30 and Not Hissing at People: I'm Doing Well

Courtney HartmannI saw this really fantastic, quirky movie, Lola Versus, filled with people you don't know doing things you probably don't care about, but in a really silly and laugh out loud way. Actually, you'll probably recognize Greta Gerwig as that one girl who was in that one movie with that one A-list star. She is a bit awkward, but also adorable and in the movie she goes through this semi-downward spiral after an abrupt breakup with her fiance.

She is also facing turning 29, which I guess is supposed to be scary. Why? Because 29 is almost 30 and 30 means you're supposed to a) have shit figured out or b) feel remorseful when you make a huge ass out of yourself because you got drunk/were dumped/had a rough week at work. 29 is still young and free and 30 is old and confined?  Such a crock. I related to Lola during her verge of a new decade of life/sink to the bottom, especially during one memorable scene in which she hisses at a store clerk.

Lola goes in to buy liquor, underpays and then runs out of the store in a frenzy. The store clerk runs after her yelling when all of sudden she stops and hisses at him. Then, she takes a big swig from a 40. In that moment, I was hurtled back to my 20 year old self who told my 20 year old guy friend that if we were not married by the time we were 30, we should marry each other. I also told him that if I am not married by the time I'm 30 that I would probably want to start hissing at people. Just for fun. Not because I thought I'd be that kind of weirdo. Or, maybe deep down I thought in my naive way that I would feel bad for not being married by 30 and turn spinster scary, and do things like eat my hair, become a hermit and yes, hiss at people.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, this did not happen. But sometimes don't you think, I just wanna fuck with people to see what they'd do. I just want to act totally out of the norm for reaction sake only. Is that called vanity? To think people care what I do? I'm telling you, the minute you start acting batshit crazy, people pay attention. Not necessarily a good thing, but entertaining nonetheless. At least for a little bit.

But, I forgot all about my thoughts of how it'd be when I turned 30 until Lola came along. So, I leave you with this: I am 30. I do not hiss at people. But, I'm not taking the option off the table. Go see that movie. Again, it's Lola Versus and it's only like 80 minutes long, so you can make it through. So far official movie reviews have been pretty unimpressed by it, but I thought it was great. The best friend, as always, is the true star of the movie and the actress playing the best friend co-wrote the movie. Although, Lola herself has a pretty sweet "move" right at the end. If you see it, then you'll know what I mean. 


On a side note, I have jumped ship from my 50/50 challenge. I wasn't getting a prize in the end anyway. The prize was supposed to be my own self-validation that I accomplished reading 50 books and saw 50 movies in a year. That pretty much was never going to happen. Plus, I'm not really a a fan of self-validation. I wanna be freaking recognized for my accomplishments. Hence, the hissing, I suppose. 

R.I.P. 50/50. You didn't offer me enough to stay.

50/50 Challenge Update

photo credit: Google Images

Book number four of the 50/50 Challenge goes to Ms. Jodi Picoult. Her latest book, Lone Wolf, is true to Picoult form covering a controversial topic. The characters face the challenge of whether to keep their father on life support. In addition, Picoult also did extensive research about wolves, which is a strange, but interesting subplot. However, of all her books this is near the end of the list. I was at the book signing for this book which always enhances a book, but the story itself wasn't my favorite. Maybe it's because I didn't care about the characters as much as books past. She's already started on her next book, which I am looking forward to. Book #4 though, check!

On to movies...I saw four movies this month for free! Movies 11 and 12 were two that I hadn't seen much publicity about. Girl in Progress starred Eva Mendes as a single mother trying to do a good job raising her more mature teenage daughter who has convinced herself that she needs to force her "coming of age." For this specific preview, I went to a special screening that included pastors and youth group leaders because apparently a rep from the studio is promoting to Christian audiences because of it's positive themes. But it's not a Christian movie. While, it did have good lessons, I think it's a little of a stretch to promote it that way. But what do I know? I'd say this movie is a renter.

Movie 12 was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which is the worst name for a movie. But the movie was surprisingly cute. It's an odd premise about a bunch of senior citizens from England who all go to this hotel in India as a getaway. There were a lot of separate story lines with none really interacting in a real way, but it was cute. A little slow at times, but endearing, sweet. Dev Patel was the best with his hyper-optimism over his failing hotel. This movie is a renter.

So, slowly I'm gaining speed with my challenge even though I have a really long way to go. Really, I'm not even halfway to my goal? And really, when I reach it what will I do? Cheer silently to myself?

50/50 Challenge: Creepin' Closer

photo credit: comingsoon.net 

I made it to 10 movies! Last week I saw Think Like a Man - for free, no less. It was HILARIOUS! I highly recommend this movie and to be honest, didn't have that high of expectations going in. Kevin Hart is great comic timing and I'm a fan of Terrence from 106 & Park. But overall the cast worked well together and it wasn't too sappy, wasn't trying too hard to be funny. It was just really freakin' funny. This movie makes movie number two of the month that I was able to see before it was released and for free. Lesson: sign up for free stuff, it's great. I have two more screenings scheduled this month, too. I love my free movie watching life.

If you want the brief synopsis of Think Like a Man it goes like this: Steve Harvey wrote a book to help women catch and keep a man. The men find out they they're being "played," try to play back and in the end turns out everyone wants the same thing. It's another lesson for single girls to follow the rules by not following the rules that don't work for you - make sense?

photo credit: goodreads.com

In the same week that I hit my big goal of double digits for movies watch for this 50/50 challenge, I also ready my third book. Woo! Still Missing by Chevy Stevens is fucked up. I'm sorry there's no other way to say it. I read it a night, like I had previously mentioned, which wasn't the smartest thing and not really recommended. I mean doesn't take a genius to know to read about abduction by a psycho right before trying to sleep. But the real reason that the book was so messed up was because of the "turn" in the middle/near the end. It was horrible. It brought the book to a complete stop for me, which was sad because up to then it had such great momentum. It was very descriptive and good character development and all that stuff that makes a great story. But when you find out what really happened, the story behind the story, it's a little bit like, really? C'mon, REALLY? That's just me though. I have book club to discuss this book in a couple of weeks and we will then if I'm in the minority on this.

I re-watched Julie & Julia. I know I can't count this towards the challenge, especially since I watch the movie about once a month. I just love it. I also have about six fashion magazines to read through, which by page count should count towards my book reading, but alas I'll play fair.

Until my next update, I think I'll finally finish Lone Wolf. But I'm always up for book recommendations. Anyone?