That was so WICKED!!!!

It is impossible to watch this movie without reliving the late night viewing of 'Jack-Jack Attack." Between the late Taco Bell run, sleep deprivation, and sheer state of delirium my siblings and I were practically on the floor laughing with tears streaming down our face. Like most Disney movies there is a little humor for both children and adults, and 'The Incredibles" offer up a barrel full. A little synopsis for you: superheros are forced to stay undercover and not use their powers to protect people anymore. But when Mr. Incredible has the chance to put on his mask again he snatches at a chance that may risk his family's protection. All in all "The Incredibles" may be outside the world of Disney love finding flicks, but its humorous lines and material, and focus on family and good over evil makes it one to add to the shelf.

Update

It looks like I've been slacking again, I didn't get around to writing over my midterm break because, well, I was having fun instead of just doing homework and work. So even though I will be home in a week and a half for Thanksgiving I know I won't get to see some of you, plus if I do I probably won't get to spill all of my many details on you. 

School. Like mid-break Thanksgiving break leads to a whole new world of projects. I will be working on the following: a Writing Workshop portfolio, Children's literature bibliography, Trans Media Project examining different medias of the Phantom of the Opera, Critical Analytically paper of the play "The Lesson Plans" by August Wilson, and a Piano audition. A long with all the many other individual homework assignment, quizzes and small exams it will be a long next three weeks of classes before all my exams. 

Work. I will officially be trained behind the bar on Wednesday. However, I have technically been working behind the bar after waitressing for a few weeks. Work is long and tiring, but I am really loving the money, and it's a fun environment to work in. (And i keep getting asked out by a bunch of creepers, it's great fun to turn people down...not!)This week though I will work five days in a row, I'm thinking it is because I won't be here over Thanksgiving break. So I will get trained Wednesday, work lanes Thursday, a party Friday and Saturday, and the bar Sunday. 

Anchor. I had one of my big event on October 30. It was AMAZING! It was a full team efforts this year. Of course I had my stress moments, but never did I feel like it was all on me, and that I had to do all the work. Here are a few pictures!

Pumpkin Carving...She carved one of the campus buildings, Old Main...it was incredible. There were so many great carvings the judges (the family whose farm we were on) had a very difficult time deciding first place. The one that won had four carvings around the pumpkin. 

 Caramel apples, like last year, were a huge hit. Of course I forgot we had heated the caramel last year, so it made it a bit difficult for dipping, but it all worked out because many people just wanted half an apple and it cut up. 

 Pie eating contest! After a long conversation on the phone with mom I was able to figure out a cheap way to make these pies for our contestants. Now they were nothing compared to the family pie recipes but the contestants didn't seem to mind the canned filling and off brand crust.

The contestants

 Some of our pumpkin creation. (Check out the one that is projecting the sun, the front is the moon and stars.)

The family has a DJ service, and they went full out for us. Everyone had a great time dancing, and we even had karaoke. 

A few of our members taught us all how to do some line dancing.

Now this technically was a costume party, so I was required to dress up. So again with a little brain storming with mom, I was able to put together a little 'Grease' outfit. (I went for the made-over Sandy). My hair was all big and curled, but it was INSANELY windy out, so I teased the heck out of it and put in a huge bump.

This was the flyer I made for the event. 

We collected over $500 toward 'Wounded Warriors.' Each year we are hoping to build our number in attendants, but we were pretty satisfied with our turn out, and all we heard was how much fun everyone had.

The list. So since Heather and I are one of the only ones left of our friends (and because we are surrounded by babies in all our classes and on campus), we created this list of things to keep us entertained while everyone is away. We called it the, "Five, fantastic, fun, fabulous, festive, funky, fresh, fierce, fascinating, fearless, flashy, foxy, flawless, free, female, fit, fetching, fancy, fantabulous, fashionable, fixated, found, frilly, full, (f)enominal, (f)ase, film festival. It started by her joining in on the movie watching, and the rest of the list is as follows: 

Minnie-Winnie-Opa (park) 

Rodney's Karaoke night

Twilight Breaking Dawn (see it after break and re-watching all the films)

Library Book Sale

The Cities/Mall of America

Cheese and Wine Night

Homemade Dinner Nights

Thrift Store shopping

Chinese Food

Wine-down

Herman Park Margaritas

Lean Wedding Song (learn a dance we can bust out at a wedding) (Suggestions????)

24-hr - sunset-to-sunset

Collect _____ (We haven't figured out a random item to collect yet) (Suggestions???)

Photo shoot (famous remakes)

Fashion show

Expand our palates. 

That is all we have right now, and it will continue even when everyone else comes back, but it is a lot of fun to have a check-list of things to accomplish. It is very 'Gilmore Girls' of us. So we have accomplished a few things on the list, the biggest one being over mid-term break when we went to The Mall of America, and boy did we do some good shopping.

We tried on a bunch of different hats on throughout the day, these were the least ridiculous.

Vera Bradley. I went in and let me tell you there were SO many patterns it kind of hurt by eyes lol, and way more expensive than the warehouse sale. 

Heather made sure we stopped at this crazy store with all the most random stuff ever. But it had to be one of my favorite stores. Anything and everything could be found here, and it was all so unique. You could walk around for hours and not see everything. (Which we did) I got a game called Don't Drink and Draw, I'm very excited to play it with the family. So this was one of the random books, it reminded me of "Everyone Poops," but this one is all about the science behind passing gas, letting one rip, farting, etc. etc. It was hilarious and I really wanted to buy it, but instead I read it aloud to Heather, and a few others gathered around to listen as well.

This book was so true, it was realism which people may mistake for sarcasm, but in all reality it was just truth.

 A jewelry hanger. I thought it was pretty cool, I love tree like features.

I thought this was a great teaching activity. This man took newspapers and created poems out of the words on the newsprint pages. He would black out all the words he didn't use and the poem would read down the page.

Once again love all the unique wood decorations.

And another. Except these are even better because they are birch trees. I totally would have bought them, but for $65, and no where to put them I figured it wasn't the time for that kind of purchase

And of course there were men everywhere holding bags, sitting around looking bored, or like this guy sleeping.

This was SO cool. This store sold huge bean bags chairs that folded out into mattresses. I want one!

As for the clothes. Well I got a dress, some tops, and a cool new travel duffle that doesn't smell like soccer cleats. We wanted Chinese, so I just started driving away from the city and found one on the GPS. It was super shady so we started driving again and ended up in the cute down town area, so we stopped at a bar and asked for a suggestions and ended up at the best place ever. It also proved my point to her and her boyfriend that Chinese does come in sit-down restaurants and are way better than buffets and take-out places.  

I'm really really excited to come home, it is really weird that I haven't been home yet. I'll be home very early Wednesday morning because Kari has student teaching and I have clinical, so we won't be able to leave till around 5pm. Add 12 hours plus a zone change and it looks like it will be 5 to 6 in the morning that we will be getting back. I'm looking forward to and expecting a delicious Thanksgiving dinner (hint hint), and a few breathing days before stepping back into the last three weeks before Christmas break. 

I guess that is it for this update, I will do a few movie entries tomorrow and get back on top of those movie clues.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I'm not sure why this film makes me laugh so much. I should be terrified, appalled by everything in this film, and yet I sit and laugh and am happy at the end. This original playwright, for those of you who have never heard of this movie, is about a barber, who lives on the second floor, who murders people and sends their bodies to the basement, where the lady who owns the pie shop below  Mr. Sweeney Todd's barber shop bakes the humans into meat pies. It all happens, one because Todd, who is actually Benjamin Barker, needs to murder someone because he needs to get his rage out because he missed his chance at murdering the man who stole his wife and child and exiled him from the country. Two, meat is very expensive and Mrs. Lovett, the owner of the meat pie shop, needs to make business. She remembers Mr. Barker and is in love with him, so they concoct this idea and make a fortune murdering people and selling the bodies to the towns people deprived of good cheap meat. I don't know if it is simply the fact that Johnny Depp and Helena Carter, who play the barber and meat pie maker, can hold the most serious and unphased facial expressions, or if it just because the whole concept is just so barbaric and ridiculously pouring out with the fakest red blood ever. It is a musical, which adds to the humor, because there are certain lines which are so depression and sad, that it is funny. The costuming and overall seriousness of the film is hysterical. Murder shouldn't be funny, it isn't, and it is terrifying to hear that this kind of thing may have even happened in some way, but making a musical, which usually embodies happy stories, about murder is so ironic that it makes the topic funny. I don't know if I would laugh quite as much if I would have seen this as the play first, but I think that Depp and Carter do add a lot of the humor to the film, but I think that the musical aspect intertwined with the gory mess of murder creates this weirdly funny movie. Or it could be that my friend Kristie and I are just really weird, and have found our dark side in this movie.

Lost in Austen

Jane Austen would roll over in her grave if she saw this movie. I decided to pick a movie suggested to me by netflix...it was interesting. Set in British, Amanda only wants to live the life of Elizabeth Bennett. She gets to do so when one day Miss Bennett comes through a door in Amanda's house. So Amanda goes to Elizabeth's world, while Elizabeth stays in Amanda's. Amanda makes a complete mess of everything that is suppose to happen in Pride and Prejudice. It was a typical "modern person messes up the past" kind of movie, and has to figure out how to get it back in order. And yet I have no idea if I liked it. It was like watching a very cheap version, with very ugly people, of the eloquent and lovely world I've always loved. I had to promptly put in Keira Knightly's 'Pride and Prejudice' to recover from this horrible film. This movie had a great title with terrible results.

Narnia, Mona Lisa Smile, and My Sister's Keeper

Narnia, what a fantastic series! I read these books a long time ago, and now want to reread them all. I think the first movie was made fantastically well, and I've see the second one, but only once in the theater, so I plan to rent it soon. I remember it being good, but that it wasn't completely with the books, which I've heard is true about the other Narnia movies. But the more I read and watch, and study film through my class, the more I learn that the original material for movies comes from books more often than not. So we get mad that a movie changes the material from a popular book, but forget about the little books that didn't make it, but then became something because a movie was made about it. I've learned that I can no longer judge a movie to its book. It will always be different. It is absolutely impossible to create a film completely based off a book unless they want a 8-12 hour long film. Now even though I would enjoy watching that long of a film, I'm thinking sales might go down in the theater. I credit the writers and directors who do their best to follow the books, and honor the authors for creating the original material, but I also know they have to do something to create shorter films while making sense of the material for the audience. It is only when a film follows everything to a T, but then changes the ending that I get a bit upset (My Sister's Keeper). But even with that, I've learned about creative privileges. Time and time again we recreate art. Sometimes the original is better, and sometimes the new is more well liked. Generations determines this, professionals, class, gender, etc. all determine which should be better. We get upset when the new version comes out, but fail to realize that we can never create something original in art again. I was told this once in a English course, that nothing will ever be original again, it has all been done before. Think about it, every story, movie, musical lyric, everything has technically already been created, we just rearrange the original to make something new. It is sad in a way, but then it also gives us that wonderful thing, creative privilege. In 'Mona Lisa Smile' Julia Robert's character pays notice to this pondering thought. "What is art, and who decides?" Her character challenges her students to see view to new ways in life and in art, but in the end are we to conform or be ourselves? So the film maker of, 'My Sister's Keeper', decided to change the ending from the book. I thought it was rude, and inconsiderate, but he took his right to creative privilege and created the ending we all expected in the end, the one we thought would happen in the book, the less shocking and complex for all viewers. Was he right? Was his ending better? Did he create a more realistic film compared to the romantic ending in the book? Look at a film separate from its book, it really can create a whole new meaning, a two sided view on the same topic, and an equally entertaining and enlightening experience.

Update

So I am completely wired form work right now and can't fall asleep so I figured I would knock out part of an update for everyone. I'm sure I'll only get part way through the full update because I know this wind will end soon and I'll want to just pass out, so here we go.

I'm about to hit midterm, and like always I can't believe how fast it has gone by. School is going very well, all my classes I can't really complain. I think the only aspect I am having trouble with is my clinical teacher. It has been interesting to work with her, to say the least. She speaks in this formal condescending tone, and most of the time I feel like I am five years old. She speaks to everyone this way, so at least I know it isn't just me, but so many times I have wanted to talk back to her in the same tone. I have talked to my supervisor about everything, so it is all under control, but it is going to be a long rest of the school year, so please pray for some Tuesday snow days for me.

I play for my first evening chapel service on October 28, so if you want to hear me just go to MLC's website and you can watch it live. (Remember for most of you there is a hour difference, chapel is at 7 p.m.) I will be playing the piano, not organ, but I am actually doing really good in organ, so good that my teacher is now giving me harder pieces, so it is frustrating again, but at least I know I don't suck completely.

Since it is midterm that means tons of exams and projects. I've already had a few and I've survived so far. But midterm also means I get midterm break. Usually I would be coming home, but I decided to take on a few more shifts at work and save money by not coming home. I really wish I would have thought this decision through because home sounds really good right now, but my friend Heather and I are going to visit the cities and have a day of shopping and fun. So I will see everyone over Thanksgiving.

I had an interesting Birthday, it was the first real taste of what it is going to be like when I go off teaching and won't have anyone around to celebrate with. The second round of student teachers left either the day of or before my Birthday. So there are only now a tiny few of us left. So I worked the day of my birthday, but many of the regulars bought me drinks afterwards. The coolest part was getting to skype with mom, dad and Jennie, while having Melissa and Phillip on cell speaker phone. As mom said, "When I was young if I would have been told this is how I was going to communicate with my children, I would have never believed them."

I've got about 20 movies to catch up on writing about over break so look forward to those, I've got some real goodies coming your way.

I've hit the wall of sleep now so another update is on it's way!

Memento

I've been stumped, I know it is surprising, but yes this movie caught me off guard and I didn't see the ending coming. Now I blame it on my cold, it fogged my brain and caused me not to be able to thoroughly contemplate the ending. This was a movie I had to watch for my course and I was told not to read anything about it, or watch the trailer before viewing the film. Though it left me completely unaware of what was going on at first, I liked not knowing what was going to happen. Even though I love figuring out the ending before it happens, I don't like being told the ending before it happens. So don't look anything up, don't watch the trailer, just watch this movie, and you will be left in a daze of stupidity that make you want to hit yourself because you didn't figure out the ending before it happened. Enjoy feeling dumb!

Bridesmaids

Oh the one liners that come from this movie that will make me laugh for years to come. When I saw this in the theater I don't think I have ever laughed harder. Then last week I received a wonderful gift from my darling sister, 'Bridesmaids' on DVD! A complete surprise since I didn't realize it was coming out so soon. I have now watch it five times, and have compiled this list of quotes that crack me up.

You are more beautiful then Cinderella! You smell like pine needles, and have a face like sunshine!

I wouldn't want to make you explain what our relationship is to all those people. That would suck for you.

Do you want to tell a cop about it? We're just like priests except we would tell everybody afterwards.

If I wasn't a cop anymore, I would still go out with a gun and shoot people.

This is the first time I've seen you look ugly, and that makes me happy!

Annie: You read my diary?
Brynn: At first I did not know it was your diary, I thought it was a very sad handwritten book.

Why can't you be happy for me and then go home and talk about me behind my back like a normal person?

I want to apologize. I'm not even confident on which end that came out of.

I'm life Annie and I'm biting you in the a**!

Don't look at me!!! It's pouring out of me like hot lava!!!

Though it is a tad raunchy, and definitely not meant for children's eye, it is funny, it shows girls can be funny, it shows girls are crazy, but that we are wonderful, and that even though the title, content and everything about the film is girly, it does not use girly language or humor. See it, enjoy a laugh, and be thankful or hope that your wedding, shower, bachlorette party, and bridesmaids are never like this.

(I am also having a hard time viewing Gilmore Girls in the same way)

Bewitched

Finding current famous actors in older movies is only one of my favorite triva games to do during my movie watching. While watching 'Bewitched' I located Kate Walsh, better known as Dr. Adison Montgomery from 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice'. She plays a waitress, that's all, plan and simple, a one line part. I love finding this, recognizing the store clerks, or mailman, I enjoy knowing these famous actors first minor roles that led them to the parts they currently have. If Kate Walsh hadn't played the waitress in 'Bewitched' maybe she would have never become famous on abc. I decided to show the line of connection Kate Walsh waitress to famous Kate Walsh Doctor Addison Montgomery. She acted with Will Farrell in 'Bewitch' who played opposite of Vince Vaughn in 'Old School' who acted with Paul Giamatti in 'Fred Claus' who acted with Sandra Oh in 'Sideways' who acted with Kate Walsh in 'Under the Tuscan Sun' and then in 'Grey's Anatomy' and there we have it. So yes, I like playing little triva games with myself while watching movies, and of course I enjoy challenging family and friends to figure out voices and side actors in films as well.

As for the movie itself. Cute. Funny. And well connected to the TV show. I think Will Ferrell was probably the only actor who didn't completely fit their original actor (him as Darin), but he certainly did add a certain element of laughter. All in all it was fun to watch this old TV series in a new modern form.

Wall of Books

Some may wonder why I did not pick a background which represented movies for my blog. But for me this does. I have this list a dreams and wants, a sort of 'Bucket List' but it also includes other aspects as well. On this list is a room with a wall of books and movies. If you have ever seen the movie 'The Holiday' where Kate Winslet is shocked by the wall of movies in Cameron Diaz's house, that is what I want, this wall of entertainment. Never do I expect to have that many movie, she obviously had so many because she was in the movie trailer making business, but man I certainly can dream. Now combine that with 'Beauty and the Beast' and its incredible library, and that's what I would call one awesome room. So I would have this huge wall of movies and books, so of course I will need a few good Lay-Z-Boy recliners, a BIG comfy couch, and good window-seat like in the TV show 'The Torkelsons' and there would be complete serene relaxation. And as for decor, well I would take a note from Hollywood Video and cover the walls in music lyrics, movie, book and TV show quotes. What are the lyrics and quotes I would include??? Now that would give away some of my top movies now wouldn't it ;) So it looks like I will have to include my favorites quotes along the way as well. So when I tell you for my birthday and Christmas that a movie is a wonderful gift for me, just think of it as helping out in completing a dream of mine, creating my wall of entertainment, and not a cop-out/easy gift.

FernGully

I love Walmart for only three reasons. 1. Great Value Brand Medium White Salsa Con Queso Dip 2. Equate Brand Face Wash and 3. The Ginormous Container packed full of $5 movies which tempt me every time I pass and where I found my next movie. Ferngully.

This may not be a familiar movie to most, and maybe not even to my siblings or parents since we didn't own it, but let me tell you, this is the movie that most have inspired Avatar. That's right, the original blue people, expect in fairy form, saving the rain forest from the crazy humans and their pollution and machinery, with a little added in humor from Robin Williams, some Disney classic songs and everything in cartoon form.

When I was little, I use to watch this movie every time I went to my friend Missy's. Watching it now floods back memories from back then. For me it is a wonderful film, and though it probably doesn't match up to the animations created now, the content really presents 'Go Green' material we find promote so much now a days. If Avatar is a little to advanced in various ways for the younger kids, this would be a good alternative to consider to promote GREEN.

My Best Friends Wedding

One of my favorite soundtracks. Classic hilarious scenes of Julia Roberts. And a movie which makes every women in the world wish a deep voiced swarthy guy would sing to them while slow dancing on a ferry-boat. But the ending....what shall we do about the ending.

There are so many movies where I disagree with the ending, despise the ending, think the writers must be insane, and this movie.... is a toss up for me. See my problem is that I am someone who can find at least some kind of redeeming quality to a movie. So I love this movie, but the ending literally kills me, and yet I realize it is suppose to happen. This movie questions completely who we are "meant" to be with. The best friend? Or the perfect women?

So combine this movie, with 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Little Women' and 'Something Borrowed' and these movies are no longer helpful, they are not "self-help books", and non-beneficially to any girl attempting to figure out their love life and relationships, but confusing and frustrating.  I think all we learn is that EVERY situation is different, EVERY question has a different answer, and the person we are "meant" to be with varies  in EVERY relationship. So in other words, we need to stop using these movies as "self-help" solutions, and only see them as entertainment, with a few practical tips along the way, but not the answers to our problems.

Mis en Scene

I have been slacking off a bit on the movie watching. I've needed to have on the most undistracting entertainment, so 'Friends' got popped in again this week.

We have been studying Mis en Scene (say is in a French accent). The over-all feel of the entire movie, and how each and every elements is specifically positioned and added to create this feeling. Even though there are those who feel analyzing a film, seeing one multiple times, or merely studying a film for meaning instead of just for pure entertainment ruins the entire aspect, it has a way of making one appreciate, connect and actually enjoy the movie more. Of course through this some movies do have the potential of becoming, let's say, less than adequate,  even more so than they were before, however it make those movies which seem complex and maybe even confusing have this incredible multi-sided meaning.  Even though in my first viewing of a film I look specifically at content, knowing about these elements can only make them better.

Believe it or not, and this may even be deleting a movie off your list of potential film you picked as my favorites, but I have never seen 'Casablanca.' A classic I know! So many lines, so many methods, so many firsts, etc. etc. have come from this film. And yet I still have not seen this movie, even though for the past three weeks of class we have been studying this film. We have not actually watched it, only scenes of it. It was not a film we were required to watch so it wasn't on reserve for us, and netflix doesn't have it on instant view. So once I figure out how to get a copy of this movie, I will have it completely analyzed before I actually watch it. At that point I will possibly, truly, completely know whether watching a movie analytically is worth it, or if it ruins the film.

But I will need to acquire a copy of 'Casablanca' and get back to everyone about Mis en Scene, and if analyzing has ruined a classic movie for me forever.

Catch-up

Wow I am behind, not on watching but writing. No surprise there though, watching only takes half my attention and writing take my whole brain. So here we go I'll catch you up on the the movies I've watch in the past week.


Step-Up 2:
There was something about sequels this week, you'll see quite a few number two's on the list. Now usually I agree that number two's just aren't the greatest, 'Grease 2' anybody, but that doesn't mean they don't have their place. It is when they are just trying too hard to squeeze out some more money that the movies go south. Like the Fast and the Furious movies, I think the first few are awesome, but when the original actors start disappearing that's when you know to call it quits. 

Step-Up 2 I think is safe to say it is pretty good in content, and well just AMAZING in dance. I'm sorry but dancers impress the heck out of me. HOW DO THEY MOVE LIKE THAT!?!? I love to dance and don't care much that I probably look like a complete fool, but hey I dance like my dad, and everyone seems to enjoy watching him. Who says tall girls can't break it down?

I think the ending dance beats out the original Step-Up. The water, the music, the move....dang, just amazing. Now with a sequel there is the special requirement though, you have to watch the first to make sense of the second. The first part of this movie definitely requires that, but I guess you could go without watch the first one to get the point of the movie.
 
Night at the Museum 2:
I also love TV shows, and am also pretty good at naming what other movies and TV shows actors play in. However, I do not know names of actors. It's my family curse, we are just not good at names, but we sure do describe who they are well. So when I watch movies I notice the side-actors a lot because they always seem to pop-out in other movies with the same main actors (Adam Sandler Movies), or there will be a lot of extras from the same TV series. This movie apparently loves 'The Office.'

Andy (Ed Helms), Darryll (Craig Robinson), Kelly (Mindy Kaling), and Katy (Amy Adams) all play roles in this movie, a long with other big name actors!

I did like the first one better though. Even with all the MANY history facts and bits of culture, it was just too much. There was just TOO much going on. I think this was the logically location for the museum to "come back to life" in follow up with NY, but there were just so many history elements, people and facts I can't imagine that kids really even caught all of what was going on, or even any of the jokes. Some of the jokes I know would have gone straight over my head when I was little. So the question is, is this a children's movie or adult movie?

Something Borrowed:
Saw the movie in theater. Then read the book. Now saw the movie again. And I just can't make up my mind which I like better. I never like seeing a movie without reading its book first, but sometimes when I read the book first it just completely kills the movie. I like making the two separate. Even though it annoys me SO much when a book is completely altered in the movie, I do understand creative editing. There is no possible way to include everything in a movie when it is based off  a book, but when they completely change endings, or add scenes that NEVER happen in the book I get so frustrated. I don't even know which one is worse because endings are endings, it is the conclusion, the exhale, the resolution, so how can this be changed when it was so carefully and masterfully created. Most authors even start with the end, and yet movies still change the endings. But then adding is scenes. I give them the benefit of the doubt when they take out parts because there isn't enough time to include everything, but then they go on an add in scenes that didn't happen. Why not just include a scene you left out?!

But 'Something Borrowed,' both I LOVE! I honestly can't pick. And I understand all the changes in the movie from the book, they were completely constructive and practical in their creative editing. Even though when I saw this movie I was frustrated beyond belief because I just couldn't figure out how I wanted it to end, the book helped me like the ending, and that it had to end is way to make the second book/movie come true. So, now I just have to wait for 'Something Blue' to come out.

Princesses Diaries 2:
I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I loved the first, love the second, and will forever love it. This is when I fell in love with Ann Hathaway, and will watch any movie she is in. Even though 1 and 2 DO NOT follow the books what so ever, I did and do REALLY enjoy these movies. I mean it has Julie Andrews in it for goodness sakes! I actually don't know how many times I have seen this, it may be one of those movies I have to buy again because I have just worn out the disc.

A Knight's Tale:
Can we please just state the obvious first...why oh why did they deem it appropriate to include modern aspects in a movie which in every other way was historically correct. I still, no matter what, enjoy this movie, especially Mr. Heath Ledger. But between the 'Jock Jams' Music, Nike branding symbol, modern phrases like "foxy," and club dance scene it just downgraded the whole movie. Many people may think it funny or entertaining, but I just feel it takes away from the movie, it turned it into a funny haha movie instead of a historical romance. A few things they also got a bit wrong, but semi accurate??? There is a part where the French are saying they are better because the Pope is French, and Ledger's men reply that the Pope may be French but Jesus Christ was British. WHAT!? Now I am aware that people are ignorant to the ethnicity of Jesus, but you would think that the movie people may have researched this before making a joke that isn't even nearly accurate. And then another crack at religion is when Ledger walks into the Catholic church and dunks both hands in the "holy water" and smooths down his hair. I found this funny, but then thought yes this is a crack at the Catholics, it is also a joke on all religions that take Christ seriously. This is one thing we are looking at in my Film and Mass Media course right now, how religion is portrayed in media. Next time you watch a movie, see what you notice about what point they may be making about religion

Bride Wars:
Another good Hathaway and Kate Hudson Movie. I think this is Bridezilla at its best. Now never would I hope that my sisters would have been like these two, competitive, cruel and sabotaging, but man wouldn't that have been just been a tad bit entertaining. Can you just imagine an orange Melissa and blue haired Jennifer? (You know I love you both) But seriously this is very unrealistic, but that is the point, the over exaggerating makes the laughs. I do love how many things are true to a point in this movie as well. At the beginning the girls judge their friends hall, flowers, food, etc. etc. and know that theirs will be better, even though both of therm can't have a perfect wedding when they will be having completely different themed and seperate weddings. And then once the wedding is over their newly married friend has come past the wedding bliss and hit the reality check of married life, while the other friends drown themselves in ice cream and depression medication because they don't have anyone to marry. But of course in the end we learn what is most important, the wedding itself or the one(s) you are with.

So try out sequels, read movie books (before or after, it doesn't matter, JUST READ), and enjoy even the most unrealistic moments of movies.

Clue

I haven't posted new ones in awhile, so here are a few more clues. Melissa still was asking questions about how this works, so remember this is a puzzle, you won't figure it out till the end, and the clues are on all the movies and soon I will tell you which clue applies to each movie. It's a puzzle people, don't you remember doing brain busters! I'm trying to make it even harder since IMDB.com really kills things for me.

Top 10 Movies Clues:

It's a book

Childhood favorite

Contains a wedding scene
Contains an affair
Shows a man proposing to a woman

Oh Yea, Picture Time!

I took pictures from every angle I could. Enjoy my 3 weeks of hard work. I still want to had something above the window and the wall next to the window, but I haven't figured anything out yet. 

 The picture wall of friends (over 100 pictures)

 The entertainment center now a display of pictures and shelves of food and books.

 Closet #1

 Closet #2...that's right TWO closets!

 My desk. (Pictures are all family)

 The entertainment area

 My bed and make shift couch.

Well this past weekend was just perfect :) It's exactly what I needed, complete relaxation and no drama, especially after my Friday night.

Now my Friday night was not out on the town or with friends, nope, well unless of course you consider the eight people I met while talking to hp support service for over 4.5 hours as friends. Yes, that's right I said 4.5 hours! I've needed to turn my computer in for repairs for awhile now, but have been reluctant because I've always needed the use of it, plus I've had problems with my warranty registration. But no fear, I finally made it to the end after repetitively saying, "I'm sorry but can you please repeat that?" and listening to elevator music twice as long as I actually talked to anyone. Through it all I stayed fairly calm, they were apologetic and everything, but man did I just want to rip their none English speaking little heads off. So after all that I was able to confirm everything that was wrong with my computer, which now includes the most recent injury caused by me accidentally tripping over the cord and causing it to crash to the floor and lose a big chunk of the plastic. I got the box they sent  yesterday, and now I just need to send it in, which just sucks, because I will hate not having my computer! But I just need to suck it up and do it, I've got computer labs everywhere on campus.

So yes getting away from campus was wonderfully relaxing. I spent Saturday night catching up and hanging out with Aunt Sally, Heidi, Steve (Pastor Daley as the church members called him, and who were confused when I called him Steve), Amy, Katie, Samuel, Melissa, Chris, Kyle, Ellie and Emerson. It was WONDERFUL to have home cooked food, yes I am already sick of cafe food. I got to enjoy watching Steve and Chris "wash" the dishes, acting like they were teenagers again, while Aunt Sally told some funny stories about the two of them. Everyone was so exhausted but needed food for the next day, so Amy and I went to the store at 10:30 and somehow even with all the specific items and requests I was able to get everything on the list.

Sunday I got to see my MLC friend Derick who is the new teacher and principal at Steve's school at church. I got to hold Emerson up until the sermon (who then needed a changing) and boy does she love to play with bulletins. I saw Derick's new bachelor pad before we headed back to the Daley's for an AMAZING picnic. Chris is now the burger master of the family, and is required to make burgers for family get togethers. I don't even know how I ate that much food!. (Typical Oerther meal, way too much good food to have only small portions of) We played some catch football, and then a few rounds of Euchre. After all the church members had left we hung out and discussed the book "The 5 Love Languages". Steve started to have me take the quiz out loud, but we stopped that quick, one since the quiz was for a married person, and two because that would just be too much information :) So instead Melissa and Chris took the quiz as Steve read it aloud. What we learned? They want more alone no children and travel time, and Chris doesn't have to do laundry. As the Daley's packed up to leave Derick came and picked me up to go see "Our Idiot Brother" with another church member Matt. The movie was actually veered in and out of being a chick flick. It's about three sisters and their brother. Sound familiar. And how the brother annoys them all the time. Sound familiar. And how they have to do everything for him. SOUND FAMILIAR! Anyway, it was funny, Paul Rudd is always there for a good laugh. Thank goodness none of the scene actually represented my siblings and I, because boy are those girls messed up, and we are NOT.

Monday I got to hang out with Samuel and Katie as I drew anything they wanted on an etch-a-sketch. Let's just say I missed my calling in professional etch-a-sketch drawing. Then in the afternoon, Matt, Derick and I went to a shooting range. I know, me, the girl who screamed along with Melissa as our Dad forced us to shoot a gun for the first time, went to the shooting range. Well actually we went to Matt's uncle's property and set up some targets, but all the same. Of course I was nervous, and of course squealed a little, but all in all I didn't embarrass myself too much. In fact I embarrassed them, well until I freaked out when one of the hand guns made my arms fly up in the air and I couldn't stop laughing. But yes, I beat them, smothered them, in our competition round. I hit the center target nine times for seven points each. The first shot I aimed for the little boxes we set up for ten points a piece but missed, and then decided the center was a better bet for me. And man was I right. The other two were all over the board and now I have mocking rights for a very long time. Guns still make me very nervous, no matter how good I am at hitting a target, but I think I impressed my dad and Phil when I sent them a picture text of my target now pinned up in my dorm room.

I spent the rest of the day hanging with the MN Daley's and watched 'Ratatouille.' This movie just makes you want to become a chef. All those foods and how pretty they look, it really made me look forward to getting back to cafe food.

We have now hit hard core homework time. Next week I have SO much due, but I've been doing pretty good at getting ahead in all my work. And organ is actually not a pain in the butt! I think my plan is working. I practice piano and organ for a half and hour each during my free 4th hour every day which is right after chapel. Though organ still frustrates me, I think I'm getting better, and learning more songs on the piano just makes everything better.

I have my first day of Clinical on Tuesday and am totally excited! But I'm also a little jealous because all the student teachers headed out this weekend, and I wish I could start too. One more year, just one more year.

Work is going well, I think the bowling boys like me, and I seem to be meshing well with all the employees (which makes sense since most of them are from MLC). I'm getting a little over 15 hours a week, and tons of tips, which I hope continues to stay true.

But that is it for this update, I need to get to homework and find a seat and a cable TV for the MSU game.

Previews

I love previews!

When it comes to going out for a movie I'm the kind of person who hates to be late and miss out on the previews. Missing them means I miss out on what I should be seeing in the next few months. There is nothing like a movie theater preview. It is a perfect combination of chilling music, exciting scenes and the enormity of the theater screen. However, it is when a preview shows too much about the movie, all the funny scenes and/or when it gives away the movies secrets, I get so frustrated. They are taking away the whole experience of seeing a movie for the first time. I like not knowing anything about what I'm about to watch, but I can't help but love watching previews when they embody everything I like about movies.

The best kind of previews though have to be the ones played before the movie on a DVD. Even better, the ones on a tape before the movie. They make you remember all the movies you haven't seen in years, and ones you wanted to see but forgot to.

I know it is typical to skip over all the previews, or show up late at the theater, but next time think about what you are missing out on, the movies you might never see, the films you may never remember to watch again.

Watch previews!

Rules

I've been informed that I need to give out a few rules and instructions about the Top Ten Movies.

I've decided to make it interesting for everyone, almost like a riddle. I'm going to give a new clue each time, but always have the previous clues included. Like a riddle each clue will present new information, however it will make you think, rearrange your thoughts and hopefully stump you a little bit. So the clues, like the way I will be watching all my movies, will not be in any specific order. But I will slowly give out clues to say the order while describing each top movie.

Also you can post your guesses in the comments, but that doesn't mean I will say you are correct. But if you leave a comment you may be giving things away to others. By the end of the school year everything will all be revealed and you can see if you were able to get everything right. I will tell everyone when to send in their final guesses before I make the final post.

Good luck!!!

Top 10 Movie Clues:
It's a book
Childhood favorite

Every Party Has A Pooper

Repeating enjoyment. Many question why on earth I would watch the same movie over and over again, re-read a book, or view TV shows so many time I all the episodes memorized. I question why you wouldn't! It is like saying you wouldn't go to a restaurant you enjoyed eating at, going to the fair every year, listening to the same song over again. We repeat our outings, activities and events all the time, but people question why I would re-read and re-watch media because I already know the ending. Well I know what animals I will see at the zoo, I remember what the food will taste like that I order, and with every time I watch a movie, TV show or re-read a book, I see something new, connect in different ways and experience a whole new love for that piece of entertainment.

Courtesy of Netflix, I re-watched 'Father of the Bride' today as I worked on homework. I've loved this movie my whole life, and so has my family, which is why my dad so lovingly named my mom Franck during the planning of my sisters' weddings. However, going through those weddings and now helping out with so many friends plans as they approach their wedding this summer I think parts of this movie are just absurd! After Steve Martin's character George Banks hands off his daughter to his future son-in-law this is the last time he speaks to here before she calls him from the airport. When you think about this, it contradicts one of the most traditional parts of a wedding, the father daughter dance. And yet somehow this never happens. Then I don't know if this is just because of a change in times or a Californian idea, but the fact that the family of the bride must pay for the groom's relatives to fly in from another country is insane! It is like telling the bride's family to also pay for hotel, gas and other travel expenses for all those attending. If that is an old tradition, I can't imagine going along with those kind of expenses.

Nevertheless, 'Father of the Bride' still cracks me up, reminds me of home, and the planning of my sisters' weddings. I hope Steven Martin never stops making films, I could use a few more famous quotes like "Every party has a pooper that's why we've invited you, party pooper, party pooper. Every party has a pooper that's why we've invited you, George Banks, that's who." (Even though technically that little diddy is from Father of the Bride II)

Firsts

Well I guess it will be the week of firsts. Fist update. First week of school. First own room. First film. First time I've watched the film. First Clue.

I drove to New Ulm, MN on Thursday, August 18. I stayed with my friend Bonnie for the night in Waukesha, WI where I got to catch up with her over a bottle of wine. I arrived on campus around 6:00pm Friday and began the unpacking process. I unloaded everything, except my TV which I am still waiting for my big strong guy friends to come get, and then loaded my car up with stuff from my storage unit. Then came the organizing process. It was pretty easy because I have so much room! Not the usual words from a college student living in the dorms, but because I have a single this semester I can spread out everywhere. I realized that this is also the first time I have ever technically had my room all to myself, where it is ONLY my stuff in the room. It is weird. Later today my guy friends will be de-bunking my bed to make it into a couch, and bring up my TV so I can put the final touches on the room. Pictures to come...

School. Well I have 21.5 credits this semester. I have American Minority Writers (3), Doctrine 2 (3), Film and Mass Media (3), Teaching Music (2), Teaching Reading (4), Teaching Language Arts (2), Children's Literature (2), Organ (0.5), and Piano (0.5). I have class from 8:50-3:40 everyday, with a break after chapel and right before my last class. The number next to the class corresponds with how many times I have the class a week. Tuesday is the only day I don't have class. This is when I do my clinical experience. For those of you doing the math, this is where the last 0.5 credit comes in. This is my second clinical. Last year I was at Morgan Cedar Mountain Middle and High School, grades 6-12 special education, English and Math. I will find out this coming Tuesday where I will be teaching every Tuesday all day for the rest of the semester. Not much to report on the classes yet, the first week they try to be nice. However, my first movie has to do with one of my classes...

For Film and Mass Media we had to watch Modern Times. This is not only a Charlie Chaplin movie, but a "silent" film during the time of the first talkies, where we hear Chaplin's voice for the first time. My little knowledge on Chaplin seemed to be adequate enough in the discussion on his life, of course my brother dressing up as him for Halloween one year did help. This was my first Chaplin movie, and I have to say I know why everyone thinks he is so funny, and the reason he is so popular. Even though technically this is the first time the public ever hears his voice through film, he still makes sure he gets his point across that he can still entertain without words. His speaking role is of him singing, and in a language that is a mix of French, Italian and goodness knows what else. His actions still told the story, the singing was there only because it was "time" for him to speak. This was Chaplin's final silent film, after this he only did talkies.

Another exciting piece of news for my week is that I got a job! I am the new waitress/bartender at Concordia Lanes Kegel Klub. I begin work this coming week. I start as a waitress for the bowling alley and soon will be a bartender. Many of my friends work/have worked here, and this is the plan place we go on the weekends. It also happens to be the best place in town for a college students' income. I will get minimum wage plus cash tips. Since this is the most active bar and only bowling alley and banquet hall in New Ulm, it attracts most of the town, equaling more tips. So cross your fingers and send out your prayers as I begin this new position along with my very busy schedule.

Most of my friends are student teaching this semester, so distractions will be down compared to last year. Second semester I only have 17 credits plus less high profile courses. So when all my friends do come back for their final semester I will have room for a little distraction.

It is very warm here, and I am trying not to complain to much because I know within a month it will all be snow. I was informed that the next two years is predicated to be the worst winters in the history books. Isn't it just fabulous that I have two winters left here.

All it takes is the first step.

Your first clue for the Top Ten Movies:
It's a book

Purpose & Plan

Well my family and friends have enjoyed reading VERY LARGE email updates every few weeks from me for the past two years. Last year my brother-in-law suggested I start a blog, I thought this was crazy! I don't have time to sit and write a blog everyday. Well after my friend Jake started a blog and began writing about it teaching experiences in Indonesia, I thought, well maybe this would be easier and it gives me time to practice what I love most. Writing.

So not only will this be filled with updates and information but I've decided to add a little spin. If anyone knows anything about me, they know I have a very large movie collection. It isn't the biggest I've seen, well in real life it is, but I say about 250+ movies and five complete TV series counts as a lot. My goal is to watch all these movies throughout the school year. All of them. It shouldn't be hard or any different then what I did last year, but instead of re-watch the 10 seasons of 'Friends' three times this year I will just go through my whole movie collect. I also will be throwing in movies I see in the theater, rent or borrow, so there won't be much of an order to the way I watch them.

But since writing is a passion of mine I have decided to take on a blogger type of purpose in this writing. Though my family and direct line of friends know what my favorite movie is, they do not know what my top ten favorites are. So through my descriptions and hints along the way, it will be my followers (aka friends and family's) job to guess what they these top ten favorites.

 Good luck and enjoy!