Welcome Aboard

I personally never listen to the emergency instructions just because I've heard them before, but this will get many more people to listen. I think this is mostly a good idea because it will get Southwest Airlines more business. Flying is a hassle that can be stressful and when they are saying those instructions most people are thinking, "yeah yeah yeah let's just get this show on the road". This tactic can put people in a better mood and the rest of their flight may be a little more enjoyable.

"Youtube fulfills 96 dreams"

I thought this was a really interesting idea to use youtube as a way to hold auditions, especially for something like this. Playing in Carnegie Hall, like the guy says in the video, is the top for classical musicians. It's crazy how sites like youtube, Facebook, Myspace, etc. become so huge. This lets them choose people from all over the world and from an enormous range of talent. I think it will be interesting to see which 96 people get chosen and where they are from.

De/Re Construct Project

I don't know this first hand because I have only watched Fox News a couple times in my lifetime, but I think the news they deliver contains a lot of false information. I remember watching the film "Outfoxed" in class some time ago that criticises the news station and its methods. Rupert Murdoch, creator of the film, states that their news is bias and makes liberals look weak.
Hence, Faux News Channel..

JPG Magazine

"Your world in pictures."

JPG Magazine is meant for all ages but directly appeals to those photo enthusiasts that wish to share their photos and stories. The way it works is people can upload their pictures on their computer, send them to the JPG site, and pick a theme that their photo can be viewed under. Peers then vote for the photos they wish to see in the next issue of the magazine and the JPG editors make the final selections. If your photo is published in the magazine you receive a year subscription and $100.

The content of the magazine consists of people’s stories basically sharing their love for photography. There are articles on techniques, style, and people’s personal likes and dislikes. Every page has a picture as the focal point.

I myself am not a photographer but my roommate has a subscription to the magazine and I really enjoy looking at the photos. The photos are usually very unique and some have fascinating stories behind them that are fun to read.

The magazine gets most of its profits from magazine subscriptions and advertisements. If you go to the JPG Magazine site there is a long picture on the side that says “Give the gift of JPG” and has a link that says “Advertise with Us”. The advertisements are usually for photography equipment, photo printers, and other photography related items.

There are stories and pictures sent from all around the world, so there is a great variety of ideas and styles. Check it out.

"Box Office Economy"

This video from cnn.com shows that although the economy is in such a bad state more people are going to see movies in the theater. They say the reason is that going to a movie is like a two hour getaway from economic problems. I think it's interesting that even though this is the time to be saving our money we are spending it on movie media because it takes our minds off of things. Media is a source to escape reality when we need to.

Documentaries

Dark Days:


Dark Days is a documentary released in the year 2000 and made by Marc Singer. Singer became interested in the amount of homeless people who were wandering the streets of New York City and decided he wanted to help them financially by making this film. He heard of a group of homeless people who were living in an abandoned tunnel system below the city. Singer went to live with them and shot the film using these people as his crew.


"The film's crew consisted of the subjects themselves, who rigged up makeshift lighting and steadicam dollies, and learned to use a 16mm camera with black & white Kodak film." (wikipedia.com) Black and white fits perfectly with the absolute darkness these people live in. In the documentary they just go about their business and share about their past and current hardships. **During the making of the film Amtrak announced they were being evicted.


This documentary won several awards and is a great up close and personal take on the lives of these people finding shelter underground. Well made and worth seeing.






Paradise Lost (1996):


Paradise Lost is a documentary about the West Memphis 3 directed by Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger. Three 8-year old boys were murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas and one month later the blame was put on three teenagers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley. The evidence of their guilt was that they listened to heavy metal, dressed in black, and practiced the Wicca religion.

The film consists of shots in the courtroom to interviews from behind bars. This, as well as Dark Days, is up close and personal. The scary part about the documentary is that it doesn't end with the answer. Did these three teens really commit the murderers or were they wrongfully accused based on insignificant evidence? This documentary is packed with emotion and leaves us unsatisfied in the end.

A sequel has been made (that I haven't seen yet) but reviews say that it still ends without a definite answer. This film is a real life mystery that will keep you following the evidence and dieing to discover the truth. Based on interviews I believe that the father of one of the children murdered is the guilty one. Watch and see what you think...

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger is about a man named Henry DeTamble who develops a relationship with Clare Abshire who comes from a wealthy family. They meet when Henery is 28 and Claire is 20 but Claire has already known Henry because he has been time traveling to see her. This book is difficult to explain but it is really interesting and good love story.

Time Traveler's Wife is going to be made into a movie this year staring Rachel McAdams and John Livingston. Should be good!