Alice In Wonderland – Film Review by Maggie C.

        “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Based on the novel of the same name by Lewis Carroll, the newest Alice In Wonderland proves to be true to the story, but also provides a new perspective. After chasing a rabbit in a waistcoat down a hole around the roots of a tree, Alice finds herself fumbling through a world completely parallel to her own. And apparently, unbeknownst to her, she’s been to this place before. Directed by Tim Burton, this movie is both warped and delightful.

CATCHING FIRE Book Review by Mimi B.

After a wonderful start with The Hunger Games, can Suzanne Collins keep the adrenaline up in Catching Fire? Without a doubt.

Katniss, the main character, is having a hard time adjusting to life in Victory Village. She terribly misses the times that she would spend in the woods hunting with her best friend, Gale, at her side.  But, with Gale now working in the coal mines, her daily routine consists of hunting by herself in order to provide food for Gale’s family and going by the market to share some of her wealth and riches with merchants of the Black Market.

It is one of Katnis’s heaviest traits to make bold moves, but at the end of the Hunger Games, she makes a decision so bold that she puts herself and everyone she loves in danger. Katniss and Peeta’s defiance sparks rebellion in some of the districts and the leader of Panem is not happy.  He makes it clear that it is Katniss’ responsibility to put a stop to the unruliness in the districts by proving that her audacity was the result of her love for Peeta and not to overthrow the government.

Paranoid Park book review by Dylan R

“Nonstop page turning until the surprising conclusion.” Booklist

Paranoid Park was a very good book that you could read over and over again and still love it. It was about a skateboarder that got into some trouble. Following this he starts to get paranoid and his life is turned upside down. The strengths of this book are the suspense, the description, and Alex’s unusual lifestyle.

MONSTER Book Review by Nick J.

I think everyone should read this book. It is exciting and you never know what’s going to happen in this courtroom/jailhouse drama.

Walter Dean Myers creates the story of sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon, from Steve’s point of view, as he struggles with the fact that he is being tried for felony murder. It is a trial that, if the jury finds him guilty, could result in the death penalty at worst, and at best, over twenty years in prison. Steve is a young filmmaker, and as a result, Myers writes the novel in two forms.

PAN’S LABYRINTH FILM REVIEW, by Savannah F.

I consider myself fairly well-versed in film; I haven’t seen everything, but I’ve seen a lot of things. That said, I think I can pronounce pretty confidently that, of all the movies I’ve seen, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is one of the absolute best. Watching it was one of those Affecting experiences, you know? I mean, not affecting on a personal level, but, just, the act of sitting through the film was kind of an Experience.

RESURRECTION MEN book review by Olivia J.

“Welsh’s sophomore novel, Resurrection Men, is straight-up historical fiction with a focus on class and the gritty streets of 19th-century London that would make Dickens proud.”, says one critic. “Resurrection Men”, by T.K. Welsh, takes place around the early 1850s with a doctor tending to a boy who was ran over by a carriage. While tending to the boy he starts telling another man a story that reminded him of another boy. The boys name is Victor.

SCAR TISSUE book review by Lauren P.

Scar Tissue.

By: Lauren Pagano

A song, a book, a man, a life. Scar Tissue is a book about Anthony Kiedis and his journey though life. The book also shares all of the bands “ The Red Hot Chili Peppers” adventures. The book Scar Tissue was written by Anthony Kiedis himself. This book tells about the adventures of a guy living his life, with tons of obstacles including hardcore drugs.

STRANGER THAN FICTION MOVIE REVIEW: Jessie B

Recently I saw the film Stranger Than Fiction, starring Will Farell as Harold Click. In this movie Harold lives a life of numbers, based off the time on his wrist watch. However, to make this story line even more interesting he’s the main character in Karen Eiffels (played by Emma Thomson) soon to be published book. What I admire most about this movie is the fact that it had a level of suspense that kept you hooked. The entire movie you’re asking yourself, “How will he die?”.

DREAMGIRLS MOVIE REVIEW By Siki Kote

“That’s right Curtis. You stopped me once, but you’ll never stop me again.” Dreamgirls, written and directed Bill Condon, is a spectacular movie musical about three girls- Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson, trying to make it in the music business in 1960s Detroit. This movie has many strengths, such as the plot, theme and setting. The Dreamettes, an all girl R&B group, compete in a community competition, though they do not win, they meet Mr. Curtis Taylor Jr., and car dealer who like the Dreamettes has plans one making into the music industry, he makes himself their manager, and books them to sing behind Mr. James “Thunder” Early. C.C., Effie’s songwriting brother is also along for the tour. Curtis forms Rainbow Records in hopes of selling the new and improved Dreams. As the movie progresses you see friends become enemies, and family turn against each other.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN book review BY Siki Kote

“Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money.” A Raisin in Sun, written by playwright Lorraine Hansberry, that tells the tale of an African American family trying to make out of poverty in the 1950s. The book tells the story of how the family got through racism outside of the home and its own internal issues. The plot was definitely a strength in the story. Another strength in the book was the author’s style of writing, she writing seemed to be like these people- The Youngers were a real 1950s African American family; mostly because of their situation- The Youngers are given a $10,000.00 check for the their deceased father’s life insurance policy. Each member of the family has a different idea of what they want to do with the money- Mama wants to buy a house, Walter Lee Jr. wants to invest the money in a liquor store, Ruth, Walter’s wife agrees with his mother and wants to buy a house as well, Beneatha, Walter’s sister wants to use the money to go to medical school. As the story progresses The Youngers endure and conquer many hardships and troubles, one of them being Ruth getting pregnant, and Walter Lee Jr. losing the money.