Movies

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My Favorite Movies

The Oscars were like a second super bowl at our house. My step-mom was a drama teacher, so she loved this night of Hollywood stars and educating us on the ins and outs of the movie world.

We had ballots, and even though I never really knew what I was voting for it became a fun tradition and sparked a love for cinema.

Now most of my favorites were not seen on the Oscar stage, here are movies that I could watch over and over again. They never get old.

West Side Story

I love love love this movie. I am a sucker for musicals, and for me this is by far one of the best. I loved this growing up, but I developed a personal connection when I was in the pit playing the most amazing saxophone parts when my high school performed it. I can sing all the parts probably in my sleep. I know a lot of the dance numbers. So great!

Singin’ in the Rain

This movie is just so happy. Who doesn’t love watching singing and tap dancing wrapped up in a love story? This is a great movie to just make me feel good.

Miss Congeniality

Apparently movies that make me feel happy is a needed quality to be in my favorite movies category. To me this is uplifting and empowering. I still laugh so hard with this movie even though I know every scene by heart. Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses, and I love her in this role.

Sabrina

I like the old version with Audrey Hepburn, not the newer one with Harrison Ford. That one is still good, but you can’t beat Audrey. She is my spirit animal. This movie is funny with a love story intertwined. I have a personal connection to this one as well since this was the senior show my senior year, and I played one of the supporting roles. It was so much fun so I love reliving it with Audrey.

While You Were Sleeping

Another Sandra film that I love. This one is quite humorous as well. A subway ticket woman falls in love with a stranger (who she has never actually talked to), and she finds him in a coma and accidentally pronounces that they are married to his family. Hilariously romantic.

 What are your favorite movies?

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Movie Review: Pitch Perfect 2

Last weekend my sister-in-law and I made a day date and went to see Pitch Perfect 2. We both loved the first one, and we love most things singing related so it had to be worth our time.

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My initial reaction was that it was good, but not as great as the first movie. I think it is one of those things that you built the first one up so high, that it is always hard for a sequel to attain that same magic.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed my time in the theater with my large ICEE. It had some funny moments, and some great music.

I enjoyed the sentiment of closing the college chapter. I think a lot of us have been there that this is a hard transition. You have found a place you love and that you belong, and it can be hard to say goodbye to that and all the friends you made. And we all may do it differently. Hopefully we aren’t like Chloe and just avoiding it though.

I did enjoy all the cameos. I won’t spoil it for you, but some of them were pretty hilarious.

I loved that Beca and Jesse were still together. Too cute for words.

Fat Amy didn’t disappoint.

I also loved the “original” song idea, but it almost seemed very Glee-like.

I will say that I thought they could have done better on some of the other song choices. I wasn’t as awestruck as I was with the first. I think they did an awful job highlighting the Trebles-I didn’t like a single one of their numbers.

And where were Benji’s magic tricks? I can only remember him doing one! I missed his awkwardness from the first film. I understand it was a flash-forward to their senior year, and that people change, but that was honestly my favorite part of the first movie.

I also was really uncomfortable with all the “woman” hater comments from John the announcer guy. It seemed a little over the top to me.

Ok so it sounds like I am really critical of the movie.

It was funny, and it had good singing. So with a movie like this it’s about all you can ask for. I was entertained!

I may not watch this one on repeat like I did the first one though.

Just saying.

Have you seen Pitch Perfect 2? What were your thoughts?

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If I Were Famous…

The Oscars are this weekend. I LOVE watching the Oscars, even though I have to admit that I have seen very little of the films nominated. Who is excited about Neil Patrick Harris? This girl is. Except following Ellen’s performance from last year will be a little rough I imagine.

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Anytime there is a red carpet, I wish I was famous and wonder what life would be like to go in front of cameras all dolled up. Sidenote:  a real dream of mine is to be one of the ladies who is the award presenter/guider. You know the ones that don’t say anything but just stand there with the award and look pretty and point people where to go. You don’t really have to be famous to do that do you? How does one make that happen?

Anyway, It makes me wonder though what kinds of things I would want when I travel if I were a celebrity. Have you heard of a rider? A rider is a list of demands that celebrities make when say they are on tour. Each destination must meet these requests. I am not really sure what happens if they don’t. Perhaps they don’t perform or do the interview? These requests are supposedly to make them feel more at home and like themselves.

Anyway here are things I would want in my dressing room.

1. Chocolate Donuts. And not anything fancy from a real bakery. I want these:  the Hy-vee off-brand. I eat 5 every morning so these would definitely be comfort food. (Also in writing this, I discovered I could order these online…dangerous.)

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2. A big white robe and big fuzzy slippers. I want to feel like a cloud is hugging my body. Make it happen people.

3. Candy of the Twizzler and Ferror Rocher variety.

4. I would assume I have my own stylist team if I am famous enough to insist on a rider (which would be the one reason I would want to be famous), but I would like to have a masseuse waiting for me at every destination. Traveling is rough!

5. Panera Mac & Cheese and McDonald’s Fries. Because I need carbs when I travel. Who am I kidding? I need carbs all the time.

6. Straws in every drink. I am a sloppy drinker without straws. Seriously, it’s like I have never drank out of a real cup. I am an adult who needs a sippy cup. It would be even better if the straws were those fancy vintage looking ones, but I won’t be a diva about it. Just give me a dang straw so I don’t spill all down my front.

7. Hot towels. You know like when you get them right out of the dryer hot. Isn’t this the best feeling ever to be wrapped up in a warm towel after a shower?

8. A full smoothie station. Just have all the fruits and vegetables and ONE (brand) coconut water please. I would also ask that they are all local products from that particular area. Support small farms!

9. Listerine. I don’t know about you but when I travel I always feel like my teeth are more gross than normal. I need to clean up that dirty mouth.

10. A box of puppies. (And someone else to handle them). Because why not? There really isn’t much else that can bring joy quite like puppies!. Bring me all the puppies! (I would also insist that these puppies/dogs come from local shelters. This way these dogs can have a mini field trip from being in a shelter and maybe I can convince people with my celebrity status to adopt them. Fame for the win!

I may demand other things if were actually famous like J-Lo who has to have everything white, even her food. But as a non-A lister now, I think these things are pretty reasonable to feel comfortable. But let’s be clear besides the straws, Listerine, and donuts, these are not really things I have at home on a daily basis. Unless you put Grace and Crosby in a box, then maybe I have number 10.

So it makes you wonder if these riders are really what their lives are like at home or if they can just demand these things because they are famous. But then it makes you wonder why do we cater to these demands in the first place? But that is a discussion for another day.

Oh if I were famous…

What would you have on your rider? Are you going to watch the Oscars?

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Movie Review: Into the Woods

I love movies.

I love musicals.

I love movie musicals.

Whenever I see one, I envision myself singing one of the main parts and dream of being dressed up and thrown on stage as a star. Reality is I cannot sing alone, and I am too much of a perfectionist to make acting work. (Seriously in the fifth grade I beat my self up for not saying the word “the” in one of my lines for a Christmas pageant. I thought the world was over because I failed so miserably.)

So I go to the show and dream and of course sing along.

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I recently saw Into the Woods over the holidays with my SIL and MIL. It was nice for us to take a break without the kids, although I realize my MIL was still with her kid…but I digress.

This was just great. It had been awhile since I sat in a theater with an ICEE in hand. This movie was just delightful.

I love many of the actors, and they did not disappoint. The design, set, costuming, all of it was very pleasing to the eye. Who knew Emily Blunt could sing?

I had never seen a production of Into the Woods before seeing the movie. I had only read the synopsis and heard some of the music. I really enjoyed the satire and humor that is infused into the plot line.

There was a woman behind us who was not pleased with the Chris Pine song. She did not get that it was supposed to be over the top acting, which made it even funnier to me.

The story is about a couple who is trying to reverse a cursed placed on their house. It follows their adventure of collecting these items that intertwine several other fairy tales together.

Seeing that I am a fan of fairy tales and things like Once Upon a Time, clearly I would like this musical.

I don’t think they messed up any fairy tales which I know many people are worried about. I like seeing how people interpret the same story differently. Did I say that I was a fan of Once Upon a Time? The way that the stories are infused are so light that it is ok when they took some liberties with the story line.

The ending kind of caught me off guard, and I was sure that it was all a rouse. (I don’t want to ruin it for you if you haven’t seen it.) I am ok with the ending, but it was just surprising how it wasn’t really your traditional fairy tale ending.

I LOVED the music. I CAN see myself playing in the band, and envision my bass parts accompanying the melody.

I really recommend this movie for any lovers of musicals or fun times. I thought it was upbeat, funny, and hits ya in all the right places.

I will note that both my MIL and SIL said that the theatrical version is better. So I would love to see it on stage sometime. I would agree that a lot of times the theatrical version is better, so I wasn’t surprised with their comments. I did see in an interview though that many parts were shot live as far as singing goes and were not dubbed over from a studio.

Also, this is all my humble opinion. When I was looking for pictures, of course I scrolled to see what others were saying. Many out there thought it was bland and had harsh things to say about it.

Granted, it was no West Side Story, but I think this movie has its place. It was a fun little film that takes a different twist on stories that we think we know. For me, it was funny and refreshing. And again, I am a sucker for all things musical.

This review is my own opinions. I was not contacted by anyone associated with these works or compensated for my review. My review has not been influenced by anything other than my love for entertainment and art.

Did you see any movies over the holidays? Have you seen Into the Woods?