Film Critique - Mean Girls

Jessica Bentz

Professor Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

03 December 2015

Film Critique: Mean Girls

Mean Girls is a satirical comedy about high school cliques, and the Queen Bee’s that control the teenage social hierarchy. The main character Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) is a new transfer student from Africa, where she grew up and was home-schooled until her father gets a new job and she moves to the United States and enrolls in public high school. The movie is full of one-liners and hilarious anecdotal scenes. The costumes and dialogue are the perfect way to let producers parody stereotypes and the social struggles of high schoolers.

When Cady first arrives at school she is introduced to a semi-goth looking girl named Janis and best friend Damian who is “too gay to function”. The pair give her a drawn map of the cafeteria and the camera pans to each clique’s table as Janis names them...”nerdy Asians, cool Asians, jocks, unfriendly black hotties”...

It’s the first time Cady’s ever been in a high school cafeteria, and she has no idea about how cliques operate. Janis and Damian show her all the cliques as the camera swings around to show them one at a time and finally lands on “The Plastics”, a clique of snobby white girls led by Queen Bee Regina George. Her underlings, I mean best friends, are Gretchen Weiners, whose dad invented toaster strudel and Karen Smith who plays a very dumb blonde. Both watch in confusion as Regina asks Cady to sit-down at the lunch table because “she’s like really pretty”. Regina asks Cady all about her past and ultimately ends up inviting Cady to sit with them all week.

The plot goes on to show Janis and Damian, who initially warned Cady to steer-clear of The Plastics, pressuring her to hang out with them and report back with everything that they say. Janis and Damien think they will be able to break The Plastics up with their inside spy. They get Regina George to eat “Swedish diet bars”, which are actually nutrition bars used to gain weight and then they have Cady bring Regina “cream for her complexion” – which is actually foot cream and causes her to breakout. Eventually Cady starts feeling like she’s one of the Plastics and is secretly (not so secretly) enjoying being admired. But this implodes on itself when the girls start to turn on one another and an all-out “war” breaks out amongst the high school girls (and Damian).

Throughout the entire movie you hear Cady’s inner monologue, which is narrated by Lindsay Lohan, as she details her high school experience with incredibly poignant observations.  The innocent Cady draws the audience in and keeps you rooting for her throughout the movie. At home her equally innocent parents wonder what’s happening to their sweet daughter as they see her dressing differently and not bringing home straight A’s. Cady’s front as a Plastic has turned her into a mini skirt wearing mall walker and her parents can hardly recognize her.  She develops a crush on Regina’s ex Aaron Samuels (Jonathan Bennett), but is warned by Gretchen that she is not allowed to pursue anything with him because it’s “like the first rule of Feminism”. Cady doesn’t listen to her and instead asks Regina if she can pursue Aaron herself…to which Regina responded with a huge fake smile and offers to talk to him for Cady. Of course Regina is absolutely NOT okay with Cady and Aaron, and so at their Halloween party Regina flirts and hooks up with Aaron herself.

This movie is loaded with funny scenes that show how nasty teen girls can be to each other. In one scene the cinematographers use a split screen to show Regina and Karen on the phone. Karen is getting a call from Gretchen and clicks over as a third section is created on screen to show Gretchen - just as  Karen accidentally says “God she’s so annoying”…to Gretchen, having intended to say that to Regina. Then they call Cady and a fourth section is created to show Cady getting utterly confused by the mean girl tricks Regina and the others are up to. This use of split screens enhances the scene and gives off the feel of the conversation happening from four different places (or perspectives), but also that they’re all connected within it –whether they know it or not.  

With its sassy and hysterical dialogue and oh-so-perfect characters, Mean Girls is the modern day “Heathers”—a story about the teenage struggle over social circles and stereotypes. The film centers on innocent and non-socialized Cady, and her experience in the “jungle” that is high school. The producers emphasize this point in the movie as they pan across the cafeteria and we hear elephants trumpet and lions roar. The social scene at North Shore High School is a jungle, and Regina George is the Queen. No doubt about that.

The film is an adaptation of the book ''Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence'' by Rosalind Wiseman.  SNL producer Lorne Michaels gives us a hilarious and twisted portrayal of the hive mentality and social functioning in today’s high schools. This movie is outrageously funny and the characters are magnificently casted.

From the flawless young Plastics to the trigonometry teacher, played by Tina Fey; or Regina’s desperate-to-stay-young mother, played by Amy Poehler. While the characters are certainly playing up their stereotypes (the Plastics in all pink, Tina’s button up blouses and pencil skirts and Amy’s pink Juicy velour track suit (oh the early 2000’s)), it’s not hard to see how similar these social structures are to real high school students. There is someone for almost anyone to relate to in this film, which I think has led to its success. Even my fiancé can’t deny that he loves Mean Girls! It’s silly, and witty; intelligent and mindless; hilarious and well, freakin hilarious!

I’m not sure if this film ever expected to fit the criteria, but I think it has definitely become a cult classic, and I’m not ashamed to proclaim my love for it. I’d pay to see this film ten times over, and I watch it any time it’s on TV. There’s so SO much more to Mean Girls than this critique can encompass,  but I’ll draw conclusion on that it’s one of my favorite films, and everything from the camerawork, to the costumes, to the dialogue produce one of the most hilarious and accurate portrayals of American high schools, and the bitches that control them. 

Painting Critique - Road in Etten

Jessica Bentz

Professor Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

30 September 2015

Painting Critique: Road in Etten

During his residency in Etten, Netherlands, Vincent Van Gogh created a series of drawings that portrayed the daily lives of peasants and laborers. One of the most recognized drawings in this series is the “Road in Etten” which acts as a narrative portrayal of a worker sweeping a willow lined street. This painting was created during the post-impressionist movement, which focuses on emotion over visual impressions. Post-impressionist artists used simplified color and definitive form to create aestheticism. (Metropolitan Museum)

Van Gogh created “Road in Etten” using a variety of mediums, including, chalk, pencil, pastel and water color. The first noticeable aspect of the painting is the lack of color. The overall tone of the piece is washed out and muted. Upon first look, it almost appears as though the painting is black and white. However, when further studied, it becomes apparent that there is light use of color throughout the painting. The primary colors are blacks, grays and browns. The only use of vibrant color is in the individuals walking down the street and some elements of the background. The use of value creates a dark overcast view and draws focus on the subjects (people walking down the street). In addition to the use of color, Van Gogh uses texture throughout the painting. The overall image feels “raw” and sketched. No elements in the painting are smooth or overly embellished. Van Gogh does not use straight lines in any aspects of “Road in Etten”. From the texture on the pavement to the bold lines on the bare willow trees, the piece creates an overall dramatic tone. In addition to bold lines, Van Gogh uses texture in the clouds, which adds to the sense of overcast and bleakness.

Another important principle to discuss in the composition of this work is the use of repeating elements to create a sense of rhythm and movement throughout the piece.  The tree-line is repeated through the center of the painting. The trees progressively become smaller throughout the painting, which gives the viewer a sense of looking down the road. This creates depth and also acts as a way to direct the eye to the subjects in the piece.  In addition, the use of shadows and repeating lines on the road show how the worker is cleaning the street. The area behind the worker is void of these lines and shadows, while the rest of the painting shows the “work” left to be done. The piece creates a unified example of a day in the life of residents in Etten during the early 1900s. 

“Road in Etten” allows Van Gogh to portray what life was like for the working and lower classes in Etten during his time as a resident. Van Gogh shows how these individuals performed mundane and routine tasks that were critical in ensuring an overall quality of life that all citizens were able to enjoy. It depicts the role of this working class in society during the early 1900s, and the importance of their services.  While Van Gogh was not known for being an activist, his accurate and non-romanticized work during this time allows historians and critics to use his work from this period to show issues such as class roles and societal conditions.  

While Van Gogh’s primary focus of his work was to act as a portrayal of his life experiences, his realistic and non-bias work can be studied against the Marxist view, which was prevalent during this period.  In the painting Van Gogh depicts a proletariat, which is a collective term describing industrial workers who lack their own means of production and hence sell their labor to live. (Fiero 285) This relates to the Marxist view, which focuses on capitalism and the division of power between societal classes. Marxists believed that the working class was robbed of the ability to enjoy the fruits of their labor. In Van Gogh’s “Road in Etten” the street sweeper is the only individual that is clearly defined. He is also the only individual performing a menial task. While Van Gogh may have depicted this scene as a snapshot to his daily life, it is important to the Marxist view as it shows the importance of the working class; yet also depicts how this individual is not able to enjoy a leisurely stroll like the rest of the individuals in the painting. The overall tone of the painting gives a sense of oppression to the working class.

In critiquing “Road in Etten” I was first drawn to the use of muted colors. Van Gogh creates an image that provokes an emotional response. When looking at this painting you can picture yourself walking down this road on a cold, winter day. Upon learning more about the piece, I was interested in how the Marxist approach could be easily identified in this work. Van Gogh’s subject (the street sweeper) is an innocuous subject, yet when studying the societal landscape during this time it proves to be a thought provoking depiction.

Works Cited

Fiero, Gloria K. "The Move Toward Modernism” The Humanistic Tradition. 7th ed. Vol. 2. New York: McGraw Hill, 2015. 346. Print.

"Vincent Van Gogh | Road in Etten." Vincent Van Gogh. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.

Non-Western Art Critique: Sri Krsna with the Flute

Jessica Bentz

Professor Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

30 September 2015

Non-Western Art Critique: Sri Krsna with the Flute

The arts allow a unique perspective into the world’s cultures. Art has been a focus of study since the first civilizations and acts as a representation of cultural and societal customs and traditions. Like any other culture, ancient Indians used the arts to demonstrate aspects of their religion and societal characteristics. A piece of art from ancient India that demonstrates this manifestation of cultural perspective is the watercolor and gold painting “Sri Krsna with the Flute.” This painting was produced in Punjab Hills, India and dates back to 1790-1800.  This piece is kept in the Freer Gallery of Art, a Smithsonian that focuses on Asian artwork. Freer Gallery of Art curated the piece in 1930 from Ajit Ghose, Calcutta. The gallery uses scientific research to authenticate artwork. The museum’s website indicates that the primary areas of research involve “studying a work's physical nature to determine its provenance and the artist's methods and materials, and the study of the collections to better understand objects and their deterioration.” (Freer)

When examining “Sri Krsna with the Flute” many aspects of traditional Indian and Hindu customs are evident. Krishna is one of the most widely recognized and celebrated Hindu deities. Krishna is regarded as the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu, as well as a supreme god himself. Because of his popularity in the Hindu Indian culture, Krishna became a focus of many types of art; this included religious poetry, music and paintings. (Britannica) When studying “Sri Krsna with the Flute,” the first aspect that is noticed is the traditional portrayal of Krishna. In this piece, Krishna is depicted as a blue entity playing a flute. His demeanor is calm and passive. In Hindu culture, the color blue represents all-inclusiveness; because of the all-inclusiveness of the Hindu Gods, they are often depicted as being blue to portray their “blue aura.” (ISHA Foundation)

Within Hindu culture Krishna is noted as a cosmic musician, who often entices believers through music. The use of the flute in “Sri Krsna with the Flute” is symbolic of his power over his devotees. Additionally, Krishna is portrayed surrounded by milkmaids and white calves. Milkmaids are also present in other works involving Krishna, including the “Vishnu Purana.” Often, Krishna is known as a cosmic lover, who “courts his devotees with sensual abandon, seducing them to be one with the divinity.” (Fiero 327) The white calves also represent how Krishna is regarded as the divine herdsman in the Bhagavad-Gita. (Varaha) The color white is often used to represent concepts such as purity, cleanliness, and peace. Beyond the focus of Krishna, the milkmaids and the calves, the rest of the piece is primarily painted with dark, rich colors. The background and foreground of the painting are contrasted to emphasize the subject (Krishna) and his devotes.

In addition to the focus of color and contrast, other artistic elements are present in “Sri Krsna with the Flute.” For example, the piece as a whole has no stark straight lines. Even the trees have curvature to their trunks. All elements in the piece are organically shaped. Furthermore, multiple textures are used. Elements of nature are depicted as having depth using short paint strokes; contrastingly, Krishna, the milkmaids, and the calves are all portrayed with smooth textures. The artist also utilizes blank space to emphasis the subjects. The eye is immediately drawn to the center of the painting because of the negative space surrounding Krishna and his devotees. Additionally, the painter utilized design principles such as proportion and repetition to create an even flow throughout the piece. There are reflecting elements on both sides of Krishna. There are approximately the same number of milkmaids and calves on both sides of the painting. This creates a sense of balance throughout the piece. Elements such as balance and repetition are also depicted through the lotus and cranes, which span the length of the painting.

This painting is aesthetically beautiful and the use of the design elements lends itself nicely to conveying a peaceful and serene depiction of the Hindu god, Krishna. While reviewing many works of non-western art in order to select a piece for this assignment this painting stood out because the religious significance is very easily identified. Additionally, the use of contrasting elements in the foreground and background made the piece visually appealing. The painting compelled me to learn about its origins and cultural importance. When I chose this piece, I had a basic understanding that the painting was a Hindu religious portrayal but I was able to further my knowledge of the world’s oldest practicing religion.

Works Cited

Fiero, Gloria K. "The World Beyond the West” The Humanistic Tradition. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw Hill, 2015. 327. Print.

"Krishna". Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2015. Web. 04 Oct. 2015

"Sri Krsna with the Flute." Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. Smithsonian Institution, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

Varaha, Swami Bhakti Vedanta. "The Srimad Bhagavad-Gita and the Sacredness of All Cows." The Sacredness of the Holy Cow. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

"Why Is Krishna Blue?" The Isha Blog. Isha Foundation, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

Classical Architecture Critique

Jessica Bentz

Professor Robert Bomboy

Humanities 101

11 September 2015

Classical Architecture Critique: PA State Capitol Building

The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Construction for the State Capitol building was started in 1902 and became open for public use in 1906. Since then, the Capitol building is where all Pennsylvania lawmakers congregate to debate and shape Pennsylvania legislation. For the purpose of this critique, the exterior of the West entrance was observed and labeled with corresponding classical elements.

Like many government buildings in the United States, The Pennsylvania State Capitol building was profoundly influenced by founding father Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson focused architectural design on Neoclassism and had a tendency to combine both Roman and Greek elements into singular designs. Neoclassic architecture allowed designers like Jefferson to modernize many classic elements, which symbolized the stability, strength and reliability of a government. Originally, this idea was presented by Johann Joachim Winckelmann through his text History of Ancient Art. Winckelmann stated that Classicism was a vehicle for elevation of the human consciousness (Bomboy). This is important when consider these building and styles presented in Classicism act as a representation of a society’s overall strength and stability. Jefferson believed that a nation’s buildings create an overall national imagine, which affect social conduct and aspirations and keeps a society together. (Bomboy)

When examining the West entrance of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building, it is apparent that both Greek and Roman elements of design were utilized. When observing the Greek classical elements, the most apparent is the Corinthian order. The Corinthian order is observed through the many columns that line the West entrance, which are most similar to this Greek column style. These columns are comprised of the base, stylobate, shaft, capital (with acanthus leaves), architrave, frieze and cornice. These columns are structurally important in stabilizing the entire building and also act as a symbol of strength and permanence.  In addition to the Corinthian order columns, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building’s West entrance also has areas of flat roofs with porticos. The West entrance has a number of Greek pediments over its windows. Like the Corinthian columns, these also represent strength and stability. (Fiero 124)

In addition to the Greek classical elements, Roman classical design was also utilized. The most obvious feature of Roman classical design is the rotunda and green dome which is prominent from any angle of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. The rotunda was inspired by the ancient Roman Pantheon, not to be confused with the Greek Parthenon, which had a flat roof. (Fiero 156, 122) Other classical Roman design elements are the round arches that line the ground level of the building; these round arches also display a keystone. The keystone acts in strengthening the arch and bears the weight of the structure. A keystone is especially important to Pennsylvania because it is known as the keystone state. Pennsylvania acquired this colloquialism during the colonial period, as the state acted as the keystone for the 13 original colonies.  Finally, the Pennsylvania State Capitol building was constructed using concrete and stone, which were also materials used by the Romans. Some aspects of design that were noted on the diagram were elements of both Greek and Roman classical architecture. Principles such as formal balance, harmonious proportion and clarity were found in both ancient cultures. Furthermore, the use of architectural sculptures, which adorn the outsides of buildings, were used by the Romans and links back to Hellenistic Greece.

Through all of the aforementioned features, it is obvious that the architects were trying to convey a message of authority and dignity when designing the Pennsylvania State Capital. This is important as the building can be seen from many vantage points throughout the city, and its acts as a symbol for all of Pennsylvania’s legislators. Just as Roman architects determined a building’s formal design based on its function, the design of the Pennsylvania’s State Capitol building, specifically the West entrance, reinforces its purpose in the community. The West entrance is one of the main focal points of the building and also acts as the main entrance into the Capitol rotunda. Because of its function and purpose, the respected style of the design lends itself to the authoritative figures that occupy the building.

When studying the West entrance of the Pennsylvania State Capitol, I immediately recognize symbols of confidence and pride through the columns and arches. The overall feeling and design, from materials used to all of the above-mentioned design principles work together to create the overall perception of power, authority, dignity and stability. Considering this building houses all of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegates and is the forum for creating all laws that go into effect for the state, it makes sense that the building would have a Classical design. These same designs have been used since ancient democracies, and so the visual and conceptual connection is easy to make today. Thomas Jefferson, who was not only a major political leader in the United States, but also an influential architect understood the importance of using aspects of classical design to portray the overall message upon which  American Democracy stands.

Works Cited

Bomboy, Robert. "#11 Neo Classical Architecture." Audio blog post. HUM 101: Modern Culture and the Arts. N.p., 09 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2015.

Fiero, Gloria K. "The Classical Style." The Humanistic Tradition. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw Hill, 2015. 113+. Print.

Fiero, Gloria K. "Rome: The Rise to Empire” The Humanistic Tradition. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw Hill, 2015. 137+. Print.