Valkyrie!

We just went and saw this movie last night...
It wasn't a feel good movie like Enchanted or Twilight, no one lived happily ever after; in fact, it was kind of depressing. BUT, what happened in Germany wasn't very good.

This movie depicted ONE of the plots (out of about 20) to killer Hitler and over throw the government. Tom Cruise portrayed a colonial in the regime and was the one of the main "plotters". I liked the fact that it was based on a true story. It didn't get into the concentration camps or the bad things that were happening to the Jews. It did show Hitler being off his rocker and how "God-Like" his followers esteemed him. You want to know what secret combinations were? This was the first thought I had at the beginning of the movie.

Good things about the movie? I liked the fact that to showed that all German's weren't like Hitler. They were good people, that loved their country (not leaders), and were willing to risk their lives for it. They loved their families, their homes, their friends. Another good thing was that I am interested more about WW II history. Emma and I had a good conversation about it all, maybe this will put a personal face on this history stuff and it will help her in her studies.

I thought Tom Cruise did a very good job, unlike what the critics have said about him. The movie was intense, almost too intense for me (I don't like intense). If there was bad language, it could've been in German or I didn't pay attention. Some kissing, but that was a goodbye or a hello kiss from Tom's movie wife. Violence.... it was WW II. Shooting, bombs, suicides, hangings..... not alot of blood or gore. Pay attention to all characters that took part in this plot, all are important. There are some funny parts, as well as very sad.

Would I see it again in the theater? Probably not. Would I use a free coupon from RedBox to rent it? Maybe.

Out of 5 German Pancakes..... I'd give it a 3.5 (taking off for intensity and my lack of Gernman knowledge, because I was lost part of the time and had to ask Joe a million questions)

TWILIGHT!

My whole family went to see the premier of Twilight... in two different states. Officially, I saw it before Holly. Mine started at midnight, hers at 12:15.
I've read all 3 books, loved them all. The movie followed Book 1 very well.

Seeing a premier movie at midnight (for Joe and I), you will know that it has to be a movie that we REALLY want to see. It was. Joe and two other young men that are from Joe's seminary class a few years back were pretty much the only male-type figures in the audience. It didn't bother me... only they noticed.

The scenes from Forks were exactly how I pictured them in my head as I read the book. The characters were perfect.... although, I thought Rosalee was a bit too "hippy".... you know, like she wasn't a tiny figured model like I imagined. BUt that was the only discrepancy. Jacob Black was better than I imagined. He looked like a human for of a wolf! (Oops, that comes out in book two).

The story had some kissing scenes, nothing else. Although the kissing was hot and steamy, Edward made sure that it stopped before it had gone beyond that. He's a good, old fashioned boy.... born in the early 1900's and he didn't want Bella for dinner.

There were some intense parts... like when the 3 other vampires interrupted a family baseball game of the Cullin's (the "good" vampires) and realized that Bella was human and the breeze sent her scent lofting over to the 3.... "You brought a snack", the one said.

I can't say too much more. I will be seeing it again, I think Hannah is seeing it again this afternoon with some friends. Would I let a pre-teen see it? How do you feel about up close kissing scenes? Biting of vampires on necks and arms? They do have to rip apart and burn one vampire to destroy him, he's a really BAD guy.

Out of 5 Diet Cokes, I give it an infinity of Diet Cokes. Can't wait to buy it!

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

Brendon Frasier is the main character, so is the boy from RV and from Kicking and Screaming, and I don't know who the heroine is.

It's another rental that just came out today, it's made in 3-D, but we didn't have the glasses. That's OK, because 3-D gives me a headache.

VERY GOOD! Watch the beginning. You'll know why as you watch. No sex, language, or violence (Except when the Dinosaur chases the little boy, that was intense). There were two little kisses in the movie and that was about it for the sexual content.

You could even get in a little geological and chemistry education in this movie! They talk about rock formations, diamonds, caves, and what happens to magnesium when you light it with a flare.

It was sad in parts, Hannah cried a little tear or two.

Out of 5 Black Cats, we give it a 5+1. The +1 for the education tidbits.

TINKER BELL

Tinkerbell.... rental movie that just came out! OK.... if you think it's a moronic movie, just meant for 4 year olds, you could be right. BUT, Hannah and I watched it today (and yes I dragged my feet all the way when she wanted to rent it) and laughed pretty hard. The story line was really for the pre-school crowd, but whoever wrote the secondary characters, made the movie.

As you watch, our favorite parts were the squirrel, baby fire flies, and baby bird. And when the movie was done, we re-watched those parts over and over, laughing all the way.

Out of 5 gallons of squisher, we would give it a 4.5 (minus the .5 for the story line that was below our intelligence level)

HIgh School Musical 3

Hannah and Emma went to see this new movie. They are already bias to loving the movie because of the first two. This is rated G, how many movies in the past 20 years that have been rated G that are worth your money to see? THIS ONE! They said it is all age appropriate, they are buying the music soundtrack ASAP. Compared to the first two, this one is the best. I asked, "Will there be a College Musical 1?" Emma replied, "Only if we are lucky!"

The first movie started out in their sophmore year in high school and this year is their final year as seniors. Pending everyone graduates, we will see them in college? I asked Emma if there will be a pre-quil for their Freshmen year. She looked at me as if I had a second head growing out of my neck. I know NOTHING.

Take the family. I myself will watch it with it comes to the Disney channel on TV.
Out of 5 Jack-O-Lanterns, my girls give it a 5.

So this is going to be a fun weekend! Joe's turning the BIG 5-0 on Monday the 13th and we are throwing him a HAWAII 5-0 party. When we sat down to invite his friends, we should've been keeping track of how many.... AFTER we sent out the invites, that's when we counted. It's only 80 of his closest friends and seminary students. We have rented the clubhouse that we will be using for the WFR.

I have a game that we are playing: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW JOE? Want to play along?
1.When is JOe's birthday?
2. FAvorite item on McD's menu?
3.Joe's first car?
4. What years did Joe serve his mission?
5. Joe is tri-lingual, name all
6. How many baptisms did Joe perform on his mission?
7.T / F Joe sang soprano in the choir at 16 years
8. Joe has ___ brothers and ____ sisters
9.Joe's favorite birthday present when he was younger
10. Joe's most embarrassing moment...
11. What's Joe's golf handicap?
12. What calling has Joe never had, but has always wanted?
13. What does Joe's father in law call him?
14.What was Joe's career BEFORE hamburgers?
15. What movie star was Joe mistaken for in 1980
16. What do Joe's seminary students call him?

Movie Review: BABY MAMA

You will all love me. I'm going to save you more money! Don't go and rent Baby Mama. This is not a wholesome movie, has it's funny parts, but not worth the free coupon we used to rent this movie. Should have rented another.

This movie has crude humor, language, talking about body parts. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler work well together but need to stick with political humor with Hillary and Sarah. So, now you will be able to buy some wheat for your food storage with the money I'll save you.

Out of 5 CTR Rings, I'd give it a 1, and that's for the one time I laughed out loud.

We had a ward BBQ/swim party this Friday... but the reason I'm sending these pictures is this is where our first and last day of the WFR will be held. Joe was our BBQ-er, he's been stereo typed. He put out 300 burgers in 30 minutes. Not bad. Hannah is being jumped on by Emma.... and the black kitty is Homey. Don't pick her up, don't look at her, don't call her... it has to be her idea or she will hate you forever.

...and BTW: That picture is not me.

The Lunch Lady Returneth

Yes... I am back to being a lunch lady, but not just a regular old lunch lady, a kitchen manager. This has been the best career move I've made in the past year. Frontier didn't work out, I was so very close to being laid off, lotsof my friends were laid off, so I thought if I put my notice in, maybe that will save someone's job. I knew about switching jobs back in April, so I knew I had it and I wouldn't need umemployment. Goods and bads with both jobs... no more free flying, that's sad, but tell the truth, my family and I are kind of tired of flying. Good about the lunch job: I'm salaried... which means, as I'm laying by the pool this next summer, I will be saying, "Hmmm, I'm getting paid to do this!" and at Christmas as I'm opening up presents, I'll say, "Hmmmm, I'm getting paid to do this!" or even at the family reunion next summer, I'll be getting paid to have fun with the fam.

Emma starts 10th grade next week. She's so ready to get back into the school realm. She's been getting her summer reading done and even getting some french horn practicing done. Hannah's been giving private lessons this summer to help her get ahead.

Hannah has been working alot this summer at the YMCA. She's going to take the fall semester off and study for her entrance exam into nursing school. She completed 2 semesters at BYU-I and that was enough for her. She will stay at home for nursing school. She did buy a new car... a 1997 Land Rover! Oh what freedom she doth have now.

Joe is still working for a clown. His store will be torn down this fall and they will re-build it at the same location. Brand new everything... it's so fun for him. Joe had been in the hospital a few weeks ago. He had a coughing attack (he had a BAD flu) and a mysterious bruise showed up a few days later. I'd send a picture but it would scare you. So, we went to the ER, the doc's eyeballs popped out when he saw this HUGE bruise on his left side.... it was his left side...the doc confirmed my worry about it being his spleen because this bruise showed up so fast. He had a MRI and everything was normal. In two days, the bruise was gone. VERY STRANGE! This is why I miss Aunt Marti, she would love to hear stories about these medical mysteries. Anyway, Joe's doing great.

More movie reviews are coming... we just have to find something worthwhile to watch!

2nd Hand Movie Reviews + one Book Review

The Traveling Pants part TWO
Hannah saw this one.... she saw the first, too. Her only comment was, "It's not as good as the first."
Go see the first.

Star Wars, The Clone Wars
My friend and her son saw it. Her comment was, "It was a good 11 year old movie."
So, if you have an eleven year old, go see it.

Breaking Dawn (Book)
If your into the Twilight series, you've probably read the book already.... or at least heard about it. You must already know that the Twilight movie will be November 21 instead of December 12 (thank you Harry Potter-that movie's been pushed back til next summer)

This book is the final of the series of four. Bella and Edward get married and live happily ever after. That just about sums it up. Lots of drama, lots of Oh My Gosh's, and wow's in between all those pages. I'm not a fan of Jacob, the selfish, self-centered werewolf who won't leave Bella alone. So the whole middle of the book where the story is thru Jacob's eyes, I could have done without.

This book does contain watered down sex, not too graphic (your imagination will do the rest), but on the good side, they are at least married. Would I let my 15 yr old read it? She's still on book one, Twilight. It'll take her a couple of years to catch up the way she's going.

Out of 5 Bags of Lay's Baked Chips, I give it a 4.5

Another Movie Review.....

The Mummy.....

Took the family to see the new Brendon Fraser movie, The Mummy (Part three). We've seen the other two on TV, so we thought we'd go and see the third. They didn't use the original wife, which kind of ruined the love story and the son is all grown up.

Interesting story line about the Terra Cotta Warriors in China, I'm sure if any of the Dix's would see the movie, they would laugh, just because they saw the REAL warriors in China. Lots of Chinese folklore and mystic-ness (?), it teetered on being hokey.

Violent film, beheadings of already dead soldiers (that come to life), I think when the Yetti came out of the mountains to help the good guys, Joe and I just looked at each other and said, "Well this ruined it ", Lots of guns, RPG's, and of course... Chinese Fireworks. Lots of cursing, didn't like that. Kissing scenes, but nothing else. Everyone keeps their clothes on.

Out of FIVE scented candles, I'd give it a 3 for learning something about history and maybe sparking some kids to go to wikopedia and learn more about the Terra Cotta Warriors.



ROCKET MAN!.....

This movie was made back in the 1990's, but we just bought it today at Best Buy. We've been looking for it FOREVER! It's got to be the funniest movie EVER. If your ever in a bad mood or in need of silly humor, rent or buy it.

It's fit for all ages, lots of "gas" jokes, good language, no sex/violence. It's about a computer geek that gets chosen to go to Mars, along with a Chimpanzee and two other people, Listen good, there's alot of dry humor.

Out of 5 Kenmore Dryers, I'd give this one a 5. It's that good.

The Dark Night

Joe and I just saw this movie.... it was so intense, I came out sweating. Way Way Way too much violence, no sex drugs or foul language. There may have been one kissing scene. I would NOT recommend it to anyone under the age of 99. It was so de-sensitizing to violent behavior. I told Joe after, "If I saw a car accident after this movie, I would shrug my shoulders and say: Eh...I've seen better."

The Joker, played by Heath Ledger, is really insane. He was too into the part. People have been talking that he should get an award for this part. I say nope. It wasn't a "stellar" performance.

Overall, out of five golden coins.... I would give it a one golden coin. According to my girls and the other's that went with them, they would give it a 5. "That movie was tight!" "Sweet Movie!"
It did have a good story, trying to figure out who was a good or bad guy. There were some surprises. Didn't make up for all the bombs and killings.

Save your money. Go buy food storage with what I just saved you.

Movie Reviews....

The Dark Knight.....

I did not see this, my girls did. Before they left, we had a talk about how this probably wasn't going to uplift their spirits and get them to the Celestial Kingdom any faster. I challenged them to find one redeeming quality about this picture. Hannah did! It was: Either you die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villian. I haven't figured what the redeeming quality was, but Hannah liked it. Hannah recommends ages 13+ to see it. Heath Ledger is really creepy, looks scarier without make-up than with. It's rated PG-13 for violence, not alot of swearing (Emma says they said the H____ word twice.... who was counting?!?!) Now that we do these movie reviews, Emma's my counter. Hannah's words: It was AMAZING. Will I see it? Probably not, until it's on TV.

SURF'S UP (addendum)....

We bought it, and we've watched it every night. It's pretty funny! I give it a 2 thumbs up.

More Reviews.....

Wall-E

For the most part, Emma loved it. Rated G, and then I was listening to FOX News that totally trashed the movie saying that it was totally political and you should be wary in taking your kids. Emma didn't have a clue it had a hidden meaning, so it slipped by her. I'm wondering if Al Gore had anything to do with it? Just kidding....

Surf's Up!

OK, it's an older movie, but I just saw it the other day. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner. Very cute, very funny, I'm going out to buy it today. It's filmed like how they do The Office, camera's always there, always getting interviews right away. I didn't finish it, though, fell asleep. But, in all fairness, it's because I had only 2 hours of sleep in 48 hours. Hannah said I missed the best part of the movie, that's why I'll be buying it today.

MOVIE REVIEWS....

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

OK, if your an Indiana Jones fan, it won't matter what the adventure is, you'll like the movie.
Even if this adventure has a clear, lucite, misshapen skull stuffed with Saran wrap.
George Lucas would have been better prepared if he had read the Book of Mormon and had Korihor come out of the temple and been a character rather than aliens. My family gave it a "eh..." review.
And Indiana's son Shia LeBouf (Sp??), he was fantastic according to my girls. There will be sequels with him in them.

Iron Man

This was a surprising movie. First, I didn't know that Robert Downey Jr was the star... not too much of a fan since he's a drug user, but he's still cute. Then the first 45 minutes of the movie, I didn't know if I was in the right movie. I asked Joe several times if we went into the wrong theater. Lots of violence, NOT a good movie for anyone under 16. If you skip the first 45, then maybe young teens would be ok. I don't like intense, it was intense. Then by the end, I started loving the movie....can't wait til the sequels, and there will be sequels.

HINT: DO NOT LEAVE until all the credits have scrolled by. That's all I'll tell you.

NARNIA

I loved this movie best of all! All the same characters, only one year older. The kids go back to Narnia to find things aren't the same, they still find the lion, but Mr. Tumnus is long gone, that was sad. That wicked ice queen makes an appearance.... she scares me. Prince Caspian is a good guy, his uncle.... not a good guy. There will be more sequels, but it sounds like the two older kids have out lived their Narnia days, they're imaginations are going. There is ONE kissing scene. Alot of sighs in the audience. All from my girls. Beautiful scenery throughout the movie too.

More reviews coming all summer long.......................

Where have the Mero's been?

Wow! It's been a long time since I've updated!

Here's what's been happening:

We had Christmas in December.
Joe's mom came to visit for several weeks in April. She died in June
We went on a fantastic vacation to San Antonio with another family in our ward. That's us in the shark mouth. Did you know that San Antonio has the BEST tasting water I've ever had in my life? Just a fun fact.

Hannah is home from BYU-I for the time being, she's still carrying a full load of classes thru this summer, all on line (not as easy as she thought!)
I'm still at Frontier for 51 more days. Then I'm going back to the schools to manage a middle school kitchen. I like having weekends off, holidays off, summers off, and being a manager... all paid.