Ghost Rider

Let me just say there are sometimes when I believe you can justify seeing a movie and other times where you are on your own. Well this time I guess I can justify seeing this one because I saw it with my soon-to-be brother-in-law Eric. He really wanted to see if so I caved and said sure. He's great so why not?


Anyway to the movie stuff...

So this movie wasn't disappointing because pretty much my expectations for the movie was for another Fantastic 4 Debacle. Honestly, it wasn't a great movie, and I don't think I could stretch it to be a "good movie" but I have to say it wasn't that bad.

The imagery was pretty sweet at times, the plot moved along so I wasn't bored, and the story wasn't horrible. GASP. This isn't the negative post I expected to write. But there was SOMETHING horrible in the movie. Yes... You guessed it Mr. Coppala himself, Nicholas Cage. Ok, horrible may be a bit too strong. I think the word for it is annoying. What the heck is up with his mouth! I can't stop looking at it and wondering if his teeth and lips are real. Actually if I didn't know him before this movie I may have thought him to be funny or perhaps have good timing, but nope. Can't do it. I guess this blog falters in equality. He is ripped like a GI Joe in this movie, so he looks the part. But something just doesn't click for me.

The problem I really had with this movie (other than Roxy's shirt popping open in every scene--honestly it was a little much) (and the whole cheese factor) (and the whole Texas factor) was the ending. I have a much better ending which is far more tragic and believable, but would still lend itself to sequels to satisfy the companies behind the Benjamins.

For those of you looking for a grade, I refuse to put a grade on this movie out of principle. But if you went and saw it I wouldn't hate you for it.

Choo Choo to the Zoo Zoo

Kind of the best date yet. I surprised Farah with an early pick up that lead to a train ride to Santa Barbara. I threw her off the scent so she wouldn't suspect the train. It was great.


On the train we did a little bit of writing... Yes. It was awesome, so Harry-esk.




Once there in the SB we walked to the Zoo where we saw lots of cute little characters.









We spent sometime at the Zoo reflecting on the Beauty of God,




followed by a ride on the Waterfront Shuttle. I love that song.




After a ride, then a walk down State we jumped in Rusty's Pizza where Faufen had her first pizza in 9 months! No cheese obviously but still. Amazing times. Then it was to the train, Guad style, and back home. An amazing adventure I do say.


Ahhh Nintendo... Wonderful...



Yes. A wonderful date, says I.

Found my Camera

Well my camera was lost at my parents house, and today I happened upon it. So here is my pictorial update.

My Mission? To bring the girlfriend to her lover. Here are the steps.

The Driver.


The Car.


The Flowers.


The Girlfriend.




The Loverbirds Unite.



Aww. and now they're engaged. Mission Accomplished.

Ode to Joy

I had to get worse to get better.





What a wonderful weekend. It was my Reality. There it is.

Ode to Oscar

This blog is to be prefaced with the idea that I don't consider Documentaries and Shorts to be in the category of "must see before the Oscars" (mainly because they are hard to find in this dumpy little town).

So here are the list of movies I still want to see before the 25th.
Venus
Little Children
Curse of the Golden Flower
United 93
Letters...
Poseidon
Borat

If I see those movies I will have seen 95% of all of the Oscar Nods--in every category! I know 7 movies is a lot. But here's the list of movies I have seen. It's a little bigger, but for both lists I just looked at the Oscar ballot. So there it is.

Blood Diamond
Half Nelson
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Last King of Scotland
LIttle Miss Sunshine
Dreamgirls
The Departed
Volver
Notes on a Scandal
The Queen
The Devil Wears Prada
Babel
Cars
The Good Shepherd
Pan's Labyrinth
Pirates: Dead Man's Chest
The Prestige
Children of Men
Marie Antoinette
An Inconvenient Truth
Superman Returns

Notes on a Scandal

Notes on a Scandal Review:



Ok, this movie dealt with some heavy, and dirty, stuff. It was hard to be so challenged when watching the movie because of its gritty stuff it dealt with. The Dame (The Muffin Lady) was really, really freaky and amazing in this film. She captured this evil, depraved, love-starved woman who was obsessive and fragile very well. Almost too well. A little freaky I'd say.

I love Cate Blanchett, but this wasn't her best role. She was good and believable but I have seen her do better work. Quite possibly the three best attributes of the film are as follows:

1. The intense, lovely musical score. This movie was framed in gorgeous, menacing music which complimented the mood and drive in the film. Kudos to the composers.

2. The script was well crafted. The details on "the Scandal" and the flow of the words was, in my opinion, near impeccable.

3. The contrast of the two lead actresses and their disorders. I like the subtle way the director contrasted the two characters but inevitably showed both of their sicknesses. Love it.

Overall, I'd give this movie a Rice Cake with Peanut Butter, due to the grittiness of the film, I'll hold the Diet Coke but enjoy a Granola Bar with the meal.

Ode to July

Wedding night oh, ooo.
Potter on the twenty first.
July, I love you.

Reso's

So how are you doing? Well over this next week I'd like to encourage all blog readers to analyze their personal resolutions. This is the week of redemption so get on it and start up on your resolutions. So here is an update on all of mine:

Personal:
1. Loving. Well I think it is going ok, but I really want to express it more. Gosh, I fall short on this one big time.

Recreational:
2. Movies. Everyone can attest to my blogging about movies. I love it, you hate it, we are like yin and yang.

Spiritual:
3. Reading. Yeah, I am doing ok. I am a bit behind but I'll catch up. Once this week is over... Oh no those dreadful words.

Relational:
4. Attributes. I have found many of the qualities, still hunting for some, and have yet to document.

Professional:
5. Technology. I went old skool this month and did a little book hunting, but I also found a sweet musical web page this week too.

So just work at em ya'll. We can work toward those goals.

Sorry to bore you all, but I feel void of all creativity on this New Month's Eve. Alas, I yearn for Parker and a friend who promised me a S.O.

The Last King of Scotland

The Last King of Scotland Review:



So this movie is really great. Hard to take at times, a little scandalous, tragic, but completely worth it. Forest Whitaker was phenomenal as the charismatic Ugandan leader and guess what Mr. Tumnus was in the movie! Yup, James McAvoy was in it.

I personally thought he was awesome. I liked his realistic portrayal of "youthful, partially selfish heroism" that encompasses the mentality of youth. He was believable and honestly I don't know why he didn't get an Oscar nod, nor any nod from any award. I suppose Forest's strength, career, and sweaty brow overshadowed his youth.

Some of the scandalous stuff in the film could have been left out, not the blood and violence, but the sexual stuff and the nudity. I kind of get why they did what they did with all that though... The idea was to show Nicholas as an exposed youth who was brought into Amin's world and enticed by charm and glam, but compromised by absolute power.

I loved the story, loved the character, and had my stomach nearly jump out of me at at least three parts of the film.

Spaghetti Dinner hold the sauce but double me up on the Diet Coke.

Volver

Ok. I have to warn Farah not to read this blog because she could become angry with me and perhaps frustrated with my life.

Volver Review:


So pretty much this movie was good mainly because of the hotness who is Penelope Cruz. Jeepers, I've always known her to be beautiful, but this movie was pretty much ridiculous. So I liked Penelope, ok that said let's talk about the movie for a moment.

This movie was well constructed. It was a dramedy (for those of you who don't know that means it was both drama and comedy), which held my interest. I liked the relationships portrayed in the film. There was something dynamic about the the relationships, because while it was easy to follow where you THOUGHT they were, it was constantly changing. It's hard to talk about without giving away the plot.

The two driving forces behind this movie were (oh gosh, I'm trying hard not to make a joke here) the storyline and the reactions given by Penelope--yes a real actress not just a hot girl.

Anyway, overall I give this movie a Spaghetti Dinner with a glass of water because of its ability to change emotional perspectives with in seconds. Pretty rockin.

Because of Wynn Dixie Chicks

Long time gone indeed. Well I have had a long while since I REALLY updated my blog so I decided I will do it in picture format. I found my cord tonight, it was hibernating at my parent's house. Honestly a lot has happened in the past month, so allow me to give you a synopsis. Starting with the blessed days of Christmas.





Oh and we met The Cass at Chuck E. Cheeses. Gotta love a chair that moves around in a circle.




Followed by the fake holiday of New Year's Eve where we had a blast. Pretty much.









So then there was the grand chaw-he event of Disneyland with my beloved Parker.











Did I mention I saw the guy from Survivor? He he... There he is!



Followed by the blessed date of Butterflies and Loveliness with my darling Farah.













Concluding my last days in Mrs. Hough's class... Boo hoo... and ending with a tour of The Barn in Nipomo. Wha la... The Wedding Site:







Honestly. My life is great. But yes, it is busy. So to bed I go.

Oy-Vey.

Oy! This schedule is making me tired.

Yes, I'm tired. There, I said it.

Shaw, blog, out.

Nods are In!

Hold on tight! Here they come! The noms for OSCAR! OK... The main things we will be dressing up as are kind of boring, but multi-cultural at least. Here they are, the nods for best picture:

“Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
An Anonymous Content/Zeta Film/Central Films Production
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jon Kilik and Steve Golin, Producers

“The Departed” (Warner Bros.)
A Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Nominees to be determined

“Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.)
A DreamWorks Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures Production
Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz, Producers

“Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
A Big Beach/Bona Fide Production
Nominees to be determined

“The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)
A Granada Production
Andy Harries, Christine Langan and Tracey Seaward, Producers


Ok the Departed rocked. So I see Andrew and Parker decked out in that garb. Little Miss Sunshine has Jenn written all over it. I guess I could go as a middle eastern person from Babel. We'll see... I could always wear a kilt and go as the Prince... ohhh... I think I just found my costume. Ok... See you on February 25th at the party.

Pan's Labyrinth

Pan's Labyrinth Review:


Truly an adult fairy tale. Not in the dirty way you sickos. It was pretty much a freaky, bloody movie that I simply loved. I was endeared to the characters and brought into a magical Narnia-esk world (without all the beauty and snow). It was purely magical and escapist while still being grounded in reality and believable. The two storylines mirrored each other and gave us movie junkies something to chew on. (An image of a blood fairy comes to mind though---yuck!)

However, despite my cringing and grabbing on to Andrew during the chase scene, I really appreciated all of the imagery and symbolism in the movie. And I must say the gore factor added a lot to the interest of the movie. The audience I saw it with was a great audience--the director held us in the palm of his hands the whole film. The three best/worst parts of the movie were as follows:

1. The 350's of skin guy with his eyeballs as featured below.
2. The sweet little girl and her sweet little heart for her loved ones.
3. The tender tone set against the dark reality.

Overall I really, really enjoyed this movie. It had depth, excitement, heart and magical moments. Gotta love that.

Spaghetti Dinner but hold the sauce--too much red reminds me of all the blood.

The Queen

The Queen Review:

Finally, another movie I have been waiting for over a month to see. So, again, my review may be slanted toward the "eager" and "thrilled" side. And praise God for seeing it with Andrew. My apologies to Parker.

I really enjoyed this movie. I appreciated the writer and director's ability to catch an extreme week in the life of an important person, which then unfolds one's past, present, and future. Beautiful. I would love to see this type of bio-pic, with the same writers, for other notables in history Hitler, Cleopatra, GWB, Nixon, Stalin, so many others.

The casting was superb. I loved Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II. She was a very balanced character and held herself extremely well. I think her role was difficult. Imagine playing a freakin' strong, probably the strongest, monarch from the twentieth and twenty first century. Kudos and prayers for an Oscar Nod to her. I definitely will be doing some research on the Royal Family, seeing as I am a Brit and all. The imagery was pretty sweet in the movie. The setting established a lot of the hidden feelings for the lead character during the movie, so rock on with that.

Overall the movie was very balanced which probably appeased the politicians in England. It didn't show the monarchy in a bad light, nor did it paint a peachy keen picture of the family. It also didn't err on the side of the Blair's camp either. It really gave as much of an objective look as it could.

Acting: Spaghetti Dinner with a Diet Coke
My Personal Bias: Spaghetti Dinner with a Diet Coke
Overall: Rice Cakes and Peanut Butter with 2 Diet Cokes