This just made my day infinitely better! I hope it does the same for you.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Go See Juno!
I love Netflix because there's rarely a movie that I just have to see as soon as it hits theaters, and since the turn-around time from theater to video isn't that long anymore I can usually wait to get it in the mail. We also love not having to spend hours wandering around a video store trying to decide on what we want to watch, plus there's no going back out for a movie once you're already home. Although we do still have movies we got for Christmas that we haven't watched yet since we always have one from Netflix to watch, but that's another story.
Of all the movies I count on my favorite genre lists, teen pregnancy films aren't usually a movie subject I want to run right out to see, but I have heard nothing but good things about Juno ever since it became the little indie film that could. Correction, I have heard nothing but phenomenal, rave reviews for it. So after seeing or reading something last week that brought it back to my mind I checked to see where it was on our list and bumped it up to the top.
I enjoyed every minute of the hour and a half long Juno. It was a clever story, every character was dead-on; from Rainn Wilson who makes a quick cameo to Ellen Paige who's a little too witty and calm for a 16 year old, yet somehow the character still lends itself to her mature sarcasim. I laughed so hard I was literally wiping tears off my cheeks at some of the fantastic dialoge and was still touched by an ending I didn't quite expect. Just thinking about some of the great quotes makes me smile and I am going to have to own it so it can join Zoolander and The Princess Bride as my favorite movie-speak movies.
I can't remember the last time I saw such a well rounded movie with comedic elements worthy of any of my favorite Stiller or Ferrell flicks as well as dramatic elements so well played they make you feel like you're actually looking in on someone else's private moment. Needless to say I'm giving it 5 stars.
Of all the movies I count on my favorite genre lists, teen pregnancy films aren't usually a movie subject I want to run right out to see, but I have heard nothing but good things about Juno ever since it became the little indie film that could. Correction, I have heard nothing but phenomenal, rave reviews for it. So after seeing or reading something last week that brought it back to my mind I checked to see where it was on our list and bumped it up to the top.
I enjoyed every minute of the hour and a half long Juno. It was a clever story, every character was dead-on; from Rainn Wilson who makes a quick cameo to Ellen Paige who's a little too witty and calm for a 16 year old, yet somehow the character still lends itself to her mature sarcasim. I laughed so hard I was literally wiping tears off my cheeks at some of the fantastic dialoge and was still touched by an ending I didn't quite expect. Just thinking about some of the great quotes makes me smile and I am going to have to own it so it can join Zoolander and The Princess Bride as my favorite movie-speak movies.
I can't remember the last time I saw such a well rounded movie with comedic elements worthy of any of my favorite Stiller or Ferrell flicks as well as dramatic elements so well played they make you feel like you're actually looking in on someone else's private moment. Needless to say I'm giving it 5 stars.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Politics, of which I know nothing about
I've never been very knowledgeable on politics and I don't tend to keep up on the issues of the candidates running for office, whatever the office may be. I've been a republican because that's what my parents are and for the most part I know my beliefs line up on the conservative side of the fence. Honestly, when it comes down to it, I am content to just pick up on things from conversations with people I trust rather then do the research myself, and my favorite statement when talking about the upcoming presidential election is "When was the last time people have voted for a candidate, rather then simply against the other candidate?" And I guess this is also my excuse for not making a point of being informed of the issues and the stances the candidates take on them. I know who I don't want as my president so I don't bother to make sure I'm making an informed decision. Also, since I am so ill-informed, I'm afraid to get caught up in someones well-written speech or column and make a bad decision based on falsified information or political double speak where I'm not understanding what's there between the lines. Whew, I'm exhausted just thinking about how dumb I am about politics.
But this article, I feel, pretty much sums up where my views lie, and it's interesting that the author says these used to be liberal beliefs until about 40 years ago. "Why I am Not a Liberal" This is also my new favorite site for reading about the depressing options we have for president, the more I hear about Obama the more disgusted with him I become. Just check out his stance on abortion, it's not for the faint of heart. But unfortunately, McCain doesn't seem to want to take advantage of his opponent's weaknesses, so I guess I'm hoping to see a little more strength in his campaign in the coming months. The person I have been most impressed with has been Cindy McCain. But at least that's something.
But this article, I feel, pretty much sums up where my views lie, and it's interesting that the author says these used to be liberal beliefs until about 40 years ago. "Why I am Not a Liberal" This is also my new favorite site for reading about the depressing options we have for president, the more I hear about Obama the more disgusted with him I become. Just check out his stance on abortion, it's not for the faint of heart. But unfortunately, McCain doesn't seem to want to take advantage of his opponent's weaknesses, so I guess I'm hoping to see a little more strength in his campaign in the coming months. The person I have been most impressed with has been Cindy McCain. But at least that's something.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Half Blood Prince!
Well, I said after the last movie that I wasn't getting my hopes up for the remainder of the Harry Potter movies, but it seems I just can't help myself! I don't want to look forward to seeing them like I am and I do a good job when there's nothing teasing me, but I just saw this trailer and a behind the scenes clip on youtube and I don't know how to not be excited for the next movie!
So, we'll see what happens. The fifth one was really the only movie I was really upset with the interpretation for, so I'm hoping it was because the writer that adapted the first four screen plays was to blame because he wasn't available. Since David Yates will be back as the director, I can only hope having the original writer back will put the movies back on track. Since there's no more books to look forward to, I guess I'll just have to be content with whatever they come out with in November.
So, we'll see what happens. The fifth one was really the only movie I was really upset with the interpretation for, so I'm hoping it was because the writer that adapted the first four screen plays was to blame because he wasn't available. Since David Yates will be back as the director, I can only hope having the original writer back will put the movies back on track. Since there's no more books to look forward to, I guess I'll just have to be content with whatever they come out with in November.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Na-na na-na na-na na-na BATMAN!
Oh man, I can't say enough how much I love the latest installment of Batman! We went with a group of people on Friday night after Chris's softball game, and then again on Sunday after convincing John and Stephanie they needed to see it too. I can't even remember the last movie I saw on opening weekend, let alone twice in one weekend. But it was that good. I grew up with Batman. Those movies, along with Indiana Jones, were my Star Wars; movies that were beloved by most of my generation but I never saw until I became an adult. And just like Chris sat me down to watch all the Star Wars when the first 3 episodes came out, I made him sit with me and catch up on all the Batmen that had gone before. I was never a comic book fan so I didn't know the discrepancies between the Batman movies and the original stories, but I loved the super hero films for what they were. Even when the third and fourth installments were infused with cheese and rubber nipples (just who's idea was that??) I still had a soft spot for the Batman movies. I loved the Bond-esque toys he got to use and the fact that unlike most super heroes he was a regular guy just trying to fight crime with no real super power (unless you can consider being really, really ridiculously rich to be a super power). I even enjoyed the over the top characters that played the villains, Jack Nicholson's Joker and Jim Carry's Riddler being two of my favorites.
In 2005 when Batman Begins came out I was psyched for another take on my favorite super hero and was overall impressed with director Christopher Nolan's version. It was darker then any before with Christian Bale playing Bruce Wayne as more then just a pretty-boy billionaire with an interesting nocturnal hobby. He portrays him as deeply disturbed, a bit necessary when you think about the likely-hood of a grown man dressing as a bat in order to fight crime, and he gave his back story great believability. There was a new underlying presence of mobsters giving Batman an unending supply of bad guys to go after and a little more realism to the story. And there was just something in Cillian Murphy's cold eyes that made him a great villain.
Than around this time last year I heard that the second one was coming out; hooray!! And that Heath Ledger was going to play the joker; what?? Mr. Brokeback Mountain is going to be the joker? Nicholson's mouth was perfect in that plastic-y smile and his laugh along with his jittery, silly movements were just great, how is Ledger going to play this part? Then as time went on I started hearing more and more about the intensity and sheer craziness he was giving to the character, and I started getting excited about it. I really couldn’t help myself, even if his joker couldn’t hold a candle to Nicholson’s, there was still a new Batman movie to look forward to. Of course Ledger’s death in January gave the movie even more hype then it was already getting since the first one was so well done. Than as people started getting advance showings and critics even started talking about an Oscar nod along with a good shot at winning a posthumous golden statue, I couldn’t wait any longer! And I pushed aside the somewhat nagging feeling that I might be getting geared up to be supremely let down.
However, The Dark Knight did not disappoint. From beginning to end it was non-stop action, crazy stunts, cool bat-toys, and a psychopathic Joker who both creeped me out and made me laugh out loud. If you loved the first Batman you have to see this one too. I applaud the well developed characters, the solid acting all around and the fact that they’re not afraid to shock the audience with a death or special effect or plot twist. I may even have to see it again…
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Holy Guacamole!
I have never really been a fan of guacamole. Which is strange since as far as eating green food goes, I generally love it all, broccoli, string beans, and snap peas are just a few of my favorites. However, avocados have always ranked fairly low on my list of green food that I actually want to put in my mouth. I also don't really know what to do with them or have recipes to use them in so I've never bothered with them.
Then, last summer I learned how to make awesome guacamole from a friend's mom and I feel it has now been tried and true since I have converted many other guacamole-haters with this recipe. I've made it here and there for game nights or get togethers with family and friends, and then I read an article that listed the benefits of avocados and now I feel I need to start eating a lot more of this super-food.
One of the common impressions of avocados is this is just a fattening food and there are better ways of getting healthy vitamins and minerals. However in this day and age where everything is way more complicated then just labeling something as a fatty food or a healthy food, I think it merits a second look at how the benefits outweigh the possible negatives.
Consider this:
3 avocados mashed
4 Tbsp mayo
1/2 red onion chopped fine
1/2 lime's worth of juice
salt to taste
Leave a couple of pits in to keep it from browning too fast and enjoy! I also found that it's easier to mash the avocados with a pastry cutter or potato masher rather then a fork, especially if the avocado isn't quite ripe yet.
(Facts found on Hass.com and health.MSN.com, photo from sxc.hu)
Then, last summer I learned how to make awesome guacamole from a friend's mom and I feel it has now been tried and true since I have converted many other guacamole-haters with this recipe. I've made it here and there for game nights or get togethers with family and friends, and then I read an article that listed the benefits of avocados and now I feel I need to start eating a lot more of this super-food.
One of the common impressions of avocados is this is just a fattening food and there are better ways of getting healthy vitamins and minerals. However in this day and age where everything is way more complicated then just labeling something as a fatty food or a healthy food, I think it merits a second look at how the benefits outweigh the possible negatives.
Consider this:
- Avocados contain 20 different vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (these help prevent many chronic diseases) including vitamins E, K, & C, iron, potassium, foliate, and fiber.
- Avocados help enable your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients from other healthy vegetables when eaten together including beta-carotene and antioxidants. (For example, the healthy beta-carotene in carrots can't be absorbed by your body unless eaten with something containing fat such as salad dressing or dip)
- Avocados are virtually the only fruit that contain monounsaturated fats which help lower cholestoral and risks of heart disease and stroke. (They're generally found in oils.)
- Avocados contain lutein which help maintain eye health as we age.
3 avocados mashed
4 Tbsp mayo
1/2 red onion chopped fine
1/2 lime's worth of juice
salt to taste
Leave a couple of pits in to keep it from browning too fast and enjoy! I also found that it's easier to mash the avocados with a pastry cutter or potato masher rather then a fork, especially if the avocado isn't quite ripe yet.
(Facts found on Hass.com and health.MSN.com, photo from sxc.hu)
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