The pipes on this girl....sheesh!
Serves me right for judging a book by its cover.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
LOOK AT THESE DOGS
LOOK AT THIS! JUST LOOK AT IT!
I think this is what's going on in my mind at any given time. Just a bunch of giant drooling, panting dogs, scampering around in the forest of my mind.
Seriously though. I love St Bernards. I want one. I want to marry a man who knows a little something about caring for a giant dog. And then will buy me one. And do most of the takingcare of, while I do much of the playing and loving.
I think this is what's going on in my mind at any given time. Just a bunch of giant drooling, panting dogs, scampering around in the forest of my mind.
Seriously though. I love St Bernards. I want one. I want to marry a man who knows a little something about caring for a giant dog. And then will buy me one. And do most of the takingcare of, while I do much of the playing and loving.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Red Carpet Round-up
So, I have seen an unprecedented number of movies so far in 2012. As much as I love movies, I don't get to actually go see them as much in the theatre as I would like. But I saw one movie each weekend so far in 2012, and they were all Oscar nominees! Though I'm afraid my picks will not be the actual winners, I still demand my voice be heard. Which is really what blogging is all about.
1) The Descendants
Saw it New Years weekend. Clooney, I mean.....come on. Who doesn't love The Clooney? And he is consitantly great. Not only is he an exemplary human being, but also a great actor. The movie itself wasn't my favorite movie ever, but it certainly had some Oscar-worthy moments. Clooney saying goodbye to his dead wife? Heart-breaking. Awkward dad-running around Hawaii? Great. Kissing Judy Greer? Delightful. But hands-down THE best moment in the entire film is when he tells his daughter, played by Shailene Woodley, while she's in the pool, that her mother is dying. That scene you see in all the commercials, where she's crying underwater? I would have given her an Oscar nomination just for that. The biggest disappointment? The Speers: Matthew Lillard and Judy Greer. What more magical Hollywood power-couple could possibly exist? And yet they are such a disappointment. Well, Matthew Lillard is. Judy Greer was phenomenal. The first time I've seen her in a dramatic role, and she knocked it out of the park. Lillard wasn't a disappointment, so much as his character was. I wanted them to just be drunken and boozy boatful of fun.
2) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Saw this with my dad, as a father-daughter date. Such a movie would not normally pique my interest, but I love Gary Oldman, and I heard from reliable sources that it was great, and that it was a real thinker. I love thinkers! It was...good. I mean, no, it really was good. It wasn't one I would watch again. It was a little confusing, because there were a lot of names that I had a hard time keeping track of, and there were a lot of hard-to-understand British accents. Gary Oldman was great, but, frankly, I have NO IDEA how he got so much praise, not to mention an Oscar nom from it. Because he was serious? And...thought a lot? Silently? You know who I thought was the real standout? Benedict Cumberbatch. Not only does he have what is quite possibly the greatest name in the history of all mankind, but he's also just great. He was captivating to watch, stole every scene he was in. Maybe it's because he's kind of odd-looking, but he was my favorite part of the entire movie. I had heard he was awesome as Sherlock Holmes, and I guess it's true.
3) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. I had read the book, by Jonathan Safron Foer, and it was so unique and different and wonderful. I was worried about how it would translate into a movie, especially one with such a big-name cast. And for as much of a book-to-movie critic as I am, I thought it was perfect. And it was all thanks to a little boy named Thomas Horn. Somehow, they plucked the most perfect boy-genius from Kids Jeopardy, and he carried the movie on his tiny amazing little shoulders. The fact that he did not get an Oscar nomination is an absolute disgrace. Obviously it's because he's only, like, 10, and it's so much more difficult for kids to get a nomination over grown-ups. But for a performance this amazing to be overlooked is reprehensible. Max Von Sydow did get a nomination as The Renter, which I was happy to see. I loved him, but more-so because The Renter is probably my favorite character in the book. His character was not explored that much in the movie. Over any other movie, please, I implore you: see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Read the book. You won't regret it.
4) The Artist
Oh, The Artist. After all the buzz buzz buzz I've heard about it, all the awards it won, I was chomping at the bit to see it. But then it was playing nowhere. Well, nowhere but NY and LA. Which isn't so much convenient. However, I finally discovered it playing at Carousel, and managed to snag the last seats in the front row of a packed theatre. And it was soooo gooooood! Gorgeous, funny, charming. Jean DuJardin was amazing. I truly think he deserves the Oscar. As he deserved the other awards he's won. He is just so charming! The emotion he conveys without words, is admirable. He's like Charlie Chaplin, Danny Kaye, and George Clooney, all rolled into one! And Berenice Bejo is adorable and perfect as Peppy Miller. And she wears the hell out of a hat, let me tell you. And John Goodman's in it! AND OH MY GOD THE DOG! The dog. Incredible.
The one film I haven't yet seen is The Help. I just finished reading the book, and it was great. I plan on seeing the movie, before the Oscars. That is the one movie that just may throw a wrench in my plans/picks.
My Picks:
Best Picture: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Best Actor: Jean DuJardin
Best Actress: I don't have a horse in this race, but I'd love to see Michelle Williams win.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Max Von Sydow
-Should have been nominated: Benedict Cumberbatch, and ALAN RICKMAN!
Actress In a Supporting Role: Melissa McCarthy. But again, I haven't seen The Help. Octavia will probably take it home.
P.S. Another movie I saw recently, that was nominated for a bunch of stuff? Midnight in Paris! Paaaaaris. Great. I wish Owen Wilson's role had been played by...anyone other than Owen Wilson, but oh well.
1) The Descendants
Saw it New Years weekend. Clooney, I mean.....come on. Who doesn't love The Clooney? And he is consitantly great. Not only is he an exemplary human being, but also a great actor. The movie itself wasn't my favorite movie ever, but it certainly had some Oscar-worthy moments. Clooney saying goodbye to his dead wife? Heart-breaking. Awkward dad-running around Hawaii? Great. Kissing Judy Greer? Delightful. But hands-down THE best moment in the entire film is when he tells his daughter, played by Shailene Woodley, while she's in the pool, that her mother is dying. That scene you see in all the commercials, where she's crying underwater? I would have given her an Oscar nomination just for that. The biggest disappointment? The Speers: Matthew Lillard and Judy Greer. What more magical Hollywood power-couple could possibly exist? And yet they are such a disappointment. Well, Matthew Lillard is. Judy Greer was phenomenal. The first time I've seen her in a dramatic role, and she knocked it out of the park. Lillard wasn't a disappointment, so much as his character was. I wanted them to just be drunken and boozy boatful of fun.
2) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Saw this with my dad, as a father-daughter date. Such a movie would not normally pique my interest, but I love Gary Oldman, and I heard from reliable sources that it was great, and that it was a real thinker. I love thinkers! It was...good. I mean, no, it really was good. It wasn't one I would watch again. It was a little confusing, because there were a lot of names that I had a hard time keeping track of, and there were a lot of hard-to-understand British accents. Gary Oldman was great, but, frankly, I have NO IDEA how he got so much praise, not to mention an Oscar nom from it. Because he was serious? And...thought a lot? Silently? You know who I thought was the real standout? Benedict Cumberbatch. Not only does he have what is quite possibly the greatest name in the history of all mankind, but he's also just great. He was captivating to watch, stole every scene he was in. Maybe it's because he's kind of odd-looking, but he was my favorite part of the entire movie. I had heard he was awesome as Sherlock Holmes, and I guess it's true.
3) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. I had read the book, by Jonathan Safron Foer, and it was so unique and different and wonderful. I was worried about how it would translate into a movie, especially one with such a big-name cast. And for as much of a book-to-movie critic as I am, I thought it was perfect. And it was all thanks to a little boy named Thomas Horn. Somehow, they plucked the most perfect boy-genius from Kids Jeopardy, and he carried the movie on his tiny amazing little shoulders. The fact that he did not get an Oscar nomination is an absolute disgrace. Obviously it's because he's only, like, 10, and it's so much more difficult for kids to get a nomination over grown-ups. But for a performance this amazing to be overlooked is reprehensible. Max Von Sydow did get a nomination as The Renter, which I was happy to see. I loved him, but more-so because The Renter is probably my favorite character in the book. His character was not explored that much in the movie. Over any other movie, please, I implore you: see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Read the book. You won't regret it.
4) The Artist
Oh, The Artist. After all the buzz buzz buzz I've heard about it, all the awards it won, I was chomping at the bit to see it. But then it was playing nowhere. Well, nowhere but NY and LA. Which isn't so much convenient. However, I finally discovered it playing at Carousel, and managed to snag the last seats in the front row of a packed theatre. And it was soooo gooooood! Gorgeous, funny, charming. Jean DuJardin was amazing. I truly think he deserves the Oscar. As he deserved the other awards he's won. He is just so charming! The emotion he conveys without words, is admirable. He's like Charlie Chaplin, Danny Kaye, and George Clooney, all rolled into one! And Berenice Bejo is adorable and perfect as Peppy Miller. And she wears the hell out of a hat, let me tell you. And John Goodman's in it! AND OH MY GOD THE DOG! The dog. Incredible.
The one film I haven't yet seen is The Help. I just finished reading the book, and it was great. I plan on seeing the movie, before the Oscars. That is the one movie that just may throw a wrench in my plans/picks.
My Picks:
Best Picture: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Best Actor: Jean DuJardin
Best Actress: I don't have a horse in this race, but I'd love to see Michelle Williams win.
Actor in a Supporting Role: Max Von Sydow
-Should have been nominated: Benedict Cumberbatch, and ALAN RICKMAN!
Actress In a Supporting Role: Melissa McCarthy. But again, I haven't seen The Help. Octavia will probably take it home.
P.S. Another movie I saw recently, that was nominated for a bunch of stuff? Midnight in Paris! Paaaaaris. Great. I wish Owen Wilson's role had been played by...anyone other than Owen Wilson, but oh well.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Oh My God
This is happening to me. I am seeing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on April 13th. I cannot wait.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Things to Worry About
per Lists of Note
In 1933, renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald ended a letter to his 11-year-old daughter, Scottie, with a list of things to worry about, not worry about, and simply think about. It read as follows.
(Source: F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters; Image: F. Scott Fitzgerald with his daughter, Scottie, in 1924.)
In 1933, renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald ended a letter to his 11-year-old daughter, Scottie, with a list of things to worry about, not worry about, and simply think about. It read as follows.
(Source: F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters; Image: F. Scott Fitzgerald with his daughter, Scottie, in 1924.)
Things to worry about:
Worry about courage
Worry about cleanliness
Worry about efficiency
Worry about horsemanship
Things not to worry about:
Don’t worry about popular opinion
Don’t worry about dolls
Don’t worry about the past
Don’t worry about the future
Don’t worry about growing up
Don’t worry about anybody getting ahead of you
Don’t worry about triumph
Don’t worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault
Don’t worry about mosquitoes
Don’t worry about flies
Don’t worry about insects in general
Don’t worry about parents
Don’t worry about boys
Don’t worry about disappointments
Don’t worry about pleasures
Don’t worry about satisfactions
Things to think about:
What am I really aiming at?
How good am I really in comparison to my contemporaries in regard to:
(a) Scholarship
(b) Do I really understand about people and am I able to get along with them?
(c) Am I trying to make my body a useful instrument or am I neglecting it?
With dearest love,
Daddy
Friday, January 20, 2012
I Went To A Concert Last Night
Who wants to hear about it? Everyone? Okay!
So, my mom, Gretchen, and I went to see Kelly Clarkson with opener Matt Nathanson last night at Turning Stone. It was a Christmas gift from me to Mom and Sis. The seats were pretty good, about 20 feet from the stage, at approximately a 45 degree angle from the right corner of the stage. I like to be exact (It's including details like this that make all my blog posts so freaking long.)
First up: Matt Nathanson. I have lots of friends who are die-hard Matt Nathanson fans, but I have never really felt all that much about him either way. But I heard that he has great mid-concert banter, and I loves me some banter. And you know what? It's all true. Great banter. Also great singing and songs and general awesomeness. Loved it. Everything about it.
And then it was Kelly Clarkson time. And you know what's great? When you seem someone in concert, and they are just as great as they sound on the radio, or on TV, etc. Better, actually. Because you can't deny that Kelly Clarkson has an awesome voice. And she was just as great live. Sang the shit out of all sorts of songs. Also, her banter was ALSO great. She makes you feel like she is your best friend, and you're just hanging out while she sings you some songs. She's bubbly, and talks really fast and excitedly. She also bounces up and down and spins around in circles while she's performing, which is exactly how I feel I would perform if I were any kind of performer. I was also reminded of how much I love her for not giving a shit what people think. The press tears her apart for various reasons, but she sticks to her guns and does what she wants. Good for her.
Oh, yeah, and then there was the part where she came into the audience and sang RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
I don't know why. They set up a little platform right in front of us, and she came over and sang a Florence and the Machine song that I didn't know. The downside? She faced away from us THE ENTIRE TIME. Never once did she turn around to the enthusiastic fans behind her (us.) Don't be fooled by the fact that we are the only ones sitting down, security came over right beforehand and told us we couldn't stand up (apparently our reputation precedes us...)
Nothing is better than a good solid concert. One that you leave, feeling pumped up, and then listen to the artists' music non-stop for the next week (as I have done.) My mother and I both woke up with Kelly Clarkson songs in our heads.
I'm ready for my next concert! Bring it on! Anyone have any ideas?
P.S. It's helpful when you're Facebook friends with the person across the aisle from you, who actually had a front view of KC.
So, my mom, Gretchen, and I went to see Kelly Clarkson with opener Matt Nathanson last night at Turning Stone. It was a Christmas gift from me to Mom and Sis. The seats were pretty good, about 20 feet from the stage, at approximately a 45 degree angle from the right corner of the stage. I like to be exact (It's including details like this that make all my blog posts so freaking long.)
First up: Matt Nathanson. I have lots of friends who are die-hard Matt Nathanson fans, but I have never really felt all that much about him either way. But I heard that he has great mid-concert banter, and I loves me some banter. And you know what? It's all true. Great banter. Also great singing and songs and general awesomeness. Loved it. Everything about it.
And then it was Kelly Clarkson time. And you know what's great? When you seem someone in concert, and they are just as great as they sound on the radio, or on TV, etc. Better, actually. Because you can't deny that Kelly Clarkson has an awesome voice. And she was just as great live. Sang the shit out of all sorts of songs. Also, her banter was ALSO great. She makes you feel like she is your best friend, and you're just hanging out while she sings you some songs. She's bubbly, and talks really fast and excitedly. She also bounces up and down and spins around in circles while she's performing, which is exactly how I feel I would perform if I were any kind of performer. I was also reminded of how much I love her for not giving a shit what people think. The press tears her apart for various reasons, but she sticks to her guns and does what she wants. Good for her.
Oh, yeah, and then there was the part where she came into the audience and sang RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.
 |
| Pictured: Kelly Clarkson and ME! Also, my family. |
I don't know why. They set up a little platform right in front of us, and she came over and sang a Florence and the Machine song that I didn't know. The downside? She faced away from us THE ENTIRE TIME. Never once did she turn around to the enthusiastic fans behind her (us.) Don't be fooled by the fact that we are the only ones sitting down, security came over right beforehand and told us we couldn't stand up (apparently our reputation precedes us...)
Nothing is better than a good solid concert. One that you leave, feeling pumped up, and then listen to the artists' music non-stop for the next week (as I have done.) My mother and I both woke up with Kelly Clarkson songs in our heads.
I'm ready for my next concert! Bring it on! Anyone have any ideas?
 |
| Pictured: "Pssst...Mom, do you realize we're in the background of everyone's pictures? Should we wave?" |
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Five Movies I Will Not Apologize For Loving
5. White Christmas
Is it old? Yes. Is it cheesy? It sure is. But it is also WONDERFUL. And so festive. It is the movie that MAKES Christmas for me. Every song is great. It's a timeless, entertaining story. It's funny, it's sweet, it's romantic, and most of all: heartwarming. So what if Bing Crosby is a child-beater? So what if Danny Kaye was gay before gay was a thing? So what if Vera Ellen's eating disorder is painfully obvious? Rosemary Clooney is the bomb. You can take your It's a Wonderful Life and shove it - White Christmas is where it's at.
4. Cruel Intentions
Listen. I know that Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil are horrible, reprehensible people. They are selfish rich brats that play games with people's lives. One of them has a wicked drug problem, and there's a very good chance that both of them have a regular buffet of STDs. And then there's Reese Witherspoon as the goody-goody, uptight, pristine, preachy, princess with the extremely high-waisted pants. But everything and everyone about this movie is so bad it's good. BUT, as a teenager, the main thing that got me through this movie was the real-life love story of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe. They are, let's face it, beautiful human beings. And they were in an old-fashioned, swoony, love-letter-writing real life romance. All girls are a sucker for a bad boy, especially if that bad boy is actually intelligent, rich, and a sexual heathen. And especially when that bad boy LOOKS LIKE RYAN PHILLIPPE:
Also, Cruel Intentions has one of the best soundtracks ever. Seriously. Leah will back me up on this. As well as pretty much everything else I've said about this movie.
3. The Prince and Me
The appeal of this movie is very simple. Every girl, no matter how feminist, bad-ass, and independent, wants to be a princess. Not necessarily to wear pink poofy dresses (but, yes.) but maybe to be the center of attention, to be praised, admired. To be spoiled, pampered, whisked away to lavish balls on private jets. And I think I am not alone in wanting to be swept away by a prince as hot as Eddie. Because he's adorable. (Even though he didn't age well for the Julia Styles-less sequel). But what's even better is that Julia's character, Paige, is not just lying around on the couch waiting for the nearest royal to propose. She's got a life plan, she is going to med school (I think), and she wants to travel the world. She just so happens to meet and fall in love with the prince of Denmark along the way.
2. Scream
Shitty horror movies are my favorite genre of film. Any film that features a vicious serial killer in a silly mask, with a knife that makes a "schwing!" noise is bound to be awesome. Scream was the first cheesy horror movie I saw, back in 6th grade. It wasn't until a few years later that I realized just how smart and clever it is. It's a shitty horror movie MAKING FUN OF SHITTY HORROR MOVIES! Brilliant. It's like what the Scary Movies series tried to do, but without beating you over the head with immature dick jokes. It's starts off strong with America's sweetheart Drew Barrymore being psychologically tortured, and then actually tortured. Then Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Skeet Ulrich, Tara Reid, and David Arquette happen. They all happen, and so wonderfully.
1. Armageddon
Armageddon is my favorite movie. Of all time. Ever. The best movie ever. There is not enough time in the world or space on the internet for me to name all the awesome things about it. First of all, and I have to get this out of the way right off the bat: no one is more handsome than Ben Affleck in this movie. No one. Not one single human being has been better looking than Ben Affleck as AJ Frost. He makes an ORANGE SPACE SUIT look good. Ben aside, there's Bruce Willis, which I think goes without saying. There's also an ensemble cast made up of That Guy Who's Great In That Other Movie x 10. It's funny, and one of the most quotable movies around [Ed. note: and OH MY GOD IT'S ON TV RIGHT NOW.] Funny aside, there is also a heartwrenching amount of sorrow and drama. but that's more towards the end. What people seem to not be able to appreciate, about this movie, or so many other things that I love is this: Did it win any Oscars? No. Do I think it should? No. Is it wildly entertaining? YES. What is wrong with something being innocently entertaining? Whatever happened to suspending your disbelief? I consider myself to be one of the most critical people around, but sometimes I feel like I am the only one who can appreciate a movie, TV show, book, or music for out bad it is. Lighten up and soak it in everyone:
Is it old? Yes. Is it cheesy? It sure is. But it is also WONDERFUL. And so festive. It is the movie that MAKES Christmas for me. Every song is great. It's a timeless, entertaining story. It's funny, it's sweet, it's romantic, and most of all: heartwarming. So what if Bing Crosby is a child-beater? So what if Danny Kaye was gay before gay was a thing? So what if Vera Ellen's eating disorder is painfully obvious? Rosemary Clooney is the bomb. You can take your It's a Wonderful Life and shove it - White Christmas is where it's at.
4. Cruel Intentions
Listen. I know that Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil are horrible, reprehensible people. They are selfish rich brats that play games with people's lives. One of them has a wicked drug problem, and there's a very good chance that both of them have a regular buffet of STDs. And then there's Reese Witherspoon as the goody-goody, uptight, pristine, preachy, princess with the extremely high-waisted pants. But everything and everyone about this movie is so bad it's good. BUT, as a teenager, the main thing that got me through this movie was the real-life love story of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe. They are, let's face it, beautiful human beings. And they were in an old-fashioned, swoony, love-letter-writing real life romance. All girls are a sucker for a bad boy, especially if that bad boy is actually intelligent, rich, and a sexual heathen. And especially when that bad boy LOOKS LIKE RYAN PHILLIPPE:
 |
| Look at that. Look at it. |
Also, Cruel Intentions has one of the best soundtracks ever. Seriously. Leah will back me up on this. As well as pretty much everything else I've said about this movie.
3. The Prince and Me
The appeal of this movie is very simple. Every girl, no matter how feminist, bad-ass, and independent, wants to be a princess. Not necessarily to wear pink poofy dresses (but, yes.) but maybe to be the center of attention, to be praised, admired. To be spoiled, pampered, whisked away to lavish balls on private jets. And I think I am not alone in wanting to be swept away by a prince as hot as Eddie. Because he's adorable. (Even though he didn't age well for the Julia Styles-less sequel). But what's even better is that Julia's character, Paige, is not just lying around on the couch waiting for the nearest royal to propose. She's got a life plan, she is going to med school (I think), and she wants to travel the world. She just so happens to meet and fall in love with the prince of Denmark along the way.
2. Scream
Shitty horror movies are my favorite genre of film. Any film that features a vicious serial killer in a silly mask, with a knife that makes a "schwing!" noise is bound to be awesome. Scream was the first cheesy horror movie I saw, back in 6th grade. It wasn't until a few years later that I realized just how smart and clever it is. It's a shitty horror movie MAKING FUN OF SHITTY HORROR MOVIES! Brilliant. It's like what the Scary Movies series tried to do, but without beating you over the head with immature dick jokes. It's starts off strong with America's sweetheart Drew Barrymore being psychologically tortured, and then actually tortured. Then Matthew Lillard, Jamie Kennedy, Skeet Ulrich, Tara Reid, and David Arquette happen. They all happen, and so wonderfully.
1. Armageddon
Armageddon is my favorite movie. Of all time. Ever. The best movie ever. There is not enough time in the world or space on the internet for me to name all the awesome things about it. First of all, and I have to get this out of the way right off the bat: no one is more handsome than Ben Affleck in this movie. No one. Not one single human being has been better looking than Ben Affleck as AJ Frost. He makes an ORANGE SPACE SUIT look good. Ben aside, there's Bruce Willis, which I think goes without saying. There's also an ensemble cast made up of That Guy Who's Great In That Other Movie x 10. It's funny, and one of the most quotable movies around [Ed. note: and OH MY GOD IT'S ON TV RIGHT NOW.] Funny aside, there is also a heartwrenching amount of sorrow and drama. but that's more towards the end. What people seem to not be able to appreciate, about this movie, or so many other things that I love is this: Did it win any Oscars? No. Do I think it should? No. Is it wildly entertaining? YES. What is wrong with something being innocently entertaining? Whatever happened to suspending your disbelief? I consider myself to be one of the most critical people around, but sometimes I feel like I am the only one who can appreciate a movie, TV show, book, or music for out bad it is. Lighten up and soak it in everyone:
 |
| I scoured the Internetz for the poster that hung on my wall for 12 years. This will have to do. |
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