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.

DVD Review #3

The Pineapple Express

After all the hype with the movie The Pineapple Express, I just had to see how funny it actually was. I rented it from the local redbox, expecting a movie like the stoner classic Dazed and Confused. I microwaved some popcorn and sat down to what hoped to be a hilarious comedy. I was sincerely disappointed.

Pineapple Express stars Knocked Up’s Seth Rogen and Spiderman’s James Franco, so how could I have possibly gone wrong! I assumed the movie was going to be stupid yes, however I hoped it would be stupid funny like Old School, it wasn’t! It was just plain stupid. Throughout the entire movie I laughed maybe twice. I who had originally thought that Seth Rogen was the new up and coming comedic actor was sadly mistaken.

The movie is about this one guy (Seth Rogen’s character) who, while getting stoned, witnesses someone murdered. He gets scared and goes to tell his friend/dealer what he just witnessed. They are extremely nervous and run, just in time for “the bad guys” to catch up to them. I didn’t expect much violence in this movie, but for the last half hour that’s all there is. I know I know look at the cover art, but that didn’t mean it was going to reflect the movie in anyway. It did.

I found the movie to be more action than comedy. I was hoping this would live up to the expectations I had after seeing Dazed and Confused and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, two very classic stoner movies of the 80’s. I instantly realized that nothing would ever live up to those movies. Pineapple Express is basically what stoners are now. Lazy slugs that all they want to do is get high. What ever happened to the people that were high and still functioned? If you want to watch something incredibly pointless and stupid then Pineapple Express may be right for you. If you want to watch something that will remind you of the classic stoner movies, go watch Dazed and Confused. I give this movie a 2 out of 10. 

DVD Review #2

Step Brothers

When I picked up Step Brothers, I thought how could I go wrong, I mean it was Will Ferrell and John C. Reily pretending to be brothers. It wasn’t the greatest thing in the world that’s for sure, but in my opinion it was nowhere near as bad as Pineapple Express.

            Step Brothers is about just that, 2 families coming together that already have kids, the only downfall is both are full grown adults in their early 30’s. The two act just like they were 10 years old. They fight constantly until they realize they have something in common, and then they become the best of friends and want to do everything together.

            Eventually something happens that causes a riff in the parent’s marriage and by the end they split up, which is hard on the two boys because they think that they can’t be friends anymore so they split up.

            For a movie that is a comedy it lacks the most important part, the comedic part. Lately anything Will Ferrell has been very disappointing. He really needs to step up to the plate and come out with something good. Maybe he should team back up with Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Because it wasn’t funny, but at the same time it wasn’t incredibly stupid either I would give this movie a 4 out of 10. It had it’s moments of me giving a “ha that was a little funny” to my TV, but nothing really special. Maybe Will Ferrell’s next movie will be a hit for me.

Book Review #3

House of Night: Marked

By: P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast

Marked is the first of many in the House of Night series. I first picked up the book, just because it was vampire related and I have a severe obsession with vampires; however now a days who doesn’t. From the first page I feel in love with it. It wasn’t like Twilight, in any way, but more so like Harry Potter.

            The book starts out with a normal teenage girl, named Zoey, but with all vampire stories you know that something’s going to happen. A man goes to her school towards the end of the day and “marks” her. When this happens you’re considered to be a social outcast among your friends, and her boyfriend Heath and Best Friend, keep telling her they will still be together, but of course things change.

            When you’re marked, you only have a certain amount of time to get to the House of Night school. Now the House of Night is a school for vampires in training, or fledglings is what they are called. Zoey becomes frantic because her mom doesn’t seem to care too much about her possibly dying to even bring her. She ends up going to see her grandmother and on her search ends up passing out not far from her house. When she wakes up she is at the House of Night.

            The book continues in a Harry Potter way, there is girl who is much like Draco Malfoy and her name is Aphrodite. Zoey becomes close friends that are like family with a few others. Her family disowns her except for her grandmother who acts just like Mrs. Weasley. Zoey is also special in a way. She learns she has an affinity to all of the 5 elements, which many vampires don’t have, never mind fledglings. 

            Marked is a great novel for those just wanting to get into the vampire world, but if you’ve been in it for a while, it’s just another take on the vampire legend, and maybe not your style. Unless you’re a teenage girl, or still one at heart this book may not be for you. Thankfully I am still one at heart, and I did enjoy this book despite the amount of similarities it has with such the incredible Harry Potter Series. I would give this book a 6 out of 10.

         I would’ve liked to have seen maybe something a little more unique rather than a kind of rip off from another story. It does feel like they took Harry Potter and what made Harry Potter so unique and basically stole some ideas from J.K. Rowling. I wish it was a little more unique of a story, however this has yet to be done in the vampire world.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer S1 EP1

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Season 1 Episode 1 

“Welcome to the Hellmouth”

Original Airdate: March 3, 1997

            Buffy is a pretty girl, with a bright future, but little do people know she is a vampire slayer. She’s just moved to Sunnydale, CA and is trying to get a fresh start and live a normal life. Little does she know that the librarian has also just moved to Sunnydale, and it’s not just a coincidence. Giles, the librarian is not just a librarian, but also a watcher. And as it turns out he’s her watcher.

            There are several other characters of the episode. Xander who’s you’re average, boy next-door type of character. He is the type of character that jokes about everything and essentially creates awkward moments. Willow, who is your nerdy, geeky, know it all kinda gal. Then we have Cordelia who is the popular, “fashion guru” of the show, so to speak. She’s the girl that every school has that every girl wants to be just like. She’s the pretty popular cheerleader type. She makes fun of Xander and Willow for being really nerdy and scrubby. Buffy is slightly torn because she wants to be popular and have friends and be friends with Cordelia, but she also likes Xander and Willow and would love to become friends with them.

            The down fall to being a vampire slayer is that no one can know what you are and what you do. But when Buffy discusses how she feels about the whole slaying “profession” Xander overhears. She’s afraid of getting Xander hurt, but also having a friend that knows your secrets is very relieving.

            As Buffy is on her way to the club, She meets a mysterious man in black. He’s tall, dark, and handsome. He calls himself a friend, but why is he being so mysterious? Interestingly enough Buffy just can’t seem to get him out of her mind. He even gave her a Stainless steel cross.

            As the episode continues we learn that Buffy will probably have a stronger bond with Willow than anyone. She needs the most help, and with Buffy watching out for her she’ll listen to her every word. Buffy tells Willow to Seize the Day tomorrow you might be dead. Willow does seize the moment, but with the wrong guy!

            Buffy goes on a frantic search for her, and eventually asks Xander, who brings up the fact that he knows that Buffy is the slayer, however he at first thinks she’s delusional. Until he sees how frantic she is.

            When Xander and Buffy enter the Mausoleum, he’s shocked to learn the truth. Vampires are real, they’re in Sunnydale, and they’re attacking his two best friends. It’s at this moment that we see the potential that the two have to become great friends.

            The episode ends with a fight between Buffy and one of the older Vampires Luke. We see what a slayer is all about and how strong they actually are compared to vampires. Luke throws Buffy into and open casket and we are left lingering for a few seconds, then Luke jumps into the casket and goes in for the kill.  We’re left with the words “To Be Continued.” That’s when we know that it's going to be a great show!

            As a pilot it’s one of the better ones that I have seen, and let me tell you I’ve seen many. As an episode of Buffy, it’s just ok. Not one of the stronger episodes, but that’s to be expected because it’s the first season. Obviously the first episode is more about the characters than anything, but again that’s to be expected, you can’t just jump right into an episode without developing anything.

            Buffy has been a breakthrough for the vampire world, I remember the first time I watched this pilot, and I was instantly hooked. I still thank my brother to this very day! The show starts with a smash and ends with a well I’ll get to that! For a pilot episode of a show I give it an 8 out of 10; for an episode of Buffy I give it a 4 out of 10, which just means the show only gets better from here.