Movie Review Preview

#1- The Many Open-Ended Windows of Unfriended

- Clickbait
- Written by Wesley Morris
- My Rate: 8
- High Points: The Laptop Window perspective was interesting and new
- Low Points: Characters are underdeveloped, only scary theoretically
- Writer's Opinion:

"Only theoretically is Unfriended scary. Hollywood has a long history of attacking rival entertainment platforms: TV, the VCR, the Internet, social media. (Just in time for the post–Golden Age television comes a summer remake of 1982’s Poltergeist.) On the surface, Unfriended appears to be part of the club. But technology doesn’t suck. People do. Software hosts vengeance. It doesn’t inspire it. Assuming otherwise would be like leaving Carrie convinced the culprit is pig’s blood. In any case, you notice the movie espouses a pungent awareness of the power of public shaming. You feel some mild critique of lives lived through web applications. What you don’t feel is sustained visceral fright. You need more than technology for that. This is Carrie, only now when the hand pops up through the grave, the first thing it does is feel for a trackpad."

#2- The Age of Adaline

- The New Yorker
- Written by Richard Brody
- My Rate: 5
- High Points: Elaborate Exposition,
- Low Points: melodramatic plot, no identified perspective
- Writer's Opinion:

"…The plot kicks in, it unleashes a brief rush of melodramatic energy....The conceit endows Lively’s regal air of distracted superiority with an intermittent pathos, but the director, Lee Toland Krieger, brings no identifiable perspective, and the screenwriters, J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz, hardly tap a century’s worth of material."

Sports Current Event

ARTICLE:

http://keranews.org/post/ut-austin-just-won-quidditch-world-cup-again

UT-Austin just won the Quidditch World Cup- again

UT has won the American Quidditch World Cup (2015) for the third time in a row.

JARGON:

- broomsticks
- Quidditch
- quarter-finals
- semifinals

ADJECTIVES:

famous, good, champion, victorious, astounding, explosive, popular

TYPE: News Update

- The article describes UT's win for the Quidditch World Cup and gives updates on the UT Quidditch team.

GAME SCORES:

"Texas defeated Lone Star Quidditch club 120–90 to finish off a comeback and leave Quidditch World Cup 8 victorious."

Sports Exploration: Quidditch (YES, IT COUNTS)

- My favorite team is The University of Texas at Austin

-The top five rankings are 1) Lonestar Quidditch Club, 2) Maryland Quidditch, 3) The Lost Boys, 4) Ohio State Quidditch, and 5) The University of Texas at Austin

(https://www.usquidditch.org/standings/)

- This season, UT won 24 games and lost 3. UT has gotten very close to first place through several tournaments and may be playing the number one team in America at World Cup (kind of like playoffs) very soon. Last year, The Lone Star Club won first place in the World Cup. Three very important rules are 1) whoever catches the snitch wins the game, 2) There should be no interferences from the crowd, and 3) All players should stick to their specific role in the game (like seeker, keeper, etc.). What do these terms/roles mean? The most important player is the seeker- the one who is trying to catch the snitch. The snitch is a very small, golden ball but, apart from the story, it will sometimes be played as an actual person. Whoever catches the snitch wins the game for their team and it's a very difficult task. A third term involves the keeper- the teammate who guards the three rings so the opposing side can't score. They are similar to goalies in soccer.

- Of course, there are always clichés to speeds and this one is being a nerd. Yes, this sport was formed from a fantasy novel but it doesn't mean every players is a fan of Harry Potter or is geeky about the fandom.

- Because Quidditch teams are more like a club around the nation, there aren't any specific players that shine out the rest. I researched and could not find full names of any players on the teams or their information.

CE Quiz

1. What is happening in Baltimore right now? What event sparked the problems? Page A1 "Baltimore explodes..."

Currently there are riots and protests occurring in Baltimore- involving torching a pharmacy, setting police cars on fire and throwing objects like bricks. The man who suffered a severe spinal injury and passed away in police custody sparked these riots.

2. What are some Bastrop citizens worried about with operation Jade Hills 15? Page A1 "Meeting does little to...."

Citizens are worried about foreign fighters coming to Texas and possibly confiscating Texans' guns.

3. How many iPhone 6, 6+ and other models were sold in the first three months of the year? (read carefully.....) Page B5 "Big iPhone sales drive..."

Apple sold 61 million iPhones.

4. What is Girlstart? Page D1 "Girlstart keeps growing"

Girlstart is an organization that promotes STEM for young girls (fourth-eighth graders).

5. Kim Kardashian...whatever...blah blah blah...Why is this woman still in the news? Okay, seriously, what do you think about Bruce Jenner? Do you really care? Does it really matter? Page D2 "Kardashian..."

I don't think of these people at all actually. Let them be and do whatever, who cares! These sort of things like coming out are occurring more frequently so why is this suddenly SO abrupt and startling? It's because its a Jenner. I'm still unsure what the hype is about this family but I do know its a waste of time to obsess over. This does help the trans community in a way but… I'm not sure we should promote though the Kardashians/Jenners. Besides that, I'm just the type of person to let everyone be. I've always thought "You do what you want to do, I'll do what I want to do," and LET IT BE. There's no reason to create such a hype about this. There are more important things to be discussing and reporting- Nepal? Baltimore? I think these are more evident news reportings besides Bruce coming out- even though it is very much a brave thing! I just don't believe in raising these people on pedestals while there are people suffering...

Short Answer: Nepal....what a tragedy. Read the story on page A3 "Nepalese.."

Write at least 2 paragraphs in reaction to the event.

Oh my God. It's a devastating event that has been occupying my mind since the news broke out. These poor people are in utter fear, suffering trauma, grief, and hopelessness. We need to help these survivors and get them through such a disaster. And it's a terrible feeling, being all across the world and not knowing how to help. It hurts me to see people living in a nightmare.

I have no clue what they are going through because I can't imagine the things they've seen and experienced over the past few days. It's heartbreaking… but we should definitely do something to help.

Creative Writing

Prompt: "There are three children sitting on a log near a stream. One of them looks up to the sky and says…"

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"Do you believe there is an elsewhere?"

"An elsewhere?"

"Yeah," Nona nodded, still starring up.

Vance stayed quiet like usual. He shifted slightly on the log. Vaughn grumbled when it swayed underneath them. "I've thought about it before," He mumbled. "I-I mean… there can't be just death- right?"

"I think it will just be a form of escape and blackness," Vaughn said. His eyes drifted over to Nona for a moment before snapping back down to the grass. She was still facing the heavens but her eyes were shut.

Vance nudged Vaughn's shoulder slightly, his eyes wide and curious. He frowned. "What do you think's going on with her?"

Looking back once more he let his gaze linger on Nona. Her eyelids were twitching as if she was dreaming in sleep. Lips parted slightly, Vaughn could see her breath leave in a small cloud.  And her fingers fumbled with one another- lacing together elegantly. She was definitely pondering something.

Vaughn wanted so badly to keep watching. This was nothing like he'd seen before from Nona. It was a peaceful version rather than her usual closed-off, dark demeanor. Before he could slap him silent, Vance had spoken up.

"You alright, Winona?"

Non'a dark eyes opened slowly and turned to the two boys- one looker rather awestruck while the other seemed worried. "I will be," She nodded. "These feelings are fleeting." Her words hung in the air thickly as she stood up from the log. It was common nature for Nona to speak this way. Sometimes Vaughn wondered if she'd always been so deep and thoughtful- or if something might've caused her to.

Vance stood and followed Nona, brushing off the dirt on his backside. But the messy-haired boy stayed put. Vaughn, too, looked up to the sky and shut his eyes like Nona had. Red and orange color played behind his lids- the sun filtering through the skin. He sighed and began to feel himself plunder down into his own mind. Where did they go after life? Were the things he felt for Nona, the breakfast he had this morning, the last memory of his mother… was it all to be history some day? Would they all filter into the ground, crumble to dust, and be forgotten history?

His eyes flicked open. Vaughn's chest began to rise and fall faster. Running a hand through his hair anxiously, Vaughn could feel the thoughts cloud. No, he thought, there's more than just this. There has to be. There must be. 

There has to be.

Magazine Cover 2

Magazine Peer Reviews

1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?: Teen Witch by Avila
2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover:

- The Fonts were very pretty
- The portrait fit well on the cover

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

Make sure the text doesn't overlap too much on your model's face

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.: I loved the colors
5. Is there a bar code?: Yes
6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?: Yes
7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?: I can tell it was a portrait

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

Speak by Genny

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

- It was very well composed
- The colors!

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

The font should be able to really stand out

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

It was definitely how well the portrait was composed and clear it was

5. Is there a bar code?: yes
6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?: Yes
7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?: Not really, no. It looks like it could have been either

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1. What is the name of the magazine and who made it?

American Baseball by Avery

2. List two things you liked about the magazine cover

- How clear the portrait is
- The fonts!

3. Suggest something to the creator to improve the cover

Usually the barcode is on the right bottom corner, maybe try that next time.

4. Why did you pick this cover? Specifically what attracted your eyes.

The fonts and the way the words popped out.

5. Is there a bar code?: Yes
6. Did that make it more "magazine-like"?: Yes
7. Can you tell if it was a portrait or self-portrait?: It's difficult to tell whether it was a portrait or self portrait

Magazine Cover

IPC Convention

Things I'm Interested In and at their times…

1 PM: Writing Your Story- my journey from small town Texas, around the world, and back

2 PM: Your adventure. Your Book. OR Now What?

3 PM: 5 Steps of Revision

4 PM: TMI

SUNDAY

9 AM: Are we there yet?

10 AM: Hello, My name is...

CE Quiz

1. What % of the franchise tax could state business donate to a voucher bill program designed to help students attend private school if they are unhappy with their public school options? Page A1 "Texas Senate…"

Up to 50%

2. What are the "two biggest civic challenges" facing Austin, according to mayor Steve Adler? Page A1 "Adler: Austin's success..."

Traffic and housing cost

3. What is the political cartoon on Page A9 by Dan Wasserman from the Washington Globe trying to tell is, in your opinion?

I think, in a way, the message on the graves is trying to get through to the people who still don't see what is going on in our society. Some people still are blind and not believing this was a purpose shooting so the graves are sort of… speaking that message out. Or maybe it's a want for justice?

4. Who won the Master's Golf Tournament over the weekend? Where did he go to college? How old is he? How much money has he made this year? Page C1

Jordan Spieth, 21 years-old, UT, and has made $5 million

5. What is the number 1 movie in the country this week? Have you seen it? Do you want to go see it? Page D2

Furious 7 was the number one again this week and I have not seen it. I don't plan on seeing it either because I'm not a fan of these movies.

Short Answer:

Gosh, I honestly do not trust technology. Voting is a serious, private matter and the way hackers can track and get into different accounts… It just makes me nervous. I don't believe it should continue even though it is faster and, in my opinion, lazier. But I know there are some people who are incapable of making it to voting booths. Over email though? Nah, I think we can do without it.

Portrait and Self Portrait

In-Depth Story Start

Focuses/ Story Ideas:

- What does 'Lunch break' mean to the students?
- The people who choose different spots to eat… who are they? Why? What do they do?
-

People to Interview:

- The three/four students that sit in the garden, next to the dance studio.
-  Theatre kids that sit in the theatre hall (even though it's so tightly crowded in there)
- The many students that sit in the library
- Students that sit in front of the library, near the entrance to the academic building
- The group of students at the end of B Hall

Questions:

- Is there a specific reason why you sit in your specific spot each day?
- What motivates you to not eat in the cafeteria?
- How long have you been sitting in this spot?
- What do you usually do doing lunch? Is it purely for lunch or to socialize..?
- How did you discover this spot?
-

(To be added onto… most of the time when I go to interview someone I ask two or three of these questions but create more from their answers.)