Thursday, January 7, 2010

Recent Developments in Politics

It seems that the controversial issue of the public option, government run health care plan may finally be put to rest. The original enthusiasts of this plan are beginning to mention this policy in the past tense and say it isn't "necessary" now. The reasons behind this are debatable. It really isn't that surprising though. When not even the Democratic party can agree on the way to accomplish this, then of course the efforts would fail. Ultimately, the public didn't want this plan passed. It took a while for some like Pelosi to understand this, but I believe the sentiment is now known.

In general, everyone should keep their eyes on the Senate and the House for the year 2010. President Obama has many plans for change in different policies such as things dealing with climate change. As of now, both houses do have Democratic majority meaning the likelihood of passing his policies is greater now. Unfortunately, many moderates are on the fence about his agenda. If he is not able to use this year to his advantage and to unite his party, then he may have a few set backs. This rings even more true considering Senator Dorgon and Senator Dodd, both Democratic senators, both announced they will not seek re-election. These seats will obviously be targets for Republican hopefuls. It is very likely that the political scale will turn in these upcoming years. President Obama is walking a tight rope for sure.

Personally, when it comes to a chance for new senators, I believe it is usually a welcome change. To avoid corruption, it is best for a rotation of people in power. Plus, our system always needs to be recleansed. If more term limits were applied, then maybe our current situation would be different.

-Colby

James Cameron Can Direct No Wrong

Some of you may have heard of his two most popular movies: Titanic and Avatar.

Titanic holds the record for the highest-grossing worldwide movie EVER with $1.8 billion.

Avatar is #2 on the list with $1.14 billion.

In other pop news, maybe you heard about/saw Mariah Carey's most recent acceptance speech for her acting role in Precious. Someone started celebrating before they hit the awards show, I think.

Someone finally beat Taylor Swift for an award! At the People's Choice Awards, no less! Haha! I mean, awww.

Ke$ha's single "Tik Tok" broke the record for most digital downloads by a female artist in one week. The previous holder was Lady Gaga's "Just Dance".

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series) apparently lost a leg, according to a Burberry ad, where she poses with her brother Alex.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand recently got engaged, while Lamar Odom and wife Khloe Kardashian Odom are trying for a baby.

-Amber

Saturday, January 2, 2010

What To Look For In 2010

With a new year comes resolutions most people won't keep past January 31 and also unexpected developments in the media, technology and even celebrities. Here's what you should be looking for in 2010.

Alice In Wonderland - Director Tim Burton coupled with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Anne Hathaway and many more? This children's story is about to take on a whole new meaning. Look for it to hit theaters March 5, 2010, in the USA.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - No one can deny that pop culture is being taken over by vampire- and werewolf-lovers. The latest installment in this saga will hit theaters June 30, 2010.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I - This is the movie I am looking forward to seeing most in this new year. The penultimate film in this exciting series will debut in theaters on November 19.

The music industry - With new and innovative artists, like Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, Susan Boyle, and Taylor Swift, and well-established music veterans, such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kelly Clarkson, revolutionizing the music biz, there's no telling what will happen this year. That Lady Gaga/Susan Boyle collabo doesn't seem so far-fetched now.

The Gosselins - Although many of us don't like to admit it, we all know who these attention-seeking people are. Undoubtedly there will be some new twist to this tired tale this year. I myself am not a fan of the show nor the people. But for goodness sakes, don't subject those kids to this mess!

The 2010 Grammys - The Grammys will be on CBS on January 31 at 8PM ET/PT. With diverse artists such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, and Lady Gaga nominated for so many awards, I honestly have no idea who will win what. I only know who I think should win.

Sandra Bullock - I went from not really caring that this actress was in Miss Congeniality a few years ago to laughing til it hurt during her blockbusters this year. To ice the cake, she has been recently named the top star of the 2009 box office, beating out stars such as George Clooney and Denzel Washington. She's the first woman to earn this honor since Julia Roberts received it in 1999.

The economy - This should go unsaid, as all of us are either unemployed or know someone who is. Very few of us can afford extravagant luxuries anymore, although the economy seems to be getting a little better.

Lady Gaga - After releasing several #1 singles this year and beginning her first headlining tour, the sky doesn't even seem to be the limit for Stefani Germanotta. Try the thermosphere.

Video Games - The music game business has taken a hit this year, no matter how many die-hard Beatles fans bought the Beatles version of Rock Band. I would be more surprised to see the release of a new, ground-breaking video game, or an accessory, at the very least. (Wii, anyone?) We ARE living in the year 2010, after all.

I expect Facebook to keep going strong, Twitter to gain even more users, celebrities to make faux pas, obsessed teenage girls going crazy over Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner, middle-aged moms going crazy over Robert Pattinson, ridiculous tabloid rumors, new technology, and hopefully, a better economy and more jobs.

-Amber

Friday, January 1, 2010

Top Songs and Movies of 2009

As a salute to the passing year, I have decided to compile a list of what were, in my opinion, the top songs and movies of 2009.

Of course, these are in no particular order.

Sweet Dreams - Beyonce
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Halo - Beyonce
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
LoveGame - Lady Gaga
Right Round - Flo Rida
Gives You Hell - The All American Rejects
Addicted - Saving Abel
Party In The USA - Miley Cyrus
Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
Blame It - Jamie Foxx
Down - Jay Sean
Whatever You Like - T.I.
Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
Don't Trust Me - 3Oh!3
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Single Ladies - Beyonce
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Let It Rock - Kevin Rudolph
Womanizer - Britney Spears
Circus - Britney Spears
I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson
Obsessed - Mariah Carey
Radar - Britney Spears
Tik Tok - Ke$ha
Paparazzi - Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
21 Guns - Green Day
Goodbye - Kristina Debarge
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Evacuate The Dancefloor - Cascada

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Proposal
New Moon
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Monsters Vs. Aliens
Avatar
2012
The Blind Side
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Up
The Hangover
Bride Wars
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Taken
Push
My Bloody Valentine
Obsessed
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Star Trek
Angels & Demons
My Sister's Keeper
Inglourious Basterds
Orphan
The Ugly Truth
G-Force
Sherlock Holmes
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Nine

I thought I'd round off the list with the worst movie of 2009: The Invention of Lying.

Of course, seeing how I can't see all movies that are released or listen to all songs that are released, I'm sure there are some real gems that have been omitted from this list. Care to add on? Just leave a comment.

-Amber