Review: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops Sneakers

One Size Fits...Most?

Rating : 7/10

Price : $59.99

Specifications

• Composition - rubber sole, canvas
• Color - black (other options available)
• Shoelaces - lace up, white
• Design - high top, Chuck Taylor All Star side logo

 Description

Considered to be an adaptable fashion item, Converse's High Tops are worn by all types of individuals.  From hipster to grunge, these shoes can complete almost any outfit for today's youth and young adult population.  Selling at almost 60 dollars, Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star shoes drive a hard bargain, but they do not fail to sell their famous sneakers.  These classic High Tops have a long lifespan, and can endure various environments, which make them the ideal sneakers to own.  Even though these shoes run on the expensive side, their durability and longevity make them a worthwhile purchase.

Converse's High Tops are strong and can withstand years of wear.  This along with their ability to be worn often form a solid reputation for them, and make them essential to any closet.  You can add them to almost any outfit, and for almost any event.  Unlike their more expensive high fashion counterparts, High Tops can be worn in rough environments, like all day concert festivals.  The shoes provide basic support in a casual style.  These High Tops can survive in water, mud, dirt, and just about anything.  Their durability significantly impacts their price; it explains why they cost so much.  Like any pair of shoes, these will deteriorate over time, but, because they are of high quality, they visibly appear to last a long time.  Not to mention, the traditional black color helps to hide normal wear and tear.  These pay for themselves over time since they last for years, and do not age poorly.

I have owned my own pair of Converse High Tops for a few years now, and they have not failed me yet.  Concerts, classes, church, you name it and I have probably worn these shoes there.  Not only are these comfortable, but they are a timeless style that matches almost any outfit.  I have also not had any problems with excessive wear and tear.  In fact, mine still look very good.  Although these are not the shoes in which you would hike or run a race, they more than get the job done for daily activities and special events.

Another common problem associated with these shoes is their size.  Many customers will choose their shoe size, and, upon delivery, discover that the projected sizes are not always precise.  It is unclear where this problems stems from, whether it be Converse, the stores, or the customers themselves, but it is evident that this issue prevents both efficient and effective use.  My recommendation for avoiding this problem is to purchase these shoes in person by going to your local shoe store and trying the sizes on in person to ensure accurate sizing, rather than buying them through an online store.

Apart from the elevated price and sizing issues, Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops are the ideal pair of shoes.  If you are looking for sneakers that are comfortable, durable, and appealing, these are right for you.  There are other shoes on the market, like the ankle shoe version of these High Tops, as well as other brands all together, but what makes Converse's High Tops special is their high quality material and unique style.  These shoes will not fall apart, and will match almost any outfit you wear.  From plaid and jeans to high-waisted shorts and flowy tops, High Tops complete an outfit while remaining comfortable and casual for the user.

Summary

Pros:

• Versatility
• Longevity
• Durability

Cons:

• Price
• Size

The Unexpected Cabin on the Silver Screen

A review of The Cabin in the Woods

Ever wonder what Sam Raimi's cult classic The Evil Dead (1981) would be like if Quentin Tarantino reinvented it with a modern twist?  Director Drew Goddard has created just that in his 2012 horror film The Cabin in the Woods.

Movie poster for The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

"You think you know the story"

Everyone knows how it goes: a group of young friends travel to a secluded cabin on a lake to spend the weekend unwinding.  What could go wrong?  Only everything.  From sitting in front of the fire to running and screaming for help, the lives of these five friends will be changed forever.  This movie may appear like every other horror movie you have seen, but the tagline, "You think you know the story", says otherwise.  Be prepared for an M. Night Shyamalan style film so you can follow all the plot turns.  There are also some clear pieces of the film that Goddard adopted from some of the classics.  Between the borrowed scenes and invigorating plot, The Cabin in the Woods is a comical, thought provoking horror film that pushes the boundaries of genre.

Movie poster for The Evil Dead (1981)

As a tribute to all typical horror movies, The Cabin in the Woods is a parody that takes these classics and turns them on their heads.  Goddard uses elements of other traditional horror films to piece together The Cabin in the Woods.  Similar to Wes Craven's Scream, Goddard uses dialogue like, "Don't read the Latin" (Marty, Fran Kranz) that pokes fun at his own movie.  This adds comedy to the movie that makes it well rounded, and enjoyable for almost any viewer.  There are a  few nearly identical scenes from The Evil Dead in The Cabin in the Woods: the scene when the cabin is shown for the first time and the scene with the self opening cellar door are a couple of the prominent ones.  To the movie buff, these similarities provide enjoyment throughout the film.

The plot has enough twists and turns to make the average viewer feel like they need a map, but the film's ending is all you need to understand the whole point of Goddard's convention bending movie.  The Cabin in the Woods is not your average screaming-at-the-edge-of-your-seat horror flick.  On the contrary, you will gasp, cover your eyes, laugh, and flinch on top of the screaming.  But more importantly, this movie will make you think.  Like modern video and computer games, there are short cut scenes throughout the film that slowly reveal the undisclosed central plot.  By carefully listening to and watching these scenes, you might be able to piece some of it together and create a theory, but it is unlikely that you will be able to accurately guess the ending; it is quite the twist.  After you watch The Cabin in the Woods, it will make you rethink horror films and their common plot devices.  It will also make you rethink movie genres.  Normally, a movie can be easily distinguished by its genre and style, but are the lines that separate genres permanent?  Not for Drew Goddard, and definitely not for his film The Cabin in the Woods.  You might call it a horror film, the person sitting next to you might say comedy, and someone else might think mystery/horror.  The options are endless, and that is what makes it such an intriguing film.  Its adopted elements and comedic yet captivating nature make Goddard's The Cabin in the Woods suitable for all tastes.