Film Class Experiment: Specific Topic -- 7/28/02 - 8/03/02

Morticia · 07-26-2002, 05:42 AM

Thanks to some great ideas put forth by the Forum members, I'm going to try to shake things up a bit this week. Just a trial run, to see how it goes.

Instead of all of us viewing one film and discussing the themes, symbolism, and general craftsmanship (or lack thereof)....let's focus on a specific plot element or moment of one film.

This could be limiting, or perhaps not. Let's just run with it and see what happens.

So, without further ado, to replace a discussion of a specific Film the week of 7/28 - 8/03....(and as always, discussions are featured for one week but will never be locked):

What was Halle Berry's character thinking as she sat on the porch at the end of Monster's Ball?

fischerj · 07-29-2002, 11:13 AM

My apologies! I haven't seen the film but I think this thread is an outstanding development. I can't wait to have a topic that I'll be able to truly respond to.

, Morticia!

limacharliewhiskey · 07-29-2002, 11:20 PM

I'll give it a whirl since I rented the DVD a few of weeks ago. It was one of the more intriguing endings I've seen in awhile, where you're not really sure what will happen afterwards and leaves a open ending.

Major Spoilers to Follow:

It is obvious that her character's mind is reeling from just finding out that Billy Bob's character was involved with her husband's murder. But since she greeted him kindly at the end, I believe her character would continue the relationship and get through the immediate emotional shock, as Billy Bob has treated her with only kindness and tenderness up to this point.

I think she's wondering why life has been so tough for her up until now and why she's been fighting life so much, and maybe she should now just take whatever life offers her, in the form of a kind and caring Billy Bob who offers her a home after being recently evicted.

Maybe this is a fresh new start for her life, as all of the remnants of her past life (her husband and child) are no longer here. Her emotional baggage can be left in the past. Maybe this was what she had to go through in life to finally reach some state of happiness.

slade · 07-30-2002, 04:39 AM

Hank explains to his son, Heath, that a "Monster's Ball" is the night before they execute someone and give them a super nice dinner, et cetera.

The whole movie, then explores death.

One of the most telling parts, for me, is when Hank puts his father, Buck, into "the home". Buck says, "I don't want to die this way." To which Hank responds, "Neither do I." Meaning, if he (Hank) doesn't want to be put in a home he is going to have to put aside the hatred that his father has and start anew. A message he gets when surrounded with the death of his son, and his new lover's son and husband.

I think Leticia undergoes a similar discovery when she is sitting on the porch with Hank at the end of the movie. The establishing shot of them includes the tombstones from Heath and (I'm assuming) Hank's and Buck's wives. These tombstones make Leticia ponder what kind of "Monster's Ball" she would like to have. I believe she decides that being with Hank will provide her with the most satisfying way to die (so to speak). So, she too let's go of her hatred and embraces the life she's being presented with.

Hank says something like, "I think we're going to be okay." and, she agrees.

Triple HHH · 08-03-2002, 08:47 PM

I think this new specific topic is a great idea for film class, but I havent responded to this one because I still haven't seen Monster's Ball yet, though I really want to.

I hope the lack of response isn't because of a lack of interest, but probably most people haven't seen it yet.

Hopefully I'll have time to check it out this weekend.

Triple HHH · 10-12-2002, 03:46 PM

I recently saw this film, and let me say it's one amazing piece of work. Powerful and unforgettable.

What was Halle Berry's character thinking as she sat on the porch at the end of Monster's Ball?

Slade and limacharliewhis have good points which I also agree with -- the movie definitely explores death, and Leticia (Halle Berry's character) finally comes to terms with a truth that she can't avoid - that life and the people in this world can't be measured or generalized or even fully understood. The coincidences, misfortunes, and pains in life come and go, and the best a human being can do is move on and learn from these experiences.

The ending is beautiful and strikes an optimistic note as the camera pans up toward the heavens into a starry field, and the musical score here is gentle and sweet, implying a better future (possibly), or that maybe Leticia's heart has finally reached a comfortable state of assurance and understanding. It seems like a wonderful sigh to a film with so much anguish and antagonistic/negative emotions.

07-26-2002, 05:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Morticia Administrator Emeritus Film Class Goddess Part-Time PRN Princess Panty Thief Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Devil's Point. Burn baby burn!	Film Class Experiment: Specific Topic Thanks to some great ideas put forth by the Forum members, I'm going to try to shake things up a bit this week. Just a trial run, to see how it goes. Instead of all of us viewing one film and discussing the themes, symbolism, and general craftsmanship (or lack thereof)....let's focus on a specific plot element or moment of one film. This could be limiting, or perhaps not. Let's just run with it and see what happens. So, without further ado, to replace a discussion of a specific Film the week of 7/28 - 8/03....(and as always, discussions are featured for one week but will never be locked): *What was Halle Berry's character thinking as she sat on the porch at the end of Monster's Ball?* __________________ Nope, you really haven't lived until you've fed a naked Fire Dancer a S'more...cooked from her own flaming baton. I reject your reality and substitute my own! "Freeze dried moles. Price as marked." -- Nixon, Suicide Girl

07-29-2002, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
fischerj Actor Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Michigan	My apologies! I haven't seen the film but I think this thread is an outstanding development. I can't wait to have a topic that I'll be able to truly respond to. , Morticia! __________________ "A man's fate is a man's fate -- and life is but an illusion." My Collection

07-29-2002, 11:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
limacharliewhiskey FryMaster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The O.C.	I'll give it a whirl since I rented the DVD a few of weeks ago. It was one of the more intriguing endings I've seen in awhile, where you're not really sure what will happen afterwards and leaves a open ending. Major Spoilers to Follow: It is obvious that her character's mind is reeling from just finding out that Billy Bob's character was involved with her husband's murder. But since she greeted him kindly at the end, I believe her character would continue the relationship and get through the immediate emotional shock, as Billy Bob has treated her with only kindness and tenderness up to this point. I think she's wondering why life has been so tough for her up until now and why she's been fighting life so much, and maybe she should now just take whatever life offers her, in the form of a kind and caring Billy Bob who offers her a home after being recently evicted. Maybe this is a fresh new start for her life, as all of the remnants of her past life (her husband and child) are no longer here. Her emotional baggage can be left in the past. Maybe this was what she had to go through in life to finally reach some state of happiness. __________________ "Believing oneself to be perfect is often a sign of a delusional mind." - Data in Star Trek: First Contact DVD Aficionado collection.

07-30-2002, 04:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
slade Film Class God Join Date: May 2001 Location: Oregon City, OR	Hank explains to his son, Heath, that a "Monster's Ball" is the night before they execute someone and give them a super nice dinner, et cetera. The whole movie, then explores death. One of the most telling parts, for me, is when Hank puts his father, Buck, into "the home". Buck says, "I don't want to die this way." To which Hank responds, "Neither do I." Meaning, if he (Hank) doesn't want to be put in a home he is going to have to put aside the hatred that his father has and start anew. A message he gets when surrounded with the death of his son, and his new lover's son and husband. I think Leticia undergoes a similar discovery when she is sitting on the porch with Hank at the end of the movie. The establishing shot of them includes the tombstones from Heath and (I'm assuming) Hank's and Buck's wives. These tombstones make Leticia ponder what kind of "Monster's Ball" she would like to have. I believe she decides that being with Hank will provide her with the most satisfying way to die (so to speak). So, she too let's go of her hatred and embraces the life she's being presented with. Hank says something like, "I think we're going to be okay." and, she agrees. __________________ It is a medium of entertainment which permits millions of people to listen to the same joke at the same time yet remain lonesome. T. S. Eliot's description of television

08-03-2002, 08:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Triple HHH Actor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Governor of California	I think this new specific topic is a great idea for film class, but I havent responded to this one because I still haven't seen Monster's Ball yet, though I really want to. I hope the lack of response isn't because of a lack of interest, but probably most people haven't seen it yet. Hopefully I'll have time to check it out this weekend. __________________ With fronds like these, who needs anemones?

10-12-2002, 03:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Triple HHH Actor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Governor of California	I recently saw this film, and let me say it's one amazing piece of work. Powerful and unforgettable. What was Halle Berry's character thinking as she sat on the porch at the end of Monster's Ball? Slade and limacharliewhis have good points which I also agree with -- the movie definitely explores death, and Leticia (Halle Berry's character) finally comes to terms with a truth that she can't avoid - that life and the people in this world can't be measured or generalized or even fully understood. The coincidences, misfortunes, and pains in life come and go, and the best a human being can do is move on and learn from these experiences. The ending is beautiful and strikes an optimistic note as the camera pans up toward the heavens into a starry field, and the musical score here is gentle and sweet, implying a better future (possibly), or that maybe Leticia's heart has finally reached a comfortable state of assurance and understanding. It seems like a wonderful sigh to a film with so much anguish and antagonistic/negative emotions. __________________ With fronds like these, who needs anemones?

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