Skrillex-Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Skrillex, (2010). Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites [CD]. Big Beats Records/Atlantic. 43:50mins. ASIN: B004GGM444

Summary

Skrillex, known as Sonny Moore, has recently won a Grammy Award 2012 nomination for Best New Artist. This album’s playlist has nine songs: “Rock ‘n’ Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain),” “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites,” “Kill Everybody,” “All I Ask of You (featuring Penny),” “Scatta (featuring Foreign Beggars & Bare Noize),” “With You, Friends (Long Drive),” and then two remixes of “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” as well as one of “Kill Everybody.” This is the first Skrillex release on Big Beat Records, in conjunction with fellow electronic revolutionary Deadmau5’s freshly minted Mau5trap record label. (http://www.skrillex.com/bio/)

Critical Evaluation

 

Dubstep is a genre of electronic music gaining fast popularity. In iTunes, a review written by Unmedicated Eddie explains: “Skrillex has it down. This is purposeful, dutiful music with an avant-garde twist—it does its job (it’s absolutely dance music) but at the same time it carries a strong sense of menace and a bass that flies at you and knocks you unconscious like a meteor to the forehead. But it’s this album’s philosophy that gives it its character. Sonny Boy’s brand of music is the soundtrack to a new revolution that’s as rock ‘n roll as any, and he knows it” (December 2010). Skrillex is making its place on the music scene. Its collaborations with other music artists is being enjoyed by fans and widening its audience. According to the artist’s website, Skrillex is part of a new generation of artists that refuse to be restricted by preconceived notions or outside expectations. “Genre has never been important to me,” he insists. “I’ve never thought about music that way.” (http://www.skrillex.com/bio/)

 

Genre

Music

Electronic

Dubstep

Dance

DJ

Why did I include this title?

I had not heard of dubstep music or of Skrillex, but when I heard about them from some teenagers and saw they were nominated for a Grammy, I had to check them out. I’m glad I did. While I have not purchased this album from iTunes because I want to see if my library has the CD, I plan to download some songs into my iPod. I’m interested to see what becomes of this genre of music.

A Walk to Remember

Shankman, Adam. A Walk to Remember. Warner Home Video, 2002. PG. DVD. 101mins. ASIN: B00005JKW0

Plot Summary
In a small town in North Carolina, a group of popular high school kids do a prank on another student, but it results with the boy severely injured and in the hospital. Landon Carter has no future plans, and when he is held responsible, his punishment is after-school community service, which includes starring in the school play. During this time, he meets Jamie Sullivan, the reverend’s daughter, and develops strong feelings for her despite their apparent differences. He is popular bad boy; she is shy good girl. As they spend more and more time together, they fall in love. However, when Jamie tells him she is ill, it breaks his heart. Determined to do everything he can for her and to love her as much as possible in her short time left, he helps her fulfill the dreams she has on her list of things she wants to do in her life. One of them is to get married in the small church where her parents were married. Jamie affects Landon’s life in such a positive way that his future path is made clear.

Evaluation
This film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’s novel of the same name is a classic bad boy meets good girl tale. Jamie is played by singer Mandy Moore, who brings emotion to scenes with her heart-filled lyrics and sweet voice. The character of Jamie is strong. She is an outsider at school, not fitting in because she is smart, nice, and wears out-dated clothes, and she’s often laughed at. However, she has self-esteem and confidence, and when she stands up for herself, she begins to earn Landon’s respect. Despite his mistreatment of her in the beginning, she is forgiving and kind. When Landon begins to change, we can’t help but think about the value of forgiveness. The romantic plot might be corny at times, but the effect is a sweet love story that also teaches valuable lessons. Live each day to its fullest because our time is limited. Be loving, patient, and kind. It’s never too late to change your live.

Readers Annotation

Bad boy Landon has no direction in life. That all changes when he meets good girl Jamie, who shows him more than just how to fulfill his community service requirement.

 
Information about the Director
Adam Shankman was born November 27, 1964 in Los Angeles, CA. He attended Palisades High School in Los Angeles. He is a film director, dancer, actor, and choreographer. Interestingly, he did not begin dancing until he was 18. He auditioned for dance programs all over the country and was accepted to NYU, North Carolina, and Julliard, which he attended but dropped out to dance in musical theater.

He has worked as a choreographer for the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and directed the movie musical Hairspray. He is currently a judge on the FOX reality show So You Think You Can Dance.

His movies often include dancing and singing and characters doing community service.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Shankman

Genre

Teen Movie; Drama; Romance

Curriculum Ties
Illnesses and diseases, religion

Why did I include this movie?
This movie is such a sweet love story. I enjoy this example of the power of forgiveness, patience, and love. If I see it as I am scrolling through the channels on TV, it always sucks me in. Even though it is a love story, we don’t get the happily ever after ending we usually see. I like that reality.

Testing & Education Reference Center Online Database

URL

http://www.nelnetsolutions.com/terc/

Summary

Testing & Education Reference Center is offered by the school district to high school students. It is an online bank offered through the library and available to students at home. It contains test preparation questions to help students achieve their academic and career goals. Through its homepage, students can easily select from tabs and drop down menus between High School Tools, College Prep Tools, Career Tools, Grad School Tools, and International Tools. Selecting High School Tools will provide students with available links to select for Test Prep such as Academic Skills Questions Banks, AP exams, California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), and the GED. The College Prep Tools include test preparation for the ACT, CLEP, and SAT, among others. The Career Tools includes information for learning how to build a resume and preparing for certification exams for popular careers such as firefighting, law enforcement, teaching, air traffic control, accounting, and nursing. The Graduate School Tools allow students to prepare for the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT and MAT, and provides them with information about how to find the right school for them. Students are also able to search for scholarships. The International Tools provides students with online practice tests and ebooks for the TOEFL, TOEIC, and U.S. Citizenship.

Evaluation

This online bank of test preparation is an excellent tool to help students practice high-stakes tests and find areas of weakness to help them improve. For example, the Academic Skills Question Bank offers passage-based reading questions and mixed topics such as analysis of inferences, author’s purpose, and conclusions. Other topics include literary elements, main ideas and specific details, and vocabulary. While these questions are not specifically linked to any state’s particular standards, the content matter is consistent with grade-level curriculum. Furthermore, the questions are presented in a way that will familiarize students with how the real tests will look. The pages of directions before the test provide much information about the test itself and how to take it; many students might not want to read all that information and would rather just jump right into answering the questions. During the test, students can exit at any time and resume later. Other helpful resources are also available and provide information about test-taking strategies, word of the day, and how to beat test stress. Once tests are completed, students are able to see their areas of achievement and where they need improvement. This is an expensive website; the local high school pays $1650 for access to it. However, with so many test-help tools providing resources to students at varying educational levels, Testing & Education Reference Center is a valuable database.

Why I Included it

This database is excellent! When testing season begins in the Spring, my students have often asked me if I knew of any practice tests they could take. I did not, but I do now. The immediate feedback is invaluable. I think test prep with this database should be part of study skills classes and students should be introduced to it as soon as possible.

Seventeen Magazine

Summary

This magazine’s target audience is female young adults. The magazine is divided into five sections. It also includes a horoscope, lists of freebies, a note from the editor, letters to the editor, and a feature article interviewing the celebrity on the cover. The table of contents not only has a brief description of the article with the page number, but it also has a photograph of the featured item inside a circular frame. The Fashion section suggests what to wear and includes bargains. The Beauty section includes information about hair and makeup. The Health section includes information about what to eat, how to workout, and how to deal with body issues. The Love section offers relationship advice. The Life section includes a true story about a life-changing event and an interview with a celebrity. The magazine has many full-page advertisements for makeup, television shows, perfume, clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Critical Evaluation

The magazine’s bright cover grabs readers’ attention from the moment she picks it up. She is able to find information about how to recreate the cover celebrity’s makeup style as a page is dedicated to providing that information so readers can also purchase these items. Many advertisements actually appear to be part of the magazine’s information, but readers can quickly distinguish between the two. The fashion section offers many suggestions that relates to readers’ varying styles. Illustrations and photographs adorn most of the pages and often leaves little room for text. This is appropriate, however, since the reader has probably purchased the magazine to see the fashion and beauty, not read about it. An encouraging addition is the inclusion of plus-size models; by showing models with different body types, more readers can connect with the magazine and not feel excluded. It also may encourage body image health. Young adult women do not have to be hypercritical of themselves if they do not look like the skinny models. Many articles suggest items that are relatively inexpensive; again, this makes the magazine very relatable to most young women. These items are not out of their reach. Makeup and hair techniques are presented with step-by-step, detailed illustrations and instructions to help readers achieve the desired effect. In the Health section, there is a removable insert with photographs and instructions how to workout in five exercises. This magazine does a good job of providing its readers with helpful information how to look and feel their best.

Why did I include this magazine?

I used to read Seventeen magazine when I was young. It hasn’t changed much since then, and looking at this magazine was a walk down memory lane. There seems to be less text and more pictures, though. All in all, this magazine is an entertaining read. I was also happy to see some plus-size models in the pictures. Go curvy girls!

PC Gamer Magazine

Summary

This is a magazine dedicated to those interested in PC gaming. The magazine is divided into six sections: Monitor, Previews, Features, Reviews, Extra Life, and The Hard Stuff. On the table of contents page is also a corner of Highlights with images of games and gaming equipment that is new or reviewed. There is a Send section where readers’ questions are answered by the magazine. The Monitor section summarizes and reviews games and their characters, plots, and settings. Here, games are compared with other games as well. In this issue, an article in this section described the music of games and how to insert music into the games. The Previews section describes and analyzes games that will be available soon. Magazine writers have played the games and are writing about them so readers know what to expect. Five games were reviewed. It also includes a Release Meter to alert readers months ahead of time when new games will be out. The Features section is comprised of articles about important and interesting news in the PC gaming world. The Reviews section features reviews of games, how they are played, digital images of scenes and characters, and a PC Gamer rating. It also adds a Need to Know sidebar where readers read a very short summary of it, what the game was influenced by, what systems it can be played on, other games like it, and its copy protection. Extra Life features older games that are still being played, downloads and free games from the Web, and a How to section where readers learn how to perform tasks within games. The Hard Stuff features reviews of computer hardware.

Critical Evaluation

The cover draws readers’ attention with its large, full color graphic of a frightening monster about to kill a young man who is holding a gun. The monster has two heads, no eyes, and one head is engulfed in flames. Inside, the articles are detailed analyses and evaluations of PC games. Colored photographs and images of the games with descriptive, often humorous captions are featured on each page. Many contain diagrams to show the readers how to perform a task or accomplish a goal. These photographs and images capture the rich graphics of the game, which is a selling point for every game.

Much text accompanies the photographs to explain the intricacies of playing the games. Teasers, offering a small image and a brief description of new games, are exciting to readers looking ahead three, six, and nine months from now. The feature article not only has a detailed description and analysis, but also offers a double-spread page that folds out to create a poster that a reader could remove from the magazine. Description and analysis of characters include their weapons, strategies, and example skills. This magazine’s rich text and illustrations provide its readers with current information that enhances their level of play and provides them with a tangible source of entertainment related to the culture of PC gaming.

Why did I include this magazine?

I am aware that PC and online gaming is very popular, but I did not know much about this pastime and culture. This magazine provided me with an insight into this culture. It was very interesting to me, even though I do not play. The analyses and descriptions are very detailed and give readers much information. What was most interesting, though, was the illustrations. The graphics of these games are amazing!

Ride BMX Magazine

Summary

Ride bmx is a magazine dedicated to the sport of bmx bike riding, racing, and stunts. The table of contents includes a Q&A with a professional rider and articles reporting and critiquing new products and parts for bikes, and soft goods, which is clothing. A Pro Shop is featured; in the December 2011 issue it is Ramp Rats in Northern California. The Diversions section features a Compare & Contrast article, which analyzes two people who do the same thing. In this issue, Miles Rogoish and James Cox are two filmers being compared and contrasted. There are three highlighted feature articles and in this issue, they are the 2011 NORA Cup awards, Nonfiction Freestyle, and Fly in California. The NORA Cup awards article includes a double spread full of multi-sized color photographs and then an interview of each winner. Next, Nonfiction Freestyle describes the true life stories from five people who became professional bikers.

Critical Evaluation

The nonfiction life stories are interesting autobiographical accounts of five BMX’ers and how they got to be where they are. These stories have the potential to instill hope and goals in amateur bikers as they see if these guys can do it, so can they. Readers will connect with the similar growing-up moments the professionals experienced. The lingo of the sport runs throughout the magazine. I am currently wondering what “steezy” means. California is referred to as Cali. And, what is a 180-to-fakie cannonball? This magazine seems to be focused on California since all the photographs and articles are set there; readers in other parts of the country might feel excluded. There are more photographs than text, but that suits the subject matter. The color photography is stunning. Photographers who understand shutter speed have taken action-stop pictures of bikes mid-air. Bikes and riders are forever frozen hovering above ramps and railings, perpendicular to the ground. These pictures are cause for wonder and inspiration as they show would-be professionals and casual readers what they can do with a stairwell or drained pool. Full color, double spread layouts create pictures worthy of pinning up to readers’ walls. This vibrant, entertaining magazine represents BMX riding well.

Why did I include this magazine?

I had never looked at a BMX magazine before. I really don’t know anything about BMX riding. This magazine introduced me to what goes on with this sport beyond what I see on the streets. There is an entire culture with BMX riding, and I was happy to learn more about it. It’s not just riding bikes around the neighborhood!

Teen Vogue Magazine

Summary

Teen Vogue is magazine target to young adult girls. The table of contents is divided into sections: Fashion, Beauty & Health, and Features. This magazine has all the articles typical of a women’s popular magazine such Cover Look and Horoscope. There are colorful photographs on every page and they are mostly young adult women from the late teens to early twenties. A feature titled People Are Talking About provides readers with summaries of new movies and music with the help of a colorful pie chart. A feature labeled Next Big Thing is titled Pet Project. It is introducing Teen Vogue’s new “supercute” accessories, which include wallets, iPhone cases, bag charms, and mini-mouse pouches. An article titled Snow Day features girls in brightly-colored ski clothes and green, orange, and blue lipstick. An article titled The Social Network investigates the use of social networking sites like Facebook and how readers are now able to see when they are being excluded from activities. There are four boxes containing quotes from victims of being excluded. For example, Olivia, 19, says, “I saw a picture of my good friend Amanda and everyone I hang out with at a restaurant. I was in shock. Why didn’t she just text me? These are people I see all the time.”

Critical Evaluation

While comparing the articles to the categories they are supposed to be a part of, I often did not see the correlation. For example, why is Horoscope in the Fashion section? Why is Denim Patrol: Slim Shady in the Beauty & Health section? Shouldn’t it be in the Fashion section? Similarly, why is an article about music and movies in the Beauty & Health section? Most shockingly is the complete lack of any article about female health in the Beauty & Health section. The Features section seemed to be the only part that made sense. It features many of the attention-grabbing headlines on the cover and their corresponding articles. Of course, there are the full-spread advertisements that colorfully promote beauty and fashion. These advertisements are directed at an economically varied reader base. For example, jewelry sold at Target is followed by a Marc Jacobs ad; Marc Jacobs is considerably more expensive than what one would find at Target. More advertisements include those for Gucci perfume, Maybelline mascara, essie nailpolish, and Coach bags. Each page of article has supporting photographs and most articles are broken into short sections of text by subtitles that stand out and highlighted words. Quotes jump out at the reader in different colored fonts. The models featured are all very skinny, which might create unhealthy body images and expectations for girls. Besides the article about exclusion and Facebook, Teen Vogue is a magazine for entertainment only.

Why did I include this magazine?

I have read Vogue many times, and I was curious about how Teen Vogue compared to the adult version. The basic outlines are the same, but Teen Vogue has younger models and features about younger celebrities. There are less advertisements than in Vogue, and the advertisements in Teen Vogue are for items that are more within reach of teens (not all teens, of course. I don’t know any teen who sports a Movado watch). I was disappointed in the absolute lack of health-related articles despite having an entire section for Beauty and Health. Well, it seems beauty is more important. I think popular girls’ magazines should address heavier topics than how to do your hair. Still, this magazine is a fun way to browse what’s new in fashion and beauty.