Tag Archives: entertainment

Oct8

Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

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Groovy Movies: Heart of the Beast Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the new Brad Pitt flick called Heart of the Beast. I could honestly give a hoot less about Brad Pitt but my friend wanted to see Heart of the Beast and I am never one to turn down an outing to the movie theater. Going to movies is my absolute favorite regardless of what I am seeing because I just love the experience of it! I went into Heart of the Beast not expecting anything from it and left pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was very good! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning for scenes of combat and animal attacks. You ready? Let’s go:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

James is a retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major and is flying his plane to camp in the remote Alaskan wilderness with his combat dog, Odin (AKA Odie). James and Odie have been through a lot together and find what joy they can in nature. But, really, the only thing that brings James joy is his dog. They spend their day fishing and playing fetch before making camp for the night to get some rest for their departure the following day as the weather is going to turn. They awake to an overcast morning, pack up the plane, and begin their trip home as the rain starts to fall.

As James pilots the aircraft, he begins massaging his shoulder and eventually collapses on the wheel from a heart attack. The plane crashes and James lands in water but Odie is nowhere to be found. After emerging from the wreckage, James finds Odie lying on the ground in the woods, breathing but injured. James starts a fire, gets Odie comfortable, and consults his map to learn that they are fifty-eight miles away from the nearest road. They have no form of communication, no one is even aware of James being gone, and they are going to have to travel on foot to get back to civilization.

The following morning, James wakes up and Odie is upright, alert, and watching over him. Their journey home through the Alaskan wilderness is about to begin. The terrain is tough and there are dangerous animals like wolves and bears roaming. All James and Odie can do is put one foot in front of the other, keep up their strength, and avoid the animals stalking them at all costs. The trek is perilous and one wrong step could be their last. Will Odie and James be able to make it back safe and sound? Watch Heart of the Beast to find out!

Now, I’m sure all of you are wondering if Odie made it through the movie and I’m pleased to report that the answer is YES or else I wouldn’t have seen it. I also don’t consider this to be a spoiler because the movie opens revealing that Odie is okay. If you were on the fence about seeing this movie because of that, then you are free and clear to proceed! I am so glad that the movie started that way because I don’t think I would have liked it nearly as much if I was worried about Odie the whole time. Because of that, Heart of the Beast went from a probable tearjerker to an intense tale of survival and it had me on the edge of my seat.

Make no mistake, Brad Pitt was the star of the movie but Odie was the star and their relationship was so beautiful. I could literally feel the love in every scene and it made every slip, trip, and injury that much more harrowing because all I wanted was for them to make it through as a team. Odie was, indeed, fabulous and Brad Pitt was quite good and really showed his range as a physical actor. Not only were our two key players impossible to look away from, but the cinematography in Heart of the Beast was glorious. The scenery was gorgeous but it was fickle as danger lurked at every turn. Heart of the Beast was a fast paced thrill and, although I can’t say for certain if I would watch it again, I am definitely glad that I saw it in theaters!

Overall, I am going to rate Heart of the Beast with a seven out of ten stars. It wasn’t my favorite but I did like it a lot and I also think this is the first Brad Pitt movie I have ever seen lol.

Who is your favorite actor? What did you think about Heart of the Beast? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch Set: Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom

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Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch Set: Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom

Hi! I always look forward to when 5 Below drops their Halloween collection and have been waiting patiently for an item I saw in their sneak peek ads to hit the stores: A new Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch set of Mr. Kreeg’s bedroom. Trick ‘r Treat is one of mine and Johnny’s most beloved Halloween flicks and Sam is our favorite little buddy. He’s just SO damn cute we can hardly stand it and watch the movie multiple times a year. Last year, we so enjoyed putting together two Trick ‘r Treat Snap & Switch sets from 5 Below and Mr. Kreeg’s bedroom set did not disappoint! Although Johnny’s actions most definitely disappointed lol… Let’s discuss:

^^^ His little bum flaps!!!!

I tore into this set like a rabid animal because I love any and all things Sam and could not wait to display the build on our knick knack shelf. Johnny sat back while I worked and tapped in on the tiny pieces that were difficult for me to place. The build progressed quickly and easily and within fifteen minutes or so, the set was almost done. All that was left to do was rig the lighting for the jack-o-lantern. The wires to the lighting were wrapped up alongside the fuse box and I asked Johnny to untie it for me. We are both genuinely not sure what he was thinking because he ended up cutting the wire thinking it was some string or something? Yeah, I’m still scratching my head on that considering he works with wires constantly at his job!

I was SO sad about this ridiculous development because I was really looking forward to having this set and now the focal point was completely ruined. For a few days, anyways. Blessedly, Johnny was able to resauter the wires at work and when I returned home from my shift, I was delighted to see the glowing jack-o-lantern greeting me. It looked even better than I imagined! Johnny’s silly slip up ended up being no harm no foul and I have to razz him a little because it was such a wtf situation lol. Now, my Mr. Kreeg’s Bedroom set is complete and it is absolutely perfect. A definite must have for any Trick ‘r Treat fan!!

Big ups to Johnny for breaking my toy and then fixing it and big ups to 5B for always supplying the best Trick ‘r Treat goodies! I am keeping my fingers crossed for more Sam merch to drop ASAFP. He’s my lil bestie angel boy and I need it all!

Is Sam the cutest movie character in the world? And why is the answer a resounding YES? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep29

Groovy Movies: Resident Evil Edition

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Groovy Movies: Resident Evil Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the new Resident Evil movie. Johnny and one of my clients absolutely love the Resident Evil games and it is so fun to watch them play. I have tried my hand at them myself but am crap lousy at it so I just admire from afar and tap in to assist with puzzles when I can. My favorite part! Although I don’t technically play the Resident Evil games, I was sure glad to be familiar with them when I saw the movie as there were so many cool tips of the cap to staples seen throughout the Resident Evil gaming saga. If you are a fan of the franchise, you will get such a kick out of them! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a trigger warning on Resident Evil for gruesome violence (one of which takes place in a maternity ward) and an animal death. You ready? Let’s get to it!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Bryan works as a hospital courier and transports organs to and from different facilities. He is just getting off of his shift and is eager to return to his potentially pregnant girlfriend to discuss their options. As Bryan is about to take off, he gets an offer for one last delivery of the day and the pay is double. The weather is turning nasty with snow falling rapidly but Bryan isn’t in a position to refuse extra cash if there’s a baby on the way. He accepts the gig to drive to Raccoon City General Hospital and white knuckles his way through slick roads and heavy snowfall. Then, things take a drastic turn for the worse when he hits a woman wandering the streets in a summer dress.

The woman is gravely injured and since Bryan is heading to the hospital anyways, he puts her in the car and continues his drive. Unfortunately, this is his last moment of solace until all hell breaks loose when the woman takes a violent turn. Bryan’s car peters out and he has to make a run for it to a nearby farm to call for help with his courier bag in tow. He makes it to the property but there is no one to be found. No one human, anyways. Grotesque creatures have taken over and with no car and no weapons, there is no way he will make it to Raccoon City for his big payday.

Bryan can run but he can’t hide and every attempt to escape is thwarted until he finds temporary relief with members of the Umbrella Corporation who are hunting the mutants that devastate the streets. He learns that what he is carrying isn’t an organ at all but an ingredient. An ingredient that can create the cure to contain the outbreak that will soon spread across America. The hospital is still a long way to go but if he does make it, he can save the world as we know it. Will the mutants be eradicated in time? Or will the world dissolve into chaos? Watch Resident Evil to find out!

Resident Evil was a short and sweet hour and a half movie that packed a major punch. As soon as the opening scene was complete, I was in hook, line, and sinker and the movie simply didn’t let up. It was jam packed with classic Resident Evil gore and the craziest creatures I have ever seen. It matched the claustrophobic vibes of the games perfectly and it almost felt like watching someone play Resident Evil rather than watching a movie. Regardless of if you have played the games or not, there is no way you won’t enjoy this flick if you are a true horror fan. It was a wild ride with an ending scene that left me shooketh and as soon as it was over I wanted to see it again!

There was a lot to like about Resident Evil and my qualms with it are merely a matter of opinion because I didn’t care for the portrayal of Bryan. When I think about Resident Evil, I’m thinking a hot guy in a leather jacket and that was so not him lol. Bryan was a nerd and his constant attempt at humor throughout the movie eventually turned into more annoying than funny. I understand that in one of the games you play as just a regular dude which I’m sure is what the production team was emulating. However, his banter just didn’t mesh with the world he was thrown into and it was a juxtaposition that didn’t work for me. This is not to say that the movie wasn’t great because I really did love it. That choice just wasn’t for me!

Overall, I am going to rate Resident Evil with an eight out of ten stars. This is an excellent intro to spooky season flick and I highly recommend it!

Are you a fan of the Resident Evil games? What did you think about the new movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep16

Fun & Games: AC/DC Monopoly Edition

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Fun & Games: AC/DC Monopoly Edition

Hi! As you saw in a recent post, Johnny and I checked out Sweets & Geeks this past week and had the best time shopping till we dropped. Sweets & Geeks features something for every possible fandom imaginable and had countless forms of collectables including board games, plushies, backpacks, Funkos, and everything in between. Johnny and I are especially partial to a good board game and he began his shopping in that department. In no time at all, he returned with two games in hand: A new expansion of Horrified as well as AC/DC Monopoly! 😀

Johnny is the biggest AC/DC fan ever and it brought me such joy to take him to their show in Cleveland a few years back. A themed Monopoly board of his favorite band was a no brainer to purchase and we had a blast breaking it out with our birthday BFF, Cliff, a few days later. I may have gotten my butt kicked seven ways till Sunday but I’ll get my revenge next time! Check it out:

Monopoly is one of those games that people either love or hate and I have never met anyone who fell right in the middle. Although I agree that it is a tedious game at times, Johnny and I love it and were so happy to add the AC/DC board to our collection. Granted, we only have one other Monopoly a la Legend Of Zelda but it is a collection of two, nonetheless! There is never anything special or new about the themed Monopoly boards and the game play forever remains the same. However, it’s just fun to play on a board centered around one of your favorite things! They also make a great gift – my sister loves her Britney Spears Monopoly board that I got her for Mother’s Day! (I eventually want to get that one too! Long live the queen!) ❤

When Johnny, Cliff, and I dived into our AC/DC Monopoly, we had the band blaring on vinyl and settled in for a heated competition. I am saddened to report that the competition was neither heated nor successful for me and I think I went bankrupt in forty minutes lol. What can I say, I was trying to make some money moves and all of them fell through. Such is the game, though, and regardless of winning or losing, the company couldn’t be beat. I can’t wait to play again soon and avenge my honor to the tune of High Voltage rock!!!!!

If there is an AC/DC super fan in your life, this Monopoly board is a must. Whether it’s a loved or hated game, it sure makes a great collectable!

Do you have any themed Monopoly boards? What is your favorite board game? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep12

Groovy Movies: Buddy Edition

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Groovy Movies: Buddy Edition

Hi! Prior to dating Johnny, I wholeheartedly admit that I was a horror movie snob. I was all about the atmospheric, moody, psychological thriller scary movies and nothing else would do. I didn’t care for silly slashers, couldn’t be bothered with creature horror films, and turned up my nose at anything remotely campy. All of these examples, however, are exactly what Johnny loves and I certainly changed my tune after he took me to school on all of his favorites. I recently saw Buddy with a friend, which is a comedy horror that checked all of the boxes of Johnny’s scary movie must haves. This movie was not great but I don’t think I would have slightly liked it without my further education from Johnny! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as always, but first I’ll be placing a trigger warning for gory violence and disturbing content. Here we go:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

It’s Buddy! is a Barney style children’s show featuring a huge orange unicorn named Buddy. At his playhouse it is fun and games, dance parties and songs, and learning lessons like apologizing or being brave. When all of the kids participate and smile, it is an excellent day at Buddy’s. If they don’t comply… not so much. After a little boy refuses to learn a dance routine, Buddy snaps and the remaining playmates are terrified. Freddy, Oliver, and Hannah thought that Buddy loved them. Was he lying this whole time? One thing is for sure, the kids need to get to the real world and fast.

In the real world, we come across a perfectly normal family. A mom named Grace, her husband, and their two sons. There is something bothering Grace, though. Something that feels missing and she can’t shake it. Deep in her being, Grace believes that she has another child out there and takes matters into her own hands by hiring a psychic. The psychic insists on contacting the spirit in the house that is plaguing Grace but it isn’t a pesky ghost or poltergeist at all. It’s Buddy and he needs a new friend.

Grace knows that Buddy is behind her missing child and when he invites her into the television later that night she joins him as the new clubhouse nurse. The kids and Grace only have one chance to get back to the real world and danger lurks at every turn. Buddy is intent on closing this horrific episode out with a song and it is up to them to stop it. Will Grace’s family become whole? Will the other children get to return home too? Watch Buddy to find out!

I feel a bit torn about Buddy because there were parts of it that I liked and parts that dragged and I consider that difficult to do in a barely hour and a half flick. Buddy’s clubhouse was uber fun with nods to Barney and Pee Wee’s Playhouse that I deeply appreciated. What dragged, in my opinion, was the repetitive and relatively tame nature of the film. There were parts that literally felt like we were just watching an off brand Barney episode and that’s a massive bore for a room of adults. In fact, it was almost painful until more major plot points were introduced like Grace and her family.

Buddy did provide laughs and a couple of jump scares but it was overall a very average flick. I actually REALLY liked the plot but I didn’t like the execution of it and there were parts that were just plain weird AF. If you watch Buddy, you will know exactly what I’m talking about! Was this a movie worth seeing? If you’re looking for a very different, semi horror comedy then I guess? I left the theater feeling neither here nor there either way but was definitely glad that it was a short movie!

I am going to rate Buddy with a three out of ten stars. I don’t think this is one to go see in the theaters but it could be a laugh if you are watching at home!

Did you see Buddy? What did you think about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep3

Josh Groban Stage, Screen, And Symphony Concert

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Josh Groban Stage, Screen, And Symphony Concert

Hello! This past weekend Johnny and I had the best time seeing Josh Groban at Blossom Music Center for his Stage, Screen, And Symphony tour. Did we purchase tickets as huge fans of his music? Not necessarily. They were cheap and we got them for a laugh because we love when Josh Groban shows up in obscure comedies that we love like Tim And Eric’s Awesome Show Great Job. However, due to circumstances that I would only define as miraculous, we left the concert venue as super fans reeling from as close to a spiritual experience as I have ever had lol. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss mine and Johnny’s turn of good fortune:

Blossom Music Center is a venue that’s broken up into two parts. There is the covered pavilion where you can get close to the stage for beaucoup bucks or you can post up on the lawn beyond it for the low low. Unless the difference in price between both locations is marginal, Johnny and I always get lawn seats and did the same for Josh Groban. After getting a couple of drinks, we made our way to a primo spot on the lawn where our view of the stage wasn’t great but we could still see the screen really well. While it isn’t ideal, it is the best that you can hope for when you’re on the grass! Little did we know, our view was about to get so much better.

At seven o’clock sharp the show began sans opener and The Grobes took the stage singing Pure Imagination from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Not to mention that his concert was set to the music of the Akron Symphony Orchestra which was way cool! Although we just had a jumbo screen view, we were mesmerized by hearing Josh Groban perform because he truly does have the most beautiful voice and presence. We were then shocked out of our stupor by a Blossom employee asking us if we wanted to be upgraded to pavilion seats FOR FREE!!

Johnny and I happily accepted and assumed that we were gifted with back or mid pavilion seats. Not! An usher took our tickets and we followed behind all the way to the front. We started from the lawn and ended up four rows in front of the stage, giving us a perfect view of The Grobes in all of his glory. In all of our years of attending Blossom shows, nothing like this has ever happened before and we genuinely couldn’t believe it. It was like stepping into an alternate reality and all we could do was just sit back in our confusion and utter delight and enjoy the show.

As you guessed from the name of his tour, Josh Groban performed songs from the stage and screen set to a symphony lol. He performed charming renditions of songs like What I Did For Love, Skyfall, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and On My Own just to name a few. The piece de resistance was seeing him tap back into his role has Sweeney Todd for The Barber And His Wife which was absolutely magical. It makes me even more excited for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett Halloween costumes this year! I wanted to see his run as Sweeney Todd SO badly and this was the best consolation prize!

Throughout his set, Josh (We’re on a first name basis!) shared stories, told some jokes, and sang his little heart out. Let’s be real, Josh Groban only has one lane – that being emotional ballads lol. He sticks to what he knows and does it oh so well! It was awe inspiring to hear him, of course, but it was just freaking crazy to be that close to him. Johnny and I were not fifty feet away from the guy we bust a gut over for Groban Sings Casey! When we were on the lawn, we didn’t plan on staying for the whole show. Once we were upgraded, we were glued to our seats until his encore of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. We made our way to the car as he sang the beloved tune and it was like being sent off into the sunset after an amazing Blossom adventure.

Johnny and I are still in a state of shock from our concert experience and are not fully convinced that it was real. You’re going to have to pinch us!

Are you a Josh Groban fan? Are you going to a concert soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug25

Groovy Movies: The End Of Oak Street Edition

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Groovy Movies: The End Of Oak Street Edition

Hello! This past week I enjoyed seeing one of this summer’s most fun popcorn flicks called The End Of Oak Street starring the incomparable Anne Hathaway. This is a very good year for my girl and I loved seeing her in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey. She will also be in Verity coming out in November, I believe, which I do plan on seeing just because it’s her even though I hated the book with a passion lol. But I digress. The End Of Oak Street was a wild ride that moved rapidly with nonstop thrills, the occasional jump scare, and dinosaurs galore. Honestly, Jurassic World who? The End Of Oak Street was the fresh take on dinosaurs that we all needed and left the latest installment of Jurassic World in the dust! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as per ushe:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

The year is 1982, it’s summertime and the living is easy. Kind of. Denise, her husband Greg, children Audrey and Brian, and family dog Starbuck live in a picture perfect suburban neighborhood. Families barbecue, children play together, and you can always count on a neighbor for help. Behind closed doors, however, Denise and Greg’s marriage is strained and their kids are constantly hearing them bicker. Denise goes through the motions while her husband works odd jobs and delivers pizza and when everyone is asleep, she heads to the basement to work on a book she is writing in secret.

Denise’s elderly neighbor is editing her book and after wrapping up their session requests her help. A strange plant grew out of nowhere in her yard and they each have no idea what it could be. Denise snaps a picture on her Polaroid camera, uproots the plant, and heads to the library to investigate. To her surprise, the librarian tells her this plant has been extinct since the time that dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The following night, a huge storm takes place with bright lights flashing that definitely doesn’t look like lightening. The power in the neighborhood goes out and Denise’s family hits the hay in the hopes that the storm has passed and the power will be on when they wake up.

That is not the case and what’s worse, Starbuck is nowhere to be found in their backyard. Greg and Denise decide to look for the dog together while the kids hold tight and step into an unfamiliar new world. Their neighborhood has turned into Jurassic Park overnight! The landscape has changed to lush greenery, mountainous terrains, and huge lakes and dinosaurs wander in search of something tasty to eat. Within minutes, the street devolves into chaos with families trying to escape, many of them not making it beyond their own front door.

Greg and Denise book it back to their kids and begin the process of boarding up their home. But they can’t stay there indefinitely and need a plan to get themselves back to 1982. Their daughter, Audrey, suggests that they could have entered a portal to go back in time and that could have been the bright light they saw during the storm. The trick is for that light to appear again, find it, and avoid the dinosaurs at all costs. Will this family learn to work together and make it home alive? Or will they be stuck on Oak Street forever? Watch the movie to find out!

If you are looking for a short and sweet action packed movie, then you can stop your search. The End Of Oak Street has you covered! This flick clocked in at one hour and forty minutes and after the brief introduction to the family and neighborhood every scene was more insane than the next. The threat of the dinosaurs was so palpable I found myself holding my breath as they wreaked havoc creating close calls that were centimeters away from disaster. Not only were the dinos fearsome but they were so well designed and it was such a nice change of pace to see these creatures in a movie other than Jurassic Park.

The only thing I really didn’t care for in The End Of Oak Street was the son, Brian, who was just whiny and annoying the whole time. My beloved Anne Hathaway made up for it in spades, though! It was wild to see her wielding a gun and being a total badass because I’m so used to her girl next door roles. As she always does, she played the part so well and my eyes were never not on her even when dinosaurs were mauling her neighbors lol. If you are an Anne Hathaway fan like me, this is a must see. Even if you’re not, this is a must see because this was one of the most exciting action movies I have seen in ages!

Overall, I am going to rate The End Of Oak Street with a nine out of ten stars. If Brian wasn’t so cringy it would have been a perfect ten!

Have you seen The End Of Oak Street? What did you think about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug21

T-Shirt Time

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T-Shirt Time

Hi! I recently enjoyed a shopping trip with my brother to Belden Village Mall as he had some gift cards to spend and I am always down to browse. It was honestly crazy being at a mall because it is the last place I think of when I want to shop. You all know that I am a TJMaxx girl! However, I think my extensive tenure working retail at Summit Mall more than makes up for my lack of going now considering I basically lived there lol. We hit up a couple of stores at Belden Village and had a great time seeing what’s good. I’ve got to give credit when it’s due because their Hot Topic ruled and I just could not say no to these hilarious graphic Ts:

When I saw the I ❤ Hot Dads shirt a la Twilight on display, I literally clutched my pearls. I am very familiar with the Twilight franchise as I had a client who adored it and, I’ll tell you what – I sure do love those hot dads lol. Sweet Charlie and Carlisle are never far from my mind and have always ranked high in my hot dad category so it’s nice to have a shirt to celebrate that. It really is too funny and I cannot wait to see the reaction I get when I wear it out in public. Twilight fans UNITE! I didn’t think it was possible that this shirt would continue to give to me but then I noticed what was underneath them on the shelves and truly couldn’t believe my eyes…

There were Supernatural shirts!!! I have another client who got me and Johnny hooked on Supernatural and we have been loving watching a couple of episodes every night. Supernatural is essentially just CSI but with ghosts with episodes that are jam packed with humor, crappy effects, and mystery. It’s a blast! Johnny and I have actually looked up Supernatural Ts before but all of them pale in comparison to the one I found at Hot Topic. It reminds me of those tie dye shirts of wolves howling at the moon at different angles and it cracks me up. I was beyond excited to show Johnny as soon as he got home and we have decided to schedule who gets to wear it and when lol. What can I say? We’re super Supernatural fans!

Shout out to Hot Topic for gifting me with these Little Treat Ts. I am obsessed!

Do you like to shop at the mall? What’s your favorite store? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug6

Groovy Movies: The Odyssey Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Odyssey Edition

Hi! This past weekend I enjoyed a fabulous viewing of the latest blockbuster, The Odyssey. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and, I admit, I was a bit ambivalent. Primarily because the almost three hour run time is daunting and I was worried I was going to have to go to the bathroom the whole time lol. I am pleased to report that I didn’t need a potty break once and that this lengthy flick simply breezed by. By the time it was over, it was like no time had passed at all and I was genuinely sad that it was done. It was SO good and I wanted more!! Before we begin our spoiler free discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Odyssey for animal cruelty. You ready? Let’s go!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Odysseus, King of Ithaca, led the Trojan War and it is now time to make his way home to his wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus. It will be no easy feat to make his way back to his kingdom but he has his soldiers who are loyal and his love for his family to guide him home. And then… It all goes to Hades in a hand basket and for twenty years, everyone believes King Odysseus to be dead. In that time, Penelope is being courted to take up a new king but her heart only yearns for her husband. She confesses her fear of attacks on her kingdom to her son and Telemachus decides to go on his own adventure to locate his father.

Through interweaving story lines, we see Telemachus’s quest as well as what went so horribly wrong through Odysseus’s memories. On his journey home from war, he and his crew don’t just face the elements of hellacious storms and a lack of wind to sail, but mythical creatures that block their paths. They have run ins with a cyclops, Circe the witch, and sirens. One by one, his faithful soldiers are being killed off until it is only Odysseus left.

After years of travel, Odysseus falls under the care of Calypso who is a nymph and becomes infatuated with him. Rather than help him return home, she drugs him with an amnesia inducing flower. She denies Athena’s request to bring Odysseus home but does encourage him to remember what brought him to her in the first place. This could not come at a moment too soon as tensions raise in his kingdom for Penelope to select a new king. It is time for Odysseus to reign once more if he can make it back to Ithaca. Will he survive to return as husband, father, and king? Watch The Odyssey to find out!

I have no comments on The Odyssey but to sing its praises. The star studded cast was top tier and everyone was acting their hearts out. The cinematography? Moving. The scenery? Awe inspiring. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Three hour movies can feel like they are dragging but The Odyssey plowed forward at such a rapid pace. The timing that Christopher Nolan created was spot on. Lulls in the story were instantly replaced by nonstop action and I was fully engrossed the entire time. In fact, it felt very similarly to watching a Lord Of The Rings movie, which was a delightful hit right in the nostalgia.

Christopher Nolan is a visionary and he guided his cast and crew with such care. The Odyssey is a HUGE story to tackle and everything about this movie felt so perfectly in place. I could tell that he put his heart and soul into making this movie and I could literally feel the tenderness with each passing scene. My favorite parts outside of all of the incredible performances was the cyclops and the visit to Circe’s island. Those parts were freaking crazy and I absolutely loved the way the cyclops looked. Honestly, I loved everything about this movie and would be more than happy to see it again. This is a flick that is a must see in theaters!!

I am going to award The Odyssey with the coveted ten out of ten stars. I seriously cannot recommend it enough and expect big things from it in the upcoming awards season!

What did you think about The Odyssey? What is your favorite lengthy movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul30

Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

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Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

Hi! Over three years ago Johnny and I saw Hadestown at Playhouse Square and it will forever be one of my favorite memories. This show was a light in an otherwise very dark period of my life and it moved me so deeply. The music, the story, everything about it we loved and Johnny and I still talk about our night at the theater like it was yesterday. I was incredibly excited to learn that the live recording with the original primary cast at the Lyric Theater in London was coming to theaters and just had to go. I have had it marked in my calendar for months for a date night! We went this Friday at the Cinemark with my dad as a surprise guest and had the absolute best time. I am so glad he got to share in the magic of Hadestown with us!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Hadestown tells the love story of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice set to the tune of jazz, gospel, and blues. It is breathtaking, heart breaking, and one million percent awe inspiring. It was such a delight to see those who originated the characters that I adore so much perform and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cast recording. However, it is so crisp and pure that it almost sounds like a Disney album and I wanted that grit that only comes from a live performance. Hadestown: The Musical is a must see for anyone that feels the same way and it was so refreshing to hear the music like it was meant to be heard.

I know this is going to ruffle some feathers but Johnny and I wholeheartedly agree that the cast we saw at Playhouse Square was better than this one. It’s just a true statement because they were lol. Our Orpheus had a much stronger falsetto. Our Hermes commanded the show in true vaudeville fashion. Our Eurydice and Persephone had far more oomph. And, don’t even get me started on our brooding Hades because holy WOW. And, listen, that’s not to say that the OG cast isn’t wonderful too and maybe my sentiments would be different had I been in the audience for one of their shows. My expectations from our cast are just too high that anything else seems less than.

All of this sounds like I’m bashing the OGs but I’m simply stating my opinion and that also includes how much we enjoyed the live recording anyways. It really was fabulous and I was elated that my dad came with us because what he did the following day will tell you everything you need to know… I met up with my parents and nieces for an outing to the local library for a tea party and when I got there my dad proudly showed me the cast recording CD in his hands to check out. He had the biggest smile on his face and thanked me and Johnny again for our fun night on the town. And it sure was! Amazing music, amazing company, and an amazing experience to have altogether. ❤

I am going to award Hadestown: The Musical with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a theater enthusiast then you are not going to want to miss this limited showing. RUN don’t walk!!!

What are your thoughts on Hadestown? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah