Author: Dave Funguy

This Spring, Family-Owned Car Dealerships Have the Ford You Need

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 19, 2020

There’s nothing like watching that snow and ice on the road finally melt away to make you feel like winter is over, and a future of sunshine awaits! We need to drive in winter, but we enjoy driving when ice on the road is no longer a safety hazard, and you can roll the windows down and feel the wind rustle your hair.

Keep on reading to learn why some of the best deals you can find this spring are at your local family-owned Ford dealership, in the form of the Ford EcoSport.

Ford 2020 EcoSport

Checkout your trusted Ford dealership to see the versatile, agile, and peppy 2020 EcoSport. Available in four trims that give you room to choose between the levels of features you want, but each one is compact, smart, and loaded with stylish and intelligent features.

Available features like a Power Moonroof, Heated Steering Wheel, and an 8-inch LCD Touchscreen with Ford’s patent 3SYNC technology makes any drive an absolute pleasure. It’s also available with Intelligent 4-Wheel Drive, so it can handle a wide range of terrain and road conditions.

Whether you need to navigate through cities or the country, you’ll love having an SUV that belongs everywhere you need to go.

Advanced Safety Features

The EcoSport is available with safety features that will help keep you, your passengers, and everybody on the road safer. For example, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert uses radars to detect if there are any vehicles currently in those hard-to-see spots.

If there are, a warning light will appear on the appropriate exterior mirror. The vehicle issues a warning if it detects something behind while reversing slowly. Perfect for leaving a parking lot or exiting the driveway.

The rear camera even has its own little washer, so snow or debris doesn’t eliminate your ability to see clearly and drive safely. Visit your family-owned dealership to take a look, because they’re the best dealerships to visit if you want pressure-free and friendly, knowledgeable service.

Connectivity

The 2020 EcoBoost comes with FordPass Connect, which is a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices at the same time. This way, passengers can have the time fly by on long trips, without having to use up their own data.

You can even use this connectivity to remotely start your vehicle, lock and unlock it, check your odometer reading, fuel level and distance to empty, and more. Speaking of advanced technology, the EcoSport has voice-activated touchscreen navigation, so you can always drive confidently and safely wherever it is you need to go.

A compact SUV that has generous capacity for storage cargo? A fuel efficient vehicle that can handle rugged roads and conditions? An affordable car with technology that exceeds modern expectations for safety and entertainment features? All this can be yours, just visit your local family-owned Ford dealership to check out the 2020 EcoSport today.

Entertainment Tech

The Best Wireless Headphones You Can Buy Under $50 and $5

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 14, 2020

With the Internet, you can find headphones that cost from $3 all the way to $120 000. Believe it or not, the lower price doesn’t always mean lower quality and you can find a pair of wireless headphones at the fraction of the price of a pair of high-end, brand name ones with just as satisfying quality. Looking for a pair of headphones on a tight budget means weeding through the ones that will probably break within a week to find the affordable, reliable ones. That’s why the people of the Internet do most of the heavy lifting for you!

Best Wireless Headphones Under $50

The following wireless headphones are $50 or less and have high approval ratings from wireless techies. Like always, you probably won’t find a pair with amazing sound quality where you can hear every single note from every single instrument, but these get the job done and are wallet-friendly.

Budget-Friendly American-Brand Headphones:

American big-tech companies don’t have a monopoly when it comes to true wireless headphones, here are two headphones that get you the best bang for your buck.

Mpow H5

The upsides of the Mpow H5:

Noise cancelling
30-hour battery life
Premium soft ear cushions
Fits most sized heads
No bass distortion

The downsides of the Mpow H5

Only supports SBC Bluetooth – can experience lag while watching videos or playing games, but can be used wired

Anker SoundBuds Curve

The upsides of the Anker SoundBuds Curve:

IPX7 waterproof/sweatproof
Bluetooth 5.0 with support for aptX for less latency, more audio fidelity, and more efficient battery use
Stable ear hooks

The downsides of the Anker SoundBuds Curve:

Uneven treble, but still suited for most genres

JLab JBuds Air

The upsides of JLab Jbuds Air:

Auto on/off case
Bluetooth 5.0
IP55 sweat resistant and dust resistant
Compact with charging case
6 hours battery life for each earbud plus an additional 18 hours with charging case

The downsides of JLab Jbuds Air:

Mid-range sound quality
Non-detachable, potentially fragile cable in case

High-Quality Budget-Friendly Chinese-Brand Wireless Earbuds:

The Internet makes all kinds of items available to the world and some foreign brands can be hard to trust, however, the following wireless earbuds are the most popular earbuds on AliExpress with over 30 000 sold and just as many reviews. And both the quality and price might shock you.

Cohai XT11

The upsides of Cohai XT11

$5.48 USD!
Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX
Fast-charging
Impressive audio quality for price range

The downsides of Cohai XT11

Lack of English information online

Haylou GT1 TWS

The upsides of Haylou GT1 TWS:

$20
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC
Noise-cancelling
1-hour charge time with 15-hour battery life
Fingerprint-touch control
IPX5 waterproof/sweatproof
Impressive audio quality for price range

The downsides of Haylou GT1 TW5:

Call and video audio issues
No volume controls

Choosing the Right Affordable Headphones

It is possible to get good quality wireless headphones without breaking the bank. Whether you need quality over-ear wireless headphones or a pair that you can easily throw in your bag or pocket, you’ll be able to find the right one for you.

Lifestyle

Graphic Design 101: Creating a Logo for Your Business

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 12, 2020

Are you planning on starting a business? Perhaps you’re thinking about rebranding your current business in the near future? Then one of the first things that you’ll want to do is come up with a logo.

Although it may seem like a minor, aesthetic detail, having a professional logo is extremely important and beneficial. A well-designed logo can:

Feel relatable
Make people smile/laugh
Catch a prospective customer’s eye

However, if you don’t have any prior graphic design experience, then you may have difficulty designing the ideal logo for your business. If you need a helping hand, be sure to continue reading.

Find Inspiration

This is one of the most challenging parts of the design process.

If you’re struggling to find inspiration, then you may want to put a mood board together. A mood board is somewhat similar to a collage; however, instead of being made up of random images, mood boards are full of inspiring visuals.

Creating a mood board can help you with the following parts of the logo design process:

Shapes
Colors
Level of detail

You don’t have to create just one mood board; if you have several cool t-shirt designs and logos floating around your head, you can create a mood board based off of each one.

Logo Type

Now that you’re feeling inspired, you need to decide what type of logo you’d like to go with. There are several different types of logos that you can choose from:

Pictorial

Pictorial logos use a specific image to convey a clear, relatable message to customers. These logos are commonly found in large, global companies and enterprises.

Monogram

Monograms are logos that are comprised of a collection of letters. These logos are particularly useful if your business has an unusually long name.

Wordmark

Wordmark logos are possibly the most common choice among business owners. They simply state the name of the company and generally feature a unique or memorable font.

Emblem

Although emblem logos seem to be the most popular choice amongst car companies, they are also great for small businesses and retail spaces. Emblem logos feature a recognizable design, with the name placed subtly underneath it.

Draft, Draft, Draft

Unless you’re quite lucky, you probably won’t come up with the perfect logo on your first attempt. However, you can’t let this intimidate you or your team; you just have to keep trying!

It may take multiple rough drafts before your satisfied with the results.

If you’re still not feeling confident about your logo, that’s ok — you can find the help and tools that you need to create your own at Prints Canada.

This printing company has a team of in-house designers that are happy to help you at any point in the logo design process. Best of all, when it comes time to put your logo on branded clothing or uniforms, their team can help you with their unmatchable screen printing skills!

Not to mention, when you make large, bulk orders, you can save a significant amount of money per garment! This gives you more money to put into your grand opening or rebrand.

Designing a logo may seem intimidating at first, but if you have the right tools and mindset, you can create a fantastic logo that will impress your clientele!

Food Lifestyle

Try Moringa for its Many Health Benefits

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 10, 2020

Moringa comes from the moringa oleifera plant that originated in India, and has been used as medicine for centuries.

All parts of the plant are used: the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots, and It is often found in powdered form.

If you haven’t tried moringa, you are missing out on some excellent health benefits. Here are 8 of those benefits:

1. It is Full of Nutrients

Some of the vitamins and minerals in moringa include vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

In fact, the leaves have 7 times more vitamin C than oranges and 15 times more potassium than bananas. It is low in fats, with no cholesterol.

2. It is a Great Source of Plant-Based Protein

Moringa is an easy and convenient way to get protein into your diet. No cooking required! Just add a sprinkle on a smoothie, soup or anything that will take a sprinkle of powder.

Powder made from moringa’s crushed leaves not only provide 3 grams of protein per tablespoon, but it also provides essential amino acids, which contribute to muscle repair, energy production and mood regulation.

3. It is Packed with Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect cells from damage and are thought to boost the immune system. There is also evidence that they can lower blood pressure and reduce fat both in the blood and body.

4. It has Antifungal and Antiviral Properties

This means that moringa is good for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

5. It has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Having anti-inflammatory properties aids in conditions like edema, where fluid builds up in tissues in the body. It helps lower the fluid swelling, redness and pain of rheumatoid arthritis.

6. It May Help Lower Blood Sugar

Several studies have shown that moringa contains insulin-like proteins that may help to lower blood sugar.

It may affect how the body releases insulin, by making the body process sugar better, due to some of the plant chemicals moringa contains. These chemicals reduce lipid and glucose levels.

One animal study showed that moringa could help reduce weight gain and insulin resistance.

7. It Aids Digestion

Moringa leaf powder contains fiber – about 30% fiber, most of it insoluble. Fiber is one of the most important elements of any diet. Not only does it promote good digestion, it may also reduce the risk of disease.

Moringa’s antibiotic and antibacterial properties inhibits growth of pathogens that cause upset stomach, and Moringa’s anti-inflammatory properties help with digestive troubles like colitis. Studies in mice suggest that it may improve gut bacteria.

8. It Supports the Brain

Moringa is high in both vitamin C and E, which fight oxidative stress, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Animal studies done with Alzheimer’s and dementia are showing some promise.

In addition, it has shown antidepressant properties. It has been linked to increases in the “happy hormones” dopamine and serotonin and perhaps will be used to treat depression in the future.

Taking moringa is easy, and so beneficial!

Entertainment

Parasite is More than Just an Oscar Winner

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 7, 2020

Parasite is truly a movie of the times. Even its win at the Oscars has hailed a new era.

Parasite took home Oscars for both the Best Movie and Best Director categories. It was the first time a foreign language film had won.

This was in part because those who vote for the Oscars were now more open to diversity and foreign language films.

Thanks to the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite going viral and starting a social movement, there was a change to the Academy’s membership, so that it now includes more women and people of color.

But the Oscar wins were just one part of the cultural significance of Parasite.

The movie itself is a reflection of what is currently happening in society, which is something that an excellent movie does, without being obvious about it.

In the case of Parasite, what is happening in society is social inequality.

The Characters Occupy Space Where They Belong

The wealthy Parks are above the others, occupying a designer house, while the Kims are crammed into a dingy apartment that is low, but not so low that there isn’t some light coming in the windows, which are at sidewalk level. The lowest of the low live in squalor in the basement of the Parks.

Survival by Cunning and Connections

The Kims are desperate to get what the Parks have, and they use cunning to ingratiate themselves into the lives of the Parks.

What they do is not criminal. They offer their services to the Parks, and the Parks get what they pay for. The Parks just don’t realize that they are hiring people that are members of the same family.

And the Kims don’t lie. They get their positions through references, and the Parks accept this. The Parks live in a world where all their advantages come from connections, not things like intelligence, education and experience like the Kims.

All Are Subject to Their Circumstances

All of the characters live the life they were dealt. No one is all good, no one is all evil, and Parasite doesn’t fall back on stereotypes.

The basement-dwellers are trying to survive. The Kims attempt to get some of the advantage that the Parks take for granted. They are pitted against each other, fighting to get any crumbs that the Parks might throw their way.

The Parks can’t really do much for themselves. They have to have things done for them, but they are unconcerned, and unaware of how most people have to put effort into survival or living as good a life as possible.

Parasite Brings Inequality to Light

Parasite will entertain you and yet enlighten you. It starts out satirical and funny, and then the unpredictable plot undergoes many twists, and lives are turned upside down.

There is a point where you realize that the hope that goes into the struggle to keep up with the Parks will never be fulfilled. This movie asks you to think about who are the true parasites.

Lifestyle

Stay Active This Winter with These At-Home Work Outs for Every Fitness Levels

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 3, 2020

When the temperature outside gets too low, staying inside under a blanket with a hot drink sounds like the best way to relax. Although it is a great way to stay cozy in the winter, it shouldn’t be a way to get out of staying active and your exercise routine. The ability to stay active in winter is easier now more than ever and a convenient way to exercise when you don’t feel like going to the gym. The Internet makes it so that you can find a professional fitness trainer in the matter of seconds that gives helpful workout tips and advice.

Depending on your current fitness routine, whether it’s the walk to the bathroom in the morning or half-hour cardio and half-hour weights every evening, there are workouts for everyone. And because winter inconveniences everyone at least once during the icy, slippery season, you can find an at-home workout to match your fitness level.

At-Home Workouts for the Athletes

You’re itching to go to the gym, but the roads are a slushy mess and it’ll take you twice as long to get there to finish your workout.

Try burst training by doing a circuit of the following moves 8 times that takes 20 minutes:

Stationary sprinters — 20 seconds
Boxer stance — 10 seconds
Squat thrust — 20 seconds
Boxer stance — 10 seconds
Spider-Man mountain climber — 20 seconds
Boxer stance — 10 seconds
Criss-cross pickup — 20 seconds
Boxer stance — 10 seconds
Power plank — 20 seconds
Boxer stance — 10 seconds

The boxer stance in between each move is your active recovery move. If you only have 15 minutes to workout, go through the circuit 6 times.

For People Who Need to Switch It Up

Doing the same routine everyday can be boring and that includes your daily exercise. Here’s a 5-day workout with a different routine for each day.

For People Who Have No Time

Daily responsibilities seem to never end and you only have a short period of time for yourself. Here are 6 different workouts that targets different fitness areas and only take 10 minutes after a 6-minute pre-warmup. Do at least one of these workouts per day to stay healthy and have stronger muscles.

If you don’t have ten minutes to stay in one place, you can combine housework and fitness by trying out these calorie-burning exercises:

Laundry Steps – for every load of laundry you have, make 5 trips up and down the stairs and at the bottom of the stairs, lift the laundry basket up to your shoulder 5 times.
Coffee Wall-Sit – while you wait for the water to boil or coffee to brew, work out your glutes with a wall-sit exercise.
Dish Squats – don’t reach for the dishes while putting them away, squat down each time.
Sink Push Ups – every time you need to use the sink, do 20 standing pushups against the counter.

Desk Pushes – place your palms under your desk and push as if trying to lift the desk for 30 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, and then again twice.

Finance

Where to Keep Your Money to Make It Grow

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date March 1, 2020

If you’re a good saver, and keep your spending habits in check, you’re likely well on your way to building a hefty retirement nest egg. But the question is, are you taking every possible step to make sure your hard-earned dollars are growing fast enough to meet your goals?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were places you could deposit your money that offered an expected rate of return, and allowed you to save for your short, medium, and long-term needs? Well, you’re in luck, because these places exist and they’re readily accessible to you. Read on to learn how:

A High-Interest Savings Account for the Near Term

Saving a portion of your paycheque for emergencies is one of the pillars of living a responsible financial life, but if you’re not earning enough interest on it, you’re ultimately leaving money on the table.

Rather than relying on a payday loan to get money fast, save that option as a last resort, and hold emergency cash in a high-interest savings account that pays you at least 2% in yearly interest and allows you easy access to your funds. Instant email money transfers are a popular option if you need your money on the same day. If you’re asking yourself, how do they work?, you can click the link to find out more and better prepare yourself in the event of an unexpected expense, such as:

Loss of employment
Medical treatment
Funeral costs

Bonds for the Medium Term

Bonds are loans to governments or corporations to help them further their interests. A government may embark on infrastructure projects like bridges and highways, for which they’ll need labour and raw materials. A corporation, on the other hand, may want to expand its business operations into a different industry, which will require investment in new equipment, supply chains, and professional expertise.

In exchange for your money, the institutions that received it will pay you regular interest over the length of the loan. You can either reinvest this interest into your bond or allow the cash to accumulate if you can reach your financial goals without investing it.

Bonds are convenient because they can pay you north of 3% in average yearly interest and their prices don’t fluctuate as much as stock prices do. That said, they’re riskier than a savings account because governments and corporations can fall on hard times and fail to pay you back. That’s why you should diversify and only invest in bonds with money you won’t need for the next 3-5 years.

Stocks for the Long Run

The more shares of a company’s stock you buy, the greater the percentage of your ownership stake in it. And as the company reports favorable results, its stock price will grow, as will the overall value of your investment.

While investing in a global portfolio of stocks offers an average expected return of around 7% per year, it comes with the risk of not being able to predict how any given company will fare in the future. That’s why diversification is so important and you should only invest in stocks with money you won’t need for at least five years.

Now you know how to earn between 2% and 7% more on your money than you did before reading this article. Go ahead and choose the option that suits you best and make your financial dreams come true.

Lifestyle

Get Regular – How to Sleep Better

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date February 29, 2020

Get Regular – How to Sleep Better

When life gets busy and stressful, the first sacrifice people choose for more time is their sleep. Unfortunately like the rest of your decisions after losing sleep, choosing to be awake longer actually negatively affects your decision making.

Sleep is a vital part of life because it keeps you healthy. When you’re not awake, your brain works to prepare for the next time you are. It forms new brain pathways for the things you learn and did that day, which allows you to remember the information. Sleep alters other brain activity like decision making mentioned earlier and your feelings – without it, it’s harder to make good decisions and it’s more likely that you’d be more agitated. Lastly, your immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy and stronger and fight infections.

New Habits to Improve Your Sleep

Getting better sleep starts changing the way you go to sleep. Good sleeping habits keeps your circadian rhythm healthy. This helps the body to stay awake and tells it when it’s time to sleep. A healthy circadian rhythm gives you more energy during the day and signals when it’s time for sleep for optimal energy the next day.

Be Consistent

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. On weekends, it’s recommended to only adjust by one hour.

More Daylight, Less Blue Light

When you are awake, it’s important to get as much natural sunlight as you can for a healthy circadian rhythm. If you can’t, look for an artificial bright light device or bulbs to compensate.

During the evening, try to avoid as much blue light as you can at least two hours before bed. Electronic devices with screens like tablets, laptops, and phones emit blue light, which makes your brain think that it has to be awake.

Midnight Snacks

There’s nothing wrong with a midnight snack, but try not to have a full three-course meal before bed. Your body will be busy trying to digest that rather than maintaining other functions.

Relax

A comfy environment is helpful for adequate rest. A quiet, dark room with a comfortable pillow, mattress, and blanket works gives your body the ultimate place for a good sleep – so buy that extra, fluffy pillow!

Start a wind-down routine about an hour before bed. This could be listening to soothing music, reading a book, taking a hot bath, or asking someone nicely to give you a massage.

Napping

As tempting as it can be, if you can fit it into your schedule, don’t take naps. Short naps are beneficial, however, and if you do nap, it’s best to keep it under 20 minutes. Long irregular naps can confuse your circadian rhythm and knock it off balance.

Getting Regular

The key to being well-rested is to get a proper night’s sleep so that your brain and body can be in tip top shape for whatever you have to do when you wake up. Without it, your brain might resort to microsleeping, which can result in fatal accidents.

Travel

Explore Central American Jewels – Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date February 26, 2020

Explore Central American Jewels – Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Saying, “I’m going on a trip,” is much more different from, “I’m going on vacation.” Why? The first implies traveling for adventure and exploring what other parts of the world have to offer. The second brings up thoughts of all-inclusive resorts where days are spent on the beach or the pool, there’s always a buffet open, and room service is never off the table.

While there’s something for everyone, Central America attracts adventurous backpackers looking to explore the vastly diverse land in between North America and South America. There are one-in-a-lifetime experiences discovering the rainforests, beaches, mountains, and native wildlife Central America has to offer.

Explore Central America

Central American countries are so condensed that it’s easy to hop from country to country to see what each has to offer. From the well-preserved national parks, untouched beaches, cenotes, and Mayan pyramids that are only accessible by foot, it’s a hiker’s dream to appreciate the highly biodiverse land home to native wildlife on both land and sea, especially the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, plants, and insects.

Costa Rica

Historically one of the most popular Central American countries to visit, Costa Rica offers more treasures besides the iconic Mayan pyramids. The “pura vida” attitude of the country embraces living life to the fullest.

Cross paths with a sloth or wander the beach looking for newly hatched turtles or their adult counterparts. And don’t miss a chance to see some of the 50 types of hummingbirds native to Costa Rica at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

The established infrastructure from years of attracting tourists means that there are more than enough resorts to choose from if you’re looking to lounge on the beach at a luxurious resort. These resorts also offer organized tours and experiences where visitors can snorkel, visit Indigenous villages, or rent 4x4s to drive across the terrain.

Nicaragua

Making its way to take the place of Costa Rica as the most popular Central American country to visit, up and coming Nicaragua has become the destination for backpackers looking for a cheaper and less travelled option. Experience the city life in Grenada, a place immersed in history, where you can admire the gorgeous, Spanish colonial architecture and spend the day amongst the friendly locals.

The more popular Pacific side of Nicaragua is where the main cities sit, but there are lots of places to visit and explore across the country. Seasoned travelers recommend that you don’t miss out on surfing or visiting:

Corn Islands

Head to the less traveled Caribbean side where you can enjoy perfect beaches and snorkel

Ometepe Island

The natural marvel of Ometepe Island is formed by two volcanoes and sits on Lago de Nicaragua. Hike, cycle, kayak, and eat the delicious food on the island.

Cerro Negro – Volcano Hiking and Boarding

Hike Cerro Negro with a tour group, then sit on a wooden board, and make your way down the mountain.

The Miraflor Nature Reserve

Immerse yourself in the vastly biodiverse flora and fauna that you can only see here.

Entertainment

How Much Power Do Comic Book Films Like the Joker Really Hold?

Post author By Dave Funguy
Post date February 21, 2020

The Real-Life Influence of Superhero Movies as Cinema

How Much Power Do Comic Book Films Like the Joker Really Hold?

Eighteen minutes into The Dark Knight Rises, a 25-year-old man enters theater #9 and opens fire indiscriminately into the audience. The 2012 Colorado shooting traumatized Aurora’s community when 12 lives were lost and 70 others injured. The same community voiced their concerns over the showing of Todd Phillip’s Joker and the potential for another shooter to repeat what happened years before, which caused controversy over the violence and “glamorization” of a psychopathic murderer.

The Real Power of Superheroes

The Comic Book Age of Hollywood comes from the advances in technology that allow for such realistic details for the ultimate battles that superheroes fight. And with so much source material from the Golden Age of Comic Books from the late 30s to mid 50s, Marvel has unlimited opportunities to bring more characters to the big screen.

But the power that comic book movies hold is hotly debated. Marvel’s Cinematic Universe took over box offices in the last decade, spurring a strong connection with an entire generation that loyally buys into the superhero-clad commodities that bring in more millions for the franchise. Martin Scorsese criticized this flood of superhero movies and spinoffs saying that they’re not so much “cinema” worthy as they are theme park extensions.

Since the idea of selling art as a commodity is nothing new, this criticism was not received warmly. Robert Downey Jr. defended the artistry of the superhero genre and interpreted Scorsese’s opinion as unspoken disappointment in Hollywood’s shift from gangster movies to superheroes. Marvel movies don’t just exist as entertainment, but as a source of relatable character growth, which further extends the level of audience loyalty.

Hollywood Reimagined

The financial and emotional attachment that Marvel forms with its audience shows the power of a movie genre. But a genre considered violent and unrealistic. Cult classics like Francis Coppola’s The Godfather has just as much violence and follows the same method of retelling historic crime stories just as Marvel repurposes Greek mythology, yet Coppola considers superhero movies as, “despicable.”

At the end of the day, the debate boils down to the credence of the age-old hypothermic needle theory of media which argues that media content directly influences the passive audience. History shows, however, that people interpret media on an individual level out of the control of the media. Films actually do the opposite. They, “reflect the tastes and values of the current period,” as a New York Times writer suggested.

When tragedies like the Colorado shooting happen, violent movies are the convenient scapegoat that people are quick to blame. But taking a step back, violent films have existed for decades and have yet to be the core influence of real-world violence. Instead, the age of the mass shooter has more to do with the current global political environment.

Fictional comic book films like the Joker are set in worlds that don’t follow the rules of reality and has no proven direct influence on mass shooters. Comic book films are, in their own right, a different form of cinema that extends to the spending habits of its audience.