Monday, April 11, 2011
Western Influence
I'm not sure if you are like me but coming across an old classic movie is one of the better things to experience. I just found Tombstone in my roommates DVD case and popped it into the XBox not sure of what to expect. So far this is one of the better Western movies I have seen in awhile. In fact I'd say it's Val Kilmer's best performance, next to Top Gun of course. Watching this movie does remind me about how great old westerns are. Blazing saddles, 410 to Yuma and even All the Pretty Horses are all great movies that I would gladly go back and watch over and over. After playing Red Dead Redemption, a video game about the old west and the struggles in Mexico have made me appreciate these movies even more. I think Western history is some of the more fascinating history to learn about. Maybe i'll major in watching old western classics and playing video games that relate to the era. You think they offer that at UNC. It would be one hell of a profession. Anyhow, it's hard to beat a great movie especially ones that include great performances from some of your favorite actors. This would be one of those other times when yet again I wish we could go ahead and invent time travel already. Or just include me in some government project that send me back in time. For as much as video games and movies are criticized for "infecting the youth" and destroying our generation they have inspired me and I'm sure others to look further into the history of certain generations. Assassin's Creed is also a great video game that really interested me in a certain era. I remember on my application to UNC i specifically put 15th century Italy as the one period in time I would return to. Even though people may look at these two moments in history and call them violent and unlawful but it's just as violent as the time we are all in now. After looking back at all my post it's kind of funny to see all the complaints i've made about wanting to "escape" from this time period but I just want to experience a completely different way of living. One that maybe required you to live on your wits and skill more than it does so now. Hopefully we can all come together and figure this time travel crap out sooner rather than later.
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Sometimes I want to live in other eras too!! When I was a kid I loved riding horses, so I used to say that I would get a horse and ride it to work and school. I wish I really could travel back to a time where I could ride and own my own horse. That would be fun. But maybe it wouldn't because that would also imply that there would be no showers or air conditioners, but then again, that could still be fun!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it would be really cool if you got to learn about societies in history by playing video games or watching (GOOD) movies. I wouldn't mind doing that for homework! I wonder if they'll ever invent an even better way of teaching students things, I mean times are always changing, and that would be nice, because some things can be difficult to pick up.
I have definitely felt like this before. Westerns aren't my favorite movies and I always seem to be skeptical of them before I watch them but there is some undeniable "badass" factor to western movies. 410 to Yuma is one of my favorites, once again, really badass stuff. I don't think anyone looks down on people who want to visit other eras either. When you think about it, our society is based on creating alternate realities. As of now it is only possible for us to experience one form of reality, and that is in our current life. However, through movies and video games we are able to drift off and experience an inkling of what it would be like to live in another world or experience another way of life. Have you ever seen the movie Pandora? I came out of that movie slightly depressed that I couldn't live in their Utpoian-like society. Why do you think people are so fascinated with exploration and traveling to different countries and regions of the world? It gives them insight into cultures unlike their own. Why do you think people read books or go to plays or even do hallucinogenic drugs? Once again, these are just mediums to break away from the what some would see as "mundane reality" of our lives. I think we are all with you on this one...Because I don't know who doesn't enjoy at least one of the things I mentioned above.
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