Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a 2011 American science fiction drama film directed by Rupert Wyatt, starring James Franco and Andy Serkis. It is 20^th Century Fox’s reboot of the Planet of the Apes- the original series of five films (1968-1973), intended to act as an original story for a new series of films.

The film stars and tells the story of an ape rebellion on Earth, led by a genetically-altered chimpanzee named Caesar. The difference between the original Planet of Apes and this new release fiction movie is the major advance of technology. No more guys squeezed into monkey suits and talking in strange accents...thanks to computer technology that can now achieve to bring the apes to life. The combination of entirely digital chimpanzees and Academy Award nominated actors deliver a smart and entertaining movie, which in January 2012 was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

The film follows Will Rodman, scientist at biotechnology company Gen-Sys who is working on a chemical compound designed to cure Alzheimer’s’ Disease, which happens to afflict his father (John Lithgow). Through chimp test Rodman discovers that his developed ALZ 112 compound not only rebuilds damaged brain tissue, but significantly increases intelligence. The drug, a modified virus, mutates the chimpanzees, giving them a human level of intelligence. After a lab accident, Rodman is forced to put-down all of his primate test subjects, and is left to rise a baby chimp, that he later names Caesar. Caesar-, who has genetically inherited super-intelligence from his mother, is raised in a house and is surrounded by humans, who treat him as one. As the chimpanzee grows, it becomes difficult for the chimp to make sense of his role in a human world, as well as withstand his animal impulses. After Caesar attacks and bites off the neighbor’s finger, authorities make Rodman to place him in a primate shelter where he is treated cruelly by the other ape and the chief guard. Eventually Caesar gains dominance over the apes, escapes the ape facility, returns to Rodman’ house and steals the canisters of ALZ 112. Chimpanzee then releases it throughout the cage area of the facility enhancing the intelligence of his fellow apes. The animals that were oppressed by humans and used as the laboratory rats for treatments, escape out of their cages and storm the city.

Rise of the planet of the apes would not be possible without the especially impressive effort of Weta Digital, who produced through motion capture, the remarkably life-like performances of apes. Overall, the movie is visually interesting and successfully depicts the actual rise of the apes. It is a sincere story that delivers one of the most life-like and honest digital characters ever constructed.

music album critique-II

Maroon 5 is an American pop-rock band from Los Angeles, California. Their third album “Hands All Over” was produced by veteran producer Robert John “Mutt” Langer and released in September 2010. The band’s lead vocalist is Adam Lavine, keyboardist - Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist-Mickey Madden and drummer-Ryan Dusick. Maroon 5 songs tend to be very guitar-heavy, often accompanied by synthesizer. The theme in all their songs is love, frequently -lost love.

Once again, Maroon 5 steadily stuck to their plan “to play it safe” and delivered exactly what their fans expected… and it was not the best choice. Even though people buy new released music albums because they like the band and music their favorite artists create, they still expect to hear something new and fresh; they hope for a growth for a band. Well, in this case, they got all same melodies and lyrics like in the previous albums. Not even a bit of experimentation was put into this new album. All the same lovey-dovey songs, and all the same repetitive melodies throughout the “Hand All Over” …that what makes it extremely boring.

The lyrics are the weakest part of the album…too sweet for all-boy band and too weepy. The lyrics are all the same in every song. No originality at all. All the songs are about love, make-ups, break-ups…and there is nothing bad about it, every artist writes about love, but others are able to pull it off by being creative and original, and Maroon 5 just did not get it right at all. Lead ingle “Misery”, as well as songs “Give a Little More” and “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” did not live up to the hype that surrounded Maroon 5’s return and did not show any artistic growth. There isn’t a lot of good material that can stand up as the highlights of the band. Songs are monotonous and similar in context. They all blend together and it is hard to distinguish one from another. In the song “Don’t Know Much About That” Adam Lavine sings “I don’t know nothing ‘bout that…in fact I don’t know nothing at all…yeah I’m tired of proving you right…by doing everything so wrong (so wrong)…tell me what you really want (you want)…because I don’t want to be…I don’t want to be alone”. Oh please. So straight forward, so cheesy. The bands pop-soul ballads remind me of pop-singer Justin Timberlake and his “Cry Me a River” type of songs. As far as the leading singers’ vocal abilities- nothing impressive. Adam Lavine voice is annoying and sounds like whining. Very disappointing music album.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, better known as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter who released her second music album, 21 (representing her age) in early 2011. Her new released record became a phenomenon all over the world, and gained her well deserved respect in the music industry. She received six Grammy Award nominations for the 54^th Annual Grammy Awards and was named the artist of the year by Billboard.

 Album 21 is of the soul genre, with lyrics describing relationships and heartbreak. It seems that her first and second album song writing comes out of moments of depression and distress regarding her former boyfriend that she loved dearly. It seems that Adele just sang her heart right out to the world to get rid of the pain…

The lyrics are very emotional and sincere, but well written for such a young artist. Every element of the album works to tell the story.

Adele is very unique and original singer with a breathtaking deep voice that is categorized a contralto. In the singles (my personal favorites) “Rolling in the Deep” and “Set Fire to the Rain” –guitar, bass drums and backing-vocals compliment Adele’s voice making the songs powerful and balanced.  Musical instruments are not the main focus though...it only accentuates her amazing vocal skills.