tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36546187986606919992024-02-08T14:51:16.246-06:00Fabulous 35mm-"Does this make my film look fat?"elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-88067067401849047932014-01-16T08:18:00.000-06:002014-01-16T08:18:48.630-06:00Oscar 2014 Nominee Announcement ReactionsSince I ALWAYS do this, I'll go ahead and do it again! Even though I literally only wrote 2 blog posts last year (one of them was Oscar nom reactions so....)<br />
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<ul>
<li>9 Best Picture nominees this year. I've seen 3. And I bet it'll stay that way.</li>
<li>OH LEO AND CHRISTIAN THO IN A LEADING ROLE THO AGAINST EACH OTHER THO MY 2 FAVORITES THO.</li>
<li>Guys... GUYS.... gUyS ... how am I going to feel about the Oscars this year if Leo and Bale are both there and like... .... ... WHO DO I CHOOSE? </li>
<li>Leo. I choose Leo. I want him to FINALLY WIN ONE..</li>
<li>BUt...</li>
<li>I want Bale to get one for Lead so... sdlkfj;alsdjkfa;lkds</li>
<li>i</li>
<li>dont</li>
<li>knoooowww</li>
<li><b>This is such a great problem to have yay!</b></li>
<li>Not a lot of surprises in best actress. I think I want Sandra to win but Meryl is nominated so she'll probably win again SNORE</li>
<li>HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH supporting actor is kind of filled with people I just don't care about ... I just DO NOT want Jared Leto to win because he'll become an even worse delusional jackass. </li>
<li>I haven't seen 12 Years a Slave, but I want Lupita to win the Oscar. And NOt Julia Roberts. </li>
<li>FROZEN FROZEN FROZEN oh and Miyazki! YAY (No one was surprised by either of those)</li>
<li>Gravity will probably get cinematography??? right???</li>
<li>Awe look at that GATSBY got a costume nom. </li>
<li>THERE'S NO QUESTION WHY WOLF DIDN'T GET AN EDITING NOM. AMIRITE?!??!</li>
<li>"LET IT GO" FROM FROZEN IS NOMINATED (as everyone knew it would be) so does this mean Idina will sing at the ceremony bc REALLY WHAT GOOD IS A SONG CATEGORY IF THEY DON'T SING???</li>
<li>Oh Gatsby has 1 more Oscar nom than The Lone Ranger </li>
<li>The writing categories and just all the best picture nominees sorted by adapted and original screen play. </li>
<li>AND THAT'S ALL. I hardly care at all but I'm excited. </li>
<li>:)</li>
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elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-73364596558259010712013-07-31T19:55:00.001-05:002013-07-31T19:55:35.608-05:00Frustrations of a Female Viewer<div style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
I've been frustrated for about a day after a conversation I had with a gal friend at lunch yesterday. </div>
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The topic stemmed from the idea that some men aren't interested in watching a show that stars mostly women (such as "Girls" or "Orange is the New Black") because they couldn't relate to the female characters. The conversation included us talking about how the male viewers must not feel represented and therefore find it hard to find a reason to be interested in it. Then we discussed the last time either of us had felt actually "represented" -or could relate to someone- in a movie or show we liked. Both of us came up with examples that were male characters. When I pointed this out, my friend said "Yeah, but it's because we have no choice."</div>
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While I knew this was already true before hand, it made me that much more frustrated. Women don't get the luxury of having so many mainstream-audience movies, <span style="line-height: 1.4;">where we are represented and/or well written and powerful, that we can just shrug new ones off. In fact, when one or two are finally made, we throw a freaking party because it's so rare. Nearly every movie or show on TV that's for a mainstream audience (meaning not a special interest group like "just women," "just men," but for ALL people) stars mostly men, and if we get a lady in there somewhere, we should be happy about them throwing us a bone. </span></div>
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We are expected, as women, to be ok with most main characters being male. We are expected, as women, to relate to these male characters with no question. But ask a man to do the same for a female character? Forget it. There are so many other choices out there for a man to watch where guys, just like him, do cool stuff. Why would he want to see a show of all women he has never had to try to relate to? He might have to step outside of himself and see a female perspective YET learn he can STILL relate to these characters, but when you don't HAVE to do that... Why go to the trouble?</div>
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How about because we ladies do it all the time, because we have to. And men who refuse to step outside of their comfort zones in this way are the reason why more awesome female driven shows don't exist. And what's really upsetting there is most guys who are like this don't care that those shows aren't getting made bc it doesn't affect them. So the power to see this situation change is in the hands of the people who don't care if it ever does. This is why I am so frustrated. </div>
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I am not claiming to be uncovering something new here. It's something tons of people already have written much more eloquent pieces about. This is just my personal frustration right now.</div>
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I am not saying male characters are bad and I can't relate to them. Quite the opposite! But female characters can be just as relatable and great for both genders, too, if given the chance, but they hardly ever are. </div>
elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-2222537785412286492013-01-10T10:32:00.000-06:002013-01-10T11:02:07.232-06:002013 Oscar Noms: Reactions of a FangirlTime for some caps lock, guys, and you know they're coming. <a href="http://oscar.go.com/nominees?cid=AMPAS_oscarnominees">Here is the full nominee list I am using</a>. Let's do this:<br />
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<div>
<b><u>CATEGORIES PEOPLE KIND OF CARE ABOUT:</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>LES MIS is a Best Pic nom! Excited and surprised that's become my favorite for this season, I think. </li>
<li>DJANGO for Best Pic as well, surprised kind of but also happy. Will this get Leo in a seat at the Oscars??? I don't think so and that makes me want to die. </li>
<li>9 BP NOMS and I have only seen 4, ugh. (LET'S JUST SIDENOTE THAT I LOVE LINCOLN AND ARGO ALSO THERE'S THAT.) I guess I can see Silver Linings easily enough but I am not interested in any of the others really fml. </li>
<li>HUGH JACKMAN LANDS HIS FIRST OSCAR NOM FOR LES MIS AND DEF SHOULD HAVE BC HE WRECKED ME GUISE, JUST WRECKED ME, TEARS AND SNOT EVERY WHERE ajsdlkfjaskdfv afdgh</li>
<li>But DDL will win instead so wahhhhhh (even though I love him, too ... win/win I guess...?) </li>
<li>Also, just read an article about JOAQUIN PHOENIX yesterday and how he hates the Oscars so CONGRATS DUDE ON YOUR NOMINATION.</li>
<li><s>Oh Denzel surprise didn't see you thar!</s></li>
<li>Seen NONE of the movies where are lovely main lady noms come from but my girlfriend JESSICA CHASTAIN is in there so WOO HOO I guess. </li>
<li><b>OH LOOK BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR THIS SHOULD BE WEHRE LEO-</b> wait wut?</li>
<li><s>WHAT?</s></li>
<li><s>WUT IS THIS ..? </s>SHOCKING NO LEO DICAPRIO IN THAT CATAGORY OHGOD WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?</li>
<li>this girl. this girl would have thought. </li>
<li>I am so far beyond being ragey about this by now that I just feel a piece of my soul die each year Leo isn't nominated when he should have been so... basically yeah. </li>
<li>Each time Leo doesn't get nominated for a great role, it means the Academy has created another horcrux. </li>
<li>OH BUT CHRISTOPH WALTZ FROM DJANGO IN THAT CATEGORY? Even though he was arguably the star of the movie? OKAY THAT MAKES SENSE NO BIG DEAL Kasj gkadfhjknsghunfairrrrrrr</li>
<li><b>FML bc Leo ain't gonna be at the Oscars look fly in a suit. </b></li>
<li>LOOKING SO FLY UGH</li>
<li>ANNE HATHAWAY got a nom, OF COURSE, for my fave, Les Mis!!! Hopefully she'll win bc I am so over Amy Adams. I love her but I don't get why people think she's this great actress <s>..(.I've NEVER been very impressed with her. Just in Junebug and in Catch Me If You Can. The. End.)</s></li>
<li>Wow 5 animated noms... snore. </li>
<li>Now for the Directing <s>SNUBS, er... I mean</s> Noms. LOOK, NO BEN AFFLECK. AND NO QT? Ok, fine QT, this was not his best work (though it may be one of my personal faves), but BEN... I just think he deserved a nom for Argo<s> over some of the others lifeofpi or beasts</s>, I loved it. Seriously. <s>srsly</s>. ALSO NO HOOPER FOR LES MIS. Just realized...w ut?</li>
</ul>
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<u><b>AND NOW CATEGORIES NO ONE CARES ABOUT BUT ME! </b></u></div>
<ul>
<li>ANNA KARENINA IS IN CINEMATOGRAPHY AND COSTUME OH GOD EXACTLY WHAT IT DESERVES. It was such a beautiful movieeeeeeeee</li>
<li><b>(Remember when I had hope for Keira to have an Oscar nom this year? PAHAHA, welp. At least I am not disappointed bc I didn't expect. And won't expect one for a while since she's decided to do that Adam Levine movie with the worst title in history, "Can a Song Save Your Life?"</b><s><b> the answer is NO)</b></s></li>
<li>Ugh and I just love Les Mis in costumes, and Lincoln... and I know I was the only one who loved LAWLESS.. but I WISH it were in that category as well bc those costumes were great. <b>Hardy in a cardy 5ever.</b></li>
<li>Hey look, documentaries happened this year...</li>
<li>Argo for film editing... Lincoln too, even though that movie was super long. It didn't feel that long... no Django bc let's be honest, Django WAS too long.<s> but i still loved and enjoyed it calm down sheesh</s></li>
<li>ANNA KARENINA FOR SCORE ALSO OH GOD MY HEART. My love affair with Dario Marianelli knows no bounds. </li>
<li>And of course, the only reason they added a song to Les Mis is so they could be nominated for an Oscar and it has paid off. HUGH PLEASE PERFORM IT AT THE CEREMONY OKAY? OKAY.</li>
<li>AVENGERS GOT A NOM bahahahah forgot that was a thing, guys, I totally did. Yay tech awards, I guess. </li>
<li>At least QT got a writing nom. And so did Moonrise, which I am rooting for for my fran who loves that movie. </li>
</ul>
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THE END. </div>
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elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-25955749843792296142012-12-17T17:19:00.002-06:002013-06-11T17:12:17.143-05:00Tolkien Snob: Thoughts on The Hobbit<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went into this movie with very low expectations because of all the soap boxes I got onto during the development of this movie (especially the announcement that it was going to all of a sudden become a trilogy). For the most part, my biggest problem with what I KNEW Peter Jackson was going to do was make The Hobbit NOT about the hobbit, Bilbo, thus making a movie that's more about how bright and shiny Middle-earth is than it is about my favorite character. How could Bilbo actually be overshadowed in his own story when he's the title character?! It was an infuriating idea, but was something I knew would happen and I prepared myself for it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spoilers below I guess. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>In the end, here are my thoughts on the film:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Hobbit should be The Hobbit, but since I knew it wasn't going to be about that going in, I lowered my expectations and so it was ok. I liked it. I <i>loved</i> parts. I disliked parts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's more about the Rise of the Shadow in Middle-earth than The Hobbit storyline, but again. I already knew that was going to happen. Also, anything that gives Andy Serkis more "screen time" can never be a bad decision. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hen Gollum happened I had too much of a fangirl reaction to be normal. I love Andy Serkis and I am not ashamed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Had I not been a Tolkien fan, this movie would have dragged on and on. I loved the beginning b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ecause there was Frodo and old Bilbo, but then the introduction of all the dwarves took forever. I did end up liking them all much more than I expected, save for Thorin who I didn't like at all, though I wish I had. Regular movie-goers (opposed to book nerds) probably felt like dozing the entire beginning. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They wanted a journey, but we were still in Bag End an hour after the film started.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The last fight scene was so over-the-top slow-motion dramatic I am sure you could hear my eyes rolling. The pale orc was way overdone as well. I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> hated all that extra stuff that basically just added fake tension and minutes to the film. <b>Hated</b> it. It didn't add anything for me because it felt regurgitated and contrived. If PJ had been able to present that extra stuff in a better way, maybe a more original way than cookie cutter bullcrap from LotR, maybe I could have dealt with it. And if they had added something to Thorin's character other than just making him seem petulant and bitchy, sure that would have been good, too. But it did not work. Not for me, and many others at least. I know it was trying to beef up their story, but it didn't add what it should have. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, it was unnecessary because as cool as the dwarves are, they aren't supposed to be the stars, so beefing them up to overshadow Bilbo was <i>never</i> going to work for me. But I had at least hoped what they did would be better than what it actually turned out to be. Azog, the pale orc, just needs to GET OUT. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's not to say I wasn't surprised by how much I loved some of the dwarves. I really enjoyed them. Especially Bofur and Bilbo's exchange near the end. I <i>felt</i> that and it was so sweet. It's really just all the extra stuff they added and tweaked for Thorin that pissed me off. Like... do we really need a history lesson at the campsite with a flashback of Thorin's life while he broodingly pouts across the way? We've seen that before PJ! Find a new trick. Ugh, PJ is such a sap and overly self indulgent and he reminded me of that at ever turn</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, I enjoy it for the most part, and especially these:</span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gollum was the best part of this movie. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gandalf was absolutely badass. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bilbo was precious, but as I suspected, there was not enough of him. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There was Frodo at the beginning and he checked the mail and I died. </span></li>
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<br />elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-89064701112782798952012-08-03T12:23:00.000-05:002012-08-03T12:24:39.488-05:00Why Fear a Batman Reboot?<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It's inevitable that WB will be rebooting Batman, probably sooner rather than later. Batman is their biggest DC cash-cow, and after the success of The Dark Knight Rises, they will want to move on without Nolan and Bale (not because they choose to, but because they have to). This leaves many fans of the Nolan Bat-verse shaking in our boots. However, many others have come out of the wood work claiming that people who don't want a new Batman reboot aren't Batman fans but are instead just Nolan fans. </span><br />
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Why would people who love Batman fear a reboot? Wouldn't we all want MORE Batman, regardless? My response goes as so:</div>
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It has a lot to do with trust. I’ve grown up a Batman fan, I’ve lived through many versions of Batman (I watched the silly ’60s reruns as a toddler, BTAS as a child, Burton’s series, etc…) and what I think a lot of fans of BATMAN are worried about is that rushing into a new “reboot” will bring about the issues we had with Batman Forever/Batman and Robin. </div>
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There is a reason we love Nolan’s Batman so much, and I think it has a lot do with (at least for me) giving Batman the presentation he deserves by a writer/director/team of actors that actually understand it better than any other group has. I think Christian Bale said it nicely after Batman Begins: Nolan gave Batman his dignity back. What fans are worried about is that a new director with a less honest understanding of Batman may come along and strip him of that again.</div>
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There can be TOO much of something. There can likewise be a good place to stop and realize more could ruin it. </div>
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I’m TERRIFIED to see what the reboot does to this character I have loved for so long, especially after being presented with something like Nolan’s Bat-series. I am a fan of Nolan as a director, but what he did for Batman is something on a completely other level for me. It’s not because it’s Nolan that I love his Batman movies. It’s because I can see through almost every aspect of his Batman movies that he loves Batman as much as the fans of Batman do, and he’s trying to him justice for that reason. That’s a rare trait to find in directors. Even if they think they get it, not many do. Nolan DOES. </div>
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It’s trust. It will take a lot of convincing for me to trust anyone else with Batman. It just will. I've been burned before, I hope I can love again like I loved Nolan, but I can't make that promise.</div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-2665017445488925552012-07-31T16:20:00.003-05:002012-07-31T16:20:50.183-05:00Addressing a The Dark Knight Rises "plot hole" ...<br />
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I don't know how many of you guys follow the film blog culture, but the most recent trend has been to try to poke holes in The Dark Knight Rises. Most of these things boil down to the fact that the writer wrote his/her blog after seeing the movie only once <strike>(or just didn't pay attention)</strike> and didn't fully understand the plot. Because of this, they aren't worth responding to because the answer to their condescending questions about the film can be answered by a second viewing of the film. </div>
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However, there is one "plot hole" I did ended up addressing in conversation with some of my friends so I decided to go ahead and post it anyways. </div>
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<b><u>Obviously this will be spoilery in nature, so read at your own risk.</u></b></div>
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It has to do with Bruce Wayne and the Miranda character. Check it out if you are interested:</div>
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One of the points an entry tried to make was this:</div>
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<strong>Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard Have Sex</strong> – On the one hand, yes these are two very attractive individuals. Why shouldn’t they give in to their carnal desires? On the other, more reasonable hand, there is virtually no development in the relationship between these two. They’re running in the rain, then they start making out, then in the next scene they’re naked. If only real-life romance worked like this. </blockquote>
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Seriously though, with no emotional attachment to this relationship, Talia’s eventual betrayal is nothing more than a Shyamalan-style twist with no impact behind it. A missed opportunity.</blockquote>
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<strike>So condescending... good lord...</strike></div>
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So is the argument against the TDKR sex scene being "out of the blue" based on Batman's reaction to Miranda/Talia's betrayal? I understand why someone would question Batman's reaction to the Talia reveal if the Bruce/Miranda thing is viewed as only a one-night stand, but I think to view what happens between Bruce and Miranda as a one-night stand is <strong>a really shallow interpretation </strong>of what is actually going on with Bruce at the time. </div>
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The way I see it is, emotionally, Bruce is really vulnerable at that time, he just lost everything (almost literally) but -especially- he lost Alfred, someone who has always been there for him his entire life. I see him finally opening himself up to someone new as a way of him trying to forgive Alfred and move forward in his life for the first time in 8 years. That one night with Miranda meant a lot to Bruce because it was the first person he allowed to be close to him -the first woman he allowed himself to trust and feel for- since Rachel died. From that point on it wasn't just a one-nighter to him. She meant a new future and a new Bruce.</div>
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So Batman's reaction when Miranda/Talia turned out to be behind everything he's fighting against is actually pretty accurate. Especially because I don't think he's only reacting to the betrayal, but also to the fact that Bane and Talia have worked for so long to bring him down on BOTH fronts (the Batman and the Bruce front), that he was wrong about the League of Shadows/Bane/Ras/etc, and the fact that he just got flipping stabbed so is probably going to lose this fight, too.</div>
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The only understandable comment on the Bruce/Miranda relationship that I've heard is that there didn't seem to be a lot of chemistry between the two of them...</div>
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I disagree. I think there was a good bit of chemistry between them (especially in the scene at the party where she kind of shut him down for assuming the party $$ wasn't going to the charity; cute moments like that between them).</div>
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But also, I think if there <i>was </i>chemistry lacking, it worked for the story because we find out that Miranda/Talia actually hates Bruce... so if it felt forced, it could still work for the characters.</div>
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Bruce was trying to be open to the possibility of a future with a new lady that everyone around him was pushing on him even though he may not have been emotionally ready, and Talia was only <i>hitting that</i> to drive the knife in deeper for later when she reveals the betrayal. </div>
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You can't look at this scene without also taking into consideration everything happening around it.</div>
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<strong>If you watch a movie and evaluate scenes in a shallow way then OF COURSE you are going to only see something shallow. </strong><strong>So just shut up already with your "plot hole" bull until you actually take a deeper approach to what you're doing rather than just trying to sound smarter than Nolan.</strong></div>
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<br /></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-28946086797096355612012-07-29T15:25:00.002-05:002012-07-29T19:45:10.986-05:00The Dark Knight Rises: The Ending<br />
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This started as a small response about the ending then turned into kind of a mini-break down Bruce's relationships with the people close to him and a mini-character analysis of Selina... WHOOPS, I don't know.</div>
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Seriously read at your own risk, it completely ruins the ending, but I really want to discuss it so...</div>
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CLICK THE READ MORE TO READ...MORE. :)<br />
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I have thought about this so much since I saw the movie and I have so many different ideas about how they ended up back together.</div>
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Basically, what I believe happened is Batman ejected, found a way back to land, sneaked back into Gotham, and tracked Selina down quietly. (How he did the first 2 I will never be able to figure out.)</div>
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I don't think that he left Gotham immediately. I think he stuck around a bit to see how things settled down, to see how the city recovered, to see that everything in his will had been carried through, and to make sure Gordon, Blake, and Fox got the messages he had left them (mostly, the message that Bruce was still alive).</div>
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As for Alfred, I like to believe that Bruce kept continual tabs on him even after he left Gotham (somehow... with some of his Bat gadgets or <em>SOMETHING</em>) and specifically waited for him to go on vacation so he could reveal himself to Alfred in the way that Alfred had always hoped to see Bruce. In fact, I like to think that Bruce so badly wanted to show Alfred that he finally was doing what Alfred had always wanted him to do -and that he was happy (knowing that would reassure Alfred that he had, in fact, NOT failed the Wayne family)- that he and Selina may have actually settled down in Florence for a few years after leaving Gotham. I like to believe that their meeting was absolutely not by chance and was meticulously and methodically planned out by Bruce. </div>
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But that's just me... </div>
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As for what happened between Bruce and Selina... I really love that Nolan made it to where people could come up with their own Bat and Cat reunion for themselves.</div>
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For me, I imagine that Selina didn't have any idea that Bruce had survived or had planned to try to survive. I think the part of Batman that was self-sacrificing was something she really didn't understand because it was something she had only recently discovered in herself. Before she gave up her escape to come back and save Batman from Bane, her life experiences had taught her the only way to get by in Gotham was to look out for herself first.</div>
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The way Batman was prepared to die for the city was something so new and foreign to Selina, I don't think it would have occurred to her to question it. Of course Bruce had died, because it was the the very same ending she had risked for herself to come back to save him. Therefore, after the bomb goes off and the city is saved, I imagine she is pretty devastated. Might she have hope that he's alive? Probably, but I don't think that she would have allowed herself (once again, with what her experiences have taught her) to ever believe in that hope. </div>
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So I like to think that Bruce went straight to Selina as quickly as possible after he escaped the bomb. Since she wanted to leave town before the battle, now that Bruce is seemingly dead, she'd probably head out of town even faster so he'd need to get to her ASAP so he wouldn't miss her. </div>
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I keep picturing the reunion in her apartment in Old Town, but she probably wasn't there since everyone was kind of just living where ever during Bane's occupation... so I don't know... But I imagine the reunion is really sweet. I'm sure there will be COUNTLESS versions written into fan fiction but ...</div>
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Basically I think, had Nolan decided to film this, it would have shown Selina visibly upset alone in her apartment -because everyone else is out celebrating that they didn't get blown up- (possibly crying, or at least has obviously been crying) getting ready to get out of town, maybe with the coverage of what happened earlier that day on the news on in the background. I also keep imagining that Bruce reveals himself to Selina with some sort of well-timed response to whatever is said on the TV, but that kind of seems inappropriate. I actually think in this situation Bruce would just want to let her know that he isn't dead so badly that cutsie introductions like he's used before have no place here.</div>
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I think she'd be so overcome and relieved about Bruce being alive that she wouldn't think to hide her feelings, there would be some hella embracing and kissing, and it would be GLORIOUS. </div>
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Then, they both would probably head to Wayne Manor, grab a few things they need (including his mother's pearls), then find a way to go into hiding nearby so Bruce do all the things I outlined at the beginning of this HORRIBLY long post. </div>
<br /></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-18458567584867351262012-07-23T17:50:00.000-05:002012-07-23T17:50:16.989-05:00Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises<br />
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I can only really express my feelings for this movie with bullet points... so here we go:</div>
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<b>MEGA Spoilers below...</b></div>
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<li>I absolutely ABSOLUTELY loved this dang movie.. sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. I JUST... lk;fasjdlkfajsdl;kfajwefncihxg;e rijkg[pflht</li>
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<em>Ok now actual things. </em></div>
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<li>I CRIED</li>
<li>I enjoyed Bale as Bruce more in this movie than ever before. I felt like there was so much more playful writing for his character than there ever has been. </li>
<li>I was very sad when Alfred left Bruce.<br /><img data-mce-src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7gyt1FklT1qf3j2j.gif" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7gyt1FklT1qf3j2j.gif" style="border: 0px;" /><br />And then I was sure Alfred was going to die... bc Bane knew who Bruce was, so I was sure he'd use Alfred against him. So glad he didn't.</li>
<li>IT WAS SO VIOLENT. I know that's redundant for a super hero movie, but I've never seen Batman get beat on like he does in this movie, and I was NOT okay with. Nope. Nope. Nope. </li>
<li>ANNE HATHAWAY ... she was like... good. I was so skeptical the whole lead-up to this movie about her being Catwoman, but the way they did her.. she was fabulous. It was great. GREAT. </li>
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<em>(Let me preface the next "feels" by this, Catwoman and Batman were the cake toppers at my and my husband's wedding, srsly)</em></div>
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<li> BATMAN AND CATWOMAN KISS<br /> IN COSTUME<br /> AND OMG<br /> lkasjdl;fkjdflkwjekrlfjpbdfbj;lkcvjb</li>
<li>And Catwoman even begs Batman to come with her because they could go anywhere and be anything together and GOD OH GOD OHOOOGFGG GODDDDD</li>
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<em>Here are all my <strong>ending</strong> feels:</em></div>
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<li>THE ENDING. THE FLIPPING ENDING OF THIS MOVIE... OH MY GODDDD. </li>
<li>I was stifling sobs. It was... almost like Snape-crying. </li>
<li>They absolutely tricked me. </li>
<li>And then the funeral... and Alfred CRIED and said he was sorry he failed the Waynes... and I just... fg;lehcjgnjsdhjg NO NO NO ALFRED NO. </li>
<li>Then JGL quits the force... and then they give Batman a statue in the city... </li>
<li>Then Alfred goes on his little trip... and we find out JGL's REAL NAME IS ROBIN AND Asdj hcgnfpaieudfnghkdjfvnlksajfghbkljdh </li>
<li>Then Alfred SEES SELINA AND BRUCE HAVING LUNCH <strong>BC THAT FLIPPING SHIP IS FINALLY CANON.... </strong></li>
<li>SELINA AND BRUCE WERE ENDGAME FOR THIS SERIES!!! </li>
<li>THEY <strong>NEVER</strong> END UP TOGETHEERRRR BUT THEY FINALLY DID </li>
<li>A HAPPILY EVER AFTER SELINA AND BRUCE OMG</li>
<li>I kept having feel after feel after feel until I died of emotions.</li>
<li>The ending was everything I never knew I was allowed to want and especially didn't think we'd get.</li>
<li>I was SURE Bat and Cats would not be in love. I was sure they were going with the Talia thing as the love interest. Period. So I was SO surprised and happy kldjfgldaksjghenhgbcxjd nfxhvjm</li>
<li><strike>Nolan it's like you wrote your ending after digging through my HEART</strike></li>
</ul>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-50673775192176578532012-07-05T17:40:00.003-05:002012-07-05T17:48:02.365-05:00Why I Don't Think Dirk Will Leave Dallas...<br />
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Well, I'll post this and then in about an hour it'll be announced that he's going to the freaking Heat or something, but whatever...</div>
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I think Dirk will retire LONG before he would ever ask to be traded. It's no secret that Dirk is an older player... which <strike>even though most of us don't want to admit...</strike> is something to be concerned about.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">If Cuban had kept who he could have of our 2011 championship team, we may have been able to make another run this past season. Heck, even with the sad group we had this year it came down to the last shot nearly every game with the Western Conference Champs. Dirk may </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white;">be too old NOW (it's arguable, though I think he has many good years left) to wait a whole OTHER season, like we have to at this point, but he would have been fine to go for it last season or this season if Cubes gave a crap to try. Now the next time we'll have a shot is when Dirk will be 36. That's pretty old for his position.</span></div>
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And NOW we've lost Kidd? There are hardly any pieces left... Dirk is basically it. And everyone is expecting and speculating Dirk to ask for a trade...</div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">HOWEVER...</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">I can't see him asking for a trade this close to the end of his career when he's always only ever been a Mav. Why would he want to retire as something else? Especially if he goes to another team and doesn't win another championship with them. He may as well stay here at his home to do that.</span><br />
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white;">I wouldn't blame Dirk for deciding to retire and just marry his gal and settle into his awesomeness at this point, but I cannot see him leaving to retire elsewhere. He stays here a few more years and he is guaranteed to retire as one of the best athletes in Dallas history, literally. He goes somewhere else he isn't guaranteed a dang thing and then will retire as some random stock player for some </span><span style="background-color: white;">unsuited team that could never love him like </span><strike style="background-color: white;">I</strike><span style="background-color: white;"> we do. Ever.</span></div>
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So do I think he'll ask for a trade? No. Do I think he'll stay and play through his contract? NO IDEA. Will him retiring shock me? NOPE. </div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"><i><strong>TANGENT</strong>: </i></span></div>
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<i><span class="text_exposed_show">The real problem</span> is Mark could have prevented this ever being a possibility if it had been his priority to take care of Dirk, but I think in Cubes' mind it was like "Ok we got one with the German, time to look to a future without him," instead of cul<span class="text_exposed_show">tivating what he has left. Dirk deserves SO much better than that after all he's done for this franchise. It's such a shame. And like I said yesterday, I will never love an athlete like I love Dirk, and it's sad to think this era of my sports life is nearly over and we've already seen the climax of the story.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text_exposed_show">I'm also sick of people telling me to have faith in Cubes... I love him Cubes but HE LEAD US HERE. So you know what I am going to be angry, and it is completely valid that I am angry. He owes us ALL answers. THE END. lkad;jflskjewflkaj</span></i></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-67243609645717755102012-06-26T11:32:00.000-05:002012-06-26T17:10:28.459-05:00Newsies vs Newsies: What Changed from Film to Broadway?<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I have been thinking about the stage show of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Newsies </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">constantly ever since I saw it on Friday night (the 99th performance of the show!). Besides the gorgeous choreography, blocking, and singing the main thing that has me obsessed is how they adapted and changed </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Newsies </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">for the stage. </span><br />
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With the musical, they updated it and changed some weak links from the movie. It’s SO much better on stage, as much as I adore the original movie! <strong style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">(I guess read no further if you don’t want Broadway spoilers…)</strong></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">They took out Denton’s character and combined that news reporter ally with Jack Kelly’s love interest (Don’t worry she’s not some cougar old lady reporter after 17 year old newsboys. She’s a 16 year old named Katherine who is trying to make it as a real reporter based on <a href="http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2012/05/03/pioneering-female-reporter-provides-the-inspiration-for-kara-lindsay-s-character-in-disney-quot-newsies-the-musical-quot.aspx#.T-nfAhdAZbw" style="color: #444444; margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">Nellie Bly, a real 16 year old female reporter from that time period</a>! Very cool) so there would be a strong female role, deleting the worthless <em style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">Molly Sue (or Mary Sue whichever you prefer)</em> of a sister Dave has in the film (ugh I always hated her). Thank GOD. Katherine is present throughout the entire show and is actively involved in (and in many ways is at the core of) the strike instead of being a side character. And the lyrics of “King of New York” don’t shy away from referring to her as a king, showing that gender doesn’t matter one way or another in this show or in who can make a difference. Ladies can be just as powerful as the guys, something the movie kind of failed at. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none 0px;">The lyrics to the songs were shifted to be more relevant to be used in today’s “battles” (one of the tag lines for the show is “The perfect musical for our time!”) and they also replaced what could have been considered less sensitive phrasing to more political correctness. The movie WAS made nearly 20 years ago so I guess that makes sense. </li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none 0px;">They changed Medda and I was SO thankful. Her song is different (much improved) because, let’s face it, her movie songs are awful. Also, she didn’t have an accent on stage which somehow made her relationship with the kids seem less creepy. I know that sounds weird (and don’t take this to mean I think accents are bad, I LOVE them…), but movie!Medda and her accent always came off to me like…. scary, cougar lady-<em style="margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">Chester</em>than the mothering, helpful ally I think they wanted her to be. (Also, I think 20 years ago the creep factor didn’t occur to us as much as it does now.) The stage Medda was written to be much more of a mentor and a<em style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">mamma</em>, plus we weren’t left to speculate as to why she and Jack Kelly were friends, like we were in the movie (where we’d have to creepily wonder how they met and it could only lead to something … awk)…</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none 0px;">…because they added depth to Jack Kelly’s character by making him an artist. AN ARTIST. <strike style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">(saklhfclnjrgwlber)</strike> Jack paints back-drops for Metta’s stage shows. Instead of being just a rough and tumble newsboy, Jack also has a soft sensitive side where he can paint gorgeous landscapes just from his imagination. He also refuses to take money for the paintings he does for Medda, establishing that Jack also has integrity and loyalty (the audience can assume he refuses to take Metta’s money because she has done so much to save him in the past). It’s a REALLY smart move and, even though it’s simple, it flushes out Jack’s character and adds a lot more to him than it ever occurred to me there could be. (Also, how dreamy! Jack Kelly, with his charisma and bad-boy persona, is also secretly a tortured artist? WTF OMG OKAY DISNEY STOP.)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px; outline: none 0px;">They really play up the relationship between Jack and Crutchie, which makes everything that happens in the show much more emotional. It’s not ALL the newsies living together, it’s Jack and Crutchie….. and then they hang with the rest of the newsboys at work. So when Crutchie is taken, it packs a much harder punch. </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline: none 0px;">Overall, the entire story is more emotional and powerful. Since Newsies on Broadway has become its own project, much more care was put into every single avenue of production, something that I don’t think really went into making the movie. It’s not dealt with as though it was just for kids, though it is a kid friendly show, and because of that it comes off as a much more powerful story. The <em style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline: none 0px;">silliness</em> you may feel from the movie is absent in the stage show. Not that it isn’t funny, because it IS. </li>
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The only bad thing about it being a stage show is I will never get to see it again, and that breaks my heart, because it was absolutely perfect. I loved it! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kara Lindsay (Katherine) and me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E5ZO12c6eQ/T-njuhmWtpI/AAAAAAAABUE/MPeY0avhcp0/s1600/DSCN3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_E5ZO12c6eQ/T-njuhmWtpI/AAAAAAAABUE/MPeY0avhcp0/s320/DSCN3071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy Jordan (Jack Kelly) and me!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">If Disney wants to make my life, they should release this musical on DVD some day in the future for my kiddos to see!</span></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-52882351272049156282012-05-05T11:13:00.002-05:002012-05-05T11:14:43.559-05:00Playoff Blues: What would happen if I owned a sports team.<br />
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<em>re: emotions joke</em> - Just clarifying that I had this conversation with my father, who isn't a female, and who made all these points before I even thought about them. <strike>He's basically the basketball guru, his perspective is always the perspective I never realized I had. Coaching for 20 years will do that to you</strike>.<br />
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Also, had this exact same conversation with one of my sportsfan dude friends, so... yeah.<br />
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Men have emotions. It was an ironic joke and I laughed, but I had to clarify that.<br />
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And I get why Mark would do this. Basically I really think we could have repeated this year with the team we <strong>DID</strong> have and I wanted <strong>THAT</strong>.<br />
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I don't want to, nor am I willing to, think of a future without Dirk.<br />
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So that has a lot to do with my perspective on this...<br />
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But also... I am not a business person, and Mark is. So I would probably drive the Mavs into bankruptcy trying to keep as many of our best players for as long as possible without thinking of the future.<br />
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Then one day they would all be 41 years old, retire, and I'd own a franchise with no players. </div>
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Or all noobs who will play for free.<br />
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<img data-mce-src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3k4wkExh51qf3j2j.gif" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3k4wkExh51qf3j2j.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-70473907752738731872012-04-07T16:10:00.000-05:002012-04-11T13:07:26.068-05:00Titanic Reflection: Why Does it Work?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, <i>Titanic </i>has just been rereleased into theaters after fifteen years. It was one of the most successful movies in history and began the careers of what we can now say are two of the most accomplished and talented actors of our time. Yet, despite all of that, plus the enormous fan base this film still has, there are tons of detractors who claim this movie is terrible. Are they right? Actually, they're onto something. Despite its success and the big name actors that are involved, there is a lot wrong with this movie. Which begs the question, then: why does it work? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Why I Love It </u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I watched </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Titanic </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the first time as an 11-year-old, was deeply affected by the tragedy/story, became fascinated with the history, and fell in love with Leonoardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. I think a huge amount of the people my age (mostly the girls) probably had similar experiences with this movie, and so it played a huge part in our adolescence. Nostalgia is most likely the reason why 99.8% of people are paying $14 to wear stupid 3D glasses and sit for three hours to see a movie they probably own on DVD. I know when the movie began in my theater, I clapped my hand over my heart and I was in 6th grade again. Same heart pangs and everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />The movie gets me every time, even when I start out completely convinced I'm not in the right mind-set to cry. It's no use. The following is a glimpse into my mind as I relive watching the movie: </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Basically from beginning to the middle of </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Titanic </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my heart is exploding with rainbows because I love Jack and Rose SO much, and there is all this sexual and romantic tension <strike>and … LEO’S BEAUTIFUL PERFECT FACE BEING ALL IN LOVE AND STUFF...</strike></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">..but THEN they hit the iceberg and immediately I’m all, “I REGRET THIS DECISION. MISTAKE MISTAKE. ABORT MISSION.” And by the end…I'm weeping for the remainder of the </span><strike style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">week </strike><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">day. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">Obviously, I adore </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">Titanic</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">. However, while I adore this movie and have no resistance to it's inexplicable charms, there is no way you'll ever hear me describe it as "genius" or "masterful" or "spectacular" in terms of film making.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><u>What's Wrong With It?</u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">James Cameron loves to plaster his name all over this film and make sure to remind everyone that he invented the Titanic -er, that he made the movie </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">Titanic</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">. As the credits began to roll, the first thing that flashed across the screen is "Written and Directed by James Cameron." He's really proud of what he's accomplished, and I guess he's earned it because, as I said, it's ridiculously successful. But I am under the impression that Cameron thinks it's because of him and his writing, which I have to proclaim to be </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">false</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">He writes in circular symbolism and irony that is about as subtle as a sledgehammer.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"> It's not hard to get it upon first viewing, let alone multiple viewings. It’s not “genius” or deep in any way. It’s just… obvious</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">. The characters are all flat, two-dimensional beings and only a fraction of them are dynamic. It's nothing that another writer couldn't produce with his/her eyes closed. It's not earth-shattering by any means.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">I love this movie in </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">spite </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">of how shallow the characters and dialogue are. The love story is done well, but I think it has a lot to do with the arrangement of events created and how they’re acted, </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">not </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;">how the events and dialogue are written. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dialogue can sometimes be so self-indulgent and cheesy that, if it weren’t Kate and Leo saying the words, I’d roll my eyes. But then there are moments that are meant to pander to the audience, yet they still work for me and make me smile. Blast James Cameron, because some of his cheap tricks still work on me, even though I acknowledge that a trick is what it is. But, again, that <b>doesn't </b>mean it's good film making. It just means Cameron knows the tricks to manipulate.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtK2Ryh7GaY/T4CDvhQibkI/AAAAAAAABTc/Cn_z6S14tjo/s1600/katexleoFTW10.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KtK2Ryh7GaY/T4CDvhQibkI/AAAAAAAABTc/Cn_z6S14tjo/s320/katexleoFTW10.gif" width="246" /></i></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">I had this poster hanging in my room when I was 11. Srsly.</span></td></tr>
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<b><u>Why It Works</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The reasons <i>Titanic </i>works, in my opinion, are these things:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Firstly, the history it’s based on is tragic, fascinating, and unique; naturally people are going to be drawn in by it. If I refuse to give James Cameron credit for most of the things he did with this film, one credit I cannot withhold is how much research he did to make it as real as possible. He immersed himself in the history, studied picture after picture of life on Titanic, even recreated some of the most iconic images in the movie. The sinking of the ship was well-thought out and wonderfully executed. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When it comes to film making, Cameron excels in special effects and details.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He also showed forensic details as well as emotional details of the disaster. </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What would it look like from a technical standpoint when "A" happens to the ship? What would it feel like from a victim's standpoint? etc...</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We see horrifying images of the lights blinking on and off, strange groaning as the ship is bent by the pressure of the water. We see haunting images of unused China shattering in piles, an old couple holding one another in bed, knowing they can't make it to a life boat. In that way, Cameron didn't miss a beat. Watching the the last 45 minutes of this movie is enthralling because Cameron has recreated something only the actual people on that ship had seen up until this movie was released, and however morbid that might be, it is also fascinating.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another reason it works is because the characters are archetypal so it makes them easy to relate to. There are no characters in the movie that are multi-dimensional (unless you want to argue in favor of Rose which would be a skimpy argument, overall). They are mostly vague versions of people and therefore it's easy for many viewers (rather than a small specific group) to latch onto the good guys and abhor the bad guys. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWC0C4jvmbs/T4CDwBZBTAI/AAAAAAAABTk/tqu-p6O0WGo/s1600/katexleoFTW12.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dWC0C4jvmbs/T4CDwBZBTAI/AAAAAAAABTk/tqu-p6O0WGo/s320/katexleoFTW12.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And lastly, it works because the love story is something many, many people root for. They want to believe a love like that of Jack and Rose can really exist. I was reading some movie responses for <i>Titanic </i>and many said they don't believe that a love like this <b>can </b>exist anymore<b>, </b>which was rather sad to me. One in particular spoke about how materialistic and selfish current day culture is and that it doesn't foster this kind of devotion, claiming that the time in which a love like this maybe could have occurred is gone forever. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">That perspective just drives my point home further that people really want to believe in this kind of love, and if they don't believe they can find it in real life, then where will they go? Maybe... to a movie, where they can cling to the hope they feel when they watch a girl give up her millions to be with a penniless artist who wants nothing more than to make sure she's going to be <i>okay, </i>because nothing is more important to either of them than the other person. </span></span></div>
</div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-91232717983680709202012-03-25T13:32:00.000-05:002012-03-25T14:11:46.069-05:00Movie Review: The Hunger GamesI almost don't know what to say within this review because I'm afraid it will just be redundant praise, things many other reviews have already addressed. The quality of this movie was awesome, not just from a book adaptation stand point (which is what I usually pay most attention to), but as a film: the camera work, the use of the score, the score itself, the acting, etc. It is a great movie, even if you haven't read and loved the books. Therefore, what I think I'll do is explore all the things that originally I was skeptical about and how the movie sold me on those things. Basically, the next few paragraphs will be me admitting how wrong I was to doubt that this movie would be good. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfpY3REWjik/T29IRgxevXI/AAAAAAAABSE/Xgkssji5Xds/s1600/hungergames04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfpY3REWjik/T29IRgxevXI/AAAAAAAABSE/Xgkssji5Xds/s400/hungergames04.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What made me skeptical of this film in the last year were the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Marketing ("Twilight-afying" it)</li>
<li>Brutality</li>
<li>Casting</li>
</ul>
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Let's break it all down. </div>
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<b>TWILIGHT-AFYING IT</b><br />
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One huge red flag I had about this movie was how they seemed to be marketing it. Nothing is more laughable than the Twilight series, in my opinion (I literally burst out laughing when Breaking Dawn 2 trailer came on before The Hunger Games; it was <i>real </i>bad). The books are awful, the movies are just as bad, and it could not be anything farther from what The Hunger Games is. So why in God's name would they want to market it like Twilight?<br />
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It beats me, but it certainly was the main reason I was not looking forward to seeing it for a long time. I couldn't bear the thought of them dumbing down something as profound as The Hunger Games and funneling it into something as shallow and cheap as "Team Peeta" & "Team Gale." Yet, it had already begun. The headlines read "Hunger Games: The Next Twilight!" or "Look out Vampires: There's a New Teen Sensation!" Vanity Fair even did the EXACT same photoshoot for The Hunger Games cast as they did for the Twilight cast. <i>See exhibit A and B:</i><br />
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<b>Twilight:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIoVsddISZk/T29bpbcN63I/AAAAAAAABSk/cYpXSQMpxBs/s1600/hungergames05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIoVsddISZk/T29bpbcN63I/AAAAAAAABSk/cYpXSQMpxBs/s320/hungergames05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"We are all bffs!"</td></tr>
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<b>Hunger Games:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-026qWMT8P74/T29INSW3cTI/AAAAAAAABR0/CMOkHBjQozQ/s1600/hungergames02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-026qWMT8P74/T29INSW3cTI/AAAAAAAABR0/CMOkHBjQozQ/s320/hungergames02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"So are we, but not as snugly!"</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Twilight</b>: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QkJQtSvBWY/T29bryrysgI/AAAAAAAABSs/RkYcLMneHgY/s1600/hungergames06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QkJQtSvBWY/T29bryrysgI/AAAAAAAABSs/RkYcLMneHgY/s320/hungergames06.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look how there are 3 of us!"</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Hunger Games:</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXT2HVyNDD4/T29btNDXT2I/AAAAAAAABS0/MBlPNGZKadw/s1600/hungergames07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXT2HVyNDD4/T29btNDXT2I/AAAAAAAABS0/MBlPNGZKadw/s320/hungergames07.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yeah 1, 2, 3! Only we get trees."</td></tr>
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Seriously? I was horrified by this, not because the photos were bad (they're all adorable, to be honest) but because of the associations people would make. How many people would be turned off by the comparison of Twilight to The Hunger Games? And how many people would reduce it to something it's not <i>because </i>of that comparison? AND how completely unfair to make this comparison since The Hunger Games is actually a fantastic deep commentary while Twilight is basically shallow teen smut! Collins doesn't deserve to be cut down like that and Meyer doesn't deserve to be complimented like that. IT'S ALL WRONG. And yet... they kept pitching it for the "Twilight" audience. The only good thing they took from Twilight is how they released and compiled the soundtracks.<br />
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Because of all of this, I didn't even buy a midnight showing ticket. That's right, I, the queen of midnight premieres, did not go to a midnight showing of a book adaptation that I really love because I was too afraid it would be such a horrible disappointment based on this marketing. Not that the franchise was hurt by missing out on my one ticket, but I just couldn't bear the thought of going and being massively let down. So when the great reviews that gave me hope started to pour in nearing the home stretch right before the movie opened, it was already too late to get tickets.<br />
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Plus, what is really funny about this is the movie was <i>so </i>far from being like Twilight. I'm still baffled as to why they felt the need to go that route for so long, but I am SO GLAD that the film itself wasn't "Twilight-afied," which was seriously my <i>worst </i>fear.<br />
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<b>BRUTALITY</b><br />
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Anyone who loves the book series will tell you that one of the most important things about the story is the violence because it portrays how backwards and corrupt the society had become. For the longest time my friends and I would sit and wonder about ways they could make this movie correctly without an "R" rating for violence. It's children killing children, after all, an idea that is not something many movies tend to touch on, and especially won't market <i>for </i>kids. However, this <i>is </i>a YA Fiction series, so it <i>had </i>to be able to fly under the PG-13 line. But how?!<br />
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Or was the question actually would they even try to show the violence or would it be overshadowed by the miniscule love triangle that isn't even important to the main theme of the story...? Since they were pitching this as a movie tweens could go to and swoon, I had my doubts that they would portray the story as gritty and horrifying as it needed to be.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5FAtiR32Fk/T29i_jGuCMI/AAAAAAAABS8/A3zzENDGv3w/s1600/hungergames08.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X5FAtiR32Fk/T29i_jGuCMI/AAAAAAAABS8/A3zzENDGv3w/s320/hungergames08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thankfully, the film-makers were able to handle the violence with a perfect balance. It was brutal and upsetting, but not so overwhelming that it was off-putting (which sounds weird... children killing children is, <i>of course</i>, off-putting, but you know what I mean). I felt like most kids could see this without being traumatized, but could also appreciate and understand how sickening the world Collins created had become and the message that lies within that.<br />
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<b>CASTING</b><br />
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When the hype started to surround this movie, I tried to keep my distance. However, it is nearly impossible to not have SOME expectations of a series you love so much, so when the casting was announced I had mixed feelings (none of which were about Jennifer Lawrence because I knew she was top-notch-talented, AND loved the book series).<br />
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Josh Hutcherson was cast as Peeta and I didn't know what to think of that. I liked him okay but he didn't look anything like what I pictured the character to be when I read the books. Then I read that Woody Harrelson would play Haymitch. That was a decision I wasn't really on board with, either. I pictured him shorter, fatter, and much greasier. More like a tubby Robert Downey Jr. Finally, the casting decision for Cinna as Lenny Kravitz upset me the most. For some reason, I really couldn't get past it and I refused to even try.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1erktJvuGg/T29IJ0kPMrI/AAAAAAAABRs/Q9ZKaAQ8OEo/s1600/hungergames01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1erktJvuGg/T29IJ0kPMrI/AAAAAAAABRs/Q9ZKaAQ8OEo/s320/hungergames01.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Walk. Walk. Fashion baby."</td></tr>
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Naturally I became skeptical of the film immediately. If so many of the characters I love were cast as people that I was not sure of, I didn't know if I could ever come around. I started doing some research and heard about why they decided on Josh Hutcherson. I knew that I had to get on board with this kid if I was going to be able to make it through the entire series. One of the articles my friend read said that they would've cast Josh Hutcherson <i>"even if he were purple and had wings."</i> Apparently his audition tape really knocked it out of the park and he convinced the writers, director, and Suzanne Collins that he was the right guy no matter what. After that I felt a few of my worries were dispelled but, still, I couldn't picture him as <i>my </i>Peeta. The physicality was just too off. Especially compared to Liam Hemsworth, who they cast as Gale.<br />
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The only way I knew that I could be completely sold is if Josh nailed it for me on screen, so I entered the theater not knowing what I was going to feel for him. As unfair as it seems for poor Josh, he had a lot to prove to me; a lot was riding on his performance.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I watched the movie, the first time we saw Haymitch, I just kept thinking "He's not greasy enough! He's not loud and angry enough!!" However, by the middle of the movie I started warming up to him. Even though it wasn't my choice for the character, Woody Harrelson's portrayal did the job and did it well. What was really important was to see a connection between him and Katniss, which was very present and grew throughout.</div>
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Which brings me to Cinna. Like I said, I was not on board with him in the slightest, however from the first moment Lenny Kravitz was on screen, he had me. He was genuine and seemed to understand the character very well. He was soft-spoken, portrayed his character tenderly, and oozed kindness. The chemistry he had with Jennifer Lawrence was incredible. I was stunned. Humbly do I admit that I was horribly wrong to doubt him! He has made me eat my words.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWgbZ5BXx2c/T29IQr4JCvI/AAAAAAAABR8/EQFoU9Tr3Og/s1600/hungergames03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWgbZ5BXx2c/T29IQr4JCvI/AAAAAAAABR8/EQFoU9Tr3Og/s320/hungergames03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY FEELINGS</td></tr>
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As for Peeta, an interesting thing happened. The growth of my admiration for Josh sort of mirrored that of his character. In the books we're not sure what to think of Peeta because Suzanne Collins introduces us to Gale first. We feel a connection between the Katniss and Gale and don't know where this other random boy will fit into this puzzle. But Peeta is surprising, and so is Josh. As Katniss and her team's attention is drawn into who Peeta is, so was I drawn into Josh's performance. Josh did things that I didn't expect, that surprised me and won me over bit by bit. By the middle of the movie he had me, completely. Not to mention, the chemistry he had with Jenn made him even more compelling. Josh owned a role that I never could have pictured him to be in. That's a testament to his portrayal and to the confidence the film makers had in casting him. They hit it spot on by sticking to their guns with him.<br />
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<b>OVERALL</b><br />
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I absolutely ADORED this movie. Everything I was worried about was for nothing because it all turned out great. If I am disappointed about anything, it is only that I have to wait over a year and half before I see the next installment. Though, what a wonderful pain, as I never thought I could love again after the end of the Harry Potter series.elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-59308583584034457622012-02-14T15:35:00.000-06:002012-02-14T15:35:16.616-06:00Top 5: Memorable Fashion from Grammys/BAFTA Weekend 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
5. Michelle Williams at the BAFTAs</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc43N-npHnU/TzrL7hja1LI/AAAAAAAABQo/W8MpWn8JyUk/s1600/article-2100760-11B42C8F000005DC-85_306x465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc43N-npHnU/TzrL7hja1LI/AAAAAAAABQo/W8MpWn8JyUk/s320/article-2100760-11B42C8F000005DC-85_306x465.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I like this dress on her because it's very classy. Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, especially with that hair do. However, I don't like the harsh lipstick nor the weird yellow color of her hair. I think the color should be toned down because both make her face look too harsh instead of softening her. Overall, she looks gorgeous, regardless.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">4. Kate Beckinsale at the Grammys</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuMA1f9om_M/TzrL9UhZ6jI/AAAAAAAABRQ/LxujndIXBn4/s1600/image-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuMA1f9om_M/TzrL9UhZ6jI/AAAAAAAABRQ/LxujndIXBn4/s320/image-4.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Not sure why she was at the Grammys, but did she EVER look more smoking hot than she does in this dress? No. It's so playful and sassy but so elegant at the same time. Unbelievable.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">3. Kristen Wiig at the BAFTAs</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2EvAUCOFbTE/TzrL8cb_iUI/AAAAAAAABQ4/Rdla5zD-fmY/s1600/getty_t_baftas-red-carpet-arrivals-5-120212-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2EvAUCOFbTE/TzrL8cb_iUI/AAAAAAAABQ4/Rdla5zD-fmY/s320/getty_t_baftas-red-carpet-arrivals-5-120212-4.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">SHE. LOOKS. SO. GREAT. I usually always have something to say about her looks, but THIS is just fantastic. No reservations, she looks perfectly gorgeous.</span></div>
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2. Rihanna at the Grammys</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eh3bMkMRqKU/TzrL9vMemVI/AAAAAAAABRY/hKTPGz4STGE/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eh3bMkMRqKU/TzrL9vMemVI/AAAAAAAABRY/hKTPGz4STGE/s320/image.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Everyone thinks they know what I am going to say about this one, but they are wrong. I actually LIKED what she wore for a change. It's like she finally figured out that being a complete slut isn't sexy and that showing a little less IS. Plunging neck line and peek-a-boo back WORK with this dress because it's not TOO much. The slit is a perfect height, it is just gorgeous. The dress is perfectly tailored as well. I like it. Now the hair... not a fan... but every thing else. Yes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">1. Fergi at the Grammys</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">What the actual... I cannot even with this. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERWEAR SHOWING FOR? You look awful. UNACCEPTABLE.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">See the entire <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.329603983744403.75080.164774266894043&type=3">album of fashion from this past weekend here</a> and add your own thoughts! (You may need to "like" the page in order to add comments.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-29914511148410421492012-02-05T13:55:00.002-06:002012-02-05T13:55:36.569-06:00Movie Review: The Woman in Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFPSrFvqie8/Ty7ZCNrdfKI/AAAAAAAABQY/t_FzR9gpltU/s1600/womaninblack002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFPSrFvqie8/Ty7ZCNrdfKI/AAAAAAAABQY/t_FzR9gpltU/s320/womaninblack002.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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I have been looking forward to this movie for a very long time! It's Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter film, and although it deals with the supernatural, his character is very different from the Boy Who Lived. He plays Arthur, a father and a widower. It's a sad story which is driven mostly just by Dan's facial expressions and reactions. (But we're in good hands because, I mean, just look at that face...)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzzqOVmJ26k/Ty7ZA6OkcFI/AAAAAAAABQQ/wY50VulS0lI/s1600/womaninblack001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzzqOVmJ26k/Ty7ZA6OkcFI/AAAAAAAABQQ/wY50VulS0lI/s320/womaninblack001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, tho... that face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Radcliffe is a really smart man who acknowledged the fact that it will take at least three new films before people see him as something other than Harry Potter. In the same vein, Dan has said that with all the success of the Potter films, he knows he has freedom (where other actors may not) to choose smaller projects at this point in his career, and he feels it's his duty to exercise that. He also acknowledges the fact that many of his fans will see a movie just because he is in it, and because of this he feels he has a responsibility to them to make sure he doesn't force them see something terrible. This is how he chooses the roles he plays. It's really refreshing to know that a kid with this much commercial success and fame can still be so down-to-Earth and reasonable. He's a good one. <br />
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That being said, going into this movie I had really high expectations and unfortunately this movie didn't completely live up to them. With how short the movie is, the emotional punch I think the film was trying to make was muted. The middle section felt rushed and so the resolution didn't seemed to grow organically as much as it felt like it was pushed along, feet dragging. It's not as original as I had hoped, nor as severe as the trailers lead me to believe it would be. I think if there had been more time spent on the rising action, it would have held up better, overall.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjK1MzOIEHA/Ty7ZFohotCI/AAAAAAAABQg/cy6s8tbPBKY/s1600/womaninblack003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjK1MzOIEHA/Ty7ZFohotCI/AAAAAAAABQg/cy6s8tbPBKY/s320/womaninblack003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, as a PG-13 "horror" movie, it was really good. There were many sequences I thought were perfectly planned out and executed. I jumped and covered my eyes over and over again, sincerely! Not to mention, Daniel Radcliffe does have to carry the film all by himself most of the time, and he does a great job of it. I think it was a good first step out into the world of non-Potter related projects for him and proved he doesn't have to be a school boy for the rest of his career. I really can't wait to see what he does next.<br />
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I would suggest that if you are interested in a gore-less scary movie, check this out. It was so much fun. This is especially a great film for any Dan Rad fans. I doubt you'd be disappointed! I enjoyed this despite feeling it didn't live up to my expectations and will probably see it again with my friends.<br />
<span id="goog_749732494"></span><span id="goog_749732495"></span>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-38731134153317494732012-01-24T10:11:00.000-06:002012-01-24T11:52:50.263-06:00Oscars Noms 2012 Reactions<a href="http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/84/nominees.html">This is the list of nominations.</a> And this is how I reacted as I read through them:<br />
<ul>
<li>Yay <strong>Gary Oldman</strong> is nominated! It BETTER BE HIS YEAR TO WIN<del> because I love him more than is appropriate</del>. </li>
<li>GROSS. Brad Pitt is nominated AGAIN… for what looks to be a completely mediocre role. Also I hate his stupid, smug face. He better not win.</li>
<li>NO <strong>LEO</strong>? WHAT IS EVEN… AMPAS, you can suck it.</li>
<li>Rooney Marra! Hooray. I like her even though I hated the movie.</li>
<li>Uh oh, both GG winners, Michelle Williams and Meryl Streep are competing for the Oscar.</li>
<li><strong>MELISSA MCCARTHY</strong> FROM BRIDESMAIDS GOT A NOM! I am SO happy for her!! She is fantastic. I hope she is partying hard today!</li>
<li>God… 5 animated movies this year? And I don’t care about ANY of them.</li>
<li>Every time I see “War Horse” or “Tree of Life” listed, I get annoyed. </li>
<li><strong>Jane Eyre</strong> for costume design! I love it! It needs to be recognized for something. </li>
<li>Also, any time I see “Moneyball” listed, I get angry. </li>
<li>I’m irritated there is no “Jane Eyre” or "Deathly Hallows” for score. </li>
<li>OH HEAVENLY… OH MY GOD! <strong>BRET MCKENZIE</strong> FRO<strong>M FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS</strong> IS NOMINATED FOR HIS SONG IN THE MUPPETS!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS I CANNOT EVEN!</li>
<li>Oh… GOD…. I’ve only seen ONE of the best picture nominees. And I will NOT see… 4 of them because I am not remotely interested (or it’s The Tree of Life and have been told if I watch it my face will melt off my head). </li>
<li>This is a weird thing to be irritated about… but I think Deathly Hallows Part 2 should have been nominated for sound editing and mixing. ANGER.</li>
</ul>
Welp.elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-77255279354930248622012-01-18T20:21:00.000-06:002012-02-08T14:00:06.964-06:00Broadway Rant: Darren Criss and How To SucceedAs many of you know, I went to NYC about a week and a half ago! It was amazing and a full-fledged post about my experiences there is coming soon, but first... a rant.<br />
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Background for those who aren't keeping up with Broadway: Daniel Radcliffe just ended an 11 month run as lead in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and now Darren Criss is taking the lead for just 3 weeks, ending on January 22nd. <br />
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I've spent the last week being "Proud Mamma Bear" about Darren Criss being on Broadway, but I think now I need to switch, briefly, into "Protective Mamma Bear."<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>It's not fair</strong> for people to criticize/judge Darren's performance/singing in How to Succeed based on a few bootleg YouTube videos and WAV files recorded on someone's iPhone memo app.</li>
<li><strong>It's also not fair</strong> to compare his stage performance voice to his voice on the tracks of any of the Glee soundtracks because there is a huge difference between professionally produced songs and singing and dancing on stage. As one deliciously snarky YouTuber put it, 'welcome to live theater.' (If anyone has watched him in any Starkid production and compares it to his H2$ performances, you'll agree he's really grown as a performer since then! < / proud mamma again >)</li>
<li><strong>It's especially not fair </strong>to compare any of that bootleg footage of Darren to the professionally produced soundtrack tracks or professionally recorded video clips of Daniel's show Broadway.com/The Tony's/any number of Tonight Shows/Early Shows showed on TV. Nor is it fair to use that to say how Darren sucks in comparison to Daniel Radcliffe. </li>
</ul>
Daniel Radcliffe said in an interview before Darren ever took the stage that he felt Darren would have a hard time ahead of him because of the short amount of time he'd be on stage. Dan said it took him (Dan) months before he really felt like he had sunk into the character and really was doing his best work. Basically, he said he wouldn't want anyone to judge what he can do on stage solely on his first 3 weeks in the show and that he knew that is what Darren was about it endure.<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.4;">I saw Darren in How to Succeed about a week and a half ago on January 8th. When I got home a few days later, I saw that someone had posted a video of Darren's first night. Just from that YouTube video to the night I saw him, I could tell there was a huge improvement in his performance.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span><br />
So my point is this--<br />
<br />
For someone to take a snapshot from one night and plaster it across the entirety of his performance as though it's an adequate representation of what Darren can do is <strong>not </strong>right, nor is it fair. Especially if you are comparing it to any of the ultra perfected and produced professional tracks/videos from Dan's show.<br />
<br />
Now, from what I saw, I DO think that Daniel is the better actor and Darren is more at home singing and dancing. Overall, they each excelled at what they were most comfortable with. But if Daniel <em>was </em>better, why is that surprising? He's been a professional actor for more than half his life and been mentored by some of the most esteemed actors in the WORLD (...ALAN RICKMAN....). Plus, he was J Pierpont Finch for almost a year. To compare what Darren does in 3 weeks to ANYTHING other than what Daniel did in his first 3 weeks on stage is just stupid.<br />
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Anyways. The end. That's my rant. I just had to get it off my chest because, no matter what, I am *no proper adjectives* proud of Darren and the fact that he is head-lining a show on Broadway. He's come so far and is still going and basically, <strong>GET OFF MY BABY OKAY.</strong><br />
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<img _mce_src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly0vatYTkv1qf3j2j.gif" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly0vatYTkv1qf3j2j.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" />elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-91795589805945451102012-01-16T16:49:00.000-06:002012-02-05T14:17:35.054-06:00Fashion Album for 2012 Golden GlobesHey guys, I just posted an album full of red carpet pictures from the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.310832135621588.71942.164774266894043&type=3">2012 Golden Globes here</a> with my comments. Click the link to browse through and add your thoughts on each look, too!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTV697xYmKE/TxSpOiqq3PI/AAAAAAAABQI/6Ae9WAdLnco/s1600/405278_310832692288199_164774266894043_839095_962956992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UTV697xYmKE/TxSpOiqq3PI/AAAAAAAABQI/6Ae9WAdLnco/s320/405278_310832692288199_164774266894043_839095_962956992_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(You may have to 'like' my blog's page on Facebook to add your comments.) Can't wait to see your perspectives on these celeb looks.elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com86tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-47757163050899308452012-01-14T13:27:00.001-06:002012-04-21T19:47:33.443-05:002012 New Years Resolution: See 100 New-to-me MoviesFinally finalized my list of movies to watch this year! <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I should have seen many of these YEARS ago. Thankfully I have awesome friends with awesome taste who suggested a lot of these to me. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">I’m going to try to write up a small blurb about my impression of each one as I watch them…. TRY! So we’ll see!</span> Check it out.<br />
<br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(228, 228, 228); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 4px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-left: 30px; padding-left: 15px;">
<ol>
<li><strike>The Big Lebowski</strike></li>
<li><strike>Fargo</strike></li>
<li><strike>Book of Eli</strike></li>
<li>Amadeus</li>
<li><strike>The Hunger Games</strike></li>
<li>The Dark Knight Rises</li>
<li>The Hobbit</li>
<li><strike>London Blvd</strike></li>
<li>Dr. Strangelove</li>
<li>North by Northwest</li>
<li><strike>Little Children</strike></li>
<li>All About Eve</li>
<li>Sophie’s Choice</li>
<li>The Bridges to Madison County</li>
<li>The Children’s Hour</li>
<li>Harvey</li>
<li>The Great Escape</li>
<li><strike>Friends with Benefits</strike></li>
<li>Cocoon</li>
<li><strike>Quills</strike></li>
<li><strike>Horrible Bosses</strike></li>
<li>Young Adult</li>
<li>Casablanca</li>
<li>Rebel Without a Cause</li>
<li><strike>Taken</strike></li>
<li>Sunset Blvd</li>
<li>Triplets of Belleville</li>
<li>Kiki’s Delivery Service</li>
<li>Milk</li>
<li>Moon</li>
<li>Last Samurai</li>
<li>Blade Runner</li>
<li>A Beautiful Mind</li>
<li><strike>Annie Hall</strike></li>
<li>Street Car Named Desire</li>
<li>Happythankyoumoreplease</li>
<li><strike>The Help</strike></li>
<li>Crank*</li>
<li>Rebecca</li>
<li>7 Pounds</li>
<li>Apocalypse Now</li>
<li>Snakes on a Plane</li>
<li>Hereafter</li>
<li><strike>Take Shelter</strike></li>
<li><strike>Lars and the Real Girl</strike></li>
<li>Seven Samurai</li>
<li>Attack the Block</li>
<li>Arsenic and Old Lace</li>
<li><strike>Raiders of the Lost Arc</strike></li>
<li>The Apartment</li>
<li>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</li>
<li>Snatch</li>
<li>Trainspotting</li>
<li>Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels</li>
<li>The Thing</li>
<li><strike>My Neighbor Totoro</strike></li>
<li>Stand By Me</li>
<li>Ed Wood</li>
<li>Nausicaä</li>
<li><strike>What’s Eating Gilbert Grape</strike></li>
<li>I Love You, Phillip Morris</li>
<li><strike>Old School</strike></li>
<li><strike>Midnight in Paris</strike></li>
<li>The Amazing Spiderman</li>
<li>The Great Gatsby (2012)</li>
<li><strike>Hesher</strike></li>
<li>Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas</li>
<li>The Five-Year Engagement</li>
<li>Seeking a Friend for the End of the World</li>
<li>Imogene</li>
<li><strike>Woman in Black</strike></li>
<li><strike>US Marshals</strike></li>
<li>O Brother Where Art Thou?</li>
<li><strike>Stir of Echoes</strike></li>
<li>Howl</li>
<li>Flowers of War</li>
<li><strike>We Need to talk about Kevin</strike></li>
<li>Dark Shadows</li>
<li>Men in Black III</li>
<li>Rock of Ages</li>
<li>The Brave</li>
<li>Les Miserables</li>
<li>Mesmer</li>
<li>The High Cost of Living</li>
<li>Cheri</li>
<li><strike>The Virgin Suicides</strike></li>
<li>About a Boy</li>
<li>Billy Elliot</li>
<li><strike>Elizabeth</strike></li>
<li>My Left Foot</li>
<li>Rope</li>
<li>Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid</li>
<li>Truly Madly Deeply</li>
<li><strike>The Beach</strike></li>
<li>Rabbit Hole</li>
<li>Good Night and Good Luck</li>
<li><strike>Drive</strike></li>
<li>Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)</li>
<li>Perks of Being a Wallflower</li>
<li>Dracula (1979)</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-27188558492653637702011-12-31T14:40:00.003-06:002011-12-31T14:51:05.432-06:00Top 5: Best posts of 2011I did this last year before the new year so I thought I'd do it again! Here are my most viewed/commented/or just my personal favorite posts of 2011. (Yes it says top 5, but I decided on 6 because I had a tie, haha.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. <a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/02/moviebook-review-lovely-bones.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c;"><b>Movie/Book Review: The Lovely Bones</b></a></span><br />
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I was late to the party with this beautiful book, but it still hit me pretty hard. This is my review of a book that changed my perspective on many things while also bringing me a new favorite author to follow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. <b style="background-color: white; color: #00774c;"><a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/04/hunger-games-casting-reactions.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c;">The Hunger Games Casting Reactions</a></b></span><br />
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In 2010 I speculated on who I thought would be great in the movies. In 2011 they actually cast for the film so I posted my reactions. Discussion ensued.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">4. <b style="background-color: white; color: #11cca1;"><a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/07/movie-response-harry-potter-and-deathly.html" style="background-color: white; color: #11cca1;">Movie Response: Harry Potter and the </a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #11cca1;"><a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/07/movie-response-harry-potter-and-deathly.html" style="background-color: white; color: #11cca1;">Deathly Hallows Part 2</a></b></span><br />
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After the ending of the Harry Potter movie series, I had a lot of feelings. I poured them all into this enormous post that's much longer than any true movie review should be. Not ashamed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-to-get-worried-is-my-tv-show-on.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">When To Get Worried: Is my TV show on its way out?</a></span><br />
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I had some epiphanies while watching a few of my shows change -in a bad way- this year. In this post, I catalogued all of the things I think lead to the untimely death of a show and signs to look out for if you're wondering about one of your shows.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2.</b></span><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/07/character-break-down-defense-of-snape.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c;">Character Break-Down: A Defense of Snape</a></span></u></b><br />
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Before the last Harry Potter movie came out, there were a lot of mixed feelings about Snape as a character. Was he a selfless man or a bitter bully? I have always felt Snape was fantastic, so I laid out all my HP books and started this Snape Defense essay. It's one of my most reblogged posts on Tumblr and one of my most viewed and discussed posts of last year on this blog. Whichever side you land on, this may be an interesting read.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/06/dallas-mavericks-world-champions.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c;"><b>Dallas Mavericks: World Champions</b></a></span><br />
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One of the high-lights of my year was absolutely the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA championship. I was at he Mavs watching party at the AAC in Dallas when they clenched that title, and then I met the boys on the tarmac at Love Field the next morning to congratulate them. This post is all about that experience and what it meant to me for those boys to finally win.<br />
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Also, one thing happened this year that has changed my life very much. I lost my cousin, Chad, and I was blessed enough to be asked to speak at his funeral. Speaking in front of all those people terrified me because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep it together, but the fact is that it was very easy to talk about Chad because he is such a beautiful, amazing, and hilarious person. All that to say that I posted my <a href="http://elizagolightly.blogspot.com/2011/08/eulogy-for-chad-linley.html" style="background-color: white; color: #00774c; text-decoration: none;">Eulogy for Chad Linley</a> here on this blog, and I wanted to leave 2011 giving you guys another chance to read about him.<br />
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Happy New Year! Reign in 2012 with class.<br />
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<br />elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-78040737433932359072011-12-22T22:26:00.003-06:002011-12-23T21:21:27.852-06:00Movie Review: Girl With the Dragon Tattoo<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went into this movie having not read the book, and also being slightly uninterested in seeing it. However, I knew there was immeasurable hype surround both the book and the movie, so I knew I needed to see it. I was excited to see what all the fuss was about and went in with an open mind.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The movie begins with what may seem like incredibly odd opening credits. As someone who knew nothing of the story and barely anything about the characters I was about to meet, the oddness had no context and so it didn't really work. As I left the movie, I remembered the opening and chuckled to myself because, even after knowing everything, it still seemed out of place. It may have worked better as part of the closing credits instead... who knows?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rooney Mara was awesome. For me, she was absolutely the best part of the entire movie. I read somewhere that she is "the next Kristen Stewart" which is too cruel a comparison to be real. Rooney is much more dynamic, talented, genuine, and explosive as an actress than Stewart could ever hope to be, but the hype that statement was meant to express is true. Rooney certainly proved that she should be the next big thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I also enjoyed Daniel Craig in this movie. He portrayed Blomkvist as likable and down-to-Earth. He was another part of the movie I really liked, which helped pull me through some of the stuff I did not. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">H</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">owever, I did not enjoy a lot of the movie and all the reasons have to do with the choices Fincher made as the director, not the story itself or the acting. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The film was uneven, unbalanced, and I felt a lot of it was choppy. For viewers who have read the books, it may seem different to you because you know what's coming and you know all the stuff that was left out, therefore, it may flow more easily for you. But for a viewer who has not read the books, not only did the story not flow, but the big reveal of the mystery and events stemming from that seemed anti-climactic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Basically, the rest of the film never lived up to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the intensity of the rape scene, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which happened in the first 30 minutes, was </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">exposition,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and had hardly anything to do with the main story line</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I feel like Fincher paid too much attention to that scene and less to others he should have highlighted. That scene was so powerful, so meticulous, and so obviously choreographed to the finest detail/camera angle/sound effect that it made me wonder why Fincher didn't spend that amount of effort on other, much more important events in the story. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wanted the rest of the movie to be that meticulous. I wanted the film to show me that amount of intensity and focus, but no other scene ever really did that. When the most fierce scene has already happened in the first 30 minutes, the rest of the movie doesn't pack a punch. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many people have said to me </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Well, the rape scene is that intense because it's like the book"</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> but my issue is not about being faithful to the book. My issue is that the way Fincher dealt with that scene is what made the rest of the movie unbalanced, in my opinion. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why spend so much time highlighting a piece of exposition, then later skimming over actual important plot points and events? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It raised questions in my mind of what Fincher was thinking when he was editing and why he didn't think to allude to more and show less of the rape scene, so that later he'd have time to pay more attention to things that mattered more to the story. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The same things could have been achieved for Lisbeth's character had he edited that scene down; I am not saying it should have been cut altogether.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">OR if the climactic moment of this movie had been done with as much care as the rape scene, I probably would have no issue with it at all. I would have felt that the ending was satisfying and the movie more balanced. Either way, in order to fix this problem, one of the two things I've mentioned needs to have been changed. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, I would say that there was too much hype around this movie and not enough delivery. I think if I had read the book I may have enjoyed it more, but as a neutral viewer, the story fell flat with the way Fincher presented it. If you love the book, see it! If you like action mysteries, you may enjoy this movie. If you are neutral and don't care one way or another, don't waste your time. If you can't handle rape scenes, run far, far, far away. </span>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-40694337062716905752011-12-16T22:27:00.000-06:002011-12-16T22:27:16.370-06:00Movie Review: Sherlock 2 - A Game of ShadowsI have been waiting quite a while for this movie to come out. I loved the first Sherlock Holmes, and so I was eager to see what the second in the series would bring.<br />
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Going into this film, I understood the risks of it being a sequel, so I expected some "cheesy" moments like what we witnessed in the Pirates series, where the same joke was referenced in nearly the exact same way. Those things were abundant, but not overpowering in Game of Shadows. The movie, overall, was really enjoyable. After a while of thinking it may stay too close to repeating "safe" element of the first, it catches its own rhythm and momentum. Also, there were even some things I could have never expected. At the end of the movie, although I started out unsure, I decided that I enjoyed it and it was a good movie.<br />
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The only thing I was a little annoyed about was it felt like Ritchie relied far too much on the slow motion action sequences that made the first film so unique. Watching Sherlock's thought process as he decides in split seconds which strikes to make in a brawl was mesmerizing in the first, but in the second he does it again and again, and eventually it is beat to death. We get the shtick, let's see something new.<br />
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The chemistry between Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr is, once again, what carries the movie, even through some of the rough patches. Although she was around most of the film, Noomi Repace almost went unnoticed as her character was barely a plot device (and personally, I felt her purpose could have just as easily been served by Rachel McAdams' character), but Stephen Fry was a hilarious and brilliant addition to the cast.<br />
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This movie was fun, fast-paced for the most part, and enjoyable. If you want to have a good time, see it. If you love the first one, see it. If you love RDJ or Jude Law, see it... just... see it. It's fun.elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-5448273552974153672011-12-11T15:21:00.001-06:002011-12-11T21:12:08.968-06:00Nerd Christmas Gift IdeasI thought, since I am such an enormous nerd, that I should share with my readers some fun Christmas gifts I have gotten from my friends in the past, just in case it helps anyone who might be having a hard time finding a great gift for one of their nerdy friends. These are great gift ideas if you are creative and artsy, but also there are some good ones even if you aren't. (They mostly surround Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, but you may be able personalize them and tweak them to fit other things, too!)<br />
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<b>TOMs shoes:</b><br />
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This year one of my friends bought each of us a pair of TOMs shoes in the color she thought would be best for us and then painted them to fit our favorite things! They turned out beautifully, and it's a great way to incorporate the receiver's personal favorites into what you give them. Plus it means more because of the effort and work you put into them. Not to mention that when you buy a pair of these shoes, one pair goes to a child in need. Can't get better than that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord of the Rings on one foot, Harry Potter on the other!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ocean and mountains on one shoe, the forest on the other. <br />Melissa is a nature lover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lace was added to Ashlie's shoes, as were these beads. </td></tr>
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<b>JEWELRY:</b><br />
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For those of you who aren't great with painting, but you are slightly crafty and have the ability to string some beads together, you might look into making meaningful pieces of jewelry for your nerd. These next few pictures are examples of how to bring out important things from your nerd's favorite movie or book series.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a gorgeous "Snape" themed necklace Rocky made. It says "Always" <br />with a Lily and a doe in a frame. Any Snape fan would love this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Harry Potter themed necklace. It says "expelliarmus" with <br />Harry's lightning scar framed, the Deathly Hallows symbol, and a phoenix feather. </td></tr>
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And simpler still are singular charms that represent their favorite stories:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHbOtvvsaWo/Thi_HU4R6KI/AAAAAAAABGM/VW8mmamrlBM/s1600/snitch006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dHbOtvvsaWo/Thi_HU4R6KI/AAAAAAAABGM/VW8mmamrlBM/s320/snitch006.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few beads create tiny "snitch" earrings and necklaces for Harry Potter. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTFKBxC-TYo/TuVeLX-DBdI/AAAAAAAABM0/UoODHspd4X4/s1600/DSCN2050_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eTFKBxC-TYo/TuVeLX-DBdI/AAAAAAAABM0/UoODHspd4X4/s320/DSCN2050_picnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A leaf charm and a tree for Return of the King.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Or, if you really want to do something special or unique, you could use actual excerpts from the books or real movie images to make the jewelry like so:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3DKCrnx70Y/TuVeHRZ2xrI/AAAAAAAABMs/PHHe0wYhCh4/s1600/DSCN2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3DKCrnx70Y/TuVeHRZ2xrI/AAAAAAAABMs/PHHe0wYhCh4/s320/DSCN2042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old calendar with a screen cap from a movie...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8Rd3lmpZq8/TuVeN2Ic2XI/AAAAAAAABM8/o3pEmV6qRgU/s1600/DSCN2053_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8Rd3lmpZq8/TuVeN2Ic2XI/AAAAAAAABM8/o3pEmV6qRgU/s320/DSCN2053_picnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...turns into a really special charm with words from the story.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdJJ1RFxF1U/TuVeRwgTvkI/AAAAAAAABNM/OkcZ4tCsiO4/s1600/DSCN2062_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AdJJ1RFxF1U/TuVeRwgTvkI/AAAAAAAABNM/OkcZ4tCsiO4/s320/DSCN2062_picnik.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>RECREATE important moments:</b><br />
<br />
Most nerds enjoy fantasy/sci-fi stories, but there are elements of those things that will never happen in real life. We get it, we're not crazy, but that doesn't mean we don't secretly wish that it <i>could </i>happen. So, this next one is a simple gesture that shows your nerd that you may not "get" it, but you know how important those things are to them. 'How sweet,' they'll say. Check out what one of my best friends did for me this year at Christmas:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mp9J7J0aV6E/TuUlO4pZcQI/AAAAAAAABMk/JQNVnq2pPlI/s1600/DSCN270502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mp9J7J0aV6E/TuUlO4pZcQI/AAAAAAAABMk/JQNVnq2pPlI/s320/DSCN270502.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What, did I open a box and find that a tiny owl is <br />delivering my very own Hogwarts acceptance letter?<br />With the correct childhood address and EVERYTHING? (Yes.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfKiwB5wjOc/TuVh9wixtqI/AAAAAAAABNc/dtF9R8KkMkU/s1600/DSCN2707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfKiwB5wjOc/TuVh9wixtqI/AAAAAAAABNc/dtF9R8KkMkU/s320/DSCN2707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And inside... a real letter with correct fantasy font? AND worded just like the book?<br />Don't forget there's a supply list.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVOpCCin-ws/TuViQbiq8BI/AAAAAAAABNk/986QHTd4-ok/s1600/DSCN2708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVOpCCin-ws/TuViQbiq8BI/AAAAAAAABNk/986QHTd4-ok/s320/DSCN2708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's even signed by Professor McGonagall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHY1R4x6UM/TuVhq0pvhjI/AAAAAAAABNU/yxweb40oiKI/s1600/DSCN274102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHHY1R4x6UM/TuVhq0pvhjI/AAAAAAAABNU/yxweb40oiKI/s320/DSCN274102.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just Rocky being adorable with her owl. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ashlie did this for all three of us this year (us = Rocky, Melissa, and I) and she did it all on her own. She didn't have to buy much, just special paper to print on and whatever it cost to get the envelopes stamped with the Hogwarts crest and addresses. She also downloaded some special fonts and then typed the letters herself, using the books as a reference. Simple but SUPER special! Something that is completely doable and will blow your nerd's mind.<br />
<br />
<b>VISIT:</b><br />
<br />
If your nerd has dreams of visiting their fantasy worlds, for some books and movies that is a possibility. Surprise your nerd with a trip to Universal, Disney World, or ... if you're really nerdy and rich, New Zealand!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OB-HY_KhoUc/TuVqAkuzrlI/AAAAAAAABOU/00K2tBWcMi4/s1600/DSCN1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OB-HY_KhoUc/TuVqAkuzrlI/AAAAAAAABOU/00K2tBWcMi4/s320/DSCN1075.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nerd in her heaven.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iavKF1sFdk/TuVqqWM8RCI/AAAAAAAABOk/AkEdHqlmGNk/s1600/DSCN1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iavKF1sFdk/TuVqqWM8RCI/AAAAAAAABOk/AkEdHqlmGNk/s320/DSCN1377.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another nerd visiting his childhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58RM_mkROzo/TuVrv1KeBVI/AAAAAAAABOs/BSX2tMg7V4I/s1600/249160_505363900535_100400170_30272880_6711_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-58RM_mkROzo/TuVrv1KeBVI/AAAAAAAABOs/BSX2tMg7V4I/s320/249160_505363900535_100400170_30272880_6711_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHILDHOOD DREAMS.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Or, if you aren't a bajillionaire (or have no desire to go into debt) and there is no way you can surprise your nerd with a trip for Christmas, you could do what my friends and I did. We have always wanted to visit New Zealand because we love Lord of the Rings and basically... NZ = Middle-Earth. However, that will cost approximately $05863957986724856, so instead of crying about the impossibility, we decorated jars to stash a "NZ-fund" in. That way, the idea is always out there and the hope that one day we will get to go isn't smashed. This could be a really cute way to bring a dream like this one more step into reality for a nerd yearning for a trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulD2fnjk33Y/TuVnZdlYzMI/AAAAAAAABOE/l6e68q_qbJY/s1600/DSCN1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ulD2fnjk33Y/TuVnZdlYzMI/AAAAAAAABOE/l6e68q_qbJY/s320/DSCN1805.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the stuff on the outside of the jars are images that motivate us to save <br />because they make us WANT TO BE THERE.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hopefully this list has been helpful in one or another. If it wasn't exactly what you had thought it would be, hopefully it had things you can tweak to fit your situation. And finally, if it wasn't helpful even in that last way, hopefully you got a great, big laugh out of just how ridiculous I am in all my nerdom. Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-3905659853424099672011-12-05T19:15:00.001-06:002011-12-05T19:38:06.021-06:00Starkid Spacetour: Dallas House of Blues<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: url(http://assets.tumblr.com/images/input_bg.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 12px; margin-right: 12px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Firstly, if you don't know who Starkid is... you MUST read<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-ent-1102-focus-starkid-group-20111101,0,1815486.story"> this amazingly accurate article</a> about them from the Chicago Tribune, RIGHT NOW.<br />
<br />
I can hardly believe I never blogged about this. On November 13th I was lucky enough to get to go to the afternoon show of Starkid's Spacetour at the Dallas House of Blues. Charlene Kaye opened for them and it was just fabulous. Plus, I got to meet two of my favorite guys after the show.<br />
<br />
The show at the Dallas House of Blues was SO amazing. Perhaps one of the most unique concert experiences of my life. It was like watching showtunes, but you could sing along, and it was a concert... but there were skits and a little stand up.... and... it was just GREAT.<br />
<br />
About 30 minutes after the afternoon show, I walked back behind the venue in order to put more time on my parking meter and Dylan Saunders was standing back there chilling out with Clark from Jim and the Povolos. At first I kept going towards my car, but then I realized if I didn't stop and be a creeper and ask for a picture, I'd kick myself. So I went over to him and talked to him!<br />
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<img _mce_src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumv1toRij1qf3j2j.jpg" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumv1toRij1qf3j2j.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /><br />
<br />
He was SO sweet and completely genuine. I got to talk to him for about 10 or 15 minutes. I told him how impressed I've always been with Starkid and how smart I thought they were for doing what they do. He was so thankful and gracious about everything I said and he hugged me about 3 times in the course of our conversation!<br />
<br />
I asked him what they were thinking about doing after the tour and in the long term. He talked about how the tour is an experiment and they'd love to continue acting, since that's what they're all trained in first and foremost. He also mentioned they have 2 other shows written and that they may want to re-vamp Starship and hopefully, if they have a way to do this in the future, tour those shows!! It was so interesting! And I was so grateful that he was so easy to talk to -and willing to answer questions.<br />
<br />
It was also really special to have an uninterrupted (and kind of intimate) opportunity to tell one of these Starkids, sincerely, how awesome I think they are. And I'm <strong>so </strong>glad it was Dylan. It was perfect. <br />
<br />
So after that I was so happy, I didn't feel like it was necessary to linger and see if I could catch anyone else. I went back to put some more time on my parking spot so I could eat before I went home, and when I started walking back towards the venue, guess who I saw. Joey Richter!<br />
<br />
<img _mce_src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumv2jB0Up1qf3j2j.jpg" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumv2jB0Up1qf3j2j.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /><br />
<br />
I could not BELIEVE my luck. He must have just come out there and he only was able to stay out there a few minutes, but I was able to get a picture with him, too! I pointed out to him that I was wearing my Ron shirt because of him and he said "Well, I was gonna say!" Then he hugged me for the picture, which was <strong>ADORABLE</strong>.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, my night was TOTALLY awesome!<br />
<img _mce_src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumwqfmGFw1qf3j2j.gif" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lumwqfmGFw1qf3j2j.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /><br />
<br />
I just know that these guys are going to BLOW UP one day, and people are going to be shocked that I was able to meet and chat with them like it was no big deal. Hah!</div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3654618798660691999.post-22585312542339786332011-12-03T18:26:00.001-06:002011-12-03T18:31:18.823-06:00Short Movie Review: The Muppets<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 28px;">I loved "The Muppets" so much!</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
More specifically, the following:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">The musical numbers</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">The dancing</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">The cameos</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">”Rainbow Connection”</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">Jason Segel being awesome</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">The fact that I thought the lyrics of “Muppet or a Man” sounded like Flight of the Conchords lyrics, and then found out that Bret McKenzie wrote the songs for “The Muppets.” </li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">Amy Adams’ entire wardrobe</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">80s Robot</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">The ever-growing need to see Amy Adams in a true, full-blown musical</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: 0px;">Everything</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahgqO4SPwYk/Ttq-VILPNJI/AAAAAAAABLk/8j1BJbeX-7s/s1600/tumblr_lvm489CZkI1qzexhn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ahgqO4SPwYk/Ttq-VILPNJI/AAAAAAAABLk/8j1BJbeX-7s/s320/tumblr_lvm489CZkI1qzexhn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It. Was. Precious. Jason Segel did a great job with this film! Go see it right now. </div>elizagolightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16196089948320707652noreply@blogger.com0