Ryden Malby had it all figured out. Make good grades in high school, get a great college scholarship, keep the scholarship, graduate, and then work at the best publishing company in LA. Only things don't go quite as she planned. Instead of getting the job, she ends up unemployed and living with her crazy family once again.

Crazy is NOT an understatement.

Add on to that, a hot Brazillian neighbor and Adam, a guy who's been her best friend since freshman year, yet wants to be more. That's the plot.

The plot, while all over the place, works well for this movie. You're not sure what scheme one of the Malbys will come up with next. Will it be her father's plan to make a fortune online selling belt buckles or perhaps her grandmother (played by the ever amazing Carol Burnett) wanting to take a look at caskets? There's always something going on, with Ryden and her love life, or lack thereof, at the center of it all.

Post Grad* definitely takes you for a ride. One that I really enjoyed.

*Amazon affiliate link

Posted by Melanie at 10:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: movie review, Post Grad

I wrote this review right after the movie came out, stuck it in my review folder, then managed to promptly forget it existed. I found it a few days ago and thought now would be a good time to post it with the upcoming DVD release. Spoilers if you haven't read/watched Twilight.

The trailer:


I'm a fan of the Twilight Saga. Not a raving mad fan, but a fan, nonetheless. And I'm happy to say that I liked this movie. A lot.

New Moon made me laugh often, in a good way. There were plenty of moments stuck here and there that kept the movie from being all doom and despair and angst. It surprised me with how close it stuck to the novel. Of course, not everything was the same, but it was very close to the book.

This movie wasn't completely perfect for me, though. There was a couple times during the movie where the cinematography made me dizzy, and there were also a few moments when I was rolling my eyes. Thankfully those didn't occur too often.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Getting to know the pack on screen was awesome, as was seeing everyone else again. And since it's probably my favorite book in the saga, it was great to see it translated so well onto screen.
~~~

The New Moon DVD is available for pre-order on Amazon.

This post contains amazon affiliate links.

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: movie review

Well, today's post is a bit late *sheepish smile*. This is mainly due to the fact that I had a piano lesson today, and I've had hardly any time to practice. Which is mainly due to the fact that I've been really busy with school, and I also really hate playing Sonatinas. I like listening to them, but my fingers never seem to be moving fast enough. But enough with the *cough*excuses*cough* reasons. On to the review!

Posted by Melanie at 7:23 PM View Comments    

Labels: movie review

If you know me, then you're mostly likely are aware of the fact that I can't cook. At all. As in, the only things I have ever made with any success are cheesecake, brownies, and Ramen noodles. The neccessities of life, of course. My father says that any one who can read can cook, but I think there is a huge distance between cooking and cooking well.

That's why I surprised my self when I picked up Julie & Julia at the local movie rental store. Mainly, I picked it up because of Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. I love them both. And even though I can't cook good food myself, I certainly enjoy it when others do.

I adored this movie. It was fun, and it made me laugh a number of times. The movie alternates between Julia Child's slow rise to fame as a cook in the 1950s and Julie Powell's attempt to cook and blog through the entire Mastering the Art of French Cooking book in one year.

I loved watching the romance between the couples. It was so sweet. The kind that while I watched I was thinking that if I ever did get married, I'd want it to be to a guy like that.

My favorite, favorite part of this movie was listening to Meryl Streep laugh. It has to be one of the most refreshing sounds I've heard in a while, and it just makes you want to jump in and laugh along with her.

Julie & Julie is a great movie. End of sentence.

Julie & Julia on Amazon*

*Amazon Affiliate Link

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: cooking, movie review

I hope you all had a lovely day yesterday. As I said earlier in the week, I now have a review of The Nanny Diaries movie!

Annie has just graduated from college, and is ready to embark upon life. She gets an interview which will give her an opportunity to snag the perfect job. But when she is asked, "Who is Annie Braddock?" She really doesn't know the answer to that question. Determined to discover herself, through a few hilarious turns, she becomes a nanny for Mrs. X. It seems like an easy enough job to her. If only she knew!

This movie was a lot of fun, filled with both hilarious and sweet moments. It actually resolved my biggest irk with the book by giving most of the characters actual names, although you don't necessarily get to know them right away. The biggest change, in my opinion, from novel to screen is that instead of Annie being an experienced nanny, she's learning on the job! It was so much fun to watch.

The only thing I didn't absolutely love in this movie were the times when Annie grabbed onto a red umbrella and went up into the sky. I think it was supposed to give a magical Mary Poppins type feel to the movie, but I just thought it was odd.

I liked the ending to this movie much better than that of the book. It just solved everything the way I had hoped for. The Nanny Diaries* is one of those feel good coming of age stories that I think a lot of people will love.

*Amazon affiliate link

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: movie review, The Nanny Diaries

A couple weeks ago, I reviewed A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. Today, I'm back with a review of the movie starring Shane West and Mandy Moore.

Landon Carter's friends aren't exactly what you'd call model citizens. One night, some one's looking to join their group. In order to do so, he'll have to complete a dare of their choice. Instead of just giving the guy a good fright, the dare goes wrong, and he ends up getting hurt. Police cars are soon sounding, and all but Landon split immediately. He stays behind to make sure the guy's not too badly hurt and ends up getting busted by the police. Now he's stuck doing volunteer work and acting in the school's annual play opposite Jamie Sullivan, the preacher's daughter. He thinks he knows everything about her, after all they've gone to the same school for twelve years, but he'll soon learn he was wrong. There's a lot more to Jamie than meets the eye, and there might be a lot more to Landon as well.

I enjoyed this movie at least as much as I enjoyed the book, maybe even more so. I'm one of those people who can watch movies over and over again. I think I've watched this one at least seven times, maybe more. It's the perfect chick flick. Landon's a bad guy, but not too bad, while Jamie's the seemingly perfect girl who is a lot more than what appears on the surface.

In one of my viewings of the movie, I listened to the Adam Shankman/Mandy Moore/Shane West's commentary. Something the director said made the movie make a bit more sense. The book is pretty religious, but the movie is hardly contains any religious elements at all. The director said something to the effect that this movie while containing Christian morals, wasn't a Christian movie. That helped me clear up a bit of my confusion concerning the lack of religious elements.

Overall, I thought A Walk to Remember* was really sweet. It has me looking for more movies with these actors. I liked them a lot.

*Amazon affiliate link

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Labels: A Walk to Remember, movie review

I had forgotten how creepy the book was when I picked up this movie at the library. Before you read this review there are two things you should know about me: I'm a visual learner, and I'm also very squeamish about things that may or may not exist. Ghosts, etc. After actually seeing Cathy being a ghost messed with my mind. So much so that the night after I watched it I jolted awake, absolutely certain that she was going to get me. Thinking back, it was a bit pathetic considering that Cathy's presence as a ghost doesn't even take up the majority of the movie, but it happened, nonetheless.

The one question that came into my mind as I read the book popped up once again as I watched the movie. Who deserves happiness? Is it reserved only for the relatively good people, or are evil people entitled to it as well? Heatchliff and Catherine's romance is one that is intriguing to watch develop.

I really liked the actors in this movie, especially the young Heathcliff. The young boy perfectly captured the way I imagined a gypsy appearance. Everyone is very convincing in their roles. I think that is the reason why I got scared out of my mind.

Wuthering Heights is a story that I will always remember, and this adaptation stayed close and true to the novel. Not to mention that I absolutely love the ending.

This movie was reviewed as part of The Gothic Film Club, being hosted by Write For a Reader through the month of August. It's sponsored by Michelle Zink author of Prophecy of the Sisters.

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: Emily Bronte, movie review, Wuthering Heights

She is alone in the world, her parents dead with no relations to speak of. No longer a girl, yet not quite a woman, she is employed as a companion when she meets Maxim de Winter. Her life changes unalterably soon after the fact. They marry, then move to Manderley, Maxim’s family estate. It doesn’t take long for her to learn that the house holds secrets. Secrets that should remain forever hidden but don’t.

I read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier around a year or so ago. I remember being completely delighted and a bit scared by the book. After watching the movie, I definitely think it's time for a reread.

As I watched the movie I felt like I got to know the main character intimately, despite the fact that I was deprived of the simple knowledge of her name. The actor that played her was also in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice as Georgiana Darcy. That was a very pleasant surprise.

The plot in this story is absolutely fascinating. My mom watched this movie with me, and the entire time she was making assumptions, trying to figure out where the movie was headed. She always ended up being wrong. The ending to the movie was a lot more comprehensive than that of the book. I enjoyed having just a tiny bit more closure on the book, although there are still so many questions I want answered.

Rebecca is one of those films that keeps you thinking even after the movie ends. I most definitely recommend. You won't be disappointed.


This film was reviewed as part of Movie Monday being sponsored by Michelle Zink, author of Prophecy of the Sisters, and hosted by Shelly from Write for a Reader through the month of August.

Posted by Melanie at 10:12 PM View Comments    

Labels: Michelle Zink, movie review, Prophecy of the Sisters, Rebecca

At the age of ten Fanny Price leaves her home at her mother's bidding to live with the Bertrams, her rich relatives. There she spends the next eight years of her life, and when she turns 18 the story really begins. She is happy and mistakenly thinks she will always be so. Her one true friend at Mansfield, her cousin Edmund, is the man that Fanny loves, and although he doesn't love her in a romantic way, he is her best friend. Then Mr. and Miss Crawford come into the community and bring with them enough chaos that could ruin Fanny's happiness forever.

The book that this movie was based on by Jane Austen wasn't one of my favorites by her. It was very good, don't get me wrong, but Fanny was always so fragile in her health and emotions. Although the Fanny in this movie was still very fragile emotionally (She's one of those people who you can look at the wrong way and hurt their feelings.) her health wasn't quite as fragile allowing her to be a lot more vibrant in her actions. I very much enjoyed this aspect.

The only bone of contention I had this book was that it moved along really fast. We were here, then we were there, and then over here. I would have liked it to slow down a little bit and relax. It felt really short.

I really liked all of the character interpretations. Mr. and Miss Crawford were a lot more conniving than what I imagined, and Lady Bertram had a lot more depth than what I perceived in the book. I also learned a little bit. I always thought that "Maria," the name of Lady Bertram's eldest daughter was pronounced with a long "e." However, in the movie it was pronounced with a long "i." I've never thought of pronouncing it like that. Hmm.

Anyway, Mansfield Park was a really cool movie, and I enjoyed it very much. You should definitely check it out.

Posted by Melanie at 7:57 AM View Comments    

Labels: 3.5 stars, everything austen, Mansfield Park, movie review

Frederick is my favorite of the Austen men. He's quite affable to everyone. It was fun to see his personality come to life on-screen. I enjoyed this adaption of Persuasion very much. Anne and Frederick's story is one that I will always remember.

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: everything austen, movie review, Persuasion

Catherine Morland has lived a quiet life with her many brothers and sisters in the country. Only in the books she reads does she experience love, scandal, and excitement. When she is invited to go to Bath with friends of her family she is eager to indulge in all society has to offer. She soon befriends the Tilneys and is invited to their home, Northanger Abbey. There her imaginative mind runs wild and she begins to suspect things of the place and the people that live there that may be true. Or not.

It has been awhile since I've read the book that this movie was based on, and I although I could remember the ending I couldn't remember very many of the particulars. I believe I found myself a bit more intrigued because I was once again being introduced to the story.

The abbey was just as I'd always pictured it. Dark and menacing. I can definitely see why, in such a place, Catherine was afraid when she went to bed at night. The setting throughout the entire book was so fitting.

The actors in this movie did a great job bringing the book to life. Catherine was so eager to make friends and keep them. Henrey Tilney was so interesting. He definitely made me laugh a couple times when he teased his sister and Catherine. I found myself liking the people I was supposed to like and disliking those I was supposed to hate.

The ending was not as I'd always pictured it, but it was still sweet. Overall, it was so cute, and I very much enjoyed it. Northanger Abbey was a delightful movie to watch.

My rating- 4/5 stars

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM View Comments    

Labels: everything austen, movie review, Northanger Abbey