I totally paused!

Starring Ryan Phillippe and Paul Walker

I will admit from the start that I’m not a huge WWII person.  I love history, but more of the older stuff, like British history and ancient stuff.  In my book, basically anything starting with the founding of the United States is more modern history and I’m just less interested in that.

So, on to the movie then.  It was an interesting enough story.  I liked that it took a different viewpoint from other WWII movies, showing what life was like for the soldiers who raised that famous flag.  I liked seeing how people wanted to sell the flag picture as whatever they could to get more money for the war, when the story around the flag itself was so different from what was portrayed to the public.

Everything about this movie was fine, I didn’t feel like there was anything spectacular, but nothing really fell short either.  It’s a little long, but what war movie isn’t!  Also, I swear you can’t make a war movie without Barry Pepper in it

I don’t think I’ll be rushing out or making an effort to see this movie again, but it was worth watching once.  People who like WWII stuff will probably really be into it.  Come to think, they probably already saw it.  Except for my boyfriends dad, since we bought this and Letters from Iwo Jima for him like two years ago and they are still in the plastic.  But don’t use him as your example, he normally loves WWII stuff and for some reason just hasn’t opened this one up.

My Rating: 3/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Ryan Phillippe was in I Know What you Did Last Summer with Sarah Michelle Gellar
SMG was Buffy Summers

Starring Keri Russel and Nathan Fillion

I felt like this was a really honest movie, true to real life in a lot of ways.  Obviously I have never lived in a small southern town so I don’t really know what that’s like, but I felt as though I could really identify with the characters and what they were all going through.

This is the sort of movie that makes me wish I had some fun but obscure talent like making fabulous pies.  That there was something I was really good at that I loved doing and could make a life out of.  I loved that the baby being born was the thing that finally pushed Jenna to leave her awful husband and do what she should have done all along.  It’s great to see something have such a life changing effect on a person.

Normally I love Jeremy Sisto, but he was really such a rotten husband I couldn’t do it.  I know that’s the point, and good for him for being such a good actor.  It’s so sad to me that despite this being a fictional character, men like that do exist and try to control their wives in that fashion.  It pains me that people don’t really help women in these kinds of situations, and it often leads to injuries or death.

The silly romantic in me was sad to see that Nathan Fillion’s character never came back into Jenna’s life.  I kind of hoped he’d show up at the pie diner at the end and they’d finally have a happy life together.  Although I was disappointed all along that he really was married.  At the beginning, I’d hoped he still wore his ring because he was still getting over a divorce or perhaps his wife had died.  Maybe it’s just my pre-existing like for him, I just didn’t want him to be sleezy like that – I wanted him to be above the board and totally free to love Jenna.

Although I didn’t think this was the best movie ever, I could really see the potential in Adrienne Shelly and I feel her death was a great loss to the film community.  I would have loved to see more from her, because this movie was good enough that I will watch it again and probably like it even more as I see it in the future.

See this movie if you like good indy movies and aren’t worried that people will tease you or something.  I can see this being labeled as a chick flick, but really I don’t think it is.  It’s just a cute, real, and somewhat inspiring little movie and worth seeing.

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Duh, so easy!

Nathan Fillion played Caleb, the evil preacher, in season 7 of BTVS.  Although I will admit that I abhored his character in that season and he didn’t win me over until I saw Firefly.

I really like that Rihanna song “Hazel’s Got the Music” but I’m wondering, who is Hazel?

- Lady writing to the Ellen Degeneres show for the “What the heck are those kids talking about” segment

What a sad, yet honest, tale.  While I don’t identify with Emma Bovary’s unhappiness with her husband, I absolutely understand her desire to seek out something more in life and to feel fully alive.

In a lot of ways, I despaired along with her when she would think of missed opportunities or things she wished she could do.  I sympathize with her longing to see more of the world, to perhaps find something more for herself or a deeper purpose.  Given that I have better chances and a different kind of life, I don’t feel as trapped as Emma must have felt, and I certainly would have gone about my quests in a different manner, but I do think the root of all that is in me.

Like many novels of this era, I feel like there was a bit too much description of unnecessary things.  It was pretty slow to get going and for a long time I felt the “exciting” bits would never get started.  Once they did, I was really eager to continue with the book and see what would happen next.  Although, since I am a modern day audience, I would like to have seen a little more scandal described.  Obviously when Flaubert wrote this, it was a very different time and his description of Emma’s activities had to be limited, but in a twisted way I’d like to see an updated version of the story.

I think one of the things that struck me the most was the treatment of the daughter, Berthe.  I felt awful for her, horrified that her mother was so interested in her own welfare to ignore that of her own child.  As much as I can see where Emma is coming from, I could never do that kind of thing to a child of my own.  Emma’s tale is sad for sure, but at least she was in charge of her own actions and made the decision to succumb to her desires.  Poor Berthe had no choice but to do as her mother told her.  That she has to go work in a cotton mill at the end of the story really just breaks my heart.  Perhaps it’s because I’ve watched programs on the treatment of young children in a place like a cotton mill, and that we as a society are now so far removed from that life, it strikes me as so harsh.  Really, given the inattentive nature of her parents, I’m somewhat surprised that Berthe lived through the story.

Admittedly, my interest in this book stemmed from Kate Winslet’s description of it in the movie Little Children.  However, I really feel the book is worth reading and stands out on its own.  Force yourself to get through the somewhat boring descriptions!  I think anyone who likes literature from this age will like this book, or at least consider it a worthwhile read.

If you didn’t know it already, Jessica Wakefield is fucking INsane. The basic plot of this book is she wants to be queen of whatever dance they are having, and decides that Elizabeth’s best friend Enid Rollins is her biggest competition for the title. As a side note, why are none of Jessica’s friends also running for queen? She’s a member of the high school sorority and a cheerleader, you’d think all her friends would be up for queen.

Anyway, Jessica is convinced that Enid will win because her jealous boyfriend Ronnie is in charge of the committee, so she anonymously gives Ronnie a copy of a letter Enid received from her friend George. Ronnie gets pissed and thinks Enid is cheating on him or whatev, so they break up and Enid thinks it was Liz because she was the only other person who knew. So basically, Jessica breaks up this relationship all to be the queen of the dance…because she thinks Bruce Patman is going to be king and she desperately wants to get in his pants.

All works out well in the end – Liz gets back at Jess for being a shit by having everyone vote at the dance for Winston Egbert to be king. Who votes for the king and queen at the dance itself, btw? We always voted well in advance of our dances when I was in high school.

Enid also decides she doesn’t like Ronnie cuz he’s a big fat jerk and she starts dating George instead. Also, she has this sordid past that she didn’t want anyone to know about but of course Jessica tells.

Oh, a side plot is that Ms. Dalton is secretly dating Ken Matthews because she’s tutoring him. Because that would really fly at all. I can only imagine what would happen if a rumor like that went around a modern high school.

So at one point, Liz and Todd are on a double date with Enid and Ronnie, and Todd says to Liz “If you love someone, you should trust him. Or her…” This is great advice considering what they go through in the future, what with cheating on each other and all that.

One of my other favorite things is Jessica totally saying Enid just wants to blame Liz for her boyfriend problems and that she’s just using Elizabeth. Because Jessica is soooooooo innocent on this front. If ever anyone used Elizabeth Wakefield, it’s her little sister.

Pretty much we learned nothing new in this one. But it’s good to be reminded of how Jessica is craaaaaazy, right? I swear she feels no guilt for a damn thing. But this was filled with drama and all that craziness, so that almost made it worth the read.

So I’ve watched the first two episodes of this show and I’m not sure what to think.  On the one hand, I do love vampires.  On the other, something about this show just feels off.

First, maybe I’m just spoiled by Angel and Spike, but this Bill Compton is just not a sexy vampire.  And really, don’t you want your vampires to be sexy?

Also, is Sookie really going to be in trouble at the end of every episode?  I mean, once in awhile is fine, but two out of two is a bit much for me.  It feels like a lot of obvious things are brought up too, like Bill saying now that Sookie drank his blood, he can tell where she is which will come in handy when she gets into trouble.  I sort of feel like we should have been told this after her ass is in trouble and he shows up to save her.

I also don’t think I like this idea that some vamps can change shape and some have different powers but Bill just happens to not have any of those things.  I totally want him to fly if that’s an option!

The brother is getting old fast too.  I get it – he’s stupid and loves to have sex.  I don’t need to be beaten over the head with it.  And I’m also tired of Tara being so in love with Jason.  He’s stupid, get over him.  And while you’re at it, get over your damn attitude too, it’s getting old fast.

So basically, I’m not sure how many more episodes I’m giving this one.  I’m mildly drawn to it because I love a good vampire show, but in return could they at least actually GIVE me a good vampire show?

Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Emily Mortimer

I don’t think I’m smart enough to fully get this movie.  Like all David Mamet films, it should probably get a few watchings to really understand what is going on.  Basically what I’m saying is that I don’t think I’m going to be able to do the movie justice with my review, but I’ll give my thoughts for what they’re worth.

Generally speaking, I don’t like fight movies…I feel they are more geared towards men or people who are interested in martial arts and such, both of which I am not.  That being said, it almost makes me want to go to karate classes or something.  Except I know that I’d go for like two weeks and then start finding excuses to not go because I’m lazy and abhor making time commitments.

I really loved the main character, Mike Terry.  Really, I think that’s the point of him, you’re supposed to love him, so yaaaaaaaaay for me.  I actually really like that actor a lot, Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Couldn’t even begin to say his name if my life depended on it, but he’s a great actor.

I’m having a hard time deciding how in on things Tim Allen’s character was – if he just happened to be the vessel that provided the link, or if he himself was also a bad guy trying to get in on some action.  One of those things I will need to watch it again to be able to determine, I suppose.  And it was pretty disappointing to learn that the wife was a bastard in the end.  You hope someone would be loyal to a guy like Mike Terry, since he was so wonderful throughout.

I also wish I had the talent of designing clothing and making my own fabrics, that would be awesome!

So anyway, see this movie if you like David Mamet or Chiwetel Ejiofor.  If you’re just looking for a casual movie to watch, I don’t recommend it until you’re like, super into watching a serious movie.  It’s interesting, but like I said, probably will take a few viewings so you have to be prepared to think and stuff.

My Rating: 3.5/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

Chiwetel Ejiofor was in Serenity with Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Or technically because Joss Whedon wrote and directed Serenity, that’s also another link.  Or that several people on Firefly/Serenity were also in Buffy/Angel.

Is it just me, or did Claudia get way different looking on later covers. And also even more stupid as the books went on. In these early books, she just seems like a bad student. Later on, you could argue that she could benefit from an entirely different education system.

I remembered whodunit basically as soon as the calls started – Alan Grey and Trevor Sandborn. And I remembered that the reason they were able to get the info was cuz Kristy started taking the appointment book to school with her. What puzzled me is that early in the book, before she did that, Claudia got a “hang up” call – the call that prompted the panic which caused the book going to school. We never get an explanation for that call, which disappoints me because WHO DID IT!?!?!?!?!

This amused me: right after Claud tells about her first phantom phone call, as all four girls are sitting in Kristy’s front yard, Kristy announces an emergency meeting of the BSC. Umm, y’all are already all together, do you have to go to Claudia’s room instead of just talking about it right there? Also, what is the point of calling an emergency meeting? I think Kristy just likes being bossy so much that she will call an emergency meeting just cuz she can.

There weren’t really any outrageous outfits in this one, although one girl at lunch is wearing her older sisters mohair sweater. Maybe it’s just me, but how come? I’m allergic to mohair so the idea of wearing it repulses me (alpaca, however, is a totally different story). But aside from my personal health and preferences, do 12 year olds really wear mohair? And really, do their older sisters? It seems a bit bizarre and over the top…plus isn’t mohair shaggy?

And my last favorite part is this…

One false move and I’ll punch your lights out. That goes for all of you. Do you hear me?

I’m relatively certain that even in the 80’s, a babysitter was not supposed to threaten to punch kids ages 8 and younger. Really any age, actually. In todays world of child abuse being called for all kinds of things, this would so get Kristy Thomas in juvenile court! Oh well, we can still fantasize.

Starring Jennifer Aniston and Jake Gyllenhaal

I quite liked this movie.  I especially like to see A-List movie stars like Jennifer Aniston doing indy films when they turn out to be good.  You can tell this was an indy film because it had Zooey Deschanel in it and she is very rarely in a non-indy movie.

Kind of like The Big Bad Swim, this movie is about day to day life.  But unlike that movie, I liked the portrayal of it in this one.  I understand the desperation Justine felt in going through her life every day – working at the Retail Rodeo with people she doesn’t like, going home to a husband she’s uninterested in (okay, I love my boyfriend so I don’t really get that part).  I guess what I do identify with is the longing for something to be different but not really knowing how to achieve that.

I shared the disappointment Justine must have felt when she realized Holden was not in fact this mysterious and misunderstood guy, but really just an overgrown child floating through life.  It was difficult to watch this slow understanding.  I don’t want to say progression because it’s not as though his character changed, you just learned more about him as time went on.  You really wanted him to be the thing that saved her and I was genuinely sad when he didn’t turn out to be that.

I really liked that her husband, Phil, really did seem to care for her, and it was adorable that he didn’t figure out until nearly the end that she was unfaithful.  Although it was kind of sad that the things that made her husband kind of charming (his blissful ignorance) are the very things that make you understand why she had the affair with Holden.

This movie is definitely worth renting.  After all, no Indy Film Syndrome here!  Plus it’s good to see Jennifer Aniston out of her usual roles.

My Rating: 3.5/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Finally we have one that doesn’t go through Scream 2

Jake Gyllenhaal was in Rendition with Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon was in Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar
You know how this one goes – she was Buffy.  And actually, as I mentioned in Pleasantville, Reese had some other Buffy costars in that so she really has a variety of connections.

Anyone who knows my TV habits well could probably attest to me not watching reality TV.  I’m simply not interested.

However, I make one exception to this, which is the Real World/Road Rules Challenge.  I absolutely love the show.  Can’t help it.  I eagerly await new episodes when they come on.  I would go so far as to say that I anticipate this show as much as my boyfriend anticipates Real Time with Bill Maher.

Imagine my total happy surprise when I went through the Tivo To-Do list and found that a new challenge is starting NEXT WEEK!!!!

Okay, so I am not as happy about the cast list as I would like.  Mainly because I don’t actually watch Real World or Road Rules so I get behind on who is who, and this new show appears to be full of newbs from Sydney and Hollywood.

But you can bet your ass I’ll be watching and rooting for Ryan, Robin, and Johnny Bananas!