WHAT'S UP?! I'm good. I've been hanging out with my family. My Aunt and her kids are here from the Northwest, and it's been fun. A lot of new noises though. Not used to all these footsteps running up and down the halls or the bursts of screaming from all over. It's so cute though! Bravo Unka Shaina, I don't know how you do it all! Here look, I just wanted to show some pictures with you all.

Here are some with my Girlie and I, goofing off in our pj's :







And here's me and my Worm, just about the sweetest little boy in the world. He wants everyone to call him Spongebob, and he's given names to other people. Me? I'm Mr. Crab. Would have preferred Patrick or Sandy, you know, one of the NICER characters, but oh well. It's cute:







Here's my youngest cousin, Sprout. He squeaks a lot, and terribly good at giving loves.






More random pictures of us being silly. That last one is with one of my bros, Timmy. It's impossible to get a photo of him with a normal face! He's always being funny.






Thanks for letting me share my pictures! Hope everything's wonderful where you are.

Love,
Steph

REVIEW: The Lake House

Director: Alejandro Agresti


Starring: Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. No one else matters.


Trailor: The Lake House


Plot:

A man and a woman meet when they start writing letters to eachother in the same magic mailbox. They fall in love and all of that, but the twist here is that they are mysteriously two years apart. GASP! He's back in 2004 while she's in the '06. Oh gee, but they're so PERFECT for eachother! What WILL they do?!


Critique:

I don't really feel like wasting a whole lot of time with this one so let's just get right to the point. LAME. And horribly boring. The story itself had a pretty sweet tale actually, but the film was lacking. Did this derive from a book? Seems like it did, and probably should have stayed that way. What a COMPLEX plot, SO complex, that my Aunt still wasn't sure of a few things, and it was her second time seeing it! It was unnecessarily confusing, and for such a difficult screenplay you'd THINK that whoever worked on the film would try and lay it out for us. Nah, it was so inadequetly done, I wouldn't be surprised if they whipped the entire thing up in 45 minutes.



Keanu. Is it KeeAnoo? Or Keenoo?. Well anyway, you totally blew us away in The Matrix (unexpectedly). But... that's about it. I liked the OTHER guy from Bill and Ted and I laughed my tush off watching Mr. Reeves in Chain Reaction. He was pretty cute in Something's Gotta Give, but he wasn't the main character and only had about six lines. How did this guy get so big? He's not a good actor!! If he was, then he would have successfully faked a simple sneeze in The Lake House. (Which was a cheesy add-in anyway.) But... I don't know there IS something about him. He's so... apathetic. So... clueless. It's like I want... more. What is it?! Oh, I don't know, doesn't matter. He'll just keep starring in more films and I'll just keep seeing them.




Miss Bullock my goodness she has come back in style. Wouldn't you all agree? I don't know about you but she totally bugged me in her 90's days. No, Miss Congeniality didn't help. She actually showed some acting talent in Crash and was pleasantly surprised by it. Look how cute she is! However, nothing knocked my socks off in this movie with her. She's no Meryl Streep, ok? Yet she's definitley not as bad as "I'm hot because that's what all the magazines say" Halle Berry. So there ya go.



To tell you the truth I much preferred the K & S duo in this righteous flick:


Oooo Speed was a good one. "Pop quiz hotshot!" hahah that line is so ridiculous. I love it.


Anyway, going back to The LAME House, I will say that they did TRY to make it entertaining. Neat little camera tricks here and there. Since most of the movie consisted of the couple writing and reading letters to eachother, I'd say it was a good idea for them to get creative. But you know what really bothered me about this film? No, it wasn't the obvious FAKE bush in the greenhouse, no it was the co-actors! All the other little characters in the story. One woman who was supposed to be Bullock's best friend had such a THICK accent from who knows where, I couldn't understand a thing she was saying. On top of that, she was supposed to be the comic relief or somthing right? So she'd say a line, I'd go, "huh? oh, oh well." But then everyone else would chuckle! Totally bummed me out, I'm up for jokes, you know? And Keanu's brother, man... no, nevermind I don't even want to talk about him. One word though... givemeabreak. Overall, I was just really bored when the main characters went off with the co's. Spaced out a few times, you know? Started thinking about what the best time would be for me to wake up in the morning for work... or that I should have bought popcorn afterall...



Alright, not much else. Jokes were attempted, but didn't work for me. Predictable. Incredibly cheesy... but cute nonetheless. Ok I'm done now.

Rating: 1/5

What's goin' on everybody!

Well my grandma is in town! I haven't seen her in who knows HOW long and I've missed her. She fixed my favorite skirt! I have no idea how it happened, but a big gapping hole was torn on the side of it. No seriously it was the middle of the day and I looked down, and there it was. I don't remember feeling a tug or anything... anyway enough about the tear because my sweet grandma sewed it back up, and I can start wearing it again. :-) I do love her so.



I am also expecting some other relatives in just a few days! My Aunt and her kids. Although a few years have passed since my family has moved away from them, it still breaks my heart knowing they're so far away. BUT, like I said, we're getting together this week and they'll be staying for a good portion of this and next month. Very cool, can't wait.



As far as movie reviews... ok yea there really aren't any movies I am BADLY wanting to see right now. I know I'll be seeing Cars because I've got chitlens on the way over here. Possibly The Lake House because my Aunt has an eternal crush on Mr. Reeves. MAYBE Nacho Libre. I predict that movie will have it's humorous moments, but brainless comedies aren't really my thing. I'll go with my brothers or something, then it will be more fun. (Plus they help me sneak in snacks...) Next week however, I'll make sure i'm there for the return of Superman. I've got high hopes for this one... along with everyone else I suspect. Who DOESN'T like Superman?! If you just said, "I don't" I'm pretty sure you're lying because Superman (along with Batman) ROCKS the comic world. Go watch the Hulk or something we don't need ya!



I've been starting to think of what classes to take in the Fall. I pretty much have it all figured out and I know how lame this sounds but I'm actually really looking forward to getting started. I don't mind schoolwork, you know? It's spending those LONG hours in class that get me really exhausted. I wish I could hook up a microphone in my classrooms and listen to it while I lounge at home. Wow, that sounds like a pretty good idea actually! I could lay in bed with my pajamas still on while I listen to my teacher go over what's going to be on next week's quiz! I'm gonna pitch this to the Dean... see what happens.



I still haven't sold my old school books yet. I wonder how much money I could get with them... I could use some cash after I went and rented every stinking movie Adrien Brody has ever been in. Look, don't diss him ok? I hear enough of it from my brothers. He's a GOOD actor you guys! I fell in LOVE with him when I saw The Pianist four years ago. When I saw other movies with him it always seemed like although the movie wasn't the greatest, HE was still really good. Like... The Dummy. Ever heard of that? Probably not because it sucks. But he's adorable. King Kong? Ok come on, movie was cool to watch the first time and everything, but who here can honestly say that they loved that movie? Me niether. Wasn't BAD, just wasn't all that great either. (Why did they take away from the Jack and Anne love story?! Peter... no one really wants to see a monkey fall in love with a girl. When you think about it, kinda sick alright?) Anyway, I still loved Adrien, and ended up buying it because of him and his nose. (It wasn't ALWAYS crooked you know. Someone punched him a little too hard in a fight scene in Summer of Sam... anyone like crazy, messed up movies that leave you feeling creepy after you've watched it? SoS is for you, have fun!)



I wouldn't mind being kidnapped by a 70 ton ape if it meant this guy would come after me...











Here he is in Summer of Sam. I told ya, right? Weird movie...












Okee dokee, now that I've shared my Adrien obsession, I can conclude this post. Hope everyone's summer has been wonderful so far. The weather here has been just amazing. Maybe I'll wear my skirt tomorrow that my oh so lovely grandma fixed. Oh shoot, I work tomorrow... ok then the next day. hah ok bye for now!

Love,
Steph

I've been Tagged by my sweet Girlie! Here goes:


I WANT to someday be a teacher.


I WISH I spent more time with family out of town.


I HATE the smell of Pirates of the Carribean ride in Disneyland.


I MISS my best friend in Minnesota.


I FEAR the dark and gross water.


I HEAR my kitty's bells.


I WONDER about a person's thoughts.


I REGRET those five years of french.


I AM NOT ALWAYS using my words correctly.


I DANCE when I'm alone.


I SING in the car (or shower, I like the echo).


I CRY when it hurts.


I MAKE WITH MY HANDS a sandwich.


I WRITE lame poetry sometimes that I'll never show anyone... EVER. :-)


I NEED music to help me think.


I SHOULD clean my room already!


I START to bite my nails when I'm bored.


I FINISH reading a magazine the day I buy it.


I now TAG anyone else who wants to join in!

REVIEW: The Break Up

Director: Peyton Reed


Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Anniston, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Judy Davis, Justin Long, John Michael Higgins as the singing dancing sprite


Trailor: The Break Up


Plot:
Well if the title of this movie isn't obvious enough, this is about Gary (Vinny) and Brooke's (Jenny) break up. After Brooke decides to call it off, neither of them want to move out of their condo. So they keep living together, and fight a lot... yep that about covers it.


Critique:
So here's the deal you guys... I didn't enjoy this movie. Well, it was ok, but it didn't do much for me. Yea Vince is funny. LOVE his humor. Jen... I don't know she can get away with a few punch lines but the only thing she really seems to be good at is looking good. (...in everything.) Anyway, so yes this movie had it's humorous moments, but nothing more than a "hah" or a chuckle here and there. But what the heck?! This movie is about a break up, nothing more! And WHO wants to see people go through a break up? What's so AWESOME about watching people get their hearts broken? I'm not kidding here, I want to know. How is this appealing? sigh... little suggestion to you all: DON'T see a movie titled, The Break Up, after you've just been through one. (whoops)


Alright, I'm done complaining now. You know, I was having trouble deciding what kind of crowd this movie would bring in. It's not necessarily a chick flick, I mean yea there's SOME girly-ness to it but Vince was there with his smart-aleck remarks that seemed to keep my brothers attentive. It's definitley not a DATE movie. I don't know. I think that The Break Up would be one of those movies you'd bring your gals to, or homies if your a guy, haha. This film was great in that it really pinpointed some traits all of us seem to be baffled about in the opposite sex. Brooke and Gary's big break up fight was a common one. The same old poop, come on you all know how it goes, right?:


Girl: I'm giving ALL the time! But does he care? Nah, he only cares about what HE wants. I'm so sick of feeling unappreciated by him! I deserve someone better.

Guy: Why is she so mad at me? I didn't DO anything. (...exactly.) Great, here we go again. I am so sick of feeling like I'm being nagged all the time. Why can't I just do what I want?! ...wait, where's she going...?


Am I right? Huh? sheesh.


Ok back to the movie. One good aspect of this flick was that it wasn't cheesy or fantasy-like. The actual break up between the two main characters was seemingly real. Poop happens, you know? Things fall apart. And unlike most films these days, it was hard to predict how the movie was going to play out. "Are they gonna get back together or what? Nah... too easy... but are they?"


Another good trait, the ending. No, I'm not going to spoil it for you, but I will say it leaves you trailing, and I wasn't even sure it WAS the ending. All of a sudden the credits came up. I don't know about you but I prefer that kind of thing. It allows you to think of one for yourself if ya want.


ACTORS!! Ok, Vinny. He's so unsual. So... unattractive but who doesn't love him?! He needs to open up his own talk show or something because I could listen to him forever. Not so much a talented actor we've got here, I mean we get the same stuff he always plays from Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball and Made. But he's JUST so hilarious.







Miss Anniston. You all know how I feel about her already. How do you spell her last name? Is it just one N? Oh I don't know, anyway, same stuff. Rachel Greene, you know. I will say she looked fantastic in this film. She wore the CUTEST outfits. So depressing...








You know this movie had some really funny co-actors! I even put all their names up in the "starring" section because they seemed to keep this film going I think. Most of my chuckling was from them anyway. Here are a few of them:





Especially these two. REALLY funny in this one. See Jason Long, on the top? Remember him in Galaxy Quest? Looks a little silly in this flick, but he's just so cute. And John Michael Higgins... always gives a good laugh.

Alright I'm done with this movie. Not much to say actually. It's just a couple... breaking up. All this movie does is reminds us of the fact that women are crazy and men are idiots.

Rating: 2/5

Oh Geez you guys I am so BORED!

bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored
bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored boredbored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored bored


When does school start again?



sigh... save me please. somebody.

REVIEW: X-Men III: The Last Stand

Director: Brett Ratner

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, Famke Janssen, James Marsden and Ron James as the prison truck driver.

Trailor: X Men III

Plot:
This is just a continuation of the first two X Mens, but you don't necessarily need to watch them in order to understand this one. However it may not be as enjoyable. You know what, who watches a sequel without ever watching it's first?! That's just weird, so it's your fault if you don't understand what's going on, ok? Anyway, to all you cool people who have seen XM 1 and 2, JEAN IS BACK!! And the humans have created a "cure" for mutants, and Storm is totally pissed about it. I guess there are bad mutants, and patrick stewart-good mutants. The bad mutants want to kill who or whatever is behind the distribution of the cure, and the good mutants try to stop them. Battles, YES! And The Beast joins the cast, YES! Omg who will win?! Is this the end, the LAST stand?! Will Hugh Jackman take off his shirt?!

Critique:
Ok so they say you should start off with something positive... alright, X Men III was never boring. I mean it's an action film, right? It had a lot of action! Very cool. Plus, it LOOKED amazing... and expensive. It's really unbelievable how far we've come with computer graphics, and advancements in stunt coordination. Most of the time I complain about how some action flicks seem so unrealistic and fake. Lord of the Rings was phenominal of course, but oh my god if the computer-Legolas flipped over one more horse I would freak. Anyway, from the look of the credits, a LOT of people worked on making the whole image of this film spectacular, so good work there team. :-)



Hey look whose back! And still looks as hot as ever... it's Mr. Hugh. Yes, he is shirtless for a moment in this flick, a very short, yet fulfilling moment. I whimpered, I cried. Don't roll your eyes at that boys. Look at him. Look and LEARN from him. There's hope for you, don't worry. But yea, he's awesome. What else do I say about him? I can't think of anyone else who could play the Wolverine better than he has. I mean, I didn't think that character was that cool until I say Hugh playing him soooo... yea.




Now let's talk about this person... Can I ask a question? Does anybody here think Halle Berry is... um a good actress? What's going on? Did I miss something? I don't think I did. I SAW her role in the Bond flick, wasn't impressed. I didn't need to see Catwoman to know she flopped in that one. Just wasn't too terrific in the X Men series either I don't believe, not to mention that Storm is the lamest superhero in the history of comic books. If anyone can think of anything lamer than creating fog, please let me know. And that's all I have to say about that.

Famke... whatever... is cool. Nothing about her bothers me. Remember her in GoldenEye? She did well in that Bond flick, which I can't say for Ms. Berry up there. Not to mention she's just hot, especially when she's pissed. It was exciting that the movie brought her back, with a whole new attitude and role in the plot. One of the good traits of this film. Plus she has rad hair. And cool eyebrows. ("You think you can brrreak me...!" Oh Famke, you tease!)









Can you believe this? Kelsey Grammer is The Beast! He does SO well. Fits the role perfectly, and he's just the coolest. Has totally turned into my new favorite X Men hero. (Sorry Wolfie... <3)>










All in all, the film was good. It does it's job and entertains the audience. But here's the deal with these action flicks. We need to spend a LITTLE bit more time on the script, the dialogue. It was quite amateurish if I might say. CHEESY, ok? Not EVERY line needs to be a pun. BUT, don't make that stop you from seeing the movie. Also, it was fun to see new characters. Don't know their names though... there was a "spazzy-fast" chick, a "crusher" guy and some porcupine person. Oh! And there was another blond guy with wings! That was neat! But was kind of just... "placed" in the movie. I don't know is it just me, or did it not seem like there was really a point in him being there? Whatever, still kinda neat.

This movie has a little something for everyone. Nice gushy romance for the ladies, and super "manly" battles for the guys. Cars are flung around, bridges are torn up, you know all that fun stuff. So I recommend this flick to you all. Hope you enjoy it, but if not... whatever, there's Superman coming out soon. :-)

Rating: 3/5