IMDB #17-28 Mini Reviews

The last round of mini reviews to catch up on our reviews.  We watched these in February but I kept forgetting to do my mini reviews.  Better late than never...  These were all movies we had already seen (or even own), but rewatched for the project.

The Big Lebowski

J quotes this all the time.  It's a 90s classic and this quirky and full of great characters.  Definitely something that has rewatchability.

Jaws

Years and years later, this movie still scares the crap out of me.  Sure, the mechanical shark looks a bit fake.  But that doesn't take away the building of suspense and speculation until we see the shark appear by the boat.  Holy crap!  When it pops out of water, I always jump.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Still my favorite of the Indiana Jones movies.  Raiders is awesome, but the addition of Sean Connery really makes this movie.  "We named the dog Indy."  -- awesome line.  The scene with the rats makes my skin crawl.

Donnie Darko

Don't bother watching the sequel -- horrid.  But the original movie still takes me a on a roller coaster of emotions and thoughts.

Gladiator

A little too dramatic and melodramatic, but a few of the fight scenes are pretty bad ass.  The side characters are fairly interesting. And the cinematography is just gorgeous!

Toy Story 3

What a freaking tearjerker!  This is a great ending the trilogy, but I have to admit that I ugly cried during the trash scene.  I love that the movie brought everything full circle.

The Terminator

A classic action movie.  While I don't think it completely stands the test of time, I like this movie.  I did forget how slow it is, especially when you watch the sequel.

The Departed

I'm not a huge fan of Scorsese, but this is a decent movie.  I love the role reversals for Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio.  They definitely make the movie much more interesting.

Terminator 2

A much better movie than the first one.  And thoroughly terrifying.  The unrelenting terminator is a sight to behold.

Good Will Hunting

A decent movie, but it's never been a favorite of mine.  The sentimentality of the characters and storyline get to me.  I'm not a huge fan.

Casablanca

I love this movie!  I love Bogart!  I love setting!  I love the storyline!  Everything about this movie makes it an instant classic.

Braveheart

Not my favorite movie.  Especially since they take such historical liberties.  Plus, Mel Gibson is not my favorite actor.

Day Zero Project Update: W109-114

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (101/101)

• B.O.B. and Hayley Williams "Airplanes"
• Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss "Whiskey Lullaby"
• Ben Folds and Regina Spektor "You Don't Know Me"

24. Keep a journal for this project

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge — 3804 pages read this period giving me a total of 158,066 pages so far

88. Go hiking or horseback riding

Overall Progress

35/101

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Duets Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Hayley Williams and B.O.B. "Airplanes"

Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley "Whiskey Lullaby"

Ben Folds and Regina Spektor "You Don't Know Me"

Day Zero Project Update: Week 104-108

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (98/101)

• Dave Matthews Band "Two Step"
• Dave Matthews "Grey Street"
• OAR "Patiently"
• The Avett Brothers "Love and Hate"
• Jamie Cullum "Blame it on My Youth"
• Sara Barellies "Uncharted"
• Alexa Wilkinson "Waterline"
• Bright Eyes "Four Winds"
• Jack's Mannequin "Holiday from Real"
• Death Cab for Cutie "I Will Follow"
• Joss Stone "You Had Me"
• Iron and Wine "Flightless Bird"
• The White Stripes "Fell in Love"
• Jimmy Eat World "Bleed American"

7. Watch 10 foreign films (4/10)

• Shaolin Soccer

24. Keep a journal for this project

27. Make a list of 101 inspirational quotes (101/101)

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge — 5134 pages read this period giving me a total of 154,262 pages so far

60. Try 30 new recipes (30/30)

• Skinny Chicken Parmesan
• Honey Mustard Chicken
• California Quesdaillas

Overall Progress

33/101

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Misc Edition (Part 2)

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Death Cab for Cutie "I Will Follow"

Joss Stone "You Had Me"

Iron and Wine "Flightless Bird" -- Love this way before it was used in Twilight...

The White Stripes "Fell in Love"

Jimmy Eat World "Bleed American"

MoM #29: Shaolin Soccer

Title: Shaolin Soccer

Year Released/Rating: 2001 PG-13

Starring: Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao, Yat-fei Wong

Directed By: Stephen Chow

Written By: Stephen Chow, Kan-Cheung Tsang, Min Hun Fung, Chi Keung Fung, Wei Lu

Where I Got It: Netflix

Genre: Action, Comedy

Star Rating:  3/5 stars

Trivia:

• This was the most successful Hong Kong-made movie ever in Hong Kong, making HK$60 million (about US$4.7 million) at the local box office.
• Banned in mainland China because it did not await certification before being released in Hong Kong.
• Stephen Chow dubs his own voice for the American release.
• Mui is the only character who can speak Mandarin.

Summary: A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage.

Review: 

J had been harping on me to to watch this one for awhile now.  It was ridiculously silly in parts.  I can't believe that I actually watched it.  Pretty silly... But there were a few actions scenes that were good.  I'll give it that.

Best Bits: 

• Sing: What are you going you look like ET?  Mui: Trust me, I can do it.
• Sing: I'm not here to fight, I'm here to play soccer!
• [talking to a TV camera] Sing: I want to say hello to my parents and my Kung Fu master, but they're all dead.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Makes You Think Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Jamie Cullum "Blame It on My Youth"

Sara Bareilles "Uncharted" -- Spot all the guest stars.  Love Ben Folds!

Alexa Wilkinson "Waterline"

-- No videos, boo! --

Bright Eyes "Four Winds" -- Lived in Omaha for awhile, but never got to see Conor perform.

Jack's Mannequin "Holiday from Real"

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Jams Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Dave Matthews Band "Two Step"

O.A.R. "Patiently" 

The Avett Brothers "Love and Hate"

Dave Matthews "Grey Street"

Bonus with Tim Reynolds

Day Zero Project Update: Week 98-103

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (84/101)

• Frou Frou "Let Go"
• Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars"
• Duncan Sheik "Half Life"
• Lifehouse "Everything"
• Guster "Satellite"
• Jason Mraz "You and I Both"
• Paramore "Crushcrushcrush"
• NeedtoBreathe "Won't Turn Back"
• Gavin DeGraw "Young Love"
• Keane "Somewhere Only We Know"

20. Reread all of Jane Austen’s novels (6/6) -- Finished this challenge with Pride and Prejudice... now to start all over again.

24. Keep a journal for this project

27. Make a list of 101 inspirational quotes (101/101)

30. Finish 100 creative writing prompts (9/100)

32. Finish 30 reading challenges (30/30) -- Finished my New Authors Reading challenge.  25/25 new authors read!  And I finished my Women Authors Reading Challenge. 25/25 women authors read!

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge -- Another 5842 pages for this period. I don't think I'm going to make my goal by the Day Zero deadline, but I'll keep going and going until I reach my ultimate goal of 1,000,000 pages. (144,552/250,000)

71. Donate 100,000 grains of rice on freerice.com (2400/100,000)

Overall Progress

32/101

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Mood Music Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Frou Frou "Let Go"

Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars"

Duncan Sheik "Half Life"

Lifehouse "Everything"

Guster "Satellite"

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Misc. Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Jason Mraz "You and I Both" - I absolutely adore this song...  there's something so tragic yet beautiful about it.

Paramore "Crushcrushcrush" -- Still my favorite Paramore song.  It's my favorite to perform on Rock Band (even if I don't sing that well...)

NeedtoBreathe "Won't Turn Back" -- Love the entire sound of NeedtoBreathe.  They speak to the little bit of me that loves bluegrass.

Gavin DeGraw "Young Love" -- I think I love the acoustic version even better than the original.

Keane "Somewhere Only We Know"

Day Zero Project Update: Week 91-97

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (74/101)

24. Keep a journal for this project

27. Make a list of 101 inspirational quotes (95/101)

32. Finish 30 reading challenges (28/30) -- I finally finished my first of the 2013 reading challenges.  I finished my library loan challenge of reading 24 books.  Now I need to focus on some of other challenges I've fallen behind on.

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge -- another 2996 pages to add to the totals (138,710/250,000)

60. Try 30 new recipes (27/30)

• Pulled Pork  -- A good basic recipe, but next time I really need to kick it up a bit.  We definitely would prefer it more spicy.
• Lasagna -- I tried a low calorie version that was pretty decent.

Overall Progress

29/101

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Love Songs Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Joshua Radin feat. Schuyler Fisk "Paperweight" -- First encountered this song on the Last Kiss soundtrack.  Fell in love with Joshua Radin right then.  His music is just gorgeous.

Relient K "Be My Escape" -- A slightly odd choice, but I really love the lyrics to this song.  Relient K was on heavy rotation in my classroom a few years ago.  I always had requests and even got some students singing along.  Regular and acoustic versions for your enjoyment (I think I like the acoustic version better...).

Dido "Here with Me" -- One of my absolute favorites.  I adore this song so much.  Every time I listen, I return to the late 1990s and it makes me feel happy.

Tyler Hilton "I Believe in You" -- A fairly new discovery.  Nevertheless, I love Hilton's voice. A couple of different versions for you to enjoy.

Josh Kelley "Two Cups of Coffee" -- The only way to listen to this song is the acoustic version.  I saw Josh Kelley sometime around 2005?  and he debuted this song as an acoustic version.  I immediately fell in love with it.  I had to include an acoustic version for you.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Christian Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Newboys "Hallelujah"

Jars of Clay "Flood"

Plumb "Concrete"

Caedmon's Call "The Story"

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Rock n Roll Edition (Part 3)

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Must have songs to rock out!  I've even included some oldies but goodies in here.

The Raconteurs "Many Shades of Black"

Special extra: Adele's cover of "Many Shades of Black"

Fall Out Boy "Hum Hallelujah"

Eve 6 "Here's to the Night"

Green Day "Holiday"

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Sing Along Women of the 90s Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Lisa Loeb and Nine Tales "Stay" -- How can you not sing along when this comes on the radio?  As an added bonus, I love Reality Bites!  "Have I stepped over some line in the sands of coolness with you?"

Jewel "Foolish Games" -- Such an ethereal song.  I can't get over it!

Natalie Imbruglia "Torn" -- Another great sing along song.  You absolutely must watch the second video.  I almost died laughing.

Fiona Apple "Criminal" -- Back when I wanted to be Fiona Apple.  She's now a bit too crazy for my tastes, but I still enjoy her music.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Great Oldies Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Tom Petty "American Girl" -- One of my all time favorites.  I just really love this song.  And this version from Live Aid is pretty awesome.

Journey "Separate Ways" -- I like this so much better than "Don't Stop Believin'" As an added bonus, my favorite hometown cover band does a great version of this.  I request it every time I see them!!!

Simon and Garfunkel "Cecilia" -- Kinda want to name a daughter Cecelia (like this spelling better) just because of this song...

Music Monday -- 101 Faves "She" Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Today's theme is song's with "She" in the title.  After listing my 101 favorite songs, I found four songs with "She" in the title.  Weird!  So they get their own day.

The Fray "She Is" -- As much as I love "Cable Car," I really love this track.

Panic at the Disco "She Had the World" -- Am I the only one that actually liked his Panic album?  I loved the oddness of the songs.  It reminded me of The Killer's Sam's Town album.

Third Day "She Sings in Riddles" -- Always love singing this song.

Josh Groban "So She Dances" -- Yes, I like Josh Groban.

Day Zero Project Update: Weeks 84-90

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I’ve done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I’ll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to me list…

What I Did

5. Make a playlist of my favorite 101 songs (50/101)

20. Reread all of Jane Austen's novels (5/6) -- Just need to reread Pride and Prejudice and I'll complete this task.

24. Keep a journal for this project

27. Make a list of 101 inspirational quotes (89/101)

28. Blog 1001 times -- 59 blog posts this period  (1001/1001)

37. Pass 250,000 pages read for my 1,000,000 pages challenge -- another 3911 pages to add to the totals (136,041/250,000)

Overall Progress

29/101

Music Monday -- 101 Faves New Songs Edition

As part of my ongoing Day Zero Project, I've made a list of my favorite 101 songs of all time.  To help cut down on the possibilities, I took songs only from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with a theme.  Enjoy!

Mumford and Sons "Ghosts That We Knew" -- I think I had this song on repeat when the album was released.  It's just way amazing!

The Civil Wars "Kingdom Come" -- I found them through The Hunger Games soundtrack.  Now I am completely in love with them.

Florence + the Machine "What the Water Gave Me" -- Love her quirkyness.  This song is the best on the album.

OneRepublic "Secrets" -- One of my go to bands for great sing along songs.  I think I like the live version better...