#6 Critiquing a Media Critic

 As Told By Kenya

    Media critics administered their opinions on various topics to solidify buzz or just commentary for their opinions. Media critics better known as giving media critiques dissect popular film, television, novels and other forms to explain to a broad audience how, in academic terms, these cultural artifacts can be reflective of social issues, evidence artistic accomplishment, offer critical voice to power and much more (Media Commons). Whether their opinions are valid or not, they can't help if their opinions will be met with criticism or praise. Most media critics have relatively  thick skin to tolerate how their opinions will be perceived by the public. Some just want to voice their opinions on issues without any harm done. Media critics come in all aspects. 

    There are media critics within music and movies. Also they are critics within sports, entertainment and even food. Most media critics are mainstream and their whole job pertains to being a media critic such as Trevor Noah and Bill Maher. Media critics don't always project negative comments and can just be seen as critiquing a form of content. No one really talks about the small media critics. Everyone sees the famous media critics on the news, or talking on their personal talk show. Let's talk about the small media critics that are on YouTube or any other form of social media where the vast majority have not heard of. In this blog I will be talking a YouTuber that is a critic and provides commentary on everything from major issues, popular culture, gaming, entertainment, and politics. The YouTuber's name is Kenya Wilson. Her YouTuber channel she uses As Told By Kenya. Kenya Wilson was born on October 25, 1996 and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kenya Wilson started her YouTube channel in 2015. Her YouTube channel has acquired 237k subscribers and she tends to post 2 to 3 videos within a week span. Typically the duration of her videos ranged from 15 to 50 minutes depending what she decides to discuss that week. Upon reviewing her videos, I can say she gives a fair stance on the issues she talks about. Her way of speaking on topics is very effective because she knows how to argue on issues respectively. It never comes from a place of biasness. 

    When it comes to her critique about popular culture, gaming or social media, it can be seen as comical. I say that way because most of her title videos showcase a funny headline or in capitalization to grab attention. The thing she does differently from when she uses her video titles in capitalization is that her video is literally about the title. When most YouTubers use their titles in capitalization or like a bizarre headline it is just for clickbait. For example, Kenya has a video titled MAKEUP BRANDS THAT ARE FLOPPING! Now when you see a title like this on YouTube, most creators sugarcoat how they feel about certain topics but will still use a clickbait title. With Kenya, she uses her platform to showcase her opinion whether or not negatively affects her view count. I think she is well-versed on certain issues such as politics or law because she graduated with a bachelor's degree in law and was accepted into law school. She shows that she is educated in opinions when it comes to politics. I can trust her critique when it comes to issues involving politics because of her involvement in law degree. YouTube is not only a place Kenya uses her voice to get her point across, she also has her own podcast. Podcasts include the same issues as YouTube but more in depth topics. At the end of the day, her critiques are very relatable and she shows that it is just her opinion after all and that you don't have to agree. 

#5 Movies

 No Escape!

    Ever watched a movie and it turned out to be completely different from your expectations? The movie was filled with different twists and turns that by the end you couldn't comprehend what you just watched. Well that happened to me when I stumbled upon the movie No Escape. No Escape led with the intention of a movie is going  one-way but completely rear-ending into another. No Escape was released on September 18,2020 on Hulu and follows A social media influencer and his friends who find themselves in over their head in Moscow, as the search for quality online content brings them to a sinister world. 

    Cole, whose character is played by Keegan Allen is known for doing outrageous things and vlogging every moment of his life since birth. He finds himself and his friends in for a ride they didn't bargain for. Beginning of the movie, Cole is narrating  how he was always being filmed and broadcast his life on footage. His vlog series has been ten years in the making and wants something drastic to celebrate his anniversary. Now his vlogs have always been about what exciting thing to do next and his fans dictate his moves. If it's from bungee jumping from an airplane or blowing up a 18-story building, Cole has delivered every time. 

    This one time Cole is not prepared at all for what is to come. Showcasing the first half of the movie, his friends set up a trip to Moscow to  commemorate his 10th anniversary. They haven't told him what they will be doing the whole trip and they finally reveal they will be attending the ultimate escape room. His friends include his childhood best friend, Thomas, mutual friend Sam, his vlog buddy Dash, and his girlfriend Erin. Cole doesn't think the escape room is legit and says it is a  waste of time coming all the way to Moscow just for an escape room. 

    Dash reassures that the escape room is one like never before. Dash gets a buddy that lives in Moscow whose name is  Alexei to orchestrate the escape room.  Now without giving too much away the ending is nothing like how the movie is to be portrayed. Lots of critics or viewers did not enjoy the ending. They said it basically contradicted the whole plot of the  movie. In that case, I would say that was true. Based on the trailer, you would see that it was supposed to be an escape room turned to something deadly. With that being said, it is a movie, I feel every movie doesn't have to showcase real-life events or possible real scenarios. I can say enjoy the movie very well. The acting could have been better especially from the main character Cole's perspective. He is a pivotal part of the movie. 

    His character or his acting was just not emotional enough for me that would showcase someone in pain. For the first 20 minutes, I was thinking of cutting the movie off because of the acting style some of the actors possessed but stayed to the end and was not disappointed. I recommend it 6/10 if you can get past the corny acting but once they start the sadistic game of the escape room, the film takes a turn for the better and you are shocked at its end. I mean we are thinking in terms of stellar performances, I would say it's not that good because the acting can by pretty cringe. The thing that will keep you entertained is to see if the friends will survive or not. I think the main point of why some people didn't enjoy the movie is that this peculiar movie takes elements from other movies and adds their own flair. In the movie, you can see references from Saw, Escape Room, and the movie Hostel. Some viewers are able to see how the movie was going to end a mile away and that it became predictable. I think what the director tries to get across the movie is the dangers of  a social media influencer taking things too far to capture the most outrageous things  and the lives between reality and fiction are blurred. It is like how far would you go to maintain a relevance and popular persona on the internet. The thing about me when  it comes to watching movies I tend to watch excellent movies and the bad ones. This one wasn't the best but it is a movie to pass time on a Friday night. 

#4 Technology

Today's Technology Like No Other! 

    Technology has really come a long way from what it used to be years ago. Years ago we couldn't even imagine the type of technology we have today. Thanks to developers and their keen sense of intelligence, we are able to reach the heights of advanced technology. Technology is simplified as "science of craft art, skill, cunning of hand" and  is the sum of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation (Technology Wiki). Thinking about how technology is seen as science of craft, there are some innovations in technology that signify craftiness. Speaking of craftiness, there are two innovations I think showcase this type of technology.

    The first innovation I will discuss is one we all can relate to. It is a Dyson Table Fan. We all know the annoying sound a fan makes and how the spinning blades can be too much and debris flying everywhere. Well look no further, Dyson Table Fan uses patented Air Multiplier technology to create a powerful stream of uninterrupted airflow without fast-spinning blades making it safe for children, pets and during cleaning. With Dyson Table Fan you no longer have heard or been blown away by the sounds of a fan. The technology inside Dyson Table Fan uses smart tech to deliver a cooling fan with ease. The debris that comes with regular fans was a hassle to clean but with Dyson Table Fan it ceased to exist. Other features include sleep timer which can be programmed to turn off after preset intervals ranging from 15 minutes to nine hours. Remote control has the choice of 10 precise airflow settings. The remote is curved and magnetized to store neatly on the machine (Amazon). As you can see, technology has advanced so much from regular plug-in fans to high-tech smart fans that provide luxury. 

    Describing this next innovation sums up to cute and endearing. This innovation reaches people who are missing their elderly loved ones or just immediate family or friends and makes you go "Aww." The innovation is called Lovebox Spinning Heart Messenger. Send heartfelt messages to loved ones—anytime, anywhere in the world—with this modern take on the classic love note. When you send a new message through the easy-to-use app, the chunky heart on the bamboo box spins to alert the recipient. Then, the object of your affection opens the box to read the sentiment on the mirrored screen inside. (The Black & White Lovebox can display emojis along with its messages; the Color Pix version can handle photos.) Once they see your missive, they can return the virtual embrace by spinning the heart to send a shower of digital hearts to the sender's screen. It's a tangible way to stay connected with special friends, family, and long-distance lovers (UnCommon Goods). With that being said, this innovation does a really good job at pulling on people's heartstrings and exposing their caring side to their loved ones.