State of Play

Before I drove myself crazy from homework and solitude, I recently decided to get away and drive to Fargo to see a flick. Once reaching the movie theater, we realized that there wasn’t anything that we haven’t seen, or a movie that we wanted to see. So we nonchalantly picked a random movie neither of us knew anything about called State of Play starring Russell Crow.

After our popcorn purchase, we headed towards the right to theater 6, sat down and starred aimlessly as the movie previews. It was then that I looked around to see that my boyfriend and I were the only people in the theater under at least the 50 years of age. We then started observing the age of everyone that started walking in door, and it was after what looked like the whole Red Hats Society of Fargo entered the row in front of us that we decided to ditch that movie as soon as I love You, Man started at 7:45pm. Until then we sat back while State of Play took over the big screen…..

To my great surprise, this movie ridiculously put my pessimism to shame. It was by far one the better movies I have seen in a long time. This mystery thriller not only kept me on my seat, but it showed great examples of Mass Media in the Newspaper.

The movie starts off with the death of a woman who happened to be the lead research assistant and romantic partner of a married Congressmen played by Ben Affleck. Once the information is brought to Congressmen Collins attention, word gets out to the media that he was indeed having an affair with this woman. This is of course a politician’s nightmare.

Meanwhile newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey (Russell Cow) is eagerly trying to get a front page story out of the scandal while at the same time looking out for his long time college friend….the congressman. Dun Dun Dunnnn. The story then unfolds into a murder mystery at the expense of having the politician’s reputation destroyed by the exposure to the media.
I'm going to stop now so I don’t ruin it for those who plan to see it!

The film was an interesting view point from the newspaper/journalist perspective. It also brought some excitement to the medium, and made journalism seem a bit more exciting considering the many other sources that people to go to get news before the newspaper today.

The moral of this blog is…..
Not only would I suggest seeing this movie before you go into cardiac arrest from doing too much homework….and not only should we give the newspapers a bit more credit as a form of media….but old people have a darn good judgment on movies!!

Now on DVD and Blu-Ray!

“Now on DVD and Blue Ray!”

During this long couple of flood weeks and endless hours of movie watching between visits to the port a potty, hearing this phrase finally got me wondering what in the heck was so special about Blue Ray. I also started to wonder what the difference was between the DVD and the Blue Ray disk. Here is what I came up with from my research for those of you where as clueless as I was on this device.

What I gathered was that there really is no difference between the blue ray disk and the CD, DVD disk. It is made up of the same physical dimensions; however the blue ray disk can hold almost 6 times the capacity of a DVD. It derives its “blue” title from the blue laser that is used to read and write to the disk compared to DVD who uses a red laser. This was discovered my SONY. Today there are more than 1,500 Blu-ray Disc titles available in the United States.
It was not so long ago that the media world took the DVD’s in to their hands in replacement of the Video cassette tapes. Now about 10 years later they have attempted to make the digital video disk even more Hi- Def.

I remember wondering what was so special about the DVD when they first became released for general use. It was not until when I recently watched a movie on video that I immediately noticed how much more defined and clear the DVD was. It is interesting to see what will be used for movies in the next decade.

Who knows what else is to come?!

Romantic Era

Taking a look at the history of music, I was reminded of the six different main periods of music history. These in which are Middle age, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic. In this week’s blog I will be focusing on the Romantic Era of the music, and also looking at their composers and Historical Themes. Also I will be comparing how this period of music can be compared to music today.

The Romanic period was set in 1825-1900 and had many historical themes. It was a rise of European nationalism in many areas of Europe. Countries such as Italy struggled to free themselves from foreign control. This period was also a growing independence for the arts. Art during this time was coming to be more appreciated for its artistic worth, and also new ideas for the artist and fine arts were created.

This era was also a changing position of musicians. Composing was seen not only that of an occupation but as a calling. It was also a time when women found opportunities to express themselves by performing. This aspect was still fairly limited.

Now when I am writing, I started to wonder how this musical period related to today’s music. There is an array of different love songs these days. It seems as though most new songs are about artists singing there sorrows about their lover’s right??

However, one song that is based on Chapin’s Prelude in C minor during the Romanic era was Barry Manilow’s “Could It Be Magic” from 1970 something.

Below are some more links to Songs considered to be modern Romantic songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlEInKe33zI

Auto Tune

What would you think if you could be the #1 Music Hip Hop Artist and not even sing well? This is something to suspect of Artists such as Lil Wayne, Kanya West, and T-Pain. The reason behind this is something called Auto Tune.

Auto Tune is the new, fast, easy, highest-Quality tool for Correcting Pitch. This device has been called a "holy grail of recording," What it tool does is it corrects tone problems in vocal voices. What it does is initially digitally “corrects” singers voices. Some Artists feel this is an unfair advantage and also a way of abusing the music industry and an insult to their talent.

One group that made a solid effort towards putting a stop to artists using Auto Tuning is members of “Death Cab For Cutie”

“Auto tuning is a digital manipulation, a correction of a singer's voice that is affecting literally thousands of singers today and thousands of records that are coming out," - Ben Gibbard, Front man of Death Cab For Cutie

To further explain what auto tuning is, here are some videos to listen to what it sounds like.

Love Lockdown - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2M9YHATH2Q&feature=PlayList&p=4F5AF01E64FA7E48&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Bartender - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ogBol9KfW8

Hot Revolver- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4bODGNIwcI

I think that this has somewhat of a disadvantage to the music work and could potentially change the music industry if there aren’t some restrictions put on a device like this. I don’t think it’s fair if someone not as talented can have a shot vs. the many other people in the world that to have talent.
What are your thoughts of Auto Tuning? Do you think it should be banned if not restricted?

Stairway to Satan??

If there’s a bustle in your hedgerow don’t be alarmed now. It’s just a spring clean for the may queen. Yes there are two paths you can go by but in the long run there’s still time to change the road your on.
Or
So here’s to my Sweet Satan, the one whose little path would make me sad. Whose power is Satan, He’ll give you, give you 666 and everyone who made him suffers sad Satan.

Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to heaven is probably the most popular example of subliminal messaging that is brought to the media’s attention. Now, for those of you who are unaware of what subliminal messaging are? A Subliminal message is a message implanted in another medium designed be hidden from the normal limits of the human mind's perception.

The purpose of this type of advertising is that the human behavior can be affected by subliminal messages through the subconscious mind with either words or messages. This can be used in music or even advertising to control our minds and bodies through this secret communication.
Or you believe in this form of control? And how often is this method used in the media? Take a look at this video to see examples of how the media tries to from our minds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR5d1XscMNs&feature=related

Now if you don’t believe that, take a look at a very recent example of subliminal messages in the new Britney Spears song “If you seek Amy” Here are the lyrics….
Love me hate me, say what you want about me.
But all of the boys and all of the Girls are begging
to if you seek Amy.
IF you take the last phrase and say it slow…I’ll bet you can figure it out.

Naughty.

Miley Cyrus

I'm sure you are all familiar with the popular song Achy Breaky Heart performed by hit country artist Billy Ray Cyrus, however, it’s is his spawn that is in the spotlight these days. Daughter Miley Cyrus, or AKA Hannah Montana has taking the limelight from her father since the beginning of her Disney Series Hannah Montana, where young Cyrus plays the role of a secret Rock star who “lives the best of both worlds.”

Destiny Hope Cyrus was born on December 23, 1992, but her name was changed when the nickname SMILEY stuck and then quickly got shortened to Miley. Cyrus grew up in the farm with her family and 5 other siblings, but took a leap when was casted a small role in the TV production “Doc”. It was after this that Miley auditioned for the role as Hannah Montana
but was rejected the first time around for looking too young and too small for the role but eventually walked away with the title.

To follow her T.V Success, Miley released an album in October 2006 where she sang songs from the show. This continued her solo career when she released Meet Miley Cyrus and Breakout in 2007 and 2008.

Life seems to be well for this young superstar. However she has experienced some of the downfalls that some young artists face. Being at the young age of 16, there is a fine line to what image she can portray and what she cannot. And if that line is stepped over is when the controversies begin to arise.

In the spring of 2008, Vanity Fair had a photo shoot with the young star. The result of this scenario was what gave the media quiet the stir up.
Here was Miley’s response to the situation.

"I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."

This is an example of the turmoil that a lot of young Music and Movie stars face. Where is the line and what is ok for then to cross or not. I believe the media has a mass affect on this and how they react is somewhat of a snowball effect. We accept the things that the media accepts, and we cringe at the things that are considered socially unacceptable.

What do you see in the Vanity Fair Picture?

Britney Spears’s reputation has changed immensely over the years. From starting out as an innocent small town girl, Britney can no longer hold such a guiltless profile.

Growing up in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears started her career at age 10 starring as a Mouseketeer in the hit T.V series “The Mickey Mouse Club”. After 2 years when the show was canceled. Britney returned home to her old life style. It was soon after that she moved to New York for a shot at being a star once again. It was in late 1998 that Britney’s first album was debuted “Hit me baby one more time”. It was after this that her career exploded.

It seemed that the breaking of Spears’s career was when she married Kevin Federline on October 6, 2004 in the back yard garden of Kevin's tailor's home in Studio City, California. With Kevin, they had 2 kids, Sean Preston, and Jayden James.
Britney about her marriage to Kevin: "I think I married for the wrong reasons. Instead of following my heart and doing something that made me really happy, I just did it for the idea of everything."

Britney struggled with the break up and inexplicably shaved her head soon after. Britney checked into an Antigua rehab clinic after the event and stayed for nearly 24 hours before returning to California.
What could possible made this small town pop star turn into a crazed psycho? Most people would agree by saying that fame and fortune at a young age can affect people this way. Dealing with issues most people don’t deal with till there are adults and psychologically affect adults in a negative way.

I think that young music stars should have some restrictions to what they can do and how much they can work. I think that a lot of young music stars are treated too old when they are too young. Is this the reason that young Britney was so corrupt? And will her new album "circus" releve her from her tumoil.

Click here of more information on Britney Spears

T.I does time

Clifford Harris, or as everyone knows him as, T.I., has been convicted for carrying three concealed, unregistered weapons in his hometown of Atlanta. He pleaded guilty to two counts of illegally possessing machine guns and silencers, and one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. T.I was also fined $100,000. In 24 days the rapper will be starting his year long sentence in a federal prison for the crime he committed.

Over the next year, Harris must perform at least 1,000 hours of community service, which comprises of speaking to young people at risk and promoting respect for law enforcement, and opposing violence, prohibited and irresponsible use of firearms, illegal drugs and gang activity.

“You can see from me that nobody is too rich, too famous, too cool, too good-looking or too young to make a mistake and pay a price for it," said Harris, dressed in jeans, a gray hooded sweat shirt and a blue knit hat. "More important than the mistake you make, though, is what you are able to take away from that mistake. How can you use that mistake to ensure you will never make a similar mistake again?"

He told them to work hard, stay in school and do what is necessary to get what they want in life.
As a result, T.I will hopefully be helping troubled children in the work and teaching them from his mistakes. I think that in him speaking to the youth today it will be very affective considering he has 2 number 1 hits on his latest C.D “Paper Trail”.

For more information on T.I’s “Road to Redemption” stay tuned to MTV’s new hit series featuring the artist.

Chris Brown Can "Take a Bow!!"

Earlier this week the music world was shocked to hear about hit music star Chris Brown was being charged for the alleged battery of his current girlfriend, music star Rhianna.
It was just last week the both the stars performances were cancelled due to this outbreak. They were both reported fighting in a rented Lamborghini. When they pulled over a angry Rhianna took the keys and threw them outside the window. Browns reaction to this was lead by strangling and threatening the life of the young pop diva. Police were at the scene in a matter of minutes having the screams of the young singer Rihanna. Brown was arrested with bail set at 50,000.

Who would have thought that this young gun of a star would ever turn out to be a women beater? Not me!! Considering the youthful, charming, nice guy, image the star portrayed I’m sure this stunned many if not all the Chris Brown fans.

Many sources have reports Brown having a violet family past. This being led to believing to be what has manifested the stars anger. Ironically, Brown told MTV back in 2006 the abuse was "an influence in me about how to treat a woman." He also stated, "I used to always feel the hate for anybody that disrespected a lady."

For me this got me wondering….how often does this happen in the music industry and how often don’t we hear about it unless it is available for the public eye to see. Also it shows how things in your past can affect you no matter who you are, or how much money you make.

It was an Unfortunate weekend for Chris Brown. Not only did he get tons of unwanted attention but he also could possibly have ended his career.

Movie/T.V Music

“What ever happened to predictability? The milk man? The paperboy? Evening T.v?”

Ok how many know what theme song that is linked to? That’s right none other than Full House.

A popular TV show in the 90’s that I’m sure connects most of us to our youth.
How many times have you heard a song on the radio and instantly knew what movie and what scene in that movie the song was from. I’m sure all of you can relate to scenario, as I know that I sure can. The most famous examples that everyone is aware of would be the Disney movies. It’s hard to find some who is not familiar with “I can show you the world” or “under the sea”. These songs not only leave one feeling enthused but also put a beat in our head. These songs became so popular that there are CDs today just with the most popular Disney hits.


Another aspect of movie music is the tone and emotion music brings to the scene. If a movie starts off with cheery happy music that sets the mood for the whole movie leading one to believe that the flick is going to be a comedy or that of something joyful. At the beginning of a scary or Dramatic T.v series the music is going to be sullen or gloomy. The mood of the music is what instantly gives us an idea of what to be prepared for.


Next time pay more attention to your favorite T.V shows or Movies I bet you know all the words to the songs. J

Here are the 20 most searched TV & Movie Theme Songs for the week ending July 2, 2005:


1. Charmed Theme Song

2. Zoey 101 Theme Song

3. Star Wars Theme

4. Inuyasha Theme Song

5. Simpson's Theme

6. Thomas The Tank Engine Theme

7. Baywatch Theme

8. Jeopardy Theme Song

9. Rocky Theme Song

10. MST3K

11. Undertaker Theme song

12. Superman Theme Song

13. Survivor Theme Song

14. Pokemon Song

15. Dukes Of Hazard Theme Song

16. Hardy Boyz Theme Entrance

http://50.lycos.com/070805.asp

How many people can say that when they are feeling angry or down they go in to their room and put on their favorite songs that can just totally turn their frown upside down? Whether it is the catchy tune, the lyrics, or maybe even the memories that link you to that particular song, music is often used as a natural healing method.

For years now, music has played the role of a healing. This dates back to ancient Egyptian times were music and healing were shared behaviors that were natural to mostly everybody. According to Pythagoras, a teacher in ancient Greece, taught students the certain sequences of sound played the right way could actually change behavior patterns and accelerate the healing process. This proves that music can link to certain parts or organisms and brain waves in your body that can change ones mood just by listening to it.

There are recent studies that show that we as humans are not the only ones that benefit from the healing of music, this also proven to work in Animals as well!
Alianna Bonne, a harpist performed a recent study by playing hour long sessions to canines at a veterinarian clinic. After the sessions the animals showed an immediate lowered heart rate and anxiety level. To view the full story of Bonne’s healing harp music visit : http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/22539914/

However, even though music has its way of being useful, some artists today are taking music to a negative level by singing mean, vulgar and demeaning lyrics. The process of music healing can be reversed also which is what I will be talking about in my next week’s blog.
There is no doubt that music (when used correctly) isn’t an affective and beneficial remedy to cure anyone in their time of need.

Whats it worth to you??

Would you steal someone’s car? Would you rob someone’s house? Would you take something without paying for it? Well believe it or not you are partaking in all of these practices when you make the decision to download music illegally.

The illegal downloading of licensed music off the internet is an issue that the music industry has been battling with for the past few years. To make this more of an issue there are certain laws in some countries that allow the downloading. The U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act states that it is considered legal for you to purchase a music CD and rip it to MP3 players for your own use. Uploading these files without the purchase would be considered violation of the law.
Why you may ask is this such a big deal? If you have access to all the music you want with the simple click of the mouse the assumption is that you will not be purchasing the artists record causing the music industry to lose profits. According to
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/music_downloading.asp
Sales have declined 20 percent globally since 1999 when this became an issue.
This has came to the point where infraction with the law can be sentenced with time in prison and fines $250,000. This seems a bit harsh considering that it is so common among today’s youth.

Where will the all end? Is this an issue that will worsen the more technology develops? And who says that today’s artists don’t make enough already? Being a former “criminal” I understand how easy it is to just download your music instead of having to fork out $20 of your hard earned money.

The real question is if just one click of the mouse is worth one slam of door on your prison cell.

Music in the air ♫

Music was once something that was only found in your car, at a club, or in the lobby of the dentist office. It was easy accessed with a good signal from the radio or an antenna wrapped in tinfoil. Today the media had mad music access so accessible that is not uncommon to see people with ear buds permanently implanted in there head.

Taking a look at the latest music software, the iPod is hottest item that music lovers can purchase to make their world jam at any given second. The IPod is something that gave a whole new meaning to the music industry and song world. This creation leaves a person wondering what the heck will be next? What is going to be the next intention? The thought of such a device 10 years ago would have been mind blowing. The birth of the iPod was created by a team of people in 2000. For the complete story about the birth of the iPod click here! :) http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2006/10/71956

Not only is this tool used for music but it is also made a huge development in the access of movies and now with the new IPod touch, the internet at your finger tips at all times. Making this invention even more widly used. To learn more about the games, movies, music, and T.V shows and other options the iPod can offer, here is a link to the iTunes website. http://www.apple.com/itunes/overview/