movie thoughts: Bridge of Spies (2015)

This movie was exactly what I wanted. I love Steven Spielberg, I love Tom Hanks and sometimes you just want an uplifting story based on a true events (especially when the world feels so messed up right now).

While this is not an action-packed story, the tension makes it very watchable and Hanks is very likable as James Donovan, the lawyer turned negotiator.

It's a great story about standing your ground and doing what is right. As with the best historical movies, the moral still resonates with issues going on today. Lawyer Donovan is asked to defend a captured Soviet spy. Donovan takes this job very seriously, wanting to give the spy his full rights but soon finds out that the court only asked him to do this so it would look like a fair trial. In fact, the judge is appalled when Donovan attempts to actually do his job and brings up issues with the investigation. But Donovan knows that this is about more than just one man, that this trial and the fate of this man could have an impact beyond that moment.

That is all I will say (and believe me, that is only a small part of this 141 minute movie). Like all good Spielberg films, there are touching family moments, laugh out loud lines, and an ending that will leave you feeling satisfied and maybe a little warm and fuzzy.

I'll give this one 4 USA-USSR-GDR-ASAP-BBQ-WTF stars out of 5.

OH, NEW FRIENDS, if any of you are on Letterboxed, feel free to friend me! It's like GoodReads but for movies! And they finally launched their mobile app YAY!!!

TKAM update: discounted books for schools

Because you all seemed just as concerned/upset as me about the cancellation of the mass market To Kill a Mockingbird (and apparently we were not alone), just wanted to share that HarperCollins has announced they will sell discounted copies of the trade paperback edition to schools.

Of course, the discounted price is $9/book...which is still pretty damn expensive when you look at public school funding and the number of kids in a class and try to factor in how many copies are probably damaged each year just from general wear and tear. :-\

Wonder if they will discount copies for public libraries still...which, again, is still pretty pricey considering we like to have lots of copies because of schools teaching it, college courses plus normal people wanting to read it.

Ask Me Anything - WHOOPS! #16-#19

rogueslayer452 asked: In your opinion, which show (past or present) do you think was completely overhyped by the media (note: not horrible, but just overexposed)? What show do you think was completely overlooked?
The Walking Dead.

Happy Endings. This show cracked me UP almost every time, was far too clever for it's own good. It could have been so much more but the network didn't really give it a chance. I think some of this was because it wasn't streaming on Hulu or there was an odd delay or something. I remember trying to watch it on the network app while getting lunch before a meeting and just having an awful time streaming it.

dontjudgeme asked: You've been tasked with creating a fandom-related theme park. You get to choose the fandom, the location of the park, and the first 2 attractions. What are they?
I want to say Star Wars but Disney is already got that covered for me. I'm not sure a Buffy theme park would work LOL, it's kinda like Hunger Games, we'll all end up dead at the end!

OH How about a Doctor Who theme park? It could be fun and educational, travel to different time periods and explore, just like The Doctor and companion.

The main attraction would be a ride in the TARDIS! Marvel at how it is bigger on the inside! Feel it get wibbly-wobbley as you trave through space and time!

The second attraction...hm...I feel like this would be a good daring escape. Escape from Pompeii!...no wait, I think that is an actual ride at Busch Gardens...how about escape from the weeping angels? It will be a ride on rails that takes you through the underground lair where the angel Bob and his group are awaiting you. Don't BLINK! (seriously, don't, the cart will inch closer any time you blink)

night_owl_9 asked: What subjects were your favorite in school? Your least favorite?
Wow, you know what, I don't really remember? I enjoyed most of my classes in school. I know the class I had the worst time in was Geometry in 10th grade. That just did not click with me at all. And the last semester of Chemistry was rough. Otherwise, I had a good time. My very favorite semester was when my English and History/Social Studies classes actually lined up and were covering the same time period (yes, imagine that, reading Great Gatsby while studing the 1920s! And reading Grapes of Wrath while learning about the Great Depression, crazy!)

dontjudgeme asked: What are different ways that you categorize yourself? (i.e. sister, daughter, INFJ, star wars lover)
My profile on almost all of my social sites now reads "librarian. blogger. gamer. geek. girl." which probably sums me up the best.

I geek out about a lot of things, though Star Wars and Joss Whedon would probably be at the top. My facebook used to list my religion as Whedonist LOL (Whedon fans never had a cool nickname as far as I know...).

Oh, I like this quite from Mike Myers, which is "I am a site specific extrovert". I can be a total spaz but I choose my moments wisely. I'm definitely more extroverted than I was as a kid, but I think that just comes with being more comfortable in my own skin.