Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
The Mothman Prophecies
Film Appreciation
I remember going home and researching the Mothman legend after watching the movie, The Mothman Prophecies. It triggered a curiosity as to whether this was a legend or whether there was substantial evidence of such supernatural creature, like Bigfoot or the Chupacabra.
The movie, which is directed by Mark Pellington and stars Richard Gere, is based on a book by parapsychologist John Keel on actual events that occurred between November 1966 and December 1967 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. There is considerable debate as to whether the appearance of the Mothman was prophetic and a warning or whether the creature caused the disaster.
via Movie Trailers M&M
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mothman_Prophecies_%28film%29
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/lost-tapes/videos/hellhound/
http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/mothman-legend.html
http://www.cinefania.com/movie.php/43467/
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Svetlana Kondakova
Art Appreciation
I came across a painting by Russian-born artist Svetlana Kondakova of a woman lying in the grass motionless with a skull next to her. This painting which is titled Ophelia more than likely is in reference to William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
As explained on her website, many of her works are introspective. Her educational background in Scotland, Greece, and Bolivia have provided inspiration for her paintings.
You can see more of her beautiful works HERE.
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| Ophelia via artodyssey1 |
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| Self-Portrait via svetlanakondakova |
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| Swan via artodyssey1 |
Sources:
http://www.svetlanakondakova.com/
https://www.virtualgallery.com/galleries/svetlana_kondakova_a1577875
http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/2013/11/svetlana-kondakova.html
http://svetlanakondakova.blogspot.com/
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Spice World
Film Appreciation
When I was a sophomore in college, it seems as if the Spice Girls were everywhere.
Soon after the release of their debut studio album, Spice, the Spice Girls (Baby Spice, Geri Halliwell, Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm and Victoria Addams) starred in the lighthearted musical comedy, Spice World.
Considered a ripoff of The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night (1964), the 1997 film depicts fictional events the Spice Girls encounter leading up to a major concert. Some iconic actors appear in the film such as Roger Moore, Meat Loaf, Bob Hoskins, and Elvis Costello, which makes watching the film entertaining.
Despite negative reviews, the film was a box office success.
via ramixbucks
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_World_(film)
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spice-world-1998
Friday, January 22, 2016
D.W. Griffith
Film Appreciation
He is considered the "Inventor of Hollywood." David Llewelyn Wark "D.W." Griffith is best known for directing Birth of a Nation, an adaptation of Thomas Dixon Jr.'s The Clansmen. The 1915 feature film is a story during the Civil War and Reconstruction era where the speaker of the house is portrayed to punish the Southern whites and empowering former slaves. In the film, the Ku Klux Klan is shown to protect the White Southerners.
Born on January 22,1875, Griffith is credited for being innovative in his film-making techniques and co-founding United Artists.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
The Integrity of Journalism and Blogging
PARDON THE INTERRUPTION
There is a huge difference between journalism and blogging.
As defined by the AP, journalism is the activity of gathering (researching), assessing (investigating/evaluating), creating (writing), and presenting news and information. I'd add further that before a piece is printed, there is a form of review by editors.
Blogging, as defined by Webster, is a web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where many obtain news from unsubstantiated sources, such as social media and blogs. Many of these blogs have questioned the integrity of journalism--a source of substantiated information (see definition above).
What's worse is when news organizations take blogs (a source of personal opinion) as credible information and report it as "factual."
When blogging, I try to practice my journalistic education, but at the same time offer my opinion and perspective. The main purpose of many of my entries are more to share what I learn and what I experience. However, in no way do I feel that readers should take my entries, although many well researched, as factual.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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