Latest Flicks

Thank you for your sweet comments on my last post. I really appreciate it. Recently, I've read a few stories of other women's experiences with miscarriages on various blogs, and it helped me feel a little bit better that I'm not the only one out there going through this. I don't exactly have a huge following on this blog, but figured if it helped me to hear someone else's story, it may help someone else to hear mine.

On a lighter note, I am so excited that we are getting into prime movie season... Oscar contender time. Late fall is when so many of the best movies of the year come out. Recently, I've seen the following films:

I really enjoyed both Social Network and The Town. Social Network was fascinating-- it's amazing to think that something so ubiquitous as Facebook started up in some random kid's dorm room (albeit a brilliant, though socially awkward, kid.) Facebook didn't really catch on until after I was in college, but I remember my sister spending a bunch of time on it when she was in college and I so did not get it. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to sit around post stuff on their profile and stalk ex-junior high friends' pictures. It seemed like a JV version of MySpace (which I also didn't really get into very much.) Of course, now I check Facebook on my iPhone regularly. It's just a part of life now.

As for The Town... nail biting plot, strong acting, and Jon Hamm + Ben Affleck in the same movie? Sold. The only thing I didn't love was that Jon Hamm was essentially Don Draper dressed as an FBI agent. He's hilarious when he does cameos on 30 Rock, and he was amazing when he participated in the opening number for the Emmy's, so obviously he's got some range. It would be great to see him in some different types of roles.

That brings us to Never Let Me Go. This was one of those films (and I use the word "film" intentionally) that is beautifully written and art directed. The cinematography is stunning. The acting will probably garner at a least a few Academy nods. But, geez. Could it be any more of a downer?? Quick plot summary: a bunch of kids are created through cloning and then raised from birth to ultimately become organ donors in a society that has essentially eradicated disease (because they can replace your lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, or [fill in the blank] courtesy of the donors.) So, um, these kids grow up knowing they will die. And then they do. Yeah, there's some other stuff that happens (I won't ruin the entire thing for you), but all in all, it was probably not the film I should have seen earlier this week while feeling a little down due to other circumstances. Maybe put it on your Netflix queue when you need a good cry.

We saw the preview for Black Swan with Natalie Portman, which I am intrigued by, but not 100% sold that I should see it in the theater. I love Natalie Portman, but this movie looks like a classy mash up of Center Stage and Single White Female. I'm not sure that's totally up my alley.

What good movies have you seen lately? Are there any upcoming films you are really looking forward to seeing?

Jake, Jake, Jake...

Hey Buddy-- I fully respect you for sending home the girls that you know aren't wife material (and not just keeping them around so that you can eventually make out in a hot tub with them), but really? Really? Vienna? I'm not going to go all bizarrely-vindictive-Ali on you regarding Vienna, but I think we both know you are not seriously considering her as your future life partner. Maybe you're keeping her around because you already kinda know who you're going to pledge your undying love to and she'll just make the final decision all that much easier (a la Andrew Firestone in season 3 with Jen and Kirsten-- and, yes, I am embarrassingly well versed in Bachelor history). Or maybe you're contractually obligated to keep a little crazy in the mix up until the end (um, remember that princess chick who wore all the tiaras a few seasons back? I think it was The Bachelor: London Calling)... Only time will tell. But, please, do yourself a favor and don't let her bring you home to meet the fam, 'kay?

Thanks.

Vanity, Starbucks, and New Moon

A few random thoughts today...

Am I the only one who makes more of an effort on my appearance when I know I am having a photo taken of me for official documentation purposes than I would, say, if I was going out on the town with my husband for a nice date night? I know, so sad. Clearly my priorities are skewed, but really... that passport photo is going to last for ten years. My new married name finally gives me an excuse to ditch that heinous photo of me from sophomore year in college when I was planning my junior year study abroad, and don't think I didn't bust out the flat iron, eye liner, and lipstick this morning. Oh yes I did. I think the last time I wore lipstick was on my wedding day. And I was probably better accessorized than the Savvy department manager at Nordstrom on the day I had my Texas drivers licence photo taken. Again, priorities... What can I say? I'm vain.

On a totally unrelated note, as I was in line at Starbucks this morning ordering my post-workout latte (my reward on those mornings when I succeed in dragging my butt out of bed before 6am to hit the gym), I noticed all the festive holiday decor and it made me think for a second that I was back home in the Northwest. Which is ridiculous because clearly all 100,000+ Starbucks stores in the U.S. have the exact same holiday decor up, but for some reason festively bedecked Starbucks = home for the holidays in my head. I'd like to think it's the Starbucks/Seattle connection, but I have a feeling that half of all Starbucks patrons across the country could easily say the same thing. What does this all mean? I have no idea... Maybe they're just really good at marketing.

And finally... New Moon. Is anyone seeing this? I will cop to the fact that I devoured all 4 books last winter, and (mostly) enjoyed them. Some annoying teenage whininess aside, I was pretty wrapped up in the story. But then I saw the Twilight movie. Gag me. With a large wooden spoon. At that point, I pretty much swore off all of the other Twilight movies. But now New Moon comes along, and it actually doesn't have horrendous reviews, and then there's that whole wolf pack looking all rugged and toned... and shirtless... and I'm kind of reconsidering my position... Even while reading the books I was sort of on Team Jacob (if I was going to pick a team at all... Emily makes a pretty solid point here), and after seeing the previews for New Moon, I think Taylor Lautner's Jacob is going to win a few more converts.

It might be worth a trip to the theater after all... or, at the very least, maybe I can sneak it on to my Netflix queue. ; )