Movie Review - Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

It's been way too long for Indiana Jones to whiplash his way back to the silver screen and only Spielberg could bring alive the persona of Indiana Jones, hat, boots, bull whip and all. For the uninitiated let me first give a small history lesson. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, two of the hottest talents of the seventies decided to come together to make a movie which at the time was promoted as "the return of high adventure". The movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was directed by Spielberg & produced by Lucas, and went on to be one of the highest grosser of all time. Set in the time of 2nd World War, the pulsating story of the search for the Ark of the Covenant moved from US to Nepal and climaxed in Egypt.

It was followed by the not so good "Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Doom". Amrish Puri made a forgettable Hollywood debut but the romance of Indy's adventures remained alive. The third "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade" is my second favorite because it had the unflappable Sean Connery who plays Indy's father. The search of the Holy Grail is one of my all time favorite yarns.
The common thread in all the above movies was the swash buckling, devil may care Indy Jones who got into and out of the most impossible situations with charm and panache. He plays a professor of archaeology who goes after the most difficult searches for old and forgotten relics, fights the bad guys, gets the girl and always has a happy ending.

The latest offering is all of the above but hey, Indy is twenty years older and yet hasn't seem to have lost his appetite of jumping over unjumpables and avoiding the million bullets that chase him. But then he has an illustrious contemporary in our own Rajnikant who can do all of this and more.
The movie is set in the mid fifties when US saw a commie behind every pole and the obsession of UFOs was coming of age. However Spielberg's obsession with aliens continues to be unrelenting as ever. So this time we have a sword brandishing Kate Blanchett, a protégé of Stalin, who with a little help of stoic faced hoodlums manages to get hold of Indy to guide them to the high security warehouse where the US Govt. stores all its rare, unexplainable artifacts. Those who have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark would remember the last scene where the Ark is being wheeled into this warehouse to its new and anonymous residence. The desired object this time is, well what else, a crystal skull which is the key to untold knowledge and unlimited power. Indy scores in round one and escapes, only to resume the chase later in the time honored tradition of the perennial adventurer.

Accompanying him this time is a John Dean look-alike teenager with an attitude. As it turns out he is Indy's son and from whom? Surprise, surprise, its Karen Allen, the vivacious, hard drinking, kick ass girl friend from the first edition of the series. Like Indy she has aged but the passion remains alive. It was great watching her all over again.

The end is predictable. The special effects from Lucas's factory Industrial Light & Magic are awesome, especially the aliens sequence at the end. And Indy decides to settle down with his old lady love and the new found progeny. I loved his reply when asked by Karen if there were other women in his life and why he didn't marry them. The man says"Yes there were some but all of them had the same problem. None of them was you". Here's a toast to old love and fairy tale endings. Cheers !

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Top 10 Most Wanted Toys For Christmas 2008 - Put These Under Your Tree

Figuring out what the top 10 most wanted toys for Christmas are is very important if you want to make sure that Santa gets things right this year. These toys are flying off the shelves with increasing fervor, so it's definitely best to act sooner rather than later so your shopping cart doesn't look sadly empty.

Toy #1 - Elmo Live

The first toy you need to make sure you have is Elmo Live. Elmo is a beloved character for the young and old alike. This Elmo is so lifelike you won't believe your eyes. For such a lifelike toy you'll be surprised at how low the cost is!

Toy #2 - Bakugan Starter Pack

The next toy you need to have on your list for the Christmas 2008 season is the Bakugan starter pack. Children love the anime series Bakugan, so you definitely can't go wrong when you decide to pick up these packs. They are also incredibly inexpensive, and make great stocking stuffers.

Toy #3 - Kidizoom Digital Camera

For that little photographer in your life, you'll want to buy the Kidizoom Digital Camera. This camera is incredibly tough and durable for even the most carefree of children. It also contains features you'd expect on an adult- and much more expensive- camera. This one is probably less than you think.

Toy #4 - Flip Video Camera

The Flip Video Camera. Okay, so this one is technically not a toy. Still, this is a great first video camera for kids because it's inexpensive, small, and very easy to use.

Toy #5 - Busy Ball Popper

For that baby or toddler in your life you'll definitely want to look for the Busy Ball Popper Toy. This one is great because it has colorful balls that go through a tube and pop into the air! Tons of fun for your little one.

Toy #6 - Furreal Friends Biscuit

Furreal Friends Biscuit Dog is a real winner for this holiday season. You can't help but fall in love with this little pup because he is so lifelike. This one is on the expensive side, but the expense is well worth it to see the look of happiness your little one has on his face.

Toy #7 - Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles

Eyeclops Night Vision Stealth Goggles are next on the list because they are fun for everyone. It's hard to believe, but this toy delivers in a big way by offering real night vision.

Toy #8 - Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is perhaps an obvious choice, but it's a great one! The Wii has been out for a couple of years now, but it's still hard to find. The interactivity and excitement is something your whole family will love.

Toy #9 - Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer

Star Wars Clone Trooper Voice Changer is another great option. This toy allows your child to change their voice just like in the movies! It's great fun, and sure to bring some laughs.

Toy #10 - Little Big Planet

Last but not least, one of the top 10 most wanted toys for 2008 is Little Big Planet for the Playstation 3 console. This is one of the most innovative, interesting and fun games that has come out in years. You can't go wrong with this title.

Figuring out which toys are hot is half the battle! Now you've got to narrow down your list and choose the best Christmas toys for your own child this year. It also helps to learn about the best pricing deals so you can save money this year. Visit http://bestchristmasgiftsonline.com for more details.

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Elmo Live - All About the New Elmo Live Toy

Bring home the most life like Elmo toy to date and introduce him as your newest family member to your excited children! Elmo Live smiles, gestures and looks like he's really alive when your kids spend hours of fun playing with him. The creators of Elmo Live studied all of his mannerisms and behaviors from the Sesame Street character that literally millions of children have come to love over the past twenty years and continue to do so to this very day. Fisher-Price has created a unique and highly advanced toy that not only dances, but sings and even tells stories!

Elmo Live Toy
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This is truly the most advanced Elmo toy ever created so far. In fact it's so close to the real Sesame Street Muppet character that your children may not realize that that the real Elmo is a manually operated puppet. His mouth moves, and his head bounces frantically as he flails his arms side to side in an excited manner sure to entertain any child. Forget ever trying to give a regular stuffed toy as a gift after giving Elmo Live to someone. Everything else is simply plain and boring in comparison to the animated movements of this toy

Singing songs, telling stories and even telling jokes are just some of the many things that Elmo Live does that no other doll can possibly hope to match. His shoulders and torso are motorized by animatronic servos that help bring him to life. Although there aren't any motorized movement mechanisms in his legs, they do appear to move on their own when he lifts his torso into a standing position. It looks as if Elmo actually stands up without any help! When you squeeze one of the Elmo Live doll's hands he will introduce himself and make a turn at the waist that resembles a bowing motion. Incredibly, these are just a few of the many things that this toy can do to entertain your children for hours on end.

Children can easily get Elmo's attention or "activate" him by simply tickling him or squeezing his nose, back, tummy or foot. Every year children everywhere hope to receive the newest version of the Elmo doll and for good reason - because they're fun, lovable and completely entertaining.

The most sophisticated motorized mechanisms and intricately programmed software programs have been pulled together to create this extremely life like Elmo doll. More than any other electronic doll or even earlier versions of Elmo, the Elmo Live doll will be your child's companion, playmate, and even their best friend. We all remember the insanity and craze that happened during the holidays with the original Tickle Me Elmo. This toy is even better and there is a good chance that it will surpass the popularity of Tickle Me Elmo! Many toy experts predict that it will in fact be one of the top selling toys in the market this year during the holiday season.

Elmo's popularity among children no matter what year or decade cannot be understated. Most people do not realize that the character of Elmo has actually been around since 1972 and wasn't even a main character on Sesame Street. It was a surprise to everyone that he has become as popular as he is today. But for whatever reason, children everywhere have come to love the little red monster who speaks in a child's voice in third person. Bring home Elmo Live and you'll be surprised how well he fits into your family like any other family member. After watching him on Sesame Street, your children probably already consider him one of their best friends.

Please visit us to learn more about elmo live and see more of the top toys for kids.

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Top 12 Toys For Preschoolers This Christmas 2008

One of the very best parts of Christmas is watching your kids open gifts. They get so excited, especially the little ones. Preschoolers love the colorful gift-wrap, and they love tearing it apart to see what's waiting for them even more.

What a joy! If you're looking for the best gifts for preschoolers this Christmas, the following list will give you a rundown of what will make your preschooler squeal with joy. The preschool years are for learning through play. By giving these toys at Christmas, you will help him or her to grow and have fun.

Elmo Live

Everyone likes Elmo, with his red fur and happy voice. And your preschooler will love Elmo live. He sings and talks just like a real Muppet. He stands, sits, crosses his legs, waves his arms, even tells jokes. If your child is an Elmo fan, this is a perfect Christmas gift.

Kota the Triceratops

Kota is a 40-inch long baby triceratops that moves and gives friendly dinosaur roars when your child touches him. With eleven electronic sensors throughout his body, Kota is ready to play gently with your little one, play songs and even give rides!

Baby Born with Magic Potty

For the child who likes to play dolls, Baby Born with Magic Potty is an ideal gift. She comes with a pacifier, feeding bowl and spoon, her own bottle and of course her own potty seat. She makes lifelike movements and sounds - even wets her diaper.

Leapfrog Tag Reading System

This amazing touch and talk reading system encourages youngsters to learn to read and love to read. The interactive system has over 20 books and games for your child to learn from and online tools that parents can use.

Wild Planet Animal Scramble

This award winning game for preschoolers is an active learning game that helps grow both bodies and minds. Kids move, think, listen and learn and have fun in the process. It's basically a game of tag, and it builds both cognitive and physical muscles for participants. Kids can play by themselves or with others.

Moon Sand Adventure Island

Have an adventure with moon sand! It never dries out and can be used over and over again. The Adventure Island play kit opens to reveal an island, colored sand and molds to make animals, boats and even huts. Your kids will love playing with this kit and making up their own adventures.

Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center

A great outdoor play set, the Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center lets your kids have fun building sandcastles, digging in the sand and making sand cities. The center is on legs, so your kids don't have to sit, but can stand and play, and it comes with an umbrella for sun protection.

Guidecraft Wooden Blocks

Wooden blocks are a favorite toy for preschoolers. They build motor skills, as well as thinking and logic (can I put the big one on the little one?). Guidecraft wooden blocks come is all shapes, sizes and colors. Their crystal blocks are wood framed with clear middles that have colorful "crystals" inside.

Interactive Memory Quiz

The interactive memory quiz is a fun way for young children to learn to use logic and image association to match pairs. There are three levels of difficulty to challenge your child. Twenty different activities help your child have fun while learning.

Nocturnimals Fox - Night Light Slumber Buddy

Bedtime doesn't seem so bad with Noctunimals Fox, the Night Light Slumber Buddy. Cuddly, fuzzy and soothing, Nocturnimals Fox helps ease little ones to sleep with a belly that glows with changing colors - all with the press of the paw.

Bowling Bunnies!

Here's a fun game for your preschooler - Bowling Bunnies! Each bunny is perched on a wooden base and at the top is the Bunny King wearing a crown and robe. Use the soft, child safe "cabbage" beanbags to bowl the bunnies over.

Grow With Me Kitchen

The Grow With Me Kitchen actually does grow with your child. As he or she gets taller, you can adjust the height of the kitchen. This toy is a great way to introduce your child to the fun of the kitchen, with a toy oven and microwave, knobs that click, music and sound and other fun features.

Want to grab the best price on the #1 Christmas top toddler toy for 2008? Stop by http://www.elmolivesesame.info and make sure you get your toddler the top Christmas toy of the year!

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