Pic Spam: Ian Somerhalder

"The Vampire Diaries" is one of the best new TV shows of last season. And you know how I always like the bad boys. Dean from "Supernatural", Sawyer from "Lost" and now Damon from "The Vampire Diaries". Ian Somerhalder already caught my eye in "Lost" but we didn't get to enjoy Boone for a long time, for he died. So here are some pictures of Ian.

New books

I recently ordered some books and I got them in the mail today. I have a lot of books to read, so I'll have to wait to read those. But here's what I got:

- "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert: It's a true story about Liz Gilbert, who has everything she could ever dream about: a husband, a house and a succesfull career. Yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. There's also a movie coming out, with Julia Roberts but I want to read the book before I go see the movie.

- "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger: Henry DeTamble has a genetic anomaly that allows him to travel in time; however, he is not able to control the moment or the destiny of his voyages. When the stranger Clare Abshire meets him in the library, she invites him to have dinner with her, where she confesses that she has been in love with him since she was six years old. Henry learns that he had visited her many times in the real state of her parents and he falls in love with her. Sooner they get married, but the life of Clare becomes troubled with the successive unexpected travels of her beloved husband. I've seen the movie with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, which I loved, and I didn't know it was a book until after I saw the movie. So that made me want to read the book.

- "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold: Susie Salmon is a 14-year-old girl who gets murdered by her neighbour Mr. Harvey. She tells the story from heaven and sees how her family tries to move on or is still trying to deal with Susie's death. I also saw this movie, but I wanted to read the book anyway.

Can't wait to start reading those, but like I said there's a pile waiting for me. So, lots of reading to do in my summer vacation!!

Best of... Leonardo DiCaprio

I'm liking him more and more. Almost every new movie I watch with him is awesome. And then I haven't seen "Shutter Island" and "Inception" yet. I'm excited to see both movies (I didn't get the chance to see "Shutter Island" yet and I'm planning on going to see "Inception" very soon). But for now I made a list of my favorite Leo movies.

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"
Also good because of Johnny Depp, but Leonardo kinda steels the show in this one. And he got his first Oscar nomination for this film and he was such a young boy here.

"This Boy's Life"
Great story, very dramatic at some points. Robert DeNiro is actually the best one here, but I also loved Leonardo.

"Gangs of New York"
The character with the weirdest first name (Amsterdam? Really?). But it's a fantastic movie. I also mentioned this on Cameron Diaz' list. I really love the scenes with the gang fights. Beautifully shot!

"Catch Me If You Can"
One of the most genious characters he ever played. Great story, nice combination of comedy and light drama. Kind of a cat and mouse game. Thumbs up!

"The Aviator"
This is his best role, fantastic performance and he also got nominated for this movie. His role is very intense and he really surprised me. Great job Leo!

"The Departed"
Just great. Can't say anything else.

"Blood Diamond"
Touching story and sometimes a little disturbing. I can't imagine that it went down like that there. People say Leo's African accent was a little fake, but my brother said it was authentic. He went to Africa so he knows. Leonardo DiCaprio was very good, also in combination with Jennifer Connolly, who I also love!

Like I said, I didn't see "Shutter Island" and "Inception" yet, but when I do, you'll probably see them as movie tips (that's if I liked them). And you might have noticed that "Titanic" isn't on my list. I think that's one of the most overrated movies EVER. I think it sucks and it never should've won so many Academy Awards. But that's just my opinion, so don't shoot me please ;)

My to-read pile

It's summer and I love reading in the summer. Just sitting back in the yard, with a good book. Great for relaxing. Recently me and some of my co-workers exchanged books, we sort of liked started our own little book club. Loes borrowed "P.S. I Love You" by Cecilia Ahern, Petra got my copy of "Sense & Sensebility" by Jane Austen and Aukje lend "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier and "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. I also got some books from them:
- "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave;
- "Meisje met Negen Pruiken" by Sophie van de Stap (translation: "Girl with Nine Wigs")
- "Daughter of the Ganges" by Asha Miro
- "Schaduw Zuster" by Simone van de Vlugt (Translation: "Shadow Sister")

I also got another book that I have to read and that's "The Kite Runner" by Kahled Hosseini. I'm probably the only one that hasn't read it yet, but I just never got to it. There were so many books I had to read.

If you want to keep up with me and my reading, check the picture on the right. I'll keep you updated on the book that I'm reading at the moment.

Adoring Natalie Portman

I made a new wallpaper, this time with Natalie Portman. It was the first time that I made one featuring Natalie. She's a natural beauty and one of the best actresses of her generation. Her best role is Evy from "V for Vendetta", but her roles in "Leon", "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "Closer" were also memorable. I didn't see her in "Brothers" yet, but I would really like to see that film. Here's the wallpaper:

Pic Spam: Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams is one of my favorite actresses. She's so radiant and I love her performances. In "Red Eye" she's really good and I also loved her in "Wedding Crashers", "The Notebook", "Sherlock Holmes", "The Time Traveller's Wife" and "State of Play". Here are some pictures.

CSI's Upcoming Season 11

I'm so excited that CSI decided to create another season: number 11. Awesome! I can't wait, but unforntunately we all have to. Everyone but Wendy Simms (played by Liz Vassey) is going to return and I heard a lot of news about the new season. Here's what I hope for seeing:

- Well, after Wendy Simms left there's a new lab tech on the way. Her name is Kacey Monohan and she is a bomb expert. Cool huh? She will team up with Nick. Maybe they will team up in another way too..
- I've been hoping for a Doc Robbins centric episode for a long time. That guy has been on the show for so long. The same goes for David Phillips. Get them in the spotlight already!
- I want to find out more about Catherine and Detective Vartann.
- Will Ray Langston live? (Off course he will, kind of a retorical question)
- Will Sara be a series regular again, like appearing in the opening credits?
- What about Grissom? I thought he would come back again, at least for one episode. I wasn't a Grissom fan, but maybe he could show his face just one more time.
- I want a memorable guest star. It appears that the first episode of the season has Justin Bieber in it. Well, he's not really memorable. In five years, nobody remembers him anymore. No, I'm talking big guest stars like Tom Hanks, Uma Thurman, Sean Penn or Robert Downey Jr. Other shows have stars of this caliber, why can't "CSI" have 'em?
- I want to learn more about Langston's private life and the same goes for Greg.
- Lots of action and tension and I want an episode like "Appendicitement", that was my favorite of season 10.
- More screentime for labrats Archie and Bobby, my two favorite labguys.

Best of... Naomi Watts

You might know that Naomi Watts is my all-time favorite actress. She's amazing, wonderfull and I think that she is better than a lot of other top actresses that get all the attention. She is pure and intense! Here are my favorite Watts movies.

"Mulholland Drive"
One complicated film, but I love this David Lynch movie. It really makes you think and it's a sort of puzzle. Naomi is very good in here role as Diane Selwyn/ Betty Elms.

"King Kong"
One of the best remakes ever. This movie is pure eye candy, but the scenes between Ann Darrow and Kong are the most memorable. So beautiful. And that ending... heart ripping!

"The Painted Veil"
Here in The Netherlands it never made it to the cinema (that proves again how weird this country is). When I saw the trailer on the internet, I really wanted to see it, so when it was released on DVD, I bought it. And I loved it!!! Great story and Naomi is again dashing!

"21 Grams"
Here best movie and role. Three stories, that have nothing to do with each other, cross paths. All the pieces of the puzzle fall together. It's amazing how Alejandro González Iñárritu did that.

"Eastern Promises"
Viggo Mortensens role is best in this film, but you can never overlook Naomi in a movie. Her role is again very strong and independent.

"The Assassinaion of Richard Nixon"
Here role isn't very big, but you notice her. She's not very nice, but even than you love Naomi.

"Funny Games"
Again a remake. It's a harsh movie, but Watts performs wonderfully. As always!

She was only nominated for an Academy Award once ("21 Grams"). Can you understand that?? Well, it's time for a win.

Pic Spam: Matthew Morrison

I'm a teacher and I love my job. But I don't really know any cute teachers. Well, the cutest teacher on TV right now is without a doubt Will Schuester from "Glee" (Oh, no, it's Alaric Saltzman from "The Vampire Diaries", but Will is a good second choice). This character is portrayed by Matthew Morrison. Here are some pics.

Movie Questionnaire

I love movies and I love lists. So I found this list of questions about movies I decided to fill in the list and then place it on my blog. Here it is.

What is your favorite film of all-time?
"The Shawshank Redemption"

Who is your all-time favorite male actor/movie star?
Tom Hanks

Who is your all-time favorite female actor/movie star?
Naomi Watts

What is your favorite animated feature film?
"Beauty and the Beast"

Who is your favorite film director?
Quentin Tarantino, Ron Howard, Frank Darabont and Steven Spielberg

If you could marry any movie star from any time, who would it be?
Christian Bale

What is your favorite Romance?
"Pride & Prejudice"

Who is/was your favorite child actor?
Abigail Breslin and before it was Haley Joel Osment.

What is the worst movie you ever saw?
Probably "Norbit" or "Jaws 4".

If you could boink any movie star from any time, who would it be?
Christian Bale

What is your favorite Western?
Not much of a western fan, but I like "Shanghai Noon". It's a fun film.

What film has the best wardrobe?
"Pride & Prejudice"

What is the biggest Oscar travesty ever?
"Titanic", I hate that movie! It did not deserve 11 Oscars.

If you could watch only one film for the rest of your life, what would it be?
"The Shawshank Redemption", I could watch it every day and I would'nt be bored.

What is your favorite Comedy?
"There's Something About Mary"

What is your favorite movie about an animal?
"Jaws"

What is your favorite film score (original music for the film)?
"The Da Vinci Code". Especially the music in the end scene.

What is your favorite film soundtrack?
"High Fidelity", "Into the Wild" and "(500) Days of Summer"

What is your favorite Science Fiction movie?
"Terminator 2: Judgement 2"

What is the best film performance you've ever seen?
Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump" en Charlize Theron in "Monster"

What movie makes you cry more than any other?
"King Kong"

What's your favorite Action Movie?
"Kill Bill Volume 2" and "Die Hard with A Vengeance"

What's your favorite black and white film?
"Sin City"

What's your favorite foreign language film?
"The Motorcycle Diaries", "Babel" and "Amelie"

If you have one, who is your favorite film composer?
John Williams and Hans Zimmer

What one film are you most embarrassed to have never seen?
Don't know. There are a lot of classic movies that I never saw, but that doesn't embarras me at all.

What film is your biggest guilty pleasure?
"Love Actually"

What's your favorite Horror movie?
"Halloween" but "The Exorcist" is the scarriest!

Who/what is your favorite screen monster?
Bruce the Shark from "Jaws"

What is the best film character?
Indiana Jones

If you had to "live" in one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
"Big Fish".

If you could boink one movie character, who would it be?
John Connor from "Terminator Salvations"

What's your favorite adventure movie?
"Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Best of... Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis joined the over 50 club, but he still got it. And I still love the dude. Here are my Willis favorites.

"Die Hard"
John McClane is my second favorite movie character of all time (Indiana Jones is first). Who doesn't love a swearing, drinking and smoking cop? Only Bruce can pull that of.

"Pulp Fiction"
Off course this one belongs up here. A Tarantino classic. Bruce plays boxer Butch Coolidge. Awesome movie!

"Die Hard with a Vengeance"
Another great performance as McClane. This one is actually my favorite of the four "Die Hard" movies.

"Four Rooms"
He doesn't have a big part in this movie, but it's still a great film. The segment with Bruce in it, was the one with the finger. Kind of a stupid idea, but also from Tarantino's mind, so that means it's kinda genious.

"Twelve Monkeys"
The story was a bit complicated, but I liked the ending of this film.

"The Fifth Element"
This movie has a lot of action, humour and fantasy. Bruce is funny in a John McClane sort of way. And he's about the coolest cab driver ever!! With the coolest cab, come on, it flies.

"The Sixth Sense"
Awesome movie! The scenes with the kid are heartbreaking and endearing. And the twist in the end. A real jaw dropper.

"Sin City"
One of the best movies made in the past 10 years. Very original and really entertaining. Even in black and white Bruce makes me melt.

"Over the Hedge"
Allthough Verne and Hammy are my favorite characters in this animated movie, Bruce as racoon R.J. is very well done! Funny film, especially the scene were they first discover the hedge. "Let's call it Steve".

Pic Spam: Sophia Bush

Sophia is one of those ladies that just steals the thunder. Evertime when she appears on the screen! So, now she's going to do that on my blog. Here she is.

New addiction: Glee

The show doesn't start in the Netherlands untill the fall, but I allready watch it: "Glee". I heard so many stories about this show. How great it was and how it won an award for best Comedy/ Musical. And when I saw the cast of "Glee" on Oprah, I wanted to see more! It's a show about Will Shuester, who is a Spanish teacher at McKinley Highschool. He decides to run the Gleeclub, a singing group called New Directions. It's a mix of comedy, light drama and a lot of music. I was hooked on this show from the first episode. Now I can't wait for season 2 to start.
Will Shuester is my favorite. See, those teachers make high school worth going to. I did't have those when I was a teenager. I also love Emma, a bit quirky with her germ issues. But Will and Emma belong together. I think Puck and Quinn are my favorite Glee members, but I also like Finn, Rachel, Tina, Kurt and Artie. Sue is the one that makes me laugh te most. Her role is fantastic! "That's how Sue sees it".
Well, now it's official. I'M A GLEEK!

Best of... Cameron Diaz

The woman with the prettiest smile in Hollywood: Cameron Diaz. She's a very entertaining actress and she had some great movies. Here are my favorites:

"There's Something About Mary"
My all-time favorie Cammie movie and I think the funniest movie I've ever seen. I don;t think Cameron can beat this one. It's almost a classic in its genre. Great moments, like the hairgel scene or the one with the zipper incident.

"Being John Malkovich"
She's a little weird in this film, but this movie itself is also weird. But weird in a good way. Very original story and a challenging role for Cameron.

"Gangs of New York"
Her role isn't that memorable, but the movie is. Which makes it on my list of favorite Cameron Diaz movies.

"Very Bad Things"
I love dark humor. This movie has it. Cameron, as Laura, wants the perfect wedding and the perfect married life. It doesn't exactly turn out that way.

"The Mask"
Her first role in a very funny movie. The start of an amazing career.

"In Her Shoes"
I didn't think much of this movie at first, but it turned out to be very good. I liked Cameron together with Toni Colette.

"Shrek"
How can I forget about this one? "Shrek" is a one of a kind story, everybody loves Shrek and his sweet Fiona.