Film Critique

Brittanay Miller

Humanities 101

Professor Bomboy

30 April 2015

Critique of Dirty Dancing

            I have decided to do my film critique on the movie Dirty Dancing that was directed by Emile Ardolino.  I have also decided to critique about how the music determined the plot of the story.

            Dirty Dancing has two main characters, Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Castle.  Baby was on vacation with her family at a resort in the Catskill Mountains during the summer of ’63.  This resort is where she met the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle.  She was intrigued by his handsome looks and rebellious, provocative dance moves.  Dance moves that she has never performed or saw before.  After following Johnny and his friends to their own building at the resort where they dance provocatively at, Baby finds herself being almost corrupted in a way, and tries to dance how they all do.  She envies Penny, Johnny’s dance partner, and when Penny ends up needing an illegal abortion because the man who impregnated her does not want her to go through with the pregnancy, she has to receive an abortion.  Baby gets the money to help pay for the abortion and once Penny’s surgery is over; she is in excruciating pain.  Baby runs off to get her farther, Dr. Jake Houseman, and he comes to help young Penny.  When Dr. Houseman asks who was responsible for Penny, Johnny spoke up to say that he was, but Dr. Houseman thought that Johnny meant that he was the one who impregnated her, made her get the abortion and is the reason why she is in so much pain.  Dr. Houseman rushes off quickly after that, along with Baby.  Dr. Houseman tells Baby that she must not speak to or see Johnny anymore while they are on vacation there because they are bad people for her, so he thought.  Of course as any young teenager would act, Baby rebelled and went back to see Johnny Castle that night.  They most definitely “dirty danced” and ended up having sexual intercourse since all their past emotions and feelings caught up to them in the right moment.  Baby was a fill in for Penny during their annual, big performance at the Sheldrake.  Baby did great except she could not do the jump into a lift.  Johnny was accused of stealing a wallet at the resort since he worked there and Baby stood up to defend him, telling them Johnny could not have stolen the wallet because she was with him at this cabin that entire night.  Johnny was still fired regardless because of having a relationship with a guest.  After all the commotion, Baby and her family attend the talent show at the resort.  Johnny ends up coming back to the resort, coming up to the Houseman’s table, reached out for Baby’s hand while saying “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”  Johnny and Baby ended up dancing in the talent show and Baby finally mastered the jump into a lift!  Johnny declared his feelings for Baby and how she has made him become a better person, and her father Dr. Houseman, finally accepts Johnny for who he really is and not who he thought Johnny was.

            Throughout this entire movie, the music has definitely made parts of the story more dramatic and emotional.  Some examples of music choices that made scenes dramatic were “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Franki Valli and the Four Seasons when it is played in the beginning of the film, where it introduces the audience to Baby; “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen was played when Baby and Johnny started to become infatuated with each other; “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel playing when you can see Johnny and Baby getting closer to each other.  Ironic how it is almost like the song was made for Johnny, speaking to Baby; And “Some kind of wonderful” by The Drifters playing when Johnny and Baby were on their way back from dancing at the Sheldrake.  This is yet another ironic song because the song’s title describes how they were feeling after their dance at the Sheldrake.

            The last and most important music choice for this movie was at the end when Baby and Johnny danced their last dance together, in the movie, and it is also where Baby fully trusts Johnny because she does the lift into a jump move whereas before, she was too afraid to follow through with it.  The song “I’ve had the Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes was the perfect song to show how much Baby and Johnny literally had the time of their lives together during that summer. 

Work Cited

Dirty Dancing. By Eleanor Bergstein. Perf. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. IMBd, 1987.  

DVD.

Painting Critique

Brittanay Miller

Humanities 101

Professor Bomboy

9 April, 2015

The Birth of Venus

The painting of the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli is no doubt a story in a painting.  Some people might think it is about a girl becoming a woman or others might think it is about a woman being rushed out of her childhood.  According to an article on a website called Totally History, the Birth of Venus was “the subject of endless intellectual speculation and interpretations of meaning.” (The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli). 

            When I look at this painting of Venus, the Goddess of Love, I see some of the elements of art.  One element I see is Line.  There are so many lines, such as in the water.  There are also multiple lines in the sea shell.  Another element I see is Shape. The most common shapes are the rippled-like shapes in the water, in the robe and in the hair styles of Venus, Zephyrus, Aura and Horae.  I also see a lot of Color in this painting.  I mostly see light and dark blue, white and pink.  There is a light brown or blonde color in all the women’s hair.  The Value of this painting is Venus, the Goddess of Love, of course.  The value goes hand in hand along with the Focal Point for principles because the Focal Point is Venus herself, just like the Value is of her as well.  When anyone looks at this painting, the main thing their eyes are drawn to is Venus standing nude on a sea shell.  Some principles are also involved in this painting as well.  Contrast of light and dark play a big part in the painting, with the dark and light blues, and the occasional black or close to it in Zephyrus’s hair and the trees behind Horae.  The principle of Rhythm or Movement is in two different areas.  To the left of the painting, Zephyrus and Aura are coming in towards the middle where Venus is standing at, and to the right of the painting, Horae is coming towards the middle to greet Venus.  Therefore, the movement is coming into the middle from both top corners of this painting.  Another principle is Proportion, where all the people, trees and the sea shell are large so your attention is on them the most.  There is most definitely a Repetition of waves in the ocean, the flowers falling from the sky and also the flower pattern on Horae’s dress and the pink robe.  Lastly, Unity is shown by everything in this painting coming together to the middle to turn your Focal Point, again, on Venus.  The use of all of these principles and elements work together to create an unforgettable, iconic painting.

            To me, the meaning behind the painting of the Birth of Venus was to show how a young girl or lady was becoming a mature woman.  My opinion, Zephyrus and Aura are sort of like “parents” and pushing her into becoming an adult, fleeing her childhood.  Horae is like “the real world” or “adult world” and the robe is symbolic of her adulthood whereas she has to stay an adult; she can’t go back and become a child again. She has to be a grown up and be mature.  I think Sandro Botticelli was trying to accomplish for the viewers to see the beauty of maturing.  As you can see in the painting, she is becoming a woman yet she is still covering her body like a young lady is taught to do.  It is the beauty of her keeping her morals and also blossoming into a woman.  According to the same article as mentioned previously, it is stated, “Perhaps the most dominant view is that the painting was inspired by Neoplatonic thought. This latter body of philosophy was a revival and slight reinterpretation of the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato” (The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli).  So according to research, Botticelli’s motivation was from the past paintings of ancient Greeks. 

            I personally think Sandro Botticelli successfully showed the ideas he was showing for, which was to show the beauty of Venus becoming a woman and nourishing from her childhood.  This painting makes me feel a sense of calmness and in awe over the choice of the elements of art and principles of design that Botticelli used.  I understand why this is one of the most famous masterpieces in the world.  I am drawn to Venus’ beauty and also the wind, flowers and how Zephyrus, the God of Winds, the gentle breeze Aura and Horae, the Goddess of the Seasons are all beckoning to Venus.  The critical viewpoint I took on this painting was the feminist viewpoint.  The Birth of Venus has some unrealistic parts on the bodies.  For example, women do not have such an awkwardly long neck such as Venus does in this painting.  Aside from the long neck, her legs are also somewhat leaning too far to the left, past her kneecap almost, but she is still maintaining an upward pose.  In real life, not any woman or man could keep their bodies held up like that without falling over.  The feet, legs, stomach and arms however look fairly normal; as a women’s body in today’s world would look like.  Botticelli was simply showing how a woman, any woman at that, is graceful and beautiful.

           ("The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli.")

Works Cited

"The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli – Facts about the Painting." Totally History The Birth  

of Venus Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2015.

"The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli." Italian Renaissance Art.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr.  

2015.

Non-Western Art Critique

Brittanay Miller

Humanities 101

Professor Bomboy

19 March, 2015

Non-Western Art Critique

            The African artwork I chose is called Sunshine on my Mind.  This painting is absolutely stunning with its repetition of reds and yellows and also the shapes of the birds, tress and faces.  There is emphasis on the space in the middle at the face of the shining sun.  That is also where the focal point is located as well.  This painting is very stable because of its warm colors and focal point on the sun.  The red and yellows are an instant view of something that is “good”.  It gives off calm, soothing feelings when you look at this piece of artwork.

             As Walters states about this specific painting, he says, “The sunlight is so warm and pleasant, unlike darkness. The sun shine in my mind makes me to smile due to my victory and successes in life and I believe darkness will never come my way because, the faces in the painting, are my ancestors who will always protect me till the end of time” (Walters).  Sunshine on my Mind was produced sometime between 2009 and 2015 by Angu Walters.  Walters is from Africa himself, so painting African art is something that comes natural to him.  When people buy his African artwork, Angu Walters stated, “They don't ask for an explanation of the subject, which is really an important & personal part of my work.” (Walters).  

               To me, the artist creates paintings through his own emotions and thoughts. He has such passion behind his artwork and that is what an artist should paint with; passion.  The meaning of this painting, to me, is to show that there is always light at the end of the tunnel or that there is always good after the bad.  It is very inspiring to look at this painting and how it gives a sense of happiness if you have any doubts troubling you.  The cultural information the painting conveys is how the sun makes the artist smile due to his life accomplishments, but more so how other people might feel the exact same way while looking at this painting.  This African artwork soothes me with the warm tone of color and makes me personally think of my own worries I am going through and how I will get past them, just how the sun moves past the darkness in this painting.

                As you can see, there are also some faces in the clouds or dark red sky.  These faces might be symbolic towards the devil or the faces are all the bad and evil things or people attempting to bring you down, mentally or physically.  The sun is glowing into the red sky, making it look as if the sun is overcoming or overpowering the dark, red sky with the bad and evil.  For example, a happy event overpowers an unhappy event in life. The sun in this painting is the main value.  Sun generally makes everyone happy.  We sometimes take happiness for granted and when you take it for granted once too often, you will never quite be happy ever again because of how selfish you have become.  The sun represents happiness; True, genuine happiness.  It is sort of like the artist is also teaching us to not take everything for granted and to enjoy life.  Also to enjoy the happiness we encounter each and every day.  Happiness will overcome all the bad things that are in your path.

Work Cited

Walters, Angu. "ANGU WALTERS Contemporary African Paintings."Cameroon Artist Angu  

Walters |Contemporary African Paintings. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.

Classical Architecture Critique

Brittanay Miller

Humanities 101

Professor Bomboy

February 10, 2015

Classical Greek Architecture in Franklin County

            Most of today’s architecture is clearly an indication of just how much the Greek classical period made an impact so many years ago.  The Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania is a great example of a classical Greek building. It is a place to hold trail cases and bring justice to victims.  The Classical Order for the courthouse is mostly related to the Ionic order.  I think the architectures who built the courthouse decided to use the order of Ionic because the columns are more delicate and ornamental (Fiero 124).  When you look at the front of this courthouse, it is pretty obvious that it is an important building.

            I believe power, freedom and justice is what message the building conveys.  Clearly for it being a court house, it needs to show some type of empowerment.   Not just when I look at it, but when anyone else looks upon this tall building, there is some type of empowerment emotion that comes over you.  Without knowing that it is a courthouse, you would know that it is a very important building because of the very large, slender columns with the volutes, echinus, and abacus detailing each column.  I personally think that this building being Classical Greek architecture is perfect for the use of the building.  In Neoclassical Architecture, they decided to make a classical style for human society.  Their outside architectures were ornamental free and the insides were covered with rectilinear walls and columns inside. (Fiero, Book 4, 150).  The Classical Greek style was the best looking and well thought out style out of all three styles.  It seems the Greeks were the ones with architectures who were copied more than the architectures from the Rome Age and Neoclassical Age.  The Classical Order of the Franklin County Courthouse being Ionic was a good decision, but I think even if they would have decided to use the Corinthian order that it would have been almost a better choice.  The Doric order is very plain, but does include triglyph and metope in the frieze.  The Ionic order, which is what the Courthouse’s columns are, includes a more slender cornice, the volutes and echinus in its capital and also a base, where the Doric order did not have one.  The Corinthian order consists of a more edgy cornice, a larger frieze and capital, and more of its base.  The Ionic order is definitely fancy and important, but Corinthian is beyond the fanciest.  I personally think the Ionic order was perfect for the Franklin County Courthouse because it shows how important the architecture is to everyone who drives by or actually walks into the building.

            The fact when you look at the Courthouse and your eyes are focused on the columns and the front entrance, that is because of the points of emphasis.  The point of emphasis is where your eyes are directly focused on.  If they are in one spot, such as a square and you are looking at just what is in the square that was developed in the Greek Age called stable.  If you would be looking all over the front of the building and not directly at the columns or front entrance, then that would be called dynamic.  The Hellenistic Age came upon this shift in the architectural area.  It’s a good thing that the Courthouse was designed from the Classical Greek architecture because it would not mean as much as it currently does if it was dynamic instead of stable. 

            The architect that that mostly influenced the design of the Franklin County Courthouse was Thomas Jefferson.  Not only was he an architect, he was also the third president of the United States.  Thomas Jefferson designed quite a few architectures in his time and most of them are or were located in Virginia and Kentucky.  According to the Robinson Library’s article on the architecture of Thomas Jefferson, “the single building that most influenced his ideas about architecture was the Maison Carrée, a Roman ruin in Nimes, France, which Jefferson considered the finest remaining example of classical design.” (Thomas Jefferson, Architect).  All of Thomas Jefferson’s building designs have the large columns with the Ionic or Corinthian orders including stylish bases, capitals, friezes and cornices.  The other architects such as Brunelleschi and Palladio had a different style of architecture that is more suitable for large churches and capital buildings, such as the capital in Washington, DC.  Thomas Jefferson’s choice of style and order was very consistent for what the Courthouse was supposed to interpret.  As I said in the beginning, when you look at the Franklin County Courthouse you know that it is a very important building due to the fact of the large columns at the entrance.  Jefferson’s architectures interpretations were to show importance, just as he designed the Charlotte County Courthouse in Virginia.  All of his influences were from buildings in the Rome Age, but the Romans got the ideas based off of architectures from the Classical Greek period.  The Franklin County Courthouse in Chambersburg is no doubt an architecture designed from the Classical Greek period. 

Works Cited

Fiero, Gloria K. The Humanistic Tradition. 6th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.  

Print.

"Thomas Jefferson, Architect." Thomas Jefferson, Architect. Robinson Library, n.d.  

Web. 10 Feb.  2015.

Waterproofing, Keystone. Franklin County Courthouse. 2010. Courthouse,  Chambersburg. Web. 09 Feb. 2015.

Hi :)