Battleship (2012) Film 35/50

My sister and I have been excited to see this movie since its release date was first announced as being the same week as her birthday. Plus, it has everything a Birthday Movie should have: references to a classic Hasbro game, an 8-foot tall Swedish God trying his best to convince us all he is related to Taylor Kitsch, Lieutenant Tim Riggins with a haircut, some lady named Rihanna, aliens, and the most awesome video conference call ever.

But let's properly digest this one, as it is truly deserving.

Devil (2010) Film 34/50

I know I should be working on my thesis project, but I saw this was on the other night and needed a break desperately. And so, Devil becomes Film #34.

First of all, I love Chris Messina. Have ever since seeing him star as Claire Fisher's boyfriend in the last few episodes of Six Feet Under. That combined with strangers killing each other off in a haunted elevator was enough to "force" me away from my thesis for eighty minutes.

Just Checking In...

I've been focusing on my thesis work for the past couple of weeks (hence my complete lack of updates in both books and movies). While I could probably include some of my thesis reading as part of my 50/50 work, I'd rather keep my studies separate from the fun.

But I promise to be back with a review of What is the What or The Descendants shortly. Or perhaps Battleship...

Hugo (2011) Film 33/50

I want to live inside a Parisian clock.

This movie has it all: style, mood, Ben Kingsley, trains, clocks, mermaids, robots, orphans, Alec Baldwin/Jack Donaghy's teenage nemesis, heart-shaped keys, love, romance, dogs, pretty smelling flowers, accordion music, the magic of filmmaking, and Jude Law. Something for everyone!

The Book Thief Book 10/50

If you haven't read The Book Thief, you should. The characters are drawn brilliantly. The style is refreshing. The story is addictive. The narrator is unique. There is little about this book that I didn't appreciate (the font for the pagination was a bit hard to read, but that's getting picky).

As with movies I enjoy, books I love are equally as difficult to review. I do not want to spoil the experience of reading this one for anyone.

But I will tell you that I pretty much cried non-stop for the last 50 or so pages of this book. I recommend you have a box of tissues ready.

Attack the Block (2011) Film 32/50

Conversation with my friend Hoffmann while standing in line for The Room shortly before midnight last Saturday night...

HOFFMANN: Have you seen Attack the Block?
ME: No, what's it about?
HOFFMANN: It's about...well, I'm not going to tell you. Just watch it.

And so I did.

And I was glad he didn't give me much more than that to go on, too.

However, for those of you who'd like to learn a little more about the film prior to watching, read on. And to those of you who have seen it already, I'd be curious to hear your opinions on this film.

The Room (2003) Film 31/50

At first, I debated whether or not to list The Room among my fifty-fifty films, as this experience was more like a live comedy act than a film screening. But then I remembered that it's only April. At this rate, I'll make my fifty movies by the end of June. And so The Room becomes Film #31.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Film 30/50

@MBlomkvist can u lend me ur copy of "the notebook"? #imissmydad

They took some liberties translating the third book into a movie. Not that they didn't do that with the other two films. But this one resembled the book not unlike how Demi Moore's version of The Scarlet Letter (1995) "captured" the spirit of the Hawthorne classic. By that, I mean, not at all.

Contagion (2011) Film 29/50

Gwyneth just found out that Brad finally proposed to Angelina. Chaos ensues.

So Contagion. That was a fun 106 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. Or rather, depressing. Keep getting those two mixed up. But you probably want the spoilers. Yes. Lots of contagious spoilers.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest Book 9/50

These books are long yet addictive. And I am now done with the Millennium series. At least, with the texts. The movies are an entirely separate challenge.

The final installment leaves off exactly where the second ended. So if you've not read the first two books, this review will be a bit of a spoiler for you. Consider that your one and only warning. But that's just for the first two books. I'll play nice and try to keep the exciting details of this book to a minimum.

On to the book...