Searching Movie

2018 Film

Director: Aneesh Chaganty
Produced by: Timur Bekmambetov, Sev Ohanian, Natalie Qasabian, Adam Sidman
Written by: Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian

Starring: John Cho & Debra Messing

Acting stars: Joseph Lee, Sylvia Minassian, Michelle La, Sara Sohn, Connor McRaith, Colin Woodell, Ashley Edner, Joseph John Schirle, Melissa Disney, and more.

In this day in age, social media has been a huge part of today’s society where almost everyone in the world is engaged into it in some way, shape or form which is one of the reasons why Searching movie was created to cater to the reality of today.

The whole film is based on laptop and phone screens.

The Searching movie opens with a video/photo montage showing the life of a Korean-American family also known as the Kim’s, David Kim (John Cho), his wife Pam (Sara Sohn), and their young daughter Margot. Margot was excited and took up an interest in taking piano lessons from a young age. Pam was later unfortunately diagnosed with lymphoma. Pam went into remission, but then she unfortunately had a relapse which devastated the Kim family. David and Margot stood by her side and bedside until she passed away.

This movie is an eye-opener of what can happen if we are not careful with whom we associate with on social media. A father David Kim (John Cho) is worried sick about his 16 year old daughter Margot (Michelle La) who goes missing after telling her dad she is going to a study group, so he takes matters into his own hands to search for her and he will not stop. Her father knows she is always on her laptop to communicate, then he doesn’t hear from her and frantically searches her accounts and the plot thickens as he keeps digging.

In case you have not seen this film yet, I do not want to give away a lot about the plot and definitely do not want to spoil the ending. It is a must see film which will definitely be something to really think about. So to summarize my point, I spoke just a little bit about it, but you are in for a great film. It is 102 minutes long and each minute of it is incredibly awesome.

Social Media is such a powerful tool in our society. Searching movie is something that really is the definition of that and how careful we should be. This is a perfect film to see with family and especially young teenagers to 20’s also for everyone and those who are so engaged into technology, phones, apps and everything today. This film is a true definition of perfection and I enjoyed it thoroughly that I went to go see it a second time.

We need film like this to spread awareness on serious issues we face today, the pros and cons of interaction in the online world. It is one of the main ways now to communicate, transmit information instantly without waiting days and months like writing traditional hand-written letters to people where now with social media and the internet, we just send it out and in seconds it gets sent to other people and it can be seen right away. There are always pros and cons to everything and social media and technology consists of both.

It is important to recognize great film and content. This is the type of film we need to see and keep making.

I am a social media marketing specialist and this film is something so relative to me. Searching movie is something truly out of this world and I give it a two-thumbs up. Thank you to the great minds and talents of the creators of this film and to those who worked so hard day in and day out compiling everything.

It really isn’t easy writing, creating and directing. So much thought process, brain-storming, ideas and ways to give out a message is absolutely difficult. Wishing the directors, writers, film creators all the best in their future.

Chores are Development of Responsibility & Life Skills

As we are born and become children, majority of our parents/grandparents/guardians have taught us about responsibility, doing chores around the house and to gain experience and knowledge on to keep clean, tidy, and organized. Also teaches kids to obey, and prioritize life to do what is important first, and then make time for fun and play after.

When children wake up in the morning, they teach them on the importance of getting up to make the bed, brush the teeth, groom themselves, wash up and shower for good hygiene, and then they teach them how to eat, and then venture off to school with the grandparents/parents/guardian or with a school bus.

During school, the teachers and other staff of the school teach kids on importance of learning about the world, how to read, write, to learn about many subjects such as sciences, music, gym, dance, language classes, mathematics, chemistry, and the most important thing to teach children to be kind to other classmates, develop group skills during group work, also leadership.

When school is over and the children are on their way home, that skill to teach them about sharing, kindness, respecting others should also be implemented at home, so as they can continue that outside of school. The children come home, and the importance to wash hands, and change out of their clothes, and to start homework if they have homework that day and teach them to do homework first before they play with toys, tablets, colour and all that.

When it is time to make dinner and set the table, it is always a good idea to get your child involved in cooking, helping set the table with plates, cutlery, and then children should start to develop skills on washing dishes, and after dinner to help clean the table with a cloth, taking the dishes to the sink, and make the parents/guardian/grandparents life easier and for the children to help them out. This also teaches them for the future when they have greater responsibility when they get older.

Nowadays, it is so difficult to teach children these life skills because of the screens, video gaming consoles and technology that has taken over. Nowadays children always want to feel that sense of entitlement to do whatever they want, whenever they want without having to listen to their parents/guardians/grandparents. They feel the need to always want to be on their screens and not develop skills that will benefit them in the future. some Kids these days are immune to technology and less hands on skills, not having manners, not respecting and being kind to others, talking back to adults and also rude gestures and mannerisms. Some children are so spoiled and tend to have an answer for everything. We should never allow it for it to get that far.

Children see everything, they are observant, they listen to everything that goes on in the house. start them early, influence them in such a way where it becomes easier to ask them to do chores. Tell them to do things in such a way where they won’t feel threatened. Give them conditions that if they do not help clean, or do simple things like washing hands or whatever, tell them that they will not have a birthday party, tell them that they will not be allowed TV Time or play time if they do not eat, or listen to do things around the house. Also, nowadays children do not have an idea of responsibility and helping out family. They need to learn that.

Nowadays, children are untouchable, and if heaven forbid, you really yell at them and give them discipline, they will use it against you and they may involve teachers and other authorities. These days, showing children how to do chores, and get them off of their bums to help around the house, and develop these important skills is a chore and a very difficult task in itself. These screens, smartphones and devices are like a magnet to them.

As adults teach their children that it is bedtime, that means washing up again, brushing teeth, undoing the bed, getting clothes and everything ready for the next school day or whatever else, making their lunches, and everything.

Then the days that children are at home, it is important to teach them how to vacuum, wipe and mop the floors, dust the furniture, clean doorknobs, clean the kitchen counters and the table, take out the garbage, help wash the car and everything. Of course it is important to give them time to play, and do fun stuff as well. I am not saying that they should always be doing chores and everything, but they need to learn balance, time management and everything. There is a limit and time for it all.

It is the time now, and to be strict with children. strict in such a way that will not intimidate them, but to put them on track. Set rules, guidelines, time limits to screen time, and monitor what they look at and supervise them to make sure they are making good decisions while on the computer and so much more. That is the important thing.

When you see they are trying and everything and doing great work at school, and at home, give them gifts, or surprise them to a movie, take them out to an amusement park, take them to play in the park, when they obey and do good, give them an allowance of whatever amount you wish, teach them the value of a dollar when they do get allowances and teach them about spending accordingly.

One day when I have children of my own, all these things will be taught to them and I will not allow them to do whatever they want all the time. Not going to happen. they need to be taught lessons of life and develop skills.

If you have children and/or take care of them such as being a guardian, babysitter, or grandparents. What skills and what things do you teach them?

Are We Missing out on Life’s Experiences With Screens?

Long gone are the days where simplicity, enjoyment, living life at the fullest extent, enjoying and experiencing life without the use of smartphones, tablet screens and so many more. Are we really missing out on life’s experiences? Everything in life has its limitations, and in today’s society, people tend to go overboard with posting everything and anything they see. They are not really experiencing life, they are merely trying to capture anything and everything to share on social media networks, capture photos and share them on photo sharing sites.

Long gone are the days where people used to go to concerts and shows where everyone’s eyes and attention was looking at the stage without wanding lights coming from smartphones and tablets. Now with thousands of people capturing moments with their devices, these concerts and these special events in a person’s life is being video taped by the videographer’s of the concert, venue, and even when people witness a wedding or a reception.

I understand that you want to keep your personal memories too, of which taking pictures and everything and that is fine, but always wanding a device isn’t really the same as actually witnessing something happen before your eyes. Some moments are meant to be lived without screens, and where down the road you can remember it in your mind, and the good times to remind yourself and those who you lived those memories with.

I mean yes, special and beautiful events such as babies when they are born, their actions, and everything else need to be documented and everything, and there are moments in a person’s life that should be kept private and not for the world to see. Do not worry if you tell someone what your child did, or said that they will not believe you. They will. You do not need to always have proof or a video of something.

You really do not have to be in competition with the world and join a popularity contest because you want to be the first ones to capture something and put so many hashtags, and post something for the sake of posting something. It should never be that way.

People have the perception that if they do not capture, video, then post it on social media, the internet, tweet about it, that some people think that they are lying without providing proof that things actually did occur. I think that everything has its limits and not everything should be published online. Some things should be kept a secret, things should be kept private. Unfortunately, privacy is non-existent in today’s world because of these devices.

When people travel and explore the world, people will always have that force of habit to document every moment with screens, but the world has become smaller and people are more familiar with everything because people do research and look up videos and get more curious to find things out all the time, but the important thing to remember is that it is not fair to capture something, and then the soon to be traveler going to that place will see what it is all about and then that person or person’s will not be surprised anymore. It will all be spoiled for them

Some things are meant to be left unsaid, some things are meant to be explored without having people always telling others about something. People need to experience and form their own opinions.

I am all for and support smartphones, video, cameras, tablets and other devices, and I have them as well, but there is a limit and a lot of people now have crossed that limit. Screens have become addicting and it is so on the rise, that some people cannot go 5 minutes without looking at their phone. They bring it with them to bed, they check messages before bed, waking up, during meals, at work, during cooking meals, tending to their families, even while driving. Nobody should have their phones or other devices while driving. That is not only dangerous but very ridiculous.

In the past before all these devices came out, how do you think people passed their time? There was twice as much homework to do after school for the students, school times were longer, there was no use of devices, people had to make their own games and toys to physically play with, not one of those gaming consoles, people were outside playing, enjoying the true essence of life, more love, respect and family time, people didn’t have the luxury of instantly finding information, where they had to jet off to the library to find books, encyclopedia’s without the use of the internet or software.

With all that being said, people need to put their screens down and look up to enjoy life more, to witness things, to observe, and to capture the beauty of the world with your eyes. Not with screens. They shouldn’t be your eyes. Be more social, talk, take a pen and physically write without the use of keyboards and keypads.

Think about it. Experience life, put down your device and do it right now.

Overpriced Concession’s At Movie Theater’s

In our life, some of us enjoy movies, entertainment, seeing the new films that are out, venturing out to the movie theater either alone, with someone, some people and groups. Now, as we go to the movies, we tend to make a stop at the concession stands where the workers serve popcorn, drinks, candy, nachos, hot dogs, poutine, and among other foods. I understand that they need to generate money to cover costs of the grounds, facilities and the theatres, however it is outrageous and so overpriced.

I am an avid movie goer and most of the time, I satisfy my cravings with going into my pocket to purchase concession’s, and it gets so expensive. For a popcorn combo with drink, and candy comes to over $16.00, $20.00, $28.00 or more if you do not have the points card or some discount card. It is outrageous to pay 5-6 dollars for drinks, 5-7 dollars for Popcorn, and about 5 bucks for candy, 10 dollars for nachos and drink. It is absolutely ridiculous to be spending that much money for those things where it should not be more than 5-6 bucks at the most for drink and popcorn together. Never mind the candy.

Yesterday, I had gone to the movies and satisfied my cravings yet again. I had bought popcorn, drink and candy combo, and as I was eating it in the movie theatre while watching the trailers, the movie, I kept thinking to myself, why I need to pay so much money for Popcorn? It is not expensive when you buy it from the grocery store. So, I got home everything was ok, in the early morning hours around 5:30am, I had woken up and I got so sick. I ended up vomiting.

The problem was that I think the Popcorn they gave me was sitting around for a while maybe and nobody was buying it. I saw a whole bunch of already prepared popcorn bags and I thought they had made it fresh as they were putting them in the popcorn stand, and so I made sure that my popcorn was fresh and they said that it was, so I believed them. I went ahead and bought it and went on my way into the theater. Anyway, this morning I was so sick and I also got Diarrhea from it and I was so awful. I decided that I will no longer be purchasing anything from the concession stand.

I also filed a complaint to the movie theatre, and I feel like there will be nothing done about it and I will not be getting compensated as they didn’t seem to care at all. All day I have been feeling weird since my morning incident, but I am a lot better than I was. I felt like I was almost going to go to the hospital, so as the hour went by, I felt better, so I did not need any medical attention and I drank water and took breath mints and I was good.

So as a movie goer, I will just be purchasing my movie ticket and then I will not go near the concession stand. I will not risk my health and get sick again. A word of advice, please make sure your popcorn is freshly popped right before your eyes and you witness it coming out freshly and right into your bag and make sure all other foods are freshly made and prepared. It is in your right to ask that as you will be consuming it.

I don’t have a problem with paying for the movie, but I have a problem paying a lot just to eat popcorn and all that. Well, no more. They lost me as a customer at the concessions.

Have you had a terrible experience in the aftermath of eating movie theater food?
Do you agree that concession movie theater food is so expensive?

Would love to hear from you.

Introducing to you Director, Writer, Producer – Ara Sagherian –

Ara Sagherian is Armenian and a filmmaker based in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. He was born on March 25th. Growing up in Toronto, and attending an Urban Toronto elementary school, he demonstrated an incredible talent and vision to creative arts. His passion continued to grow stronger as he was becoming a teenager. Ara began by utilizing his talent by using his family camcorder where he would shoot short films. When he was 15 years old, he watched Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” for the first time. He was inspired even more to make film a big part of his life, to earn a living to produce films. Ara graduated with a degree in communications from Michigan State University. Ara has directed, written and produced many short films that have been seen at different screenings in a variety of festivals. Ara is also currently working on a feature length film called “Senior Year” in 2016.

In 2005 at the age of 27 Ara was left paralyzed and wheelchair bound after a serious car accident. He was told he would never be able to walk again. With determination, hard work, great mental strength, prayers, love and support, Ara has already conquered the impossible by defying the medical odds and began walking again.

Here is your opportunity to help Ara in his pursuit of making his first feature film. Click the following link to help raise funds and send Ara on his way to his journey in film.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/senior-year–8/x/10717712#/story

Ara has written, directed, and produced many films such as “Holding”, “The Photographer”, “Amphibian”, “Lift”, “Crush”, “Transcendent”, “See”, “Devil’s Night”, “True Human”, “The Fix”, “Katie Chats”, “Trick or Treat”, “3000 Miles”, and “Senior Year” .

Ara has quotes to live by:

Life isn’t about gains. It’s about losing things, and how we cope.

I eat better when I’ve written. That’s got to stand for something.

For more information about Ara Sagherian and his journey through film and arts, Click the following links to learn more about him.

Internet Movie Database — Biography/Filmography
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4964253

On Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/user15585938

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ara.sager

Stage 32
https://www.stage32.com/AraFILM

Interview with Ara on Blog Talk Radio
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/commffestradio/2013/03/18/celebrity-chat-with-filmmaker-ara-sagherian

Ara on Weebly
http://arafilms.weebly.com/

To be continued…

Smartphones and Tablets — Have They Taken Over Our Lives?

As mobile devices serve a good purpose in life to communicate with others with texting, calling, spending time with apps, and having fun with them, but there should be limits. I feel that human face to face communication is diminishing, and that mobile devices have gone out of control. Social skills and speaking is deteriorating as our tongue freezes up and cannot come up with conversations instantly, whereas it is easier to communicate with texts and writing messages, but I prefer the old fashioned way, where people come together, enjoy, create memories, laugh, talk and do fun things together, to put the phones down and actually verbally do the talking instead of the fingers. I know that it is a personal mobile phone and you can be on it 24 hours a day, but you do not need to be on it constantly.

I feel that smartphones and tablets and the constant changes to technology and gadgets are taking over some peoples lives and they can’t seem to put them down at all, they wake up with it, go to bed with it, they use the washroom with it, they eat dinner while being on them, they use it while at a coffee shop or restaurant among friends 90% of the time people get together and do not look at each others faces, and its just overwhelmingly taken over. what is the point of getting together with people when all that will be done is looking at screens? Where do we draw the line? Its become so bad that when people are physically together, they text each other when they are beside each other, and they communicate with their phone instead of looking at each other and moving their mouths.

I too have a smartphone mobile device, but I know my limits. I do enjoy my mobile device too, but I do not let it control my life, or my way of living. I will not let a screen device take over my life and who I am. Some people need to know limits, and when to put down the phone, like when someone is talking to you, when you are among a group of people, when you are in the washroom and so on and so forth. I sometimes go more than 12 hours without looking at my phone, I sometimes don’t look at it all day, as I do not let it control me.

Although mobile devices are important to have for emergencies and to contact people instantly, but some people overuse it to the point where things get out of hand and disrespecting others who are trying to talk to you when your head is so into that device, and its not healthy especially the radiation it produces. From your point of view, do you limit your use? What are your opinions about this issue? I would love to hear from you.  Know your limit and be within it.