Review: The Hunger Games (***)

Based on the best selling books The Hunger Games takes place in the future and takes place in a nation called Panem which is divided into 12 districts and The Capitol. Once a year one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 are chosen to compete in The Hunger Games. But when Katniss Everdeen ‘s (Jennifer Lawrence) sister Primrose is chosen she chooses to volunteer as the tribute. Chosen as the guy was Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), when they are going to the capitol they meet their mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). Katniss also befriends Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) and develops an alliance with Rue (Amandla Steinberg) who is the female tribute for District 11. During the games Katniss develops feelings for Peeta and has to choose between him or her childhood friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth)

Elizabeth Banks does a wonderful job as Effie Trickett. Stanley Tucci and Wes Bentley do good jobs as well. There has been some controversy because this is about killing kids and it earned a PG-13 and the upcoming Bully received an R for some F bombs and could save lives. I’ll say that these are books that teens have read and have been waiting for, however I do agree that The MPAA is ridiculous and thank god for Harvey Weistein for releasing it unrated.

In The End Katniss was a brave girl as stated in the movie for what she did. If my sisters were picked for something like this I would volunteer. There were a few parts that I didn’t like (which I’m not gonna say because of spoilers). But Overall I recommend this movie 

John's DVD pick of the week (3/27/12)

Sorry for the late notice. This week my pick was #9 on my best films of 2011 its...

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

That's right the 9/11 drama is my pick this week. The only two big releases this week are Alvin & The Chipmunks Chipwrecked, and A Dangerous Method.

My vintage pick is in honor of this weeks release of Mirror Mirror is the best take on Snow White yet Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs the first Disney movie ever. 

Green Is My Favorite Color...

...for more than just one reason.  (Insert wicked chuckle.)

Again, great money information from LearnVest.  No one is going to do it for us.  Come on ride the train, and ride it.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Movie Trailer

Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted - Official Trailer #2 (2012) HD Movie

John's DVD pick of the week (3/20/12)

Well it's Tuesday, This is one of the best weeks but only one can be my pick this week its...

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

That's right David Fincher's American take on this film is my pick this week. It was #6 on my best films of 2011. The other two films that almost made my top ten out this week are The Gary Oldman spy film Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy, and Jason Segel's revival of The Muppets. Other films out this week are the Easter fil Hop and the Roman Polanski directed comedy Carnage. I did not see either of these Films

My vintage pick is, In honor of This weeks release of The Hunger Games is Jennifer Lawrence's best performance to date Winter's Bone see it when you have a chance.

Specs Appeal Papers Giveaway!

Do be a dear and check out the giveaway that my blog pal Morgan is hosting over on La Chapstick Fanatique.  The winner will receive a set of whale cards from my Etsy shop.

Thanks for hosting, Morgan!  You're tres bonne.

Jean 'Moebius' Girard: 1938-2012

I had some more snide movie reviews all ready to go, but the passing of Jean 'Moebius' Giraud means they'll have to wait until later. If I had a black armband, I'd be wearing it right now. Mr. Giraud's passing was a truly unhappy moment for me.

In the summer of 1977, I was with my dad while he was working as a surveyor. We were in the foothills of southern Alberta, and I would wait in the truck while he was out doing his thing. Well, nosing around in the glove box, I discovered a rolled-up copy of a magazine I had never seen before. It was the American version of the French comic magazine,'Metal Hurlant'. Heavy Metal.. It was my first introduction into the world of 'adult' comics.

The one story that stuck with me, was of course, Moebius' and Dan O'Bannon's 'The Long Tomorrow'. I can honestly say that was the pivotal moment in my life that put me, for better or worse, on the current path of the primacy of art in my life. (My own 'style', such as it is, owes a huge debt to Mr. Giraud, as well as Robert Crumb.)

There was nothing, it seems, that Moebius can't draw. From pulp Westerns to fantastic flights of fancy, he renders everything in a clear, distinct line so precise, yet so effortless. You can feel the grubbiness of the world in his 'Blueberry' westerns, or in his classic anti-racism story, 'White Nightmare'. Yet even his most fantastic creations, like the world of 'The Incal' or 'The Airtight Garage' or 'The Long Tomorrow' have a connection to reality that you just don't see in any other work. When you read-I should say, drink in- a work by Moebius, you're transported to worlds unlike any that you've ever seen or will ever see again.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Giraud. I don't want to refer to him in the past tense, because really, Moebius isn't dead, is he?

(You can find a more eloquent and in-depth tribute to Moebius here: on the Comic Journal's website by Kim Thompson.)

Lust List: Gap Spring 2012

I have not even been blog-adjacent these days, but that does not mean that I've forgotten you, oh Specs-y ones.  Lately I've been working quite a bit and trying to get back in control of my fitness.  (You're my witness.) 

If all this treadmilling pays off, maybe I'd look super swell in some of the following picks from Gap.  Remember that you can always get a coupon or score a sale at Gap.  Never pay full price there.

Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but dang it--I love a striped T-shirt.  $19.95

I might just be crazy enough to rock that tee with these green pants.  LOVE 'em.  $59.95

This would be an excellent topper to the outfit I just assembled, if it happens to be raining.  Gap calls it an anorak, but we don't really have that word in Tennessee.  It's a rain jacket.  $188

So I don't really wear ties so often, but if I did....wow.  $29.95

Well, when it comes to my style, I'm nothing if not consistent.  This canvas bag is stellar.  Even though I'm not usually a big orange fan (again, a TN reference), I'm feeling it this time.  $69.95

Mini Bulk Reviews

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (***1/2)

Journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker. It started off slow, but once the two characters meet the film goes faster.

The Artist (****)

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin (Jean Durjadin) wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), a young dancer set for a big break. A fantastic homage to early cinema, one of the best films of 2011

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (***)

The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name. Cool film, best scenes of the film were the ones filmed w/IMAX cameras.

We Bought A Zoo (***1/2)

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo. Very heartwarming and inspiring tale.

The Adventures Of Tintin (**1/2)

Intrepid reporter Tintin (Jamie Bell) and Captain Haddock (Daniel Craig) set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock's ancestor. Good descent fun that's all I gotta say.

Just Crew It

I'm kind of ecstatic about these shoes.  And, surprisingly, the prices are not that high.  Nike styles, exclusively at J.Crew.  I'm loving every pair but the red ones.  Neat, huh?