Guitar Hero: Metallica, By Activision

Guitar Hero 

By: Activism Inc.

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Publish Date: Mar 29, 2009 

Classification: Video Game

Platform: Nintendo Wii, 

Works with both World Tour & traditional guitar

ASIN: B001PKHRVY

ESRB Rating: Teen

Series Titles: (For Wii) 

Guitar Hero III-Legends of Rock, 

Guitar Hero World Tour

Guitar Hero Aerosmith

Reader's Annotation: Guitar Hero fans who enjoyed Legends of Rock will love rocking out to Guitar Hero: Metallica. Guest acts will appeal to heavy metal, punk, and hard alternative music lovers. Guaranteed to have you playing Air Button at school!

Summary:  A new Guitar Hero is out and its designed for those of you who want to ROCK, button, button, button style. Guitar Hero fans who were frustrated with World Tour and it's pop rock licks can breathe a lot easier now. With the best songs from Metallica (old & new alike), Guitar Hero: Metallica offers Motorhead, Slayer, and many many more. The bulk of songs are Metallica and it you thought you weren't a fan, this game will may just change your mind!

Notes: Would not suggest this Guitar Hero for Younger Teens due to the sophisticated nature & suggestions of the songs by featured artists. Parental discretion is advised. The rating is Teen although, no official parental advisory is issued.

Stars: 5 

Awards: N/A

Extras:  http://metallica.guitarhero.com/

The Golden Compass (FILM), Film By Chris Weitz, Book By: Philip Pullman

Director: Chris Weitz
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliot, & Dakota Blue Richards
Film Company: New Line Cinema
Release Date: December 2007
Length: 113 min
Classification: Drama, Family Films (Book: Fiction)
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Age Level: Teen
Series Title: Movie based on the series "His Dark Materials" though no more films have been made yet to date.
Subjects: Religion, Alternate Universes,

Reader's Annotation: In a alternate reality, Lyra Belacqua go to the far North to help her friend & other kidnapped kids from hideous testings by a dark, deadly, & mysterious administration.

Synopsis: The Golden Compass is the movie version of the book by the same. The first installment in Phillip Pullman's His Dark Material Series. The story centralizes itself around Lyra. An orphaned young girl who lives at Oxford with her uncle (played by Daniel Craig). The plot is set into motion after an assassination attempt on her uncle and the overhearing of a dubious and dark mysterium called "The Dust." In Lyra's universe, the Magisterium (a religious group threatening to take over her world), she is lurred to the North with Mrs. Coulter (played by a scarily goddess-like Nicole Kidman) with the golden compass in her possession. Children are missing, one of which is Lyra's friend. The golden compass (or alethiometer), is said to tell the truth of things. Can it help Lyra figure out how to save disappearing children and solve the mystery of "the dust"? In a world of animal souls and shape shifters, Weitz translate this adventure into a special effects triumph.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy this film (but love the series). Fans who don't usually watch fantasy films may enjoy this regardless. This is a series that has a little bit of something for everyone and the movie delivers a faithful (however faithful any two hour movie could be to any book). I had a hard time with the film so I can not enthusiastically endorse it however I am not fully slamming it either. Fans of the book will be the most disappointed audience.

Notes: There is no nudity or bad language in this film. Parents should be more aware of violence and philosophical and religious provocations (in case religion is an issue). Personally, I didn't find it overly provocative, however I have gotten this feedback from religiously conservation parents and thought it appropriate to mention.

Other Notables of Interest: Director Chris Weitz is currently directing the teen film "New Moon" sequel to the immensely popular Twilight film. It is based on the book(s) by Stephenie Meyer.

Extras: Official New Line Movie Site
Book Series Link: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pullman/
Video Game (10 & up) for PSP, Wii, PS2, Xbox 360, & PC Computer, Check it out Here: Trailer

Rhetoric on religious backfire (Note: This does not reflect the view of Courtney in either direction.)