Thursday night I finished Return to Sullivan's Island. It was the sequal to...Sullivan's Island. I enjoyed the book and she made me laugh but I didn't enjoy the book nearly as much as I liked Sullivan's Island. I thought the author really stretched her themes to the point where I rolled my eyes a few times. It was a funny book and if you read Sullivan's Island then I would recommend the sequal. I have two more books by Dot Frank in my cabinet so I will continue to read this funny southern lady.
Thursday Jeff was out of town and I checked the mail when I got home and there was an Amazon box in my mailbox!! I love those days (although I have a kindle now so those days are probably over). So, I ran inside warmed up some soup, finished Return to Sullivan's Island as fast as I could and then I ripped open the Amazon box! It contained Loose Ends by Tara Janzen! *Sigh* These books are my true escape. Nothing take me away from work, laundry, dishes and all the other everyday stuff the way Tara Janzen does! All of her books are filled with all of my favorite things: guns, classic cars, sexy guys, hot chicks and sex! I understand that she named the book Loose Ends because she tied up some loose ends that had been presented in previous books. The problem is that I am absolutely HOOKED on this author and these characters. On Ms. Janzen's website she says that this is the end of this series but there will be more to come. I'm already feining for the next book. Tara Janzen's books are the books I thought about while watching The Hurt Locker. That movie was a harsh movie and watching those guys go out on missions just didn't compare to my imagination while I read these books. I will make you laugh. After I had finished reading one of these books I realized I wanted to do two things, shoot guns and learn Spanish! So, later that week my dad took me to the gun range and we shot about 5 of his guns (yes, he has many more than that) and for Christmas I got a Spanish instruction kit. I honestly think if there was any way for me to literally jump into a book it would be one of Tara Janzen's books. In short: LOVE HER!!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Sucky, Kinda Sucky and Not Sucky
So, I've been home for the last two days with some more funk. My flu test came back negative but I'm being treated for flu just in cases (Love Actually reference there...). And in my dislike for daytime TV I have cleaned out the DVR and watched a few movies.
First, the sucky. We watched Up In The Air last night. I had high hopes for this movie because it was directed by Jason Reitman, the same guy that directed Thank You For Smoking and Juno. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and this movie didn't have it and not only did it not have a happy ending but Vera Farmiga was a total witch in this movie!! I fell in love with her in The Departed and all through this movie I kept thinking "I love her" until her true character was revealed. I was so bummed for George Clooney's character. I honestly don't know how this movie could have ended and I would be happy. I have watched movies that don't have a happy ending and loved them (The Departed being one of them) but this just left me feeling low. I just wish that George Clooney would have created some Self-Help program that was happy or maybe he could have gone to work in San Francisco with the little chick. I don't know but I hated the ending. Don't waste your time with this one. It was a total bummer.
The kinda sucky was Did You Hear About The Morgans with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. It was predictable rom-com but it was enjoyable. It wasn't a stretch for SJP to play an uncomfortably displaced New Yorker. Hugh Grant is looking old but he's still charming and funny. If you need to get lost for about 2 hours and want some laughs then this is a good one (New In Town is better). Again, this movie took place in Ray, Wyoming but it very well could have been Dyer, Tennessee. It made me wonder about the people that move to Dyer. Are they in the witness protection? Why would anyone actually move to Dyer? I love it and I think it's magical but I have a hard time believing anyone sees it the way Dyerians do. Anywho...it is a chick flick and I only recommend it for those that love chick flicks.
The not sucky is VERY surprising for me! I must say that today I watched a movie today just for the actor Channing Tatum. He has to be one of the most beautiful people on this planet and I will even suffer through a Nicholas Sparks movie just to watch him...and ladies, he is shirtless in a lot of it so it's so worth the tears!! Dear John is a Nicholas Sparks movie and like I said earlier I like a happy ending so I usually HATE anything by Nicholas Sparks. I became a non-fan when I read one of his books and he killed the dog (The Guardian). Well, this movie was surprisingly not as sad as all the rest of his stories! Don't get me wrong, anything that has to do with love, relationships and the war is bound to squeeze a few tears from even the hardest hard ass but I was surprised by how much this movie didn't suck! If you're a Nicholas Sparks fan then you'll really enjoy this movie. If you're a Channing Tatum fan then you'll really enjoy this movie. If you don't mind tears then you'll enjoy this movie. Otherwise, don't watch it!
First, the sucky. We watched Up In The Air last night. I had high hopes for this movie because it was directed by Jason Reitman, the same guy that directed Thank You For Smoking and Juno. I'm a sucker for a happy ending and this movie didn't have it and not only did it not have a happy ending but Vera Farmiga was a total witch in this movie!! I fell in love with her in The Departed and all through this movie I kept thinking "I love her" until her true character was revealed. I was so bummed for George Clooney's character. I honestly don't know how this movie could have ended and I would be happy. I have watched movies that don't have a happy ending and loved them (The Departed being one of them) but this just left me feeling low. I just wish that George Clooney would have created some Self-Help program that was happy or maybe he could have gone to work in San Francisco with the little chick. I don't know but I hated the ending. Don't waste your time with this one. It was a total bummer.
The kinda sucky was Did You Hear About The Morgans with Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant. It was predictable rom-com but it was enjoyable. It wasn't a stretch for SJP to play an uncomfortably displaced New Yorker. Hugh Grant is looking old but he's still charming and funny. If you need to get lost for about 2 hours and want some laughs then this is a good one (New In Town is better). Again, this movie took place in Ray, Wyoming but it very well could have been Dyer, Tennessee. It made me wonder about the people that move to Dyer. Are they in the witness protection? Why would anyone actually move to Dyer? I love it and I think it's magical but I have a hard time believing anyone sees it the way Dyerians do. Anywho...it is a chick flick and I only recommend it for those that love chick flicks.
The not sucky is VERY surprising for me! I must say that today I watched a movie today just for the actor Channing Tatum. He has to be one of the most beautiful people on this planet and I will even suffer through a Nicholas Sparks movie just to watch him...and ladies, he is shirtless in a lot of it so it's so worth the tears!! Dear John is a Nicholas Sparks movie and like I said earlier I like a happy ending so I usually HATE anything by Nicholas Sparks. I became a non-fan when I read one of his books and he killed the dog (The Guardian). Well, this movie was surprisingly not as sad as all the rest of his stories! Don't get me wrong, anything that has to do with love, relationships and the war is bound to squeeze a few tears from even the hardest hard ass but I was surprised by how much this movie didn't suck! If you're a Nicholas Sparks fan then you'll really enjoy this movie. If you're a Channing Tatum fan then you'll really enjoy this movie. If you don't mind tears then you'll enjoy this movie. Otherwise, don't watch it!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
It's Complicated Geechee Girl!
Did I get your attention with the title? Yeah, I thought I would.
First up, I recently watched It's Complicated with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. I laughed out loud while watching this movie by myself. I know the dog had to think I was crazy but the movie is just that funny. The best description I've heard of this movie is when my mom told me it was like porn for her. She said she wanted the house, the garden and the shop where Meryl Streep lived and worked. I thought that was pretty darn funny. This movie gets two thumbs way up! It's not a typical rom-com. It is great fun. If you haven't watched then you need to put it on your list of must-see. And I won't lie...Alec Baldwin was probably my favorite...funny and sexy!
Next up I just finished the book Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank and that's where the Geechee girl comes in. As I learned in the book a Geechee is someone born in the Lowcountry, which extends from the Ogeechee River down in Georgia clear up to Georgetown, SC. The author, Dorotha Benton Frank was actually born and raised on Sullivan's Island and that is the location of her very first book. My parents and I took a trip to Charleston and Myrtle Beach when I was about 12 or so. This book really makes me want to go back to visit soon. In the book she talks in detail about locations around Charleston and she even mentions a joggling board. I remember my mom and I took a walking tour of Charleston and on the tour we had tea in the garden of one of the historical homes and they had a joggling board in the garden. It's a great memory that I've always carried with me and it seemed all that much sweeter when I was reminded of it when reading this book. Oh, and did I mention that the book is funny? Hilarious! I'm in love and fully plan to read all of Mrs. Frank's books. If you haven't read anything by her yet you should definitely check her out. The book was great fun and I can't wait to start the next one! (I got two others for Christmas so you'll be hearing a lot about her) I'll be happy to pass around the book now that I'm finished with it. I know I've already got one taker but let me know if you're interested so I'll know who to give it to next.
And...have any of you watched Top Gear on the history channel? Yeah, I didn't think so but it is hilarious! I just watched the most recent episode tonight and I think I laughed through the whole thing. There are three co-hosts on the show and they decided to find out what the toughest truck in America was. They each picked a truck and competed in challenges in Alaska. When I wasn't totally cracking up I was completely jealous! Of all the shows I've ever watched that is one show I would actually like to be on (okay, that and Yard Crashers and What Not to Wear). The season finale is going to air on Sunday night if you're interested. P.S. The Chevy Truck won!
First up, I recently watched It's Complicated with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. I laughed out loud while watching this movie by myself. I know the dog had to think I was crazy but the movie is just that funny. The best description I've heard of this movie is when my mom told me it was like porn for her. She said she wanted the house, the garden and the shop where Meryl Streep lived and worked. I thought that was pretty darn funny. This movie gets two thumbs way up! It's not a typical rom-com. It is great fun. If you haven't watched then you need to put it on your list of must-see. And I won't lie...Alec Baldwin was probably my favorite...funny and sexy!
Next up I just finished the book Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank and that's where the Geechee girl comes in. As I learned in the book a Geechee is someone born in the Lowcountry, which extends from the Ogeechee River down in Georgia clear up to Georgetown, SC. The author, Dorotha Benton Frank was actually born and raised on Sullivan's Island and that is the location of her very first book. My parents and I took a trip to Charleston and Myrtle Beach when I was about 12 or so. This book really makes me want to go back to visit soon. In the book she talks in detail about locations around Charleston and she even mentions a joggling board. I remember my mom and I took a walking tour of Charleston and on the tour we had tea in the garden of one of the historical homes and they had a joggling board in the garden. It's a great memory that I've always carried with me and it seemed all that much sweeter when I was reminded of it when reading this book. Oh, and did I mention that the book is funny? Hilarious! I'm in love and fully plan to read all of Mrs. Frank's books. If you haven't read anything by her yet you should definitely check her out. The book was great fun and I can't wait to start the next one! (I got two others for Christmas so you'll be hearing a lot about her) I'll be happy to pass around the book now that I'm finished with it. I know I've already got one taker but let me know if you're interested so I'll know who to give it to next.
And...have any of you watched Top Gear on the history channel? Yeah, I didn't think so but it is hilarious! I just watched the most recent episode tonight and I think I laughed through the whole thing. There are three co-hosts on the show and they decided to find out what the toughest truck in America was. They each picked a truck and competed in challenges in Alaska. When I wasn't totally cracking up I was completely jealous! Of all the shows I've ever watched that is one show I would actually like to be on (okay, that and Yard Crashers and What Not to Wear). The season finale is going to air on Sunday night if you're interested. P.S. The Chevy Truck won!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sarah's Key
Yesterday I finished my first book of 2011. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It was such a beautiful and compelling book. I cried through at least three chapters. The story is a dual story about Sarah, a young girl in France in 1942 and Julia, a journalist in the present day. Julia, the journalist, starts researching the roundup of the Jews living in Paris, France in 1942. As Julia researches the roundup she discovers a link to Sarah and the story was just gripping. I couldn't put the book down. I read most of it all day yesterday. It was such a tragic story but at the same time it was beautiful. The past broke my heart and the present gave me hope. I know that we (my generation) can't really fathom what it was like to live during World War II and we don't seem to truly understand or empathize with what happened to the Jews during that time...but we have witnessed and lived through tragedies and wars and we still find hope. I highly recommend this book. It is a chick lit book so I know guys probably wouldn't want to read it but I hope you all get this book and enjoy it the way I did.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Iron Man 1 & 2
This week Jeff and I have both been sick so it's been a round the clock movie marathon it seems. Our latest movies were Iron Man and Iron Man 2.
We were both a little leery of a comic movie re-make after the terrible time drain that was G.I. Joe. We were both pleasantly surprised by both 1 & 2!! Robert Downey, Jr. is so stinking funny in these movies and I actually enjoyed Gwyneth Paltrow. I guess I had put her on a pedestal after her Oscar win and I was surprised by her being in these movies...but they were well written, well acted and all around entertaining. Even watching them back to back was fun. At least too much time hadn't gone by and we could remember what had previously happened. I give these two movies a fun thumbs up! If you're looking for something to entertain you and take you away from the stresses of you every day then these are some fun entertaining movies that I think will do just that. Give them a shot!
We were both a little leery of a comic movie re-make after the terrible time drain that was G.I. Joe. We were both pleasantly surprised by both 1 & 2!! Robert Downey, Jr. is so stinking funny in these movies and I actually enjoyed Gwyneth Paltrow. I guess I had put her on a pedestal after her Oscar win and I was surprised by her being in these movies...but they were well written, well acted and all around entertaining. Even watching them back to back was fun. At least too much time hadn't gone by and we could remember what had previously happened. I give these two movies a fun thumbs up! If you're looking for something to entertain you and take you away from the stresses of you every day then these are some fun entertaining movies that I think will do just that. Give them a shot!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
3 Rom-Coms & 1 Action
I've watched four more movies in the last two days. There isn't much to do when you're home sick.
First up was New In Town with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr. I really enjoyed it! Of course it was cheesy and predictible but I enjoyed! The movie took place in Minnesota but it very well could have been Dyer, TN (except for those goofy mid-west accents). I thought it was a fun romantic comedy. The whole time I was watching it I was wishing something like that would happen in Dyer.
Next was When in Rome with Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel . I was mainly interested in Josh Duhamel. He's super hot!! This romantic comedy was too cheesy. I don't like "magic" in movies typically. Instead of being charming I thought it was goofy. Josh Duhamel was sexy enough to help me watch the whole movie...and the idea of my alernative of watching daytime TV. This was isn't a recommendation or a skip...I will leave the decision up to you.
Today the first movie I watched was Serious Moonlight. Never heard of it? Yeah, neither had I until Netflicks said I might like it...so I watched it. SAVE YOURSELF!! I decided to watch it because it had a cast of folks I liked: Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long. I was really disapponted at the actors. I've enjoyed most all of Meg Ryan's movies. I LOVE Timothy Hutton. He was one of my celebrity crushes. He was the main guy in Beautiful Girls (a classic favorite) and he's currently in Leverage on TNT of which I am a fan. I honestly don't blame the actors. The script was just terrible. The description sounded like it might be funny. A couple gets robbed while trying to work through their marriage...For anyone that is a fan of The Ref with Dennis Leary you might understand why I gave it a shot. Ugh, it sucked! It started off pretty darn funny! I laughed quite a bit in the beginning but then it just got stupid and it never recovered. There is a reason it was never in theaters and we'd never heard of it...it sucked!! Don't bother.
And finally today I watched G.I. Joe. I'm sure that will earn a few snickers. Really, Tori? G.I. Joe? Um, yeah! It has Channing Tatum! I will watch any movie as long as he's in it. G.I. Joe had the potential to be decent. I really enjoyed the Transformer movie. It was fun and I could even get into the sci-fi of Transformers. G.I. Joe just wasn't even believeable. I just couldn't really get into it. Channing Tatum is worth the time but unless you were a die hard G.I Joe fan when you were a kid then I don't recommed it. I would tell you to save your time for something worthwhile.
First up was New In Town with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr. I really enjoyed it! Of course it was cheesy and predictible but I enjoyed! The movie took place in Minnesota but it very well could have been Dyer, TN (except for those goofy mid-west accents). I thought it was a fun romantic comedy. The whole time I was watching it I was wishing something like that would happen in Dyer.
Next was When in Rome with Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel . I was mainly interested in Josh Duhamel. He's super hot!! This romantic comedy was too cheesy. I don't like "magic" in movies typically. Instead of being charming I thought it was goofy. Josh Duhamel was sexy enough to help me watch the whole movie...and the idea of my alernative of watching daytime TV. This was isn't a recommendation or a skip...I will leave the decision up to you.
Today the first movie I watched was Serious Moonlight. Never heard of it? Yeah, neither had I until Netflicks said I might like it...so I watched it. SAVE YOURSELF!! I decided to watch it because it had a cast of folks I liked: Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long. I was really disapponted at the actors. I've enjoyed most all of Meg Ryan's movies. I LOVE Timothy Hutton. He was one of my celebrity crushes. He was the main guy in Beautiful Girls (a classic favorite) and he's currently in Leverage on TNT of which I am a fan. I honestly don't blame the actors. The script was just terrible. The description sounded like it might be funny. A couple gets robbed while trying to work through their marriage...For anyone that is a fan of The Ref with Dennis Leary you might understand why I gave it a shot. Ugh, it sucked! It started off pretty darn funny! I laughed quite a bit in the beginning but then it just got stupid and it never recovered. There is a reason it was never in theaters and we'd never heard of it...it sucked!! Don't bother.
And finally today I watched G.I. Joe. I'm sure that will earn a few snickers. Really, Tori? G.I. Joe? Um, yeah! It has Channing Tatum! I will watch any movie as long as he's in it. G.I. Joe had the potential to be decent. I really enjoyed the Transformer movie. It was fun and I could even get into the sci-fi of Transformers. G.I. Joe just wasn't even believeable. I just couldn't really get into it. Channing Tatum is worth the time but unless you were a die hard G.I Joe fan when you were a kid then I don't recommed it. I would tell you to save your time for something worthwhile.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Netflicks is from the Devil!
Yes, it's been a while. Our laptop powercord died and it took a while to get a new one...and then I was just lazy. Sorry.
I LOVE movies but had refrained from enrolling in Netflicks because I feared I'd never do anything but watch movies. Well, Netflicks has made my addiction even easier. We have a Wii so not only do we get movies in the mail, we can get them through the Wii! I've watched 4 movies in the last 24 hours. Now, before you judge I would like to disclose that I am sick and I had fully planned on spring cleaning the house today but with the flu (we think) it just wasn't happening.
Yesterday I was a good girl and I took down all the Christmas decorations and cleaned out two closets (you should see my Good Will pile! It's up to my knees). After I got everything packed up and put away we decided to watch the movie that came in the mail. The Hurt Locker. I honestly don't know what to tell you about that movie. It was good, really good, but it's not for everyone. It's rated R for a reason. I don't want to tell you why it deserved it's rating (language was a big part) but it was rough. If you like war movies and can handle some blood and guts then watch it...if not then you need to pass. I thought Jeremy Renner was incredible in the movie. I will say that there is a series of books that I enjoy reading and it is about a special ops force and in the books they kill people and carry out risky missions...the books and my imigination have NOTHING on this movie. To actually watch these guys kill, complete missions and breakdown was very hard to watch but I'm glad I did. This isn't a movie for the weak but it was great.
This morning I got up feeling much worse so I flopped on the couch and made a little nest with everything I would need and settled in for a day of movies...and nothing else. The first movie I watched this morning was The Duchess with Keira Knightly. Um, OMG!! It was such an emotional movie. So, I'm a fan of smut books (they are my ultimate escape). I've read a few historial romances and in those books they mention old, wealthy lords marrying young wives for an heir. They also talk about the lords taking multiple mistresses and sleeping with maids and such. In my brain I'm sure I romanticise all the books and think they sound wonderful. Watching Keira Knightly live it all was very harsh! I loved the movie and will watch it again but if you're not a fan of period movies and harsh stories then it's not for you.
Next up was The Young Victoria...I liked it but I wouldn't recommend it. I'm a fan of Emily Blunt and Paul Bettany so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Don't waste your time. You could probably learn just as much from wikipedia and save yourself a couple of hours...
The final movie today was The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Anniston and Gerard Butler. Two thumbs way down! Gerard Butler is pretty darn hot but the movie was way too cheesy and way too predictable. Again, save yourself some time and skip this movie.
P.S. For Christmas I got 5 new books, a netflicks membership, a movie theater gift card and a few movies...I should have plenty to tell you about in 2011! And we've got a new powercord for the laptop.
I LOVE movies but had refrained from enrolling in Netflicks because I feared I'd never do anything but watch movies. Well, Netflicks has made my addiction even easier. We have a Wii so not only do we get movies in the mail, we can get them through the Wii! I've watched 4 movies in the last 24 hours. Now, before you judge I would like to disclose that I am sick and I had fully planned on spring cleaning the house today but with the flu (we think) it just wasn't happening.
Yesterday I was a good girl and I took down all the Christmas decorations and cleaned out two closets (you should see my Good Will pile! It's up to my knees). After I got everything packed up and put away we decided to watch the movie that came in the mail. The Hurt Locker. I honestly don't know what to tell you about that movie. It was good, really good, but it's not for everyone. It's rated R for a reason. I don't want to tell you why it deserved it's rating (language was a big part) but it was rough. If you like war movies and can handle some blood and guts then watch it...if not then you need to pass. I thought Jeremy Renner was incredible in the movie. I will say that there is a series of books that I enjoy reading and it is about a special ops force and in the books they kill people and carry out risky missions...the books and my imigination have NOTHING on this movie. To actually watch these guys kill, complete missions and breakdown was very hard to watch but I'm glad I did. This isn't a movie for the weak but it was great.
This morning I got up feeling much worse so I flopped on the couch and made a little nest with everything I would need and settled in for a day of movies...and nothing else. The first movie I watched this morning was The Duchess with Keira Knightly. Um, OMG!! It was such an emotional movie. So, I'm a fan of smut books (they are my ultimate escape). I've read a few historial romances and in those books they mention old, wealthy lords marrying young wives for an heir. They also talk about the lords taking multiple mistresses and sleeping with maids and such. In my brain I'm sure I romanticise all the books and think they sound wonderful. Watching Keira Knightly live it all was very harsh! I loved the movie and will watch it again but if you're not a fan of period movies and harsh stories then it's not for you.
Next up was The Young Victoria...I liked it but I wouldn't recommend it. I'm a fan of Emily Blunt and Paul Bettany so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Don't waste your time. You could probably learn just as much from wikipedia and save yourself a couple of hours...
The final movie today was The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Anniston and Gerard Butler. Two thumbs way down! Gerard Butler is pretty darn hot but the movie was way too cheesy and way too predictable. Again, save yourself some time and skip this movie.
P.S. For Christmas I got 5 new books, a netflicks membership, a movie theater gift card and a few movies...I should have plenty to tell you about in 2011! And we've got a new powercord for the laptop.
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