it IS weird

I don't care what actor Ansel Elgort says, the fact that he plays Shailene's brother in Divergent and then her lover in The Fault in Our Stars is weird to me. I mean, the movies come to theaters less than three months from each other!

The Fault in Our Stars - lovers

Divergent - brother and sister

Of course he doesn't think it is weird... he has to say that! He just landed two major movie roles (and to be fair, so did she) so why would he bite the hand that feeds him?

This, to me, is like Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart or Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams all of the sudden playing brother and sister. I think that, with time, it may have been OK... but the shows are released too close to each other to have this happen, in my opinion.

I've already seen and am committed to the Divergent series, so I don't know if I will be seeing The Fault in Our Stars anytime soon for that reason. Having seen A Walk to Remember may be enough for me as I gather it is near the same premise. I may pick it up if I need a good cry though!

Divergent: movie review

Grade: A-

Date: March 28, 2014

Location: Citadel Stadium 16
Notes: Great casting choices.

I like when I can watch a movie that I’ve just read the book for, especially when the movie has already been cast before I've finished the book. I can then picture the characters and the vision that the author had, while reading the superior storyline that can only come with a book.

This movie adaptation of Divergent did not disappoint! I think it covered all of the bases of the book and included a lot of details, a tough task to do for a movie that is only a little over 2 hours.

My only criticism is that they didn’t go as dark as the book did, and I don’t know if they did that for a specific reason (like the rating?), but I kind of wish that it did. For example, they did not show the girl falling to her death while trying to jump from the train to the roof in the very beginning or how Peter stabbed Edward in the eye because he was first place. 

In fact, if you are not paying attention, you might not notice that Edward just isn’t there after the first initiation rounds. Or you may have not even noticed him at all and I think this was a mistake as he plays a rather large role in the second book, with an eye-patch. I can only assume that he was the tall guy in the background of some of the scenes. Now, I am wondering how they are going to all of a sudden bring him into the picture without any backstory - I guess they could do a flashback. I digress.

Overall opinion is that I think the movie actually described how Tris could beat being Divergent even better than the book did. It made more sense to me as the book has me question some of the things that happen and was a little confusing at times. I think that the movie, even on its own, was very entertaining and the casting was great. Especially Tobias Eaton. ;)

British Invasion

This is the kind of invasion I don't mind... but I can't help but wonder why all the hot young actors, in my opinion, are British!?! Maybe casting directors are just as mesmerized as I am by not only their looks, but their accents as well.

Top to bottom, left to right, we have:

1. Joshua Bowman
2. Robert Pattinson
3. Theo James
4. Henry Cavill
5. Andrew Garfield
6. Alex Pettyfer

This is in no way an order of how I would list them on hotness scale, Henry Cavill will probably be my #1 for a while... but Theo James is giving him a run for his money! I think he is about to blow up the screens with his lead role in Divergent. I am so excited to see it as I loved the books.

This is just pictures of their faces... wait until you hear them talk! I have been intrigued by the British accent since I was a little girl and I don't think that I have seen any film or TV show where any of these guys use their accents, for that reason I google interview videos of them. :)

Whatever you have in the water, Brits, keep it up!

UPDATED:
Here are three more...

Ryan Kwanten

Charlie Hunnam

Andrew Lincoln

Divergent

If you are looking for a new book to read, I highly recommend Divergent by Veronica Roth. It is an easy read and sort of has that Hunger Games/ Host/ Twilight flair when compared to the action, setting, and love story, respectively.

And Theo James stars in the movie adaptation, so just picture him below...

'Nuff said? :)

Bachelor: and then there was one

UGH. Worst.finale.ever. I know that you can't expect much from this show, but that is kind of why I like it. If you didn't see it, I am not even going to give you the spoil alert, because it was just that bad. Nikki ended up "winning" the final rose, not even an engagement ring, which seems fine by her, but I give them two weeks based on the After The Final Rose show last night.

Juan Pablo won't say he loves her, he won't talk about commitment, and he won't give concrete evidence that they will even continue dating. In fact, he tells America that they are starting their journey now. In all seriousness, that is kind of what happens with every relationship on that show, but they definitely begin it with a little enthusiasm at least.

Juan Pablo sounded like he was angry at The Bachelor show for something, but he did not say what it was. He wants out of the limelight and he definitely does not want to be interrupted by Chris Harrison. There is no love lost between these two now that the show is over it seems. This finale definitely left me feeling like we were hanging... now what?!?

The best part of the whole finale show was when Clare admitted that Juan Pablo whispered the words "I love f#$%ing you." on their last date. WOW! Could this be the first admittance to sex occurring on the show? Regarding that whole thing, why she even went to the final rose ceremony is a mystery to me. I don't understand why women insist on acting like it is OK to get treated like that. Yet, I keep watching.

New Bachelorette is Andi! I really liked her throughout this whole thing, but I HATED her exit. It seemed like she wanted to fight with Juan Pablo over something that didn't matter... and she kept pushing like a typical lawyer. I think she will do well on the show though, actually having a brain. I just want her to use it and not play into the typical male/female BS.

Good luck Andi! Until next time...

Theo James Franco

I have to admit, when I saw the trailer for the movie Divergent I thought a couple of things... One, that the movie looks awesome! And two, that maybe James Franco a little too old to be the love interest of Shailene Woodley? James is about 15 years older in real life, but damn, he looks good in this trailer!

Well... it wasn't James Franco after all! It is a new face in Hollywood, Theo James. He hasn't been in anything quite notable until now, and I think he is about to get REALLY famous. Take a look below... I am not crazy, they look so similar, right?!? (Theo is on the left). Sort of the way Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt look alike. Like maybe they can play brothers some day?

After close inspection... I think Theo James is a little bit cuter, but I wouldn't kick either of them out of bed for eating crackers. This is just one of the reasons I cannot wait to see this movie! It is being posed as a sort of Hunger Games plot without the whole children killing children thing. I wonder if I could hold out to read the book before I see it... I may have to check into that!

UPDATE:

I read the book! Amazing.

Opinion: Amy Adams

Let's get real, my whole blog is just one big opinion.

This is something that has been bothering me for a while...

Can we all just agree to ban Amy Adams from big movies? Something about her just irks me - I think it was her role in The Wedding Date. American Hustle going 0 for 10 at the Academy Awards only supports my theory. And she better keep her damn hands off of Henry Cavill! ;)

Seriously though, I can't believe they cast her as Lois Lane in Superman. I could see her as the "April" character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or something (red hair), but Lois Freaking Lane?!? Who is her manager and what is he paying for her to get these roles? I don't get her.

Does anyone else see this as a mismatch?!?

Here are three actresses that would have made MUCH better Lois Lanes, in my opinion.

Kate Mara

Jessica Biel

Alexis Bledel

Kate would be my number one choice, I have loved her since her roles in Broke Back Mountain and The Shooter. I would have thrown Emma Stone into the mix, but she was already the love interest for Spiderman. One super hero per girl! And I didn't even think too hard about this either, I just thought of women who would be old enough to have a good career in news publications, not too hot that they could appear unrealistic as the character, and not too old that it would be weird if they were single. Amy is 40 years old... you think Henry Cavill, as a 30 year old, would choose her? Especially since he is Superman?

The actress who played his MOTHER is even hotter (albeit again, in my opinion) than Amy Adams, and her last name is freaking Lane! Oh well. Too late to change it now I guess.

Diane Lane

Homosexual Bachelor/ette Show

The hot topic on The Bachelor, Women Tell All episode last night was if there could be a gay bachelor(ette) or not. To me, I think they are focusing on the wrong issue here when Juan Pablo said that the homosexual population is too "pervert" for the show.

Personally, I believe in equal liberties for all so I am hoping that for his sake he was telling the truth when he said that he backs the GLBT community. I don't agree with him because of what he said, but I do agree that I don't think a gay contestant would work in their current format. Let me explain below:

 

There is a big difference in the pictures above. It would lessen the attractiveness of the main bachelor if there were 25 other - just - as - hot - men there to steal away some of the attention. In the current set up, they ALL want ONE person. If they had a homosexual on the show, there is a potential for multiple hook ups and I don't think that is what they are getting at with the current show.

All this being said, I would probably watch it. :)

Holiday Fashion

I need to pull out my sewing machine and make an attempt at clothes again. I have mastered the art of the straight seam; as in curtains, duvet covers, blankets, and pillows... but the elusive clothes patterns have stumped me for years. I may have found my motivation...

In thinking about holiday parties this year, I always like to buy a little something new for myself to wear. When I saw Carrie Underwood's performance on Jimmy Fallon, I thought, "That is it! A fun holiday skirt!" Pair it with a black sweater and some tights (things I already have) and it looks so cute.

Now, if I could only look a little more like Carrie Underwood, the Holidays would be complete! haha I don't think I have enough money for that.

...but...

Apparently I don't have enough money for that skirt either. Here is the closest thing I could find.

Even on sale, this one is out of my price range at $596.00! If anyone has any leads on where I could find a similar skirt less than $100, give me a shout, but for now I think I will be making an attempt with the old Singer machine. I should have it done in time for Holidays 2014!

Go Quote Yourself!

Ivanka, I think you are an amazingly talented lady, but please, for the love of God, don't quote yourself on facebook.

The NEW Christian Grey!

OK, so I was wrong here in my predictions of who would be cast as Christian Grey.

Even this was wrong because Charlie Hunnam, for whatever reason, decided to back out.

But that does not make me sad, because wow! Jamie Dornan, maybe best known for playing the sheriff on Once Upon A Time, has been cast as Christian Grey! I am not disappointed at all! I think it is great that they actually chose someone who isn't that well known. This way, we can focus on the, err, character that he plays. :)

Just please please please don't let him have too much facial hair! Not a fan.

Ryan Reynold's Model Wives

Thought it was interesting that both of Ryan Reynold's wives, ex Scar-Jo and current wife Blake Lively, were one page a part in the magazine I was reading at the Dr. office. I wonder whose perfume smells better?

I'm team Blake.

Blurred British Lines

Everytime I see an actor that I think is cool, they always end up being British or Australian or from some other exotic place with an attractive accent while they pose as an American on televisions across the country. My latest surprise was Joshua Bowman who plays Daniel from Revenge.

I am pretty good and spotting a fake accent, but he is dead on! It would probably be harder for him as well considering two other main characters are from Britain and actually use their British accent in the show.

The difficulty hits home whenever I am talking to any of my Chicago native friends or have had a few beers, my husband immediately knows that I am on the phone with some of my friends or family from home as my As change dramatically.

Coming back to the whole British American fake out... the opposite actually happened to me for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I had been convinced since one of Robin Thicke's first big hits "Lost Without U" that he was British. I didn't even question it in fact. He had funny hair and a high voice and seemed very European to me.

Imagine my surprise when I find out that he is the son of none other than 80s dad icon Jason Seaver from Growing Pains, Alan Thicke!

This sort of rocked my world. He is as American as they come and his 2013 summer hit "Blurred Lines" has been blaring out of my radio for the past month. The unrated video, on the other hand, is a little risque and demeaning for my taste...

Star Treatment?

"Beyonce shrouds her expanding belly in a brightly colored tunic," says People.com

Where I am from, that $hit is called a "moo-moo"...