America is getting dumber...

Sometimes, you just gotta find a niche to be successful. You don't necessarily have to be good at what you do, just be good at finding that niche and pleasing the people that fall into that category.
 
Tyler Perry is a prime example. His movies are not great, yet I've seen almost every one. They're entertaining, if flawed, and he's built up a fan base and is making millions of dollars.

Name any Disney "star". Niche. Not talent.

I don't think this is a good thing. Sure, people like different things, but it's hard to find true talent these days. We have a few good people like Adele and David Fincher (The director of The Social Network) in our mainstream society, but I fear people in the next generation won't know what true talent is. It's dwindling, or so it seems from the lack of it we see today.

Soulja Boy would have NEVER become famous 20 years ago. He would have been the 50 Tyson of today. And you know what's even scarier! People are actually starting to incorporate 50 Tyson's so-called "music" into their music libraries. And Rebecca Black? I heard "Friday" playing at the nail salon! Where do we draw the line? Should we ban artists from using the internet unless they're approved first? *shivers*

I wish we could go back to the 60s, 70s, 80s, or even 90s sometimes. I think with the new millennium people got really excited about the "future" coming and tried to become futuristic. As a result, media has suffered. Even the Black Eyed Peas used to be good! I thought their album The E.N.D. was bad, until I heard their singles "The Time" (NOT EVEN THEIRS!!) and "Just Can't Get Enough." I'm scared for the music of the future.

I'm ashamed to admit that I was ever a rock fan when I hear some of the new trash today. And hip hop? What happened to the days of CLEVER lyrics. And I almost die when I hear this this song.

So that's my two cents on the subject. I don't think the media world is changing. I think people are lowering their standards.

It All Started With A Silly Soundtrack...

That was one of the only things wrong in this near-perfect movie.

Source Code is the first movie to hold my absolute attention for so long since Shutter Island. It felt long, but I didn’t care. (Actually, it turns out the movie was only an hour and a half long, and I missed the previews. Probably an effect of our “give-it-to-me-quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry” generation).

Anyway, the movie starred Jake Gyllenhaal as Captain Colter Stevens, a soldier who has been assigned to find a bomb and a bomber aboard a train. The catch is, he only has eight minutes to find it. Every time he fails the assignment, he is sent back in time until he completes the job. Gyllenhaal gives an excellent performance.

The film captures some beautiful, unconventional shots of Chicago, both downtown and outside of the city. The filmmakers also did some creative upside down and sideways shots that captured the dizziness and confusion Stevens was experiencing between his time aboard the train and in the mysterious vestibule he repeatedly transports back to every eight minutes.

Though slow at times, the kind of slow that occurs when filmmakers want to avoid giving away too much information at once, the movie picks up and continues to stay intriguing for the most part. There is one part where the audience is blatantly told what’s going on, and I thought the creators could have put a little more thought into letting the viewers find out for themselves.

I felt slightly detached from all the characters except Stevens, which I felt was appropriate and well done for this type of movie, as Stevens also experienced detachment. The lack of development of the flatter characters allowed me to better relate to Stevens and to better understand the desperation he felt. I felt sorry for him, almost wanting to cry at a few points, I admit. Again, Gyllenhaal gave a great performance.

Of course, Stevens meets a woman that he falls for aboard the train, and her name is Christine Warren. I thought they made an adorable couple, but there is a mysterious aspect of the relationship that makes me a little bit uncomfortable. I’m really not sure what to think about it, but probably because I’m a journalism student and ethics is a big part of the way I handle situations.

Whoever wrote this film was a genius. There were cool effects, it was intriguing and suspenseful and mysterious. You feel the pressure whenever Stevens is sent back into the past. There are cool twists and turns, and overall, it was satisfying. Kind of like a mix of Déjà Vu and Inception, I guess. I don’t know, that’s what it reminded me of. But better. 

Sorry this is so vague. It’s one of those movies where, if I talk too much, I’ll give too much of the movie away. Go see it, and then we can chat about it through email (thegarbagequilt@gmail.com), on my Facebook page, or on Twitter (@garbagequilt). Let me know how you felt about it! <3