The worst of american Idol

So I was watching the highlights from the worst of American Idol. I thought it was hilarious, I don't care if its fake or staged or part real and part fake, whatever the case it made me laugh, and that is what is important. It got me thinking about other shows that I watch, Wipeout, the soup, AFV, I realize I just like seeing people humiliate themselves. This may not be nice to say, but judging on the success of these shows, many people feel the same way. I think its also something of that you can't help but look at a train crash, or car crash senerio. I think humans are programed to not want to see people hurt but we like to see messes, whether its a car wreck on the side of the road or people looking like idiots on TV. I wonder why it is. I wonder if it makes us feel better about our lives. I have a good life, but just like anybody I get down in the dumps, whats better than seeing someone else have a bad day. I guess its just a fulfilling feeling. I wonder what all of you think of this idea.

My thoughts on Control Room

This great documentary follows the men and women who work for Al Jazeera, a news station that broadcasts to the middle eastern countries. Around the time 9/11 took place I had first heard of Al Jazeera, and I had heard from people that it was a propagandist tool for terrorist. I never questioned this until seeing this documentary. I think a lot of people in America think this because we've been told that by our leaders. After watching the documentary I now know that this is simply not the case. Are they completely objective; I wouldn't say that. At the time the doc was filmed, the war in Iraq had just started, many of those who work for Al-Jazeera are Iraqi, or muslim, and their people were being killed by our bombs, so its hard to remain objective when you see this. Also one of the workers for Al-Jazeera was killed by a US bomb. I wouldn't say they were anti-American or hated Americans, one of the lead journalist for Al-Jazeera said "I believe in the constitution, and I believe in the American People." These people were simply against the war, and they're reports echoed that.

They were heavily criticized as being propaganda for the enemy because of 1) when bombs killed innocent lives they showed this, and they were accused of fabricating these shots, 2) they aired footage of killed American troops, and american POWs. Americans may not be used to seeing these horrible sites but this is war and they are showing it in all of its horribleness I have to say that the journalist who work for Al-Jazeera seemed to not harbor anti-American feelings and this is shown in several instances. Many of the other networks that have offices at CENT COM, commented on the Al Jazeera staff as being nice people and they are seen socializing with each other. Also one of Al-Jazeera's journalists' had a great relationship with Josh Rushing, the media liazon at CENT COM. Rushing is my favorite figure in the entire film. He is what I believe a true patriot, someone who loves his country and is brave enough to serve, but also brave enough to show that the American perspective is not the only one that matters. He a tremendously sympathetic guy, and its interesting to note that he now works for Al Jazeera, the english version. All in all, the film does a great job of showing that Al Jazeera is not the monster Americans thing it is, it is biased, but you show me a news station that is not biased, and don't tell me Fox News.

If you liked Josh Rushing too follow this link, he was on the daily show about 2 years ago.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-july-16-2007/josh-rushing

Summer and TV

I used to dread the summer for one thing, TV sucks during the summer. But as of lately theres some good stuff on TV. One of my favorite shows Rescue Me, is on during the summer. I look forward every week for a new episode. I recently just started watching Wipeout and its hilarious, I strongly recommend everybody watch it. The Soup is on during the summer as well. I remember when there seemed to be nothing on during the summer but I've been very happy lately that that has changed. TV shows are sort of like friends, or maybe the characters do. You watch them constantly for maybe 5 to 6 months during the fall and winter and they become such a big part of your life, than that season or god forbid series finale comes and it devastates you. You make so much room in your schedule for your shows and then one day you got nothing to recorded on your DVR. Maybe I'm just being dramatic but I just really miss Jack Bauer and Peter Griffen, and the gang from Lost, I want them back. I wonder if anyone else feels the same way, or maybe I'm alone and way to dependent on TV, either way let me know.

An American Movie

An American Movie is a great little documentary. I watched this in the spring semester while taking one of Bjorn's Production classes and I got why he showed us it. We were only making 5 min shorts, and it was pretty time consuming and challenging, so we were able to really sympathize with Mark. This poor guy had so much debt and all he wanted to do was make a great horror movie, but problem after problem kept stopping him. At first Mark seems a bit annoying, preachy, and somewhat of a bum, but after watching the film, you realize Mark is a really smart and ambitious guy, who actually knows what he is doing. He's a hard worker and he's very passionate, and the guy not only grows on you but he inspires you. His family and friends also grow on you. They are a ragtag bunch but they love each other and stick together and although what Mark goes through is rough the movie is uplifting and happy because you know the guy is doing what he wants to do and is working to make his dream come true. I felt the makers of the documentary were sort of poking fun at the subjects but in the end I think they really do like Mark and he's painted as a sympathetic person. I really enjoyed this film immensely

Shattered Glass

I did not think I was going to like this movie, but wouldn't you know, I gave it a chance and really enjoyed it. The film was interesting and really surprising that it was based on a true story, The fact that Glass was able to get away with everything he did is shocking. What this movie does perfectly is show what plagiarism can do to your career, or what it can do for you education. I think the lesson of this film is don't plagiarize, don't make up facts. I've never considered plagiarizing, and never would. I have my own thoughts and I don't need anyone else's. And as far as stealing other people's work, whenever I think theres a slight chance I need to give someone credit I do, period. I don't really understand why Glass did what he did. Well I do, he wanted to succeed, but he must've realized one day he would be uncovered. He probably has a career in story telling waiting for him. The movie was well made and the acting, even by Hayden, was good.

The Hurt Locker

WOW!!!! What a movie!!! I implore all of you to go see it. Its the story of a bomb diffusing unit of soldiers in Iraq. Its one of those movies that stick with you for a while. For a film made with a low budget it has a very big look. The actors do a great job of conveying what war does to a human. The other thing that is exceptional about this film is its ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. The movie was more suspenseful than any movie I've ever seen. You never know which mission is going to kill the unit, which I imagine is true to life. I can't say anything negative about this film. The ending just sort of takes your breath away and throws you for a loop. I can't urge you all enough to go see this movie. Its the best movie I've seen in a long time.

This Film is Not Yet Rated

I love this movie for what it does, and that is to call the MPAA and its rating administration (CARA) out on its biases and its unfair and inconsistent practices. The MPAA is the creation of the five major studios and it really only caters to them, a film created outside of these studios is going to have a hard time getting a fair rating. I also like that the MPAA says that CARA reflects the average American parent. They should really say that CARA reflects the average conservative parent. Its clear that they have a problem with sex especially when it comes to sex between same sex couples. I've never really gotten why sex is deemed more indecent than violence. Some of the CARA members weren't even parents or were older and their kids were already grown up. CARA really reflects the views of the MPAA's former leader Jack Valenti. This current ratings system is so corrupt and unfair and that is seen in its inconsistent practices. For example the most recent Harry Potter film is PG, the last two were PG-13. This current film has the same amount of violence if even a little more (a boy has a spell cast on him that makes him bleed from his chest, and its not subtle looking. I'm not saying that Harry Potter films should be rated PG or PG-13 but a better system could ensure that rhe ratings of films could be done much more consistently and in a more uniform matter.