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Well. It's no secret that I don't like being in the spotlight or the center of attention. But one would think I could at least play it off a little better! At the end of the Blue Like Jazz screening, Donald Miller himself asked if the entire theater would shout "New York City loves Blue Like Jazz!"

Lucky me. Brendan, Bethany and I were front row and center. Literally. If you look closely enough - or not even very close at all - you can see the deep shade of red that is my face. I'm fidgety and playing with my hair...and shouting-ish. But not really. Brendan gave me a hard time, but he's no ham for the camera either! Luckily though, this video only made it onto Donald Miller's twitter page...and only has 704 views since Thursday. At least we didn't have to wear name tags...

blue like jazz

Last Thursday night I went to a screening of the movie Blue Like Jazz (the movie comes out in theaters on April 13)! It's based on the book by Donald Miller that came out in 2003 while I was in college. I remember lots of friends reading the book (and raving about it), and even one professor in college who offered his testimony on the last day of class and referenced this book and Don Miller. But, I never got around to reading the book. However, I jumped at the chance to see the movie after hearing all the rave about it since college. I certainly plan to read the book now, but was glad - for the purpose of seeing the movie - to go in with a fresh mind and no expectations. I loved the movie, and thought it was incredibly done. It offered a real and challenging perspective of what happens to many people who grow up in and around the church (ahem, and in the South) and how they often become jaded and cynical. After the screening, there was a Q&A with Donald Miller and the director of the movie, Steve Taylor, which was fascinating to hear the story of how this movie came to be. I highly recommend! Warning: you might cry, though...

happy leap day!

I'm dying to watch this movie, Leap Year, again today in honor of this very strange holiday. Apparently in Ireland, a woman can propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day instead of having to wait for him to propose! The movie was cute and lovely (with beautiful scenery); although, the day makes no sense to me at all. However, if there is actually something like this worthwhile that comes out of the once-every-four-years holiday, maybe I should start looking into that...?!

oscar nominations































It might not be a big deal to anyone else, but I can't help but share. After checking out some of the Oscar Nominations that were announced today, I have proudly seen 5 of the 9 movies nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year! I don't think that has ever happened (in my life!) before. I usually watch the Oscars and have no clue what is going on. I have become such a movie-goer this year... and, now I feel so cultured.

I'm excited to watch the Oscars this year on February 26!

movie review(s)

I can't think of the last time (if ever!) this happened, but I saw two movies in two days this weekend, and both were spectacular! In case you're looking for a good movie to watch, I thought I would share these:





















I saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close with LeeAnne on Friday night. I bought the book over 3 years ago and have been meaning to read it ever since. I started it back then, but never got around to finishing it. I usually only like to see movies once I've finished reading the book but I made an executive decision to go see this anyway (because I had heard such great things about it, and couldn't wait to see it long enough to read the book). And I am so glad I did!! This movie was incredible: heartbreaking and sad, but also hopeful. I won't spoil the movie for you (and I never know how many details are too many details), but I would recommend seeing this if you get the chance. Warning: you may cry!

On New Year's Eve, I went with Brendan and his parents to see Hugo. I hadn't heard much about this movie previously, but it was fabulous! It was in 3D which made it fun, and it had a very sweet story and great characters. (Ironically, these two movies actually had very similar plot lines...but again, I won't spoil it.) It reminded me a lot of a modern-day Oliver Twist. If the chance comes, you should check this one out, too. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Happy viewing!

finally.

I finished The Help! It took me long enough, but I'm finally done and I'm going to see the movie. Since I don't watch much tv, I hadn't even see the trailer preview, and once I started the book I didn't let myself watch it until I was done (mostly because I wanted to keep the characters as they were in my mind's eye until I was done and didn't want to be influenced by the actresses who played them in the movie). I watched the trailer for the first time now and I'm even more excited to see the movie on Sunday!!!

opening night


Last week my money became one of the $476 millions of dollars in ticket sales for the final movie in the 8-film Harry Potter series. We waited in line with the thousands of other people to see the midnight opening of the show, and, boy, was it ever worth it (and, boy, were the fanatics out)! I had a long and tiring day on Thursday and actually contemplated skipping out on the 12:01 am showing- gasp, but would have regretted that decision terribly. Our group turned out as normal (minus Maggie, plus Julie) at the theater by my apartment and enjoyed the last time of watching a midnight showing together!  

can't believe it's almost here!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is coming out this Friday, er, technically Thursday at midnight (which, of course, happens to be when I'm going)! I can't believe it's finally here, but I cannot wait... I'm a little more nervous about the midnight showing this time since I'll have work the next day, but it will be completely worth it. And what boss wouldn't be thrilled about me participating in such a monumental, end-of-an-era event?!





















Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson are pictured above at the New York City premiere last night just a few blocks from my apartment! Wish I had been there.

autotune the oscars

I thought I couldn't love Autotune the News, aka The Gregory Brothers, any more than I already did...then I saw this piece they did for the Oscars last night! And 3 out of the 4 clips are from movies I love, to make it even better. I could watch for hours...enjoy!

social network


In light of the Oscars tonight, I watched ONE movie over the weekend that was nominated: The Social Network. It's the story of how Facebook was created and how founder, Mark Zuckerberg, got the idea for the social networking site while an undergrad at Harvard. He then went on to become the world's youngest billionaire. The movie also focused on the legal battles he faced along the way. It is a really captivating story (although, I'm sure since I'm ages behind on movies, everyone has already seen it anyway) and interesting to see how a dorm-room idea because an instantaneous phenomenon. If you haven't seen it, definitely check it out!

harry potter and the deathly hallows, part 1

As I mentioned here, I could.not.wait for the opening night of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I movie to come out! I'm a late bloomer when it comes to Harry Potter and only recently (just over a year ago) have jumped on the out-of-control-obsessed-fan bandwagon. So, this was my first movie to see at its release! Luckily, I was in good company with these other 5 New York friends, who are all seasoned HP veterans! We made pumpkin pasties, cauldron cakes, and butterbeer to keep ourselves awake until the midnight IMAX showing of the movie and (some of us...) dressed our favorite part. I started to have flashbacks to college of staying awake all night, but I made it until the ending of the movie at 2:35 am...and it was well worth it!

nov 19! nov 19!

And you know what that means! Tonight at exactly 12:01 AM, I will finnnally be watching the first part of the 7th Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (perhaps even dressed in my Hermione costume?). Call me a nerd if you want, but I know five other 20-something girls who are counting down the minutes as much as I am!

14 days...and counting

until THIS:


Me, Maggie, Kyo, Michelle, Kova and Deb have midnight (yes, 12:01 AM) tickets on opening night in the IMAX theater to see Harry Potter 7. I'm thinking about holding my breath until then to see if it will make the time pass by faster...because I cannnnnnnot wait!!!