This movie was a bit confusing to me. I was unsure of how they all linked together and i didn’t like how at the end of each story, there wasn’t really a definite ending. It was kind of just left hanging. I found a few similarities between the stories, such as parenthood. In all of the stories, there was some type of “parent” figure in them to watch over or take care of the “robot”. I really liked the first one, i think it was called robot baby. That one was the most clear to me and I liked the symbolism in it. When it first opened it showed the daughter hiding from her mother in the closet. By the end of the story, the robot was hiding it the closet from its “mother”. The only difference was that in the end the child actually comforted its mother. The mother realized that she herself had been in that situation when she was young, and that she was acting like her mother. She was upset that she had done that and was ashamed of herself. I also liked “clay”. Even though it was a bit strange, it was cute. I liked the idea of being able to save your memories, so they can live on and be shared. I was confused when the man didn’t want to save his memories and why he didn’t want to be with his wife. I was shocked when he and his wife talked about if they had actually ever loved each other. It was sad when he said he used to be afraid to touch her, because he was unsure if she was mad. Overall this movie was interesting. It was different then what I’m used to and it was cool to get a different view of movies. There were certain themes that connected them all together and it was nice to see how they all came together.
Asian American Film April 20, 2008
This article was pretty interesting. I’m not usually one who is curious about how films or made or the history behind them, but this was different. I guess i never really thought outside American films. I didn’t realize that Asian American directors could “struggle” with American themes. I suppose since American directors/producers come up with American themes, Asian American directors/producers are expected to use their own themes. Though, to break into the industry more, Asian American directors would draw a bigger crowd in America, with themes they could relate to. Trying to compete with the American directors would be difficult. It seems as though Asian American directors would really have to work hard at the movie. I was excited to see movies I actually knew, such as The Matrix and Rush Hour. When the were using them as a comparison, it made it easier for me to understand what they were trying to say. It was interesting to read that “it is not surprising that Asian American cinema continues to thematize that identity crisis. It talks about how ever since the first Asians came to America, they have had a difficult time “identifying” themselves. This is what we have been talking about throughout most of the books we have read for class. Identity is a big issue with Asian Americans. During the article it gave many examples of how directors get ideas for their movies. It is interesting to see what plots they can come up with based on either personal stories or something they thought up during a dream. As I read I noticed throughout history there have been similar films and yet they have evolved. The identity issue seems to still play a role in movies, but some films are being made to attract more Americans. It seems to me that each industry, the American and the Asian American, feed off of each other. They want plots that will bring in money and kind of use each other as a buffer, to see what works and what doesn’t.
The End! April 16, 2008
The end of My Year Of Meats was bitter-sweet. It had happy endings but also some sad endings. But first, there were many disturbing parts in the story that bothered me. The slaughter house was a terrifying passage and to be honest I didn’t even read most of it. I can’t stand to even read about things like that, it just bugs me. The other thing was the issue with the little girl, Rose. I felt bad for her when I found out that she had a “disease”, but found it very very odd when they filmed her. I know she wanted to do a story on the case, but that part didn’t settle right with me. The document of Bunny and her family seemed a bit weird. It was strange that they didnt have a problem allowing for Jane and her crew to film their farm. It seems as though there was activity going on that should not have been going on. And even though Gale said that they “do what they want, when they want, and how they want”, I don’t understand why he allowed them to film. I found the story of Jane losing her baby, very upsetting. I felt so bad for her and wanted to cry along with her. She had just gotten happy with the idea of her child with Sloan. They had made plans for the future, and then the worst thing could happen, and she lost the child. It’s ironic that Akiko was going to have her child. She hadn’t even planned on getting pregnant, it resulted from her horrific night. Though, I am very happy to find out she left John in the end. I was glad to see she called Jane and they were able to meet up and sort of help each other. In the end, everyone seemed to get what they should have and ended up where they should have. Everything seemed to be right in the end.
Continued… April 13, 2008
Ok so im not sure where to start because so much happened in this part. There were a few situations that stick out in my mind over the others. The first part was about the woman who’s husband hit her. I think it was because she couldnt have children and then he found out she had lied about it, when she found out she could have children. I suppose it stuck out because it is such a major factor in todays world. Unfortunately this happens to many women all over the world. I was upset when I read this because it is disturbing to me. I hate to see anyone mistreated. On page 238 when he says “I know your alive” shows how frightened she really was of him. She wanted to pretend she was dead, just so she didnt have to deal with him. Another situation was the interview and meat filiming with the lesbian family. This stuck out because it is also a controversial topic of today. It was interesting to see how Ozeki wrote them into the story. Another topic that is common is the fact of the baby that was to be born to Sloan and Jane. It hadnt exactly been planned, and the soon realized it was to change their life. They were confused at first but in the end they decided how to best raise the baby within their lifestyles. On page 237 it is the conversation of them finally calling it “our baby” showing they were in this together. Sloan shows concern for Jane and wants her to take care of herself. Jane is happy he is finally showing interest in their child and is happy he is staying to help. There were many other topics that went on in this section that were important to the rest of the story. These ones seemed to have a theme of relating to todays people and their lives.
My Year of Meats April 9, 2008
Well first of i think this is going to a very interesting book. For some strange reason, i think i might like this book. The fist part of it that i read was a bit confusing. I could not keep who was talking straight. When the situations and people would change, i got lost. It seems like there are not that many people and the story should flow very easily, but i was confused. Other then that i found that it was a decent story. It was interesting to see the interaction of Japanese and Americans. I thought it was a strange that Japanese looked at the Americans differently then others. The whole idea of the television show..of meats i believe… was really odd. I didnt quite follow that and found it very strange. I understand she wanted to be in the film industry and make documentaries, but why meat?? Other then that i didnt really understand to much of what was going on. I must say i think it is going to be easy to read and once i get everything straightened out, ill enjoy it that much more.
Native Speaker March 31, 2008
I am actually enjoy this book. Usually it takes me a few chapters to decide whether I like it or not, but within a few pages I could tell it is going to be a decent book. I like that it was easier to follow, I could put together who was talking, what was going on, and where it was taking place. It seemed very “up to date”, like everything that was going on was current. Im a little unsure about Henry Park..I dont quite know what to think about him. I guess a good word to describe him is weird. He seemed strange to me and his relationship with Lelia was odd. i was shocked when he said ” I should have warned my American wife”, as though he knew what to expect. Well he probably did and i guess thats what i didn’t get. If he knew then why would he have taken Lelia and put her through it. In class we discussed Henry having a “double” life. its easy to understand how he may feel this way. The list that was in the book made it a very interesting chapter. Depending on how you looked at the things, gave you different perspectives on the family. I liked that we discussed the part of the B+ student in class, because that stuck out to me in the book. Its hard to accomplish goals in life, but when you have someone telling you that you will never be good enough, your just an average student, makes it that much harder . Im excited to continue and see how this book plays out!
Immigration Blues March 16, 2008
I must say I actually enjoyed this story. In the beginning I was a bit confused and didn’t understand what was really going on. As the story progressed, I became very interested in what was happening. I’m not quite sure what sure what the first lines of the story have to do with it, (the italicized part of it) but I just assumed that it was setting up for the story. It also seemed as though they were not speaking English, because of what the dialect was saying. I was not exactly sure where the story was taking place either, until about half way through. From the title, I gathered that it was about someone coming from another country, or someone had already come to America. I probably should have seen the ending of the story coming, but I was surprised. I could not believe that they were asking Alipio to marry Monica, just so she could stay in the country. I guess I should not have been so surprised because certain cultures handle things differently. Especially if it means getting a better life (or continuing it in this case), I would probably do most anything too. I was glad to see how willing Alipio was to help. He seemed a bit shocked at first, but who wouldn’t be? He understood what it was like to have a life in America, and if he could help someone else, he would. I found it funny how Monica and her sister, Mrs. Zafara “traveled” all the way to find Alipio. They knew what a great friend he was in the past, and he would most likely be willing to help. I also liked how at the end Mrs. Zafara said, “Yes, Alipio. Forgive us. As soon as we arrived, I wanted to tell you without to much talk,..” As if she could have just came out and said “marry Monica please”. She said Alipio welcomed them like old friends, which was nice because he hadn’t seen them in so many years. Overall, I really liked this story. I had a great meaning behind it and I enjoyed reading it.
All I Asking for Is My Body March 9, 2008
I found this article very interesting. I enjoyed reading through it a lot more then I probably would have Frank Chin. I liked that again we were discussing the Japanese and could easily relate some of the happenings to Nisei Daughter. The issue of Pearl Harbor was discussed again, and I felt as though yet again were not all that happy with being Japanese. Murayama says, “I feel ashamed I’m Japanese.” That line alone gives so much meaning to the story. Even though in America, she is still embarrassed to be of Japanese culture. Money struggle or debt seems to be an importance in the story. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the man feels betrayed and struggles to make money. After the war things became difficult, for one, the concentration camps. I noticed that the Nisei Daughter and this story gave both very similar detailed descriptions about the horrible camps. Concentration camps and Pearl Harbor were obviously a very important part in Japanese history, so I find it only right that it has been discussed in our past two readings. I do find it hard to understand why the Japanese Americans are ashamed of being Japanese. Maybe it’s because I am American, but they should be proud of their culture.
There were many similarities between “All I Asking for Is My Body” and “Nisei Daughter”. Important issues of the Japanese culture were discussed and I found them to be very interesting. I enjoy reading about other types of culture and seeing a different point of view. While I do not understand some of both authors way of thinking, I guess it’s because I am not in their shoes.
Nisei Daughter Part 2 February 24, 2008
Probably like most other people, i noticed a difference in feelings toward America. Throughout these chapters i got the feeling that Sone actually had a love for America. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her when she was ashamed about her Japanese culture. Being a different culture is nothing to be upset about and feel embarrassed about. I think that possibly as the time goes on she may become more accepting of her Japanese heritage. It seemed at the end of one of the chapters, she was a little more accepting of being a Japanese living in America.
When Sone discussed how she wants to be a dancer, I thought it was a great dream. Though she doesn’t want to be a Japanese dancer, she wants to be an American dancer. All she wants is to be a “normal” American. A ballerina is viewed as an American thing, so she might feel as though she can’t achieve that with her Japanese background. The only thing I wish is that Sone wouldn’t feel bad about being who she is. In the book she talks about her family speaking Japanese and she is embassered when they do. Language seems to be a big factor in these chapters. There are a few situations in which it comes up. For example when her mother meets with her English speaking teacher. Also, when the family celebrate occasions she does not look forward to them because she likes the American ones better. She doesn’t want to celebrate the Japanese ones since she views them as inappropriate for America.
Embarrassment is what stuck out the most to me. Even though she has nothing to be ashamed of, she cant help but feel that way. Sone describes certain events that make her wish she was just American instead of Japanese American. I’m hoping as the book continues she will grow more accepting of her heritage.
Nisei Daughter Part 1 February 24, 2008
As does most everyone else, I enjoyed this story a lot more then the past one. The writing was enjoyable and easy to understand. i was a bit surprised by the first paragraph when she found out that she was Chinese because i dont know how anyone could keep that a secret. I understand that she was only 5 years old and may not have had done that much in her life yet, but still its a hard thing to accept when you live your life a certain way for so many years. I have two cousins adopted from Korea and it was very important to my family to have them know where they came from, so i was a little upset about that. The family was a typical happy family and im glad that they were able to accomplish the things that they had.
As we talked about in class the “perfect” child is basically a non existent one. I was happy to find that the family had different ideas then Mr. Ohashi did. He thinks a student or “model child” should just keep quiet, but in fact he just does not want to have to deal with them. Different culture believe in different customs, but i was a bit shocked when i read that. i did enjoy this book overall. I feel as if it is going to get even better and will continue to tell a great story. Sone has a story to tell and there wont be much guessing with this memoir. She has a great story to tell about life and im excited to see how things turn out.
