Shutter Island..not a spoiler

So after waiting at the movie theater for two hours I was finally able to buy tickets to Shutter Island at 10:25pm. Everyone in the cinema who obviously hadn't seen the movie yet was saying how scared they were to see it. I too was frightened and excited at the same time because I thought for once a good terrifying ghost story was going to be directed by one of the greatest directors of all time, Martin Scorsese. I was wrong. I really enjoyed the movie, but it was a thriller, not a horror flick. For some reason everyone I knew including myself was confused about the plot…I think partially due to the trailers that were played and how they completely avoided the real scheme of the story. I am glad they did it that way because if the trailer gave away any info. the movie would have been ruined for me. If anyone has seen this film were you disappointed by the fact that it has a misleading genre in the trailer? Another thing I was shocked about was the reviews. Before heading to the cinema I checked out some reviews on rottentomatoes.com, which gave the movie 68/100pts. I was a little stunned that people wrote Scorsese was due for a dud. I think this movie was good, I think they wanted it to look like a ghost/horror film to mess your head up and believe me that’s exactly what the movie did. I give it thumbs up.

WARNING: EXTREMELY DISTASTEFUL

I am still in shock to have seen what I did on Friday night. While watching the news with my mother NBC announced the death of 21 year old Nodar Kumaritashvili, after a practice run went wrong at the 2010 Olympics. The graphic video showed an already nervous Nodar preparing his luge and taking off throughout the track. If I had any idea the video would end in such a violent death I would have changed the channel. There was no disclaimer or anything preparing me for what I was about to witness. I think to show this video over and over again on air was distasteful and insensitive. Who wants to see a 21 year old die? Not me. And I can only image what the family is going through. This incident has got me questioning the morals of NBC. How far will the news go to gain viewers? If anyone saw the footage you can see Nodar’s body which was traveling at a speed of 90mph+ fling off the luge into exposed concrete or metal beams. I could not believe what I saw and to go even further they showed still pictures of Nodar bleeding from his face/head. I can only assume he died instantly, I mean some people don’t even survive 50mph car crashes and that’s with protection of the car. I am also furious to hear they are blaming Nodar for his death; however since then they have reconstructed the track. Pssh, just a bad call for everyone!

What the *Tweet* is Twitter?!

I want to know how everyone’s feels about Twitter. I have recently signed up because it was part of a class requirement. The only thing is, I have no idea what I'm doing and honestly I don't know how I am supposed to use it. With so many social networks out there I am curious if anyone knows what their favorite/best one is. Mine would have to be facebook because it's easy to navigate. After MySpace changed for the millionth time I cancelled my account and moved on. Now that facebook is finally updating itself, I am concerned if I will soon be leaving that behind as well. I like this blogger site, but I find myself checking out other social network sites more.
The thing I don't like about Twitter is that it's mostly news articles and what not being passed around. I guess it's great to find out info, but how good is it to use for just saying hello to a friend? I think one website should combined these features altogether, not change its layout often, and we’ll be all set. I hate having to sign up for a new site just because some of my friends chose it over the other sites I enjoy. Does anyone have twitter and love it, if so why? Maybe if someone can tell me about the great things it does I will change my opinion, but for now I will be forced to play around with it and confuse myself.

try to nap with your phone off...

So after getting only four hours of sleep last night I thought I'd take a vacation from the world and nap in between classes. I shut my phone off and left my computer off. After taking one forty-five minute nap I woke up to 4 new notifcations on facebook and 3 missed calls/1 text. Technology can be a pain sometimes. My mother was worried about me since I didn't respond to her text. My boyfriend thought I was ignoring him and I never got a chance to reply on facebook. Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time when tings were less complicated, I had more privacy, and nobody needed a 24/7 reply. I can only imagine what the next ten years has in store for us..technology wise. I mean I guess it's good I can contact anyone whenever I want and expect a quick response..but what about the days you want to unwind,relax,and be left alone...like today. It seems as if you just can't get away. I remember when I was 15 without a cell phone though, and I cannot imagine how my life would be without it now. I guess you have to take the good with the bad...Facebook allows us to meet new people so thats a good thing, however, if you don't want to run into old friends/enemies..having an online profile makes it easy to be spotted [i guess thats why their privacy tabs] Ok enough with this rambling...I am still exhausted. This time I am going to put as my status I am asleep so no one will have to call/text me to find out why I am not returning calls/texts/wall posts..etc

Communcation between generations

I think the semiotic lens works well with dealing with intergenerational misunderstandings and communication in general because it allows both the young and the old to predict what is understandable to those of different generations. The semiotic point of view could help every generation by identifying which symbols may or may not have the same connotations as they once did. For example, if a man around the age of 70 were speaking to a young woman about sexist issues he should expect that certain words that use to be acceptable to say are now unacceptable and therefore he should change his choice of words to keep the conversation from going sour. Even the way the man spoke to the woman should be planned just in case it was a sensitive subject to her. Planning every bit of communication can in fact help a person become a good communicator. As well, it is important to know that although some words may never change their meaning to some people, they can be interpreted differently no matter what so it is best to try and read the person before saying anything at all. This lens creates a broader perspective in caring about other’s feelings as well as your own. If you take both people into account then there is less of a chance of any miscommunication to take place. [so many this is why parents sometimes don't "get" their kids]
I believe that general-semantics and intergenerational communication go hand-in-hand because I always try and read a person before saying anything that might offend them even if it is unintentional. Though thoughtful planning communication may have fewer misunderstandings that require repairing not every interaction will be successful unless the message is interpreted as hoped. It has long been said to think before you speak because without proper preparation the way you want the interaction to go may not be the result if you are either unwise with your words or even your tone. Anyone feel that they just aren’t understood sometimes…maybe semiotics can help! :)

Avatar

Ok, so I got around seeing Avatar sooner than I thought. I figured I'd just wait to see it at home because I'm a bum when it comes to going the movies. However, I do love watching movies on crappy days...and wasn't yesterday one of them. SO yeah I was pretty excited that it was going to be in 3D, with my luck though, I ended up going to a theatre that doesn’t have the technology to play 3D films, so I saw it in 2D. It’s strange to think but I am curious if in 5 years all movies will be 3D or however long it takes for theaters to upgrade. I am not sure I’d like to wear those glasses at every movie I go to see so I am hopeful that maybe one day we won’t need them to see 3D.
Honestly the only reason I really wanted to see Avatar was to experience a 3D film, who doesn’t enjoy those every once in a while. I was bummed out, but to tell you the truth, the movie wasn’t a letdown either way. I like the main character Sam Worthington I think that’s his name… he was good in the Terminator movie with Christian Bale. I love the idea that a fantasy world like Pandora exists even though it’s a scary thought that aliens or what not could easily kill us or be the greater species somehow. Movies are perfect for striking fear or imagination into people. Avatar was definitely a movie that made me question the motives behind the person who thought of it. I get so angry when innocent people are killed or attacked due to greed. For those who saw this movie how did you feel about the general? To me he was a macho-head whose ego stood in the way of his eyes and heart.

the world wide web

So today I started my online class, so far so good. I enjoy a challenge so having a quiz already this week excites me even though it is only 5 questions. I've gotten all A's the last two semesters so every point counts to me...Hopefully I do well. The reading about technology & media is interesting because my friends and I enjoy fantasizing about how technology will change in the future and how the media is greatly affected by its advancements. [Let's hope it's not like the movies...where computers takeover, but who knows] Anyways, I am a new blogger and just want to welcome those who have nothing better to do than to read my foolishness ;] just kidding, but I'll try to keep it entertaining.