I'm on a movie roll so far in 2013. Helps that I am a movie reviewer, but even if I wasn't, I'd still be at the theater about as much as I am now. I love movies; what can I say?
For movie #4 I saw the much anticipated but poorly reviewed "Gangster Squad." Personally, I enjoyed it. Maybe it's because it had Ryan Gosling in it, but honestly, while it wasn't an instant gangster classic, it's still entertaining. Also, my boyfriend's brother makes his big screen debut as the valet. His character appears for a few brief seconds, but those seconds are still fantastic. His name is Christopher Tisa. Look out for him in the trailer as well.
I saw "Les Miserables" for the first time for movie #5. I'm familiar with the music, but my goodness was it amazing. It's a long, epic sort of movie/play, but it's well worth it to be a viewer of something that grandiose. I am interested in seeing the play now, but as for the movie, it deserves the hype it's received. It's a beautifully done production even though it's a bit odd to see Russell Crowe in a singing role. Try not to get chills when hearing "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "On My Own."
I'm excited for this Sunday's Golden Globes and am spending the rest of the evening reading fashion magazines, watching reality tv and hopefully starting my 2nd book of the 50/50 Challenge.
Happy Saturday!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
50/50 Challenge: Movies #2 and #3
Knocked off two more movies for the 50/50 challenge. I just went to San Francisco over New Year's Eve weekend for the first time (fantastic!) and so I found it fitting to watch "The Rock" starring Sean Connery, Ed Harris and Nicholas Cage.
This movie is from the mid-90s and centers around Ed Harris as a Marine general taking over Alcatraz Island aka The Rock to demand money from the government for former fallen soldiers' families. Sean Connery plays the only person to escape The Rock and survive and Nicholas Cage is a chem expert with no real field training that holds his own pretty well.
The best part of the movie was seeing the place I had just visited and have been so fascinated with and also learning why they say Sean Connery's character was locked up there in the first place. Hint: Secrets, secrets are no fun...
Today, I watched "Django Unchained." (Read my full review here). I've never been a fan of Quentin Tarantino. I've never not been a fan though either. It does seem like the director likes his violence and this movie has its fair share, but it makes sense for the movie - for the most part. I like the originality of it, but was starting to become still crazy from the three hour run time.
Everyone is praising it, and I agree it was a good time. But it will take up most of your day and it's definitely a kind of movie you have to be in the mood for. It's not just an easygoing comedy or action-packed thriller. It's a movie that needs time to develop.
#2: The Rock
#3: Django Unchained
I'm seeing "Gangster Squad" tomorrow, so it looks like I'm on good pace with the movies of the challenge. Now to get to work with the books...
This movie is from the mid-90s and centers around Ed Harris as a Marine general taking over Alcatraz Island aka The Rock to demand money from the government for former fallen soldiers' families. Sean Connery plays the only person to escape The Rock and survive and Nicholas Cage is a chem expert with no real field training that holds his own pretty well.
The best part of the movie was seeing the place I had just visited and have been so fascinated with and also learning why they say Sean Connery's character was locked up there in the first place. Hint: Secrets, secrets are no fun...
Today, I watched "Django Unchained." (Read my full review here). I've never been a fan of Quentin Tarantino. I've never not been a fan though either. It does seem like the director likes his violence and this movie has its fair share, but it makes sense for the movie - for the most part. I like the originality of it, but was starting to become still crazy from the three hour run time.
Everyone is praising it, and I agree it was a good time. But it will take up most of your day and it's definitely a kind of movie you have to be in the mood for. It's not just an easygoing comedy or action-packed thriller. It's a movie that needs time to develop.
#2: The Rock
#3: Django Unchained
I'm seeing "Gangster Squad" tomorrow, so it looks like I'm on good pace with the movies of the challenge. Now to get to work with the books...
Friday, January 4, 2013
50/50 Challenge: Fresh Start
Last year I attempted the 50/50 challenge. You read 50 books and watch 50 movies in one year. You don't win anything, but it helps you set the pace. I think if there was a prize I would've been more motivated to finish last year. But midway through, I quit. I wasn't even keeping track anymore, and remembering to list them down was such a pain.
I did watch a lot of movies last year and did read a book or two, but listing them I did not. So here I am again, giving it another try. There is still no prize so the likelihood of quitting the challenge midway through the year again, well, it's 50/50.
Book #1:
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.
My director at work bought this book for me after me and two of my teammates came up with a rewards idea for our department. We wanted something where individuals could be recognized and in turn rewarded. She said this same philosophy was found in this book. I read this book on a flight; it's short. Less than 100 pages of actual text. The two big takeaways from the big: be positive, stop bitching.
That's my philosophy for life, so I enjoyed the book. It is supposed to apply to work, but obviously, it can be applied to life as well. It's talking about not taking out of other people's buckets but rather fill them with positive thoughts and productivity.
It's interesting when you lose excitement for work or feel like you have been devalued how unmotivated you can instantly become. This book made me decide that for my own job, I will work on being positive, which at times can be a challenge, especially when others do not share that same way of thinking.
And, I also decided not to bitch about co-workers. At all. Even to rant. You never know who is relaying what you've said in their in own interpretative way. Lay low and smile, new philosophy for 2013.
Movie #1:
Zero Dark Thirty
Incredible movie. The hunt for bin Laden. It's surreal. 9/11, the capture, all of it is just surreal that that is part of our history. That it still affects us today. Kathryn Bigelow also directed "The Hurt Locker" which is when I first fell in love with Jeremy Renner. She has a way of making even the most mundane things full of suspense. It's the music, the footage and the actors expressions or lack there of that has you holding your breath in this movie. Just having the slightest glimpse into that search is fascinating. The CIA has always been a topic of interest to me anyway, but to watch a reenactment of a the Navy S.E.A.L.s achieving such a mission made me emotional for their skill and sacrifice. Read my full review of the movie here: http://www.examiner.com/review/movie-review-zero-dark-thirty.
Week one of January and I already have the first book and movie out of the way. It's a good start.
I did watch a lot of movies last year and did read a book or two, but listing them I did not. So here I am again, giving it another try. There is still no prize so the likelihood of quitting the challenge midway through the year again, well, it's 50/50.
Book #1:
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D.
My director at work bought this book for me after me and two of my teammates came up with a rewards idea for our department. We wanted something where individuals could be recognized and in turn rewarded. She said this same philosophy was found in this book. I read this book on a flight; it's short. Less than 100 pages of actual text. The two big takeaways from the big: be positive, stop bitching.
That's my philosophy for life, so I enjoyed the book. It is supposed to apply to work, but obviously, it can be applied to life as well. It's talking about not taking out of other people's buckets but rather fill them with positive thoughts and productivity.
It's interesting when you lose excitement for work or feel like you have been devalued how unmotivated you can instantly become. This book made me decide that for my own job, I will work on being positive, which at times can be a challenge, especially when others do not share that same way of thinking.
And, I also decided not to bitch about co-workers. At all. Even to rant. You never know who is relaying what you've said in their in own interpretative way. Lay low and smile, new philosophy for 2013.
Movie #1:
Zero Dark Thirty
Incredible movie. The hunt for bin Laden. It's surreal. 9/11, the capture, all of it is just surreal that that is part of our history. That it still affects us today. Kathryn Bigelow also directed "The Hurt Locker" which is when I first fell in love with Jeremy Renner. She has a way of making even the most mundane things full of suspense. It's the music, the footage and the actors expressions or lack there of that has you holding your breath in this movie. Just having the slightest glimpse into that search is fascinating. The CIA has always been a topic of interest to me anyway, but to watch a reenactment of a the Navy S.E.A.L.s achieving such a mission made me emotional for their skill and sacrifice. Read my full review of the movie here: http://www.examiner.com/review/movie-review-zero-dark-thirty.
Week one of January and I already have the first book and movie out of the way. It's a good start.
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