Change Your Image
swansongang
Anyway, I'm a [cooldance]SENIOR[cooldance] in High School and look like this: [glasses]
Some of my favorite books: Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, Terry Brooks' Shannara and Kingdom of Landover series, Lemony Snicket, and more...
Favorite Movies: Star Wars, LOTR, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Newsies, Star Wars, Alien, The Incredibles, Spiderman, Star Wars, The Pink Panther films, Lemony Snicket, and did I mention Star Wars?
I am a proud member of...
The 100,000 posts Group
The Ultimate Harry Potter Quizzes (I'm the Quizmaster)
The Harry Potter Message Boards
V.F.D.
The Swan-Swan Message Boards
The Soy-Sauce-Is-The-Key-To-Happiness Association
I.L.F.A.G.F.F.
SICAIDKWTTF (Snape Is Confusing And I Don't Know What To Think Foundation)
The Taco Club
And that's all
Oh, and I love to draw and doodle. Although I'm much better with my hands than the computer.
OOH! And I have my Display options on "Active Threads First," 80 columns by 25 rows, 25 threads on a page, flat, check on the "show help text," and my theme is "IMDb default," cause I'm boring like that.
And I've been having a go at poetry recently.
"Brom roamed to a home in Rome
And that's my poem."
Maybe I'll have another go when I'm older....
And always follow important pieces of advice:
If you are allergic to something, it is best not to put that thing in your mouth, particularly if it is cats.
Tears are curious things, for like earthquakes and puppet shows, they can occur at any time without warning.
Look on the bright side: if your bread lands butter-side down, at least you have butter.
The only people who should resent the Patriot Act are those who have something to hide.
The phone book has nothing to do with Supreme Court nominees.
Squirrels don't use toothpaste!
Ooh, ooh! I have friends too! Lots of friends! If you want to be my friend, tell me and you will be my friend...unless you are a troll or Chris PAolini. I don't like either of them.
chatty_iaaml
chriswreid
chunky0
elle_W
ElleBelle
I_love_the_ocean
jamz_275
Johnny_Depp_Movie_Lover
LyraGardeniaRowin
miss_movie_fanatic_777
padfoot05
PhoenixMary
potterhead1
Quibbler
raven_88
russianlotrfreak
safiyany
shelle3
Surfster
swan-swan
SwedishTurnip
tallchick801<--Super Green and bolded, because she asked
Tatiana19
WD_den_mum
xaviereverett
On the Ultimate Harry Potter Quizzes, it's a new thread, with new scores!
safiyany: 390
tallchick: 390
Tatiana: 375
bellatrix_lestrange: 325
Lyra: 300
swanswan: 295
puboiler: 290
ERCxC: 265
taylorhigh: 260
winters: 260
padfoot: 255
SwedishTurnip: 225
sushiactress: 200
xaviereverett: 170
potterhead: 160
cimala: 65
murphykieran: -50
And just because I look at my bio and see only one smiley...
[jump5][jump2][explode][roll2][bounce][cooldance2]][hairrise][angry7][jump8][fight3][clap][mjeyds][help][evil2]h2]
And just for fun...
[jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump4][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9][jump9]
And...
[2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face][2face]
Reviews
Legion of Super Heroes (2006)
Legion of Super-Heroes: Putting the Saturday in Saturday-Morning Cartoons
I don't know what times this show airs (I've watched episodes online), but man, it feels like the older Saturday-Morning Cartoons. Right from the flashy, Incredibles-ish theme music, to the often times corny Superhero dialogue.
And I love every second of it!
After Teen Titans went off, I'd hoped to find another really good superhero show. This is it! If you are expecting Teen Titans, though, this is not it. A different animation style, different feel, basically everything is different. But different is not a bad thing. Whereas Teen Titans had both its very dark story lines (at times) and its uber-comedic moments, Legion sticks to a straight-forward classic superhero feel. Save the world (or rather, the galaxy).
Throw into this whole scenario of nostalgia, a bunch of easter eggs/homages for fans of all things DC (especially Superman). Very rich girl named A-LEX-is, who has a special interest in Superman, and later gets her whole head of hair burnt off (not permanently, mind). Hmm...wonder who that could be. On an episode where a being called Drax gets out of the Phantom Zone, he pulls out some unexplained weakness of Clark's (a green rock of some kind) and answers to some supreme being that appears to want out of the Phantom Zone. Could it be...nah....
I had my doubts at the first episode, I will admit, although I stuck through. First episodes usually leave me in doubt. I don't think I've met a cartoon yet that I've loved since Episode I. But most cartoons that I've actually wanted to check out, I've been happy after the first episode. Legion is no exception. LONG LIVE THE LEGION!
(Oh, by the way, the first season finale was AWESOME, and season 2 looks like it could be just as much a winner.)
Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)
Well, there went my childhood...
When I was very little, my favorite time of the day was Shining Time Station time. When that show would come on, I was always eager, not for the parts with Stacy Jones and all that, but for the trains! The trains were my life. I asked for videos of the trains, loved the nearby miniature train exhibit, had Brio Thomas, everything. Well, these happy images of Thomas and his friends have been officially destroyed by this --insert derogatory word here--. Seriously, this thing was absolute trash. Combining the Thomas style of animation with real people looks so dumb, you wouldn't believe. The introduction of a villain is terrible. All this tripe about "the Magic Railroad," "Gold Dust," everything is ridiculously disastrous. Don't tell me about "It's for the children." An excellent example of how this thing is "for the children" is that when shown to my little brothers, one was so bored he left, and the other was so terrified that he screamed if anyone put their hand near the box afterwards. And these two loved the classic tapes. In fact, I enjoy watching the classic tapes with them. Thank God we got rid of our copy. I recommend that you don't even think of touching it.
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996)
What Disney Sequels Should Be...
Okay, maybe the movie isn't perfect. Aladdin's singing voice sounds a bit weird, and the animation isn't quite as good, but this is worthwhile. All Disney sequels should be something like this.
This movie comes up with an original plot, rather than reusing the old one. The songs might not be quite up to par with the originals, but they are still a lot of fun. The best part is that the movie ends well. It brings the trilogy to a rather sensible closure, rather than having some sappy ending like the Little Mermaid II. This is the type of movies Disney should at least be making as sequels.
Best sequel they've made.
Civilization IV (2005)
Amazing Game, at least for play
When I first heard about Civ IV and all the new additions, I was a bit doubtful. Religion and unit categories and all that didn't sound like they would be good. I was wrong. Once I was playing the game, I was amazed. If I go back and play the others, I will miss so many things, such as religion. Easier gameplay, such as civil disorder changes, were brought in. (Rather than have cities stop building stuff when people get angry, only those angry people stop working). New animations, showing the actual combat, enhanced the feel of this world. The ability to choose which leader of a team you are was also welcome, as well as the speed with which the game moves. (I never finished a Civ III game because it took so long to get technologies, I got bored.) The one fault is the scenario creating system. Unlike Civ III, where you just clicked "Add Civ" and added one, you have to go through a lot of tough programming sequences and "XML" files and all that. However, the game is easy to play and fun. Not only is it neat, it has great quotes from history from Leonard Nimoy, and lots of humor can be found throughout (mainly through dialogues from characters from Caeser and Catherine.) Highly recommended. 9/10
Newsies (1992)
Simply Great
Tons of people have heard of certain musicals that can be called classics: "The Sound of Music," "The Wizard of Oz," "Oliver!" Yet when one of my friends decided that we would watch Newsies, my reaction was "Never heard of it. What's it about?" The Response: "You have to see." I looked at the box, and saw several big names that I recognized, such as Christian Bale and Robert Duvall. I was immediately thinking, "Seems like a nice movie; why haven't I heard of it?" I still can't answer that question.
It simply awed me. I am a long time musical fan, and I had never seen something quite like this. I enjoyed the songs from the beginning, had to admire the plot, felt an immediate bond with the characters. And the dances! I was frightened by the dances. I'd thought that several simple high-school stage dances were tough, but this was insane! I just amazed by how well they were pulled off. All the way to the end, I was watching in eager anticipation of what would happen next. No one disappointed me, the performances were excellent. I was rather intrigued by the fact that this boy longing for Santa Fe was Batman, although I could definitely see the similarities between Robert Duvall's Mr. Pulitzer and Duvall's role as Stalin.
The movie stayed with me. I loved it. I was amongst several (including the people I watched it with) who suggested we watch it in History, when learning of the yellow press and the labor unions. (There, parents, it's educational too.) So, *****/*****. If you haven't seen it, see it. You will not be disappointed.
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
Good for everyone
This movie is clearly for kids. Fortunately though, this is not a movie that you see as an older person and say, "What is this? How are little people amused by something this...stupid!?!"
No, this movie you can watch with little kids, have them enjoy themselves, and you yourself laugh at a few parts. The movie is very good on morals, is a good Bible adaptation, and has catchy songs. Brilliant animation, several laughs for older people and tons for little kids.
The movie starts off with a bunch of little kid vegetables and their chaperones, Mr. Asparagus and Bob the Tomato, heading off to a concert. After a small disaster (including teasing, a guitar, porcupines, underwear, and airbags), the vegetables find themselves at a cheesy seafood restaurant. As arguments break out between two kids (Junior Asparagaus and Laura Carrot), a helpful band called "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" tells the classic story of Jonah to teach about compassion and mercy. What ensues is fun, song, and a wonderful end.
Again, older people might not go and see it on their own, but they can enjoy it with younger kids.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Better than people say
I always get annoyed when people say how bad this movie is. I always feel they're overreacting. Phantom Menace has a few flaws, but is otherwise good. There are only 3 main problems I have. One is explanations. Obviously this movie was made after the OT, but I felt it was supposed to be presented as the first one. A lot of things, such as lightsabers and mind tricks, are not explained and may confuse people. Second is acting. I actually don't see too much wrong with this, but here and there Jake Lloyd delivers a bad line, as well as his friends and such. Third is the corny parts. Examples are JarJar's battle scene and a bit of Anakin flying his starfighter to save the day. But all three things aren't too bad, and I only wish the IMDb offered 9.5 stars, because I just can't give it a 10. Oh well, a 9 is still an A.
The Cat in the Hat (2003)
I hope this is helpful
Don't see this. If you know the Seuss classic, see it even less than 0 times. Don't read anything on here if you are sensitive to nausea. If you have a nice couch, you will vomit on it after seeing this movie. The only part of this that can have laughs is going to the director, who probably has a bag over his head, pointing and laughing, "THAT'S THE GUY WHO MADE THE CAT IN THE HAT MOVIE!" Viewer discretion is advised. Highly advised. Highly highly advised. Highly highly highly...etc. Anyway, I hope this helps. If it didn't, look below for a helpful hint on this movie's quality.
BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Well, that's all the typing I'll waste on this. Oh, and someone move Theodore Seuss Geisel. He seems to have rolled around in his grave so much, he's under the wrong headstone.
Cats & Dogs (2001)
What is this?
Spoilers within...though this movie is already spoiled.
Cats and Dogs is like one elementary math equation. Animals+Bad Director+Bad CG-Good Lines+Predictability-Humor+Stupidity+Bad Acting=Cats and Dogs
I didn't bother to watch it all: Occasionally I channel-surfed to see if there was anything better on (There was, but it wasn't interesting to me; I'm not a fan of Pooh Bear at this age). I went to the bathroom freely, got myself a soda, and didn't mind. Some parts that still stick with me (in my nightmares) are:Bad Matrix. Seeing terribly animated cats do the worst Matrix parodies is not high on my to do list. I also got a plot that I didn't understand. The 'bad' guy (of course a cat, all cats are evil while dogs are "man's best friend") like crams it into one half of a sentence, the other half being perhaps the corniest laugh I ever heard. This movie also had little humor, if any. In fact, I don't think I was supposed to laugh at the parts I did laugh at. (like how it looked when the 'evil' guy's HQ blew up) "Acting. We don't need no stinkin' acting." People make fun of how Jake Lloyd performed in Star Wars I. The kid in this...I wanted to see the opposite camera angle. I could probably read the cue cards. And finally, predictability. Okay, okay, I know that it's supposed to be sad, the little boy crying over his 'dead' dog. Had it not been for the fact that I saw it in a hotel and people might have been sleeping, I might have yelled, "THROW THE STUPID BEAST IN THE SNOW, YOU NITWIT! HE'S ASLEEP! JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES! THAT'LL WAKE HIM UP!" And of course, the dog wakes up with a corny line. "You're my best friend too." Thank God I hadn't eaten earlier, or I might have vomited all over the room. Eww. Basically, this film earns a 1. The only thing I regret is that the IMDb doesn't give 1/2 stars.
Shrek (2001)
Good movie, but too crude.
Do I have to write anything more than the title? I enjoyed the movie--I thought it was hilarious, the way they spun off on the regular fairy tales and ogre images. The animation was stunning, the characters fleshed out very well, and the story was most impressive. If it weren't for all of the crude "humor" and sexual references, I would have loved it. But, when Mike Myers is involved, civility goes out the window. I must say that I loved all of the twists and turns in the movie...and Donkey was hilarious, even if he was a bad sign from the start. Eddie Murphy certainly did better than Mike. I give it a seven out of ten--a C, but a middle C. Amusing yet offending...I have the same misgivings about the sequel, but I want to see it.
"One of a kind!" --Shrek
The Matrix (1999)
A wasted plot...
There are many fans of the Matrix movies out there. Die-hard, weirdo, and theological. Agents, all of them.
I must say that this movie did not impress. The main theory, the central story plot of the computer simulation being the real world, was the only thing that kept this movie from being discarded into the rubbish bin. The effects, hailed as amazing, did not fully impress. There was too much foul mouth, immorality, and otherwise HUMANITY'S WASTE PITS on screen. Violence was extreme--and unnecessary. The entire story could have been turned into a magnificent three-hour movie with excellent dialogue, scenery, depth, and other aspects that make a good movie. Instead, it was all mashed into a sludge of action and destruction and basic hatred of other people. It was disgusting. Furthermore, the acting was abominable. Look at it closely, with the hatred given to Star Wars by so many envious people, and you will see that Keanu Reeves makes Hayden Christenson look like an Oscar winner.
My opinion. And I hope that you agree. The movie could have been much better, much more interesting. Not to mention, the final shot kind of destroyed the end...I cracked up there, laughing hysterically. Was that supposed to IMPRESS? Sorry, takes more than that to impress me.
Twenty percent.
"Wars not make one great." --Yoda
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Good, but definitely overrated
This is one of those movies that you see and think, "Wow, that was awesome!" But then, you go back and think a bit about it. At least I did.
Okay, I will say this: the visual effects are outstanding. The battle sequences are very well done. And those are what wow you. I left the theater thinking it was an awesome movie, mainly because of those sequences.
Yet as I go back to this well woven fabric, tons of threads all of a sudden seem out of place. The beginning of the movie, for example, set me off. "Saruman is in Orthanc..."...well...now what? Are...are we going to see him? Is he going to kick the bucket? Yet no. Instead, it's a simple move on to the next phase of the movie. Later, as Legolas slides down the Oliphant in his awesome-cool-make-the-fangirls/boys-flip moment, I wonder, "Why was that showcase of special effects considered more important than 5 minutes of screen time for one of the greatest actors of time?"
Another part that sets me (and other book fans) off from this third installment, is the scene where Sam leaves Frodo. WHY?!? He knows "Mister Frodo" is in danger...Gollum is leading him to a mysterious entrance to the land of evil, and the "Stinker" side is becoming really obvious to Sam, and Sam just leaves Frodo! The fellow hobbit he was willing to run out and nearly drown for, to leap into the way of a Ringwraith, is going off to face death directly, and he leaves him! This lapse of character, merely to get Sam out of Frodo's way so that Frodo can be bitten, does not fit well into the movie.
Finally, the character of Gimli, I felt, had the complete wrong personality. Whereas, in Tolkein's masterpieces, Gimli is a battle-hardened dwarf who no orc should tangle with, his scenes seem to be mostly comic relief. Delivering quips and one liners in the middle of a battle, acting weak and cowardly merely to make light of the near death of our beloved characters does not go over so well in my mind.
Overall, this was an enjoyable movie. You'll need a while to watch it, but it is an enjoyable time. I recommend the extended edition, as it adds in so many scenes that should have stayed (Saruman's death, the Mouth of Sauron). Jackson let me down with the third one, but you still have to see it.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Spanish Inquisition
WARNING: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS! I could type a very short commentary about the fact that over Summer Break, the Spanish have conquered England, Hogwarts has been used as a bomb-testing site (don't worry, they rebuilt it, and it has a clock tower, too), and my uneasiness about having a breath mint passed off as a soul. But I won't. I am going to type a very long commentary about one of the WORST book-to-movie adaptations of all time. Please note that the 5 is only given from a MOVIE standpoint; to be fair to all those fools who have not read the books, I will not give it the 2 I so dearly desire. Check the threads later for a complete review of my rants, but here are a few.
One: If they were not sure about what souls look like, DON'T HAVE THEM SHOW IT! The book doesn't have it--the dementors are pretty lame in the movie in that scene.
Two: WHERE ARE THE ROBES!? They are wizards, they wear robes, not...not...MUGGLE GARMENTS! I think Alfonso or someone just wanted Hermione to show off more. You'll notice that she is center on some of the posters, and very prominent.
Three: Er, where's the backstory? Ron doesn't seem too angry at Hermione for having her cat eat his pet. In the book, they argue. Not here. Now,they all just are a happy bunch, and getting very mushy, too.
Four: WHAT HAPPENED TO HOGWARTS!? It is not the same castle--and why is there a pendulum? Poor Neville is going to get clobbered by that thing!
Five: Speaking of Neville, where is he? And Goyle? And everyone else? Wood? Nope. Cedric? I think he gets roasted by a lightning bolt. Malfoy? Where is that evil-looking, arrogant, cold, smooth villain, anyway? He seems to be missing. There's only an ugly meanie who looks similar.
Six: Does it disturb anyone that there are shrunken heads everywhere? Consider: where do they get these heads? Think of that.
Seven: How did Sirius escape? They kind of forget to say that. Plot hole, right there. Also on plot holes, the thestrals are invisible, despite the fact that Harry saw Quirrel die in #1. (This is not a mistake in the books). And might I inquire WHY there are so many weirdos who sing with TOADS? Also, Harry is a nobody, it seems--he has never won a Quidditch cup...but another key plot hole: wouldn't it be proof that Peter was alive if they found his CLOTHES on the GROUND!?
Eight: RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! IT'S THE KILLER BIPEDAL GREYHOUND!
Nine: Does a pathetic howl really sound like a werewolf, or is that just because it was the killer bipedal greyhound?
Ten: The school is not safe. Our dear headmaster Dumbledore thinks hitting Ron on the leg is amusing! And he saves Harry when he falls, but lets the Hufflepuff seeker get blasted out of the sky!
Eleven: In the book, Harry never sees a Grim. He only sees Sirius. What is that cloud formation?
Twelve: The final shot is kind of freaky.
Actually, though, there were one or two good parts. Buckbeak looked awesome, and some of the magic usage was cool (no longer flashy, but actually magical). And Lupin and Sirius were great, though Sirius did seem a little happy for being in a soul-sucking prison for twelve years. And John Williams is good once more.
But seriously, this movie was the biggest letdown I have had. Check the post "100 Complaints about the Movie," coming soon, for a list of book-related comments. Most of the above concerned the movie. Thank you for your patience, and watch the fourth one...AND READ THE BOOKS! TEN TIMES BETTER THAN THE FIRST TWO MOVIES, TWENTY TIMES THE THIRD!
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
STAR WARS
Episode III
Revenge of the Sith
It has been a dark time for Star
Wars fans. Energized by the Episode I
trailer, fans raced to the theaters, only
to be displeased beyond belief.
3 years later, Episode II was released, and
though it improved on the latest movie, it was
still a displeasure to many.
Yet now, the great GEORGE LUCAS has set out to redeem
his failures, and bring order to a universe that has
been in turmoil for many years....
All I can say is that it was good from the Fox/Lucasfilm drumroll to the final explosion of music for the end credits. Despite slight bad acting, some corny dialogue, and droids with voices that abruptly changed for the worse, and perhaps some other things that others might complain about, the movie had its definite ups. This is the one everyone wanted--this is the ultimate Star Wars movie. From the opening space battle to the climactic lightsaber duel, from the mush to the music, from the laughs to the tears, the movie accomplishes all that was expected. Foreshadowing, conclusions, and basic stage-setting, this movie will have fans running to watch the original movie one more time. This is Star Wars at its grandest--the space opera that takes your breath away. For over a thousand days the Star Wars prequels were the targets of jokes and slander in the movie industry. Before the third movie. Before the conclusion. An young director named George Lucas, who was a little-known director before he formed Star Wars, has helped create the greatest movie saga of all time. Lucas was seduced by the dark side of the movies, some said--but now, he has returned. He has returned for revenge. At last he has revealed his skills to the Republic. At last we have Revenge.