Looking Back For Reflection

2012 is coming to an end and it's hard not to think how the year may have flown by for many. Like all years, events happen, things change and we move forward as the New Year rolls upon us.

Before the New Year begins, take a few moments to thank those and reflect on the good parts of the year. Ask yourself the following:

1) Who helped me out the most this year in terms of personal and professional growth?
2) What person has always supported me no matter what?
3) What events were fun and successful in part to a certain person?
4) Where was I a year ago in terms to my personal goals and where am I now?
5) What are all of the things I can be thankful for?

Take the time to list all of this out before the New Year begins. You might be surprised what you come up with in a positive way.

Soldier's Silent Night

A Soldier's Silent Night
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

Online Dating Tips

With more and more people getting busier these days, finding someone to date via online services has grown in popularity. Going to sites like Match.com or eHarmony has become a popular method for people of many different age groups to find people to date.

Online dating is a unique method for meeting people and there are two key concepts to keep in mind:

1) Online dating is not an exact science - based off personal experience and talking with others, online dating is definitely not an exact science and can take some trial and error. People who may not have luck on Match.com may have better luck on eHarmony or vice versa. A lot of it does take trail and error and seeing how to move forward from there.

2) You don't know the people you will come across on there - I understand this sounds obvious but keep in mind that you don't know the people on these sites from previous experience. It's not necessarily a blind date but keep in mind that the only information you know about the people you will find online is in the profiles they have created.

Below are some tips to help you get started in the online dating world:

1) E-mailing back and forth helps get to know someone but try and have a phone conversation prior to meeting - with e-mail, it is easy to get to know the person and feel there could be something there but try and have a phone conversation with the person prior to going on a date. While you may be able to e-mail the person back and forth and feel there will be a connection, you may find the total opposite when trying to talk to the person. Phone conversations could be a way to gauge how interested the other person is and whether or not you two can easily converse with each other on a date. You may have instances in which you may not be able to have any chemistry when meeting someone in person but having a phone call first could indicate that beforehand.

2) Determine how much you want to spend on first dates - when doing online dating, you will end up going out on a lot of first dates and depending on what you do, the amount of money spent can add up quickly. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to go cheap on a first date but keep in mind that if something doesn't work out or if the date doesn't go well, you could be spending a lot of money if you choose to meet at a restaurant or place that is expensive. Sometimes starting at by meeting for drinks or coffee could be a casual way to go especially if you are not sure how the date will pan out. I am not saying go cheap but keep in mind that things may not work out after a first date.

3) Be open minded - as mentioned earlier, you may not have chemistry with the person you are out on a date with. While you the two of you may be able to talk on the phone and e-mail back and forth, meeting someone face to face could result in a totally different experience. You may find that the other person behaves differently in person or that there isn't much of a connection there. There may also be instances out of your control that prohibit the relationship from moving forward as well. Remember to be open minded and take things slow if possible.

4) Be patient - dating online does have it's ups and downs and does take a lot of trial and error. It can be frustrating at times but learn from mistakes and bad dates and move forward. Bad dates will happen at times and take what you can from that and learn from that experience. There may be times in which you feel like you are not meeting anyone you want to move forward with in a relationship. Remember to be patient and learn from each and every experience.

Finding My Way Back Again

The pressbox at Stewart Field in Solon (home of Solon Comets football, soccer, track and lacrosse) felt like home to me during my high school years. I had spent so much time working a camera during broadcasts my freshman and sophomore years in high school and spent the remaining years as a play-by-play announcer in that pressbox for a lot of Solon Comets football games. I had seen so many games and had built up so many incredible memories from that pressbox in just four years.

The last football game I announced back in that stadium was 2003 and I wondered if I would ever call a game from that pressbox again. The far left hand side of the box is where I called home during those broadcasts and I always wondered if I would ever get an opportunity to call a game from there again after I graduated high school.

Several years went by and while I didn't return to the pressbox, I managed to find my ways to the sidelines as a photographer. Photography is a passion of mine and being able to take photos of the games brings joy and excitement to me. It is my way to stay in the game and follow a team I grew up watching.

One day before the 2012 season was to begin, I received a phone call I always wondered if I would get:

"Jeff, we need someone to help announce the Solon football game on Friday. Can you help out?"

Right in front of me, the opportunity to return to the pressbox was there. I took the job as quickly as I could and could not wait to return to the booth the following night.

After doing a pregame spot with my broadcast partner, Dan Henderson (who would do an awesome job doing play-by-play in the game), both of us headed back up to the left side of the pressbox that had been my home for Solon Comets games during my junior and senior years of high school. Some of the items I remembered had been rearranged but I couldn't help but smile when remembering the great times I had in that area of the pressbox.

I ended up doing color commentary for the broadcast and calling the game with Dan was a lot of fun. His enthusiasm came through during the broadcast and it was such a joy calling the game with him. I couldn't help but have fun analyzing the game with him and feeling happy to be calling a Solon football game again.

The game ended in a comeback win for Solon and seconds after we signed off, I took off my headset and told Dan he did a great job. He mentioned to me he learned a lot from me during the game and he appreciated the help I provided. I was glad he learned a lot from me during the broadcast and that I could help him out.

The following week, I was back on the sidelines and a few fans and friends mentioned to me that they thought I did a good job. I was happy to hear they tuned in and was grateful for the kind words.

When Interviewing, Preparation is Key

Interviewing for an internship or job opening can be a daunting and nerve-racking task. Meeting someone who can decide your future is something everyone of us has gone through and interviewing is a key part of the process to landing a job or internship. How you perform in the interview is important but so is the preparation.

Most hiring managers want candidates that can be well-prepared and willing to go the extra mile even if it is just in the interview stages. Those who take the time to show the hiring manager that he or she can prepare can always use that to stand out from other candidates. It shows commitment, dedication and a willingness to learn, which are all traits most hiring managers desire in candidates.

When speaking with most hiring managers, it is surprising how many stories each one has about candidates who simply do not prepare much for the interview. During my time in the broadcast industry, I came across several managers who interviewed internship candidates who knew nothing about the radio or television station he or she worked at. When talking with these hiring managers, I usually garnered at least one or two stories about someone who didn't know who the morning show hosts were, who was on the air during the afternoon or would mention people who were no longer affiliated with the station as on-air personalities. In all of these cases, this showed a lack of effort on the part of the person being interviewed.

Before going into an interview, make sure to ask yourself this question:

"What do I need to know about this company to prove to the hiring manager I can grow his or her business?"

By asking yourself this question, you should be able to come up with several areas for research. With the help of the Internet, it is easy to find out information about the company and in most cases, most of the information you need will be through the company web-site. By taking the time to do your homework, you will have the information needed to prove to the hiring manager you can grow his or her business and be the candidate that person will need for the position.

Dark Knight Rises Lives Up to Expectations

Christopher Nolan has established himself as one of Hollywood's premier directors. With several movies that have captured audiences, Nolan has proven he can tell complicated stories and keep the audience on the edge throughout an entire film.

Nolan's Dark Knight Rises proved he was able to create another fantastic film that can keep the audience on the edge in what is his third and final installment in the Batman franchise. Nolan became the second director to make three films based on the same superhero and completed what is a legendary trilogy.

Even if you have never seen the first two films, Dark Knight Rises can easily stand alone. The script does an incredible job at explaining key plot points from previous films and helps guide the story along. Those who haven't seen the previous two films in the trilogy will still be able to pick up the pieces and follow along.

Similar to the previous two films in the franchise, Nolan's cast is what makes the characters believable and the emotions come to life on screen. Christian Bale performs well as the Batman and Bruce Wayne while Gary Oldman picks up where he left off as Commissioner Gordon. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a great addition to the cast as Blake, a young Gotham city police officer and Marion Cottillard plays a believable and mysterious Miranda Tate, a businesswoman who tries to align business interests with Bruce Wayne's money.

The film's main villain, Bane, is brought to life by Tom Hardy, who was in Nolan's film Inception. Even though it is difficult to hear Bane's lines at times due to the mask he wears, Hardy brings a villain that was a sideshow act in Joel Schumaker's Batman and Robin to life as a terrorist and power hungry foe. Hardy, who gained 30 pounds for the role, looks frightening and is believable in the fight scenes with Batman.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the film is Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle. Even though the alter ego of Kyle's character, Catwoman, is never mentioned in the film, Hathaway almost steals the show. Nolan took criticism for picking Hathaway for the role but proves again he made the right choice. Hathaway adds evil to the character but also other dimensions as well. Hathaway and Bale have great chemistry on screen and makes several of the key scenes emotional.

Nolan was able to tell the story without blood and guts and while the film does have a lot of violent parts to it, it is there to help move the story. The audience never feels that the it is all action and no plot because the action scenes help tell key areas of the story. The script takes ideas from popular Batman storylines such as Knightfall, No Man's Land, and The Dark Knight Returns and all ideas fit well into the script.

Grade: A-

The Key To Finding An Escape Is To Have A Hobby You Are Passionate About

Getting though the work week can be rough and no matter what business or field you are in, there are long weeks. Starting on Monday and getting to Friday can feel very long and many of us always look forward to the drive home on Friday night to begin the weekend festivities.

Having a long week is not always easy to deal with and some may feel that sitting around the entire weekend can serve as an escape. This may be true in some cases but budgeting time for a hobby can give you something to look forward to. Hobbies provide us with an escape and enjoyment in our spare time.

On a personal level, a hobby of mine that serves as my escape is photography. I don't always get a chance to take pictures during the week so when I have time on the weekends, taking the camera out to get some shots is always a fun time. It gives me something to look forward to, some place to go and an opportunity to do something I love.

One of my favorite times to shoot pictures is in the fall during high school football season. Having been apart of high school football with local TV and radio crews growing up, being able to be on the sidelines with my camera is an escape for me. I always look forward to the end of the week because I know I will usually have a game to photograph and I can't wait to get on the sidelines. I enjoy being in the fresh air, watching the game and enjoying one of my favorite hobbies all at the same time.

I'll admit that I have had my share of bad weather games and have stood out in colder weather. Sometimes I am asked why I volunteer my time to do such a thing and the answer is simple:

"I love what I do and want to go out and photograph."

I have been cold standing out on the sidelines during the games and have even shot pictures with snow on the ground but I usually leave the game with a smile on my face. The smile doesn't always come because of a win on the field; it comes from knowing I had an opportunity to do something fun.

Photography is a passion of mine that is clearly one of my favorite escapes so I have one question for you:

"What is something you like to do in your spare time?"

The Amazing Spiderman Review

Ten years ago, Sam Raimi put the Spider-man movie franchise on the map and paved the way for superhero movies with his release of "Spider-man" starring Tobey McGuire as the web-slinging hero. Anticipation was high for the film and reviews for the film were positive. Fans kept asking for more and two other films were made.

Raimi is no longer attached to the Spiderman franchise and new director Marc Webb did an entire reboot for "The Amazing Spider-man." With the reboot came a new cast, new storyline and and a start from scratch. Instead of Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst, two who made the original three movies a success, Webb went with Andrew Garfield to play Peter Parker/Spider-man and Emma Stone to play love interest Gwen Stacey.

Unlike the original "Spider-man" that came out in 2002, Garfield's portrayal of Peter Parker is less nerdy than McGuire's adaptation. It is still easy to tell that Parker is smart but Garfield does not make the character nerdy. Garfield also adds humor to the role and is believable when delivering the lines.

The set-up for the plot is done well but it moves slow in the beginning. It feels like it does take a while before we see the web-slinging superhero in full costume and the movie picks up the tempo after that point. The beginning could have cut to the chase a little quicker.

The cast was well picked and there is a lot of chemistry between the characters. Stone and Garfield are both believable with their respective characters and the on-screen romance is easy to follow. Rhys Ifans, who plays Dr. Curt Connors who turns into The Lizard, is believable as a scientist despite previous roles where he played characters who were drunk, unmotivated or acted silly. Ifans adds evil to the character when needed and can bring Connors's care of both Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey to life on screen.

Garfield and Martin Sheen, who plays the beloved Uncle Ben, mesh well but the only cast member that didn't seem to fit was Sally Field as Aunt May. It was hard to see if much of a relationship existed between Aunt May and Peter Parker on screen and Field's portrayal makes the character seem whiny. For avid readers of the comics, this is a bit of a surprise due to the fact a lot of the stories are driven by Parker's relationship with his aunt.

The characters are well picked and it is easy for the audience to feel the emotion of the characters. This helps the plot move into the important parts of the film and keeps the audience engaged as they reach the key fight scenes in the movie.

Grade: B

Combining a Passion With Community Involvement....Priceless!

Time can be limited and finding opportunities to give back to the community can be tough to schedule. With multiple responsibilities to take care of, taking time to get involved with the community can be difficult.

Community involvement helps develop relationships with other members within your town, village or city and can also be a networking tool. Finding a way to get involved that fits your schedule can be a challenge but isn't impossible.

Photography has been a passion of mine since college and when I moved back to my hometown of Solon four years ago, I was looking for opportunities to take pictures. I went around to local parts and areas I had not seen for a long time so I can continue my hobby. Having the hobby gave me something to look forward to but I was able to take it a step further when I used to get involved with my community.

Being a football fan for a long time and following the Solon Comets since childhood, I started taking my camera to games to take pictures from the sideline. After posting them on Facebook, the students and parents started to look forward to a new batch of pictures each week. It wasn't too long that I started getting multiple tag requests on pictures and parents mentioning that they liked my work.

As I was able to go to more and more games, I became even more passionate about sports photography and couldn't wait to walk in the stadium each week. It was fulfilling for me to follow a team I had watched for many years on the sideline and have the opportunity to share my work on Facebook. I was not only getting involved in the community but I was able to combine this involvement with one of my favorite passions in life.

Taking time to get involved in the community is fulfilling and combining it with a hobby can amplify the experience!

Finding a Home for a Dog

A friend of mine wanted to pass along the following message in regards to a dog who needs a home:

He's probably over 100 pounds, 6 years old, black/white with blue eyes, and not neutered. The medic who is trying to get him a home says he is SO SO SO sweet! Why does Dakota need a home? He does have one right now. The man who owns him does not want him, so lets the dog wander around Columbus. My fiance's brother is a medic at the station where Dakota runs. He cares for the dog while he is on shift, but can't take him back to his apartment. They all say how sweet this dog is!

I have never met him. I don't know how he would handler another dog. He may LOVE other dogs, he may hate them. I would assume he needs a home as an only or first dog. He is a Husky, which means he needs LOTS of exercise. A fenced in yard is perfect, but honestly, anything is better than where he is now.

I also know of 2 small dogs (Cocker Spaniel mix and a King Charles Cavalier mix) who need homes. All three (2 small dogs and Dakota) are FREE TO A GOOD HOME!!!! I can help find cheap spay/neuter clinics and vaccine clinics. I can also help hook people up with training classes to help the tranisition.

If you know of anyone looking for a dog....feel free to pass along my email (aJILLity26@gmail.com) and/or my cell phone number (614-256-7099). Poodles are my thing, but you never know what comes into rescue!!

Making the Most Out of Living on Campus During the Summer

Opportunities may present itself during your college years to stay on campus during the summer. Internships, jobs and other opportunities may make it enticing for you to stay on campus when classes are not in session during the summer months. Staying on campus during the summer with no other students around may not sound exciting at first but it can be a whole other experience as well.

Below are some tips for getting the most out of spending a summer on your college campus:

1) Take Time to Get to Know the People Living in the Dorm, Apartment Complex or Residence - While a lot of your friends may be at home during the summer, taking time to meet the people who will be around in the summer will help greatly! Take the time to know these people and if it works out, take time to hang out as well. These will be the people that will be around in the summer so take the time to make some friends and find time to hang out!

2) Enjoy Summer Activities in the College Town or City Nearby - While living in Westerville, Ohio (near Columbus) during my four years at Otterbein, I didn't realize how much the town and the city of Columbus had to offer during the summer months until I spent that season down there. There was always the First Friday Festivals in Westerville, Red, White and Boom in downtown Columbus, arts festivals and Columbus Clippers baseball games. Taking the time to experience the summertime activities down there was an incredible experience and made for some awesome memories.

3) Plan Movie Outings - Anticipated movies always come out during the summer and if possible, get a big group together to go see one. I can't guarantee that all of the movies will be good but taking the time to go with a big group of people staying on campus during the summer will be fun. It will provide a chance to socialize with other people and if the movie is bad, it could spark some interesting conversations on the ride home.

4) Enjoy the Quietness of the Campus and Traditions in Warm Weather - At Otterbein, one of the favorite traditions students participate in is a late night doughnut run to Schneider's, which is a nearby bakery in Uptown Westerville. Going on a doughnut run at 1am in the morning during the school year was fun but going in the summer was even better! There was nothing like walking on a warm summer night in shorts and a t-shirt to grab doughnuts in the middle of the night. Seeing the clear sky, some stars and enjoying the warmer weather made the experience one to remember.

Small Acts of Kindness Can Go Long Distances

No matter how busy we are, taking a few moments to do a small act of kindness for someone can mean a lot in the end. Whether it is helping someone cross the street, opening the door into a building or even helping out in the neighbor's yard, taking just a small amount of time out of your day can make a bid difference.

Just a few summers ago, I was a college student living in one of the dorms on Otterbein's campus (near Columbus, Ohio) during the warm summer months. I was away from my hometown and loved having the freedom of spending my favorite season in a city I had grown to love in a short amount of time. I had a great internship and a fun summer job to keep me busy.

There were other students in the dorms as well but I will never forget one who I befriended through several acts of kindness. Alex was not an Otterbein student, however, he had an opportunity to live in the dorms while doing an internship nearby. Alex was friendly from the very start to everyone.

Alex had a great internship lined up but there was one particular problem; he didn't have a car. Alex was from the west coast and having his car shipped out for a small amount of time (his internship was only a couple months) was not cost effective or convenient.

It wasn't until I saw Alex going on a doughnut run to Schneider's Bakery in Uptown Westerville that I realized the hardship he was facing. With not much means to get around, he couldn't always make it to the grocery store and when his internship shift ended at night, Schneider's was one of the few places open that late.

I recall there was one Friday where I got off work around noon and was sitting in my dorm when a knock came at my door. Alex was the man behind the door and he asked if I could take him to Subway. I didn't hesitate to say yes so that he would have something else to eat and offered to take him anywhere else he wanted to go.

Not too long after that, Alex needed a mailbox so friends and relatives could send him letters. I took time out of my day to speak with the person in charge of the mailroom at Otterbein and the situation was fixed.

Just after a couple acts of kindness, I could tell from Alex's face that he appreciated what I had done and it was not the last time I helped him out. I was always willing to lend a helping hand and will never forget how those small acts of kindness went a long way and made a difference.

The Key To Finding Great Friendships and Business Relationships Is To Get Out and Meet Others

There was a time in which I was not concerned with taking the time to meet others. It's hard to believe that when I started my first job out of college, I often went home after work and didn't take advantage of opportunities to meet others. Adjusting from being a full time student to a full time professional was difficult but staying in a lot didn't help with the adjustment. It was difficult being away from the setting I was used to on my college campus but I needed to make a life for myself beyond those college years.

After a long period of not taking the time to meet others, an epiphany hit me that it was time for me to start meeting other people. It took time and with the help of the Internet, I started to find different groups to be apart of and went to different networking events. Going to these functions not only gave me something to look forward to but allowed me to interact with people my own age and at similar stages in life.

Over a period of time, I managed to find several key people who have been great business contacts and have made some awesome friends along the way. Some of these relationships came from networking events; others came from taking time to get out in the community and meet others. It helped me create more of a balance in life and socialize with others.

Below are some ideas and tips to get out of the house and meet others:

1) Just Because You Are Not In College Does Not Mean You Can't Join a Club - Joining clubs is a great way to meet people with similar interests and develop friendships along the way. In my own life, being a lifelong hockey fan and wanting to be with others who had the same passion made it appealing for me to join the Cleveland Hockey Boosters Club. Knowing I enjoying talking pucks a lot, the club has been an awesome way to meet other people with the same interest and has given me something to look forward to.

2) The Power of the Internet Can Bring Groups and Interests to Your Reach - Popular sites such as Meetup.com often have groups with specialized interests that plan events on a weekly basis. Young professionals groups in cities typically have web-sites and it doesn't hurt to take a look. I found the Cleveland 20/30 Club through an Internet search (http://cleveland2030.org/) and going to their events helped me meet some incredible people.

3) You Are Never Too Old to Volunteer - Volunteering in the community is slightly different from networking but helps you meet people along the way. By taking photographs at Solon high school sporting events, I have been able to meet coaches, parents, administrators, athletic directors and other people who are involved with game day operations. All it took was for me to volunteer my time to take pictures at football games and I had another hobby and fun people to meet with.

Tips for Transitioning From High School to College

Graduating high school was one of my favorite times of my life. Knowing I had accomplished an incredible feat was an amazing feeling and looking to the times ahead in college was something I looked forward to with great anticipation. A new life was to begin for me that fall and I couldn't wait.

Several years have passed since I graduated high school and started college months later and I am still continuing my education to this day. The information and knowledge learned in the classroom during my undergraduate years at Otterbein has helped me beyond my college years but what I learned outside of the classroom helped open up my life even more.

Learning will take place inside the classroom but what a lot of you soon to be high school graduates can benefit from can be learned outside of the classroom. The work you put into a class will help but what you do outside of class can help you soar even farther.

Take some time to consider the following tips below prior to starting your college years:

1) Starting college is an opportunity to start a new life and put any bad memories, feelings or anger you felt in high school and leave it in the past - Take any negative experience you may have had since high school and leave it in the past. You will have a new opportunity to start a new life when you start college in the fall and take the time to work on creating new and fun memories instead of living any pains or frustrations you felt in the past. For most of you, moving away to college will take you to a setting where many people will not know you (I only knew two people at Otterbein when I moved down there in the fall of 2004) and use it as an opportunity to start over.

2) A small hello and conversation can pay big dividends - How often do you think the people who serve the food in the cafeteria, the people who work in the bookstore or the people who work in the library receive a small hello or conversation from a student? How many students do you think just always walk in and walk out without paying much attention to these people? The number may alarm you once you think about it and taking a few moments each day to say hello and get to know these people will help set you apart in a positive way. It may feel awkward at first but it will pay off in the end.

3) Keep your mind open - Had I been closed minded in college, I never would have gotten the internships I had during those years, I never would have found my love of photography and I wouldn't have made some of the friendships I created during that time. Take an opportunity to meet new people, find new hobbies and find different passions by keeping an open mind. You may never know what you might find or who you may meet.

4) If you are happy and you know it, spread it around! - Walking around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude will show and get noticed. If you have an awesome feeling inside, don't be afraid to show it. There may be those who say you need to tone down your personality or become more mellow (I have heard both from people) but don't be afraid to walk around with a positive attitude. Continue to be positive no matter what the circumstances are.

5) No matter how far you go, don't forget those who helped you along the way - Chances are, there have been people in your life growing up that provided the extra boost you needed at key times in your life. It may have been a tutor, teacher, coach, parent, friend, etc. that took the extra time to help and don't forget these people. Take the time to drop an e-mail, phone call or stop by to say hello. These people helped you along the way and don't forget the kindness they showed.

The Avengers Movie Review

The Avengers has been one of the most anticipated superhero movies due out for the late spring/early summer season. With characters such as Captain America, The Black Widow, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor all in one film, anticipation was high and there was going to be no shortage of action scenes.

For anyone planning on seeing The Avengers, make sure to brush up and watch Thor and Captain America beforehand. Some of the early scenes can be a bit hard to follow because references to those previous films are made throughout the beginning. The first few opening scenes, which set the movie and plot in motion, can be a bit hard to follow but it picks up and becomes easy to follow after that point.

Once the opening scenes are finished, the tone of the action of the film is set with a big fight sequence featuring The Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johannsson). Johhansson does an incredible job setting up the character for future scenes and the fight scenes foreshadow the battles yet to come. 

There isn't a strong storyline to the film as there was in the films leading up to this but you still feel an emotionally attached to the characters as the film progresses. Early on, Chris Evans, who plays Steve Rogers and Captain American, is frustrated after being asleep for 70 years underneath ice and has trouble coming to terms with missing out on a large chunk of history. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark aka Iron Man very similar to the previous two films and his banter with the other characters leads to some entertaining moments. Chris Helmsworth is believable as Thor once again and Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of the evil Loki can give the audience goosebumps.

One pleasant surprise to the cast was the addition of Mark Ruffalo, who replaced Edward Norton as Bruce Banner aka The Hulk. Norton did an incredible job playing Banner in 2008's The Incredible Hulk but was replaced by Ruffalo when Norton and the studio could not come to an agreement. Ruffalo does have a good reputation in the industry and his portrayal was a little different from Norton's on the Bruce Banner character. Norton made the character intellectual, confident and action packed and while Ruffalo made the character more intellectual. Ruffalo's portrayal brought out more of the scientist in the Bruce Banner character and made for a great addition to the cast.

Another great addition to the cast is Jeremy Renner, who plays Agent Clint Renner and Hawkeye. Renner had a brief cameo in Thor but the character was more developed in this film. Renner brings grit and toughness to the character and makes a nice addition to the cast.

As the movie progresses, the characters do develop and the emotions are felt throughout the film. During a conflict with Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson), it is easy to feel the emotions the characters and it brings back the distrust the characters have for Fury at times. This is an element that is often played in the comics and done well for the screen.

Being a native Clevelander, I was excited to see the scenes involving East. 9th Street and Public Square. Having walked in those areas numerous times, it is easy to distinguish the scenes that were shot in Public Square and East 9th and the Terminal Tower is visible in a couple of the shots.

While the storyline is not as strong as in some of the movies prior to this, the action sequences and comic relief make the film enjoyable and fun to watch. The fight scenes do not feel excessive and drive the key points of the film. The movie has been worth the wait and worth the admission.

Grade: A

The Key to Adjusting to Life Outside of College: Getting Out and Meeting People!

Making the transition from college life to young professional is not an easy transition. Going from being a full time student to a full time member of the workforce can be rough and one of the hardest adjustments to make in life. The move from being surrounded by your friends and classes on a daily basis gets replaced by getting up and going to work and it can be a scary transition to make. Making the transition is hard but not impossible.

When leaving college, the familiarity of campus, the people you see walking around the school on a daily basis, and your class schedule will be replaced by having to go to work, perform at your job and coming home at night. On paper, the transition may seem easy but it is an adjustment. Being away from your friends if you have to move away can be hard and starting over can be a hard experience.

On a personal note, I went from living in Columbus for four years of college to moving back to Cleveland and it was a tough transition. I had made some incredible friends while I was going to school at Otterbein and being away from them for the first several months was hard for me. I wasn't getting a chance to see them every day and while I had been back in the Cleveland area at times to visit relatives during my college years, I didn't have much of a friendship base there. I hadn't lived in the area since before I moved away and coming back was a bit rough.

After several months where I didn't go out much, I decided it was time to meet some new people. I started going to Cleveland 20/30 events and joined the Cleveland Hockey Boosters and participating with those groups helped lay the foundation for me to create a life outside of work. It gave me something to look forward to, helped me socialize with other people and gave me something to build upon.

Not too long after I started going to Cleveland 20/30 and Cleveland Hockey Boosters events, another hobby of mine started to take flight. I started to take pictures at Solon high school football games and what started out as a hobby has become a favorite activity of mine. It gave me something to look forward to and best of all, I have been able to meet some awesome people in the process.

It took me some time to understand this but getting out and meeting new people helped me create a life outside of work. As a result, I was able to adjust to life on the outside and it has provided me with a great lifestyle in the process.

Starting Your Day Off With A Positive Thought

My Facebook followers have often mentioned that they enjoy seeing some of the positive posts I put as my status. I usually put a "Happiness is" saying on there or some other words of wisdom. I started putting up "Happiness is" phrases just to post something and it has started to catch on.

Most recently, I started posting up words of inspiration in the mornings and it has slowly caught on. I usually post something in regards to being happy because I have coffee in my system or I am looking forward to getting what could be a good day started. I am usually happy in the mornings so I figured that sharing the feelings on Facebook wouldn't hurt.

Starting off the day can be rough but thinking of something positive while driving into work can be helpful. Thoughts can range from your passions, simple pleasures or what you have planned after work but taking a few moments to think of a simple happy thought can help get the day started right.

To think of a simple pleasure or phrase that is positive, take what LaVar Burton did on almost every episode of Reading Rainbow, the PBS television show that encouraged children to read. Growing up and watching the show occasionally, it always seemed like Burton started off each episode with a positive phrase. There was always a shot of him doing a simple task and he would say something like "There is nothing like a glass of cold lemonade on a hot day" or "there is nothing like a good book on a rainy afternoon" to start off the episode. I am sure there are more sayings Burton said on the show but he always started it off with a positive spin.

To get the day started right, think of a happy thought and spread it around!

Creating Balance Starts With Getting Out of the House

Creating a balance between work and personal life isn't always easy but it isn't impossible either. Having a balance helps create a lifestyle in which you can focus on work but leave it at work when you go home.

Balance isn't impossible to achieve and it starts with one simple concept; taking the time to get out of the house. Taking the time to relax at home can be beneficial but taking time to get out of the house and meeting new people or doing your hobbies can help create that balance.

Having a demanding job can be tough and it is easy to just want to come home and do nothing. Taking a couple of nights a week to yourself is okay but doing it too much can make it difficult to create a balance.

Below are some tips for finding time to get out of the house and enjoying life outside of work:

1) Plan when to do household chores in advance and stick with that schedule - Plan when you want to do your household chores such as cleaning, cooking, improvements, etc. in advance. If possible, try and plan a couple of jobs during the week so your weekends can be freed up for other opportunities.

2) Make time for your hobbies - Hobbies can help us relax outside of work and make time to do them. This will help you get out of the house, possibly meet others and provide something for you to look forward to

3) Plan times to meet with people in advance - If planning something last minute doesn't help, plan in advance! Take the time to plan time to meet up with friends and plan the times in advance if needed.

Key Rules To First Dates

Online dating continues to grow rapidly and getting the first date can make or break what happens next. Making a good first impression is important but not rocket science either.

Below are some first tips to setting up the first date and what to do on the day of:

1) Try Having a Phone Conversation With The Person First Before Setting Up a Time and Place to Meet - Arranging a meeting via e-mail is easy to do but you will want to make sure you can have a conversation with the person first. Someone may be comfortable e-mailing you back and forth but the two of you may not be able to have much of a conversation in person. Try setting up a phone conversation beforehand to see if the other person is someone you can talk to easily.

2) Pick a Place That Is Comfortable For Both of You - Picking a place that is familiar and comfortable for both of you will help make the first date more relaxing. This will help both of you settle in and begin a conversation.

3) Relax, Relax, Relax - It's okay to be a little nervous on a first date but remember to just relax and let the conversation flow. Building a good conversation can take a little skill at time but isn't as overbearing as it seems. Sit back, relax and enjoy your date for the evening.

4) Take Time to Get to Know the Other Person - Avoid babbling about yourself or random topics and focus your time on getting to know the other person. Find out what his or her interests are, what he or she likes to do and learn about that person. Take the time to listen and respond and you will develop a conversation.

Open Your Mind and Find Talents You Never Knew You Had

During my years of high school, video production had been a huge passion of mine. I enjoyed going to various events with a video camera and tripod and could spend several hours in an editing room. Video production was something I was good at and found myself yearning to do more of.

While I spent lots of time in editing rooms with the footage I had taken, doing digital photography with still pictures was something I never considered. I was closed minded at the time and didn't think the skills could really translate. I enjoyed working with moving pictures instead of still images and never gave thought to using a still camera.

When high school ended, I moved away from home and decided to become more open minded in regards to trying different activities. I hadn't planned on learning digital photography before I went to college but eventually picked up the hobby...on accident.

I was scheduled to help out with a promotional event with our campus radio station and decided to bring my small digital camera with me. I decided that while I was in college, I may as well have something to capture the memories with. I took the time to take several pictures at the event and didn't think much of them when I edited them.

After the photos were edited, I received lots of positive feedback from the people who worked at the radio station. As a result, I started taking more pictures at different events and received similar feedback. When we got done with one event in particular, my friend Cat mentioned something I hadn't given much thought to:

"You ought to become a photographer."

It was just an idea but enough for me to want to pursue the hobby even more. I ended up upgrading to a larger camera, took a photography class and a new hobby was born! I went from taking pictures at campus radio station events to sporting events and charity events.

During this time, I realized I was developing the same passion I had for video production. I was motivated to improve my technique, get out with the camera and find different events to take pictures at. I was enjoying a hobby I closed myself off to in high school but found a passion when I became more open minded about giving it a try.

College Students: Key Tips for Interviewing for Internships

Throughout the course of your college career, internships will help provide the experience needed to increase your skill set and gain professional experience. Internships are great opportunities to gain professional experience while in college and also provide networking opportunities.

In some industries and businesses, internships can be highly competitive and the interview is important. The interview can make or break an opportunity and below are some tips on how to prepare for the interview:

1) Do Research on the Organization Beforehand - You will be surprised how many people will walk into an interview without doing any research beforehand. Not doing any research beforehand will give the impression you don't care about the organization or you are unwilling to learn. Most internships managers are looking for people who can help his or her organization and have a strong desire to learn. Not doing your research beforehand will be a turnoff.

2) Look Presentable During the Interview- Dress professionally and look presentable. Leave the cut off jeans, t-shirts and casual clothes at home. Prove to your potential internship manager that you will dress professionally when coming to intern for his or her organization.

3) When the Interviewer Asks "Do You Have Any Questions?", Ask Questions - This will show you paid attention during the interview and are interested in learning more about the organization

4) Thank You Notes - Make sure to send a handwritten thank you note to the person you interviewed with. Not many people do this and it will set you apart in a positive way

Taking Advantage Of the Opportunities Presented Can Pay Off

As a way to attract students, many college and universities offer different types of technology, opportunities and build state-of-the-art facilities for many of their academic programs. Some schools have spent numerous dollars to improve different facilities on campus, improve the equipment needed, or have developed organizations aimed at providing students with opportunities. Attracting students is a goal for these improvements but taking advantage of them can have benefits later on.

During your undergrad years, finding a major you will enjoy can be a daunting task but taking advantage of what is offered in that major is just as important. Understanding where you would like to move forward in life and pursue will point you in the direction you need; taking an active role to get as much experience as possible will help you down that path.

Once you pick your major, take the time to understand the opportunities available for students pursuing the same degree/major. If you are a biology major, take the time to understand the different types of facilities or opportunities to work in the lab. If you are an athletic training major, take the time to learn how you can help with the sports teams on campus and get involved. For broadcast communication majors, take time to learn the equipment available, the editing software and work on various crews when you have time. No matter what major you have, take the time to understand what opportunities are available.

In addition to taking time to what the campus has to offer in your major, take the time to get an internship if it applies to your field. Internships are great ways to get professional experience within a field and can provide different skill sets. Don't simply take an internship to get a bullet point on your resume; take the time to learn another skill set, meet professionals who work in that field and build on the experience. Most people who take on interns want someone who is willing to learn from the experience so take the time to get as much out of it as possible.

While you are interning or taking the time to volunteer with the opportunities presented to you on campus, you may wonder if the experience will pay off later on. You may not know it at the time but chances are, that experience could open up doors later on. A connection who knows you or having certain experiences on your resume may open up the door for an opportunity later on.

Finding Time to Do Something That Has Been Apart of You For a Long Time...Priceless

Announcing sporting events had been a huge part of my life when I was in high school and college. There were several Friday and Saturday nights spent in old gyms, high school stadiums and small college venues calling the action for local radio and television stations. Calling games had been a big part of my life during that time and I look back on those times with great memories.

When college ended, I entered "the real world" and didn't have much of an opportunity to call games at all. I spent a lot of time adjusting to life after college but didn't spend a lot of time in old gyms, high school stadiums or small college venues calling the action. Something that had been a big part of my life wasn't there anymore.

Right before 2011 began, I received an e-mail from a neighbor of mine asking if I would be interesting in calling a Solon hockey game for the local community station. I hadn't called any type of sporting event in a couple of years and couldn't belief an opportunity presented itself. I said yes and ended up having a blast when I called the game two days later.

One year later, another opportunity presented itself to call two Solon hockey games and a wrestling match. I immediately said yes to these opportunities because I wanted to call the games again. I didn't care where and when the game or match was going to be played; I wanted to be in front of the microphone again.

The first game I called was a hockey game between Solon and Brecksville-Broadview Heights and the experience started to bring back great memories. The action was back and forth and as the game went into overtime, I couldn't help but be in the moment. It reminded me of so many close games I had called before and realized how much fun I was having behind the microphone again.

Not too long after that hockey game, I had an opportunity to call a Solon vs Maple Heights wrestling match. I personally hadn't been to a match in a couple of years and couldn't wait for the opportunity. Within the first couple of matches, I knew I was having fun again and couldn't help but feel grateful for the experience.

In both of these instances and with the second hockey game I would call a couple weeks after the wrestling match, I couldn't help but realize how much fun I had. Calling games had been a big part of my life in high school and college and on three separate occasions, I was able to do something I love once again. It was on a small scale but it didn't matter; what mattered was I had the opportunity to do something that had been apart of my life for a long time.

Two Important Dating Tips: Listening and Showing Interest

Meeting someone for the first time on a date can be exciting and nerve racking. Making a good first impression is important so it is natural to feel a little nervous before the first date. If you do like the person, you will want to make a good first impression.

While making a first good impression is important, it is not as difficult as it seems. You don't have to resort to cute charms, over the top ideas or outrageous stunts to win someone over. One of the best ways to make a good first impression is to listen to the other person and show interest.

During the first date, it is easy to provide your own verbal autobiography but it won't win you many favors. Spending too much on yourself could be a turn off and you will want to listen to the other person's responses. Take the time to listen to what the other person is saying instead of providing him/her with your life story.

By listening to your date, you will be able to have a better conversation because it will provide points for the two of you to talk about. Taking the time to listen provides opportunity to learn more about the other person and keeps the conversation moving forward. It will provide you with a better understanding of what the other person is passionate about in life.

In addition to listening, show an interest in what the other person is talking about and it will help the conversation and date tremendously. Taking time to show an interest in the topic at hand will prove to the other person you have an interest in getting to know him/her. That will make the conversation flow better and increase the chances you will get another date.

By not showing an interest, you run the risk of coming across that you don't like the other person or don't care. How many times have you been on other dates where the other person didn't care much as to what you were talking about? How many times have you had normal conversations where the other person didn't show much interest in you? Chances are, you probably walked away feeling like the other person didn't care. It's unfortunate it happens but keep in mind how the other person may feel if you ignore or don't show an interest.

While having a first date can be exciting and nerve racking, taking the time to listen and show an interest are two steps to making it a good one.

Taking Time To Do What You Love....Priceless!

For eight years between high school and college, announcing local sporting events for community television and radio stations had been a big part of my life. I spent many Friday, Saturday and sometimes weeknights in various press boxes calling a game for a local high school or small college. Calling games had been something I enjoyed doing and got a special rush each time I turned on the microphone.

When college ended, I ventured off into the "real world" and it was the first time in eight years I didn't have games to announce. I had my first job out of college to focus on and I didn't have any plans to call any games. I hadn't gotten around to finding a way to do what I love and there was strange void.

A couple years passed and I managed to fill the void by getting into sports photography. Being on the sidelines during various high school sports brought the rush back and helped keep me in tune with the local sports I had fallen in love with. I found something to fill the void but hadn't had a microphone in front of me for quite a while.

On New Year's Eve 2010, an opportunity to announce again appeared not in my lap but on a Facebook message from my neighbor. The Solon TV station had not found anyone to call the Solon vs Chagrin Falls hockey game that would be on January 2nd, 2011 and they were scrambling.

I read through the message two or three times before it really hit me. After a long time of not being behind a microphone, the opportunity to announce again was right in front of me. Best of all, it would be an opportunity to call my favorite sport of all time.

A couple e-mails and three phone calls later, I booked my first announcing gig since college! I couldn't help but get goosebumps as I was walking into the Gilmour Ice Arena to call the game. I was finally getting another chance to announce.

The rust was there for a the first couple minutes but it felt like old times as the game went on. I was in the moment and had forgotten how much fun it really was to have the microphone in front of me.

A year after calling that game between Solon and Chagrin Falls, I was offered another opportunity to announce a Solon vs Brecksville Broadview Heights game and accepted. Similar to the year before, the fun feeling I had growing up while calling games returned. I felt the same rush I had felt many times before as the game went into overtime.

The game ended in a 5-5 tie but I felt victorious afterwards. I was able to relive the rush I had felt many times before while calling games and had an opportunity to do something that had been a huge part of my life for a long time.

More Online Dating Tips......

Online Dating continues to be a growing trend for many people. It's not an exact science but has helped many people get dates and find someone to spend time with.

Below are some tips for venturing into the Online Dating world:

1) Talk With Others Who Have Used Different Dating Sites - This will give you an idea what to expect before joining a site. Take the time to talk with people who have used the different sites to understand what to expect and how the process works.

2) Take the Time to Manage Your Personal Appearance Before the First Date - This might sound obvious but you may turn off someone by looking sloppy or like you just rolled out of bed. Take a few minutes to dress appropriately, look nice and presentable to the other person.

3) If You Haven't Dated in a While, See If You Can Go on a "Mock Date"With a Friend - This idea might sound corny but if you haven't dated in a while, it can be really helpful. If you haven't dated for a while, this is a way to get a little practice before going on a real date. It also helps relieve the jitters a bit too.

4) Know Who is In Your Corner - It always helps to have some support so find people who can maybe lend some advice and support your efforts.

Superhero Movies to Look Forward To in 2012

The Dark Knight Rises

Back in 2005 when Batman Begins was released, I didn't have high hopes for this franchise and figured this was going to be just another Batman movie. Director Christopher Nolan proved everyone wrong by rebooting the franchise with Christian Bale as Batman and returning the franchise back to it's original dark roots. Begins got people excited about Batman films again and The Dark Knight was one of the most incredible sequels ever produced. These two films had fans asking for more and this will be Nolan's final installment in this series.

The Dark Knight left fans wondering what will be in store for The Dark Knight Rises and we do have some clues. Anne Hathway, Marion Cotilland and Joseph Gordon-Levitt join the cast and Christian Bale will reprise his role as The Caped Crusader. Michael Caine will play Alfred again and Gary Oldman plays commissioner Gordon. With any Christopher Nolan film, you can expect to have a good cast that is believable and help carry a film.

With any Nolan film, don't expect just a simple plot in this film. Sources say the movie takes place after the events of The Dark Knight and Batman is forced to resurface after being in exile. Bane, who will be one of the main antagonists in this film, pushes the Gotham Police far enough to the point that Batman is forced to return.

As a director in this franchise, Nolan is very careful which characters he picks and Bane may have been a surprising choice. Bane, who was introduced in the mid-90s in for the Knightfall saga in the comics, was not portrayed well the last time he was in a Batman film. The character of Bane was used in the Joel Schumacher Batman and Robin, which still makes Batman fans cringe (including myself). Bane was portrayed as being cartoonish and a minor character in that film, however, it appears Nolan has returned the character to it's original intended purpose. Bane has always been a dark character that Batman has trouble defeating and Tom Hardy, who has worked with Nolan before, will portray the character.

Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in the film. How big of a role Hathway will have is still in question but knowing Nolan, the character will probably play a significant role in the film. Marion Cotilland has been cast as Ra's Al Guhl's daughter and rumors of the Ra's Al Guhl character appearing again have surfaced. Josh Pence has been cast as a younger version of Ra's Al Guhl but it has been rumored Liam Neeson could be showing up in this next installment.

Nolan has stated this will be his final Batman film and there is no doubt he will probably incorporate several different ideas and concepts into the story. You may have to pay close attention to what is happening, however, Nolan does manage to tie everything together and will not want to leave fans saying he could have done better.

The Avengers

Marvel Entertainment has dreamed of putting The Avengers on screen for a long time and finally put the pieces in place with the first Iron Man movie. Iron Man did much better at the box office than anticipated and rebooting The Incredible Hulk after the horrific 2003 Hulk was one of the best decisions Marvel has made to set up this movie.

Thor and Captain America also did a great job creating excitement and interest around The Avengers. Director Kenneth Branagh took a different approach when directing Thor but created enough background on the Thor and Loki characters to stir interest for The Avengers. Captain America, a film that Marvel had hoped to successfully make after a failed attempt in the early 90s, accurately portrayed what the character is all about and left fans wanting more at the end.

There is no doubt The Avengers will have an incredible cast. Jeremy Renner, who made a brief appearance in Thor (and had a larger role in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) will play Hawkeye, Scarlett Johansson will return as the Black Widow, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Helmsworth as Thor, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man make for what will be a fun cast. Mark Ruffalo will replace Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, the alter ego of the Hulk, however, Ruffalo has proven to be believable in other roles.


The Amazing Spider-Man

This will be the first Spider-Man movie produced that will not have Sam Raimi as the director or Tobey McGuire playing the famous web-crawler. Not too long after the Marvel characters were purchased by Disney, Raimi decided to move on from the franchise and so did McGuire. As a result, a reboot was decided upon with a new cast and direction.

This movie will not feature the character of Mary Jane, however, it will feature another famous character in Gwen Stacy. Emma Stone, who is making headway as one of the top actresses in Hollywood, has been cast as the character. The character was only used as a minor character in the last Spider-man film, however, it will be used as a major character in this flick.

Choosing a successor for Tobey McGuire was not easy and Marvel settled on Andrew Garfield to play the role. Garfield will have big shoes to fill and is best known for playing Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network. Garfield showed lots of emotion and anger in The Social Network and will need to use those same talents to portray Peter Parker/Spider-man.

The villain will be The Lizard/Dr. Curt Connors. The Lizard never made an appearance in any of the Sam Raimi Spider-man films and it is clear Marvel is not ready to reboot The Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus or any of the other villains used in previous films.

War Horse Review

War Horse has been hyped to be one of the best films of 2011. It's been advertised as being a story of a man and a horse being separated by World War I and the belief the two reunite eventually reunite. The filmmakers had a great idea and story in mind but didn't necessarily pull it off as advertised.

At the beginning, the film does a great job depicting how Albert, the son of a poor farmer and played by Jeremy Irvine, befriends and raises a horse named Joey. Albert's father, Ted (played by Peter Mullan), purchases Joey for a lot of money despite the fact Joey is not a horse that can help with farming. Albert is determined to prove his father and other doubters wrong by teaching the horse several commands and making the horse useful around the farm. The set up is done well and creates emotional moments when Joey is taken by the British army for World War I.

While the set up to create the connection between Albert and Joey is done well, it is dragged on for a long time and will leave you wondering where the plot is going. This connection is needed for the rest of the movie but could have been done in a shorter amount of time.

After Joey is taken in by the British army, the plot is mainly moved by sequences involving the horse. Through several different plot points, Joey ends up on a farm and goes back and forth between both sides fighting in the war. While it is easy to tell that the people living on the farm Joey ends up on are French through the dialogue, you may still want to brush up on your World War I history. The battle scenes in the trenches clearly mark the time period, however, there are several moments in which it is difficult to tell which army is which. English is spoken throughout the film and you do have to look at the helmets to figure out who is who. It does make it confusing at times and it is hard to tell what army Joey is currently with at certain points.

While there are several key emotional moments throughout the film, there are also points that are not explained. Albert is refused for the army early on in the film for being too young, however, he eventually ends up fighting in the war. There is no explanation as to how Albert was let into the army or if enough time passed for him to finally be let in. This inconsistency does make you wonder if a key scene had been edited out and it is not the only time this occurs in the film. There are other times in which other characters are not as well developed making it difficult to understand the importance of a couple key scenes.

War Horse does have a great story and accurately displays how a single animal can be meaningful to so many people. This part of the movie is heartwarming and does leave the audience feeling like there was a story to be told. This is portrayed well but could have been pulled off a little bit better.

Grade: B

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Review

This was not one of the best Mission Impossible movies that has come out. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol had a lot of anticipation and hype around it but several key elements hindered it from living up to the hype.

Tom Cruise reprises his role as Agent Ethan Hunt and the film starts out like several of the other Mission Impossible movies. Hunt is held captive in a prison and manages to battle through several guards to break free. He is helped by Agent Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg, and Agent Jane Carter, played by Paula Patton.

It is a typical set up for the beginning of the movie but the story gets choppy from this point. The film fails to create any emotional connectivity with the characters and scenes and there are several inconsistencies within the plot. Unlike the last Mission Impossible film, Ghost Protocol does not create any reason for the audience to feel connected or feel emotion for the characters. As a result, it makes it difficult for the audience to care about some of the scenes going on and does not create much emotion in the movie.

In addition to lack of emotional connectivity with the characters, there are several inconsistencies in the script. There are several moments in which sequences are inconsistent with previous plot points and there are a couple of characters that played absolute no role in moving the story. At times, there is no explanation as to why Hunt and his agents are after certain characters.

Cruise manages to keep the character of Ethan Hunt consistent with the previous films and Jeremy Renner, who plays agent William Brandt, is a great addition to the cast. Pegg is believable and adds comic relief but Patton's performance leaves a little bit to be desired. Patton's character as Agent Jane Carter is not very believable throughout the film.

It would not be a Mission Impossible movie without great special effects and action sequences and this film has plenty of them. There are several good chase scenes in the movie and several key objects and gadgets are introduced. Though the gadgets may not seem as revolutionary in real life, they do make the scenes interesting and make for great special effects.

Ghost Protocol had a good idea in mind but without the prescence of emotional connectivity with the characters and inconsistent plot points, it is not a memorable film.

Grade: C