"Sex Tape" and My First Trip to the Movies Alone

Well after a couple of months without my boyfriend kicking around the Kootenays with me I finally gave up on trying to go on adventures with other people and broke down and went to the movies by myself. I had always thought this was kind of a lonely thing to do and I am not sure that I have ever knowingly seen it happen. I am sure it has happened around me at the theatre before, I go to movies a lot, but I have never noticed it before.

I needed a good laugh last night after getting some pretty rough news, I have been steadily working-out everyday and I have been in a pretty crazy routine for the last few weeks so last night I broke from it and got a little wild with Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz in their new movie “Sex Tape”.

Clearly this movie was made for date night, it is called “Sex Tape”. A rom-com at its raunchy finest, everyone in the theatre was coupled- with their significant others and best buds. I sat mid-room, mid-row all by myself in Kootenay Centre Cinemas biggest theatre.

I’ve done a few things alone that I would never do if I had the option to lure Kevin into over the past few months. I have dined (at a restaurant, not just fast-food) by myself... okay, that is pretty much it actually, I'll be honest I haven't really pushed the envelope doing things by myself. At the beginning of the summer I made a list of things to do by myself before Kevin finishes Basic Training and I have not really done any of them. Other than eat, that one was easy. I will have a blog about that coming out next week, I had to experience the new Element “Food Truck Frenzy” menu on the first full day it was out.

Most of my time has been taken up on this challenge by reading all of the Game of Thrones books. That is something I really want to accomplish by the end of the summer and I am not doing too great at it. I am Three-quarters of the way through book two because I broke my iPad and had to replace it, killing three weeks of valuable reading time.

Part of me wants to go to Spokane today and continue to revel in my newfound independence. The other part of me is a scared little baby who wants to continue with her Saturday routine of going to the gym for a couple hours. Then spending some cool down time at McDonald’s with air-conditioning, iced coffee, some work and chats with old men. Followed by a “Sandler Saturdays” with a old Adam Sandler movie and then a SNL rerun.

Honestly, I am not sure what option to pick. I know there is no time like the present. I only have one more weekend in the Kootenays after this weekend, this is the first weekend in weeks that I have not had to be at a station function and where I am going it will be incredibly unlikely that I will be able to leave the house and go on a new adventure without requiring an airplane ticket.

Wild Kate does not want to wait another second before getting in the car and going to Spokane. That is about 5% of me at age 25; she really does not want to finish typing this sentence.

The other 95% of me is extremely rational. Reasoning that going to the movie last night was two hours of laughs that would have been much better if there was someone to share them with. I learned a lesson last night, one I learned along time ago when I went on a big adventure across the pond, most things in life are better when you are doing them with the awesome people you know and love.

Unfortunately today that is not an option for whatever reason. Today I have to continue, “doing Kate”. That’s not dirty, when you say it out loud in a sassy way it is a catch phrase.

“Sex Tape” was a decent movie. Raunchy as hell, a great date movie. Maybe not a first date movie, but then again I know couples who saw “There’s Something About Mary” as a first date movie and they went on to procreate, so why not?

On the topic of “Sex Tape” and Cameron Diaz, I think I could write an entire blog on how amazing her body is. I actually used to hate everything Diaz was in except for “The Sweetest Thing” (who could hate that movie?) but over the past few years I have become a big fan. She is bomb. One of the few actresses in Hollywood who seems to get better with age, I think she is WAY hotter now than ever before in her career. Again, I could write an entire blog about this.

One more thing about "Sex Tape", it is not a horrible movie. Critics have panned it but they hate comedies so I am not concerned with what they have to say. It is not a brilliant movie, but good for some easy laughs. One thing you will notice is that Rob Lowe looks like a nerdy adult version of Zac Effron. It is strange and kind of great.

Will I go to the movies alone again? I’m not sure. I love feeling of having someone to look over at for those relatable moments that pop up during movies; I enjoy the feeling that something on the big screen could feel like it is part of an inside joke from our average day-to-day lives. I do this a lot; if you ever go to a movie with me you will learn this quickly. Also, my laugh is really creepy to hear alone in a room full of other people laughing. Without anyone in your general proximity it kind of makes you feel like you are in a horror movie surrounded by other people that you cannot see and do not know.

Will I go to Spokane today? Who knows…

Have you ever gone to the movies alone? What did you see? What did you think of the experience? 

Is Bradley Cooper The Next Indiana Jones?

There are few things I gush about on the radio, very few (I like to think).

One thing I will consistently get giggly about (every time) is Harrison Ford. Whenever mentioned I time travel to a place in time before the earring and before I was born. To the 80s, a time where had I been alive I probably would have been stalking Harrison Ford. Yeah, unfortunately I doubt I would have gone to university back then… unless Indy was my Prof.

I am a HUGE Indiana Jones fan. My mother introduced me to the series as a kid, way before I could even begin to understand Star Wars (that would come a few years later). Now with rumors that new Indiana Jones may or may not be in the works my mind is alive with who could be the potential pick for recasting Indy. Unfortunately (like most people) I was let down by the revamp. The story, mixed with being punched on the leg my sister every ten seconds (with a few seven second surprises) just did not hook me.

Anyways, not the point of this blog right here. This is a formal blog of endorsement for Bradley Cooper to take the reins on the franchise. I am totally okay with it so long as we continue to pretend Crystal Skull never happened. Mom, I know this may anger you but in this case you are the 1%.

Cooper is rumoured to be at the top of the list, but the rumour mill is also speculating that time may be running down for B-Rad to take the role on. Not sure, what to think here. Some reports are saying that a recast and new revamped movie may not happen at all. The last 24 hours has seen conflicting reports about the potential of a new movie, but not too many about who should star in it. Cooper is the front runner.

I’m not sure giving Indy the James Bond treatment with recasts and new stories into the future is the right way to go. Don’t get me wrong, I will gladly shell out the cash to see them on a movie by movie basis; but I still don’t think it is the right thing to do. Hell, I don’t even like the kid who played Indy in Young Indiana Jones. You’re probably saying, “Kate, I love Sean Patrick Flanery he was amazing in the Boondock Saints”.  I had to watch Powder way too many times in High School to validate any reasoning that he should ever get to play a role of one of the sexiest men of all time again. He has lost that right.

Anyways, who would you cast as Indiana Jones in a re-up? Do you think it is a good idea?

The leading lady would be dependent on the story-line, but I am open for some suggestions on that too. Brownie points for anyone who votes Kate Bruce. 

Here is a brief look at the history of IndianaJones with a lead on Bradley Cooper snagging the role. 

The Day We Almost Went To Sea World

If you were to have asked me 12 months ago while I was in San Diego if I wanted to go to Sea World I would have without a doubt told you that I would have loved to visit the park. On a student’s budget we had to pick our attractions and we chose to visit the San Diego Zoo with it’s new baby pandas instead of Sea World. For $84 a person it was a little much to do in addition to the Zoo.

A lot can change in a year. Even six months ago I would have been incredibly positive about a place that us 90s kids have incredible memories of, even if only through commercials. Growing up on the East Coast of Canada our regional CTV channel gave away Sea World trips all the time, it was engrained in us that the splash zone was a première family destination.

Imagine this in Little Kate's mind with all the added greatness of the 90s. 

Back in autumn the documentary ‘Blackfish’ had a screening in Nelson and the lovely ladies from 1035 The Bridge told us all about the incredibly emotional experience they had sitting at the theatre watching it. I was a little reluctant to get onboard with their contempt for Sea World, I had just visited the incredible Vancouver Aquarium where I was amazed by the important rehabilitation work the staff there does and found it hard to believe their claims from the doc.

Once we determined we would be vacationing back in San Diego again this winter Sea World started coming up again. I flip-flopped on whether to watch ‘Blackfish’ or not. But, with increasing activity on my Facebook and Twitter feeds about the documentary I knew it would come down to at lease watching ‘Blackfish’.  I was surprised at some of the people I know; people who do not normally vocalize their strong opinions via social media, venting online about their feelings towards Sea World and their sympathy for the killer whales being held in captivity.

So it came down to the wire, I put off watching ‘Blackfish’ because (to be honest) I have not been in the mood to be any sadder than need be in real life. Last night, my boyfriend and I were debating going to SeaWorld; to be honest with you I wanted to go. Forget the price of the day; I wanted to go for the show, for the rides and to see the animals.

Yes, I had been debating going and not posting the pictures online to avoid the ridicule from friends for going after having the resources to watch ‘Blackfish’ on Netflix and choosing not to (or worse, watching the doc and going anyways).  But, late into the night while we were trying to plan our day I put it on anyways.

Taken from Blackfish's Wiki page. 

I must say that I was absolutely horrified; ‘Blackfish’ brought me to tears.  We watched the entire film and had both decided early on that we would not be going to Sea World today. I am trying to take ‘Blackfish’ with a grain of salt, but just seeing the videos of the killer whales looking so unhappy is what made my decision for me.

Yes, there are moments when the killer whales do seem very happy; but they are outweighed (to me) by the moments when the killer whales are sad. What makes it worse is seeing the aggressive nature of the whales in captivity towards each other, I do not question that the Sea World trainers treat the whales well. I believe that they love the animals and respect them, as they should; but I do think that the bigwigs at Sea World are less concerned about the well being of the whales (mentally).

I am not trying to be preachy, I am not saying that you should not go to Sea World; I just wanted to voice my opinion on the whole ‘Blackfish’ saga in light of all of the hoopla that has come out in regards to concerts being cancelled and boycotts of the park.

I am totally for organizations like the Vancouver Aquarium that rehabilitate and learn from the animals in their care. I am against visiting Sea World at the current time until they can find a more humane way to do business.

As a kid who grew up on the Atlantic Ocean I learned about our oceans at an early age and to respect what you do not understand. Our planet’s oceans (and lots of the creatures that live within it) are some of the great mysteries we have left, unfortunately killer whales are a large, majestic mystery that we need to learn more about (apparently) even if it means not having kitschy interactions with them.

Even though Sea World is down the road for us right now, I think I will wait to see killer whales in their habitat, in their communities and take in their “culture”. Better for me to suffer on a cold boat than for them to suffer indefinitely in what sounds like killer whale prison.

Again, I will revisit the idea of going to Sea World in the future if their practices change or new unbiased information comes to light but right now my opinion leans towards staying away and taking the chance to see them in the wild.

Rossland Mountain Film Festival's Roxy Piette On Morning Rocks!

This morning on Morning Rocks Roxy Piette joined us from the Rossland Mountain Film Festival. Roxy is
the chair of the Rossland Mountain Film Festival that is going into its fourteenth year in 2013. The festival kicked off last night in Rossland and will be underway all weekend.

For more details about the Rossland Mountain Film Festival click here.

Kate's Reading Challenge Book 7: ‘The Wolf of Wall Street' by Jordan Belfort

One of my goals I set for myself on my twenty-fourth birthday was reading a book a week.  I am a little behind, moving twice and finishing school put a damper on my plan. To help motivate myself to finish books on time every week my new plan is to share my latest read with you on my blog. I will read anything and everything and I would love your suggestions, feel free to email them to me at kate@mountainfm.net.

                         

Book 7: ‘The Wolf of Wall Street' by Jordan Belfort

When I started reading ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ I could not put it down. Jordan Belfort’s tales from his life of wealth and abundance are almost unimaginable for average people. I really enjoyed most of ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’; it did seem to drag on though. Typically books I read for my weekly reviews are under 500 pages on my iPad and this bad boy was over 800 pages. Despite being long the story continues to move and sometimes has to jump in time to keep everything moving. My only real beef is that the story could have been condensed more; some of the technical information could have been left out. I feel like I learned a lot about trading, Swiss Banking and the SEC but would rather have spent time hearing more about Jordan Belfort’s sexy escapades. I enjoy hearing the perspective of both Jordan Belfort ‘the Wolf’ and Jordan Belfort the loving father, sometimes it seems like his only redeeming quality is how much he loves his children (and how generous he was with the money to the people in his life).

Overall, I would recommend waiting for the movie if this book interests you. I am really excited to go see the film adaptation (I made a point to finish the book before seeing the movie). If you enjoy the film consider investing in reading the book, I am sure it goes into much more detail than the movie will. 

Here is the film adaptations official trailer.

Netflix Classic: iSteve

Netflix Classic: iSteve 

Have you ever watched a movie so bad you wondered what were those people thinking? I do this all the time. In fact you can read my previous blog about ‘Sharknado’ it was the worst movie I have ever seen. Which has inspired me to start a log of all the movies I watch that are just down-right horrible, most of them are F-list horror movies with cooky titles found on Netflix, hence the label “Neflix Classics”.  Every Saturday you can find my latest “Netflix Classic” review right here on my Mountain FM Blog.

iSteve (2013)

With the release of the new bio-pic about Steve Jobs being last week I decided to pick a parody film about the life of Steve Jobs this week for my Netflix Classic this week it was released online in April and it is called 'iSteve'. It was just as bad as it sounds. 

It is not often that I find a comedy so bad that I will tell people not to watch it. Even movies I don't like have seem to have some silver lining redemption moments, not the case with 'iSteve'. Funny or Die (online comedy heroes) really disappointed me with this turd of a movie. 'iSteve' was just not funny. It is that simple. I watched the entire thing, at first I thought I had read the description wrong and that it was a serious movie. Then it continuously made errors about the life of Steve Jobs and really bad joke so I knew it really was trying to be a parody film. 

Urg. I am not a huge Jobs fan. I am not a hater either. I read his biography, I have invested time into learning about Steve Jobs and the makers of 'iSteve' clearly did not. It was made written in three days and shot in five, I think they could have had something if they invested more time into making it. I have yet to see 'Jobs' the Ashton Kutcher movie released last week, I think I will wait on that. From the press it has gotten I think I will wait until it makes it to Netflix.

I may take time out of my day and money out of my wallet to see the Aaron Sorkin adaptation of 'Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I thought the book was fair and well written, I doubt the makers of 'iSteve' took the time to read it because there was little to no evidence of any research being done on the subject of his life.

I am being very critical, I know. It was just supposed to be a funny, light-hearted extended sketch but I found it kind of offensive. Funny or Die has a huge following, with people who will watch their content regardless of the quality.  

The only part of the movie that I thought was mildly funny was part of the evolution of Pixar that showed a meeting between George Lucas and Steve Jobs. 

Not worth your time, do anything else. Seriously, anything else. 

iSteve - Buy on Amazon or watch on Netflix from Justin Long

The Conjuring with Jenny & Kate

When I was a child I loved horror movies.

As an adult, horror movies make me feel old and silly.

Why? Still not 100% sure. I think it has to do with a feeling that I was invisible, as an adult I have realized I am SO totally vulnerable. Also, pretty freakin’ co-dependent, watching a horror flick melts my mind. I live in fear of shapes and shadows until the sunrises. I can't even watch late night TV without my remote close by, every time a creepy trailer airs I have to change the channel. 

As a child, I would hide my eyes and wait for the shocking part of the scare to be over and then look up at the screen. As an adult, I do the exact same thing… longer. So long in fact that I scared myself more than needed, catching the most terrifying moment of ‘The Conjuring’ when I saw it Saturday night. I missed an entire scene of the movie and popped up at the worst possible second. I was so scared a full scream escaped my lips, making me look (and sound) foolish; giving the entire theatre a laugh.

On the plus side, I have not lost a minute of sleep yet (it has only been two nights since the viewing). But, I have a feeling that will change living in the basement (the most haunted part of most houses, as horror movies have taught us) of an old house in Nelson.

My little scream at Kootenay Centre Cinema is one of the most shameful moments of my life. It has been a long time since I have been so embarrassed. Thank goodness Afternoon Drive Hostess; Jenny Fines was beside me, screaming at the exact same time.  

Give the following sound clip a listen to hear our ‘The Conjuring’ experience! If you love to be scared (or to watch people be scared) you need to go see it!