Very cute

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Episode 1 (Original UK Version)

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Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012)

In the age of Hollywood's seeming endless films aimed against greed, consumerism, and environmental destruction, "The Lorax" is not to be outdone. Unlike the other films with hidden messages, this one is very direct. The voice of Danny Devito and Betty White made the film very special as you can see them in those roles. The film incorporates some of the original Dr. Seuss poetry to convey the message, but doesn't bog down the film with it as to lose the target audience who may not enjoy it as much as we did when we read the original first edition hard covers in the third grade. The story is about the Once-ler (what's in a name? Ed Helms) who cuts down all the trees and at times looking like Elton John playing the Pinball Wizard. He did this to make the Thneed (a versatile Huggie) that no one wanted until a pretty girl wore one. Ted Wiggins (Zac Efron) wants to obtain a tree because the pretty redhead Audry (Taylor Swift) wants one. Sort of like Brad Pitt suddenly caring about hungry third world kids. There are musical numbers and numerous messages about consumer marketing, greed, bottled water, and the environment. SNL's Nasim Pedrad did the voice of the Once-ler's mom, reminding me of the grandmother in the old Carol Burnett series. Perhaps the best message of the film is that individuals can make a difference. As an adult I enjoyed the film. Get one at Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

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Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

The cast of characters - Marty, Alex, Gloria, and and Melman - decide to leave Africa and go back to New York, but need the penguins help to fly back, the penguins are as hilarious as they have been. With the penguins in Monte Carlo, there begins their adventure. They run into the devious Captain Chantal Dubois is the head of animal control in Europe who is called for help. She is a little too serious about her job and wants to mount the heads of the animals, particularly Alex the lion's, on her wall as trophies. She brings delightful humor with her ways! In a way she reminded me of the "Bad Kitty" eastern European lady from NY in part 2. The scenes with her are very funny. The lemur king Julian falls in love with the bear at the circus and he is entertaining as always, the very talented Sacha Baron Cohen has done a remarkable job with this character.

The animals join a circus in an attempt to get away from Dubois. A number of new characters are introduced here who are part of the circus. This is where the movie picks up pace and bursts with color, and makes it a joy watching in 3D. This has to be one of the best 3D treats our family has seen this year across Ice Age, Brave, and The Lorax. The overall plot of the film is not as strong or content-rich as the first one, but the vivid colors and brilliant scenes make this as much a treat to watch as the previous two films.

I like it at Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

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Sons Of Anarchy

I knew Clay was planning something from the start of the season but if this episode is any indication, we are only glimpsing the tip of the iceburg! Whatever happens, Jax will prevail. I foresee Pope ultimately meeting his demise in the same fashion as Tig's daughter Dawny. Can't wait to see that come to fruition. Talk about poetic justice. Hehe. Maybe this season's finale??? OMGosh! What if I am right? More at Small World

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Capture Life's Sweetest Moments With These Photo-Friendly Tips

Photography can employ a lot of different techniques depending upon whom you ask or talk to about it. We all know that a clear shot generally constitutes a good photo, but there is so much more to a photo than that. Take some time to better your skills by using the tips below.

After you are finished taking pictures, try your hand at editing them. A popular technique for creating interest in a picture is to make an only one-color show. Make the image appear to be black and white, but for a single color or subject. This will create contrast, and draw the eye where you want it.

Try using a tripod to take your photos. This will reduce or completely remove your movement's influence. It's incredibly frustrating to have lined up a perfect shot only to discover that your hands were shaking a bit and completely blurred the photo. This is especially important if you know you don't have extremely steady hands.

When you are shooting a photo of someone, make sure that you are close to them to maximize the quality of the details on their face. This is very important, as you will want to capture every aspect of their expression to help to personalize the photos that you take.

An important tip to consider with photography is that while black and white photography can look artistic at times, you do not want to overdo it. This is important because those who are involved with photography will spot this from a mile away and will be sure to let you know if they sense anything that seems forced.

Hold your camera properly. You should hold it on one side and use your other hand to support the lens. Place your hand under the lens instead of over it. When you place your hands this way, you are supporting the camera instead of applying pressure, which could make your pictures blurry.

In photography, it is very important to vary the amount of angles that you use on your subject. Shoot pictures from the front, side, and back, which will help to give you an elegant collage instead of just one angle. Move around as often as possible to optimize your results.

If you want to take good black and white pictures, the most important thing, is to be able to understand the subtlety on how to play with light and shade. A good place to start when learning about light and shade, is a book that is specifically geared at black and white photography. After that, you will just have to practice what you read about.

Decide what you want out of a camera before you invest in one. Decide if you would like film, or if a digital camera will better suit your needs. You should also decide what features you will like to have. Know if you want a point and shoot type, or a more complicated manual focus type.

Even if you are taking a landscape photo, make sure your shot has a focal point. Shots without a focal point can look rather empty and dull. Possible focal points for a nature landscape photo include big trees, waterfalls, and distant mountains. Another trick is to use something that stands out as your focal point, such as a patch of different colored flowers.

When you have to rely on steadying your hand instead of using a tripod, use your body to keep it straight. What you need to do to steady your hand when taking a picture is dig your elbow into your body for support and to steady it. This will keep it from shaking.

Meeting up and joining with fellow photographers is a great way to hone your craft. Think about it: Everyone meets up in a vocation like this, from cyclists to soccer players. It's only natural that photographers group together. Holding friendly little competitions and exploring the world together can improve your skills.

Keep your background as simple as possible. By having a simple background, it will help to enhance your subject in the photograph. Busy backgrounds will distract the viewer's attention. You can also blur the background with a wide aperture to focus on your subject only. Either one of these techniques will help your subject to stand out in the picture.

Try to plan out all of your shots. You should plan out everything from the subject, to the angle, to the lighting in the area where you will be shooting. Taking a bit of time to plan all of this out, can lead to much better and more interesting photographs.

It is true that you should have a clear shot of the subject in a photo. That said, there is much more to a good photo than just that. You can always improve upon your shots, and hopefully these tips gave you advice on how you can do precisely that. More information at Digital Photography Basics: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Great Digital Photos

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