This Is The End

I fucking love This Is The End.  Yes, fucking love, R rated movies deserve R rated language.  I have seen this movie three times in theaters and I still love it. In fact, I think I laughed the most the third time!  I've seen this film with nerdy internet friends as well as preppy smart friends and they both enjoyed it! I even watched This Is The End with my 60 year old father who LOVED it.  Basically, you should watch this movie no matter who you are.

Jay Baruchel is finally back in LA for a perfect weekend with his best friend from teenage-hood Seth Rogan.  They decide spend their night at party hosted James Franco in his newly completed house. Jay, uncomfortable with the people in attendance, goes to buy another pack of cigarettes when blue lights begin to suck people into the sky. The apocalypse has started.  Stuck in Franco's house, Jay, Seth, James, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson,  and Danny McBride must band together to survive.


This movie exceeds every expectation you could have about it.  Yes, it looks like another raunchy, apocalyptic, buddy comedy.  Yet, while it does have these elements, it actually has a slightly biblical message, be good to people.  While not an uncommon message, it's unusual in this type of comedy which usually thrives on putting someone down.  The story is about acceptance and I feel happy after watching it even though it contains huge penises and dirty humor.

I loved all the actors involved and I love that they played off of how the media portrays them.  Each person plays a stereotypical version of themselves.  Franco is the metro-sexual nerd in love with art and Danny McBride is the selfish frat-boy.  However, it is not necessary to know their image to enjoy this movie.  The characters are set from the beginning and react to the situation they're placed in.  When watching This Is The End, Seth Rogan isn't the guy who played Green Hornet, but rather the stoner in the corner.

This Is The End ranks near 21 Jump Street on my list of favorite comedies.  There are too many scenes in this movie that will make me laugh every time, the exorcism of Jonah Hill, the gun scene.  What do you think? Fabulous comedy or stupid stoner movie?

A to Z Bookish Survey

While strolling through Bloglovin today I found the A to Z Bookish Survey! As a preteen, I always loved filling out these surveys.  I think they help formulate a good understanding of the person answering the questions.  Anyway, without further ado the...

Author you've read the most books from:

RL Stine.  Going back to the old days.  Counting every single goosebumps and his other random stand alone novels, I think I've read at least 50 books by Mr. Stine

Best Sequel Ever:

I don't read that many series.  Probably Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I love it so much more than Hunger Games.

Currently Reading:

Rereading The Brother's Karamazov for school, rereading Paper Towns by John Green for fun, and starting East of Eden for school.

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Water

E-Reader or Physical Book:

Physical book.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Sutten from The Spectacular Now.  He is so identical to the boy I kinda dated it scares me.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

Hidden Gem Book:

The Cardturner by Lois Sachar or Nothing by Janne Teller

Important Moment in Your Reading Life:

Reading War and Peace.  Before this novel, I was a pessimist who couldn't care what happened to me.  War and Peace made me realize how special life is.

Just Finished: 

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Kinds of Books You Won't Read:

Paranormal Romance.  Been there, memorized the plot of them all. Also, adult Romance novels.

Longest Book You've Ever Read:

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Major Book Hangover Because Of:

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

Number of Bookcases You Own:

I have 3 but one is full of DVDs, non-fiction, and college pamphlets.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Preferred Place to Read:

My bed. It's a bad habit cause I'll stay up later then I should.

Quote That Inspires You/Gives You All The Feels From A Book You've Read:

"'If only, if only,' the woodpecker sighs

The bark on the tree was as soft as the skies.

While the wolf waits below, hungry and lonely,

Crying to the moo-oo-oon, 'If only, if only'" - Holes by Lois Sachar

Reading Regret:

Wasting my time reading books that did not broaden my world view.

Series You Started and Need To Finish (all books are out in the series):

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Evil Genius, Inkworld Trilogy, and Bloody Jack Adventures.

Three of Your All-Time Favorite Books:

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Youth in Revolt by CD Payne

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Harry Potter, always.

Very Excited for This Release, More Than All The Others:

The sequel to American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

Worst Bookish Habit:

Not reading due to school then binge reading every break.

X Marks the Spot: Start at the Top Left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

You're Latest Book Purchase:

The Brothers K by David James Duncan for class.

ZZZ-Snatcher Book (The Last Book that Kept You Up WAY Late):

World War Z by Max Brooks

The Spectacular Now

Today, I saw The Spectacular Now with some friends.  While this is not the type of movie I want to re-watch a million times, it definitely had an effect on me.  I could tell that this movie is from the writers of (500) Days Of Summer, but The Spectacular Now was its own story.  The only real similarity was the filming style and, of course, the writing.

The Spectacular Now follows Sutter (Miles Teller) through his senior year of high school.  He's the typical party/slacker.  Just attractive and kind enough to pass for cool. However, he is unable to think about his future or make long term plans.  Like the title suggests, he strives to live in the now.  After a night of drinking, Sutten is awoken on a lawn by Aimee (Shailene Woodley), the shy girl with the big heart.  Quickly, Aimee falls for Sutten and sticks with him no matter what.  Suddenly, this wild child boy is in too deep with a girl who has her entire life planned out.  I know, it sounds cheesy and awful, but it is actually deeply moving tackling issues much bigger than just a first love.

The best part of this film was the natural tone.  Unlike most movies, the actors actually looked like people one would see in a high school.  There was no perfect hair, make-up, or bodies.  Along with looking like high schoolers, they spoke and acted like ones too.  The awkwardness of saying the wrong thing or sex or drinking are treated truly.  It felt so real, I was literally having flashbacks to moments that have happened in my own life.

There was also no basic plot with a beginning, middle, or end. There were unresolved issues throughout the movie and what seemed to be foreshadowing led to no conflict, just like a life.  I've begun to dislike stories because searching for plot points in your own life only leads to disappointment. Thus this movie was an accurate portrayal of real life as it didn't have a major story line. Yet, the characters were perfect.  Miles Teller nails his performance by making the audience feel empathy for Sutten.  It's amazing that Miles inhabited a character so well that I could see Sutten's desire to change yet understand why he remained stuck in the now.

While I won't be curling up for a re-watch anytime soon, I would definitely recommend this movie to any teenagers.  It is a true representation of life at this stage and it can help you to understand what drives the people around you.  I know I understand certain people at my school better now by seeing Sutten's character.  Also, the movie's message of planning for your future is also important due to the influx of movies supporting the opposite.  Everything from The Perks of Being a Wallflower to Harry Potter is about living in the moment, without thought toward your future.  Both of these ideologies are important, but just one does not provide happiness.  Here's a preview if you think you're interested!

(Update 11/30/13: I just finished reading the novel this movie was based on and I'm surprised to say that I liked the movie more.  The movie portrayed the atmosphere better and I think the changes they made with Cassidy's relationship with Sutter were appropriate.  All in all, I will watch the movie again but I won't reread the book.)

ACT Bag

I'm taking the ACT tomorrow and I'm super nervous but also super excited to see how I do!  I've prepared pretty well and am feeling confident that I will receive a decent score, nevertheless getting to sleep may be slightly difficult tonight.  Ah stress.  Anyway, I thought it would be interesting to show you all what I'm planning to bring with me tomorrow.

15 hours till it starts!!! Well, wish me luck. I hope you have a nice morning while I slowly sink into test death.

Musical Fridays!

School is driving me insane and it's barely even started.  I come home from school and all I want to do is take a nap even though I've been sleeping 10 hours a night!!!! But then when I do sleep, I have discomforting stress dreams about the rest of this year.  College admissions, standardized tests, IAs for days. SENURS! I hate everything.

On a happier note, here are some songs I've been loving while procrastinating.

Acapella - Karmin

I was introduced to this song by a friend and I knew I had to own it after the first listening.  The female empowerment plus witty lines, like "Thought he was gluten free but all that I got was bread", make it the perfect song to bring up my mood. Plus I love the video.

The Silence - Bastille

Oh Bastille.  They are definitely my musical obsession right now. All I do is listen to their newly released album 'Bad Blood' on repeat.  I bought the album about a week ago and I've already listened to it 30 times through.  This song, a bonus track, is my favorite.

6AM - Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums are just fun.  My friend Brian said they sounded like modern 80s music that you just can't help but dance too.  The perfect blend of my mothers music and my own!

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke

It's a horrible video and has horrible sexist and makes rape okay but it's really catchy and I'm an awful person.

Gorgeous

The sunrise has been beautiful lately.  I'm slipping into a routine of sleeping my 10 and waking by 6:30 and I love it.

Blackfish

On Labor Day, I went with my father to watch an amazing documentary called Blackfish about Orcas in captivity. This movie attempted to explain why acts of aggression towards humans have been taking place at amusement parks like SeaWorld. For the past 40 years there have been quite a few documented acts of this aggression, three resulting in the deaths of trainers. The film includes interviews from many former Orca trainers and their experiences.  The main focus was on the whale named Tilikum, a 12,000 pound male Orca currently living at SeaWorld, Florida.  This whale has a history of aggressive acts and has been involved in the deaths of three people. The film tries to determine how purposeful the whales are with these acts of aggression and how has their environment has promoted these reactions? The interviews show slightly different viewpoints but it is clear that these whales are only acting as such because of their living conditions.

Ever since I was little, I've loved Orcas.  If I had to be any other animal on this planet, I would choose to be an Orca.  Nothing kills an Orca, they aren't even hunted by humans, they're powerful, and most of all they are smart.  So naturally when I heard about this documentary on Tumblr, I couldn't wait to see it.  A couple months have passed and I saw that this movie was showing at my local theatre so I went to the next available showing. I can't remember the last time a movie has such an effect on me. I've always held on to the naive belief that SeaWorld and other parks were giving their animals a decent life but that view is forever shattered. These animals are as aware of the world as we are and perhaps feel more deeply than we do yet we keep them in the equivalent of a bathtub in which they are attacked by other whales and then we have the nerve to separate their offspring. Frankly, they deserve to be a little aggressive.  If there is one documentary you should see this year, I would say it's this one.  I can't even imagine stepping foot in a park like SeaWorld ever again. If you're interesting in watching this film, it will be aired on CNN on October 24th at 9pm EST.

British Candies

Today my mom returned from a visit to Scotland for work and I asked her to bring me back strange candies.  I have to say, she definitely delivered. I cannot wait to eat them all. In fact I've already inhaled the package of Wine Gums and they were sososososososo good. Some of the candy bars look similar to things we have here in the US (bounty=mounds, maltesers=whoppers) but they seem 10x cooler because of the packaging. I truly think food differences are the best part of traveling!