iMissyRae 2.0: "I Can Do Bad All by Myself"

Spoiler alert! Don't read any further at your own risk!

Tyler Perry, who is well-known for his films about family ideals and African-American empowerment, has once again brought audiences everywhere another movie about the conflicts of a family struggling to stay together, and although the commercials practically reveal the plot of the film, the commercials themselves do not do the movie justice.

Yes, Perry still plays the routine role of Madea in this film, but instead of the usual marital problems that he incoorperates into his work, he focuses on the battles of a young nightclub singer named April, played by Taraji P. Henson, who is struggling to find love, security, and compassion for others.

As a result of a sexually abusive childhood, April struggles to trust men and anyone who comes close to finding out who the real April is. So she instead chooses to numb the pain through constant clubbing and drinking. Because of this partying lifestyle, Henson's character falls into an affair with a married man, who is played by Brian J. White, which is quite different for Perry's style since he tends to focus on the wife rather than the mistress. Above all, April practically plays the mascot of immaturity in the beginning of the movie and as a result of her selfish attitude and carpe diem outlook on life, she continuously has to choose between her happiness and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, across town, April's niece and two nephews fatefully find trouble and hope when they meet an old woman named Madea in a not so optimistic situation. Audiences soon observe a sleeping Madea being awakened by a crash downstairs. Those who have watched Perry's previous films will note that although Madea is portrayed as an old woman, her strength and attitude are that of a fighter -- she is always ready for an ambush. As Madea makes her way downstairs, she discovers sixteen year-old Jennifer, played by Hope Olaide Wilson, stealing (or at least trying to steal) a VCR player.

Of course Madea explodes and almost calls the police or in her words "calls da popo," but since Jennifer has her two little brothers with her (Manny and Byron), Madea allows them to stay the night and finds that there's more to these supposed criminals then she thinks.

It seems as though their grandmother hadn't been seen for four days, and being the kind woman she is, Madea practically forces April to let her niece and nephews stay with her until they eventually discover her mother's whereabouts.

Now, I definitely don't wanna spoil anymore details about the movie for you fellow blog-readers, but I will give my official Magnificent Missy Star Scale Score for this Tyler Perry original:

DRUM ROLLS PLEASE...

4 out of 5 stars


Yes, the movie was that good. The film kept the audience in tune with their emotions, proposed a complex plot that many could relate to, and allowed viewers to visualize their own happy ending. Although there were moments of exaggerated crying and screaming, the film conveyed a larger message that was more important then the dramatics. It showed viewers the importance of family and how religion and even a bit of spirituality can be beneficial for one's emotional growth. It also revealed a balanced opinion of views towards the subject of love and life.

Overall, I definitely recommend this movie. It made me laugh, cry, and smile -- all the things everyone needs every now and again..

Clearly Claire: Spiritless Week

I woke up this morning, excited, because today was all about 80's. I live for the 80's. It is, in my opinion, the best decade. I sometimes think I was born in the wrong decade. 

I watched the dance scene of "The Breakfast Club" in order to get in the mood. I put my hair into a side ponytail and walked out of the house ready to meet crowds with big hair, leggings, and neon colored- clothes, but I ended in a disappointed haze.

What happened to the elementary school days, where everyone in the class came in pj's on pajama day and multi-colored locks for crazy hair day? Well, wherever they went, they are sure long gone. I at least expected all of the leadership kids to be in their punk an d neon outfits, but not all of them were.

How do they expect me to have school spirit and get excited for homecoming, when they, themselves, cannot manage to even put their hair in a side ponytail or throw on a neon t-shirt. 

I do have to say, that I am not the most spirited. I forgot the first spirit day, which itself was not advertised very well, but even then all of the leadership students were not dressed. It is not that hard to dress like a boy.  To dress like a girl is a little harder, but all that is really needed is tissue, if you know what I mean.

I am not asking for every student to be dressed, because that is illogical. It wold be awesome, but illogical to ask that. I would just appreciate it if the people who came up with the days and yell at me in the hallway about my lack of school spirit would at least be dressed up (for not having dressed the first day). It that too much to ask?  

Amato still at risk

It's been exactly a month since the investigation about Amato began. As a follow up...

According to recordnet.com, Amato most definitely is now at high risk for losing his job. Many say it has to do with the investigation of "Tony Amato's involvement with an organization that links textbook and curriculum publishers with school administrators."

I say that a lot of people are jumping to conclusions, and from the looks of it, I see that if he is part of some sort of "secret organization," it is only kept hushed because of that fact that students get squirmy when they hear of bigger and better learning strategies.

Perhaps Amato is simply trying to find new ways to insure the best education for students. I found it very odd that the first thing they thought was that he was trying to destroy the school system. He's the superintendent! Come on, get realistic here!

Why would somebody jeopardize a job that great? Absolutely illogical. A lot are saying that they are trying to stop him from making needed changes. Some, on the other hand say that these reforms can't come quick enough.

We need somebody to get us out of this national debt, and if it takes better education for the future, then why not let him push students harder. Us students are the future, and if that hasn't occured to parents and administrators yet, well..here's your wake-up call.


For more information on this topic, there are several articles on recordnet.com and you can also contact the reporter below, who is the writer for most of them.



Roger Phillips
(209) 546-8299
rphillips@recordnet.com.

Stagg High's Mascot Just a Bit Fed up!

So, people have been giving me a bit of hard time being our school mascot. They say well "You're too pretty of a girl to be in a huge smelly suit." And I'm just so fed up with it. I mean come on why do they care? If i have fun doing what i do then why should it even matter to them. Do I tell them they're too smart to be doing drugs. dealing drugs, or skipping school. No i don't so this is what makes me angry at times when they ask these repetitive questions. At first I was able to ignore it like it was nothing, as if it was just another problem in the world that meant absolutely nothing to me.
Its really not much of a big deal to me anymore. Yeah I'm a bit fed up and angry with what they say, but they're entitled to their opinion just as well as I am and now every time they ask me that question I simply tell them, "You know what you are entitled to your opinion just as well as I am entitled to my opinion and I'm also entitled to my freedom of speech and I can say that your opinion means absolutely nothing to me!"
Well this brings me to a brief little statement I am a mascot and yes I do enjoy it. Yes it's hot, but I simply love it. I mean if I mess up the crowd is not going to be like oh my gosh she messed up, they're going to think it was a part of my routine.

THE FRIENDLY FEMINIST: Lady GaGa

For Valentine’s Day, I wanted some sweet-smelling flowers, and a funny card.
Lady GaGa wanted “a good f***”.


No, she didn’t grow up on the wrong side of town.
No, she isn’t a prostitute.
And no. She’s not completely stupid. Don’t let her outrageous wigs, pantless outfits, and sequined panties fool you.


In an unidentified interview on her sexuality, which happens to be her most popular interview, she says the only thing she looks for in a guy, is…


Big assets.

And yes, that’s it.

But Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta learned piano at four and wrote her first ballad at 13. She attended the Convent of The Sacred Heart Catholic School (the same school Nicky and Paris Hilton went to) and was one of the 20 students around the world at that time to gain early acceptance into an exclusive performing arts school. She later was accepted into NYU.

And you thought honor roll was a big deal.

With a track record like that, I have to give her kudos. I’m seventeen and I don’t think I have as much to show for it.

What bothers me about Lady GaGa is her “identity”, or lack thereof. I’ve heard her music, listened to her interviews, and seen videos of her perform. The grandmother in me almost died. What on earth was she thinking? She’s not a person, she’s a blow-up doll! Who said it was okay to run around declaring how much casual sex you want or have had?

She’s all about attention and she’s so eager to please.

But she prides herself in embracing pop culture. And it’s clear. Contagious pop songs, risqué outfits, and enough hair and make up to make Andy Dick look pretty – this girl knows how to get a crowd.

But I think I know her secret.

She IS pop culture.

She epitomizes everything we’ve come to. She’s the icon of our skin-deep culture, a mirror to all the sweet, glossy sins we feed off of.

She’s fascinating. You don’t believe her. But you can’t help but dance or at least sing along when she’s on the radio.

So I salute you, Lady GaGa. I see the strings you are held by, and I am fine with them. Your little puppet show has us to our seats, but we’re more attached to ours than you are to your puppeteers.

You may not separate pleasure from business, but you’ve turned it AND us into one.

iMissyRae 2.0: Civilization Turned Annihilation?

We've all seen commercials for the upcoming movie 2012 on TV screens everywhere.

The movie's trailers consist of the usual crowd teasers -- fatal explosions, audio pulsation, and cataclysmic disaster. Throw that into a pot full of panic and you have yourself the ultimate end of the year movie.

Set to be released on November 13th, 2009, director Roland Emmerich, who has an extensive background in disaster movies, some being The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and Godzilla (1998), has again directed a thriller meant only to entertain the thought of worldly extinction.

But what makes this movie different? Sure the story line is compiled of fictional characters and settings, but in all realization, the event set to happen in the movie has a history.

When the Mayans were still in existence, they predicted a time of great change for the world: December 21st, 2012, otherwise known as doomsday. Though the Mayans didn't make any prophetic accusations, many speculate that this day will in fact be the end of life as we know it.

The 2012 phenomenon has been under close research and many sources including the prophetic texts from Nostradamus and The Book Of Revelation in the Bible, clearly describe an event similar to an apocalyptic catastrophe. However, no specific texts have confirmed the actual "end of the world" being in 2012.

However, there are numerous theories linked to 2012 describing what exactly will happen in this fateful year. Some predictions include the idea of solar flares, super volcanic eruptions, and even planet collisions.

But Missy, why blog about the end of the world? Isn't the whole situation a bit exaggerated?

Okay so the whole human extinction trend is a bit old news but after watching The Nostradamus Effect on the History Channel, I can't quite grasp the thought of dying in three years (and counting). The whole idea seems silly and vague yet I still ponder the situations we are supposedly "destined" to encounter, and as we travel forward, society's mood towards this phenomenon grows more anxious.

Will we die? Will every species on the planet cease to exist? Will mankind have made it this far to see the world fall apart? The facts.. well there aren't any. All we have are ancient prophecies and our own intuitions, but if you happen to be sleeping, eating, or even partying on this fateful day and nothing happens.. THEN we can just laugh it off at our ten year reunion.

Until then, beware! You never know when destiny will sneak up on you and demolish your species.

(*Distressful organ plays in background along with rolling thunder and echoed "muahahaha's" Screen fades to black.)

Fin.

Amazing.. Maybe?

Okay, so I know everyone has a mom or dad or maybe both parents. Well I have both. My dad doesn't understand me whatsoever, but who's dad does? It's like he don't even care at times. Aside from all this we get along at times and we relate on many levels. I may have a closer relationship with my mom, but there are things I can talk to my dad about that I wouldn't be able to talk to my mom about. Like when my friend died like almost a month ago, I was able to talk to my dad about it and he understood me and how I was feeling and how I am still feeling.

One day we were coming back from church. it was probably a week after I found out about my friends death and I asked him, "Dad have you ever lost one of your friends when you were younger to any type of violence?" His response was, "Yeah, why babes?" "Because dad I lost my friend a week ago," "Was he the kid that got shot on airport out east by the pizza place?" I broke down in tears and said, "Yeah, that's him. Dad I miss him so much. I don't know what to feel anymore. He was somebody that I was close to, someone that made me smile when nobody else could, he was like a big brother," My dad patted me and said, "Don't cry, he is still here with you, not physically but emotionally. Just because you lost one friend, does'nt mean its the end of the world. I know exactly what your going through and how much it hurts, but you need to stop and think. Would he want you crying over him right now and being all sad over him?" I told my dad, "No he would want me to smile."