Chewing Gum

Grandma,

This semester I’ve been in a writing class titled Netflix and Quill. It’s a required course and we do a lot of assignments that improve our writing skills, so it isn’t a useless class. Every weekend, we’ve had to watch a new show or movie on Netflix and write blog posts (they’re essentially our thoughts on the show or an evaluation of it, and we connect various things that we learn in class to the show. Another thing that we do while doing the weekly assignment is tailoring that review to a specific audience, which changes each week. For example, once, we had to write our posts to be specific to another class at Truman. Another time, we had to write our posts for other people in our class. This weekend, we had to write a post to a family member, and I chose to write to you.

The show that I watched for this weekend is called Chewing Gum. I watched the first two episodes of it and found it really entertaining and relatable. The show revolves around a girl named Tracey, who I’m pretty sure is supposed to be around my age if not a little bit older. She learns something new about the world and herself in every episode (at least that’s what I’m assuming from seeing the first two). The way that her interactions with other people are portrayed as being extremely awkward and realistic, yet comical. This is how I imagine most of my interactions with the world around me appear as well.

I find myself identifying with Tracey’s character a lot mainly because of her strange interactions with others. The main idea of the show is that Tracey is learning how to do things like purchasing Plan B from a drug store. The show covers things that she should theoretically already know. I find myself in this situation all the time in my day-to-day life, where I’m faced with a task or obstacle that I should know how to take care of, but I’ve never had to. Like a few weeks ago, my car’s tire pressure got low and an emergency light came on in my car. I kind of panicked and had to google how to put air in my tires. Another example of me not knowing this is how I’m not always sure how to use certain punctuations correctly or properly title my papers. Even though these are all things that you have to learn at some point, and it’s completely normal to not know how to do them, you feel ridiculous for not knowing. That’s why Chewing Gum is such an important show. It’s a show that other people like me can watch and relate to, and find humour in our own shortcomings and experiences through it.

The show takes place in London, which is interesting because the characters have British accents and refer to objects with different words than we usually would. Other than that, the concepts that are addressed are universal, and could apply to the life of any young adult anywhere. This element of relatability that the show has is invaluable, because shows that are more realistic and representative of the average person’s life are generally very enjoyable to watch. It’s a very interesting show, and I would definitely watch it again for recreational purposes.

Anyway, thank you for reading this.

The Punisher

Netflix's brand new show, The Punisher, is definitely a mixup from the traditional superhero movies we've seen together in the past.  The show, even from the first episode, is filled with guts and gore, eludes to controversional and divisive societal issues of today's world, and centers around the main character who does not possess any abnormal superhero powers.  The Punisher presents former marine, Mike Castle, who struggles with settling back into a normal lifestyle after his time in the marines.  What doesn't help though, is that the viewer finds out that all of his family has been killed, including his wife. From the first episode, it becomes apparent that, mentally, Mike is not in a good place.  The Punisher offers a deviation from the quintessential Marvel movies that we've grown accustomed to seeing.  

Mike's background as a marine and the missions he took on while serving, provides much of the driving force behind the show.  Episode 1 begins by showing Mike committing a series of murders, even a long range sniper shot.  As far as a typical Marvel hero, so far Mike does not fit the mold.  Moreover on Mike's tattered past, the viewer learns that there is a investigator looking into a case that concerns possible drug traffking by U.S. soldiers while stationed overseas.  Additionally in order to cover this up, the soldiers killed an Afghani official.  The investigator even brings Mike's name up as a possible suspect.  Clearly, Mike's marred past is not only causing him mental issues, but it's also lending toward legal issues.  Next, on several occasions throughout the first episode, Mike has visions of his life before his family was killed.  The same images repeat; his supposed wife walks into the room while he is sleeping and greets him while he wakes up.  Shortly after, he wakes up from the dream, discontent with how his life is now.  It will be interesting to see how Mike gets over his mental problems and how far his dreams of the past will push him toward insanity. 

Next, Mike's cold nature sets him apart from other Marvel heros.  It should be noted that, as a Marine, the brutal violence and coolness of nature should be expected.  When the viewers get a look into Mike's past, he is seen bursting through the bathroom stall door of someone who, supposedly, had a part in killing Mike's family.  Before Mike does his worst, the man tells Mike that he has a family of his own.  Mike coldly responds that he has no family of his own.  Earlier in the show, Mike is seen chasing two men on motorcycles while he is in car.  Mike shoots the tires of both the cyclists and then runs them over.  Once again, his absence of compassion and pure hatred for those who killed him family shows.  Lastly, while protecting a coworker, Mike begins to brutally throw around a sledgehammer.  By far one of the more disturbing shots in the show, Mike bashes heads, breaks limbs, and then tosses the bodies into a cement mixer.  As mentioned before, Netflix's The Punisher, is hardly anything like typical Marvel movies due in large part to Mike's brutality as a character.

Although the show is not like a normal superhero movie, that certainly does not mean it is a poor show.  Certain elements of Mike character offer an sense of unpredictably, which is not always something present in Marvel movies.  Additionally, while Mike may not be a hero, he may take more after Deadpool, an antihero.  Finally, how Mike develops past his mental trauma and finds closure to his family's death could make for an interesting story.  

Abstract The Art of Design: "Platon: Photography"

The seventh episode of Abstract's season one explores the rhyme and reason in the art of photography by world famous British photographer Platon. Platon has photographed some of the world's most influential figures, such as Vladimir Putin, Prince, Barack Obama and many more. What's really cool about Platon is once you see a few of his photos, you can definitely pick them out of a crowd. His photos are so raw and silently emotional that just a glimpse of one would grant you a wide introspection. While watching the episode all about the Platon style and history, I couldn't help but notice one huge aspect present in everything he does: a desperate need for light and contrast. 

Let's be honest here, whether you're taking a selfie, doing homework late at night, mothering a plant, or taking photos, the right light coming from the right angle is absolutely essential. This idea of the right light and the right angle are repeated over and over in Platon's photos. His shots are all pretty much the same in that the background of the shot is a solid color, often the photo is in black and white, and the personality of the subject is the focus (as opposed to more material things like clothing or make up being the most important in the shot). His photos seem simple, but as many of the interviewees explained, he really "does his homework" and tries to connect to the subject on a personal level in order to capture their true self in the shot. Although the backbone of his photos are all the same, each shot is a little different in how the subject is presented. For example, in his famous Vladimir Putin photograph (one of the few that is actually in color), he captures the figure from a low angle and really hones in on the contrast of the light above with his dark clothing and dark wood chair. Platon tried to connect to Putin by bringing up the Beatles, which happened to be his favorite band. Who knows if that really did much to change the intensity of the event, however it made Putin open up just a little in order for Platon to snap the shot.  Additionally, the biggest thing in the photo is not the man's head, which you'd typically see in any given portrait, but rather his hands that are at the forefront of the photo, almost like the hands of Abraham Lincoln in the monument. After the hands, the eye is drawn to the facial expression. Totally unamused, down to business, and, well, Putin-like, the combination of the hand placement and the facial expression totally encapsulate the leader. The combination of the angle and the light really give Putin the vibe that he is a rock solid leader and not one to, say, laugh at knock knock jokes if you know what I mean. When compared to other shots of famous people in society, such as Robert De Niro, the focus is still on his hands from a low angle, however the clothing and facial expression are much more relaxed and comical, which aligns with the personality of De Niro. The two photos are shown below for a more visual comparison.

 

The lighting of both shots is so intense, just in slightly different ways. In the Putin shot, there is a halo-like glow, almost like what you'd see around Jesus in a painting in a church. With De Niro, there is obvious light on his forehead and it contrasts with the stark white of the background and dark wrinkles on his face and on his clothes. The cool thing about comparing these two photos is how different, yet how similar they are. Both men have wrinkles, yet they hold totally different meanings based on where the light is. Both photos have a focus on the hands, yet De Niro's are relaxed and supportive whereas Putin's are demanding and strong. 

Platon does an amazing job maximizing the personalities of each of his subjects in his photos and using light to do so. Just based on the placement there can be extremely different personalities expressed, as discussed with Putin and De Niro. Based on the lighting and the angle, an alien who doesn't know either figure would be able to tell you which one would be more likely to giggle at a knock knock joke, that's for sure. 

Chewing Gum

     I'm in a Netflix based writing class, we have to write blog posts every week and luckily, it's your turn to see what I've discovered today. I chose Chewing Gum and looking at the overview, I figured it wasn't something I would watch. After watching the first episode, I still stand with that belief. You may not like it either so just bare with me as we go through this.

     The series is a British sitcom but I never laughed, not even once. This could possibly be that the targeted audience is for teens. The sense of humor depicted in the show, isn’t appealing to me therefore, there's constant failed attempts of comedic outbursts. It also takes a consider amount to make me laugh, I'm not really a fan of comedy. I know you aren't either which is why I don't believe you would enjoy it either.

     The main character seems to have an obsession with growing up. The episode began with Tracey praying with her boyfriend to stay a virgin until marriage. However, clips of Tracey’s thoughts says otherwise. Truly, she's frustrated to lose her virginity. She was raised by a mother who’s a Pentecostal minister. Meanwhile, Tracey is merging into adulthood, sex-crazed, and in a constant state of controlled comic hysteria. She’s often unbearable, but her failed attempts at sophistication and seduction have failed her multiple times. “I’m not 17,” she says. “I’m a grown-up woman. I just — regularly make childlike mistakes.” Her constant wishes for adulthood gives me a disconnect with her. I find it so annoying that she's putting herself in so much pressure for sexual intercourse. It reminds me of children today, I wish it wasn't a depiction of the world today but sadly it is. Not only that but teens are watching this, possibly justifying their behavior similar to Tracey. I understand that it shows that viewers feel that they're not alone but younger children may have access to it and put ideas in their head that wasn't there before.

     I probably won't continue watching this show because I can't relate to the main character, as she's a mere child that fantasize of adult like things. Intimacy should come when the time is right, not conjuring thoughts of the action reoccurring in your mind. Tracey has some growing up to do and hopefully she learns that intercourse is something much more than what meets the eye, not just satisfaction but love, compatibility, and a connection that you feel with someone else when the time is right.

Luke Cage

For this week, I actually decided to watch a tv show instead of a movie. Being a huge comic book fan (admittedly far more of a DC fan than Marvel though), I knew it was only a matter of time before I really cracked into the Marvel Netflix shows. The only one I have seen is Daredevil and, quite frankly, I've only seen four or five episodes. So, of the other Marvel Netflix shows (The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, The Defenders), I decided to go with Luke Cage. Luke Cage is an adaptation of the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage (obviously), a man who is almost completely indestructible.
The first thing I have to say is that Netflix and Marvel deserve mad props just for the pilot episode alone. The Luke Cage character in the comics quite frankly kind of sucks. He's bland and generic with very few good stories and even fewer good villains. Somehow, the show makes Cage likable and very charismatic. Of course, much of the appreciation here must also go to actor Mike Coulter, who previously had only popped up in small supporting roles in films such as Million Dollar Baby, Zero Dark Thirty, and Men in Black 3. Coulter is likable, fun, and just downright badass. It's made pretty clear that Cage is a lady's man with a character saying that some people just have "it," and Cage has that it factor. It's one of those things where the show does a great job of displaying that Cage is definitely a lady's man and it isn't just exposition that never is backed up. Additionally, Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) is terrific as Cornell 'Cottonmouth' Stokes, one of two big bads in the show and arguably the main antagonist. Like Cage, Cottonmouth is a sucky comic book villain. To put it in perspective, Cottonmouth was a primary villain for the "hero" Power Man (Don't expect this guy to pop up in a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie anytime soon). Once again like Cage, he actually is really awesome here. Ali does a great job of making the character charismatic while also coming off as intimidating.
Another strength to the show is its tone and style. Luke Cage, while gritty like Daredevil, does feel different, mainly due to the large amounts of African American culture that the show uses, such as a soundtrack the features a lot of R&B music. The Daredevil show felt more like a Batman movie, sort of gothic and definitely more of a crime mystery, where as Luke Cage is an urban crime show with a good sense of humor. Just from watching the pilot, I think the higher ups that work on the Marvel movies really need to take notice. The major issue that has plagued the Marvel films ever since Iron Man 2 is that they all feel exactly the same. Even the best of these films still feel no different from the others. The movies have a formula that is safe and requires no risks, guaranteeing an at least decent movie, however this has also set a ceiling for these movies. With how the Marvel films work, they will never make a Logan (While based on Marvel comics, X-Men movies are made by Twentieth Century Fox), they will never make a Spider-Man 2 (The 2004 version), They will never make a Richard Donner Superman film, and they will most certainly never in a million years make a Dark Knight movie, nor even come close. These tv shows, however, can redefine the superhero genre and become more than just great superhero shows. Isn't that what it's all about? Taking risks to try and constantly set the bar higher? Sure the new wave of DC movies haven't all been overly well received, but they also made Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman is only fourth DC Extended Universe film and, in my opinion, is already quality wise better than every film the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever released since this new continuity franchise began with 2008's Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Much like the DC Extended Universe, Marvel's Netflix shows haven't all been hits with Iron Fist being universally panned. That said, Daredevil is terrific, and just don't just take my word for it. Both seasons of Daredevil as well as Jessica Jones and Luke Cage have received almost universal praise. While of course much of this has to do with qualities such as writing and acting, it also has to do with each having unique tones and styles. In fact, Luke Cage's style and tone aren't just good, they're great and are characters in and of themselves. They set the mood and scene perfectly, helping immerse the viewer into the show seamlessly.
While I personally don't think directing is quite as important with tv shows as it is movies, great directing regardless produces great results. The pilot is directed by veteran Paul McGuigan, who, along with cinematographer Manuel Billeter, craft a beautiful looking show complete with great color uses and impressive camerawork. The work these two do really is cinema level and not just average cinema level but great cinema level. It's clear that Marvel and Netflix allowed McGuigan to fully craft the pilot how he wanted which evidently paid dividends in the end.
The final thing I quickly want to mention here is the humor. Similar with what I mentioned above about tone, Marvel films ALL have the same humor, humor that, quite frankly, does not work. Aside from the first Iron Man, the first Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, and parts of the second Guardians and Spider-Man: Homecoming, the humor in Marvel films is really childish and destroys the mood of the scene (by the way, 3 and 2 half films out of 17 isn't a great percentage). For instance, Captain America: Civil War is supposed to be a devastating movie and plenty of times is. However, Marvel still decided to throw in a lot of pointless, unfunny jokes. The only humor in the film should have been generated by Spider-Man and Ant-Man, however the film still gave jokes to almost every other character. The humor I think definitely took the movie from being a great movie to being just a great comic book movie and yes there is a huge difference. The humor used in Luke Cage is funny, but it fits with the tone as the humor is witty and adult, much like the rest of the show. Also, the humor is used sparsely and never used in a scene that is meant to be tense, dramatic, or sad. Unlike the Marvel movies, the show actually treats the audience as mature and realizes that not every scene needs to be happy go lucky.
In the end, I definitely recommend checking out Luke Cage. If you aren't into superheroes, that's ok. While he's a hero, he's far from a tradition superhero, which I think is both great and smart. I definitely plan on finishing the season by the end of Thanksgiving break.

Slasher

For this week, I decided to write about a show that is slowly becoming near and dear to my heart. I don’t think I gave this show enough credit the last few weeks, even though I had been writing my genre paper all about it. The paper, after a while, was not necessarily something I had been taking seriously just because I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I was focusing on other assignments as well, so I only wrote about the pilot episode of my chosen show. That I consider to be one of my biggest mistakes about that paper. So, when I got home for break, I decided I needed something to binge if I was ever just sitting in my room. I thought, well, what about this one show that I hadn’t gotten the chance to before. In that, for this week’s blog, I decided to write a sort of update on my newest binge show, Slasher.

Now, I know I’ve stated before my love dystopian shows and things of that nature. In that, shows where everything is going wrong is sort of just a knock off dystopian, so I still enjoy it. I also just love the horror genre in general. Slasher has definitely been doing a great job at being a horror show, with all the gruesome moments I’ve witnessed and suspenseful scenes, especially when I as an audience member knows something that everyone else should know about too (such as the whereabouts of a lost girl). Also, for being an underrated Netflix Original, I think they’re doing a pretty good job at getting the audience hooked. I have been dying to know who “The Executioner” is every episode. Any time we seem to get clues about who it could possibly be, the show seems to give a reason why it’s not that person. More on The Executioner, the costume design for him is so well done that I’m always terrified every time we see him. I only refer to him as “him” because every time he’s spoken, it seems very low and raspy, and definitely more masculine. Maybe that’s a way to throw us off, but for now, it’s him. The Executioner is all dressed up, head to toe, in a black cloak and mask. He even wears black gloves to cover his hand, and though we haven’t seen a ton of close ups, it seems there’s also black makeup around his eyes so you can’t even see anything under the mask. I hate to say it, but the guy eerily looks like a KKK member with the way he’s dressed. However, that may be done on purpose. One of the biggest lead in the case to solving who the murderer is is that the police and Sarah, the protagonist, believe the murders are being carried out based on the seven deadly sins, with the killings replicating the biblical punishments for each sin. Supposedly, the killings are religion based. Going into these speculations more, or should I say, who’s speculating them, Sarah is still playing the amateur sleuth in the series. If anything, each of the genres picked for the show, horror and mystery, are simply being more solidified. We see all the gruesome murders play out, and get to feel the suspense of those preyed, but we also get an inside look at the investigations and speculations.

In all, I’m excited to continue the series, and hope to maybe even finish the second season by the end of next week. Of course, all wishful thinking, but it’s possible. As long as I’m not socializing too much. Anyway, back to binging it is!