Research Post 7

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303704304579379511362285186


This article depicts some of the emotions still felt from the miracle on ice game. The 2014 olympics was the first time since 1980 that the two countries played against each other in ice hockey. The melodrama was also heightened on  on the Russian side because this was the first time the Olympics were ever held in Russia, and it was the first time the to countries have squared off since 1980.

Some Russian fans turning on the television in recent weeks could be forgiven for thinking they were moving back in time. In the Soviet era, sports was an essential propaganda tool. Arkady Ratner, a former Soviet television official, once gave an example of how blunt a cudgel hockey could be in an interview with Sovetsky Sport newspaper. Hockey games taking place in North America were typically shown on tape delay at 7 p.m. Moscow time, without the results being announced in advance. But in 1981, an 8-1 Soviet trouncing of Canada coincided with a government-mandated price hike on certain goods. So the Party ordered the media to repeat the news of the glorious victory over and over all day.

"And only later was it said that vodka and sausage got more expensive," Ratner said. "That's how Soviet propaganda worked."

This was another prime example of the propaganda used during the Cold War. 

Research Blog Post #2

Melodrama in Hockey (Source 5)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/red-army-interview-director-gabe-polsky-slava-fetisov-russian-five-review-alex-ovechkin-documentary-oscars/


This article is a question and answer session of with the director of the movie Red Army, Gabe Polsky. "Red Army—which captures the rise and fall of hockey’s most beautiful and at the same time ugliest dynasty—is deciding whether it’s the best sports film or the best documentary film you’ve seen since you can remember."  It shows an unbiased view of the Soviets from the Soviet point of view. 

Melodrama in Hockey (Source 4)

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/2015/02/06/commentary-miracle-ice-told-soviet-side/23009523/



This article shows how the Miracle on Ice game is related to the Cold War. It goes on to show multiple examples of how the game was melodramatic and how it caused major controversy in the Cold War. For example, how the Soviets pulled one of the best goalies in the world after letting up only two goals. To many people that is considered the most melodramatic moment in the game. Also, it explains, how some of the propaganda was used in the Cold War. ""Our main goal as filmmakers was to put a human face on the Soviet team," Hock said after a screening. "We were taught they were robots and machines and had no feelings and were just these automatons — that all they did was play hockey and they were the bad guys."

Melodrama in Hockey (Source 3)

https://books.google.com/books?id=_gmNBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT47&lpg=PT47&dq=melodrama+in+hockey&source=bl&ots=-Gt_IJXlz7&sig=TSM6dx4EOoWJeitvBKaNj0MD7Z4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=StEeVYfXE8izogTttILYBQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=melodrama%20in%20hockey&f=false

Hockey is considered to be a vey brutal and tough sport to play. "Hockey in its early days acquired a reputation for violence and brutality. In part this was a product of the speed of the game, the frequency of body contact, and the dangers associated with the stick itself." The dangers and risk of the game can be compared to the dangers and risks of war and conflict. During a time of conflict and war, people seem to live vicariously through the game. This can be seen with the Miracle on Ice game of the 1980 Mens Ice Hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Melodrama of Hockey (Source 2)

http://jah.oxfordjournals.org.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/content/98/2/579.full

In this article, Jason Stevens tries to convey how the American mind was shaped and modified during the Cold War. He states "...was shaped by 'countermodernism,' a sacred discourse that traded the utopian accents of “modernism” for dystopian emphases on human fallibility and divine judgment." Stevens thinks that the slight chance that America can turn into a dystopian society drove the force for America to fight against communism. 

The Melodrama of Hockey (Source 1)

This article illustrates how hockey and the Olympics are utilized on a main level to withdraw the most emotions from the world. Also how the 1980 Men's Olympic Hockey game was covered relative to the historical events occurring at the time. For example, the Cold War created many tensions between the two countries and the results showed while playing against each other in the Olympics. The use of color commentary, news columns, and pictures were used as an impromptu propaganda to propel the United States over the Soviets.
I feel like this source is valuable for my research paper. It shows how the game of Hockey in the 1980 Olympics helped fuel the melodramatic fire between the United States and the Soviets during the Cold War. I will use this source to depict how the overall olympic games are melodramatic and how they effect the views of the world. Also, I will use this to show how "The Miracle on Ice" was extremely melodramatic and helped propel the Unites States over the Soviets.

http://go.galegroup.com.gate.lib.buffalo.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA268478026&v=2.1&u=sunybuff_main&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

Research Essay Thoughts

American Culture has taken a turn for the worst. Instead of education and jobs, this new generation is focused on reality tv and getting famous. The United States is slowly falling apart because kids these days care more about who is getting voted off on the bachelor than their paper due in two days. This generation blindly follows whatever is on the tv and this is causing a major controversy. Mainly, because what the kids are watching isn't even real. Producers on shows like the jersey shore and american idol rig the competition and stage fights to gain views. These shows can be compared to melodramas because they are used to evoke every possible feeling from the audience. For example, on the show Mob Wives, after two of the wives get into a fight, they poll america to see whose side they are taking. They want people to  be watching everyday and they will concoct any store for you to feel pity for the people.

Moral Occult

In the Melodramatic Imagination by Peter Brooks, the theme of the "moral occult" is very frequent and used throughout many melodramas. Peter Brooks defines the moral occult as "the domain of operative spiritual values which are both indicated within and masked by the surface of reality." (Pg 5) Moral occult is such a valuable tool used in melodrama because it shows true emotion to the audience hiding little information. "They tend toward intense, excessive representations of life which strip the facade of manners to reveal the essential conflicts at work- moments of symbolic confrontation which fully articulate the terms of drama." (Pg 3)

The moral occult has been seen in many pieces of literature we have spoken about in class. For example, in All That Heaven Allows, directed by Douglas Sirk, Cary utilizes the moral occult while trying to determine her fate. She knows that she wants to live the rest of her life with Ron, but her children and many other social pressures pushes her away from him. There is very little information that is withheld from us because even though the characters don't know everything, the audience knows the whole story.

All That Heaven Allows

All That Heaven Allows

The Movie All That Heaven Allows directed by Douglas Sirk is a prime example of a melodrama. A melodrama is considered to be a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions. Throughout the movie there were many events and situations that played with the audience feelings and emotions. For example, we never find out the name of Cary's husband. Throughout the movie he was the center of attention. No matter what Cary did it always had to go back to her later husband. For example, when Cary told her kids that she was planning on marrying Ron, the kids were worried about ruining their fathers legacy. Also, when Cary placed his trophy in the storage closet her son did not approve. Even though he plays a major role in this film, whenever he is talked about, they never seem personable or sincere.

When Cary tells her kids about her decision you can immediately tell the difference in lighting and tone. All of a sudden the room is dark and Cary and Ned are talking in a serious and low tone of voice. You can also tell that Ned is not happy with his mother by his actions and movements. He is very direct and forward. "A key feature was its dependence upon an established system of non-verbal signs, gestures, mise-en-scene and music" (Mercer and Shingler 7)

Melodrama 1

The term melodrama has several uses throughout many different contexts. A melodrama is defined as a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions. There are several examples of melodramas that many people don't consider to be so. For example, Bambi, Casablanca, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, To Kill a Mockingbird and Forrest Gump can fall under the category of Melodrama.

•  http://www.filmsite.org/melodramafilms4.html 
• These are prime examples of Melodramas throughout history.