tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89765062485549808112024-03-05T15:40:56.547-08:00Sarah SaysThere IS more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-43567516486546901012010-01-08T12:55:00.001-08:002010-01-08T13:00:13.117-08:00Confessions of an Ugly StepsisterThis book is an easy, good-enough read. However. This is the second time I've read this author, and both times I've had this sense that his stories have a lot of potential but feel underdeveloped, underwhelming. <br /><br />I mean, the words are well-written. The story is interesting. But somewhere in between...something is missing. Like emotion. The characters feel distant, and frequently I am confused by their words/actions (which don't seem consistent with his earlier "caricaturizations").simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-33210128987457310002010-01-08T12:52:00.000-08:002010-01-08T12:55:04.478-08:00The InformantI quite enjoyed this movie. A bit of suspense, and lots of mystery. There's quite a bit of voiced-over narration, which is sometimes confusing, but I still liked it. <br /><br />P.S. It's incredible how with just a little weight and a mustache Matt Damon is significantly less attractive. Wow.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-6805765978694896512010-01-08T12:51:00.001-08:002010-01-08T12:52:45.337-08:00Sherlock HolmesI enjoyed the cinematography, and a few laughs. I couldn't always understand the dialogue (with the British accents), and Holmes isn't the most endearing character, but...it's still entertaining.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-83099075079424469932009-12-23T08:56:00.000-08:002009-12-23T09:02:08.197-08:00Sunshine Cleaning<strong>First of all: I liked it. </strong><br />So it was a little on the dramatic side (eh)...but it was also a little on the quirky side (which i like)...and the actors make it work. Great acting, really.<br /><br /><strong>Second of all: there were several undeveloped side stories. </strong> <br />Which leaves me with kind of this pleasant dissatisfaction. Especially considering that the main story itself wasn't overwhelmingly to my liking. Better to leave the rest of the stories to my imagination.<br /><br /><strong>Third of all, Winston was definitely my favorite character.</strong>simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-40561276699835651652009-12-21T14:36:00.000-08:002009-12-21T14:41:57.898-08:00(500) Days of SummerTOTALLY my kind of movie. Plus Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a babe. Just sayin.<br /><br />Anyway, the story provides a very interesting perspective of love and happiness. In beautiful indie style. I like.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-39376351244132960192009-12-21T06:48:00.000-08:002009-12-21T06:57:59.462-08:00AvatarIncredible special effects and thought-provoking movie! I really enjoyed it. Although it may seem that the bad guys are excessively one-sided, the conflict is a true one. It really hit home with me and I wept thinking about actual historical events that paralleled those in the film. For that reason, it may not be the most original plotline, but one well-worth the repetition.<br /><br />Another movie I'd probably acquire for my own collection. Definitely recommend it.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-80624080384855508632009-12-19T15:42:00.000-08:002009-12-19T15:44:35.528-08:00The Princess and the FrogUm...so...I didn't really like it. <br /><br />It kind of reminded me of Anastasia. You know - creepy villain into black magic, headstrong heroine with big dreams, charming loser hero.<br /><br />Will I ever enjoy animated films again? Perhaps if/when I have kids.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-41172588307225754352009-11-07T19:12:00.000-08:002009-11-07T19:21:44.075-08:00PhiladelphiaA movie well-worth watching. I loved how Denzel's approach to AIDS and homosexuality matures throughout the film. It made me think - our society has come a long way. And, we've got a long way to go. <br /><br />It gives me pause to note, there's a reason why I didn't see this movie a long time ago. I distinctly remember when my parents went to see it; my mother seemed moved and saddened by the film. But as a youth, the fact that the story was emotional and moving made me afraid. I wasn't sure I wanted to be affected by it. <br /><br />(How ridiculous and sad, the fear of heresy...Did I prefer ignorance for its security? Well anyway, I'm glad to be able to lay my old fears to rest.)simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-7886749816439401862009-11-07T12:59:00.000-08:002009-11-07T13:07:15.556-08:00Personal EffectsSomething about this movie touched me, deeply. Which was a total surprise, considering the star is Ashton Kutcher. Ashton Kutcher - in a drama? Anyway, I don't even know what to say about it. I was moved by the combination of pain, and confusion, and disbelief, and vulnerability, and longing. And love.<br /><br />Be warned of graphic content (dead body) and some language.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-80205058852109587502009-10-25T15:11:00.000-07:002009-10-25T15:16:00.613-07:00PonyoI have never seen a movie like this! <br /><br />Except, it stirred a vague memory of a redheaded girl named something like Penny (?) who could breathe under water, and who was friends with a dolphin who saved her when she stepped on some poisonous coral. In a movie I watched on the disney channel one sunday as a little girl when I faked being sick so I could stay home from church.<br /><br />I digress. Anyway, Ponyo was actually kind of funny, and endearing in its own way. What's not to love about a goldfish who sprouts chicken feet and then becomes a human-girl? And a mother with Tina Fey's voice who leaves her 5 year-old and the goldfish girl to fend for themselves in the middle of a tsunami/storm? Grin.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-50948132031228418732009-10-17T06:03:00.001-07:002009-10-17T06:05:47.529-07:00He's just not that into youPersonally, I thought this movie was a little depressing. In the end, it still seems to be portraying love as a game, which works out only if you make the right moves...and even then it's not guaranteed.<br /><br />At the same time, it was light enough not to take it too seriously, so still enjoyable. I'd say it's worth seeing.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-74411939333861598202009-10-13T18:06:00.001-07:002009-10-13T18:10:15.645-07:00Sweet LandSo, throughout most of this movie I'm thinking that it's frustrating and a little slow...<br /><br />...and then it ends, and I'm bawling.<br /><br />Not amazing, but I definitely liked it. My favorite scene had the main character and her fiance in tears. I could feel it too. The fiance, Olaf, managed to do the best acting of all, with pretty minimal dialogue.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-66407562499247249742009-10-12T20:32:00.000-07:002009-10-12T20:35:14.081-07:00The ProposalRyan Reynolds is sooooo dreamy. Also...needy? Nice! Enjoyable little fantasy.<br /><br />Oh wait, there may have been more to the plot than that, but that's all I remember.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-39941682103091187252009-10-11T07:21:00.000-07:002009-10-11T07:26:43.302-07:00The Invention of LyingI really, really enjoyed this movie. I found it funny and quite thought-provoking. The absence of lying was in part represented by a lot of literal or superficial tactlessness, but I think the exaggeration drove the point home. I will see it again.<br /><br />BUT - for my friends: I think it will appeal mostly to secular audiences, and may be considered offensive and even crude by the more religious. I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all a year or two ago.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-78226066101049328732009-10-08T18:32:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:33:49.122-07:00Catcher in the RyeI just read this for the first time. Frankly, I'm shocked at how many people name this as their favorite. I guess I owe it another read, or a more in-depth analysis. <br /><br />I did find it enjoyable, and thought-provoking, and amusing, and relatable. Huh.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-67911687363594647632009-10-08T18:30:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:32:21.091-07:00The Scarlet LetterI just got back from a vacation, during which I enjoyed revisiting Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. I found so many parallels to my own religious experience:<br /><br />1. ON VIRTUE - Many believed that only fear of punishment would support human virtue (p. 45).<br /><br />2. ON JOY - Hester (the adulteress) rejected most joys as sin (p. 70).<br /><br />3. ON GUILT - Mr. Dimmesdale "attributed all his presentiments" to his own sin. In other words, he blamed his dislike and distrust for Hester's husband on his own guilt and shame, refusing to believe that the other truly harbored him any ill-will (p. 117).<br /><br />3b. Hester tended to explain away (justify) the sins of others, or take the blame upon herself (blame for her daughter's wildness, her husband's consuming hate, her lover's self-destruction) (p. 140).<br /><br />4. ON SELF-CONCEPT - Mr. Dimmesdale tended to view others as saintly, and himself as depraved. Hester too is continually self-denigrating, accepts and even encourages the holier-than-thou condescension of others as deserved.<br /><br />5. ON REVELATION - There was a tendency for persons to find plenty of individualized revelations in nature (p. 128).<br /><br />Good, thought-provoking stuff.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-73587990347061907842009-10-08T18:27:00.000-07:002009-10-08T18:30:17.309-07:00A Whole New MindRead this for class. It was an easy, fairly enjoyable read. My biggest criticism is that the writing didn't seem very research-based, more subjective than objective. Casual. Of course, maybe the conversational tone is what made it such an easy read.<br /><br />Anyway, I liked thinking about Mr. Pink's ideas, in spite of his apparent bias. He emphasized the importance of tapping into right-brain characteristics. I like.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-18521043668196500002009-08-25T19:22:00.000-07:002009-08-25T19:32:39.625-07:00Before SunsetWOW. This movie is ME. It was sooooooooo much better than I expected. It was one long, philosophical conversation. Colored by emotion, especially that friend we all know - "What if?". Witty, charming, and MUCH better crafted than any real life conversation (of course). So I loved it. Now I am curious if the predecessor would be worth watching. Or if these films are based on books? Cuz there's some good, meaty thought going on.<br /><br />There's this part of me that wonders why I post reviews of movies that most (if not all) of those of you who read this blog won't want to see. Maybe in the chance that there's an edited version available someday? But really, I'm not trying to convince anyone to watch what I've watched. It's just...this IS me, these ARE the things I think about...and I like to be able to talk about them? Hmmm. For what it's worth! :)simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-21281210608772324812009-08-21T19:09:00.001-07:002009-08-21T20:46:31.513-07:00Everything is IlluminatedI have such mixed feelings about this film. I <strong>loved</strong> the thoughts and emotions it provoked in <em>me</em>....but I don't know to whom I would recommend it?<br /><br />There are these conversations between characters which are vulgar, extraneous, mundane... <br /><br />There is humor, and I wonder how much is truth? How much is caricature? Does it matter? <br /><br />And then there are moments of poetry, and tragedy, and beautiful heart-ache, and wisdom.<br /><br />And maybe I'm looking beyond the mark, but the movie seemed real to me in that life is messy - it's not all beauty and truth. It is one moment silly, or stupid, and the next moment eternal, and profound. And God sees it all, understands it all.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-12584844483156036712009-08-04T20:34:00.000-07:002009-08-04T20:39:48.403-07:00Joy Luck ClubHow did I miss this one? Especially when I'd read and enjoyed the book as a teen?<br /><br />Oh yeah, because it was rated R. What do I think of the rating now? Well, on the movie case itself, it attributes the rating to "thematic elements" or something vague like that. And while this movie is heart-breakingly beautiful and not vulgar at all, I do agree that it would be best appreciated by mature audiences. A baby is killed. It is tragic and disturbing (though not gory).<br /><br />Anyway, I love the film. How could I NOT relate to the story of eight+ women struggling to be good and strong in the face of their individual insecurities? Must read the book again. I think I would appreciate it much more as an adult.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-64924496444932889772009-07-29T16:54:00.000-07:002009-07-29T17:02:45.510-07:00Starter for 10Wow, where did this one come from?? Randomly stumbled across it in netflix.<br /><br />A bit predictable, but likeable (not surprisingly, Tom Hanks is among the producers). I liked the end. Plus, it's BRITISH and set in the 80's. With mixtapes, and everything. Plus, James McAvoy. Nice.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-2370888146264536412009-07-25T15:33:00.000-07:002009-07-25T15:42:34.455-07:00Eat Drink Man WomanIn a funny way, this movie felt like home. It's Taiwanese, of course. <br /><br />My mouth watered and my heart ached. I laughed, and I hmmmm'd, and I was half-distracted wondering throughout why that land/culture is so close to my heart.<br /> <br />I'm not sure whether or not to recommend this movie to anyone else, because I feel like my own opinion and viewing-experience was so clouded by nostalgia! But apparently, it<em> was </em>nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar in 1994, if that means anything to you.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-52982607108615063132009-07-18T20:39:00.000-07:002009-07-19T07:33:03.982-07:00Away From HerI cried three times today. Twice during this movie. It was a story that made me...thoughtful. Hmmmm. Interesting portrayal of a couple dealing with Alzheimers.<br /><br />And wow, Julie Christie is gorgeous even as an old woman! ;)simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-51059210734486278192009-07-09T17:51:00.000-07:002009-07-09T18:05:25.102-07:00Daniel DerondaYou know those BBC period pieces that suck silly romantic girls in? Here's another one.<br /><br />The truth is, I found the production pleasant and interesting -- but MOSTLY I really enjoyed the scattered hints of literature worth further study. They left me wanting the full story. I loved the comparisons evident between the different characters, their choices and relationships. I loved George Eliot's treatment of social issues including gender roles and race/religion. <br /><br />I will probably be acquiring this book for my own collection, and reading it, soon. :) Oh, and I recommend the movie...to silly romantic girls.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8976506248554980811.post-92151727612315152782009-07-02T23:40:00.000-07:002009-07-02T23:43:50.040-07:00I've Loved You So LongWhat do I know of despair? <br /><br />The past week has been hellish for me, and this was a thought-provoking escape and reminder that somehow...through it all...there can be love, and light. <br /><br />Movies like this make my heart want to be just a little bigger.simplysarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12599154267615523186noreply@blogger.com0