Yarr

Piracy. It seems to spread wider and wider throughout America every day. Music companies have been the main target in the past but in the last couple years especially, film has been taking hits. The film companies are losing big time from people downloading torrents or from websites. But really, who can afford to go out to the movies anymore? I can spend $10.50 to see a movie one time, or wait 2 months and buy it for that price, or less. I think that the theater experience is the best way to view a film, getting your full attention and submerging you in the story through the large screen and booming audio, but once you get past the ticket booth, you have to spend 4 bucks for a kiddy size soda? Are people right to stay in and just download movies on the internet. Granted, I'm sure Hollywood could do without the money they lose to this new-age "pirates," but is it right to steal these films that people work so hard to develop and shoot? Personally, part of me wants to say if they don't play fair and charge decent prices, then why shouldn't I just take it for free, but looking at it from a business and directorial standpoint, I know it's wrong. I don't think most people download EVERY movie they watch, but the movie industry has definitely taken a blow from downloaders. What do you think? Is it justified to "steal" movies online? Or should downloaders be penalized?

Connecting Media

After watching Rungu, I realized the connection between communication's mediums. The one in particular was music and film (and also television). They play off each other so well that one without the other seems empty. For example, music is used to build suspense and fear in Ringu, as well as help to assert that final punch of jump-out-of-your-seat fear. The piercing violins make you squirm and prepare yourself for a scare. I noticed one scene in Ringu, in the well when the girl grabbed the hand of the woman, where they didn't choose to use backing music, and it wasn't nearly as scary as it could have been with musical support. This also works the opposite way. Film compliments music very nicely as well. Have you ever seen a music video that, after seeing it, puts a completely different perspective on the song? I love how the two play off each other to create new meanings and feelings. Feel free to share some of your favorite scenes that incorporate music in them. One of mine would have to be the scene with Simon & Garfunkel's "America" from Almost Famous. 

The Downside of Technology

It seems like every time you turn around another form of technology is coming out. As soon as you buy a computer, software or a phone a month or two later they come out with the new updated version, that works twice as good. Do you think companies do this on purpose for their own gain?Or, do you think technology is evolving so rapidly that these companies can't keep up? Another issue I would like to get your take on is planned obsolescence. Do companies make their product only last for a certain amount of time before they fail, causing the consumer to have to go out and replace the product? Personally, I have experience this through Apple's iPod. I am on about my fourth iPod in about 5 years (not to mention the screen is cracked on the one I have now). From my experience, around the one year mark they fail. My second iPod actually failed a week after the one-year warranty was up, go figure. So do you think companies plan the short-term life of their products or is it just natural ware and tear that break them down?

Crackberry

Today, people depend on technology at every moment of their life. They can't go out anywhere without being connected to the internet. Websters Dictionary named the newly coined term, "Crackberry," the word of the year. The blackberry allows you to e-mail, instant message, and oh yeah, it's a telephone too. I think its becoming ridiculous that people feel like they have to be in the know about everything at all times of the day. Put down your phones and concentrate on what's going on in front of you. Instead of learning, people are checking their e-mails and chatting in class. From personal experience, one of the most frustrating things is when you're trying to have a conversation with someone and they can't go 5 minutes without picking up their blackberry. Technology is taking the place of real life for so many, people need to stop and take a look around them.