Alison Colasanti’s Blog

     The 2006 award winning film Little Miss Sunshine , directed by husband-and-wife team Johathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, tackles heavy societal issues throughout the film while also using a variety of comedy for the movie to be enjoyable to all. Dayton and Faris’s movie pokes fun at the topics of beauty and society’s love for winners (and hatred for losers), to which suggests to the viewers that although these issues are ridiculous, they need to be addressed and changed as soon as possible.      The film begins in Albuquerque, where you meet the dysfunctional Hoover family. The youngest, Olive, gets qualified to attend the Little Miss Sunshine Beauty Pageant in California, and all the Hoovers, plus the mother’s adult brother, embark on a road trip to California in a beat-up microbus. Richard Hoover, Olive’s father, is obsessed with the idea of winners and losers, and believes that he and his family must be winners at all costs, as he has created a 9-ste...

Arguing is undoubtedly one of the most common interactions between people today, and it has been for as long as anyone can remember. Many people experience arguments more than others; some even argue every day. Those with siblings find it easier to get into arguments, and they either find themselves rising to superiority or walking away in shame, head down and ears reddening. If you're the one with your metaphorical tail between your legs, this blog is for you! If you're the one who always comes out as the victor in your arguments, these next few tips can also help you better your arguing, and it can keep you as number one in your household. That's if you even see it that way - but hey, I don't judge. Foremost, though, it's very important to keep in mind that there's a difference between arguing responsibly and having a close-minded argument for shits-and-giggles with an unsatisfying conclusion.  Tip #1: Don't insult the other person for their belief on the ...

     The New Yorker Magazine, a magazine that is well known for its political articles and short stories, offers the public many illustrated covers that tackle current events in an intriguing way. The covers offer us almost-hidden information that’d need to be looked at carefully, in a more in-depth way, to understand the creator’s message.     As all of us know, twenty-twenty was a year plagued by a pandemic, which made it hard for people all around the world to work and participate in social gatherings or activities. Performers of all kinds, such as athletes, singers, musicians, etc, had everything they’ve made of and for themselves halted within a blink of an eye. After the first surge of Covid-19, accommodations were made for these activities to start again to get people back onto their feet - with an exception. Live audiences were not permitted at this time. Performing without an audience seemed strange, though; it felt too different. Fake crowds wer...

As humans we tend to take everything we have for granted. We always want more, even after we have everything that we need. For some people, it's a new iPhone or a new car. Because who wouldn't want that new Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max with three cameras or a new Tesla from Elon Musk, right? For others, it's the new Xbox or PS5, even after their current gaming systems that they have are in perfect condition! (minus the few that rage quit and throw things around them). We all have that common knowledge that for every fortunate person out there, there so many more unfortunate people somewhere else. But what does the common person do with this knowledge? Nothing. There's always those people who walk past Santa's Helpers at the mall and don't throw in their scraps of change to help those in need. There's always those who don't donate to St. Jude's or other organizations to help children and families that need the help. But some parts of the world, places that...

  Toxic masculinity has been around for ages but has recently come to light in the media. There have been many documentaries, films, and articles that discuss the toxicity of what it’s like to be a man in modern times and the dangers of it. Jackson Katz shows his viewers an insight on the daily battles men have to fight in his film Tough Guise 2 . Through his film, he encourages that men and women both should challenge the way society views masculinity. Articles such as “The Boys are Not All Right” and “Not Your Father’s Masculinity” reinstates Kratz’ views and adds their own insights to the matter, as well.  As discussed in Tough Guise 2, boys are introduced to toxic masculinity at a young age- ranging from watching movies depicting men as violent, strong, gun lovers to being called derogatory names. “Old masculinity”, the masculinity in older generations, has been drifting away- to which is causing men today to feel as though they have to prove themselves to the society that...

Anyone can have conversations with others. It doesn't take much to walk up to someone and open your mouth. It's easy to talk about the weather, or what you've been up to. But having a great, inspiring conversation takes a lot more than just that. To have a worth-while conversation with someone, one that leaves you feeling fulfilled, you need to learn to listen.  You shouldn't always talk about yourself, and for many people that can be the hardest part. Learning to listen isn't easy for everyone. For a long time, I admit that I talked too much. Perhaps it was because I was young and hadn't acquired my listening skills yet, but I couldn't stand having to pause to let others speak. I had too much to talk about; ideas have always come to my mind randomly and quickly, even today. Over time though, I've learned to repress my need to speak. I listen more than I speak; I have found listening more interesting and educational. I have learned so many new and intere...