Robert B. Weide

This documentary, compiled over decades, is an affectionate portrait of a great writer, with many scenes of Vonnegut himself speaking honestly about his life and career. Perhaps more interesting are the recollections of his children and adopted children, particularly his two daughters. The film doesn't avoid the one dark moment in Vonnegut's life--no, not the firebombing of Dresden--but when he left his wife Jane after the success of Slaughterhouse Five for a photographer. I'm not sure if this is a good introduction to Vonnegut for the uninitiated, but it was very moving to see his general common sense about all things American. He is still well worth reading.… (plus d'informations)

The Giver is a story about a boy named Jonas who lives in a world where everything is controlled (dress, language, careers). As time goes on, Jonas realizes that he want to be able to choose for himself, and that he doesn’t want to follow the status quo. I would use this book for an ELA classroom. For instruction, students could learn how to identify important literary elements like imagery, symbolism, flashback, and foreshadowing. Students could also discuss differing points of view the story touches on, like education, conformity, and death.… (plus d'informations)

A boy from a future society where no one has emotions gets memories from the past.

For the first two thirds or so it's an okay movie - a little flimsy in the suspension of disbelief department, and lacking in anything to make you care about it, but it has some promising ideas. Once the action gets going, it turns out to have nowhere to go, and the whole thing falls apart. And it bothers me maybe a little too much that people who can't see color dye their clothing.

Concept: C
Story: D
Characters: D
Dialog: C
Pacing: C
Cinematography: C
Special effects/design: C
Acting: C
Music: C

Enjoyment: C minus

GPA: 1.8/4… (plus d'informations)