Jake's Blog

  Importance of Movies Movies play an important role in our lives because they're not just about entertainment, they're like doors  into different experiences. Whether it's a heartwarming story, an exciting adventure, or an extreme drama, movies have the power to make us laugh, cry, and think deeply about life. Beyond being a source of joy, movies also serve as a shared language that connects people across the globe. They allow us to step into someone else's shoes and understand perspectives that differ from our own. Furthermore, movies have the ability to inspire and spark conversations. Movies are like friends that show us new stuff and make us feel all sorts of emotions. They're not just about superheroes or talking animals, they help us understand different cultures, histories, and even ourselves. You know how sometimes you learn things better when it's fun and give you a way to remember? Well, movies are like sneaky teachers that make learning fun. They...

  In Class Movie Experience  Watching a movie in class offers a distinct experience compared to a home setting. The communal atmosphere of a classroom creates a shared journey through the film, allowing discussions and enhancing the overall impact of the viewing. In class, the energy of fellow students adds a different element to the cinematic experience. Shared reactions, laughter, and even moments of silence create a sense of shared engagement, turning the movie into a communal event. This shared experience can deepen one's understanding of the film as different perspectives and interpretations are heard during post-viewing discussions. Furthermore, the classroom setting often provides an environment for focused viewing. With minimal distractions and a dedicated space, students are more likely to dunk themselves fully in the narrative, appreciating the cinematography, soundtrack, and storytelling. In contrast, watching a movie at home can sometimes lead to distractions or a ...

  Swiss Army Man , Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, 2016 Swiss Army Man  is a film that defies traditional genres and storytelling conventions. Its originality, dark humor, and exploration of human connection make it a thought-provoking cinematic experience, but its unconventional nature may not appeal to everyone. This film used a lot of original concepts and things unlike any other movie. My main takeaway from Swiss Army Man was at its core, the movie is a partner  film that explores the unlikely friendship between Hank and Manny. Hank uses Manny's various inhumane skills to navigate the wilderness, the film dives into themes of loneliness, human connection, and the need for companionship. I wasn't the biggest fan of this film but I can see why people like the deeper meaning and messages. I personally wouldn't recommend this film to others but at the end of the day that is just my opinion, and everyone will have their own opinion. 

  Cars, John Lasseter, 2006 Cars is an animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2006. Directed by John Lasseter, the movie presents a world entirely inhabited by cars and vehicles. The movie is a visually appealing animated film with a heartwarming story that resonates with themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the beauty of life's journey. It successfully combines humor and emotion, making it an engaging and entertaining movie for audiences of all ages. One aspect I feel is very over looked from this film is its soundtrack, the top song being "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts. Whenever I hear this song I immediately think of this movie, but more importantly this soundtrack is responsible for giving the film its uplifting feeling. Jake, Max, and I were very excited to pick this movie when our groups were asked to choose a film the class would vote for to watch during finals week. Some peoples questioned the choice o...

 Jaws, Steven Spielberg, 1975 Jaws is a classic thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg, released in 1975. Based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name, the film is known for its suspenseful storytelling, iconic music from John Williams, and groundbreaking use of special effects for its time. The plot revolves around a town called Amity Island, terrorized by a great white shark that begins attacking swimmers. The local police chief, Martin Brody played by Roy Scheider, teams up with a marine biologist, Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), and a shark hunter, Quint (Robert Shaw), to hunt down and kill the menacing creature. Some key elements that contributed to the film consist of suspense and thrill, character development, and pacing. Spielberg did a fantastic job on this film as it was the first of its kind. This movie is responsible for many of the blockbusters we see today. One very underrated feature of this film I mentioned earlier that many people look past is the pacing of...

Group Documentary  This project has been one of my favorites since I have been in college. Jake, Josh, Max, and I all worked very hard on this project and we were very happy with the result. We were able to use all the different techniques we learned about film making to create our own short documentary. We decided to go with a good mood, comedy, action/video games type film. We based the documentary around our group member Josh and his Fortnite skills. All the stats we used in the documentary were real but some things were over exaggerated to add more to the film. We included clips of Josh's gameplay, an interview, and background about the game. Since not everyone plays video games or Fortnite we wanted to add a little bit of comedic relief with some of the music and clips used in the film. The collaboration and teamwork needed to make this happen was crucial to the success of our film. Since none of us have made a film before it took a little time but we made everything work in t...