Journal 6 : I didn’t expect this. A new trilogy?



Bilbo Baggins played by actor Martin Freeman



Nearly 10 years later The Hobbit: The unexpected journey is created. Lord of the rings has always intrigued me. That’s why the article The Hobbit: An unexpected journey on- and off-screen by Geoff Boucher caught my eye. This article describes the connections between the cast of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. It explains how family-like these people are, and according to Peter Jackson that is how the movie will succeed.

                I found this interesting. How could something that involves so much time and money function with a close group of people. Turns out I was write there were fights and delays, changed deadlines, and sickness. All slowed the process of the film.

                Now it looks like they are back on track with the first movie coming out in December, and I’ll be there to decide if it was worth the wait. I have been a fan of lord of the rings for a long time and I won’t give up just yet, even though I have a hunch in my gut that says it won’t be worth it. There are some big shoes to fill trying to reach popularity as high as the first trilogy has.  

Popculture Journal 5: Lord of the Rings Lego Style



Lego Gandalf casting magic with his staff. The detail used is incredible.



               Lego continues to grow and impress its audience with its new creation Lego Lord of the Rings out for many of the top gaming consoles, also including PC. The article “Lego The Lord of the Rings delivers a lighthearted Middle-earth”, by Noelene Clark goes in depth in an interview with TT Games executive producer Nick Ricks to determine how Lego has created this game for its target audience, who happen to be children and family. Throughout the article Nick explains that this game has been created to inspire children to explore their imaginations without leaving a violent imprint behind. I believe that these new Lego games are just what children need. I myself have played TT Games executive producer Nick Ricksthe Indiana Jones Lego game with some younger children and found they had great interest. With new technology and adding voices to the characters their interest will only grow.

                These Lego games are created with exact details from the novels and movies. This was interesting to learn because of all the violence in the movies. Nick Ricks explains that the details are simply brought down to a child’s level and not ignored. To me this was astonishing that they could use so much detail but sensor the violence. I defiantly agree with this strategy. It is important for children to be exposed to this creativity and imagination without focusing on violence. I give two thumbs up to Tolkien Games and Lego for their production of these youth inspiring games.

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/11/13/lego-the-lord-of-the-rings-delivers-a-lighthearted-middle-earth/#/9

Journal 3: Iron Man 3 A Co Production in China?

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/23/iron-man-3-first-footage-reveals-new-villain-no-china/

            To sum up the article, Iron Man 3 : First footage reveals new villain, no China,  by Julie Makinen the United States has not decided whether or not too apply for a co-production of Iron Man 3 with China. The article states that the U.S still has options of what to do with the film, but with the film deadline approaching in May of 2013 time is of the essence. The article posts the first trailer from the film which from the movie aspect in my opinion wasn’t very entertaining. From the article I learned that China has co-produced the past Marvel Iron Man movies. This was interesting to me and also made me think, with the Chinese help on the past hits “Why wouldn’t the U.S go for another round?” The movies have been great in the past and I look forward to seeing the new one in May.

 I think the author did a nice job of explaining the options of the U.S. and showing past data from the Chinese box office. One major thing the article lacks is description of the trailer presented. Julie announces the clips release in the title, but then focuses on the decisions yet to be made. I would have incorporated more information on the trailer itself, then lead into the decision to be made. This would have lead the reader’s interest’s in the trailer to fulfillment.

Brief Screening Report: No Country For Old Men

Brief Screening Report: No Country For Old Men

 Llewellyn Moss is a persistent man and with the money in his hands he will do what he has to escape with it. An important scene that clearly shows this characters intent takes place in a hospital during a phone call between Llewellyn Moss, the man on the run who is a patient in this scene, and Anton Chigurh, the man who chases him. (Approximately 1 hour 23 minutes into film) Up till the phone call Moss has been shot and barley escaped death multiple times, yet he continues to run with the money without using creativity to escape or making a deal to trade the money for his life. When Moss finally comes to his senses he calls Carson Wells, the man who offered him safety and part of the money for the 2 million, but it’s too late. Anton answers the phone and gives Moss an ultimatum. Give his life and the money or his wife dies. Moss gets angry and turns down the offer and sends a threat to Chigurh. This just proves that Moss is persistent on keeping the cash, but willing to put his wife’s life in danger.

This scene is clearly important because it emphasizes Llewellyn Moss’s intent with the money along with proving he won’t take help from anyone and is willing to risk lives. Also being in a hospital wearing a gown is showing that Moss is in a weak state compared to his cowboy look. It makes the viewer think he is going to give up. But instead he fights on with the money.

This scene goes against what I expected to happen at this point. I thought Llewellyn Moss would give Carson the money right away. When he didn’t and the ultimatum was offered by Anton I thought he would proudly save his wife by facing Anton with the money.  Instead he tries to keep the money and plans to go after Anton.

Although Llewellyn Moss survives this scene, in a following scene his persistence and lack of a creative plan lead to a surprising demise for him and his wife.

Journal Blog 2: Rush Hour 2 Movie Aspects of Interest

Rush Hour 2 DVD Cover Picture

Rush Hour Two is a great movie that I love watching again and again. The main reason that makes it a great movie to me is that it combines my two favorite genre of movies; action and comedy. Rush Hour Two is a hilarious, action packed movie that takes place in Hong Kong and L.A. L.A detective (James Carter) teams up Chinese Detective (Lee) to stop the Triads from smuggling illegally printed money into the USA, among other crimes. The two detectives encounter many difficulties including my favorite part, when they find themselves outnumbered in a Chinese spa. Things other than genre that catch my attention in this movie are the sound effects, ethnic innuendos, and the great acting skills performed by Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan.

An example of why the sound effects draw my attention is the way that the punches sound so unrealistic that it is funny. By the end of the movie you have heard so many unrealistic punch sounds that you think that’s what a punch actually sounds like.

The ethnic innuendos in the movie are not real offensive. They just make people laugh, especially coming from African American James Carter. His high pitched voice, and hyper impatient attitude, combined with a funny innuendo about Chinese people is the perfect combination to make the viewer laugh hysterically.

The most important aspect of the movie that makes it awesome is the acting. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker do an amazing job of putting their real personalities into their characters. Jackie Chan is a great martial art actor and preforms most of his own stunts. Chris Tucker has a great sense of humor and doesn’t struggle making the viewer laugh. The important aspect of their acting in this movie is that they both share each other’s strengths. Both are very comical and perform well in the fighting scenes.

Overall the film has very formal aspects showing the Chinese culture in Hong Kong compared to the culture of an American in L.A. A good way the movie shows these aspects is by placing the main characters in each setting showing how they stand out.

Response to "Winning Actually Isn't the Only Thing"

Packers vs. Sehawks:Winning touchdown a debatable call? 

           
            The main argument of the paper wasn’t that the refs made a terrible call but the dissapointing reaction of the winning coach and quarterback knowing the call was false. David Maraniss states that Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson’s reactions were disappointing and repelling. The fact that the call will never change will leave a slight impact for a while, but the actions shown by the coach and QB will leave a lasting imprint on their personalities.

            I saw the game and completely agree with Maraniss. They didn’t have to act like there was no doubt in their mind that it was the right call. There is a certain respect that should be shown in these situations. The right thing to do is to accept the win and not brag that the call was correct. In fact the video footage proving the bad call makes Carroll and Wilson look stupid and ignorant. To believe that winning is everything puts sham on the game of football and sports in general. There is always a loser to every game and more respect should be shown for the situation than there was.
            To view this article visit washingtonpost.com

Beleaving Game B

                    I truly believe bass fishing is a sport. To back up my beliefs I will say that I am a member of the UWSP Bass Fishing team. We are called the Big Dawgs and compete in many tournaments throughout the year. I believe that being a part of this team makes bass fishing a sport. Besides the team aspect, bass fishing does take a large amount of mental and physical capabilities. When I’m fishing a tournament I stand on my feet in a boat for nearly 7-8 hours, and cast hundreds and hundreds of times. It takes quite a bit of physical strength and stamina to do this. Mental skill is probably the most important part in being a bass fisherman. Understanding the science of where the fish are, and why are they there?, is a difficult thing to master. So everyone can go out and fish but the strength and mental aspects, let alone being a part of a team, makes me believe that bass fishing isn’t just an activity, but indeed a sport.