In An Introduction to Film Genres, Friedman defines the genre of melodrama as, “Films centering on personal relationships…that seek to elicit spectator sympathy for the film’s protagonists and tell their story in a lighthearted style that may include spectacular effects, implausible coincidences, plot twists, and a clear dichotomy between good and evil” (Friedman, 85). Marriage Story certainlyContinue reading ““Marriage Story” film review”
Author Archives: javenbear
Impeachment Questions
I used to think of really smart people as walking encyclopedias. But I’ve come to believe that’s entirely wrong. Really brilliant people are more like very powerful calculators. They have the capacity to consider a question and produce a good answer. Instead of a huge collection of facts stored and waiting to be regurgitated, theseContinue reading “Impeachment Questions”
armchairs again
A few nights ago we were at Aleisha’s place for board games and food that never got taken to a cancelled Christmas party. The ten of us sharing in the warm company of friends and the cold cheer of hot chocolate poured seven or eight favorite songs ago. We were scheming about Christmas, that goodContinue reading “armchairs again”
lead me from the wire
*image by Lisa Kew In Communication Ethics, our final paper required us to evaluate a communication act within the church – I chose the mentoring relationship. I’m think this is the most time and energy I’ve ever put into a writing project. As I spent countless hours researching and writing it, I would love forContinue reading “lead me from the wire”
you are not enough
The crucible ended on Wednesday, or maybe on Thursday when the professors had to have our grades finalized. And finals week was mercifully over.Over the course of finals, I kept thinking about a billboard I drive past sometimes. It says something like, “the task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you.”Continue reading “you are not enough”
The Internet Shapes Mindset
How does the internet change the way you think and process things? In the following six paragraph paper, I argue that as the context of our personal life changes, our behavior and goals will change as well. I also reflect on the why Instagram and posting on this blog are not altogether healthy. *I sendContinue reading “The Internet Shapes Mindset”
“hot water”
heated water, i’ve deemed priceless, shower, tea, oatmeal, and steam, rising up off the lake, and over the concrete bridge i cross on my long commute, during which i try to decide, what things are truly valuable; hot water, —
the reason i write
I’ve written 85 WordPress blog posts over the course of about three years. And I’m finally starting to understand the point of it. In class, we’ve been discussing different approaches to communication as laid out by a guy named John Peters, a longtime professor at the University of Iowa. He describes communication as happening from one ofContinue reading “the reason i write”
the squid and the whale
I’m the type who will spend forty-five minutes laboring over the choice of what movie to watch. And then usually the choice is between films that you have to really work to appreciate. Tonight, I found myself feeling like watching something. And forty-five minutes, later I found myself on the porch having finally chosen TheContinue reading “the squid and the whale”
Episode 3: talking about college
For the last couple of months, I’ve been working at the radio station at Toccoa Falls College (we record stuff in our studio but don’t broadcast live). In the past, I’ve always set aside a day (or two) for work, cramming all my classes into the other days. This semester, that didn’t work out. WhenContinue reading “Episode 3: talking about college”
javen.bear. 