Water for Elephants: A Review

For those of you who have read the book by the same name, you may be in for a little disappointment; but then again, aren’t we all when it comes to book-turned-movie scenarios? Even when you look at it as a movie that wasn’t an adaptation, it still disappoints.

A lot of it had to do with the chemistry between Reese Witherspoon, playing Marlena, and Robert Pattinson, playing Jacob; because there was none. Pattinson for instance performed with his usually broody eyebrows and that ever present teenage angst seen in every one of his films. It actually got to the point where I felt like asking in the middle of the theater, “Why Reese? Why? “ The entire movie it felt like someone was actually attempting to push them together the chemistry was so off.

As the movie takes place during the Great Depression, the cinematography beautifully captured all the magic the circus held during such hard times. Scenes that took place outside of the big top, gave a glimpse into what was the Dirty 30’s, yet once you entered under the big top, all the joy and wonder which was the circus at the time could be felt. It was an opportunity to forget all your troubles. These were the scenes I enjoyed most.

Overall the movie felt mediocre and trying to be more dramatic than what it actually was. Let’s face it, when the chemistry between your leading man and lady is lacking the story suffers.

2 out 5 stars.

Rebecca

Tip of the Day: Couponing

Hey guys!

I have been obsessed with the tv show "Extreme Couponing" lately and this has inspired me to do a little research into this saving money business.  Now since I'm from Canada, our laws and store regulations are very different from the US so we can't participate in couponing the way we see it on "Extreme Couponing" but we can find some cool deals.



It all started when a friend told me about websites that send you coupons for free. The ones I use are http://www.save.ca/, www.brandsaver.ca, www.gocoupons.ca, and www.websaver.ca. All you do is go online, sign up for free, select the coupons you want sent to you and order your free coupons! Sounds to good to be true right? But that's not all..

A couple days later I do some more thinking about coupons so I go to trusty google and search coupon blogs. There are a ton of blogs dedicated to coupons! I could have been saying money all this time! My absolute favorite is http://www.simplyfrugal.ca/.. This lady is amazing!! The posts I love to read are when she does Deal of the Week and shows readers what is on sale at stores and how they can use their coupons from the above websites to save big! A few other good websites are www.bargainmoose.ca, www.smarkcanucks.ca and www.canadianfreestuff.ca.

Good luck folks and happy couponing!

xox
Ashlee

Pirates of the Carribean: Haul + Movie Review!

Ayeeee Mateys!

Here we are again! Look at us with our new blog.. pretty snazzy eh?

For my first post I thought start with two things that I love. First being nail polish and second
being Pirates of the Carribean! OPI created a swashbuckling collection full of beautiful murky
pastels that are perfect for the pirates within us so feast your deadlights on this booty! [uhh....the nail polish ;) ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zGxO9sPbg

Mermaid's Tears- a seafoam green creme that is similar to CG For Audrey but much greener
Stranger Tides- a murky grey green creme
Skull and Glossbones- a grey creme
Sparrow Me The Drama-  a pink creme
Steady As She Rose- a light pink creme that reminds me of Mod About You but much greyer
Planks A lot- A purple creme which looks like a darker version on Rumples Wiggin
Silver Shatter- Sparkley silver shatter effect

I adore this collection since my favorite nail polishes are cremes so if your a glitter girl or a shimmer sista I would steer clear of these.

As for the movie, I went not expecting much but I came out and loved it. I started watching the Pirates of the Carribean movies because I was obsessed with Johnny Depp and wanted to see him in a pirate outfit! Turns out Johnny Dep as Captain Jack Sparrow is one of my favorite charaters of all time. This is where my fond love of the Pirates series started.

This movie focused on the crew getting to the fountain of youth while they pick up a few new members of the crew along the way. The story line was interesting but the movie was to long to keep my interest the whole time. This movie was not the best of the series but I think it could be an excellent lead up to an amazing fifth movie! One thing I know is if they do come out with a fifth installement I will definitly be there to see Captain Jack Sparrow!

Much love,
Ashlee

Bridesmaids: A Review

This weekend past I drove out to meet a good friend and see a movie. After Youtubing the trailers of the movies that were going to be playing, Bridesmaids was the movie of choice. We arrived early but apparently not soon enough as the show had just sold out while we stood in line for tickets. Seeing as there was nothing else starting soon or seemed interesting enough to actually want to see in theaters, we bought tickets to the next show later that evening.

It was a three hour wait and I was not disappointed.

Much of the buzz I was hearing before I saw the film was that it was a female version of The Hangover. There were definite similarities, intentional or coincidence I’m not sure, but I believe Bridesmaids held its own and is a film the guys can also enjoy. The film follows the story of Annie, a newly appointed maid of honor after her best friend Lillian announces her engagement. Annie has been having a rough time with things, her love life is a mess, working a job she hates, and financially strained. This strain becomes more apparent as she tries to keep up with her maid of honor duties, especially with Lillian’s new friend and fellow bridesmaid Helen, just waiting to prove how ill-suited Annie is for the maid of honor title.

The other bridesmaids, Rita, Becca, and Megan, are also along for the ride, but not in a bad way. These roles were not just filler pieces and provided their own comedic moments to the film; Melissa McCarthy the actress who plays Megan, the future sister-in-law to Lillian (sound familiar?). Melissa OWNED her role as the confidant Megan who although a little too forward at times, certainly has her heart in the right place. I found this particularly so during the scenes that took place while on an airplane.

 I thought the film was hilarious and well written. The storyline was interesting and not dragged out, nor did it zoom over points just so a joke could be inserted randomly without the right comedic timing. The sections that addressed “girly feelings” were not overpowering and tied in well with the overall tone. Kristen Wiig who played Annie did a remarkable job with her leading lady role. As for the Bridesmaids/Hangover comparison; yeah, there were a few similarities but both movies are unique in their own way and Bridesmaids is certainly not going to be found standing in The Hangover’s shadow.

 Despite the chick flick vibe one may get from watching previews or just simply hearing the title, Bridesmaids is a film I’m sure even the macho-men out there can enjoy. I’d rate Bridesmaids a 4.5 out of 5. I dock points mainly because of the very graphic portrayal of food poisoning.   

Pins  

Let me cross the road!

I believe we are all familiar of the universal rule of the road:

Pedestrians hate drivers; drivers hate pedestrians; but both parties can agree that nothing is worse than a person on a bike.

Although I have plenty of experience with pedestrianism and driving, my bike riding experience is limited to the times back in the day when the neighborhood kids would form a mini bike gang and patrol the streets. This being said, I apologize in advance if I offend any of those out there who brave the city streets via bicycle.

Now to address the reason for this rant of sorts; I am fortunate enough that I live only a five minute walk from the building I work in. This allows me to walk home everyday for lunch instead of having to take those extra ten minutes in the morning to pack one. Yesterday as I was walking home I got closer to the intersection I had to cross in order to reach my building. I’m about five meters away from pressing the button that makes the little crosswalk symbol light up, when out of nowhere a ninja on wheels zooms by me, nearly resulting in the releasing of my bowels.

That’s right, a ninja on wheels or what is commonly known as a biker. I don’t know what it is but all the bikers around where I live seem to have invested in super quiet bikes. If I had been wearing headphones and jamming to some awesome tunes and did not hear the pesky biker approaching from behind, I would deserve the inevitable fright about to be inflicted.

But no. I was not wearing headphones and the bugger indeed startled me. Nothing like a mid-day heart attack to re-energize ya. That is why when I’m walking I dislike bike riders. I know they are helping reduce carbon emissions and getting some exercise to boot, but they ALWAYS sneak up and scare me. Not so much if they happen to have a bell to give you some warning, but when they seem to materialize out of thin air like a ninja assassin, I am not impressed.

After recovering and mumbling a few profanities, I press the button and wait for the lighted red hand to change into a little man. When the man does appear I begin to take my first steps towards the curb when “WHOOSH!” A big ol’ blue truck zooms by, clearly going through a red light, and would have made me a pancake if not for my slow response time to crossing the street.

This time I was not so much startled but infuriated, “That’s right buddy you better keep driving. You-” I’m sure you can use your imagination and finish the response.

All I wanted to do was go home and have some lunch. Instead I was dodging bikes and nearly getting run down by big ol’ blue trucks. It kinda made me realize what a vicious circle these three modes of transportation make. When I’m driving my car and a pedestrian seems to jump out of nowhere to cross the street I respond with, “Look BOTH ways moron!” If I was the pedestrian in this situation I’d respond with, “Hey! I’m walking here! Keep your eyes open moron!” Throw a bike into the situation and it doesn’t matter if I’m the pedestrian or driver, the guy on the bike is always going to be the moron.

Sorry bikers, it’s true. When I’m driving you refuse to use the sidewalk even though the road is not equipped with a bike lane meaning I must hug the yellow line so I can drive by without hitting you. When I’m walking I have to be on my guard because you are either going to sneak up behind me or turn a corner too fast and nearly hit me.

I realize I’m being a bit harsh and I’m sure you can come up with plenty to say about me while I’m driving my car or while I’m walking, but for now you are always going to annoy me just the tiniest bit on an everyday basis.

Sorry,

Pins  

Time for a facelift

Under normal circumstances I’d totally be against cosmetic surgery, but since this is cyber-space I’m willing to make an exception. That’s right; “The Daring Darlings” have gotten a bit of a hauling over. Hopefully this time around things will run a little more smoothly and a fan base of some sort can actually develop.

One of our major plans for this overhaul is to not just ramble (which I am entirely guilty of), but actually discuss things such as what books are worth the read, how to decorate an apartment on a college student budget, and what cosmetic products are going to give you the best bang for your buck.

So all you readers out there, I hope you enjoy the new. It may seem a little empty now, but don’t worry; it’s going to start filling up with material before you know it.

Happy Reading,

Pins (a.k.a Rebecca)