Archive for the ‘Arts and Entertainment’ Category

Oliver & Company - The First Disney Movie With Attitude!

Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 5:02 am



by Steve Collins

Oliver & Company was, as its tagline claimed, “the first Disney movie with attitude!” Inspired by Charles Dickens’s novel, Oliver Twist, the movie marked a new direction and a new resurgence for Walt Disney Studios. It was arguably the most successful Disney film of the 1980’s and would pave the way for the Disney Renaissance of the 1990’s, begun by The Little Mermaid. It was so successful that then-Vice President of Animation, Peter Schneier announced the company would release an animated feature annually.

Although the novel brings to light a myriad of ghastly social ills and evils, the animated film was conceived as a light-hearted, animal romp, with the plot of the film following the titular Oliver, imagined as a cat, voiced by Joey Lawrence. Oliver is essentially pressed to join a gang of thieving dogs led by the irascible Dodger, voiced by Billy Joel.

The gang does the bidding of Fagin, voiced by Dom DeLuise. While the Fagin of the novel was a twisted caricature, the film portrays him as a reluctant ne’er-do-well with a heart of gold. When the gang botches an attempt to steal a car stereo from an uptown limousine, Oliver ends up in the care of Jenny, voiced by Natalie Gregory. Torn between his newfound owner and his gang of friends, matters come to a head when Sykes, menacingly voiced by Robert Loggia, begins to pressure Fagin to pay his debts.

It is interesting to note that Oliver is never bothered by the petty larceny committed by Dodger and the gang, as doing so would essentially condone the illegal behavior and paint the dogs as criminals. Instead, the film stresses Oliver’s desire to join a family and focuses on how the gang fulfills this desire. Oliver & Company was imagined of as a kind of guinea pig in terms of its use of music. Its success would set the template for future Disney movies to incorporate musical numbers. Essentially, all Disney movies since have been musicals. Furthermore, Oliver & Company was the first animated Disney feature to include product placement, including signs spotlighting Coca-Cola, Sony, Ryder Trucks, and USA Today. Disney claims this was done to make the film more realistic, as it is set in New York City, and refutes the claims that it was a deliberate ploy to place products.

Released in 1988, Oliver & Company became the 27th animated feature released by Walt Disney Pictures. It also was one of only five Disney animated films to be set in contemporary times. Originally titled Oliver and the Dodger, the film was the first Disney film to incorporate the use of computer animation. It was successfully re-released in theaters and to VHS home video in 1996 and made its way to DVD in 2002.

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Free Dating Site For Fat Men and Women

Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 4:53 am


by Irene Maseko

There is a growing demand for online dating sites and many have sprouted on the internet targeting different niches. Most women would be terrified to meet someone she met online. It would be impossible trying to figure the real motives of a man when he dates online. Maybe he is a serial killer looking for the next victim. Sometimes women just need to feel safe.

You must not take things for granted and only hope for the best. You will have to use subtle ways to find out all you can about the woman. If you wish, you should adjust your actions and reactions to suit her temperament.

You can think up of other questions of the nature to open the floodgates. Even if your are in the habit of interrupting people speaking, hold tight to your tongue and exhibit a degree of decency to lend her your ears.

Asking for her opinion about online dating will open up another floodgate. If she tells you about her bad experiences with dating online, it will help you avoid making the same mistakes with her.

You can know a lot about the strange lady from the answer she gives to this question. If she acts the role of superwoman who does not commit mistakes, you might as well move on to the next prospect. You can move on to the next prospect rather than be conned by a schemer. She might say the break up was by mutual consent. In the initial stages of great uncertainties, always keep your guard up as you can never predict correctly when she might strike if you lower your guard.

Once you know the woman, you will not be like a fish out of water when you meet her for the first time. As a gentle creature, you will have to be gentle exercising a lot of patience if you want to be successful with women. Remember that the woman is seeking a partner to chit chat with and enjoy herself talking about the small things that will extract a few giggles or so. Do not project a suspicious image of haste and desperation in asking the woman to meet you face-to-face as this will only scare her and drive her away from you.

Be absolutely honest about your appearance and job to cement a good relationship. There is no way you can hide a lie; sooner or later she will find out putting you back on square one.

Post pictures of yourself soon as she asks for it so as not to arouse any suspicion. Post pictures of yourself doing your everyday activities. Show pictures of yourself just as she would see you in the real world.

Once you have successfully negotiated a meeting face-to-face you must make her feel comfortable; suggest that she meets you at a public place during daylight hours and that she brings along a friend with her. Don’t suggest that the two of you go jungle trekking at any resort itinerary. In conclusion, any suspicious suggestions will drive her away from the date.

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Satellite Radio: Get Serious with Sirius

Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 3:40 am


by Shea Gyngell

The latest technological boom to hit the radio airwaves is satellite, and a company called Sirius is one of the biggest names in the business.

Sirius satellite radio offers 65 commercial-free channels for virtually every taste. Just pick your favorite genre, find a Sirius channel and you need never touch the dial again.

It doesn’t matter whether the preferred genre is rock, rap, classics or country, Sirius offers the latest music as well as the classics that never go out of style. Sirius also offers 50 channels for different types of talk radio, such as news, sports, and traffic.

People love Sirius satellite radio because it’s commercial free. No more must listeners “channel surf” to get past those annoying commercial breaks. Gone are the days of aggressive and “in your face” advertisers. There are no radio personalities trying to sell you the latest “this” or “that”. With Sirius satellite radio, all you get is a continuous supply of your favorite music with crisp digital sound.

There are also a great many different hardware options offered by Sirius satellite radio. There are satellite tuners available for the home, office, car, or even versions specially designed to be carried a person, all in a variety of styles and prices. The most convenient and portable options, such as Plug & Play, are portable tuners that can be plugged into home and car kits. This allows one receiver to work for all applications.

If you love listening to music at home, Sirius offers the best in home receivers that connect directly to your existing home entertainment system. These systems are electronically compatible and they look great too; Sirius receivers come in styles and lines that work well with home theatre components. Premium models are equipped with an internal memory that allows them to keep a record of the song titles and artist names of the music, as well as preset banks with text input and an optical digital audio output.

Drivers can enjoy Sirius satellite on the road with head units that can be matched up with a satellite tuner and antenna. FM Modulated systems are also available to receive Sirius satellite broadcasts. The FM Modulator can be used with an existing car stereo system, eliminating the need to purchase a whole new radio.

All that’s needed is an antenna to pick up the satellite radio signals. Whichever method is used it is important make sure to buy a tuner with the same brand name as the head unit or FM Modulator system to make sure the system will be compatible with the satellite radio service.

If you’re serious about music, then Sirius satellite radio can be a great choice for you.

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Guide to Buying a Replica Watch

Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 3:17 am


by JD Theis

You’d like to purchase a new watch, one that has style and class and that is extremely expensive. The only problem, however, is that you do not have the funds available to be able to purchase a very expensive watch. Usually when this happens, many look to their local mass retail outlet, searching for a watch that will fit their needs. Quite often the watch that they purchase is not only cheap, but falls apart or stops working at an inopportune time. If you’re searching for a watch that not only looks good but works well, a replica watch might be what you need. Some, however, are concerned about purchasing a replica watch, believing it to be illegal or of poor quality. Here is your guide to finding the best replica watches available.

Look Online. There are some stores that offer replica watches. It is best to steer clear of them. These watches are usually made of inferior products and tend to look much like the fake Rolex watches of yesteryear: fine at a distance but easily distinguishable as a fake close up. Online offers you the best option for finding inexpensive replica watches that are created to look, and work, amazing.

High Quality Materials. Real high quality replica watches will use high quality materials. A replica watch that is made out of gold will use gold, although it may be gold plating instead of solid gold, and a high quality replica watch that has diamonds in it will likely use cubic zirconia. The products that they are made of, however, are of the highest quality.

Quality Craftsmanship. Replica watches that are worth purchasing are made by hand, and are created in the exact same way as their more expensive counterpart. It is vital that you demand high quality craftsmanship from your watch maker.

One example of a high quality replica watch that looks and works the way that it should is the Link Catibre 36 Black Face with SS Band. This high quality watch is a replica of the famous Tag Heuer watch. It features automatic movement, a scratch resistant watch glass, a see-through watch back, and a date window. All of the markings are where they should be, and the stainless steel construction makes it a heavy watch to wear, making it seem even more like the original.

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Master Guitar Scales for Guitar improvisation

Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 5:45 am


by Mike Brown

Scales are an important portion of your creativity, regardless of whichever scales you desire! The more scales you know, the more ways you have of expressing yourself. If you want to take a proved and tested path that will allow you to play the music of many master musicians, I would suggest you learn scales in the following order.

1. Minor Pentatonic. This is the 1st scale and a lot of people learn it. It is easy because it only has 5 notes, and it opens up huge possibilities for improvisation. Some guitar players never require more than this scale.

2. Major pentatonic. This is pretty alike and is a variation of the minor pentatonic.

3. Major Scale. This scale is the base of western music.

4. Natural Minor scale. The major scale and natural minor scale both form the backbone of western music. You can use the pentatonic scale wherever you apply the minor scale because the pentatonic is in reality the minor scale with just a a couple of notes.
With the above collection of scales you can play 95% of music that you are familiar with. If you stop here you can still be a very efficient instrumentalist. The next scales are more particular in their application, but more wonderful and cooler and will start to impart your music with a more special and distinctive feel.

5. Harmonic Minor/Melodic Minor. Two variations of the lower-ranking scales that give a distinct feel, especially the harmonic minor.

6. The major modes are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian. These Modes are built according to particular rules. Depending on your own choice, they will give your music of a peculiar feel. The taking of modes helps you greatly when you are thoroughly experienced with the scales I stated previous.

A lot of people don’t make it past the major modes - by the time you master the major modes and the some other scales, you are skilled musician, with a large range of scales and stylings to feed into your composition and soloing.

7. Exotic Scales. I call any scale that I haven’t listed above an “exotic scale” - that’s simply my tag for it. There are hundreds of exotic scales, many of them used in specific types of folk music or Jazz. You could spend many years learning them all, and you can find reference books on them such as the Guitar Grimoire.

8. Modes of Exotic scales. Every scale has associated modes; it is not true that modes merely exist for major scales. They provide you an even better palette of tones to choose from.

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8 Proven Singing Tips For Karaoke Music Lovers

Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 3:46 am


by R Patterson

No matter where you are around the world, whenever you are in a karaoke bar there are a select group of people that get up and wow the crowd.
So what are the secret tips you need to become the star of the show?

1. Choose your song wisely
Many people choose a karaoke track that is very popular or one that will win over the crowd however is that the best way to choose your karaoke track? Choosing a track which you love rather than what you think the audience will enjoy will produce vastly different results.

2. Discover your “banquet song”
In Hong Kong it’s known as your “banquet song”, in Japan it’s your Juhachiban, but it all means one thing; your signature karaoke track. Having one karaoke track that you know well, and fits your vocal range is the perfect way to truly shine on stage.

3. Know your boundaries
Whether it you are just beginning out in karaoke, or have spent a number of years at your favourite club, the best tip is know and understand your boundaries. By knowing your boundaries on karaoke tracks and originally staying within your scope will give you the confidence to achieve perfection.

4. Be aware of a possible “bad night”
Everyone who has jumped on stage can remember the one time they felt they failed in their karaoke track choice. Even the professionals you train for years have bad nights on stage, so do not take it to heart. The best advice is to think what you can do to avoid it in the future.

5. Sing like nobody is listening

The biggest reason why people don’t want to get up on stage is the fear of singing out loud in public. The best way of overcoming your fear is to close your eyes and imagine that you are singing at home. That way you will sing from your heart and you’ll see the audience get into it.

6. Practice makes perfect
To make the jump from just a beginner at the karaoke bar to someone who thrills the crowd is practice. By doing so, not only will you be more confident in knowing the lyrics and tones of your song, but you will have a lot more confidence in singing it in front of people.

7. A little investment can go a long way
Practising at home is a great way to perfect your singing technique, but the best way to develop your voice is to purchase your own karaoke machine. Purchasing your own machine along with a number of karaoke CDG’s will mean you will feel comfortable around one, and will teach you how to perform your best.

8. Smile, relax… and above all have fun!
The key to great karaoke singing is that most of the singers up there simply because they love being on stage. If you are trying too hard, or finding it frustrating that you are not developing faster than you thought, simply go back to the first karaoke track and notice the difference in your style.

Just remember, nine times out of ten the audience are not looking for singing perfection. But if you are smiling and enjoying yourself, then the audience will definitely pick up your excitement and get into the song.

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Building Patterns for Lead Guitar Improvisation

Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 8:55 am


by William Jones

A couple of strategies are there to figure out various patterns:

1. Start on the E string on any note of the musical scale. Keep this fret in your mind . Move up that string playing notes from the scale until the next note would be more than 4 frets from home position (count the home position as fret 1), and set that next note on a higher string. Continue it until you move out of strings.

With this approach you can find regular scale boxes - boxes are great because they help you to hold your hand in the same position throughout the scale.

2. Start on the E string on any note of the scale. For each string, add notes until you have played precisely 3 notes on that string and after that change strings.

You can acquire 3 notes per string scales with the help of this approach - this is good because they have an even number of notes on each string which actually helps with speed runs.

You can acquire 2 note per string scales by shifting the number from 3 to 2 or 4, or even 4 notes per string scales (practicable, but very challenging to play, a favorite of Alan Holdsworth I believe). 2 notes per string are especially suitable for pentatonic.

3. Whole neck approach - in this approach we play entire number of scales by moving up 1 string and treat each string in isolation. figure out that there will be great overlap between strings, and work out all the feasible ways of playing an individual note or run on all strings (very hard to do in practice but this is how really top notch performers find things)

That’s all what the patterns actually are - and as far as a point of terminology is concerned, I would call boxes a particular case of patterns that are built by using rule 1, patterns is a more general term that relates to all feasible means to map out a scale to the guitar neck.

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How To Spot An Untruthful Psychic

Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 6:19 am


by Jack Levine

We all love to go to psychics and hear what our future has in store for us. But how do we know that the psychic is giving us genuine information and not just feeding us false information? There are some tip offs that will let you know that the person you are dealing with is not being honest with you and trying to take your money.

When you visit a psychic, there are some tip offs that will tell you if you are dealing with the genuine article. The first thing that will be an instant clue is an over confidence in their abilities. Real psychics will have to take the time to interpret the clues that they are getting from the subconscious. The future is not certain and any one thing that you do could change the path that is currently before you. The true psychic understands that what they are telling you is the future that is currently before you and that you could do a great deal to change it. If the psychic you are visiting claims that what they tell you is an absolute certainty, then the chances that they are not being truthful is very high.

You should also pay attention to their claims about their abilities. If they are boasting about their predictions or claiming that what they are telling you is concrete fact, they are most likely not a genuine psychic or tarot card reader. A true psychic knows that the future is never certain and that if you make changes to the path you are on, your future will change as well.

When you sit down with the psychic, notice if they are asking you too much about your background. This might seem like it is an obvious piece of advice, but you might be interested to learn how many people volunteer most of the information that the psychic knows. Then they walk out amazed at how much the psychic knew about their history and their life.

The true psychic can be a wonderful tool to help you get through certain difficulties in your life. But when you are in the hands of a fake psychic there is a danger that you will be taken advantage of, especially if you are in a vulnerable frame of mind. These fakes prey on people who are sad or distraught over a lost love or death. Pay attention during your reading and keep your lips zipped.

When you visit a psychic you should only have to listen to what they have to tell you. It is not just because you don’t want to give the psychic information about you, but because you also want to let them communicate to you what they see for your future. If you are constantly interrupting, you might miss some valuable information.

You should also watch out for psychics or tarot card readers who tell you that you have a curse on you or a demon following you. This is a scare tactic that some immoral tarot card readers use to get you to come back to them for help. Eventually, they will request a great deal of money from you to help you with your problem.

Real psychics have a true gift to share with you and it can be a lot of fun to hear what they have to tell you. Just be wary of anyone that you do not know and watch out for the signs that they are not being truthful with you. Enjoy your time with the psychic and remember to listen and not talk during your reading.

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A Motion Controller for the Xbox 360 Arcade

Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 5:45 am


by Jason Hartson

OK. So not only are the rumors flying about a supposed price cut for the Xbox 360 Arcade, but now there are rumors that the Xbox 360 Arcade will have the option of having a motion controller.

Along with the recent rumor of a price reduction for the Arcade, this news of the motion controller, really gives the Xbox 360 an opportunity to compete more equally with the Nintendo Wii.

This new motion controller may mean that Microsoft may also be coming out with some more family-friendly games. As a parent of 4 kids, I can only hope so.

The bundle will also come with some mini-games for the motion controller developed by Rare.

When will the new bundle hit stores?

Perhaps, this holiday season. That’s coming up quickly. Start saving your money now for the Xbox 360 with the new motion controller.

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Xbox 360 for Cheaper! Yippee!

Posted on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 8:52 am


by Tristen Dastro, Carl Bludin, Marlo Howard

I’d love to be able to buy any of the Xbox 360 models for cheaper.

The three major gaming players (Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo) have been in a recent pricing war. People just can’t afford to pay what they’ve paid in the past.

The leader of the pack is the Wii with a price point of $249. PS3 comes in with a new $299 model.

How’s the Xbox 360 going to compete?

Looks like the Xbox 360 is going to drop its prices on all three models. The 120GB Elite will drop to $399 from $449. The 60GB Pro model drops to $299 from $349. Finally, the Xbox Arcade falls to $199 from $279. The Xbox Arcade represents the largest drop in price.

Hopefully, these rumors will prove true. If they do, that’s great for fans of all the major platforms because prices should continue to fall for all of them. Look to get your Xbox 360 for cheap.

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