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Archive for March, 2012

Top Ten {Tuesday} – Movies of 2011

13 Mar

Top Ten Tuesday has a new hostess with the mostess, Angie from Many Little Blessings.  Link ‘em if you got ‘em and check out the other fanfreakingtastic lists while you’re at it.  Let’s get started.

~~~~~~

I am not an awards show kind of girl.  My bestie?  She loves the glamour and the glitz and the major star power doing the red carpet mambo.  Me, I get bored to tears by that sort of thing.  And yet, somehow, I managed to watch, not one, but three awards shows in their entirety this season.  Ellen hooked me into the Golden Globes with her interview with Ricky Gervais, with his gleeful promises of controversy.  And although he didn’t live up to his promise, it was fairly entertaining with some amazeballs dresses and fiine looking gentlemen.  Ahem, Ewan McGregor.

Then I watched the Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Seth Rogan throwing down the F bomb left and right and  dissing Chris Brown ftw.  Indie adoraballs, is what I call him.  And I realized those peeps were far closer to what I would consider to be my peeps and I left the evening satisfied and with a long list of movies to rent.

The following night I watched the Oscars and was less than impressed.  People looked lovely although there were few true standouts.  Some of the speeches ruled, Octavia, Meryl, Mr. Plummer and the Artist guy.  Billy Crystal looks old and a little puffy and half laughed at all his own jokes.  It was an hour longer than it should have been and several of the nominees were unworthy of such acclaim.  All in all, a bust.

But it did get me thinking about the movies that I loved and found deserving from last year.  Here are the top ten that I loved in 2011.

10. Captain America -

 

I’m just a comic book nerd at heart.  This was another movie that showed you how all the crazy shit that goes down in comics could actually happen in real life(the ultimate example of this being The Dark Knight).  Clearly the whole skinless Nazi on a giant flying ship thing is a bit far from reality, but I’m talking more of the guy juiced on super steroids that kicks ass with mere strength, a shield made from vibranium and adamantium and a whole lotta heart.  Ok, so maybe it wasn’t all that real, except to me and my fellow nerds.  But it was wholly engaging, satisfying and entertaining.  And it is awesomesocks to see more and more big budget, well made comic book movies come to life.

9.  Crazy Stupid Love -

 

I’ll admit I was sold on the hype early on.  Ellen raved about this movie months before it was released and there is hella little that Ellen and I have beef about.  I’m sold on all the major players, save Ryan Gosling.  I’m like the only chick alive who thinks the Notebook was a big, ole boring ass pile of doody.  And really I didn’t even know the guy’s name.  It was only after seeing CSL and Drive that I remembered him from Lars and the Real Girl and Half Nelson.  Ok, now I’m feeling ALL the major players.

And the movie had heart.  It was funny and charming and sweet and silly, just like rom coms should be.  Used to be.  And it was thoroughly enjoyed by me.  Even my in-laws liked it.  And I didn’t hear any complaints that RG was half naked and looking photoshopped.  I certainly was not the one to lodge any.

8.  X-Men First Class -

 

Again the geek heart sang with all the lovely bits of nerditry in this movie.  But non-geeks could certainly enjoy this origin story as well.  And did, if the box office and reviews have anything to say about it.  The cast was stellar, the effects dope and anyone who survived middle school can relate to mutant culture.  Highly recommend.

7.  Win Win -

Source: imdb.com via Amanda on Pinterest

 

I forced my husband to go to this movie.  To his credit, it wasn’t a very forceful force.  And he freaking loved it.  And rightly so.  Because it was a funny little charmer.  With heart.  And some bite.  Which in my book is a close second to the quirky whimsy.  Paul Giamatti is onr of those fantastic actors that make you draw every anxiety ridden breath right along with them and makes you silent fist pump when he comes through in the end.

6.  The Help -

Source: imdb.com via Donna on Pinterest

 

I read the book a while back and enjoyed it.  I put it down and didn’t think of it again until I was inundated by the blogland talk about the movie being racist.  During that time, I did a lot of research and reading and wracked my poor, tired brain for recollections of the particulars in the book.  I found there to be a ton of compelling and well spoken words written in belief that the movie was perpetuating the myth of the white savior and was an affront to Black Americans who have the marks of this so very recent history imprinted upon their DNA.

I decided not to see the movie as I didn’t want to support something that would knowingly hurt any person.  Then I decided to see the film with my best friend.  And all those worries and concerns and white guilt feelings were washed away.  I am still sorry that anyone took offense and/or felt the sting of a freshly opened wound, but, in my opinion, this movie was in no way racist or intending in any way to laud the actions of white over black.  What I got from The Help was empowerment, triumph of spirit and women lifting each other up with their words and their actions.  And we need a whole hell of a lot more of all of those things in Hollywood and in day to day life.

5.  The Descendants -

Source: weheartit.com via Soraya on Pinterest

 

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this movie?  George was subtle and nuanced and lovely.  As usual.  I think people forget that he is a gifted actor because we are blinded by his megawatt smile, slick attire and modest head tilt.  The daughters, particularly Shailene Woodley, were amazeballs.  Nick Krause broke up the tension with outrageous humor.  And Hawaii, the ever-present co-star, permeated the movie without appearing heavy handed or like a caricature of itself.  Every little bit of it was lovely and genuine and worthy of the Oscar nod.  Go see it while you still can.

4.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 -

Source: imgfave.com via Emilie on Pinterest

 

There has been little to no contention.  This was a satisfying, albeit bittersweet, ending to the beloved series.  As someone who has read none of the books and didn’t jump onto the bandwagon until  the Prisoner of Azkaban, I may not be well qualified to judge.  But as the devoted fan that I became, and as the hopeless romantic that I truly am in regard to those I love in film or on the page, I was grateful to see the characters cared for in the way that they were sent off.  Also?  In regards to Snape, I motherfucking told you so.  Ahem.  Rent the entire series if you have a free weekend.  Pure magic.

3.  Bridesmaids -

 

All of America loved this movie.  Because it was freaking hilarious, yo.  But also because it proved, yet again, that women can be both freaking hilarious and as raunchy as we want to be.  Funny as shit, and shit and girl power.  Can you say sequel?

2.  Drive -

I still have no idea what I was watching when I saw this movie.  All I know is that I totally loved it.  They pretty much had me from neon pink, 80′s scrawl and the pulsating beat over the opening credits.  I gained a true respect and admiration for Ryan Gosling and his balls out choices this summer and a re-found respect for Albert Brooks.  I like my career criminals old, Jewish and meaner than a honey badger on meth.  See this movie if you want your mind blown and your freak freaked.  And then buy the soundtrack because, wowsa.

1.  Beginners -

 

I may have talked about this movie a time or two.  So you probably should just check those words out or I may get flagged on some list for talking excessively about Ewan McGregor and Beginners.  Which actually sounds pretty freaking awesome so flag away.

Suffice it to say, Beginners wins my best movie of 2011 and Ewan, Christopher Plummer and Mélanie Laurent were my best actor, supporting actor and best actress.  I don’t want to have to tell you again – SEE IT.

 

Dose Of Happy – Walk Off The Earth

12 Mar

Over at Band Back Together we’re feeling like we want to junk punch the next person who asks us if we have a case of the Mondays.  So instead of doing the time in the resulting anger management program, we decided to take Monday back.  So we’re linking up our Dose of Happy posts and bringing the awesome back to Mondays.  You can play too.  Now get  your happy on.

I love the way people’s minds work and that this little group came up with this sort of silly, but freaking cool and pretty damn beautiful version.  And this is for Lisa, who wasn’t sure if she loved this song or found it irritating.  Hopefully this helps her figure it out.

 
 

Friday Fluff – Druthers

09 Mar

What badass mamajama started the Friday Fluff craze that’s sweeping the nation?  Lisa from Seeking Elevation, that’s who.  But the kickass Jester Queen is running this show today.  Jump on in, the water’s fine.

This week’s survey was created by:  Dani05

 flowers, purple, painting, simple, canvas - Purple Flowers IIArt by elisaann

Be a poison tester or suicide bomber?

Poison tester.  At least I’ve got a 50/50 chance of living.  And not being a total fucking douche.

Fat and short or fat and tall?

Like freakishly tall?  Because that.

Wet and cold or dry and hot?

I’m not really a fan of either, but it’s winter in Portland and I’d pay good American dollars for some dry heat right about now.

Vampire or a cat?

Is this a question?  Do I want to be a vampire or a cat?  Do I want to own a vampire or a cat?  Do I want to be eaten by a vampire or a cat?  Cat, vampire, cat.

Be george lopez or brad pitt?

Brad Pitt because his lady is so sexy.

 

Eat sand or dirt?

Dirt is less filling AND tastes great.

Be 30 or 1?

Years old?  You are so ambiguous.  I’ll take 30 for $1,000, Alex.

Pro skater boarder or singer?

I like me some skater boards, but I’d be a singer if I was gifted with a good voice and the balls to get up there and sang.

Eat metal or bugs?

Seeing as how I’m a vegetarian, metal.  Or seeing as how I’m a human, bugs.  Maybe I should just stick to booze and call it even, tequila worm negates Goldschlager flakes.

Be a monkey or wolf man?

You’re making me a little stabby, can we at least keep the inanity in one genre?  Like say, wolfman or vamp?  In your horrible scenario, wolfman.  Because:

a)I’ll be a man and finally suss out the actual awesome factor behind the whole stand up pee thing.

b)I’m already wild, meltdown hormone lady once a  month and I can’t really see much difference.  Other than the lusting for the taste of blood issue.

c)Monkeys enjoy throwing their own feces and, while I enjoy a good poop as much as the next gal, I like to leave it where I dropped it.

Work at google or bing?

What’s bing?

Make a board game or video game?

Now, I love a good board game.  That is some good, clean family fun right there.  Also, some good, clean adult fun if played the right way.  But the youth of today hardly even know what objects are if they’re not virtual.  I’d go where the money is – video.

Mini cooper or mustang?

Dead or alive?

I choose life.  I have ever since the early 80′s when Wham! informed me it was the way to go.  I’m sticking with that answer until I get further intel from George Michael.  I will also accept guidance from Andrew Ridgfield, provided he has notarized documentation that GM is also in agreement.

Singer or actor?

I cannot think of anything that I would NOT rather be than an actor.  This is, of course, excluding any and all professions that have anything to do with the handling or throwing of fecal matter.  Obvi.

End on a stupid question, get an awesome video.  Double fantastic win time for Y-O-U.  Welcome to my world.  Uhh…no.

http://youtu.be/hrnOCEXfdMo

 
 

Wordless Wednesday – Man Vs. Nature

07 Mar

tree and building

So many more fabulous photos over at Wordless Wednesday.  Go get ‘em!

 
 

Extra Trifextra

06 Mar

Remember when Trifecta’s Trifextra challenge was to retell a famous story, poem, book, or fable in exactly 33 words? And my response was Who Shot Mr. Burns?:  Part 1?  Well, Trifecta may not have challenged me, but several of y’all did.  And so…

Who Shot Mr. Burns?:  Part 2

Upgraded to alive, the shooter is still at large.  His longtime companion is wracked with guilt, which comedy proves undue.  Everyman is shunned once more.  Taking candy from a baby can be lethal.

 
 

Dose of Happy – GCB

05 Mar

Over at Band Back Together we’re feeling like we want to junk punch the next person who asks us if we have a case of the Mondays.  So instead of doing the time in the resulting anger management program, we decided to take Monday back.  So we’re linking up our Dose of Happy posts and bringing the awesome back to Mondays.  You can play too.  Now get  your happy on.

GCB(Good Christian Bitches Belles), premiered last night on ABC and it speaks to the not so good Texas girl I was forced(by family move) to become at age 17.  Texas is a lot of things; some freaking awesome, some freaking awful.  But it is as big and as brash and as ballsy as this show.  I’m not sure if I’ll stick with it as it has all the makings of a cartoonish, one-note, frothy soap.  But the premiere epi was full of catty fun, Texas style and I enjoyed it as such.

I mean, they had me at Annie Potts and Kristen Chenoweth but, as a sprt of Texan, I also enjoyed the whole stereotypical, big haired, big boobed, appearance above all else, Christian on the outside housewives of DFW.  And lest you take this as an affront to Christianity as a whole, keep in mind that mean girls come in all shapes, sizes and religious affiliations.  This is merely one representation.

 

 
 

Trifextra – Brrring

04 Mar

As if the Trifecta weekly writing challenge weren’t badass enough, those diabolical editors, both this one and that, are hosting a second weekly challenge, Trifextra.  The rules change each weekend so be sure to check in often so you’ve got the knowledge and the goods to bring it.  Oh, it’s on.

This week’s challenge:  The phone rang at 4am…

After a confirmatory glance she settled it back on the table gently, as if to not disturb or offend. Restraint was hard won.  But even this was better than the bright, ringing shame.

 
 

Friday Fluff – Controversial, Schmontroversial

02 Mar

What badass mamajama started the Friday Fluff craze that’s sweeping the nation?  Lisa from Seeking Elevation, that’s who.  Read her often hilarious, totally irreverent and always honest replies to surveys posted to Quizopolis.com.  And join in.  I double dog dare ya.

This week’s survey was created by:  eat_zombies

flowers, purple, painting, simple, canvas - Purple Flowers II

Art by elisaann

Do you think that gay marriage should be legal?

This is a non-question.  Of.fucking.course.

Do you think that gays should be allowed to seve in the military?

Seriously?  We are now post don’t ask, don’t tell.  Clearly the answer is yes.

What do you think about people who don’t believe in god?

I think they are a lot like me.  Or they’re not.  Some days, hours, minutes I believe and others I don’t.  I want to.  I desperately envy blind faith.  But envy does not a believer make.

Are you pro life or pro choice?

Yes.  Who exactly is anti-life?  But yes, I absolutely 100% believe in a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body.

Do you think we should test on animals?

I believe that cosmetic or psychological testing on animals is total bullshit.  I can’t actually even think about it too long or I’ll freak the fuck out.  But I do believe that humans should be valued above animals and will take whatever consequence is dealt to me should animals end up of having control of the afterlife.  If it’s necessary to potentially save human lives, then yes.

How do you feel about illegal immigration?

I don’t really have a strong opinion on it.  I am, however, a social worker and a party gal at heart.  I say, the more the merrier.

Do you think it is ethical to do stem cell research?

I not only think it’s ethical to do so, I think it’s ridiculous not to.  See animal testing reasoning above.

Should be get rid of the death penalty?

This is the most complicated issue, in my opinion.  I feel that the death penalty could actually be more humane and more of a crime deterrent, were it not such a long, drawn out procedure and a financial drain on the system.  I can’t even begin to imagine how you survive a lifetime in prison.  There is no hope, no end, no real life at that point.  So I think I’d choose to be zapped or shot up or whatever it is they do these days.

But, what happens if the person turns out to be innocent?  There’s no pardoning in the afterlife.  Or maybe that’s where the only true pardoning occurs.  I just blew your mind there, didn’t I?

How about giving them a choice?  Horrific, miserable life in prison or quick and painless death.  Do they get cake in prison?

Is torture ever acceptable?

Yes.  I think I must have become morally questionable as I grow more and more aged, and I certainly would not be capable of doing it myself, but I think the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one sometimes(thank you, Star Trek).  To save lives sometimes a little blood has to be shed.  Wow, I think I watched a little too much Homeland this year.

Should the government have a say on our diets?

What?  Hell no.  The government needs to back off.  Just because we happened to born in the USA, or have become naturalized citizens here, doesn’t mean that the government is our third parent.  They can set up laws that benefit the nation and the populace at large, but need to back up off of policing the individuals for habits and/or behaviors that aren’t harming anyone but the self.

When we turn 18 or 12 or 30 and leave our parent’s home, we become adults and as such earn the right to make whatever poor decisions we choose.  Smoking, drinking, gambling, department store credit.  WE get those choices, not Sam(dude’s not my uncle).  No matter how stupid or harmful they may be.

Should the alcoholic drinking age be increased or decreased?

I think they should decrease the drinking age and increase the driving age.  Meet in the middle-ish at 18?  Idiots are going to drink, regardless of the law.  Let’s stop worrying so much about minors under the influence and worry instead about any sort of dangerous activities related to substance use.  If the minor is drinking and driving, slap on the cuffs.  If he’s just sharing a brewski with his homies, back the fuck off.  Really, what difference does that three years make?  Kids are still idiots at 21.  Might as well let them legally prove it.

Should cigarette smoking be banned?

As a ex-smoker of 20 years, I say hell yeah.  I am always thrown by smokers these days.  I’m like, really?  People still smoke?  But, as that 20 year smoker, I’d often say you’ll have to pry these cigarettes from my cold, dead, cancer ridden hands.

Obviously no.  I support the right of the individual to do whatever stupid thing they want and that includes death by nicotine.  Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, just keep it away from me please.  And, if I love you, please stop smoking right now.  Please.

 
 

Trifecta Challenge – Wretched

01 Mar

This post is a response to the weekly writing challenge from Trifecta.  Not only is this a challenge, it’s a competition.  One that comes with the rewards of triumph, increased feelings of self satisfaction and having your wondrous words featured on Trifecta.  Join in and be judged, you know you have the words to kick some literary bootay.

This week’s word:  wretched

She was wretched.  In all manners of the word.  Her stiffly tangled hair, rough from too much contact with the unforgiving back of the worn recliner.  Her attire, too cavernous, was unwittingly revealing.  Her demeanor, violently cavalier or embarrassingly meek dependent on the company, the weather, the cycles of the moon.  And, most pathetically, her lot in life.  The one, gleaming with promise, she had carelessly selected, ordered and paid for.  The one that fit snugly about her, except for the tiny sharp edge that she fingered over and over, startled each time by the jolt.

 
 

Hem And Haw

01 Mar

So, yeah.  Currently the life is slowly and steadily being choked out of me by, my old friend and yours, Depression.  Except that he’s really no friend to anyone, save for Despair.  I bet he’s aces in her book.  He may even just actually be one of her alternate faces.  The guy sucks.  The guy is pretty sure that you suck.  And he’s not shy about letting you know just that.  And the guy is super adept at getting you to believe his hype.  And then you become certain that you suck.  Which basically fucking sucks.

He’s wretched, wrapped about my spinal column like an invasive cancer.  I’m wretched and can’t stand the sound of my own thoughts.  I feel like Spiderman must have felt when he first bonded with the Venom Symbiote.  Tinges of anger, muddied thought, a lessening of self.  All the silly little geeky things that makes Spiderman who he is consumed by the black.  Somehow he was able to reject the parasite and easily revert to the smart mouthed, quick footed badass that he had always been.  But he is a superhero with an overdeveloped superego so what do you expect.  My superego needs to get to the gym.

All this gets us to me apologizing to you, you gorgeous peeps, who have visited and commented here recently.  I’m sorry I didn’t get around to writing back.  And now I am overwhelmed with the sheer volume and have decided to start fresh instead of going back and saying things like; you’re right, that guy really is a douchelord, it’s onamonapia, eggs in a basket, or other stuff that is, at this late date, unintelligible and irrelevant.  So I’m going to try and do better on a daily basis because, as lame as it might sound, I truly treasure every comment made here and especially every relationship I have made among all these here internet tubes.  Now does anyone have any tips on how to eject an errant parasite?  I’ll try anything.

~~~~~

And now a couple of randoms to go with my brain haze.  Does anyone know how to childproof a pocket door?  We have two in the Room That Bubs Built and he will soon be ready for a real live boy bed(thanks be to the sweet lady internet and all the gods that he made it to three in the crib).  I can’t allow him to have unsupervised toilet and sink access or we will go broke paying for all the waters and all the toilet papers.  I am not SMRT enough to figure it out and I think the internet is broken because it’s giving me nothing.  Also?  I’m fucking freezing.  My heater is broken.  Where is the heat guy?  Or at least the Heat Miser?

That actually worked.  The dude just called and is on his way.  Apparently this is the summoning spell for heat.  File away for future reference, but keep in mind the whole be careful what you wish for thing.  Hopefully it doesn’t require ventilating hell or employing fire demons to dance inside my furnace.  I’m pretty sure one, or both, of those things happened in Texas last summer.  Also, I have learned from Winchester brothers on Supernatural that a soul is a valuable thing to have and you don’t want to go and unwittingly surrender ownership for something that will eventually resolve itself.  Save it for the big stuff, like getting a ticket to Hollywood week on AI or locking down the last salted caramel brownie.  I’m always thinking so you don’t have to.  Or, more likely, flip that.

My other random pertains to the March 1st Google free for all with your private parts.  Those that live within your web history, pervo.  You know they track you, right?  Hence all the free cereal coupons, ads for martial arts day camps(free your inner ninja, yo) and tips on how to date mature women(scribbles furiously) on the right hand side of your Gmail.  Well, starting tomorrow they’re going to take all that 411 and toss it about the internets to the far corners of all Google products.  It’s your call if you want to let it all hang out in exchange for the possibility of an “easier” internet experience, but there’s an easy fix from Cnet.com if you’re paranoid like me and like to play it close to the vest.  (I don’t actually know what that phrase means, but I thought it made me sound sorta in with the conspiracy crew.  I should probably stop thinking now.  It’ll be better for both of us, I assure you.  Peace out.)

 
 
 

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