Movies on their way!

I've compiled a list (with trailers) of some interesting movies coming out soon. Mostly ones that I think look good :)

Cowboys & Aliens
By now, you've probably seen trailers for this so it's not new. I think this is such an interesting concept and it's blending two of my favorite genres, sci-fi and westerns!
Plus, I think Harrison Ford needs to foray back into sci-fi. It made him a household name!


Release date: July 29, 2011

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The next in the Sherlock adventures with Robert Downey Jr. I think these are fun movies. Yes, I know that that they don't follow Doyle's creation exactly, but he's got a lot of the elements right.


Release date: December 16, 2011

Contagion
Contagion first intrigued me because of the cast list: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. What an all star (and expensive) cast! It involves an airborne virus and how rapidly it spreads. The story line sounds a bit like a rehashed version of Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. But after watching the trailer it looks so much better.
Warning, not for the faint of heart (or small kids). It's not scary, but does look intense.


Release date: September 9, 2011

Drive
I have a bit of a love for Ryan Gosling. He can just disappear into a role and I forget that I'm watching a movie and feel like I'm watching real life unfold. Give the man an Oscar! Drive is about a stunt car driver who moonlights as the getaway driver for criminals. Ooooh!
This isn't really a trailer, more of a small clip from the movie. I can feel the intensity!


Release date: Sept 16, 2011

The Vow
I'm not normally one for mushy romantics. I tend to laugh at them. I like classic romance movies: Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, etc. But I love Rachel McAdams and she is the only reason I kept watching the snooze-fest of The Time Traveler's Wife. I really like the trailer for this movie though. I can look past Channing Tatum. He's still hard for me to take seriously, but it could change with this movie.


Release date: February 14, 2012

Attack the Block
Ahhh, the Brits and their movies. I love them. The wit, the humor, the stories, the accents. :) Even if it's a movie about street kids fighting aliens, I'm all over it.
This movie has already been released but it was such a small release that most don't know about it. I'm still trying to find it in a local theater. I may have to wait til DVD.


Released: May 13, 2011

Adventures of Tintin
Who didn't love this show when they were a kid? So interested to see it in a movie and I'm really excited that Simon Pegg is doing one of the voices. (Look for him in the upcoming Mission Impossible movie, too!)


Release date: December 23, 2011

Netflix recommendations coming next week. (To watch before they ruin everyone's wallets)

Around the interwebs

Just a few cool things I've noticed lately. Thought I'd share.

Etsy finds:


How cool is this necklace? Made out of typewriter keys. Now that is something to which you can aspire. Found here on Etsy.

Pictures:
My favorite place to get background pics for the computer: National Geographic.

They always have the best pics. Some amateur, some are professional, all beautiful.
Here's a few samples:


Beautiful forest in Germany


The dunes of Namibia. Isn't that gorgeous!? That bright orange is the sandy dunes. At first I thought it was the tinted sky, but read it was the dunes.


The tundra of Iceland. Simply breathtaking.

I love the landscape pictures. It screams God's glory and magnificence!

Google Finds:
I may be late to the party on this one, but did you know you can customize the background on your Google home page? I think it's pretty nifty.
Just a few faves:







Books:
I'm heading out to meet with my book club this evening. I'll be sporting my Book Lover's necklace and chowing down on yummy Chinese food.

We finished reading the book Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It's a great story of sisters sold into marriage by their father in order to settle debts. It may sound archaic, but the story begins with the Japanese invasion of China at the start of World War II. It's a fantastic look at prejudice, rivalry, honor, family, and love. I recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars!


Tutorial for another bracelet coming soon this week. This time it's one of my own creation! :)

Favorite movie moments (well....some)

I wanted to make a list of my favorite movies, but that was proving difficult. So I just stuck with some favorite movie moments.
I had a hard time narrowing this list down, so in my mind it is far from complete. I've seen so many movies, some of which haven't been added to the list. (Yes, there is a list)

In no particular order (fair warning...here be spoilers)

Rocky
I love sports movies and Rocky tops the list. But I don't love it just for the underdog story line of winning against the odds. What makes the story great is the love behind it all. The relationship that develops between Rocky and Adrian is one of the best on screen! I love the way Rocky pursues Adrian.
Of course the ultimate scene is when he calls for her after the fight, but I couldn't find a video that would embed. Click here to see it.

Here is a montage of their first date. I love it!



Pride and Prejudice (2005 version)
Not much needs to be said. :) The early morning walk through the field is probably the best, but this scene is equally amazing.



Miracle
Again, one of my favorite sports movies. You know they win going into the movie, but the journey they took getting there is what makes the end great. I love Coach Herb Brooks' reaction to winning. Ecstatic joy in such a quiet way.



Shaun of the Dead
This was hard to pick just one scene from this movie. The whole thing is great. One of the best zombie movies. Not for the faint of heart if your squeamish, though. I love this trio: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright. They need to make more movies together, because when they stray, the movie tends to suck (i.e. Paul).


I recommend watching the whole thing!

Rear Window
One of the greatest suspense movies ever! I love the whole thing. Love Hitchcock movie! One aspect that I love and makes this movie one of his best is the elaborate nature of the set. It's like he built an entire apartment complex and peopled it with so many story lines. Here's a clip of the set and it ends with one of the best actors and actresses of that generation. I highly recommend this movie if you can find it on DVD. Hitchcock truly was the master of suspense.


Arsenic and Old Lace
How can you not love this movie? Cary Grant is simply amazing and the story is terrific. One of the best dark comedies.


L.A. Confidential
Spoilers in this clip, so if you haven't seen the movie and want to, I suggest waiting. I love the feel of this movie. It takes cop drama a whole different direction. It's a smart movie and it has some of my favorite actors in it. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey (not in the clip).
Here is the thrilling final scene.


Band of Brothers
Possibly my favorite movie ever. I know it was a mini-series, but I see it as a nine hour long movie. I know it front to back, close to memorizing all the lines, read the book and have four other accounts waiting to be read. I admire these men. Their bravery, camaraderie, ambition, courage, and dedication. My favorite scene comes from the battle of Carentan, a small village in northwestern France just off the Normandy beach. It was held by German forces and this is the account of the 101st Airborne's attempts to take back the town.
The reason the scene is so amazing is Lt. Dick Winters, played by Damian Lewis. He became their leader simply by being the big brother. Plus he kicks butt.




There are many more movies I love and if I get around to it, I'll post those too. Hope you enjoy watching these and then watching the movie!!

A few of my favorite things...

I love that song from The Sound of Music. How it became a Christmas song is beyond me, but anyway...

I've lately been thinking about a few of my favorite things. And I'm going to share them with you!
Here we go:

Pandora Radio
This was recommended by a friend (Hey Anna!!) and I love it. Especially at work. You can tailor tons of radio stations specifically to your tastes. So, my day will consist of Jars of Clay, Beethoven, and Marky Mark (yeah, that's right).

Panda Express
Panda Express = glorious fast food that may actually be good for you. Particulary the new Kobari Beef, currently my favorite thing on the menu.

Dollar Store Crafts
Ok, I just discovered this one today, but I can already tell it's going to be a favorite! Who doesn't want to make things out of stuff you have laying around the house? I'm not into this whole "green lifestyle", but I would have to say that's pretty much recycling in my mind!

Epbot
A blog about evrything geeky and girly. She is quite hilarious and inspiring!

BSF
I love diving deeper into the Bible and learning things I never knew and hearing God speak through our leaders. It's wonderful!

Brett Domino Trio
Thanks to my lovely friend Elizabeth, I am now a big fan of the Brett Domino Trio. I know there isn't the full trio in this video, but this is one of their best. You'll love it. Trust me.

The Catherine Tate Show
Thanks to Netflix for introducing this show. This is only one sketch from her entire show. It may not be the humor for everyone, but she makes me laugh!

And finally...
Doctor Who
Quite possibly my most favorite....favoritist? show ever! What's not to love? Aliens, time travel, Shakespeare, a blue police box, The Doctor!

Thanks again to Netflix, I have finished up to the fourth season and am patiently (not really) waiting for the fifth season to be released to DVD in November. Here is a synopsis of The Doctor.


These are just a few of things that I love, hope you can enjoy them too. :)