Friday 3/15

     In the beginning of class we started off with Bertold Brecht believing that theatre should be a boxing match of compelling/contrasting ideas. Talking about what this might mean that in boxing there is only one winner, and one might conquer over the other. Another idea could be that it's connected to the 3-act structure, there is a tension and back and forth like in a boxing match and then the protagonist finally ends up on top. Amanda used a connection saying that Nick, 'fell' down and got back up which is related to boxing. Andre also mentioned that boxing is unpredictable and no one can really tell who is going to come out on top. It's like the movie Thank You for Smoking, it's really hard to tell whether or not this movie is liberal or conservative and it makes it that much more interesting. Matt also mentioned that in boxing, counterattacks should and need to be used. Tying it again to Thank You for Smoking, mentioning that Nick is always counterattacking (arguing) for his side of the argument. This whole metaphor in general is what I think, the brawl of ideas going back and forth until they come together, and find a respectable outcome, or even an unfortunate outcome. It doesn't matter if everything is solved it just matters that after watching the film the ideas are still prevalent in your mind going back and forth, almost like a boxing match.
      We then started to watch the ending of the movie Thank You for Smoking. Nick had finally came up with a way to get back at the female reporter who had made the hit article on him. Nick Naylor was able to comeback from the article and definitely proved his point. Being a talented lobbyist, Naylor was able to prevent the skull and crossbones picture from being posted on cigarettes. He then went on to become a lobbyist for cellphone. Despite what goes on in the film, Naylor taught some life lessons, people should be educated on the dangers of everything like cigarettes, or even Vermont Cheddar Cheese, and then be allowed the choice on whether they want to consume it or not when they turn of age. It's the people's decision.