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The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ opens with a doozy of a chain of images. Hell fire and demons to coffee machine to office guys. Joss Whedon’s casual, yet clever dialogue is dropped right into it. The movie puts you on your heals right away, and I loved it.

I implore anyone who has not seen the film to avoid spoilers. The films craft and cleverness are charming either way, but it would be a shame to ruin such finely timed story telling. ’The Cabin in the Woods’ is fun when it surprises you and also satisfying when you guess right. People who have spent many hours watching slasher, zombie and monster films will feel right at home here and likely squirm with delight at how they still never can settle into it.

Whedon is working here as an artist shredding a genre. This is chaotic, spectacular Hollywood special effects film making and it is my favorite kind of thing to see talented directors play around with joy and love. The movie is outrageously violent, gross and funny. The acting is much better than most might notice and subtly tweaks expectations of character archetypes. Pay attention and don’t forget to laugh. Most inspiring of all is that Whedon and company, once the film amps up, never pulls back. They proceed with full confidence in their story and the film’s epic peak is both exhilaratingly ballsy and tragically sad. For the right kind of movie watcher it is a total blast.

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WORLD’S GREATEST DAD (2009)

On paper, it sounds like a terrible idea. Robin Williams and Daryl Sabara (the boy from Spy Kids) star in this dark comedy about a down-on-his-luck writer and his despicably unlikable teenage son. The kid dies in a really stupid way and since his father knew nobody would miss him, he writes a fake journal to make it sound like his son was misunderstood and lonely, causing people to feel sorry that the kid is dead while simultaneously giving the father the writing success he always wanted. There is nothing about that premise that sounds remotely redeemable. I love movies that take a really gross-sounding premise and turn it into something really smart and interesting. It’s marketed as a comedy but i think it’s a drama more than anything else. This had more of a brain to it than most Robin Williams productions. A topic that writers avoid like the plague is one in which someone dies and nobody knows how to feel because the person was an asshole. It’s so hard to write around that topic or even discuss it because there is no clear answer but this film nails it. The sadder scenes are genuinely touching. The main character sounds like an awful person but it’s so hard to not feel sorry for him. The scene where Williams finds out about his son’s death is so well-directed and heartbreaking and hard to watch, I think it’s one of the saddest scenes in that genre. It’s extremely well-directed. Bobcat Goldthwait knows how far to take a scene without dragging it out. Every emotional, funny or even bizarre scene hits the mark. This kind of thing happens in the real world- sometimes young people die and this movie accurately represents how people react to it. If you can watch this movie and try not to be offended by it, I really think you’ll learn something.

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For my first field assignment I wanted to choose a topic that I was interested in. I also wanted to pick something that was affecting a lot of people so I chose divorce and the effects it has on children as my topic. I also chose this topic because my mom’s best friend is going through a divorce and her husband isn't making it easy. I can see that their two kids are going through a lot and it makes me sad because their father is only making their life more difficult when he should be trying to make it easier.

In order to find people to interview I asked my friend if he knew any people on his Facebook friends list that is going through a divorce of has dealt with divorce ever. He gave me some names and I contacted them trough Facebook.

In the beginning, my interviews weren't going to well. I interview like five different people but the first couple of them didn't want to tell me much and they barely gave me any material that I could use for my paper. I was bummed until I interviewed the rest of the people. The rest of the people I interviewed gave me like their whole life story but I’m not complaining because I got some good quotes from them.

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Wooly Mammoth is a two-piece band, a little bunch of talented instrumentalists. The Canadian indie, alternative rock band released North Shore last month and to be honest, I’m loving the album. The album is great – cohesive and whole sound.

The album starts with “Gold” – a mid-paced, catchy track. It features light guitar sounds, the steady drumming, attention-catching bass line with perfect vocals from Jessiah Devine. I love mixture of vocals of Devine and Paul Vroom in the chorus.

“Nevada” possesses a carefree, relaxing rock sound of consistent guitar riffs. It is perfect for an early morning drive out of the city. “Teddy Ruxpin” is another track with the similar and addictive atmosphere. It has an impressive breakdown of pure rock sounding goodness around 2:45.

“Lonesome George” is slower and I like it. “Coffee” reminds me of having an intimidate conversation between two people. Listening to it as if I am reliving scenarios of people-watching – their mannerisms and just watch them, not in a creepy way of course.

Wooly Mammoth is a remarkable band; their sound is phenomenal and soothing – a little bit of rock with the calming sounds of indie. But most of all, I love the lyrics in North Shore. Each track provides depth and allows the listeners to feel some emotional connection, whether they realize it or not, like good music should.

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gutierrezsm

Meet Buttons.

Buttons is a Pekingese/Shih-tzu cross.

His nose is so short that he has to face plant into the floor to smell things he finds interesting, and he likes to sit up on his back paws to be held when he is sleepy. Overall, he’s pretty darn adorable except for the fact that his mouth opens up half his face like a furry bear-trap and absolutely everything needs to end up in his mouth.

Everything.

It has earned him the name Monster in our house.

If you want to know a little more about him, you can see a gallery of him if you [click here] and then hit that picture of him on the website.

genavie0-blog

Aww buttons is such a good name.

The Backstreet Boys received the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame two days after their 20th anniversary. I was so excited that I could be part of that with them. I will always and forever remember that day. I was also really lucky to get as close as I did.

I have been a fan of the Backstreet Boys since 1997. I was 7 years old when I fell in love with them. I can still remember the day I got their Backstreet’s Back album like it was yesterday. I am 23 now and my love for them is still going strong. They have gotten me through my ups in my life as well as my downs.

Last year I got to meet 3 of the 5 boys (A.J, Kevin, and Howie) at Disneyland after they filmed the Disney Parade. I also got to meet Nick before the taping of their Jimmy Kimmel performance in 2009. I am now on a mission to meet Brain, so my childhood goal of meeting all 5 members will be completed.

On Monday, April 22, 2013, the Backstreet Boys were immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Backstreet Boys received the 2,485th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday and I was wouldn’t have missed that for anything in the world. Their star is located between Boyz II Men and The Osmond which is ironic because the first song they ever sang was a Boyz II Men song.

There were so many fans there and from all over the world too; I even met two girls who traveled all the way from Belgium. After the ceremony I heard that there were almost 1,000 fans all there. We were all there for the same reason and that was to show how appreciative we are to them and their music. There were also many crowd sing-a-longs to some of the Backstreet Boys most popular songs.

Each member of the Backstreet Boys gave a speech and each couldn’t hide their emotions. One of my favorite things that was said during the speeches was said by my favorite Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. He said "I love you guys. And aside from my wedding day and the birth of my daughter, this is hands-down the best day of my life.”

I wanted to get a picture of the star but there were just so many people there. I must go back soon though.

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jeaninelo

My friends and I had a girl’s night last night and made some delish cookies and I thought I would share them for my blog today. After much experimentation and perhaps a few cumulative inches added to staffers’ waistlines, we created a cookie with all those assets. Our recipe makes 40...

genavie0-blog

These sound so yummy. I gotta make these!

Director: Jonathan Demme

Synopsis: A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine,

This is one of those films that everybody should have seen but I hadn’t so I decided it that it was time to watch it.

This is a fabulous film, even though it’s over 20 years old, you don’t feel any age with it at all. I haven’t read the books so I don’t know how much was changed in the adaptation to the film but I would assume it was done superbly because it’s fantastic. Very simple and elegant, nothing essentially over-complicated but so thrilling and full of suspense. I love the way it was shot, subtle things like people talking directly to the camera when talking to Clarice to see her point of view. The whole thing was mesmerizing.

The cast in this film is superb. Jodie Foster is great, she handles the balance in her character so well, being out of her depth but wanting to prove she can handle it. Going against what she told about Lecter so she can further investigate the case. Ted Levine was fantastic as Gumb he was so unstable and intense, he was wonderful. But Anthony Hopkins was just fascinating. He was quite haunting with his eerie calm; you couldn’t take your eyes off him. He has a delicious menace weaving throughout the whole film and it makes for a truly stunning performance.

To say Anthony Hopkins makes this film makes it sound as if the rest was just so-so but I really did love it all even the scenes he wasn’t involved in but his performance really is something else. Honestly there is no reason that anybody should be waiting as long as I did to see this film!

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Guest Speaker: Doug Spoon

Today during reporting two class Doug Spoon was our guest speaker. He came to talk to us about his life as a journalist. He is currently is a professor at Cal Poly Pomona and he also runs the Poly Post. He has been a reporter for 35 years and has worked for many newspapers. He has covered everything from the Olympics, USC football, to the Dodgers winning a World Series.

His most exciting story comes from when he was covering the 1988 World Series. The Dodgers were the underdog and he was expecting to ask them questions about their loss but in the end the Dodgers won and Spoon was right there to interview the team after their win. He didn’t actually see the winning homerun but he heard the screaming and cheering form the crowd after they had won.

He is also really into his family’s genealogy and the local history of where he lives. He traced it back all the way to 1551. He has boxes and boxes of family photos. He has a son named Darren who is 32 years old and a daughter named Megan who is 30 years old. He is also a grandfather. He has three step grandchildren and three regular grandchildren.

He’s really into sports, so for fun he likes to watch different games. He used to play tennis but had to stop after an injury. He also bought a mountain bike so that he could take bike rides through his town and through the mountains. He loves to take is camera with him on these bike rides so he can take pictures or his trip.

“Don't be afraid to take an opportunity” Spoon tells the journalism hopefuls in the classroom.

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mardybum7505

So yesterday I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the Fonda Theatre in LA. The venue was very small, and tickets were put on sale only days before the concert date. With the help of my amazing boyfriend, I was able to get a ticket! I arrived hours before the show and was one of the first 30 people in line. I waited in line for 4 hours and just thought about the Red Hot Chili Peppers and their music.

I have been a long time Chili Peppers fan and I can still remember the first time I ever heard their music; I was 10 years old and even though I had no idea what the music was about, I knew I liked it. Now, 10 years later, I saw them for the first time in a small, up close and personal venue.

Waiting was well worth it because I was right up front and so close to the stage. There were, of course, some run ins with asshole fans, but that happens at almost every concert I’ve been to: the asshole fan is something to expect at almost any concert. Despite that, I was so thrilled to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They lived up to my every expectation and each band member brought something unique to the stage

Anthony Kiedis: He was amazing and hearing him sing was something else. He jumped around, acted crazy, and embodied everything that I love about the Peppers. Anthony is simply iconic and breathtaking.

Chad Smith: He is definitely the sweetheart of the group. Before the concert, he rolled up nonchalantly in his car, parked in the public parking, said hey to a few fans, and then went inside to rehearse. His drumming was spectacular and I couldn’t help but crack up at how much he looks like Will Ferrel.

Josh Klinghoffer: The newest member of the band, and while I will always love John Frusciante as guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I have to admit Josh is a talented guitarist. He and Flea were an amazing duo on stage.

Michael “Flea” Balzary: Flea is truly something else to watch. The talent he has for music and playing the bass guitar is unparalleled. He has so much passion on stage and the music truly moves through him. Seeing him play and seeing how much love he has for music was one of the greatest experiences of my life. At one point in the concert, Flea was playing solo and soon everyone was chanting “GET IT FLEA! GET IT FLEA!” I was in awe at how skillfully and passionately he plays the bass. I have so much respect for Flea and all of the Peppers.

The music itself was phenomenal. They played a great setlist and some of my favorites were, “Can’t Stop” “Raindance Maggie,” “Me and My Friends,” “The Otherside,” “Around the World” and “Give it Away.”

I was especially happy when they played my favorite song, “By the Way.” When I heard the intro, I was literally shaking. I felt so happy and excited and amazed at what I was seeing and all that was around me. The crowd was alive and humming. The music was intense, loud, and perfectly unhinged. Everything about that song and all the ones played before it were so brilliant.

While “By the Way” is my favorite song, the Peppers surprised me by playing a song I had heard so many times before, but not until that moment, had I really loved it. They played “Soul to Squeeze,” a softer and almost country sounding tune with lyrics that deal with mental depression and anguish. As a kid, I liked the song, but never really connected with the lyrics. Now, knowing what it’s like to deal with mental anxieties that are difficult and very tiring, I finally understood the song. When I heard the way Anthony sang it, something inside me clicked. The lyrics meant so much more to me than ever before and I was literally moved to tears at how much the song affected me. I have since listened to it a dozen times and still feel very connected with it.

Overall I can say seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers was one of the best experiences of my life. I got to meet Chad after the show, thanked him for a great concert, and walked away with another new favorite Chili Pepper song. I am happy to say, I can officially cross “seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers” off my bucket list.

Sorry for such the long post 317, but I had so much to say.

genavie0-blog

I'm so jealous lol, I wanted to go to this show so bad. I'm glad you had fun though!

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This is a story about two lovers who've had their minds erased of the memories they had created together after their relationship became miserable. Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) are like the opposites of each other. Clementine’s an open book while Joel bundled up his thoughts inside his journal. Still, they loved each other and their relationship was adventurous. But they weren’t really open to each other’s thoughts and feelings that’s why their relationship came to an end. Clementine was the first one to have her mind erased in Lacuna, a clinic where people go to erase the memories they’ve had with people they don’t want to think about ever again. When Joel went to see her, he was completely shocked to see Clementine looked as if she doesn’t know Joel, Joel grasped the fact that Clementine went to Lacuna to obliterate Joel out of her life forever. Resentful to what Clementine has done, Joel did the same thing and had Clementine erased out of his life but during the process—wherein he must reminisce all the reminiscence he had with Clem in order to easily tract the memories and delete them once and for all—he realized that he is still in love with Clem and he’s regretting what he has done. In his memories, he was running away with Clem in his deepest memories so that they won’t be able to track his memories with her.

This is one of my favorite movies. This first time I watched it I was completely lost, but after the second time I understood it. Jim Carrey is amazing in it. It is a beautiful love story, and a beautiful, dreamy movie. The soundtrack is pretty good too. If you haven’t seen this movie, I suggest you watch it.

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WWE’s WrestleMania 29

There are 10 matches (some good and some not so good) lined up for this year’s WWE’s WrestleMania but I’m going to only talk and make predictions about the ones that really matter.

The one I want to see the most is WWE Champion The Rock vs. John Cena.

Even though the odd are in Cena’s favor to win this match and regain the WWE title, my money is still on The Rock. Cena lost the “Once in a Lifetime” matchup at WrestleMania 28 to The Rock last year and he’s going to lose this match too.

Plus how can The Rock not win? He’s a total badass.

Another match that’s going to be amazing is The Undertaker vs. CM Punk.

No question, The Undertaker is totally going to destroy CM Punk. Punk has nothing on The Undertaker’s 20-0 WrestleMania winning streak. When the feud between these two started, there seemed to be a slight chance that Punk could be the first to beat Undertaker at WrestleMania, but Punk’s disrespect of the late Paul Bearer almost ensures that the Undertaker will extend his streak to 21-0, and hopefully he’ll get back his urn.

Triple H vs. BrockLesnar (No Holds Barred Match; If Lesnar wins, Triple H must retire).

Lesnar broke Triples H’s arm last year and Heyman has made derogatory comments about Triple H’s wife, Stephanie McMahon. On top of all that, if Triple H loses he must retire, so he really has no choice but to win.

Randy Orton, Sheamus and Big Show vs. The Shield.

Randy Orton, Sheamus and Big are kick The Shield’s ass but if they lose, it’s probably going to be because Sheamus is an idiot.

Tag Team Champions Team Hell No vs. Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston.

Kane and Daniel Bryan make up Team Hell No and they are the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions. Kane is another badass so therefore Team Hell No is gonna win.

And the WWE Tag Team Championship is up for grabs, so this match is guaranteed to be good.

This last match I care about is Chris Jericho vs. Fandango.

I can’t wait to Jericho gets Fandango in the walls of Jericho. I’m excited for this match because 1) Jericho is one of my favorites and 2) Fandango is so f-ing annoying.

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jeaninelo

I have never been the type of person to write blogs. When it comes to tumblr I never really got what is was, and was never really interested to find out what is really is all about. Now that I know a little bit more about it, I still am not to interested in tithe only two social sites...

genavie0-blog

Tumblr is way different than twitter and Instagram, but I think you'll enjoy it.

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