How to Write Great Movie Reviews for Your Entertainment Website

If you have an entertainment website then you're always looking for fresh, new, fun and interesting material to keep your readers coming back for more. Movie reviews are a great way to do that. People always want to know what someone else thinks about the movie they want to see and they will scour the web to look for these opinions. Now you could syndicate another site's reviews, but why do that? You want your readers to be loyal to you and your site and honestly, they want to hear what you have to say and what you think. If you're thinking you haven't the foggiest idea on how to write fun, compelling movie reviews, then think again. I'm going to tell you all you need to know.

1. Actively Watch the Movie ? Yes, I recognize that movie watching is a passive activity. Watching a movie isn't something you do, it is something that happens to you. However, if you want to write good reviews you have to learn to look at movies with a critical eye. This means you need to pay attention to everything and I mean Everything. Notice how the actors are placed in each shot, the setting, the camera angles, even the music. All of these elements play a role in the story that is trying to be told and are important to talk about if you want to write the compelling sort of reviews that your readers will stop by your site each week to read. .

2. Take Copious Notes ? No, I don't expect you to sit in a theatre with pen and pad or laptop in hand. But I do expect you to take solid mental notes. Information such as the actor's names or who the director was is easy to come across, but information like camera shots, or plot devices is not, so you need to train yourself not only to watch for that type of information but also to remember it.

3. Summarize. Don't Spoil. ? This is important. Nothing is worse then reading a review that tells the whole movie from beginning to end and leaves nothing for you to see. People want your opinion, not for you to spoil the movie. A basic summation of the plot is all that is necessary. From there you can talk about whether or not the plot worked well or was the plot even a plot at all. Let the details of the film be revealed when your readers see the film, not when they read your review.

4. Critical Analysis is Key ? The difference between a review anyone can write and a review people will clamor to read is in how well you analyze the film. Think about those papers you had to write for lit class in college. The professor didn't want you to just tell him what the book was about but wanted you to break down the themes in the book and how they related to the plot, the characters, etc. Well the same is true for a movie review. No one wants a summary of events or the plot. A good review will examine the themes or ideas the movie raises and talk about how well or not so well the movie executed those themes and ideas.

5. Point Out the Pros and the Cons ? No movie is perfect and rarely is any movie all bad, so take the time to talk about what the movies does well and what it does not so well.

6. Be Original ? For some folk it is two thumbs up, for others it is rotten tomatoes. Whatever you decide you want your rating system to be, be original. Try to find a hook that works for you. Just don't do something that closely resembles someone else or you'll just seem like a bad copy of the original.

Follow these steps and you'll be writing the best reviews the web has to offer and your readers will constantly come back for more week in and week out. Happy writing.

(C) 2005 Tamika Johnson

Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and editor and chief of Prologue, the best arts and entertainment online community the web has to offer. To read more articles by Tamika and to receive FREE tips on how to be a successful writer visit http://www.prologuezine.com

Motivating Your Employees

CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE: Create a climate where others find long-term motivation. Long term motivation comes from a positive work environment, and positive reinforcement. Usually long-term motivation is impossible without short-term motivation. Short-term motivation comes from the staff working together, learning from each other, and giving as well as receiving constant feedback to each other. Short-term motivation builds self motivation. Self motivation comes from daily reinforcements. Little reinforcements such as good food in the cafeteria, jolly co-workers, and a little pat on the back contribute to self motivation. If the staff enjoys working in the organization, they're more likely to do their best to stay there.

CREATING A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE: The ability to create a positive atmosphere is easier than you think. Your first aim is to achieve is perspective; the perspective of the employees who work for you. With their needs in mind, you will be able to create a more comfortable, yet professional atmosphere. Remember every time you do something positive for the staff, you are boosting morale which leads to a better work environment, or as the saying goes, "You are likely to get more with honey than vinegar."

YOU CAN BOOST EMPLOYEE MORALE: 1. Have an effective benefit plan. 2. Be flexible. 3. Trust employees. 4. Be pleasant. 5. Have a cafeteria with good food and good prices. 6. Have an office holiday party. 7. Have an annual luncheon for employees. 8. Schedule company outings and teams. 9. Thank employees for a job well done.

LINKING THE ORGANIZATION AND STAFF: Leaders link the organization and staff together. In fact, they are one of the few elements that directly connect the two. Other elements are projects, and office-related social events, both of which may not pose high-obligation for many employees. If an organization consisted of only employees nothing would happen, aside from a little hoopla. That's why there's often a chain of command in an organization, which usually range from the most successful leader to the least successful. And the least successful leader has no where to go but up.

Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium

CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Spyware - The Internet Devil Of Our Times!

Spyware and Adware infest over 90 percent of computers in use today. Internet linked computers has made it easy for spybots, adware, and trojans to infiltrate and compromise online privacy. Installed toolbars can also contribute to browser hijacking and spyware related problems.

Spyware, malware, scumware, and trojans gather information about people and online activities. It is important to deny these "Internet Pests" the opportunity to infiltrate computers, so that computer privacy is intact. Everybody is entitled to enjoy online privacy and security.

There are serious consequences pertaining to unidentified spyware, which include identity theft, computer corruption, slow down of pc system, privacy issues, and annoying pop-up ads. Neglecting to stop spyware is a surefire way to invite computer infestations. Spyware removal software is a "must" for Internet privacy and security.

Spyware slips by anti-virus and firewall protection by piggybacking on seemingly legitimate downloads. These spyware files are stealthily installed on computer systems without anyone ever knowing it. Infestations often occur when people download freeware, shareware, file sharing or through email and instant messaging.

Spyware and adware are applications that intertwine with core computer functions and make manual removal, without system disruption, very difficult for most computer users. That is why it is important to have anti-spyware software installed.

A spyware scanner is a useful tool that protects computers at all times, so that people can enjoy surfing the net, without compromising privacy. Personal surfing habits, online chats and Internet activities are protected from those prying Internet eyes. Online identity theft is of great concern these days. Hence, it is a good idea to install spyware removal software, for online privacy. Protect yourself, from Internet snooping and stealing of personal information, for peace of mind.

Julian Pereira has researched Spyware and its many implications over the years. He brings to light the many problems that spyware can cause to unsuspecting computer users besides the loss of privacy and the risk of identity theft. Julian also has a website that offers a Free Spyware Scanner that can be found at http://www.DeleteSpyware.net

End-Times and the Other Bible

Can you imagine Biblical "End-Times" prophecies happening in your lifetime? Does thinking about disasters like the three days of darkness and the Wormwood predictions trouble you when you're alone in the still of the night? If so, the "End-times" knowledge in a Bible-era wisdom text called The Kolbrin offers hope through new insights. Parts of it were written in the very days when Jesus walked the Earth, and it echoes the warnings of the Bible, that we could be in the "End-Times!"

Unlike the rare and arcane texts used by Bible researchers, The Kolbrin offers a familiar way to understand Bible prophecy. Written with families in mind, it offers simple "you-were-there" style accounts of many of the disasters also mentioned in the Bible. As a historical text, it covers the period between Exodus and the last additions to the New Testament.

WRITTEN IN BIBLICAL TIMES TO EXPLAIN THE END TIMES

Within its 548 pages, The Kolbrin offers a profound collection of prophecies and creation stories. Published by Your Own World Books in both print and ebook editions, it is now available at Amazon.com and other popular Internet bookseller sites.

By reading and sharing this ancient text with others, you will deepen your understanding of the Nature of God because of the way it complements the Bible. While God used the Bible to chronicle the growth of a Nation, The Kolbrin chronicles the lives of those who loved Him, and in a manner that reaches deep into the soul of the reader.

From ancient times and different lands, the Bible and The Kolbrin contributors describe many of the same accounts. Focused on individual impact, The Kolbrin's authors make you feel the gritty darkness against your skin, hear locusts swarming in to destroy your crops, and then leave you to watch your livestock whither and die before you.

The Kolbrin also offers ancient stories that could have been excluded from the Bible during its first translations centuries ago. These ancient stories reveal new "End-Times" perspectives with breathtaking clarity. You'll read about "End-Times" harbingers such as the giant "sky-monsters" (meteors) that battled in the heavens above until God cut them apart and threw them down upon the Earth.

ANCIENT WARNINGS OF MODERN THREATS

According to The Kolbrin, these "sky-monsters," precede and accompany the "The Destroyer," a massive object in a long-period orbit around our sun. What does it look like? They warn us it will "burns redly" as it enters the core of our system.

Mentioned profusely in the texts, the prophecy is clear. The "Destroyer" will return after The Kolbrin is revealed to humanity ? but could the ancients be wrong? Not likely. Our sun is more violent now than ever before in recorded history, and our planet is warming, as are the other major bodies in our system. Perhaps these are harbingers of the "Destroyer," as well.

While The Kolbrin offers somber warnings, it also offers hope. According to the ancients, the "Destroyer" is attended by "helpers" that can wreak havoc upon the Earth, or help humanity to grow in wisdom, and thereby, closer to God.

SHARE THE KOLBRIN WITH OTHERS TODAY

With the future of humanity at stake, the need for the common man to access the wisdom of The Kolbrin is paramount. The Kolbrin Citation System is designed specially for this purpose. Available only with Your Own World Books print and ebook editions, it speeds collaborative studies with a Bible-intuitive design. Optimized for popular ebook formats, it quickly leads readers to passages of interest in ways that were unimaginable to the original authors.

If the ancients are correct, the return of the "Destroyer" will happen in the near future. This makes the "End-Times" warnings of The Kolbrin a matter of urgency. For those with the foresight to prepare, it opens a doorway to ancient knowledge stretching back to the very days when Jesus walked the Earth.

For those on a limited budget, the publisher offers a special low-cost edition in the Mobipocket format. Also, most local libraries will acquire a copy of the print version upon request.

Free Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Marshall Masters is an author, publisher, Internet radio host, and former CNN science features news producer. His titles include Godschild Covenant: Return of Nibiru, Gold Fever, Indigo?E.T. Connection, and Orange Blossom. He also developed the Kolbrin Citation System to help encourage collaborative analysis of The Kolbrin, a Biblical-era document, published in both print and electronic versions.

The Kolbrin: Your Own World Books, First Edition
Learn More: http://yowbooks.com/html/kolbrin.html
Free Samples: http://dx.doi.org/10.1572/kolbrin
Marshall Masters, The Kolbrin Citation System
http://dx.doi.org/10.1572/marshall.masters

Fuel Prices on the Rise

With gasoline prices at the pump climbing strongly into the $2 slot, many people are becoming concerned about how high they may go, and what Congress should do about it, if anything. Petroleum prices effect the pricing of so many other products. Most of the items bought by consumers have been trucked some distance from a factory, to a warehouse, to a retail store. Consumer transportation, home heating, and electricity can also be adversely affected by rising fuel costs.

Besides capped oil wells and vast reserves in Alaska, the United States maintains a petroleum storage called the "U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve". This government-owned stockpile of crude oil is stored away in a series of salt domes in Texas and Louisiana. Current records show the reserves to be holding 700 million barrels of crude. These reserves are held for national emergencies or during wartime efforts. A significant amount was withdrawn from these reserves during Desert Storm in 1990. As of late, the Bush Administration has been topping off these large salt caverns with crude, even as the price was on the rise.

Unfortunately, these vast reserves are only a drop in the barrel when compared with the United States domestic demand. Presently at 20 million barrels per day, the United States could completely drain this reserve in just 35 days. Of course, every country on the globe uses petroleum. Global demand is now at about 82 million barrels per day, and rising each year by about 2 million barrels per day. The Energy Information Administration website estimates total global reserves of petroleum at approximately 1.2 trillion barrels. It is unclear from the report viewed for this article as to whether this is a report of all known crude on the planet, or just the crude of developed sites. If it is an estimate of all known crude, than at current global usage---without increases in use--- this indicates that 39-1/2 years of crude remains.

Some in U.S. Congress have been pushing the agenda to begin drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge. On March 16, a closely divided senate voted in favor to open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, moving the country one step closer to opening the Alaskan crude reserves. Experts estimate that the billions of barrels of oil beneath the 1.5 million-acre coastal plain can be extracted from key positions so as to cause minimal interruption to the surrounding area. Many political hurdles must be passed before drilling would be permissible. After committee reviews, the Senate and House both still must pass the final version of the proposal. Experts estimate that it would take 7 to 10 years of development before oil would be pumping from the ground.

Opponents argue that the volume of Alaskan oil will be insignificant to control petroleum prices, or to substantially reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Government models forecast that oil companies would be able to pump nearly 1 million barrels of oil per day from the Alaskan Refuge by the year 2025. At present U.S. demand, that represents 5% of daily consumption.

According to the Energy Information Administration website, the Middle East crude reserves account for 57% of global supply. The North American continent holds about 17%. The remaining 26% of supplies are somewhat evenly split around the globe, with the smallest volumes being in Asia and Western Europe, where crude demand is quite high. Much of the developed world relies on imported crude.

Tom Clouser is a 38 year old farmer in Pennsylvania. In addition to farming, he and his father publish a monthly 16-page newspaper called "Trees 'n' Turf", which targets subjects of interest to those in land use industries and activities. View their website at http://www.clouserfarm.net

5 Tips for Dining Out and Eating Healthily

Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant meal has over 1,000 calories? That's enough to blow any healthy eating plan. Fortunately, by following a few simple guidelines, you can dine out without having to sacrifice good taste and nutrition.

1. Avoid ordering an appetizer. It's a little known fact that some appetizers have more calories and fat than the main course. Plus, many appetizers are fried and served with heavy sauces which will add to your intake of saturated fat as well as trans fats and calories. It's not a healthy way to start your meal.

2. Say "yes" to salad. Salad is a healthy eater's best friend. Not only will it fill you up so you'll consume fewer calories overall, but it will also give you a hefty dose of antioxidants which are heart healthy. Be sure to ask your waitress to hold the croutons and cheese which will further reduce your caloric load. Also, choose your dressing wisely. Avoid cream based dressings and go for the vinegar based ones. You also have the option of using vinegar and olive oil which is heart healthy.

3. Make the right entree selection. Go for broiled and grilled rather than fried. Not only will you save calories and fat grams, you'll also avoid trans fats which are so prevalent in fried foods. Instead, consider asking for a doubles order of vegetables with your entree. Very few Americans are getting the 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended for optimal health. Plus, by avoiding the starch, you'll be reducing your caloric and carbohydrate load. Also, stick to tomato based sauces rather than cream based and you'll enjoy a considerable calorie savings. Lastly, ask for the sauce to be served in a separate dish on the side so you can control the amount you eat.

4. Think about what you're drinking with your meal. By not ordering an alcoholic beverage, you've saved yourself a considerable number of calories. Try sipping iced tea sweetened with a noncaloric sweetener, a diet soft drink, or water with lemon. You'll be glad you did when you consider the calorie savings.

5. Indulge your sweet tooth wisely. Many of the chain restaurants now offer a low fat or low carbohydrate dessert selection such as a low carb cheesecake. These are wise choices for the health conscious eater and still allow you to end the meal on a sweet note. If a healthy dessert option isn't available, try a cup of coffee with skim milk to help satiate your desire for something sweet.

6. Learn to control your portions. Many restaurants are serving larger quantities of food than in the past. If this is the case, put aside a portion of your entree at the beginning of the meal to take home with you. If you remove it from your plate before you start eating, you'll be less tempted to overindulge.

By following these steps, you can make your dining experiences not only healthy, but enjoyable. Your heart will thank you!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Planning Weddings on a Budget

Planning as early as possible for your wedding is the key to maintaining a budget you can afford. It is a good idea for both the future Bride and Groom to do this together. You may find that you have two completely different ideas of what your wedding should cost.

Make a list for each area of your wedding. This will help you in coming up with a total cost for your special day. Include the amount you would like to spend and who will be paying for each area. The following is a list of some area's you may want to consider adding to your list:

1. Wedding accessories and gown
2. Grooms Formalwear
3. Bridal Jewelry
4. Ceremony Site, Officiator, Musicians and vocalists
5. Photographer
6. Reception Hall
7. Wedding Favors & Decorations
8. Wedding Cake
9. Toasting Flutes and a Cake Serving Set
10. Flowers
11. Dancing Music for the reception
12. Invitations
13. Flowers
14. Attendant Gifts
15. Honeymoon

Open a savings account just for your wedding expenses and start saving for your big day as soon as possible. Try to plan only what you can afford without the use of credit cards and loans. Remember you are beginning your new life together, and it will be much easier without the accumulated a huge debt in planning your wedding.

Best wishes on starting your new life together debt free.

Rose Baylor handles news and information for Rosemarie's Wedding Boutique. For more information on bridal accessories, bridal party gifts and other items for your wedding day, visit http://www.weddingsbyrose.com