Reviews

This is the page where I will review and comment on music, movies, celebrities and more. I don't know when I will start, but stay tuned!




REVIEW #1:
Title: Princess and the Frog
Type: Movie

I watched this movie with my cousin last Thursday night, and was thinking mostly about the movie itself and what was happening, but it the back of my mind, I was thinking, "this is kind of racist." The main character, Tiana, is dark-skinned and her family has no money. Her friend, Charlotte, is white and rich and spoiled. That is racist, and very stereotypical. MEANIES!!! Also, it is stereotypical in the sense that women and girls are softer and more cry-baby-sh than guys. (I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say who is getting married or anything.) But Tiana is crying, and Naveen is not, which is a stereotype. This movie had a good plot, but had it's mean or wrong times. What's worse, is that this movie was originally the Princess Frog and was even more racist. It's bad enough to have the racism and stereotypes in a movie, but to already have had ridicule about it? I guess it is better than it was before, but really Disney? How bad can you get?



REVIEW #2:
Title: Justin Bieber
Type: Music/Person

Okay, don't swoon and don't kill...this is just a review and just my opinion! I like Justin Bieber (yayyayayay, we love you) but yet I hate him (Oh, thank goodness!) But either way, I think he is over rated! He has millions of fans swooning over him. He has so much merchandise, he now has perfume too! I like his music and his looks, but another thing I don't like is his theme. It's all about love. "Baby", "Somebody to Love", "Love Me"...they all have to do with love. Him and Taylor Swift. So no, I'm not an all-hater or an all-lover...but I have my opinions.

REVIEW #3:
Title: School Dress Code
Type: Rules
Here at BAMS, we have a dress code that is enforced and is for the better. To be more accurate, here at BAMS, we have a dress code that is annoying, sexist and has restrictions that are useless. From shoes to bra straps to boxers, this dress code has brought up problems all around the spectrum.
First off, let me insert a modified version of the dress code for you:

“The BAMS Dress Code … is not intended to suppress personal expression (but) should not disrupt the educational process, present a possible hazard to the health and safety of the student or to others in the school, violate federal, state or local health and obscenity laws, obscure or mask a student’s identity, or affect the welfare of others. (No) comments or designs that are deemed obscene, vulgar or lewd (and no clothing that) is directed to or intends to harass, threaten, intimidate or demean an individual or group of individuals because of (their differences) (or that) advertises alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or illegal drugs…Students may not wear hats, bandanas, or jackets ... and must be stored in lockers during the school day. Students may not wear pajamas to school…
Students are often caught between the wishes of the commercial industry of fashion design and the views of the school in terms of what is appropriate. Our standard will be to assess clothing in terms of how revealing it is. Students are not to wear clothing that reveals undergarments (bras, bra straps, boxer shorts, other underclothes) nor are they to wear clothing that reveals breasts, cleavage, or other parts of the body intended to be covered. This includes a ban on halter tops, strapless garments, tube tops, one-shoulder tops, midriff shirts, belly shirts, spaghetti strap tank tops, and backless tops. Spiked clothing is also prohibited…a student’s skirt or shorts should be long enough so that when the student stands up straight, this garment is at least as long as his/her longest finger.
…students feel it is stylish to wear colorful undergarments; underwear is intended to be worn under clothing, and therefore not be visible. It is the outer layer of clothing that must meet the dress code length. The length of spandex or other shorts worn under other clothing will not qualify to meet the dress code. We expect pants to be fastened at the hip.
Teachers will refer students to the administration if they suspect that students are in violation of these policies. The student dress code also applies when students are on field trips and at dances.”

Leggings and Spandex® have become more of an issue in the past few years. If you were to wear a pair of short-shorts over a pair of full-coverage leggings, you would get called for it. I, as a crazy individual who is in LOVE with leggings and tights, hate this rule. When I wear something like it, I make sure I have nothing inappropriate is showing and I do not see anything wrong with my appearance. An argument I have heard in favor of the rule about Spandex® is that they ride up. Teachers believe that we will pull them up, but truthfully, I don’t think anyone does that or wants to do that. Do teachers think us middle school students want our peers looking at our upper thighs? I sure don’t. I understand the whole length-of-shorts rule, but I think that as long as you have something under them, it should be fine.

Another thing is the constant beat-up about wearing shoes. Sometimes after gym class or in the summer/fall when it gets really warm, I will take of my shoes and walk around the school in bare feet or in my socks. Every time, I get busted by a teacher who tells me to put my shoes back on. Every time, I want to tell them that there is no rule in the handbook or dress code about wearing shoes. I understand that if there were a fire, I wouldn’t have time to go to my advisory or locker to get my shoes, AND put them on, AND get out safely. But I don’t care if I’m outside shoeless. Isn’t that what I’ve grown up doing anyways? I have read over the rules more times than I can count in the two years that I have been here, and nowhere, NOWHERE does it say ANYTHING about wearing shoes. If they don’t want me going around without shoes, how about they put it in the dress code first?

“Students…are (not allowed to) wear clothing that reveals breasts, cleavage, or other parts of the body intended to be covered.” That is a direct quote from the handbook in our H.A.B. about the dress code. That rule that is definitely NOT enforced. Well, at least the cleavage part. Low-cut shirts are just about all I see. I know so many people who would be suspended for breaking that rule numerous times if it were actually enforced, but it’s not, so guys have girls to drool over. I don’t have a problem with the rule, but if it’s written down in clear letters, then I think the administration should at least TRY to keep everyone in check. If that is not something they can accomplish, I say they erase the rule.

Another direct quote from our handbook: “…underwear is intended to be worn under clothing, and therefore not be visible…we expect pants to be fastened at the hip. Let me just say one thing before I rant and rave- What if I want to fasten my pants at my WAIST? Huh? Aren’t they kind of discriminating against me?...Anyways, back to my point. How is it fair that girls are worn down on a daily basis for their bra straps showing, yet guys can walk around with their pants at their knees? IT’S NOT! I only know of two teachers who actually make sure this rule is followed and even then, I’ve never seen either of them in action. If teachers don’t have a problem with guys wearing their pants WAY to low for my comfort, would anything happen to me if my pants were fastened at my thighs?

That leads me perfectly into my next complaint. The dress code is very sexist. You can tell just be reading it or simply hearing about it that it’s directed almost completely at females. The “no vulgar or bad clothing” is gender neutral, as is the no hats rule, but besides the underwear, the main issues are all intended for the girls to know about. I mean really, how often have you seen a guy wearing leggings or a spaghetti strap tank top to school? And if you have ever seen a guy in middle school with shorts shorter than they should be or a shirt that reveals his chest, I would be more surprised than you can imagine. Bras, strapless shirts, skirts, and revealing tops are definitely not guy problems. And the staff here is definitely biased towards girl (or guys, whichever way you look at it). I feel that if you have a dress code, everything must be abided by, and boys and girls are treated with the same amount of strictness.

I know I should be somewhat thankful that my teachers and principal are so relaxed with the dress code in some aspects, but personally, I would rather be treated as an equal in an environment that is trying to teach me to do just that; accept and respect everyone and treat them the same way, no matter what. I know things will not change in the short half-year I have left at BAMS, but I hope that things will change for future 7th and 8th graders that are still to come.

Review #4:
Title: Love
Type: Emotion

Love is overused. As is hate. Love can mean different things. There is friendship love, dating love, family love, hobby love, idea love, object love, food love...you get it. I think saying "I love carrots" is a little bit of an exaggeration because loving an inanimate object that you don't really devote yourself to. But saying "I love my boyfriend" SHOULD be okay. I mean, you have to kind of love them to ask them out or say yes. NOTICE: IF YOU DO NOT LOVE SOMEONE, DO NOT TELL THEM YOU DO! IT CAN ONLY LEAD TO TROUBLE!! I obviously agree that the world cannot live without love, but only the right kind of love. I hope that someday, I will have a person to love and care for who feels the same way about me!! <3

Review #5:
Title: Katy Perry
Type: Singer/Songwriter
I think that Katy's songs are usually quite inspiring, especially her latest "Firework". I think she's gotten better over the years. Some artists, I feel sing songs that they think will please society and radio listeners and iTunes addicts. But Katy's songs sound to me as if they come from the heart. I can imagine her sitting down coming up with ideas for a chorus or the name to a song or the rhythm for the bridge to almost every song. One of her songs that I don't like is "Ur So Gay". It's one of her earlier songs and it's very offensive and not that good of a song at that. I like her music videos too. But, the whole shooting-whipped-cream-and-fire-out-of-magical-boobs is...I'll have to say interesting. Her summer-song "California Gurls" got old really fast, as did her instant hit "Teenage Dream". I like her music a lot, they just play it too much, so I get sick of it. But, overall, she's a good artist!