One Line Movie Reviews

1. Beastly (2011): Too much "sugar" in this one.

Rating: C-

2. Temple Grandin (2010): Amazing biography of a woman with autism who designed humane slaughter houses.

Rating: A+

3. Sucker Punch (2011): Surreal and dark and simply mind-boggling!

Rating: B+

4. Battle: Los Angeles (2011): Mediocre take on aliens attacking the world again.

Rating: C

5. Red Riding Hood (2011): Twilight's version of Red Riding Hood, but with a bit of passion.

Rating: B-

6. The Village (2004): A few twists and turns along the way but really disturbing in the end.

Rating: B

7. Lincoln Lawyer (2011): Intense, well-acted, and a great get-you-back plot!

Rating: B+

Monday Movie Meme- Summer Lovin'...

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

hosted by Molly of The Bumbles Blog.

Summer movies...

1. Grease (1978): I watched this classic constantly as a teen over the summer break!

2. Weekend at Bernie's (1989): Also a classic as a teen. How long can they get away with carrying around a dead guy??

3. Raising Arizona (1987): It's a classic anytime but it seems to be more of a summer classic in my house!

4. Seconhand Lions (2003): Just a feel good summer adventure!

Monday Movie Meme- Favorite Film of 2011

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

hosted by Molly of The Bumbles Blog.

This week pick your favorite film you've seen this year whether it came out this year or not. I don't know if I can just leave it at one...Hmmm.

Favorite movie in theater this year:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 7.2: This was an amazing end to a great series. I was literally blown away both emotionally and visually.

Favorite non-theater movie(s) seen this year:

1. The King's Speech (2010): Heart-warming, funny, smart. I absolutely loved this story.

2. 127 Hours (2010): Though visually a bit graphic, this story really inspired me. It made me think about survival and the will of the human spirit. Amazing.

Monday Movie Meme- Heat Wave!

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

hosted by Molly of the Bumbles Blog.

This week is all about movies with lots of summer heat!

1. Sister Act (1992): There isn't a huge heat wave in this one, but it does have scenes in Vegas and they sing the Heat Wave song!

I would do more but just can't think of any! It was a toughie this week!

One Line Movie Reviews

1. Gulliver's Travels (2010): Silly movie with cheesy effects, fair.

Rating: C

2. The Fighter (2010): Knockout performances by Bale and his mom, and Amy Adams!

Rating: A-

3. The Switch (2010): A surprisingly heart-warming, funny story with great performances.

Rating: A-

4. Blue Valentine (2010): A very well done but very depressing unlove story.

Rating: B+

5. Gnomeo & Juliet (2011): Cute kids show on forgiveness and tolerance, and it ends way happier than the original!

Rating: B+

6. Morning Glory (2010): Another funny and touching show on priorities and friendship.

Rating: B+

7. Inside Job (2010): An excellent documentary on the how, why, and what of the current economic disaster.

Rating: A+

8. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010): Better than expected but still a bit cheesy.

Rating: B-

9. Brokeback Mountain (2005): Excellent story and performances but wow horribly depressing but made me think.

Rating: B+

10. Sunshine Cleaning (2008): Love Amy Adams; just a great "we are all human" story.

Rating: B+

11. Blazing Saddles (1974): Not as funny as Spaceballs but still pretty good.

Rating: B-

12. Damages: Season One (2007): Intense and ambiguous when it comes to ethics and morality.

Rating: A

13. Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men (1992): Many awesome quotable quotes from "Princess Bride."

Rating: B

Where I Play Short 'N Sweet Book Review Updates!

It's been a really busy month so I haven't been keeping up on my book reviews like I want. So I'm just throwing short versions out of all the books I've read this last month or two!

1. Bloodshot by Cherie Priest (read March 19-April 7): Fun story and premise but Raylene (vampire protagonist) was really annoying but no "Angel," which was a nice change. Overall a fun story and I look forward to more in the series. 3.5 stars.

Genre: urban fantasy
FTC Disclosure: library
Published: 2011
Pages: 359
Content: Bloodsucking violence and language!

2. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (read April 6-15): Zusak can write, that's for sure. But I didn't enjoy the moral ambiguity in this one. The ending was lackluster for me. I enjoyed The Book Thief more. 2 stars.

Genre: Young adult

FTC Disclosure: library
Published: 2002

Pages: 356

Content: Mild violence, sex, and language.

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (read April 15-22): Fabulous! This one was just pure pleasure and fun. Anna's journey is one to be remembered! 4 stars.

Genre: Young adult

FTC Disclosure: library
Published: 2010
Pages: 372

Content: Language and sexual themes.

 
4. Where She Went by Gayle Forman (listened from April 21-26): This is the sequel to If I Stay. This was a perfect ending to the story. Forman really knows how to punch out emotion and make you feel like you've been crying all night. Beautiful, just beautiful. 4 stars.

Genre: Young adult

FTC Disclosure: library
Published: 2011

Pages: audiobook on 5 discs
Content: Language.

5. Matched by Ally Condie (read April 27-30): Not my favorite dystopia teen novel. Characters were a bit boring, and I have a good idea how it'll end...but it was an overall decent read. 3 stars.

Genre: Young adult, dystopia
FTC Disclosure: borrowed from friend

Published: 2010
Pages: 366

Content: Implied violence.

6. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathon Safron Foer (read May 11-17). I loved following Oskar on his journey to discover the last vestige of his father after his tragic death in the 9-11 terrorist attack. Beautiful writing, beautiful characters. It's weird and different, and I loved it! 4 stars.

Genre: contemporary fiction
FTC Disclosure: library
Published: 2005

Pages: 326
Content: Language and violence.

Monday Movie Meme- Epic Battle Scenes!

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

hosted by Molly of The Bumbles Blog.

This week is all about those awesome epic battles!

1. Back to the Future (1985): OK, no big battle scenes here but I love how epic the scene is with Marty's father and Biff, where he finally stands up to Biff and sends him flying! Sorry, but that's just epic in my mind.

2. Braveheart (1995): Awesome, awesome epic battle scene in the end with Mel. It's a classic.

3. The Matrix (1999): The scene where Neo finally realizes what he can do with the Matrix is awesome. Buh-bye Agent Smith.

Monday Movie Meme- Gifts That Keep On Giving...

Feature Presentation...

MONDAY MOVIE MEME

hosted by Molly of The Bumbles Blog.

This weeks theme is all about movies that involve the giving and getting of gifts....

1. A Walk to Remember (2002): Shane West changes his ways as he falls for the dying preacher's daughter and ends up making her a telescope!

2. Stardust (2007): Young Tristan wants to prove his love for the local snob girl and sets outside the Wall to find her a star...ends up being a gift of coal dust.

3. Return to Me (2000): David Duchovny gives Minnie Driver a new bike with all the trimmings and basket and bell ringer! She even takes the fabulous gift over to Italy.

4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937): One of the most wicked gifts is the infamous poisoned apple by the wicked witch!

The Winner Is..........................................

Thanks to everyone who signed up for my giveaway! I really enjoyed the book and hope.................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Phastings!!!!! enjoys the book!!!!

Thanks again to everyone for participating!

Heather

On Stranger Tides Giveaway Ends Tonight!

Just a reminder that you have till midnight MST to sign up for my giveaway! Thanks to all who are participating! Good luck to all!

Classics Bribe Summer Challenge!

Molly from The Bumbles Blog and Quirky Girls Read is hosting The Classics Bribe Challenge and giveaway this summer!

Details: Check out any of these links for more details!

Summer Reading Classics Challenge & Giveaway:

Read at least 1 Classic over the summer – between June 1st and the end of Labor Day Weekend, September 5th

You can have begun the Classic prior to June 1st, but it needs to have been completed between the challenge dates above

Post a review on your blog of each Classic that you read during the challenge period and reference a link to this The Classic Bribe challenge page

Link to each of your reviews separately by clicking on Mr. Linky below

Each linked review counts as 1 entry – no entry limit per blogger – read and review as many as you like

Each entry builds up $1 toward an Amazon gift card – the more entries the higher the balance can grow – capped at $35

Random winner selected Labor Day weekend from all entries- no restrictions on region

Winner receives the full Amazon gift card balance accumulated based on entries received

I have a huge shelf full of TBR classics, including a shelf on my Nook! The Portrait of Dorian Gray, Persuasion, and Middlemarch have been on my mind lately....so these are my top three this summer! Join the challenge and join the fun!

On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers and Giveaway! CLOSED!

As part of vvb32 reads's ...and a bottle o'rum-Pirates all May, I be reviewing On Stranger Tides and be givin' away a brand new book as part of me bootie!

Genre: adventure, piratey
FTC Disclosure: bought from Amazon.com
Published: 1987
Pages: 336
Content: zombie and pirate mayhem and a bit o'romancin'....

Ahoy, me hearties. This be a grand adventure fer any pirate! We follow Jack Shandy as he be taken captive aboard the Jenny...he be fightin' the bocors, the zombies, and the dreaded Blackbeard, as well as savin' t'love of his life, Elizabeth. Lots o'rum to be had, swords t'be fought, and zombies t'kill in this harrowing tale of t'Fountain o'Youth and the strange tides that be....

Ratin': 4/5 stars! Ahoy! A pirates life for me!!!!

If this book be o'interest please leave your name, email address and why ye be lovin' t'pirates' life! That be all, me hearties. Ye be havin' til Friday at midnight to enter MST and me wee lil' boy will be drawing randomly from 'is pirate hat! Winners will be notified by email and please be respondin' within 24 hours or I will be forced to choose a new winnah! Arrrr, me be not wantin' to do that. Name, email, why ye be lovin' t'pirates life! Or no entry....

Dead men tell no tales....Arrrr....Enter at yer own risk!!! ;)

CLOSED GIVEAWAY

The Parting Glass...RMT: Pirates! Wrap-up

Today’s the wrap day for Random Magic Tour: Pirates!.
 
As one of the mates - ahoy, matey! - sailing with this crew of
buccaneers, would like to say thank you for visiting the blog on May 25 for 

my review and how to dress like a pirate post, and hope you also 

enjoyed some of the other great blogs on the tour.

I'm also reviewing On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers for Velvet over 

at vvb32 reads and am hosting a giveaway for the book tomorrow. So come

back for a chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed the tour!

  
For the wrap day of the tour, we’re just going to raise a final pint
o’ grog to say thanks for the good company and may your days be filled
with smooth seas ahead, good grub, solid comrades, romance and
adventure. Yaaaargh.
 
As this particular traditional toasting song goes, good night and joy
be to you all!

PSSSSSSSS...... 

Message in a Bottle: visit Liana's Paper Doll Blog today to see the Pirate 

Queen Sasha and read more about her at  

Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf!!!!!!