Category Archives: See It Read It

See it. Read it: June

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It’s been awhile since I have done my monthly “See it, Read it” recaps which is largely because for a few months there all I was reading was Harry Potter and watching streaming TV shows on Netflix. Now that I’ve moved, settled in and have more of a schedule and routine, it’s back!

See It.

(Disclaimer: We watch quite a bit movies now; the nights and weekends we have the girls are spent getting them situated in bed, getting in our workouts, doing housework and watching movies. In time, like when we can find a good babysitter, that will change, but it’s working out fine for now.)

It’s Kind of a Funny Story. At first I wasn’t sure about this movie at all, but as it got into the meat of the movie it was SO good. Poignant. Appropriately funny. Positive. Definitely interesting. Zack Galifianakis does a great job (doesn’t he always?) in this more serious role, the movie soundtrack is something I definitely need to track down, and despite the serious subject matter (mental illness) the movie left me feeling optimistic. It’s an independent film which explains a lot (I love indie films) and it was just so… good. Highly recommend this movie.

The Dilemma. I had high hopes for this movie cause Kevin James & Vince Vaughn? Both funny dudes. The movie, however, not funny at all. Ok, maybe a few funny moments but overall it took way too long to get to the point. The only bonus was Tatum Channing being in this movie and he always is easy on the eyes. Otherwise, it was a waste of one hour and 45 minutes of our lives.

The Town. Wow. This movie? Awesome. Just awesome. I confess, I had my doubts about it mostly because I’m terrified of masks and people in masks. Really terrific acting across the board, a great plot and I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie. Definitely highly recommend. It got two thumbs up from Knight too, so obviously a man movie.

The Company Men. This movie is an honest, raw look at the economic downturn. It follows three men, who all work for the same company, and how their lives change as the course of the company changes (read: layoffs, downsizing, and etc.). While not an overly happy movie, the acting by Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Affleck and Chris Cooper is incredibly powerful, flawless, and the movie itself is incredibly interesting. I won’t spoil the movie itself, but it’s worth the watch, especially if you’re looking for something different.

Iron Man 2. I had previously seen this, but Knight wanted to watch it. I loved it just as much the second time. Great effects, Robert Downey Jr. is fun as usual, and the appropriate amount of love, action and intrigue. For men who like action films and girls who have to watch them, you can’t do better than this.

Read It.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright. I couldn’t put this book down. Such an amazingly beautiful tale of family, love, mystery, intrigue, hope, forgiveness, moving on, and friends. Just read it if you haven’t. I saw on GoodReads that there is a book called The Wedding Letters coming out September 2011 and I’m kind of excited about it.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. I read this part of the book club that PinkFlipFlops hosts and while it was a fun chick lit read, it left me with conflicting emotions. Anything that deals with infidelity/cheating is hard for me to read sometimes. I struggle with wanting the main characters to have the lives and loves they want but at the same time, I wish there was another way to go about it. I am kind of interested in reading Something Blue, however, so maybe I’ll give it a try. It’s a sick curiousity as to what happens next I suppose. I am glad I read the book so that I can see the movie (you know me, always book before movie).

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins. As many of you know this is the second book in The Hunger Games series. I’ve had this book on my shelf for over a year and finally decided to succumb to the addiction that is this series. As per usual I read it in less than two nights, it gave me crazy nightmares, but I still couldn’t put it down. Such a creative route to take this series. I won’t say more for those who haven’t read the book but I’m anxiously awaiting the third book which I’m hopefully picking up this weekend.

I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections, by Nora Ephron.Everyone knows Nora Ephron. Writer of When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve got Mail and countless other fabulous movies. She happens to be a lovely, hilarious writer. This book is a collection of mini-memoirs that she put together, all poignant in someway, funny and a few of them tear-inducing. I’m glad I read this and look forward to checking out some of her other books.

Babyville by Jane Green. Well, I didn’t really read it this month, but got about halfway through realizing I’d already read it. I love Jane Green books so was a tad disappointed that I’d already read it.

Currently reading Harry Potter #5 and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Hopefully they will be  on the July read it list.

What did you see or read this past month that I should check out?

See It. Read It. (Feb Edition)

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Thanks to you, my lovely readers, I’m going to reprise this every month as well because the comments were so helpful in recommending new things and you all seemed to love it. So, my February recommendations for See It. Read It:

See It.

Toy Story 3.
Holy tears, Woody! I mean, really. Beautiful movie. Just as good as, if not better than the first. I watched this as part of my quest to watch as many movies up for Best Picture as possible (only five of the ten nominated, but better than nothing) and I’m so glad that I did. I only wish I could have seen it in 3D when it came out! Maybe one day on those fancy new 3D tvs… yeah, right.

Men Who Stare at Goats.
Knight and I watched this last weekend (thanks as always to Netflix for the fabulous streaming options) and while I confess I fell asleep during it early, the parts I saw were hilarious. I love George Clooney’s dry humor and Jeff Bridges can make almost any movie fabulous if you ask me. So if you’re looking for a rather oddball comedy based on a true story, give this movie a try. At an hour and 34 minutes, it’s not a huge investment in your time and worth the belly laughs I got out of it.

Notting Hill.
Lisa has been telling me for ages I needed to see this movie and so I finally did. And I’m so glad I did. I’m generally speaking a huge sucker for anything Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts is a classic so this movie? A big win. Being the predictable girl that I am, I cried at the beginning, middle and end. I also loved the side stories and the soundtrack. So if you need a “romcom,” check it out. If you’re a boy, you’re probably going to want to avoid this one.

Dexter.
So Knight and I thought we’d try this after hearing so many amazing things about this show (fully realizing that we’ll forever be behind on it as well). The first episode? Intriguing yes, but didn’t totally grab me. I also had fierce nightmares about all sorts of grotesque things. I talked to Katelin about it since I know she’s a huge fan and she tells me to give it a few more episodes. I think I will. (As if I need another show to get hooked on!)

Anything you’ve seen in the last month that I should check out next month or add to my Netflix queue?

Read it.

Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani. This was the sequel to “Very, Valentine,” and I loved it just as much as the first. I didn’t want it to end. The characters get better and better, the plot is phenomenal and it’s not a predictable read at all. The author is amazing at describing surroundings and landscape in the book without being overly…wordy. I fell in love with Italy even more than I already am and love the way she portrays Italian-Americans. So in other words? Read these books.

Ok, so massive fail on reading in February. After finishing the Valentine series (for now, I’m hopeful there will be a third book!), I’ve not found anything else that remotely captures my interest including totally ridiculous chick lit, the fourth Harry Potter book (that I need to somehow finish by Monday), and a handful of other books that I’ve started and cast aside. I’m hoping the reading bug or something fabulous lands in my lap soon. SO with that said, a book I *must* read in March? Like you couldn’t put it down it was that good?