectly! It is true that this movie is filled with several incidents and events that emphasize each character’s traits (e.g. Melvin’s phobias are stressed until the very end) and even though at first they might seem unconnected, in the end the viewer is able to connect and contextualize the whole story in an amusing and meaningful way. The result is a long-lasting message that, as this review points out, is worth taking into account and put into practice. The fact of not judging anyone at first sight or based on stereotypes is always present-but we still do it, sometimes unconsciously. The problem is when these “first impressions”-most of which are often wrong- are hard, or impossible, to change. Some people feel “entitled” to criticize every single aspect of other people’s lives; without realizing that we are all human. Therefore, everybody deserves a second chance since we are constantly changing. In general, I try not to judge people by first impressions or go along with other people´s personal opinions and judgements, because I believe that everyone we meet can teach us something and give us something special; so I try to stay open-minded. I once visited a friend’s house for the first time, and she had told me her relatives were quite reserved and not very talkative, and it was true-they barely talked to me while I was there, and I considered that to be really unfriendly. So I decided not to visit her house again. However, some months later she organized her birthday there, and she almost begged me to go so I had to. To my surprise, her parents were really kind to me and we spent a lovely afternoon. So, as Nati stated we are all different at first sight, but if we give each other the chance to really get to know one another, we might be surprised.
Task 2:
I totally agree with Philip Martin’s review. This movie is so cleverly directed and the actors-especially Jack Nicholson as Melvin- carefully chosen. It’s true, as I have said before, that it could have been a typical and emotional romantic comedy only made with “commercial” purposes and no real story for itself. Dialogues are witty. However, I also agree with the last review in that the way the plot develops is sometimes a bit unconvincing, and that there isn’t one real memorable moment. But this is balanced with the funny and twisted ending which leaves the viewer with a pleasant feeling.
very good job Florencia!
EliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarI partially go along with the statement "Don't judge people too quickly" because we all judge anyone before knowing them. On the one hand, we do it because of their appearance, attitudes, where they live or for what the people say. Sometimes we score in the bull’s eye, but in some others we’re wrong and we make a big mistake because it’s a matter of talking or sharing something with someone and open yourself to others. On the other hand, we tend to trust on people whom we believe are good and at the end they become your enemies. So we all have to watch our backs!! It is true what Nati said, that we are equal but different at the same time, but it’s true that we can’t like everybody.
Task 2:
I’ve chosen the second review. I think that the idea of using a dog in this film is very powerful. Through it, characters get closer and, in Melvin’s case, it makes him change his attitude and mind. Apart from that, I believe that the film is pretty good and I don’t think that it’s too long. The fact is that many things happen on it but it’s not difficult to follow. Though the end might be predictable, I don’t think about any other end because we, as spectators, want this end.
Very good job Juan Pablo!
EliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarI agree with this statement . I believe that everyone can express love. But many times, we can find people who are introvert or people that have bad attitudes and manners and we tend to say that they cannot show love. So, we judge them instead of listen to them.
Somentimes, I judge people without knowing them. Then, I realize that it´s waste of time because everyone chooses how to live.
Task 2:
I´ve chosen the second review because it is really interesting and the writer describes the characters in a very good way. I agree with the writer when he says that choosing a dog for an opening scene is fantastic! Verdell is lovely!
good for you Agustina
EliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarOf course it is true that everyone deserves a chance. Nobody is a better person for what they have or where they live. The important thing is their "being" and when some people are irritable, bad-tempered or even disgusting, probable they have a reason for being like that, so I strongly believe we should be more sensitive and learn to listen to people.
I'm not "Mother Teresa" but I have never judged anybody. On the other hand I went through a lot of situations where I saw friends of mine criticizing or judging people for their physical appearance and that was really uncomfortable for me so I had to tell them some thing about themselves. I guess they have learnt about not judging anyone or at least they have never mention things of a kind again in front of me.
What Agustina said is interesting because first we should have the capacity to listen to and then we can build our own opinion of people. It's also worthwhile to admit you were wrong. This is the time when you realize you not only learn from your mistakes but gain a better being in yourself.
Task 2:
I´ve chosen the second review as animals, especially dogs and especially Verdell, are the perfect opening for a movie. Who doesn't like dogs? maybe there are some who don't but the majority love them and it is even gorgeous because it is not only for a specific age. The whole family can enjoy the acting of all the well-chosen characters and have fun.
great thoughts Marina! Very good job
EliminarEste comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderEliminarTask 1:
ResponderEliminarI completely agree with what Marina had said, because talking about other people when he/she is not present is something rude and impolite, I think that we should stop our friends when they start doing it just by telling them that they wouldn't like to be criticized and not able to defend themselves.
It is true that everybody deserve a second chance though, if you ask me, somepeople are not worthy, it depends on the facts. But being able to forgive and forget is what makes us humans and good persons; so it is always going to be up to us.
Personally, whenever I meet a stranger or a new mate I tend to pre-judge them but, realising my mistake I try my best not to do it and make an effort to get on well with the new guy.
Task 2:
Concerning the first review I can say that the author is completely right when he says that the mixture of these three characters would never ever turn out to be a success. The combination of a hard-worker woman with a temper, a tipical gay guy with a sweet dog and devoted to the Arts, and the ill-manered and antisocial old men who mistreats everybody is a very good receipt for chaos, but the director of the movie made an excelent job at creating the most funny and interesting story many of us had ever seen!
Good comment Emiliano! It's good you are conscious about your tendendy to judge people on first impressions.
ResponderEliminarTask 1
ResponderEliminarIn reference to the task, I go along with Emiliano, sometimes I tend to prejudge people when I first meet them, but then I try to forget that first impression and I give both the other and me another chance.
Personally, I believe that we live in society that always judges people, unwittingly or not. Many times, we find ourselves prejudicing people even if we didn’t want. Anyway, I think that everyone deserves a chance to make things better, to improve, and to change. Perhaps we are accustomed to paying attention to frivolous things. We need to start focusing on what is really important for us, no matter what the media tries to sell.
Task 2:
As far as the 2nd task is concerned, I go along with the last review, especially with the opening where it says "Not only one of the best romantic comedies of the year, but one of the best films in ages." I think it is a great romantic movie, which is not stuck to the typical romantic story.Despite the simple plot, the most important thing about the film are the actors' performances! I also believe that the director has made a huge job to present the situations in a such intelligent way.
very well done task Luciana!!
EliminarTHIS IS MAIRA'S ANSWER:
ResponderEliminarTask 1:
I go along with Emi. Some people don’t deserve second chances at all. Forgive and forget is not easy, especially when people are too proud, not only to accept an apology, but also to make one.
I partially go along with the statement. I tend to judge most people quickly, but it's unusual that I make a mistake, I have always trusted in my instincts.
Although, it happened to me twice. I was wrong about my ex-boyfriend. I´m not going to enter in much detail, but he seemed kind, funny and understanding, but he was not, he was a horrible human being.
And the 2nd person that I misjudge was one of my mates in my 1st year here. I really didn't like her at all; she was too quiet and very responsible. I was very immature at those times and I thought that she was weird for that. As time went by, I realized that she was very funny and we had things in common. I understood that she was only shy and not so loud I was.
Task 2:
I have chosen the last review.
I think that in this review, the writer could describe perfectly what we had saw and analyzed in the film. All the actors were well chosen and they interpreted the characters really good. Even Verdel! Although there wasn't any memorable moment, from my point of view i'll never forget this movie and that people is full of surprises.