When I Grow Up

For the longest time all of my aspirations were those of outlandish dreams of a child. I had wanted to be a Pokemon master, a DJ in the mysterious french techno underground that my retired air force uncle told me about. I had wanted to be a business major at the college of Berkley, to sing dance and act with my background coming from NYU.

Now I'm older, and I feel like the goal I have now is just as unrealistic. I was frequently told by my grandmother that film is not a stable industry to go into, that government oriented work is much more dependable. The thing is that I have never felt the need to be behind a desk for the rest of my life. Though I would sit behind a desk working for GQ or DC Comics any day, there is something about Working on film that has always enamored me.

Even though the industry is mainly made for making money, it's true root is in entertaining people. Anyone can go into a movie with the worst mood and come out happy. Filmmakers create emotion and let people escape reality. And I want to be a part of a team that does that.

Top 5 Print ads (in no particular order)

This one was a little bit harder to do seeing as I don't pay much attention to those. But that's what the internet is for right?

I love things that are color heavy and have to do with the right and left brain psychology. So this one is definitely a favorite.  This ads goes to the people of Mercedes-Benz

Give an animal a shot gun and hilarity ensues. This ad is for pocket pies with the caption stating prepare snacks quick and easy

Imagine my surprise when I saw this for the first time and thinking this was true before not seeing the fine print (which states, essentially, the Mcdonalds hires people not race).

A piece of the ad for Batman's Arkham City. It's Batman, so when I first saw it at a gamestop I had a fangirl moment of true glory. Another game I want to play but haven't.

An artfully done awareness ad. I think more people should look at this and understand the struggles people with eating disorders go through.

Top 5 Commercials(in no particular order)

The Sundrop Commercial: Who doesn't love seeing a tragically white girl dance to the beats of a hardcore rap song? I must say that my favorite moment is when she's passing by on the boat. I have tried Sundrop after seeing this and thought it was pretty good. Fun Fact: Drop it Like it's Hot went back to #1 on itunes shortly after the release of this commercial.

Panda Cheese: The hilarious combination of an aggresive panda with a serene face just does something to ensue hilarity. The song definitely doesn't do anything to help the situation. I think the best out of these might be a tie between the hospital scene and the grocery store.

Giga Pudding: I don't know why. Please don't ask me why. I don't know the answer. However I will say that flan should never be that big. 

Dead Island release trailer: In my opinion, one of the most beautifully made trailers for a video game I have seen thus far. The music thought and artistry put behind this is gorgeous and and makes me really want to play the game. The first time you see it, it can be a bit confusing, however just being able to appreciate the graphics is a treat enough.

I can't give you a description without giving things away but I will say this: Gotcha.

The internet and politics

As part of a group project, I had to figure out the workings of politics and media. I found the part about the internet to be relevant to the interests of our class.

As several nations such as China and the United States start the process for a change in regime, many are making the change to focus their strategy to the internet to reel in voters. In a 2006 article in the New York Times, Adam Nagourney talks about the shift from traditional media to the cyber highway. “The Internet, they said, appears to be far more efficient, and less costly, than the traditional tools of politics, notably door knocking and telephone banks.

Analysts say the campaign television advertisement, already diminishing in influence with the proliferation of cable stations, faces new challenges as campaigns experiment with technology that allows direct messaging to more specific audiences, and through unconventional means” (Nagourney). He goes on to say that in the United States alone, people started to rely more on the internet for their information than any other source. Through the internet, people are able to blog political stand point, create podcasts that preach platform to those that wish to hear it, and for the people of several nations to respond quickly. The events of the Jasmine revolution were first exposed by those who posted videos and blogs to the internet. The majority of the Obama campaign was presented through the internet and this year he opened blogging sites that will entice the young vote. And that in itself is the reason why the internet is becoming a greater power than its older counterpart; the young vote. If the old players want to gain pawns for their cause they have to be able to stay with the technological advances of the youth that will someday take over. The winner will become the person who can present their information in the most concise and interesting way possible.

My Top 5 Movies (in no particular order)

I actually really wanted to do this blog but I simply forgot about it. So I'll do it now for the kicks.

1. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

In my opinion, this movie is the perfect description of our generation: one part hipster, one part nerd, all parts awesome. I enjoyed the quick sarcastic banter and the interesting fight scenes. I could say the words to it if I were watching it. Scott Pilgrim has, in a way, become a lifestyle choice for me and my friends back in Virginia. Like we gave each other characters from the movie that we are most like (I'm Kim Pine, the sarcastic dead-pan drummer of Sex bob-omb) So this movie has emotional ties to me that keep me with my friends, and I guess that's why I like it so much.

      2. A Single Man

This movie is Tom Ford's first jump into film and it is beautifully done. I enjoy this movie because, in my opinion, it is a visual masterpiece. Especially knowing the book and seeing it come to movie form (the book is literally the inner machinations of the main character George; his thoughts, feeling, rants, etc.) makes me think that the fashion designer has something in the film industry.

       3. The Women

This is the movie I don't really like to admit to liking, but I somehow end up watching every time it comes on HBO, and I mean every time. Even when I had just finished it, I change to another channel and it's in the middle. I will watch it religiously. It's just this light funny comedy that always has me in stitches when I see it. It made me want to see the play by comparison.

      4. Spirited Away

I couldn't have left this blog post without having something connecting me to my old Otaku (meaning a fan of the anime) ways. Spirited Away is a moving piece of art with several Geo-political and moral messages that everyone should know. If you haven't seen a Miyazaki movie yet you need to, and I do recommend this one (or Kiki's Delivery Service) as a jump into that world.   

      5.  Okay so I don't necessarily have a number 5. The fact is that I have so many movies that are in this spot that I don't want to choose just one.  However a few on the list are:

• The Faculty
• LOTR
• Daybreakers
• 30 Days of Night
• Mulan
• Charlie Bartlett

And so many others. But in any case those are my tops. Will they be there in later years? A few of them I doubt (The Women, I'm ashamed to admit that one already) but I feel that I'll at least look fondly on Scott Pilgrim and Still love a single man when I'm 30 or so.