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AnonymousTHE TWILIGHT SAMURAI FILM REVIEW: I just had the pleasure of watching THE LAST SAMURAI which was recommended during our Session 5 or 6 on Japan. I highly recommend this movie as it is very touching as well as educational. The story is about a man, recently widowed and his two daughters. The film is told from the daughter's point of view. There is ACTION, ROMANCE, and pretty cinematography. You can order it from NETFLIX. I intend to show sections of it to my class. GREAT FILM!
edited by mfraser on 4/25/2011
AnonymousAs I was describing how much I enjoyed watching The Twilight Samurai, I mistakenly referred to it as The Last Samurai. When I went to edit my post, it took me in and then away and I was not able to correct it. So, The Twilight Samurai is much better than The Last Samurai..or so I hear as I did not see The Last Samurai.
AnonymousDear Ishifflett (I hope I wrote your Name correctly);
I am very familiar with the film Asoka and I would definitely recommend showing it to students. In fact, I have shown rated "R" films to my students in the past after previously notifiying parents about the content of the film and how it related to the concepts covered in class and after getting a written consent. LAUSD actually has a form available for such films, perhaps your district does as well. In any event, please keep in mind that the rating systems in Asia are very different to those in the U.S. so a rated "R" Asian film is much cleaner than a "PG13" film in the U.S. so don't be discouraged by that factor alone. As I mentioned before, I've shown relatively graphic films to my students and they've responded with impressive maturity because I also prepared for the same through the various lessons and classroom discussions we had on social issues that are often times difficult to address in the first place. Asoka is definitely a must show film and I actually thank you very much for reminding me about it. I watched it a while ago and unfortunately didn't think about it when I covered Buddhism with my class, otherwise it would have complimented the lessons quite well.
AnonymousCheck out this powerpoint: Qinghai-TibetRailway000(R).pps Short powerpoint explaining the engineering feats of connecting Tibet to China's railway system. Very informative, amazing, and inspiring!
Qinghai-TibetRailway000(R).pps (2993KB)
Well: unfortunately, I don't know how I can ADD this attachment..it is a powerpoint. Can anybody tell me?
clay dubeThis powerpoint is making the rounds, sometimes with and sometimes without the opening title slides, etc. I've been sent versions by over five people. Some of the photos are stunning. One of those images, though, has also come in for considerable discussion. A 2008 Wall Street Journal blog entry discussed it:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120363429707884255.html
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"Earlier this week, Xinhua, China's state-run news agency, issued an unusual public apology for publishing a doctored photograph of Tibetan wildlife frolicking near a high-speed train. "The deception -- uncovered by Chinese Internet users who sniffed out a Photoshop scam in the award-winning picture -- has brought on a big debate about media ethics, China's troubled relationship with Tibet, and how pregnant antelope react to noise."
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Here is a China Daily article about the photo: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-02/19/content_6464965.htm
The ppt has also stimulated considerable debate over the ecological impact on the plateau, on the economic consequences of opening the region to greater investment and tourism, and more. Many commentators have taken the presentation to task for being an uncritical endorsement of Chinese government development efforts in the region.
The ppt can be downloaded here: http://www.simsig.co.uk/index.php?option=com_agora&task=topic&id=2942&Itemid=54
AnonymousThey was like dream in DVD.
Anonymoushello
AnonymousI'm truly delighted by your film review because it provides me an awesome resource to use with my 10th graders next time I teach Samurai Shortstop. Like the film you describe, this book addresses the conflict between tradition and modernity. This is the story of a young man who is torn between following the Samurai tradition his father, the last samurai, has passed on to him and his love of baseball, a foreign traditon. I think the two would work wonders and would definitely help put the story into context for students who lack exposure to Japanese culture. Thanks much!!
M.C. Shah, Maywood Academy High School.
AnonymousThe Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise, is an interesting movie which portrays Japanese history and culture during the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century. As a former American army captain, Nathan Algren is hired by a Japanese businessman, Omura, to train and westernize the Japanese army in order to eliminate the Samurai, which represent the old traditions of war. With his traumatic war experiences and a twist of fate, Algren becomes a captive of a Samurai, Katsumoto. From an enemy to an ally to Katsumoto, Algren transforms his sense of personal dignity, loyalty, and spirit.
It is R rated movie, so selective view is advised when you show it to the class. Students will learn that although change is inevitable in a moving society, one must also remember the origins, respect its culture, and value its traditions.
AnonymousThe movie “Let the Bullet Fly” is a good one conducted by Jiang Wen, a famous movie star in China. It tells a story about a person who buys positions from the government for himself. Once he gets the position, he collects money from people to make himself rich. The background of this movie was back to the beginning of last century, but after I watched this movie, I can see the shadow of this kind of thing that is happening in the present society in China. I realize the brave producer of the movie just want to reflect the bankruptcy in China at present. People now use their money to buy the position they want, such as the director of a department, principle of a school, the president of a college. After they got the position, they can make more money than they used for the position by either abuse their power or collect money of big gift from people working under their leadership. That is really something bad, jet people just do it for the benefit of themselves.
AnonymousThe movie “Let the Bullet Fly” is a good one conducted by Jiang Wen, a famous movie star in China. It tells a story about a person who buys positions from the government for himself. Once he gets the position, he collects money from people to make himself rich. The background of this movie was back to the beginning of last century, but after I watched this movie, I can see the shadow of this kind of thing that is happening in the present society in China. I realize the brave producer of the movie just want to reflect the bankruptcy in China at present. People now use their money to buy the position they want, such as the director of a department, principle of a school, the president of a college. After they got the position, they can make more money than they used for the position by either abuse their power or collect money of big gift from people working under their leadership. That is really something bad, jet people just do it for the benefit of themselves.
AnonymousWatched a wonderful Korean movie: Shadows in the Palace: a story about a murder that is made to look like a suicide, and a young female nurse who is investigating a possible cover up by the queen. Plot takes place in the palace, a young woman hung, two babies, a young nurse who does not give up on the investigation which takes her to a cover up in the birth of the king's male heir. There are several twists and turns and an unexpected ending. Highly recommended.
AnonymousThe Bicycle Man
It is the story of the pains and aches of a migrant worker to the city where he finds a job as a courier delivering letters around the city. It is a story of perseverance through hardships and dealing with daily life issues that are common to all.
It is in Chinese with English subtitles.
No profanity nor sex scenes.
Good discussions of compare and contrast with our own migrant workers.
I used it with High school students grades 9-12 in a Career Awareness class.
AnonymousThe movie“Confucius”was made in 2008 by Chinese Movie corp. It is a historical movie that is worth seeing many times. The director is a famous woman director with the name Hu, May. She describes Confucius as a lonely person whose beliefs were not widely accepted during the time he was alive. Yet, after his death, his ideas were widely accepted and spread all over the world. This movie introduces Confucius from his childhood to his later. His doctrines have been influencing China for a long time. There is a saying as it goes, if you want to know China, you must know something about Confucius. This movie just gives you a chance to learn about Confucius. I think this movie contributes a great gift to the world civilization.
edited by Lding on 7/10/2011
AnonymousLding, how can one get ahold of the Confucius movie? can it be found on Netflex? - I check the local library and they didn't have it.