My 2011 Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions

The Seattle Mariners enter this season with little hope but all the while trying to remain optimistic. Last year, the Mariners were picked by many to contend for the AL West title, only to fall flat, finish in last place in the division with one of the worst offenses in the DH era. Very little changes were made in the offseason, with the focus on winning three, four, or even five years from now rather than this upcoming season. They did however hire a new manager in former Cleveland Indians skipper Eric Wedge, which in my opinion is a safe pick. Obviously, this is a team in the rebuilding process looking to further stock its farm system and contend a few years from now. However, I believe with the low expectations and the infusion of young talent, this team will surprise. Here’s a look at each of the players expected to make the 25 man roster:

Catchers:
Miguel Olivo – Now entering his 2^nd stint as a Mariner, Miguel Olivo is looking to redeem himself after being labeled a bust following the trade in which the Mariners acquired him almost seven years ago. He was one of the “notable” acquisitions this offseason, but figures to have an average season offensively at best.

Adam Moore – A young, still-developing player, Adam Moore is entering this year the backup after starting the year last season as the starter. He will learn from Olivo and others and try to improve his game. He will be given opportunities to start and hopefully will make progress.

Infielders:
Chone Figgins – Affectionately nicknamed “Figgy”, Chone Figgins makes the switch back to his familiar position of third base following the departure of Jose Lopez. Hopefully his switch to his familiar position will also mean an improvement in his offense, which struggled last year. Perhaps he will get a few leadoff spots this year, especially if Ichiro gets hurt.

Brendan Ryan – Brendan Ryan is the “replacement” for the aforementioned Lopez and he will get the nod at 2^nd base, at least for the start of the season. However, if Ryan struggles and Dustin Ackley, one of the Mariners top prospects, does well in AAA ball, Ackley will take over the position later this season. Brendan Ryan will need to show his versatility as well as consistency in order to stay with the ballclub the entire season.

Justin Smoak – Justin was acquired last season in the blockbuster trade for Cliff Lee and really didn’t show the fans much of what he is capable of. Smoak is an above average glovesman at first base, but his bat will really have to shine in order for him to be our first baseman of the future. If he continues to swing a cold bat, the Mariners will look at other options, which might even include giving utility infielder Matt Tuiasosopo a few starts at first.

Matt Tuiasosopo – Tui this year will be our utility player and will provide spot starts at all infield positions, as well as occasionally in left field. The Mariners will look for him to have a steady bat and decent glovework and be the next Mark McLemore, or even Willie Bloomquist. He will probably also be used on occasion in pinch-running scenarios.

Jack Wilson – Jack is recovering from yet another injury and will be given the starting spot at shortstop yet again. However, this spring, manager Eric Wedge experimented with him at 2^nd base to good results, although Jack has played his entire career at shortstop. I expect Jack to have a decent, but quiet season.

Josh Wilson – Not related to the above, Josh Wilson is another utility player that will get the occasional spot start or so. He actually filled in really nicely last year when others were struggling or were hurt. However, come later in the season, perhaps when Ackley is about to be called up, either Josh Wilson or Tui will have to go to make room.

Outfielders
Milton Bradley – Milton struggled last year with injuries and the media, however, many are looking for him to regain some of the success he had in Texas when he made the All-Star team. I also expect him to get the occasional spot start at Designated Hitter to rest his legs. If he behaves himself and plays well, he will see a lot of action. If he doesn’t, the Mariners will be quick to release him.

Franklin Gutierrez – One of the most gifted outfielders athletically in all of baseball, Franklin Gutierrez is more known for his glovework than his bat, but even his bat is decent. In order for him to truly cement his spot in centerfield, his bat will need to improve even more and even become a leader on this team.

Michael Saunders – Saundy—ok, scratch that nickname—Michael Saunders, I mean to say, is going to compete with Bradley for playing time in left field. He has shown modest hitting in fielding, but he needs to improve a lot more in order to be a part of this team’s future. If he struggles, he could be shipped out in a mid-season deal either this season or next.

Ichiro Suzuki – A consummate professional, Ichiro is as consistent as they come. He’ll probably have his typical April struggles, but he will more than likely turn in another 200 hit season. I even think, with the tragedy that has happened in his home country of Japan that he will be inspired to play even better and will put up great numbers.

Designated Hitter

Jack Cust – Another offseason acquisition, Jack Cust, formerly of the Oakland A’s, will be given most of the time at designated hitter, and I feel he will benefit greatly this season with the help of the short porch in left field. I expect him to put up a 2009 version of Russell Branyan type season and perhaps lead this team in home runs.

Pitchers

Starting Rotation

Felix Hernandez – After winning the Cy Young Award last year, there really is no limit to how great Felix can be. He will undoubtedly have another spectacular season and with more offensive support, should get 15 wins. He should also get his second all-star nod after being snubbed last year.

Jason Vargas – Many see him as a #3-5 starter, but the M’s will be forced to rely on him as the #2 starter. However, Jason did well that season and I think he will fill in nicely as the #2 this year.

Doug Fister – Fister uses his 6’8” frame to his advantage, but his fastball lacks velocity (only tops out in the low 90s at best) and he has struggled with control at times. He should have another solid season, though.

Erik Bedard – Finally healthy again, Erik Bedard looks to finally prove to this organization the trade to get him wasn’t a complete fiasco. Hopefully he can stay healthy, because if he does, he is an above-average pitcher that can go on a hot streak.

Michael Pineda – The Mariners top pitching prospect, Pineda looks to have secured the #5 spot in the rotation and hopefully will give fans a reason to see him in our future rotation. M’s Fans hope he can be the #2 to Felix’s #1 down the line.

Spot Starters/Long Relievers

Luke French/David Pauley/Aaron Laffey – I expect these three to have solid seasons, and one or two may even take a starting rotation spot if one of the above struggles or gets injured. It’s nice to know we have a few guys that can make emergency starts if need be.

Relievers

David Aardsma – Aardsma will start this year hurt, but will more than likely get his closer spot back when he is 100% healthy. However, he will not have as great of a season as years past, given the fact the Mariners tried trading him this past offseason.

Cesar Jimenez – Jimenez will be the lefty in the pen this year used mainly against left-handed bats. However, the Mariners also have Luke French, another lefty, who could fill that role should Jimenez struggle.

Brandon League – Brandon has been known to blow games and give up big hits at the worst times. Despite that, he will be given the closer’s job to start the season and I don’t expect him to do extremely well.

Josh Lueke – He is constantly surrounded by controversy since he was arrested for sexual harassment a while back. However, if fans can put that behind them and focus on his playing ability, they may see a setup man/closer in the making.

Outlook:
With all that said, I expect the Mariners to surprise people this year. They won’t win the AL West, but they will do better than most people expect them to. I predict the AL West will have the smallest amount of games that separate the first place and last place teams. The Mariners will probably finish in last, but might only be 10-15 games back. Here’s my predictions for the AL West:

AL West
Texas Rangers 88-74
Oakland A’s 85-77
Anaheim Angels 81-81
Seattle Mariners 77-85

And now for my entire baseball predictions, including the postseason:
* = Wild Card team

AL West
Texas Rangers
Oakland A’s
Anaheim Angels
Seattle Mariners

AL Central
Minnesota Twins
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals
Detroit Tigers

AL East
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees*
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles
Toronto Blue Jays

NL West
Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants*
Los Angeles Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Diego Padres

NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals
Cincinnati Reds
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates

NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves
New York Mets
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals

Playoffs:
ALDS:
Red Sox over Rangers
Yankees over Twins
ALCS:
Red Sox over Yankees

NLDS:
Phillies over Giants
Rockies over Cardinals
NLCS:
Phillies over Rockies

World Series:
Red Sox over Phillies in 7

There you have it folks. I hope you enjoyed this nastily exhaustingly long preview and predictions of not only the Mariners, but all of Major League Baseball. I’m looking forward to a fun and exciting season. PLAY BALL!

My Top 20 Favorite Movies of All Time

My Top Twenty Favorite Movies of All Time

Since my girlfriend did a list like this (http://amandatbravo.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-20-favorite-movies.html?spref=fb), I will do one as well. This list will count some series individually and some not. It will count it individually if each film is good enough to stand on its own as a feature film. Each movie or movie series on here has to have a minimum of one Oscar nomination. Also, I include IMDB.com’s rating on it as well as its place in the IMDB Top 250 films (if it does place there). Since it’s very hard to include a film you’ve only seen once, I tried to stay away from that, but I made a few exceptions, such as including film series I’ve only seen once, but thought were very memorable. And at the end, I include my favorite quote. Before the Top 20, the list of runners up, either because I don’t love the film enough, haven’t seen it more than once, or it didn’t get any Oscar nominations. And here they are:

- A Christmas Story
- Catch Me if You Can
- Die Hard
- Friday Night Lights
- Inception
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- National Treasure
- Spider-Man
- Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

20. The Blind Side (2009)
Oscar Awards: 1 win, 2 nominations
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
This film is a great true story about Michael Oher, who led a pretty bad life until he was rescued by the Tuohy family. It features a great acting performance by Sandra Bullock that won her an Oscar and even Quinton Aaron was very convincing as the shy and reserved Michael Oher.
Favorite quote: Beth: You're changing that boy's life.
Leigh Anne Touhy: No. He's changing mine.

19. The Matrix Series (1999, 2003, 2003)
Oscar Awards: Original: 4 wins, 4 nominations. Reloaded: 0 nominations. Revolutions: 0 nominations
IMDB Ratings: Original: 8.7/10 (#23/250) Reloaded: 7.1. Revolutions: 6.5
The Matrix series, although I’ve only seen it once, blew me away and I am dying to see it again. Many people feel the first one far outshines the others, and I can see their point, however, I still enjoyed them, which is why they are on this list. The sci-fi world this series takes you to is just mind-blowing. If you haven’t at least seen the original “Matrix”, you are missing out.
Favorite quotes: Original: Tank: So what do you need? Besides a miracle.
Neo: Guns. Lots of guns.
Reloaded: Neo: Trinity. I know you can hear me. I'm never letting go. I can't. I just love you too damn much.
Revolutions: Morpheus: You're a hell of a pilot.
Niobe: Some things in this world never change.
Morpheus: But some things do?
Niobe: [sighs] Luckily... some things do.

18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
Oscar Awards: Two nominations
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
The newest film on this list, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was about as well done as I could have expected. The acting from the trio was much improved, it stayed more true to the book than it has recently, and they conveyed each scene very well. I have seen this film twice, so it qualifies. Here’s hoping Part II is good enough to get a spot on this list some day.
Favorite quote: Fred Weasley, George Weasley: [after the Seven Potters transformation] Wow, we're identical!

17. Beauty and the Beast (1991)Oscar Awards: 2 wins, 6 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
This is a film I’ve seen many, many times starting at a young age, and each time I get captivated by it. What shines throughout this film is its moral, and that is that a person should not be judged solely on their looks. This taught me a lot and it has some of the best musical numbers in film history, including Angela Lansbury’s “Beauty and the Beast” and Jerry Orbach’s “Be Our Guest”.
Favorite quote: Gaston (singing): When I was a lad, I ate four dozen eggs every morning to help me get large. And now that I’ve grown I eat five dozen eggs so I’m roughly the size of a barge!

16. Monsters Inc. (2001)
Oscar Awards: 1 win, 4 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10 (#249/250)
Monsters Inc. is one of my favorite Pixar movies. They thought up of an imaginative world linked to ours through closet doors where monsters are the citizens of “Monstropolis”. Goodman and Crystal provided the lead voices and did a fabulous job. I am also thrilled to hear that there will be a sequel.
Favorite quote: Sulley: Say, that's a cute little dance you got there. It almost looks like you have to... Oh!
15. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Oscar Awards: 2 wins, 6 nominations (Including Best Picture)
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10 (#124/250)
The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic. It’s loved by all ages and what’s great about it is the characters: Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion, all played remarkably well. The musical numbers in the film “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, especially the latter, are still popular today.
Favorite quote: Wizard of Oz: Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

14. Grease (1978)
Oscar Awards: 1 nomination
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
Grease was a film I saw for the first time at a very young age—and with each viewing I see something new every time. Grease is a classic musical that really stands the test of time. It was made in the 70’s, but it’s set in the ‘50s. Grease will most probably be my favorite musical film of all time.
Favorite quote: Rizzo: I've got so many hickies people will think I'm a leper.
Kenickie: Relax... A hickie from Kenickie is like a Hallmark card, when you only care enough to send the very best!
Rizzo: You pig!
Kenickie: Oh, I love it when you talk dirty!

13. The Back to the Future Series (1985, 1989, 1990)Oscar Awards: Original: 1 win, 4 nominations. Part II: 1 nomination. Part III: 0 nominations
IMDB Ratings: Original: 8.4/10 (#72/250). Part II: 7.5/10. Part III: 7.1/10
I just recently saw the entire Back to the Future series for the first time (I know, how could I), but I have this on my list despite having only seen it once. For me, I thought the sequels, parts II and III, were just as good as the original. Sure, the original was fantastic and certainly deserving of all its accolades, but the two sequels were just as cleverly written. I think it’s even more impressive that they filmed Parts II and III back to back in just over a year. There are very few plotholes and the series really ties up nicely in Part III. I guess Parts II and III didn’t have the same feel as the original, but I still enjoyed them just the same.
Favorite quotes: Original: Marty McFly: Wait a minute, Doc, are you trying to tell me that my mother has got the hots for me?
Dr. Emmett Brown: Precisely.
Marty McFly: Whoa, this is heavy.
Dr. Emmett Brown: There's that word again; "heavy". Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the earth's gravitational pull?
Part II: Young Doc: Nice talking to you. Maybe we'll bump into each other sometime again in the future.
Older Doc: Or in the past.
Part III: [Holding baby William] Marty McFly: So you're my great-grandfather. The first McFly born in America. And you peed on me.

12. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Oscar Awards: 4 wins, 13 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10 (#19/250)
As you see above, I left out the Two Towers in favor of The Fellowship of the Ring. I did so because I feel the first movie in a series is always one of the best because it introduces us to the plot, the storyline, and the setting. The Fellowship has a great beginning, middle, and climax at the end.
Favorite quote: Frodo: You're late.
Gandalf: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

11. Finding Nemo (2003)
Oscar Awards: 1 win, 4 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 (166/250)
Yet another Pixar movie on my list, Finding Nemo isn’t so much about the effects they used to create such lifelike aquatic fish, but the story the movie had about a fish that gets lost and tries to get back to his dad. It is a very heart-warming film that is enjoyable by all ages. That’s why it gets a top 20 nod from me, because anyone from a toddler to a senior citizen can enjoy it.
Favorite quote: (repeated line) Dory: P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney

10. Avatar (2009)
Oscar Awards: 3 wins, 9 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 (#151/250)
Avatar is probably the biggest piece of eye candy out of all the films out there. The special effects, the landscapes and settings, the animals and characters, all were perfectly done. This is one of my few exceptions on this list that I’ve seen only once, but I’m including it because I am dying to see it again.
Favorite quote: Trudy Chacon: You're not the only one with a gun, bitch.

9. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Oscar Awards: 1 nomination
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
While this film isn’t that strongly reviewed, to this day I can still say it links episodes II and IV together really well. This is one film I could not stop thinking about after seeing it, which is why it made the list. Some of the scenes (the Anakin/Obi-Wan duel, Anakin getting burned) were so well done it just makes me want to watch it over and over again. While this may not be the best quality Star Wars film, it certainly is the most entertaining to me.
Favorite quote: Obi-Wan: YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! You were to bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness!

8. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Oscar Awards: 4 wins, 6 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10 (#42/250)
Rarely does a sequel outshine its prequel, but such is the case with Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The bad guy is so bad he’s impossible to kill, and this time, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the good guy. This is an action-packed thrill-ride that might even get a laugh or two (Hasta La Vista, Baby).
Favorite quote: Terminator: Hasta La Vista, baby.

7. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Oscar Awards: 1 win, 3 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10 (#11/250)
I put this here and not near the top because of the lack of Oscars it received, but it is still such a great film, and what many consider to be the best in the Star Wars saga. Luke learns the truth about his father. A movie I can watch over and over again.
Favorite quote: Princess Leia: I love you.
Han Solo: I know.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Oscar Awards: 3 nominations
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
The movie that introduced us to the visual aspect of the Harry Potter world, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is and will probably always be my favorite Harry Potter film. It just does such a great job telling the story and starting to develop the characters. This film out of all the Potter films is arguably the closest to its novel. It is also one of only two Potter films with Richard Harris as Dumbledore, who I thought did a fantastic job.
Favorite quote: Dumbledore: I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one, and since then I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them. But, I think I could be safe with a nice toffee… Mm, alas, earwax!

5. Toy Story (1995)
Oscar Awards: 1 win, 3 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 (#146/250)
I have to admit the Oscar “win” it got was a special achievement award for director John Lasseter, but still, it’s Toy Story. And I know, my 3^rd Pixar movie on here, but no one makes better animated films than them. I have seen this movie so many times and I have loved it ever since I was 6 when it came out.
Favorite quote: Woody:YOU! ARE! A! TOYYYYY! You aren't the real Buzz Lightyear! You're - you're an action figure! You are a child's play thing!
Buzz: You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Oscar Awards: 11 wins, 11 nominations (Including Best Picture)
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10 (#12/250)
One of the very few films to go perfect at the Oscars, especially with so many nominations, the final part of the Lord of the Rings tale was certainly the best. It began right where the Two Towers left off and concluded very nicely. It’s really hard to say anything bad about this film. Favorite quote: [after Legolas single-handedly takes out an Oliphant and its drivers] Gimli: That still only counts as one!

3. The Lion King (1994)Oscar Awards: 2 wins, 4 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 (#138/250)
The Lion King isn’t just about the music, although Elton John performed some amazing songs—no, it’s about the story of Simba the lion and his quest to become King. The sequels to this were ok, but nothing tops the original. This is such a great classic that I enjoy watching over and over again.
Favorite quote: Timon: What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?

2. Titanic (1997)
Oscar Awards: 11 wins, 14 nominations (Including Best Picture)
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
When you think about all that goes into a film, costumes, visual effects, cinematography, sound editing, you name it, Titanic has it. There’s a reason it won 11 Oscars. One of the things I love about it is how they intertwined a fictional love story into a real historical event. The IMDB rating is not so great, but I ignore that. Titanic is my 2^nd favorite film of all time because it is a masterpiece that never gets boring with me.
Favorite quote: Male Passenger: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
Jack: You want to walk a little faster through that valley there?

1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Oscar Awards: 6 wins, 10 nominations
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10 (#16/250)
This film is a classic: the first ever Star Wars film that introduced us to a galaxy far far away that amazed and dazzled us. The first film in a series that takes you to another world will always be one of the best in the series, and with Star Wars, there is no exception. Just like Ted Mosby from How I Met Your Mother, this is, hands down, my favorite movie of all time.
Favorite quote: Obi-Wan: You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

American Idol Top 13 Predictions for Season 10!

Finally got to the Top 13 (not surprising they made it a Top 13 given the amount of talent). I have a lot of favorites and I will try to give an unbiased prediction on how things will shake up this season. I will talk about each contestant and the range they will probably fall into (i.e. 4^th-8^th). I will also give them one song I think is perfect for them. Then, at the end, I will predict the order they will be voted out which will include my pick for winner! Enjoy.

Casey Abrams
Casey is the token rocker this year. Any other year he’d have a really good shot of winning. This year, he’ll get close, but I can’t see him winning it all unless he is flawless every night. But I have been impressed with him so far. He is building a fan base and will not go away quickly.
Predicted finish: 3^rd-6^th
Song he should sing: Dude Looks Like a Lady by Aerosmith (Yes, I’m going out on a limb, but if Steven Tyler allows it, I think Casey would sing it really well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEKDgZH0EGQ

Naima Adedapo
I am actually quite surprised she was a wild card pick. Her style is not current nor is it really entertaining. She puts her heart into every song, I can give her that. But her fan base is lacking and she will need to be almost flawless to get somewhat far. And for a girl, she has a surprisingly small range. But you know who she reminds me of? Cher. She should do one of her songs.
Predicted finish: 7^th-12^th
Song she should sing: The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) by Cher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwGGZTZ-3pM

Lauren Alaina
Randy described it best: She is half Kelly Clarkson, half Carrie Underwood. And Kelly Clarkson herself compared Lauren to Kelly Pickler through a tweet. She’s a mix of a lot of former successful Idols. Aside from that, she’s built a good fanbase, she is pretty, and she has a very powerful voice. She can do country, rock, pop, you name it. If she doesn’t win, it will be because the pressure is getting to her. I also wanted to say this: She is the perfect weight. I’m tired of seeing skinny freaks like Ashley Sullivan, Naima, and Rachel.
Predicted finish: 1^st-5^th
Song she should sing: Best Days of Your Life by Kellie Pickler (It’s sort of country and pop so this would work really well for her): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLUvO8QUmXc

James Durbin
James is my favorite. He just seems like a guy that deserves it. In order to get far, however, he’ll need to broaden the songs he chooses. Remember how Adam Lambert went with a few ballads such as “Tracks of My Tears” and “Mad World”? James will have to do the same if he wants to win. But man, does he have potential. I love this guy, but I don’t see him having the star quality of a winner. But he is soooooo close.
Predicted finish: 2^nd-6^th
Song he should sing: Dust in the Wind by Kansas (This could be his ballad and Adam Lambert even covered it too): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xxA81F278Y

Ashthon Jones
I am not a fan. Her attitude is a put off and in my opinion, she just yells her songs. Listen to her singing. She does NOT have a beautiful tone. She won’t get far. And seeing how the fans didn’t want her in the Top 10 to begin with, the only way she survives for a while is if she wows us with Diana Ross-like performances. Not likely.
Predicted finish: 13^th-9^th
Song she should sing: When You Tell Me That You Love Me by Diana Ross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu0IvWwTN2U

Stefano Langone
I personally am surprised he didn’t get to the Top 10 on votes alone. I thought his choice of a popular song (Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are”) would get him to the Top 10. I was wrong. However, he has the looks, charm, and even the voice to control his own destiny. My Seattle homeboy (props for wearing the “Robbed” Sonics shirt on Wednesday) will get further than people expect him to.
Predicted finish: 7^th-11^th
Song he should sing: Billionaire by Travie McCoy (censored, of course): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b9TtfWV0YE

Jacob Lusk
This guy is either make it or break it. Hit or miss. But he is usually making it so far. Jacob has such an amazing voice and the widest and biggest range I’ve ever seen. He can hit the high notes like Adam Lambert and hit the low notes like Barry White. He is incredible. All that matters is song choice and how he is perceived by us, the fans. But let me tell you. This guy should go far. He’s not a huge fan favorite (yet), but if he becomes one, watch out. His only problem is building a fan base large enough to win.
Predicted finish: 1^st-6^th
Song he should sing: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers (Everyone seems to fail with this song, but how could Jacob?): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyqGfGBs3mc

Scotty McCreery
I’ve gotta say, while I’m not surprised he’s in the Top 13, I will be surprised if he gets far. Scotty’s get a decent voice and a huge fanbase, but he’s stuck in just one genre and having zero versatility will hurt him. His fans will carry him as far as they can, and it might surprise (and even anger) some people.
Predicted finish: 6^th-11^th
Song he should sing: King of the Road (Josh Turner and Randy Travis’s version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loiH-e9Xm04

Paul McDonald
Ok, I predicted he wouldn’t make it, but that was also when I believed that the format would go 24, 20, 16, etc. and not 24 straight to 13. However, he kind of impressed me with his version of Maggie May. In his time on Idol, he has to cover a Bee Gees song. He just has to. He will get somewhat far but his lack of range will prevent him from getting too far.
Predicted finish: 5^th-9^th
Song he should sing: This Is Where I Came In by the Bee Gees (PERFECT FOR HIM!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_U9t4cwPM

Thia Megia
I have to admit I have doubted this girl, citing her age and lack of experience as reason for her to go. But she hasn’t. She has stayed strong and stayed in the competition. She’s even some people’s pick to win, but not mine. She could get somewhat far, though. Time will tell. It’s hard to guess. It all depends on song choice and how she handles all the pressure.
Predicted finish: 4^th-10^th
Song she should sing: I’m Yours by Jason Mraz (Because she already knows how to sing it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G14WrX7-nh0&feature=related

Haley Reinhart
I’m not too sure about this girl. Her voice is odd, unique… she definitely can sing, as Randy would say. But it’s hard to label her. She seems to have a fair bit of fans since they got her into the Top 13, but there’s no way she’ll get really far. Haley’s good, but she is surrounded by a LOT of extremely talented singers.
Predicted finish: 9^th-13^th
Song she should sing: Break Even by the Script (It would sound similar to Maddi Jane’s version): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrzGHgmG3y4

Karen Rodriguez
I like this girl! She is very cute and she has this personality that is infectious. She is likeable and like Haley above, she got into the Top 13 because of the fans, so she should get pretty far. Winner? No. Dark horse? Very probable.
Predicted finish: 5^th-10th
Song they should sing: Hot Stuff by Donna Summer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27-TM3q5-Cc

Pia Toscano
Before her last performance, I really had no idea how good she is. Now I do. She’s yet another gem in this crop of singers this season. She’s gorgeous, got a big voice, and has the image to win it all. To get far she’ll need to be consistent, and not many know if she can be consistent week after week. Time will tell. Because of that huge performance in the semi-finals, she’ll be safe for the next few weeks, but from then on it’s all on her.
Predicted finish: 3^rd-9^th
Song they should sing: Firework by Katy Perry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

Now, my predictions for the order of the top 13:

13. Ashthon
12. Haley
11. Stefano
10. Naima
9. Scotty
8. Karen
7. Paul
6. Thia
5. Pia
4. Jacob
3. Casey
2. James
1. Lauren

I did not base solely on averages of the ranges that I predicted for each contestant. However, each contestant is inside the range I predicted for them. For the final four, when you get that late, it really comes down to whose fan bases are the largest and I get a feeling Jacob’s wouldn’t be that large, so he would be a surprise exit at 4. Then Casey at 3, James finishing 2^nd (Just like Adam Lambert, haha) and Lauren Alaina, my pick to win American Idol Season 10 and become the youngest winner ever.

American Idol Top 24 Predictions

American Idol – My Thoughts on the Top 24

Well, the top 24 has been announced for this season, and as a viewer since Season 3 I can honestly say this is the most talent I have seen in the Top 24. Finding a top 12 will be very tough. There will be some surprise eliminations to say the least. Here is the Top 24 and what I think of each:

Ashton Jones
Not much was shown of her. I think she’s pretty good and she’s got some spunk. I think either her or Tatynisa Wilson will make the Top 12, I just don’t know which.
Predicted finish: 10^th-16^th

Brett Loewenstern
If this kid was as cute as David Archuleta he’d be an absolute lock for the Top 12, but he’s not. He’s got the chops and I did have him as one of my Final 6 picks, but seeing how he BARELY made the Top 24, I might recant that. He has the voice, but not the looks or presence.
Predicted finish: 11th-18^th

Casey Abrams
The season’s token rocker. He has been shown so much it will be a shock if he doesn’t make the Top 12. He has a solid voice, but not enough range or starpower to win.
Predicted finish: 3^rd-10^th

Clint Jun Gamboa
Very good singer. And he’s gotten a lot of airtime. Not too many people like him because of the whole Jacee incident, but he’s gotten enough airtime to get to the Top 12. He won’t win, but could get far.
Predicted finish: 5^th-12^th

Haley Reinhart
She’s another borderline Top 12 candidate. It really depends on how well she does in the early semi-final rounds. I think she’s gotten just enough airtime to squeak into the Top 12.
Predicted finish: 9^th-15^th

Jacob Lusk
One of three people I think could win this thing. His range is unbelievable. And he sings with such passion. If he has quality performances and touches people’s hearts, he could win.
Predicted finish: 1^st-7^th

James Durbin
My favorite and the second of three people that I think could win. Obviously, there are the comparisons between him and Adam Lambert and even James mentioned he sometimes screams like him. What he needs to do is wow us like Adam did. If he does, he could do something Adam couldn’t, and that’s become the next American Idol.
Predicted finish: 1^st-8^th

Jordan Dorsey
The guy’s a bit of a jerk (he is strict teaching 5 year olds how to play the piano… turned down Scotty without even considering being nice about it) and he has a very average voice. He won’t make the Top 12. But if he does well he will get close.
Predicted finish: 13^th-20^th

Jovanny Bareto
The abs guy can certainly sing! He’s got a very latin voice which many people may like—not many people have appeared on this show with a latin-sounding voice. He could be anywhere from first eliminated to getting far in the Top 12. It’s all about how well he does.
Predicted finish: 10^th-18^th

Julie Zorilla
One of my favorites. She is so beautiful, so talented, that even if she doesn’t win, something good will come out of this for her, even if it’s a modeling gig. If she touches people’s hearts like the judges want her to, she will go VERY far.
Predicted finish: 3^rd-11^th

Karen Rodriguez
She’s a good singer—and I believe she’s the one that made to the auditions via her Myspace video. If that’s the case, kudos to her. She’s a great singer, but she won’t win. Just not enough starpower. But she could be a dark horse.
Predicted finish: 9^th-16^th

Kendra Chantelle
We haven’t seen much of her—that’s not good for Kendra. She’s got good looks, but so have many other early Top 24 cuts. I don’t expect a top 12 from her, just because of her lack of a fanbase.
Predicted finish: 14^th-22^nd

Lauren Alaina
My third possible winner! She is downright amazing. Her voice is so powerful. This show has not had a teen as good as her… period! If I had to pick one person who I think is going to win, it’s Lauren. She’s got the chops, the looks, and the starpower.
Predicted finish: 1^st-4^th

Lauren Turner
The maid turned singer might actually surprise some people. She’s pretty good, but she’s not great. I don’t expect the Top 12 for her. She hasn’t received enough airtime.
Predicted finish: 15^th-24^th

Naima Adedapo
Pronounced NYE-EE-MUH AH-DEE-DAH-PO, this girl can sing. She’s gotten a lot of airtime, she’s unique, and people will remember her. She’s almost a lock for the Top 12. The question is: Can she get to the Top 6?
Predicted finish: 6^th-13^th

Paul McDonald
Paul is very unique—a very raspy, soft voice, similar to today’s Rod Stewart. He didn’t receive airtime until the late Hollywood rounds which will hurt him. He doesn’t have too many fans, I’m afraid, to make the Top 12.
Predicted finish: 14^th-20^th

Pia Toscano
Hard to remember what she’s done or where she came from. But I know she’s got a great voice, great looks, and a bit of starpower. If she sings well, she’s in the Top 12.
Predicted finish: 11^th-17^th

Rachel Zevita
This year’s Tatiana Del Toro, I’m afraid. She’s too emotional and too dramatic. She’s gonna lose a few fans because of her dramatics. Her voice is ok, but she’s failed in the past to get to the Top 24, so you know she doesn’t have the best voice in the world.
Predicted finish: 12^th-18^th

Robbie Rosen
He really needs to quit using falsettos every 5 seconds in his songs—it’s annoying. If he can do that, he’s a lock for the Top 12. Young girls are always looking for a young cute guy, and this year, Robbie fits the mold (but with very little competition).
Predicted finish: 5^th-12^th

Scotty McCreery
Baby lock them doors and turn the lights down low… oh if I had a nickel for every time he has sang those lyrics…. Lol. This country kid has potential. He really needs to do a song outside his comfort range and wow us with it—i.e. take a rock song and make it country. If he does that, he’ll get in the Top 12. If not, it’ll be very close. He might get in on popularity alone, since he’s one of the young good-looking guys on the show this year, along with Robbie Rosen.
Predicted finish: 9^th-14^th

Stefano Langone
My fellow Washingtonian! I will be pulling for Stefano all the way. But I think he hasn’t really defined who he is yet, and that will be his downfall. I think he will be an early cut because of that.
Predicted finish: 18^th-24^th

Tatynisa Wilson
Like I said for Ashton, Tatynisa is one of those that will be close to making the Top 12. Between her and Ashton, whoever does better will get a Top 12 spot, and the other won’t.
Predicted finish: 10^th-16^th

Thia Megia
Sure, she’s 15, but I’m not extremely impressed with this girl—yet. She’s a good singer, but will she falter in the spotlight? We’ll have to wait and see. She’s a big question mark and could go out as soon as the first cuts or be one of the finalists. It’s too hard to tell. But I’ll go on a limb and say she makes it to the Top 12.
Predicted finish: 7^th-13^th

Tim Halperin
The girls should love this guy—heck even I know he’s good-looking. He’s got a great voice, too. I expect a Top 12 nod for him, just barely.
Predicted finish: 6^th-12^th

So, with all that said and done, here is my Top 12:
- Ashton Jones/Tatynisa Wilson
- Casey Abrams
- Clint Jun Gamboa
- Haley Reinhart
- Jacob Lusk
- James Durbin
- Julie Zorilla
- Lauren Alaina
- Naima Adedapo
- Robbie Rosen
- Thia Megia
- Tim Halperin

This is my new top 6 (in order):
1. Lauren Alaina
2. James Durbin
3. Jacob Lusk
4. Julie Zorilla
5. Casey Abrams
6. Robbie Rosen/Tim Halperin

Top 10 Stories I have come up with

Top 10 Stories I have come up with

The following is a list of 10 stories—from various genres and whatnot—that I have thought of myself. Some of them might be a tad far-fetched, but some I feel would make either really good movies or novels. Here are the top 10 stories I have come up with:


“Karate Fighters”
A group of karate experts interrelated through friendships and family discover they can harness supernatural abilities that relate to their outfit (i.e. the tiger ninja can transform into a tiger, the dragon ninja transforms into a dragon, the fire ninja becomes the human torch, etc.). They battle forces of nature and sometimes even each other in their conquest for world peace. I envisioned this as a series of movies—although I never really developed serious plots for any.  I came up with this idea through the Karate Fighters toys I had as a kid.  

“A Thousand Miles”
A man and woman from California in their 20s meet at a carnival and fall in love. Everything is going great for them until out of the blue, the man has to transfer to Seattle for his job and move up there. The woman being extremely poor, barely surviving as a waitress, cannot afford to move so she stays in California, and they try long-distance, which involves only the exchange of letters. The woman, however, decides she’s had it, and even though she doesn’t have a car, decides to go to Seattle—ON FOOT. She walks a thousand miles up I-5 (hence the title—cue Vanessa Carlton’s famous song) and she gets the media to follow her along the way. She eventually gets to her boyfriend’s door and stays there and they live happily ever after.  This would probably be set before the age of computers and cell phones.  The 80s, perhaps?

“Beauty and the Geek”
This sort of goes along the same lines as “I Love You Beth Cooper”, but I thought of this before I Love You Beth Cooper came out. Anyway, of course there is this geek, who is madly infatuated with the head cheerleader, the alpha female of the school.  They've gone to school ever since Kindergarten and we find out from this "Geek" they have a ton in common.  We see his feeble attempts to just make contact with her. After meeting a few new friends, they decide to give him a makeover over winter break—big time. He ditches the glasses, changes his wardrobe, changes his hairstyle, you name it. He comes back and the “beauty” thinks he is a new student, so he plays along and adopts this alter ego. They go to prom together, and there she finds out the truth, and she's hurt at first, but one last display of affection brings her back to him.

“Genocide”Genocide is about earth falling prey to a swarm of alien warships whose soul intent is to wipe out the earth of all human inhabitants. It centers on a man, his girlfriend and his best friend, who battle these aliens. I actually came up with two different stories, an original and its sequel. The first one is set in Seattle while its sequel is set in Los Angeles. In the first one, the aliens are unarmed and beatable. In the 2^nd one, we learn that the first set were merely minions set to test out the strength of the human race, and we see main characters get captured and interrogated.

“Taboo”Taboo is named such because of all the wrong or “taboo” things the main characters do in the film. Basically, a full-time burglar breaks into a house, believing it to be empty, only to discover a teenage girl inside. Instead of harming her, he kidnaps her and takes her with him, so he wouldn’t be ratted out to the police. While he decides what to do with the girl—here’s the kicker: they fall in love. The girl realizes that the burglar (named Troy) isn’t really a bad guy, just a guy who’s had a hard life—and Troy realizes the girl’s life has been pretty similar. They go burglarizing houses together, but unfortunately, they both get caught. Troy is put on trial (but not the girl) and he goes to jail. In jail, he develops a friendship with a few of the inmates who hear of his story and devise a plan to bust him out. Troy escapes past the confines of the prison, but is shot down by a guard in a tower right in front of the girl who was there waiting for him.

”One Two Punch”One Two Punch is one of the stories I’m most proud of—because I actually finished it and actually wrote it all out. Most of it can be found on my other blog here: http://briguy17.blogspot.com/. Basically, a man who is struggling to make ends meet as a teacher sees this father/son basketball tournament with a substantial prize and decides to find his long lost son (that he gave up for adoption at age 16 because of an unplanned pregnancy with his high school girlfriend). He finds him through his ex-girlfriend and they develop a bond.  And get this: His son turns out to be one of his students.  He's not gifted athletically, but the teacher/dad is, having been a basketball player in college.  They enter the tournament and win it, although there is controversy since this teacher isn’t the boy’s legal guardian. Also, the teacher reunites with his ex-girlfriend and they fall back in love. I don’t have the full story up because of a computer crash (lost the last 1/3 of my story), but I know what happens.

“Transit Terror”Set in Seattle (where else?), a man travelling with his daughter to Seattle on a Seattle metro bus receives the shock of a lifetime—their bus is being hijacked by terrorists. The terrorists plan is to crash the bus into the Space Needle, and with the help of explosives attached to the bottom of a bus, they plan to knock the needle to the ground.  We find out one of the terrorists started working as a mechanic for the metro company and planted the bombs.  However, our hero, with the help of a few passengers, thwart the terrorists and save the Space Needle. I just thought of this when I rode the bus a lot to college. It just struck me that if terrorists can hijack airplanes, what else could they hijack?

“Long Distance Love”There’s probably a better title for this, but as for right now it’s “Long Distance Love”. Basically, this boy, around 19 years old, who has never been with or even kissed a girl, meets this girl online. They decide to meet in person (Hmmm… sound familiar?  To anyone that doesn't know me, I met my current girlfriend online).  When he does things with her, though, such as kissing her or holding her hand, he gets these flashes, like he’s done it before. He gets these feelings that doing those things are really familiar to him. When he questions his parents, they decide to tell him the truth. He had been with a girl before. He had been madly in love. They went to school together. When she broke his heart however and broke up with him, he had tried to commit suicide, which resulted in him losing all of his memories of her (and of his suicide attempt). He had been told that he was in a car accident. Furthermore, he finds out who this girl is that broke his heart, and she later confesses to him that she regrets it more than anything and wants to get back together. So the boy has to choose between this girl he WAS in love with, and the new long-distance girl. Of course, he chooses the new long distance girl. That’s pretty much all I have.

“Body Switcher”
This one high school boy, named Kevin, feels he has a really boring and uneventful life—until one day he realizes he can switch bodies with other people if he concentrates hard enough. He and his friend decide to use this superpower to their own…benefits…by having Kevin switch bodies with certain girls... anyway, they take it too far and have to right their wrongs when it becomes almost impossible for Kevin to switch back. By the way, whenever Kevin switches bodies with someone, he controls their body, but the person he switches with cannot control his. They just enter a state of unconsciousness, and when Kevin switches back, they wake up as if they had fallen asleep.

“Miracle Mustangs”There is a high school football team who has never won anything, but for one year, they have some of the best players in the state. They get to the state playoffs and eventually the championship game. However, before the big game, their coach suffers a heart attack (doesn’t die), but is forced to watch the game from his hospital bed. The Mustangs, meanwhile, play with their assistant coach leading them on. In the first half, they get slaughtered and fall behind 28-7, because the team they're playing is REALLY GOOD. At halftime, their coach calls them and gives them a halftime speech from his hospital bed via the telephone. Then, in the 2^nd half, the Mustangs play inspired football and get to a score of 38-28, but still trailing. After a touchdown by the Mustangs (but a missed PAT), they draw within a score of 38-34. Their defense then provides a HUGE stop and they get the ball back, but with only 30 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, a sack, and a spike of the ball, the Mustangs are faced with a 4^th and eternity from their 12 yard line with 8 seconds left. However, the quarterback finds their star receiver, the fastest player in the country, and he motors and jukes his way for a touchdown, giving the Mustangs the 40-38 win.


There you have it folks. If you read all of this, let me know which story you like the best and which you think would do best as a movie or novel.

My Thoughts and Reviews on Everything Harry Potter

UPDATED WITH DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2
As you may know, Harry Potter is my favorite book series in the world. I have read each book at least 5 times (the first few at least 10 times), and I have seen the movies at least twice (the first few at least 5 or 6 times). They bring you to a world that, like Star Wars, makes you wonder if it’s actually out there. I will be reviewing all 7 books, all 8 movies, and 5 of the 8 current video games (I haven’t played Prisoner of Azkaban or Deathly Hallows). I will do this in chronological order, so Sorcerer’s stone book, movie, video game, then Chamber of Secrets and so on and so forth.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Book: 9/10
It actually took me a while to read this book once I got it. I heard about the Harry Potter craze going around when I was in 6^th grade. So I got the book and tried to read it, but the first chapter bored me. Who cared about those Dursley people? Where’s Harry Potter? Oh yeah, there he is! (After I read into the 2^nd and 3^rd chapters). The book that started it all is still a very good read.
Movie: 9/10
Chris Columbus did a fantastic job with this one. Out of all the HP movies, it is easily the most family-friendly and heart-warming. Not all of the books are like that, so the movies weren’t, either. My only problem with this movie is what they removed (The potions logic challenge) and changed (Voldemort’s “soul” passing through Harry, causing him to pass out)
Video Game: 8/10
Really a pretty great game, the graphics for the time aren’t bad. The controls were iffy and some of the things you had to do were either pointless, mundane, or too difficult (Fire seeds for Hagrid, sneaking by Filch)
Overall: 8.5

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book: 8/10
This book, to me, is just another good addition. Good, not great. I enjoyed it, yes, but I wasn’t extremely wowed by it. I didn’t finish it feeling like it was an amazing book. Harry battling a basilisk and winning is highly unlikely, seeing as its eyes alone are lethal weapons. Don’t get me wrong, I do like CoS, but it just didn’t hit it out of the park for me.
Movie: 8.5/10
Just a hair notch down from its predecessor, because as we all know, sequels have a tough time living up to the expectations set by their prequels. They portrayed the Polyjuice Potion scene very well, as well as the scenes in the chamber. Even though I’m not a huge fan of changes, I did like how Harry had to be quiet as the basilisk got inches away from him. (But then again, how did it not smell him there?)
Video Game: 7.5/10
This game was only ok. What bugs me the most is when I get hit by something and I lose health and beans. It can get quite irksome and stressful. I love the free roam in this game though—being able to fly around Hogwarts is amazing—and buying things from the Weasley twins.
Overall: 8/10

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Book: 9.5/10
The first time I read Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I could not put it down. It introduces so many things, the Marauders (including Sirius, Lupin, and Wormtail), Hogsmeade, and dementors. I love reading this book each time. I can’t quite give it a 10 because I still get angered whenever I read Wormtail got away. How could JKR let that happen?
Movie: 7/10
They sort of dropped the ball with this one. It wasn’t a complete botch, but it was nowhere near the quality film it could have been. I could complain about the changes, but instead I’ll mention the bad acting (Radcliffe and Watson were pretty bad, and Gambon didn’t do Dumbledore well AT ALL), and the unnecessary inclusion of the Whomping Willow transition scenes. There’s a reason POA director Alfonso Cuaron didn’t direct another, one of only 2 directors to direct only one film.
Video Game: 8/10
Just got the game (in 2012) and beat it.  It's got good control, graphics, you name it.  Being able to play as either of the trio was a plus.  The free roam was also cool.  The story went by too fast though, but at least there's plenty to do to FULLY complete the game.
Overall: 8/10

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Book: 8/10
I really enjoy reading GoF, but the reason for only the 8 was just the whole Triwizard Tournament and how Harry HAS to compete just because his name comes out of a magical goblet. I thought these people were magic? Couldn’t they just undo that? The whole premise for this book is built on a semi-plothole. Other than that, the book is amazing, and the three tasks are described so well, I was completely captivated the entire time.
Movie: 6.5/10
I hate to give it such a bad rating, but this is what it deserves. The first task was changed because they felt JKR’s version was too boring. They changed the third task just for the heck of it. They didn’t even care about including any house elves, including Dobby and Winky. Frankly, they changed way too dang much (even more than PoA), and the acting still was somewhat bad, although slightly better. That is why Mike Newell was the other director to only get one shot.
Video Game: 8/10
Some really great graphics and being able to play as either Harry, Ron, or Hermione was great. In the past, you could only play as Harry. However, the one knock for this game is that you have to collect a certain amount of “Triwizard Shields” to move onto the next scene, which I think is ridiculous. If you complete a part, you should be able to move onto the next part without having to collect stupid shields.
Overall: 7.5/10

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Book: 8.5/10
I love OotP, I love how it introduces Grimmauld Place, the Order, and many new characters. However, it is extremely long. Also, Harry’s time at Hogwarts is miserable, making it almost not that fun to read. The climax towards the end was brilliant, however, and I think JKR wrote the death scene really well.
Movie: 8/10
They got the essence of the book and didn’t make TOO many drastic or noticeable changes. If you just read the OotP book once and watch the movie a year later, you won’t notice many changes, and that’s surprising, seeing how OotP is the longest book, yet the shortest movie. It’s a decent film that is probably the most average Harry Potter film out of the series.
Video Game: 8.5/10
Brilliant graphics, great depictions of scenes, and including the actors’ voices made this game a fun one to play. However, having to play Gobstones, Exploding Snap, and *dear me* wizard’s chess (yes, an actual game of chess) to get achievements for the Xbox put me off. However, it is a free roam game, which I love.
Overall: 8.5/10

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Book: 9.5/10
This book is insanely good! I read it in just over 2 days when I first got it. The mystery, the romance, the action, the history on Tom Riddle, just everything was very well done by JKR. This was the perfect transition book going into the final book in the series. I can’t give it a 10 because of the way Ron and Hermione acted towards each other—it didn’t seem like they could ever like like each other.
Movie: 8.5/10
Pretty much as good as I could expect. David Yates is improving, as are the three young actors who play the trio. The cave scene was well depicted. Michael Gambon was actually really good this time as Dumbledore. I wish they had included more on the Gaunts history, but I understand why it wasn’t included.
Video Game: 9/10
Great graphics yet again, great reenactments of certain scenes, and collecting the wizard crests was actually fun. The things I don’t like, however, are how Hermione looks (that looks nothing like Emma Watson!), the repetitive dueling, and in the climax, you got to do very little. However, they designed dueling pretty well, and the inclusion of playing Quidditch whenever I want is another bonus.
Overall: 9/10

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
Book: 9.5/10
Based on the first half of the book alone, I give it a 9.5/10. Very well written and it kept me hooked the entire time. I just couldn’t find it in me to give it a perfect 10. I think the thing was that they spent way too much time on the run looking for Horcruxes, just the three (and sometimes two) of them.
Movie: 9/10
I was very pleasantly surprised with this, Yates just keeps getting better. The HP films went from great to only ok back to great again. They conveyed the trio on the run very well. I had a few complaints: the dance scene, Wormtail not dying (yet), Ron not crying for Hermione, and Harry not being in disguise for the wedding. Other than that, great film and I was impressed.
Video Game: N/A
Ok, I only have the Wii version, and I have played very little of it, so I don’t feel I should give it a rating quite yet. I can say, however, that it has horrible controls, poor graphics, and the dueling was not well-designed. Then again, it’s only the Wii version I’ve played. If I had to give the Wii version a rating, I’d give it a 6/10. But I think I’ll wait until I get the Xbox version to decide if the DH video game is any good.
Overall: 9.5

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Book: 9.5/10
JK Rowling closed up the series perfectly. I love how it ended, but I felt too many good characters died, like Fred, Lupin, Tonks, Colin Creevey, etc. I would have given this a perfect 10, but I was a bit dissatisfied with the epilogue. A little cheesy and a little predictable. But what a great way to cap off my favorite book series ever.
Movie: 9/10
I can't give this any higher, but I still think they did a great job. I definitely found this film the most emotional, action-packed and intense of all the films, which is good. However, I have to dock a point for having this film with the most differences from the book since Goblet of Fire.
Video Game: 9.5/10
What can I say?  This was very well done.  The Gringotts battle, the battles at Hogwarts, getting to play as Neville, Seamus, and Luna... I couldn't have asked for more.

Sorcerer’s Stone: 8.5
Chamber of Secrets: 8
Prisoner of Azkaban: 8
Goblet of Fire: 7.5
Order of the Phoenix: 8.5
Half-Blood Prince: 9
Deathly Hallows, Part 1: 9.5
Deathly Hallows, Part 2: 9.5

Not too many surprises there, from my perspective. I really enjoy the later installments, as I have not read/seen/played them a lot. Sure, there were a lot of differences between the movies and books, but if you look at each series separately they are both really great series.