DVD reviews 3

I watched a few more movies this weekend; thought I'd share my thoughts.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (rated PG-13): I picked this up because of the little girl who's been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress (Quvenzhane Wallis)--she was 6 when she made the movie and is 9 now. Let me tell you, this girl has some acting chops. I don't know if she's the best actress out of those nominated, but she has tons of talent for her young age, and she's cute as a button to boot. Anyway, I can't really even describe the movie appropriately--here's the description from IMDB: 

Faced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.

Even that doesn't do this movie justice. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, and is fantastical but hauntingly realistic at the same time. A really well done film.

Frankenweenie (rated PG): In general, I am a fan of Tim Burton's work. I like almost everything I've seen of his (granted, I haven't seen everything). Having said that, I must admit that I didn't finish this movie. I just couldn't get into it, and I'm not really sure why. I just had to put our beloved chocolate Lab down last week, so maybe it was a little too close to home for me? Whatever the reason, sadly I didn't finish this movie.

Have you seen anything good lately?

Enjoy your reading--and viewing!

Christi

In My Mailbox (119)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

Received from the author in exchange for an honest review: Island Eyes, Island Skies by Richard Levine (and an extra copy for a giveaway, too!)


Borrowed from the library:

• Falling for You by Lisa Schroeder
• What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard

DVDs borrowed from the library:

• Pitch Perfect

What did you get?

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Super Short Reviews 18

I don't want this to turn into a strictly-movie-related blog :) so here are my thoughts on some recent books I've read. Links go to Goodreads. RIRI= Reason I Read It.

Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff (from library): RIRI: the premise sounded interesting, and I remember being really excited about The Replacements by Yovanoff awhile back. Say what you will, she has some pretty awesome book covers. Anyway, I enjoy murder mysteries, and I don't mind ghost stories if they're done well. Paper Valentine was interesting. Hannah is trying to deal with life after her BFF's death--while also dealing with the ghost of her BFF. Then girls start getting murdered in her small town (her BFF's death is unrelated) and, as is the way in YA mystery books, Hannah is thrown into the investigation. An engaging read, with a twist I didn't expect (although in retrospect I should have seen it coming, but I was distracted by everything else going on).

Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz (from library): RIRI: I loved Break, but just couldn't get into Gone, Gone, Gone, so of course I had to read this one! And I have to say that I must have put this on my to-read list because of Moskowitz's name alone, because I was not expecting it to be a fantasy novel about magic health-improving fish and a merman. You know that in general I avoid fantasy at all costs. This novel, however, was a refreshing twist on fantasy and I think it raised more questions than it answered. If you can be healed by eating the fish that exist only off of this island, then you can never leave the island. And what if all the fish suddenly disappear? Plus, Teeth. What an extraordinary character, I've never read about anyone quite like him. And bonus ew factor for how Teeth came to be...

My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young (from library): RIRI: The Babysitter Murders (now retitled Things I Shouldn't Think) is on my MAHROAT list, so naturally that means I will eagerly read anything else Janet writes. And while I enjoyed this novel, I didn't love it as much as her previous novel, and I found the main character, Billy, to be a gigantic dill weed. He's just so sure of himself and so convinced that he always knows what's best (for his family, his father, the freakin' suicide hotline)--he's the kind of person I want to punch in the face. I so wanted his suspicions about his father to be wrong, only because I wanted Billy to get knocked down a few pegs. His behavior and his egotism are absolutely necessary to the story, and I totally get why Janet wrote Billy the way she did--I just found his character to be so unlikable that it was hard for me to truly enjoy the story.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

More movies!

I told you I was falling behind on my reading! I did watch two more movies today though--yes, in one day! I was off of work for an appointment today, and the appointment didn't take nearly as long as I'd thought it would, so I treated myself to an afternoon at the movies. By myself. Which I have done before, back when I was pregnant (Best Girl is 10, to put that in perspective). There's a stigma to going to the movies by yourself, but I don't know why. I didn't have to share my popcorn, I didn't have to worry if my companion was having a good time, and I was able to leave when I wanted.

And the movie? Silver Linings Playbook. A. MAZ. ING. You are aware that I heart Bradley Cooper, right? Jennifer Lawrence can apparently do no wrong and Robert DeNiro, Chris Tucker and the woman who played Bradley Cooper's mom nearly stole the movie with their supporting roles. I was engrossed from beginning to end--and was even able to overlook the whole Philadelphia Eagles aspect of the movie (which is saying a lot coming from a Giants fan!). Seriously, I love this movie. It's rated R mostly for language, but I felt it was a very realistic portrayal of families and of mental illness. And can I just tell you that I saw Matthew Quick (author of the book the movie is adapted from) at my first Collingswood Book Fest (he was promoting Sorta Like a Rock Star), and I DIDN'T get his book and I have been kicking myself about it for, what, three years now?

Then this evening Best Girl and I sat down and watched The Odd Life of Timothy Green on DVD. What a sweet, sweet movie, a quiet movie, which makes it a departure from most of what Disney puts out. It's a movie about a couple who desperately wants a child of their own, but can't conceive. There was nothing inappropriate at all in this movie (it is Disney, after all), no violence or language. It was just a sweet story and I really enjoyed it (although, to be fair, Best Girl did not like the ending. I thought it was a good fit).

So, that's what I've been up to. I have a ton of movies on hold at the library, so hopefully you don't mind the movie reviews, because I'll have more coming up soon!

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

In My Mailbox (118)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

Here's what I got this week!

Borrowed from the library:

• Just One Day by Gayle Forman
• Teeth by Hannah Moskowitz
• Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
• Fall to Pieces by Vahini Baidoo
• The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan
• Hokey Pokey by Jerry Spinelli
• The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen (who is only writing this because his therapist said he had to, which stinks) by Susin Nielson

DVDs borrowed from the library:

• Frankenweenie
• The Bourne Legacy
• The Odd Life of Timothy Green
• Beasts of the Southern Wild

Whew! I've got my work cut out for me this week!!
What did you get?
Enjoy your reading!
Christi

The Namesake

The Namesake by Steven Parlato
Merit Press, January 18, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Gifted artist? Standout student? 
All his teachers are sure certain that Evan Galloway can be the graduate who brings glory to small, ordinary St. Sebastian's School. 
As for Evan, however, he can't be bothered anymore. 
Since the shock of his young father's suicide last spring, Evan no longer cares about the future. In fact, he believes that he spent the first fifteen years of his life living a lie. Despite his mother's encouragement and the steadfast companionship of his best friend, Alexis, Evan is mired in rage and bitterness. Good memories seem ludicrous when the present holds no hope. 
Then Evan's grandmother hands him the key--literally, a key--to a locked trunk that his father hid when he was the same age as Evan is now. Digging into the trunk and the small-town secrets it uncovers, Evan can begin to face who his father really was, and why even the love of his son could not save him.
In a voice that resonates with the authenticity of grief, Steven Parlato tells a different kind of coming-of-age story, about a boy thrust into adulthood too soon, through the corridor of shame, disbelief, and finally...compassion.

This was the third book I accepted from Merit Press, the new YA imprint from F&W. I thought the premise of this one was the most interesting of the three--Evan attempts to discover who his father really was after his father commits suicide. Sadly, I enjoyed this book the least out if the three (click to read my reviews of Louder Than Words and Girl in the Wall). I felt the story itself was strong--Evan discovers through his father's journal, art and cassette tapes that Evan Sr. was repeatedly molested by a trusted and respected adult in his community. It's a topic that needs to be discussed.

What kept me from truly enjoying the story was all the subplots. Evan is supposed to graduate early but I see no evidence why and I think this plot point could have been deleted. Likewise, he's supposed to be a super-talented artist like his dad, but we hardly ever see him create anything. Everyone says he's such a great student and kid but we don't see that. The relationship between Evan and his best friend Lex (who he loves, naturally) isn't as developed as it should be. Lex gas suffered from her own family trauma (we're led to believe molestation), but there's no reason for this plot point either. She is of no help to Evan once he discovers his father's past. There's a subplot involving a local restaurant that yes, does relate to the plot, but there are all these extra details that only divert your attention from the main plot.

Finally, there is one scene in the book that is so graphic that it just doesn't have a place in YA fiction. Now, you guys know me--you know that I don't get grossed out easily. This one thing, though...it was just too much for me. Especially because **spoiler** the majority of the molestation is glossed over or alluded to. It seems that the author went to great lengths to make the descriptions of the molestation appropriate for teens, but this one thing just seemed to slip through. I don't know. For that reason I would recommend this title for older teens (emerging adults?) and adults.

ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoy your reading!
Christi

January DVD Reviews

Obviously I"m not doing a great job on my resolution to blog more in 2013. While I'm not in a reading slump, per se, I haven't been reading as voraciously as in the past. I have, however, been trying to catch up on my DVD movie viewing. Want to hear some thoughts on them? 

The Hangover, part 2 (rated R): Loved the first movie, and heard they're working on a third, so wanted to catch up. I was disappointed that the plot was almost exactly the same. I love Bradley Cooper, but Ken Jeong clearly stole this movie. And I like saying Zack Galifianakis LOL

Ted (rated R): I had such high expectations for this movie but sadly, it wasn't as...bad...as I had heard it would be, which meant that it wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. I know, I'm demented if Ted wasn't raunchy enough for me! I've always had a crush on Mark Wahlberg (yes, even back when he was Marky Mark) so that was definitely a bonus. And Mila Kunis continues to amaze me--her role as Jackie on That 70's Show gave no indication that she would become a beautiful, stellar actress. As for Ted himself, I'm sorry, it was just so hard for me to listen to him talk and not picture Peter, Stewie or Brian Griffin. It was a funny movie, just not as pee-in-your-pants-funny I thought it would be.

The Words (rated PG-13): I love Bradley Cooper, have I mentioned that? OMG so much. And so I wanted to see this movie no matter what. It was an interesting story--Dennis Quaid reading from his book about a man who published a book as his own, that actually belonged to yet another man. A thinking movie, you know? And great casting--not just Cooper, but Dennis Quaid, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Olivia Wilde--who I don't think I've seen in anything before, but she's stunning--even Michael McKeon and JK Simmons (the Farmers Insurance guy!). 

Have you watched anything awesome lately? Let me know in the comments!

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

In My Mailbox (117)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

Here's what I got this week!

Borrowed from the library:

• My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young (YAY!)

Eep, that's it for this week, but one book from one of my favorite authors is better than 20 from authors that are just OK. Plus, I've got some TBR stuff, and I've gotta start on my assigned reading list for the 9-12 section of the award committee I'm on!!

What did you get? Enjoy your reading!
Christi

In My Mailbox (116)

In My Mailbox is an Internet meme hosted by The Story Siren to share new books received, purchased, or borrowed.

So here's what I got this week!

Borrowed from the library:

• Heads in Beds (adult nonfic about the inner workings of hotels) by Jacob Tomsky
• Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (adult fic)

eGalleys from NetGalley:

• The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher
• The Sin-Eaters Confession by Ilsa Bick

What did you get?
Enjoy your reading!
Christi

Best of 2012 Winner!

Thanks to all who entered my Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop! Rafflecopter has selected a winner, and the lucky person who will be receiving The Fault in Our Stars, Ask the Passengers, and F in Exams is....

Jill O!

Congratulations!

Enjoy your reading!

Christi

Something New: Reason I Read It

*randomness explained below*

I was thinking about how I'd like to improve my blog in 2013, and besides the obvious--review more books--the one thing I wonder about when I read other reviews is what caused the reviewer to pick up that book in the first place. And as you might recall, I'm not participating in any challenges this year (except for my 150 books on Goodreads), so I thought it would be nice to just jot down a note or two about why I read and reviewed that particular book. I'm going to attempt to keep this reason on my Books Read in 2013 page, and also on any reviews I post. I thought "Reason I Read It" was a fairly catchy-ish title and I don't think it's one I've heard before--please do make me aware if I'm treading on someone's copyright or something!

What do you think? Do you guys often wonder why people read what they do or do I let my mind wander too much??

*Another thing I think I want to do is add some more of myself to the blog, so this might be the year you learn a little more about me. My first revelation is that I love all things Disney, including the cupcake pictured above. It's called the King Cupcake and you can find it at Disney's Pop Century Resort in Walt Disney World. It's a chocolate cupcake with banana filling, peanut butter frosting, and garnished with bacon. Yes, bacon. And it. Is. Delicious!

Enjoy your reading!
Christi