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Divx Full Legit Movie Download – The Advantages of DIVX Full Movies Download

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:59:29 +0000

Even with the digitally copied movies that can be downloaded for free in p2p sharing sites may cut off the opening and closing credits in an effort to minimize byte size. And we all know that certain movie outfits like to put in a little zing at the end of the credits like an additional footage of the movie to introduce the sequel, for example.

Quality of the movie suffers as well. I mean, surely a digitally enhanced, state of the art movie with Dolby Sound Surround does not translate well to a pirated copy. This is the reason why people, despite additional expenses, still prefer to download movies through legitimate channels. One good example would be these movie download sites that provide DivX full movies channels for as little as $1.37 a month. And this goes for their 2 year subscription. Their 1 year subscription is $2.49 a month. However, if you prefer a limitless access for any number of years, you could try their $34.95 package. The price is well worth all the DivX full movie download you could collect.

Why do I have to use DivX when there are so many other movie formats out there?

True enough, there are a number of movie formats out there with their own movie player version. However, if you want quality (and we mean that with a capital Q) DivX can afford you the best audio and visual offerings. Most (legit) DVD copies in the market these days are stored in DivX formats, and you know that these are worlds away from the raggedy copies made by pirates in the theater or those copied from VCD formats. Also, the DivX player is quite versatile. Unlike other players that may become choosy when it comes to movie formats, the DivX player can accommodate almost everything, from the simplest .avi format to mpeg4.

If you want convenience, then you can have that with DivX full movies download. The DivX player can be downloaded for free on the DivX website. Yes, that means it’s free of charge. Since it is compatible with most other movie formats, you do not have to worry about movie formats and corresponding players. You can use the DivX player all throughout.

Additionally, if you are subscribing to the services of be these movie download sites you can burn your movies on to a blank DVD. Afterwards, you can play your DivX movie on any DVD player you have, whether it is in your home entertainment unit or your portable DVD player.

And lastly, since DivX compresses files easily without sacrificing the quality of the movie, you can have your full download without becoming partials, at the fastest possible time. You do not have to wait for your beard to grow for one DivX full movie download to finish downloading.

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Classic Television Show DVD Popularity On The Rise

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:36:53 +0000

In recent years, it has become a growing trend to buy and watch classic television shows on DVD for your family entertainment. The availability of some of the all-time favorite classic TV shows on DVD and video has become pervasive throughout the U.S. This allows families to not only catch up on the past seasons of the television shows that they might have missed, but to go back to the classics that we and our parents grew up watching. It is now easier than ever to find seasons of shows that were produced 30 or 40 years ago, right alongside the DVDs of the television shows that are currently on the air. America seems to have become infatuated with remembering the characters and situations produced during the early years of television. What are the reasons for the increased popularity of classic television shows?
Classic television enthusiasts represent a large market of consumers. There were many classic sitcoms and variety shows that were aired between the 50s, 60s and 70s, that represent not only a large generation of viewers but a very powerful time in American history. They speak for the events of that age and include social and political commentary that goes right along with when they were made. Therefore, they are nostalgic entertainment and fun to relive. For those that watched these shows when they originally aired, classic TV DVDs allow them to relive that time in their life. For those that were too young to watch them when they first ran, DVDs allow them to appreciate the classics as new entertainment.
Classic television shows now available on DVD and video have created a new way to ensure that these memories are not lost. As more and more popular televisions shows became available on DVD in the 90s, there became a growing interest to see older television sitcoms on DVD as well. Shows like ER, Star Trek and The Simpsons were being sold at a tremendous rate which led to more and more people asking what happened to the other shows they once loved. Few television networks are able to show classic television programs which left a large gap of potential entertainment untapped and potentially gone forever. Without the DVD releases of these shows, the newer generations would have little knowledge about the early time in television history. But by allowing the distribution of these old sitcoms and variety shows through DVD, all generations can watch and love some of the classic shows and entertainers. Sonny and Cher, Donny and Marie and the comedic genius of Bob Hope can now be watched, remembered and cherished by those that remember when they were the stars of television.
In general, home entertainment and the purchase of DVDs has become one of the most popular entertainment expenditures for the American home. With televisions and DVD players become more sophisticated and movie tickets become more expensive, homes are opting to outfit their home to take on the task of keeping the family entertained. This means that more and more shows and movies to watch are also necessary. There is no shortage of network television to watch but there is a shortage on time to watch them all. When families know that they can purchase an entire season of a television shows on DVD in three to six months, they will do so. More and more we are finding families picking up classic television DVDs to watch because they weren’t able to watch them when they aired originally. With the television DVD market, it is now possible to follow the storylines of television shows that are on at exactly the same time. This is something that wasn’t possible even ten years ago.
Classic television shows are put onto DVDs so that a whole new generation of fans can watch them. Imagine a company that can make money off of a television series even twenty years after it aired. It no longer matters if a television show is currently on the air or not. With the new trend for putting classic television DVDs in consumers’ hands, classic shows are able to have a second chance at life. Some viewers can find shows from their childhood and enjoy the nostalgia that goes along with them, or they can teach their own children about the shows that they used to love. In the past, once a television show was no longer on the air, there was no way to see it again. However, now shows can be enjoyed over and over again. These shows are important to many viewers in lots of different ways and by putting these classic television shows on video and DVD, they can be popular for years to come.

Secrets of Movie Downloads “Three Types of Movie Downloads Sites”

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:53:38 +0000

Movie downloads are extremely popularI LOVE downloading movies! You can download movies for free or pay for movie downloads. This all depends on your preference. But I will let you know the secrets of movie downloads sites!You may want free movie download. You can decide to download unlimited movies for a lifetime after just an one time fee. You can even just pay a per movie fee. By the end of this article, you will know exactly what is best for you!There are three types of movie downloads sources for you to use:-Free Movie Downloads Sources-Quality Movie Downloads Sites-Unlimited Movie Downloads SitesFree Movie Downloads Sources: Sources that allow you to download movies for free with no billing and no signup necessary. But along with free movie downloads, there comes consequences. There is no protection from viruses. They also install popup advertisements, spyware and adware on your computer.The reason these sources allow you download movies for free is because they get paid to bombard your computer with popups and adware. This can slow down your computer drastically. But there is nothing cheaper than free!Quality Movie Downloads Sites: Sites like CinemaNow that offer you pay per movie downloads fee and a monthly subscription plan. Basically you signup to be charged monthly for access to some their movies. The rest of their movie selection is available for pay per movie only.With Quality Movie Sites, you are guaranteed that every movie is of DVD quality. They also offer streaming movies.Unlimited Movie Downloads Sites: Now there are sites that offer you millions of free movies after an one time fee. You will have access to these free movie downloads for the rest of your life! The Movie Downloads is an example, but there are several others.The great advantage of Unlimited Movie Sites is that they provide you free virus protection. There is no adware or spyware, so your computer can run smoothly! Some even provide download accelerators that increase your download speeds up to 300 times faster, such as Express Movie Downloads!Rather you are a college student with a very tight budget or just want to download a movie or two? You may even want to be able download several movies throughout your life! Whatever the case, there is a movie downloads site or source that best fits you!

8 Advantages you Should Know Before Buying a Television Online

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:29:55 +0000

The way people shop for electronics is changing. Many buyers buy televisions and other electronics online. The World Wide Web is fast becoming the preferred marketplace as customers are able to buy products of their choice at the best prices. If you are careful you could buy a television online and not get duped. You just need to buy the television from a reputed online store and not from little known or unknown websites.

According to experts buying a television online will get you the best deal. Most online prices are lower than retail even after considering shipping and say insurance costs.

The advantages of buying a television online are:

1. You can choose from a wide range of brands. While retail stores stock only running brands online stores offer a huge selection of televisions.

2. You can compare product features online by using online tools and take a decision after weighing the pros and cons.

3. Most online television retailers will have user friendly systems that offer at least three quotes for each customer. This means you can compare prices and costs before choosing a television.

4. Most websites have attractive seasonal promotions and often you can get a great bargain on a high-end television.

5. Online television stores that follow “fair” business practices display return policies, guarantees, and shipping costs clearly. So when you buy a television all terms and conditions are clearly defined.

6. Take advantage of specials like online saving codes, deals for credit card owners, free shipping offers, and daily specials.

7. Look for huge discount seasons. Often you can get as much as 50-75% off during the discount sales.

8. You can use a credit card to make the payment and the television will be delivered at your door step. Just be sure to check that the payment gateways are of the highest security.

Buying on the internet means you can be an informed shopper. There are websites that guide you on how to choose a television, and how to get a great bargain. Then there are unbiased reviews on televisions and websites that continuously update which television brands are on the top ten listing. You can study the market and get answers to any questions you may have before making a final choice.

Protect yourself by buying from an authorized dealer and ask about after sales service and warranties. Always check about how they will ship the television to you and how they will ensure that there is no damage whatsoever. Ask whether they will replace a defective unit and what the return policy is, most online stores have a thirty day return policy.

Always buy a brand that has a wide network of service centers in operation. Find out what service and parts cost would be over time. Even if you buy a television manufactured abroad, find out every detail like performance, clarity, longevity and so on. Read online television buying tips written by experts before you actually make a purchase.

Watch 2012 Movie Online – Download Legit 2012 Movie Full Movie!

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:09:06 +0000

Now, Let the 2012 Movie movie craze begin. As we speak there are millions of people looking to watch 2012 Movie online for free or download 2012 Movie full movie. Lets face it, sometimes it can be pretty tough to find a good site to watch movies and watch 2012 Movie online for free.

First you come across the sites that say you will be able to watch 2012 Movie online for free and then sure enough – you can’t watch 2012 Movie online for free.

Then of course you come across the dangerous websites that plague your computer with endless spyware, viruses, and other garbage. I mean it really shouldn’t be so tough to watch 2012 Movie for free online.

Looking to watch 2012 Movie online for free can truly become such a pain in the butt. However, this is where I come in. I’m here to help you find a reliable website and point you in the right direction. So lets cut to the chase, shall we?

I began searching to watch 2012 Movie online for free a couple days ago and I hit a dead end.

I literally went through 10 pages of Google in order to watch 2012 Movie online for free. Frustrated, I switched over to yahoo and searched for “watch 2012 Movie online for free”.

Still nothing. I even tried searching for “watch 2012 Movie online for free megavideo”. Nothing. So then I decided to take the next step. I went to digg.com (great site) and did a quick search to watch 2012 Movie online . BINGO! That’s when this site popped up. Not only did they have the movie, but I was able to watch 2012 Movie online! No downloads, no spyware, no viruses – nothing. After finding the site, I began to watch 2012 Movie streaming in great quality..

If you are going to watch 2012 Movie movie online, then let me warn you.. it’s really long! But regardless, it kept my attention all the way through. So if you want to watch 2012 Movie full movie for free online, simply follow one of these links and you’ll be ready to watch 2012 Movie online in no time! Take care!

Always watch full length movie via legit channels and it is well worth it.

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Friday The 13Th Movie Review

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:54:25 +0000

Friday the 13th Movie Review -Plot

On Friday, June 13, 1980, a young Jason Voorhees (Caleb Guss) witnesses his mother (Nana Visitor) get beheaded by a camp counselor (Stephanie Rhodes) who was trying to escape Mrs. Voorhees’s murderous rampage around Camp Crystal Lake. Approximately thirty-years later, a group of vacationing friends—Wade (Jonathan Sadowski), Richie (Ben Feldman), Mike (Nick Mennell), Whitney (Amanda Righetti), and Amanda (America Olivo)—arrive at Crystal Lake on a camping trip, and to find some weed that was planted in the woods. As Mike and Whitney explore the woods, Jason (Derek Mears) begins to kill the rest of the group one-by-one. Jason also kills Mike, but instead of doing the same to Whitney he decides to kidnap her because she resembles his mother at a young age.Six weeks later, Trent (Travis Van Winkle), along with his girlfriend Jenna (Danielle Panabaker), and their friends Chewie (Aaron Yoo), Chelsea (Willa Ford), Nolan (Ryan Hansen), Bree (Julianna Guill), and Lawrence (Arlen Escarpeta) arrive at Trent’s summer cabin, which sits on Crystal Lake, unaware of the events that occurred a few weeks prior. Also in town is Clay (Jared Padalecki), who has come to Crystal Lake searching for his sister Whitney. Clay eventually makes his way to Trent’s cabin, where Jenna agrees to help him look for his sister on the other side of the lake. As Clay and Jenna search for clues to Whitney’s disappearance, Jason kills Nolan and Chelsea out on the lake. Clay and Jenna reach the old Crystal Lake campgrounds, where they witness Jason hauling a dead body into one of the abandoned camp houses.Clay and Jenna run back to warn the others about Jason, who arrives shortly after them and cuts the power to the cabin. After killing Chewie and Lawrence, who ventured outside the house, Jason sneaks inside the cabin and kills Bree. Trent, Clay and Jenna escape the house, but Trent is killed shortly after when he reaches the main road. Jason then chases Clay and Jenna back to the campgrounds, where Clay discovers Jason’s lair and finds his sister chained to the wall. Clay frees Whitney, and all three attempt to escape as Jason arrives. The trio find an exit, but Jenna is killed before she can get out. Jason comes after Clay and Whitney, who use Jason’s love and memory of his mother to distract him long enough to stab him in the chest with his own machete. Afterward, Clay dumps Jason’s lifeless body into the lake, but before he and Whitney can leave Jason bursts through the lake dock and grabs Whitney.

Friday the 13th Movie Review - CastingStuntman Derek Mears was hired to portray Jason Voorhees at the recommendation of makeup special effects supervisor Scott Stoddard. Mears’s pleasant demeanor had the studio worried about his ability to portray such a menacing character on screen, but Mears assured them that he was up to the role. Jared Padalecki signed on as the lead male who investigates what happened at Crystal Lake, with Amanda Righetti taking the female lead. Amanda Righetti had not read the script when she was initially offered the role. Wanting to be a part of the Friday the 13th franchise from the start, Righetti admitted that she was sold on the idea of acting in the film after she did read the script. Danielle Panabaker, Jonathan Sadowski, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo, Julianna Guill round out the rest of the cast. Nana Visitor was cast as Pamela Voorhees, with Caleb Guss hired for the role of a young Jason.The casting process was difficult for producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form on this film, more so than it was on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, as Friday the 13th had more young actors to contend with and consistent casting/recasting all the way until filming began. Fuller and Form’s first challenge was the size of their cast. Fuller and Form had thirteen young actors in Friday the 13th, whereas in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre they only had five. The pair had to continually recast parts to find the group that worked best together. This recasting process extended all the way to the start of film. Richard Burgi, who was cast as the sheriff, did not sign on until twelve hours before he had to start filming his scenes.

Television Posters ? Have Your Favorite TV Characters Peeping at You From the Walls

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:53:26 +0000

Television has become an integral part of every home or even shops, restaurants, airports or any other public places. Even luxury buses have television sets installed for their passengers to enjoy their journey. Television has become a great entertainment source. People watch television shows with the same energy and enthusiasm as they watch movies at the theater. What do they do to admire their favorite television serial actor? Television posters have come into picture. Cashing in on the admiration that people have for television characters, printing industry has come up with television posters that contain pictures of their favorite characters. Television posters depict different scenes from television series. People can buy television posters and put them up in their home walls. They can surf different websites and make an informed choice. They can pick television posters that suit their tastes and style of living. Television posters can also be stuck on the walls of shops to make them more attractive and soothing to your eyes. It might happen that some customers may also have great admiration for the character whose poster you have pasted on your shop wall. It may also strengthen your relation with them. As for restaurants, television posters equally suit them because people come to restaurants to fulfill their appetite and relax. Having these posters around can win you more customers and they may also add to the overall beauty of your restaurant. Television characters are really becoming popular among television viewers. These posters come in different shapes and sizes and you can also get them framed. This facility is offered by some websites. Some websites also offer customized television posters. Television is watched by everyone, including children, teenagers, middle-aged and old people. Everyone of them have different tastes. They can buy television posters that suit their tastes. Plus, you also have the option of gifting television posters to your near and dear ones. Since you know which are their favorite serials and characters, you can easily gift them as per their choice.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Movie Review

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:25:43 +0000

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Movie Review - Plot

The movie opens at the New Jersey State Police Academy in the autumn of 2008. Paul Blart (Kevin James), a single father, tries out to be a cop. He does surprisingly well on the obstacle course despite his size, but passes out due to hypoglycemia, and fails the course.He lives with his mother and daughter, who tries to find him a girlfriend on a dating website, as his wife had previously left him, and he had been feeling lonely ever since. He tries to make ends meet as a security officer at West Orange Pavilion Mall. He takes the job very seriously, but receives no respect from the patrons. The next day, Blart is introduced to a new trainee named Veck Sims. Blart takes him on a tour of the mall, teaching him the basics. While patrolling the mall, Blart sees – and falls for – a kiosk owner, Amy. After a few attempts to muster up courage, Blart tries to talk to Amy, but awkwardly asks for hair products instead. Upon their second “meeting”, Blart offers to give Amy a ride to her car on his Segway, and they agree to meet later in a bar where the mall staff are regular patrons. Unfortunately, Blart accidentally gets drunk, and humiliates himself in front of everybody present. Thinking he has ruined his chances with Amy, Blart returns home in low spirits. Later, Blart’s co-worker offers him his daughter’s phone so Blart could call Amy.

On Black Friday, a group of robbers disguised as Santa’s helpers “seize the mall” while Blart is inside the arcade playing Rock Band. While in the arcade, a foreign teen named Pahud calls the cell phone looking for the co-worker’s daughter. Pahud believes Blart is her lover but he explains that he is only borrowing the phone and gives the boy positive advice (basically to just relax about this girl). Pahud begins to admire Blart and they become quick friends. The robbers chase most of the shoppers and staff outside. However, some of the mall staff, including Amy, are taken hostage inside the mall’s bank. Veck reveals himself to be the ringleader, and intends to steal thirty million dollars from the mall by obtaining the codes to the mall’s credit card machines.

The West Orange Police, led by Sgt. Howard, surround the mall, but are unsure of the actual conditions inside. Meanwhile, Blart realizes that the mall has been taken over, and he makes contact with Sgt. Howard. However, the moment he finds out Amy is among the hostages, Blart resolves to take the matter in his own hands. He begins incapacitating the robbers one-by-one, and recording the stolen credit card codes. Outside, SWAT Commander Kent arrives to take control over the operation, and he ultimately dismisses Blart’s actions; Also he has known Blart as Kent has been cruel to him since in high school. He shows that he is much more willing than Sgt. Howard to raid the mall, regardless of the hostages’ safety. While Blart is busy fighting the robbers, his daughter, Maya, arrives at the mall to deliver his dinner, but she is quickly taken hostage by Veck. She then meets Amy, and tells her how Blart really feels about her.

Finally, Blart manages to incapacitate all of Veck’s henchmen, but Veck discovers Maya’s identity, and he tries to force Blart to give him the codes in exchange for her life. Instead, Blart distracts Veck with a mannequin, and tries to free the hostages, but fails. He is forced to give Veck the codes, and Veck escapes the mall with Amy and Maya in tow. Blart follows them, with Commander Kent finally on his side. Blart finds out that Veck is headed to a nearby airport, and ambushes him there, successfully restraining him. However, Commander Kent then attempts to kill Blart and points a gun at his head, and reveals that he was working with Veck the entire time. Fortunately, Sgt. Howard had followed them, and quickly arrests Commander Kent after Blart’s boss, Chief Brooks shoots the gun out of Kent’s hand. Blart and Amy are re-united and Blart admits his feelings for her and she kisses him. Howard offers to let Blart become a full-fledged police officer. Blart steadfastly refuses, saying that his place is helping people in his mall. During the end credits, bonus scenes show Blart and Amy getting married in the mall with all of their co-workers and friends there, including Pahud.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Movie Review - Cast

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Movie Review - Production

The film began shooting in late February 2008 in Boston. Principal shooting took place at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts after being denied a permit from Willowbrook Mall (Wayne, New Jersey). From late February until mid-April, the mall and its stores were decorated with Christmas decorations, and there was a large prop ball-pit in the main foyer of the mall near the Sears branch, and a Santa’s Village at the opposite end near the Macy’s branch in the same place that the mall usually puts its own Santa’s Village. Signs were placed throughout the mall explaining that this was for filming a movie, in order not to confuse the guests. Interior filming took place mostly at night. The South Shore Plaza in Braintree, Massachusetts was the location of subsequent shooting.

The titular cop is played by Kevin James with Keir O’Donnell as his opponent. Ugly Betty recurring star Jayma Mays plays James’ love interest.The film is directed by Steve Carr.

Television: Teacher, Trouble Maker, or Tool????

admin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:36:54 +0000

I don’t know about you, but the TV is on in my house far more than I like. Before resorting to throwing it out a window, I decided to do some research to see if TV is as bad as my gut tells me it is. While there are a few bright spots, research says most of what is on TV is worse than neutral. Most television programs harm our children.

Television is a tool. If we use it wisely, it can educate and entertain. There are excellent shows like Sesame Street, Blues Clues, Discovery, History, and shows on hobbies like cooking. When age appropriate, TV can expand our children’s horizons. But most TV is limiting our children. The following is a summary of the research and more importantly, suggestions of things we as parents can do to minimize and mitigate the damage. Keep in mind that the following also applies to computer use, music videos, DVD’s, etc.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that television viewing can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Most of us are aware that Sesame Street teaches children who are ready for it, letters and numbers. Mr. Rogers teaches pro-social values. But many of us forget that by the same token, ALL television programs are teaching our children something. And when we take a close look at what most programs are teaching our children, it can be rather scary. Research on children’s behavior, school performance, weight, sleeping habits, and brain development back up the assertion that TV is harming our children.

Violent Behavior – Literally thousands of studies have looked at whether there is a link between exposure to media violence and violent behavior. Over 98% say yes. The evidence from the research is overwhelming.   According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares, and fear of being harmed.” Children become immune to the horror of violence, gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems, imitate violence they observe on TV, and identify with characters (victims or victimizers) they see on TV.

Research has shown that the more hours children spend watching TV, the more likely they are to display aggressive impulses and hostile feelings. This effect has been found to apply whether the televised behavior is performed by a human or by a cartoon character. And aggressive impulses have been found to occur with girls as well as boys and with teenagers and adults as well as children.

Many parents think that since they grew up on violent cartoons and turned out alright, their children will also. But studies have found that the amount of violence has increased dramatically and the type of violence has changed. It is now more pervasive, more sinister, and more frighteningly realistic.

And the effect is lasting. Watching TV at age four was one factor found to be associated with bullying in grade school.

Other Behaviors – Kids who watch more TV start smoking at an earlier age. Television viewing was a stronger influence on starting smoking than peer smoking or parental smoking.

Exposure to alcohol use on TV and in music videos (such as on MTV) is a risk factor for increased drinking in adolescents. Exposure to sexual content increases the likelihood that children will become sexually active earlier in life.

School Performance – Research has a lot to say about television and school performance. Television viewing may replace activities that we know help with school performance, such as reading, doing homework, pursuing hobbies, and getting enough sleep. Television’s effects on education are long term – positive and negative. Studies have found the following:

Children who watched exclusively educational TV as preschoolers had higher grades, less aggression, and placed more value on academics than those who watched all kinds of TV.

Children who watched little television before the age of three had significantly better scores in math and reading at age six.

Watching television as a child affected educational achievement at age 26. Watching more television in childhood increased chances of dropping out of school and decreased chances of getting a college degree, even after controlling for confounding factors.

Children who watched a lot of violent television at age 5½, defined as cartoons and G-rated movies, had lower grade point averages in English, math, and science in high school. Each hour per day viewing for kids 5 – 15 was associated with a 30% reduction in likelihood of obtaining a college degree even with IQ and parent’s level of education taken into account.

Children under 2½ who watched Sesame Street (the version designed for 3-5 year olds) showed a slower rate of language acquisition than those who didn’t. Shows such as Power Rangers and Teletubbies slow children’s development in vocabulary, reading and math skills.

Weight – TV is one factor in childhood obesity. Studies have shown that the more TV watched, the more likelihood of a child being overweight. Having a TV in a child’s bedroom increases the chances of obesity even more. The more TV watched as a child the higher weight, serum cholesterol, poor fitness and likelihood of smoking in adults. Girls who watch a lot of TV are at increased risk of developing eating disorders.

Sleep/Relaxation – TV viewing leads to sleep problems, especially if viewed right before bedtime. Many of us have the idea that TV is relaxing. I know I did. And while we are viewing it, it is relaxing, although not as relaxing as reading a book. But studies show that a person is less relaxed after the TV is turned off than they were before it went on. And they are less relaxed than people who completed a physical activity or a calmer activity like reading or playing cards.

Brain Development – Research on early brain development and TV is not clear. Many studies link early television viewing with later attention problems, such as ADHD. Other experts disagree with these results. However, most researchers agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics when they state that children aged 2 and younger should have NO screen time. Children older than that should be limited to 1-2 hours per day of nonviolent, educational programming.

So what’s a parent to do? How do we help our children develop positive television viewing habits? How do we teach our children to view television as a treat or special entertainment – especially when we may not view television that way ourselves? How can we help mitigate TV’s negative effects in a world inundated by TV? Many of the following suggestions come from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Observe – How do our children act after watching various TV shows? Are they more violent? Are they more likely to have nightmares? Do these behaviors decrease when we decrease/eliminate TV viewing for a period of time? Or when we eliminate certain shows? Short term effects are easier to observe – long term effects are far more muddled.

Listen – What are our children saying after viewing different shows? What do they seem to be feeling? Reflect back to them what you think they are saying or feeling. This may help them and you clarify their thoughts and feelings. Do they understand what happened? Very often children miss the story line completely or get a different view than adults anticipate. It is easier to address children’s feelings and perceptions in a calm, factual way after we have truly listened to what they are.

Ask questions, and listen some more – Questions can help our children think about what they’ve seen, process it, and clarify values. Questions, adjusted for age, might include: Are characters mad, sad, scared? Who might be hurt? How do you think they feel now? Would someone get hurt if they did that in real life? (Often children, especially those under 8, can’t distinguish fantasy and reality.) What would happen if you tried that? What safety equipment do you think is there but not shown? (Sometimes even older children mimic behavior shown on reality TV shows). Did anyone break things? Who is going to fix it? Why do you think that character hurt the other? What could be done instead without hurting anyone? What would you do if you were that character? Does the character look unnaturally thin? How many people really look like that in real life?

Listen and share views – Was there a moral to the story and did your children get it? Was there no moral to the story or no consequences and do our children think they can get away with unacceptable behavior because their favorite character did? Tie the story into your family’s values. Studies show that in areas where a child does not know his/her parents’ point of view and has little knowledge or experience to use as guidelines, television can clearly influence beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death. For older children/teens, use controversial programming as a stepping-off point to initiate discussions about family values, violence, sex and sexuality, and drugs. Reinforce positive behaviors and positive nutritional messages seen on TV. Present alternatives to violence.

Challenge claims of advertisements – will they really make you happier, more popular, sexier. Explain what the purpose of advertising is.

Acknowledge children’s need to feel grown up and current with the latest TV shows. This doesn’t mean letting them watch shows you are not comfortable with, it means letting them know you realize their desires.

Reduce/Eliminate screen time – Discourage television viewing for children younger than 2 years, and encourage more interactive activities that will promote proper brain development, such as talking, playing, singing, and reading together. Be aware of second-hand television – younger children watching shows their older siblings or parents watch. It is okay to say that some programs are just for grown ups. This could include news – which can be traumatic for younger children, quiz shows, reality shows.

Limit children’s total screen time (TV, videos, computer games) to no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming per day. Again monitoring is crucial. The V-chip is industry regulated, and very loose in interpretation. Often programs that purport to be educational, really aren’t. Eliminating or reducing TV on school nights sends the message that school is more important than TV.

Monitor – Monitor the shows children and adolescents are viewing. Most programs should be informational, educational, and nonviolent. Choose shows that engage through challenging and interesting content, rather than flashy graphics and noise.   Make sure programs are age and developmentally appropriate. Do your children pay attention and interact with the program? If not, it may be too complicated or too easy.

If you haven’t put a TV in your child’s bedroom, don’t. If there is already a TV there, consider removing it. Studies show that children with a TV in the bedroom watch over an hour more TV per day than children who don’t. And it is far more difficult/impossible to monitor and discuss program content if the TV is in the bedroom.

Refuse to let children see shows known to be violent. Change the channel or turn off the TV when offensive material comes on. Make sure you give an explanation of why. If you choose to view a violent show with your children, stress the belief that violence is not the best way to resolve a problem.

Minimize the scary stuff, especially programs that glamorize or sexualize violence – even (especially?) for tweens and teens. If you choose to watch violence, make sure there are real consequences.

Talk to other parents – While you can control viewing at home, unless the screen is in a bedroom, you cannot control what is viewed at other homes unless you are in contact and agreement with those parents. Similar rules help minimize peer pressure.

Plan TV viewing – Do you control TV – or does TV control your family life? Does TV bring your family together or pull it apart? How much TV do your children watch? Does your guess include TV watched at friends, at daycare, in their bedroom, after you are asleep, watching what another family member is watching? What is the content and quality of the programs your children watch? What is the context of what they watch? Is TV on in the background so one eye is on TV and the other on trying to hold a conversation? Do you channel surf out of boredom or intentionally choose a program? Is this the result you want? Most parents don’t know the answers to or haven’t really thought about these questions. Keeping a TV diary for a couple of weeks will help answer these questions and get you started towards mindful viewing. Mindful viewing means treating TV as the tool it is and consciously using it to help your children, not harm them.

Use the videocassette recorder wisely to show or record high-quality, educational programming for children.

Consider going cold turkey – Studies of families going without TV for a period of time find that after the initial withdrawal symptoms – and they saw anxiety, depression, and aggressiveness for the first 3 days – found that by the end of two weeks, families had adjusted and replaced TV time with other activities. Families tried new things. They found exciting alternatives. Most added TV back into their lives, but did so in a limited, less obtrusive, more thinking way.

Model behavior – If you want your children to view TV mindfully, you will need to set an example.

Provide alternatives – When your child says I’m bored, does it become your problem? Or is it an incentive for your child to be creative? Are the raw materials for creativity available?

Even educational TV is no substitute for active play. Children need to spend considerable amount of time in active play. They need active communication, talking and listening to peers and adults, especially their parents.

Encourage alternative entertainment for children, including reading, athletics, hobbies, and creative play.

What are some things you can do together? Can you prepare dinner together? Can your child play in the kitchen with the pots and pans while you get dinner? What activities are available that you can do together? Can you play board games or cards together (altering rules so younger children have a chance)? Often newspapers or websites have lists of inexpensive or free activities that can be done as a family.

Make your children part of the planning process. They may come up with all kinds of fun things you might not think of. And it will make them more invested in the process of more mindful TV viewing. Your family could make a boredom jar. When your children say they are bored, they get to pick something from the jar that they must do. It can be something fun or it can be a chore. The fact that it might be a chore encourages them to find their own solutions to boredom.

And no, I haven’t tossed the TV out the window yet, but we are trying to be more mindful viewers.

   By Karen Eble, Certified Parenting Educator

The Haunting In Connecticut Movie Review

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:01:16 +0000

The Haunting in Connecticut Movie Review – Plot Based on a true story, Lionsgate’s The Haunting in Connecticut charts one family’s terrifying, real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house a transformed funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner’s clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now unspeakable terror awaits, when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the powerful dark forces of the supernatural, returns to unleash a new kind of horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family. The Haunting in Connecticut Movie Review – cast Virginia Madsen as Sara Campbell Kyle Gallner as Matt Campbell Martin Donovan as Peter Campbell Amanda Crew as Wendy Elias Koteas as Reverend Nicholas Popescu Michael Glen Forrester as Demon The Haunting in Connecticut Movie Review – Production Directed by Peter Cornwell Produced by Scott Niemeyer Norm Waitt Steve Whitney Paul Brooks Daniel Farrands Phyllis Laing Wendy Rhoads Andrew Trapani Written by Adam Simon Tim Metcalfe Distributed by Lionsgate, Gold Circle Films Release date March 27, 2009 Country United States Language English

The Haunting in Connecticut Movie Review – castVirginia Madsen as Sara CampbellKyle Gallner as Matt CampbellMartin Donovan as Peter CampbellAmanda Crew as WendyElias Koteas as Reverend Nicholas PopescuMichael Glen Forrester as DemonThe Haunting in Connecticut Movie Review – ProductionDirected by Peter CornwellProduced by Scott NiemeyerNorm WaittSteve WhitneyPaul BrooksDaniel FarrandsPhyllis LaingWendy RhoadsAndrew TrapaniWritten by Adam SimonTim MetcalfeDistributed by Lionsgate, Gold Circle FilmsRelease date March 27, 2009Country United StatesLanguage English