Music Review

The Fray’s new self-titled album proves that the piano-based group from Denver is more than anyone ever expected it to be. The band’s 10-track sophomore album is full of catchy pop ballads with relatable, emotional lyrics. Front man Isaac Slade definitely attracts the attention of any audience with his effortlessly captivating vocals. As a whole, this album surely measures up to the band’s 2006 debut “How To Save A Life”.
The first two songs, “Syndicate” and “Absolute”, start the album off with a bang. They both begin slow, but pick up about a quarter way through each one. Both songs contain lyrics about “the girl that got away” and the author’s motivation to keep her from slipping out of his reach completely.
The first single off this album is track 3, “You Found Me” in which the narrator boldly asks God “Where were you when everything was falling apart?” As the song progresses it tells of the narrator’s anger with God for letting him struggle, then finding and helping him when it was too late.
“Say When” is a story in which a guy has an unconditional love for a girl he has only seen from a distance. He encourages her to stand up for what she believes in and to not let people step on her. He sings that he will comfort her and wait for her until she is ready to be his.
Once you take the time to really listen to the lyrics of “Never Say Never”, you will realize that there is a deeper meaning than just what appears on the surface. It seems like one of the typical “please don’t leave me” type of songs the first time you hear it, but in the background it is really about a girl’s struggle with wanting fame and instant gratification. The singer is telling her that he will always be there for her, even when her world crumbles before her eyes.
“Happiness” is the wonderfully written, very tranquil closer to “The Fray”. In this song, Isaac Slade personifies happiness in many very original ways. The lyrics compare happiness to a firecracker in the sense that it is unpredictable and can hurt you if you do not deal with it carefully…“Happiness, [almost] destroys you, breaks your faith to pieces on the floor”. This song expresses the meaning of true delight and the fact that if you chase it, joy will lose its authenticity. This idea is perfectly captured in the line “Happiness is like the old man told me, look for it and you’ll never find it all.”
If you were to search other reviews for this album, you would find that the media is being very harsh. Many critics believe that “The Fray” is a sloppy follow up to “How To Save A Life”. In contrast, I believe that this is a very demonstrative showcase of the reality of love. The most special thing about this album is that, when you truly, carefully examine it, all the songs relate to each other in some way. I give this album 9 out of 10 stars.

The Dark Knight Revised Movie Review

The Dark Knight
this film won 2 Oscars, had 46 other wins, and was nominated 47 times for various categories. This film is an Action,Crime, and Thrilller.
The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan's major mind blower after 2005's Batman Begins, is an outdone comic-book movie. Intense action? It’s there. Jaw dropping twists? It’s there. Devilish fun? It’s there. But Nolan is just getting started. There's something ready to jump out of this film and capture you and pull you in. Springing out from his original Batman story, The Dark Knight creates an area where good and evil will fight, but neither know when to start. "I don't want to kill you," the Joker says. "You complete me." He’s serious. “Why so serious?”
The trouble begins when Batman, a.k.a. playboy Bruce Wayne, gets his hero job stolen by Harvey Dent(Aaron Eckhart). Now the city of Gotham view Batman as a bad guy and they don’t trust him. The joker comes in when the hero battle is hot. His havoc is spread all around Gotham, endangering everyone. Batman’s love, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), is killed by the Joker(Heath Ledger). Both Batman and Harvey are in love with her. Harvey turns to the dark side and works with the Joker. Bruce finally kills the Joker and Harvey, but goes into hiding and has to run from the law. “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
Heath Ledger did an exceptional job in this part. He made you feel like you were actually talking and watching the for-real Joker. Sadly he must have gotten to into his part, because before the film was released, he committed suicide. Nolan did an amazing job of keeping the plot flowing. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the first, second, and third time I saw this film. The emotion of the characters made me want to jump out of my seat and share the anger, frustration, and happiness of the mood. I feel in love with the whole movie.
This film doesn’t really connect with anyway of life today, other than there is good and evil and we are constantly battling. This film was based off the famous comic book series. Hopefully, Nolan will come out yet again with another action-packed sequal. I give this film two thumbs up. And five Stars out of five. You all need to lighten up. “Why so serious?”

Stomp the Yard

When I watch this movie I feel like I can do what these people do. This movie is very good because it relates to some people’s lives. Maybe their friend or family member died. It also makes me think before I speak, you might find out when you read this, Enjoy!

The movie Stomp the Yard is a fun, thrilling, drama dance movie. It keeps your mind set to the TV when you watch Stomp the Yard. This movie is about a guy who faces difficulties in his life. He then realizes that it’s not always just about himself. He has several decisions to make and must consider feelings of others when he makes them. Stomp the Yard is basically about being the best in step dancing competitions and then the best guy gets the girl in the end.

The story begins at a club where brake dancing is being performed. New comers showed off their skills to mock the ones at the club. At night, outside of the club, they ended up having a gang fight where one man, Jerome, DJ’s brother was shot to death. DJ is blamed for his brother’s death and goes to jail. Later he is accepted to Truth University. He works as a gardener, joins a team that competes in step dancing, and wins over a girl from another guy. Because of DJ’s criminal record he was asked to leave the school or he could stay if he stopped seeing his girlfriend. This bribe was not accepted. He was able to return to school. His team reminded DJ that being in the competition was “not about you, its about all of us, we a team.” DJ and his team win the competition.

HP and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

“Something worth fighting for”

“When are you going to get it into your head? We're in this together!” Have you ever felt that there was an immovable obstacle in your way, only to realize that it’s not so immovable with friends by your side? Hermione Granger shows this truth to Harry Potter in the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Directed by David Yates). The film has strong themes of love, friendship, and truth.

The film, based on the novel of the same name written by J.K. Rowling, begins with Harry Potter (David Radcliffe), and his cousin (Harry Melling) on summer vacation. What seems to be a light scene in a playground quickly turns heavy when Harry and his cousin are attacked a pair of soul-sucking dementors. Harry has no choice but to protect himself with magic, something illegal outside of school for underage wizards. The Ministry of Magic finds out almost immediately and Harry is sent a notice of expulsion.

Things seem to turn a little bit brighter when a bunch of wizards, including Harry’s old defense against the dark arts professor, show up at his house to rescue him with news that Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) convinced to ministry not to expel him. Although Harry is now safely at the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization working to fight Voldemort, he is far from content. Dreams of Voldemort haunt his nights. Worst of all, the Minister of Magic and his group do not believe Voldemort has returned, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and they’ve taken to trying to discredit Dumbledore and Harry mainly through influence of the newspaper.

Harry feels quite alone and confused upon returning to school, only to find out that even people he once counted among his best friends now question his sanity. As if life could get any worse, it does. The ministry, not trusting Dumbledore, places one of their own as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). Umbridge is a positively delightful character, complete with detention methods that involve writing lines with your own blood. Don’t be fooled by her pink outfits and pictures of kittens, this woman is on a mission to squash any talk of Voldemort's return.

Realizing that the Ministry isn’t about to help them defend themselves against a foe that the ministry refuses to admit is on the move, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) decide to start a secret group, Dumbledore’s Army, to train themselves in Defensive Magic. With enmity coming from the Ministry, Umbridge, and Voldemort, Harry needs to realize he can’t win this battle alone. Will he accept help before it’s too late?

Acting in this film was superb, with the main three actors continuing to flourish. A few new characters were added to the film including Umbridge, Luna, and Bellatrix, all of whom are very memorable. This movie was more artistic and theatrical than the first 3 of the series. My favorite film in the collection so far, it is only surpassed by the novel itself, which is expected; Compressing an almost 900 page novel full of beautifully intertwined yet individual plot lines into a 139 minute film is easier said than done.

This film and book could easily be called controversial, in the Christian sub-culture, what with wizards, witches, wands and all, but I believe that we can take away some very valid points from this story. We are called to stand for the truth of Christ’s life, deity, death, and ressurection. Harry is called to stand for the truth of Voldemort’s return. We are called to be one body and fight for truth and liberty from sin. Harry and his friends are called to work together and fight for the truth and liberty from evil.

I could keep going about the parallels, action, characters etc. for days, but I’d rather tell you to watch it yourself and make your own judgments. The bottom line, as Harry states it is, “Even though we've got a fight ahead of us, we've got one thing that Voldemort doesn't have. Something worth fighting for.”

Released: 11 July 2007

Rating: PG-13

Review: **** (out of 5)

Cinderella

Cinderella is a delightful family movie. A young girl, treated as a slave, goes to a ball. There she falls in love with the Prince. She runs home and looses her glass slipper. The prince finds her by making all the maidens of the kingdom try on this glass slipper. The prince finds Cinderella and they get married and live happily ever after.
This movie even thought it may be animated, can be loved by any age. It’s tragic beginning and happy ending captures the hearts and minds of America. This movie tells a story of magic and fairy god-mothers. During the movie you are captivated by the wonderful character of Cinderella. This movie is a classic and gets two thumbs up and 5 stars.

Twilight Review(Movie)

Have you ever seen the movie The Notebook? Don’t you just love how every character is thoroughly developed and well thought out. The way the story magnificently transitions from two different times again and again is stunning. Don’t you love the way the movie plays with your emotions, bending them this way and that until your emotions are as that of the character? If you love this type of movie, Twilight is not for you.

Have you ever seen the movie Indiana Jones? Don’t you just love the way you sometimes catch yourself jumping to escape a river of lava or dodging a humongous rolling stone? Did you not leave the theatre thinking about how the stunts could have possibly been filmed in a studio? Do you not agree that the action was so intense that you stopped eating your popcorn because you were too engulfed by the scene before you? If you enjoy this type of movie, Twilight is not for you.

Have you ever seen a Veggie Tales movie? Even if you are above the age of 9 you cannot disagree that the messages behind them are Godly and support a Christian life style. If you like movies that have a Godly message behind them, Twilight is not for you.

Twilight is about a 17 year old girl named Bella Swan(Kristen Stewart). She moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father Cheif Swan(Billy Burke). Upon arriving in Forks, Bella meets an amazing guy named Edward Cullen(Robbert Pattinson). He eventually saves her life (twice) and she finds out he is a vampire. Don’t worry though, he is a good vampire, he only drinks animal blood. The vampire and Bella fall madly in love after only meeting maybe 5 times at the most. Oh but of course there are a few twists! Bella’s blood smells better than anyone else’s blood so she is even harder to resist. Dispite the smell of Bella's blood they still successfully manage to have a short make out session. The whole time that Edward and Bella are falling into a deep passionate love, a gang of three bad vampires are hunting humans around Forks. Edward accidently exposes Bella to the gang of evil vampires and then two of the vampires track Bella until a “huge, exciting” battle to save Bella’s life goes down in Bella’s hometown.

The whole movie happens over no more than 3 months. The only reason this movie was so popular is because of the top selling Twilight Series by Stephanie Myers,that the movie is based on, captured so many girls hearts. Edward is every girls dream; he is charming, loving, strong, and drop dead gorgeous. Bella represents all girls; she just wants to be loved and will do anything for her love. If you take away the vampire element you have a cheesy high school love story with under developed characters and little underlying plot. The actors, besides not being able to act, lack emotion. But if you like that kind of “movie” Twilight is definitely for you.

Fireproof

"You never leave your partner, especially in a fire"
Fireproof, staring Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea, tells the story of a fire captain and his wife and their struggle to maintain their marriage. Caleb Holt and his wife, Kathrine, have been married for seven years, and have spent most of that time growing apart. And now they both "want out". When Caleb tells his father the news however, his father requests that Caleb wait forty days. "Why?" Caleb asks. His father asks him to try something that will take forty days: The Love Dare. This movie follows Caleb's journey through this dare, and shows the transformation both in him, and his wife.
Fireproof may not be the best quality movie to ever hit the theaters, but that is somewhat to be expected, considering the movie was made by a church. That said, the staring actors do an excellent job, and the overall quality of the movie is better than expected.
In today's society everything is very self-centered. We only do what's best for ourselves. Society and media tell us that when a relationship gets hard it is perfectly acceptable to bail out. Fireproof, however, explains the reality of the situation. This movie shows that when things get tough, that's when you need to fight even harder. And that, although it's sometimes hard to persevere and sacrifice of yourself, in the end it is worth it.

Me and My Gang

From the first strum of the guitar, to the last meaningful word, Rascal Flatts captures your heart. “Me and My Gang” is their fifth album. The boys (Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney) skillfully crafted their fifth album to envoke every emotion one could possibly ever have. “Me and My Gang” hit the airwaves in 2006 and three songs sprung straight to the top; not only on the country stations but on most radio stations as well. “What Hurts The Most” became a No.1 hit on the chart boards with in a few weeks of being on the air waves. All 13 songs on the album make you want to listen to it all day long. “Me and My Gang” has quite a few ballads on the CD, and the guys liven it up by giving us different types of songs. There are your "in love", "lost love", a fast pace funny twist on a country song and a classic country/Bon Jovi style songs.
In this album Rascal Flatts introduces us to a diverse cast of characters in their songs. We hear from the broken hearted in "What Hurts The Most,” the heartbreaker in "I Feel Bad”, a father who wants and wishes the best for his daughter in “I Wish”. In the song "To Make Her Love Me" we meet a person who has messed things up so bad with his love and wants a second chance and asks God/his maker to help win her back. Lastly in "Ellsworth" a song so beautifully written and preformed with so much emotion it will bring you to tears. Its a story about a Grandmother who has Alzheimer’s and is fading fast but a mention of Grandpa she comes alive again for a short while. When one takes time to think and really hear the lyrics to “what hurts the most” it may bring tears to your eyes as well.
Lyrics:
I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house, that don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and I just let ‘em out
I’m not afraid to cry every once and in a while,
Even though goin’ on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again, I pretend I’m okay, but that’s not what gets me
What hurts the most, was being so close, and having so much to say
And watchin’ you walk away, and never knowin’, what could have been
And not seein’ that lovin’ you, is what I was tryin’ to do.
Its hard to deal with the pain of losin’ you everywhere I go,
But I’m doin’ it, Its hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still harder gettin’ up, gettin’ dressed, livin’ with this regret but,
I know if I could do it over, I would trade, give away all the words that,
I saved in my heart that I left unspoken
What hurts the most, was being so close, and having so much to say
And watchin’ you walk away, and never knowin’, what could have been
And not seein’ that lovin’ you, is what I was tryin’ to do.
What hurts the most, was being so close, and having so much to say
And watchin’ you walk away, and never knowin’, what could have been
And not seein’ that lovin’ you, is what I was tryin’ to do.
Not seein’ that lovin’ you, That’s what I was trying to do
Oooo, Oooo, Oooo-.

The one fast paced classic “Flatts” song that most country fans have come to know is “Backwards”. It tells you what happens when you would play a country song backwards, including almost everything that could happen in a life time. All and all “Me and My Gang” is Rascal Flatts’ best album to date, in my humble opinion and nothing can change that.

Into the Wild

Into the Wild

By: Jude Maddenburg

Written by: Jon Krakauer

Directed by: Sean Penn

Staring: Emile Hirsch

This film based on a true story and national bestselling book, is about a young man named Chris fresh out of college giving away all he has, washing his hands of society, and living off of the land; without informing his family of his plans. It has a parallel of three different plots, which are all intertwined. The first plot is with Chris and his family immediately after his graduation and from there is how they react to him leaving. The second plot is with Chris as he travels across the United States to reach Alaska meeting all diverse people and working different jobs in towns all across America. Lastly is the plot with Chris in Alaska and his life when his is truly Into the Wild. It is classified as a drama, but it has a fair amount of humor in it and will bring you to tears. Though this may sounds like another film that could be forgotten in a few years, it is truly a powerful story that will challenge you to think about your connection with the world around you. It is films like this that can make an impact in ourselves and in our society. Even if the storyline doesn’t interest you, the stunning scenery throughout the film is worth the viewing, almost giving you a tour of south and north western America. The direction by Sean Penn stands out compared to the majority of “cookie-cutting directing” that we have seen recently in film; helping Sean Penn be labeled as a director we can count on for a exceptional film. With a soundtrack that is completely written and performed by Eddie Vedder(the lead singer and one of the guitarist of Pearl Jam), it has a very personalized sound throughout the film. Also staring Jena Malone, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Kristen Stewart, William Hurt and Catherine Keener. Which also puts this film as a must see with many strong actors and actresses, especially the lead, Emile Hirsch, who truly makes a name for himself as a mature and influential actor that will hopefully be sticking around. Overall, I give this film 4 and a half out of five stars.

Horton Hears a Who!

The kid’s flick Horton Hears a Who(directed by: Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino) tells of a genial, free spirited, and caring elephant named Horton (Jim Carrey) who lives in the jungle of Nool. While taking a bath, Horton stumbles upon a speck resting upon a clover, which he discovers is actually a minuscule world called Who-ville. Due to Horton’s overwhelmingly large size he is able to hear the very distraught major of Who-ville (Steve Carell), who is trying to convince his people of Horton’s existence and that there is an imminent threat if danger ahead unless they all work together. Unfortunately, Horton is the only one able to hear from this tiny speck. Especially not the gossiping kangaroo (Carol Burnett), who believes it her right to be into everyone’s business; when she sees Horton talking to a speck, she believes he is delusional and this poses a danger to the precious order of Nool. Horton makes it his mission to protect the residents of Who-ville from danger and from kangaroo who wants to destroy the clover. Horton boldly proclaims “a person’s a person, no matter how small!”

This movie did not stray far from the marvelous work of Dr. Seuss, and can bring anyone back to their childhood; remembering that Horton saw the smallest speck floating through the air and risks his life to assure that the citizens on Who-ville safe. Horton lives his life by the motto, “I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful, 100 percent!” Between the casts expressive lively voices, the quaint rhymes, and the exquisite animation this is definitely one to watch with the family.

Horton Hears a Who shows a remarkable connection to the world we live in today. The overbearing kangaroo exclaims that if you can't see something, can't hear something, and can't feel something then it is not real. Many Christians face the same remark by nonbelievers. People say that since you cannot physically see God, physically hear God, or physically feel God then he cannot possibly exist. Even through the ashamed looks, the ridicule, and the disapproval placed upon Horton, he stood for what he believed in, and what he knew was true, that "a person's a person, no matter how small" or big.

City of Evil

A low growl fills the air amalgamated with screechy guitar notes. The drums come in, building up the tension, the edge, a light scream shades the power of the guitars, and the vocals begin, the beginning of the first song on Avenged Sevenfold's famous album ranked in the top hundred of all Guitar Albums, "The City of Evil". The song to start it all, is known as none other than, "The Beast and the Harlot."
The uniqueness of Avenged Sevenfold's songs have made them a top hit among teens and adults in the metal, and hard rock scene. Gathering new fans, and entertaining old fans with their techinical guitar solos, heat-pounding drums, adrenaline pumping vocals, and mind-shaking lyrics, Avenged Sevenfold surely has made a reputable name for themselves.
Dark and fierce, morbid and threatening, the lyrics penetrate the hearts of their audience, captivating every listener. Beyond the music comes the meanings behind the lyrics, some with stories so grim and horrid to turn a stomach, and have one realize the harshness of life and of the world. In their song "Betrayed," Avenged Sevenfold devotes the song to former guitarist of Pantera, Dimebag Darrel. This song relates to an even larger audience, gathering fans of Dimebag and giving new insite to Avenged fans when the song describes the tragic death of Dimebag, who was shot repeatedly until dead by an obsessive and delusional fan at a club Dimebag was playing at in Ohio. The song shows several perspectives, including that of the audience who saw Dimebag fall by the obsessed fans' gun, "A smoking gun in hand, now don't your realize what you've done? Put a bullet in his back, your hero since you were so young..."
And of the killer, Gale, and his mental suffering as he killed Dimebag, "Sometimes problems seem too deep to take (too hard to take) Sometimes I cry thinking my future looks so bleak." and, "Someone hear me, someone stop me, someone listen, why aren't you listening?"
Also comes the perspective of the fallen guitarist, "I started here so young and helped you get along, Just did it for the love, and people healed through us, Don't live your life in vain, don't take it out on me, You're cracked so just remember, I'm not your enemy. I don't desereve to fall this way, by a man who felt betrayed." The tradgedy lives on our hearts from this brilliant and bone-chilling song, along with the reminder of innocent blood shed and of Dimebag, who's own ghastly voice is included in a verse of the song, which hauntingly foreshadows the thoughts of his killer. "And I felt down I need you there, every note and every word, seems so hard to take. Finally, we're destined."
Another song written by Avenged Sevenfold called, "M.I.A" speaks of the struggle of a soldier, questioning the morality of fighting in war, "two million soldiers can't be wrong," and the plauges of after-war thoughts that haunt soldiers and the realness of war, "Take this from my consciousness and please erase my dreams." By the end of the song the soldier relates himself to a murderer as the song ends, "We walk the city lonely, memories that haunt are passing by, A murderer walks your streets tonight. Forgive me for my crimes. Don't forget that I was so young, fought so scared. In the name of God and Country."
The song that pulls all the songs and stories together is in the song "Bat Country" which starts with M. Shadows (lead vocalist) screeching the famous line said by Samuel Johnson, "He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Thus wrapping up the meaning behind the album, and the reason of why the album is relatable and captivating to all.

RENT!

“No other course, no other way, no day but today”. Embracing each and every day is a major theme in the film made off of Jonathan Larson’s rock opera Broadway hit, Rent in the year 2005. The movie takes place in the East Villiage of New York City. The plot unfolds through its catchy, upbeat songs. This musical has always been controversial in its themes and views because there are two homosexual couples and some drug use. But the movie is so much more then that. Many viewers are turned away by this, but they never see what the film is truly about. It is a story of great friendship, living with regret, loss and love. The film truly makes you fall in love with each of the characters.
Mark (Anthony Rapp) is a lonely film maker trying to get a big break. His ex-girlfriend, Maureen (Idina Menzel), who has a passion for the stage found happiness in the arms of an attorney named Joanne (Tracie Thoms). Roger (Adam Pascal), is a burned out rock star who we later find out has gotten AIDS from his deceased girlfriend. Romance begins between Roger and his neighbor Mimi (Rosario Dawson) when she reveals to him that she also has the disease. When Collins (Jesse L Martin) returns to the big city he finds the love of his life, a drag queen named Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia).
With such a colorful, diverse group of friends the movie is already off to an interesting start. While the first half of the movie is more positive, fun and funky, while the second half dramatically shifts tone. It becomes about living with mistakes from the past, great heartache and pain.
This film is so supposed to mirror life in the eighties in America. It is still relevant in the year 2009 because we still have the same problems. People still die every day of AIDS. They are forced to conform to society’s expectations. People still live in poverty, and they still are forced to life with regrets. Rent is about embracing each day and living in love. The characters have to learn to, “Forget regrets or life is yours to miss”