The film I chose to view for the extra credit opportunity in corrections class was American History X. This film follows two brothers, older brother Derek and younger brother Danny. In this coming of age film older brother and former Neo-Nazi Derek has just returned from serving three years in prison for killing two African American thugs who attempted to steal his truck. Through flashbacks to Derek’s skinhead days we learn from younger brother Danny about his journey and what led Danny to attempt to live the same lifestyle. Derek is attempting to change his brothers thinking keep him from making the same mistakes that he did and going down the wrong path.
The topic I think resonates most with this film would be re-entry to society following a prison sentence. I think that this topic is most important because it is explicitly covered throughout the film. The story begins the day that older brother Derek is released from prison on parole after serving three years for a manslaughter charge. As mentioned in class statistics Derek falls under the “Estimate[d] 1,600 offenders leave prison every day and 2 out of every 3 are rearrested within 3 years of their release” (Bowman, 2015). Derek is
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I think that students could understand the dangers of not following prison protocol, like the guards in the film who allow Derek to be raped, the ease in which drugs are passed through prisons and jails, the importance of acceptance; even in prison settings, this films how extreme people will go to feel protected, like Derek’s joining of the Aryan brotherhood. How parole really works is a key aspect covered by the film. Also students could benefit from seeing would re-entry may actually be like for former inmates and all of the struggles they may
This film demonstrated how there is vicious cycle that minorities are put into. The racism and injustice, of politics and the big image design of America. This film is named after the amendment which outlawed slavery, but left a significant loophole when it came to criminal convictions; a clear business in profits. I recommend everyone of all races and ethnicities to watch this. It is very new and shown on Netflix. It connects to this course, along with the movie “Boyz n the Hood” and Adler, Mueller, & Laufer, Criminology book in race and crime; “supports the argument that there are more African Americans in the criminal justice system because of bias operates” and also “the argument that racial disparities in official statistics reflect an actual difference in criminal behavior”(Adler, Mueller, & Laufer, 2013. P. 54). We see the connections of how the criminal justice system works in society and is connected through social factors of those disadvantaged and once labeled as a deviant, always a
After reading the book I have gained a new understanding of what inmates think about in prison. Working in an institution, I have a certain cynical attitude at times with inmates and their requests. Working in a reception facility, this is a facility where inmates are brought in from the county jails to the state intake facility, we deal with a lot of requests and questions. At times, with the phone ringing off the hook from family members and inmates with their prison request forms, you get a little cynical and tired of answering the same questions over and over. As I read the book I begin to understand some of the reason for the questions. Inmate(s) now realize that the officers and administrative personnel are in control of their lives. They dictate with to get up in the morning, take showers, eat meals, go to classes, the need see people for different reason, when to exercise and when to go to bed. The lost of control over their lives is a new experience for some and they would like to be able to adjust to this new lost of freedom. Upon understanding this and in reading the book, I am not as cynical as I have been and try to be more patient in answering questions. So in a way I have changed some of my thinking and understanding more of prison life.
Another aspect of the film that depicts a positive image of family is the family’s support for Wayne. Although Wayne is serving an eight year prison sentence for armed robbery, Darryl, Sal, Tracey, Steve and Dale are still proud and supportive of him. Dale regularl...
Citizen Kane, Orson Welles’ cinematic classic, is a film that centers on a group of reporter’s investigation into the meaning of Charles Foster Kane’s last uttered word, “Rosebud.” Citizen Kane ' brings into light many social problems between countries, relationships, and also between competing newspaper companies. It brings into light how a newspaper should react and also brings the corruption of politics. War was breaking out in Europe and throughout the entire film Kane states there will be no war. He ignores the fact people are being killed, tortured, and rounded up like livestock.
The authors begin the book by providing advice on how a convict can prepare for release from prison. Throughout the book, the authors utilize two fictional characters, Joe and Jill Convict, as examples of prisoners reentering society. These fictional characters are representative of America’s prisoners. Prison is an artificial world with a very different social system than the real world beyond bars. Convicts follow the same daily schedule and are shaped by the different society that is prison. Prisoners therefore forget many of the obl...
... class. This book was actually one of most interesting books I’ve read while I’ve been in college, and this course kept me interested the whole semester. The things it has taught me about the meaning of reading and evaluating other people and their personalities and who they really are. It actually came to mind a couple times, maybe I want to be a psychologist and help people with their problems. It just really amazes me how Perry’s dad can literally be the cause of four innocent lives gone. Throughout reading the book and watching both films, I began better at reading people and observing their personalities not only with the characters in the book but also outside the classroom and in the real world. The fact that everyone has a story and reasons they are the way they are. Perry had a story that no one knew about, and it has just taught me that everyone has one
The movie Doubt is set in a private Catholic School in 1960s. Sister Aloysius is the principal of the school, and Father Flynn is the clergyman in the church. While the movie deals with some moral dilemmas such as doubt versus certainty, rigidity versus openness and so on, the central theme of the story pivots on accusation on Father Flynn of child molestation. The story has a hanging ending where Father Flynn is proven neither guilty nor proven innocent. Based on the contents of the movie and my own analysis, I believe that certainty plays a bigger role in accusations and I believe that Father Flynn had been falsely blamed and I am also against the rigidity of the society.
Auteur theory holds that, ‘a director’s films reflect that director’s personal creative vision, as if he/she were the primary author. From the earliest silent films to contemporary times motion pictures have crossed over and both entertained and educated the viewing audience.
It is full of drama but it does not leave the facts behind regarding deviant behavior. Not only it provides a take on deviance but it also suggests that anything can be corrected if one positive step is taken to that direction. This movie has a strong appeal to those who choose deviant behavior over peace and are behaving anti-social. This film should be watched by every young person at least one so that they can understand the psychological turmoil one goes through after they commit something to harm others just to prove a point. It is never too late to choose the right way and Derek shows that very precisely. I would love to watch this film again as it gives a very positive vibe to me and I have learnt a lot from
What I’ve observed to be pressing problems at the Washtenaw County Jail are the following: 1) the hostility that the incarcerated women embody; 2) the effect that having only one hour of free time has on prisoners’ psyches when they are in the maximum security portion of the jail; 3) the social stigma that a freed inmates faces when he/she has to identify that they’ve been to jail. All three problems have impacted me someway either during our sessions or outside of class. Furthermore, all problems have, as causes, situations dealing with privilege and oppression.
I believe this movie does a good job incorporating what we have discussed in class in terms of adolescent development. Although the movie is greatly exaggerated and blown up, the movie does emphasize on key factors to the development of an adolescent. Aside from the self-identity and friendship, the film incorporates parental relationships, academics, teacher-student relationships, risky behaviors, and moral development during adolescent
One of the more prevalent themes of this movie is racism, and how prejudicial mindsets ultimately lead to one’s own demise. The movie outlines how racism, among other things, can adversely affect someone’s judgment. After the father died, we see how the family gradually deteriorates financially as well as emotionally after Derek (the older brother played by Edward Norton) turns to a neo Nazi gang for an outlet, which eventually influences his younger brother Danny (played by Edward Furlong) to follow down ...
Sex, love, depression, guilt, trust, all are topics presented in this remarkably well written and performed drama. The Flick, a 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning drama by Annie Baker, serves to provide a social commentary which will leave the audience deep in thought well after the curtain closes. Emporia State Universities Production of this masterpiece was a masterpiece in itself, from the stunningly genuine portrayal of the characters of Avery and Rose, to the realism found within the set, every aspect of the production was superb.
There are many more examples throughout this movie that can be connected or assessed to the many different concepts that was learned. There are many real-life events and these concepts are important because they allow people to see how different types of people and families deal with stress and problems and it is important not to judge or jump to conclusions and maybe take a step back and take time to consider what others may be going
In American History X, directed by Tony Kaye, a grade school student Danny Vinyard writes a paper about his older brother Derek Vinyard depicting his struggles as a past neo-nazi leader. Derek and Danny’s father, whom has racist tendencies, was murdered by a few black males while trying to put out a fire. The death of his father fuels Derek’s rage for racism, and he soon creates a gang called the Disciples of Christ. After dinner one night, Danny hears noise coming from their drive way. Outside their house, two black males are trying to steal their father’s truck. Derek walks out of his house with a gun and shoots one of the males. He then grabs the other male, drags him to the side of the road, and curb stomps to death. Derek is arrested, and sentenced to three years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.