Going into the cinema I had mixed expectations as I only saw a handful (yet interesting) posters and only one trailer. I only heard a handful of reviews yet all of them came from this site. Well, I decided to hedge my bets and walk in anyway. And I’m glad I did.

“District 9″ is a wallop of a film that is also one of the year’s very best films. It perfectly presents the balance of human emotions and CGI mastery. The acting is top notch and believable, and the characters are so realistically presented; even the protagonist is deeply flawed, and during some scenes I wonder who should I root for.

The story is well told; a refreshing, unique and somewhat original scenario, one that we’ve never experienced for quite some time. The atmosphere is bleak, dark and realistic, actually making me believe this thing can actually happen here on Earth.

The special effects are excellently rendered, and really give their money’s worth. The creature effects are so realistic we could not tell the difference. Thanks to none other than WETA for this amazing feat, and I hope they get an Oscar for visual effects. But the practical effects are believable too, as per the engaging and thrilling (and also non-stop) action sequences in the film’s second half. And boy, those weapons are awesome! Special mention goes out to the fluid editing. Example, first half of the film works like a docu-drama, and the second half becomes a hybrid of Black Hawk Down, and we don’t notice the change of pace. It’s that brilliant.

This is one of those movies that teases you that it’s nearing its end, but inside, you go “No, I want more. It can’t end like this”, and the movie hears you and gives you more. And it’s primed for a great sequel. The potential that this franchise has is just enormous. The way they can expand the story is just limitless and all of them can add to it’s lore. This is a classic franchise in the making.

Peter Jackson really knows how to pick a good story and director when he sees one. And I want to shake Neill Blommkamp’s hand if I meet him. He is certainly a talented director, and one to look out for in the future. (P.S. If that Halo movie is still going on, Blommkamp has proved that he is the man for the job) In short, it’s an excellent science fiction action film, but not without it’s intelligence. It may have a few flaws and very few clichés (these happen near the end of the film) but it is still very solid nonetheless. If there is a sequel, I’ll be first in line to see it.

Worth the Waittt!!…I went to last night’s midnight show at AMC Forum 30 and it was pretty packed over there. Obviously, Harry Potter has a huge fan base (including me ). Well, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth installment in the Harry Potter series, and i think it is the greatest one yet. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince mixes comedy, romance, drama, and adventure into one, and makes it so marvelous and fun to watch.

The acting in this film than in the earlier ones is more mature and better in quality. The trio, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Daniel Radcliffe are also amazing in their roles and pull them off well.

The directing and visuals in this one are marvelous. David Yates gives his best directing in his career to date, and does an amazing job of telling the storyline of J.K Rowling’s fantastic book. The visual effects are so well done and look so real. The cinematography sets the tone for the whole movie right from start to finish, and turns the series in a even darker direction.

To cap it off, the last half hour of the film is just delicious. The effects, cinematography, and acting are stunning in the last half hour, and sets up for a shocking ending. The movie is not sort of rushed, but you feel that it is being pushed forward. It doesn’t feel long at all because of everything going on, so it passes by normally. Quidditch is back and is certainly the funnest part of the movie and is action packed. The romance in this film is done well and is done humorously. Everyone in this film, whether it be Harry, Hermione, or Ron, all have love on their mind.

There are a few drawbacks, if you love the series like I do you will know that in every movie they have to cut parts of the book out. Most of the time they manage it without compromising the integrity of the film. This time they fall very short of the mark. I understand the need to cut the movie in order to fit it into a realistic time frame. In doing so, it seems as if they cut out a large action scene at the end of the movie.

Do not misunderstand me. I recommend seeing this movie as it is a great film that most people will enjoy and especially fans of the books. It combines a lot of genres together and makes the film feel more real and more magnificent then the others. It’s a pleasure to watch, and when your done, you just can’t wait for the next two to come out. I hope you enjoy it!

Personal Rating: 4/5 stars

Have you ever watched Lord of the Rings? Remember the hobbits, Bilbo, Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam wise? They lived in unique houses that were built into trees and sides of hills. The architecture was earthy and had a whimsical feel, and it was nothing you would have ever imagined seeing in our world. Although hobbits don’t live in it, a real life hobbit house does exist and it belongs to Tony Wrench and Jane Faith.

The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings.

Main tools used were simply a chainsaw, hammer and 1 inch chisel, little else really. Oh and Tony and Jane are not a builder or carpenter, their experience is only having a go at one similar house 2yrs before and a bit of mucking around in between. According to them the main skills needed were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverence and a friend or two to give a lift now and then.

So! you think you can live in something like this???…..

woaaah!!…with all the talk about the bullish market, GM bankruptcy filling, and the financial system going down. I figured a little financial humor would be a good idea….

CitiBank’s Purchase Protection

CitiBank’s Identity Theft

Wells Fargo

H & R Block: Whisperers

Capital One: Viking Scourge

Ameriquest: “Dont Judge too Quickly”

ENJOY FOLKS!!!!!!!

Oh, the pain, the pain. You went and let New Year’s Eve get the better of you. Now your muscles ache, your stomach is doing back flips, and it feels as if a marching band has decided to use your cerebellum as a big bass drum.

If you choose to drink, then you know a hangover can be the price you pay. You just keep forgetting how bad it makes you feel. So what is it about alcohol, anyway, that causes you so much misery? And is there anything you can do about it? Here’s a quick picture of what happens to your body every time you let a beer keg get the better of you.

First off, alcohol affects you by a simple formula: The more you drink, the more your system has to work overtime to flush it all out. Your brain says “party,” but it’s hard for your body to keep up.

For one thing, drinking to excess is like barging in on your central nervous system without knocking. Special sensitivity receptors embedded in your nerve-cell membranes were happily binding with important neurotransmitters until the booze showed up. Alcohol spoils the moment by throwing those receptors out of whack and upsetting those nerve cells. And it’s not enough that the booze ruined your brain’s evening: As your body purges alcohol the next morning, your central nervous system stays unbalanced and stressed out enough to cause vomiting, tremors, and agitation.

For another, as you consume alcohol, it metabolizes into acetaldehyde, which in high concentrations can cause rapid pulse, sweating, and nausea. Mix in that some booze contains flavor, taste, and color enhancers known as congeners that also add to hangover symptoms.

Besides forcing your system to deal with an army of its toxic byproducts, alcohol zeroes in on specific body functions and throws them off balance.

Please Drink Responsibly !!!!!

I thought this movie was pretty good but I kinda had a feeling that Angels & Demons would be good and even better than the first one, and I was correct. I never read the book and never will.

Its kind of predictable but way way better than the davinci code. The best word to describe this movie is Grand. This film was a roller coaster ride from start to finish with excellent performances from Tom and Ewan.

The story was very well plotted and its very visionary and no doubt controversial, but entertaining nonetheless. The opening was very very good and the movie had me riveted in my seat the whole time. The long boring conversations of the first are now replaced by tension and ticking doomsday clock.

The race is on to uncover the truth and expose the secret behind the illuminatti. Tom Hanks offered a good performance but i think Ewan McGregor was excellent as the carmelango. The girl was pretty much just there to throw another girl into the mix as she really ends up having no purpose whatsoever. So definitely go check this movie out.

Personal Rating: 3/5

I just got to know about the new woodward light rail system that has been proposed for out city. I was really surprised when I first learned about this I couldnt believe it, so I decided to learn about it a little so I can tell othersabout it. Well basically, its a rapid transit system being constructed in Detroit which will run along Woodward Avenue from downtown to 8 mile road.

Also, the Detroit Light Rail System, which would intersect with the Detroit/Ann Arbor rail line could eventually run all the way to Pontiac.

You can read the detailed project timeline here. 

Woodward Light Rail System

Wayne State has three on campus apartments buildings: Chatsworth Tower, Helen L Deroy, and University Tower. Apartment style selections include unfurnished efficiencies, one-two-three bedroom units with private baths, living rooms and kitchens, and all are cable & internet ready. Wireless internet is available in designated areas. All three buildings have a service and security desk, round the clock emergency maintenance and convenient laundry facilities. Each building has nearby 24 hour covered parking available through the Wayne State University parking office. Retail outlets such as Barbes & Noble, Fedex Office, University Pharmacy, Bigby Coffee and Radio Shack are within walking distance.

University Tower Apartments
The newest apartment building on campus, University Tower opened in September 1995. This modern, eleven-story, 300-unit complex is located one block south of Forest Avenue at the southern edge of main campus and just west of the School of Medicine. University Tower offers luxury living in a campus atmosphere with one-, two- and three-bedroom units and views of the city.

• Each apartment is wired for access to the university’s computer network.
• A multi-purpose room, study lounge, large laundry facility, a childcare center and WDET radio are located on the first floor.
• Two- and three- bedroom units have two baths
• Units have individual air conditioning and heat controls
• First floor offers wireless internet access
• Basic cable is provided in each apartment

Helen L. Deroy Apartments
A fifteen-story building built in 1972, DeRoy is located in the heart of campus near the Student Center Building and university libraries. DeRoy offers a total of 258 units; studio, one- and two-bedroom units.

Well landscaped grounds with playground and sand volleyball Chatsworth Tower Apartments

Chatsworth Tower Apartments, a historic landmark built in 1929, is a graceful, nine-story, apartment building with turn-of-the-century elegance. It is located in the heart of campus on Williams Mall, just steps away from class.

courtesy: Wayne State Housing

Woooww….make sure your prepared for the ultimate interstellar galactic adventure in the new Star Trek. I personally think that the movie is perfect. With a plot that has you sitting on the edge of your seat, stunning visuals and great acting from an all star cast, this all new look and rebirth of the Star Trek franchise will be pleasing to everyone. The best part about this movie is that its not only for trekkies but for everyone and here is why.

The story primarily focuses on how Kirk and Spock become the characters we know them to be. It starts with a back story on each of their childhoods revealing their strengths and weaknesses. The chemistry between them is no doubt one of the greatest aspects of the movie thanks to young actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. As the movie goes on they find themselves fighting with each other until they eventually realize their differences and come together to fight the common enemy Nero, a slightly troubled Romulan played by Eric Bana who is capable of destroying an entire planet! The new young crew of the enterprise finds themselves dealing with problems and confrontations they’ve never experienced before and do their best to take on the evil Romulan.

I have to say this is one of the best casted movies I’ve seen in a while. Each member does their part to give the new crew of the Enterprise some originality as well as maintaining enough similarities to the characters of the old Trek. Actors Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), John Cho (Harold and Kumar) and Karl Urban (Lord of the Rings) help to add comic relief throughout the film all the while you’re sitting on the edge of your seat shivering with anxiety. I was really surprised by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto’s performance as Kirk and Spock. They fit into their roles so perfectly and had such great chemistry together. Eric Bana was fantastic as the villain; you can hardly tell it’s him with all that alien make up. You will even be surprised by the appearance of Leonard Nimoy as Spock from the future, satisfying die hard Trek fans. Did I mention the visual effects yet? If I have already I must re-emphasize how spectacular they are. The scenes in outer space are all beautifully done with many bright explosions and colorful laser blasts. There are a few monsters in the movie that are simply terrifying and look completely believable as monsters of a distant future. Even the sounds are amusing to listen to as alarms on the spacecraft and explosions rattle the audience.

It’s truly one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. It’s a perfect combo of action, adventure, science fiction and drama. This is one of those movies that will have you wishing it would go on and on and when it comes to an end…you just want to see it again. I really cant wait for the next part……

Personal rating: 4.5/5