Heroes

Heroes was a television show that had a bunch of characters that had super powers. Each character's story eventually tied in with every other character. This television series was one of my favorites. I watched every season that they made and then it got cancelled. I was fairly upset when it got cancelled because it ended with a pretty open ending. There was so many ups and downs with each character, it never got old. The story line was so good. I remember one season the characters lost their powers and had to learn how to be regular people again. Another season showed the villains as good heroes and the good ones as villains. It was a roller coaster ride with every season and every character. I have always hoped that they would make a movie to conclude the series, but I don't think that would ever happen. It bums me out but it was great while it still lasted. This show brought out my inner child and I love when that happens. I think everyone has an inner child and when something like a television series can bring that out, I love that. I hope that some day I can be part of a film or series that brings the inner child out of people just as this did for me. It is awesome letting your mind be free for a whole episode or series and it needs to happen more often.

The Switch

The Switch, with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman is a film about a couple of good friends of the opposite sex where the guy digs the girl but the girl doesn't really like him. She wants to have a baby and gets a sperm donor, then her friend gets super drunk and dumps out the donors sperm and replaces it with his own purely by accident. Time goes by and Jason's character ends up bonding with their son, while she still thinks that he is the donor's. The donor starts to date her and he gets jealous but continues bonding with the son. He finally realizes what happened that night and eventually tells her. She gets mad but at the end of the movie they end up getting together.

I didn't really care for this movie because it was just a typical story line again. It didn't seem original at all. I liked it all until the very end. To me it would have been a much better ending if they didn't get together. I don't know why but I hate the fact that he got the girl in the end. It just didn't make sense to me at all. Other than that the movie was good I suppose. It was funny and cute and had a feel good flow to it for the most part. The ending just ruined it for me. Of course this is my opinion though, I would still recommend people watch it anyways. 

Cabin In the Woods (Spoilers)

Cabin in the woods is a horror film created to show how ridiculous horror films are sometimes. It follows these five characters as they go on a spring break trip to a cabin deep in the woods. It also shows a back story of these workers making things happen. The five characters are The Intelligent one, The Jock, The Virgin, The fool, and The Whore. There is a lot of weird things going on in the film and you are confused as to what is going on until later on. While in the cabin partying, a hatch door opens (which you see the workers push a button for it to happen) and the characters go down into the cellar. There is a bunch of weird things in the cellar but then someone starts reading from an old diary and that is when the zombies come and start killing people. At the end of the film we realize that the workers were actually making everything happen and it was all to kill the characters to keep the "gods" happy. They make references to other horror films in this movie and can tell that they are making fun of them. The gods represent the viewers and how we watch horror films just to see characters die and if it doesn't happen then we get upset. It was quite interesting to see this and be aware of what it was saying. It was good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Billy Madison

One of Adam Sandler's classic movies from the 90's, which some might say was his glory days, is Billy Madison.

Billy is a spoiled adult who went through life screwing around because his father was rich. His dad is giving up the company and retiring and in order to prove himself worthy to his father, Billy has to go back to school. He starts out in kindergarten and has to work his way up through high school within several weeks. This movie is a great laugh out loud comedy all the way through. I don't think there was a single moment that I was disappointed with this movie. Billy is a screw up but you still end up rooting for the guy. I enjoyed sitting there and laughing for about 2 hours. Watching it with friends makes it that much more humorous especially when I can quote the movie with my friends. One of my favorite quotes in the movie (pardon my french) is "He called the shit poop! HAHA!" that scene never gets old to me. If you don't like stupid comedies, this isn't for you. If you do have a movie night and watch this movie if you haven't already.

Safety not gauranteed (spoilers)

Safety Not Guaranteed is a movie unlike any other I have seen before. The story is about a journalist who gets put on an assignment. The assignment is from a newspaper add that talks about going back in time and needing to bring weapons. The last part of the add says "Safety Not Guaranteed." At first the journalist is weirded out and thinks it is a joke. She then starts to take the guy seriously and starts liking him. At the end it is this big exciting edge of your seat anticipation until they really do go back in time. That is how the movie ends. I loved this movie. It had me so intrigued the whole way through. I kept guessing what was going on, and laughed a lot. You think the guy is mental the whole movie until the last like 10 minutes. You realize he had been telling the truth the whole time and it just blows your mind. It is by far one of the best indie films I have seen yet. It makes me want to know where they went back to and what happened but I think that is one of the things I like about it so much. They leave it open for the viewer to wonder and imagine. It was great and I recommend this film to everyone.

Forks over Knives

I watched a documentary called Forks over Knives. It talked about how the western diet can lead to more heart disease and cancer than ever before. The movie was packed full with scientific and medical proof that our diet here in America, is one of the worst. They did studies on our diets with animal products and oils in it and without animal products or high levels of oil. Just by eating whole food, plant based diets people not only lost weight, they reversed diabetes and cancer growth. Some scientists also did some test on lab rats giving them protein from animal's milk like what we drink here, and found that when given animal's milk protein cancer cells grew, then they were given plant protein and the cancer cells decreased. We have focused our meals on meat and dairy so much here in America and put grains and vegetables on the side and it is effecting not only our weight but out health as well. So along with portion sizes we need to think about what we are putting into our bodies. Maybe we should start living off the land again like our ancestors used to have to, so that we can live happier, healthier, and longer lives.

Awkward Pella

I live on the third floor of Wright Hall and some guys created a couple albums of A cappella covers. It started out with a christmas album called A Spontaneous Ear Warming Christmas Album. The album was put onto soundcloud for all to hear and download as they wish for free. After that was a big hit, Wright Third A Capella came out with another album. This album was for those who love pop music and was titled Pop Tunes to Wrecking Ball Your Ears Off. Now if you ask people who have heard the music, you might get a lot of different responses. One might say "it was so great! I loved it!" another might say "I don't get it, it was awful and made my ears bleed." This group has fun and doesn't mind if they might sound like nails on a chalkboard at times, no they love having fun making music and try their best at it, and that is why I love this group and their music! If you love pop music or just want to get into the christmas spirit, there is no better way than to do so by listening to these guys. Pop Tunes and the Christmas Album can be listened to on those links! Here is some album art as well.
      

           

This story is Kind of Funny

This movie "It's Kind of a Funny Story" is a great movie. Keir Gilchrist plays a teenager that deals with depression. At the beginning of the film we see that his depression get's so bad that he wants to commit suicide. After thinking about it for a while he decides to get help and calls the suicide hotline. He then goes to the hospital and asks that he would be omitted to the ward. He gets omitted but the teen ward had been closed for reconstruction or something of the sort so he has to go to adult ward.

In the adult ward he meets Zach Galifainakis' character and also meets Emma Robert's Character. They become friends and the rest is up for you to watch and see what happens. For me however, this movie was great. While yes there are funny parts, this movie I think is more of a teenage, coming of age type of movie that teens can relate to. I enjoyed it and felt that the writer and director did a great job with this one. It is by far one of my favorite movies of all time!

180 degrees South

180 Degrees south is a movie about adventure. In the 1960's Yvon Chouinard (founder of the company Patagonia) and Doug Tompkins (founder of the company North Face) traveled to Patagonia from California by land. They both participated in the first ascent of the North America Wall with no fixed ropes. This trip was a 6 month trip. The movie 180 degrees south is about Jeff Johnson going on an adventure just like theirs to Patagonia, only this time by boat. The travel by sea and run into some problems with their mast, making them have to go to shore of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). It is during this scene where we hear the quote by Yvon saying "The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong, that's when the adventure starts." They get the mast fixed and sail on to Chile. This movie captures them sailing, surfing, climbing, and camping. 


I enjoy adventures and movies like these following people on their adventures. I am intrigued by the outdoorsy stuff like this as well. It kept me entertained, let me see some beautiful landscapes, and taught me a little bit about the different lands. I think if you are looking for a real adventure movie, and like any of those things whatsoever you should watch this movie. 

7 Brides

I went to see the musical 7 brides for 7 brothers while it was still showing at Huntington. Having never seen the movie or musical before, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Everyone played their character so well. The story was entertaining as well. I was entertained the entire way through. When Adam brought home Milly and she found out that he had 7 brothers I couldn't help but laugh. It was such a humorous play. My favorite scene was the abduction scene. Ja'shon's character made me laugh so hard, as did every other character. The development was great. I got nervous when the pass had melted and you knew that all the towns people were going to be going up. I didn't want anything to happen to the brothers, even if they did do wrong by abducting the girls. I was glad that it was left up to the girls in the end and that they chose to marry the brothers. I think one of my other favorite scenes had to be when they were in the barn fighting and losing their sanity, that one was quite humorous as well. Everyone in the musical did a great job keeping us entertained throughout the entire thing. Very well done.

Music Videos

Get creative! The first music video I would like to talk about that stuck out to me, was the video "don't hug me I'm Scared" I enjoyed this music video a lot. Not looking super deep into it, I thought that it was trying to say something along the lines of creative people shouldn't try and get people who are not creative to try and be creative, because then you will just have a mess on your hands. It was a catchy song and very interesting video.

The next music video I would like to talk about was The Shins: The Rifle's Spiral. It was an interesting music video. I really enjoy those kind of stop animation. Now I don't have any idea what it could have meant, that with all the magic and the 3 men in top hats, and what not. However if I had to guess, it would be that usually young kids have great imaginations, and we are the generation to take the lead next, and we show more potential than the previous generation, but that is just a guess. I still really like the animation with it though.

Movie 43

I watched the movie Movie 43 over this thanksgiving break and I was not pleased at all. I expected it to be a great laugh out loud comedy, with a lot of well known actors. Well they had all the actors, but it hardly made me laugh out loud.

This movie was nothing but a bunch of short films with a back between the shorts. The film is vulgar and crude. I am one that can handle a little bit of that here and there, but this however was way too much. Every single scene had some sexual "joke" or way over top swearing. It did not stand up to my expectations at all.

There is no character development, mainly because every character is only in one small bit. I hoped with a super cast like they had, that it would be a great story and super funny. I was completely wrong. I'm glad I waited until it was on Netflix to watch this so I didn't have to waste any money on it. One of the worst couple hours of my life. Don't watch this movie.

The Way Way Back

I had heard a lot of great things about the movie The Way Way Back and so I wanted to find out for myself why everyone liked it so much. To be honest I went into thinking that since it got talked up so much it wouldn't size up to the high expectations that I had from everyone else.

It surpassed all expectations I had and I ended up loving the film. It is another one of those "root for the underdog" kind of films but it was great. It is about a boy and his mom, his mom's boyfriend, and his mom's boyfriend's daughter going to stay at a beach house for the summer. The boy pretty much gets bullied by the boyfriend and it makes for a great film.

As I was watching this film I couldn't help but get sucked into it. I cheered at parts, laughed at many other parts, and got mad in other parts of the movie. I didn't have any trouble getting sucked into the world and life that the creators made in this film. It was a journey I got to experience with all the characters and I loved every second of it. Go see it if you haven't yet already, you won't regret it.

The New Red Dawn

The remake of Red Dawn sparked a lot of hype on which one was better, the old or the new. I have never seen the old and I probably will eventually, but for right now I will discuss my thoughts about the new.

It is based on North Korea invading and attacking The USA, and a few young adults raising up in rebellion. It is based in the state of Washington and the young adults that rise up are called the wolverines.

I know that it is a remake but I really enjoyed the story a lot. It probably could have used better character development, but you are still able to connect with them in some ways. It is a fun suspenseful couple of hours that you get to spend rooting for the underdogs. When I first watched this the whole North Korea thing was still big in the news and it really got me thinking. I started playing the "what if" game. "What if this really happens, am I ready? Would I be able to fight?" It seems silly but you never do know what tomorrow brings, and I wish that I could say that I would be ready for something like this but I think I can honestly say that I don't know that I would be able to. Back to the movie though, it was good and I like that it got me thinking about stuff like that.

Miss Representation

Miss Representation was a film that talks about media and how our society views women in and because of media. It is a documentary with different women (and a few men) talking about how media has portrayed women as these sex objects, or less equal than men. It talks about how it portrays women as a weaker sex and how they can't really do the same thing as men.

This film was pretty good I would say. It was an eye opener of how we have not only become, but allowed ourselves to become, desensitized to the way media portrays women. It really struck a cord because that is one of the reasons I am interested in going into film. I am tired of the phrase "Sex Sells" and how you can't see a good action movie or comedy without seeing a naked girl, if not half naked. 

As creators of media we have the ability to teach the younger generation and have a say in what goes on in the media these days. Women are not on this planet with us as objects of our pleasure, and they are not incompetent to do the same thing us males are capable of doing. Women can, and are just as much capable of doing anything and everything we can. We as males need to help encourage and lift up the women in our lives and give them the opportunity to step up in their role as leaders in this world and society.

Sand Castle

We watched Sand Castle in class and it was pretty interesting. It was an animation and it was about this sand creature that went around creating other sand creatures and then built a sand castle together. The creatures continue improving and expanding the sand castle until eventually a sand storm comes and destroys everything.

This animation hit home for me in a way I didn't expect it to in all honesty. For me it was more than just a sand being creating creatures and building a sand castle with them. This short spoke to me as the creation story. It reminded me of how God created all creatures and gave us life. He also gave us the garden of eden and we chose to disobey him and eat the forbidden fruit, thus causing the fall of mankind. The sandstorm that comes at the end and destroys everything reminded me of that (even though they didn't disobey their creator). That is the connection I made to this short and what it spoke to me.

The animation was great and had a lot going on for the few minutes that it lasts. Over all I would say this is one of the animations I felt connected to the most, and I liked it.

Brother of Blood (blood brother)

Blood Brother was a tear jerking story of a young man's journey to India where he finds an orphanage full of kids that he eventually has a heart for. The orphanage was for kids and women that are HIV positive.

The young man, named Rocky, fell in love with the orphans at this orphanage in India and the kids fell in love with Rocky. He looked passed the aids and really just enveloped all of them. This film follows his journey back to America from India and then Back to India again.

The film to me was very deep and also great. It really had good character development and helped you connect with the people in the film. It took you on an emotional roller coaster and love every minute of it. I liked the film because of that aspect.

Rocky eventually falls so much in love with India, the kids, and a woman that he ends up marrying her and gets to live in India with her, close to the orphanage. The movie had it's ups and downs, but it was a real great documentary. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you have a heart for the nations.

Originality may be a Ghost Town. (warning: talks very briefly about "Explicit" content.)

Originality seems to be dwindling rapidly these days. We (Hollywood) seem to not be able to think of anything on our own anymore so we either, remake movies or make lots of new movies with similar, if not, the same story line.

One movie that I have seen, however, seems to be one of the most original films I have seen in a long time. It stars Robin Williams and Daryl Sabara, and is about a High School English teacher that is aspiring to have his books published but can't catch a break by any publishers, and his perverted bratty teenage son. His son is a huge pervert and has a freak accident while masturbating and dies. His father finds him and makes it look like a suicide, and writes a fake suicide note. I won't go into much more detail incase you want to watch it (which I highly encourage), but the father begins to gain attention from the fake note and pushes his limits as a writer.

 

The movie stood out to me because I had never seen anything like it before. It kept me entertained the whole time and never let me lose interest. The ending was especially huge for why I loved it. The movie deep to me and was something real. I have seen this movie a total of two times now and still hasn't gotten old to me. I would definitely watch it again multiple times. If I had to judge this film on originality on a scale of 1 to 10 I would probably give it a 7 or 8. It was that great and you should go watch it right now.

Will people do anything to get famous?

There are a lot of people these days looking to get "known" or famous, and will stop at nothing in order to do so. Youtube is full of people of this sort. A couple years ago a kid named "Krispy Kreme" rose up on youtube. His video became viral and got a lot of attention. He made a music video where he raps, that is just plain awful. Here is the video:

 

 

At first I thought it was hilarious. It is poorly made, the kid has snot running down his nose half the time, and the majority of the song doesn't even make sense. Krispy Kreme got threatened to be sued by Krispy Kreme doughnuts and had to change his name to Froggy Fresh. The video exploded and the kid even ended up on Tosh.0 on MTV. But after the video had been out for quite a while I started hearing rumors that the kid was faking. I heard that he was basically trying to "cheat the system," if you will, by making awful raps that actually sound kind of decent when you listen to it, and making them slowly get better and better to lead up to a release of his actual music.

 

His logic was genius. Make a bad video that people will watch, continue to make bad videos that people will watch, eventually those people will want to see more, then lead up to releasing real stuff with the people following you from the bad. His real name is Tyler Cassidy. Here is some of Tyler's real work:

 

 

 

I give him props for being so clever. I would have never thought of doing something of the sort. The kid has talent, whether making an awful music video, or making good rap songs. But this goes to show that people will do almost anything to get their 15 minutes of fame, and youtube is becoming the place to do that more and more every day.

Chipotle's rise against processed food

Over the years we as a country have become a lot more lazy when it comes to food. I watched a little animation by Chipotle today. Yes the Mexican grill restaurant with the huge burritos that are all about organic ingredients. The video is called The Scarecrow, and it depicts a scarecrow going to work in what seems to be a big manufacturing company. Throughout His journey it shows different products being produced and different types of common practices of what some would call animal cruelty that happen in just about every food chain these days. All the while this is being depicted Fiona Apple is singing Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka.

I have been interested in food for quite a while now. I wanted to be a Chef at one point and have been curious about vegetarianism and veganism as well. I have watched several documentaries on the subject of food and where it comes from. A lot of which talk about how we are rapidly running away from whole foods, and running towards processed foods. I like this video because it is different. It is showing that even though the times are changing and adapting to these harmful ways of making food faster, Chipotle is going to take a stand and use organic foods. It is a gutsy thing to do, but I respect them for releasing this video. To some it may be considered a wake up call, to others just a neat way to show that they use organic ingredients. The animation was awesome in my opinion, and the song choice was very interesting. I think that they chose this song for a reason. I definitely think they are trying to get a message across to people and I hope people can see it. Also, if you watch the video, don't mind the game app thing at the end. It was kind of pointless and I don't know why they put it in.