RIP Robin Williams

This is the order of emotions I felt last night after hearing the news of Robin Williams...

- Disbelief...because this must be another internet rumour.
- Shock
- Sadness
- Denial
- Tears...and that's still happening any time I read something about him.

I thought about why the tears and realized it's the fact that his movies are in the top favourites of my childhood & early adolescence. He was brilliant.

Aladdin - my first Disney movie

Mrs. Doubtfire - One of the first movies I fell in love with in that "watch it any time it's on" way

Hook - I have always loved Peter Pan

Jumanji - My dad took me to see this in theatres & I loved it once

Dead Poet's Society - One of the only "educational" movies I didn't hate watching in school

Patch Adams - The first movie I thought of when I heard the news...

Good Will Hunting - I am convinced he made this movie what it was for Matt Damon & Ben Affleck

And so my love affair crush with Matt Damon began...

I realize there are more. Many more. Older, newer, better, worse. He was incredible and there will never be another like him. I feel lucky to have been able to watch his movies through the years, and will continue to watch them for many years to come...

TIFF-ed

Two years ago, I was disappointed about not being able to get tickets to TIFF. Last year I didn't even try because I was still so bitter about the process. This year would have panned out much the same way if it weren't for one of dC's co-workers getting a ticket package & selling us one of her pairs.*

We literally went through every.single.movie - upwards of 300 - to make a list of 30, in the days leading up to the deadline.

We got our first choice - Prisoners!

I was beyond excited to even see it on the list since we'd seen a preview a couple of weeks before & knew it was a must see.

I'll tell you one thing - it did not disappoint. Everything - directing, acting, script - about this movie was phenomenal. It better be, at 2.5 hours!

I don't want to do a real review for fear of spoiling anything & this really deserves to be watched. Lucky for you it comes out next week on September 20th!

*The process for purchasing single tickets to movies after all of the package-holders have selected theirs is atrocious. It is nearly impossible to get tickets. dC was in a virtual ticket queue for nearly four hours & by then most of the ones we wanted were gone and we were too tired to care.

Apparently the trick was to open multiple browsers & constantly refresh. No thanks. If you're going to make it that difficult for me to give you money, I'm not going to give it to you.

That's why we got super lucky to get ours as part of someone's package & have first dibs. Next year I may consider doing a package of our own!

Summer Blockbuster Review #6 - Red 2 & Kick Ass 2

Checkout  Reviews #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 too!

Although not our original list, after seeing a few previews for these movies we decided we may as well see them since we both enjoyed the first ones. Isn't that how it always is, thought?

Red 2

It was really entertaining and although not that different from the first one (the character relationships have been established here obv), it had its fair share of hilarious moments and lines. I also enjoyed some of the unpredictable moments since this stuff can get pretty predictable. Plus, when is it not fun to see John Malkovich & Bruce Willis together?!
I recommend this as a fun watch, especially if you're a fan of the actors.

dK's rating

dC's rating

Kick Ass 2

I watched the first Kick Ass just a couple of weeks ago and thought it was absolutely great!! To be honest, I'm not sure I even knew that movie existed or at least didn't remember hearing anything about it. Apparently it's on of dC's favourites - took me 2+ year to find that out LOL
Anyway, the sequel - awesome! Or as awesome as a sequal can be. They did an amazing job of continuing the storyline where the last one had left off and staying true to its purpose. This movie, like the first one, definitely is not for everyone. The violence, blood & gore could be too much for some, so that's my disclaimer.
Definitely recommend this if you can stomach it!!!

dK's rating

dC's rating

Summer Blockbuster Review #5 - The Heat + White House Down

Checkout  Reviews #1, #2, #3 and #4 too!

The Heat

We watched The Heat a couple of weeks ago at the drive-in [awesome summer activity!] and it was a little bit of a let down for me. It was funny, don't get me wrong, but I had set my expectations so high since I love Sandra Bullock and female comedy, that it came in just a little bit short. I definitely recommend it as a feel-good laugh movie though and a sequel has been confirmed!

dK's rating

dC's rating

White House Down


The second feature of the drive-in! I'm probably the only girl in the world that is not only not head over heels for Channing Tatum, but truly unimpressed. Don't hate, be thankful y'all can have him to yourselves! LOL
Anyway, we just had to see this movie because we saw 'Olympus Has Fallen' with [my main man] Gerard Butler back in March. In comparison, 'Olympus Has Fallen' had a far more interesting plot than this movie had and it seemed like a copy-cat. But the Jamie Foxx/Channing Tatum plus the action provided sufficient entertainment for me so it wouldn't be a waste of you go see it.

dK's rating

dC's rating

Summer Blockbuster Review #4 - This Is The End

Checkout  Reviews #1, #2 & #3 too!

This Is The End

The trailer for this was hilarious so I was totally on board with seeing it. Then I heard great reviews & was even more pumped. Then I heard why it had good reviews... 

"If you liked Pineapple Express & Superbad, you're gonna love this!"

Umm, didn't like Pineapple Express even though it was playing in the background & definitely did not bother watching Superbad. 

"Oh ok...Knocked Up?" Hated it.

"Then don't go see this movie." Great.

Well dC really wanted to see it & I had commited to it so I went with extremely low expectations. Granted, the weird Rogen/Franco/McBride isn't my cup of tea but overall it was a lot fun & a lot of laughts. Jonah Hill & Michael Cera made up some of my favourite parts & nothing beats the ending. Go watch it just for that! So I guess I'm giving it more than one star...

dK's rating

dC's rating

Summer Blockbuster Review #3 - World War Z

Checkout  Review #1 & #2 too!

World War Z

I went into this movie with little expectation. I knew it was a book, Brad Pitt made up the bulk of the cast & it was a zombie movie. Well this movie definitely exceeded this - it was very well made and despite what many people think, Brad Pitt's presence does not overshadow the story.
What I enjoyed most was that...
A) it was not a typical zombie movie as it had very little gore, and
B) considering the propensity for movies like this to be predictable, I still found it to be suspenseful.
I definitely think this movie is worth the watch!

dK's rating
 
dC's rating

Summer Blockbuster Review #2

Checkout Review #1, too!

Hangover III


I know that most comments about this movie were that it would be the same as the previous two and guess what - it was. But that's exactly what I expected! I watch these movies for the one-liners and it did not disappoint in that department! I did feel it could have had a little bit more of a plot but the entertainment value was still there. dC on the other hand - totally disappointed. I would say go watch it if your expectations are not very high & you just need something entertaining.

dK's review

dC's review

Fast & Furious 6


So this was my first Fast & Furious movie and I LOVED it!!! Coming from someone who previously shunned this franchise, that's a big statement. Considering I love action movies, especially ones with fast cars & explosions, it's quite surprising I was not sucked earlier. But I think it was the Vin Diesel/Paul Walker combo that I couldn't take - such a joke. They're still a joke but at least no one even pretends to take them seriously anymore. It's all about the action now. Totally cool movie though, go see it. Plus, you already know you have a #7 to look forward to!

dK's review

dC's review

Summer Blockbuster Review #1

I recently posted about making this summer one full of blockbuster movies and I promised I'd post my reviews as I went through them. I'll give you the girl & guy star review so you can make your call!

Iron Man 3

How could we not see one of the most eagerly-awaited movies of the summer?! I've only seen bits and pieces of Iron Man 2 but I heard that wasn't going to be a big deal and I don't really think it was. Honestly though, it left me wanting more. At the end of the movie I sat thinking, "Really, that's it?! Ok then..." If this is going to be the last one (despite The Avengers) I just don't think it had enough excitement and it did not end with a big enough bang. But you won't regret seeing it, per se; I just had very high expectations. My favourite part was Ben Kingsley's performance - that in itself was worth it!

dK's review

dC's review

  Star Trek: Into the Darkness

Another movie in a series where I had only seen bits and pieces of the previous. Again, not detrimental. I will be the first to tell you that I never thought modern Star Trek was for me but this movie blew me away. The storyline, the effects and the acting; I enjoyed all of it. We ended up seeing it in 3D because it was the most convenient time & I think it added to the 'futuristic feel' of it. So even if you just maybe think you might possibly want to see this, I recommend checking it out!

dK's review

dC's review

Blockbuster Summer

Since we aren't going on any vacations this summer (#sadz), we decided we needed to do something to make the summer more memorable.

The obvious conclusion was to watch movies. Lots of movies. And not at home, but paid-in-theatres-movies.

Even though the summer movie season has already begun & we've actually seen a couple, we just finally consolidated our lists! Though I wouldn't be surprised if it changes a bit...

What you need to know is that I'm a sucker for action movies, watching the movies of my fave actors & sticking through a series.

Here it is!

Iron Man - May 3

SEEN!

Star Trek: Into The Darkness - May 16

SEEN!

Hangover III - May 23

SEEN!

Fast & Furious 6 - May 24

SEEN!

The Internship - June 7

Missed it

This Is The End - June 12

SEEN!

World War Z - June 21

SEEN!

The Heat - June 28

SEEN!

White House Down - June 28

SEEN!

The Lone Ranger - July 3

Grown Ups 2 - July 12

Don't worry, we'll do other summer things too. We're not that lame.

I'll post movie reviews too in case any of these are on your list!

Do you have a summer movie list?

Book Club Friday - 3.22

It's time for Book Club with Heather!

This week I'm reviewing:

{via}

Pat Peoples has a theory that his life is actually a movie produced by God, and that his God-given mission in life is to become emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending – which, for Pat, means the return of his estranged wife Nikki, from whom he's currently having some 'apart time.' It might not come as any surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility. When Pat leaves hospital and goes to live with his parents, however, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends now have families; his beloved football team keep losing; his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy. And he's being haunted by Kenny G. There is a silver lining, however, in the form of tragically widowed, physically fit and clinically depressed Tiffany, who offers to act as a go-between for Pat and his wife, if Pat will just agree to perform in this year’s Dance Away Depression competition...

{via}

Thoughts

Amazing. That's probably one of the most overused words to describe this book but it must be said. The storyline was so unique, not to mention believable, and sucks you right in. Despite the seriousness of the subject, the book is surprisingly light because the author does such a great job telling it from Pat's [slightly delusional] point of view. Just read this book. Go right now.

Movie-wise, I held out until I had finished reading the book and [as usual] I'm glad that I did. I don't want to say  it was disappointing but I was nowhere near as excited after watching the movie as I was before. I get it  - they're never the same. But this way too different and just took away from some of the story. Like the song choice  - c'mon, that was the epitomy of what they were going through! So yeah; watch it for the excellent acting but not for the story.

Props to J-Law

Every Jennifer needs a nickname, right? Especially ones that are ON FIRE! Jennifer Lawrence is clearly so on fire.

Very rarely am I smitten with a female celebrity but I'm really excited about her. She's clearly talented - 3 awards in 3 months don't lie! - and she's got such a sweet & funny personality if you've seen her interviews and her SNL hosting.

Pretty much...we should be BFFs.

In case you missed the Oscars, here are the J-Law highlights. The dress was drop dead gorgeous.

Young Hollywood is full of over-confident douchebags *ahem Kristen Stewart*, that it's just refreshing to see someone, a girl no less, who hasn't been sucked in by it & is clearly focusing on the acting.

I'm also super excited to see her in 'Silver Linings Playbook' when I'm done reading the book. Not just because her performance is so critically acclaimed, but because I'm loving this book! If I had more time than just my commute to read, I'd be done by now.

So if you're not familiar with, or rooting for, J-Law yet, it's time you do so!

Weekend Unchained

Yes, I'm a little late on the weekend update seeing as it's Thursday but it's been quite the busy week around here!

Friday
Our plans to go to the movies were foiled because apparently they think it's appropriate to schedule movies at 7pm on a Friday night and then not again until 10:45pm. Fine. So we went to our favourite Asian Fusion AYCE (all you can eat) restaurant and did what we do best - pigged out. Meaning we were too busy digging in to take pictures of food, except for dessert.

Yummy green tea ice cream

Saturday
Someone was lame this past weekend and told their boss they would do actual work on the weekend so I took advantage and cleaned in the meantime. The weather was gorgeous so when we finally went out, we went walking downtown, had a delicious middle eastern dinner at Paramount (favourite!) and I may have bought two CDs. That's right, CDs. Classic loves of mine though.

 And then we finally finally watched Django Unchained!! Wow, amazing. But only if you like Tarantino movies. I went into this one the same way I went into Inglorious Basterds - optimistic but no real expectations. And then I was blown away! Go see it.

Sunday

Someone decided to do more work so I decided it was a good excuse to sit just around and relax. Then do groceries and make a delicious chicken and potatoes dinner. Finished off the night with the Golden Globes which you can get read the tweet-cap of here!

As per my 2013 goal, I had at least one awesome thing to journal about everyday - sushi, Django, Golden Globes - so I call that a successful weekend!

This weekend should be even more exciting because, barring any crazy weather, I'm having an awesome visitor!

Who's seen Django Unchained & what did you think?

Music Monday - 12.17

Amongst all the Christmas baking & wrapping this weekend, we popped out for a movie on Saturday to see the latest James Bond installment - Skyfall.

I haven't been a fan of the Daniel Craig 007 movies, even though I'm a fan of him, but this one was definitely worth the watch! 

Of course Adele penned a killer Bond theme for the movie...

Happy last Monday before Christmas!

Weekend Pleasures

Amongst other things, I was sick last week and still getting over it. I'm not sure what's worse, actually being sick or the getting over it part because for me that usually includes a coldsore or two. What I would qualify as the worst thing of life. I have been far more tempted to call in sick to work due to coldsores than when I'm actually feeling sick. Being in public during those days is my least favourite.

That being said, I didn't want to ruin my weekend entirely so I sucked it up. Here are some things I enjoyed this weekend:

- Lots of drinks and catching up with good friends at the bar on Friday night!

- Staying in all day Saturday (thank you dC! <3) to just cure my hangover get some R&R with a movie [we watched Wanderlust]

- Dinner-and-a-movie date on Saturday night

{via}

- Wearing tons of layers - tights, thigh high socks, long T, sweater & jacket - i LOVE layers!

- Bruno Mars on SNL [I can't find any good YouTube clips right now]

- Sleeping in on Sunday then playing cellphone games in bed :)

- Going for a walk to enjoy the GORGEOUS weather & having brunch at a small bagel place

- Discovering the.sweetest.ever Stationary shop. O.M.G. i love Stationary

- Getting fro-yo & mini cookies with hand-picked toppings :)

- Finally breaking out our new cast iron pan to make pork chops & steak with grilled vegetables for dinner - the best pan to have in an apartment/condo!

- Re-watching Casper after over 10 years - doesn't get old

- Halloween Haunt - rides + haunted houses = awesome time!

- Sleepytime tea before bed...even though we didn't need it :)

Happy Monday, hope your week is off to a good start!

Thanksgiving long weekend

Last weekend was a long one in Canada thanks to Canadian Thanksgiving [no pun intended] heehee

I'd like to say it was relaxing but mostly it was busy, busy though definitely fulfilling :)

I spent Friday night making the pie shells for my pumpkin & apple pies - 2 of each for 2 Thanksgiving dinners. Then I made myself a poutine as a reward. Fries, cheese, bacon & gravy - I can't possibly think of anything more delicious than that.

Saturday morning I spent making my pie fillings for easy pie-baking on Sunday and Monday. Talk about efficient over here!

Lunch on Saturday was served by Five Guys - I think we all know how amazing that is...

That was followed up with shopping where picked up these puppies for a total of $70! If you live in Canada, and especially Toronto, you know that's a steal!

That night we saw Looper - so amazing, I definitely recommend you all see it! Seriously, it's probably the best movie I have seen all year and here is a preview to convince you.

Sunday was the first Thanksgiving dinner resulting in this pie aftermath:

{via @arseniaa]

Monday I baked my last two pies which looked like this pre-baking:

And then the apple pie dish cracked so you won't be getting the sorry-ass post-baking picture because it does it no justice lol Still delicious though and enjoyed by everyone at the second Thanksgiving!

But I definitely needed another day to recuperate from all the baking, running around and eating...Oh well, maybe next weekend!

Whether Canadian or American, what is your favourite part of Thanksgiving?