Movie Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

 

Cap is back yo!

 

In the sequel to Captain America, Steve Rogers is trying to figure out who he is and how life works now that he's living in the 21st Century, all while trying to fight a new (well, new-ish... but I don't want to give anything away.) enemy, The Winter Soldier. Oh, and Nazi-like organization Hydra isn't gone either.

 

I really liked this movie. So much so, that I saw it twice this weekend.

 

I wouldn't say it was as good as the first, because it's hard for any sequel to be as good as it's predecessor (unless we're talking about The Godfather Part II. That was just as good as the first. But Pat III was terrible.). But it was definitely worth seeing. Twice even! 

 

And it doesn't hurt that Chris Evans is Captain America, and Sebastian Stan (aka Jefferson/The Mad Hatter from Once Upon a Time) is The Winter Soldier. And Scarlett Johanson, though not my favorite in real life, is really good as Natasha/The Black Widow.

 

And please don't be one of those people who leave as soon as the credits start rolling. This is a Marvel movie after all. And there is ALWAYS more, at both the end of the animated credits (which might just have alluded to a possible Avengers/X-Men crossover!! Yay!!) and again at the end of the longer credit roll.

 

 

 

 

As with any sequel, definitely see the first one before you see this.

 

Though it's rated PG-13 for violence and some mild language, I recommend Captain America: The Winter Soldier for kids 10 and up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Think I Need a Literary Tat, STAT!

It's a weird thing.

Tattoos, like chocolate, or Flaming Hot Limon Cheetos, are addicting, and induce cravings like you wouldn't believe, unless, of course, you already have a tattoo.

I only have one, that I got when I was 18, as a payment for babysitting, because my friend Jessie is awesome like that. It's a shooting star on my foot, and it matches one Jess got at the same time. I love my little tattoo, even though, sometimes when I look at it from a certain angle, it looks like a pinata...

I just told my husband I NEED a new tattoo.

He said no.

And I yelled at him that he never lets me have anything I want, and why does he hate me so much.

He just shook his head.

But really, I've been craving a new tattoo for quite a while, and since books (and the world's greatest book club) are such a part of my life, I was thinking something literary would be perfect.

But there are so many things I want, and so many to books choose from...

Do I go with a Deathly Hallows symbol?

Ravens for each member of my family?

The VFD eye, with "The World is Quiet Here."?

Don't mind this gross man-leg...

Some amazing Gaelic quote, or even just "Sassenach"?

Or just random stacks of books, like the ones in my house?

Maybe a combination of it all?

I should probably read the Percy Jackson books before I permanently etch the symbol on my body, yes?

Now, to go find the money to afford such a masterpiece...

Anyone else have lit ink?

TV Review: Breaking Bad

I know a lot of people who have been hesitant to start Breaking Bad, just because of the subject matter. A brilliant chemistry teacher, who resorts to making meth in order to support his family after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It's heavy stuff, and not something people generally think they're going to enjoy watching.

But let me say, after finishing this series last night (finally!!)  this show is one of the best, if not THE best, shows made, possible ever.

Bryan Cranston, as Walter White, is one of the best actors, possibly ever.

 

 

His transformation from sweet, quiet, sort-of-pushover Walter in the beginning, to what he becomes toward the end is just amazing, and terrifying, and brilliant.

Then there's Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. Spot on as the junkie with a heart. He's a good guy deep down, but his stupid decisions get in the way, almost up until the very end.

 

 

In fact, all the actors in this show are spot-on, amazing, and nothing but believable. Super-sleazy lawyer, Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, is a perfect skeez-ball.  You will kind of start to hate Skyler, Walter's wife, played by Anna Gunn. Same with her sister Marie (Betsy Brandt), but for other reasons. Walt Jr., aka Flynn, played by RJ Mitte, has some of the best one liners, usually about food. (Raisin Bran Crunch... it says crunch right on the box. I thought we were going to Cold Stone Creamery?) And then there's Walter's brother in law, Hank, who happens to be part of the Albuquerque D.E.A. Dean Norris plays him as such an arrogant, yet family loving man, you just don't know if you should hate him or admire him.

This show is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is INTENSE to say the least. I'm seriously on the edge of my seat almost every episode, and there are some seriously cringe-worthy moments.

It's beautifully shot, using the natural dessert settings of New Mexico. The show has even spawned Breaking Bad tours throughout Albuquerque.

And you'll never look at a pair of tighty-whiteys the same way again. Or old orange-striped Winnebagos, for that matter.

I would only recommend Breaking Bad to very mature high schoolers, or 17 years and up, since there is a lot of graphic violence, sexual situations, and, of course, drugs and drug use.

All five seasons are available now on Netflix.

Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain

 

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Denny Swift is a race car driver/car dealership employee whose many ups and downs of life are all told by his very philosophical, and sometimes funny, dog, Enzo, who very much believes he's on a mission in Denny's life and will be reincarnated as a human himself when it is complete.

I really enjoyed this book. There were parts that made me mad, and sad, and laugh out loud. I really ran the gamut of emotions while reading it (tissues may have been involved...). But what I loved the most is that it is narrated by a dog.

I give it an A-.

If you liked this one, try A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.

Book review: Gone Girl

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I’d heard so much about this book, that when my book club decided to read it, I was pretty excited.

Gone Girl is the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, a seemingly happy couple that moves from Amy’s native N.Y.C. to Nick’s hometown of North Carthay, Missouri after they both lose their jobs in journalism. But when Amy goes missing on their 5th anniversary, Nick, of course, is the main suspect.

Being a fan of murder mysteries/true crime stories, I enjoyed the psychology of what could possibly have been “the perfect crime”. The length which the characters go to prove both guilt and innocence is fascinating, and keeps the story flowing well. However, although the characters are developed well, it was hard to find any character that was actually likable.

I recommend this one if you’re a fan of the mystery/suspense genre, and enjoy a good plot twist!
I give Gone Girl a B-.

The movie version, starring Ben Affleck, is supposed to be in theaters this October.

Book Review: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Arthur Dent is a guy just trying to get by in life. Then aliens show up and blow up the earth.  Arthur narrowly escapes by hitching a ride on an alien spaceship with the help of his friend, Ford Perfect, an alien who has been posing for the past fifteen years on earth as an out-of-work actor, but is in fact a researcher for the manual, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

This is one of those books that I didn't love, but I didn't completely hate it either, which surprises me, since I'm usually super into really geeky stuff like this. I really enjoyed the dry, British humor and the off-the-wall scenarios, but the story itself seemed to stay at the same, slow pace throughout the entire book. It just didn't hold my attention very well.

I give it a C+.

If you liked this one, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the next book in this series. Though honestly, I'm really not in any hurry to read it...

On the plus side, the movie version has Martin Freeman (AKA John Watson in Sherlock and Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit franchise) in it. Might be worth watching just for him!

Book Review: A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. It takes place in Westeros, which I imagine to be much like medieval Europe, and follows several families on their quest for the Iron Throne.

I’m just going to come out and say that I’m so glad I watched the first season of the HBO series before reading this 800 page epic.  There are so many characters, and Martin’s writing is so descriptive, that keeping everybody straight can be challenging.  I had never thought of myself as a Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan, but I really enjoyed the storylines (especially those involving Arya Stark and Tyrion Lannister).  Although the writing can be very violent and sexually graphic, the novel is well worth the read.

I give this book an A-.

If you liked this book, the second book in the series is A Clash of Kings.