The Golden Compass(12)

The Golden Compass is the first book in a series that was turned into a movie that was later released in December of 2007. Once the movie hit the box office, it received bad reviews. Many critics believe that the director attempts to attack the Christian faith. During his adolescence years, the author, Phillip Pullman, began questioning his faith. He was brought up an Anglican but never really believed in its teachings. He began writing his books because he said he "was never really convinced of the teachings of Christianity." Pullman said, "It began to seem impossible to reconcile the creation story with the scientific account. It became increasingly implausible that life continued after the body died. The claims of some religions – the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, the infallibility of the Pope – seemed to me such howling nonsense…" These are the very reasons that sparked Pullman's ideas that are mentioned in his books. The ideas of Dust and the Magisterium are some of the ideas that Pullman tries to portray as the "evil doings" of the Christian faith. In my opinion, this movie does not “attack” Christianity. However, it does make references of getting rid of Authority by the people of the Magisterium wanting to get rid of Dust (that was referred to being created by God). I wouldn’t have realized all of these points if they were not explain. Pullman's intention of his stories is for people to make their own opinion about them. He wrote this story with the sole purpose of entertaing its viewers. So what if he's an Athesis? That's his business and he has to deal with that on the final judgement day. If other brilliant authors such as himself can write amazing action filled stories such as The Golden Compass, including religious views, what is the difference? This movie is a fantasy. People should look at it as just that. Ignorance is bliss.





Work Cited
"Heat and Dust." ThirdWay. 2000. 21 May 2008 .

Summer 2008(11)

Basically it's summertime. There are many fun and exciting things to do during the summer. Swimming, vacations, freeze pops and snowballs are just a few of the many aspects of the summer. I pretty much have my summer planned out for me. I was recently employed at EHCC. Yes, a correctional center. And no, I will not be a security guard. My mom has been employed there for quite some time now and this summer I was given the opportunity to do the same. I will be doing filing and copying and all kinds of office work. The hours are good so I'm game! Also, I plan on getting a lot of sun. I want to swim everyday. My family and I are also taking two vacations this year. We are going to San Francisco, California to visit my aunt. We are going to rent a car and travel on highway one. I want to visit Laguna Beach and Rodeo Drive. Our second trip will be to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. All the vacations we have previously been on have always been to the beach. This will be a new experience. We plan to go hiking and go white water rafting. I can't wait!

Outfoxed(10)

Robert Greenwald, director of the documentary Outfoxed, attempts to expose the ways in which FOX News Station alters its coverage on many issues in society. This documentary was released in secret at a university in New York. However, a week after it was first shown, it began to air throughout the country in local screenings. After critics began to watch and discuss the film, information was released that Greenwald used information, such as interviews with former employees and footage from FOX memos, without permission. For six months, Greenwald set up many different video sources to record every session of FOX News. This allowed him access to all he needed. With the help of skilled team members, Robert Greenwald was able to take Outfoxed viewers into a world of FOX News that they have never thought about before (How).
When taking a position on this documentary, Robert Greenwald makes an incredible, but unfair point. FOX News Station, under the influence of Bill O’Reilly, has been around for many years, and has had great reviews on their accuracy and style on the way that they deliver issues in society to a knowledge-thirsty world. The information Greenwald has gathered about FOX makes viewers second guess their faithfulness to the news station that they have once depended on. In the documentary it portrays some of FOX’s biggest stars such as Sean Hannity, making him seem like a bully, and an even bigger star, Bill O’Reilly as a “consistently documented liar with an anger problem” (Outfoxed). Even though these accusations are a bit harsh, they are in fact true. Viewers often see these aspects of the news station and feel uncomfortable at the way O’Reilly attacks his guests, such a Jeremy Glick. FOX is also guilty of giving their own bias opinion about the issues that are addressed in today’s news. They are against the journalism techniques, however, Greenwald, in the documentary, demonstrates times where a story gets out and it is repeated frequently throughout the time the show is on air. Greenwald clearly proves that this news station does not think things through. They put fear in their viewers and are very aggressive towards people and their honest opinions.






Works Cited

Boynton, Robert S. "How to Make a Guerilla Documentary." RobertGreenwald.Org. 11 July 2204. 5 May 2008 .

Hazen, Don. ""OutFoxed": How Rupert Murdoch is Destroying American Journalism." Atler Net. 10 July 2004. 5 May 2008 .