50/50 Challenge Update: Cheesecake Motivation

How can it be that I neglected my 50/50 Challenge Update for the whole month of September? Maybe it's because I spent most of the month celebrating and toasting to the awesomeness of my birth or maybe it's because it was so darn hot that even the thought of typing on my laptop seemed too sweat-inducing to endure. Whatever the excuse, I have updates for you.

Movies

Movie-wise I have reached 40 movies and since there has been a solid scheduling of movies I am looking forward to seeing, I think reaching 50 by the end of December is in the bag. 

34. This Is Where I Leave You
Jason. Bateman. I love him and his dark humor ways, his stoic facial expression. Also, I enjoyed when Tina Fey's character decked Dax Shepard's douchebag one. The book, of course, is better.

35. Bad Country

I had the opportunity to see this one at the San Diego Film Festival with a few of my fellow movie bloggers. Tom Berenger was in the audience as well for a Q&A afterwards with film critic Jeffrey Lyons. If you didn't get the chance to attend the Film Festival, I recommend going next year. Each year is getting better.

36. Gone Girl

The most anticipated movie for me this fall as I loved the book and the writing of Gillian Flynn. She also penned the screenplay and David Fincher made sure it was extra dark and provocative. You can read my full review on Examiner.com here. 

37. The Godfather

Yes, I admit it, I had never seen "The Godfather" before. The fiance and I made it a weekday date night and went to Cinema Under the Stars to take in this classic (one of his favorites). I was entertained, as I thought I would be, but also was more impressed with how good-looking Al Pacino once was. Also, I just kept thinking of "You've Got Mail" where Tom Hanks is IM'ing Meg Ryan quotes from the movie.

38. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Based off a children's book, this movie actually made me giggle. It's good for young families and awesome in length: a short 82 minutes.

39. The Judge

My pick of the week, maybe the whole year. The acting is fantastic, the story compelling. I cried. Robert Downey, Jr. and his slick-talking ways, I enjoy him thoroughly. 

40. Men, Women, and Children

People left during this screening. I don't blame them. 

BOOKS

Since the start of fall TV, I may or may not have been slacking on my reading. I love to read, but I also really love television. A lot. My fiance and I watch a lot of shows together, most of them crime-driven ones, and by the time they're over, I'm too tired to read. 

I still think I can make my ultimate goal and have these to add to the list:

31. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes

I thought I was going to get away without crying. I made all the way until about the last five pages, then cried one of those ugly, blubbering cries. 

32. One Plus One by JoJo Moyes

This was also a strong writing effort. Not as good as Me Before You, but I would still recommend it.

33. All Fall Down - Jennifer Weiner

She is one of my favorite chick-lit writers. I read her books so quickly. 

34. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants: Malcolm Gladwell

My first of his books. I recommend reading in chunks, reading all at once seemed to drag for me. There are some interesting stories though, especially the one about the "three strikes rule."

If you're curious as to what TV is pulling me away from reading, shows to blame are:

• The Blacklist
• The Voice
• Stalker
• Scandal
• How to Get Away with Murder
• Grey's Anatomy (I'm back to watching after taking several seasons off)

Soon to be added: Marry Me and American Horror Story. Oh, and I am going to start watching The Good Wife starting with Season One. Too much TV? Nah.

Only about two and a half months left of the challenge. Wish me luck! If I win, I am going to allow myself to eat a whole cheesecake in one sitting...semi-kidding.

50/50 Challenge: Jane Green, Beach Read Queen

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Jane Green comes out with a book every year, or so it seems. Her writing follows a formula that is mostly chick-lit with a little extra wit added in to her writing. 

Her books are easy to gobble up and is perfect when you want something breezy to read on a summer day. Her recent Tempting Fate is a heartfelt story about a woman struggling with a mid-life crisis and the infidelity she experiences. 

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jane Green is the best guilty pleasure reading that doesn't make you feel guilty at all! Her writing is crisp, modern and right on track covering issues women of all all ages can relate to.

She injects honesty, humor and a happy ending into all of her books and Tempting Fate is no exception. I read it in about eight hours over the course of two days. It's pure entertainment and a perfect pool or beach read.

She covers the issue of infidelity in a real way, covering the emotions and viewpoints of all involved. She is a favorite author of mine because she doesn't stray from your simple formula for a quick, satisfying read.

She helped me reach Book #17 of my 2014 50/50 Challenge.

Movies

Since my last 50/50 update, I've seen five new movies and I'm seeing three more next week. By the end of June, I'll be well over my halfway mark. 

17. Words and Pictures (read full review here)

18. X-Men: Days of Future Past

19. Third Person (review to come at the end of the month)

20. Temptation

21. The Fault in Our Stars

The newest X-Men was good, but not as good as "X-Men: First Class." I watched "Temptation" on Netflix and the story was sad and frankly, kind of pathetic. Glad I didn't watch in while it was in theaters, but not that mad I watched it while writing during a Thursday afternoon.

"The Fault in Our Stars" or #TFIOS was everything I wanted it to be. The book, of course, is still superior. I cried harder reading the book than watching the movie, but the casting was excellent. Girl crush on Shailene Woodley and love the adorableness of Ansel Elgort. Take your girlfriend, your mom, your sister, pretty much anyone with estrogen. Also, take your tissues.

Until my next update, keep reading and watching!