Review #5- Kicking It

Kicking It is a powerful and moving documentary that follows the Homeless World Cup, which took place in South. The main purpose of this event is to bring motivated homeless men and women together for a common sport, and to celebrate their hard work. The documentary exposes the lives of several men from different countries, including Ireland, Russia, Kenya, US, Spain, and Afghanistan. This was something I thought made the documentary even stronger; the fact that the experiences shown were from men from different backgrounds. The fact that the stories behind each men were shown, created a stronger connection with the audience, providing a deeper understanding to their lives.

Sign Painters (Spring Break hw)

Sign Painters is a documentary that follows the lives of many sign painters throughout the country. Some are young, others more experienced, but they all share the passion for painting signs. The main goal of the documentary is to erase the misconceptions about sign painting, and present as more of a passion for many people. It defends the art concept delivered by these painters, while exposing the dangers it faces with technology constantly improving. Through the many experiences that all of these artists provide the audience with, one can understand the struggle that many painters go through, as they try to earn their living. Many people overlook this profession, but it is more valuable than people give it credit for.

Me @ the Zoo (Spring Break Assignment) #4

‘Me @ the Zoo’ was about an Internet celebrity named Chris Crocker who is openly gay and lives in Tennessee with his grandparents. In 2006 he decided to upload videos on MySpace in which he discussed topics, such as, sexual orientation, identify, artists, and personal struggles. He one day got really popular with one video called “this and that” in which he acted in an abnormal manner. Many people found him entertaining and comedic which then made them want to follow him online and send him feedback on his videos. The media then portrayed Chris as an attention seeking person who just wanted to be famous. He was then labeled an “overnight sensation” because people didn’t know who he was until that one video. One of the most watched videos he made was the “leave Britney alone” video, in which Chris Crocker cried over his idol Britney Spears. Numerous people found him hilarious, while others just hated him and decided to cyber bully him through their ignorant messages. The documentary shows all of Chris Crocker’s struggles while being famous, to him getting bullied, to downfalls, and to relationships with his family. It is a wonderful, beautiful, and entertaining film.

There was a bias in the film because it mostly talked about him, but there were also videos on how people hated him. In one scene, you see all of Chris’s fans uploading videos supporting him and loving him for who he is, but there are also people saying foul words and threatening to kill him. I think overall the directors and editors balanced out the bias in the documentary. But it is also important to concentrate on him because it is a documentary about him, so it’s well deserved.

Benji (Spring break hw #4)

         Benjamin Wilson aka Benji grew up in the tough and mean streets of Chicago. He grew up in the 80's when Chicago was taken over by gang violence and drugs, and it was very easy for a young man as himself to follow along with the negativity that was going on in his neighborhood. Benji was able to overcome adversity by playing the game of basketball, a sport that was well known in Chicago because of NBA superstar Michael Jordan. Benji attended Simeon high school where he won two state championships and was the number one player in the country going into his senior year of high school. Before the start of his senior season Benji was killed, NBA players and coaches both say if not for this tragedy Benji Wilson would have been one of the greatest players in the NBA to ever play the game of basketball.

             The only Bias thing that I could think of was, after Benji Wilson was killed some very ignorant people believed that it wasnt the killers fault that he killed Benji. Benji Wilson was 6'7 and the person that killed him was 5'8. And the killer made a statement that Benji was very tall and that intimidated him and essentually that is why he did what he did because he was not big enough to fight Benji. 

Spring Break Assignment - Writing Task #4: Deliver Us From Evil

The central idea of this film was to notify people of the clergy child abuse that has been going on for years and the little that is happening to terminate it. Deliver Us From Evil focuses on Father Oliver O'Grady, a "notorious pedophile" priest who molested and raped boys and girls of a young age in different California parishes. In the film he openly admits his actions toward his victims, specifically the ones who charged against him. A few of his victims are shown in the documentary including their family and they talk about their experiences with Father O'Grady. But two deeply affected victims look to put an end to the clergy abuse and they do it by writing a letter to Pope Benedict XVI, telling him about the issue. Unfortunately they were not let into the vatican because of the guards and their letter was left unanswered. Father O'Grady now resides in Ireland roaming free and wasn't properly punished for his hundreds of victims. This is occurring with many clergy members, some are still in their parish continuing to abuse children, who are keeping quiet about it that's why this film was made to raise public awareness.

Spring Break Assignment: Writing Task #4: The Last Days of Left Eye

            The central idea of this documentary was Left Eye’s cleansing and her trip to Honduras to “distance herself from her problems and make a film about her life” as said in the film. She had gone through a series of problems that caused her to need a break from everything around her. She wanted her friends and family to embark on this 30 day journey with her and cleanse themselves along with her in more ways than one. She had them on a cleansing diet, they would do yoga every morning and they would talk to each other frequently because they had no distractions around them. Left Eye had hoped that this journey would be the thing to cleanse her of all her problems. But unfortunately was the place where she would lose her life.

Writing Task #4 (Spring Break): Monica & David

The central idea of the documentary is all people are equal. Many types of people are stereotyped or told they are unable to do things that normal people do. This Film is telling the public that instead of stopping people from reaching their potential, we should help them to reach it. Even if Monica and David need help to do certain tasks at age 35, it does not mean they need to be looked down upon in the streets or tormented about how they stutter. They have found love and deserve to be happy, no one has the right to take that from them.

The only bias I could think of is how Monica’s parents did not really let the couple do things for themselves. They did go to a cooking class, and David did his own medicine once. However, they did not have there own honeymoon, because the parents were there. Monica and David are woken up in the morning and Monica doesn't comb her own hair. I wish I was shown more of them struggling or the incapability of Monica and David to do things instead of just being told they can’t.

Review #5

The documentary, Kicking It is very profound in it's message. Generally speaking, it's a sports documentary but it really shows underlying messages of exposing the serious homelessness issue that plagues many countries. What I liked the most about the documentary is that there was an emotional reach made. The establishment of the player's backstories and lives made it easy to sympathize with them. Another thing the documentary did that I liked is that it showed how teamwork and having a family of any sort can really help a person better themselves. Damien from the Homeless Irish team is a great example of that exactly having bettered himself and dropped his dependency and addiction soon after wining the third place cup in the tournament. This documentary was moving and tear jerking. A definite must watch.

Kicking It - Review #5

Kicking It was certainly a refreshing documentary to watch. The main story of the film revolves around the Homeless World Cup, an organization that was founded by Mel Young and Harald Schmied. On their quest to find a language that could bring together homeless people across the globe, the two finally decided to utilize soccer as their medium. Which, judging from the documentary, proved to be very effective. The different teams competed with each other, forming bonds and relationships and having the strength and determination to diminish their drug and alcohol addictions, as well as moving forward with their lives financially, emotionally and mentally.
We are taken into the lives of numerous competitors, including Damien, a confident 23 year old from Dublin, Ireland, and Jesus, 62, from Madrid, Spain. Allowing us to connect with these players on a more "personal" level, the film became more emotional as the Tournament was brought forth and the games began. I found myself cheering for my favorite teams, which surprised me, because if there's one thing I'm not a fan of, it's sports. However, it was enjoyable to watch these teams play, and see the significance that soccer had on their lives. The powerful combination of their love for the sport and their personal experiences and characters had an incredible impact on me. I was rather fond of the outcome.
I would definitely watch this documentary again. Beautiful and capturing film.

Kicking it- Review #5

I enjoyed the film, and I learned a lot of new things. I never knew that there was a homeless world cup to begin with.I think that it is a good thing to have and it may inspire people to get off the streets. Having different countries compete is also a nice aspect to a homeless world cup. I am happy that people are able to do things they love, no matter if they have a bed to sleep in at night. Some of the stories pulled at my heart strings and the outcomes of the players lives after the cup was good. For instance, Damien a male from the Irish team recovered form being a drug addict. Others learned the meaning of family and friendship which are good things to witness and feel. Some bad outcomes were drug overdoses which ended a players life. Having known real life people who has drug over dosed, I know that it was no one's fault but the individual  The issue of homelessness is now being risen and I think that is wonderful and people should finally be off the streets.

Review #5: Kicking It

The documentary "Kicking It," was such a great film because it taught us about the struggles and necessities that homeless people face in their everyday life. Soccer was a passion for many homeless people who suffered drug and alcohol addictions. Mel Young, the founder of the Homeless World Cup thought of the idea of playing soccer to relief pain and find solutions. This documentary presents the lives of 7 unfortunate people who sought solutions to their problems. Damien, a 23 year-old from Dublin, Ireland enters, then in Africa we meet a 29 year-old Alex who suffers from addiction and unemployment. From then on, the people organizing the World Cup start recruiting different people from around the world. Another player is Jesus, who is the oldest player. He is 62 and from Madrid, Spain. He knew nothing about his family for decades and has been incarcerated for 10 years and attempted suicide. This documentary is very inspirational because it teaches people about homeless and how they can grow into something greater. Even if you do not find interest in soccer, this documentary will still truly move you in the end.

Reflection 7

Neither of the gentlemen ever made it pro, but after doing research I found out that they both had shot to make it to the N.B.A. But both the men came up short William actually ended at one point training with Michael Jordan and had a shot to play for the Washington Wizards, but he ended up messing up his foot. Basically adding on to the injuries he already had in the past. Arthur also had a shot but he messes up all his chances, even a chance to work around the N.B.A as a sports commentator. Even though they both never went pro they both made money off the film. William ended up becoming a pastor at a church in Chicago, while Arthur came out with a hoop dreams clothing line. Arthur would also become somewhat of a spokes person for hoop dreams and would go to school to encourage student to do well so they can be successful. What shocked me was that both Williams brother Curtis and Arthur's dad Bo are now died, but I wasn't shocked to see how both the boys future turned out. I knew they wouldn't make it pro, but I am glad to see they are both doing well.

Reflection #7

Aside from the that received from Hoop Dreams, neither William Gates nor Arthur Agee gained recognition for their basketball playing. Neither player made it to the NBA as hoped. After graduating from his Alma Mater, Gates became a real estate agent and a pastor at his local church. Agee played basketball for two years at his Alma Mater, Arkansas State. Long after graduating, Agee released a clothing line, Hoop Dreams, named after the documentary. Both men dealt with loss later in their lives. Gates' brother, Curtis Gates, seen in the documentary, was murdered on September 10th, 2001 and Agee's father, Arthur Agee Sr., too, was murdered on December 15th, 2004.
I am not too surprised at the overal outcome of these men's lives. While both of them had incredible talent playing basketball, neither of them exerted enough effort into launch them into fulfilling basketball careers. I am a little let down by the outcome of their lives, I would've hoped they reached their goals and made it.

Reflection #7

Arthur and William both didn't get into the NBA. Arthur, 39, now has a sports clothing line and teaches  a "Hoop Dreams" curriculum to middle-school students through his foundation. William is now a pastor with his own church in Chicago. Arthur and William both saw their family members get murdered in the years after "Hoop Dreams" was made. Nonetheless, William has four children and his sons are currently being recruited to play basketball. They didn't get into the NBA, but they seem happy doing what their doing now.

Reflection #7

Neither Arthur or William got into the NBA, but did do other things with their lives. Both men had children, four each and William is still with the woman he had a baby with in the film  Arthur had a couple of chances to get into the NBA but messed up for other roles like commentating on TNT. Both boys had gotten some type of money from the documentary being so popular, and that got Arthur and his family out of the ghetto. William had said he wasted some and gave the church, where he now works most of it. William is a pastor at a local church in Chicago. Arthur did a clothing line and had gotten some sponsoring from MTV and other companies. He mentors little children and works with them. William's brother Curtis who had a impact on him was murdered since the airing of the film. Other than that nothing else has exponentially happened. I was surprised to find out that Curtis died and that Arthur's father relapsed  Arthur's kids are from different mothers and that also surprised me. All in all I'm happy that the boys are healthy and happy.

Review #4: Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams is a documentary that follows to young men Arthur and William through their high school careers. These are to boys that both shared the same dream of making it to the N.B.A. But growing up in tough Chicago neighborhoods both these boys faced very hard times throughout their high school careers. With the added pressure to their shoulders the filmmakers show use the struggles that these to boys had to overcome while still trying to make their dreams come true. As a basketball player I was very interested in this film and was really able to connect to these two young men throughout the documentary.

Seoul Train review 3

Seoul Train was about people from North Korea trying to get to China for better opportunity's. These people wanted better lives and better living conditions for them and their kids as well basically. The documentary informs us on how these refugees were treated in North Korea and shows us what happened if they didn't obey certain rules that they had to follow. It also informed me on a lot of the hardships that a lot of peole in North Korea had to face. I feel like this was a great documentary because I feel like I learned a lot.

Reflection #3

I was a bit upset after watching the documentary because if you look at Harvey Milks life he had such a huge impact on so many people. He inspired people because of how he stood up for himself and fought for what he believed in. So essentially he was a role model to many people. So with that being said I feel like Dan White should have got a worse punishment because of two murders and that wasn't the case, I was a bit shocked at the end of the movie. Because no one deserves to die especially when they had a impact on people the way Harvey did.

reflection #2

Before I watched the documentary I didn't know anything about Harvey Milk. All I knew was that their was a movie out about him named Milk, and I heard that it was good from family and friends. But I am glad that I watch the documentary because it gave me a lot of information on a very important man that had a huge impact on society and I knew nothing about him, so I thought that it was cool.

Reflection #6

Throughout this semester we watched a lot of documentaries which was an eyeopener for us, since we did not know about world issues today. The genre all of the documentaries have in common is struggles and issues today. All documentaries had struggles in them, for example, The Times of Harvey Milk talked about gay rights and equality. The Day My God Died, talked about sex trafficking. An Inconvenient Truth talked about global warming, and so on. All theses documentaries gave me enough insight to understand the problems people and the world are facing. Problems that were not given enough attention and are not mainstream today. Some groups like global warming which was shown in An Inconvenient Truth are most serious and stronger issues because it affects the whole world. Global warming is killing a lot of animals and damaging the ecosystem, which is bad for the U.S. and other countries. All these documentaries have different issues that need to be noticed. I'm content that I watched these films because now I know more about world issues.

Review # 2 The Times Of Harvey Milk

The Times Of Harvey Milk shows how much Harvey Milk has left a impact on so many peoples lives. He has encouraged many people to just be themselves and to stand up for what they believe in no matter what. He also was a huge role model to the gay community, and wasn't afraid to be himself. I feel like the documentary shows that even though Harvey Milk has passed away, he has inspired so many people till this day. I also feel like the documentary was very well put together because it wasn't just about how great Harvey was but it showed both sides that many people didn't like him and he knew that but yet he still stood up for his right and others as well, because of what he truly believed. This document had a lot of information in it, it taught me a lot of things that I didn't  know about Harvey Milk and for that reason I enjoyed watching it.

Review #4: Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams was a great and interesting film because it showed the life of two teenagers: Arthur and WIlliam. They both had difficult struggles in school because of their low grades. Both of them payed too much attention to basketball which was their dream. They wanted a future in basketball because they always loved playing it. Arthur and William both wanted to get into the NBA and stopped at no cost to get what they wanted. Both of them managed to get good grades and graduate from high school and go to college. I recommend this film because it's something teenagers can relate to and find interesting.

Review #1 The Day My God Died

 The Day My God Died is about young females telling their stories and the hardships that they have faced. These women discuss their stories about sex trades and trafficking and inform us of what is going on in their country. These women mention in the documentary how they got to these brothels and how they were beat and forced to do things that they didn't want to do. Every girl that spoke in this documentary had a devastating story to tell about what they have went through. This documentary was made to educate and raise the awareness of the horrible things such as sex trafficking that goes on with these women in other countries.

Reflection #5: Hoop Dreams

The filmmakers in Hoop Dreams compare Arthur's and William's stories throughout the film by showing both of their struggles to be good at basketball. They also show how hard they struggled in high school to get good grades because they were too focused on basketball. Both of their passions for basketball was immensely shown in the film. Basketball was all Arthur and William cared for and they did not stop pursuing their dreams. In the end, both of them got good grades and continued to college.

Reflection #1 The Day My God Died

Th Day My God Died made me a lot more aware of sex trafficking in other countries. I think this  documentary was very sad because I don't believe that anyone should have to go through what those females went through in this story. Even though I was glad that I was more aware of what goes on in other countries and the hardship that these females faced, I felt very bad because watching this documentary made me want to help those specific females because I feel like the U.S should step in to prevent this from happening somehow. One part that really stood out to me was when I saw that females run some of these brothels. Because not only is it harsh to put another person through those things, but to actually be another female and rather than put yourself in her shoes they were actually encouraging it, which I found to be very shocking. I would like to watch more movies like this to inform me on problems going on not only in the U.S but in other countries.

Reflection #4: Hoop Dreams

In Hoop Dreams, the scene where Arthur was playing with his father was a very personal scene because it showed their connection and love for basketball. You can see that Arthur's dad taught him well. Another scene, where Arthur is kissing and talking to his mom was very emotional and relatable. All she wanted was for him to follow his dreams and get into a great college. I could connect with this scene because as a senior in high school, it's good to get into a college of your choice. The last scene that stood out for me was when Arthur's coach kept telling him to do better and better so he can be someone in life. He was very inspirational and motivating person for Arthur.

Review #3: Seoul Train

The film Seoul Train was about refugees from North Korea who tried to get to South Korea by passing through China to have a better life. They wanted their kids to have a better life than they had. This film analyzes the struggles of refugees and how they get treated if they don't obey by the rules. This film made us aware of issues that are going on around the world. Towards the end it gives us insight on what people are doing to stop this issue. It was a great film because it was very truthful by telling all the facts and details on the refugees.

Reflection #3: The ending of the Times of Harvey Milk

The ending of The Times of Harvey Milk really shocked me. I did not know that Harvey would have gotten killed in that way. He did not deserve it because he was an inspiration and was a good person fighting for equality. I wanted to see him get the position of supervisor so that he can continue fighting for human rights. It made me emotional to know about his sudden death; I did not expect it.

Review #3: Seoul Train

Watching Seoul Train truly an eye-opener for me because I had no idea about what was going on in North Korea. I never knew about the struggles that the people of this country endured and that they were so bad that the people would go to any extent they had to just to get out. This short film also showed us how China unmercifully would get rid of and punish any North Koreans found in their country. I feel that watching this film was beneficial for the class because it made us more aware of world issues that may not affect the US directly but are good to be informed about.

Reflection #3: The Ending of The Times of Harvery Milk

The ending of The Times of Harvey Milk was very sad and unfortunate to me. It was expected, but at the same time unexpected because the people of that time had believed that they'd overcome such violence and discrimination. Harvey himself even predicted his assassination in a way saying that he could be killed at any moment. But what was amazing about this was that even though he knew that he was putting his life in danger by standing up for what he believed in, he continued to fight for what he thought was right. He didn't let the fact that people were skeptical of having an openly gay person being elected into office stop him from running. He always went against the odds. Harvey Milk was a man who did a lot of great work and helped out many people in the process. He did not desreve this has the outcome of all his hard work.

Reflection #3 The Times of Harvey Milk

The documentary The Times of Harvey Milk was an exceptional story. The struggles faced by Harvey and his incredible perserverence is inspirational. Anyone in his position, facing discrimination because of sexual preference would've given up. Running for Supervisor twice before actually winning was only one of the small demonstrations of his character. It was incredible to see him say he knew he could be killed at any given moment but not even that would stop him. He serves as an example of determination and how hard work can truly pay off. Although in the end Harvey Milk is assassinated, his legacy lives on. It was sad to see that a man like him would be killed so heartlessly. The documentary does an incredible job in showing how his death was not in vein and that he died a hero.

Review #2 The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk is a documentary based on the life of  the United States first homosexual to have a position as Supervisor. The documentary delves into Harvey's life and the struggles he faced being a homosexual. It's an inspiring story of a man that did not give up despite the facts that all the odds were against him. He fought for not only himself and homosexuals but for everyone. It shows the strength of an individual and a tough journey faced. From failures to conquest and the many lives that were touched by Harvey. I would recommend this documentary to anyone. It's inspiring and motivating. A man that was not fazed by his obstacles but was strengthened by them.

Reflection #2: The Times of Harvey Milk

Harvey Milk believed in "outing" people against their will. I personally do not believe that it is okay to reveal an aspect of a person's life that is personal, without the person's willingness or permission. It is a violation of privacy. But if they want to be openly "out" then I feel that they have every right to be. However, there are some benefits and risks to "outing" a person. They would no longer have to hide who they truly among their family, friends, and peers. Although a person who is "out" can feel free and be themselves, ther risks and consequences that come along with it can take a big toll on a persons life. For example, a person may lose their job if their employer finds out that they are gay depending on the employers beliefs. People of the gay community have to face many hardships and often have to weigh out their options and find out what's important, being happy or conforming to society's beliefs?

Review #4: Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams is a documentary that follows the lives of two boys, Arthur and William, as they try to become NBA players. Both of them were offered a scholarship to attend the prestigious St. Joseph's High School, whose basketball team is one of the best in the state of Illinois. However, as they try to make their dreams come true, they find different obstacles, from money problems, and drugs, to grades, and injuries. The personal perspective in which this documentary was filmed gave it the best view for the audience to get a closer look into their lives. The determination of both boys was also exceptionally shown, as they passed through their obstacles. Arthur was eventually kicked out of St. Joseph's, but ended up winning a scholarship in college to keep playing basketball, while William decided not to play basketball as a profession. The ending for both stories was both emotional and surprising, as I did not expect it. Overall, the documentary was successful at showing both stories, without losing the interest of the audience using with a variety of strong images.

Reflection 6

We have watched a lot of different films in class and I felt a type of way for each of them. The social injustice group had a big impact on morals and how people are treated around the world. Gay people in The Times of Harvey Milk,  immigrants in Seoul Train and then people who are tricked into human trafficking in The Day My God Died. All of these people have determination and spirit for change and for their time to come. That inspired me and made me feel fuzzy inside. Whatever happened, I wanted them to win, sometimes it did not work out, but you can always have hope. Other movies educated me, like GasLand or Food Inc. which made me happy that I was being informed and made me think about things I ate or how many times I carpooled. WE watched other movies, but my favorite so far has been Hoop Dreams. I enjoy how I can relate to the boys, because we are the same age and I had played basketball before I hurt my knee, much like William. I wanted both boys to succeed but sometimes the other path is best for the particular person. All of these films have altered my views on some issues and made me realize other things that go on in the world. I enjoyed them and I have a better eye for documentaries than I used to have.

Reflection #5

The film featured the lives of  two kids, Arthur and William, as the try to become NBA players. The two boys started very similarly, as they lived in the same place, and attended the same school. However, the route that both of these stories took was very different from each other. Arthur was kicked out of St. Joseph's because of money issues, and William had trouble playing because of a knee injury, and his grades. Arthur's father also had a great effect on him, but he kept playing until he finally received a scholarship in college in order for him to keep playing. William decided that while he loved basketball, he no longer had any interest in pursuing it as a career. Even though, both stories had some unexpected turns, at the end we see them happy with the decisions each made.

Reflection #4: Hoop Dreams images

In Hoop Dreams, the scenes where they showed Arthur playing with his dad. Fromm when he was a little kid, when his father returned, to when he was a grown teenager, it shows how much Arthur improved, and grown, which is a great contrast to see. The shots that showed the posters of several NBA in both of the rooms of the boys are also a powerful way to show the dreams and determination of the boys as they try to become professional basketball players.
Arthur was also shown playing with Isiah Thomas, one of heroes, and his smile and happiness shown because of this, gave this documentary an even more emotional appeal. Finally, the last scenes in which the boys were off to college was without a doubt the strongest because they were off to create a new life, with or without basketball, and it shows that after everything that may come your way, you can still fight for your dreams.

Review #3: Seoul Train

Seoul Train tells the stories of several refugees trying to escape the horrible environment of North Korea. Some of the refugees try to escape to China, and others try to find the safety of of the Japanese Embassy. Something great about this documentary is the fact that they followed the families step by step as they tried to find their freedom away from North Korea. It is a very personal documentary, and the audience creates a connection with them, which enhances the emotion of the documentary. I appreciate the truthfulness of the documentary as it shows how some families succeed, while others do not, and it makes us evaluate the decision of the governments, and the work that needs to be done in order to give everyone their freedom. The ending gives the audience a little hope, as it shows the work that some people are doing, which I think is a great way to end such an emotional documentary.

Review #2: The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk is a documentary on the life and work of politician Harvey Milk. The documentary touched upon early in his life, and his beginnings as he first started to be involved in politics. Showing some of his childhood and teenage years was a great way to show how his background contributed to his adult years. Speaking about his work as a Supervisor, the documentary showed many of the testimonies of the people surrounding him, that were benefited by Harvey's work. The documentary is successful at proving the audience with a variety of people close to Harvey, as they spoke about their relationship with him, and how the hard work of Harvey made a difference not only in San Francisco, but in the country as well. The ending was very emotional as it showed the impact that Harvey's death had on many people. Overall, this documentary had all the elements needed in order to present a touching, yet informative overview of the life of what many people considered a hero.

Review #4 - Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams was such an interesting film but also very sentimental because of certain scenes. Seeing two teens reach for their dreams was motivating as well because it showed me that anything is possible. Arthur and William grew up in a rough situation but that never stopped them from their ambition in life.   This film also taught me to never take things for granted because of the loss of opportunity Arthur encountered when he couldn't attend St. Josephs any longer. I recommend this film to anyone who loves basketball because of the clips they displayed of Arthur and William playing, which was exciting. Both teens were very talented and they managed to graduate from high school and go to college, something that most kids today don't do.

Reflection #6

Throughout these two semesters we have watched several documentaries that were from different genres. Filmmakers of these documentaries had a purpose to reinstate an issue that deeply mattered to them and believed it should be significant to their viewers as well. They each centered their movie on specific aspects of the issue by including images or interviews that would get their point across. The films that we have watched are: Food, Inc., Forks Over Knives, GasLand, An Inconvenient Truth, The Day My God Died, The Times of Harvey Milk, Seoul Train, and Hoop Dreams. All of them belong to their own category such as food, environment, social injustice, activism, and sports. the documentaries obtained facts and evidence that made viewers think of their actions. An example of this would be for Food, Inc. and Forks Over Knives; both documentaries talked about the dangers of certain foods and showed clips of food being produced that made viewers want to watch what their eating. The same thing occurred in GasLand and An Inconvenient Truth, where filmmakers backed up their information with images, clips, interviews, and statistics. As for The Day My God Died, The Times of Harvey Milk, and Seoul Train, activism and social injustice were its type of genre. In these films you see people take action and fight against the social injustices occurring in their nation. Lastly, Hoop Dreams was about two young teens and their dream of being part of the NBA. Although this was the weakest topic it still taught viewers about taking chances in life. The strongest category for me was activism and social injustice; those three films introduced to me to the life of others outside of the U.S. and what actions they were taking to make their living a much better place. Aside from that they also broadened my knowledge and made me want to contribute in some way.

Reflection #5 - Hoop Dreams

In Hoop Dreams, filmmakers focus on the lives of two young adults that have the same dream of becoming part of the NBA. Both, William Gates and Arthur Agee had similar lifestyles but different opportunities. Aside from the fact that both of them are incredible basketball players, this film also shows the hardships they encountered throughout their years of high school. Both of them were scouted to play for St. Josephs, a high-priced private school. Unfortunately only William Gates was able to attend the school for all 4 years; Arthur was expelled due to financial problems. That shows the different opportunities they had because of the background they came from. They both came from a poor and violent neighborhood but with supportive family members. Arthur had both his parents, while William only had his mother and brother. Although it seems like William had it rougher, Arthur's father was soon arrested for drug use, leaving his mother to be alone and pay the bills that she couldn't afford. Clearly, the filmmakers wanted to demonstrate the struggle kids face when having a big dream such as theirs.

Key Images from Hoop Dreams

Hoop Dreams was a very straight forward documentary and there were many key images that contributed to this. One of the key images was seeing Arthur having to make a 3 hour commute every day to St. Josephs. It showed how responsible and committed he was to the school and his dream. But his responsibility and dream was cut short when St. Josephs had to expel him for financial problems, which was another key image that caught my attention. I felt sorry for Arthur and his family because they wanted him to have a better education and a higher chance to reach his dream. What made it worse was the fact that he start all over in his public school since his grades didn't get transferred. This change is what probably caused him to slack in school and focus more on basketball, which is great but he needs an education too. Arthur lived a tough life and if he stayed in St. Josephs there would of been a great chance that he'd end up in the good position William was in. The difference was that the William had a scholarship and they never gave Arthur a complete chance. Another image that sticked out was when Arthur's father was arrested for selling drugs. This is what made Arthur's life even more difficult and I can't imagine how he felt. I was highly convinced that Arthur's father was a good man, and he was but just a good man who sold drugs. That kind of news probably hit Arthur the hardest but he continued to play his favorite sport, which shows his determination to his dream.

Review #3 - Seoul Train

I never knew about the difficulties in North Korea. Everyone usually talks about China and their predicaments but seeing this film educated me on the struggles of North Korea. Although it was a short film it was very constructive and upsetting. Seeing how people tried to migrate to China for a better life was ordinary but to witness China being so aggressive and strict was overwhelming. I never knew that China could be so disintegrating especially to women who attempted to cross the wall; what made it worse was knowing that families would then disappear after trying, which probably resulted in death. Families were shown trying to get over the border and being attacked by the guards, which was heart-breaking because it was so discriminatory and scary. Luckily there was a man who helped people out and that needs to continue in order for justice to be established.

Reflection #3 - The Times of Harvey Milk

The ending of The Times of Harvey Milk was incredibly appalling. Seeing the news story about Milk's death saddened me but the reaction from his followers was heart-breaking. You can see how big of a tragedy this was for San Francisco, specifically Castro street, which is where Milk resided. Everyone was infuriated with the news and what caused a riot was the mention of his killer, Dan White. His sentencing is what upset me the most about this film, even though back then the rules were different, White still deserved a better punishment for killing such an icon like Harvey Milk.

Review #2 - The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk is about San Francisco's gay activist and super attendant, Harvey Milk. The documentary focuses on his life accomplishments and how they led to his devastating assassination. Milk was an extraordinary man who fought for what he believed in and encouraged people to follow through. His presence affected so many people that made him a remarkable person but he also had his enemies. This film demonstrates these aspects by showing interviews and images of people that surrounded and admired him. His passion and courage is what motivated people and opened up their eyes to equality that includes the gay community. Every campaign and protest he led that is shown is what built him up to the legend he is today. Even though he was murdered his memory continues to exist and is now celebrated globally on his birthday. This film has introduced me to Harvey Milk and the inspiration he is and that's what makes this movie so fascinating; it is definitely worth watching.

Review #1 - The Day My God Died

The Day My God Died is a documentary that focuses on the social injustice of sex trafficking and the sex trade. Here, young women tell their devastating stories about the brothels they were enclosed in; they mention how they ended up there, their first day, how they were treated, and what they were forced to do. Each story was different and heart-rending, which is what made this film captivating. From beginning to end, the film continued to surprise us all and left us in awe. We now know more about this social injustice and in greater detail because of the survivors and the stories they told. Fortunately this documentary was produced to raise awareness about the issue but also to see the positive outcomes that were established for the girls that told their stories. Even though most of the girls gained the AIDS virus from this tragedy they all still managed to strive for their lives and values. This taught me more about the struggles that people are going through outside of the United States, which makes me want to contribute in some way. Although it was a traumatic documentary it was very illuminating to know what happens behind a brothels closed doors.

Review #2: The Times of Harvey Milk

The Times of Harvey Milk was about an openly gay man named Harvey Milk who wanted equality for all people. He wanted people to be able to gain equal rights. Also, for the LGBT community to be able to marry whoever they want. He was running for supervisor so he can spread awareness for the issue of discrimination that many people deal with. Many ignorant close-minded people did not agree with him and decided to critique him. Harvey went on rallies and protested to get equality for every individual. This was very beautiful for me. He was an inspiration to many and just wanted everyone to feel free. He kept running for many years straight just to get the position. In the end his counterpart decided to end his life and kill him. This made me very emotional because Harvey was such a good person and did not deserve an ending like that. I really liked the film because it gave me an insight on who Harvey was as a person and how he fought for his and everyones rights. I'm content that this film was made to educate viewers and to teach them to fight for equality and let their voices be heard.

Reflection #1: The Day My God Died

Reflection Question #1 - How did watching this film affect you emotionally? Is there an image from the film that stands out for you that you would like to share?

While watching the film The Day My God Died, the kind of sex trafficking the woman dealt with was very harsh for me. It made me uncomfortable to know that many woman today are going through so many hardships. Yes, there was a scene that really tormented me. It was the scene where you saw the woman getting beat; it was so sad for me to see that. A man should never hit a woman or vice versa. It's inhumane. In the film, Anita of Nepal really struck me because even though she dealt with sex trafficking, she still wanted to help other people in her community. It impressed me that she spoke up and that now she's an activist working against trafficking. She turned her life around which is an important factor in life. This film was very emotional for me, but I'm glad that it taught me something. To learn about other things people are facing and to try to give a hand.

Reflection#5: Hoop Dreams

I think the film was unfair as to how they portrayed both of the boys lives. William always had it better than Arthur, he had a scholarship and he was automatically on varsity. His parents never split up during the course of the film, and he never was remotely kicked out of St. Josephs. The two hardships he faced, was having a baby which also as a choice he made, and his knee injury. Sure, he worked hard and wound up back on the court and to winning games but he also had people pay for his recovery. Arthur had a way different story within the film. He had so many let downs it would have been unbearable if it were me. He went to St Josephs hoping that he would graduate there and his parents would be able to pay for it. He was on the freshman team because he was short and then he had his father leave the house for drugs. His mother could not pay for school and he was forced to go to the local public school. His grades went down and he did not have a lot of food or even lights. Its unfair that he had to suffer while others, like William get to have everything given to him. No one fought for Arthur, but I know William had a lot of people fighting for him.

Review#3: Seoul Train

I wholeheartedly felt very bad for these people and wanted to help them as best as I could, but disappointingly I knew I had no control over the situation. The film was short but it had a lot of information and make progress quick, as to what the families had to do and where they went. The group of 7 was caught and I felt like I had to do something but I knew I couldn't  Before the film I was unaware that China was so strict and people crossed to China instead of someplace else. Han-Mi and her family also pulled at my heartstrings but the men  of the family got me mad when they didn't push the guards away. I wanted to strangle them and I didn't think they then deserved freedom. The man who out the plan together was very nice and I am happy there are people like him trying to help others. Helping people is the only way we could possibly think about world peace. I did not like how after people were caught we had no way of finding out where they were or what happened to them, I know it would probably result in death but I want to know for sure. All in all some made it and some did not, I feel sorry for everyone in this perdictament and I hope sometime in the near future North Korea will become a better place.

Reflection#3: The times of Harvey Milk

The ending to this amazing journey through Harvey's life to me, was heartbreaking. Harvey obviously was a great man and had  a lot going for him  he had a bunch to conquer and he had many followers. Therefore the envy someone could have for him, is somewhat understandable, but to kill an innocent man and then he was not charged for a proper sentence is horrifying. Off the bat, he had a weapon, he broke into a public building, he shot someone which is man slaughter, he choose to shoot a political person which is worst and he shot a gay man, which can be taken as a hate crime. All of those sencerios together just should put him away for life. The fact that he wasn't, and Harvey is dead and it seemed like no justice was served proved a horrible ending to such a great story.

Review#2: The Times of Harvey Milk

The movie was inspiring, to many people just not one type of people. I think the diversity and the way the plot went along made people want to keep watching to witness the success that Harvey had made. Regardless that he was assassination  his memory never died, so in essence he lived on. His story was made into a production and that means so many people were informed about what he did and stood up for. His courage and charisma made San Francisco and gay people unite and stand up for what they believe and and need. The movie has a lot of people in it who is able to comment and make the whole ordeal more surreal and it shows how Harvey really did affect a lot of people. The film is good, and very informative; it is not biased in the sense that opinions are shared, but not all are agreed with. The love and companionship displayed is remarkable and I believe that is pulling all the details together and making it worthwhile to watch.

Hoop Dreams

                  After watching Hoop Dreams a few parts really struck me.One part that really stood out to me was when Arthur had to leave his school St.Josephs because of financial problems, because I am a basketball player as well. Usually now and days if a school such as a catholic school that has tuition fees want you to play for them and scouts you to play for them they would pay your full tuition to attend the school. Obviously it was a different story in Arthur's case, which I thought was really sad. Not only was he scouted by a person to play for the school team but he made a three hour commute each day. I feel like he was treated very unfair in this situation, because they asked him to come to their school basically for no reason  at all. After leaving St. Josephs you also saw a change in his attitude as well. One can argue that he felt more comfortable around "black people", but you also saw how immature being in a normal public school made him. Another part that stood out was when Arthur was at the park playing basketball, and he sees his dad that was no longer with the family. Shortly after hanging out with his father he sees his father go and buy drugs in the same park that he was playing in. This part was very sad as well, because it showed you just how challenging things were for Arthur as a kid. I also think that Arthur's fathers actions around him impacted him so much that it made it hard for Arthur to focus on his school work or his basketball dreams as well. The last part that stood out to me was the change in Williams Gates behavior over the years of being at St. Joseph. I think that going away to a nice school like St.Josephs, allowed William to get away from his rough neighborhood for a while and kind of showed him that things could be better than what went on in his house or out in his neighborhood. I also saw how mature he was because he played for a strict coach that was hard on him. I think Williams coach and the family that paid for him to go to school left a huge impact on Williams life, because it stood out to me that his father was not in his life to be a male role model which every teenage boy needs growing up. None the less William was still able to become a much better student at st. Josephs and was also able to play basketball and get a good job as well. Which I think was because of the extra support that William had around him that wasn't apart of his family such as his coach, girlfriend, and the family that paid his tuition. This was extra support that Arthur needed but didn't have. This documentary is very interesting to me and I enjoy watching it and look forward to continue watching it.

Key Images From Hoop Dreams

 A key image from the film Hoop Dreams that stood out to me is the scene where Arthur was playing basketball in the park and his father stopped by. His father played with him for a while, but as he was leaving he stopped to buy drugs from a drug dealer who was at the park. It made me realize that addiction is a very strong thing that can take over a person, especially if it would possess the to buy drugs in front of their child and waste money that could be going towards their child’s education. It must have felt really bad for Arthur to have to see his father in that state. Another image that stood out to me was when William injured his knee and he was in the doctor’s office. He looked so sad and I could tell that he really wanted to continue playing basketball and he would do whatever he could to get back on the court. The third image that stood out to me was when Arthur’s family’s lights were cut off. His family had suffered alot since his dad left and his mom wasn’t able to pay all the bills on time. His mother’s words along the lines of “you can have something today and it could be gone tomorrow” really stuck with me.

Key Images from Hoop Dreams

I had a couple of scenes that stood out to me during watching Hoop Dreams. In particular there was a scene where Arthur was in a park playing basketball and his estranged father had come by to say hello. In the mist of everything, the father went off towards the bathroom and bought drugs. I felt so sorry for Arthur to be put into that kind of situation, by his father no less. After that Arthur felt differently about his father, there was no respect, because his father did not deserve any. His father messed up Arthur's schooling, future and his mindset. Things, he will never regain, it was unfair and Arthur is the only one who suffers. Another scene that really hit home was when the kid with the knee problems had surgery and had his fluid drained. The needles and contraptions are crazy and my knee felt pain throughout that ordeal. I have knee issues myself and watching that I felt the pain he was going through and the dissapointment of having it in the first place. The last key image for me from the documentary is when the varsity basketball player has a baby and actually cares for it as a teenager. Teen fathers do not normally take such good care of babies, especially when they are in admist of chasing their dreams. The movie is good and I want to see more of it.

Reflection #3- Luisa Posada

The ending of the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk had both a negative and positive impact on me. Throughout the film, the main theme was the fight towards right, but the end shocked me, as well angered me. When Dan White was not given a proper sentence for his crime, it infuriated me, and it made me question whether there is justice at all. However, the legacy that this man left, and the message he sent through his work was permanent. Many people considered him a hero, and that is not an overstatement. During those times, the work the Milk did was courageous. The grief that Harvey's friends felt was emotional, but the inspiration and motivation they gained gave me a sense of hope for our generation, and the future ones.

Reflection #2- Luisa Posada

Before I saw the film, I have only heard a few stories about Harvey Milk. I did know that he fought for human rights, specifically gay rights, and that he worked in San Francisco. However, there weren't many facts I knew about him, therefore this documentary was the first source of information for me about Milk. Since I knew that there was a movie about Harvey Milk, I was expecting this documentary to contain evidence and statements from close friends, without much editing or twists. Throughout the film, I enjoyed short parts where Harvey talked, and it is a shame that there weren't many of them. This documentary could have been better if it was made when Harvey Milk was still alive. His opinions and perspectives could have made this documentary the best it could be.

Reflection # 2: The Times of Harvey Milk

From the study guide I choose to talk about the second bullet, which read as: When you saw the film, was there any audience reaction that stuck with you? Was there any unexpected laughter or loud comments? Any response you need to lift up because it affected you? One woman stood out to me, and I do not remember her name, but she had short brown hair, white circle earrings, a red top and red lipstick. She talked throughout the film and was with Harvey from the beginning. What struck me, in the near end of the film when Harvey was dead she actually cried. I know that death is cry-able and she should cry because a great friend and politician was assinated, but to cry on camera and after time had passed, to me was deep. This is when I really realized what Harvey did for these people, he was a voice, an inspiration and his death signified people's voices who would no longer be heard. I felt horrible. This one woman made me think and feel more emotions then I felt throughout the whole movie. Famous people are often told that they are loved by fans or followers, and when they die it is a shock, but it doesn't hurt as bad as a pet dying or your mother dying. That's what I am trying to get at, people across San Francisco were hurt emotionally over this mans death, and that is an accomplishment, and shows how amazing he was with his followers. Harvey really made a difference, and it is a real shame that someone so ignorant took his life away, along with peoples voices.

The Times of Harvey Milk - Reflection #2

Reflection #2

            Harvey Milk was such an inspiration to many people, even to me. It was grief-stricken that he died in the end. But he fought for what was right and helped many people, especially the LGBT community.

            I am not into politics, but to see Harvey being himself in front of many close-minded people made me feel brave. The Times of Harvey Milk was a great film documenting Harvey’s struggles while running for office as a superintendent.

Harvey’s personality was amazing. He was always smiling and being content just to reach his dream of equality. Not only did he stand up for gays and lesbians, but for everyone. Many one-sided people did not understand this. Towards the end when his counterpart – Dan White, kills him, people start noticing this. I got a little emotional and felt for Harvey. He was such a great man and for him to die trying to change the world was motivating.

If he were still alive today, many things would have changed. For example, there would be more people supporting gay rights and gay marriage. From seeing this film, I’ve realized that we have come along way. Everyone deserves to live no matter, what race or ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We should be free, we are different, but that doesn’t make us less human.

Many people today, for example, Lady Gaga, are fighting for equality, love and acceptance. She is empowering youth to be themselves and love who they are, that is why I love her and look up to her. I know if Harvey Milk was still alive he would’ve loved her. I wanted to see this documentary for such a long time and now that I saw it, I realized that you should be proud with who you are because you are special. You were born this way and it doesn’t matter where you come from and what your sexual orientation is. 

Reflection #1- Luisa Posada

The documentary's title, The Day My God Died, is taken from a statement made by one of the girls sold to sex slavery in India. What is meant by it is the day that all her hopes and dreams disapear. The day she was sold, she completely lost her faith in an almighty power above that was supposed to protect it, but as days passed, she beleived there was no way out, and therefore there was no one looking after her.

This statement reflects the feelings of dispair these girls felt as they were sold to sex slavery, and the emotion transfered in the title draws the audience into finding out out exactly what happened to these girls.The faces of hopelessness the girls such as Anita shown in the documentary made an impact on me, and it showed just how horrible life can be for some people in this world. The bluntness of this documenatry made an impact on me, as it did not cut major events that are important, such as the inside of brothels. This documentary has helped me gain a better view on the different issues affecting this world, and it makes us question our role in solving these problems.

The Day My God Died Review

The Day My God Died is a short documentary film about sex trafficking and sex slavery in foreign  countries. I found it very interesting that the film's title comes comes from a quote from a former trafficking victim. While watching this movie, I remember thinking "How can these girls endure this torture? I wouldn't be able to do it." No one should experience the torture that these girls faced, especially at such a young age. These young girls were tricked, kidnapped, beaten, raped and sometimes killed while being trafficked. As I watched the film, I felt really bad for these girls who had been trafficked and sent to live in these horrible, unthinkable conditions and endure the horrible treatment they got from the heads of the brothels and their "customers." I could tell that none of the girls wanted to be in the position that they were in and they wanted to get out any way they could. Just to try to get themselves out of harm's way, they would hide in holes where they'd hope no one would find them. That was one of the parts of the movie that stood out most to me. Also, the part where one of the heads of the brothel was talking about how she would beat the girls as if it were no big deal. She seemed as though she had no remorse whatsoever. I don't think she realized or even cared that the girls she was beating could've been her, or someone she cared about. That part of the film really got to me because the fact that she could mistreat these young women as bad as she did and also let random men come in and do the same to them was unbelievable to me. I also felt very bad for the girls who had contracted HIV/AIDS while being trafficked. It was like she had no heart. Overall, I believe that this film was a good one for the class to watch because it taught us about an issue that needs more recognition around world in places that it doesn't happen as often so maybe something can be done to help this problem.

The Day My God Died Review #1

The Day My God Died, was a small documentary about numerous girls who have been sold into sex slavery. Since they were very young and very impressionable, they did not know what was going on. Because of this film, major issues like “sex slavery” was able to get noticed in many small countries like India and Malaysia. The plot of the film interested me and helped me notice all the things that women have gone through. It made me think that here in America, we have more, but in other countries there are many issues happening and we should appreciate our lives. We should try to help out other people, so they can be able to succeed in their lives. Towards the end of the film, I was relieved to see the women get help and survive. Many women are still trying to survive today due to sex slavery, but they have not been able to escape or seek help because they are scared. It makes me content that at least some women were saved and do not have to experience this form of slavery anymore. This documentary made me think and gave me enough knowledge on issues that are occurring in different countries. I would recommend this to anyone who does not believe that “sex trafficking” is a major issue; it will open their eyes and provide them with enough insight on how to change their opinions.