Thursday, April 30, 2009

Long Overdue

As predicted, my posts became less frequent as exams arrived. I've completed RWA (legal writing), Property (THANK GOD!), and Torts. I have Contracts tomorrow, Civil Procedure Monday and Criminal Law next Thursday. The first half of the month, I got to do some cool stuff, so here are some pictures.

Some of the old and new LSRJ leaders with Sarah Weddington. It was a bad hair day for me.


The next generation of cousins at MORBID JOKE2.


Melissa and I at the Braves game for my 24th Birthday!

Wish me luck on my exams and I'll give you number 85 on my MyAFI Top 100 list!

100. The Three Muskateers
99. Independence Day
98. Kindergarten Cop
97. Hook
96. Beetlejuice
95. Mulan/Aladdin
94. Talledega Nights
93. Back to the Future
92. Tommy Boy
91. Finding Nemo
90. Borat
89. Chicago
88. Zoolander
87. Apollo 13
86. Grease
85. The Thin Red Line (1998)


What It Is:
One of the few (maybe the only) war movie on my list. I normally can't do war movies, but this one is beautiful, poetic, poignant, and everything I love about a good movie. The central story line is about a private fighting in the Pacific during WWII who goes AWOL but then comes back. The unique story telling gets enhanced by the imagery - the beauty of the scenery juxtaposed with the violence of war, etc. etc. Plus, this movie has EVERYBODY in it! It's kinda sad that it came out at the same time as Saving Private Ryan because (although both films are good and moving,) they are just two very different films. The Thin Red Line gets brushed over because of the fame of the D-Day violence scene from Saving Private Ryan.

Why I Like It:
Two reasons: The cast and the quotes. The cast includes John C. Reilly (his third film on my list so far?), George Clooney, Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, John Caveziel, and Nick Nolte. And that's not including everyone. I'm not a huge poetry fan despite my literary background, but this movie's narration has a definite poetic flair that I love. I would put it more in a creative non-fiction prose catagory, but I just love it!

I Bet You Didn't Know:
The original cut of the film was over 6 hours long, and included in the cut hours were scenes from actors Viggo Mortenson, Billy Bob Thorton, Gary Oldman, and Bill Pullman who appear nowhere else in the film. There was a novel and a 1964 film versions before the 1998 version.

Memorable Moments:
- "If I go first, I'll wait for you there on the other side of the dark waters."
- When Woody Harrelson blows off his own ass, as he puts it.
- "We were a family. How'd it break up and come apart, so that now we're turned against each other? Each standing in the other's light. How'd we lose that good that was given us? Let it slip away. Scattered it, careless. What's keepin' us from reaching out, touching the glory?"

Friday, April 17, 2009

State of Play.

I decided this morning that I wanted to go to dinner and a movie tonight with friends. Seeing as how it was so last minute, I was unable to persuade any of my in-town homies to accompany me. So I fixed my self a salad, cleaned, and decided to go to the movies anyway. I really wanted to see Russell Crowe's latest flick State of Play. I set my facebook status to alert any stragglers and drove down to the theater. After buying tickets, I was standing in line to get a soda when I get a call from A-bomb, who lives like five minutes away. Long story short, five minutes later, we're in our seats watching some pretty amazing previews (Star Trek after finals anyone?). The whole evening reiterated for me a love of going to the movies. There's just something exciting about "going" to the theater instead of just watching at home. Don't get me wrong, I love a good movie in my jammies snuggled up with blankie and Max, but I just love the giant screens, previews, giant sodas, and having to pee worse than I ever have in my life. When I have money, I'm going to make it a habit of going once a week.

So, I'm going to give my thoughts on the movie. No, this is not the next film in My non-AFI Top 100 films and no I won't be doing one in this post. Although I'm going to try and not give any of the twists or ending of the film away, if you really want to see the movie and don't want to know anything about it - consider this fair warning. I'm only human and may accidentally let something slip. Starting below the picture, I will reveal my thoughts on the film and you may not want to keep reading! You have been disclaimered.



So I know I have this school-girl crush/obsession with Russell Crowe and you may think I'm biased, but what I genuinely love about Russ is that even though I have this crush, I still forget I'm watching him in a movie every time I see him in a film. I know that makes no sense, so I will try and elaborate. I don't watch a film and think, "Hmm, Russell looks goofy" or something along those lines; instead, whenever I watch him, I see whatever character he's playing. He let's you get so absorbed into the character and story that you forget that this is the guy who played Maximus and Cort and Bud White and John Nash, etc.m I watched State of Play and got really into Cal - not Russell, and regardless of what you may think of him, his personal life, or my goofy obsession with him, that is a genuine talent and he's a true master of his craft.

That being said, several other performances really stood out. Rachel McAdams continues to impress me. I think this is only the third film of hers that I've seen and I've yet to be disappointed. Helen Mirren likewise makes me smile whenever she comes on the screen. A film stealer for me was Jason Bateman. He's great and has potential to be a new favorite actor for me. Also, a nod to the guy who played Private Dancer for those few episodes on Scrubs. He has a small part and it drove me nuts trying to figure out who he was the entire movie. Thank you IMDB.

The person notably missing from my accolades is Ben Affleck, and it's not all his fault, for once. He was horribly casted. He's supposed to be a Senator who went to college with Russell Crowe and is married to Robin Wright Penn (stellar, as she usually is!). I mean, come on, what is that - like a 15 year age gap? The few little white scruffies they put in his sideburns fooled NO ONE. He looked like a baby next to the giants in Crowe and Wright Penn. I also just don't think he's a good actor. He's anti-Russell Crowe. I've never seen a character played by Affleck where I DIDN'T feel like I was watching Ben Affleck - the exact opposite of Crowe's talent. As a result, the chemistry between him and Crowe was pretty weak, so the whole friend-loyalty theme that was central to the film didn't do it for me.

Not to brag or show off how awesome I am, but I guessed the big twist pretty early (A-bomb was impressed by how soon I guessed it.) That being said, it was worth the ride. The friendship loyalty theme and the whole newspapers as a dying art thanks to blogs theme didn't do much for me, but there were others that did. I really enjoyed the subtle patriotism and military undertones. The "good story telling" theme, playing with Rhetoric and the hiding and revealing of information, was right up my ally - along with all things conspiracy related.

The film was also surprisingly pretty. Interesting camera angels and mise en scene combined with some subtle, some not so subtle humor made the whole picture pleasing when juxtaposed with the dirty story, suspense and violence, and questionable morals.

To sum up: good story telling + conspiracies + Russell Crowe - all things Ben Affleck = PERFECT CARMELA MOVIE!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Awesome.

You should read this article: here. It's a list of the Top 10 Nerf guns of all time. It makes me very happy and I want number one desperately. Buy me one, please.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Blerg.

So, I have all these pictures I want to share, but I can't figure out how to post them on here other than one at a time. I want to have one of those flash slideshows but I can only find them for like myspace. Everyone is hating on bloggers. If anyone can offer some suggestions, I will love you forever.

90. Borat
89. Chicago
88. Zoolander
87. Apollo 13.
86. Grease (1978)


What It Is:
The musical that gave me my first celebrity crush – well – maybe second. I can't remember which I saw first – Grease or Seaquest. John Travolta plays the cool guy that he is who falls in love with a sweet, “good girl” Olivia Newton John. The two have a fun gang of friends, who all have one thing in common: they all like to sing. The soundtrack always starts off my summers – singing “You're the One that I want” or “Summer Nights” driving down the Tybee Road on the way to the beach.

Why I Like It:
It reminds me of simpler times, times when teenage girls didn't get pregnant or when kids actually cared about school and their grades. Oh, wait. Nevermind.

I Bet You Didn't Know:
Henry Winkler turned down the role of Danny for fear of being type-casted. Good choice?

Memorable Moments:
John Travolta trying to play sports. Just dance, JT. Just dance.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

This is for your own good.

I'm a pretty awesome person, but lately, I've noticed some people forgetting what awesome is. So I thought to my self, how can I fix this? I came up with the brilliant idea of explaining to the world what awesome is through a series of videos. So here it goes.

Just in case you forgot what awesome is, here are a few examples.












If things remain the way they have been this week, I might have to post more examples in the future. So, stay awesome people, or else.

(Disclaimer: I do not claim nor do I in any way have [copy]rights to these videos. This posting is for educational purposes only. I'm sure others do have rights to these videos. I respectfully request those people, if they object to my educational use, to ask me to take down these videos before suing me and eating my dog for dinner. Thanks bunches.)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Was it the Door?

I need help. I was writing the blurb for movie number 87 (see below) and I want to know about a guy in the movie. Please read the Why I Like It section below and help me out. 1382417324 cool points to the person who can provide me with information leading to our marriage. It's driving me nuts, now. It's all I can think about.

I think I'm getting sick. I played volleyball last night and was so hot and sweaty afterward that I drove home in 35 degree rainy weather with the windows down. Now I feel a little sick.

I have an interview today for an on-campus job for next school year. I'm so glad I feel sick for it!

Hopefully, after this weekend, I'll upload pictures from the MORBID JOKE (cousin's weekend) and my birthday (which is Sunday.)


87. Apollo 13

What It Is:
Tom Hanks, Ed Harris, Gary Sinese, Kevin Bacon, Clint Howard, and the guy from Twister. The all work for NASA and fly a space ship to outer space. Then things go horribly, horribly wrong. Based on the real life story of the doomed Apollo 13 flight directed by Ron Howard.

Why I Like It:
Did you see the list of cast? Can you say HEAVEN! Also, anyone know who plays the dorky guy who comes up with ideas in the panic room with Ed Harris and then helps Gary Sinese get the amps down? He looks a little John Cusak-esque? He's dorky hot. I would marry him. Anyone know him? IMDB didn't help me and I couldn't even find a picture of him on google. It's like he doesn't exist.

I Bet You Didn't Know:
On my 8th grade field trip to DC, we went to the Smithsonian National Air and Space something or other. The tour guide told us that he spoke to the Apollo 13 astronauts about the movie and the only thing they said was inaccurate was the dialogue in space. Apparently, there was a lot more cursing when things started breaking.

Ron Howard claims this is his favorite of his movies. I bet this is before A Beautiful Mind, because Russell Crowe probably changed his mind.

Memorable Moments:
The last like 30 minutes of the movie are AWESOME!

Marilyn: Blanche, Blanche, these nice young men are going to watch the television with you. This is Neil Armstrong, and this is Buzz... Aldrin.
Neil Armstrong: Hi.
Blanche: Are you boys in the space program, too?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Sorry

Don't mean to disappoint my fans, but I don't feel like doing a movie this time. And I have to blog today. It's been too long, and my planner told me I had to. So no movie.

Lauren officially has me hooked on American Idol. It started with studying while she watched one episode, then I had to watch the next night to see who went home. Then I had to see if Megan Joy could do better. Etc. Etc. Lord help me. My Top Three are Allison, Adam, and Kris in that order. Until this week, Megan Joy was top three for me, but she has stunk it up and I liked Kris's SO MUCH this week. I want to buy him. Allison and Adam are AMAZINGLY awesome. They will be the final two or else the world is not just.

More TV news, ER ends tomorrow night and I'm going to bawl. I know already because for ten years, I have devoted 10pm on Thursday nights to the show. I hope Kovac comes back for one episode. I would like to see the little bald guy that was killed by the helicopter after another helicopter cut his off; I can't remember his name to save my life. Anyone? I will need consoling, so please send me love around 11 tomorrow night.

I had a great trip to Charleston this past weekend. I cried when I left. I definitely think I made the right choice about going there this summer. It just felt right, almost home-like. Katie, Melissa, and I just hung out at Katie's new house. Yes, you read that right. Katie bought a house. It was amazing.

Ok, time for helping David with his website. He's making me stop now.