February Movie Blurbs

The time has come, once again, to do a monthly update of the movies I have watched and how I feel about them.  Naturally, this one is shorter for a multitude of reasons:  not being home to watch excessive films whenever I feel like it, having a crazy busy schedule, and also the fact that its the shortest month of the year.  But anyway, here we go!

She's All That
Apparently it was blasphemy for me to show up at college having never seen this movie, so my roommate ordered it for me to watch and for her own enjoyment, therefore I've seen it quite a few times since.  To be honest, it's not my favorite, but I do enjoy the fact that it's a modern day version of 12th Night and has a fantastically feminist message.  Otherwise, though, it just doesn't do much for me...I'm more of a Mean Girls person.

Mulan
The day I stop loving Disney animated films will never come, and Mulan has always been a personal favorite of mine.  I even dressed up as Mulan for Halloween when I was a kid!  She's this solid princess character who works her butt off to take care of her family and gets around the patriarchal society she lives in by faking her way through it as a "man," only to realize the way to save her empire is to get all the men to embrace their feminine side dressed as women!  It's actually flawless and of course the feminist in me loves it, the Disney fan in me loves one of their most successful films from my childhood, and then the human in me loves it because who doesn't automatically hear "Be a Man" and think "WE MUST BE SWIFT AS A COURSING RIVER."

Aladdin
Not my favorite Disney movie, by any means, but if the music in this movie doesn't make you jump with joy you're lying to yourself.  The Genie is possibly one of the best characters in animated history, and "A Whole New World" might just be one of my favorite Disney duets of all time.  And naturally I gotta give an A++ to feminist princesses all the time always.  Jasmine gets a lot of flack because she has to use her sexuality and has to be saved by Aladdin, but it actually doesn't bother me in that she works to be independent but lacks the tools to do so growing up in her patriarchal society living an overly privileged life, and when she finally finds someone to fall in love with, Jafar shows up being uber rapey (forcing Jasmine to marry him?  Yeah...not cool), but as a villainous character it's an acceptable plot point, and she ultimately is able to fulfill her dream of marrying who she chooses because the story is really less about Jasmine being saved and all about Aladdin proving to everyone that where you're from doesn't have any bearing on what you're capable of.  I could go on for days about this, but I'll move on.

21 Jump Street
All the Disney movies listed above were watched on the same day in a Disney marathon of sorts which we followed up with 21 Jump Street to a comment from a passerby on finally watching something age appropriate (Disney movies are always appropriate for any situation ever).  Regardless, I love this movie.  It's hilarious, it doesn't care, and it's a surprisingly accurate representation of modern day teenage culture.  Yes, some of the jokes in this movie are problematic for various reasons, but the essential plotline is not, and is rather hilarious.  Some of my favorite lines from this one include (but are not limited to) "Ja feel?"  "Ja feel, ja definitely feel" or "Mother Earth...Mother Earth is dying" or "I have arthritis, I need a handful of the dick!"

Heathers
I have talked about this before, but it's pretty much my favorite movie right now.   Like, how can lines such as "Well, f*ck me gently with a chainsaw, do I look like Mother Theresa?" and "Eskimo" ever be forgotten?  I actually am in romantic love with this film.  But really, if you haven't seen it, you should really truly watch it.  It has excellent reviews (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), is a brilliant satire of teenage life, and features a very hot young Christian Slater.  Like, what more do you need?

The Princess Bride
I have grown up with this movie and its simply the best.  I have majority of it memorized, and watching it takes me back to my wonderful childhood when I had this BA princess to look up to.  It's a fantastic adventure tale full of comedy, inappropriate costumes for the time period, amazing sword fights, and rhymes.

Airplane!
Until this month I'd actually never seen Airplane! which is kind of sad considering how much of a movie buff I am.  However, I was excited to watch this iconic comedy and was not disappointed.  The deadpan comedy style and the fantastically dated everything was all a part of what made it wonderful.  Some of the dated comedy erred on the side of misogyny a bit much for my taste, but overall I was still able to appreciate the humor and the importance of this film in terms of the history of comedy.

LEGO Movie
Honestly has the potential (and is rather likely) to be the animated feature of the year.  Like, beyond fantastic.  The animation is actually really solid and the story line is surprisingly touching for a children's movie about legos.  It's also pretty much one of the most hilarious movies I've seen in theatres in a long time.  I mean, its by the lovely people that did Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, which I have unfortunately not seen just yet, and 21 Jump Street, so it really shouldn't be a surprise that it's hilarious, and everyone should go see it, even if just for the hilarious Batman references.

Anastasia
This was pretty much one of my favorite cartoons growing up, and naturally the only reason us college kids decided to watch it was remembering how hot Demetri was.  Although I also came to realize just how amazing the music is and how well developed the characters are and also, if I was an animated character I would be Anya and I'm totally gonna end up married to someone like Demetri and it's gonna be wonderful.

Monsters University
This is honestly one of my favorite movies of the past year.  I saw it in theatres 5 times.  So naturally, when my sisters on the bus to our District Leadership Conference put it on I was thrilled.  I honestly think it is one of the most accurate representations of college life in any film I've seen, and I love the portrayal of the Greek system.  Each house has it's own distinct personality, and they aren't all stereotypical srat/frat kids!  I also just love seeing nerdy little Randy Boggs at the beginning.  OH THE FEELS.

Pitch Perfect
Naturally, my wonderful sisters then chose one of my other favorite most accurate college representations.  While I am (unfortunately) not involved in the a capella scene at my college, everything else rings very very true.  Especially as a performing arts kid.  And if you don't think "Well, hey there, Hillary Swank from Million Dollar Baby" "You don't have to say Hillary Swank, you could've just said 'Hey, Million Dollar Baby,' you don't have to reference the specific actor playing the part" "Damn, prisons changed you."  is one of the best exchanges in the history of film you are wrong and I hate you.

Love and Other Drugs
To my dismay, on the ride back to our respectful campus homes, my sisters decided to watch Love and Other Drugs, which I found to be a pretty awful film full of awful people pretending they were great romantic characters along with gratuitous sex scenes all centered on a relationship that literally began with sexual harrassment.  I CAN'T EVEN.  Also, it's just a terrible film overall.  I fell asleep in the middle, and I don't think I missed anything.  So...

Ghostbusters
Of course upon hearing of the death of Harold Ramis I found it incredibly necessary to watch Ghostbusters instantly, and sure enough, the second I returned to my dorm, that's exactly what I did.  I forgot how great this movie is, and also how fantastic the comedy is.  It's a really great satire of film from the era, and I completely spaced that Sigourney Weaver was in it.  And for the record, RIP Harold Ramis, you'll be dearly missed.  You were a comedic master, and the world could always use more of that.

Dallas Buyers Club
This movie was far better than I expected, and I was expecting a great movie.  For the record, I had literally no idea what this movie was about aside from Matthew McConaughey surprising everyone with acting ability and Jared Leto being a transgender woman and AIDS, so learning about buyers clubs and the whole AZT situation of the 80s at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic was really eye opening.  Matthew McConaughey's performance was simply stunning, from his ridiculous weight loss and his ability to channel a pretty unlikeable man in a realistic manner, down to my favorite scene from the entire movie (*spoiler alert)*, when he's sitting in the library doing research on AIDS while still in denial of his diagnosis and he has a flashback to having sex with a woman with track marks.  That's the moment when he realizes he's not misdiagnosed and that his homophobic image of what AIDS is was wrong, and with one line, he made me cry.  Jared was equally brilliant, his best scenes being when she's putting on makeup and saying that when she meets God she will look beautiful like an angel if it's the last thing she does and when she starts coughing up a bunch of blood and cries saying "I don't want to die."  Of course, the transphobia in the movie really pissed me off as well, from the fact that on Rayon's deathbed all her doctors continued to call her "him."  Like, really?  She's on her death bed and you can't even call her by her preferred pronouns?  Way to be a bunch of dicks.   But really, this movie is stunning and everyone should see it.  Why AIDS isn't still a huge subject in this country I don't know, because it's not like it's suddenly dormant, but if you want to really be transported back to the early days of AIDS, here's a real great way to do it.

So, there you go!  My February movie blurbs!  Have any questions or wish I'd have elaborated on something?  Let me know in the comments.  And keep watching great movies!

I Believe In Alpha Delta Pi...

I believe that my sorority is more than just a ritual or a symbol; that it is a way of life. I believe that the principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring attributes, exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood. I believe that our motto, "We Live for Each Other", expresses the true spirit of fraternity; and that by living this motto my life will be enriched by true friendships and by unselfish service to mankind. I believe that the privilege of membership in Alpha Delta Pi brings the responsibility to do my best in whatever I undertake, always remembering that leadership requires confidence tempered with humility and courage blended with tolerance. I believe that I must strive to become a well-balanced person by following the dictates of the four points symbolized by our diamond-shaped badge: first, strengthening my own character and personality; second, watching my attitudes to ward my fellow-beings; third, recognizing the value of high educational standards; and fourth, developing faith and loyalty. I believe that these four guide-posts, guarded by the stars and friendly hands clasped in the Adelphean bonds of fellowship will lead me to achieve a rich and useful life.

I spent this weekend at the Alpha Delta Pi District Leadership Conference for District IV in Indianapolis, Indiana. I'd never been to Indiana before, and I can hardly say I have been now considering I literally didn't go outside the entire time, but I can say I had an absolutely amazing time.

I got to spend two days with sisters from across the midwest growing in our sisterhood and in my own leadership abilities as Guard. Most importantly, I got to grow deeply in my sisterhood with my sister officers. From rapping ADPi songs that are meant to be sung sweetly, to rewriting some of our favorite television show theme songs to be about ADPi, down to creating some of the most obnoxious inside jokes to drive the rest of our sisters insane, I have grown so much closer to my fellow ADPi Huskers and I can't wait to share what I've learned in our chapter meeting today.

So much happened, some of which I can't tell you because not all of you reading this are initiated members of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and some of which I can't tell you because it's chapter secrets, but I can tell you that I am so thankful I am able to be a member of this wonderful sorority and I hope that everyone can become a part of an organization that so deeply shares their values, whether that be another Sorority (Panhellenic or not), a Fraternity, or any other collegiate organization that really takes you in as a member of family.

For me, Alpha Delta Pi was that place, and the creed, which I opened this post with, speaks to me on such a deep level. At the conference, we each received a little card, about credit card sized, with the creed and our crest printed on it. I now carry it in my wallet as a constant reminder to live by the principles set forth by our founders back in 1851.

As hard as it is to go back to my classes and my complicated collegiate life, if I keep these principles close to my heart and strive to be a well-balanced person, I will be able to take on anything, both in my college life, and for the rest of my life.

I believe in Alpha Delta Pi.

On my 19th year of life...

This past Thursday I celebrated my 19th birthday.  Things got pretty cray, and I had a really great time, but it's also the beginning of a new chapter in my life, my 20th year.  So, rather than write about why I hate Valentine's Day, or about the Olympics, I figured a retrospective on this past year of my life would be more appropriate.

February 13th, 2013 I returned home from school to run over to 7/11 and buy myself some lottery tickets, and to my dismay, I was not asked for an ID.  That Friday I went to a Cutthroats hockey game with two of my best friends and received a message on the jumbo-tron from my family (a "trout out") before heading off to Sonic for tater tots, malts, french fries, and Disney tunes.  It was a great way to welcome myself into adulthood.  But a lot has changed since then, even in just one year.

I no longer live in Colorado, I now call Nebraska my home.  I no longer attend Denver School of the Arts as a high school student, I am a college student at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.  I am still a Theatre major, but I now officially have an emphasis on Performance and am pursuing minors in French and Film Studies.

I spent my last few months at DSA fairly miserable, nothing seemed to be working out for me.  I caught noravirus (the absolute worst day of my life), I wasn't cast in anything, and I felt like my senior year of high school was culminating in exactly the way I would expect my terrible 5 years at DSA to end, with me being on the outskirts of not only my major but of everything.

I began a job at a movie theatre near my house and found it to be the perfect summer job for me.  I got to see free movies, surround myself with other film fanatics, and spend all day helping people do my favorite thing: experience the art of film.

I went to Prom with my best friend in a gorgeous Calvin Klein dress I was able to purchase for myself (thanks to all my hard work).  It was a wonderful fancy night, and one of my best friends was voted Prom Queen!  I then went to StarFest with aforementioned best friend and also relaxed in the hot tub after killing our feet dancing in heels the night before.

I had my senior theatre banquet and finally got to give a tearful speech, thanking my wonderful family, my beautiful best friends, and those teachers that really did help me along my path as an actress.  I also had my graduation, which was an amazing day in my life.  I got to proudly wear cords for Thespian Society, Student Council (for which I served as Vice-President), Arts Endorsed Diploma, and the Harry Potter Alliance (which I co-founded), along with a cool National Honors Society collar.  I even received my diploma from one of my favorite teachers of all time, Mr. Hughes.  My graduation party was Hawaii themed, in honor of my birthplace, and I wore my mom's old hawaiian print dress and had some delicious POG.

I frequented The Church nightclub all summer with two friends, dancing all night long and becoming friends with the DJ.  I went to Denver Comic Con as my first full convention and spent hundreds of dollars of graduation money on all things wonderfully nerdy before going Sci-Fi Speed Dating and getting a couple of dates out of it.  I went and saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Red Rocks with two of my besties as a final goodbye before I headed off to Nebraska.

I went through Panhellenic Formal Recruitment and received a bid from Alpha Delta Pi and have joined an international sisterhood that I am so proud to be a part of.  I began my life as a college student, making friends, living in a dorm, meeting frat boys, hanging out in the lounge, and of course going to classes to study my love, acting, and also the dreaded ACE (gen ed) classes.  I went to every home game for the Huskers thanks to the season pass my mom's friends got me for a graduation gift and tailgated with my cousins and sorority sisters.

I went back home to see my little sister in Beauty and the Beast, the all-school musical at DSA and also got to go a Broncos game.

I went to my first ever sorority formal, we were grouped with Theta Phi Alpha, Beta Sigma Psi, and Acacia.  While it was a bit of a cluster, it was a great bonding time with my wonderful sisters.  I was initiated into the Alpha Delta Pi sisterhood and met my wonderful big Diamond Sister.  Oh how I love the pin they let me wear.  <3  I got to welcome in the next Alpha Class to ADPi as a Delta (the Alphas from open rush) and it was delightful to greet so many wonderful new sisters.

I went back home for Thanksgiving and Christmas to my lovely family and even worked for a week during my Christmas break.

I then returned to college as a full-fledged college student, used to walking across campus despite the wind whipping my face and waking up early despite being up until 3am the night before.  I joined the staff for Seeds entertainment and am now an officer for my sorority.

And this all led to here.  My first birthday without my family.  But at least I had a great time staying up until midnight with friends to open presents, and then going out with friends to celebrate my birth.  While 19 doesn't mean much in most places, here in Nebraska it's the legal adult age, so it's my second birthday celebrating legal adulthood.  I can now buy lottery tickets here in Nebraska and sign legal documents for myself.  C'est la vie.

Anyway, a lot can change in a year, and this year was full of exceptional changes.  I only hope the rest of this year proves to be as amazing as I hope it will be.