E is for Election

For my "E" movie I watched Election starring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick.  The movie is about Tracy Flick, a straight-A ambitious student running for student council president.  She runs unopposed until her Teacher, Jim McAllister, encourages another student to oppose her.  The movie is hilarious, and Tracy Flick is an unforgettable character.  There are so many hilarious moments in this film, from Mr. McAllister's explanation democracy through the use of fruit, to Tammy Metzler's inspiring campaign speech declaring "Who cares about this stupid election?"  Very entertaining.

R is for Reign Over Me

Last night I watched Reign Over Me starring Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler.  I didn't really want to watch the movie because I thought it might be too depressing.  Adam Sandler's character, Charlie, lost his wife and three children in the 9/11 attacks because they were on one of the planes that crashed into the twin towers.  It had more funny moments than I anticipated, and was really more about Don Cheadle's character, who tries to help Charlie and in the process examines his own life and marriage.  Overall I thought it was trying to do too many things and went on too long, but there were definitely some great moments and stellar acting by those involved.

P is for the Princess and the Frog

I finally saw Disney's The Princess and the Frog the other night. I thought it was a really cute movie. Unlike other Disney movies there was some inclusion of real American culture, although I realize it tended to be a simplified view of New Orleans culture. It was nice to lose myself in a Disney musical again and just feel like a little girl mesmerized by a fairy tale.

U is for Up in the Air

I watched my "U" movie last night, Up in the Air starring George Clooney.  This is one of the only Oscar nominated movies from this year that I've seen, and overall I really enjoyed it.  I thought Clooney's character was realistic, and I was invested in his growth.  I also unexpectedly related with Natalie, because I too am a young woman out of college just starting to try and find a place for myself in the real world.  There is always that feeling that there is a lot to prove.  It brought up interesting questions about the choices we make in life and relationships.

I is for the Invention of Lying

I watched this rather silly movie last Friday.  I am a big fan of Ricky Gervais, and I wanted to like this movie more than I did.  I thought that, as usual, his character was funny and also a little sweet.  However, I had bigger issues with the movie.  I didn't expect it to be a masterpiece or anything, but I didn't fully understand why the inability to lie meant that everyone in the world had to say everything that was on their minds all of the time.  Even though I was rooting for Ricky's character to get the girl in the end, I didn't think he and Jennifer Garner had great chemistry.  I enjoyed it enough while watching, but have no desire to see this movie again.

Whip it!

W is for Whip it!

This movie was really enjoyable and funny.  I loved watching a movie with mostly women in it, who were genuinely funny.  The plot was a bit predictable, but some things were pleasant surprises.  I don't really always want to watch movies to be shocked by plot twists, and Whip It provided just the kind of fun I was looking for.  I really want to try roller derby now!

Finally introduced to Jason Bourne

I finally watched the Bourne Identity as one of my movies.  I've been meaning to watch this for a long time.  I really enjoyed it.  It was a good action movie and makes me want to see the next movies.  It definitely felt like the start of  a series, and that there was  more to tell.

Starting my movie mission!

Since the beginning of my 1001 days I've made some headway on goal number 37, to watch 26 movies starting with each letter of the alphabet.

L: Leap Year
I went to see this movie with my mom and sister since we rarely go to the movies together. I hadn't planned on seeing it because I thought it looked silly, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really like Amy Adams, and she was adorable as usual. I liked seeing the bits of Ireland in the movie, and the plot wasn't quite as ridiculous as I thought it would be. Also, Matthew Goode is very hot. I did not mind watching him for two hours at all. Like any romantic comedy, the ending was a little to perfect, but I never mind that. I like happy movies.





O: Once
This is one I've been meaning to watch for a while. I was worried that it would have a sad ending because many indie films seem to be fairly serious. I am glad I watched it, because I LOVED it. While it doesn't have the perfect romantic comedy plot, it is perfect because it is so real. The music is lovely, and I found myself wanting the soundtrack as soon as I was done with the movie. The relationship that builds between the guy and girl in the movie is real and touching. I'll definitely be watching this one again.

41. Have 3 board game nights

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have had three nights of playing board games with friends.

Why this is on my list: I have lots of fun board games, but often don't make time to play them.  I'm friends with people who would also be interested in doing this, so it would be fun to plan.

I will update the progress of this goal through blog updates here

Goal status: complete
1.  6/23/2010 with Amy and Justin
2. 1/16/2011 with Justin
3. 6/4/2011 with Amy, Justin and Lauren

40. Stop watching TV after 7pm 1 night a week

I will consider this goal complete when/if: I have had one night per week in which I stop watching tv after 7 pm

Why this is on my list: Along with other goals, this is meant to cut back on my tv watching. Hopefully I will use this time to do other goals such as reading or going out to do something

I will keep track of this through updates in my blog

Goal status: in progress (22/123) as of week of 5/23/10
Stopped keeping track so restarting:
As of Jan 25 2011:
5/6 weeks successful

39. See 20 of them

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have seen 20 of the items on the list I created in goal number 38

Why this is on my list: This was also part of the list I got it from.  What good is the list if you don't try to see what is on it?

I will update the progress of this goal through blog updates here

Goal status: to do

38. Make a list of 100 things I want to see

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have created a written list of 100 things I want to see.  They can be small or big things. 

Why this is on my list: I saw this on someone else's list and really liked the idea.  I would like to try to be creative with this list and think outside the box.

I will post my list here when finished

Goal status: to do

37. Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the Alphabet

I consider this goal complete when/if: I fully watch 26 movies with titles from A-Z

Why it is on my list: I wanted a movie watching goal, and this will be a fun one to fill. Justin and I have started weekly movie nights, which will be a fun way to accomplish this goal

I will document the movies I watch through occasional blog posts that I link here

Goal Status: in progress (17/26)
Adventureland
Bourne Identity
Charlie Bartlett
Despicable Me
Election
Funny Girl
G
Hamlet 2
Invention of Lying
J
King's Speech
Leap Year
M
N
Once
Princess and the Frog, The
Q
Reign Over Me
Signs
Tangled
Up in the Air
V
Whip it
X
Y
Z

36. Watch only an hour of TV a day for 1 month

I will consider this goal complete if/when: I go for a full month in which I watch no more than one hour of tv per day

Why this is on my list: I waste a lot of time watching tv. This combined with some other tasks is meant to cut down on this

I will update through blog posts

Goal status: to do

35. Cut down number of tv shows I watch by 1/3

I consider this goal complete when/if: At the end of 1001 days I can say that I watch up to 24 hours of worth of shows I watch, rather than the 35.5 I watch now. I can watch new shows, but old shows have to be cut out to make room.

Why it's on my list: I obviously watch too much tv. The 35.5 hours I watch now are not every week, and are spread throughout fall, winter, and summer seasons, but it is still too much. I need to have fewer ways to waste my time.

This goal will be tracked by various posts in this blog

Current list of tv shows:

Lost

.5Modern Family

.5Cougar Town

.5How I Met Your Mother

.5The Big Bang Theory

Fringe

Bones

Lie to Me

Psych

Greek

Chuck

Burn Notice

.5The Office

Survivor

.5Community

Law and Order SVU

Amazing Race

Glee

Grey’s Anatomy

Royal Pains
.5 Raising Hope
The Defenders
The Whole Truth
.5 The League
The Good Guys

the forgotten

Top Chef

Project Runway

.5The Soup

America’s Next Top Model

Flashforward

Celebrity Apprentice

2 American Idol

V

Mercy
Brothers and Sisters

Desperate Housewives

24

1.5SNL

Heroes

Toddlers and Tiaras

.5Say Yes to the Dress

Private Practice

Models of the Runway

Tool Academy

Parks and Rec

Goal Status: complete (22.5/24) hours

34. Go to a drive in movie

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have seen one movie at a drive-in theatre

Why this is on my list: I haven't gone to a drive-in since I was little.  The nearest drive-in isn't very close so it will take some effort to plan and go to this movie. 

I will update here when I have completed this goal

Goal status: to do

33. Go to a concert

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have gone to one music concert.  The main purpose of going should be the concert, not just something like a fair where a band is playing.

Why this is on my list: I have only seen a few concerts, and none very big.  I'd like to make an effort to go to a concert that I will really get excited about

I will update here when the goal is complete

Goal status: complete: Rob Thomas Concert

32. Go to a sporting event

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have gone to one sporting event such as a game or tournament.

Why this is on my list: Sports can be fun to watch.  I would love to go to an NFL game or something, but more likely I will be going to a local hockey game or something like that

I will update in my blog when this goal is complete

Goal status: Complete: 6/29/10 Mets game

31. See a Broadway show

I consider this goal complete if/when: I have seen one show on Broadway, either a play or musical

Why this is on my list: I have enjoyed the shows I have seen, but there are many more I would like to see.


I will update here when this goal is complete

Goal status: to do