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 You will use this site to post your reading responses. Please include your name and include "core" in the title for your five core posts.




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Megan O’Brien — Core Response #3

  It is no secret that for decades film has utilized its narratives to drive political and social agendas. Specifically, film has channeled characters and plot lines that glorify white men and seemingly belittle every other group. This week's readings highlighted the concept of masculinity that was warped and transformed throughout the Regan era. They analyzed various films, such as Terminator 2 , with underlying tones that challenged perspectives of the era.  The 80s were a time that idolized hyper masculine body types and utilized this physique to emphasize the power of men. However, as film transitioned in the 90s, white men obtained a bad wrap for their heartless decisions and began to prioritize their control on familial structure and reproductive rights, as both their agenda changed and their image that they wanted conceived about them altered. Film encouraged troupes and storylines that credited the reason for men’s violence to defending their family and showed them a...
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Megan Sullivan-- Core Response #4

  In chapter Star Bodies and Performance, Dyer calls to attention Dryan S. Turner’s concept of a ‘somatic society’ as a lens for understanding how the body is connected with modern social and political issues. This concept allows us to consider bodies as not simply an individual being, but a part of a larger and interconnected society. Specifically, Dyer uses action films as a way of exemplifying this idea, as action heroes often exhibit their large muscles and strength which in some way serves as a main point in the story. However, Dyer maintains that this is one type of body represented in one type of film, and other types of bodies represent different cultural complexities in other genres.  When looking at star bodies, Dyer suggests that you also have to look at their performance to understand how subtle bodily actions have a significant impact on broader themes and messages in the film regarding the body and sexuality. The small, minute actions such as mannerisms, facial e...
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Megan O’Brien — Core Response #5

As we have studied in this class, female gender expectations have historically been created and maintained through film stars, characters, and troupes. However, this line becomes blurred as everyday people are entering the limelight by portraying their daily life. Influential figures are no longer distant people in the world, but people that audiences can directly compare themselves to without the excuse that they’re just staged or scripted. This can be especially harmful when the expectations that are being set are warped by influencers trying to avoid outside harassment and prioritize staying relevant. Their expression of their body image, gender, and racial identity are molded to appease audiences opposed to convey the raw truth.  Defining concepts of “gender double-blind” or “authenticity bind,” these articles distinguish the immense pressure from society and individuals to balance not being too real and not real enough. Their idea defines weighing vulnerability and visibility ...
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