Are you ALIVE?

As a sophomore in high school, I read the book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. It was a good read, a true story, and included cannibalism. When I found out that there was a movie, I didn't put the effort into finding it. Last week when I was wandering my college's library, I saw it, sitting there, the Alive DVD. (The movie was released in 1993.) I was curious as to how they would compress the decently large book into a movie, so I decided to watch.

The story is about a Uruguayan rugby team (and family/friends) who's plane crashed in the Andes Mountains. Most of them die in the end, either because of the plane crash, the cold, or starvation.  Some do survive and venture to Chilean civilization and bring help so the rest could be rescued.

Honestly, the filmmakers did a mediocre job at adapting the story. The movie was okay, but it didn't hold a flame to the book. The acting was decent, but not outstanding. The movie flew by really fast, the only means of gauging the time in the movie were the on-screen subtitles (ex. "DAY 60"). Nothing about this movie makes me want to watch it again. It is not flashy, the special effects were done just well enough to be believable in 1993. This movie is definitely one that you wouldn't want to spend any money on. Don't buy, don't even rent. Get it from the library, but only if you are interested.

This movie is runs 127 minutes and is rate R. This is the tamest "R"-rated movie I've ever seen. It probably would be PG-13 with today's standards.

I give it an average 5 ramheads out of 10:

The Office is an HOUR LONG after the Super Bowl!

Just a plug for the singing group I'm in...

Revelation!
We are a singing group from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. We have a website, a Facebook page, and a Myspace page.

The Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince trailers...so far

Happy Harry trailer viewing...

The 1st Trailer (officially released)


The 2nd Trailer (leaked)


The 3rd Trailer (officially released)


The 4th Trailer (Japanese)

Another Review for Jimmy's Book Club

Whether you like it or not, Harry Potter is a phenomenon. I don't just mean the movies. I mean the entire genre/movement that is Harry Potter. The books started it all, but then led to fan sites, record breaking movies, a genre of music (Wizard Rock or Wrock), podcasts, and much more. I got a book for Christmas that describes the entire phenomenon written by someone who experienced it first hand. Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli describes Harry Potter's impact on her life and society in general. If you are a fan of JK Rowling's Harry, then you will love this book.

Anelli writes in the first person and in her experiences in the last 10 years. She is a very good writer and spices the book up by not writing a chronological history from beginning to end. She writes in small chunks, which makes the book easy to pick up and read for a few minutes and put down. In theory. For me, it was pretty difficult to put down. It was incredibly interesting and insightful and should be on every Potter fan's "to read" list. The only negative I could find with the book is that in some portions of the book, Anelli tends to get carried away and then gets herself back on track. I didn't mind because I'm a nerdy Harry Potter fan, but I'm just being objective. Also, just a warning, Anelli tells her story (about Potter) coinciding with the big story. Don't expect an objective, straight, boring history of Harry.

I give the book 9 ramheads out of 10 and suggest you read it if you like Harry Potter. (Like right now: go out and buy it here.)

Charlie has done it again!

I'm sorry I haven't done a real post in a while, but I've just not been in a mood. Never fear, I didn't forget about this blog...

Remember The Mighty Ducks? Remember the kid who was the captain of the team, Charlie (Joshua Jackson)? He moved on to Dawson's Creek, that show died, now's he co-stars in the new show Fringe. Fringe is written by the writers of Lost, Alias, more... It is an mystery, psychological, action show that deals with a government FBI agent, Olivia Dunham's investigation of the pattern, a series of strange happenings that are frequently covered up by the government. Her investigations lead her to a corporation called "Massive Dynamic". Conspiracy?: Maybe... It is a show that makes you think, and it is really interesting. Also, one of the characters spent 17 years in a mental institute, and some of the things he says are extremely funny. Everyone loves crazy people! I recommend that anyone and everyone watch, because I can't have it get cancelled--I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!

Fringe airs after House Tuesday on Fox. It can also be seen on fox.com and hulu.com. (Click the picture for Hulu)

I give the series (so far) 8 ramheads out of 10: