My Favorite Movies: Star Wars

No matter how many times they show this on the Spike Channel, I'll probably sit down and watch any of the episodes .I figured the movie trilogies don't need an introduction as they are heavily apart of popular culture. I grew up watching Star Wars and I'm not sure how I discovered Darth Vader's connection to Luke, but it's still a fantastic scene to watch. My absolute favorite scene is with the Cantina Band. I think the music was so strange to me at the time and all of the aliens looked so crazy looking, me and my sister could not stop laughing and would always keep rewinding this. Also the entire opening scene from Return from the Jedi is also fun.

Starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, Star Wars elevated the "hero on a quest" troupe to an entirely new level, one in which others are judged against. There are so many iconic characters like Luke, Leia, Han, Chewbacca, Yoda and countless others. I feel the need to say that  absolutely loved the Ewoks and didn't think that they took too much away from the main story.

I was 9 when Episode 1 came out and I was super excited to see it then. Now looking back I don't feel like those 3 movies hold up as well as 4-6, despite having all of the technology advances of the last 20-30 years. At first I was dubious of the new Star Wars, but I'm starting to get tentatively excited for the new movies. But I'm worried the series/universe will be dragged down via unpopular changes to established canon and desensitization due to constant exposure of the movies year after year (aka Marvel Universe). One thing I am looking forward to is hopefully seeing some of the Star War Universe in the newest Kingdom Hearts.

This story was truly before its time with its technology and its storytelling. It's really hard to think of something compelling or original for a piece of film that has been so beloved and discussed ad nauseum.

FanGirl Rating: 5/5 It's a great coming of age story with an expansive group of characters that anyone can enjoy. I believe this movie, with all of the cheesy 70s aspects/animations, truly holds up 40 years letter, which I believe is a great test of a re-watchable classic movie (series).

Oscar Predictions

Here are my predictions for Oscar winner's for Sunday's ceremony. I saw only a couple of the movies but I have seen all of the televised awards (Golden Globes, the SAG Awards) and read about the winner's from the others. Hopefully this can turn into an annual thing so I can compare my scores and increase my movie knowledge.

And the Oscar goes to...

Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
I think that it's a close call between this and Gravity, but I feel like 12 Years has the momentum from the previous awards shows where it received this award. I think if it does go to Gravity, then there's a high chance the Academy will give Director to Steve McQueen (a la Ben Affleck)                 
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey
Matthew has most of the momentum with his 2 previous wins, but with Chiwetel's recent win and everyone hoping for Leo to get his first (and long overdue win), it will be an interesting race.

Best Actress:  Cate Blanchett
I've heard nothing but good things for Cate in the role (also, hello Jasmine is in the title so I may be a bit biased.haha) Pretty sure she's a shoe in, but the Academy does like previous winners like Sandra (even though Cate herself has won). Also I'm hearing fantastic things about Amy Adams and will always root for her, but I'm not sure that this will be her night (to finally win)

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto
Total shoe-in for his complete and utter transformation into Rayon. Outside chance for Barkhad Abdi (He was discovered in a mall. In Minnesota!)

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o
Love, love, love her. Beautiful and compelling. But the Academy does like to give multiple awards so it's looking like Jennifer might get it. But I still like Lupita.

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón
As previously stated it'll either be him or McQueen.

Best Original Screenplay: Her
This movie was PHENOMENAL. Seriously, a beautiful movie about an unconventional but poignant relationship.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Before Midnight
I've seen Before Sunrise and Before Sunset and they were great. Plus all three writers (Linklater, Hawke and Delpy) have previous nominations for the past 2 movies, so this may be their shot to win for a story about a couple meeting on a train. Simple but amazing.

Best Film Editing: Gravity
All the awards.

Best Cinematography: Gravity
Previous sentiment stated above

Best Production Design: The Great Gatsby
The Academy loves period pieces.

Best Costume Design: American Hustle
Impressive costuming, although they may give it to Gatsby for the period piece

Best Animated Feature: Frozen
Because reasons. Do you wanna build a snowman?

Best Animated Short Film: Get a Horse!
I loved this. Plus it was shown before Frozen.

Best Documentary Feature: The Act of Killing
Basing this off of Entertainment Weekly

Best Documentary Short: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
I've seen some articles about this online. It has some buzz especially since the subject Alice Herz recently passed on Feb 23rd.

Best Live Action Short Film: That Wasn't Me
EW Recommendation

Best Foreign Language Film: The Great Beauty
EW Recommendation. Plus it won the BAFTA

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Dallas Buyers Club
The only strong choice in the category. The others are the Lone Ranger and Bad Grandpa.

Best Visual Effects: Gravity
This movie looked amazing. Seriously stunning

Best Sound Mixing: Gravity
I.Have.No.Idea...
Best Sound Editing:Gravity
What.The.Difference.Is.Here.

Best Original Score: Her
With a movie that didn't have much talking, it had a very nice score that helped move the story. I'm probably going against the grain since Gravity may win, but I just really enjoy this movie.

Best Original Song: "Let It Go"
Two Words: Idina.Menzel.

Those are my picks so we'll see what happens on March 2nd. I will be live tweeting this event @jazzyfrizzle5 additionally to writing posts on Facebook. See you Then!

FanGirl Fridays!

Today celebrates my first full week of posting. FanGirl Fridays will basically be me talking a what every I'm currently obsessed with.

First, some announcements:

• I will be posting my Oscar predictions later this afternoon. I like the idea of posting at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon/early evening.
• I will post one or two of my favorite movies today (one tomorrow) and two on Sunday to make sure I have enough content leading up to the awards.
• After the Oscar's I will be gearing up to add some new features to this blog including:
• More of 'My Favorite Things'
• Memory Lane: where I talk about interesting things that have happened to me in the past
• Month of Thrones/March Though Westeros- a month of Game of Thrones content spoiler free (up to the time of the Red Wedding in the book and show) leading up to the April 6th premiere.
• My goal is to write at least once a day so I can get better and more comfortable with my writing so I can give the best content that I can.

Now on to what I'm fangirling about this week...

GAME OF THRONES!

I love this show so much. I feel like it's a great adaptation of a novel, up there with Lord of the Rings. I have to admit that I didn't get into the show until the season one finale. (I have a thing of not getting into popular stuff initially). I then went straight into reading the books that summer while checking up on the show. The series is actually called A Song of Ice and Fire, but honestly Game of Thrones is easier to say so I like to use that to generalize my overall love of both.

This week has gotten me even more pumped about GOT for a few reasons. The show is coming out on April 6th. I'm preparing my Month of Thrones/March Through Westeros. I'm getting my costumes together for my cosplays for my upcoming conventions. I plan on going as Lyanna Stark (Ned's sister that was the cause of Robert's Rebellion) and Nettles (a dragonrider and a character from GRRM's novella "The Princess and the Queen-which covers the Dance of Dragons, the war between the Targaryens). It'll be awesome to be able to talk to people about the books without worrying about spoilers.

Also I managed to get tickets for a Guest of Honor dinner for the convention I'm going to at the end of May, ConCarolinas. Not only is there a sweet Medieval theme for the dinner but George is also going to do a 15 minute reading! So obviously I'm super excited. On my About Me page, you can see my picture with George R.R. Martin from my trip to CapClave. He was such a great guy and super down-to-earth to meet and I was in awe. I managed to get the picture with him since he sat down right in front of where I was standing in line to get him to sign my books.

This season looks awesome and I'm super excited to see what the creators have in store. Plus with "The World of Ice and Fire" coming out later this year, it is a perfect time to be a fan right now.

 

They're Here!!! (Grey's Anatomy and Scandal)

Yes, I felt the need to use a Poltergeist quote to show my excitement that my shows are coming on. Despite not wanting Grey's to still be on the air, they always find a way to keep me hooked and still watching. I mean, I recently watched the entire series and the bomb episode, prom episode and the shooting episode were some of the most profound things I have ever seen. This last mid-season finale had me hooked since I love Jackson and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" gets me every time. haha

 

I still don't like the interns except for Jo but hopefully their writing will get better since they're forcing us to care about them like we did with Meredith and Christina. I wish that the show would end when Sandra Oh left since I feel that she and Ellen are the heart of the show. I really would have liked the show to go off on a high note. Sometimes I worry that Shonda Rhimes is saving her best work for Scandal, but who knows. I'll probably watch it to the very end, anyway.

Scandal is seriously one of my favorite shows right now. I grew up on watching suspense/mystery movies and shows and this fits the bill. Plus Kerry Washington is fabulous. I remember when I watched the pilot episode I couldn't get enough. The entire cast has fantastic chemistry (a la House of Cards) and they command every single line. Despite being a fangirl, I'm not a shipper (a fangirl who wants certain characters of a show to get together), but I LOVE Olivia and Fitz. I mean they are true soul-mates and the music that plays in the background when they are together and on the phone is super heartbreaking and melancholy and but has hints of their love.

I can't wait for these to come on tonight and I will definitely post my review of these and the other few shows I watched this week on Saturday

My Favorite Movies: Labyrinth

I seriously love, love love this movie. It is equally parts wildly inappropriate and enjoyable. David Bowie is such a great character plus he sings in this, which is great. The fact that this is a Jim Henson (UMD Alumni woot!) movie makes it even better cause the puppets are amazing. When I was younger me and my sister would always watch this on a rainy day since it has that kind of feel.

This stars Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, a girl who loves living in her world of fantasy (who wouldn't).

*** My room currently has Middle Earth, Harry Potter and Sailor Moon posters, so obviously Sarah is my spirit animal)***

Anyway, she has to babysit and gets frustrated with her situation and wishes her brother would get taken away. Her wish surprisingly granted, the King of the Goblins shows up in her bedroom after changing from a barn owl (is he a registered Animagus? haha)  he tells her if she can solve the Labyrinth, she can save her brother. The rest of the story involves Sarah meeting new friends and getting into many misadventures (like with the Bog of Eternal Stench) trying to save her brother. At the same time Jareth(Bowie) decides he's in love with a teenage girl and decides she should be his queen. Super creepy, but at the same time I kinda want Sarah to get with him (it's a fantasy world!)

There's so many other great characters like Hoggle, Ludo and Sir Didymus. My favorite cameo is by this adorable bookworm that guides Sarah when she first gets to the labyrinth. It also has some great songs and a soundtrack. This is a great story that is about growing up while at the same time still retaining important things from your childhood (which I believe is the point)

This is a great dark comedy fantasy. It probably was a little inappropriate for me to watch at such a small age but it still resonates with me and I still always look forward to watching this movie. It's a little cheesy 80s, but I think that why I love it so much. I mean David Bowie in leather and cod pieces is a children's movie? Super absurd but great at the same time.

FanGirl Rating: 4/5 Super campy, super memorable but a little cheesy at times. The animations are a little dated but it's a great story with interesting characters. It has many catchy songs "The power of the baby, what baby?" amd s a great effort for the time it came out in. A perfect rainy day movie.





Video Game Madness

Video Games have always been an important part of my life. Although  when I was growing up, it wasn't too common for there to be gamer girls.That's all I grew up around since both of my older sisters loved playing games. I remember playing Super Mario World and A Link to the Past on my Super Nintendo and how much I loved getting lost in the graphics of Jak and Daxter, or the awesome Disney mash-up of Kingdom Hearts.

In the last year, I have become a more active gamer instead of just watching (and not-so-secretly judging). Right now I personally just have a Nintendo 3DS, but I also have access to an Xbox 360 and a PS4 through my boyfriend (a huge gamer). I've played games like New Super Mario Bros. II, Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Pokemon X.  I'm also in the middle of playing The Walking Dead: Season One, Mass Effect and The Wolf Among Us, to name a few. I'm even going to a gaming convention in April. It'll be my second convention so I'm really excited to see the people and all of the game stuff that will be there.

On Wednesdays, I want to talk about news in the video game world and what games I'm currently playing/ what I'm looking forward to. One of the bigger things that I have been doing lately has been watching "Let's Plays", where someone records their self playing a game and then posting it on YouTube. I love these because they allow me to yell at them (at the screen) when they do something wrong without hurting anyone's feelings (I'm a pretty intense backseat gamer.) I've watched all of the Sly Cooper series, Jak and Daxter series, Kingdom Hearts, Super Mario 3D World, and a bunch of Zelda.

One game that's been getting a lot of buzz lately is South Park: The Stick of Truth. I normally don't like stuff like this but the game looks really well made and like you're actually playing the TV show. I don't think it'll get game of the year or anything, but I think it will give people something fun to play until other big releases come out later this year.

Games I'm Excited for: 

1. Kingdom Hearts III 
2. Watchdogs
3. Wolf Among Us (Episodes 3-5)
4. The Telltale Game of Thrones game

Two of these games don't even have release dates\and the other two are set to release this year but don't have a set time. Now that I'm more into gaming I fully plan on buying a Ps3 sometime and trying again to finish Kingdom Hearts (I quit before the last boss.fail) so I can be ready when they finally announce it.

I'll try to play some more this weekend but I have a 10 page paper, a final exam and the Oscar's to worry about. I'm sure I'll still end up playing 5 hours of Crusader Kings(the Game of Thrones mod).

My Favorite Movies: Hook

In honor of the week leading up to the Oscar's, I wanted to talk about my favorite movies. I picked movies based on watchability and how much enjoyment I still get from them. If any of these shows are on ABC Family or TBS/TNT, just know I'll for sure be watching them. The first up is Hook starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.

 

Basically this movie did back in 1991 that the show Once Upon a Time is doing currently which is flipping well known fairy/fantasy tales on their head. This movie centers on Peter Banning, a typical 80s/early 90s job obsessed person. He constantly makes and breaks promises to spend more time with his  family.

The story picks up when the family flies to London to go to a ceremony honoring Peter's foster mother/ his wife Moira's grandmother Wendy Darling. While their gone the children get kidnapped/brainwashed by Captain Hook as he tries to get revenge on Peter Pan from all those years ago. The story follows Peter's journey to reconcile with his former self and rescue his children.

I absolutely love this movie. It's super colorful and memorable. It also has some amazing lines like "Rufio, Rufio, Ru...Fi..oooo" from the Lost Boys and "Death is the only adventure" from Hook (which is very Dumbledore-like). It also has a great soundtrack and a fantastic single in "When You're Alone".

In high school I was in marching band and we did a "Hook" show in my junior year. I even had a nice feature part during it. I loved the show cause we had the memorable characters like Hook, Smee, and Peter.

When I was younger I remember being scared in the beginning part in Neverland when the guy gets thrown in the box with scorpions. I also loved Peter and Wendy's backstory since it's so melancholy and bittersweet when you realize that Wendy loved Peter all along but couldn't be with him. Also another sad moment was when we see Peter as a baby deciding he doesn't want to grow up and then Tink takes him away.

Even as I'm writing I'm thinking of all of the great parts in the movie. This movie is equal parts sweet/heartwarming and funny.

FanGirl Rating: 5/5 (I know these are my favorite movies, but it's amazing and I always look forward to watching it.) Between the visual, the music and the acting, I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a more grown-up version of the classic Peter Pan. Plus Robin Williams+Dustin Hoffman is a great pairing.

Looking Ahead

First, I'm about 1/3 through the book so far. I normally don't read so slow but I've been watching the final season of Veronica Mars for the past couple of days so I can be ready for the movie when it comes out. I fully plan on doing movie reviews when I go out and see movies, which will probably be more towards the summer. Also sometime in the future, I would like to do a feature on Disney Movies since those are some of my favorite movies to watch.

Anyway, here is how the rest of the week will pan out:

Wednesday: Video Game Madness
  I talk about interesting news in gaming and anything game related that I am doing at the moment.

Thursday: TV Thoughts
 My hopes for all of the shows that are finally coming back after the winter/Olympics hiatus

Friday: FanGirl Fridays
 I discuss something in pop culture that I have been obsessing over the week

Saturday: TV Roundup
 I review shows that I saw over the week

On Sunday, look for me to post about my Oscar predictions and what movies I have seen and what I though about them. I will also be live-tweeting the Oscar's at my handle @jazzyfrizzle5. It's my favorite time of the year so I'll start tweeting as soon as the E! Live Red Carpet comes on. Can't wait!

Also if anything interesting(or embarrassing) happens in my life, I will post outside of those already set posts.

Since this is Oscar's Week, I'm going to start (If not today, then tomorrow) listing my favorite 7 movies. First up will be...Hook.

Book Preview: His Majesty's Dragon

I'm going to try to do book reviews weekly/bi-weekly so I can get through the 14 books in my room that I've been neglecting. So I'm deciding to be productive and hopefully expand what I currently understand about fiction.

The Book: Temeraire Book 1- His Majesty's Dragon
Author: Naomi Novik
How I Heard about This: Through the Vassals of Kingsgrave podcast. It sounded super interesting and I've always wanted to get more into reading fantasy novels. Plus dragons.
First Impression: It sounds interesting since it occurs in 17th-18th century with dragons being used for battle purposes. I'm worried that I might be bored, but I'm gona give it a chance, since I normally can enjoy most books (except Insurgent.haha). So I'm hopeful that it'll turn out to be a great read since its a series of 7 or so books.

Meltdown Mondays

This is my new segment that I'm starting where I can rant or discuss things that are currently stressing me out/I would like to talk about. It also serves as an interesting recap of the past week.


I have 10 page paper to write for my class. This isn't too bad since my previous assignment was to do a rough draft so it won't be too bad. I'm writing it on my dream job, which is working for the Warrior Canine Connection. But still 10 pages sucks. Along with that, I have a final exam to study for. Too bad I haven't even cracked open the two(2) books I have to read for this class. Ugh. I'm glad class is ending this week so I can relax a bit before the next one starts up.

Also my birthday cake (Coldstone) melted in the freezer, which is an epic failure and super depressing. But it was still kinda hilarious, cause what are the odds of that happening?

Hopefully, this upcoming weekend goes well, but with the Oscar's upcoming, it'll be hard to make sure I get everything done by Sunday afternoon.

I have a large amount of things to do like
1) Read books I've been neglecting (14+)
2) Play the video games I bought (at least 15)
3) Go to the gym 4x/week
4) Organize my room
5) Figuring out my costumes for the upcoming conventions.
6) Try to study for the GREs

I'm also doing a great job in pretending that my student loans don't exist. But at least I have another 1.5 years untill it becomes real.

Not super interesting this week, but I;m sure I'll do something embarrasing like trip or something soon.

Olympic Roundup

So my thoughts on the Sochi Olympics..

I've always loved the Olympics since I was young and I did get caught up in all of the excitement initially. Especially with Figure Skating. I feel like 2018 is looking very bright with the likes of Gracie Gold and Polina Edmonds. I feel like Yuna was fantastic and that Mao Asada would have been a super contender, had she not fallen twice the previous day. I feel like the stain of corruption in the sport will continue with 2018, as retribution for the judges over-inflating the scores of the Russians, but who knows?

I was considering watching Figure Skating during the season but I don't know if I can deal with subjective-ness that goes along with it. I mean it's bad enough to have an incompetent/biased referee in football or basketball, but FS is the judging of art and technique and all of the judging mishaps leave a bad taste in my mouth. I might try to at least watch World's and see if my opinion changes.

I got caught up in the hockey hype and it was super disappointing to have both teams lose, but at least the women got the silver. Speedskating was  an epic fail and I hope that they learned their lesson not to 1) try a uniform until the Olympics and 2) train above sea-level if the event takes place at or below. I think all the stuff form this year will (at least for the time being) always make the Winter Olympics the least watched/cared about of the two.

The opening/closing ceremony were good..not great. I felt more from the resonance of Vancouver and the opulence of Bejiing. I have high hopes for Korea and I'm sure Rio will be a big party a la Carnivale.

Hopefully one day the Olympics comes back to America (preferably the East Coast) so I could actually go.

By tomorrow I should hopefully pick out a book to read/review and prep my thoughts for returning shows and their reviews. Plus I have to do something for the Oscars(!!!), since that is my absolute favorite night of the year!

Plans Going Forward

I have a couple of plans for how I want my blog to discuss. These encompass all of my favorite things from movies/television, books, music, video games and anything else going on in the world.


Television and Movie Reviews
Book Reviews (Initial and Final Rating Posts)
        I have a ton of books I've been neglecting so I figure this is the best way to motivate myself to             read them
Video Game Roundup
        News from the Week
        What I'm excited for
FanGirl Fridays
        I talk about what I'm obsessed about this week
        The podcasts I've listened to this week.

I'll try to come up with titles so they're not so boring. I think Sunday I will give my thoughts on the Olympics and my hopes for the second halves of favorite shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, Once Upon a Time and The Blacklist to name a few.

Day One

I wanted to make this to document all my weird/nerdiness in my life, especially since I have a bunch of things coming up in the coming months which includes:

Pax East 
Ice and Fire Convention
ConCarolinas
...
and my sisters wedding.

Hmm..one of those four I am least excited about. But anyway, I just wanted to make this since I've always wanted to write. I figured this would be the best way to start.

So, Welcome!