Dear Summer Movies,

Dear X-Men: Days of Future Past,
You have always been my favorite group of superheroes. You come out this Friday.  Fortunately I will not be in town on Friday, otherwise I would go without Frank to see you.  You better be glad I wouldn't leave my homeboy hanging.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing you again Xavier, it has been a sad while.  Thanks for not dying after all.
Dear Million Ways to Die in the West,
I love laughing, and I think you will make me laugh.  I hear you're tight with Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Sarah Silverman, AND Liam Neeson... I think you and I are going to get along just fine. Besides, what better type of movie is there than humor + the wild west?
Dear The Fault In Our Stars,
Typically I wouldn't want to see someone like you.  I'm not much of one to see a sappy, sad, emotional movie like you appear to be.  But there is something sweet and mysterious about your roots and reasons that makes me think you would be one worth crying over.  Don't make me cry too much, or I'll get mad.
Dear Transformers: Age of Extinction,
I remember watching you as a small child and I loved playing with Optimus Prime figures when I went over to friend's houses.  When you first started showing on the Big Screen, I saw you every time, liking the general idea of the story, not so much the love story.  As I told the last guy, I'm not one for sappy, romance stuff.  This time, you have lost some of that weight and are shaping up to what I was hoping you'd be in the first place.  And you added Mark Wahlberg which is a huge "uh-huh" from me.
Dear Wish I Was Here,
You know, I am actually peacefully excited to see you.  Just your preview reminds me of the Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and I kinda like that.  Probably because you'll be a bit more realistic, admitting that you have error as being human, but you come to a point of realization that you are worth more than your dreams.  I think I will enjoy you as well.

You guys will be keeping me busy this summer.  Counting down.
Love,
Jay.

{Our Idiot Brother}

Dear Our Idiot Brother,

You were amazeballs.  How have I not heard of you before?  Thank you for reminding me to appreciate family, to make the best of what I'm given, to give others the benefit of the doubt, to be genuine and honest without blame, not to be ashamed of my shortfalls, and to do good simply because it makes the world better.  I've always had pets growing up, but now I am super excited to have a man's-best-friend to hang out with, and I'm thinking I might name her Emma Watson - because I really like her.  Still working on the male name, though.  Also, thank you for introducing me to biodynamic farming.  If I ever become a biodynamic farmer, I may instead incorporate my own beliefs rather than the mysticism that is typically involved, but I know I will have a bigger appreciation for the growth relationship between plant and earth.  I really appreciate the way you help your family learn to loosen up and love each other again.  I admired your love and quality time spent with River, and the role model you gave him that ultimately changed his life.  I hope [but know] that our kids will have an uncle like that someday ;)  You are officially one of my favorites, and I'm ready for hub-bub to meet you.  So, see you again soon!

Jay.

{The Breakfast Club: 30 years}

30 years ago today, the members of the Breakfast Club met for Saturday detention for the first time.

Now the world is a happier place, and we all have fond memories of time spent watching this iconic movie of teen angst.  Thank you Breakfast Club for being such a great movie.

{Dear Monuments Men}

Dear Monuments Men,

Thank you for taking your time (and some, your lives) to remind us what we fight for: to preserve our culture, and remember the great things we've done while we're here on earth.  I really appreciated the lesson you gave on art and how much damage Hitler did while he was alive; not only did he murder millions of innocent people, and reduce beautiful cities and towns to rubble, but he also tried to bring down all of the world's history and culture through stealing and destroying art.  My heart broke when I watched them blowtorch an entire mine of artwork, millions of pieces of artwork, from artists like Picaso.  Also, I don't know what dark mark was on the name of Donald Jeffries, but he earned his dignity with the sacrifice he made for the Bruges Madonna and Child.  Don't worry chap, they found it in the end.  I'm thankful this movie was produced for the world to see.  While many young people have no care for this, the lesson learned from the men who risked their lives to save our culture amidst winning the war is one that cannot be learned easily, but forever appreciated.  I hope that everyone, in time, will be able to view you and really understand what it means to preserve a way of life that will never go forgotten.  Again, thank you for sharing your story with the world; it is not taken for granted.

Sincerely,
J.

PS. Not to mention, this film had an extraordinary cast.

Find out real-life information about the Monuments Men, 

their purpose and protection, and their organization (MFAA) here.

{Brazell Interviews} The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug

WOW

I... am... wow...

So we saw the 12:01 premiere last night and a bunch of other CIU students were there too (shout out, homies!)  I asked on Facebook what everyone's thought on it was, and I'm getting some good responses.  Well here is what Frank and I were thinking about the awesomeness portrayed in that theatre last night - I didn't want it to end!!!  I'm starting to get lost in that world again.. uh oh...

There are no specific spoiler alerts :)

Here are pictures showing our excitement before seeing the movie, and our reactions after seeing the movie:

So as you can see, I was pumped and ready to go, Frank was happy to go.  I was thrilled beyond measure afterwards, and Frank was a sleepy poo (who also really enjoyed the movie).

So in a few days time, we are going to do another video where we talk about all that we liked and didn't like from the movie.  Beware, that one will have spoiler alerts.

Also, check out this interactive map powered by Google Chrome in honor of the Hobbit!

What are your thoughts on The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug?

Leave the comments below!

{Dear December Movies}

Dear Saving Mr. Banks: I admire your curious tale of how Mary Poppins changed your world and our world.  I await eagerly to see you and the wonderfully placed Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.  All children have a person in their lives that is like a superhero to save them and their family; I look forward to hearing about yours.
Dear Anchorman 2: It has been 8 long years since you last graced the News Network with your quirky, crude charm.  Hubby and I are greatly looking forward to you as our afternoon delight in a few weeks, and you better be classy!
Dear Hobbit: Oh. My. Gosh.  I get a tingled sensation all through my healing nerves when I see you talking to Smaug.  We already bought the midnight tickets; we have a date with you and your short, fierce, traveling companions this Thursday night ;)  Can't wait!
Dear Inside Llewyn Davis: I am captivated by the picture you portray and the music you share for folk lovers; I love the way you sound already.  I want to know more about you.  Please stay sweet for me when I see you at the end of the month.

Sincerely yours,
JayElleBee

{Noah}

I'm looking forward to only a few movies to be honest.  I enjoy movies, but not nearly as much as most people do.  However, I know a good movie when I hear of one.  Right now, counting down until the Hobbit, I can't help but betray that I am actually THRILLED about a movie coming to theatres next spring.

|| NOAH ||

A few reasons why I know I will love this movie:

#1.  Emma Watson

#2.  Russel Crowe

#3.  Based off of Bible narrative of Noah

#4.  Emma Watson

#5.  Filmed on Nordic land (beautiful scenery)

#6.  Great directing by Darren Aronofsky

#7.  Although Hollywood-exaggerated, great depiction of a real event from over 4500 years ago

#8.  Emma Watson (and Logan Lerman)

#9.  Russel Crowe

#10.  Watch the trailer

Coming at ya' : : March 27, 2014!!!

So pumped.

What movies are you looking forward to in the coming months?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

  I recently discovered my most favorite movie in the world: The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  I mainly wanted to watch the movie because I love Emma Watson and I think she's amazing, but as I watched the movie I really became enchanted by it's nostalgic and relatable personality from the mid-90's.

  This movie is just a gem.  I love it.  It stars Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, and Logan Lerman with other supporting actors.  The movie is based off of a book of the same title by American novelist Stephen Chbosky.

  The book and movie follows an introverted, introspective 15-year-old freshman named Charlie who has experienced a friend's suicide, the death of an aunt, and child molestation.

  We begin with him on his first day of high school as he hopes to make news friends but has trouble with this at first because of his shyness.  Two seniors, step-siblings Sam and Patrick, take him under their wings and help him cope in the real world with the help of their group they coin at one point as the wallflowers and the island of lost toys.  By wallflower, they explain that they are the people who fell unnoticed accept by other wallflowers.  Together the friends face tough situations, relationship struggles, and fighting for each other just to survive.

  Full of emotion and life-facing detail, The Perks of Being a Wallflower exemplifies the struggle and hope of going through high school with only a few good friends.  It is possible to work towards something worthwhile  and it's okay to face your past and your fears.

  I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested, there are a few words not acceptable for youngsters but not very many.  There are no sex scenes, but there is one suggestive scene.  There are also quite a few party scenes... So ultimately I recommend this movie for people in high school and older ;)  The film is rated PG-13.

Getting Ready For The Hobbit!

  The closer the time comes, the more excited I am getting about the up-coming movie, The Hobbit!!  Frank and I watched the extended version of Fellowship of the Ring a few nights ago, and it was like dousing a small kindling flame with oil!  I am reading the book by J.R.R. Tolkien in preparation for the cinematographic motion picture adapted from the book!  At the current moment, I am only beginning, so I am at the part where Bilbo tries to hide away from the dwarves' company in his hobbit hole; They're singing a lyric when they catch him sneaking off.  Instead of returning to their beautiful deep vocals chorus, they begin talking about dark business that many won't survive.  Not much has gone on yet, but I am so far intrigued!  I remember reading Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter) for the first time and craving more every single time I felt I couldn't be doing anything better!  Same feeling!  It's possible that I could update the world on where I'm at on this journey throughout the next semester.  I am getting more and more pumped about December!!

I realized in my Issues In Contemporary Youth Culture class the other day that I have really slacked on blogging lately - which I know was not exactly the point of us talking about blogging in class...  But the more we talked about it, the more I really really really wanted to get on and blog hard!  I really do have so many things to talk about since the last time I actually posted anything at the beginning of August, but I just haven't seemed to find the time to sit down and spill all my thoughts  out onto my keyboard.  I want to try and at least post something weekly, maybe even more than once weekly - even if it's just an update on life, or where I'm at in reading The Hobbit.  Gosh, I seemed to forgotten how good this feels to blog!

Quite so awesomely, The Hobbit comes to theatres on mine and my fiance's two-year dating anniversary!  Just weeks before our wedding!  So you can guess I'll be dropping hints like bombs about what we should do to celebrate! ;D

86 more days until it comes!!!

Take a look if you haven't already!  If you have already, look at it again!!!!

Counting Down!