Journal 6

"The Dark Knight Rises" movie just came out on DVD today. Not only that, but one of the vehicles in the movie has moved to an exhibit. In David Undercoffler's article "'Dark Knight Rises': Tumbler rumbles to Batmoblie exhibit" he explains how the Batmobile from the previous movies is now making its final run, a run to an exhibit with all the other vehicles from past movies. David tells us that even at 30 mph, the Tumbler is loud. It can go up to 110 but you can't do it without earplugs and a full face helmet. To make five running Tumblers for the movie, director Christopher Nolan said it costed them millions. Personally I don't think I could ever drive one of those even with all that power. There are no side mirrors at all and no doors. Also, just the loudness of it would drive me crazy. I was a huge fan of the movie, and it is too bad to see it be put away. For now hopefully.

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/12/04/dark-knight-rises-tumbler-rumbles-to-batmobile-exhibit/#/0

Picture from Google Images

Journal 5

"Cheer, Cheer For Old Notre Dame?" is an article written by Charles P. Pierce. Pierce explains why he would rather not cheer for them. Right down to simplest terms he compares them to Yankee fans. As they can be unbearable and cocky, which we always hate fans like that. He explains how they have a chance to play in the National Championship game this year, as long as they win all their remaining games. So far there are three undefeated teams; Kansas State, Oregon, and Notre Dame. So if all of them remain undefeated you can see a problem there, three teams can't play in one game. Pierce explains how the system would most likely screw over Kansas State, that is if they don't lose any games. But who knows, maybe all three of them will lose their last game and then all of them would be out. Personally I hope Notre Dame loses. I don't believe they should be in the top five of the standings seeing as they have played no one so far. I am just tired of the media bragging up Notre Dame like they are the next best thing since sliced bread. 

Notre Dame Mascot: Google Images

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8623235/rooting-undefeated-notre-dame

Journal 4

from Google Images

In the article, NFL Second-Half Predictions, by Bill Barnwell it is pretty self explanatory that it is about predictions for the second half of the football season. He explains how since it is halfway through the season, people are now beginning to make predictions. This means that even though our predictions will most likely be wrong, they will still be naive. All in all he says that anything can happen. There are several predictions he gives. The first is that the Texans will finish with the best record. I agree with this because the Texans have one of the best offenses and defenses in the league. And, there schedule isn't very tough with only two tough teams that standout the most. Two predictions of his that I disagree with are that the Falcons with be the top seed in the NFC and that the Packers will win the Super Bowl. Personally, I believe the Bears will have the top seed. Defense wins game and the Bears have a lot better defense than the Falcons. Secondly, even though I am a Packers fan, I don't think they have what  it takes to win the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers is the most sacked quarterback in the league right now and lets face it, it is hard to win with the quarterback on the ground. Just the way they have played, doesn't make them a contender to me. Who knows what will happen. Maybe the Colts will surprise everyone and make it to the Super Bowl, or maybe the Texans will fold and lose six straight. Anything thing can happen on any given sunday, and like Bill Barnwell said, " A lot can change in the course of a half-season."



http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8582735/a-prognostications-rest-nfl-season

Journal 3

Star Wars is coming back. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times by Gina McIntyre, Disney will be coming out with three new Star Wars movies. The first to arrive into theaters in 2015. That sounds great but unlike the first movies, George Lucas will neither direct or write them. Lucas will only be a creative consultant. In the article it was announced that Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy will be the executive producer.

Personally I think it is very cool that the Star Wars franchise will continue since I am a big Star Wars fan. But I don't think they will be the same since George Lucas will not be the head honcho this time. The original movies that became famous were done by Lucas. So I think it will be hard to make anything above his work. A big question is what will they make the movie about? I mean after the final film, Return of the Jedi Luke defeated the sith lord and restored balance. But what most people don't know is that there are tons of books that were written that have never been made into movies. So I am excited to see how these movies turn out. http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/30/star-wars-three-new-movies-lucas-wont-write-or-direct/

Star Wars: Episode III poster. Google Images

Brief Screening Report

One significant scene that stands out in No Country For Old Men is the coin toss scene. It is the fourth scene in the movie. It starts out with the antagonist (Javier Bardem) in a little shop. The owner asks him some questions that irritate Javier and this causes him to ask questions back. The owner does not do a good job answering his questions well. Javier asks the owner about the shop and he tells him that it was his wife's dad's store. This causes Javier to get even more upset because the owner married into this place and the nice house out back. In a way, not earning it. So Javier pulls out a coin and tells him to call it. The owner wants to know what is on the line, and Javier responds with "everything." The owner doesn't exactly know his life is what is on the line but we do. He calls it right and Javier gives him the coin. To me, this is significant because it shows us the true nature of the antagonist. A man who is so crazy, would kill someone over a coin flip. And we see that all throughout the movie. He is that bad guy we all enjoy to watch.

Journal 2

My favorite movie of all time has to be The Dark Knight. The first reason is because of the outstanding plot. From start to finish I was into the movie and at the edge of my seat. As Batman struggles to maintain order, the joker tries to plunge him and all of Gotham City into anarchy. "The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules" the joker says. As Batman believes his time is coming to an end because of district attorney Harvey Dent. He sees Dent as the hero Gotham truly deserves, a public figure that stands up to crime. A "white knight" in essence. But after a tragic event, the Joker causes Dent to join the anarchy. The second reason this is my favorite movie is because of the great acting. Christian Bale does a great job playing Batman, but it is more about Heath Ledger's Joker that got me. Just the way he talks, and the way he acts shows that he did so much to prepare for his role. A sadistic being that has no care about human life, a criminal that cares not about money, but sending a message. The part in the movie where he says "Why so serious?!" sends chills all the way down your spine. But it was in the preparation for this role that he took, that caused him to pass away shortly after the film was created. In my mind he is the best Joker character and no one will ever surpass him. 

The Dark Knight wallpaper from Google Images

                                    

Journal 1

Vince Lombardi had a lot of famous quotes. Maraniss based his argument on one. “Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.” He talked about the Packers versus Seahawks game last Monday night and the controversial call that caused the Packers to lose. Maraniss said he was upset, which much of Packers nation, but after he had some time to himself, realized something. Would he be this upset if the Packers won, or if the Packers would have won on a call like that? And that was the thing he was getting at. People are so tied to winning that they don’t care how they win.

          

  I agree with what Maraniss is saying because you can see it all around sports. People want to win, for obvious reasons, to bring home the Championship and be apart of a great franchise. Since we get so caught up, winning becomes just more. I would say ninety-nine percent of fans are all the same. If they lose because of a bad call they will go on blaming the refs and never let it go. But if they win by that call, they are all cheers and smiles and they don’t care about the other team. They won, and that is what matters. Even if they know they won by a bad call, they won’t admit to it just like Maraniss was also getting at. Pete Carroll, the head coach, ran around like he won some trophy. Russell Wilson was interviewed and he talked as if they pulled off some Cinderella ending when it was clearly a blown call. Is winning the only thing? From this, it doesn’t look like it.