Thursday, November 29, 2012

Blog End

Hi there Blogheads,

Today is your last post so, it's time for a little reflection.

Please answer the following questions:
Which post you enjoyed writing most? (& why?)
Which post you enjoyed writing least? (& why?)
Which of your classmate's blogs you enjoyed reading most? (& why?)
Who has the most attractive blog? (& why?)
What you enjoyed or disliked about the blog writing experience? (& why?)

Leave a comment on your teacher's blog and on the blogs of 3 classmates. Write a minimum of 250 words.





Thursday, November 22, 2012

A Special Website

Today I'd like you to write about a special website you like to visit. It doesn't have to be your favourite or the one you visit most but one that you go back to visit every now and then. In my case I'm going to write about AsianCinematic, a web site I found in 2010 when I was doing a course on "Experimental Cinema". http://www.asiancinematic.com/ During the course, we discussed a cult Japanese movie called Tetsuo about a man who starts turning into an "iron man" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsuo:_The_Iron_Man). We watched a short clip of the film and it inspired me to investigate the genre. Anyway, whilst investigating I came across AsianCinematic and started to explore by cross-referencing the films with Internet Movie Database (IMDB). I've seen quite a lot of Asian films because I've always been interested in Asian culture but this webpage gives you access to so many films that it's a little overwhelming. I searched through a couple of specific genres and found films that you would never see on the mainstream TV or in local cinemas. My favourite finds were: Love Exposure (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1128075/) and Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169222/). I also saw some other crazy films like Machine Girl (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1050160/) & Tokyo Gore Police (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1183732/) that quite silly are so full of blood that all you can do is laugh. Tarantino is a big fan of this type of movie and it's easy to see where he gets his ideas (e.g. Kill Bill). I don't visit the website very often because I don't have much time during the academic year, however, I'm looking forward to the holidays when I can put my feet up and watch some good films. I don't think this website is for everyone because some of the films are quite "strong" in nature. However, if you like good independant cinema, it's brilliant.
Write about a website that you visit every once in a while.
Say:
When you first visited the website,
How you found out about it,
What it's about,
Why you like it,
What sort of people would like this website.
Mention anything else you think is important. Write at least 250 words. Comment on your teacher's blog and on the blogs of 3 classmates.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Piece Of Art

I can’t claim to know much about art but I do know what I like. As a teenager I was a big fan of Salvador Dali mainly because of his amazing imagination. Pop art also appealed to me because it was usually very clever and there are some modern artists who produce excellent material that gets you to think in another way. However, the painting I’m going to write about today is “The Little Tower” by Pieter Bruegel. I’ve never actually seen the original which is in the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands but it’s a painting I was drawn to since I first saw it on a postcard in the Museum of London in the early 80’s. I still have the postcard (which is now almost 30 years old) on my wall at home. I think I might have been influenced by the similarity with the Tyrell Corporation building in Bladerunner which I saw about the same time. However, I really like the idea of the Tower of Babel and of our forefathers trying to build a tower to reach the heavens (actually, architects are still trying to do the same today, I mean just take a look at the Gran Torre Santiago!!). The colour and the detail are also amazing plus the fact that Bruegel transported the building to his native Belgium. I really wish I could paint like that! Write about 2 pieces of art you like. Say what they are, Who they are by, When you saw them for the first time, Why you like them, Mention anything else you think is important. Write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on your teacher’s blog and on the blogs of 3 classmates.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Film

One of the best films I've seen in the last few years is a British film called Fish Tank. I actually saw it at home on DVD as I don't go to the cinema very often any more (I've been once this year). The film is an independant movie by director Andrea Arnold and my eldest sister Terry suggested that I watch it. The film tells the story of a young girl from a broken home growing up in a poor part of London. The film is a drama and it stars unknown actors. The lead role is played by Katie Jarvis and it also stars Michael Fassbender who is the star of the other movie I was going to write about (and best movie I've seen this year) "Shame" by British director Steve McQueen (A must see movie - Watch it!!!). I enjoyed Fish Tank because it is a very British movie and it relates to elements of British culture that many people don't know about. The young girl in the story is a bit of a loner and has a very troubled home life. Actually, I've just seen that the full fill is available (subtitled) on Youtube:) Here¿s the trailer. Write about a movie you enjoyed. Say: What it's called, Where and when you saw it, Which actors star in it, What genre it is, What it's about, Why you enjoyed it. Mention anything else you find interesting. Leave comments on your teacher's blog and the blogs of at least 3 classmates.