Blackfish

5/5

Hands down the most compelling documentary I have seen since The Cove was released in 2009. This is the first critically acclaimed film to come from director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. This environmental film shares similar messages as that of The Cove but introduces them to us in an entirely new perspective. Blackfish delves into the true story behind the lives of whales in captivity at theme parks. Specifically, this film follows the life of Tilikum, one of the largest whales to ever be held in captivity. We follow the events of Tilikum’s life from when he is first captured to his time spent at multiple animal entertainment parks to where he is now permanently living in SeaWorld Orlando.  The story is narrated by previous Sea World animal trainers who had to quit due to their disgust with the treatment of animals and employees alike. These narratives provide a first-hand account of the deaths and injuries of multiple animal trainers that occurred as a result of the gross mistreatment of the large orca whales. Many of these incidences had since gone unpublicized due to Sea World’s intense legal team keeping the stories out of the public’s eye. This film has given passed animal trainers the opportunity to share their experiences and expose the poor treatment of animals at these parks in an attempt to save future trainers and orca whales alike from further injury or death. Blackfish is a gripping documentary from minute one and continues to keep your interest far beyond the credits of the film.

Stuck in Love

Released on DVD October 2013

4/5

Stuck in Love is director Josh Boone’s directorial debut. This romantic film pays homage to every classic romantic film before its time both in both the comedy and drama genres alike. However, Stuck in Love is able to differentiate itself from the rom-com machine of films churned out every year. This film not only utilizes its many well-cast actors but also, very smoothly, ties in each of their romantic stories in a provoking way that leaves you feeling fulfilled by the end of the film as opposed to feeling empty like many romantic films of today do. The impeccably cast Greg Kinnear shines in his starring role alongside Jennifer Connelly and upcoming actress Lily Collins. Kinnear plays the father to Collins and divorcee of Connelly. He represents both of these roles with spot-on character and charisma. Kristen Bell and Logan Lerman play strong supporting roles but the star that shined brightest in this film would be up and comer Nat Wolff who plays son to Kinnear and Connelly. Much like Kinnear, Wolff brings a certain grounded charisma and character that the film otherwise lacked. His realistic portrayal of a teenage boy in love gave the film the heart and sincerity it needed. Thanks to Wolff’s performance the film didn't succumb to floating away from its lightheartedness and instead grasped on to the realism and down-to-earth aspects that allowed the film to prevail and thus keep it from being clumped together with all the other romantic films of the year.

Only God Forgives

Released on DVD October 2013

1.5/5

Only God Forgives stars Ryan Gosling and is directed and written by Nicolas Winding Refn who is most well known for his debut film Drive released in 2011 also starring Gosling. Unfortunately, his newest film does not showcase his true talents as a writer. While Only God Forgives is extremely stylistic and artistically compelling; the characters lack any personality or portrayal of growth throughout the film which makes it difficult for the audience to care about the turmoil that the characters are facing. Julian (played by Ryan Gosling) runs a drug ring helmed by his mother in Bangkok and when Julian's older brother is murdered a gang war ensues.

            Each and every frame is photograph worthy and obviously meticulously thought out. However, the ultra-gore and lack of narrative results in an immediate disinterest in the progress of the story. The only aspect of the film keeping our attention is the vivid images that simultaneously astound and repulse the audience. Furthermore, the electric soundtrack paired to the film is notorious for Refn's style but provides no purpose to creating any specific mood in the film. Overall, I would recommend to skip this film. If you are one who hopes to see a similar triumph such as Drive then you will be surely disappointed.  

The Way Way Back

Released on DVD October 2013

4/5

Everyone remembers those hot, sweaty summers when you're stuck with your parents in some small town with nothing to do. Well, this film shows the growth and special relationships that can happen during a summer such as this. Although cliché The Way Way Back brings a new perspective on the over told story. While Steve Carrell does disappoint with his performance of the evil step-parent (very uncharacteristic for him); Allison Janney shines as the hyperactive sister who hilariously tries to raise her two children. An even greater performance comes from the quick, witty, and overall spot-on Sam Rockwell whose role makes the film memorable and worth watching more than once. He easily plays the grown-up child with charisma and style while producing witty remarks that you'll be quoting for weeks. Overall, this film is a great homage to teen summer films without falling into the numerous clichés that so many coming-of-age films often do.

My Relationship with Movies and a Review

I have been watching movies since I can remember. Nothing brings me more joy than a well-done film. I spent many years trying to enhance my knowledge of film by watching as many movies as I possibly could from multiple genres. Once I had become well-versed with filming techniques and different types of film in general I began to realize what made a good film and what made a bad film. This realization, along with my love of writing, compelled me to start writing movie reviews. I initially started with the classics but eventually found myself wanting to review the newest films to be released which is what I will be doing on this blog. My first review for this blog can be found below. Enjoy!

The Internship

Released on DVD October 2013

3.5/5

The charismatic duo that brought you the hilarious antics of Wedding Crashers is back! Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson team up, once again, to bring hilarious laughs to a new generation of viewers. Tackling the dynamic between technology and decreasing amount of employment Vaughn and Wilson decide to try their luck at Google by working at an internship for the summer. This internship is unlike any other with the smartest young adults from across the country literally competing for the few available positions to work at Google. Strong performances from the supporting cast perfectly compliment the hilarious performances from Vaughn and Wilson who produce unforgettable one-liners and laugh out loud performances. There chemistry on the screen is undeniable and keeps the film from falling flat due to its predictable, campy plot. Vaughn's straight-faced one-liners mixed with Wilson's child-like sincerity along with great supporting performances from Will Ferrell, Olivia Wilde, and Dylan O'Brien, create an outright entertaining film. Although, this movie isn't as raunchy as the humour we are used to from these guys this movie is still worth watching even for the geek references and easily quotable one-liners.

My Writing Experience

     Writing, to me, is a therapeutic practice. I enjoy feeling the gentle glide of a pen or pencil in between the tips of my fingers. This is a calming sensation that we don't often get experience in the present age of technology where most of our writing is done on computers.
     Although computers are quicker for writing; I greatly prefer writing by hand than on a computer. Writing on a computer is loud due to the constant clicking of the keys. The bright screen shining at you takes away the organic feel that comes with using a pen and paper. Lastly, there is very little personality in the aesthetic computer written pieces compared to that of ones own unique handwriting scrawled across the page giving the words personality. Unfortunately, Helen Keller was never able to experience handwriting and was confined to using a typewriter which came with its own positive and negative traits. Helen Keller was never able to feel the glide of a pen or pencil on paper. However, I would like to think that her therapy would come from the sensation of the keys vibrating in the machine as she pounds down the key of each letter against the paper. On the other hand, Helen Keller gets to experience the same joyful silence that comes with handwriting despite the fact that she uses a typewriter. In this way, I can relate to the joy she feels while writing.
     Ultimately, it still saddens me that she could never see her own words and ideas written out in her own unique printing. The sight of a completed page of writing is comparable to that of an artist proudly admiring their finished painting. This experience, I am lucky to have, is something Helen Keller can never truly have but merely imagine.

Don't Let Trolls Rule the Internet

When going online one would not immediately think which races of people will I encounter today on the internet? However, this very question may dictate how one experiences the internet and their communication with other people online both negatively and positively. It is by asking yourself these questions that act as a reminder to take caution when exposing your race or gender to the anonymous voices on the internet.

Anonymity on the internet plays a key role in the negative outcomes of disclosing your race to the public. There are people online who will specifically cause arguments and write mean things just to create conversation, or merely just for laughs. These people are known as trolls. They are difficult to evade and even more difficult to get rid of. A person on this question forum asked how one can avoid trolls on the internet when disclosing their race and also asks whether the subject of race attracts internet trolls. Unfortunately, personal subjects such as race attract more possible controversy and thus, draw the attention of trolls across the internet. Does it make it fair that if one wishes to tell the world your race then you must expect hurtful communication on the internet? No. Unfortunately though, this is a common occurrence among those who communicate anonymously on the internet. Anonymity gives these trolls the shield they need to say hurtful things without bearing the consequences. Therefore, those who wish to disclose their race online must prepare to face the hurtful words of the trolls that will be attracted to one's openness.

Furthermore, this article recognizes that revealing your race will attract more arguments among the online community. However, the author feels that this is welcomed as long as the argument isn't stemming from the superficiality of bias due to the race of the poster online. Argument and discussion online is an important part of internet communication. Although, if these arguments are bias and offensive based on one's race then that is unacceptable. The author of this article proposes legal action to those who commit this racial bias. However, it is unrealistic to think implementing a law to prevent this online behaviour would stop such incidences from occurring. The internet is much too large to implement and carry out, effectively, such a law. Regardless, a law like this would infringe on people's rights of free speech. If a threat to someone's safety is made then legal action can be considered, but in any other circumstance one must simply be aware that posting their race or gender online creates the possibility for trolls to surface or racist arguments to occur.

This is why, as an online presence in the 21st century, one must protect themselves and be aware of the consequences of revealing personal information online. Due to anonymity, there are far more fearless people out there with prominent negative voices and lack of regard for others. As a result, one must prepare for the worst reactions when making public any personal information including race or gender.

Sanitation or Bust

It’s a quiet weekday morning. The birds are chirping and the sun is shining. I walk towards the kitchen and take a deep breath only to be alarmed by the ripe stench of spoiling food filling my nose. Unfortunately, this is a typical occurrence for me while living in residence.

Roommates are a fact of life. It’s a rite of passage to learn to live with other people that aren't your family. It is continuously a struggle to live with people you don’t know whether they are wonderful or terrible. I’m not saying my roommates are terrible but, when there are dirty dishes and garbage everywhere, I tend to get a little short on patience. All I am asking for is a little more concern on their parts for the cleanliness of our kitchen. Every morning I wake up to the dreadful sight of a sink filled with dishes and a countertop covered in dirty pots and pans. By the evening time these piles only increase and I have become completely fed up with it. My evening routine usually goes as follows; I quickly make my food, eat and clean my dishes in the cramped corner of the sink so as to not torture myself with the smell and sight of our kitchen longer than I have to. Once that is done I run into my bedroom and take a deep inhale of clean, breathable air.

One particularly defining moment was one evening when I wanted to make myself pasta for dinner but, to no surprise, the kitchen sink and stove were completely covered in dirty dishes. However, I wouldn't let this mountain of disgust hold me back from my meal. I mustered up a great deal of courage and stuck my hands in the murky, rank dishwater in the sink and began washing the dishes I needed to use for cooking. Following this, I cleared off enough space on the stove to see the glimmering hope of a single burner. I turned it on and cooked my pasta. Once the pasta was cooked a realization came upon me. How was I going to drain the pasta? There was absolutely no space, even with the dishes I had cleaned out of the way, for me to do this. So, I took the pots and dishes I needed into the bathroom and continued preparing my meal in there. I strained the pasta and plated my food on the bathroom countertop feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment for having achieved my goal even in the face of adversity. As a final act of defiance, and since there was no room in the sink, I left my dirty dishes in my roommates’ bathroom sink as I nice surprise for when they returned home.

Now, you’re probably wondering how I can live like this; and I must agree that this is no way to live. Therefore, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and talk to my RA. Together, with my roommates, we've made an agreement that at least half the sink must be kept empty so that I am able to cook and clean as I wish without having to go through countless struggles. Let’s just hope that my dirty dorm mates keep to their agreement. Please wish me luck on my next adventure into the unknown.

My First Swim of the Summer

The night was dark, cold and dreary. Rain was pounding on my window. The incessant noise kept me awake for hours while I clenched my teeth hoping the precipitation would let up soon. My eyes started to get heavy when suddenly there was a hard knock at the door. I looked at my clock seeing the numbers that read 3:00 am blaze a green hue across my room. I wondered who could possibly be at our door at this hour? I heard heavy footsteps and the low, deep voice of my dad as he walked to the front door and opened it. I heard murmurings against the constant waves of rain falling against the wind. The conversation ended and the door closed.

I groggily walked out of my room to see my dad waiting for me in the doorway. I asked him who was at the door and he responded by telling me that the police were sent to tell us to leave our house as soon as possible. We were being ordered to evacuate our house due to flooding in the area. I immediately ran to the window and was shocked to see a wave of water turn the corner and come rushing down our street. I looked at my dad again but he was already stomping back to bed. This must just be a crazy dream, I thought to myself. With that, I too slumped back to bed while the pounding rain lulled me to sleep.

I was awoken to the bright light of the morning sun. I took a deep breath and inhaled the sweet smell of... wet dog? I sniffed again. Definitely wet dog and mud. I stretched my arms and legs out taking my time getting out of bed until I recognized the sound of rushing water. I quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the living room only to see muddy water flowing into our house from the doorway. The backyard was full of water! I ran to the window and saw the street flowing like a river with muddy water. This was definitely not a dream anymore. I ran to my dads' room and shook him until he awoke. I told him what I had seen and he told me to grab my things. We quickly packed our bags and threw on our bathing suits. Once we were ready to go we opened the front door and dived in. The water was freezing cold to the point where I couldn't feel my toes. I was looking forward to finally getting to go swimming this summer but I would have never guessed that this would be the case.

We continued to swim holding our bags high above our heads. We swam by cars floating beside us and entire tree trunks also being dragged down the street. I looked into the distance, at the end of the road, I could see dry land and on it were two policeman watching us swim towards them while they shook their heads laughing.

First Post

Welcome to my student blog! This blog is for my Writing in a Digital Context class.