Team Taylor

I was torn when I went to see New Moon this weekend. There were some really great improvements in this movie as compared to Twilight but I can't help but come away with an overall disappointed feeling. To make it worse ... I wasn't even expecting it to be all that great. The first movie wasn't great and we all know the movie is never as good as the book but that shouldn't stop the producers from at least trying right?

I could go on and on about this and bore everyone to tears but instead I'm just going to list out what I saw as (to use one of my husband's favorite movies) The Good, The Bad and The Ugly parts of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. (And because he was such a trooper going to the movie with me and suffering through all the girlie squealing from the audience - I'm giving my husband's opinions as well)

The Good:

• Taylor Lautner: Not only is he super cute but also one of the better actors in the central cast.
• They FINALLY got The Meadow right! Making Bella and Edward's meadow dead and brown when Bella goes in search of a way to connect to Edward after he leaves was nicely done - a point that would have been even more appreciated by movie goers if they hadn't completely botched the meadow scene in the first movie.
• The Volturi: Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning were great and I can't wait to see more of them in the next two movies.
• Bella's school friends: Once again these kids were some scene-stealing bitches and I love them for it. They add a much needed sense of light and humor to the movies.
• The 360 shot of Bella: Something that I think Stephenie Meyer did great in this book was the blank pages she added in the middle of the book to portray the emptiness and depression that Bella goes through after Edward left her. I didn't expect this to be included in the movie but when I saw it - at the risk of sounding cheesy - it took my breath away.
• The Soundtrack!
• Jasper attacking Bella at the birthday party (my husband's opinion)
  

The Bad:

• Pretty much every scene with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson together: It's my humble opinion that Kristen Stewart could not act her way out of a paper bag and to make things worse she has dragged Robert Pattinson down with her. The two of them need to get over themselves. Every time either of them was on screen it was just awkward and painful to watch. Ms. Stewart seems to think that the key to good dramatic acting is biting her lip and shaking her head. What I wouldn't give to be able to get in a time machine and stab Catherine Hardwick in the neck before she made that casting decision.
• Not enough wolf-pack! These guys were great and - like the school friends - added some much needed fun. Can't wait to see more of them in the next movies.
• The death scene for Laurent (my husband's opinion)

The Ugly (and I do mean UGLY):

• Did I mention that Kristen's acting is ridiculous? because it is
• Pizza Toss / Wrench grab: During a montage of Bella and Jacob's budding relationship there is a moment where she throws a slice of pizza over her shoulder, seemingly to Jacob, then the camera switches to him and he throws his hand up, seemingly to catch the pizza, but instead he catches a wrench. I don't know how to properly describe this disaster but trust me it was L-A-M-E.
• Jacob taking off his shirt (my husband's opinion - major eye rolling included)

So what do you guys think? Did I miss anything? Do you agree that Kristen Stewart should be working in a Hot Topic somewhere instead of acting or am I being too harsh? Do you love Taylor Lautner as much as me or are you still hanging on to Team Rob. (btw - as far as the book is concerned I'm totally Team Edward - but as far as the actors go I am now fully on board with Team Taylor)

Also - since it truly was my favorite scene in the movie I have included a video here. It is just a fan-made video for the song used in the scene, Possibility by Lykke Li but if you jump to minute 1:43 you'll see a small piece of the 360 scene. Also, totally worth noting, the song choice was unbelievable. Check out the lyrics here too.

Read more...

Strawberried Peanut Butter

I wanted to offer you my thoughts on New Moon today but I need to get it straight in my head first. So I thought instead I would offer you my thoughts on the candy I ate while watching New Moon. We all know that concession stand prices are out of control; we all bitch about health care price gouging but this is were those of us on "Main Street" are really getting screwed. Seriously. The cost of popcorn alone at the movies is more than my last co-pay.



Since my husband and I are brilliant, and since we had to stop at the store anyway, we picked up some candy while we were there. I was scoping out the rack for some Reese's Sticks (because they are like little packages of gold) but couldn't find any so I decided to just settle for anything with peanut butter. I saw some peanut butter m&m's and grab them. It wasn't until we left the store that my husband made a disgusted face and asked how I could eat "those." I was taken a back at first but just thought it was because he is a weird foreigner.



NEWSFLASH: Dutch people (and possibly all europeans) think we are freaks for thinking that peanut butter is candy. Peanut butter and chocolate together is just totally strange to them. I made his mother try a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup last year when she was visiting us and she totally didn't understand it. Their candy of choice ... wait for it ... black licorice. I truly feel sorry for them.



He eventually pointed out to me that these were not peanut butter m&m's but rather "Strawberried Peanut Butter." I had never heard of such a thing! But decided it would probably taste like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a chocolatey morsel of candy coated goodness and I was all for it.



Let it be known that they were fabulous and I would not only buy them again if given the chance but highly recommend them to all I know.

Read more...

Letting My Geek Flag Fly

Today is the day people! New Moon hit theaters at midnight last night. Although I wasn't one of the people camping out in line to see the first showing I am one of the people that pre-ordered my tickets. I'm going to the first show Saturday morning to try and avoid some of the crazed crowds - wish me luck.



It must be said that this was my least favorite book of the series for obvious reasons. Lack of Edward! At one point while reading it I actually found myself flipping to the back of the book to see if and when the Cullens would be coming back into the story. This might not seem like a big deal to some people but I have never done that kind of thing in my life. I've never been one of those people that reads the last page first or skips to the end when the suspense gets to be too much. NEVER. But Stephenie Meyer got me. I had no control over it; I needed Edward back. And the book did not disappoint.


So yes, I am dragging my husband with me tomorrow to see it and I cannot wait. I'm totally jealous that there are thousands of people watching it today while I'm at work.


I know there are equally as many people that are tired of hearing about it but to them I say - BITE ME. So who else is excited?

Read more...

Yeah, He Stabbed Himself ... What? Like you Wouldn't?

Three skinheads or Hispanic males dressed in black tried to rob an innocent 29 year old male on his way to work at Blockbuster Video in the Denver area Monday night. According to the Denver Post the man had deep stab wounds to the lower leg requiring several stitches. Multiple police departments set up a perimeter to find the assailants. They even brought in a K-9 unit. But, no luck. After some suspicious camera footage from the local Target popped up, the young man eventually confessed.

Yes folks, he had stabbed himself in the leg because he didn't want to go to work.

Now clearly this was a terrible waste of the Police Department's time and tax payers money. But admit it - you've thought of doing the very same thing ... probably more than once. I know I have. In fact, if I was sure I would get away with it, I would do much, much, much, much uglier things to get out of work.

What makes it even more understandable - the guy worked at BLOCKBUSTER. Speaking from personal experience here, I'd take a day in the ER in a hot second over a day listening to people bitch about late fees. I haven't worked there for several years now, but I still have nightmares about the night Titanic was released and we stayed open until 2am for all the nut jobs that pre-ordered it. Seriously. And don't get me started on Y Tu Mama Tambien (I know half those assholes only rented it so I had to struggle through pronouncing the title when I told them the return date.) What makes me really sick at myself is the fact that in this picture of Adam Brody, I could tell instantly that he was in the Action section of the store b/c of the Clear and Present Danger cover box on the floor.

FML

Read more...

Alice

Come on - who's excited?

Read more...

Puting the Scare in Scarecrow

Last week for wordless Wednesday I posted a picture of my husband in one of those cheesy face cut out boards at the county fair. I have upped the anti a bit, but be warned - after watching this you could potentially be scarred for life.

Read more...

Yellow Submarine

Is it just me or are The Beatles once again taking over the world? More popular than Jesus for sure this time, maybe even more popular than those Highschool Musical kids ... I doubt it though.
I just found out they're making a new version of Yellow Submarine!! I know I mentioned my love of this movie once before but let me make it official. I love all things Beatles! I even talked my mother into taking me to Beatlfest when I was like 15 and it was a blast - I highly recommend it to all fans out there Actually, even if you're not that big of a fan, there is some seriously good people watching. Believe.




And The Beatles Rock Band is going to me freaking AMAZING. Now I just need to get my damn Xbox working again...

Read more...

Smurfs Movie?

Yes it's true - I just read that Columbia Pictures and Sony are getting ready to make a Smurfs movie. I guess it was inevitable; its becoming a common thing to take children's television shows from the 80's and turn them into movies (Transformers anyone?) Some of these turn out pretty good but others, like G.I. Joe, are destined for the discount DVD bin.

I have to say that I am seriously looking forward to Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are. I'm not sure it's going to be 'kid friendly' but being as how I don't have kids ... I don't really care, adult friendly works for me. I'm so glad they went with live-action on this one and the puppets from Jim Henson Creature Shop are going to be amazing.

Another one I'm looking forward to is Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The original Disney version was my absolute favorite movie as a kid. I've seen every subsequent version that I've been able to get my hands on (and there are MANY). I even own "The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll" as well as "Lewis Carroll, Photographer" (a fabulous gift from my sister!); both of which I recommend to any Alice fans. "Still She Haunts Me" is another great book about the relationship between Charles Dodgson and the real life Alice; its a bit disturbing but definitely intriguing. But back to the movie - I'm a little nervous about Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter only because his Willy Wonka was so horrific, but I have faith that they will pull it off in the end.

So which television shows or books from your childhood would you like to see remade into big screen movies and who would you cast or have direct?

Read more...

Shutter Island

I recently came across a trailer for a new movie called "Shutter Island" on this blog. It's based on a novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane who also wrote Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone and several episodes of The Wire. I have to add, that I have never seen a single episode of The Wire even though it is a complete sacrilege for any one that lives in the Baltimore-Metro area. I'm waiting to borrow it on DVD - it will happen some day I swear. But everyone I know has seen the entire show and constantly raves about it and how true to Baltimore life it is. Also, Mystic River, I totally fell asleep on. SORRY! I know that its against the law to say such a thing but its true so get over it. As far as Gone Baby Gone is concerned I've heard that it too is a fantastic film but I have never seen it. Somehow though, the fact that David Lehane had a hand in all of these great projects (that I never saw) makes me want to actually see this one. But more than that even, I feel the need to read the book before the movie comes out this October. I was wondering if any of you have read the book and if so, what you though of it. I almost feel like the trailer gave too much away and maybe the book would no longer be as enjoyable or suspenseful. What do you think? Anyone else out there want to read the book, or at least see the movie?

I've added the trailer to the right side bar if you'd like to check it out - be warned though it might contain spoilers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE: I went to the bookstore today to buy something else and thought - what the hell! I went to the Fiction ... found the L's ... found David Lehane and about 3 other books of his, but no "Shutter Island." I thought maybe they had them on an end-cap or table somewhere because the movie is coming out but couldn't find it. So I caved and went to the counter to ask an employee. He walked right over to the shelf with the other David Lehan books where I had already checked - this was a little annoying but I maintained composure and only let out a few heavy sighs. He was as surprised as I had been that there were no copies of the book, then said "We've had a lot of people asking for that one. Is there a movie coming out or something?" Guess that answers the question.

Read more...

That's Mr. LaForge to You

I know this might seem like a bit much to some of you but at the risk of alienating some of my readers all I can say is ... sometimes the truth hurts.

Read more...

Confession

I have to admit I have been keeping a skeleton in my closet. Most of you don't realize that I have a secret obsession ... one that I am a bit embarassed about. But I can't keep it in any longer.

If you're squeemish you should just turn away, actually maybe everyone should just close their eyes for this next part ... (go ahead - I'll tell you when it's safe to open them again) ...

If the term "Team Edward" means nothing to you .... then I'm even more embarassed (and also slightly relieved.) What it means is that I am completely hooked on all things Twilight.

~~~Don't judge me people~~~

Well that was a bit like ripping off a band-aid; quick and painful but I'm so glad it's over. I feel so close to you all now! Maybe we should have a sleep-over or something ... we can paint each others toe nails and talk about The Jo-Bros!! No? Too much?

Anyway, what I really wanted to share was how excited I am about the next movie that's coming out later this year. Michael Sheen (who you may remember from Underworld or Frost/Nixon) will be joining the cast to play Aro. I like to refer to the character of Aro as the Godfather of the Vampire Mafia. Okay have I gone too far again? Fine! Sorry! I'll try to keep it under wraps. Ugh.

He recently did an interview with Empire and said "I'm all done on it; I had a great time. It was nice to go in and not be playing the main part, just go in for a few days and play this really really extraordinary character. I remember I was thinking, 'Oh, there's a bit of a Child Catcher here [from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]; bit of the Blue Meanie from The Yellow Submarine; bit of Olivier from Richard III. There was a bit of all kinds of stuff." Anyman that can combine Twilight with Blue Meanies is cool in my book. Am I alone here?

Please give me some Twilight love ... or at least some Michael Sheen love. Look - at least I spared you from the typical Twilight fan post. Consider yourself lucky, it could have been much worse...

Read more...