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I’m reviewing the Italian restaurant, Olive Garden. I like going to this restaurant. I truly do enjoy going to this restaurant because of the atmosphere, polite servers, and good food. My honest reaction while first going here was positive, and since then I have been eating at Olive Garden for years.

Based on my experience the food usually takes an average time to get to your table and they don’t mess up orders frequently. Also, although some dishes can be expensive, they have good deals, like bottomless soup, salad, and breadsticks. I’ve only had two problems while going to multiple different establishments. The first one is that while the restaurant is busy it can take a very long time to get seated, and the second one is that it can be cold inside. I have never had a bad experience while eating the food at Olive Garden.

In conclusion, I would give this restaurant five stars because of the atmosphere, how clean it is, the service, and the food. I would recommend this restaurant to a friend because I generally enjoy eating there and I’ve had many positive experiences while going to Olive Garden.

Aubrey A, from Elgin Illinois, said this in a yelp review at the beginning of this year, “We had a great experience thanks mostly to our server. The salad was best i ever had there, as well as all meals at my table. The server (unfortunately don't know his name) made our experience wonderful by providing fast, friendly, service without being overbearing. Very satisfied!”. This review also explains some of the points I made about Olive Garden.

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Culver’s was created in 1984 by the Culver family in their hometown in Wisconsin. Since then, the quick-service restaurant has grown rapidly, becoming a franchise in 22 states. According to the Tierney King Hometown News Group, Craig Culver had previously owned an A&W restaurant, and his “passion grew his idea even more and the…  building transformed into a blue-roofed restaurant, complete with white and blue colors, with sales of ButterBurgers and Frozen Custard” (Hometown News Group). Walking into a Culver's even this year, you can feel the same passion coming from the restaurant. The food they serve, while not being very unique, has a very high quality. Everything I got while dining tastes just as they claim, freshly made. Overall, the experience of dining at Culver’s, while not the most original, is worth a quick stop if you are nearby.

Even though it may have been wildly franchised all across the country, each Culver’s feels like a little slice of a home on the farmland. You feel like you’re at home, in a relaxing atmosphere where you might eat with family. Wood accents on tables and countertops combined with artistic paintings of the country help reinforce this theme. That’s not to say that Culver’s doesn’t have modern elements. Their electronic menu made it easy to see the specials along with the whole catalogue all at once. Speaking of the menu, Culver’s has quite a large selection. Indeed, this isn’t your average McDonald’s menu. Culvers covers all of its bases, from typical sandwiches to seafood dinners. For a quick-service restaurant, Culver’s does have quite good variety. Another impressive part of their selection is the fresh frozen custard. Culver’s flaunts this product everywhere, and it takes up nearly half of their menu space. The restaurant features many different ways to enjoy the dessert, from shakes to their own “concrete mixers,” blended with toppings until it’s thick as, well, concrete. Speaking of toppings, Culver’s sports a massive array of them. Anything you could possibly want, within reason, is there. They have delicious fresh fruit and crunchy candy bars, all with the purpose of giving the consumer the most power over their creation.

The main star of Culver’s food is the Butterburger, a freshly-seared burger made to order with any topping you want. This delicious burger has definitely earned its spot. Unlike most fast-food burgers, the Butterburger is cooked with a special searing technique that gives it a hearty steak flavour. And, I can’t say I disagree. Every burger I’ve had at Culver’s has a one-of-a-kind flavour that you just can’t get at any McDonald’s or Burger King. The toppings they offer are nothing out of the ordinary, although some may be disappointed that you have to buy a ‘deluxe’ version at a slightly higher price in order for fresh lettuce and tomato. For those who don’t want the traditional burger, Culver’s also offers a few variations. They have a mushroom-swiss burger, a pretzel pub haus burger, and a few different burgers on sourdough bread. Each of these sandwiches has a unique flavor and definitely shouldn’t be underestimated. Culver’s also has some other sandwiches, from the usual crispy and grilled chicken, all the way to pork tenderloin and beef pot roast. For sure, you won’t find a menu like it at any other fast-food place. More of my favorites on the menu are the dinners. As of now, Culver’s has four different options: breaded cod, fried shrimp, pot roast, and chopped steak. Each one is a good option for anyone looking to eat big, which you will. Each dinner comes with an entree, roll, and two sides. Speaking of sides, Culver’s also has a large selection compared to the average quick-service restaurants. With their traditional, delicious fries, you can’t go wrong. Of course it doesn’t end there. Culver’s has onion rings, fresh green beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and more. The crown jewel of the restaurant, however, is the cheese curds. Each bite fills your mouth with a delicious explosion of Wisconsin cheddar, leaving you hungry for more. If you don’t try the cheese curds at Culver’s, you’re doing something wrong.

In conclusion, Culver’s is a true diamond in the rough that is the midwest. While it doesn’t set any new industry standards, it has a large menu for such a simple quick-service restaurant, and everything you can eat there will definitely surprise you in terms of quality. Culver’s as a franchise is going to, luckily, keep growing with the high success rates they seem to be having. If you are in the mood for a quick bite, and don’t want to stoop down to the low levels of fast food, Culver’s is a perfect option for you. I would give Culver’s 4/5 Butterburgers, and a side of cheese curds. Happy eating!

Works Cited

Hometown News Group, Tierney King. “Craig Culver Recalls Culver's Origins.” Hometown News LP, 31 Jan. 2013, www.hngnews.com/sun_prairie_star/news/business/article_3292530a-6bc0-11e2-b536-0019bb30f31a.html.

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Panera Bread is one of my favorite places to eat. When I first walked in, I was greeted by the smell of fresh baked goods. Then, to match the smell, I saw an array of breads, bagels, cookies, and other pastries.  The next thing that caught my eye are the self-ordering kiosks. This shows me that Panera is an updated place, and keeps up with the new technologies. Then I glanced around, and saw all of the happy customers eating and chatting.

There are many great aspects of this restaurant, one of them being the great decor. The mostly tan and olive green color scheme is very comforting and inviting. I also really enjoyed the fireplace. It added a lot of comfort and made it a nice casual dining area. Another great aspect is the customer service. The employees are very friendly and welcoming and will attend to your every need.

And the food! Kendall K says, “Panera is some of the best comfort food around” (Influenster). I ordered the four cheese grilled cheese sandwich. It was served on a toasted french bread and had four different melted cheeses that just blended together. As soon as the sandwich came in contact with tongue, it just melted away and I was able to taste every cheese. Overall my sandwich was heavenly. There was just one thing I disliked about this restaurant: The long lines I had to wait in to order my food!

To conclude I had a fabulous experience at Panera Bread. If I had to rate in out of ten stars I would give it a ten out of ten. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a fast but delicious meal.

K., Kendall, et al. “Panera Bread Reviews 2019.” Influenster, 1 Jan. 2019, www.influenster.com/reviews/panera-bread.

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This comedic film is a masterpiece of multiple dimensions. The relatable and funny characters pull you into the story with this ingenious writing and hilarious dialogue. It’s masterful animation was groundbreaking for it’s time. It tells the story of an outlier named Shrek, an ogre who has only known loneliness and hate his whole life. Although he jokes about his solitude, the character development throughout the movie shows us he only wants to be loved. We follow him as his whole life gets flipped upside down when Lord Farquaad, the King of a nearby land, banishes all fairy tale creatures, or misfits from the town. They seek shelter at Shrek’s home, and convince him to confront the King and get their rights back. Along the way he meets a talking Donkey who, to his dismay, quickly becomes attached to him and decides to join him on his voyage. Throughout the story, he faces many challenges with people hating him because of how he looks and the stereotypes of Ogres. He meets princess Fiona who hides a dark secret, and he falls in love with her.  At the end of the movie, the princess confesses her love and they end up happily ever after, and the fairy tale creatures get their lives back.

This touching story teaches an important lesson to impressionable children who would be watching this show. It tells a story of love, acceptance, and equality. A beautiful princess can fall in love with an ugly ogre, and you can love yourself no matter how you look. It also teaches that misfits don’t have to be pushed around. They are allowed to fight back and be equal, and shouldn’t be treated less because of their looks or past. It also has a very diverse set of characters.

The casting choices couldn’t have been more perfect. Mike Myers, who voices Shrek, couldn’t have been more perfect for the role. His sassy and sarcastic attitude has won him roles in many shows, such as Cat in The Hat (2003), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), and many, many more.  Eddie Murphy, who voices Donkey, is also known for his roles in Dr. Dolittle (1998), Mulan (1998), and the Haunted Mansion (2003). The list goes on and on! These voice actors bring the characters to life and make this show a hit!

Most importantly, this movie is highly entertaining! Every aspect of it, from the great writing and easy-to-follow plot, to the beautiful animation and wonderful message shows that this is truly one of the best films ever made. “It doesn’t take long to figure out that Shrek is not going to be your ordinary animated fairy tale”, says David Ansen from Newsweek. He couldn’t be any more correct. I would rate this movie 10/10 and I would absolutely recommend everyone should watch this brilliant show.

“Shrek Reviews.” Safe Haven (2013) - Rotten Tomatoes, www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shrek/reviews/?type=top_critics.

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Alan's Smith and Wollensky restaurant review

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Alan's Smith and Wollensky restaurant review

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Shrek, a movie from Dreamworks Animation Studio, is a movie about an ogre living in his swamp.  Dreamworks up until this time made fairly cheap indie movies like Prince of Egypt and The Road to El Dorado. These two movies were amazing, but didn’t quite hit hard at the box office. That’s where our story begins. Shrek was huge at box office and put Dreamworks on the map. Although the movie isn’t outstanding, like Prince of Egypt was, it is still a very solid movie. Those with a high brow sense of humor won’t find the film as enjoyable as others would. There’s a lot of gross out humor, but I think it helps establish Shrek as a character with a gross way of life. I thoroughly enjoyed  the movie because it encourages acceptance of others and being proud of one’s self.

First, the things I liked. The characters are amazing. The main four characters are all great, but what makes Shrek such an enjoyable movie are the hilarious side characters. The main characters are Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Lord Farquaad. They all have traits that make it easy to find their motivations for doing what they do. Notable side characters are Gingerbread Man, Man in the Mirror, Dragon, and Robin Hood. They don’t add much to the story, but do put you in for a good laugh. Shrek is voiced by Mike Myers, a solid comical choice. Donkey is voiced by Eddie Murphy, who nails his role. Donkey is such a great character due in large part to the voice acting. I know when you think Shrek, you don’t think morals and themes, but the movie does have overt themes. Shrek is scared to tell Fiona how he feels about her. He overhears Fiona and Donkey talking about how Fiona is a ogre at night (bear with me). Shrek thinks they’re talking about how bad he is and turns away from the door. Another great part is when Shrek picks up an onion and delivers a great line, “Ogres are like onions, they have layers.” Not a groundbreaking line, but cool nonetheless.  It reminds the viewer to look further than one’s exterior before passing judgement.

This movie doesn’t have many slow spots, it definitely holds the audience’s attention. I guess the conflict feels kind of gimmicky, the old misheard conversation. Another thing, Lord Farquaad isn’t a great villain. He’s funny and creates some good laughs, but not at all threatening. I could look past it because he brings some great levity to his villainess role. In all honesty, that’s all I could come up with. Nothing is terribly bad and and needs to be fixed.

Overall, this movie is great. I would give this 4/5 stars. It’s a good film to pop in and watch from time to time, but not the greatest of all time. I would recommend this to a friend who likes goofy comedies and animated movies.

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The movie “Before I Fall” was a excellent movie. I was very excited to see this movie when it came out because it looked so appealing. I thought it was going to be a really good movie and it turned out being one of my favorite movies. In this movie there were many ups and downs. “Before I Fall” was also a very intriguing movie with many different things occuring. I enjoyed this movie a lot because it had a lot of plot twists and interesting twists to it. This movie is very exciting and is packed with suspense. There were many things I adored about this movie, but there were also some things I disliked. For example, I loved the concept of her waking up on the same day, everyday but she starts her day differently each time. Another thing I enjoyed about the movie is that as the movie went along she changed into a better person. An example about this is “so many things become beautiful when you really look”. This shows how that throughout the movie she started to notice the little things that she never noticed in a regular day.  Something that I disliked about this movie was that the main character in the end died. This movie also had many plot twists. You never knew what was going to happen next. Because of this there were a lot of unexpected events in this movie that were not always good. In conclusion I would rate this movie a 10/10 because it had great detail and was a great movie. Also I liked it because you could see everything she was doing from her point of view so the watcher could feel how she was feeling. The setting was also very visual and you could understand where she was at points in the movie. I would definitely recommend this to a friend. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes drama and suspenseful movie. Overall, “Before I Fall” was a excellent movie. Works cited:Goodreads.com 

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The movie “Before I Fall” was a excellent movie. I was very excited to see this movie when it came out because it looked so appealing. I thought it was going to be a really good movie and it turned out being one of my favorite movies. In this movie there were many ups and downs. “Before I Fall” was also a very intriguing movie with many different things occuring. I enjoyed this movie a lot because it had a lot of plot twists and interesting twists to it. This movie is very exciting and is packed with suspense. There were many things I adored about this movie, but there were also some things I disliked. For example, I loved the concept of her waking up on the same day, everyday but she starts her day differently each time. Another thing I enjoyed about the movie is that as the movie went along she changed into a better person. An example about this is “so many things become beautiful when you really look”. This shows how that throughout the movie she started to notice the little things that she never noticed in a regular day.  Something that I disliked about this movie was that the main character in the end died. This movie also had many plot twists. You never knew what was going to happen next. Because of this there were a lot of unexpected events in this movie that were not always good. In conclusion I would rate this movie a 10/10 because it had great detail and was a great movie. Also I liked it because you could see everything she was doing from her point of view so the watcher could feel how she was feeling. The setting was also very visual and you could understand where she was at points in the movie. I would definitely recommend this to a friend. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes drama and suspenseful movie. Overall, “Before I Fall” was a excellent movie. Works cited:Goodreads.com 

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BY: elli pearson

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Ratatouille is a movie about a rat named Remy that has a passion for cooking. In my opinion, this movie is very good because it shows the coming of age of a rat that had a human talent. The first time I watched it, I thought it was weird and strange, but now I think it is a good movie. Throughout the movie, Remy and Linguini, the garbage boy at the restaurant, go on culinary adventures that have strange consequences. Many of these adventures were quite entertaining as they were kind of wacky and weird. The main characters were phenomenally developed as each had small conflicts and grew as people. I especially liked the relationship between Remy and Linguini. They started out as enemies and continued to have problems throughout the movie. However, Linguini saved Remy’s life. I liked this relationship because it seems quite ironic that a rat and a human could become best friends. Also, this movie has one of the most joyous endings of all Pixar movies as it gives the watcher a good feeling in their heart. The movie shows a key theme that anyone can achieve what they want because the movie’s catchphrase is “Anyone can Cook”. As stated by The Guardian,  Among its many, myriad delights, Ratatouille is a film to make you love the rat.”This movie is not perfect however, as there are some problems with it. One of the few things I didn’t like about the movie was how it dragged on. For instance, the movie was around 2 hours with credits. It seemed like the movie could have been shortened a little bit because there were many points that I thought the movie was over, but there was still time left. Also, some parts of the story seemed somewhat forced and not well developed. Also, the major plot element, that a rat can cook, seemed kind of unsanitary and gross. Also, when multiple rats began cooking, it made this issue worse. However, Ratatouille is a kids movie and it has delivered on that front.Overall, I would rate this movie with four and a half stars. I would definitely recommend this to a friend and especially a parent of young kids. Young kids should watch this movie because it shows them that they can be whatever they want, and that anyone can cook.Brooks, Xan. “Ratatouille.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Oct. 2007, www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/12/animation.bradbird.

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Ratatouille is a movie about a rat named Remy that has a passion for cooking. In my opinion, this movie is very good because it shows the coming of age of a rat that had a human talent. The first time I watched it, I thought it was weird and strange, but now I think it is a good movie. Throughout the movie, Remy and Linguini, the garbage boy at the restaurant, go on culinary adventures that have strange consequences. Many of these adventures were quite entertaining as they were kind of wacky and weird. The main characters were phenomenally developed as each had small conflicts and grew as people. I especially liked the relationship between Remy and Linguini. They started out as enemies and continued to have problems throughout the movie. However, Linguini saved Remy’s life. I liked this relationship because it seems quite ironic that a rat and a human could become best friends. Also, this movie has one of the most joyous endings of all Pixar movies as it gives the watcher a good feeling in their heart. The movie shows a key theme that anyone can achieve what they want because the movie’s catchphrase is “Anyone can Cook”. As stated by The Guardian,  Among its many, myriad delights, Ratatouille is a film to make you love the rat.”This movie is not perfect however, as there are some problems with it. One of the few things I didn’t like about the movie was how it dragged on. For instance, the movie was around 2 hours with credits. It seemed like the movie could have been shortened a little bit because there were many points that I thought the movie was over, but there was still time left. Also, some parts of the story seemed somewhat forced and not well developed. Also, the major plot element, that a rat can cook, seemed kind of unsanitary and gross. Also, when multiple rats began cooking, it made this issue worse. However, Ratatouille is a kids movie and it has delivered on that front.Overall, I would rate this movie with four and a half stars. I would definitely recommend this to a friend and especially a parent of young kids. Young kids should watch this movie because it shows them that they can be whatever they want, and that anyone can cook.Brooks, Xan. “Ratatouille.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Oct. 2007, www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/12/animation.bradbird.

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In this review, I shall be talking about the small Mundelein based Italian style restaurant, Tina G’s. This quaint establishment was the location of my freshman homecoming dinner and it was amazing. Although small, the building has a wonderful cozy feeling to it as well as a smaller private room for a reserved party. This is where we were and it made my day much more fun. The design of the place is great, the waiters friendly, and the owner was a sweetheart. When I first walked in we were greeted with a friendly staff which led us to our room and let us relax while choosing out drinks. Overall, this place was very fastidious and pleasant to be inside of.

The first part about this place was that the food was great. Even as a lactose intolerant, I ordered the fettuccine alfredo and I was not disappointed. It tasted just like I expected it to, and was sleek and easy to eat. For a generally low price that covered a meal of a choice of a main dish, a drink and an ice cream sundae. Since I was there for homecoming this was a special but I believe that this is the quality of food that they always manage to provide. Not only do I feel this way, but so do many of the other restaurant goers. Paul W from Tripadvisor delivers, “I had the lobster grilled cheese sandwich, it was filled with chunks of lobster and to say the least the best grilled cheese I have ever had! Owner is from a restaurant family and has a real gem hear” (Trip Advisor). My agreement lies with Paul on that one!

Another part that made me want to go back and revisit this place was the service. The waiter was the sweetest lady, and made sure that every single persons order was complete. In my opinion, the way that you get treated when you have a meal out, especially on a big day such as homecoming, is very important. It leaves a lasting impression on you, making a decision on whether you want to go there again or if you want to leave that place and never again step your foot into it, as well as leave on of those nasty reviews on tripadvisor. If I was able to give a place six stars out of five then this would be the place that it would get it. The meals were delivered quickly, the price affordable, and as I have already stated, the owner and all the staff were decidedly super.

Ultimately, this is the place to be. The food, the location, the atmosphere; it’s all so inviting and really makes me want to go back. I am giving this place a 5 star rating, as it exceeded my expectations and made me very happy. If there is anyone who is looking for dinner with a group of friends or a birthday dinner, or even just a casual dinner date, then I would highly recommend Tina G’s for all that it is worth.

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Noemi's To All The Boys I've Loved Before movie review 

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Noemi's To All The Boys I've Loved Before movie review 

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The Netflix movie, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before which was inspired by the Jenny Han series, came out in August of 2018 and was a hit all around the world with a total of 98% of people who liked it. In my opinion it was the greatest movie of the year which I watched a total of three times in the span of two weeks. In most movies that are inspired by books there’s always that one question, was the book better or the movie? In this case I couldn’t choose between either. They were both so good! If you prefer reading then obviously you’re probably going to like the book and if you like movies then the movie might be more your cup of tea. The movie kept me laughing and really wishing I was the main character so that a cute guy could sweep me off my feet.

The movie is about a quirky high school girl named Lara Jean who’s stays to herself for the most part and engulfs herself in her letters. Her letters are never sent out due to what is written inside them. She writes these letters to release all her feelings towards the guy she’s crushing on as a way for her to finally let him go. But one day when her little sister, Kitty overhears Lara Jean complain that her life is too boring she decides to take matters into her own hands and send out her secret letters. This causes havoc since many of these boys begin to confront her: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, her first dance partner, and even her sisters ex-boyfriend, Josh. She can’t let Josh or her sister find out her true feelings for for him so she begins a fake relationship with her first kiss, Peter Kavinsky. Little by little Lara Jean discovers her true feelings and in the end finds some good that came from sending those letters out.

Not one movie can be absolutely perfect and in this case it wasn't. In both movies and books there’s always an introduction leading to rising action then to conflict and then finally the resolution. However in the movie the introduction and rising action dragged too much for my liking and made it somewhat boring in certain parts. I understand to make it longer and more informed in a book but it’s not necessary in a movie since we don’t have to imagine as much since we have everything played out in front of us. And because of this the producer didn’t add scenes that I loved from the book into the movie which could have made it so much more better and intriguing. Other than that I absolutely loved it and I really enjoyed how similar the characters were to how I pictured them in the book. It’s always nice to be able to bring your imagination into real life and I give credit to the producer for finding such amazing cast to play the roles.

In the end I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 since it really hit close to my heart. I grew up reading Jenny Han and love her romance books and it was a dream come true to be able to see something so astonishing turn into a movie. I definitely recommend this movie to anyone who is looking to distract themselves for a while and engulf themselves into a great production that’ll keep you laughing and hoping that Lara Jean finds her true love. According to Renee Schonfeld “Fans of teen romance will find much to like here, including an engaging performance by Lana Condor as Lara Jean and messages about self-confidence, honesty, and family unity.”

Works Cited

Schonfeld, Renee. “To All the Boys I've Loved Before - Movie Review.” Common Sense Media:

Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 16 Aug. 2018,

www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.

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Reviewed by Samantha Petersen               I am reviewing the book “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner. I felt that this book was very boring and slow. The whole book is about this guy named Thomas who wakes up and doesn’t know who he is and doesn’t remember how he got where he did. I didn’t like this book. I thought it was very slow and needed more action, in the whole book nothing really happens that makes you want to keep reading and I found myself not wanting to read on.

I liked when a random girl shows up and Thomas feels a connection with her but he doesn’t know why or how. The girl doesn’t wake up till the end of the book so the whole story everyone just wonders who she is and what she is doing here. My favorite part of this book is when Thomas jumps out of the wall that is about to close to help save a man's life and he gets locked out.

I didn’t like how Thomas got his memories back till the end of the book. This made the whole book just him being confused and wanting to remember things he couldn’t.  At the end of the book I didn’t understand what happened… it was all very confusing about who he is and what happens next and why it even matters who he was. Another thing was how he came into the maze world after making the maze and then solving it when others have been trying for years. He was the one who made it so it makes sense why he could solve it and others couldn’t. The guardian states that “In comparison to The Hunger Game ,The Maze Runner doesn’t feel as realistic and serious, thus isn’t as engaging and shocking (The Guardian)” which is exactly how I feel about this book.

I give this book 1 stars and I would not suggest this to a friend. I think to fully understand the book I would have to keep reading the ones after it but I have no desire to. The beginning of this book is interesting and the end is also but besides that I didn’t like this book and thought it was poorly planned out.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - review. (2017, September 20). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/aug/25/review-the-maze-runner-by-james-dashner

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I am reviewing the restaurant Olive Garden in Vernon Hills, Illinois.  After eating here, this has to be one of my favorite places to eat nearby. The food here is full of flavor and there is great variety from deserts to appetizers. Before even ordering, they serve you warm, piping breadsticks with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The food is served quickly and the last thing it tastes is undercooked.

Olive Garden is an italian- american cuisine, which would mean they would serve pasta. One order of pasta they serve is the cucina mia option. Ordering this dish allows you to choose what pasta, sauce, and meat you want, as well as if you want salad or soup to start off which come with no additional fee. I enjoy getting the penne pasta with sizzling red marinara sauce and scrumptious and flavorsome sauteed shrimp. With the number of times i’ve been here, I can safely say that despite the quick service, it never tastes like it was rushed, and the meat, pasta, and sauce all contribute to the gratifying flavor.

The food at olive garden is well- cooked, however the factors that make this restaurant stand out are more than just the food. The moment you walk in, the staff will be ready to get you seated. The service is always at least acceptable, and it seems as if the staff’s top priority is to make sure that you get the food you want and it tastes just like you want it. The best part is that they do this in the most respectful and considerate way they can. As your food is served, one of the managers will always come around and ask how the food is and if there is anyway that they can make it better. And once you are finished eating and most of your dining experience is over, you can pay electronically with a device they have sitting on the table. Once finished, it will ask you if you want to take a survey about your experience.

After dining here many times throughout my life, I can safely give this restaurant five stars. Unlike most restaurants, it also gets an A+ for consistency. This place has managed to impress me for the 10 years I have been dining here with my family, and I have rarely had a day that I left the restaurant underwhelmed. Danielbrowsing on trip advisor says “Great food, great service, try to avoid peak hours, it might get quite busy. I try the take out many times and never got wrong.”  I would recommend this to anyone because they have a great variety and I think that anybody could find a dish they will fall in love with.

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Laura Purcell’s novel Silent Companions was an unannounced gift from my oma because the author lives where she went to school as a kid. If you don’t know what a silent companion is, they are 2D wooden figures painted in portrait likeness to look like real people. Even though I’m not a creepy-spooky-gross book kind of person, I actually really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. It managed to keep my attention almost the entire way through, all the way up until the ending. There isn’t a specific action that ends the book, leaving more a creative interpretation to the reader. I personally don’t like this technique very much, but others might and it could make for good debatable questions at the end.

Silent companions focuses on the story of Elsie Bainbridge, a woman who is newly married, newly pregnant, and newly widowed. Upon the death of her husband Rupert, Elsie inherits an old family residence of his, the Bridge, fully prepped with a staff of 3. However the nearest town resents her and is a decent distance away, and the entire place is relatively miserable. On one occasion while exploring the house with her groom’s cousin they come across a locked garret door. After several spread out attempts, the door finally pops open to reveal… absolutely nothing. The room is old breaking, and full of random junk. However, the two women find a few curiosities including two diary records of Anne Bainbridge and one of the companions.

Elsie doesn’t think much of the companion at first until Sara points out the fact that the girl on the form looks frighteningly like Elsie. Sarah then brings the girl to display, and over time more of the eerie figures start to appear around the Bridge. Turns out the companions are haunted and taking over the place. The book is written to reflect 3 different time settings and perspectives: The time Elsie spent in the Bainbridge estate, the present time she spends in St. Josephs Hospital for the Insane post traumatic accident, and through the diary entries from Rupert’s ancestor Anne Bainbridge, who was murdered under suspicion of witchcraft in the 1600’s.

Overall, this book would probably earn a 4-star rating rating from me. It kind of felt like a few characters came off very plain, just written in as easy 🤬 targets. Towards the end of the book author Laura Purcell, depicting the emotions of Elsie after numerous deaths, wrote “Death, once conceived, was rapacious. It took all with it.” The quote itself is generally true, but especially in the case of the novel.

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Johnny got his gun Review - Ethan Nelsen

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Johnny got his gun Review - Ethan Nelsen

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“Johnny got his gun,” by Dalton Trumbo is a classic 1938 novel, starring Joe Bonham as the leading character. This is a unique and original story that hooks you until the end; it is a nice change of pace if your somebody who reads the same types of books, especially since it doesn’t fit any certain structure or genre perfectly. Although it may be due to a certain typewriter’s limited writing capabilities, I feel that the simplistic punctuation helps you become immersed with the story and not worry or waste time on commas and quotations that can sometimes take you out of the story. The story has a good understanding on what it is about and takes the time to make sure that everything the characters experience is possible, plausible, and make sense. This is something you start to notice frequently in the middle of the book.

The story revolves around a veteran who has been placed in the hospital after an injury that resulted in losing his limbs, jaw, sight, and hearing. There are flashbacks sprinkled throughout the book and is used as a good way to develop the characters and feel as if you’re experiencing the tales that are important to the story and character. It most importantly helps you understand what the character has lost. A great deal of the plot revolves around joe remembering his past life and what he's lost due to the war. While in this state he questions morality, justification, and motives. This poses an interesting question and challenges the readers views.

An example of something that makes the reader question their views is when the character thinks to himself, “did anybody ever come back from the dead any single one of the millions who got killed did any one of them ever come back and say by god i'm glad i'm dead because death is always better than dishonor?” He goes on to state that fighting for liberty and freedom is the reason that people go to war, but that they don’t always understand death or the price they may pay. He believed in that moment that war is not always worth fighting for, because of the personal loss of those who died. He goes on to state that liberty and freedom is worthless if your not alive to experience it. This is the main reason why this book used to be banned in the united states, due to the controversial topics and fear it would stop people from enrolling into the military. I would rate this book 9 out of 10, because of the interesting plot and storytelling and I would also recommend this book for anyone who wants to spend a couple of hours reading an original and interesting story.

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In my article, I will be reviewing the sushi restaurant Shakou. This restaurant is one that brings me joy every time I go and a bursting stomach when I leave. It always brings good memories along with it, making it my favorite restaurant to go to.

Shakou is a restaurant that is always bustling with people so making a reservation is the best way to go. Once you get there you will be greeted with various purple and black walls, along with extremely loud, Japanese music blaring over everything (obviously one of my least favorite parts of the experience). Don’t let that turn you away though because what waits ahead is incredible. Once seated, a waiter or waitress is quick to come to take your order, even if it is packed, making the experience even better.

First of all, there are drinks. Obviously, I can’t order alcohol so I wouldn’t know what to recommend if you were interested in that sort of thing, but the one thing that I always get while there is Ramune. Ramune is a Japanese soda that comes in a ton of flavors and adds an extra sense of importance to the meal since I don’t get to have it every day. I would definitely either strawberry or orange since the original flavor tastes just like regular sprite. Next would be the meal itself. Shakou has thousands of things that you could order and the amount, along with the price tag, can be pretty intimidating. Just take a second to look at the options, find things that you really like, and go for it. So far, there is no piece of food that I haven’t liked at Shakou.  Even when my mother ordered the Braised Short, which I was expecting to not be as good since this place was mainly known for sushi right? Wrong. The meat was so soft and tender that it immediately melted in my mouth and the flavor was like none other that I had tasted. To this day, I believe it is the best piece of meat I have ever tasted. For my father and I, this place is even more of a treasure. I mean sure my whole family enjoys this place but it became special for my dad and I because we were the first ones to find this place. Our usual order includes 2 or 3 sushi rolls and one unagi (eel) sashimi. A couple of my favorites include the black widow and the dragon fire. The black widow roll is one I only found a while ago but is my favorite roll to get. I adore this because of the rich flavors it provides. From the fresh unagi in the roll to the soft scallop sitting on top of it along with tobiko (kind of like caviar but different kind of fishes) and sweet unagi sauce covering the top, what’s not to love? The one thing that can be a deal breaker for a lot of people is the price. A lot of the meals come in at over 15 dollars, making a meal for four come to $100 or more, but it is definitely worth it.

Overall I would definitely rate this 5 stars out of 5! I would definitely recommend anyone going here and ordering what I suggested or whatever else looks good on the menu. Of course, if you’re wary of price, I suggest bringing one other person or two instead of a whole party, but as Anthony Bourdain once said: “Anyone who's a chef, who loves food, ultimately knows that all that matters is: ‘Is it good?’”.

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With over fourteen thousand locations in the United States, McDonald's is the largest, quick service restaurant. McDonald's atmosphere has one of the most unique traits for a fast food restaurant. Most locations, overflow of loud chatter on Friday nights, TV’s flashing Guy Fieri 24//7, and the reinforcement of the oily french fry smell masking the front cashier. However, the front cashier experience is usually great, because of the employee’s kindness and speedy attitude that allows for your quick buck to turn into a quick sandwich. Sadly, there is always the slim chance of getting a really not-so-nice employee. But, the pros, as in most cases in McDonald's, almost always outweigh the cons.

Why? Because of it’s foods. McDonald's foods has probably one of the biggest variety in it’s menu. With so many sandwiches to choose from, to chicken to beef, and so many other delicious premium sandwiches you could also get. Other great, hot items include, nuggets, tenders, promotional items, lemonade, tea, dairy, salads, and so much more. Not only does McDonald's give you the variety, but you get many options of said item. Hard to believe, the ice cream is not dairy, but Mrs. Babowice loves to share a cone with her dog,”Nothing’s better on a hot summer night.” Large or small? 4, 6, 10, 20, or 40 nuggets? Dine in or take out? Once you get said food, Dine-in is almost always the better choice to eat.

With it’s great atmosphere, eating alone or with friends makes the experience great no matter the latter. However, the drive thru also allows for speedy accquriance for said McDonald's item. Not mentioning the Mobile ordering feature found in the McDonald's app, or Uber eats. These two convenient options are for people who are in a rush or who can’t leave their house at the moment. In the past couple of years, McDonald’s food has gotten a pit more pricey, but still mostly is cheap. Although, this could be for a number of reasons, such as inflation, taxes, business decisions, and or improvement of items. But, as my dad once taught me, honest work gives you honest money. However, if you feel classy enough, McDonald's has big tasty premium sandwiches. These premium sandwiches are if you want to experience what a real restaurant is.

Now let’s talk meat. McDonald's meat. The McChicken, invented in 1980, and was a huge flop, with years of changes, discontinuation and continuation, until it found its home in the dollar menu. The McChicken is a simple chicken sandwich, with it’s creamy mayonnaise covering the crisp small pieces of lettuce, which go end to end with the hot, spicy crispy chicken patty. Despite not being spicy at all, I cannot say this sandwich will not make you thirsty. Another chicken menu item, is the Chicken McNuggets. McDonald's nuggets are probably the most customizable thing in the menu, allowing you to choose which sauce you want, or no sauce at all. The popular option being the 20 meaty Chicken Nugget meal combo with crisp, oily fries and a beverage to go along with it. McDonald’s meal combos reinforce the idea to include the main food item, and two different sides from salads to fries which can be chosen by the valued customer. The McDonald's Big Mac, however, is on a whole ‘nother ball park. The Big Mac, being of a large size of course, is meant for those who love a big American burger. This classic burger, invented in 1967, comprises of two beef patties, lettuce sneakily sprinkled on the top layer and the bottom layer, three separate layered buns, the Big Mac Sauce, which mask the watery slices of pickles peppered inside and drip of the edges the sandwich. Of course, you would have to be some sandwich professional to not make a mess while eating the McDonald's Big Mac. From the Alaskan seas however, comes the McDonald's Filet-o-Fish, and the Double Filet-o-Fish. The latter of course, just being the Filet-o-fish with two patties instead of one. The Filet-o-Fish includes one large fish patty, warm, creamy, tartar sauce, and one large slice of cheese slapped on the bottom. This warm sandwich is great when in cold situations or the cold season in general, and just brings a lot of comfort with how soft it is. Definitely a go-to for young toddlers who haven’t fully developed their teeth yet.

Just like the tops of a toasted sesame bun, McDonald's is one of the greatest, flavorful, inexpensive restaurants in the United States. And hopefully, I have helped guide your choice as to what you could want from the restaurant from describing the items.

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The movie I’m reviewing is Unbreakable.  This movie is a superhero film but not an action film. It’s not a Marvel movie full of action and fighting, but more of a psychological thriller, and because of that I enjoy this movie. Unbreakable was a really interesting movie to me, with multiple twists and turns along the way, I really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed the film for multiple reasons. As I do enjoy many classic superhero films, Unbreakable is very different and focus’ more on the story, not fighting. The main character, David Dunn, is very average. He is a middle aged man, with a kid in grade or middle school, he has a wife, a home in a suburban area, and goes to work. There is nothing very special about him. This relates somewhat to a comic book where an average man gets superpowers and being like a comic book but not having one-liners and big fights is a big part of the movie, which is something I find interesting and I enjoy.

There was not many things I disliked about the movie. One thing that I was a little disappointed on was the ending. The ending is sudden, abrupt, and a little unsatisfying. But on the other hand it’s not a classic superhero movie with explosions and fight scenes so I didn’t necessarily not like it. Another thing is that the movie can be a bit slow at times. Again this is on purpose but I’m trying to find things I don’t like so I’m nit-picking.

According to Colby Bryant on Rotten Tomatoes: “(It won't) appeal to all... (but) for those interested in understanding the psychology of what makes heroes and villains tick, there are few films I could recommend higher.”

In conclusion, the movie would get 4 out of 5 stars from me. I truly love this movie. I would not however, recommend this movie to everyone. Many people do like the movie and enjoy it but many also find it boring and uninteresting, which is understandable. Some of my friends would enjoy Unbreakable but many of my friends would find it slow and dull. So even though to me it is a great movie it’s not a great movie to everyone.

-Christopher Badowski

Sources cited:

Bryant, Colby R. “Review – Unbreakable (2000).” Colbybryant.com, 18 Jan. 2019, colbybryant.com/2019/01/16/review-unbreakable-2000/.

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As an avid movie watcher, I trust myself to know a good a movie when I see one. Especially such an interesting crime movie as Pulp Fiction, by one of my favorite directors Quentin Tarantino.  Before watching it, I’ve only seen his 🤬 Bill movies, but after viewing I was determined to watch the rest of his film collection. New York Times back in 1996 described Pulp as “a triumphant, cleverly disorienting journey through a demimonde that springs entirely from Mr. Tarantino's ripe imagination, a landscape of danger, shock, hilarity and vibrant local color” (Janet Maslin, New York Times, 1996). The movie follows the lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster’s wife, and a pair of diner bandits as their fates intertwine in a series of violence and redemption through the seedy scenes of Los Angeles.The way the director connected all these different tales, that merged at the end of the movie through amazing cinematography, dialogue, and story-telling, I thought, was extraordinary.
The movie starts off with two gangster on a mission to fetch a suspicious briefcase for their boss. They storm the apartment at gunpoint and leave with the case in a series of blood and fright, and somehow remain alive after almost being blasted to bits, which one of the gangsters describes as “divine intervention.” The lead up to the interaction with casual and comedic conversation, and ending with violence and death really sets the scene for the rest of the movie. The director plays a lot with irony in this film, mostly off of the character’s nonchalant reactions to the horrible events taking place. From drug overdoses to violent shootings, the intriguing and well-balanced characters never skip a chance to make you laugh, and keep you enthralled in the story all the way to the end. Don’t get me wrong though, the main characters are horrible people, and by no means are roles models to any extent of the imagination.

I think my favorite part of the movie is the way Tarantino played with time and chronology. It’s in my opinion one of the ways the movie stays so interesting and gripping the whole 2 and a half hours. For example, the very first scene of the movie is completed at the very end. This makes an especially suspenseful build up to the ending in which all the stories intertwine in a marvelous work of chronological trickery. This type of directing style really makes the viewer feel proud after tying the events up in their head after the movie, and is why I seriously love this film

In conclusion, I’d give Pulp Fiction 5/5 stars for its impressive dialogue and story-telling. It’s the perfect blend of comedy, violence and suspense all tied together with the shock-value of impossibly contrasting scenarios. This movie is for everyone who enjoys crime, thriller,and everything in between. A true masterpiece that I would describe as a “must-watch,” considering the amount of iconic and famous lines and scenes that have fabulously made their way into pop culture. The directing style and story elements are sure to leave the viewer with a different outlook as to what makes a good film a good film.

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The 2 hour movie that was a craze for months, but yet had the biggest crash in the end, Bird Box was good but was it great? This Netflix Original movie was top rated for the longest time, but after a couple of months people were more anxious to see more of the story behind it, and felt as if the movie seemed to fast. Rating at an average 3.5 stars with almost 5,000 reviews, Bird Box, had great acting and a great setting, but the story was like any other dystopian TV show like the 100 or the walking dead, leaving the movie at a sad 62% of which people liked it. “Unfortunately, Bird Box puts these performers through familiar paces, in roles of such tight typecasting that they seem like recurring characters in an extended TV series”…(Brody) Richard Brody was a top critic on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviews much like his. Not saying this is the only review the movie gets, there were plenty of good reviews on the movie. “The infamous Boogeyman... is always going to be far more terrifying when intangible and fleeting and in this endeavor, director Susanne Bier has ably succeeded.”(Butler) June Butler was the other half of Bird Box viewers, explaining how the director (Susanne Bier) had portrayed the antagonist so terrifying to most viewers, giving them the frighten they wanted.With demons, invisible to the viewers but just one glance at the demons makes you so depressed, it brings you to a point of suicide in seconds. But what can be more terrifying than a critic with fully charged laptop.

The actors in this movie were phenomenal, with Malorie (Sandra Bullock) the main character going through horrible and mysterious endeavors to get to a safe home that will protect her kids, Girl (Vivien Lyra Blair) and Boy (Julian Edwards). The story begins with Malorie taking a trip to the hospital for an ultrasound, after hearing of an epidemic of a multitude of mysterious suicides in Russia they did not believe this would make its way to the states. Malorie and Jessica(Sarah Paulson) are left to find shelter when Jessica takes in first hand what they are dealing with and she comes to a tragic end with a flipped car and a fast truck. Malorie is taken in with Tom (Trevante Rhodes) and Lucy (Rosa Salazar) to a home nearby, taken in by Greg (BD Wong), Douglas (John Malkovich). They lived with other survivors such as Charlie (Lil Rel Howery), Felix (Colson Baker or Machine Gun Kelly), Cheryl (Jacki Weaver), and couple that lasted 30 seconds(uncredited) the group lasts a night before getting a new pregnant visitor, Olympia (Danielle Macdonald). Which creates the problem, how are they gonna feed all of these mouths? They start to experiment on how to get past the demons, one experiment led to the death of Greg. Which leads them to the discovery that even through a camera the demons are effective. They start to figure out ways on how to get supplies, by using a car with GPS to get to a local food store. But led to the death of everyone’s favorite character Charlie. They soon discover that the demons do not have a suicidal effect on the mentally insane, instead they attack anyone wearing a blindfold, or anyone who hasn’t turned. Which makes the next visitor so much worse, Gary (Tom Hollander) who had supposedly escaped from these insane and made his way to the house. They let him in and let him stay which was a mistake, Gary killed everyone but Malorie, Tom, Boy and Girl. Girl was Olympias daughter, but Olympia met a terrible demise jumping out of a closed window. Tom and Malorie raise her as their own. For years they live scared, but semi-normal lives. They get word of a safe place up river from where they are, until marauders come in with guns, they try and make them take off their blindfolds, but Tom takes them all on saving Malorie and the kids, but taking his own life in the process. Was truly the saddest moment in the movie. Malorie takes the kids up river with many problems along the way, but in the end they make it, for a more serene ending to calm your heart after all of the events that just happened.“The film has definitely showcased its capability of being memorable through today's social media "meme-worthy" barrage. But it shouldn't go unnoticed how the aura of its ambiguity keeps Bird Box intimate and perilous throughout, especially with a strong and brilliant lead in Sandra Bullock. ⅘.” (Bernabe) This film was famed by many social media posts over Snapchat and Instagram.

Works cited: Brody, Richard, et al. “Bird Box (2018).” Safe Haven (2013) - Rotten Tomatoes, 2018, www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bird_box.

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Today, I’m going to be a reviewing a movie called “Avengers: Infinity War”. When I heard about this movie that was going to be released, I thought to myself “This is what we’ve been waiting for”.  It gave everyone that moment and excitement to everyone, but when people came out of that movie theater after watching “Avengers: Infinity War”. Boy were they shocked. I was shocked to because this is the type of movie that all of puzzles has been put in together and you look at what’s the outcome out of it. I liked “Avengers: Infinity War” because it was movie that was in put in a lot of work, everyone loves Marvel, who doesn’t like action movies with your friendly neighbor Spider-Man.

This movie it like the beginning of every put together at the sametime. Thanos is one of the biggest threat to their universe. He’s willing wipe the half of the universe. But he doesn’t have powers like other villains. When this movie wasn’t out yet there was something called “infinity Stones” and they would reference it in a scene where they'd talk about or give out hints about. Infinity stones were Thanos’s power and his goal to achieve. There would be 5 infinity stones throughout the Marvel Universe.

What I admired about the movie was the feeling of getting to see all of your favorite characters into one movie, and everyone was delighted. I liked that Marvel extended the time of the movie rather than other movies wanting to know more about the movie, making the movie feel longer. I liked that their movie had more action and team chemistry. I liked how the music gave us the tone or the mood that this is a movie that you’ll never forget. I liked how people didn’t look off the screen when the movie was playing. I mostly enjoyed people’s questions based on the movie, and conspiracy theories on the movie. What I disliked the movie that they left us with a cliffhanger and nobody likes cliffhangers furning the movies because people don’t want to wait for a movie that’s going to come next year. I disliked how the movie somewhat taken so long to get into the actions and the good part of the movie. I disliked how the characters interacted with each other during the movie. I disliked how the movie brainwashed our minds from everything. I dislike how were left with a big questions and explanations at the end of the movies. I dislike how the movie did us so dirty with the biggest plot twist of all movie history.

I would recommend this movie to a friend or anyone, and I would give this a 10 out of the 8 because the of the cliffhanger they gave us. People are going to have to see all of those characters movies to be able understand what’s going on in Infinity War. At Least you would have something to watch countless of hours and have something to do. In Author view  ““Infinity War” is big, blustery and brave…” (O'Sullivan)

Work cited: O'Sullivan, Michael. “'Avengers: Infinity War' Is Stunningly Dark. But It's Still Wildly Entertaining.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 24 Apr. 2018, www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/avengers-infinity-war-is-stunningly-dark-but-its-still-wildly-entertaining/2018/04/24/6de7aefc-4291-11e8-ad8f-27a8c409298b_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3c57e24b3621.

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I am reviewing the movie Rampage that was directed by Brad Peyton. The movie is really good and exiting, I was just so into the movie. It is a science fiction movie that I really enjoyed and it is suspenseful to watch. It was a bit dull at some moments where the character was interacting with the environment and when he was with George, but every movie has at least some parts like that. But despite those drawbacks, I honestly really enjoyed the movie and it wasn’t so boring in most of the movie and there were a lot of parts that were intense and exciting to watch.

One part I really liked in the movie was the part where it showed the animals going to the serum that landed on Earth and they all took it in and they all grew in size and it showed all the animals in a huge size and I was really excited to see what happened next and how George was planning on terminating the other giant predators. Honestly, I really don't think that there are any bad things about this movie, it is a very good movie.

Many critics agree with what I have to say on this movie but some disagree and say that this isn’t some of Dwayne Johnson’s best work and I will most definitely disagree with that, in fact, I believe that it is probably some of his best work. “Seeing the big guy grin and flex his muscles during action stunts, featuring spotty CGI, is probably enough for fans. But this one is definitely from the beloved star's bottom shelf.” - Peter Travers from The Rolling Stone.

In conclusion I would 100 percent rate this movie a 5/5 because it has such a good plot and story that I love this movie. I would definitely recommend it to a friend and really anyone who enjoys action movies, science fiction, or anything really. I feel like it has such a good plot and story that anyone who watches it will love it so I recommend it to everyone, even if it is outside your genre of movies.

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Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer is a science fiction novel about a global catastrophe involving the moon and how a family tries to overcome its side effects. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the book the first time I read it, considering it is not action packed nor dystopian. I wouldn’t describe it as “exciting”, but it kept me on edge as I constantly wondered what would become of the fictional family I grew to love.

Pfeffer knows how to trigger your emotions, from chaos to despair to hope. Extreme conditions and plot means that all your feelings are raised to their maximum level. As a reader, you will feel pure dread when food starts to run low, or anger when the family will fight about what’s best for whom, or joy when they find out that not all hope is lost.

Pfeffer also knows how to illustrate all the drama-- whether it’s the changing climate or the family feuds-- without romanticizing the situation. Everything is written to the point and as it truly is, which reflects that, in their world, you cannot make the deadly conditions anything less than they are. These factors create an exceptional story and experience you can’t forget.

I give Life As We Knew It four out of five stars and would recommend it to readers thirteen through eighteen. I would also recommend it to those who enjoy a more simplistic writing style than other YA novels. Teenreads states, “You will read it in one sitting, fighting back tears as you bite your nails.” (Teenreads.com).

Webber, Carlie. “Life As We Knew It.” Teenreads. 6 Feb. 2019. <https://www.teenreads.com/reviews/life-as-we-knew-it>

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Thor: Ragnarok tells the story of the Avenger and god of thunder, Thor and his travels across the galaxy in search of a way to stop his sister from starting Ragnarok, the war between the nine worlds. On his journey Thor and his brother Loki get lost on a planet called Sakaar. On Sakaar, Thor and Loki meet the Grandmaster. Thor is challenged to fight in the Grandmasters Championship. While on Sakaar Thor and Loki run into an old friend and make new allies along the way.

Thor: Ragnarok is one of the most successful marvel films so far. It reached 854 million USD in the box office and it landed an impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. With magnificent performances from actors Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, and Tessa Thompson Thor: Ragnarok was a hit. It brought to life a new side of Thor that has never been seen in the previous movies. Michael Ordona states , “The Marvel Cinematic Universe's most audacious entry so far, Thor's third stand-alone movie goes there with wild, bold choices -- and it succeeds, epically, on many levels.” (Common Sense Media). The entire dynamic of Ragnarok was a drastic change from the first two movies in the trilogy. Some say that before Thor: Ragnarok, Thor was the same played out character in every movie. Ragnarok not only gave Thor a new haircut but a refreshing, more comedic persona.

Most of the changes are credited to director, Taika Waititi, who is new the the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Waititi’s directing style is energetic and slightly unconventional. He gives a sense of lightheartedness while also finding time for the serious moments. As an extra feature Waititi added himself into the film as Korg, the alien leader of a small rebellion. Waititi’s signature touch makes Thor: Ragnarok a thrilling roller coaster of fantastic fun.

Not only was the acting and directing fantastic, but the CGI moments were quite stunning as well. From characters to scenery a good amount of Thor: Ragnarok required CGI to come to life. CGI is a complicated computer process that the artist of Thor: Ragnarok have successfully used to add stunning visuals to this cinematic masterpiece.

One of the many messages in Thor: Ragnarok is personal growth. Through the years Thor has faced trials and tribulations. He’s faced the loss of loved ones and he has faced trying battles. In Thor: Ragnarok the fight seems like something Thor might not be able to win. In this film Thor discovers his true identity and sheds his old preconceptions of himself to reveal an even more powerful god. Much like Thor, Loki faces his own dilemma of morality. He can either help his brother and his people or try to charm his way out of trouble for his own personal gain. As the god of mischief this is a challenging decision for Loki. In the movie Thor confronts Loki about his behavior, “See Loki, life is about... It's about growth, it's about change, but you seem to just want to stay the same. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you'll always be the god of mischief, but you could be more.”(Thor:Ragnarok). Thor:Ragnarok is a breathtaking film, and it deserves to be adored by the masses.

“Thor: Ragnarok.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt3501632/characters/nm1089991.

“Thor: Ragnarok (2017).” Fandango, Fandango, www.fandango.com/thor-ragnarok-2017-199155/movie-reviews.

Ordona, Michael. “Thor: Ragnarok - Movie Review.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 19 Oct. 2017, www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/thor-ragnarok.

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The movie, Train to Busan is an action packed zombie thriller. I normally dislike horror movies but after watching Train to Busan I found out that I actually really enjoyed it. If I would have to watch a movie all over again I would choose this one. It included everything I would want in a movie. The excitement, storyline and characters were very well developed that made the movie even more enjoyable.

To begin, one thing that I loved about the movie was the setting.  Compared to other horror films which take place in a city or abandoned structure, this movie was set on a speeding train. It was small and cramped which gave off a lot of tension to the audience. The setting played a very important role in the movie which was interesting to see how the characters would work around it. The director used great ideas of how to bring the whole set together. A critic writer writes, “Director Yeon Sang-oh makes smart use of the cramped quarters, and while it's true that his zombies' abilities tend to vary according to the requirements of the moment, it's easy to overlook amid the onslaught of action and emotion” (Lickona). Every aspect of the set were used creatively to fit in with the storyline that it shows just how much planning and effort was put into the creating of this movie.

Another reason on why I believe this was a great movie, were the characters. Just watching them on screen give off a lot of great energy. It is really important for the actors and actresses to have deep connections on set in order to portray a scene. It really pulled me in as if I were experiencing what was happening. The main character, Gong Yoo, especially made this movie something special. According to Benjamin Knox, “It is one of the best movies I've ever watched, and it will have you crying over the actor's ability to portray their characters correctly” (Knox). Each person portrayed different types of characters which was interesting to watch how they reacted to the scenario.

In conclusion, I would give Train to Busan a 5/5 stars. Numbers alone can’t express how great of a film it was. In my opinion I would highly recommend this to a friend. Even though the movie is spoken in a different language, it is something really worth watching with subtitles. I would recommend this to people who want to try something new and might even end up liking it.

“Train to Busan (Busanhaeng) (2016).” Safe Haven (2013) - Rotten Tomatoes, 6 Jan. 2017,

<www.rottentomatoes.com/m/train_to_busan>.

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The movie Escape Room is one of the worst horror movies that I have ever seen. I was excited before the movie started because I like horror and mystery. And although this movie had some of that, it was poorly executed. Needless to say, I strongly disliked it. In my opinion, it was very boring and the overall concept was stupid. All of the different scenes had basically the same idea and it felt kind of repetitive. And, I wasn’t the only one to feel this way. Anthony O’Conor on Rotten Tomatoes states, “...the biggest puzzle of Escape Room is why they didn't spend a little more developing such a promising idea.” The overall concept of the movie was that 6 people, Zoey, Ben Jason, Mike, Amanda, and Danny, were invited to an escape room that was supposedly the hardest one to escape in the whole world. They have to find clues and solve puzzles in order to escape the rooms before time runs out, or they die.

I was looking forward to seeing this movie with my family, but it was hard to watch because there were so many things I disliked about it. One of the main things that I did not like about this movie was that everytime they were trapped in a room, they had to complete almost the same challenges to get out. Also, you would get to know one of the characters and just as you start to like them, they die. For example, just as they started getting into Amanda’s life story, and she started bonding with Zoey, she was killed by the escape room. Since that happened near the beginning of the movie, it kind of set a weird tone for the rest of the movie. The last thing that kind of ruined the whole mood was near the end when it jumped to 6 months in the future. There were some things that were still left kind of unclear, but then it hinted at there being a second movie to tie up the loose ends.

Although this movie was pretty bad, there were still some aspects of it that I did enjoy. For one, all the characters had pretty enjoyable personalities. And two, I liked the conflict between some characters and the bond between some characters. For example, Ben was kind of the odd-man-out at the beginning of the movie because of his job and behavior, but by the end of the movie, he was really close with Zoey and he had improved his lifestyle. And, because all of the people were competing for survival, there were some fights and people battling each other. All of the characters went through kind of a personality change, that is if they weren’t killed off first.

To wrap up this review, I would say that I rate it 2 out of 5 stars. I would not recommend it to anyone unless they want to waste 2 hours of their life watching a cheesy “horror” movie. Even the ads for this movie were better than the movie itself.

O'Conor, Anthony. "Escape Room (2019)." Rotten Tomatoes, www.rottentomatoes.com/m/escape_room_2019.

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“The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, One of Us is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone is a suspect and everyone has something to hide” (McManus). One of Us is Lying, is a book written by a nominee for Goodreads Choice Awards Best Young Adult Fiction, Karen McManus. One of Us is Lying is a book about four students: Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper. While in detention they witness the death of another fellow student, Simon. Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper are all  blamed for the death of Simon. Throughout the book while they are trying to find out what happened to Simon many secrets are exposed. This is a phenomenal book with a suspenseful plot. Many people often wonder what makes a great book. According to Frank a great book is, “A good book is more than just a well-written story. A good book is a treasure trove of humanity so that no matter how often you open a page and start reading, there is still something new to be discovered. A good book is great literature” (Frank). If I could pick a book that fit this description it would definitely be One of Us is Lying.  This book was by far my favorite book I have ever read in my lifetime.  One of Us is Lying was a very exciting and drama filled book that made me never want to put it down.

Throughout the book, the point of view was always changing. During each chapter, the point of view changed numerous times. Sometimes it made it hard to keep up with what was going on, but most of the time it made the book more interesting and made me want to keep reading. It made me want to keep reading to see what each character experienced during each event. I really liked this aspect because it teaches you about different people’s reactions to situations and how an event impacts their lives differently. Another aspect of the book I liked was the exposition, unlike other books the exposition was interesting. When the exposition of a book is interesting it doesn’t make you so bored that you fall asleep while reading. The exposition was similar to a rising action in another book because it was filled with drama while introducing characters.

There was only one part of the book I didn’t like. I disliked the ending. I feel that the author could have left the book on a cliffhanger and made another book. Although cliffhangers are annoying and make you want to scream. I enjoyed this book so much I didn’t want it to end.

I would definitely rate One of Us is Lying 5 out of 5 stars. I would rate it this because the plot was interesting, realistic, and engaging. I would absolutely recommend this to all of my friends. I would specifically recommend this to anyone who likes drama and suspense books.

Frank. “What Makes a Book Worth Reading?” Books Make a Difference, 1 May 2018, booksmakeadifference.com/bookgood/.Frank.

McManus, Karen. "Excerpt from One of Us Is Lying." Penguin Random House Canada. 06 Feb. 2019 <https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/548793/one-of-us-is-lying-by-karen-m-mcmanus/9781524714680/excerpt>.

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You’ve truly never watched a high school romance movie if you haven’t come across, “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”. This movie portrays the idea of falling in love with someone who’d you least expect. Lara Jean, which is the main protagonist throughout the movie, falls in love with one of her middle school sweethearts, Peter, as they fake their relationship. The initial plan was to try and get Peter’s ex girlfriend, Gen, jealous so she could go back with him, but as time goes by, Peter and Lara Jean fall in love which each other. Of course, their relationship isn’t as easy as they thought it would be, because of everyone else's expectations. You see, Lara Jean was the complete opposite of Peter. She was quiet, shy, and antisocial, while Peter was athletic, popular, and social. This didn’t stop them though, as later they were known as the cutest couple at their school.

One thing I loved the most about this movie is that anyone can relate to it. There’s so many life lessons portrayed in the movie that if feels like they were specifically directed at you. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” does a nice job on giving the audience a visual representation of what relationships are really like in our generation. It gives us the idea of love being like a Cinderella story, full of happiness and despair. The director did a magnificent job on surprising the audience throughout the whole movie. It felt like going on a Easter egg hunt, every decision was full of surprises that led on to the next decision. The end of the movie has to be my favorite favorite part due to the fact that love is so unexpected, and can cause true happiness in someone. Without any doubt, this movie had tears pouring down my face.
Not only did this movie make me cry, it also left me impressed at how good the acting was. It made me feel as if the story took place at my high school. Out of all the romance movies I’ve watched, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is my absolute favorite. I would totally recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys unexpected love stories like I do. This movie truly receive 5 stars for portraying a love story that had everyone talking for weeks. I’d hope they’d make a second part to this movie because I’d want to see what Lara Jeans and Peters relationship is now as they’re truly in love with each other.

Works Cited:

"To All the Boys I've Loved Before." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2019.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3846674/plotsummary

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The Office is a great show that I totally recommend. I loved this show. At first somebody recommended it to me but I dont like how they described it and they didn't really get me hooked on it or excited about watching it. I honestly really do recommend it. Especially the second episode is my favorite and it was the first episode that I have watched about that show. It's about 16 paper mill workers in an office and just the daily experiences in their day with a hint of office romance. Michael is the boss of everyone and he is by far the funniest and he is what brings the show alive.

I really hated how most of the first season Pam was clueless that Jim was like in love with her and even though she has been proposed a long time ago and has not gotten married her fiance treated her very poorly. At the end of sixth season Michael decided to leave and everyone i have ever asked said the same thing, “The Office sucked once Michael left” and it was true. Michael was the heart of all the show he's what made it hilarious. I really liked how there was so much drama in the show and how everyone was always a little mean to each other but you can just tell that they all very much loved each other.

My rating of the show is 4 stars out of 5 simply because if they kept Michael in the show till the very end the show would've been much better. I didn't end up giving them a 3 because even with Michael gone the other actors were great and portrayed themselves as their characters amazing.

“this acclaimed sitcom is told through the lenses of a documentary film crew and filled with gossip, pranks, romance and general foolishness at Dunder-Mifflin Paper Co. in Scranton, Pennsylvania.”  “The Office.” The Office (2005) - Rotten Tomatoes, www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_office/.

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Mod Pizza is a restaurant that puts a unique and memorable twist to Artisan-style pizza. Ever since their Vernon Hills opening in 2016, locals have been flocking to this pizza joint to satisfy their cravings. With over 30+ toppings to choose from -- and an unwavering price -- Mod Pizza can appease anyone’s taste buds.

To begin, one thing I especially love about Mod Pizza is how macro-friendly the menu is. This is something that I really value in a restaurant because I want to know exactly what I am putting in my body. As a three sport athlete, maximizing my recovering to the best of my ability is very important to me. Because of this, I find that the transparency this restaurant has is truly impressive, for despite the diversity in their menu, they are able to take into account the calorie, protein, fat, and carb amount of all their dishes. My crossfit coach says, “Mod Pizza is a great restaurant to go to if you’re in the mood for pizza; they are very flexible with not only the size of the pizza, but the type of crust and toppings you put on it. This allows you to create a mouthwatering dish that pleases your palate, wallet, and macros” (Edson). One of my go-to favorites is the mini Dillon James pizza. Coming in at 370 calories, this pizza is covered with a traditional red sauce and is topped with fresh mozzarella and thinly sliced tomatoes. They also throw in a touch of asiago, basil, and garlic to really enhance the flavors. Although the combination sounded unappealing to me at first due to the lack of meat, I found that I really didn’t miss the taste of bacon or chicken in this pizza; rather, I relished in the whirlwind of flavors that this dish gave me. Just thinking about those juicy tomatoes is enough to make me start drooling!

Another reason why I believe that Mod Pizza stands apart from other pizza restaurants is how friendly and inviting their staff is. Even though the restaurant is usually packed to the brim by 7pm, the staff always does their utmost to make sure that you are feeling satisfied with not only your dish, but your overall experience with the restaurant. One way that they demonstrate this is by welcoming every single person with a big “Hello!” as they come in through the door, and by striking up a conversation as you order your dish. Though these conversations may be brief depending on how long the line is, you can always feel their sincerity towards you. This level of service is also continued when you sit down at your table, for the cleaning staff consistently takes great strides to ensure that your dining area is sparkling clean. It is because of their dedication that all of the customers can feel warmth and positive energy radiate from the restaurant right as they sit down to enjoy their meal.

Overall, I would give this restaurant 5 out of 5 stars for its high-quality service and food. I strongly believe that this is the perfect restaurant to go to when you’re hanging out with friends over the weekend, or if you’re looking to grab a quick bite to eat during your lunch break. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Mod Pizza will surely deliver!

Works Cited

Edson, Scott. “IIFYM.” 6 Week Challenge. 2018, Mundelein, Lake County Strength and Conditioning.

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We Were Liars by E. Lockhart focuses on a teenage girl named Cadence Sinclair. She spends every summer on a private island that her rich family owns. Two summers ago, she got into an accident on the island and she has no idea what happened. When she comes back to the island, she tries to figure out what happened to her, but she notices that her family members are acting very strange. I enjoyed this book because I liked the mystery in it and I thought the ending was very interesting.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was hearing the main character, Cadence, show her perspective. Another review stated, “Cadence narrates the novel, but she doesn't use the polite, restrained style that you'd expect from such an expensively educated aristocrat. The characters are not well-rounded or beautifully drawn; the descriptions are not lush or elegant. The prose is fractured, disordered, messy. This is the voice of a girl who has been broken and is trying to put the pieces back together” (Lacey). I agree with this statement  because Cadence explained in detail all of the problems and pains in her life, which was surprising considering her “perfect” family. Showing these things from her honest perspective has helped me connect to her and understand how she is feeling.

This paragraph contains big spoilers, so skip it if you haven’t read the book. I thought that the ending of this book was very interesting and surprising. I really liked that there is some debate over what the ending really is. Some readers believe that the ending is supernatural, while others believe the events in the book were in Cadence’s imagination I personally believe that it could be either one of these, or a little bit of both. One of the only things that I didn’t like about the book is the fact that the 4 main characters were called the “liars”. I felt like this was never really explained and didn’t make a ton of sense in the story.

In conclusion, I would rate this book 4.5 stars because I really liked the story line and I enjoyed the writing style. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend because I think it is a very interesting and engaging read.

Work cited:

Lacey, Josh. “We Were Liars by E Lockhart Review – Cunning, Clever and Absolutely Gripping.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 5 July 2014,    www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/05/we-were-liars-e-lockhart-review-cunning-clever-absolutely-gripping.

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  By combining an excellent job at rejuvenating a classic 1940’s era restaurant and delicious food, Wildfire in Lincolnshire was able to land a spot of one of my favorite restaurants. But, this restaurant had to struggle before it could be great, having to push forward to a successful career after an onslaught of poor meals during my first few visits.         The first few times I ate at Wildfire, I was quite disappointed. Firstly, much of the food we ordered was not cooked to our specified liking . For example, a steak ordered to a medium well, which had no trace of being barbequed, braised, or broiled besides a faint grey coating around the meat. Also, the applesauce I usually ordered was accompanied by pieces of plastic. In addition, MichelinReviewer on TripAdvisor states, “My opinion is if you want bad service and cold food at middle of the road prices, then come on in and sit down.” This quote sheds light on how Wildfire had some poor attributes that detriment its experience.	However, Wildfire began to excel as I got older, focusing on great service and food. The halibut I ordered the most recent time I’ve been there was cooked excellently, accompanied by a savory glaze and buttered asparagus. Topped off with thick and creamy potatoes. This meal did not need any assistance from the amazing servers who were routinely coming around the room. They excelled with small talk and asking if we needed anything. 	In conclusion, I would give this restaurant a 4 out of 5 stars, because of the poor service and food in the past and occasional mistakes, I would take 1 star. But, I would give this restaurant 4 stars for the exceptional experiences you can have now. I would recommend this to a friend because of the good service and food at this restaurant and the experiences and fun you can have while there.  Works CitedMichelin Reviewer. “Wildfire, Chicago - River North - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos.” TripAdvisor,                w        www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d427763-Reviews-Wildfire-Chicago_Illinois.html.

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  By combining an excellent job at rejuvenating a classic 1940’s era restaurant and delicious food, Wildfire in Lincolnshire was able to land a spot of one of my favorite restaurants. But, this restaurant had to struggle before it could be great, having to push forward to a successful career after an onslaught of poor meals during my first few visits.         The first few times I ate at Wildfire, I was quite disappointed. Firstly, much of the food we ordered was not cooked to our specified liking . For example, a steak ordered to a medium well, which had no trace of being barbequed, braised, or broiled besides a faint grey coating around the meat. Also, the applesauce I usually ordered was accompanied by pieces of plastic. In addition, MichelinReviewer on TripAdvisor states, “My opinion is if you want bad service and cold food at middle of the road prices, then come on in and sit down.” This quote sheds light on how Wildfire had some poor attributes that detriment its experience.	However, Wildfire began to excel as I got older, focusing on great service and food. The halibut I ordered the most recent time I’ve been there was cooked excellently, accompanied by a savory glaze and buttered asparagus. Topped off with thick and creamy potatoes. This meal did not need any assistance from the amazing servers who were routinely coming around the room. They excelled with small talk and asking if we needed anything. 	In conclusion, I would give this restaurant a 4 out of 5 stars, because of the poor service and food in the past and occasional mistakes, I would take 1 star. But, I would give this restaurant 4 stars for the exceptional experiences you can have now. I would recommend this to a friend because of the good service and food at this restaurant and the experiences and fun you can have while there.  Works CitedMichelin Reviewer. “Wildfire, Chicago - River North - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos.” TripAdvisor,                w        www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g35805-d427763-Reviews-Wildfire-Chicago_Illinois.html.

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Bianca Rico
https://flipgrid.com/d62db346

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The greatest combination of family fun, humor, and ingenuity is in none other movie than Ratatouille. The movie is about a rat named Remy who loves to cook. In a tragic crisis, he becomes separated from his beloved family and friends. Turning up in the great city of Paris, Remy finds refuge with a not so good cook named Linguini. Together, they revolutionize the great restaurant of Gusteau’s where Linguini is a garbage boy. I find no greater joy in life than putting Ratatouille into the DVD player on a Friday night and being transported to a new world. Every aspect of the movie was perfected just right. Movie reviewer Ian Nathan agrees, expressing “that buzzing in the fingers and lightness in the heart - is called joy.”

Something that makes movies as good as they are is the music that accompanies it. Michael Giacchino did an amazing job with making the soundtrack the icing on the cake. The way that the music matches the feeling of when the viewer sees Paris for the first time is impeccable. Giacchino passionately writes, “The core of the film is usually something very emotional and something that feels really real that you can relate to…” (Giacchino). When the composer himself is truly into the music, it creates a real masterpiece.

Not only is the music what makes Ratatouille special, but the story. Remy is the ideal relate able character that in a sense, is everyone watching. He has a goal, to be an amazing chef, and works at it and eventually becomes a chef known all over Paris. Every person has some version of a goal, but in real life it’s a lot harder to obtain. Remy provides that fun glimpse of hope for everyone to keep working towards their own life ambitions. While being a comedy and children's movie, it is a parallel of an adult’s hard working life.

I would rate Ratatouille a 5 star movie for all that its done to impact me. Ever since it came out in 2007 when I was three, it has been a family favorite and always the go-to movie for family movie night. I would want all my friends to experience the same joy and happiness I do when I watch Ratatouille, so I’d definitely recommend it. If you’re looking for a great watch on any type of night, pick Ratatouille.

Works Cited

“Michael Giacchino Quote.” A-Z Quotes, www.azquotes.com/quote/1281508.

Nathan, Ian. “Ratatouille.” Empire, Empire, 21 July 2016, www.empireonline.com/movies/ratatouille/review/.

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Hi, I’m going to review the movie “Spider man: Homecoming”.  My feelings on the movie are mostly positive and I feel it revived the Spider man series after the monstrosity of “Amazing Spider man 2”.  The plot is dramatic and there is enough amount of exposition for the movie.

There is a lot in the movie that I really like. One of these things is that they don’t use the intro where Uncle Ben dies. This is a really nice change after all of the times that they started with that. Another good thing is that the actor that plays Spider man is good at playing Spider man and is very convincing. The call backs to Captain America: Civil War are good to, because it is shown as Peter vlogging the entire past movie he was in. The plot is good too because it shows how he grows up through the movie and knows what a hero is all about. According to Owen Gleiberman, “We've never seen a character as mythical as Spider-Man portrayed in such a user-friendly, sanded-down, After School Special way.

There are somethings that I didn’t really like about the movie, although it is very limited. There is a love side story, but not with MJ. The love story is with a girl named Liz who at the end doesn’t like him and it hints that MJ likes Peter. I don’t like the motive of the villain as well. He turns bad because he lost a contract and his job.

Overall I give this movie a 95% out of 100% because it was a good reboot that had its own style of opening and I like a lot of the plot points. I would recommend my friends and anyone that likes Spider Man to watch this movie before the new one comes out called Spider Man: Away From Home.

Work Cited

Gleiberman, Owen. “Film Review: 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'.” Variety, Variety, 29 June 2017, variety.com/2017/film/reviews/spider-man-homecoming-review-tom-holland-1202481638/.

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Giorgi Bazgadze
https://flipgrid.com/15c2e18e

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Popeyes Review

Kelly Ning

Popeyes, according to Thrillist.com and HuffPost, is the best fried chicken joint in the US. I strongly agree. I believe that the fried chicken at Popeyes trumps all others. The chicken’s always plump, never like jerky *Cough* KFC *Cough*, and gives the most satisfying crunch. It’s rich with cajun seasonings and affordable. A two piece combo meal comes with a regular side of your choice, a warm buttery biscuit, and a 22 oz drink for less than $8.
Popeyes like any restaurant has positives as well as negatives. The positive points of the restaurant are the uniform menu and layout of their establishments. No matter where you travel throughout the US the chicken is still the flaky crust with savory tender chicken inside. The same sides, coleslaw, smooth mash potatoes with velvety cajun gravy, familiar green beans with turkey bacon bits, and creamy golden cheddar mac and cheese. With its warm and welcoming red and orange of the brand colors, its presented in a southern style interior to match the hearth of the food.
There are a couple of negatives to this, I know it may be an upsetting thought. As a fast food restaurant, it is possible to serve negatives. It is not the stereotypical first date location, nor is it unique. As a fast food restaurant, it’s not the brought to table kind of service a normal sit down joint accomplishes. You bring the food to the table to your loved ones. Also, as a fast food restaurant, it’s definitely not the only one, striping some of the special romantic aspects. However, of course, you are free to choose where to dine with your date.
If I were to rate the Popeyes restaurant, I would rate it a 4.9999 out of 5 stars. I would definitely recommend this to a friend, as well as take them there myself. With its affordable price, I can enjoy a heart to hearts meal with my friends and not worry about the cost. From Business Insider, “Popeyes takes the crown in this comparison (to KFC); the chicken is juicier and crispier, and the sides generally taste authentic and satisfying” (Johnson).

Works Cited:
Lynch, Matt, and Andy Kryza. “11 Chicken Chains That Could Be the Next Chick-Fil-A.” Thrillist, Thrillist, 13 Nov. 2018, www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-fried-chicken-restaurant-chains.
Breslouer, Lee. “This Is America's Best Fast Food Fried Chicken.” HuffPost, HuffPost, 6 July 2018, www.huffpost.com/entry/best-fast-food-fried-chicken_n_5b328c43e4b0cb56051ccaab.
Johnson, Hollis. “We Tried KFC and Its Biggest Fried-Chicken Competitor - and the Winner Is Clear.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 18 Dec. 2015, www.businessinsider.com/kfc-versus-popeyes-chicken-review-2015-12.

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As the last installment of the intense cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical series The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson knocks it out of Middle-Earth with The Return of the King. It is impossible to put the extent of this film’s epicness into any word in the English language - perhaps there’s a word in Elvish? - but I will try. The electrifying action, paired with Howard Shore’s passionate and emotional soundtrack, makes for a movie no other picture has, or will, overshadow.

Viggo Mortenson plays Aragorn - the protagonist, and hero, of the last film - with fervent potency and feeling. Aragorn’s inner king, along with his love for his friends and need to protect them, is on full display throughout the entire movie. In the multiple powerful battles shown, he leads armies that no one thought would win and fights with ardor and fire, both literally and metaphorically. In my opinion, the most extraordinary scene was when Aragorn,   by Gimli and Legolas, enters the City of the Dead, and when told by the King of the Dead that the dead do not suffer the living to pass, Aragorn affirms, with all his might, “You will suffer me!”

One aspect of the movie that I cannot appreciate enough is the music. Minas Tirith, Minas Morgul, and Into The West are all so beautifully constructed, with strong low brass and elegant woodwinds, paired with rumbling percussion and serenading vocals that puncture you straight in the heart. The music adds to the emotion of a scene, whether it be the French horns resounding as Anduril is reforged, or the trumpets playing out as horses with heroes on their backs fly across plains to battle. Doug Adams remarks, “The Fellowship theme, after forming then breaking, must draw itself to a newfound level of heroic focus as the Company reaches Mount Doom. The Elves’ themes must bestow their final melodic gifts upon Middle-earth before receding into the West. Isengard’s metallic fury must meet its wrenching demise, but not before scraps of its rhythmic and melodic gestures migrate to Sauron’s domain and join with Mordor’s twisted themes, which are consolidating into their own terrible apotheosis...Each character theme, each cultural style, every motif associated with the precepts of Tolkien’s work must reach the destination set before it in the previous two scores” (Adams, www.howardshore.com). Not only did Shore reach that destination, but he surpassed it.

Considering the dynamic characters and epic music, I rate it a 300 out of a possible ten. I have and will continue to recommend it to friends, and hope that they actually watch it and become a fan themselves.

Works Cited

Adams, Doug. “Howardshore.com » The Return of the King – Live to Projection.” Howardshore.com, 2017, www.howardshore.com/works/concerts/the-return-of-the-king-live-to-projection/.

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Kristen Moyer

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By Lance Evans

We all know that pixar has released some of the best animated movies out there like The Incredibles and A Bug’s Life, but none are as good as the instant classic of Monsters Inc. This movie is about two monsters, Sully, the best scarer out there, and Mike, his best friend and scare technician. In order to power their cities, the monsters have to go into the human world and scare children to collect scream energy, their only source of power. And when a child, whom monsters think are toxic, from the human world enters into the monster world and causes all sorts of mischief. I recommend you watch this film if you want an adventure full of drama and comedy.

With John Goodman, the voice of Sully, you know you're getting quality voice acting and just quality acting in general. His other roles are proof of this such as his role in 10 Cloverfield Lane(2016) and Argo(2012). He has been nominated for five golden globes and won one as well, nine primetime emmys and won one of those as well, and a myriad of other nominations and awards for his acting. His character, Sully, is the best scarer in the business and is really scary according to their society's norms, but is still a big old softie.

As well as having Steve Buscemi, Randall(the main villain) you know that you're gonna get a lot of laughs with his unique voice and methods of acting. He has acted in great films such as Fargo(1996) and Reservoir dogs(1992). Buscemi has been a nominee for a golden globe three times and won one, and nominated for six primetime emmys and won one as well, and a large amount of other nominations and awards for his acting. His character Randall is the second best scarer and is tired of feeling second best and uses his power and vindictive nature to stir up trouble.

With such a great cast of actors and crew members, as well as animation that was incredibly advanced for its time, “The Pixar crew has lovingly refashioned the R-rated fraternity comedy into a G-rated adventure that kindergarteners, frat brothers, and tired parents can all enjoy equally and without reservation”(Chen). This movie can be enjoyed by all without any reparations for what happens.

Citations

Chen, Sandie Angulo. “Monsters University - Movie Review.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 18 June 2013, www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/monsters-university