Movie Monday: Possible Fifty Shades Movie?

There is no question that The Fifty Shades book trilogy written by E.L. James is a hot topic right now. It's being discussed on morning talk shows, entertainment shows, in car pool lines, on the soccer field sidelines, and countless other places! Recently, I wrote about the trilogy in What I Read Wednesday: Fifty Shades Trilogy. Later, I was interviewed by Right This Minute about my review of the series. The thing about these books is that the more you think about them, the more you talk about them, and the more you think about them.

There has been some speculation about whether or not this series will be made into a movie. People question how they could do it while continuing to appeal to the female viewers. According to The Hollywood Reporter,

A veteran producer who spoke to THR ... wonders if Fifty Shades can actually be made. "I’ve heard that women will read about pornography; men like to watch it," he notes, adding, "This sounds like an updated version of 9 1/2 Weeks."

While I have to agree that not all women are looking for pornography to watch on a Friday night, I think this movie can be made as a mainstream movie that appeals to both women and men. The sex scenes don't need to be explicit to get the point across. A lot of the passion and naughtiness can be conveyed without the closeups and money shots typical of porn movies.  I think men will still want to watch it because they'll want to know what their women have been obsessing over. I think it's a win-win. So what if it's an updated version of 9 1/2 weeks? That movie is always recommended to women as a way to spice up their sex lives. I'm okay with a newer version, as long as it's done right. There are plenty of movies out there right now about teen angst and young love. It's about time we have one that is for adults!

So let's talk about what one should expect from this movie. As anyone who has read the book(s) can attest, this story is not just about the sex. And when it is about the sex, it's not all about S&M. I think the movie should capitalize on the fact that while he is originally looking for a pure submissive, he learns very quickly that she doesn't have a submissive bone in her body, and he decides that he is okay with that (but that doesn't mean he is willing to give up control). He introduces her to a lifestyle that she would probably not have come across on her own, and she pulls him out of his world and into hers where he experiences many firsts with her, including introducing her to his family, sharing his bed with her, flying her in his helicopter, etc. The key is that they find a balance while falling in love, so he still gets some of what he needs, and so does she. It's hot and steamy, but it's still a love story.

There are a few things in the books that I really enjoyed that will be hard to convey on the big screen.  Christian and Ana have a playful banter, which is often portrayed through email in the books. It's not always what is written in the body of the emails that is important, but more often the subject and the email signature that make me laugh. Along with the playful banter, we also get to see the many sides of Ana's psyche in the books, which she calls her Inner Goddess and her subconscious. It's funny to see how the different sides of her mind react to certain situations compared to how she ultimately decides to act or react. If they can find a way to capture these things in the movie without being cheesy, I will be very happy!

One of the things many people are speculating about right now is who should play the parts of Ana and Christian in the movies. I haven't seen any suggestions that I whole-heartedly agree with yet, so I'm trying to come up with a few suggestions of my own. I think the most important thing for the actor portraying Christian to have is the eyes. I would like to see someone like Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon on the Vampire Diaries,  play the part. He has a great body, extremely good looks and crazy eyes that can just as easily  melt you as terrorize you. The only problem is that he doesn't have copper hair, but I can get past that. Another option could be Jensen Ackles, who is currently playing Dean Winchester on Supernatural. He, at least, has almost the right color hair. I also think Chris Pine, who played opposite Reese Witherspoon in This Means War, might be a viable candidate.

As for the leading female role, I am torn. I know that Anastasia is only 21/22 in the books, but I'd like to see a slightly older actress playing her. This article suggest  Rooney Maura, and after seeing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo I know that she could do the sex scenes, but I don't know that she could pull off the rest of the character (only because I haven't seen any more of her work). I would hate to see Kristen Stewart playing the role for many reasons, so she's definitely out. I've also seen people suggest Jennifer Lawrence, but Katniss (from The Hunger Games) cannot be Anastasia! That would just not work for me. I guess I don't really have a suggestion for the leading female role. Maybe it should be an unknown!

So what do you think? Would you like to see them make the books into a movie? Who would you cast?

ETA: The movie rights for the entire trilogy have been sold to Universal and Focus Entertainment for an estimated $5 million. The author retained the rights over final scripting and casting. I'm anxious to see who gets cast!

What I Read Wednesdays: Fifty Shades Trilogy

I first have to apologize for being almost completely absent for the past 6 days or so. I didn't write a single blog post, and barely posted to FB or Twitter. I blame in all on E.L. James' Fifty Shades Trilogy: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed. Once I started reading the first one, it was on! I stayed up until 4:00am most nights (mornings?) just to finish a book...and then start the next one. I neglected pretty much everything else to read these books, and it was so worth it!

If you haven't heard about these books because you live under a rock  from one of your girlfriends, or from Good Morning America, allow me let you in on the secret - it's being dubbed "mommy-porn" and it's awesome! What I love most is that the story isn't just about sex, although it is really hot. It's about relationships of all sorts, and the flaws that make us human. It's about overcoming your past (and your present), to have the future that you deserve.

So here is a brief synopsis:
A fairly plain 21 year old virgin, Anastasia Steele, is forced to interview an extremely gorgeous, and tremendously wealthy, young entrepreneur, Christian Grey, for the school newspaper because her roommate catches the flu and can't go. That one chance meeting turns out to the be the biggest game changer of her life. She soon realizes that he is scarred, and deeply flawed by his haunting past, but she can't resist him. He wants to possess her, and make her his submissive...until he falls for her.  He realizes that she will never be what he wants her to be, but she is everything that he needs her to be. He tries as hard as he can to pull her into his lifestyle, and she does her best to acquiesce. The heat and passion that ensues as they battle over where to draw the line is intense. They fight, they make up, they hurt one another, and they heal each other.

Although I have no doubt that these books will become equally as popular, they were not written for the young adult audience that The Twilight series and the Hunger Games Trilogy were, and I like it that way. While I am perfectly happy to read a story about teenage romance (because I was there, once) I can truly appreciate (and welcome) a well written, appropriately placed sex scene. These books are loaded with hot, steamy sexcapades, but the story isn't diminished by it -  it's enhanced by it. It's part of what makes this trilogy so captivating. If you're insulted by the f-word, however, I don't think these books are for you!

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not these books are fan fiction. Originally, before it was rewritten, this story was inspired by and based on the characters of Twilight. While you can definitely see some similarities between some of the characters, especially Bella and Edward vs. Ana and Christian, for me that is where the similarities end. There is no supernatural element to these books, unless you consider Christian Grey's supernatural good looks and heavenly body, and these are adult relationships with adult problems.  Personally, I don't care what inspired this story, I'm just glad it was written. Call it fan fiction, erotic fiction, erotica, or any other name of your choosing, it's a great trilogy to read, and then reread!

So have you read these books yet? What did you think?  Who would you like to see cast in the movie?

Movie Monday: The Lorax

Last week was Dr. Seuss's Birthday. I wanted to make some cute Cat in the Hat treats, or make something creative, but the week got away from me. There was no way that I was going to let the weekend get away from me without seeing The Lorax with my kids though!

When I was a kid my grandmother would read The Lorax and other Dr. Seuss favorites (Horton Hears a Who, Yertle the Turtle, etc.) to me every time I spent the night. I loved the way her voice changed with each character and how I could feel the vibrations in her chest as I lay my head on it. They are some of the fondest memories I have of my grandmother, and I will cherish them always. My grandmother is now in a nursing home with Alzheimer's so I recently asked my aunts and uncles what happened to her Dr. Seuss books. Unfortunately, they were stored in the basement of her home in Vermont, and they were ruined by mold. :(

Anyway, I have been looking so forward to this movie! I've been seeing previews for what seems like forever! My kids were really excited when I told them we were going, and as is typical for us, we also brought along one of their friends, and ran into a few more while we were there. The theater was packed and we couldn't all sit in the same row, but we had a good time anyway.

The movie takes place both in the past and in the present (something my 10 year old didn't really like). It starts off in a town called Thneedsville, where everything is fake and there is no grass, trees, plants or dirt anywhere. Clean air is bought and circulated with machines.  A teenage boy (voiced by Zac Efron) goes on a quest, outside the city walls, to find a tree for the girl he likes (voiced by Taylor Swift). That is where he meets the Once-ler, who tells him the story of how greed and excessive consumption ruined the place that was once beautiful and full of life.

Overall I thought it was a great movie! It was more musical than I thought it would be, and a lot of the funny one-liners were shown in the previews, but it wasn't too sing-song-y, and we still laughed a lot. All of the kids (ages 3, 8, 9 and 10) were glued to the screen the entire time. They didn't even complain in the middle when I thought the story was dragging a bit. The ending was great though, and it gave everyone something to consider about our environment and how we are treating it.

On the way home we discussed the movie in the car. Everyone liked it, and said that it was funny. We talked about whether or not the same thing could really happen here, and they all agreed that it could. I think my 3 year old son said it best though. He said,

"If you cut down all the trees, you won't have any happy!"

And that, my friends, is the moral of the story! I highly recommend seeing this movie with your kids and using it as a platform for a discussion about the environment and how trees provide us with the air we breathe!

Two thumbs up for this movie - one for entertainment value and one for a positive message! What did you think? Did you like the way they added to the book to make it into a movie?

I heart iHeartRadio

What's your favorite app for your smartphone? Facebook? Words with friends? Twitter? Mine is iHeartRadio!

I originally downloaded the app to listen to my favorite local radio station while my mother was sick and I was travelling back and forth to Florida every week. It was free and it worked great for that, but it wasn't until recently that I realized the joys of custom stations! iHeartRadio allows you to create a custom station based on an artist or a song. While you're listening you are able to give the song a thumbs up, or a thumbs down, to tell the program whether you want to hear more or less songs like the one playing. It's awesome! 

I listen to music mostly in the car and when I exercise. In both places I like upbeat, energetic music. So who do you go to for inspiration? How about Pitbull? Yeah, I know...not your typical mommy music,but I love his music and how it makes me want to move. I plug my iPhone into my mommy mobile and away I go!  I wonder what the people driving next to me think when they see me jamming at a stop light?

If you don't have a particular artist or song in mind, iHeartRadio also has Original stations, like Rockin' Workout Radio, or Love Songs Radio. I haven't used these much, but it's nice to know that they're there, if I want a bigger variety of songs. 

If you've never listened to iHeartRadio, I do have one caution for you. A lot, and I mean A LOT, of the songs on the regular radio are edited versions. Some songs you just know are radio versions, like anything by Eminem, but thanks to this app I now know that Enrique Iglesias isn't "loving" you at all, and Cee-lo Green doesn't want to "forget" you. You might be surprised by what some of your favorite singers originally recorded, but can't be played on the radio!  

So thank you, iHeartRadio, for giving us the uncensored truth!  I love that you keep me motivated to move and you allow me to give you feedback on what I like and don't like. I also love that my custom stations are available on my computer and my phone! I <3 iHeartRadio!

Do you have a favorite iHeartRadio station? Or do you prefer iTunes, where you have complete control?

BTW - I was not compensated or encouraged in any way to write this post. It was all me!

What I Read Wednesdays: The Lucky One

I used to write a separate blog about what I read, but it got to be too much to keep up with. Instead, I added a page to this blog for my reading list, but as I add to the list, I find myself wanting to tell you all about each book, whether good or bad! I wasn't sure how I wanted it to fit into my blog, so I took my queue's from other bloggers that I follow.

I recently started Movie Mondays here at Musings of a Cul-de-sac Mom. Nikki at Chef-in-Training has a feature called Tuesday Talent Show.  Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts has a weekly blog feature called What I Wear Wednesdays. Pocket Full of Pink has Friday Frolics. I like the alliteration of the names of these features. I also like that it gives bloggers something to write about every week on a certain day. Unfortunately, no day of the week goes with reading, or books, or anything along those lines. So I decided to go with What I Read Wednesdays. It's not perfect, but it will work!

First up: The Lucky One by Nicolas Sparks,

I devoured the Hunger Games over the holidays like my kids tore into their presents on Christmas morning. The books consumed me, and I am now waiting not-so-patiently for the movie to come out next month.While I wait, I've decided to read other books that have been made into movies.

A few weeks ago I went to the theater to see One for the Money. One of the previews that they showed was for The Lucky One, based on Nicolas Sparks' book. The preview was sexy and alluring, and made me want to read the book. I came home from the movies and immediately downloaded the ebook onto my Nook. I read it in a day and a half. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning and had a hard time putting it down.

A little bit about the story:
A deployed soldier finds a picture of a beautiful woman that he carries with him everywhere. It becomes his good luck charm, winning him money at the poker table and saving his life when his fellow soldiers aren't so lucky. He decides that he has to meet her, so he travels on foot with his dog, all the way from Colorado to North Carolina. He starts working at her Grandmother's kennel and they form a bond. He also forms a bond with her son, who has a hard time connecting with his father.

Without giving the everything away, the ex-husband causes trouble and alienates the son. Their relationship is in jeopardy, but there is a catastrophe that brings them back together.

Overall, I loved the book, and would highly recommend it. It was fast moving and engaging. The characters were believable, and so were their struggles. The only downfall?  There was a lot of heat between the main characters, but no descriptive love scene. Judging by the trailer, the movie will make up for that oversight!

Have you read this book? Did you like it as much as I did? I'd love it if you would share your comments below!



Next up: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, and Divergence by Veronica Roth.

Movie Mondays - Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Welcome to the first edition of Movie Mondays! For some background on this new blog feature please see my initial Movie Mondays post. Please note that I do not profess to have great movie knowledge and will only be reviewing movies based on their entertainment value.

I went to the movies today with my husband, our three boys (ages 3, 8 and 10) and on of their friends (age 9), to see Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. It was the first movie that I watched with the intent of reviewing it afterward. It didn't really change the way I watched the movie, but I kind of wish I had brought a notebook or something to write a few reminders in. Ah well, live and learn!

Overview
Sean (Josh Hutcherson), the boy from Journey to the Center of the Earth, has moved to a new town with his mom and step father (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson). He's less than thrilled with the move and his new family, and he's rebelling, until he gets a distress call from his grandfather. He can't break the code from his grandfather's message without the help of his step-father Hank. Together they break the code and figure out the coordinates of the island where his grandfather is. Hank convinces his wife to let him take Sean on a trip to find his grandfather, in the spirit of male bonding. The problem is that the island doesn't exist on any map, and they can only find one guy willing to bring them there, for a pretty penny! Fortunately for Sean, the captain has a beautiful daughter (Vanessa Hudgens from High School Musical Fame) who tags along.

The four passengers survive the stormiest section of the ocean, and find themselves stranded on the Mysterious Island without an exit strategy. They quickly make their way inland and realize that what should be small is large (ants and bees), and what should be large is small (elephants), as described in the book The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. They find Sean's grandfather (Michael Caine) and rely on his knowledge and skill to navigate the island and it's non-human inhabitants. Hank's Navy training proves invaluable, and the group is able to make their way to Captain Nemo's Nautilus before sinking with the island.

Review
Everyone in our party enjoyed this movie. My youngest son, who is 3, didn't get a lot of the humor, but he stayed attentive to the movie, which is more than I can say for a lot of movies. He wasn't even afraid of the scary giant iguana-like creature that chases and torments the characters.

The 4 other boys (including my husband) liked the slightly crude jokes and the light humor. Their favorite part of the movie was when the iguana-like creature was chasing them and Vanessa Hudgens' character said, "I hope he doesn't like Polynesian food!" and her father responds, "I hope he doesn't like food with poop in their pants!" It was fitting for the situation, and I laughed too, but it was especially funny to the boys.

There were a lot of cheesy one-liners in this movie, but overall I thought it was well done. It had a wholesome message and it was nice to see a film with the family that we didn't have to worry about violence, sex, foul language, etc. It wasn't had to look at the Rock either, even if we did have to explain 'pec popping' to our 8 year old.

Overall I'd give this movie 2 thumbs up for family fun!

What I Liked

• I love The Rock in family movies. He is believable, and has great comedic timing.  He's also easy on the eyes! 
• Josh Hutcherson is a boy-next-door looking actor who plays an awkward teen really well.
• The movie sparked conversations with the boys about the books that the plot line relied on: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island, both by Jules Verne. I think my 8 year old is going to read them first. If he likes them, his 10 year old brother probably will too. Anything that encourages reading of the classics is okay in my book!

Did you see this movie yet? Did you see it with kids? Did you like it? Tell me what you think in the comments section!

Movie Mondays

I watch a lot of movies - kids' movies, family movies, chick-flicks, action movies, sci-fi and fantasy movies...you get the point.  I love to watch movies in the theater and at home, but given the opportunity, I will always choose the theater.  There is something about sitting in the dark with a bunch of strangers in front of a giant screen that is oddly appealing to me. I will even go to the movies by myself if there is no one available to go with me! As long as I have a large Diet Coke and snack, I'm happy!

One of the things that I do before I go to any movie is check the reviews. I don't typically care what the critics have said because they use a totally different set of criteria than I do to decide if a movie is worth seeing or not. I'm not looking for Oscar winning performances in every movie that I see. I don't necessarily care if there is a big name actor as the lead character (although it usually helps get me there), and I don't care if the movie will ever win an award. I only care that I will have a good time watching it. So I don't look to the critics, I look to other movie-goers!

Before any movie, I'll check the Fandango app on my phone to see what other reviewers have said. As long as it didn't bomb with other reviewers, I'll usually go see the movie to make my own decision about it. If I have any doubts, or if the movie has been out for a while, I will ask around to see if anyone I know has been to see said movie. If they have, and they give it a good review, I'll usually go see it. I have only been burned a few times by this method, most recently for The Muppets movie. I heard from several people that it was good, but my family and I didn't care for it.  In fact, I was ready to leave after the opening scene!

After I see a movie, I love to talk about it with the people that I saw it with, or other people who have seen it. Sometimes there isn't much to discuss beyond whether or not someone liked it, but usually there is a sequel or a book to compare it to, or you can compare an actor's performance to another movie that he/she has been in. I love a movie that makes me think beyond the scope of the film (if it's appropriate). I also love a movie that keeps me in suspense throughout the movie.

I figured that if I like to hear others' reviews about movies before I see them, and I like to discuss them afterward, there just might be a few other people out there who would enjoy the same thing! So I've decided to add a new feature to my blog - Movie Mondays! It gives me an excuse to go to the movies (or rent one) every week, in order to have something to write about (but shhhh...don't tell my hubby that's why I'm doing it).

The plan is to give you my  candid feedback unbridled opinion, along with feedback from those who went to the movie with me (my kids for a kids' movie,  my husband for a date night movie, my BFF for a chic flick, etc.). I'll also make some comparisons and maybe even a Cul-de-sac Mom rating. I hope I'll get some interaction in the comments section each week from those who have seen the same movie!

First up -  Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. I'll be posting tomorrow!