Incarceron Captures Imagination but Just Misses Heart

Digital image. Miss Print. Web. .
Incarceron  by Catherine Fisher is the tale of an intricate experiment gone horribly wrong. In attempts to create a better world, the "Scum" of the Earth are imprisoned in Incarceron—a prison that can think and adjust—a place that was supposed to be a paradise; however, something goes wrong and the prison morphs into a living hell. Over the decades, the Wardens of the prison have kept the disintegration a secret.

In Incarceron, a 17 year old boy named Finn struggles to remember his childhood and identity. His first memories were waking up in a cell at the age of 15—anything from before is blank. A wise man, or Sapient, believes Finn is a starseer and has insightful visions. Finn cannot understand if they are indeed visions or memories; nevertheless, they convince him he is from the Outside. Driven by the the tale of Sapphique and the unforeseen aid of the Warden's daughter, the only prisoner to have ever escaped, Finn and his companions embark on a journey to freedom.

Catherine Fisher transports the reader into a fascinating world of the future that is both extremely advanced and imprisoned in the past. She raises many philosophical questions about perspective, self identity, and freedom. Is it possible that they are merely illusions? Neither the prisoners nor the people on the Outside are sure anymore.

The novel opens with a loud slap to the face and sends the reader reeling back from the sudden action. The imagination never hungers for more wonders in a world of nearly unimaginable proportions and horrors. However, Fisher did not develop the characters enough for the reader to empathize and connect with them. The plot itself has its twists and turns, but overall is not complicated. There are many "gasp" moments that I was able to figure out nearly 100 or more pages before—and I doubt I am the only one.

Despite this novel not living up to certain expectations, its conclusion is anything but the end. Fisher has a chance to redeem herself in the sequel Sapphique. It is already out in the UK and should come out in December in the U.S.

James Bond is Postponed Indefinitely

Digital image. Peter Morgan To Help Write ‘Bond 23′. Cinemafique, 12 June 2009. Web. 11 May 2010. .

The popular James Bond franchise’s upcoming film has been delayed due to financial issues at Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, Inc. (MGM). According to the New York Times article, “In Hollywood, Grappling With Studios’ Lost Clout,” MGM is "now owned by a consortium that includes Sony, Comcast and the investment firms Providence Equity Partners and TPG."  However, since MGM's large amount of debt has not yet been alleviated, its assets were put up for auction back in January of this year. The bids by interested companies, such as Time Warner and Lionsgate Entertainment, have thus far been around $2 billion or less—not nearly enough for MGM, which was bought for approximately $5 billion in 2004.  As of late April, the auction has not yet been completed. 

This setback has adversely affected the production of the latest, unnamed James Bond installment. According to the New York Times article, “James Bond Movie Delayed Due to Studio Auction,” the next Bond movie was originally supposed to be released in 2011 or 2012. The producers of the 007 franchise, Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, stated, “Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on BOND 23 indefinitely.”  

The last two Bond Movies, “Quantum of Solace” and “Casino Royale,” together made a global box office profit of 1.18 billion. Sam Mendes, the director of "American Beauty" and "Revolutionary Road," is expected to direct the next James Bond movie, according to the New York Times. 

Nat King Cole--Nature Boy

AVATAR...it left an impression alright...

Brokrek. Digital image. The Funny Blog--Funny Moments, Pictures, Jokes, and Videos. 20 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 Mar. 2010. . (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

I finally saw Avatar a few weeks ago...before I say anything else, I would like to channel my AP U.S. teacher...

The Good:
The technological aspects were amazing! The Na'vi were very realistic, the colors were hypnotic, and the special effects were unsurpassed.

Now remember, I said something good first...

The Bad:
The story, though it took place on a distant moon of a distant planet, was essentially Pocahantas on steroids. I was severely disappointed with the predictability and simplicity of the plot.I expected something much better than that.

STOMP Gets Audience in Uproar

Digital image. Stomp Out Loud Las Vegas. Destination 360, 2010. Web. 9 Feb. 2010. .

With just the right combination of slapstick comedy, movement and percussion, “Stomp” enchanted the audience. The show began with a variation on the traditional broom stick number. At first the performers simply sweep the stage, but soon, one by one, they break out into beats and rhythms, every performer building on what the last started. The show continued with many different numbers, using a variety of props ranging from brooms and buckets, to giant lifesavers and rubber hoses, to sinks and plastic bags. Each number flows seamlessly into the next.

Nearly all routines had solos that were either extremely impressive or hilariously funny. In one solo, a dancer began clapping and stomping his feet in a quick and difficult rhythm; making himself resemble the Energizer Bunny. Additionally, one performer played the outsider of the group, leading to many entertainingly awkward moments.

One such moment starts when the stage is empty except for one performer who is in the middle of an amazing percussion solo, using nothing but his body as an instrument. He then sits down and commences drumming on a small, household trashcan. As he does so, the odd member of the group came in and tried to drum with him. The first entertainer didn’t let him, however, and threw away any can the outcast attempted to drum on. Frustrated, the exile left the stage, only to return with a large garbage can, to snatch and discard the household trashcan.

The jokes particularly begin in one piece that included rubber pipes. The performers would hit rubber pipes of varying lengths on the floor to create a melody, while the odd man out always had to have the last beat. Annoyed with this, the other performers threatened to hit him in the head with a pipe; but he beat them to it by whacking the nearest dancer upside the head. At the end of the number, the outcast smugly played the last note of the piece.

One of my favorite parts was when the performers got the audience involved—clapping and stomping out rhythms for us to repeat. They then competed for who could get the audience to be more interactive, which led to humorous confrontations.

Overall, “Stomp” has truly won the hearts of many percussion lovers. The performers impressively utilized everyday items in the most ingenious ways to create beats, rhythms, and even melodies. The clever infusion of sarcastic and slap-stick comedy was a graceful touch—icing on the cake, if you will. Although “Stomp” is no longer in town, you can still see the act on their new recording of a live show. Personally, I strongly recommend it.

Some Facebook Groups are becoming SEXIST and Actually Getting Fans!

Digital image. Web. 13 Feb. 2010. http://youngfeminists.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/garment_label.jpg.

It's always very reassuring to know that with so much progress made in society nowadays, many people are still very sexist. NOT!! There is never an excuse to be sexist against either gender, but apparently, there are plenty of people who have low self esteem and need to demean the opposite gender in order to feel better about themselves.

What I am specifically referring to are some of the new Facebook groups like "I was shocked when I realized 'woman' spelled backwards is 'kitchen'" and "Women making sandwiches for men." I suppose that some men believe that by abasing women, they are making themselves feel tougher and therefore compensating for their lack in size.

Honestly, no real man would join groups such as these. Furthermore, a real man would be just as outraged as I am at such activity. And for any girls that may have joined these groups, I don't know what's wrong with you. Either you have some serious self image issues or a really bad sense of humor.

Even if these groups are meant as jokes, they are still as offensive as if they were serious. In fact, by poking fun at such issues, it is all the more insulting. Although the creators and members of these groups believe that it's all in good fun, in reality, many people truly do believe that women are inferior and these groups are not helping the issue at all.

If these groups were to be about how black people should be slaves, how the Chinese should go back to working on the railroads, or anything else seriously offensive and cruel, people would not be laughing. Sexism is just as bad as racism and these offensive groups must be deleted.

Summertime, you cannot arrive soon enough.