Jennifer Lawrence: The Girl on Fire (Final Draft)

Most celebrities who had just been awarded their very first Oscar would never dream of ending the night with such a pose, but then again Jennifer Lawrence is not most celebrities. Lawrence’s rise to fame has been filled with moments like the one above. Jennifer, or JLAW as her fans would say, has quickly become one of the most beloved actresses in young Hollywood today. It’s not her breathtaking performances or natural beauty that has made her such a star, however. It’s her ability to relate to almost anyone, her brutal honesty, and her refusal to change that has made her such an icon for our generation.

Jennifer Shrader Lawrence was born August 15, 1990 to Gary and Karen Lawrence in Louisville, Kentucky. Jennifer, along with her two older brothers, Ben & Blaine, was raised on a farm outside of the small suburb. Jennifer considered herself a tomboy when she was growing up, as she spent most of her time with her brothers, playing in the yard. Jennifer was funny, inquisitive, and refreshingly honest even as young a girl. When asked about her childhood Lawrence said this “When my mother told me about my childhood, she always told me there was like a light in me, a spark that inspired me constantly. When I entered school, the light went out. We never knew what it was, a kind of social anxiety. But I had friends” (Wang).  Jennifer, like a number of young girls today, suffered from social anxiety and was given the nickname “nitro” because she was such so overly active. Lawrence was luckily able to use that activeness to her advantage, playing for both the field hockey and softball teams at her school, as well as being a cheerleader.

Jennifer performed at the local theatre during her high school years, as well as participating in her church’s plays. Lawrence’s first performance was at the age of nine, when she played the part of Nineveh in her church’s play about the book of Jonah. During an interview with Louisville Magazine, Mrs. Lawrence stated, “she was the best prostitute ever” (Wang).  Lawrence’s acting career took off after graduating high school early, when she landed a role on the Bill Engvall Show. By the time the show had ended its three-season run Lawrence had starred in indie films alongside actresses such as, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger. Jennifer’s performance in such films led to her being cast as the lead role in the critically-acclaimed indie film, Winter’s bone.  Jennifer reiceved an academy award nomination for best actress for her outstanding performance as a young girl living in the wild.

Her career-changing moment, however, did not happen until she was asked to play Katniss Everdeen in the hit-blockbuster film The Hunger Games. Jennifer’s portrayal of Katniss garnered a number of both fan and media attention. Since then Lawrence has received an Academy Award for best actress for her performance in Silver Lining’s Playbook, in which she played Bradley Cooper’s love interest and starred in a number of hit films such as, X-Men: First Class and House at the End of the Street. At just 23 years-old, Lawrence has  quickly become one of the most well-respected and successful actresses in Hollywood today.

Most celebrities with her level of influence have chosen to use their power to better their own careers rather than for the good of their fans and those who love them. Lawrence has instead chosen to use her fame to change the stereotypes and negativity that surrounds so much of Hollywood. Lawrence has addressed issues such as self-image, bullying, and the importance of being true to your self. When asked by Elle Magazine about her diet and training for The Hunger Games Lawrence stated, “I’ don’t want little girls to be like, ‘Oh I want to look like Katniss so I’m going to skip dinner. That’s something I was really conscious of during training” (Rosenblit). Lawrence has become a positive role model for young girls today and has inspired the hearts of many with her realness and ability to relate to almost anyone.

Jennifer’s light isn’t just shining outside of Hollywood, however. From her interviews that keep fans laughing the whole way through to her candidness on the red carpet, Jennifer has made even the brightest stars of Hollywood take note. Woody Harrelson, who co-starred with Lawrence in both The Hunger Games and its sequel, Catching Fire, referred to her as an, “incredible, esteemed actress” (Close). Lawrence was also approached by Jack Nicholson at the after-party for the Oscars and was blown away by the introduction.

Jennifer is currently awaiting the release of her latest movie, American Hustle, in which she portrays the gorgeous, reckless, big-mouthed wife of con-artist Irving Rosenfled, who will be played by Bradley Cooper. Many people would assume that with a list of accomplishments as long as Jennifer’s the last thing she would be was humble, and they would be right to assume such a thing. Jennifer Lawrence is not humble, for that would require her to be phased by her stardom and all that has come with it. Jennifer is a rare breed of celebrity, a breed that has not been seen since the era that gave birth to stars such as, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, and Clark Gable. Lawrence has captured the hearts of both those in Hollywood and those who couldn’t be further from it. She has inspired many and has proven that there are still celebrities who know that what they do is their job and not their life.

 Meet the Girl on Fire

Works Cited:

Wang, Julia. “Jennifer Lawrence.” PEOPLE.com. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Close, Murray. “Hunger Games: When Jennifer Met Woody.” EW.com. 12 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Brillson, Leila. “The Jennifer Lawrence Effect: How One Girl Is Changing Hollywood.”Refinery29. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Rosenblit, Rachel. “Call of the Siren: Jennifer Lawrence.” ELLE.  Web. 12 Dec. 2013.

Catching Fire

 

Remember Who the Enemy is.

Catching Fire opens in select theaters Thursday, November 21.

Unlikely Superstar: Johnny Depp by Sean Smith

Sean Smith approached his subject in the best and most sincere way a journalist can, as a friend. Smith had no intention of writing yet another article about Johnny Depp, the bad-boy heartthrob of Hollywood, so instead he chose to simply write a few words about a man who plays a pirate during the day and goes home to his family at night. The tone of the article is humorous and just the right amount of casual, much like Depp himself. Smith’s article focused mainly on Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the pirate’s trilogy. Smith provides his readers with background information on both the movies and Depp himself and does so in a way that is informative without being distracting. Smith doesn’t demand attention in this article, which is often a writer’s greatest downfall. Instead of trying to control and perfect the entirety of the article, Smith allows Depp to say what he wants to say and goes from there. This gives the readers a chance to see a different side of Johnny, a softer side. As Depp talks about the significance of Captain Jack Sparrow in his own life and discusses his plans after the third and final installment, you are able, for just a second, to see the man behind the actor. Smith includes dialogue between Depp and himself in the article in order to point out that Depp, unlike most celebrities today, acts because that’s what he loves to do not because he loves everything that comes from it. Smith’s portrayal of Depp is one that combines the illusion and perfection of Johnny Depp, the actor, and the realness and relate-ability of Johnny Depp, the man. 

Drawn to a Larger Scale by Alex Williams

Everybody loves a misfit, well at least I do, and judging from the full sleeves he’s sporting in the picture that’s exactly what Scott Campbell is, a misfit. Maybe he prefers the term rebel or underdog. I guess it doesn’t really matter since all three words tend to go hand in hand. None of those words, however, are a good enough label for a man who inspires people everyday by simply doing what he loves to do. Mr. Campbell is a visionary and he should be praised for not only his talents but for his commitment to his passion and to himself. I’d be willing to bet that back in the day Mr. Campbell was the kind of kid that parents hated, teachers dismissed, and peers laughed off. I’m sure nobody was expecting Scott Campbell to do great things with his life, let alone extraordinary ones. My inspiration stems not from seeing where Scott ended up but from knowing the choices he made to get there. Scott chose a path that very few chose before him and one that even fewer will choose after him. It’s the path of the unknown. It’s the path that your parents are convinced you’re on after you tell them you failed your math test and skipped class last friday, the path we secretly want to try but won’t because were too afraid of what people would think, the path that allows you to follow your dreams and live life as it was supposed to be lived, the path that if taken could lead to everything you ever wanted. Scott did what all of us at one point or another dream of doing and he did it with no regrets and no shame and in my opinion that is the best kind of life to live. 

What’s the Matter With Kids Today? By Amy Goldwasser

This article takes a good look at the the true nature of technology and the reasons why it should be celebrated rather than demoralized. The author challenges her readers to look at technology from a new, untapped perspective and encourages them to start taking advantage of all the benefits technology has to offer. The author states that technology provides people with a way to express their creativity and explore their passions. Goldwasser also argues that technology has allowed people to learn about almost any subject in an easier, more efficient manner. Thanks to google, wikipedia, and yahoo answers almost all of life’s mysteries can be solved….almost.  With all this being said it would be nearly impossible for me to sit here and say that technology has not benefitted my life in one way or another, but I’d be lying if I said such benefits are worth all the problems that come from allowing too much technology into your life. The author makes a valid point however, when she says that “The internet has turned teenagers into honest documentaries of their own lives-reporters embedded in their homes, their schools, their own heads” (1.). Kids today, especially teenagers, feel the need to make sense out of everything that goes on in their lives and have chosen to use the internet to do so. Many kids will blog or post videos to find some clarity, while others will choose to be a bit more dramatic and tweet their feelings until they run out of things to say. The problem with spending so much time documenting your life is that you eventually forget to actually live it. People will spend hours posting pictures, writing comments, and updating statuses about what happened over the weekend but what good is all that if you missed on the actual experience itself. A teenage girl would rather spend two hours blogging about her life and why she is the way she is rather than go out and actually be that person. It’s a beautiful thing to be given the freedom and power to let your emotions out and something that should definitely be taken advantage of, just as long as it for the right reasons. Documenting your life for all the world to see is not nearly as satisfying as living your life for only you to see. 

The Rise of iPads in the classroom by Sarah Watson

Technology, especially in the last decade, has become so advanced that almost anything today can be done from the comfort of your own home by simply pressing a few buttons on your iPhone. Although such advancement in the field has been proven to be highly beneficial to society it has also caused a separation between people and the world around them.  After reading this article I have come to realize that technology has a hold on us in nearly every aspect of our lives. Watson, although she argues her point perfectly, fails to take into account the social and emotional damage these kids could suffer from due to an increased dependence on technology. iPads in special education classes are a great tool to use to learn the basics and fundamentals of most subjects, but what iPads can’t give these students is real human interaction. Class time should not just be spent staring at a computer screen or browsing through apps. The majority of the time that these students have should be spent on interacting with one another and the professor. It is important for special education children to be given the chance to learn all there is learn, but it is equally important to show them the more human side of the education system. The side that teaches you about rejection, the value of handwork, what it means to be a good friend and a good student, and the highs and lows of just being a kid. So in other words, what every other boy or girl goes through from about fourth grade on. This is important because the main objective of any special education teacher is to make their students feel like they are just like everybody else, which is what the human side allows them to feel. The students may not react or understand as well as those who are not in special education but at least they will have taken part in experiencing life for what it really is.  By putting too much emphasis on technology you allow the iPads and the Macs to do all the talking, which only further silences these kids who know nothing but silence already.  

Holistic Approaches to Combatting Depression By Kelli Lovdahl

In this article the author argues that people suffering from depression should look to natural remedies such as meditation or exercise before trying medication. The argument was lost on me, however, due to the fact that she chose to argue from a very one-sided point of view. She spends most of the article dwelling on information that in no way worked to prove her argument, such as the seven chakras and different forms of meditation. Rather than learn more about either of those subjects I would have preferred it if she provided me with evidence of these holistic approaches working in real-life situations. She also provides the reader with no happy medium. She basically concludes that medicines used to treat anxiety and depression rarely work and those that have chosen to use them are still suffering. She should have given credit where credit is due. There are a number of people who will tell you that prescription drugs saved their life and many doctors would back up such a claim. Her argument was flawed because she took the “this is my way and it’s the only way” approach rather than allowing the reader to draw a conclusion based upon their own understanding and beliefs. Based on the article I would say the author is a very arrogant woman who does not truly understand what she is writing about and has little tolerance for other’s opinions.

MLA Research Practice

December 17th 2012. On this day teenage girls all across America said their final farewells to Gossip Girl, a show that had captured the hearts of many in its six season run. The faithful followers of the show who had grown up alongside the six main characters were left with an all too familiar emptiness and one less excuse to not start their homework. Gossip girl is just one of the many shows that have allowed people to escape their own reality and enter a new world where they can immerse themselves in the lives of fictional characters. Gossip girl is not the only show that has left its viewers wanting more however, which raises the question, why are television dramas so addicting? And is this necessarily an unhealthy addiction? In his article, “Watching TV Makes You Smarter”, Steven Johnson argues that shows with complex narratives and interconnected plot lines, such as Gossip Girl, are nutritional for a person’s brain development. In reference to the show 24 Johnson says this, “Beneath the violence and the ethnic stereotypes, another trend appears: to keep up with entertainment like ”24,” you have to pay attention, make inferences, track shifting social relationships.” (1.). With this statement, Johnson is shedding light on the cognitive demands that shows such as 24 and Gossip Girl place on us. In order to stay on top of the drama that unfolds in almost any series a person must pay attention to every aspect of the show. This allows the viewer to connect both past and present plot lines and understand character motives, which works both your cognitive and reasoning skills.  In another article entitled, “Intersecting Narratives”, the author, Christina Beck, takes a further look at the nutritional value of television drams. Beck argues that television shows, particularly dramas, are nutritional for the brain as well as the heart. Beck claims that television shows give people a way to deal with their emotions and real-life problems in a non-real way. Many people continue watching a television series because they can either relate to the show on a personal level or simply because they found something to be passionate about. According to Beck, “the nature of narrative can be understood differently when seen primarily as an interpersonal process. Stories are a unique human tool that allows for the construction of interpersonal portraits in motion” (158.). In other words, television shows can be used a reflection of self and can provide prospective on one’s life experiences. Television shows could quite possibly be a great way to challenge your mind and understand your self…until we know we for sure I guess you will just have to stay tuned. 

 

Works Cited: 

Beck, Christina S. “Intersecting Narratives: Enjoying Daytime Drama As Viewers (And Actors) Experience The Days Of Their Lives.”Communication Studies 63.2 (2012): 152-171. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

Anti-Intellectualism: Why We Hate the Smart Kids by Grant Penrod

This thought-provoking essay captured my attention in full. It opened my eyes to a problem that I was not even aware of in American society today. Kids and adults have come to immortalize those who achieve success without the use of the education system or their own mental capacity. There is a stereotype surrounding those who vie for the top grades in class or spend their weekends studying rather than attending parties. I saw it in my own high school and will admit that I participated in the ostracization of those deemed “nerds.” I saw them as people who had no lives outside the hallways of school and branded them as outcasts. This kind of ridicule takes place all across America and sadly does not stop after high school. Athletes, celebrities, and even political figures are praised for their success, which often does not stem from a high IQ or hard work in the field of academia. Kids today would rather focus their efforts on achieving goals that take the least amount of work but result in the highest payoff. This has caused a separation between the few who still value intellectualism and the many that have come to disregard it as unnecessary or unfulfilling.