Entertainment Wire Online

Entertainment Wire Online

I Am Sasha Fierce
By ETEditor

Beyonce, I Am...Sasha Fierce Beyoncé
I Am Sasha Fierce
☺☺☺ Same Formula

When an artist splits their CD into two discs, you usually expect something extra. That extra component is lost on I Am Sasha Fierce. It may be because there are roughly 11 songs total on the two discs (the Deluxe Edition will have more music). It may be because you’re expecting the discs to openly reveal opposite sides of the singer. But the truth is the songs really aren’t that much different from each other or her past work.

Although the album is supposed to be her most personal (and many will look to lyrics for speculation), most of the Grammy winner’s songs are still pretty guarded. Beyoncé sticks more to her usual formula rather than diverting from it. She does, however, make a few attempts at reflection and disclosure. Disc 1, or the Beyoncé disc, is defined by soft, slow songs, with occasional stand outs. The very mainstream, “If I Were A Boy,” presents a thought-provoking exploration into the gender differences in relationships. The sentimental “Halo” and haunting “Ave Maria” support the sensitive tone of the Beyoncé disc.

Disc 2, or the Sasha disc, is a little more high profile and egocentric. The aggressive intent is obvious in songs, like “Diva” (No passengers on my plane) and “Video Phone,” (You want me naked/If you likin this position, you can tape it) but this type of lyric isn’t uncommon in her solo albums. You can tell that Beyoncé still toes the line carefully.

Beyoncé fans may be quite happy with I Am Sasha Fierce. Just don’t expect her to bare her soul or anything.

Quantum of Solace
By ETEditor

Quantum of Solace
☺☺ Hard To Follow

If you’re a hardcore 007 fan, you’ll be moved to see this movie no matter what the reviews say. The latest installment of the 22nd movie franchise provides the usual car chases, girls, technology and globe trotting. But this time fans may be disappointed.

In Quantum of Solace, James Bond makes it personal, setting out to avenge his love, Vesper. His desire for justice leads him to a dangerous organization seeking to control most of a country’s water supply. While pursuing the sinister owner of The Greene Project (Dominic Greene), he meets Camille who is seeking her own brand of vengeance. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, Bond has to stay ahead of the CIA and terrorists, even though his credibility has taken a beating.

This movie is hard to follow, starting with the first frame. It jumps from London to Italy to South America before you really have the opportunity to figure out what’s going on. See the movie, if you must but you’ll probably find that the usual gimmicks and gadgets aren’t enough.