Movie Review: "The Dark Knight Rises"

Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality, and language
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Anne Hathaway
Released: July 20, 2012 (US theaters)

Synopsis
It has been eight years since the events of The Dark Knight.  The Dent Act has almost completely eradicated organized crime in Gotham; what the people don't know is the truth behind Harvey Dent's death.  Batman hasn't been since since then, and Bruce Wayne has been mostly keeping to himself.  Just when things seem to be going well, a masked criminal mastermind named Bane arrives, who is bent on destroying both Bruce Wayne and Gotham.  Bruce has no choice but to bring Batman back...but will the Bat be enough to defeat Bane?
Directed by Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight).

The Good
The action sequences in this movie were excellent! Whether they were one-on-one fights or mass shootouts, they had my rapt attention.  Also, Batman, despite his flaws, made for an admirable hero; he knows he must either save Gotham or die trying, but he doesn't back away from the challenge.  Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Selina Kyle--aka Catwoman--was spot-on, as was the rest of the cast; I didn't even realize that the actor who played Commissioner Gordon was the same one who played Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films! Marion Cotillard was annoying in Inception, but not so here.  Even the overall story--with its various twists and turns--drew me in, especially the nail-biter climax.

The Bad
There was some profanity, though the action sequences made it less noticeable.  What was rather noticeable was a brief sex scene, which isn't the norm for superhero flicks; some parents and discerning viewers may quibble with that.  As for the violence, not only is it rather intense--though rarely bloody--but it feels all too real, after terrorist attacks and shootings have happened all over the US and throughout the world for about a decade and a half.  That may make this film too much for some viewers.

Conclusion
I love a good action story, and this is definitely a great one.  Between the acting, the sets, and the action sequences, everything artistic-wise was well-done.  Fans of superhero flicks who have yet to see this one are missing out, for sure.  Some unnecessary bits--especially the sexual scene--found their way into the mix, but, as a whole, this is one for the ages.

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Zapped"

Rated: TV-G
Starring: Zendaya, Chanelle Peloso, Spencer Boldman, and Adam DiMarco
Released: June 27, 2014 (Disney Channel premiere)

Synopsis
Zoey Stevens' (Zendaya, Shake It Up) life has changed completely.  Her once-widowed mother married a single father...of four sons.  Not only does she have to start attending a new school, but her new brothers are messy ruffians who do nothing but disgust her.  She finds solace in her new-found friendship with the family dog, and finds an app for her smartphone that causes her canine companion to obey her every word.  After a mishap with her phone, the same app makes any human of the male species do exactly as she says.  At first, she loves how polite and clean the boys become...but, things quickly go awry.  Will Zoey be able to undo what she has done?
Also starring Chanelle Peloso (Incredible Crew) and Adam DiMarco (Radio Rebel).

The Good
For one, the acting.  Zendaya and Chanelle Peloso--the latter of whom I am interested in finding out more about--did amazingly well, as did the guys, who were required to act oddly, but did it naturally...if that makes sense.  Even the more serious scenes were greatly portrayed.  Also, the clean content--no profanity, no sex, no drug usage, etc.--may be usual fare for the network, but it definitely made it fun.  Having bloopers at the end and a song on the soundtrack by Zendaya herself was a nice touch.

The Bad
There's really only one serious complaint: The movie did feel a bit long, and many viewers may have trouble sitting through repeated viewings.  A lesser issue was the usage of the euphemism, "What the...?" in one scene.

Conclusion
Disney Channel Original Movies tend to be entertaining and fun...but, in my opinion, only worth watching once.  This is one such case; though I enjoyed it, I doubt I'll be buying on on DVD or from iTunes, assuming it becomes available in either format.  If you're a fan of the big Z--that is, Zendaya--you might want to watch this on TV before deciding to purchase it.  It's great, but...not that great, if you know what I mean.

Score: 3.5/5

Quickie Book Review: "Changing Leads" ("Pine Hollow", No. 4)

Author: Bonnie Bryant
Published: 1999 by Bantam

Synopsis
It's back to school for Stevie and friends, but the problems that arose over the summer are still lingering.  For one, Scott is still upset with Stevie over the accident that injured his sister, Callie.  To make matters worse, Stevie's significant other starts hanging out with him.  Will they ever be able to make amends? After a summer in sunny California, Lisa is back in her home of Virginia, but she still feels like an outsider among her friends.  Can she get back in step with them? Meanwhile, Carole's new responsibilities at work threaten her relationship with one of her best friends.  Is their friendship doomed?

My Review
I had two quibbles with this one.  First off: The accident happened in the first book; how much longer are they going to talk about it? Second off: What's with the usage of profanity? Though there's only one case of it, I thought these books would be free of such language.  Other than that, I enjoyed this one; I just hope the verging into "PG" territory isn't indicative of even worse moral content to come.

Score: 3/5

Quickie Book Review: "The Scream" ("Forbidden Doors", No. 9)

Author(s): Bill Myers (creator) / James Riordan (writer)
Published: 1997 by Tyndale

Synopsis
Becka and her little brother Scott travel to Los Angeles, where the drummer for the mega-popular rock band The Scream is having a faith crisis.  The two siblings try to help him realize the truth, but, with the millions of dollars that his band is raking in, it's going to be hard to get him to see the error of his ways.

My Review
This ninth book in a twelve-volume series is pretty much like the ones that came before it.  That means that, if you liked the other ones, you'll like this one...but, if you didn't, you shouldn't bother with this.  There's not much to say other than that.

Score: 4/5

Quickie Book Review: "The Undead" ("Forbidden Doors", No. 8)

Author(s): Bill Myers (creator) / James Riordan (writer)
Published: 1997 by Tyndale

Synopsis
Becka and her boyfr...er, best friend Ryan travel to Transylvania, where a teenaged actress believes that she is being haunted by a real-life vampire while filming a movie.  Not sure whether or not the young star is delusional, Becka and Ryan investigate her claims...but Ryan ends up falling for the starlet! Will they find whoever or whatever this bloodsucker is? Can Becka rein her best friend back in?

My Review
Like episodes of a television show, the books in this series are fairly consistent.  The adventures may change a bit from time to time, but the nature of the stories is the same.  This one's ending is a little different--I don't want to give it away--but it was still enjoyable nonetheless.  Fans of the Forbidden Doors series up to this point will find plenty to like about this eighth outing.

Score: 4/5

Book Review: "The Curse" ("Forbidden Doors", No. 7)

Author(s): Bill Myers (creator) / James Riordan (writer)
Published: May 9, 1997 by Tyndale

Synopsis
Becka and Scott, two Christian siblings, are sent to Louisiana by their mysterious online friend Z to help a girl named Sara, who has taken up voodoo.  The threat is more serious than they realized; Sara won't listen to reason, and has been using voodoo's power to harm others.  Will Becka and Scott get caught up in the occult practice, or will they save Sara before it's too late?
The seventh book in the Forbidden Doors series.

The Good
For one, this story vividly illustrates the power of voodoo, something I didn't really believe did anything until reading it.  It also shows how far one can go to enact revenge on others...yet, it doesn't make him/her feel any better.  As usual for this series, the power of prayer is shown to be the best weapon.

The Bad
The story wraps up a bit too quickly, and the segue into the next one gives away a little too much.  Also, though I don't want to give too much away, the ending feels a bit too Disneyfied.

Conclusion
I was first introduced to voodoo by the 1998 direct-to-video animated film Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.  Instead of the usual masked menaces, the titular locale was full of the undead and even had a few cat creatures, which was a different take on the Mystery, Inc., gang than most viewers were used to seeing.  The villains used voodoo dolls to suspend Fred, Daphne, and Velma in the air, keeping them from stopping the dastardly plan; up until reading The Curse, I thought that voodoo was just a Hollywood thing.  Maybe you can't use it to defy gravity, but, according to this book, it still has its power...which makes me feel bad for watching that video again and again and again when I was a kid.  Guess that's proof of how the occult has worked its way into our culture.  Another good entry in the Forbidden Doors series.

Score: 4/5

Movie Review: "Rust"

Rated: PG for thematic material, some disturbing images, smoking, and mild language
Starring: Corbin Bernsen, Lorne Cardinal, and Lloyd Warner
Released: October 5, 2010 (DVD)

Synopsis
Years ago, James Moore (Corbin Bernsen) left his small-town home behind to pursue a job as a preacher.  When he returns to his old stomping grounds, he finds out about a case of arson that killed an entire family.  James' childhood friend has been implicated for the crime, but James isn't all that sure that his old buddy is guilty.  Determined to find out the truth, James believes his friend is innocent...but, with familial problems and his own faith in crisis, finding out the real story may be too much for James to handle.
Also produced, written, and directed by Corbin Bernsen.

The Good
Most people love a good mystery, and, at its core, that's what this movie is.  However, Rust is more than just a traditional whodunit; it's a story of one man rediscovering his faith and his family.  It's actually one of the best-produced Christian movies I've seen; maybe that's because mainstream star Corbin Bernsen is behind it.  Positive elements abound: dedication to friends and family, looking out for your fellow man, believing in God even when times are hard, etc.

The Bad
For one, this movie was a bit difficult to get through.  I usually don't watch movies in one sitting, but, it took me nearly a week to watch it, even though its running time was about an hour and a half.  Also, some of the content is disturbing, especially when a police officer says that a boy "blew his own brains out".  Granted, it's not shown, but one's mind's eye can paint a grisly picture.  I was also surprised that this movie would feature Bernsen's character--a preacher, no less--using the word "hell" in a profane way.  Other than that and a misuse of God's name here and there, it seems like the screenwriter--Bernsen himself--went out of his way to avoid profanity, such as having the teens say, "Holy cow!" when they're trying to get away from a fire.  Most teenagers--even Christian ones--would likely use stronger words in such a perilous situation.  I don't want to give away the ending, so, I'll just say this: The conclusion, though logical, felt a bit rushed.

Conclusion
Rust is pretty much Corbin Bernsen's show; he wrote it, produced it, directed it, and played the main character.  Pretty much every other individual who starred in it is a no-name; a commentary track mentioned that a lady who appeared in the movie as a waitress actually was one, and was "very happy" to be able to appear in a nationally released film.  As a Christian movie, it works; it doesn't fall into the pitfalls that plague many such films, such as shoddy production values (C Me Dance) or everything suddenly going right when someone chooses to follow Jesus (Grace Unplugged).  That said, I doubt most viewers would want to watch this again and again; if you're interested in seeing it, go find it at your local library or rental store.

Score: 4/5

Book Review: "Acorna: The Unicorn Girl"

Author(s): Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball
Published: July 1998 by Eos

Synopsis
When their demise is imminent, a mother and father jettison their newborn daughter from their spaceship to save her life.  When she is found by three guys in a mining ship, they name her Acorna, but know nothing about the alien race from which she hails.  Acorna develops both physically and mentally faster than expected, and shows both intelligence and healing powers.  When a threat is made on her life, it's up to Acorna and her three caretakers to keep her from harm.
The first in a long series.

The Good
The writing here is spot-on, for one.  Also, the plot is engaging, and most of the characters--especially Acorna herself--are likable.  It's great to see a character whose superpower is to heal, and not to destroy or obliterate everything in sight, like many popular sci-fi/fantasy characters.  This is a wonderful start to the series; I can only hope the rest of the books stack up to this one.

The Bad
Unfortunately, the authors felt the need to add some crude and profane content into the mix.  D-words and b-words are thrown around a few times, as are sexual references, including ones to prostitution.  Granted, that latter subject is vilified, as it should be, but it's still there.  You may want to think twice about handing this to a child or young teenager.

Conclusion
The late Anne McCaffrey was and still is a legend when it comes to science fiction.  Not only have her books sold into the millions and continue to be in print decades after their initial release, but some of her stories have even been made into computer games.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's a movie based on the Pern books scheduled to come out sometime in the next few years.  Some purists may find issue with her co-writing a book with someone else, but, I really enjoyed this one, even though it was my third time reading it.  Sci-fi/fantasy fans in general should check this series out; minus the obscene content, it's a good one!

Score: 3.75/5

Book Series Review: "SummerHill Secrets" by Beverly Lewis

Author(s): Beverly Lewis
Published: 1995 - 2000 by Bethany House

Synopsis
Merry Hansen is a teenager living in Amish Country, Pennsylvania.  She loves photography and has four cats and a loving family.  In these ten books, she experiences various struggles, from a friend's mother who has become entangled in a cult, to an accident that leads to Merry losing her memory.  Through it all, Merry learns to trust in God...even when the odds seem to be insurmountable.

The Good
As someone who still watches the Disney Channel, I found these youth-oriented stories to be fairly enjoyable.  Merry is a likable protagonist/narrator, and her friends and family are admirable individuals as well.  The fact that church is an important part of Merry and friends' life is definitely a good point.  Also, the writing was great; you can almost hear a teenaged girl's voice when you read it.

The Bad
The biggest problem I had with these stories is that they tend to wrap up too quickly.  Instead of going into detail, Merry will quickly tell how everything worked out in the last chapter, which kind of ruins things.  Also, the last volume in the series seemed tacked on, and was a bit unnecessary.

Conclusion
Over the past few years, I have read several entire Christian "young adult" series.  First, it was the Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn; then, it was Christy Miller, a companion to that one by the same author; next, it was Savannah by Denise Hildreth; then, it was Holly's Heart by Beverly Lewis; after that, it was Katie Weldon, also by Gunn; and, now, I can add SummerHill Secrets to the list.  While moderately enjoyable, it was not without its flaws, and, if you're new to the genre, I'd suggest reading one of the other series I mentioned--particularly the first two by Robin Jones Gunn--before giving this a try.  Maybe the right audience would like it more than I did, but I still liked it...to a degree.

Score: 3/5

Movie Review: "Bolt"

Rated: PG for some mild action and peril
Starring: John Travolta and Miley Cyrus
Released: 2008

Synopsis
Television audiences everywhere know Bolt (John Travolta) as the super-dog who stops at nothing to save his owner, a young girl named Penny (Miley Cyrus).  The only problem? Bolt himself thinks the whole thing is real; he has no idea that it's all a show! When a mishap leads Bolt in New York City, clear on the other side of the country from his home in Hollywood, it's up to him and his new-found friends to find their way to Tinseltown.  Will Bolt and Penny be reunited?

The Good
There's little about this movie that isn't good.  The animation, for one, is outstanding; the intricate details on the animals' fur and the lifelike backgrounds make it feel very real, which is a hard task for a talking animal flick.  The voice work is also great; Miley even manages to do well.  Positive themes abound, too; Penny and Bolt show dedication to each other, and Bolt's new friends are by his side, even at a time of serious trouble.  It also showcases the separation of fiction and reality.  Seriously, this is a really good one.

The Bad
The only complaint that I really have is that the cuteness and action can be over-the-top at times, but most of the target audience won't care.  Also, the climax is a bit intense; maybe too much for some viewers.  That's about it, though.

Conclusion
When it comes to secular media, Disney is my favorite brand; between their movies, their television network, and pretty much everything else...they (usually) know how to do entertainment.  This is one such case; it's one of the best-produced and morally positive entertainment experiences I've had in a while.  If you haven't seen this yet...what are you waiting for? Go check it out from your local library, NOW!

Score: 4.5/5

Manga Review: "The Vision of Escaflowne": Volumes One and Two

Rated: Older Teen (Age 16+)
Author(s): Katsu Aki, et. al.
Published: 2000s by Tokyopop

Synopsis
For years, Hitomi has had dreams of another world...but that's all they've been.  People think she is just plain strange, and she thinks so as well...until she ends up whisked to the planet that she dreamed of, and finds that she plays an important rule in saving it.  Unfortunately, her sole companion is a grouchy, cantankerous young man, and her new-found powers are completely alien to her.  Will she be able to save the foreign world and fulfill her destiny?

The Good
This was pretty much my first experience with manga; despite my love for all sorts of entertainment, I'd pretty much avoided Japanese comics until I read this.  I was actually blown away by the art style; even though the manga was only in black in white, its graphics pack more of a punch than the ones in the American newspaper comics--i.e., Garfield--that I usually read.  Also, the action sequences and core story were great and really enjoyable.  People may criticize this series for not being as good as the anime that inspired it, but I, for one, thought it was rather well-done.

The Bad
You know if a book says on the cover that it's intended for ages sixteen and up, it's going to have some content issues, right? Well, they fall into two areas: language and nudity.  In the former area, it feels like a "TV-14"-rated show; pretty much every profanity you can think of is used, except for that one word you still can't say on network television.  It's mostly one character that uses it, but, other than the title character, he gets the most time.  As for the nudity: Hitomi is seen topless two or three times, and nearly naked once.  The nudity isn't exactly sexual--there are no "love scenes", and Hitomi's companion definitely isn't her love interest, or vice versa--but it still feels like she is only supposed to be eye candy for male readers, especially in those scenes.  Those content issues ruined what could have been a great action/adventure fantasy yarn.

Conclusion
Like much entertainment these days, The Vision of Escaflowne has a great story, and is well-made...but has serious content problems.  I understand the violence--after all, what's a good fantasy story without one--and I could forgive a profanity here and there...but the content of the two volumes I read are what I use books to escape from.  I had planned on read the entire series, but, after these two, I don't know if I will continue.  I still plan on checking out other manga, though; maybe next time, I'll get it from the "juvenile" section of the library, instead of the "young adult" area.

Score: 2.25/5

Book Review: "Essential Spider-Man": Volume One

Author(s): Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, et. al.
Published: 2006 by Marvel Comics

Synopsis
Peter Parker was just a nerdy teenage outcast...until a bite from a genetically enhanced spider gave him arachnid-like powers! Unfortunately, there are countless supervillains who are bent on mass destruction...and Spider-Man is the only thing standing in their way! Even with his new-found super-strength and agility, the likes of the Lizard, the Green Goblin, and Kraven the Hunter, among several others, may be too much for him to handle.  Also featuring Marvel favorites the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four, these comics show the beginnings of everyone's favorite wall-crawler!

The Good
They don't make superhero stories like this anymore! Seriously, the old-school style of these original Spidey comics--from the 1960's, no less!--is decidedly different from the modern flicks.  Positive messages abound: Peter Parker looks out for his family, his friends, and even his enemies, going as far as saving one from death; Spidey uses more than just sheer brawn to defeat the bad guys; and, he also shows the value of intelligence.  Better yet, the comics are completely free of profanity, with the worst language being G-rated words such as "darn," "dumbhead," or, "Holy Hannah!" The violence is of the "TV-Y7-FV" variety, and is not bloody or graphic.  Superhero fans are likely to have a field day with this.

The Bad
I only have one complaint: The comics are so similar, they sort of blend together.  That may be exactly what one would expect, but it is a little annoying nonetheless...but only a little.

Conclusion
Most modern superhero fans probably only know Spider-Man from the live-action films, and, maybe, the TV series on DVD and Disney XD.  There are similarities to the flicks here, but...without these comics, the movies wouldn't exist.  If you're a fan of the human arachnid, you should definitely check this out; these comics stand the test of time!

Score: 4.5/5

Book Review: "Mothership" ("Ever-Expanding Universe", No. 1)

Author(s): Martin Leicht and Isla Neal
Published: July 10, 2012 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Synopsis 
Elvie Nara was just a regular teenager living in 2074. Her plans for the future included colonizing Mars, and she is a wizard with computers. Unfortunately, a chance encounter with a mysterious classmate left her pregnant, and she is now attending a space station school for expecting adolescent mothers. When the ship gets invaded, she is quick to defend herself...but she soon discovers that the invasion is led by Cole, the guy who got her pregnant, but is not what he seems to be at all. Surprises and adventure abound in this "young adult" novel.

The Good 
For something with such subject matter, this book is remarkably well-written, and the plot kept me involved the whole time. Even the flashback plot device, which usually annoys me, didn't in this case. I also liked the ending: Elvie keeps her baby, and it turns out to be not what she and Cole expected. The beginning of the second novel, which was at the back of the copy I had, showed matters getting even dicier. 

The Bad 
The language, for one; I understand what typical teen vernacular is these days, but, was it necessary to have a profanity or crude remark on practically every page? Sexual dialogue also abounded. Not only that, but, Elvie considers having an abortion, and she talks about others in quite ugly ways.  

Conclusion 
This is definitely different from what I usually read, but even I need a break from my usual fare. The writing, story, and ending were good, but, the rest of it isn't worth trudging through--at least, for a discerning reader--to get to that.

Score: 1.75/5

Movie Review: "Ender's Game"

Rated: PG-13 for some violence, sci-fi action, and thematic material
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, and Hailee Steinfeld
Released: November 1, 2013 (theaters) / February 11, 2014 (DVD / Blu-Ray)

Synopsis
Fifty years ago, the Earth was decimated by the Formics, an alien species.  The war wouldn't have been won if it hadn't been for the actions of Mazer Rackham, a pilot who has since become a legend.  Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), like most kids of his generation, has been attending a school designed to make kids into commanders.  His sister, Valentine (Abigail Breslin), failed out because she was too compassionate; his brother, Peter, did the same because he was too brash.  Noticing Ender to be a combination of the two of them, Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) offers him a place at a boot-camp-style Battle School.  Ender and the other cadets train for war...but is war really the best answer?
Based on the novel by Orson Scott Card.

My Review
Some years ago, I was urged to read the book Ender's Game by a friend who insisted I would love it...but I didn't.  Though the core story was entertaining, all of the bullying and name-calling made it hard to finish.  This film adaptation dials down on the latter, but the former is quite present, making this film almost as difficult to get through.  Not are there some rather cruel acts that the kids perform on each other, but a few crude allusions--such as the only girl in a squad saying she has "more balls" than the rest of them--made this film a bit too crass for my tastes.  The special effects were great, but that no longer makes a film outstanding anymore.  (Spoiler Warning!) The ending of the movie really upset me...but I think that's the whole point.  For Ender to think that he is merely playing a game, when he is actually doing a real battle and destroys an entire planet as a result...that was serious betrayal, and, if I were Ender, I'd have been upset, too.  He was told that they won the war, but, really, there were no winners...and that's usually the way it is with war. (End Spoilers!) Frankly, this movie and the book that inspired it are space operas I can do without.

Score: 2.5/5

Season Set Review: "Unfabulous": Season One

Rated: TV-Y7
Starring: Emma Roberts, Malese Jow, Jordan Calloway, Molly Hagan, Markus Flanagan, and Tadhg Kelly
Released: 2004 - 2005 (Nickelodeon premieres)

Synopsis
Addie Singer (Emma Roberts) is just that: a singer.  She and her two best friends Geena (Malese Jow) and Zach (Jordan Calloway) are just starting junior high school, which leads them into one predicament after another.  From hosting her first boy-girl party, to trying to step out of the shadow of her older brother (Tadhg Kelly), to trying to find a misplaced CD of songs about her crush, Addie just has one mishap after another.  With her parents (Molly Hagan and Markus Flanagan) standing by her, though, she can remain strong...can't she?
As seen on Nickelodeon.

Production Values

Plots: 3.5/5
Most of these episodes were at least fairly fun and entertaining, but at least two were pathetic, and not even very comical.  The whole "teen sitcom" thing has been around for ages, so, you can't expect it to really break much new ground, but the plots could have been better.

Production Values: 2.5/5
This series is stylistically reminiscent of Lizzie McGuire.  That may sound like a good thing, but, it's actually a problem; it copies elements of the ever-popular Disney show without the fun.  The soundtrack is good, especially Addie's songs; the acting is well-done, too.  However, the filming style makes it a bit hard to notice.

Content Concerns

Sex: 3.5/5
A health class is said to be about "sex ed," but it really isn't.  "Seven Minutes in Heaven" is referenced, but not seen.  Comments are made about Geena's wardrobe.  Other than that, as bad as it gets is kissing.

Nudity: 4/5
Geena often wears off-the-shoulder tops, as well as short shorts at times.  The opening sequence, which is done in a zany collage style, shows a little of Geena and Addie's midriffs.

Language: 4.5/5
Nothing worse than mild name-calling and usage of words such as "heck".

Violence: 4/5
This is a sitcom, so, of course, comedic pratfalls would be the rule.  Various characters get into accidents, but it's all played for laughs, and there is no blood or gore to be seen.

Drugs: 5/5
None.

Frightening/Intense Scenes: 4/5
A character has an emotional response to a break-up.

Other: 3/5
Getting discipline referral slips and being stuck in detention is shown to be funny.  Geena violates school rules--that is, the dress code--again and again without serious consequences.  Girls from a Catholic school are made fun of for always winning the science fair because "God is with them".

Conclusion
When I was in middle school, I was a big fan of the short-lived game show Weakest Link.  Though I did have some friends who also liked it, most people I knew--of all ages--didn't care for it, saying they were "disappointed" in host Anne Robinson, because she wasn't as mean as they made her out to be.  One guy even said of that show, "That's nothin' but a bootleg Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?." I mention that because his feelings on my former favorite game show are mine after finishing the first season of Unfabulous: it's pretty much a poor man's Lizzie McGuire.  Main character Addie has two best friends--a girl and a guy--and a brother she just can't get along with...just like Lizzie.  Addie is also a singer...just like Hilary Duff ended up becoming.  Granted, there are some different elements--for example, Addie has a dog, whereas Lizzie never had any pets--but it never steps out of the shadow of the show that apparently inspired it.  It may have made Emma Roberts a star, but, unless you're a die-hard fan of hers, I can't recommend this series; go check out one of Dan Schneider's series, such as All That or Drake & Josh, if you're looking for great entertainment from the slime channel.

Score: 2.5/5

Quickie Movie Review: "The Gospel of John"

Rated: PG-13 for violence involving The Crucifixion
Starring: Christopher Plummer and Henry Ian Cusick
Released: 2003

Synopsis
The Gospel of John, which is the last and most unique of the Biblical accounts of Jesus' life, comes to life in this three-hour film.  Starring legendary actor Christopher Plummer as the narrator, with Henry Ian Cusick as Jesus, and a cast of over 2,500, this movie is taken word-for-word from the Good News Translation of the Bible.  Watch as the Savior of the world begins his ministry, raises the dead, is betrayed and sentenced to a brutal death...only to be raised to life again.

My Review
This is an excellent movie; it's probably the best verbatim representation of God's Word I've seen.  The other two films in the Visual Bible series suffer too much from a low budget and important parts that are only told and not shown.  The Gospel of John, however, is a great Bible study tool, and will likely show many longtime Christians passages that they didn't know were in John's Gospel! Even if you're normally not a fan of Christian cinema, this is one to see.

Score: 5/5