Girls' Night In

Well, last night was a bit of a bust, but at least it was a fun bust. My sisters and I made plans for dinner and a movie, but never specified what we wanted to do for either. Since we couldn't all agree on dinner, we ended up getting takeout from 2 different restaurants. Picking a movie? Forget it... Instead of carting a bunch of random DVDs to my sister's house, we opted for the blue-ray player. You know, so we could spend half the evening researching and arguing over movies on Netflix. Except when we arrived at my sister's and set up the player we realized the remote control had been left at home. Useless.

So Lauren was sent on a quest to find a movie. A quick trip to a local Redbox resulted in 2 random picks: The Best of Me (James Marsden?? Well, okay.) and Woman In Black 2 (because it seemed an ironic choice for our girls' night). Neither were high on my list, but the selection was pretty limited. And I just haven't worked up a desire to watch the final Hobbit movie yet... 

So we watched Woman In Black 2 first. All of us had seen the original and decided the sequel was much less creepy. Except that possessed rocking chair was back and anytime it started rocking and creaking on its own (which was about half the film) I had to plug my ears and look away. There's a rocking chair in the room next to mine so I don't like thinking about it. 

Next up was The Best of Me. We just needed something to dispel any bad juju that lingered from the first movie, even though I really don't care much for Nicholas Sparks. I feel like I was run over and left for dead by whatever bandwagon people jumped on when The Notebook first came out. But let's not dwell on what is probably Sparks' masterpiece compared to last night's viewing selection...

Trademark Nicholas Sparks Movie Poster Format

The Best of Me is about high school sweethearts who are reunited after 21 years when their friend passes away. You don't know much about either of them except that Dawson (James Marsden) recently survived a major explosion on an oil rig that jettisoned him into the ocean where he bobbed like a cork for 4 hours, contemplating the meaning of life. Then there's Amanda (Michelle Monaghan), a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a wealthy, self-absorbed, golf-playing alcoholic. Because of course. The two are soon confronted by their shared past - a story which unfolds in a number of flashback sequences as they clean out their deceased friend's home.

Which brings me to my biggest gripe of the entire movie. Young Dawson - who had more screen time than older, handsomer Dawson - was played by an actor named Luke Bracey who is shown here next to James Marsden...

Double take!

They could be twins, right?? No, they could NOT be twins. I don't know who was responsible for this casting, but it didn't work. I felt like I was watching a movie about 2 different people instead of younger and older versions of the same person. This photo doesn't even do their differences justice - it was so distracting!

Anyway... The movie played out more like a Hallmark Hall of Fame feature with its gag-inducing cliches, but it still had about everything you could expect from Nicholas Sparks. Whose movies really are just big budget Hallmark Hall of Fame features when you think about it. I'll admit, there were a couple moments I couldn't help but go "Awww..." but then there were also little gems like this one:

You want me to fall back in love with you? How do I do that if I haven't ever stopped? 

Terrible...

But despite its overwhelming predictability (I called the ending about halfway through), there was a little last minute twist that took the story to a new level. A ridiculous level, but at least it was somewhat unexpected. If you want to know what it was, just ask.

So that was our girls' night in. A takeout shmorgasbord, a horror film we watched from behind our fingers, and a chick flick we openly mocked but still enjoyed... for all the wrong reasons. 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

During a parent teacher conference in 6^th grade, my teacher told my parents I had this bad habit of spacing out during class. “She goes off to Lauren Land… It must be a wonderful place… I wish I could join her...” I have no memory of such a place, but if anything, one might say I had a bad case of the Walter Mitties. 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

If you’re a daydreamer like myself, occasionally retreating into your imagination where you are far cooler than reality allows, you should probably see this movie already.

If you need more convincing - You won’t just take my word for it?? - here are a few other things worth mentioning…

...As I've said before, I love movie soundtracks. Depending on the movie... In my opinion (disregard if you like), this movie has some pretty great music and it lent a lot of meaning to the story. If you care, take a listen to the soundtrack. If you don't care, here's a picture of the movie poster:

...If Ben Stiller isn’t your favorite actor, maybe give him another chance with this movie? This is not the Ben Stiller of Zoolander and Dodgeball. Even though I really don’t mind those movies either - there's a time and place, I guess. Hansel... He’s so hot right now.

...Walter Mitty’s plight is endearingly relatable. He hasn’t really done or seen anything noteworthy, but he's a romantic, dreaming up elaborate fantasies where he gets to play the hero. His life may seem painfully mundane, but behind that unassuming and easily distracted exterior is someone desperate for a great, big SOMETHING. 

...Kristen Wiig stars as Walter's love interest and I enjoyed seeing her in a more serious role. Still funny, though!

...The film was... vibrant? That's the best way I can describe it. Powerful, vibrant, and kinda different - which is a good thing, I promise! I was entertained the entire time and felt empowered by its message. The closing scene was especially sweet. 

If you haven't seen a trailer for this movie yet, watch below. Hopefully you'll be as intrigued as I was and give it the shot it deserves. 

Lauren's Grade: A-

Brrrrrrrr...

Frozen has high-jacked social media. First it was pictures of the Ice Palace in Midway... Then the Alex Boyé video of “Let It Go” that everyone – EVERYONE – felt like sharing... Now it’s the recently debated themes-with-a-capital-T-H-E-M-E-S within the movie that have inspired social media dwellers' commendation or condemnation.

Now it’s my turn because… Well, because.

I liked Frozen. It’s not my favorite Disney movie, but I thought it was cute. I could easily relate to Ana’s awkward exuberance and love of chocolate as well as Elsa’s lonely insecurity... and love of chocolate. Sisterly love trumps romantic love and saves the day – I’m all over that. Don’t get engaged to perfect strangers just because they seem perfect – YEAH! Everyone's a bit of a fixer-upper – I know I am! If you're a snowman, maybe summertime just isn't your season – Not unless you want to be a puddleman! But guys, sometimes it’s just a movie. 

Hahaha...

I think what we infer about any form of entertainment has as much to do with us as what, if anything, its creators are “trying to say.” Interpretations will vary. If you’re an adult paranoid over hidden political agendas in children's movies, chances are you’ll find them - even if they never occurred to the rest of us. Thanks for that... If you’re a 6 year old with a penchant for princesses, chances are you’ll see the movie 897 times and call yourself Elsa or Ana (or both) for weeks afterward, singing the songs at the top of your voice simply because you love singing them. 

So forget the conspiracies, because really – REALLY – this world’s problems are so much bigger than an animated movie. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. If you don't like bloggers who don't like it, don't read their blogs. You're one to talk, Lauren. If you absolutely love it, go ahead and torture your family and friends alike by playing the ever-increasing remakes of “Let It Go” over and over and OVER again. Love or hate, stop the debates about WHAT IT ALL MEANS and just let it go… 

Erm… I mean, get over it. 

The Lonely Mountain

I arrived somewhat late to this party, but it is finally time to weigh in on just one of several movies I saw in December. I'm referring to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, of course... Of course. I was reassured the movie, though long, would not make me feel like I was crossing Middle Earth barefoot like a Bagginses. Not like the first movie did. More action, more drama, and this time - the DRAGON. 

So here we go...

Legolas... Orlando Bloom reprises one of the greatest roles of his career with smoldering eyes, fancy footwork, and perfectly aimed arrows. It's what he does best. For the sake of continuity, I didn't mind that they included him in the movie. This really might be the best role he'll ever play. I was never very impressed by that Will Turner... 

Smolder... Glower...

Bilbo... Martin Freeman is still just as wonderful as ever as our furry-footed hero. His obsession with the ring is just beginning and as it becomes more precious to him, we see how troubled he is at its influence. I don't know, Bilbo... I hope your fascination with this ring isn't... hobbit-forming. Okay, enough.

That moment when you realize you woke up the dragon.

Kili... This one's for Katie... I don't know how they worked out this not-original-to-Tolkien love triangle between Kili, Legolas, and the not-original-to-Tolkien Tauriel... But I guess a little romance lends itself to the drama. Especially when everything else is more bro-mantic. And now we can all appreciate how cute Aidan Turner is. Right, Katie??

Sad Kili face...

Thranduil... That's Papa Elf to Legolas... As played by the very tall and very handsome Lee Pace. As Thranduil, he's also ethereal and just a little menacing. You can see why Thorin has a major dwarf-axe to grind with the elves. It probably doesn't help that they're all so very tall and handsome.

Bard the Bowman... Like Aragorn, he is a humble man with a noble heritage who finds himself in the company of elves, dwarves, and hobbits. He is more the swash-buckling type, which might be why we all dubbed him the lovechild of Antonio Banderas and Orlando Bloom. Orlandio Bloomderas. Is it the boat? The goatee? The boots? Whatever it is...

Orlandio Bloomderas

Kate... I mean, Tauriel... I haven't seen Evangeline Lily since her Lost days. And then briefly while she was doing Neutrogena commercials. Though the character - whose name apparently means "Daughter of the Forest" in elvish - isn't an original part of the story, her presence as an elven heroine definitely adds variety to this all-male cast of characters. And like Liv Tyler before her, she has perfect elven features. 

Bombur... He doesn't say much, but he was the source of many laughs. Just wait until they escape Mirkwood in empty wine barrels. 

Smaug... Definitely worth the wait. When Bilbo took his first steps into Smaug's lair, I held my breath, waiting for the dragon to slink out from under the gold. Visually he was terrifying. Then, of course, that voice... Benedict Cumberbatch (or as Alisa calls him, Benjamin Bundersnatch) has such a formidable presence, and not just because he's depicting a dragon. Though he really was quite the horror... 

Enjoy your nightmares.

I See Fire... This is the main track for the movie as written and performed by Ed Sheeran. Who happens to look a little hobbit-ish himself. Did you know Sheeran saw the film, wrote the song, and recorded most of it in the same day? No, Lauren, I didn't... And despite having never played the violin, he insisted on playing it himself for the track? Oh... cool. AND that he recorded all the other vocal and instrumental parts? Impressive... I can't stop listening.

Ultimately the movie was long, but extremely entertaining. Maybe they'll release shortened versions of The Hobbit the same way they released extended versions of LOTR.  At least the pace of the second movie was a lot better than the first. So what if a lot of people have complained about how many liberties Peter Jackson has taken by adding other elements to the original story? It's really not so bad. A little excessive here and there, but still cohesive. 

Lauren's Grade: A- 

One thing... Legolas' eye color was very distracting... His eyes are bright blue in this movie where in LOTR they were much darker. Brown even! Now you'll be distracted too. Sorry!

Catching Colds and Catching Fire

Sick. BLAH.

I don't remember being this sick at all last year. Not even a sniffle. And even though this latest bout is just a cold, it's never really just a cold. I'm not sick enough to justify staying tucked in bed, but I'm not capable of embracing my normal to-and-fro schedule either. Too, too much... Even so, I will endure this discomfort a while longer and hope it passes. Colds are nothing. Colds I can handle. This is my mantra... 

I just wish I could sleep better.

Anyway... Despite being a congested mouth breather for the past week, I did have a fun evening out last Saturday night. Which brings me to my purpose in writing this entry...

Catching Fire... 

Ooo, I got goosebumps just typing those words... Catching Fire.

I loved the first movie and had extremely high expectations for the second. I don't even know where to start... You really should just see it for yourself, but I will share a few in-no-particular-order highlights. And then maybe we can see it together sometime, yeah??

Caesar Flickerman... He's just so campy! Stanley Tucci wears those Dayglo teeth well.

Special effects... I hope you aren't squeamish about flocks of screaming Jabberjays or blood-thirsty Mandrill monkeys. Rafiki has some terrifying relatives... 

Fashion... I wanted half the outfits worn by the female leads, including a butterfly dress worn by Effie Trinket at the reaping. In another scene, Katniss wears a black and red dress with wings at the shoulders. It is so gorgeous, someone reaches out from the crowd and creepily strokes the dress as she passes. I would have been that creepy if I had seen this dress in person. Even the guys had some nice costumes. Excluding a pair of unfortunate diaper pants worn by Peeta.

Finnick Odair... A nice balance of swagger and sensitivity. And very handy with a trident. I was not at all, ahem, finnick-y about the casting choice of Sam Claflin. Knee-slap. Then again, dimples go a very long way with me.

Supporting cast in general... Returning characters were still solid and the new characters fit in nicely. Just don't get too attached, because chances are they won't be around for long.

Story... There was a good balance between the political narrative and all the action. We also see the personal relationships evolve more... So, the real question is... Team Peeta or Team Gale?? Maybe I'm Team Finnick for now...

Gale... We see a lot more of Gale in the second movie. And for a brief time, we forget about poor Peeta. Would you pass up a kiss from Liam Hemsworth?? 

Peeta... I have very tender feelings for The Boy with The Bread. Let's be honest, we're all Team Peeta... How could you be anything else?? Especially when Josh Hutcherson plays him so perfectly?

Katniss... She is our reluctant revolutionary... A hero who doesn't try to be heroic, she just is. And Jennifer Lawrence makes the character that much more likable. Bella who??

As good as the book...? If not, if comes closer than most movies do. 

Soundtrack... I strongly recommend having a listen to both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire albums - they are full of great music. And Coldplay wrote the main track for the second movie... For all you Coldplay fans out there?? I know I'm not alone.

Lauren's Grade: A+

"He is a Devil, that Mr. Darcy"

When seeing a movie for the first time and inviting your cousin to accompany you (though she's already seen it), it's a good sign when she replies YAAAAAYYY!! It's also a good sign when others have posted online about how much they loved it. And if that isn't enough, there's always the fact you already enjoy the book the movie is based on.

I saw Austenland over the weekend and I have to say it was a lot better than I expected. Critics didn't go for it - psh! - but it was never really a critics' movie. We all know there is a very specific audience of Darcy-lovin' types this story appeals to... 

If you yourself don't number among this demographic of Darcy-lovers, chances are you are well acquainted with someone who does. Never fear! This movie has something for you too. Because in romanticizing and trying to emulate the Regency era and Austen's novels in a 21st century world (the gowns! the balls! the gentlemen!), it actually exposes how ridiculous it all is (the corsets! the needlepoint! the gentlemen!). How you really can't take a modern girl and fully "immerse" her in the time period without there being some entertaining consequences. We don't watch this movie so we can laugh at the lovelorn heroine and her foibles in a mock-Regency setting. We watch so we can laugh at ourselves because we identify with her and the fantasy, bless our hearts.

If you've read the book, you already know it isn't great literature. But if you thought the book was fun, the movie is even more so. It's silly, hilarious, and even adorable at times. Definitely more over-the-top than the book, but not necessarily in a bad way like I originally feared it would be. And it's set to a really fun soundtrack of 80s and 90s pop tunes - Betty Davis Eyes, It Must Have Been Love, Lady In Red, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, etc. Which shouldn't work, but it DOES. 

I also loved the cast. Jennifer Coolidge? Are you kidding me?? HILARIOUS. And Keri Russell was perfect as Jane. SPOILER: When I read the book, there were times I was torn between Nobley and Martin. And the same thing happened with the movie - JJ Field and Bret McKenzie were wonderful. But by the end I thought, Okay, so if Mr. Henry Nobley cures Jane of her Darcy-as-played-by-Colin-Firth fixation, who is supposed to cure us of our Nobley-as-played-by-JJ-Field fixation?? No one, I guess. END OF SPOILER. 

This image pulled from this blog...

So if you have ever found yourself swooning over a man in riding boots and a cravat or sighed at the thought of a Regency courtship, congratulations! This movie is for you. If you're married/related to someone who fits the above profile, congratulations! This movie is for you too. You will all giggle yourselves silly. 

Oh, and be sure to stay for the credits.

Lauren's Grade: A- ...minus because all the servants seemed to be smeared in self-tanner. 

You can't always judge a book by its cover...

And Edenbrooke had a lovely cover.

Yes, I did finish the book. And while it did get slightly better, I don't think I'd recommend this book to anyone over the age of 15. Even then there are dozens of books I'd recommend before this one. I guess as a romance novel written in the 21st century (not really my genre) it was better than some, but I don't know how anyone could say this was their favorite book ever. And some reviewers did. Their favorite! Ever! Baffled.

Here are some things I found frustrating about this book...

• Repetitive descriptions...  Bound emotions threatening to spill out of Marianne's heart, Philip's smoldering eyes peering through his lashes, burning fires threatening to consume from within (Yikes! A proper romance?), a flirt who flirts flirtatiously, blushing, blushing, and MORE blushing... Philip flirts and Marianne blushes. The perfect match.
• I know this sounds petty, but Marianne shrugged a few times... The gesture just didn't fit. For a story like this, a shrug is something you wear, not something you do with your shoulders. Stop shrugging, shrugger. I know, I know... It's a dumb critique. But there were other little touches like this that also seemed out of place. 
• Excessive "telling" of everyone's emotions... Especially Philip's. We'd go from a scowl to a frown to a smile within mere sentences. Oh! Spoke too soon - now we're on the brink of tears...
• I didn't understand the relationship between Marianne and Philip... Both characters were all over the place, though there were moments I almost liked Philip. He was only slightly less frustrating. Even so, I have no idea where this attraction to Marianne came from. Is it because she's a little unorthodox? Because she's naive? Because she twirls?? 
• The narration... I may have liked Marianne more if the story hadn't been told from her point of view. And if she were as intelligent and witty as she claimed.
• I really couldn't tell you what was going on with other characters...
• All the misunderstandings and blind assumptions in the book were really weak. Just communicate! When Marianne hears that Philip is off in London doing something a rector "would never have approved of" she automatically assumes he's off whoring. Of course! Or after hearing from a perfect stranger (with a not-so-hidden agenda) that Philip is a smooth operator and notorious breaker of hearts, Marianne decides she'll simply ignore all signs of his obvious affection for her. Even when other characters tell her flat out, "Yeah, Philip is in love with you" she's still just, "Gee, I don't know... I hope we can be friends!" No... Actually he loves you... And I'm not sure why.
• And for how often she fantasized about kissing Philip, Marianne sure took her time concluding she loved him back. I wanted to be like, "Get out of the way, Marianne. You are too stupid for this relationship." When Philip finally does make his move, pushing her up against a bookcase and making out with her, you still wonder if she gets it. 

What did I like? I liked when Marianne's father showed up. That was a nice surprise. And Edenbrooke itself sounds lovely. Just as long as I don't have to stay there with any of these characters.

All in all, this fluff was a bit too fluffy for me. Sorry, guys. I like a good love story, but could do without quite so much trembling romance.

Lauren's Grade: C

Here's a review I enjoyed on Goodreads. She gives a synopsis of the book as well as her opinion. And she does it far better than I. 

Why do I hate this book??

As part of my 2013 effort to read more, I have burned through quite a few books. (Not literally... That's a no-no...) I've read 6 books so far and I'm working on a 7th...

TA-DA! So right now I am reading Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. If you want to see a really terrible trailer for the book, click here. What kind of accent is that?? Anyway, I'm about 70 pages in (185 more to go!) and if I'm being completely honest, I want to throw this book at the author's face. (I was actually reading a few minutes ago, but was so irritated I had to stop.) It came so highly recommended and the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon were pretty glowing - the word AMAZING was thrown around a lot. But I cannot (at this early juncture) understand WHY. 

So far the book has been full of obnoxious flirting, "trembling" and "quivering" lips,  excessive blushing (I'm blushing at the amount of blushing in this book), "warm" and "searching" looks, fluttering nerves, and awkward dialogue that doesn't fit the time period. OH! And the romantic cliches... (rolls eyes)... The heroine, Marianne, observing a painting: "It's beautiful." The hero, Philip, observing Marianne observing the painting: "That was precisely what I was thinking." Or Marianne, talking to Philip about the horse she's riding: "A gentle mare would have never been enough to keep up with you." Philip, gazing at Marianne and smiling: "You are absolutely right." Duh, Marianne... You ARE the painting. You ARE the spirited mare. 

Throughout the first-person narrative (told from Marianne's perspective), there are many exclamations about Philip being a (insert adjective similar to "insufferable" here) man! Incorrigible... Arrogant... Presumptuous... Deceitful... Odious... Wicked... Not very original, but there they are. All of them.

So yeah... The story, the characters - no real substance. And it just doesn't feel true enough to the time period it's trying to represent. It's too wordy; too descriptive. I'm restructuring some of the dialogue in my head as I read, trying to think of how it may have actually sounded "back then." And what is a reticule?? Don't throw in random, antiquated names for things in an attempt to make the story sound authentic! I'm pretty sure Jane Austen would have just called it a purse... 

So maybe that's my problem. Maybe all I want is Jane Austen and the like. Maybe all I want are those perfect characters and the authenticity of the eras portrayed in their stories... Like I'd know... But people who profess to love Austen also say they love Edenbrooke. So why can't I stand it?? I'm really not a cynic... I'm a romantic!  I really am.

SO... for those of you who have read this book, please tell me why I should finish it. Or why I really should just throw it at Julianne Donaldson's face. Maybe it gets better... But maybe it gets worse... Should I keep trying to imagine the hero as James McAvoy? Is there better Regency-inspired fiction out there that isn't already written by its contemporaries? 

Or should I just try to enjoy this book for what it is? 

Whatever it is. 

**EDIT: Jane Austen has used the term reticule. I stand corrected. But I still dislike this book.**

Star Trek: Into Darkness

A Groban update... Since releasing our bogus album we have won a bogus Grammy, I was cast as Eliza Doolittle in a bogus Broadway revival of My Fair Lady, and then we were both invited to sing at the bogus christening of Kate and William’s baby at Buckingham Palace. My time has come.

Amid all that excitement, I found time to attend a very late showing of the new Star Trek movie on Wednesday night. We saw it in IMAX 3D which was fun, but not necessary. Here are Lauren's Top 5 reasons why you should see it... Because I decided 10 is just too many when I try to write these things and you've probably stopped reading by now anyway.

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS

"Shall we begin?"

1 – I really enjoy this cast so I was excited for a reunion. And though I'm no Trekkie, I’ll never get over Zachary Quinto as Spock.

2 – Benedict Cumberbatch was scary good as villain John Harrison. I thought, “Oh, he is SO evil.” But then there were moments he didn't seem so evil. Then he’d be evil all over again, making me feel bad for thinking he wasn't. (And even then I still I kinda rooted for him??) I was very conflicted. 

3 – The endearing bro-mance between Spock and Kirk. BFFs… Even if they are emotionally incompatible at times. 

4 – Scotty's little green alien friend, Keenser (looked up the name - didn't know he had one). Ask anyone sitting near me in the theater - I was immensely entertained every time he turned up onscreen. How can one silent wingman elicit so much laughter?

5 – Seeing it in 3D, I... hmmm... appreciated all the action and special effects - so big, so bright, so loud. I gasped a lot... There was one point I even felt like I was actually impaled by a spear as it flew off the screen. But I easily enjoyed the non-action moments more. All the chuckle-inducing banter and emotional angst between characters.

Trekkie or not (my opinion counts too!), I thought it was well done. 

Lauren's Grade: A-

"To love another person is to see the face of God..." Victor Hugo

2 - 4 - 6 - 0 - 1

Me again. But guess what?? You're NOT getting a list of top 10 reasons to see Les Mis. Because it’s Les (freakin') Mis…

If I were assembling such a list, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, and Samantha Barks would all occupy the first few slots. 

I will offer this disclaimer... Purists of the stage production who thought making this movie in the first place was blasphemy ("Anne Hathaway? Ewww! Russell Crowe? Ewww! BLASPHEME!") may squirm a little at some of the performances. Not every note is studio-polished perfection. Hugh Jackman is not Alfie Boe or Colm Wilkinson. Anne Hathaway is not Lea Salonga. Eddie Redmayne is not Michael Ball, but THANKFULLY he's not Nick Jonas either. Approaching their performances from a strictly technical point of view will spoil the movie for you. Even the so-called "weak links" weren't that weak. The actors are phenomenal and I seriously doubt there are many (if any) in Hollywood who could have done any better. I doubt YOU could do any better either. So there. 

Purists of the story and its characters will appreciate Tom Hooper's vision. (Ew, that sounds so pretentious. Anyway...) The way it's filmed is beautiful. Honestly, I didn't have as significant an understanding of the story until I saw it performed onscreen, scene after emotional scene relentlessly unfolding before my tear-obscured eyeballs. "I Dreamed A Dream" didn't truly break my heart until I heard Anne Hathaway sing it. Marius wasn't as sympathetic a character until I saw him sit among those empty chairs and empty tables. "A Little Fall of Rain" was greatly improved by the literal fall of rain. Conceptually all the pieces of the story fit better and it just added to the drama. Lots and lots of DRAMA... Oh, my soul...

So how did the Waters family hold up during the movie? When it finally ended we were the last ones out of the theater, all but 2 of us still sobbing, my mother near-hysterical. We're a bunch of boobs.

My Dad, who loves both the book and the musical, loved the movie. He loved, loved, LOVED the movie. So much that he shared this on the facebook: 

I have seen many posts regarding the movie Les Miserable. Some commenting on the acting others on the singing. For me, the acting and singing are secondary to the story itself. There are few fiction books written that teach as much about repentance, forgiveness, redemption and love as Les Mis. I would suggest you read the book to get a more detailed understanding of the characters, something a movie or stage play can't provide.

I've taken my Dad's advice. Still reading... Nowhere near finished... Give me 10 years.

She's miserable. He's miserable. We're all of us miserable.

Guys, this movie is just so GOOD. It is soul-crushingly good. My soul was literally crushed. It may not necessarily be Tony caliber, but it is Oscar caliber. From the book to the musical to the movie, the overarching themes remain: hope, mercy, redemption, and forgiveness. They're just presented through different mediums by different methods. And there really are some nice surprises in the movie. Accept these simple truths before walking into the theater and you'll be in good shape. As I've told you before, it will BE OKAY.

If you saw the movie and loved it, please tell me. We will talk about how much we love it together!

If you hated it, don't bother. 

ALSO, don't be ridiculous - it was amazing.

Lauren's Grade: A

"Far over the Misty Mountains cold..."

The last time I wanted to do one of these, I didn't. That was earlier this year when The Hunger Games came out. Well, it's a little late for The Hunger Games. So while I still have this movie fresh in my mind, here we go...

Lauren's Top 10 for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

"What was that? Lauren's Top 10 for my movie??"

1. Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Funny, fussy, reluctantly heroic, and endearing.
2. Dwarves are not notoriously attractive, but I think Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield is about as close as you’re going to get. Google him... I dare you. Fili and Kili aren't bad either. Perhaps I could pass for a she-dwarf. Heigh-ho!
3. Continuity. Like The Fellowship of the Ring, the movie begins on the day of Bilbo’s eleventy-first (111^th) birthday. He sits alone at his desk writing an account of his adventures and addressing a letter to Frodo. It’s moments before Frodo has left to meet Gandalf so we get to see Frodo and Bilbo interact a little. Stuff like "Darn those Sackville-Bagginses!" and "Oh, uncle Bilbo... You so crazy!" It may have been a little gratuitous, but I appreciated it.
4. It's been almost 10 years (10 YEARS!!) since we've visited Middle Earth.
5. Soundtrack. I’m listening to it right now. Howard Shore keeps many familiar themes from LOTR (Hello, Shire! Hello, Rivendell!) while making a memorable score independent from others in the series... Hello, Misty Mountains!
6. The special effects. Watching the extended cuts of LOTR when they were recently re-released in theaters reminded me how good the original movies actually look - and this is 10 years ago. Nowadays Gollum looks even more real. A little too real... The trolls, goblins, and orcs? Also very believable and disgusting - blood, warts, goiters, and all. However, try as they might, they could not make Ian McKellen’s eyes look NOT old. 
7. History. You get a lot of information that Tolkien didn't necessarily include in The Hobbit. While this slows the movie's pace a little, it's nice having more background. And it's probably why they're able to present the story in 3 parts. 2 whole movies still to go! 
8. It's fun seeing actors come back and reprise their roles from LOTR. Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, Frodo, Old Bilbo, Saruman (Christopher Lee isn't dead... YET), and Gollum. Especially Gollum.
9. Bret McKenzie gets more face time as an elf named Lindir. So I guess it was fun seeing him again too. And look at that! His character has a name now! I only know because I Googled it. 
10. Though Benedict Cumberbatch hasn't uttered a word yet as the Necromancer or as Smaug, I'm still really excited for when he does. Now that I think of it, Lee Pace didn't say anything as Thranduil either. But elves don't say much. 
11. Because it bears repeating... Martin Freeman really is perfect as Bilbo Baggins. And if you don't like the movie much at first, give it another chance. I like the movie a lot, like I knew I probably would, but I enjoyed it more the second time around.

Lauren's Grade: B+

Would you read this??

Below is a plot synopsis I read today for a book featured in Seagull Book & Tape's Fall 2012 catalog. Unless written by or about a prophet/apostle, I don't think I would read most of the literature SB&T features. Don't even get me started on Western or Victorian themed LDS romance novels... I said DON'T.

The book is called Undercover Saint by Frank Holdaway... As in - you'll want to HOLD this book AWAY from your face... terrible...

Going undercover in a Salt Lake City Mormon singles ward ('nuff said) is not anti-terrorist agent Matthew Knight's idea of a high-profile assignment. And he has deliberately avoided the Beehive State ever since his mother was murdered in Salt Lake City when he was eight years old. Ready at first to defy his orders from Washington, he resolves to stick around when he's attacked by a man with ties to his past. But this undercover assignment is unlike any Matt has encountered before. Not only must he find the bad guys, but he must also deal with eccentric roommates, a giant of a bishop who is also his boss, a boisterous ex-Marine who wants to engage Matthew in a public display of ultimate machismo, and a seventy-five-year-old woman named Permelia who wants to marry him. And these are small distractions compared to the beautiful Hope Winslow, a woman with mountains of hair who adopts him as a surrogate big brother. But before he can think about love, Matt has to get rid of a few terrorists, including his mother's killer-and his own inner demons.

NO... No no no no no. 

There is plenty of good literature out there. There is even some good LDS literature! This? This makes Ernest Hemingway cry. Reading the synopsis again, the book almost sounds comedic, but the cover would suggest otherwise... 

I'm not claiming I could do any better, nor would I want to try, but you don't have to earn an English degree to know this just sounds BAD. Not evil bad, but totally lame bad. 

Doesn't it?

...

Maybe I'll read it... 

The Avengers

Can't wait. Must write this now.

As I walked into the Centerville Megaplex on Saturday night, I had only one thought: “Please oh please let it live up to all the hype.” That and, “Please oh please let there be a trailer for The Hobbit.” I knew I’d like the movie regardless, but having already heard so much about it I didn’t want to be let down. Let down? Hardly.

Lauren’s Top 10 for The Avengers

Starting with the obvious… and by obvious I really mean people whose faces I want to kiss.

1. Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Yes, he's the #1.
2. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Ironman.
3. Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America. 
4. Chris Hemsworth as Thor/…uh, Thor.


And if that isn’t enough for you, I’ll go on…


5. Joss Whedon writing and directing.
6. This movie is FUNNY. As a genre, action movies are fraught will all sorts of cliché one-liners and cheesy puns. Painful. I don't think they're usually this funny. 
7. With the exception of Hawkeye (he’s a little neglected), each character gets equal face time. Though they still have their personal demons, their individual stories never overshadow one another. Part of what made this movie so entertaining was seeing how the characters go from a dysfunctional group of misfits to a fine-tuned humanity-saving machine. And a good-lookin’ one at that.
8. Tom Hiddleston as Loki… He may have been the villain, but I still really like him. More than one should, I think. I sympathized with him a bit more in Thor because he was such a tragic albeit rather slimy character. Still… as slimy as Loki is, Tom Hiddleston is just ridiculously appealing.  
9. The movie clocks in at about 2 ½ hours, but it goes by like THAT! If anything, it felt too short. I'm excited for all the little extras that will come out with the DVD/blu ray. How nice that you have something to look forward to, Lauren.
10. The Avengers > Chocolate... I knew the movie was going to be great. I had done my research and made all necessary preparations. I visited the store and loaded up on treats and drinks to sneak into the theater… Mini Butterfingers, Nestle Crunch, Coke Zero, etc. We splurged on an expensive tub of buttery popcorn and, burdened with our movie-going goodies, we finally settled into our seats. Previews came and went (no Hobbit) and the opening credits rolled… 2 ½ hours later I had only consumed about 5 kernels of popcorn, 2 sips of Coke, and I hadn’t even touched my chocolate. Any movie that makes me forget about a sizable stash of chocolate must be some movie. 


Lauren’s Grade A+