The Host

Alright so my two brothers and I always go to our cousins' house for conference weekend and the girls in my family always go to a movie or something during priesthood session!

Movie choice for this girls night: The Host

Alright I'm as skeptical about Stephanie Meyer as much as anyone! and critical! I have never read this book but wondered how it was and I overheard these two guys talking about it in the Math Lab this past week and they said it was better than expected and not too bad. So I was interested in seeing it just to see.

The Bad

1) The Pace
It started off pretty slow but it got better once it got going. I say the first 30 or so minutes was just plot set up, which was good and important but just slow, I got kinda tired and bored but like I said it picked up.

2) Cheese Factor
Not only was the beginning slow but also fairly cheesy but the awkward, ridiculous cheese subsided and got better.

The Good

1) The story
I actually like sci-fi. I find it to be pretty fun and some of my favorite plots and stories from sci-fi involve aliens. This story was actually pretty good I quite enjoyed it. They did very good portraying the story, although there were some holes (from what my aunt and cousins told me who did read the book).

I really thought they did well making the audience conflicted between the two love interests. I loved one because he was so attractive but he was mean to the Wanda but so sweet to Melanie. I loved the other because again, attractive, and he was so sweet and kind to Wanda. It was precious to watch. I was just as conflicted as she was, although I definitely know who I would choose if I had to choose!!! :)

I also think that the message in the movie was pretty good as well. The whole purpose for the invasion is to heal and to perfect. They came because humans were constantly fighting and killing they came to make us be kinder and more honest. But the invaders were intrigued by the human race. The aliens call each other souls and were so shocked to find that humans have souls as well. It was just a good message and the hope that there is in humanity.

2) The Cast
The cast was incredible, they were all very good and fun to watch. Saoirise Ronan as Melanie/Wanda. She did so well playing both parts it was quite impressive! I like her a lot, I'm sure whatever else she will be in I will be tempted to see it just because of her. Max Irons as Jared Howe and Jake Abel as Ian O'Shea. These three were incredible and I love them. Also William Hurt is in this movie which I was very impressed by!

3) Music
The music was really well done and I appreciated it. The last song of the movie (towards the end and the beginning of the credits) is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands! Imagine Dragons!! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu-xFvLaE68


Overall, I recommend this movie. My aunt and cousins enjoyed this movie as well. I'm not sure if I will see it again in the theater but I would watch it again. Definitely, dollar theater and we shall see if I buy it when it comes out.

Percy Jackson

I am so excited!!! I saw a movie trailer the other night and I am so excited!!!

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KoOtiuSjuI

I love this series! I have always been intrigued and interested in Greek and Roman mythology, I think it all started with the Disney movie Hercules!

Hercules was one of my favorite movies as a kid and I remember watching it all the time and wanting to be Meg all the time. This movie started my love of mythology. I remember being a freshman in high school and there was a unit on mythology and I absolutely loved it! I have even taken several mythology type classes at BYU in the Classical Traditions department. I loved reading these books and seeing the connections made to mythology and past stories that I have read previously.

My mother introduced me to the Percy Jackson series and I remember reading all of the five books within a weeks time. I loved these books and was so excited when I discovered that they were going to make them into movies. The first one Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief came out when I was a freshman here at BYU and my friend and I went to the midnight showing because we were so excited! I remember we were the oldest people there that were not parents. We felt kinda silly but we really wanted to see this movie. We walked out of the theater and we did enjoy ourselves but were also quite disappointed because it lacked many of the plot points of the book and many differences.

I was upset because I was afraid they would not make the second one let alone the rest of the series because this was really lacked plot and story and changed some things.

I am excited for Sea of Monsters because it looks like it is bringing the story back

1) It has the oracle!!

The oracle is the serious plot development in the books because she hands out the quests for the demigods to go on to often times save the world.

The Oracle gives I call them “mini-quests” something that reveals the plot for each book which is to help the “great prophecy” which is the purpose of the entire series.

2) It seems to have many of the vital points of the book in this movie but that is just from seeing the trailer so we shall see, anything can happen.

3) They have many of the same actors, which I appreciated because I quite liked the cast they had. Especially Percy, because while reading the books I fell in love with this stupid fictional boy and it was nice to have Logan Lerman portray him because I find him extremely attractive!!

 

4) Anabeth is a blonde!!!

It really bugged me in the first movie when Anabeth had brown hair when she is suppose to have blonde but she does so I am happy!!

5) They brought in more characters from the books into this movie that were supposed to be in the first one but were not! Like Clarisse, from Ares! She is an irksome character but kinda important. Also it looks like they brought in Tyson who I also love so that’s exciting! They also have Dionysis who I greatly missed in the first movie!!! 

6) Nathan Fillion is in it!!!! :) I love Castle!! 

 

I am so excited for this! One of my favorite books are coming back to be put into movie and I hope it is better than the first!!! I cannot wait! I want to reread these books again so I think I have my summer book list planned.. at least for a week anyway, and then I can start the continuation story over again and read the new ones!!!

BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!

Batman!!!!!!!!!

Dude!!! The title of my blog and the background of my blog is inspired by my favorite superhero: Batman and I haven’t even blogged about it!!! Well here it is.

I am obsessed with Batman! I have loved him for as long as I can remember and I’m sure my older brother Joe has had something to do with that. I remember getting my brother’s old Batman pajamas with the cape and everything! We would watch the cartoons together all the time and the movies.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Cvi30-BTU 

I love these movies, even the older ones with Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker. These new ones are even more amazing!! I love these so much, they are definitely my favorite and there are parts of each one that I love!!!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TpC-k9vm34

Batman Begins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QydeJbXOqyI

I love the quotes:

"Why do we do when we fall!!

So we can learn to pick ourselves back up!!"

I love this because it is perfect for life. No matter what happens in our lives we just pick up and carry on!!! And Liam Neeson is in this one, even if he is the bad guy he is still awesome!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6TmhHAsvwg 

The Dark Knight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSLlZh9yelk

This is my ultimate favorite!!! Joker is my favorite bad guy in the Batman series; I am a nerd so yes I have a favorite bad guy in just about every superhero series. I remember when this was fist announced and Heath Ledger was to be the Joker. I was very skeptical because dude its Heath Ledger I do not see him as a bad guy but as the dude from 10 Things I Hate about You. This cute little dude. I saw the teaser trailer, which is just a voice over of Bruce and Alfred talking with the bat symbol slowly emerging and at the very end comes the Joker cackle!!! I was completely blown away it was amazing!! From that moment on, any doubts I had about Health Ledger being the Joker were completely dispersed!!! I knew he would be great!!! But I was wrong! He was absolutely phenomenal!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWw0ov-cAUg

I know many people dislike this one because it is so dark and evil, and I would agree with you it is pretty scary but I like to look at the messages in the movie and the whole purpose behind it. My favorite part of the movie is the scene with the two fairies!!! I love seeing this because it gives me hope in people and the world in general. It is great!

Also who doesn’t love the quote “ the night is darkest before the dawn” or “you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

I love this movie!!!

The Dark Knight Rises

There are many parts of this movie I love! At first I wasn’t completely blown away by it but the more I watched the more I loved! After I first saw it though I had my own issues with it but still loved it! I had a discussion with a film major about this movie and he kept bashing it and I found myself defending it! His biggest argument: This is not about Batman! It was more about Lt. Blake. My response: The point of Batman is that he does what is needed and that anyone can be Batman!

 

I love when “the Bat” first comes on screen! I also love when the bat signal is finally shown in the movie emblazoned in fire! I also love Blake, He is wonderful and does symbolize everything Batman tries to express. It is awesome!!

Bane is also a great bad guy (although I really do not like the fact the dumb girl was the true mastermind behind everything, it kind of belittle Bane in my eyes), but still amazing!!!

People always compare Joker to Bane, and I do too, it is difficult not to. People often say who they fear most as well. Many say the Joker, I have to agree Joker is such a crazy evil genius that he is terrifying! I am terrified of him. But thinking about it: would I rather be locked in a room with no windows or anything with the Joker or Bane? Uh. Sorry but Bane scares me a bit too much physically I’d take the crazy dude in the make-up!

Overall, these movies are epic and I absolutely love them! I felt these movies made Batman incredible and everyone started jumping on the Batman bandwagon when my brother and I are the drivers of this bandwagon and have been since we were kids!!!

Media and Family

We discussed Family in the Media in class today and I kept thinking about the media I watch with families and thought of my favorites and how it measures up to the discussion in class.

I love The Incredibles, which was mentioned in class. I love the parents and the kids, especially Dash. I love seeing the family and how they work together and support each other. Yes, they fought and have problems but they work through it. I especially loved seeing Violet and Dash who fight all the time but truly have each others’ back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ-MHpY4L_U

I also love Meet the Robinsons. This first starts as a poor orphan kid but ends with his own family. I love this because even the adoptive family can be a great family! Lewis fits perfectly with is adoptive parents. Also I love seeing how great his future family! I love this movie so much and get a little emotional every time I watch it, even just thinking about this movie, while writing this. (I’m ridiculous!)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7J2QASqJ3w

Now I watch a few family shows but I can honestly say that my absolute favorite family show is The Cosby show.  Claire and Cliff are great parents, let their kids make their own decisions as well as guide and direct them and support them. They are also very funny which reminds me so much of my own family. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eQlN_YPyNc

Mulan

One of my favorite Disney movies of all time!!! MULAN!!!! I love this movie! It is very funny and I love the music and message!!! It is great!
It is so funny!








This is a movie my roommates and I continuously quote!
"It slipped through my fingers!"
"Dishonor! Dishonor you, dishonor on your cow!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppobDZeSJ9Q
"You lied to me?!?! And what are you a sheep?!?!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7pnOv252dU
And so many more!!!





I love how Mulan sacrifices so much to save her father and ends up being a great warrior and saving China. While growing up I always wanted to be just like Mulan: so strong, courageous, nice and caring. One of my favorite parts of the movie is the "Be a Man'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGMN-gNfdaY
Go Mulan!!!

Also I saw this one day and I thought....Story of my life!!!! haha

Gilmore Girls

Like most girls I absolutely love Gilmore Girls!!!

I remember the first episode I watched that got me interested to watch it. I was babysitting these twin babies and it was their nap time so of course I turned on the tv until they woke up. I was flipping through channels and saw this gorgeous face!!!!

I had no clue what was going on in the show I only saw that beautiful face. ha and yes I got intrigued. ha. But I never watched it again. Until.. My mom discovered it! It was on everyday after school and she and I would watch it together everyday. This was a mother-daughter show through and through!! My mom and I grew even closer.

My roommate Jill has all the seasons on DVD and our roommate Sharlee has never seen them so we decided to introduce her to them and watch them. She absolutely loves them.

We love the dynamic duo of Lorelai and Rory! They are so funny and great. I love Rory and how much she tries to do the right thing and be good and her love of school and books. I think Lorelai is my favorite! She is just so great and funny and loving and just awesome!!!

Rory's best friend Lane is one of our other favorites as well. She is just so great and funny. With her rebellious attitude and rocker chick. We also love how much her band loves her and cares for her!

Now we come to Jess. Even though he is a butt face and irks me sometimes I still love him. I still get extremely excited when he comes on, and yes eye-candy is great!

Now while I was watching these with Sharlee I came to the realization of the number one reason why I love this show so much!!! Its Luke!!!!! Luke is probably my absolute favorite character of the show! He is awesome and I always wanted him and Lorelai to get together because they are perfect and my roommate definitely agrees with me. WE LOVE LUKE!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm1jLyqOEd4

Sabrina

Alright! I was not feeling well over the weekend and just wanted to lay down and relax!! And of course when you are not feeling well you always want to watch something as you lay down. I decided to go on Hulu and see what I could watch. I found Sabrina the Teenage Witch!!! I remember watching this show when I was a kid and I loved it so I decided to watch it. It is still awesome. It is very cheesy but very funny as well with interesting story lines. I think I enjoy it just as much now as I did when I was a kid. Of course I love Harvey and want Sabrina and him to be together, Sabrina has the funnies best friends with Jenny and Valerie. Sabrina's aunts, Zelda and Hilda are silly and Salem is conniving and funny. And distain Libby. And as usual Sabrina uses magic and it goes terribly wrong and she has to fix it! I love it because you can relate to Sabrina. You always feel a little selfconsious especially in high school and you have some awesome friends and a boy you have a crush on and hope he likes you back! Fond memories and a great show!