Ten Reasons I Love Leo

This April I jumped on to the Titanic bandwagon. After watching the movie again for the first time in years (and having a great big sob afterwards like every time I have watched it), I am left enchanted by the then 22 year old Leonardo DiCaprio. Lets take a moment to reflect on the transformation that is Leo, and my Top Ten reasons I can't get those eyes out of my dreams at night...

1. Of course, I am a fool if I do not list, first and foremost Leo's beautiful acting in Titanic. What heterosexual female does not leave that cinema crying over the death of Jack for Rose's life, and the true, honest love those young star-crossed lovers found. While not his first claim to fame, you'd be surprised to learn DiCaprio initially turned down the role, doubting his own acting ability. So a big double thumbs up to you, James Cameron, at coercing this young Leo into my heart, and the roles of many more amazing future films. Oh please, Leo...Paint me like one of your French girls!

2. Keeping on the theme of Leo-mania, his portrayal of Romeo in Baz Luhrmann's modern adaption of Shakespeare's classic, Romeo + Juliet. I can never read the play again without picturing Leo's face as my sweet Romeo - although, that's in no way a bad thing! 

3. DiCaprio's portrayal of Johnny Depp's mentally handicapped brother in What's Eating Gilbert Grape is hands down one of my favourite performances by anyone. Ever. If you have never watched the film, do it. Right now. Why are you still reading this sentence? Seriously. As a then 18 year old actor, Leo in my opinion easily deserved the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. I'm yet to see another film tackle issues of mental handicaps so tastefully, let alone find an actor skillful enough to portray them.

4. Catch Me If You Can, inspired by the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr always gets my heart racing, and it's no wonder why. The film was shot in 147 different locations, in only 52 days, making for one skillful actor who can perform under pressure ;) . For the first time, we see Leo not as a charming romantic, but a conniving, womanizing playboy...who we still can't help to swoon for like the girls in the film. 

5. One of the most haunting and original films I have ever seen is of course Shutter Island. The ability for Leo to portray a character that had me questioning his sanity alongside him, left me feeling terrified as piece by piece I put it together only seconds before DiCaprio's character does. I believe every muscle on DiCaprio's face, and watched that movie for the first time with a burning intensity, like  U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels to get to the bottom of it all. How many movies can you say you watched with full intensity before?

6. Inception. How many conversations have you had since that movie came out debating what the ending meant. For me, it's countless. I loved every second of that movie, and DiCaprio's outstanding acting ability to only show what we need to know, that we saw in Shutter Island came in to play again with us. Was it going to stop spinning? Did he know it was a dream and just accept it? Or even worse, was the whole movie just a dream? Damn, you Leo! Damn you and your wonderful ways!

7. Let's step away from his acting and into his personal life. Not only is his house entirely eco-friendly, but Leo has purchased an island in Belize which he plans to build an eco-friendly resort. 

8. He is a human rights activist - During the filming of Blood Diamond, Leo worked with orphaned children, he donated $1,000,000 US in relief after Haiti and supported the Obama campaign, donating $2,300 the maximum amount you can donate as an individual.

9. He campaigns for animal rights too. In 2010, DiCaprio donated $1,000,000 to Wildlife Conservation Society in Russia and in 2011 joined Animal Legal Defense Fund's campaign to free Tony, a tiger who has spent the last decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana.

10. He is ridiculously good looking. I mean, c'mon! All cycles of his life, he has remained a stunning specimen of human nature.

Chocolate Day!

Happy Easter to my fellow bloggers!


Of course, for some that means more than others. As a self confessed atheist, this long weekend is about eating crap, catching up on rest and spending time around those I love. Which I have to say, is a good weekend to look forward to each year (sorry about the death, Jesus - I'm in it for the candy!).

How could you honestly say no?! $11.99

Now I've always had the trouble of what to get people as a token of appreciation on Easter time. I stuck to the traditional Darrell Lea Turkish Delight Half Egg for the boyfriend, but this year for the lucky ladies I went for something sweeter on the nose and better on the hips. The Body Shop released an absolutely to die for range this year - Chocomania.

The decadent tin with small sizes of most of the range costs only $45.95

The range, like most Body Shop products uses Community Fair Trade ingredients, sourcing cocoa butter from Ghana harvested from hand by the women of the Kuapa Kokoo social fund, which invests in clean drinking water, medical and educational facilities. Now, that's some chocolate good for the heart and the body!


However, if you were lucky enough to receive mountains of chocolate like myself, and happen to not be on a never ending diet...here are some fun facts I pulled from the charming site Cacao Web, as well as a few things some wise women once told me...

• Cocoa beans contain polyphenols with antioxidant properties which are health beneficial.
• The antioxidant flavinoids also reduce the blood's ability to clot and thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
• Chocolate contains Phenylethylamine which is a is a slight antidepressant
• Cocoa and chocolate can increase the level of serotonine in the brain. PMS symptoms be gone!
• IT TASTES DELICIOUS!!!

So, I say for this weekend, enjoy the treats you've been given! Bask in the love of those who surround you, and the  Phenylethylamine that enters your body. Think about the calories and cavities later!

If you still want more reasons to eat it, watch the 2000 romance film 'Chocolat' featuring the tasty Johnny Depp. You'll never say no to chocolate again!

Commercial Media

Lecture Week 6 - 2/4/12

In $$$ We Trust

Week 6 lecture delved into everything I hate about mass media. Yes, commercial media is necessary, but to what extent? When does it go too far, and how aware is the general public when it comes to what information they receive?

Commercial Media is a hugely important part of Australia's economy, as it is estimated that 99% of households have a television.The use of privately owned broadcasting (Ten, Nine, Seven, Foxtel, Austar, News Limited...the list goes on) completely shadows the publicly funded broadcasts (ABC, SBS) in Australia.

Yes, we need to make money to produce these Television broadcasts. We need to sell advertisements and promotional shows, but how do we ensure the 2 things do not mix? In my opinion, as far as Television journalism goes - we don't...

My concern is, the difference of advertising and endorsements and true journalism becomes a very blurred line in certain programs such as 'Today Tonight' and to a lesser extent, simplifying the news on shows like 'The Project' makes me wonder how many consumers are aware of who is financing the "news".

Last week, McDonald's advertised what they called a "documentary" that was aired on channel 7 after the popular prime time program 'Revenge'. What the program failed to make clear to it's viewers was the documentary was entirely self funded. Channel 7 executives have defended the program, saying "There is plenty of negative as well as positive information in the program ... We have no reason to think the information in the program is other than accurate" (Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/producer-defends-mcdonalds-documentary-20120401-1w67r.html#ixzz1rMTxcUbu) and denied the program had anything to do with the heavily advertised new season of 'My Kitchen Rules', of which McDonald's is a major sponsor.


My beef with commercial media is that our integrity as Journalists is at risk. If our audience is being fed advertisements as news, how do we expect people to ask WHY, or HOW about things going on in the world?


I know that one day, somewhere somehow I will most likely end up working in commercial media, but I must say, I will NEVER push something like what channel 7 did as investigative factual journalism. The day I do sell out as a journalist, is the day I willingly invite you to kick me in the stomach.
Seriously.

Factual Story Telling - Sound

Lecture Week 5 - 26/3/12

Now, listen here!

"Radio is a much more intimate medium" 

I never thought much of radio. I was never one to listen to much radio. I tried pod-casts on my iPod, but never had the time to focus on the conversation, and conversation is what sets is apart from other means of reporting. 

I must admit upfront, while listening to our sound lecture I did have troubles being "genuinely interested" in the whole thing that was reiterated as being a hugely important thing in radio journalism. I often found myself wandering on to other web pages, or checking my twitter to see what was happening in the world instantly. Basically, I have been brought up in a world of instant social networking where when I think of something I can Google it.

However what I did learn was the often calm and relaxed mood of a radio interview in comparison to print or television (in most cases) via the use of humour and trying to make them act like a "normal human being". This is possibly why radio is able to withstand the changing technology and the power of downloading a pod-cast, because it is so informal and casual in comparison. For all I know, you could be sitting in your underpants drinking coffee talking into the microphone...But maybe that is just my imagination running away with me.

My favourite part was the closure of the interviews - "if you really want it, don't give up."

I managed to get to the end of the interview, and while my mind has been opened, I'm still not sure I am one to listen to radio...

Factual Story Telling - Vision

Lecture Week 4 - 19/3/12

Power of the Picture

It is only fitting to follow a week of text journalism with developments in photojournalism. As we've heard many times before, a picture is worth a thousand words, but I believe it is worth so much more. Images are what we remember, images are what stays in our minds when we've finished reading an article.


Most of the things in the Lecture I had seen it all before (as the images have burned into the back of my retina's from previous years) so I instead spent my time contemplating the power of images in the media, and the detrimental effect it can have.

Yes, I point the finger to certain Media outlets using Photoshop negatively when we are seeing what seems like more younger generations coping with depression and  anxiety issues, struggling to accept themselves. But how do we encourage them to accept themselves when even the most 'beautiful' celebrities are edited and made to be look like 'Gods'. It's creating an unattainable beauty, and the continual concept of 'thinness'.

The video we were shown by Dove only cemented my own opinion.

The power of images are somewhat underestimated. Images of young women sell everything - from cars to scarves. We are constantly bombarded with images of 'perfect' women in the Media, be it advertising or celebrity news. It's been revealed in studies that women who are self conscious about their bodies are those more likely to spend more money on cosmetics and on celebrity magazines. It is a vicious cycle that could easily continue to be detrimental to impressionable young women's minds.

But lets focus on the other end of the spectrum.

What makes a great photo?

"A picture has no meaning at all if it can't tell a story." - Eetu Silanpaa

Sums it up perfectly.

 December 8, 1980 John Lennon Rolling Stone Magazine Cover shoot

Annie Leibovitz - American Portrait Photographer
Perhaps best known for the famous last photograph of John-Lennon. Working for Rolling Stone Magazine, she had an understanding of what makes a good photograph.


Leibovitz utilized a then-new use of new colours, lighting and continues to astound audiences time and time again with images that tell amazing stories.

I think what is most  brilliant about her work is not only her ability to make use of regular techniques of framing, rule of thirds, leading lines (the list goes on...), but rather her ability for us to see within the people she photographs
.
Her images do not need editing on Photoshop to remove what society has labelled as 'imperfect' and in the cases she does use Photoshop, it is to portray a greater beauty and emotion than before, rather then hinder it (such as in her Disney themed photo set).

Leibovitz's Disney "Dream" photo set

I think, we need to be careful about what we put out there. We are aware of how powerful images can be in 'making or breaking' a story, but we need to realise it goes both ways - they are vital to making or breaking self esteem too.

'The Raid' Rampage

The story is exactly as the name suggests: about a raid. A raid on one of the biggest drug lords of Jakarta. Like any good action story, there is always more to it then meets the eye. I will avoid spoilers, as I strongly urge everyone to see this film. 

Deep in Jakarta slums, an apartment building stands as a safe house for some of the cities worst murders, criminals and gangsters. The notorious crime lord who runs the building, Tama Riyandi, is considered untouchable - even by the police. The story focuses on the perspective of rookie officer Rama (Iko Uwais) and the 20 man SWAT team sent in with 1 mission - to take Riyandi down. Of course, Ruyandi is aware of their presence and announces anyone who helps to kill the SWAT team will become a "Permanent resident. Rent free". And so it begins...


While you may have the ability to guess some of what is coming around the corner, you’ll get flanked by what creeps behind you around another. Let’s just say, it’s not a classic “good guys vs. bad guys” film. Add in some commentary on corruption in Jakarta, and and you've got a well constructed bloody massacre of extremely talented martial artists.

Iko Uwais (left) in action

As foreign films go, you don’t even realise this is one. The fast paced story makes for one with little dialogue and incredibly acting portraying a story through incredibly emotional expressions. The choreography is almost like ballet, each punch and kick completely mastered and you can only think that you do NOT want to get on the bad side of either team. You become enchanted with the movements and the creation of truly unique deaths on screen that the whole cinema is cringing in their seats.


You'll go home enchanted and terrified at the same time, and a part of you will always want to keep an axe handy, just in case. 

A wonderful simple yet highly visual story well deserving of 4/5 stars.

Media in War

For university I am currently enrolled in a double degree – Journalism/Arts.  I took a year off between High School and university to work to afford to study, as well as take a look at what it was in Arts I actually wanted to major in. And 6 weeks in to my courses, I’ve already decided on 2 majors.

Let’s just say so far, the Peace and Conflict Studies introductory course has absolutely blown my mind, and reminded me what I am doing with my life. Last week’s lecture was on “The Role of Media in war and Peace” and I have had an inspiring and eye opening 6 days between then and my tutorial that finished exactly 23 minutes ago as I write this.

Example of WWI Propaganda

The roll of media, as we’re already aware, is ever changing, and constantly being remade as technology advances. As consumers, we are taught from an early age to be up to date with current affairs, and the importance of watching the news of an evening.

However, what I am sure many of my peers are unaware of is the power of governments to turn the media against its audience. A classic example is the conscription campaigns of WWI and WWII of both allies and enemies.  We were shown soldiers as heroes, portrayed as national icons, and while I admit, Australia is not as bad as the United States in this aspect, (for one, WWI was not forced conscription) this propaganda was then used against those who didn’t go to war either, being made to wear white feathers to show their cowardice if they had not fought in the war.

Fast forward to the Vietnam War, and you have the opposite. The complete shift in technology meant people were reporting on every aspect of the war, to the point where it was violence that caught our attention. At first we were shocked as we learnt the true aspects of what fighting the war was costing. As we came to terms with civilian deaths and how our own soldiers were dying, the Government lost support. But soon this changed and the same trends we have in Hollywood movies, we moved on to real life. I like to believe there are many journalists that worked with the best intensions, but the shift to a capitalist economy made the newspaper saying: If it bleeds, it leads. It was now the extreme opposite, the media become almost emotionally involved with the war, and we lost the independent 3^rd perspective we needed the media to be. While definitely better than false information feed by the government beforehand, this was in no way 100% accurate either. We were privy to the absolute worst of the war, and as America’s Pentagon so graciously believes the war was lost “because of the media”.

Consequences of the Vietnam War have lasted much longer than the actual blood shed on the battlefield. After that, the United States Government sent out to make a point. Their next war against Grenada, was a complete media blackout until the war was over, which the United States easily took victory. Of course, Journalists everywhere were outraged! What about human rights?! What about the Right to Information, or the Right to Free Speech! The United States responded by basically saying “there will be x amount of journalists at any one time, to report in x area on x days and whatever you write, must be submitted for review before it is published”. And, again we were outraged!!

Or, were we?

The Pentagon did an excellent job distracting us. And, I mean excellent! Currently this system is still being used for War-zone reporting. The Army will decide who will report, what place they will report, and what days they will report – with the excuse that it is for “their own safety”. To me, embedded journalism just isn’t good enough.

Since I was about 13 years old after reading Aldous Huxley’s Nineteen-Eighty Four and once I first understood how Governments have the ability to censor media, I promised myself one day, I will be reporting the truth from a war zone. Regardless of the risk or dangers, as journalists it is our duty to report not only the truth (as we did in Vietnam) but the WHOLE truth. I look up to Kevin Sites, who utilised new technology and published on his blog what others were afraid to do, only to be kicked out of the war, and lose his job. He was not afraid. He was honest, and to me, that is the very best quality any journalist can attain.

In class, we are always hearing that we need to “get outraged!” as a journalist.

Well, today, I am extremely outraged.

Please, if you have not already, watch this Documentary. You will be outraged too.