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.