(FTW) Finds This Week: #2

Finds This Week: #2

 

"Deals, FTW!"

 

This is my version of all those "weekly haul" memes. (More Information)

This last week I did some more thrift shopping, while in search of household items and furniture, among those I hit two thrift stores and Target, and found a few things to add to my collections.

Movie Review: Men in Black III

(Source)

Men in Black III (2012)

Based on: The Men in Black by Lowell Cunningham
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Producer: Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald
Studio: Amblin Entertainment, P+M Image Nation, Hemisphere Media Capital
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Release Date(s): May 23, 2012 (France), May 25, 2012 (United States)
Running Time: 106 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Rating: PG-13

Official Site

Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him - secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind. (Source)

Movie Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy, Goofy, Imaginative, Quirky

Yes this is a time-travel movie and somewhat of a 'tie-in' to piece in the other movies and the world of MIB after 10 years. The funny thing? It actually works.

Let me say I am a huge fan of MIB when it first came out and while I have seen them all, I can admit when one isn't that great. Even to the point of not being happy to admit that I have seen it.. those of you that have seen Men in Black II should know what I'm talking about.. (While parts of the storyline are valid, the movie wasn't one to be remembered and I'm still trying to block it out..)
This one however, surpasses any expectations set for it along with being better than the previous example of the series. Although, it could be argued that's why it's better.

Bringing a storyline back to life after 10 years, isn't easy; actors age, people won't sign back on, and there's always the factor of trying to introduce not only the old audience but a new one as well. Trying to appeal to new fans while pleasing the old ones.
This being said, it's no surprise that there are new faces to the franchise, although these new ones should not be overlooked; most notable there is the introduction of Josh Brolin as young Agent K who was amazing. It was a pure entertainment to watch him in the role. He went above and beyond, doing the role of Agent K justice.

While most of this films' plot line seems similar to what we've seen before, expanding on Agent K, his life and trying to farther understand him, there more to this story than meets the eyes. Under the almost typical plot there are plenty of twists, turns, and laughs to be found. Some moments are more pleasing than others, and there are a few that might have you saying "Predictable" this is still an entertaining movie.
Nothing is ever going to stop the complex relationship J and K have. K being distance and J forever trying to figure him out and make him less stiff and strict. K being K and J being J; it's that opposites' relationship that both works and causing never-ending friction, only leaving room for entertainment.

Plot-wise, the general roles of 'good' and 'bad' where displayed along with those fighting to help the good while stopping the bad and save the world, a simple plot, but sometimes there's nothing wrong with simple, when you rely on the characters coming to life and playing the story out. I feel they did, having this movie live up to the expectations set for it.

What I enjoyed the most was the ever growing introduction of aliens and other life forms. There was an alien introduce that was able to see multiply futures, never knowing which was the one they were heading towards, which leads to countless awkward moments. He constantly said things along the lines of "Unless we're in the reality where (thing) happens" *waits for it, it doesn't happen* "Whew, that was a close one." While everyone else lives on none the wiser. Although that's kind of the theme in MIB isn't it?

What I really loved, was the cleverness behind this film. In the sense of not only appealing to it's young audience, in expanding and while introducing it's self to new fans, but also in the sense of playing homage to an older crowd that I feel may have been previously overlooked. With the factor of time travel, there are countless jokes and references to things that aren't around anymore, that might have applied to an older crowd. Both the seriousness of the theme (aka being in the past) and in poking fun; jet-packs the size of a car and the usual, H-U-G-E cellphones.

One of the negative points I have to comment on, it's a very large pet-peeve, the CGI and general computer animated or manipulation of the film. Compared to the other films, there is no question this is the best looking MIB movie in all of it's Sci-fi glory. However, there are still moments of sloppy work which drive me insane. Mostly the villain hopping around, which looked ridiculously fake, no questions asked. I understand some situations can't happen in real life, it should still look 'real'. (I can only explain it as, he looked like Mr. Fantastic, you know stretches and looking like he has no bones, hoping around. Really bothered me.)


I highly recommend this film. Not the MIB we're used to, which isn't a bad thing.
Compared to the other movies, I was felt feeling MIB has lived to a reputation of being over the top, bigger and badder is ultimately better, where as MIB III delivered a story with more heart and soul while not sacrificing anything plot wise. Well other than Tommy Lee Jones not having much time in the spot-light, which makes me sad but still happy to see he would return for the role, if only for awhile.

There are questions answered while others are raised. I feel the journey is worth what we find out, over what is left to be answered or decide for yourself. Which is what the Sci-fi genre is about; the conspiracy and theories the individuals decide on.

There are already questions behind the possibility of MIB IV, I hope it doesn't happen. This movie left on a fairly clean although possibly open-ended note. It could be said to nicely wrap up the series. *Crosses fingers*

Recommended: Sci-fi, Quirky, Time-travel, Adventure.

IMDb | Wikipedia | Rotten Tomatoes

(FTW) Finds This Week: #1

Finds This Week: #1

I'm changing it up!

Explanation:
I've decided to go my own way in doing a "Stacking the Shelves" (Hosted by Tynga's Reviews), "Showcase Sunday" (Hosted by Books, Biscuits, and Tea) and "In My Mailbox" (Hosted by The Story Siren) themes (just to name a few), All of which were originally inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkie.
Now I won't be going to the extreme of changing my old posts out, although I will no longer be using the In My Mailbox tag. which was the meme I was using.
I will however still link my blog around to mentioned/related 'haul' memes

Why the change?
While there are many possible reasons as to why the change, none of them really matter aside from "Either way you don't win." In addressing the amount of drama I've both saw and still see on occasion flying around, I'd rather not link myself to anyone's "Weekly goodies" memes. If you know what I'm talking about this is all I'm going to say, or rather 'imply' on the matter, if you have no idea why it would matter; Good.
And while it hasn't personally happened to me (that I know of), it wouldn't surprise me if people start to un-follow someone for still using "In My Mailbox" or starting with the newer version "Stacking the Shelves" or "Showcase Sunday".
Either you go with the new trends or stick with the old one. Some people won't be happy with whatever you do, but that's their view of things. While I personally, don't care what most people think about this I really just don't want to put myself in the middle of something I have nothing to do with.

From that I will be; Neutral. Hopefully that is reasonable enough.

There's more to it:
Along with none of those titles really fitting how I go about this. I'm not feeling their style or function. They just aren't my speed in the way I gather books and the fact I also branch out with TV and movies.
I'm pretty much a no one who doesn't expect to receive ARCs or anything of the variety unless it's a giveaway/contest. Even still I'm horribly unlucky in that sense so I don't invest much in having a return. (It's just fun be part of something sometimes. See what people are up to, what they are saying, etc.)

I mostly surf the net, thrift stores, second-hand shops, and look for deals. Which I enjoy. (It's like a mini treasure hunt, only easy on the bank account.. sometimes!)

Also as horrible as it is to admit it, I wanted a clever name. While this isn't the best that's out there, for now it's what I came up with. For those unfamiliar with the term "FTW" it generally means "For The Win" the nerd/gamer in me giggles a little when I attach it to my great deals. Because you'd use the term "FTW" to farther emphasize what caused something great. IE: "Great deals, FTW."
Not the best way to explain the term, but hopefully understandable enough to those that wouldn't normally see or use it.

The Finds

This last week I was shown around some of thrift stores in my new location. I was luckily enough to find a couple of them with decent book sections!

I also found a cute little second hand book shop, but was unable to do any shopping. Thanks to an extremely rude customer, which resulted in me walking out. (Was not happy that day.) Hopefully I will try to go back and browse again in the future.

This week I got 4 books for under $5 (with tax)!

Bought:

Thrift Store #1

The Help by Kathryn Stockett $.50

(Source)

(Check the image out on the left for the copy I own.)
I wanted to show that I purchased the "Movie-Tie-In) edition, which I'd normally be less inclined to by, but with a price tag of $.50, I wasn't going to walk away from it.
The main reason I wanted to feature this edition is because it has an essay by the author along with 'discussion questions'.
I plan to add those into my review.

I have already seen the movies, when it came out, which is very rare for me to do, and I loved it! I've seen a few time since but it's still as good as the first time.
Easily said I was thrilled to see this book for $.50. Even saw it somewhere else for $5 that day and laughed to myself.



The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus, #1) by Rick Riordan $1.00


This poor poor book! It's been though hell and back. While not my ideal copy, for $1 I'm not going to complain much. I saw it and went "I'm buying you and going to treat you like gold!'

I'm a big fan of Rick Riordan, truly in love with the Percy Jackson series, when I found this there was no question if I was going to buy it or not.

This book was owned by a little girl, which explains why it's so beat up, which I discovered on the first two pages she labeled it and herself as the daughter of Posiden/Nepture. (One on one page one on the other.) I thought it was cute.
It's little quirks like that I love finding hidden in second-hand treasures.
Even with the shape this (poor poor) book is in, I still think it' a great find.


Thrift Store #2

L.A. Candy (L.A. Candy, #1) by Lauren Conrad $2

I won't lie, I've heard very mixed feelings about this book. I however, love Lauren Conrad, not for Laguna Beach or The Hills, but because what she's done. She went to school, she got a job, she's tried to keep out of drama and most of her 'personal life' out of the lime-light, she has her head on her shoulders.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic #1) by Sophie Kinsella $.50

I found this while skimming through the Chick-Lit and thought for $.50, no big deal. I heard it cute, although some mixed reviews and a fairly 'iffy' movie based on the book it's self.


Borrowed:

Castle: Season 2 & 3

I'm also already done with both of these already. I do love me some Nathan Fillion..


Current Bookmark:

This is something new I wanted to start. While I don't usually have great bookmarks and this won't always be featured, I did want to show my 'current bookmark' on occasion. That is when I have one that's really cute, cool, or just interesting looking.
Inspired by Liza @ Reading with ABC, known as "Bookmark This Week", seen here Bookmark This Week.






This is the card I got out of a Zoltar machine. I'm a Scorpio, by the way.
The funny thing about this card, my mother is an Aries and my father is a Libra, and the roles it's implying, would usually be reversed.
Let's not argue about how much effort or even faith I put into fortune telling or even horoscopes, nonetheless I think they're interesting. Nothing wrong with wasting a few quarters on a machine for fun.

I hope everyone else found some great stuff this week!

Mini Movie Review: #1 Mark of Love, Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, and Hello Sister, Goodbye Life

Mini Movie Review: #1
Mark of Love, Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family, and Hello Sister, Goodbye Life

Personal Note: This is a post I started back in April but because of my personal life I never got around to finish and posting. I however, still wanted to share my opinions on these not-so-great movies.

I've watched some not so great movies recently. Wanting to really start on review movies in general, although feeling these movies in question didn't contain enough content to feature a review each (also doubting I would be able to produce enough content about each of them that would worthy of posting) I decided on a mini review to feature all of them.

Repost: Which Books Should You Read This Summer?

I saw this over on Kah Cherub's blog NotJustNonsense and had to share.

Someone put a lot of time and thought into this, it's great.

Warning: Large image below the cut!