Yes. A chick flick. But my logic yesterday was the following: things are really depressing in the world so I don't want to watch a movie that is depressing or serious. I just want a feel good movie that will relax me and not try to be too drama-esque. Plus I wanted a chance to revisit some of the beloved places in NYC through video once more. Since I had never seen Serendipity before I thought that I would give it a shot. Especially, since I ate there this past Summer and felt extremely guilty not having seen the movie before. The movie was exactly what I wanted. There were a few moments that were risque but never between the main actors, which I prefer. I like movies that uphold values of some sort (ie at least being loyal to a fiance now days). Their play on the word serendipity, a series of events guided by mere fortune or fate, was actually refreshing. While watching, I wondered myself, How many times has fate served me well in my life? It was good to reflect on those things in my life that had happened for the better. While the couple plays this idea to the extreme it still remains funny to the very end. Just like many other bubble gum romance movies, you root for the couple the whole time, and they get together in the end. My favorite part of chick flicks are the main guys best friend (bad best friend = horrible movie). The guy they picked was awesome. I have seen him in other movies and he does such a great job. Overall, it was just what I was in the mood to watch. A pick me up movie where things just happen right in the end. It helps us look over all of the bad things happening in the world right now. In summary, not the best chick flick I have ever seen but definitely in the keeper category.
I know that it is outdated now but I felt that I should do a post on each game in the series as they are so good. I am a big fan of first person shooter games. Where all you see is the gun and you go around and blow stuff up. Anyways, Halo is a unique game in the fact that it actually has a good story line and not just one concocted to blow stuff up. Halo was originally going to be a game like Starcraft with tons of story to fill it in. However, last minute changes made it a shooter game. It is obvious that the designers of the first game never really expected it to catch as much fire as it has but, we are all so very glad that it did. A quick synopsis of the game is this...
You start the game as Master Chief, the last of his race of super soldiers (Spartans), who had been preserved and awakened for a time of need. The ship that you are on is hijacked by a race of aliens although you don't exactly know why, you are trying to get out live. When the alien ships leave you follow and it leads you to a mysterious halo floating in space. The halo is extremely ominous and surprisingly earth-like. As you fight your way to the inside of the halo you begin to realize that the halo is a religious object to the alien race (the Covenant). This is what, I feel, distinguishes halo from other shooter games. Both sides can appear to be correct. It is a religion to the alien race to worship and protect the halo while as the master chief you know that it can't end well if the aliens unlock the halo. The soldiers are able to open the halo first and you lose communication with them. Of course, as the game's hero you must investigate. When you arrive you see a soldier screaming on the floor shooting at anything that moves. Once past him you search for what exactly was unlocked. Master Chief then discovers that the great religious weapon that has been opened in the halo is actually a Parasite. The parasite rapidly infects those exposed to it and causes those who are dead to fight again. You must battle your way out and destroy the halo before the infectious Parasite escapes and lays siege to earth and space.
Although the description above sounds a bit like a horror movie at times it never plays out exactly like a super freaky horror movie. You are never super grossed out or feel the need to leave the room screaming. It does however, keep you on the edge of your seat much like a suspense movie does. Halo offers a solid set of controls that are easy and responsive to all players which is a big reason that the game has become popular. The other reason for it's large gain in popularity is the incredible multiplayer mode that the game features. With maps that are always fun to traverse and well balanced for all playing styles. Overall, Halo is a very solid game and I only hope that they make a movie soon that lives up to the game.
To put it mildly...this movie was a waste of time. It started out ok and it had a "Stranger Than Fiction" type feel to it. So we thought we would give it a try. It moved slowly for the first 10 minutes and then it just progressively got worst. It became a movie that tried to be a Napoleon Dynamite and utterly swan dived from the highest platform at the pool into an ugly belly flop. I couldn't even finish the movie. Each time I recommitted myself to finishing this ridiculous movie, something happened that made me want to turn it off again. I eventually resolved to turn it off which, was the best movie decision I have made in a long time. Horrible. Ten Thumbs down!
This is not like any other movie that I have seen. It is possible however, that something like it has been made before though. For those who watch several movies like me it is a nice breath of fresh air for a good one time watch. The whole premise of the movie revolves around one event in which there are several observers.(I believe 8 but don't quote me on that). You will watch the movie through the first persons perspective and then the tape rewinds and then you watch the same event through the second observers eyes which also adds more information to the mystery. Each observers vantage point adds to solving the mystery which allows the audience to actually watch many reels of footage several times and never be bored. I thought it was enjoyable but the one bad thing about mystery movies like this one is that once you know the ending you rarely want to go back and piece back the clues more than once. This movie was good but not really a movie that you would buy. I recommend renting it once and maybe watching it once, or twice if you want to make sure you got everything. This movie does have some unbelievable parts with Dennis Quaid which leaves you thinking that he is He-Man but in action movies there are usually several of these moments. All and all an enjoyable movie.
Ok. I feel that I have to address this movie since I am a long time fan of Indiana Jones. I have heard from several people who do not like the movie because they think it was ridiculous saying, "He lives through a nuclear blast." My response to that is hello people...it is Indiana Jones! Did you also think it was plausible to fall into a room full to the brim of poisonous snakes and not get bit because he just swings a torch at them? Or, how about ripping a guys heart out because of voodoo magic...or being just a few feet from boiling lava and not catching on fire. I hear a lot of people saying that aliens and russians were stupid but I think that people have forgotten about what makes Indy movies. Didn't he also try to rescue magical Shankara stones that glowed when put together and gave life to a city? How bizarre is that? Just about as bizarre as aliens I think. These movies are just meant to be enjoyed and I think that the harsh critiques show how much our society has forgotten about the good old Indy franchise over the years. Aside from my ranting and raving I will get back to the movie. The movie was really enjoyable and brings in some of the mysticism of the books as well as having a more 50's feel to it. The artifact is REAL, including the speculations on the origins of the crystal skulls hence the reason why they added what they did into the movie. I'm not saying that I believe in the origins, I am just saying that the artifact really exists. The movie has more of Temple of Doom feel to it rather than a Raiders or Crusades which is probably what turned most people off. I wouldn't say it was the best in the Indiana Jones series but I also think that it has earned the privilege to be among the others in the franchise. The only thing that I would have changed in the movie is taking longer to solve the puzzles. Definately not the riding into the sunset ending from Crusades but enjoyable nonetheless. Harrison Ford still has it and will always be Indiana Jones.
Yes. The word 'MEH' has now made it to the dictionary. The dictionary defines it as:
"The expression of indifference or boredom has gained a place in the Collins English Dictionary after generating a surprising amount of enthusiasm among lexicographers." -Associated Press London
Way to go Simpson's for adding a word to the English Language! We love all of you. Including Ralphie.
Here is a link to the article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081117/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_new_word
I have not posted anything on this subject as it is a sensitive issue. However, when I read this article today on how Proposition 8 is affecting the industry that I am in, which is advertising, I was fairly upset. The link to the article is below.
http://adage.com/bigtent/post?article_id=132525
This is a recent ad created by the "No for 8" group. I am ashamed that someone in the advertising industry would do this.
In my response to the article in AdAge today I tried to inform people that I do belong to the "Yes on 8" group but that it is a matter to be weighed heavily. I tried to look at it from both groups perspective. My intention with this article is not to offend but to inform people about what is happening in the advertising world and my view point of it. This is what I wrote:
'This is definitely a story that has been weighing on my mind. My initial reaction was, "Sure let's give them same-sex marriage if that will make them happy." In my initial thought I never realized how far the government would take this action.
I am glad that people from many churches took the time to educate me about this issue. I did not realize that, as stated by Trevor from Vancouver, where same-sex marriage is already legal,
"(It) forced same-sex literature into the libraries of our children's schools and allowed same-sex education a forum there as well, but has given the platform for some authorities to push an agenda that would force churches to mandatorily perform same-sex unions despite religious convictions, or risk their tax-free status."
That is what truly bothers me. Taking away any churches freedom to practice union ceremonies how they believe, seems wrong to me. Considering the fact that we came to this country for that religious freedom.
What I just can't get over is how the same-sex communities advertising response is "hatred". This should not be allowed through any respectable ad agency. To make Utah a "hate state" is just plain ridiculous to me. The majority of citizens there are not even of the Mormon religion. Due to the desecration of religious buildings and hatred, I can only describe these actions as disgraceful.
And yes, I would be upset if this was overturned and I was same-sex oriented. However, these actions have given me ill feelings towards the same-sex community that were not there before. And while I don't agree with everything said by Jeff from Idaho, his concluding statement is starting to ring true, "Don't you find it a bit ironic that the same people who are asking for tolerance for their lifestyle seem to show very little tolerance for those who disagree with their viewpoint?"
All I ask is for the same-sex community to be considerate of others as well. I am sure their day is coming and that a compromise will eventually be reached. However, sending hate messages and desecrating buildings is not the answer. Please market yourselves better. You are better than that.' -Will Sharp
After I posted that someone posted the statistics on the vote and really makes you wonder why only the Mormons are being targeted with this. Their comments are as follows:
I'm Mormon and I find it despicable the lows that No of 8 supporters are resorting to - nearly all against Mormons who donated. People are losing their jobs, bomb threats against sacred Temples, death threats to supporters of 8. If the same means were exercised against gays and lesbian organizations, people would be arrested for hate crimes.
Just a little more information for those targeting the "Mormons".
Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total proposition 8 vote.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.
Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. The Mormon faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.
African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. Who's targeting them? If this really was about equal rights don't you think they of all people would have voted No. Why are there no protests in South Central?
Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is supporters simply did what Americans do – they spoke up, they campaigned, and they voted.
People shouldn't be persecuted for being active in the democratic process. If this hate speech against supporters continues it could potentially deter other Americans from becoming active in the democratic process for fear of retaliation.
D. Hunsaker| Orange County, CA – D Hunsaker | Costa Mesa, CA
I know this is a long post but it is one that deeply concerns me. It doesn't make sense. Why fight "perceived" hate with hate? And why is a minority group targeting another minority group to vent their hatred?
Hi my name is Will and this blog is dedicated to the various forms of media that I consume on a regular basis to help inform others of their benefits or detriments. I hope you enjoy this venture with me.
