What I've Learned...

This unit has been an eye opener to me because it has made me go to the cinema to see films I wouldn't normally choose to watch such as 300: Rise of an Empire but actually realise that I can enjoy films like that and I should try broaden my genre's and at least sometimes go to the cinema to watch a film I wouldn't normally choose or watch something different on the T.V. Moreover it has also made me think more about the films I'm watching during and after, normally I would just see a film and say if I liked it or not but now I go into more detail and research more about the films I'm going to see or have seen and also analyse them more and realise whether or not a film was really that good or not. However the only film I really didn't enjoy and I would never watch again was Under the Skin despite enjoying the book and once researching realise it was quite interesting how it was made. I found the lectures that we had really interesting and helpful especially the ones given by Noel Mellor he really helped me realise how to write a blog and what to include and also how to make it different to others, as I'd never written a blog before. However I would of preferred if we'd has a few more lectures in the later weeks of the unit on different subjects because I found them really interesting. The seminars were interesting because it gave us a chance to listen to what other people thought of the same film you'd seen and be surprised when someone had a completely different view on it, which helped me to look at it from a different perspective. It was also interesting to hear what other people had been watching that week and made me watch programs or films people recommended that I would never of thought to watch but actually turn out to enjoy such as Catfish. However the seminars could of been more helpful on how to improve my blog such as if we looked at each other's blogs on a screen to help each other improve and also get new ideas for ourselves. Also I think I could of improved more myself in the seminars by sharing more of my ideas and thoughts. I found the reflective writing tasks helpful as it has helped me realise what I have enjoyed and done well in and also where I could improve. I especially enjoyed the group tasks as that gave us an extra chance to ask each other about our blogs and give each other ideas. It also made me realise how much I enjoy working in a group for a creative task. The media I choose to include in my blog is very varied I made sure I left my comfort zone and included films we saw each week even if I didn't enjoy them and made sure I didn't praise a film I liked too much when it actually had a few flaws. Moreover I also included live events I'd been to see over the period of this unit such as Jeremy Kyle and Rock of Ages theatre show which were interesting to think and write about after in detail. The unit has been a great opportunity for me to try out and practice writing less academically and more creative and informal and made me realise although at first I didn't think I would actually been able to do it, but be able to give it a go and actually really enjoy it. However although I did enjoy it as a unit it has made me realise also that I don't want to go down the path as a journalist and reviewer but I want to focus on other more creative areas of the course. I think this unit was a good idea because I think there should be more young bloggers out there writing about their true opinions on films because when I read reviews of films I never normally agree with them because they normally have different opinions and tastes to me because of the age difference.

Word Count: 650

There's No I in Team!

I was very lucky to be give the option to choose me group, so I chose a group of people that I worked with before because we worked really well together last time when making a film and presentation so I knew we'd work well together on this as well. We decided to work as a group on each of the four infographics instead of do one each individually and spread them out doing once a week so we had a clear mind for each of them and also new stories each week that were happening in the news for ideas for our infographics. To decide what we were going to base our infographic on we looked on news websites to get ideas from recent events that were happening that week and which appealed to us and intrigued us. We each took turns in our roles two people doing the research on one computer and the other two making the infographic on the other, one reading information out and the other typing. Once we completed the research and typed out the information, we all gathered round to decide between us the style of infographic we wanted i.e. colour, text and pictures. The only minor disagreements we would have in our group is deciding how to lay it all out but all came to agreement on each of them sharing our ideas and deciding which looked best. On most of the infographics it was easy to decide to lay it out though because we tried to relate the style to what the infographic was about for example the infographic on Same Sex Marriage we choose the colours of their gay pride flag and used scrolls to relate to the law. Also for the infographic on the Top Grossing Films of 2014 we made the text look like credits and the text to look like a film style. I think this task has made me realise I prefer working in a group especially when it is something creative because you can bounce off each other's ideas, constantly improving your idea so it is the best it can be; not just the best in your opinion but in everyone's opinion. The only thing that I believe could of been improved in our work is if we decided to look at our infographics the next day with a clear mind to check we were still completely happy with our work and change any minor details if we wanted to. The reason we work so well as a group is because none of us are a bossy leader and we all welcome and accept each other's ideas to the group and try them all out so then we can decide together whether it works well or not.

Word Count: 470

Great Leads and Great Balance!

Title: The Lone Ranger (2013)

Rating: ****

Director: Gore Verbinski

Genre: Action/ Western

Review:
When Johnny Depp is in a film you expect it to be good and this film delivered. Depp as usual played a fantastic lead as the delirious yet hilarious Tonto and Depp alongside Armie Hammer who was also a great lead made each other performances even better you could see they had a great bond of stage which reflected in their performance making their strange relationship in the film even funnier that it would of been if anyone else was chosen to play the characters. If Tonto was played by anyone else but Depp the film would not have the same success and would not have been as funny as it had been. The film had its great balance between action and adventure but also the right amount of humour throughout to keep its light hearted side. Some action scenes were a little dragged out and the fighting scenes could of been cut down a little but when Tonto's was fighting with his slick and funny fighting style you just wanted more. Overall it was great to see a Western updated for the 21st century and had the great balance between the classic element of a Western but also brought new elements that made it relatable and funny for today's audience.  

Word Count: 211

Relive Your Youth!

Title: McBusted Tour 2014

Rating: *****

Genre: Music - Pop

Review:
I know not everyone is or was a fan of Busted and Mcfly, but even if you're not keen on their songs they really delivered through their performance. Their whole energy and bond as a group really got the whole crowd on a buzz; dancing and singing along to every song. Even if at first you didn't think the seat you were in was that good like me on the floor right at the back and even struggled to see them on my tip toes due to a tall girl in front of you, you still had a great time as the excitement and performance filled the whole room and even by just watching them on the big T.V. screen you still got the same amazing experience by just being there in the buzz of the arena. But to top that I was very lucky and got right near them when they came to the back of the arena on a UFO singing Star Girl, very cheesy I know, but that's the great thing about McBusted they can be cheesy and get away with it because they don’t care. Their song selections were perfect and a great balance between Busted's greatest hits and McFly's early days. The strange thing I found was why were girls as young as 11 there? I felt this was a time for late 80's and early 90's kids to relive their childhood the real lovers of Busted and McFly's early days (the best days) not kids who never had a Walkman or watched VHS's. Overall a great night to relive your youth and take you back to the great and cheesy times of the 90's!

Word Count: 280

Infographic: Top 15 Grossing Filmd of 2014 in the UK

Funny, Sexy and Awesome Music!

Title: Rock of Ages: West End Tour

Rating: *****

Genre: Musical/ Comedy

Review:
I was very lucky to have a great seat in the Dress Circle and could see the show from a great perspective and didn't miss anything, but he palace theatre in Manchester isn't that big so you are guaranteed to get a great seat wherever you sit. The great thing about the narrator character is that he didn't just play for the people in the Stalls but also the Dress Circle and the Grand Circle. The cast did a fantastic and enthusiastic performance getting the whole audience to join in and clapping throughout and even standing up for the last song, the Narrator also kept great interaction with the audience throughout talking to us all directly. When the right cast is not chosen the whole show can be ruined but the acting and singing was brilliant all round and the dancing was so energetic. However I'd say this is not a show for children and more for couples and groups of friends who want to go out for a good time as the show has several innuendos and slightly erotic dancing. But the song choices are perfect and them alone will guarantee you to have a great time if you love classic rock. The thing that surprised me was that some scenes and songs are slightly different to the film but were the still the same great standard and didn't spoil it in anyway. Overall it was fantastic and everyone should see it!

Word Count: 243

It Does I'ts Job!

Title: Bad Neighbours (2014)

Rating: ****

Director: Nicholas Stoller

Genre: Comedy

Review:
This comedy to appeal to everyone both women and men of all ages, because everyone always love a bit of sweet revenge and see people playing each other. The hard thing with this film is you don't know which side you want to be on, because we are introduced to Seth Rogen and his family first and their a fun and likeable family we feel inclined to be on theirs but then who doesn't like Zac Efron and doesn't want to be on his side. This film is guaranteed to getting you laughing and if don't at least laugh when Rogen gets chucked about the room by sitting on an air bag you need to find yourself a sense of humour, I know it's mean but you can't deny it other people's pain is always funny. This film does it's job and has you laughing throughout and wishing you could join in on their fun. The cast is great even all the frat house boys who all have their individual traits and likeabilities. Also Rose Byrne is yet again hilarious in this film despite actually being likeable in this unlike in Bridesmaids. Rogen and Efron also pull of great performances as always and actually work really well together and you can see they have a good and humorous relationships off stage which reflects in their performance. Overall it is guaranteed to getting you laughing!
Word Count: 234