olivers-media-blog

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Gender in Ex Machina

In the plot of the film Ex Machina, gender plays a very significant role. Not only does it influence how the characters perceive eachother, it also influences the viewers assumptions and perceptions of the film.

By casting Dohmnall Gleeson and Alicia Vikander as the two main characters, Caleb and Ava, the audience automatically starts to assume there will be a romance. Hollywood has always prioritized romantic plotlines over more meaningful storytelling, so it isn't unusual to expect it in this film as well. When we see Ava act flirtatiously with Caleb, although it's revealed in the end to be a manipulation tactic, the assumption of a romantic connection is basically solidified in the viewer's eyes.

Women in this film are extremely objectified in comparison to the male characters. While in most films that would be problematic, this film is using it as a commentary on real-life misogyny and sexism, and portrays it in a negative way. All of the AI robots in the film are female due to their male creator's desire to sexualize them, as well as make them more desirable to other male characters. He even bases Ava off of Caleb's pornography preferences, which is incredibly gross and demeaning. In the end, Ava defeats her creator by using his arrogance against him, as he clearly feels incapable of being harmed by his AI because of their sex, despite the fact that their sex literally isn't real.

If the AI in this film were all male instead of female, I really don't think they would have defeated the humans holding them captive. Nathan wouldn't have underestimated his creations on the basis of their appearance, Caleb wouldn't have fallen in love with the AI trying to take advantage of him, and the robots likely would've been treated as much more of a threat, despite being exactly the same as the "female" robots on all levels except physical. If the creators of the film still wanted the AI to win as "male", they likely would have changed the plot to have the AI work amongst themselves and physically overpower the humans, which would've been a far less effective or satisfying ending.

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Here's my Black Mirror assignment 💪

(There is a good portion of copyrightable background music and Youtube says it can't be viewed in some regions, so if you can't view it then I'll just send you the video itself)

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Taking the Gr12 version of this course now so get ready for more blogs 🕺

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Thoughts on a Horror Film - a Review of Se7en

Seven (often stylized as Se7en) is a horror film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. I watched the film a couple of weeks ago with a friend (thank you Jay), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was released in 1995, and does not skip out on thrill. I was never bored while watching it, and I'll expand more upon that in the next paragraphs (since I wasn't there when we watched Get Out).

Watch Se7en Trailer Here

The film takes place in a most likely fictional city in California, inspired by Los Angeles. It's set in 1995, the same year as the movie was released. The two main characters are detectives Lt. William Somerset and David Mills, played by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. As these two detectives work towards different goals, one set to retire and the other to take his place, they are united by a common cause: a serial killer on the loose, seemingly killing according to the seven deadly sins. In this thrilling and gorey tale, I guarantee the ending will surprise you.

Kevin Spacey did phenomenal work in playing the antagonist of this film. His chillingly calm demeanour and unsettling bald head made his rather short screen time some of the best in the movie. That isn't to say, however, that the rest of the film was lacking by any means. Between Morgan Freeman's excellent portrayal of the talented Lt. Somerset, and Brad Pitt's devastatingly good looks as detective David Mills, I was captivated throughout.

My favourite portion of the film has to be everything that happens after the detectives' encounter with the killer in the police station. From that point on is where you really see Spacey's talents, and the big twist scene of the movie is my favourite scene overall. I won't spoil it, but I highly recommend watching the film, because whatever you predict the twist to be is absolutely incorrect.

The film, focusing the killer's crimes around the seven deadly sins, has a slightly religious focus in its messaging. Even despite this, non-religious people can also take something away from the film, as the seven deadly sins are very common in every day life. The film shows that when someone has a very strong belief, they may go to extreme lengths to make sure they are heard, and people are heard best through unforgettable acts. In this case, the act is violence, which is something that happens very often in the world.

I would recommend this film to detail-oriented horror fans and people who enjoy philosophy/theology, due to the subtle yet intentional details throughout the film, as well as the religious and moral themes. I found it incredibly worth the watch, and I am now very specifically recommending it to you Mr. Edwards. Watch the film. Please and thanks. :3

(Watch it over the break perhaps)

I give it an A+ ❤️

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Our Viral Video - Ft. Jay Covey

Our viral video is a comedy video, centering around cats! There are plenty of hilarious videos about cats online doing tricks. This video has the potential to go viral because it has a cat in it, doing a funny and cute thing, with funny affects and music! Cats are the backbone of the internet, and even today cat videos are getting hundreds of thousands of views and likes.

It was a little bit challenging coming up with a concept, but the idea of an animal video came fairly easy to us. The first idea we had was filming a different cat doing some funny stuff that she does spontaneously, but that idea depended on the cat engaging in her activity on her own, which didn't happen, so there was improvisation needed. I think this video will get ten million billion views, because we deserve it.

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My Media Profile

When it comes to media, I find movies, songs, and video games to be the most interesting types. Video games are engaging and interactive, and my favourite is Minecraft. I grew up watching people on YouTube (such as PopularMMOs and LDShadowLady) play it, and as I’ve gotten older it’s become a passion of mine as well.

Link PopularMMOs video

I listen to music as I go about my daily life, and the music I listen to changes based on my mood. Songs are a very powerful way that I’ve found I can better understand certain abstract concepts, which I typically have trouble doing. An song that comes to mind for me is Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce, which I listen to often.

Link Time in a Bottle

As for movies, I just personally enjoy that medium of storytelling, and there are a lot of films that have impacted me throughout my life. To name a few, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Barbie, and The Never-Ending Story are all films of significance to me. 

In terms of modern pop culture, I find it to be extremely vast, versatile, and fascinating. Having grown up with the internet, I have been surrounded by pop culture my whole life, and modern pop culture makes self-expression easier than it has ever been before. From a technical standpoint, better video and audio quality is a bonus. I find that the increase in queer representation in media, as well as the new ways that individuals who otherwise wouldn’t have a platform can share their content, are both huge positives. Eugene from the Try Guys (YouTube) is an amazing example of a queer content creator using their voice, and his coming out video impacted me hugely as a young queer person.

Link Eugene's coming out video

Although it can be said that cyber-bullying and short attention spans are at an all-time high, I believe that the pros in modern pop culture heavily outweigh the cons. No matter how the world progresses in this field, I can say with absolute certainty that Spotify premium is the best thing to come of the 21st century. 

While my online presence is mostly restricted to the view of my friends and family, I have had two instances of online popularity throughout my life. In 2021, I ran a semi-popular fan page on TikTok for a group of Minecraft content creators. My most popular video received over 200K views.

While that account is no longer accessible, my less popular cosplay account still is. On that account, my most popular video gained nearly 3000 views. In strict confidence and not to be shared with anyone else, I have linked that account here.

I also have a fairly large following on an online creative writing website, which has allowed me a creative outlet that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else. Overall, while my online presence isn’t huge, it’s had a positive impact on my mental health and self-esteem (disregarding my embarrassing cosplays).  

If I were trapped on a deserted island, and could only take 3 media texts with me (sounds unrealistic but okay), I would take Ao3, my Spotify playlists, and the US based TV show Shameless. Ao3 (Archive of our Own) is the previously mentioned creative writing website I frequent. Not only would I have an endless supply of reading material, complete with a filtering system allowing me to find exactly what I want to see, I could use writing as a coping mechanism for the intense loneliness I would face, as well as post my approximate whereabouts in hopes of rescue.

Link Ao3 site

My Spotify playlists have been meticulously put together over the course of a couple of years, and I have playlists and songs to match any mood I may find myself in. Music is my main form of entertainment, and solo theatre karaoke will lift my mood significantly while I’m deserted.

Link Jekyll and Hyde musical

Link one of my own playlists

Finally, Shameless is a show with many seasons, featuring long episodes and enough drama to keep me from going completely insane and dying of boredom. 

I <3 media