Wednesday, August 22, 2018

TOPIC 2: CAMPUS RADIO

I think LBCC creating a radio station could open up a lot of doors for students who want to pursue a career or something like that in the future. Does it seem feasible, yes, but also no. I think that a radio station is a great idea, but is it fully thought out? I personally don’t think that many students would take the time to listen to a radio station hosted by LB. With all the new Bluetooth connecting appliances students use, it gives them the choice to listen and play whatever they’d like, and most importantly on command. Even if it did work out, I think the number of listeners would still be minimal compared to the majority that likes to listen to their own things. A couple formats that could be used would be an opinion channel, being open to students’ new ideas and changes that they would like to see at LBCC. This format could take these things into consideration to make the environment better for the students and even faculty. Another would be going around and getting information from students on what music they are listening to currently. As well as forming a format of “Top 40 Most Popular Songs on the LBCC Campus”. Getting quick and easy surveys via paper, text, email, or even through the LBCC app is a great way to reach out to many of the students and get their take on the topic.
Funding for this venture could consist of going out to the LBCC community and making a name for themselves. They could start off by reaching out to the art majors at LBCC to see if they would like to help and participate by making banners or signs that are shown off throughout the community. Reaching out to other advertisers could help get LBCC’s name out there much quickly as well. Putting something in the brochure for new coming students would be a good thought considering there is a possibility new students have an interest in the media broadcasting and the LBCC Radio Station.

TOPIC 1: MUSIC'S INFLUENCE

Though music is a huge part of my life, and it has a big impact on shaping me who I am today, there still can be some songs that make me second guess if this type of music is right for me. Being the age I am, as well as being surrounded by other friends and influencers, rap music is very popular. The music is trendy and super in nowadays, and I can’t deny that it is a great genre to listen to while getting hype before a big a game. Some artists I hesitate to listen to though because of their lyrics being too derogative. For example, famous rapper Gucci Mane has a popular song called “I Get the Bag”, and one part of the song I seriously cringe at because it makes me so uncomfortable. I don’t see myself as a big feminist type, but after taking an English class with a very feminist teacher in high school, I have my moments! I honestly don’t mess with that song anymore and don’t particularly like Gucci Mane in the first place. I don’t really listen to him anymore, and his sexist remark in the song is part of that reason.
Like I said, I enjoy many rap artists and rap music in general. My favorite rap artists would include J. Cole, Migos, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Travis Scott. I listen to them the majority of the year, especially while at school because that is mostly what the environment around me is listening to anyway. But during the summer, I am all about country music. Luke Bryan, Tim Mcgraw, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean… The list goes on and on and on. Something about good summer vibes and the warm weather makes country the ultimate genre to listen to.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

MAGAZINES

Growing up the top three magazines that most intrigued me were Cosmopolitan, NBC News, and occasionally ESPN on my phone. Growing up, as well as being a girl, Cosmopolitan has always interested me in what each months subscription had to offer, tips on many things like fashion, makeup, hair, and relationships. NBC News caught my interest when I got an iPhone, and it automatically would update and notify me on what is happening in the world, and most importantly with the president. Growing up my whole life I was involved with sports, so ESPN was an easy choice for my top three magazines, I get notifications on sports that I am most interested in like the MLB, NBA, and have gotten more intrigued with the NFL as well. I wasn't a big fan of football, but maybe I have this magazine to thank for helping me like it more.
These magazines all feature something similar, famous people. Either celebrities or athletes are starred as well as their stories being told in these magazines are what grasps many peoples' attention. Being a consumer, these magazines show what I am most interested in and what I can relate to in my life whether it be from experience or something I just enjoy.

BANNED BOOKS AND YOUR BOOKSHELF


After looking at the ALA website for books banned in 2017, there were a few I recognized and a couple that I have actually read. I read 13 Reasons Why shortly before the Netflix series came out, and have also read To Kill A Mockingbird during high school. Objections towards 13 Reasons Why stands because of its discussion of suicide, and TKAM stands due to violence and use of the N-word. I personally enjoyed reading both of these books, they both had hidden meanings that you really had to dig for to understand the true meaning of the novel. Limiting certain access to some books for class use can be handy to avoid certain issues that could arise with students. On the other hand, I think some objections seem to be a little too harsh. For example in To Kill A Mockingbird, one of the reasons for banning it was because of the books violence. Many books have violence in them, and if it is not a specific kind of violence shown in TKAM then I think violence being one of the main reasons to ban this book is ridiculous. As this decade comes close to an end, that doesn't stop the spiral of more books exposing violence and the discussion of suicide in them... I think in the future we should learn to cope with what certain books have displayed in them, and learn how to get past that to see the true meaning of the story being told.
If you were to look at my personal bookshelf, writers would embrace that I am very much a "head over heels" romantic type of reader with a dash of mystery. The Girl On The Train, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, The Vampire Diaries series, these are only a few books on my shelf that show what I am mostly interested in. I am not much on reading, but when I do you can tell what type I am mostly invested in.

Monday, August 6, 2018

DEADPOOL 2... Project #2

The movie I chose to review is the new 2018 film “Deadpool 2”, directed by David Leitch. I chose this particular movie because after seeing the first one I really enjoyed the action, romance, comedy, and sly remarks having to do with other Marvel movies. The casting in this film also makes it more compelling to watch. The main character is Ryan Reynolds, one of every woman’s favorite actors... and if he has to be covered in a red suit all movie so be it,  girls still want to see a film with their favorite man in it! It currently stands out because of it being a sequel to the first movie, it continues with the sly marvel remarks, and unforgettable, comical scenes.
David Leitch is an American film director, second unit director, producer, actor, stunt coordinator, and stuntman. Also known for his other films such as 2017’s Atomic Blonde, 2014’s John Wick, and others. I believe “Deadpool 2” is one of the better films I’ve spent my time watching. What makes this movie so great starts off with having Ryan Reynolds as the main character. He is a very popular actor starred in many other well-known films. His comical lines, as well as his undeniable face, leads the crowd wanting nothing but more from him. This movie being a sequel, It’s hard giving away the plot without spilling some very big information!

"...devilishly clever"

A little about the first film, “Deadpool” is about a man (Ryan Reynolds) who is diagnosed with cancer and has only a few months to live. Preparing for his deathbed, he is approached by an experimental scientist who tells him he can heal his cancer. When he agrees to do the experiment, to stay alive for his one and only true love, it goes terribly wrong… Although his cancer was healed, he is transformed into a man with a face and body that looks like a bad disease. Soon he learns as twisted and crazy as it sounds, he cannot die. His body heals itself from everything beyond the outside world, and he soon has to learn to cope with his new body. The first movie got a rating of 8/10 on IMDb, and the new movie with a rating of 8/10 on IMDb as well, following with a $731.3 million dollar box office. Rumor has it Ryan Reynolds doesn't think “Deadpool 3” will happen, and instead thinks “Deadpool 2” will be followed by “X-Force”. If you have seen “Deadpool”, you know what that entails…

David Leitch is most known for his thriller films. The thing that makes “Deadpool 2” different than his other films such as Atomic Blonde (2017), the Bourne Legacy (2012), and John Wick (2014), is that “Deadpool 2” ties in with the science fiction/fantasy genre. It reflects off the Marvel movies and has a very dry sense of humor to it. It can be a tad gory but carries the similar badass fighting scenes like Leitch’s other films. The thing that makes “Deadpool 2” so much different than other fantasy/science-fiction films is, again, the comical lines it has throughout the movie. You might also want to conclude that this is a comedy film just because of its script, which is what I believe makes it different than the other movies in this genre. Some might compare this movie to Guardians of the Galaxy for their similar fantasy/science-fiction category description, along with many other Marvel films.
Many people out there are big fans of the Marvel series and I think that the more they branch off of their comics, the more people can experience their childhood through the films created. Marvel has become such a worldwide phenomenon, everything it shares and portrays in its movies and comics helps people find a deep connection with it. After watching the film, in my eyes, there aren’t stereotypes, but maybe some offensive messages within the movie, if there were more, they would be informed in a way that was comical to the audience, just like the one I viewed. For example, towards the end of “Deadpool 2” it shows a scene of Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), who travels back in time to see young Ryan Reynolds sign the agreement to act in the movie “Green Lantern”, (which was one of the movies he really did act in), the scene continues with Deadpool shooting young Ryan Reynolds in the head after signing the papers. Many people find this scene comical because according to reviews, “Green Lantern” was one of the worst Marvel movies ever produced and made. But on the other hand, this can show a type of bash on the “Green Lantern”, and everyone who worked so hard on the film.

"Funnier, filthier, and damn entertaining..."

I believe there are many strengths that make this movie as popular as it is. The comical dialogue between the characters, the needed fighting scenes that make the movie more interesting and on the edge of your seat, and finally, adding a dash of romance between Deadpool and his love interest in the movie tops it off with giving the audience different emotions. It really pulls the audience's feelings one way or another, like an emotional roller coaster you can’t get enough of. All in all, I would say this is a good film directed, produced, and acted. Viewing Leitch’s previous work, and comparing, I would say this movie takes the cake. It’s comical but has its riveting, thrilling scenes. It all ties back together well and flows nicely. Considering this is a sequel to the first movie, reviews have obviously been on the popular side. I don’t think that this movie will be forgotten anytime soon, and with the thought of having a next one coming out, I would say this series is on popular demand! The NY Times shares “The script for Deadpool 2 is loaded with winky, fourth-wall-piercing eruptions of meta, the kind of humor that can make even the slow-witted and literal-minded feel devilishly clever.” Also, a review from Empire states it is “Funnier, filthier, and damn entertaining, Deadpool 2 leaves no stone un-deconstructed: the naughty man-child of the X-Men universe who manages to beat them at their own game.” I couldn’t agree more with what the critics have to say.

Leitch is well known throughout social media, he carries around 30 thousand followers on Instagram and just over 6,500 on Twitter. Pondering on his Twitter account, I soon reviewed it and came to the conclusion he does most of his advertising or promoting by retweeting. He retweeted information about “Deadpool 2” from leading role actor, Ryan Reynolds’ account. After taking a look at his account, I reviewed many things on the film and how much it took off after being released to the public. Deadline Hollywood’s account let the people know that “‘Deadpool 2’ Hits $705M WW To Become #3 R-Rated Title Ever At Global Box Office”. After seeing Leitch’s line of work, and it not being my first movie I have seen by him, I am eager to see what he has for us next! My family and friends are very much into his line of work, we all enjoy Marvel movies, but our favorites happen to land on Deadpool 1 and 2. They capture your attention with every scene, and a movie can’t get much better than that!
Getting to know more about Leitch’s previous, present, and future work has been an exciting task at hand for sure. I imagine he will come out with more brilliantly directed movies as well, and I cannot wait for what is to come in the spin-off movie “X-Force”. Critiquing Leitch’s work was easy considering there wasn’t much to critique. I look forward to catching up on more movies directed by him, and how they are reviewed by others.
http://collider.com/deadpool-3-ryan-reynolds-x-force-movie/
https://deadline.com/2018/06/deadpool-2-crosses-700-million-global-box-office-1202416468/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/14/movies/deadpool-2-review-ryan-reynolds.html?referrer=google_kp

Thursday, August 2, 2018

FAKE NEWS

I believe that President Trump has a right to call out certain things that he believes is “fake news”, but I also believe that a big part of why he calls out these news companies and news stories is because he disagrees with what they have to say whether it be the truth or not the truth, as well as it having to do with him or not. When doing this, you better have a reason, or evidence why the information out there is “fake” if you have the courage to call that specific person out about it. On another note, I think many journalists have the right to feel that the President is doing a disservice, and harming democracy as well as the first amendment because of interrupting their right of freedom of speech. Whatever they choose to share with the nation or with their community, they obviously have those same reasons for sharing it as trump does for calling them out about it. They have evidence to back up why they are sharing it, as well as a motive to share this information with others out loud. For example, the CBS news article about Trump, and him saying that fake news is “the enemy of people”, I can’t help but agree. The information that flies around throughout the nation can be very hurtful and untrue which can lead to even bigger issues that can potentially deteriorate many people's lives. I think President Trump telling it like it is, with valid evidence to why he thinks that, is necessary.

NEWSPAPERS

I try to get my local news from reliable sources, which comes from social media most of the time. Twitter, I would say is the number one news source I use. After making a second account on Twitter to just focus on what’s really going on in the world, like with President Trump, and things happening and affecting many people, it has really opened my eyes on the lack of knowledge I really have on certain things. I do not have a subscription to any publications, mainly for the reason that I can get free news off of the Internet whenever I need to, as well as through social media, friends, and family. On a scale of one to five, I would say I would be a three on being most informed on what is going on with current events. Whether it be throughout the world, or in my community. A big part of that has to do with my interests. I’m more interested in getting to know the information about new movies or sports in my general community or even across the nation, rather than politics and economics. I believe it’s very important to stay informed on what’s going on throughout your community (and nation) in order to be a change, and have your voice heard on some situations that you can make a difference on. For example, if someone is trying to change a rule having to do with sports in our community, I would probably like to know that so that I can take the right repercussions and learn how to adjust. Same goes for if you all the sudden have a new governor, and they start to change things… Or just like in any change of society. These are all good reasons to stay ahead on new information.