The Cannibal Warlords of Liberia (Doc. Review)

So, when I was assigned this... assignment... to watch a documentary, and share my thoughts through a review, I knew just where to go.

Vice is a channel on youtube filled with interesting and compelling documentaries. On their page, they have several categories of documentaries. The largest one, and the one with most views, and by far the most interesting topics, is the one labeled "Danger".

From dog shows on acid, to Japanese suicide forests, the horrifying yet enticing stories are enough to spend hours watching. I had already seen a few, but today I chose one titled "The Cannibal Warlords of Liberia", an hourlong documentary about civil disputes in Liberia.

The fine folks over at vice were interested in what was going on in Liberia, and had been in contact with a Canadian journalist living there. A man named Shane flew to Liberia with a camera man to check things out.

Right away it was apparent that Liberia was in a pretty effed up state.

Through archival footage, Vice explained Liberia's history. Originally created by the United States for freed slaves to go to if they decided to return to Africa. However, once there, the newly instated Africans enslaved the native people and instated the same plantain methods and systems used in America. Eventually, through revolution and war, a African born man, Samuel K. Doe was elected president and the slavery ceased.

Samuel K. Doe

Shortly after the election, however, American educated rebel Charles Taylor, and his companion Prince Johnson began calling for a revolution and an end to the leadership of Doe.

Johnson

Taylor

Through civil war and rampage they reached the presidential house where they tortured and killed Doe, all on camera, and it is said that afterwords they cut him up, and ate him.

Gruesome, I know.

Once Taylor was in power, Liberia began to see the rise of dozens of self appointed warlords, resulting in long, horrible civil war that would devastate the country. Which leads us to today.

Liberia is a post apocalyptic wasteland with a feel and appearance of hell on earth. Shane and his Journalist contact, spoke with several ex-warlords who are now community leaders, either through self change of the conversion to christ, these mass murderers have become leaders in their societies. They work on trying to rebuild and revitalize the villages, even with the presence of the United Nations, not much is getting done at all.

The U.N officials and soldiers instated there are actually making things worse. Besides being inactive in rebuilding efforts, they often abuse drugs and prostitutes in red light districts.

And not only that, but a large threat waits at bay in the dense jungles. Rebels are amassing forces, with child soldiers and powerful weapons. The only thing keeping them at bay is the U.N, but they plan on leaving Liberia in under a year, allowing the rebels to wage war on the poor Liberians and take complete control.

This whole thing really made me think.

A while ago, I was thinking what a great idea it would be to have a worldwide governing force to work for the good of the earth, only to realize we already have one. Or, the shell of one at least.

As we progress as a race, as a species, we need to come together on this small planet we were given. Our technologies and advancements have made it nearly impossible to coexist with all of our conflicting cultures and ways of life.

It will soon be time to face these worldwide problems as a species, as Earthlings, not as divided countries or states.

Think of how much further along to being a whole people if we had a successful and active world court and governing force to deal with conflicts of the utmost importance. We would be all that much closer to being equal. Until then, I think its time we started thinking of ourselves as one people and one planet. Otherwise, we might as well accept the end of all things.

Also here are the film aspects:

Filmed with a single handheld tape camera. The only lighting was from the one mounted on the camera. Mos questions were not scripted, and there were no sets or acting or anything like that. Lots of voiceover and interview.

power-c: The Elixir of Life

"And on the third day, God created power-c"

The year is 1364. Location, Paris, France. Nicholas Flamel is busy at work in his alchemy laboratory. Is he turning lead into gold? Creating an explosive powder or extreme power? No, he is furiously working to create the Elixir of Life, the potion that would grant him immortality at the hands of time. But what poor Nick did not know, was that the ambrosia of the gods would not come into the hands of mortals for hundreds and hundreds of years.

And now, here we are, present day, and what do I have on my desk next to me? A power-c. But I am no alchemist, I am no wizard (Well, maybe I'm a wizard), I am simply an everyday consumer. And yet, here, a mere 4 inches away from my grasp, is the potion life, the very nature of creation, and it is available to everyone! 

But how can I be sure of the mystical properties of this Vitamin Water product? Well, I'm not, but, as far as I know, I could be adding years to my life by drinking a power-c, after all, I have not yet lived long enough to find out. But what I do know, is that power-c has very powerful, magical properties. 

Some little known facts about power-c:

In Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, when Indy was poisoned by those Chinese guys, the contents of the vile that held the cure, was power-c.

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, the potion that Harry drank that allowed him to pass through the black fire unscathed, was power-c.

Now that I think about it, every single potion in Harry Potter with a positive effect, was actually power-c.

Those were just a few of the hundreds of examples that are evident in...history...

But as for altering my life, well, for now I must be patient, and even if it does not make me immortal. It tastes really freakin good.

Channel Review: minutephysics

So, recently, through some intense youtube exploration, I've decided to, every once and a while review a channel that I find particularly interesting or entertaining, so that you, the reader may also be able to find and discover new and interesting videos on the web.

Up first is minutephysics (Minute Physics).
Minute Physics is a channel located in Waterloo, Canada. As the name suggests, each video is only a couple minutes long. Each video takes on the task of trying to explain complex and mind boggling questions regarding physics. For example, one video attempts to accurately define "touch" on the most scientifically basic level.
Each video follows the same structure. First, an interesting question is proposed, and then explained through animations, drawings, and real life examples. The end result is an extremely interesting and effective manor of explaining complex ideas.

I have always been very interested in science and hard to answer questions, so I could spend hours on this channel watching all of its equally interesting videos.

There's a lot that can be learned, even in a couple minutes.

On the channel wall, there is a very fitting quote: "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough" (Rutherford via Einstein). And I think that the channel owner knows his information very well.

An Evening Jaunt (Capture the Fall)

Our latest assignment, Capture the Fall! The above is me going on an evening jaunt

Bagels: The Perfect Food?

There comes a time in every man's life, when breakfast, or an after school snack is not laid out for him by his mother or father, and he must choose what to eat. It is this free will, this choice making mechanism rooted in the core of the human mind that separates us from the animals and dictates what kind of person we are, and the life that we live. And so, when the time came for me to make a decision with unknown consequences, that could potentially alter my life for ever...

I chose bagels.

But why bagels? Why just a circlet of bread, rather than the sliced variety you or me may find in the grocery aisle. Well, a bagel is not just a ring of baked dough. But then again, it is. What makes a bagel so special is that it is a foundation, a building block, essential to the perfect snack. A bagel on its own may be dry and strange to the senses, but when toasted, a whole new world of deliciousness can be found.

But why stop there? Why stop there when there exists a supply, nay a near endless plethora of toppings. Simply embracing the amount and variety of creams and spreads seems daunting, but fear not.

As of now, my main choices of toppings are butters, creams, and spreads. Generally, my main butter is that of the peanut variety. Yes peanut butter can be used on normal bread, but it does not compare to the crisp flavor of a toasted bagel. Then creams. The largest cream family is the cheese family. Cream cheese on its own is a delicacy to say the least, but venture further, and your mind will begin to see things never thought possible. For example, a long time favorite of mine is the strawberry cream cheese. The fruity flavor mixed withe the cream consistency and the toasted bagel is enough to topple an empire. Then, there are also such exotic things such as blueberry cream cheese, and even salmon cream cheese, which I have never actually tried. In the spread, or "shmear" hierarchy exist singularities, along with alternates. There is a alternate cream cheese, and an alternate strawberry cream cheese, both different in consistency, but similar in taste. There are also such unique oddities as herbal garden shmear, packed with rich vegetables.

You need not get me started on the variety of bagels themselves, with different seed toppings and ingredients, there exists a limitless amount of possibilities for flavor combinations.

The best thing since sliced bread is already here.

XTREME 'TIL D3ATH

So, as you can see, me and my acquaintances have been hardcore since birth.

I had a more meaningful blog post planned until it was ridiculed and criticized by Nico, and so, instead, here is a Gem from my childhood.

Long Live Free Country U.S.A

On the fateful day, of January 1st 2000, a cataclysmic event occurred that would change my life, and everything I know, forever. That was the day that The Brothers Chaps launched HomestarRunner.com

Animators Mike and Matt Chapman created the website and stocked it with there creative flash cartoons, unique sense of humour, and compelling and hilarious characters. As a child, I was captivated by the cartoons and games put up on the site, finding myself spending more time on it than watching cartoons on television, and in so many ways, the cartoons on HomestarRunner were superior to the dumbed down ones that they played on mainstream television.

The characters were unique and unlike any I had seen before. None were "human" but they were not animals either, instead a imaginative designs helped reflect the character inside. For example, a popular character, Strong Bad, was always depicted wearing boxing gloves and wearing a mexican wrestling mask, and was constantly trying to be cool, and outsmart and mess with Homestar Runner himself, a terrific athlete with no arms. The list goes on and on.

And beside the main characters, an even larger depth lay. The 'toons were riddled with side characters and variations of main characters, each one special and different in there own way.

I'm glad that the website was such a big influence on me. There was no cursing, instead they used funny phrases such as "Oh crunch berry" or "Mostly dang". There was no joking about drugs or alcohol, and it was always funny.

It was really an engaging experience, as nearly all the gags and jokes ran throughout and were hidden along in the site.

After years and years of visiting the site, I had managed to watch literally every cartoon, and play every game. I was now able to look forward to the new weekly videos. But sadly, it was short lived. Homestarrunner.com's last post was made in December of 2010, it was a "Decemberween Special" as they called it, not wanting to favor any religion, so they could appeal to all viewers.

For weeks I checked the site, waiting for a new post, but none came. I was devastated.

The website must not have been making enough money, or the creators had other things they needed to do. And so one of the greatest parts of my childhood still lays in hibernation to this day.

But I'm still hoping, still hoping that Homestar, Strong Bad, The Cheat, Marzipan, Bubs, Homsar, the dancin goblin',  the Poopsmith, and all the other colorful characters will someday return.

I Just Really Like Dr. Dog

For my first post, in which I have complete freedom to write about whatever I want, why not write about my favorite band? So, the following is nothing but a timeline and summary, of DR. DOG
http://drdogmusic.com/

Dr. Dog's first officially released album was Toothbrush. It came out in 2002, and was filled with lo-fi recordings and folky swamp music, not being to well known, their recording equipment gave a psychedelic sound and feel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1XG0N_DJ2o 

Dr. Dog then released an EP 4 years later Takers and Leavers. The album was much less lo-fi, and there music had softened down to a core with beautiful lyrics and great harmonizing tunes, along with a great variety of instruments. (Also includes one of my favorite songs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrCe-mA_m14

After Takers and Leavers came EasyBeat, released in the same year. Easy beat strayed into indie rock, while remaining reminiscent of bands such as The Beatles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naNV3SivX0U

Then, in 2007, Dr. Dog released another full album, We All Belong. We All Belong was a real taste of Dr. Dog's unique style of music. Implementing string, percussion and wind, they wrapped together an album with feel good songs, catchy tunes, and meaningful lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdxcs3sx5pw

In 2008, Dr. Dog released their next album, Fate. When I first began listing to Dr. Dog, Fate was my favorite album. Just the incredible variety in music i displayed was incredible. Unlike most bands I had listened to, their songs didn't all sound the same. Some tracks were happy and quick while others were sad and rueful, and near the end, a few extreme blues and rock songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XVVAIBBq-A

Dr. Dog's next album was released in 2010, and named Shame, Shame. Shame, Shame was full of beautiful harmonies, along with piano and organs. Along with a broad brass section.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmZQpbNK7t4

This year, Dr. Dog released two albums, the first one. Be the Void was mostly a ballad of indie rock, and there on musical style, using many interesting instruments and noises out of the ordinary, but sounding great as a whole.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmq7MSwUUAQ

And the most recent album is Wild Race, released this month, it's very much more rock and role, while keeping the great indie vibe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjF6MuJrhB4

Archive Footage Search

This time lapse of dark rolling clouds is the perfect mood setter for either the beginning or end of our dystopian trailer. With ominous music in the background it is a quite unsettling sight, evoking fear through the danger of a coming storm. "There's a storm coming Mr. Wayne"-Catwoman

King of the Jungle

So, this is our latest project, the five by five, cinco by cinco, and also 5x5 in other languages. Anywho, here goes.

1st shot: A little clip from the song featured in Disney's "The Lion King". I used it because recently, one of my cat's got a haircut that makes him look like a lion.
2nd shot: My lion-esque cat, Simon, awaking from a deep slumber, and startled to see an unwanted animal in its kingdom.
3rd shot: My more panthery cat, Garfunkel, cries for me to let him out on the hunt, so for he can get us food, as we have not eaten in many moons.
4th shot: The King inspecting a strange piece of human machinery. "What is this abomination", he says.
5th shot: The hunter laments over a failed hunt. The flatlands have gone dry, and some of the young will starve.

For this project I used a typical point and shoot camera. To edit, I used iMovie. Overall, smooth sailing.

In all, I am very pleased with the video, it portrays the majestic lifestyle of the feline monarchy in a way I never thought possible before.

I think for our next project, we should do a short project like this one, but instead, an abstract 25-30 second music video.

Dystopian Trailer Analysis

Dystopian Trailer.

The Island . Michael Bay . PG-13 . 2005

Lincoln (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan (Scarlett Johanson) are supposed apocalypse survivors living in a protected facility, cut off from the world. When they learn that they are only clones, used for human organ harvesting, they must escaped the fake utopia they live in. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR9JPy00Ojk&feature=related

The trailer for Michael Bay's "The Island", shows a good example of a dystopia because the world the main characters live in is a supposed Utopia, and the citizens living their fear the world outside where they live and the island itself. The catalyst, Lincoln discovering that "the island" does not exist and that their is a real world outside the facility where he lives, sends him and Joran, a female citizen, on a journey to escape the slaughterhouse in which they live. 

The trailer is fast paced and includes many flashing images that do not necessarily pertain to the plot, but do make the viewer more intrigued in the film. Quick snippits of voice saying things such as "the island isn't real!" or, "don't you want to live?" Make you sit at the edge of your seat.

Overall, the trailer presents a great example of a dystopian world.

World Without Walls Annotated Link

http://diigo.com/0sy3s

Self Structured Learning

In a world, where walls are a thing of the past, an entire complex, digital matrix, is at our Cheeto dusted fingertips. Not physical walls, of course, that would probably be the single worst thing that ever has happened to humanity. Luckily, the walls I speak of, are walls which limit communication. Ever since scientists created a magical thing called, "the internet", new forms of communication, and learning, have arisen across the globe.
I can't even imagine how my parents got through school without google or Sparknotes or high functioning calculators. Today instead of just using the web as a way to slack off, I can also use it as a opportunity to "turbo-enhance" my learning. Previously, students only had their opinions, and the opinions of their teachers and peers, however, now, one can access the opinions of humans worldwide. Even without the ability to access online encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other information sources, we even have the opportunity to share ideas with "Real People!" Yes, real, live people with real ideas that they are willing to share, and are willing to here yours. This is great because it allows you to get a real global perspective and get a less biased brainstorming session with people other than your peers. Over all, the internet allows for great for structuring ones own learning. Magical really, just magical.

Batman's Greatest Foe (Its not who you think)

For my first real assignment in my media class this year, I was told to annotate a current movie review, and then review the review and post said review on this blog. Earlier in the summer I had the fortune of being able to attend a Batman Marathon at my local movie theater, at which they would play the newest  Batman film at midnight. My first thought when the film was over, was: that was the best movie I have ever seen. Now, this might just be because Batman has been my favorite Super Hero, or rather, Hero, for a long long time. Everything Batman stands for is so different from other super heroes. Or at least how super hero's are portrayed in films and most of the mainstream comics. I was overjoyed with Christopher Nolan's portrayal of my long-time role model. Showing him as an outcast, all alone, and yet still protecting those who have discarded him, showing the ultimate example of good and nobility. I can't think of a single other super hero movie that exemplifies more moral conflict, sadness, pain, struggle, fight, and triumph as does the new Batman Trilogy.

I was shocked after reading the reviews for The Avengers, and seeing that they were extremely positive. What I saw was a brightly colored, shallow, family flick chock full of bad jokes not worth more than a couple dollars. Batman is not a comedy, unlike many of the super hero films they play in theaters today.

So, for my assignment, I of course wanted to review a review of The Dark Knight Rises. And what has better reviews that the Newyorker Magazine? Let me tell you one thing, and I am directing this at those with control at the Newyorker, what on earth where you thinking letting Anthony Lane's review of The Dark Knight Rises appear in print. I have never read a more ignorant, or ill informed article of any sort in my entire life, and I have read many ignorant articles. First off, the review contains absolutely no comment on aspects of the film other than criticizing Batman Himself. There is no mention of cinematography, acting (other than batman's), set, or costumes. I was in awe of the immaturity of the writers comments, almost directly asking director Christopher Nolan to make shallower movies Among complaints of Batman not getting "wasted with Iron Man" (who, by the way, is in a completely different universe) and the paralyzing stupidity of word combinations such as calling fear and anger "large abstract nouns", perhaps the most appalling sentence of all resides in the last paragraph. Let me remind you, this is a real review printed in the world famous Newyorker Magazine, this is not a joke. And I quote "Over three films we have waited for him to have Bat-Core sex, hanging upside down from a rafter and emitting cries of sonar."

What you've just said, is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling incoherent review, were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought everyone who read it is now dumber for having done so. I give you no sympathy, and may god have mercy on your soul. (Adapted from Billy Madison)
The annotated review: http://diigo.com/0sudu

Gettin to know me.

Hello internet! My name is Conor, and I hail from old Mary's Land. I have been alive for 15 revolutions about the sun. 15 winters, 15 Summers, and all the hopscotch and all the shenanigans in between. My hobbies include, but are not limited to, shenaniganing, adventuring, exploring, rabble-rousing, questioning the man, bucking the system, rocking and or rolling, and of course, film production and media. This Blog, named ConorCorp. will be a collection of my film and media work throughout the school year.