I simply loved this movie.  I happened across it in my “recommended for you” section of Netflix, and I’m so glad I gave it a shot.  It’s a movie about an unlikely friendship between two women of different faiths.  Completely reminded me of what binds my own friendships together- and what really matters.  It is unrated- but I would say it falls in the PG section. It’s a really heartwarming, faith promoting, good feeling movie- that you’ll feel better after watching.  Currently streaming on Netflix.

Oh this was a good one.  When Rob smiled at the camera and said, “I like to gamble,” my heart jumped into my throat.  It was beating a mile a minute until he played that beautiful immunity idol.  I thought I was going to have to hunt him down and smack him on the face for being so cocky.  But he’s a smart one.   He pulled it out in the end.

And another nail biter was that last immunity challenge.  Rob is so smart with puzzles so when he didn’t get it right away I was freaking out.  But again, he’s a smart cookie and he totally pulled it off.  I knew he had won it at that point.  As long as he was a part of the final three, any scenario would have brought him the win.

How perfect was it though to have Phillip on one side and Natalie on the other?  The follower and the guy that everyone except Ralph completely hates.  Even when Phillip finally let it be known in the finale that he acted like a jerk on purpose nobody cared.  Nobody thought to themselves, “Well if it was all an act I am totally OK with it.”  Or maybe they did.  I wouldn’t have.  He even pissed people off at the final tribal when he’s supposed to be winning votes.  I’m glad he’s happy with the game he played but he was never going to win the million.  And I never questioned that he was a special agent.  I don’t know why, I just never did.  It was weird to me that it was such a discussion topic at the finale.

Russell, Russell, Russell.  Of course you’ll be back.  You want to win it so bad you can taste it.  It probably haunts your dreams.  I’m happy that Rob ended on such a good note, now I want to see Russell come back and beat the game.  Rob and Russell are my two favorite players in Survivor history.  I don’t think we’ll see Rob again but I want to see Russell again for sure.

Matt.  He deserves his own post but I’ll just mention him here.  What an incredible journey he went on.  To hit such a low, low and then to rise above it to be in such a good place at the end is remarkable.  I don’t know if I believe God kept him on that island for so long or if he just had a spectacular journey while he was there but he grew a lot and that’s amazing.

I love seeing Rob and Amber together.  They’re my royalty.  And did you see those two beautiful girls?  They make pretty babies.  This season was totally fulfilling for me.  My guy won and I had him picked out since day one.  That never happens.  I love this game.  GOOD JOB BOSTON ROB!!!!!  Now go home and be with your family.

I’m interested to know what you guys felt about this because I was pretty disappointed.  I’ve been watching this show since the beginning.  I don’t even want to calculate how many hours of time spent that ends up being.

When Clark truly was Smallville in high school this show was amazing.  It was suspenseful, it was heart warming, it was funny.  I truly cared about the characters and tuned in each week because I was interested in what was happening.

Then Clark grew up and I kept watching because I was already so invested but it just wasn’t the same.  Then Lois came along and I was hooked again.  I wanted Lana out of the picture so badly I could barely stand it.  Then it went blah again.

I felt like the series finale could have actually drawn out over the entire season.  Too much packed into too little time.  And I know Clark is literally Superman but it took him 2 seconds to defeat Darkseid.  Really, that’s it?  Why didn’t he do that the first time he encountered him then?  I know, I know, Clark had to find out who he truly was before he could do it.  Whatever.  Darkseid could have at least put up some kind of a fight.  It was totally weak to me.

I love that the real Lex came beck but his story line was a mess.  And now he’s President?  How can they just throw little bits in like that without explaining at least a little.  I want more!!

And why would it take Lois and Clark 7 years to get married?  And why isn’t Chloe going to be there with her super cute kid?  I have more questions than I have answers.

I am interested in going back and watching Smallville from the beginning and then stopping when he moves to Metropolis or shortly thereafter.  I’ve been disappointed with the show for a while now and I had really, really hoped that the finale would bring all of my love for the show back but it didn’t.  I’m just sad.

What was your take on the series finale of Smallville?

Amen, Rob.  I am loving the twist of Redemption Island but I am seriously freaking out about who and how someone is coming back into the game.  I can’t believe Matt is still hanging on.  He has won more challenges than anyone in Survivor history.  I don’t want him to win but if he does I will be majorly impressed.  If he makes it to the end I bet he gets a landslide vote to win.

Stupid Ashley winning immunity.  Oh, that made me so mad.  Usually Rob is the expert puzzle maker but she got him this time.

Anyone understand why Rob is holding on so tight to Natalie?  I get that she’s cute and innocent and all but isn’t that going to take votes away from him in the end?  I thought he should have voted her off tonight to split up the pair of her and Ashley.  I guess I’m just going to have to trust his judgment on this one.

I can’t believe we’re coming to an end here.  Do you think Grant is pissed or do you think he gets what happened?

The two hour finale of Survivor is on Sunday at 7pm on CBS followed by the Reunion show.

Well, my heart broke when Zev and Justin were sent packing.  I really, really wanted them to win but as long as it wasn’t Gary and Mallory I would have been happy.

And yippee, it was the Jen and Kisha!!  How cute were they when they won?  Giving praises to their mother on Mother’s day.  They were never my pick to win but they never got on my nerves either so that’s saying a lot.  I felt they worked really well together as a team.  I don’t remember them completely losing it with each other.  Not quite as supportive as Justin and Zev but not falling apart like Kent and Vyxen.  Right in the middle until it counted at the very end.

I can’t believe another season is over.  I’m going to miss watching this.  Until next time…

Wow.  I can’t believe that challenge last night.  It seemed so simple when Jeff explained the rules but in 110 degrees it was ridiculous.  I was so scared that Rob was out of the game after he won.  I thought all my Survivor hopes and dreams were dashed but he pulled though.  What a trooper.

What’s going on with Phillip?  What’s this rabbit he thinks he can pull out of his hat at the last tribal?  Just telling everyone it was all a plan to be obnoxious?  To make them hate him and now vote for him?  Seems like he’s going to need more that that to get ANYONE’S vote.  Seriously, who would give him a million dollars?

Poor Andrea, she’s been low on the totem pole from the beginning and she actually thought she was safe last night.  I know Phillip is a clear choice to go but she was definitely on the outs from the beginning.  I seem to remember Matt giving her a dirty look at one of his Redemption Island challenges so I can’t wait to see how they interact now that they’re living together again.

This Redemption Island bit is so confusing to me.  Now they’re got 3 people camping out there?  I can’t see clearly how this is going to play out but I do think Andrea will be a force to be reckoned with out there.  I would love to see her come back in the end even though she would give Rob a run for his money.  How about you?

Survivor is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on CBS.

I seriously don’t think I can talk this show up enough. Every episode now makes me laugh so hard I cry. And I could enjoy watching it about 3 more times… today. And what makes it so great? I just don’t know!

Maybe it’s because of Leslie and Ben’s forbidden relationship. It always leaves me wanting more… especially now that Chris keeps trying to set Ben up. Or maybe because Ron has gotten so much funnier. His speech to get the art show going was classic. Or maybe because April and Andy are so ridiculously clueless, you can’t help but love them.

I think in all media, I enjoy something the most when a character does the unexpected. Like the fact that Jerry is the office idiot, but paints an amazing work of art. And he subconsciously paints Leslie’s and Tom’s faces on the naked bodies. Or when Andy and April throw a party and get married after dating for 3 weeks. Or when Chris breaks up with Ann, and she doesn’t know it. Not knowing what’s going to happen keeps it exciting for me.

Here’s to a whole lot more of Parks and Recreation!

I have been a fan of The Office from just about the beginning of its existence. But, as more (and better) shows have come around, it has kind of lost its spark. With that being said, last night’s episode was certainly an emotional one… for me, and I would imagine many/all of the cast members. It was Michael Scott’s last day at Dunder Mifflin, and subsequently, Steve Carell’s final episode.

As an audience member, you have always known that Michael was a good guy- just a little quirky and misguided. But when Holly came in to his life, it made him better. Yes, he was still ridiculous at times, but it was clear that they were meant for each other.

I really don’t have much to say, except for what a great way to go out. It wasn’t the funniest episode, but it was moving. I don’t think anyone could love Michael more as a character than watching him say goodbye to everyone in the office. Honestly, my only concern now is what they’re going to do for the last 3 episodes of the season. That felt like a season finale to me.

Last thoughts: What will Steve Carell leaving do for the show? I don’t think the show could last much more than 1 more season. And if it does, it will probably never be the same. What do you think?

You can watch Michael’s final episode here.

Can I swear my love of Boston Rob anymore?  He has got that tribe on such a short leash.  It’s hard to believe watching it but if I was on that island with him I’d do anything he told me to do.  He is just that amazing.  Heck yeah he slit Lex’s throat but he won Amber in the end so what does it matter?

Could you believe that chocolate cake?  I know it was for drama but there’s no way even three starved people could have finished that cake.  It looked crazy good though.

I loved the twist.  Loved that Rob had it all figured out before hand.  Loved that Steve played his cards and it got him sent home.  Love that there are four people on redemption island.  Love that next week the challenge is going to be fierce.  Oh, I love this show!!

How do you think Redemption Island is going to play out next week?  Two go home?  Why are they keeping two around out there?  Any thoughts?

Survivor is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on CBS.

I don’t have much to say this week beside yay, Zev and Justin for pulling off number one again!  I can’t believe they made it through that fondue pot of cheese.  That would have done me in.  I think it’s crazy that Zev even wanted to try it when he saw Justin struggle at the beginning.  He had a lot of faith in himself to think he could do it on his own because Justin clearly did not want to attempt it.

Speaking of, why were Kisha and Jenn even at the challenge if Kisha was sick?  They ended up in second but maybe they would have been first if they had started the luggage challenge earlier.

Oh Kent and Vyxen what a curious little relationship you have.  Kent makes me laugh with all of his drama.  And only Kent would let his woman carry him around in a cart.  I know, I know, he got ran into and has a hurt ankle but still.  To me, it’s funny.

And the Cowboys.  They’re in first, they’re in last.  They’re in last, they’re in first.  They are so inconsistent.  I would have rather seen Mallory and Gary go home (I just can’t stand how happy she is all the time) but it definitely seems like it’s time to say goodbye the the brothers.

The Amazing Race is on Sundays at 7pm MT on CBS.

I don’t know how many people out there got into Parks and Rec, and then may have been a little disappointed by the first season, but I was one of those. It felt like it was trying to be another version of The Office, and it was falling short. However, this second season has not only been a major improvement, I find it much funnier than The Office, as well as many other shows that have lost their “spark.”

They’ve brought in new characters, played by Rob Lowe (hilarious!) and Adam Scott. The new sexual tension between Leslie and Ben is so great! And since office romances were specifically said to be inappropriate, it makes it even better!

Last night’s episode was one of favorites. I seriously watched it 3 times and laughed harder every time. Leslie, after being rejected by Ben, decides to try online dating. She is matched up with Tom, the office pervert. I included one of my favorite scenes from the episode. After being matched up, Tom is getting under Leslie’s skin, by playing up their potential (98%) match! Leslie finally shuts him up.

If you’re not into Parks and Rec, check it out… who’s on board with me?!

How can something so silly as a song end up causing so much drama?  I’m so glad it did because I love drama but man it got intense.

Aren’t you so glad Jeff is around to clear things up.  I never would have understood Phillip’s side of the story if Jeff hadn’t pulled it out of him.  I totally get it now.  When the fight happened I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  This isn’t the first time Phillip has pulled the race card either and I never got it.  Had no clue what was going on.  But I get it now and I am so glad to get it.  I still think some of his actions are crazy (do you like how I did that) but I understand the motive more.

How frustrated must Steve have been?  To have such accusations slung at him.  I don’t believe he meant anything by it at all so his head must have been spinning to have that happen.

On a completely different note:  Way to go Julie!!!  I love that she hid Phillip’s shorts and he will never find them.  That’s what I love about this game.  It takes upstanding citizens and makes them hide a fellow human beings only pair of shorts.  Awesome.

What about poor Matt?  That guy is losing it on Redemption Island.  If I didn’t love seeing people break down on this show so much I might feel sorry for him.

Do you feel resolution to the race argument?

Survivor is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on CBS.

What a train wreck for Kent and Vyxen.  You guys know I love them and I hate them at the same time.  This week I mostly hated them.  I didn’t feel like Kent was doing anything out of the ordinary but Vyxen for sure was on one.  ”If we lose today, I swear…I am never going to talk to you again.”  Oh brother.  What a drama queen.  At least they weren’t rude to anyone this week.  And seriously, how would she have felt if they did lose?  They’re so good together you know they’d be fine.  It’s just a totally ridiculous thing to say.

What about those cowboys taking the later flight on purpose?  I thought for sure they were going home.  I get their reasoning.  They’ve been screwed by connecting flights before but I would have stuck with the group.  If everyone gets there early together you have a fighting chance.  If they get there earlier before you, you could be screwed.  They certainly pulled it out of their hats though (pun intended).  They keep on surprising me week after week.

I love Justin and Zev and I do want them to win but I was a little sad for the Globetrotters to come in second place.  They were doing so well and they barely missed it.

Is your favorite team still around?

The Amazing Race is on Sundays at 7pm MT on CBS.

Blonde and beautiful, fledging attorney Stephanie Saunders vows to protect the innocent even though as indigent defense attorney her clients rarely are.  Does that include Josh Durrant who seems to be following her? Stephanie is dismayed when her peers begin calling her “Prom Queen” as her boyfriend, Todd Saxton, often does. Desperately trying to prove her worth, she falls prey to those who steal her innocence.  Although she plans to forgive Todd for his ultimate betrayal, she is never given the chance. Her boss, Attorney Charles Connelly, offers solace, but is Stephanie’s welfare, or his own, top priority? The only thing that keeps Stephanie sane in her insane world are the horses she loves but does not own, especially the abused mare, Riskie Business, whose example helps Stephanie make the most difficult decision of her life. Relying on wit and courage, Stephanie must save herself and another during the final showdown where she proves a loyalty of which she never knew herself capable. 

2010 Winner of the Silver Quill for second place in the Fiction category for the League of Utah Writers Publication Awards.

Authors site:  Betty Briggs

To buy:  Amazon

If you’ve been following the blog for a while or are my goodreads friend you know I thrive on fantasy books.  Witches, vampires, werewolves, elves, you name it, I want to read about it.  So you might find this book a bit surprising.  It’s about horses and lawyers.  Not at all what I’m used to but I’m happy to say, I enjoyed it.

I had some bumps in the road along the way.  When the main characters are so stunningly beautiful people swoon over them it puts me off but as the story goes along, not everything goes perfectly smoothly so it worked out for me in the end.

I think you also have to trust the main character’s choices a lot.  And on faith that she knows what she’s doing.  There was one point where I thought, “Are you kidding me.  Is she an idiot?”  But I let it play out and I was able to forgive her bad judgement.

There are a lot of twists and turns and you don’t really know who to trust at all until the end.

I’m not saying I’m switching genres yet, but I’m glad I gave this book a shot.  It’s clean and it’s fun and it’s worth looking into.

Alisa

************

I’m not a big fan of horses, or lawyers for that matter, so this was a bit of a hard read for me.  It was really along the vein of Janet Evanovich’s  Stephanie Plum series, without so much of the smuttiness and language.  Unfortunately I had this comparison stuck in my head the entire novel because her main character is named Stephanie.  It may have affected my critical reading a bit.

This is a clean legal thriller.  If you like those sort of beach reads, than this is a good book for you.  It’s incredibly easy to read, and light and fluffy enough to never make you feel uncomfortable, but gritty enough to seem real (at least in parts).

I’m going to second Alisa on the beautiful main character remark.  It was so over the top done, that I wanted to drop the book five pages in.  Enough with the Prom Queen, barbie doll references.  We got it, she’s gorgeous, I’m done.  I also had a little trouble with how dated this novel seemed.  I think this is mainly because the author is older and writing from the perspective of a younger woman.  We don’t use phone books, the slang is all wrong, I have no idea who “Babe the blue cow is” (and I’m in my mid thirties!), and I’m sorry- but no woman is going to take any herbal concoctions from anyone.  I don’t care how naive you are or how much you trust the person handing it to you (and the main character is so naive I wanted to scream and throw the book at the wall).   That was probably my biggest problem overall, Stephanie was just hard for me to relate too- we’re set up in the beginning to believe she’s not as stupid as she looks, and then the stereotype is rehashed over and over again by the stupid mistakes she makes.  I know this seems harsh, but it honestly wasn’t a deal breaker for me to finish.  I prefer my heroines strong from the beginning, and this was one who finds her strength along the way.

Overall a different type of read for me, not in a bad way- I enjoyed the end, a lot of twists and turns I wasn’t expecting, which in all honesty saved it for me.  Good one to curl up with on an otherwise boring snowy day, and you won’t regret having read it.

Laura

What a great episode this was.  I’ve mentioned before that I freak out when they go to India because it is so crowded.  I have a panic attack for them when they get stuck in those crazy traffic jams.  It’s always nice to see the culture though and I really enjoyed the area they were in on Sunday’s episode.  Very interesting.

I was really scared for Zev.  I mean really scared for him.  I do not have Aspergers but I get super overwhelmed with noises and crowds.  I saw the preview from last week and it looked a lot worse than it actually was.  Thank goodness.  Stupid editing had me worried.  Zev and Justin continue to be my favorites.  I wonder at their shot for winning though since Zev can get frustrated at challenges.  I love them.

I remember now why I love Kent and Vyxen and why I really dislike them at the same time.  They can be really short with each other and the people around them.  I’m well aware of the fact that they are in a race but when they kicked that poor guys out of his cab I got really mad.  There he was just minding his own business getting where he needed to go and these freaks (and I love them for it) just show up and practically push him out of his cab.  I did not like that at all.  Boo!

And now for my favorite part… Ron and Christina were sent home!!!  My mother-in-law was just saying how proud she was of him for running the race at his age.  I don’t care.  I hate their relationship and I did not want to watch them for one more week.  Kudos to him for running the race but thank goodness they are gone now.

I’m curious to know if I’m by myself on the whole Kent and Vyxen stealing a cab issue.  Am I being too sensitive?  Did it bother you or are you totally for it the name of the race?

The Amazing Race is on Sundays at 7pm MT on CBS.

I went with my husband to see Red Riding Hood a few nights ago.  It stars Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman.  From the previews, we were expecting a medieval werewolf movie, and we weren’t disappointed. As always, we tried to guess the ending.  Who would the wolf be?  The wood cutter?  The grandma?  Red Riding herself?

The movie kept us guessing.  Along with suspense, there was drama and romance that added to the story.  And of course it was an actual werewolf movie, a fact that my husband greatly appreciated.  (He’s not as big of  a Twilight fan as I am.)  I honestly didn’t know until the wolf was revealed who it would be, and my husband hadn’t guessed, either.  He can normally guess the endings of movies from the beginning, but the director didn’t give it away too early.

Incidentally, the director was Catherine Hardwicke, who directed the first Twilight movie.    Now, I love me some Twilight, but Red Riding Hood was a much better movie.  A few of the actors were better at looking good than they were at acting, but for the most part, I really liked it.

Four out of five stars.

I hate to do this but I’m going to skip ahead to next week here at the beginning.  What is going on in that clip?  Is Britanni at risk of going home?  I think she’s my favorite of them all.  I hate to see her breakdown like that in panel.  I sure hope she gets a talking to and then everything is OK.  I will be really sad if she ends up going home next week.

I loved the photo shoot this week.  I think that would be so much fun to get my hair all ratted and my body all muddy and take some beautiful photos.  I’m really glad Kasia moved herself around and got the attention she deserves.  She ended up looking stunning in the “blondes” photo.

What did you think about Tyra’s talk with the girls?  Were you surprised at how she labeled any of them?  I guess I never thought of Alexandria as a bombshell.  I wouldn’t have thought to put her in that category at all.

I am so glad Monique went home.  That girl was so in to herself.  I was actually shocked to see her help clean up after the fans.  I thought she would just stand there and pout.

Are you as scared as I am about panel next week?

I see that on April 20th ANTM is moving to 8pm MT BUT next week there is an episode on at 7pm MT on The CW.

There was a time when I would watch Survivor and fast forward through the challenges because I thought they were boring and all I cared about was who won.  But last night’s challenge was a nail biter and I watched every second of it.  First Ometepe was in the lead, then Zapatera, then they are fighting tooth and nail to get the last ball in.  Sometimes I wish I could lose weight just by tensing up while watching TV.  It’s gotta burn a couple of calories, right?  In the end Ometepe won immunity again!  They are doing so well.

I love to hate Phillip.  That guy is a nut.  He will totally switch sides the first chance he gets, and it looks like he’s going to get it next week.

I am already nervous about next week.  But, if David comes to Rob’s side and Matt doesn’t hold a grudge the numbers will be on Rob’s side.  If David wants to get rid of Rob just because he’s played the game before, and Matt votes against him too.  With Phillip switching sides it could go very, very badly.  I LOVE ROB!!!  I don’t want to see him go yet.  He is my favorite Survivor ever.

Either way, I’m sure there will be tons of drama next week.  Especially with Redemption Island coming back into play.  If I had to guess I’d say Matt wins again and reenters the game.  I guess I already said that in my last paragraph without spelling it out.  I am totally assuming he is going to win again.  I’m nervous and totally excited to see what happens when he comes back.

So, what do you think?  Is Rob a dead man?

Survivor is on Wednesdays at 7pm MT on CBS.

Ok, I really dislike Luke and Margie.  They may be my least favorite team ever to run the race but man, I did not enjoy watching Luke break down like I thought I would.  At first it was funny but then it was really sad.  I’m not sure I really understand how hard that challenge was.  It seemed like a lot of the people looked at the color of the tea and then smelled it.  Could he not do that?  Or maybe, did he not do that?  It was so touching to me when he finally found the right cup that all the Indian men picked him up an hugged him.  That was incredible.

I just about peed my pants when Justin said to Zev something along the lines of, “Good job.  Now you can pee yourself in the cab.”  I love them.  Their relationship is so loving and caring and strong.  You know they would do absolutely anything for each other.

How bad did you feel when the Globetrotters knocked their black paint over?  I was so scared that they were going to lose.  Good editing.  I was freaking out a little bit.

So Luke and Margie are gone.   Hallelujah.  Now we just need to get rid of Ron and Christina.  Please, please.

I know I haven’t said anything about her before but does Mallory drive you nuts, or what?

The Amazing Race is on Sundays at 7pm MT on CBS.

Devin Banks, how I love you.  Jack’s nemesis.  Is it bad that I’m totally torqued that Devin is a family guy now? He actually wants to spend time with his children rather than run a huge failing company.  I’m disappointed.  I loved the back and forth between Devin and Jack.  I guess one good thing came of this.  Maybe Jack will spend more time with Liddy.  How can I begrudge a daughter more time with her father?

And Plan B?  You know I totally could relate to Liz because I do not currently have a Plan B.  I watched her flounder around and be lured under the subways by the travel agent, auto worker and saxophone player.  Then to get turned down by Nick Lachey.  Burn.  And then to be dropped by the dog agent.  Double burn.  At least they figured out Tracy is within a few miles of the studio so Liz can get back to Plan A.

I miss Tracy.  I want the show back to normal.  How about you?

30 Rock is on Thursdays at 9pm MT on NBC.