Blog Entry 4: CRAWLING IN MY SKINNN

Blog Entry 4: CRAWLING IN MY SKINNN

                Hey guys, my name is xxxtriplekillPwNEDzzxxx kid, and welcome to my blog. I’m 15 and from the streets of  cowan heights, St. John’s. Nobody understands me. Yesterday my parents wanted me to mow the lawn WHILE I WAS PLAYING WOW (World of Warcraft, noob)! Do they not understand how important that raid was? Its so hard being me, life is so pointless. Anyway, have you guys seen the new Devil May Cry trailer?! It looks so fucking bad ass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO7gltsY7nU

                Now THAT is a game. Did you see the way Dante f*cks all those girls, and how bloody it is? He is also such a bad ass, his style is exactly like mine! A lot of people are complaining about how it lacks integrity, and is nothing like the original? Who cares about old things? This is new and BAD ASS!!! That’s all that matters. I’ve also heard people complain about how terrible the game play is. Hello, graphics and blood are all that matter in games.

                Every game should be like this. When I was a kid I used to love the Zelda games, but I was so wrong. Sure, the game play is awesome, but its lacking that bad ass..ness! Link should be able to kill people, cut off heads, and all that shit! I would totally buy a Zelda game if it were like that, but that kiddy shit is for kids. Every game should be edgy and dark, it’s all that matters.  I’m now Devil May Cry’s #1  fan!

Damn, my mom wants me to do my homework and stop writing. Nobody understands my agony. Until next time, keep fighting the power!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMDcE24GcBE

- Signed, some middle class teenager kid.


^ This is now the audience for video games. God help us.

Blog 3: Zombie’s Advocate

                 For my research paper I’m researching why zombies are so popular in 2012. In fact, the popularity of zombies has been growing since the early 2000’s. My essay will argue that zombie’s became popular because of the worlds change in tone after 9/11. Specifically, zombie films and other mediums offer people a cathartic release to fears in modern society. One of the biggest flaws in my argument is that zombie films have been around since the 60’s, and many of the best films in the genre come from that era.

                While this is true, quality does not equal popularity. I agree that Dawn of the Dead (1978) is one of the best zombie films ever made, however it was not a box office smash at the time. It had a cult audience to be sure, but it never amounted to the heights The Walking Dead (2010) has in terms of cultural relevance. I would also argue that older zombie films have received a revival after the Zombie Renaissance (2002 – onwards). Zombies have always had their share of cult classics, but the mainstream exposure has never amounted to what it is in 2012.

Dredd 3D review

During the summer I saw a trailer for what looked like a dark and mysterious movie, with La Roux's "In for the Kill" playing in the background. The trailer was for a new "Dredd" movie, based off the Judge Dredd comics. Like a lot of other people, I laughed at the notion. The only experience I've had with the Dredd universe was the Sylvester Stallone "Judge Dredd" film from '95. Although the original is hilarious, it can't necessarily be referred to as a good movie. So all I had to go on was my knowledge of the terrible '95 film, and an interesting, if somewhat uninspired trailer. Being a huge comic book movie film fan, I decided to check it out. I wasn't expecting much. When I actually saw the film, my jaw dropped. Dredd 3D is one of most refreshing action films I've seen, and one of the best movies I've seen all year.

 The plot follows Judge Dredd, a bad ass futuristic cop that is the “Judge, jury and executioner” allowing him to kill at will. In a crime ridden city of megacity of 800 million, people live in “mega complexes” that can hold up to 70,000 people. Dredd is introduced to the beautiful rookie Judge Anderson, and has to take her on her first day of training. Dredd and Anderson investigate a murder in a megacity, a sting that turns sour. The cult leader of the megacities biggest gang traps Dredd and Anderson in this mega complex, and they spend the movie having to fight their way out.

 The plot may sound very basic, and in truth it is. But that’s what’s so refreshing about Dredd, it is violent, brutal, and straight to the point. And this film is BRUTAL. The violence is extremely over the top and satisfying, some of the most violent scenes I’ve seen in a while. The movie deserves its R rating.

 Stylistic, Dredd is also extremely refreshing. The film introduces a drug called “slo-mo”, which slows down time and makes everything look beautiful. The action scenes that take place in the “slo-mo” time are simply beautiful to look at.

 Dredd 3D flopped in the theatres, due to the horrible ’95 film, uninspired advertising, and a lack of interest from the public. Mark my words when I say that Dredd will become a cult success, akin to Fight Club. Do yourself a favor, see it.

(HD) Judge Dredd - YOU BETRAYED THE LAW!!!!

#1 How Youtube Has Affected Communication

    I was trying to find a topic this weekend, to no avail. Some of the best ideas come out of strange places. I've had a YouTube channel since 2009, and a hobby of mine is making videos. So far, my channel has been able to amass over a million views, and over seven-hundred subscribers from all around the world. I was talking to a friend about starting his own YouTube channel, and was giving him a lot of pointers. It really hit me that after all these years of making YouTube videos; I've really learned a lot about the site and how it works. What a great idea, a topic about something I have a lot of experience in; YouTube, and how it has changed the world and communication.

    YouTube has really affected general communication in the last eight years. Yes, even though it feels like its been around forever, YouTube only started in 2005. The effect its had on social media has been monumental, the only site that compares is Facebook. YouTube has put a library of millions of hours of videos, and information, at the fingertips of anyone with a computer and internet connection (2012, everyone). It has a video for every song, every topic, and every documentary. It gave a voice to the people, something, never before has any random person been able to turn on a camera and speak to the world. It exposed talent to the world, and turned random nobodies into stars (and unfortunately created Justin Bieber). It gave under dogs like Ron Paul a chance at the 2012 US election. It changed everything about the way we live in today's society.

    Looking back on the world pre-YouTube, it’s amazing how much things have changed. My research paper will document the way that YouTube has changed social media forever, and how far it has come today.

- Justin Mercer