TOP 10 FILMS - 2011

A look back at 2011

So it begins, the end of another year past and the start of a new year to come. There are always big plans and big ideas that swirl around my brain as to what the new year will hold for me. I vow to myself that I will do new things, become more confident, make life better. But I never follow through. My brain and thoughts are easier to dream than to actually accomplish.

In the anticipation for 2012 let's look back at 2011:

I directed the 9th production for NK drama with Camp Rock: the Musical, which was a wonderful experience filled with laughter, tears and a fantastic production. It proved how much I love my kids and how much they fill my life with just pure joy (and much aggravation on top of that). The good always outweighs the bad, these kids bring me happiness.

Two trips to Florida, a fun fun time with friends in Disney and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

A nice relaxing vacation to Hawaii with my mom, including two absolutely amazing Lost tours.

I visited Mark and we had a lovely time together, as usual.

Carrie and I celebrated our Christmas tradition in RI together. I also visited NY to her place in Astoria, we had many fun adventures, including meeting some fun celebs.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Jim Parsons (Sheldon, Big Bang Theory), Justin Kirk (Andy, Weeds), Susan Sullivan (Martha, Castle) and many more.

Favorite movies of 2011:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Bridesmaids
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Favorite TV shows of 2011 (new):

American Horror Story
Once Upon a Time
New Girl

Let's bring on 2012, and hope it's a better year than this. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

I'm On My Way

"well i'm on my way
i don't know where i'm going
and i'm on my way
i'm taking my time, but i don't know where"

thank you paul simon

butterflies in the stomach
there's nothing better

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright & Joely Richardson

December 22, 2011

I read the book and highly anticipated this movie as the book was incredible. I try not to get too set in the book story when seeing the movies based on them because I am usually disappointed when they cut things out or add in things or change things in any way (I'm looking at you Water for Elephants!) so I went into this movie looking at it as its own entity, completely different from the book.

So by doing so the changes (and there were three apparent changes) didn't bother me. I can see why they changed certain things and it worked, and had the same outcome/effect the book did. Other than those changes the movie stayed true to the book and I was left loving Lisbeth Salander more than I did after reading.

Salander is one of the strongest characters that I have read in a book, and if it is at all possible she's even more kick-ass in the movie. Rooney Mara is BRILLIANT in the role! Not only does she have the look of the character and fits the role perfectly, her portrayal of Salander is spot on. Daniel Craig plays Mikhael Blomkvist just as I pictured him and the him and Rooney Mara had great chemistry.

There is one scene that is difficult to watch, and if you have read the book you know which scene I'm referring to. But it just makes the revenge scene so much more awesome. The film is very dark, which I love.

A MUST SEE! LOVED IT!

10 out of 10 stars!!!!

We Bought a Zoo

We Bought a Zoo
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johanssen, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones & Patrick Fugit
December 24, 2011

Based on a true story about a single father who upon the death of his wife bought a zoo.

It was an uplifting film, a story of loss and the eventual gain of something wonderful and adventurous due to that. How tragedy can ultimately lead to something so great. A real adventure for the adventurous!

This movie will make you laugh and cry, tears of happiness. Bring tissues! And Maggie Elizabeth Jones who plays Rosie (the 7 year old daughter) is simply adorable!!!!!!!

I'll give this 5 out of 5 stars.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton & Josh Holloway

December 24, 2011

Not being a big fan of Tom Cruise the only reason I had an inkling of wanting to see this movie was for Josh Holloway, aka Sawyer from the show LOST. Who can resist him? You think you can? TRY IT!

Anyhoo...I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. Lots of action and crazy stunts, with a twist at the end. It's a typical Mission Impossible movie. So not much to say about it. but I enjoyed it.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

The Darkest Hour

The Darkest Hour
December 25, 2011

A christmas tradition between Carrie & Myself is to see a movie on Christmas day after the dinner celebration at my family's home. This is the movie we saw.

The movie began with the main characters in a plane on their way to Russia. They arrive, go to a meeting about some such site they had an idea about that they want to sell to the Russians so they can become billionaires. The site involves tracking each other and finding fun clubs wherever they are ?? I'm not quite sure. They spent so little time building up the characters and what was happening it didn't set in my brain. Basically from that point, they get screwed over and spend the night in a bar commisserating (sp?). Then all hell breaks loose when electric invisible alien whatever they are (it was never really explained) start attacking and within five minutes 95% of the population has disintegrated into thin air. Then it was the fight to keep themselves alive and get themselves home.

The movie was...entertaining...but other than that...well i'll leave it at that. If you are looking for an actual story don't see this. In my opinion it had absolutely no plot, no character development and seemed to be just thrown together, with an unsatisfactory ending.

I will give it this - the 3D is awesome! And the special effects were pretty cool. So for those two things alone I will give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Mirror, Mirror - MARCH 16!

Still Waiting

Did you get the job?
The dream job
with the interview that went so well
I sit and I wait
One month later
I called again
It was the second time in a month and he seemed annoyed
He could have been annoyed about anything
But I just need an answer
To the question
Did you get the job?
I was told by many calling a second time isn't being pushy
It's not a rejection
He told his boss is at a stand still
At a stand still
Sort of like my life
I'm hoping in the next two weeks I know
I know that comes from within me
The knowing, right?
I'm hoping they give me a phone call either way
But that doesn't happen often
You just never hear
So I applied to more jobs
Hoping to hear
How long can this last?
How long can I last?