Sunday, 12 June 2011

20. INCEPTION


I watched the movie Inception directed by Christopher Nolan starring many A list actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe and Ellen Paige, those just being a few. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the protaganist Dom Cobb whom is a corporate spy and thief. His job is to secretly extract valuable commercial information from the unconcious mind of his targets while they are asleep and dreaming. He is offered a job that if completed successfully will allow him to have his old life back and see his kids. He is to do "inception;" plant an idea into a target's subconscious. While watching the movie it made my mind go on a crazy and complicated ride. It made me think the hardest I had ever had to think but that's what I loved about it. I loved the complicated and intricate storyline that made its viewers never stop thinking and processing. This relates to the key concept media construct reality because the movie makes you believe that what is happening could be real life, a dream or a figment of memory. It makes its viewers go on the same complicated mission the characters are on.

19. GIVE ME EVERYTHING TONIGHT - PITBULL FT NEYO, NAYER & AFROJACK


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPo5wWmKEaI

I watched the music video for Give Me Everything (Tonight) by Pitbull featuring Neyo, Nayer and Afrojack. When I first heard the song on the radio it made me want to dance and it got me in a good mood. I then searched up the video and I noticed a couple of things. In the video and even song lyrics there is a lot of product placement. In the lyrics Pitbull says "Me not working hard? Yea right picture that with a kodak, Or better yet, go to times square take a picture of me with a kodak." There he promotes kodak camera's and the company itself. In the video at the ending there's a picture of him holding a kodak around a kodak frame. Also, Pitbull in the video is drinking vodka and they zoom up on a bunch of vodka bottles called "Voli." Lastly they show a Blackberry Playbook in which they are using. This relates to the key concept media construct reality because they are advertising products that consumers will want to buy because since they have it everyone else should. Also, in the lyrics they promote drinking excessively like it is a normal thing to do and having one night stands are normal too.

18. PC VS MAC SECURITY COMMERCIAL



Apple Inc has a campaign called "Get a Mac" where famous actor Justin Long (right) is a Mac and author and humorist John Hodgman (left) is the non-Mac PC. The certain commercial I had saw was when they were comparing the PC's highly defensive security to Mac's easy going security which is not as persistent as the PC's. All of the Get a Mac's camapaign commercials compare the differences between a PC and Mac and always ultimately persuade the viewer that a Mac is a better choice rather than a PC. This appeals to mainly users who do not own a Mac because it points out all of a PC's flaws and shows how a Mac is better. Being a PC owner it makes me want to switch to a Mac because it benefits me as a user much more than a PC. This relates to the key concept media construct reality because they created the commercial in a way to make viewers believe that choosing a Mac is the right choice and if you choose a PC you will have much difficulty with it.

17. THE ROYAL WEDDING : PRINCE WILLIAM & KATE MIDDLETON


This year on April 29, 2011 Prince William and Kate Middleton had their royal wedding. Prince William whom is the Duke of Cambridge is the second in line to the sixteen Commonwealth Realms which makes Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge and queen if Prince William ever gets crowned king. Their wedding was an event no one could miss out on whether you be the Queen of England or an ordinary person living anywhere in the world. The wedding aired on many stations so everyone could be a part of it. Kate's wedding dress was kept confidential both deisgn and designer until the day of their wedding. This wedding captured the media in every way popping up in magazines, news, etc. Kate has now become a fashionista and influences women around the world. This relates to the key concept media have social and political implications because their wedding impacted the world as they could be the future king and queen of England.

16. TRUE BLOOD


True Blood is a television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball and based on the novels The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charliane Harris. It stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer. The show is set in Bon Temps, Louisiana where humans and vampires co-exist with one another. The show contains many controversial topics as does every SHOWTIME/HBO series does. The very first time I watched this series I instantly loved it because of the raw and unordinary storyline. The show is not afraid to show every side to it whether it be a dark, raw side or a light, clean side. There are no boundaries to this show and I think that is one of the main reasons I am a fan. This relates to the key concept media contain ideological and value messages because even though this show mainly shows the edgy perspective of things it always contains an important message. For example there is a homosexual character that goes through many events that are very controversial but he is a friend of many. Even the vampires of the show who are seen to be suave and sophisticated promote homosexuality.

15. FRIDAY - REBECCA BLACK



The song Friday by Rebecca Black has become one of the most viewed videos on YouTube recieving more than 160 million views. The 13 year old decided she wanted to pursue her musical "talent" so her mother paid $4000 for ARK Music to produce and write a song for her daughter. The video went viral in March and became the most talked about topic on Twitter, however, recieving only negative and hateful comments and is said to be "one of the worst songs ever." Even though she recieved a negative reaction she has become a viral star. The song Friday appeared on the show Glee because an episode was playing tribute to pop culture and love it or hate it the song is pop culture. This relates to the key concept media have social and political implications because her song worked in her favour even though she recieved negative reactions she still got enough fame to become famous. 

14. US OF TARA SEASON 3 EPISODE 1 & 2



United States of Tara is a television comedy-drama series on SHOWTIME which was created by Diablo Cody and stars Toni Collette whom is an amazing actress. It is about a woman named Tara Gregson a wife and mother of two children who was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. In other words she has multiple personalities. This show has become very popular because of all its controversial aspects to the show (homosexual characters, mentally unstable characters etc). In season 3 episodes 1 & 2 Tara's daughter Kate decides to go to Japan to teach english until the recent devastation that happened; the earthquake. After both episodes before the credits roll there is a note that says how you can donate to the Japan earthquake relief. The show brought light to its viewers the severity of the earthquake and promoted a relief fund that we can donate to. This relates to the key concept media have social and political implications because the show incorporated the devastation in Japan into the plot to show the viewers that Japan needs our help.