RIP Steve Jobs

Tonight, I was sitting in my night class partaking in a video chat class, when a fellow classmate abruptly announced to the students who were in the room that Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs died at age 56.

My immediate reaction was shock and disbelief, especially considering yesterday the world was a buzz with the announcement of the new iPhone 4S.

We googled his name and the first story that popped up was one entitled, "Steve Jobs is Dead." We tried to find more information on the subject, but considering the news just got released, there wasn't much else we could do besides speculate. Trending on twitter mere minutes after the news broke, was "#iSad", paying homage to Apple's trademark name and the man who created it.

As someone who considers themselves a "Mac",  I am very saddened by this news.

Steve Jobs was a visionary who created one of the biggest companies in the world.

He brought us iPods, which help us carry our entire catalog of music around in a convenient place; personally, I'd be lost without it.

He brought us the Macbooks, which let's be honest, are the coolest computers ever(although, I may be  biased because I happen to be obsessed with my macbook pro).

He brought us the iPhone, which is one of the most high tech and coolest phones out there. Honestly, in a few years, every single person will have an iPhone. The iPhone is now even being brought to Sprint, one of the networks that didn't offer the apple super phone (this news makes me happy since I recently just switched my service to Sprint; I have a blackberry right now and although I don't want to conform and get an iPhone, I know that my next phone in a few years will most likely be an iPhone).

Steve Jobs helped to mold how society interacts with each other. Through his apps, he helped people get information quickly and be entertained for hours. I mean, who doesn't love fruit ninja or angry birds? If you've never played those games, you should download it on your iPhone or iPod touch because it is so addicting, and I am kind of awesome at it! But, I digress.

Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple in August of this year and everyone went crazy wondering what would become of Apple. Jobs suffered from Pancreatic cancer, but no one expected him to die so suddenly, and at a young age. According to his family, he went peacefully at his home. While this doesn't take away from the sadness of the news, it is nice to know there was no suffering.

He will be missed by those who knew him personally, and those who knew him as the creator of a worldwide phenomenon.

RIP Steve Jobs.

Lion King goes 3D

It's the circle of life! At least, that's what the opening song of The Lion King says, and nothing is proven more true when it comes to this Disney classic.


Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president of distribution, said, "The Lion King is a timeless classic whose characters and story are as beloved today as ever."

The Lion King originally premiered in June of 1994, and was re-released on September 16th for two weeks this year in 3D. The movie grossed over $408.2 million and has become one of the Top Ten Grossing Films of All Time Domestically.


Loosely based on the bible stories of Moses and Joseph, this movie is Disney's 32nd animated film. According to the Hollywood Reporter, The Lion King is, "the highest-grossing hand drawn animation film of all time, earning $783.8 million at the worldwide box office."

If you have no idea what this movie is all about, then you must be living under a rock, perhaps the same one Scar and the Hyenas do in the film. But as always, I aim to please, so I will give you a brief summary of the movie until you can run to your nearest Blockbuster to grab a copy(you may have to run far since pretty much every Blockbuster is closed now, but trust me it's worth the trek).

The movie starts off with animals surrounding Pride Rock in Africa to witness King Mufasa's newborn son, Simba, for the first time. This is where that catchy "Circle of Life," song that I mentioned comes in. (Check it out below!) 

As the movie progresses, Simba grows up a little bit and we see him prancing around the desert with his good buddy, Nala, singing songs like, "I Just Can't Wait to be King", and if you can't guess what that song is about, then I quit.


But seriously, soon tragedy ensues, and poor Simba is tricked by his evil Uncle Scar to run far away and never come back. Simba meets some wild characters along the way(ahem Timon and Pumba anyone?) and grows up and forgets all about his responsibility to become king of Pride Rock. Anyway, some other stuff happens, and in classic Disney fashion, Simba falls in love and rightfully resumes his throne by the end of the movie.


Basically, it's an amazing movie that you have to see, like yesterday. Seriously people, put it on your bucket list.

As a kid of the 90s, I have to say, I was beyond excited that this movie was being re-released. While my favorite Disney movie is "Beauty and The Beast," I have a special place in my heart for this one. I gleefully shoveled out the $16 to see this movie and grabbed a seat front and center to witness my childhood come to life.


This movie did not disappoint and made me sing and laugh and cry as a college student at 20, just like it did when I was a 5 year old with awful bangs and a squeaky voice. The quality was better than my 15 year old VHS tape and the 3D didn't detract from the movie. I feel like the 3D in a lot of movies isn't very good. It takes away from the movie and you get distracted from the message of the movie because of the effect. With this movie, I feel like it added to it. It made the animation more clear and precise and it made the overall experience more enjoyable. However, because I love this movie in its own right, it really doesn't need the 3D to make it amazing. But, 3D or not, this was definitely the best $16 I've ever spent on a movie.


Overall, I give this re-release four paws up!

Demi Lovato is "Unbroken"

Say what you want about Demi Lovato, but one thing that you can't deny is the girl can sing.

Demi Lovato's new album, "Unbroken", dropped on Tuesday, September 20th. It quickly shot to the number one spot on iTunes and has fans and critics alike praising Lovato for her powerhouse vocals.

This long awaited album did not disappoint with its pop rock and lyrical infusion tunes. Half of the album are the type of songs you want to blast in your car while driving around aimlessly with your friends trying to find something to do(maybe that's just me and my friends); and the other half is a series of beautifully arranged songs with lyrics that you will bound to be belting out in your spare time.

"I wanted to come out of the gate with this song, because a lot of people were expecting me to talk about what I've been through the past year. I want my music to do the explaining, " said 19 year old Demi Lovato of her new album, in an interview with the LA Times.

Last year, Lovato went through some personal issues that landed her in a rehab for three months. She got out of rehab in January and revealed that she suffers from Bullimia and she is Bipolar. These personal struggles did not stop Demi, as she stepped back out into the public eye stronger than ever, told her story to her legions of supportive and anxious fans, and got back to work finishing her third studio album with Disney's Hollywood Records.

While many are bowing down to the young star for her comeback, others think she could have taken the album to another level. The Huffington Post's music review says, "I'm skipping "Unbroken" because musically it's no different from the hundreds of other formulaic factory albums that numb my brain. Still, I'm looking forward to hearing the artist Demi Lovato will become once she cuts the final Disney cord."

Personally, I can not get enough of this album. The more upbeat songs are fun and catchy and are perfect to dance to. But what really has me sold on this album is Demi's more lyrical and softer songs. These songs are the ones that have you listening carefully to the lyrics in fear of missing something else she has to say. Those songs really help you understand Demi as not only as the "cookie cutter" Disney pop star she has become known for being, but as a young woman going through personal struggles like many young women, who just happens to be in the public eye.

Fashion of the 2011 Emmys

Fashion is everywhere.

It is in magazines, TV, and the movies we watch, and of course, it is all over the red carpets of the award shows that honor the stars that are in the magazines, televisions shows and movies we watch. This past Sunday, September 18, was the 63rd annual Emmy awards, and all of the stars came out to show support for America's favorite pasttime, television.


This year, it wasn't only Modern Family that was hot. The hottest trends on the red carpet included the color red, shoulder baring dresses and metallics. Many stars stepped out in curve hugging red gowns and strapless dresses that showed off their figures and made simple statements that knocked even fashion's harshest critics off of their six inch stilettos. Below is a few stars whose looks really stood out and created a buzz throughout the world and entertainment industry alike.


Nina Dobrev  in Donna Karan:

Nina really got it right with this Donna Karan gown. She was wearing the popular color of the night and despite the fact that she matched the red carpet, she still made a major statement. The gown's fit was impeccable and the subtle jewelry kept this look simple and classic. She even got high praises from fashion's self proclaimed "loud mouth", Joan Rivers, on Monday night's episode of E!'s "Fashion Police". Jay Manuel, creative director for America's Next Top Model talked to CBS news about Nina, and he said, "I love the fit. I love the texture. I loved it all."


Gweneth Paltrow in Pucci:

Whoever says that Gweneth doesn't take risks, clearly has not yet seen what she wore to the 2011 Emmy awards. The dress' overall transparent effect and cut out midriff were a definitely different choice, and this may be more appropriate for the MTV Movie Awards, and not television's biggest night. The Toronto Sun's online edition said, "It's not just that Gweneth Paltrow bared her midirff, nor is it the childish ruffled hems on her Pucci dress. It's not even the inelegeant outline of her breasts that the webbed lace created. It's the fact that all these misses came together on a beautiful woman at once that made this look a disaster." 


Julianna Margulies in Armani Privé:

Julianna won the Emmy for her role on The Good Wife. This white Armani Privé dress was definitely statement making. The top is the biggest problem with this gown; it doesn't fit and the odd silver circles on the front of it are reminiscent of Christmas ornaments. E! Online said, "the out-of-this-world Armani Privé gown with Palladium earrings that may have worked for Anne Hathaway and Lady Gaga before, but just seems to wash out The Good Wife actress when she should be glowing." Even though her dress may have lost, she still won and got to walk away with the shiny gold trophy, in her shiny white dress.


Heidi Klum in Christian Siriano:

Heidi Klum is known for her flawless style and ability to pull off even the craziest of dresses. It looks like she decided to put that to the test when she chose this dress created by Project Runway's Christian Siriano. The dress has fashion critics scratching their heads, while others thought the risk she took paid off. E!'s fashion police said that they "long for the days when the supermodel oozed sophistication on the red carpet." The dress is a gorgeous beige color and the top fit her perfectly, however the skirt of the dress looks like a bunch of cauliflower. Heidi Klum is a supermodel for a reason, and even with this daring fashion choice, no critic could deny how beautiful she looked.


Many stars who showed up on the red carpet looked glamourous. Some completely stole the show with their effortless looks, while others left critics and audiences alike questioning what they were thinking. Fashion isn't the point of these award shows, it's the actors who wear the clothes that matter. For the Emmys, it's television that counts, yet once again, the fashion  choices of its stars stole the show.