Old Movies vs. New Movies

     When I watch a movie from long ago, I am always struck by how bad the special effects, and sometimes the acting, was. The special effects were suppose to be amazing at the time, but compared to now, they are unimpressive. When I see a modern movie, the special effects are amazing. However, it seems too often that the movies with the great effects have sacrificed the story.

     The perfect example of this phenomenon is the Star Wars Saga. The first three that were released were loved by viewers all around the world. They were advanced for the time in both special effects and story. Looking back now, the special effects were not that good, but the story stands the test of time.

     The next three movies were released after a big delay. The difference between them and the original trilogy are obvious. By most accounts, the more recent movies had much better effects, but the story in each one was lacking compared to the first three. Even with the better visuals, most people prefer the better story.

     I think the reason for this change is that movie makers now are focusing too much on visual effects and sound effects, which are popular now. It's a shame because the movies today have the potential to be great. When they put a great story together with great special effects, they will have a hit. The problem is that the movie makers focus too much on effects. I think that the movie makers should first focus on the meaning behind the movie, and the overall story. After they got a good story, they should then add effects to emphasis the meaning.

Twenty One Pilots

     Two months ago, on September 11th, I went to my first concert ever. I saw Twenty One Pilots at the Festival Pier in Philadelphia. It was amazing. The concert was at an outdoor venue, fortunately it was a beautiful night. My only complaint was that it was hard to see. It was general admission, meaning there was no seating, and so we had to stand behind a lot of people. Still, it was a great experience.

     I first heard Twenty One Pilots a couple years ago. It was just after their third album, Vessel, was released. We bought the album and played it non-stop in the car for weeks. I was completely hooked. When their next album, Blurryface, was released, we bought it right away. Then the tickets went on sale and we were able to get them. It's an experience I will always remember.

     If you have never heard of Twenty One Pilots, I strongly suggest you do so. They are an alternative band, and the music they produce is so different that it may take time for it to grow on you. It's part pop, part rap, and a little rock. The music is very introspective and even spiritual, and not at all offensive. They are just a lot of fun.

     On June 19th, 2016 I will be going to my second concert. This time it will be at Hershey Park Stadium, another outdoor venue (Lets hope for more good weather). Of course, the concert will be Twenty One Pilots, and hopefully it will be just as fun as the first one.

     "The logo means something to me because I made it mean something to me. That's the point...It doesn't have to be artistic, but if you create something and only you know the meaning of it, that's the beginning of purpose for you...so the logo is an encouragement for people to create."
                                                             -Tyler Joseph (Singer/Keyboards) explaining the band's logo