The thing most apparent to me about The wizard of Oz was that the movie adaptation was completely different from the book. The agenda of both these fables were completely different. I feel that the movie has more to work with psychologically. So I am going to psycho analyze the movie adaptation of The wizard of Oz. The notion of "double consiousness"which was coined by W. E. D. Du bois (He used this to describe how can the ideal of African American in post-slavery America is not possible) is what most crosses my mind when thinking about this movie.
Double consciousness- is an awareness of one's self as well as an awareness of how others perceive that person. The danger of double consciousness resides in conforming and/or changing one's identity to that of how others perceive the person.
"There's No place like home?"
In the movie we get a vivid visual of Kansas looking just as Grey as it was describe in the book. It was a "dust bowl" literally dry with devistation. But then something wonderful happens and a teenage Dorthy winds up blown into a very wonderful place that looks and feels magical. With munchkins and plenty of color. Although this place seems very magical it has all the very real elements of the real world. Its very unsafe. Dorthy commites two murders and has a hit out on her since day one of entering Oz. She and her male gang of friends band together and protect one another. (they even have weapon scarecrow has a gun) the gun symbolizes the reality of Oz.
So how can Oz in all Double Consiousness be both a real place full of life threataning dangers and characters who resemble many of her home life people back in Kansas and at the same time be a dream?
Girl or Woman? So the book describe Dorthay as a small child. But in the movie we see a young adolecent dorthy who had much beauty in fact she is the most youngest and beautiful girl in both Kansas and Oz. (Even the beautiful good witch Glenda is old) In the opening scene of the movie we see Dorthy interacting with 3 local nieghbors whom are all three middle age who aren't very attractive and seem sexless. Dorthy is singing and complaing to thes men getting advice about her dog toto being taken away. But in my opinion she is doing all she can to recieve thier full attention being even flirtasious playinf "damsel in destress' (falling into the pigpin)
Then again at the same token we see Dorthy being very nieve and believing in the "fortune teller" about aunt Em sickness. And later she is certain that this place Oz and that her lil adventure was most real. even as she awakes to tell her story just a s a child would anxiously fabricate a story. So how can Dorthy be both a flirtasious woman and a nieve child at the same time?
So this is how the notion of double consiousness plays into the movie version of the Widard of Oz. in my opinion.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
John Legend - Heaven
the strong imagery makes this video highly religious not my favorite John Legend song. But I liked the video.
Ghetto Gospel by Tupac
Tupac has many other religious/secular songs and video's (I aint mad at cha, Life goes on, Heaven got a ghetto)
this video message and lyrics questions the afterlife, what makes a person "holy"?
Bone thugs-n-harmony - Tha Crossroads
I remember as a kid this video its self was very scary to me as a kid, allot of other ppl my age said the same thing about this song and video. I think it was to "heavy" for us to understand as children. But I always liked the song. This video is circa 1995 two popular (west coast) rappers Tupac and Easy E had just passed. Easy E was one of the spirits in the video due to some kinda camera magic.
Madonna - Like A Prayer
Iconic and contiversial...it plays on interacial relationship, blk Jesus, Sexually suggestive lyrics in comparison to prayer. Really nice Gospel chior singing. I always liked this song.
Hate Me Now (featuring Puff Daddy)
Nas often uses images of Jesus in one place of another in his videos especially in like thelate 90's early 2000's either he presents himself as a moden day messiah himself or its in a photo image, his jewlery (similar to Kanye West who made Jesus pieces necklaces( large Jesus face/head charms on necklace chains) very popular) or in his lyrics.
Friday, September 10, 2010
"Lady gaga praise's her Catholic education"
So after thursday's class I realized that the relationship between religion and secular entertainment walks a fine line, this is nothing new the church has competing with pop culture from the start.This interesting relationship has evolved and become more intertwined than anything. I most definitely think religion in today's society isn't so secular from popular culture's entertainment, its not uncommon in most religious denominations to incorporate "praise dancing" into worship services, alongside a very spirited and theatrical minister. Some ministers even wear flashy attire, give jubilant sermons. All of this is to attract a new following and keep the old flock attending services regularly. But I began to wonder if minister's do it, who amongst pop culture does this? Celebrity music artist.
As I continued to think and maul over this ideal, I realized some of my favorite musical artist have done this.(Lady Gaga, Kanye West, John Legend, Madonna. etc) They have combined one or more elements of their faith or a piece of religious symbolism into their music, if not directly into the lyrics or message it can be seen in their music videos. Most of these artist songs and video have become very innovative and popular. They became not only memorable, but acceptable and well received by the public. examples of this are seen in Lady Gaga's Alejandro video is clearly a reference to her support of homosexuality and very direct references to her catholic upbringing. She spent the majority of her adolescence in catholic school. The red leather nun's costume, her swallowing rosary beads, the male dancers "monk" haircuts and also her white costume that looks very similar to the Popes hat. She used imagery directly related to Catholicism I really like the song Alejandro it's a fun listen, but still have a hard time connecting the video to the song but I really am a hard Lady Gaga fan and have been since her rise to stardom. She is very different and very talented.
Also such artist as Kanye West (posed as Jesus on cover of rolling Stone 2006/whom is considered very controversial) and his early career his hit single song/video was Jesus walks. in which the whole setting of the video takes place during a very lively church service, as he raps the message to sinner of redemption as they enter the church. This is also seen again in his most recent and also very controversial video Power.This element or religion in secular entertainment is seen several other iconic video. Artist fusing faith, religious convictions together and presenting it to the public as entertainment. I think this works and happens because: One many music artist whom aren't "gospel artist" often are seen as making secular music or "worldly music" that touches on aspects of life that Christians or religious persons are suppose to be trying to abstain from so they often are seen as "sinners" when in fact the majority of these musicians believe they were given this talent by God. So I think this is when we get to see artist touch on this aspect of there lives. They get to showcase their faith or lack there of or they take their chance to criticize religion all together. But in the words of Kanye west "I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long " I'm going to post several other videos from rapper Nas Hate me now. In which he is depicted as Jesus Christ going off to be crucified. I think what he was trying to say is "you can hate me now" its okay they hated Jesus. I always thought that was the message.He also referred to himself "God's Son" which he has tattooed across his belly.Singer John Legend who was developed his musical talent in the church. An Madonna's controversial video like a prayer and several others.
As I continued to think and maul over this ideal, I realized some of my favorite musical artist have done this.(Lady Gaga, Kanye West, John Legend, Madonna. etc) They have combined one or more elements of their faith or a piece of religious symbolism into their music, if not directly into the lyrics or message it can be seen in their music videos. Most of these artist songs and video have become very innovative and popular. They became not only memorable, but acceptable and well received by the public. examples of this are seen in Lady Gaga's Alejandro video is clearly a reference to her support of homosexuality and very direct references to her catholic upbringing. She spent the majority of her adolescence in catholic school. The red leather nun's costume, her swallowing rosary beads, the male dancers "monk" haircuts and also her white costume that looks very similar to the Popes hat. She used imagery directly related to Catholicism I really like the song Alejandro it's a fun listen, but still have a hard time connecting the video to the song but I really am a hard Lady Gaga fan and have been since her rise to stardom. She is very different and very talented.
Also such artist as Kanye West (posed as Jesus on cover of rolling Stone 2006/whom is considered very controversial) and his early career his hit single song/video was Jesus walks. in which the whole setting of the video takes place during a very lively church service, as he raps the message to sinner of redemption as they enter the church. This is also seen again in his most recent and also very controversial video Power.This element or religion in secular entertainment is seen several other iconic video. Artist fusing faith, religious convictions together and presenting it to the public as entertainment. I think this works and happens because: One many music artist whom aren't "gospel artist" often are seen as making secular music or "worldly music" that touches on aspects of life that Christians or religious persons are suppose to be trying to abstain from so they often are seen as "sinners" when in fact the majority of these musicians believe they were given this talent by God. So I think this is when we get to see artist touch on this aspect of there lives. They get to showcase their faith or lack there of or they take their chance to criticize religion all together. But in the words of Kanye west "I want to talk to God but I'm afraid because we ain't spoke in so long " I'm going to post several other videos from rapper Nas Hate me now. In which he is depicted as Jesus Christ going off to be crucified. I think what he was trying to say is "you can hate me now" its okay they hated Jesus. I always thought that was the message.He also referred to himself "God's Son" which he has tattooed across his belly.Singer John Legend who was developed his musical talent in the church. An Madonna's controversial video like a prayer and several others.
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