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BTT: Queue

What are you reading now?

Would you recommend it?

And what’s next?

I'm currently reading Scoundrel (Blades of the Rose #2) by Zoe Archer and loving it!  J described it as Lara Croftish and I agree.  It has a blend of action/adventure, romance, and magic that I just can't resist.  I can't wait to finish this one and get started on the next one, Rebel.

tags: Booking Through Thursday
categories: Books
Thursday 09.08.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 2
 

A to Z Movies: The Fifth Element

Title: The Fifth Element

Year Released/Rating: 1997 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker

Directed By: Luc Besson

Written By: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: The language spoken by Leeloo was invented by director Luc Besson and further refined by Milla Jovovich. By the end of filming they were able to have full conversations in this language.

So F...  Hmm... We definitely have an odd collection of movies for F.  We sat there for about 5 minutes, I narrowed it down to three, J picked The Fifth Element out of that.  I think it partly has to do with the fact that over dinner we were talking about how many bad movies were made in the 1990s.  There are quite a load of them.  And we happened to pick a good 90s movie for our pick tonight.

You have to take this movie with a bit of camp.  Don't take it too seriously or it comes off as seriously cheesy.  That's why I like it so much.  A fun campy action film.  Complete with cheesy Bruce Willis lines and Chris Tucker being, well, Chris Tucker.  My favorite part has to be all the parallel shots.  We get the fight scene between Leelo and the nasties going on at the same time as Zorg is infiltrating the ship and Korben is watching the opera.  There are others, but that sequence is my favorite.  I just love the cuts in that scene.

Best Bits: 

Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg. Zorg: I know.
~~
[Father Cornelius and Ruby Rhod see the bomb stuck to the door]
Priest Vito Cornelius: It's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a...
DJ Ruby Rhod: No no no no no no. 'Cuz if it was a bomb, the alarms would go off 'cuz all these hotels have bomb detectors, right?
[the alarms sound]
~~
Korben Dallas: Whoa, lady, I only speak two languages, English and bad English.
[Leeloo continues to talk in divine language]
Korben Dallas: Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for conversation, but maybe you could just shut up for a moment?
~~
Korben Dallas: What's your name?
Leeloo: Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat.
Korben Dallas: Good. That... that whole thing's your name, huh? Do you have, uh... a shorter name?
Leeloo: Leeloo.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Thursday 09.08.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Easter Parade

Title: Easter Parade

Year Released/Rating: 1948

Starring: Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford, Ann Miller

Directed By: Charles Walters

Written By: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Sidney Sheldon, Guy Bolton

Star Rating:   5 /5 stars

Trivia: The shedding feathered gown worn by Judy Garland when she dances with Fred Astairein one number is an inside joke reference to Ginger Rogers' problematic gown dancing with Fred Astaire in Top Hat. An ostrich feather broke loose from Ginger Rogers' elaborate gown and stubbornly floated in mid air around Astaire's face.

Extra Trivia: Ann Miller danced with pinched nerves in her back. She was also taller than Fred Astaire, so she had to wear flats in her scenes with him. This can be seen towards the end of the movie. When she finishes the number "The Girl I Love" she goes behind the curtain wearing red high heels; when she comes back out in front of the audience to entice Astaire to dance with her to their old song "It Only Happens When I Dance With You", she's wearing red flats.

J had his standing meeting tonight, so I was left alone to choose the movie.  And I went with a classic, literally.  I love so many aspects of old movies.

  • The outrageous costumes.  Exhibit A: Nadine organe dress in the second scene.  Who the hell would ever wear that for a night in?  But it just looks amazing while they're dancing.  I love all the costumes.  They are so colorful and intricate.  And Astaire's suits are the epitome of fine gentlemen's wear the late 1940s.
  • Fred Astaire. He's not what I would find attractive looks wise.  But damn if he isn't attractive when dancing.  I just can't get over it.  I love to watch him dance.  Did you know?  Gene Kelly was to star, but broke his ankle.  That's okay, because Astaire is just amazing.
  • The dialogue. So much banter.  I love it.  Sex scenes and cuss words were not allowed, but amazing banter is just peachy.  Love it! See the examples below.
  • The music. I love singing along.  Oh hell, who am I kidding...  I just love musicals.

Overall it's got the whole My Fair Lady thing going on, but that's okay.  I still love it!  One of my favorites.

Best Bits: 

Don Hewes: A girl dancer has to be exotic; she has to be - a peach. Hannah Brown: I suppose I'm a lemon!

Don Hewes: Miss Brown, what idiot ever told you you were a dancer? Hannah Brown: You did.

[the bartender hands Don his drink] Don Hewes: Can you drown a brunette in this? Mike the Bartender: How tall is she? Don Hewes: Five foot six. Mike the Bartender: [filling the glass a little more] Try this.

tags: A to Z Movies, musicals
categories: Movies
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Top Ten Tuesday - Sequels I'm Dying to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

So this week's topic is "Sequels I'm Dying to Read,"  but I have a big problem.  I don't have any Sequels I'm Dying to Read.  I know what you're thinking: "How can you not have tons of sequels lying around to read?"  There is an explanation.  I have a dirty little secret.  I don't read book series until all of them are published and in my possession.  Yeah, I'm kinda bad like that.  And it keeps me really far behind in the new releases realm.  (For example, I got The HUnger Games months ago, but haven't read it yet because I don't have Catching Fire and Mockingjay.)  So I've got nothing, nada, zilch for today...

tags: lists, Top Ten Tuesday
categories: Books
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Books Around the States Challenge

To go along with the World Challenge, I'm also adding a Books Around the States challenge.  What better way to see U.S. in fiction and nonfiction than through a challenge.  This one will also be a perpetual challenge.

From Book Around the States:

The United States is a union of 50 states. Let's "book around the states"and find at least one excellent book for each state of the union. The book should help us learn something ABOUT that state and not just be one written by somebody who lives there.

Of course if you notice my sidebar challenge status, you will see 51 total books.  I can't forget about the District of Columbia.  Although I will forget about the territories.

tags: Books Around the States
categories: Reading Challenges
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Books Around the World Challenge

I've decided to join another challenge...  but this one is perpetual.  Good thing!  I definitely can't add more challenges to end December 2011.  I've already got one counting towards this.  Only how many to go?  Good graciousness!  Oh well!  I do like a challenge.

From Book Around the World:

The world has many countries, some big and some small, and I want to find the best books about each country. The book should help us learn something ABOUT that country and not just be one written by somebody who lives there. Let's "book around the world" and find at least one excellent book for each country in the world.

I'll be attempting to read a book from every country...  For purposes of this challenge, I am going by the U.S. Department of State's country listing.  There's 195 countries according to our definition of a country. I'll count the primary setting of fiction and nonfiction books in my listings.  This should be interesting.

tags: Books Around the World
categories: Reading Challenges
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Die Hard 4

Title:  Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard

Year Released/Rating: 2007 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Justine Long, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Kevin Smith

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Mark Bomback, David Marconi, John Carlin, Roderick Thorp

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: When introduced to an agent Johnson, McClane says: "Johnson, again?", a nod to the two agents Johnson in Die Hard, despite the fact that McClane and the two agents Johnson never spoke or met face to face.

J's choice tonight.  I was learning towards Dogma or Dark City.  He suggested Dave or Die Hard.  So we went with Die Hard.  It's been awhile since I've seen this installment.  Probably since it came out...  I'm almost always up for some good action film and this hit the spot.  I especially love Timothy Olyphant. He always play the creepy bad guy, but also the suave, could possibly be charming, bad guy.  Amazing!  And the stunts are fantastic.  The entire sequence in the refrigeration thing (towards the end) is just impossible.  And that guy, Rand, does almost all his stunts without wires.  That's just crazy!

Best Bits: 

Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car! John McClane: I was out of bullets.
Matt Farrell:[to Lucy] Wow, I know that tone. It's just weird hearing it come from someone... with hair.
John McLane [covering the webcam] You think you can, uh, find a track where he is?
Thomas Gabriel: Detective, covering the camera with your hand does not turn off the microphone.
[after the presidential montage]
Casper:That was creepy.
Trey: I tried to find more Nixon.
Thomas Gabriel: McClane? I thought I killed you already.
John McClane:  I get that sometimes.
John McClane: I know I'm not as smart as you guys with all this computer shit. But, hey... I'm still alive, ain't I? I mean, you've *got* to be running out of bad guys by now, right? Huh? Gabriel? Honestly, you can tell me. I mean, how does that work? Got some kind of service or something? Some kind of 800 number? 1-800-HENCHMEN? Oh, you know what? I bet you're still on hold with, "Can I get another dead Asian hooker bitch over here right away?"
[from the unrated version]
Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car!
John McClane: Hundreds of thousands of people get killed by cars every year. That's just like four more.
[after Lucy struggles and shoots Emerson in the foot]
Thomas Gabriel:  Jesus Christ. You got her? [Emerson nods]
Thomas Gabriel: You're sure? It's a nice effort, though.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Music Monday -- The Faint "The Geeks were Right"

So, J set up the amazing stereo so we could listen to Pandora, Spotify, iTunes library, or records all from the same thing.  And he can control it from his iPhone (alas, I still have my crappy Sprint phone until iPhone 5 comes out).  Every night for dinner, we pick a different style and usually put on Pandora.  The Faint's Pandora channel is kinda awesome.  So many good, interesting, not really know to me bands pop up.  I love it!  In honor of the good channel, this Monday's choice is The Faint "The Geeks were Right."

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

got a chain saw motor that's filled with rain but when it sings like bach the eyes all bulge then when the pink sun drops the eyelids fold

while i'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones i take a freight elevator and press fast forward i get to grind these teeth and peek thru time if i could bring things back they'd feedback wild when i saw the future - the geeks were right

egghead boys with thin white legs they got modified features and software brains but that's what the girls like the geeks were right

when i saw the future - the geeks were right

predator skills chemical wars plastic islands at sea watch what the humans ruin with machine

eyeballs float in wet green grass i'm in a chainsaw choir in dreams that bend to let me cut thru time and stretch out bach i make the dry eyes roll and wet eyes cross

while i'm in deep REM sleep or twilight zones i take a freight elevator and press fast forward so i can grind these teeth and peek thru time if i could bring things back they'd feedback wild and when i saw the future - the geeks were right

P.S. J and I have a bet going that any Pandora channel will eventually make its way to the Beatles.  So far, we've been right.  Every channel we've made gets to the Beatles.  Sometimes it takes 20 minutes, sometimes an hour, but it happens!

tags: The Faint
categories: Music
Monday 09.05.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fables: Homelands by Bill Willingham

Title: Fables Vol. 6: Homelands

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

This clever, enjoyable series written by Willingham, has a rather ingenious premise: what if all the characters of fairy tales lived, loved, schemed, and fought in a modern-day city of their own? This installment contains two fun story arcs. One, a cute satire of contemporary Hollywood, stars Jack, of beanstalk fame, portrayed as a rather unsavory trickster. Making his way to Hollywood with a fistful of cash, he becomes a wildly successful producer of films based on his own mythological exploits. Eventually, though, his ruthless business practices and unsavory past catch up with him. In a longer story, Little Boy Blue goes on an epic quest to find and kill a shadowy tyrant.

Another amazing Fables volume!  I just can't get over how much I adore this series.  I can't wait to get the next volume and speed through it.  This one had two great stories.  Usually I liked one of the stories more than the other one, but not this time.  Jack has always been one of my faves and I'm glad he got his own story.  Plus he has a whole spinoff series (don't worry, I got the first four volumes from the library already!).  Jack in Hollywood, just seems natural.  Plus we get to meet Jill (you know, of Jack and Jill).  She's an interesting side character.  I really hope we see more of her in the future.

Then the big story: Homelands.  We know from the previous volume that the Adversary is continuing to expand the empire.  We actually get to go the Homelands and see the expansion.  And we meet the Snow Queen (Sigh!  She's so evil, I love her).  And we meet Gheppetto (sp?).  And we remeet Red Riding Hood (kinda saw that one coming).  And the Blue Fairy (I feel so sorry for her).  And Mowgli (interesting character, hope we see more next volume).  And Frau Totenkinder (she's becoming my absolute fave!).  All in all, a great collection of new and relatively new characters to tangle with.  I saw who the Adversary was a mile away, but it's still a great story.  The series is really going now...

Fables:

  1. Legends in Exile
  2. Animal Farm
  3. Storybook Love
  4. March of the Wooden Soldiers
  5. The Mean Seasons
  6. Homelands
  7. Arabian Nights (and Days)
  8. Wolves
  9. Sons of Empire
  10. The Good Prince
  11. War and Pieces
  12. The Dark Ages
  13. The Great Fables Crossover
  14. Witches
  15. Rose Red
  16. Super Team
  17. Inherit the Wind
  18. Cubs in Toyland
tags: 5 stars, Bill Willingham, fairy tales, fantasy, graphic novel
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 09.05.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 5
 

A to Z Movies: Catch Me If You Can

Title: Catch Me If You Can

Year Released/Rating: 2002 PG-13

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tim Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams

Directed By: Steven Speilberg

Written By: Jeff Nathanson, Frank Abagnale Jr., Stan Redding

Star Rating:  5 /5 stars

Trivia: The blackboard that Carl Hanratty is writing on toward the end of the movie contains a small note at the bottom that says, "Steven and Tom's 4th project". Spielberg and Hanks had previously collaborated on Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and Joe Versus the Volcano.

First of all, the introduction to this movie is amazing.  The shadowed graphics are amazing.  I love that this is based on a true story.  And that the real Frank Abagnale consulted the film to be the most accurate.  I loved it...  The relationship between Frank Sr. and Frank Jr. is just amazing.  Frank Sr. made some bad choices in his life, but he really loves his son.  I can't help but root for him.  And the entire movie Frank Jr. is really just trying to make his dad proud.  Usually these kinds of stories make me gag, but this one really works.  Maybe it's the story, maybe the characters, or maybe the actors, but it works for me.  Best scene of the movie--the first time that Hanratty and Abagnale meet in the hotel room.  I love the look on Hanratty's face when it starts to dawn on him that the Secret Service agent might not have been the Secret Service agent.  The look on his face is priceless!  J's rating: "It's the first movie since Romeo and Juliet that I can actually take Leonardo DiCaprio seriously."  Agreed!

Best Bits: 

Paula Abagnale:  Just tell me how much he owes and I'll pay you back. Carl Hanratty:  So far, it's about 1.3 million dollars.

Tom Fox: He doesn't have a passport. Carl Hanratty: For the last six months, he's gone to Harvard and Berkeley. I'm betting he can get a passport.

Frank Abagnale, Jr: Brenda, I don't want to lie to you anymore. All right? I'm not a doctor. I never went to medical school. I'm not a lawyer, or a Harvard graduate, or a Lutheran. Brenda, I ran away from home a year and a half ago when I was 16. Brenda Strong: Frank? Frank? You're not a Lutheran?

Frank Abagnale, Jr: [when Carl catches up to him in the print shop in Montrichard] Carl? Carl! Merry Christmas! How is it we're always talking on Christmas, Carl? Every Christmas, I'm talking to you! [laughs] Carl Hanratty: Put your shirt on, Frank. You're under arrest.

P.S. J and I had a discussion other day.  Is it just us or is White Collar what happens after Frank was caught by the FBI?  Just a great show!  He's got me addicted!

tags: A to Z Movies, drama
categories: Movies
Monday 09.05.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Meals a la Tobe! #5

Sunday

From Rachel Ray's Book of 10

-- Grilled Chicken Caesar with Bacon-Herb-Parmesan "Croutons"

1 1/2 cup EVOO 2 slices bacon, chopped 1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 4 garlic cloves, chopped juice of 2 lemons salt and pepper 1 1/2 lbs cicken cutlets 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 3 romanice lettuce hearts, chopped 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Preheat oven 400 degrees. Preheat grill to high. Cook bacon. Grated cheese and mix with bacon. Line a backing sheet with parchment paper. Pour the cheese mix evenly cross the sheet. Place in oven for 3-4 minutes. Remove to cool completely. Combine half of garlic, half of lemon juice, salt, pepper, and drizzle of EVOO in shallow pan. Coat chicken in mix and cook on grill. In a bowl, mix remaining garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and lots of pepper. Whisk in some EVOO and bit of grated cheese. Combine lettuce, eggs, and dressing in a bowl. Serve by placing sliced chicken on top of lettuce. Break up "croutons" and garnish.

Good, but not amazing.  This may be made again, but probably not in the near future...

Monday

From Rachel Ray's Book of 10

-- Pretzel Crusted Chicken Breast with a Cheddar-Mustard Sauce

4 skinless chicken breast halves (pounded thin) 5 oz. salted pretzels, finely crushed 1 tbsp thyme Ground black pepper 2 eggs Vegetable oil, for frying 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp flour 2 cups milk 2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese 2 heaping tbsp spicy brown mustard Coarse salt 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/4 small yellow onion, chopped 1 large sour dill pickle, finely chopped 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Combine pretzels, thyme, and pepper in a small bowl. Crack and beat eggs in a second bowl with a splash of water. Coat each breast with pretzels, then egg, then back to pretzels. Preheat a large skillet. Cook chicken. In a medium suace pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add flour to it. Cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the milk. When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese and mustard with a wooden spoon. Season with a little salt and pepper, and remove sauce from heat. Serve the chicken breasts drizzled with cheddar-mustard sauce, parsley, onions, and pickles. Place lemon wedges on the side for extra flavor.

-- French Fries

-- Broccoli

This was a disaster.  The sauce was completely lumpy and not very flavorful.  The pretzel coating completely fell off the chicken.  It didn't even add that much flavor.  It took forever to prep and make, and yet nothing exciting.  We definitely won't be revisiting this one.

Tuesday

-- Tacos

J's meeting got pushed again this week.  So I whipped up some tacos.  Easy and fast!  Yet so satisfying!

Wednesday

From Rachel Ray's Book of 10

-- Toasted Ravioli

-- Garlic Bread

Fairly tasty, however, the effort was not worth it.  I had a hard time getting the dread crumbs to stick to the ravioli through the cooking process.  Plus, I could only cook a few at a time.  Too much time and effort.  J suggested that I bake them next time. Maybe...

Thursday

-- Hamburgers on the grill (mushroom and swiss for me; bacon and cheddar for J)

-- Baked beans

-- Potato salad

-- Pineapple

We have to take advantage of the grill before it gets nasty cold outside.

Friday

-- Pizza night!

Sam and Louie's bacon chicken ranch is just amazing.  I love it so much.

Saturday

-- Leftover pizza

-- Salad with bleu cheese dressing, cranberries, and sunflower seeds

-- Pneapples

Week summary/comments: Mostly a good week.  We had two not-so-great meals.  Both were edible, but probably won't be tried again.  For next week, I've got some more Rachel Ray recipes lined up and probably some old stand bys.

tags: recipes
categories: Life
Sunday 09.04.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Warrior by Zoe Archer

Title: Warrior (Blades of the Rose #1)

Author: Zoe Archer

Publisher: Zebra 2010

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 354

Rating:  5  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Paranormal; Books Around the World (Mongolia)

How I Got It: I own it! (from the Borders closing sale)

The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond - where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn't be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress - just what he needs. Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artefact Thalia is after. Huntley's assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn't easy to deceive...

This is definitely a keeper.  A blend of romance, Victorian era historical, and Indiana Jones-esque adventure created the perfect book.  I loved the premise: magical items, Sources, containing the power of the world.  The Blades protect the Sources.  The Heirs seek to use the Sources to take over the world.  Into this very strange world, a common (or not so common) soldier follows his inner code of honor.  Along the way he meets a very confusing young woman, many colorful characters, and danger.  I especially liked that Thalia was not a typical Victorian lady.  She is a true child of the world, open to the cultures and lifestyles of other peoples.  Gabriel is just enough Indiana Jones to keep me intrigued while embodying the traditional romance novel lead characteristics.  I loved him.  I could see how Thalia allowed herself to love him.  Even the brief appearances of fellow Blades members entertained.  (Could it be that they are the focus of subsequent novels?  I have all four, so we shall see.)

Beyond the characters, I enjoyed the paranormal aspect.  The concept of objects imbued with primal energy peaked my interest.  There's a great twist when if comes to the Source Gabriel and Thalia seek.  I didn't see it coming, but it was definitely a good one.  None of these cheesy twists.  This one made sense.

Finally, I loved Thalia explanations of Mongol life.  At my heart I love reading about culture and history.  This book had a bit of both thrown in.  I've never done much research into Mongolia, but the cultural discussions intrigued me.  I loved learning about the stories and traditions of the Mongol people.

Overall, a great action-adventure romance.  A definite must!  I'll be moving quickly onto the second in the series: Scoundrel.

Blades of the Rose

  • #1 Warrior
  • #2 Scoundrel
  • #3 Rebel
  • #4 Stranger
tags: 5 stars, paranormal, romance, Zoe Archer
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 09.04.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 3
 

A to Z Movies: Bridget Jones's Diary

Title: Bridget Jones's Diary

Year Released/Rating: 2001 R

Starring: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent

Directed By: Sharon Maguire

Written By: Helen Fielding, Andrew Davies, and Richard Curis

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia:  Salman Rushdie's cameo came about by total fluke. Old friend (the movie's author) Helen Fielding called him up and asked, "How would you like to make a fool of yourself?"

J had a migraine and I spent all day scrapping across town.  So, he spent some quiet, dark time in bed and I picked a movie all by myself.  After starting to read and failing to read so many BJD copies, I thought I would rewatch the movie.  All of my original ideas stood the test of time and rewatching.  Hugh Grant plays the most magnificent twat.  Renee Zellweger is still one of my least favorite actresses.  But that's okay because I adore everything that Colin Firth does.  Yes, the movie is a redone Pride and Prejudice, but that story is so great that I can forgive it.  I can even forgive Bridget's self-depreciating behaviors.  We all go through that phase at some point.  Thank god Mark Darcy is a rational steadfast man.  Plus, I get a kick out of the Tarts and Vicars party every time.

Best Bits: 

Bridget: This is an occasion for genuinely tiny knickers.

Bridget: Thank you, Daniel, that is very good to know. But if staying here means working within 10 yards of you, frankly, I'd rather have a job wiping Saddam Hussein's arse.

Mark Darcy: I realize that when I met you at the turkey curry buffet, I was unforgivably rude, and wearing a reindeer jumper.

Bridget: It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.

Mark Darcy: Natasha, this is Bridget Jones. Bridget, this is Natasha. Bridget works in a publishing house and she used to play around naked in my paddling pool.

Mark Darcy: All right Cleaver, outside. Daniel Cleaver: [half laughing] I'm sorry? Outside? Should I bring my dueling pistols or my sword?

tags: A to Z Movies, comedy, Jane Austen, romance
categories: Movies
Sunday 09.04.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Accepted

Title: Accepted

Year Released/Rating: 2006 PG-13

Starring: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Blake Lively, Lewis Black,

Directed By: Steve Pink

Written By: Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, Mark Perez

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia: Lewis Black's character says the word "fuck" twice, but one was literally bleeped out in order to make the movie PG-13.

We decided to continue our hilarious comedy streak with Accepted.  Well actually, J wanted either Alien or Accepted to which I insisted on Accepted.  Really wasn't in the mood for the awesome, but slow moving Alien.  I just love the witty back and forth dialogue.  That's what really gets me in comedies.  I want a bit of Grouch Marx in there.  I want lines you have to rewind to listen to again because they are just way too hilarious.  And this movie definitely delivers it.  The only reason I knocked off a star: it gets a little too feel-good towards the end.  I mean, come on, the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington speech at the end makes me seriously roll my eyes.  But other than that, I adore this move.  And the soundtrack is freaking awesome.  Ramones the Pixies!

Best Bits:

Sherman Schrader: Yeah, cool guys. Let's start this fake college, and then we'll go start a meth lab somewhere. Come on, it's a gateway crime. That's how these things start.
Bartleby Gaines: Listen guys, there are plenty of successful people who didn't go to college. Albert Einstein. You know? Pocahontas never went to college. Corey Feldman and Corey Haim; they had a great run. Both Lewis and Clark. Suzanne Somers. Bono.
Sherman Schrader: Who was that? Bartleby Gaines: Oh, that's our mascot Sherman Schrader: A sandwich? You're the SHIT Sandwiches?
Bartleby Gaines: Hey Shrad, do you know any places up near Harmon we can rent?
Sherman Schrader: Oh, yeah I do, actually. I carry around a list with me at all times of abandoned buildings for fake colleges.
Sherman Schrader: I don't want to be here alone when the walls start to bleed!
Sherman Schrader: It was your idea to put "acceptance is just one click away" Bartleby Gaines: Yeah, you put it as "one click away"! You don't make it... clickable!

Bartleby Gaines: Schrader, what about you? What do you want to learn? Sherman Schrader: Well, B, I'm glad you asked actually, 'cause since we're going to prison, I'm gonna learn how to carve a shank out of my toothbrush.

Abernathy: Hi there! What's your name? My name's Abernathy Darwin Dunlap but you can call me A.D.D. on the account of the fact that I have A.D.D., which is attention deficit disorder. You know - everyone used to think it was just an addiction to sugar when I was 6 and my mom used to cry because she thought I would never be like a fully functioning member of society like my neighbor who has Legionnaires' disease.

Bartleby Gaines: [waving and fake smiling at girls leaving in their yellow buggy] Hey! I hate my life. I'm a huge tool. Have fun being hot.

P.S. The best scene in the movie has to be the end shot of the car blowing up.  The looks on their faces are brilliant!

tags: A to Z Movies, comedy
categories: Movies
Saturday 09.03.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: The 40-Year-Old Virgin

40 year old

Title: The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Year Released/Rating: 2005 R

Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Jane Lynch, Romany Malco, Elizabeth Banks, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, and cameo by Jonah Hill

Directed By: Judd Apatow

Written By: Judd Apatow and Steve Carell

Star Rating: 5 /5 stars

Trivia: The "beautiful old Guatemalan love song" sung by Javier to Paula translates to: When I clean my room / I can't find anything / Where are you going in such a hurry/ To the soccer game.

Extra Trivia: The entire "You Know How I Know You're Gay" scene was improvised by Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen

For our first A to Z Movies choice, we went with The 40-Year-Old Virgin.  It was a tough decision.  Just in the #s alone, we have 10 movies.  I threw out a few choices, J threw out a few choices, and we were down to 300, 12 Monkeys, or The 40-Year-Old Virgin.  I went with the final decision and chose comedy.  And I'm so glad I did.  I forgot how amazingly funny this movie is.  Besides Steve Carell (who's definitely funny), we get Seth Rogen's amazing one-liners and Paul Rudd's unique sense of comedy.  I forgot all the side characters that really make this movie.  I think I laughed out loud the entire movie.  It's just too good.  This is Apatow at his best!  A great script, great directing (or nondirecting, since they improvised a ton), and amazingly funny actors.  I'm so glad we chose this as our first movie for the month.  Tonight: on to the As...

Some of my favorite bits:

Jay: [to Andy, in a bar] All you got to do is use your instincts. How do you think a lion knows to tackle a gazelle? It's written, it's a code written in his DNA, says, "Tackle the gazelle." And believe it or not, in every man there's a code written that says, "Tackle drunk bitches."

David: [the same Michael McDonald sampler DVD has been playing on all of the television screens for the last two years] If I have to hear "Yamo Be There" one more time, I'm going to "Yamo" burn this place to the ground.

Haziz: Do you know how I know you're gay? Because you are holding each other ever so gently.

Cal: [talking about Trish being a grandma] You should fuck her and then have her send you $12 on your birthday.

David: [to a shirtless Andy, who has an incredibly hairy chest] I love your sweater. Does that come in a V-neck?

Paula: [propositioning Andy to be her 'friend with benefits'] I'm very discreet... but I will haunt your dreams.

David: Dude, you look like a man-o-lantern.

Andy Stitzer: Is this shirt too yellow? Cal: No. [pause] Cal: Tell me, what's Curious George like in real life?

tags: A to Z Movies, comedy
categories: Movies
Friday 09.02.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Friday Fill-Ins #8

FFIThanks to my cousin, Dackel Princess, for a bit of help! And...here we go!

1. When I was 10 years old I played Barbie dolls for hours on end.

2. Potatoes are my favorite vegetable because you can cook them so many different ways.

3. My dream pet is a griffin!

4. Piles of books surround you.

5. If I could live anywhere in the world I'd live in Greece, or NYC, or Italy.

6. Mr. Sun keep on shinin' on me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include scrapbooking crop! and Sunday, I want to go somewhere with J (maybe movies?)!

categories: Life
Friday 09.02.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

August 2011 Wrap-Up

Books Read and Reviewed (28 books)

  1. Cooking Up Murder by Miranda Bliss
  2. Lessons from a Scarlet Lady by Emma Wildes
  3. Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Romance
  4. Tall, Dark, and Dead by Tate Hallaway
  5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
  7. At the King's Command by Susan Wiggs
  8. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
  9. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
  10. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
  11. This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer
  12. Fables: March of the Wooden Soldiers by Bill Willingham
  13. The Eternal Kiss
  14. The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble
  15. Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham
  16. Ringworld by Larry Niven
  17. Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham
  18. Lucky Girl by Cate Lord
  19. The Walking Dead: Book One
  20. Men in Kilts by Katie MacAlister
  21. Greek Street: Blood Calls for Blood
  22. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris
  23. The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
  24. Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell
  25. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
  26. Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
  27. Greek Street: Cassandra Complex
  28. The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather by Alexandra Potter

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total:  8603 pages
Pages Remaining: 958,735 pages

Current Read

Warrior (Blades of the Rose #1) by Zoe Archer -- If the story keeps up, I found a new favorite series!

Challenges Completed (2)

I finished the Fantasy Challenge from Darlyn's Fantasy Reading Challenge.  You can read my wrap-up post here. I also finished the Support Your Local Library Challenge.  I read 100 books from the library.  Unfortunately, the Omaha library can't hold a candle to Allen County's.  Oh well!  Now I really have to get moving on some of the other challenges (*cough* Amazon and SciFi *cough*).

Books I Gave Up On (3 books)

The Perfect Bride by Eileen Putman -- Just couldn't get over the arrogance of the male lead.  He pissed me off within the first 30 pages and I just couldn't get over it.

When in Rome by Gemma Townley -- I felt like I was reading Bridget Jones' Diary... and not in a good way.  Gave it 50 pages, but just couldn't seem to enjoy it.

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr -- Wasn't feeling the Christian historical fiction

Comments

Twenty-right books read and reviewed.  Two readalongs sorta done.  (I finished the Sense and Sensibility, but lost steam for the Harry Potter one.)  Two challenges completed.  Another challenge started (Fables Series).   A Stampin' Up club joined.  A whole month of meals planned, cooked, and documented.

Wow!  It's been a huge month.  I've done so much.  Now I need to get moving on next month.

categories: Monthly Wrap-Up
Thursday 09.01.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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