Finally Finished It

I finally, FINALLY finished The Other Boleyn Girl. I swear I have never taken so long to read a book before. 735 pages is a lot! Plus I never have any time to read. It seems like I am always off teaching or at home applying for jobs (or doing stuff for my hall director job, but that is kinda rare lately--oops) so I never get time to read before I pass out of exhaustion each night.

But tonight, I did it. I finished it. Now I can go see the movie this weekend!

And it was an excellent book. Philippa Gregory's writing is intoxicating and I truly love the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Plus this time I learned so much more about Mary (the, er, other Boleyn sister. Right.)--I just had to keep reminding myself that not everything in this book was fact. It is a novel after all. However, it is totally based on a bunch of truth, which makes it even better. Watching The Tudors on Showtime and reading this book, though, I do find that I don't much like Anne Boleyn. I certainly don't like the Boleyn/Howard men, except maybe George. But that doesn't stop me from completely getting into the story and wanting to smack her every time she ordered her own sister to leave her children, serve her in court and call her "Majesty." Wow. That takes cajones. Overall, I totally recommend it. And you better believe I will be in line to see this movie sometime this weekend.

However...my cooperating teacher loaned me The Boleyn Inheritance, the next book Gregory wrote as a follow-up and I'm thinking it might be a while before I get to reading that. I need to take a break and start a book that won't take me a freaking month to read!

I've Made a Huge Mistake

Actually, it was no mistake at all. I'm just channeling my inner GOB.

AND I just signed a petition 14,000 signatures strong to encourage the creators of Arrested Development to make a movie!

Click here to sign the petition yourself

Buzz about the movie is all over the Internet, including the ArrestedDevelopment2009 site which encourages people to sign the petition and has a message board to talk about developments.

Also online today was TV Squad's awesome list of things that should for sure be included in the movie. Here's some highlights I completely agree with:

• Alliance of Magicians: We need to see Gob fight once again to be fully accepted by the organization he started and appear on the cover of Poof magazine. I also expect the Gothic Castle to be featured and see Tony Wonder (Ben Stiller) at least pop up in a cameo.
• Chicken dance: Isn't it about time we see Michael's version of the dance?
• Cutoffs and never nude: The issue of never nudes definitely must be addressed as it was a recurring issue on the series. It wouldn't hurt if Zach Braff shows up in the cutoffs too!
  
• Dr. Fünke's 100% Natural Good-Time Family-Band Solution: This means also at least one mention of Teamocil and one awkward, yet hilarious, performance by the band.
  
• Gobias Industries: It's time for Gob and Tobias to grow up a little and going back into business (or at least trying to and failing) may be in order.
  
• Les cousins dangereux: If the Maeby/George-Michael romance is not part of the movie, it will be a tragedy! This was one of the main storylines throughout the series; therefore, a must for the movie.
• Lucille 2
• Steve Holt!!!
• Franklin
• Cornballer

My additions:

• Buster's hook
• Anne. (Who? hahaha)
• I've made a huge mistake!
• Banana Stand
• Motherboy
  

Slate Videos

Two awesome Slate videos about the Presidential campaign (well, kinda):

1) Life Imitates The West Wing
West Wing vs. Current Election--Take two! More Obama-is-Matt-Santos comparison and this time it's a video with--bestill my heart--actual West Wing footage! I even got a short shot of Josh... sigh.




2) Hillary's Inner Tracy Flick
I always forget how awesome the movie Election is. This video reminds me of that, and hello! Tracy Flick and Hillary Clinton are so in the same situation! Why does the popular guy always swoop in and take away what the hard-working girl had been planning on... Obama is a football jock who suddenly decides he wants to run for class president when he breaks his leg! Or something like that.

Quickie Review: Vantage Point

I took a look at the reviews before I went to see this movie on Saturday. The reviewers said it was hard to follow and unrealistic. You know those two things might be true, but it was still a pretty darn good movie.

What I didn't like was the Groundhog Day meets psychological action thriller premise--I definitely could have done without the replaying of the scene 4 gajillion times, or the lady wreaking of booze next to me yelling "is somebody rewinding the movie? However, once you got past that (and, of course, the amazing coincidences throughout) it was a really fast-paced, entertaining movie that I would totally recommend!

I guess sometimes it's good to take a chance on a movie that the critics hate. Apparently a lot of people did--it was #1 at the box office this weekend! ****

Oscar Boredom

After much anticipation, to my dismay, the Oscars were...well... boring. The winners were boring, the speeches were boring, even the sentimental odes to Oscar winners of the past were boring. Worst of all, the dresses weren't even that exciting! And did the Academy forget to tell, like, half of Hollywood that the strike is over and it's okay if they went to the award show?



Plus, and it sounds horrible, but all of the acting awards went to non-Americans. I am all about foreign films and am particularly partial to British actors/actresses, but all four Europeans? Although, really, who else had I wanted to win? Cate Blanchett? She's Australian! It would have been nice to see Laura Linney or Amy Ryan win, but I get it. Europe is better than us; the Euro beats the dollar, Daniel Day-Lewis beats Johnny Depp.

Whatever. At least I had this funny parody from Saturday's SNL to entertain me while Jon Stewart just made me uncomfortable:

Sex and the City: Extended Trailer

Today the extended trailer for SATC The Movie is all over the Internet and blogosphere. Apparently it was "leaked" and people aren't supposed to have seen it yet. Well, sorry SATC, everybody's seen it and everybody's talking about it.

Now everybody includes me. I have to say I am still, obviously, super excited to see the movie. BUT (and this is a BIG BUT) why couldn't they let Miranda and Steve be happy? And no, we don't know the ending, but why couldn't they let Carrie and Big (John James Preston? A-what?) be happy? I thought the series finale of SATC was one of the best series finales ever and now I am worried about what this movie will do with my satisfaction with the gals actually being happy at the end. That said, I can't wait for more Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, cosmopolitans, Manolos and NYC Sex and the City style!

Heeeeere it is:


Click here for a play-by-play from vh1

Quickie Review: Charlie Bartlett

I must be under some sort of high school trance thanks to student teaching, cause I have been all about watching shows and movies and reading about high school. Following that trend, tonight we went to see Charlie Bartlett.

Here's Kurt Loder's review in case you haven't heard of it.

I briefly recalled seeing a trailer a while back for this movie and thinking hey that sounds like something I'd like to see, but then I forgot about it until Chad brought it up last night. Apart from the creepy teenage couple making out in front of us (what could be more high school than that, really?), this movie was hilarious and heartwarming. At first I was almost uncomfortable from how awkward this kid was, but as the movie went on he totally grew on me and I laughed out loud more than a few times. The discussion afterwards was funny--How was there not a single teacher in the school? My God, how long exactly were their passing periods? There is no way the Principal and Superintendent would ever be in such close contact, etc.-- but it didn't do anything to take away from the fact that this was a cute and clever movie. *****

My So-Called Life revisited

I've started watching My So-Called Life on DVD this week, as it's the next series in my Netflix queue. I had almost changed to Big Love or Freaks and Geeks or something else, but I figured, hey people have been talking about it, I kinda remember liking it, why not?

The verdict: I totally made the right choice. Watching this brings me back to the 90s--the weird thing is that I swear I remember watching this show in middle school, but according to Netflix, it came out in 1994. I was still in elementary school then. BUT maybe they replayed in on MTV or something, cause I have very vivid memories of talking about Jordan Catellano (yes! Jordan Catellano--gotta use both names) waiting in the lunch line at OMS.

Claire Danes is so likable as Angela, her parents are still pretty annoying (and their relationships is super weird), Riki is awesome, Rayanne is insane and Oh. My. God. Jordan Catellano is as hot as ever. I'm only just finishing up the first disc but that means I have four more amazing discs to bring me back to the days of plaid flannel, grunge music and Doc Martens.

If Only We Were Coming Out of a Jed Bartlett Presidency...

How awesome would that be?

TV Squad posted this little commentary comparing the current election to the one at the end of The West Wing series.

You know what? There are a lot of similarities! Obama is totally like Santos. Except when I was watching West Wing, I honestly kind of thought "how nice Santos won, but this has been the most far-fetched storyline of the series." Santos winning was a nice thought, but not one I really bought. And Vinick = McCain 100%.

Apparently it was more realistic than I could have ever imagined!

I don't agree with their comparison of Russell and Hillary, though. Russell was a worthless VP who did nothing in his years under Bartlett. Hillary did more as First Lady than he did as VP.

Who gets way too much entertainment and pleasure out of comparing West Wing to real life? [Raises hand] God I miss that show.

I love my job!

Warning: this post contains no mention of media whatsoever. Proceed at your own risk.

I missed yesterday because of weather and my mentor teacher was awesome enough to send me an e-mail that said that kids asked about me in every class! They wanted to make sure I hadn't quit and that I would be coming back. Awww...

I didn't totally believe her until I went back today and more than one kid said they missed me! THAT is why I am going to be a teacher. Those are high school kids--missing a dumb old student teacher! How awesome is that?

Just had to share.

BAM! It's a Good Thing.

Apparently-BAM!-everyone and their brother (including CNN) -BAM!-is reporting that Martha Stewart has purchased the rights-BAM!-to the Emeril Lagasse empire.

BAM!

Dear Martha,

Nice move with the Emeril thing!

Now, you need to buy Rachael Ray and SMASH HER with your spatula.

Please and thank you,
Me

I Swear I am NOT Hearingist

Sure hearingist may not be a word, but either way, I swear I am not one.

Here it goes: I do not like Marlee Matlin. The woman just rubs me the wrong way, and it doesn't have a thing to do with her deafness. I actually like watching her sign; in fact, I wish she'd do it more often. She seems to be showing up everywhere lately--I saw her on West Wing too many times over the summer, and now she seems to be a pretty permanent fixture on The L Word (well, we'll see about that with the Bette and Tina reunion in the making, but at least for now she is). I just wish she'd stop popping up and ruining some of my favorite shows.

And now she's gonna be on Dancing with the Stars. Not that it's one of my favorite shows, but good lord! How many shows does she need at once?

Maybe this means she's off of the L Word soon, though! I just thought of that. Maybe this is a good sign.

All I have to say is that I will NOT be tuning in to Dancing with the Stars. Even if Steve Guttenberg is on it in all his Three Men and a Little Lady glory.

[Insert Multiple Tags Here]

Eh, it may be a cop-out for a post, but I gotta fulfill my Blog365 obligation and I'm tired...

My favorites from around the Web today:

Sunday Secretsi totally do!

god isn't that the truth?

LOLcatz my initials and my feelings exactly!

Movie Posters

a few short months left to wait!

Quickie Review: Definitely, Maybe

Definitely, Maybe a cute romantic comedy. There was a lot more to this movie than I thought there would be, but I also think the preview told a little too much. The story was cute, but it was also pretty sad at times! I like these kind of movies to be feel good, not tear-up-and-sniffle! I did like that each of Ryan Reynolds' love interests was smart and independent rather than helpless and dopey like happens in far too many of these kinds of movies. Plus Ryan Reynolds was oh-so-cute--likewise for Abigail Breslin except, of course, in a very different way. Overall, cute but not the greatest movie I've seen lately. ***1/2

Quickie Review: Gone Baby Gone

This. Movie. Was. Awesome. Plain and simple.

There were so many twists and turns and apart from straining to understand the crazy Boston accent, I loved every minute of it. It was a very sad story and they used the f-word about a bajillion times, but it kept me on the edge of my seat and alert the whole time. We had a whole argument about the end after the movie was over, which is totally telling about how good the movie is. If you haven't seen it, definitely rent it ASAP. Unless you are very sensitive about kids and kidnapping, you might want to pick something a little less... troubling. *****

Exciting Movie News

New Line Cinema is making one of my favorite books into a movie!

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (one of my favorite authors--I am so glad other people appreciate her amazing books!) is coming to the silver screen sometime later this year. Here's the report on EW.com--they're saying cute little Abigail Breslin will be starring alongside Cameron Diaz and Alec Baldwin. Oh and some other girl I've never heard of.

Apparently the Fanning sisters (i.e. Dakota and Elle) bailed after Dakota was told she would have to shave her head. Lame! They would have been good and hey, they're actually sisters. Oh well I'm still super excited to see how they adapt her long, detailed book into a movie. Let's hope Cameron Diaz drops, too. Otherwise this serious book could somehow become a comedic film.

If you haven't read it, read it. Now. And pick up Nineteen Minutes and The Pact while you're at it. And Mercy. And Vanishing Acts. And reserve a copy of her new one coming out in March. Go!

A Music Post

I never write about music, but this is way too exciting to pass up:
The new Panic at the Disco CD comes out March 25!


I am a huge Panic fan and absolutely loooooooved their first CD. I am loving their first single (video below) and am totally pumped to hear the rest of the new songs. Lots of great things to look forward to: Spring Break, new Panic CD, shows returning to TV, and much more. Enjoy!

Ding, Dong, The Strike is Dead!

Yippeeeeeeeeeee! The day we've been waiting for for over 100 DAYS is finally here!
The writer's strike is officially over!

Here's the Hollywood Reporter official report and a CNN headline article about it!

I can't stop using exclamation points!

So now that the strike is over and the writers are going back to work, of course everyone is all "when are my shows going to be back?" Hello! It takes a little time to produce a TV show and even though it's Hollywood, they're not actual magic makers. I am just excited that shows are actually coming back this season. I was definitely worried I might be living in a different state, with a real job and in a different school and school year before I saw a new post-strike episode of, well, anything.

So celebrate! Quit asking questions and get pumped that in a few short weeks, we WILL have more Michael Scott and Walker Family and Liz Lemon and, heck, even more Meredith Grey! (Now I know I'm delirious...)

Affordable Art

Somebody had this on their blog today (sorry I read too many and didn't look to see who it was) and I went to check it out immediately. Affordable Art? Yes please!

Apparently the inventory is limited, but they sell art for $20, $200 or $2000 depending on the size of the print. Very cool.

Here's one I want to buy ASAP:

Quickie Review: Elizabeth The Golden Age

We finished watching Elizabeth: The Golden Age tonight. I may or may not have fallen asleep but that had absolutely nothing to do with the movie and much more to do with the fact that I am totally exhausted from a long day of teaching. Bottom line: Cate Blanchett is amazing as "the Virgin Queen" and I am basically obsessed with the Tudor family and that era (i.e. The Other Boleyn Girl, The Tudors on Showtime, Shakespeare, etc. etc.). The costumes were amazing, the scene with the Spanish Armada had great special effects and I only wish I had as many cool wigs as Her Majesty. Check it out, especially if you liked the first one at all. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a movie about a powerful woman in history? ****

Catch-Up: Lost

What's the best thing to do when you don't feel too great and end up just laying around in bed all morning? Catch up on TV you missed during the week, of course!

For me, that meant Lost. I actually missed two weeks in a row (I keep forgetting it's on since it's on Thursdays now--my brain refuses to register that fact) so I had two new episodes to watch. I also started off my marathon with the recap episode that ABC played before the Season 4 premiere. That was basically 45 minutes of my life I'll never get back, but at least it got me in the Lost mood.
Then... the premiere! There had been a lot of hype about this premiere and, well, yeah it was pretty good but I thought the second episode was SO MUCH better. Amazing even. We were actually asking questions and getting answers. In the same episode! Wait--what? I know! So un-Lost-like but I loved it. Instant. Gratification. And it's not like they answered every question you had, there's still reason to keep watching, but it doesn't seem to be as frustrating as it once was. The only way I got through it before was watching it on DVD and being able to watch the episodes one right after another. This waiting a whole week between episodes kinda kills the suspense.

Anyway... other thoughts: Is it me or did they spend 75% of those first two episodes running through the jungle? I don't remember so much running or jungle in the past--it must be a Season 4 thing. And these new people? Not sure about them. Ben is still creepy as ever, John Locke makes no sense, and even though he's dead, Charlie still managed to make an appearance or two. Oh! I almost forgot the best part-- "Flash-forwards" to when the survivors are off the island? A-may-zing! I guess they bring up more questions rather than answering questions like the flashbacks did sometimes, but I love 'em.

My opinion: so far, so good, Lost. Keep it up and pllllllease don't make these new visitors to the island as boring as The Others turned out to be. Good thing Ben graduated from Drake or I might not have made it through that disaster of a plot line.

Is it Thursday yet?!

Sunday Secrets

Here are my favorites from today's Post Secret Sunday Secrets (love edition):


There's also a really cool love Post Secret video on YouTube now, in honor of Valentine's Day. Hate the holiday, love the video.

REALLY KANSAS?!?

Huckabee Wins Kansas
REALLY?!

Wow. The two states I live in are prrrrrretty dumb.

The Return of Rachel McAdams

I was just wondering the other day when I was reading some post about The Notebook whatever happened to Rachel McAdams. I really like her in movies and haven't seen her for a while.

Then, today, I found this trailer online! Rachel McAdams + Chris Cooper (creepy but awesome) + Patricia Clarkson (great actress) + Pierce Brosnan (hello! Bond!) = looks super good. I think it said this comes out on March 7. I will definitely be seeing it!

Lipstick Jungle: The Verdict

I have fond memories of both reading Lipstick Jungle and listening to the audio book on the long drive to OPE with two of my best friends a couple years ago. So, needless to say, I was looking forward to the premiere tonight of the NBC drama based on Candace Bushnell's book.

The verdict? I was pretty underwhelmed.

Seriously, who ever thought Brooke Shields could act? It's almost funny how much she overacts and how awkward her scenes were, especially the ones on the phone. The girl who was on 90210 isn't too good either to be perfectly honest. One fun thing: I was super excited to see Andrew McCarthy resurrected from his 80s teen movie fame--he looks pretty good!

Despite not-so-great acting and a sort of cliche premise, I will probably watch again next week. Why? Because the teaser for the next episode made me remember that the book also started out a little slow and then got really good. So I'll give it a good chance.

I'm still not sure how a 200-some-odd-page book can make an entire TV series, though...

SNOW DAY!

Today the school district I am student teaching in canceled classes due to snow, but Drake didn't, so I got to sit around by myself all day. Naturally, I decided to catch up on my Netflix!

First I watched Feast of Love. I was really looking forward to seeing this indie flick but it was kind of a let down. And there were WAY too many boob shots for really no reason at all. It wasn't horrible but I wasn't sad when it was over.

Then I watched Jane Austen Book Club and hello! Total 360 from the first movie. I loved every minute of it, especially since I also love Jane Austen's work. The cast is fantastic (except why does poor Amy Brenneman always have to play a woman who is a total mess thanks to a man?!) and yeah maybe it's a chick flick, but, as the movie proves, men can totally enjoy it too.

Last I started watching The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Long title, and long movie! Haven't finished it yet but so far, so good. Brad Pitt is dirty yet good looking as Jesse James and I'm thinking Casey Affleck totally deserves the Oscar nod he received for playing the creepy Robert Ford. More to come when I finish it.

Yay for snow days and lots of movie watching fun!

Ode to Super Tuesday

I have been reading blogs since I got done teaching today and I have seen a huge variety of opinions and commentary.

I guess I have been trying to figure out why I am such a Hillary fan when so many people don't like her and/or LOVE Obama. Then I found this beautiful picture AND beautiful speech on PerezHilton.com and it totally reaffirmed my support for her. Several of my best friends are gay and I just don't think Obama (even though he is dubbed "super liberal") would support them the way Hillary has and does.

And maybe Hillary isn't the ideal candidate. But I found this post on the She Just Walks Around With It blog and it pretty much sums it up for me:

"I did not believe I would ever get to vote for a woman for President in my lifetime. I do not know that I will ever get the chance again."

And THAT is why I am voting for Hillary Clinton.

As Seen on TV

Our funny friends over on the Have A Happy Fun Time blog unleashed this list recently.
It's The Top 25 Things that Only Happen in the Movies [and on TV] and it made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Here are my favorites from the list:

1. It is always possible to find a parking spot directly outside or opposite the building you are visiting.
3. Television news bulletins usually contain a story that affects you personally at the precise moment it's aired.
6. If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.
7. All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red digital displays so you know exactly when they are going to explode.
9. Once applied, lipstick will never rub off. Even while scuba diving.
11. Detectives can only solve a case after they have been suspended from duty.
17. If you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts, your opponents will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around you in a threatening manner until you have defeated their predecessor.
20. All single women have a cat.
21. Cars will explode instantly when struck by a single bullet.
23. If being chased through a city you can usually take cover in a passing St Patrick's Day parade - at any time of the year.
25. You will survive any battle in any war UNLESS you show someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.

I'd also have to add:
-Your life crises get resolved in forty-five minutes or less (maybe an hour and a half if you're lucky enough for a "To Be Continued" episode)
-Ugly duckling high school girls ALWAYS turn out to be beautiful swans with a mere at-home makeover by her friends
-Sentimental moments are easy to identify by the cheesy elevator music that serenades you during them
-Drunk karaoke is ALWAYS a good idea when you're broken-hearted

...and lots more. Any others you can think of?

Holy High School Batman!

I'm browsing through Facebook today and I come upon an event called "Premier: High School Confidential." I've read the book and thought maybe they made a movie about it.

WRONG!

Much to my dismay and horror, High School Confidential is a new documentary series on the WE channel chronicling the lives of a bunch of girls through their high school careers...

AT MY HIGH SCHOOL.

Oh. My. God.

Now I know what the poor people at Laguna Beach High (or whatever its name is) feel like. Okay maybe not, but really? My high school in boring old Overland Park, Kan.?

I thought maybe the Facebook deal was wrong that it was really my high school that was featured, but I spent like an hour--yeah, way too much time--watching all the little preview videos they have online for it and seriously? It. Is. My. School. I thought it might be neat but it is horrifying. Just horrifying.

Despite that fact, I will be watching March 10. And freaking out. Probably not in a good way. This is crazy!

Light at the end of the tunnel?

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting (go figure) a breakthrough for the Writer's Strike!

Here's the report.

They're saying the strike could be over by the end of the week and that the [Academy Awards] show may go on!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!*

*I apologize for the multitude of exclamation points!**
**There I go again.

Lots O' Fun

I just got around to watching last week's L Word--right in time for a new episode tonight, I know--and it was a fun episode! Several bloggers said it was serious again but I totally disagree. The stuff with Tasha and Alice is very serious (and what was with her pulling out her cell phone? Dumb!) but other than that, it was pretty funny. Jenny is just plain insane but it does make things interesting. And Bette and Tina! Finally! Get rid of Jodi, SERIOUSLY.

Also fun: THIS which is, I have to say, also the best news I heard all day. I believe I have mentioned rumors about an Arrested Development movie before, but this seems to be pretty serious. I can't wait! Let's end this writer's strike so we can all get more Bluth family fun!

Last fun thing: The Other Boelyn Girl. I am only like halfway through but it's hard to put it down to be productive and do things I have to do this weekend. Why is the weekend only two days? I need an entire day for reading and that just doesn't fit in most of the time, darn it. Mayb during the Super Bowl I can read in between commercials...

Charlie Bit Me!

Watch and laugh...

This original is hilarious:



And this "remix" is even more hilarious: