Spike's Media Quest.

"Sometimes I dream, that he is me…..like Spike…if I could be like Spike?!?

For the last week before spring break I caught myself on a trip of watching movie by movie in terms of Spike Lee production. Man, can this guy make a classic of a film; Do the Right Thing, He Got Game, and most recently The Miracle at St. Anna. For the past couple of weeks, I kept being reminding to get a hold of the movie Do the Right Thing from a couple of my buddies. After a first view of it, I caught the Spike Lee movie watching fever; Lee has been able to cover a range of stories which has shown his success in a variety. In Do the Right Thing, he touches on race issues in the inner city and how far that they could be taken in a negative direction.

I remember growing up always wanting to watch "He Got Game" for the basketball element and being to young to watch when it came out. Ray Allen plays Jesus Shuttlesworth as the most heavily recruited high school basketball player and Denzel plays his father that is stuck in prison for his wife’s death. The compelling plot has many side stories that are brought together with a one-on-one final matchup.

The work that I had seen advertised on television that I was the most curious about but I had no clue about was The Miracle at St. Anna. Spike follows the 92nd infantry of American soldiers, which is an all black brigade fighting against Hitler’s forces in Germany. I’m a huge fan of learning about those before us and historical war movies, but this takes a step in a different direction. The story is surrounded by a supposedly magical Italian piece of artwork and I’ll leave it at that for those who have not seen this film yet.

I think that Spike Lee sets himself out away from most movie producers for a couple solid reasons. His camerawork is compelling and as intriguing as any other out there. Also, he chooses the topics at stories that the most will not and exposes them to the public: race, college recruiting, tough family relationship, and in the latest of the series a twist upon the normal war story.

Even though in the 1990’s everyone wanted to grow up and be a basketball star like Jordan; times have changed and being a pro basketball player seems more and more impossible of a dream. Spike Lee on the other hand has led of life of stellar movie production and one of constant rooting on the despised Knicks, which seems more in the mix for us in the Communications and media roots as a path to follow. Spike Lee came to our campus last year, but I was disappointed about the lack the input about the event; Lee is an icon in the media since his days advertising Jordan sneakers in the 90’s and he has made himself an icon in the face of film.

I think I am just a glutton for punishment with watching this cast of tear jerkers and inspirational movies this week with Milk, The Wrestler, and the Miracle at St. Anna, but they have all been at least solid four’s in my book.

Milk.

No, I am not talking about 2 % or skim or even about its nutritional values. The story of Harvey Milk is one that is heavily unknown to the public and a very powerful one. With the recent portrayal of his life in the film Milk, two Oscars were rewarded from this great battle that Harvey Milk and was as innumerable homosexuals have gone through in their life against what is seen as right in the public eye.

The struggle for homosexuals is strongly shown in this movie as well as the revolution that occurred during the late 1970’s. Harvey Milk ran as California’s first openly gay elected politician and thus led a revolution for gay rights in an active way. This was an extremely important time in history and in terms of equality in this country, which seems ridiculous that it has taken this long for a movie to cover this story in a solid manner. Milk is a hero; he was able to overcome in a proper and sometimes overly kind way. The cast is remarkable as ever, Sean Penn’s constant smile shows the undeniable character of Harvey Milk and how caring he was for those around him and for the cause for equal rights. Penn’s courageous figure is one that goes unnoticed in the light that changed the lives of those all over from the movement of rights that is undeniable.

At first I was expecting James Franco and his character just after watching him in Pineapple Express, but he turned out to give a solid performance as Milk’s significant other in and out of the movie. Lastly, an up and coming actor lately, Josh Brolin, as he was seen in American Gangster as a crooked cop, carries on the evil act. Brolin’s character again carries a figure of good to the public eye which shadows the evil backdrop known as politician Dan White.
Also, it there in points to the fact that how unrespectable the debating other side is, especially for the pressing issue of gay marriage today. It is sad that this is still an issue today and shows the unintelligence of us as a people. No matter of the sexual preference of an individual, equal rights should be given. The authentic feel that the movie has is incredible; there is minimal or no difference between recorded parts from the ‘70s and from the movie that is meshed together.

The format in which in the movie is recited back is an element that is greatly overlooked. The fact that the story is told through a recording of Milk sitting in his house, shows that he would die for the cause and he was looking for his legacy and message to carry on. The message and movement was thus kept moving through into the 1980’s by the cast around Milk and we must continue to fight against those that feel that we are not all equal and in this together.

The Sky Might Fall: Transformers 2 & Kid Cudi.

2009 has only seen a couple months so far, but we may have found the movie of the year as well as the up and coming hip hop artist of the year interconnected. 

                Hip Hop Artist new to the entire scene, Kid Cudi has made a statement right away.  His coming out single “Day ‘N Nite” has been all over YouTube and radio being that it is catchy and its smooth beat creates for an easy listen.  The video is weird, but sensational as well and with the company of Kanye West it seems oh so right.  Even though this single came out a couple months ago, Kid Cudi has not just settled other this hit. 

Kid Cudi signed with musically genius Kanye West and appeared on West’s hook to “Welcome to Heartbreak.”  Also, Kid Cudi leads a class of freshmen in the hip hop business that have continually put out good music first and hip hop second.  Others in that boat include Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton, Currency, Blu, and Wale which look to infuse the hip hop game with some young talent to carry on the torch.  The effortless way that Roth and Cudi feed off of each other in this session is truly amazing; they are able to think of a chorus and sort of piece a song together in a couple minutes.

            Cudi’s most recent song “The Sky Might Fall” is the corresponding track for the new Transformers movie’s trailer.  Both sides are looking at a potentially huge year; Kid Cudi with his second big commercial music piece and Transformers with their second blockbuster with their sequel in the series.  With the amount of success that Kid Cudi has surrounded himself with in terms of the freshmen cast, Kanye West, and the film Transformers it only looks up from here from the youthful artist.  Even though he is talking about the sky falling in his newest title, the sky is the limit for this young emcee.

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year........in sports.

March is here, Dick Vitale is screaming, and Digger Phelps is dancing; it sounds like Christmas to me.  I’m just waiting to fill out my bracket right hot out of my printer following Selection Sunday.

This is the point of the year in which practically every big time sport is in its prime time or headed towards it.  Spring Training is heating up for the Red Sox and the World Baseball Classic has featured a Netherlands team of no-names that has continued to upset talented major league talent.  Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (NFL Draft Scouts) have already had a couple fierce battles on ESPN recently over potential and skill for the NFL Draft coming up next month.  The NBA playoff race is tight as well, especially in the Western Conference with the difference among the 2^nd to the 8^th seed only pans a couple games.  And last, but not least the college basketball scene looks crazier than ever following a solid season last year led by talented freshmen O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, and Derrick Rose.

            Even though Spring Training, the NFL Draft, and upcoming playoff NBA basketball bode well for sports fans, March Madness and college basketball are the most anticipated.  The Big East Conference looks to be from top to bottom the most talented it’s been since the days of Allen Iverson and Ray Allen.  This conference might actually get eight seeds into the “Big Dance” this year carried in by powerhouse UConn, Louisville, and Pittsburgh.  With the Big East being packed with possible seeds, universities such as Providence that has previously upset top seeded Pittsburgh as well as a Notre Dame that has not played up to their potential may be watching from home this year. 

The ACC looks to represent the other higher seeds with rival squads, North Carolina and Duke.  Also, the hometown Boston College may go under the radar if the get a possible bid into the tourney as the have already taken off the highly touted UNC off from the top this season.  Maryland as well has faced a rollercoaster year so if they are able to make it in and get past the adversity, the fiery Gary Williams could lead with two an unsuspected run.  This is make it or break it time for many teams in their respective conferences tournaments before the cast of 64 teams are chosen to make a last impression.

            This is an exciting time for college basketball especially with the deep group looking to make it to the “Big Dance.”  The amount is really good teams is pretty shocking looking back at those who had left early to go onto the NBA.  The best player in America, forward Blake Griffin leads an Oklahoma team surrounded with young coaching, which this inexperience could hurt them in the end.  Teams that are the middle of the road type such as, Syracuse and West Virginia I feel may catch fire being back in the spotlight and the pressure situation will allow their veteran coaching staffs to shine.  Upsets and thrilling basketball are a sure thing as usual for this March Madness and I’m seeing Pittsburgh and Sam Young hoisting the title at the end of the month of constant basketball action.

The Wrestler.

            I don’t know if I would categorize this as low budget or production, but it has been pretty much unheard through the media.  The movie slash documentary “The Wrestler” brings out the lifestyle surrounding a professional wrestler from the 1980’s looking to make a comeback following his prime.  This film has been put out in limited locations, which has not allowed it to fully blow up onto the mainstream screen.

                The overall grungy feel and the reality that surrounds Randy “The Ram” in the film serve to create a genuine wrestling movie.  The side-job, the family troubles, the drugs, the rock and roll music, the pain, and the strip club getaway are all elements that serve to the real life setting.  Also, the feeling that wrestling is fake is definitely exposed in this movie as they chat about upcoming fights, but the after pain and anguish makes its extreme in sport.  The grungy feel is something to relate to as well; the popularity around wrestling during this created time was very high as the best were famous and public figures and heroes such as, Hulk Hogan and Brett Hart during that time period.

            When his life seem to crash around him Mickey Rourke’s figure as Randy looks to piece his life together and stick to wrestling because it’s the thing that has made him.  Wrestling was his life as many of those during the 1990’s as they were up there for many children viewers as sports idols and others.  “The Wrestler” solidly picks at the ups and downs to suffering wrestling career and documents it in a way that has been yet to see since now.  This is a film that is suited to those heavy fans during the eighties and nineties, but the authenticity of the film can be respected by many more than just wrestling fans.  “The Wrestler” is a prime example of a low budget film that has struggled out of that point, but with a growing crowd of viewers and with the message out, this is a very well made movie.

Terrell Owens: Media's Best Friend.

Terrell Owens is seen in the upper-echelon of professional wide receivers in the NFL. Owens is known as the biggest team cancer in the business as well. Through his career catching footballs, he has ruined the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and most recently the Dallas Cowboys. The sports media and even just media in general are in love with this guy; he always has something to say and constantly gives sports writers a story to write, whether negative or positive.
It is known that he wants to compete, but that comes with him ripping his past quarterback Donovan McNabb on the sideline a couple years ago and him mentally falling apart during an interview about his quarterback Tony Romo in Dallas. With the amount of talent, strength, and overall ability that Owens possesses, it shows that it has amounted to nothing being that he is so concerned with the media and making himself in the news.




Most recently, Owens was released by the troubled Cowboys and a couple days later signed with the unlikely Buffalo Bills. Terrell Owens had been rumored to be out of town for some time and with his release some teams again looked optimistically at the team cancer. Chemistry would be a huge issue with an Owens signing for any team, even though the talent that comes along with big frame of T.O. This signing came about a week after Bills’ great running back Thurman Thomas openly bashed the team and organization. Owens will now line up along-side the speedy and underrated wide-out Lee Evans, which combines with the powerful and mobile Marshawn Lynch out of the backfield to create a strong punch for an offense.
This now may make the AFC East the most intriguing as well as most solid; a revitalized Patriots team should easily make the playoffs, as well as the Dolphins and Jets have made tremendous steps to improve. Thus, with an Owens signing the Bills are that much more difficult to defend and have put themselves out there in terms of the media. This move is a risky one; T.O. will a create a buzz around the city, not knowing it that will be positive or negative yet and most importantly he will put people in the seats to a team that has not been to playoffs since the Jim Kelly days. From a media perspective this story will be very interesting to see how it pans out; will the young quarterback, Trent Edwards as well as a predominantly middle class city be able to handle this cocky superstar? …We’ll just have to wait and see.

Acquired Taste.

Kanye West. 

Rude, Crybaby, Obnoxious, Cocky; Creative Genius. 

Whatever you say about Kanye West in a negative context, you have to respect and appreciate what this guy is doing and has done already. West's latest album 808's & Heatbreaks was probably one of the most highly criticized that I've seen in a while. By going in a different direction as he has done in this video has led to both optimism and harsh backlash for doing so. With a first listen to most of the tracks on his most recent cd, I was with the rest and wanted the old sound and was heavily doubting what he was going for. After listening to the songs "Welcome to Heartbreak" (above) and "Say You Will (below), I took grasp to something different. With time I have seen that the message is more important to an artist like Kanye than the reception that is taken to the song. In these two songs he relays a down point in his life and even though it not the most popular thing out it touches on true life situations.

After watching Kanye on his first appearance of VH1 Storytellers a couple weeks ago, I gained a new overall feeling of his thought process. West performed several songs from his new album as well as past ones and offered his meaning to each that carries along with the Storytelling deal. Being commerical and popular was the least of his priorities at this point in his career, he was looking for produce a product that was real and something that expressed the heartbreak he has been feeling following the death of his mother. Also, he touches on the fact of the life he has missed with being continually in the limelight and the other side of being famous as well as a tough love life.

I am definitley against the entire auto-tone movement, which alters the voice through an audio processor that changes the pitch of his voice. Though looking back at it, the auto-tune element adds to the entire feeling of sadness and conveys his message with a sound that carries it as well. The whole persona he has created may seem weird and out of the ordinary to old Kanye fans, but he is one of that carries himself on outdoing the next and being out there and original. West's creative side takes another step forward with the video "Welcome to Heartbreak." No, your internet is not messing up or Youtube in not freezing; West implements an effect known as "pixelating" in computer graphics to mesh the entire flow of the video together. Yes, weird at first, but blows your mind with time. Mr. West will continue to put out jaw-drawing music, comments, and acts, but with all that he has provided this generation with much more and looks to push the envelope of the hip hop scene for many years to come.