Book Review #4

Crank

By Ellen Hopkins

Crank is a story that is based on real events, that happened to author Ellen Hopkins. Kristina Snow is every one's idea of the stereotypical daughter, however on a trip to see her deadbeat father she begins to get involved with "the monster," and her life begins to spiral out of control.

Crank is an incredible story not just about addiction, but also what it does to you and your family. The story is told in verse which makes it even more amazing. Ellen Hopkins captures such real emotions on paper, you would think that this is happening in your very own household. In my opinion every young teen should read that story of Kristina, so they really get a feel at what addiction does to you.

I do have to say one thing that really struck me, was when her, her father, and her "boyfriend" were all doing it together. I can't imagine a father letting his daughter do that in front of him never mind doing it together. It will really show how lucky some people are to have parents that are incredibly strict. Parents that are loose and try to "party" with you are just causing harm to kids and they don't even realize it.

Crank is a great read, and you'll be glad once have listened to her story. I love the way it's written in verse, and it makes it even more unique. Also the cover art is really cool looking, but so are most of Ellen Hopkins's books. I give this story an 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Review #1

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

*Spoilers*

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was one of the few Harry Potter movies that I can say I enjoyed. Of course they added in a few items, and they concentrated more on the romance aspect, and they took away some scenes I would have liked seen in the movie.

One aspect that I really liked was that they finally just assumed that people knew of Harry’s past, so it didn’t take as long to explain everything like they did in the first 5 movies. They seemed to jump right into the action of it. In the first scene we see action, the Death Eaters take out a “muggle” bridge. In the wizarding world they know what is happening, but the poor muggles just think that it’s bad luck or poor construction.

They really added to the Ron and Hermione romance, by showing how painful it was for Hermione to see Ron and Lavender together, and showing how clueless Ron actually is to her feelings. Emma Watson’s acting has grown tremendously since the first movie, and her paired with Rupert Grint really can show how heartbreaking it is to see someone you love go after someone else.

Draco Malfoy plays a very key role in this movie. As everyone knows Draco is now a Death Eater and he is the key to the whole movie. Draco must find a way to let the other Death Eaters into the school, and in our eyes it seems like it is nearly killing him, which in a way it is.

One thing I was disappointed in, in this movie is that the potions book didn’t play a big role. It only had a small part in the movie, and given the fact that it is called “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” I would have thought they would have kept the book in there to play a little more prominent role.

This movie has action, romance, comedy, and thrills, which is everything I look for in a movie. However because it lacked a few aspects that were in the book, that I think should have been included in the movie, for instance when Dumbledore tells Harry why he has to go back to the Dursley’s house until he’s 18, I would give this movie a 7.5 out of 10.

DVD Review #4

Lakeview Terrace

I watched Lakeview Terrace a few months ago, when I first moved back home and was going to redbox a lot. I wasn’t expecting anything too exciting just wanted a thriller. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it.

            The movie follows a young couple that moves into a suburban neighborhood, and lives next door to a cop and his two children. The cop (played by Samuel L. Jackson) is a man who everyone sees as being a nice, kind, innocent man, little do they know he’s not. He sincerely just does not like his new neighbors and seems to do everything he can to let them know that.

            When the couple confronts him on it, he denies it because there are people around. He never actually comes out and says “I want you to move, or get out of here,” but the sentiment is there.

            Lakeview Terrace will leave you clinging to your seats. The suspense in the movie is thrilling, and the end just sucks you in. I was trying to do a few things at once and by the middle I was on the couch just enthralled in the movie. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.