Want Fantastic?

Today is a special day. One may even call it fantastic. Today is the day Fantastic Mr. Fox can enter the living rooms of homes all across North America.

If you haven't seen this yet, you need to rent it. It's great for all ages. Albeit, some... maybe most of the jokes will go over kids' heads, but that doesn't mean they won't be entertained.

It is based on the book bearing the same title by Roald Dahl; directed by Wes Anderson. Man, I don't even know where to start - there was so much to rave about! My sides were aching when I left the theater the first (and second and third) time I watched it. It has an amazing cast supplying voices to the most incredible characters I have ever 'met'. The story line is great and family friendly, the jokes are funny no matter how many times you quote them (and you'll be quoting them a lot, believe me) and the characters are so lovable in that 'what the heck is wrong with you?!' sort of way. It's very Wes Anderson even though it's his first 'animated' movie. That being said, you can't tell that this is the first time Wes tried his hand at stop-motion animation. It's so detailed... and FANTASTIC!

Oh man, just talking about it makes me want to go out and buy it right now. It is laugh-out-loud funny while still having a lot of heart. 

Thinking of renting a movie tonight? Fantastic Mr. Fox. Thinking of renting a movie tomorrow night? Fantastic Mr. Fox. Thinking of ... okay, you get the point.  TRUST ME, you will like this movie. ...Unless you don't like intelligent humour, complex yet relate-able (and hilarious) characters, and fun stories.

Go! Right now!! Rent it!

Keep it real! ;)

Incoming!

I just came back from taking my dog for an extra long stroll... I have an assignment due tomorrow - whenever I have an assignment I seem to find time for everything under the sun except, of course, the assignment.

So anyway, I was chilling outside with my dog and I suddenly noticed something weird about my lawn. It's not totally dead anymore... now, all of a sudden there are sporadic blades of GREEN.

It was a great reminder that winter is finally ending. Summer is my favorite season, and it's not just because that's my birthday season - I like warm weather. Waking up to a winter wonderland is great and all, but I find green trees, blossoming flowers and birds chirping to be a much more refreshing scene.

Anyway, I guess I should get back to my research paper... It's on A Midsummer Night's Dream, you can't blame me for constantly daydreaming about summer when my nose is stuck in that book. Though my thesis is completely obliterating the idea that love is anywhere within the pages of the story... good times. :) Haha!

Keep it real!

I Get Knocked Down

When no news is good news, getting that letter in the mail bearing news causes your heart to sink further than the floor and your stomach to do somersaults, threatening to bring back lunch. How do I know this? I got news yesterday. From Randomhouse.

Some of you know that I wrote a novel last year. It started out as just a little pet project for fun but I soon found myself eager to get to the computer everyday and would write for hours. I started in April and in September I found out about Randomhouse's teen fiction competition. The deadline was the end of December so I had a goal.

Obviously I finished it in time (just in time), or else I wouldn't be writing this blog. I've been nervous for the past two and a half months... until yesterday when I found out I didn't win.

The thing is, I'm not as disappointed as I thought I'd be. Maybe it's denial... but I don't think so. I have this perseverance that came out of no where and I think this new persistent side of me isn't going to let this small speed bump faze me. It's going to be harder and more expensive to get my book published now but I'm ready. Whatever it takes.

When I go back and read it over I always find myself thinking, 'wait, I wrote that? Really?'

Whenever I watch a video of me acting or singing, I've always got about 50 negative things to say about myself. I constantly critique myself all the time. But not with my writing. It's, like, the one thing I'm actually proud of. Well, that, and my mad driving skills.

So why would I give up on one of my proudest accomplishments? I wrote the story because I was tired of seeing all the 'same old' all the time.

It was a weird experience, writing my first novel, because it wasn't like the story came alive as I wrote the words... It came alive in my head - I'd watch it unravel and write down everything I saw. It really was like the story and all the characters had minds of their own and I was simply an observer. And since that's the case, I can say without being the least bit cocky (because it was a surprise to me as much as anyone) - it's a really great story. I love it. And the writing ain't half bad neither.

So yesterday's speed bump is today's motivation which will lead to tomorrow's victories. I've finally found something I love to do that I'm actually good at. Do you think I'm going to let one little competition get me down??

Keep it real!

Oscars 2010

So the Oscars were on last night. I watched them. I'm trying to find the right words to describe it. Not their best year, but still entertaining. Actually, the opening was great with Neil Patrick Harris. And then at some point this happened...

Probably the best Ben Stiller presentation in Oscar history. His, "Once I announce the win I'll stand as far away as possible so not to take away from the winner's honour and ruin this moment for them" was PRICELESS. Pretty funny guy.

It was a surprising year too. So many people walked away with unexpected Oscars. It's like it was the year of the underdog. The Hurt Locker won for best picture. Who saw that coming? It was up against Avatar!! But then, the Academy probably wanted to look patriotic more than environmentally friendly. Because if there's anything America's known for, it's their patriotism.... That came out sounding sarcastic, but it's the truest statement ever. So don't read it sarcastically...

Anywho, my FAVOURITE moment was Sandra Bullock's win. :D I haven't seen the Blind Side yet (please don't throw things at me), but from the commercials alone I can tell how much of her heart she put into that role. I think she deserves credit for the hard work she put into it and the choices she made in the past few years. Plus, I just like her a lot so I have an automatic bias anyway. Down-to-Earth Rom-Com Queen wins an Oscar for stepping outside of the box and her comfort zone. Me likes.

Does it astound anyone else that it took 82 Oscar Awards shows before a woman won for Best Director? And it looks like it'll take a few more before an African-American wins. How come it took so long? That being said, good on ya Kathryn Bigelow!


Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were pretty funny. There were a few laugh out loud lines which I really enjoyed. I'm still not sure why there were two presenters in the first place, but it worked out well. Plus, the shared pressure must have made it more bearable.

Bottom line, though: Bring Back Hugh Jackman :) That guy was (and still is) GOLD.


Keep it real!!

Did You Know That...?

Today in one of my many English classes the phrase came up: "take that with a grain of salt" and being in the curious mood we were in, we started wondering what the origin of the phrase was. We couldn't figure it out from random guesses and quickly lost interest. Being a private school where students pay almost triple what public university students pay for tuition, it should come as no surprise that we didn't have the resources to simply look it up on the internet and move on.

PS. I love the internet. And Wikipedia. Say whatever you want about 'em, but I think they're the greatest. I would know a heck of a lot less information had it not been for them... albeit most of it is useless information, but hey! Knowledge is knowledge, right?

Anywho, here comes the point of my blog today. I said in my first post that I would, on occasion, use this blog to talk about things I've learned (because I'm big into learning) and today I learned something new.

I came home from school having never satisfied my curiosity as to the origin of the phrase we briefly discussed in class. I immediately went on my computer and wrote "origins of phrases" into my trusty Google search bar. Within a few minutes I had found the best site and even better: the origin of the phrase!

So after that long-winded explanation, I give you my findings!

"to take with a grain of salt"
=> The idea comes from the fact that food is more easily swallowed if taken with a small amount of salt. The suggestion is that injurious effects can be moderated by the taking of a grain of salt.
(info from phrases.org.uk)

TA DA!

So next time this phrase comes up and people get a wee bit curious as to its origins, you can tell them what you know!

Also, did you know that the term 'honeymoon' originated a loooooong time ago (I think before Ancient Rome) and here's where the idea sprouted: It was believed that honey is a natural aphrodisiac so for the first month after a couple was married they'd eat honey everyday. Since this lasted for a month by ancient standards it meant from full moon to full moon. Hence: Honeymoon. (info from howstuffworks.com)

Weird, right? PS. Honey has since been proven not to be an aphrodisiac, so don't go getting any ideas.

Aaaanywho, gotta go! :)

Keep it real!

If SHE can do it...

Check this out! Race Car Driver Barbie!

Man, if I was ten years younger, you wouldn't see me for WEEKS! I'd be in my room playing with Race Car Driver Barbie all day!

Barbie's always getting a bad rap. Apparently some people think she's not the greatest role model for their little girls. So she's got a bit of an unrealistic figure... does it matter THAT much? I played with Barbies for a good ten years of my childhood and I think all that did was inspire me to have a wild imagination and love story telling. 'Cause that's what I did: I would tell insane stories and have my Barbies act them out. Barbie was always what I wanted to be when I grew up (which often changed): teacher, mom, movie star, superhero, fashion designer, rock star, jockey, professional figure skater, skier, snowboarder; I could go on and on. I had a blast.

And personally, I think that kind of behaviour is totally healthy. My mentality was always 'If SHE can do it, I can too.'

It's funny that Mattel's come out with Race Car Driver Barbie 'cause recently that's something I've put on my bucket list. It's a nice reminder to keep up the old mentality.

Huh. So you CAN take some of your childhood with you into adulthood. Good to know.

Still, I probably shouldn't go out and buy the doll - as much as I'm actually tempted to...

Keep it real!