jami4390-blog

[jami4390-blog]

IF only IF only

“Fight Island” sounds like an 80′s action film, but the media would have you think that just a few weeks ago it was going to be a reality. When the lock downs set in across the world every sports commissioner scrambled to protect their athletes but one man turned the other direction and started figuring out how to still have fights in a world where every country is denying entry. His answer was simple.. just find and island in international waters, make it your own country, and have your fighters fly  in to compete and train as much as they want well you bask in the virus free sunshine. According to Dana White he toyed with this idea for a while before he realized it just wast going to work at this time.Once the media caught  wind of it however it was off to the races. All of a sudden every sports blog and talk show had an inside source telling them exactly what fighters were going to the island, where it was, and when you could expect to see some fights uploaded. Fans were getting excited and even fighters started posting call  outs online to try and get booked on a card on the island. White was quick to brush it all off as speculation and said definitively that there was not going to be and fights on an island anytime in the near future. Even with the official story out for all to hear there are still lots of questions needing answers. Where was the island? Who did White plan ringing to the island? Was he going to become a rouge state with an army of MMA warriors defending his castle full of riches? Even im doubtful about that last one, but a man can dream. 

[jami4390-blog]

“Imagine” if they just tried harder

Almost a month ago famous actress Gal Godot convinced several of her celeb pals to films and compile a video of them singing imagine by John Lennon in and attempt to raise spirits during the Covid pandemic. It seems to have had the opposite affect drawing a lot of negative comments from the media and other celebs.  “This ‘Imagine’ Cover Is No Heaven” says the New York times. Some people are saying it was a poor effort with one celeb busted for filming his portion on the toilet, well others think the video is mocking the general population by singing a somber tune well in a million dollar house trying to cheer up people loosing jobs and truly struggling. Its not everyday we get to see the media openly criticize something done by celebs even when these things are often terrible like in this case and it gives me hope that it inspires celebrities in the future to think before they post and maybe... just maybe we will get to see some better content from it.    

[jami4390-blog]

Your parents were right... video games will ruin your life

As some people will have heard, many sports have started putting on virtual events where real competitors play a video game version of their sport to fill in for the lack of real sports. One of the first organizations  to do this was NASCAR which has been running the “Pro Invitational series” where a selection of real drivers race alongside their pro virtual racing counterparts. It has been booming for weeks with more fans tuning in every week and NASCAR even talking about running it every year during the off season.This hype train was suddenly derailed on Sunday when NASCAR driver Kyle Larson “accidentally” said a racial slur which he thought only one other friend of his could hear.Little did he know every driver, as well as thousands of people watching online had heard it clearly... and they knew it was him. In the hours that followed he gave a public apology and explain it wasn't directed at anyone and was a slip of the tongue well he was excitedly talking to a friend on a closed channel. Shortly after the apology McDonald's and Credit One bank (his main sponsors) as well as several other smaller sponsors withdrew from connection to him. The hurt didn't stop there as just hours ago Chip Ganassi racing announced Larson would no longer be driving for the team and that they were in the process of finding a replacement.No other teams have come forward saying they want to sign Larson so at this stage it looks like his career behind the wheel may be over before it ever really began. I am in no way excusing what was said, but you have to ask yourself what would be happening if all this happened behind closed doors away from the media and the world of spin.  

[jami4390-blog]

Lions,, Tigers, Florida, OH MY!!

If your looking for something crazy to watch, and the news lately  just isn’t cutting it for you theirs no need to worry. “Tiger King” is just the thing to fill your craziness craving. There is healthy portions of rednecks, big cats, murder mystery, and even a few musical breaks that will bring a tear to your eye. It may not being award winning journalism and many people will ask why this movie even exists, but if you ask me its just the thing we need in a time like this. 

 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acTdxsoa428    

[jami4390-blog]

New age style, original content

One thing almost everyone has been doing during the Covid-19 pandemic is vegging out on the couch watching whatever media crosses our path next. Luckily Netflix is looking out for us and has put out what is in my opinion one of the most interesting documentaries of the last few years, and its the content of the doc that really makes it amazing. “LA Originals” is centered on two artists that found themselves in the middle of the most influential times in hip hop, and in a perfect position to get it all on film well leaving their own mark at the same time. Mr.Cartoon is possibly the most respected tattoo artist in the hip hop world. Hes done work on Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Dr.Dre and 50 cent ,as well as doing all the graffiti work seen in Grand Theft Auto V. His partner in crime Esteban is responsible for some of the most iconic pictures and videos of the rap world and has filmed on tour for Cyprus Hill, shot music videos and album covers for D12 among others. Combined they have collected nearly 50 years of original pictures and video taken first hand and have used it to create a view into this world like you have never seen anywhere else. If you have even a slight interest in rap music or history I highly suggest giving this film a chance. 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_01QJYDavw                  

[jami4390-blog]

Corona Scares: Real or Fake

The latest trend in conversation and news is talk of COVID-19 a highly infectious virus spreading across the planet. I find it very interesting how much news coverage of the virus there is and how much of it is spreading false information. The most obvious example has been the panic buying of paper surgical masks. People seem to think that by wearing a paper surgical mask they will avoid catching the virus but this is simply untrue as those masks were designed to prevent people transmitting illnesses in surgical theaters not to prevent the intake of disease. Michael Osterholm an internationally recognized expert in infectious disease epidemiology said on a recent podcast with Joe Rogan (link below) that the best thing people can do is limit there exposure to public crowds and maintain good hygiene standards by washing their hand regularly and that there isn't much you can really do an its in the hands of public health experts now. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3URhJx0NSw   

[jami4390-blog]

Most likely to Succeed

I have a love hate relationship with this documentary. The topic discussed is very interesting and almost all of the content within the film is very good and seems to deliver their message well. Where i run into problems is the quality of the film  itself. Many of the interviews were filmed in less then prime locations (echo filled classrooms) that can make it hard to understand what the people are saying. However this does not draw to much from the fact that this doc was clearly made with an objective in mind... to make us question the ways we could be changing education systems to better benefit students and it accomplishes this goal very well. It raises many interesting questions and could possibly inspire you to learn more on the topic which is something every good documentary should do. In my opinion this film is well worth anyone taking the time to watch and even re-watch. I've included a link to the films trailer so you can see whats its like before you commit to watching the full thing.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE5XRrfetu4

[jami4390-blog]

Trends

IN class we are discussing trends and were asked to reflect on trends e partook in of myself being part of was my purchase of a Chinese SKS semi automatic rifle. When the federal liberals came to power in Canada they wanted to make a lot of changes as far as what guns people can and cannot buy. One particular kind of rifle that was supposed to become banned from purchase is the SKS. SKS’s are semiautomatic rifles developed in Russia and produced in massive numbers by just about every communist block country during the cold war. As a result thousands have found their way onto the Canadian market for very cheap prices and they shoot a very common round (7.62x39mm, the same rounds AKs use) which means ammunition can be purchased for relatively cheap prices. When the government first proposed banning these rifles many people in the shooting community tried to buy as many guns and parts as they could in case they were no longer available for purchase. At the time im writing this in February 2020 they have not been able to pass this legislation so the guns are still fairly common in gun stores across the country and the buying craze has come and gone. This has transformed the SKS into one of the most commonly traded guns in local circles and the market for “new age” parts has exploded, everything from polymer stocks to larger magazines and every form of accessory imaginable. If you ask me we are likely to experience similar buying frenzies the next time a similar piece of legislation is tabled. Personally I hope they try and ban surplus ammo so i can pickup a few crates for a good deal. 

Below is a link to an article discussing the latest push for Semi-auto bans 

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/12/06/feds-vow-to-move-ahead-with-ban-on-some-semi-automatic-weapons/      

[jami4390-blog]

The death of documentaries

Documentaries used to be rare and products of love. They were created by film makers trying to bring light to important and largely unknown issues. Films like “Blackfish” and ¨The Cove” have managed to create public outcry and affect change. Sadly in recent years documentaries have steered towards a darker and more commercialized style. A prime example of this is The Defiant Ones” a documentary following the lives of fading hip hop producer Dr. Dre and his longtime producer. This film seems to exist purely to promote dre and his business ventures. Very little if any of the commentary given is unknown and most seems to be rappers patting each other on the back for being rich, It seems to jump around between dre making music and the random things he is doing with his millions of dollars. Extended shots and scenes of his home being built, his boats, and his trips around the world. Occasionally it talks about the producer who seems to have interesting things to say but its hard to tell when all the dialogue is ham fisted between these edits of all his expensive possessions. For example when hes trying desperately to talk about an album hes making, they cut to shots of not one, not two, but three different houses and some extra shots of the beach. IT saddens me that this what we consider a documentary these days.           

[jami4390-blog]

The UFC is the only pro sports organization in which athletes have to do most of their own promoting if they want traction in the sport. Lots of NBA and NFL players are vocal on social media but it cannot effect who they play. IN the UFC fighters can live and die on social media. If they want a shot at a Championship belt they need to not only win in the cage but also be active on social media and in interviews with the press. This is best seen from former Champ Colby Covington. HE went from journey man to superstar mainly because he became known for his brash and loud twitter cal louts like the one above. Would this system work if brought to other sports? Wouldn't you love to see LeBron James have a twitter beef with Steph Curry