I just found out that I actually have to write a paper for an anthropology class I'm taking in the fall, my acceptance into which depends upon the grade my paper earns. The subject of the paper is up to me, but as it's a religion class I think I'll go that route with the paper. One of the requirements is at least five personal opinions from individuals I "interview." Who better to ask and get well-thought-out answers than you lot?

I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could just give me a few sentences in response, and as some may find it a personal subject I wouldn't mind at all if you PM them to me.

The question:

What religion do you follow and how do you feel about magic - does it relate at all to your religion? It would also help me to know what country you reside in.

So. I've had a really shitty six months, involving restraining orders (in my defense), overloads of responsibilities, major injuries and illnesses in the family, and the deaths of a few friends (which is harsh when you're eighteen).

But I'm back, I'm somewhat better off, and I'm graduating in three days. So life is more or less ok now, and I'm finally back. I missed you guys 

I don't think Al Gore deserves the Prize and here's why:

He made a movie about Global Warming. Yippee. The movie was pointless: it didn't educate anyone or make a difference. People who know or are concerned about global warming were already concerned/knowledgeable about it before the movie came out. For everyone else, the movie was the beginning to a plethora of punchlines. He hasn't greatly spread awareness, and you know what? He hasn't FIXED it! So what's the point? The Prize should go to the person who actually fixes the gorram hole in the Ozone...or to the pharmaceutical companies, whose products keep the American public docile little zombies. THAT is a peace movement.

(In case you missed the sarcasm, let it be known that I think the Nobel Peace Prize is a complete sham to begin with...this Al Gore event is just the clincher)


Besides...we all know that he deserves to be recognized with the Prize for his REAL contribution to society: the internet.

So...this is a thread for predictions of movies yet to be released. Whereas reviews for movies that are already in theatres merit an entire thread per review, I don't think there's quite enough that can be discussed about a trailer to necessitate one thread per prediction. So here we can discuss our desire to see upcoming films or our conviction that they'll flop. 

Here are a few predictions/rants to start us off:


Rails & Ties:
   A suicidal mother parks her car on a train track. Her son, who narrowly    escapes the impact, blames the conductor of the train for his mother's death. Eventually he begins to develop a bond with the conductor and his wife...

   I'm not quite sure how I feel about this movie. Personally, I think it would make for a good chapter in Creepshow III (which, sadly, I have NOT heard plans for), if it were tweaked a bit so that the kid never spoke and turned out to be a cannibal, which is why the mother killed herself. However, as such is not the case, I don't see this movie holding my interest for very long. If you're into dramatic films that start with a tragedy and embellish upon the healing process, you might like it.

   My prediction: This movie would have worked in the fifties, but I doubt it will be overly successful here in the 'thousands.



Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium: November 2007
   The owner of a magical toystore is planning on leaving and giving the store to his most trusted employee. The Emporium isn't happy.

   I don't care if it's rated G. I can't wait to see this movie. Dustin Hoffman is a terrific actor, and this is one of the few children's films in a while that I feel actually has some value to it.

   My prediction: A series of Happy Meals toys at McDonalds.



John Rambo: 2008
   I...whut?

   Let's face it. Sylvester Stallone is to movies as Stephen King is to books: he'll never stop making them, and we'll never stop eating them up, whether they suck or not.

   My prediction: Another box office hit.



The Golden Compass: December 2007
   Way too complicated to summarize. Read the books. It's a fantasy.

   I read the trilogy, and the first book was really the only one worth it. The second was ok, the third sucked. Hopefully the movies will stop at one.

   My prediction: Once again, a line of toys at McDonalds.



Iron Man: May, 2008
   As far as I can tell, not really true to the comic book. For once, this doesn't bother me.

   I'm pretty excited for this one. Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man? Originally it didn't sound like a good idea, but having seen the trailer I feel differently. It looks like it's going to kick ass; an appropriate mixture of humor and action.

   My prediction: This movie won't have anywhere near the hype that other comic book movies had (such as Spiderman, Superman Returns, etc); however, it will exceed at least some of them as far as being awesome is concerned.



Atonement:
   Near as I can figure, this film is about a couple that aren't supposed to be together, and a betrayal tears them apart, and the guy goes to war.

   I could go either way on this film. I really have to see it before I can pass judgment, but if I had to guess I'd say I will probably enjoy it. I prefer romantic comedies to love-dramas, and I don't really like love stories that much in the first place. But when you add in the proper amount of action and plot, and make it a story in which love just happens to occur rather than a love story, it can be enjoyable.

   My prediction: It's got Keira Knightley, tragedy, love, overcoming hardships, yadda yadda...I'd say Oscar nominations at the very least.



Juno:
   A pregnant teenager wants to give her child to a couple that actually wants/is capable of supporting a baby.

   I can't wait to see this one. I go to high school myself, and I'm tired of all the self-righteous teen mothers in my school who think they're all-that because they have rich parents who will support the baby. This is a movie about normal people and it's a comedy as well as a bit of a drama.

   My prediction: This will be a movie of the cult variety.



The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: September 2007
   The title pretty much says it all.

   The trailer for this movie gives away the plot and the ending. This either means that the movie is fan-fucking-tastic enough to still be exciting, or the movie is going to suck balls and probably win an Oscar. I want to see it, but I'm bracing myself for disappointment.

   My prediction: It will be the best "Old West" film to come out in a long time (keep in mind what "a long time" means in the terms of an almost-eighteen year old).


Youth Without Youth: December 2007
   Since the teasers didn't give much info, I went to IMDB for the summary:
      "A love story wrapped in a mystery. Set in Europe before WWII,
      a timid professor is changed by a cataclysmic event and explores
      the mysteries of life."

   I can the number of times Francis Ford Coppola has disappointed me on one hand. So even though I'm STILL not sure what the hell this movie is about, I'm psyched to see it.

   My prediction: Maybe an Oscar nomination or two, but it will remain in the realm of obscure movies that were pretty good but for some reason just...disappear...


Resident Evil: Extinction: September 2007
   "First they survived the infection. Then they survived the Apocalypse. Now they face Exctinction."

   My first thought when I heard there was another Resident Evil film coming out was, "Why?" But after seeing the trailer, I'll admit I want to see it. It's nothing groundbreaking; just another Resident Evil movie, only with more zombies.

   My prediction: Box office smash.



The Comebacks: October 2007
   It's like Scary Movie, only it's actually funny and it spoofs sports films.

   I want to see this. The cast includes David Koechner and Andy Dick, both of whom I love. Overall it looks hilarious...it even spoofs spoofs. I can't wait to see it.

   My Prediction: It will be bigger than Dodgeball (which it also spoofs).


Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem:
   

   I totally called it: I KNEW there would be a sequel. It seems the worst movies always do. The first one sucked and so will this one.

   My prediction: Who fucking cares?



Across the Universe: September 2007
   A movie....told with the songs of the Beatles...kind of? It's a love story, but it also kind of follows the trails of rock and roll through the sixties and seventies.

   I cannot wait to see this movie. I love the Beatles, and this film looks like it can incorporate their songs and actually still make sense. It looks to be a very powerful piece of art.

   My prediction: At LEAST one Oscar.


Saw IV: October 2007
   ....

   I have no idea what this one's about, I'm not going to lie. I don't really care. Because how many people watch Saw movies for the plot? It's all about the gore. So I'll go see it, even if the big plot twist at the end reveals that it was Barney the whole time.

   My prediction: This HAS to be the last one. Please.



When Did You Last See Your Father? : February 2008
   Eww...the trailer gives me shivers. It's a film about a father and son who haven't the most functional of relationships...and then the father is dying, and...stuff happens.

   I want to see it. It looks funny, it looks sad, it looks like one of those films that makes you think about your situation and look at things differently. Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent are both fantastic actors, and it looks like they've got amazing chemistry.

   My prediction: Oscar Nomination



The Strangers: 2008
   A couple moves into a house and it tries to kill them. Cause THAT hasn't been done a thousand times already.

   I'll see it, mostly because it's Liv Tyler and there will probably be some nice gore and I might not sleep that not. But it doesn't look particularly original or ground-breaking or inspiring. Just another horror movie.

   My prediction: Liv Tyler is desperately trying to avoid type-casting. We'll probably see her in a sports comedy next.



Harold and Kumar 2: 2008
   

   I am psyched for this one. For those of you wondering, Neil Patrick Harris IS back.

   My prediction: It will own just as hard as the first one.


Be Kind Rewind: January 2008
   Two guys (Jack Black and Mos Def) remake a whole bunch of movies and they become very popular.

   I think it looks hilarious. Both actors are extremely talented and I think combining them will WORK.

   My prediction: Cult classic.

SHUN THE NONBELIEVERS! Yes, our beloved president is up to his wily antics again!

http://www.lvrj.com/news/9441071.html

Has anyone else gotten email in regards of a forum switch? Certain qualities of the email I got were a bit curious so I figured I'd check with you all to see if this is legitimate.

I still haven't figured out why I expect anyone to care, but I guess I owe you and the forum some explanation of why I've been gone so long.

There's a boy. XD

Though I try very much to escape the norms of teen-dom, I have been drawn in against my will and have thus abandoned one of my favourite places evar.

Also, I've discovered Ragnarok Online.

So hopefully this an explanation of my absence, but...I'm back !! XD

OMG I'M SO PLASTERED



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 2007!!!!!!!

I don't believe in Resolutions. Anyone else?

Okay...this is simple. And I'm bored. You name a quote from a movie, and the next person to post must correctly identify the movie the quote is from. Then they post a quote of their own, and so on...

I'll start with an easy one: "There's no crying in baseball!"

I don't think I need to explain...but just in case; you post a picture that associates in some way to the one before.

I don't know if any of you have seen this commercial, but it's one of the most amusing things I've ever seen and I felt I should share it with you.

Also, it kind of reminds me of Pbsaurus.

Linkz0r

I don't know how many of you realized it, but I did work a Circuit City for a while.

I got fired yesterday. I got a new job today.

I was fired because a man brought in his computer to be fixed and, long story short, it was chock full o' kiddie porn. So we reported the guy to the police and all this stuff, but apparently I followed procedures incorrectly. Pft.

So now I'm working at A.C. Moore. Arts and Crafts, you know. I'm a bit worried that it is so different from what I used to with computers...I'm going to work in the flower department. So I'm kind of stressed out and any advice would help.