Journal #4 - Another Reality Show?

MTV
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/weeklydig/6872335442/)

Journal #4: Another Reality Show?

I was alarmed to find out from Josh Terry’s article “Vinny is the Next Jersey Shore Star to get a TV Show” (Newswire.com) that there will soon be yet another realty show based off of the completely ridiculous show Jersey Shore, which has lasted one too many seasons as it is in my opinion. MTV has continuously launched new shows featuring the stars of their hit show Jersey Shore with Snooki, JWOWW, and Pauly D, as if the drama of the original show wasn’t enough to satisfy viewers. The newest launch MTV is working towards is granting the seemingly most normal cast member, Vinny Guadagnino, his own talk show as well. It should be interesting to see if this show leads to success or disaster, as many of their other Jersey Shore spin offs have.

"Realism and Anti-Realism"

Movie Clapper Board (pixabay.com)

"Realism and Anti-Realism" from Richard Barsam's Looking at Movies

From my experience viewing films, movies have an unbelievable power to draw you in whether they are realistic or not. As the article discusses there are three main aspects to which movies can be categorized or at least have some correlation to. In my opinion realism relates to how factual an idea, scene, plot, or action of a movie is in correlation to our actual lives. An example that comes to mind when thinking about realism is the movie I was assigned for our evaluation essays, Slum dog Millionaire because it is so true to a real life situation. Another aspect movies or television shows can take on is anti-realism, which to me means the show is stretching the truth just so far that it makes the situation unlikely to ever occur in real life but still allows viewers to connect and without making us think it’s completely ridiculous, such as in many action movies or the movie Avatar. Lastly, verisimilitude seems to be at times kind of a mixture of realism and anti-realism that gives the overall effect of believability in the movie. The plot line may be somewhat realistic even if many scenes of the movie are virtually impossible, but as long as the movie continues its rhythm and draws you in, often times we will find it to be believable. Even in movies such as The Hunger Games where the overall plot is completely bizarre we are still able to find it plausible. Why? Because the story is consistent and shows us a possible new reality.

Journal #3: Comedy Films

Bridesmaids Movie Poster
 (c) 2011 Universal Pictures

Journal #3: Comedy Films 

My favorite genre of movies would definitely have to be humor films. Just about any type of comedy has the ability to lighten your mood, even on the worst of days, and give you a break from your hectic, busy schedule. Humorous movies have the wonderful power to unite groups of complete strangers by giving them a common ground through humor. Today there seems to be an endless stream of new comedies flowing into the market giving us an incredibly wide range of topics to choose from. With such a vast amount of films continuing to be produced in the comedy genre, there really is something out there to fit everyone’s taste.

Up Keeping the Halloween Spirit in a Delicious Way

Up Keeping the Halloween Spirit in a Delicious Way

Ingredients:Sharp Knife
Vegetable Oil
Garlic Salt
Salt
Big Spoon
Sharpie Marker
Big Bowl
Baking Sheet

Going to the pumpkin patch can be one of the most exciting adventures a child can experience. Not only is carving a pumpkin a good way for a child to express their creative side, it’s also very fun. The excitement and happiness that children share while getting ready for pumpkin festivities is enjoyable for most parents. Then, bam! Once that orange cap is off, there is highlighter colored orang gooey innards, guts and seeds all over! While the kids are having a ball digging out the innards and squeezing the orange goop, the adults are focused on the goopy orange mess left on the surface. The parents’ once enjoyment of watching the child carving the pumpkin is over. If carving pumpkins is not done right it can be messy, but not to worry if you follow this process, you will surely get things done in a fun, organized and even delicious way.

The wonderful Pumpkin Patch

Journal #2: Yéle Scams the People of Haiti

Haiti Earthquake by United Nations Development Program

Journal #2: Yéle Scams the People of Haiti 


“Wyclef Jean Shuts down His Haiti Charity after Allegations of Impropriety” by Eric Thurm (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-new-york-attorney-general-found-all-sorts-of-s,86621/) grabbed my attention because of its ironic nature. The thought of a celebrity putting his or her own name out there in a good intentioned venture, such as Wyclef Jeans’ charity, Yéle, only to turn around and steal the profits and donations is inexcusable. Yéle is Wyclef Jean’s organization put together to help restore the lives and communities of those in need after Haiti’s massive 2010 earthquake. This article informed me of the controversy surrounding Yéle concerning how Jean may have been financially abusing the funds of this organization. Although the financial accusations are still under investigation, I don’t find them hard to believe considering the numerous outrageous expenses that have been brought to the surface of this topic, such as the private jet transportation taking Lindsey Lohan to an event that earned only nearly enough profit to cover the costs it took to get her there.

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Carved Pumpkins for Halloween (Star News Online, Brian Tucker)

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Begin first by going to your local farm, grocery store, pumpkin patch ... anywhere pumpkins are sold. Select a pumpkin that appeals to you, preferablyone that is symmetrical, medium sized, and clean! Purchase the pumkin and bring it to the site you plan to complete this project, outside or in a garage are most common. Lay out newspaper on the ground for easy clean up and then gather the supplies you will need; a serated knife, large spoon, garbage bag, and optionally a bowl for keeping the seeds, paint for futher decoration, or a candle to illuminate your carved pumpkin. Begin first by choosing a design you want to carve into the pumpkin. Draw the design on the pumpkin. Next, use your serated knife to cut a circle around the pumpkin stem all the way through the outer shell of the pumpkin. Once you have cut out the top section, remove this part by pulling from the stem, set top of pumpkin aside. Begin scooping out the "guts" of the pumpkin with your large spoon into a garbage bag (separate seeds if you would like to keep for baking). Next, begin carving out your design with the knife and push out pieces you have cut out. Once you complete the design carving, youre finnised! Add painted details on teh outside or a lit candle within the pumpkin to illuminate if desired.

Journal #1: Maybe Winning Is Most Important!

Pete Carrol, Seahawks head coach, celebrating the controversial win following
Monday nights Packer vs Seahawk game. The Photo Brigade. Web. 1 Oct. 2012

Journal #1: Maybe Winning Is Most Important!

David Maraniss argues in his article “Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing” that members of Seahawks team acted rudely about the game conclusion last Monday. Although Maraniss makes it clear that his loyalty is still to his team, the Packers, he debates both sides of the story fairly in the case that the outcome would have been reversed, giving the Packers the advantage. Maraniss’ main point was to draw attention to the ill-mannered actions of Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson following the final play of the game. He argues that the two men acted arrogantly and as if they had deserved the win fair and square. Maraniss believes that if the roles had been reversed, you would not have seen Mike McCarthy, Packers head coach, ranting around with his arms in the air signaling a touchdown as Pete Carroll did or one of our players acting deserving of such a win.