Movie trailers: Catching Fire, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Man of Steel

Catching Fire is my favorite book of The Hunger Games trilogy. Despite what I wrote in an earlier post about not watching The Hunger Games movie (see previous post), I did watch it. Not by choice really: one of my friends had a movie gift card. She had already watched The Hunger Games (she probably enjoyed the trilogy as much as I did), thought I should watch the movie too, and pretty much dragged me to the theatre. The Hunger Games (movie) was....not bad. Apparently, my imagination is quite dark. Spoiler Alert: I imagined District 12 to be more slum-like. In the movie, District 12 is quite pretty. Idyllic. Everything in the movie moved slow and was quiet. Katniss (played by now Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence) is portrayed as a strong-resilient teenager. In the book, Katniss is very angry at the world. She lashes out at everyone and everything. Katniss only loves her sister. Of course they would have to change her character slightly for the movie. You do need a likeable heroine for a movie. I just didn't realize how much I adored book Katniss.

Catching Fire (the book) is sort of a mystery. There are things happening that you don't understand at all until the very end. This is why it is a good book. You have to re-read it and re-read it to become aware of everything. However from the Catching Fire trailer (below) it is very apparent what exactly is going on. They made the movie for people who haven't read the book. They changed some things, but the overall theme of the book is the same. Totalitarian government trying to suppress the masses. Rebellion. Katniss still loves her sister though she may also love Gale and/or Peeta. A terrible tragic thing happens at the end (I've already spoiled so much), that I can only imagine it will be shocking to movie-goers. They will all have to read Mockingjay. A quick note about Mockingjay: one of the most depressing books I've ever read. While I've read Catching Fire at least 5X, I've only read Mockingjay twice. Hard to read, but an extremely realistic conclusion.

The Star Trek Into Darkness trailer is so awesome. 5 more weeks!

I have to admit, I'm not a big Superman fan and I don't know why. Mostly because you are either a Batman fan or a Superman fan. Or maybe it is really Bruce Wayne versus Clark Kent. I wasn't so excited for Man of Steel, but the trailer has completely changed my mind. Though the updated Superman suit is distracting. This Superman really does a number on your emotions. You really have to be non-human (pun intended) to not feel anything while watching the trailer.

Review of the Hunger Games Trilogy

*Originally posted on 1/6/2012


When I was thinking of books to read in Australia, I realized I'm not really a Chick Lit girl. But I was going to be on vacation, so I didn't want to read anything too heavy. I picked up a book about Operation Mincemeat http://www.amazon.com/Operation-Mincemeat-ebook/dp/B0036S49QE that I found at Costco. It is a great, easy read with some World War II history. I was torn about getting the Hunger Games series for two reasons: I wasn't sure I could read a story about children killing other children and I didn't want to cart around hardcover books (the other two books in the series, Catching Fire and MockingJay, are found only in hardcover in the US). When I researched paperback versions of Catching Fire and MockingJay, I found out the only market to have them was the British Market. This was perfect! I could buy The Hunger Games in the US, read it during the 14 hour plane ride, buy the British versions of Catching Fire and MockingJay in Australia and read those on the plane ride back. And that's pretty much what happened.

Only The Hunger Games book is extensive about the Hunger Games (the actual event where children try to kill other children). The other two books revolve around a rebellion against the evil Capitol Entity that the female protagonist unknowingly instigates during the Hunger Games. It is remarkably relevant to the present day. How entitled people may not understand how entitled they are, how rebellion leaders may seek any means necessary to win, and the idea that humankind may never learn from history. The Hunger Games is set in the future, a post-apocalyptic future. And there's nothing about the author's (Suzanne Collins) view of the future world that I disagree with. Most importantly (to me), the series revolves around a young woman trying to save her family while realizing that she needs to be saved herself. Every teenage female should read this book. My only real critique is the book is in first person, a type of writing that I dislike. Then again, it is a young adult book.

I probably won't be watching the Hunger Games movies. My ideas/thoughts regarding the book don't need a Hollywood version, but I do hope the movie stays true to the books. It would be great disappointment if it didn't.

About that fight at Petco Park

If you haven't heard, there was huge brawl at Petco Park last week. Here's a grantland article with video of the fight and a breakdown of it. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/58194/greinke-vs-quentin-the-official-breakdown

My thoughts with a Padres bias:

-I can't believe there was a fight at Petco Park. However, it does not surprise me at all the game was against The Dodgers.

-I haven't been to Dodger stadium in about 4 years. I've said I would never go back. Now I'm fairly certain I will never go back.

-Vin Scully is a really good baseball announcer. And that's with a Padres bias. The Padres announcers are pretty terrible. Sometimes when I used to watch in San Diego, I would watch without sound. It was that bad.  I actually prefer listening to games on the radio anyways. This fact completely ages me.

-Zach Greinke (Dodger pitcher) broke his collarbone and will out be 6-8 weeks. Carlos Quentin (Padre) was suspended 8 games for rushing the mound and breaking said collarbone. Jerry Hairston Jr. (former Padre, current Dodger) was suspended 1 game for reinstigating the ruckus. Matt Kemp (Dodger and former Rihanna boyfriend) was not suspended, but thrown out of the game since he was extremely vocal during the fight. Matt Kemp confronted Carlos Quentin after the game. They had to be separated by Clayton Richard (Padres pitcher) and security. I actually think Quentin should be suspended at least 10 games. If you watch the video of the fight, Quentin ran up to Greinke wanting to hurt him. Greinke is lucky to only have broken his collarbone. Probably because AJ Ellis (Dodger catcher) tackled Quentin to the ground. It is highly unlikely due to the batting situation, Greinke was trying to hit Quentin. So basically it was just violent stupidity on Quentin's end. There is no place for violent stupidity in any professional sport. Also there are 160 games in baseball. What's is 8 games? Basically, a week...in April.

The Padres and Dodgers meet again starting tomorrow. I have a feeling it will be anti-climatic because you know everything will be blown out of proportion. Either way, should be a fun series. I look forward to listening to it on the radio.

Beauty Finds: Nuance Salma Hayek

The purpose behind my beauty finds posts are to recommend products I've used and researched. Because why would I write a post about it? Un/fortunately (it depends on your own view) I hate wasting things. Whether it is food, clothes, beauty products, wine...I try really hard not to throw away anything. A recent example: I bought basil from Trader Joes to make green beans for Easter. Later that week, I made bruschetta, frittatas, and linguine. My adherence to living a non-wasteful life leads me to not go through beauty products quickly. So I haven't actually tried Nuance yet. I've decided to blog about it because I think it has the potential to be an amazing product line, it is readily accessible, and is fairly priced. http://www.cvs.com/shop/brand-shop/N/Nuance-Salma-Hayek/_/N-3qZ4lgha

Salma Hayek's grandmother was a trained cosmetologist (how cool is that?). She developed her beauty line in honor of her grandmother and it uses naturally found ingredients. Nuance can be found in any CVS. I've been intrigued by the line for awhile and have looked at it in my local CVS. Nuance does use ingredients beneficial for certain beauty aliments. It wasn't tested on animals (huge +) and some of the products come highly recommended by users. Nuance is also relatively cheap compared to other beauty products which as a consumable is very important. The best advertisement for Nuance is Salma Hayek herself whom has gorgeous skin and hair. Though it must be noted, she has probably been using Nuance in some form for most of her life.

I do plan on trying Nuance someday soon and writing a follow-up post. But if you are in a CVS, I encourage everyone to at least check it out. If you end up trying Nuance, do let me know what you think!

Because basketball is life in LA

I've always disliked basketball. It comes down to a few simple things: referees have way too much power over the game, it really isn't a team sport (superstars control everything), and there are too many points (I mean 100 points, why would I ever pay attention for 100 points!) It mostly boils down to the fact San Diego doesn't have a basketball team, so I didn't grow up watching it. But I like to think I would never like basketball. At least professional basketball.

Some of my best years of graduate school are the ones UCLA made it to the Final Four. I always needed a winter sport and college basketball (especially when the school you are attending has a great basketball legacy) is an amazing fit. The games are on campus (how easy is that?), there's a huge rivalry with USC (they are better at football, we are better in basketball), and there are basketball traditions/cheers that are super fun. It is hard not to be swept up into the madness. In a 4 year span, UCLA made it to the Final Four 3X. Just thinking about it makes me smile. I saw the very first collegiate game of Russell Westbrook. I will probably despise Joaquin Noah for the rest of my life. UCLA basketball has made a definite impression on me.

During most of my years at UCLA, the basketball team was lead by Ben Howland. He was a former coach at University of Pittsburgh known for coaching defense. He was a good coach, smart and always looking out for his kids. Probably the basketball version of Coach Taylor. Over the past 5 or so years, UCLA basketball hasn't been very good. There were rumors Howland was having trouble recruiting. The real story is much more complicated yet simple. He became feed up with the boosters and the politics of recruiting. This lead to California high school basketball stars to sign letters of intent to schools halfway/completely across the country. Not that there are a lot of California high school basketball stars, but homefield advantage should work in your favor. The boosters tried to throw Howland under the bus in 2012, but somehow he was able to fend them off for one more year. His second round loss in the NCAA tournament this year sealed his fate. It was inevitable yet still sad.

To me, UCLA basketball will always be associated with Coach Howland. They are inseparable in my mind. I hope he does well, I owe most of my happy UCLA memories to him.

Beauty Finds: theBalm Hot Mama

One of the reasons I wanted to do this blog was to share my BirchBox and Beauty Sage finds. This is the first beauty product I've fallen in love with: theBalm Hot Mama http://www.amazon.com/theBalm-Mamas-All-In-One-Beautiful-Peachy/dp/B000PHRIQM

I never wear blush. I think it is because I used to wear caked on blush during my childhood ballet performances. When I got theBalm Hot Mama in my very first BirchBox, I was disappointed. What was I going to do with blush? I did eventually read it was highly recommended. At my cousin's wedding last January, I was wearing a red dress and thought for the very first time in my life "Maybe I need to wear blush." So I used my theBalm Hot Mama sample and was shocked. It is blush and a highlighter due the gold flakes infused in the peachy blush. I could go on how the gold flakes use reflected light to enhance the contours of one's face...but let's just simply say with theBalm Hot Mama makes one look "softer." I felt ethereal with it on. In fact, sometimes I want to wear it just because I remember how it made me feel. Besides the obvious result of makeup making you look better, shouldn't it also make you feel amazing? I highly recommend theBalm Hot Mama.

A sidenote about BirchBox: I requested a year of BirchBox as my birthday present from my parents. I love samples and presents, so I'm always excited when I get mine. I highly recommend them for people who are too busy to find their own beauty products. I would say I've loved at least one sample every month and been  disappointed with one sample very month. You get a lot of perfume. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my BirchBox experience.

Things I loved this week

*Originally posted 3/9/2013


DVF loves Roxy  This is possibly my dream collaboration. I can't believe I hadn't heard about it before this week. The collection released on Thursday. I wish there were more cover ups, flip flops, and accessories. I want everything.

Joss Whedon's Much Ado about Nothing (trailer below). If I was going to South by Southwest, I would have camped out to watch two movies. Before Miidnight and Joss's Much Ado About Nothing. I adored the Kenneth Branagh version in high school (due to my theatre geek friends), but there is something about updated versions of Shakespeare. It shows the bard holds true to everyday modern life. My favorite part of the trailer and probably the movie? When they take shots! I also have a soft spot for Nathan Fillion who this week on twitter-verse answered random questions with funny light-hearted answers.

Lastly, I listened to P!nk's song "Just give me a reason" on repeat this week. I like fun. so I was due to like this song as well. What I like most about the song is probably how earnest it is. Perhaps due to the auto-tune era, but people just singing is a rare form these days.