I've had experience previously in creating a web presence through my own website but I saw this assignment as an opportunity in which I can try some formats that I don't tend to use. My decision for using this blog as my central node was made after weighing up the options based on comparisons with features on different other Web 2.0 formats. I needed a format where I could place a mid to large sized body of text and the blog was the best format for that compared to Twitter which restricts the amount of text. I also wanted the older posts to be archived so readers would have the ability to search previous posts. After reading Rettberg, specifically the section entitled Technology for Distributed Communities (Rettberg 2008, 65) the usage of a blog was cemented .
I knew that I wanted my blog to based on the films that I watched during the duration of the assignment as I felt I’d be interested in seeing which films other people watched and why. I then made a list of Web 2.0 formats that could accompany my blog and enhance the blog I was creating. As it was film based I thought each post could be accompanied by the films trailer and the perfect Web 2.0 website for video is YouTube. On YouTube I could create a profile that listed the trailer for each film I watched as a favourite so any one who visited the YouTube profile would get a visual account of the films I’d watched. This favourites list also served as a base point in which I could get the relevant embed information for me to use on each blog post.
After working through Module 2 of Web101 Web Communications I developed a better understanding of Metadata and how tagging can assist in allowing others to access blogs, news and information easier. I chose Delicious as my next node as I would be able to create tags of my2011infilm which was the title of this blog and also give each link posted tags relating to the film written about or even in some cases actors or directors. The more tags the more chance of others coming across the blog.
The final node chosen was Twitter. I know that sometimes people don’t want to read an article, they want just a quick update in which they can then make a decision which posting they would like to read. Also the restrictive nature of Twitter coupled with its ease of use on mobile devices allowed me to instantly post the film being watched wherever I was watching without having to make time to sit down and write about it.
I’ve certainly enjoyed operating it all and once the assignment has been marked I feel I might continue using the Twitter account and see how that goes.
References
Rettberg, J. (2008), Blogs, Communities and Networks in Blogging. Retrieved from Curtin E-Reserve http://eres.lis.curtin.edu.au/cgi-bin/gw?url=dc60263770 (Retrieved 02/02/11)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
#31 & #32 X-Men & X-Men 2 (13 and 14/02/11)
I was prompted to watch these films after seeing the newly released trailer for X-Men: First Class. I'd actually forgotten just how well made Bryan Singer's X-Men films were. They feel like he is treating them with respect because of his love of the comics and as a result you feel this in the characters. It's something you can't actually say about the third film and the Wolverine spin off.
Singer really manages to keep films that have a lot of fantasy based elements still grounded and real feeling. As a result you are given two films which are considered benchmarks when it comes to Superhero/Comic book films.
Format: Bluray
Venue: The couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Mike Newell directed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he also directed Love in the Time of Cholera which featured Liev Shreiber. Shreiber starred in Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman who is Wolverine in X-Men.
Singer really manages to keep films that have a lot of fantasy based elements still grounded and real feeling. As a result you are given two films which are considered benchmarks when it comes to Superhero/Comic book films.
Format: Bluray
Venue: The couch
Degrees of Separation: 7, Mike Newell directed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he also directed Love in the Time of Cholera which featured Liev Shreiber. Shreiber starred in Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman who is Wolverine in X-Men.
#29 & #30 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban & Harry Potter and the Goblet Fire (12 and 13/02/11)
To say Harry Potter is popular in my house is an understatement. He is regularly watched and is loved by all. I recently purchased Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions on Bluray and could see everyone wanted to watch them.
For me these are my two favourite Potter films. Azkaban is the first Potter film where you realise that you are no longer watching a kids film, it had matured from Chamber of Secrets. It is a dark film that is so well directed, I mean could you honestly believe a Dementor to be family friendly. I would have had nightmares growing up. But this is why I love the film it's not afraid to go dark.
Goblet of Fire is another favourite for a completely dfifferent reason. It is an out and out adventure film. The challenges Harry competes in during the Tri Wizard Tournament are just so exciting to watch and once again it's an incredibly dark film.
Format: Bluray
Venue: The good 'ol couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Natalie Portman stars in Black Swan, she also starred in Closer alongside Clive Owen. Owen starred in Children of Men which was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
For me these are my two favourite Potter films. Azkaban is the first Potter film where you realise that you are no longer watching a kids film, it had matured from Chamber of Secrets. It is a dark film that is so well directed, I mean could you honestly believe a Dementor to be family friendly. I would have had nightmares growing up. But this is why I love the film it's not afraid to go dark.
Goblet of Fire is another favourite for a completely dfifferent reason. It is an out and out adventure film. The challenges Harry competes in during the Tri Wizard Tournament are just so exciting to watch and once again it's an incredibly dark film.
Format: Bluray
Venue: The good 'ol couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Natalie Portman stars in Black Swan, she also starred in Closer alongside Clive Owen. Owen starred in Children of Men which was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
#28 Black Swan (12/02/11)
Black Swan was my favourite film of 2010. It blew my mind, I can't describe it any other way. So a few months on my wife asked if we could go see it for our wedding anniversary and I jumped at the opportunity to see it. Though I was concerned that she may not handle some of the darker elements the film has.
Needless to say we both loved it and I loved it more than the first time I saw the film. Everyone I talk to say they are stunned following the film so I waited to watch peoples reactions as they leave the cinema and stunned is what they are. No one got up until a minute or two of the credits rolling which is unheard of in Australia. Rarely do people stay as soon as the fade to black begins. But it is a testament to a great film that leaves people in such a state. Have you seen it? No? Do it!
Format: The Cinema
Venue: Reading at Charlestown (I know I got off the couch finally)
Degrees of Separation: 6, Laurence Fishburn stars in The Matrix. He also starred alongside Topher Grace in Predators. Topher Grace starred in TV show That 70's Show with Mila Kunis who starred in Black Swan.
Needless to say we both loved it and I loved it more than the first time I saw the film. Everyone I talk to say they are stunned following the film so I waited to watch peoples reactions as they leave the cinema and stunned is what they are. No one got up until a minute or two of the credits rolling which is unheard of in Australia. Rarely do people stay as soon as the fade to black begins. But it is a testament to a great film that leaves people in such a state. Have you seen it? No? Do it!
Format: The Cinema
Venue: Reading at Charlestown (I know I got off the couch finally)
Degrees of Separation: 6, Laurence Fishburn stars in The Matrix. He also starred alongside Topher Grace in Predators. Topher Grace starred in TV show That 70's Show with Mila Kunis who starred in Black Swan.
#25, #26 & #27 The Matrix, Matrix Reloaded & Matrix Revolutions (06/02/11)
There is no denying that The Matrix was a game changer. Since its release the way action sequences in films have been approached has been changed forever. Whilst the first film is held in such high regard as a trilogy The Matrix is seen by many as the one that got away. The more I watch the films as a trilogy the more I realise that the first film is the one that is out of place. Almost as if they were forced to make it in order to tell the planned story which is in the second and third films.
I understand how a trilogy like Star Wars is held in such high regard but I'm really surprised that as a trilogy there aren't more hard core Matrix fans out there. It's still a battle of good and evil but instead of space it is within a computer and Agt Smith is just as worthy an advisary as Darth Vader. Some people will claim heracy after reading this but think about it. It's true. Watch these films again and try to look at them as a whole unit not three separate films.
Format: Bluray
Venue: On the couch sick
Degrees of Separation: 9, Mike Myers voices Shrek, he also starred in Inglorious Basterds the same film that Harvey Keitel voiced a commander who approves Landa's deal to defect. Keitel starred in 80's film The Pick Up Artist with Dennis Hopper. Dennis Hopper stared is Speed alongside Keanu Reeves. Reeves is Neo. (The toughest yet)
I understand how a trilogy like Star Wars is held in such high regard but I'm really surprised that as a trilogy there aren't more hard core Matrix fans out there. It's still a battle of good and evil but instead of space it is within a computer and Agt Smith is just as worthy an advisary as Darth Vader. Some people will claim heracy after reading this but think about it. It's true. Watch these films again and try to look at them as a whole unit not three separate films.
Format: Bluray
Venue: On the couch sick
Degrees of Separation: 9, Mike Myers voices Shrek, he also starred in Inglorious Basterds the same film that Harvey Keitel voiced a commander who approves Landa's deal to defect. Keitel starred in 80's film The Pick Up Artist with Dennis Hopper. Dennis Hopper stared is Speed alongside Keanu Reeves. Reeves is Neo. (The toughest yet)
#23 & #24 Shrek the Third & Shrek Forever After (04 and 05/02/11)
There's no denying it, the third installment into the Shrek franchise is the worst. It felt forced and tired, there were still some funny moments and i'll admit it wasn't as bad as I remembered it but still it was no where near the quality of the first and second installments. So when Dreamworks Animation announced they were making a fourth and final Shrek I was skeptical.
I have to admit the fourth Shrek, or Shrek Forever After, is actually a really funny and great installment into the Shrek franchise. As would be expected everything is wrapped ito a neat package but I don't care. Just do the roar!
Format: Bluray
Venue: El Coucho
Degrees of Separation: 5, Brad Pitt starred in Troy and later starred in Inglorious Basterds with Mike Myers. Mike Myers voices Shrek.
I have to admit the fourth Shrek, or Shrek Forever After, is actually a really funny and great installment into the Shrek franchise. As would be expected everything is wrapped ito a neat package but I don't care. Just do the roar!
Format: Bluray
Venue: El Coucho
Degrees of Separation: 5, Brad Pitt starred in Troy and later starred in Inglorious Basterds with Mike Myers. Mike Myers voices Shrek.
#22 Troy (03/02/11)
Troy is one of those swords and sandals films that a lot of people trashed. I guess when you compare it to a classic like Gladiator it is a little soft. This was my first watch of the directors cut and also the first watch of the film in a very long time. I loved the film, although the directors cut goes almost four hours but it gives a lot more action and there is a lot more violence which makes me think the film was cut to reach a bigger audience.
I still don’t know why people don’t like the film much, Brad Pitt is awesome as Achilles. Perhaps it’s the long periods that occur between each fight Achilles takes place in. Regardless I still love the film.
Format: Bluray
Venue: Home on that couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Ben Affleck directed The Town and he also directed Gone Baby Gone which starred his brother Casey Affleck. Casey Affleck starred in the three Ocean films alongside Brad Pitt who stars in Troy.
I still don’t know why people don’t like the film much, Brad Pitt is awesome as Achilles. Perhaps it’s the long periods that occur between each fight Achilles takes place in. Regardless I still love the film.
Format: Bluray
Venue: Home on that couch again
Degrees of Separation: 7, Ben Affleck directed The Town and he also directed Gone Baby Gone which starred his brother Casey Affleck. Casey Affleck starred in the three Ocean films alongside Brad Pitt who stars in Troy.
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