book thoughts: Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford (2009)

Carter Finally Gets It

Brent Crawford

High school.  Remember when it was a mystery?  When you viewed it from afar, thinking that when you were finally that age, life must be easier?  Then remember actually getting there and being more confused then ever?

Carter has the same experience.  He is convinced that when he becomes a freshman, life will be simpler.  But, instead, he experiences a high school life that we are all familiar with.  Brent Crawford's writing is full of humor and heart.  I really identified with Carter and his level of clueless-ness.  

Warning: if you can't handle being inside a 15 year old boy's brain, don't pick up this book.  Carter is a nice guy but his mind is on two things all the time - do I look cool? and SEX!  So when he goes on a date with a girl for the first time and eats a giant burrito...well, you can guess where some of the humor will come from.

If you want a book that you will laugh out loud while reading (seriously, I got a dirty look from my cat from giggling in bed) but is also realistic and honest in it's portrayal of High School and all of its ridiculous politics, pick up "Carter Finally Gets It".  

Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com

book thoughts: Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (2009)

Devil's Kiss

Sarwat Chadda

Okay, ignore that cover over there.  That is the U.S. cover, meant to appeal to Twilight fans who apparently will only read books with a chick and mysterious dude pictures on the cover.  Or something.  The U.K. cover is way cooler.  

ANYWAY!

The rumors in London are that Billi's father murdered her mother.  But Billi knows the truth - her mom was killed by ghuls: demons.  Her father is a member of the ancient order of the Knights Templar which is still surviving in our modern world.  

After her mother's death, Billi's father began to train her as a Templar.  As the years have gone by, the two have grown apart.  Billi would like nothing more than to just be a normal high school girl.  Instead she finds herself fighting demons in playgrounds late at night and then hiding the battle scars the next day.  And when an ancient evil returns to Earth to punish mankind, Billi has no choice but to battle beside her father to save the world. 

'Devil's Kiss' has a great mix of action, adventure, history, mythos and just a dash of romance.  It is a fast read with a really strong female heroine.  

My only frustration with the book was that I didn't know it was book 1 in a series until I finished.  Part of me was kind of upset - I'd like to just read a book and have it be it sometimes.  I wasn't prepared for it to not officially end.  The sequel just came out this month but I'm not rushing out to read it. 

Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com

movie thoughts: Julie & Julia (2009)

Julie & Julia

A movie based on a book which was based on a blog inspired by Julia Child's life in France.  

Starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

The first sentence sums up why this was probably not the best idea for a screen adaptation.  The second sentence sums up why it succeeds at being entertaining at all.

'Julie & Julia' is a sweet little story that juxtaposes the story of Julia Child finding herself in France and Julie Powell, a NYC resident trying to find herself after a rough year.  Not really full of action, adventure, or drama - the movie is very watchable because of the amazing casting.  Meryl Streep steals the show as Julia Child.  Stanley Tucci's portrayal of her husband is endearing.  I have a soft spot for the adorable Amy Adams who plays Julie Powell.  

It's a cute movie, what more can be said.  It's a little over 2 hours long, and by the end you're starting to feel it.  But there are worse ways to spend an evening, and if you've got a supply of munchies ready to go, you'll probably have a good time with these two ladies. 

Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com

golden globes rant

Why do I even watch the frakkin' Golden Globes? I mean seriously. At least "UP" won.

I hadn't seen very many of the movies nominated but I knew one simple thing - I did not want Avatar to win anything. It's just a special effects movie and not something meant to win a "best picture" award. When they gave Cameron the "Best Director" I was hoping that was it, but then Best Picture? Really? It's only going to encourage the hype machines and hollywood will continue to churn out movies that are based more on FX than actual story/writing/acting etc..

Just...GRRRR!

whatever, at least we know that Ricky Gervais was wrong - apparently you can buy a Golden Globe award if you have a billion dollar box office (btw, that only grossed that much because the damn IMAX tickets are 3x what a normal ticket costs...)

unobtainium....seriously?

*sigh* At least Kristen Bell looked cute in her dress. Sometimes she's hit or miss.

I've also decided the reason that I think Joseph Gordon-Levitt is cool is because my brother looks a lot like him. And my brother is cool. It makes sense. (Hm...I wonder if that's why my brother loves (500) Days of Summer...?)

Paul McCartney came out on stage and I joked that he was my little man whore but then he went and plugged the re-re-release of 'Yellow Submarine' and made my statement true so I LOL'd.

AD and I spent a good portion of the show making boob jokes because you could see a LOT of them.

I don't think I knew Amy Adams was preggers. She's still adorable. She picked a very nice dress to wear too, none of that belly-hanging-out stuff.

Robert Downey Jr. is the man for being such a goof ball. Made for a nice break but once you've been in the business that long, I guess it's probably easy to do.

I need to frakkin start watching GLEE! It's on my Netflix list and the season 1 dvd just came out so I'll have to get that.

after I get Hurt Locker which I want to see sooooooooo bad. The damn trailer gives me goosebumps.

Yay Jeff Bridges. He's the man. Or the dude.

Yeah, I'm going to bed now. Yay for MLK day - I get to sleep in!