CRANK THAT

This blog entry by Jocelle Untalan Dunn

The story: "Methamphetamine gets discovered by Hollywood"

The analysis:

I chose this article around the time we were assigned our blog entries and it just so happened to be in the newspaper. The story by Jake Coyle is about Hollywood's sudden notice of methamphetamine and the lack of glamour portrayed in television and film. In addition, I chose this article because it raised many questions from me as to why Hollywood portrays cocaine, heroin and alcohol as a sexy thing to do that only the wealthy and famous can attain. Coyle states that a movie such as Scarface represented cocaine as part of "fast times and high living". Whereas meth can be seen as a low- class, trashy drug to be using. I personally do not know anyone who has or is using these drugs but after reading the article, I believe the emergence would be good for our society because not many people are aware of the dangers of this particular drug. To un-glamorize meth in movies and television would give another perspective of drug abuse. I fairly enjoyed the movie Scarface and it's glamorization of cocaine but I also already knew the dangers of what leads to the sell and use of the drug.

In relation to pop culture, drugs have long been a fixture in the Hollywood circle. Magazine articles feature film and television stars, in particular teenaged stars going to rehab for their drug problem. The constant exposure of drugs is beyond movies and television in my opinion. I am sure the average viewer knows the consequences of the abuse of the drug just from watching a film like Scarface or Miami Vice. I think Hollywood's fascination with drugs in general will not go away. Stories about drug users and/ or drug dealers make for good storylines but then again the aftermath does not always end well..