Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Semiotic (signifier and signified)


According to Saussure, he divided the sign into two components: the signifier and the signified. The signifier is a form which the sign takes or something that can be touched, seen, and so on and the signified is the concept it represents. Saussure suggested that the sign must have both a signifier and a signified. It means the sign is a combination of these two components.

For example, man and woman wear rings mean they are got married which is signifier; however, the rings also suggest their relationship, eternal love, and togetherness which are signified. Furthermore, in advertising industry also uses signs with words and images in order to reveal what they are doing or what the organizations are like. In the film Coming to America, Prince Akeem works at local restaurant called McDowell’s which use alphabet M (attempt to replica McDonald’s) to represent their business. Alphabet M is signifier, and also represented the name of restaurant, family business, and advertisement.

Another example is the perfume advertising that focuses on teenagers (advertisement above). It applied pink to be main character: perfume, clothes, and lip are signifier, but pink also represents beauty, love, sexiness, calm feeling, relaxation, and acceptance. Therefore, Miss Dior Cherie presents its sexiness and beauty by using dark and light pink.

Let’s look at the signs and interpret them, you will find that there are meanings in themselves that you never notice before.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Star Trek



Star Trek “Plato’s Stepchildren” is a third season episode that first broadcast on 1986. This episode was criticized by scores viewers because the first an interracial kiss on television. In addition, UK skipped this episode in 1970s and 1980s because this episode presented more on “sadistic violence”. However, later on this episode could run on television in 1993.


The acceptance of difference


Although many viewers are disappointed with this episode, I think that there is some point that director tried to tell us. This episode suggested the strong sense of equality and society. Wherever you come from, we are equal. For example, Alexander always worries about his size and he is treated as slave by Platonians. However, Kirk and his friends make him forget about this issue because they treat Alexander as their friends. Kirk asked him about his thought, opinion, and well-being.


“Where I come from, size and color make no difference” by Kirk

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Day the Earth Stood Still


The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) is a science fiction film which was directed by Scott Derrickson. The main character is Keanu Reeves who plays as Klaatu. This film focuses on the contemporary issue of environment that will destroy the planet. Klaatu, who is representative of alien, comes on planet Earth with his large spaceship in order to judge whether human can change their behaviors and thoughts to save the environment. If not, he has to destroy humanity in order to save the planet.

I like this film because it persuades people to realize the world problem that everyone has to collaborate in order to save our planet. The opening scene of this film reminds me of the film, Independence Day, open the scene with the UFO comes in over the Washington, D.C. However, the aliens are different in form of appearances. In this film, the Day the Earth Stood Still, presents alien look like humanity and also accompanies by giant robot while film Independence Day shows hostile creature of outer space, not even speak English. With the scene that character Regina Jackson, the Unite Stated Secretary of Defence, denies Klaatu to speak with United Nations shows that how America thinks about its position in this planet. In addition, the Day the Earth Stood Still presents the emotional plot between Helen Benson character and her stepson Jacob which their relationship is a factor that drives the story to be achieved. However, this film makes me little disappoint with action scenes because the director offers just a few short shred. For example, football stadium and truck was destroyed from the insect like nanobots. Finally, with the word, “but we can change, just give us a chance”, it force people realize that what they have done in the past and what they should change in order to save this planet.

However, I think that not everyone will realize the problems and their behavior that could damage environment as long as they can live with plentiful environment and nature. Therefore, do not wait until saying this word, we can save our Earth now.