District 9 is a power

"Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic."

One ordinary, family- oriented, hardworking man named Wikus van de Marwe, an MNU field operative (Multinational United) is placed in charge of relocating a race of aliens whose spaceship hovers above Johannesburg, South Africa. After an attempt to talk with an alien about the eviction, Wikus was injured in his forearm and began to mutate. Wikus's changed arm is then capable of operating an alien weapon which is valuable to the government. Scientists want to take advantage of this capability. Wikus escapes and hides in an alien shanty. An alien named Christopher promised to heal him, and together they save the canister of fuel for the mother ship. Christopher and his son then leave, promising to be back, and Wikus stays to fight the people who were once his fellows. Now he is one of the alien creatures.The movie made in a documentary style that makes it absolutely exclusive and memorable, you feel just like being wrapped- up in the story!It feels real.

You can look at this movie from the different angels:you can be with the aliens, you can be with the humans or with the government."It has an alternate reality"( Almost in all movies there are good and bad sides, good and bad characters. At the beginning of the movie you identify the human government as good because it cares about its people, and tries to protect them from the unexpected interference of the aliens. The aliens, or prawns, are frightful and creepy creatures, who engage in criminal and destructive activities, which lead to demands from the human population for more control. They are definitely assumed to be bad guys. Two Empires are against each other: the human Empire is independent and powerful: militarily, politically and economically it is prepared to take care of itself; it defines normality and abnormality; In contrast, the alien Empire seems to be less powerful and independent, but it has a huge advantage- the most powerful weapon on the Earth. One day one of these Empires will win.

At the middle of the movie you begin to understand that prawns are not as bad as they seem to be. The humans, who are supposed to be intelligent, treat Wikus as a thing. People want to 'take to pieces' Wikus who is still a person, who feels pain and wants to live; he just has a mutated arm.What a big deal.I am sure that the powerful Empire like this one can find a way to help him. But as if it usually happens, everything supernatural must be studied.Not long time ago Wikus was sent to perform an important and dangerous mission, and now he is nothing, a guy who is 'different'. What a cruelty and evil! Aliens, who are assumed to be stupid, take care of each other and try to live in the Human Empire. There is a question: will Christopher be back to fight against people? I think he will be back but not for the battle, but for helping Wikus and taking his compatriots back home. Sure, there is a reason for the fight but i guess the aliens know that not all people are bad.

I think that there are can be some possible explanations of two these Empires: I can say for sure that humans and aliens are representatives of two powerful Empires with advantages and disadvantages( they can't be Kingdoms because they are unholy and vicious),but one Empire seems to be more humane, wiser and compassionate, and this one is the alien Empire.

Questions:

• Did Wikus's wife know that when she was talking with her husband, her father was on their trail?
  
• How was it possible to hide that command module from the mother ship under the alien shanty, if people built all that shanties before, and they did not see that piece?
  
• Why did the spaceship 'froze' above the Johannesburg?
  

Cultural Artifact: Dexter

Dexter is a show on the Showtime network documenting the life of a sociopath serial killer that works as a forensics analyst for the Miami Police Department.  When Dexter was a teenager his stepfather, who was a cop, realized that Dexter was addicted to killing and he trained him how to kill without being caught, but the rule was that he could only kill "evil people", meaning killers and rapists.  Dexter lives his life based on "The Code of Harry" which is the name for these rules introduced by his stepfather. The second season of the show is especially thought provoking about the ideas of evil and what we base our lives on. One of the most gripping scenes is when he takes his confidant Lila into the morgue where some of his kills are laying in rest. As Lila looks at the dead bodies she speaks about the anonymous killer, which is really Dexter. Dexter asks Lila why she is not disgusted with the person who did this and she replies, “The person who did this is just like me, like you. We’re all good Dexter and we’re all evil.” At the end of the season Dexter looks into the camera and asks us this question, “Am I evil? Am I good? I’m done asking those questions. I don’t have the answers. Does Anyone?” This question is a truly penetrating question of the audience. After all, the shows tagline is “Dexter: America’s Favorite Serial Killer.” It makes us sympathize and empathize with the sociopath serial killer that administers vigilante justice. Dexter only kills the evil and as the show progresses he gains more capacity for feelings and relationships while still harboring his addiction to murder. We begin to root for Dexter and we are left asking ourselves. Is he good or evil? The show does not answer these questions but provides us with a very reformed perspective on this question. Dexter is both good and evil just like all of us.

Discussion Questions
1) Based on what you know about the show, does Dexter’s message reveal truth about the world in which we live?
2) Would you consider this kind of art to be apocalyptic, what do you think this speaks unto?

Mall Post

1) Stock Up Sale at JC Penney: Shows the consumerist idea that we always need more things in out life, we need to "Stock Up" because we don't have enough stuff already.

2) Our Goal is To Make You Happy Realtor ad: This ad hits on all the hot words in sales. The goal of their business is not to make a profit, no not at all, it's to make me happy. They also provide friendly services, quality product, and a great shopping experience. They create a world where looking for a house is so much more than just a business transaction.

3) GNC Live Well: This line is posted under the name of their brand. They have created a world in which you must fill your body with supplements in order to somehow live the good life or "Live Well" as they put it.

4) A Little Starbucks makes the Shopping go Better: Starbucks knows that shopping is a kind of worship experience and they propose that they can make that experience even better. The ad says, "treat yourself we're right here in the mall." Starbucks managed to stake out their spot on the sacred ground of the mall in order to better the "experience" of the shoppers/worshippers that enter.

5) Give Gift Freedom: This is an ad from the mall itself. It is a gift card that works for any store in the mall and they propose that this gives the buyer "freedom". They are hitting on one of the empire words that lures us in. They create an illusion of freedom in order to sell their product.

6) Mall Layout: The mall layout has a cross layout which is both efficient and worshipful. This layout helps people get to all the stores they want to quickly and it is reminiscent of the tradition cross cathedral layout. In the middle of the X there is a grand open area with a welcome center and 4 towering pillars holding up the roof that makes you both feel welcomed and awed.

7) Apple Store: The Apple Store proposes that they can provide us with the "Ultimate Upgrade" by giving us a new computer. They claim that they will somehow make our life better by selling us their product. They also advertise using all the iPhone apps in the window to show all of the crap that we might be able to have if we buy the product. The upgrade is linked to an exponential increase in the amount of crap in your life.

Mall Post - "You Want to Do This to Be Better"

This photography was from a sign inside Bath and Body Works at the Woodlands Mall. This sign was promoting a new kind of perfume and scented lotion series. If anyone can't read the sign, the sign reads:

the sexys

Allruing, enticing and all all-out seductive - these Signatures define sexy with just one mist. A provocative collection of rich, sensual scents.

Along with the other two photos (from Victoria Secret and Kay Jewelers) below, this sign makes the buyer believe that they need this item in order to become "sexy". And maybe, at least somewhat become attractive to the other gender.

With Kay Jewelers, the picture represents a typical wedding full with happiness, something that Kay Jewelers believes that can't be achieved without buying jewelry at their place (and not at the other jewelry stores next door). Here, it isn't a product that you spray to make you feel something. But, Kay Jewelers is trying to push the value of happiness and family while saying that you need a Kay Jewelers' ring or necklace to make that dream wedding come true (and bring happiness).

While, the picture below from Victoria Secret is an sales ad in the front window of the store. This sales has a supermodel on it with a quote in the cor ner that says "Even Supermodels loves a Sale". I think Victoria's Secret is saying with this ad that it's ok to shop at the Victoria's Secret's sales because famous people like supermodels love to shop for discounted clothes (I don't know if this even true). Because the supermodel approves of this sale, this assures the buyer that it's alright to buy here because you can feel like a supermodel with the feelings like sexiness, beauty, and popularity when you shop at this store. Plus, who wouldn't shop at this store when someone semi-famous shops at Victoria's Secret during sale?
(By Amy Braun)

Teen Vogue

I chose to read a Teen Vogue magazine. I decided to blog about my thoughts over reading through this magazine because of the advertisements and clothing represented. This magazine is specifically a fashion magazine aimed at teenage girls. It is full of beauty and fashion advice and pictures of the new clothing trends.

Upon reading the magazine, it is obvious that appearance and clothing are valued. Fashion and beauty are top priority, and a girl’s purpose is to have all the new trends, which are represented throughout Teen Vogue. Fashion and clothing are beautiful. As I flipped through the pages, I was in awe of the creativity, time and inspiration that was put into designing the clothes and creating different outfits. The photo shoots and spreads in the magazine were equally imaginative. It’s an art and a gift that God has given human beings. While I enjoy viewing that pictures and clothes, I am being bombarded with advertisements at the same time. I believe there’s a line between revealing one’s creativity and manipulative advertisements. While I still recognize the time and creativity that was put into designing the advertisements and the products, I feel almost stressed by the amount of “things” that this magazine is telling me that I should buy. I can’t help but be distracted by the prices when trying to appreciate the beauty of clothing and photography. The picture that I originally would’ve taken to be beautiful now speaks a completely different message to me. It tells me that if I want to look like the model, I must buy the clothes she is wearing. It implies that if I want to be happy, I should have the latest trends. Before I know it, I am no longer looking at the pictures. I am focused on the prices and where I can purchase them. So much of the reader's attention is on the prices alone, and how to look "trendy" rather than appreciating the designer's talent. Instead of being inspired to create my own style, I am upset that I cannot purchase the clothes.

In what ways can magazines similar to Teen Vogue be changed to reveal God's kingdom? How do magazines like Teen Vogue bring glory to God and how do they show our fallen empire? How can we read these magazines in a way that does not cause us to fall in the "system," but rather live apocalyptic? In what ways can we appreciate fashion and beauty without being consumed by it?

Shattered Glass Film

Shattered Glass, starring Hayden Christensen as Stephen, is a film depicting the lives of journalists, particularly political journalists. Stephen describes the hardships and rewards of being a journalist of a respected, widely read magazine. Based on a true story, the plot thickens and hardship arises for Stephen when his writing’s validity is brought into question. In the end Stephen reveals that he lied and cheated everyone close to him including his readers.

Stephen felt throughout the film that his life only had purpose if he maintained his high journalistic standing. He was willing to do anything to keep that position and standing. Stephen’s problem, like many other people, started small with a few white lies here and there in his work, to make the piece more interesting or note worthy. As time went on, Stephen felt more and more pressure to keep his high standing and readers interested while also trying to study law to keep his parents content thus he began to make up interviews and notes to support his writings. Stephen felt there was no other way. Like many of us, Stephen got caught up in the pressures of life and put his purpose in man made created things such as promotions or things. Stephen was both lying to his readers and colleges and also himself.

This feeling of pressure and discontent has been around since the very beginning with Eve and the fruit. Man has fallen and will always feel pressure and discontent along with many other things brought on by sin, but God has provided a way of Salvation.

Shattered Glass is an interesting depiction of life in the political and journalistic sphere of the empire. Shattered Glass shows how fragile man can be, and how status pressure within the empire can make a man do anything including lying to himself. Without the hope of the Kingdom, Stephen had no where to turn but to his lies, and it almost drove him to insanity.

Discussion Questions:

1) Do you feel the pressures of the empire, that was explained in class, as Stephen did?

2) How does the empire shape differ from the kingdom in the world of journalism?

Miki's Mall Post

The photograph above is one of a children's play ground in the Woodland Mall. On the surface, this is a an "awwww" inducing, cute photograph positively leaking fluffy love. Sort of. Meh. However, after a moment's contemplation, I realised how insidious the play area really was. In actual fact, it reeks of the sly machinations of commerce's overarching tendrils. Okay, perhaps that is a bit too much, and I am not normally inclined with such sweeping statements. Nevertheless, the play area does speak volumes for how children are treated in the interest of commercialisation.
In essence, the play area allows for more time for parents to spend shopping, because it can keep children amused, occupied with with the play area, instead of griping about wasting time tagging along. Another thing to consider is that children from an early age now have the opportunity to spend more time in shopping malls, thus making them more used to the spectacle of commerce. Instead of reading, going to the library, playing outside, etc, children now have the wonderful chance to spend time inside a stifling, bustling, mind numbing, creativity sapping environment! So nice. Of course, in many instances, I suppose parents don't have a choice when it comes to taking their children with them shopping, as they have no one else to take care of them. Despite this, perhaps there are alternatives. Maybe, maybe not. But it is something to consider.
The same goes with teenagers. I, for one am guilty. I spend a lot of time in commercialised areas, filled with advertisements, billboards, etc. Let us ponder for but a while. Is there another way to spend our time that promotes creativity and that does not forcibly direct our attentions? This is not to say that malls are ALWAYS insidious, but let us be honest here. Neither are they not concerned with our wholesome well-being. Any thoughts?

Fringe Blog

Fringe is a tv show on Fox written by JJ. Abrams. It is a combination of X-Files and Alias. It is about an FBI team called Fringe division who job is to investigate strange scientific phenomenas. Special Agent Olivia Dunham leads the team with consultant Peter Bishop, a "jack of all trades", and his father Dr. Walter Bishop. Walter Bishop is a mad scientist who spent years in an asylum for illegal fringe science experiments. The episode that I watch last Thursday was about an attack on a sheriffs office involving rumors of disfigured people near the small town of Edina. The people have apparently been able to hide themselves from the rest of the world. They are the children of a group of test subjects from a military base where they were trying to find a way to better camouflage their soldiers. Walter eventually figures out how they are able to hide in plan sight. In one of the homes there is a machine that scrambles the optic nerves making the disfigured people appear normal. When all is said and done Agent Broyles almost reveals the the residents but Walter convinces them to let them keep their secret.

To understand the episodes nature/origins of evil and redemptions you have know the full history of Walter Bishop. He was a scientist for Harvard University where he worked out of a basement lab along side his partner William Bell. A large majority of Bishop's experiments involved human experimentation, everything from unnecessary surgeries to injections of massive quantities of hallucinogenics. All of which were used for military or corporate use. Then in 1991 he was institutionalized for manslaughter after a fire killed one of his lab assistance. Not the nicest guy in the world. However in this episode Walter experiences both remorse and pity. Remorse for the experiments he has done to others that have left them damaged, and pity for these disfigured people who would affected by the military experiment. Then to add on to that he is able to convince the lead agent, Broyles, to let them keep their secret to protect them from being further studied and humiliated.

When, if at all, is human experimentation permissible?

Walter Bishop convinces Agent Broyles to lie in his report. Any thoughts on that?

Mall trip

buy an ipod and you can be like us!!!

Shatterd Glass

On Wednesday, January 13, I attended the film Shattered Glass that was playing in Commons Lecture Hall. This movie was about a young, talented writer named Stephen Glass who works for the prestigious magazine, The New Republic. Glass always stuns his co-workers with new, creative, and fascinating stories for each magazine. Glass writes his most compelling piece, titled Hack Heaven which amazes everyone working for the magazine. However, the new editor, Chuck Lane, become suspicious of the article after receiving information from other sources that claim the information is false. After much investigation, Lane concludes that over half of Glass’ articles were fabricated and that his sources were made up. Glass’ co-workers have a very hard time accepting the fact that Glass was lying and they get very angry at Lane. Glass tries to conceal his lies but only manages to dig himself deeper which leads to a suspension and ultimately being fired from his job at the magazine.

This compelling movie shows us a real and personal struggle with evil for Glass. He wants to be the best writer as well as go to school and become successful. This stressful schedule leads him to cheat and lie, a pitfall of evil that consumes him. His greed for fame and recognition causes him to affect not only his life, but his co-workers and the overall magazine reputation. Glass’ sin is very obvious, he literally lies about his whole purpose of his career in order to become famous and appreciated. This sad movie of a talented man who goes downhill reminds us more in depth that we live in a sinful and greedy world. Once we become consumed in the idea of being the best that we can, we will do anything to achieve it. This is clearly shown through Glass who is determined to succeed at everything, even if that means spinning a web of lies. The sinful empire consumed Glass and his entire life and reminds us of the dangerous and greedy world that we live in.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why were Glass’ coworkers reluctant to accept Chuck’s claims that he was invented up his stories?

2. What lessons can we learn about evil and how it affects our life?