What do you do when no one wants to change something that you see as a problem? In Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, Elle Woods decides to change the problem of animal testing when no one else will. Elle takes the initiative after looking for the mother of her chihuahua, Bruiser, so she could invite her to Elle’s wedding. She finds out that Bruiser's mom is trapped at the V.E.R.S.A.C.E. company as a test animal. Instead of planning her wedding, which is what she was currently involved in, Elle goes to Washington D.C. and presents a bill to end animal testing as she stands up for what she knows is right. This movie which presents an important issue in a light-hearted movie is a great example of a melodramatic film. Legally Blonde 2 follows the structure of victim, villain, and hero of melodramas. In this case Bruiser’s mom, along with all other test animals, the V.E.R.S.A.C.E company, along with the adversity that Elle receives in congress, especially Rep. Victoria Rudd who goes behind Elle’s back to counter her bill, and of course Elle woods is the hero. This movie shows how one person can make a difference in democracy. The idea that “society governs itself for itself” (De Tocqueville, 51) is called popular sovereignty and was created by Alexis De Tocqueville. In his book, Democracy in America, De Tocqueville describes how America had the perfect democracy in the mid 19th century, when he wrote this book. He explains how true democracy uses popular sovereignty to create an ideal political system free of tyranny. Over time this government system has changed in practice, as can be seen by the lackluster workers in congress that are spotlighted in Legally Blonde 2. However in cinema justice still prevails in US democracy. L...
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...ially young females. One teenage-girl’s reaction was just that. Carrie Dean, of Wisconsin walked out of the movie theatre and gave Legally Blonde 2 her own personal spin for a way for her to get involved herself. Carrie wanted to emulate Elle in her hometown by saving the animals in her town from euthanization at SPCA shelters. Along with Small Dogs Paradise, an interest group who also was looking to stop harmful treatment of dogs. Carrie ended up getting an internship in their office and is in the process of writing her own bill. Who knows how far Carrie will get but if a ‘chick-flick’ can have this kind of impact on the youth, then there needs to be more of them. If more people, especially young people, follow Carrie’s example and get involved in what is going on with our government, then maybe we could one day reach a version of De Tocqueville’s ideal democracy.
The authors both making sweeping statements about the political nature of the United States, but Ames addresses a more concentrated demographic of American society than Hedges. The latter points the finger at the venal egotism of celebrity culture for entrancing the public into complacency, and at America’s political leaders for orchestrating the fact, but he also places substantial blame on the people at-large for allowing themselves to be captivated by the entertainment industry. Ames discusses an issue in which the Millennial generation stands as the focal point, but she speaks directly to the teachers of these adolescents due to their position of influence. Although today’s youth are proven to possess a spark of political energy through their own volition—displayed through their generation-wide interest in dystopian literature—an environment of learning and in-depth analysis provides the best opportunity for the novels’ underlying calls-to-action to strike a chord with their young
...ily instead of able bodied Americans (who they would have to pay 5 to 10 dollars per hour) are struggling in the job market. From this it can be concluded that a specific message that both films possess is that change is good and it is an essential element towards development. That is the reason why documentary film maker Michael Moore emphasizes in his documentary those American companies are required to hire Americans. In the film “Pleasantville” a great example of the above theme occurs when Jennifer points out two teenagers as proof that the citizens of Pleasantville have an abundance of potential, according to her they simply do not know any better. Two teenagers can be seen having a conversation, they seem to be engaged in a conversation but it is simply not going anywhere, but as they both begin to get physically closer the girl’s bubble gum develops colour.
The documentary, “Miss Representation,” is a film about how women are perceived in the media. It is written, directed, and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. She is an actress and a film maker who advocates for women. In the beginning of the documentary, Newsom discusses her struggles as a young woman surrounded by the pressures of looking a certain way. This film is targeting mainly women of all age that has experienced her struggles. Jennifer Siebel Newsom effectively convinces the audience of “Miss Representation” that the media has molded women in a negative way through statistics, celebrities’ and younger generation’s testimonies, and clips from the media.
Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink have more in common than Molly Ringwald. Stereotypes, different economic backgrounds, and feminism all have some part in these 80’s teen films. The themes are all the same, rich vs poor, popular or unpopular and changing yourself to fit into the ‘norm’.
A large portion of contemporary film and theatre has been lacking in substance. More often than not, we are presented with a “been there, seen that” scenario. One such exception to this rule is Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a film by John Cameron Mitchell that was released in 2001. Set primarily in post-Cold War America, Hedwig is a film that characteristically breaks convention. Our story follows Hedwig, a forgotten and confused homo…trans…well, human being. Growing up in East Berlin during the Cold War, Hansel Schmidt (John Cameron Mitchell) lives what I would call a horrible childhood in the bleak landscape of communist occupied Germany. He falls in love with an American soldier, and undergoes a sex change in order to marry him and leave East Berlin. The operation is botched, leaving him/her as a physical contradiction. Not quite a man, but not yet a woman, Hansel (now Hedwig) has what she describes as an “angry inch.” When describing it in lighter terms, she calls it a “Barbie doll crotch.” Upon arriving in America, the soldier leaves her the same day the Berlin wall comes down. Destroyed, Hedwig spends some time discovering her new self and eventually finds a soul mate in a young boy named Tommy Speck (Michael Pitt). They collaborate musically and romantically, but upon discovering Hedwig’s secret he leaves with all of their music. He becomes a huge rock star, living Hedwig’s dream while simultaneously leaving her in the dust. From then on, Hedwig and her band “The Angry Inch” follow Tommy as he tours the nation while Hedwig tries desperately to gain the notoriety she deserves for her music. Viewing this film through the lens of a feminist gender perspective, I find that Hedwig is a pioneer on the forefront of changing the gende...
Politics is defined as “the way people decide who gets what, when, where, how, and why—without resorting to violence” (McDonough 20). The author asserts that politics is the alternative pathway for a society to make decisions besides choosing violent means to go about doing so. Instead of using force, politicians use words and the method of persuasion in order to get what they want. When a society has a group of people who feel they are not fairly represented by their elected officials, they will often turn to violence in order to implement changes to the political process that will put in place the rules and regulations they are seeking.
make a person think that not all laws are good for the group in society and
In this excerpt from Democracy in America Alexis Tocqueville expresses his sentiments about the United States democratic government. Tocqueville believes the government's nature exists in the absolute supremacy of the majority, meaning that those citizens of the United States who are of legal age control legislation passed by the government. However, the power of the majority can exceed its limits. Tocqueville believed that the United States was a land of equality, liberty, and political wisdom. He considered it be a land where the government only served as the voice of the its citizens. He compares the government of the US to that of European systems. To him, European governments were still constricted by aristocratic privilege, the people had no hand in the formation of their government, let alone, there every day lives. He held up the American system as a successful model of what aristocratic European systems would inevitably become, systems of democracy and social equality. Although he held the American democratic system in high regards, he did have his concerns about the systems shortcomings. Tocqueville feared that the virtues he honored, such as creativity, freedom, civic participation, and taste, would be endangered by "the tyranny of the majority." In the United States the majority rules, but whose their to rule the majority. Tocqueville believed that the majority, with its unlimited power, would unavoidably turn into a tyranny. He felt that the moral beliefs of the majority would interfere with the quality of the elected legislators. The idea was that in a great number of men there was more intelligence, than in one individual, thus lacking quality in legislation. Another disadvantage of the majority was that the interests of the majority always were preferred to that of the minority. Therefore, giving the minority no chance to voice concerns.
Democracy is rule by the people; the people elect governing officials based off of their personal values and beliefs. Different political parties rule the political scene and are serving to represent the people’s opinions in the best ways possible. Previously, I had a belief that my political view was essentially the only one possible and therefore it was the best. These views changed quickly once I learned the different political parties, their views, how they represent the people’s views, and how public opinion shapes politics. The government is formed around differentiating opinions on which policies should be in place and which social aspects need to be considered first. Not only is the government guided by opinion, but the people’s lives are guided by opinion as well. Each individual holds a different view, and each view can have an influence on society. Fortunately, after roughly eight weeks of studying American Government, I now have a better sense of complexity and the value of
...cessful outcome. Never be afraid to be the one who stands up and wants more than what is presented to them or to be the one thinking outside the box. It only takes one person with a radical thought to change the way others look at an idea.
In evaluating this question we must refer to the ideas offered by John Dewey’s “Creative Democracy” and Jane Mansbridge’s “Using Power/Fighting Power”. These publications, both, wish to achieve the same goal, which is equality, for it is of utmost importance to preserve the democratic way of life. Dewey and Mansbridge both speak of the way in which we ought to live as citizens to be able to achieve equality. Dewey believes that as citizens we should envision the idea of Amicable Cooperation or be able to deliberate on issues to reach our goals. While Mansbridge further expands on that idea and says in times where deliberation or amicable cooperation is not successful, we must pursue the idea of coercion to achieve the equality we as citizens wish to see. We as citizens should have a commitment to social, economic, and political equality. We must shift our democracy in that direction of achieving equality for if we are failing to do so; we are not doing our part as citizen in society. Before expanding on my view as to how we should live as citizens to achieve equality, we must first understand the major viewpoints of Dewey and Mansbridge.
In Legally Blonde (2001), directed by Robert Luketic, Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, submits an acceptance video and is trying to persuade the Harvard Law committee to accept her into the college law program. Elle is successful in persuading the committee, however there is some resistance after the watching the admissions video. The committee is still hung on whether to admit her. The checker her score on LSAT exam and see her other experiences. Eventually, the committee agrees to accept her in the program. Elle Woods was successful in showing what she can do by building credibility by using other sources to prove she was truthful, intelligent, and
You don't want to live miserably, so it cannot hurt to try and change it. For instance, there is an abundance of controversy surrounding abortions, but it can save someone's life; you should stand up for what you believe any any risk.
As more people are claiming their rights and being accepted by society, the media is forced to reach the obedience in a modern way. Women are fighting for they equal right and starting to play leading role in movie and TV shows. For example, not so long ago, I watched “She’s the Man” a movie played in 2006 by Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. Byrne’s character, Viola been playing soccer in place of his brother who didn’t want anything to do with soccer or any other sports for that matter. Bynes is really good at soccer and loves sport. She didn’t let herself brake by the tough guys in her team who think she was a man. She subsequently shows the absurdity of gender biases by being the best at what she loves. This type of movie prove there is nothing abnormal to our behavior and it do not make us less of a person when do not conform to norm of
Are you a hopeless romantic, waiting around for the right girl or guy to come around and make sense of your world? Well, maybe you’ve been watching too many romance movies. Hollywood presents love as a feeling, one that most teenagers confuse with infatuation and lust. Movies like The Notebook create a false view of what love looks like and many teenagers lose the opportunity to find love because they are waiting for someone to sweep them off their feet and kiss them in the rain while the background music slowly plays; but there are movies out there that do give us a pretty realistic view of what love looks like without having to showcase any nudity or sexual scenes. I wish to contrast the differences between the movie The Notebook and Fireproof along with their affects on teenagers. Most teenagers have learned to handle heated situations in the manor in which they have seen presented in movies. Dr. O’Hara, a researcher at the University of Missouri, studied the behavior patterns of 1,200 teens for six years and he found that the teens that watched suggestive movies tended to be more sexually active and have a more casual view on sex than those that were not exposed to as much media (Hagelin 2). What if Hollywood made more movies that focused on wholesome values and principles? In this paper I challenge the parents of teenagers to take off the blindfolds and help their teens to find a balance between these fantasies that Hollywood presents and reality, and I believe that Hollywood could play a role in reshaping the mindsets of teenagers.