Monday, February 24, 2014

Now You See Me

I decided to knock out a movie review today, since my list of movies to review is piling up. Because Now You See Me was such a fun movie, and because it's still fresh in my mind, I'm going to do that one.

~Now You See Me~

"First rule of magic: always be the smartest person in the room."

Right off the beginning, you basically know that there is going to be a 'big picture' thing that you are going to miss. They tell you that straight up. Being me, I sat through the entire movie trying to see the big picture, trying to figure out why they'd pull a con like that, and what the end game really was. The ending still had me totally mind-blown. In fact, if I was asked what I thought of this movie,my answer would probably just be, "Mind Blown!"

"Whatever is about to follow, whatever this grand trick is, is really going to amaze. Look closely, because the closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see."

Four magicians-The Four Horsemen- put on a show, an incredible, impossible show, in Las Vegas. The trick? They rob a bank in Paris as their finale.  Now that's the sort of magic that people won't forget!

  Oh yes, it's also a crime. 


Dylan Rhodes
Agent Rhodes is assigned to the case and begins to track The Horsemen. The only problem is, they seem to always be a good couple steps ahead of him. And when they're not ahead, they are behind him. How can you keep up with a group of people whose jobs are misdirection?
I think Rhodes was my favorite character. There was just something about him that was extremely likable. You feel a little bad for him through most of the film. It would be so maddening to be outsmarted so much.

But then...Mind Blown!

Alma Dray
She is the rookie Interpol agent. Rhodes doesn't particularly want her on the case, but she is a clever girl and quite frankly, she's pretty good at her job. 
I usually don't care much for characters like this. I usually find them pushy, obnoxious, or rude. But Alma was adorable. Rhodes ends up liking her too, which made me very happy. 

This movie makes you feel a little torn. You want Rhodes and Dray to catch the Horsemen. They really can't get away with stealing stuff. But you also really like the Horsemen too, and you'd rather they didn't get caught. Even though four magicians could probably pull off the world's coolest prison break...

Which brings me to the Horsemen! 

J. Daniel Atlas.
This guy is sort of the leader of the group. At least he likes to think so. He's cocky, and rather too smart for his own good. He's the sort of fellow you'd want to slap half the time but deep down inside, you like him. You can't help it. 

Henley Reeves
She is an escape artist, but she does more than just escape. In fact, I'd have called her...The Assistant. But that sounds less impressive than the escape artist thing. After the initial bit at the beginning where she escapes a tank of water, she doesn't do any escaping. So I don't really know why that's her title. No matter, she works well with the others and I liked her well enough. But unlike the others, her talent doesn't really play into the plot. Which is a sort of a shame.

Merritt McKinney
He likes to hypnotize people. Trust me, that's a really useful ability. I liked him most of the time. He had a couple of lines that I didn't appreciate, but overall, he was pretty funny and they couldn't have pulled the job without him. 

Jack Wilder. 
Jack is my favorite of the Horsemen. Of all of them, he is the most understated. He does sleight of hand tricks. But you don't know his true talent until later in the movie. This man is very talented. If you want to know what his talent is  (and it's very cool) you're going to have to watch the movie. *Smirk*

I don't really know what else to say about this film. It was fun and interesting and the sort of thing you'd have to see to understand. The plot is rather brilliant and they worked it out so that the ending is exactly what you wanted. Even if you didn't know that until you saw it.

Like I said before, "Mind Blown!"

I'd recommend it to to pretty much everyone. Even if magic and heists aren't your thing, you might just surprise yourself and like this particular magic show and heist. 
Being someone that loves magic so, so much, it was right up my ally. 


I believe it was rated PG-13 and I think that was a fair rating. There is some swearing, but I can't remember how much. I sort of tune that out when I watch things and don't remember it until I tell someone, "Hey, we should watch that!" and then I sit there going, "Oooh, he said that word again...and again!" Then I feel awkward.  
There is a scene right near the beginning that we fast-forwarded. A guy and a girl are going upstairs--once you get there, just fast-forward. You'll know what I mean when you watch it. After that, there isn't any other scenes at all. Well, there's apparently a Mardi Gras scene that I didn't catch. So, if you don't catch it, hurray! If you see it, I do apologize. It's a really quick, sort of off-to-the-side kind of scene that makes you go, "Ew," and then it's gone. So...
Other than that, it's clean! :) Oh...um....there may or may not be one or two off-ish conversations. Just F.Y.I. Nothing terrible ,but it's nice to be warned. 


Mind Blown!

I will definitely watch it again. I've seen it twice already and enjoyed it more the second time. You know what's going on the second time and you feel smug about it. Especially when you're watching it for the second time with someone who's watching it for the first time. *Nods* Treskie was trying so hard to see the Big Picture! But...she didn't. I don't think anyone could see that coming. It was awesome! Miiiiiind Bloooown!

*Eyes movie review list and checks off Now You See Me* I feel like I accomplished so much now! 


Hope you enjoyed that and if you watch it, let me know what you thought of it. Even if you didn't like it. Still, If you aren't at least impressed by the ending, then...then you are crazy! Or maybe you're just as clever as The Horsemen.  But I doubt it. 


God Bless!
Amy




Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Song of the week/Happy things.

Today was a good sort of day. In fact, it was great! 

I had to take my midterm test for my recording class. Since the test was the day before Valentine's Day, and because there was no way in you-know-where that I could get off work early enough to take the test, the teacher very kindly scheduled a day for me to slip in and take it. He is awesome. 
So I went, with trembling hands and a stomach full of butterflies, to take the test and...and...Well golly look!

To be honest, the class isn't all that hard and the teacher is really good...so it's not all that impressive. But it made my day! 

I was able to get to the library, even if it was only for twenty minutes. I checked out some real thrillers.


Thanks to a particularly good episode of White Collar, (Identity Crisses--season 4, if you're wondering.) I have been really interested in ciphers and codes again. It's an on-again, off-again sort of hobby. I was pretty obsessed for a while when I was a kid. 
And again in ninth grade when I started researching the spies of the American Revolution. :) I think that's what really kindled the spark. You say, "Culper Spy Ring" and I go, "Yesssssss....Go on."

Which reminds me. This show had better be as awesome as I'm hoping it'll be. It's Jamie Bell AND the American Revolution! I'm in history heaven! Or I will be if it's done well.

Jamie Bell and the American Revolution! *Gaaaah!*

Filmmaking for dummies....that was a whim. 

I have the whole day off on Friday, so I'm planning on going to the library for a good chunk of the day. I need some fiction in my life. Anyone have some suggestions? I'm in the mood for anything, really. As long as it's gripping.

There are a few movies that I've been meaning to do reviews on and I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Now You See Me has been added to the list. It was really good! I think it might have been even better the second time I watched it. So, yeah. Stayed tuned for some movie reviews in the near-ish future.


Song of the Week.

This song has been growing  on my for a while and I've finally decided that I quite love it.  Yes, I Won't Give Up, by Jason Mraz. I'm always that person that loves stuff way after it is the new best thing. I'm not sure why that is.

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I really love the original version of this song. But the first time I payed any real attention to it was with this video. I think Peter Hollens is a very talented fellow and I love his voice. So I decided to share his version instead.


Well, I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

I don't know. I find the A Capella so amazingly talented. Plus, I just think he's fun to watch sing. He's so...earnest. Like he's singing straight to your soul. lol. 

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I've had this song stuck in my head all day! I think posting like this might have helped. At least now I know all the lyrics. 

God Bless~
Amy



Saturday, February 15, 2014

Five things

I can explain my absence in six words. Valentines day at a florist shop. *Nods meaningfully* 

So I shall proceed to get you all up to date in five random facts. 

1.) Life was pretty hectic this whole week and I am so glad it's over. You know me and weekends.


2.) Valentines Day turned out to hold some very fun surprises for me. My friend ordered a beautiful bouquet for me! She is the bestest friend.

Isn't it gorgeous? It smells amazing.

And I got chocolates to go with it. I got candy from quite a few people, actually. No complaints here! 

3.) I have a test on Tuesday for my recording class and I need to slip in a little more study time on it. :)
 I'm actually really enjoying the class and I can't wait to start using some of my new-found knowledge.  Turns out I like the whole audio thing more than I thought I would. Now, if only I had loads of money to spend on equipment, I'd be in great shape! *Grin*

4.) Why did the cat eat the cheese? ................................
So it could wait for the mouse with 'baited' breath.
*Bwahahahahaaa..aaah-hahaha...aaaah.* Yeah. Long week.

5.) Now I'm going to leave and watch Now You See Me with my sisters. I've heard good things about it and I'm excited. I love magic and illusions. :) I'll let you all know what I think of it. 

Time for some popcorn, I think...

TTFN- Ta Ta For Now! 

God Bless and happy late Valentine's Day to you all!
Amy



Monday, February 3, 2014

February Song

Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes, opens his eyes

Winter finally came back to my little corner of the world. We had one snow storm way-back-when and that was all the skies graced us with  for a long time. The weather was warm and rather spring-like through half of December and all of January. That is completely weird for this area. I was rather delighted when the weather decided to remind us that it is winter and not to forget what shovels are used for. 

Where is that simple day
Before colors broke into shades
And how did I ever fade
Into this life, into this life


I decided, even though it's pretty dang cold out side, to take a walk down to the lake and get some fresh air. It was totally worth it. 


And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
When all that I've known is lost and found
I promise you I, I'll come back to you one day


It was the sort of walk where everything is wild and beautiful. Where every snow-laden tree and wave on the water yells to the sky, "Who is the Great God like our God?" The sort of day that makes you wonder how anyone can take a look around them and still not believe in God.  


Morning is waking up
And sometimes it's more than just enough
When all that you need to love
Is in front of your eyes
It's in front of your eyes



And I never want to let you down
Forgive me if I slip away
Sometimes it's hard to find the ground
Cause I keep on falling as I try to get away
From this crazy world

I was planning on doing a different song today. But this song was perfect for my mood and for these pictures, (I think so, anyway. :) so I'll do that other song later. 


I'm not great at taking selfies. I was much happier than I look in this picture, I promise you.


Where has that old friend gone
Lost in a February song
Tell him it won't be long
Til he opens his eyes
Opens his eyes


This music video is so beautiful. You should totally press play!

Other thank taking a walk and doing some cleaning, today is a 'tea and a book' day. I'm re-reading the Attolia series and I love them just as much this time as I did the first time. I can't wait until the author comes out with the next book. 






Tea and pumpkin bread. I'd give you the recipe I used, but the loaf turn out a little...odd, so I think I'll just keep the recipe to myself. *Grin*


The tea almost looks more like a latte in this picture...but it's tea. British-style tea. I can give you the 'recipe' for that, if you'd like. 

You need a black tea. I recommend Tetley Tea. 
A teaspoon-ish of sugar or honey.
About 2-3 tablespoons of milk.

Put the milk and sugar/honey in the bottom of a cup with a tea bag. Boil water. Fill your cup with boiled water. Let the tea steep until it's as dark as you like. Remove tea bag. :)
 Now that is the type of tea you'll get in Britain. Seriously, if you order tea in the UK, that's what you'll most likely be served. And it is delicious. *Smile*

Until next time, my wonderful people!

God Bless,
Amy