I had a barbie mansion. I had tons of barbies, my brother had a couple ken dolls and lots of G.I. Joes, and we had a couple of NKOTB dolls that acted like Ken dolls. So we had a nice collection of toys to make some pretty crazy storylines. My brother was obsessed with the Back to the future trilogy so our most epic storyline involved some time traveling and the space time continuum. That particular play time spanned to both our bedrooms, involved 2 barbie houses, multiple chairs, and lots of costume design. I still look back fondly to those days when my mom would force us to go to bed and quit playing.

But I rarely think of those days now, I shun cartoons and toys in general. I consider myself an adult 30 year old married woman who gets more excited for christoper nolan movies and my plethora of TV shows.

After seeing the Ken short clips that pixar released, I was actually moved to see toy story 3. There was so many times I lay in bed as a child wishing so hard my toys came alive after I went to sleep. It didn’t help that at the time my favorite book was about two british boys whose dolls came alive in their mansion. Wish I could remember the name of that book..

So toy story series really spoke to me. But like old toys, I forgot how much I liked those movies. Then I saw toy story 3..

I’ll admit I teared up. I didn’t let the tears fall. But I was suddenly overwhelmed with the memories of my childhood toys. My heart broke at the realization they were in my parent’s dark attic. I remember what it felt like when I packed away my toys when I was about 12 or 13 years old. I remember giving away my mansion to a younger female cousin. I remember looking around my room and it feeling so empty and big without my plastic friends. I suddenly wanted to unpack all my toys and set up a small space in our apartment for them.

That’s the beauty of toy story. It speaks to the child in all of us. We all had toys and eventually we had to say goodbye to them for video game systems, computer, iphones, video cameras, computers, laptops, and other things. But to this day, no matter how many cool gadgets I have, no many how many dvds or blue ray movies I own, nothing quite equals the joy I had making kissing sounds with my barbie and ken dolls. Nothing is quite as amazing as the first time I got that one barbie that could move her arms after you pushed a button. Or the thrill of buying new clothes or accessories for the dolls. In my world, only a select few dolls got to wear panties haha. I had to rely on the parents to buy things for me and panties were scarce!

Go see toy story 3. It will warm your heart in ways you didn’t think were possible. I hope to one day see a ken and barbie movie from the pixar people. It would be awesome. Maybe it could involve some time traveling too.

I loved the Sex and the City series.  I loved the first Sex and the City movie.   After watching Sex and the City 2, I wish they had stopped after the first movie.

This post is going to contain spoilers, so you have been warned..

Was Michael Patrick King totally and completely out of ideas? Did he forget that Miranda was the snarky pessimistic one? Yes, Carrie you are a horrible nagging bitch of a wife. Way to perpetuate the idea of ugly Americans, Samantha!

The Carrie Storyline was boring and stupid. I’ve always liked Carrie. I know she can be whiny sometimes but I still liked her the best. She was funny, realistic, had such a kick ass fashion sense. But she FINALLY has Mr. Big, and she’s STILL not happy?? C’mon! After her and Big cuddle up and watch an old black and white movie, Big buys her an AWESOME TV for their bedroom so they can watch TV together. I would love if my husband did that. But is Carrie happy? Nooo! She throws a fit when Big brings home take out food and wants to stay in. She writes for a living, she makes her own hours. Big works in an office 40 something hours a week. I’d want to stay home too. Also, she doesn’t cook! He’s too tired to cook, so what the hell else is he supposed to do to feed himself? Also, she’s pissed because the spark has gone? You guys have been together off and on for over a decade!! Give me a break Carrie! When did you become such a drama queen? Maybe you should break up with Big on a weekly basis then come back together. Maybe that would satisfy you. Then kissing your ex because you need attention? YOU ARE ALMOST A 50 YEAR OLD WOMAN! Really? You’re really going to pull that shit? You aren’t some immature 20 year old anymore. After everything you and big have been through together you go and pull some shit like this. It’s disrespectful to your relationship.

Also, Stanford and Anthony getting married?? Really?? Talk about unrealistic! They haaated each other in the series..haaaaaated. So they are the only two gay characters in the series, Let’s get’em hitched!! Also, really? Liza Minelli? Let’s just keep perpetuating stereotypes. While I did applaud her performance and stamina, it just wasn’t great. And Miranda’s line about so many gay men in a room produces Liza? Uggh. It seemed forced and out of character.

Miranda, wow. What happened to her character? She was the most positive person in the entire movie! I didn’t get one snarky comment out of her. She was the best dressed however. I felt like MPK missed out on some great story lines. One of them being the story of Miranda and her boss. It was mentioned, then dropped in less than 15 minutes. Why even write it in the script? It was a waste of time. When did the boss get there? Was he mean to all the other women or just Miranda? I wanted Miranda to quit better than that, she’s freaking Miranda!! Ron white as the boss? Ok sure, he can play asshole well but I wanted more scenes with him. Why was he so rude? Nothing was explained and it could have been more interesting.

Next up, Charlotte. What kind of mother makes cupcakes in vintage clothing? I always pictured Harry would have hired a cook by now anyways. Charlotte spent the whole movie worrying about Harry’s fidelity. Couldn’t the nanny been straight and Harry not cheat? Why did she have to be lesbian, is that the only way Harry wouldn’t cheat? Harry was better than that. Harry always loved Charlotte. Also, Charlotte spent the entire first movie talking about her and Harry’s amazing marriage. Suddenly she’s super paranoid? Doesn’t add up MPK.

Samantha. I’ve always loved Samantha too. She is no holds bar type of Woman. But she’s always seemed to love and accept herself and suddenly she’s obsessed with aging to an extreme degree and suddenly a fan of all people, Suzanne Sommers? Did MPK make some kind of Deal with Sommers? Talk about horrible product placement. I was NOT pleased how she talked about Smith. The man was with her during her cancer and they had a very tender breakup. I wished they could’ve stayed together but I knew realistically it wasn’t feasible. However when she talked about Smith, he was more sex toy than longest relationship in her life and one of the most important. Did 2 years suddenly turn her into a cold and callous woman? Also, I would have thought Samantha would have a little bit of tact when going to the middle east. It may be the “modern” middle east, but it’s still the freaking middle east! You are a guest in their country, act like it, instead of a freaking 5 year old. You can cover up your shit for a week. Respect the local customs within reason. The whole scene with her screaming about condoms and her having sex was disgusting.

The clothing was just atrocious. Was Bozo the clown in charge of wardrobe this time? Really, high heels in the sand? C’mon now. You’d think these sophisticated New York women were a bunch of country bumpkins the way they were oogling the middle eastern women and their burkas. Also, when did SATC become so sitcomy? Wearing Burkas to disguise themselves, Carrie showing leg to hail a cab, and falling off a camel trying to get cell reception, actual camel toe jokes, really MPK? Really? It was more Abbot and Costello and less SATC.

I think one of the biggest problems was the middle east became a character. In the first movie, they just happened to go to Mexico, story still happened, and then they came back to NYC. Half the movie was their vacation and their crazy antics. The location became the main focus and everything else became background noise. I really missed the men in SATC. I was sad Steve and Harry got so little screen time.

One of the biggest opportunities that MPK missed was the 80′s flashbacks. It all happened so fast. Samantha was a bartender at CBGB’S?? Whaat?? Details MPK, details! I think this would have been a great movie to look back on how the girls all came together.

I really feel like this movie tarnished the SATC franchise. I really hope they don’t make a third but I think it’s inevitable. Go back to the roots of why SATC became a cultural phenomenon in the first place. Don’t make it so hokey. Halfway through the movie, I’d thought one of the girls would slip on a banana peel and knock over objects or people like bowling pins. Yeah, it was that bad.

public-domain.zorger.com

The full trailer that came out later:

This is one of my favorite trailers of all time. The movie..ehh..not so much. But to be fair, my intense love for the trailer gave me expectations that NO movie could live up to. Me and my then roommate would watch the trailer over and over and over again. Some days I’d watch it up to 10 times a day. My expectations shouldn’t have been so high. I have somewhat learned my lesson regarding expectations and trailers. The last time I was burned was Harold and Kumar 2. The biggest save for that movie was the NPH.

I can’t help feeling a little bit sad for what Garden State could have been. Natalie Portman tried reaaaally hard. I just imagined a life changing soul rejuvenating life affirming movie. It just wasn’t meant to be. The soundtrack was amazing. It was really top notch.

But that trailer still haunts me.

I decided to call this blog, a pop life, because I am obsessed with all things pop culture. I am always looking for new music, new television shows, new movies, and new books.

I looove netflix. Currently I have 459 movies in my netflix queue. Since me and my husband got netflix back in 2006, my queue has never been below 400. I have this fantasy about the day before I die. I’ll be an old woman in my bed, I’ll watch my last netflix movie (this is taking into account that I haven’t added a movie to my queue in the last 60 years)
and as I’m about to perish I’ll utter my final words, “I’ve finished my queue…” As I’m lying there dead, my soul then logs into netflix and they have 200 more recommendation for me. Then my soul will be really mad because ghosts can’t watch DVD’s..or can they..

So yeah, I watch way too many movies.

I also watch way to much TV.

My favorite shows are:
True Blood
Mad Men
How I met your mother
Royal Pains
Burn Notice
Law and Order: SVU (Criminal intent if I’m bored)
South Park
Accidentally on purpose
Community
Parks and Rec(mostly because it’s on between community and the Office)
The Office
30 Rock
Lie to me. (However, I never know when the damn show is on anymore)
The Tudors
In Treatment

Shows I’m DVR-ing:
Beyond belief: fact or fiction I really love the Chiller Channel
Smallville. (I haate its 7pm friday time slot. I’m shocked at its renewal for next year!)

Also, I’m currently reading the Sookie Stackhouse Series. This is my first series I’ve ever read. I usually read serious authors with the exception of David Sedaris. But after spending 10+ years reading such serious material, it’s nice to read something light.

You may be wondering at this point, “How does she ever leave the house and not turn into a robot chicken sketch?”

Thankfully I don’t have TIVO. Does anyone still use TIVO? I work full time but the weekends is where I do the most catching up. A movie here, a movie there, watch some recorded shows a couple times a week. Also, thanks to being employed again, I also watch movies in theaters a couple times a month. However, this month is going to be almost every weekend. I love the summer movie season. While I’m not a huge blockbuster fan, I do have my moments.

So now you may be asking, “Well what kind of movies do you like?” Well imaginary blog reader, I love lots of genres!

I’m not one of those people who can say, “Oh I love comedies, romances, dramas,” because that’s like saying I love the sky, oceans, and trees. Everyone likes those things but try finding a person to name their favorite ocean (mine is the dead sea because of it’s name and location) tree or sky.

I love foreign film. I love foreign film because they are more willing to explore story lines that American Cinema won’t do. But don’t get me wrong. I also love small independent films, mainstream films, some comedies but I hate slapstick. I just don’t find it funny. I love satire. I’m also a generally snarky person also. I love wry comments, dry wit, and some old fashioned word play.

What’s on my netflix agenda today?
An Education

And Broken Embraces

Check out the trailer for yourself.

You have been warned.

I’ve been on a horror movie kick lately and wanted to spread the word on two films I’ve seen lately.

First is is the movie,” May.” It’s a little known movie but it has some semi-notable people in it. The guy who played Borat’s producer is in it and Anna Ferris from the scary movie franchise.

Here’s the trailer:

I really enjoyed this movie. I have to say that I relate to the main character a bit. I’ve always loved parts too. I tend to look at people in pieces rather than wholes. I can’t go into too much detail because it would ruin the movie but the lead actress is eerily sweet. The ending is one of the most romantic/twisted/touching horror movie endings I have ever seen. I would barely classify it as a horror movie. It’s more of a bloody love story. Loved it!

The next movie is a far cry from May. It’s a French horror film. This is only the second French Horror film I’ve ever seen. My first was High Tension and I loved it. There’s just something so delicious about people screaming in French while people are getting murdered left and right.

The movie I saw was called, “Inside.”
Here’s the trailer with english subtitles:
Click here

WOW WOW WOW!! Ok, this movie is not for the faint of heart. IT IS BLOODY. BLOODY like I’ve never seen before. The bloodiness of this movie puts the Kill Bill movies to shame. But the blood was awesome. I adored this film. It was scary, the soundtrack was great, the acting was great. The killer was amazing, creepy, and insane. If you love horror movies, try and find the uncut version. I was scared for most of this movie. I’m glad I saw it during the day because I would not have slept at night. The basic premise is nothing terribly new but the execution was brilliant. French Horror wins again!

This is the first full trailer for this movie that I’ve had a chance to see. I haven’t been able to get really excited for it yet. I’m not sure that I will. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Burton/Depp pairing but I haven’t been really impressed by them in a while. I’m a huge Depp fan (ever since his 21 jumpstreet days) and will see this movie because of this devotion, but I’m unsure if I will enjoy the movie for reasons other than that. I am not a big fan of CGI.

I know CGI is in theory, a good choice for a movie dealing with this type of subject. However, I think the movie would have been even more interesting if Burton didn’t use it. Anyone remember the creepy awesomeness of Batman Returns?

I’d also like to see a Burton film that isn’t Burton-esque. I realize that’s an oxymoron but I worry that he is type casting himself. It’ll be interesting to see what he is going to do with Dark Shadows. Also, maybe try not casting Helena Bonham Carter. Don’t get me wrong, I love her and her movie roles but maybe try giving another actress a go. Maybe even try going with an unknown? You might just discover a diamond in the rough.

Do you love or hate the trailer?

Brothers is a remake of a Danish film of the same name. I have the original film in my Netflix queue so when I watch it, I’ll post a comparison between the two.

I am generally not a fan of Tobey Maguire. I didn’t like the Spiderman movies and have not been interested in his other movie choices, other than Pleasantville. Also, the trailer wasn’t very good. I was expecting little more than an above average lifetime movie with some wonderful performances by Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

I completely misjudged this movie.

Maguire’s performance was stilted in the beginning and seemed one dimensional, at first. But, you could just chalk it up to him being a machine for the military. By the time the action rolled around, he blew me away. It wasn’t over the top, but real and honest. I was quite surprised. If anything, see the movie for his performance.

Portman and Gyllenhaal rarely disappoint me and they continued this streak. Although I fear Prince of Persia will be the first time I am saddened by Gyllenhaal but that’s for another post.

The ending was predictable. I won’t spoil it but for as an American remake, I was not surprised it ended that way. I’ve heard the original is more gut wrenching so I’m very interested in comparing the two.

I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.