This summer we’re promised “the final chapter” in Shrek Forever After and while Part 4 is certainly an improvement over its predecessor. Well, I guess I should stop expecting these sequels to recapture the magic of the original Shrek. The filmmakers certainly don’t seem to think it’s a priority.

For some bizarre reason, the Shrek Forever After screenwriters thought that the best way to end this monumentally popular series would be to deliver … the It’s a Wonderful Life concept. Employed countless times in sitcoms and cartoons, this is the pitch in which our main character says something to the effect of “Oh, I wish I was never born!” and poof! we’re off to see how Shrek’s world would look if he’d never met up with Donkey, Fiona, Puss in Boots, Gingy, Pinocchio, and all the other freaky fairy tale characters.

So instead of one final adventure with all these colorful characters, we’re offered an “alternate reality” Shrek who must reacquaint himself with all his old pals. Weird!

There’s no denying that the animation is truly lovely — if certainly nothing revolutionary at this point in the CG game — and that the actors seem to be having a good time playing their old characters, plus the intention of a warm-hearted “message” is always worthy of note — but unfortunately Shrek Forever After plays more to the little kids than to anyone else.

Oh sure, our plot sees Shrek pretty much fed up with his role as domesticated daddy ogre, and it raises some familiar points for any young parents in the audience — but we all know from frame one where the movie is going: The painfully old-hat “just be grateful for what you have” lesson.

As is often the case, Shrek’s supporting characters get all the best material. Mike Myers does manage to bring a gruffly lovable attitude to Shrek, but it’s nothing that actor hasn’t done in the previous chapters. Cameron Diaz’s Fiona gets to play an ogre warrior with a real angry streak, but the “girl power!” approach is quickly muted by a hastily-presented subplot that revolves around a tribe of oppressed ogres who must fight back against the evil Rumplestiltskin.

Much of the film feels like a Shrek checklist, truth be told: silly puns and fairy-tale-style visual gags? Check. Whining donkey and frustrated ogre? Check. Pop culture references, broad puns and silly jokes about bodily functions, and lots and lots of familiar rock songs? Check, check, and check — although I do give Shrek 4 huge points for an amusing dance sequence set to. the Beastie Boys, of all bands. Plus Eddie Murphy (as Donkey) does deliver one of the franchise’s funniest lines during an argument with the Gingerbread Man — which I certainly won’t spoil here. Isolated moments shine, like an early montage in which Shrek gets fed up with life and a later sequence set to The Carpenters — which is really quite funny.

Want to know more about Shrek Forever After ? Visit the Shrek Forever After website & know more about this Final Shrek installment.

Technorati Tags: Antonio Banderas, cameron diaz, donkey, eddie murphy, fiona, mike myers, ogre, puss in boots, Rumpelstiltskin, shrek

If you are searching for corporate bands to perform at your company function you will be delighted to learn that many bands are just as happy to perform at corporate events as they are at bar mitzvah, birthday and wedding celebrations. It is good news for you as you can feel confident that the band you choose will have a wide range of music on offer when they play for you.

You would be surprised at how easy a task finding corporate bands is. All you have to do is take a look at your local yellow pages or search on line for music bands and music agents.

Of course, you need to know that the bands you are interested in are right for your particular event and the way you can do this is to view their social networking page or their website. A little carefully carried out research at this point can make a big difference and if all goes well just think about how impressed your boss and other colleagues are going to be with your efforts.

Now that you have a band that plays the sort of music you want at the event. How do you know they are any good? They should have some of their songs their site or some videos. In conjunction they will have past testimonials from happy clients.

Another way to tell if your chosen band is right for you is to see them at one of their up and coming gigs or give one of their clients listed on their testimonials a ring to ask how good they were.

The cost of the band is dependent on many components. How far will the band have to travel to get the venue and at what time of year do you want them to play? The professionalism and reputation of the band will also play its part on how much you pay for their services. As a rough guide you should expect to be charged in the region of five times what you would pay for a pub band, but you will soon realize you have achieved great value for money, even when finances are going through a difficult time as they are at the moment.

Please bear in mind when booking any good band it is very likely that you are going to have to book months in advance just to secure a date with the band.

When dates and terms have been agreed, you have to make sure your venue holds a live music license as this is necessary for the band to carry out their performance. Having done the most important thing and found the right band, if the venue does not have a license, you may have to look for an alternative location for your event. After all, you want everyone attending to enjoy the experience and remember it for how successful it was.

Corporate bands will require knowing a little information about where they are going to perform for you once terms have been settled. These details usually include the stage layout, power supplies and parking arrangements.

Justine Smith is a member of ‘Soul Desire’ featured at the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Having a live Corporate Bands will make all the difference to the success of your event. Find out more about hiring an amazing Corporate Band when you visit this website.

Technorati Tags: corporate band, corporate bands, live bands for hire, party bands, wedding band music

Illegal movie downloads have become a big problem with the use of file sharing programs and the internet. Not only are these against the law but they may cost all consumers in the long run. There are many ways you can help to stop illegal movie downloads from occurring. If you are caught downloading illegal movies you can face large fines.

If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. Remember that anytime you have a file sharing program on your computer that people may be able to get files you have stored. This includes movies and music. You could actually be letting people steal movies right from your PC without ever knowing it.

If you download movies from file sharing programs then they are usually illegal. You may save a few dollars now but it could cost you a lot more. You could face fines if you are caught and it could even raise the cost of legal movie downloads. Keep in mind that your internet address can be traced and the authorities can come to your home.

Illegal movies tend to have many other drawbacks. You may not even get the movie you want or it could have a virus attached to it. If it has a virus then you could harm your computer and possible wipe out important files. The picture quality on a lot of them is very poor and may not even be in a language you can understand. Chances are you will be put to a lot of trouble for nothing.

You can download movies legally from several online sites. Even sites like Netflix and Blockbuster are considering making downloadable movies available. Sites that are legal to download from have all the tools you need right on their site. Not only are they safe but they are often backed by movie studios so you can be sure of the best picture and sound quality available.

There are many sites where you can sign up to watch satellite on your computer as well. You can get movies from all over the world for a onetime fee. This will allow you to watch both movies and television programs just like you would on your television. You can find these sites easily and most of these services are reasonably priced.

With all of the possible consequences why would you want to download illegal movies when you can do it legally for just a few dollars? If everyone waits until they can get the movie for free then eventually they will be forced to quit making movies or make even stricter laws. Copyright laws exist for a reason and breaking these is like breaking any other law.

Stopping illegal movie downloads begins with you. It takes everyone to not download these movies and tell the people out there that we don’t want them. Say no to download illegal movies and maybe others will as well. Spread the word and do your part today to ensure we have the movies we love tomorrow. This isn’t just people making copies and selling them, it is every person who watches them as well.

However, all of these films flopped [Van Helsing is doing great with DVD though] Download Movie In addition to power and groovy soca, other types of soca music include ragga soca and chutney soca. It can contain other data as well such as subtitles and still images.