Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Journal Prompt #3--Thoughts on movie
Respond to the diary entries we read and the movie The Freedom Writers. What are some prominent themes in the movie? What do you think of Erin as a teacher? Analyze the lives of the Freedom Writers; how were they before Erin and after? Describe feelings you had or connections you made with specific scenes or characters.
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I hate trying to have an opinion on a movie; especially when I haven't read, and can't compare it to the book.
ReplyDeleteI think that the movie was entertaining; and it made me empathize with the kids that are going through the tough times. We never really know how good we have it, and that a million people have it way worse than we do.
I wish for an Erin Gruwell for every 'class 203,' although I know this is impossible. I wish there were more people out here like her; because then, perhaps, little by little, we could change and make the world a better place.
Erin seemed like a fun teacher, though I'd love to see how she handled teaching the Honors student a little more in the movie. During the movie, I couldn't help but feel that at some point her husband would leave her. However, I felt a connection with both Eva and the Cambodian girl that she fought with. But I can't exactly describe why.
ReplyDeleteA theme I think is empowerment. After they go through giving Erin a hard time they actually took control over their lives and changed how they lived and they cared about other races. Before Erin they didn't care about each other and got into tons of fights. Erin changed them for the good of themselves and for their families. I would feel very accomplished if I was the only person in my family to finish high school then go on to college.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie was a great representation of the things going on in this world that none of us have ever encountered before. I feel like here in Central City we are all really sheltered from gangs, guns, etc. I think a lot of us take for granted of that. I also believe that this movie gives people great hope for change. Whether thats change in your home, in the things you do. Whether thats drugs or alcohol. Hope that you can change what your doing for the good even if you think its not possible. I hope that everybody all over the country gets to experience what this class did in the movie.
ReplyDeleteI liked the movie a lot. I thought the actors seemed a lot like the real world and acted like the way they would if that was really happening to them. It is really hard to talk about the movie even though we haven’t read the book. I usually have a lot more to say because sometimes the books and movies are completely different. In this case I think that the movie and the book was probably a lot alike. My favorite part of the movie was probably when they went to the Holocaust museum. It really showed not only us but we saw them get emotional about what they were seeing and learning about. Another part of the movie I really liked was when they started to write the stories about their life. Because they are underprivileged it was probably very important for them to write about their story. They want to be remembered and I thought that was really cool to think about. All around I thought this was a pretty good movie. I would definitely watch it again and maybe read the whole book sometime.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Erin was a wonderful teacher, and I wish that some of our teachers would try to make school a comfortable surrounding. After all we are stuck in the school for about 7 hours a day. Who really wants to sit in a desk for seven hours a day, and then then only get limited time to walk around. I feel as though the movie gave me some insight on what really goes on in the world. I feel as though I am being completely ignorant of anything else that goes on in the world. With us being in such a sheltered community, and not really having a reputation for gangs in town. Anyway back to the movie discussion, the writers were amazing! I was really surprised at who wrote the diary entries. Most of which I thought were women, but they were actually men. I wish that some people would tell what is on their mind the writers did! It also makes me more passionate about trying to start a writers workshop, but I am concerned many won’t join.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this movie, I liked the characters and felt very sympathetic for their situations. I was kind of surprised by the way they all lived, I know a few people who have living conditions like that. They're not in gangs or anything, but they just don't have a very good quality of life. I don't know if I would be able to live like that. It's amazing to me how these people can go through their lives without seeing any other point-of-view other than that of their friends and family. It seems like they would have some source of wisdom from somewhere, but I really can't know how those kids lived. It was very interesting how Eva got really mad when Anne Frank died at the end. I suppose she’d never read a book that didn’t have a happy ending, or a non-fiction book for that matter. Overall, I though this was a really good movie.
ReplyDeleteI think that there were really sad ones. I felt really bad for the one that had to sit through their dad I think beating their mom. I think that would be the scariest thing ever. I don’t know what I would do if I was in that situation. Also, the other person I remember the other man who gave the speech about how he doesn’t have a home because they got evicted. When we watched the movie I almost cried because I felt so bad for him. I think Erin as a teacher is a really good one. I have to agree with the principal through, her teaching styles are pretty impractical. I think what she did in that classroom with those students is really great though. I think Erin is a way better person though, even though she did lose her husband. I couldn’t really connect with anyone because I haven’t had that hard of a life and I don’t think its there for any of the students for us to try and connect to them, if we haven’t legitimately gone through the experiences.
ReplyDeleteI think that the movie was really good. The fact that it was a based on a true story was the part that made it really touching. You really feel sympathy for the kids in room 203. I thought the teacher was sort of silly at first, not the best and didn't know what was going on with these kids. The journals brought the teacher into the lives of her students. In the end, she wasn't just a good teacher, she was a friend to her students. I thought it was really cool how she moves on with her students because they care about each other so much. They're like one big happy family. I feel sorry for the husband in a way. He wanted her around, and she wasn't there. But I think their marriage would have failed no matter what. I think Scout should have told Erin how he felt, but then again, things might not have changed. She was so focused on her students. I feel like what we were talking about in class was very true.. These kids are just assumed to be bad, gang members, doing drugs, or whatever else. Why not just be who everyone is going to accuse you of being? Anyway, it was a very good movie. I think I might be interested in reading the book now :)
ReplyDeleteMy personal opinion is that the movie is alright for the most part. The “toast for change” was and is a load of crap. It is obvious that she gets into the whole, share your feelings thing. I do not think that the kids really enjoyed it. The only reason that they shared was for the cider. It was not even sparkling grape juice according to what they said. Some of the ‘prominent’ themes in the movie were people grow up and mature and that people really can change. Erin was an O.K. teacher for the most part. Some of the things she did, I really did not care about, but she did unite the kids in a great way. Walking up to the line was a great way to get the kids to see each other and to see how they lived and what each other had been through. The lives of the Freedom Writers were horrible. I do not think that I could live like that for any amount of time more than a day or two. Their lives were unbearable. Before they met Erin, they were segregated. Then as the story went on, they kind of started a family in room 203. I really did not have any connections to any of the people since I haven’t been through anything that could compare to what they have been through. I am glad though that most of them are going to college and they are doing ok. I wouldn’t want to spend 200 dollars to chat with them for only 1 hour. That is my opinion
ReplyDeleteI liked the movie even though I didn’t get to watch the beginning. I think I will read the book sometime. I will probably buy the movie too. Those kids seemed pretty bad before Mrs. Gruwell became their teacher. Most of them had pretty harsh lifes being involved with drugs and in gangs. It would be hard for me to watch someone get shot and possibly die. I don’t know if I could handle it.
ReplyDeleteI had a connection with the people that believed to stand up for their kind. My family is always saying “blood is thicker than water” but if what if I don’t agree with their choice or statement? If it’s something I don’t agree with then I’m most likely not going to stand up for them. It doesn’t matter if your blood or not. Blood is a stronger relationship but it just depends on the situation.
I liked the movie. It showed how people get judged before you even get to know them. They always got the crappy version of things and were always told they weren't good enough. They all knew they wouldn't go anywhere so they never tried. They thought that because that's what all the people around them told them.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie was well made and shows the lives of the people and the challenges they face. Some themes in the movie are obviously tolerance and trying to understand each other, and even help one another. In my opinion, Erin is a strong and brave teacher. She wanted the best for the students, and did whatever she could for them. She transformed them into more understanding people and changed them for the better.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie was good. It was very informative of what these kids are going through. How they have to live day to day and I feel sorry for them. I’m glad Erin came along. She convinced the kids to get out of the gang life and come together. They went from fistfights every day to being a family in only two years. I think it was amazing what she did and how she did it. If there were more Erin Gruwells in the world; I believe it would be a better place with less crime and people getting together as one. I wish I could read the book. When I watch a movie the book is usually better. This movie was awesome. So I can even begin to imagine what the books is like. I’m glad these kids graduated and went to collage. The only thing I didn’t understand was how she was able to spend their junior and sinior years together.
ReplyDeleteErin seems to be a really good teacher because she literally did not give up on these kids like almost all of the other teachers did. She actually tried to teach them when other teachers would just pass them along so they could just get other students and get rid of them. They were known to be the bad kids that always did the wrong things but Erin seemed to have changed that. I think that it is just amazing how far they came into being better people and it just seemed so good for them to graduate. For some of them to be the first one of their families to graduate is horrible and amazing. I think that it must have been hard for the kids to actually trust Erin and tell her everything that they did. Some of their stories are so sad to think about. I can not imagine having to go through something like that. I really liked the movie and I kind of wished that we had read the whole book.
ReplyDeleteWas a great movie, showed me that even though my life basically sucks in a lot of ways, but I could have it worse. And their are people out their that DO have it worse.I think Erin was a really good teacher, even though her methods were 'impractical and impossible to replicate' they did exactly what they were supposed to do, educate, and they were fun and interactive for the students. Before Erin came into the students lives, they would have done exactly what everyone thought they would have done. They would have dropped out, got into gangs/drugs/crime and ruined their lives, they would have 'protected their own.' Eva would have lied about who shot the guy at the gas station and an innocent guy would have gone to jail in his place. I didn't really personally connect with anybody but I know people who are a lot like "The Freedom Writers," except some of the people I know haven't been taught by an "Erin Gruewell." i think they should have teachers teach like her. Kids would enjoy school so much more and less students would drop out. The world would become awesome. Boo-ya.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the movie was interesting. I think that Mrs. Gruwell was a good teacher but she might have gotten a little to attached to her students but its fine if thats the only way to get them to learn. In my opinion I thought that Scout was a dick for leaving because she was just doing what she had to do for her job. also i thought that the other teacher was a jerk. I think that all of there lives were a lot harder than they should have been.
ReplyDeleteI really like the movie and I would like to read that book. I think Erin is a good teacher and surprised that she touch them so much. The girl that her father went to jail for someone else that shot the kid in the beginning, I think she was very touched by Erin. She seemed like she went through a lot and her father and her were close. She would have to be my favorite characters. I was surprised she said that her friend killed the guy in the gas station.
ReplyDeleteThe guy that lived on the streets, I thought she really touched him too. I'm surprised he changed so quick.
I glad that she was able to keep teaching them, but her husband or ex-husband is stupid, I think.
I thought this was a good movie, even tho i didn't get to see most of the important parts because i was gone. I feel like it shows me how much i have and what a good education i have. i actually think Erin is a great teacher because she tries to connect with her students. I think she transformed the students life they came from the hoods and had nothing to live for but she made them feel like school was something to live for and showed them they can be someone. I feel like she tried a little to hard though because in her being so wrapped up in school that it got in between her home life. Overall a great movie.
ReplyDeleteI really like this movie. It wasn’t the first time I have seen it but it was good to watch it again. I think that some of the themes in the movie are: don’t give up on anyone that you care about, you can change even if everything is going against you, and in hard times you can always look at the brighter side. I think that Erin is a great teacher. She really cares about her students. I think we need more teachers like her. I mean, she didn’t just give the kids respect, she made them earn it. Most kids need someone to tell them what’s up and not just baby them and I think she told them what was up. I think all the Freedom Writers were in bad places. They didn’t know what else to do with their lives besides get into trouble. Most of them have never had the authority of their parents to tell them to stop, or they just didn’t listen to their parents and left. After their sophomore years, I think really started to realize that they could make a difference and not just be some bum that no one cares about. I can’t really relate to the character that much because I have no idea what its like to be in their situation. Sometimes I feel like my life is horrible, but then I think about them and I think that they are just fighting to stay alive everyday and I’m only worried about how tired I am. I don’t think anyone can really understand them until they are put in their position.
ReplyDeleteI thought the movie was really good. It really gave you an idea of what stuff was like back then. It would suck to live in Long Beach since there was always a gang fight. I thought there were a couple themes in the movie. One would be stand up for what is right. Another would be treat people equal because it should not matter what you look like or what you skin color is. I like Erin I thought she was very nice. I thought she was very caring and supporting to the children. I thought Erin was like a mother or kind of like a mentor. In the beginning of the movie almost all the kids hated her and at the end of the movie all the kids loved her and wanted her as a teacher next year. None of the kids wanted to be at school in the beginning because they felt like they did not have to be or, the school felt like they were not smart enough to be there.
ReplyDeleteI liked the movie, but it's not anything that's going to be in my top ten list. It was a good story to help people that have never lived in a place like the kids in the movie did understand how hard their lives actually are. I think a lot of times people think that the people living in run down areas of cities choose to have their lives the way it is. This movie really showed me there isn't much of a choice when it comes to living your life in bad places. It's hard to protect yourself without being in a gang. I think Erin was a great teacher. She was told by everyone to just do her job and nothing more, but she went above and beyond. She taught her kids that they could do more with their lives than what they figured would happen to them. She didn't teach her kids in the ways that a normal teacher would have taught them, but it worked better than just about everyone else.
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ReplyDeleteI think Erin as a teacher is good. She made a lot of changes and how all the kids thinked and now they like schoo and learning when every other teacher just didn't care wether the kids learned or not. Before Erin worked there, there had been crimes commited by these kids all the time. Now the kids pretty much dropped all the violence that they made. I didn't realy have any feeling just watched the movie really, nothing special.
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