The time I watched all the movies Oscar Nominated for Best Picture and then gave my reviews on them. (Part 3)

Three more to go!

Philomena
Cast: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan
Brief Plot Description: A reporter helps a woman find her son she hasn't seen in almost 50 years.
My Thoughts: This was the other movie on the list that I surprisingly and thoroughly enjoyed. The story seemed so simple at first but there were details that came along the way that completely took you for a loop. Not only that, but the chemistry between the main characters was so charming and endearing you couldn't help but to adore both of them in their quirkiness. I laughed (a lot) and cried in this movie and when it was over I wanted to tell people all about it. This movie is wonderful and its one you should definitely watch. I don't think it will snag any of the awards tomorrow but it absolutely deserved to be nominated.

Nebraska
Cast: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb
Brief Plot Description: An old man, who is slowly losing his mind, wants to go from Montana to Nebraska to claim the million dollar sweepstakes he has supposedly won. His son takes him.
My Thoughts: First of all... I DON'T GET WHY THIS MOVIE WAS IN BLACK AND WHITE??? Was it supposed to take away the colors so you see that characters more? Because it didn't work? Was it supposed to make it seem darker? Because it didn't? If anything I found that fact that it was in black and white really annoying. I kept watching scenes thinking that it would have had so much more detail and character that you could relate to if it was in color and it distracted me from the story a few times. Anyways... besides that I thought this movie was just okay. Will Forte played a type of character that we have never seen him in before. It was a little strange to see someone who is normally so funny and outgoing play someone very dry and muted. Bruce Dern and June Squibb weren't anything superb in my opinion. I didn't hate this movie but I wasn't overwhelmingly excited either. If this movie wins any of the awards tomorrow I will be quite surprised.

The Wolf of Wall Street
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie
Brief Plot Description: A lot of drugs, sex and corruption while scamming the stock market in the 80's.
My Thoughts: Hands down... BEST MOVIE!! Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill were AMAZING in their roles. Leo absolutely played his best role (and that says a lot coming from me, a HUGE fan of him in Romeo & Juliet and Titanic), you can tell he put every ounce of his energy and creativity into playing this part. His charisma jumps right through the screen and grabs you from the beginning. Its almost three hours long but doesn't even seem like it because you are completely enthralled by this movie the entire time you watch it. This movie also supposedly had over 500 f-bombs in it, neither my boyfriend or I noticed them at all. We were so impressed with this movie that we are planning to go see it for a second time in the theatre. GO SEE THIS MOVIE! Just be prepared for watching a lot of (entertaining) drug use.

Final Recap
It was a lot of fun to watch all of these movies. These are my predictions for the big wins tomorrow:

Best Picture Nominees:
     American Hustle
     Captain Phillips
     Dallas Buyers Club
     Gravity
     Her
     Nebraska
     Philomena
     12 Years a Slave
     The Wolf of Wall Street

My Pick to Win:
     The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
     Christian Bale (American Hustle)
     Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
     Leonardo DiCarprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
     Chewitel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
     Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

My Pick to Win:
     Leonardo DiCaprio (but if Matthew McConaughey wins I won't be mad)

Best Actress in a Leading Role:
     Amy Adams (American Hustle)
     Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
     Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
     Judi Dench (Philomena)
     Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

My Pick to Win:
     This isn't really fair for me to vote on because I haven't seen Blue Jasmine or August: Osage County yet so if I had to pick it based on the movies i've seen I would say Judi Dench but chances are Meryl is gonna steal it because... hello... its Meryl!

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
     Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
     Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
     Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
     Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)
     Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

My Pick to Win:
     This is a really tough one... I'm seriously torn between Jonah Hill and Jared Leto. Both are equally deserving of the award. Can we just give it to both of them? Just this once?

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
     Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
     Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
     Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
     Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
     June Squibb (Nebraska)

My Pick to Win:
     Again, I haven't seen Blue Jasmine or August: Osage County so I cant vote on those nominees but based on the movies I saw, I would give this one to Jennfer Lawrence, although I think that Lupita Nyong'o will win it because the media/hollywood is totally loving her right now.

There you have it! All my thoughts and opinions on the big movies at the Oscars tomorrow. Will you be watching too? Live tweet with me! (@whoismich) Let me know your thoughts! Either on the movies, the dresses or what I've had to say.

The time I watched all the movies Oscar Nominated for Best Picture and then gave my reviews on them. (Part 2)

Let's continue, shall we?

American Hustle 
Cast: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Brief Plot Description: This group eventually comes together to con people and steal their money.
My Thoughts: What... a... disappointment. Maybe I expected too much from this movie because of the cast (I mean, hello... Jennifer Lawrence is totally my girl crush right now! And Bradley Cooper, he stole my heart in Silver Linings Playbook last year) but this just didn't work. There were good elements of this movie like the fashion (holy plunging necklines batman) and Jennifer Lawrence (she can do no wrong) and the scene with Christian Bale's combover, but the rest was lacking. I was actually so bored in this movie that I wasn't even paying attention anymore and instead played Candy Crush on my phone. For a movie that has SUCH a great cast... it should have kept me pulled in more than it did. Its not the WORST on the list but its absolutely in the bottom few.

Her
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson
Brief Plot Description: A lame ass loser falls in love with his phones operating system.
My Thoughts: When I saw previews for this movie I thought it was the most ridiculous and stupid concept I had ever heard. I tried to have an open mind when I watched it, and I hoped I would connect with the story and understand his infatuation but my prediction was dead on. This WAS the most ridiculous and stupid concept ever. I couldn't comprehend the fact that this guy was seriously having a relationship with his Siri. I had to turn it off. I got about 45 minutes in and I couldn't take it anymore. Absolutely the WORST on the list. I don't know why its nominated for any awards at all. Don't even bother.

Dallas Buyers Club
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner
Brief Plot Description: In the 80's, a man is diagnosed with AIDS and eventually finds ways of bringing unapproved medications (that actually help) to fellow patients.
My Thoughts: This was the first of two AWESOME surprises this year. I didn't know what this movie was about going into it and boy was I pleasantly surprised. Matthew McConaughey was fan-tas-tic. He took this role and put every bit of his energy into it. And then there was Jared Leto who, when you were watching him, you completely saw a different person than the face we all know in hollywood. I laughed in this movie, I cried, I felt angry and upset and happy and all of the emotions that they want you to feel. These two were superb and 100% deserve all nominations as well as the nomination for Best Picture. I don't think it will win the actual award for Best Picture but if it does win, I wont be disappointed at all. Go watch this movie and thank me later.

Reviews coming up in the next (and last) post on this topic:
Wolf of Wall Street
Philomena
Nebraska
(and a recap of who I believe should win)

The time I watched all the movies Oscar Nominated for Best Picture and then gave my reviews on them. (Part 1)

I love watching the Oscars. All of the wonderfully talented actors and actresses. All of the best. In one room. Dressed to the nines. Its magical.

On my 30 Before 30 list I had a goal to watch all movies that have won for Best Picture.
All of them... ever!
Let me tell you... that's a lot of movies! It was at 84 when I started. I didn't get through the entire list (yet) but I did make a big dent in it. Completing this list has allowed me to be able watch some awesome movies. Some classics that I had heard were great but I hadn't seen them before (Gone with the Wind, Rain Man, Kramer vs. Kramer), and then there were movies that were surprisingly good that I didn't expect much from (The Apartment, Out of Africa, The Life of Emile Zola) and of course... there were movies that I just DIDNT like (Braveheart, West Side Story, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest).

This entire process has sparked a passion for GREAT movies. Last year I tried to watch all of the nominees for Best Picture. I saw almost all of them. When I watched the Oscars I felt like i knew more about what was going on. I felt passionate about the nominees. The actors, the directors, the scripts, all of it. So this year... I decided to do the same!

There are A LOT of movies nominated for best picture this year. Nine in total. I think thats the most ever.

So without further adieu, I present to you my reviews on the nominees! (Part 1)

Gravity
Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
Brief Plot Description: Sandra Bullock gets lost in space.
My thoughts: I was quite apprehensive to watch this movie. Not because I didn't think it would be any good but because the thought of being lost in space gives me anxiety. We've all seen the previews... of Sandra flying away, rolling and rolling, with nothing to stop her. No. Thank. You.
This movie was pretty good though. The images of earth were stunning. The effects didn't make me dizzy like I had expected (I usually get dizzy/nauseous during 3D or major action movies, too much movement and action to focus on anything). And the story, although very basic (...she gets lost in space) had great characters that you really connected with and were rooting for the entire time. I enjoyed the film but I don't necessarily think its belongs on the Best Picture Nominee list. A movie on this list should be epic and amazing in SOME way. And although I enjoyed it, I wasn't amazed at all.

12 Years a Slave 
Cast: Chiwitel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Brief Plot Description: A free black man is abducted and sold into slavery.
My thoughts: Movies like this are always so emotionally hard to watch. One of my favorite movies is The Color Purple. In movies like that one you really get to know the characters and connect with the suffering that they are put in. I felt like that part was missing from this movie. The "abduction" happened very quickly at the beginning of the movie and you didn't really get to know the main character much before. Don't get me wrong... the dude was sold into slavery... I felt for him, but if we would have known more of his wife/job/kids/friends/ and life in general before he was sold I think we would have felt more for him even more. That being said, what happened to him after he was sold and the characters he met along the way made for quite a story, even if Brad Pitt was only in it for like 35 seconds...
This movie was good. It wasn't amazing. It wasn't horrible. Its was a bit better than mediocre.

Captain Phillips
Cast: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi
Brief Plot Descrition: A cargo ship (captained by Tom Hanks) is hijacked in Somalian waters.
My Thoughts: This was one of the first Oscar movies I watched this year and compared to the other movies I had seen so far (Gravity & 12 Years a Slave) it was definitely in the running to be my favorite. This movie had me in suspense pretty much the entire time. The fact that the cargo crew spoke only English and the pirates spoke only in Somalian added to the frightfulness of the situation. I really think this was one of Tom Hanks' best roles but when its compared to the other actors nominated, I don't think he stands a chance.
This was a great movie. I would definitely recommend for anyone to watch it. I don't think it will win for best picture but it wont disappoint for the entertainment factor.

Reviews coming up in the next post:
American Hustle
Her
Dallas Buyers Club

Bloggers in Sin City Recap - The Final Episode

Life Lessons Learned in Las Vegas: 

The Las Vegas airport has two completely separate terminals. Which means folks you know arriving at the same time may not be at the same baggage claim as you. This was news to me even though I had been to Vegas four times perviously. 

Don’t drink the ever-clear. It will only lead to bad things. Especially when you choose to drink it in copious amounts.  

Chicken and waffles are a thing… a very BIG and delicious thing.

Tiff is the most amazing person at dividing bills for large parties. All servers should bow down to her. It wouldn't surprise me if they end up tipping her one day. 

Don't take the free sample of the “energy gum”. It tastes like pennies and won’t give you extra energy. Lies I tell you.  

Sharks... because Vegas! 

Watch out for hidden glass floors because SHARKS and Vegas!

When you hug someone for 8 seconds, you bond. It’s been proven. And when you hug someone for 45 seconds or longer you instantly become life long friends.

Food courts are the best place for bonding at 3:00 am. The best. 

Everyone has a story and you would be surprised at how similar others are to yours. We are never alone.

The "O" Cirque du Soleil show is the best of the cirque shows. 

 If you’re not tired at 2:00am… GET UP! It’s Vegas! Sleeping is for being at home.

Silicon and Silicone are two very different things. And silicone breast implants have nothing to do with "Silicon Valley".  The more you know. 

Solar panel breast implants need to become a thing. You know… so we can charge our phones in our cleavage.

 Nico apparently knows Vegas very well… you know… because he is Phillipino…?

 It IS actually possible to krump in a pool. And when you are Casey, it still looks as bad-ass as when you do it on dry land. 

 According to the conversations we had about this topic (multiple times), Canadians apparently say “mmm hmm” differently that Americans. Canadians say mm-hmmmmmmm…. And drag out the hmmm in a calming agreement. Yet Americans add a question mark at the end. “mmm hmmmm? As in ‘Do I agree with you?’”. 

 Biscuits and Sausage gravy at breakfast. This invention is delicious. Who knew? Yet this must remain in the U.S. or I would just eat them at all the breakfasts!

The party is wherever you want it to be. Even in an H&M fitting room.

All the feelings come out when folks wear wigs to brunch.

Don’t even bother packing heels. You are wasting precious suitcase space.

True friends can be found anywhere in the world You just have to open your heart and mind and not be afraid to take a chance.

Biscuits equals family. 

THIS!! ....... All of This!

You guys!!!

There's something I totally forgot to tell you!
(unless you follow me on Twitter. Because on Twitter it's been my main topic of conversation for the last couple of months... I'm kind of excited...)

I'm going to Vegas!!
In about a month.

To be more specific... I'm going to Bloggers in Sin City!!!!!

You may remember that I went to this same "Un-Conference" back in 2011. (Read that recap here)
Unfortunately due to finances I couldn't go last year BUT all the stars and blogging gods aligned for me and I was able to register for this year!! Thank goodness too because sadly this will be the final year.

Needless to say, the next 36 days better go by quickly. Tackle hugs for old and new friends await!

The 12 Days of Christmas Recap

(a little late... but I've been busy this Holiday Season)

 On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my girlfriend gave to me...

A Twelve Pack of Beer

Eleven Pickled Pickles (heehee) 

Ten Timbits

Nine Lady Fingers

Eight Laughing Cheeses

Seven Shortbread Cookies

Six Scratch Tickets

Five Gooooolden Baaaalls!

 Four Funny Movies

Three French Toasts

Two Turtle Doves

And a Peanut Butter Cupcake from Crave!

That time when I cracked under pressure…

This past weekend was my company Christmas party. One of the “fun” things we did at the party was some music trivia. Little known fact about me (well… only little known to anyone who doesn’t actually know me in person… I LOVE all things trivia. I watch Jeopardy every day. Its just how I roll).


For the game, each table was given a piece of paper with lines to fill in the song title and artist for 10 different songs. The DJ would play a small blip of a song and we had to guess it.


Well, our team was AWESOME and we rocked at it. The bosses thought that songs like 100% Pure Love by Crystal Waters would be “obscure” and “difficult to guess”… come on now…


Anyhoo… it came down to a tie between us and one other table. Each team had to pick a representative from the table to go head to head in a tie breaker round. One song. First one to guess the song name or artist wins.


My team picked me. It was a smart choice.


So I got up there in front of my entire company and their spouses and shook hands with my competitor. It was on like Donkey Kong.


I was in the zone.


They started playing a song.


Nothing.


Both of us up there looked at each other and started laughing. We had NO CLUE. Apparently it was some Brooks and Dunn song but they didn’t even get to the actual singing in the clip and it wasn’t any Brooks and Dunn song I had ever heard before.


So the big boss man picked a new song with the DJ. They said “you guys will definitely know this one!”


I got right back in the zone. Hands on my hips. Eyes on the ground so I wouldn’t be distracted by anything.


Song started playing.


BOOM! My hand goes up. I knew it right away.


So I blurted out the first thing that came to me when the microphone came near me

“BIG WILLY STYLE!!!”


The Boss man says “yes… oh wait… no…. sorry, that’s not right!”


As he handed the microphone to my competitor I clued in to what I actually said and pulled one of these…

(at exactly 20 seconds... thats how I felt...) 

The song was “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” by Will Smith.

I knew that too. All the words floating around in my head were “Will Smith!! Jiggy!! Will Smith!!!” but instead I shouted out the album name.

Damn it. Five days later I’m still mad at myself for bombing.


After the other team got it right, I went back to my table. My adorable older coworker who knows how much I LOVE Jeopardy turned to me and said “you better not freeze up like that if you’re ever on Jeopardy now…”



*** As a side note, a very important side note, I would like to point out that one of the songs was “Hip Hop Hooray” by Naughty by Nature. I saw the other teams sheet after the game was over and they wrote “Hip Hop Away”. That is not the right song so TECHNICALLY we won. We don’t get the prize but I know we won and that’s all that matters… ***

It's the little things...

Like spending the afternoon with your Grandma putting up the Christmas Tree. 

Seriously, how cute is she? 

Cue all the excitement!!!

Tis the season!

Now that American Thanksgiving is over and its only a few days away from December, I can put up my Christmas decorating with out feeling like I'm jumping the gun. 

I looked up some photos for a little inspiration... 

This is a little excessive... yet I still love it. 

I totally already made one of these a few weeks ago... 

Yum! Definitely making these! 

A cozy candle cozy.

Farahs Wedding

Last year at this time I went to my dear friend Farah's wedding (you probably know of her, she blogs at facesbyfarah.com. If you don't know of her yet definitely check her out).

Anyhoodle, last year I traveled the long 5 hour flight from Calgary to Toronto to take part in her magical wonderful day. But it was more than a one day event, there were 3 extravagant events and 5 days of visiting with WONDERFUL people.

Event 1 - Henna Ceremony 
Which included a delicious Indian feast. OMG I die... I definitely gained a good 5 lbs that trip.

That's my hand!

Event 2 - The Traditional Indian Ceremony. 
 In the afternoon I had some time to kill and it was a beautiful fall day so I went for a stroll around the neighborhood I was staying in. I am SO glad I did too. I was blown away by the colors and all the leaves! 

Fire trees as I like to call them.

More fire trees.

The Orange! All the Orange!

I feel like I could write and entire story based on this photo.

That evening was the ceremony. I couldn't get over all the rich colors. 

Its been a year now and I still love looking at these photos.

The "stage" for the bride and groom.

2 photos of the same, I couldn't pick just one to post.

Entrance of the BEAUTIFUL bride.

Now THAT is an entrance!

Event 3 - The Traditional "Western" Ceremony. 
I felt like I was at a wedding for royalty. No picture could truly show how amazing it was. And a BIG part of it was all DIY'd by Farah. Seriously, how amazing is that right? 

STUNNING!!!!

Flip-flops provided for sore feet from wearing high heels all day. 

A handmade bouquet. WOW!

Her shoes! She HAND glued all the stones on. Can you believe it?

It was one of the best trips ever. So much love. Her family and friends welcomed me like their own. I was so blessed to be apart of her special day.