American Idol Season 8 Artists Review

Ok so it's now November. And all American Idol viewers know what time it is...time for the season's finalists to release their debut albums.

Season 8 winner, Kris Allen, released his self-titled debut album November 17 and runner-up Adam Lambert released his debut album entitled "For Your Entertainment" on November 23. And fourth-place finalist, Allison Iraheta is set to release her debut album in December. But how do these new artists stack up against previous finalists?

KRIS ALLEN

The winner of season 8 is clearly a talented artist but his tracks are not nearly as powerful as his competitors Adam and Allison. Kris is very laid back which will attract some buyers but he is currently hiding in Adam Lambert's shadow. He isn't performing as if he was the real winner.

Rating: C+

ADAM LAMBERT

The clear winner of season 8 is already steam rolling Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta but afte his extremely controversial AMA's performance will fans stick with him? After performing lewd gestures on national television that sparked a storm of angered viewers to call and complain to ABC, the station that hosted this year's AMA's. But Adam has enough support from his large fan base to rise from these ashes.

Rating: A-

ALLISON IRAHETA

The clear underdog of the three new artists is making a name for herself. With her smash debut single "Friday I'll Be Over U" already climbing the iTunes downloadscharts she is ready to battle the other two singers. Her album hits stores this December.

Rating: B

Saw VI Review

Ok, first off let me say that I am sorry that I haven't been blogging much lately. Sophomore year of high school is kicking me in the butt so far.

But anyway, back to the topic. I know it's been a month since Halloween but I wanted to go ahead and give my review of the sixth installment of the Saw horror franchis, Saw VI.

Some say that Saw has gone on for far too long. The instant-hit series all began in October 2004 and has released a new installment every Halloween since. But the main question is if there are enough avid fans left to carry on the series.

Saw VI cost $11 million to produce. So far it has brought in over $27 million at the box office. Most would call this a success...but not for a franchise of this magnitude. Saw VI is now officially the lowest grossing Saw film to date. Mostly because of the underdog smash hit "Paranormal Activity" which steam rolled Saw VI on its opening weekend (see my blog for a review of Paranormal Activity).

Saw VI is the preachiest of the entire series. Focusing the twisted games on people involved in health care and the controversy over how health care is given to patients.

Saw VI went where no Saw film has gone; entering popular political topics. This clearly backfired. Critics are calling the newest installment a bit of a disappointment for a clear reason to all Saw fanatics: major lack of gore.

Saw VI is the least bloodiest of the series. The Saw producers use gore to draw in horror fanatics but there was a lack of the splatter in the newest entry. Perhaps after six films the writers are merely running out of ways to torture the "game" players.

Although this is the most disappointing Saw film to date, there are no signs that the series is ending anytime soon. Recently the producers confirmed Saw VII (2010) and Saw VIII (2011) and a new trick up their sleeves; 3-D.

That is the current word on the street from the recent press conference. Saw VII is said to be in 3-D. An obvious sign of desperation but could this desperate plee draw in a new 3-D fan base? We'll find out on October 22, 2010 when the seventh installment hits theaters.

The most obvious question in everyones minds is can the Saw franchise last forever? If so, should it last forever? With over $650,000,000 grossed worldwide on box office tickets alone (not including DVD sales and merchandise sales) the answer is obvious; Saw is going nowhere anytime soon. But the franchise better pick up there A-game in the next film to keep the wheels rolling.

OPINION CENTER

Rating: D+

Age Range: 14+