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Category: Film

Learning Italian Outside of the Classroom

Learning Italian Outside of the Classroom

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As someone who’s always been interested in learning another language, I’m glad to finally have the opportunity to do so as a Biology and Italian Studies double major at Vassar. I grew up listening to relatives speaking Italian, and even spoke and understood a good amount for my age (so I’ve been told) because my immigrant grandparents watched my brother and I before we started preschool. Unfortunately, as a result of not hearing and using the language enough when I…

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If You’re a College Senior Freaking Out About Your Future, Watch This Movie

If You’re a College Senior Freaking Out About Your Future, Watch This Movie

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There’s a science fiction movie called Mr. Nobody, and it’s one of my favorites. Essentially, it’s about the butterfly effect: the idea that every small decision that you make ultimately has the power to change the course of your remaining life. The movie is about a boy who is faced with an impossible choice—when his parents separate, will he stay with his mother or his father?—and the consequences of either decision. This influences where he lives, who he falls in…

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Tanah Tumpah Darahku — Rethinking Violence, Drama, and History with “The Act of Killing”

Tanah Tumpah Darahku — Rethinking Violence, Drama, and History with “The Act of Killing”

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Indonesia, tanah airku, tanah tumpah darahku. Indonesia, my land and sea, the land for which my blood spills. -Indonesian National Anthem * * * History is so infamously known for being written by its victors. Those who win plant the flags, win the battles and get charged as innocent in justice trials. In the context of the 1965 massacre in Indonesia, right-wing death squad leaders were the victors, as they boldly proclaim that “history is written by the winners, and…

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Of Beatles and Men

Of Beatles and Men

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Pretty much everybody loves The Beatles. Pretty much everybody loves a good film. Across the Universe, Julie Taymor’s 2007 romance drama combines the two beautifully in a 133 minute musical. The film, set in New York, Liverpool, and Vietnam in the 1960’s captures both the magic and mayhem of the youthful spirit of the time. Set on the backdrop of social upheaval, America and the world in the 60’s is given a spectacular treatment in Taymor’s film chock full of…

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Going with the (E)motions—a short review of Inside Out

Going with the (E)motions—a short review of Inside Out

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Inside Out started playing in my local theatre the day I left for college. I treated the film as something I could put off watching (but who could pass off Pixar?) until an HD stream was available online. I was crying and laughing more frequently than any film I have ever seen. All of this is a testament to how the film plays with emotional cadences beautifully, a see-saw of humour and catharsis that propels the narrative forward effectively.  …

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Musings on Moon—Space, Man, and the Pursuit of Meaning

Musings on Moon—Space, Man, and the Pursuit of Meaning

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When we think of space, we often think of grandeur. We think of a new frontier of unexplored dark. We think of the Hubble Deep Field and the infiniteness and peace of space time. Even our stars and planets, often referred to as celestial bodies with their almost-holy names, evoke a sense of divinity and ever-presence. However, in just 97 minutes, Moon overturns that notion. Set on a lunar energy base on the far side of the moon, Duncan Jones’…

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Off the Road: A Review/Analysis of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’

Off the Road: A Review/Analysis of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’

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Never have I thought that I’d enjoy a long, orange, two hour film set on one long, desert road. The last time I remember enjoying an action film was obsessing over the first Avengers film for a week after I watched it a second time (admit it, that was quite the guilty pleasure). So when I was recommended by one of my film school friends to watch Mad Max: Fury Road, I was immediately taken aback. After googling the poster,…

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