- You can review books, movies or CDs you've read, seen, or listened to since May 20
- In your review, include the title and author/artist
- Tell me what you liked and/or disliked (the plot? characters? the ending? too slow?)
- Please please please do NOT give away the ending, or what happens to major characters. No spoilers!!
- Give a rating of 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best of the best
- Review should be at least 3-5 sentences (be sure to put your initials at the end)
- Be creative! List your favorite tracks of a CD, favorite quote from a book, etc.
- After clicking on "Comments" and writing your review, select "Anonymous"
Email me at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us to let me know which review you posted and I'll give you your points. We've gotten some great reviews - keep them coming!!
329 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 329 of 329The Circle of Magic:Sandry's Book
By Tamora Pierce
This is a great book and I would reccomend this bookto many people. The print is very small but has a fantastic story. I think many people would enjoy this book because it intraduces you to the characters that are in her Magic Circle books. I really like this book.
Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
I really liked this book. I think many people would enjoy this book. If you read this book I think it would help you if you knew the original folk tale on which this retelling was based on. Tamora Pierce tells the Tale in a new and fasinating way. I really enjoyed this book.
Night at the Museum
**** 4 stars
I think it is a good idea but it is not that funny and sort of childish. I liked the story though and besides some cheesy parts it was a good movie. I liked the history put into and the miniatures were very funny.
N.A.J.
Pirates of the Carribean 3 a movie
*** 3 stars
this movie had a good storyline but I don't think that Jack Sparrrow is as funny anymore. The first one was a great movie but two and three lagged behind. I think it is a good movie to see but it is not one of my favorites.
Overall though it is better than poc2
N.A.J.
Like Mike a movie
**** 4 stars
I thought this was a very good movie. It was interesting seeing actual NBA players such as Allen Iverson and Bow Wow did a great job with the part. I thought it was very funny watching a ten year old school NBA ALL_Stars. I loved it s ending I think it is a good movie
N.A.J.
Oceans 13
**** four stars
I thought that as usual this was hilarious and brilliant. I didn't think this one was as good as the first and second but that can't be too bad. I loved the plan this time and the scenes were great.
N.A.J.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
a movie
**** stars
I think this is the best Harry Potter movie yet. I haven't seen the Order of the Phoenix yet though. This one has awesome seens such as in the lake. Also Voldemort looked Spectacular and just as the book described him. I think that this is a very good movie that anyone should see. Even if you didn't like the first three movies you will like this one.
N.A.J.
Summer of the Monkeys
Wilson Rawls
Summer of the Monkeys was an awesome book! I read Where the Red Fern Grows, and it was amazing! But this was better! My favorite part was when Jay Berry made his wish in the fairy ring. That was so sentimental! This book is a must for all book-lovers!
D.J.
Stars:**** (four stars)
Men in Black 2
** 2 stars
I thought that this was just a bad movie. The effects were not very good. I liked the plot but they didn't do a good job a carrying it out. Also I really didn't think that any of the supposedly "humurous" parts were funny. It is a good ideaa but they could have done better
N.A.J.
R.V. a movie
**** 4 stars
I liked this movie alot. This had great humor and I thought it was a great story line. I wish that there hadn't been so much drama but I think it had a good story and they did a great job writing it. I loved the little boy who was obssesed with growing muscles so he would lift weights all the time. I like when he says " I don't want them to get too big, you know?" to the girl he is trying to impress by talking about his muscles when he doesn't have any!Over all this is a good family movie
N.A.J.
Something Upstairs by Avi
***** five stars
I liked this book alot. It is a great ghost story but the thing I like most about it is a kid says its real! I think this is very interesting and sort of wierd. I like seeing the kid go back in time to save a slave in the future.
It is a good one time read
N.A.J.
Bourne Identity a movie
**** four stars
I think that this is an interestig action filled movie. I thought that some of the cast didn't fit well with the part though. I like watching the genious born solve problems and make cool gadgets to use. It also has a good mystery to keep you watching and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat!
N.A.J.
The Bourne Supremacy a movie
***** five stars
I thought that this movie was much better than the Bourne Identity. This one had a better story and had a better outcome. Also this one had more puzzles and awesome action to keep you satisfied. I like the way bourne thinks and I think it is interesting to watch him in action during the movie.
N.A.J.
The Last Mimzy a movie
**** four stars
I think that this movie had a great and very interesting idea. At the beginning I was interested and it seemed to be a very good movie. But near the end I thought that it got sort of boring and amounted up to alot less than I had hoped. I still think though it is a good movie to see
N.A.J.
Horatio Hornblower: the Duel
a movie
***** five stars
this is the first horatio hornblower movie and it is great! I like all the action and it it cool watching the british navy. This is a great boys movie. I like te characters chosen alot they really fit the part. Also I thought the ships were amazing and the battles just so interesting. It is a great movie.
N.A.J.
Surf's Up a movie
*** 3 stars
The beginning of this movie is extremely pointless and dull. I was ready to leave the theater after five minutes. Later on thuogh it gets better and is actually worth watching. I thought the animation was great and some of it was very funny. Some however, was pretty cheesy. Overall I will never see it again but its a good movie to see once when you have nothing better to do.
N.A.J.
Casino Royale
the movie
***** five stars
I thought that this was a great movie. This one unlike lots of the James Bond movies was a little more realistic in the action seens. I thought the new james bong did a great job. There were great seens such as the car flipping in the air. I didn't like the ending very much but overall it was a great movie that most teens would like.
N.A.J.
Horatio Hornblower: The Dutchess and the Devil.
***** five stars
This is one of my favorite Horatio Hornblower movies. This one has lots of devious play going on and secrets. Also the action was really cool. In this one you meet up again with my favorite character Kennedy. This one shows what respect for your word and never giving up hope can do.
N.A.J.
Mission Impossible
**** 4 stars
I think that this is a good movie. The only problem is that some parts truly are unreal and ridiculous. I thought that the seen on the train was some of the worst special effects I have ever seen. But it had great action seens. It was fun to watch and I think most people would like it.
N.A.J.
Wicked
I saw Wicked on Broadway and it was so good! I really enjoyed watching the actors and actresses. The singing was amazing. I highly suggest seeing Wicked. My favorite songs in the play were Defying Gravity and Popular. Popular is very funny!
AET
Stars:***** (five)
Hairspray
The play
Hairspray is a great play! I saw it last year in Birmingham. There are some bad parts but not too bad. I think that the actors and actresses did a great job. I really liked the plot and I can't wait to see the movie!
AET
Stars: ****(four)
The Lion King
Movie
This was my absolute favorite movie when I was younger! It has a great plot and it teaches a lesson. This movie is also a little bit sad. I think my favorite character was definetly Simba. I think this is a great movie for all kids between the ages of 2 and 7.
AET
Stars:**** (four stars)
Elf
The movie
This movie starring Will Ferrel is sooooo good. Elf is hilarious. Buddy (the one who thinks he is an elf) is my favorite character. This movie is a great movie to watch during Christmas time to get you in the spirit. I think that anyone could enjoy this movie and that everyone should see it.
AET
Stars: ****.5 (four and a half)
Daniel's Story
Carol Matas
This book is so sweet. It is the touching story of a family in the Holocaust. It tells about the concentration camps that Daniel had to go to and about all the horrible things he saw. I think everyone should read this book to be more aware of the Holocaust.
AET
Stars:**** (four)
Cheaper by the Dozen
A movie
Cheaper by the Dozen is a hilarious movie. It takes you in on a close up about what life is like living with 12 kids. I really like how their life is so real and they have problems. It isn't like "oh we are one big happy family". My favorite character is Sarah. I think anyone would enjoy this movie.
AET
Stars: **** (four)
Cheaper by the dozen two
A movie
The Baker's are back! And this time they are headed to a cabin in the woods next to a lake. When the Baker's get to the lake they see this giagantic house across from their little log cabin. They immediatly try to make friends with them but Mr. Baker makes things a little complicated. You must watch this movie to find out what happens.
AET
Stars: ***.5 (three and a half)
Maximum Ride: The Angel Expirement
James Patterson
Maximum Ride: The Angel Expirement is one of three in a series. These books are amazing. They are about 300 to 400 pages and I could finish it in one day. They are about these kids who are 98% human 2% bird. They have wings and can fly. These six kids are on the run from the School where they were tested on and forced to do things like run in a big hamsterwheel all day. I reccomend these books to everyone.
AET
Stars:***** (five)
The Good Shepard (Movie)
This movie is about the start of the FBI. Matt Damon and Anjolina Jolie star in this movie. I liked this movie a lot even though it was a bit confusing at parts. I give this movie 4 stars.
TLP
Sharktale
A movie
This animated movie is soo cute. It is about a fish who just wants some attention. So he and this shark (who hates being a shark and wants to be a dolphin)put on a trick. BUt what happens if this trick doesn't work? Well, you have to see the movie to find out.
AET
Stars:***.5 (three and a half)
Pride and Prejudice (Movie)
This movie is based on the book by Jane Austin. Keira Knightly is the star of this movie. I love this movie and i have watched it many times. I give this movie 5 stars.
TLP
Soul Eater
Michelle
This is the third book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. Torak has to save Wolf from four soul-eaters, but in the process he is faced with a dilema: to kill a hunter. Soul Eater combines the strengths of the first and second books to create an awesomely intense story.
S.S.C
Stars:*****(five stars)
Bud Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
This book is about a little boy who sets out on a journey to find his father. This is a very cute book. I give this book 4 stars.
TLP
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe
This book about an African tribe is more of a Social Studies book than a summer reading book, but it is too good to be included in the schools reading. It gives a new view to colonization by the white man that shows some dark truths. More of a boy book than a girl book, but anyone who thinks they know anything about Africa should read it.
S.S.C.
Stars:****(four stars)
The Midwife's Apprentice
By Karen Cushman
This book is about a homeless girl who is taken up by a midwife to become her apprentice. This book takes place in medeval England. I enjoyed this book, but it was not my favorite. I give this book 3.5 stars.
TLP
Alex Rider Series
Anthony Hurowitz
These books are so good. As of now there are 6. They are called Stormbreaker, Point Blank, Eagle Strike, Skeleton Key, Scorpia, and Ark Angel. My favorite so far is totally Scorpia. These books are great for boys and girls. They are action packed with a little suspense. I reccomend these books to everyone.
AET
Stars:**** (four)
My Life and Hard Times
James Thurber
This is a autobiography of Jame's Thurber's childhood. It is very funny and entertaining. This is a book that I had to read for summer reading and I was surprised at how good it was. I give this book 4 stars.
TLP
License to Wed (movie)
This is a new Robin Williams movie and just like all his other movies, this one is very funny. Robin Williams portrays a minister who forces all couples to go thru a training class before he will perform a marriage cerimony. I liked this movie a lot and I give it 4 stars.
TLP
John Tucker Must Die (movie)
This is a movie about 3 very different girls who are all dating the same guy. They decide to teach the boy a lesson by having someone break his heart for a change. This was a very cute movie. I recommend it for any girl that loves a good chick flic. I give this movie 4 stars.
TLP
Crystal Doors
Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson
A must read for anyone who likes fantasy. It gives facinating thoughts to the idea of parallel universes. It is a great start to the Crystal Doors Trilogy, and would be enjoyed by both boys and girls.
S.S.C.
Stars:****(four stars)
The Hobbit
J R R Tolkein
This book is really incrdible. It sends Bilbo on a fantastic magical journey across the world to the Lonely Mountain to fight the dragin Smaug. This was a great quick read.
Five Stars*****!
The cat who saw Red
Lilian Jackson Braun
Qwilleran- a reporter with a skill in solving murders is switched to a food article, rating the towns resturants, but muder has a way of catching up to him. Soon after he begins his old girlfriend disappers and Qwilleran is determined to find her, and his cats are willing to help. For each murder Qwilleran has solved involved help from his two cats, Koko and Yum Yum. i thought this book remined me of Ann Georges books, so if you are a fan, i would reccomened this book
M.E.W.S
Stars- ****(4)
Big Momma's House 2 (movie)
Martin Lawerence is back as the FBI agent who poses as an overweight nanny. This movie was very good movie maybe even better than the first. I give this movie 4 stars.
TLP
Live Free or Die Hard
Movie review
Definetly the best "Die Hard" movie yet. The pyrotechnics are really amazing. THe stunts were awesome. If you watch the credits the stunts list just keeps going on and on.
Yippy kie yay,
Will Vahle
**** stars
Brunelleschi's Dome
Ross King
This book is too much facts and not enough fun. Its a look into Brunelleschi's labors to build the dome. It also show mideval life but not in the kinghts fighting dragons way. The description of Florecnce is pretty cool but that is one of the few cool parts.
S.S.C.
Stars:***(three stars)
George's Marvelous Medicine
Roald Dahl
This is a very humorous book about a boy who decides to get back at his wicked grandmother by making a new medicine. This book is a good book but in my opinion not as good as some of Dahl's other books. I give this book 3.5 stars.
TLP
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Movie review
Awesome! Full of action. Definetly a great beginning to the trilogy. Amazing. Leaving you wanting to see more!
Will Vahle
*****stars
Live Free or Die Hard
I agree with Will, the movie was freaking awesome. Cars flying and all the action kept me from going and getting water after I ate a large popcorn. If its good enough to get into an Arbys commercial(BEST FRIES EVER), its good enough to be seen 3 times.
Please do not attempt any of the action scenes at your house. I did and it hurt.
S.S.C.
Stars:*****(five stars)
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Alice Dalgliesh
This book is about a little girl who goes ahead of her family with her father to build their new home. The land that her father has bought is right next to and indian villiage which makes her feel a little uncomfortabe. This was an ok book, but not the best. I give this book 2.5 stars.
TLP
My Best Friend's Wedding (Movie)
This is a romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts. When her best friend, who is a guy, gets engaged, Julia discovers that he is her soul mate. So she spends the entire movie trying to break off the engagement. Can she win her best friend over, or is it already too late? I like this movie and give it 4 stars.
TLP
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Movie review
Even though it is the transition into the third one, which is normally the weakest, this is one of the strongest. Themovie is full of action and adventure. A great follow up to the first one.
Will Vahle
*****stars
The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Mohsin Hamid
Great book about the wake of the 9/11 attacks. A Packastani immigrant is at the top of his class at Princeton and is in love with a beautiful girl, but the attacks turn that perfect world upside down.
S.S.C.
Stars:****(four stars)
Coming to America (movie)
this is one of Eddie Murphy's first movies and it is very funny. He plays an African prince who comes to America to try to find a queen. I loved this movie and I give it 4.5 stars.
TLP
Little Miss Sunshine (movie)
This is a very funny movie that was made for the Sundance Festival. I recommend this movie for everyone who loves to laugh. I give this movie 5 stars.
TLP
Lord of the Rings: THe Return of the King
Movie Review
An amazing ending to the series. It's is aalso a great follow up to the other ones. It's amazing that J. R. R. Tolkien came up with such an amazing story. I definetly recomend it.
Will Vahle
*****stars
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire(movie)
Pretty good movie, but they definetly messed up the number of the girls and boys coming in from those other schools. The Yule Ball scene was bloody miserable. Everyone knew that Hermione was emotionaly challenged, and no one needed to see her cry all the time. The actual tourny was cool with the dragons and death eaters and that made up for those scenes Hermione messed up.
S.S.C
Stars:****(four stars)
The Devil Wears Prada
This movie stars Merril Streepe and Anne Hatheway. Anne is a girl who doesnot know anything about fasion but gets a job working for Runway the biggest fashion magazine. All she wants is to be able to get a job at a big New York newspaper and this job enables her to do that. I did not particularly like this movie because it was very slow going. I give this movie 2.5 stars.
sorry forgot to put my name on the Devil wears prada
TLP
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix(movie)
Despite not seeing it on the I-Max, it was pretty good. Loony, I mean Luna rox my sox of. She made me want pudding. The ministry was a little disapointing, but the rest was cool.
S.S.C
Stars:****(four stars)
Nickel and Dimed
Barbara Ehrenreich
This book was a little stressful to read in 2 days but overall it was a good read. It was about the author Barbara Ehrenreich going under cover as a Lower Class worker in America. She works as a waitress, cook, hotel maid, and more.
Four Stars !
Spiderman
Movie review
It portrays the comic book amazingly well. Full of of action, adventure, and emotion. Definetly a great movie. I would highly recomend it.
Will Vahle
***** stars
Wicked (the soundtrack)
I loved this cd! My favorite songs are Defy Gravity, I have been Changed for Good, and Popular. I give this soundtrack 5 stars! Everyone needs to listen to this cd.
TLP
Elf (movie)
I loved this movie. Will Ferrel stars as an a human sized elf who comes to New York City to find his dad. This movie is very funny. Everyone needs to see this movie!!!
I give it 5 stars.
TLP
Transformers(movie)
Robots in disguise. The special effects in this movie were awesome, though it did not live up to the 80's cartoon. Actually it was 40 times better. This is another movie that made it into a fast food commercial so it is worth 3 seeings, but Burger King's fries still are not as good as Arby's. And that yellow car was pretty cool, so i've decided that when I win the lottery thats what im gonna get.
S.S.C
Stars:****(four stars)
Spiderman 2
Movie review
A great follow up to the first one. This one is also full of action, adventure, and emotion. I would also highly recomend it too.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (movie)
This is the fourth movie in the series. I love this movie. It is action filled and very well done. I cannot wait to see the new movie.
I give this movie 5 stars!
TLP
Transformers
Movie review
Full of action and adventure. More than enough explosions! A great cartoon is now also a great movie. . I would highly recomend it.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Elf
Will Ferrel
Will Ferrel plays the Elf Buddy in this great Christmas holiday classic. He does it again and is just wonderful in this movie and is hilarious.
If you liked this movie I would reccomennd the movie Stranger Than Fiction.
Harry Potter: Sorcerer's Stone
Movie review
A great beginning to the series. An amazing story. The visual effects were awesome. A great movie every Harry Pottter fan should see.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Spiderman 3(movie)
The dark suit was the only good thing about this movie. The fighting with noise was not cool. Why not just blow venom up? When Peter was dark his moves were awefull. I would be ashamed to ever show my face again if I walked down the street like that.
S.S.C.
Stars:**(two stars)
Harry Potter: The Chamber of Secrets
Movie Review
A great follow up to the first one. An amazing movie. It's hard to belive that J. K. Rowling created the story.
Will Vahle
*****stars
Troy(movie)
GREAT MOVIE. Everything a movie needs, blood, gore and more blood. A couple inaproprate scenes, but the rest was clean killing. The best kill was when Achilles threw the spear 100 yards and nailed a guy of his horse. Girls would probably not like this movie.
S.S.C.
Stars:*****(five stars)
300(movie)
For Spartaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Another great movie with blood, gore, and more blood. In fact 600 gallons of digital blood. This movie also has inapropriate scenes and just plain creepy parts. You there what is your profession? I'm a potter. Startans what is your profession? AHHHH AHHH AHHH!
S.S.C
Stars:*****(five stars)
Harry Potter : The Prisoner of Azkaban
movie review
A great addition to the series. One of the best in the series. Better than the previous ones. I would also highly recomend this one too.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Movie)
Funny movie except for the very end. The drug selling father, Walker and Texas Ranger were the best. I'll just be a nice drug dealer, you know? Like say, "Hey whats up guys? Hows your mom going? Want some drugs?"
The ending is still gonna creep me out forever.
S.S.C.
Stars:****(four stars)
book review:
the queen of cool by cecil castellucci.
so i really loved this book. though i was kind-of thrown off by the cover [hot pink leopard print background with an image of perfectly painted light pink toenails with fairly ornate white crowns on the two big toenails], i picked this book up b/c i like the author. cecil castellucci is the author of ‘boy proof’ which i loved. so i picked this one up and i loved it too, much more than i had expected.
this book is about a girl named libby who appears to be the fairly cliché most popular girl in school character. after reading a few pages, you realize that libby brin is much more than that. yes, shes popular, but she doesn’t enjoy it like you’d think she would. the first encounter we have with her, she goes to school and tapes pencil to her shirt. all her friends follow suit, and by the time she’s in lunch, most of the rest of the day is wearing pencils taped to their shirts. but libby isn’t happy with this lifestyle. she finds it boring, which, after reading from her point of view, i agree.
so in a spur of the moment decision, she signs up for a volunteering program at the zoo. her popular friends don’t agree with it, except for sid, the most misplaced popular kid you will ever read. except libby; shes pretty misplaced, too.
so she starts volunteering, and she’s grouped with the dorkiest kids she could imagine. tina, a unfortunately short girl who’s super sweet, but ridiculed for her height. [for the first half of the book or so, libby calls her tiny with her friends]. also, Sheldon, who goes to a different school for really smart people and wants to study aliens when he grows up.
throughout the book, she realized what’s important and who she wants to be and be perceived as. one of my favorite subtle, but important changes is when she starts calling tina by her name, rather than tiny. the book is written in first person, and whenever libby mentions tiny in her thoughts, or even in her speech, she calls her tiny, up until a certain point, when she starts to change from who she was to who sh wants to be.
five stars. mmm--yeah.
love!love!love!
a. swagler
cd review:
louder now by taking back sunday.
genre: kind of emo, not so screamo. just good music for concerts. at their concert, they have a mosh pit! but its bearable mosh-pit-music.
discography: [favorite are BOLD.] 1. what’s it feel like to be a ghost? 2. liar (it takes one to know one). 3. makedamnsure. 4. up against. 5.my blue heaven. 6. twenty-twenty surgery. 7. spin. 8. divine intervention. 9. miami. 10. error: operator. 11. i’ll let you live. 12. brooklyn (bonus track).
so this album, all around, pleased me. i like taking back sunday a lot. i got into them, like, two or three years ago, b/c of a friend, and i still like them. [i dunno about you, but if i can stick w/ something for that long, i consider the band pretty great.] so they’re pretty big w/ the scene kids and the emo kids and everyone else. their new album is different from their others—less screaming, more actual music.
things i liked about this album: the fact that the band felt more mature [probably due ot the fact that there was a little less screaming, like i said earlier.]
things i would have changed: the first song, what’s it feel like to be a ghost?, ends with quiet drums, just a light tapping o the cymbals.. the second song, liar (it takes one to know one) begins with the same light tapping sound. it unites the songs and sounds really cool, like they’re just blending together. but that’s the only time it happens in the whole album! i think it would have been really cool if that had continued that [sort of like arcade fire does in their album, ‘funeral.’ if you play the album through, the songs all sort of turn into each other. the notes one song ends on are the note the next own begins with.]
bottom line: i think it would have worked nicely on this album.
fun fact: taking back sunday always have eleven songs on their albums. ‘what about brooklyn? the twelfth song?’ you ask. my answer: brooklyn doesn’t count. it’s a bonus track. :] cool, huh?
note: not too much language. it’s not as bad as, say, lily allen or the arctic monkeys. but it’s not as innocent as, say, the tellytubbies.
stars: am i too lenient? five, as usual.
much love,
a. swagler
cd review:
no doubt: the singles 1992-2003 by no doubt.
genre: ive heard it called ska. ive heard it called rock. ive heard it called alternative. ive heard it called pop. i just think its gwen stefani, old school and better than she is now.
discography: 1. just a girl. 2. it’s my life. 3. hey baby. 4. bathwater. 5. sunday morning. 6. hella good. 7. new. 8. underneath it all. 9. excuse me mr. 10. running. 11. spiderwebs. 12. simple kind of life. 13. dont speak. 14. ex-girlfriend. 15. trapped in a box.
so if you go check out no doubt right now, you probably recognize the unique, very feminine vocals. its gwen stefani. you know, hollaback girl? well this is her, from the old days, back when she had braces and bounced around with pink hair. so this is her back in the nineties [and through 2003]. this is the singles album, so its pretty much just the best-known songs. even if you don’t think you know no doubt, you do. these are songs you’ve heard on the radio, songs that you know by sound, even if you don’t know them by name, you know?
so this album is pretty great, b/c as much as i love no doubt as a band, some of their songs just dont really matter to me. we all have favorite songs by a certain artist; this is the album of those songs. if youre a beginning fan, or you like no doubt but dont want to go all out and get all their stuff, this is a good beginners album. this also has a variety of interesting sound. you know how some artists get roped into one sound and all their stuff sounds the same? well, no doubt tends to do that a little, and since this is a compilation of all of their stuff from over the years, this covers a variety of different sounds.
i really like this album. its fun to listen to, and kind of reminds me of stuff the deejays used to play when i went to skate parties when i was, like, seven. and who wouldn’t want to be reminded of those parties. ohh yeah!
stars: uh. FIVE.
a. swagler
Quantum Prophecy:The Awakening
This book is adds a new twist to super heros and villans. There all gone. No one knows where they went. In the book the next generation start to emerge. Action-packed and ever twisting, this book kept me turning the pages. If you like X-Men then you'll love the Awakening.
S.S.C.
Stars:****(four stars)
book review:
a great and terribly beauty by libba bray.
so i think my mom’s doing a tv segment on books for teens to read after harry potter. since there won’t be any more. so i’ve been helping her and this is one of the ones i love.
so a great and terrible beauty is set in London in the late 1800s. i loved it b/c libba bray does a really great job of balancing out the normal and the abnormal in this book. yeah, there’s magic, but not overwhelmingly so. there’s also normal stuff like boarding school drama and mystery and how one teenage girl, gemma doyle, copes with the despair of her mother’s brutal and disturbing mystery of a murder. there are four main characters, gemma, pippa, ann, and felicity. the book i set around a mystery and evil and the death of gemma’s mother.
i really loved the characters in this book. they are all very well developed and easy to relate to. gemma is sensible, but strong-minded. felicity is a somewhat overpowering character, very commanding and strong. ann is shy and somewhat weak; she evokes pity from the readers. pippa is beautiful and she knows it; she is a very proud character.
i think one reason i liked this book so much [other than the great characters] is b/c its such a mess-w/-your-head-book. you don’t know exactly what’s going on, and that’s what keeps you hooked. also, i liked how it’s set in first person, so you understand the emotion better. it’s the first in series, so if you like it [you probably will], you will have more to read.
fyi: this book is followed by ‘rebel angels.’ the third book in this series, ‘the sweet far thing’ comes out december 26, 2007.
stars: f-i-v-e. uh-huh.
-- a. the swagler.
cd review:
commit this to memory by motion city soundtrack.
genre: alt. rock? well-written alt-indie rock? really funny, well-written alt-indie rock? really funny, well written alt-indie rock sung by a guy with a pretty voice and potty mouth? yeah, something along those lines.
discography: [favorite are BOLD.] 1. attractive today. 2. everything is alright. 3. when “you’re” around. 4. resolution. 5. feel like rain. 6.make out kids. 7. time turned fragile. 8. l.g. fuad. 9. better open the door. 10. together we’ll ring in the new year. 11. hangman. 12. hold me down.
so this is a really great album. i say that a lot, i know, but it really is. the singer, justin pierre sounds really great. and he writes some lyrics you can relate to and some you can laugh at. and some that are both. one really great song of theirs, ‘everything is alright’ pairs a catchy bass riff, nice drums and funny lyrics.
this is the song that got me hooked on mcs, and with lyrics like “give me a reason to end this discussion, to break with tradition, to fold and divide. ‘cause i hate the ocean, theme parks, and airplanes, talking with strangers, waiting in line…” and “i’m sick of the things i do when i’m nervous like cleaning the oven and checking my tires or counting the number of tiles on the ceiling—head for the hills! the kitchen’s on fire!” how could they not hook me? this song isn’t only fun to listen to, it develops a character in the listener’s mind. which is pretty darn cool, in my opinion.
some other great lyrics:
“i like the universe, but she messes w/ my words. i’m not talking planets or galaxies and the distance just makes it worse. i know what you’re thinking; this probably sounds rehearsed.” [from ‘resolution.’]
‘yeah, so i’m already dead… on the inside, but i can still pretend w/ my memories and photographs i have learned to love the lie. i wanna know what it’s like to be awkward and innocent, not belligerent. i wanna know how it feel to be useful and pertinent, and have common sense, yeah. let me in, let me into the club, ‘cause i wanna belong and i need to get strong and if memory serves i’m addicted to words and they’re useless.’ [from l.g. fuad.]
‘do you still believe in the stories told to you by my friends and i, when you were four years old. how it got so cold our lips just froze; we had to wait ‘til summer to find out what was said.’ [from time turned fragile.]
note: this album has really, really, really bad words. some safe songs: ‘everything is alright’ and ‘resolution’ and ‘time turned fragile.’ i’m sure there are more. but these are ht best i can think of right now.
songs for anyone to check out: ‘everything is alright.’ and ‘time turned fragile.’
song for someone who doesn’t mind bad words: ‘l.g. fuad.’
stars: FIVE. [that is, for a potty-mouth-band.]
love from,
a. swagler
Hairspray
Soundtrack to the Motion Picture
This album is really good! The songs that are on it are:
Good Morning Baltimore (Nikki Blonsky)
The Nicest Kids in Town (James Mardsen)
It Takes Two (Zac Effron),Miss Baltimore Crabs (Michelle Pfeiffer)I can Hear The Bells (Nikki Blonsky)
Ladies' Choice (Zac Effron)
The New Girl In Town (Brittany Snow)
Welcome to the 60's (Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta)
Run and Tell That (ELijah Kelley) Big, Blonde, And Beautiful (Queen Latifah)
Big Blonde and Beautiful Reprise (John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer)
Timeless to Me ( John Travolta and Christopher Walken)
I Know Where I've Been (Queen Latifah)
Without Love ( Zac Effron, Nikki Blonsky, Elijah Kelley, and Amanda Bynes)
Hairspray (James Marsden)
You Can't Stop The Beat (Nikki Blonsky, Zac Effron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, John Travolta, and Queen Latifah)
Come So Far (Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Effron, And Elijah Kelley)
Cooties (Aimee Allen)
Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now (Ricki Lake, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Nikki Blonsky)
AET
Stars:**** (four)
Legend:The best of Bob Marley and the Whalers(Cd)
Includes all of the best of Bob Marley, including No Woman No Cry live. Also includes the ever good Could you be loved, Buffalo Soldier, Get up Stand up, and Stir it up(pronounced steer it up for all you non regge lovers).
S.S.C.
Stars:*****(five stars)
The Best of Peter Tosh(CD)
If you don't know who Peter Tosh is then you don't know what regge is. This album includes the son Get Up Stand UP song also sung by Bob Marley. It has two versions of this song, one acoustic live and the other regular. Also includes myfavorite Bush Doctor.
S.S.C
Stars:*****(five stars)
Spiderman 3
I personally am not a big fan of Spidey, and this movie really didn't make me love it any more. It was OK, with its perks, but i thought the ending stunk, but if you like Spider man,go see it.
M.E.W.S
***(3)
LORD OF THE RINGS MOVIES
The Fellowship of the Rings
The first meeting to the hobbits is cool with all the fireworks and hairy feet. Also the cool characters are introduced, Gimli and Legolus.
Stars:****(four stars)
The Two Towers
Despite the split of the Fellowship, the quest is still on too destroy the ring. The Movie has awesome fight scenes, and good Gollum scenes too.
Stars:****(four stars)
Return of the King
Includes the last battle, with more elephants/killing machines. Aragon faces his destiny and poor Gollum gets obliterated. Gandolf get cooler than ever.
Stars:*****(five stars)
RENT(movie)
Good movie and better moral baseline. Angel is my favorite character. The best song in the move is Seasons of Love and the African-American lady is sensational. Little too many songs but still a great movie.
S.S.C.
Stars:*****(five stars)
Harry Potter : The Goblet of Fire
Movie review
Amazing! It's as though it's is the book since it portrays it so well. The visual effects are amazing. Definetly one of the best. I highly recomend it.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Each Little Bird That Sings Deborah Wiles
Each Little Bird That Sings is an incredibly special book. Comfort Snowberger is the main character and her family runs the town funeral home. Because of this, Comfort thinks she understands death but learns so much more as she loses her aunt and uncle. Now, Comfort has to find inside herself the strength to move on with the help of the advice of her aunt and uncle and the love of ther family and dog, Dismay.
D.J.
Stars:*** (three stars)
Mary Poppins
Based on the book by P.L. Travers
I saw the Broadway production of Mary Poppins in New York just this summer. It was so amazing! It had a bright, cheery feel to it, even when Miss Andrews arrived! My favorite number was Step in Time. That was truly magical! Mary Poppins is a warm play good for people of any age!
D.J.
Stars:**** (four stars)
Point Blank
Anthony Hurowitz
Point Blank is the second book in the Alex Rider series. I really like this one. Alex is sent to a remote boarding school in the Swiss Alps. But then things start going seriously wrong! I think everyone who likes action would love this book.
AET
Stars:****(four)
Wicked
Based on the book by Gregory Maguire
Wicked is really a magical play! I saw it in New York on July 2 this summer. It was even better than I expected! I loved the show! I loved the wonderful singing, the dancing, and I loved Galinda! I loved her idea of raising your hand, and her bubbly attitude and her wonderful dancing (not) in Popular. But I especially loved how I could connect to Elphaba. All-in-all, the show so amazing, I can't even tell you how amazing it was in words!
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Scorpia
Anthony Hurowitz
Personally, this is definetly my favorite book of the Alex Rider series yet! I love the way Alex uses what he knows to figure things out. I also like how in a split second he can come up with an escape plan. The gadgets that he uses are so cool! I mean who would think of a earing that is actually a grenade. I reccomend this book and this series to everyone.
AET
Stars:*****(five)
Freedom Writers
a movie
***** five stars
I think that this is a very good and inspirational movie. It sarts out slow but then it ends very weel. This helps to inspire people. I thought it was interesting seeing about the life of people in gangs. The teacher was great and I think that this was a great story and everything was done well.
N.A.J.
Invincible
a movie
**** four stars.
Invincible is a very good movie. The cool part is that it is a true stroy. There is lots of sad drama too. I thought the football seens were good and I just olain old like the story.
N.A.J.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Based on the book by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is my favorite HP movie so far! I love all the excitement, what with the Triwizard Tournament, and the romance, as Harry deals with his first crush! It is a must for all adventure-lovers!
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Skeleton Key
Anthony Hurowitz
Skeleton Key is the third book in the Alex Rider Series. I was really looking forward to reading it but then when I read it I really didn't like it so much. Even though I didn't like it I still had to read it because I didn't want to skip a book in the series. But I do think that you should read Skeleton Key because the rest of the series is good.
AET
Stars:***(three)
Freedom Writer's
A Movie
I think this movie is very good but also very innapropriate. I mean, it had a good plot and everything but I couldn't enjoy it because literally every second there was a cuss word. I think that you should only see this movie if you REALLY want to. I would never choose this movie by choice.
AET
Stars:*** (three)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Based on the book by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban is an amazing movie! It's got so much excitement, all revolving around one thing: Sirius Black, notorious mass murderer and Voldemort's most loyal follower, has broken out of Azkaban to kill Harry. The whole year, Harry is faced with many surprises and dangers. But the biggest surprise, and possibly danger, is yet to come.
D.J.
Stars:**** (four stars)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Based on the book by J.K. Rowling
Harry lives with his normal aunt and uncle, but he is something amazing. He always knew he was different, and one day, he finds out he's a wizard! He attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and for the first time, he has friends! But when they discover that something secret is hidden at the bottom of the school, they decide to find out what it is. But will Harry survive the dangers along the way? This is where it all started, so you need to read this one before you read the others!
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Bridge to Terabithia
Based on the book by Katherine Patterson
I love Bridge to Terabithia! I can connect to Leslie in so many ways! Leslie is the new girl in school, and together, Jess and Leslie make up an imaginary country called Terabithia. There, they battle creatures to help them get over real life. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, what will happen to Terabithia. Will it go on, or will it cease to exist forever?
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
*** 3 stars
I like the play and songs in the movie. But overall it was a pretty bad movie. It had too much drama. Also I just didn't find the story very interesting. The acting was great though.
N.A.J.
Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Patterson
Bridge to Terabithia is an amazing book! Leslie is the new girl in school, and with Jess, she makes up a country called Terabithia. Together, they rule Terabithia, ridding it of all sorts of made-up creatures. But, when something tragic occurs, will Jess be able to pull all the things Leslie has taught him, and let them help him move on?
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Patterson
Bridge to Terabithia is an amazing book! Leslie is the new girl in school, and with Jess, she makes up a country called Terabithia. Together, they rule Terabithia, ridding it of all sorts of made-up creatures. But, when something tragic occurs, will Jess be able to pull all the things Leslie has taught him, and let them help him move on?
D.J.
Stars:***** (five stars)
Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board
**** 4 stars
I thought this was a very good movie. I liked the actors alot and the story was cool. It wasn't the best movie I have ever seen but it was very good. Watching them board was really cool I think. The ending was also very satisfying.
N.A.J.
The Lightning Theif
Rick Riordan
A great combonation of modern day and greek mythology. It is definetly a great book, it's full of action,adventure, and suspense.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
Johnny Tsunami
*** 3 stars
I think that this movie was alright. It was sort of lame with the "hey bra's" and all of that. tHE only really good part was the very end. It had some good snowboarding pats but I really did't like it that much.
N.A.J.
Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan
An amazing follow up to the first one. It's filled with cleverness and suspense it is a great book. I highly recomend it.
Will Vahle
***** Stars
O'Reilly Factor:for kids ***
Bill O'Reilly
This is O'Reilly's views on the problems teens face today. It is meant to give teens a new perspective and help them get through the teen years safe and smart. I enjoyed this book and learned a lot. I found new perspective on certain topics. This is interesting and helpful. I give this 3 stars.
Kathleen EK
Mean Girls a movie
**** four stars
I thought this movie was very funny. The only problem is that it was sort of girlish. I like seeing about the clicks and everyone. The little cat fights between the girls was the only really bad part though.
N.A.J.
Ella Mental ***
Amber Deckers
This is the story of a 14 year old girl, Ella, and her friends and family. It takes the teenagers through a ton of real life problems. Ella writes down random life lessons and uses them to help solve her problems. I give this book 3 stars because although it is not the best book i've ever read it is interesting and quick and a fun story.
Kathleen EK
Ratatouille ***
This is the movie about the chef that is a rat and controls the human by pulling his hair. It is pretty gross but a fun story. See it if you like pixar films. I liked it but i dont care to see it again. I give this 3 stars because although it is a gross thought it is a cute story.
Kathleen EK
book review:
tithe by holly black.
so this is one of those faerie books that’s about faeries but also about the real world. this book is about a teenage girl named kaye who lives w/ her mother, which basically means she moves around to accommodate whichever failing band her mother is part of at the time. she and her mother have to move back to kaye’s grandmother’s house for a while while her mother finds a new gig. in this neighborhood, kaye is known from her childhood as ‘the girl who believes in faeries’ and when she comes back as a teen, her faerie friends from her childhood come back b/c they need her help.
this book follows kaye’s adventures w/ the faeries she’s always known as her friends, and an enemy of theirs, roiben, the faerie knight who kaye falls for. kaye, with the help of her gay friend corny, has to decide who’s more trustworthy: roiben, or her childhood friends.
this was a funny, easy read. i really liked how everything balanced out. it had a good balance between the amusing and the serious, the fantastic and the realistic. it also showed a side of faeries you didn’t see in your childhood fairy tales; this book makes some of them [well, most of them] out to be evil, which was nice. i enjoyed reading it, but it wasn’t my favorite.
stars: four… yeah. four.
-- a. swagler.
book review:
valiant by holly black.
so this book is by the same person who wrote ‘tithe,’ and both of these books are about faerie-people. this isn’t about kaye and roiben again, though; this one’s about a girl names val. val runs away from home to live on the streets when she finds her boyfriend and mom together. while she’s on the streets, she meets lolli, dave, and louis, some other street kids. but when she is introduced to these kids, she’s also introduced to a faerie-drug and the world of faerie. through a strange twist of events, she meets a troll, ravus, and becomes under his employment. though another strange twist of events, she and ravus become friends and he teaches her to use a sword.
this book really just tells of val’s adventures w/ the street kids and the faerie-people. it’s well-written and quite an attention-grabber. it also totally put me off drugs for life, not that i was really about to go do drugs in the first place. but still.
a nice touch: the main characters, kaye and roiben, from holly black’s other faerie-novel, tithe, make an appearance in this book. its pretty sweet.
stars: four? yeah. that sounds about right.
-- a. swagler.
book review:
twilight by stephenie meyer.
if you are a hopeless romantic going through that ‘vampire stage’ most teenage or preteenage girls go through, check this book out. its one of your better written options. the story is told in first person, by a narrator named bella swan. bella is a character most girls can relate to, but look up to at the same time. readers are able to see her both ways b/c she is a complex, many-faceted character. on one hand, she doesn’t think very highly of herself, she doesn’t think she’s very pretty, and she’s clumsy.… which are things a lot of us understand and can relate to. on the other hand, she’s got a vampire in love w/ her, she’s actually very pretty, she’s smart and brave. yeah, her boyfriend’s got an unquenchable thirst for her blood, but she’s so in love w/ him that she doesn’t care.
this is pretty much one of those cliché vampire love stories you can find on quizilla and blog sites, but minus some of the cliché-ness, plus a fairly strong plot and well-developed characters.
problems i had w/ this book: the characters, while being fairly developed and interesting, were a little too perfect. i mean, yeah, they’re vampires, they’re supposed to be perfect. but that just felt so cliché, you know?
things i liked: even if the perfect vampire characters felt too perfect, meyer did a good job of separating them so that they didn’t all feel like one great big perfect bloodsucker. they all had quirks and things that made them stand apart.
ultimately, i thought this was about as creative as a vampire book could be. i would recommend it. in fact, i think i have before.
fyi: this book is first in a series.
also out: new moon.
coming august 7, 2007: eclipse.
and that’s not all! there will be more.
stars: if you like vampire books: five. if that’s not really your thing, 3. soooo that averages to, what? four? yeah. four.
-- a. swagler.
Harry Potter 5 ****
I enjoyed this movie everyone should see it. I've not read the book yet so it was not that great to me. I love the wizarding world. It is so cool. I've heard it is way different than the book, but the actors did a really great job. I give it 4 stars because the filming and directing were great and of course the story is amazing.
Kathleen EK
Disturbia **
This is a disturbing movie. I was standing outside in the lobby practically the entire movie. It is the story of boy whose father died. Then he committed a crime and was put on house arrest for 3 months. He begins to study the neighbors and finds that is next door neighbor is very strange. He figures out that he is linked with a bunch of young girls being murdered. He tries to turn him in but the police dont find anything. I would see this if you like scary movies, but personally i hate them so this was not a good movie to me. I give it two stars cause it was a cool story although very disturbing. Hints the title.
Kathleen EK
Sahara is a really good movie. It had a lot of interesting concepts in it as well as a cool plot line. It doesn't hurt that it has great acting in it too (Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey!) I would recommend this movie to anyone! 5/5 stars!
MSS
Welcome To The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance
This emo album is great, good for playing violent video games and chopping wood. Very well recorded and highly reccomended.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
This book is an advanced insight into the lives of teenagers living in a communist Russia. This book is a beautiful metaphor for the struggle of famlies in a stressful environment.
FireWorks
Many Authors
Fireworks consists of 4 short romantic stories that warm the heart. Each one is written by famous author and each one is uniquely written in a way that will keep you guessing.
M.E.W.S
******(5)
Wild Hogs ***
This is a hilarious movie about four grown men who go on a motercycle trip out west. They meet a motorcycle gang and battle them because they stole one of the guys bikes. I enjoyed this movie it is hilarious. I give it 3 stars because it is funny. see it
Kathleen EK
The Golden Compass
Phillip Pullman
Lyra, who lives in Jordan College, overhears her uncle speak of a magical dust with unique properties, also all over the world children are being taken by the gobblers, and soon Lyra's friend is taken too. Shortly after this happens she is sent to live with Mrs. Coulter, but before Kyra leaves The headmaster of Jordan College gives her a strange artifact called a alethiometer which tells the truth. Follow Lyra as she journeys to the Artic to find out about this magical dust and as she befriends many magical creatures.
M.E.W.S
*****(5)
The Time Machine
H.G. Wells
Stars****(4)
This is a story of a scientist who invents a time machine. (Pretty obvious) His time machine takes him into the distant future and he is amazed by what he finds.
This book is one of the Sci-Fi Classics.
This book is pretty difficult to read.
C.J.B.
Mistmantle Chronicles book one
M.I. McAllister
stars*****(5)
This was one of those books that you'll think you hate until...
You read the first page!!! I love this book!!!
On the amazing island of mistmantle, A squirrel is born, a prophesy fulfilled, and a Destiny Revealed.
This is a must read summer book!
C.J.B.
Half Moon Investigations
Eoin Colfer
Stars *****(5)
Yet another great book from Eoin Colfer.
A mysterious frame up, a daring plan, a unlikely incognito. This book will keep you coming back for more.
C.J.B.
Artimis Foul Book 1
Eoin Colfer
Stars*******************************************(100)
As you can see... I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! EOIN COLFER HIT THE JACKPOT THIS TIME!!! Now where was I.
Artimis Fowl is a criminal mastermind... He is also only 12 years old! In his biggest Plan yet, he captures a fairy and is soon thinking if he has gotten in over his head this time. this is a series that you must read.
C.J.B.
Artimus Fowl Arctic Incident
Eoin Colfer
Stars*****(5)
You know how sequels usually aren't as good as the first book, This book is one exception.
Artimis again teams up with the LEP to stop an uprising of Goblins! just as spellbinding as the first this book will have you laughing your socks off!
C.J.B.
Eoin Colfer
Artimis Fowl The Eternity Code
Stars*****(5)
Yet another Artimis Fowl Post.
Artimis has really worked himself in a corner when his microcomputer made with stolen fairy tech
Is stolen. now artimis must recover the supercomputer before its otherworldly secrets are discovered.
C.J.B.
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
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