Riot! by Paramore

So this summer I had the privilege of working at my favorite store ever... Hot Topic! It was amazing! I got to hear some of the world's best music, as well as some things that should never be categorized as music. Let me just say, of everything I've heard this summer one cd stuck out the most in my memory: Riot! by Paramore. Paramore is a pop punk band from Franklin, Tennessee. Lead Singer, Hayley Williams, is only 16 years old! Wow! But this 16-year-old fire-cracker has a voice like no other. I've never heard anyone sing music like this with so much feeling. Typically in the pop punk genre you don't get alot of feeling from the lead vocalists, but Hayley manages to make you believe she's going through everything she's singing about. I have to say this album touched me personally, as every song seemed to represent the array of emotions I went through this summer. Every song is beautifully written, every riff is expertly executed, and both come together to create some classic songs. I definitely recommend anyone who wants to hear some good music check it out!

I give Riot! by Paramore five out of five stars: *****!

Tink ;-)

The Pursuit of Happyness

So the movie that you see over break that changes your life forever...for me that movie was The Pursuit of Happyness! I loved this movie! One of Will Smith's best performances yet. On that note, this is a great first movie for his son, Jaden Smith. For this to be his first movie, he did an incredible job. I see him having a real future in the acting biz! So anyway, I'll give you the storyline of the movie.

Will Smith plays the character Chris Gardner, a man who invests his life savings in a fluke business and lands his family in the poorhouse. At his lowest point he learns about an internship at a brokerage firm, and decides to go for it. The movie depicts the story of his struggle.

I have to say, this movie had me on the verge of tears. It inspired me in a way I haven't been inspired in a while. It's just a welcome change of pace from the movies lacking any mental capacity of this generation. It was completely well written, and you could completely identify with the character and his struggles. Even if you've never lived what Chris lived, the film brings you in and makes you a part of his life. Well written, well shot, and well portrayed!

I give Pursuit of Happyness 5 out of 5 stars: *****!

Tink ;-)

Beckah Shae: Butterfly

So I know it's been a while, but can I just say I think I've found something good! So the latest cd I've come across has been Butterfly by Beckah Shae. This cd has a good mixture of soulful/hip-hop beats, and a girl with a voice that won't quit. When she walked out on stage and started to speak, I never thought this wonderfully hyper, very pregnant caucasian beauty would sing these soulful hits like I've never heard anyone sing them. She has something that's fundamental to singing anything let alone soul music: She knows her range!!! All of her songs are written for her voice. None of them, I mean none of them, make her sound like she's screaming or struggling to hit the notes. It flows so smoothly. You could put her cd in your cd player and just let it play...for the most part. I have to admit I do skip the message from her mother and the last two tracks. It's sweet the first time you hear it, but it doesn't merit hearing everytime you put the cd in. If you want a fave song I have to say it's Wisdom. Noone has ever made Wisdom sound so cool to me before. If you can make Wisdom sound cool, you're alright in my book!

I give this cd 4 out of 5 stars: ****!

Tink ;-)

Book Meme: A Look Into My Repertoire!

Ok, so http://www.katrice0321.blogspot.com/ tagged me, so I'm going to complete this, but I wanted to do this to give everyone some insight into my world. I wanted you to know that I'm a critic who actually reads a wide variety of literature. So here goes:

1. ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
   This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti
2. ONE BOOK YOU HAVE READ MORE THAN ONCE?
   An Echo In The Darkness by Francine Rivers
3. ONE BOOK YOU WOULD WANT ON A DESERT ISLAND?
   NIV Bible
4. ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU LAUGH?
   The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
5. ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?
   Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
6. ONE BOOK YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?
   Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
7. ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN?
   The Art of Falling In Love Slowly by Someone who actually knows how to do it
8. ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN?
   Pamela by Some Old English writer
9. ONE BOOK YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING?
   Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti
10. ONE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ?
    The Shunning by Beverly Lewis
11. ONE BOOK YOU'RE GLAD YOU OWN?
    Shakespeare: The Histories
12. ONE MUST READ ALOUD?
    A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

OK, so now I tag Kwesi! Enjoy!

Tink ;-)

Jake Shimabukuro plays "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Jake is one of the most talented artists on the planet. This is one of my all-time favorties by him.

Accepted

Ok let me just say that if there is any movie I totally recommend you see at the same time knowing you probably shouldn't take your kids because of how many times the word sh*t is used it has to be Accepted! I loved this movie! This is one of those few movies that you know in the back of your mind could never happen, but if it did you know you'd totally be a part of it!

So I think everyone knows the premise behind this movie, but I'll explain it to you. Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) applies to several colleges and doesn't get into any of them. Motivated by his parents disappointment, Bartleby (aka "B") decides to make up a fake letter of acceptance. When his parents decide they are excited to drop him off, B must come up with a fake college. He finds a facility and things are going great until people start showing up for orientation due to the authenticity of the fake school website. Bartleby, familiar with the pain of rejection, can not turn away these students, so they start their own college: South Harmon Institute of Technology! When they're snobby sister school Harmon University tries to put South Harmon out of operation, Bartleby and his buddies have to find a way to avoid parents and jail.

First of all, on a completely personal note, Justin Long is soooooooo hot! Ok, so now that that lack of professionalism is complete, this movie was wonderful! It accomplished something few movies in this latest century (basically the last 6 or so years) have accomplished. It made me want to rise to action. Few of the movies in the last few years have inspired me to much more than a popcorn run somewhere in the middle. This movie made me wish it had actually happened! I was completely ready to put in a transfer to South Harmon and start classes there the minute the credits began to roll! The casting was brilliant! Justin Long is amazing as the underdog, Adam Herschman was a hilarious Glen, and Lewis Black played the role he was born to play! One of the "tuck in my pocket" favorites was Abernathy A. D. D. played by Robin Taylor. (***ASIDE: He reminded me of my very much A. D. D. campus pastor Johnnie Moore! Aww, so cute!) I just have to say, if I was Bartleby and I had a little sister like Lizzie (Hannah Marks), I would have punched her in her mouth and told her to keep her nose out of my business! But anyway, this movie was amazing! It's one of those rare "Actually a Shoe-In for 'Best Movie of the Summer'" movies!

I give Accepted 5 out of 5 stars: *****! Please people, do me a favor...GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

P. S. Not with your kids, idiots!!!

Tink ;-)

Vicky Beeching: Yesterday Today and Forever

Vicky Beeching, one of the newest Christian artists I've been listening to, is absolutely fantastic! Although she hails from Britain, Vicky's home base is in Nashville, Tennessee. She has a wonderful praise and worship style. It's very hip and up-to-date, and yet it doesn't lose its focus: worship. I would not be surprised if I started hearing Vicky played on major Christian radio shows like 91.9 WGTS and 105.1 WAVA! She is a very talented musician and singer, and she maintains her innocence and purity for worship which makes her music easy to listen to. The song Captivated is probably one of the most authentic worship songs I think I've ever heard, and it's one of those songs that speaks to a person's soul. If you are looking for real live worship that is unadulterated and untainted by industry, Vicky Beeching is the artist for you!

I give Yesterday Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching 4 out of 5 stars:****! Add this cd to your music collection!

Tink ;-)

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

The Last Sin Eater is a story about a young girl who's quest for forgiveness and redemption leads her straight into the arms of the one and only Savior. Cadi Forbes, a young Scottish girl in the Americas in the 1800s, is haunted by her sins and seeking forgiveness. Ignoring the legends surrounding the sin eater, a person chosen by lots to carry the sins of the village for eternity, Cadi goes looking for him in search of peace and redemption from her sins. This quest changes not only her life, but the lives of all those in her village.

This book was brilliantly written. To be honest, I was at a place where this book spoke directly to my situation. What amazed me most, though, was how accurate the descriptions of feelings and emotions were! You are drawn into Cadi's feelings of guilt and remorse, and when she finally does find her redemption you rejoice with her. From beginning to end, this story holds not only your attention, but your emotions and you feel what the author intends for you to feel. I love that! Anytime an author can successfully weave you into the story so that you think and feel what the characters think and feel, a brilliant piece of work has been crafted!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, because of its semi-slow start:****! Try to squeeze it into your summer reading!

Tink ;-)

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers is an excellent read. I must admit it started off a little slowly, but it picks up expeditiously in the first chapter. The story is about a young Christian girl who is attending a Christian college in Illinois, which is a ways away from her California life. While going home from work one night, this young girl is raped. To make matters worse, the girl finds out that she is pregnant. The Atonement Child is the story of how this girl deals with the child growing inside of her, the pressure from family and friends to have an abortion, and the still, small voice inside.

Never in my life have I pondered the issue of abortion as I did in reading this book. The author creatively manages to create feelings of sorrow and pity toward the main character, Dynah Carey, while craftily explaining while you may feel sorry abortion is still not an option for her. It really challenges the weak stance many in the Christian community have on the issue of abortion. It speaks to the issues of pregnancy by rape, abortion because of inconvenience, and abortion because of mother's health. This book was brilliantly written, and would do a lot of good if read in the presence of those in public office!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars:*****! Hope you all enjoy your reading!

Tink ;-)

M. Night's Newest: Lady In the Water

So last weekend I had the pleasure of seeing M. Night Shyamalan's Lady In the Water. This movie was absolutely amazing. I loved the storyline and the way it is presented. Everything isn't given away in the last quarter of the movie. You are actually hanging on until the very last minute of the movie. I love it! What is incredibly interesting is that the characters aren't as developed as they generally should be in most feature films, and yet they didn't really need to be! What most critics assume is that a movie is good or bad based on certain standards, and on some level that's true. But what really makes a good movie (whether a comedy, chick-flick, action movie, psychological thriller, or sci-fi movie) is whether or not you can keep the audience's attention until the very last second, and they are left having thoroughly enjoyed themselves no matter how many times they've seen the movie. Lady In the Water is definitely one of those movies!

Paul Giamatti does an amazing job at playing the shy, stuttering character of Mr. Cleveland Heep. You really feel compassion and pity for this man who seems so underappreciated. His character played well off of Story the whimsical narf or water nymph played by Bryce Dallas Howard. This is Howard's second Shyamalan film, and she reprises the role of the strange young woman you can't take your eyes off of. But to be honest, it was an amazing performance. She does a good job at playing the role of the innocent. I won't give anything away, mostly because it's too complex to do, but I will tell you that it's a wonderful movie and I totally recommend it!

I give this movie 4 out of 5 stars: ****! Hope you all enjoy!

Tink ;-)