NMF #28: Star Trek: First Contact

Title: Star Trek: First Contact

Year Released/Rating: 1996 PG-13

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner

Written By: Gene Roddenberry, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Ronald D. Moore

Directed By: Jonathan Frakes

Genre: Action, adventure, scifi

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• At the end of filming, actor/director Jonathan Frakes got the nickname: "Two takes Frakes" because of the efficiency of his style.
• The Enterprise-E is a Sovereign class starship. The previous ship, the Enterprise-D, was a Galaxy class starship.
• Captain Picard is likened to "Moby Dick" character Captain Ahab for his obsession with destroying the Borg, as Ahab was obsessed with killing the white whale. Patrick Stewart, who portrays Picard, later portrayed Ahab in Moby Dick. Thus, Patrick Stewart became the first actor to have quoted "Moby Dick" as the Captain of a vessel in more than one series.
• In this film, the EMH says "I'm a doctor, not a doorstop". This is a nod to Dr. McCoy from Star Trek the original series. Whenever McCoy was given a non-medical task, he would say "I'm a doctor, not a... (bricklayer, moon shuttle conductor, escalator, etc.)"
• Alice Krige suffered much discomfort throughout the film. Her costume was too tight, causing blisters, and the silver contacts she had to wear were so painful they could only be kept in for four minutes at a time.

Summary: Captain Picard and his crew pursue the Borg back in time to stop them from preventing Earth from initiating first contact with alien life.

Review: I've seen the original cast Star Trek movies, but none of the newer ones (except the newest J.J. Abrahms movie).  J figured that I was far enough into the series (ST:TNG S4) to start watching some of the movies.  This one is really good.  I enjoyed this movie. It's like a good episode, just longer.  We get the initial idea, references to past episodesnew characters, and even some old characters.  The pacing kept me entertained throughout.  Although I did find the scenes aboard the Enterprise much more interesting than those set on Earth.  Overall, a very enjoyable movie night.

Best Bits: 

• [Quoting "Moby Dick"] Captain Jean-Luc Picard: And he piled upon the whale's white hump, the sum of all the rage and hate felt by his whole race. If his chest had been a cannon, he would have shot his heart upon it.
• Lily Sloane: Jean Luc, blow up the damn ship!  Captain Jean-Luc Picard: No! Noooooooooo! [Smashes glass and model ships with his phaser] Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already; too many retreats. They invade our space and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And *I* will make them pay for what they've done. Lily Sloane: You broke your little ships.
• Lily Sloane: Borg? Sounds Swedish.
• Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Reports of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
• Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf, do you remember your zero G combat training?  Lt. Commander Worf: I remember how it made me sick to my stomach.
• Lieutenant Commander Data: [about the Borg Queen] She brought me closer to humanity than I ever thought possible. And for a time, I was tempted by her offer. Captain Jean-Luc Picard: How long a time? Lieutenant Commander Data: 0.68 seconds sir. For an android, that is nearly an eternity.
• Cmdr. William Riker: Mr. Worf, you do remember how to fire phasers?
• [the Vulcans have landed to meet Cochrane] Vulcan: Live long and prosper. Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Thanks.
• Emergency Medical Hologram: Please state the nature of the medical emergency. Dr. Beverly Crusher: Twenty Borg are about to break through that door. We need time to get out of here! Create a diversion! Emergency Medical Hologram: This isn't part of my program! I'm a doctor, not a doorstop. Dr. Beverly Crusher: Well, do a dance! Tell a story! I don't care! Just give us a few seconds! [the Borg break in as Crusher and her people escape through an airduct] Emergency Medical Hologram: Ahem, according to Starfleet medical research... Borg implants can cause severe skin irritations. Perhaps you'd like an analgesic cream?
• Captain Jean-Luc Picard: Mr. Worf... I regret some of the things I said to you earlier. Lt. Commander Worf: "Some"? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: As a matter of fact, I think you're the bravest man I have ever known. Lt. Commander Worf: Thank you, sir.
• Cmdr. William Riker: [looking up at the moon] Wow! Look at that! Dr. Zefram Cochrane: Don't tell me you've never seen the moon before. Cmdr. William Riker: It's just looks a lot different, that's all. There are 50 million people living on the moon in my time.

NMF #27: The War Bride

Title: The War Bride

Year Released/Rating: 2001

Starring: Anna Friel, Brenda Fricker, Aden Young

Written By: Angela Workman

Directed By: Lyndon Chubbuck

Genre: Drama, Romance

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Summary: WW2: In London, Lily marries a Canadian soldier who goes off to war. She and her newborn daughter are invited to come and live with his family in Canada, where conditions are not as splendid as he had described. And nobody knows if and when he will return.

Review: One of those random choices from Netflix and it was a cute one.  A little bit of drama, a little bit of romance, we journey with Lily from the uncertainty of wartime London to the uncertainty of the plains of Canada.  I've decided that I really like Anna Friel.  She's just adorable in everything I've seen her in.  And "Betty" and "Sylvia" round out a great cast of women.  If you like a bit of period romance, pick it up.

Quote Wednesday - Mother Teresa

Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. -- Mother Teresa

Smile at someone today.  Just maybe you'll get a smile back.  And there's a slight possibility that the person who smiled at is your one true love.  Try it!

NMF #26: The Bourne Legacy

Title: The Bourne Legacy

Year Released/Rating: 2012 PG-13

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton

Written By: Tony Gilroy, Dan Gilroy, Robert Ludlum

Directed By: Tony Gilroy

Genre: Action, adventure, mystery

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Redbox rental

Trivia:

• Before this movie was seriously considered, director Paul Greengrass jokingly suggested to make a fourth Bourne movie called "The Bourne Redundancy".
• Shipped to theaters under the code name "Marcher". This was also the fake title filming took place under.
• The message scrawled on the mirror in the hotel room, 'No More', is an anagram of the fake surname Cross gives to Marta, 'Monroe'.
• Daniel Craig visited his wife Rachel Weisz during their shoot in Manila. Producer Frank Marshall was glad to see them together, saying: "It was pretty cool to have James Bond on the 'Bourne' set with Aaron Cross. We had a great time. It was really fun."

Summary: An expansion of the universe from Robert Ludlum's novels, centered on a new hero whose stakes have been triggered by the events of the previous three films.

Review: I enjoyed this volume way more than the previous Bourne movie.  The shaky cam was limited to the last action sequence.  The plot line was a nice change of pace.  The characters were decent.  I loved seeing Jeremy Renner as the "new Bourne."  It was a thoroughly fun ride.  Great little action film to enjoy some night.

Best Bits: 

• [last lines]  Dr. Marta Shearing: Are we lost?  Aaron Cross: No, I was just looking at our options.  Dr. Marta Shearing: Oh, I was kinda hoping we were lost.
• Drone Spec: What kind of weapon system is this guy operating?  Dita Mandy: He's probably got a rifle.  [Drone operators exchange incredulous glances]  Byer: It's a high-powered rifle.
• Aaron Cross: [to Dr. Shearing] Now, I've got a plan, and it's just not that complicated. What I'm going to do is wait for the next person to show up to kill you. Maybe they can help me.
• Dr. Marta Shearing: You've been shot!  Aaron Cross: It's all right.

The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales

Title: Complete Fairy Tales

Author: Hans Christian Anderson

Genre: Short stories; fairy tales

Pages: 1504

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Short Stories; Genre -- Short Stories; Ebook; 52 Books -- Week 9

How I Got It: iPad download

Reared in poverty, Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen created more than 200 folk and fairy tales beloved by countless generations of children -- and adults.

Overall I am very disappointed in this story collection.  I adore the Grimm fairy tales and thought this would be similar.  I was mistaken.  These are morality tales cloaked in sometimes a fanciful nature (I know the Grimm stories are too, but they hide it better).  They are overtly Christian in their subject matter and tone.  I just didn't enjoy these stories.  I find my mind wandering while reading.  I couldn't kept on track.  It's taken me almost three weeks to get through this volume a bit at a time.  I made it, but I won't be revisiting this volume any time in the future.  I'll stick with my Grimm tales.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

Title: The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell #1)

Author: Laurie R. King

Publisher: St. Martin's Press 1994

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 347

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Sub Genre - Mystery, Classic Whodunit; New Author; Library Loan; Eclectic - Historical Mystery

How I Got It: Library loan

In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees when a young woman literally stumbles into him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes--and match him wit for wit. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective. In their first case together, they must track down a kidnapped American senator's daughter and confront a truly cunning adversary--a bomber who has set trip wires for the sleuths and who will stop at nothing to end their partnership.

A few weeks ago a friend invited me to see Laurie King speak at the local library.  Turns out she's a Bay Area native.  She was funny and self-depreciating and insightful.  I loved hearing her talk.  Unfortunately, I couldn't read any of her books before the talk.  I received her first Mary Russell book from the library soon after.  I am not disappointed at all.  We get a classic Holmes style story starring Holmes and a refreshing newcomer.   The books starts a bit slow, but really King's easing us into the crazy adventures soon to come.  The capers were entertaining and lots of fun.  I think I will definitely be adding this series to be TBR lists.

Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes

• #0.5 Mary's Christmas
• #1 The Beekeeper's Apprentice
• #2 A Monstrous Regiment of Women
• #3 A Letter of Mary
• #4 The Moor
• #5 O Jerusalem
• #6 Justice Hall
• #7 The Game
• #8 Locked Rooms
• #9 The Language of Bees
• #10 The God of the Hive
• #10.5 Beekeeping for Beginners
• #11 Pirate King
• #12 Garment of Shadows
• #12.5 Mrs. Hudson's Case
• #13 Dreaming Spies
• #13.5 The Marriage of Mary Russell
• #14 The Murder of Mary Russell

NMF #25: Hysteria

Title: Hysteria

Year Released/Rating: 2011 R

Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce

Written By: Stephen Dyer, Jonah Lisa Dyer, Howard Gensler

Directed By: Tanya Wexler

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Redbox rental

Trivia: Dr. Granville’s electromechanical vibrator was portable but had a wet cell battery that weighed about 40 pounds.

Summary: The truth of how Mortimer Granville devised the invention of the first vibrator in the name of medical science.

Review: This has been on my list for awhile.  The movie did not disappoint.  It's something like a romcom but set in the 1880s.  We see a man and woman come from very different perpectives who grow to appreciate each other.  In the process, the man helps invent the vibrator.  Sounds like one fun ride.  It was entertaining and delightful.  Maggie Gyllenhaal is awesome like always.  Hugh Dancy plays a great bumbling doctor. And Jonathan Pryce shines as the slightly backwards physician.  Loved it!

Best Bits: 

• Molly: What do you call that little thing?  Edmund Smythe: I was calling it the feather duster.  Molly: Well I'd think of something quick, so that a girl knows what to ask for.
• [first lines]  Mrs. Bellamy: I truly don't even know why I'm here, doctor.  [pen scraping]  Well, of course it's difficult running a large household by oneself. And raising four children is exacting, but they're wonderful, wonderful children. And my husband, he's a good man. A very hard worker. Um... Ahem. Well, there is just one thing. Sometimes at night, when he comes to me, I imagine myself splitting his fat bald head with a great large ax.[pen scraping]
• Charlotte Dalrymple: I'm fine. I have lots of friends in prison.

NMF #24: Magic Mike

Title: Magic Mike

Year Released/Rating: 2012 R

Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn

Written By: Reid Carolin

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Genre: Comedy, drama

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Redbox rental

Trivia:

• The film is loosely based on Channing Tatum's experiences as a male exotic dancer before hitting it big as a movie star.
• Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer allegedly did not get along on set.
• In the scene where Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) finally strips, there is a point where he rolls away from all of the women holding his crotch. This is because the extras got a little bit too excited and accidentally ripped his g-string. Instead of stopping the dance, he just incorporated it in.

Summary: A male stripper teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money.

Review: One of those movies that I just had to see for myself.  I finally Redboxed it.  It's not as bad as I thought it would be.  I actually enjoyed it.  The dance scenes are pretty cringe-worthy, but the character driven scenes are good.  I loved seeing the dancers in the rest of the our lives.  We get an interesting story.  Soderbergh does well here.

Best Bits: 

• Dallas: [to The Kid] You are the husband they never had! You are that dreamboat guy that never came along!
• Paige: Entrepreneur/stripper? Stripper/entrepreneur?  Mike Martingano: Either one. Paige: I was hoping this was all a joke.  Mike Martingano: It is pretty funny.
• Mike Martingano: I have, like, $13,000 saved.  Paige: Wow. That's a lot of ones.  Mike Martingano: There are some fives in there. Paige: Oh, ok. No twenties? Mike Martingano: Oh, you don't wanna know what I have to do for twenties.

Music Monday -- 101 Faves Quirky 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 from my iTunes account.  Each edition will include ~5 songs with theme.  Enjoy! For those quirky singers/bands, I show my love.

Dresden Dolls "Sing" -- How much do I love this band?  Bunches and bunches.  I thought about putting "Coin Operated Boy" or "Good Day" on here, but I love "Sing" and its uplifting message.  So here you go...

Regina Spektor "Apres Moi" -- Love her bridge in Russian.  It just sounds so amazing.  I still need to get her newest album.

Amanda Palmer "Astronaut" -- One half of The Dresden Dolls, all by herself.  I am part of the world that loves her.

Ben Folds "Narcolepsy" -- Has collaborated with Amanda Palmer and Regina Spektor, weird coincidence.  Plus, I saw him in concert with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and he rocked the Embassy.

Sunday Sunset #7

Listening To: Lots of Arctic Monkeys.  A few bloggers I follow have mentioned them in the past week and suddenly I had a hankering for some AM.  One of the new songs I instantly fell in love with ("Cornerstone"), I didn't actually have.  So I have some new-to-me AM music to enjoy this week.

Book finished: Garden Spells, Matched, Thin Air

Reading: The Beekeeper's Apprentice

On the Nightstand: Wrapping up Fantasy February with... Matched, Neverwhere, Stories of Hans Christian Anderson

MakingLists: Stampin' Up order for February.  Every month I change my order at least three times before committing.  This month is no exception.

From the kitchen: Nothing.  I've been unable to keep a ton of food down, so I've eating lots of sandwiches and salad.

Crafting: A great crafting class on Tuesday.  All the stamps were from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  I've got some great new ideas.  I love the new chalkboard technique of the first card.  I changed my order to get the white craft ink so I can replicate!  The last card is actually from Pam as a thank you.  I just love the colors of that card.

Plus I had a free crafting night at Panera where I worked on our scrapbook.  I completed multiple pages and made some great headway.

Watching: Legit (on FX, hilarious!), S3 of Star Trek: TNG; Raising Hope (finished the series).

As for New Movie February:

• The Warrior's Way (NMF #18)
• Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus (NMF #19)
• Love's Kitchen (NMF #20)
• Explorers (NMF #21)
• Special (NMF #22)
• Battlestar Galactica (NMF #23)

Wondering: When will this nausea abate?  Because I'm really getting sick of it! (mild chuckle)

Shopping Scores: A plane ticket for Spring Break, finally.  All set to visit the family and spend time with the boys.

NMF #23: Battlestar Galactica

Title: Battlestar Galactica (TV mini series)

Year Released/Rating: 2003

Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff

Genre: Science fiction

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: On the server

Trivia:

• The hand held camera shot of Secretary Roslin being sworn in as the new President of the Twelve Colonies is a direct reference to the historic photograph of Vice President Lyndon Johnson taking the oath of office aboard Air Force 1 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
• Commander Adama's final speech to his crew (including his repeated use of the phrase "So say we all!" to rally them to action) was largely improvised by Edward James Olmos.
• Ragnar Anchorage, the hidden supply dump, is named for Ragnarok, the Norse legend of the final battle at the end of the world.
• The humans live on 12 planets and moons known as "The Colonies of Kobol", whose names are taken from Zodiac signs. During Season Two, Laura Roslin mentions that the Zodiac signs are the "ancient" names of the colonies: Aerelon, Tauron, Gemenon, Canceron, Leonis, Virgon, Libron, Scorpia, Sagittaron, Caprica, Aquaria and Picon. At the end of the miniseries, Cmdr. Adama mentions a 13th colony called Earth. These references were influenced by the religious beliefs of series creator Glen Larson: The Twelve Tribes of Israel, the 13th is a group of Israelites who migrated to North America. "Kobol" is a misspelling of "Kolob," according to Latter-day Saints, is a place near the throne of God.
• Tricia Helfer based her performance on Daryl Hannah's Priss in Blade Runner. Edward James Olmos, who co-starred in the film, gave her a copy to watch.

Summary: A re-imagining of the original series in which a "rag-tag fugitive fleet" of the last remnants of mankind flees pursuing robots while simultaneously searching for their true home, Earth.

Review: J has been bugging me about watching this series for years now (we don't speak of the ending...).  So, we decided to start with the mini series tonight.  Man, what a ride!  It was nonstop from beginning to end.  An amazing storyline, amazing space battles, amazing characters.  I loved every minute of it and couldn't wait to keep watching.  This is such a great show.

Best Bits:  

• Laura Roslin: I don't know why I have to keep telling you this, but the war is over. Adama: It hasn't begun yet.
• [first spoken lines in the show]  Number Six: Are you alive?  Boxey's Father: Yes.  Number Six: Prove it.
• Baltar: So now you're telling me, um, now you're telling me you're a machine?  Number Six: I'm a woman.  Baltar: You're a machine. You're a synthetic woman, a robot.  Number Six: I've said it three times now.  Baltar: Well, forgive me, I'm having the tiniest little bit of trouble believing that because the last time anybody saw the Cylons they looked more like walking chrome toasters.  Number Six: Those models are still around. They have their uses.
• [looting the display Viper Mk.2s from the museum for combat duty]  Starbuck: You sure they'll fly?  Tyrol: Well, the reactor's still hot, so all we have to do is pull the rad buffers from the engine, refuel it, load the ordnance, and you're ready to go. The biggest problem is getting them over to the port launch bay. Starbuck: Why can't we use the starboard launch? Tyrol: It's a gift shop now. Starbuck: Frak me.
• Apollo: [both of their Vipers are attached together while trying to land on the Galactica] We're coming in a little hot, don't you think?  Starbuck: [lying] No, not really.

NMF #22: Special

Title: Special

Year Released/Rating: 2006 R

Starring: Michael Rapaport, Paul Blackthrone, Josh Peck

Written By: Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

Directed By: Hal Haberman, Jeremy Passmore

Genre: Drama, Fantasy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Amazon streaming

Summary: A lonely metermaid has a psychotic reaction to his medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero. A very select group of people in life are truly gifted. Special is a movie about everyone else.

Review: An interesting little action drama indie flick.  The idea of a man who claims to have superpowers is intriguing.  I love the slow progression into madness, or is it?  The way we experience the movie, I can never really tell and that's just awesome.  It's even shot like a dream making it much more interesting to the audience.  I enjoyed this random little movie.

Best Bits: 

• Jonas Exiler: That was exciting. You have a genuine flair for making a scene, don't you, Les?
• Les: [has just run full-speed into a wall] I'm, uh, I'm not like most people.   Cop #1: Yeah, I can see that.
• Les: Your force field is good; my teleporting is better.

Thin Air by Rachel Caine

Title: Thin Air (Weather Wardens #6)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2007

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 320

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Dusty Bookshelf; Book Bingo -- 4 from series

How I Got It: I own it

After preventing Mother Earth from destroying the planet, Joanne Baldwin lost her memories thanks to Ashan the djinn-and they will remain lost forever unless Joanne can recover her identity-and destroy the demon who is impersonating her, fabulous shoes and all...

For most of this series, I have enjoyed the books but they haven't blown me away.  This one changed all that.  This is the best book in the series (at least so far.).  Taking away Joanne's memory makes her more human and relatable.  She's like the rest of us now.  I loved seeing that vulnerable side to her. We re-meet so many interesting characters.  We wrap up a few story lines and open a few more.  I am really loving how the story is progressing.  Can't wait for number 7!

Weather Warden:

1. Ill Wind
2. Heat Stroke
3. Chill Factor
4. Windfall
5. Fire Storm
6. Thin Air
7. Gale Force
8. Cape Storm
9. Total Eclipse

Fashion Friday #1: Weekend Getaway to Wine Country

I'm kicking off a new series here on my blog.  Fridays are now Fashion Fridays...  I love fashion, but am never comfortable with pictures of myself.  Instead, I have fallen in love with Polyvore and the ability to create cute outfits.  Every Friday I will be showcasing a new outfit I have created.  I even have the idea of some inspired by series.  Look for those soon.

My first attempt at Polyvore was the suggested template "Weekend Getaway."  We live in the San Francisco Bay Area.  One of my favorite areas is just north of the Bay: Wine Country.  Wine country calls for comfortable but stylish clothes and a jacket (it tends to be cooler up there than at home in South Bay).  I love the pop of color with the bag.  Just my style!

Tory Burch shirt dress

$190 - theoutnet.com

Dorothy Perkins lightweight jacket

dorothyperkins.com

Billabong

zumiez.com

NMF #21: Explorers

Title: Explorers

Year Released/Rating: 1985 PG

Starring: Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix, Bobby Fite

Written By: Eric Luke

Directed By: Joe Dante

Genre: Adventure, Scifi

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

• As the boys look through the junkyard for the pieces for their ship, Rosebud (the sled from Citizen Kane) can be seen sitting at the top of a pile.
• When the helicopter pilot looks at the newspaper, one of the headlines says "Kingston Falls 'Riot' Still Unexplained". Kingston Falls was the town where the events in Gremlins(also directed by Joe Dante), took place.
• The film was never finished, and was released as a work in progress when the studio decided to move up the release date and release the film as it was, telling director Joe Dante that he was finished and they were going to go ahead and release what he had at that point.
• Wolfgang's "talking" rat is named Heinlein, after science fiction author Robert A. Heinlein, who wrote many stories about young boys experimenting with spaceflight.
• Inside Wolfgang's basement, the toy monkey from the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, can be seen.
• Feature film debut for both Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.
• River Phoenix, who had grown up in communes in South America, was somewhat unfamiliar with popular culture and slang words. During rehearsals it became a running joke when he would attempt scripted well-known words and phrases and usually pronounce them incorrectly.

Summary: Ben Crandall, an alien-obsessed kid, dreams one night of a circuit board. Drawing out the circuit, he and his friends Wolfgang and Darren set it up, and discover they have been given the basis for a starship. Setting off in the ThunderRoad, as they name their ship, they find the aliens Ben hopes they would find... but are they what they seem?

Review: This is a great movie.  I feel like I would've completely fallen in love with this movie if I had watched it during childhood. Even watching it during my 30s, I really enjoyed the movie.  We get three precocious children making contact with an alien race.  There are enough science fiction references to keep the adult geek in me entertain.  Plus, we get some awesome 80s-ness.  I think we need to introduce the boys to this movie during the summer.  Something tells me they would love it!

Best Bits: 

• Wak: Look, I know I must look weird to you but how do you think you look to me? Listen, I watched four episodes of "Lassie" before I figured out why the little hairy kid never spoke. I mean, he rolled over, sure, he did that fine but, I don't think he deserved a series for that.
• Ben Crandall: [stuttering, astounded at the violent film footage] But thi - see, this isn't real! A-a-and we don't really kill people! Well, we do, b-but n-not aliens, 'cause we haven't met any!
• Ben Crandall: I've waited all my life to say this.  Darren Woods: Be my guest.   Ben Crandall: We come in peace.
• Heinlein the Mouse: [pressing buttons] I would like... cheese... go... to... hell...
• Ben Crandall: What's that?  Wak: Uhh... Space Pirates.

Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched (Matched #1)

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Speak 2010

Genre: YA Dystopian

Pages: 369

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre - Dystopia; New Author; TBR Pile; Seriously Series; Blogger Recommendation

How I Got It: I own it

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

I was a bit reluctant to start this series.  I wanted to, but heard from so many that it was just a Hunger Games clone.  Well, not really.  I think of this as a mix of The Hunger Games, Brave New World, and Logan's Run.  I really loved the idea of this "perfect" where everything is chosen for you.  You are safe, but are you really living?  Cassia learns the difference after 17 years of being a perfect citizen.  By the end of the book I was rooting for Cassia and her struggle to find happiness in her society.  Usually I don't like love triangles, but I must say that this one felt genuine.  I liked Xander and he did nothing to diminish his standing.  But Ky is easily the best choice for Cassia.  I can't wait to dive into the next book to see where Cassia's journey takes her.

Matched:

1. Matched
2. Crossed
3. Reached

Thanks to You

I found this wonderful meme idea on Ruby Bastille.  I thought it would be a great way to share my life with my readers.  So here we go with my Thankful Thursday.

1) Peppermint and ginger -- I have been very nauseated lately, but these flavored hard candies seem to keep it down.

2) Crafting friends -- I had two amazing nights crafting this week.  I love the hobby and the ladies are so nice.

3) Old 80s movies -- J had introduced me to some great ones this past week.

4) Books -- Feeling sick, books are my only friend.

5) Gummy bears -- Another trick to keeping the nausea down.  Sucking on a gummy bear seems to help and they are oh-so delicious.

NMF #20: Love's Kitchen

Title: Love's Kitchen

Year Released/Rating: 2011 PG-13

Starring: Dougray Scott, Claire Forlani, Michelle Ryan

Written By: James Hacking

Directed By: James Hacking

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

• Given a limited initial release (4 screens) in the UK, it famously took just £121.00 during its opening weekend.
• Claire Forlani and Dougray Scott are married in real life.

Summary: Rob Haley (Dougray Scott), an up-and-coming chef and restaurateur in London, is grief-stricken when he loses his wife. With encouragement from his infamous friend and real life TV Chef Gordon Ramsay, Rob decides to spice up his life by turning a run-down country pub into a gourmet restaurant. His food catches the eye - and taste buds - of beautiful American food critic Kate Templeton (Claire Forlani) and they soon both write a recipe for love that leaves both their hearts - and their stomachs - in full.

Review: I was expecting a run of the mill silly romantic comedy, but this was a pleasant surprise.  The characters seemed realer.  The gimmicks were few and far in between.  The setting was fun (love the restaurant idea).  The overall feel of the movie was nice.  I couldn't really find anything to complain about.  It was a great little romantic movie.

Quote Wednesday - Johnson

Never ruin an apology with an excuse. -- Kimberly Johnson

How many times have you heard someone do this?  Too many times to count.  If you offer an apology, then just offer any apology.  No excuses. No reasons.  No extenuating circumstances.  Just an apology...

NMF #19: Mega Shark Vs. Crocosaurus

Title: Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus

Year Released/Rating: 2010 R

Starring: Jaleel White, Gary Stretch, Sarah Lieving, Robert Picardo

Written By: Micho Rutare, Naomi L. Selfman

Directed By: Christopher Ray

Genre: Action, horror, scifi

Star Rating:  1/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia: The ship in the beginning of the movie, the USS Gibson, is a battleship. At present there are no battleships serving in any navy, including the United States Navy.

Summary: Do I really need one?  Shark vs. croc, huge size, enough said.

Review: The sequel to Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus.  I didn't think it was possible to get worse than the first one, but the sequel accepted that challenge and passed with flying colors.  This is just horrid.  The CGI is bad.  The acting is horribly over dramatic.  The plot line is ludicrous.  And the dialogue is just plain unbelievable.