Hey, this one will be a short thing. I just wanna put word out about a band I've recently become interested in. Their name is Pockyclips, and they're a sort of Ska-type band. Their music is clean and has a fun beat that's easy to bop your head and dance to. I'm really excited to watch them progress and become even more popular (especially so for my friend who is one of the bandmembers). I wish them every bit of luck.
I'm still waiting on merchandise, too! (T-Shirts, albums, etc...etc...)
If you want to check them out, here's the link to their website:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56369084
If you want a taste of their music, here's a clip of one of their performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SqaUb_LCGU
Have fun!
28 August 2008
15 August 2008
Movie Review: Tropical Thunder
Tropical Thunder. God, that movie was so hilarious. At first, I thought it would just be one of those, every day comedies that would be entertaining for maybe 5 minutes. It ended up being much more than I expected. Ben Stiller really pulled it off in this one.
So let me give you a quick summary. This movie is the story of five actors who have been pulled together for the making of a movie based on the book, Tropical Thunder, written by a Vietnam veteran named Fourleaf. All of them come from way different backgrounds: Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), an action actor whose career was beginning to hit a low, Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), a big time Australian actor who was known to get very into his roles, Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), a TV show comedy actor with a bit of a drug problem, Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), a teen idol and poster boy, and finally Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel), a small time just out of college actor whose a bit of a dork.
Since the production is so behind and losing money fast, the director, Damien, and Fourleaf decide to rig a whole bunch of cameras up out in a remote jungle and dump the guys out there. They hope that this will help get them the best performance possible by forcing them to live it. What they don't realize is that they've just put themselves and the actors into dangerous territory. Wild animals and drug runners out there in the jungle with them. It'll take all their cunning and training to get out of the situation alive and whole.
The origin of this movie starts with Ben Stiller's wish to be in a war movie. For a long time, he'd been trying to get a part in one, but every time he tried, it ended in failure. So he made himself a war movie to take part in. He's been working on Tropical Thunder for years now, and has finally pulled the production together, as its director, producer, and co-writer. The casting was high profile too, with Robert Downey Jr. (recently in Iron Man) and Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda), with Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise and Steve Coogan.
So, I suggest people see this movie for huge laughs, and not-so-clean fun.
So let me give you a quick summary. This movie is the story of five actors who have been pulled together for the making of a movie based on the book, Tropical Thunder, written by a Vietnam veteran named Fourleaf. All of them come from way different backgrounds: Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), an action actor whose career was beginning to hit a low, Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), a big time Australian actor who was known to get very into his roles, Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), a TV show comedy actor with a bit of a drug problem, Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), a teen idol and poster boy, and finally Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel), a small time just out of college actor whose a bit of a dork.
Since the production is so behind and losing money fast, the director, Damien, and Fourleaf decide to rig a whole bunch of cameras up out in a remote jungle and dump the guys out there. They hope that this will help get them the best performance possible by forcing them to live it. What they don't realize is that they've just put themselves and the actors into dangerous territory. Wild animals and drug runners out there in the jungle with them. It'll take all their cunning and training to get out of the situation alive and whole.
The origin of this movie starts with Ben Stiller's wish to be in a war movie. For a long time, he'd been trying to get a part in one, but every time he tried, it ended in failure. So he made himself a war movie to take part in. He's been working on Tropical Thunder for years now, and has finally pulled the production together, as its director, producer, and co-writer. The casting was high profile too, with Robert Downey Jr. (recently in Iron Man) and Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda), with Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise and Steve Coogan.
So, I suggest people see this movie for huge laughs, and not-so-clean fun.
13 August 2008
Moving On... School's Rolling Around
While I do miss everyone from YSC a lot, I remembered something one of my friends said to me. He told me that even though he would miss us as well, he was looking forward to the things he'd been missing from school, friends there that he hadn't seen for such a long time. When I think about school, I realize that I was a little more dramatic about it than I should've been. As much as I miss them, there's still so much I'm returning to. My will continue doing its bleeding thing. But I'm going to see them all again, next summer.
So now my biggest concern now is school. My mother's a bit upset with the class schedule I've picked for myself. Apparently, she thinks I'm not challenging myself enough, that I should be burying myself in as many advanced courses. Um, yeah right. Like I'm really going to go and sign myself up for what could possibly be considered my brain's doom. I just want an easy year, maybe join some clubs, sign up for a sport. You know, just an average school experience. Hopefully, I can negotiate a couple of easy classes for myself.
My b*tch*ng aside, I am glad to be seeing my friends too. I know they've probably missed me just as much as I've miss them.
(To my friend who went to China, this is a shout out for you: I love you Joseph! Hope you had fun!)
So now my biggest concern now is school. My mother's a bit upset with the class schedule I've picked for myself. Apparently, she thinks I'm not challenging myself enough, that I should be burying myself in as many advanced courses. Um, yeah right. Like I'm really going to go and sign myself up for what could possibly be considered my brain's doom. I just want an easy year, maybe join some clubs, sign up for a sport. You know, just an average school experience. Hopefully, I can negotiate a couple of easy classes for myself.
My b*tch*ng aside, I am glad to be seeing my friends too. I know they've probably missed me just as much as I've miss them.
(To my friend who went to China, this is a shout out for you: I love you Joseph! Hope you had fun!)
06 August 2008
It Hurts and It's Only Been a Day
Every summer since I was 13 I've been spending my summers at in a Community Service program. At the end of each summer, I feel as though something in me has become stronger, younger and more defined. I meet new people and make friendships that inspire something in me I never thought was possible. There have been times when my faith in friends and in strangers has been shaken so badly, I never thought I'd be able to fully put my trust in others again. Each time, this yearly experience has taught me there is always an incredible person out there, who can't wait to meet you. You just have to give it a chance, and find out later if it was worth it.
Just yesterday at four in the morning I had to part ways with them. It felt like someone had just ripped a hole open in my chest. There were frayed sinews and my lungs were having a hard time keeping me breathing. The minute I got off that bus I grabbed the person closest to me and hugged them as if the world were about to end. To me, that's what it felt like. That a world was ending. My time for goodbyes was incredibly limited, so I found as many of my friends as I could and hugged them.
As my parents drove my brother and me home, the pain really set in. My eyes, which had been fairly moist to begin with started dripping large, salty tears. Some of them I would see plenty of in the weeks and months to follow. Most I would not see much of at all. And a few, well, I'm not sure I'll ever see them again. Thinking about that, I sobbed as I crawled into bed and tried to sleep. It's amazing that I managed to find it that easily. I thought I'd have tormented dreams, but instead I had pleasant ones that seemed to just play back all the good times together with them.
They are my friends and more. They are my family. It's taken me years to finally realize just how deeply I feel that bond between myself and them. Every year I gain a little and lose a little. Now, that feeling is stronger. As much as it hurts, it lets me know just how happy I was to meet them, to know them, to talk with them, to laugh with them, and to spend the hot summer days together, with them.
I hope that wherever they are, and wherever they go, that they know how much I love them. That there is a matching impression on their hearts and in their mind made by me, just as they have made for me.
YSC 2008 Forever, Don't Stop Believin'
CLC
Just yesterday at four in the morning I had to part ways with them. It felt like someone had just ripped a hole open in my chest. There were frayed sinews and my lungs were having a hard time keeping me breathing. The minute I got off that bus I grabbed the person closest to me and hugged them as if the world were about to end. To me, that's what it felt like. That a world was ending. My time for goodbyes was incredibly limited, so I found as many of my friends as I could and hugged them.
As my parents drove my brother and me home, the pain really set in. My eyes, which had been fairly moist to begin with started dripping large, salty tears. Some of them I would see plenty of in the weeks and months to follow. Most I would not see much of at all. And a few, well, I'm not sure I'll ever see them again. Thinking about that, I sobbed as I crawled into bed and tried to sleep. It's amazing that I managed to find it that easily. I thought I'd have tormented dreams, but instead I had pleasant ones that seemed to just play back all the good times together with them.
They are my friends and more. They are my family. It's taken me years to finally realize just how deeply I feel that bond between myself and them. Every year I gain a little and lose a little. Now, that feeling is stronger. As much as it hurts, it lets me know just how happy I was to meet them, to know them, to talk with them, to laugh with them, and to spend the hot summer days together, with them.
I hope that wherever they are, and wherever they go, that they know how much I love them. That there is a matching impression on their hearts and in their mind made by me, just as they have made for me.
YSC 2008 Forever, Don't Stop Believin'
CLC
19 June 2008
Book Review: Twilight Part Two
Well, this isn't going to be long. I got most of the ranting out of my system during my review of the first half of Twilight. Sadly enough, finishing it was just as nauseating an experience as starting it was.
I was relieved though, that at least I was surprised a couple times. At least one character hated Bella and the villains were actually pretty smart (I love it when villains have ingeneous moments). Otherwise, pretty cliche, and the whole prom scene bugged me.
Once again, I just didn't like Twilight very much. Still, it wasn't too bad and I am excited for the movie (I love Robert Patterson). Hopefully, it'll be much better, because I'd hate having to see such a hot actor in a movie flop. I'm also getting into another book of Stephanie Meyer's, called the Host. It's pretty interesting, and I'll come back with a review for it.
I was relieved though, that at least I was surprised a couple times. At least one character hated Bella and the villains were actually pretty smart (I love it when villains have ingeneous moments). Otherwise, pretty cliche, and the whole prom scene bugged me.
Once again, I just didn't like Twilight very much. Still, it wasn't too bad and I am excited for the movie (I love Robert Patterson). Hopefully, it'll be much better, because I'd hate having to see such a hot actor in a movie flop. I'm also getting into another book of Stephanie Meyer's, called the Host. It's pretty interesting, and I'll come back with a review for it.
14 June 2008
Book Review: Twilight Part One
Ok, so yeah, I've just started reading that one book everyone seems so hyped up on. Twilight.
Fangirls, if anybody but my friend M.S. actually reads this sad waste of time on the internet, feel free to hate me. This is my honest to good opinion, so if I end up a target of your protective banshee wrath, than fine. Bring it! I'll die a martyr to the cause.
I have a couple things to say about Twilight. Most importantly, Number One:
I HATE Edward!
Oh my God, I hate him so much. After about three chapters, I started putting together a list of the things I hate about him.
Fangirls, if anybody but my friend M.S. actually reads this sad waste of time on the internet, feel free to hate me. This is my honest to good opinion, so if I end up a target of your protective banshee wrath, than fine. Bring it! I'll die a martyr to the cause.
I have a couple things to say about Twilight. Most importantly, Number One:
I HATE Edward!
Oh my God, I hate him so much. After about three chapters, I started putting together a list of the things I hate about him.
- He's bipolar
- He's pushy
- He's out-of-date
- He's a stalker
- He's got freaking copper hair
- He's gorgeous. I do not like gorgeous and somewhat muscular males. I like feminine or geeky ones.
- He's a vampire. I hate vampires.
- He's overprotective
- He's condescending
I could keep going, but why should I waste my time? There are more things not Edward-centric I can bash. Like Bella for example. I write a lot fanfiction. Not much of it good. Most of it including an OC character. So I know when and how to spot a Mary Sue when I see one. Not familiar with what that term means? Well, let me enlighten you.
An original and overly perfect character created by the writer and often acting as their alter-egos. They often end up bedding other characters or acting as matchmakers for the intended ship. -Passion and Perfection: Definitions, http://www.ralst.com/Definitions.html
An original female character embodying a set of stereotypical perfections who is inserted arbitrarily into a fan universe where she becomes the focus of everyone's love, admiration and interest. Wise, understanding, talented, mysterious, sexual, enchanting, you name it. -Aestheticism Articles: FanTerms Update, http://www.aestheticism.com/visitors/reference/fanterms/index.htm
Bella, under the guise of a clumsy, hopeless heroine, is infact a devious Mary Sue bent on winning the hearts and sympathy of every teenage girl (and possibly middle-aged woman) who has felt any similarity between herself and this fictional character that she is unique from your run-of-the-mill heroine. Oh, I felt the same too, at the beginning. But I snapped out of it real fast. She fits the bill perfectly.
Even though she thinks she's ordinary, she's got an "alluring", witty, independent personality. She thinks she's plain, yet almost every boy in her new highschool has practically thrown themselves at her, and are pretty much clawing at each other for her attention. Of course, she has to set her eye on the best looking out of the bunch, who just happens to be mysterious and sexy with a "crooked smile" and "smoldering eyes" who can't read her mind because she has a special ability. And of course, he happens to like her back. Whoop-dee-doo. We need a reality check.Relationships between hot, good-guy vampires and ordinary, klutzy girls do not happen. They just don't. I could understand the thing with her and Jacob, I mean, there's history there. Family friends, easy conversation and not to mention she's older, a what boy turns down a chance to date a cute girl older than he is? Still, even that relationship is pretty out of the woods for me.
Plus, Stephanie Meyer has got a freaking whacked out fixation with eyes. If she's not trying to convince us of Bella's so called imperfections, or Edward's hotness, she's constantly going on and on about his eyes. I don't know how many times I just had to sigh, stop reading and look heavenwards (as if I'd actually get an answer). I have to admit though, it's not utter crap. I've laughed a couple of times, and I haven't tried burning it yet, so it's obviously not that bad. I will perservere and finish what I've started. And hopefully get back to my Chemistry studies (I'm procrastinating).
Well, later. I'll be back with Part Two once I've completed the book. Unless I get a seizure in the middle of it. God forbid.
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