This Is The End

Finally after way too long, I got around to seeing This Is The End written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. There was so much hype about it that I had to see it. Unfortunately hype leads to unrealistic expectations. Even though it didn't quite reach my expectations, I was laughing the whole time. I thought it was a fantastic idea having all of these actors together because their personal lives are something people are interested in seeing. Then adding in the whole apocalypse theme into it was hilarious. The party scene at James Franco's house was so perfect. Michael Cera slapping Rhianna's butt, Emma Watson and Craig Robinson joking around, and James Franco showing off all of his art. The dynamic of that party was unheard of. Then when all hell let's loose (literally) it just keeps getting more and more absurd. Actors fighting actors to not fall into the fiery pit. Then when they all get back in the house all of the different actors and character dynamics just lets loose.

Although it was nonstop comedy and absurdity I thought it was pretty nice to have the whole "work your way to heaven" aspect. That gave it a nice goal and reason for the actors to stay alive and work towards something. Through that goal, the actors were able develop into better human beings or die from their selfishness. For example, James Franco sacrifices himself for the other two, getting him into heaven. But then while he's being beamed up, he's being a bad winner about it and shows that he hasn't really changed from the experience and gets dropped back down into the group of cannibals. I think that's an amazing scene because one, it's hilarious having James Franco being a dick, and two, it sticks to the moral of the story.

I thought the production was amazing. Robert Caban, Kevin Harris, Durk Tyndall, Craig Barnett, Eric Frazier, and Brad manis did an incredible job with special effects. Everything looked so cool and really brought that whole apocalyptic feel to life. I also thought William Ladd Skinner did such a good job as art direction. The cannibal van, destroyed LA, and Franco's house all looked fantastic.

There were so many scenes that I loved from EmmaWatson robbing them, Michael Cera being a dick, everything about Craig Robinson, and the awkward relationship between Jay and Jonah. I will most definitely be watching this again soon and recommending it to just about everyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Stay

One thing that I enjoy and wish wasn't just stuck to "Intro to Field" are music videos.  I love taking music and interpreting it into a visual story.  I also really enjoy watching music videos.

I've heard Rhianna's new song "Stay" ft. Mikky Ekko on the radio a few times.  It's a very beautiful song, but a very sad song.  I had heard from people, mostly my fellow Tumblr users "you need to see the music video", "it's so depressing", "it's so well done".

Well.  I wouldn't say I "had to see it".  I wouldn't say it was "so well done".  But it definitely was depressing.

It enters in on Rhianna, bare and in a bathtub full of water with a hue.  It was a very powerful entrance. But that's where Rhianna was seen for the entirety of the music video.  The DP nailed every shot, but I would have liked to see her in more than one place.  However, Rhianna's performance in the music video was definitely spot on.  I definitely felt sad after watching her.

I have the same critiques for Mikky Ekko's portion of the music video.  Great shots, great performance, but not a lot of variety.  One thing that jumped out at me was the beautiful lighting job.  Look at it, it's gorgeous....

The contrast from the white of his shirt definitely creates a focal point, and as the light falls off it creates a beautiful dark background.  

Overall, there were really nice parts of this video, but it was just too boring and depressing for my tastes.