Twilight

Okay, so I have seen Twilight, and here is my review:

 

Twilight, the romance-thriller based on the book by Stephenie Meyer, was overall almost identical to the book. I noticed a few minor differences, and some acceptable changes that had to be expected from the transition from book to film. The film was obviously catered towards fans of the book, although I noticed many feeble, almost half-hearted, attempts to try and draw in people who haven’t read them.

 

The differences between the book and film are minor, although I felt the need to list them here:

1. First, Bella has a cell phone, a laptop, and an iPod in the film.
2. Edward tells Bella how to become a vampire much too early on.
3. They didn’t spend enough time on the suspense portion of the film
4. there are a few odd scenes and minor plot points that have been added to the film

 

Stephenie meyer, the author of the books, made s small cameo in the film, that is obvious and funny if you are looking for it. I personally thought that I had missed it, and then 5 minutes later, she is there on the screen.

 

The acting in this film was great. There were no bad actors. My personal favorite was Mike Welch as Mike Newton, although the characters of Charlie and Rosalie were great. Alice did not get nearly enough screen time. Jasper was absolutely freaky, and it felt like a real town. Catherine Hardwicke, the director, has a very neat style. It felt very indie to me. I also loved the soundtrack. The music fit perfectly, and if it wasn’t a previously released track, it was one of the many different versions of Bella’s Lullaby, which made for a perfect movie theme. I give Twilight a 10/10.

New Layout!

I got a new layout today. I don't want to take any credit. It's really quite a simple process. But I just want to know what you think of it.

Ryan

Beam me Up!

Omigod! CNN has a hologram machine!

That was the reaction Tuesday night when CNN revealed their exclusive "Hologram" technology in an interview with Will.i.am. They also used the hologram machine in an interview with one of their correspondents.

Now, it's obvious that the hologram isn't real. I did some digging and found out what technology is behind this innovation the the news industry.

The subject is in a green-screen room somewhere with 35 HD cameras pointing at them from various angles. The subject's "Hologram" isn't viewable from the set. The interviewer is looking at a 36 inch HDTV. There are twenty computers crunching the data and adding it sometime during the seven-second delay.

I see the potential for this technology, as well as CNN's new Touch-screen Wall. It could be great in the future of news and reporting.

LINKS

Will.i.am on the hologram machine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deoOTqT-SMI

How the tech really works: http://gizmodo.com/5076663/how-the-cnn-holographic-interview-system-works

Lyle

Today I feel the need to talk about the Heroes character Lyle. Lyle is Claire's (Hayden Panettiere) adopted brother. The reason that I would like to discuss him is because he does absolutely nothing in the series. In season two, I counted 8 lines come out of his mouth, with none of them having anything to do with the plot. The thing is, people have been saying that he's actually going to DO something this season, and last night we got our first good look at him for the season.

Lyle usually has funny lines. If you remember the first episode, he had the first funny line "We say a hobo on the side of the street today. we thought he was dead... but he wasn't..." 

His line last night (Bitch is back) was his first line of the season, and his first line that somehow related to the plot. But he still didn't do anything. Is he just walking furniture, doomed to be used for comic relief for the rest of the series? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but as for me, I want Lyle to do something, or get killed off.

Parry Gripp

Okay, so I've been looking at some of the other videos by the guy who brought you Chimp on a Swgway that I showed you yesturday, and I have a dew of my favorites:

Boogie Boogie Hedgehog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK0l2tqFDvM&feature=channel

Hanster on a Piano (eating popcorn): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRzTfgds0UI&feature=related

Cat Flushing a Toilet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49jKeGyUCJE&feature=related

Puppy Time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49jKeGyUCJE&feature=related

You may remember, this is the guy who created the much overused song Do you Like Waffles?

Ryan

The Future is HERE!

Okay, so I was just perusing my regular sites, and I came across an item that looks very futuristic. I'll share it with you:

It's called the Audi Calamaro, and it's a flying car. Yes, a FLYING CAR! I'm not sure from the picture, but the car must be very big if you fit in that little capsule in the back. It is just a concept for now, but if we have concepts for flying cars, we must be getting close to the future. Once thing I'm confused about is how it takes off, lands or even flies. I can't see any propellers, thrusters, or wheels. Maybe they discovered a new mystical flying power, similar to Nathan on Heroes. Well, one thing is for sure: I love this car (if you can even call it that) and the future can't come soon enough.

Where I found this story: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/10/audi_calamaro_f.php

More Pictures: http://www.automotto.org/entry/audi-calamaro-concept-flying-car/

Chimp on a Segway

Okay. I normally wouldn't have a new blog post until tomorrow, but this is just too good an opportunity to pass up.

So, you may have seen the video on youtube in which a Chimpanzee Rides on a Segway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDfZS6g8yhU&feature=related

in the video, a man rides around on a segway while the chimp observes. then the chimp takes a ride, much to the surprise of the shows audience.

Now, I make this post because someone has already made a musical remix of the chimp, and it is absolutely hilarious. I guarantee that this song will be stuck in your head for at least a week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9Gm-aRe5A

High School Musical 3

So, today I did the impossible. I went and saw High School Musical 3. I'll just come right out and say it. the film was absolutely terrible. I was unfortunately sitting in the second row, right up in front of the screen. apart from now suffering from whiplash, I am also nauseous from all of the dizzying camera movement. The plot was old and predictable, and the acting hasn't improved from the last one. It is obvious from watching the film that they have been granted a bigger budget for this one. They have made the big crowd scenes even bigger, and the music has gotten deeper, with more counter melodies and harmony. When watching the movie I noticed a lot of really neat things that they did with the lighting.

There are some things to avoid if you are going to this movie.

1. Sit in the back. I unfortunately had not one but two annoying kids sitting behind me. One kept talking and one kept kicking me in the back of my seat.

2. Go to the late show. Annoying kids are EVERYWHERE at High School Musical. The more you can avoid the better.

3. Some scenes to avoid:

There is a scene that takes place in a junkyard about half-way through. this is a perfect opportunity for a bathroom break!

Also, when they actually get around to graduating outside, just leave. there's nothing to see afterwords, and you will avoid the WORST ending sequence to a movie that I have seen in my life EVER!

Back to the movie: It seems that they are trying to keep the younger kids' attention in this film. Whenever characters start to sing a remotely good song, they replace the actor with a montage of the spring musical. it's as if they have put a two minute time limit on scenes. Also, they stay with the the Disney theme of "Impossible is Possible" with impossibly over the top sets for the spring musical that would be overdoing it for something on Broadway, let alone a high school.

In conclusion, Don't see this movie if you can avoid it. This movie is the Sex and the City of kids movies. just leave it alone and it will eventually go away. I give this movie 2 out of 10. the points coming from the cool lighting, and nothing more.

Ryan

PS Zac Effron never actually looks happy in this movie. Maybe they're trying to scare little kids away from teenagers. I guess we'll never know.