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Sunday, August 17, 2025
October 13…Bulman Revisited
Think back to Bulman’s ideas about Hollywood and high school. If possible, share something that you think he got right and also provide critique of some aspect of his ideas.
Jordy- Bulman was right that Hollywood movies about high school often show what people wish schools were like, not what they really are. He said films like Freedom Writers make it seem like one great teacher can fix everything, which isn’t realistic. These stories ignore big problems like poverty and inequality. But I think Bulman could have mentioned that these movies can still inspire people and make them care about education.
Seniece - I think Bulman made a good point when he said that Hollywood shows high school in a way that’s not really true to life. Dangerous Minds is a good example of that, because in the movie, a new teacher comes into a rough school and suddenly turns everything around just by caring a lot and using different teaching methods. It makes it look like one teacher can fix all the problems, but that’s not realistic. A lot of the real issues, like poverty and racism, are way bigger than what one person can solve. Movies like this often ignore the fact that schools are affected by things outside the classroom, like students’ home lives or lack of resources. Even though the story is meant to be inspiring, it oversimplifies what teachers and students actually go through, and the precautions that are taken to solve the problems.
Landon- Something that stuck with me that Bulman said was this idea of the teacher hero narrative, especially as I watched School of Rock. In most ideas being a good teacher is not enough, you have to change the kids lives. Dewey from a realistic look is not a good person. He lied about who he was, lied about his credentials, essentially snuck into a school with young kids, and put his close friends career in jeopardy. Don't get me wrong, Dewey is incredibly sympathetic, but he goes to show the type of teacher we all want, not one we could ever actually have. Someone who takes intrest in who we are and pushes our confort ones, someone who is deeply passionate in our success.
Marissa- Something Bulman got right is that high school movies are a reflection of where we are in society. Though, I say that as a broad statement. The school movies we have watched over the course of past couple weeks have accurately depict the time they were in, but in a much more exaggerated form. Dangerous Minds shows a well meaning teacher doing her best to make do with her students. She goes above and beyond to try and earn the respect of her students and keep them safe. The movie is from 1995, it accurately represents the type of people you may see: students of a lower class, students involved with violence, students with parents who don’t believe in education, etc. The movie may be heavily exaggerated, but it shows a peek into a dark reality of the school system.
Kenzie- What I think Bulman gets correct is the idea that schools in urban, suburban, and private schools are depicted differently in films. But when going back to reading, that idea is really all Bulman focuses on to an extent. He doesn’t take that much into account the idea of race. I think it is nearly impossible to separate race and class coming into play with all these Hollywood films, although sometimes it can be subtle it is somehow always at play.
Finn - I do think one thing bulman got right was the idea of high school movies being a reflection of our society at the time. When we see movies in the modern era vs the 70s and 80s, we see a shift in what’s right and what’s happening. Predominantly black high schools are being shown in a more respectful manner a lot of the time, and women are not just a plot device. High school movies really tend to show what’s acceptable to portray during the time vs what’s not.
Blanca Maldonado-In Chapter 1 of Bulmans Hollywood Goes to High School, he goes deep into exploring on how Hollywood portrays American high schools and the teenagers within them. I do think his perceptive his right and that his observations on these films tend to focus on individual transformation rather than addressing deeper systemic issues like inequality
Brandon- Bulman is right in saying that movies don't portray highschool accurately and is made to look a certain way to get their point across. The movies don't really focus on inequality but they focus on change throughout the movie. Sometimes the movies can show good glimpses of education.
Victoria - Something that stuck with me that Bulman was right about is that the way they portray school and teachers is different from reality. They aren't always accurate with how it really is in school for us these days. I think Dangerous Minds is a good example, where a new teacher enters a dysfunctional school, and with a little compassion and innovative teaching techniques, transforms everything. It gave the impression that a single teacher can solve every issue, when that is unrealistic and not the case. Although the narrative is supposed to be inspirational, it oversimplifies the difficulties faced by educators.
Nadra- I do agree with Baluman that most high school films have the overarching theme of individualism. The students are expected to rise above the ashes to achieve greatness and self-worth. However, the individualism expressed in subuan set movies is very different from urban movies. The individual in urban movies is never fully a singular student and their journey, but how the class or student body came together to rise above the expectations set for them and showcase the intelligence, resilience, and truth through education, changed behavior, and hard work. The movie will show different stories, but it's still a group effort. Whereas in suburban movies, the individual expression is usually by one student rather than the class or the student body. I don't think Bulman sees how students in urban schools are truly never individuals in the way students in suburban schools are.
Max -I think something that Bulman got right is how middle class values are normally reflected within films even if they’re set to be in urban or working class schools. A lot of the time, suburban schools are romanticized while urban school ones are portrayed in a more negative light.
Noah - In my opinion, Bulman correctly points out that the version of high school in movies often reflects fantasies rather than real student experiences. He is right that this can wrongly shape how children expect high school to be. To me, his analysis can feel dated because it doesn't account for how recent films show more diverse and complex characters. In movies today, the portrayals of students are more self-aware than the ones he critiques.
Jana - I think Bulman's argument that Hollywood high school films shape perceptions of the public by reinforcing social hierarchies and stereotypes: portraying high schools as arenas for class, race, and confliction with authority. Contrastingly. I do think his perspective could be strengthened by recognizing student resistance and other narratives beyond standards the standards and popularity of Hollywood.
Kennedy- When Bulman said that these movies reflect where we are in society I disagreed but now I agree after watching these movies. Watching these movies helped me see how we have grown as a society and where we haven’t. These movies relied a lot on stereotypes to get their point across like the breakfast club. If the stereotypes weren’t there then the movie’s ending would’ve made no sense. If Dangerous minds didn’t have any stereotypes then how would the teacher try to “save” them from their at home lives. I still believe that they exaggerated some parts of school life just to make it interesting.
Kaila - I agree with Bulman that these movies reflect what society thinks and expects of teens in school at the time. For example the rebellious "juvenile Delinquent" boys in blackboard jungle. At the same time, they also perpetuate these exaggerated stereotypes and tropes.
Nathan- I think Bulman has a valid point saying that Highschool in movies is portrayed very over the top and maybe not based in reality sometimes but I also think these movies serve as a way for people to make valuable social commentary on certain issues that is very important.
Micayla - I think Busman had a good point because I agree that high school is portrayed very over exaggerated in the movies. I feel like sometimes things that happen wouldn't actually happen in real life but other things are kinda accurate. I feel like many things that do happen are like one off things that happen to all of us that could relate at some point.
Hanna - Looking back at Bulman's post he proves a good point about we see a lot more of American values/cultures in films centdents then the educational point of view. In the films the yout
(sorry i accidently submitted this early) In the films the youth is shown to be worrying about popularity, identity, and class. It isn't as accurate to reality but for younger kids, exaggerated films about high school and college, I feel do leave an impression on younger children.
(Kendal H) In Hollywood Goes to High School, Robert Bulman argues that Hollywood’s portrayal of high schools tends to reflect adult anxieties more than teenage realities. I think he gets this right, films like Dead Poets Society reveal more about what adults wish teenagers would learn (about identity, conformity, or morality) than about actual high school experiences. His point that these movies often idealize rebellion as a path to maturity also feels accurate; Hollywood frames individuality as something discovered through neat, teachable moments rather than messy, ongoing growth.
Lee - I agree with Bulman's idea that schools in media often mirror the reality in which the general public has generally lived in. Many of these interpretations can be read as dated. Because the majority of the creatives, executives, and directors of the film industry experienced their schooling in environments that have evolved so much and are from so long ago, the experiences that these creatives try to project come off as not so relatable. Although, there are general ideas that show up in media that can be deemed as relatable given the audience demographic.
Kameron- I agree with Bulman's idea on School being portrayed in media different form real life. I notice this throughout the movie " The Breakfast club." This movie showed a lot of different aspects of highschoolers at the time but It didn't show a clear shown representation of an average day in high school.
Jasper - I think Bulman got a lot of stuff right in his research, and I find it hard to argue with anything he said. I really agree with how he ended up dividing the different types of high school films, and I think that he nailed the different plot styles and messages that appear in these films. I think the only argument I could make is that I think many more films have upper-class kids in him than Bulman seems to have said. Immediately when I try to think of the films I have watched for this class, the majority of them have upper-class children in them. Even other films I try to think of still seem to be largely consisted of upper-class students.
Lizzie - Bulman was right when he said that pop culture does not portray schools accurately, and instead shows us what we wish they were like. In many films, large overarching problems with the school and its students can be solved in just one academic year by one teacher. These movies don't often take into account how race, class, and other outside circumstances play into these problems. However, these portrayals may inspire people to try to change the system and schools that perpetuate these problems.
Dakota C - Something that Bulman said was that middle class values are normally reflected in films even if they're meant to be in more working class schools. A lot of these films don't take into account much how race plays into dynamics. Sunburban schools are incredibly "sought after" while urban schools are looked down upon.
I think something that Bulman got right is how middle class values are normally reflected within films even if they’re set to be in urban or working class schools. A lot of the time, suburban schools are romanticized while urban school ones are portrayed in a more negative light.
Jordy- Bulman was right that Hollywood movies about high school often show what people wish schools were like, not what they really are. He said films like Freedom Writers make it seem like one great teacher can fix everything, which isn’t realistic. These stories ignore big problems like poverty and inequality. But I think Bulman could have mentioned that these movies can still inspire people and make them care about education.
ReplyDeleteSeniece - I think Bulman made a good point when he said that Hollywood shows high school in a way that’s not really true to life. Dangerous Minds is a good example of that, because in the movie, a new teacher comes into a rough school and suddenly turns everything around just by caring a lot and using different teaching methods. It makes it look like one teacher can fix all the problems, but that’s not realistic. A lot of the real issues, like poverty and racism, are way bigger than what one person can solve. Movies like this often ignore the fact that schools are affected by things outside the classroom, like students’ home lives or lack of resources. Even though the story is meant to be inspiring, it oversimplifies what teachers and students actually go through, and the precautions that are taken to solve the problems.
ReplyDeleteLandon- Something that stuck with me that Bulman said was this idea of the teacher hero narrative, especially as I watched School of Rock. In most ideas being a good teacher is not enough, you have to change the kids lives. Dewey from a realistic look is not a good person. He lied about who he was, lied about his credentials, essentially snuck into a school with young kids, and put his close friends career in jeopardy. Don't get me wrong, Dewey is incredibly sympathetic, but he goes to show the type of teacher we all want, not one we could ever actually have. Someone who takes intrest in who we are and pushes our confort ones, someone who is deeply passionate in our success.
ReplyDeleteMarissa- Something Bulman got right is that high school movies are a reflection of where we are in society. Though, I say that as a broad statement. The school movies we have watched over the course of past couple weeks have accurately depict the time they were in, but in a much more exaggerated form. Dangerous Minds shows a well meaning teacher doing her best to make do with her students. She goes above and beyond to try and earn the respect of her students and keep them safe. The movie is from 1995, it accurately represents the type of people you may see: students of a lower class, students involved with violence, students with parents who don’t believe in education, etc. The movie may be heavily exaggerated, but it shows a peek into a dark reality of the school system.
ReplyDeleteKenzie- What I think Bulman gets correct is the idea that schools in urban, suburban, and private schools are depicted differently in films. But when going back to reading, that idea is really all Bulman focuses on to an extent. He doesn’t take that much into account the idea of race. I think it is nearly impossible to separate race and class coming into play with all these Hollywood films, although sometimes it can be subtle it is somehow always at play.
ReplyDeleteFinn - I do think one thing bulman got right was the idea of high school movies being a reflection of our society at the time. When we see movies in the modern era vs the 70s and 80s, we see a shift in what’s right and what’s happening. Predominantly black high schools are being shown in a more respectful manner a lot of the time, and women are not just a plot device. High school movies really tend to show what’s acceptable to portray during the time vs what’s not.
ReplyDeleteBlanca Maldonado-In Chapter 1 of Bulmans Hollywood Goes to High School, he goes deep into exploring on how Hollywood portrays American high schools and the teenagers within them. I do think his perceptive his right and that his observations on these films tend to focus on individual transformation rather than addressing deeper systemic issues like inequality
ReplyDeleteBrandon- Bulman is right in saying that movies don't portray highschool accurately and is made to look a certain way to get their point across. The movies don't really focus on inequality but they focus on change throughout the movie. Sometimes the movies can show good glimpses of education.
ReplyDeleteVictoria - Something that stuck with me that Bulman was right about is that the way they portray school and teachers is different from reality. They aren't always accurate with how it really is in school for us these days. I think Dangerous Minds is a good example, where a new teacher enters a dysfunctional school, and with a little compassion and innovative teaching techniques, transforms everything. It gave the impression that a single teacher can solve every issue, when that is unrealistic and not the case. Although the narrative is supposed to be inspirational, it oversimplifies the difficulties faced by educators.
ReplyDeleteNadra- I do agree with Baluman that most high school films have the overarching theme of individualism. The students are expected to rise above the ashes to achieve greatness and self-worth. However, the individualism expressed in subuan set movies is very different from urban movies. The individual in urban movies is never fully a singular student and their journey, but how the class or student body came together to rise above the expectations set for them and showcase the intelligence, resilience, and truth through education, changed behavior, and hard work. The movie will show different stories, but it's still a group effort. Whereas in suburban movies, the individual expression is usually by one student rather than the class or the student body. I don't think Bulman sees how students in urban schools are truly never individuals in the way students in suburban schools are.
ReplyDeleteMax -I think something that Bulman got right is how middle class values are normally reflected within films even if they’re set to be in urban or working class schools. A lot of the time, suburban schools are romanticized while urban school ones are portrayed in a more negative light.
ReplyDeleteNoah - In my opinion, Bulman correctly points out that the version of high school in movies often reflects fantasies rather than real student experiences. He is right that this can wrongly shape how children expect high school to be. To me, his analysis can feel dated because it doesn't account for how recent films show more diverse and complex characters. In movies today, the portrayals of students are more self-aware than the ones he critiques.
ReplyDeleteJana - I think Bulman's argument that Hollywood high school films shape perceptions of the public by reinforcing social hierarchies and stereotypes: portraying high schools as arenas for class, race, and confliction with authority. Contrastingly. I do think his perspective could be strengthened by recognizing student resistance and other narratives beyond standards the standards and popularity of Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteKennedy- When Bulman said that these movies reflect where we are in society I disagreed but now I agree after watching these movies. Watching these movies helped me see how we have grown as a society and where we haven’t. These movies relied a lot on stereotypes to get their point across like the breakfast club. If the stereotypes weren’t there then the movie’s ending would’ve made no sense. If Dangerous minds didn’t have any stereotypes then how would the teacher try to “save” them from their at home lives. I still believe that they exaggerated some parts of school life just to make it interesting.
ReplyDeleteKaila - I agree with Bulman that these movies reflect what society thinks and expects of teens in school at the time. For example the rebellious "juvenile Delinquent" boys in blackboard jungle. At the same time, they also perpetuate these exaggerated stereotypes and tropes.
ReplyDeleteNathan- I think Bulman has a valid point saying that Highschool in movies is portrayed very over the top and maybe not based in reality sometimes but I also think these movies serve as a way for people to make valuable social commentary on certain issues that is very important.
ReplyDeleteMicayla - I think Busman had a good point because I agree that high school is portrayed very over exaggerated in the movies. I feel like sometimes things that happen wouldn't actually happen in real life but other things are kinda accurate. I feel like many things that do happen are like one off things that happen to all of us that could relate at some point.
ReplyDeleteHanna - Looking back at Bulman's post he proves a good point about we see a lot more of American values/cultures in films centdents then the educational point of view. In the films the yout
ReplyDelete(sorry i accidently submitted this early) In the films the youth is shown to be worrying about popularity, identity, and class. It isn't as accurate to reality but for younger kids, exaggerated films about high school and college, I feel do leave an impression on younger children.
Delete(Kendal H) In Hollywood Goes to High School, Robert Bulman argues that Hollywood’s portrayal of high schools tends to reflect adult anxieties more than teenage realities. I think he gets this right, films like Dead Poets Society reveal more about what adults wish teenagers would learn (about identity, conformity, or morality) than about actual high school experiences. His point that these movies often idealize rebellion as a path to maturity also feels accurate; Hollywood frames individuality as something discovered through neat, teachable moments rather than messy, ongoing growth.
ReplyDeleteLee - I agree with Bulman's idea that schools in media often mirror the reality in which the general public has generally lived in. Many of these interpretations can be read as dated. Because the majority of the creatives, executives, and directors of the film industry experienced their schooling in environments that have evolved so much and are from so long ago, the experiences that these creatives try to project come off as not so relatable. Although, there are general ideas that show up in media that can be deemed as relatable given the audience demographic.
ReplyDeleteKameron- I agree with Bulman's idea on School being portrayed in media different form real life. I notice this throughout the movie " The Breakfast club." This movie showed a lot of different aspects of highschoolers at the time but It didn't show a clear shown representation of an average day in high school.
ReplyDeleteJasper - I think Bulman got a lot of stuff right in his research, and I find it hard to argue with anything he said. I really agree with how he ended up dividing the different types of high school films, and I think that he nailed the different plot styles and messages that appear in these films. I think the only argument I could make is that I think many more films have upper-class kids in him than Bulman seems to have said. Immediately when I try to think of the films I have watched for this class, the majority of them have upper-class children in them. Even other films I try to think of still seem to be largely consisted of upper-class students.
ReplyDeleteLizzie - Bulman was right when he said that pop culture does not portray schools accurately, and instead shows us what we wish they were like. In many films, large overarching problems with the school and its students can be solved in just one academic year by one teacher. These movies don't often take into account how race, class, and other outside circumstances play into these problems. However, these portrayals may inspire people to try to change the system and schools that perpetuate these problems.
ReplyDeleteDakota C - Something that Bulman said was that middle class values are normally reflected in films even if they're meant to be in more working class schools. A lot of these films don't take into account much how race plays into dynamics. Sunburban schools are incredibly "sought after" while urban schools are looked down upon.
ReplyDeleteI think something that Bulman got right is how middle class values are normally reflected within films even if they’re set to be in urban or working class schools. A lot of the time, suburban schools are romanticized while urban school ones are portrayed in a more negative light.