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Ever since I discovered You Tube, I have probably watched more video clips every month than I had previously in my entire life. There are just too many good movie clips to see out there, even if you miss all of the so-so ones. Sometimes, it is hard to stop once you get going. I’ve passed whole evenings by staring at the computer, watching flick after flick.

It’s amazing how much the Internet has really improved video art. Nowadays, anyone can get their movie clips seen by big group of people. It’s not really guaranteed ” sometimes a pretty clever movie can languish there on the Internet on the edge of obscurity for months before even a single person watches it ” but eventually, if you keep your stuff out there, someone is going to see it.

As a matter of fact, there are some people who spend their spare time just combing through the outer reaches of the Internet looking for clip movies. It holds such cachet to be one of the first people to discover something that these folks make it a hobby of sorts. It may seem weird, but thanks to them a lot of otherwise unknown talent actually gets heard and seen.

Watching movie clips is also a great way to tell if you want to see a movie. I’ve never really found a movie reviewer that I can trust all the time. It used to be kind of a crapshoot when I was thinking about going to the movie theater. After reading a movie review I would try to decide whether this was a guy whose opinion I could relate to. If I came up with a yes answer, I would go see the flick and hope for the best.

Nowadays, I will just watch movie clips until I can make up my mind. Usually, there are a few different trailers that you can watch of any given movie. There also are sometimes actors interviews, leaked scenes, and specials about a movie. Usually it doesn’t amount to that much, but it is pretty much always enough to make a decision. After all, watching a movie isn’t a big risk. All you really need to know from a movie clip is that you are more likely than not to enjoy the flick you see. So far, I’ve only seen a few movies that disappointed me in spite of having good clips to show.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Charlie Reese
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A man of many talents, rap singer and actor Mike Jones was born in Aldine, Texas in 1981, and is based in Houston. Mike Jones music was the first of his talents to emerge, bringing him a loyal group of fans. His recording career began in 2002 when he released an album called Country Thuggin’, as part of a group named Souf Folk. That was his only record with them and he branched out on his solo career.

Jones was signed to the record label, Swishahouse and Mike Jones music was heard again in 2005, with the release of his album, titled Who Is Mike Jones? This contained the well known singles, Back Then and Still Tippin’. The album sold platinum, reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200. There is also a limited edition available with a bonus CD. In 2007, the EP, The American Dream came out.

This was also a straight to DVD movie biopic in which Jones starred as himself and co-wrote the screenplay. The movie featured both his grandmother and his girlfriend. The music for the film contained the hits, Back Then and Still Tippin’. Guests on the record included Snoop Dogg, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, and Bun B.

Another solo album was released in July 2008. Called The Voice of the Streets, the first single to come from it was titled Drop & Gimme 50 and it featured Hurricane Chris. After being on the Swishahouse label, the rapper put out his Mike Jones music on his own label, named Ice Age Entertainment. He then returned to Swishahouse but only to use that label to distribute his own Ice Age Entertainment. As well as owning his own record label, Jones owns a nightclub. A version of his song, Don’t Play Around, has been taken up as the official team anthem for the Houston Dynamo major league soccer team. This version is known as Houston Dynamo (Don’t Play).

Like many rap artists before him, Jones has branched out into an acting career. He has had acting roles in The Game and in two episodes of Prison Break. In Prison Break, he played an outside accomplice who plans a break out. In lighter mood, The Game is a comedy drama TV show. He has also featured in the adult animated show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Mike Jones music and acting roles will continue to please the fans and his career looks secure.

Tags: Music by Charlie Reese
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The popularity of Dancing with the Stars is kind of amazing when you think about it. Its success was not built on the women watching this show, it was their ability to get football and other sports stars involved so the men would watch. It got even the beefiest of athletes wondering where they could find some learn how to dance video so they could take their shot at this.

The more you check it out, the more you not only realize that it is something you might enjoy yourself, you realize how much of a great form of exercise it is. Remember how much weight Warren Sapp lost when he was on there? He went from being a defensive lineman to a fit defensive end in just a few months.

You could not be more wrong! If you have any rhythm and coordination, ballroom dancing can be something that you can get the hang of fairly quickly. You will also be amazed at how many people are having the same thoughts as you. Hey, if Warren Sapp can do it, anyone can!

If you are still a little apprehensive about going out in public to get lessons or not sure that you will actually enjoy it, you may want to think about a learn how to dance video. You can either buy them or get them directly from the internet and practice in your own home. Will this be as good as getting proper instruction, no, but it will give you basic feel for the steps and who knows, you may just be a natural.

Some people are a little hesitant to use the learn to dance videos because they question the quality of what they will see. Get that concern out of your head right away because you can literally choose from dozens of sites for your downloads. Every day people and dance studios of the highest quality have this information out there for you to check out.

When you are first starting out, you should try and learn the basic steps and be able to pull them all of individually before attempting to learn an actual dance. You are going to find that once you have these down, you can pretty much do any type of ballroom dance out there. Each type of step has its own characteristics and when you find a couple of them that you are particularly good at, you can try dances out that mostly feature them until you can get the others down.

Something you may want to consider when you are getting started is the popularity of swing dancing. It came back into fashion about a dozen or so years ago and you still see it out on dance floors in one form or another just about anywhere you go. The beauty of swing dancing is that it is pretty flexible and you can do it with a variety of different music. All you need to do is learn the triple step and rock step and you will be out there dazzling the room with swing dancing and be the envy of everyone.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Doug Taylor
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So you would like to learn the way to play jazz on the piano. This is truly fun and exciting music to play, and there are courses available that may get you playing jazz in no time at all.

Take a look at this article to find out why you need a course that includes jazz as part of its course outline, and why regular piano lessons are not good enough.

Jazz is so interesting because when you play it the tunes will sound different each time based totally on your mood or the mood of the onlookers you are performing it to. Your performance of jazz will be immediately influenced by your mood when you are playing.

If you get along with some folks you\’ll find that jazz takes on a life of its own, and the mood of every individual performer will help decide how a selected piece is performed. With jazz you are given more liberty to improvise and create.

You\’re able to switch the harmonies, the timing and the tunes according to your own private style and capabilities. There\’s lots of creativity concerned when you play jazz, but the smartest thing about it is you can change the tone each time you play the same song. To play jazz correctly you\’ll need to have a basic knowledge of the piano and reading music.

It\’s all about Improvisation. With jazz you are given more freedom to improvise and create. You are able to change the harmonies, the timing and the melodies according to your own personal style and abilities. There is a lot of creativity involved when you play jazz, but the best thing about it is you can change the tone every time you play the same song.

There are courses available that may indoctrinate you on everything you want to know to become an incredible jazz player. Jazz piano lessons can be discovered online at really reasonable prices. Finding a teacher at a music faculty will be intensely dear, and it\’s not easy to find one that will teach jazz correctly.

Your best shot is to log on and find a great course so you can play the jazz you have always wished to play.

Tags: Music by Bryan Smith
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When driving through the bustling city of Auburn, you might suddenly be surprised to see modern-day colossus doing a bit of posing and some sunbathing.

No, they’re not real. They’re statues, a whole lot of them. Most just a few feet higher than your average person, but the tallest one being 40-something feet. Welcome to the Great Statues of Auburn, California.

Their father and creator, Ken Fox, says that the lot of them, a good number, are well over 40 years old right now. They didn’t start out good with the city however, and was considered for blacklisting. But with time comes understanding, and now, most of the statues are city favorites, with one particular commissioned and paid by the people of Auburn.

There are a lot more of these statues, but most are kept near his dentistry office and his home. The reason? Most of them barely (and for some, absolutely none) have any clothes on. Men, women; both. His favorite by far ‘Freedom of Prayer’, a woman with hands stretched out in reverent prayer is kept near his office. And the fact that the clothelessness might have people do something outrageous with it.

The statues are guaranteed through wear and tear, he claims. They’re made of pure, hard, solid concrete, a fact that he is proud of. While other statues will disappear in time, as long as his statues are cared for, and well-protected; it could last for a few more hundred years.

The most impressive I’ve seen would probably be the Person with the Bow, a woman (or a man, the androginity somewhat kills it) pointing a bow to a faraway (and unseen) target. The form is lazy, yet there is the gentle strength tugging the taut wire of the bow. Face in concentration as if to shoot down the invisible foe, arrow frozen in time, no one knows when it will let go and fire. Most folks argue it is a woman, but unless flat is in, I remain unconvinced. I tried peeking underneath the loincloth, but we know how that action is futile when done with statues.

Perhaps I shall solve this mystery another day and another time, as I continue ogling the statues in wonder.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Ian Kleine
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Sports, weather, stock market info and news, can be accessed through various means of media, if you are ambitious enough to find the sources of this information, but what if you could access them all right from where you sit; in front of the television set. The Samsung LN40A650 LCD HDTV can give you the one-stop-shop experience right from where you do your best channel surfing through the use of the new InfoLink RSS service when connected with and Ethernet cable. What’s the Trick? The secret is the easy to navigate digital contents management guide, giving you the access to both internal and external content.

The Samsung series 6&7 LCD HDTV’s are becoming the future of the home entertainment hub. Employing technologies unique to Samsung, they provide a 4m response time and take the connectivity and networking capabilities to a whole new level. Also providing rich picture quality for the new ability to enjoy external sources such as MPEG and JPEG files through the side mounted USB port. The series 7 makes the multimedia experience worthwhile allowing users to also connect their MP3 players and take advantage of the updated woofer provided.

When you combine an anti-glare shield to the natural black panel of the Samsungs LN40A650, you blow away the traditional light diffusing plastic that is commonly used by other LCD panels. Let’s face it; you deserve the bright, vibrant color that the Samsungs LN40A650 can offer when it naturally reduces unwanted and most distracting light reflections.

The whitest whites and the blackest blacks are made possible when you utilize the Dynamic Contrast Ratio option. Contrast and Brightness are by far the two most crucial components for picture quality, and this TV has left the competition behind! In short Samsungs LN40A650 40 inch produces rich quality pictures with live vibrant color!

Taking 60Hz and making it 120Hz, without repeating frames, can be pretty daunting task unless you have the Samsung LN40A650. This intelligent TV calculates and inserts the “middle” frame to lessen the blurriness which is common in action sequences in films. Many HDTV’s today can’t handle the jump from frame 1 to frame 2 without a slight blur; but when you have the Auto Motion Plus 120HZ processor like the Samsung LN40A650, it places a halfway frame between 1 & 2 creating a crystal clear picture. Fluidity between frames gives you a viewing experience that is smooth, and uninterrupted, and will change the way you look at HDTV.

Deeper more vibrant blacks and intensely live color is the result in the revolutionary Super Clear Panel Technology that can be found in the Samsung LN40A650. HD signals from enhanced films optimize off-centered viewing and reduce the glare that it can cause.

The Touch of Color adds a stylish touch to your home’s decor without being a nuisance to your viewing experience whether your Samsung’s LN40A650 is on or off.

Is the Samsung LN40A650 a recomended item for purchasing? That depends on whether or not you truly value the quality of entertainment electronics. If you love clear picture, quality sound, and easy access to the lastest information, I would say YES this TV is for you! See below for more infomation about this wonderful device!

Product Details for the Samsung LN40A650

Product Features

1. Red Touch of Color

2. Full HD 1080p Resolution

3. 120Hz Auto Motion Plus

4. HDMI Inputs 4

5. Super Clear Panel

Samsung LN40A650 Technical Details

1. Brand Name: Samsung

2. Model Name: LN-40A650

3. Display Technology: TFT active matrix

4. Display Size: 40

5. Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9

6. Yes it is hdtv compatible

7. 2 speakers

8. Height: 27.5 inches

9. Width: 39.3 inches

10. Depth: 11.8 inches

11. Weight: 44.5 pounds

12. Black Coloring

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Christopher dArgy
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Laptops are mobile versions of computers. Although they have smaller keyboards, they require less space. Generally, laptops are now upgradeable with the new technology and can be as capable as a desk top with its multi-media features. These handy computers, used by people of all fields, especially those on mobile, are more economical because they do not produce as much heat as desktop computers.

The laptop has become an essential instrument for people from all walks of life. It has endless functions – sometimes used as a toy (for online games), a storage of photos, a programmer for a car race, a venue for meeting new friends, or a way of reconnecting to people. A university professor uses it as his teaching aid, an architect designs his plans with it, and a writer treats it as his pen and paper.

There are WIFi systems in almost all schools, malls, cafes or bars. This allows laptop owners to go online easily, to do whatever business they want to do on the net. Most students today, have their own laptops, to meet the school’s demands on projects like thesis, term papers, etc.

Not everyone can afford a laptop. You can get one on sale , still, if you do not really have the cash, you fail to get one. But did you know that you can get it for free? There are websites online that give out free laptop. You just have to look with persistence if you want one for yourself.

Mobile phone companies have come up with ways to sell their phone plans. When registering for a phone plan, you get your free phone with a free laptop. These laptops have multi-media features and are compatible to all applications. And they’re not just any laptop – they are branded!

There are also some websites attracting browsers to sign up for membership, giving out a free laptop as bait. It is easy to detect if a website is to be trusted or not if it gives out its contact information. Some advertisements speak of how to get a free laptop, asking a few requirements for you to sign up for some handsome deals. Make sure though, that you read their instructions and understand their guidelines. Is the website credible? Are you in for as good deal? Have you been referred by people you know who have tried signing up for these websites? If you said yes to these questions, then there is no harm in signing up.

Broadband services offer a free laptop in exchange for your subscription. What you are supposed to pay for the laptop is charged thru your monthly bills. This is their way of gaining clients for their services. But of course, you need to pay them for their work! If you are fortunate enough, you can get a free laptop from charitable organizations. These groups are just there to give, without expecting anything in return. From clothes to housewares to furniture and to almost anything, they are willing to donate.

Whichever way you take – by subscribing to a broadband service or signing up for a phone line, you are sure to get your free laptop! You have just got to look in the right places.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Judd Shegaral
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PIGLET’S BIG MOVIE was one of the films produced at the DisneyToon Studios in Tokyo, Japan. DisneyToon once specialized in direct-to-video sequels and spin-offs and was headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Disney was forced to close the facility due to the rising cost of animation, unfortunately DisneyToon was one of the last Disney facilities to produce traditionally rendered, two-dimensional animation.

The flashback sequences featured prominently throughout PIGLET’S BIG MOVIE were the first adaptations of A.A. Milne’s original stories since the release of THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH. Although Piglet is recast as the hero of the flashback sequences, the stories are faithful to Milne’s originals. Indeed, though Piglet is often depicted as a rather frightened and timid creature, it is his resourcefulness that tends to move the plot forward.

The film begins with Pooh, Rabbit, Tigger and Eeyore trying to lure the bees from their beehive. The plan to liberate the honey backfires and though he was told his small size would be of no use, it is Piglet who redirects the bees and saves his friends from suffering from their stinging wrath. Of course, none of the others realize his heroism and Piglet sulks off into the One Hundred Acre Wood unnoticed.

When the friends realize Piglet is missing, they set on an adventure to find their lost friend, whom they believe was kidnapped by the bees. Armed with Piglet’s scrapbook, they set off to find their little friend. Unfortunately, Tigger loses the scrapbook in the river and the friends are forced follow the river to the waterfall. There they attempt to reach the scrapbook, which is perched precariously on a low hanging branch. Can they reach the scrapbook before it falls over the waterfall? Who will be brave enough to help?

The film failed to achieve the same box office success as THE TIGGER MOVIE. Nevertheless, it did well enough to be considered profitable. It remains a fan favorite and a very family friendly film. For anyone who has ever felt small, PIGLET’S BIG MOVIE is sure to inspire courage and laughter.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by James Gilbert Pynn
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I had always been the music buff. But it didn’t mean I wasn’t biased with what I wanted.

So I was really excited to hear a music festival was happening this week. The theme? Classics. My kind of music, and not the noise some other bands would make.

Arriving in the scene (alone, since no one shared much of my taste) I was greeted with the soft, soothing tones of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons being aired in the PA System spread throughout the grounds. Very appropriate being it was windy outside. There were quite a few people during the morning, but I bet my bottom dollar it would get crowded during the afternoon. Our town was known for it’s appetite for music.

There were a large number of booths, selling almost everything that had something to do with music. Piano sheets, musical instruments, antique records, portraits and busts (of the artists) and of course, CDs and DVDs. There was a listening station where I mostly hung out for the most part of the day. Not that they minded, I had great interest in listening.

Afternoon came and the Flower Duet was floating lazily in the air. The stage was being set for an early performance by a passing orchestra. I had immediately taken a front row seat for myself, and there were a few people who shared the same thought as me. They did not fail our expectations. They were awesome. Especially the performance of Canon in D. The only word I could think of: eargasm.

What I found fun was the open-air dance that night. The orchestra still did the numbers and me, not to be a party pooper, indulged one. Great timing, for Habanera immediately came up. We had fun, like the gypsies of old, whirling and dancing to the tunes of the music.

I had so much fun by the time I went home, I realize I hadn’t eaten ever since morning

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Ian Kleine
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It used to be that you had to go to the video store to get a movie. Instead of buying or renting the dvd, people now can choose a movie download instead. Let’s look at what you might find to watch using a movie download site.

Me, Myself and Irene: Normally mild mannered Rhode Island policeman Charlie Bailey is just a typical hard working cop. When he doesn’t take his medication, his alter ego Hank is let loose. Hank is a vulgar, rude, aggressive wild man. Irene, who has confided in Charlie for help, must deal with Hank too in this wacky comedy romance.

Speed: A devious terrorist has set a terrifying situation in motion. He has set a bomb on an L.A. city bus. The catch is that if the bus goes less than 50 mph, the bomb will go off. Can officer Jack Traven somehow save the passengers from their desperate situation?

Vantage Point: Shortly after arriving at the global warming summit, U.S. President Ashton is shot. In this unique perspective film, we replay the events from four different vantage points, as we try to figure out what actually happened. Stars Dennis Quaid, Sigourney Weaver, and Forrest Whitaker.

Born On The Fourth Of July: A true story that chronicles the life of Ron Kovic. A volunteer in the army, Ron does a tour in Vietnam, where he suffers injuries that leave him paralyzed. After his disturbing treatment by the government, and harrowing experiences in VA hospitals, Ron becomes an anti war activist. He feels completely betrayed by the country that he fought for.

National Treasure; Book Of Secrets: Ben Gates (Nicholas Cage) has just learned that a missing page of John Wilkes Booth’s diary has been found, and it implicates Ben’s grandfather in the murder of Abraham Lincoln. Desperate to prove his grandfathers innocence, he travels the globe following clues that he hope lead to the right conclusion. The trail eventually returns to the U.S. where the uncover one of the world’s most treasured secrets.

Bolt: This is an animated family adventure film about Bolt, a dog actor. On hjis TV series Bolt is and action super hero. When he is accidentally shipped to New York, he thinks his super powers will get him home. He teams up with, Mittens the cat, and Rhino the hamster, and tries to get back to Hollywood.

Ice Age: In this animation comedy we find ourselves viewing the blight of the animals as the ice age is descending upon them. An unlikely quartet of animals, Manny the wooly mammoth, Sid the sloth, Diego the saber toothed tiger, and Scrat the prehistoric squirrel, must find their way to warmer places before the ice age ends their lives. They battle the element, and devious attacks form other animals to try and survive the ice age.

Transformers: Earth has found itself right in the middle of an ancient interstellar confrontation between two races of super robots. It is the Autobots versus the evil Decepticons. Both robot types can transform themselves into virtually any mechanism they choose. So, their battle fought on Earth is a spectacular one indeed.

The Village: Set in the 19th century, people live in a seemingly wonderful little village, but there is a problem. There is a race of ‘creatures’ that lives surrounding the village. No one inside the village dares to go outside the city. One person, Lucious Hunt, has a strong urge to see what is out there. Eventually the world outside the village is exposed, and chaos ensues.

Everyone is used to using download sites for music. We are now seeing the same evolution in the world of movies. Movie downloads just might be the wave of the future.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Gretchen Kimpnell
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