Lost Boys: Review

1. Opening Image (1): The billboard with the side saying welcome to the sunshine state and the other side had grafitti saying the murder capitol of the world.

2. Theme Stated (5): Santa Carla is the vampire haven

3. Set-up (1-10): Vampires kill people

4. Catalyst (12): Michael races the vampires on bikes

5. Debate (12-25): When he drinks the blood

6. Break into 2 (25): When the mother meets the store owner

7. B Story (30): They start dating

8. Fun and Games (30-55): When Sam, Michael, and his friend slayers go to try and kill the main vampire killer in the cave.

9. Midpoint (55): They go home and start preparing for the attack

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): The vampires go and try to attack the house

11. All Is Lost (75): They kill who they think is the main vampire but they find out he is not

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): The store owner and the mother come home and find all the blood and bodies.

13. Break into 3 (85): They confront the store owner and he confesses and tries to bite the mother

14. Finale (85-110): Michael and the store owner Max fight and Michael kills him

15. Final Image (110): Everything goes back to normal and the town is at peace

The 1987 movie "Lost Boys" was an overall an okay movie. If the director, Joel Schumacher, was going for a horror film that was supposed to frighten the audience, he did not do that well of a job. I found this movie more entertaining with some of the humor but it wasn't up to my standards as far as scary movies go. I understand that this was made over 20 years ago so the special effects weren't up to the modern effects but it still looked pretty cheesy within its time. I didn't really like the camera following the eye view of the vampires flying. I would have much rather seen how they look with their wings. Besides its lack of a true horror film though I thought the movie was entertaining. The acting was not too bad and it kept you wanting to watch it for most parts but there were boring parts as well. Such as whatever was going on between Michael and the girl seemed kind of irrellivent and it slowed down the movie and made it boring at parts. So to conclude, This movie is maybe worth going to see once but I wouldn't pay to see it. I give it a 6 out of 10.

-Adam

The Lost Boys Review

Well lets see, I will never get those 97 minutes back from when I watched the lost boys. The funniest part of the movie is the mullets that most of the guys rock and also the clothes they wear but really this movie was a horror comedy that entertained the audience with some of the dialog and corny actions. I was really not a fan of this movie because the concept was just weak and cheesy. I would rather watch Twilight than The Lost Boys because it at least keeps your eyes open. There were a few interesting parts in the movie and the make up design team did a good job of making the make up look natural and not fake. Kiefer Sutherland was very good in this movie as well and his acting job was quite intimidating in the role he played. There were some characters that I think did a poor job and one was Jami Gertz who just seemed to play her role at a mediocre level. It does help that the movie takes place in Santa Carla which in the 80's was the murder capital of the world. Also at the beginning of the movie when the main family comes into Santa Carla, of the boys said that it smelt like "dead people", which sets the mood for the movie. Santa Carla is a great place for this movie because it just seems right for vampires to have this place be their stomping grounds. If it was not for Kiefer Sutherland in this movie there would be no movie I just think this vampire film was not made very well and I understand the director was trying to make some parts into comedy with having the vampire slayers guys that were about 12 years old who have not yet in this movie hit puberty and fake a deep voice but really it just made the movie weaker.

-Paul

Opening Image: Back of the billboard saying murder capital of the world.

Theme Stated: Santa Carla is the haven for vampires

Set Up: The family moves in with the grandpa

Catalyst: Michael racing the vampires.

Debate: Michael drinks the blood.

Break into Two: Mom meets the store owner.

B Story: Mom and head vampire start dating.

Fun and Games: The vampire slayers and Michael and Sam go to kill the main vampire while they sleep.

Midpoint: They go back home after their full attempt failed.

Bad Guys close in: The vampires go to Michaels house.

All is lost: They killed who they thought was the head vampire but nothing goes back to normal.

Dark Night of the Sole: Max comes home with the mother.

Finale: Michael tries to kill Max, so everything goes back to normal.

Final Image: All the vampires go back to normal and the vampires will stop killing which may change it from the murder capital of the world.

Renaissance Festival

This review is unlike my others which are about movies and T.V. episodes. I am here today to review the Renaissance Festival that takes place in Planterville Texas. The whole idea behind is a reinnactment of the time period in history called the Renaissance. There is a lot of stuff to do there like rides and a maze and a whole bunch of other stuff. There are actually elephants that you can pay to ride. That is the one down side to the festival, you have to pay for everything. There are also little souveniers to buy everywhere. Pretty much anything you would want to buy you could find if you walked around looking long enough. The environment is very warm and seems like it and the people working there dress, act, and talk as if they were from the time period. My personal favorite part of the whole thing when we went the last time was the food. It gets pretty expensive but its really good and the smell from walking around makes you just want to stop somewhere and eat. But ofcourse when we went it was a day when all the schools took field trips there so some the adult appealing things weren't there, like beer. But this is still a place that a whole family could go and everyone would have different things to interest them and everyone would have a good time. I would recommend it to anyone who just wants somewhere new to go to have a good time.

-Adam

Renaissance Festival Review

Well today I am not here to tell you about a movie that I just recently viewed but to a place that I recently visited. This place was the Renaissance Festival in Planterville Texas just outside of Navasota. Before going I would advice some research on the Renaissance Festival because this place can be weird to someone who does not understand what this festival is all about. For example, all of the workers here talk like they are from 300 years ago and the reason for this is just to set the scene for what they are trying to accomplish with this venue that takes place every year. It also is a very fun place to attend that has many things you can do from ax throwing to a petting zoo, but make sure you bring plenty of money because somethings at the festival are expensive. When someone at the concession stands ask for two pounds understand that is the money form that was used back then and they are not asking for two pounds from your body weight. You see many costumes as well, corsets and corvettes (not the car) is what you will see, I actually even saw someone dressed as The Joker but I am not sure that the Joker made to many cameo appearances hundreds of years ago but you get the idea, dress up if you like and be a knight of whatever you please. They actually have professional actors that are paid to to shows at the festival too, its pretty cool. By far my favorite part was the food, funnel cakes, sausage on a stick, chicken on a stick and turkey legs gives anyone who loves food a watery mouth. Also there are many little stores selling things from the Renaissance period but once again its expensive stuff for the most part. It really is a great experience that I have attended for the past three years and it really has not gotten old to me and actually it gets better because you know exactly where to go to find new food or anything really. I recommend everyone go atleast once in their life. Two thumbs up

Hush: Review

This episode is based on the idea of communicating without actually speaking. This is what the award winning director Joss Whedon was trying to get across and he does a very good job at it by making almost an entire episode where all the characters lose the ability to speak. He does this because his critics always talk about his series being so good because of the dialog and he wanted to show he could do an episode with almost no dialect. It has a lot of funny scenes without words that is very entertaining and makes you want to keep watching it. All up until when there are these creatures that come called the Gentlemen who go around stealing hearts after they take everyones voice. This is where all the action comes and is topped off by the creepy Gentlemen. They were always smiling throughout the whole process and the people killed aren't even able to scream as they are held down and cut open. I thought that was really cool. The whole episode was very well put together and gets two thumbs up in my book. A must see....

-Adam

Psycho: Review

The film "Psycho", directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was a masterpiece of its time, as it had every aspect a scary movie needs to be successful. It was dark, creepy, sexy, mysterious, and shocking. Even being from some 50 years ago it had you guessing the whole way through if the mother was alive and killing or some other twist. It starts out with Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh in bed with a married man not married to her. She then goes into work where her boss trusts her with $40,000 to take to the bank. Ofcourse she takes off with the money and tries to cover up her tracks on the way. She stops at a motel one night where there is a lonely motel keeper named Anthony Perkins, played by Norman Bates, who lives alone with his mom up the hill. However, just when you think your following the main charecter she is killed in one of the most famous killing scenes known, the shower. This opened up a whole new type of horror movies called slasher films. After this there is a private detective that come in and later the police as the mystery is unraveled slowly with the occasional killing. This was a great film and a classic and i would recommend anyone to see it.

Opening image: Janet in bed with a married man

Theme stated: When the old guy talks about you can't buy happiness you can only happiness, which is what the guy in the end did by taking his mothers personality.

Set up: Janet at work talking with her boss.

Catalyst: She is given the money to take to the bank

Debate: She is deciding if she really wants to run off with the money

Break into 2: She leaves town and is seen by her boss, as well as the cop

B story: Where she goes to the motel and meets Anthony.

Fun and games: She is killed in the shower.

Midpoint:When the detective is hired and goes looking around for clues.

Bad guys close in: When the detective is killed.

All is lost: Nobody knows where Janet or the Detective are.

Dark night of the soul: Janet's sister is all sad because they can't find her and she thinks something happened to her.

Break into 3: When the sister and another guy go to the motel to try to find out what happened.

Finale: When they are attacked by the killer and manage to subdue him.

Final image: Anthony talking to himself as his mother.

-Adam

Psycho Review

"Greed Kills", maybe that is not always the case because Donald Trump is still alive but for Psycho it stands true. One of the most thrilling slasher movies of all time and directed by Albert Hitchcock who is one of the most famous directors of all time for this movie and Birds. I am not sure if it is scary or just down right creepy, everything from the main character Norman Bates carrying out a down right disgusting role to the whole demeanor of Lila Crane the female character just adds to a corrupt film (in a good way). Anthony Perkins struggled after the movie Psycho to get in any other movies because the picture he planted in every directors mind when he played Norman Bates in Psycho. I like the suspense added to this film, I thought that it made you sit on the very edge of your seat almost the whole movie. The only bad part about this movie is that the movie starts very slow and allows the mind to wonder at times. This movie also had a remake and was played by Vince Vaughn but was in color and even though Vince Vaughn played Norman Bates well he did not equal to the sickening role that Anthony Perkins played. The 1960 version also adds another dimension not seen in color with the shadowing effects and everything else that comes out in black and white. This movie was popular do to the acting jobs and the amazing mind of Albert Hitchcock. I would advice you to watch this movie just do not be surprised if at sometime in this movie you get disgusted or cringe with events that occur. Just remember even though you are in a private place and you think no can see you does not mean there is not someone actually watching. I will give you one hint before you watch this movie and that is to understand the title of this movie "Psycho" and by the end you will understand why Norman Bates is the title. This movie last roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes and I would give it one and a half thumbs up.

Opening Image: View of Phoenix, Arizona

Theme Stated: boyfriends comments about money problems.

Set Up: Boss tells her to bank the $40,000.

Catalyst: She is seen leaving town with the money.

Debate: While driving her imagination taking over about what is going to happen to her.

Break into Two: Stopping at Bates Motel.

B-Story: Marian meets Norman Bates

Fun and Games:Norman kills Marion while she is enjoying a shower.

Midpoint Takes the body and drives car into the swamp.

Bad Guys close in: Norman kills the Private Investigator

All is lost: Sam and Marion have no information about what happened to Marion.

Dark Night of the Soul: When they meet the sheriff and they explain that his mother is dead.

Break into three: They plot on how to get to Norman's house to search it.

Finale: They move forward with the plan.

Final Image: Norman sitting in the jail cell as his mother.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer "Hush" Review

Before even tempting to watch anything that Joss Whedon does, you must understand that your in for something different and something that you may consider odd. It depends if you enjoy the finer things in movie or not because that may determine if this movie is up your alley. Joss is an award winning director with a mind out of this world and if your down with these types of movie you should seriously consider reading the rest of my blog.

The whole theme of this episode in the Buffy The Vampires Series “Hush” is based on communicating without actually speaking. People always question Joss Whedon and everything that he had ever done and told him that he would be nothing without his dialog, so he wanted to prove all the critics wrong and made this episode that forces it to continue without dialog and more directing and physical action. I am not quite sure what it exactly is about Buffy The Vampire that truly gets me into this series but all I can tell you is Joss Whedon is a great innovator of directing. One of the best parts of “Hush” is adding the comedy into the seriousness. Imagine not being able to talk and some of the creepiest vampires come not to suck your blood but take your heart and the only way to actually kill the “Gentlemen” is by screaming, only one problem, you have no voice. I will admit that I actually jumped in a few parts and especially with the “Gentlemen” looking through the windows during the night. It is a great episode that adds a different dimension then what you usually expect with a Joss Whedon running the show. I am not trying to spoil the fun for you but let me just say that Joss Whedon had a genius idea by bringing mimes into this episode to play the role of the “Gentlemen”, I mean what better way to have a silent film then with mimes who do this for a living. At the end I bet you can predict what is going to happen, Buffy comes to the rescue but does she do it by herself, well that is for you to find out. I really enjoyed this episode and I am not easy to please, 4 and a half stars, great job again by Joss Whedon in a 45 minute adventure.
- Paul

Buffy The Vampire Slayer "Halloween" Review

Every time you watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer you really never know what to expect but the 1997 episode "Halloween" is interesting and different from most typical TV shows. First to give you an idea of what I am talking about is that the director of this series is Joss Whedon and that alone can tell you more than you need to know. Joss Whedon is a creative, interesting and in depth director that gives amazing dialog to any thing he gets his creative hands on, for example, the way he directed Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long which has great dialog. Also the title has the word "Vampire" in it and I just want every reader to understand this is not the Twilight type of Vampires that sparkle in the sunlight and fall in love with some random girl. These our different, the more intimidating types. An even more important message that is sent in this movie is sent through in the form of a metaphor and just goes to show you be careful of what you wish for, like personal appearance or anything along those lines. Episode six starts off with the Halloween setting and Buffy Slaying a vampire...go figure but let me add is was a pretty cool fight. Then it is getting ready for halloween, what better way to get ready then go into a brand new costume store that has amazing costumes that seems too good to be true...maybe it is. Then Halloween roles around and the unexpected starts to happen and then a wild dilemma occurs and it ends in with a predictable ending but still is pretty cool. I don't want to ruin the fun for you so I will let you find out for yourself but it is a good episode and the run time is only around 45 minutes so it will not take up much of your day. I give in 4 stars and great job by Joss Whedon.

-Paul

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Halloween

This episode was pretty funny and entertaining throughout. It uses many metaphors in the episode to express the how the characters feel about themselves and the people around them. Like Willow who was uncomfortable with wearing revealing cloths so she wears the ghost costume. However, when the curse happens she comes out of her body and she is walking around in the revealing cloths and she gets used to it. Xander gets embarrassed when Buffy sticks up for him and he wants to feel tough. So the metaphor is when he gets transformed into his army guy costume where he actually is tough guy. Buffy shows a metaphor with her costume representing how she wants to be, like a girly girl in front of Angel. But in the end she finds out it wasn't what Angel really wanted at all from her. This series is not like most other t.v. series. The director Joss Wheden uses metaphors throughout the whole series while keeping the audience entertained with vampires and fighting and killing. Halloween was a very successful episode.

-Adam

Review: Nosferatu

Blake Beat Sheet

1. Opening Image: Johan is hugging his wife Nina.

2. Theme stated: It's stated in Johann's diary; "Nosferatu! that name alone can chill the blood!... Was it he who brought the plague to Bremem in 1838?"

3. Set up: When Johann learns that he has the opportunity to sell a house to Graf Orloc, a very wealthy count.

4.Catalyst: When Johann goes to Orloc's house for the great business opportunity.

5. Debate: When Johann and the count are talking the first night and he senses that there is something very strange with Orloc.

6. Break into 2: Where Johann finds the bite marks on his neck.

7. B story: Where Nina senses that something bad is going to happen.

8. Fun and games: When Nosferatu chases Johann through the house.

9. Midpoint: When the count comes over on the boats.

10. Bad guys close in: People start getting killed unexpectedly in the town.

11. All is lost: They can't figure out how to stop the vampires.

12. Dark night of the soul: When people are dying and no one knows what to do.

13. Break into 3:When Nina reads the book saying how she can defeat Nosferatu.

14. Finale: When Nina tricks Nosferatu into getting trapped in the sunlight where he dies.

15. Final image: When Johann is hugging his dead wife's body.

The film "Nosferatu" was filmed in 1922 by F.W. Murnau and was one of the creepiest movies of its time. it was a silent black and white film with music playing throughout, which i think was good for it. This film probably wouldn't have worked if it hadn't been silent because it added that kind of creepy element to the whole movie. I think this film was successful beyond any scary film and held that spot for decades. I find it astounding that a film with that kind of budget and technology can still have people waking up to the sight of Nosferatu in their sleep. They created a very effective vampire if i do say so myself.

Nosferatu Review

When you think of a good movie you probably would not think of a movie that was made in 1922 to be at the top of the list but don't stereotype this movie because it actually is pretty creative for the time period. If you are considering watching this movie though understand that it is a silent film so it will not be as appealing at first because it is an old film. If you do watch this movie understand that it is a horror film but is not the same as a horror film in present day. One of the most appealing parts in this silent film is the appearance of Nosferatu from his hands to his ears, the vampire is just creepy but keeps you entertained. Imagine what you would do if you thought you were having horrible nightmares but actually it was a blood sucking vampire placing his rat teeth in your neck and leaving two puncture marks, yeah its creepy. The plot of movie is kind of hard to determine because it is a silent film but basically the real estate agent sells a house to Count Orlok (Nosferatu) and he does this so he can feed in a larger city. For me I think the good is when night time comes around and Nosferatu comes alive and starts to hunt for a "beautiful neck", the bad is some of the effects when it is night is hard to determine and the ugly is Count Orlok's appearance. On top of the fact that Nosferatu is scary, imagine that this man actually played the same role in real life, really sick if you think about it. Also this movie is a very unique vampire film because it was the original movie that brought out the new feature of vampires actually weakening during the day time, that makes me appreciate the movie even more. This movie is hard to follow but at the end it gives a great curve that you would not think happen. For watching a movie that is silent for an hour and thirty minutes is difficult to stay focused at times is still a good movie.

-Paul

Beat Sheet:

Opening Image: Jonathan bringing his girl flowers and they are happy.

Theme Stated: Was it he who brought the plague of 1838.

Set Up: Renfield sends Jonathan on the trip the Orlok's castle.

Catalyst: Jonathan gets bit by Count Orlok and thinking it was a horrible nightmare.

Debate: Nina does not want Jonathan to go.

Break into Two: Jonathan runs away from the castle.

B-Story: People thinking that it was a plague.

Fun and Games: Count Orlok killing people.

Midpoint: Cops thinking a plague is occuring.

Bad Guys Close in: Count Orlok killing people in the town.

All is lost: everyone dying

Dark Night of the sole: Jonathan starting to change into the vampire and starts developing signs of the so called plague.

Break into Three: running around with coffin.

Final Battle: Bites Nina

Finale: Count Orlok burns.

Night of the Living Dead (1968): Beat sheet and Review

Opening image: A car driving down a country-side road.

Theme Stated: When the brother says "They're coming to get you Barbara."

Set up: Barbara (Judith O'dea) and her brother, Jonny are visiting her fathers grave to put flowers.

Catalyst: When her brother is killed by the ghoul.

Debate: Barbara is scared and tries to escape in the car.

Break into 2: When she crashes the car and then goes to the farmhouse to hide.

B story: When Ben (Duane Jones) shows up in his truck to the house.

Fun and Games: Where Ben is fighting off the ghouls in the house through the windows.

Midpoint: When Ben and Barbara meet the other people in the house.

Bad guys close in: When the people ran outside and were being chased by the ghouls.

All is lost: Judy and Harry are killed in the truck explosion.

Dark night of the soul: When Tom and Ben fight.

Break into 3: When the zombie girl kills her mother.

Finale: Ben is by himself killing off all the ghouls.

Final image: When Ben comes out the next morning and is accidently killed by the police.

The 1968 film "Night of the Living Dead" was a masterpiece horror film of its time. Directed by George Romero, who also later directed the classics "Dawn of the Dead" and "Day of the Dead", this was the first truly modern horror movie. Because of the time period the film used homemade special effects, mediocre acting, and the grainy black and white filming made it a little cheesy for today's audience but for its time it was one of the best. The violence was something unseen in the horror film industry at that time and changed horror films forever. It showed that the good guys don't always triumph over evil, and all characters, even the liked ones, can be killed just as easily as the bad ones.

Barbara (Judith O'dea) and her brother Johnny (Russell Streiner) were driving to a cemetery to put flowers down for their dead father when they are attacked by a zombie and Johnny is killed. Barbara then escapes to an abandoned farm house where she meets up with Ben (Duane Jones), who has encountered the ghouls before. throughout the movie they are just trying to survive in the house and they meet some new allies in the process. However the story takes a bad turn towards the end. I didn't like the downbeat ending because it leaves kind of a bad taste in your mouth after its over because you would expect more or something different. Despite this I say that this film was a great success for its time period and was a horror film revolution.

Beat Sheet/Review: Night of The Living Dead 1968

1. Opening Image (1):A car driving on a winding road.

2. Theme Stated (5):"They're going to get you Barbra"

3. Set-Up (1-10): Barbra and her brother are visiting her fathers grave and putting flowers on her fathers grave.

4. Catalyst (12): Barbra's brother got killed by the goole.

5. Debate (12-25): Barbra trying to get away from the goole.

6. Break into Two (25) Car crashes and runs away down the middle of the street.

7. B Story (30):Barbra hides in the house and meets Ben.

8. Fun and Games (30-55): The gooles try to come in the house and Ben fighting them off with his gun and catching everything on fire.

9. Midpoint (55): When they meet the other people.

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): When they ran outside the gooles started chasing Ben and Tom.

11. All Is Lost (75):Judy and Harry die in truck explosion.

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): When Ben and Tom fight.

13. Break into Three (85): Zombie girl kills her mother

14. Finale (85-110): Ben is the only one alive against all the gooles.

15. Final Image (110): Ben fights off all the gooles and goes to the basement and waits it out till the next morning and then gets shot by mistake by the police.

Most movies that you watch and you really can not recognize any actors you do not have too high of expectations of the movie but Night of The Living Dead that was made in 1968 carries its own. The movie has a lot of humor do to the budget it was on and the animations it has. From the "gooles" eating the flesh of others to one African American man by the name of Duane Jones, played by Ben who was a man who defeated most of the zombie gooles by himself. There were a few parts that a really frustrating because Barbra is just such a dumb dead beat of a character when she just sits through the entire scene when zombies are trying to break into the house. In other parts this movie makes you hungry because the zombies that eat flesh are actually eating chicken which is actually pretty funny but does make you hungry. For a movie that was made in 1968, it is actually pretty good and also adds some good shadowing as well. Director George Romero does a great job of these edits and makes smooth transitions throughout the movie. The chocolate syrup is a good way of acting as blood and makes perfect sense with a black and white film. My favorite part would defiantly be the part when Ben gets tired of the old man and finally lets him have it but I was shocked with the ending of the movie but I am not going to ruin the surprise for you so I will just let you see it. I would give it a 3 stars and would recommend you to watch it if you a true fan a of creativity.

Beat Sheet: Shrek

THE BLAKE SNYDER BEAT SHEET


1. Opening Image (1): Shrek alone and living in his swamp.

2. Theme Stated (5): Sign says keep out around his house.

3. Set-Up (1-10): When they were capturing all the fairy tell creatures

4. Catalyst (12): Shrek saving donkey from the soldiers

5. Debate (12-25): Shrek and Donkey talking about living together.

6. Break into Two (25) When they go to the castle to get his swamp back from the king

7. B Story (30): Where they go and save the princess

8. Fun and Games (30-55): Where they are bringing her back to the king

9. Midpoint (55): Where Donkey finds out that shes turns into an oger

10. Bad Guys Close In (55-75): Where Shrek brings the king to take Feona away

11. All Is Lost (75): Where Shrek goes back to the swamp.

12. Dark Night of the Soul (75-85): Where he is all alone and depressed.

13. Break into Three (85): Where Donkey tells him to go get Feona back.

14. Finale (85-110): Where Shrek saves her from the Wedding.

15. Final Image (110): Everyone is together with Shrek at the Swamp.

-Adam and Paul

Some Random Online Videos

The short video "Blogging in Plain English" was a good source of information if anyone wants to know about what blogging is all about. It was made by "Leelefever" on November 29th, 2007. It uses cheap video recording methods with just words and pictures written on paper in front of a white screen with some stop motion but the point was came across clearly. I think it was good and simple and got the point across well without any confusion. The only improvement would be the quality but I don't think that's what the creator was going for. The link is below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

The Youtube video "Zombies in Plain English" was written by "Leelefever" and posted on October 23rd, 2007. Produced by the same person who wrote the video above, "Blogging in Plain English", it uses the same method using pictures and words, but also had pictures like from the Michael Jackson Thriller music video. This video, unlike the other, was for entertainment and to make people laugh. Other people who reviewed this video say it was cheesy and not funny and I agree. It tried to use cheap comedy about zombies that everyone knows and make it funny but it just didn't cut it to me. The Link is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnfyradCPY

The Video "Great Tasting Americano", made by PG8472 and posted on May 10th, 2008, was a bad attempt at making a funny recreation of the Grand Theft Auto video game. It used a stop motion to put this cartoon box character through the game, like choosing an outfit, stealing a car, killing someone, and running from the cops. At first it was looking good but when you thought it was going somewhere and was going to turn funny it just ends with promoting a drink shop in the game which through off the whole video and made people watching it just want to get as far away from the site as possible. This was not a very well put together. The link is below if you don't believe me and want to check it out for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xREW_pk_7vU

Some Random Online Videos

The first random video I watched was called "Blogs in Plain English" and let me just say I wish someone could have auto-tuned this guys voice. Lets be real, who would listen to this, its boring and really kind of stupid, it should be called "Common Sense About Blogs". It states the obvious more than once and I thank the lord that it is just under three minutes because if it was not I would be in a straight jacket now. The one positive was that it clarified a little bit about blogs but was still really plain and I think it broke a record for how fast my mind started to wonder. Also for something made in 2007 I would expect better or cooler animation. However I must be weird or something because other people who watched this video about blogging seemed to enjoy it but still I would give it two thumbs...DOWN!

The second video I just watched was called "Back of The Mike" and for a something that was made in 1938 I am surprised and astonished about how interesting and creative people were back in the "old days". From the horse galloping sounds to the dishes, it really does sound realistic and really does make you appreciate the quality of this radio show. I think it is amazing what innovators people were in a time when digital media did not rule the world. I also thought it was at parts cheesy especially when the cars drives through the fire but we must remember it is 1938 not 2038. It seems that most people agree that it is a must see and brilliant work done. I would have to give it 4 stars for the great ideas and creativity.

"Zombies in Plain English" is another video I watched and let me say ha ha? Not so much hahaha but dumb dumb dumb. If you are a zombie lover then this stupid video is for you and if you live in your own little world where zombies do totally rock then rock on but if you are more of a realist then I would recommend you watch "Back of The Mike". Also this video was released in fall of 2007 which means that zombies have been old news. The point I am trying to make is that if it was something new then I would be for it but it is not so I am against it. People seem to like this clip about zombies and see it as funny but really, how is chopping your friends head off after he is infected by the bite of another zombie funny? its not its dumb. If you are like me and think this is somewhat of a dumb video I would advice you to play Call Of Duty World At War because you can actually keep killing zombies and it is quite addicting. This video was stupid and I give it a half star for attempting to be funny.

GTA anyone? No not Grand Theft Auto but "Great Tasting Americano" which is a stop motion kitty version of Grand Theft Auto. That may sound lame from the few details that I just gave you but actually is very funny and has some pretty cool stop motion ideas to it. A viewer of this short video can tell that Wash Me Productions is a huge fan of Grand Theft Auto by the way everything is the video is played out, from stealing a car and fighting the owner of the car and your health going down just like in the game is pretty good details. I also like the part when he refuels his health by stopping by a coffee shop which reminded me a bit of San Andreas. I could understand that if you are not a big fan of the Grand Theft Auto series then this video would be somewhat immature and dole but for the big fans like myself then this is a pretty cool stop motion version of the game that we love. I was just checking to make sure I was not the only person who thought this was a cool video and the first comment I read was "awesome" and another one was "Absolutely Amazing". With that being said I would have to give this stop motion video a two thumbs up and 5 stars.

Any kid in grade school dreams of the day when a blank happens. That blank is a "Food Fight". But the last video I watched was not talking about kids throwing there mashed potatoes at your enemy but a pretzel using his automatic bread gun to take out the hamburger and any other food that steps in his way. It sounds kind of dumb and it really is a mindless video. I would have to give the maker props though for how it took it into a different perspective than what anyone thinks of right away when food fights come to mind. The gore in this video is amazing from the hamburger bun getting blasted into 50,000,000 crumbs to the sushi looking so help less, it is any chefs nightmare to see all this food go to waste. Everyone who viewed this seemed to like it and I guess it is not so bad I would give it two and a half stars.

-Paul

Reviews reviewed by Adam:

I thought the review on “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” by Poofie-K & Doggie wasn’t very insightful at all. They used too many vague terms like didn’t like it or good job or a little corny. Also they weren’t paying attention to the title of the movie because they said the writer “added too many musical moments” when the film is a musical. They could have gone a lot deeper into what the story was about instead of just reviewing the movie as a whole and 3 of the main actors.

I thought the review on “Welcome to Macintosh” by K in C.N.K was not very interesting. They spent too much time telling what the movie was about instead of giving their opinion. It wasn’t clear with the message they were trying to get across with their opinion. Throughout the review they talked about how interesting the movie was and at the end they rated it as a 2 out of 5. Their position on the movie wasn’t clear, especially in the last sentence.

The review on “Dr. Horrible” by Big and Smalls wasn’t insightful at all. They gave their opinion with very vague language throughout the whole review. At least when Big wrote he used more intellectual terms. Small on the other hand used horrible grammar by not using a period for the entire review. It was very unprofessional.

Other People Review Dr. Horrible Sing A Long

Today I am looking over reviews on Dr. Horrible. The first blog I ran into was by Slim and Monster and I would say just by the way they set up the blog was appealing by adding clipart to the blog. I thought the details they used were good but not adding too much to give away the short movie which would be bad because there is key points and if you give those away then your spoiling the sing a long. I also thought they were honest when they put in likes and dislikes so they were not just saying they like the movie to get done quicker.

Another blog I read was by BIGNSMALLS. I liked the unique style that they set up the blog but I would like to see more of an explanation to why you should not watch it unless your a little kid, why is the the sing a long corny besides the fact that it is a sing a long. I think there are good points that just need to be more elaborated. I like how the name BIGNSMALLS was applied to the blogs for example "The Bigs...the smalls"so all in all a unique different and pretty cool blog.

The final blog I read was by Do Alot Productions. I thought G-Wreck did a good job but needs to more in depth. Has good quotes but leaves it at that and should explain the timing of when he states that quote. Also the way the blog is broken down is a little bit too unorganized and it is easy to get distracted with the format of the blog. I would like to see more organization and different color use to bring a more focused blog. But all in all a pretty good job on the blog and I like the honest opinion of that is stated.

-Paul

Welcome to Macintosh: Review

This film was a collection of information about the history of the apple and used interviews of apple executives and other people throughout. I think the message in this movie was very clear, that mac technologies are the future, but it didn't have much to make it interesting. Overall the movie was uninteresting to the general public. The only people interested in watching this, in my opinion, are people interested in the history of mac and the way it came up, which isn't most people. Probably because I'm not a fan of documentaries but i didn't agree with the way the same concept kept getting dragged out throughout the entire movie. There were a few parts that made the movie somewhat interesting, like a funny interview with Guy Kawasaki. But other than that the lengthy interviews with all the veteran apple people made the movie uninteresting. The only reason I could see someone watching this is if they were interested in it or if they were doing some type of research on apple.

Welcome To Macintosh Review

Lets be honest, when watching a documentary about a company it is hard to make it appealing to all audiences but they do their best to be truthful and down to earth. I thought the humor they applied randomly throughout the documentary was pretty good and I felt it was trying to keep you into it and not daze off. At times though I went off into a land where Macs were infinite and I was sitting behind a desk at Apple Main Location with my own MacBook Pro. So when they showed a random old Apple computer in different places was good to make it interesting and help me stop fading away. I really wished that they would have interviewed Steve Jobs but after they said how busy he was then I understand why I mean he only revived Apple with his own genius mind. Also Guy Kawasaki was an interesting interview to watch and was blunt and did not sugar coat anything, lets be honest it reminds me of the comedy that Harold from "Harold and Kumar". I think the most bittersweet part about the movie was all the facts about Apple and gave pretty interesting facts, like Microsoft putting 150 million dollars of stock into Apple which was appealing but also got a little boring after a while and also is kind of like weird for Microsoft to be behind Apple because every Apple user has an Apple only mentality. Also I feel that this does not appeal to some of the younger Apple users because all we know about is MacBook and Apple since around 2000. But all in all I would give the documentary 3 stars. Also a positive about this documentary it is not 3 hours on the history channel it is 85 minutes long.

-Paul

Santa Clause 3 Review

If your jolly and you know it clap your...ok wrong time but Santa Clause 3 was of those movies that just puts you in the mood for Christmas and another good performance by actor Tim Allen who plays Santa Clause and has played that role since the first Santa Clause which was released in 1994. At times I feel as if Tim Allen is not fully in the movie anymore and tends to express his thoughts throughout this movie. By this I mean during the end of the movie his facial expression does not go with the context and seems like he is "acting from the heart." I would not advice you watch this with a bunch of your guys when your having a mans night out but If you are looking for a movie to watch with your young kids on Christmas Eve then this is a movie I would recommend. The plot of the movie is a unique plot but I am not all that fond of the performance by Martin Short who was playing Mr. Frost. His whole demeanor is frustrating and just plays too much of an ordinary super villain and does not have any personal aspects that make me think other wise, for example, The Joker played by Heath Ledger went into a different world and was so out of the ordinary in "The Dark Knight" this is what I base my super villains . If you are a serious fan of the "Santa Clause" series then this movie might be a let down but if you are a casual fan then you will still enjoy the action Christmas movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat with Mr. Frost trying to take over the role of Santa Clause. Also I suggest hot coco and some kind of bake good if you are going to watch this, there is something about the movie that makes you crave a sweet dish. I would give it a 3 and a half stars on it but still a great job by Tim Allen in this movie and also I think Tim Allen just does a great job in any type of movie like "Christmas With The Cranks" also a good movie in the Christmas part of Winter. The last thing I would like to add is if you are not for a three hour movie that lags way too long then this movie is for you, from start to finish is 98 minutes.

-Paul Boecker

Movie Review: "Wanted"

The movie "Wanted", directed by a Russian director Timur Bekmambetov, was the typical violent shooting movie like many others. He was successful in his directing of 2 russian films, Day watch and Night watch but "Wanted" was the first American film he got to direct. He uses many of the techniques in those movies throughout "Wanted" such as the scene where Wesley hits his former best friend with a keyboard and the letters and his teeth spells out something. This movie is based on the comic book written by Mark Millar. It was a very entertaining and intense movie with a lot of great action scenes but the film draws a lot of ideas and effects as "The Matrix". Both movies begin with loser characters who go everyday with a crappy job and live a nobody's life until someone comes and pulls them into a whole new life, as well as the use of the slow motion special effect in some of the shooting scenes. Ultimately, it was a pretty good movie held up by the intense shooting scenes as well as a very well put together chase scene towards the beginning. The best role played was by Angelina Jolie (from Mr. & Mrs. Smith) as she was an assassin in the "Fraternity" named Fox. She taught the main character Wesley, played by James McAvoy (also in the "Chronicles of Narnia"), the ways of the assassin and they were teamed up throughout the movie. Her job was to train him to become an assasin and she gets help from the other actors that are introduced. The Butcher teaches him how to use knives, Fox teaches him the bending bullets method, and the final was a character who's purpose was to teach Wesley how to get beat up by tying him up and beating the hell out of him. This whole organization is lead by the Fraternity's leader Sloan, played by Morgan Freeman (In a number of other films including "Bruce Almighty" and "The Dark Night"). He plays the part very well, with his role of a good guy who still has a kind of mystery to him. The highlight, in my opinion, is the final battle scene after the twist in the end changes the entire story. Overall the movie had good fight scenes and Anjelena added the sex appeal but it followed too closely to other movies and didn't have very much of a defining characteristic. Other than this the film was put together well and gets a 4 out of 5.

Reviewed by Adam

Family Man Review

The Family Man is defiantly two thumbs up for the great acting from Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni which is expected from these two professionals. If you ever wondered what your life would be like in a different view, then this movie would be right up your ally. From Wall Street to the suburbs of New Jersey, Imagine a twist like that in your life. The movie is a roller coaster that goes from getting on the ride in United States to Mexico when you get off. A man who starts off as a high roller on Wall Street and then the next morning waking up to wife and kids to the woman he once dated in high school. From a man who is good with children "on a case by case basis" to becoming a legitimate father in all ways and shows that even though you might have the money and you think you may have it all but really you do not know what you have until you find that special someone that you fall in love with. Nicholas Cage brings comedy, romance and business into the same movie which adds depth to a stellar movie. To the men reading this you might be watching more of a romance movie but it gives great perspective on life no matter who you are and what genre of movies you prefer. Also Makenzie Vega would turn a cold hearted killer to a teddy bear after here performance especially when she says with her teary eyes "where is my real daddy", for how young she is, her acting job is spectacular. Makenzie by herself made this movie a really good family movie that will make you want to hold your loved one tight and let them know how much they mean to you. I'll even admit that at times I felt like I was about to cry because of how sweet she is. With that being said a great movie to watch especially during the Christmas season. If all that I have just said is not enough to watch this movie then maybe the four awards they won from this movie, from best actor, to best movie, this movie has it all.

125 minutes approximation on how long "The Family Man" is.

-Paul Boecker

Dr. Horrible Sing A Long Review

When you think of sing a longs what comes to your mind. Well usually sing a longs would be kind of a lame movie plot but I give it one and a half thumbs up. Most of the time I would think of a sing a long as too much like Hannah Montana but this sing a long features a super hero and a super villain in an action filled sing a long with lyrics that make you laugh out loud. I thought the way Captain Hammer took away from Dr. Horrible's dream girl was very funny. That is what this movie is all about, expecting the expected and the unexpected. Especially the part where Penny thought that Captain Hammer stopped the van but really it would have been stopped anyways without Captain Hammer's help. I love Neal Patrick Harris and his lyrics after this event and I would tell you the lyrics but I do not want to spoil a legitimate laugh and remember he has a PhD in horribleness. He also did a great job making the dialog natural and did not seem as if it was scripted but put alot of meaning into his comedy. Joss Whedon did a great job with the dialog with the movie and applied a funny and interesting story made into about 40 minutes just like he did with Buffy The Vampire series. I am most defiantly looking forward to the sequel of the sing a long. This is Beck with Couch Potatoes Watching Some Flicks.

Pineapple Express Review

"Pineapple Express" was a movie filled with dumb comedy that still came across as a very humorous flick. This is a film about a process server named Dale Denton, played by Seth Rogan ("Superbad" & "Observe and Report"), who buys marijuana from Saul, played by James Franco. Later on Dale witnesses a crooked cop, played by Rosie Perez, with a drug lord named Ted Jones, played by Gary Cole, murder an asian guy who was in another drug organization. He drives away before the cop sees who witnessed it but they find something that Dale leaves behind and leads it back to him and Saul. So the whole movie they are trying to run and hide from two thugs sent to kill them but as they try to get away they get deeper and deeper in the situation until a drug war starts just because of them. The movie is very entertaining as Seth Rogan and James Franco compliment eachother's comedy very well. The movie keeps you laughing throughout the whole movie pretty much. Seth Rogen played his role well and did a great job with the dialog as well in the movie but if you would compare it to "Super Bad" then it is not even close to the same level. There were a few scenes in the movie that could have been left out and may have been dragged out a bit too much like the part when the woman cop and Ted Jones were talking to the Asian leader and getting into a fight. Ted Jones got a little too carried away with being the bad guy and the role didn't seem very believable. Overall the movie was successful in being entertaining and keeping the audience laughing throughout. We give it a 4 out of 5.

About Us

We are Beck and A-Track and we love movies. We are currently attending Manor New Tech High and will be graduating in the spring of 2010. After that we plan on attending college the following fall and still not sure of what we would like to major in yet. We are also big critics when it comes to movies and enjoy analyzing them as well and will continue blogging about videos throughout the year.