I'm a slayer, ask me how.

This is one of the few instances where I have to say that the movie was better than the book.  Not because they changed any of the plot elements (in fact, the movie is almost scene-for-scene EXACTLY the same as the book) but it's that you have to SEE a roller derby tournament in action to understand it. 

I read Derby Girl after seeing Whip It so in my mind I could easily picture Bliss and the Hurl Scouts skating around the ring.  In the film, they explain how roller derby is played in a simple montage, breaking it down for those of us that are uninitiated into the sport, a scene missing in the book.  I feel as though a reader just picking up Derby Girl would be confused by the appeal of the sport if they had never seen it before.  Cross doesn't take a lot of time to describe the matches, they just sort of happen because it's their existence that is important.  But getting to see Bliss play is way more fun.

I adored the movie.  Sure, it didn't break any ground when it comes to teen storytelling - teen girl is stuck with crazy parent(s) (Bliss Cavener, played by Ellen Paige, has a mom obsessed with beauty pageants), teen girl rebels (by secretly joining a roller derby), teen girl excels at new things and feels accepted for who she is (by the Hurl Scouts), teen girl gets busted (for being under 18), teen girl must return to family (because she can't play without their permission), but in the end, everything works out (um, I'm not gonna spoil it completely!!!).  So, why it's all pretty cliche, it's just executed so perfectly (directed by Drew Barrymore!) that you don't mind that you've heard the tale before - you just want to hang out with Bliss and watch as she grows as a person. 

I definitely recommend the movie!  The book is good, but the movie does it so much better.

Do you like Sam Rockwell?  I mean REALLY like Sam Rockwell?  Because if you don't, you probably won't like 'Moon' because Sam is it (well, Sam and Kevin Spacey as Gerty the Computer). 

'Moon' is a story set in the future.  To solve our energy crisis, we figured out a way to harvest power from the Moon.  But someone has to be up there to monitor the equipment.  Sam has signed a 3 year contract with the company.  He has been living on the moon, his only companion a computer called "Gerty".  He has 2 weeks left before he can return home.  But something is not quite right....

And I'll stop there.  If all of the reviews of 'Moon' seem vague to you, it's for a reason.  No one wants to say too much and spoil any part of this movie.

I thought Sam Rockwell did a great job considering he was all on his own.  He's come a long way from 'Guy' (Galaxy Quest).  

I'm not so sure about the re-watchability of this movie though.  I don't think I would view it a second time, but the first time through was interesting and it drew you in.  But after it was over, it was over and that was that.  

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.