Must Read & Watch (Special addition)

Making all the parents proud some books, with a little TV and some DVD’s.  You know I love my books and now going to the gym I read threw a book in 2 or 3 days so little time for TV or DVD’s.

BOOKS MUST READ (WELL ONE MAYBE NOT)

This book has charm, now it did have some slow moments but you really fell in love with this single mom who is a mystery shopper who gets wrapped up in a murder and then must solve the murders to clear her name.

Dying In Style

Mystery shopper Josie Marcus's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand dollar snakeskin belts—and Josie is accused of the crime.

I truly loved this book you fell in love with the main character who becomes haunted by her great aunt who passed away.  She finds out things about herself and becomes a new person with even a chance at new love.

Twenties Girl

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don't get visited by ghosts. Or do they?
When the spirit of Lara's great-aunt Sadie--a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance--mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie's possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.
Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie's necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different "twenties" girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella's books beloved by millions,Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.

This book I thought I would love the lead is a curvy girl, perfect I thought but sadly the first 30+ pages just didn’t grab me. 

Wicked Craving

Savannah Reid may have a few extra curves on her full-figured body, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of California's most successful private investigators. Her latest case puts her hot on the trail of a shady weight loss therapist who's made a killing treating—and cheating—his overweight patients. The question is, did he kill his wife, too?

Pound for pound, this is shaping up to be one of Savannah's toughest cases ever. But she'd better find the killer soon. . .or else the bodies will just keep piling up.

DVD’S MUST WATCH

I’ve been so excited for this to come to DVD (since I NEVER go to the movies).  It didn’t disappoint I laughed so hard at the things that were so cliché but you just had to laugh.  And come on how could you NOT love a Gnome with Oz Osbourne’s voice coming out of him.  When Amazon has it on sale I will be buying it!

Gnomeo and Juliet

An edgy Shakespeare adaptation like no other, this animated musical transports the classic tale of forbidden romance between two star-crossed lovers from warring families to the unlikely yet hysterical world of garden gnomes. Featuring songs from legendary recording artist Elton John, this movie features the vocal talents of Emily Blunt, James McAvoy, Jason Statham, Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine.

A few of the movies haven’t held up to the book in my mind but this one was great and I can’t wait for part II.  I need to add it to my collection.  Cole even sat down and watched with me for movie night.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt I

The first installment of the two-part conclusion to the Harry Potter series finds the bespectacled wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) walking away from his last year at Hogwarts to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, putting an end to Voldemort's bid for immortality. But with Harry's beloved Dumbledore dead and Voldemort's unscrupulous Death Eaters on the loose, the world is more dangerous than ever.

Another one that was a book that I grew up reading this series and spent many hours that helped my mind go into a great imagination world.  This movie was another great one to watch and to add my collection.

Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

With their dour, bookish cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) in tow, the youngest Pevensie offspring -- Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) -- take an unexpected trip back to Narnia and join noble King Caspian (Ben Barnes) for an epic high-seas adventure. Setting sail aboard the Dawn Treader, the young heroes head for the end of the world, determined to rescue seven once-powerful lords banished by Caspian's evil uncle.

This was a cute movie at times I was like ok come on move on, of course with the title of the movie you’ll know what the first half of the movie is going to be about, so after a bit that was the point I said let’s move on.  The middle and end was very funny!

No Strings Attached

Emotionally unencumbered and sexually satisfied, friends with benefits Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) have an open relationship that suits them just fine. That is, until those pesky little things called feelings enter the picture. Ivan Reitman directs and Kevin Kline and Cary Elwes co-star in this comedy that explores the perks and pitfalls of modern romance.

This movie had some moments in it that were kind of silly but there were also some great moments.  It is worth a rental.

The Dilemma

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard serves up a delicious comedy about two best friends and business partners -- Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Kevin James) -- who are about to land a fantastic deal when Ronny learns something about Nick's wife, Geneva (Winona Ryder), that rocks his world. Ronny turns amateur sleuth to determine whether Geneva's cheating on Nick and learns that telling a friend the truth is even more difficult than concealing it.

TV MUST WATCH:

I love these heart warming shows about real people that touch your heart.  Now I’m not at the weight close to these people but I do NEED to loose a good amount of weight and I so want this guy to come to my house!

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition is a unique undertaking that's unlike anything you've ever seen TV. The show documents the amazing makeover of eight courageous, obese individuals who set out to safely lose half of their body weight over the course of a year. The metamorphosis is truly amazing.

Trainer/transformation specialist Chris Powell (The 650-Pound Virgin) guides each of the eight participants through the process after moving into their homes. He's there to make sure the participants get the proper nourishment and exercise movement. Chris provides a fresh perspective to individuals whose lives have become unmanageable because of their weight.

In each of the eight one-hour episodes, participants undergo a transformation not only of their bodies, but of who they are as individuals. Each stand-alone episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition chronicles one participant's journey.

TNT has a new show that has two lead actors I have always loved.  This show has some potential it is a little kooky in some moments but I do like the characters.

When they're not hanging out at their favorite hot dog stand pontificating on what they'd go through to enjoy a night with their favorite female celebrities, Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are chasing down their latest clients...sometimes literally. With business cards in hand, they're ready to nab a client within seconds after a car accident, arrest for solicitation or any other incident where their legal services may be needed. Once in the courtroom, they show their flair for the dramatic and the shocking.

Ok don’t laugh at me but I just got into this show, yes it’s on season 8 … lol.  I never thought it would be something I would enjoy but I caught the first try out episode and loved it.  Well that and seeing the clip on Ellen of her dancing really made me wanting to watch it!  And I’m loving it, these people are so talented.

America's favorite summer series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, has kept viewers amazed and inspired as talented dancers skilled in everything from Hip Hop, Krumping and Popping to Salsa, Quickstep and Jive compete to be named America's Favorite Dancer.

Hosted by Cat Deeley, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE traveled across the country to Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New York, Los Angeles and Miami, in search of dancers who represent the best in America. Those who shine during auditions are given a ticket to Las Vegas for callbacks, where they work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance.

So there you have it a lot of fun things to read and watch!

Thursday Must Watch Reviews–Volume 32

I’ve always been fascinated about the Kennedy’s and saw on Ellen that this show would be on Reelz.  It was suppose to be on another station but they thought it would be too racy?  I think they did a great way of portraying everyone and they hint to the affairs but didn’t go into depth. It’s an interesting look behind the curtain.  I highly suggest you watch this mini series (It’s 8 total episodes).

The drama relives the public and private joys and tragedies of the most influential family in the world including fraternal rivalries, mob associations, the drugs and the women. The series recreates the political crisis that John F. Kennedy dealt with in the early days of his presidency including the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and the Civil Rights Movement. Viewers will see every twist and turn of this clan’s extraordinary story up to and including the assassinations of JFK and RFK.

As you know I love Weddings and I love Tori Spelling so guess what I was THRILLED to see they had a new show that I wanted to watch.  I’ve seen the first 2 episodes and love it.  It of course needs some tweaking but by season 2 it will be worked out. 

Combining Tori Spelling's party planning flair with her husband Dean McDermott's bring-it-on attitude, "Tori & Dean: sTORIbook Weddings" takes one lucky couple's wedding from ordinary to extraordinary. In the lead-up to the big day, Tori will turn the bride-to-be's dreams for a beautiful event into a reality while Dean will help the groom-to-be navigate all the twists and turns. Together, Tori and Dean will also help to overcome the potential issues with family, friends and the couples themselves that wedding stress may cause. The celebrity power couple understands the enormity of the day, having planned several weddings that aired on Oxygen, including their hit series "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood."

Now I’m usually a huge fan of true stories but that is ones that you find on Hallmark & Lifetime.  This movie just wasn’t my cup of tea.  This would be more for Rick (he sadly was working so he didn’t see this).  I just couldn’t get into this movie and I LOVE LOVE Sean Penn. On a side note I still think he was robbed for the Oscar for I am Sam .

After her husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson (Sean Penn), writes op-ed columns accusing the Bush administration of misleading the public to justify invading Iraq, Valerie Plame Wilson's (Naomi Watts) status as a covert CIA agent is leaked by administration officials. Based on events described in Plame Wilson's memoir, this drama explores the political scandal that led to the conviction of Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Yeah to Betty White and this movie had a great Hallmark feel to it.  You just have to love Betty White and following along on this journey to fulfill a promise she had made to her late husband.  Along the road she and her granddaughter find out more about each other.

Determined to fulfill her husband's final wish, Annie Eason (Betty White) plans to spread his ashes from a bluff they nicknamed "Annie's Point." When her son Richard (Richard Thomas) tries to stop her, Annie embarks on a cross-country road trip with her granddaughter, Ella (Amy Davidson). With Richard hot on their trail, Annie and Ella have a blast on their journey as they bond and even go on a gambling spree in Las Vegas. 

Ok if you know me you know I’m a HUGE Cher fan.  I’ve been dying to watch this movie, that could be my problem I hyped it up and then it was knock my socks off good.  It was just ok, the singing of course was great. I NEVER knew Kristen Bell could sing, it was nice to hear that.  Overall it was just ok, maybe if I went in just thinking it was a normal movie and it would be better.

After leaving Iowa with stars in her eyes, Ali (Christina Aguilera) arrives in Los Angeles and at a burlesque lounge, where she dreams of taking the stage with her soaring voice. Club owner Tess (Cher) is about to lose the place and thinks Ali may help business. Meanwhile, Ali's roommate (Cam Gigandet) starts to fall for her in this snappy, Golden Globe-nominated comedy co-starring Stanley Tucci as Tess's sidekick and Kristen Bell as Ali's rival.

Both of these actors are some of my fav, Anne Hathaway has touched my heart in so many films, sadly NOT this one.  This movie did have some great moments but it was just ok if I had the energy to stop the other things I was doing I would have turned it off.  Beware it is a R rated movie and it has tons of adult content.  You will be attached and feel sorry for Anne’s character (it is a sad story, just the movie not so hot).

Pharmaceutical representative Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes a player in the big game of male-performance-enhancement-drug sales and, along the way, finds unexpected romance with a woman (Anne Hathaway) suffering from Parkinson's disease. Based on the real-life Jamie Reidy's memoir, Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman, this satirical look inside the culture of Big Pharm is directed by Edward Zwick.

You know I’ve been hard on comedies lately but really they just haven’t lived up to the hype.  Now Steve Carell I can take or leave but Paul Rudd usually always makes me laugh.  But this movie at points just fell short for me, yes I did have some laughs and other times I rolled my eyes thinking oh come on move on.  It was an ok rent, I say Red Box $1 ok not pay preview .

Tim Conrad's (Paul Rudd) boss hosts a dinner party where he invites his friends to bring along the saddest, most pathetic loser they can find. But when the ultimate schmuck (Steve Carell) arrives, his actions somehow turn everyone else into the losers. Comic heavy hitters Zach Galifianakis and Ron Livingston lend able support in director Jay Roach's (Austin Powers) darkly humorous film, an adaptation of the French comedy The Dinner Game.

I love the Veggies Tales and when I found this on the instant download and the boys just loved this.  Veggie Tales is a great Christian based stories that teach great values with a cartoon charters that kids love to watch.

In this VeggieTales feature, Junior Asparagus plays wide-eyed flobbit Toto Baggypants in a charming take on The Lord of the Rings. The adventure begins when Toto inherits a magic bean from his Uncle Billboy. Determined to learn the purpose of the enchanted legume, Toto and his friends embark on a mission that leads them across the mountains of Much-Snowia and into the realm of sinister Lord Scaryman. Country artist Wynonna provides theme music.

Our second Veggie Tales was one that is a little older but still a good one!  The boys love anything about outer space so this was bound to be a hit.  Yet again if your looking for a great movie that has values you want your kids to learn and in a way they would love to sit and watch!

Junior Asparagus tells his dad a white lie to avoid getting into trouble, only to have it snowball into an out-of-control monster in this installment of the popular animated Christian children's series about a group of loveable vegetable characters. Larry-Boy tries to save the day, but it's up to Junior to learn the value of honesty and to right his wrong -- before his innocent-seeming fib takes over all of Bumblyburg!

Happy Thursday everyone!  I’ve been behind on this so sorry for the long list (sadly I have more but skipped ).

It's Back .... Must Watch Thursday

It's been a few weeks since I have posted my Thursday must watch so bare with me there is a lot. Hope you find something you like! Lex :)

I start with a newer show I'm just loving! Kathy Bates always makes me laugh and she can deliver a line like no one other. What a great show that will keep you laughing and loving all the characters.

Harriet is a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who, having just been fired from her cushy job, is completely disillusioned with her success and looking for a fresh start. Her world unexpectedly collides with Malcolm’s — a young man trying to figure out life. When he finds out Harriet is a lawyer, he begs her to represent him in an upcoming criminal case. Matthew, a dreamer at heart and also recently fired from his job as a high school teacher, is introduced to Harriet through Malcolm, a previous student of his. When these three cross paths, they realize they’re all looking for a fresh start. Now, the most unlikely of people are starting a law practice in the most unlikely of places–a rundown shoe store. “Harry’s Law” also stars Brittany Snow (“Hairspray”) as Harriet’s assistant, Jenna Backstrom and Beatrice Rosen (“Dark Knight”) as Eve, a high school French teacher.

I love Robert Irvine, even when he fibbed on his resume to the Food Network and they cancelled well they tried to give his show to Guy but it just didn't work like it did with Robert. They ended up giving him back his show but it just wasn't the same. I was worried for my Robert and then tada new show! It's like Gordon's Kitchen Nightmares with a little less screaming and a smaller budget. You must check it out.

After combating countless "impossible dinners," Chef Robert Irvine faces a daunting new challenge: save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two days with only $10,000. In his new prime-time Food Network series, Restaurant: Impossible, Robert uses creativity and resourcefulness along with a lot of muscle in his fight to rescue these restaurants and give hope to the owners and their employees. Day one of the extreme mission begins with a thorough business assessment as Robert launches the restaurant into full service, closely observes the staff and kitchen, and determines their weakest spots. Then, he springs into action by updating the menu, retraining the staff and implementing aesthetic changes with the help of his design team. To ensure a packed house for the grand re-opening at the end of day two, Robert hits the streets to tell the community about the improved restaurant. Will the ruthless schedule, tight budget and ambitious task overcome Robert’s lofty goals, or will this tall order result in restaurant triumph?

A new doc drama has come to us, now I can't say it is as good as some of the classic's like ER. It does have it's own appeal and good moments. It's still trying to get it's legs but overall it has some potential. The characters are starting to build on and you're starting to fall in love with some of them.

Off the Map Synopsis: Off the Map is an uplifting medical drama from executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice”) and executive producer/creator Jenna Bans (“Grey’s Anatomy”), it explores how far one has to go in order to truly heal. Six doctors who have lost their way will go to the ends of the earth to try to remember the reasons why they wanted to become doctors in the first place.

Matthew Perry's new show has some ups and downs. A few laughs but over all I'm trying to give it a few more tries before it is deleted from the DVR. It does have some funny moments and I do love Perry.

Ben Donovan (Perry) is the operations manager for the Sunshine Center, a second-tier arena in San Diego. He goes through a mid-life crisis when he turns 40, while dealing with the unusual demands of his job and his unpredictable boss.

A new TV show about loosing weight and then you add in a wedding and I was set to watch. It's a ok show, I'm hoping it will get better after this first episode. It was a little cheesy in parts but you feel for the couples. Even though some of their wedding plans are a little odd. Here's for hope that it get's better.

In the series hosted by actress Sara Rue ("Less Than Perfect"), the engaged couples from all walks of life come to Los Angeles, where they will live together and compete over a three-month period. The couples will undergo dramatic physical and emotional transformations as they change their lifestyles and eating habits under the supervision of celebrity nutritionist Ashley Koff (RD). They will also endure hours of grueling workouts with world-class trainers Nicky Holender and Jennifer Cohen.

Rick was watching this show last year I happened to catch an episode and actually enjoyed it. Usually the cop shows Rick watches don't interest me but this one has good plots and the actors are well known and ones you will enjoy watching. Enrico Colantoni who was the dad on the Veronica Mars and loved him and love to see him on this show also.

A highly skilled team of police officers takes on the toughest cases -- including rescuing hostages, defusing bombs and talking down suicidal citizens -- in this action-packed television drama. The SRU (Strategic Response Unit) team uses both cutting-edge weaponry and their highly developed negotiating and profiling talents to get even the riskiest jobs done. Enrico Colantoni, Amy Jo Johnson, Hugh Dillon and David Paetkau star.

Now this one was for Rick, and not me and yes I didn't stay up to watch it. This would be all Rick's review. He said it was a decent movie, not good enough he wanted me to buy it but he did enjoy it.

After trading in his professional past as a black-ops CIA operative for a new identity, Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is basking in normality. But he's forced to return to old habits when an assassin puts a target on his back and goes after the woman (Mary-Louise Parker) he loves. Helen Mirren and John Malkovich co-star as former members of Frank's team who reluctantly reassemble to save his life in this Golden Globe-nominated action-comedy.

The one time I should actually listen to what the netflix guide said my rating would be on this. Yes It told me I wouldn't like it, but I heard it was a good movie so I thought I of course had to try. Then of course it was like really why did I do that. When it says twisted I knew I should have run the other way.

Indie favorites Jay and Mark Duplass co-direct this wry look at modern love and family dysfunction. John C. Reilly plays a divorced man who thinks he's found just the right woman (Marisa Tomei) to help him recover and move on. Unfortunately, the woman's son, played by Jonah Hill, has no interest in allowing another man into their lives -- a stance he proceeds to demonstrate in a variety of obnoxious ways.

The boys found Care Bear movie on the instant download and loved it so I of course had to order this when it came to DVD for the boys. It's a cute movie with of course a good message, good one for the kids.

The sky's the limit when it comes to sharing, and who better than the Care Bears to show some of the unexpected ways -- from a surprise party to a simple Care Bear Stare -- to make frowns turn upside down. In these eight unreleased tales from the animated series, Harmony learns on Surprise Day that the unknown needn't be scary, mean-spirited Grizzle walks the welcome mat, and human friend McKenna finds joy in giving.

Ok everyone said this was such a great movie, I don't know if it's I'm just getting older and if I'm going to sit down for a movie it better be worth it. This movie just couldn't capture my interest or my time to sit down. I think this was geared more to a younger generation and I'm not sure I would say it would be suitable for a 13 y/o either.

High school is the setting for this freewheeling comedic twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne's 19th-century novel The Scarlet Letter. Ambitious student Olive (Emma Stone) decides to boost her popularity by pretending to be the school slut. As the school's swirling rumor mill increases both her notoriety and her finances, Olive enjoys her newfound status but eventually must decide which is more important: popularity or self-esteem.

Now I really didn't have high hopes for this one, I thought how could a movie about starting Facebook but interesting? But to my amazement I actually sat down and watched the whole thing and enjoyed it. Jesse Eisenberg has a great way of saying lines and his comic timing in such a dry humor way was priceless. Yes I even thought Timberlake, who I don't usually care for, did a pretty good job. Enjoy I promise a good one to watch.

Director David Fincher's biographical drama chronicles the meteoric rise of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) from Harvard sophomore to Internet superstar, examining his relationships with co-founder Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield) and Napster founder Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake). Winning Golden Globes for Best Picture and Best Director, the film also racked up Oscar nods in the same categories and for lead actor Eisenberg.

This movie was a hoot I really enjoyed it and laughed most of the time. And hello Betty White is a comic genius. You add in Jamie Lee & Sigourney you have a hit team! Plus I have always been a HUGE fan of Kristen Bell, still sad about Veronica Mars. If your looking for a good laugh this movie is it.

History -- make that high school -- may repeat itself when Marni (Kristen Bell) learns that Joanna (Odette Yustman), the mean girl from her past, is set to be her sister-in-law. Before the wedding bells toll, Marni must show her brother that a tiger doesn't change its stripes. On Marni's side is her mother (Jamie Lee Curtis), while Joanna's backed by her wealthy aunt (Sigourney Weaver). Kristin Chenoweth co-stars as the couple's wedding planner.

Now I know this movie got rave reviews and won awards but I just couldn't even get into it. I've come to the point that if I wanted to watch and adult film I would. I know I sounds like a prude but really sometimes your like that sex scene was it needed? Overall it was just a ok plot that didn't keep my interest. I'm sorry if you enjoyed it, I just thought it was just ok.

Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), the children of same-sex parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), become curious about the identity of their sperm-donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) and set out to make him part of their family unit, often with hilarious results. But his arrival complicates the household dynamics, and nobody is sure how he fits in -- if at all -- in this Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning comedy.

Now you know the last movie I wasn't a big fan of, but this movie I actually enjoyed. Now of course not as good as the book but it was a good movie and I enjoyed watching it.

Danger stalks Seattle with a rash of mysterious killings that have Bella (Kristen Stewart) feeling less secure than ever in the third installment of this teen fantasy series based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer. With a malevolent vampire continuing her quest for revenge from the sidelines, the human Bella must reconcile her love for Edward (Robert Pattinson), a vampire, and her growing feelings for Jacob (Taylor Lautner), a werewolf.