NMJ #7: Dear Santa

Title: Dear Santa

Year Released/Rating: 2011

Starring: Amy Acker, David Haydn-Jones, Emma Duke

Directed By: Jason Priestley

Written By: Barbara Kymlicka

Genre: Holiday romantic comedy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Summary: Beverly Hills 90210 alumni Jason Priestly takes the helm for this warmhearted romantic comedy about a die-hard party girl struggling to change her frivolous ways. Crystal (Amy Acker) comes from a wealthy family. She loves spending money. Her parent's money. When they decide it's time for her to make something of her life they give her until Christmas to clean up her act. Should Crystal fail to comply, her credit cards will be promptly canceled. Petrified at the prospect of having no money and no boyfriend, Crystal has a flash of inspiration when she finds a letter to Santa from seven year old Olivia (Emma Duke). In the letter, Olivia asks Santa to find her widowed father Derek (David Haydn-Jones) a new wife. He owner of a local soup kitchen, Derek has dedicated his life to helping others. Though Crystal has never set foot in a soup kitchen, she soon seeks Derek out and begins volunteering her time in an effort to get closer to him. Little does Crystal realize that Derek's scheming girlfriend (Gina Holden) will do anything to keep her man to herself. Meanwhile, Crystal remains determined to prove herself, despite the obstacles that stand in her way.

Review: 

Cute little holiday themed romantic comedy. The entire movie was carried by Amy Acker's Crystal.  She could have been a completely vapid spoiled brat, but instead we see a person grow and change throughout the movie. I loved the little moments between Crystal and Olivia. A good movie for a cold afternoon.

NMJ #6: Penguins of Madagascar

Title: Penguins of Madagascar

Year Released/Rating: 2014 PG

Starring: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knight, John Malkovich, Benedict Cumberbatch

Directed By: Eric Darnell, Simon J. Smith

Written By: Michael Colton, John Aboud

Genre: Animated comedy

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: At the theater

Trivia:

• Benedict Cumberbatch cannot pronounce "penguins" correctly. Instead, he says "pengwings".
• One of the sheep that the north wind had was from "How to Train Your Dragon"
• John Malkovich had been offered the role of Dr. Octavius Brine three and a half years before the film's release, and thought that it would be funny to use his voice for an octopus.

Summary: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private join forces with undercover organization The North Wind to stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine from destroying the world as we know it.

Review: 

I took the boys to see this at their request. It wasn't high on my list of movies to see, but I really did enjoy it. The penguins are the best part of the Madagascar movies. I love their rapid fire dialogue. It's well done. And this time we get some fun side characters with the North Wind and Dr. Brine. I would definitely recommend this movie for a great family movie night.

Best Bits: 

• Corporal: He hacked into our system. Skipper: Debbie! Kowalski: Dave. Skipper: Dave! [There's no sound on the screen] Eva: Where's the sound? Kowalski: Dave, your microphone, it's not working. Classified: Click on the button with the picture of the microphone. Short Fuse: Every time a villain calls in, this happens. Dave: Hello? [the screen goes off] Dave: Hello? Kowalski: But, now we can hear you. Short Fuse: So annoying! Kowalski: But we cannot see. Short Fuse: Every time! Classified: It's like talking to my parents.
• [They've arrived in Shanghai] Kowalski: We've arrived in the center of Dublin, Ireland.Skipper: We gotta blend in. River dance. [They start river dancing]
• [the penguins have just blown up a ship] Skipper: Kowalski, analysis. Kowalski: We are really... awesome at this! Skipper: High one! [They all high five]
• Classified: We are the North Wind, and no one breaks the Wind.
• Skipper: Leopard seals! Nature's snakes. Kowalski: Technically, snakes are nature's snakes.

NMJ #5: The Christmas Kiss

Title: The Christmas Kiss

Year Released/Rating: 2011

Starring: Elizabeth Rohm, Laura Breckenridge, Brendan Fehr

Directed By: John Stimpson

Written By: Joany Kane

Genre: Romantic comedy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Summary: After a spontaneous kiss, a struggling designer ends up falling in love with her demanding boss's boyfriend as she decorates his home for a Christmas party.

Review:

A fun little Christmas movie after Christmas. (Why do I never actually watch these during Christmas?) Sure some of the plot points were clcihes and the dialogue wasn't always great. But I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a nice little light hearted romance romp. I'd add it to the list of feel good Christmas movies to add to your list next year.

Best Bits: 

• [Priscilla leaves town for a few days] Tressa: You do know what this means, don't you? Wendy Walton: That the flying monkeys can breathe a sigh of relief?
• Wendy Walton: It is the type of kiss that, years from now when I am suffering from dementia and drooling in my jell-o - I will be thinking about that kiss.

NMJ #4: Artifact

Title: Artifact

Year Released/Rating: 2012

Starring: Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Milicevic

Directed By: Bartholomew Cubbins (Jared Leto)

Genre: Documentary

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Summary: Telling harsh truths about the modern music business, this riveting and award-winning documentary gives intimate access to singer/actor Jared Leto ("Requiem for a Dream," "Dallas Buyers Club") and his band Thirty Seconds to Mars as they fight a relentless lawsuit with record label Virgin/EMI and write songs for their album "This Is War." Opening up his life for the camera during months of excruciating pressures, Leto reveals the struggles his band must face over questions of art, money and integrity.

Review: 

Fascinating documentary that began when 30 Seconds to Mars decided to sue their label... It was interesting to see the progress (or should I say nonprogress?) of the lawsuit and the band.  The inclusion of interviews from EMI employees and fellow musical artists helped to add context to the issue at hand. I was riveted.. and so was Arthur!  He loved the all the music.  Beyond the lawsuit it was interesting to see how the band approached the album making process.  Very very good documentary.

NMJ #3: Sharknado 2

Title: Sharknado 2: The Second One

Year Released/Rating: 2014

Starring: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox

Directed By: Anthony C. Ferrante

Written By: Thunder Levin

Genre: Horror Thriller

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netlfix

Trivia:

• The characters played by Mark McGrath and Kari Wuhrer are named Martin and Ellen Brody. Those are the same names as Roy Schieder and Lorraine Gray's characters in "Jaws". Their son is named Vaughan, which was the name of Murray Hamilton's character as the Mayor in "Jaws".
• Wil Wheaton's appearance in the film had originally been a joke in The Big Bang Theory: The Gorilla Dissolution (2014) where he gets the opportunity to audition for it after getting fired from another bad horror film.
• The flight in the beginning of the movie is flight 209, the same flight number as the doomed flight in Airplane!.

Summary: A freak weather system turns its deadly fury on New York City, unleashing a Sharknado on the population and its most cherished, iconic sites - and only Fin and April can save the Big Apple.

Review: 

I actually enjoyed the sequel more than the original.  Setting this one in New York made for some campy fun.  The scenes with the Statue of Liberty's head were spectacularly amazing!  And the subway scene with the two workers, some sharks, and an alligator was priceless.  I just could have done without all the family love crap.  Let's just go kill some sharks!

Best Bits: 

• April Wexler: Fin, why aren't you having more fun with this?  Fin Shepard: Come on, April. Two of my friends were killed. I almost destroyed Los Angeles. And, oh, yeah... I got eaten by shark. How much fun do you think that was?
• Martin Brody: [to Vaughn after Fin jumps to safety from the taxi] You know what you just did, don't you?  Fin Shepard: Don't say it.  Martin Brody: He jumped the shark.

NMJ #2: Not Another Happy Ending

Title: Not Another Happy Ending

Year Released/Rating: 

Starring: Karen Gillan, Stanley Weber

Directed By: John McKay

Written By: David Solomons

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Hulu Plus

Trivia:

• The film was financed in part by a crowdfunding campaign on the website Indiegogo, which raised USD$22,660. Additional funding came through the efforts of producer Claire Mundell, who "[patch-worked] a bunch of different sources of funding together, none of whom interfered in any kind of way with the film turned out".
• Stanley Weber replaced originally cast Emun Elliott as Tom, which lead filmmakers to write into the script, Tom's French background and an explanation on how a Frenchman ended up in Glasgow to be a publisher.

Summary: When a struggling publisher discovers his only successful author is blocked he knows he has to unblock her or he's finished. With her newfound success, she's become too damn happy and she can't write when she's happy.The only trouble is, the worse he makes her feel, the more he realizes he's in love with her.

Review: 

As far as romantic comedies go, this one was a winner.  We get just enough cutesy scenes between the two leads to satisfy our romance cravings, but not too many to annoy us.  I loved Karen Gillan's writer to death.  And the inclusion of Darsie was just way too much fun.  Overall, the film felt a little too long (pacing issue) and some of the characters like Willie were a bit too cliche.  But I still enjoyed my time watching this little indie film.

New Movie January #1: Anchorman 2

My 30 Day Challenge this month is all about new movies.  I challenged myself to watch 30 new-to-me movies.  I'll be pulling primarily from my neverending Netflix queue but may always get to a movie or two in the theaters...

Title: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Year Released/Rating: 2013 R

Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell

Directed By: Adam McKay

Written By: Will Ferrell, Adam McKay

Genre: Comedy

Star Rating:  3/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia: 

• Marion Cotillard is drinking Laughing Clown Malt Liquor at the final brawl scene, a reference to Talladega Nights.
• When the Winnebago is rolling, a bat can be seen flying near the window at one point, in reference to the bats served in Champ's restaurant.

Summary: With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Review: 

Overall I just wasn't excited about this one as the first movie.  The scene in the winnebago is priceless and the final brawl is amazing.  But other than that, I just didn't laugh a lot this time around.  I mainly kept watching to see what stupid thing Brick would do next.  He's the funny in the movie.  I probably won't rewatch this one...

Best Bits: 

• Ron Burgundy: If you've got an ass like the North Star, wise men are gonna want to follow it.
• Brick Tamland: I can always guess how many jelly beans are in a jelly bean jar, even if I'm wrong.
• Ron Burgundy: Who the hell is Julius Caesar? You know I don't follow the NBA!
• Ron Burgundy: Let's not down play the fact that that is Stonewall Jackson ghost right there.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Simon Pulse 2007

Genre: YA

Pages: 485

Rating: 4/5 stars  Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Book to Movie; 100 YA; NPR Teen; Fantasy Project

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

I enjoyed this volume way more than most of the YA paranormal books I've read in the past.  It wasn't amazing, but at least I was entertained.  I guessed most of the twists in the book, but they weren't completely obvious.  The characters were interesting.  The storyline kept my attention.  I want to know more about the world of the Shadowhunters.  I have the second and third volumes in the series.  I will definitely be reading them soon.

Movie

First starting to watch the movie, I thought "oh okay, it's the same."  But I was mistaken.  As the movie continues, more and more things are changed.  There are some direct quotes here and there and mostly the characters are the same.  However, there are many changes to Valentine and the entire ending is different.  I can't quite decide if I like the changes or not.  I think that if I saw the movie without reading the book, I would have liked the movie just fine.  As I read the book, I had to change my perspective.  They didn't turn the book directly into a movie.  They used the book as a starting off point.  Becuase it isn't a bad movie by itself, I still rated it 4 stars.

Mortal Instruments (DNFed series)

• #1 City of Bones
• #2 City of Ashes
• #3 City of Glass
• #4 City of Fallen Angels
• #5 City of Lost Souls
• #6 City of Heavenly Fire

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

Title: Casino Royale

Author: Ian Fleming

Publisher: Jonathan Cape 1953

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 213

Rating: 3/5 stars    Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 1001 Books; New Author; 52 Books - W32;  Books to Movies

In the novel that introduced James Bond to the world, Ian Fleming’s agent 007 is dispatched to a French casino in Royale-les-Eaux. His mission? Bankrupt a ruthless Russian agent who’s been on a bad luck streak at the baccarat table.

One of SMERSH’s most deadly operatives, the man known only as “Le Chiffre,” has been a prime target of the British Secret Service for years. If Bond can wipe out his bankroll, Le Chiffre will likely be “retired” by his paymasters in Moscow. But what if the cards won’t cooperate? After a brutal night at the gaming tables, Bond soon finds himself dodging would-be assassins, fighting off brutal torturers, and going all-in to save the life of his beautiful female counterpart, Vesper Lynd.

J warned me that the since this was the first book in the series, it started off a bit slow.  That was an understatement.  I almost put the book down because of the first three chapters.  They were clunky and downright boring.  I understand that the author has to set up the world, but this was not done well at all.  But I stuck with it.  The book did get better.  The baccarat scene was amazing.  The torture seen was almost unreadable, but in a good way.  Those two chapters were definitely the high points.  The ending was a bit of a let down, but I see how it sets up Bond for the rest of the series.  I ended up knocking off a star for the clunky writing and pace.  I knocked off another star for my own personal tastes.  The multiple comments about how women need to be scene and not heard, kept in the kitchen, etc, really got to me.  I know this was written in 1953, but I'd still not prefer to read it.  Overall an interesting read, but definitely not going to be a favorite and I probably won't continue the series.

Movie:

I really really enjoyed this movie.  Of course, the movie makers made changes from the book.  They added the entire first sequence and multiple more action beats while keeping the main storyline and the tone of the book.  Plus, I adore Daniel Craig as Bond.  He has the grit and the hard nature.  Overall, an awesome adaptation.  I dare say better than the book.

Top Ten Tuesday -- Current Fave Movies and TV

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

I do love my movies and tv shows, even if I have limited time to actually enjoy them.  Here are my current faves:

1. Anime series: Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop, and The Big O -- J got the boys hooked on various anime series.  We are actually on our third series of the summer.  I'm even enjoying myself.  Go figure.
2. Catch-up show: Game of Thrones -- Ugh!  We are still behind, in the middle of season three in fact.  If I had my way, I would binge watch this in one weekend.  But J usually as objects claiming that the show is just too serious...
3. Twins' Faves: Top Gear and Mythbusters -- If we are at a loss of what to watch with the twins, either of these two shows works.  Even if we've seen the episode, they have great rewatchability.
4. Soap Opera Fun: Reign and The 100 -- My current ridiculous soap operas from The CW.  I just can't resist the cheese.  Don't worry, J and the twins do not watch these.  I just last week finished season 1 of both shows.  Can't wait for season 2.
5. Classic Comedy: Monty Python's Flying Circus -- A fall back twin favorite.  Every once in a while you need a little Python.
6. Ongoing viewing: Star Trek (TOS; TNG; Voyager; DS9) -- We're still making our way through all the Star Trek series.  I'd say we're about half way done.  We finished TNG a few months back, getting close to finished TOS, almost halfway through the movies, and moving forward in Voyager and DS9.
7. Documentaries: Tattoo Nation, Somm, Why Ships Sink, Viking Sword -- Every once in a while, I just need to watch a documentary.  The above listed are some of my recent views.
8. Classics: Star Wars Trilogy -- Seems like we watch trilogy (there are only three movies!) once every few years.  We still need to watch Jedi before the twins leave.
9. New Favorite: Gravity Falls -- The twins requested we download this show for the summer.  I was skeptical.  I'm not usually a fan of Disney's new cartoons.  But this one is such a treat.  I will totally keep watching after the twins leave.
10. Zombie fun: The Walking Dead -- Another show that we are completely behind on.  I need to just binge watch this one weekend and be done.  Then I can rewatch!

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Title: How I Live Now

Author: Meg Rosoff

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books 2004

Genre: YA Fiction

Pages: 194

Rating: 3/5 stars  Movie: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Library Books; 52 Books -- W17; Books to Movies

Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.

As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.

I feel like this one was a good book but I read it too late in life.  It's definitely made for a teen.  I kept thinking like an adult and it just didn't connect to the characters or the story.  Plus, the style bugged me.  First person narratives are very hit or miss and I'd say this one was a miss for me.  But I can definitely see how this novel could appear to many teens out there.  Daisy is a typical teenager.  She doesn't act older than her actual age of 15.  She doesn't respond to situation like adults.  She has moods and identity issues.  She struggled with the teenage angst.  I can appreciate a young adult novel that actually features a young adult.  I just didn't get sucked into the story and characters.  Not a bad book, just not one for me.

Movie:

I liked the movie a whole lot better than the book.  They aged Edmund and Daisy up a bit (not so scandalous).  They changed other things here and there.  But they kept the focus on the survival of the characters.  I liked this Daisy much more than book Daisy.  She still seemed like a teenager, but not quite as whiny.  I also liked how they had a few little scenes the movie touched on her mental health issues, but didn't dwell.  Instead, we see a great gradual transition brought on by the war.  Plus, the cinematography was just gorgeous.  Glad that I actually decided to watch the movie after my so-so reaction to the book.

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.

IMDB #10 - 16: Mini Reviews

I needed to catch up on my IMDB movies but decided that I didn't want to do full reviews...  So, here are my extremely short reviews.

District 9

A very interesting take on apartheid and science fiction all rolled into one.  I liked this one.  I've even heard that there is to be a sequel.

The Prestige

Oh my!  This movie get me every time.  I know what's going to happen and yet I also feel the adrenaline pumping during the big reveal.  Christopher Nolan took a very good book and stripped it down into an even more amazing story.

Finding Nemo

Another Pixar movie for my February marathon.  While this isn't my absolute favorite Pixar, it's still a really good movie.  Especially when you compare it to other animated movies.

Avatar

Ugh!  Not a good movie at all.  I was thoroughly bored throughout.  And the storyline is completely predictable.  Definitely don't waste your three plus hours on this movie.

Cool Hand Luke

A classic Newman movie.  Must see for all movie buffs, if not just for the egg eating scene.  Newman exudes cool and calm throughout the movie.  But make no mistake, the movie has some brutal moments.  Still a great classic.

A Beautiful Mind

Not the best at all.  I don't really understand all the hype surrounding this one.  It just doesn't resonate at all.

American Beauty

Another overhyped movie.  The only interesting part was Kevin Spacey.  Everything and everyone else is done.

And so that's my review catch up.

IMDB #7: Toy Story

Title: Toy Story

Year Released/Rating: 1995 G

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles

Directed By: John Lasseter

Written By: John Lasseter, Peter Docter

Genre: Children's animation

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• Billy Crystal was originally offered the chance to voice Buzz Lightyear, but declined. After seeing the finished film, he said the decision was the biggest mistake of his career. Upon learning this, John Lasseter telephoned Billy's house to offer him the role of Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. (2001). Billy's wife answered the telephone and said "John Lasseter wants to speak to you." Billy took the telephone from his wife and said "Yes".
• The carpet in Sid's house is modeled after the carpet in the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980). The Shining is Editor Lee Unkrich's favorite movie. When Buzz gets wacky at the "tea party" he calls himself Mrs. Nesbit. The name of one of Pete's grade school teachers and in college, he had a Toyota pickup truck pretty much like the one the pizza delivery guys used. It too had a "YO" on the gate.
• The toolbox on top of the milk crate that Woody is trapped in is a Binford, the same type of tool that Tim Allen used on his television show Home Improvement (1991).
• Tom Hanks recorded his dialog during the breaks of Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and A League of Their Own (1992). He didn't want to record his dialog during the breaks ofPhiladelphia (1993) or Forrest Gump (1994) because he felt he shouldn't do comedic roles in between minutes of playing serious roles.
• Pizza Planet was originally Pizza Putt, a combination pizzeria/mini-golf course.

Summary: A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's room.

Review: 

An absolute classic Disney movie.  I adore Toy Story.  I even went to see it in the theaters the first time it was released.  The play of characters are great.  It even makes me get a bit choked up.

Best Bits: 

• Woody: All right, that's enough! Look, we're all very impressed with Andy's new toy.  Buzz: Toy?  Woody: T-O-Y, Toy!  Buzz: Excuse me, I think the word you're searching for is "Space Ranger".  Woody: The word I'm searching for I can't say because there's preschool toys present.
• [Woody finds Buzz dressed up as "Mrs. Nesbitt" and in the company of two headless dolls]  Woody: What happened to you?  Buzz: One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and, suddenly, you find yourself sucking down darjeeling with Marie Antoinette... and her little sister.  [chuckles nervously]
• Sergeant: [about the second present Andy opens ] It's... it's bedsheets!  Mr. Potato Head: Who invited that kid?
• Woody: Buzz, will you get up here and gimme a hand?  [Buzz throws his broken-off arm to Woody]  Woody: Ha-ha, ha-ha. That's real funny. THIS IS SERIOUS!
• Rex: What if Andy gets another dinosaur? A mean one? I just don't think I can take that kind of rejection!
• [Mr. Potato Head rearranges his facial features crazily]  Mr. Potato Head: Hey, Hamm. Look, I'm Picasso!  Hamm: I don't get it.  Mr. Potato Head: You uncultured swine! What're you lookin' at, ya hockey puck?
• Buzz: How dare you open a space man's helmet on an uncharted planet? My eyeballs could have been sucked from their sockets!  [closes his helmet]

IMDB #9: Monsters Inc.

Title: Monsters Inc.

Year Released/Rating: 2001 G

Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs

Directed By: Pete Doctor, David Silverman

Written By: Pete Doctor, Jill Culton

Genre: Children's animation

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• It normally took 11 to 12 hours to render a single frame of Sulley because of his 2.3 million individually animated hair strands (Total number of hairs: 2,320,413).
• Mary Gibbs was so young that it proved difficult to get her to stand in the recording studio and act her lines. Instead, they simply followed her around with a microphone and cut Boo's lines together from the things she said while she played.
• John Goodman pushed for Steve Buscemi to voice the villain Randall.
• There are retro Disneyland posters in the Monstropolis travel store and some of the children's bedrooms.
• John Goodman and Billy Crystal sometimes recorded their lines in the same room together, an unusual move for animated films, where actors more often work alone.Steve Buscemi and Frank Oz (Randall and his assistant Fungus) also recorded their lines together for the bathroom scene.
• In the first scene, one of the toys on the boy's bedroom shelf is the toy plane that hung from the ceiling and caused Buzz to "fly" in and as Mike and Sully go through the scare floor, the rolling clown, from Toy Story (1995) can be seen in the background. Also, when Randall is practicing camouflaging into backgrounds of walls, one of the images given to him is the wallpaper Andy had in his room.

Summary: Monsters generate their city's power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted.

Review: 

The interaction between Mike and Sully is what really makes this film.

Best Bits: 

• Mike: Roz, my tender, oozing blossom, you're looking fabulous today. Is that a new haircut? Come on, tell me it's a new haircut, isn't it? It's got to be a new haircut. New makeup? You had a lift? You had a tuck? You had something? Something has been inserted in in you that makes you look... Listen, I need a favor. Randall was working late last night out on the scare floor. I really need the key to the door he was using.  Roz: Well, isn't that nice? But guess what? You didn't turn in your paperwork last night.  Mike: He didn't... I... no paperwork?  Roz: This office is now closed. [closes the window on Mike's fingers] Mike: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
• Yeti: [Referring to despondent Sully] Aw, poor guy. I understand. It's not easy being banished. Take my buddy Bigfoot. When he was banished he fashioned an enormous diaper out of poison ivy. Wore it on his head like a tiara. Called himself "King Itchy".
• Randall: Okay, I think I know how to make this all go away. What happens when the whistle blows in five minutes?  Mike: I get a time out?  Randall: Everyone goes to lunch! Which means the scare floor will be...  Mike: ...Painted? Randall: EMPTY! I'll be empty, you idiot! See that clock?When the big hand is pointing up... [forces Mike's arm up]  Randall: and the little hand is pointing up... [forces the other arm up] Randall: the door will be in my station. But when the big hand is pointing down...  [forces Mike's arm down]  Randall: the door will be gone. You have until then to put the kid back. Get the picture?
• Sulley: Hey, Mike, this might sound crazy but I don't think that kid's dangerous.  Mike: Really? Well, in that case, let's keep it. I always wanted a pet that could kill me.
• Mike: I think I have a plan here: using mainly spoons, we dig a tunnel under the city and release it into the wild.  Sulley: Spoons?  Mike: That's it, I'm out of ideas. We're closed. Hot air balloon? Too expensive. Giant slingshot? Too conspicuous. Enormous wooden horse? Too Greek.

IMDB #8: Spirited Away

Title: Spirited Away

Year Released/Rating: 2001 PG

Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino

Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Written By: Hayao Miyazaki

Genre: Animation

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• The cleansing of the river spirit is based on a real-life incident in Hayao Miyazaki's life in which he participated in the cleaning of a river, removing, among other things, a bicycle.
• The star-shaped treats the Susuwatari (black soots) were carrying are called kompeitô, a type of traditional Japanese candy.
• Executive Producer John Lasseter of Pixar supervised the English-language dubbing of the film and tried to match the actors' English-language dialog with the mouth movements of the animated characters.

Summary: In the middle of her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and monsters; where humans are changed into animals; and a bathhouse for these creatures.

Review: 

Not my absolute favorite Miyazaki, but it's still a really good movie.  The high point of this movie is the atmosphere.  The movie has this incredible moody atmosphere.  I really fell into the movie.  I feel like some of the story gets lost in transition, but it's still great.

Best Bits: 

• Zeniba: [after turning Boh into a mouse] There. Your body matches your brain.
• Lin: What's going on here?  Kamaji: Something you wouldn't recognize. It's called love.
• Zeniba: Once you do something, you never forget. Even if you can't remember.

IMDB #6: The Incredibles

Title: The Incredibles

Year Released/Rating: 2004 PG

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter, Jason Lee

Directed By: Brad Bird

Written By: Brad Bird

Genre: Children's animation

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• Jason Lee (Buddy/Syndrome) recorded his vocals in four days, while Craig T. Nelson(Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible) recorded his vocals over the span of two years.
• Brad Bird was listening to Public Radio International and heard Sarah Vowell, a frequent contributor to the PRI program "This American Life". He felt her voice was perfect for Violet even though she had never acted before. To convince her, Pixar animators animated one of Vowell's segments from "This American Life" and sent it to her.
• Samuel L. Jackson was cast as the voice of Frozone because Brad Bird wanted the character to have the coolest voice.
• When Elastigirl is attempting to discern the location of Mr. Incredible in the island's command center, you see her looking at an energy consumption grid. You then learn that Mr. Incredible is on Level A1, in Cell Block 13, or A113. Previously in the film, Mr. Incredible has a meeting in Conference Room A113 before the second Omnidroid fight. A113 is a frequent Pixar in-joke based on one of the room numbers for the animation program at Cal Arts.
• Seen attending Bob and Helen's wedding are (left to right) Gazerbeam, Edna "E" Mode, and government agent Rick Dicker sitting in the front row, as well as Dynaguy, Stratogale, Thunderhead, and Metaman in the pew behind them. The latter four have one thing in common: they're all seen later (for the last time) in flashbacks within Edna's "No Capes!" monologue. In the superhero database on the DVD, it says for those same heroes Edna mentioned, "Died in action, suit malfunction."
• The Incredibles (2004) is the first, and thus far only, Pixar movie NOT to feature a distinct appearance of the Pizza Planet truck. Many people claim to have spotted it, but screen caps only show blurry, "Rorschach test" images, and nothing that can be clearly identified as the Pizza Planet truck. Lee Unkrich has confirmed that the truck does not appear.
• In the beginning of the film, when a robber is going through a woman's purse on the roof of a building, a Mr. Incredible Pez dispenser can be seen among the items scattered on the ground.

Summary: A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.

Review: 

A truly underrated Pixar movie.  Many overlook it in favor of Monsters Inc or Toy Story (both of which I do love).  This movie has an understated elegance about it.  The story of a family struggling to make it and fit in is gorgeous.  I love the message of being true to yourself.  All of the references to superheroes, comics, and spy movies are amazingly fun!  And of course it's hilarious.  A great family movie.

Best Bits: 

• Lucius: Honey?  Honey: What?  Lucius: Where's my super suit?  Honey: What?  Lucius: Where - is - my - super - suit?  Honey: I, uh, put it away. [helicopter explodes outside]  Lucius: *Where*?  Honey: *Why* do you *need* to know?  Lucius: I need it!  [Lucius rummages through another room in his condo]  Honey: Uh-uh! Don't you think about running off doing no daring-do. We've been planning this dinner for two months!  Lucius: The public is in danger!  Honey: My evening's in danger!  Lucius: You tell me where my suit is, woman! We are talking about the greater good!  Honey: 'Greater good?' I am your wife! I'm the greatest *good* you are ever gonna get!
• Mr. Incredible: No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit? I feel like the maid; I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for ten minutes!
• Lucius: [Bob and Lucius are sitting in a parked car, reminiscing] So now I'm in deep trouble. I mean, one more jolt of this death ray and I'm an epitaph. Somehow I manage to find cover and what does Baron von Ruthless do?  Bob: [laughing] He starts monologuing.  Lucius: He starts monologuing! He starts like, this prepared speech about how *feeble* I am compared to him, how *inevitable* my defeat is, how *the world* *will soon* *be his*, yadda yadda yadda.  Bob: Yammering. Lucius: Yammering! I mean, the guy has me on a platter and he won't shut up!
• Edna: You need a new suit, that much is certain.  Bob: A new suit? Well, where the heck am I gonna get a new suit?  Edna: You can't! It's impossible! I'm far too busy, so ask me now before I can become sane.  Bob: Wait? you want to make me a suit?  Edna: You push too hard, darling! But I accept!
• Kari: [on phone message] Hi, this is Kari, sorry for freakin' out but your baby has *special needs*.
• [after seeing Jack-Jack's superhero outfit]  Helen: What on earth do you think the baby will be doing?  Edna: Well, I am sure I don't know, darling. Luck favors the prepared.

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Title: The Nanny Diaries

Author: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin 2002

Genre: Chick Lit

Pages: 306

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Movies; Rory Gilmore; 52 Books -- W6; Women Authors

Wanted: One young woman to take care of four-year-old boy. Must be cheerful, enthusiastic and selfless--bordering on masochistic. Must relish sixteen-hour shifts with a deliberately nap-deprived preschooler. Must love getting thrown up on, literally and figuratively, by everyone in his family. Must enjoy the delicious anticipation of ridiculously erratic pay. Mostly, must love being treated like fungus found growing out of employers Hermès bag. Those who take it personally need not apply.

Who wouldn't want this job? Struggling to graduate from NYU and afford her microscopic studio apartment, Nanny takes a position caring for the only son of the wealthy X family. She rapidly learns the insane amount of juggling involved to ensure that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day.

When the Xs' marriage begins to disintegrate, Nanny ends up involved way beyond the bounds of human decency or good taste. Her tenure with the X family becomes a nearly impossible mission to maintain the mental health of their four-year-old, her own integrity and, most importantly, her sense of humor. Over nine tense months, Mrs. X and Nanny perform the age-old dance of decorum and power as they test the limits of modern-day servitude.

Overall, a fairly disappointing book. I think the problem is that it is just so predictable.  I knew exactly how the relationships between Nanny and Mrs. X and Grayer would play out.  It feels like this story is just played out.  It's just not the book for me.  I seem to be on a trend lately of disappointing reads.  I hope they get better.  At least I am weeding out the not great reads from my bookshelves.  Off to Half Price Books to sell some books I go...

Movie:

The movie is fairly true to the book which of course bored me.  I just didn't really connect to any of the characters.  It's not a bad movie, just a tired storyline and stereotypical characters.  The movie may appeal to some, but I just didn't find myself wanting to see it again.

IMDB #5: The Lion King

Title: The Lion King

Year Released/Rating: 1994 G

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

Directed By: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Written By: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts

Genre: Children's animation

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• One of the bugs that Timon pulls out of a knothole during Hakuna Matata is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
• The line, "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?" was improvised by Nathan Lane.
• This animated movie was Gregory Peck's favorite animated film, he also ranked it in his top five all time favorite movies.
• Originally, the hyenas Banzai and Shenzi were supposed to be voiced by Tommy Chongand Cheech Marin. But the directors couldn't get hold of Chong, so they cast Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi instead.
• Originally titled "King of the Jungle", it was supposed to be about African lions living in the jungle until the production team realized that lions don't live in the jungle. Interestingly enough, the phrase "King of the Jungle" is still used on certain T-shirts sold at the Disney Store.

Summary: Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King.

Review: A Disney classic.  I remember going to see this when it arrived in theaters (the first time).  I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the music.  Everything about this movie is just great.  I must see during childhood and after.

Best Bits: 

• Mufasa: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope. Young Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope? Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connnected in the great Circle of Life.
• Pumbaa: Hey, Timon, ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there? Timon: Pumbaa, I don't wonder; I know. Pumbaa: Oh. What are they? Timon: They're fireflies. Fireflies that, uh... got stuck up on that big bluish-black thing. Pumbaa: Oh, gee. I always thought they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away. Timon: Pumbaa, with you, everything's gas.
• Zazu: [about Scar] There's one in every family sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions. Mufasa: What am I going to do with him? Zazu: He'd make a very handsome throw rug. Mufasa: [Surprised] Zazu! Zazu: And just think, Whenever he gets dirty you can take him out and beat him.
• Pumbaa: It's times like this my buddy Timon here says: you got to put your behind in your past. Timon: No, no, no. Amateur. Lie down before you hurt yourself. It's "You got to put your past behind you."

IMDB #4: Pirates of the Caribbean

Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Year Released/Rating: 2003 PG-13

Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush

Directed By: Gore Verbinski

Written By: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert

Genre: Action Adventure

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• Johnny Depp wore contact lenses which served as sunglasses so he wouldn't be squinting in the sun all the time.
• The scene where Orlando Bloom impersonates Johnny Depp's performance was devised by Bloom who asked producer Jerry Bruckheimer if he could put it into the movie.
• When returning from a night shoot on one of the Caribbean islands, Keira Knightley's boat struck a reef and went down. The only people aboard were Knightley, her mother Sharman Macdonald and the boat's skipper, all of whom escaped unharmed and were rescued within a few hours. However, the incident ultimately determined that the rest of the island night shoots needed would complete filming in a studio, rather than on location.
• The East India Company (the real-life counterpart of the film franchise's East India Trading Company) really did brand pirates with a "P" but it was put on their forehead instead of their arm.
• The "Fort" in Port Royal is actually not on St. Vincent's, but at a closed down amusement park (Marineland) in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
• The name "Barbossa" might have been derived from the real Turkish pirate "Barbarossa". Barbarossa, also known as "Redbeard", was once a pirate in the Aegean and the Mediterranean seas before he became a fleet admiral of the Ottoman Empire navy.

Summary: Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.

Review: A fun movie, but just don't think about it too much.  The best part of the movie is definitely Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa.  He is such a hoot.  Love him!  The rest of the cast is ho-hum in comparison.  It's still a fun movie to watch for a night in.

Best Bits: 

• Jack Sparrow: Me? I'm dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they're going to do something incredibly... stupid.
• Norrington: No additional shot nor powder, a compass that doesn't point north, [looks at Jack's sword] and I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.  Jack Sparrow: But you have heard of me.
• Will Turner: This is either madness... or brilliance.  Jack Sparrow: It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide.
• Elizabeth: Captain Barbossa , I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal .  Barbossa: There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we're naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?  Elizabeth: I want you to leave and never come back.  Barbossa: I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means "no".
• Jack Sparrow: Parleley, parlelellyleloooo, par le nee, partner, par... snip, parsley...  Ragetti: Parley?  Jack Sparrow: That's the one. Parley. Parley.  Pintel: Parley? Damn to the depths whatever man what thought of "Parley".  Jack Sparrow: That would be the French.