A touch of evil or a touch of bordem.

This came as quite a shock to myself, but this was one of the first movies I have had to try to keep myself awake during. I was really excited to see this movie, because I enjoyed watching Citizen Kane and assumed this film would meet my expectations. I clearly was wrong. Don't get me wrong, I thought the actual filming of this movie was brilliant. Orson Welles knows how to capture images that not many directors can do through film. The different angles and shots he carried throughout the film helped to keep me awake, but overall I felt that there is a reason why this film isn't considered a classic.

I found Charlton Heston's character to be entertaining to watch, to say the least. Not only did wear brown makeup to look as though he was Mexican (which was funny seeing how he didn't change his voice and had the same presence that he has in every film), it could even be stated that he took the role of the "woman" in this film. His character had just gotten married to this beautiful woman, and he has given up plently of opportunities to have his fun with her to do work. Now I don't know what man would actually chose his job over some woman who is ready and willing, but Heston's character wanted nothing to do with it. In luz Calvo's article, it is mentioned that "Welles highlights questions of racial and cultural difference by putting these differences in tension with sexual difference and sexual transgression." Welle's played around with sexuality and the stereotypes of sexuality within the Mexican male characters. Janet Leigh's character in the story was a woman who focused on the stereotypes on how American's precieve Mexican men. In one of the opening scenes, her character is approached by a Mexican who begins to speak in Spanish to her. He is trying to help her out, but she assumes he is hitting on her speaks to him as if he is street trash. Later on in the film while she is in the hotel, her assumptions about Mexicans became true from what she made of it. It showed how this stereotypical predjudices come out, even when you believe you don't have any.

I really enjoyed the technical aspects of this film. One scene in particular that gave me chills was at the very end when Welle's character walks over to the cop who shot him and lifts his hand up to his. A drop of blood spills on his hand and he topples over into the water on his back. The way the camera captured this moment was erie and has stuck with me ever since the movie has ended. I will give credit to where credit is due in saying the Orson Welles is a creative genius.

I honestly don't think I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch a movie for the fun of it and I really don't think I will ever watch it again. I ultimatly have to say I was pretty disappointed when I had a better time watching a movie such as Tourist Trap, compared to this.

Teachers being racist? Noo that could never happen!

Blackboard Jungle is the first movie we have watched that I have never seen before or heard of for that matter. I'm still not really sure of what I think of it, except that Sidney Poitier had yet another excellent performance. I think I would have enjoyed the film a whole lot more if I wasn't getting so damn distracted by the mere fact that Anne Francis looks identical to Juliette Lewis.
I think what bothered me about this movie was that at some points it tried to showcase Richard Dadier as a good teacher. I am a education major hoping to some day teach in inner city schools, and Dadier would be considered an example of how NOT to teach. The moment that Dadier stepped into the school not one kid, whether they were white or black, had any respect for him. When he approached Poitier's character and labeled him as the trouble maker in his mind, I distinctly found it racist. Although at certain parts in the film it tried to make Dadier appear as though race doesn't matter, he from the beginning assumes that Poitier is causing all the trouble, when in fact he isn't. Even the filming of this movie tried to make audiences assume that Poitier's character Miller was responsible for throwing the baseball at Dadier's head, but taking off from what someone said in class, it seems out of Miller's character to do something like that. The camera tries to focus on Miller right after the incident happens so we the audience label Miller the bad kid, just like Dadier did. When in fact , that type of behavior links directly to something that the student West would do. Even the reading points out that because of the way the filming jumps and cuts into scenes, it portrays Miller as both the "leader and the threat".
I found West character to be one of the most aggravating characters I have ever watched on screen. his attitude towards everything and everyone is pessimistic and filled with so much hatred. Not to mention every scene he appeared in he looked like he was high out of his mind. When the reading started to mention that West could be seen as homosexual, I didn't buy that for a second. There wasn't a instance where a psychologist could make a good argument that West desired Dadier. He represents himself well as filled with teen angst and nothing more than that. Maybe some father son issues at his homestead, but making the claim that West is gay, is stretching it. I'm still not sure if I liked this movie. I may have to watch it again to enjoy it. I honestly would just rather watch a different Poitier film like Guess Who's come to Dinner?

"I always fall for the tragic dead guys"

James Dean became the inspiration in my life in wanting to pursue a acting career.  Clearly that never ended up happening, but my love for this incredible star has never faded away along with that dream.  Rebel Without A Cause is my 2nd favorite movie (nothing can compare to Stand By Me) and each time I get to re-watch it, I remember why this movie is such a classic.  

Along with James Dean portraying a rebellious adolescent who is just trying to do something good for once, is working side by side by another star, Natalie Wood.  Another case of teen angst, in which Wood's case is that her father doesn't treat her like his little g

irl anymore.  The family dynamics showcased how it wasn't the teens who were creating the conflict, but the parents for ultimately not being there for their children.  If actor Sal Mineo's father or even mother had been around long enough , they would have realized the pain and suffering this child was enduring.  Instead, his nanny tried to play the parent and the house keeper, but of course nothing can truly make up for the lack of parents in his life.  

On a side note, all three stars of this film died tragic deaths.  First James Dean in a car accident after only starring in three movies, then Natalie Wood in a boating accident, and Sal Mineo was stabbed to death.  I forgot to mention that wasn't a happy side note.

Rebel Without a Cause will live on to be a legend in the Film Industry, not only for it's brilliant script and fliming, but for its phenomenal acting by three great American Film Stars.