Interstellar Review

Interstellar Review

For months I have been waiting for the release Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. Nolan casted the brilliant Matthew McConaughey for the lead role in his latest blockbuster, drawing even more appeal to one of the most hyped movies of the year. Nolan hasn’t directed a movie since the conclusion of his epic Batman trilogy, and Interstellar has been in the works for a few years now.

Interstellar tells the story of a group of astronauts that travel through a wormhole in deep space in an attempt to find a new planet for the people of Earth. Set in the not to distance future, the movie begins by telling the story of Cooper, played by McConaughey, and his family living in a world that has exhausted all of Earths natural resources. Cooper and his daughter Murph, discover the location of the remains of NASA and Cooper is tasked with leading a team to find a new home.

            Michael Caine, a favorite of director Christopher Nolan, is the head Scientist at NASA tasked with finding a way to save humanity. Cooper agrees to go through the warm hole, which they know leads to another galaxy orbiting a massive black hole. Cooper and his team head out in hopes of saving humanity. I don’t want to tell to much more of the plot line because I encourage everyone to see this movie, as the story and acting are both extraordinary.

It is Christopher Nolan at his best, and there is no actor in Hollywood that is better than McConaughey right now. Nolan broke onto the scene in 2000 with the release of his thriller Memento. However, Nolan really made a name for himself with the release of Batman Begins in 2005, a darker more action packed version of the comic book classics. Nolan followed up Batman begins by releasing two more Batman movies, both of which are acclaimed as some of the best action and Super Hero movies ever.

Matthew McConaughey was casted as the lead for Interstellar in 2013 after Nolan saw his performance in Mud. Since Mud, McConaughey has become one of the hottest actors on the planet. His role in HBO’s True Detective showed the world he was capable of totally diving into a role. However, McConaughey wasn’t done with just True Detective. His performance in Dallas Buyers Club earned him an Oscar for actor in a leading role, one of the most coveted awards in movies.

McConaughey would costar with Anne Hathaway, a previous star of Nolan’s film The Dark Knight Rises, his conclusion to the Batman trilogy. Paramount announced in 2013 that McConaughey and Hathaway would be the stars of Nolan’s new film, produced from his company Syncopy.

Originally one of the movies producers Lynda Obst, who came up with the idea of the movie with physicist Kip Thorne, sold the idea to Paramount and Steven Spielberg. But in 2009 when Spielberg moved his DreamWorks Productions from Paramount to Disney, the movie needed a new director. According to Entertainment weekly, it was Nolan’s brother Jonathan, writer of the Interstellar script, that recommended Christopher to direct the movie. It was interesting to me reading that originally Spielberg was on board to create this movie.

Interstellar is Nolan at his directing and writing best. With the help of his brother Jonathan, who also wrote the Batman trilogy, the team created a movie that is more than just visually appealing. Much like Inception, the depth of the story line amazed me. As outlandish as the story line is, viewers are captivated by what will happen next. But above all else are the performances by the actors, the writing is so good you can’t take your eyes off of the action. “The pace is gripping, the central performances compelling and the action sequences thrilling” Said Rich Phippen of Sky Movies. 

Many people have compared Interstellar to 2001 A Space Odyssey and Gravity, because of the space exploration side of the movie. However, with Interstellar you don’t feel like it’s a movie about space exploration. It’s much more that that. It’s a story of a man trying to save humanity and return home to his children.

Interstellar dives into a topic that many people are not familiar with or interested in, physics. Nolan received praise from the science community for the accuracy and use of the space-time continuum and the theories of gravity in the movie. Although, we are not able to travel into deep space the movie makes you think that maybe someday we will find a way. It also in a weird way tells the story of how we are burning through our own natural resources. I don’t think Nolan’s message was to say “Hey people you are killing earth” but the movie makes you wonder if we are prepared to face those consequences.

Nolan has almost created a cult following with his movies. He is a director that is not afraid to take risks, especially with his writing. We see this in Memento and Inception; two movies that people either love or can’t stand to watch. Nolan is becoming one of the premiere directors in Hollywood and people (like me) can’t wait for his next big blockbuster.

All together I thought this movie exceeded expectations. We haven’t seen anything from Nolan in a while and expectations for this movie were extremely high. To begin once again the Nolan brothers wrote a script so complex and full of wow moments it is impossible to not be captivated. Another reason this movie was so successful was the cast. McConaughey, Caine, and Hathaway are all huge names and Nolan casted them perfectly. For me, I’ve been excited for this movie for a while so I think naturally I really enjoyed it. I thought it was such a new concept and idea for a movie, much like Inception. I’ve never seen a movie quite like this. However, for all the praise I am giving it the film received mixed reviews. IMDB gave the movie 9/10 stars, extremely high praise. However, other people thought the ideas of the movie were to outlandish and fake. Many critics were left wanting more, that the final revelation let them down. 

All together Interstellar is a movie that you have to see for yourself. The ideas and science in it are to complex to explain without seeing them. It is also a movie that I think you need to go to the theatres to really experience. I was fan, but I think you should go see for yourself!!

           

Blog Project Rob Lowe

“Hi, I’m Rob Lowe”

“And I’m super awkward Rob Lowe”

DirecTV has rolled out a new ad campaign with actor Rob Lowe playing himself and also lesser versions of himself. So far the campaign has released three ads, all on TV. The first advertisement introduced actor Rob Lowe followed by Less Attractive Rob Lowe. The first ad quickly gained popularity and DirecTV soon after released another commercial with Super Creepy Rob Lowe. The massive popularity of the first two ads prompted a third release of Painfully Awkward Rob Lowe. According to Adweek, DirecTV has two more Rob Lowe commercials in the works that should be expected soon.

Painfully Awkward Rob Lowe

Throughout the ad campaign DirecTV’s focus is to persuade people that they provide a better service than cable. In the commercial Rob Lowe is trying to show people that if you have DirecTV you can be like him, without it you are a lesser version of yourself. The three things DirecTV is saying they are better with is customer service, never losing your picture, and that they have industry leading sound and picture. The ads have recently started up on television and have been running for little over a month now. The three ads are all 30 seconds long and are played on most channels. I have personally seen them all over, and it seems like DirecTV is really pushing this campaign.

In this ad campaign DirecTV is using a famous person to show people you can be like them too. Rob Lowe is a well-known actor mainly for his roles in the hit TV shows “West Wing” and “Parks and Rec”. DirecTV is really pushing these commercials recently, as they seem to be gaining popularity. In the last month it seems like they have been everywhere. During TV shows, sporting events, the nightly news. At the very end of the commercials DirecTV is pushing a reduced price of their service for $19.99. It seems that the commercial itself is distraction people from the discount they are offering. No one is talking about the fact they are lowering their price, but which alter ego Rob Lowe they like best.

In some ways DirecTV is using the Association Principle. It isn’t blatantly in your face, but rather the message of the commercials is that if I buy DirecTV I can be like Rob Lowe. I can be a rich, good-looking, actor, who has premium television. I think the campaign is getting people to talk about DirecTV’s commercials, but I think they are missing the point. DirecTV is trying to offer a discounted price with these commercials, but the famous figure in the commercials is distracting people from that. In some ways the ad campaign is working, but in other ways it may also be failing.

Currently with advertising we are seeing a shift towards companies attacking their competition. We see this in these commercials. DirecTV is saying our product is much better and they are throwing cable under the bus. On the other side you never Comcast commercials attacking DirecTV.  Another very prominent example of this is companies attacking Apple. This is not a new idea. Samsung and Microsoft know they are less popular products, much like DirecTV, so they feel they must attack the competition in their ad campaigns. Personally, I don’t think this type of advertising is that effective. Rather than showing the benefits of your product you are comparing it to the competition. To me this shows you’ve already lost the battle. It shows that you know your product and company aren’t as popular or at the same standard as the competition. Yes, your ads may be funny and our drawing attention, but you are diminishing your company by advertising this way.

The target market for the Rob Lowe DirecTV ads would be anyone with cable, or people that don’t currently have television. I think this campaign is directed toward trying to get people to switch over from cable to DirecTV. The ad does stereotype a little by inferring better looking people use DirecTV. The ads aren’t trying to convey DirecTV will make you look better or less creepy, but some people could take them that way. I think ad campaigns often toe the line with that.

I think the ad campaign is working in some ways; it has people talking about the DirecTV ads. Any time you use a popular figure like Rob Lowe in your ads people will talk about it. However, as I mentioned earlier, I think it is distracting people from the purpose of the campaign. DirecTV is trying to advertise a discounted price for their service, however people are more focused on what version of Rob Lowe is on their TV. That being said the ads are memorable, personally I think they are hilarious. I love Parks and Rec, one of Rob Lowe’s shows, so seeing him in these commercials sparks something else in me. On social media lots of people are talking about the ads, quoting them, debating which alter ego is better, but no one is talking about DirecTV. I don’t know if its actually getting people to sign up for DirecTV, but its getting people talking about their commercials.

DirecTV already has a huge customer base but in order to stay relevant all companies must advertise. Every now and then I see a DirecTV ad on twitter in my stream. I usually just skip right over it, but recently I did notice they posted a picture of Rob Lowe from the commercials. I don’t think DirecTV offers a service I need (other than Sunday Ticket…). Being a college student it is easy to sign up for Comcast and get both TV and Internet. I have never had DirecTV, my family always had cable, but I have heard many bad reviews of DirecTV and their services.

The Rob Lowe ad campaign by DirecTV is humorous campaign and has people talking about it. Looking at commercials and ad campaigns this way has changed my opinion. There is lots of clutter and it is rare that something jumps out and grabs my attention. These commercials did, mainly with the humor and the famous actor. 

                                                                                                                                   

United States Goes Crashing Out

It's day like this when I'm proud to say I am an American Soccer fan. We fought for 120 minutes we gave everything we had. Today you saw that we aren't there yet, we haven’t reached the next level. You can’t ask your goalkeeper to stand there and make 16 saves every game. You can’t sit back and defend for 90 minutes. 

You can see that under the coaching of Jurgen Klinsmann these things are going to change. That game against Belgium today was the biggest game in United States soccer history. Over the last 3 weeks you have seen what American soccer is capable of. With Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm this country is capable of incredible things. Unfortunately it didn’t happen this year, but in the long run that wasn’t our goal. Jurgen has set up a system that will make this team successful next World Cup and many more after that.

            I want to say thank you to a few groups of people. First the squad that went to Brazil and gave everything they had. Some people would call these performances stubborn. This team succeeded when they weren’t given a chance at all. To advance from a group with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana is an incredible feet. To fight to the death in every game is all that we asked of them. For Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones to play through a broken nose, to Michael Bradley playing out of position for 4 games and taking the criticism, we say thank you.

            Next you have to say thank you to Jurgen Klinsmann and his staff. What he has been able to accomplish in his three years as the coach of the United States Men’s National Team is unrivaled by any coach before him. He took a group of low-level “inexperienced” professionals to the Round of 16 in the biggest tournament in the World. The changes he has made in Unites States soccer are apparent to any soccer fan. He knew what this team was capable of and he believed more than anyone else. He has made changes from the highest level of American soccer down to 10 year olds that are just starting. Jurgen knows that if this country is going to win a World Cup it starts in the youth system and that belief is what will make this country a soccer power in the coming years.

            Lastly I want to thank all the fans. For those of you that don’t religiously watch soccer it is incredible to see the passion you have shown over the last three weeks. It is your belief and passion that makes US soccer what it is. Every four years this country goes head over heels for its National Team. I ask you to continue that passion over the next four years. You have seen what this team is capable of and with your support the sky is the limit.

            It is hard to watch this team go out in such a heart breaking way, but there were so many positives we can take from this World Cup. We can be proud of this team and the performances they had in Brazil. This is not the end for United States soccer; this is only the beginning.

            I believe.

World Cup Preview: The Yanks

World Cup Preview

I have this dream every once in awhile about Julian Green. He collects the ball at midfield, beats Neymar, Paulinho comes over to challenge and he beats him too, Side Show Bob comes and Julian slips the ball between his legs. He’s one on one with Julio Cesar and chips him beautifully to far the corner. We’ve done it!! We’ve won the World Cup. And then it hits me… Ah that’s next World Cup. That would never happen in just a month. What’s that? Who’s Julian Green? I keep forgetting its 2014 and oh yeah it’s a dream.

The United States has a slim chance this World Cup, coming up this week, not of winning, of advancing from their group. The United States have been drawn into the group of death according to many soccer “experts” (the real group of death is Group D, Costa Rica, England, Italy, and Uruguay). The US is in Group G with Germany, Portugal, and Ghana. Ghana has eliminated the US in the past two World Cups, while Portugal has the best player in the world, Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo, and Germany, who many are pegging as the favorites this year.  Indeed, a tall task for Mr. Klinsmann and his boys.

But that shouldn’t stop you from watching and rooting for the country that you call home. I’m going to give you a preview of what you can expect from this years United States team and some of the players you should keep an eye. Think of this as my way of not having to tell you who’s who in the middle of the game.

Perhaps the biggest story of the United States 23 man roster is that there is no Landon Donovan this year. That’s right no Landon Donovan. So who the hell is on our team you ask? This year’s team is a nice balance of veterans and the new young guns of American soccer. Veteran Tim Howard will be in goal again, along with Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and now US captain Clint Dempsey. There will be loads of pressure on Dempsey to perform this World Cup and the American poster boy is ready for the challenge.

Green

Klinsmann also brought many young up and coming stars to Brazil, Icelandic American Aron Johnansson, Deandre Yedlin, and Julian Green. Julian Green will be a name to remember as Klinsmann preformed a coup on his former team, Germany, and stole the youngster away. At 19 years of age Julian Green brings a new excitement to many US soccer fans. The Bayern Munich winger, yes you read that right Bayern Munich winger has great potential to become Americas next big star. Aron Johansson plays in the Dutch league for AZ Alkmaar and has been lighting it up ever since he stepped foot on the pitch. Johansson was born in Mobile, Alabama to Icelandic parents and moved there as a young kid to pursue a soccer career. Johansson scored 24 goals playing for Alkmaar this year. Deandre Yedlin is one of the bright young stars of the MLS playing in Seattle where he grew up. An outside back, Yedlin still has lots to learn but will benefit greatly from this experience. Mix Diskerud is a Norwegian American who plays his club soccer in Norway’s top league for Rosenborg. Diskerud will definitely make an impact in Brazil as Klinsmann will most likely bring him off the bench. 

Yedlin 

Johannsson

With a healthy blend of young and old the United States will be competitive in Group G, but expectations are not high. Tuesday Klinsmann stated the hopes of winning a World Cup this year are unrealistic. The United States will face Ghana in its opening match and if they want any hope of advancing this is a must win game. The Black Stars will provide a tough task for the US, as the West African side will play stingy defense and look for their striker Asamoah Gyan. If that name rings a few bells here is why. Ghana has a strong side with the like of Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Juventus winger Kwadwo Asamoah, and Schalke playmaker Kevin Prince Boateng.

The real problems for the US start in game 2, Sunday June 22, stopping Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ballon d’Or (Player of the year) winner leads a strong Portuguese side, as they are second favorites to make it out of the group. With all the talent Portugal has it boils down to stopping Ronaldo. This will be no easy task and will test the young and inexperienced United States back line. Ronaldo had a fantastic year for Real Madrid, leading them to Champions League glory. A point against Portugal would be wonderful and absolutely necessary if the United States wants to advance.

The match of the World Cup for the United States is the last game in group play. Jürgen Klinsmann home country and former team Germany face the US on June 26^th in which could be the deciding game for the United States. There will be lots of talk of Jürgen vs. Germany leading up to match, but realistically this will be no contest. Germany is arguably the best team in the world and favorites to win this summer in Brazil. The German side is loaded with superstars such as Phillip Lahm, Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil and many others. The Germans will most likely roll over the US and win group G.

In the games leading up to World Cup, Klinsmann experimented with different lineups and formations. Over the last few weeks I believe he has decided his starting 11. Klinsmann will most likely deploy a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield, but this could change as the US will play more defensively against Portugal and Germany and look for opportunities on the counter attack.

In goal, no surprise will be Tim Howard. Howard is one of the faces of American soccer and once again had a terrific year for Everton in the English Premier League. The back line will have lots of youth and potential. At right back will be Fabian Johnson. Johnson plays his club soccer in Germany for Hoffenheim and has looked excellent defending and joining in the attack. Johnson will face some great Left Wings in group play with the likes of Ronaldo and a slew of talented German wingers. The center backs will be Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler. Cameron was in and out of the lineup during qualifying, as Klinsmann wasn’t entirely sure where to play him. Cameron plays for Stoke City in England and will be the anchor for the US defense. Besler is a star in the making for Kansas City in the MLS. However, he hasn’t been matched up with the star strikers he will face in the next coming weeks. Besler was solid during qualifying and has looked comfortable next to Cameron in the center defense. Wide left will be Demarcus Beasley who has rejuvenated his career under Klinsmann as an outside back. Beasley is one of the very players that has World Cup experience in the squad. Beasley used to play midfield and is very comfortable moving forward to join the attack, something that will be necessary as Klinsmann will most likely play 3 center Mids.

The midfield is an interesting area of the field for the United States. Klinsmann has shown he wants to have 3 center midfielders on the field with Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley, and Jermaine Jones. Klinsmann really wants to protect his young back 4 and slotted Beckerman in at holding mid against Nigeria last week in a warm up game. With the insertion of Beckerman, this leaves Jermaine Jones in a weird place. Jones is a solid player with Champions League experience playing for Schalke in Germany before being transferred to Turkish side Besiktas. Jones traditionally plays as a holding midfielder but might have to drift wide left while the United States attacks. Michael Bradley is slowly but surely becoming the United States best player. Klinsmann took a chance recently by putting Bradley in a more advanced role underneath the forwards and Bradley has excelled. This allows him to be more creative and join the attack, something he is very comfortable doing. Bradley will have the confidence to stay forward knowing Beckerman and Jones will be assisting the defense behind him. Right Mid will most likely be Alejandro Bedoya, a 27 year old who plays his club soccer for Nantes in France. Bedoya is very skilled on the ball and provides another attacking and goal scoring option to compliment Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey. However don’t be surprised if Graham Zusi gets a nod to start.

Clint Dempsey

Up top is America’s poster boy Clint Dempsey. The offense will run primarily through Dempsey, as he will play in a more withdrawn role to let Altidore be the striker up top. If Klinsmann deploys the same lineup he did against Nigeria, Dempsey will have the freedom to drift wide left and look to attack from the wing. Dempsey has been in good form lately, scoring plenty of goals for the Sounders and the United States. Recently the United States attack goes as Jozy Altidore goes. Altidore had a horrible year for Sunderland in the EPL. However, he scored 2 big goals against Nigeria that may give him the spark he needs for the World Cup. When Jozy is scoring the United States attack adds another dimension. It takes pressure off of Dempsey to be the primary goal scorer and allow the United States to play more direct if need be.

The United States has a big task ahead of them over the next few weeks. Expectations are high among US fans, but for those of us who follow world soccer religiously we realize advancing out of the group would be a huge success. Klinsmann and his players know this as well and will play their 3 games accordingly. The next month will be an exciting time for soccer fans and hopefully the United States won’t let us down.