FLY HIGH

["The Fly" Reaction Paper]
Danielle Elisha F. Ching
2013-68141

Without the high definition quality and effects the current movie industry utilizes, the 1958 film “The Fly” was a refreshing film for me. It’s glad to take a break from all the dystopian, zombie apocalyptic, or post-modernized fairy tale movies dominating the theatres for the past few years. “The Fly” was entertaining and interesting for it has a different charm and technique from the movies I grew up watching. The movie started off a mystery, and that hooked me up throughout the film. There were also shocking and intriguing elements like the fly-human hybrid and the talking fly which reflected the unconventional imagination of the film makers in its decade.

The film basically emphasizes the importance of professionalism in science. When Andre’ built the teleporter, he performed several tests and runs, perfecting his invention before revealing it to the public. He represents a scientist who is purely devoted to scientific discoveries rather than commercialization technology. As explained by Francois’ to Philippe on how his father died, Andre’ died doing one of the most dangerous studies in humanity, but also one of the most important—the search for the truth. The film was a morality play in a way that it highlights certain moral values a scientist or any human being should have. For example, the use of animals in scientific experiments should be done systematically, without harming the animal and applying the rules of animal ethics. This value was emphasized when Andre’ used the family cat as his experimental subject, and he had a breakdown realizing what he did after the test failed.

As a whole, the movie reflects the 1950’s as a period of scientific discovery, which focuses on the purpose of searching for the truth of the world and humanity. When Andre’s test failed, he turned into a monstrous hybrid of a fly and a man. Although he and his wife exerted much effort to reverse what happened to him, he was not able to. In the end, he had to sacrifice himself. This demonstrates the belief that science and technology are high powers which should be developed, but could not be tamed, therefore dangerous. A person pursuing science should be ready to make a sacrifice for a worldly cause.

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Jaylyn L. Paterno

2013-15633

The Fly (1958)- Movie Review

            Overall, the movie was not something that I expected. The story was boasting a good start at first, but as it carried its way until the end, it failed to sustain the curiosity I had. It lacked the potential to be marked as a good film.  Maybe it would be more interesting if it emphasized more of the telepod system, than giving the spot light on the characters' plight. I find the story too dramatic if its real agenda was to perceive science as the object of attention.

            The film showcased the possibility of gaining negative outcomes in exercising Science. It must be pertaining to one of two things; either people of the 1950s did not salute the practice done by scientists or they have high respect for scientists that they feel the need to publicize the endeavors of men of science in facing the danger of experimenting. The movie could be considered as a morality play because the characters were struggling in vying for normality, forbidding and letting love to interfere in order to ease one’s burden.

            They viewed Science and Technology as something to be taken seriously. I assumed that they saw science in its divine state, such that whoever meddles with it shall have great sense of wit and responsibility of its risks.  That perception should have brought scientists tremendous equal amounts of both pressure and honor in their field.

Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me

Cecilio Gabriel F. Magsino

2013-14820

Reaction Paper: “The Fly”

I would have to say that I really found the movie interesting and entertaining as I have seen it before because it was the very first movie I saw when I was a baby.  For a sci-fi film in the 1950s, I would have to say that the movie had really good quality both in script/story and in props/effects. The film, in my opinion, was the peak of that generation’s filmmaking industry.

The film portrayed scientists and the conduct of science in a way that is similar to how our scientists are now. One is that most scientists are usually too much worked up on their experiments that they begin to lose time for more important things such as family, themselves, and their health. Even the conduct of science back then was the same as it is now which is to respect life, the law, and the public good by not conducting experiments of living organisms. I would agree that it is a morality play as they portrayed the scientist trying to make up for his actions by sacrificing himself and his life’s work for the betterment of his family and the people.

In a way it reflects science and technology in the 1950s because it is a narrative about a scientist trying to pursue “the search for the truth” by single-handedly experimenting on a device that would enable humanity to toy around with nature and “play god” without even weighing the pros and cons of his discovery. What’s worse is that with his newfound discovery, he became rash and didn’t gather enough knowledge before performing something so dangerous that it will cost him his life, as well as imparting his discovery to society.

2013-53216
Reaction Paper on The Fly

In my opinion the film was both entertaining and interesting. The story caught my attention because the fact that in the movie they were able to say that in the future there would be teleporting devices which can teleport both living and non living things normally was very surprising. It’s been more than 50 years since the movie came out and we are nowhere near inventing a teleportation device. The story was also very entertaining because it was made funny by the fact that the simplest mistake a scientist would make can cause a huge disaster.

I think the film was trying to say that scientists shouldn't mess with things they don’t know much about yet. Also, the scientists shouldn't test in on themselves when it hasn't been really approved.

I would consider the movie a morality play because if the scientist wasn't so focused on his work and focused more on his family and life outside his lab, he would have thought about his safety first and wouldn't have done it to himself without being so sure.

During the 1950's I think their science and technology was so limited that that’s what they think would happen to the scientist. We don’t know for sure what would really happen but their view on what happened seems like it’s not possible. The other people in the movie didn't even believe teleportation could be real and then in the end it was said to be dangerous. They clearly didn't know what they were doing.

The Fly

THE FLY

                The Fly was a movie first produced in 1958. It is a movie about a scientist experimenting with a form of teleportation. After trials with a cat and a guinea pig, he tries it on himself and becomes the victim of a freak accident whereby his head and arm become the head and arm of a fly. The story revolves around his wife and her “journey” to finding his real head and arm, which happen to be fused with a fly.

                For me, The Fly is an eye-opening and interesting film because it gives viewers a peak into past views on horror films and how back then, showing blood was considered horror, whereas now, blood is a staple of every hit movie.

                The film’s view on science and scientists from my point of view is that they are viewed as these weird, introverted people who always wear lab coats and whose experiments are considered dangerous unless proven otherwise.

                The film is not a morality play simply due to the fact there is no presence of right or wrong, the wife is not punished for “killing” her husband and the scientist died for no reason, simply because the police thought his invention was considered dangerous to humanity.

                The film’s view on science and technology is that every new invention is taken with a degree of suspicion as to whether it is safe or not, which is different from today wherein all inventions are accepted with open arms regardless of their safety.

A Scienterrific Catastrophe

2013-72538

"Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination."

-John Dewey

The 1958 film The Fly for me was entertaining and interesting enough to keep me at the edge of my seat. Although it was old, the mystery effect of the film (which was the refusal of Helene to tell the reason why she killed her husband and her obsession in the white fly) made it very fascinating and the story of it was not too cliché compared to the films we have now.

It was clearly portrayed in the film that scientists will do anything and everything for the advancement of science, even if it takes their own life. Scientists never stop to try making their innovations better .But even the most perfect invention has its own downside. In the case of André, although it was not his fault that he didn't know that there’s a fly inside the chamber, still he had to suffer greatly and had to die in a very tragic way. I do consider it as a morality play because it showed that the experiments have its limitations and boundaries. That led to the formation of ethics in research studies and scientific experiments that scientists in order to minimize, if not eliminate devastating instances like in the film.

During the 1950’s, Science and Technology is like a sacrifice. You have to offer your life to it in order to succeed and be famous. That time, everything is a trial and error. In order to succeed, one must not give up and strive hard for its perfection. And I think that led to many successful discoveries and innovations we all enjoy today. Salute to all scientists!

The Lab Mishap

2013-04986
Reaction Paper
The Fly

Rather than interesting, I found the film “The Fly” intriguing. When a film opens with a murder case where the killer herself wants to be persecuted by the authority, I can’t help but to wait intently for revelations on the crime. I didn’t have a clue that soon it’s about a lab mishap.

For a movie during the late 1950’s, I think that a sci-fi film like that is ahead of its time. It poses a warning to the future generation on how to treat discovery and innovations. For this, I think it’s a morality play. It tells the viewers that playing God is always doomed to failure. There are boundaries on being human that there is always a margin of error. Scientists always have this uncertainty in their experiments and as long as this small probability exist, the film instructs, men of science should not play with the sacredness of life.

Over-all, the movie is logical by giving an explanation to every situation even to the scientific innovations and mishaps. But the highlighted message of the film is that the society back then dictates what can be explored and what cannot. The science back then already has an idea of what all the innovations and discoveries can do. That all needed resources are just around us but we should think if moving “forward” does really benefit us.

Like the exploration of the steam engine during the Greek period, being advanced is not equal to being beneficial. Exploration and discovery considers a lot of factor, down until the smallest decimal place.

Catching Fly

2013-11133

A movie is intended to be enjoyed by the audience, requiring it to appeal to their interests. In the first few minutes of the film, I admit that I was quite unimpressed by the main actress. When the flashbacks started, only then did I begin to become engrossed. Perhaps this was because I do not belong to that era when this area of topic was a big deal to the society.

It showed that the scientists were very, very curious beings who greatly value their job - discovering new things. It was such an important thing for them, even locking themselves up in their basements and ignoring their family. Scientific breakthroughs were more important than human (even animal) life in their time. This was shown when the male scientist placed their cat in his device and used it for his experiment. Also in the part when he asked his wife to crush his head and hands just to avoid controversies and issues from circulating abou them.

By the end of the film, I was greatly disturbed. He chose to die instead of waiting for the fly or asking the other scientists for help. He thought that he was a failure, and his pride stopped him from seeking other people. Science and Technology was then perceived as something magical but an extremely dangerous tool. They have just started playing with it, having minimal experience on the great damage it can deal to the society by. Maybe this was one of the beginnings of the study regarding the relationships between Science, Technology, and the Society.

A Scientist's Misfortune

The Fly (1958)
by: Kurt Nuemann
Movie review
Meryl Mae Tan
2012-79054

For me, the sci-fi movie "The Fly", a story about a scientist who's experimenting on matter transportation is quite interesting in a sense that it is done in the 1950's where there is not much research and scientific proofs. But, entertaining? I have to commend that even if it is in black and white, it is theatrically acted and a lot of melodrama, I was entertained by how series of events were place.

In the film, Andre as a scientist, almost couldn't allot time for his family, himself. He was just so busy with his experiments and few trails didn't content him. He tried from a ceramic and then with a living thing, and then himself. Unfortunately, he was unaware of the fly on his second attempt. He was a man full of pride, he made his wife promise not to tell any one about his misfortune. He even turned his works into ash for no one to find it. But, he's willing to die as a consequent, since each passing day, he is becoming more of a fly.

Andre and his wife, Helena, once argue about God as creator and man's free will. It is very problematic that the two is separated only by a thin line. And until now it is still not clearly define what are the boundaries of both. But Andre's experiment exploited not only animals but also himself. The police sees it as a crime. In the end, Helena's break on her promise is the only way to save herself from a crime she was accused.

In 1950's, Science and Technology is still new to everyone. A time, where so much still undiscovered. Scientists are so eager to invent something for their credit. Unfortunately that idea ate Andre's mind and lead him to his end.

Cecilio Gabriel F. Magsino

2013-14820

Reaction Paper: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”

By definition I would say that the film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is indeed science fiction. We understand science fiction is a genre of fiction that portrays science, and technology in an imaginative context. Although plausible in the near future, majority of the elements of a science fiction film should still be contrary to what society deems as reality and should give the audience a sense of disbelief. To me the film achieved this by showing advances in society and technology that I would not believe to be possible or probable. The advancements in technology, communications, and transportation in the film such as holograms, aircrafts that to defy the laws of physics, arenas that can sustain their own ecosystem, and dresses that can catch on fire without harming the wearer and then change into totally different dresses, are all examples of what is contrary to society’s reality and I would say it sparks disbelief as well.

The film is also a commentary on past, present, and future human society because of the social hierarchy and example of government shown in the film. A commentary on the past human society as it imposed the hunger games which served as means of entertainment for the people as well as an exhibit of the Capitol’s strength and power over the people. Much like how the Republic of Rome had gladiators in the Coliseum to both entertain the citizens as well as make them fear the emperor. Commentary on present human society in a sense that the industries by the districts are the same as the industries we run in our country today. Besides that is the idea of revolution against an oppressive government which is why we celebrated the 150^th anniversary of the birth of the greatest revolutionary of our country which was Andres Bonifacio. Finally, it’s also a commentary on the future because the film was set on a post-apocalyptic world and the film gave us an opinion on how human society would survive after a worldwide catastrophe.

I would say that science and technology would succeed in the world of the 13 districts in a way that they were able to build advancements in transportation like the bullet trains and aircrafts shown in the film. They were able to make holograms as means of communication and surveillance possible. And even make an arena that can completely sustain its own ecosystem as well as produce artificial weather conditions as well as “natural” threats to the organisms inside. It is society that was shown failing in the 13 districts. With the dictatorship under “President” Snow and the 10 out of the 12 districts on the verge of rebellion, I would say that society in the film has failed. Failed in a sense that they could have all lived in peace and order.

2013-49566

Reaction Paper: Catching Fire

Waiting for almost half an hour until – 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1. Boom! My eyes focused on the screen, ears listening to every little sound and body glued to the seat as I watch the film version of Catching Fire from the second book of Hunger Games written by Suzanne Collins.

The “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, though with romantic elements, is science fiction movie. The movie itself can tell why it can be consider a sci-fi movie. It can be prove by the advance technology used in the movie like the multiple odd devices and weapons that are impossible today. There also a number of strange creatures like genetically enhanced monkeys and mockingjays. Also, the futuristic train, the arena (where the battle was held), the training ground (where the tributes practice) and a lot more are complete product of advance technology.

The movie is a commentary on past, present and future human society for it gives a picture of how’s life on that time period.  Panem resembles a place of the past under a rule of an absolute monarchy. Also, the tributes are shown to be more barbaric rather than civilized people like in the ancient Rome. Tributes, like ancient citizen, used some adaptive behaviour just to survive the battle like the use of camouflage, having sharp teeth and the likes. It also depicted the situation of the world in the present. Like the districts, there are informal settlers or “slums” that are almost found everywhere and the different social classes conflicting- the favoured, bourgeois class and the poor or middle class. Lastly, the future was also depicted clearly shown by the enhancement of technology such as force fields, holograms, and other futuristic devices.

In the world of the 13 districts, Science, Technology and Society failed. Only Capitol has access to technological advancement and benefits while the people did not benefit much from these. The developments and inventions are only utilized by the Capitol that caused a lot of destruction to people of Panem.

Catching Fire was not only the best but an incomparable one. The money I’ve paid was not wasted. It was all worth it. In the end, I caught myself cheering for the girl on fire. Go Katniss!

Reaction Paper (Catching Fire)
Audrey Deniece SP. Flores
2013-72538

The film everyone’s been talking about these past few weeks, Catching Fire, is indeed a science fiction movie. Most part of it gives a picture of what kind of society Panem has with all its advanced technology and sophisticated innovations, mainly used by The Capitol for itself and especially for the Hunger Games.

It’s amazing how the director and the author (Suzanne Collins) managed to make the film be a commentary of the past, present and the future. For the past, it clearly portrayed the affliction people experienced during the times imperialism was really widespread. The poverty among the 13 districts and the way The Capitol treat the people were in some way similar to what happened during the World War 2 across the nations. As for the present, it can be related to the way The Capitol manipulated the society depending upon President Snow’s desires. He took advantage of his power to somehow “eliminate” Katniss because he saw her as a threat, the hope or the “mockingjay” of the people. He organized the Quarter Quell just to fulfill his agenda. This scenario is really evident today in several countries where the government uses its authority just to carry out its selfish wishes. An example of this is corruption which is present in almost all countries in the world. Lastly, it depicted the future because the advancement in technology was really apparent and highlighted in the movie especially in the part where the victors were already in the arena.

Science, technology, and society failed in the world of 13 districts because despite the modern and high tech advancements featured in the movie, the 13 districts are still starving and suffering under poverty unlike in The Capitol where they just waste food as shown in the film.

Science and technology is either a good thing or a bad thing. It only depends on why an action will be done and who will be affected. But if it will be used for selfish purposes, then nothing good would happen. Everything rooted on selfishness always brings chaos. In a world where there are such “organisms” that use power to do what they want, as said in the movie “Remember who the real enemy is”.

Celine Carmen D. Yabut

2013-53216

Catching Fire Reaction Paper

Catching fire is the sequel of the book and movie “The Hunger Games” and I consider it science fiction. My understanding of science fiction is that it is fiction that has a scientific factor and Catching Fire is definitely fiction with a lot of imagined science. The movie is more technologically advanced compared to people now. The weapons, training materials, media services and more in the movie were more advanced that anything we've seen in the present time.

The film is definitely a commentary on the past, present, and future human society. The movie is supposedly set in the distant future, probably post-apocalyptic, and there it was shown how from our time now, the present, that the people were able to develop technology and humanity into what it is in the movie. Aside from that though, the movie also showed the barbaric ways of humans just like how our ancestors were in the past. Through the hunger games it was shown that people will still fight to survive and its survival of the fittest. But it’s not only the past and the future, as much as I’d hate to admit it, the hunger for power and the people’s wanting of freedom is what reminds me of the present. Though in real life, it’s not as intense, I can still see it today. Another thing that I think represents the present is the media and the people in the Capitol. The media and people are exactly what people are like now. The people are so interested in drama and romance and that’s what the media gives them, just like today.

Science, technology, and society both fail and succeed in the world of Catching Fire. It succeeds in a way because when I look at the new inventions, equipment, electronics, and many other things, they overpass what I think the future would be like. They have things that look like they will be impossible to invent. The society on the other hand I think fails the world of Catching Fire. The society is cruel; the people don’t care about what happens as long as it pleases and entertains them. They are selfish, petty, and rude.  The Hunger Games is proof enough that they are still barbaric.

Jaylyn L. Paterno

2013-15633

(Reaction Paper on the Movie ‘Catching Fire’)

          The Hunger Games 2 or popularly known as ‘Catching Fire’ is a science fiction film made by Francis Lawrence, while the book’s author is Suzanne Collins. The equipment, weapons and the environment used in the setting of the movie depict more advanced kind of technology that could exist in this world.

          It’s a commentary of the human society. The similarity in the past of both parties is that they are both under a powerful person. The districts are being ruled by the capitol. Likewise, the countries in the early civilizations are being held captive by their kings and force them to do something they don’t want just to ensure their safety.

          As for its connection on today, people are now aware and conscious of what is happening around them. They become vocal on what they want to happen and to get support from people with the same interest like Katniss and the rest of the other districts.

          Knowledge of the characters about science helped them to figure out how they would respond or cope up with the world they are living in. The characters always face their daily lives with a challenge of how they are going to survive, with their minds full of ways and ideas of science.

          A more advanced kind of technology can be noticed in the setting of the story. Because of technology, the hunger games became possible.

Hungry for more!?!

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Movie Review

Meryl Mae Tan

2012-79054

Hunger Games Trilogy is one of the most popular Sci-Fi movie based on book written by Suzanne Collins. It is a Science Fiction film because it uses science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science(1). The Technology was so advance that even when you twirl, your white wedding dress burns and turns into black mocking jay costume, the facilities are state of the art science and technology, and the island where they battle is covered with force field.

It is the visualization of the future after Apocalypse where society/(district) were utterly horrible or degraded that is generally headed to an irreversible oblivion, or dystopia(2). You can see how Science, Technology and Society FAILED not only in the world of District 13 but all the other district. Only the Capitol has access to this technological advancement and used it in inappropriate manner; A manner where they can be in control and suppress others; A manner which is inhumane and unjust. So there is no surprise that people revolt in the end. It is how History works; it is like a cycle of events that keeps on repeating.

First, it is not a feel-good movie. I didn't cry, but most of the time, I was almost about to. I did watched the first film, so I had a little background. And I liked it. I didn't read the book so I didn't expect much. But after seeing the second installment, I craved for more. It is worth watching. Well, the execution is pretty awesome, but I'm not into that genre where you kill other people just for you to survive. It finally get into me the brutal truth about the game. The ending was literally a cliffhanger, and I'm looking forward to the third film.

(1)Science fiction film. Retrieved December 5, 2013, from Wikipedia:

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_film

(2)Utopian and Dystopian fiction. Retrieved December 5, 2013, from Wikipedia:

         http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopian_and_dystopian_fiction

Meryl Mae Tan

2012-79054

CAUGHT ON FIRE

[Catching Fire Reaction Paper]

Danielle Elisha F. Ching

2013-68141

“The odds are never in our favor.”

The second book of the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire, could be classified under the science fiction genre; consequently, its film adaptation is also scientifically fictitious. In fact, the whole trilogy is sci-fi. It is imaginative, explosive, futuristic, and historical at the same time. Also, it suggests an alternative world which is rationally possible through science. Specifically in the movie Catching Fire, scientific modern technological advancements were featured like the body-embedded trackers, holograms, engineered animals, controlled arenas, force fields, and Katniss’ flaming wedding-turned-mocking-jay dress.

The film is basically a commentary on human society based on what was, what is, and what if. Panem, the country where it is set, bears a resemblance to a post-apocalyptic North American region. It could also represent North America under the British rule. Panem has a dystopian society originally composed of 13 districts, with a totalitarian government centered in the Capitol, while colonized North America has 13 states under the power of the Brits. The tyrannical taxing system imposed on the districts of Panem also happened in the past North America. At another angle in the past, the film could also refer to ancient Rome, wherein warriors like the tributes, engage in gladiator battle games inside the coliseums.

While the film depicts the past human society, it also embodies the present. The Capitol, the center of Panem, has people who satirically reflect the superficial shallow people of the present generation. They judge people based on their outward appearance, they wear outrageously insane couture, they speak in a funny way, they are impractical, they follow fads and trends, they spend lavishly on parties, and they are bulimic. For reference, when President Snow’s granddaughter wears her hair braided like Katniss, the granddaughter confirmed that it was the current fad, without knowing what it really means. Another instance was during the party at the presidential mansion, and someone offered Peeta a drink which makes people throw up, showing the bulimic culture of the Capitol’s people. Politically, the movie also suggests something about the current corruption-driven governments. Although most governments are not necessarily totalitarian, the same system occurs within societies—commoners are robbed off, while the elite fatten up themselves.

Catching fire’s also futuristic because of the technological developments and changes featured in the movie—holograms and force fields are much developed and widely used by society, hybrid birds like the mockingjays and jabberjays could copy tunes and voices, flames could be worn, and time could be controlled. Rationally, these developments are possible but are not yet taking over the present society.

There is a clear distinction between the Capitol and the 13 districts of Panem—the Capitol holds all of the power, while the surrounding districts serve, pay taxes, and send tributes to the Capitol. The Capitol is the wealthiest city, and is also more advanced in terms of technology. Meanwhile, there are also wealthy districts like 1, 2, and 4, which are pets of the Capitol. The more outlying districts like 11 and 12 are impoverished; they are the underdogs. District 13, which was thought to be obliterated after the first rebellion, is now surprisingly operational by the end of the movie. I think that the failure of the society as a whole is that the welfare of the citizens of Panem are not taken care of; they are used like slaves. If the Capitol wants to maintain its power, it must at least show care for ALL of its citizens. However, the Capitol was successful in dividing the districts through the Hunger Games. If the districts unite together, the Capitol stands no chance against them. The districts’ failure to realize this was altered during the second rebellion—this was a success for the part of the districts. In terms of science and technology, the 13 districts also succeeded and failed. For example, district 3, which specializes in electronics, was able to develop all sorts of new inventions—its citizens are very successful in their field. However, what made them fail is that these developments and inventions are brought to the Capitol; they did not benefit much from their own. For most of the districts, this was the case—the Capitol claims their success. The Districts fail then succeed, and succeed then fail in science, technology, and society.

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