Assignment 18: Buckets and Buckets - Matthew Logsdon

Welcome to your first blog prompt for 2015! Yay!

A bucket list is a list of everything you want to accomplish before you kick the bucket. That doesn't mean you can't have such a list for specific aspects of your life as well.

To begin the year, generate your own bucket lists - one for high school, one for college, and one for life. Then, write about the priority on each list.

1. What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish high school?
2. What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish college?
3. What is the number one item on your bucket list before you finish living?

(This blog is inspired by Axel Liimatta - former academy teacher - my friend and former colleague that inspires me to live every day more fully)

Minimum of 150 words - due Sunday, January 24th  at 11:59 pm

Hooray for Hollywood -Hope Reed

For some reason Rotten tomatoes won't let me link my review on to here, but here's what I said on "Silver Linings Playbook" 2012:

"This movie is one of my all-time personal favorites. I loved the acting of Cooper and Lawrence; they made me fall in love with both of them, flaws and all.  It was funny, chaotic, and yet sweet all in one. I like a good movie that makes me feel a lot of different emotions, and this movie did just that. And I absolutely loved the ending, and wouldn't have changed a thing about it to make me happier. I've watched it three times since the first time I saw it, which was about a month ago, and I don't like re-watching movies unless they're real good... so this movie was beyond real good. I loved it, and I would recommend it to anyone in high school or older, because it does have some language in it. I'm so glad I ran across this movie, it had a great plot line, made me laugh, and had a great message."

I gave it a 5/5 star ranking.

Assignment 17: Hooray for Hollywood!- Braeden Bowen

George Lucas is known for several masterpieces of cinematography, namely Star Wars: A New Hope and American Graffiti. He is also known for... lower-quality films, chiefly The Phantom Menace and 2012's Red Tails. For the purpose of this post (and partially due to timeliness) I will analyze Star Wars and The Phantom Menace.

For starters, the reception between these two films is remarkable. While Star Wars is one of the most recognizable movies all time, The Phantom Menace is generally rejected and looked down upon as awkward, poorly-paced, Jar-Jar filled movie. The 1977 Star Wars film, on the other hand, is... well, hold on. This film is full of clunky dialogue, rushed shots, poor acting, and terrible, terrible 1997 edits. Does this mean that Lucas' style is no style at all?

Don't get me wrong. Both films have several amazing scenes and sequences, with TPM's Duel of the Fates and SW's Mos Eisley Cantina among them. However, Lucas had plenty of time in between the original release and the 1999 prequel to master his design and style, and yet the film, so full of CGI, new heroes, villians, and Gungans, did not display Lucas' great strides in directing. In fact, it appears that there were few at all.

Perhaps Lucas' style in between those two movies isn't so different after all, despite the deficit in popularity from one movie to the next. Maybe it was the spark of imagination, not the expertise and perfection, that Star Wars brought out in audiences that caused it to be the icon that The Phantom Menace definitely isn't.

horray for hollywood -catherine van tatenhove

Arguably the most illustrious, successful, talented, and enigmatic director has been forcing us to hide under a blanket to hide half the screen in utter disturbance while also making us cry because of a small boys love for an equally small alien. Steven Spielberg has been a brilliant mind for as far back as my first cinematic experience began with The Sound of Music no less, but he actually found his start in 1961. Since he began his journey in directing he has made a plethora of films,  some stemming from his personal and hardship stricken childhood, while still others depict pivotal historical events with incredible precision and passion. ET and Schindler's List are both perfect examples of the aforementioned genre descriptions. ET being about a boy named Elliott who inadvertently befriends an alien and Schindler's List encompassing the atrocities of the Holocaust. These movies are threaded with differences in style including usage of shots and angles, music, and props. However, one aspect remains the same through out. Through out all of Spielberg's films there's always a moment of perfectly orchestrated but still completely natural emotion. Whether it's the horrifying death of a small girl in a red coat amongst the black and white film representing hope, or a young boy begging for the safety of his new best friend. Spielberg makes us cry, scream, and laugh regardless of which of his movies we are glued to. It's inevitable. And, for me, it's been priceless.

Hooray for Hollywood-Matthew Telfer

Spectre Review
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/973006945/ratings

Alexis Kirkland- Hooray for Hollywood

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/id/973008149/ratings

One Direction This Is Us: I have seen this film over 25 times, at least. Over my winter break, I proceeded to watch it again. Not that any new content mysteriously shows up the more times I watch it, but I loved this film so much, I am never bored while viewing and always impressed. From the original theatrical version, to the extended cut, to the 3D version seen in films, it never ceases to amaze. I love the look at the boys' normal lives that we are fortunate enough to see. We can view how they all interact with each other, with the crew, how they react to their fame. and so on. Not only does it serve as an intimate documentary of One Direction's personal lives, but it also serves as a concert film for their second world tour, the Take Me Home Tour. This film, needless to say, is my favorite movie of all time.

 

"Hooray" For Hollywood: Assignment 17 - Evan Hays

I love movies. I feel like I should say this before I'm labeled as pretentious and not just very passionate. I like films for the same reason that I'll be writing about two of my favorite films in comparison to one another and why my favorite director is Stanley Kubrick. Film, for me, is the newest legitimate form of art, and when done in a proper way it can evoke emotions in the human psyche that to an extent can only be revealed through a module like film. Art gives us image, writing gives us moral, film combines both. Today I will be talking about two films that are spiritually related for me, "Apocalypse Now" and "Beasts of No Nation".

Apocalypse Now is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" adapted for Vietnam. It follows a Special Forces captain, disollusioned by the ideals and lies behind war, as he travels upstream to find and kill Colonel Kurtz, an AWOL Green Beret colonel who has taken the war into his own hands. Beast Of No Nation is set in the same place as Conrad's novel ironically, in the Heart of Africa. This film tells the story of Agu, a small boy who loses his family in a civil war and is brought under the indoctrination of one of the rebel factions. He quickly becomes a child soldier and loses all of his childhood and most of his humanity.

Both of these movies are amazing pieces of work by their respective directors, complete with very similar shots (watch the scene from Do Lung Bridge and the drug addled assault on a small town in which Agu takes cocaine). Each film uses narration from the main character for two major purposes, first to invest us in that character, secondly to pull us away from the other characters and dehumanize us to an extent. The combination of shots from a non-human perspective and this narration helps compel us to the theme of each film. Captain Willerd in Apocalypse Now realizes only after Kurtz dies that every shred of human civilization, when stripped away, leaves behind only war and savagery. Agu completes his journey by being rescued by the UN peacekeeping forces, but is unable to fraternize with the other kids in the camp because he knows the brutality that exists within humanity behind the facade of society.

The films are art in motion, and these two are masterworks.

Hooray for Hollywood - Elle Ogden

Unlike most, I'm not a huge fan of movies. Something about sitting in one spot for two hours just doesn't appeal to me. However, I've always been a sucker for the Nicholas Sparks movies. Even though they all end with tears, I typically go see the new one that comes out in theaters. Two that I watched recently were The Lucky One and Dear John.

In both movies, it starts with a soldier coming home, he meets a girl, they fall in love, and though there are bumps in the rode, there's a happy ending. The soldier in each movie also has a "lucky charm" through the war. In Dear John, it's the coin that he and his father first bonded over. In The Lucky One, it's a picture of the girl that he eventually falls in love with. Also, both the women have a son that really connects with the soldier.

Though they are quite similar, they do have one main difference. In The Lucky One, the problems arise through the relationship, whereas in Dear John, the problems arise through the war and deployments. Other than that, there aren't many differences. Just small things here and there which vary the plot line. I think I like the Nicholas Sparks movies because they're all similar, and they're all based off of books. I like knowing where a movie is going.

Rotten Tomatoes wouldn't let me post, so here's the review:
It's basically like all the other Nicholas Sparks movies, so if you liked those, then you will like this one. Just like the others, it's sappy, cliche, and predictable, but it's a pretty good chick flick kind of movie.

Hooray for Hollywood- Lauren Spivey

   Ah Tim Burton, a great director who has an interesting sense of talent. He finds a way to use part of your imagination most people wouldn't dare even think about let alone put into a movie. He's created some of my favorite movies including Alice in Wonderland and also The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

   I grew up reading the Alice in Wonderland book so when I found that they were making a realistic movie I was ecstatic. The fact is that once I saw the movie I was a little confused. The book is more of a kid friendly entertainment while when I saw the movie it seemed a bit extreme for kids, very cruel. Tim Burton has an eye for creative expansion of certain ideas. Honestly sometimes his imagination can get the best of him and I feel like in this movie he strayed too far from the original plot line. It's still one of my favorite movies though and it's very interesting due to Burtons eye for style and use of vibrant colors in your imagination. 

   The Nightmare Before Christmas is fantastic. You can watch it at Christmas time but also, if you want, you can watch it at Halloween. I watch it every year and think about how good of an idea and how strong of an imagination the creator must have. This movie compared to Alice in Wonderland is very different. Alice in Wonderland used actors and real life camera videos but in the Nightmare Before Christmas everything was done using stop motion which if you've seen the episode of iCarly where Spencer tries to make a stop motion film, it's very very time consuming. It took him multiple days and 3,000+ pictures to make a 10 second film. So that just makes this movie that much more impressive. It contains that weird mind of imagination that Alice in Wonderland has with an extra bit of horror in it and I think that was the appeal because people don't normally think Christmas is the time for scary ghosts and skeletons but Burton overcame that and combined Halloween and Christmas and made a classic. 

Hooray For Hollywood --Lucy Whitman Sandmeyer

Joss Whedon. What a cool dude. Not only did he write and direct the highest grossing film of 2012 (The Avengers) but he also has made TV shows and movies that, while not wildly popular, have a pretty fanatic following, and rightfully so. He’s funny, he’s dark, he’s dry, he’s dramatic, and everyone once and a while he throws in a musical number. I mean, right? The Avengers is an action/adventure movie meant for a huge audience. It had a huge budget so the special effects are great, the actors are super famous and it’s awesome. Serenity, the movie conclusion to his one season series Firefly, is something a little closer to his heart with fewer major battles and, ironically, no aliens (they live in space) but is equally awesome. With both movies, he was the writer and director, which does mean it was a bit more his than a lot of director’s movies, but he still shows off some distinct directorial style.

While the characters are in action, Joss makes it dramatic by showing them each fighting their separate battles in the chaos of the greater conflict but also make sure pan across everyone fighting next to each other at least once in each movie. He’s a master of the expansion shot that establishes setting and that detached feel with some humor. Essentially, he manages to make even his shots sarcastic. He creates a story succinctly but with enough complexity that it feels much more refreshing than a three and a half long endeavor with amazing helicopter shots of New Zealand. Sorry, Peter Jackson, no matter how EPIC your movies are, Whedon’s movies are just more fun. But I love me some Aragorn/Legolas bromance, don’t get me wrong. I just like Coulson a leetle bit more.

Katie Demetriades Assignment 17: Hooray for Hollywood

Unlike many of you, I'm not that big of a movie person. I don't get jacked up for new movie trailers, I don't live at the movie theater (or binge on Netflix for that matter), and I don't watch the movie award shows, like the Oscars. But in my 16 years of life, I've come across and been forced by my mother to watch a handful of films that I enjoy to this day. Two of those films were directed by the legendary John Hughes, otherwise known as the king of teenage movie making in the 1980s. Out of the multitudes of entertaining films he made, the two I love the most are The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. The joy I feel when watching these movies comes for multiple reasons, whether it be the comedic relief or the relatable moments. But instead of going on about how wonderful I think these films are, I'm going to compare and contrast the two movies.

The plot lines of Hughes' films are very similar, a common practice found in Hollywood. Typical teenage problems from the 80's and even today are displayed in both films. In The Breakfast Club, one of the group's many issues includes having to spend a Saturday in detention. In Sixteen Candles, Sam has a problem when her crush happens to date one of the most popular girls in school. It fits the times perfectly, because what else would your typical teenager be worried about? Problems with love and school are first to come to mind. Even with those basic issues, Hughes' puts an unexpected or uncommon strain on these problems in both movies. In The Breakfast Club, the group includes five individuals who live completely different lives and are a part of completely different cliques, yet find similarities amongst themselves. In Sixteen Candles, Sam's entire family forgets her sixteenth birthday, which is supposed to be one of the happiest days of a teenager's life. Besides plot lines, the characters themselves are similar in both films. The Breakfast Club has your good looking jock, Andrew, and Sixteen Candles has the beautiful and sporty romantic interest, Jake. Michael Anthony Hall plays the nerd in both films. The weirdo makes an appearance in both.

As similar as the two movies are, stark differences comes up concerning the social depth each film goes to. While serious issues revolve around the group concerning home life and mental stability in The Breakfast Club, the same can't be said for Sixteen Candles, minus some of Sam's insecurities. Child abuse, suicide, drug use, lack of self esteem, shaming others. All concepts discussed amongst The Breakfast Club. Amongst those items, the only one that applies to Sixteen Candles is a lack of self esteem. The level of depth in each film also affects their overall messages. The Breakfast Club teaches us that it doesn't matter what clique you're supposed to belong to, you can befriend and find commonalities between people who seem like polar opposites. A very important message in a world full of social stereotypes. On the other hand, Sixteen Candles has a message about finding the best even in the worst of situations because who knows, a special surprise could come your way (AKA Jake Ryan wants to be your boyfriend!!). But this lesson seems more make believe than helpful.

I highly recommend all of you go watch these movies if you have yet to see them. You won't regret it.

Somewhere in the Universe - Harrison Broyles

Somewhere in the universe is a child. A child who has just suffered a terrible tragedy. Their country is shook by a devastating earthquake, one so powerful they felt it across oceans. Millions are dead, including the child's mother, father, brother and two sisters. The child is alone. The child has been forgotten. Fires rage all around them, and the average person has turned to looting, robbing, and murdering in order to survive. It is every man for themselves, and no one is there to care for the child, holding onto a blanket and their mom's cold hand, laying in hope that someone will save them, as a single tear trickles out of the corner of their eye and falls to the ground.

The child will pass hungry and alone, as the rest of the world toasts to a prosperous life of their own, oblivious to the tragedies next door.

How To Sleep During School - Harrison Broyles

This is my not-so-secret ability. Many of you may know I'm already a champion at it. I sleep during Calculus, Spanish, Physics, APUSH, and Statistics. And Lunch sometimes.

Step 1) Make sure you are at a comfortable temperature. Just a little bit hot, but not so much that you are sweating. No one can sleep when they're shivering or sweating like a pig.

Step 2) Slouch back in your chair. You'll do a couple head nods as you doze off, but if you put your head down you'll have a teacher down your neck before you're able to count sheep.

Step 3) Start tuning out the teacher. Even if it's important, you'll be able to get the notes and details later from a friend in a much more condensed and efficient version.

Step 4) Close your eyes, and relax. Let the now monotone (only because you're zoning it out) voice of the teacher soothe you right into a void of nothingness, and then off to sleep.

Good night.

Plastics - Harrison Broyles

I had a good friend at ChickFilA who was a Team Leader before she left for Starbucks. We were discussing what she did as a Team Leader, and she imparted to me "Someone once told me that my mood affected everyone else's. If I came in cranky or having a bad day, suddenly, the whole team was less friendly and amiable. If you are having a bad day, or are stressed out, you've gotta smile on through. And that's something you learn throughout life."

So fake it until you make it. If you're having a rough day, fake some kindness to a customer or friend or coworker, and soon enough you'll start to feel better due to the kindness shown back to you. But if you're cranky and bitter, you'll make someone else upset, and we already have enough negativity in this world without you adding anything to the mix.

Buckets and Buckets - Harrison Broyles

Before High School Ends- Become a Manager at ChickFilA

Before College Ends- Study Abroad in a Spanish Speaking Country

Before I kick the bucket:

Working at ChickFilA this past summer has helped me narrow in my focus in life. I love the environment, the food, a few of the customers, and about half of my coworkers. Because I enjoy working at ChickFilA so much, I've put my mind towards owning one or two or five when I graduate from college. I currently plan to double major in Business Administration as well as General Business, with a minor in Spanish as we have such an influential Hispanic population, in order to achieve this goal. I want to study abroad to immerse myself in Hispanic culture, and know about these people's backgrounds before I try to pursue a relationship with them. I want to find the perfect person to settle down with later on in life, have a kid or two and adopt a few more, adopt a dog and name it Guppy and maybe adopt some more dogs as I feel like it. Lots of Golden Retrievers. I want to live somewhere tropical for a while and get out of the business of everyday life, like the Bahamas or Tahiti or something. I want some time to just enjoy life before I go, I don't want to be overwhelmed by a job that disgusts me, I want to work somewhere I'm passionate about, and a job that allows me to be flexible to spend time with my family, not one that sucks my life away. And this is the best plan I've got so far.

Star Wars Rotten Tomatoes Review - Harrison Broyles

Star Wars has always been a huge favorite for me- I loved the characters, concepts, and development. However, I don't believe this movie has entirely done the Saga justice- characters and plots seem underdeveloped and too fast paced. While I'm a big fan of action, there was just too much action too quickly for a true story to be unveiled, and because of this, much of the movie felt as if it skipped from one scene to the next. The action was marvelous, but it shouldn't be used at the expense of the plot.

However, I am inclined to give this an average rating overall because it is a Star Wars movie- the movie is an overdue continuation of the noteworthy saga, and fits into its place as a transition accordingly. I am hoping that we gain more insights into the characters and events as the next movie rolls into theaters.


I couldn't figure out how to share the link from Rotten Tomatoes, but I promise it's posted.