Emilie

Leap Year

Emilie Gatewood — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:54:02 +0000

I am amazed at how low people set their expectations for movies. The PG rating should have given it away, and yet I still expected a little something from this one. But no, when I say this was a cookie-cutter film, I literally mean that I knew the precise moment when his tongue was going to enter her mouth….I could see the multiple proposals, cheesy lines, breakdowns, and the train chugging past scenes coming. And yet – the theatre I was sitting in was eating this crap up like I was munching on my M&Ms. No wonder these movies continue to be made, people continue to go watch them (oops, me included). Ohwell, got to go with my sister and laugh about it all.

Thanks for the bonding time Leap Year!

What’s Up With…

Emilie Gatewood — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:49:40 +0000

…credits. I think it’s time to just give it up with the credits at the end of movies and tv shows. No one cares, no one reads, and if anyone really did care enough to read, they couldn’t because they’re going so fast (after tv shows anyways). I literally saw some credits at the end of a show the other day that were scrolling so fast that they were just one big blurred image of scrolling text. Forget it,…you don’t see me asking for credits after doing my job…And as a side note – the only ones caring enough to read are probably related to the person listed in the credits.

Sparing my husband from a couple chic flics

Emilie Gatewood — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:49:16 +0000

I’m taking this time while my husband is away to catch up on some serious chic flicks. I thought they’d both be awful, but I was pleasantly surprised with one…the other was an obvious dud.

I began my day alone with some serious cleaning (so that when I started my serious movie watching, I wouldn’t feel guilty!), then when the dream of a Felicity marathon was crushed, I rented a couple movies my husband wouldn’t mind skipping. I started with The Time Traveler’s Wife. I wish this movie would have given some tips on how to go back in time and warn myself against renting this movie. It was kind of just weird, some thoughts of child molestation had to be ignored, and was all over the place. The only plus was that it was well made. I would not recommend this movie and would rather suggest my second watch.

I continued with Love Happens. I really thought that there’d be no chemistry and I’d just be annoyed by Jennifer, but neither happened. I enjoyed this one from the beginning and was actually laughing, crying, and happy throughout. It was just a well done, cute movie that was never offensive and not your traditional romance.

I’m not sure what’s on the docket next, but I have my sights set on Dear John. Any recommendations?

Simon’s & My Last Season of Idol

Emilie Gatewood — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:56:26 +0000

Well, if Simon’s not hanging in there, then neither am I.

What is American Idol without Simon Cowell? Nothing. Can we really take this week’s guest judge or Randy or Kara’s opinions seriously? We all only care to hear the rude but true, or very kind things Simon will say to those auditioning. We love to see his facial expressions at the contestants that we can’t quite tell if they’re being serious or (hopefully) just acting for their 15 seconds.

So thank you for all the laughs, but after this season I’ll be ready with my floaties as Simon jumps ship. What a shame too, Ryan was just starting to grow on me.

Little Known Movie Facts

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:56:24 +0000

Wall-E was a hoarder

Tombstone stars everyone but Clint Eastwood

Thank You for Smoking will make you want to start

Prime is my new favorite movie

Henry Poole is Here‘s original script had Jesus on a piece of toast

The Book of Eli is actually a movie

P.S. couldn’t decide on an ending, so they decided to be weird

and

Annie Hall reminds you that you should never watch another movie starred/directed/written by Woody

Mystery Guitar Man

Emilie Gatewood — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:33:43 +0000

Stumbled onto this guys videos. Great imagination, implementation and sunglasses.

youtube.com/user/MysteryGuitarMan

enjoy.

My Sister’s Keeper Killer

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:16:27 +0000

Well, looks like Little Miss Sunshine just didn’t want to live a miserable life without one of her kidneys.

Now here was a movie that falls under the ‘Depressing’ category. Talk about needing a box of Kleenex’s next to you for this one. This movie explores the hardships that come with cancer in the family. It’s sad all the way through, but I did find myself laughing a few times. The acting was good, the sick girl really does look sick, and Alec was the perfect casting job. If you’re in search of a sad movie, this one’ll do the trick.

Saltines

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

It’s 5:30 at IGA: the lines are long, I’m bumping into grandma’s carts all over the place, even the express line is stretched to the entrance. This time I remember to buy the item that has been forgotton and therefore stuck on my grocery list for weeks, Saltines; I quickly grab a box, blindly reaching around the stocker. I put my gloves on after sacking my own groceries into my own bag, I throw my hood on to block the freezing snow and wind from reaching my face. It’s cold out there and I’m forced to make this trip almost daily because I have to carry all my groceries home. (But I’m really only exaggerating, I live a block from the store!)
I get home, stomp most of the snow from the bottom of my boots and proceed to the second floor and unload my bag. I made it! I love that going out, even just a block away, is an adventure, and now I’m home, safe and warm.
Now that dinner’s finished, cleaned and hours ago, I want a snack to go with my new favourite show, Conveyor Belt of Love (see previous post), and make my move for the Saltines. I grab a sleeve and go back to the couch. Strange, this first cracker tastes different. What’s that, the second one is tasteless as well. A horrible thought enters my mind….I jump up to check the pantry. OHNO! I really did buy unsalted tops Saltines.
I can’t believe it, I mean why is that even an option?!

Conveyor Belt of Love

Emilie Gatewood — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0000

ABC has my full attention every Monday night from 10-11 this season. I’m a sucker for dating shows, usually getting sucked in by all the jokes I can make about these sad, beautiful people…but this show is different, they were making all the jokes for me, all I had to do was laugh. The premise of the show is so simple I don’t even have to explain, the title does it all (they really are literally on a conveyor belt and all we have to do is judge these guys based on about 2 sentences and their appearance). The girls and guys chosen for this particular episode were hilarious and the people in editing seemed to help by sharing all the uncomfortable reactions and hurtful (yet honest) comments.
Will this show help in any way with the morality of the next generation, of course not…but was this time-waster fun, absolutely.

Quick Movie Reviews

Emilie Gatewood — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Jennifer Eight – Uma, a blind girl….Emilie, a sleeping girl. Here’s a movie (from the 90s) I watched on tv, pretty good, but still not sure how it ended. I think in my life I’ve fallen asleep to at least 60% of the movies I’ve seen, but that doesn’t stop me from having an opinion!
13 Going on 30 – Thankfully this one was playing on tv so I didn’t have to pay to watch, just give it my time. Surprisingly entertaining enough, even though Jennifer is a scary looking skinny broad with a big mouth, but Mark helps as the cute likeable love interest.
I Am Legend – I hate zombie movies, why didn’t anyone warn me?
Syriana – George works the beard in another movie that makes you wonder how true this all really is. I don’t think I want to know.
The Class – Entre les murs is a movie about a young French teacher to all the young punks of Paris. It makes you give up on the next generation of kids. The movie is very well acted, felt like they just stuck a camera in a real classroom, but has no ending so therefore I don’t recommend this film.

Ghosts of Movies Past

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is coming back to haunt me by making me admit I actually spent a few dollars to watch this turd. It’s not like I was expecting much, or anything at all, but it was even worse than the cutsie, beautiful-people romantic comedy I wanted for the evening. I don’t think we went more than 30 seconds without a sex joke or innuendo of some sort, and both Matthew and Michael are just getting too old for these groping roles. Rather than renting this formula movie, might I suggest another Hollywood-type that was a little more fulfilling, Bride Wars or Confessions of a Shopaholic. Enjoy.

Funny Kid

Emilie Gatewood — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We had the pleasure of seeing my sister and her kids this past week and here are some of the latest words out of my adorable 3 year old nephew’s mouth.

“When I grow up, I want to be a car-washer.”
“I want to put ketchup and mustard on Sophia and eat her like a hotdog.”
“Let’s play Sneaky-Goofy.” (referring to Hide-And-Go-Seek)
“You try it – you like it.” (and then when he caught on to our schemes…)
“You try it – you don’t like it.”
…and his absolute favorite, “Bolitas!”

Sunshine Cleaning, Mostly Sunny

Emilie Gatewood — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

What I really enjoyed about this movie was that the movie didn’t think I was an idiot!
Let me explain, most Hollywood films nowadays must think their audience is incapable to put the pieces together or to see the obvious ending that’s a couple hours away. You see how I just thought my audience wouldn’t understand, I must not think much of you..but that’s not true, it was a joke. And see there, I did it again, I had to tell you when there was a joke.
Now would you people just smarten up and get your crap together.
(PS – How do you think Amy Adams and the one-armed man end up getting together?!)

Date Night: Pizza, Imax & Harry

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I met my husband downtown after work and we walked up to a nice little, authentic pizza place. This is where I learned the love Italians have for black olives…sheesh, talk about putting a whole can of olives on my pizza. Let’s just say they’ve grown on me after that meal.
Now, this next part is very hard for me to admit, but I have watched all the Harry Potters in the last month. True love! (that is for Hal, not Harry) So we went to see this latest one on the big IMAX downtown in 3-d. That technology is just crazy, you feel like you’re actually going to get hit by something…and the glasses you get to wear are a cool bonus. The movie itself was fine, not sure why so many gave it bad reviews; it’s the same basic formula as all the ones preceding it (ok, except in this one he doesn’t almost get expelled and get an award instead at the end). But then again, I haven’t read any of the books, and I don’t have a yearning to find out what’s going to happen in the next one. All I wonder is if they’ll all be raging alcoholics and whose baby Hermonie will be carrying?
The only question I have: does the guy sitting next to me with the eye-patch get a discount?

DYG London/Paris Edition

Emilie Gatewood — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I went to Europe and then got a facelift… that is, I vacationed in London and Paris and when we got back Hal updated the look of my site and all pictures are new from the trip.
I saw all the big sites, yawned in front of most of them, and ate fish n’ chips and pastries galore. I walked EVERYWHERE. I saw amazing views from slightly uncomfortable heights in the London Eye, Tate Modern, Sacré-Cœur, and the Eiffel Tower. I peeked at the changing of the guard through the crowd and got sick of the question, “So where are we eating tonight?” I was polite to the ‘jinglers’ (as we called the African men selling cheap Eiffel Towers) at first and then became very annoyed by them when they multiplied every day at all the big sites. I was very happy with the 4 days of sunshine and glad I came back with a bit of colour on my face. I wrote in my handy journal every night and added up the receipts to stay on budget. I bought beautiful shoes in Paris and lousy souvenirs at the airport. I saw a photoshoot with a skinny girl on a carousel and then a movie set with a Matador. I couldn’t believe the prices to see the inside of some old churches and was happy to just visit 2 free ones. I saw both cities from atop a double-decker bus and got the water views from their rivers. I learned that flying direct and international is the best way to fly and that a shower without a curtain is a horrible experience.
I can’t believe my vacation is over and it’s back to work, but I’m so happy to be home!

Valkyrie: Tom Cruise Das German

Emilie Gatewood — Sun, 24 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I’m not sure if I’m getting soft in my age or if all these movies I’ve been watching lately are actually good, but I sure have been loving all these Hollywood flicks. Even through numerous pee breaks (dad’s issues with age), snack breaks, phone calls, etc. I still was pulled into the suspenseful roller coaster of Valkyrie. Even though we all knew how it would end, I still clenched, cried and managed to get past Tom Cruise as the one-eyed-one-handed-German-treasonist.
I didn’t think I would like this movie either (I’m such a pessimist when it comes to Hollywood, and for good reason), but for what they did in the first minute of the movie, changing text and talking from German to English, I was sold and bought right into the Nazi rule in WWII.

Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Minus One

Emilie Gatewood — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Didn’t they just renew their vows, like last season, in a (free) trip to Hawaii for the whole family? What did you think would happen after humiliating your husband every week on national television? I mean, Jon has no excuse, but common Kate, ease up.
Here’s my theory on reality tv land. Do 2 seasons and then get out. Get your money before becoming too famous and run. That’s what I’d do if they wanted to do a reality tv show about my life as a yawner. (That is if they’d even offer me a second season, let alone a first.)
I digress… I actually can’t wait for the new season of awkwardness to begin. If Jon hadn’t of had this ‘affair’ I wouldn’t be tuning in, but now, pull up the couch and move over Little People, we’re prime time!

A Surprisingly Satisfying Movie Weekend

Emilie Gatewood — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Who knew Bride Wars and Marley & Me would be such satisfying movies.
I mean a movie about a dog is not exactly my idea of 2 hours well spent, but it was a cute, non-offensive, real (I mean mom wanted to stay home with the kids, that still happens?!), surprising, tearful, and even though it got a little too touching when Marley eats his last kibble, I couldn’t believe it was so good. So this one gets my seal of approval for the whole family.
The only bad part of Bride Wars were Kates’ bangs. It started with laughs when the rating came up and warned of “rude behavior.” And then the brother being the guy from Prime, I was sold. Another great movie for the fam.
So I guess it’s four thumbs up from the weekend.
Enjoy.

Step One After Getting Laid Off…

Emilie Gatewood — Sat, 09 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

GO TO EUROPE!!
Well, I’ve now officially been affected by the recession, and let me tell you, I didn’t see it coming. The company had to downsize and I was sent to the chopping block. Hey, it’s business and I wish my boss the best and maybe we’ll work again one day. My future now feels a little fuzzy but there are no worries, God provides. The funny thing is that the night before, literally, I said these words to a woman looking for work, “I always hated the job search process.” and now here I am (who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor). So, if anyone has or knows of a great, exciting, paying job for me, let me know.
Now, it’s time to pack, the Queen is waiting for me!

I Love…

Emilie Gatewood — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Seeing the moon in the middle of the day, hearing little kids speak any language other than English, those first few days of spring, when it rains and the sun’s out, that I’m finally going to Europe this summer, eating, those first few days of winter, coming home from a trip, a clean house, watching a good movie with plenty of yummy snacks, and plenty of other things.

I’ll Give You A Review “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Emilie Gatewood — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Only watch the preview for this movie! I had to go back and re-watch the preview after renting and watching the movie…why?, I had to remind myself, did I rent this move? The lead is annoying for every minute, the love interest only happens in the end, and I had to keep telling myself ‘I don’t think she’s a lesbian.’ Don’t waste your time with this one folks.

What’s Up With…

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

…directors allowing there to be an alternate ending to their movies?
…bringing a picture of the hair cut you want to the salon meaning that the barber has free reign to do whatever creation they want?
…the volume levels on movies? What makes you think I want to hear the music/explosions so badly and not the dialogue?

Russians vs. Brazilians

Emilie Gatewood — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0000

My husband and I recently attended each other’s company parties.
I work with a majority of Russians, and Hal’s boss’s birthday had numerous Brazilians/Argentineans.

Let’s see how they matched up:


	Tasted new and yummy foods
	Tasted new and yucky foods
	Cute, multilingual kids running around
	Received strange looks for not drinking an alcoholic beverage
	Nervous while in the unlockable bathroom
	Found myself in a conversation other than English

And after tallying up the score and realizing that both hosts were our bosses, it’s going to be an obvious tie.

The Customer Is Never Right (at the following establishments)

Emilie Gatewood — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0000

When did customer service die? Here are a few short stories that caused my blood pressure to rise and my husband to pour soup into a bag.
Let’s just go chronologically….Brault et Martineau’s story is very long so let me sum it up for you, after I paid cash for 4 large appliances they never called me once to let me know that our order was going to be delayed a few times. So after 4 phone calls, 2 deliveries and a month went by I finally received my order. I wrote my letter of complaint, mailed it in and am not expecting anyone to actually read it.
Next on the list….Bell. They also are a long story of awful service. After several appointments and 4 techs we finally have our tv/internet/phone. I hate the tv, flipping for hours through 6 CBSs/9 CTVs/ and millions of movie channels I don’t get. The internet is slow and I really don’t need the home phone. We’ve already cancelled after a month of service and going back to Videotron.
And for the final rant…Linen Chest. This story is still not over so I’ll just give the highlights that have happened so far. We go buy a lovely soap dispenser and toothbrush holder for our new bathroom. The problem is that the soap dispenser must be rusty because it’s now causing all this strange coloured goo to ooze out at the top. My husband decides to go make the exchange 2 weeks after the purchase (with the receipt). He almost lost it when the employees accused HIM of putting the gunk there. “How do we know you didn’t do that?”, his response was simply “Are you kidding?, You’re kidding right?” They were not. This is when he proceeded to open the dispenser and pour out its contents. “Well, you didn’t do it, but you’ll have to come back when our manager is working Thursday.” So we’ll see if we get our exchange tomorrow.
OK, I think I’ve gotten it all off my chest in a very summarized fashion. Thanks for listening!

In a Constant State of Shine

Emilie Gatewood — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0000

What was I thinking? Winter, snow, boots, come back! Summer in the 80s without A/C has hit and I find myself in a constant state of shine. I now enjoy going to work, for the relief. And while at home I become a hermit with the blinds closed and all fans aimed at me. At night I sleep on the sheets with fans on and no cuddling, don’t even touch me honey until the temperature drops! I guess if I’m going to get through this I’m going to have to embrace the sweat, cool showers and loud fans. Here’s to a few hot months before the snow returns.