Liebster Blog Award #4

     My fourth nomination for the Liebster Blog award is given by Sarah at How to Watch A Movie. Thank you so much! I remember for several years wanting to get this award. Then in 2014, I was nominated three times in a space of 18 months!  It's a fun tag and I enjoy getting it. 

Rules:

1. Answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated you

2. Nominate other bloggers (up to 11) and give them 11 questions to answer.

Sarah's Questions:

1. Favorite movie genre, and why?

     - Romantic comedy! I enjoy the romantic comedy because it's about everyday life and the issues that people face. In a romantic comedy, you can sometimes see yourself in at least one character or understand what situation is going on. There is a reality within the romantic comedy genre.

2. Favorite movie that's an adaptation of a book you've read?

     -  Francis Ford Coppola's, The Godfather. Possibly one of the best movies I've ever seen. 

     - Kevin Sullivan's, Anne of Green Gables. Even though the movies were very different from the books, they still had the same whimsy and charm that the original novels had. 

3. An actor or actress you're enjoying who you've only recently noticed?

    - Patrick Swayze. I know he's been dead for seven years and he's an actor of my parent's generation, but I've just recently seen him in films like Red Dawn, Dirty Dancing and Ghost and I can now understand why he is considered an acting legend. He was incredibly talented in so many areas! He reminds me a lot of Chris Hemsworth, which is fitting, seeing as Chris Hemsworth was cast as Swayze's original character of Jed in the 2012 remake of Red Dawn. 

And he was just breathtakingly beautiful...

4. A favorite "unexpected surprise" movie?

     - Jurassic World! I just went to see it for fun because other family members were going, but I was really surprised at good it was!

5. A movie that has a cast catered to you?

     - The whole Harry Potter franchise. What I would have given to be a part of that cast!

6. An obscure movie that you think is great and you wish more people knew about?

     - Disney's 1994 live action film, The Jungle Book. It is seriously one of the most beautiful films, but was incredibly overshadowed by the animated films that were coming at the same time.

7. A movie that has a great soundtrack?

     - Bride and Prejudice. It has a great mix of Punjabi and western music that went well with the theme of the movie.

8. A movie that reminds you of summer?

     - Hairspray (2007). I don't why though! maybe because it came out in the summertime, but it always reminds me of summer. 

9. A movie you loved as a kid and still love (not because of nostalgia)?

     - Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. This is a pure classic Disney film and is still a family favorite. 

10. Plot device pet peeve?

     - Love triangles! The best way to ruin a good female character is to put her into a love triangle. 

11. Ending preference for movies, and why?

     - Well, happy endings are always good, but I also like loose ends that really leave it to the audience's interpretations as to what might have happened or what will happen. 

~ ~ ~

I nominate:

Evie

Lauren

My Questions:

1.) What famous person in history do you want to meet?

2.) If you could live in any of your favorite fandom world's, where would it be?

3.) Were you popular growing up? 

4.) Which book have you read the most?

5.) Is there a movie or book that seems to describe you or your life?

6.) Could you survive a week without any kind of technology?

7.) What words annoy or aggravate you?

8.) Your favorite quote?

9.) Do you like myths and legends? If so what kinds? (eg. Greek, Scandinavian, African)

10.) Would rather get lost in the mall or at the library?

11.) Are you easily influenced by popular culture or do you discover things on your own?

Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (Episodes IV, V, VI)

Star Wars: The Original Trilogy (1977-1983)

     In honor of Star Wars Day, I decided to review all three of the original films as I said I would in my January vlog. I, like many people, grew up with Star Wars. The first film came out in the the 1970's and really, no one was expecting anything great from it.  At the time it was a crazy idea and George Lucas was going into technological places that no one had ever explored before. Yet, it seemed that people were desperate for fairy tale/western in outer space. The films of the 70's were dark, gritty, violent and really didn't promote the idea of good overcoming evil. And that was probably why Star Wars was such a hit. It was just a story about the bad side, the good side, a bunch of unlikely heroes and a galaxy that was worth saving. 

~ ~ ~

Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

     The galaxy is at civil war. The Galactic Empire has ruled for too long and their tyranny is being threatened by the Rebel Alliance. One of these rebels, nineteen year Princess Leia, a leader in the alliance, finds herself a hostage on the enemy Death Star and held by the notorious Darth Vader and his master, known as The Emperor. In a desperate attempt, Leia relays a message to an old friend to rescue her and programs it into her astromech droid, R2-D2. R2 and his companion, C-3PO manage to escape, but find themselves on the desolate sand dunes of the planet of Tatooine where they end up in a droid sale. 

     R2 and 3PO are bought bought a kindly farmer, Owen Lars and hands them over to his nephew, Luke Sywalker. Luke dreams of getting off the farm and becoming a Rebel pilot, but his overprotective uncle holds him back. While Luke loves his uncle (and aunt), he is desperate to escape his sheltered world. When he finds Leia's message on R2, everything changes.

      Soon, Luke and the droids come across the soft spoken hermit, Ben Kenobi or Obi-Wan Kenobi, a former Jedi . He tells Luke of his father, who was once also a Jedi Knight and a great pilot named Anakin Skywalker, but was killed by Darth Vader shortly after Luke was born. Intrigued by this, Luke wants to get the droids back to Leia and rescue her, but when he returns home, he finds everything in ruins and his aunt and uncle killed, by the people trying to track down the droids. Left with no one, but his small band of friends, Luke leaves home and begins his training with Ben who teaches him how to become a Jedi.

     Luke, Ben and the droids become hunted by the Empire and must get off of Tatooine. So, they strike a bargain with a space pirate, Han Solo, and his Wookie companion, Chewbacca, to shuttle them off the planet in his ship the Millennium Falcon. Han himself needs money to pay off a great deal of debts to the notorious gangster, Jabba the Hutt. He gets his chance when Luke convinces him to help save Leia when they arrive secretly on the Death Star.

     After a daring escape (which becomes some of the most memorable moments in Star Wars history), Han and Luke rescue the feisty princess who immediately gets an instant dislike of Han and the feeling is mutual. Meanwhile, Ben Kenobi faces off with Darth Vader, who kills him right in front of Luke. Although broken by the death of this strange, but brave old man, Luke doesn't have time to grieve, because he is immediately recruited by the Rebel Alliance to pilot an extreme mission to destroy the Death Star once and for all. 

~ ~ ~

Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

      Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, Luke receives a cryptic message from Ben or Obi-Wan Kenobi when he is wounded on the desolate planet of Hoth. Ben tells him to seek Yoda, a great Jedi master who will help Luke complete his training. After Luke is rescued by Han, he sets off to the Dagobah system to find this mysterious Yoda. 

     When Luke reaches the Dagobah system, which is nothing but a swamp, he finds a small, curious and annoying green creature. Aggravated to no end by him, Luke eventually discovers this is the great Yoda. In a matter of a few days, Yoda trains Luke, but it is much more difficult than Luke thought. Still haunted by Ben's death and wondering about who is father is, as well as distracted by his friends, the Force is hardly strong with him. Luke hatred of Darth Vader is unrelenting and something inside of him begins to burn when he thinks of the machine that killed his father and mentor. Yet, everytime he wants to give up Yoda and Ben (in a somewhat spirit form) tell him to return. 

     Meanwhile, Han and Leia are trying to deal with their conflicting feelings for one another. And things don't get easier when they are both sent on a mission together and spend their time fighting, kissing and fighting some more. When they become targeted by the Empire, they find safety in Cloud City, a refueling station, led by Lando Calrissian, an old friend of Han's. Leia doesn't trust Lando and her feelings prove to be true when they find that Darth Vader has struck a deal with Calrissian (under threat of Cloud City's destruction) to bring Han in to return to Jabba in carbon freeze. 

      When Luke begins to feel his friends agony through the Force, he immediately comes to their rescue, against the wishes of Ben and Yoda. Luke finds Leia, Chewie and the droids and help them escape with Lando, but finds himself face to face with Darth Vader. With what small training Luke has, he confronts Vader, but he isn't strong enough and loses a hand to Vader's skill. However, when Vader has a chance to kill Luke, he doesn't take it. He wants Luke to join him and come to the Dark Side and then reveals to Luke that he is his father. Luke is horrified at this revelation and refuses. His refusal to join leaves him for dead, but he manages to contact Leia through the force and they return to rescue him. 

     

~ ~ ~

Episode VI - Return of The Jedi (1983)

Episode VI - Return of the Jedi

       Return of The Jedi begins with the rescuing of Han Solo from Jabba's palace thanks to a brilliant heist all orchestrated by Luke and involving Leia, Lando, the droids and Chewie (I call it the Skywalker Six Plan). However, the Empire begins to rebuild its once fallen Death Star and sets it's shield reflector station on the Moons of Endor, a heavily forested planet inhabited by the the adorable, but primitively fierce Ewoks. Han, Luke, Leia, Chewie and the droids are all commissioned to go to Endor, while Lando (now a general) flies the Millennium Falcon (much to Han's despair) to lead a group of Rebel pilots to destroy the new Death Star. 

      Before Luke gets his orders to go, he returns to the Degobah system to finish his training with Yoda as well as get answers on his father's identity and how he became Vader. However, Yoda dies before he can finally give Luke his answers. Ben Kenobi returns and finally tells Luke the truth as well as inform Luke that he has a sister, who is in fact Leia. While Luke is confused, the idea that Leia is his sister brings a sense of comfort and peace. Also, Luke begins to believe that Vader's act of mercy in not killing him shows that there is good in him. His former hatred now gone, he is determined to bring his father back from the Dark Side.

      When Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the droids reach Endor, they are found by the Ewoks who treat the men with hostility, Leia with kindness and believe that C-3PO is a god of sorts. Eventually, they win the Ewoks trust and they agree to aid the Rebels in destroying the shield generator system. Luke soon senses that Vader is now on Endor and leaves to find him, but is stopped by Leia. Luke then tells her that they are brother and sister. Leia takes this news with incredible calm and says that she felt she always knew.  

      While the Ewoks and the Rebels battle the Empire, Luke returns to his father and insists that there is good in him, that he can change and he wants him to leave the Dark Side. However, the Emperor's hold on Vader is unrelenting and Vader refuses Luke's wishes. So, they battle it out, much to the Emperor's delight and as Luke gets stronger, Vader grows weaker, but neither one of them will kill. Furious, the Emperor takes his diabolical rage out on Luke and tortures him unmercifully. Luke begs his father to help him. Finally, Vader finally gives in to good and saves his son by killing the Emperor. 

     The Rebels manage to capture the shield generator and Lando and the Rebel pilots destroy the Death Star. Before the Death Star is destroyed, Luke and his father have one final moment of clarity with one another and Vader thanks Luke for rescuing him. As his father dies in his arms, Luke's fear and rage dispense, knowing that even though he could not save his father's life, he did save his humanity. Luke returns to the celebratory party with his friends and has an unexpected meeting with the spirit forms of Yoda, Obi-Wan and his father as he was meant to be. 

The Emperor dead and the Empire defeated; Han and Leia's love finally made public and Luke Skywalker now a Jedi Knight, the galaxy continues to move on as these unlikely heroes of pirates, princess and pilots become legends. 

~ ~ ~ 

Star Wars: The Original Trilogy

     Everyone needs a story that they can believe in. The story of an incredible evil that is defeated by an ultimate good. That is what Star Wars gave to the 1970's and still does that today. While the stories may be a little bizarre and border on predictable, the hold that Star Wars has on people is that we can see ourselves in it's wide array of characters. We all have elements of both the good and the bad and Star Wars take those everyday elements and make them tangible and real in its characters.

      The heroes are not perfect, they are flawed all of them from Luke on down, but that doesn't stop us from admiring them. It's the imperfections that make them so personable to the audience. The villains are ultimate evil, yet Star Wars proved that there can be redemption even in the darkest of hearts. That love is (and always will be) stronger than any evil. And it's these themes that are universal and generational and that is why Star Wars continues to impact people today.

Civil War: Blog Catastro-Party

 

     In honor of Captain America: Civil War (that's coming out in five days), Bella Delallo is hosting a blog party from May 10-17. So that's plenty of time to pick sides and do the tags as well as decide on what your blog posts on each separate day is going to be about. 

Blog Party Rules:

You must link back to me! No exceptions!
 
You must tell me when you post so I can read your Civil War Wonders!!! (pretty please??)
 
You should follow me! (Pretty please with ice cream on top???)
 
You shouldn't be mean to people who are on the opposite team! 

No being mean! There's nothing wrong with a little friendly banter and what not, but No. Being. Mean!!!!! Meanness is not allowed!
 
You must absolutely must choose a side! *gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasp* You don't have to feel guilty about this. This isn't about who you like better, (though that can obviously come into the equation.) This is just about who you would most likely join because you agree with them.
 
You have to have fun! Have lots of fun!


DAYS:


Day One: PICK A SIDE! Tell your reasons for the descision!!!! What you love about him, what you don't... All that jazz.

Day Two: The Tag! (See below)
 
Day Three: Pick One supporting character from your team and talk about him.
 
Day Four: Pick a character from the opposite team that you like. Talk about him and/or defend him.
 
Day Five: FREE DAY! Do anything Civil-War like that you want!
 
Day Six: Fan festivities! Post fanart, make a fan-video, wear fangirly clothes and post pictures, do fan crafts. Do something fun!
 
Day Seven: Talk about your generals feels and overall opinion of the movie!

The Tag!!!!!! (From Day Two)

Team Iron Man -

1. What is your favorite Iron Man movie?
2. When did you decide you loved Iron Man?
3. Do you tend to agree with Iron Man's thinking/logic?
4.) What is one thing about Tony that drives you insane?
5.) Do you think you'd like Tony In real life?
6.) Do you think you'd get along with Pepper Pots? What about Rhodey?
7.) Would you like to live in Stark Tower?
8.) Would you want to try out/own any of Iron Man's robots or fancy little gadgets?
9.) What is your favorite Iron Man quote?
10.) If Tony as he is now volunteered to take you to dinner and a movie, would you accept his invitation? Not a date, just a night out cause he knows you are soooooo stressed.

Team Captain America:

1.) What is your favorite Captain America movie?
2.) When did you decide you loved Captain America?
3.) Do you tend to agree with Steve's thinking/logic?
4.) What is one thing about Steve that drives you insane?
6.) What is something about Steve that you really admire?
7.) Do you think you would like Steve in real life?
8.) What do you think of Steve's motorcycle, and would you want a ride on it?
9.) What was an iconic "STEVE FREAKIN' ROGERS" moment for you?
10.) If Steve asked you on a date, would you accept?

Dirty Dancing (1987)

     Another iconic 80's movie that I had grown up hearing about, but never watched until last night. With a title like Dirty Dancing, you never know what to expect...drama, romance, musical, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was a well balanced mix of all three with a good amount of 80's charm that has made it such a cult hit. This film is somewhat of  a modern day Romeo and Juliet story of two young people that put all they have on the line in order to break down their societal barriers and bring change to two vastly differently social orders.

~ ~ ~

Baby & Johnny

Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny
 in Dirty Dancing (1987)

     In 1963, Baby (real name is Francis after Francis Perkins) and her family are travelling to a resort in the Catskill mountains. While Baby comes from a well to do family, she dreams of changing the world and she believes that the best way she accomplish that is by joining the peace corps. Little does she know, that she's going to bring unexpected change in the divided resort between the wealthy owners and low paid entertainment that are usually kept out of sight.

     Soon, Baby meets Johnny. The handsome head dancer who has an extraordinary talent on the dance floor and an incredibly generous nature toward the dancers who are under his responsibility. After Johnny's partner, Penny, finds herself pregnant and at odds to know what to do, Baby jumps in and helps her without any question by giving her money for an abortion (the only part of the movie I didn't like). Then Baby fills in to become Johnny's dance partner in a dance night he needs to save his job at the resort. 

     The problem is, Baby has no dancing talent at all. In a matter of a few weeks, Johnny teaches Baby how to dance and dance very, very well. Primarily the sensual freak dancing that she has never seen and certainly knows her parents would never want her to learn. Soon, Baby and Johnny find themselves falling in love with one another, but both know that Baby's father will disapprove of the relationship, seeing that Johnny has no solid career and a penchant for getting into trouble. However, Baby and Johnny defy their insurmountable odds and teach this once divided community how to dance and how to really live. 

Jennifer Grey as Baby and Patrick Swayze as Johnny
 in Dirty Dancing (1987). This scene was hysterical!

     Patrick Swayze was irresistibly romantic and charming as Johnny, the boy from the other side of the tracks that has nothing but talent and dreams. Yet talent can only get him so far and his dreams seem to slip farther and farther away. Johnny was well written as the romantic hero that wasn't broody or sappy and had a genuinely good heart that really tried to see the best in others. Admit it, it's simply too hard to not fall in love with Patrick Swayze : ) 

      I really loved Jennifer Grey in this role! Baby wasn't a stereotypical rich girl who was completely oblivious to the hardships of other people (and that was a big archetype in 80's teen films). She was so kind and generous and maybe little reckless from time to time, but I still thought that Baby was a great character. Some of her best scenes were actually when she was telling Johnny off about whatever issue they were arguing over and I would think, "I totally agree with her!"

     That dancing was very beautiful and I loved watching Baby's development from inexperience to finding an incredible talent. And the music was all very 80's, but I grew up listening to most of it, so it's a little nostalgic to me too. The only problem I had (besides the illegal abortion) was that the film took place in the early 60's, but the costumes and hair were all very much from the 80's. That being said, this was just a good sweet film, that may be predictable, but sent a good message of honing nonjudgmental attitudes of people around you and of doing the right thing, even when everyone else is questioning you. 

Royal Families: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

Will and Kate's journey from 2003 to 2016

Happy Five Year Anniversary Will and Kate!!

     I can remember the moment when my friend told me that Prince William had a new girlfriend and her name was Kate...or something like that. I'm happy to say that I have followed Prince William and Princess Kate's whole relationship from their first appearance while skiing to the engagement, the wedding and now their growing family life. Although Catherine Middleton may not have seemed like royal material in the beginning, she slowly grew from obscure girlfriend to princess-in-waiting.

     While the world was forever harping on Prince William to get married, he and Kate took their time. A lesson learned from William's own parents who hardly knew each other and had a very whirlwind courtship which led to a disastrous ten year marriage, a messy divorce and no small amount of scandal from both sides. So, it's only natural that William and Kate take their time, get to know one another and even took a break from each other for a small period of time. 

The Cambridge family

     Then in October 2010, the royal court announced the engagement of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and the whole world was in an immediate royal frenzy. The wedding was on! For months, all that was talked about was the dress, the church, the bridesmaids, anything and everything pertaining to a right and proper royal wedding. I'm not ashamed to admit that my mom and I got up at 3 a.m. to watch the wedding and it was worth it! Kate was a stunning bride and seemed at ease, but very much excited for the day that was about her and her new husband.

     Now, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have settled quietly into royal life with their two children, Prince George (2) and Princess Charlotte (11 months). They do a variety of charity work and travel a great deal as well. Like most young royal families, Will and Kate have balanced traditional duty to the royal family with their own modern day parenting of their two small children. Although they are still a young couple, William and Kate have quite the royal ride with one another as well as with the royal family, the media and the rest of the world. They have a great dynasty resting upon the two of them, but as of right now, they're probably content with just being called Mum and Dad.

William and Catherine's Wedding -- April 29, 2011

Coming in June

Character Sketch: Sansa Stark

Sophie Turner as Lady Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones

(Note: I had plans to do Sansa's sketch in April, long before I knew that season 6 was premiering last night!
 Perfect timing though!!)

     One of the most controversial characters in the Game of Thrones series, Sansa Stark's character can be summed up in one word, conflicting. Beautiful, polite, generous and noble, Sansa Stark is a quintessential lady that would have the makings of a loved queen. And that is all Sansa has wanted...or is it what she has been told to want? Is Sansa just an airhead with unrealistic romantic ideals or is she a product of her environment?

     When we first meet Lady Sansa, she is a sweet natured teenager living with her family at their home in Winterfell, set in the great North of Westeros. Sansa is the oldest daughter of Lord Eddard and Lady Catlyn Stark. She has one older brother, Robb, two little brothers, Bran and Rickon and one younger sister (and the bane of her existence), tomboyish Arya. Needless to say, Sansa is the pride and joy of her family and all of Winterfell have high hopes for her to marry Crown Prince Joffrey.  

      Sansa has been raised to be a lady who may end up becoming a queen. That is all she has known and that is what has been encouraged her whole life. So, how can one accuse Sansa of daydreaming about castles and crowns when that is what she has grown up expecting to happen to her? Her mother had no problem shipping her daughter off to marry a boy she had only known for 24 hours. Her father, although he saw the Lannisters as nothing short of satanic, still encouraged the marriage because that's what was done. That was the only reason to have a daughter. Only Arya had the sense to see that this was dangerous for her sister and it's understandable why she wanted no part in becoming a lady.

Sophie Turner as Lady Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones

     Eventually, Sansa's hopes and dreams of marriage and children begin to crumble. Joffrey and his family (with the exception of his uncle, Tyrion) turn out to be cruel, manipulative and inhumane. Sansa watched as they executed her father and then proceeded to keep her as a hostage using her as leverage for the war between the Starks and the rest of Westeros. Sansa is beaten, abused, almost sexually assaulted and humiliated to no end. Her only allies are Tyrion (whom she is made to marry), Shae (her lady in waiting and Tryion's secret mistress) and illusive Petyr Balish, who ends up betraying her in the end. Not much hope for her at all.

  

     Yet, no matter how many disasters Sansa must face, there is one thing that holds her together and becomes her consistent sanctuary. She is still a Stark of Winterfell. While she may have been taught to be a lady, she was also raised to reason, ascertain, and weigh every option. She was taught to think on her feet and not lay down dead when she's pushed to the ground. While Sansa's childhood may have a protective bubble of family perfection, she was not without the knowledge of the evils of the world. 

     Every person has their breaking point and at the end of Season 5, Sansa has finally hit hers. She is at the absolute worst in her life. Trapped in a abusive marriage with no allies and increasingly no hope, Sansa would rather die trying to escape than live in this nightmare that was once her home. Up till now Sansa's whole life on the show has been a crucible of pain, heartache and fear. Now, from the crucible, a naive, romantic, sweet girl is transformed into a strong-willed, courageous she-wolf that is finally ready to fight for her family, her home and for herself.