My Obstreperous Reaction to Oscar Picks...

There was something this year, that more than before, urged me to feel the need to watch all the top oscar movies this year. I had somewhat of a crazy spring semester though, falling behind a bit even on my TV shows (thank you HULU!), and so I've been working at it over the last few weeks more intensely than before.

I've gotten several under my belt now including, "Up in the Air," "An Education," "Hurt Locker," "The Blind Side," "Princess and the Frog," "Precious," "Julie and Julia," "Up," and many more on their way to me through the local library :-)

I will work back in another post to comment a bit on those, but my most recent view was "The Lovely Bones."

Now, I don't wanna come across like a film critic here or ruin the movie for ya, but I do have some comments to share.

I hadn't heard much about the movie before watching it, which I think was good. The only influence I had was my friend who grabbed it and watched it a few days ago and she said she thought it was creepy and she didn't recommend it. But when she tried to elaborate on the plot or why she didn't like it, I stopped her because I really wanted an open mind.

Long story short, the movie is based on a book and surrounds a 14 year old girl, Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), who was stalked, lured, and murdered by a man who lived down the street. The rising action of the movie includes Susie's father (Mark Wahlberg) feverishly trying to find the killer, Susie in another "dimension" watching events unfold and discovering her circumstance, and the murderer, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci), both planning his next murder and avoiding glares and attention in regards to the previous.

I will start by saying this... the first 30 minutes or so HAD me. Legit. I was involved, concerned, attached etc etc. As they presented to us who this little girl was, set up her lifestyle and thinking, and worked up to the murder, I felt it was very well done both in ways of storytelling and in the artistic sense.

As for the action following the murder, it got a little trippy. Like, "Across the Universe" trippy. I kinda felt like they were tapping into Narnia or a Harry Potter movie or something as they created this "temporary" dimension or state that Susie was in. It's like she was waiting to move on to a more permanent place, but was stuck in the middle, forced to be thrown around watching events of the past and her family in real time. Thematically- cool idea. Artistically- maybe a little much. Like I said, I was involved in a thriller type movie, allowing all of my feminine emotion and my inquisitive investigatory mindset to mesh as I watched events unfold. It when the sky swirled, ground crumbled under her, and objects were flying around in technicolor and such that I kinda was distracted from the seriousness as I was anticipating Mr. Tumnus jumping out from behind a lamp post to give her scholarly advice or something.

Anyway- the movie did definitely keep me on edge though as there were a few parts when I think I went a few minutes without breathing. (I.E.=The father going into the cornfields after him, the sister breaking into the house etc) So well done on that for sure.

As for theatrical performances... Stanley Tucci- Dang boy- you are a freakin' creepster! It wasn't just the oily comb-over, awkwardly thick glasses, or mad crazy "I-can't-look-into-your-eyes"contacts... the performance was definitely commendable. I feel his characterization, even the smallest intricacies in regards to hand gestures, eye movement and such, was right on and so well done. Not that I know many murderers (let's HOPE), but I think we can all identify genuinely sketch people... Tucci was on it!!

Although I have to admit I love his mousey-criminal portrayal of that snarky man Vernon in Beethoven who just can't seem to do anything right, I have to give him great accolades for the growth I've seen in him. This has to be the performance of his career. At least of anything I can think of. Oscar nominated, yes. Should he have won the best supporting actor award? hmmm... I'm still working on watching the other nominees' performances. It was definitely DESERVING... I'll get back to you on my overall opinion.

Gotta give a shout out to Mark Wahlberg as well. Being honest, I usually can't watch him without being focused on his ridiculous hottness. Even in "Fear" with Reese Witherspoon when he was a psycho-maniac I stilllll kinda wanted to flirt with him and give him the benefit of the doubt :-) He was very believable as the infuriated and overwhelmed father and gave a performance where I could focus on the character, and not just the gorgeous-ness... but yah, there is no denying though, he looked GOOD in that 70's flyaway hair :-)

Finally the lead girl, Saoirse Ronan... how cute is she? So girl-next-door, Dakota-Fanning-esque adorable. I was really impressed with her performance in such a heavy role. Usually I am horribly, almost insensitively critical of kid performances, but she definitely fell on the positive side of things for me. I'm excited to see what she does next.

Let's see... should I give stars? Rank? Tomatoes?
I don't know if I want to standardize it just yet... I wanna feel it out.

BUT- for now I will give this 7 PA-CHOWS (outta 10) with a recommendation for ya'll to check this out if you can appreciate a thought-provoking, artistically focused flick.

Post-Grad Precariousness...

Precarious: \pri-ˈker-ē-əs\ 1. dependent on uncertain premises
2a : dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments b: Characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger

Here I am. An adult.

I've spent my first few education-free days reminiscing on the good times as I decorate my house with favorite pictures, start to organize for a summer of scrapbooking, and am finishing work on the yearbook. In addition to that, I've been taking some time to really reflect on what I wanna be doing. I can honestly say that while 90% of those who just graduated with me are probably bummin' it out on the couch watching movies or laying poolside, the lack of activity has been driving me crazy. Even though I have had work, as I sit here now and watch "Princess and the Frog" (tehe), I can't even focus. I just want to be ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING. Don't get me wrong, I can loooove downtime of a pure lackadaisical nature, but never for too long.

Right now I just feel like I am on this tightrope stranded between 2 certainties. One, my college lifestyle. As great as it was, and as much as I'd like to stay close, I feel as if I have to continue on and that, just like an old school nintendo game, you have to keep moving to the right... there is NO going back. (Oh man, nintendo... thats the STUFF right there!) My other platform is close, but it's strange that I am unable to determine exactly how far it is. I could be there is a small hop in the form of an anticipated phone call offering me a job, while at the same time I feel like it may turn out to be a mirage... the harder I work toward it, it may get foggier and foggier.

For now, all I know is that i love my new macbook, have an itch to get started on my mounds of scrapbooking, and am enjoying the fact that I do have the opportunity to catch up on the top oscar nod'ded movies from the year. Hey- maybe that's what I'll do! After I get a few under my belt (or at least the elastic of my 'relaxin-it-out-mesh-shorts'), I will give my opinionation (thank you for the coinage 90's sitcom Blossom) of the films and acting and such. Yah- that's a plan.

Prepare thyself :-)
*Katy

A Piece of Paper That Changes Everything...

We always speak of it as the most expensive piece of paper one can obtain, but I don't think I've ever understood the meaning of a diploma until today.

Yes, it's official.

I am a college graduate.

Bachelor of Arts in Comprehensive Communication (Journalism) with minors in Theatre and Bible to be exact. What is surprising me is that I have not made a single comment in connection to the ironic "value" of that piece of parchment, but I can't help but sit here and experience my mind trying to grasp the enormous symbolic and literal change that just occurred in my life.

One side of me feels like I want to take on the world. Full-force. Just move somewhere away from the confining cornfields of southwest Ohio where I find myself now and pursue the dreams I've imagined all my life.

The other side of me is still focused on Cedarville. Focused on the friendships I've built, the actions I've set in motion, the possibilities at hand. I love Cedarville. Immensely. It has taught me so much, challenged me intensely, and has seen me through incredible undulations of life. So much of me feels as if I need to give back, to stay involved, to be able to encourage prospective students, current CU family, and alumni. I find so much excitement in imagining myself continuing to pour into CU, but my biggest thing right now is just the need to stop trying to weigh out every detail and trust God to make my way.

I am a planner. A visionary. A strategist. Sitting here, not knowing my exact direction and not entirely being in control is my most intimidating opposition. It's times like this that I find myself so torn. So tempted to weigh out pros and cons, make lists, make contrasting agendas etc. etc. while knowing I just need to stop, hand over all my concerns and confusion to the One and Only Sovereign God and just watch Him work it out.

Another thing about me... I think and feel and live so often through song lyrics. For example, I just can't keep certain lyrics from running through my head right now, a song I performed with OneVoice Ensemble this year..

A wave of Your hand can command the seas to hold their peace
If you can handle the seas
Then I know that You can deal with all my needs
So I will put every situation
Into Your capable hands
I don't have to know the plan
Because You are

You are the sovereign God
Bigger than all my problems
And every situation
There is nothing too hard
For the sovereign God

He is able to do exceedingly abundantly
Above all we ask or think
So take all your burdens and lay them at His feet
And watch Him meet the need
We have the victory

I hate being vulnerable. I've always felt that I need to remain strong, in control, and hide any evidence of not "having it all together," but I've learned more and more that it is through my vulnerable times that God shows me my need for Him. Through my lacking, He proves time and time again that He is my Jireh and my sustainer.

God is good, ya'll... Pray that I won't fail to see that at all times.

Congratulations Cedarville University Class of 2010. It's been unbelievable. I hope your time has been as stretching and as impactful as mine has been. Love you all!