I recently purchased a Silhouette SD Digital Craft cutter and it's the coolest thing ever! There several places where I can get free files for it. One of the best is Jennie Bean Crafts. They have some of the most incredible sliceforms.
If you have a Digital cutter or are considering getting one-go check that blog out!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Further thoughts on Half Blood Prince
Spoilerages abound!
I keep seeing status updates on Facebook & Twitter where people say they hated the new Harry Potter movie bc they left so much out. (Did we watch the same movie?)
Yes, there are things from the book that were left out. That is the nature of film making. They cannot take every.single.detail. from a book and put it in a movie. We'd all still be at the cinema.
Here's what I keep hearing and my opinion on them:
One thing people are complaining about is that the funeral was left out. I think this was done for a number of reason (including what the director said about it)
At the point in the movie were DD dies, it's already well over two hours in. Adding the funeral would have added more time. But most importantly, I think the raising of the lit wands was much more poignant than a funeral would have been (and less costly).
Another thing people are complaining about is the missing battle at the end. I think (and this is only my opinion remember) they left it out bc
1. they ended Order of the Phoenix with a battle at the Ministry. Ending with a major death instead of a battle seems to flow better, movie wise.
2. there is going to be an EPIC battle at Hogwarts at the end of movie 7 part two (at least there better be). Ending with Dumbledore's death sets the stage for what's coming.
As an avid, rabid, dorky Harry Potter fan, I was quite ok with how they ended it.
I was not, however, ok with the burning of the Burrow. I have heard two theories on that and neither justify it enough. One was that the movie needed more action at that point (puh leez) and the other is that Helena Bonham Carter's contract may have called for more face time (not good enough).
I was also rather miffed that Dumbledore did not freeze Harry in place when Draco confronted him. How heartbreaking it was when I read that part in the book when Harry realized that DD was really dead bc the jinx broke.
Mark thought -and upon further reflection I agree- that they could have used a little more explanation about the Horcruxes and about why the Dementors and Death Eaters were attacking Muggles at the start. For someone (the hubs) who had not read the book, those were a little confusing.
However, none of what I disliked was enough for me to say that I "hated" the movie or that it "sucked", as many have so eloquently put it. And from what I understand, JK Rowling signed off on the changes (including the pointless Burrow scene).
I keep seeing status updates on Facebook & Twitter where people say they hated the new Harry Potter movie bc they left so much out. (Did we watch the same movie?)
Yes, there are things from the book that were left out. That is the nature of film making. They cannot take every.single.detail. from a book and put it in a movie. We'd all still be at the cinema.
Here's what I keep hearing and my opinion on them:
One thing people are complaining about is that the funeral was left out. I think this was done for a number of reason (including what the director said about it)
At the point in the movie were DD dies, it's already well over two hours in. Adding the funeral would have added more time. But most importantly, I think the raising of the lit wands was much more poignant than a funeral would have been (and less costly).
Another thing people are complaining about is the missing battle at the end. I think (and this is only my opinion remember) they left it out bc
1. they ended Order of the Phoenix with a battle at the Ministry. Ending with a major death instead of a battle seems to flow better, movie wise.
2. there is going to be an EPIC battle at Hogwarts at the end of movie 7 part two (at least there better be). Ending with Dumbledore's death sets the stage for what's coming.
As an avid, rabid, dorky Harry Potter fan, I was quite ok with how they ended it.
I was not, however, ok with the burning of the Burrow. I have heard two theories on that and neither justify it enough. One was that the movie needed more action at that point (puh leez) and the other is that Helena Bonham Carter's contract may have called for more face time (not good enough).
I was also rather miffed that Dumbledore did not freeze Harry in place when Draco confronted him. How heartbreaking it was when I read that part in the book when Harry realized that DD was really dead bc the jinx broke.
Mark thought -and upon further reflection I agree- that they could have used a little more explanation about the Horcruxes and about why the Dementors and Death Eaters were attacking Muggles at the start. For someone (the hubs) who had not read the book, those were a little confusing.
However, none of what I disliked was enough for me to say that I "hated" the movie or that it "sucked", as many have so eloquently put it. And from what I understand, JK Rowling signed off on the changes (including the pointless Burrow scene).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Half Blood Prince- my thoughts
I saw Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince tonight. It was fantastic! I have read or listened to the book multiple times and, with two exceptions, the movie captured the book marvelously.
I will talk about some scenes from the movie, so if you want no spoilers you might want to stop reading here...
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Still reading? good
First, I cannot get over how grown those kids are! They are so adorable and have become much better actors over time. Tom Felton was perfect as a tormented Draco Malfoy.
I thought that, given the limited time, they covered the majority of the major points from the book (except that Bill was not in it so he wasn't mauled by Greyback)
And speaking of the Weasleys.....my wtf moment came when the Burrow was attacked and burned. Not only was it not in the book at all, I didn't see where it served any purpose in the story. To show that Harry can be tracked down? The Burrow is supposed to have almost as many protections while Harry is there as Hogwarts. I'm not buying it. That was the most troubling bit.
The second bothersome part was that Harry was not stupefied under his invisibility cloak during the Astronomy Tower scene. Harry would not just stand there. Maybe, just maybe, he thought Snape was really going to help but still, DD could have stupefied him after he went down a level.
Other than those two bits, I was extremely happy with how this movie was done. I thought the death scene was well done (and the "Severus, Please" part-wow) I (along with about everyone else in the theater) cried when everyone held their lit wands up.
This is the best movie of the series so far and I cannot wait to see how they do Deathly Hallows.
I will talk about some scenes from the movie, so if you want no spoilers you might want to stop reading here...
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Still reading? good
First, I cannot get over how grown those kids are! They are so adorable and have become much better actors over time. Tom Felton was perfect as a tormented Draco Malfoy.
I thought that, given the limited time, they covered the majority of the major points from the book (except that Bill was not in it so he wasn't mauled by Greyback)
And speaking of the Weasleys.....my wtf moment came when the Burrow was attacked and burned. Not only was it not in the book at all, I didn't see where it served any purpose in the story. To show that Harry can be tracked down? The Burrow is supposed to have almost as many protections while Harry is there as Hogwarts. I'm not buying it. That was the most troubling bit.
The second bothersome part was that Harry was not stupefied under his invisibility cloak during the Astronomy Tower scene. Harry would not just stand there. Maybe, just maybe, he thought Snape was really going to help but still, DD could have stupefied him after he went down a level.
Other than those two bits, I was extremely happy with how this movie was done. I thought the death scene was well done (and the "Severus, Please" part-wow) I (along with about everyone else in the theater) cried when everyone held their lit wands up.
This is the best movie of the series so far and I cannot wait to see how they do Deathly Hallows.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Review- Goth Girl Rising
I have been eagerly awaiting this book for a while and was finally able to get my hands, er, eyes on a (completely legal) digital copy. (I still want the book!)
Goth Girl Rising follows Kyra after she is released from the mental hospital after attempting to commit suicide. When she returns, she expects things to be exactly like they were before- particularly that Fanboy is still an outcast. When she discovers that he is anything but, she gets pissed and wants revenge.
Goth Girl is a sequel of sorts to The Astonishing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl, but this one is told from Kyra's point of view. There were times when I felt sorry for her and times I wanted to throttle her for being so self centered by thinking everyone is against her and nothing is her fault.
I did like how the book ended, but I wanted MORE!
Goth Girl Rising follows Kyra after she is released from the mental hospital after attempting to commit suicide. When she returns, she expects things to be exactly like they were before- particularly that Fanboy is still an outcast. When she discovers that he is anything but, she gets pissed and wants revenge.
Goth Girl is a sequel of sorts to The Astonishing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl, but this one is told from Kyra's point of view. There were times when I felt sorry for her and times I wanted to throttle her for being so self centered by thinking everyone is against her and nothing is her fault.
I did like how the book ended, but I wanted MORE!
Monday, July 06, 2009
Win Along for the Ride
Just Blinded Book Reviews is holding a contest for a galley copy of Along for the Ride. Go over there and enter! good luck
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
Miranda's mother and grandmother have been estrange since before Miranda was born. When Isadora, her grandmother, dies, Miranda goes to Selkie Island in Georgia to help go through the things at Isadora's summer house. There, Miranda's mom reconnects with old friends and Miranda feels thrust into the world of the upper crust- that is, until she meets local boy Leo, who might be harboring a fantastical secret. Should Miranda believe the local lore?I loved this book so much. I so wanted to know more about the summer house, Isadora's secrets, Selkie Island, and Leo. LEO! I think he might be replacing Edward as my book-boy crush.
I've heard (from the author herself!) that there could be a sequel and that makes me very very giddy.
Friday, July 03, 2009
June books
June
Dead is the New Black~Marlene Perez
The Misfits ~James Howe
The Book of One Hundred Truths~ Julie Schumacher
Then He Ate my Boy Entrancers ~Louise Rennison
Looking for Alaska~ John Green
The Hate List~Jennifer Brown
Magic or Madness~Justine Larbalestier
So you want to be a wizard~Diane Duane
so far this year- 46
| May Dancing in my Nuddy-Pants~Louise Rennison Blue is for Nightmares~Laurie Faria Stolarz Away Laughing on a Fast Camel~Louise Rennison To Kill a Mockingbird~ Harper Lee White is for Magic~Laurie Faria Stolarz Burned~Ellen Hopkins Fight Club_Chuck Palahniuk The Fashion Disaster that Changed my life~Lauren Myracle so far this year- 38 April On the Bright Side, I'm now the Girlfriend of a Sex God~Louise Rennison Cabinet of Wonders~ Marie Rutkoski Giver~Lois Lowry (read with my class) Why I Let My Hair Grow Out~Maryrose Wood The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Thing~Carolyn Mackler Boy Toy~Barry Lyga 13 Little Blue Envelopes~Maureen Johnson Westing Game~Ellen Raskin (read with class) North of Beautiful ~Justina Chen Headley Knocked Out by my Nunga-Nunga~Louise Rennison so far this year- 30 Goal for the year-100 March Geektastic ~Edited by Holly Black & Cecil Castellucci Oh My Goth ~ Gena Showalter Hunted~PC & Kristen Cast The Thirteen Treasures~Michelle Harrison (this one of the best written books I've read in a while) Wit~a play by Margaret Edson Angus, Thongs, & Full frontal Snogging~Louise Rennison (this book is HILARIOUS!) Twilight Director's Notebook~ Catherine Hardwick Books read so far this year- 20 Goal for the year-100 February Kingdom Keepers:Disney at Dawn~ Ridley Pearson The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl~Barry Lyga Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist~Rachel Cohn & David Levithan Night World vl 1: Secret Vampire Daughters of Darkness Spellbinder ~LJ Smith Zombie Queen on Newbury High ~ ~Amanda Ashby Prophecy of the Sisters ~Michelle Zink January The Tales of Beedle the Bard~JK Rowling (Brilliant!) Kingdom Keepers:Disney After Dark~Ridley Pearson (A must read for any Disney fan) Fade to Blue~Sean Beaudoin (not released until Spring 09) (This one had me guessing until the end) My Sister the Vampire:Switched~Sienna Mercer (Vampire books for the Middle school set. Really cute books) My Sister the Vampire:Fangtastic~Sienna Mercer |
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Fanboy contest winner!
Congrats to ALEXA for winning the signed copy of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Her name was picked using Random.org
Alexa, I sent an email to the address you left.
Thanks to everyone who entered. I will post other contests soon. Keep checking back!
Alexa, I sent an email to the address you left.
Thanks to everyone who entered. I will post other contests soon. Keep checking back!
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