Blog Project 2

People may see Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man as a superhero movie. What they may not see is that it is also a story about relationships. The relationships among the different characters in its story make it stand out from other superhero films and also make it very entertaining to watch.

The movie continues the story of Scott Lang, Hank Pym, and Hope Van Dyne. Scott Lang is under house arrest and the Pyms are being hunted as criminals. Scott finds out that Hank and Hope are building some sort of machine to rescue Janet Van Dyne and offers to help. Their quest becomes complicated when Ghost appears and also wants to use the machine to cure herself of her condition. It is up to Scott, Hank and Hope to defeat Ghost, avoid the police and bring Janet back.

The trivia of the movie is just as interesting as the movie itself. The study shows that the film is barely a box-office success. It earned $75.8 million in the during its first-weekend run. As of now, it has earned $195.6 million in the United States. This means that it is not Marvel Studios most successful film even if it made them some money.

In general, the film is both similar and different to other Marvel Studios movies. It is similar in the sense that if shows superheroes using fantastic powers, fighting villains and helping people. It also continues a storyline set in the original movie. Marvel Studios is fond of using long-running storylines (such as in the different Avengers movies) and this film is no different from others.

However, Ant-Man is still different from other films because it shows that the villain does not have to be killed or arrested to be defeated. Other movies such as the original Ant-Man film show the hero clearly defeating the villain in the usual way. This is not the case with the sequel.

Relationships are very important in this movie. They serve as the key that helps the heroes defeat the main villain. In fact, it is the characters’ relationships with each other that help them win.

This point on relationships is what makes Ant-Man important as a work of art and culture. It reflects a growing trend in the world that pushes people to work together and see the similarities between them, not the differences. The fact that the characters cooperate with the main villain at some point shows that people can put their differences aside and work as a team. This sends a strong message and moral lesson to its target audience: families. It is no surprise that the main heroes in the film are a family, too.

Overall, the movie offers a good, entertaining show. The film shines when it shows how relationships between people affect others for good or for evil. It does this in funny ways. For example, the actors crack jokes during tense situations. They do this when they help each other out, especially during the battle scenes.  It may not be Marvel Studios’ best or deepest film yet it is still fun to watch.

However, the movie is not perfect. Ant-Man is basically more of the same. It offers a lot of the same “feel-good” vibes that are found in the original movie. It is also a shame that audiences do not get to see Bill Foster’s character in costume. The mid-credits scene can also be rather depressing.

In general, critics such as Simon Abrams share my view on the film. They gave it a generally positive review. However, they also noted that it is “good enough but not the best”.

As for me, I engaged with the movie because I am a big fan of superhero films. When news of this movie came out, I watched all the trailers on YouTube and waited for it to come out in theaters.

In summary, Ant-Man is a film for families and a film about families. It is not the best film that Marvel Studios has come up with yet it is still entertaining to watch. At the very least, watching the film taught me that being part of a family means more than just sharing the same blood. It also means being willing to help others even as they help you in return. 

Week 6 Topic 2

Trump’s use of the term “fake news” to describe either story he does not like or news organizations that have aggressively reported on him, seems to be nothing more than politics. To me, the history of politics in America is the history of trying to portray his/her opponent in the most negative light possible in order to persuade voters that you, rather than he/she are the best person for the office. The only difference is that rather than criticizing an individual, Trump is criticizing an entire industry. The effect is the same, however. Indeed, just like a negative and might turn the community against a campaign’s nomination, it can and has turned some sectors of the nation against the news media. This is a risky tactic for Trump. While it might work in terms of solidifying Trump’s supporter among his constituency, it may also have some serious side-effects for the future of the country. 
One of those effects has been expressed in the increasingly violent and aggressive criticism against reporters and journalist. While it is common for governments and government officials in America to dislike the press, this is not so for the average citizen. That is, since the earliest years of the nation the press has been trusted to get the facts out. However, if everyone considers the news to be fact, the possibility that it will be able to inform the public on important events of the day would be limited or otherwise eliminate. As a result, people will necessarily need to listen to family or friends to understand the news, even if those portrayals are not never accurate. One of the best illustrations of this is Trump’s denial of climate change. While scientists across the world have testified to its existence; Trump’s denial has left an increase in individuals and organizations feeling there is no longer a need to take precautions on protecting the environment.

Week 6 Topic 1

I have a craving for information, and actively read the news on a daily basis, if and when I can. So on a scale of 1 to 5, I would give myself a 4.5 as being well informed of current events across a spectrum of new topics. In fact, the homepage on my browser is a list of links which I have organized according to my interests. The three categories that I go to most are: “News”, “Sports News”, and “Tech News.” Indeed, I know that: Trump claimed any meeting that is son had with Russians operatives was legal, Trump called LeBron James stupid on Twitter, and the response to that tweet has been mostly in support of James, and the latest Mission Impossible movie is perhaps the most popular and profitable film of the franchise.

So, while it is indeed true that I do not subscribe to a print edition of a newspaper, I do follow my favorite newspapers via their online editions.  The source of local news is through my friends and colleagues, their posts on Instagram. What I have found, is for breaking news, social media is a much better source than reading the online edition. This is likely because social media can be updated constantly and continually in real time so it able to provide the most recent news quickly. However, it is often not very specific. Accordingly, social media usually allows me to know about breaking news, which I follow up with the more detailed investigation provided for by the professional media.

        It is tried that most online editions have paywalls. But I refuse to pay for a subscription. This is because, first I believe that important and breaking news should not be a commodity, as it is necessary to produce an informed human. However, non-breaking news and investigative reports can be put behind a paywall, because there is some value added to those stories that make it reasonable to charge a fee to access. Secondly, because breaking news is normally covered by all news outlets, if one story is behind a “paywall” it does not take that long to find another source that offers the story for free.

Week 3 Topic2

One of the effective advertisements I have watched recently is the one by Ikea. Ike introduced its ‘Place’ app which uses augmented reality to show how IKEA furniture looks like in different homes of people. The advertisement is effective because it creates a branded experience using trending technology which can be useful to consumers. Since they would see how different furniture would look like, they would have an idea on what they should and should not buy based on their preferences. What stood out from the advertisement is that the user would actually experience and see how a furniture would appear in his home. Also, it would be a fun experience to virtually place different furniture just like playing the popular game The Sims. The persuasive techniques used in this ad are emotional branding and integrated marketing. Since users of the app are most likely the ones who are planning to move to a new house, renovate their current home, or would just redesign their units, there is an emotional appeal in the ad. Also, it provides a seamless experience to consumers as the latter get to interact with the brand’s products.

On the other hand, an example of a recent advertisement that has failed to do its purpose is the one by Dove. In one of its advertisements, although Dove did not really intend it to be a racist ad, it apparently appeared that way. In the advertisement, it shows how a black woman who removed her shirt turned into a white woman. Instead of the main purpose of the company which was diversity of real beauty, it became a racist campaign instead for many people. The persuasive technique used was stereotyping which did not work out well because the audience focused on how the black woman changed into a white woman. The company should have used women of different race but same color instead.  

Week 3 Topic 1

GoPro is one of the companies that utilizes Instagram to advertise its products. Since the company is known for the creation of versatile camera, it is able to use social media as a platform to showcase the different photos and videos which are mostly taken by the users of their brand. The user-generated images could be one of the strategies of the company to show what its cameras can do and the number of users that has been using it. Since GoPro is mainly used to take adventurous pictures and videos, the images in its Instagram page say it all. The company further encourages its product users to share their photos, so GoPro could repost it in its page. For example, one of its recent post is a picture of a group of people who are skydiving. It shows how the GoPro camera was able to capture the images of the people who are freefalling. The captured photo is so clear that it even included a shot of the rainbow. GoPro includes the name of the sharer of the photo in its caption which is also its way to thank its users.

After checking the Instagram page of GoPro, I have to say that the company is effective in promoting its brand. Also, it is able to target its market by the photos it shares. Since the main users of GoPro cameras are the adventurous people, travelers, athletes, and even families, the page shows how the camera can be used in various activities. So, GoPro effectively uses social media in targeting its market and showcasing what its products can do and offer to the people.

Since reality media is one of the trends nowadays, GoPro can further advertise its cameras to be able to capture media reality videos. The company may upload more videos using the YouTube channel to showcase good quality videos taken by its camera. This could also encourage the users to capture their moments and upload it in YouTube as well. 

Week 5 topic 2

I think the actions by Julian Assange are good. Julian Assange emblems the modern definition of online activism, through the brave activities by WikiLeaks, the public can understand relevant information that they should be aware. More so, the actions of WikiLeaks assist in fighting graft by exposing some of the corrupt deeds committed by leaders in the position of power. Furthermore, some of the organization spends a lot of money in concealing information that would be critical to the public.

Following the ousting of the Kenyan dictator, Daniel Arap Moi, the government created a commission with the aim of cleaning out corruption perpetuated by the previous regime. However, after the findings of the report, the government failed to act as per its recommendation and instead used the information as leverage of the former country’s president. The public of the country had been unaware of the corrupt actions of the government. However, WikiLeaks helped in uncovering the story which the Kenyan public would not have been able to access.

I am satisfied with the steps that are being taken on the protection of copyrights. With the introduction of mobile applications such as tidal, Spotify, apple music, the artist can get the best out of their musical material. The move has helped in removing the exploitive middlemen in copyright industries and record labels. More the current technology has contributed immensely in contributing to freedom of speech. The current technology gives the artist the ability to air their projects without the interruptions by music labels.

YouTube is an excellent example of how the current technology has helped in relaxing exploitive copyright laws.  For instance, any talented musician has the freedom to redo and air a song by another artist. The mechanism is known as cover music, and with the exposure, it has been possible to scout talent that had been previously suppressed.

Week 5 Topic 1

           The people at the concert have been deemed as carrying out illegal behavior because they are listening to remixed music. Culture always builds from the past, therefore making their action unlawful creates a moral dilemma which should further be explored instead of criminalized. The activities are similar to past music which carried similarities in recordings such as the Staple Singers, “this may be my last time” and the Rolling Stone, “the last time”. Additionally, the corporates are allowed to file lawsuits on what they feel does not suit them.

Copyrights were created to encourage creativity. However, huge corporations are exploiting the music institution to make money rather than the desired effect of encouraging originality. Through the creation of strained laws, the corporates build exploiting rather than stimulating production. Additionally, the law is supposed to provide between personal data and that of the public domain, however, creating restrains creates a monopoly in the music industry.

Napster allowed sharing of music which is an essential component towards the innovation of more music. However, when the corporate instructed the shutdown of the website, they went beyond their reach. More so, they went further to incriminate individuals. In essence, by criminating Napster, the corporation created a monopoly which aims at satisfying their selfish needs rather than giving power to the people.

When people share information without any contribution to the creator, it is illegal since the hard work of the artist goes unrecognized. However appropriate laws should be created to allow free sharing considering that not all people are financially endowed. More so, the current laws suit by record labels and copyright industries serve to their benefit rather than the artist and the public. As a result, the oppression affects both the creativity of emerging artists and the artist owning the work.

Taste The Feeling - Coca Cola Ad (NCT 127 Ver.)

Coca-Cola Taste the feeling Ad( Project#1)

The ad begins with the scene of a glassful of Coca-Cola overflowing ice. It is followed by various scenes of excitement, friendship, and love. In the first incident, some friends are skiing, in the next, some friends are having a good time together, and then, a girl and a boy are smooching in the library. One scene shows a party in which a young couple drinks the coca cola from the same bottle. In the end, it is ‘taste the feeling.’ When you are alone, coca cola is still there, being the great companion that it is.  

The ad depicts the presence of coca cola in the lives of the youth, bringing them joy and laughter. No fun moment and friendship is complete without coca cola. The advert is made to just shake your emotions, making you feel nostalgic about moments of friendship, love, and fun. The ad closes with a guy gulping a coca cola and then a girl is in a bear hug. The emotions that the ad provokes are those of longing, happiness, and fun.

The target population is the millennial generation, whose life is hip and fun. The advert is built based on the lifestyle of a young person. Most millennial people are always looking for a fun time and life at the moment. The Coca-Cola Company contends coca cola is the best company for enjoyable times. The fellows in the advert are picked from the millennial generation, which is the target audience. The ad presumes that the target group is already conversant with the product. Its main objective is to reminisce. The ad portrays the ordinary life of a millennial and their ‘work hard play hard’ lifestyle. When the ad was made, its intention was to connect with the feelings it elicits and mirrors the same enthusiasm that the millennial generation has. The ad implies that y drinking coca cola, you bring more joy, delight, and glory to your life.

The ad uses Coca-Cola with friends, friends with stories, coca cola with smiles, smiles with secrets, secrets with fun, fun with coca cola, coca cola with love text throughout the ad. Through using writings, the text tries to passionately connect with the youth. People who have coca cola are great friends and great secret-keepers. Whenever there is music, food, good times, and good friends, coca cola is always there. The values that the ad champions are those of the contemporary generation, that is, liberty, love, friendship, and happiness.

The American culture believes in liberty and respect for the feelings of others. It is built on friendship, love and great energy. It is social and celebrates cultural values. When these values are practiced, people feel immense joy. Like the millennial generation, Coca-Cola believes in everyone being a winner, and each moment is a moment of triumph. Coca-cola is for everyone. The ad is successful in instantly connecting with the young generation. Then, it effectively creates a recall. An ad like that seeks to engage customers, retain the existing ones while attracting new ones. Going by the simplicity and splendor of the advert, it effectively achieves what it expects to.

Based on the ad, I learned that coca cola is tasty and I would buy a coca cola. I would also recommend it to another person. Watching the ad makes me thirsty for a coca cola and for fun times with friends. What surprised me most in the ad is that everyone is so happy doing any activity they do. It is not always the case. 

Other blogs about the ad

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/tiffany-leigh/taste-the-feeling-with-coca-cola_b_9390862.html

http://blog.catalpha.com/branding-experts-weigh-in-on-coca-colas-newest-campaign-slogan-taste-the-feeling

WEEK2: Topic 2 THE INTERNET

Everything that Turkle says in her Ted Talk is true. Cellphones, texts, e-mails, posts, etc. are supposed to make us connected rather than isolated from one another. Apparently, the impact of the internet and technology to us is the latter. I have noticed this, many times myself as well. When I went out with my high school friends the other month, all we did was talk and look at our cell phones. We took a lot of photos and posts them on our Instagram and other social media accounts. This lunch out was planned months ago yet when we were face-to-face, it did not seem like we wanted to see each other, or we missed one another. So although we were at the same table, it did not feel like we were really together. We were just there, ate and talked a little, and used our mobile phones a lot. At home, the same case is true. Before having breakfast, lunch, or dinner, everyone is using their mobile phones. Everyone would just stop while eating because this is our number 1 rule at home. We are not allowed to use our phones while at the table. Since we only spend like thirty to forty minutes for every meal, we make sure that we do not spend most of that time looking down at our phones. I believe this is a good rule because somehow, we have a moment wherein we really connect and see one another. 

I am also guilty of using my mobile phone and staying online almost every minute of every day. I realized that I spend 30 hours a week in digital gaming and social networking. I learned to play the League of Legends which takes up most of my time in a day. I like it because it is an interactive game. However, I am not a part of any online community because I do not like to post comments. Aside from gaming, I usually use the internet for researching and getting the necessary information that I need for school. It has been my replacement for reading and going to the library. 

WEEK2: TOPIC 1: SOCIAL MEDIA

One of the accounts that I follow on Instagram is "the good quote". This account posts quotes on a daily basis. Most of the quotes are inspirational and I can relate to them that is why I followed it. I find peace and assurance every time I read some quotes that are related to whatever situation I am in or any feelings I have. This account helps me see more about life and other people. It teaches me how to deal with my issues and problems.

Another organization that I follow is "Tesla Motors". I have always been amazed by the inventions of Tesla. The company aims to create environmentally friendly products such as cars, solar panels, etc. I am mesmerized by their dedication to create something that is not just relevant and useful nowadays but is also safe for the environment. One of the posts that I recently liked is the one posted on June 10 which is a picture of Tesla’s 10,000th Supercharger located in Belleville, Ontario. This makes me wonder and imagine what the future holds and how many more inventions can the company contribute to lessen the pollution across the globe.

Lastly, I am following Sam Smith. He is an incredible singer. I mentioned that I would like studying vocal music after I graduate from university because Sam Smith helps me to mold music work in the mind the image, feels the work the emotion and the intrinsic spiritual strength.

The post that I recently liked and could not resist but share is “Sometimes recognizing you may be wrong is just as powerful as being right”. This quote makes me realize that as much as we always want to be right, we could not be 100% right all the time because we all have our own imperfections. Sometimes, we need to admit our shortcomings and weaknesses and eventually learn something from it.