Facebook

Facebook is a website that was first about looking up your college friends. Later it was all about reconnecting with friends from your past. Also features games and you get to record videos along with pictures and other stuff. I was able to find a lot of people from my past. I have been on it since 2007.

by Justin Stenzler

Movie Review: Drive

Rating: 4 out 5 stars

Saw this film over the weekend. Drive has linear plot that we seen before. Some of the violent scenes might also be hard to stomach. But Ryan Gosling's lead character often appearing seeming emotionless or lifeless, is what really what is makes this film intriguing. There are also good performances by Bran Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy). Overall, a very good film, mostly due to outstanding character performances.

Moving Forward

Moving Forward is a major step into a new world along with a new place and a new generation.

Well I now doing a major project a the legendary singer icon and activist John Lennon hope to finish the project real soon.

by Justin Stenzler

Katy Perry

Katy Perry the wife of actor Russell Brand this year will be performing at New York's Madison Square Garden on Wednesday November 16, 2011. She is very creates many different costumes and hair colors.

Mel Gibson: An Epic

Legendary and sometimes infamous superstar Mel Gibson is in the spotlight with his new project Maccabee, currently in development with Basic Instinct writer Joe Eszterhas. The Anti-Defamation League has condemned Gibson for his involvement, due to having made remarks that are racist and anti-semitic in a drunken state.

As a filmmaker and a Jew I want this story to be told. While I certainly don't condone Gibson's behavior in his personal life, I think it is irrelevant to his professional body of work, which includes one of my all time favorite films, Braveheart.

I've heard people say Steven Spielberg should be the one making this movie, being that the is among the most respected Jewish filmmakers in Hollywood. I have this question for those who are thinking that: Have you seen Saving Private Ryan? Scheindler's List? and Munich?

Munich may have been made by Jews and feature Jewish protagonists, but it was a slow-paced film that had an arguably anti-Israel message. It is no wonder that the film cost $75 Million to make and made only $47 Million at the US Box Office. Is Spielberg an epic filmmaker? No. Is Gibosn? Yes.

When you think of the setting of the story of Chanukah in ancient Greek times do you see a Braveheart kind of story or a Schindler's list story about victims. Judah Maccabee was a hero much like William Wallace who fought for his own freedom in battle and was killed doing so. He was not a Holocaust victim nor a diplomatic hero.

Gibson knows how to tell a story of good guys and bad guys. Given the way the character of Longshanks was portrayed by the most underrated actor, Patrick McGoohan, in Braveheart, I can see no reason why Maccabee couldn't be a film of as much value. Braveheart was a smash hit grossing over$200 Million worldwide and gaining the utmost prestigious award of best picture in 1995.

I urge old Braveheart fans to cheer for this movie and not think about Gibson's religious beliefs, but focus on how my people are portrayed in the film when they see it. I remember the story of Antiochus and Judah's revolt against him and the oil that burned for 8 days and can envision James Horner creating a compelling Jewish score for the film. When you hear the scottish appeal of Braveheart, despite Gibson being Australian, it is obvious that Gibson can adapt and go for the epic appeal that exists in only a few films, including Ridley Scott's Gladiator and Wolfgang Peterson's Troy. Mel Gibson is one of the few EPIC filmmakers of this caliber.

Let's hear some more people cry out for FREEDOM.

With Others, Not With Me

Movies may be one of the hottest discussion topics these days (among all age groups and both on and off-line), but every once in awhile a movie comes along that captures the focus of an entire generation. Many of these examples rightly deserve their reputation, but in my opinion, some of these movies are so over-hyped (by the media or otherwise), and enjoy such a position among certain goers that it boggles my mind. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FREAKIN' APPEAL!

The following is a list of movies that hold significant status with large numbers of viewers or popular opinion, but just don't dazzle me.

Avatar
I realized from the beginning that this film was pretty much going to be all about the special effects, but I sincerely hoped for more than that. The storyline was sorely lacking, and I just don't understand how a movie like that could generate so much hype purely on the basis of visual effects; or, for that matter, become the highest-grossing film of all time.

The Shining
Considered by many to be a quintessential modern horror film, I have seen this movie three times (mostly at gatherings with friends) and am stumped as to why so many people like it. The plot line is stilled/choppy, and the psychological impact, while original (and vastly parodied), fell far short of scaring or impressing me.

The Dark Knight
Ever since I saw "Batman Begins" on a school trip, I was convinced that the entire Batman franchise was going downhill. "The Dark Knight" was somewhat better, but I was still not impressed. Heath Ledger may have given a good performance, but I think that he won the Oscar in large part due to his unfortunate death (no offense). I was a huge fan of "Batman and Robin" when it came out, yet it received dismal reviews from both critics and fans, and to this day I just don't understand why.

Roots
I read Alex Haley's award winning book in High School and was massively into it. The teacher showed part of the miniseries towards the end of the year, and I thought it fell very short of the book. Perhaps this was merely because I had read the original material so recently, but I didn't get why this was so popular with audiences.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Project

I used to watch to Mister Rogers when I was a child. I started watching his clips from youtube.com. Now all I need to finish the project is America's Favorite Neighbor and 6 dvd's from Mister Rogers Neighborhood.

by Justin Stenzler

John Lennon Project

On his projects all I need his last three documentaries Imagine 30th Anniversary Love Is All You Need and a movie that they based on his life Lennon Naked which was on a british station BBC.

by Justin Stenzler

Reliving The Past

Well it's strange that I am reliving the past. I have been looking at clips from youtube.com. I have been looking at clips from Mister Roger's Neighborhood, Reading Rainbow and Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego and also Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It's great that I am watching clips from Mister Roger's Neighborhood and Reading Rainbow. I have also been listening to songs from John Lennon and more of The Beatles. It is all worth it.

by Justin Stenzler

Cultural Revival

One of the brightest jewels in New York City's cultural crown, the Metropolitan Museum of Art holds one of the greatest collections of precious items in the world, spanning thousands of years and encompassing a wide variety of cultures. It may be among the biggest tourist attractions in New York, but is just as enchanting to local citizens.

Although many museums contain rotating exhibitions, it is not as common for areas of the permanent collection to be dramatically changed without significant reason (or proper funding). The Met, however, is in the process of revamping one of the most beautiful curatorial departments in its collection. One November 1st, the gallery of Islamic art (at the moment displaying a rather small number of artifacts) is to be moved to a much larger exhibition room and organized along various cultural and geographic patterns. It is sure to be a glorious event, and I will be there on opening day to see it all!

Anyone interested in the developing Islamic gallery should view the MMA website at: http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/islamic_art

Ancient Romance, Modern Marvel

*Spoiler Alert*

Although it enjoyed a fairly brief stint on Broadway (under 2000 performances), Aida left a permanent mark after I saw it for my 16th birthday. Adapted from the classic 19th century opera by Giuseppe Verdi, legendary musicians Elton John and Tim Rice crafted not only a brilliant score, but also stayed rather faithful to the original Verdi storyline.

The story centers around 3 main characters: Amneris, daughter of the Pharaoh of Egypt and narrator of the tale; Radames, leader of the Egyptian army and Amneris' betrothed; and the titular character Aida, daughter of the King of Nubia (Egypt's enemy) captured by Radames in battle.

As the story progresses, Aida and Radames fall in love, and, one by one, as the supporting characters discover their romance, it threatens to rip the court apart.

The idea of a love triangle and the star-crossed lovers may seem cliche, but the characters display real feelings and many-layered personalities that give the story a whole new meaning. That, combined with breathtaking music and song produce a spectacle to rival any other production in the history of Broadway.

Sources: The Broadway Musical Home- Aida & Wikipedia

Comicbook Comeback

Beginning with "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" at the dawn of the new millenium, movies based on popular comic books enjoyed a dramatic surge in popularity. We've often heard the adage that sequels rarely live up to the originals, but despite certain popular and fan-based opinion, many franchises such as "The Incredible Hulk", "Iron Man", and "Fantastic Four", as well as "X-Men" and "Spider-Man" enjoyed sufficient success for major production companies to order at least one follow-up each throughout the first decade of the 21st century.

In the last 2-3 years, however, with the immense development of computer technology and 3-D viewing options, comic book heroes are enjoying a greater and more dramatic presence on the silver screen than ever before. Examples include "Green Lantern", "Captain America: The First Avenger", "Thor", as well as a revival of the "Spider-Man" franchise scheduled for next year. Personally, I think all of this resurgence of comic book franchises is leading up to one thing: the start in 2012 of planned series of films featuring Marvel Comics' mightiest heroes in "The Avengers".

"A Dangerous Method:" Cronenberg takes on a new type of controversy

Filmmaker, David Cronenberg has a forty-year body of controversial work. His film "M. Butterly" was released in 1993 at a time when LGBT issues were at their peak. Ahead of his time, Cronenberg portrayed a romance between a man and a woman, where the woman was really a transvestite and a spy.

18 years later, Cronenberg tackles the history of psychoanalysis in the film "A Dangerous Method," set to be released in November of this year. This concept fits well with the psychological dynamics of his trademarks. The film may likely raise different eyebrows as it questions the ethics of respected psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

Viggo Mortensen, most known for Lord of the Rings, became a regular leading man for Cronenberg after starring in A History of Violence. He was cast as Freud, while rising X-Men: First Class star, Michael Fassbender plays Jung, Freud's student. Keira Knightly plays Sabina Spielbein, Jung's patient who became his mistress and later the first female psychoanalyst.

The film is based on a book by John Kerr that imagines how these events unfolded. When we think of the psychoanalysts of today, we think of a strict code of ethics. Now, however, we can wait for Cronenberg to shake things up, yet again, by revealing scenarios that make us wonder what is behind these theories. It will be fascinating to see Cronenberg's genre of his own take it's interpretation of this story.

The trailer for the film is here and ready to capture your desire to know more, no matter what you already know about the history or the filmmaker. I know that's the effect it has had on me.

Captian Jack Sparrow: An End to Cliches

For an actor so identified with quirky and off-kilter roles (The Mad Hatter, Sweeney Todd, Willy Wonka ect...), it's amazing how much Captain Jack Sparrow stands out as Johnny Depp's "iconic" character, at least these days. When I first saw "Curse of the Black Pearl", I was blown away by how much originality Johnny brought to an archetype that has been lauded so many times it's become rather annoying. With him, there was no eye patch, no wooden leg and above all, no worn out pirate one-liners (i.e. "Arr, mateys"). This fresh appearance, combined with a dryly comedic personality, has led me to a great conclusion; that even if the franchise goes downhill, I am firmly convinced that nobody else could ever play Captain Jack Sparrow. Through brilliant screen writing and a few personal touches, Depp has created a character in a class all his own.