Upon my return to the States, I thought I might enjoy a little break from blogging to give me time to adjust into a new routine....and I did. But now there's just too much to say. So I'm back. Now, let's dive in...
Last night I saw a new trailer for the Gatsby movie, and I'm pretty sure I squealed. I still have my doubts about a few things. Will it be too Moulin Rouge-ish? How did they get Leo to look even younger? Can Carey Mulligan play aloof? Why isn't Tom Hardy in it? But overall, I'm pretty excited.
Can you repeat the past? We're certainly gonna try!
Adele and Barbra Streisand are performing a duet at the Grammy's this weekend. Babs hasn't performed there in 36 years; which means my mother wasn't even old enough to drink when she last took the stage. I hope she finds a respectful and encouraging audience at the show, which shouldn't be a problem since she's singing WITH Adele. I'm sure Adele can adele Streisand's career for this generation, since she's a superhero and all.
A star is born.
Maybe it was the Absinthe in my Sazerac, or maybe it was the fact that I was completely bored by the Superbowl (didn't know they still had Superbowls when the Saints aren't participating), but somehow I missed the fact that the lights went out for...apparently, a while. What I did NOT miss that night was the disgusting sound of a nerd kissing a supermodel, the irony of a farmer appreciation commercial in a country that wants to crack down on immigration laws, and the overwhelming feeling to throw my hands up when Destiny's Child performed.
Angel style.
My friend Julie's gonna hate me for this, but I have to pick on Jennifer Aniston. Did you know she and her new husband are already in counseling? They want to get some of those lingering things from past relationships dealt with. Look, I'm ALL FOR counseling. But maybe do that kind of counseling BEFORE you get married??? Also, when is she gonna announce that she's having a baby already? We all know that's what this is all about. Rumor has it that Angelina's pregnant again. Take that Aniston.
Glowing.
In other news, Anne Hathaway's hair is growing back out. Thank goodness we don't have to hear her whine about this anymore. We will know whether or not she's serious about being a "real" actress based on what she does with it from here on out. It's kind of an understanding that unless you're Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, or Jennifer Lawrence, you'd better keep your hair short to avoid those Rom-Com roles. Of course, if she lands an Oscar maybe that's enough to get her into the "people in Hollywood we can respect" club. It does bother me that she's been heard "complaining" about all the attention surrounding Les Mis and the Oscar nominations. She says she's stopped going to lunch. How devastating. So here's the deal...half of me likes her for being authentic even if it is authentically ridiculous. But the other half of me really wants someone to teach her something about being graceful. Did you know there are actually people called, "Hathahaters?" In spite of it all, I'm actually rooting for you this time around Anne...
These are in no way REALLY the "best" of the year, but here are a few of my best things from 2012.
This. Kid.
Best Reality Show-Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
Don't talk to me about Duck Dynasty. This is the real deal.
Best New Show-Nashville
I love it. It makes me want to revisit the city, it makes me want to listen to country music. The drama is great, the acting is great, the music is great, and I get swept up in it each week.
Best Drama-Parenthood
This should win for consistency if nothing else. Each and every episode delivers, which is rare. Usually there are hits and misses, but this one is on the money from week to week.
Best Comedy-30 Rock
Two Broke Girls, Modern Family, Raising Hope...I love them, but Tina Fey and this darling show will have my loyalty for the little time it has left on the air.
Best Song-We Are Young by Fun
It's a feel good song, it's upbeat, the lyrics are good, and it's smart. I could listen to this all day, and there have been days that I have.
Best Album-Babel by Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is my go to music for the Fall and Winter. This new album by them is as good as their last, if not better. I can't wait to see what they do next!
Best Movie-Life of Pi
I watched A LOT of movies this year, but if I had to choose the best one FROM this year, I'd say it was this one. It was a creative and solid story as well as, suspenseful, action packed, funny, sentimental, and even carried a little twist ending.
Best "Breakout" Star-Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde is in no way new to stardom, but she is new to movies, and this year she did a lot of them. The Words, Butter, People Like Us, and more. She played drastically different roles in each of them and did a great job. I am not sure she will ever hold down a leading lady spot, but I would love to see her try.
Everyone will know her name.
Best Underage Star-Chloe Grace Moretz
She's not new, but the more I watch her, the more I am super impressed. I can't wait to see her in Carrie coming in 2013!
Best "I Changed My Mind About Her" Star-Carey Mulligan
I wrote a blog earlier in the year about Mulligan and my doubt about her being cast as Daisy on Gatsby. While we are still waiting to see how she does in this movie, I have seen so much of her this year that I have changed my mind about her. She's beautiful, brilliant, vulnerable but strong, and when she's on screen I can't help but be enthralled by her. I admit, I judged her too quickly.
Best Celebrity Moment-Any Rebel Wilson interview
Best Celebrity Moment 2-Any Emma Stone interview
Best Celebrity Moment 3-Any Kristen Bell interview
These three are always perfectly adorable and hilarious during their interviews, unlike weirdos Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, and Melanie Griffin. Watching those three on live TV is horrifying.
Well played.
Best Politician Moment-Obama playing Spiderman with a kid.
Adorable. Take note politicians, we live in an internet age. If you want to win an election, you MUST be likable on the internet.
This friendship is one of my favorite.
Best Politician Moment 2-Texts with Hillary Memes
She's just the coolest.
Best Bad Story Turned Good-The Bullied Bus Driver
I could mention Christian Bale's visit to the families of the dead and injured who were show in the theater during The Dark Knight Rises, but the bus driver story really stuck with me. When I read about the horrible things that this woman had to endure driving a bus of brats to and from school daily, I felt sick. To make things worse, she went home to a somewhat sad life each night. When America got wind of the video on the bus, people reached out to this woman with money, gifts, kind words, and more. She has since retired from driving on her over $600 grand worth of donations, some of which she gave to charity. I love when the good in humanity sees the bad and works to make up for it.
How does he look so scary!
Best Bad Guy Hair-Javier Bardem. Always.
He looks weird with clothes on.
Best Sports Moment-I didn't pay attention since Auburn was so bad. But probably something to do with Michael Phelp's abs.
Best Book-We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
This is one of the most haunting and well written books I have ever read. It's not from this year, but I did read it this year, so that's something.
Best App for iPhone-Pocket
I love this app cause I can just move everything I want to read and put it into one place. So when I'm sitting in a waiting room or wherever (I'll just say it, the bathroom), I can catch up on blogs, articles, and more! I'm a dork, I know, but this has been a really great thing to have this year in China!
I haven’t been on my movie watching kick quite as much lately, but this weekend I decided to spend some time catching up.
Finally, a Bella I can appreciate.
I watched Breaking Dawn Part 2. And even though the perception is that I am not a fan of the Twilight books/movies, I was pleasantly surprised. For the record, I do not at all mind the Twilight movies and books. I read them all, and rather quickly. Couldn’t put them down. They were fun. Even though I take issue with some of the themes of the book, especially in regards to Bella, honestly, she is no different than some female characters in books we consider to be literature, the difference being that those books are written with more sophisticated language...and well, there are no vampires. The movies are blockbusters, and like with any blockbuster, I will watch them and enjoy them, but they don’t generally make my list of favorites.
Breaking Dawn was very entertaining. I got re-invested rather quickly to the characters and the story. I thought it was the right amount of funny, not nearly enough of shirtless Jacob, great music as always, and good build to the climax of the series. And the “twist” that everyone has talked about, was legit. I enjoyed it and even gasped a little. It was fun to watch, and I’m glad I did.
Getting schooled.
I also watched An Education this weekend. Carey Mulligan plays Jenny, a 16 year old student who is dreaming of Oxford when she meets Peter Saarsgard, David, an older man, who is cultured and a “student of life.” He takes interest in her and wants to expose her to his way of living. At first it’s thrilling for her.
Mulligan is amazing in it of course. She can play innocent so well. In fact she plays it so well that at times I was uncomfortable with her relationship with David. He just seemed too good to be true. Her life is on track, and while his presence does open her up to new and wonderfully rich experiences, it also throws her off her intended course. Not only does he throw her off, but his interest in her causes everyone around her to seem to change their expectations of her. Oxford gets put aside for marriage and everyone seems fine with it give or take a few members of her school. The movie also brings up the question of what education really is. With David she can travel to Rome and Paris and listen to jazz, with school, she will study hard in a classroom. Jenny says at one point to the headmaster of her school, “It’s not enough just to educate us anymore, you’ve got to tell us why you’re doing it.”
The movie really fit with some things I’m coming to terms with at the moment. Finding out that my years of education are all but rendered useless in their being a means to an end. Of course I appreciate the things I’ve learned, but if I had to choose again, I’m not sure I would choose all of that when there is an entire world to see. Fortunately for me, it seems I get to do both.
In the end, I think the lesson of the movie, if there is one, is that you must know yourself and what you want, and even your reasons for wanting it, or someone can throw you off course. Changing your mind is one thing, changing it for someone else is another that could have disastrous results.
If you are not familiar with Mumford & Sons then today is your day to get acquainted. Open up another window on your computer and go to YouTube. Watch the videos for "Little Lion Man, Roll Away Your Stone, and White Blank Page" to get a good start. I suggest the videos from the Bookshop Sessions, so you can actually see them play. Because with Mumford & Sons, a lot of the appeal is watching them. They are hands down the most passionate musicians I've ever seen cross into mainstream. And I'm thrilled they made it!
This band.
In the Fall of 2010 I came across the band for the first time. I immediately knew I had to have their album, Sigh No More. It was probably the only thing I listened to from November 2010-February 2011. I couldn't get enough. And my favorite song changed each time I listened, and still does today! It started out "Roll Away Your Stone". Today it's "White Blank Page". Last week, Mumford & Sons dropped the album, Babel. I bought last Thursday before I left town for a holiday....I couldn't imagine getting on the train for a few hours without having it to enjoy. I put it on a loop from the time I left Hangzhou to the time I arrived in Nanjing. You guys, it's just as good as the first one! "Babel, I Will Wait, Lover of the Light, and Hopeless Wanderer" are my favorites so far, though there's also a great version of The Boxer on the album.
I can't explain what the music does to me, how it makes me feel. I should warn you, I'm about to geek out. I love the sound of a guitar. More than any other instrument. Add a banjo and a mandolin and it might seem like it's gonna get too country up in the joint, but it's so far from that! Acoustic rock, is where I think this ultimately lands. But I don't care what you call it, what it's labeled. All I know is that there is this intensity, this passion that pours through the instruments. They are never whiny, and they are so in sync with their harmonies and rhythms. It pretty much encompasses everything I love about music all at once.
This man.
Of course for me, music has to have good words too. Remember when Lifehouse had that "you and me and all of the people" song...it's like I loved the sound of it, but the lyrics were so damn stupid that I couldn't bring myself to sing it or even listen. But Mumford & Sons doesn't waste time with shallow words. Their lyrics are as passionate as their music. On both albums they tackle topics of grace, sin, redemption, loss, love, false prophets, religion, free will, shame and regret. It's soul deep. They are authentic where most people would come across as pretentious or cynical tackling these topics. The intensity of their words match the intensity of the music and it's so completely perfect. And don't even get me started on Marcus Mumford's voice. I knowI've flip flopped on Carey Mulligan a few times, but I recently found out she's married to Marcus Mumford and I gotta tell you, I hate her for it. Maybe I'll like her again when Gatsby comes out. Until then, she's back on my bad side. Cause that's how I roll...
But back to the music...this is seriously my favorite band right now. If you haven't heard of them or heard them, life is too short to wait. Look them up today, buy Sigh No More and Babel, and just let the music reach you like nothing else has in a while.
A few weeks ago I made some claims about Carey Mulligan when I wrote this blog about the upcoming Great Gatsby movie. I was less than thrilled that she had been chosen for the role of Daisy, because I see Daisy as someone strikingly, almost breathtakingly beautiful in a very conventional plastic kind of way. I think I mentioned January Jones would have been better.
Then I saw the movie Never Let Me Go. It's a dystopian movie about people who are cloned and born for one reason and one reason only, to serve as organ donors until they die. It's a quiet and devastating movie, but I loved it. Carey Mulligan stars with Andrew Garfield and Kiera Knightly in it. And when I say stars, I mean she is the star. She steals the screen in every scene.
Windows to the soul.
I need to watch more of her movies, and I want to watch them now that I have seen her in action. She reminds me of Juliette Binoche in the way that she is able to communicate so much with a twitch of her mouth or slight raise of an eyebrow. And I think I understand why she was chosen to play Daisy. Because as shallow as Daisy might appear to be, she is deeply sad. And if there's one thing that Mulligan can portray, it's sadness.
I pre-judged her, and I'm not afraid to say it. My newfound admiration for her has increased my excitement about Gatsby. I cannot wait.
Now Andrew Garfield on the other hand....I'm not ready to make nice on that one.
