Movie Review --- Tron Legacy

Commodore 64 sold for $595.00 - Notice the disc drive. 
It took 5" floppy discs

I have to say that as far as movies go I have think that one of my favorite genres is science fiction.  Growing up some of the most remembered sci-fi movies were E.T. and Tron.  When Tron initially came out computers were still big mysteries as most people did not have home pc's yet and if they did it was probably along the lines of a Commadore 64 and you played simulation games on it.  With Tron's plot line though the user could enter the interal workings of a computer and impact how programs were run.  Basically, a Matrix for the 80's.  It took twenty five years but a sequel was finally released for Tron, -- Tron Legacy.  I was extremely interested in viewing this film and allow I wasn't able to see it in the theater I did catch soon after it was released on DVD.  The plot centers around Flynn's return the program's world and the emergence of his son Sam as a savior of our planet from the programs.  The story was fast paced and much of the time took place in the arena of the programs.  It seemed though that if you had not seen the original Tron the viewer may have been lost trying to follow Tron Legacy.  Overall, the film captured some of the magic of the original but failed to deliver up to its twenty five year wait.  It appeared that the entire purpose of the film was to put the story in a postion to produce another film.  Truth be told though I was very interested in the trailer for a digital movie that told of the time between Tron and Tron Legacy....Tron Uprising.   I leave you with this, if you have an interest in science fiction films then you will probably want to catch this one otherwise just leave it on the shelf with your 5" floppy discs collecting dust.

   

 

ODDS & ENDS

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a refreshing three day break and is ready to have a solid six weeks as we finish out the school year


Several things to keep in mind ----

1.  You should be turning in the blue sheet at the end of every week.  If you are not doing this I cannot grade any of your postings.

2.  Many of you have not submitted a self created video to your blog yet.  The self created video submissions are a large component of blog construction.  If you do not complete these it will result in your not earning credit for this course. 
        If you have questions about this process please ask.

3.  You also need to interview an "expert" in your area and post the interview as well.  Be thinking about this now so you are not jammed up at the end of the trimester.

Best Sports Movies

It always seems that when the time comes in the spring as hockey season is winding down and I am waiting for NFL draft I find myself watching more sports themed films.  On my short list of favorite sports films I feel that the following would be in my top three:

 SLAP SHOT

ROCKY

MAJOR LEAGUE

I welcome your comments and discussion if your opinion might differ

Movie Review ---- Shutter Island

Over this past weekend I had the opportunity to view the film "Shutter Island".  Based upon the poster and description from the back it appeared to promise a thrilling psychological two hours.  Typically, I am not a fan of jump out of your seat scary movie and I was hoping this would not be the case.  The film centers are around the search for a missing mentally ill patient at a state prison on Shutter Island.  Though there were many psychological scares to be found throughout the film, the movie itself was very predicitable and did not lend itself well to the secrets the island was keeping from its main character and the me the viewer.  The cast centered around Leonardo Dicaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two Maine state investigators.  The setting for the film was very ominous and forbrooding.  I did enjoy the conversation at the end of the film though between Dicaprio and Ruffalo as it asked a very extensional question as to how we should live our life --- As a bad person or die a good man.  Overall I would give the film 3 stars out of 5.  If you are into films like "The Sixth Sense" and "1408" then this would be something you might enjoy.

Trimester Update

There are only a few students who have posted their self created video to their blogsite.  It is your responsiblility to film and post the video.  If you have questions about posting the video to the blog please let me know so I can assist you in this task.  If it is not posted by the end of the week it will begin to lose points!

By now each of should have the light blue handout which states what the class requirements are through the end of the trimester.  If you do not have this handout please ask for one.  It is your responsibility to turn the handout in at the end of each week so your blog can be graded.

Also, there are some of you who have not turned in previous task checklists.  If you do not turn this in, I cannot grade the work you have done on your blog.

REMINDER

This is just a reminder that your self created video posting is due by this Wednesday, April 13th!

REMINDER

This is just a reminder that your self created video posting is due by this Wednesday, April 13th!

MOVIE REVIEW ---- "FASTER"

Over the weekend I had a chance to view the film "Faster".  It stars The Rock, Billy Bob Thornton, and Mike Epps.  I went into the film expecting exactly what I got -- a turn and burn action movie with little to none deep thinking dialogue that allowed for me to just enjoy the experience.  The movie centers around "Driver" played by the Rock, who is trying to avenge the murdur of his brother after he is released from prison.  He travels all over the southwest hunting down everybody who was involved.  Billy Bob Thornton plays the "Cop", a detective who is nearing retirement and doesn't seem to have the respect of anybody on the police force.  While Driver and Cop are doing their dance a third person gets invovled as he has been hired by some outside party to eliminate Driver before he takes out everyone invovled in his brother's death.  Overall I would give this film an 8/10 stars for providing exactly what I was looking for --- a two hour escape! 

WEEK OF 3/28 - 4/1

Happy Monday to each of you!  I hope that you weekend was well spent and you are ready to dive back into your blogging activity.  There are some of you that need to move beyond the basics and step up your efforts on both the look of your site and the material that you are posting.  Though Friday is a time to "catch up" on missed work our weekly activities should not be saved until that day to be completed.  If you want FULL credit for the week's work you should be completing the assignments prior to Friday.  That being said here is your "to-do" list for the week:

*  You are to complete two posts this week
     *  Post #1:  Should include 3 pictures that are related the post
     *  Post #2:  Should include at least 1 video related to your post
*  Poll Question
     *  You will find this option under your gadgets if you have not already posted a poll. 
         I know that some of you have done this already and that does count as being complete
*   Blog List
     *  You will also find this under your gadgets.  A blog list creates a list on your blog site where you will
          be notified of any new posts to the blogs you are following
*   You are also to visit the blog sites of THREE of your classmates and leave some meaningful and relevant
      comments on their blog site

Remember if you have any questions please ask.  Please vote on my poll as well.  Have a good week!

Limitless

I spent the weekend in Fargo, ND and had the opportunity to catch the new Bradley Cooper film "Limitless"  It promised a pretty spectacular concept, one in which a person could take a genetically engineered drug and have the ability to maintain use of 100% of their brain.  There was great acting by Cooper and Robert DiNero.  The film itself follows the rise of Cooper's character Eddie Morra from a down on his luck author to US Senate candidate.  There were several plot twists and though the ending seemed a bit contrived, I left the theater feeling at peace with myself for spending the time and the money watching the film.  Overall, I would give the film 3.75 stars out of 5.

Cooper and DiNero interview about their film "Limitless".
http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTQyNDQ3OTYyOF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDIzODA3NA

HAPPY MONDAY! -- WORK WITH A PURPOSE TODAY

REMINDER ---

By the end of today you should have the following tasks completed ---

If you have any questions about this week's requirements please come and check with me or one of your classmates.
End of the day Monday -
1.  You should at least be following my blog so you can receive these updates.
2.  You should have your welcome/introduction message posted

Also, if you did not turn it in last week please turn in your DIGITAL MEDIA COURSE CHECKLIST.  If you do not turn this in you will not receive points for your topic research and planning.

Looking Ahead To The Week Of March 21st...

As we move into the second week of class it is very apparent that many of you are extremely adept in learning new technology skills, which is AWESOME!  For you then that also means we can push up our timetable abit as far as what is being done on your blog.  On Thursday I demonstrated how to follow someone else's blog and how to create a list of the blogs you are following.  Here is the short list of what I will be looking for in the coming week...





If you have any questions about this week's requirements please come and check with me or one of your classmates.
End of the day Monday -
1.  You should at least be following my blog so you can receive these updates.
2.  You should have your welcome/introduction message posted

End of the day Tuesday -
1.  You should be following all of your classmates blogs
2.  You should have created your blog list of all the blogs you are following

End of the day Wednesday -
1.  You should one post related to your topic

End of the day Thursday -
1.  You should have one post w/ at least three pictures

Top 3 Science Fiction Movie Storylines

Over the course of movie history many science fiction films have been released, and many have claimed to be the best.  But when storylines are looked at there are a few that rise above the rest.  In no paticular order my top three are as follows:

*  Star Wars (Episode 4)

This film by George Lucas remains one of the all-time greats.  It includes a great cast of characters and a mission so noble it took five more films to fully complete.

*  The Matrix

The story of this film remains very popular.  It questions who we are and what are purpose to living is.  Plot holes abound but still gets its point across

*  Galaxy Qwest

In an offbeat comedy this film's storyline gets at the heart of every sci-fi geek's heart--How to save the galaxy and win the girl

My Digital Media Blog

As you are constructing and maintaining your blog I will be doing the same thing.  I have chosen movies as my general topic which will thread into many directions.  Please feel free to leave comments about the posts but remember to be RESPECTFUL in your posts

--- Mr. M

WELCOME!

I want to welcome each of you to our Digital Media Blog Community for Knights Academy.  I am hoping that each of you has chosen a topic that you have a great interest in and are passionate about.  Be sure to check for blog tips and news

---Mr. M