Divergent!

On Sunday, I went to the Arclight to see Divergent in the Cinerama Dome. I read all three books in the series a few months ago. I enjoyed Divergent, but had diminishing returns for the next two books. I felt like it was a really good adaptation of the book, and Shailene Woodley made a great Tris. 

One thing that annoyed me was that Tris's friends in the movie were so interchangeable that I couldn't even tell you how many guys there were in her group, because they literally all looked the same. I don't know who was supposed to be who, except for Will, and that was only because he was always with Christina. Tris's main enemy dude, Peter, was so dulled down; what happened to the eye stabbing incident? When Al betrays her with him, it means barely anything because which one is he even? Were they friends? I don't know!

One good thing you can say about Tris is that at least she acts on her own agency. Katniss, in the Hunger Games, is pulled and pushed along, left out of the loop of the more important behind-the-scenes machinations of the adults. She doesn't act, she only reacts. Tris is all about acting and making decisions that affect the narrative.

I liked Hunger Games much more than this. That felt like a world that could actually come about. Split the country into sections, each producing products, all to benefit the Capitol, where the 1%-ers live, uncaring about the have-nots. In Divergent, it's just like, take an unnecessary test to determine where you belong, even though you pick what you grew up in anyway, and it doesn't mandatorily assign you, you can still pick what you want to do. And they're all based on just one personality trait, if you even want to call it that? Even the explanation for why their way of life is like that, given in the later books, still warrants a side-eye from me. Also, the serums used throughout the series annoyed me. They seemed like a plot device; there can't really be all these magical liquids that can cause you to do all these things. I don't know why I couldn't seem to suspend my disbelief, but I just couldn't.

I feel like this is all really negative; I actually pretty much enjoyed the movie. I thought it looked great, the acting was good, Kate Winslet is in it. Though it was two and a half hours, it didn't seem super long. Didn't seem short either, but it felt like just the right the amount of time it needed to get everything across. Hopefully a lot will be added to the next two movies. After all the world-introduction is out of the way, I feel like there's a somewhat thinner plot, especially if everything is coming from only Tris's point of view and it's just her discovering all these things that are happening outside of what she knows, and fighting, lots and lots of fighting. Hopefully, they'll be able to add more to flesh out the storyline, kind of like they did with Hunger Games by adding in scenes that weren't in the book, from other character's perspectives. 

St. Patrick's Day at Disneyland & California Adventure!

As annual passholders, my boyfriend and I got passes to a special AP event at Disney California Adventure to celebrate St. Patrick's Day as well as the release of the new Muppets movie. They closed the park early for regular people; for APs, it was open from 9pm to 12!

The line to get our wristbands was SO long, though it only ended up taking about 40 minutes to get through. I think our timing was good, because according to Twitter, the line got much longer after that! Once we got in, we rode quite a few rides - Tower of Terror, California Soarin', Silly Symphony Swings, the Mater ride in Cars Land, and a couple more.

They had all kinds of special St. Patrick's Day and Muppet themed treats. There was a DJ set up outside Tower of Terror, introducing small children to raves and clubs and the like. They were also showing a sneak preview of the Muppet movie, but we didn't make it over there.




California Screaming and the Ferris Wheel were lit up green, and the fountains in Paradise Pier were flowing a green color as well! I thought that was a really nice, and unique, touch.









Lots of people were dressed in green, or had fun hats and accessories. It was cool to see people getting in the spirit! I had a green shirt, some shamrock necklaces, and a set of Mickey ears.









The next day, we spent a few hours in Disneyland. I'm always surprised when there are so many people there during a random weekday. Don't you people have to work? Aren't your kids in school or something?!












I tried a Dole Whip for the first time! Although it's a Disneyland staple, I've never had one before. The line for the stand, right next to the Tiki Room, can be nearly as long as the lines for rides!! Luckily, it only took maybe 10 minutes to get through. I liked the Dole Whip, it was kind of unusual. Very pineappely, of course, but still pretty good.

Another first during this trip - I pin traded for the first time! I sometimes don't really like wearing my lanyard with my pins on it because it's kind of heavy, and I'm always afraid one of them is going to come off. We were taking a break, sitting on a bench, and a cast member set up his little stand right in front of us. I traded a pin that I didn't like (I'd gotten it from a blind box), for a super cute pink and yellow Hidden Mickey one.






I also bought these little figurines in those Disney Collection blind packs. 3 packs for $15. Definitely money well spent...

My favorite is the culturally insensitive Indian Pooh.

How I Met Your Mother panel at PaleyFest

Every year, the Paley Center does a series of panels for television shows. I have somehow never ever attended one, even though I love TV and also panels. Weird! For the past year or so, I have coerced my boyfriend into watching all 9 seasons of How I Met Your Mother, so when he saw tickets for their farewell panel go on sale, he snagged them for us!! <3

This particular panel was held at the Dolby Theater at Hollywood & Highland, the same place where they host the Oscars. This is the second time I've been to the Dolby. The last time, for the Hugh Jackman show, we were in the top balcony (there are 3 or 4 balcony tiers), so high up it gave you vertigo to look down. This time, our seats were basically where Brad and Angelina were sitting at the Oscars, that's how prime they were!

In attendance were Carter Bays & Craig Thomas (the showrunners), Pamela Fryman (director of most of the episodes), Alyson Hannigan (Lily), Cobie Smulders (Robin), Josh Radnor (Ted), and Cristin Miloti (the as-yet-unnamed Mother), plus Wayne Brady (James, Barney's bro) as moderator.

The event began with a screening of the entire next episode, the whole thing! Every time it faded to black I was sure that was going to be it, but then they went and showed the whole episode! 

Neil Patrick Harris (Barney) couldn't be there (he's in NY, playing Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway), but he showed up on Skype for a bit at the beginning, knocking back shots of tequila and red bulls between answers. He talked about how Alyson is the heart of the show, Josh the soul, and that there's no no other woman he'd rather be married to than Colbie!

Bays and Thomas said they originally had 2 shows that they pitched; the other one was a show about teachers; it was what they thought a sitcom should be. HIMYM was more about their own lives and experiences, for example, Carter from Ohio, so Ted is from Ohio. Craig has been with his wife since freshman year of college, just like Lily and Marshall.

Cristin loved singing La Vie en Rose because it's been a part of her family for a long time. She said she didn't tell anyone she would be singing it in the episode until they watched it when it aired.

When asked how do you relate to your character, Josh said he thinks of Ted as a younger brother who is often annoying, but sometimes he looks up to his optimism.

They took a few questions from the audience, as well. One young girl asked for advice for young aspiring actors. Alyson replied it's SO hard, but it's worth it, and hopefully you have a good therapist later on. Cristin said she tried to be Blake Lively, but only you can do what you do, so be you. That's actually good life advice as well!

It was a really cool night, and I'm looking forward to attending more PaleyFest panels in the future!!

Minimalism

I read about this Minimalism Game the other day and it inspired me to do a bit of spring cleaning. The idea is to get rid of one item the first day, two items the next day, three items the third day, and so on for a month. At the end, you'll have gotten rid of 519 things. That seems a bit much for me, I don't think I even have that many things I could get rid of! Instead I've decided to get rid of one item from home and one item from my work desk every day, as well as unsubscribing from an email newsletter or unliking/unfollowing one thing from Facebook/Twitter every day. So far, I've gotten rid of a sweater dress (unflattering but I liked the idea of it), a navy cardigan (didn't fit my broad shoulders, plus I have 2 other navy cardigans), a piece of computer equipment from work that I didn't need, and I've unfollowed a couple Twitters that didn't give me any information I really needed. I'm excited to pare down both my personal belongings and digital!

Oscars

It's going to be a soggy Oscars this year! The red carpet is covered by plastic tents to keep everyone dry. E! is my choice of red carpet coverage today. I know people are often annoyed by Guliana Rancic, but I like her! Ryan Seacrest is okay, but he's a decent interviewer. OMG I am loving Guliana's dress! I love a fluffy tulle skirt. Her shoes are beautiful too!

LOL fashion turn camera, okay E!.

I love seeing the red carpet area and knowing there's like a Nine West right there being covered up by the curtains. I feel like people that don't live in LA know that it's actually taking place basically at a mall.

Jared Leto is 42?! He's the oldest of all the Best Supporting Actor nominees! 

I do really love that they are showing dresses each person has worn at past events, and other recent award shows.

I like Idina Menzel's dress. Like, not love. Ditto for Amy Adams. I'm not crazy about anything I've seen so far. But I guess it's early!

Lupita is my arm inspiration. Armspiration? Her biceps are everything. And I love her dress. 

Anna Kendrick is here! I want her to be my best friend. Her dress is interesting. I think I like it. It's got a lot going on though.

Pharrell is wearing like cargo shorts or something. I can't tell if he's nervous or if he hates Ryan Seacrest. He's not even looking at him. Did Ryan Seacrest kill his dog or something?

I don't know who Chrissy Teagan is but her dress is amazing. And it has pockets!!

Jared Leto's hair.  That is all.

Oh my, Cate Blanchett's dress is my favorite so far. Gorg!

Jennifer Lawrence fell on the red carpet! Oh JLaw, a girl after my own heart.

I'm not a fan of Charlize Theron's dress....

3 hours of red carpeting later... I'm exhausted. I need something to eat. And something to eat! First glass of wine of the next, let's go!

Good monologue from Ellen. I miss when Billy Crystal would do those montages putting himself in all the nominated films. 

Jared Leto wins the first award of the night for Best Supporting Actor and I realize that he and Matthew are both wearing white suits. Adorbs! How is his mother so attractive??

So many men in blue suits tonight. That's cool, I guess.

I don't really know this Pharrell song, Happy, but I think I really like it! Is there usually a song this early in the show, though??

I rewound the part where Ellen pops her head between Sandra Bullock and Leo to throw to a commercial a bunch of times. The looks on their faces!

Sally Field is amazing. How old is she even? 67?? She looks amazing.

What is Emma Watson's hair? 

I'm 5 out of 6 so far on my ballot! And I'm on my second glass of wine.

Hahah Ellen's best selfie ever is adorable!!

Lupita's Best Supporting Actress acceptance speech ties with Jared's for best of the night.

I think Ellen is really doing a great job tonight!

John Travlota's wig is on point. Wait, what did he say? Who the hell is Adele Nazeem?? 

The Let It Go team's acceptance speech was the cutest ever.

Yay Alfonso Cuaron! I feel like watching Gravity tonight after so many wins.

Is this my third or forth glass of wine? I forget.

Angelina's new boobs look great. Inappropriate?

Matthew M's speech is beautiful. Alright, alright, alright.

12 Years A Slave wins Best Pic! Now I wished I'd watched it.

Watching E's After Party now. Jared Leto's after press conference looks fun!

I did pretty well on my Oscar pics. I'm tired now.

Oscars 2014!

I love watching the Oscars! It's my favorite awards show. I even love to watch the hours of red carpet coverage that lead up to the show itself! I don't care how self-important and somewhat arbitrary it is, I love it. This year, I saw a handful of the Best Picture nominees: American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyer's Club, and Gravity. 

I printed out this super cute ballot from Studio DIY and filled it out using these Las Vegas odds to help determine my picks! I usually get about half of my guesses right.

Check out this infographic of all the Best Picture winners. Try to guess what they all are!!

I love this infographic of all the dresses worn by Best Actress winners!

Here are some fun facts about the Oscar statuettes! They're taller than I thought they were!

Here's what's in the Oscar swag bag! Ugh, I would love to get my hands on one of those!

I'm toying with the idea of liveblogging the show, which wouldn't really be live at all, except for the part where I'm typing as I'm watching, and after the show's over I hit 'post'. I think it would be fun. For me at least!