MEDIA LOG ENTRY #5: Games and Sports Culture

THUNDERSTRUCK (2012)

Link to the YouTube trailer of Thunderstruck[1]

Thunderstruck is a 2012 basketball movie starring Kevin Durant (himself), Oklahoma City Thunder's small forward, and Taylor Gray - who portrays the character of Brian Newall - a frustrated basketball player. The movie is directed by John Whitesell, who also directed the movies Big Momma's House 2 (2006) and Deck the Halls (2006).

A brief summary of the story line: Brian got really bad basketball in him. All he wished was to have the skills of his ultimate hero, Kevin Durant. One time, Brian's dad bought tickets for the NBA game, Oklahoma against Detroit Pistons, live at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. During the halftime break, Brian was chosen to shoot a half-court shot but he came up missing it and hit the mascot instead. After the shameful skill he just did, Kevin Durant signed the special edition ball he just used at the halftime break. 

Upon meeting his idol, Brian wished to have Durant's talent in playing basketball and Durant replied: "I wish I could give it to you man, but listen, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard." 

Suddenly, as Durant gave the ball to Brian, a small lightning of energy from Durant was passed to Brian. From there on, Kevin Durant's ability in playing basketball was gone. Durant's talent was passed out to the 16 year-old kid. Brian Newall became famous in his school and, eventually, in Oklahoma City - which led Durant's agent to discover that the player's talent was really passed on to Brian. 

They did everything just to bring KD's talent back. However, that was not the case until after a series of analysis and discoveries on how Brian was able to do basketball successfully. Now, KD was back on the court. But, of course, this time Brian had improved his basketball all the more, due to his association and regular training with Kevin Durant.

The first time I watched this movie was just last summer, May 2013. My cousin, who is an avid fan of basketball, invited me to watch this movie and I started enjoying it, too. I am not really a basketball or NBA fanatic, but I also watch basketball from time to time to know more about the sport. 

I must confess that volleyball is really my thing. But why did I choose this movie for criticism or commentary? 

It is because the movie teaches a good moral lesson to the youth; that a person should work hard to develop his own ability and capability; that one should be contented of what he/she has; and that he/she has to focus on improving everything a person can while stop wasting time on what he/she cannot change.

It should be noted that the movie is not just about playing a certain sport. More importantly, the movie encourages and inspires the viewers how to play fair in life.

Indeed, a great movie for the whole family! Two thumbs up!




References:

MovieClipsCOMING SOON. (8 July 2012). Thunderstruck TRAILER (2012) Kevin Durant Basketball Movie HD. Youtube.
   Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65qyPfZe9Eg.

Unknown Author. (25 July 2013). Thunderstruck (2012 film). Wikipedia. 
   Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstruck_(2012_film)

MEDIA LOG ENTRY #4: Race, Ethnicity and Gender Preferences

MY HUSBAND'S LOVER'S EFFECTS AND CRITICISMS

By: Cham Tibor

Main characters of 'My Husband's Lover'. Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez (L-R)

Being gay is, basically, feeling happy and free, having a unique gender preference and sometimes, being criticized by people. In the photo above, it displays Lally (Carla Abellana) with her 'not perfectly known' husband, Vincent (Tom Rodriguez), and Eric (Dennis Trillo) who had a past relationship with the other guy. 

Well, the photo was taken clearly and objectively. Audience and critics can easily draw to their minds that the program is about gays or having an intimate relationship with the same sex. According to poll surveys, it achieves high ratings from many Filipinos around the globe - maybe because of its uncommon or peculiarity story line. The plot of this program is easy to follow and understand because it contains fruitful lines and actions by the characters. 

For being the only child of Vincent's family, much is expected from him. Vincent started to make his way out of his past with Eric, that is why he courted and married Lally later on. After having two children with Lally, Vincent reunited with Eric, who went home from the states to study and reach his goals he had promised to Vincent. Eric shows that he still have feelings for his ex-boyfriend, Vincent started to get rid of Eric. But, destiny keeps them to meet each other. Lally chose to Eric to be the architect for their family house with Vincent - and that is exactly how Vincent developed his feelings with Eric again. Until one day, Lally caught the gay couple about to make out. 

This kind of media is not suitable for young very young audiences but what is good about it is, it is quite inventive and somehow, persuasive. Persuasive in a way that, what ever gender a person may have, they always have hidden feelings and lack of freedom and happiness. LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders) group can now be easily understood and it might give them their real goodness by having freedom for who and what they are. 

Job well done, GMA 7! 

A great program that will surely get more supporters as it get deeper and longer. 

References:

Ching, M.A. (22 June 2013). Commentary: My Husband's Lover. Philippine Entertainment Portal. 

   Retrieved from http://www.pep.ph/guide/guide/12113/commentary-my-husband39s-lover.

MEDIA LOG ENTRY #3: Faith and Religion

JOEY VELASCO'S SA KAMBAS NG LIPUNAN
(On the Canvass of Society)

By: Cham Tibor

Click link for the YouTube video

Joey Velasco, also known as "the Heartist", was a local painter in the Philippines. In 2005, he was diagnosed with a kidney ailment that led him to be more prayerful and be fond of making paintings about Jesus. He was also able to help less fortunate young children, who are the main characters of his works. Aside from inspiring people by his work of arts, he also wrote books, made short documentary films and went into sculpture. His famous work is the "Hapag ng Pag-asa", that was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper". In 2006, "Hapag ng Pag-asa" won the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Unfortunately, Velasco died at the age of 43 on July 20, 2010.

The short film is about the true stories of the young children from his famous work, the "Hapag ng Pag-asa". Joey Velasco has taped the daily life of the children and voice over narration. He was able to interview and talk to the children personally and asked them how do they feel about their lives. The film was more of practicality in living in a world that is full of chaos and poverty. The real condition of the society was portrayed in the video, especially in the scenes where homeless kids and abandoned families were shown. I couldn't imagine that such abject human condition is really happening!

In the making of the film, Joey Velasco was the narrator, cameraman, host and, of course, the painter at the same time. He was the only one who worked for the video itself but I think, many people had supported him financially in order to help the children.

The video really caught my attention and I decided to finish watching it though it took my time. It was worth it and my perception about the kids roaming around and begging for alms changed. I have been thinking many times if I should give coins to street children because they might just use it for drugs, such as rugby. However, I have thought of another way to help less fortunate people. I would just give them food rather than money. Simple yet possible, right? 

The "Sa Kambas ng Lipunan" short film was not only able to help street children, but also actually taught the viewers to realize how fortunate and blessed they are. In return for being blessed by God, people should offer their hands to those who are in need. 

Let us all thank Mr. Joey Velasco for his artworks and for this video that woke us up to reality. Sir Velasco, I know that you are now in God's hands, please pray for our society now so that there would be more people like you. May your "heartistic" works continue to give hope to the abandoned and suffering street children and inspire us all to care for one another.

Reference:

Yuniks. (2006 December 20). Joey Velasco - Sa Kambas ng Lipunan - On the Canvas of Society. Youtube. 
   Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bzYgSJCPEtY

Howard, C. (2010 July 21). 'Heartist' painter Velasco passes away. ABS-CBN news.com. 
   Retrieved from http://www.abs- cbnnews.com/lifestyle/07/20/10/heartist-painter-velasco-passes-away