Below are the 5 most recent journal entries recorded in djinni552's InsaneJournal:

Saturday, November 12th, 2011
2:30 am	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Blu-ray is on sale for $12.99 at Amazon has Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (Three-Disc Blu-ray / DVD Combo + Digital Copy) on sale for $12.99. Amazon Link Original retail of $24.98. Get it while you can. Warner Bros. plans to discontinue shipping the Harry Potter films on DVD and Blu-ray to sellers Dec. 29, a hair less than seven weeks after the Nov. 11 home-video release of the series' final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2," as well as "Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection." It's a tactic aimed not only to lend a little urgency in holiday sales of the discs, but to make it possible to gin up interest in periodic future re-releases not only of the DVD and Blu-Ray editions but in its theatrical incarnation. Read it here: Harry Potter films disappearing soon dell off nullHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crme de la crme cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and grand adventure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves a darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware), beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students and magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes, giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation (by Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to view past the credits for a visual punchline at Lockhart's expense). At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack of depth and uneven pacing, and John Williams' score mostly reprises established themes. The young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, however, as does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget splendor, Chamber honors the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. --Jeff Shannon Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mam Tambin, director Alfonso Cuarn proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book, considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry in a bid for revenge. This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-growing Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves), The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. --Jeff Shannon Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The latest entry in the Harry Potter saga could be retitled Fast Times at Hogwarts, where finding a date to the winter ball is nearly as terrifying as worrying about Lord Voldemort's return. Thus, the young wizards' entry into puberty (and discovery of the opposite sex) opens up a rich mining field to balance out the dark content in the fourth movie (and the stories are only going to get darker). Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) handily takes the directing reins and eases his young cast through awkward growth spurts into true young actors. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, more sure of himself) has his first girl crush on fellow student Cho Chang (Katie Leung), and has his first big fight with best bud Ron (Rupert Grint). Meanwhile, Ron's underlying romantic tension with Hermione (Emma Watson) comes to a head over the winter ball, and when she makes one of those girl-into-woman Cinderella entrances, the boys' reactions indicate they've all crossed a threshold. But don't worry, there's plenty of wizardry and action in Goblet of Fire. When the deadly Triwizard Tournament is hosted by Hogwarts, Harry finds his name mysteriously submitted (and chosen) to compete against wizards from two neighboring academies, as well as another Hogwarts student. The competition scenes are magnificently shot, with much-improved CGI effects (particularly the underwater challenge). And the climactic confrontation with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes, in a brilliant bit of casting) is the most thrilling yet. Goblet, the first installment to get a PG-13 rating, contains some violence as well as disturbing images for kids and some barely shrouded references at sexual awakening (Harry's bath scene in particular). The 2 1/2-hour film, lean considering it came from a 734-page book, trims out subplots about house-elves (they're not missed) and gives little screen time to the standard crew of the other Potter films, but adds in more of Britain's finest actors to the cast, such as Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody and Miranda Richardson as Rita Skeeter. Michael Gambon, in his second round as Professor Dumbledore, still hasn't brought audiences around to his interpretation of the role he took over after Richard Harris died, but it's a small smudge in an otherwise spotless adaptation. --Ellen A. Kim Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Alas! The fifth Harry Potter film has arrived. The time is long past that this can be considered a simple "children's" series--though children and adults alike will enjoy it immensely. Starting off from the dark and tragic ending of the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix begins in a somber and angst-filled tone that carries through the entire 138 minutes (the shortest of any HP movie despite being adapted from the longest book). Hopes of winning the Quidditch Cup have been replaced by woes like government corruption, distorted media spin, and the casualties of war. As the themes have matured, so have the primary characters' acting abilities. Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and especially Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) are more convincing than ever--in roles that are more demanding. Harry is deeply traumatized from having witnessed Cedric Diggory's murder, but he will soon find that this was just another chapter in the continuing loss he will endure. Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned and, in an attempt to conceal this catastrophe from the wizarding public, the Ministry of Magic has teamed up with the wizard newspaper The Daily Prophet to smear young Potter and wise Dumbledore (Michael Gambon)--seemingly the only two people in the public eye who believe the Dark Lord has returned. With no one else to stand against the wicked Death Eaters, the Hogwarts headmaster is forced to revive his secret anti-Voldemort society, the Order of the Phoenix. This welcomes back characters like Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson), kind Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), fatherly Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), and insidious Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), and introduces a short list of intriguing new faces. In the meantime, a semi-psychotic bureaucrat from the Ministry (brilliantly portrayed by Imelda Staunton) has seized power at Hogwarts, and Harry is forced to form a secret society of his own--lest the other young wizards at his school be left ill-equipped to defend themselves in the looming war between good and evil. In addition, Harry is filled with an inexplicable rage that only his Godfather Sirius seems to be able to understand. This film, though not as frightening as its predecessor, earns its PG-13 rating mostly because of the ever-darkening tone. As always, the loyal fans of J.K. Rowling's books will suffer huge cuts from the original plot and character developments, but make no mistake: this is a good movie. --Jordan Thompson Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series begins right where The Order of the Phoenix left off. The wizarding world is rocked by the news that "He Who Must Not Be Named" has truly returned, and the audience finally knows that Harry is "the Chosen One"--the only wizard who can defeat Lord Voldemort in the end. Dark forces loom around every corner, and now regularly attempt to penetrate the protected walls of Hogwarts School. This is no longer the fun and fascinating world of magic from the first few booksit's dark, dangerous, and scary. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. It's in these intriguing scenes that the dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed. The actors cast as the different young versions of Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane) do an eerily fantastic job of portraying the villain as a child. While the previous movies' many new characters could be slightly overwhelming, only one new key character is introduced this time: Professor Horace Slughorn (with a spot-on performance by Jim Broadbent). Within his mind he holds a key secret in the battle to defeat the Dark Lord, and Harry is tasked by Dumbledore to uncover a memory about Voldemort's darkest weapon--the Horcrux. Despite the long list of distractions, Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding awkward romances. All of the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date. More dramatic and significant things go down in this movie than any of its predecessors, and the stakes are higher than ever. The creators have been tasked with a practically impossible challenge, as fans of the beloved J.K. Rowling book series desperately want the movies to capture the magic of the books as closely as possible. Alas, the point at which one accepts that these two mediums are very different is the point at which one can truly enjoy these brilliant adaptations. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception: it may be the best film yet. For those who have not read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. For those who have, the movie does it justice. The key dramatic scenes, including the cave and the shocking twist in the final chapter, are executed very well. It does a perfect job of setting up the two-part grand finale that is to follow. --Jordan Thompson Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I is a brooding, slower-paced film than its predecessors, the result of being just one half of the final story (the last book in the series was split into two movies, released in theaters eight months apart). Because the penultimate film is all buildup before the final showdown between the teen wizard and the evil Voldemort (which does not occur until The Deathly Hallows, Part II), Part I is a road-trip movie, a heist film, a lot of exposition, and more weight on its three young leads, who up until now were sufficiently supported by a revolving door of British thesps throughout the series. Now that all the action takes place outside Hogwarts--no more Potions classes, Gryffindor scarves, or Quidditch matches--Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione), and Rupert Grint (Ron) shoulder the film almost entirely on their own. After a near-fatal ambush by Voldemort's Death Eaters, the three embark on a quest to find and destroy the remaining five horcruxes (objects that store pieces of Voldemort's soul). Fortunately, as the story gets more grave--and parents should be warned, there are some scenes too frightening or adult for young children--so does the intensity. David Yates, who directed the Harry Potter films Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince, drags the second half a little, but right along with some of the slower moments are some touching surprises (Harry leading Hermione in a dance, the return of Dobby in a totally non-annoying way). Deathly Hallows, Part I will be the most confusing for those not familiar with the Potter lore, particularly in the shorthand way characters and terminology weave in and out. For the rest of us, though, watching these characters over the last decade and saying farewell to a few faces makes it all bittersweet that the end is near (indeed, an early scene in which Hermione casts a spell that makes her Muggle parents forget her existence, in case she doesn't return, is particularly emotional). Despite its challenges, Deathly Hallows, Part I succeeds in what it's most meant to do: whet your appetite for the grand conclusion to the Harry Potter series. --Ellen A. Kim Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the film all Harry Potter fans have waited 10 years to see, and the good news is that it's worth the hype--visually stunning, action packed, faithful to the book, and mature not just in its themes and emotion but in the acting by its cast, some of whom had spent half their lives making Harry Potter movies. Part 2 cuts right to the chase: Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has stolen the Elder Wand, one of the three objects required to give someone power over death (a.k.a. the Deathly Hallows), with the intent to hunt and kill Harry. Meanwhile, Harry's quest to destroy the rest of the Horcruxes (each containing a bit of Voldemort's soul) leads him first to a thrilling (and hilarious--love that Polyjuice Potion!) trip to Gringotts Bank, then back to Hogwarts, where a spectacular battle pitting the young students and professors (a showcase of the British thesps who have stolen every scene of the series: Maggie Smith's McGonagall, Jim Broadbent's Slughorn, David Thewlis's Lupin) against a dark army of Dementors, ogres, and Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter, with far less crazy eyes to make this round). As predicted all throughout the saga, Harry also has his final showdown with Voldemort--neither can live while the other survives--though the physics of that predicament might need a set of crib notes to explain. But while each installment has become progressively grimmer, this finale is the most balanced between light and dark (the dark is quite dark--several familiar characters die, with one significant death particularly grisly); the humor is sprinkled in at the most welcome times, thanks to the deft adaptation by Steve Kloves (who scribed all but one of the films from J.K. Rowling's books) and direction by four-time Potter director David Yates. The climactic kiss between Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), capping off a decade of romantic tension, is perfectly tuned to their idiosyncratic relationship, and Daniel Radcliffe has, over the last decade, certainly proven he was the right kid for the job all along. As Prof. Snape, the most perfect of casting choices in the best-cast franchise of all time, Alan Rickman breaks your heart. Only the epilogue (and the lack of chemistry between Harry and love Ginny Weasley, barely present here) stand a little shaky, but no matter: the most lucrative franchise in movie history to date has just reached its conclusion, and it's done so without losing its soul. --Ellen A. Kim Current Mood: bitchy (Comment on this)
Friday, November 11th, 2011
2:16 am	Seven Stars 3D for Android downloads for free Seven Stars 3D for Android downloads for free Seven Stars 3D for Android at amazon.com huggies AndroidThe Pandigital Multimedia Novel 7" ANDROID Multimedia Tablet & Color eReader will change the way that you curl up with a good book. Barnes and Noble is on board with over 2 Million books, newspapers, and magazines to sample, lend, and enjoy. Plus, you can easily download and install new ANDROID Apps for even for flexibility and enjoyment. Features include: touch screen control for easy navigation, 2GB internal memory can hold hundreds of books and periodicals, expandable memory to carry your full library (books, videos and music files), Wifi/Wireless LAN connectivity for easy downloads and web access. The eReader also contains some handy tools, including: built-in dictionary, word search feature, variable font size, create bookmarks, highlighting important text and note taking on virtual keyboard. Current Mood: tired (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 10th, 2011
2:15 am	(Ebay Daily Deal) Monster Cable Home Theater PowerCenter HTS 800 w/ Clean Power Stage $20 Free Sh Description Monster's SurgeGuard protects components from harmful surges and spikes. Harmful power surges and voltage spikes can travel up the AC power line and damage connected equipment. Lightning, automatic garage doors, power tools, refrigerators and fluorescent lights all cause power surges and voltage spikes that affect phone lines and coax cables. Monster's Surge-Guard detects harmful power surges and voltage spikes before they reach components. This HTS800 features special surge protection for coax cables used for satellite and cable TV connections. Other surge protectors Coax surge protection can result in as much as 20 to 30 dB of signal loss, which ultimately affects the output performance of coax connections. Monster's ultra-low loss RF circuitry provides virtually no signal loss to maintain peak performance. Best of all, an audible surge alarm and visual surge indicator warn you of harmful surges and let you know you're getting the most advanced protection available. "Polluted" AC power can degrade the performance you expect from your home theatre components. Unless you live directly behind Hoover Dam, your AC power is most likely "polluted" by appliances sharing the same power line with your home theatre components. Electrical power tools, refrigerators, air conditioners, radio transmitters, cellular phones, microwave ovens - even your neighbor's freezer - all can generate electromagnetic interference and radio frequency noise which pollutes the AC power and degrades both audio and video performance. Plus, even your home theatre components can generate noise interference, adding more "pollution" to your AC power. As a result, you'll hear a loss of dynamic range and resolution with a compressed soundstage and imprecise imaging. You'll see a lack of sharpness and color detail lessening the home theatre experience. And you'll never know how much of the essential drama is gone in the high performance picture and sound your system was originally designed to deliver. Monster's Clean Power Circuitry filters out power pollution for more natural sound and better TV picture. Designed by world renown AC power expert Richard March, Monster's Clean Power Circuitry uses special filters to dramatically reduce electronic noise on your AC power line to give you the best possible sound and picture from your components. You'll see a more vivid picture and hear more natural sound with increased dynamic range and less noise - especially if your AC power is severely polluted. You'll get back the performance you never knew you lost. Monster PowerCenters make life easier. Monster's FlatProfile plug lets you push your furniture flush against the wall. And, with color-coded outlets and cord labels, you can avoid unplugging your VCR by mistake, causing it to blink "12:00." Finally, a generous eight-foot Monster power cord, which is the optimum length to reach most electrical outlets, is included. Maximize your system's protection. Now you can get protection from harmful surges, voltage spikes and inconvenience! Monster's PowerCenters offer high performance solutions for today's technology challenges. Product Link online retailer coupons Current Mood: amused (Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
1:41 am	Halloween candy at Amazon from $7 free shipping via Prime Halloween candy at Amazon from $7 + free shipping via Prime Hershey's Halloween Snack Size 50-Piece Candy 2-Pack at amazon.com Hershey's Scare 'n' Share Snack Size 50-Piece Assorted Candy 2-Pack at amazon.com Hershey's Snack Size 50-Piece Assorted Candy 2-Pack at amazon.com Nestle Big Bag 36.5-Oz. Assorted Candy 2-Pack at amazon.com Nestle Ultimate Scream 32-Oz. Assorted Candy 2-Pack at amazon.com college students at amazon.com parents and caregivers at amazon.com free samples [Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<img [...] cups),>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.] <h3>Halloween candy at Amazon from $7 + free shipping via Prime</h3><br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004N5FRTM/&tag=naileddealsco-20">Hershey&apos;s Halloween Snack Size 50-Piece Candy 2-Pack</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004N5KULM/&tag=naileddealsco-20">Hershey&apos;s Scare &apos;n&apos; Share Snack Size 50-Piece Assorted Candy 2-Pack</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004N5J60I/&tag=naileddealsco-20">Hershey&apos;s Snack Size 50-Piece Assorted Candy 2-Pack</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XHFK48/&tag=naileddealsco-20">Nestle Big Bag 36.5-Oz. Assorted Candy 2-Pack</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DYQH5O/&tag=naileddealsco-20">Nestle Ultimate Scream 32-Oz. Assorted Candy 2-Pack</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/student/signup/info&tag=naileddealsco-20">college students</a> at amazon.com <br /><a style="font-size:16px;" class="postlink" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/mom/signup/info&tag=naileddealsco-20">parents and caregivers</a> at amazon.com <br /><br> <a href="http://www.naileddeals.com/deals/0/Month-Xbox-Live-Gold-1600-free-Points">free samples</a> <br> <img alt='Assortment (Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Whoppers, Kit Kat and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups), 100-Piece, 37.3-Ounce Bag' src='http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-0QMo1ytL.jpg'/> <br> Assortment includes:Greetings to you from Willy Wonka himself!Tremendous things are in store for you! Many tasty treats await you! Inside this Scrumdiddlyupptious package you will find mystic & marvelous surprises that will entrance, intrigue & delight you beyond measure. So don't just stand there with your mouth open. Go on. Feed your imagination.<br /> Current Mood: anxious (Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
1:40 am	M-Audio Studiophile AV40 for $110.99 on Amazon M-Audio Studiophile AV40 for $110.99 on Amazon Amazon has the AV40 right now for $110.99 shipped. at amazon.com similac 4" polypropylene-coated woofers for tight, accurate bassM-Audio AV 40 2.0 Monitor Speakers. M-Audio studio speakers are music industry bestsellers and now AV 40s bring this professional legacy to your home. Unlike plastic multimedia speakers, AV 40s use technology thats trusted by top musicians, engineers, and composers: premium woofer and tweeter components for rich lows and crystal highs; wave guides for clarity and detail; and wooden cabinets for tight, punchy sound. Theyre perfect for creating all kinds of mediaand also let you get the most out of your CDs, MP3s, DVDs, and games. The AV 40s are built with the same quality materials and precision electronics as the acclaimed M-Audio professional studio speakers. The audiophile-grade Class A/B amplifier architecture, ferrofluid-cooled silk cone tweeters, polypropylene-coated woofers, and dense wooden enclosures add up to big, defined sound that defies the speakers small size. The AV 40 speakers use proprietary OptImage wave guide technologyoriginally developed for the professional M-Audio speaker lineto deliver superior clarity and detail. Each speaker also features a precision-engineered crossover, which ensures that the sound emanating from the low-frequency driver will blend seamlessly with the sound from the high-frequency driverso those deep lows transition smoothly into crystal-clear highs. If you crave bass, the AV 40s have you covered. With wooden cabinets and bass reflex design, the AV 40s kick out serious low frequenciesperfect for producing hip-hop and electronic music, or enjoying your favorite CDs, MP3s, DVDs, and games. Many speakers emit stray magnetic flux that can wreak havoc with your computers video monitor or a nearby TV. The AV 40s are magnetically shielded, so they can coexist with other equipment without interference. Measurements: 6" L x 7.25" W x 8.75" H 7 lbs. Current Mood: pensive (Comment on this)