Just a jumbled thought... don't pay attention to it. Seriously

In my mind, there are several key aspects in the determination of the representation of current culture with in movies. The two largest characteristics are the strength (or nonexistent strength) of the hero and the ultimate conclusion of the movie. Firstly, how does the main character react to opposition? Is he hesitant? Does he struggle with his own demons? Does he fight balls out? who is this main character, is he a bad guy or a good guy? Is he a natural born leader? Or is he merely the hero because of the lack of better choices? Today, there have been a rise of superheroes with issues. Just like in previous times of unrest, modern films represent a struggle. They often deal with shades of gray and straddle the line between good and evil. Many don't know the answer and do not ever succeed in finding a solution.
Without dabling too far into these ideas, the second is the final conclusion. How did the movie end? Did it present an answer to the problem? Does the main character die? Was his death heroic or a desperate act with no hope for success?
With all this said, there were several things I did not like about The Knowing. Despite my love for apocolypic films, this one represented an aspect of todays culture I was hoping wasn't coming. Not only did it completely remove God and attempt to solve todays questions with another theory, but it answered the solution with the idea that there was no point in fighting. There was no point in fighting for freedom or life because only death was in our path.
What bothered me even more was the refusal of these aliens to save more of the population. Where they saying that we weren't worth saving? If that is the case, why didn't the movie have the world die by our own means? Instead, the world died by something that was not our cause. I'm not sure if I could stretch it to the fears of global warming or not, but in this case, earth's tempature increased because of flares, not because of over population and over consumption.
Again, there is no point in life because life can cease to exist. I don't find the idea of two small children living on a distant planet a very optimistic point of view.
So what does this say about our modern era? It is hard to say the direction this nation is turning. The Obama administration has quadrupled our debt in a matter of months, signed legislation to tax 90% of wages singling out key groups of people, ordered the eventual end of military defenses, promised the nation programs this nation cannot efford, negotiated with countries that do not have our best interest, and a clear idea of taking away our personal freedoms in exchange for "protection".
Movies declare a struggle to succeed between heroes and villians. On top of this, heroes and villians show blured lines and gray areas in characteristics.
It is very hard for me to remain silient (or complacent) and let our nation dwindle out as a 1st worldd power. I am not okay with this depiction. I like happy endings. I like it when the girl and the guy skip off into the sunset.

I think I'm rambling. I'm jumping subjects. Its partially because I've been twitter and converse with some of my conservative friends about what I think about this movie in particular.
I did not like The Knowing. It represents something that I believe is mortally wrong, and I haven't even began to talk about what I think about the idea that aliens planted the first humans.

Decided to do this again now that I have a larger itunes and I'm not using Erick's music

1.Put your iTunes/ipod on shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing the same as well as the person you got the note from.

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY...
Day In, Day Out by Streetlight Manifesto

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Little Man by The O.C. Supertones

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Trendy by Reel Big Fish (I don't think so?)

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
There Was Another Time by Relient K

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
A New Hope by Five Iron Frenzy

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore by The Smiths (haha)

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
You Can't Handle This by Five Iron Frenzy (hilarious)

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Ramblings of a Beggar by Shawn McDonald

9) WHAT IS 2+2?
Dark Days by The Used

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
I'm Her Man by Reel Big Fish

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Build God, Than We'll Talk by Panic! At the Disco

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
These are Not My Pants (the Rock Opera One) by Five Iron Frenzy

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Unknown by The Supertones

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
My Girlfriend by Relient K

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas by Relient K

16) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Monsters by Matchbook Romance (haha I don't think Erick would let us)

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
These Rocks have Energy by MU330

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Every New Day by Five Iron Frenzy

19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
On and On and On by Streetlight Manifesto

20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
That's Alright by Tyler Hilton

22) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
The Controller by The Aquabats

23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Cupids Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes

24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Make Damn Sure by Taking Back Sunday

25) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Camisado by Panic! At The Disco (I'm not sure what that means)

26) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
White Tooth Man by Iron & Wine

27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Lights Out by Danity Kane

29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Screams in the Night by Five Iron Frenzy

30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Full Moon by The Black Ghosts

Listening to some beautiful music lately:

The sad thing is that neither of the 3 people I'm in love with currently have CDs. Their music is beautiful and emotional and full of passion. Some how I got a hold of a bunch of live mp3s. They are so beautiful. I wish I could play guitar and write songs like they do. :)

For those of you who read my Senior Thesis, you know I'm interested in how domestic and international policy effect shape film. I've been wondering lately how film has been effected by our current events. We will have to wait and see how the Obama presidency will effect it, but we can clearly see an instability in some of our super hero films. They aren't perfect. They have internal struggles with what is right and wrong. I've been dying to start a blog, historical and conservative. I hadn't really had an idea before today what to do with it. Film history is my specialty. Once you get me started... I never shut up. Just thinking out loud at this preliminary point. I'm not sure if I have that much time to dedicate to a blog. Busy busy!

V for Vendetta

"Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of the everyday routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration - whereby those important events of the past, usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, are celebrated with a nice holiday - I thought we could mark this November the fifth, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat.
There are, of course, those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now orders are being shouted into telephones and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?
Cruelty and injustice...intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance, coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told...if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.
I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War. Terror. Disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you and in your panic, you turned to the now High Chancellor Adam Sutler. He promised you order. He promised you peace. And all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.
Last night, I sought to end that silence. Last night, I destroyed the Old Bailey to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago, a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice and freedom are more than words - they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you, then I would suggest that you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek...then I ask you to stand beside me, one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament. And together, we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever, be forgot!"


Obviously... I'm very bitter about the direction our great nation is taking. Its not this dramatic, but does anyone else notice that we are slowly being striped of our freedoms?

Not too much to talk about... I'm just chilling. Twittering. One of the cool things that I've been totally sucked into. It is nice being updated all day with news. I feel chalk full of knowledge.

I encourage everyone to give it a whirl... and also to download the app for your phone. And, to download Loopt if you are bored. Its pretty fun.

----------------
Now playing: Relient K - Over Thinking
via FoxyTunes

The conservative in me says...

On another note... I am a republican. I will not stand idly by and be forced to be a moderate. I am not a wishy-washy moderate. I believe in the power of capitalism. I believe as an American I have the right to pursue large goals. I believe that business is what makes America great. I don't think it is unreasonable for me to hope to have a household income of 100k a year. I've worked hard to earn the degrees and will put time to obtain that place in the world, I do not feel that I should be punished.
It is not our right to have a health care. It is not our right to be provided a home. It is not a our right to free money. It is our right to EARN it. It is our right to work hard and be successful. Owning a home is not a right, as an American. And, I will not sit here and pay for someone to live in a home they can't afford; especially when I was responsible and did not purchase beyond my means.
It is only a matter of time before this nation realizes the wrong that is being done in the early part of Obama's presidency. I will no longer be quiet about my distaste for these UnAmerican acts. I hope that you will stand behind me.

It is not my job to be bipartison. Why would I agree and be persuaded to do what is wrong? I will not be made to look intolerant for "poor people". I am intolerant of ignorance. I am in tolerant of large government spending. I really hate to put it this way, but would Jesus compromise with the devil? Honestly, should we compromise with something that is redefining our nation.
If you have a momment, I challenge you to read this (and watch the video) of Rush Limbaugh at CPAC. He has been given a bad name. One that is not deserved. He stands for conservatism. He should not be attacked for being the only one to have the balls to stand up as a conservative.

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_030209/content/01125106.guest.html

Purpose Driven Life

Just started reading a chapter a day of this book. I know you all have heard of it. Its been making me think lately. Most of it was stuff I already knew... but, I guess I chose not to focus on. Why am I so unhappy right now? Its because I have no purpose... I'm running but I don't know why. I'm searching for the next step in my life, but I'm doing it in a very human way. I'm doing it alone.
I'm discontent. I've spent the last 20 years fighting my way through school. That was probably my main goal. I focused on the short term. Then after that, my goal was to look for a job/career. Now that I'm working full-time at a great job, what is next?
And, on top of that, how am I serving God right now? I try to be light. Most people know I'm a christian at my work. Its nice because I have a very clean slate there. They only problem is that I'm being held back by fear. I'm shy around people I don't know. Its hard for me to talk to people that I see all the time about things that are important to me... how can I do that with strangers?
Its hard for me to let my friends in to my sometimes dark world... how can even think about doing that with people I don't know know at all.
Either way, I know that God is going to work wonders in me. I'm very hopeful. I know that I am supposed to be in this place. I just need to let go of control and let him tell me why.
Until next time...