Inherent Vice

By: Tom Sherkness

BLUE BELL, PA--Academy Award nominated writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson has an all-star cast for his upcoming filmInherent Vice. The film adaptation of the novel written by Thomas Pynchon includes actors Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Benecio Del Toro, and returning lead actor Joaquin Phoenix. Anderson is known for getting extraordinary performances from his actors in his films - There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day-Lewis and in his last film The Master with Joaquin Phoenix. The film is centered upon the drug-fueled detective Doc Sportello in late 1969 into 1970 when the Manson family was prevalent in the media during which an ex-girlfriend hires Sportello to investigate the disappearance of her lover. According to Vulture, Anderson has been working with the novelist and the film has the blessing of Pynchon himself. The Internet Movie Database lists Inherent Viceas in post-production and set to release 2014.

The Heart of Mac vs PC

By: Tom Sherkness

BLUE BELL, PA--Apple's 2nd Tier Mac Mini starts at $799. In the PC realm, you could build a similar, customized mini-form tower (including the cost of Windows 8) for $100 less that will have fully upgradeable components for a lifetime, literally. Mac Mini hardware you choose is what you're stuck with except for hard drive and memory upgrades, which Apple doesn't want you to do yourself by restricting access to the inner parts.

The starting price point of a 15” Macbook Pro with Retina display is $1999. A near identical PC laptop with a better processor and a high end gaming capabilities cost $1444, or about $600 less (the MBP has no dedicated gaming capabilities). Although the laptop's resolution doesn't match the MBP, it still runs at 1080p native, or a step above the 720p high definition standard.

When comparing the more mobile 13” Macbook Air to the Windows equivalent, it is almost the same case. The 13” standard Macbook Air starts at $1099, while an Asus Zenbook with equivalent hardware and a higher resolution screen costs $799.

While there are minor feature tradeoffs, for near identical hardware but different software and design, it is necessary to evaluate that the Mac vs PC debate is really an operating system and design debate because the identical hardware running a Windows desktop or laptop always costs less. At identical pricepoints, the PC will always have more powerful hardware. Also remember that even though you can install Windows on a Mac via bootcamp, you can also install OSX on a PC by a process called Hackintosh.

The question you have to ask yourself is, what do you need to do on your computer, and which operating system suits your needs and style?

Are Montco Students Spending too Much Time on Social Networking/Media?

By: Carli Meehan

BLUE BELL, PA--A study done on “DNews” says that the average time spent on social networks is about 13.5 hours a day. Leaving 10.5 hours for sleep and other activities during the day. So is this going into addictive territory, “Dnews” quoted in their video “people are addictive to the positive social interaction on the internet”. What about students at Montgomery County Community College; what are their personal opinions about Social Networking and Media.  Surveying a group of six Montco students 83% said they spend between 2-3 hours weekly on “SN”.  67% also said 2-3 hours academics outside of school weekly.

When asked if they felt ‘SN” effect their schoolwork Justine Carr responded, “No, because he only uses medias to post a few comments through out the day and it doesn’t interfere with schoolwork”. Another student Byron Drayton who was one of the students who uses social networking 5-10hours throughout the week  said, “it does affect his schoolwork because it takes away the free time he would have to possibly study ”.  When asked if he felt he was addicted he said, “I don’t feel addicted because I can log off whenever I want” but then asked if he could give up all Social Medias for a whole week he said “NO”. In Justin Carr’s’ case whether he could give it up for a week he quoted “Sure, but I would need other social supplements because I would get bored”.   

Recently in the DMS-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder) they have published a section on Internet Addiction, they are still researching the symptoms but the list so far is (1. Excessive use 2. With drawl: anger, tension, depression when away from the computer or social networks, 3. Tolerance and the needing of more, 4. Negative repercussion: including arguments, lying and social isolation). Researchers found it have the same effect on your brain as gambling.

A one on one interview with a Montco student Melissa Perozze and being asked if she felt students are addicted to social media at Montco? She quoted “Yes, you can’t go anywhere without seeing phones glued to their faces even when having a conversation with someone right in front of you. In class rooms it’s also a problem because you see students checking their phone every five minutes for Facebook or Twitter updates while a lecture is going on.” Then asked if she felt Social Medias affect her schoolwork? “Of course, especially at home because you need your computer to do homework and its so easy to check Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook and then you end up staying on those sites for hours instead of actually doing your work.

How Montco Views Films of Today

By: Carli Meehan

BLUE BELL, PA--Since the 1920’s movie theatres have been releasing full-length films. The question is how many students at Montco still go to the movies in 2013. Especially now that we have computers that allow us to stream, download and rent movies right from your home, why even bother going to the movies? With major Blockbusters like “Enders Game”, “Thor: The Dark World” and the sequel to the Hunger Games “Catching Fire” coming out in November. What students at Montco are running out to see big Blockbusters films? When interviewing four anonymous Montco students they were asked if they still run out to the movie theatres to see big budget films? 75% said No and for the Yes, it would have to be a sequel or a favorite director that made the film to spark an interest for the film. After looking at the increase of movie prices going from $7.93 just two years ago to $11 or more depending on if the movie is 3-D, can this be a factor in whether or not these students go to the movies. This time 75% said yes. The one student who answered No quoted “No, because it’s accepted that it’s an expensive thing to do”. When asked about streaming movies or illegally downloading 100% of the student said they have done it because they didn’t want to spend the money for movie ticket on a film that they weren’t that interested in seeing on the big screen. An considering that one in every four house hold streams Netflix and 100% of the Montco students that were questioned have Netflix why even bother going to the movie when they are available a few months later on Netflix for free. Then when asked if these students would go to the movie theatre in the next two months, only 50% said they would make the trip and spend the money going to the movies.

What Is CAPG?

By: Carli Meehan

BLUE BELL, PA--If you’re a Communications Major at Montgomery County Community College then you have heard of CAPG; but what about the students at Montco who have never heard of CAPG. Thanks to Jerry and Robert Brown we are here to shed some light on CAPG club. CAPG stands for “Communicating Arts Production Group”; which helps and teaches students about television, filmmaking and production. How can students get involved? Jerry suggest to show up to any of the CAPG meeting held at the TV Studio in the Advanced Technology Center every Wednesday at 12:15. To get involved students also join the Five Day Film Festival competition or “The Buzz” which is a weekly new cast. CAPG can also make a big impact in employment because students create a portfolio and use them to get into the field. How can bring in the club help students with their major. Students get to be hands on with project by jumping right in and creating small projects for new casting, filmmaking and producing. Take Robert Brown for example he started out at CAPG learning how to write for the news. Then when the Buzz started to go down hill Robert stepped in took charge and became Co-producer of The Buzz.  In the resent semester he has become Producer of The Buzz. From that experience he quoted “I have learned to take charge when no one wants to, and striving to make the show better then the way it was”. This club is a great way to get your foot in the door and learn different techniques that will help you get a career in the entertainment field. “The Buzz” helps student write new stories, work cameras and being a director.  When asked if all communication major should be forced to participate in CAPG for a grade Robert responded “No”, because not every student has that extra time to devote to the club. But students in Communications are required to view the CAPG screening at the end of every semester to show your support and watch all of the COM students work throughout the year.

Advertisement's Responsibility Public Relations or Coordinators

By: Michael Ingram

BLUE BELL, PA--Morgan Betz, a Digital Audio professor and coordinator at the Montgomery County Community College, feels his program is not getting the advertisement or publicity that it deserves.  “The program is being completely overhauled and will need better advertising than what is currently being done,” stated Betz as he passionately spoke about the program.

Betz feels that word of mouth and Web videos are the best form of advertisements, and he is not alone on this subject matter.  Lynn Rothman, head of the Public Relations department for communication at Montco also feels that Web advertisement is most effective for advertising.  Yet, she feels that it’s the program coordinator’s job to advertise program.  After being informed that advertisement for his program was his responsibility, Betz said, “I’ll do it, but I doubt their going to like how I do it,” as he chuckled.

“There are only four people for all of marketing at this college.  How can four people market over 100 programs when they have other things to do?” stated Rothman.  She then went on to say “It’s my job to advertise the college as a whole; it’s the coordinators job to use the tools given to advertise their programs.”  She also led on that there aren’t enough funds to properly advertise an individual program which is why the burden falls heavily on the program coordinator for advertisement.  

When asked who is responsible for advertisement of the program Betz simply stated “Public Relations.”  “Ethan Mintz, a former student at Montco and owner of Marsten House Recording, was interviewed on public TV as a form of advertisement for the program,” stated Betz.  Unaware of what was being done he then went on to say “I knew nothing about it until I saw it on TV one day.”   Professor Betz knows the program doesn’t have a set budget, but, he doesn’t feel that the schools budget prevents them from properly advertising the program.  Rothman did admit to having to do a better job at communicating with Betz in order to advertise successfully; however, she doesn’t claim responsibility for why the program is not being advertised properly.  As for Betz, advertising doesn’t fall into his job criteria as it’s the responsibly of the people who are paid to advertise everything the school has to offer.  

“Gravity” Pulls in Success

BLUE BELL, PA--Warner Bros. Picture nail biting, 3D space thriller, “Gravity,” swooped into theaters on October 4, 2013 and gave critics and movie goers a new 3D visual of outer space and put them at the edge of their seats. "I think it's the best space photography ever done, I think it's the best space film ever done, and it's the movie I've been hungry to see for an awful long time" states super movie director James Cameron. Alfonso Cuarón, writer and director of “Gravity,” brings A- list actor and Actress, George Clooney, wise, calm, veteran astronaut on his last space mission, who guides Sandra Bullock, a newly experienced mission specialist who has gone through unexpected tragedy in her life back on earth. The two survive a supposedly ordinary deep spacewalk destruction of a satellite that destroys their space shuttle leaving them completely stranded in space and looking for a thrilling journey back to earth. “Gravity “gained 80% of the entire movie goer purchases were chose to experience the movie in 3D; Cuarón displayed astonishing visual effects of outer space and planet earth utilizing 3D as a huge advantage to market to its audience.

Notorious film reviewer and critics, Rotten Tomatoes gave “Gravity” a positive 97% out of 100 and “Certified Fresh” rating. “Gravity is as jaw-droppingly spectacular as you've heard, magnificent from a technical perspective but also a marvel of controlled acting and precise tone,” thrived top critic, Christy Lemire. The story of the film was enhanced by the CGI, sound FX, and 3D technology to bring the audience into what it felt like to be fighting for life in the midst of the heart pounding outer space atmosphere and was critically acclaimed by doing so. The Hollywood blockbusters grabs hold of the audience’s feelings, and doesn’t let it go, bringing a new 3D feel to the generation of ticket holders.