In Defense of Netflix or How I Learned to Love Again

For those of you out there that know me well, you may have heard me state on more than one occasion that my relationship with Netflix is one of the most successful relationships in my life. From the very beginning it has gently guided me through an awkward dating phase- one where I would constantly doubt how quickly I would receive the next DVD in the mail and therefore forget to update my queue with something I actually wanted to watch- to a committed, steady, relationship of convenience.

I remember a time when I was waiting for a movie to arrive in the mail and it was taking longer then usual. Eventually I received an email saying they had sent it, and had it arrived? It hadn't! I began to panic slightly, would I have to pay for this lost DVD? Was this the moment I had been dreading when the proverbial other shoe would fall and a dark side would finally reveal itself? I took a breath and clicked "no" the DVD had not arrived yet. No other questions were asked. They would send another one right away. Such trust. It was then that I changed my relationship status to one of convenience, to love.

The past few weeks have been pretty hard on Netflix. Once loyal customers are now throwing rotten tomatoes and demanding answers. I'm here to offer you some. When netflix began, DVD by mail was ahead of it's time. The idea seemed almost... lazy. Why wouldn't you just go to your neighborhood blockbuster and find something to watch? Once the math was done and the concept finally caught on it seemed crazy not to jump on the bandwagon. People warmed to the idea and movie rental chains began to disappear over night.

This pattern is repeating itself. It's hard to accept the idea of just streaming. Words like 'obsolete' send chills down our spines when referenced with DVDs. Those last few people that don't own some sort of gaming system or blue ray player capable of streaming are being backed into a corner as I type this very sentence. Nevertheless, our future is streaming. Netflix is right. You're wrong.

So in the meantime, stand by your man.

Must-See TV

Here are two TV shows I urge you to watch.

Sherlock* on Netflix play instantly (originally aired on BBC/PBS)

Platinum Hit on Bravo, can be found on Comcast on demand

Then you can thank me.

I've been laboring over how to introduce these television shows to The Pickwick Review, when it just dawned on me that it's more important for the recommendations to be out there so you can start watching than for me to do it in a fun, well-written, interesting way.

The essence of it is this: my husband watched the 3 episodes with me of Sherlock and enjoyed it, which is a feat since he hates TV. After the 3rd one, I missed the show terribly.

As for Platinum Hit, I've never purchased itunes music from a show- until now. These song writers are talented and it's amazing to watch the songs they come up with in 1-2 days.

I haven't had much time to watch TV lately, but when I do there's certainly slim-pickings in the summer. What do you watch to stay entertained? Any hidden gems on netflix instant-watch I should know about?

*There's dozens of Sherlock Holmes' out there- make sure it's the one with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Goodreads

Are you all on goodreads.com? If not, you should be. It's sort of like facebook, but for literature. You can start book club groups, get recommendations from your friends and read their reviews of other books and also write your own reviews.

One of my favorite things about that website is you can add books to a "to-read" list. I love this because I always forget what books I'm planning on reading. I'll hear about something that sounds great, and swing by the library or Barnes and Noble and my mind will go completely blank. With goodreads it's so easy to check and then actually get what you want!

Another fun things about goodreads is the giveaway section. Pre-released books are listed for giveaways by publishers and authors and you can enter to win. One day I spent a lot of time entering a bunch and a few weeks later I got an email saying I had won one of them! I was SO excited because I never win anything. I know a lot of people say that but I really don't.

I was pretty excited when the book arrived in the mail. Especially after I got over how creepy it looks. It also came with a book poster and I've really been enjoying myself switching out the photo below in other peoples frames.

I'm looking forward to reading it because I think if I hadn't won it I never would have chosen it. I'll let you all know how it turns out!

In Bentley's Defense

Ha! No, I'm not really defending him. Can you imagine? You are looking at the most hated man in Utah right now. Probably. I'm trying to think of someone that could beat him out for that number one position and I can't, so you're looking at him. What a douche right?

The new season of the Bachelorette is now in full swing and all anyone can talk about is Bentley Williams. Sightings of him are everywhere, although I have yet to see him myself yet. Rumors are floating around that his business is in trouble, the very business he went on The Bachelorette to promote. Karma? Bitch? You got it.

I think maybe in some small way, I actually do feel for him. His behaviour is probably perfectly acceptable in the right context. One can only imagine the girls with low self esteem and high volume hair he must gallivant around with. Coming from that atmosphere of course the boy has no idea how to behave like a normal person. I like to think that although he would obviously come away scarred from the experience, he probably had no idea that the public would react to the extent that they did. Basically falling short of torches and pitchforks.*

He probably went on the show thinking that Emily would be the next Bachelorette (his perfect woman, no doubt) and then had to contend with Ashley. Weren't we all thinking the same thing when Ashley was announced? I know I didn't like her at all in Brad's season and I sure as heck wasn't excited for her to have her own. But after the premiere all that changed. Those annoying habits weren't quite as annoying. The hideous mom hair she had roll brushed to death was now fixed with extensions. I even found myself liking her.

Too bad for Bentley he couldn't do the same. Instead, I think he threw in the towel and decided to try and beat Team Bachelor at their own game. He knows the show is ridiculous, so why not try and make a total mockery of "being there for the right reasons." Being a douche seemed to come pretty easily for him and as he began to show his true colors and try to force the idea down our throats that he was a villain (Ok ok, we get it. You're a jerk) the more ridiculous his being there became. Fortunately, even he seemed to start sensing that and decided he better get the hell out of there- lest the producers start watching any of his testimonials and tell Ashley and force him into an actual confrontation.

Fortunately for us, it looks like he will be making another appearance next week. Let's hope that Ashley can finally put this issue to bed and get on with finding love. Not literally to bed. Seriously, DO NOT give it up to Bentley, Ashley.

On a different note if Bentley turns out to be one of the three guys from Ashley's season that will be on the Bachelor Pad this Summer, let me go on record for saying that this is the greatest life ever.

*I like to think that I would be a real key player in a mob. Get everybody really riled up.

Nostalgia, thy name is Super 8

If you're like me, you haven't really heard much buzz about this movie "Super 8." You may have watched the trailer, wondered what it was about and promptly forgot you ever saw it. Then one morning as you were brushing your teeth you listened to a movie critic on the radio describe how he felt as he watched Super 8. Something would stir within you. What was it he had said? Something about a "Spielberg feeling." Your interest would be piqued and you would decide to see it that very night.

You would NOT regret it. Spielberg feeling is right! Within the first 20 minutes of this movie something just felt right. It felt like puzzle pieces were coming together to fit perfectly to form a path as you were walking along it. It was just well made.

Set in a tiny town in 1979, the movie is about a group of kids that are making a film about zombies and then witness a train accident that changes their lives. Think E.T. meets Stand By Me. The story plays out in a sort of familiar way, characters that are vulnerable and captivating - it really feels like something that you may have seen before, but in a good way. That Spielberg feeling that was mentioned before? I think I can define it as a feeling of nostalgia and comfort while being taken back to an era by someone that really knows how to make good movies. There were a handful of moments where I struggled, but then I just let myself surrender and get carried away with the story.

One of the greatest things about this movie is the cast. Who are these kids? The characters are so endearing and the dialogue is so witty and funny. I've never seen any of them in anything before and they were positively refreshing. By the end of the movie I was really happy just imagining the careers they had ahead of them.

So, go check it out. I think it's definitely worth paying full price for.

Top Ten Thursday (on Friday): Summer reading list

I believe that in order to have a successful Summer reading list, you have to keep it simple. It's too difficult to dive into a heavy classic while laying in the sun by the pool or at the beach. I define a good Summer read as something entertaining, nothing too heavy but definitely a page turner and something that fits right along with my vacations and sunshine. So without further ado- my top ten book recommendations for you this Summer.

1. The Help, by Katherine Stockett. Set in a great time period- the 1960's- there are lots of reasons to read this book. Great story, great characters, and a great looking movie coming out in a few weeks.

2. The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton. I actually have yet to read this book but I can tell it definitely has a place on a Summer reading list. It sounds like a beautifully written story laced with dark fairy tales and mystery.

3. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. If you have not gotten on t

his train yet, it's time. In addition to being a page turner it strays slightly from the typical series formula and can make for some interesting discussions. It is being made into a movie as well and it will be great to see how they show certain parts.

4. Bossypants, by Tina Fey. "Once in a generation a woman comes along who changes everything. Tina Fey is not that woman, but she met that woman once and acted weird around her." It takes a rare book for me to step out from my beloved fiction genre to non-fiction, and this is one of those books. I just love Tina fey.

5. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman. You've probably always loved this movie and possibly even heard what a funny book it is to read, but now is the time to actually read it. Romantic. Funny. Adventurous.

Everything the movie is and more.

6. The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson. Yet another book that lured me over to non-fiction, this book is written in a narrative style that kept me reading and wanting more. It doesn't hurt that I have a secret fascination with serial killers.

7. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Another one that I have yet to read this but I've heard nothing but good things. Another great find in young adult fiction and it's narrated by death. Death.

8. The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss. Who doesn't love a good science fiction? I have heard lots of good things about this book, and if you're looking for something a little different then your regular line-up I think you should give it a try.

9. The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale. I found this book to be a fairly typical young adult novel mixed with pleasant pretty little surprises. If you love an easy, entertaining read you'll love this one.

10. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley. I saved the best for last. This book is such a quick, charming read and I loved the time I spent with it. It features Flavia De Luce, an 11 year old amateur sleuth who is determined to clear her Father's name in a murder investigation. Her voice proves to be a very humorous narrative and I couldn't help but think how I wanted her to be my friend. Definitely pick it up.

Top 10 Thursday: Good Chemistry

They either have it, or they don’t.

Ever wonder what’s the little something that’s missing between Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson in Legally Blonde? Or Ralph Fiennes and Jennifer Lopez in Maid in Manhattan? It’s chemistry. (In all fairness, Maid needs more help than chemistry. Like screenplay, plot, casting…)

It’s not just for the love interests, either. It must be present among all the characters or else the movie doesn’t work, in which case the love story has no chance at all. I imagine it's an insanely tricky thing to capture as a filmmaker. And it's subjective. For instance, Mindy doesn't think Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock have any chemistry in Two Weeks Notice, but I think they do.

There can be good chemistry in bad movies, and bad chemistry in good movies. There can be great actors who have horrible chemistry with some people, and vice versa. Tricky.

What couples sizzle on screen? Here are my movie picks:

10. Jane Eyre (BBC 2006 version).

9. Hitch: but not Will Smith and Eva Mendes. It was Kevin James and Amber Valletta that stole the show with their funny but sweet connection.

8. Emma: Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam version.

7. Enchanted

6. Moulin Rouge

5. Mr. and Mrs. Smith

4. You've Got Mail

3. The Notebook

2. Much Ado about Nothing

and my favorite poster-child for good chemistry is...

1. Dan in Real Life

Before Dan in Real Life, if someone had told me that Steve Carrell and Juliette Binoche would have good chemistry in anything I would have laughed in their face. I don’t know how Steve and Juliette sizzle at all, but they do. It’s quite the slow sizzle, but it’s definitely there. It builds in the very chaste “shower” scene, during the aerobics workout, and culminates into undeniable longing the morning after he sings at the family talent show, when she whispers heatedly, “What am I supposed to do now?” Bravo.

Ah, chemistry. The class in high school that I received my all-time lowest grade. But as a movie element, I’d like to think I can figure you out.

What are some of your favorite couples with chemistry?

Quote from the Sea

Recently I read Gift from the Sea, by Ann Lindbergh, for book club . There were a few gems in it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

I did find one quote that thrilled me. Every time I read it I find a new meaning:

p. 38 "It is not the desert island nor the stony wilderness that cuts you from the people you love. It is the wilderness in the mind, the desert wastes in the heart through which one wanders lost and a stranger."

One reason I love it is that it reminds me of a favorite poem of mine.

Desert Places

Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.

The woods around it have it—it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs.
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.

And lonely as it is, that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less—
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars—on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.

-Robert Frost

Accio July 15th!

That's Hogwarts. It's on fire. Hogwarts is on fire.

The internet has been buzzing this morning with the release of the newest trailer of Part Two of The Deathly Hallows and I am getting swept away right along with everyone else. July cannot come fast enough!

I defy anyone to watch this and not get chills...

I think I can comfortably say I have a lot of faith in the way they will wrap things up. We've had our ups and downs in the past Harry Potter Franchise- but it looks like you're willing to end things on a good note.

A fantastic one.

You know you've seen Tangled too many times when.....

1. You begin to notice deep symbolism. For instance, during the floating lights scene, there's a lantern that floats toward Rapunzel. She tries to grab it, but it floats away from her and joins all the other lanterns in the sky. This lantern was the one her long-lost parents sent out, and when it joins the rest of the lanterns it symbolizes Rapunzel finally belonging to a community- with Flynn, Maximus, and the men from the tavern- rather than being alone in her tower. Also, I love when she says she's been waiting for this moment for her entire life, and what if it isn't as wonderful as she's dreamed? Then Flynn says, "It will be." This symbolizes love, specifically the love growing between Rapunzel and Flynn. Dreaming about love is one thing, but experiencing it is another and yes, it is as wonderful as you've always dreamed. This symbolism is naturally continued in their duet.

2. You start watching the show "Chuck" just to hear Zachary Levi's voice.

3. You quote a song from it during your Young Women's lesson.

4. You immediately recognize an obscure quote from Leah's friend: "Where does that tunnel lead out to?"

"Knife!"

Not that I've done any of those things.

Top Ten Thursday: Or, why you should love Daniel Day-Lewis

10. Daniel Day-Lewis uses the method style of acting. Meaning he completely submerges himself in whatever role he is undertaking. He usually spends months preparing and does not stop speaking as his character even when they are not filming.

9. Before filming The Last of the Mohican's he lived off the land for months and learned to fish, track and skin animals, and built a canoe.

8.

7. He dedicated his 2008 SAG Award to Heath Ledger, one of his favorite actors.

6. Once DDL was taking time off to work as a cobbler in Florence when Leonardo Dicaprio and Martin Scorsese visited him and lured him back to the states under "false pretenses" and convinced him to play 'The Butcher' in Gangs of New York. Don't you wish you knew what those false pretenses were? Also, who works as a cobbler in Florence? Daniel Day-Lewis.

5. He built the house that he lived in as John Proctor in The Crucible. He also didn't shower from the beginning of that movie to when they were done filming, because he was keeping it real.

4.

3. He's recently committed to being Abraham Lincoln in Spielberg's 'Lincoln'. I can't even fathom how amazing it will be.

2. His performance as 'The Butcher' in Gangs of New York would later be ranked as #53 in Premiere Magazine's Greatest Performances of All Time.

1. (Start at 2:00 minutes in)

My Reality

With re-runs comes channel-surfing, and with channel surfing comes discovering what's new in reality TV. I intensely dislike trashy reality TV, but there are some shows out there with no trash, just pure fascination. I love the feeling of, "are these people for real?!" Here are 3 shows that have intrigued me.

Selling New York: I love to see the 7.5 million dollar little apartment that this person buys or the 23 million dollar penthouse this mysterious European family buys. I imagine people who actually live there would be even more enthralled with it, knowing the parts of the city and everything (Laurel, have you seen this show?)

Pregnant in Heels: I watched one episode and was hooked. It was the perfect reality TV combination of I-can't-believe-these-people-are-for-real + working-through-the-craziness-towards-something-uplifting-and-wrapping-it-up-with-a-nice-big-bow. A couple who pay for a focus group just to review their baby name choices? Intriguing craziness, love it!

Extreme Couponing: This is one I can't handle watching, but I can't turn my eyes from it. It's INSANE. 9 grocery carts full of food+ 2 hours at the checkout counter+ $1100 bill turned to $41 after coupons! I kid you not. Spending 4-6 hours a day on couponing! $555 worth of food but only pay $2.97! It scares me for some reason. It is a really scary show.

Why is it scary? Why does it chill me to watch this? Because these people are completely, totally addicted to couponing. The first lady I watched was crying out for help. She said a few times "I'm addicted to shopping and couponing" with tears in her eyes. Her husband clearly resents using every nook in their house for stuff she gets. I thought TLC would bring in a therapist or something and that was what the show would be about, but no. It was about her getting 9 grocery carts full of stuff for $41. $1800 worth of groceries for $8.50 after 2500 coupons....shudder. Some of the women didn't seem totally crazy and I think couponing is really great. But when it becomes all you can think about, when you are spending all your time doing it, when you are shoving your entire house to the brim with stuff, when you are surrounding your entire life with this one cause, when your loved ones are resenting it, that's called an addiction my friends.

Good TV though!

Top 10 Thursday: Weekend Edition

It is proving hard to post our Top 10 lists on Thursdays.

Top 10 bits of trivia from imdb (a website I visit at least once a day. You can find trivia by searching for a movie, then scrolling all the way to the bottom and clicking on "trivia" under "Did you know?")

Adapted from my personal blog October 2008

10. Anne of Green Gables: Katharine Hepburn was originally approached to play Marilla Cuthbert. She declined, but suggested her relative (great-niece), 'Schuyler Grant' for the part of Anne. Schuyler was cast as Diana Barry.

9. The Dark Knight: Michael Caine had never met Heath Ledger prior to filming. During the scene when the joker pays a visit to Bruce Wayne's penthouse, when Ledger arrived and performed he gave Michael Caine such a fright he forgot his lines.

8. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone: Richard Harris only agreed to taking the part of Albus Dumbledore after his eleven year old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again.
*Rosie O'Donnell and Robin Williams were two of the celebrities who had asked for a role in the movie without pay. However they did not film any scenes for the movie.
*Alan Rickman received special instruction from J.K. Rowling as to his character. Rowling even provided the actor with vital details of Snape's back story not revealed until the final novel.

7. The Notebook: Ryan Gosling prepared for his role by living in Charleston, South Carolina before filming began. For two months, he rowed the Ashley River in the morning and built furniture during the day.

6. Clue: Three endings were shot, and a different one shown at each theater. All three are included on video. The DVD, however, aside from all three endings, also offers the option to play the movie with one randomly selected ending. In some cities, the newspaper print ads indicated which version ("Ending A", "Ending B" or "Ending C") was being shown at each theater.

5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1: Having Bellatrix carve "mudblood" into Hermione's arm during the torture scene was not in the original script, but it was an idea that both Emma Watson (Hermione) and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix) came up with together on the spur of the moment during filming.

4. The Sound of Music: Christopher Plummer (Captain Von Trapp) intensely disliked working on the film. He's been known to refer to it as "The Sound of Mucus" and likened working with Julie Andrews to "being hit over the head with a big Valentine's Day card, every day." Nonetheless, he and Andrews have remained close friends ever since.
*Christopher Plummer's singing voice was dubbed in the film. (I can't believe it's not really him singing!)

3. It's a Wonderful Life: While filming the scene where George prays in the bar, James Stewart has said that he was so overcome that he began to sob right then and there. Later, Frank Capra reframed the shot so it looked like a much closer shot than was actually filmed because he wanted to catch that expression on Stewart's face.

2. The Princess Bride: While rehearsing for the film, Andre the Giant's thick accent prevented many of his lines from being understood. To remedy this, actor Mandy Patinkin slapped André in the face to get him to concentrate harder.

1. Sleepless in Seattle: The scene between Tom Hanks and Victor Garber crying over the movie The Dirty Dozen (1967) was completely improvised during the take.

Confused

Oscar Noms came out today. They rarely mean anything to me, seeing as how I don't watch Rated-R movies, which means I haven't seen 90% of the movies nominated. I have seen True Grit, however, which is an excellent movie. Crisp, clever, straightaway, and suspenseful, with superb acting. Hailee Steinfeld, a newbie, was amazing, and she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. What I don't get is, how is it Best Supporting Actress when she was the main part of the movie? She was in every scene (almost). Jeff Bridges was also nominated, for Best Actor. Which I can see- I love him- but he was less of a part than Hailee Steinfeld was! So he should've been nominated for the supporting role, not her. It doesn't make sense.

Had to get that out there.

Top 10 Thursday: Friday Edition

Last week Mindy discussed how romantic comedies have been reusing their plots and characters for years. In that same vein, here is this week's list:

The Top 10 Love Story Cliches and Annoying Habits:

10. Girl wakes up with a face full of make-up.

9. Sex ruining the characters' chemistry and making an awkward moment for everyone in the audience.

8. Uptight person loosens up/ Workaholic finds meaning outside of work: Along Came Polly, A Good Year, Raising Helen, 13 Going on 30, Sweet Home Alabama

7. The great partner switch: people swap partners and everyone's okay with it.

6. Chase scene ending: other person is leaving town/moving and the lover needs to catch them or all is lost: every Matthew McConaughey movie

5. No chemistry! It's supposed to be a love story. Legally Blonde, Maid in Manhattan, The Back-up Plan

4. The Drunken Turning Point (I really hate this one): The Wedding Planner, Sweet Home Alabama, Two Weeks Notice

3. The girl is really mean and then the guy magically falls in love with her: 27 Dresses, Sweet Home Alabama, Leap Year, Just Like Heaven

2. The guy is attracted to the girl because she is "different": Ever After, Becoming Jane, Pride and Prejudice

And now for #1. The most commonly seen, overdone, hugely unrealistic plot cliche that I can't stand yet is present in every other movie I see:

1. The male protagonist used to be a bad boy but changes his ways due to true love: A Walk to Remember, Tangled, The Prince and Me, The Princess and the Frog, 10 Things I Hate About You

Some movies listed here are favorites of mine. Using these devices doesn't mean the movie has to be bad, but usually that is exactly what it means. My favorite love stories out there don't use any of these plot devices (or use it very subtly and tastefully). More on that in another list.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Normally I begin Harry Potter reviews with stipulations to prepare the reader for why I've formed the opinions that I have and to offer an explanation as to why I am being so critical.

I have no such stipulations for this post because, well, I really really liked this movie.

There are many reasons why. A big reason that I think I enjoyed it so much is that I only read book 7 once when it first came out and had a hard time remembering the plot and what was going to happen next.

But I think the main reason why I enjoyed this installment so much was because they really honestly did such a great job! So let's break it down, in the typical fashion: the good, the great, and the ugly.

The Good: Let's start off by saying what a good call it was to do this last book in two installments. I remember being slightly skeptical at first, but I don't see how they could have done it any other way. The acting just gets better with every movie. I particularly loved the newest addition to the cast, Rhys Ifans, as Xenophilius Lovegood. The perfect actor to play that part, I just love that Lovegood family.

I also thought it was good that we saw very little of Ginny in this movie, seeing as I don't like her.

The Great: One of the greatest things about this movie to me was how visually stunning it was. I loved how so many of the scenes looked like they were taken right out of the book, Hermione and Harry traveling over the moors, Bill and Fleur's wedding at the Weasley's, and the most loved by me- when they visited the Lovegood's house to learn about the Deathly Hallows. As soon as they showed that house I just had to smile, it was shown perfectly and just as charming as in the book. Coming as a close second to my favorite locations was Malfoy Manor. I loved Malfoy Manor and everything that happened there! As soon as it showed Snape approaching it in the very beginning I was hooked. It was just as dark and sinister and foreboding as it should have been.

Another delightful surprise to this installment was how funny it was. It wasn't just like Harry Potter funny when you laugh when someone messes up on a spell. It was really funny. When they visit the Ministry of Magic and become those adults, it was excellent! I want to go watch it again just imagining that part.

The Ugly: I would have really liked to at least have it mentioned that Professor Snape became the headmaster of Hogwarts during the last book.

I also would have really appreciated not having the terrifying "dancing" scene in the tent where Harry and Hermione cut loose for a few minutes. I was so uncomfortable I couldn't move to even cover my eyes. It was worse than American Idol auditions.

Other then that I had a really hard time thinking of things I didn't like.

But then I remembered.

I remembered like one remembers a dream they hoped would never resurface from their memory.

Harry. Hermione. Naked. Silvery. Lockety. Computery.

If something this atrocious had happened in one of the earlier movies I don't want to even imagine how enraged I would have been. By now its apparent to me that each director has its own vision as to the books and they'll take it in whatever direction they feel compelled to. This is both good and bad. In this situation, bad. It offended me that it wasn't part of the books, and it offended me because it was gross.

Having said that I'm completely prepared to pretend like it never happened. It was so awful, but the rest of the movie was so delightfully entertaining that I don't even usually think of it when I recap the movie. The scene leading up to it was a beautiful one. Harry quietly being led by the patronus through the woods, finding the sword, Ron and Harry being reunited. Let's just brush it off and tamper with our memories like Slughorn and call it a day.

It will be really interesting to see what they decide to bring in for the finale and what they leave out. It makes me very nervous at the thought of everything coming down to this final installment but after seeing Part 1, I'm starting to believe it can be done.

Brace yourselves Potter fans, this ride will be ending all too soon. July 15th will be here before you know it!

Top Ten Thursday: The Romantic Comedy

I've decided to contribute a little more to this blog by doing a weekly top ten list. The themes of the list will vary every week so stay tuned!
This weeks Top Ten: Romantic Comedies. I am a firm believer that the romantic comedy genre has almost run it's course and instead we are just paying to watch the same movie over and over again. The names are changed, the plots are cut and pasted, and two actors are on the cover looking at each other out of the corner of their eyes.

Having said that, I've compiled this top ten list to show some good all around newer and older movies to remind us what used to be good and that although they're fewer and far between, there are still some good ones being made.


1. Penelope- I am a sucker for fairy tales, especially pretty ones like this. Great cast, old idea, new twist.

2. Strictly Ballroom- What does this movie teach us? Australia is a funny country, and I don't just mean the accents. Brought to you by the same director as Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom is a great choice if you're in the mood for something a little different and fun.

3. (500) Days of Summer- Complete with a killer soundtrack this is definitely a refreshing spin on a movie about finding love.

4. When Harry Met Sally- I don't think there is a list of romantic comedies in existence with this movie not on it.

5. The Philadelphia Story- This might not be some peoples type of movie being black and white, but if the mood strikes give it a chance! It doesn't get any better then Cary Grant, James Stewart and Katherine Hepburn.

6. Return to Me- This one definitely puts the comedy in romantic comedy. As touching as it is, it never fails to make me laugh.

7. What's Up Doc?- The epitome of a screwball comedy. Barbara Streisand is as funny as she is beautiful in it. Don't be afraid of 70's movies people. They're our friends.

8. Sleepless in Seattle- I think I could watch this movie back to back with no problem. So quote able, so charming. Mmmmmagic.

9. Notting Hill- I mean, need I say more? Such a classic. This movie wrapped up the golden age of rom com's.

10. The Holiday- Probably one of my favorite romantic comedies to emerge from this past decade. Kate Winslet is always a favorite.

Unfortunately nothing really recent made the list because in 2010 we were dealing with movies like The Bounty Hunter, When in Rome, and (cough) The Back Up Plan.
Let's hope things start looking up for 2011.