Review: Salt (2010)

Angelina Jolie is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Hers is a name that is not only plastered across Hollywood gossip magazines on a regular basis or has people clamoring to head to the cinema, but is also one of the highest paid in the industry, and despite it all, I am not a die-hard fan – for a variety of reasons. Somehow, Salt appealed to my cinematic interests, and even though it wasn’t something I had to get a hold of, I still did see it in its first week to DVD.

Categories: Action, Angelina Jolie, Blockbuster, Movie, Mystery, Review

Review: The Avengers (2012)

Perhaps in order to be precise and more exact, I should label this post, the-movie-everyone-but-me-has-seen or the-review-everyone-but-me-has-already-written… but yeah, we’ll go with the professional one and leave it at that. 

Ever since filmmakers started teasing us with this movie, I was completely in “awe” of it. (It is best to just admit that.) Ironically, about the time the teaser promos were airing was the same time that I was really getting into super hero films, and were there one that ruled above all the rest, this would be it. 

Categories: Action/Adventure, America, Blockbuster, Captain America, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Jeremy Renner, Marvel, Movie, Review, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sci-Fi, The Avengers, Thor

Review: This Means War (2012)

Back when this appeared on the big-screen (this past Valentine’s Day) I was all jazzed up and ready to go see it. It was one of the films I thought would be a better bet to see at the box office. As it turned out, I may still wish I had, but in the end it was all for the good that a seven dollar ticket was spent on something else.

Categories: Action, Chris Pine, ClearPlay, Comedy, Movie, Reese Witherspoon, Review

Book: The Ride of her Life

About the book:

Author: Lorna Seilstad

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: 2012

Series: “Lake Manawa Summers” (book 3 of 3)

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical

The Story (From the Publisher):  The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws' home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. However, her in-laws find that life utterly unsuitable for their grandson, and when a row ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. Still, Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky (though charismatic) gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.

Categories: Book, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Revell, Series

Characters Welcome

Hey, all! Most of you who have been reading this  blog for any length of time know that I love (or perhaps it is an "addiction"?) USA's television shows - and most of you know how easily I can gush about them (yes, my reviews go on... and on... and on but we'll stop there). Home to many of my favorites, the network's slogan is "Characters Welcome" and I love that about the shows! How easy and likable they each are. Photographer Nigel Parry shot all (or most of) the stars of USA's prime-time line-up and these are awesome. Each set perfectly represents the characters and while, Fiona's are a little... hm... quirky(?), it is so Fiona. 

If you'd like to read more about any of the shows, most of them are reviewed under the "television" tab and those that are not will be up this summer. Enjoy! 

Categories: Fun, Giveaway, Thanks, USA Network

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

The land down under or more formally, Australia is the subject of the 2008 titular movie and likely, it’s one that tends to fall prey to misconceptions like being nothing more than an epic over-long, romanticized drama that has been pegged as “boring” when in reality that idea is misleading. Don’t let a Gone with the Wind picture fool you, it can stand on its own and then some. It’s a beautiful story even though told in a land of unforgiving beauty that unfolds to not only be, yes, a love story, but one of loss, comedy and imagination, that eventually coincides with fate, and all historical perspectives aside emphasis is placed on some serious topics that interestingly enough, are still relevant to our culture today. What most of us won’t recognize in this film is the blatant and sometimes unpleasant ways the film depicts racists. Moviegoers are treated to quite the education about racism – even if it is in the loosest sense of the term “education.”

Categories: Christianity, Culture, Life, Movie, Opinions

Australia (2008)

Having “mixed emotions” is how best to describe my feelings about this film. Initially I wanted to see it in theaters; eventually that wore off and instead I settled for the DVD. Now, the only question that remained – was it worth that wait?

Categories: Costume Drama, Drama, Historical, Hugh Jackman, Movie, Review, Romance

Review: She's the Man (2006)

Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, She’s the Man is a fun tale set in modern-day U.S.A. that may be flawed but is far too much fun to ignore.

Categories: Channing Tatum, Comedy, Movie, Review, Teen

Review: The Italian Job (2003)

First time I’d ever really given this title a second look was the result of reading a fellow reviewer’s rundown on it. She did such an excellent job of interesting me that when I found it in the “bargain bin,” I decided to give it a try. After all, I love a good mystery.

Categories: Action/Adventure, Charlize Theron, Comedy, Drama, Heist, Movie, Review

Review: Bandslam (2009)

Initially this was not something I had hopes of being “great.” Imagine my surprise when I walked away from this with the conclusion of this being one of the BEST (albeit quirky) teen flicks to come along in a long time. (Seriously! This is true.)

Categories: Drama, Family, Movie, Music, Review, Teen, Vanessa Hudgens

Review: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2011)

Good morning, readers! Did you see the post prior to this? If not, check it out and let me know what you think about a possible giveaway here – one in which you could win this on DVD, among other stuff. *wink* Today, I bring a movie review on the latest Charles Dickens adaptation.

Unfinished works might excite a flurry of promise in fans of a popular author but does that mean that screenwriters should attempt to better it by putting finishing touches on it? That theory is tested in this, the unfinished manuscript by Charles Dickens.

Categories: Adaptation, BBC, British, Costume Drama, Dickens, Masterpiece Theatre, Miniseries, Review

Link Love, Take Two // Blogging + Reviews

Hello, readers! What has been keeping you busy? It is May already, can we believe that - the year is nearly half over. I know a lot of you are probably really excited about school getting out, and summer beginning. My summer is shaping up to be of the usual variety. It suits me fine, too. Do you have something exciting coming up this summer?

Since my post of a couple weeks ago that consisted of commercials and "link love" was kind of fun, I thought maybe, I'd go ahead and do another one. I just hope (*fingers crossed*), I can come up with some links! Let me know what some of your favorite links from the week are... or anything else you want to share.

Categories: Blog, Fun, Giveaway

Review: The Vow (2012)

With the recent box office release of The Lucky One, critics praised it as “Dear John meets The Vow.” Having now seen all three, it is easy to draw comparisons with snapshot moments from both of those encompassed in this film but overall, The Vow is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story on its own time, told in its own charming way. For once, marriage is demonstrated as something to cherish not bash.

Categories: Channing Tatum, Drama, Movie, Rachel McAdams, Review, Romance

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

About the Book: 
Author: Becky Wade

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: 2012

Genre: Fiction, Christian
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

The Story: Unhappy with her life as it stands now, thirty-something Kate Donovan decides to travel with her grandmother from their home in Dallas to Redbud Pennsylvania to restore gran’s ancestral home. Following some heartbreaking cases in her work as a social worker, Kate is ready for a break – and she is realizing that despite two “serious” relationships, she is still seeking “Mr. Right.” Is God telling her that there is no one “right” for her? Or did she miss her chance at happy-ever-after?

Matt Jarreau is broken. Once a popular, decorated hockey star, Matt walked away from the spotlight following his wife’s tragic and painful death. Now he is returned from the city lights of New York to his small hometown of Redbud. Working as a contractor, he is a hermit who likes his “space.” That is all about to change. Matt is hired by Beverly to see her family home put back to rights. He quickly realizes that he cannot shake Kate so easily – her bubbly personality is persistent and she doesn’t take silence as an answer to his not wanting to be bothered.

Will Kate’s stubborn heart break Matt’s cynical one? Or will the two of them never realize what they have is more than friendship?

Categories: Becky Wade, Bethany House, Book, Christian, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Litfuse, Romance

Review: Jane by Design - Season One, Volume 1 (2012)

Today, I cannot tell you all how much fun I had watching this all-too-short first-season series. For those who may not have been aware of it, I am happy to give you an idea of what it is about (seriously, look into it) and for those who watched it, let’s chat about Jane by Design, shall we? Without explanation, ABC Family channel series have been a “trend” at my house. Some I have no interest in, others make me cringe without really trying and some I couldn’t find to rent. This show was the latter’s case. Had it not been, I’d have likely seen it two months ago.

Categories: ABC Family, Comedy, Erica Dasher, Fashion, Jane by Design, Season One, Teen, TV Show

Book: The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

About the book:

Publisher: Water Brook

Publication Date: 2011

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Series: “Women of the West” (book 3 of 3)

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical

Synopsis: Blessed with wealth but spoiled with anything her heart ever desired, Charlotte Beck is the privileged, only daughter of the wealthy Daniel Beck who foolishly gave in to his daughter’s every whim. Being of English ancestry, Charlotte and her step-mother travel abroad during the London season attending parties and brushing shoulders with the upper-classes most-respected family names prior to Charlotte’s official debut. When Charlotte butts heads with the handsome but pompous Alexander Hambly in the most embarrassing way, she cannot think of anything more interesting than getting away from his company and mocking gaze. As it would happen, the pair of them can help each other.

Categories: Book, Fiction, Historical, Romance

The Contemporary Princess

I have a guilty pleasure to confess: Fairy-tales are still my favorite kind of stories. They have been ever since I was a little girl and my mom’s family introduced me to a red-headed young girl who dreamt of life on land and had the voice of an angel. After that, I was infatuated with this girl who was not just a beautiful figure in a fairy-tale world but a princess – from the songs to the clothing, or so I am told. Naturally, I have no memory of that. It isn’t just the dashing hero who travels through fire and thorns to bestow a kiss on his love in the only hope of saving her (although that kind of heroics don’t ruin the effect) or the pretty music but the world in which it takes us into that captures us as a viewer. Really it is a lot more than that. There is a magical quality to the world we journey to that gives its viewer a glimpse of a world we will never know. Today that world is more than just a girl with a pretty face and a guy who arrives in the knick of time to rescue her. No, indeed, according to our culture, the girl can disarm the bandits, reject what she knows is the poisoned apple and take back her kingdom all while still managing to look pretty as a picture. Talk about, all in a day’s work, huh?

Female empowerment is just one taboo pc subject that has been gaining momentum ever since the 1900’s and the birth of the suffragette movement. So then, the question, if we do not want to present the woman as the “weaker” sex – why do we still love it when at the end credits, the guy still rescues the girl?

Categories: Christianity, Culture, Fairy-Tale, Life, Movie

Carrie Underwood: Blown Away

About the Album:

Released: 2012

Writing Credits: Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley, Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear, Luke Laird

Tracks: 14

Label: Arista Nashville

Genre: Country, Rock

My Thoughts: Upfront, I just really need to say something. Although this profession really has nothing to do with the songs on this album or the writing, I really feel like I should say that I am not overly fond of this album… cover art. After three prior fun, artistic, and “classy” shoots, this one is just… too un-cool. It could have been great in an edgy kind of way but it fails. Something is just off about it - the posing or something. With that ridiculous prattling out of the way (forgive me!), we will be moving on with me just saying: Carrie is baaaaack! The country crooner who made a splash after winning an early season of American Idol has got talent. Not only does she usually share writing credits on most of the songs (as she does here along with renowned songwriter Hillary Lindsey) but this girl has got some vocal pipes! Seriously, her voice is one of the best the country scene has ever known. This, her fourth studio album is lovely… but I am not sure I can honestly say it is her best yet. There is something different about it and in that, it is perhaps lacking something I cannot quite put my finger on.

Categories: Album, Carrie Underwood, Country, Music, Pop, Review

The Lucky One (2012)

Happy May, everyone! Given that Efron's movie, New Year's Eve releases to DVD today, it only seems appropriate that I also post the review on this, his latest film. To begin this review, let us start with some perfectly legitimate questions: How many screaming, young girls do you suppose will see this movie merely because Zac Efron’s muscled physique is featured on the romantic poster in addition to just his name alone being plastered above that? After all, women love a good romance every now and then, right? For those of us who love a good drama with pretty theatrics that is set against scenic locations – plus stars a leading guy who is easy on the eyes, the answer is, yes. Fortunately for The Lucky One, it has everything listed and then some, finding its own voice in the process.

Categories: Adaptation, Drama, Movie, Nicholas Sparks, Review, Romance, Zac Efron