Recently saw the movie Limitless with Bradley Cooper. Now this was good stuff. Highly entertaining if I do say so myself. The preview didn't even give the whole movie away. The script was funny, witty, thrilling, and surprising. A very good movie that addresses current issues like new drugs on the market.
I will say the movie totally promoted drug use though, which I felt a little uncomfortable with. The main character uses this new drug that allows you to access the entirety of your brain and he never get screwed over from basically cheating life. It sort of sends the message like hey kids try drugs and you might possibly the coolest person with the most opportunities and friends and a party life that never ends. WHOPPEEE
It so promotes the use of adderol and ritalin and things of that nature for short term lets get things done modes, and shows no consequences. Now, there are other characters who end up dying from the drug and lalalala but Bradley Cooper seems to be invinsible.
The cast is sick nasty and its super action packed. It starts off very comical, Cooper playing a struggling writer. I commend his acting chops, for this character is something we have never seen him play before. Go see it. see it now.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Art Review
I recently stumbled upon street artist Gaia on some website when I was researching articles about the Chicago art scene for an AP comp thing. Ever since watching Exit Through the Gift Shop I was instantly wanting to know more about art on the streets. They are ballsy, and they are making our world prettier! So I will say that finding this article made me smile.
She focuses on animals, and they are really reallly detailed stencils. They remind me of camp and me being happy. I wish that I actually saw one of her pieces in person. But the pictures online and the video of her in a mask putting up different work is cool enough for now.
It's also great that she incorporates pigeons into multiple works because of the irony of Chicagoland pigeons. Just a tidbit there.
I believe she also explores the difference between humans and animals in some of her work and that's always an interesting subject. I enjoy the doodle quality of her stencils that show her tedious work but also the type of thing you might see in the margin of my psych notebook ya know...
We have the right?
I have worked my ass off to get into whitney young here and continued throughout high school. I think I deserve the right to go to the college of my choosing. I think anyone who worked really hard should be able to have these opportunities. If only there was a part of the Bill of Rights proclaiming "right to continue in higher education". Sigh.
We should also have to right to smoke pot and not be put in jail for it. There should be the same laws for pot as there are for alcohol. It simply benefits everyone.
But in general, people do what they want anyway. And there will always be folks who will do whatever to get what they desire, so if that means smoking a bowl every now and again or putting false information down on your FASFA forms, you bet this will continue to happen.
And people should have a right to have some sort of shelter. I don't care how badly you've screwed up and are in debt, everyone deserves a roof over their heads.
And even though we have freedom of speech, for example, that freedom is limited. Especially when you are a teenager. But even if you are writing for the Sun Times, they influence what you type and if you were to submit something inappropriate you would get fired. I smell something fishy about these rights!
We should also have to right to smoke pot and not be put in jail for it. There should be the same laws for pot as there are for alcohol. It simply benefits everyone.
But in general, people do what they want anyway. And there will always be folks who will do whatever to get what they desire, so if that means smoking a bowl every now and again or putting false information down on your FASFA forms, you bet this will continue to happen.
And people should have a right to have some sort of shelter. I don't care how badly you've screwed up and are in debt, everyone deserves a roof over their heads.
And even though we have freedom of speech, for example, that freedom is limited. Especially when you are a teenager. But even if you are writing for the Sun Times, they influence what you type and if you were to submit something inappropriate you would get fired. I smell something fishy about these rights!
MC carthy happy late bday
Well my birthday gift to you is a great write up in the beacon. I hope you enjoy.
You probably celebrated with the fam or went to a show or something, maybe got a beer with Mr. Locks? OR POSSIBLY ALL THREE AT ONCE. I mean anybody would be happy with those three presents on a birthday right? I could give or take Locks but...
I bet Mrs. cooked your favorite meal and the kids baked and frosted you a nice cake. Maybe even watched a televised sports game...got to kick back and relax a little. But my question is so after all the gifts, was it a bummer having to throw some other things away? I mean according to your whole 100 thing gig...
But we know the older this one gets the wiser, and the better knowledge and discussions for future philosophy classes. Joy. I hope you still enjoy your birthdays even though you are getting older. I know once I'm 40 I feel like I will dread the whole getting older thing-not to say I believe your that old. not yet.
You probably celebrated with the fam or went to a show or something, maybe got a beer with Mr. Locks? OR POSSIBLY ALL THREE AT ONCE. I mean anybody would be happy with those three presents on a birthday right? I could give or take Locks but...
I bet Mrs. cooked your favorite meal and the kids baked and frosted you a nice cake. Maybe even watched a televised sports game...got to kick back and relax a little. But my question is so after all the gifts, was it a bummer having to throw some other things away? I mean according to your whole 100 thing gig...
But we know the older this one gets the wiser, and the better knowledge and discussions for future philosophy classes. Joy. I hope you still enjoy your birthdays even though you are getting older. I know once I'm 40 I feel like I will dread the whole getting older thing-not to say I believe your that old. not yet.
Friday, March 11, 2011
X is Known
Malcolm X is not as well known as you'd think. There's a college named after him in Chicago, so it might be slightly familiar. Before we were assigned to read it, I was not familiar with what the guy was known for. But I think the name is common knowlegde. I also think it is fair to say that black people are more educated on what his movement was all about.
But I will say this: I think his autobiography should be required reading for seniors in high school. Even though I got halfway through the book and was extremely frustrated with the repition of his preaching of all whites being rapists and devils, there are many other points that X's life has to offer that are valuable. Everyone's eyes should be opened to the different approaches used during the civil rights movement, and his differs very much so in comparason to King's approach. We should all be educated in the ways of the Muslim culture as well, and his life explains a lot of this religion. Alongside that, the book brought up some very strong emotions in me, both positive and negative, and a book that causes reaction like that allows for great discussion and awareness, especially in a philosophy class.
So it was very eye opening, but not only that, it was very entertaining. At least the first half up to his prison sentence was fun to read about. There is something facinating about the hustler lifestyle, and it gives him more credit that he was able to turn his life around and become a man of such influence. His strength is beyond noteworthy, and it can inspire many.
Malcolm X should be known everywhere.
But I will say this: I think his autobiography should be required reading for seniors in high school. Even though I got halfway through the book and was extremely frustrated with the repition of his preaching of all whites being rapists and devils, there are many other points that X's life has to offer that are valuable. Everyone's eyes should be opened to the different approaches used during the civil rights movement, and his differs very much so in comparason to King's approach. We should all be educated in the ways of the Muslim culture as well, and his life explains a lot of this religion. Alongside that, the book brought up some very strong emotions in me, both positive and negative, and a book that causes reaction like that allows for great discussion and awareness, especially in a philosophy class.
So it was very eye opening, but not only that, it was very entertaining. At least the first half up to his prison sentence was fun to read about. There is something facinating about the hustler lifestyle, and it gives him more credit that he was able to turn his life around and become a man of such influence. His strength is beyond noteworthy, and it can inspire many.
Malcolm X should be known everywhere.
Monday, February 21, 2011
X marks the spot
The book is starting to get interesting...but when I first started the autobiography I was like 'this is just going to be another book about black oppression', and thats real dont get me wrong but I wasn't anticipating the true impact of X. I still don't know the whole of his life, but I am definately intrigued and I know by the end of the book I will be well versed. I did not know much about the man and I am glad that we are getting the opportunity to read about his life in detail.
He led a difficult life when he was a child, and he seemed always to act way older than he really was. Then he got caught up in the excitement, thrills, adrenaline of the hustler lifestyle and started turning his brain into mush with all the snow and reefers. He had an invinsible mentality, and though that brought his name through the wire and intimidated others, it ultimately brought him to his long jail sentence. Even though through it all he had a premoniton of 'walking on his coffin', he knew he was bound to get caught soon.
I admire his way of finding opportunity in his life, with unwanted circumstances, he makes his money by his wit, and part of that is really impressive. I wish to emulate that aspect, using wit in your career path is respectable but schooling is also good. But I dislike the way he uses people, especially Sophia and her sister to help him in his robbing.
BUT MAYBE HE'LL FIND HIS TREASURE (GET IT, X MARKS THE SPOT?!) IN THE END.
My guess is this will happen, especially because at the end of the chapter he talks about how Allah really transformed his life after the jail stint.
He led a difficult life when he was a child, and he seemed always to act way older than he really was. Then he got caught up in the excitement, thrills, adrenaline of the hustler lifestyle and started turning his brain into mush with all the snow and reefers. He had an invinsible mentality, and though that brought his name through the wire and intimidated others, it ultimately brought him to his long jail sentence. Even though through it all he had a premoniton of 'walking on his coffin', he knew he was bound to get caught soon.
I admire his way of finding opportunity in his life, with unwanted circumstances, he makes his money by his wit, and part of that is really impressive. I wish to emulate that aspect, using wit in your career path is respectable but schooling is also good. But I dislike the way he uses people, especially Sophia and her sister to help him in his robbing.
BUT MAYBE HE'LL FIND HIS TREASURE (GET IT, X MARKS THE SPOT?!) IN THE END.
My guess is this will happen, especially because at the end of the chapter he talks about how Allah really transformed his life after the jail stint.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Album Track Review
I will be reviewing the song I shall be Released by Bob Dylan.
The first couple chords to open the song are infamous to the Bob Dylan style; authentic acoustics that personally make me smile. It opens it up to be a very soothing, toe-tappin tune. It starts with simple plucking, then turns elaborate; makes me wish I took up the guitar.
The harmonica gives the piece soul; there are wonderful interludes that involve the instrument throughout. I almost feel like I should be at a house in the country, under the starlit summer sky, on the front porch listening to an old friend play his guitar for me. This song instantly gives me a comfortable feeling of a friend's embrace.
'Anyday now, oh anyday now I shall be released'
Dylan sings about his shining life and his encounters with others. He references 'his light come shining from the west down to the east'...aka death but in a gospel-y, not too depressing way. He sings of being released from this hell that we live in, to put it in more dramatic terms. But he wrote this song when he went through a period of personal salvation; it was not meant to be any type of protest piece, even though the madia pegged it as so. He lost fan base because of this media buzz, but regardless it is a moving song.
The song is pretty simple and short in length but deep in meaning. He's a classic in my book, and everyone should light a candle in their room and listen to an album or two of his...then we will find our callings in life. Hahah what a hippie, but that was an Almost Famous reference for ya.
They say ev’rything can be replaced
Yet ev’ry distance is not near
So I remember ev’ry face
Of ev’ry man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say ev’ry man needs protection
They say ev’ry man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he’s not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
The first couple chords to open the song are infamous to the Bob Dylan style; authentic acoustics that personally make me smile. It opens it up to be a very soothing, toe-tappin tune. It starts with simple plucking, then turns elaborate; makes me wish I took up the guitar.
The harmonica gives the piece soul; there are wonderful interludes that involve the instrument throughout. I almost feel like I should be at a house in the country, under the starlit summer sky, on the front porch listening to an old friend play his guitar for me. This song instantly gives me a comfortable feeling of a friend's embrace.
'Anyday now, oh anyday now I shall be released'
Dylan sings about his shining life and his encounters with others. He references 'his light come shining from the west down to the east'...aka death but in a gospel-y, not too depressing way. He sings of being released from this hell that we live in, to put it in more dramatic terms. But he wrote this song when he went through a period of personal salvation; it was not meant to be any type of protest piece, even though the madia pegged it as so. He lost fan base because of this media buzz, but regardless it is a moving song.
The song is pretty simple and short in length but deep in meaning. He's a classic in my book, and everyone should light a candle in their room and listen to an album or two of his...then we will find our callings in life. Hahah what a hippie, but that was an Almost Famous reference for ya.
They say ev’rything can be replaced
Yet ev’ry distance is not near
So I remember ev’ry face
Of ev’ry man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say ev’ry man needs protection
They say ev’ry man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he’s not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)