Google+ Review

So I know I usually review movies but a lot of people have been asking about Google+, and being a social networking nerd I'd figure I'd give a quick positive/negative list.

Positives:

- It's Simple. Like Facebook used to be...
- No Farmville! No one sending you tomato plants and asking you to join their Mob.
- Circles! It's a big feature on Google+. It's nice you can decide who sees what you say. You can seperate what posts your co-workers see from what your close friends do. Oh, and people don't know what circle you have them in (Nice!). Now, you can do this on FB but it's kind of a pain and most people don't know how to. (It's a little weird categorizing people at first, but you get used to it)
- It's connected to your gmail. I know it sounds lazy.... but now you can log-in into one place to check your email and see if you have any notifications.
- Chat system is also nice. You can chat with people through gmail or through Google+. So if a friend has gmail but not plus you can still chat with them. They also have 'Huddle'

so you can chat in groups (Facebook is trying to do this now too).
- Video Chat. The 'Hangout' feature is a great idea; You can v-chat with multiple people at once, without paying Skpe monthly. (Also see negatives)

- It's new! It's still small. No ads covering the page. No companies saying "Like Us" (but still like mine! lol) You also don't have to read you friend's 14 year-old sister pathetic updates, because she hasn't joined yet.
- It's gotten to see FB become what it is and take advantage of it's faults.
- It's Google, a name we know and trust. We know they're gonna do some cool stuff.
- It's more about sharing with friends than having friends.
- Lastly, if Mark Zuckerberg is as douchey as Eisenberg played him it's time he got his. Although, I don't think Google+ will bring down FB.

Negatives:

- It's new. I know this was also a positive, but they are still working out a lot of hiccups.
* An example would be the "great idea" I said the 'hangout' v-chat feature is. I've tested out a few times and it doesn't work so well, you can hear but not see or see and not hear. Hopefully they'll get it to work.
- Even though it's in a bar right above your email they still email you notifications. You can turn this off, but I think it's a dumb that you have to.
- You don't have to accept people who want to follow you. Anyone can follow you, so you'll have to put them all in a special circle, hide, or block them. It's kind of annoying.
- The switch over is going to be hard. I have been on Facebook for years. I don't think the switch over will be as smooth as MySpace to Facebook was.... if it even happens.
- It's a little weird going for "The Man". Google is no college kid starting a website or Tom our Myspace friend in the white shirt. You'll now notice you can '+1'(there equivalent to fb's 'like') anything you google. It just reminds you that they are trying to take over, and they are no underdog.


Overall, I like it. It's nice to be on with just a few friends for now, and fun to play somewhere new. I don't know what's going to happen with it, but it's growing fast so ask someone to invite you in.

Why I Love Harry Potter

I remember walking through the mall one day and my sister showing me the new book she had just bought, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", I was about 10 years-old, I had heard about it but didn't really know what it was about. Little did I know that that book would forever change me. I was a horrible at reading when I was young, I even had to take special classes and it always embarrassed me. I had grown to hate books but when my sister read that first book to my little brother and I, I fell in love.

The Harry Potter series has truly become a part of my life. I have read and listen to the books many times. I can't sleep with my own thoughts so I listen to Jim Dale read the books. In high school my best friend and I called our crush, "You Know Who" so he wouldn't know we were talking about him. For the last 12 years whenever I needed to escape I would in the books. Most importantly, I have related the characters lives to mine and they've played a big part in who I am.

Of course the books will live on forever for future generations but I have truly been blessed to grow up with them. I got to feel what it was like to wait for books 4-7 to come out. I got to go to the bookstore and wait till midnight to get them. I had the luxury of imagining what the characters looked like in my mind without actors influence. Finally, I got to watch the books grow into a world phenomenon which turned into eight movies.

At first, I hated the movies for so many reasons but now I have grown to respect them for what they are, just another way to see it all, and I love how they carry on the legacy. It was cool to watch the actors grow up in many ways, like I did and Harry did. It was great to see the world in my mind come to life even if it wasn't perfectly how I imagined it. To even my surprise Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 will always be one of my favorite movies. And now part 2 is out.

Just tonight I watched it and so many emotions ran through me. Of course, while watching this last one, there were great moments and not so great moments. There were emotions missed that meant so much to me in the book. There was a lot of jumping around and it could have been paced better, but there also was a lot of great film making and a lot of tears on my part. In the end I don't want to over analyze it because it all means too much to me.

At the end of the day I'd rather just be sad. This is the last midnight showing I'll attend. This was the end of 10 years of waiting and wanting. Wizarding World of Harry Potter(which is awesome!) will always be there, and I am sure I will love Pottermore, but it's just not the same. This was the end in so many ways and I'll miss the anticipation more than anything.

So, although I am not one for cheese, all I have to say is, I love Harry Potter and thank you J.K. Rowling. Thank you for opening my imagination, for giving me a place to go when life sucked, for helping me become a storyteller, and for allowing me to realize how much I love to read.

Monte Carlo

This one is pretty simple. Here are some quick thoughts:

• The Lizzy Mcquire Movie meets Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but a little better.
• It was cute but predictable.
• Acting was ok. I think Selena Gomez is as cute as a button (too bad she's with stupid Bieber boy).
• Made me want to go to Europe even more.
• The guys in it were hot.
• Perfect for 12 year-old girls who still think they can run off somewhere a find the perfect boy.
• Girls might wanna rent it one day. Or just catch it on TV someday.

Why Green Lantern Really Isn't That Bad

So last night I was convinced to go see Green Lantern. I really had no desire (AT ALL!) to see this in theaters. I've heard so many bad things and from the moment I saw the first trailer I thought it was going to be ridiculous. My boyfriend dragged me to it and I kicked and screamed until... I found out the new Harry Potter Trailer was going to be showing before it. So, in the end I sucked it up and went, and was pleasantly surprised. Here's the quick play by play (Without giving too much away).

Arrive at Cinebarre and order lots of calories (Yum!).

Watch some short films and then trailers....

PISSED!

No Harry Potter. Ok yes, I already watched it online the moment I could but I love watching trailers in theaters. Best part of any movie.

Green Lantern begins.

- Yes, good plan, start off with the shirt off.

Ryan Reynolds is SOOO hot (bummer Scar Jo gave him the downstairs bumps).

- Eww Blake Lively. Just. So. Annoying.

Her acting was bad, but to be fair I expected worse.

She is prettier as a brunette.

- They don't really develop any supporting characters. Although after watching X-Men First Class, were they try and shove in too many characters, i'm ok with that.

--We've got the good guy, the bad guy, and the chick. Check.

-The Suit. Not gonna lie I thought it was going to really really really bug me, but with all the other CGI it just kinda worked.

- Wow and super hero movie and Kid might actually like. Hmmm... what a concept.

- Cheesy.

- Could have a little more playing and fun.

- Ok Blake does get better, but still ew.

- Sarsgaard should just always have an accent. It's bugging him that he doesn't.

- Oddly most people call this movie jumpy, but I call it "to the point".

It ends and overall it was alright.

Critics apparently hated it. All I have to say is get the F over it. What do they expect?!?! Heaven forbid someone make and comic book movie with a simple plot line that kids can follow. I'm sure when they cast Lively and Reynolds no one was expecting something amazing, but they did well. Yes, it could have been something amazing, but few movies accomplish that. Comic book movies are all part of a money machine don't expect any crazy genius from them. Green Lantern was no where as bad as Spider-Man 3. I guess all i'm saying is go in expecting hate it and then maybe you'll like it ;).

In Theaters Now

I haven't been able to write this semester, way too busy, but of course I have a lot to say about a many things so I will say them here.

Ok lets start with movies in theaters now:

Bridesmaids (R):

Funny and sweet. It is a romantic comedy, but your boyfriend is more likely to like it than your mom. Kristen Wiig is cute and funny, she is perfectly pathetic; you almost want to smack her but can relate and feel for her. Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls, Mike & Molly) totally steals the show and Terry Crews (My Favorite!) is in it for like a minute which is awesome. It could have been funnier at times although I understand they were trying to walk a fine line. Worth a watch.

Fast Five (PG-13)

What do you expect? Ok that's it.

Seriously it is. Not so good acting, fast cars, hot people(now older)... yep. Overall I loved it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides:

I would say this is the third best Pirates. Not as good as the first two and not as bad as the fourth. I feel like it had good elements but was pushing too much exposition. What we all loved about the first movie was the sense of discovery and that is whats missing here. You would think with mermaids, zombies, pirates, and the fountain of youth, you would have that, but you don't. Sparrow (Depp) is just a cliche now no longer the breath of fresh air from other more realistic characters. I do have to say Penelope did great and looked beautiful, and Depp was doing his same old thing (a little heavier this time..). Overall it's a good popcorn movie not much more.In the end all I have to say is Jack Sparrow should never be your protagonist.

Hangover Part 2 (R):

Yes it is the exact same concept. I do have to say it is still pretty funny, and I appreciate the "it worked before" attitude. It's not as good as the first because it lacks the originality and freshness. It will still make you laugh most of the time but it's in no way genius. There is a bit of awkward exposition at the beginning and it's a little weird that they still leave the other friend (Justin Bartha) behind, but once it gets rolling you'll be laughing hardcore.

Thor (PG-13):

I'm sure most have seen this by now, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I thought Chris Hemsworth (Thor) was going to be a bad pick. Honestly not as hot as I would want Thor to be and seemed kinda annoying. Although, after watching the film he was perfect. It was a good story with a lot of witty dialogue. Natalie Portman wasn't overbearing and there wasn't too much of Kat Dennings (sorry not a fan). Overall, a fun movie, and if your crazy and haven't seen it you should.