Global Posts

Hello, my name is Jack Kloeppel. I am a Junior at Longwood University and live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am an environmental science major with a focus on earth sciences. l want to become a geoscientist after graduating from Longwood. The pieces of writing presented in my eportfolio include a travel experience I have done, a review of my favorite movie, a five-minute presentation on my theme, and a video game argument. The theme of my eportfolio is my love and passion for all things Star Wars. This includes the Star Wars movies, Star Wars video games, and Lego Star Wars as well.

Experience in Traveling

Loch Ness. 7 Nov. 2023. Wikipedia, The Wikimedia Foundation, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/LochNessUrquhart.jpg/264px-LochNessUrquhart.jpg. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023.  

The Coast of Bray. 18 Jan. 2023. Bray Beach, Bray, Wicklow County, Leinster, Ireland, Mindat, https://www.mindat.org/photo-944937.html. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023. 

“Google Maps.” Google Maps, Google, www.google.com/maps/@48.775013,1.8128234,5.52z?entry=ttu. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 Argument

Larian Studios. Baldur’s Gate 3. Version 4.1.1 for PC, PlayStation 5, Larian Studios, 2023.

How to make a DnD character using DnDBeyond

“D&D beyond Character Sheet.” D&D Beyond, Wizards of the Coast, 2023, www.dndbeyond.com/characters. 

Review of Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, performances by Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, Burn Gorman, Warner Brothers, 2013

Pacific Rim, released in 2013 and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, held a budget of 180 million dollars USD. Surpassing expectations, it raked in an impressive 411 million dollars USD globally. The film even received a sequel and a show on Netflix, however, the sequel was not well received and most fans of the franchise chose to ignore Pacific Rim 2’s existence. The cinematic gem of Pacific Rim, which has a runtime of two hours and eleven minutes, provides an enthralling perspective on a world where colossal monsters emerge from the Pacific Ocean. A departure from typical monster films, Pacific Rim captivates audiences with its imaginative narrative, epic fight sequences, and a refreshing variety that sets it apart in the genre. Suppose you’ve ever searched for a film featuring giant robots battling massive monsters. In that case, Pacific Rim is a must-watch, delivering an action-packed spectacle that sticks with the viewer long after the credits roll.

One of the best features of Pacific Rim is the amount of imagination the movie offers the viewers. The movie gives a different perspective of humanity versus aliens or monsters. Pacific Rim aptly names their protagonists and antagonists using different cultures, the monsters that came from the Pacific Ocean, were given the name “Kaiju,” a Japanese term translating to ‘giant monster,’ while the colossal mechs, were given the name “Jaeger,” derived from the German word for ‘hunter.’ At the beginning of the movie, the narrator explains how it took humanity so much weaponry and ordinance to even bring down one of the titans, so rather than using fighter jets, tanks, and nuclear warheads to fight off the kaiju, they built massive Jaegers to fight the kaiju, and the narrator expertly says during the beginning of the movie, “to fight monsters, we created monsters of our own.” A movie about giant robots fighting monsters truly does offer a great amount of imagination for the viewer, at one point there was even a website you could visit to create your own Jaeger, but unfortunately, the website was shut down and is no longer accessible.

Most of Pacific Rim takes place at night, to make it easier for the CGI team to track and make the most out of their technologies, however, the time of day does not diminish the epic fight sequences between the Jaegers and Kaiju. Del Toro and his team really show the weight behind the punches from a Jaeger since they are made out of metal and of course, metal is extremely heavy. Each punch has a weight of anticipation with it as you watch the behemoth move its body to combat the Kaiju, allowing for heavy strikes against the beasts. Along with these fight sequences, sometimes the main theme for Pacific Rim will play, adding even more excitement to the fight.

I strongly encourage anyone interested in films such as Godzilla to take a look at the Pacific Rim franchise, as they both have many similarities, whether you are interested in the titans of the Jaegers or the monster aspect of the Kaiju. Pacific Rim can offer everyone that are fans of science fiction something to enjoy in the movie.

“The Sandlot” is fundamentally a story about friendship, deftly combining the euphoric highs and lows of puberty with the uplifting spirit of baseball. Through the eyes of Scotty Smalls, a shy newcomer to the neighborhood who is having difficulty fitting in with his more seasoned peers, the story is told. Through a pivotal meeting with the renowned baseball prodigy from the sandlot, Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, Scotty learns about the nuances of the game and forms a lasting friendship that goes beyond the field. The sandlot, portrayed as a safe haven for their carefree antics, represents a metaphorical place where aspirations come true, conflicts are resolved, and enduring memories are created. It transcends from being just dirt and grass to a hallowed place where the boys gain priceless knowledge about bravery, life, and the strength of friendship. The mystery surrounding “The Beast,” a fabled and ostensibly monstrous dog that lives behind the outfield fence of the sandlot, is one of the most recognizable aspects of the movie. The boys’ group adventure is sparked by their quest to recover a priceless baseball that is signed by the great Babe Ruth but has been taken by The Beast. The main plot point of their summer story is this pursuit, which turns their fears into bravery and draws them closer. “The Sandlot” is unique because it presents pure childhood joys and innocence in an authentic manner. The film portrays the essence of growing up—a period when friendships were formed over shared experiences and the most important lessons in life were discovered via trial and error—through a blend of humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt storytelling. The diverse personalities of the ensemble cast, which includes Ham, Squints, Yeah-Yeah, and others, give the story more depth and energy. Viewers of all ages can relate to and feel passionate for them because of their friendship, humor, and unwavering companionship. More than just a sports film, The word Sandlot” is a timeless coming-of-age tale that appeals to viewers of all ages. It makes us all feel like kids again, bringing back fond memories of happy summertime and the excitement of never-ending adventures. This moving and timeless film experience is enhanced by its universal themes of friendship, loyalty, and the strength of the human spirit. In conclusion, “The Sandlot” remains an enduring classic cherished for its ability to transport audiences back to the simplicity and wonder of childhood. Its portrayal of friendship, the appeal of baseball, and the deep significance of shared experiences never fails to enthrall and inspire, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of those who find solace in its ageless charm. This movie is a monument to the beauty of treasured childhood memories and the enduring force of nostalgia. In conclusion, the movie sandlot brings back a lot of childhood memories for not only kids my age and generation but also older generations as well that grew up watching the movie as a kid as well.

My name is Zach Colangelo, and I am a freshman college baseball player at longwood university. Being a student athlete here is hard which is probably the same for any other division 1 student athlete in the country. Trying to balance out class time with lift, practice, early optional practice, study hall, eating, and ultimately free time for yourself to just unwind at the end of the day. I have been playing baseball ever since i was young, my father and all of his family played baseball and it just got passed down to me and my family as well. This portfolio will show my video resume, a review of a day of traveling to vcu this fall, and a review on the movie sandlot.