I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I'm so glad it's only Saturday night, because that means I have a whole other day to watch movies, read, and chill!
Today, after watching a great win by my sister's softball team, the diamonds, Courtney and I decided we wanted to go see a movie. My top picks were Water For Elephants and Scream 4. Hers, Scream 4 and Insidious. So we decided on Scream 4, even though neither of us had seen the previous Screams.
We got to the theater, extremely excited for the movie, only to find out it's rated R...
Do you know how mad I was? ONE FREAKIN' MONTH!!!!!!! They (doing their job) wouldn't let us in... ONE MONTH (until I'm 17)! UGH. So we went home, disappointed, and took a little pit stop. Our hopes went skyward when we stopped at the wonderful Oh La La cupcake bakery. I love that place!!!!
Cupcakes in tow, we went home, still wanting to watch a movie, especially a scary one. So, we picked The Evil Dead, not only was it supposedly scary, but it was also in the book! My 59th movie from "The Book"!!!!
However, the only thing scary about this movie is why it made its way into "the book". I give it a 1 at best.
The movie was about a group of teenagers who decided to take a camping trip in a remote forest, where a strange creature lurks about. Zombies.....
It all started when a girl, who was very paranoid, went out, by herself mind you, into the forest in the middle of the night. While she is on this walk, the trees, yes the trees, start to attack her. They tie her down to the floor, rip all of her clothes off, and then, get this, they start to rape her... Does any one understand how insane this is?
Guess what happens next...
She turns into a vicious zombie. Because. a. tree. raped. her.
So then she turns crazy, like in any scary movie, and tries to either kill her friends, or turn them into a zombie, until there is only one left. The movie is similar to other scary movies of the time.
Courtney and I laughed the entire movie, especially when the zombies started to die, and the special effects were a claymation scene...
This movie was just pathetic, and quite frankly, I'm not sure it deserves the words and the time I have given it.
So kids, the moral of the story is... don't have sex with trees!
59 down, 952 movies to go!
Until nest time...
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Spring Cleaning
Today is a great day! The Royal Wedding was this morning; I am insanely jealous of Kate Middleton (only because she is a princess, not because she's marrying William). She is so pretty, and envied by millions right now.
And to add to my great day, Uncle Tony, Aunt Debra, and Courtney are coming to visit us this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't seen Courtney in 2 years, and I haven't seen my uncle and aunt for at least a year. I can't wait to spend the weekend with them.
While I wait for them to get here, I decided to blog. (:
After I posted my last reviews, I realised that I forgot a couple of reviews, and on top of that, I just finished a book today, so I have another review for that too!
First I'll start with the movie reviews. Of those, I have two: Hoodwinked (2 1/2 *) and The Conspirator (2 1/2 *).
So in other words, both movies were just so-so.
First I'll start with The Conspirator. I heard about this movie through my history teacher. It is a movie about the events and the "conspiracy" surrounding President Abraham Lincoln's death, but told in a way that most have never heard before. I had never heard this story either, and Lincoln is by far my favorite president (when I was little I called him Abra-Lincoln Ham).
Basically, the whole movie surrounded the case of Mary Surratt, and alleged conspirator. In actuality, she was innocent, but because the government could not locate her son, the blame was thrown on her shoulders. The movie showed how corrupt the government is. The evidence that Mary Surratt was innocent was substantial, and she was proven not guilty, but a couple of government officials overruled the verdict.
In the end, a good lesson is learned, and as I've been told, unless we learn from the mistakes of our past, history is bound to repeat itself.
Hoodwinked was one of those movies, that, the first time I watched it, I hated it, but it didn't seem as bad the second time I watched it. We watched it in my Creative Writing class, because we are about to write fractured fairy tales, which are similar to the Hoodwinked storyline.
Hoodwinked has a cute story. It's the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but it is told in the views of the various characters, and shows what lead up to the incident. The whole movie revolves around an alleged "goodie bandit" which is said to be connected to the incident with Little Red and the wolf. The end of the movie left it to where the story could easily be picked up and made into another movie. Hoodwinked too! came out this weekend, ironically.
My biggest complaint of this movie was the graphics, they were awful. The animations were very outdated, which bugged me.
And thus concludes my movie reviews for now. I am hoping to see two movies sometime soon though, both of which I have the reviews for their books.
The first of these, I read quite a while back, but forgot to tell you HOW MUCH I LOVED IT!
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen was fantastic, 5 stars at worst. It is unlike any book I have read before.
Well, in some ways...
he structure of the book reminded me of The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. Water for Elephants was a story told through the eyes of "ninety or nintey-three" year old Jacob (played by Robert Pattinson) as he recalls the life he lived in a circus, and falling in love with the beautiful, off-limits, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).
I think the movie was cast wonderfully and I cannot wait to see how well the movie matches up to my imagination. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, Water for Elephants should go to the top of your list.
Now, if you're looking for a book that is a slow, but rewarding read - one that is hard to get into, but once you finish, not only do you feel accomplised, but the story develpos so soundly you understand the beauty of literature - then I suggest Jane Eyre, which I give 4 stars.
This book took me a good two weeks plus to read, but when I finished it today, I understood why it is considered a classic. How Charlotte Bronte (I'm not sure how to make the funky e character) could even come up with such a story, I don't know. Many say the story of Jane Eyre is based on Miss Bronte's own life.
All in all, the story is about love, loss, forgiveness, and overcoming challenges and fears. Miss Bronte uses the elements of literature to make you laugh, cry, sympathise, hate, and love.
Hopefully, Jane Eyre is still in theaters, so I can go see it soon.
Now, for a little special treat.
For those of you who do not know, I love to write sonnets, they are just so much fun. If you don't mind, I would like to share one I wrote last year with you. It is called A Sonnet For Morgan (because of her shared love of Harry Potter).
Who is that magical man that you love
With perfectly round glasses on his face
Inside his hat you might find a white dove
Hogwarts is his home, let's visit this place.
There's so many spells he has to know
So he can defeat might Voldemort.
Even he takes a break, to play in snow
Where he will find a big frog with a wart.
This wizard holds the world's fate in his hands
Everyone hopes he won't be defeated
He must recover the Dark from the lands
But the teachers keep him in class seated
Who is this mystery man you wonder?
But the one and only Harry Potter!
Well, it's not my best, but it still brings a smile to my face, what do you think?
Until next time!
And to add to my great day, Uncle Tony, Aunt Debra, and Courtney are coming to visit us this weekend!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't seen Courtney in 2 years, and I haven't seen my uncle and aunt for at least a year. I can't wait to spend the weekend with them.
While I wait for them to get here, I decided to blog. (:
After I posted my last reviews, I realised that I forgot a couple of reviews, and on top of that, I just finished a book today, so I have another review for that too!
First I'll start with the movie reviews. Of those, I have two: Hoodwinked (2 1/2 *) and The Conspirator (2 1/2 *).
So in other words, both movies were just so-so.
First I'll start with The Conspirator. I heard about this movie through my history teacher. It is a movie about the events and the "conspiracy" surrounding President Abraham Lincoln's death, but told in a way that most have never heard before. I had never heard this story either, and Lincoln is by far my favorite president (when I was little I called him Abra-Lincoln Ham).
Basically, the whole movie surrounded the case of Mary Surratt, and alleged conspirator. In actuality, she was innocent, but because the government could not locate her son, the blame was thrown on her shoulders. The movie showed how corrupt the government is. The evidence that Mary Surratt was innocent was substantial, and she was proven not guilty, but a couple of government officials overruled the verdict.
In the end, a good lesson is learned, and as I've been told, unless we learn from the mistakes of our past, history is bound to repeat itself.
Hoodwinked was one of those movies, that, the first time I watched it, I hated it, but it didn't seem as bad the second time I watched it. We watched it in my Creative Writing class, because we are about to write fractured fairy tales, which are similar to the Hoodwinked storyline.
Hoodwinked has a cute story. It's the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but it is told in the views of the various characters, and shows what lead up to the incident. The whole movie revolves around an alleged "goodie bandit" which is said to be connected to the incident with Little Red and the wolf. The end of the movie left it to where the story could easily be picked up and made into another movie. Hoodwinked too! came out this weekend, ironically.
My biggest complaint of this movie was the graphics, they were awful. The animations were very outdated, which bugged me.
And thus concludes my movie reviews for now. I am hoping to see two movies sometime soon though, both of which I have the reviews for their books.
The first of these, I read quite a while back, but forgot to tell you HOW MUCH I LOVED IT!
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen was fantastic, 5 stars at worst. It is unlike any book I have read before.
Well, in some ways...
he structure of the book reminded me of The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. Water for Elephants was a story told through the eyes of "ninety or nintey-three" year old Jacob (played by Robert Pattinson) as he recalls the life he lived in a circus, and falling in love with the beautiful, off-limits, Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).
I think the movie was cast wonderfully and I cannot wait to see how well the movie matches up to my imagination. If you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, Water for Elephants should go to the top of your list.
Now, if you're looking for a book that is a slow, but rewarding read - one that is hard to get into, but once you finish, not only do you feel accomplised, but the story develpos so soundly you understand the beauty of literature - then I suggest Jane Eyre, which I give 4 stars.
This book took me a good two weeks plus to read, but when I finished it today, I understood why it is considered a classic. How Charlotte Bronte (I'm not sure how to make the funky e character) could even come up with such a story, I don't know. Many say the story of Jane Eyre is based on Miss Bronte's own life.
All in all, the story is about love, loss, forgiveness, and overcoming challenges and fears. Miss Bronte uses the elements of literature to make you laugh, cry, sympathise, hate, and love.
Hopefully, Jane Eyre is still in theaters, so I can go see it soon.
Now, for a little special treat.
For those of you who do not know, I love to write sonnets, they are just so much fun. If you don't mind, I would like to share one I wrote last year with you. It is called A Sonnet For Morgan (because of her shared love of Harry Potter).
Who is that magical man that you love
With perfectly round glasses on his face
Inside his hat you might find a white dove
Hogwarts is his home, let's visit this place.
There's so many spells he has to know
So he can defeat might Voldemort.
Even he takes a break, to play in snow
Where he will find a big frog with a wart.
This wizard holds the world's fate in his hands
Everyone hopes he won't be defeated
He must recover the Dark from the lands
But the teachers keep him in class seated
Who is this mystery man you wonder?
But the one and only Harry Potter!
Well, it's not my best, but it still brings a smile to my face, what do you think?
Until next time!
Monday, April 25, 2011
A Little Bit of Everything
When I logged on today, as per my usual ritual, I checked my comments and then my stats. I couldn't believe what I saw! Over 600 views! That is just incredible. I am so blessed to have such great friends, family, and followers. Thanks for making this blog worthwhile. I have to say, I was most excited that 5 of those views had come from the UK. (:
You know how much I love me some Brits. In addition, a lot of what I have to talk about today has to do with Great Britain!
Fortunately, I have a bunch of books and movies to talk about. Unfortunately, since I have so many to include, I'm not going to go as in depth as I normally would.
As I write, I'm watching the special features from the newest Harry Potter. Special features are one of my favorite parts of movies. Film interests me so much, and the work put into the film to make the final product infatuates me. Plus I am just really really really really really really really really really really really obsessed with Harry Potter. I totally wish I went to Hogwarts. A lot of people ask who from the series is my favorite character. I would say Hermione for sure. Not only do I feel like I can connect with her, being a bookworm and studious person, but I would (SPOILER) marry Ron in a second.
While on the subject of Harry Potter, I will go ahead and give my review of the newest movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I watched it on my way home from Dallas last night, and I swear, that movie gets better every time I watch it. I saw it twice when it was in the theaters, once at the midnight premiere (of course) and a second time with my dad. If it didn't cost an arm and a leg to go to the movies, I wouldv'e gone every day. Since it came out on BluRay and DVD, I have seen it twice.
This movie is slower than the others, and there isn't as much action, but for those of you people who refuse to read the books (JK Rowling you are my idol) I will let you know this, the book is the same way in the beginning. This was one of my favorite books of the series, and the director, David Yates, did such an incredible job on this movie. They incorporated some of my favorite parts from the books into the movie already and the story line followed very closely. It was a good start to the end.
It's a good thing Part 2 comes out during the summer, because I will go into PPD (Post Potter Depression). I already have a bit, knowing that it all ends in July. In fact, I almost started to cry watching the 4 minute preview of the first scene with Ollivander on the special features, no lie.
For fellow Potter Fans (BEWARE FOR SPOILERS) I know you will agree with me when I say, If they don't have Bellatrix's death scene absolutely correct, I will walk out and demand a refund. My absolute favorite line of all time is "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!" Mrs. Weasley is my savior for that line.
Well I better stop myself now, otherwise I could talk about Harry Potter for the rest of my life, no lie. So I will go on to the first movie I watched since my last post.
I finally saw Robin Hood, the version with Russel Crowe. I would probably give it about a 2 1/2. The whole movie, I was pretty confused. I thought that it was going to be like the Disney movie Robin Hood. But in actuallity, it was what happened before the Disney version. It explained the story of how Robin Hood became the wanted criminal. But never once did it really tell you that until the very end, so the whole time I was thinking, Disney lied! The action scenes were pretty cool, I guess, but I still feel like it lacked a big something. I would watch it again, if the time presented itself, though.
The last movie I have to talk about is more than just a movie. It's also a broadway play. And one of the greatest musicals of ALL TIME. As an aspiring writer, I admire the playwrite behind Mamma Mia! They didn't start with a story and add songs, they started with the songs and incorporated a story line into them. That is just downright amazing.
I first saw Mamma Mia! with my aunt, cousins, friend Shelly and her mom, and my mom. Of course the moms loved it, because the music was from their generation, but Shelly and my cousin did not. I, however, enjoyed it quite thoroughly and would have given it 4 stars at the time. However, 25 times or more watching it later and singing the soundtrack at the top of my lungs for days on end, I would now give it 5 stars. It is one of my favorite movies and movie soundtracks. I'm a sucker for a love story and musicals are my weakness.
On top of that I love love love Meryl Streep, she is such an amazing actress. Amanda Seyfried is also one of my favorite actresses. When I first saw Mamma Mia! I would have never guessed that she was the same girl that played the stupid, plastic, Karen, from mean girls. I thought she was so amazing, and this movie made me fall in love with her as an actress. Another familiar face in this movie is Julie Walters, or as many know her, Mrs. Weasley, from Harry Potter. A future "king" is in it as well, Collin Firth, the british actor from The King's Speech.
I don't believe I watched any more movies after that, but I may have.
I did finish The Choice, and Hayla, you were right, that book was great! At first it was really slow, but as Nicholas Sparks is famous for, it soon became an enthralling love story I just could not put down. I wish to someday be as highly regarded to as this man. He has inspired me so much, almost as much as J.K. Rowling has. Not only has he inspired me to become a great writer, but he has inspired me to read more (more than I already do).
Well, I haven't much else to say. In creative writing, we just finished writing our create your own adventure stories. Mine was a parody of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I, myself, found it pretty funny, and similar to the series in many ways. Maybe I'll put an excerpt up later! Next, we are going to send off a story to publisher! I'm excited for that part.
Now I'm off to watch Royal Wedding Week on TLC. It's the wedding of the century!!!! I love Brits!!! Hehe. I will tell you I'm not crazy enough to wake up at 4 in the morning to watch the wedding though. I'm recording it, which is just as fun.
I hope this will tide everyone over until I am able to post again, especially since I've been so busy lately. More to come soon though!
Until Next Time!
You know how much I love me some Brits. In addition, a lot of what I have to talk about today has to do with Great Britain!
Fortunately, I have a bunch of books and movies to talk about. Unfortunately, since I have so many to include, I'm not going to go as in depth as I normally would.
As I write, I'm watching the special features from the newest Harry Potter. Special features are one of my favorite parts of movies. Film interests me so much, and the work put into the film to make the final product infatuates me. Plus I am just really really really really really really really really really really really obsessed with Harry Potter. I totally wish I went to Hogwarts. A lot of people ask who from the series is my favorite character. I would say Hermione for sure. Not only do I feel like I can connect with her, being a bookworm and studious person, but I would (SPOILER) marry Ron in a second.
While on the subject of Harry Potter, I will go ahead and give my review of the newest movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I watched it on my way home from Dallas last night, and I swear, that movie gets better every time I watch it. I saw it twice when it was in the theaters, once at the midnight premiere (of course) and a second time with my dad. If it didn't cost an arm and a leg to go to the movies, I wouldv'e gone every day. Since it came out on BluRay and DVD, I have seen it twice.
This movie is slower than the others, and there isn't as much action, but for those of you people who refuse to read the books (JK Rowling you are my idol) I will let you know this, the book is the same way in the beginning. This was one of my favorite books of the series, and the director, David Yates, did such an incredible job on this movie. They incorporated some of my favorite parts from the books into the movie already and the story line followed very closely. It was a good start to the end.
It's a good thing Part 2 comes out during the summer, because I will go into PPD (Post Potter Depression). I already have a bit, knowing that it all ends in July. In fact, I almost started to cry watching the 4 minute preview of the first scene with Ollivander on the special features, no lie.
For fellow Potter Fans (BEWARE FOR SPOILERS) I know you will agree with me when I say, If they don't have Bellatrix's death scene absolutely correct, I will walk out and demand a refund. My absolute favorite line of all time is "NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!" Mrs. Weasley is my savior for that line.
Well I better stop myself now, otherwise I could talk about Harry Potter for the rest of my life, no lie. So I will go on to the first movie I watched since my last post.
I finally saw Robin Hood, the version with Russel Crowe. I would probably give it about a 2 1/2. The whole movie, I was pretty confused. I thought that it was going to be like the Disney movie Robin Hood. But in actuallity, it was what happened before the Disney version. It explained the story of how Robin Hood became the wanted criminal. But never once did it really tell you that until the very end, so the whole time I was thinking, Disney lied! The action scenes were pretty cool, I guess, but I still feel like it lacked a big something. I would watch it again, if the time presented itself, though.
The last movie I have to talk about is more than just a movie. It's also a broadway play. And one of the greatest musicals of ALL TIME. As an aspiring writer, I admire the playwrite behind Mamma Mia! They didn't start with a story and add songs, they started with the songs and incorporated a story line into them. That is just downright amazing.
I first saw Mamma Mia! with my aunt, cousins, friend Shelly and her mom, and my mom. Of course the moms loved it, because the music was from their generation, but Shelly and my cousin did not. I, however, enjoyed it quite thoroughly and would have given it 4 stars at the time. However, 25 times or more watching it later and singing the soundtrack at the top of my lungs for days on end, I would now give it 5 stars. It is one of my favorite movies and movie soundtracks. I'm a sucker for a love story and musicals are my weakness.
On top of that I love love love Meryl Streep, she is such an amazing actress. Amanda Seyfried is also one of my favorite actresses. When I first saw Mamma Mia! I would have never guessed that she was the same girl that played the stupid, plastic, Karen, from mean girls. I thought she was so amazing, and this movie made me fall in love with her as an actress. Another familiar face in this movie is Julie Walters, or as many know her, Mrs. Weasley, from Harry Potter. A future "king" is in it as well, Collin Firth, the british actor from The King's Speech.
I don't believe I watched any more movies after that, but I may have.
I did finish The Choice, and Hayla, you were right, that book was great! At first it was really slow, but as Nicholas Sparks is famous for, it soon became an enthralling love story I just could not put down. I wish to someday be as highly regarded to as this man. He has inspired me so much, almost as much as J.K. Rowling has. Not only has he inspired me to become a great writer, but he has inspired me to read more (more than I already do).
Well, I haven't much else to say. In creative writing, we just finished writing our create your own adventure stories. Mine was a parody of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I, myself, found it pretty funny, and similar to the series in many ways. Maybe I'll put an excerpt up later! Next, we are going to send off a story to publisher! I'm excited for that part.
Now I'm off to watch Royal Wedding Week on TLC. It's the wedding of the century!!!! I love Brits!!! Hehe. I will tell you I'm not crazy enough to wake up at 4 in the morning to watch the wedding though. I'm recording it, which is just as fun.
I hope this will tide everyone over until I am able to post again, especially since I've been so busy lately. More to come soon though!
Until Next Time!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Readaholic
Man, what a busy week!
Working is exhausting, I must say, but I love every minute of it! I haven't had much time to watch any movies, but I finished two books this past week!
First was, of course, Home by Julie Andrews. Talk about just an all-around good person.Most people know Julie Andrews from her performances in Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, and the Princess Diaries movies, but there is so much more to her life.
Julie Andrews had a tough life. Her parents divorced when she was young and both remarried. Her step-dad was an awful person; alcoholic and abusive. Her mom and "pop" relied on Julie for a family income. Could you imagine having to pay for ALL the expenses in your family? Now try and do it during war-torn Europe right after WWII. She was such a phenomenal person to be able to support her family like that, especially at such a young age. The book is all about how she got her start and became who she is today.
She writes her biography like a piece of fiction, making it easy to read and highly-enjoyable, I STRONGLY recommend it! Not only did I learn so much about one of my favorite actresses, but it really helped me in my history class as well!
Now I have a little surprise for you.
When I read Home, I learned that Julie Andrews got her start on a show called Starlight Roof. I looked up Julie Andrews hoping to find the song that "started it all". This video is absolutely AMAZING. How a 12, yes that's right 12, year old can sing like an adult... Well, it just baffles me. So I would like to share this video with you, so you too can get a little piece of Julie Andrews.
Wasn't that just absolutely amazing?
I thought it was...
Well as for my other book, it wasn't quite as amazing as Home, but I still really liked it.
I give Water for Elephants 4 stars!
Many of you may think this book sounds familiar. That is probably because it is about to come out in theaters! Robert Pattinson is going to play the main character Jacob alongside Reese Witherspoon playing the beautiful Marlena.
The movie is set during the Great Depression, a very tough time to find jobs in the US.
Jacob, a veterinarian student at Cornell, who runs away after his parents die and winds up jumping the train of a circus. He starts working with the circus as a vet where he meets Marlena and her husband August, the equestrian trainer.
not only is the book a testament to circuses, but it is a great love story. Water For Elephants has a bit of a Notebook feel. The author, Sara Gruen, switches from present day, in the voice of Jacob as a "ninety or ninety-three" year old, to the Depression as young, struggling Jacob.
Most of the events are based on real circus events, but to find those out, you'll have to read the book! I cannot wait until April 22 with the movie comes out.
Now I am currently reading The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not very far in it yet, but like all of Sparks's books, every word reels me in.
Until Nest Time!
Working is exhausting, I must say, but I love every minute of it! I haven't had much time to watch any movies, but I finished two books this past week!
First was, of course, Home by Julie Andrews. Talk about just an all-around good person.Most people know Julie Andrews from her performances in Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, and the Princess Diaries movies, but there is so much more to her life.
Julie Andrews had a tough life. Her parents divorced when she was young and both remarried. Her step-dad was an awful person; alcoholic and abusive. Her mom and "pop" relied on Julie for a family income. Could you imagine having to pay for ALL the expenses in your family? Now try and do it during war-torn Europe right after WWII. She was such a phenomenal person to be able to support her family like that, especially at such a young age. The book is all about how she got her start and became who she is today.
She writes her biography like a piece of fiction, making it easy to read and highly-enjoyable, I STRONGLY recommend it! Not only did I learn so much about one of my favorite actresses, but it really helped me in my history class as well!
Now I have a little surprise for you.
When I read Home, I learned that Julie Andrews got her start on a show called Starlight Roof. I looked up Julie Andrews hoping to find the song that "started it all". This video is absolutely AMAZING. How a 12, yes that's right 12, year old can sing like an adult... Well, it just baffles me. So I would like to share this video with you, so you too can get a little piece of Julie Andrews.
Wasn't that just absolutely amazing?
I thought it was...
Well as for my other book, it wasn't quite as amazing as Home, but I still really liked it.
I give Water for Elephants 4 stars!
Many of you may think this book sounds familiar. That is probably because it is about to come out in theaters! Robert Pattinson is going to play the main character Jacob alongside Reese Witherspoon playing the beautiful Marlena.
The movie is set during the Great Depression, a very tough time to find jobs in the US.
Jacob, a veterinarian student at Cornell, who runs away after his parents die and winds up jumping the train of a circus. He starts working with the circus as a vet where he meets Marlena and her husband August, the equestrian trainer.
not only is the book a testament to circuses, but it is a great love story. Water For Elephants has a bit of a Notebook feel. The author, Sara Gruen, switches from present day, in the voice of Jacob as a "ninety or ninety-three" year old, to the Depression as young, struggling Jacob.
Most of the events are based on real circus events, but to find those out, you'll have to read the book! I cannot wait until April 22 with the movie comes out.
Now I am currently reading The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not very far in it yet, but like all of Sparks's books, every word reels me in.
Until Nest Time!
Monday, April 4, 2011
New Design!
Well I don't have much time to blog today, because Dancing With The Stars is on (I LOVE THAT SHOW).
But I did want to show you guys a couple of things.
First of all, notice anything different?
That's right new background and a super cool logo!
Props to Roman and his amazing art/computer skills - it was exatly what i wanted!
He has a super cool blog too and as thanks for helping me with my boring background I want to share his blog with all of you! http://prorogfx.blogspot.com/
Check it out! He does all kinds of cool art stuff, I envy his divine skills.
And before I go, I wanted to share some great news with all of you!
First, I finished the Julie Andrews book and I hope to have a review up for that soon, and second I got a job!!! WOO! I am officially a Sonic carhop - well, almost.
Today I filled out a massive amount of paperwork and learned how to make drinks, slushies, and shakes. Tomorrow I am suppossed to start my carhop training! I'm so excited!
And on top of that I get to babysit the most adorable kids in the work everyday for about 15 minutes when they get off the bus. They are both so adorable and it breaks my heart everytime I have to leave and they say, "Don't go!" I'm so glad I get to see both of them before heading out to Sonic, it always puts me in a good mood.
Well now I'm off to watch DWTS!
Until Next Time!
But I did want to show you guys a couple of things.
First of all, notice anything different?
That's right new background and a super cool logo!
Props to Roman and his amazing art/computer skills - it was exatly what i wanted!
He has a super cool blog too and as thanks for helping me with my boring background I want to share his blog with all of you! http://prorogfx.blogspot.com/
Check it out! He does all kinds of cool art stuff, I envy his divine skills.
And before I go, I wanted to share some great news with all of you!
First, I finished the Julie Andrews book and I hope to have a review up for that soon, and second I got a job!!! WOO! I am officially a Sonic carhop - well, almost.
Today I filled out a massive amount of paperwork and learned how to make drinks, slushies, and shakes. Tomorrow I am suppossed to start my carhop training! I'm so excited!
And on top of that I get to babysit the most adorable kids in the work everyday for about 15 minutes when they get off the bus. They are both so adorable and it breaks my heart everytime I have to leave and they say, "Don't go!" I'm so glad I get to see both of them before heading out to Sonic, it always puts me in a good mood.
Well now I'm off to watch DWTS!
Until Next Time!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Your Royal Highness
I often wonder, why is it people say TGIF - Thank God It's Friday? Yes, Friday does mean the start of the weekend, but you still have to go to school or work. I say TGIS - Thank God it's Saturday. I get to sleep in late (most of the time) and watch movies or read all day, for the most part anyways.
But I will admit, yesterday was definitely a day I said TGIF. Friday could not have come sooner, and I had a GREAT Friday.
Today's theme is Royalty.
Why, you ask? Well here is why: I have watched two movies, both about a royal family.
The first of these movies was Academy Award Winner, The King's Speech, and that movie, my friends, has left me speechless.
What amazes me most about this movie is how long it has been in the theaters! And the movie comes out on BluRay and DVD this month!
There is no doubt in my mind it would have made it into "the book" and that it deserves 5 stars.
There is no secret that I love Brits. I love them, I don't know why, but they infatuate me. English history especially.
For those of you unfortunate few yet to have seen this, let me tell you how amazing it truly is.
The three leads included Collin Firth, who played the stammering King George VI, Geoffrey Rush, the king's speech therapist, Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter, Queen Elizabeth.
For those of you who don't know the background story, I will start with that first.
The Duke of York (later to become King George VI) has a problem with speech; he stammers. After going to many different therapists, his wife comes upon a little known therapist, Lionel Logue. Logue helps The duke, through his father's death and brother resigning the throne. When The Duke of York, "Bertie", claims the throne, Hitler is threatening England's safety. King George VI declares war and must help England through the hard times ahead. The movie leads up to one final speech, King George VI's first wartime speech, finally overcoming every difficulty placed before him.
The story itself is amazing all in it's own, but each individual character is what made the movie impeccable.
First I will start with Collin Firth. How he did it, I cannot even fathom. He plays King George VI so well, I would swear he is the king reincarnated. You can see the fear etched in his face, seething from every pore when he stands before the world to give a speech. You can feel his heartbreak when his father dies and he must assume the role of the king. You can see the love he has for his wife and children, and disappointment in himself, thinking he is not good enough. He is able to stutter so well, choking on his words, I can't imagine how difficult it was to talk like that. Just an outstanding performance.
What to say about Helena Bonham Carter... What to say? First of all, I adore her. She is such a phenomenal actress; I am insanely jealous. Most people know her as the sinister Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films or the wife of Tim Burton. If I were to pick someone for the role of Queen Elizabeth, my very last choice would be Carter. I couldn't ever imagine her in a part like this. But let me tell you, she had me convinced. It is amazing how she can become the Queen so easily, how she can portray the everlasting love the queen had for King George, and the compassion she had for the people of England. The queen and Bellatrix are polar opposites, but she did such an amazing job. I respect her in every way, and I hope one day to meet her, she is such an extrodinary actress.
And oh, Geoffrey Rush. Who would have thought the King could become friends with a lowly common man from Australia? Who would have thought this same man could help the king overcome his speech impediment? Logue had balls in this movie. Backtalking a king, convincing a king to cuss against his upbringing, meddling in the King's personal life. Here's to you. Rush protrayed this character so beautifully, showing the immense guts it took to help the king.
Man I loved that movie. it makes me excited for European history next year.
Ironically, this movie overlaps with Julie Andrews memoirs. Andrew mentions the King and Queen and some of the events from the movie many times in her book. It was cool seeing it portrayed on screen, and in the memory of a young girl.
I want to go to England now.
As for the other royal movie, I started to watch Ivan the Terrible Part I this morning, but was unable to finish it. This is another one that made "the book". On IMDb.com I was reading the fun facts about this movie and I ran across something quite funny. Ivan the Terrible also made it into another book called The 50 Worst Movies of all-time. A little contradicting... Only proves my point further that everyone has different opinions.
Advice of the Day: Don't play Just Dance right after eating cheesecake.
I hope to have some new reviews tomorrow, Megan and Madison are coming over to watch movies and eat pizza tonight! I also hope to finish my book today!
Until Next Time!
But I will admit, yesterday was definitely a day I said TGIF. Friday could not have come sooner, and I had a GREAT Friday.
Today's theme is Royalty.
Why, you ask? Well here is why: I have watched two movies, both about a royal family.
The first of these movies was Academy Award Winner, The King's Speech, and that movie, my friends, has left me speechless.
What amazes me most about this movie is how long it has been in the theaters! And the movie comes out on BluRay and DVD this month!
There is no doubt in my mind it would have made it into "the book" and that it deserves 5 stars.
There is no secret that I love Brits. I love them, I don't know why, but they infatuate me. English history especially.
For those of you unfortunate few yet to have seen this, let me tell you how amazing it truly is.
The three leads included Collin Firth, who played the stammering King George VI, Geoffrey Rush, the king's speech therapist, Lionel Logue, and Helena Bonham Carter, Queen Elizabeth.
For those of you who don't know the background story, I will start with that first.
The Duke of York (later to become King George VI) has a problem with speech; he stammers. After going to many different therapists, his wife comes upon a little known therapist, Lionel Logue. Logue helps The duke, through his father's death and brother resigning the throne. When The Duke of York, "Bertie", claims the throne, Hitler is threatening England's safety. King George VI declares war and must help England through the hard times ahead. The movie leads up to one final speech, King George VI's first wartime speech, finally overcoming every difficulty placed before him.
The story itself is amazing all in it's own, but each individual character is what made the movie impeccable.
First I will start with Collin Firth. How he did it, I cannot even fathom. He plays King George VI so well, I would swear he is the king reincarnated. You can see the fear etched in his face, seething from every pore when he stands before the world to give a speech. You can feel his heartbreak when his father dies and he must assume the role of the king. You can see the love he has for his wife and children, and disappointment in himself, thinking he is not good enough. He is able to stutter so well, choking on his words, I can't imagine how difficult it was to talk like that. Just an outstanding performance.
What to say about Helena Bonham Carter... What to say? First of all, I adore her. She is such a phenomenal actress; I am insanely jealous. Most people know her as the sinister Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films or the wife of Tim Burton. If I were to pick someone for the role of Queen Elizabeth, my very last choice would be Carter. I couldn't ever imagine her in a part like this. But let me tell you, she had me convinced. It is amazing how she can become the Queen so easily, how she can portray the everlasting love the queen had for King George, and the compassion she had for the people of England. The queen and Bellatrix are polar opposites, but she did such an amazing job. I respect her in every way, and I hope one day to meet her, she is such an extrodinary actress.
And oh, Geoffrey Rush. Who would have thought the King could become friends with a lowly common man from Australia? Who would have thought this same man could help the king overcome his speech impediment? Logue had balls in this movie. Backtalking a king, convincing a king to cuss against his upbringing, meddling in the King's personal life. Here's to you. Rush protrayed this character so beautifully, showing the immense guts it took to help the king.
Man I loved that movie. it makes me excited for European history next year.
Ironically, this movie overlaps with Julie Andrews memoirs. Andrew mentions the King and Queen and some of the events from the movie many times in her book. It was cool seeing it portrayed on screen, and in the memory of a young girl.
I want to go to England now.
As for the other royal movie, I started to watch Ivan the Terrible Part I this morning, but was unable to finish it. This is another one that made "the book". On IMDb.com I was reading the fun facts about this movie and I ran across something quite funny. Ivan the Terrible also made it into another book called The 50 Worst Movies of all-time. A little contradicting... Only proves my point further that everyone has different opinions.
Advice of the Day: Don't play Just Dance right after eating cheesecake.
I hope to have some new reviews tomorrow, Megan and Madison are coming over to watch movies and eat pizza tonight! I also hope to finish my book today!
Until Next Time!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Come What May
Well, as I promised, I have a review for Moulin Rouge!
First of all, before reading this - in attempts not to offend anyone - remember that each person has varying tastes in movies, and this is solely my opinion. Also, I'm not holding anything back in these reviews, and I may tend to spoil a thing or two, and if I do, I am terribly sorry.
Now back to Paris, to join the stunning Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, both phenomenal actors.
I want to start off by saying, I do not like movies with a sad ending. Period. That is it. Sad endings ruin the whole movie. If you haven't already guessed it, I get really into movies, especially romances.
Thus the self-proclaimed hopeless romantic.
When I watch a romance, I am the girl. I'm falling in love with the guy, just as the character does on screen.
With Moulin Rouge! it was much the same. I already think Ewan McGregor is beyond gorgeous. Add in that accent and belt out those notes and I'm head over heels. The way his character, Christian, pines time and time again to win over Satine's (Kidman) heart - well, all I can say is that really gets the soft spot in my heart.
Aside from the romantic storyline, I really did not like Moulin Rouge! I know this is against popular opinion, especially since it somehow made it into "the book", but I just don't see it.
When I first started watching it, I got a headache. I felt like I was doing every drug under the sun while watching it. People say watching Alice In Wonderland is like being on an acid trip, but the actual filming isn't nearly as dizzying an experience as that of Moulin Rouge!
Strike two was their rendition of Like A Virgin by Madonna. That just plain pissed me off. It was so wierd and out of place and wierd and awful and wierd and annoying. Way to ruin a good song.
They used a lot of modern songs, even though the movie was set in the late 1800s. Sound of Music was set in the Alps, not Paris. I think of all the songs in the movie, there was maybe 1 I really trully enjoyed.
And strike 3 (SPOILER ALERT) was killing off Satine!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH! First, she lies to Christian, the LOVE OF HER LIFE, just to be in a stupid play, even though she KNOWS she is dying. I'm sorry, I must be wierd, but if knew I was dying, forget the play, I want to be with the one person in the world that trully gets me and loves me for who I am, sick or not. Then Christian, being the smart romantic he is, comes back. Thankfully she takes him back, and then dies in his arms not even 2 minutes later. That right there totally killed the movie for me.
I would personally give it 2 and 1/2 stars, but it is a movie I will have to watch again one of these days, although I doubt my opinion will change much.
On a not much better note, I was just browsing through Netflix and this strange movie caught my eye. It was called Summer's Moon and the lettering was in the same font as Twilight.
My first thought was, "Seriously, a Twilight parody. Aren't there enough of those?"
Then it got better. The main character is played by Ashley Greene who plays Alice in Twilight.
The synopsis said it was about a girl, going to live with her father, who winds up living with a group of serial killers.
Vampires.... Serial Killers.... I'm starting to see a connection. So I decided to watch the movie.
WORST. IDEA. EVER.
I don't even think I got 30 minutes into the movie. Every other word was the F-bomb, and it was so incredibly cheesy I just couldn't stand it.
Ashley Greene is one of my favorite actresses, but her acting in that movie is probably worse than Kristen Stewart's in Twiilight - and everyone knows that's saying something.
Well, that's about all I have to say for now, but I will have a new review for you in the morning. I'm taking my mom to the movies tonight as a little birthday treat. We are trying to decide between The King's Speech and Red Riding Hood. I'll let you know what we choose tomorrow!
Until Next Time!
First of all, before reading this - in attempts not to offend anyone - remember that each person has varying tastes in movies, and this is solely my opinion. Also, I'm not holding anything back in these reviews, and I may tend to spoil a thing or two, and if I do, I am terribly sorry.
Now back to Paris, to join the stunning Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, both phenomenal actors.
I want to start off by saying, I do not like movies with a sad ending. Period. That is it. Sad endings ruin the whole movie. If you haven't already guessed it, I get really into movies, especially romances.
Thus the self-proclaimed hopeless romantic.
When I watch a romance, I am the girl. I'm falling in love with the guy, just as the character does on screen.
With Moulin Rouge! it was much the same. I already think Ewan McGregor is beyond gorgeous. Add in that accent and belt out those notes and I'm head over heels. The way his character, Christian, pines time and time again to win over Satine's (Kidman) heart - well, all I can say is that really gets the soft spot in my heart.
Aside from the romantic storyline, I really did not like Moulin Rouge! I know this is against popular opinion, especially since it somehow made it into "the book", but I just don't see it.
When I first started watching it, I got a headache. I felt like I was doing every drug under the sun while watching it. People say watching Alice In Wonderland is like being on an acid trip, but the actual filming isn't nearly as dizzying an experience as that of Moulin Rouge!
Strike two was their rendition of Like A Virgin by Madonna. That just plain pissed me off. It was so wierd and out of place and wierd and awful and wierd and annoying. Way to ruin a good song.
They used a lot of modern songs, even though the movie was set in the late 1800s. Sound of Music was set in the Alps, not Paris. I think of all the songs in the movie, there was maybe 1 I really trully enjoyed.
And strike 3 (SPOILER ALERT) was killing off Satine!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH! First, she lies to Christian, the LOVE OF HER LIFE, just to be in a stupid play, even though she KNOWS she is dying. I'm sorry, I must be wierd, but if knew I was dying, forget the play, I want to be with the one person in the world that trully gets me and loves me for who I am, sick or not. Then Christian, being the smart romantic he is, comes back. Thankfully she takes him back, and then dies in his arms not even 2 minutes later. That right there totally killed the movie for me.
I would personally give it 2 and 1/2 stars, but it is a movie I will have to watch again one of these days, although I doubt my opinion will change much.
On a not much better note, I was just browsing through Netflix and this strange movie caught my eye. It was called Summer's Moon and the lettering was in the same font as Twilight.
My first thought was, "Seriously, a Twilight parody. Aren't there enough of those?"
Then it got better. The main character is played by Ashley Greene who plays Alice in Twilight.
The synopsis said it was about a girl, going to live with her father, who winds up living with a group of serial killers.
Vampires.... Serial Killers.... I'm starting to see a connection. So I decided to watch the movie.
WORST. IDEA. EVER.
I don't even think I got 30 minutes into the movie. Every other word was the F-bomb, and it was so incredibly cheesy I just couldn't stand it.
Ashley Greene is one of my favorite actresses, but her acting in that movie is probably worse than Kristen Stewart's in Twiilight - and everyone knows that's saying something.
Well, that's about all I have to say for now, but I will have a new review for you in the morning. I'm taking my mom to the movies tonight as a little birthday treat. We are trying to decide between The King's Speech and Red Riding Hood. I'll let you know what we choose tomorrow!
Until Next Time!
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