The film industry seems to be ever-changing, as most everything seems to be. As an action-movie junkie, a lot of the new films being released are enjoyable for me, because of all the special effects. Realistic? Not necessarily, but, because movies are an escape from reality (for me anyways), they really don't have to be. All they have to do is entertain me and "take me away" from real life for a couple of hours. I'm not one to go to the theater, I wait until the film comes out on DVD and then buy it. I personally don't care for the theater for a couple of reasons. One of these is that there are so many rude people who talk on their cell phones during movies or text or just chat in general and don't seem to have any consideration for those who are trying to enjoy a movie. Another is the expense - I can buy a DVD and watch it as many times as I want for less than it costs to pay for three people to get into the movie theater! I haven't seen anything new lately, but am looking forward to a couple of movies, particularly 'Fast and Furious' and 'Transformers: Rise of the Fallen'. I'll be buying those two as soon as I can to watch in the comfort of my own living room, where you can hit the 'pause' button if you have to get up for a moment, so you don't miss anything!

I do think that film is still a viable art form, and some filmmakers are coming out with more reality-based movies that can grab your heart. I do think that some, but not all, movie theaters will survive our culture's growing interest in internet and television. For some families, going to the theater is a special treat, a family event, if you will. For others, the atmosphere of the theater with the giant screen and speakers makes the effect complete. Not my personal thing, but many people do enjoy that, and for those that do, they will continue to fork out tons of money to see films where they were intended to be seen - at the theater.

Any number of images can bring powerful reactions from people. One such symbol is the swastika. It is an ugly symbol of hatred and persecution of particular groups of people. Seeing this symbol causes me to shudder, as I see pictures of concentration camps, barbed wire fences covered in razor wire and piles of bodies in mass graves. This symbol easily prompts an array of emotions from sadness to anger, and sympathy for the millions of people who suffered so tremendously at the hands of the Nazi people.

A happier image that comes to mind is the white picket fence surrounding a lush green lawn and two story home. This brings to my mind simpler times, when mothers were able to stay home and raise children while husbands went to work to provide financially for the family. This is an image that many refer to as the American Dream - a goal that many citizens set for themselves to achieve. That image has changed a bit over time, as in the present day it is rare for mothers to be able to stay home with their children. This, in part, is due to the economy and inflation. However, the dream of home ownership will always be considered the American Dream, associated with the image of the lovely home, well-maintained yard, surrounded by a white picket fence.

"Embedded reporters" are journalists who travel into combat zones with military units. The live, eat, sleep and breathe with the members of these units and develop a camaraderie and kinship with them, almost becoming family members with shared experiences. The soldiers are tasked with keeping the journalists safe; the journalists are there to tell the soldiers story. Is this an appropriate way to report the news? In my opinion, no. It is appropriate for reporting human interest stories such as the difficulty of leaving one's family - life, really - behind to go to war, however, in my mind, it would be nearly, if not impossible, to report facts of war in an unbiased, objective manner. I think that this "embedding" program was implemented to garner support for the war, and I recall watching Dana Kay on News Channel 5 as she traveled with her assigned unit. I liked her style of reporting and was aware of her bias (however unintended) towards "her" soldiers. I don't think "embedded reporting" should have gone on; I believe the program was nothing but a war propaganda tactic of the Bush administration.
I would imagine that the soldiers had mixed feelings about embedded reporters. On the negative side, it would be a major pain in the behind to have to "babysit" a reporter who likely had never seen combat and whose inexperience could potentially cause a soldier to be injured or lose his life. Alternatively, it would be encouraging, as a soldier, to know that family and friends back home were receiving timely information and that information would very likely be positive.
One reporter discussed an experience during battle that allowed him to get satellite signal to upload photographs in order to meet his deadline. "I just couldn't believe it. It was more accommodating than anything I've ever done since," said USA Today Photographer Jack Gruber. The captain of the unit he was with opened the vehicle hatch during the fighting, which enabled Mr. Gruber to get a signal and meet his deadline.
Because of the nature of war itself, any attempts to portray the civilians version of events can be difficult, at best, for embedded reporters. Since these reporters always have a military escort, the likelihood that the civilians speak freely about their opinions is slight. Washington Post reporter David Finkel also noted that being embedded as a reporter is really the only somewhat safe way to report from Iraq presently. He says "At the beginning, if you were American, you were somewhat welcome, but that's not the case at this point." He cites the high risk potential for being kidnapped or killed if reporters were to attempt to travel freely now as they did in the early days of the war.

http://americanobserver.net/2007/12/04/iraq-2/
accessed 9/17/09

Propaganda is a means used to convince individuals of things that can be positive or negative. I have always been of the opinion that propaganda is negative, but am learning that this is not always the case. It is actually just a technique of persuasion or publicity to attempt to sway opinions for a variety of reasons. These reasons can include politics, goods or services, religion, or any number of issues for which someone wants the reader, viewer or listener to believe as they do. Propaganda takes may forms: advertising, publicity, testimonial, public relations, etc. One example of propaganda in the form of advertising is a commercial that urges ladies to purchase a beauty product that claims to "make fine lines look visibly smaller in just four weeks", thereby making the lady look younger. Another example of propaganda is evangelism, particularly on television or a tent revival. The preacher or leader of the revival makes claims, preying on people's fears, dreams or health issues, and claims that if you give lots of money, you will be saved or cured or will prosper. These claims are an inflation of reality. While belief in a higher power can be extremely powerful, belief alone is not the cure for what ails a person. It is the combination of belief, along with a sincere effort on the part of the believer, to work harder, live healthier, save more, etc. The final example I provide is from the most recent Presidential election. It was revealed by political rivals that the long-time pastor of a candidate was promoting hate and racism. The candidate and his staff spun the story, quickly distancing him from this pastor and repeatedly stated that the candidate did not share the beliefs and theories of his long-time pastor. Apparently, this spin was successful, because the former candidate was elected to the Presidency.

When I sit down to write, I tend to curl up in the corner of the sofa with pen in hand, soft pillows behind me and get comfortable. I prefer to read novels filled with suspense, romance and laughter; writing comes as somewhat of a challenge. My home is filled with beautiful displays of wildlife, and in those items I find inspiration. Many may think it strange, but to me, it is the beauty of earth and life that helps me to focus on the task at hand. When I'm not writing, I find myself in awe of the nature we have brought into our home and wish for the perfect wooded area to sit, relax and enjoy the fresh air and scent of cedar trees, the chilling yet beautiful sound of the howl of coyotes and the spine-tingling gobble of a great big Tom.