An Education

First off, I know I haven't blogged in a while but I was under great duress as the date for my seminar presentation on Le Morte d'Arthur drew closer over the past 2 weeks. Thankfully that presentation has, as of 4pm today, been delivered and since I am zapped of any useful energy to direct toward the four essays I must now complete, I've decided to do a little something here. So forgive this delayed post but I simply must talk about An Education.

I am so desperately in love with everything about this film. The story, the clothes, the music - it is all more wonderful than the last. The message of this film is so inspiring and I really cannot say enough about the performances, especially that of Carey Mulligan. What prompted me to watch An Education was the impending Oscars. I realized that I had only seen one of the films nominated for best picture - UP! - yes I was woefully out of the movie loop and that hasn't really changed too much quite honestly. I still haven't seen Avatar, Precious or The Hurt Locker. But I was so there for It's Complicated which is one of my favourite films of 2009 so I suppose that somewhat makes up for it. Anyway, come Oscar weekend I was feeling particularly lazy and so I decided to watch a couple movies that were up for some nominations. I watched Up in the Air which I thought was okay, but that Anna Kendrick did not deserve a nomination and Vera Farmiga's character left me unimpressed.

Then I watched An Education and was blown away by how such a simple story could resonate so much with me. As a soon to be University graduate the one nosy question I get most from anyone is what I plan on doing with my life. The second, once someone learns of my concentration is a little more judgemental - Classics and English Literature, they say, do you plan to teach? Um no. And so when Carrey's character struggles with decision to attend university (which she sees as inevitably leading to a sad life as a teacher) or letting her much older beaux take care of her and forego her education completely I was excited. Finally a story that valued education and not vacuous beauty/charm. Also endearing Carey's Jenny is so enjoyable to watch. She's smart, she's sweet, she's sharp. Oh I lover her even in all her silliness, she is jsut 17 after all. Another trait that endeared me to her was her struggle with Latin, I hear ya sister! If you are firmly anti institutional education, then perhaps this is not the film for you. If you, however, Are begging to be shown why you've spent four years tirelessly working away at dead languages and dead poets - look no further. 

Oh right, the soundtrack. I loved just about every song I heard in this film. Particularly these two:

Sur Les Quais Du Vieux Paris by Juliette Gréco

Smoke without Fire by Duffy
click to listen

Waking Sleeping Beauty

Like many my age, Disney films of the late 80s, early 90s played a large role in my childhoo. I count them to be among my favourite films. It takes about 5 seconds into The Little Mermaid for me to weep with joy and sentimentality. Everything about The Lion King makes me wish I was 6 again and don't get me started on how amazing Lumiere and Cogsworth are in Beauty and the Beast. For me, these films, along with Aladdin, are some of the best ever made by Disney or anyone else. I cannot explain the depth of emotion in me that is connected to these films, their characters and the music. I also find it extremely difficult to choose my favourite. I suppose it is between The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, but they are so different. I do not remember a time in my life when I was ever unaware or unattached to The Little Mermaid, but I remember the specific feeling of joy upon being present (along with my stepsisters) with a shared copy of The Lion King.  I suppose they will remain forever tied together at the top of my list of favourite films.

Of course it will be of no surprise then when I say the trailer for this documentary on the people and years that produced my favourite films has me the definition of excited. Enjoy the preview below, hopefully this will be playing in a theatre near me. Oh and when is The Lion King coming out of the Disney vault. I am antsy.

12 Days of Christmas Blogging: MOVIES!

Love Actually

Home Alone

A Christmas Carol

Muppet Christmas Carol

Bridget Jones' Diary

It's A Wonderful Life

Christmas Vacation

Holiday Inn

Miracle on 34th Street

White Christmas

8

This gave me chills - the bad kind

If there is one thing that turns my stomach more than discrimination and hate - it is when d&h masquerades as morally upright religious beliefs and therefore an acceptable prejudice to support. How can people who have lived longer lives than myself still reason like confused and hateful children half my age? Blindly following an archaic "Religious" belief is not a sane reason to treat those with a different sexuality than one's self as less than human. For shame.

Post Grad: Post Viewing Remarks

The other day I took my recently-turned 12 year old sister to the movies for her birhtday. She wanted to see Post Grad, and although I'd rather watch Star Trek, again, it was her birthday - her choice. Now it is time for my very own review.

First of all. Cute, snappy title. Unfortunately it names the group of people most likely to be offended or groaning during the movie, rather than it's target audience. I am 1 year younger than the main character, Ryden Malby, and was the only one of that demographic chilling in the theatre.

Secondly. Cast of wonderful actors with nothing to do. The credits read like something that should be funny, but the film was lack lustre to say the very least. There were funny parts - after Ryden accidently breaks a casket the family straps it up on their roof and drives home, running into a group of latino gangsters who pour their liquor out on the road in a sign respect - this made me laugh - then die a little because no one else was laughing and that was definitely the funniest part.

Finally, and this is big, the ending was a groan-worthy affair. SPOILER ALERT - bahaha, like you don't know how these movies always end. Ryden chooses the boy OVER her career. The job she's spent the whole film moaning about and lusting after is conviently and quickly forgotten. Am I really supposed to believe she dropped it, and geographical closeness to her family, for a boy who plays droopy, sad guitar chords? Nahh. Besides that, what is this teaching the young girls, like my sister, who actually wanted to see this movie? I'll tell you what it's teaching them - Career is important, but not as important as being some manboy's special girl. You know what Rory Gilmore -- I mean Ryden Malby --- Shame!! Although I always forgive you because you look identical to one of my favouritest cousins... but still!!!

Top 3 ... Favourite Chick Flicks!

Oh chick flicks. Best. Movies. Ever. I was reading a couple of review highlights for The Ugly Truth and it got me thinking ... so this movie is supposed to be terrible and most of the chick flicks I've seen lately are terrible, but what are my favourites? I watch a lot of movies so the task of selecting just 3 for my list will be a challenge, but I'll narrow it down to recent (80s-today) and strict chickflick: no "action", no "mystery" just good old fashion lurvvvv: here goes... in no particular order:

1) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Why?

I don't care what the haters say, Kate Hudson is somuchfun to watch on screen in her cutesy roles and

this one is a delight! It has an utterly preposterous setup in which two people are thrust together on a bet, but it is hilarious and the close are nice!

2) Pretty Woman

Why?

Youngish Richard Gere, toothy Julia Roberts, scene with Roxette's Must Have Been Love playing while the heroine rides away in a limo - fantabulous.

3) Bridget Jones' Diary

Why?

This is one of my most favourite movies of all time and I just

cannot pick out any example of what is best about it - its just amazing in every way possible! Possible even better than the book (I know, blasphemous) Bridget it was one my favourite characters both on film and paper. heart.

Weekend Sum Up

I know Tuesday is now coming to a close, but I thought I'd do a little rundown of my weekend for form's sake - wouldn't want to miss documenting anything!

My family headed up to a neighbour's cottage this weekend and I opted to stay home - but I actually didn't spend much time at home as it turns out.

Friday I rented too many movies and ended up only being able to watch one (Confessions of a Shopoholic - cute...). Saturday I was startled awake by a crash of thunder right overtop my house which turned out to be quite licky because I had stayed up super late and not set an alarm. I headed downtown TO and hit up the ROM with Calvin. It was overrun with kids and culminated in me getting the wits scared out of me by a person dressed as a dinosaur slowly shuffling towards me ... very scary when you don't realize what's going on.

Dorcas picked us up at a subway station near her house and drove all the way back to Oakville for dinner at Alice Fazoolis (yay! my favourite) and BRUNO - Oh.My.God. I was so scandalized the entire time. I've decided that Borat was much better - but there was still loads of hilarity in this film as well. Later that night I endeavoured to watch another of the movies I rented (Waitress: went on too long, but kind of cute) and then fell asleep. Sunday I found some great deals on short and capris - much needed with my impending summer vacay!

Basically this weekend was a lovely break from the monotony of work-home-sleep-work ... hope everyone else had just as good a time and remember, tomorrow is already humpday! Schweet.

(It's Been) One Week

Note: The title of this post is meant to be sung to the tune of the same name by the Barenaked Ladies ... in case you wanted to know.

It has been a week since my last post and for this I apologize (sorry Ivana I know I promised... but I got busy). I think a quick recap of the past week's events are in order. Worked Tuesday - Thursday (nothing too interesting here). I was finally able to use up the Roots gift card that's been burning a hole in my wallet since Christmas. Went to a lovely dinner at Milestones in Dundas Square in T.O. with Dorcas, Calvin, Ivana and Kiani. Ivana and I were particularly amused by the Ken Display in the bathroom. Being rabid blogettes we naturally took a photo and vowed to post it - so here I am fulfilling this vow. Ivana and I then went on one of our epic joyrides on Lakeshore. I should explain. Each Joyride begins with a mixtape (see previous post) and a destination goal. I don't know why but every single time this goal is Appleby College. Our fascination with the affluent private school students of Oakville is unparalled. I should also note that we NEVER make it there. the closest we got this past Thursday was a drive-by in which I awkwardly turned to pull in before Ivana exclaimed the drive was blocked by a chain and there was a nightshift guardsman on duty - Phew close call. This kinda reminds me of the time Kiani and I joyrided (joyrode?) through the parking lot of that pretentious Rotherglen School on Neyagawa and Kiani threw something out the window and then we laughed...good times (note: I do not condone littering in anything other than exceptional circumstances - this was one of those circumstances). Anyway - Friday I gymed it up with Ainsley and then went to dinner with my mum who came to town for a visit. Saturday we got Pedicures, hit up Sherway and then met my two stepsisters for dinner. Sunday was pretty laid back, but I did go see STAR TREK (YAY!) and it was amazing/I loooooove Spock. So that just about sums up my week. Hopefully won't abandon the blog for too long again. In other news ... I simply must come up with an amazing post idea for my 100th post which is quickly approaching!!! ideas?

What I'm Listening To: Amber, My stepsister, got me Day and Age by The Killers for my birthday and I know I've already posted about this album but I just must share the delightful song I Can't Stay. I obviously love Human and Spaceman, otherwise I wouldn't have asked for the CD, but I think I Can't Stay may be my favourite song off the album. I was determined to listen straight through to get a feel for the album as a whole, but I had to replay this song about 3 times before I moved on. Other good tunes: Neon Tiger, This is Your Life.

	The Killers - I Can't Stay
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Something Old is New Again

Okay, so recently a couple of truly awful songs have been released and now play in semi-heavy rotation on Much and Much More Music and it got me to thinking about things that come into prominence again after some time out of the limelight ... mainly songs.

The BAD kind: Without flying too far off the handle into the dark parts of my personality (an occurence that has been iduced by these songs before) I'll mention them and why they are whoreable. First is Right Round by Florida (yeah I am not going to mispronounce a state name for the likes of you sir). Basically everything about this song is terrible ... the vocals are pitchy and unbearable, the video is a rotating buffet of crap and it sucks the fun and goodtimes vibe of the original 80s new wave classic by Dead or Alive and replaces it with low rate, sexist garbage that effectively sums up everything that is wrong with 'hip hop' music these days. Second is Karl Wolf's Africa or should I say Toto's Africa, butchered and served at a dirty roadside burger joint with a topping of pretentiousness and a side of douchery. The video for this song is -if possible - worse than the song itself. It begins with a Microsoft Movie Maker title then quickly tries to prove Karl Wolf-my-cookies is rich by the presence of a butler ... only the butler is holding an umbrella that looks suspiciously like something you'd pick up at a dollarama ... lame. So that is the BAD kinda of old becoming new again. I just hope the teenagers hopelessly download these songs off itunes as evidenced by their top 10 list, had the decency and good graces to realize these both pale in comparison to their orignal counterparts.

The GOOD kind: as I mentioned in the previous post, I saw Monsters vs. Aliens today and there was a bucket load of good trailers - one of which was for Spike Jonze's adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. The trailer features a song off the Arcade Fire's 2004 album Funeral called Wake Up (click it <--). I bought this album a couple years ago along with their more recent venture Neon Bible. Both albums are amazing (even though I was admittedly reluctant to believe the Hype about this band ... i finally gave in and suggest everyone else do the same). Anyway ... I hadn't listened to Wake Up in a criminally long while, probably because Rebellion (Lies), Crown of Love, and Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) are the only song titles I can name off the top of my head from that album. But this Trailer brought all the glory of the song back fresh into my head and I've been listening to it happily, along with the rest of the Arcade Fire's songs all day!

...

My only hang-up with Arcade Fire is the fact that they have so many members ... you know where you're like well, seriously ALL of you guys NEED to be there? ... Really? You sure we don't just have a Chumbawamba situation where 2 people sing, one guy plays a trumpet at key points and the rest of you just flail around onstage for the duration of the song? ... okay okay - just checking.

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS VS. ME ... a film review

I just got back from watching MONSTERS vs ALIENS in 3D!!! I have never watched a film in 3D, but as soon as the ticket guy handed me the awesome 3d glasses I got all giddy and excited. My sister and I got excellent seats (there was some initial trepidation on my part because there was two little girls behind us, but pretty much there were two little girls/kids behind every seat in the theatre so it didn't make a difference). In fact, although I usually despise kids at theatres, this time I felt like I was one of them - I gasped just as loud as the 6 year olds when the first 3D images popped out of the screen (though I didn't try and catch all of them like the boy in front of us). The movie itself was so cute and clever and one of the first movies in a long time that left me feeling glad I spent $$$mula$$$ to see it in theatre. Bob was so adorable and the animation was really enjoyable to watch ... and there were so many celebrities doing the voices and I couldn't quite place them all but I defo imdb-ed that up afterward. Also - the previews were pretty decent too. I am a bit of a closetted trekkie ... I've many of the Star Trek's (Voyager - religiously, Deep Space Nine - bored afternoons after school, Next Generation - !!! all the time) but I've never watched a single episode of the original series .... so when I first heard about the Star Trek movie I didn't explode with excited ... but each time I've gone to the theatre recently I've seen a trailer for it and I just get soooooooo excited, the music, SPOCK! omg I'm getting excited now just thinking about it. my blooger (typo but i am keeping it) still won't let me post videos but here is a link to the theatrical trailer if you are at all interested .... you are, don't lie....
oh and P.S. Simon Pegg is in it!!! Yay! the world is awesome ...

What I'm Listening to: Last Nite (cover) by Adele (click the picture dahling)

I heard this cover at least a year ago but totally forgot about it until recently and thought I'd share it. The Strokes are one of my favourite bands - way back in 2003 I fell in LOVE with them and although the quality of their music has suffered (First Impressions of Earth? Howabout first impressions of my fist into the metaphorical face of the song Juicebox?!) still I adore them no matter how 2001/4 they are! So, the fact that Adele (LOVES) did a cover of one of their first singles is amazing... almost as amazing as her cover of the Raconteurs' Many Shades of Black. well done! Here is the original by the Strokes ... just for old time sake!

ALSO, I mean, why not? Here is a link to Right as Rain just because it is so happy and I love it! Okay, no more Adele for a while now kiddies.

Vanilla Aztecs or end of year shananigans

So this past weekend was basically a total write off in terms of getting any actual studying done. Friday was the last day of winter semester and obviously time to party. I went over to a friend's home played some 'card' games then stumbled around their darkened home tied to Angie (3-legged-race-style) using a flashlight to find easter eggs. I think our total find count was 2 ... I personally found 0 ... but i did get a wickedbad sliver. We then proceeded to march (read: stumble) towards Alfie's in the rain and waited to get in for long enough that my hair frizzed up and we lost one member of our party. all in all a good night. Saturday I spent sprawled on the couch until evening when Dorcas and I finally went out and saw I Love You, Man (kiani please forgive me). The movie was stellar (JOBIN!) and I couldn't stop laughing - would definitely recommend. Sunday I bummed around downtown and bought some nail polish and a pillow from Urban Outfitters (I'll admit I find the store super pretentious and totally self-conscious of their own trendiness - but I DO like their knick knacks and whatchamacallits). and finally last night Calvin, Dorcas, and I pretended to be really cool by celebrating the end of the semester with an Aztec Vanilla Cigar. I, of course had to be the man and take the first 'drag' (as Dorcas was appropriately calling it =D) and it was fun and games from there.

What I'm listening to: I love the 80s. i was born in the 80s, but I wish more than anything I was a teenager in the 80s - It was AWESOME! So when I heard the first two singles a little while back off of The Killers' new album Day and Age I was sooo excited. I'm not a huge Killers fan - I really didn't like their first album, Sam's Town was decent, but I can already tell I am going to love Day and Age. Spaceman is my favourite song of the moment. I always watch the video when it comes on MMM and enjoy it a little more each time. Now I am as much a music snob as the next person and the Killers are defo mainstream to the max - but I also realize that life is too short to deny the joy that comes from a super catchy pop rock song from playing on my pod. And the Killers actually make some good music... so they can stay. Here is Spaceman by The Killers (click the picture) ... try not to roll your eyes and just enjoy!

C'est La V

This weekend has been quite busy with funtimes and I have unfortunately neglected some (read: all) of my studies except reading the previously mentioned Through the Arc of the Rainforest. To begin with, on Friday I went to the VOGUE charity fashion show. This year's theme was C'est La V ... whatever that means. It was enjoyable enough - we were second row so it was a little awkward looking direclty up at the models as they strutted their stuff. Saturday Calvin and I saw the Watchmen ... I know purists will be all like "(whine) You didn't read the novel you can't get it" but I get it - I just don't care for it. Too much philosophical hmming and hawing (and not the good kind) and Not enough action. Most of the action was actually of the sexytimes variety culminating with the Night Owl II's ship breathing fire. Also the music was a little... um .... yeah - I felt like they has stolen the oldies but goodies list from my iPod, set it to shuffle and just let it go. The music from VOGUE, was actually pretty good. they did a contemporary dance to India Arie's cover of Don Henley's Heart of the Matter - it was excellent!

I Think I've Died and Gone To Heaven!

The Picture Says it all - LOVE IT!

Best of / Worst of The Oscars 2009

So, most people who know me know that Tina Fey is my IDOL. I adore her so much - she is so clever and funny and smart and I could go on all day. I was so exctied to see her on the Oscars last night presenting with Steve Martin and excitement only grew and grew as she poke fun at Scientology hardcore. This was THE. BEST. MOMENT. of an otherwise booring (intentional typo) show:

But with good, must come bad, and good lord did it come in heapfuls last night. Awkward, Ugly and Annoying can describe some of the less enjoyable moments and characters of the night:

1) Awkward: Sophia Loren presenting Best Actress: This was awkard, but mostly hilarious: The Dress! The Hand on Hip! The Tone of Disdain in her Voice! *sigh*

2) Ugly: Jessica Biel more like Fugly: #1 what was she even doing there? #2 what was she wearing - on her face as well as the dress - HORRIBLE from top to bottom. I booed in disgust when I saw her com onstage - earn your first pay check in 3 years then present at the oscars ...

3) Annoying: Plus Ones (as Dorcas affectionately referred to them). Okay so we all common folk here but it is FUN to chuckle at some of the non famous attendees who get get their nails done and their hair did, up only to be caught on camera from afar as part of the audience. Some Plus Ones are more interesting than others, mostly due to fashion faux-pas, while others are just relentlessly annoying (ahem: John Mayer - YOU are number 1 annoying plus one!) He may be famous (unfortunately) but he's not Oscar famous. Sorry John, but you are the Weakest Link - goodbye.

Oscars 2009: Best Dressed