- Ethan Frome. Everyone loves an action flick, and Ethan Frome just doesn’t fit the bill. A classic story? Yes. A thrilling, what-will-happen-next suspense thriller? Not so much. Add to that the bleakest of bleak New England winters, and it’s probably best to save this one for a cozy fireside read instead of a night at the cineplex.
- Atlas Shrugged. Nothing personal, Ayn—it’s just that no one will sit through a 12-hour movie. Unless there are hobbits involved.
- Plato’s Republic. It may be the foundation of all philosophy ever, but…it’s the foundation of all philosophy ever. Shmoop will be reading this VIP text forever, but it’s definitely not silver screen material.
- As I Lay Dying. James Franco tried it, and it turned into a straight-to-DVD kind of situation. Sure, Faulkner and his modernist friends did plenty of interesting things with narration, but fifteen narrators are probably too much for Hollywood fans to swallow.
- Augustine’s Confessions. Shmoop loves reading other people’s diaries as much as the next guy—just not at the movies.
- “Hills Like White Elephants.” The Breakfast Club pulled off the whole sitting-around-talking shtick, and if anyone has John Hughes’s visionary chops, it’s Ernest Hemingway. But Hemingway’s simple style, which works wonders in writing, isn’t made for the big screen.
- Cyrano de Bergerac. Two words: beauty sells.
- The Prince. When The Silmarillion becomes a hit, that’s when The Prince has a chance. Unless folks suddenly want to see a manual hit theaters, Machiavelli’s going to have to wait his turn.
- Utopia. Now that the world has seen dystopias filled with mystical creatures and crazy plot twists, it’s not likely that crowds will flock to a blow-by-blow description of the ideology behind it all.
- “The Red Wheelbarrow.” This is more of a challenge…because who doesn’t want to see a 16-word poem turned into a summer blockbuster?
This list isn’t foolproof, of course. Shmoop never would have guessed that Heart of Darkness would make it big as Apocalypse Now, but it turns out the bigwigs can change everything about a book except the names and still call it an adaptation. With that in mind, Shmoop’s money is on The Old Man and the Sea.
About Shmoop
Shmoop is a digital curriculum and test prep company that makes fun, rigorous learning and teaching resources. Shmoop content is written by experts and teachers, who collaborate to create high-quality and engaging materials for teachers and students. Shmoop Courses, Test Prep, Teaching Guides, and Learning Guides balance a teen-friendly, approachable style with academically rigorous concepts. Shmoop sees 10 million unique visitors a month on its site and offers more than 7,000 titles across the Web, iPhone, Android devices, iPad, Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader. The company has been honored twice by the Webby Awards, named “Best in Tech” twice by Scholastic Administrator, and awarded with two Annual Education Software Review Awards (EDDIES). Launched in 2008, Shmoop is headquartered in a labradoodle-patrolled office in Mountain View, California.
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Write On! 2014 is almost here!
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2014 Philadelphia Young Playwrights Golf Outing
in memory of Matthew Stuski
Monday, September 22, 2014
Running Deer Golf Club, 1111 Parvin Mill Rd, Pittsgrove, NJ 08318
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Stay tuned for more details at www.pypgolf.org
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Image: Szymon Tomsia, “Peregrination” (series), 2012, digital c-print, 39 x 27.5 inches. Courtesy of the artist via ICA.
This month, I decided to cover another museum’s exhibit. My fellow Teen Council member, Jordan recommended I visit the Ruffneck Constructivists exhibit, so I moseyed on down to ICA (the Institute of Contemporary Art).
Ruffneck Constructivists is…rough. About every piece is made with mixed media, with things that could easily be found in any neighborhood. In a way, these are iconic items of an urban neighborhood. Contemporary art housed in PAFA is completely different than what I saw at ICA. I think one of the joys of contemporary art—or art as a whole—is that even in a particular genre, the possibilities are endless. Within this exhibit, each artist’s voice and vision is clearly displayed in their work.
The variety of the works is another plus. There are photographic series, sculptures, as well as video and film. My favorite section in the exhibit is a little corner featuring two short films. They do not have much dialogue, but the cinematography and editing led to two very powerful pieces with clear messages.
A couple of months ago I happened across a quote: “Modern art = I could do that, Yeah, but you didn’t.” As artists, whether we use brushstrokes or words, we make every unit of expression deliberate. When you approach the Ruffneck Constructivistsexhibit with an open mind, you can see the undertones of struggle, violence, and poverty in the exhibit. There is almost a post-apocalyptic feel to certain areas of display. It raises questions about artistic intent as well as environmental influences.
So hop on the trolley to 36th street and visit ICA soon!
READY TO VISIT the Institute of Contemporary Art? Check out the ICA profile pagefor the hours you can use your STAMP pass!
This post was written by Amani Bey, a STAMP Teen Council member. Amani attends Science Leadership Academy.
Hey, How’s it going everybody? This is your girl Ophelia on location at the National Constitution Center. I’m doing a spring edition walk-through of its latest exhibition called Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello. This new exhibit looks at the lives of enslaved families who lived and worked at Jefferson’s home.. As many of us already know, Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in shaping colonial America’s mission and vision to have individual freedom and equality. However, Jefferson personally owned slaves at his Monticello plantation in Virginia. Hmmmmm.
The centerpiece of this fresh new exhibition is the six enslaved families who worked at Thomas Jefferson’s plantation: the Fosset, Granger, Gillette, Hemings, Hern and Hubbard families. The National Constitution Center tells their side of the story through 280 historical artifacts that belonged to the families and to Thomas Jefferson. There is also a large amount of secondary and primary source material about slavery and everyday life at his plantation called Monticello.
The exhibition also not only displays historical narratives about members of those six families, but also on provides information on their modern day living descendants who want to achieve recognition for their enslaved ancestors.
Remember! Mark your calendars and reminder apps, and check out this powerful and impressive exhibition from April 9 to October 19, 2014.
Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello at the National Constitution Center
When: April 9-October 19
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street.
Cost: Included in general admission or free if you have a STAMP pass.
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org
Thanks a Million (1,000,000)
-Ophelia
READY TO VISIT the National Constitution Center? Check out the Constitution Center profile page for the hours you can use your STAMP pass!
This post was written by Ophelia Murray, a STAMP Teen Council member. Ophelia attends Imhotep Charter High School.
Have anything to do this April? Well if not, come check out the Zoo!
We’ve already had two great events this month back to back. They were the Walk to Cure Psoriasis and Autism Awareness Day. The next two events shall be just as exciting! On April 19th, we’ll be having the Philly Rabbit Run 5K organized by Shake It Off for Parkinson’s, and I have 3 reasons why everyone should go to the Zoo. One, you should know that the fee you pay to run goes towards fighting Parkinson’s disease! Two, the fee you pay to run also lets you explore the Zoo afterwards as well! And the third reason is that you might meet fellow runners there as well just like yourself! On April 27th, we’ll be having the Save the Orangutans 5K Run/Walk as well! For both events, this is a good chance to get out and be active! You can find more info athttp://www.philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/Upcoming-Events.htm
Also, if you haven’t noticed yet, the Zoo has gotten a new hot air balloon for one year to replace the one that was damaged by the snow! This one has the words “soar once more” on the side. If you’re interested in coming to see the new balloon, just come out to the Philadelphia Zoo! Of course, to celebrate the beginning of spring, why not come to visit the outdoor animals too? They’re very lonely and are eager to meet you guys, so come out and greet them!
Wanna run? Wanna visit the zoo? Then come on, what are you waiting for? Explore!
READY TO VISIT the Philadelphia Zoo? Check out the Zoo profile page for the hours you can use your STAMP pass!
This post was written by DuBois Stewart, a STAMP Teen Council member. DuBois attends Chestnut Hill Academy.
LOCATION: IN THE LIGHT MINISTRIES;
WHEN: MAY 22, 2014, 6:30 -8:30 P.M.
$5 DONATION ENTRANCE FEE
SPONSOR THE YOUTH ART SHOW
By advertising your business or sending a personal shout out to a Youth artist, you will be supporting the work of Ayuda’s Orange Korner Arts Program, enabling students to achieve their artistic goals.
By Isaac M.
MLK wanted racial justice, freedom and equality for everyone. He supported all creeds of people and wanted black people to gain equality. MLK believed that white people and black people can live together. Integration means “the intermixing of people or groups previously segregated.” MLK wanted to replace segregation with integration.
Malcolm X wanted to create a Black nation to separate black people from the white people. He wanted to send our people back to their homeland. If that did not work, then he said America should set aside some separated territory.
But in some ways they were similar. They wanted justice, freedom and equality. Malcolm X said, “God must destroy the world of slavery and evil in order to establish a world based upon freedom, justice and equality.” MLK said, “So we have come to cash this check – a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.” He wanted to end segregation. His speech changed the nation, but not only the United States but the world.
After Dr. King’s speech, “I Have a Dream,” everything changed including black people can sit in the front of the bus. White and blacks can share restaurants, water fountains, and bathrooms. Now, we have a black president named Barack Obama. Whites and blacks can work together and have the same amount of profits.
As a young black brother I have experienced a lot of things. I have a family that loves me and honors me. I feel that I am not judged by the color of my skin but by the content of my character. In my age right now whites are respectful and nice to me.
However today, there still is plenty of racism around the country of the United States. According to “Portrait of Inequality 2012: Black Children in America”, black children are over three times as likely to be poor (38.8 percent) as White children (12.5 percent), black children are more than twice as likely as White children to be in foster care,black children are over six times as likely as White children to have a parent in prison. There is still a lot of work to do.
This essay was written by Isaac after reading and analyzing Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and Malcolm X’s “The Black Revolution” speech. We compared and contrasted the two leaders ideas about race and race relations in America. Isaac also incorporated his ideas about race relations in America today based on his experience and based on data about black children in America and contemporary news articles.
Student’s name: Zakaa Cruse
Schools: Edwin Stanton Elementary School and Mighty Writers Academy
Grade: 6th
Age: 12
Bio: Zakaa likes to draw and he’s interested in cartoons, comic books and animation. He’s currently attending a drawing workshop on Saturdays at the University of the Arts. He is also a big sports fan. His favorite athletes are: Allen Iverson, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali.
Zakaa Cruse 6th grade
Oscar preview
This year there are five animated shorts that are nominated for an Oscar. The nominees are “Feral”, “Get a Horse!”, “Mr. Hublot”, “Possessions”, and “Room on the Broom”. All these animated shorts are different. The directors are from four different countries: USA, Japan, England, and France. They each have different characters and settings. Here is my review of the five shorts.
In “Feral”, the main character is a boy who is raised by wolves. An adult man adopts him and puts him in school. The boys at school make fun of him and he regains his wolf instincts and acts crazy. At the end, he is locked up and then he escapes back to the wilderness. I liked the animation of the wolves because they looked realistic.
In “Get a Horse!”, they retell an old Mickey Mouse cartoon. I liked “Get a Horse!” because the characters came out of the screen and the movie became multi dimensional.
In “Possessions”, a Japanese samurai has to deal with bad spirits in clothes and other items. “Possessions” had the best animated characters because it had great details and it was very colorful.
“Room on the Broom” is an animated version of a children’s book by Julia Donaldson. A witch has to deal with lost items. I like the imagination of the new broom at the end.
My nominee for the best animated short is “Mr. Hublot”. This is a story about a man who lives by himself. He saves a stray dog and takes care of it. The dog grows bigger and bigger and at the end of the story Mr. Hublot takes the dog across the street and buys a bigger house. In Matt Golberg’s review of this film he says, “There’s not much depth beyond the premise, but the exciting visuals make Mr. Hublot a joy to watch.” I agree. My favorite part of the visuals was when the dog grew. In the opening scene, the dog is sitting by Mr. Hublot. In the closing scene, he demolishes all the furniture. I would like to see a full length movie where they get a huge mansion and they realize the dog was a she. She then has babies and they grow bigger than their Mom.
Overall, all the movies were wonderful and deserving of an Oscar. I was very impressed by the animation I saw. I wish all of the animated shorts good luck on Sunday, March 2, 2014.
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) is pleased to announce the call for nominations for Philadelphia’s next Youth Poet Laureate. The OACCE has instituted this position in order to promote interest in poetry throughout the city and to give one young person an opportunity to develop his or her talents in poetry. This individual will also promote poetry through their work with Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, Frank Sherlock, and appearances in their capacity as Youth Poet Laureate from June 2014 through May 2015. The application process is open to any youth residing in Philadelphia and attending high school at the time of application. However, students graduating high school in June 2014 are ineligible. The guidelines and online application can be found at http://creativephl.org/youthpoetlaureate. A copy of the application is available for download to submit by mail as well.
All applicants must be nominated by an adult. The OACCE strongly encourages school administrators and teachers to become involved in the process and select nominees to represent your school in the larger Youth Poet Laureate selection process.
Applications must be submitted online or postmarked to the OACCE by April 11, 2014.
For all questions, please contact Lindsay Tucker So at lindsay.so@phila.gov.
Philadelphia Stories, Junior 