Step Up 3D was an absolutely awesome dance movie.  It was a pretty awesome night of just relaxing and movie binging, and this happened to be on my ‘list of must see’s’ at the moment.  I suppose seeing a movie in 3D also kind of made me just a tad bit biased…  This movie stars Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani (“Moose”), Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner and was directed by Jon Chu.

I was totally stoked at getting to see “Moose” again, that character is so totally awesome and he really knows how to dance.  After seeing the movie, it kind of made me wish that I had a boom box wall, and a graffiti glow floor, and blue lights … all in my room.  I think my family would go nuts if I actually did that though; I can imagine there faces (o_O”) (X_x) (@_@)…

The plotline wasn’t too bad in this movie, besides the kissing scenes, I hate mushy scenes.  But anyway, the plot was cool, the sets were really neat, and the dance was absolutely awesome.  Especially that scene where Rick Malambri (Luke) takes his wet t-shirt off (ooooooooooh *drool*): here’s a story on that!  They even brought back a bunch of the dancers from Step Up 2!!  Totally made my day =).

I give this movie an 8 out of 10 (or a 4 to 4.5 out of 5) because I hold a secret love for really cool dance movies like this one.  The flashy and pretty lights helped bring the score up too!  It’s a great movie to see with family, friends, a date, or even by yourself if you’d like.

Mom and I went to see The Killers yesterday, starring Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher.  We had a pretty good time, and plenty of laughs!  Some of the movie was just plain ridiculous, but I think that was supposed to be like that…  After the movie, we ended up having Chinese in the local restaurant (so very yummy!) =D.

The plot is kind of ridiculously cliché, in that the spy falls in love and leaves his job of assassination and so forth in order to have a ‘normal’ life with said love.  The funny thing about this movie is that despite the fact that parts were very cliché, it was still really funny.  I won’t delve into to much of the storyline otherwise I’ll ruin it for people who want to see it, but I tell you what, Katherine Heigl plays a really good part!  Lots of shooting, some car chases, fight scenes, and someone even gets run over…

  Katherine Heigl looks so awkward with that gun LOL!!

It’s probably not a movie that I would ever watch again, but it wasn’t too bad as something to laugh at with the family … or your parents.  Overall, I think I’d give the movie maybe a 2.5 out of 5 simply because while it was funny and I didn’t fall asleep, it’s still not really my cup of tea. 

Prologue (Poem)
When the war of the beasts brings about the world’s end
The goddess descends from the sky
Wings of light and dark spread afar
She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting
Prologue (Interpreted)
When the war of the beasts brings about the world’s end
The goddess descends from the sky
Wings of light and dark spread afar
She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting
Act I (Poem)
Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess
We seek it thus, and take it to the sky
Ripples form on the water’s surface
The wandering soul knows no rest.
Act I (Interpreted)
The infinite mystery
The gift of the goddess is what the three men seek
But their fates are scattered by war
One becomes a hero, one wanders the land
And the last is taken prisoner
But the three are still bound by a solemn oath
To seek the answer together, once again
Act II (Poem)
There is no hate, only joy
For you are beloved by the goddess
Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds
Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul
Pride is lost
Wings stripped away, the end is nigh
Act II (Interpreted)
Though the prisoner escapes, he is gravely wounded
His life is saved, however
By a woman of the opposing nation
He begins a life of seclusion with her
Which seems to hold the promise of eternal bliss
But as happiness grows, so does guilt
Of not fulfilling the oath to his friends
Act III (Poem)
My friend, do you fly away now?
To a world that abhors you and I?
All that awaits you is a somber morrow
No matter where the winds may blow
My friend, your desire
Is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess
Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return
Act III (Interpreted)
As the war sends the world hurtling towards destruction
The prisoner departs with his newfound love
And embarks on a new journey
He is guided by hope that the gift will bring bliss
And the oath that he swore to his friends
Though no oath is shared between the lovers
In their hearts they know they will meet again
Act IV (Poem)
My friend, the fates are cruel
There are no dreams, no honor remains
The arrow has left the bow of the goddess
My soul, corrupted by vengeance
Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey
In my own salvation
And your eternal slumber
Legend shall speak
Of sacrifice at world’s end
The wind sails over the water’s surface
Quietly, but surely
Act V (Poem)
Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return
To become the dew that quenches the land
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee this silent sacrifice

Ah, I found this poem while I was playing Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, and I just had to have it.  Genesis Rhapsodos always seems to quote it, and I thought it’d be a good poem to have anyways; it’s kind of a shame that they never published the book though, I’d totally buy a copy!  Anyway, I put an image of Zack Fair at the top instead of Genesis because everyone loves Zack!  I’m still playing Crisis Core on an off at the moment, as I kind of don’t want to finish it because I know what happens at the end and I don’t like it.  Not happy Square Enix!!  They need an open world game for FFVII, I think that would be loads of fun .  Running around as a Shinra grunt or Turk or something ^^.

Also, I’m debating on buying FFVII and maybe FFVIII for my PSP, but I think you can only buy them online … and I’d really like to be able to have the UMD for them you know?  Ah well, I’ll have to ask my buddy at the games store when I go in today.  I may have to get a larger memory card for my PSP too if I have to do it that way :S, have to wait and see…

I got this Xbox 360 game for my birthday (along with a few others I’ll mention in other posts), and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.  Infinite Undiscovery (from Square Enix) has a good storyline, with some unique twists, and the graphics are pretty to look at.  Some of the voice acting by less-used characters is a bit … terrible, but at least the main characters are pretty safe.  You even get to make your own armor and weapons, and there are some special ways to make easy money that I spent ages figuring out!  But anyway, I really like the game and am enjoying it!

Storyline

The game is set in a fantasy world and you play mainly as Capell, although you get to have more characters join your team.  The world worships these Luna Gods (like Veros), and when people are born in a certain moon phase they are blessed with Lunaglyphs which allow them to use magic; however, those born when no moon shines are not given a lunaglyph and are called “Unblessed”.  The moon is currently being chained down to the planet by the Order of Chains, and as you progress through the game you are meant to break these chains and free the moon.  You find out that only the hero Sigmund can currently break chains until you come along, I won’t go too into detail or it’ll ruin the story for those who want to play.  Suffice to say there are some shocks, some annoying bits, some sad bits, but overall it’s a very interesting storyline!

“The life-giving moon, the symbol of status and power to all who walk the planet, has been ensnared by the Order of Chains.  Led by the enigmatic leader, the Dreadknight, the Order has constructed massive chains to lock the moon in its position in the heavens.

The sinister power of these chains spawns foul and deadly creatures that blight the land.  Crops fail.  Trees wither.  Humanity cries out for salvation.  Deep within the Graad Woods stands a prison controlled by the Order of Chains…”

~ The Official Website “Story”

Playability

For those of you who are interested, when you get to Port Zala you can make Horseshoe Charms (with Edward) to sell for lots of money, but you need to have an IC level of at least about 3 or something.  I think I’m at least half-way through the game at the moment (I’m on the second disc), and so far it’s been lots of fun and pretty interesting.  I’ll have to wait and see what happens when the game finishes and what the ending is like (too bad that I don’t think it’s an open-ended game, I love those!).  I’ll leave some links to the official game site and stuff in-case anyone is interested in it.  Check out youtube for clips on the game!!

• Seamless, real-time battles.
• Situational battles.
• Craft your own weapons and armor.
• “Connect” with your allies to use their abilities.

Important Links

1. Official Website :: http://infiniteundiscovery.com/ 
2. Wallpapers :: http://www.legendra.com/rpg/fiche-galerie-1-type-wall-rpg_id-1074-supports_id-40-so-galeries.html
3. Game Walkthrough :: http://www.mahalo.com/infinite-undiscovery-walkthrough
4. Hints & Tips :: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox360/file/935661/56564 

For those of you who don’t know Cystic Fibrosis is “a common hereditary disease which affects the entire body, causing progressive disability and often late death…  Difficulty breathing is the most serious symptom and results from frequent lung infections that are treated, though not cured, by antibiotics and other medications.  A multitude of other symptoms, including sinus infection, poor growth, diarrhea, and infertility result from the effects of CF on other parts of the body.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistic_fibrosis)

My youngest sister happens to have CF, and she has just started Prep this year (it’s kind of like pre-school) at the local school.  Now, I’m well aware that she needs to take her salts and her creons as it’s very important to her health to do so; however, mom has been getting increasingly upset as the school itself doesn’t seem to care at all!  She has been going to the school, speaking to the teachers, and even wrote a guide that needed to be followed; and has the school done this?  No.  The main teacher of the class tries, but the teacher-aids and other staff just seem to think that mom is overreacting.  They never look at the facts that the average age of a person with CF is their twenties (Michael Kahn, D.D.S., 2007), or that they spend lots of time in the hospital.

The tears came this morning when a lady from the local education department started yelling at my mom over the phone saying things like “what the hell do you think you need an IEP (Individualized Education Plans) for?!” and telling her that it’s mom’s responsibility to organize and do everything … where mom said it’s meant to be a team effort.  Some people really need a good kick in the teeth, and that lady was one of them!!  Mom wanted that IEP so that the staff at the school will know what to do, and that they actually have to do it.  What right did that woman have to say that mom can’t have one, especially when the little one needs it?  The little one might need it more for her health than her learning, but you would at least think that people would help instead of hinder…

Sorry about the rant, but I wanted to get it off of my chest.  I had mom in tears this morning from heartless creeps, and some people just don’t seem to care.  I put some links up for people who are interested in learning more!

For more references and information regarding CF please see these pages:

• http://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistic_fibrosis
• http://www.facebook.com/cysticfibrosisfoundation
• http://www.zazzle.com/cure_cystic_fibrosis_tshirt-235591688226271942

I took my mom to go and see Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief yesterday, and I was actually pretty happy with the movie.  I went in with no expectations, which I guess let me enjoy it a bit more than I would have otherwise.  Mind you, I now have to urge to throw water around … ah how I wish I could do what they could!  And woah, those Converse sneakers of Hermes were totally awesome!  They had wings!!

Plot

The film was directed by Chris Columbus, and stars Logan Lerman as Percy.  It all starts at the top of the Empire State building (which, funnily enough is the way to Olympus) where Zeus watches the clouds and thunder.  Poseidon reaches him and then Zeus claims that his Lightning was stolen, and blames Poseidon’s son Percy for the theft; he gives Poseidon 14 days to return the bolt or war will come.  Our hero doesn’t know who or what he is at the beginning of the film, thinking he’s an ordinary kid with a few problems … it’s not until a Fury attacks him at a museum that things start shaping for him.  I’d tell more of the story but I think it’s worth to watch, especially as a family.

I did have a few problems with certain lines and speeches by some of the characters, and some of the scenes annoyed me, so it’s more of a fun movie to watch with family rather than someone who would ‘nitpick’.  The ideas though, and how they put those myths into modern times was pretty cool.

Effects

I must say that the effects were pretty to look at, and I especially liked Percy’s ability to manipulate the water, and make his trident.  The satyr and centaur’s were fairly interesting, and they looked fairly good on the big screen as well.  One of my favorite effects was when Poseidon left the sea at the beginning of the movie and he’s a couple stories tall, and then the water kind of waves off of him and he becomes normal size.  I really liked the water effects!  Another awesome piece of effect work was Medusa’s head of snakes.  I’m kind of glad I don’t have hair like that… eww.

Overall

Ah, the joy of relaxing at the movies!  The story was good, but there were some shocking lines that annoyed me as well as certain irritating scenes … but overall this film would be great to take the family to see and just relax.  Honestly though, I think my favorite part out of the entire movie was possibly the effects with the water.  Percy’s little home at the Camp looked really nice too, I wonder if they’d notice if I stole it…?

Kellan Lutz (Emmett from Twilight) can be seen in his smalls for the Calvin Klein shoot.  Finally the pics are here!!  Visit the Kellan Lutz Online Gallery and head to the ‘Photoshoots’ section.  Lots of yummy shots of Kellan and his gorgeous bod!  Mind you, he seems to downplay his sex-symbol status, saying, “I’m not the good-looking guy with the nice hair like Rob Pattinson.  I enjoy being not so pretty.” 

Pfft!!  He looks damn fine to me!  Anyone else for the Vote Team Emmett side??

Ah yes, please don’t mind me…  I’m still currently staring at the Calvin Klein shoot.  Since I’m on the topic of Twilight cast, or at least some of them anyway, I’d like to say “what in the nine levels is going on with Taylor and Kristen??”  She’s supposed to be dating Robert Pattinson, and yet she’s found all chummy like with Taylor?  I know there is a slight possibility of her and Taylor just being friends, but considering she was giddy and giggling on the mobile to him, it seems a little suspicious to me.  Poor Rob. 

“While Rob has been away, Kristen has secretly been hanging out with Taylor a lot,” reveals a friend.  “Rob had been hearing whispers that Kristen and Taylor have been hanging out alone together and he’s very insecure about it.”

Well, it seems we’ll all have to wait and see as to what happens on that front and I’ll be sure to write up what happens and my personal opinion on it.  Honestly though, if you have a boyfriend don’t go hanging off of another guy.  Seriously, it just sits your image at rock bottom and it’s a really nasty thing to do as well.

Just in case people were interested, here is a fansite for Avatar!  Okay, the movie was directed by James Cameron and runs for 161 minutes.  It is an extremely brilliant film with stunning graphics, and a very interesting storyline.  It stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, and Sigourney Weaver.  For those of you who love sci-fi and fantasy films this is for you, and there is also plenty of action including fighting, explosions, flying, and so forth.

In 2154 AD, humans are engaged in the colonization of Pandora, the lush moon of Polyphemus, one of three gas giants that orbit Alpha Centauri A, 4.3 light years from Earth. Pandora is filled with incredible life forms, and is home to the Na’vi, an indigenous sentient humanoid race who are considered primitive by human standards, yet are more physically capable than them. The Na’vi are tailed, slender creatures with sparkling blue skin, standing three meters tall. They live in harmony with their unspoiled world, which the humans have found to be rich with unobtainium, a valuable mineral that is essential to remedying an economic and energy crisis that is gripping Earth.

The story focuses mostly around the character Jake Sulley and Neytiri.  It uses the classic “big guy stomping on little guy” theme, but does it so well that you really feel for the native Na’vi and their plight to save their world, their home, and themselves.  I won’t tell too much about the story because I don’t want to spoil it for people who have yet to see it, but I suggest that you GO WATCH THIS FILM!!  It is well worth it.  I think I would rate it a 9.5/10 as the graphics were brilliant, the acting was good, and the camera shots were fantastic.  Very well done!!

Official Website: http://www.avatarmovie.com/

Crystal is a very good friend of mine who happens to go to University with me, and since she was heading home to Singapore on Sunday (she should be on the plane still, I think) we decided to do something interesting.  That’s how our little ‘sort-of’ adventure came about!  My grandparents chauffeured us in my Opa’s Mercedes, and we traveled around and saw lots of interesting little places .  After we picked Crystal up from the station, we headed off to Mt Glorious.  Such a nice view from up there, and we had breakfast at a cute little restaurant with a view.  If it wasn’t obvious, I had pancakes with ice-cream and fruit .  You can see an image of it just above.  After that we did a round-trip through Maleny, which we stopped in, and then around and through lots of small towns and places toward Caloundra.  Here’s a nice shot from the beach in Caloundra just on the right…

Crystal managed to take almost 200 photos!!  I didn’t get nearly that many, but I had problems with my batteries…  I have some of the scenic shots uploaded onto flickr, however, most of the more personal shots are all on facebook so they may not be able to be viewed unless you manage to wheedle the link out of me lol.  I may add a few more images to flickr as of yet, but I’m not sure.  It was a really long day, we left early, and we didn’t get finished until the evening, but we did have a lot of fun!  Well, I’m off to finish uploading the rest of my photos to facebook… 

Before the movie started however, I saw a clip for the new movie James Cameron’s Avatar that’s coming out on December 18th and I can’t wait for that one!

Anyway, 2012 is a science fiction disaster film that is about the end of the world as humanity knows it.  The Earth’s core is heating up from solar flare bombardment, and that causes the Earth’s crust to shift.  Major earthquakes, tsunami’s, volcanic eruptions, you name it.  The story follows a few main people and how they manage to survive, or not, and shows both the ugly and good sides of humanity.  What would you do in such a situation?  The story was great, even though I doubt someone would be able to have that much luck in so many situations, but oh well.  The acting was really good, I liked the crazy cucumber-eating radio guy!  The special effects were very well done; I applaud the people working on that film.  Cookie for them!

I give the movie a 9 out of 10.  I’m not sure if I’d watch it more than twice, but it’s a great movie to see with your older relations (or kids above 10, if they can watch Harry Potter then I’m sure they can brave through this movie).