Sean & Shey: February 2017

Oscar Movie Faves & My Picks!!!

Monday, February 27, 2017

HAPPY OSCAR DAY, friends!!!!

I'm typing this while waiting for the Red Carpet arrivals to begin... I can't wait for tonight. This is the first year that I have EVER seen all NINE of the Best Picture Nominees, and almost all the Best Actor, Actress, and Supporting Actor/Actress categories. This year has also probably been the best collection of nominated movies in my most recent memory. That being said, here are my TOP picks to win. I do have to warn you, that on my "official ballot" I didn't vote for what I wanted to win, but for the movie that I thought actually would win. The Academy and I have very differing opinions on what makes an award-worthy movies, and I've learned through the years how to vote so my ballot wins the prize! But here are the movies that I think SHOULD win, plus a recap of what I thought about the rest of them.

BEST PICTURE: LION

Lion was the last movie I saw in theaters and I am SO GLAD I made it to the showing. Sean actually took the girls to see Batman Lego Movie and let me sneak into Lion once they got settled. It was fantastic. I cannot praise this movie enough. Lion is the story of a young Indian boy who loses his home and his family and is adopted by a couple in Australia. Decades later, he begins a life-altering search for his biological family. The only problem is, he is going off of a 5 year old's memory with no real knowledge of where he came from, other than some place in India. He begins to use Google Earth to search for landmarks to help lead him home. The best part of the movie? It is a TRUE. STORY. It is jaw-dropping. The aerial images of earth are breathtaking and the tenacity and fragility of the human spirit is displayed in beautiful balance through all the characters. Friends, I UGLY CRIED at this movie. And not only did I ugly cry, I CRY-SNORTED in the middle of a crowded quiet theatre. The good news was, I was not alone in my sniffles. While some might think this movie would be to sad and heart wrenching, I promise you, you will leave encouraged and with a renewed hope in humanity. (And maybe a little bit of cry headache. But it hurts so good!)

BEST ACTOR: Denzel Washington, Fences

BEST ACTRESS: Natalie Portman

SUPPORTING ACTOR: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Viola Davis, Fences

DIRECTING: Hacksaw Ridge

WRITING (ADAPTED): Arrival (though all in this category were fantastic)

WRITING (ORIGINAL): La La Land

So those are the main categories I look for, and what I *hope* will win. But I don't think they all really will. Here are my picks for who I think actually will win:

Now, here are my personal thoughts on the Best Picture nominees:

This was a really interesting movie. It was beautifully filmed and perfectly acted. Though it "technically" totally is an alien movie, it is more like a drama and not at all what I expected. I generally don't care for alien movies but this one was good. Warning: Bring your tissues and your brain. Its a little bit of a thinking movie.

I saw Fences in the theatre and wasn't sure what to think about it at first. I didn't realize that it was originally a play, and knowing that before watching it would have greatly helped. The whole first 30 minutes or so take place in one setting. I was beginning to get worried that the whole thing would be filmed on the back porch. It was slow to get into, and dragged in some places, but the climax of the movie is worth trudging through it. Like climbing a thorny mountain to get to the peak at sunset. Denzel literally carried this movie, but as my friend Ted observed, "Viola Davis out-Denzels Denzel!" The more I thought about this movie after I left the theatre, the more I liked it. I couldn't shake it off, and thought about it for weeks.

Mel Gibson does it again with another monster of a movie. This movie is so rich in content, scenery and depth of characters. It is also a true story, which makes the feats of the main character in this movie all the more amazing. It is a genuine war movie (read: graphic body parts being blown off, Saving Private Ryan style) and not for the faint of heart. This is truly a feel-good-at-the-end movie as well.

LOVED this movie. It made West Texas look beautiful (no small feat), and Pine, Foster and Bridges were superb in their roles. Pine and Foster are brothers who rob banks to try to pay off a lien on their mother's property in a race against the bank's foreclosure. Bridges is the cop who tries to stop them. Sounds like your average cops and robbers movie, but it is so much more than that. There are unexpected twists and depths coupled with great acting that I didn't expect which all added up to a great movie.

Yet another real-life feel good movie about the tenacity of the human spirit!!! I love that this movie is totally good for the whole family to see. They didn't need to muck it up with profanity or sex to tell a gripping story. I cannot say enough good things about this movie. The film does such an excellent job of introducing a new audience to the time in America's history when segregation was the norm. Since there are now several generations who were not alive to remember that part of our Nation's history, it is important that it is portrayed with the painful accuracy it deserves. I cringed and shook my head at many points in the movie because of that blatant racism and sexism. We have a long ways to go in our world, but humanity as a whole has made great strides.

Ah, La La Land. The history-tying movie that is nominated for a whopping 14 awards tonight. Did I like this movie? Um,..... it was fun. I loved it passionately and I hated it with every fiber of my being. I loved it and hated it all at the same time. I really can't say anything more than that about the plot, but it will say this: It flooded my heart with memories and joy, then ripped open old, scarred wounds and left me bleeding. And that is putting it lightly. Please go see it for yourself and tell me what you think. :) As for the music, I felt that it was just ok. In my book, the singing was not as strong as I would have liked for it to be, and the songs were just alright.

I hated almost everything about this movie. The acting was great, the scenery was beautiful but the storyline was heartbreaking without a single redeeming property to it. I'm interested in hearing what other people had to say about this movie. Maybe I just don't really like pure tragedies.

*Sigh* I'm not sure what to say about this movie. It was good. Really good. It was painful to watch but told a moving story of one boy's struggle to find his true self. I think that what I got out of this movie is vastly different than what the rest of the world probably gleaned from it, and even probably what the writers were trying to say. I think that the culmination of tragic events led to this boy-man not actually finding his true self, but conforming to that which his circumstances dictated. I think the movie wanted you to feel like the main character finally found his place in the world, but I just left with a sadness, knowing that the depictions of difficult circumstances this boy went through are reality for thousands in our country right now. Well done, but not my favorite.

Alight, there you have it!!! Oscars start in just a few hours!!!!I can't wait!!!

Other Oscar Nom movies I saw were:
Jackie ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moana⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zootopia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The White Helmets ⭐⭐⭐
OJ: Made in America ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Life, Animated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trolls⭐⭐
Deepwater Horizon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Jungle Book⭐⭐⭐
The Lobster (ok, I turned it off after 15 minutes. But I really tried.) 〇

Book Review

Braving It

Friday, February 17, 2017

My husband is an adventurer. He loves nature, hunting, hiking and fly fishing. When I saw James Campbell’s book Braving It, I thought it might be right up his alley. He has long dreamt of exploring Alaska and enjoys books about such adventures. It seemed like the perfect Father’s Day gift for him. Here is what he had to say about the book. (I’ll tell you my thoughts on it after his.)

___________________

Braving it was given to me for fathers day and i can’t think of a better gift. This is the story of a father and his daughter taking 3 trips to alaska. it is filled with adventure and written in such a way that causes its reader to dream of taking the same trip and experiencing life in the frozen tundra. It has inspired me to plan a trip with my children to offer them the same experience of facing adventure and learning who they are. I could relate to a lot of what Campbell wrote about his daughter… as fathers, we all want the best for our children. We want to know that they will be able to survive in this harsh world when they are no longer under our watchful care. This book was an inspiration to men everywhere to fight four our daughters’ hearts. To seek out intentional time with them, and to love them fiercely.

____________________

I also really enjoyed this book. Written from the father’s perspective, it was encouraging and heartwarming to read his thoughts throughout the entire journey. Now, put aside the loving father-daughter relationship aspect of it, and this is just simply a beautiful book that magnifies the glorious expanse of one of our nation’s most mysterious states. The visual imagery painted in the book is vivid and exciting, as are their adventures. I would say this is a book for anyone— mother, daughter, father, son. Anyone who has ever dreamed of Alaska or adventures should read this book! You just might find yourself planning a trip in the near future.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which is: I loved it!

Book Review

Control Girl

Friday, February 17, 2017

Control is something that I have always strived for. At times, it is necessary but it can often become an obsession or even a god in one’s life. Shannon Popkin’s book Control Girl was an enlightening read that has helped me to see control as a burden, not a blessing or sign of strength. Popkin illustrates this truth in lessons from seven women in the Bible. These women include Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel and Miriam. I was familiar with these womens’ stories from years of Bible Study, but had never considered their stories in light of their control issues. I love when I read a familiar Bible passage but find new and applicable truths for my present life!

Perhaps it is the “control girl” inside of me, but I loved this book from the very beginning simply because of its structure. Each chapter is focused on one of the above mentioned women’s story, and each chapter is split up into 3 to 5 different lessons. It is so clear and easy to read— I love it! And totally appreciate the divisions in the book because as a busy mom, I can often forget what I’ve read in the previous pages. This structure allowed me to retain a lot more of the information because the chapter breaks were clear and sensical. I also really appreciated the reflection questions at the end of each “lesson.” These questions were deep and thought provoking, and because I spent time pondering them, many of the lessons I really needed to hear have stuck with me for several weeks after the book was finished.

Lest you think this book is all serious and thought provoking, it is also funny!! Popkin writes with a sense of humor that is still reverent to the subject matter but that keeps readers engaged and wanting to read more. If you struggle with control— giving it over to God, or wanting too much control in your life— Control Girl is a great book for you. I would definitely recommend it!

A big thanks to Litfuse for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Book

Wild And Free

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

I have wanted to read this book, Wild and Free, for a long time. So many women I respected and looked up to have recommended it as a breath of fresh air for women everywhere. After diving in head first, I could not agree more. This book was different than most others I have read, in that it has not one author, but two. Friends Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan worked together to fully express all that the Spirit was leading them to write. I love that the acknowledged that they needed each other to write the book— they are both very different, as they outlined their personalities early on in the book. I instantly related with one of them. They complimented each other perfectly and it is very evident throughout that God clearly brought them together on this work!

Often when we read the Bible, it can seem like a big, constraining list of do’s and don’ts. However, that is not what God intended it to be. Through Christ and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to live Wildly and Freely. This book explores what that exactly means and even further investigates what it means for women in the church. I will be transparent and tell you that I am a huge advocate of gender roles and biblical interpretations of the sexes (in other words a complimentarian). There have been some books written in the past several years that I feel do a disservice to both sexes and are completely dishonoring of the way God intended men and women to work together. This is not one of those books. I feel that they did an excellent job of exploring freedom in Christ as a woman while still honoring the roles God has clearly outlined in the Bible.

I particularly loved this book because it isn’t about a “do more, be more” mentality. We see that way too much in the world today— Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram…. perfection is in our faces everyday! This book is about the freedom to be who you are in Christ and to use that freedom for the greatness of the Kingdom of God. I would highly recommend this book to any woman who has ever felt “not enough” or like she didn’t just measure up. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to live freely in Christ, this is also a book for you!

You can purchase this book here on Amazon:

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review

Present Over Perfect

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

This review is way overdue, as I read this book a while ago, but Christmas was crazy man!

I have enjoyed almost every single one of Shauna Niequist’s books. I was so excited to read Present Over Perfect! She briefly eluded to this phrase in a previous book Bread and Wine, and it instantly resonated with me. I wanted the phrase printed on everything I could see— a mug, a canvas, a pen, a notebook! In my busy, everyday life, I often forget that it is better to be present than perfect. My road to letting go of perfection was a long one. It took many years for me to learn that it doesn’t have to be perfect!

Present Over Perfect follows suit with Niequist’s traditional essay style writing, but in this book, the essays loosely hold a similar theme: how to overcome the busyness of life and soak in the beautiful of what/who is around us. Whether you are a young single person, shuffling through the busyness of school/career/dating, etc. or if you are a full time parent with full time jobs and other demands, this book is for you. We all long to live a life of connection and community, but all too often, we settle for busy. At first, “busy” may seem to be a satisfactory substitute, but over time it just leaves us empty, deflated and alone.

My absolute favorite chapter in Present Over Perfect is one entitled “Your Mess Is My Mess.” Niequist wrote about a close friend who was struggling with multiple family issues. Niequist assured her that she need not be embarrassed by her dysfunctional family (we’re all messed up!) because “your mess is mess.” I had to highlight almost the entire chapter and read it to all of my girlfriends. It struck me to my core and expressed everything that I want my people to know about our relationship.

This is a great book and can be read quickly in one or two sittings, or it can be savored over time, like a fine bottle of wine you are hoping never ends. I love the cohesiveness of the book and essays within, and would absolutely recommend this book to anyone!!

You can purchase this book on Amazon (afflink)... as of today 2/8 it is on sale for a short time!!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

2017 Reads

January Reads

Thursday, February 02, 2017

I must have taken a subconscious cue from the fact that my favorite books of 2016 tended to be in the non-fiction category, because that is almost all that my January reads have consisted of. I've tried to get into a couple of novels, but just haven't been in the mood for them. So while on the surface, my January reads may seem as gloomy as our Indiana skies, they were actually quite enlightening and heartwarming. Just what my vitamin-D deprived self needed.

Where the Light Gets In- I love Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Maybe its because she's my doppleganger or maybe its because she is married to Brad Paisley. But something about her seems so down to earth, I"m sure we'd be fast friends. This book is about her struggle to accept her mother's dementia and the many tough decisions that accompanied her illness. A great read that reminded me to have the tough conversations now with those I love and to cherish every moment with them. Also, that our minds are weird and mysterious especially when they do not function as intended.

When Breath Becomes Air- I blame Modern Mrs. Darcy for this one, because I kept hearing her reference this book on her podcast. I could not put this book down. At first glance, it may seem depressing but I can assure you, it was anything but. Paul Kalanthi spent his life as an academic, pursuing knowledge of what life after death and life leading to death brought. After nearly a decade's worth of study to become a neurosurgeon, Kalanthi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. This book is the culmination of his life's dedication to attempt to understand death and dying. How ironic and beautiful that he came to terms with what he sought his whole life to understand, in his very own life. I couldn't put this one down. Heart wrenching but beautiful. This one will stick with me for a long time.

All At Sea- Another book about death and loss, but it too was strangely uplifting. I don't want to give away too much of this one, only to say that it is beautifully written. I do have to say that I tired a bit of reading the recaps of Tony's previous life so I may have skimmed some of those sections. But overall the thought was beautiful.

Homegoing- The only novel I read this month, and it was epic. Absolutely epic. There is a lot of rhetoric in our world today about racial divides. Many people want to blame one thing or another for the way our country is today. This book has helped me to look at race in a completely different light. I don't want to say too much to give it away, but it is written in a manner that I have never before encountered. It follows nearly 300 years of generations, beginning with slave traders in Africa who sell their fellow Africans to the British. It ends some time in the 1970's USA. If you read one book from this list, make it Homegoing.

Mother Tongue- I loved the subtitle from this book: "One Family's Globe-Trotting Quest to Dream in Madarin, Laugh in Arabic and Speak in Spanish." I mean, who doesn't want that for their family? For language lovers and those fascinated with linguistics, this book is for you. I felt at time bogged down by the syntax of the linguistical component of the book, but the overall story was fascinating.

Lucky- The title is in reference to something that a police office told Alice Sebold after she had been raped. He told her that other girls in the same tunnel where her attack occurred had been murdered. She was lucky. This is an honest and raw memoir of a young woman who was brutally raped and fought to see her attacker prosecuted. Sebold went on to write the NYTimes best selling book "The Lovely Bones." This book started as an essay for one of her English writing classes and blossomed into this memoir. It is a great book, well-written though hard to read at times. If you care to understand those around you, it is a must for your TBR list.

I fell like this month's books have helped me to gain understanding and appreciation for those around me who are in different circumstances. Tolerance, division, equal rights and societal differences are hot-button issues right now. While I am not one to play into those things, I do think it is important to not be ignorant of the world around me. Reading these books, particularly Homegoing, have helped me to gain a broader world-view. Other books like Lucky and Where The Light Gets In have increased my compassion and the sense that others need grace. I need to be extending grace to those around me, for as the old adage says, "Be kind to one another, for you do not know what battles they are facing" rings true. Above all, love. Love all. Serve all. Seek to find commonalities despite our differences and fight to find the beauty in what is foreign.

Oscar Movie Faves & My Picks!!!

Braving It

Control Girl

Wild And Free

Present Over Perfect

January Reads

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