Friday, July 31, 2009
What are we saying?
I saw a small article in the local paper.
Drug Testing
Drug testing for students in an extracurricular school activity will be at 9 a.m.-noon and 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4-5 at the high school.
We see it every year, we're use to it, we don't think about it.
So what are we saying, every year, to students who don't pass the drug test?
"We know that you would like to find some interests other than drugs, but since your urine showed traces of past drug use, you will not be allowed to do so."
"Tommy, we know that you'd like to make some new friends, get involved in sports and maybe make something of your life but your urine shows signs of past drug use, so like, no way dude!"
Speaking of drug testing.
Isn't it great the way kids look up to professional athletes?
If it weren't for drug testing, kids could just look up to them and that would be it, a good thing.
But thanks to drug testing, kids look up to professional athletes then find out that they are taking drugs, then the kids want to take those drugs.
I must be crazy to expect sanity from an insane world.
Drug Testing
Drug testing for students in an extracurricular school activity will be at 9 a.m.-noon and 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 4-5 at the high school.
We see it every year, we're use to it, we don't think about it.
So what are we saying, every year, to students who don't pass the drug test?
"We know that you would like to find some interests other than drugs, but since your urine showed traces of past drug use, you will not be allowed to do so."
"Tommy, we know that you'd like to make some new friends, get involved in sports and maybe make something of your life but your urine shows signs of past drug use, so like, no way dude!"
Speaking of drug testing.
Isn't it great the way kids look up to professional athletes?
If it weren't for drug testing, kids could just look up to them and that would be it, a good thing.
But thanks to drug testing, kids look up to professional athletes then find out that they are taking drugs, then the kids want to take those drugs.
I must be crazy to expect sanity from an insane world.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Green Lantern: First Flight (2009)
director: Lauren Montgomery
writers: Alan Burnett, Michael Allen
starring: Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia Helfer, Michael Madsen
genre: Action, Animation, Comics
In terms of quality Green Lantern is pretty much on par with Wonder Woman. But in my opinion it’s a bit worse as a film for it’s somewhat lazy, and not on the mark depiction of Green Lantern. Green Lantern is probably my favorite DC comic’s character and plays a big part in my critique of the whole film. Even though I may consider a little bit of a problem it doesn’t mean that this still isn’t a good film.
For those not familiar with the Green Lantern mythos let me summarize a bit so you know what you’re getting into. Green Lanterns are a space police that protect the universe with their power rings. Their rings are powered by the Lantern power source that is in the middle of the universe on their headquarters that is the planet OA. Also they are leaded by the Guardians who are one of the oldest life forms of the galaxy. And last their power comes from the element of green that stands for willpower.
Now for the story. First Flight starts off with the death of Green Lantern Abin Surr and Hal Jordan training on a flight simulator. With Abin Sur death his ring searches for a new bearer which is Jordan. Once it finds him, Hal becomes a Lantern and is filled with new and inconceivable responsibilities. After his encounter with other Lanterns for further training on OA he is partnered up with the best Lantern in universe Sinestro. Now on his way to be a space cop he learns the true nature behind Abin Sur death and the trade of being a Lantern.
Even though I think it’s a good film. There are a number of problems due to my knowledge of the source material. Many might say that I’m nitpicking and that not knowing the source material doesn’t affect the viewing. Yes but because of my knowledge I have to clarify some things that I didn’t like. First of most of the film does treat the character and the mythos correctly with no huge mistakes. But they are things that are lacking and were changed for stupid reasons. One is the lack of origins story. The way he gets to be a Lantern is speeded up pretty quickly. The reason is said to be by director Lauren Montgomery that is already told in another DC animated film the New Frontier. Something that people will have not probably seen and that is placed in the Golden Age of comics of the 50’s. Quite different origins stories. Same way of getting the ring but no dealing with who Hal Jordan is and where he comes from.
And these aren't the only complaints I’ve got. The origin is kind of changed and I’m talking specifically about the search of Abin Sur killer. In the comics there is a great story with many classic villains, action, mystery and foretold prophecy for future stories which are all lost in the animated film. Probably because they didn’t care or wanted it to be in the live action film that is about to be made but I doubt. Also Sinestro becomes a bad guy in the comics not from the very start and the storyline of the film squeezes in a storyline of many arcs from a 50 year comic book history into the origin film of Hal Jordan within a measly 10 minute battle. You can understand my frustration as how they botched this film up. Also little things of the comics that are so important from issue to issue are missing like how their rings power levels are for example.
Even though it seems that I hate this film I don’t. As with Wonder Woman it has great action, voice acting and direction. DC animation studio is doing a exceptional job. But they should do much more research on how they write their origin and their character development because this film was lacking severely in it. Also a bigger budget for the animation wouldn't be a problem. After all of that I still recommend this film and hope you enjoy it and become a Green Lantern fan like me.
Personal Rating:
Review by Paul
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hellsing Ultimate OVA Series
Vampires exist. It is the duty of Hellsing, a secret organization sponsored by the British government, to hide that frightening fact and protect the blissfully unaware populace. Along with its own personal army, Hellsing has secret weapons. Alucard, an incredibly powerful vampire, has been controlled by Hellsing for years. It is unclear how he feels about being a servant to the Hellsing family, but he certainly enjoys his job as a vampire exterminator. Seras is a fledgling vampire and former police woman. Although reluctant to embrace her new self, she is a valued member of the organization. Integra Hellsing, the current leader, is usually fully capable of fulfilling her duty, but lately, vampire activity has been on the rise. Unfortunately, the cause is more alarming than anything she could have imagined. A group long thought dead has been plotting in secret since their apparent destruction over 50 years ago. Plotting to plunge England, and perhaps the entire world, into war.
MKV Subbed
1. http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8SGGKBAN
2. http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=WG1VKXIU
3. Part.a: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4RATDY2P \\
Part.b: http://www.megaupload.com/de/?d=QV1ABPU8
Hellsing Ultimate OVA IV
Part 01: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OLXV3OJI
Part 02: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3U4YSMD0
Part 03: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XSF7FMC0
Part 04: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2FUWWCWI
Part 05: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WDMMOHZ0
Part 06: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VD29WJ8U
Hellsing Ultimate vol. 01 (2006) [Dual-Audio]
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OE4X2QHD
Hellsing Ultimate vol. 02 (2006) [Dual-Audio]
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OBR4ECO3
Hellsing Ultimate vol. 03 (2006) [Dual-Audio]
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=82O9ZO75
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TJXJRZEG
Hellsing Ultimate vol. 04 (2008) [Dual-Audio]
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GSI2EYYQ
One Piece Movies 1-9
THNAKS TO jologs16 & nihonomaru
One Piece Movie 1
Description:
The legend of the Great Gold Pirate Wonan remains intact, years after his disappearance. Many pirates search for his mountain of gold hidden on a remote island. Among them are Captain El Drago and his men. By hunting down every member of Wonan's former crew, they eventually take possession of a map to that hidden island. On their way there, they meet and decide to rob the Straw Hat Pirates, who, still lacking a cook, are close to starvation. A short fight ensues, during which Luffy, Zoro, and Tobio, a boy who ran away from home to become part of Wonan's crew, are separated from the other Straw Hats and their ship, staying afloat on the shattered remains of what at some point was a boat. Following the scent of food, they quickly arrive at a floating oden bar, run by Tobio's grandfather, Ganzo. El Drago and his crew land on Wonan's island, where they encounter Usopp, who, to evade being killed, convinces them, that he is a professional treasure hunter, offers them his help, and using their map, starts leading them around. Meanwhile somewhere else on the island, Zoro and Luffy, chained together for trying to eat-and-run, get lost and attempt to get back to the shore. With the help of Nami, Usopp gets away from the enemy crew. The Straw Hats meet up and take a closer look at the treasure map. They conclude, that Wonan's treasure must be hidden on the island's only mountain and set out to climb it. On their way up, they meet Ganzo, who reveals to them, that he and Wonan had grown up like brothers, in the same village. On top of the mountain, they find an empty house, with a secret entry to a basement. El Drago and his men arrive and are beaten by Luffy and Zoro. Then the group climbs into the basement. There, Wonan's skeleton is sitting in an empty room, a message for his old friend Ganzo written on the walls. With no gold left to find on that island, the Straw Hats set sail, resuming course for the Grand Line.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1A6P3AO0
One Piece Movie 2
Description:
While the Straw Hats enjoy a warm day at the beach, their ship with all their equipment and weapons is stolen. They can do nothing but watch, as it disappears into the distance. A week later, dressed in cloth from a rental store for wedding ceremonies and riding a one-person paddle boat they set out to go after their lost belongings. At sea, they encounter the boy Akizu and the young man Borodo. The two call themselves the Thief Brothers and claim to be after a well known treasure, called the Diamond Clock from Clockwork Island. Actually, they are the ones who stole the Straw Hats ship and brought it to Clockwork Island to make the Straw Hats fight the Trump Siblings. The Trump Siblings are another pirate crew who occupied Clockwork Island for years and forced its inhabitants to build weapons. A number of ships bearing the mark of the Trump Siblings appear and a short fight ensues, during which the Thief Brothers' ship is destroyed and Nami abducted. Using mere pieces of wood to stay afloat and an improvised sail for propulsion, the group manages to reach the foot of Clockwork Island. A long, circular staircase, laced with deadly traps, leads up to the actual island. There, Nami makes the acquaintance of the Trump Siblings' captain, Bear King. He takes a liking to her and decides to make her his bride. Eventually the Thief Brothers and the remaining Straw Hats make it to the end of the stairway and onto the main island. A beautiful landscape appears in front of them, but the island's citizens are in no mood to cherish it. Not knowing that Akizu is their son, a pair of them tells the group of the island's past. Then the heroes go storming the Trump Siblings' stronghold, build around the island's key, which holds the island together. One after another, the Straw Hats get picked off and captured, until only Luffy remains. Once he reaches the strongholds top and frees his crew, the movie climaxes in an all out battle, during which the Trump Siblings are defeated and the island's key is destroyed. Clockwork Island crashes down into the ocean, but Akizu reunites with his family and the Straw Hats reclaim their ship.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JOV2DBJ2
One Piece Movie 3
Description:
With Chopper as their newest member, the Straw Hats arrive at the Island of Strange Animals. Before they can land, a geyser-like fountain sends their ship flying. Chopper falls off and lands in the middle of a gathering of animals. They are performing a ritual, which according to their legend, is supposed to cause a king to fall from the heavens. Believing that legend fulfilled, they proclaim Chopper their new king. The other Straw Hats, searching for their lost crewmate, make the acquaintance of the self-proclaimed genius and expert treasure hunter Count Butler, with his henchmen General Hot Dog and President Snake. Butler is in search of the horns of a particular animal living on the island, which when eaten bestows great power upon the eater. For that purpose, he uses a hoard of bovinae-like animals called horn eaters, which he controls by playing music on a special violin, to round up horn bearing animals. The Straw Hats, unknowingly, lead Butler to Chopper and the group of animals, whose king he has become. Butler gives the gathered animals an ultimatum, to hand over their king, whose horns he believes to be what he is looking for, or to be crushed by his horn eaters. But Chopper does not need to be turned over. He steps forward himself and lures the horn eaters away from the island's animals. A fight ensues and it does not take long until the remaining Straw Hats join in to take their fill. Zoro takes on Hot Dog and Sanji fights with Snake, while Usopp and Nami take care of the horn eaters. Butler fights with Chopper and is about to finish him off, when Momambi, a young boy and only human inhabitant of the island shows up with the former king's horns to lure Butler away from Chopper. The plan backfires, as Butler gets hold of the horns, quickly stuffs them down, and transforms into a large, horned, gorilla-like animal. With that he appears to be winning, until the islands animals and Luffy enter the fight. Luffy defeats Butler, breaks his horns, thus canceling his transformation, and sends him flying. Mobambi fears to be exiled from the island for losing the former king's horns, but instead is elected to be the new animal king.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9LDJNE22
One Piece Movie 4
Description:
In a port town pub, the once again flat broke Straw Hats witness a suspicious exchange between a customer and the proprietor. Nami immediately senses money and endeavors to convince the host to give her whatever information he had given him. The other Straw Hats join in and soon he is persuaded. He shows them to a backdoor, behind which they find a long and winding tunnel. That tunnel leads to a large underground chamber, where a number of pirate crews have a gathering. The island they are on, turns out to be the starting point of an irregularly occurring, anything-goes sailing competition. For a moment, the Straw Hats weigh whether it is wise to join in the race, considering that two giants and a crew of fish-men, who were once the rivals of Arlong's gang, were participating as well. But once they learn the height of the price money, not entering is out of the question. From the bookmaker they receive an eternal pose, to lead them to the goal of the race. Free food is available at the bottom of the chamber and Luffy makes extensive use of it. His eating habit of stealing other people's food quickly angers the bounty hunter Shuraiya Bascùd, as well as a group of men from General Gasparde's crew. Gasparde is a deserted marine, with a bounty more than three times as high as Luffy's and said to be the race's favorite. A fight arises, and after Luffy and Shuraiya beat up his men, they find themselves standing before the general himself. He is impressed with their skill and offers both of them to work under him. Of course they refuse, but Luffy finds some insulting words to do it and is caught off guard by Gasparde's right hand man, Needles. Luffy's courage impresses Gasparde even more. He renews his offer, orders Needles to let go of the rookie pirate, and leaves the room. The next morning, a strong ocean current starts the race, by pushing the ships upstream over the island. As soon as they are over the top, the various crews start shooting broadsides, board each others' ships, and ram their competitors out of the water. But once the island is left behind, the field quickly clears up, leaving the Straw Hats time eat. While inspecting the ship, Zoro discovers a boy named Amaguma, who had stowed away to earn money by killing some pirate to buy medicine for his adoptive grandfather, who works as an engineer on Gasparde's partially steam powered ship. The race continues. After fighting yet another rival crew and an encounter with a group of large sea kings, they arrive at the island the eternal pose is pointing to. The eternal poses were all mislabeled and led the fleet of unsuspecting pirates into reach of the cannons of the navy stronghold Navarone. Luffy has no doubt to whose fault it is. They turn around and using Choppers fine nose, attempt to catch up with Gasparde's ship. Shuraiya, who had followed Gasparde's invitation to come along on his ship, turns against him to take revenge for Gasparde's killing his parents and sister. He fights Needles and throws him over board, but stands no chance against Gasparde's Logia-type powers, which allow him to turn parts or all of his body into liquid or solid candy. The general is about to kill the bounty hunter, when the Straw Hats arrive and catch his attention. Luffy confronts him and the two engage in a fierce but one-sided battle. Any attack Luffy throws at his opponent causes his limbs to get stuck in Gasparde's body. Only after Sanji gives two sacks of flour to Luffy, can he overcome the villain's ability. Anaguma turns out to be a girl and Shuraiya's thought-dead sister, Adele Bascùd. With all their competitors taken out, the Straw Hats are about to arrive at the goal of the race, when a fleet of navy ships appears and forces them to abandon their prize money.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HWL4DABC
One Piece Movie 5
Description:
Zoro goes missing, as the Straw Hat's restock. On their search for him, Sanji follows Maya, a girl of the island, to a village. There, Zoro appears, accompanied by a group of marines. Zoro wields his sword against Sanji and takes three jewel balls from Maya. Luffy stumbles upon a training center of the local Marine division. There, he encounters Saga, the leader of the center and owner of the Seven Star Sword, who made Zoro take the balls to revive that swords slumbering power. Luffy fights him, but falls from a cliff. The Seven Stars Sword was that, which had ruined the country of Asuka with its cursed power a long time ago and had therefore been sealed. But with a night of a red full moon, that occurs only once every hundred years, the jewel balls in his possession, and Zoro on his side, only the remaining Straw Hats stand in Saga's way to reviving the swords true power.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PYUJ9YPV
One Piece Movie 6
Description:
The Straw Hats visit a recreational island, run by Baron Omatsuri, the former captain of a pirate crew, who were all killed years ago. Being the only survivor, he then started hating all close-knit groups of pirates and wishing to separate them. He and his henchmen seed distrust among the Straw Hats and capture them one by one, leaving only Luffy to free his crew from the Baron's hold.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QLC8ZA0G
One Piece Movie 7
Description:
The Straw Hats visits an island, known as Mecha Island, where a fisherman sings an old folk song about a Golden Crown. Searching for that mysterious treasure, they find a hidden entrance into the island. The island's leader, Ratchet, impressed with the find and in search of the Golden Crown himself, invites the crew to join him in his search and the crew along with Ratchet and his henchmen enter the cave. As it turns out, the islands true form, is that of a giant turtle. Ratchet, who had known this all along, uses his mechanical castle to take control of the turtle, in order to use it, to take over the world. Now the Straw Hats have to stop not only Ratchet, but also the helpless turtle, from crashing into a nearby island.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LHRIRCZA
One Piece Movie 8
Description:
The Straw Hats travel to Alabasta, the desert island and home of Nefertari Vivi. They find the country in the middle of a revolution. Sir Crocodile, the country's hero, secretly used his criminal organization, Baroque Works, to undermine the citizens trust in Cobra, Vivi's father and head of the Kingdom of Sand, in order to seize the throne and the countries hidden secret for himself. The crew now has to cross the desert, stop the revolution, save thousands of lives from Baroque Works hidden bombers, and most of all, defeat Crocodile, one of the mighty Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZP1ICPA0
One Piece Movie 9
Description:
The film begins with a brief flashback in the history of the Great Pirate Age, during which we see how Drum Island was attacked by the Blackbeard Pirates. Wapol, the king at the time, fled the land with the 20 best doctors, not even bothering to fight back. Afterward the film introduces Luffy and his Straw Hat crew.
Download ~
Part 1 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z3I4AYDE
Part 2 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1OKPHNSU
Part 3 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HJ700RF5
Part 4 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IJPLEU30
Part 5 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8S9J0979
One Piece Movie 1
Description:
The legend of the Great Gold Pirate Wonan remains intact, years after his disappearance. Many pirates search for his mountain of gold hidden on a remote island. Among them are Captain El Drago and his men. By hunting down every member of Wonan's former crew, they eventually take possession of a map to that hidden island. On their way there, they meet and decide to rob the Straw Hat Pirates, who, still lacking a cook, are close to starvation. A short fight ensues, during which Luffy, Zoro, and Tobio, a boy who ran away from home to become part of Wonan's crew, are separated from the other Straw Hats and their ship, staying afloat on the shattered remains of what at some point was a boat. Following the scent of food, they quickly arrive at a floating oden bar, run by Tobio's grandfather, Ganzo. El Drago and his crew land on Wonan's island, where they encounter Usopp, who, to evade being killed, convinces them, that he is a professional treasure hunter, offers them his help, and using their map, starts leading them around. Meanwhile somewhere else on the island, Zoro and Luffy, chained together for trying to eat-and-run, get lost and attempt to get back to the shore. With the help of Nami, Usopp gets away from the enemy crew. The Straw Hats meet up and take a closer look at the treasure map. They conclude, that Wonan's treasure must be hidden on the island's only mountain and set out to climb it. On their way up, they meet Ganzo, who reveals to them, that he and Wonan had grown up like brothers, in the same village. On top of the mountain, they find an empty house, with a secret entry to a basement. El Drago and his men arrive and are beaten by Luffy and Zoro. Then the group climbs into the basement. There, Wonan's skeleton is sitting in an empty room, a message for his old friend Ganzo written on the walls. With no gold left to find on that island, the Straw Hats set sail, resuming course for the Grand Line.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1A6P3AO0
One Piece Movie 2
Description:
While the Straw Hats enjoy a warm day at the beach, their ship with all their equipment and weapons is stolen. They can do nothing but watch, as it disappears into the distance. A week later, dressed in cloth from a rental store for wedding ceremonies and riding a one-person paddle boat they set out to go after their lost belongings. At sea, they encounter the boy Akizu and the young man Borodo. The two call themselves the Thief Brothers and claim to be after a well known treasure, called the Diamond Clock from Clockwork Island. Actually, they are the ones who stole the Straw Hats ship and brought it to Clockwork Island to make the Straw Hats fight the Trump Siblings. The Trump Siblings are another pirate crew who occupied Clockwork Island for years and forced its inhabitants to build weapons. A number of ships bearing the mark of the Trump Siblings appear and a short fight ensues, during which the Thief Brothers' ship is destroyed and Nami abducted. Using mere pieces of wood to stay afloat and an improvised sail for propulsion, the group manages to reach the foot of Clockwork Island. A long, circular staircase, laced with deadly traps, leads up to the actual island. There, Nami makes the acquaintance of the Trump Siblings' captain, Bear King. He takes a liking to her and decides to make her his bride. Eventually the Thief Brothers and the remaining Straw Hats make it to the end of the stairway and onto the main island. A beautiful landscape appears in front of them, but the island's citizens are in no mood to cherish it. Not knowing that Akizu is their son, a pair of them tells the group of the island's past. Then the heroes go storming the Trump Siblings' stronghold, build around the island's key, which holds the island together. One after another, the Straw Hats get picked off and captured, until only Luffy remains. Once he reaches the strongholds top and frees his crew, the movie climaxes in an all out battle, during which the Trump Siblings are defeated and the island's key is destroyed. Clockwork Island crashes down into the ocean, but Akizu reunites with his family and the Straw Hats reclaim their ship.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JOV2DBJ2
One Piece Movie 3
Description:
With Chopper as their newest member, the Straw Hats arrive at the Island of Strange Animals. Before they can land, a geyser-like fountain sends their ship flying. Chopper falls off and lands in the middle of a gathering of animals. They are performing a ritual, which according to their legend, is supposed to cause a king to fall from the heavens. Believing that legend fulfilled, they proclaim Chopper their new king. The other Straw Hats, searching for their lost crewmate, make the acquaintance of the self-proclaimed genius and expert treasure hunter Count Butler, with his henchmen General Hot Dog and President Snake. Butler is in search of the horns of a particular animal living on the island, which when eaten bestows great power upon the eater. For that purpose, he uses a hoard of bovinae-like animals called horn eaters, which he controls by playing music on a special violin, to round up horn bearing animals. The Straw Hats, unknowingly, lead Butler to Chopper and the group of animals, whose king he has become. Butler gives the gathered animals an ultimatum, to hand over their king, whose horns he believes to be what he is looking for, or to be crushed by his horn eaters. But Chopper does not need to be turned over. He steps forward himself and lures the horn eaters away from the island's animals. A fight ensues and it does not take long until the remaining Straw Hats join in to take their fill. Zoro takes on Hot Dog and Sanji fights with Snake, while Usopp and Nami take care of the horn eaters. Butler fights with Chopper and is about to finish him off, when Momambi, a young boy and only human inhabitant of the island shows up with the former king's horns to lure Butler away from Chopper. The plan backfires, as Butler gets hold of the horns, quickly stuffs them down, and transforms into a large, horned, gorilla-like animal. With that he appears to be winning, until the islands animals and Luffy enter the fight. Luffy defeats Butler, breaks his horns, thus canceling his transformation, and sends him flying. Mobambi fears to be exiled from the island for losing the former king's horns, but instead is elected to be the new animal king.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9LDJNE22
One Piece Movie 4
Description:
In a port town pub, the once again flat broke Straw Hats witness a suspicious exchange between a customer and the proprietor. Nami immediately senses money and endeavors to convince the host to give her whatever information he had given him. The other Straw Hats join in and soon he is persuaded. He shows them to a backdoor, behind which they find a long and winding tunnel. That tunnel leads to a large underground chamber, where a number of pirate crews have a gathering. The island they are on, turns out to be the starting point of an irregularly occurring, anything-goes sailing competition. For a moment, the Straw Hats weigh whether it is wise to join in the race, considering that two giants and a crew of fish-men, who were once the rivals of Arlong's gang, were participating as well. But once they learn the height of the price money, not entering is out of the question. From the bookmaker they receive an eternal pose, to lead them to the goal of the race. Free food is available at the bottom of the chamber and Luffy makes extensive use of it. His eating habit of stealing other people's food quickly angers the bounty hunter Shuraiya Bascùd, as well as a group of men from General Gasparde's crew. Gasparde is a deserted marine, with a bounty more than three times as high as Luffy's and said to be the race's favorite. A fight arises, and after Luffy and Shuraiya beat up his men, they find themselves standing before the general himself. He is impressed with their skill and offers both of them to work under him. Of course they refuse, but Luffy finds some insulting words to do it and is caught off guard by Gasparde's right hand man, Needles. Luffy's courage impresses Gasparde even more. He renews his offer, orders Needles to let go of the rookie pirate, and leaves the room. The next morning, a strong ocean current starts the race, by pushing the ships upstream over the island. As soon as they are over the top, the various crews start shooting broadsides, board each others' ships, and ram their competitors out of the water. But once the island is left behind, the field quickly clears up, leaving the Straw Hats time eat. While inspecting the ship, Zoro discovers a boy named Amaguma, who had stowed away to earn money by killing some pirate to buy medicine for his adoptive grandfather, who works as an engineer on Gasparde's partially steam powered ship. The race continues. After fighting yet another rival crew and an encounter with a group of large sea kings, they arrive at the island the eternal pose is pointing to. The eternal poses were all mislabeled and led the fleet of unsuspecting pirates into reach of the cannons of the navy stronghold Navarone. Luffy has no doubt to whose fault it is. They turn around and using Choppers fine nose, attempt to catch up with Gasparde's ship. Shuraiya, who had followed Gasparde's invitation to come along on his ship, turns against him to take revenge for Gasparde's killing his parents and sister. He fights Needles and throws him over board, but stands no chance against Gasparde's Logia-type powers, which allow him to turn parts or all of his body into liquid or solid candy. The general is about to kill the bounty hunter, when the Straw Hats arrive and catch his attention. Luffy confronts him and the two engage in a fierce but one-sided battle. Any attack Luffy throws at his opponent causes his limbs to get stuck in Gasparde's body. Only after Sanji gives two sacks of flour to Luffy, can he overcome the villain's ability. Anaguma turns out to be a girl and Shuraiya's thought-dead sister, Adele Bascùd. With all their competitors taken out, the Straw Hats are about to arrive at the goal of the race, when a fleet of navy ships appears and forces them to abandon their prize money.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HWL4DABC
One Piece Movie 5
Description:
Zoro goes missing, as the Straw Hat's restock. On their search for him, Sanji follows Maya, a girl of the island, to a village. There, Zoro appears, accompanied by a group of marines. Zoro wields his sword against Sanji and takes three jewel balls from Maya. Luffy stumbles upon a training center of the local Marine division. There, he encounters Saga, the leader of the center and owner of the Seven Star Sword, who made Zoro take the balls to revive that swords slumbering power. Luffy fights him, but falls from a cliff. The Seven Stars Sword was that, which had ruined the country of Asuka with its cursed power a long time ago and had therefore been sealed. But with a night of a red full moon, that occurs only once every hundred years, the jewel balls in his possession, and Zoro on his side, only the remaining Straw Hats stand in Saga's way to reviving the swords true power.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PYUJ9YPV
One Piece Movie 6
Description:
The Straw Hats visit a recreational island, run by Baron Omatsuri, the former captain of a pirate crew, who were all killed years ago. Being the only survivor, he then started hating all close-knit groups of pirates and wishing to separate them. He and his henchmen seed distrust among the Straw Hats and capture them one by one, leaving only Luffy to free his crew from the Baron's hold.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QLC8ZA0G
One Piece Movie 7
Description:
The Straw Hats visits an island, known as Mecha Island, where a fisherman sings an old folk song about a Golden Crown. Searching for that mysterious treasure, they find a hidden entrance into the island. The island's leader, Ratchet, impressed with the find and in search of the Golden Crown himself, invites the crew to join him in his search and the crew along with Ratchet and his henchmen enter the cave. As it turns out, the islands true form, is that of a giant turtle. Ratchet, who had known this all along, uses his mechanical castle to take control of the turtle, in order to use it, to take over the world. Now the Straw Hats have to stop not only Ratchet, but also the helpless turtle, from crashing into a nearby island.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LHRIRCZA
One Piece Movie 8
Description:
The Straw Hats travel to Alabasta, the desert island and home of Nefertari Vivi. They find the country in the middle of a revolution. Sir Crocodile, the country's hero, secretly used his criminal organization, Baroque Works, to undermine the citizens trust in Cobra, Vivi's father and head of the Kingdom of Sand, in order to seize the throne and the countries hidden secret for himself. The crew now has to cross the desert, stop the revolution, save thousands of lives from Baroque Works hidden bombers, and most of all, defeat Crocodile, one of the mighty Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Download ~ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZP1ICPA0
One Piece Movie 9
Description:
The film begins with a brief flashback in the history of the Great Pirate Age, during which we see how Drum Island was attacked by the Blackbeard Pirates. Wapol, the king at the time, fled the land with the 20 best doctors, not even bothering to fight back. Afterward the film introduces Luffy and his Straw Hat crew.
Download ~
Part 1 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z3I4AYDE
Part 2 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1OKPHNSU
Part 3 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HJ700RF5
Part 4 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IJPLEU30
Part 5 http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8S9J0979
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Dandelion Best Friends of Elina Barbie Princess
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Bruno (2009)
director: Larry Charles
writers: Sacha Baron Cohen, Anthony Hines
starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Clifford Benagale, Chibundu Orukwowu
genre: Comedy
Το Bruno είναι μια ταινία που περίμενα να δω από τη μέρα που έμαθα ότι θα κυκλοφορήσει. Έχοντας λατρέψει το Borat ήμουν σίγουρος ότι ο τρίτος και τελευταίος χαρακτήρας από το, εξίσου ξεκαρδιστικό, Ali G Show θα εγγυόταν άπειρο γέλιο. Και όντως μπορώ να πω ότι το τελικό αποτέλεσμα ξεπέρασε και τις ίδιες τις προσδοκίες μου.
Το στόρι είναι απλό και κατανοητό. Ένας ξεπεσμένος ομοφυλόφιλος σταρ της αυστριακής τηλεόρασης με ιδιαίτερα ποικιλόχρωμη ερωτική ζωή ξεκινάει την αναζήτηση της δόξας στην Αμερικάνικη show business. Έτσι ο Bruno διασχίζει την Αμερική και διάφορες άλλες χώρες του κόσμου προσπαθώντας να φτάσει στην τελική καταξίωση μέσα από άπειρα ευτράπελα, κωμικές καταστάσεις και φυσικά ξεκαρδιστικές αντιδράσεις των αγνωμόνων για τη δημιουργία της ταινίας που μπλέκονται σε αυτά τα σκηνικά.
Το Bruno αποτελεί μια απίστευτη κωμωδία που ανεβαίνει πολλά σκαλιά πάνω από το Borat, Μεγάλο ρόλο σε αυτό έχει παίξει και ένα αρκετά πιο δεμένο σενάριο που δένει όλα τα αστεία μεταξύ τους σε ένα απίστευτο σύνολο, κάτι που πολύ συχνά έλειπε από τον Καζακστανό δημοσιογράφο .
Σίγουρα η ταινία μπορεί να φαίνεται προσβλητική απέναντι στους ομοφυλόφιλους αλλά ο στόχος της ταινίας είναι εμφανώς άλλος. Μέσα από έναν περιθωριακό και ακραίο χαρακτήρα προσπαθεί να ξεμπροστιάσει την υπο φόβο Θεού και κάμερας ηθική κατάπτωση της Αμερικάνικης κοινωνίας που είτε διψάει για δημοσιότητα και για ίντριγκα, είτε μισεί ότι δεν αναφέρεται στα Ευαγγέλια.
Εκτός αυτού όμως ο Sacha Baron Cohen με όπλο της ανταύγεια του Bruno καταφέρνει να ασχοληθεί και με άλλα ζητήματα όπως την τρομοκρατία και το μεσανατολικό καυτηριάζοντας και χλευάζοντας την όλη κατάσταση.
Μπορεί να είναι σκληρό και προσβλητικό, όμως το χιούμορ της ταινίας απογειώνει τον οποιονδήποτε και χαρίζει άπλετο γέλιο με ένα μεγάλο καινούργιο αστέρι της κωμωδίας να καθιερώνεται δίπλα σε μεγαθήρια του είδους.
Πιστεύω όμως ότι η καλύτερη κριτική για την ταινία δεν είναι άλλη από τις αντιδράσεις των λοιπών θεατών με τους οποίους είδα την ταινία. Γέλια μέχρι δακρύων για μία ώρα και μισή που διαρκεί η ταινία εγγυώνται ένα απίστευτο βράδυ που θα συζητάτε καιρό με τους φίλους σας !!!
Καλή Προβολή!!!
Review by Gamapi
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Last Chance Harvey (2008)
director: Joel Hopkins
writer: Joel Hopkins
starring: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson
genre: Drama, Romance
After the classical Hollywood romantic comedies of “the Proposal” or “He’s Just Not That into You” here comes something completly different that makes us remember why we love seeing two people fall in love on the big screen. Because they are flawed, troubled, depressed and looking for happiness again. Last Chance Harvey is a touching story which makes for a great viewing.
The story is about Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) and Kate (Emma Thompson) even though the title just says Harvey it’s her film as well. Both of them are miserable and alone. Harvey is about to lose his job and makes a trip to London to see his daughter get married as he also comes to see that he is the fool of the family. Kate is an airport employee who has to deal with her loony mother and her bad luck at not finding connection to somebody. Chance brings them together and finds them a way to change their lives for the better.
What the film does so well is treating the characters as ordinary people. Flawed, depressed and hopeless from the start, you feel sad for these people. We get a lot of time to meet them and see their misery at first hand and then see why these two people click together. They make each other happier. All of this is do too good writing bringing some great situations for the both like their first meeting and their ever gradualistic chemistry. And of course not to forget the spot on performances by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson who just still show off their wonderful skills and is sad we don’t see them in enough in films lately.
The film is not without its flaws. Despite its great characters there are some clichés in the film that could have been avoided. The cliché of the two characters to so happen pass by each other to signify their connection was unnecessary. Also the subplot of Kate’s mother thinking her neighbor was a murder was pointless, comic relief that was out of place with the depressed atmosphere that the film had. Instead of these two things we could have had much more backstory to how they got to this sad state morose state or even more time of the two together just having fun.
In the end I applaud the film for its seriousness, performances and its good emotional story. It’s not the best romantic film I’ve seen, I still have the Before Sunset at the top of totem pole. But you get a very good film which anybody with a touch of romance in them is going to enjoy this for sure. Also it’s not a bad alternative to the usual programming of romantic comedies and the popcorn extravaganzas of the summer.
Personal Rating:
Review by Paul
Push (2009)
director : Paul McGuigan
writers : David Bourla
starring : Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning
genre : Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Ο χώρος των sci-fi ταινιών έχει παρουσιάσει μεγάλη ακμή τα τελευταία χρόνια' επιβλητικά flicks με τόνους ειδικών εφφέ μας έχουν καθηλώσει ουκ'ολίγες φορές. Η εξέλιξη του κλάδου της "εξαπάτησης" έχει κάνει προσιτή την τεχνολογία αυτή σε low-budget ταινίες, ακόμα και σε σειρές (βλέπε Heroes). Αυτή όμως η "ευκολία" πολλές φορές παίρνει τη θέση σεναρίου, και το Push είναι ένα καλός παράδειγμα κακής ταινίας που περιστρέφεται γυρω απο τα fx,ζαλίζοντας μας χωρίς νόημα.
Το story ειναι απλό. O πρωταγωνιστής (Chris Evans) ,με τη βοήθεια μιάς πιτσιρίκας (Dakota Fanning), και οι δύο κάτοχοι υπερδυνάμεων, έρχονται αντιμέτωποι με μία μυστική παρακρατική οργάνωση που ακούει στο όνομα Division. Αρχικά οι δύο ήρωες ψάχνουν για κάποια εκατομμύρια που ξαφνικά ξεφυτρώνουν στην ιστορία, και εξίσου ξαφνικά τα ξεχνάνε όλα και προσπαθούν να ξεφύγουν μια για πάντα απο το Division. Κάπου μέσα σε όλα μπλέκονται και οι Ναζί και η καταστροφή "βρωμάει" απο χιλιόμετρα...
Ότι κλισέ μπορείτε να φανταστείτε ενσωματώθηκε στο "σενάριο"
(ορφάνια, love story, χαζο-υπερδυνάμεις, ανατροπές που
βασανίζουν με την προβλεψιμότητα τους και αιθέριες υπάρξεις
χωρίς νόημα), δημιουργώντας έτσι ένα εξαιρετικά βαρετό
cocktail κακού Holywood. Η ηθοποιεία είναι απαράδεκτη, εν
μέρη εξαιτίας της έλλειψης σεναρίου αλλα και της απουσίας
σοβαρής σκηνοθεσίας. Τα ειδικά εφφέ στα οποία βασίζεται η
ταινία ειναι αξιοπρεπή αλλα φαίνονται low-budget και δεν
έχουν που να στηριχθούν, κατα συνέπεια λοιπόν ειναι άσκοπα
και δεν πείθουν.Θα ήταν αδύνατο να μην σχολιάσω τις
"υπερδυνάμεις" που παρουσιάζονται στην ταινία, μιάς και
όλο το story έχει να κάνει με αυτές. Το menu έχει τηλεκίνηση,
πλύση εγκεφάλου, πρόβλεψη του μέλλοντος και μερικές άλλες
ανούσιες ιδιότητες, οι οποίες δεν δένουν καθόλου, και κάποιες
απο αυτές επινοήθηκαν απλά και μόνο για να "σπρώξουν" με
χίλια ζόρια το σενάριο (στην άβυσσο της μετριότητας και πιο κάτω).
Το μόνο ίσως θετικό στοιχείο της ταινίας είναι οτι είναι γυρισμένη στο Hong-Kong, δίνοντας έτσι έναν ελάχιστο χαρακτήρα κουλτούρας σε μια κατα τα αλλα καθαρόαιμη αμερικάνικη παραγωγή κακής ποιότητος.
Καλή προβολή (για όσους σαδιστές/παράφρονες το επιχειρήσουν!
Review by Spap
Friday, July 17, 2009
Ned's Charging
I glanced at the caller I.D., "I wonder who keeps calling from Ned's Charging?" "Thay've been callin' every day for a week." "They'd better stop, I'm fixin to get pissed off at em!"
UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, Tex realized that the phone didn't say "Ned's Charging" it said "Needs Charging"
UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, Tex realized that the phone didn't say "Ned's Charging" it said "Needs Charging"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Danzo, Sixth Hokage
Name : Danzo
Debut (Manga) : Chapter 281
Debut (Anime) : Shippuden episode 89
Appears in : Anime and Manga
Gender : Male
Highest rank : Kage
Affiliation : Konohagakure & The Foundation
Team : ANBU Foundation faction
Jutsu : Juinjutsu, Sharingan
If you have another opinion about Danzo, please tell your opinion here.
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Debut (Manga) : Chapter 281
Debut (Anime) : Shippuden episode 89
Appears in : Anime and Manga
Gender : Male
Highest rank : Kage
Affiliation : Konohagakure & The Foundation
Team : ANBU Foundation faction
Jutsu : Juinjutsu, Sharingan
After 'sinvasion Konoha, Tsunade Sama as Fifth Hokage in critical condition. In that condition, the elders of Konoha make decision to choose a new hokage as Tsunade replacement. One man has been chosen to become Sixth Hokage, he is Danzo, Danzo is a Konoha elder, one of the oldest villagers in Konoha, Also a leader of Leader of the ANBU Foundation faction. Anything about Danzo still mysterious, his background, his power, enemy or not, we don't know nothing about him. Every his move always carefully and secretly, even his true goals, we didn't get it. I got more suprised about Danzo when I read Naruto Manga Chapter 455, Danzo is Sharingan user. Who is this guy? is he from Uchiha clan? or maybe he just get eye implant from another Uchiha just like Kakashi. It was very strange, is danzo the same guy with Kakashi teammate (Obito). It could be true, because Kakashi only has Obito's sharingan eye in his left eye. on the contrary, Danzo only has sharingan eye in his right eye. Another possibility, Danzo is brain of Kakashi's team attacked a long time ago. As we know, when Kakashi came to saved Obito, Obito right eye has blinded, maybe Danzo use a same medical technique to implant Obito's eye to be his own, but Kakashi came before he finished his plan.
What do you think about my prediction? If that's all wrong, I only have two another option, first, Danzo is Madara's brother and second, Danzo is a guy from Uchiha that never publicizing before. But, I'm not sure with the last option, if he is also from Uchiha, why did he send Sai to kill Sasuke? A logical reason according me, because Sharingan user only get lose by another Sharingan user. Madara, Itachi, Sasuke and Kakashi are Sharingan users. Maybe Danzo want to kill them one by one on the right time. To kill Madara and Itachi, he need strong army, that's why he always try to be Hokage. And Kakashi, he still don't need to kill him because Kakashi's power could be used to help him kill Madara and Itachi. So the first target down to Sasuke. But his mission failed, so Danzo make another plan. But later I thing again, could be Danzo is Madara Uchiha, Don't you thing so?
How is this guy?If you have another opinion about Danzo, please tell your opinion here.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Shino Aburame Shippuuden
Shino Aburame is a member of the Aburame bug-user clan, Shino personality is a cool, collected, and solitary person, who is quite mysterious. He also has a tendency of holding grudges and being rather intimidating. From this post you will know about difference between Shino's child and Shino when he was grow up. Shino was regularly seen sporting the same style as the rest of his clan, consisting of dark sunglasses and a high upturned collar jacket. Shino's adult appearance became even more mysterious, with his jacket hanging down to his knees and the addition of a hood that obstructs his face even more, making it harder for people like Naruto to recognize him initially. He also proves to be able to understand his teammates' inner workings, sensing when the slightest of things is wrong with either of them. If you know another difference from Shino's child and adult which didn't yet I mention, please tell me about it, so I can add more information detaily.
Alright I have new collection from Shino Aburame Shippuuden Wallpaper that I wanna share to you all Narutofans. Just click on image to get the real pixels and save it. I'm still waiting your comment about another difference from Shino's child and Shino when he was grow up. Thanks for your visited here.
Please share and enjoy:
Kiba Inuzuka Shippuuden
Kiba is a member of the Inuzuka clan, as well as a member of the chunin team, Team Kurenai, along with Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyuga. Kiba is usually seen and fights in collaboration with his partner Akamaru. From this post you will know about difference between Kiba's child and Kiba when he was grow up. Kiba is often short-tempered and impulsive, in stark contrast to his teammates Shino and Hinata, and can be prone to making mistakes when he is agitated in battle. Like the rest of his clan, he has messy brown hair, sharp black eyes with vertical slit-like pupils, pronounced canine teeth, and nails that he can change into claws. He also has the distinct red fang markings of the Inuzuka clan on his cheeks. Kiba's child attire consisted of baggy pants and a hooded coat. And Kiba's adult, his outfit changed to a dark leather jacket and pants, giving him a biker appearance. If you know another difference from Kiba's child and adult which didn't yet I mention, please tell me about it, so I can add more information detaily.
Just like my previous post, I have new collection from Kiba Inuzuka Shippuuden Wallpaper that I wanna share to you all Narutofans. Just click on image to get the real pixels and save it. I'm still waiting your information about Kiba. Thanks for your visited here.
Please share and enjoy:
Hinata Hyuuga Shippuuden
Hinata is daughter from Hyuuga's leader ,Hiashi Hyuga, her basic jutsu almost same with Neji, especially Byakugan. I wanna talk to you about difference between Hinata's child and Hinata when she was grow up. Hinata feel unconfidence with her skill, till she met Naruto which gave her new spirit and starting believed that she could done anything just like the others ninja. Hinata is portrayed as having a very cute appearance. She is usually seen with a timid and shy expression. Hinata's child is mousy person, funny, her face always being red if she met with Naruto. Now from her style, Hinata's adult become more feminim than Hinata's child. When she was child, she has a short hair but Hinata's adult has a very long hair, she becomes a beautiful girl. she wore a pale hooded jacket that had a fire symbol on the upper right and left sleeves, and navy blue pants. After becoming a Genin, she wore her Konoha forehead protector around her neck. Hinata's adult let her hair grow to waist-length, and now wears a light purple jacket and navy pants. If you know another difference from Hinata's child and adult which didn't yet I mention, please tell me about it, so I can add more information detaily.
Just like my previous post, I have new collection from Hinata Hyuuga Shippuuden Wallpaper that I wanna share to you all Narutofans. Just click on image to get the real pixels and save it. I'm still waiting your information about Hinata. Thanks for your visited here.
Please share and enjoy:
Friday, July 10, 2009
Aurora Oklahoma
Credit & Copyright: Dave Ewoldt (Okarche, Oklahoma)
Explanation: Nestled in the central US, the state of Oklahoma is noted for its gorgeous prairie skies and wide-open spaces, but not for frequent visitations of the northern lights. Still, following the intense solar activity late last month, aurora did come sweeping down the Oklahoma plains and skywatcher Dave Ewoldt managed to catch up with this photogenic apparition 40 miles northwest of Oklahoma City at about 3am CST on October 29, 2003. Anticipating aurora sightings, Ewoldt had spent the evening photographing nighttime views of small towns in the area while keeping an eye toward the north. He reports, "I was just about ready to call it a night when the show started. When it did, it was like someone turned on a lightswitch. I wish it would have lasted longer... [it] seemed like it was completely done in about 25 minutes." Watery reflections of the colourful show highlight the foreground in the stunning image while stars of the Big Dipper and the northern sky shine behind the dazzling Oklahoma auroral display.
Backassward Award
The winner of the July 2009 Backassward award goes to Hawaii’s Republican Governor Linda Lingle. On Monday, Governor Lingle vetoed Senate Bill 1058, which called on the legislature to merely study “issues relating to medical cannabis patients and current medical cannabis laws.”
The true motive behind prohibitionist Gov Lingle’s action is to silence any sort of public or political debate surrounding America’s failed marijuana policies.
Today in California television ads were slated to begin running in support of Assembly Bill 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act — which seeks to legalize, tax, and regulate the retail sale of cannabis to adults in California. I say “were” because many major television outlets have refused — without comment — to air the television spots. Keep in mind, this network blackout is taking place in a state that has already established a regulated market for the distribution of medical cannabis, and whose voters solidly support legalizing the personal consumption of pot by adults.
Prohibitionists will use any means necessary to stifle honest, open debate because they know that they have no legitimate basis to defend marijuana prohibition. Their ardent refusal to even discuss the issue — and their strong arm tactics to intimidate others from discussing it as well — confirm this fact.
Nevertheless, despite their underhanded stalling tactics, the ‘national debate’ that the prohibitionists have so long feared has already taken place. Granted it did not take place in public forum; rather, and more significantly, it took place in the hearts and minds of the American voter. And we won — hands down. We know it and our opponents know it.
And so does Gov. Linda Lingle.
Wonder Woman (2009)
director: Lauren Montgomery
writers: Gail Simone, Michael Jelenic
starring: Keri Russel, Alfred Molina, Virginia Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Nathan Fillion
genre: Action, Animation, Comics
Let me just start by saying that I’m a huge comic book fan as youve might have realized by my many comics book film reviews. Wonder Woman has been though one of those characters that never attracted me that much. I will explain more why later on. But as mediocre fan of DC and with no knowledge of Wonder Woman history but of basics I managed to enjoy this animated film. I think many others will as well. Its easy to get into film that shows that even the silliest of characters can have a different side to them.
What amazed me was the epicness and serious tone of the story. It all starts out with ancient war between the Amazon women led by Queen Hippolyta (Virginia Madsen) and the god of war Ares (Alfred Molina). After a fierce battle Hera decides to keep Ares power contained and gives the gift to the warrior Hippolyta a land to live away from man and beautiful daughter Diana (Keri Russell). After centuries of isolation a fighter pilot crash lands on the Amazon land and young Diana has her first encounter with a man Steve Trevor (Nathan Fillion). And from then on will start her goal of protecting mankind. In the meantime evil Ares with help of a Amazon women is looking to get his power back and destroy the world and act revenge against the Amazonian s.
What makes this film so special is the seriousness of the material. I wasn't expecting Amazon women talking about gender biasism which is played very heavily and plays dominant part in Diana’s first encounter with men and the outside world. Usually when it’s a straight to DVD animated film you would think that these subjects or words like misogynistic would ever be in it because it would be probably for kids. Well think again. This film is not that much for children with great action and hints to messier violence this more for young adults either that are interested in getting into the comics lore or fans that just want to see their heroes in another medium.
Now you may wonder what are my problems with Wonder Woman? Well first it has to start with DC. DC is the place for more iconic figures to a more fantasy realm of environment while Marvel is the place for realism and modern story setting with a touch of fantasy more to my taste. This is something that always bothered me to entering Wonder Woman world and to the DC universe. Also the costume, the way her powers act and all these little things always put me off. And I’m happy to say that the film does a pretty good job of telling the story of Wonder Woman without being cheesy, stupid and out of this world not believable but instead it makes for a good animation film.
DC and Marvel have realized there potential market and have started already to make entertaining straight to DVD animated films with an aim to educate the audience of their characters before a most likely feature length release. Smart move based that many of these characters are not known to the greater public. Also the gaining of class act actors to voice these iconic figures and smaller characters make the whole film more believable.
Fans of animation and comics should enjoy this film. Some cool action scenes, some light violence and with the serious tone of material makes this into fun film. Anybody looking for entry point into comics or Wonder Woman this film is highly suggested. Enjoy!
Personal Rating:
Review by Paul
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bible Belt
Bible Belt is an informal term for an area of the United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism is a dominant part of the culture and Christian church attendance across the denominations is extremely high.
Bible Belt Leads U.S. In Divorces
Aside from the quickie-divorce Mecca of Nevada, no region of the United States has a higher divorce rate than the Bible Belt. Nearly half of all marriages break up, but the divorce rates in these southern states are roughly 50 percent above the national average.
According to federal figures:
* Nationally, there were about 4.2 divorces for every thousand people in 1998.
* The rate was 8.5 per thousand in Nevada, 6.4 in Tennessee, 6.1 in Arkansas, 6.0 in Alabama and Oklahoma.
* Of southeastern states, only South Carolina's rate of 3.8 was below the national average.
* By contrast, the divorce rate is less than 3.0 in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
Why so many divorces in the Bible Belt?
Experts cite low household incomes (Oklahoma ranks 46th and Arkansas 47th), and a tendency for couples to marry at a younger age than in many other states.
Religion may play a role, since some of the lowest divorce rates are in northeastern states with relatively high household incomes and large numbers of Roman Catholics whose church doesn't recognize divorce.
Bible Belt states, in contrast, are dominated by fundamentalist Protestant denominations that proclaim the sanctity of marriage but generally do not want to estrange churchgoers who do divorce.
No state has been more embarrassed by the divorce problem than Oklahoma. Over the past few months, Gov. Frank Keating has enlisted clergymen, academics, lawyers and psychologists in a campaign to reduce the divorce rate by a third within 10 years. In neighboring Arkansas, state officials hope to halve the divorce rate by 2010.
Source: David Crary, "Bible Belt Leads U.S. in Divorces," Associated Press, November 12, 1999.
Illuminati
(Added Post Comment)
Illuminati is a classic Steve Jackson game of world domination. Each player takes on the role of a secret society attempting to spread its tendrils into special interest groups throughout the world.
The game consists of three different cards (illuminati cards, group cards, and special event cards) and money. During a player's turn, a new card is drawn from a deck containing both group cards and special event cards. If it is a special event, the player in turn keeps the card and plays it when desired. If it is a group card, it is turned up along with any other face-up cards. The player in turn may then attempt to take over any group. This can be either a group on the table or a group already controlled by another player. If another player already controls the group it is more difficult to take it over, but not impossible.
How difficult it is to take over a group depends on the strength of the controlling group, the resistance of the group being taken over, the proximity of the group being taken over to the controlling player's illuminati card (if someone already controls it), and other factors. Once this is determined, both the attacking and defending player can modify the odds further by spending "megabucks". Once a group is taken over, it has to be attached to the card structure the player already controls. How cards can be attached to each other is limited by in- and outbound arrows on the cards, and maintaining a well-structured tree of groups can be vital to success.
The winning condition for each player is different and depends on what illuminati card that player has.
Expanded by:
* Illuminati - Expansion Set 1
* Illuminati - Expansion Set 2
* Illuminati - Expansion Set 3
Re-published as:
* Illuminati: Deluxe Edition
CCG Version:
* Illuminati: New World Order
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