"Liking" and the Media

                                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                   Movies

• Harry Potter Collection
• The Proposal
• Something Borrowed
• Easy A
• What's Your Number

There seem to be a couple types of movies that I generally prefer. The Harry Potter movies are an example of the fantasy genre, and incorporate the magical, the impossible, and the wonderful. I love these movies because they allow you to be transported completely to another world, where all the dreams of magic come to life in a way that is actually quite realistic. Almost every child who has experienced these movies yearn to go to Hogwarts. The idea that a normal person could become an extraordinary child who has his life changed forever is unfailingly appealing to adults and children alike, and although we know it can't possibly be true, it is awesome to be able to experience it through the film world of Harry Potter. The second type of movie I like is the romantic comedy. This type of movie genre endures consistent ridicule from males especially, but in a way that is similar to that of a fantasy movie, it provides the viewer with something that they want or dream about. Everyone wants that perfect relationship with a happy ending, and this is exactly what happens in a "rom-com". They leave the viewer with a good, satisfied feeling almost every single time. It doesn't matter that you know exactly what's going to happen in the end, even once the storyline hits the inevitable climatic conflict. I think that this adds to the enjoyment of romantic comedies rather than taking away from it. People want that ending and they know they are going to get it. It also helps that these types of movies almost always play on your pre-existing likes; the main characters are often famous, popular celebrities who are extremely good looking. This is part of what makes these movies pop out to me; the male lead is extremely attractive and their characters are made to be charming and funny as well.

Music

• Imagine Dragons
• U2
• Neon Trees
• Lana Del Ray
• Daughtry

These bands are extremely likeable to me for a few reasons. Imagine Dragons and Neon Trees are extremely catchy. Their music relies on powerful choruses with memorable beats and melodies that stick in your head. Although the two singers are very different, I like the tone of each of their voices. Similarly, Daughtry also has those strong, catchy choruses. Although most of their songs are similar, they use a structure that I always like (softer verses that build up to big choruses and an even bigger ending). I like the content of their songs as well; almost all of them are ballads, and the lyrics are written as though they are being sung to another person, which allows me as a listener to create emotions and thoughts around them. However, I like U2 for a different reason. Their songs remind me strongly of my childhood and they are familiar and comforting. Certain ones bring back different memories and moments from my past and allow me to relive them. The lyrics are also extremely powerful and are sung with so much emotion. I like Lana Del Ray because she is so utterly unlike any other female singers I listen to. Her voice is unique, and changes based on the song that she is singing. This makes her interesting to listen to, and there is something about her voice that makes her sound powerful and careless. Finally, the Neon Trees is an all guys band with a female drummer... How could I not like that kind of female power?

TV Shows

• Modern Family
• Parks and Recreation
• Pretty Little Liars
• The Big Bang Theory
• Income Property

I like Modern Family, Parks & Rec., and The Big Bang Theory all for similar reasons. They are clever and funny, with likeable characters who are also extremely relatable. We know people who are like the characters, and their over-exaggerated characteristics are hilarious. The lines they give are witty and evoke pleasure in the viewer. I also enjoy Pretty Little Liars. This show has an aspect of mystery; you have to keep watching it to know what happens, even though many of the events are predicable and entirely unrealistic. The characters are also all attractive and it is set up so that you either root for them or hate them, therefore developing strong feelings around the show itself. It makes you want to always come back for more so you can see what happens next, and follow your favourite characters (especially the couples). Lastly, I like Income Property. Although it is an entirely different type of show, I like it for reasons that are surprisingly similar. The host of the show is attractive and charming, and once you start watching it you always want to know if they get past the problems and see how everything turns out in the end. I personally also enjoy it because of the design aspect. It appeals to my interests when it shows the reveal at the end and how beautifully the rooms were constructed and staged.

Books

• Harry Potter Series
• Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices
• Divergent
• Graceling
• Tiger's Curse

All of my favourite books are a part of the fantasy genre. Each of the ones listed here that I like combine a world completely unlike our own with a love story that you can't help but enjoy (with the exception of Harry Potter). They all have that main character who finds out that they are "different" in some way and embark on some kind of new adventure or quest. The characters are both relatable and heroic, and their love interests are depicted as mysterious and alluring at the onset of the relationships. I think this is so appealing in a novel because it creates a world and characters that you want so badly to be real. When reading, I feel like I am part of that fantastical world where everything is magical and interesting and action-packed, and I become so immersed in it that it allows me to forget about everything else for a while. I also like the pattern that these books follow; the main character is trying to achieve a goal, the climax results when there is a "battle" between the protagonist and whatever stands in their way, and in the end the good guys win (with an intertwining love story along the way). This provides the reader with a need to know what is going to happen next, even though they can assume that in the end everything will be fine. You never really know, so you have to find out. The books that I love the most are the ones where the fantasy world created is one that I actively want to be a part of and learn more about, because that is so much more exciting than real life. 

Celebrities

• Chris Evans
• Jennifer Lawrence
• Anna Kendrick
• Chris Pratt
• Emma Watson

Liking celebrities is kind of a funny thing, as the majority of people never actually personally know them; they just feel like they do because of everything that they have heard/read/seen about them. However, the celebrities that appeal to me are ones who are attractive and/or funny onscreen, and who seem be able to maintain a "normal person" mentality despite being famous. For example, I like Chris Evans because is extremely good looking, and stars in one of my favourite movies as a witty and likeable character (What's Your Number). I like Chris Pratt because he is absolutely hilarious, is Anna Kendrick. Emma Watson and Jennifer Lawrence are both extremely good actresses, and I feel as though I like them as people as well because of certain things I have heard them to have said; for example, they try to defy the female actress stereotype of super sexy and super thin, and make it clear to the public that they are just normal people.

Quote from Emma Watson:
“I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me - dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt. It’s nothing to do with protecting the Hermione image. I wouldn’t do that. Personally, I don’t actually think it’s even that sexy. What’s sexy about saying, ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder.