Although I realize hopping onto the bandwagon after seven seasons can be difficult as far as plot is concerned, I still expected to be able to follow what was happening and not feel completely disconnected from what was going on in the characters’ lives. At the very least, a pair of fresh eyes should be able to tell if the show was humorous. As for getting engaged, there seemed to be several upsetting and heart-warming moments (odd for a sitcom), but I didn’t feel anything at all.

Part of it was that there was just a lot going on – seven season-long storylines were being shared and severed, from runaway brides and grooms to new babies to remembering old boyfriends and girlfriends, so perhaps that could be excused by my lack of familiarity with the characters. But even so, the premiere seemed more like a factual recapitulation than a half-hour comedy, devoid of audience-appealing material meant for laughing, crying or anything in between.

Neil Patrick Harris was the most entertaining of the group, getting through a long and complex speech essentially summarizing the entire show in 60 seconds. Also his characterization was top-notch and not corny or cliché, like many of the others were. Funny man Thomas Lennon guest starred as Klaus, but it’s clear he should stick to his usual dorky, quirky roles. His terribly fake German accent and repetitive dialogue didn’t elicit the humor it should’ve and his runaway bride, played by Ashley Williams (Something Borrowed), didn’t perform to her typical standards either. The entire episode just looked haphazard and the connections contrived, all of the actors a little lack-luster.

Those with recurring roles looked comfortable and didn’t seem to be putting in much of an effort to make the premiere special either. If you’re going to be silly and over-the-top, then go for it full force and invest! With all of the new sitcoms coming out and all the old ones reviving themselves, you’d think How I Met Your Mother would want to compete and either bring something new to the table or reinvent something old so it’s refreshing and attention-catching.

Perhaps I’m biased, or maybe I’m out of the loop and at a disadvantage because I’m a new viewer, but I am a dedicated television watcher so I don’t know if these excuses suffice. My plan: watch another episode or two and see if the performances and plot improve. Premieres aren’t always as satisfying as you’d expect and considering the show’s previous success, it deserves a second chance to redeem itself.

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There was much more than tennis to watch in Houston that day. Viewers got quite a show as both players seemed to vie for most memorable when making their entrances.King was carried into the Astrodome like Cleopatra by four shirtless men, while Riggs appeared in a rickshaw pulled by models (also known as “Bobby’s Bosom Buddies”). Unlike Court, King had already studied how to defeat Riggs by putting a defensive strategy of mostly ground-strokes into effect. Despite being hit lobs and deep balls (which are more easily handled from the far back of the court), King calmly and coolly became the first female tennis player to beat a man in that type of forum.

However, we can not forget Riggs’s talents. He reigned as world number one in 1946 and 1947, but even before that in 1939 he was an “amateur” world number one as he had made the finals at Roland Garros, won Wimbledon (in singles, doubles and mixed doubles) and the U.S. Open. Although this righty, with a one-handed backhand, lost $100,000 to King, his younger years really give insight into his talent and perseverance. In Los Angeles, he had played ping-pong until age 11, but by 18 he was ranked fourth in the country as a junior.

We can analyze his style as King did before their showdown: he was smart, quick and consistent, which are three things difficult to defeat. King, in her career, collected 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles and secured the number one spot for five years, holding off an obscene amount of the greats, including Maria Navratilova, Chris Evert and Court. In my eyes they were even-keeled, despite differences in age, strategy and score claiming one much more dominant.

The match, in all its glory, turned Riggs into a hotel room recluse for a few hours, but also made a huge statement for women. So many people, even out of the 90 million who watched, had little faith in what a woman could produce on the court — whether they thought it to be lack of strength or talent. Needless to say, King proved them wrong. As Neil Amdur of the New York Times wrote of King, “Most important perhaps for women everywhere, she convinced skeptics that a female athlete can survive pressure-filled situations and that men are as susceptible to nerves as women.”

Riggs’s tennis legacy lives on in his grandson, Danny Riggs, who plays competitively here at Cornell. In juniors he had attained a national ranking of 19 and the five-star recruit performed well at singles and doubles last year. As tennis slowly but surely makes a surge back into pop culture, hopefully this anniversary could incite even more of a reason to pick up a racquet.

The post This Day in Tennis History: “The Battle of the Sexes” Anniversary appeared first on NextGen Journal.

But back on the tennis court, a few players who were expected to make it far have already been eliminated, namely Caroline Wozniacki. Most who were expected to rise to the occasion, however, have done even more than that. Serena Williams wiped out Coco Vandeweghe on Wednesday in a near forty minutes, while recent Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray annihilated Ivan Dodig 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 later that night. Novak Djokovic has continued in the same pattern, and in doubles, both the Williams sisters and the Bryan brothers have taken leads right off the bat.

Although fans and players alike are missing Rafael Nadal and his familiar screams of “vamos,” everyone recognizes he’s smart to rest his knees to prevent further injury – after all, I think it’s well-predicted that he still has a long career ahead of him.  In interviews, American John Isner has displayed his confidence in the current quality of his game, and fellow American and “comeback kid” Brian Baker, who made an enormously impressive run at Wimbledon, is still hanging in there with a chance to win yet another round.

Although that’s a short run-down of what you’ve missed in case you haven’t been watching, there’s no reason you still can’t stop by the tournament. Here’s a brief beginners guide to what you should do, wear, eat and see while you’re there.

Attire: This year the weather has been mild, perfect conditions for the players and spectators alike. Day sessions call for shorts and a t-shirt, especially considering this weekend’s weather is supposed to spike to around ninety degrees. For the late afternoon and evening, however, be sure to bring a light jacket; matches can go on well into the night’s wee hours.

Food: From crepes to lobster rolls, vegetable curry to shortrib sanwiches, there’s something for anyone and everyone to find. Although the food is a bit pricy, the portions are usually large, the quality up to par and the cultural diversity of the dishes wide.

Do: Now here’s the fun part. Whether it’s shopping in the official store, playing virtual tennis or meeting players and getting autographs, there are endless activities in store. Focusing on the tennis, though, is not an opportunity to be missed. Our first recommendation is to go when there is a lot of activity on the outer courts. You can either stop by for qualification rounds or go in the first few days of the tournament.

A grounds pass is cheap, and although it restricts you from entering Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums, it allows you to see more than your fair share of matches. Past world No. 1s take the courts, even sometimes unnoticed, and can upset or be upset by an up and coming youngster. You’re also close to the action, meaning you can see if the lines judges made fair calls as well as the players’ expressions and perfected form up close and personal. This also makes it much easier for you to get autographs. Young and veteran players are often ecstatic to sign programs and balls after the match you watched, and it’s not uncommon to run into the higher ranked players. Whether they’re shuffling from the lounge to their court or just trying to take in the atmosphere on the down-low, it’s a great opportunity to politely ask them for a picture.

Both the Australian and the US Opens are known for their lively crowds, so yet another great reason to attend is that you can be sure it will be exciting! You’ll see top-of-the-line performances, stellar shots, and players diving to get to “droppers.” Any and all players, regardless of rank, are always in contention, so come out and support some of the most talented athletes in history for a limited time here on our home turf.

For tickets, visit USopen.org.

The post The US Open: A Brief Beginner’s Guide appeared first on NextGen Journal.

But the question of whether or not RKOI deserves such a status is up for debate. It could lead to any number of things, including mass exposure and condoning of trouble and/or stupidity, namely through reality TV. Is there even room for one more mindless program? Apparently kids who have been featured on RKOI have already been approached by well-known producer Lexi Shoemaker. Most of the kids are unknowns, but CNN reports there are some recognizable names, such as Hilton, Trump and Brant. It’s still a mystery who would be cast, but from the obnoxious pictures alone, we can be sure to expect some high-end drama; though these teens make up the world’s 1% wealthy class, this show would as well be in a class of its own.

Although it’s not only our job to debate whether this site, as well as a follow-up reality series, is a good idea, those who are involved should have a major say. Without warning, many of the kids’ pictures are posted, whether or not they want any association with the site’s connotations; some are incredibly savvy and are aware there may be farther reaching repercussions than just being teased. Others bask in their newfound fame, await TV and/or find the publicity as an outlet to pursue dreams and even possibly career paths. Can this really be considered a lucky break for them, though? Since everything was so recently launched on July 13, I guess only time will tell if this is the exposure they need.

The sad part is that despite negative feedback about the site, an exorbitant amount of us have or will visit it. Although the hypocrisy is absurd, most will cave and guiltily enjoy seeing jets, outrageous bar and restaurant receipts and maybe even wish we were the ones reveling in the luxury. Besides social media’s all-together abolishment, it’s hard to say how to best remedy the situation. I know for myself, at least, that it’s nearly impossible to maintain self-control, and so I’m sure in a few days I’ll contribute to RKOI’s hits.

There still are so many unanswered questions. Should instant fame by these means be accepted? Can we support those who already have everything to also get these pedestal roles and benefit both financially and with newborn celebrity? Why should Instagram allow for instant access into a world so closely connected to theirs, anyway? As the site’s popularity grows, we’ll have to give thought to if their fame is really warranted and if we ourselves want to endorse it.

The post ‘Rich Kids of Instagram’ Leads to Instant Fame appeared first on NextGen Journal.

The show follows seven girls’ journeys in the art world, which, although sort of one market, are worlds apart even in one city. On one end you have three girls from Brooklyn who carry the stereotypical artsy appearance, in a way adding to the authenticity of their newly opened boutique/gallery; they’re extremely thin, with wild hair, baggy clothes and red lipstick. They talk slow, but are moving fast by selling adorable merchandise that appeals to costumers from any side of New York. Another three girls hail from the high-streets and have daddy’s help to maintain internships as uptown royalty. Although they comment on the fact that they may be viewed as snobs, they definitely don’t hold back on trying to defy that reputation.

Straight-haired, blonde and judgmental Liz Margulies epitomizes a ‘sorostitute’ if I’ve ever seen one, making it clear that she has enough money to buy her way into everyone’s good graces while behind their backs tearing them down with a sneer. Although not mentioned yet on the show, Bravo.com revealed that she had a past drug addiction, preventing her from graduating high school despite her later forging ahead to pursue graphic design at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. It seems she’ll run a lot of the show as her newfound counterpart Maggie Schaffer, another Eli Klein intern, is more on the timid side. And of course there’s abrasive Amy Poliakoff who will most likely play the part of the drunken fool.

Then there are the Brooklyn girls. Angela Pham, despite engaging in a promiscuous modeling career, still tries to make photography her priority; she’s loud, proud and ready to stand out – away from her hometown of Orange County, California that is. Middle-class Long Islander Kerri Lisa seems to know the least about art but combats it with her will to work and learn, although we’ll see how far that takes her – it’s a shark tank in this world and right now she’s unknowingly the bait.

We can’t forget about the two oddly striking brunettes who won’t let themselves be pushed around just because they’re different and from rural backgrounds, either. Claudia Martinez Reardon put down a lump-sum deposit of $15,000 to co-own End of Century with Chantal Chadwick, an artsy dancer-turned-gallery assistant who follows her own business ideas and is boastingly self-supportive.

We will follow the girls and the onset of their careers, whether through internships at high-end Asian art galleries or chic boutiques in a grunge, but hip neighborhood. The drama is sure to escalate, because despite outside assumptions, neither side is nice.

Although the Brooklyn girls were invited to a private dinner by the socialites and Eli Klein himself after his show, they refused to return the favor when Maggie and Liz came to End of Century’s opening; in fact, even saying hello proved difficult for Chantal. She attributed this to not wanting them there because “they’re weird.” As worlds collide in the small vicinity of top art buyers and sellers, audiences around college-age are in for a treat.

Other Bravo shows, although addictive to everyone, usually focuses on older characters such as housewives or businesspeople already part-way through their careers. These girls, however, are in their early twenties, making them young and relatable, targets for us to poke fun at, loathe or even aspire to be. Tune in to Bravo at 10pm on Monday nights to see what transpires!

The post Gallery Girls: A NextGen Recap appeared first on NextGen Journal.

But what possessed him to perform this well? We all ask the same questions: what made the Wimbledon championship so different than the Olympics? Did he step it up or did Fed come up short? Murray’s athleticism definitely played a huge part in Sunday’s beating; he covered the court effortlessly, a strong point that Fed usually matches with grace and ease, but that wasn’t the case this time around. His “old” age finally showed, highlighting just how the legs of a 25-year-old can outdo those of someone who is 30. Is it the onset of an era where Federer now becomes a veteran? As of now the soon-to-be retiree still holds the No.1 spot and almost every record in history, but Murray seems to be showing his skills better than ever before.

Britain has never wanted a winner more than they do now, and even though it was slightly prolonged, Murray still snagged his biggest win in England. It was on the same court as four weeks before, but for a different title, and the title was more than just for himself. It was for his country, as well.

During Wimbledon, networks delved farther into what Murray winning would mean to Britain. Despite him being Scottish, initial tensions have dissipated, and he’s become a national hero, accepted by everyone and cheered by all. He hails from the small town of Dunblane, where when he was in the fourth grade there was a school shooting, killing about 16 kids and one adult on March 13, 1996. Since this tragedy Murray has humbly lifted the spirits of the residents and reputation of the town. He was still a youngster when he would whip out his muscles and kiss them after winning a match and has since learned to refine his ways, celebrate with class and even shed a tear or two after performing to the best of his ability for all of Great Britain.

To return to Sunday, he showed the determination of a champion and said so when McEnroe interviewed him as, “he’d like to win the U.S. Open,” which starts August 27. He’s bound to win more majors in the future, and the first step is to take his first grand slam. He’s certainly paid his dues —  four slam finals later, he has yet to win, exactly like his coach Ivan Lendl.

As the U.S. Open steadily approaches, Murray prepares. Of course at the tournament he’ll have his stunning, long-time girlfriend Kim Sears in tow, but it’s still worth tuning in to watch the Scotsman take a stand. Although he faces the greats, he’s well on his way to becoming one himself.

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The fourth installation of the Step Up movies, Step Up Revolution, made its way to theaters this weekend. Despite 86 percent of audiences giving it a thumbs-up according to Rotten Tomatoes, I was wary as I entered the theater considering only 35 percent of critics gave it OK reviews. I grew up being taught by some of the movie’s choreographers, so I knew first-hand that although the storyline might be mundane and the acting corny, the quality of dance would make up for it… and that’s exactly how it panned out.

Although Kathryn McCormick’s performance was a little less than inspiring, Ryan Guzman puts on a fairly good show. McCormick, though a gorgeous contemporary dancer who executed hip-hop equally as well, fails to master believable vocal intonation and other aspects that should make her character come alive. Guzman, although not as versatile of a dancer, charismatically asserts himself as a force to be reckoned with from the start.

The recycled storyline however takes on only a small twist as Revolution brings us to the Miami heat. What goes down? In a nutshell — boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl like boy and joins crew, there’s some trouble, everything is resolved and boy and girl get together. This sums up every Step Up in lamest terms, but the execution of each dance in Revolution were beyond exquisite. The mysterious Mob that infiltrates Miami hotspots tries to make a statement by “voicing” their own form of “protest art,” choreographing and performing some of the most memorable routines. From hip-hoping in South Beach’s streets to making art come to life in a museum (complete with contortionists and glow in the dark ballerinas) to total takeover of an office building, this group of ‘street folk’ never disappoint.

The movie’s success lies fully in the casting. The choreographers chosen (i.e. Christopher Scott and Travis Wall) and the array of already well-known dancers (including Twitch and Adam Sevani) created pieces with tricks and movement only the most skilled could remotely pull off. Although for the most part the movie as a whole was perhaps more hip-hop heavy than usual, it showcased amazing technique and stunts that are still hard to wrap my head around as physically possible. They also utilized heavy-duty props, creative costuming and the inherent coolness of a culture to make the magic.

Producer Adam Shankman has been advertising the movie shamelessly on SYTYCD for weeks and even though it became annoying at times, he knew how to target the perfect audience. As I already mentioned the lack of the storyline’s originality, what was left was a hyped up episode of SYTYCD, featuring many of its dancers, choreographers and quality work. The only difference I accounted for, and in turn was shocked by, was the amount of sex appeal. The sheer number of slow-moving camera shots alone captured some somewhat uncomfortable moments as the two protagonists at times did nothing but ‘step up’ the intimacy. McCormick’s beginning moves on the beach are only a preview of what transpires. This slight uncomfortability I felt did in fact divert my concentration and took away from the experience. I wanted to invest in the characters’ trajectories, but was instead worried about how the onscreen action was going to progress and how the 10 year olds next to me would view what dance can be portrayed as.

Again however, they anticipated their audience well considering the songs chosen for the film. Songs that went beyond just great pop beats… the tunes of Cinematic Orchestra (“To Build a Home”) and The Irrepressibles (“In This Shirt”) are being used everywhere, non-stop in the dance world right now, so they make a personal connection with those of us who have actually performed to them in the past year or so.

Bottom line — if you’re looking for something light and fun — something to bop to, but still be impressed by — I highly recommend the film. Dance is becoming more integral than ever before as amateur dancers are on the quest to conquer the kicks and flips the professionals do effortlessly every day. National Dance Day may have just passed, but this is the perfect way to get back in the groove, so step up and take the floor!

The post Step Up Revolution — Did It Really Step It Up? appeared first on NextGen Journal.

Let me fill you in.

The French Open finally wrapped up a couple weeks ago, crowing Maria Sharapova with a Grand Slam and naming Rafael Nadal once again the “clay court champion.” He passed Bjorn Borg for the most titles at Roland Garros as he has now won this slam for his seventh time. Even though excitement kicked up when mother-nature did what no man could do — making Rafael Nadal lose his temper — tennis is still lacking in fans and this case in particular highlighted their M.I.A. status. It has gotten to the point that amateur players, who once idolized and kept close track of the best in the sport, barely tune in to the four biggest tournies of the year: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Tennis has brought forth another slew of absolutely tremendous athletes. Roger Federer has broken almost every record there is. Rafael Nadal, with his big muscles and signature “vamos,” swaps between number one and number two because of his raw talent and incomparable drive. Novak Djokovic proved to everyone he’s more than just a contender as his refined abilities have now taken him to number one. The Williams sisters have been around for longer than I can remember and each time they re-emerge on the tour, somehow dominate the game and claim their rightful spots in the top five; it’s unheard of. The most talented players in history are giving it their all on the courts and all of us at home, elect to miss the action. This recap of the top players shouldn’t even be needed, but has to be included because it is the sad truth that so many of the names are completely unrecognizable to “fans.” Why is this happening?

Besides just as the players need to ignite fires for themselves to perform well, they have to do so for up and coming players and viewers too. After her first round loss yesterday, Venus Williams continued to preach inspiring words: “I have great tennis in me. I just need the opportunity. There’s no way I’m just going to sit down and give up just because I’ve had a hard time the first five or six events back. You know, that’s just not me.” Williams, a contender who has been off the radar for sometimes now, remains poised, gracious and obstinate. After losing in the second round of the French to Radwanska (6-2, 6-3), she sets her eyes on both the U.S. Open and the Olympics, where she has already won three gold medals. At Wimbledon she has secured five championship singles titles. In 2010 she made a stunning return to the top two after not playing on tour, but last year during the U.S. Open it was announced that she suffers from Sjogren’s Syndrome, a debilitating autoimmune disease that is sadly incurable. This causes joint pain and swelling, dryness and chronic fatigue. Despite this obstacle however her record continues to improve and she looks excitingly forward into how she’ll proceed with the rest of her tennis career, starting with the latter part of the summer. She tries to keep the game alive merely through her ongoing participation and positivity.

The summer’s second to last slam commenced yesterday and continues for two weeks. Bring out your strawberries and cream, some champagne and a whole lot of class because The All England Club never disappoints when it comes to tradition. Despite Federer still holding the No. 3 spot in the world and seed in the tournament, all his opponents shouldn’t fear him any less. Grass is where this man is not only comfortable, but shines; he’s dominated The Championships with a whopping six titles so far and is not to be counted out yet even at 30 years old.

If you missed the battles at Roland Garros, there are plenty of highlights available, but otherwise tune in London’s excitement! Some older players plan to make shocking returns as those a little younger and more current try to hold their ground. With the grass prepped and the royalty readied, the players prepare to make our Breakfast at Wimbledon finals a fight to the finish. Wimbledon will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 throughout the next two weeks; check out this viewing schedule for details.

The post With Wimbledon Kicking Off, Where Are The Tennis Fans? appeared first on NextGen Journal.

Next Friday, Rock of Ages and Adam Sandler’s That’s My Boy are released. Adam Shankman adapts the musical Rock of Ages to the screen, with a big time cast of Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Russell Brand and Paul Giamatti. Sandler on the other hand reverts to his immature humor as he shows up on the eve of his son’s wedding to turn everything upside down.

If you’re into movies a bit more obscure, Kumare comes to theaters June 20. It is the true story of the director Vikram Gandhi’s alter-ego and how he falsely preached as a prophet in Arizona. But on June 22, three blockbusters will come out — Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Brave and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Abraham Lincoln introduces Benjamin Walker in his first large role, and the movie is produced by Tim Burton Productions, making expectations high. The Pixar-animated Brave stars Kelly MacDonald (known as the Grey Lady in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II) as Princess Merida and the fantastic Emma Thompson as her mother, Queen Elinor. The story of this fiery princess and accomplished archer is bound to inspire girls young and old to face adversity with bravery from here forth. Seeking a Friend, starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, seems like it will be an endearing classic, adding to the breadth of each of their careers and taking the “rom-com” to a new level.

June 29 brings about Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike, including the never-too-old Matthew McConaughey for a laugh as fellow male stripper Dallas. People Like Us, with Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jon Favreau, although not as widely advertised, is sure to heighten the popularity and stakes of domestic drama; the cast is certain to succeed.

On July 3, The Amazing Spiderman will finally be released, starring huge names Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field and Denis Leary. Despite the previous Spiderman movies coming out in 2002, 2004 and 2007 respectively, this new take on the tale seems to up the ante, especially considering the later ones featuring Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst began to fall flat. Director Marc Webb has assured all of us viewers that we won’t be disappointed and that the performances, action and special effects will be unimaginably riveting.

For all the Katy Perry fanatics out there, her concert bio Part of Me opens July 5. Yet another large cast storms theaters July 6 in Oliver Stone’s Savages, as Benicio Del Toro, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, Blake Lively and John Travolta battle crime and drama while intertwining plots drive determined characters into a Mexican thriller.

The youngins get to enjoy Ice Age: Continental Drift on July 13, but on July 20, the movie all movie fans are anxiously awaiting, The Dark Knight Rises, makes its debut. Again directed by Christopher Nolan, it features most of the original cast (Bale, Caine and Oldman), but adds in Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

The next week launches Step Up Revolution, the newest addition to the Step Up series. Although it’s the fourth film of its kind, they have really upped the stakes this time; the special effects are going to be insane and the dancing better than any seen so far. Although the preview just gives a glimpse of the tricks up each dancer’s sleeve, they are beyond impressive, and the performances in the film should be the series’ best yet. The Watch, starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill, also comes out late in July, interjecting some classic summer comedy into the mix as four typical suburban men end up saving their neighborhood and the world from alien invasion and global annihilation. Although the plot sounds far-fetched, we can count on good performances from at least three of the leading actors.

The last three blockbusters of the summer will all be released on August 3. The Bourne Legacy continues similarly to the other Bourne films, but director Tony Gilroy has said, “This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one’s replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…” The movie introduces Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross, a new assassin. Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton are also involved, just to name-drop. In the same action/adventure genre, Total Recall brings a sci-fi twist. The ‘dreams becoming reality’ process proves a dangerous one as Colin Farrell ends up being hunted. Co-stars include Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Kate Beckinsale, Ethan Hawke and Bill Nighy. Rachel Weisz can be seen again in 360. Although only available in limited theaters, the stories of characters played by Anthony Hopkins, Ben Foster, Queen Latifah and Jude Law all dramatically intermingle in an R-rated adaptation not to be missed.

Although ‘action’ looks to dominate the screen this summer, there appears to be many quality films, whether original, re-makes or adaptations. The smaller budget dramas and comedies may be contained to limited theaters and not as widely advertised or viewed, but if you can make your way to where they’re playing, I’m sure they will be well worth your time.

The post Summer Movies Part II: From Prometheus to The Dark Knight Rises appeared first on NextGen Journal.

On May 11 the creatively twisted Tim Burton released his film Dark Shadows. With Johnny Depp as producer, the two roped in a large and talented cast of Helena Bonham Carter (of course), Michelle Pfeifer and Eva Green. Although a remake of the 1966 American soap opera, the story was still widely unknown to today’s audience, and the movie did a sufficiently good job in terms of performances as well as plot progression. Entering Burton’s world, you can never be disappointed. His style of filming is advanced, placing the audience in somewhat of a surreal place, and his storylines are clear and typically have a gloomy overtone. This makes us think and feel, and we willingly invest in what’s going on. His next film, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, appears in theaters on June 22.

Depending on what kind of humor you’re prepared for, May 16 introduced Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Dictator, and May 18 was the release of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The Dictator is styled much like Baron Cohen’s other films, the humor aggressive and sometimes inappropriate, whereas What to Expect featured many talented actors and actresses to create another timeless chick flick. Unlike a Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve, this cast nailed punchlines with ease and fully immersed itself in the script’s overall hilarity. Although the individual stories were conveyed somewhat separately, the transitions were seamless and the drama believable.

May 18 also continued the action as the much anticipated Battleship was released. It has now grossed a little under 50 million dollars and came in number two opening weekend. The ‘alien invasion’ genre, seemingly never-ending, doesn’t hit it out of the park with this one, though – according to Rotten Tomatoes, only 58 percent of audiences like it and a mere 34 percent of critics.

Last Friday, the thriller Chernobyl Diaries was released alongside the third installment of Men in Black. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return, with the additional humor of Josh Brolin, to defeat another evil alien and save the world from extraterrestrial destruction. Wiping out The Avengers from No.1, it earned $70 million over Memorial Day weekend, indicating it’s good enough to see.

Tomorrow Battlefield America and Snow White and the Huntsman go head to head. Battlefield, another “dance rescuing kids from trouble” film, seems to preface the anticipated Step Up Revolution, due to be released July 27. Snow White, however, paralleling all of the fairytale shows and movies out recently, looks like it’s definitely putting a new spin on things, not sugar-coating the Grimm tale, but not cornily over-doing its drama either. Starring beauty queens Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart, as well as hunk Chris Hemsworth as the Hunstman, it’s sure to rake in viewers of all ages.

The aforementioned films are only the beginning of what’s sure to be a blockbuster summer, but there already have been some funny, dramatic and action-packed releases. As Prometheus, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises await, there’s no telling if we’ll be going to the theater to escape the constant 90 degree heat and humidity or if we won’t be able to resist it due to all the amazing work.

The post ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ Summer Movies — Part I appeared first on NextGen Journal.

We must ask ourselves, as teens and young adults, is it life or death to us who wins anymore? Do we even know when the finales are? Would we be able to distinguish on the radio which winner was from which season or show? Some of them don’t even make it to the charts.

My last article highlighted The Voice as a more fairly judged and gratifying show than Idol, from its blind auditions to the judges’ witty banter and entertaining interplay, the show attracted new demographics and kept everyone interested.

But taking a look back over the most recent years of reality singing competition winners (particularly from Idol since The Voice opened with its first season last year), it’s noticeable how forgotten most of the winners become. Scott McCreery, Lee DeWyze, Kris Allen, David Cook — has anyone heard of them since? In interviews on the show we hear about their struggles in both life and making it in the industry, but once the contestants finally make their “claim to fame,” is it satisfying? They seemingly can’t ride the fame the show claims to give them.

My next question, America — Where do we go from here? From a contestant’s standpoint, it’s surely exciting to enter the competitions. Who could deny wanting to turn on the TV and see yourself perform for viewers nationwide? That kind of exposure is invigorating in itself. But how many viewers are left? How big of an audience are you actually reaching? Although Universal record label offers a contract to The Voice winners, and money, cars and titles are given to the winners of both shows, these material things are starting to seem like consolation prizes since straight-up fame is no longer an option.

If you didn’t already see Jermaine Paul become The Voice or Phillip Phillips win American Idol, you can watch the finales on Hulu. Compare the two shows and see what you can glean from the results. What seems clear is that style of performance is evolving: Idol contestants performed in a more demure, reserved fashion behind mics in an overwhelmingly large space whereas The Voice’s final four took advantage of a smaller venue, savoring that intimacy with the audience and did everything they could to leave their hearts on the stage. The grit, sincerity and passion and The Voice performers stick out and raise the bar for singing competition contestants and professional performers alike.

But on both shows, the talent remains incredible and the last-time performances are still heart-wrenching, so you can judge for yourself if shows like this should continue. It would be a shame for such talented artists to be discredited and their performances ignored just because we have been inundated by reality TV competitions since the glory days of Idol.

In tandem, So You Think You Can Dance opens its ninth season tonight at 8 p.m. on Fox and Duets premieres tonight at the same time on ABC. SYTYCD, although geared towards a slightly different audience, is still fascinating; its season eight winner Melanie Moore is possibly the show’s best yet. Duets however, will satisfy the now needy Idol and Voice followers looking for a new show to latch onto. As more of a work-shopping experience that also gives unknown talent exposure, Duets pairs two singers up with a superstar — Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles or Robin Thicke. The competition looks stiff, so tune in to either of these upcoming summer showdowns if you want to keep the music reality genre alive. Or take a break and wait until fall when season two of Simon Cowell’s X Factor airs with new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

Will it ever stop?

The post ‘Voicing’ an Opinion — The Waning Popularity of Music Reality Shows appeared first on NextGen Journal.

The Voice, however, has re-introduced the hubbub with exciting judges and a new, arguably fairer way to judge its contestants with the initial “blind auditions.” Whereas in American Idol so much of artists’ appeal stems from how they present themselves on a physical level, The Voice adjudicates purely on vocal tone, pitch control and uniqueness of sound.

As performance and stage presence are vital in making it in the business, however, the contestants are then able to show their stuff during the battle and live show rounds. What continues to up the ante are the instant eliminations introduced this season — after the contestants perform, their team captain must decide on the spot one person to go home. This adds pressure for the performers, as well as excitement and a renewed pull for the audience to tune in.

As judge Adam Levine put it, “I think they’re a good thing. It puts us in control, and we like control.” As professional opinions cannot be ignored, Levine continued to explain how the judges’ opinions should sometimes guide America in making its decision. As he, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Blake Shelton have been successful in the business for a long time already, their choices should not only be respected, but valued — they know who will succeed and why.

American Idol has now gone through a slew of judges, most recently recruiting Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Although there’s some interaction between them behind the table, for some reason Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera seem to heighten their relationships in a more natural and amusing way. One possible explanation for this, besides natural chemistry, is that they are divided into teams, breeding competition and adding edginess to each witty remark or sassy comment.

Another major factor is the judge-contestant interaction, which is worlds different between the two shows. On The Voice we get a glimpse of each coach bonding with his or her team members individually, talking them through their experiences, instructing them vocally and then honing in on how exactly they can improve their performances, whether through song choice or arranging the tunes to fit their individual vibes. American Idol does some of the same, but possibly due to the smaller number of coaches, it doesn’t foster the personal relationships The Voice showcases.

From the suspense of the blind auditions (not knowing what kind of voice is going to come out of what kind of person and, more interestingly, the judges being unaware of whether it’s a man or a woman singing, a teen athlete or a middle-aged mom) to the never-ending witty banter among the four superstar coaches, The Voice, with its ingenuity and intimacy, has officially taken the reigns as top dog of reality competition.

The post Time to Get Vocal: The Voice vs. American Idol appeared first on NextGen Journal.