The Entertainer, Volume 9

Title: Ramona and Beezus

Notable Actors: John Corbett, Ginnifer Goodwin, Bridget Moynihan, Josh Duhamel

Why?: Because the books are awesome.

Three Thoughts: This movie? Adorable. A great representation of the books, even if they do lose a bit of quaintness when you move them to the present day. It is rather disturbing, though, when they cast hot actors as characters that you always viewed as being the grown-ups.

Title: Beaches

Notable Actors: Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey, and a frighteningly awesome Mayim Bialik

Why?: Because one of my work BFFs told me that if I watched this movie, I would cry, and didn't believe her when I told her that I don't cry at movies because I am dead inside.

Three Thoughts: Didn't cry. But I still really enjoyed it, and appreciate why people would. Very, very 80s and melodramatic (which is not necessarily a bad thing!). And let me just tell you how freakishly Midler-like Blossom is when she plays the young CC - freaked me out.



Title: Oryx and Crake

Author: Margaret Atwood

Why?: Because Sara Lewis told me to, and I do what she says.

Three Thoughts: Sara made me read another of Atwood's books a few years ago, and while I enjoyed it, I remember few details about it. This one is a story about society's future, in which biotechnology goes very bad and causes...well, let's call it "a bad thing", and is much more memorable - I would highly recommend it. I have the pseudo-sequel sitting at home in The Stack, waiting to be read.

Title: The Pacific

Notable Actors: A bunch of hot guys.

Why?: Because I like history. And I like lots of things that Tom Hanks produces.

Three Thoughts: This was a fantastic miniseries that told the stories of three real Marines (two of whom helped write and shape the series) who were stationed in the Pacific throughout World War Two. I love miniseries because they let the story unfold so much more intricately than a movie. I would highly recommend getting ahold of this one, and make sure you watch the historical context vignettes before each episode.

Title: The Fighter

Notable Actors: Marky Mark, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, and Christian Bale (who had better win an Oscar for this role or I swear there is no justice in this world.)

Why?: Well, I wasn't really excited about it at first; it looked too sappy. And then I started reading reviews, and they all said it was fabulous. And you all know how I feel about Christian Bale.

Three Thoughts: OMG, you guys. This is for serious one of the best movies I've seen all year. I saw it two weeks ago and I'm still talking about it. And despite what Carter says, this is not my love for Christian Bale talking, nor my love for movies set in Massachusetts. The story, while it's kind of your standard underdog sports story, is made all the more engrossing by the cinematography and the spectacular acting. It's a story about a family just as much as it is a story about a boxer's quest to win a title, and the story is heartbreaking and exciting at the same time. I have more to say, but it involves spoilers, so I'm going to stop now and just tell you to go see it. You won't regret it. (And I know that was more than three thoughts. I don't care. It's that good.)

Title: Black Swan

Notable Actors: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, that French guy from Ocean's Twelve, and the aforementioned Barbara Hershey

Why?: Reviews, again. And the fact that the stupid Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided it was a good idea to nominate ten films for Best Picture instead of five, so if I want to see them all before the Oscars, I have to start early and try to predict what'll be nominated.

Three Thoughts: OK, here's the deal with this freaky little film. There were memorable - even exceptional - parts of this one. The costuming, cinematography, and directing were exquisite, and Natalie Portman does a fantastic job. While tragic, it was an overall beautiful film; however, the more I think about it, the more I feel that it doesn't really have the plot to win the awards for which it's nominated. (Again, I have spoilers to back up that argument, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone.)

As I Rained Blows Upon Him, I Realized There Had To Be Another Way

I've posted this before, but it always bears reiterating. Happy Festivus to you all, and best of luck in the Feats of Strength!

There Was More Than One Lobster At The Birth Of Jesus?

So last night, we went to look at Christmas lights around Urbana and New Market. Very exciting - we do this every year, with the exception of last year, when it got derailed by Snowpocalypse 2009. Our main attraction is a coworker's house, which has a million of those blow-up yard decorations. Sadly, there are no pictures because it was too windy for him to have them blown up yesterday. Don't worry, we have thoroughly chastized him for this misstep.

We saw many lovely light displays - wreaths, spotlights that looked like snowflakes, pretty trees, candy cane lights, etc. However, Christmas light watching brings me to a major Grievance: when people mix religious and non-religious decorations. You know, I don't care if you have a nativity scene, or if you have Santa and Rudolph and Frosty in your yard. That's your choice, which route you want to go - I'll make fun of it if it's fugly, and enjoy it if it's not, no matter which type you choose. But for the love of God, why why why would you put up a nativity scene with Santa in it? Santa wasn't present at the birth of Jesus! Go to the store, look at the nativity scenes - no Santa! At the very least, why on earth wouldn't you want to put them in separate parts of your yard, like little individual stories, so you don't look like an idiot?

Yeah. This is totally going on the list for Festivus.

It's supposed to snow today. I wore my new fuzzy boots. I think I've jinxed the snow now so we'll get nothing.

**Disclaimer: I commend these people for being excited enough about Christmas to put decorations up at all. Lord knows my outside decorations leave much to be desired. But their lack of thinking and organization and regard for what the decorations mean? Drives me batshit.