Reconstructing Amelia

The first review I read of this book said it is poised to be the Gone Girl of 2013 (which I'm seeing a draft review in my blogroll that is...blank, but um, I loved it).  So naturally I immediately downloaded it.  And read it start to finish in one night.

 I didn't even noticed I stayed up until after 3am until the last page.

The story of a mother trying to trace the steps of her daughter after her suicide (or was it?), Reconstructing Amelia alternates chapters between the mother's (Kate) and daughter's (Amelia) point of view.  In this way we work both backwards and forwards towards the moment in question, exploring perception and the experience of both of these characters. It is mesmerizing to see how each and every poor but easily justified decision is leading to the forgone conclusion.

If the revelations don't exactly fall into didn't see it coming territory, they nonetheless come upon you with frightening inevitableness.  Like running headlong down a steep hill knowing that eventually your speed will overtake your balance but being unable to stop. I literally couldn't put it down, and I can't recommend it strongly enough. 

Argo Fete Yourself

Ah, the Oscars.  So long, so boring, so pointless because I hardly ever see the movies people consider award worthy.  And still I watch.

This year I had seen four of the best picture contenders: Argo, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook, and Django Unchained, which is by far the highest percentage of nominees I've seen in recent years.  I liked them all, so I would have been happy to see any of them win, and a couple of months ago I would have been most aggressively rooting for Les Mis because I love it so.  But I have to confess that by last night I was crossing my fingers for Argo - everyone loves thumbing their nose at the establishment, and after the Academy totally snubbed Ben Affleck by not even nominating him for best director (and then he went on to win basically every other directing award, HA!) I was definitely puling for him to shove a win down their throats and get his Oscar anyway.

Argo fuck yourself, Oscar.

So I was very glad to see it win, but of course, if you think about it, there really was no surprise.  Argo basically has everything Academy voters want: period piece, historically relevant, true story, unlfattering costumes and/or facial hair, and Hollywood itself plays a hero's role in saving the day.  how could they NOT vote for it?

As far as the broadcast went, I won't say it was the worst I've ever seen.  Last year's hosts were so clearly uncomfortable and awkward the entire night that it was much more painful to watch in my opinion.  And I felt there were less lengthy, boring speeches and random interludes of dancing or bizarre tributes than usual.  Which was good because we caught up on DVR halfwya through and were watching live, so I appreciate not having to suffer through as much of the crap I usually fast forward.  That said, it was still 4 hours long, and I didn't think Seth MacFarlane was terrific - and his opening was SUPER long.  So I give it maybe a B-

I wasn't swept away by anyone's dress or beauty last night - but I missed the red carpet thanks to a sick baby and there didn't seem to be as many audience cutaways as usual so hopefully I'll see something fabulous in the magazines when they come out.  I also didn't think anyone looked horrific, so once again this year walked right along the middle.  And was it the year of the hairy man or what?  Seemed like half the male audience had beards, but I can actually only remember Ben Affleck and George Clooney, so maybe there weren't as many beards as it seemed.  And what was with all the winners (in behind the scenes categories like editing and sound) with long, flowing man locks?  Not a good look guys.  I personally hate long hair on guys anyway, but if you are dressed in a tuxedo, your hair really shouldn't be lying loose halfway down your back.  So.  Gross.

So that's my take.  Congrats Argo, and Ang Lee, and Anne Hathaway, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Lawrence (who actually disappointed me in her speech because she is usually so funny but she was too shell shocked last night), and Daniel Day-Lewis (who surprised me with his speech because he WAS funny, and since when is he funny?).  It was a pretty good year for movies.

Les Miserables

I literally don't even know what to say about Les Miserables.

Go see it.

Seriously.

Actually, there is something I will say about it - the actors are all singing LIVE.  As in, not in a studio with sound equipment and auto-tune and no distractions, then just lip syncing during filming. They are singing right there in the scene - so that ballad whipped out with full emotion and actual tears (in extreme close-up most likely), and that duet sung while fighting with swords are both real.  Unbelievable.

I saw this show as a child in London, and I grew up singing along to the soundtrack on road trips.  So I have been dying to see it ever since I first saw the trailer (and cried like a baby), and I have been building up quite a set of expectations, to say the least.  It was everything I hoped it would be.  I was absolutely blown away by the performances in this movie, to say nothing of the gorgeous set pieces and costumes.  Anne Hathaway is brilliant.  You are doing yourself a serious disservice if you don't go see this movie.  Immediately.

ps: bring hankies.  I'm not sure if you are more likely to bawl if you know what happens or if you have no clue what is coming, but you will cry.  Trust me.  I think I went through 8 tissues, and the girl behind me was openly sobbing.  You will also be singing the music for days afterwards, but that's hardly a bad thing.




Les Miserables  PG-13 2hr 37 min

Baby Bumps

See that book right there?  I KNOW the author.  And not just kind of, I like, know her for real - as in, we've met in person (once) and are friends on Facebook.  So clearly, besties.  And while I would of course foist any friend's book upon the readers of my blog (all 6 of you), in this case I actually want to - because that book right up there?  Is really good!

As in, my email from Barnes and Noble with my receipt of purchase is dated this morning at 8:31am, and I just finished it because I haven't left the couch since I started.  Well, I have, but only to fix the occasional bottle and then return to reading while feeding the baby.  Good thing I can read one handed thanks to my Nook!

That's right folks, this an e-book - so you best hop on the techno bandwagon and get yourself some high tech readery because you need to in order to enjoy this book.

The story of a woman, pregnant with her first child and diagnosed with incompetent cervix and irritable uterus and forced onto bedrest early on in pregnancy, Baby Bumps is basically a thinly fictionalized version of the author's real life experiences, and are written in her singularly hysterical and sarcastic voice (check out her blog for a taste).  As a mother, especially one who so recently toyed with cervical excitement and was nearly put on bed rest myself, this book was especially fun for me to read, although reading it from the exact spot on the couch I spent so much of my time only a few short months ago was sort of reality bending.  I kept thinking I was back in that position, and several times I came close to making my husband get things for me because I wasn't supposed to get up, and when I did I was almost surprised that I no longer had a ginormous belly.  Hey - this isn't just a funny book, it's also a time machine! Bonus!

Anyway, the book is super funny, super engaging, and super informative in case you haven't already had the delightful mysteries of pregnancy and childbirth solved.  A must read for any mothers, moms-to-be, or people just looking for a laugh.  So go buy it and read it!

Seriously.  What are you still doing here?  GO!

Brave

I have been looking forward to this movie for MONTHS - pretty much like I do every year for the new Pixar.  And I can't say I was disappointed, although it didn't sweep me away as the best they've ever done.  The story of a free spirited princess and her struggles against convention, Brave tends more towards the sentimental (although it's not a weepfest like the end of Toy Story 3 or the beginning of UP) rather than the comical.  I don't want to say much about the plot, but I will say that they perfectly captured the emotions of a tumultuous mother daughter relationship.  it even had my 6yo daughter crying at the end worried about losing me!  There are a couple of scenes with a bear that might scare a younger or more sensitive child, but other than that I would absolutely recommend Brave to any and all viewers.  For the fabulous Scottish accents and the heroine's mesmerizing hair if nothing else, lol


Brave PG 1hr 40min

Snow White And The Huntsman

Previews for this movie had me A) very excited to see how visually stunning it was, and B) wondering how in the hell they thought Kristen Stewart could ever be considered fairest of all over Charlize Theron.  But upon seeing it I was pleased that the film was indeed as beautiful as the previews suggested, and that they did somehow manage to make Charlize's Queen Ravenna hideous and evil so that you rooted against her whole heartedly.

In general, the movie doesn't really follow the classic fairytale as we know it, but there are enough little touches of the original story to show that they didn't just write an entirely original tale and call it Snow White.  Theron is wonderful as the evil Queen, slipping in and out of pride, conceit, rage and psychosis as easily as she displays her beauty.  Chris Hemsworth is very good as the hunstman, finding his humanity again after he had thought he had nothing left to live for.  Kristen Stewart is really the only weak link, she has a great look for film, but I'm not sure she can actually act at all.  She certainly never seems to do anything on screen that I've seen.

The dialogue was also kind of odd - the big inspirational speech Snow White gives to rally her army against the queen didn't really make a lick of sense to me, and there were numerous scenes where we paused on a close shot of Stewart as though she was going to say something important, and she owuld just sort of look awkward and shy and say nothing.  It was sort of bizarre.  But that said, I really enjoyed the movie (since when don't I enjoy a movie? ha!), and I would recommend it.

Snow White And The Hunstman  PG-13 2hr 7min

Madagscar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Because we love the movies, and because we love to spoil our kids by feeding them popcorn and candy at mealtimes, we took the kids to see Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.  I liked the first two ok, but I can't say I had very high expectations for this movie.  But boy was I wrong.  This movie is hysterical!  All of the original voice cast is back, as the animal characters continue their attempts to get home to New York and the Central Park Zoo.  This time they end up being chased by a rabid French animal control officer and hiding out with a traveling circus.  The plot is hardly thought provoking, but the jokes come fast and furious.  I guarantee kids and adults alike will enjoy themselves at this movie - and you will be singing "polka dot polka dot polka dot afro!" for weeks to come.


Madagascar 3  PG  1hr 25min