Journal Post 6: Writer’s Choice

     Similar to my last post, this article is by Geoff Boucher as well and is about the much-anticipated film “The Avengers”. Joss Whedon is the director and screenwriter of this Marvel action piece. The article focuses on the Jeremy Renner’s performance in the film playing the part of Hawkeye, an archer known as the “World’s Greatest Marksman”. Renner does a magnificent job of portraying Hawkeye and living the part. Boucher interviewed the director Whedon, ““I love him because he really could not be less of a team player,” Whedon said. “He’s a sniper. That’s the first thing Jeremy ever said to me — it’s this guy’s job to be removed from everybody else and just to watch. So for him to throw in is a very personal thing.””. It seems like he played the part so well which makes me want to see the movie in theaters when May 4 comes around.

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/04/16/avengers-joss-whedon-says-jeremy-renners-hawkeye-is-a-loner/

Journal Post 5: Writer’s Choice

     This is an article about the new film “The Amazing Spider-Man”. Geoff Boucher did an excellent job of intriguing the reader. However, the best part was how he gave enough information to make me want to see the film, but not so much as to give away the story. Boucher gave crucial facts like release date, introduced the actors, and even gave a brief overview of the plot. Blonde Emma Stone does a wonderful job according to Denis Leary, playing the typical red head Mary Jane Watson. Andrew Garfield from “The Social Network” plays Peter Parker. The most interesting thing about the two being lead actors is how they are now dating in real-life. Overall, it was a great article and made me want to see the movie. I look forward to the release on July 3 and will most likely see it in theaters.

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/04/24/amazing-spider-man-denis-leary-dazzled-by-real-deal-emma-stone/

Extra Credit: Ben Percy Reading/Q&A session

     I attended the Ben Percy Reading/Q&A session on 4/9 at 7pm. It was enlightening to hear from an accomplished author, especially because I read his graphic novel Refresh, Refresh. One of the most surprising things I noticed was the tone of his speaking voice. It was probably the lowest voice I have ever herd. The whole meeting lasted about 45 min and was very interesting. He read from his soon to be released novel “Red Moon” which he said will be released about a year from now. With a page count of 680 pages, it is one of the biggest novels he has ever written. There are approximately 40 characters in all and four main characters that the story focus’ on.

     During the Q&A session, I learning a lot about his personal writing habits/styles along with general things all writers do. For example, he did not discover he wanted to be an author until he was a junior in college. His soon to be wife encouraged his writing abilities and he listened. For having such a serious writing style, I was surprised how comical the meeting turned out. He told many jokes and kept the audience’s attention. Overall, it was an interesting and insightful presentation that I enjoyed.

Journal Post 4: Refresh, Refresh

     The impact of digital communication in war overseas is shown in the graphic novel Refresh, Refresh and the documentary Where Soldiers Come From. Soldiers used to write letters to communicate with family back home and vice versa. Now it is much easier, a simple email or IM can be sent in a matter of seconds compared to the days it takes a letter to be delivered. Refresh, Refresh gets its name from this modern day digital communication. In the story, there is three boys names Josh, Cody, and Gordon whose fathers leave for war and one of them keeps clicking refresh on his email with hopes to hear back from his father. They eventually decide they want to go to war like their fathers and after a troubling incident make an impulse decision to enlist. In the end, I thought the novel was well written and the pictures helped tell the story. The only drawback was how it was so pro going to war. It was as if I was reading a recruiting novel because it made me want to enlist.

To purchase Refresh, Refresh click here.