Entry #10: The Equalizer 2014 Film.

Imagine you’ve had a hard, highly decorated, marine lifestyle. You have skills born out of blood, you have seen things most people could not ever imagine, and you have also done things that have given you insomnia until the early mornings. That was your job and your life, until you met a woman. A kind, loving, and bakery-owning woman who was like nothing you’ve never known. Vivienne entered your life like all miracles do, without any warning and without barriers of love, you loved her. So much so that you faked your own death in a car bombing so you two could be together. To finally put what you had done before in the past and live your quiet future together. Until the unthinkable happens and she passes away.

You are now alone; years pass without the lessening of the pain. Though now, you live in a routine, getting up early, setting up your bed perfectly, and going to work at Home Mart. You’ve made some friends at Home Mart and in a diner that you frequent. Until a young girl shows up, Alina, in need of your help. She is a night worker that part of the Russian mafia owns. You are determined to bring her to safety and find that part of your life is coming back for you.

Photo by Burst: Tomas Hustoles

This is the Equalizer 2014 action and thriller film. Written by Richard Wenk and directed by Antoine Fuqua, it is part of a trilogy that follows Robert McCall and his need for justice as he goes up the chain to put away the most evil and powerful men. I love Denzel Washington and he literally brought Robert McCall, a script and a character, to life. Now, there are many reasons why I love this film. The reality is, evil happens every day without justice or superheroes, yet you just wish it did. This film shows evil men being brought down by a man who you just have to love and respect, our own superhero you might say.

It shows complexity of right and wrong and has some amazing dialogue, speeches, and quotes. The movie’s most famous one is from Mark Twain, “the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Which then brings the audience straight into Robert McCall’s life, almost like the quote was there just for him. Though one of Robert McCall’s own famous speeches was when he was talking to Nicolai Itchenko, part of the Russian mafia that wants to kill Robert.

“The men I killed, your men, I gave them a chance, they made their decision. I’m giving you the opportunity to make yours.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, you let me know when you decide. I’ve done some bad things in my life Nikolai, things I’m not proud of. I promised someone that I love very much that I would never go back to being that person…but for you, I’m going to make an exception.” (The Equalizer, 2014).

Another reason why I like this movie so much is because of how much Robert McCall appreciated the little things. He didn’t take his friends for granted, he looked out for them and had a routine in which he did things. He saw the worst in humanity in his line of work and did some bad things, but he never let himself forget it. Throughout the film, he was always ready to help out his friends and people he barely knew. He had wisdom, respect, and lived life by leaving things better than it was.

Photo by Burst: Matthew Henry

He never had the Bystander effect; he was ready to do the right thing by the people he loved. He embodied the character of a friend that you always knew would have your back, which is what makes this film so good because we can see what he did to get here. We see this when he is talking to his friend, Susan Plummer, who he met when he was in the Marines. And, no, Susan was not surprised that Robert was still alive. She knew he wouldn't ever die by something so 'trivial' as a car bombing, as her husband said to Robert.   

“Robert, that girl, Alina…why?”

“I couldn’t tell you why it mattered. Why, what they did to her, that mattered to me so much. One day, somebody does something unspeakable to someone else, to someone you hardly knew, and you…do something about it because you can.”

“Because it’s who you are? Who you always been? Sometimes we make the wrong choices to get to the right place. I know a part of you died when Vivienne did…but not the part she loved the most. Go be him. Don’t forget to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” (The Equalizer, 2014).

Photo by Burst: Tomas Hustoles

It is a film that makes the bad guys lose and the good guys win. While there are some deaths, especially within the whole trilogy that are tragic, it is one of the best films that depict what it is like to be a human. A human that does something for someone without any gain, just because they can. The film shows the best and worst in humanity and what it is like to live in between, not knowing how it is going to affect you. I hope just about everyone has heard of this film, much more seen it. And if you didn’t then I hope I have convinced you! Even if you do not like it, I would like to hear the reasonings and opinions.

Bye!

-Mia R.

Entry #9. Red Bull's and Its Wings

Hello,

I thought it would be interesting to review an ad I found about Red Bull’s energy drinks. As well as doing an analysis on it and why it is relevant to today. Right from the go, there is a businessman walking. Probably going to work or going back home, when suddenly, a bird appears above him and does its nature business on the man’s shoulder. The man is represented as a businessman so that every viewer knows how serious and hard-working the man is. All of this is shown to viewers right away because we live in a society that would either feel akin to the man or feel sympathy for his bird troubles.

Photo by: Dave Salter

However, this provides an opportunity for the man, as he brought out a Red Bull to drink. Once he drank it, he immediately gained wings and his expression before, which was serious and neutral, turned to happiness and a lighthearted expression. This is to show how Red Bull advertises their product as freedom in a can, essentially. They used wings in the animation and in their slogan because it is considered to nearly everyone that wings and birds represent freedom and happiness.

Photo by: Matthew Henry

It is also a change within the dynamics of a businessman, who is all serious, turns to be gleeful. Which is a signal to the audience that if they tried the drink, then they can have happiness too. Then the ad turns into a funny change of pace as the man flies above the poor bird to, assumingly, do his own business on the bird’s shoulder. Which while it’s not the nicest thing to do to an animal, is shown to the audience as the unsaid phrase of “oh, how the tables have turned.” Which is probably something nearly everyone who has seen the ad has wanted to do to someone or to some problem in one way or another. This develops a connection to the audience with the product as something to relate to even more. All of this gives more opportunities for the ad to gain attention and consumers. All in all, besides what happened to the poor bird, it is a subtle yet smart way to gain more customers.

Until next time,

-Mia R.

Entry #8: The Secret About Devices

Hello,

Have you ever had a question in the middle of the night that just had to be answered? It will be a question that, just as you are about to fall asleep, becomes one of the most random and unexpected topics that result in hours of research? Because it happened to me last night, as I had a question in which the answer to it was shocking.

Photo by: Avelino Martinez

The question itself involved something that is just about everywhere, especially in this day and age. It is about electronic devices like computers, tablets, and phones. They are everywhere and are constantly being used by people every day. Important jobs like hospitals, for one, need computers to continue their vital work. Although, there is one thing that a lot of people overlook when using their devices.

The question that plagued my mind was, how many people clean their electronic devices daily? Apparently, to YouGovBusiness, “one in five Americans (21%) actually sanitize their devices every day.”

I usually clean my phone, computer, controllers, and headphones about two or three times a week. Which means that, statistically, I’m in the 18% of people in the YouGov Business statistics who clean their devices a few times a week. Even though health officials suggest that you should clean them, especially phones, every day!

Phones are really important to include when you clean your devices, just think about it! Every day, almost constantly, people are on their phones. People use them to talk to others, play games, go on the internet, or for work. Which means that they take them just about everywhere. Think about what that means for phones in a day, as some people take their phones to the bathroom, put them on many surfaces, touch door handles, money, and gas station handles to fill up their cars. All of the bacteria and things that people touch that transfer to their phones is a lot. Especially since people take calls and put their phones close to their face or eat food after touching their phones are just a few things that phones go through every day.

Photo by: Matthew Henry

Now I’m not saying to constantly clean electronics or use hand sanitizer every second, but a lot of people forget or maybe even don’t know, just how important it is to clean your devices to prevent yourself from getting sick. So maybe try to implement some cleaning habits with your electronics.

Until next time!

-Mia R.

Entry #7. The American Culture of Fresh

Hello,

I recently had the opportunity to view this film called Fresh by Ripple Effect Films, which was directed by Ana Joanes. Overall, it is a film that discusses the farming and industries production and what it means to Americans. However, it is more than that as the film also includes the American culture of producing bigger, easier, and greater products for consumers.

“George, Americans fear only one thing, inconvenience.” George’s college roommate from Pakistan said. (Fresh)

Photo by Burst: Sam Jotham Sutharson

This film brought problems to the light, knowledge to be attained, solutions to consider, and discussions to be said. All of which gives the audience a chance to have prime and effective thinking even when the film is over. I believe that the purpose of this film, besides the obvious of having the general public really consider the health of their food, is the call of help from farmers and the dangers of industrial farms. Which means that the tone throughout the film signals importance and urgency, as it also brings out the reality of American culture of the people that don’t know or even think about where their food really comes from and how it effects Americans every day.

It really impacted me when I saw it. At first though, I’ll say that without knowing this film beforehand, not having a lot of opinions or thoughts about where my food comes from, or what the film might contain, I thought that an hour and ten minutes of talking about farms and industries was a bit too much. However, I am so happy and grateful to say that I was wrong. After the first ten minutes, or really when that quote, “Americans only fear one thing, inconvenience,” by George’s Pakistan roommate, I was completely and wholly invested by what the film had to say.

Photo by Burst: Matthew Henry

Moreover, I would say that it was a shock to learn how much problems farmers were going through with this day and age of industry farming. “Once you concentrate animals into these animal cities, that we call factory farms or feedlots you have all sorts of problems… You’ve created a pollution problem where you didn’t have one because if you keep animals on farms their manure is a blessing. You can use it to grow other crops, you can close the nutrient cycle between the animals that can eat crop waste, the parts of the plants you can’t sell, and they produce fertility for your fields… We took this solution, plants and animals working together, and we divided it neatly into two problems. One is this pollution problem on the feedlot where the manure becomes a pollutant instead of a blessing and then the other is on the farms, we have a fertility crisis because there are no animals left so we have to buy synthetic fertilizer.” (Fresh)

Farmers in America have many problems that they have to deal with that most of the general public doesn’t even know about. As well as the fact that it is so hard and so expensive to have quality food, it becomes a part of the American culture and creates a normalcy when there wasn’t one before.

“We can tip the balance of nature to a certain extent. But when we try to tip it too far it creates problems. And I think that’s what we’ve done in the food system, that’s what we’ve done in our overall economy, and that’s what we’ve done in our society. We just got so obsessed with productivity, having more cheap stuff and we’re facing the inevitable negative consequences.” (Fresh)

Photo by Burst: Matthew Henry

I think this film should have more recognition and more deep dives into what it shows. It should be what everyone watches at least once, most of all Americans as it pertains to American farmers and the industries in America. I think that it is important to see this film and really consider about how it shines a light on what is really happening to the American cultures and food. As, it is something that effects everyone. So I am very fortunate to have seen this film and hope that everyone watches it. I will certainly tell my friends and family to watch it.

Until next time!

-Mia R.

 

Fresh. Directed by Ana Sofia Joanes, Ripple Effect Films, April 2009.

Entry #6: Into the Interstellar.

Hello everyone!

Photo by: Shelby Bowers

Entertainment comes in all kinds of different forms. Walks, books, malls, restaurants, and movies are something to do when you want to relax or want to do something fun. A year or two ago, I had done something similar. I sat down with the intention of relaxing and watching a movie, until that movie changed my whole viewpoint. Which is why I wanted to write about one of my favorite movies that I think everyone should watch at least once.

It is the 2014 Interstellar movie directed by Christopher Nolan. The story, from beginning to end, is impactful and emotional. I believe the casting choices were well thought out and the acting by everyone was noteworthy. It is a sci-fi and an adventure film, so there are many intense scenes of danger, space, stars, planets and blackholes.

The instrumental songs during the film were created by Hans Zimmer. Which means that the soundtrack is amazing as well. There are also small, yet crucial details sprinkled in throughout the movie. Details that someone only notices if they watch it more than once. The pacing and how it was directed was meaningful as well.

Photo by: Dakota Monk

Now, I’m going to be describing it in more detail. So while I tried not to, there might be some spoilers throughout, so be aware! In the beginning, there is a scene with a bookshelf filled with books and some space shuttle toys that are covered with dust and dirt. It is panned closely, which gives us the opportunity to see that the dirt is still coming down gently. 

Then there is an old woman that says, “Well, my dad was a farmer. Like everybody else back then. Of course, he didn’t start that way.”

Right away, the hook of the intro keeps the audience’s attention. We learn that Earth is just barely habitable. As, blight, a plague that destroyed nearly all of the food, thrives in Earth’s atmosphere. There is also more dust and dirt than ever, so the air gets harder to breathe in. A lot of people’s jobs have changed into farmers in the hopes of having more food. Which is why a few brave astronauts travel through space to find a planet for humanity.

Photo by: Lucas Wendt

Within the scenes and overall message, there is hope, despair, inspiration, and a band that ties people together in the ropes of our own humanity. It is a movie that shows how much effort has been put into it. The scenes of blackholes and planets against people and their shuttles are humbling and near unbelievable in the greatest sense. When I first saw the movie, it inspired me to learn more about space, blackholes, and a greater sense of seeing humanity as one that perseveres. So, if you have the time, watch it!

Keep learning,

-Mia R.   

Entry #5. Mayhem

As we work with technology and watch countless entertainment and internet services, we always experience ads. Sometimes it is targeted and sometimes it is random. For example this ad, “Beauty Blogger,” by Allstate Mayhem, is targeted for a specific audience.

We can assume that the company of this ad wants the audience to relate to the beauty blogger experience that we either see or do. This specific lifestyle promotes likes and views, which the Mayhem guy explains as he tries to curl his hair into a “mermaid hair” for a lot of likes. This kind of blogger routine reflects a lot on American cultures and its beauty and lifestyle. Which is why it is a lot funnier and relatable because of the ironic way the Mayhem guy acts it.

Especially the way the room is set up. The colors of the desks, shelves, and walls make the room seem more girly. It also reflects on the light, wispy lavender-color curtains. The fairy lights that are on the curtains and the lamps that are turned on to make the room even more cozy. The makeup brushes that appear on the bottom of the camera as well as having another desk in the background full of makeup and other products bring a little bit more chaos into the room.

He then describes a mistake that he’s doing, which is putting his hair straightener on a towel that’s on the desk. He describes his actions as a “thumbs down emoji,” as the smoke from the hair straightener burns the towel. It makes the audience feel a bit of fear, as a lot of people have shown concerns on the internet about leaving their straightener on. This is the last thing the audience sees as the Mayhem guy puts on his glasses, that are covered in plastic gems, and leaves.

This type of ad brings relatable experiences such as the way the room looks, the makeup on the dressers, and the hair straightener. It makes the target audiences relate to it on a personal level as most people know this kind of blogger and beauty routine. Which means that people respond to it more and find it funnier.

Entry #4: Women and Their Stories.

Hello fellow learners,

Throughout history there have been many accomplishments and strides that have changed our world. We write about these people and acknowledge their work for generations. We have our children learn about them in school, build monuments like statues, create arts of remembrance, and write about them and their lives to be forever recognized.  

These people were able to further humankind and our appreciation of what we have yet to know about our universe and ourselves. Though, what about the people who aren’t recognized? Or the ones who are hardly ever remembered by the general population? History, even today, shows how hard it is for people of color and women. So today, I want to shine a light on the women that brought new ideas, gave us inspiration, and changed our world. I want to write about them, their accomplishments, and give tributes to their hard work.

Madam C.J. Walker, an African American woman, started her own business. She was born on December 23, 1867. She was orphaned at seven, married at 14, and had a daughter with McWilliams who died when their daughter was two. She faced cruelty, hard-working labor, and had many difficult problems.

Yet through inspiration, hard work, and success, she created a line hair products for other African American women named “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.” She started training programs named the “Walker System” for her employees of 40,000 African American women and men. She advocated for the anti-lynching movement and used her wealth to pay for six African American students to go to the Tuskegee institute and so much more. Unfortunately she had kidney failure, but before her death, she gave “two-thirds of future net profits to charity, as well as thousands of dollars to various individuals and schools.” (National Women’s History Museum)

Going further ahead, there was Judith Love Cohen, an Aerospace engineer. She was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933. At a young age, she had a love for mathematics and was able to take advanced math classes in middle school. Even though the career advisors told her that math wasn’t for young women, she kept her passion close to her heart and continued to work hard. She eventually joined Space Technology Laboratories and helped with many projects. Such as building the Abort Guidance System that was able to bring Lovell, Haise, and Swigert back to Earth. "She was also involved in colorizing the images collected through the various filters — when you look at the amazing images of galaxies in deep space, you're looking at Cohen's work." (Judith Love Cohen - Northrop Grumman)

Then there is Greta Gerwig, who is a director and actress. She was born in August 4, 1983 and grew up in Sacramento. She attended an all-girls Roman Catholic high school and worked in theater productions and later went to Barnard College in New York City. She majored in English, acted, and wrote plays while in college. After a while, she wrote and directed Lady Bird. It launched her screenplay and director career and created many more movies. Some of which are Little Women 2019 and Barbie 2023.

Madam C.J. Walker was an activist and businesswomen, Judith Love Cohen was an Aerospace engineer, and Greta Gerwig is a director and actress.

All of these women are different. Yet they all shared perseverance, passion, and the strength to do their works. Even though people tried to dismiss them, say they couldn’t do it, or even tried to stop them, they continued to work hard. It resonates with all of womankind when one of us breaks through the barriers and bring their contributions to our world, our history, and an acknowledgement to women and their strengths everywhere.

See you later fellow learners,

-Mia R.

 

Want to learn more? Here are their stories!

Michals, Debra. "Madam C. J. Walker."  National Women's History Museum.  National Women's History Museum, 2015.  

Maxwell, Amanda. “Judith Love Cohen and the Female Engineers of Tomorrow.” Now, 2021. Northrop Grumman Corporation, 2025.

Bauer, Pat. “Greta Gerwig.” Britannica, 2025.