Movie Review: Prince of Persia

I don't have a lot to say about this movie, except that it was GREAT. Loved Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton together. Their flirtation drove me crazy in a good way. Alfred Molina was hysterical, as were the ostriches which I couldn't stop laughing about. This was just a normal Jerry Bruckheimer action movie, and I'm not ashamed to say I shamelessly enjoyed every moment! It's fraught with charm, sexual tension, great hair, action, and biceps. Definitely a light-hearted summer movie to get us started this season.

Kevin: I liked it a lot, but something was missing to make it really stand out I felt. Still, had a lot of fun, but if we're to compare it to other similar films, I'd say it's missing a Jack Sparrow, if that makes sense.
Audree: Haha no. Jake and his biceps were enough for me.
Kevin: Lolz yeah that dude got buff as hell.
Audree: True dat.

Since that's all my review contains, here is a delicious picspam to celebrate the film. Enjoy, woot!

Movie Review: Sex and the City 2

If you read my earlier Sex and the City entry, then you know how a felt about this movie going in: terrified. So I tried to get to a place in my head where I could go into the theater to see this movie with no pre-concieved notions. Going in, I had no expectations and really just figured I was going to be disappointed and because of that, the movie didn't seem as bad as it would have, had I seen it the week before.

With that being said, there were parts of it that I absolutely LOVED and HATED. So I'll just go through all my impressions of the movie to try and create a balanced review. Let's start with the bad things so we can end on all the things I liked.

Firstly, of course, this movie really only exists as an excuse to show flashy cars, flashy places, and flashy fashion. There really was NO substance to it at all, but if anyone walked into this movie expecting depth, I feel that they may have been a little crazy. So I wasn't really disappointed by this fact, but it was kind of shameless. It was over-indulgent and more unrealistic than the entire rest of the series combined. An all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi, with an over-the-top hotel suit, and each of them get their own car? Ok... and why, exactly? There really isn't a rhyme or reason, they just are apparently the luckiest women on Earth. I mean of course the writers made up a reason. They use Smith's cameo as a plot device to get Samantha the hook up in the Middle East, and then we never see him again.

Going along with the problem of having no depth, the movie was EXTRA campy (or cheesy for those of you who haven't ever heard that word before, hah). It was like it was a parody of Sex and the City at some points, rather than the actual Sex and the City. The dumbest moment for me was at the end when the Abu Dhabi ladies take off their shrouds and are wearing completely ridiculous designer clothes underneath. It was just an "Are you kidding me?" moment. When the girls got up to sing Karaoke, I got excited, but then they sang "I am Woman" and it was really anti-climactic and a little awkward. Yes these characters are strong female figures, but by standing up and singing that song, it was honestly as though they were standing up there, pointing at themselves, and saying, "Hey! We're iconic, strong women! And it's clever that we're singing this song! GET IT!" And as cute as the gay wedding at the beginning was, it was even a little much. But still beautiful, haha. Also, they kept rehashing things we already know as a devoted audience of this show. For example: "We're soul-mates!" Yes, we know... and so do you guys. Why are we re-doing this? Is there nothing new to talk about? Then why are we watching this movie again?

Now for the stuff that really irritated me. I don't know about you guys, but I am sick and tired of Carrie acting like a spoiled little brat when she's actually a 45 year old married woman. Ok, we get it. You like to go out on the town, but you can stay home with your 50+ year old husband a few nights a week without throwing a tantrum or having a crisis about your relationship. What I hate about this movie is it did just what I did NOT want it to do: it showed us that no matter how old or how many mistakes Carrie makes, she is still a freaking idiot. And even when her friends tell her what she should do and what she, herself, knows is the right thing to do, she blows them off and just acts like a petulant child. It's unreal. And I don't want to remember Carrie in that way.

Speaking of ways you don't want to remember your favorite characters: remember when I said this movie was random and unrealistic? Also, remember how Aiden Shaw was a co-owner of a bar/a furniture designer? Well now he's so big in the furniture business he has international buyers/partners which is why he's MAGICALLY in Abu Dhabi at the very same time, near the very same shoe salesman as Carrie. WOW, small world. OR... just terrible plot device. Yes, Aiden has been reduced to a device to perpetuate the series and cause the main conflict in this movie, and for NO OTHER REASON. He's there, they meet for dinner, they kiss, they regret it, and then you NEVER see him again. That's the last time we'll EVER see Aiden in the entire series... and I did not appreciate it. At least they didn't sleep together... but STILL. I was irritated.

Although I obviously had issues with the movie, there some parts that I did enjoy. Firstly, I squeed out loud when the credits began and they started panning across NYC. GORGEOUS. I can never get enough of that. I may have actually liked the movie more if it had been set in NYC, or if we at least saw more of it. Also, even though it was completely over the top, the fashion made my mouth water! I love most everything they were wearing the entire time, except a few things Carrie put on her head, and one or two of Miranda's. Charlotte looked GORGEOUS the entire movie. I could not BELIEVE how beautiful she was in almost every frame. She's aged the best out of all of them, I'd have to say.

I really freaked when Smith appeared on the screen. He is by far my favorite boyfriend that any of them have ever had! I wasn't expecting him to be in the movie, and so it was a fun surprise. I also loved when Samantha wore the same dress on the red carpet as Miley Cyrus. It was a cute thing for them to do, to poke fun at how young she dresses even though she's in her 50s.

As for the characters, not all of them acted retarded like Carrie. Watching Miranda acting laid back and happy was actually really refreshing and I enjoyed it. I loved the way they showed her and Steve at the beginning in order to reassure us that they were still in love and working together. Also, it was SO GREAT to see Charlotte with everything that she ever wanted, and yet having a horrible time managing it all. I know that sounds awful, but it was just a perfect extension to her story. And I love that Miranda is the one that can comfort her on this. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Charlotte and Miranda are talking about all the things they can never say out loud and taking sips of their drinks. It's great. Samantha was also HILARIOUS and perfectly herself. I loved seeing her try to deal with menopause and being older but still keep the attitude and style that she's always had. She's GREAT. And the scene at the end where she shouts "I have sex!" at all the men was hilarious!

The one good thing in this movie that you may be able to argue has a bit of substance is that it shows a "happily ever after" is still work. Carrie got her man and is finally where she has always wanted to be, but there are still struggles, confusion, and hardships. Charlotte had a fairy tale ending, and yet this movie showed us that once you get what you always thought you wanted, it may not be exactly what you expected, and that's ok. You just have to work through it and do the best you can because in the end it will be worth it. And that point is furthered by seeing how happy Steve and Miranda are now, after their struggles in the 1st movie.

Overall, this movie was unnecessary. It should not exist, but since it does I can handle it, at least. It's not the worst movie ever, and hopefully it will be easy to pretend the 1st movie was the real ending and that this was just a random TV special or something. I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would, I actually enjoyed a lot of it, but I would be just fine had it never been made.

Movie Review: Sylvia

I've recently gotten obsessed with adding bio-pics and documentaries to my queue on Netflix. Tonight I watched the first of many on the list, Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow.


This movie chronicles part of the life of the poet, Sylvia Plath, and her turbulent love affair with fellow poet Ted Hughes. I thought it was not bad. Good movie, and especially great performances from Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig.

My biggest problem with this movie was I thought it should have shown much more of her early life to give a true depiction of her life. Unfortunately, they start the story at the very moment she falls in love with Hughes and from then on it looks like everything she does has to do with him. It seemed that Hugh was the only influence over Plath's poetry and writing when in reality there was much more to it. Also, they made her out to be both needy and insecure. It may have been better if they had also shown how strong and sassy Plath was. How playful she was about suicide and not necessarily always so desperate and distraught.

I wanted there to be more of her poetry, too. They quoted other poets almost as much as they quoted her. I was also disappointed not to see Anne Sexton as a character in the film, but that was just a personal hope. I guess I'd need a documentary to get all the little tidbits I was hoping for. Haha!

I know I sound really critical, but I really did enjoy the movie. It's hard to reduce someone's entire legacy to a 2 hour film, and this movie did just fine. One thing especially that I was impressed by was how close the main actors looked like the actual people. They did a great job casting!

Overall, I really liked this movie. I thought that some of it wasn't completely accurate, but it made for a great movie. Gwyneth Paltrow was wonderful and so was Daniel Craig.

Ben's Article

My cousin just recently graduated summa cum laude from Texas State University. He and I are very close but he keeps to himself about some things, usually things that will draw attention to himself. Because of this, I only just found out what a rockstar he is considered to be in the Texas State English department.

Ben wrote a paper that was very impactful about Lou Gehrig and his mother, who died of the disease for which he's named. Ben has since presented the paper at a Florida conference (receiving a standing ovation) and is about to travel to New York this weekend to present it at the Baseball Hall of Fame. It's a wonderful article and story and I think everyone should check it out. If he won't pat himself on the back, I'll do it for him.

Click here to read about Ben Sullivan: Texas State Rising Star.

I don't mean to sound like an uber-sap, but Ben is one of the best people that I've ever known in my life. I've always felt beyond blessed to have him in my life, and he continues to shock and inspire me with his depth and unique perspective on life. I wish everyone would get an opportunity to know someone like Ben, but at least take a look at the article and maybe get a little glimpse of what makes him so special. :)

Movie Review: Paranormal Activity

I purposefully did not see this movie in theaters because I KNEW it would scare the crap out of me. So here, I have finally gotten around to seeing it and have made a hasty review of it. (Thinking back on it for too long may make me scared again...) SPOILERS!


I was very much frightened out of my pants most of the time. The ending was really powerful. I didn't feel like it was contrived. The story and how it was presented, seemed to me, to be really organic. I kind of wanted Micah to get punched in the face most of the time, but it was a really great movie. There were parts where I wasn't sure if I bought into it (such as when the Ouiji board caught on fire), but I was still freaked out even in my doubt. Demon stories are always the ones that truly freak me out the most. I will now have trouble sleeping for a good week or two.

The story is basically about this poor girl who has had trouble with encounters periodically throughout her entire life. When it starts happening again, Katie's boyfriend, Micah, thinks it would be cool to film the activity with his new camera and use some equipment to get audio, etc. Even after things get really bad, and Katie is begging him to stop with the camera, Micah gets a Ouiji board against her wishes, and screws everything up even worse. Then of course the two fight, the negative energy exacerbates the demon situation, which ultimately makes their arguing worse... and so on and so forth. A vicious cycle emerges. It makes the movie really interesting because you can see things that they don't realize is perpetuating the problem.

I felt badly for Katie because she was the one with the demon, the nightmares, all the fears, but it was because of Micah and his obsession to get something good on film that spurred the happenings on. Even after she begged repeatedly to stop luring the thing in by recording it and yelling at it (Micah was stupid), he still chased after it and tried to connect with it. It wasn't until the picture was broken over his face that he was truly freaked out. While it was hurting and upsetting Katie, he didn't take it seriously. But as soon as he feels personally threatened, it suddenly gets real. He was a selfish douchebag.


Overall GREAT! Believable characters, well-told story, and I didn't get sick from the camera work even though it was supposed to be a home video.

PS. One thing that kept me from being completely inconsolably scared was when they found the demon's foot prints in the powder and it had three toes, I laughed because I imagined an ostrich was the demon. And then the next scene after that is Micah laying down over Katie to comfort her and I pictured the ostrich laying his wing over both of them and I laughed out loud again. From then on when I got super scared , I'd just imagine it was an ostrich and it would be a little bit ok.

Sex and the Sequel: Excited or Scared?

With the Sex and the City sequel coming out within the next 2 weeks, it's only natural for me to follow EW's lead and write up an entry about it! In the last month I have re-watched the entire series and the first movie to get ready for seeing the new movie. As always, it ended with me crying into my iPhone as I update my status to say "I wish I lived in NYC like Carrie!" There are so many reason why I think Sex and the City reaches out to so many women, but I've broken them down into 3 categories so they'll be easier for me to talk about.

First thing is the fashion! I know this is like a broken record to say, but Carrie Bradshaw is certainly a fashion icon. So many women watch her and secretly think "I wish I could pull that off!" Now, I will admit that many times during the TV series I would cock my head to the side and go "WTF is she wearing?" But there were just as many times I wanted to steal her outfit as there were times I couldn't actually understand what Carrie was wearing.

With the flashy colors, amazing shoes, over-sized bling, and dramatic and intersting hair styles, it's not hard to understand why women would be attracted to it. Not only is it fun to see but sometimes it's a free tutorials for some ladies on how to accessorize or be more bold in their own unique style. With that being said, here are Carrie's 5 most awesome outfits from the series and 5 most WTF outfits, according to me.

FIRST, The Worst!


I'm not sure what our gal was thinking in ANY of these, and some are worse than others... but ALL of these are pretty outrageous. I don't know why she just HAS to put some kind of weird wrap on her head some times. Other times... I just can't stand that fur coat and her crazy bun ...or a bare mid-drift with a belt (wtf?). Those gold boots are my least favorite thing she has ever donned, even including that first picture with all the weird tie-dye colors. It's ok Carrie, I love you anyways.

NEXT, The Best!



Now these are all my personal favorite, even though Carrie has worn many more amazing outfits on the show. Most of these speak for themselves, but I have to comment on that newspaper dress. I think a lot of people didn't like that one, but I just LOVE it. I think it's just the way Sarah Jessica Parker wears it, it just hugs her perfectly. So memorable! That first one doesn't really seem to stand out, but I LOVE the way it fits her, like I do the newspaper dress. Every time I watch the episode where she's hailing a cab in that, I just love the physicality and the way it moves on her. Of course, any outfit in season 6 is amazing, but also, that suit she wears to Vogue is HOT as hell, too!

The next category of why this show reaches out to so many women is it allows us to live vicariously through the NYC gals. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching the show and have teared up just because their lives are so amazing. I know, I know! There is no way that real women can live the lifestyles the same way these 4 women do, ESPECIALLY in New York City... but it doesn't matter! It's the amazing power and control each woman has over her life, the interesting activities the women do in their spare time, how smart each is within their own field, and how fabulous everything is around them because it's New York. Even if it's not a woman who really cares about the big city and shopping all the time, etc, etc... I bet they can still find an episode of this show where they say, "Yeah... that would be pretty cool."

We get to live the life of a sexy NYC socialite without leaving our living rooms. We get to explore our sexuality and boundaries through learning from THEIR mistakes instead of making our own. We get to party in NYC and get into the exclusive parties because Carrie takes us in with her press pass. It's the little piece of NYC that I can turn on whenever I want to tie me over until the next time I can afford a ticket that actually takes me out there.

The last and most important part is that it's SO relatable. When it all comes down to it, a show cannot last 6 years+ and have a huge following if there isn't more to it than just pretty colors and sexy parties. Not only does this show get you attached to the characters, but most every woman I know who watches the show can see themselves within one of the main ladies, if not in all of them. I think there is a little Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, and Carrie in all of us, even if we favor one. I, myself, am very much like Miranda. If you talk to a few of my friends, I think that they would agree. Haha!

I think every single group of girl friends who watches this show is able to say which of them is what character. "Oh I think I'm mostly like Charlotte," "No way, you're Carrie!" "Well, you're a Samantha," "She's right, you're SO Samantha!" These ladies have become categories to describe different types of women! They are iconic because they are so human.

And beyond all the SatC-ideology, the show makes you really love these girls with all their flaws. They struggle through life making mistake after mistake, just like you, and you love them for it. There are moments within the series that make me cry every single time, without fail, and it's not because of their outfit or the fact that they just left an unbelievable shoe store with a new pair in their hands. It always has to do with the characters' struggles or experiences and how I can relate or understand what they are going through.

The Sequel: Excited or Scared?

And now to talk about the 2nd coming of Sex and the City, the movie sequel. Many might ask if it is really necessary, and honestly, that a legitimate question. It's a question I have been asking myself lately. Can we ever have too many beautiful outfits and exciting experiences in NYC? Probably not. But could we ruin the beautiful story that's already been put in place up to this point? I think the answer is an ever resounding YES.

I'm excited about this movie, and DUH I'm going to go see it when it comes out, more than likely at midnight, BUT... I have some very real fears about it. After the teaser trailer I was ecstatic, but seeing the full-length trailer has made me double back. Here is what I'm worried about.

Carrie has fought for over a decade to get with Big and finally settle down. She's made some pretty ridiculous mistakes over and over again. She has struggled through some of the worst stuff I've ever witnessed in a relationship to get to where her and Big are now. She's in her mid-40s. It's time for Carrie to be a mature and responsible wife and take a nice sigh of relief that they are FINALLY happily married, are in love, continuing their own careers, and living together in a great place. INSTEAD... what does the trailer show us? Carrie is BORED. And who does she run into half way across the world? AIDEN. Alluding to an affair... or Carrie messing around on Big.... WHAT?

WHY does the main focus of this movie have to be Carrie's relationship AGAIN. It's already been done for every single season of this series, and the last movie where it was FINALLY TIED UP. Are they REALLY going to UNTIE it and try to fray the ends? Can we not move on to something ELSE and show us that Carrie CAN learn from her mistakes and CAN be happy instead of getting bored with life without drama. DOES. NOT. WANT.

Something I NEVER want them to do is turn Aiden in to a douche bag who would be with a married woman. Carrie may have done that to him, but there is no way I can believe that Aiden would be ok with doing it back to Big. If they assassinate his character like that just for a new twist for a new movie, I will be VERY upset. It doesn't feel organic as though the story would continue this way naturally. It feels like they are fishing for more drama in order to perpetuate this series, regardless of how well the other movie summed the story up. There is no reason to have a sequel if all they are going to do is ruin things.

With all that being said, I am going to go into the movie with an open mind. The other story lines will be very fun to watch, and hopefully, Carrie's storyline is not going to go the route the trailers seem to show it going. Hopefully they are just trying to scare us and actually have something better planned. And if it does go that way, at least I am prepared.

If any of you guys have a different opinion of what you think the movie is or just a comment about something I said, please feel free to voice it! Comments welcome! I would love to hear.

Movie Review: Iron Man 2

It will probably be no surprise to anyone that I ABSOLUTELY loved everything about Iron Man 2. So as to not sound redundant I guess I'll say that it was SO FREAKING AWESOME AND FUN just this one time, and then I'll go into it a bit deeper from here. More than likely, spoilers will be present below.

Firstly I have to talk about my biggest squee, which was definitely the fact that Robert Downey Jr. was greatness in this role. I am SO THANKFUL that he was cast as Iron Man in the first one and that it helped to bring RDJ back. He is one of those actors who is completely cool without even trying. He makes wit and charisma look easy and it's irresistable. Tony Stark has to be the kind of character that is a complete ass, but at the same time can charm the pants right off of you. He has to make you think "Hmf, I should hate him for being such a prick... but I just CAN'T!" In this way, Robert Downey Jr is the perfect Tony Stark.


Another casting triumph for me was Whiplash. I personally just adore Mickey Rourke far beyond normal explanation, but he also did a really great job in the role. He was intimidating and powerful, and I thought the accent was pretty great. And his LOOK! The hair with the white streaks, and even the white patch in his beard... the gold teeth, the tattoos. And I LOVE that he always had a tooth-pick in his mouth, even when he was trying to destroy and blow stuff up. The only thing I wish was that he had punched Sam Rockwell's character, Hammer, in the face. Could he have BEEN more sniveling and pathetic? Vanko could have snapped him like a twig, but he never did. And I REALLY wanted that to happen, hah!

Of course the chemistry between Tony and Pepper was ever-present and continued to tease us throughout the film, but THANKFULLY the tension paid off at the end. Our two stubborn love birds finally locked lips on top of a building at the end after Tony clad in his Iron Man suite saved Pepper from an explosion. If you can't kiss the man after that, when can you? And of course the kiss was characteristically fraught with witty banter and arguing between the two, which made it that much cuter. When this moment finally happened, I physcially and audibly sighed. I was SO READY for it, and honestly, wished there had been more!


Pepper Potts is such an awesome character. I love how strong she is and her ability to keep up with someone like Tony Stark . She's not a super hero and she doesn't know how to fight in hand to hand combat, but she is smart and confident and powerful in her own way.

As for the movie itself, it was so much fun! I could sit and watch Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark for hours because he's just so witty and funny while being a badass at the same time. I liked watching Stark try and come to terms with who he is, what he wants to do with his technology and his legacy, and how to handle his feelings for Pepper. And the harmony between RDJ and John Favreau onscreen was hilarious. I love that Favreau allows himself some screen time. The pacing was very different from the first movie, and in my opinion, it was an improvement. The only thing I thought was surprising was the final battle. It was pretty fast compared to first movie, and because of the build up to it, it kind of felt as though it was a bit too easy. But that's not really even a bad thing. In fact, I may change my mind about the final battle with Whiplash after the next time I see it (as a plan to see it a few more times for sure).

Overall IM2 = Epic WIN. But was there ever any question that I would feel this way? HAH!

And now, with my review complete, I'll leave you with some of my favorite quotes from the quotes from the movie (basically in order best I could organize)! Those of you who have seen it will certainly recognize them, and if you have any that you loved that I left out, feel free to add yours in the comments!

------------------------------------------
Jarvis: "I must say, sir, it's nice to see you in a video with your clothes on for a change."

Heckler: "BLOW SOMETHING UP!"
Tony: "Blow something up?? I already did that."

Tony: "I serve the American people at the pleasure of ... myself. And one thing you can always count on me to do is pleasure myself."

Tony: "Don't say wind farm. I'm already feeling gassy"

Pepper: "Did you just make that?"
Tony: "Yeah. Where do you think I've been for the last three hours?"

Tony: "Hey DJ, give me a fat beat to kick my buddy's ass to!"

Hammer: "If it were any smarter, it'd write a book that would make Ulysses look like it was written in crayon. And it would read it to you.."

Nick Fury: "Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to exit the doughnut!"

Tony: "I'm sorry. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Do I look at the patch or the eye?"

Tony: "I told you I don't want to join your super secret boyband."

Nick Fury: "He took it? You're Iron Man and he just took it?! The little brotha walked in there, kick ya ass and took yo suit!"

Pepper: "I need you..."
Tony : "I need you too! That's what I'm trying to say..."
Pepper : "...to leave now"

Tony: "That tasted like coconut and metal."

Pepper: "You're dying?! Why didn't you tell me?!"
Tony: "I was going to make you an omelet and tell you...! WE COULD BE IN VENICE RIGHT NOW."

Rhodey: "You two look like seals fighting over a grape."

Rhodey: "Get a roof."

Tony: "'Mr. Stark displays compulsive behaviour.' In my own defense that was last week. 'Prone to self-destructive tendencies.' I was DYING. I mean please. And aren't we all? 'Textbook narcism ?' ... Agreed."

IM2 Advance Screening Experience!

No not, mine... I wish. But my friend who lives in Austin, TX got to see Iron Man last week at an advanced fan screening and MET Robert Downey Jr!

Here is his entry all about it.

I've decided to post it today in honor of the release of the movie and the fact that I am seeing it tonight, finally! My review to come, and Kevin's to come too! Follow us both to see what we think. :)