Of the movies that we have watched during this semester, I feel that the “Killer of Sheep” is the best companion for “Wendy and Lucy”. It is quite obvious that both movies are trying to represent poverty in a realistic manner in order to break down stereotypes and misconceptions of those people who are more fortunate. In “Killer of Sheep”, the intent was to show how most African Americans were living during the 1960’s and 1970’s, because most popular films at the time were portraying African Americans males as violent and “manly.” On the other hand, “Wendy and Lucy” is trying to put a face to a problem faced by a great deal of Americans. In both films, the main characters appear hardened by their circumstances where Stan in “Killer of Sheep” appears to have absolutely no emotional response to almost every situation he encounters. Furthermore, Wendy appears to be robotic when she is caught stealing from the supermarket and questioned about her transgressions. These films are also similar, because of the realistic style in which they are filmed. In both films, there are little to no lighting enhancements that one would typically see in a Hollywood film where lighting is typically used to enhance the looks of the actors and actresses. Also, the mise en scene of both movies was not glorified or made to enhance the looks of the actors and actresses, instead it was realistic where Stan is seen wearing dirty clothes and Wendy is seen where the same two sets of clothing every day. As a result, I feel that both films are very similar and would make great companions in order to teach about poverty in a realistic manner.

I found “O Brother Where art Thou” to be a rollercoaster of emotion that was brought about by the music in the film. The music in this film was absolutely essential to what I believe to be the thesis of this wonderful movie. This film proposes a thesis about the modern age or present day America by going to the past that looks toward the present. George Clooney’s character, Everett represents the rational and logical thought process that many Americans attempt to employ when explaining events in their daily lives. However, through music, this film reminds the viewer that despite our greatest efforts to rationalize every detail of our lives, sometimes there is no logical explanation.

The film starts with three individuals, Everett, Pete, and Delmar running away from a chain gang doing manual labor. As they continue to run, they come across an older man pushing his way down the railroad on a rail cart. After basic conversation, the man starts telling them their fate in a form of poem or song with a guitar playing in the background. The guitar plays quitely and ominouosly and grows louder as the prophesy contines to flow from the older man's mouth. As he tells this prophesy, there is a shot of Delmar and Pete where their faces are amazed with open mouths. This simple close up shot in combination with the music during the scene tells the viewer that this scene is very important in terms of plot developmentt. Likewise, we see this man at the end of the film when Everett, Pete, Delmar, and Tommy are confronted by the man that has been chasing them the entire time they had escaped. As the four protagonists are about to be hung, the man from the rail cart starts singing once again. These two instances of singing represent how during the entire film, music is used to signify important plot developments that in turn help display the thesis. Since the old man had told them their fate and was correct, his reappearance into the film with song validates the thesis that despite Everett’s attempts to rationalize the instances that had unfolded he is unsuccessful.

As a result, I feel that this film is trying to represent the complexities and turns that our lives have taken to get us to the places we currently stand and to prove despite our greatest attempts, there are some things that we simply cannot rationalize.

"My Own Private Idaho" had many aspects that were very peculiar and different from standard Hollywood films. In my opinion, the scene in which Scott turns his back on Bob is pivotal as well as one of the many scenes that sets this film apart from typical Hollywood films. The scene starts with Bob noticing that Scott is entering into a fine eating establishment wearing high end clothing. As Bob enters the restaurant, he seems to narrate his entry by pointing out the unwelcoming looks of the people already in the restaurant. However, he continues, claiming that Scott will accept them and respect them as he did before. Despite their past history, when Bob calls Scott’s name, Scott does not even turn around. Instead, in a very Shakespearean fashion, he remains with his back toward Bob. Scott then tells Bob “I don't know you, old man. Please leave me alone. When I was young and you were my street tutor... an instigator for my bad behavior, I was planning a change. There was a time when I had the need to learn from you... my former and psychedelic teacher. And although I love you more dearly than my dead father... I have to turn away. Now that I have, and until I change back... don't come near me.” These words, as said seemed as if the viewer was actually hearing what Scott was thinking and not saying, because this is certainly not something one would say in this situation. Also, these words were daggers to Bob’s heart and finalized the transformation Scott has undergone. Scott as decided to turn his back on his friends and live a life of luxury while his friends suffer. As a result, I respect this film, because it used creative and artistic methodologies in showing the effect poverty and wealth have on humans regardless of sexual orientation.

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