Movie Review Exploration

Step 1: Read a movie review from the link provided below

Step 2: Post the headline of the movie review on your blog. Make the headline a sliceable link that takes the readers to the full review on the original Web site where it was published online.

The Age of Adaline

Step 3: Under the headline for the movie review, provide the following information:

1. Name of the publication

AV Club

2. Name of the writer

Jesse Hassenger3. Grade or score the movie review on a 1-10 scale in your opinion

74. High Points of the movie (performances, cinematography, plot, etc.)

The movie did better at parts where the couple was not the center of attention. At the anniversary party the movie seems personal and old fashioned in a vivid way. 
5. Low points of the movie (performances, cinematography, plot, etc.)

The plot is a similar theme in romance movies: Adaline has to learn to trust someone again. Blake Lively's reserved acting doesn't quite match what they are going for.

6. Quote a paragraph from the review that you think expresses the overall opinion of the reviewer about the movie.

"For a movie that emulates literature, The Age Of Adaline never fits comfortably into a particular form—literary or cinematic. It has the outline of a novel but not the scope; it has the plot of a short story but not the detail. And no amount of movie tricks—lofty narration, Danny Elfman-ish fairy-tale choral voices in the score, well-orchestrated overhead shots—can turn a dull little romance into a meditation on the nature of love and time."
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Step 1: Read a movie review from the link provided below

Step 2: Post the headline of the movie review on your blog. Make the headline a sliceable link that takes the readers to the full review on the original Web site where it was published online.

Far From the Madding Crowd

Step 3: Under the headline for the movie review, provide the following information:

1. Name of the publication

AV Club

2. Name of the writer

Isabella Biedenharn3. Grade or score the movie review on a 1-10 scale in your opinion

64. High Points of the movie (performances, cinematography, plot, etc.)

Carey Mulligan brought a enriching performance of her character, Bathsheba Everdene. The character Bathsheba was well adapted and shown throughout the movie.
5. Low points of the movie (performances, cinematography, plot, etc.)

The way he casted the film almost ruins a big part of the movie. 
6. Quote a paragraph from the review that you think expresses the overall opinion of the reviewer about the movie

"The only problem with Vinterberg’s love-quadrangle setup is that his casting of the film makes it too obvious who Mr. Right is from the get-go: Schoenaerts’ Gabriel Oak. Hell, his protective sturdiness is right there in his name. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the Belgian actor, with his sandy stubble and wounded eyes, has the dreamily brooding charisma of a young Daniel Day-Lewis. Since it would be a very short movie if Bathsheba were as quick to zero in on Oak as we are, she must suffer first (Hardy was a product of his patriarchal times, after all). Thankfully, Mulligan refuses to play the helpless, hapless victim. She’s strong and smart and sensual. "

Sports Current Event

Step 1: Find a recent interesting sports article from the Austin American-Statesman. (20 points) Provide a link to the article so I can read it.

Link to the article

 Step 2:  What is the headline? (10 points)
"With Josh Hamilton gone, Angels need help out of left field.

Step 3: Summarize the main point of the article in one or two sentences. (20 points)
Hamilton was traded back to the Texas Rangers. This leaves the Angels without a good left fielder which is not great for them but they were experiencing problems with Hamilton.

Step 4: List any sports jargon (technical words related to a specific sport). (10 points)
offseason

slugger

lineup

Step 5: List any adjectives (descriptive words about players, games, etc.). If none, write N/A. (10 points)
slugger

passionately

underperforming

better

Step 6: Identify the type of article you found and explain why it matches one of the formats below: (20 points)

1. News update - a news focused piece about a recently news worthy sports happening.

This is a news update because the reader is updated on everything that is happening with Hamilton. Since there is a newsworthiness to it because this is recent and it is important to let the media know when a player is traded especially with what happened with Hamilton. Trading is a big deal in the baseball world and it is even bigger when the media and people know about the troubles Hamilton.

Step 7: Provide at least one example of how your article handles one of the following: (10 points)

Names of players involved

When they speak of a player they name the position they play and their team when they are first introduced. They also use "manager" when they first talk of managers so you know who they are with the teams. 

Sports Exploration Activity

1. Choose a sport to research
Baseball
2. Identify your favorite team or athlete for your sport. Search the Internet and find a picture of mascot or photo of the athlete. Save the image to your student folder. Make a new folder called “Sports Exploration” in your student folder to save all of your files for this project.
Texas Rangers. Mascot is Rangers Captain.
3. Find the most recent rankings for one team or athlete. Include a list of the top 5 teams or athletes for your sport.
Rangers ranked 28th.

Top 5 (in order):
1. Royals
2. Mets
3. Cardinals
4. Tigers
5. Dodgers
4. Provide a summary of one team or athlete’s season performance. The summary should include the following:
Their win/loss record so far in week 4 is 7-11. The playoffs have not happened yet but last year they did not make the playoffs. The San Francisco Giants won in the playoffs last year. Three important rules for baseball is the helmet must be on at all time during the time you are on the field to bat or running the bases. The fielder's foot must be on the base with the ball in his glove for the runner to be out. 3 strikes is an out, 4 balls is a walk where the runner gets to go to first base, and a foul ball is a strike unless there are already 2 then it does not count. 
6. List three examples of jargon for your sport and explain what they mean in words non-sport followers could understand. (10 points)
Can of corn: An easy hit by the batter to be caught by the fielder.
Full count: There are strikes and balls in baseball and when you get 3 strikes you are out and for 4 balls you take a base so if the count is 2 strikes and 3 balls where the count is full before a strikeout, walk, or hit that is a full count.
Pinch hitter/runner: This is when there is a substitute for a hitter or a runner because either they are the pitcher/catcher and they do not want to be worn down or to pinch run and sub in a faster person to run the bases.
7. What is an example of sports cliché associated with your sport or athlete? What is another way you could say it without using a cliché?
"Three up, three down". This means there was 3 quick outs by the team with no runs against them. You could say "Three quick outs".
8. Name an athlete who is a legend for setting records for your sport? Provide a brief biography about the athlete.
Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama on February 5, 1934. He attended Allan Institute. He played for the Milwaukee (now Atlanta) Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. He set the most home runs in a career and held that record for 33 years. He beat the record originally set by Babe Ruth himself. He finished his career with a total of 714 home runs. He is also a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

CE #6.1

1. What is happening in Baltimore right now? What event sparked the problems? 
Riot occurred in Baltimore. The event that sparked the problem was the funeral/death of a black man who died in police custody.
2. What are some Bastrop citizens worried about with operation Jade Hills 15? 
They are worried about military presence in Texas and their guns being confiscated.
3. How many iPhone 6, 6+ and other models were sold in the first three months of the year?
61 illion
4. What is Girlstart?
A non profit organization to help girls from 4th to 8th grade to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) in girls.
5. Kim Kardashian...whatever...blah blah blah...Why is this woman still in the news? Okay, seriously, what do you think about Bruce Jenner? Do you really care? Does it really matter? 
I think that it is amazing for Bruce to finally step out and decide to fulfill his happiness by transitioning genders. I care and it does matter because there are people in this world that may feel the exact same way as him and don't know how to feel or what to do and he could be a good role model to those who are experiencing similar things. I applaud him for making this decision for himself and his happiness and can hopefully inspire others who want to do this to have the strength to tell others and go through with what they want to do for their own happiness.

Short Answer: Nepal....what a tragedy. Read the story on page A3 "Nepalese.."Write at least 2 paragraphs in reaction to the event.
    This is really upsetting to me. This is so devastating not just for the city but for all of those living there. I feel so sorry for those that are affected by this. They have lost everything, money, shelter, and food. Though it is so wonderful that other countries realize and decide to help them in any way that they can.
    There was 223 CONFIRMED deaths and I know more than that died in that earthquake That is so devastating and really hurts my heart. 7,180 people were injured which is also so upsetting. Those people probably lost family or their house during that earthquake. This just shows how quickly things can change and devastation can occur. 

Creative Writing

There's a guy sitting on a park bench reading a newspaper. His eyes look up from the page, appearing to be waiting for someone. I watch as I see him twist his wedding ring on his finger. He has the most beautiful bouquet of flowers set beside him. The flowers brighter than the sun, he looked at them and then at his watch. A woman approaches him, her eyes full of sadness. She collapses onto the bench and begins to cry. His face fills with confusion and sets the roses aside. He hugs her close, his face full of concern. He strokes her hair and whispers into her ear. Her face lifts, and I can see the hurt in her eyes. The way he trapped her hands and kissed them made my heart flutter. Speaking quietly, the woman's eyes filing with tears, she started to speak. I studied his face as he talked, his face filled with disbelief. A glistening tear rolled from his face. He was holding in the tears and she grabbed his hand and stroked it. I could make out the words, "It will be okay, we'll get through this together," come form her lips. All at once, he took a breath, handed his wife the flowers, and started to walk away. I observed from a distance but now they were close enough to listen in on.

She spoke quite loudly at this point. "Chris you can't avoid this, we need to talk about this." He tousled his hair with his hand and continued to walk away. "Chris--CHRIS," she yelled and he immediately stopped in his tracks. "I loved her too, Chris," she spoke quietly. "I felt as though she was my mother too. You need to be with your family in this rough time." Her voice cracked as she struggled to talk. He continued to walk until I couldn't see him anymore.

The woman ink down on the bench and put her face into her hands. I couldn't help it, I rushed to her side and told her how sorry I was for her. She blubbered the whole story to me. How his mother was doing so well with chemotherapy, how this morning she passed away suddenly, and how the hospital called her 10 minutes before she was to go meet Chris in the park for lunch. All I could do was sit and comfort her. We sat in silence for a while and then she suddenly took a deep breath. She spoke softly to me, "Thank you for listening and just being here for me, I'm Julia by the way." We talked for a long time and I realized how much she needed someone there to support her in her ups and downs besides her husband. I was determined to be that person for her. There's always going to be a difficult bump in the road and we all need at least one person to be there for us. That is one thing in life that no one can teach you until you experience it for yourself. Until it's you that realizes that there is a person in your life that needs someone. 

Second Magazine Cover

Magazine Cover Peer Review

1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Natural and Emma Kunkel

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

The photo is so good and the overall appeal of it.

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

The color of the subtitles (Home and Garden the Ultimate Garden Source) would have been better if they were used with colors from the photo and try not to block too much of the photo.

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The photo grabs my eye immediately. I also liked the title "Natural" with the white.

5. Is there a bar code? 

Yes.

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

Yes

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

It is a portrait

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Speak by Genny

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

I love the font and how the title goes all the way across the magazine and the photo is a good self-portrait!

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

I wouldn't cover the face of the person too far especially with the date.

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The color really popped and the title also pulled my eye to it.

5. Is there a bar code? 

Yes

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

Yes

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

Self-Portrait

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Nature's Readers by Calista.

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

I like the picture a lot and the teasers are really cute.

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

I would change the design of the teasers and choose colors that coincide with the colors in the picture.

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The photo really drew my eye.

5. Is there a bar code? 

yes

6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?

yes

7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?

self-portrait

My Magazine Cover

CE 5.3

1. What % of the franchise tax could state business donate to a voucher bill program designed to help students attend private school if they are unhappy with their public school options?
50%
2. What are the "two biggest civic challenges" facing Austin, according to mayor Steve Adler? Page A1 "Adler: Austin's success..."
Traffic and housing costs.
3. What is the political cartoon on Page A9 by Dan Wasserman from the Washington Globe trying to tell is, in your opinion?
It tells me that now you can see the death of a bunch of people because of media and death is becoming very public nowadays.
4. Who won the Master's Golf Tournament over the weekend? Where did he go to college? How old is he? How much money has he made this year?
Jordan Spieth won, he went to UT, he is 21 years old, and he has made a little under 5 million dollars. 
5. What is the number 1 movie in the country this week? Have you seen it? Do you want to go see it?
Furious 7.

Short Answer: Read the story on B1 "Pilot program lets Texas soldiers vote by email"
If this pilot program continues to have the same success it has in the past, it could pave the way for everyone to vote via email. Do you think Americans in 2015 should be voting by email? Do you think there are problems that could arise if people were allowed to vote by email? Are there solutions to those problems? Do you think you might be able to vote via email or online in your lifetime?
I don't think that Americans should be able to vote by email. The emails or email accounts could easily be hacked and change in the internet. I think there are solutions but the solution would be a government issued email that cannot be hacked by hackers and is only to be used for voting. I think that there will be a way to vote online in my lifetime because everything is starting to become electronic so it is only a matter of time before we vote online.

My Two Shots

Portrait

Self Portrait

Magazines Part 2

1. Early Magazine Covers: They were mainly based off book covers or the article would immediately start and there wouldn't really be a cover. Many illustrations are there for decorative reasons not for the purpose of the magazine. There was no description or teasers to entice the reader to continue on, just the title and publication data. The covers sometimes had symbolic pictures to represent the cover. 
2. The Poster Cover: There isn't a theme or cover lines anywhere on the magazine. The main picture is usually a amazing illustration or a innovative photograph. They all have one main focus, much like many of today's magazine covers. They mostly had one big photo, the title, and the publication data, still not real teasers or descriptions either. 
3. Pictures Married to Type: For this magazine there was a dynamic photo dominating the magazine. The magazine logo was always on the page, and a range of a few to a lot of cover lines on the page. Cover lines were introduced more and used within a lot of magazines to give a teaser but some still deliberately avoided using cover lines. Loud, colorful cover lines became a trend in the magazine industry during the 1990's. 
4. In the Forest of Words: This magazine style drifted from artistic photography and went the way of intense photos. There was definitely colorful cover lines in this magazine style. Certain magazines decided to have a cover line larger than the magazine title to draw even more attention to the magazine. Cover lines would even cover over parts of the photograph and surround them rather than purposely formatting cover lines around the photograph so it wouldn't get covered. 

Favorite Magazine Cover

I liked this portrait because you get to see two portraits with two different takes on him from him aging. The firs one is an increased lighting and more exposure to his face. The second one has less lighting and exposure to really capture his age and wrinkles to showcase it and give a real difference. The shadows also help tell that story. The story is that he has faded over his time of working and this shows that off perfectly.



The FADER, April/May 2012: "Philip Glass"

Best Covers

1. Bloomberg Businessweek, April 30-May 6, 2012 "My Life in Private Equity" environmental
2. The New York Times Magazine, December 23, 2012: "Jerry Seinfeld Is 58, Rich Beyond Imagination and Still Working" informal
3. The FADER, April/May 2012: "Philip Glass" formal
4. Vanity Fair, January 2012: "Lady Gaga" formal
5. Harper's Bazaar, March 2012: "Gwyneth Revealed" formal
6. New York, February 20-27, 2012: "Nicki Minaj" formal
7. W Magazine, March 2012: "Kate Moss" formal
8. The New York Times Magazine, August 26, 2012: "Deuce" formal
9. Sports Illustrated, October 8, 2012: "Oh Now You Love Us" environmental
10. New York, August 6-13, 2012: "Sex" informal
11. Texas Monthly, September 2012: "How to Raise a Texan" Informal
12. TIME, "Are You Mom Enough?" informal 
13. MIT Technology Review, November/December 2012: "You Promised Me Mars Colonies. Instead, I Got Facebook." formal
14. Bloomberg Businessweek, November 12-18, 2012: "The Next Four Years" formal
15. TIME, December 31, 2012–January 7, 2013: "Person of the Year" formal