August | 2014 | Take It Or Leave it

“If the media’s job is to give viewers and readers an accurate and full idea of what’s really going on, we have to acknowledge that there is a long way to go.” – Arianna Huffington

This is especially true for network and cable news. I’ll be honest…I can’t stand CNN.

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Well, after a two-month hiatus from posting here, I am back, and hopefully full of experiences to share, and things to explore, and then share.

Lately, I have been using the GroupMe app to keep in communications with a large group of people I help out and advise. I must say, this is a quite useful app for groups of more than two to three people.

Even if you don’t have the app on your smartphone or tablet, you can still stay connected through the group text messaging option. At first I didn’t have this app downloaded, but my cell phone number was put into the group, and I received all the messages. Grant it, I was getting a lot of text messages then, but it was all in relation to the group. The messaging got a little irritating purely just because of the number of people in the group messaging. I finally downloaded the app, and no more text messages. If you connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or data usage, then you’ll receive all the messages through the GroupMe app.

It is quite handy, if you can handle all the messaging that goes on through it, especially for an organization.

Not only is it a great way to keep posted on organization happenings, but it is great for social gatherings, and keeping everyone together at a large event, for example. It could be seen as a group lifeline if travelling long distances, or attending a large event somewhere with thousands of other people. Check out the GroupMe app.

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Transformers-Age-Of-Extinction-2014-transformers-37241777-612-380

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

There is absolutely no reason the film Transformers: Age of Extinction should exist. If you like giant robots blowing up major world cities, bad acting, horribly annoying dialogue, and a confusing run-around plot line in an almost three-hour length film, then you probably still won’t enjoy this film. This film makes the very first Transformers with Shia LaBeouf look absolutely flawless and golden (it really was not!). Thank God I didn’t watch any of the other ones that came between this and the first one. It was, however, my first time watching a film in an IMAX 3D experience…Thought it was enjoyable at first with the opening scene of the invading ships orbiting Earth, but then it took a downward spiral, very fast, within the first fifteen minutes. I think stating a film is “A MICHAEL BAY film” in the trailers, should deter people away from watching it.

Verdict: Money and time both wasted on this one. Bad decision.

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Twentieth Century Fox

So Memorial Day weekend 2014 was the weekend I was waiting for in terms of films released for the summer season. I had been waiting patiently since watching the trailer for this film back in December 2013, and also expressed my excitement. Well, the waiting definitely paid off.

X-Men: Days of Future Past was one of my favorite films of this year, so far. I am a huge X-Men fan. I’ve read and enjoyed the comics thoroughly, and experienced the animated series that was on television from 1992 to 1996. Everything about this film was just wonderful to me. From the cast of characters, to the travelling between past and future timelines, to the music, action sequences, and the drama of it all.

Days of Future Past definitely ignored everything Brett Ratner did in his awful director portrayal of X-Men: The Last Stand. Basically they send Wolverine back in time to make sure Brett Ratner’s version never happened. HA!

I absolutely love Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Ian McKellan as Magneto. Their younger counterparts, James McAvoy (Professor Charles Xavier) and Michael Fassbender (Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto), were also very good. Hugh Jackman’s still got it as Wolverine…let’s just leave it at that. Jennifer Lawrence’s character, Mystique, seemed to be channeling Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, though I was surprised that she was a significant part of the plot. All the side characters/actors/actresses just added more of an emotional element to the film, which would’ve been very dry without it.

The addition of Quicksilver, played by Evan Peters, was definitely a plus for this film. Not only was it comical, but the whole main scene with him was just amazing! I definitely got acquainted with the song “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce…Wonderful Bryan Singer! Wonderful! There’s also been a small little online/social media quarrel going around about who’s going to be the better Quicksilver; the Evan Peters version or the version in the next Avengers film played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. I have seen pictures of the Aaron Taylor-Johnson version, and he’s definitely not as slick and chill looking as Evan Peters’ Quicksilver. Evan Peters can do a much better portrayal of the character based on X-Men: Days of Future Past. x-men-days-of-future-past-quicksilver

Peter Dinklage’s character, Bolivar Trask, was also a pleasant surprise. Director Bryan Singer really knows his X-Men world, and therefore he’s able to bring these characters to a believable, and even more enjoyable level to watch on screen.

James McAvoy was another surprise for me. He portrayed his character of the younger Professor X very well. The character’s emotional roller coaster ride throughout the film was very striking to watch. The scene that really struck a chord with me was the one that is pictured below.

If you have seen the film, you know what I’m talking about. If not, then you should definitely watch the film. This particular scene really summarized everything the film was about within three to four minutes. James McAvoy’s dialogue was delivered beautifully, and I also teared up just a little. It’s hard to describe my feelings behind this scene. For me, it wasn’t only about having hope and faith in times of struggle and despair. It was much more than that…but everyone may look at it from a different perspective. Overall, in my opinion, it was a very moving and beautiful scene.