By Cheuk Yiu Chan

The meaning of the sublime according to Edward Hirsch refers to use of language and description that excites thoughts and emotions beyond ordinary experience. Though often associated with scale and grandeur, the sublime may also refer to the grotesque or other extraordinary experiences that take us beyond ourselves. The qualities of the sublime are captured visually and viscerally in the awe inspiring renditions seen in the romantic style of painting and poetry in the 19th century. Romanticism speaks of nature and revels in its uncontrollable, incalculable forces, and at the root of this mode of expression is a deep interest in the human emotional state, and the state of being. There is a case however, such with the film Still Walking, where ideas of the sublime are not expressed through scale and ferocity, but rather paradoxically, through the banal and dormant aspects of everyday life. This paper will attempt to explore the ways in which elements of the banal and the ordinary were used to express the sublime qualities of the non-physical; death, memory, and time.

2019, Column, Editorial, Essay, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 6, 2019Comment

GUEST ESSAY: Is Architecture Evolving?

By Hojun Wiitanen

What is architecture? The conceptual misinterpretation of architecture is an “object”. Architecture is not an object and not only a building because buildings are mainly stuff. In my opinion, Architecture is an active connection and a system that initiates a relationship between material spaces and people. Also, it structures that relationship, and it structures what we call the relation between space and organized society. The architecture cannot evolve when people use spaces for the sole use of shelter rather than connecting material spaces and people; therefore, to evolve the architectural value of connecting material space and people, basic human needs should be satisfied. 

2019, Column, Essay, Editorial, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 6, 2019 Comment

GUEST ESSAY: Architecture is Only Temporary

By Nick Tarver

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios, the movie Up highlights the life of Carl Fredricksen, an elderly, recently widowed man. Along the way, Fredricksen meets two unlikely companions that would accompany him during his journey to fulfill his promise that he made to his late wife, Ellie. Aside from the feel-good storyline, the film offers an architectural aspect that explores the human connection to the built environment. Fredricksen has a hard time coming to terms with the death of his wife and it seems like everything he is surrounded by reminds him of her. Fredricksen, with the help of his two new friends, Russell and Dug, decides the only way he would fulfill his and his wife’s dream of seeing the ins-and-outs of South America would be to take his house, which ultimately symbolizes Ellie, with him. UP demonstrates the idea of place and how the built environment has the ability to emotionally and spiritually resonate with an individual, ultimately resulting in equally positive and negative impacts on both a personal and societal level.

2019, Column, Essay, Editorial, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 6, 2019Comment

EDITORIAL: This is How Movies Can Act As an Effective Educational Tool

It seems as if just a few decades ago, students could only dream about using technology in the classroom. Now, dreams have become a reality. By drifting away from the orthodox and traditional teaching methods, educators are actually to improve the learning experience for the students. One of the best and easily accessible ways of implementing technology in education is by using movies. As time goes on, more and more professionals actually start to support the idea of educating by using movies. Of course, there are some benefits and disadvantages to using technology in a learning process, but let’s go over the basics for now. How is it possible for movies to be educational?

2019, Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, Social Media, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanDecember 5, 2019Comment

COLUMN: 7 DIY Steps in Setting Up a Perfect Home Theater System In Your Condo

Living in condo units has notable limitations such as smaller space and sharing walls with your neighbors. However, it does not necessarily keep you from building your very own home theater. Everybody wants to have the best movie or TV shows binging experience. With having to know the right things to do, you can set up a perfect home theater system in small living spaces. You can transform your condo living room to be the home theater that you always dreamed of.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 5, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 5 Great Family Movies for the Holidays

Holiday movies are an integral part of the holiday experience for many families. Consider adding these five holiday movies to your holiday tradition. There are many holiday movies to choose from. These five classics entertain and reinforce the holiday spirit in ways that are sure to make them part of your holiday tradition.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 4, 2019Comment

EDITORIAL: 5 Best Movies to Motivate You to Write More

It has always been a true mystery what books professional writers read. I mean, how they choose the bedside book for the evening, if they fall in love with characters, whether or not they get inspired for own plots... Perhaps, that’ll remain a mystery. What movies they watch for inspiration is no longer a secret. You might be surprised, but most of the preferable movies aren’t about writers. They are about complicated characters whose nature is exposed by means of words and actions. After a good movie, one can write a few decent pages or maybe a whole chapter!

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 4, 2019 Comment

GUEST ESSAY: The Red and Blue Pill within Capitalism: Exploring Control and Consumerism in “The Matrix”

By Yousreng He

The future that The Matrix predicts is dystopian because the people in the film generally pretend to ignore their thoughts and desire, indeed their humanity, because they believe what they do not know cannot hurt them. The influence that makes people choose ignorance has come from the power of capitalism, which is very capable of controlling people physically and mentally. The power of capitalism is enormous in the film, kind of like a big engine that genetically engineers slave labor. It is very telling that most people go to work not because they like what they do, but because they want to put food on their tables and money in their pockets. That dependence on the capital goods that people have come to expect is how capitalism controls people in the Matrix.

2019, Column, Editorial, Essay, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019 Comments

INFOGRAPHIC: Battle Of The Credits: Video Games v Movies

Casino Kings counted thousands of video game and movie titles to see if it now requires more people to create a triple-A video game than a blockbuster movie, and the role microtransactions have potentially played in the growth of the gaming industry. The video game industry now attracts A-list talent to star in its games, such as Norman Reedus in Death Stranding and Keanu Reeves in the soon to be released futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077. Along with these famous names, a triple-A game now requires a team of thousands of developers, designers and programmers all working together over many months to make sure their latest iteration is on shelves in time for release day.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Pricing Up Pop Culture’s Most Beloved Cars

Ever wanted to get behind the wheel of your favorite pop culture car? Maybe you think you could handle the Batmobile or take on a high-speed chase, Fast and Furious style. The Moneyshake blog looked at auction listings and sales to see how much movie memorabilia motors really sell for. Check out the huge prices of eight popular film and TV cars below and compare them with what you could’ve bought instead.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019Comment

GUEST ESSAY: Existentialism and Mental Dilemma in the Spaces of "Birdman"

By Prem Jongdeenarn

The film depicts the behavior of the egotism of the main character, Riggan Thomson, who lacks public attention leading to an existential crisis, thus affecting his mental dilemma. Moreover, he always repeats himself with disappointments from society’s ignorance, and desires to overwhelm all the negative experiences by returning to be famous in society. Therefore, the philosophy of existentialism is related to Birdman through the description of the freedom, action, prestige, and the yearning for existence in society of the main character through architectural elements. In addition, the concept of realism in cinematography known as a long take is used to clarify the central character’s crisis, which will be discussed in the next paragraphs from an architectural viewpoint.

Essay, SPECIAL, GUEST EDITORIAL, Editorial, ColumnDon ShanahanDecember 1, 2019 Comments

GUEST EDITORIAL: Pros and Cons of Using Movies in Education

The use of movies in the education program is to engage learners. However, there are many more reasons why movies are important in the classroom. “Instructors must acknowledge that effective learning is based on a proper plan to enhance the student experience at any level”, says Jennifer Broflowski, a teacher and writer at CraftResumes. Among the plans is to review the policies of using films according to the school requirements. For instance, there are different ratings of films, thus teachers must establish which types are necessary for use in the classroom setup. Nonetheless, the use of film has both pros and cons in education.

2019, Editorial, Column, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 1, 2019 Comment