Seven Pounds Of Confusing Movie

By Amir Ali Said
Seven Pounds is a interesting movie. The movie is told through the eyes of Ben Thomas (Will Smith), a very troubled man with a big secret. To understand this movie you have to know that Ben Thomas lost his wife in a car accident, while killing six others. So that makes the death toll, seven, hence the title.

Ever since the accident, Thomas is on a journey to find seven strangers he feels deserves his help. Whether it be through organs or just a warm heart. Along the way, Thomas runs into Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) who has heart failure. Thomas tries to stay on the path but can't help but fall in love with Emily. Then, she's told that she only has about a month to live. Thomas has a decision to make, be with the woman he loves, and hope she finds a heart. Or does Thomas give her his heart?

Seven Pounds is a confusing movie. It gives mixed signals. If you watch the movie till the end, you will understand why. I give it one and half stars. It has an interesting story, that just didn't get to me. I wouldn't necessarily recommend Seven Pounds, but instead give you the decision. But if I knew certain things about this movie, I probably wouldn't have watched it. Bottom line, Seven Pounds gets a, "I don't know." But then again, it can be a waste of time if your trying to watch a movie before you sleep. Caution, it may give you a headache!

'No Country For Old Men,' Still Impresses Me

By Amir Ali Said

I'm still impressed with No Country For Old Men. Since the first day I saw it in the movie theater with my family, it's held strong with its storyline and suspense. This is one of the best movies of the past 5 years. The Coen brothers did a great job. This movie was shot and written very well, using less words in certain scenes where most directors may have done otherwise. Its lack of music shows the beauty in the film and Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), is such a great sinister character. Along with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin, who complete this outstanding cast.

No Country For Old Men, (along with my father), helped inspire me to work on stories and scripts. Now that I think about it, No Country For Old Men is the best movie in the last 5 years. I really understand why this movie won best picture a couple years ago because No Country For Old Men earned it.

'The Hunting Party,' Western Thriller

By Amir Ali Said

The Hunting Party, a western classic from 1971 is a dope thriller. This movie was filled with suspense and it had a great story line. The Hunting Party is about two hunting parties. One of the hunting party's is lead by Brandt Ruger (Gene Hackman), who's wife gets kidnapped. She's kidnapped by a ruthless outlaw, going by the name of, Frank Calder (Oliver Reed.) The other Hunting Party is led by Frank and his gang who are after money from any county they can find.

Frank and his Hunting Party roll into Ruger County. While in Ruger county, frank kidnaps Ruger's wife, Melissa ( Candice Bergen.) However, Ruger is out with a Hunting Party and he has no knowledge until the next day that his wife has been kidnapped. But when he is informed, this movie takes a turn for the worst. Think you should see The Hunting Party?

Film Screening: 'Hit,' 70s Revenge Flick

By Amir Ali Said

Yesterday, I watched the film Hit. Hit is a 70's revenge flick starring Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor. The film is about Nick (Billy Dee Williams), a federal agent who's daughter died of a heroin overdose. Determined to destroy the heroin ring that supplied her, Nick sets out a plan to kill all nine of the heroin industry leaders. But Nick doesn't do it alone.

Nick He assembles a team of seven, including himself, who equally hate the heroin industry, to take it down all by themselves. In this action drama, Nick dodges a lot of obstacles. The U.S. government for one, who's on his tail during the whole film, until one last showdown. This 70s revenge flick will keep you on the edge, trying to figure out whats going to happen.

House Passes Historic Health Care Bill

By Amir Ali Said

The House has passed Health care in America. President Barack Obama has completed his promise for health care reform. Yesterday, President Obama signed the bill into law.Two days ago the bill was passed by a vote of 219-212, surpassing 216 for passage of health care reform. Now that health care reform is passed, I think President Obama's plan is in motion and in it's 3rd stage, to have Universal Health Care for all Americans.

With this health care reform bill passing, health care for Americans is forever changed. Now, all that has to be done is a couple changes to the current bill and Universal Health Care will come to fruition. This bill is historic and significant, for two reasons, there has been no health reform for sixty years and this is the first attempt at reform for sixty years.

Film Review Class: 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen'

By Amir Ali Said

Today was another day at film review class. We watched The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. I've never heard of this movie before today. But since I'm a movie buff I'm willing to take a chance every once in a while.

But within ten minutes of the film I was confused. By the thirty minute mark, I was ready to throw the TV. I had no clue where the movie was going or what the movie was even about. All I knew was that the film had something to do with War. By the end, I realized that the film was actually a story of a legend, Baron Munchausen and his "stories." I believe the "stories" were told through his and this little girl's Point of View.

After the film, we had our class discussion. The discussion helped me get a better grasp and understanding of the film. For one, I learned that the film was actually a look at how it was in Great Britain during war (I'm not certain which war.) The film demonstrates how a person's mind should be free and should be allowed to wonder, even during war. Two, I realized that the story was a story within a story, meaning Munchausen was telling a story of another story. These are just two things that I learned through the discussion, but they're major to me. Overall, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is an okay movie, its funny and whacky.

Film Screening: 'Touch Of Evil'...Almost

By Amir Ali Said

It was time for my screening and I was going through my normal routine. I decided to watch a action, thriller type of film. After about ten minutes of weighing options, I picked an Orson Welles. I knew that Welles was a good director, but I'd never seen any of his films. So, I thought 'Touch Of Evil' was a good enough place to start.

I moved into the screening room and fired up my 360. Headed over to trustee Netflix an clicked play. Fifteen minutes into the movie I was reeled in. Twenty minutes in I couldn't wait for more. Thirty minutes in, I couldn't move out my seat. Forty-five minutes into the movie, it was gone. My immeadiate response was,"THE 360 FROZE! NO!." Then when I turned it off and back on, our 360 froze again. Netflix has its advantages, but it can't control how our XBOX 360 is feeling. The film I watched was "Touch Of Evil," a black and white late 50's film.

From what I saw, "Touch Of Evil" was a very engaging film. A really interesting crime drama, that I'm sure only gets better when I get to watch the rest. In the forty-five minutes that I got to see, a bomb went off, we learn of border patrol men. A border fight and a wife that's in the middle of it all. But our 360 froze right during a scene between a border patrol officer and a Mexican man in a hotel. When our 360 is up and running, I'll make sure to post a review.

Day Out At the Park With Friends

By Amir Ali Said

I hadn't gone to the park in almost a year, yesterday was the first time. My friends and I got there by 1:30 and played basketball until about 6:00. We started off by just warming up, playing games like 500 and Utah. Utah is a game when for every basket each player makes they get 5 points, the first person to 100 wins. In Utah, after every basket made, the player may go back to the free throw line and shoot a free throw. If they make four in a row the remaining players can hold defense.

In 500, each player must pick a spot behind the three point line and shoot. The game must go in order. If one person makes a shot, the next person must make the shot or get 100 points. But if they make the shot, then the next person must make it or they get 200 points, and it goes on by 100 points until somebody misses. The object of the game is to have 0. When a player reaches 500 points they're eliminated. Also, if a player shoots an air-ball that's an automatic 100 points.

After 5 hours of playing we all went home. Then the aching came. First the headache, then my neck, shoulders, and legs. I knew why my legs were hurting because I got floored after setting a pick. But I didn't know how my neck was hurting. But yesterday was cool and I look forward to more days like it, just next time we'll take more breaks and eat in between.

"NCAA Basketball 10," Sports Game Changer

By Amir Ali Said

"NCAA Basketball 10" is really cool. Plus, with the game you can play right along with the College Basketball season and March Madness. EA has included some new features into "NCAA Basketball 10," that I think are cool. With this game, EA may be changing sports video gaming. That's because of there "presentation." With the game, you can decide to play with the CBS broadcast system or the ESPN broadcast system. That's real cool. I'll breakdown how EA can use this new way of video gaming with all of their sports games.

With Madden Football, EA could choose CBS and FOX's broadcast system. With their MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) game they could use Spike TV's broadcast system. For NBA Live, EA could use TNT, ESPN, or ABC's broadcast system. For FIFA, EA could use ESPN, or the Fox Soccer Channel's broadcast system. And the list can go on and on. If I was EA, I would certainly take advantage of their "presentation" system, this could be huge, and they would be first.

Also, EA has a new motion system that allows you to put players in motion to get the open pass and score. That feature is cool too, but not nearly as cool as the presentation feature. Like Modern Warfare 2, I want to participate in history in the making. I really think this game will change sports video gaming for the future. So Pop, can we get "NCAA Basketball 10" for XBOX 360 as soon as possible?

My Picks For the Hectic Tournament

By Amir Ali Said

With the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament officially starting tonight I'd like to give my picks for the tournament. Actually, I'll give my temporary picks as of today. I won't finalize my bracket until Wednesday night. I'll start with the Midwest region. The Midwest is by far the toughest region. Unlike some sports analysts, I think Kansas won't make it to the final four. Instead, I've got Ohio St taking the Midwest region. I understand that Kansas is the number one overall seed but I don't think they'll make it to the final four. If Ohio St and Kansas don't make it to the final four, leave it up to Georgetown to make a run.

In the West region I have Syracuse going to the final four. I understand that Syracuse struggled heading into the last stages of the season. But I still believe Syracuse is a strong team and will be able to get through the teams in the South Region. But I think Syracuse is going to have to beat Gonzaga, Murray St. and Kansas St. Yes, I agree with ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, who said that Murray St is going to Vanderbilt in the first round. Besides Syracuse, Kansas St or Butler could make it to the final four.

In the East Region I have Kentucky making it to the final four. I think they'll have to get through Texas, Cornell, and West Virginia. Kentucky should be a little happy though because of who they have to face until the Elite 8 matchup against West Virginia. West Virginia on the other hand doesn't have such a great deal; I think they'll face Missouri, Marquette and Kentucky. That's certainly not an easy lineup to make it to the final four. The deciding game will be in the Elite 8 when I think Kentucky will face West Virginia.

In the South region, I've got Villanova heading to the final four. For all those Duke fans, you don't deserve the number one seed, and I think Duke's going to lose in the 2nd round to Louisville. You can stop laughing now Pop. However, I think Louisville is going to lose the following game to Texas A & M after defeating Duke. I think Villanova has to go through Richmond, Baylor and Texas A & M. Then Villanova will be home free in the final four.

For the Championship game I've got Syracuse vs. Kentucky. I think that will be a tough and exiting game. With great guard and center play look forward to a shootout if this matchup comes true. Here are my picks, What are yours?