I totally paused!

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, & Jack Black

Generally speaking, I’m not a Ben Stiller fan.  I liked him in There’s Something About Mary, and then felt like he was always that same character in everything he was in.  And not in a completely bad way like Keanu Reeves, just in an irritating don’t go out of my way to see his movies.  I also do not really like Jack Black – see previous Ben Stiller explanation and substitute High Fidelity for Mary.

I tell you this story in an attempt to show you that I can overcome these kinds of things and like a movie.  Because I thought this movie was pretty funny.  Full disclosure, however, I fucking love Robert Downey Jr. and have mentioned this before.  So he can make up for a lot with me if a movie is otherwise not up to snuff.  Like, Kevin Smith really should have put him in Zack & Miri, I probably would have given it a better review if he had.

Possibly my favorite thing was the fake trailers at the beginning of the movie.  The description of Tobey Maguire as “Winner of MTV movie awards best kiss” cracked me up big time.  I also wonder what Eddie Murphey thinks about the “movie” Jack Black had previews for, Fatties or whatever.  Funny shit.

The plot of the movie was also pretty entertaining – silly actors thinking they are still in a movie when it turns out the stuff is real life.  I don’t generally like war films, but a movie about a movie about a war film is pretty funny.  And the actors holding down drug workers with fake guns – fucking hilarious.

Matthew McConaughey was also pretty damn funny, I loved that he was always playing the Wii.

See this movie if: You’re looking for some good light hearted fun.  This is what I like to call a throw away movie because it’s funny, you don’t feel like you wasted your time, but you also can just enjoy it without having to think about anything.  I wouldn’t have saw it in theatres, but it’s worth the rent.

My Rating: 3/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Ben Stiller was in The Royal Tenenbaums with Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow was in View From the Top with Marc Blucas
Marc Blucas played Riley Finn on BTVS

Starring Josh Hutcherson & AnnaSophia Robb

First, let’s have a commentary on the actors in this film.  AnnaSophia Robb is way adorable!  She won me over with one role…well, okay two really, because when it comes to Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, I’m a Veruka Salt girl myself. Robert Patrick is getting OLD!  If they made him a Terminator today, I’d just be like “hahaha, he can’t keep up!”  And I believe I have mentioned before how much I love Zooey Deschanel, so enough said there.

Okay, so normally this isn’t the kind of movie I would sit down to watch, it’s more like airplane fare for me.  But I had seen the beginning accidentally a week or two ago and it came on at midnight the other night.  Being not quite tired, I figured I’d watch it cuz if I fell asleep with it on, no big deal.

When this movie first came out, I thought to myself “Hasn’t this been a movie before?” but I didn’t think much more of it.  I had a flash of a memory of a movie where a little girl died crossing a bridge on a log in the rain, but kind of dismissed it.  However, 30 minutes into the movie, I became convinced I was in fact remembering a previous movie of the same name, so I paused and IMDB’d it.  And yes, there was another movie of the same name made when I was young.  Which I now feel the need to watch to see if I remembered the sad scene correctly.

Anyway, I am not embarrassed to admit that when the tragic climax came, I got some tears.  I found the character of Leslie to be very charming and I was truly sad for Jess when he found that his friend had died.  It’s upsetting to see this poor boy who really has no friends at all lose the only one he’s ever had.  Their friendship was beautiful and although the world of Terabithia is quite fantastic and not believeable, I like being reminded of what it was like to be a kid and think on those levels.  I too used to imagine my way into lovely places that didn’t really exist, and in some ways I miss that.  Most of my fantasies now consist of sleeping as much as I want.

I know there has been some controversy over the book this movie is based on, people saying the gravity of what happens is too much for young children.  However, I think the movie dealt with it tactfully and honestly.  The idea that this is somewhat based on a true story from the author’s life also hits home with me, and I’ve added the book to my to read list.

See this movie if: You’ve read the book, probably.  Even though a lot of movie representations of books kind of piss me off, I like to see them on the screen anyway.  Also, I think this is a great story for kids and it’s worth sitting down with them to watch it.  If I had kids, I think this would open up a good topic of conversation about the tragic honesty of life.

My Rating: 3.5/5

Obviously I didn’t like this show well enough to keep posting about it as it was being aired.  But then again, I’ve been bad about posting consistently about my other favorite shows, so who knows.

Can Sookie please make up her mind?  I mean, good job with the versatility, but it gets a little old that she seems to like Bill when he’s around, but then likes Sam when he is.  I really need to start reading the books to see if there is any more insight.  I feel like I’m missing something vital to fully get why she is this way.

As far as Rene goes…well, let’s just say I love me a good serial killer as much as the next person.  Probably more, actually, since most people are not really into serial killers and I am kind of fascinated by them.  That being said, I didn’t like this whole storyline where it turns out to be Rene.  I think we should have had more back story, not even knowing it was him necessarily, showing things from the killers past and I guess little clues along the way.

I liken this to the first season of Dexter, where it was much more exciting knowing little things about Brian along the way, rather than just being hit over the head with it in the last two episodes.  But then, how can I talk about serial killers without bringing up my beloved Dexter.

I also would have liked to see more into why Rene hated vampires and women who slept with them.  Is it just racism?  Was he in love with a woman who was in love with a vampire?  And why just kill the women, why not go after the vamps too?  Granted, they are strong and fast, but you’ve got the whole silver advantage with them…or, one would think that someone who hates vampires so much would know that.

I’m disappointed to be losing Lafeyette, I was really liking him.  Also, are we meant to believe Bill ate him?  And why would his body still seem fine after two weeks of being missing, regardless of whether he was eaten or not?

So basically, I have a lot of questions which probably means I will end up watching the second season.  But will I watch it live, or will I Netflix it…

Remember how when I read the last SVT book I said it was way boring? No? I didn’t either, until I started reading that review again. I didn’t think the books could get worse, honestly, but I was wrong. This one was awful.

The blurb on the cover, where it says “Is Elizabeth about to make the biggest mistake of her life?” That should really be amended to “Is reading this book about to be the biggest waste of reading of your life?” I mean, it has been since September 18 that I wrote about one of these kinds of books! It took me two goddamn months to finish a book that has huge type and 104 pages! Pathetic!

On to the plot then, for what it’s worth. Seriously, y’all have no idea the sacrifices I am making so you don’t have to. And please, do me a favor and DO NOT EVER have any of your children read this book. I mean, they’re all kind of bad, but jesus!

Today in the lives of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, we meet poor Sophia Rizzo. She has curly brown hair and her clothes are bad, so naturally she is the worst person Jessica has met in EVER. And also, this means that Liz has to take her under her wing, because who wouldn’t benefit from the talents of the lovely older Ms. Wakefield?

The school is having a play and they want the students to put it all together, so a committee is formed and it turns out Sophia is a great play writer! So she writes the whole play, it’s about real life family stuff, how people should be honest and get along with each other, blah blah. Really it’s probably actually a good message but it’s so boring that I couldn’t get past that.

Also, Jessica is totally hating on Sophia, calls her “Shabby Sophia” and gets the Unicorns to boycott the auditions for the play. Aaaaand Sophia has this awful older brother, Tony, who punches Steven so Ma and Pa Wakefield forbid Liz from seeing Sophia outside of school.

Uncharacteristically for Liz, she goes against their wishes and toooootally keeps hanging with Sophia. She even plans a birthday party for her! And switches places with Jessica so Liz can be sure to be in town instead of in LA at some rock concert! Whoa Liz, slow down with the rebellion there!

The Wakefields find out about the party and are not pleased that Elizabeth didn’t trust them, but because everything has to end well, they realize how both Sophia and her mom are good people and should be given a second chance. So Mrs. Wakefield hires Mrs. Rizzo to make shit for her designer firm. I mean, what life in Sweet Valley wouldn’t be improved by some intervention by the perfect Wakefields!

And now you totally know how this book went, so see how spending 5 minutes here saved you 45 somewhere else?

I really want to live in the March house. First, it sounds fantastic…but then there are secret passages and all kinds of exciting things! So minus the no heating issue, I want to live there.

I didn’t like this book quite as well as the first one, but it was still pretty good. I love the idea of it all, being snowed in at a house where a murder was committed! Or I guess I romanticize the idea, in reality I would likely not want to be in that situation.

You could say I’m impatient, because after nearly 200 pages no one was dead yet and I wondered what on earth! It built the tension up reasonably well, since I knew someone was going to end up murdered before the book was over, but it was frustrating to wait!

Although I personally was a little disappointed about the murderer, I did like the other twists the plot took. However, I never felt in this situation that Julia was in any danger. I loved in the first book that she just stumbled into all kinds of trouble. I never once worried for her safety in this one, so that took a little bit of the fun out of it.

Like many other people, I am eagerly awaiting the third book due out in March. I will likely run right out and buy it because I want to know what happens next! I’m such a sucker for the next bit of a story.

Read this book if: You liked the first one. This one is nearly as good, and definitely worth the read. I basically have the same recommendations for this one as the first!

Starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks

A second title for this movie could have been something along the lines of “Another affirmation on how I don’t like Kevin Smith films”.  Just sayin – he’s not generally my kind of thing.  In fact, I have no idea why I continue to subject myself to these movies that I know are not really going to be on my favorites list.  That’s what happens when you decide to go to the movies with your friends, I guess.

I didn’t hate it, it had it’s funny moments.  However, the friends I went with definitely thought it was funnier than I did.  Picture it as like a romantic comedy, without really the romance and instead a lot of dirty words and nakedness.  And again, to me, Seth Rogen is not this hot guy that I want to fantasize about in movies, so I’m kind of not into that.  Like why isn’t it Christian Bale in these roles!  I could totally buy into that!

People might disgree with me, but I think this is more of a guy movie.  I mean, I don’t get offended by the subject matter, I just don’t find it funny.  But then again, I have a shitty sense of humor and typical “funny” things aren’t really funny to me.  Give me About A Boy instead any day!

It is amusing, however, to see that it’s just that easy to make a porn, if I were ever interested.  I could totally find willing participants in my neighborhood or something!  Cept I don’t even want to watch movies about people needing money so making porn, so I can’t see myself actually making one.

And at least this makes me feel better about where I am when my 10 year high school reunion will come along.  Minus the whole I don’t think I’ll be going thing.

See this movie if: You like Kevin Smith.  Which means you’ve probably already seen it.  Probably also see it if you like Apatow & Co movies, cuz this is similar to those I think.  Don’t see it if your favorite movies are the same as mine, it’s prolly not your cup o’tea.

My Rating: 2.5/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Seth Rogen was in Knocked Up with Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl was in Roswell with Jason Behr
Jason Behr was in one episode of Buffy, in the second season, I think it was called Lie To Me

I don’t wish to sound like every other person who has read this book, but I positively adored it!  I found it to be beautifully written and I really couldn’t put it down.  I would have finished it much more quickly if I simply had more free time, I really loved it so much.  Sometimes you just can’t help but fall in love with something, despite it’s popularity.

Perhaps I am out of practice reading mysteries, but the ending was truly a surprise to me.  I didn’t feel like it was obvious in the least and I got so swept up in the entire story that I was a bit worried, like Nicholas, that it could possibly come from anywhere.

I really fell in love with all of the characters too, I felt as though I was right in their midst, witnessing all the events and participating in the story myself.  It’s hard to believe this was a debut novel, I feel like it’s rare to combine this gripping a tale and page turning with first time authors.

I’m reluctant to say much about the plot itself, because I truly wish for everyone to read this themselves and experience the joy it is without having anything given away.  I’d be hard pressed to think of many people who wouldn’t enjoy it, and I dare you to read the book and NOT get caught up in it!  And definitely don’t be afraid because of the length, it’s the fastest 500 pages you’ll read in quite awhile.

This book is probably the most satisfying of any I’ve read for the Historical Fiction Challenge.  Although this particular reading challenge ended a month ago, thus I am finishing late, I decided to continue reading on the theme and start this book after the deadline had passed.  I am thoroughly glad I did, and could not be more grateful for the good recommendations I received on this one.

Read this book if: You’re interested in murder mysteries, the Victorian period, or really almost anything.  I think the only people I wouldn’t recommend it to are avid readers of non-fiction, as there’s definitely a lot of fiction in the story.  I, for one, am going to continue to be a fan of this author.  In fact, I ran right out, just minutes after finishing this book, to buy the sequel!

Today at work, two coworkers and I were waiting for a meeting to start, so to pass the time we started briefly discussing TV shows we watch.  I explained that most of what I watch is on premium channels, so with the exception of Smallville (and how it sucks), I don’t have much to comment on.

One coworker said he watches much of his TV online.  I probably sounded snobby because I mentioned that I have Tivo, bitches.  Minus the “bitches” part but it was totally in my head!  Anyway, coworker 1 says a lot of what he watches is on Fox’s website, and that he has seen previews for Dollhouse and is looking forward to seeing it.

Queue me saying “OMG SO AM I, for the last like, two years!”  Cuz ya, I’ve been waiting for this show ever since I heard one little inkling of it.

Coworker 1 continued on, post my outburst, and I of course interrupted because how could I pass up an opportunity to talk about the fabulous Joss Whedon?  Then I detail all the shows Joss has created and that Echo in Dollhouse will be played by Eliza Dushku who was Faith on Buffy…and, well, you get the idea.  In a nutshell, I think I embarrassed myself.

However, during my little Joss Whedon tirade, it became clear that no one in the room knew who Joss Whedon was!  And I then found myself mildly resenting that Coworker 1 was going to watch Dollhouse without really knowing anything about Joss, although he did acknowledge Firefly when I mentioned that.

So how exactly did I become a Joss Whedon snob?  I truly have no idea.  And really, I want as many people watching the show as possible.  Gotta get those ratings up to prevent an untimely and heartbreaking cancellation!

Basically, the moral of the story is: I will be disappointed if you watch Dollhouse and don’t know who Joss Whedon is, but PLEASE WATCH DOLLHOUSE!

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jeff Bridges

I purchased this movie for the boyfriend the day it came out on DVD, and we just now got around to watching it.  He’d already seen it, so it wasn’t a huge priority, but was mildly excited for me to see it.

I really like the idea of the whole Iron Man thing.  Just a smart dude, albeit some rich asshole, but someone who actually has skills.  My favorite superhero has always been Batman (well, minus the vampire slayer, duh) because Batman is just some guy who makes shit and kicks some ass.  I way prefer that over abilities like Superman or Spiderman.

I really liked that at the end, Tony Stark just flat out says “I am Iron Man”.  Granted, I’m not very into comic books and genuinely haven’t read any that doesn’t have something to do with Buffy, but it seems pretty rare for a superhero to admit outright that they are the person.  So I was greatly amused and pleased by this.

Also, I totally loved Robert Downey Jr., as usual.  Can this man do wrong?  Yeah, I am ignoring the whole drug habit thing in this comment.

So, with all that, I still felt like the movie had some flaws.  First, it was a little too actiony and not enough plot for me.  I also felt like the switch from good to bad in Jeff Bridges was super quick.  I say never trust your mentor in this situation anyway, but it still didn’t seem like it flowed quite right.

On the whole, I liked The Dark Knight better, but this wasn’t a bad movie and was fun to watch.  I didn’t feel like I needed to know anything at all about the comic books or characters to get the movie, which I like cuz I prefer to read instead of look at comic books when it comes down to it.

But, can I just ask, wtf is up with this double letter names?  Pepper Potts, Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Vicky Vale…can these poor ladies please get more?  Maybe this has some significance I don’t know about since again, I don’t read comic books, but I feel somehow like these characters are being cheated!  Or maybe I’ll name my next City of Heroes character something clever I can’t think of but has two names starting with the same letter.

See this movie if: Obvs if you like Iron Man, which you’ve probably seen it already so ignore me.  Otherwise, see it if you enjoy some fun superhero movie and want to see some stuff blowing up.  I mean, I’m not an action girl and I liked it, so it’s probably worth your time.

My Rating: 3.5/5 – yeah I liked it better than more serious movies I’ve seen recently, shut up!

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Gwyneth Paltrow was in View From the Top with Marc Blucas
Marc Blucas was Riley Finn on BTVS

Starring Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, and Peter O’Toole

One night last week, I sat down on the sofa with my boyfriend and we were discussing what to watch.  This movie came on and despite neither of us really having any interest in it, we watched it all the way through.  Which is undoubtedly the mark of a good movie.

Admittedly I’ve never been huge into Disney/Pixar films.  I didn’t watch a lot of cartoons as a child so my first exposure was when I had younger siblings obsessed with The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Lion King.  This has led me to an adulthood of not actively avoiding this kind of stuff, but also not seeking it out.

So, with all that said, this is a cute movie and I did enjoy it.  I like the effort Pixar puts into making sure there is something more in the movies than just stuff for the kids.  Obviously you have to suspend your disbelief for a lot of it…rats controlling a guy by pulling his hair?  Please!

Also, a part of me could never quite get over the “ew” factor of the idea of rats touching my food.  Really, I don’t actually like the idea of other people touching my food, but I recognize that somewhere along the line, it is unavoidable so I have to accept that.

The movie made me laugh, and I always enjoy when something can give me a different perspective, even if it is a totally nonbelievable one.  I really liked the food critic guy, I think he was my favorite part and he barely came in at the end!

See this movie if: I can’t think of any reason not to see it, honestly.  It’s cute, fun, and worth owning if you have kids who will watch it over and over again.

My Rating: 3/5

Six Degrees of Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
James Remar is in Dexter with Julie Benz
Julie Benz was Darla on BTVS