A Lot About Nothing – Wordpress

Category: Entertainment

  • Hey, Jully Black Fans!

    If you haven’t been listening to the radio recently, then you’ve been missing out on Jully Black’s new amazing track “Seven Day Fool”. This song is so catchy… I feel like dancing 60’s-Hairspray-style whenever I hear it. :D

    Visit her official site to check out new images (holy legs!) and to listen to “Seven Day Fool” if you haven’t been privileged to already! Don’t forget to visit her MySpace site as well.

    Jully’s new album Revival drop October 9th.  Make sure to pick yourself up a copy.  Trust me, all the tracks are amazing… you’ll be bumpin’ them 24/7.

  • Je Parle Un Peu Français! Michel Thomas Speak French For Beginners

    Michel Thomas Speak French For Beginners ProgramI’ve been a tad skeptical about those language learning software and audio kits. So I surprised myself by purchasing Michel Thomas’ Speak French For Beginners program. I haven’t heard this much French since I took the Summer Language Bursary Program (now known as Explore) when I was in university. The 5-week language program (in Trois Pistoles, Quebec) I took was one of the best experiences I ever had. I made new friends, experienced different cultures and activities, and most importantly, I greatly improved on my French (I fairly recollected my one year of high school french). Of course as soon as I left Trois Pistoles and returned to Toronto, I forgot a good deal of what I learned because I was re-immersed into an 99% anglophone city.

    I would love to learn French on a more conversational level. Speaking a second-lanuage definitely has it’s benefits. And when I do learn French to an extent, I won’t have to worry about strangers asking me, “Oh, you’re name is Monique. Do you speak French?” :D

    I’ve heard positive things about Michel Thomas‘ teaching methods, so when I noticed that it was on sale at Chapters.Indigo.ca for 34% off the regular $99.99 price tag, I jumped on it (I also got an additinal 5% off with my iRewards card, and had a $5 coupon, so I wound up paying only $60 with free shipping). It probably would’ve been cheaper if I purchased it from amazon.com, but I wasn’t sure about all those extra customs charges at the border.

    Yesterday I started with disc one, and this morning I listened to the second one on my way to work. Honestly, the reviews aren’t kidding: his way of teaching actually makes me retain what I’m learning. I don’t have to worry about writing anything down, reviewing homework, or memorization. And the program is done as Michel teaches two students, so you actually feel like you’re learning as part of the class.  Using your pause button on your mp3/CD player, you’ll try to translate the English phrase Michel asks into French phrases before the students.  Part of the process is also learning from the mistakes the students may make before Michel corrects them.

    Almost 20% into the entire package, I have a basic understanding of words, phrases and vocab that could get me to feel a little more comfortable with speaking simple French–a lot more than I remember from when I was taking French in high school.   The programs breaks down the language, so you’re able to piece together each ‘building block’ into a proper sentence.  I’m actually beginning to understand more of the French language and how it works.

    No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize– ever! With his patented method, Michel Thomas has taught languages to top celebrities and–through his bestselling audio programs–more than a million everyday learners around the world. At the end of this ten-CD beginner’s program, you will have acquired:

    * A full working vocabulary
    * Essential comprehension skills
    * Complete language confidence

    Don’t try to memorize specific words or expressions. It is a basic principle of the Michel Thomasâ„¢ method that the responsibility for the student’s learning lies with the teacher. With Michel Thomas as your teacher, your learning will be based on understanding–and what you understand, you do not forget!

    Included in the package:

    * 10 audio CDs–including the two-CD Speak French Get Started Kit and 2 review CDs
    * Program booklet
    * Zippered travel case

    I can’t wait until I reach the end of the 10-disc course to see how much I really have learned! Now writing en Français is another story. It’s a good thing I also picked up Barron’s French Verb book! I’ll be sure to keep you guys informed on my progress.

  • Review: Superbad

    Scene from Superbad courtesy of Columbia PicturesSuperbad was supergood. The film follows a pair of not-so-popular best friends, foul-mouthed Seth and sweet-natured Evan, who goal is to de-virginize themselves before they graduate high school and go on their separate ways before college. The interaction between Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) is fun to watch as they tackle their way through the challenge of scoring alcohol for a graduation party that’s hosted by Seth’s dream girl.

    Enter McLovin, aka geek icon Fogell (played by newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse). With his fake ID, McLovin is the third wheel to this enjoyable duo, and adds lots of laughs to the film. When two wacky cops (played by the Seth Rogen and Bill Hader) take McLovin under their wing a long, wild night ensues.

    Real life friends Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg actually wrote the script when they were back in high school (hence the names of the title characters). Judd Apatow co-produces the film alongside Shauna Robertson (The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and the aforementioned duo. Greg Mottola directs.

    A witty script, Superbad certainly has it share of R-rated dialogue (including a rather graphic recollection of one of the character’s former penis-drawing addiction). The jokes are constant and each member of the cast plays off each other well and with ease.  At the times in the film where it looks like the jokes have gone too far or have been overplayed, it’s made up by the heart of the story and the likable characters.  You’ll definitely have fun watching this movie.  I superdid.

  • 50 Cent Throws Temper Tantrum

    According to a report by MTV News, the New York-born rapper went ballistic after learning that the audio and video for “Follow My Lead” featuring Robin Thicke (and starring actor Dustin Hoffman) surfaced online last Thursday — weeks before it’s scheduled release.

    50 Cent, who’s given name is Curtis Jackson III, reportedly ripped a giant plasma TV off the wall when he heard the news from his G-Unit office. He also threw his cell phone through the window, said he’s going on vacation and is not speaking with any reps at Interscope, who he believes is behind the leak.

    I think someone needs to learn how to control their temper. Sure, having your video leaked to the net before you wanted it to may be upsetting, but look on the bright side Fiddy: You now have about a third of your album out there for fans to enjoy before it officially comes out on September 11th!

    His first two singles for the upcoming album, “Straight To The Bank” and Amusement Park”, obviously didn’t blow up as well as 50 thought they would, which is the main reason for the multiple delays of the of Curtis album release. Back from the studio, his current single, “I Get Money” is doing well, and so is “Ayo Technology” featuring Justin Timberlake. So, four singles into his new album, plus the leaked collaboration with Robin Thicke… I guess I could probably see why Fiddy flipped out.

    On the flip side, contender Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Stronger” have been positively received and he’s about to drop “Good Life” featuring T-Pain. West’s Graduation is set for release on September 11th as well, and Fiddy is betting his rap career that he’d outsell Kanye on the blocks.

    In an interview posted on SOHH.com last Friday, 50 stated:

    Put it like this… Let’s raise the stakes. If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I’ll no longer write music. I’ll write music and work with my other artists, but I won’t put out any more solo albums.

    Do I sense publicity stunt? Let’s hope he’s true to his word. Let the battle begin!

  • The Boondocks Season 2 Preview

    All I’ve got to say is it’s about time.  According to the grapevine, 20 new episodes of Aaron McGruder’s show, The Boondocks, is slated to start airing this Fall.

    This hit cartoon series, stemmed from the popular satiric comic strip of the same name, was Adult Swim‘s highest-ranked series premiere, when the show debuted in Fall 2005.  This is a lot more than just a cartoon series based around Black characters… it’s show that goes much more deeper than that.  It used humour as a tool to speak on social issues and expose the irony that exists in it.  Nothing is sugar-coated in hopes of being real (including the use of the N-word on the show).  Hopefully viewers understand this a look a little further under the surface to see what smart writing exists and understand what points are being made.

    If you haven’t watched an episode of The Boondocks as yet, here’s the premise:

    When Robert “Granddad” Freeman becomes the legal guardian of his rambunctious grandkids, he moves the family from the south side of Chicago to the quiet and safety of “The Boondocks” — aka suburban Woodcrest — in hopes that he can ignore the kids altogether and enjoy the fourth quarter of his life in peace.  But neither Huey, a ten-year-old leftist revolutionary, nor his eight-year-old misfit brother, Riley, are thrilled aobut he new environment.  Although the boys torture each other and provoke the neighbourhood, they are sill no match for Granddad, who is eccentric even by “crazy-ass-old-black-man” standards.

    Here’s a clip from some scenes from the much-anticipated season 2:

    [youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=qQoXMbNgUC0[/youtube]