300

All the hype is right.

"300" is amazing.

Visually, it was difficult to adjust to the colors director Zack Snyder used, but it became easier maybe 15 minutes or so into the movie. It was almost like the colors were darker and almost bronzed, like if they had been resting with antiquity for thousands of years. It was a nice touch to separate us the viewers from the actors on screen.



Some of the dialogue was a little weak, but you cannot overlook some of the performances. Dominic West as Theron was so conniving, so aggrivating. You could almost smell the smarmy ego coming out of the screen. Rodrigo Santoro as the God King Xerses unnerved me throughout the film. (He is pictured above with the noble King Leonidas).

Something about Xerses, whether it be his huge stature, his immeasurable power, or his wealth made me nervous everytime he was on screen. Whether this was Snyder's intention or not, it made me dislike Xerses from the first time he was on screen.

Overall, 300 was visually stunning, with massive battle scenes and serene shots of Sparta. It's not a film for the faint of heart, but for the strong of imagination.

Comm

I'm taking three communication classes this semester: Comm 361 - Online Journalism, Comm 352 - News Editing and Comm 454 - Free Speech and Ethics.

My online journalism class is giving me plenty of work to do. My news editing course should more intensive, I think, but much of the class is having the same problems I am.

For our news editing course, the class was broken down into pairs. The teams are then supposed to interview foreign correspondents based here in the United States and get their perspective on news.

Easier said than done.

Out of the three stories my partner Nicole and I should have done, we turned in only one story about a correspondent from Der Spiegel. Needless to say, we're a little behind.

My other communication class, Free Speech and Ethics is very abstract in that the concepts we're learning are not concrete.

Right now, I'm editing my presentation about personal privacy and safety within public demonstrations.

Exciting. I know....

Once I get these medial tasks out of the way, I can work on my final paper for the class which is about the Constitutionality of the Mapplethorpe case back in 1989. It's an interesting topic and I'm very excited about getting it completed.

If I can find the time. Ugh.

Lamb of God 2 and Horse The Band

I just wrote up the Lamb of God/Machine Head interview. Hopefully it went over well.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it to the show on Monday evening, so I had to cancel on some passes.

Lame, I know.

However, Adrenaline PR sent out a press release of the new Horse the Band cd that's set to be released in June.

Next week the HtB is playing in Baltimore at the Ottobar.

I must say, however, that I'm not sure if Horse the Band can top "Cutsman."

Take a listen for yourself.


But that's just my opinion.

Machine Head and Lamb of God 1

Today I was scheduled to interview both Dave McClain from Machine Head and John Campbell from Lamb of God.

Needless to say I was terrified only because these guys are both a part of two huge bands in the metal community. A lot of my friends back home have worshiped LOG so this was not only terrifying because of the idol status the bands hold for me, but they are also known for having some pretty savage stage shows.

Until fairly recently, Lamb of God used to do what is called "The Wall of Death". The song "Black Label" is perfomed towards the end of LOG's set. During the perfomance, the crowd divides, and then on Randy Blythe's direction, run wildly towards the other side. Blythe is LOG's lead singer. Due to concert-goers getting hurt, and the threat of many lawsuits, Blythe no longer orchestrates the Wall of Death during "Black Label." But sometimes fans still do it regardless.

But you can sure bet there is footage of it online!

Either way, it was a humbling experience to talk to these metal gods. I've told many people that I've always wanted to be a music journalist - going to shows, writing reviews, what have you - but actually speaking with these musicians has sealed my fate.

This is something i can do for the rest of my life.

The Harbor and PA

This week is Mason's spring break.

Thank goodness.

I've been working myself to death this year. Luckily, I'm almost finished with this semester and school all together.

I went to the Inner Harbor for a few days earlier this week. The weather was beautiful; the crab cakes delicious and the seagulls plentiful. I had no idea, however, that the National Aquarium in Baltimore was sooo expensive now. Almost $22! I couldn't believe it! (I went anyways..*shrug*)

I did manage to come back home Monday night really late. I had an interview on Tuesday at WGAL 8, one of the local TV stations. We'll see how it goes.

I've been doing a lot of relaxing since I got back and visiting some old friends. I really needed it. Colin, my brother, will be back home on leave on Friday.

This should be a good week.

Americone Dream

Last night on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report", Stephen Colbert debuted his new ice cream, "Americone Dream".

And let me tell you, I'm excited.

The press release said, "To a Fair and Balanced Freezer Section". Ben and Jerry have traditionally been known as Liberals and even some of their ice creams have promoted liberal ideals, including the ever popular Cherry Garcia.

I'm neither liberal or conservative, which many have said led to my indecisivness on political issues or even political apathy.

I'll tell you one thing, I love me some Stephen Colbert. I realized last semester in my Comm 300: Rhetoric class when my professor played a clip from his The Word segment, I have quite a "news anchor" crush on Mr. Colbert.

Some may disagree with his politics and his brazen disregard for opposing views. But honestly, truthiness and strong reporting makes him a staple in so many American homes every night.

I for one will sit down tonight to watch Stephen and his brand of right-wing reporting and comedy. And, like many I will agree that "It’s the sweet taste of liberty in your mouth."

TV on DVD

I just finished Seinfeld Season 5 on DVD. It's amazing how technology has changed.

Seinfeld just ended in 1998. All seven seasons are available now on DVD. I already have watched 1-5. I need to get 6 and 7.

But thinking about it still amazes me. My entire family owns several different series on DVD, and sometimes I'm shocked thinking about how much money we've spent on them.

My brother is a big fan of *gag* the OC. He and his old roommate bought up until the current season that just ended. Thank Goodness. He also loves King of Queens. Colin owns several of the seasons and he laughs so hard all of the time. "Oh that Arthur!" he says.

He's even gone out of his way to tell me, "The second season is when the cool theme song comes into play. Just thought you might like to know."

Thanks, bro.

My roommates are head over heels for Grey's Anatomy and Lost. I will admit, they've gotten me hooked on Lost, but Grey's is fleeting.

Some of these shows will stand up for years to come and families can watch them together. I know my dad and I love watching the old Muppet Show on DVD.

But then again, who is going to want to watch Flavor of Love Season 2 again and again?

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah boooooooooooooooooooooooooi.