Throughout the semester, completing a free inquiry blog post was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I discovered new movies through websites like Pick a Movie for Me, which asks a series of questions and generates a movie recommendation based on your answers.
I also received numerous recommendations from peers, which was incredibly helpful. It gave me insight into what others consider great films and allowed me to explore movies they enjoyed.
Over the term, I became increasingly comfortable using H5P tools, which I initially struggled with on the first day. Now, I can confidently say that my abilities have improved, and these tools were invaluable for creating quizzes on my blog.
The most fun part for me was feeling like a movie critic. I’ve always been passionate about movies and film, so getting to watch films each week, rate them, share my thoughts, and dive into research about their success and public reception was incredibly rewarding. It combined my love for film with a sense of creative exploration.
I think including free inquiry posts in this class is a brilliant idea because it allows students to explore technology while incorporating their own interests.
Since it is almost december, for my last song on the recorder I decided to learn jingle bells. This is the fastest song out of the other ones I have learned, but it’s really fun to play and gets me into the holiday spirit.
Black Swan (2010), directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a psychological thriller about the intense and competitive world of ballet. The story focuses on Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a hardworking but shy ballerina, who is cast as the lead in her companyās production of Swan Lake. The role requires her to play both the innocent White Swan and the dark, passionate Black Swan. While Nina is perfect as the White Swan, she struggles to embody the Black Swanās wild, seductive nature.
As she tries to meet the high expectations of her demanding director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), Nina begins to feel pressure from all sides, especially from Lily (Mila Kunis), a fellow dancer who seems better suited for the role of the Black Swan. This rivalry and her obsession with perfection cause Nina to lose touch with reality, experiencing strange visions and a breakdown that pushes her to the edge.
This movie is filled with intense, dark themes and unfiltered, visceral visuals. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to distinguish between reality and illusion. I appreciated how the film tackled real-life issues, such as Nina’s relentless pursuit of perfection. Viewers witness the immense stress and pressure she places on herself, all while experiencing the unraveling effects of psychosis.
The acting in this film was phenomenal, with every role contributing significantly to the story and showcasing the cast’s dedication. The entire movie felt raw and unfiltered, which I loved because it provided a realistic glimpse into a dancer’s life and the toll it can take on someone emotionally and mentally.
My favorite part of the film was the ending, as the shifting perspectives during the recital offered a unique experience. It alternated between the audienceās view and Ninaās, as well as the other dancers, adding depth and tension to the performance. The recital was filled with emotional intensity, reflecting the immense pressure Nina feels to deliver a flawless performance. Every movement and expression highlights her desperation to achieve perfection, making the scene both gripping and haunting.
The ballet sequences are beautifully choreographed and filmed, combining graceful movements with dynamic camera work and dramatic lighting. This creates an immersive experience that captures not only the beauty of the art but also the chaos unfolding in Ninaās mind.
I have finally been able to play the entire happy birthday song and I feel so proud of myself. I would be up stressing late at night over learning it and once I finally did it, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It doesn’t sound completely perfect, but I’m proud of how far I have come.
I decided to learn the song “happy birthday” instead of twinkle twinkle little star, because I was really struggling with twinkle twinkle, and I wasn’t making much progress.
If I were to create my own list for someone to watch halloween movies this is what I would recommend:
Halloween (1978)
The shining (1980)
Friday the 13th (1980)
Nightmare on Elm street (1984)
Beetlejuice (1988)
The Adam’s Family (1991)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Scream (1996)
I Know What you did Last Summer (1997)
Halloweentown (1998)
Scary Movie (2000)
IT (2017)
Conjuring (2017)
The Black phone (2022)
Long Legs (2024)
My list includes a range of classic halloween movies, some kid friendly movies, and a few more current halloween movies. I think this is a good list of movies because it includes a diverse range with some that are more comedic and have a blend of humour and horror. Many films on the list are considered classics or have had a significant impact on the horror genre, such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween. They are essential viewing for any horror fan. By including more recent films like IT (2017) and The Black Phone (2022), the list stays relevant and showcases modern takes on horror. Each film contributes to the Halloween spirit, whether through supernatural elements, creepy settings, or seasonal themes, making them perfect for a Halloween starter pack.
The psychological thriller, Blink Twice, directed by Zoƫ Kravitz, along with; Channing tatum, E.T. Feigenbaum, Christian Slater, Aaron Himelstein, Adam Newport-Berra, Bruce Cohen, Saul Williams, and Kyle MacLachlan is a suspenseful film that reveals what is truly happening on this party island.
This was the first time Iād ever seen a trigger warning displayed before a film, and it was definitely warranted. This movie was dark and twisted, reflecting a harsh reality that some women face. This film is very empowering for woman as it has a main message of “power,” and woman re-claiming and defending their power.
Plot: 5/5
This movie took an unexpected turn that I felt was coming but I could never have predicted what it would be. It was incredibly intriguing, keeping me engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time. I really enjoyed the plot, especially how the ending unfolded in a way I never anticipated. ZoĆ« Kravitz said she was inspired “the rage and confusion she felt after the Me Too movement,” and I think that rage was perfectly integrated in the film.
Blink Twice featured some very well known actors who did an excellent job executing their roles. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be for some of the cast members to play the role they did, however, the acting made this film what it was. I also enjoyed that even how dark the film was some comedy was mixed in to lighten it up.
Cinematography: 5/5
Compared to the other films I have watched so far, this one was very modern. The lighting and scenery set the tone giving it a stylish and luxurious feel.
Overall, I really appreciated the message of this film and how relatable it can be for women in various ways. Now that I’ve seen it and know the ending, Iām curious to watch it again to see what clues I might pick up that I missed the first time.
Learning my first song was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. The most difficult part for me is having to quickly move my fingers and remembering where to move them to.
I would like to start by giving the entire crew of this film huge recognition. The film came together perfectly and every role was executed precisely. Directed by Oz Perkins, the film was released just this past July, and viewers are loving it! It boasts an impressive 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. I loved everything about this film, it kept me drawn in the entire time. I appreciated how the plot revealed details gradually while maintaining a high level of suspense.
The story follows FBI agent Lee Harker, played by Maika Monroe as she tackles a decades-long serial killer case set in 1990. As she delves deeper into the investigation, it takes a disturbing turn while trying to decipher the difference between reality and the supernatural.
Before watching this film, I saw the trailer in theaters and thought, “I must see that!” The trailer is brilliant, especially because one of the villains, played by Nicolas Cage, isnāt revealed at all. I think that was such a smart move because it made his eventual appearance even scarier!
Overall, this film has quickly become one of my new favourites. It has an eerie sinister vibe to it even when nothing is happening. It’s one of those movies that you watch and continues to linger in your mind after. This film has a similar feel to the classic horror film, Silence of The Lambs, as it has a mixture of suspense and discomfort. What really really set the tone of this film was the cinematography, the colour tones and the framing used were spot on. I will definitely watch this film again as it is one of my new personal favourites.
