Journal 5: Hype of Magic Mike

For this weeks pop culture blog posting, I chose to look at a review on the movie, Magic Mike called “Zen and the Art of Male Stripping: ‘Magic Mike’,” by Jennifer Lind-Westbrook. This is a movie I never got to see when it came out and honestly didn’t know anything about it besides there is a lot of naked dudes in the movie.  I found this review to be very informative in that case, because it gave me a brief understanding for the story line within the movie.  Without ever seeing this movie before, I only heard about the hype and crazy “Magic Mike Lovers” who have.  My understanding from this review is that this movie is very controversial about social and moral values.  Working as a stripper and selling drugs isn’t something I see as the social norm.  Because I have this preconceived idea, I find it interesting that this movie was so largely talked about.  Just the other day, a friend told me she saw it with her grandma, aunts, mom, cousins and sisters.  Should we talk about awkward! It would be like saying, “hey grandma, I think that dude is totally your type,” as he is dancing and de-clothing on the screen. I think not!  Maybe its just me, but I think certain things are meant for the privacy of yourself and your own home.  This may be the greatest movie every created, but I guess I would have to see it before I could make that confirmation, and I just don’t have the urge to do that.  

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/164471-magic-mike-zen-and-the-art-of-male-stripping/

Journal 2: Footloose, The Best Movie Ever

I am currently in love with the new Footloose movie that came out last year.  This movie appealed to me in so many ways, but I find myself attached to cultural aspects it represents.  One of my very favorite actress Julianne Hough, plays Arial, the preachers daughter in this movie.  I found this movie to be really good, and appealing to a variety of individuals ranging in ages.  Footloose takes an evaluates and inquires situations many of us are experiencing in our day to day lives.   A few examples would include: Ren MacCormack is dealing with the death of his mother, Ariel who has strict parents and a Reverend as a father, and experiencing relationships with significant others which aren’t approved of by your parents.   This movie takes situations that are common in the average Joe’s life and makes a movie from there.  A common response to this being my favorite movie is “the original is better.”  But, I beg to differ.  I think that this is because I watched the original after seeing the new movie.  After seeing the new movie, I didn’t like the old one at all.  I found that even thought the ideas were the same in both movies, the scenes, ideas, and conversations were placed better in the new movie.  Maybe the original was fitting for the time period it came out during, but the new movie is more relatable for this day in age. My personal favorite scene in this movie is the very end, were they are having the dance in the old mill. I’m not sure if this movie was more appealing to me because I am a small town, country girl, but it is definitely my favorite right now.  

Journal 1: Packer Let-Down

            In  the article, “Winning Actually Isn’t the Only Thing” written by Davis Maraniss, Maraniss describes his feelings and opinions towards the end result of Monday night football game, involving the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks.  Although he is a strong Packer fan, the loss wasn’t what seemed to upset him the most.  Maraniss was incredibly upset by the way the Seahawks coach and quarterback reacted, having the attitude as if they won fairly.  The writer also talks about the philosophy of Vince Lombardi.  He agrees with Lombardi’s idea that winning isn’t everything, he just explains to us that he wants Seattle to not pretend as if they pulled of the greatest win, fairly.

            I was really impressed with how Maraniss wrote this article.  Although I missed the end of the game because I had to work, I saw the many replays, hours of Sports Center, and numerous Facebook post following this tragic loss. I think Mariness stated it well when he said “To say that was a touchdown and not an interception is to say black is white.”  Although I am a Packer fan, the loss wasn’t what did it for me.  I was incredible disappointed to here that the NFL has the ability to overturn it and choose not to because of Packer public display of the letdown.  When something this big happens, having a game changing call, it is always publicly displayed in this day in age.  I think that Maraniss did a great job relating to the idea of Coach Lombardi.  It isn’t the lose that is killing me, its the disappointment that I have in others, mainly the Seahawks team and fans, that gets me the most.  

Work Cited:

Maraniss, David. ‘Winning Actually isn’t the Only Thing.” washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post.26 Sept. 2012. Web. 27 Sept. 2012.