Sunday, November 11, 2012

Welcome to Quarter 2 -Humanities!

I am so excited for this quarter and so glad you signed up for Humanities. I hope you find this class interesting, fun, and applicable to life.

I have created this blog to record your outside activities hours that are required for this class. I will have periods 1 and 2 on one blog so you can see what the students in the other classes are experiencing as well.

My hope for this blog is to write about your outside experiences in order for others to read about all the great activities, movies, musicals, museums, articles, concerts and the other many experiences students are encountering that relate to Humanities.

Information regarding posting will be coming soon.
Again, welcome to Humanities.
Mrs. Wright

139 comments:

  1. The musical "Into the Woods" opened last night and runs through Sunday, November 18. I encourage everyone to attend. It is an amazing show! Support your cast and crew. GO LAKERS!

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    2. Natalie Merritt
      1/2/13
      Hour 2
      My first outside activity hours were spent seeing “4 Tickets to Christmas,” a play at Friendship Church in Shakopee. The setting takes place in the early 1900’s, on the Richmond family farm in Indiana. After the town church burns down, there is now no place for the community to rehearse for the Christmas program. The Richmonds decide to hold practices in their barn. Many generations of the family, along with other families now get together and prepare for the show together. There are many obstacles along the way, but together they are able to overcome them all, and the show does go on. The families are also able to open up to each other, and repair broken relationships. Most importantly, through it all, they learn the real importance of Christmas. The point of Christmas is to bring us back to God, and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I thought that the play was amazing. It was fun to personally know the people performing, and was exciting that my boyfriend had a big part. I was amazed by the talent each individual had. It was cool to see people show off their talents like this. The set and props were great and really made it seem like the time period. The singing was beautiful and the acting was flat out amazing! I was overall very impressed with the performance! The actual story of the play was also very meaningful. It was a good reminder to everyone why Christmas is celebrated. It also shows the importance of family, and also the importance of chasing your dreams. I thought the play was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone. I loved it because I personally knew the people in the play, but also the talent and overall performance was amazing! I can’t think of one thing I disliked. I think a good approach to Humanities that this play demonstrates is “provide us a perspective to view the world.” It’s not necessarily a new perspective to view the world, but the holidays and Christmas. It gives you the new perspective that Christmas is not about the food, festivities, and presents, but instead about Jesus Christ. It shows us a new way of viewing Christmas, and focusing it more on God.

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    3. Mollie DuBay
      Hour 2, Hunanities


      I choose to go to Prior Lake High School’s musical called “Into the Woods". Into the Woods starts with a scene of the Baker and his wife, and they want a child of their own, but unfortantly they werent able too. They decided if they wanted their child they had they had to follow the list of things to do and the witch makes them have everything done and checked off in order to have their own child. They are required to collect a strand of hair that is yellow as corn, a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood ,and a slipper as pure as gold. The couple that is trying for this child live in the forest were it is easy to collect the things they need in order to have their child! While they where on their way looking for the items and completing the tasks they need they surprisingly found some friends on the way that will help them do a couple tasks. Once they had found all the items and completed the tasks they needed to do they turned them into the witch and the wishes the couple had wished where then granted. A little after act one, a problem appears and the giant climbed down the bean stock looking for the harp that Jack stole from earlier in the play. Last year a bunch of friends went to the foot loose play and loved it as well. I would reccomend going to our plays to anyone because our theature students honestly have amazing talent! Into the Woods ties in with “help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world”. It connects because alot of people enjoy going to school plays, expecially because the amount of talent is crazy and for the people performing for us is having fun putting on a play for other people.

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    4. Jamie Donaldson
      hour 2
      For one of my outside activities I went to the Nutcracker ballet. It was playing in Burnsville. I did not know what to expect becauseI am not really into the whole play thing but at the end i was very impressed on the show they put on. I thought it was going to be talking so i was very surprised when they did not talk the whole play. It was very cool to see all the talent they had and how hard they had to work for the play to come all together.
      My reflection of the Nutcracker was that it was very interesting. I think one time was enough for me. I was looking for more of a commedy play with words and more fast pace. The play was very well put together and it flowed really smoothly. I went with some very fun friends so that is what kept it very intertaining for me.
      I would recommend it to a lot of people but warn them before they go that it is very quiet and a play with no words. The thing I liked about it the most was the dancing it was very hard moves that they completed with no problem. I did not like that you had to pay supper close attention to follow the story and understand it.
      One approach to humanities is dance. The dancing in the play showed a lot of emotion and told a story through the dancing. Humanities is told through a story or something else and that something else was the dancing.

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  2. Hannah Fligel
    11/27
    Hour 1

    A week ago I went to see the musical Into the Woods at the high school. The music was by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The main characters are taken from "Little Red riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel" and "Cinderella", as well as several others. The musical is tired together by an original story involving a baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, and interaction with a witch and her curse on them.
    The musical was excellent. I enjoyed seeing it and would for sure go see it again. The actors and actress did such an amazing job and in my opinion it was an amazing musical especially for high school. It was just as good as it could get.
    The musical was a good example of "find meaning and enjoyment in our world" watching plays makes me happy. Listening to amazing singers sing and seeing talented people act, seeing all the talented people out there makes me find a meaning and enjoyment in our world.

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  3. Brittney Carpenter
    11-27-12
    Hour: 2

    I went to see the play "Into the Woods" at the high school. The play was about the baker and his wife trying to start a family but was stunted by the witch's spell on the baker's family. So they are on a search for the three item in which the which needs to break the spell. The items come from other fairy tales that you might have heard such as, Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", "Little Red Riding Hood", and " Cinderella." All these pieces were tied into the story to make one.
    I thought the musical was great. It had a great story to it and it was entertaining. I think the characters were portrayed really well. For a high school play these students did an excellent job. If it were still playing I would see it again. The only part I did not like that it showed at a late time and ended late as well because it was long.
    The musical was an example of "help us live our life to the fullest" because it is something that people can go to for entertainment. Doing something out of the ordinary is good for people to do to give things a chance. If you never experienced other things you would never know how life could be.

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  4. Anastasiya Zvereva
    11/30/12
    Hour 1

    On November 17th, I went to see the musical "Into The Woods" at the high school. The musical was a bunch of fairytales tied together into one. There were characters from Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood. The play was mainly about a baker and his wife that were trying to start a family but had a spell on them so they couldn’t have children. They had to get three items from different characters to lift the spell. That is how all the characters tied in together.
    I’m not really into musicals and plays but I actually really enjoyed going to this musical. It was fun seeing people I know doing something I’ve never seen them do. I would recommend going to something like this because it was a fun experience and know I know a little more about some of the people in my grade. I liked how there wasn’t even one second where something wasn’t happening so there was no time to get bored or not pay attention. The actors/actresses did a great job and made it very fun and also the hard work that they put into it was obvious. The one thing that I didn’t like was the length of the musical, it seemed a little long to me. Even with the length, I enjoyed it very much.
    The approach to Humanities that I would choose for this experience would be that it helps us find the meaning and enjoyment in the world. I enjoyed going to the musical even though I would have never thought about doing it before. Also I saw that the cast was doing what they love to do and that brings them joy. Seeing how talented people are that I’m around every day and how much fun they have doing it is why i think it brings meaning and enjoyment to the world.

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  5. Samantha DuBois
    December 3rd, 2012
    Hour 2
    For my very first humanities project, I decided to attend our school’s musical production, Into the Woods. Into the Woods begins when a baker and his wife, desperate for a child, agree to follow the command of a neighboring witch. They are required to collect a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, a strand of hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. The baker and his wife live in an enchanted forest, so getting all these items from the multiple characters is quite simple. With the help of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (from Jack and the bean stock), Rapunzel, and Cinderella, by the end of act one, all wishes have been granted. Although, as act two finishes up in full swing, a few characters’ life’s are taken by a giant who steps down from the heavens. Realizing they need to work together in order to succeed, all the characters come together, through their stories, to unite as one community to defeat the giant and restore the happiness to their lives.
    I attended Footloose last fall, and was very excited to see this year’s production. It completely amazes me what our peers are able to put together and preform. The level in which they perform at is extraordinary, and I could see how one might mistake them for a higher level, college, or even professional level. So many of my teachers and acquaintances boasted about this play, and I couldn’t help but agree. When some parts brought goose bumps to my arms, others made me laugh out loud. I can’t help but completely congratulate ever single cast member, or other member who made this absolutely amazing performance possible.
    Like I said before, I really enjoyed this play. That being said, I’ve always loved anything involving music. Whether it is going to a concert, or seeing a musical at the Orpheum theatre, I have always had a keen interest for the arts. I would recommend this play to those who are interested in musicals and theater. It may be hard for someone who doesn’t have an appreciation for this form of art to actually enjoy every aspect of it. One of my favorite parts of the play was the set. The moving surface in the middle of the stage blew me away! It looked professional and in my opinion, really added to the play as a whole.
    Into the Woods would definitely connect with the second approach to humanities which is: help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world. This play definitely provided enjoyment to the many people who attended it. Family, friends, and peers all were able to come and enjoy a performance put on by people they know and love. I think it is a great opportunity and something all should experience at least once simply because I believe many would be surprised.

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    1. wow really great discription on into the woods you put alot detail into your blog great job:)

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  6. Nova Ettedgui, 12/4/12, Hour 2
    For my first humanities outside hours assignment, I went to see the musical Into the Woods, which was put on by the Prior Lake High School theatre. I went with my friend and her sister on opening night. They play is about many different fairytale stories and characters combined into one. The stories are intertwined and are shifted into a new story plot. Characters like Rapunzel, baker and wife, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, princes, Jack and the Beanstalk, a witch, and many more characters interact with each other throughout the musical. They go on many journeys throughout the woods and the baker and the wife are trying to collect different items so that they can give them to the witch, in hope that they will have the ability to have a child. There are many obstacles that these characters go through, but they seem to make it out by working together.
    I thought that the musical was absolutely outstanding. Even though the musical is now over, I would definitely recommend this play to people because it really draws your attention and it is so fascinating. I didn’t realize how truly talented and gifted my peers are until I went and saw the musical. I was in shock at how amazing they are at singing and acting. The costumes were unbelievably amazing and they fit the characters so well. The actors/actresses really took in the roles of their characters and ran with it. The only thing that was negative about they play is that it got to be so lengthy.
    The approach of humanities that I thought fit in really well with the musical is “shows us options and alternatives”. They whole musical is basically an alternative to the typical fairytales that we’ve all grown up with and known. It shows us that different aspects from fairytales can be taken out and put together in another way to create an amazing show.

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  7. Sarah Condon, December 5th, Hour 1
    Into the Woods at Prior Lake High School was my first humanities experience. I went on Friday, November 16th with my sister. The story is a combination of fairytales along with the main plot following a baker and his wife. A witch torments the couple as they try to have a child. She instructs them to fetch things from the woods hence beginning their quest..."Into the Woods".As they enter the forest, they encounter characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack in the Beanstalk, and Cinderella each on their own journeys. The first half the of the show is brighter and hopeful as the couple gets the items and are granted with a child. The second half is much darker with a giant in control of their land. As the play closes, the characters learn the true meaning of happily ever after.
    I, overall, thoroughly enjoyed this show. I have been to many high school theatre productions as well as professional theatre and this was close in comparison! I would highly recommned this show to all ages as it made me laugh continuously and was a sheer pleasure to watch. I found the setting and backgrounds quite impressive as well as some of the characters. Not only can students act but they can draw, paint, and create dynamic backgrounds. The cow and princes specifically took the show for me. Everytime they were on stage I felt as if I truly was "Into the Woods" along with them. As for what I didnt like, I felt the length of the songs and show in general was too much. I think it could have been finished after Act 1. The songs were very well put together, just could have been made shorter helping the overall length. Into the Woods was a well crafted story with exquisite backgrounds and memorable characters.
    I also felt that this experience well fit the second approach of humanities, which is to bring meaning and enjoyment to life. Any of the ten really could have fit this show but the second one specifically stuck out to me. Between the singing, dancing, acting, and background art I was brought to tears and then struck with laughter. It also took a spin on the fairytales I had grown up knowing, making me think, which is something I enjoyed as well. This show is highly recommended and very enjoyable, something all people should take part in.

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  8. Thomas Wolf
    12/11
    Hour: 1
    I saw Gladiator for the first time saturday night with a -couple of friends, and that movie was really really well made. I honestly loved it.
    The movies started out in the beginning stage of battle so it was really tense. After the battle, everyone was complamenting Maximus, as well as the emperor who then wanted him to become the next emperor. But the son of the emperor for jellous because it was suppost to be his position, but he was crazy and I didn't like him honestly, he was a lunatic. So then MAximus's family was killed and we was put into slavery, and earned his was to become a star amoung the people. Eventually he faces the emperor and killed him, then he dies so he can finally visit his fallen family they have been missing.
    I thought it was really really really good! there was plenty of action which i personally love, and their was enough drama and acting to show how well the actors can act. The props I thought were amazing with the clothing, and the scenery, and the company they had, evrything just went hand in hand in this movie I though. Some parts i did get emotional about, and other parts I was like, "hoa! dang!!" I'm gla i saw this movie, it was well worth my time.
    I think this movie showed the viewer that you must live your life to the fullest. For the whole movie he said he was going to kill the emperor, and see his family , which he did. and the was it turned out couldn't of been better I thought, it was like a happy, yet slightly sad ending.

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  9. Jared Bliss
    12/13
    Hour: 1
    On December 2nd i went to see the Prior Lake Wind Jammers at the Shepherd of The Lake Lutheran Church. I went with my family mainly because my dad plays the French horn.

    At the start Ziemann greats the crowd of people, and explains the theme for each of the songs. It contains many traditional Christmas songs around the world. At first i wasn't really so excited, but as they started to play you could hear all the hard work that they put into this event. The band contained many instruments and a verity of playing styles. They played 11 songs total and they even interacted with the crowd by getting them to sing along at certain parts of the song.

    I though that they were very good. All the songs they played sounded perfect and they singer hit every note along with the band. This is a great community band that put time into playing music. They don’t really do it for the community, but they really do it because they love music over all. Each member of the Wind Jammers are very experienced and have been playing an instrument over ten years.

    I think that the Wind Jammers were great over all. Their playing style is wonderful. I think that all ages would love to hear them play. They really put a lot of hard effort and lots of practice to provide music to the local community. This concert was free and they all play for fun. As for my dad who plays the French horn, he says he loves playing with everyone and loves music with all his heart.

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  10. T-Wolf
    12-13-2012
    Hour: 1
    I saw Into the woods, which was a play preformed by the Prior Lake senior High school maybe a month or go or so. I think the play was really well made and all the characters were just amazing. The story was about 3 different faily tails all coming together to all have their own individual plot lines. Red ridding hood was bringing her grandmother cookies. Hansel and grettle want to have kids so needed to find 4 different objects. And Jack needed to give up his cow to get money for his family. They all came together to make one story and it was really well made. The second act was like a different story all together which I diddent really like, it was really out of context and i really didn't see it as a second part of the 1st act. The second act was more sad and dramatic though, so I give them props for that.
    I saw that, and it was really good, all the characters came to live and poped right in front of my eyes. They were also all really good singers, so that was a plus. I hojnestly don't really like musicals though, at all. So in general i would have to say I diddnet really like it, but it was still really good. Im not trying to put it down, just musicals arn't my thing. I think my mom actually almost fell alseep right next to me. If you never seen a play before, seeing that might be an ok choice for you. Im not a huge critique on musicals so I dont know.
    I think this play deffinautly made me think about what I find important in life. I think the humannities portion of this was that it made the characters show that their actons have conciquences. Like when someone did something out of selfishness, they would get killed in the end or something. Their was also a lot of emotion in the play. Some of the times it was all romantic n' stuff. Other times it was really sad, like when the giant killed some of the people from the woods. But in the end all of it came together to make all sorta of emotions, and just made an overall great play. I thought it was really well produced, and the music was great too! everything was just awesome.

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  11. Cody Boren
    12-17-12
    Hour 1

    On Sunday of this week i went to the Minnesota Museum of Science. I visited most of the exhibits and watched an Omnitheatre movie about tornados.

    On the whole the Science museum was actually very interesting, although the tornado movie was quite underwhelming. The museum hyped up the movie quite a bit, and the theatre itself was very cool as the ceiling rotated, making itself into a domed screen instead of flat. But overall i expected more out of the experience. However, the rest of the museum was very cool. On the bottom floor there is a large room with a bunch of small experiments dealing with everything from chemistry to hydrolics to light refraction. Overall, i would definitely reccomend going.

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  12. T-Wolf
    12-17-12
    Hour: 1
    Last night, on December 16th, my friend Sklarr, and his girlfriend Miranda, and I all went to Station 4 bar to see a concert. We went there to see Veil of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Upon a Burning Body, Volumes, Counter Measure, and Reaping Asmodeia. Unfortinautly The Acacia Strain's tour bus crashed so I couldn't see them, which was like, the number 1 band I wanted to see, which really sucked. Any ways, All the bands were sick! exept the one band that had to replace The Acacia Strain, they were like, a hardcore band or something, and they were just not good at all. All the other bands were sick, we were jumping up and down, and moshing, and headbanging so awesomely, its was just...ughhhh!! amazing concert! I would deffinautly go to another concert with any of those bands. I'm actually going to see The Acacia Strain though in February! can't wait!

    I saw the bands up on the stage, and like, all of the drummer s had HUGE kits!. they had like, a wall stand with multiple toms, and cymbols on one, and of course the rest of the kit, it was just huge. Half the bands i saw had like 7 strings, Reaping Asmodeia even had an 8 string guitar! and he was amazing. He was really fast, and technical, he even strummed with only the thumb muscle, which I find impressive, and their bassist had like 4 foot long dreds, and that was cool with him bead banging. The hardcore band or whatever that played was lame. The singer said after a song, hes sick of seeing happy faces, cause metal is an agressive genre, and hes pissed off thats why he does music. I found that lame, cause he was only pissed off he didn't even focus on making good lyrics, or good music, which is why I thought that band wasn't good. Volumes though, the next band, was really popular! EVERYONE got up so close, and I couldn't even move, the croud just swayed us back and forth, and they jumped, then I jumped, I wasn't even in control. Upon a burning body was really jumpy, all the way from Texas, all they songs were either fast moshing songs, or made every one bounce bounce bounce bounce, it was soooo rad. And of couse Veil of maya, they loudest and heavyest of them all, they squeel of the guitar was annoying after a while, but I didn't care, I was starving, sweatty, and injured, but I kept banging my head, and running into people. I was just hoping they played Punisher, and they said goodbye so we started chanting, and of couse, they played it, and it was so awesome. I tried to lose my crowd surfing verginity, but no one would help me up :( whatever, it was my favorite song played very last, and that was awesome! If you ever have the chance to see a metal concert, even if you dont like metal, go to one, the energy is outragous! I think the humanities this concert had was that it express a person’s attitude or feelings toward a topic. Metal is generally the most aggresive, and musicians look at hthe world in a different way. They look at the world in a different way and see the lies, and the messed up ways of society, and they write about it. They express their emotions and feeling out in a "heavy way", which people love, regardless of what they talk about. Metal just has a way to speak to me, and I lvoet o listn, cause it makes sense to me. METAL!! \m/

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  13. Sarah Condon
    December 17th, 2012
    Hour 1

    For my second Humanities experience I went to see the Christmas Carol at the Gutherie. I went last night, Sunday, December 16th, with my parents and older sister. We go to a show every Christmas and this year we spoiled ourselves. The show was an absolute treat! It follows the life of Ebenezer Scrooge and his movement toward happiness during the holiday season. He begins as a grumpy, bitter man who hates the holiday season and the idea of giving. One night he is visited by the ghost of a fellow co-worker, Jacob Marley, who informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts in the following nights. As each ghost comes, they show Scrooge Christmas from the past, present and future. As he sees each one he realizes how cruel and frugal he has become. The final ghost then shows Scrooge his own funeral and the lack of people who come to mourn. This devastates Scrooge and therefore transforms him into a caring, Christmas loving man. He gives away all his money to charity and gives his current co-worker a very Merry Christmas. It is a truly uplifting and enlightening Christmas story, focusing on what is really important in life.

    This show was amazing!!! The characters, scenery, and songs were exceptionally crafted and well thought out. I highly recommend this show to teenagers and adults. However, kids aren't appropriate. The future ghost as well as Jacob Marley are very scary and dramatic. The sounds were also very loud making me jump out of my chair. On the other hand, the costumes and set were incredible. The amount of art involved not only in acting but in costume design and set development was fascinating. This show also had large amounts of humor which I found enhanced my experience. It gave the show a lighter, fun feel. I truly saw a difference between high school and professional theatre. The combination of art, sound, and just venturing to the city made this an unforgettable night!

    The humanities approach that fit this play was to make us more aware of actions and consequences. Scrooge did not change his attitude until he saw his past actions and consequences as an outsider. The ghost of the past showed him the enjoyment of giving, the ghost of the present showed him the exciting party he was invited too but declined, and the ghost of the future showed him his lonely death. The combination of these three images impacted Scrooge's current actions in order for him to have only happy consequences for the duration of his life. Overall, the Christmas Carol was a funny, scary twist on an old Christmas tale.

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  14. Micaela Resh
    Hour 1
    December 20th, 2012

    For my first humanities experience I went to see the play, "Into the Woods" showing at Prior Lake High School. I went to the play on Thursday, November 15th with a few friends. It was really excited to see the show after all of the rave reviews from the musical members and staff. The show opens with a scene from the Baker and the Baker's wife. It shows them running their business, and they reveal that they wish to have a baby. Sadly, due to the Baker's Wife they are unable to concieve a child on their own. The kniving witch then enters and gives them a laundry list of impossible tasks to complete and then she will present them with a baby. They set off to find a cow as white as snow, a lock of a princess's hair, a cape as red as blood, and a slipper like gold. They couple hits highs and lows continuously finding and losing these items. They finally gather all of the magical trinkets and deliver them to the witch. Soon after the giant climbed down the beanstock because he seeked the harp that Jack had stolen. He ends up killing off almost all of the characters, leaving the Baker and Cinderella to care for the child.

    The musical was a great show. It showcased the talents of many throughout the school. The acting was enjoyable, especially by Milky the cow and the witch. Other impressive aspects included the set, costumes, and makeup. I really liked the first half of the musical with the mashup of fairytales. All of the singing and music was fabulous too!

    "Into the Woods" connects with "help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world." This approach of humanities is fulfilled because sitting down and watching a play can bring people enjoyment and also it is fun for those performing and aiding in the production of the musical as well.

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  15. Cody Steinhaus
    Hour 1
    December 20th, 2012

    For my first project I went and saw "Into the Woods" on November 15th. The play was about a baker and his wife who want to have children but the wife cannot carry a child of her own. then a witch comes to them and gives them a list of things to get for her and if they can get all of these items she will grant them a child. All of these items are from other fairy tales that tie togeather in this play.

    I thought the play was great. The way that they used items from past fairy tales such as a cape as red as blood which refers to little red riding hood, was pretty cool. The beggining of the play was pretty playful and childish but the second half was very dark which I also thought was pretty cool.

    The play connects with, help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world. It conncets because almost anybody come come watch this play and enjoy it.

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  16. Cody Steinhaus
    Hour 1
    December 18th, 2012

    For my second project I watched Gladiator. This is one of my favorite movies because it has a very good story and good actors. This movie is about Maximus, a Gneral of a portion of the Roman army. The Emporer thinks of Maximus as his own son and chooses him to be the heir to the throne. Commodus, the Emporers actual son learns of this and kills his father in secracy before anyone finds out who his father chose. Commodus then becomes the Emporer and banishes Maximus and kills his family. He then vows to kill Commodus. Once he gains enough respect as a gladiator Commodus challenges him because the people love Maximus and Commodus wants all of the attention. Maximus kills Commodus but he is killed from a knife wound that Commodus gave to him before the match.

    I love this movie because it has such a great story, Maximus goes from being a Roman General loved by his men,the people, and the Emporer. He then is banished but fights back to the top and dies a hero. He fought for want he wanted and he accomplished his goal.

    Gladiator connects with, brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. This movie is filled with emotion and that emotion is what drives Maximus to accomplish his goal.

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  17. Cody Steinhaus
    Hour 1
    December 19th, 2012

    For my third project I watched A Beautiful Mind. This Movie is about John Nash set, a very smart mathemetician who is attending Princeton University. He develops some sort of dynamic that catches the eye of the Pentegon. The Pentegon uses his code-breaking skills to help crack encrypted info about the soviets. His work catches the eye of William Parcher whos works for the Department of Defense. Parcher gives him special assignments to try and stop a soviet threat and informs him that this is top secret and nobody can know. Nash begins to believe that people are watching him and is put into a psych facility, Nash believes everyone in the facility is a soviet. We later find out that Nash has schizophrenia, and that no one from the Department of defense ever gave him special assignments and it was all in his head. Which is true.After an incident with his family Nash realizes that he is hallucinating and begins to ignore the people who are fake. Years later after he has learned to control everything he is allowed to teach at Princeton where one of his old friend from there is no the head od mathematics. He then goes on to win the Noble prize in Economics.

    I loved this movie, I thought that it was put togeather very well. The twists in the plot are very interesting. Its also cool to know that this is based on a true story.

    This movie connects with,make us more aware or our actions and the consequences. Even though Nash thought he was doing real work, he was just imagining it and he alomost ended up killing his child. All because he wouldn't take his medication.

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  18. Zachary Lindholm, 4-19-2012, 2nd
    I will be watching the classic movie called Beauty and the Beast. It is an original love story a Disney Movie also a sing along. Released 11/22/1991, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise. I am watching this movie because it is one of many favorites of mine. The sing along songs are very entertaining, when I was younger I loved to sing along but now they are just fun to listen too.
    Belle is a girl who is not happy with life in her boring ole village, Belle loves nothing more than having a book in her hands, but her life turns exciting with a more than just a wild story when she offers to become the prisoner of the horrible Beast in an enchanted castle to spare the life of her father. Life in the castle holds many surprises, including the crew of enchanted household objects like the motherly teapot Mrs. Potts and the dashing candlestick Lumiere. Belle discovers that there is more to the fearsome Beast than she can see at first, and it's her handsome that has a dying love for her, Gaston who proves to be the real monster. Only her true love can break the spell that has turned the prince into the Beast, and finally break the curse.
    I think this movie is wonderful for all ages it is a great movie, it’s a story of love and adventure it makes you sad and get that weird feeling in your heart scaring you that’s like you want to stop the bad guy and feel bad for the beast.
    Yes I do recommend this to everyone even though almost all teenagers have seen the movie. I like the whole thing especially like the part in the kitchen wee our guest the song and also the part when they invades the castle and all the furniture comes out and fight and win!!!!! There wasn’t anything I didn’t like, unless I can say that if it was a play rather than a movie I might like it better.
    I think it connects to humanities because of the singing and dancing that is involved in this movie when they all danced and served Belle for dinner. Also the multiply times in the beginning when Belle was singing then again in the kitchen they all sang and when she was in the castle when the beast and Belle were feeding the birds so that’s how I connect it to humanities.

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  19. Jordan Pederson
    Hour 1
    12-20-12

    For my project I watched the movie Platoon. The movie is about a group of infantrymen and their journey through Vietnam. It shows many of the battles that they fight and also what life was like when they weren't fighting. Beyond just the events, it shows the struggle that the troops have with each other and even the struggles with their own moral. Finally it shows how they all change throughout their time in Vietnam.

    I really liked the movie Platoon. It has a lot of interesting history in it, as well as being full of action and it really kept my interest the whole time. One thing that I didn't like were the graphics, it came out in 1986 so the movie is a little behind on visual effects. I would recommend this movie if you like action movie or movies that have pieces of history in them. I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like historical movies or war movies. It does have a few parts where they do things like kill innocent people or kids so if you don’t wanna see that I also wouldn't recommend it. One final thing is that it does swear a lot, so you wouldn't want to watch it with a little sibling or something.

    The approach to humanities that this applies to is that it provides us with a new perspective to view the world. This movie shows some bad aspects of the world. It shows that there are terrible things that happen in this world for really dumb reasons and that people will always fight and treat each other with brutality in some parts of the world.

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  20. Hannah Schultze
    December 20, 2012
    Hour 1

    For my first Humanities experience I went to KDWB's Jingle Ball 2012. It was December 4, 2012 at the Xcel. The performers included Conor Maynard, Ellie Goulding, Cher Lloyd, One Republic, Owl City, Ed Sheeran, Train, and PSY. Last year was my first time going to Jingle Ball, and we sort of made it tradition to go ever since. I go with my sister, my two other cousins, and all of our moms. This year Jingle Ball was at the Xcel in St. Paul rather than the Target Center in Minneapolis. We stayed at a hotel right across from the Xcel so it was very conveinent. Our night started out by settling into our hotel room. We then went out to eat at an Irish restaurant/pub. The meal was fantastic! I had boneless whiskey wings. Us four girls then headed across the street to the Xcel where we sang and danced till about midnight when it was over.

    Going into the concert, I didn't think it was going to be that great because I wasn't really into the artists who were there. However, after the concert, I had a lot more respect for the artists who performed. My favorite artist was Ed Sheeran. He is so talented it is unreal! Humanities fits into this concert because of the music aspect of it. It fits perfectly into what we are learning about right now with 20th century music. I have a much greater appreciation for what these artists do to make their music unique and also the whole performance aspect of it too!

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  21. Shannon Tell
    12-20-12
    Hour:1
    For my outside hours I watched my dad's favorite movie with him, Brave Heart. It's about how a man named William Wallace, from Scotland that starts an uprising against England. The movie starts off with how William’s dad and brother don’t return from the ‘peace meeting’ the English King set up. William years later gets married but his wife gets murdered by an English lord. Fed up with the Englanders William rallies up a group of men to get the Englanders out of their land. This starts many battles causing many lives to be lost. But, at the end Scotland finally earned their indecency.
    I really liked the movie it was very powerful and has a lot of meaning behind it. It was really well made and the acting was amazing. It’s interesting to watch because this battle between Scotland and England really did happen. The movie did get very violent there were a lot of battle scenes. So don’t watch if you don’t like seeing violent movies. I would recommend it though they reenacted the13th century time very well. It’s very different them most movies I usually watch but I ended up really enjoying it.

    Expresses a person's attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, love, justice, peace ,ect. This approach of humanities is relatable to this movie because William Wallace fights for his beloved land. He also fights because he is sick of the Scottish people being treated unfairly and wants peace for the people.


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  22. Alec Leaf
    12/19/12
    Hour:1
    For my outside hours I watched the academy award winning film Platoon, about the Vietnam War. Charlie Sheen starred in this movie playing a naive soldier named Chris Taylor who gave up his comfortable lifestyle to volunteer for service. Throughout the film it was made very evident that the men fighting suffered severe hardships in the rugged terrain. The movie began with Chuck being dropped off at the American base in Vietnam. Soon after landing he was put to work performing hard labor many of the more experienced men would not. Chis quickly began to realize that he had made a big mistake by volunteering for these awful conditions and did not know if he could continue. From this point on the film focused on Chris's experiences fighting and living with his fellow comrades. Many lives were lost in the battles in gruesome ways and could definitely be considered disturbing to the faint of heart. But at the end of the film Chris makes it out alive and ends up being helicoptered out of the war to return home.
    Though the movie was a little gruesome the story behind it was very powerful and also seemed very informational. It was in many points very shocking to see the hardships the soldiers faced and had to overcome. As far as the battle scenes went they seemed a little old but were still interesting to watch. I would definitely recommend the movie if you like movies with a lot of action and don't mind seeing gruesome images. Knowing that these battles happened only a short time ago was also something that seemed to stay on my mind knowing that many people in real life went through these same situations.
    Relation to Humanities: Humanities helps us to understand the world we live in, and the kind of life we want. At the end of the film the main character Chris Taylor states "I will dedicate the rest of my time on earth to find the true meaning in my life." This relates to this phrase because he is saying that he is going to begin to find his self worth and meaning for why he is here.

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  23. Erika Berger
    12/20/12
    1st hour

    For my first humanities project I went to my brothers band concert. My brother is in 6th grade, so the performance was held in the Twin Oaks gymnasium at 7:00pm on December 6th. The performance was composed of all the 6th grade band kids from both Twin and Hidden Oaks. The band was directed by Mr. Hanson, Ms. Knoble and Ms. Riha. The concert was composed of sixteen songs. Five of them were the HOMS and TOMS bands combined while the others were songs devoted to specific sections from the band; flutes, oboes, saxophones, etc. My favorite song that the bands performed together was 'Pirates Cave' which was composed by Mark Williams. It reminded me of Pirates of the Carribean and was one of the only songs where you could actually hear all of the instruments playing. My favorite part was watching one of the little girl in the percussion section in the far back. She had an incredible amount of energy and seemed to be putting her all into getting her part right.
    Despite the concert not being... Well... The best, it was a good experience. Being a hardcore choir girl, I had never been to a band concert before, and it was definatley something I would do again. Watching my brother practicing his saxophone every day for an hour each day really helped me respect the music more, even with all of the mistakes that could be heard. It gave me a glimpse into how much work goes in to these concerts, just like how we put so much work into our choir concerts at the high school. Going to this concert was an example of humanities because it showed me that there is a lot more to music than just singing, and that a lot of hard work and time goes into just about everything in order to make performances sucessful. I would highly recommend going to a band concert, but perhaps a high school or college concert instead. It's a wonderful thing to hear so many instruments all put into one song.

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  24. Max Pitkanen
    12/20/12
    Hour 2

    For my first outside hour activity I watched the Best Picture winning film “No Country for Old Men”. The movie is about a man who finds himself being chased by a criminal after stealing 2 million dollars from a drug deal that had gone bad. This takes place in West Texas and Mexico as the guy tries to flee from the criminal chasing him. The criminal is a hit man from the drug cartel trying to recover the lost money. In the end the protagonist dies, his wife dies, the hit man gets away, and the cop chasing him retires.
    I thought this film had both good and bad parts and as such my feelings were very mixed. I enjoyed the general plot because it is so different from any other movie I have seen. It had a lot of action and suspense that kept me intrigued throughout the film. I can see why it won best picture because the acting was very good and cinematography was visually interesting. Despite this, I still did not enjoy the ending at all. I dislike the ending because it made me feel like the whole movie was pointless, because there was no resolution. The protagonist died and the bad guy just got a broken arm and got away.
    The acting in this film was great, the characters were portrayed very well. The cinematography was excellent, with many interesting choices in camera angles and scenery choices. The story was bizarre and different from what I have seen before, which made it stand out even if I didn’t like it at times. All in all it was a terrific film, though it did have a few small flaws.

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  25. Dylan Cole
    Hour 1
    12-20-12
    i watched and for my first 2 hors was the stunning movie The Titanic. it just so happened to be on T.V. which worked out nice for this project.its about the voyage of this massive vessel across the atlantic ocean. i sat down and watched it with my girl friend. it was a great movie and of cource my girlfriend loved it. it is a long but very detailed movie about the story behind the titanic. which is now at the bottom of the atlantic ocean. it made it a lot more interesting that the had one of the main survivors telling the story as it happened and was one of the last survivors. it goes back to the present time as she is telling the story but then slides over into the remake of what was happening at the time. Kate winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are out standing in this film.With her narrating throughout the story really puts her in her shoes and really makes you think that you are there.
    I thought that is was an amazing film and really showed the true story behing the vessels journey and the turning point at which it sinks. no one thought that it was even possible that it could sink. people on board were calm at first but it only gets worse from there on out. when the boat hits the ice berg it really puts you on the edge of your seat.i likes how detailed and how life like it felt when it was sinking. it makes you feel for the people that were drowning and the emotions of what was happening. when you saw the people jump it was scary and you could just imagine that people actually did that! i will have to say that there wasnt much that i disliked about it. overall i great film!i would recomend it to anyone who hasnt seen it because you should watch it or you havent lived yet!
    humanities is a mirrior and in this case it is a mirrior of our history. Brings us back to the momment when the titanic had sunk and shows us as if you were on the ship what was happening.which had affected and was brought up and was a head story in the newspaper. a lot of people have heard of this story but this helps you see it in your own eyes. overall great movie and everyone should go out and watch it!

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  26. Nathan Borchardt
    12/20/12
    hour 2

    For my first outside hours, I decided to watch a tv show on the history channel called "American Restoration." Rick and his men restored an old sleigh. They also restored an old Hershey machine. Restored and made new glass for a Dixie cup dispenser. Restored an old scooter. Rick also had to make his way to good because he forgot his wedding anniversary.
    I thought the show was very knowledge filled and provided lots of detail in restoring antique items. I enjoyed seeing the final product of the Hershey machine and seeing how the glass is made to hold the Dixie cups. I thought it was intriguing to see what the scooter look like when complete. Seeing the sleigh done was amazing with such simple detail made it look stunning. I also thought it was gutsy and romantic to see Rick make his significant other happy towards him.
    I thought it was amazing and that I learned from it and that it was to send something in need of restore to Rick. I would recommend it to everyone and that this episode is great and so is the show.

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  27. Eric Gerdes
    12/20/12
    Hour 2

    For my first outside hour activity i went to the class of 2012 concert at Mystic Lake. This was a Country music concert with all the new and up coming artist in country music. I enjoyed going to this concert because it was really cool seeing the new country singers that will most likly end up on the big stages performing in front of many more people. The concert included the fallowing bands/ singers, The Farm,Greg Bates, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, and lastly Thomas Rhett. I would have to say Thomas Rhett was my favrite, because he has a few really good songs out on country radio, but he also got the crowd really into it, which made the concert a blast! The way it worked was each band/ singer had about 45 min to perform, and once they where done there was a little intermisson and then another would come out and sing. I would totally recommend going to this concert next year, which will be the class of 2013. It will have different singers, but i have gone the past few years and not one singer or band has made me disapointed.
    Humanities helps us understand the world we live in, and at this concert i understood the way these singers lifes are, and the world they live in. Thats what they sing about, and thats what makes their songs so interesting. Over all i enjoyed the concert and i plan on going again next year!

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  28. Dan Struble
    12/20/12
    hour:1

    For my first outside hours, I decided to watch the movie No Country for Old Men. I chose this movie because i love this movie. It is a good movie about a guy who steals $2 million in cash from some drug dealers. The whole movie is about him trying to evade the drug dealers and kill them before they kill him first. The thing I like most about this movie is that the main character doesnt talk much but he gets his point across very clear. The other actors and actresses in this movie are phenominal.
    I would watch this movie again and also tell my friends to watch it. I think that the story and characters are played very well and even though not much is said from the main character, he still gets his point across. Also it had many really cool action/ explosive scenes that kept me interested. I liked almost all of the movie and do not have any complaints about it.

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  29. Zach Petron
    12/20/12
    Hour 1

    For my first humanities project I watched the academy award winning movie the fighter. This movie is about a struggling fighter named "Irish" Mickey Ward and his journey to being the world light welter weight champion. The movie takes place in a small town outside of Boston. Ward is a family man trying to live up to his older brother Dickey's boxing small town story. Everyone thinks that his brother is a champion because he knocked down Sugar Ray. In reality Wards brother is just a washed up crack head brother. Ward does not care that his brother is a crack head, Ward is a strong believer in family support nothing means more to him than his family which is shown in this film many times. During the beginning to middle parts of the movie HBO is filming Wards brother Dickey, who thinks the movie is about his 40 year old come back. What Dickey does not know is that it is really about crack addiction in the U.S. As Ward starts his boxing career Dickey is his trainer and his mother is his manager. He thinks that they can help him reach the top, because of how "great" his brother was, but what he doesn't realize because of the blindfold of family love is that the combination of a crack head and a manager that doesn't know anything is a combination for failure. After Ward is set up for fights that he cannot win, his brother starts to use crack heavily and starts missing practice and causing Ward to be late for everything. Once Dickey runs out of money he starts committing crimes to pay for his addiction. After a week of crime the police arrest him when he starts fighting police officers. Ward hears wind of the fight and tries to step in and help solve the problem, but the police know he is a fighter and detain and break his hand so he cannot fight with the police. Once the fight is over Dickey goes to jail and Ward is crushed by what just happens and almost gives up boxing. Wards girlfriend convinces him to lose his brother and start up again with a new trainer and new manager. With his new trainer and new manager Ward continues to climb the ladder and starts winning a lot and eventually gets to a stepping stone match, winner gets the title fight. This seems like good news everything is going great, but Dickey got out of jail at this time and goes to the gym that Ward is fighting at and is furious at the fact that Ward is not training with him. Ward tells his brother that he cannot train with him and goes to the fight without him. At the fight Ward is losing badly and there looks like there is no hope, but out of all odds against him he remembers what his brother taught him and uses it to win the fight. After the fight he realizes that he needs both his new trainer, manager, and his brother to win the title fight. So he does just that they all make up and train their hearts out and go to the title fight. Ward uses what his brother taught him and he wins the title fight. In all honesty I did not enjoy the movie. I thought it was far too long and drawn out. The lessons you learn from the movie are great, but the story line is too different for my taste. Another thing I did not like about the movie was the family in it was very self-centered and only thought of themselves.
    Connections to Humanities: Humanities helps us find the true meaning of life in our own eyes. It teaches us that the meaning of life is not something that can be taught, it’s something you have to figure out on your own through your own trials and errors. This movie shows just that Ward really loves his family and tried to give them a job because they were family, but realized that it just wasn't working out. So he had to go out on his own and find a trainer that worked well with him and he had to do whatever worked for him not what worked for his family. He also realized that he had to have the passion to box and he had to do it for himself and not just because his family wanted him to. He went out on his own and found the meaning of life for himself.

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  30. Dan Struble
    12/20/12
    Hour: 1

    For my 2nd outside activity I watched the movie Grease. This used to be my favorite movie of all time. Looking back now I realize what they mean in some of the songs. Before, when I was younger, I never realized what they meant in the songs and just sang along with them. I like this movie because John Travolta is a stud and was my role model. I think the cars are still awesome that they use in the movie. I used to have this movie on DVD and VHS and also the soundtrack to it. The movie is about 2 groups of people that didnt like eachother and when a new girl comes into the picture they both fight over her. John gets the girl but he still is always fighting the other group of guys.
    I would make all my friends watch this. This movie is a great classic and should still be watched a lot. I think that we should make this movie very popular again. The part I didnt like is that they made a 2nd movie about this. The 2nd movie is horrible compared to this. The 2nd movie is nothing like the 1st. My favorite part is when they fix up the car in the end. That is the best song of the whole movie.

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  31. Bryan McDonald, 12/20/12, Hour 1

    -Summary
    I watched the movie The Hurt Locker for my activity. The movie is about three soldiers in Iraq that are assigned with the task of disarming roadside bombs and IED’s. Throughout the movie the characters are faced with the obvious life or death situations that go along with this job. These situations, as you could imagine, begin to have a toll on their mental health. They battle these emotional troubles by sticking together and doing whatever they can to distract themselves, even if it means getting drunk and punching each other for fun.

    -Reflection
    I thought this movie was very good. It gives what I think is an accurate glimpse as to what soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq have to deal with. It reminds us that they have to sacrifice these bodies not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. It gives us as viewers a better respect for our serving military personnel. I personally have family members who have or will serve in the military. My brother, my cousins, and grandpa all served or will serve, so this gives me a higher respect for what they go through. Especially since I had a cousin that was blown up by a roadside bomb a few years ago. It personally gave me a sense of pride for not only my family members who served but all who have and will put their lives on the line. I would recommend this movie because it gave me that respect while giving me good entertainment.

    -provides us with a perspective in which to view the world
    I chose the above approach to humanities as an example of what this movie provides us. It gives us the point of view of having it better than we think. It shows us that there are people who have it very rough, sometimes trying to provide us with the luxurious lifestyle that we have. It also in this way pushes us to live our lives to the fullest, which is another approach to humanities.

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  32. Dan Struble
    12/20/12
    Hour:1

    For my final outside activity I went and saw the Lost Marbles play at the Whiskey Junction. I work with the bassist of the band so I figured I would watch them play for once. I thought they did really good. They arent my kind of music but i did enjoy some of the songs that they played. I thought it was really cool how they came up with some of their songs. Some of the people in the crowd arent the type that i would hangout with but it was fun.
    I would recommend them to my friends who like the blues/jazz/rock combination. If you like that kind of music then i think you would enjoy it. They play that bar regularly and you can listen to them if you want. I might go again to see them play because it is cool how they can change when they get on stage. They are different people when they get to playing in the band on stage. It is cool how they can do that.

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  33. Emily Chav
    12/20/12
    Hour 2

    For my first humanities project, I decided to watch the musical Hairspray. Hairspray is a musical about Tracy Turnblad's dream to dance on the The Corny Collins Show. She won a role on the show after Corny Collins saw her dance at the Sophomore Hop. Amber and her mother aren't happy that she won a spot on the show. Tracy wants to have Negro day everyday so she tries to integrate the show. Tracy is supposed to compete in "Miss Teenage Hairspray" but she ends up with an arrest warrant for leading a march to fight for integration. Tracy found a way to make it competition with help from her friends. With Tracy's help, Corny Collins declared The Corny Collins Show to be racially integrated.
    I love watching musicals so I decided I wanted to watch a musical for my first humanities project. I really enjoyed this musical because it wasn't all just singing. It had a great story behind it. One little girl helped people realize we are all equal. I would highly recommend this muscial because it was fun and had a great story to it. I don't think there was any part that I didn't like. Overall, the cast of Hairspray was fantastic.
    The approach to humanities that I thought fits well with Hairspray is "help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world." Many other approaches would have fit well too. This musical brought enjoyment to many people. Hairspray showed many people that they can enjoy singing and standing up for what you believe in.

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  34. Bryan McDonald,12/20/12, Hour 1

    For my second activity I watched the movie grease. This movie has always been one of my favorites because the music is good and the plot is good as well. The songs they sing are awesome, especially the intro song. The movie is about a group of boys who are in their final year of high school. Specifically its about John Travolta falling in love with Olivia Newton John. I would definitely recommend this movie to anybody. Like I said before, the music is awesome and their is a car race towards the end of the movie. I mean who wouldn't like that. This movie has an approach to humanities in that it brings emotion to our world. It brings the emotion of love through the love of the two main characters.

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  35. Marissa Carnevale
    Hour 1
    12-20-2012

    For my outside hours activity, I attended The New Standards holiday show on December 8th, hosted by Minnesota public radio, The Current 98.3. In this show, The New Standards invite local performers from all different genres. The New Standards is a minimalist jazz group that consists of John Munson from "Semi Sonic", Chandler Poling from "The Suburbs" and Steve Roehm from "Billy Goat". This group takes songs from different genres and make it their own by adding their own jazz flare to it. During the show you saw everything from dancing and singing to poetry and comedy. The played everything from "Ring of FIre" to "Fairytale of New York" to "Gangnam Style" to "Snowday", which is a New Standards classic. They also made their own music videos and would have them and other pictures playing in the background so there was a lot of different things going on during the entire show.
    I really enjoyed this show and would recommend it to everyone. If you get the opportunity to go new winter you should go. It's a very unique show that exposed me to old classics that I have never heard of. The show is held each year at the Fitzgerald Theatre which has an old, classic atmosphere to it. The New Standards show included something for everyone from music, dance, comedy and poetry, and the music ranged from old to holiday to pop and to jazz. I am not usually a person that would go to a jazz show but this show was amazing and it wasn't just jazz, it was a little bit of everything. I hope I get the opportunity to see this show again next year.
    In relation to humanities, the New Standards holiday show brought emotion and expression of emotion to our world. Music is something everyone can relate to and bring their own feelings and interpretations to. I feel like music is a universal group and each person can express emotion through it in one way or another.

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  36. Alexa Diteman
    Hour 2
    12-20-12
    For my first set of point I went to the school musical “Into the Woods”. The musical was about a baker and his wife trying to have a family together but find out that the witch that lives next to them put a spell on them. They have to go around and get the supplies the witch wants to break the spell. A golden slipper, cap as red as blood, piece of golden hair, and a cow white as milk. All of the supplies they need come from other fairy tale stories “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Rapunzel”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Cinderella”. What the baker and his wife don’t know is that the witch wants the supplies to break her own spell of her being ugly.
    I loved the musical. It had a great story and it was different than any other one which was nice because a lot of stories all tend to be the same. If I didn’t know all the people in the musical I would have no clue that they were just high school kid. Everyone is so talented at acting and singing and even Milky the cow was fun to watch even thou she had no lines in the musical. The only part I didn’t care for was the when the second giant came and everyone was dying. Other then the second giant part I have no complaints about the musical, or anyone in the musical.
    I think the musical is a great example of "help us live our life to the fullest” because the musical is so different than anything else it helps you see new things and life and branch out and not just be doing the same thing over and over again. Even if you go to musicals a lot this is still something different so you can still branch out a little. If you don’t branch out in life ever once in a while and do something different there is no point in living because your life will be boring.

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  37. Austin DeFor
    the musical into the woods was a wonderful musical. everydbody involved did a great job, especially when it came to getting into charqacter. that really what made it a succesful musical for me. the story was smoothe and not too jumpy. all of the stories blended together well which also made the musical very intertaining. Milky white was also something that i liked about the musical. there was no script for this character but just as Mr. Bean does she made everyone laugh without even saying anything. i would suggest going to the school musicals to everyone. this was my first one and i was lucky enough to go to it with a friend of mine that used to be in a lot of musicals so i was pretty much getting an earful the whole time but i was still a wonderful experience. Obviously this is in relation with the performing arts section of humanitites.

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  38. After anticipating Prior Lake High School’s fall musical, I was extremely excited to see my peers perform in the musical “Into the Woods” written by Stephen Sonheim. All I knew about the musical was that it entailed many commonly known fairytales such as Cinderella, Jack and the Bean Stock, and Little Red Riding Hood, among many other of my favorite fairytales from childhood. Even though the musical was longer than I expected, It flew by because of how amazing all of the elements were that made the musical really captivating. From how smart the stage was set up to the costuming and makeup to the actor’s performances; it was truly a professional show. The music and singing that made the musical a musical was very impressive as well. All of the singing parts were very strong, unlike some other musicals I’ve seen.
    Part of the reason why I loved this musical so much was that it felt very personal, I basically knew everyone up on that stage and it was delightful to see my talented friends put on such a great show. Some of the roles I thought were especially entertaining were Little Red Riding Hood, played by Leah Erickson, The Wicked Witch, played by Maddie Sabin, The Old Man, played by Aaron Boger, and the two Eric’s as the princes. They were all so believable and it did not feel like I was watching a high school musical, but rather a show at the Guthrie. If I would have had the chance to see it again, I surely would have! I’m just grateful I made it to one show!
    I think the show applied to Musical Theater. It was a musical theater show, so the music and acting were key components to the show. It felt like it was a true show and not just for fun, a very professional outcome that could be performed in the real world of theater!

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  39. Jamie Willer
    Hour 1
    12/21/12
    For my humanities experience I attended our high school's production of Into the Woods. I came into it with high expectations since I knew the majority of the cast. Of course, the cast did not let me down. From a comedic cow, the to the affair between the Baker's wife (Caitlin Wright)and Prince Eric (Eric Dymit)I was filled with laughter. Maddie Sabin did a phenomonal job with carrying each song strongly. It was worth every penny for my ticket. Leah Erickson played Little Red Riding Hood, and did not fail to fall into her role as the child-like character she played. Most do not expect to laugh out loud in the middle of a Grimm Fairy Tale musical. Although Matt Brooks role as Jack was not a huge part, he carried many parts of the show on his back. From his love for his cow, to all the tragic deaths I feel as though my eyes were on him. The play began as a happy, silly performance and spiraled downhill into a gloomy, dark form of entertainment, adding the Grimm part of the Fairytale. Unlike Footloose, Into the Woods had alot more "main" roles. A lot of the numbers were formed by small groups of people. However, when everyone came together in unison the sound was amazing. They blended perfectly. I think high school musical's are even more important for the public to experience than the Guthrie Theatre performances because in doing so the community is brought together. By watching this performance I was able to have the humanities experience of "becoming a more active participant in gaining understanding of the world". I was able to actively understand how Into the Woods affected each of the cast members, and how the play affected its audience. With a mix of comedy and tragedy, I left with a better understanding of my surroundings.

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  40. Jenna Rogers
    Hour: 1
    12-21-12
    I went to our fall school musical"Into The Woods."
    I never knew how much talent our school really had until I saw this play. All of the acting and singing were very believable and incredible. I liked the change up from humor to drama. It gave a lot of variety and kept the play interesting. I loved it when Caitlin had the pregnant suit on and had to dance around in it. All of the actors in this play bacame their character and really sold the act. The story line was great and I loved how it incorporated all of my favorite childhood fairy tales. Little Red Riding Hood was one of my favorites because she an attitude that was very amusing. The only thing I did not enjoy as much was the pit band. It seemed to me that they were not playing at the right time, but maybe that is how they were supposed to sound. I enjoyed this play very much and it actually felt like I was in the Orpheum Theatre watching a broadway show. I was really impressed after the show and regretted not going these past years. I hope to go watch all of their talent again in the upcoming spring play.
    This experience is an example of the second to last one in the packet of humanities. They are sharing their art with us through acting, music, and singing. They bring us together to experince something so awesome as this play.

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  41. Elijah Patrick
    Hour 2
    12-21-12
    For my Humanities outside hour, I watched the Wizard of Oz. Growing up I watched this movie all the time and it is easily my favorite musical movie. I would say it’s in my top movies overall as well. The Wizard of Oz is about a girl named Dorothy that gets lost during a tornado. All she wants to do it go home so she starts on the trail (the yellow brick road) and meets a couple friends and some enemies as well. For the friends she wants to help them, so they come along with her. And for the enemies she evades them. Eventually she gets to the Emerald city and taps her red shoes and goes home.
    The Wizard of Oz is a great musical and is one of the best musicals of all time. I love the movie and would recommend the movie to anyone and everyone. Most people have seen it and know the greatness of the film. I am very impressed by the way the movie was made, considering the year it was made in and the technology they had then. I believe it was the first movie to have color which is also impressive. I really don’t have any negative criticism about the film. It is a classic and will always remain one.
    Help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world. This experience helped me achieve this because I enjoyed watching this movie. It is a very enjoyable movie and watch. It just makes you happy by the end of it.

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  42. Brittney Carpenter
    Hour 1
    12-21-12
    For my outside hours I sang in the 2012 high school holiday concert. The concert was split up into two shows, but I only went to the second one. I sat in the audience for the first two choirs and listened to their songs. The concert had a good variety of music. Concert choir sung Sure on This Shining Night, Alfred Burt Carols, Hallujah Rejoice, Uncle John, Deck the Halls, and Hodie.
    I thought this was a great concert. I liked the variety of songs. We not only sang common carols but we also sang very powerful songs. I enjoyed listening to other choirs sing their songs to see how well they are doing. I liked that the choirs were split up so that we had more room for family members to watch us sing.
    The approach to humanities is it brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world because the songs show many of these things in different ways. Each song has a very differnt sound. They show us happy and rejoiceful music and also dramatic holiday feelings.

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  43. Makayla Elder
    Hour 2
    12-21-12
    For my first outside hour project I went to the Cirque Dreams Winter Wonderland performance at Mystic Lake. This was not like the other Cirque du Soleil performance I had previously been too. There wasn't as much acrobatics, they performers each had their own little skits to perform. They had everything to jump ropes, amazing hula hoopers, balancing acts, and sky performers. Every one of the performers had a character costume on either of reindeers, penguins, or candy. The music was all done live, there were two main singers who sang every Christmas song in the book.
    I thought it was amazing how someone could be so skilled, and talented. I was very impressed of the abilities they possessed. I know that I could never be able to do half of their acts. It was a very impressive show, and I liked that it was not what I had expected. It was a very good change, and a different type of performance style. I would definitely recommend any one to go see this show, or any one of the Circus du Soleil performances. The only thing I would have changed about the show is that I would have made it a little longer, it seemed like I blinked and it was over.
    The approach to humanities this brings is emotion and expression of emotion to our world. This allows all the performers to show their talent and to express themselves in front of a live appreciative audience. This also shows emotion because of the acts they perform and the heart they put into their performance. You can tell on their faces that they are doing what they love. They definitely put me into the holiday spirit, and made me happier that night.

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  44. Austin Funke
    12/26/2012
    Hour 1

    For my first humanities outside hour project, I went to the Minnesota science museum, which is a place I have not been to in a while. I went with Zach and Andrew and the three of us spent the better part of a day there. Over the course of out time there we went everywhere in the museum starting on the top floor, we learned about environment along the Mississippi River and we all took a turn playing the barge driving game. On the middle level, we learned about the human body and used a high power magnifier too look at almost invisible things such as hidden writing on the 20 dollar bill. On the lowest level, we stopped for lunch and played with the ping-pong ball launchers before continuing to the science area where we messed around with ball tracks, electricity, aerodynamics, and hydraulics. There was a hybrid hydraulic system where we were able to make a tire spin at 80 miles an hour. The last thing we did was go to the Lost Egypt exhibit on display there.
    After not being at the museum for probably 3 years, it was fun to go back and see everything that is there again. I had so much fun, and I’m glad that I choose to go there for my project. Although the Science Museum is a whole different place when you’re younger, I feel that one gets more out of going there when they’re older because they begin to understand how every thing works and fits together. All of the science activities that used to be games became challenges that we could do. The Lost Egypt exhibit was very well done just like every other one that has ever been on display there.
    If you haven’t ever been to the Science Museum or don’t remember it at all, I would very highly suggest going there, however because the normal layout of the museum doesn’t change very often, I would recommend going when there is a new exhibit on display. The staff that are there love there job and know a lot about what they’re talking about. They are very easy to have a conversation with about a topic, and will point out the best parts of the Museum to you if you ask. Again, the one thing that disappoints me about the Science Museum is how little the main part if it changes. (I’m also bummed that the mini golf course was closed for winter).
    Relating to humanities, the Minnesota Science Museum provides us with a prospective to view the world. It shows us how many of the unknown things in the world work and helps reinforce our current under standing of science. Also, through the exhibits, we learn about our past and about the past of the world.

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  45. Hannah Fligel
    1/1/2013
    Hour 2

    For my second humanities outside hour project,
    I went to see The Nutcracker two weeks ago presented by Academy of Russian Ballet. The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It's based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman.
    It starts when it's Christmas Eve at a large and grand house with the most beautiful tree imaginable. The owners are hosting their annual Christmas party, welcoming the arrival of their family and friends. All the adults were wearing really bug fancy pretty dresses, they are just all standing around talking and the little kids are dancing, there were kids all ages there even as little as 3. The party grows festive with music and dance as the dad arrives. He is a skilled clock and toy maker and always full of surprises. he then draws everyone's attention as he presents two life-size dolls. They are the delight of the party, and each of the toys is taking a turn to dance. he gives one of the girls a beautiful Nutcracker that becomes the hit of the party. One boy then become jealous and tries to take the nutcracker from her and then breaks it. The dad then quickly repairs the Nutcracker with a handkerchief he magically draws from the air.
    As the evening grows late, the guests leave. the little girl, worried about her beloved Nutcracker, sneaks back to the tree to check on him, falling asleep with him in her arms. As the clock strikes midnight strange things begin to happen. When she wakes up the Christmas tree become huge and way above her. The toys around the tree come to life while the room fills with an army of mice, led by the Mouse King. As the Nutcracker awakens, he leads his army of toy soldiers into battle with the mice. Then the nutcracker and the king fight one on one. The little girl saves the nutcracker by throwing her slipper at the Mouse King, and hitting him on the head. The Mouse King falls to the floor and the mice run away, carrying off their leader's lifeless body. The Nutcracker turns into a Prince and it starts snowing and then him and the little girl dance. he's talking her to his world and then all the toys dance and there was a Spanish Dance, Arabian Dance, Russian Dance, Chinese Dance and the Waltz of Flowers. overall the show was amazing. I think that it was really cute seeing little kids dance too and the older once were really amazing dancers. I enjoyed it a lot and would definitely want to watch it again.

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  46. Kelli Roe
    Hour 2
    For my first outside class hours I went to see Cirque Dreams at Mystic Lake. I thought it was an amazing show. The show involves dancing and music and acting all together. The artist had several different acts they preform. The artist in this show are very talented, and work hard at what they do. They all hit things at the same time, and went along to the beat of the music really well. The show also had a lot of acrobatics in it.The show was mainly a Christmas themed Cirque de Soleil.
    I thought the show was amazing, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone to go see. The way these artist move and preform is amazing. They look so graceful doing some of the hardest stunts I've ever seen preformed. There are children in the show probably as young as 6 doing unbelievably talented things. It is a breath taking show, there was not one thing I did not like about it.
    I think the aspect of humanities this show had was the ability show show emotion and feel emotion. This show conveyed emotion very well. One of the acts was a little girl waking up on Christmas morning and she was very happy, and you could feel the happiness. Another act was a darker, more suspenseful act and you could feel the suspense. I think the artist in this show were very good at showing emotions and making you feel emotions.

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  47. Addie Theis 1/4/13 Hour 2nd
    For my activity's of hummanties i went to the play. Into the Woods was wonderful. I had never seen the musical before so it was a delightful surprise. I knew many people that were actors or pit or were behind the sscene so that was cool to see what my friends did after school and sometimes on the weekends.
    I would recommend this musical. I think maybe the second act was pretty brutal. Almost all the main characters were killed either by the Giant or each other. The singing was very good for a high school musical. I did really like the actors and how the changed into there character once they stepped onto the stage.
    I think the aspect of humanities this had was that is showed emotion and to fell emotion. The actors, and other people invoulved with this musical really put alot of there own time and passion into makeing it a success. I really like the artistic side to the plays and musicals. They have to come up with costumes and also the stage has to be created and drawn up before they even start building it. I think it was very cool.

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  48. Jared Bliss
    Hour 1
    1/4/13

    For my second activity i saw the movie Les Miserables. This takes place during the 1815s. We start the movie by seeing many men pulling a ship into port. Now our attention is turned to Valjean, a prisoner for a crime of stealing bread for his starving sister. That day Valjean was finally out and a free man. As a free man, Valjean is angry and bitter. He ran away from his past trying to forget why he was in prison. That night Valjean tried to find a play to sleep but no one took him in. Yet when all hope was lost a Bishop came to the rescue. That night Valjean stole all the silver and ran off. He didn't get to far before the guards came to bring him back. For Valjean this was bad news until the Bishop great fully gave Valjean the silver even though he stole it. For the Bishop it was a great act of kindness, but for Valjean it changed his life. Many years latter Valjean is a wealthy factory owner and was very giving. Now we see a mother who is struggling with feeding her daughter. She had to do the unthinkable stuff to take care of her. Eventually guards were harassing her but she fought back. This caused trouble and the poor mother is exhausted and ready to let go of life. Soon Valjean came to the rescue and quickly brought her to a hospital. On her death bed she wanted to see her daughter Cosette one last time. Along with that the dying mother wanted Valjean to take care of her daughter. For Valjean this was his biggest responsibility. Though out the rest of the movie you see Valjean trying to be a prefect father, and try do what ever he can do to make her happy. For Cosette, she wanted to get married, but it doesn't happen until the end. At the end dreams are made real, and life long goals were achieved.
    I thought this movie was okay. I'm not a huge fan of musicals, but i thought it was really well put together. They had very visually appealing graphics. I thought this movie over all was good but i felt like it took forever. I know musicals are usually long but as a 2 hours and 38 minute movie/musical i thought it was good overall. I would recommend that everyone should see it.
    In a relation to humanities this musical shows the struggle that one man has to overcome. It shows all the challenging hardships and obstacles he would face. Besides showing the many struggle of one man, it also has a music side of it.Besides the fact it's a musical, they had many unique features and many great visuals. I feel like music is a universal way of expressing one emotions. It also shows how music changes the world.

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  49. Hanna Carpenter
    Hour 2
    1/6/13
    For my first humanities project activity, I choose to attend Prior Lake High School’s musical production called “Into the Woods” on Thursday, November 15th. Into the Woods first opens with a scene of the Baker and his wife, they wish to have a child and are unable to have one of their own. The couple decide the best way to get their wish is if they follow the list of tasks the witch makes them complete in order to have their own baby. They are required to collect a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, a strand of hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. The baker and his wife live in the enchanted forest were it is easy to collect these items. During the hunt they have their struggles but they met many new friends that will help them achieve the couple tasks. They eventually gather all the magical items as they turned them into the witch and the wishes we granted but during act two of the play things start to switch up. A giant climbed down the bean stock in search of the harp that Jack stole from the giant earlier in the play. The giant ends up taking the lives of some of the characters but the survivors continue to work together to fight against this giant so that they can get things back to normal with happiness.
    I was really excited to see the school musical this year because I had also attended the “Footloose” musical last year and thought it was really good. I’m glad I went to the musical because I heard it was going to be a great show and to also see some of your classmates create and perform with such talent. The acting was very professional but yet very funny, the set and costumes were amazing for a high school production. I’m so proud of what our school musical production is capable of and they did an amazing job. I would definitely recommend this play to any age weather its children or grandparents and also to anyone who likes musicals and acting.
    Into the Woods connects with the second approach to humanities which is “help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world”. It connects to this approach because anyone can go watch a play that brings people enjoyment that is put on by people they know or even people they don’t know. It can be fun for the people watching the play as well as the people performing. It just adds that extra excitement to the production and their viewers. It was a great experience to go see the musical and I’m sure most people would be surprised of what talent our own high school has.

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  50. Alecia Bohnsack
    Hour 2
    1-7-13
    For my humanities outside hours, i went to my cousins choir concert. She is in 8th grade, and it was at Twin Oaks Middle School. They had girls choirs, boys and combined. All choirs sang a variety of songs, all of different style.
    It was really interesting to go to this concert. I have been in choir since middle school too, and i started out just like them. I am not in choir this year, but I have always enjoyed it and I still love to sing. Going to this made me remember how far you come from being that young to so mature in just a year.
    The part of humanities in this I think, are all the voices that people have and blend and come together as one. Everyone has their own unique voice and you can really get amazing things when you put it together. Seeing my cousin singing is really exciting because I know that she will enjoy it, and both of us can share the talents that we have.

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  51. Kyle Rieger
    Hour 2
    1-7-13
    The outside hours I chose to do was watch the movie Rent. My sister has had the movie forever and I've heard her talk about it so I gave it a go. Everybody in the movie had their own story and voice that lead to deeper meanings then just getting by to live. The movie, besides singing, also had a strong focus on homosexuality and relationships as well as the AIDS/HIV concept. It also followed a documentary filmer who took shots of the hardship they were in and social issues like drug use and love.
    This movie blew me away with the passion they brought, giving a more personal and close to home feeling. There also way a guy I remember from Law and Order who I had no idea could sing like he did. This is one of the few musicals I enjoyed through the whole movie. Then ending with Angels funeral really showed how life can throw curve balls and how you have to over come it. I would watch this movie again without hesitation.
    A piece of humanities I picked from the movie was theater because this was originally a play and later converted to a movie. These actors had to bring the same passion and heart that was performed on stage and captivate an audience to sit through the entire movie. It also had parts that were theater-like in which they had to do scenes in a single place and keep you on the edge of your seat. Most of the scenes had been used already and were prominent settings through the movie. The nailed it when it comes to transferring the emotions of a Broadway show to a feature film.

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  52. Hannah Sorg
    Hour 2
    1-8-13
    For my first outside activity/hours I chose to go to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. I invited my mother to come too. I think that it was more fun because we got to share with each other what our favorite pictures are. My mother and me mostly looked at Dutch paintings. I didn't have as much fun looking at the Dutch paintings. We threw in Modern art and this is where I started to enjoy the art more.
    Over all I would recommend someone who likes art and photography to go. I think my favorite part about going to Minneapolis Institute of Arts is when you walk in and see the big sun. I couldn't say that I didn't like the anything. For me I like to look at the different perspectives that the artists and their drawings.

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  53. Hannah Sorg
    Hour 2
    1-9-13
    For my second outside hours I went and saw Les Miserables. The movie was good. A guy named Jean Valjean is released from a French prison. He was in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. After that no one would let him in so he can rest. but a bishop let him in and treats him like a friend. Jean Valjean repays him by stealing his stuff. He turns his life around and becomes the mayor. He finds a young woman and takes her to a hospital. The woman asks him to bring her daughter to her. Before he can the woman dies. Jean Valjean then takes care of the girl as if he was his own. I would recommend others to go out to see or buy this movie. I enjoyed watching Les Miserables. I liked everything, I don't think I would change anything. I thought that everyone who was in the movie did a very nice job.

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  54. My Nguyen
    Hour 1
    1-10-13
    For my first hour outside hours I watched "The Pursuit of Happyness" movie. I love this movie. Through movie, I could learn a lot of good things and bad things in life. Will Smith was the producer of this movie, which did not surprise me since he has produced many of his own movies. The thing that I found interesting was the way he used his own son in the story. I think that this greatly added to the plot, because they were so natural together. There is one seen where Chris makes up an imaginary game with his son to hide the reality of sleeping in a subway bathroom. This particular part was an excellent example of the acting talents of Will Smith, because it truly made me feel sad.

    Will Smith is a great actor and in this movie, his acting turns a mediocre story into a masterpiece. The makeup crew also did a great job of quickly aging Will's character to portray the stress he was going through.Although this movie lacks the fast paced action, special effects, and no stop comedy that will keep you laughing all night, it will definitely have you feeling happy, sad, and then happy again.

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  55. My Nguyen
    Hour 1
    1-11-13
    For my second hours outside I watched "Walk the Line" movie. The movie based on the true story of a star's life. From the happiness to the sadness in his life. The movie is well-directed and has some great set decoration, costumes and conflict between characters, particularly Cash and his father, as well as between Cash and June Carter. Overall, “Walk the Line” is a fair movie and an excellent musical biopic with exceptional acting, but doesn’t quite have what it takes to be this year’s main Oscar contender.

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  56. Katie Kop hour 2 1/12/13
    For one of my outside hours I went to the Macklemore concert. Me and my friends have liked his music for a few years now so when we found out he was going to be performing at First Avenue we decided that we had to go see him. Macklemore is an artist whose genre would fit under the hip hop / rap category. He also works with Ryan Lewis who is the producer of the two and makes most of the beats for the music. Currently one of their more popular songs , "Thrift Shop" has reached #5 on Billbords Top 100.
    I honestly had such a blast at this show. He made it so fun and interactive. My friends and I got pretty close to the front which was a little hectic but worth it. You could really tell by his peformance that he loves his music and performing for his fans which also made it a great experience. He sings and raps about everything he believes in. It really comes from the heart and it made everything very genuine.
    As for the humanities aspect of it, I would say that this experience reflects art and music. Macklemore's music is a form of art and how he chooses to express his creative side. It's also obviously a form of music through Ryan Lewis' beats and Macklemores lyrics.

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  57. Katie Kop Hour 2 1/12/13
    For my second humanities project I attended the Grouplove concert with their opener, Twenty One Pilots. It was a very last minute decision when my friend wanted to me to go even though I didn't know many of their songs beside their more popular ones. I purchased my ticket the night before the show knowing that I would have a good time either way. They played at First Avenue and it was the last show of their tour.
    They put on a very good show especially because it was their last show and they wanted to end with a bang. Grouplove has a very interesting sound to them and I didn't know most of their songs but I grew to love them by the end of the night. I was also really surprised by the opening act Twenty One Pilots. I had never heard of them before and I was amazed. All of their songs completley captured me and I now have their whole album and am obsessed. They are also a featured artist on MTV's new artists of 2013 alongside Macklemore who I also saw in concert.
    I would say this concert would fall under the art and music category of humanities. Both of the performers expressed their creativity and thoughts through the music they create which is also a form of art.

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  58. Preston Henjum Hour 2 1/13/13
    The outside hours that i chose to do was watch the movie "Django". Two years before the Civil War a German born bounty hunter tracks and finds Djano. The German bounty hunter known as Dr. King Shultz, offers to make Django a deal. If Django takes part on a journey to help find and kill the Brittle Brothers, then Dr. King Shultz will buy Django his freedom and help save his wife in Mississippi.
    This movie has a lot of gore in it and says the "N" word a several hundred times. I thought Quentin Tarantino did an excellent job at making this film. It had a great plot with a lot of interesting characters. Django also has a bit of comedy. Personally i really liked it. A must see film!
    A way that Django can relate to humanities is that it can be seen as a form of art. The way the director uses his characters to really sell the way society was back then and how crule the slave trade was.

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  59. On January 12th, I traveled to the Bell Museum of Natural History that is located in Minneapolis. Inside, I marveled at the two floors that display all of Minnesota’s habitats, along with the birds, animals, plants and insects that populate our state. I saw elk, bears, fish, cranes, beavers, moose, and much more. I learned new facts about animals, observed animal behavior, and learned about how certain species survive. In the Touch and See Room, I learned about soil, how water travels through certain types of rock particles, pollution, and soil erosion. On the third floor of the museum, there was a traveling exhibit that was centered on different drawings of insects. I about screamed with excitement. There was about three dozen drawings and sketches accompanied with the corresponding insects pinned and labeled in glass cases.

    Reflecting on this activity, I really think that it sucked. The main reason that I was at the museum was to visit the planetarium and watch a show. But of course, it is only in operation on Fridays and Sundays. So instead of that, I trudged through every hallway looking at these dead, stuffed animals that have been inside of those cases since the 1940’s. Imagine how bad it smells inside of those exhibits. After gazing longingly into each of those glass boxes, I waltzed into the See and Touch Room. In the hallway on the way there, I stopped and looked to see that the university (the U of M owns the Bell Museum) had a whole display dedicated to the fig. Oh boy, I bet you can imagine my excitement. Inside the See and Touch Room, the only thing there was to touch was some snake skin and some wood blocks for little kids to play with. And the woman behind the desk was not able to identify what kind of giant skull was displayed. The traveling insect exhibit was even more dismal. The three dozen insect drawings looked as though someone had rushed to draw them. All in all, I was thoroughly unimpressed. Would I recommend it? Not at all. What did I like? Leaving. Not like? All of it.

    I think that this most closely relates to the zoology approach to humanities. It relates because zoology is defined as “The branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct.” And the vast majority of the museum was dedicated to the animals and habitats in Minnesota.

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  60. On December 30th, 2012, my family and I went to the Lakeville Theater to watch the newest James Bond film. This installment of the Bond franchise was titled: “Skyfall”. With a running time of 143 minutes, this Bond chapter was by far the most exciting yet. It features British actor Ben Whishaw playing the part of gadget mastermind Q in the place of John Cleese. This movie marks the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise and is the fourteenth movie in the series.

    This is my favorite Bond movie by far. It had the perfect amount of action to offset the drama and love stories that were going on at the same time. I thought that it was great and I recommend it to anybody that likes movies. I liked it quite a bit and am ready for the next Bond to come out. I didn’t like when Bond blew up his car. Nobody should do that to a car of that class.

    This experience relates to the film aspect of humanities. Being that is a film; I think that it makes sense. Throughout the movie, there were also some smaller aspects that were shown. For example, the geography of Scotland, the architecture of Parliament and Skyfall manor, where Bond lived as a child.

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  61. For this experience, I read an article on the New York Times website. Titled “In Colorado, the National Debate on Gun Laws Plays Out”, it talks about the shootings in Colorado and the responses the government has made. The story talks about the past shootings the state has had and directly references the Columbine shooting along with the more recent shooting in Aurora. It also talks about the specific legislation that the state has passed in regards to gun control and safety. The article also includes the drama with the bills being assed and whatnot. Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/14/us/colorado-may-pass-major-gun-control-legislation.html?hp&_r=0

    Upon reading this, I felt a sense of sadness for all of those who had perished in all of these gun-related incidents. It is truly a sad thing when people go into public places like this and just kill people. It doesn’t make any sense to me why anybody would do such a thing to innocent people. But, I also noticed that in 2000, Colorado voters passed new restrictions on purchases made at gun shows. But a few years later, the government made it easier for people to carry concealed weapons and also limited towns and cities from passing strict gun laws. So, it’s all up to the voters to make a difference here.

    I thought that it was an informative article and that it was quite unbiased. I’d recommend it to anybody who likes to keep up-to-date with the most current news stories. I like how unbiased it was. I don’t like how dry the reading was.

    In regards to humanities, this example relates most closely to the literature aspect being that it is literally literature. It connects to the experience by saying without literature or any type of writing methods, the only way that we as a people would receive information is, by word of mouth.

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  62. For one of my outside hour projects I watched the film “Slumdog Millionaire”, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2009. The movie is about a young Indian man growing up in the slums of India. We are introduced to him as a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”. He is accused of cheating because he has progressed further than anyone else ever has on the show and because the producers don’t feel like it is possible for him to know all these answers. Throughout the film we view the history of his life and how he has come to learn the answers to all of the questions he has been asked.
    I really enjoyed watching this movie. I can really see why this movie won an academy award. The dialog was very well written and the actors played the characters very convincingly. I learned from this movie how much easier we have it in the United States, and how life is dramatically different for people of other cultures. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a story with a good plot, excellent acting, and a memorable moral story.
    An approach to humanities I found throughout the movie was the acting done by the main characters in the cast. They did a terrific job expressing the characters from the dialog and the script. They also use music extensively to help create the mood of a scene and to create a feeling of excitement and tension throughout the entire film. To sum this up, humanities was expressed in a few distinct ways throughout the film.

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  63. For one of my outside hours, I saw the movie “Les Miserables”. The movie takes place in France before and leading up to the revolution. It is about a man named Jean Valjean, who was in jail for stealing food, but has now been released. He experiences a change of heart after he is released and changes his identity and becomes a wealthy respectable person. He feels responsible for the death of a woman, so he takes it upon himself to take care of her daughter, Cosette. At the same time he is running from the police, in particular a man named Javert, and goes into hiding with her. They stay hidden for a number of years, then the focus turns to the members of the French revolution and their plans. The group makes a stand against the government and most die trying to do so. At the same time there is a love story between Cosette and Marius. Marius is in the revolution and Valjean finds out Cosette is in love with him and saves him from being killed. In the end Cosette and Marius get married and Valjean dies in peace.
    I thought “Les Miserables” was okay, but I am not a big fan of musicals. I would have enjoyed this more if it was not an opera, but more of a traditional musical with both dialog and music. I enjoyed the story plot; it fit well for a musical style. I think they chose actors and actresses that were well suited for the different roles, and they all did a tremendous job with the singing parts. I though the songs kind of dragged on a bit and got a little repetitive. Overall I thought “Les Miserable” was a decent film and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys musicals.
    “Les Miserables’ had many reflections to humanities. First, it is obviously a musical. Everyone in the production does their own singing and learned the choreography.

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  64. A while ago I went to go see the play "Into the Woods" being preformed by PLHS theater. It was a musical that encompassed various amounts of fairy tales into one. It started with a baker and his wife trying to have a baby, but there is a curse on their house placed there by a witch, and they must gather various items to lift it. So they venture out into the woods to find them, and they end up crossing paths with characters from Jack and the Bean Stalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little and Ridding Hood. After much searching they eventually are able to obtain all of the items they need with the help of their new fairy tale friends. The first act with everything seemingly coming to a happy ending, and everything seeming to be at an ending point. The second act comes around, and everything begins to go wrong, a giant is loose, the baby's crying, and everyone's story begins to unfold for the worse. After much problem solving, they end up sorting things out, and although it is not quite the "happy ending" that it was at the end of the first act, things are still figured out.
    Overall I think it was a very good production, I'm normally not a huge fan of musicals but I think this is definitely an exception. It was a well made musical that kept me interested throughout the entire play and both acts. It's especially cool because of the fact that I know most of the people in the actual play, which made some of the characters even more funny since they matched the normal personality of the person so well. I would definitely recommend going to see any of the PLHS theater productions as they are very well performed and produced. This is a good example of humanities as it a create example of art, it's a way for people to express themselves by either writing it, performing it, or simply watching it.

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  65. Micaela Resh
    January 14, 2013
    Hour 1

    For my second humanitites experience I went to see "Les Miserables" with my sister, Lauren over winter break. The movie is based off of the musical written by Victor Hugo depicting the pain and revolution of France during the eighteen hundreds. The musical opens with a scene of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) as a slave, singing a dire song with the other workers. After a smattering of events, Jean Valjean decides to make a new life for himself, break parole, and create a new identity. He becomes a well respected factory owner, with one of his workers being Fantine (Anne Hathaway). When Fantine is on her deathbed Jean Valjean promises to take care of her daughter Cossette (Amanda Seyfried). The rest of the musical revolves around him raising her and running from his ex-parol officer, Javert.

    I loved the movie. It was a little shock at first, not having any spoken dialoge, but it was pretty easy to adjust to. I thought that all of the actors and actresses did a beautiful job with their acting and singing. I was a little dissapointed that Anne Hathaway's character, Fantine was so hyped and she only had about twenty minutes of screen time. Also the movie was very well created from the scenes to the makeup and costumes. My favorite actor of the movie was Eddie Redmayne. :) Overall, it was a great musical, and I hope to see it live one day.

    I liked almost everything about the movie. Russle Crow's interpretation of Javert was not as good as hoped, but the other actors did a great job. I would reccomend this to those who enjoy musicals or trying something new.

    The approach to humanities it best covers is "brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world". This musical evokes a lot of emotion, pain, and also beauty through the French Revolution. The singing and acting is a good form of expression, and were tools of the director and author to exude certain feelings and statements about the era.

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  66. Date: 1/14/13
    Hour:1

    For my first outside hours i watched Death of a Salesmen. This movie is about a man who think his family is made for greatness. Through out the movie he keeps remembering the past and thinks it's actually happening. Through out the movie his family thinks he is going crazy.

    This was probably the most depressing thing i have watched in my whole life. The movie starts out really slow, and picks up speed slowly. It didn't necessarily make me sad but it made me go 'What did i just watch.' The acting was really good and sometimes it was good enough to make me have emotions towards the characters. I would often switch from pity or anger at the dads actions. The scenery had the look of a play which gave it a bit more character.

    The approach to humanitys was that it actually made me feel the emotion from the characters. At one point in the movie the father is talking to his sons about a business deal. The mother trys to tell them something but the dad keeps saying shes interrupting him even though it always seems like the dad is done talking. He keeps yelling at her and almost hits her but one of the sons stop him. This part of the movie actually made me get so angry at him i had to pause it for a bit. I was surprised it actually made me feel that way. Its a good movie but to really understand and like it you have to be older so you can understand some of the dads feelings more.

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  67. Last night was my band concert. It was right here at Prior Lake High School. There were three bands that performed. The bands included The Varsity Blue Band, The Varsity Gold band and Wind Ensemble. I'm currently in The Varsity Blue Band directed by the new teacher Mr.Schramm. We played three songs which included The Wizard of Oz, Carmina Burana and Fiddler on the Roof. Mt favorite was The Wizard of Oz because we sounded the best during that song and also The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies.
    I enjoyed watching/listening to the other two bands perform. I enjoyed listening to Star Wars which was played by the Wind Ensemble. Each and every single person really got into the performance. They also sounded really good too. I'm looking forward to my last band concert during third quarter. I'm going to be sad because it's going to be my last band concert in high school.
    The band concert ties in with the musical part of humanities. It ties into the musical part because it involves music. There were many different sounds/dynamics/tones played throughout the concert.

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  68. Over winter break I went to see the movie Les Miserables. The movie is based off of the book Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. The movie is about Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever. The movie elaborates a lot on the history of France just like the novel. My favorite part was the singing. I like how it was nonstop. It made the movie just that much more powerful. All of the actor's and actress's in the movie did a spectacular job at playing their roles. I'm going to the Lock In at my church this weekened and I'm thinking about seeing this movie again.
    This ties into humanities because it's musical. There is a lot of singing/dancing throughout the whole movie. Like I said before the musical aspect of the movie just made it that much more entertaining and made the message more powerful.

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  69. Natalie Merritt
    1/15/13
    Hour 2
    For my second outside hours, I saw the movie “Les Miserables.” The movie takes place in the early 1800’s and is based on the original musical. It starts out with the character Jean Valjean and other men pulling a ship. Valjean is released from the French prison and is back in the real world now. He is welcomed into a rich man’s house, where Valjean tries to steal a lot of silver. He attempts to escape but is quickly caught and brought back to the rich man’s house. The man tells the guards that the valuables were gifts to Valjean, and that he is innocent. He then tells Valjean that he must be kind and do good for others. He really turns his life around at this point, and becomes a better person. There is another part, where the character Fantine is fired from her job at the factory. Desperate for money to raise her child, she is tempted into prostitution. She becomes very sick, and Valjean brings her to the hospital, where she dies. Valjean finds it his responsibility to find and take care of Fantine’s daughter, Cosette. He finds the girl, and takes her away from the awful people that were taking care of her. The rest of the movie is about Valjean taking care of Cosette, escaping the police that are still after him for breaking his parole. At the end of the movie, Cosette marries Marius.
    Although I am not into musicals at all, I found this movie amazing. It was definitely something new for me, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. I was impressed by the acting of everyone, and was especially blown away by the singing of every character. I was surprised that there actually was as much singing as there was! I was also shocked to find out how emotional the movie was. The costumes were very gorgeous and fit the different characters well. The make up for the different characters also fit well with the story and what they were going through. The sets and directing were also fantastic, making it an overall beautiful movie.

    I thought the movie was absolutely amazing, and it blew my expectations away. I would definitely recommend this to everyone! I loved the story to it, and the amazing talent that each one of the actors brought. The only thing I disliked was the length of the movie. It was a bit longer than what I am used to, but in the end I realized that every second was worth it.
    The approach to Humanities this film represents is “brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world.” There is so much emotion throughout the whole movie, and really makes you see the hardships and obstacles people have to deal with in the time of the French Revolution. But there aren’t just these negative emotions present, there are also emotions of love and hope.

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  70. Kyle Rieger
    1-15-13
    Hour 2
    Recently I went to see "Django Unchained" with a few friends of mine. The movie is about s slave who joins forces with a bounty hunter. The catch is, if he helps the bounty hunter, he will help him free his enslaved wife and become a free man. After a spree of killing wanted men, the twp make the decision to free Django's wife. The only problem is she is at Candy-land, a very large and well regarded plantation. It goes on to show their intricate plan to free her, with some bumps along the way.
    This movie became one of my favorites instantly. Tarantino is my favorite director because of his shots he takes and his attention to detail which is seen throughout the movie. Tarantino kept his style which made the movie very realistic, and in return, very graphic. I would totally recommend it to anyone who can watch a more violent movie, including language and gore, and to see it multiple times for it will be a classic.
    This movie has a strong sense of heroism with Django's hunt for his wife through hell and high water. He is faced with tons of diversity with being a black man on a horse, and a free black man. But in order for him to get to his wife, he had to hunt men and kill them with no remorse. All he needs is the focus and will to save her.

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  71. Erika Berger
    01/16/2013
    1st Hour

    Over winter break I went and saw Les Miserable. The movie is based off of the book by Victor Hugo and is set during the time of the French Revolution. The story follows an ex-convict known as Jean Valjean who was sent to prison for stealing bread to help feed his sisters child. When Valjean is released he breaks his parole and is persued by Javert. Valjean escapes and lives the life of a normal person until, one day, Javert discovers who he really is and the chase begins yet again. Valjean helps a woman named Fontine by promising her to take care of her child Cosette. Cosette and Valjean hide away for years until he fears they have been discovered yet again, when it reality it was simply Eponine trying to stop her parents from robbing him, because her best friend/guy she's in love, Marius, with is in love with Cosette. Things happen and I can't say much more without ruining the entire movie.

    I liked this movie a lot. It was all singing, but the songs were timeless and told the story so well. Many critics claim that Russel Crowe did a poor job of playing Javert, but I thought he did a fantastic job. Though he seemed more reflective than angry, I thought that he did a wonderful job and people should 'leave Russle alone' ;)

    I wouldn't recommend this movie to everybody, because I know that two and a half hours of singing isn't for everybody. For these people, I would recommend watching the movie version of it or simply reading the book, because the story is a very interesting one.

    This movie is an example of humanities, because it brings a lot of emotions out, and I saw a lot of tears in that theater from men and women alike, and I shed a few myself. The story is timeless and it's hard not to get attatched to the lives of the characters. Overall, this movie was amazing and I'm so happy I got to go and see it.

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  72. Allyson Taylor
    12/8/12
    Hour 1

    I choose to go to the ballet The Nutcracker, the ballet was about a girl who dreams about a nutcracker prince.One night at a party thrown by her parents, the little girl recieves a nutcracker doll by her godfather Drosselmeyer who is a skilled toy and clock maker. After she recieves the nutcracker, her brother get jealous and breaks the nutcracker but soon after Drosselmeyer fixes the doll. Later that night she goes back to check on her doll and soon lays down and fall asleep and starts to dream. The nutcracker comes to life and a fight scene breaks out between the nutcracker and the mice, the nutcracker ends up killing the mouse. The rest of the show was filled with dancing and the girl ends up falling in love with the nutcracker and then wakes up and realizes it was all a dream. How it relates to humanities is that it provides us with a perspective to view the world because that you can fall in with anyone and you cant help who you love. I would recommend that other people go see this ballet, it was very well put together. Th only thing that i wish i had known is that it is a ballet and there was no talkng during the ballet and you couldnt really ask questions if you were confused until intermission.

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  73. Zachary Lindholm,1-16-13, 2nd hour
    What I did for my second outside hour activity, was going to the movie Django Unchained it was a phenomenal movie. It was really long but it was worth every second. I went with one of my friends and we even got into the movie theater early and yet it was still packed. The movie was the best I’ve seen in years this was a movie packed full of suspense, knowledge, and history. It was a normal movie not a musical but I learned a lot of how people back in the day found ways to entertain themselves. It also showed many of the arts of survival and trade, and mental warfare as well as film directing and acting.
    This movie was in my book a 5 star movie nonstop action or suspense it was insanely attention grabbing. It kept you on your edge of your seat it, sometimes a gunshot would go off and people would all jump. A former slave and a German bounty hunter become unlikely allies in the battle against a tyrannical plantation owner. In this western from visionary director Quentin Tarantino, two years before the Civil War pits brother-against-brother, German-born fugitive hunter Dr. King Schultz Christoph Waltz arrives in America determined to capture the outlaw Brittle Brothers dead or alive. In the midst of his search, Dr. Schultz crosses paths with Django Jamie Foxx an academy award winner, a freed slave and skilled tracker who seek to rescue his beloved wife Broomhilda Kerry Washington from ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie an Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio. Once Django has aided Dr. Schultz in capturing the Brittle Brothers, the two team up to capture some of the most wanted men in the South. Meanwhile, Django never loses sight of his mission to free Broomhilda from the treacherous lave trade before it's too late. Upon arriving at Candie's nefarious plantation, dubbed Candy land, Django and Dr. Schultz discover that slaves are being groomed for gladiator-like competitions by Candie's malevolent right-hand man Ace Woody Kurt Russell, and skillfully work their way onto the compound for a closer look. But just as Django and his partner locate Broomhilda and plot a daring escape, Candie's house slave Stephen an Academy Award-nominee Samuel L. Jackson catches wind of their plan, and informs his master of the betrayal. Now, as a clandestine organization attempts to back them into a corner, Django and Dr. Schultz will have to come out pistols blazing if they ever hope to free Broomhilda from Candy land and the clutches of its vile.
    I do recommend seeing the film, even if you have to cover your eyes at times, because even if you take all the violence out it's still a great picture. The only time in which a slave being whipped occurs in the film is rendered in such a way where you see nothing but the woman's face. Despite his bad rep for gore, Tarantino tends to leave the very worst violence off screen.

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  74. Jenna Rogers
    Hour1
    01-16-13
    I was apart of our winter choir concert. I am in Concert choir and we sang four songs I believe. My personal favorite was Uncle John because it gave our choir an opportunity to show how fun choir can be. The concert lasted maybe and hour or an hour and a half. This year we did not choose songs that a lot of people know because we do that almost every year. We wanted to change things up and give the audience something new. I love it every time I can perform with my choir. I also like to see what other choirs have been working on. We work really hard to make the show entertaining to watch. Of course there will be songs that I do not enjoy and there was one I did not like in that particular concert, but that did not affect me. I will always recommend going to a choir concert. It is a chance to see how talented students are.
    I think that this reflects the second approach to Humanities. It is, “help us find meaning and enjoyment in our world.” I chose this one because it helps me and probably a lot of other choir students find enjoyment in life. Being in choir gives some kids a way to express themselves and for me that helps me find enjoyment in the world.

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  75. Jamie Willer
    Hour 1
    1/16/13

    For my second humanities experience I saw the movie Argo in theatres. It tells the story about the Iran Hostage Crisis. It took place in 1980, and the Canadians and Americans worked together to rescue Americans being held hostage in Iran. The movie is directed by Ben Affleck who is also an actor.An exfiltration expert named Tony Mendez makes up a daring plan: to create a phony Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew. The name of that movie is "Argo" hence the title of the film. It aired in 2012 and is up for awards.

    I absolutely loved the movie. I am very interested in learning about history, and this movie was far better than I had expected. Each of the main Hostages stories were told throughout the course of the film, which built up the suspense even more. Tony Mendez barely got any credit for his efforts,which make him more of a hero than anyone could imagine. If too much information leaked at the time it could cost lives. I loved the irony that the fake film in the movie was so ridiculous and unbelievable however the true film is beautiful and well put together.

    This experience definently reflects the second approach to humanities. It gives its viewers a better understanding of what previous Americans have endured to help our country be a safe place to live. It shoulds how far creative can take us. The film provided a great source of entertainment that was also educational.

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  76. 1/16/13

    For my third humanities experience I went to Jingle Ball. Jingle Ball is a concert put on by the local top hit list radio station, 101.3 KDWB. It is put on at Christmas time. I went to it at the beginning of December. Ed Sheeran, Cher Lloyd, Owl City, One Republic, PSY, Ellie Goulding,Train, and Conor Maynard. I went to the concert with a large group of friends, and beforehand we ate at Spegetthi Factory.

    I thought the concert was amazingly well-done. Train and One Republic were by far my favorite. At one point Ed Sheeran did an acoustic song with crazy good guitar playing a 10 minute straight rap. I normally hate rap but it was so phenominal I could'nt stop the goosebumps from coming. Train sang Drops Of Jupitar which brought tears to my eyes. At the end we were brought back memories of our senior womens dance when PSY preformed Gangnam Style twice. I danced all out both times. I would highly recommend the concert. It is cheap if you get far enough back seats.

    It brought out many aspects to humanities, but most importantly it drew out strong emotion. It reminded me that my high school career is coming to an end and reminded me to hold on to those kind of moments where we had our arms around each other covered in chills by the amazing music. The music was an aspect of humanities where different types of artists all came together for one concert.

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  77. Jared Bliss
    Hour 1
    1/17/13
    For my third humanities experience I went to see Django Unchained. This movie was about two hours and 44 minutes, but it had nonstop action. This movie took place in the mid-1800s during the slave era. There were many great actors in this movie such as Samuel L Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christopher Waltz. The movie was also amazing because of the director Quentin Tarantino. I went to see this movie with the friend and we absolutely loved it.
    I though the movie was amazing and very well-done. Playing as the hero was Jamie Fox who was playing as the free black man off on a rescue journey to save his wife. Alongside was Dr.Shultz who was a bounty hunter off to “catch” criminals. On their journey they make money and experience all the violent that the south has to offer. After a long journey the 2 companions finally meet the man who has Django’s wife. At first they offered him a large sum of money, but one of candy land loyal servant noticed that Django was here for the lady. Eventually a feud started and violent started between the two parties. Many people died including Dr.Shutlz and the owner of candy land. Over all I would recommend this movie to anyone, but they use harsh words such as the “n” word.
    This movie bought many aspects to humanities, but most importantly it showed how harsh it was for black people during this era. This movie would show how hard it was for black people to stand up to people that are alike in their eyes, but for the white people there are different in their eyes. I feel it is deeply connected to humanities because it shows the struggle and hardships minorities have had over many years, and how hard they fought to win freedom and equal rights. I feel this movie was great, and was so much different than all other movies I have seen before.

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  78. For my first outside Humanities hours I went to my brother's choir concert. He is in his second year at MSU. This was his first year in choir. My parents and I went down to Mankato for his winter concert. The location of the concert was in a church that was near the campus. The acoustics in the church were amazing. The sound surrounded you as it bounced off every wall. There were three choirs that performed. My brother performed in the first choir. They sang about six songs. Their sound was amazing. They had very good tone and their vowels were very long and open. The director was very intense the entire time. The choir was very into the songs because the director was so involved. It made the sound even better because the choir put a lot of emotion into what they were singing. The other choirs were very good as well. It was nice because they did not sing very many well known Christmas songs. It was nice to have a change at a winter concert. The same Christmas songs that get sung every year get very over used. All three of the choirs had songs that gave excitement to the concert. Each one was different and they used many different style of songs. Over-all the concert was very good. I would definatly go back to their next concert. I would recommend going to any college choir concert. The type of sound that they have is breathtaking.
    The approach to Humanities this concert gave was it brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. Each song that was sung had a different emotion. You could feel the type of emotion that the choir was trying to give off. It changes the way that you hear the piece.

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  79. For my second outside hours for humanities I performed in the school choir concert. It was for our winter/ holiday concert. We had two seperate concerts because of the amount of students we have that are in choir this year. I performed in the second concert with concert choir. We had the songs that our specific choir sang and then we also had a mass choir piece. The mass choir piece turned out a lot better than we thought it would. We had not rehearsed it before the concert. So the first time singing it all together was the time that is counted. But overall it went pretty well. With my choir, we sang five or six songs. We did not really have an typical holiday songs. Mr. Hassig tried to change up the program and get some different types of songs in. We had one song that was written as a comedy song. We had four singers that went up into the catwalk to sing. The catwalk is up in the ceiling of the auditorium. So they were right above the audiance and they sang a part of the song as we all pretended to not know where it was coming from. The audience got a kick out of that one. The other songs were a little more serious. We had a pretty good sound that night and we performed the piece at the best that we could. We got the emotion into the sound and it made the songs more relatable to the audience. Overall we heard from people that our sound was strong and that they enjoyed the concert.
    The part of humanities that this relates to is it provides us a prospective to the world. We had songs that were written in Latin. It gives us a different view of the world because we learn a new language. It was difficult to learn the latin but once you learn it it is a beautiful language.

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  80. Cortney Neidermyer
    Hour 1
    1/18/13
    For one of my hours in humanities I read the book Everyday by David Levithan. The book is about a charecter named "A". A wakes up in a different body everyday. One day he wakes up in the body of a boy named Justin. He ended up spending an amazing day with Justins girlfriend and falls in love with her, but the next day he, of course, wakes up in a different body. Throughout the book A is trying to find ways to find the girl and spend time with her.
    I really enjoyed the book. Its shows the world in a different way. It also shows human emotion in a unique way. It shows everyday trials in a completely different way and puts the world into a different perspective. I'd definitely recomened this book for people read. It makes you look at yourself and realize how many things you take for granted everyday.

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  81. Jake Pieper
    Hour 1
    1/19/2013
    For my first outside hours I went to the Bakken museum with my family about two weeks ago. It was pretty cool and it had a lot of hands on experiments, which I like because I am a hands on learner. There was this place upstairs and it had this metal rod that you could hold onto and your hair would become static and float up, when I saw my mom do that I laughed because her hair was messy. It only worked when the tour guide cranked the lever to run electricity through the pipe. Also some of the rooms were boring, like the room with the video about static electricity and the elevator. The elevator just had some background music and there were a lot of people cramped inside it. But there was this really cool demonstration done by Ben Franklin (not the real one), he showed us what a lightning rod could do to a house and it was cool. The humanities part of this experience was that all of these experiments were invented by someone and the coolest invention saw there was the Pacemaker. It was to regulate the heartbeat in the body and I forgot when it was invented but I do know it wasn’t invented recently.

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  82. Austin Lindgren
    Hour 1
    1/20/2013
    For my first set of hours i chose to watch the movie Gladiator produced by Douglas Wick. In this move a beloved general Maximus of Rome is adored by all people of Rome including the then Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Marcus intended to make Maximus Emperor upon his death. Marcus told Maximus that his own son Commodus was unfit to be the new Emperor of Rome and that he wanted Maximus to then become Emperor. Commodus realized his father's plan and confronted him about it in his chambers. During the heated argument Commodus stabbed his father and promptly lied to the authorities to have Maximus imprisoned and put in the arena to fight until death as a gladiator.

    I thought this movie had a very equal amount of good quality action combined with a story line that had great substance to it. I enjoyed the great detail they went into about how a man near the pinnacle and reaching that pinnacle is tore down by one malevolent lie. I also really enjoyed the way they made a cliche story line of perseverance seem brand new. The only thing I can say I really didn't enjoy was some of the long screenplay in between major plot parts or action areas of the movie.

    The approach to humanities I'm choosing for this film is religion. Religion in this movie is very important throughout the duration and the strong belief the people have in the gods at the time. The strong belief that the men had in the gods to carry them through battles in the arena or fighting barbarian armies.

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  83. Austin Lindgren
    Hour 1
    1/20/2013

    For three of my outside hours me and my friend Nick Steinkopf went to check out the movie Les Miserables in theaters. Valjean (Hugh Jackman) a prisoner for nine-teen years is released on on parole by Javert (Russel Crowes character) and is taken in by the Bishop of Digne. Valjean stole the bishops fine silvers during the night and is caught by Javert, however the bishop claims them as gifts and proclaims his innocence. Valjean then straightens up his life for many years becoming a factory owner and mayor after which he saves Enjorlas from snipers and is given permission to execute Javert which he decides to not do and tells Javert to run. Javert and Valjean later meet in the sewers where Valjean is saving Marius and in an inner conflict Javert commits suicide.

    The first thing I would like to say about this movie is the role of Hugh Jackman and how he performed in that role was excellent as Jean Valjean. Ann Hathaways role as Fantine was well captured as well with the emotions she felt throughout, including the very emotional part of her death. One of the things I really enjoyed was the shortening of the songs to keep the energy of the movie flowing it really helped it from getting a little stale. The cast of supporting actors/actresses they produced for this movie were great and seemed to fit into their roles perfectly.

    The approach I think has to be chosen after watching Les Miserables in music. I really haven't part-taken in the watching of to many musicals before this. I felt everyone held their own vocally during the singing based on my prior viewing experience of the actors/actresses I felt them holding it together vocally really kept me interested throughout.

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  84. nick vien
    1/21/2013
    hour 1

    yesterday i went and seen the movie zero dark thirty. the movie was really good. it was slow but still good. it is about the assassination of bin laden. it shows all the prep that seal team six went through and how they took him down. the movie was about three hours long. it was a slow moving movie but still good.
    i thought the movie was really good and the graphics that were used were really nice. the movie had actual footage in it. when they were droped off in the estate they showed everything in first person so that you could see what they had to do and what they did. i would recommend this movie to anyone that wants to see the assassination on bin laden it was made very well. i didnt like how it took so long to get to the point of the attack.
    the approach this movie takes to humanities is prospective to the world. and it shows this because it shows how the government is able to do things even if it takes us years to do. it shows all the hard work that we went through to do this and shows what he did as a terrorist.

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  85. Jordan Pederson
    Hour 1
    1-21-13

    For my second set of hour I went to the movie Argo. This movie is about the Iran hostage crisis in the late 70's, going into the early 80's. It shows how the embassy got invaded and it walks you through the escape plan that they used to get out eight members of the embassy. In the beginning of the movie when the embassy gets invaded those eight characters get out and flee to the Canadian ambassador's house. The rest of the movie shows the main character going to Iran and getting them out of the country by telling the Iranian government that they are all part of a movie crew.

    It was a very good movie and it kept me entertained the whole time. I actually went to see it twice and I would definitely recommend it for others to see. It is very suspenseful for most of the movie. It keeps you wondering if they are going to get caught the whole time. There are so many times in the movie where the government comes really close to catch them but they get really lucky each time. The one thing that I didn't like about the movie was the fact that it wasn't totally historically accurate.

    This movie provides us with a perspective to view the world. It shows us how much courage all of those people had during that time. It also shows us what the middle east was like during that time and it shows the frustration of the Iranian people.

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  86. nick vien
    1/21/2013
    hour 1

    i read an article on the Gorege straight tour the cowboy rides away. it is his last tour that he is doing. his concert sold out in moments after going on sale. he sold out off 77000 tickets within moments. one of the shows is in march 17th at the live stock and rodeo show. and his number one hit give it all we got tonight is climbing the charts currently number 25.
    it was a good article to read interesting to see that the tickets were sold out quick and that it will be a good concert to see. i liked how he sold out of the tickets with in moments of going on sale.
    this is humanites because it would be considered enjoyment and entertainment to the world. it is a concert and at that it is by the king of country singer.

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  87. Jake Pieper
    1/21/13
    hour 1
    For my second outside hours, I watched the movie gladiator, academy award winning film in 2000. I have seen this movie so many times I just love it and it never gets old. In the movie Maximus is the general of the Roman army and is well deserving of it. He is a great general and led the soldiers into battle and won. He was fighting for the Empire of Rome which was led by Marcus Aurelius. His son was Commodus, which who was going to be the next emperor after his father’s death, but his father had wished Maximus to be emperor and this angered Commodus. Commodus then secretly killed his father and wished Maximus to be executed so he was not emperor. Maximus escaped and ran home to his family only to find them burnt and crucified. He then was picked up by slave traders and was put into the arena to fight as a gladiator. After earning his fame he fought all the way up to the top and everyone loved him and he was the most loved Gladiator them coliseum has seen. He was to get vengeance on his family’s death and kill Commodus. He was at the last fight and Commodus Put his own skills to the test to fight Maximus for the last fight.
    I thought that this movie was very good. In fact it deserved much more than just an academy award for best picture, it also should have been given the award for best story and drama too. This is one of my favorite movies of all time because of the whole plot and the fighting aspect of the movie itself. My favorite part of the movie was when Maximus takes on all of the Gladiators at the beginning of the movie and killed all of them. Another favorite part of the movie was when Commodus wanted to meet “the Spaniard” not knowing it was the guy he wanted dead after killing his father.
    This movie shows humanities through Maximus, he set out to get vengeance for his family and he showed that with everything that life has to offer you can still make the most of it and get done what you put your mind to. He put his mind to killing the emperor and in the end he killed him and after that his life was fulfilled.

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  88. Jake Pieper
    1/21/13
    hour 1
    For my third outside hours I watched the movie Ted. It is a comedy movie starring Mark Walberg and Mila Kunis, which I thought they did a wonderful job in this funny but serious movie. Mark was the main character who was John and at a young age John couldn’t get many friends. He would go talk to the kids but end up getting rejected by him. For Christmas John got a teddy bear and when he squeezed it the bear said “I Love You”. John immediately got attached to it. That night he said he wished that the bear could really talk. The next morning when John woke up the bear was gone. He was looking for the bear all around his room when finally he found it or more like the bear found him. It was standing up and John thought to himself that his wish came true. After that John was older at age 35 in a relationship with Mila Kunis, who was Lori in the movie. Ted was also still with John and screwing up life for John because his teddy bear was making him act like he was only 5 yrs old still. So Ted moved out into his own apartment and had a party one night. During the party he called John to come over because Flash Gordon was there and John ditched his girlfriend with who he was just coming to terms with. He was only going to be gone for a little bit but it ended up being the whole night. So Lori breaks up with John and Ted is to blame because he is still making John act like a 5 year old. Ted tries to get Lori and john back together but after Lori leaves Ted gets kidnapped by these two people obsessed with Ted and Lori and John work together to get Ted back and never lose one another again.
    I thought that this movie showed what it means to stay close to who you love because if you don’t bad things can happen like in the end of this movie, which I won’t tell the end. John had to grow up and figure what meant most to him in his life which was Ted and Lori, but he couldn’t choose one or the other. That tarred him apart from his best friend since he was 8, and apart from Lori.
    This movie showed humanities because you have to learn and find your true self within you and without Ted in this movie John couldn't do it. He had to grow up fast and take his relationship seriously and get rid of his teddy bear and get ready for the real challenges of life, and in the end he found it.

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  89. Emily Chav
    1/21/13
    Hour 2
    For my second outside hours I went to see Zero Dark Thirty. Zero Dark Thirty was nominated for five Academy Awards. The movie is about the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. A woman name Maya who is a CIA officer has spent her whole career focusing on Osama bin Laden. She works with another agent name Dan. She helps Dan interrogate detainees to find out where Osama bin Laden is. They soon find out that a guy name Abu Ahmed has something to do with Osama bin Laden. Maya has leads that Abu Ahmed is actually Ibrahim Sayeed and asks Dan to help her find him. Dan purchases a Lamborghini for a Kuwaiti in exchange for Sayeed's mother phone number. They traced calls from Abu Ahmed. CIA operatives tracked him to large compound. The compound is put under heavy surviellence. President Obama approves a raid on the compound. CIA kills and takes Osama bin Laden back to U.S. base where Maya comfirms that the body is Osama bin Laden.
    Zero Dark Thirty was a great movie. It was very action packed and kept me at the edge of my seat. Parts of the movie was very graphic and scary but it is still a great movie to go see. I would definitely recommend people to see this movie. It helps you understand the manhunt for the world's most dangerous man. This movie definitely deserved nominations at the Academy Awards.
    This movie provides us a perspective to view the world. It showed how much courage the CIA had to take down the world's dangerous man. It showed the patience of the government to take down Osama bin Laden.

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  90. Emily Chav
    1/21/13
    Hour 2
    For my third outside hours I watched Enchanted. I have watched Enchanted many times and enjoyed it each time. Enchanted is about a girl name Giselle who is about to marry Prince Edward but is pushed into a well by Edward's evil stepmother. Giselle ends up in New York City.
    Giselle winds up trying to enter a pink castle billboard sign. A young man name Robert stops and helps Giselle. Robert and Giselle had some mishaps but Robert then decides to help her find Prince Edward. Giselle is poisoned by Edward's stepmother. Robert's kiss woke her up and Giselle realized Robert is her true love.
    I really enjoyed this movie like I said before. It is a fun musical to watch with your family. Enchanted has great plot and it is never boring at any point. It is cool that there are parts of the movie that is from past Disney movies. I would recommend others to see this movie because it such a fun movie to see with your friends and family.
    This movie expresses a person's attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, love, justice, peace, and truth. Giselle showed that love is unexpected. She believes that everyone has a true love. Giselle also believes that you should be with the person you truly love.

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  91. Brigitte Luedke
    1/21/13
    Hr. 1
    I watched the movie Hairspray which is a fun and exciting movie. Hairspray is about a girl who loves to sing and wants to sing for the Corny Collins show. She isn't perfect and typical so she doesn't get accepted into joining onto the show and singing. Later throughout the movie, she eventually gets accepted into the group and takes over as the main singer. There is also a love aspect to this movie and her and her friend both fall in love with someone on the show.

    I really like this movie because it is very fun and I love the songs that are played. The dancing is also extremely entertaining and the choreography is great. I also think the characters play well in this movie. Hairspray is a comedy, romance musical that is set back in the past

    One aspect of humanities that this movie falls under, I would say, is live your life to the fullest. I think this movie shows this side of humanities because throughout the whole movie all they were trying to do was live their life to the fullest. All the characters wanted to do was what they always dreamed to do, sing and dance on the corny Collins show.

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  92. Brigitte Luedke
    1/21/13
    Hr. 1
    One of the movies I watched over the weekend was Mamma Mia. Mamma Mia is a movie that has a lot of Abba music incorporated into it. Mamma Mia is about a young girl who lives on an island with her mom. She falls in love and ends up finding out from her moms diary that she has three possible dads. She invites all 3 of her possible dads to her wedding, hoping she can find out which one is hers. Later she doesn't know which one should walk her down the isle until she finds out which one it really is.

    I love this movie because I love the music by Abba. I have watched this movie a million times before, and I know all the words to all the songs. I think this movie is really good because I love how they incorporate the music and made a story into Abbas legacy. I recommend this movie to anyone who loves a romance, and a movie that has really good old music.

    One purpose of humanities that I saw in this movie would have to be, Brings emotion and expression to our world. I would say this purpose stands out to me the most because trying to find out who your real dad is can really express who you are in the world. Musicals are a huge part of humanities and so is finding your true identity.

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  93. Zach Petron
    1/21/13
    Hour 1
    For my second outside hours blog assignment I went to see a movie on a topic that really caught my interest. Not only was it worth 3 hours, but I can remember learning about the topic last year in history class. I went to the movie Argo. Argo is about the Iran hostage crisis which was one of the topics that interested me last year in history like I said earlier. The Iran Crisis happened in the late 70's and early 80's. The movie takes you through the very elaborate plan they used to break out eight members of the embassy, but unfortunately what kind of threw me off was that the movie was not entirely accurate. So you can imagine sitting there thinking you know what is going to happen and surprisingly something different appears. Anyways back to the movie. In the beginning the eight hostages first were invaded and during the invasion they escape across the border to the Canadian ambassadors house, and because of this the embassy gets involved and the rest of the movie is the main stud trying to bring them back across the border with the elaborate plan. They disguise themselves by telling the Iranian Government that they are a part of a movie crew.

    Other than not being historically accurate, I really enjoyed the movie it was very suspenseful and kept me entertained the whole time. The movie even gets your heart pumping at some parts. I highly recommend it you will not regret your decision. The movie does a great job of making the audience feel as they are almost in the situation themselves. I can recall catching myself getting nervous for the characters during the times when the government almost closes in on them.

    This movie brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. The movie really showcases the emotion of all people involved directly and indirectly. Not only did it show the bravery and toughness in all that were directly involved, but it showed the stress and chaos in the society of the Middle East. It seemed like all that were indirectly involved were in fear, panic, and stress.

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  94. Zach Petron
    1/21/13
    Hour 1
    For my second outside hours blog I watched the Dark Knight. The movie features the classic comic book characters Batman and Joker. Overall the movie is about Bruce Wayne’s unknown side Batman and his efforts to protect Gotham City from crime. The movie starts out with a bank robbery the evil Joker is behind, he succeeds and escapes with the money. This alerts not only Batman and the police, but it also alerts the mob leader Gambol. Gambol is threatened by Jokers capabilities so he tries to intimidate the Joker. The Joker does not care about the money so much as just being a bad guy with control. To prove this he gives all the money to Gambol, but then turns on him and burns all the money to a crisp and kills Gambol and takes over his men. Now with numbers the Joker has power to cause terroristic attacks on Gotham city. The rest of the movie is about the Batman trying to stop these attacks and put the Joker behind bars for good.

    I really enjoyed the movie it is one of my favorites. I recommend it. The acting in the movie is spectacular. The actors really make the movie. It is my favorite super hero movie. I think a lot of the super hero movies are kind of cheesy and all the same, but not this movie the movie is truly a stand out movie that beats out every other super hero movie.

    The movie really expresses a person’s attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, love, justice, peace, truth, etc. During the movie Batman really has to keep his beliefs in check, because during the movie the police believe he is a criminal and while he is fighting with the Joker he is being harassed by the police. While being harassed by the police he takes a big gut check and has to think about why he is saving people that do not believe in the Batman and think he is a criminal. It shows even when they hated Batman and criticized him he still did what was right and saved those who were against him.

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  95. Nathan Borchardt
    1/21/13
    Hr. 2

    For the final outside hours for me, I went with a buddy to go and watch a movie. We went to the Lakeville movie theater to go watch one of the most intense, mind-blowing, action-packed films, Zero Dark Thirty. With a nomination for an Academy Award, I thought it would be a great movie to see, it definitely surpassed that. It was awesome with action involved and the documentary story line it. It blew my mind away with some scenes being sad but in the end it showed me a smile and it showed me laughter in the movie. The movie starts in the mid-90's and moves towards 2011. The characters in the movie take part in finding the location of Bin Laden but go through count-less amount of terrorists to get a answer. With some fellow colleagues and soldiers dying the hunt wounds people up to hurry up the search. In the end the searchers find a possibility where he is and they send soldiers to take a gander.

    My thoughts on the movie are very good. I think it was pretty accurate on what all happened, but left parts out and modified things to not reveal to much. I also think it left you question some parts of the film, but in the end I thought it was pretty good. Would I recommend it, I would definitely recommend it, it will blow your mind and it will keep you thinking. I liked every part of the movie, except the killing of the soldiers and civilians.

    Zero Dark Thirty brings out emotion and expression of emotion to our world. It shows the emotions of the people searching for Bin Laden and the emotion the terrorist have when they brutally beaten to getting an answer out of them. It also shows the corruption the Middle East has and how it affects everyone around and it shows the confidence that the people who were searching had.

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  96. Shannon Tell, January 21 2013, Hour:1
    During the winter break my friends and I saw the movie Les Miserable. The movie is about the journey of a prisoner Jean Valjean. The beginning is about Jean Valjean how he disobeys his parole and leaves to a faraway city. Jean Valjean turns into a respected man in the city but he always fears he will be caught. Jean Valjean soon finds out they caught a man who they believe is him and the man will be sentenced to death. Jean Vajean comes forward but escapes his punishment by running away again. Valjean does this because he promised the dying women that he would look after her daughter. He ends up raising the young girl as his own daughter. The movie also ties in the about a revolt between a group of young men who fight for freedom and democracy.
    I didn’t know anything about the movie when I went to see it. In the first five minutes I realized it was a musical. I usually don’t like musicals but the singing was fabulous and the story line was very interesting. It was really sad though, I almost cried when my favorite character a little boy with an amazing voice died. I thought Ann Hathaway did an excellent job in this movie she has an amazing voice! I liked the end where all the characters even the ones who died were all together singing.
    I thought it was an overall good movie. I would recommend it to those who like musicals. I did think it was a little too long though. If you don’t like sitting for a long time I would not recommend it to you.
    Les Miserable helps brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. The men who started the protest new they were outnumbered and would be killed. They still did it though for the people.

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  97. Jenna Rogers
    Hour 1
    01-21-13

    I went to go see the Winter One Acts on Saturday, January 19. It consisted of 3 one acts. The first one was about this couple and how they met. There were different stages in there life played by different people. The couple looked back on their memories in life and how it made them the couple they were. The couple was Andrew and Meredith. I thought that everyone did an incredible job playing the age they had.
    The second one act was multiple stories on how women can save themselves. The mother told her daughter stories on how Red Ridinghood saved herself from the big bad wolf. The second was Snow White. She wanted to take down her mother so that the workers could gain their rights, and the third was on Cinderella. She didn’t want to go to the ball, but when she did she actually fell in love. The Prince gave his fortune to the fairy godmother and they lived the life of an artist.
    The third one act was about a man who wanted to drink from the cup at the dark tower. He wanted to rest. The three sisters would not let him in until he proved that he deserved it. Throughout the one act, Roland had to go back in the past and re live three deaths in his life.
    I thought that everyone did a great job in his or her one acts. I would definitely recommend seeing them or any other play that our school holds. The talent we have is fantastic. It is always fun to see people I know turn into a complete different person during their show.
    I think this falls under the category of; express a person’s attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, love, justice, peace, truth, etc. I chose this because each play had a different way of showing love and justice. All three show different ways of love. The first shows life long love. The second shows love of two artists and the third shows love through death. There is also justice in the last two. In the second one, all of the women find justice in saving themselves. The third shows justice by showing how much Roland deserved to rest in the dark tower. I liked how all three plays were similar but very different.

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  98. Tanya Schauff 1/21/13 Hour: 2

    For my first outside activity, I visited the Children's Museum in St. Paul. I went with my girlfriend and her little sister. There was a lot of people there, because this was the only Sunday of the month when it was free. They had just opened a new exhibit on their fourth flour, it was all about Dora and Diego. The museum had lots of different exhibits, and it was awesome seeing the way kids interact with these normal everyday things.
    I loved this museum. I went here when I was little and it has gotten much bigger and probably a lot more fun. I had a lot of fun playing with my girlfriend's little sister. She learned a lot and even I learned some new things there. I would definitely recommend going there. My favorite thing was probably the nature exhibit and I didn't really like the castle exhibit.
    I think this museum sets an example of "provides us an approach to living in the modern world" because the Children's Museum is teaching these kids how things work, how things used to be and how they are now.

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  99. Nicholas Steinkopf
    Hour 1
    01/21/13

    a couple days ago I went and saw the movie Django Unchained and was not disappointed. This Movie is all about a slave traded across the globe away from his wife and through several of slave traders. Now Django under his own will is seperated from his wife and keeps in the back of his mind to never forget about her or the name he was given as a child; Django. Through all the trading back and forth he is sent to unkown traders to make sure he is not to ever see his wife again. While traveling we meet Christoph Waltz character Dr. Schultz; under disguise as a bounty hunter aiming to go to several slave trading companies and picking out the bounties on some of these men. Django knowing several of these men through his travel is sought after by Dr. Schultz and set free by Christoph to go around for bounties and in hopes find Django's wife.
    Like I had said before Django Unchained was no let down. I mean if you love any kind of Quentin Tarantino film than you need to see this movie. Much like Kill Bill its full of gore and action scenery so this movie is not for the faint of heart. With some disconnections from the random rap music in the middle of some awesome parts; the story held very close to the watcher. I had thought the story was amazing and would never steer off and didn't leave the person watching a empty feeling as some others movies led off to be. Much respect to not leaving it up to the end for a sequel; Django left no survivors that didn't deserve their vengeance. I beg you watch this movie if you are into any sort of snuff film and any western love. You won't be disappointed from the acting from Christoph Waltz character.
    This is all about the search for identity and try and hold whats close to Django. Through the movie he makes it known to every man that tried to take away the identity he had he would seek vengeance and tell him the name he held close to him; Django. He was never accepting the slave life and knew there was more to the world and took the chances given to him to try and keep the life he wished for a possible future.

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  100. Tanya Schauff 1/21/13 Hour: 2
    For my second outside activity, I watched the movie Footloose. This movie is about a kid that is new to town, his name is Ren. This new town that he moves to, is all against music and parties and dancing because of an accident that happened in the town that had killed the reverend's son. But Ren is from Boston and that stuff was just normal. He continues to dance and listen to music through out the entire movie and in the end, he gets everyone to see how important dancing and music actually is.
    Well I watched the older version, which I like a lot more than the new one. The versions are similar but the styles and music and dancing are much different. I liked the acting in the older movie much better. This is an amazing movie. I have seen this as a play when I was little. I went with my mom to this play and ever since then, I enjoyed this movie. My favorite part is probably when Ren teaches Willard how to dance.
    This movie relates to "helping us find meaning and enjoyment in our world" because Ren shows how important music and dancing is. He helped this town realize that music should be a huge enjoyment and that people can find meaning through music.

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  101. Tanya Schauff 1/21/13 Hour: 2

    For my third outside activity, I read an article on CMT. It's called "Kenny Chesney Brings Ray of Hope to Alzheimer's Patients." It's a short article, but I think it sends a nice picture. A country artist, Kenny Chesney, is trying to help Alzheimer's Patients by recycling old ipods or mp3's and giving them to these patients. It allows them to connect to old music and maybe it can help them remember old memories or feelings.
    I think what he is doing is amazing. I feel that music does have the power to change these people's lives or at least touch them.
    This relates to "helping us see that which is basic to all people, all times" because music has been around for a long time. Music is basic to everyone of every age, no matter what part of the world they are from. And for someone to bring back something as important as music to people that just want to remember, is an awesome thing.

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  102. Austin Funke
    1/21/13
    Hour 1

    About 2 weeks ago after I got home from school, my sister asked if I could help out with the set up for the Hunger banquet at the high school. Thinking it couldn’t possibly take up too much time, I agreed to help with what would become a chaotic 3 hours. The Hunger banquet is an event for the environmental science classes where they get to experience the uneven distribution of food in the world. My part in this included the following. I had to drive to Village Market to pick up a lasagna and to Fongs to get a large pan of rice. I then helped set up and move around tables. Then I became a waiter for the high class tables. And finally I helped everyone clean up.

    I felt that it was a lot of fun to be behind the scenes of an activity like this. The event itself showed just how unevenly food in the world is divided. If I remember the numbers right, 60 percent of the people got rice on a paper towel, 30 percent got rice and beans on a paper plate and a plastic fork to eat it with, and 10 percent got a lasagna dinner with a salad and Oreos on fine china. Being a waiter for the high class table was hectic because my sister and I were constantly running back and forth with more food and refills, and dirty dishes and cups. At the end of eating, all of the upper classes leftovers were scraped into a bowl and shown around to all of the lower class tables. This was to show just how much waste there is in the world. And before everyone left, they were encouraged to see how long they could last on what they had just eaten and discouraged from just stopping at Perkins on the way home.

    I had fun participating in this activity and would encourage people to try helping out or being part of a hunger banquet. I liked how many of the people from the environmental science class showed up even though I’m pretty sure if wasn’t mandatory. I didn’t like how some of the kids took it as a joke and were talking and goofing around while the reasoning behind the hunger banquet was being explained.


    As for relating this to an example of humanities, hunger banquets make us more aware or our actions and the consequences. They show us what the other majority of the world lives tike every day. They show us how much waste we have and how when were throwing away food because were full, there are others who are just trying to make it from one day to the next.

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  103. Cortney Neidermyer
    1/22/13
    Hour 1

    For another of my hours I watched a documentary called Wasteland. Its about an artist named Vik who goes to Rio to the biggest land fill in the world. While there he meets a few really special people. He takes photographs of these people then he recreates those photos out of the the trash from the land fill then takes a picture of that and sells it. The money he gets from the photos goes straight back to the people from the landfill.

    I thought this was a great documentary. I would even recommend people who don't like art that much to watch it, its really eye opening and challenges you to look at the tings you use everyday in a different way. Vik only used garbage out of the landfill to recreate this photos. The approach of humanities I choose is Making people see the world in a different way. Vik really wanted to change these people for the better and he did. I also think the people who buy his photos will really think about what they do in a day and how they use the things they do and not to take so many things for granted.

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  104. Alecia Bohnsack
    1-22-13
    Hour 2
    Yesterday i got together with a few friends and we all watched the Titanic. It has a historical background of the ship being unsinkable, and having to deal with the tragedy that goes along. It also has a love story to add to the intensness of it.
    My reflection on this movie is always the same. I am a huge fan of the movie and it is one of my favorites. I havent seen it in a long time, so watching it brought back some memories. Having to go through that would be terrifying. I think it is good that it got an award because it definitely is very emotional and sad. It shows a lot of what it would be like if you had to go through a ship that sinks.
    I liked everything about the movie and I do believe that everybody should watch the movie at least once in their life.
    I think this movie falls under seeing the beauty of things. When they were first getting on the ship they were all fortanate enough to be able to have a spot. They experienced life on the sea, the ship, and seeing everybody smile. the beauty of life and going to America, even though some of them werent able to make it. It shows that you shouldnt take life for granted, experience the beauty of things because you never know what can come your way and make it your last.

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  105. Lacy Mazurkiewicz
    Hour 2
    1/22/13
    For my first outside activity I chose to go see a play. The play is titled Four Tickets to Christmas and it was held at the Shakopee Friendship Church. The play is based on a family who performs for a living. They do tons of musical productions and travel as much as they can to find jobs. In the month of December they had decided to rent out their home to earn a few extra dollars while they went off and performed for a few other cities. Unfortunately, the shows they were scheduled to perform fell through and left them without a home for the month. The husband was devastated and couldn’t think of what to do, so then his wife chose to haul the family off to the husband’s parent’s home. Their two children were ecstatic and the decision was unanimous, even though the husband tried to fight it as much as he could. So then the family got four tickets to their family and set off in early December. Once they had arrived the husband and his father had their spats as usual. Throughout the entire play secrets between everyone had unraveled. The husband’s father didn’t know how to read and was embarrassed that he couldn’t keep up with his son, and the husband’s child hated performing and really wanted to be a vet or work with animals. Even though everyone in the family had their troubles with that year’s Christmas, in the end they all learned a valuable lesson. No matter where you are or what you get for presents, you should always be thankful for the ones you have and realize the true meaning of Christmas: surrounding yourself with the ones you love and the ones who love you.
    Surprisingly I really enjoyed this play. From the time it started until it ended I was engrossed with this production. It was very moving and actually made me realize that even within the madness of Christmas shopping and preparation all I really needed to do was take a breath and think of all the people I am blessed to have in my life. Children these days are so obsessed with the thought of Christmas just bringing gifts and material items that no one really needs. Everyone just needs to be thankful for all that they have and realize just how lucky they are. There are families that have absolutely nothing to give during Christmas time but are so happy because they do have the ones who love them.
    I really enjoyed this play and would definitely recommend it for everyone to see. The amount of effort and love that was put into this production was truly amazing and made the experience just that much better. Normally I’m not able to really keep up with plays because I lose focus but this one was so great that it had my attention the whole time.
    This play relates to humanities by showing the value of having one’s own personality and values. Every person is an individual and has their own meanings of importance. It is so important to have your own interests and do the things you enjoy because that is the only thing really keeping individuality in the world now.

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  106. Evelyn Linder
    Hour 2
    This weekend I watched the Titanic with Alecia and Madyson. It is a movie with historical background and a love interest. The love interest between Rose and Jack is a Romeo and Juliet type of romance. And through this fictional love story, a very brutally true story emerges, the sinking of the Titanic and how real it was to these people. Although this movie was rather long and on VHS it is still amazing movie that I think everyone needs to see.
    I would recommend this movie to everyone. It is such a beautiful story and plot line, tragic, but truly beautiful. To know that this actually happened, not the love story but the sinking of the titanic. It really gives you a feel for how terrible it was to be those people aboard the ship. It really gives you a sense of the pain and fears people aboard the ship must have felt. The acting was phenomenal and many critics must have thought so too seeing how it won the academy award for best picture of the year.
    I think the main approach it shows me is that it provides us a perspective to view the world. If I never saw this movie I never would have cared about the Titanic and what happened to those people a hundred years ago. It shows me how I need to care about the past and what happened. Like because of the Titanic event I am sure it was a contributing factor to cruise ships having enough life boats for everyone. It really made me open my eyes to the things unseen.

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  107. Anastasiya Zvereva
    1-22-13
    Hour 1
    On January 11th, I went to the movie Les Miserables with Keith. We were looking for something to do and wanted to have a night out so we decided to look for some movies to see. I mentioned to him that I needed to get hours for the class and he agreed to go to Les Miserables with me. The movie was about a man named Jean Valjean that was sent to jail for commiting a minor crime and after twenty years was released however he is still being "hunted" by a policeman that seems to be getting out to get him because he broke parole. After some things happen in the movie, Jean runs away from authorities. He later finds out that a man that authorities believe is him, got caught and has been sentenced to death. He comes forward to try and save the innocent man and runs away again to not get punished.He runs away this time because he promised a woman that is about to die that he would look after her daughter. He later gets close to the young girl and raises her in a way.
    The movie was quite different from anything ive seen before. I am still not a big fan of musicals. I liked how the movie was action filled and something different and new happened a lot but being a person that doesnt like musicals, that was the part I didnt really enjoy the most. I also think that some aspects of the movie could have been shortened a little bit to not make it so long. I would recommend it to people that like musicals and like action and a good story.
    I think the humanities area that this movie showed me was how it brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. I think this is an appropriate approach to humanities because watching the movie, you could tell the emotion of the charecters in the movie and even thinking about the writer of the movie and the people that set it all together brought emotion when they were making it. Also many scenes had showed how people back in the day expressed their emotions.

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  108. Cody Boren, 1-22-13, Hour 1

    I went to see the Winter One Acts this last weekend. The One Acts this year wrote composed of three plays directed by different student directors, all centered around a fairy-tale theme. The plays were each ~30 minutes long. The plays incorporated handmade sets as well as many talented student actors.

    I went into the plays not thinking much of them. I have seen school plays before and I was not very impressed. I had always preferred choir concerts to plays anyway. But the One Acts this year simply blew me away. The acting was phenomenal, and the stories were originally performed even if not created by the directors. It was definitely worth seeing.

    This relates to humanities in obvious ways; it is an individual expression of art for each performer as well as a whole different complete work for the director. Much personal expression goes into the making of any play, which is very human indeed.

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  109. Madi Sams
    Hour 1
    1/22/13

    For my outside hours I watched "A Beautiful Mind" in Psychology class. This movie follows the life of a man named John Nash. Nash is enrolled at Princeton University as a graduate student. John sets out to create his own mathematical theorem that he could call his own. Soon, John creates a dyanmic that interests those at The Pentagon. John soon meets William Parcher whom gives Nash special assignments and tells him to keep everything that he knows a secret. Parcher's requests lead John into believing that everyone is watching him. Since John is experiencing hallucinations and delusions, he is put into a mental facility and is later diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Later on in the movie, it becomes evident that John never really did recieve any special assignments; they were just hallucinations. As John's halluciantions and delusions become worse, he puts his family in danger. Then one day when Nash knocks over his wife and child, he comes to the realization that what he is seeing are just hallucinations. He soon learns to ignore the hallucinations and delusions. At this point in the movie, John has decided to turn his life around and ignore the demons inside him. Years later, John Nash is teaching at Princeton as the head of mathematics. John then goes on to win the Nobel Prize for his outstanding efforts.

    My reaction to "A Beautiful Mind" was that is was a very good film. I found John Nash's courage and determination very fascinating. John had to push through many difficult obstacles in his life, and that is something that can be very challenging. I really enjoyed the ending of the movie because it shows viewers that John's efforts in everything that he did, payed off, and people were really respectful of all of his accomplishments.I truly would recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it yet, because it is very inspirational and heart-warming.

    I can relate "A Beautiful Mind" and humanities by comparing the movie to an approach of humanities. The approach that I found most relatable was "showing us options and alternatives". I think this is so relatable because John Nash didnt believe that taking his medication was the best way to cure his hallucinations. He refused to take them and he found other alternatives to fighting the voices and people that were fake. John pushed through and came to the realization that he could medicate himself in another way, and that was to ignore the hallucinations.

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  110. Madi Sams
    Hour 1
    1/22/13

    For my last outside hours, I chose to watch the Academy Award winning movie, "Kramer vs. Kramer". In this film a successful businessman named Ted Kramer and his wife Joann seperate because Joann feels mentally unstable. She leaves their home that they have together, and she leaves her 5 year old son, Billy, with Ted. Ted has a difficult time adapting to his new life as "the mother". Billy complains that he wants his mom back. Eventually, Ted realizes what is important in life and that Billy really should be his first priority. Billy and Ted soon build a wonderful relationship; one that can't be replaced. 18 months later, Joann asks Ted if he will meet her to talk. She tells Ted that she has gotten better and she wants Billy back. Ted quickly gets upset at the offer that Joann has made, and tells her that Billy will not be living with her, because they have a very strong relationship. Disagreeing, Ted and Joann decide to go to court to decide who gets custody of Billy. Soon, we learn that Joann has won and she recieves custody of Billy. This news makes Ted feel very uneasy, but takes a good approach when it comes to telling Billy. Billy is very sad, because he doesn't want to leave his dad. When Joann comes to pick up Billy from his dads house, she tells Ted that Billy is already in his home and she is not going to take him.

    My reaction to this movie was that it was great! I had no intentions of enjoying this movie. Surprisingly, it was a movie that I found very emotional and heart-warming. I enjoyed watching Ted as he grew as a father, and the sacrifices that he made in order to be a good father for Billy. Although this movie is older, I would definitely recommend it!

    "Finding meaning and enjoyment in our world" is an approach to humanities that I find to be relatable to the movie, "Kramer vs. Kramer". I think this approach is relatable because initially, Ted wasn't very focused on his child. Once Joann left, he realized the importance of his son and that his relationship with him cant be compared to any other. Ted's priorities at the beginning of the film were work and money, and near the end, Ted knows that his first priority is in fact, Billy. Ted found the true meaning of his life once he had a good relationship with Billy, and that's what I find to be very wonderful.

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  111. Madyson Batta
    Hour 2
    1/22/13
    Two educators a the University of Chicago are trying to expand the humanities department greatly. They want to make people go into a field that they love, not just for the money. New Yourk Times syas "There are vigorous debate in the broader world of education about whether courses and material should be tued more tightly to the job market." Educators from around the United States are worried that people are just picking their majors just to make a lot of money. At N.Y.U enrollemnt in arts and humanities programs for the fall grew five percent from last fall. Everything Mortimer J. Adler and Robert Maynard Hutchins is working out for broadening peoples views on humanities programs.

    I think that humanities in general is a great thing to further in your education. I liked that they talked about humanities in the whole broad concept. People should not pick their future job based on money, if you hate what you do every day, you wont enjoy life, and further opportunities. I would recommend to read this, they may be a lot of things that you may not know about humanities thats going on in college life. I didnt like that this article was so broad with the colleges they talked about.

    The one approach to humanitites I chose was provide us an approch to living in the modern world. The modern schools and people are realizing that going into the humanities field can be very rewarding like other fields. Our modern worlds revolves around art, fashion, and music, and going into a field that has to do with that can be very rewarding because its things everyone is around everyday.

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  112. Cody Steinhaus
    H:1
    1/22/12

    For my first hours I watched the award winning movie Platoon. This movie shows how brutal the vietnam war was, not only physically but also mentally. Charlie Sheen is the main character who goes through many changes throughout the movie.Charlie Sheen's character is a smart 18 year old who decided that insted of going to college he was going to enlist in the infantry.
    I thought this was a great movie. It really showed the brutal things that these men had to do and what they had to sacrifice. The director did a really good job of capturing the fear that the actors produced.
    This movie connects with humanities because it shows how different the world can be. In one part of the world everything can be fine, but anywhere else it could be complete chaos.

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  113. Madyson Batta
    Hour 2
    11/22/13
    Titanic is about the “Unsinkable” ship Titanic and how the ship hit an iceberg and sand. While the ship is on its way to America a love story between Rose and Jack. Even though Rose is engaged to a wealthy English man. Rose becomes infatuated with Jack and they have an affair, when Rose’s fiancé finds out he tries to frame Jack saying he stole a very expensive necklace. The ship beings to sink, and Rose goes to free jack from where he was being held instead of getting on a life boat. Rose and Jack make it off the ship, but Jack is in the freezing cold water, and passes away and Rose let his hand go and he sunk to the bottom while Rose survived.
    I love that the love story is between a high class woman, and a low class man that won his ticket in a poker game. It’s very tragic but it shows that love can happen at any time. I would recommend this movie if you have not already seen it. I did not like how they would go away from the story and show Rose then at that updated time; I didn’t think that it was enjoyable. I disliked that Rose didn’t move over and make room for Jack on the floating wood so he wouldn’t have died.
    The approach to humanities I am going to use is helping us live our life to the fullest. If Rose would have stayed with her fiancé, she would be very unhappy. Jack and Rose had a very different type of love that not everyone can fine, and even in moments of tragedy they still

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  114. Madyson Batta
    Hour 2
    11/22/13
    Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 sports drama film. It is the story of an under-appreciated boxing trainer, and his quest for recognition by helping an underdog amateur boxer achieve her dream of becoming a professional. Maggie is the amateur boxer and she attempts to win Frankie (boxing trainer) over by working out tirelessly each day in his gym, even when others discourage her. She ends up getting a break, she goes to this match wither very good and high hopes. The match ends with Maggie getting hit hard, she falls over and there a stool in her corner that wasn’t moved, and she lands her neck on that, and her career and everything she worked so long and hard for is over.
    This movie is a very inspiration movie. A woman in a man’s sport trying to stand out and get help from someone she admires. I love that this movie showed how a woman has to work harder than most to get as far as the opposite sex can in a field. This movie showed me that you have to work hard maybe even harder to excel in anything you want.
    The approach to humanities that I chose is brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. How hard Maggie worked to finally get to where she wanted to be, and then a tragedy happens. Maggie worked so hard to stand out from the men that were in that gym, so she could work with Frankie. Maggied showed how one little break could make someone so happy with their life, and everything they do.

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  115. For my second set of hours I watched the move zero dark thirty. This movie is about the hunt for Osama bin laden. The movie follows special agent maya who spends a majority of her career hunting down bin laden. This movie is very intense throughout the whole movie. Even though you know the ending, you still feel the intensity of the chase.
    I thought this movie was great. It was intense fropm the begging scene where you see a man being tortured, to the ending where you see the SEALs raid Osamas house. This movie really catches the intensity and the high level of stress these men and women went through to find and kill him.
    This movie does an outstanding job of capturing emotions. It shows the dedication of these men and women and what they were willing to do to fing and kill bin laden.

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  116. Evelyn Linder
    Hour 2
    Early in December I went to go see a ballet called the Nutcracker. The only reason I went to see this ballet was because my best friend Emily dances in it. Every year since she was 4 she participated in all the parts from bottom to top. It is amazing watching her grow into the dancer she is today. This year she played the snow queen which is a professional role that they usually hire someone to dance. I love this ballet my favorite number is the Russian Dancers, because they do flips, twirls, cartwheels, and all kinds of acrobats.
    This ballet is really one for the whole family. When I think ballet I used to think “yawn” and “boring” but now I see it in a total different way. I actually came to realized that it is beautiful and a lot of work. I have much more appreciation for dancers and how many hours they put into their productions. They storyline is very easy to follow and the dancers really bring the ballet to life. I would recommend this ballet to anyone, it is fun for all ages, and really make Christmas come alive.
    I think this express a person’s attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, love, well not just a person the dancers. You can see how much effort they put into something they care about so deeply. They work their bodies to almost complete exhaustion just because they love and care for it so deeply. I think when someone is doing something they love they shine, brighter than they do any other day. When these dancers, including Emily dance it display themselves. It shows their beauty and makes them shine at their brightest.

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  117. Evelyn Linder
    Hour 2
    Every Wednesday as far back as I can remember I have worked in my youth group. Working with sound, lights, music, videos, pictures, and flyers is just a common factor in my week. We put on a show every week and being a part of that experience is truly amazing. I love learning things about behind the scenes and making a show come alive. I get to make things and show my creative side when I do. I create lights, spot lights, flashing lights, laser lights, and sound movement lights. Also I get to create pictures for our series and put slide shows together.
    I would recommend coming to youth group and seeing these things on a Wednesday night. On the other hand I would recommend finding a way to do it yourself. Find a way to work in school, a theater, a town production or even in your own church. It will open your eyes to the way you see a show, a performance of any artist. How much work gets put in behind the scenes is some many people don’t think about.
    This activity I believe brings emotion and expression of emotion to our world. The videos that display on the overheads that we film and edit can really stir in peoples hearts, or simply just make them laugh. The music can speak to ones heart, or maybe just cause them to jump up and down because of the cool beat. Not to mention all the lights that set the mood, or the tone of the music that is playing through the speakers. I love being able to be a part of this, being able to make people feel something.

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  118. Cody Steinhaus
    H:1
    1/22/13

    For my final humanities hours I watched Titanic. This movie is about a boy who is very poor man named jack who wins a ticket onto the Titanic. He then meets Rose, a very rich, sophisticated women. Her family wants her to marry a rich man. When Rose and Jack meet they soon fall in love with eachother. And you know the rest of what happened to the ship.
    I thought this was a very sad movie. This movied showed that even though someone might not have everything in the world, they are still people who dont need all the money in the world to be happy.
    This movie deals with humanties because it deals with romantics. Rose and jack were togeather until the end and thats all that matters to them.

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  119. Nicholas Steinkopf
    Hour 1
    1/22/13

    For my last humanities hours I had gone too see Les Miserables with Austin and a very unique experience. The story of Jean Valjean who was imprisoned for 20 or more years for trying to feed himself. Finally becoming free from his prison and sent on his attempt to lead a life of being an honest man. Than we meet another heroine Fantine who much like Valjean attempts to live her life and keep a child alive as she throws away everything that holds deep to her. all in 19 century France as everyone is down on their luck going through any job they can get even though few are willing to depend on each other. At the same time Javert a french policeman who was sent to hunt Valjean.
    As someone not use to musical's this is a very unique outburst of interesting turns and twisting from identity changing and everyone's idea of loyalty. I can't help but feel that not everyone at that time had someway out that these main characters had. The trials our policeman, runaway and window mother are not small trials but it makes me over think what actually happened during the revolution of France. Overall very dark when you look down to it but couldn't help but love the innkeeper character bringing some kind of humor toward the homelessness of France. This is a recommendation for only ones in search for a music taste. I can't help but feel this would be amazing as a play but as a movie felt very uneasy for me at some times with the repetition of some songs. But the history and learning of it is very astounding in depicting poor people of France.
    In humanities this movie reminded me of expressing emotion in our world. This tries to set in stone the period of time were changed a country and to never forget the troubles the people have gone through. Its also trying its best to stir the best information through people that may not have followed along with the french revolution.

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  120. Hannah Schultze
    Hour 1
    1/22/13
    For my second set of humanities hours I decided to watch the Titanic with my cousin. The two main characters are named Jack and Rose. A difference in these two characters is that Rose comes from a family with money, where Jack does not. Jack gets lucky enough to win a ticket on the ship from a bet and barely makes in on the ship. All of the people on the ship were ready to start their new lives in America. When Jack and Rose meet on the ship, they do not fall in love at first, but later on they fall madly in love with each other. A tragedy strikes when the Titanic hits an ice burg. Everyone thought that the ship was indestructible, but they were wrong. This part in the movie is very dramatic and sad. The ship goes does and Rose and Jack are floating in the freezing cold ocean. Jack decides that the board holding rose above the water cannot hold him also. He sacrifices himself for Rose because of his great love for her.

    This movie is definitely one of my top 5 movies of all. Yes, I was one of those people who went out to see it in 3D at the theater when it came out. The love story was what made the movie, but to think that this actually happened in real life is so sad. Every time I watch this movie I am guaranteed to cry. I honestly do not know how you can watch this movie and NOT cry! Everything I thought was perfect about the making of this movie. The costumes, actors, and the animations were great. Anyone who has not seen this movie needs to see it because it is one of the best movies you will ever see. Humanities fits into this because the Titanic is a movie and it involves acting and expression. Love is a characteristic of humanities, and is clearly displayed in this movie!

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  121. Hanna Carpenter
    Hour: 2
    January 22, 2013
    For my last outside hours, I chose to watch the film nominated for four Academy Awards “Beasts of the Southern Wild”. In this film a storm quickly approaches a southern Louisiana bayou community called the "Bathtub” which is cut off from the rest of the world by a levee. Five-year old Hushpuppy and her unhealthy, hot-tempered father, Wink, are optimistic about their life and future. She’s taught about survival and the release of prehistoric creatures called "Aurochs" from the melting ice caps. Hushpuppy learns to take care of herself while her father is missing, when he returns they argue and Hushpuppy sets her house on fire. Meanwhile, in the Arctic, the frozen Aurochs in an ice shelf start drifting into the ocean. Many of the Bathtub residents start leaving due to the oncoming storm, but Hushpuppy and her father stay put. The next day, the two tour the devastation and connect with the surviving residents. They all celebrate and make plans to rebuild their community, but much of what is left begins to die because of the salt water brought in by the storm. Wink makes a plan to drain the water away by destroying the levee, later it brings the authorities who force the mandatory evacuation to remove the inhabitants of the Bathtub to an emergency shelter. When they arrive Wink undergoes surgery, but it doesn’t restore his health. At the first opportunity, the evacuee’s escape back to their homes. Even through her father is dying, Hushpuppy leaves the bathtub in search to find her mother. She and her friends swim to a boat which takes them to a floating bar. Hushpuppy meets a waitress who may be her mother but soon enough they return home, where she confronts the Aurochs from the ice caps and recognizes the animals as friends. Hushpuppy then says her last goodbyes to her father and she sets his funeral, standing in solidarity along with the remaining residents of the Bathtub.
    I really enjoyed this movie and I can see why it’s nominated for an academy award for “best picture” and “best actress”. The acting from Quvenzhané Wallis the youngest nominee for best actress was amazing, she’s only nine years old and already very talented. This film can move or inspire people in so many ways. It explores the fertile yet terrifying world of a child's imagination. The film was kind of difficult to understand when it switches between some scenes but overall it was an amazing movie. I would defiantly recommend this movie to anyone, some might not appreciate it as much as I do but I think most would still enjoy they story behind it. One of the approaches to humanities that would fit this film is “provide us a perspective to view the world”. It fits this experience because during the film you get the perspective of how hushpuppy was living and how she viewed her “own world”, a world that she loved and thought was beautiful when most people would look them as less fortunate. It gives us that perspective of the hardships she went through at such a young age as well as people that have lived through flooding or hurricanes when they lost almost everything. It defiantly gives you that extra perspective that I believe everyone should see.

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  122. Lacy Mazurkiewicz
    Hour 2
    1/22/13
    For my second outside hours activity I chose to see the movie Les Miserables. The movie is based on an old and famous musical. The story behind the musical is that there is a man who has spent nineteen years in prison for merely stealing a piece of bread because his family was starving. After all of those years he went on probation and was set "free." He had nowhere to go and no work to provide him with money for food. He was invited to stay in an old rich man's house where he went back to his old ways of stealing and attempted take a bunch of the man's silver and run off. After being caught with the silver and presented in front of the man, all the owner did was set him free. The poor man then realized how ashamed of himself he was and decided to turn for the better and help those like himself. He had secretly escaped from his probation and was constantly trying to keep his identity a secret. He ran a city and helped the poor as much as he possibly could. He essentially let a poor woman lose her job and get thrown into the streets from ignoring her. The woman worked as best as she could to provide for a daughter she had staying with a family while she worked and sent money. She then becomes a prostitute and gets sick. The man ran into her and she told him that he had essentially made her prostitute. He then made it his mission to reconnect her to her daughter. Yet unfortunately after years of hiding the escaped man's cover becomes blown. As he is planning his escape the poor woman passes away from extreme sickness. The man now makes it his goal to rescue the woman’s daughter. After he bribed the family that the daughter was staying with, they went on the run. The rest of the movie consists of their constant escaping of the police and avoiding the severe punishment it would bring to them. Also in the end the woman’s daughter gets married.
    This movie was definitely way different than I had expected it to be. I expected it to be like a typical musical with a basic story line that would be hard to follow, but Les Miserables was incredible. The story itself is so moving and emotional. It could make you laugh, cry, sad, and happy all within the movie. Although it was so different, it was a magnificent genre that should almost be in a category on its own. They definitely chose the perfect actors and actresses for all the parts which just made it that more amazing. I would definitely recommend all people seeing this film.
    This film relates to Humanities in many ways. One specific way would be finding meaning and enjoyment in our world. Not only did this film bring enjoyment for the audiences all around the world but it brought happiness to all of the actors and producers. The actors and actresses obviously take on roles in films because it is what they are truly passionate about. Everyone should have at least one activity, hobby, or interest that they really enjoy and find meaning within.

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  123. Kelli Roe
    Hr 2
    I went the see the movie Zero Dark Thirty. The movie is in competition to be the best film and get an academy award. The movie is based around the take down and killing of Bin Ladin. The movie is a thriller with a lot of action. The main character behind the take down, and knowledge is actually a girl. It was a very thrilling movie.

    I thought the movie was ok. Others have said it was a very good movie but I just think im not very into guns and shooting and killing. But I think the story through the movie was interesting, also interesting that it was mainly a girl behind everything. I thought the scene were they actually go in and kill him was very interesting and well acted out. I would recommend this to someone who is interested in movies like this, that invovle guns and shooting.

    One aspect of humanities is "makes us more aware of our actions and consequences". I think this does a very well job at portreying that asepct. In the movie some of the terriost who were apart of 9/11 were tourtured or held in American jails, which probably isnt right but they are getting back to them which they did to our country. Also the killing of Bin Ladin shows that its not okay what he did to our country and that he needed to be punished for it.

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  124. Samantha DuBois
    January 22nd, 2013
    Hour: 2

    For my second humanities project I choose to pay special attention to architecture, a category of humanities not commonly studied. I previously visited the beautiful city of Duluth, and I was able to visit the Glensheen Mansion. Not only was the story of the mansion and all who lived there interesting, but all its features were absolutely stunning. I went into the tour knowing close to nothing about the mansion, except for the many rumors and most likely, elaborated, stories of the murders that supposedly happened. Although a story of affairs and betrayal would have been quite intriguing, the tour guide did not even mention it, and instead focused mainly on the house, the family, and all the little perfections which made the house the uniquely beautiful memorabilia it is today. The tour stared in a barn like structure where one could see the multiple different ways the Glensheen family traveled. Beautiful, antique horse-drawn carriages lined the barn. As we walked into the house, I was absolutely amazed at the beauty of the enormous house. Not only was it decorated because of the holiday season, but each room was decorated so precisely, as if trying to restore what the Glensheen family had brought into the house. Many of the artifacts the family collected are still in the house, and the U of M (which owns the house currently,) definitely did an excellent job leaving most of the rooms exactly as they were when the family lived in the house.
    I personally loved the house. It was not only beautiful, but extremely interesting to see how the Glensheen family had lived so long ago. There were so many beautiful pieces from all around the world displayed in the house and I couldn't believe all the minor, almost unnoticeable, touches that lined each and every room. It was definitely a house to marvel at. I personally loved a room toward the end of the tour called the Green Room. The family had gotten a special, very expensive type of green marble and lined the whole room with it. Along with the unique marble, the mother had chosen to keep a type of garden on the little porched in area which added to the green affect. It was simply amazing how beautiful the room was able to be put together!
    One approach to humanities the Glensheen mansion shows is how one is able to 'express attitude or value on such things as what is beauty, live, justice, peace, truth, etc.' This mansion definitely showed the beauty a house can possess. The builders of this mansion definitely wanted to express how they can use the different beauties they collected around the world to build their dream house.

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  125. Preston Henjum Hour 2
    For my second outside hours I chose to watch is the film, "Zero dark thirty". This film is about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. After the aftermath of September 11th, the CIA start to begin interogating Al-Qaeda agents(terrorists) across the world to get information about where Osama Bin Laden is hiding out. Over the years the CIA have been recieving intel about where Osama has been living. The film follows the story about Seal Team Six and there training to find and kill the most wanted man in the world. President Obama descides to attack a building that intel says Bin Laden is hiding out. During the attack, Team Six crashes one of there Helicopters outside the building area. As they breach the building they open fire and eliminate every threat in the house. At the end of the raid Seal Team Six shoots and kills Osama Bin Laden.

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  126. For my second humanities project, I went to go see the movie Argo, the movie was about how in 1986 more than fifty people get taken hostage in the US Embassy and six americans escape and seek refuage in the Candian ambassors house. With only the CIA knowing where they are, they have to come up with way to get them out safely. An CIA specialist brought in for consultation, comes up with the idea of saying the six americans are with him to produce a movie. One of the ways it shows the humanities it shows us options and alternatives because instead of just trying to rescue them with guns and a fight, they chose to make into a big cover up to keep everyone safe.

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  127. Maggie Swanson
    Hour: 2
    January 23, 2013
    For my first humanities outside hours I watched Life of Pi. I was kind of hesitant of watching it because I didn't really recognize any of the actors in it. It starred some people that I've never even seen or heard of before. Overall, the movie was fantastic! I actually really enjoyed it. Life of Pi is about a teenage boy "Pi" who is the only survivor of a shipwreck. Pi's father owned and closed his zoo to move the family to Canada. One night of traveling, a storm came through which caused the shipwreck. He lost his family when the ship sank. It was only him and a tiger named, Richard Parker. Pi and Richard were stuck on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The movie is pretty much about Pi going through obstacles to finding an island and surviving alone in the jungle.
    I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone. I'm a huge baby when it comes to sad movies, so of course I cried when he lost his family. The movie is inspiring and makes you grateful for everything that you have. One of the approaches to humanities that would fit this film is “provide us a perspective to view the world”. Pi was stranded all by himself and had to take of himself in a huge world. He was one little person in the middle of an ocean, let alone, no where.

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  128. Alecia Bohnsack
    1-23-13
    Hour 2
    for my last activity i had no idea which article to read. i thought about Jewel and i searched one right away. i have always been inspired by her and her work, and ive listened to her since i was younger. there were a lot of things that i found out that i never would have known about her and her life. you never really expect anything from someone until you read or know there whole story which makes her even more inspirational in my eyes. i am glad i read this article.

    reading this article made me realize even more that things dont come easy in life. you really have to do whatever you can to become what your dream is, and that is exactly what Jewel did. She never gave up, even when she was homeless living in her van. (her family life was very good growing up as well) so that shows how much things can change. we both sing and play the guitar, and all her songs mean something, which a lot i can refelct on.

    i think that teenage girls that are into her music should really look more into her. her story is incredible and you wouldnt really expect the things that she had to go through to get to where she is now. she now has a good family and still continues to do what she loves and thats why she is one of my inspirations.

    people think of her songs as just songs. but you really have to listen to the words to discover the real beauty behind her and her voice. it is really amazing listening to her and knowing her whole background with her life. she really has come far and is making the best of her.

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  129. Maggie Swanson
    Hour: 2
    January 23, 2013
    For my second outside hours, a few nights ago I watched the movie Annie. Annie has been made in two movies and even a musical. I went to the musical when I was little and have always loved Annie. I watched the 1982 movie version. Annie is about an orphan who lives in an orphanage ran by a horrible lady, Miss Hannigan. Annie is selected for a short time stay with Oliver Warbucks. He then begins to fall in love with Annie and wants to adopt her as his own. Miss Hannigan, along with her brother doesn't like that idea and does horrible things to try and hurt Annie.
    I recommend this movie to people because it's a good sing-a-long and it's just overall a great movie. It's old but it's a really cute movie. I've loved it ever since I was little and I hope I will always like it! This movie connects with humanities because it shows how different the world can be. It basis around kids in orphanages who might not get all the advantages or support as kids with parents do. It makes you grateful. Although there might not be mean orphanage leaders out there, but you never know. Annie gives us an outlook on the world other than how we act and see in our every day life.

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  130. Maggie Swanson
    Hour: 2
    January 23, 2013
    Today when I had some down time after school, I watched Burlesque cause I saw I had it recorded on my TV from a previous showing. Burlesque is a musical film from 2010. It stars Cher, Christina Aguilera, Cam Gigandet, and Eric Dane. Burlesque is about a small town singer, Ali who sets out to California to become a singer. While in California, she comes across a nightclub where she's fascinated by the singing and style of it. She starts out as a waitress and soon tries out to become part of the dancers/singers. Ali falls in love with the bartender and makes her way to stardom. She soon becomes the main act for the show and continues to sell out shows. I recommend this movie to everyone even though guys probably wouldn't want to watch it.
    Burlesque shows humanities by bringing emotion and expression of emotion to our world. It shows going out and living your dreams. You'll go through obstacles but if you keep going for what you want, chances are you'll get it. You just have to work hard for what you want. I really liked this movie and encourage everyone to see it!

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  131. Dylan Cole
    Hour 1
    January 24 2013
    I saw the movie Les Miserables on Friday the 18th. The film stars the actor Hugh Jackman who plays the role of a man named Jean Valjean. Jean was an exconvict who changed to be a better man when a priest gives him riches. He later saves a woman named Fantine (Anne Hathaway) who chose prostitution to get money to save her child. Once Jean finds Cosette he does everything in his power to protect her and raise her as his own. While all of this is happening he is being chased by a police officer named Javert. Once Cosette grows up she falls in love with a guy named Marius (Eddie Redmayne) who fights with the poor against the goverment in the french revolution. In the end all of his friends are killed (spoiler alert), Javert commits suicide and Jean passes away. I recommend this play to anyone who enjoys musicals or plays otherwise it might not be a first choice for people who don't enjoy them.
    Les Miserables shows humanities by representing many ways to express art. For example the play is unique because it is sung the whole time which also makes it hard to follow. It also shows many struggles people go through throughout their lives including poverty, sacrafices, suicide, hurt, pain, stress, loss and many more things. I personally didn't enjoy the movie as much as my girlfriend did... I almost fell asleep. But if you're into art then I would encourage you to check it out!

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  132. Marissa Carnevale
    Hour 1

    Spoiler Alert!!!!!
    I saw the movie Django Unchained. The movie starred Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio. Christoph Waltz played Dr.King Schultz who was a bounty hunter looking for a group of three brothers. He hunted Django down to see if Django could help find them and point them out since Django knew who the brothers were and looked like and the Dr. did not. During there adventure the two men grow close and the Dr. learns of how Django wants to find and buy his wife so they can be free together. In order to get the money to buy her free, Django has to work with Dr. Schultz as a bounty hunter. The men become closer and closer and eventually find his wife but she works for a man that doesn't want to let her go so they try to con him instead and it goes bad. I wont say how it ends but it's not rainbows and sunshine.
    I thought it was a really good movie. I would recommend this movie to anyone that can sit through a 2 hour and 45 minute movie, I am not one of those people. I loved the movie but half way through I got a little bored but towards the end it picks up again. Django Unchained provides us with a perspective to view the world. It shows how some people may not have it as easy as others.

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  133. David Thompson
    Hour 1

    Last week I went to go see the Winter One Acts with a couple of my friends. There were three plays in total. The first one was about an old couple who was reflecting back to various points in there life trying to pick their favorite moment. It was funny at points but all together it kind of confused me what the point of it was. The next one was a twist on various fairy tales that made the princesses less defenseless. I thought that it was pretty good, it was funny and easy to follow. The third one was probably confusing to everyone but me, it was The Dark Tower, based off of the book series by Stephen King. It was an interesting choice by them since I'm pretty sure that no one understood any of it unless I explained it to them since I have read the books.
    I would once again recommend going to the school plays to anyone who's at all interested in theater productions. They are produced well and overall good plays, and I think they're all worth seeing since they're just a few dollars for students. It can be said that the second play offered us with a perspective to view the world, since we're used to the normal defenseless princess, but this shows us a different idea of what a princess could be.

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