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)

Fossil Knock-off Bracelet

One of my favorite blogs to read is Flamingo Toes. This lovely lady has a quite a knack for making Anthropologie jewelry and when I was wandering around Fossil the other day I spied a bracelet and thought...I can make that!!
So here is my lovely attempt. I must admit it was quite fun.
Small disclaimer: some shots are far away because I was an idiot and didn't realize the macro function on my camera is for close-up shots. Apologies all around!

Here is their version:
It's called the Half and Half bracelet.
via the fossil website

Here is my version:



Fossil sells there's for $38, I made mine for about $7.

The supplies I used are readily available in the jewelry section of your craft store (and the fabric section).

Supplies:


-chain
-jeweled chain (can't think of a better name for this)
-cotton ribbon (ivory or white)
-embroidery floss or comparable thick thread in ivory
-big sewing needle
-jewelry wire cutters
-a decorative button (not pictured)
-patience

First: I took the cotton ribbon and wrapped it around my wrist twice, leaving two inches on each end for wiggle room.


Next: I measured across my wrist to see how much of each chain would cover the top of my wrist. It ended up being about six inches, but for wiggle room, I gave myself just over six and half inches.
Cut both chains with your wire cutters.



I cut two lengths of the jeweled chain because the one I found is not as wide as the ribbon.


Next: I folded the ribbon exactly in half and put a pin in the middle so I would know where to begin stitching the chains on.


Next: I flattened my regular chain onto the ribbon and with my threaded needle, stiched down the first link. I had to pin the chain farther down to the cotton ribbon because it kept getting tangled. This helped greatly and I recommend it!


Then: Just do a regular stitch on the rest of the chain, trying your best to hide the thread underneath where the links are joined. This took some practice, but with the thread being the same color as the cotton ribbon, it isn't that noticable.
**Tip** I would recommend a thick chain for this project. You could do a smaller chain and probably layer it up for a different look, but keep in mind the difficulty of threading and stitching it onto the ribbon.





Next: After you have the regular chain stitched down, time to stitch down the jeweled chains. I laid both chains next to one another on the ribbon and stitched over one, went under and stitched the other chain down. I didn't do one big stitch across both chains. I didn't want the jewels to be too close together.


Again, you'll want to pin down the chain farther along on the ribbon so they don't get tangled in with your stitching thread.

Next: Just continue the back and forth pattern of stitching the jeweled ribbon. I recommend a movie or music playing in the back ground so you don't get bored.




Finally: At the very end of the jeweled chain I stitched an ivory button from my stash as the closure. The Fossil version had a metal button, but I like mine better.



--Downton Abbey on my iPhone, available on Netflix instant play--


I wrapped the bracelet around my wrist again and judged where I would need a hole on the other end of the bracelet to put the button through. I just clipped a small opening in the ribbon and put fabric glue (fray check would work too) on the edges, so it wouldn't fray.
I clipped ends, applied a little more fabric glue, and I was finished.




Knock-off complete! :)








I'm going to peruse the website and the store for more bracelets and necklaces to try. This was so fun!

I'll be linking here:

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!!