I tend to not get very political in anything I write because simply...I don't like politics. I don't find it interesting and think that the system, at least here in the US, is incredibly broken. But I suppose this blog post could be considered political due to the topic at hand. But anyway, let's get into it.

Yesterday, May 1st, 2011 it was announced that Osama Bin Laden was dead. The leader of Al-Qaeda and person behind the September 11th attacks was finally killed. Almost ten years after the terrible events, this man finally got his comeuppance. Yet why am I so annoyed by the whole thing?

It's turned into a media circus. People are celebrating it for all the wrong reasons. Yay he's dead, he was an awful human being who will rot in hell. But what does it affect? Sure, people will become falsely patriotic for a period of time (just like after 9/11) but sooner rather than later, it'll fade into obscurity. And that's what pisses me off. People are out chanting "USA! USA!" and waving flags around yet where were they a few years ago? Ashamed of their country and what we stood for. Wanting to practically impeach our President and yet now, they couldn't be happier with him. Those taking shots in celebration after I've never heard them utter a single political thing in their life is disgusting. People just like to celebrate and this is as good a reason as any.

Then there's Obama. He's been shit on since starting his term by the American public but now, he's a hero. His approval ratings will go through the roof and the world as we know it will be changed forever. Except it won't be. This is the death of one person. Sure, it's great in the revenge category but as far as actually accomplishing something? As far as I'm concerned, we're still fighting in the Middle East with many of our soldiers dying on a daily basis. Nothing has been accomplished. We still live in the same horrible world we did a week ago. The only difference is that USA T-shirt sales will go up and Obama can be liked by all for a few minutes.

To Scream or Not To Scream...4

No this isn't me debating whether or not I should see the newest entry in the Scream franchise. Been there done that. In fact, I've done that twice now. One paid for and one not so much. So you can definitely say that I enjoyed it (though I've done that with movies I didn't like either, out of morbid curiosity). I'm actually having trouble writing a review for it.

I'm not quite sure why. As stated above, I really liked the movie but for some reason I don't think that I've watched it well enough in order to fairly review it. No matter how much I watch it, I don't even think of the filmmaking process. I just sit back and enjoy the movie. I can't state enough how much this NEVER happens to me. Sometimes on a first viewing I'll find myself being lost in the movie for a little bit, but that'll cease and I'll think "I love that shot. I wonder how long it took to get that." It's the filmmaker inside me. I just can't turn it off.

Yet for some reason, this movie helps. And so I find myself not even able to properly review the film. Maybe after another viewing (a non-cam one hopefully) I can get my reviewer cap on and type up a kickass review. But as of now, since I don't want to half-ass it, I'm just going to leave it be.

Sex isn't Sexism

Today my sociology class watched a video about sexism in advertising. The video itself was clouded with both truths and invalid opinion, most of which I figured my peers of intelligent college enrolled classmates could differentiate between. In the post-video discussion it was obvious they could not.

Some had solid footing in that they could claim sexism on most of the arguments but that only goes so far. Where was the blaming on ourselves? On our own biologically given (or God-given based on your beliefs) sexual tendencies?

Some claimed, as was also said in the video, that the media uses advertising to display images (Super-model bodies) that very few people can accomplish. So by that argument, we are being forced to see that as the ultimate sexual attraction and that if these perfect figures weren’t forced down our throat with advertising, we wouldn’t have such “unrealistic” standards. Really? So it has nothing to do with that fact that we as humans are biologically made to find those forms attractive?

Several studies have been done to show how symmetrics work with the human mind. The same person can be viewed completely different depending on the change of one minor detail, all related to the symmetry of their face. There is a mathematical equation for “perfection” and while I don’t remember it off the top of my head, studies have shown that it’s as close as possible to proving a set attraction. So no, we don’t think your cousin with the lopsided face is unattractive due to the media telling us so, we think she is because our brains are like giant computers and we like symmetry.

Also, do people need to be reminded that the love of huge breasts goes all the way back to cave man times? It’s genetically sound. A woman with big breasts will adequately supply their young with milk therefore we have an attraction for it. As with animals, it’s survival of the fittest. We look for attractiveness and what will help to keep our lineage going. It’s simple evolution.

Am I saying that advertisements aren’t sexist? Not at all. There are several very sexist advertisements out there, but there’s a fine line between sexism and good business. Sexism by definition is the inequality of sex and gender. Do I see that when I see a girl posing scantily in a magazine ad? Sometimes but certainly not a majority of the time. If anything they have more power than the males (and some women) who are oogling at them.

Some say that the “innocence” on display in the ads are meant to be demeaning and show the girls as weak. Really? Because what I see is a sexy girl biting her lip and pushing up her cleavage, it’s clear she knows she has every guy looking at her by her finger. Girls mimic this and torment guy after guy as they make their venture through life. I know because it’s happened to me. The girls I know that do this aren’t weak; in fact, they’re the exact opposite.

Now, again, I’m not saying that this is the case with all ads. Some are sick and clearly demean women. But to categorize any ad with a beautiful woman as being sexist is absolutely absurd. People like sex; plain and simple.

Only took three years but...

I have finally finished Spiderman: Web of Shadows. For those of you that don't know, it's a game for the XBOX 360 and it came out forever ago. I got it as a Christmas gift 3 X-mas' ago yet I hadn't even come close to finishing. So finally, 2 years 4 months and 6 days later, I have completed it. Being that the first half of the game was completed two years prior to finishing the second half, my memory is foggy on it so I can see myself revisiting this much sooner than later. Since I took the Red path (good guy) I'll probably take the Black suit path next time. It changes the ending so that'll be interesting. In fact, I think there are several endings.

Earlier in the day I had beaten Red Dead Redemption, a game I've owned since last May. That means it's been nearly a year from start to finish. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. The game was pretty enjoyable and one I can see myself revisiting far down the road. For those that don't want any spoilers on the game then skip the remainder of this paragraph. The ending was quite great though one of my idiot friends spoiled it for me so I'm curious as to how it would be without prior knowledge. Even knowing what was going to happen it was quite shocking to see. Also a tad annoying since I know I could have killed those guys by just going around the side of the barn. But I understand that it had to be done. Pretty epic ending if you ask me. Hopefully they do a sequel and soon. Screw LA Noire and GTA, I want me some Red Dead!

This lack of finishing games has been a pretty common occurrence for me when it comes to practically anything. I like the beginning of things, but I'm not a huge fan of the end. Some may consider it a character flaw but I see it as one of the many things that makes me human.

Also, I'm just really lazy.

Reasons for Delay

As a followup to my previous post, I thought I'd look at the reasons why I have such trouble finishing shows. Now, this problem carries over into both movies, tv, and well...pretty much everything but I'm just going to focus on TV.

If you'll notice, a majority of the shows I had listed previously are dramas. This tends to make it rather hard to just breeze through a couple episodes in one sitting. They pack an emotional punch, and deal with real world problems. This makes them a lot harder to watch than a comedy like Arrested Development where it's non-stop wit and hilarity. Shows like that may affect your mood, but in a positive way. They'll leave you laughing and smiling (mostly) but not so when it comes to dramas.

Another factor is time. Each of these shows is 42-55 minutes in length. That's quite a difference compared to the usual 22 minutes that a standard comedy will run. So, 2 hours will go by and I'm only through 3 episodes. That lack of progress can be disheartening and make it harder to continue. Comedies on the other hand, that's almost an entire disc of episodes done. Being human, I like progress. I feel good about completion. So it's obvious as to why one would be more appealing than the other.

Being that I'm a big multi-tasker and like to play video games/surf the internet when I watch TV, it's harder to do that while watching a drama. There's a lot to be invested in a new show in general, and even moreso with these complex dramas. So putting on a previously seen 20 minute comedy is the easy route and one I often take.

I would say my ways are gonna change but I doubt it. Of the TV shows I own, I would say the ratio of watching between comedies and dramas is 10:1. They're just easier. I hardly go back to watching a dramatic television show a second time through because it really is such an investment. And there I go using that word again. Clearly I'm losing my mind and can't come up with new words so that's where I'll leave this entry.

My Terrible TV Watching

I have a new goal: Blog more. I've had a bit of writer's block lately and I can't seem to figure out why. So I figure what better way to combat that then to pour all my random incoherent thoughts out onto the interwebz in blog form. That way I can attempt to write more and not be constricted by the barriers of storytelling.

Lately I have been watching TV shows again. A lot of TV shows. I'll try to watch a few episodes a day but there's one problem: I'm currently alternately between 6. I'll go on spurts of watching a certain show, then switch for no apparent reason. It's very inconvenient and it means it takes me forever to even finish a season (unless it's Eastbound and Down which I can finish in a weekend). So here is a list of all the shows I've been watching and a few thoughts on them.

Big Love - I recently got all 5 seasons of this show on my computer and I can't believe it's taken me so long to watch it. The series finale aired just days after I watched the pilot. So, needless to say, I've been a little behind. Rarely has a show caused me to change my views but this has caused me to see the bad rap that polygamy gets. Not everyone is like how we see on TV and while I couldn't EVER see myself doing it, I don't have a problem with it. I've always been of the belief that you must do what makes you happy, so people just need to get over themselves.

Friday Night Lights - The fifth and final season of FNL is one of the few shows that I'm confident in saying that I'll be done with in a couple days. It's just that good. Not that the other shows are not, but this is good in a feel good kind of way, which isn't always the case with the other shows. Dark dramas are sometimes hard to watch back to back cause it really does affect your mood. This is not the case. The characters are just too good that you just want to see what they're going to do next. The uplifting moments are good enough that they can leave you happy for days. I can't speak enough of it's praise. Which, being that this is the final season, I'm sure I'll be shedding a tear or two come the final episode.

Dexter - I've been halfway done with S5 of Dexter since December and for some reason I just can't seem to finish it. It's not out of lack of interest; this season has been absolutely phenomenal. Julia Styles never really impressed me before but she does a great job. This may be the season that gets Michael C Hall an Emmy (seeing as how clear winner Bryan Cranston is ineligible this year) and I wouldn't be surprised if he did. He's been doing a phenomenal job. Not sure how much mileage the show has but as of now it's remaining fresh and interesting. Hopefully they end it before it jumps the shark.

Boardwalk Empire - I have only seen the first episode of this show but have the entire season. I'm hoping to finish it but this is the only show out of all the shows here that I am not really interested in. I've heard it gets a lot better but seeing as how I have so many other great things to watch, I doubt I'll be going to this right away. However, I'm glad to see that Omar is still getting work. If anything, this just anticipates my next show:

The Wire - Only two seasons into this gem and I already see it as one of the greatest television shows of all time. It's absolutely fantastic in all regards. Makes me feel as though I'm watching a documentary. One of the few shows I can completely lose myself in. Unfortunately I only have access to it over breaks since the DVD's are my dads. So with summer looming, I'll finally be able to (hopefully) get up to at least S4. I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up in my top 5 shows of all time by the end.

Dollhouse - I was only 6 episodes away from completing the series only a few months ago yet I've made no new progress. And that's solely due to the fact that it's just so good that I don't want it to end. I also made the decision that I was sick of watching it on Netflix and wanted to finish it up on Blu-Ray for S2. So I'll finally finish the show whenever they drop the ridiculous price tag (here's hoping for an Amazon Deal of the Day at some point).

Reaper - A CW show? On a list of all these high caliber shows? I'm just as surprised as you but it absolutely deserves to be. It's unlike any of the other tripe on the network. This show has an interesting story, great characters, and actually some good actors. These feats can't be boasted by ANY other CW show so I can see why it would be getting a bad rep. The show itself defies those low values and could easily fit in with other great comedies on TV. Tyler Labine and Ray Wise are two classic characters that can carry the show through anything. There's only two seasons and I'm halfway through one, so hopefully I can catch up soon.

Dead Silence

There are few films that affect me the way that a particular film does. I refuse to watch it alone and especially not in the dark. It is the only film that features moments that truly frighten me and that film is Dead Silence. Yes, not exactly the film that would be expected but nonetheless, I find it's terror to be unequivocal. Even films widely known for terrifying their audiences such as The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street, do very little for me. I suppose everyone has their kryptonite and mine is James Wans' underrated film post-Saw.

Yes, this is from the creators of the Saw franchise, which for many has grown into a stale and tired series once considered fresh and original. James Wan (the films director) made the smart decision of not continuing with the franchise after the first one and he went to go do something completely different from the grisly metallic nature of the Saw universe. That next film was Dead Silence.

Wan brings with him a visual flare which is unseen in most horror films. His use of angles and transitions add to the movie and are as much a part of the storytelling as the visual on display. One particularly impressive aspect is his use of lighting. He uses the mantra of "less is more" to fill out a pivotal role in the movie: Darkness. What is and isn't there can make or break a film. Showing too much makes the film too predictable and showing too little makes it confusing. A balance must be stricken in a way that builds tension and uses the visuals to it's advantage.

It is precisely Wan's style and use of lighting which makes the film's main villain, Mary Shaw, more than just your average ghost. Her movements resemble that of an old 30's era ghost, with her floating along the floor in an extremely creepy fashion. Her features protrude in a way that brings about a skeletal figure when lit properly. All of these combine together to create a truly creepy character and one that you'll be imagining is there in the dark afterwards.

Much like the filmmaker's freshman debut, their sophomore effort brings with it a twist which comes as if from nowhere. But what truly makes it an impressive twist is that it has been subtly imbedded in the proceeding 90 minutes. There's little things that go completely unnoticed upon first watch. With spoilers following, I'd recommend staying away with you haven't given the film a watch. It's ending, while not the best twist in film history, is entertaining and really makes you think about everything you have previously seen.

Mary Shaw living through the dolls seems like a twist that is all too obvious. So when it happens, it leaves you more with a feeling of the filmmaker's laziness than the high point of an awesome twist. That's when the real twist is revealed and it shows just how alone the lead truly has been. Most of the people he is in contact with throughout the film is dead, being controlled by Mary Shaw. The few real people he talks to throughout the duration are a detective who thinks he murdered his wife, and an old man which fills him in on the horror of the puppeteer.

With this recommendation also comes a warning, this film may not have the same effect on you which left me with such high regard for the film. The circumstances for my first viewing were perfect and have left me with a good impression of the film. You may not feel the same way and may end up disliking it like a large portion of the population. But please, do yourself a favor and watch the theatrical version. It takes out some of the silly stuff (What's with Mary Shaw's crazy tongue) which plagued the unrated version.

The Thirty-First of October...

Today, October 31st marks almost 3 and a half years since I've seen the full theatrical version of Grindhouse. Ever since opening weekend, the film hasn't been available for home viewing unless seen separately or through a video on demand service. But after the release of the Grindhouse Double Feature Blu Ray earlier this month, I can finally delve back into the world how Tarantino and Rodriguez originally intended.

The second half of Death Proof, now cleaned up and without the scratches/burns which plagued the rest of the film (in a good way of course) looks about as gorgeous as you can get in HD. The colors are all extremely vibrant, with Tarantino's tremendous eye truly showing through in spades.

I woke up and started my day by putting on a classic: My Bloody Valentine. No, not the over the top remake with the overused 3D gimmick, the Canadian original which oozes with atmosphere. It's truly one of the best slashers that exists and with good reason: It's feels fresh and new while still adhering to all of the genre staples. Sure, some character make poor decisions, and their reactions result in the death of either another or themselves, but it's done in a way which doesn't distract from the realism set forth.

And when I say realism, I don't mean Saving Private Ryan D-Day scene. This is filled with goofy blood effects, and some cheesy moments but it all works to benefit the film. I find myself connecting with the characters even given their limited screen time. I'm not sure whether it's because the actors play well together or if I'm just blinded by nostalgia but one thing is for sure: It makes for some entertaining screen time.

In continuing my tradition of watching favorite horror films of mine, I decided to next throw in Stanley Kubrick's classic film The Shining. In what I would consider to be one of my all time favorite films, Kubrick puts a world on display that I can't help but be mesmerized by. The lush landscapes and eyepopping visuals always leave me craving more. His perfection is more than apparent with nary a poor performance. Nicholson takes a turn which is one for the ages, his subtleties to be studied for the rest of filmdom.

Unsettling moments truly find a way to connect with the audience without feeling cheap and unnecessary. The most fascinating aspect is that the scariest moments shown are those when Nicholson is truly going mad and snapping. It's the human side which makes it terrifying, not the supernatural elements. This is one of the many reasons why I prefer the movie over the book, which I find delves a little too into the supernatural and doesn't focus as well on the characters. Kubrick, being the master that he is, strikes a balance between the two, creating an extremely atmospheric and well fleshed horror tale, which is be considered as one of the best ever.

Next up brought brought about a film which I consider to be the best horror film of the decade: The Descent. From both a filmmaking and entertainment standpoint the film delivers on so many levels, which allows it to be enjoyed even upon many repeated viewings. Even after seeing the film well over a dozen times I still find something new with each viewing. Whether it's the subtle nods to Sarah's ever growing madness or the blink and you'll miss it appearances by the "Crawlers" early in the film, it brings with it a fresh and entertaining take on a tired genre.

The title of The Descent is really what I appreciate and consider to be one of the most appropriate titles for a film ever, mainly because of it's mainly translations. It can be seen as the obvious descent into the endless cave full of monster's where sure death awaits. Then it can be viewed as the descent into madness which the lead character Sarah takes throughout the duration of the film. This more resembles my own approach with the title as I feel that is more of what the film is about. The other part of the film is more of a subplot.

Another aspect of the film which I really enjoy is the lighting. Neil Marshall shows exactly the right amount on screen. The rest of the world is shrouded in darkness and it adds to the scary factor in many ways. While the film does suffer from a few "jump scares", this doesn't deter from the greatness that is presented in the 100 minute runtime. They are usually done tastefully and don't come across as cheap, which tends to be a factor which plagues so many current horror films.

All of the females give performances which really breath life into the characters and make them more than just cannon fodder. You really feel for them and think that these women could be friends in real life. This chemistry make the third act of the film even more powerful and each death hits a chord. This is a highly praised attribute of the film as it does what so many other films fail to do in developing many dimensional characters in a limited run time.

As has been tradition for me since the Sixth Grade, I ended my night with a beloved, and appropriately themed film: Halloween. John Carpenter's masterpiece has become a staple of Halloween ever since I held my first Halloween Party back in middle school. I try to only revisit the classic on Halloween but I usually can't resist the temptation and end up watching it several times throughout the year. No matter what though, I always make sure to pop it in on the last of the October.

While it's all been said before about Carpenter's classic, I feel the need to reiterate it's greatness. The cinematography is unparalleled when compared to almost any other horror film. This level of care and dedication just wasn't often seen in a genre considered to be cheap and lazy. But Halloween changed that in so many ways bringing forth a great unique style and oozing with atmosphere. The use of light can be felt influencing previously mentioned films even.

The legend known as Michael Myers may have gotten a tad out of hand in the years that followed 1978, but the original still kept with it an insane, unadulterated form of evil, unyet spoiled by sequeltitis and too much background. This Michael Myers was terrifying and brought forth an unstoppable killing machine who sticks to the shadows, still occasionally teasing his prey.

As this night draws to a close, I look back on it not regretting a single part. I may have spent it indoors watching a bunch of horror films when I could have been out socializing, but I found myself still enjoying it immensely. Those days are often preferred compared to the craziness of the rest of my weekend. So even though I may not be out asking strangers for candy while dressed up in a ghoulish costume, I still made my Halloween self-memorable and will probably continue by trend of watching more horror films.

So as this month draws to a close, I say thank you October for getting me in the mood for the season and raising my interest in horror films back to what it once was. I regained that spark which I thought was long lost and has truly proven to me that nothing is truly lost forever, it sometimes just takes a little time for it to pop back up.

Happy Halloween