Components of Modern Action Hero Movies

Components of Modern Action Hero Movies

We all love modern action movies, don't we? The well-timed explosions, fantastical fight scenes, and of course, one man, alone, defeating insurmountable odds, and saving the day. How the action movie hero manages to hold his own in a fist-fight, after being shot three times by M-16 fire, we'll never know. But we love them! In order for Hollywood to keep cranking out our escapism at the volume we demand, they have to follow a formula. The best I can figure, each modern action movie must contain the following components.


Modern Action Hero Movie Components: Comic Relief There has to be someone in each movie to relieve some of the stress for the viewer. This comic relief usually comes in one of two varieties: either a) the outspoken, spunky orphaned kid or b) a chubby entrepreneur. Quite often the character used as comic relief becomes...

Modern Action Hero Movie Components: the Unlikely Ally Somewhere in the story-line, an unexpected ally appears. This character is often introduced as an adversary, and is usually the strong, silent type who comes around to seeing the wisdom of the hero's efforts to save...

Modern Action Hero Movie Components: the Damsel In Distress Ahh...the fair maiden who needs to be rescued tends to be integral to the storyline itself. The damsel in distress is introduced as being a tough nut to crack, but is soon won over by the macho yet gentle ways of the action movie hero. Her makeup and hair is always perfect. The damsel in distress is usually saved more than once in each story, and the first rescue is often by...

Modern Action Hero Movie Components: the Lifelong Buddy Who Gets Killed Somehow, every action movie hero is both a loner, and has a lifelong childhood friend. The buddy who gets killed might die for the damsel in distress, the hero himself, or maybe as the whole point of the plot, he's always second banana to...

Modern Action Hero Movie Components: the Hero Who Makes Things Worse Like it or not, the hero is actually the character who complicates the modern action movie in the first place. Think about it. If Dirty Harry were just once to have gone by the book, none of the movie would have been fit to print. But that's what we love about action heroes, isn't it? We buy into the hero fighting all odds, in spite of their imperfections.

In spite of this tongue-in-cheek approach to what makes a modern action hero movie great, let's hope that it never changes. These movies draw viewers because the story line works. The story line works because it's fun escapism. Thank you Hollywood. Thank you!
Origininally published on Listmyfive.com 10 21-2010.

Everyone Needs To Do Some Tim McGraw Songs Sometimes

Just like it's shared in this topic piece, were tim McGraw ever able to let me say it to him, I'd say thanks. The man's music has pulled so many of us through rough times in our lives. I don't just mean we men, either. The biggest and best of Tim McGraw songs face up to, and ask questions about death, loving, and saying goodbye. These are all topics we each face sometimes.

It's said that Tim McGraw's earlier songs are immature, and even irresponsible, but that might not be the case. Sometimes the energy of youth is mis-viewed as making trouble, noise, or some other socially unacceptable behavior.

Not all of the witnesses are...Go here for the rest!

8 Tips for New Writers by Jennifer Wagner

There are a variety of fellow writers online Some are social butterflies. Some are hermits. Others are constantly out there, not just helping to promote their fellow writers, but also to 'uplift' others.

The piece I'm introducing you to today is by one of those latter. She seems in tune with when a joke, or a friendly comment, or help are needed.

In this piece done by my friend Jennifer, new writers will find the sort of suggestions they'll need to make money as a writer. Wouldn't you know...the information is free. Give her a read!

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8 Tips for New Writers by Jennifer Wagner

If you are new to Associated Content, let me take a moment to personally welcome you. One thing you will quickly realize about AC is that the majority of the people on it are friendly and willing to help. When I first joined AC, I remember feeling a bit intimidated by the amount of
successful writers I saw, and was afraid to ask for help from anyone. Let me assure you that there is NO REASON to feel intimidated here. AC is a fun website that offers a real money making opportunity, and the atmosphere is friendly and non-competitive.

I'd like to also point out, that although I am referring to you as a writer, Associated Content can't seem to decide what we are. When I first signed up, we were "content producers". Then, Associated Content changed our status to "source". After many complaints, we became "contributors". With Associated Content, the terminology seems to be ever changing, but in my mind....we are all writers.

With that said, let's begin.

Tips for new writers on AC # 1

Don't be intimidated

Jump right in and submit your first piece. Whether you decide to submit it for upfront payment and wait while it's reviewed, or submit it for display only and see it published immediately, get busy and start writing! If you work hard and write well, people will begin to notice you. On Associated Content, the staff is very supportive and encouraging and they recognize your hard work.

Tips for new writers on AC # 2

Be active in the AC community

When I first joined Associated Content, I spent a lot of time reading the work of other writers and leaving comments. Once I became comfortable, I sent private messages introducing myself, and I followed and subscribed to a lot of writers, and I let them know I was doing it. Most (but not all) of the writers on AC will return the favor and subscribe to your work as well. If they are simply overloaded with subscriptions, they will usually, at the very least, add you to their favorites....Go here for the rest!




I love my MagicJack! Get yours here at a HUGE savings!

AC's Sexiest Men of 2009 by Jenny Ferraro-Wagner

Once in a while we guys get to work with the office crush. By 'office crush,' I mean nothing untoward for the office crush. Nobody messes with her. But all we guys have a crush on the office crush!

There's one at every company. No matter what you do, every company has one or two gals that, every guy there loves to pieces.

Sometimes they just are so great to work with that we guys put them up on some sort of a pedestal. Sometimes their bright sense of humor puts us right back on one too.

How can a guy refuse the chance for all of that shameless self-endorsement?

FTC Notice: I'm receiving no payment from Ms Wagner...but lots o' love! Is love 'in-kind?'

AC's Sexiest Men of 2009

You've all been waiting for it, whether you realize it or not. Everyone on AC has been wanting to ask same question for ages, but until now no one had dared to speak it (or write it, as it were). Exactly who are the sexiest men on AC?

No need to wonder any longer, my friends. After a lot of sacrifice and time consuming research, I've compiled a comprehensive list of AC's Sexiest Men of 2009. Think you've got what it takes to make it on the sexiest men on AC list? You may be surprised! Let's face it, being sexy is a lot more than having rock hard abs and stunning good looks. After a few too many beers, those rock hard abs aren't so rock hard anymore. Stunning good looks? Who needs them? HA! I scoff at the idea of judging a man on his looks alone. It takes a lot more than physical beauty to make it on AC's Sexiest Men of 2009 list!

So who made the cut? In no particular order, here are my picks for the sexiest men on AC
...Go here for the rest!

Bloggers, Twitterers, and Others Will Have to Disclose FREE Products as of Dec. 1, 2009

One review site for which I write asks at the bottom if I have received a sample of the product or am affiliated with the company. If the answer is yes, then I am asked where I got it or how I am affiliated. This site, viewpoints.com was way before their time!

Although the word free didn't have to be in the title it will be as of December 1, 2009. The Federal Trade Commission announced guidelines last week that bloggers, Twitterers and "many others who write online product reviews must disclose the receipt of free merchandise or payment for
the items they write about...Go here for the rest!

How I Made A Saline Nasal Spray to Fight Proliferation of h1n1/Swine Flu Within Myself

H1n1 (Miss Piggy Flu) Is a Lot Easier to Survive Than You’ve Been Told.

H1n1 flu is in the news (yawn) again. Since most of the focus on h1n1 flu (or the Flu formerly known as Swine Flu) has been on those few unfortunate souls lost, it seems a good time to give my friends, readers, and even a couple of enemies something to help them protect themselves from contagious infection.

I am no doctor. If you think you have acquired the swine flu and are in need of medical assistance, then please do so immediately. This information is intended only to inform others, about how someone might prevent any problems on their own, pre-emptively.

According to a report on the blog, KickaMidget.info, a Dr Vinay Goyal suggests a regimen of gargling once daily with saltwater, using a nasal spray to put saltwater into the nasal passages, and lots of hand washing.

Gargling with saltwater most people comprehend. The clear majority of people know what it means to wash their hands. If not, they probably have an aide with them that does. But most folks seem the most hesitant about the saline nasal spray. That’s a fear the author would be honored to answer to in the minds of his readers.

The saltwater sprayed into the nostrils, while sniffing, in not as uncomfortable as it might sound. Some sensation will be noticed the first time, of course, but it’s not altogether too bad in the author’s humble opinion.

When the saltwater is first introduced to the sinuses there will be a lot of mucous and such needing to be expelled immediately. Most people seem able to handle that aspect of it as well. The biggest question remaining from most of the author’s offline associates is where to find a saline nasal spray.

Easy! Make one! It’s worth emptying a brand new nasal spray bottle to fill it with average, everyday, household saltwater. As long as the salt itself is thoroughly dissolved, the saltwater is able to reach up into the nasal passages and kill the flu virus itself, with each daily spray.

Dr Goyal also recommends other good ideas in suggesting the gargling, which, does seem to ease up the throat pain for a flu patient. Flu sufferers will likely enjoy the relief that step brings, but it‘s that nasal cavity, which still needs to be cleared of flu viruses and a simple nasal spray bottle filled with saline will help you to simply side-step the h1n1 swine flu hysteria..

Source:

The previous post from October 24th, 2009
From Dr Vinay Goyal Preventing Spread of H1n1 /Swine Flu

Introducing Darcy Sautelet!

I first met this next writer in an argument.

There we both were, really thinking that each of us was in the right, and as time has grown on, we now both realize just how wrong we both were.

She's still the prettier one though. She got the looks. I got the brains.

Her work is enjoyable. Her spelling, punctuation, and grammar is alright. Her content flows correctly enough and she uses a nice active voice.

But what tickles me the most is how fun this new writer is to get to know!

She's not only a writer, Darcy also tells me she's quite the expert with fashion, and then she mumbles something about a bunch of horses trampling down her lawn so anyway...

Moving on to a more positive topic, I'd like to know I had something to do with your discovery of this next author:
Darcy Sautelet

Introducing Sevastian Winters- AC Contributor and More...

As a writer Sevastian winters will keep someone reading. His voice and style are professional enough. His online persona strikes most folks as someone having a brewski (or alternative beverage) with but also the kind of co-worker that won't hesitate to tell the team (the whole damn team) if they're screwing up.

Some folks are just 'comfortable in their own skin' and they usually pull a few readers along with them as they work.

Sevastian brings his writing talent to the world in a variety of ways: a) Here's his Facebook fan page. From this page you'll find his literary work. Any work on AssociatedContent.com is free but I can't speak for whatever else he might choose to market here. So...ask him.; b) Here's the guy's actual home page. Follow his work from here whether you're a Facebook user or not. Trust me on this. Don't judge this guy's ability based sole-ly upon the poor man's mug. Give him a read. And c) Sevastian's Silly Social Media Game! In this final entry on my blog for the man, you'll find a game that could only come from a creative and productive mind. Have fun with this and feel free to tell your other friends about your introduction to the guy as well.

Business Reviews: We Need to Interview Mom and Pop.

All over America, small business owners of all sorts are trying to get their marketing messages out against the chains, and the multinational corporations, and and even the news itself, regardless of the economic forecast.

These businesses are the back bone of the American Way. We, as writers, have in our hands the best way to share some of the best little companies we know, and help to fight the trend of bad economic weather.

Some little flower shop in NW PA, is read about by a hopeful groom in VA, and ba-da-bing! A deal goes through.

We writers may not be able to do much for the auto industry (or can we?) but we can still do something for the small independent businesses ran by folks who live within your local community.

Give those little places your business. Give them a fair review. Help bring your neighbors some traffic of their own! Your pages will love you for it.

Sign up here to win yourself and your referrer $100 each on November 15th, 2009! Free!

I just want to see who is visiting the page. So badly, in fact, that I'm willing to pay $200 altogether to find out!

All you need do is put in the basic information below, confirm the message that comes to you, and we're all good to go!

On November 15th, at 2:00 pm Eastern, a winner will be selected at random to win $100 via PayPal. The winning entry's referrer will also be awarded a matching $100 prize as well!

So, the big secret is, send out as many referrals to this particular link as you can!

There are no limits as to the numbers referred possible! All entrants must be 18 or over. US residents only please at this time.

Tweet/#RT http://tinyurl.com/ykpavtk

Share this contest any way you wish other than spam. Any spam complaints disables the sweepstakes. So let's everybody be nice and refer friends!

Remember to refer others to the contest as well! http://tinyurl.com/ykpavtk
If I referred you just put "St Jude's" in the referrers name field.

I send one daily reminder (ten total) email messages to you about sharing the contest. Each reminder has pieces I've written linked to each. You're not required to read to enter...but I hope you do. The reminders are there only to increase your chances of winning.

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Name: Email: Referrer name:     Powered by Sendfree

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Sometimes I just have something to share with friends. by Don Pennington.info

Writing for Associated Content - One Year into My Journey by Jennifer Wagner

Here it is. One year of writing for Associated Content. I can honestly say that I didn't believe you could get paid to write online, but I am pleased to admit that I was wrong. Writing for Associated Content has opened new doors for me in other online writing jobs, and I have slowly learned how to make money writing online.

In one year of writing for Associated Content, I have earned over $ 700.00, which is not earth-shattering, but that is my own fault.
Let met express the importance of learning SEO writing. If I had taken the time to learn SEO writing when
I...Go here for the rest!

Say It -Blue October These guys kick my ass!

"For It Is I" A Forgivable Amateur Poem by Donald Pennington

I originally published this at:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2235935/for_it_is_i_a_forgivable_amateur_poem.html?cat=42 ,

and while I certainly enjoy publishing there, since I did it as Display Only I've decided to also use it to grow this blog.

There's gold to be had in them thar blogs! While I hope you enjoy this piece, I'm sure asking you to survive one more amateurish piece like this one, is survivable for you.

...for it is I who gets to tell you of a fateful coming day
Of the old and new in passing that ends an age and starts a way
Where happy everlasting calms the quotes and sets the say
Into the all and ever-lasting until the rebel starts the fray.

For it is I who's seen the workings of wondrous wonder's plot
To steal the mind and other values and turning all to what is not
What seems to be so ever mindful of effects of till or rot
And through the time of filth and sot...

...we think we've bargained what we bought...

For it is I who laid the open into freedom's final hold
As I thought I served my masters with the eyes so dark and cold.
To having seen the evil makes a hatred hard and bold,
And, be it ever in my memory even when I'm gray and old.

...be it ever in my memory even though I'm gray as told.

For it is I who read the passages and felt another's mind.
For it is I who found the fabled keys within another maze's find.
For it is I who understands the power of simply being kind.
For it is I who takes the journey now to "see what he can find."

Awesome tool FREE to use to promote your blog!

If you'll look to your left on this very screen you'll see a button for "TheBestLinks.com."

They offer you the chance to follow this blog. Sure. Big deal! Right? They do something else too.

If you visit their site and follow their step (Yes..."Step" as in one) you too can have your blog shared on their network to all of their visitors over the next millenia or two!

The service is a no-charge, mutually beneficial, sponsor suppoerted venture (no pop-ups yet) that will benefit every single blog owner and webmaster who uses it.

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Let a New Writer Find a Reader. Will Ya?

Hello my wonderful readers! I'm so glad you're back!

Have a seat. Relax. If you're willing to help me find 1 million visitors...JUST VISITORS...from the US then I'm willing to make it worth your trouble unto your favorite charity and mine St.Jude's Children's Research Hospital!Look, I'll make a deal with every single visitor that comes to my little blog post here, once every 24 hours: If this particular blog post of mine ever gets 1 million unique visits (every 24 hours), in any ONE DAY, from US surfers, I'll give $1,000 USD to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital!

That's just visitors! No sales, visits, hits, or other actions required. All I need are ONE MILLION, unique-per-24-hours, US visitors, to this blog post, in any ONE 24-hour period, to generate a $1,000 donation to one of the best (I think you'll agree) charities on earth!

That offer breaks down to $1 USD per every thousand US visitors, within any day.

I know that's not a lot of money. But I don't think it's too bad considering I'm only asking you to visit and share once daily. If you 'look around' on the blog, that doesn't hurt either, but you're not even required to do that!. How's that for simple and affordable way to help a great charity?

We're completely sponsored already so we're not even trying to get you to buy advertising (visit the 'your ad here' link if you want to...cheap!) or any sort of membership, trial, or other commitment. You will not be required to ever cancel anything to avoid any fees of any sort.

ALL I'm asking of you today is to try to enjoy me, and share me, for that is all I can rightfully ask with my art. Is this not so?

If you, the soul currently reading this page only share me successfully with two others who do the same, we will succeed! If every single reader who reads this, found those two within the next thirty minutes, we'll achieve this on the first day!! Realistically, we may not do this on the first day, but wait til you read the BEST part!

Even if we only try, and don't even come 10% of the way, St Jude's still earns!

Please bear in mind the number reflected in the counter below is an up-to-date counter and represents the total and not necessarily the number for any given particular month. Whatever level/amount of live, unique, US visitors you do share my blog with, I'll still donate $1 per thousand to St Jude's!

I'm not asking, leading, tricking, or cajoling anyone into buying anything/service/plan at all either (but for the idea of helping a great cause in St Jude's)!

Thus far we only need 999,921 more today! Please share us with all of your friends right now!

Many of you may be thinking "Great! Another guy offering to do a fundraiser to get page-views!" Well...yeah! But they have to be US page views to be funded. Yes. I want to give back a little and St Jude's is probably one of the few real charities left to help.

Seems the homeless situation here in Meadville is as repaired as anyone here wants it to be. So I'm moving on to another project. This one.

Thank you!




We've earned $.14 USD for St. Jude's! Bring in more by sending this particular link to everyone you know! Tweet/#RT us at http://tinyurl.com/yde99jv #RT #follow @nostate please!

Not all hits are eligible. All eligible visits must be US. Share us in a chain email please!

Rci parts Schrader

So...what do you do about co-workers?

I've a lot of fellow writers. lots!

Most of them...and by that I mean 99% of them...are just lovely. Wouldn't trade any of 'em for the world!

But there's a small group of some of them that are so crude, nasty, and vicious, that they more than likely snarl when they tell someone thanks...if they're capable of saying thanks.

While here on the web, there's an obvious variety of types of people to interact with, and most can at least be negotiated with. But some are so tiny-brained, thoughtless, crude, rude, vicious, and ignorant, that it's all but impossible to communicate with them.

Every website, company, or group has a clique of these bitter-hearted types. And anyone wanting to write on the web needs to be able to identify these losers from a block away.

I'm not going to mention this pile of sh**heads by name. They know who they are. I do sorta hope they come over here and identify themselves by their vicious actions. They were dumb enough to do it before...so one can only hope they didn't learn anything from the last time. I hope they do because this time they'd need to go blatantly out of their way to make an attempt at being libelous and vicious. And I gots a leetle surprize for them when they do.

Let's look at a couple, or more, of their favorite strategies. Shall we?:

• 1)They attack and then deny the attack. It's not a lack of social graces when they do this. It's their strategy. In fact, shy of other forms of dishonesty, it's really the only trick they know.
• 2) They gang up. They're simply not strong enough on their own. So a few of them make all the noise and raucous they can, whether what they're saying is honest, logical, or whatever, and they continuously dogpile. They just can't handle a one-on-one fight with anybody. A$$holes...I mean wolves...always travel in packs. You can always tell who, out of groups like this, is the 'big dog,' and who is just one of the followers. Remember the old-time cartoon image of a big bulldog, and the runty little companion, who hung out with him because it was the only kind of strength he could muster? Yup. There's usually a good three or four little sh**s, running around the feet of 'big dog.' They're comically weak like that on their own...weak and pathetic. Ha!
• 3) They get way too personal. Once an enemy is identified, and a weakness is painted, these losers like to try to go for blood. They'll make comments about your kids. They'll make cracks about whether you're sane (in fact...these idiot f**ks can't resist such bait. If these sh**lickers think they can really drive you to suicide they'll try to...and then they lie about it later of course. Lies are all they know. Too bad they can't recognize when they've taken bait.) Their joy is seeing people in pain which leads to the next strategy...
• 4) They portray the "innocent soul" bit...at first. Then when they get disagreed with you get to see their true colors. There's usually some sort of a reference to 'being a Christian' or equivalent bulls**t religious smokescreen. This isn't to say that everyone who exhibits symptoms of Christianity are like this. It's simply to indicate the simple dishonesty of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Real religious devotees will recognize what I just typed. This clan of wild pigs will maybe use it in an attempt to label me as slamming on Christians. It's that 'problem' they have with 'honesty' again. There's just no truth in them.
• 5) They exhibit no social graces and then chalk it up to being 'plain-spoken,' or some other similar term, when in truth the 'plain-spoken' types are quite courteous. It's all just part of the 'attack and deny' schematic. Remember: Dishonesty and viciousness is all these folks understand.
• 6) Rather than discuss any points of anything...all they do is attack the person. They do their weak-hearted best to attack an individual as opposed to discussing the points, merits, or demerits of any topic. Their one and only hope of victory is to have enough of the intellectually lazy around them who agree with particular buzz-words used.

This list is by no means exhaustive. It's just a few of the more readily recognized signs.

With any luck, one or two will come to this page and "ragragragrag" about how terrible and awful I am. Maybe they'll go for the "mental health remark" approach...again. Maybe one of them will come over and make a crack about my kids...again. (Yup. I'd love to talk to that one eyeball-to-eyeball...f***ing coward) Whatever the approach they take it won't be to talk like a human being. They're not human nor strong enough, to do that. These f**ks can only respond like animals.

You can also bet, dear reader that, they won't be using their real names. That would be too honest. And they surely can't be that dumb. Can they? I sorta hope so. I could use the page views.