Book Review: An Abundance of Katherines

 

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

After winning a game show for "Smart Kids", former child prodigy Colin Singleton (who has dated and been dumped by nineteen girls named Katherine throughout his 18 years of  life) and his best friend embark on a road trip with Colin's game show winnings.

Although this is an award-winning book, I'm really torn between liking it and disliking it. I really like John Green's writing style, and the story itself is, for the most part, entertaining and well rounded. But Colin is so whiny, and actually really annoying, especially with his anagramming everything, and trying to predict how long a relationship will last through a math theorem, that it's hard to get through at times.

I give this book a C+.

If you liked this book (or even if you didn't), I definitely recommend The Fault in Our Stars, also by John Green. It is a great book.

For Your Consideration: The 2014 Academy Awards (Part 2)

 

I must say, this year's Academy Awards ceremony was seriously one of the best shows in years! And really, that all has to do with Ellen hosting again. She kept it light, entertaining, and fun, despite the show going on for so long (which, let's face it, happens every year, folks, so why is no one used to it by now?). None of her jokes fell flat, and her dry humor was perfect for the night (especially her joke about Liza Minnelli being the best impersonator she's seen... "Well done, Sir."). Plus there was no awkward, chemistry-less co-hosting (like with James Franco and Anne Hathaway), or songs about boobs (Seth MacFarlane).

 

As far as winners, there weren't really any upsets or shockers, although I wasn't completely expecting Matthew McConaughey's win (I was rooting for Bruce Dern, and almost expecting Leo, actually).

 

Also. Gravity! Wow! It took so many more than I was expecting, including winning best director over 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen, who was my pick.

But I was so glad Lupita Nyong'o won. Her performance in 12 Years a Slave was just heart wrenching and raw and so, so great.

Lupita Nyong'o... she's so darn adorable!

The Winners: Best Actor Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Best Actress Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine), Best Supporting Actress Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave), Best Supporting Actor Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club).

 

 

 This photo (that just so happened to break Twitter!!) is seriously my favorite of the whole night. Everyone just looks so happy to be there. You can tell everyone was having fun, unlike past years, where everyone just seems so uptight. And how cute is Lupita Nyong'o's brother, who wasn't afraid of being right up in there with all these celebrities?!



Best selfie of the night!

Selfies were definitely the biggest trend of the evening...

JGL and Emma Watson...


One of the best highlights: Ellen ordered pizza for the crowd. I bet the delivery guy (who owns the pizza shop with his brother) had no idea he would be serving all these A-Listers when he woke up that morning. Lucky guy. And what a boost for his business! (Plus, the $1000 tip was probably nice!)

Nothing like A-Listers passing out pizza and paper plates at the Oscars!



Harrison Ford, who, according to Jared Leto who was sitting nearby, dropped his pizza all own his shirt while eating it...

Jennifer Lawrence enjoying her slice. I love that she loves food.

 

Pizza-eating movie stars. Very glamorous indeed.

The night's photobombs were awesome indeed. I love that this is a thing right now, like what famous person will try to upstage another famous person at some fancy event.

Benedict Cumberbatch was my favorite. He was in at least four of the nominated films of the night, yet he doesn't take himself too seriously at all. I just love him. So. Much.




Benedict Cumberbombing U2. Seriously my favorite photobomb of the night!

Jessica Biel Being photobombed by Anne Hathaway

Lupita Nyong'o photobombing Jared Leto.

The 75th anniversary tribute to The Wizard of OZ was also very well done. Having Judy Garlands three children (Lorna Luft , Joey Luft, and the great diva herself Liza Minnelli) in the audience was a sweet touch, and Pink did a fantastic job with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Plus, Ellen as Glinda. For the win.

Ellen as Glinda the Good Witch for the 75th anniversary tribute to "The Wizard of Oz".

  The musical performances were so well done this year. Pharrell Williams' "Happy" was just that. Such a fun, dance-inducing performance.



Pharrell singing "Happy", and dancing with Lupita Nyong'o and Meryl Streep.

But seriously John Travolta. The least he could have done is learn how to say Idina Menzel's name. Really with the Adele Dazeem??!! Just wow!

John Travolta. Completely flubbing Idina Menzel's name as “Adele Dazeem"... really buddy?! Maybe his hair plugs are affecting his thought process?

The In Memoriam was very touching, though they did leave out Johnathan Winters, Dennis Farina and Corey Monteith, among others.

But Bette Midler's performance was just beautiful. And can I say, I REALLY hope I look as good as her at her age. Heck, I don't look as good as her now!

Divine Miss M

 All in all it was a great, entertaining show. Can't wait until next year! And maybe 2015 will finally be Leo's year?







For Your Consideration: The 2014 Academy Awards!! (Part 1)

Awards Season is almost to an end, with the biggest awards yet to be given: The Oscars!

This is my most favorite of all the awards shows, and I have to say that I'm very much looking forward to it this year (just like every year!).

There is some really amazing competition this year too.

Here's the list of contenders. And my thoughts on who might be taking that shiny man home (I'll put an asterisk by my choice for who I think should win. And there could be more than one asterisk per category. Because I can.)

OSCAR NOMINATIONS 2014, COMPLETE LIST

Best Picture:

American Hustle* (This could take it, just because of it's popularity.)

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

Her

Nebraska
 
 Philomena

12 Years a Slave* (Factoring in acting, directing, writing, cinematography, costumes/makeup, and score,  I think this is all around the best film nominated this year.)

The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Supporting Actor:

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Bradley Cooper, American Hustle

Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street

Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave *(Fassbender is fantastically horrible as an extremely abusive plantation owner.)

Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club * (Leto give an amazing performance as a transgendered woman and is completely unrecognizable.)

Best Supporting Actress:

Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle *(J-Law is my second choice, but I have a feeling she'll win it. She was great, as usual, but as much as I love her, I think Lupita Nyong'o really should win.)

Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave * (Newbie Lupita Nyong'o was beyond amazing in this. She deserves to win. Hands down.)

Julia Roberts, August: Osage County **(If I had a third choice, it would be Julia Roberts. I've never seen her like she was in this role. If the competition wasn't so strong she'd get it for sure, but sadly for her, she's up against some amazing performances this year.)

June Squibb, Nebraska 

Best Director:

David O. Russell, American Hustle

Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity

Alexander Payne, Nebraska

Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave *(He just really deserves this one. What a performance!)

Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor: (This is such a hard category. Really, they all deserve it.)

Christian Bale, American Hustle 

Bruce Dern, Nebraska *(I'm just going with Bruce Dern as a close second though because , well, he's Bruce Dern!)

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave *  (He really was amazing as a free man kidnapped and sold into slavery.)

Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress: (Possibly the hardest category. Can't they all win?)

Amy Adams, American Hustle

Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine * (I have not seen this, but according to those who have, she was better than Meryl Streep. I didn't know that was possible!)

Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Judi Dench, Philomena

Meryl Streep, August: Osage County * (Holy Moly!! This crazy pill popping lady! Just fantastic!)

Best Original Screenplay:

American Hustle

Blue Jasmine

Dallas Buyers Club

Her* (Just so different than anything I've seen in a long time.)

Nebraska

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Before Midnight

Captain Phillips

Philomena

12 Years a Slave*
The Wolf Of Wall Street
 
Best Animated Feature:

The Croods

Despicable Me 2* (My second choice, because it was also very well done.)

Ernest & Celestine

Frozen* (Just really well done, Disney.)

The Wind Rises

Best Foreign Feature: (I can't give my opinion here, because I haven't seen any of these films.)

The Broken Circle Breakdown, Belgium

The Great Beauty, Italy

The Hunt, Denmark

The Missing Picture, Cambodia

Omar, Palestine

Best Visual Effects: (Really, it's between everything but The Lone Ranger. Not that it wasn't entertaining, I just don't think the visual effects were on the same level as the other nominees in this category.)

Gravity

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug*

Iron Man 3

The Lone Ranger

Star Trek Into Darkness

Best Cinematography:

The Grandmaster

Gravity

Inside Llewyn Davis * (The Coen Brothers. Their films are always gorgeous.)

Nebraska * (B&W. Need I say more?)

Prisoners 

Best Costume Design: (Total toss up... the costuming was great in all of these films.)

American Hustle*

The Grandmaster

The Great Gatsby*

The Invisible Woman

12 Years a Slave *
 

SNUB ALERT: Where is The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug in this category?

 

Best Documentary Feature: (I can't give my opinion here, because I have seen none of these films...)

The Act of Killing

Cutie and the Boxer

Dirty Wars

The Square

20 Feet from Stardom

Best Documentary Short: (I can't give my opinion here, because I have seen none of these films either...)

CaveDigger

Facing Fear

Karama Has No Walls

The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life

Prisoner Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall

Best Film Editing: (It's another toss up... )

American Hustle*

Captain Phillips

Dallas Buyers Club

Gravity

12 Years a Slave*

Best Makeup and Hairstyling:

Dallas Buyers Club *

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa * (Who would have thought the Jackass guys would ever be nominated for an Oscar?! I kinda just want to see what they'd do if they win.)

The Lone Ranger

SNUB ALERT: Where is The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug in this category as well?

Best Music (Original Score):

The Book Thief

Gravity

Her

Philomena

Saving Mr. Banks* (Because the music behind the music behind Mary Poppins. That's why.)

Best Music (Original Song):

"Alone Yet Not Alone" from Alone Yet Not Alone

 "Happy" from  Despicable Me 2

"Let It Go" from Frozen * (Incredible lyrics + Idina Menzel's voice. Done.)

“The Moon Song”  from Her

"Ordinary Love” from Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom* (Um... it's U2. It has a pretty good chance, too, I suppose...)


So... who do you think will take home Oscar this year?