Economic Chrisis: Promoting Movie Ticket Sales

According to CNN, movie ticket sales are way up in this down economy. As we talked about in class, movies such as "Mall Cop" are winning big at the box office. The top five-grossing movies of 2009 so far have been "Mall Cop" "Bride Wars," He's Just Not That Into You," (comedies) "Hotel Dogs" (family film) and "Taken" (action film about kidnapping) regardless of the negative feedback from critics. Sales are up 18.8% over the same time period last year of $1.66 billion.

From observation, it's clear that movie ticket sales are way up because people are looking for a $10, two-hour escape. Paul Dergarabedian, a box office analyst said "The movies offer a way to go not only outside of your house, but to a whole different world - and that's very appealing right now."

Comedies have always been a great way for a viewer to forget about their personal life and enjoy a light, fun narrative that can make them laugh. But it's not just any comedy. "Confessions of a Shopaholic" did terribly at the box office. Although it may have been funny, it was about a young woman who accumulated a tremendous amount of credit card debt with her obsession for shopping. No one wants to spend money on watching a film that hits too close to home.

It's not to say that Comedies are the only successful genre in an economic slump, however. "Friday the 13th" grossed $40.57 million its opening weekend, along with "Taken"-an action movie about kidnapping. "If Jason is scaring the crap out of you, you cant really be thinking about your mortgage, you know?" Dergarabedian said. And with serious movies, they may help people understand their own situations, or perhaps allow them to feel less stressed about their personal lives in comparison.

The question remains: "Will this economic chrisis change the way films are made?" It's difficult to say. With a new president this year, and many changes being made, one can only hope that the position of our economy can only improve from here on out. In addition, it can take years after the approval of a studio before the movie is actually in theaters.

What it all comes down to is that movies have proven themselves to be a great escape for millions of viewers this year. The recession is likely to change the way people create and view films and its one of the most inexpensive ways that someone can forget their troubles and lose themselves in someone else's story. 

Milk

After watching the film Milk this week, I was not only inspired to use it as my material for our first performance review. I also wanted to share my thoughts here, as my opinions can be shared more thoroughly. 

Directed by Gus Van Sant, (Good Will Hunting) Milk tells the true story of Harvey Milk, (Sean Penn) who was the first openly gay man to join the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. After losing two previous elections, he was determined to create a change that would eventually unite freedom to millions of homosexual Americans. 

It is no wonder why Sean Penn picked up an award for "Best Actor" at the Screen Actors Guild a couple weeks ago. Not to mention the film is up for 9 nominations at this years Oscars. Not only did Penn undergo several physical changes to play the part of Harvey Milk, but he completely lost himself in the disguise of Milk. He had a perfect Long Island accent, soft giggle, and humble demeanor that radiated throughout the film.

After last years Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California, our country experienced a great deal of uproar with a variety of beliefs. In this film, depicted in the late 70's, Harvey Milk was protesting against a very similar issue. It's saddening to think that over thirty years has passed and not much has changed. 

With his ability to discover his political voice and commanding that it be heard, Milk was able to create a change and liberate so many people at a time where something of that nature seemed impossible. Penn's character was so genuine it was obvious that he held Human Rights issues near and dear.

Ultimately, this is a film that I think everyone should see regardless of their beliefs. It's not just a movie about a man named Harvey Milk, it's a movie about an entire movement. And it is films like these that give me hope that someday all men will truly be created equal.

Here is the trailor below:

Milk Trailer 2008

Akiane Kramarik: The Child Prodigy Artist

As I was watching television late Tuesday night, I came across a special series called "The World's Smartest People" on TLC. It showcased five individuals, three of which considered child prodigy's. With already having a great interest in Art, I was completely in awe of thirteen year-old Akiane Kramarik, (pronounced Ah-KEE-ah-nah) from Sandpoint, Idaho who has been drawing and painting lifelike artwork since the age of 4. 

She said God came to her at the tender age of 3 and told her to use her gift of art to help needy children around the world. This is exceptionally interesting because she comes from an Atheist mother, and a recovering Catholic father who never expressed any devotion to religion. 

I became so captivated by Akiane that I was eager to find out more about her unique story. And I was surprised with what I found. Although the majority of people believed she was a child prodigy with a remarkable artistic gift, others criticized her questioning whether or not she was a "genius" because her artistic style failed to represent what would be more commonly thought of as "genius."

This is where a debate comes into play. I feel that she is being misunderstood as being a prodigy because having an artistic prodigy ability is very rare. However, I feel that there is no question on whether or not she is, or isn't. I agree that although great artists are born with a natural inclination and ability, there are still techniques and skills that cannot be self-taught. This is what is being argued. That, yeah, she's good but "someone must have taught her." But that's the catch. No one did. And that's what gives her that "prodigy" title because they are born with a gift, regardless of if it's the ability to retain loads of information in your memory, play Beethoven by the age of 4 on the piano, or teaching yourself Chemistry at the age of 7. Why is it any less valid for Akiane?

This is a drawing she did at the age of 5. 

It is undeniable that Akiane is a true artistic prodigy. She has shown from a very young age, an incredible degree of technical skill in the execution of fine art paintings. From the very beginning she had the eye of a much older, experienced artist. One would expect to see an immature and inexperienced criteria of paintings from someone of her age. Akiane, however, paints depictions of Jesus, heaven, and surreal dreamlike landscapes.

Regardless of what she paints, or the motivation behind what inspired her, (which of course not all of us can agree with) her artistic ability should be embraced, not under debate. Although Akiane may not turn out to be a genious, it is with no hesitation     that she is an artisic prodigy.  

Here is a video, a few more of my favorite paintings, and the link to her website.

The Planted Eyes, Age 8

The Change, Age 11

Supreme Sanctuary, Age 11

Wonder, Age 13

Love, Age 13

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCjHjQEU0Xw

www.artakiane.com

Dark Days

Dark Days is a documentary by Marc Singer that captivated the tragic lives of homeless people living in Manhattans underground railroad system. After relocating from London to Manhattan, Singer was struck by the number of homeless people living in the city. After hearing about the vast community living in these dark, abandoned, underground tunnels, he decided to discover it for himself where he ended up befriending some of them. This lead to his decision to film a documentary capturing their lives in effort to help them financially.

After watching this documentary in class, it is no doubt that we were touched in one way or another about this film. We asked ourselves, "How does this documentary have shape?" and "Why is it so special?" We agreed that it was a documentary worth applauding because it was a living transcript. They were not actors, there was no script, the film was shot entirely in black and white with a hand held camera, they shot the film in the dark depths of the tunnels, and meanwhile, these people held back nothing. They shared everything from their drug addictions, to losing their children, or even to crack a joke, making light of their situation.

After researching further into this documentary, I was able to find more information that I feel added to the genuine nature and real life tragedy of this film. Not only did Marc Singer befriend the homeless and attempt to support them financially with this film, but he stayed down in the tunnels for the entire duration of shooting. He didn't just film their lives, he lived their lives. He ate out of the dumpster, lived in a shack, and used a bucket for a toilet for two years. That is true dedication that shined in this documentary. 

Dark Days is a raw, yet touching film that breaks through the myths of homelessness and truly shows the audience a different side of their story that would otherwise still be left ignored and misunderstood. It takes you into the lives of these people who have lived there for over 25 years living day by day just to survive.