Pic Spam: Ali Larter

I recently bought season 1 of the TV show "Heroes". I'm trying to collect the complete series. It's such an awesome show. I decided to dedicate my pic spam to one of the actresses on the show, Ali Larter who played Niki Sanders, later Jessica Sanders and Tracy Strauss. One of the most beautiful women on the show. Here are her best pictures.

CSI's Best, Season 11

Like last year, I will make a list of my favorite CSI episode of the season. Last thursday was the season finale and we all know now there's going to be a 12th season (jumping up and down of joy). I have to say it was a pretty good season, although the season finale wasn't as amazing as I hoped it would be. But there's plenty more to choose from. Here is my top five of season 11 episodes.

# 5 - Episode 5: House of Hoarders
The episode about a hoarding woman that hid more in her house then just stuff. I liked Greg, Nick and Sara working together in the house and I also liked the fact that it was Sara's theory against Nick's.

# 4 - Episode 1: Shock Waves
I think this is one of the best season openers CSI has ever had. I don't say Justin Bieber is the one who made it happen, but it was an explosive episode (OMG, I didn't just say that). It was awesome.

# 3 - Episode 18: Hitting of the Cycle
Multiple cases, I always like that. And it's a little different, because the CSI's are betting on who is going to find the victim who died of natural causes. The ending is great, go Doc and David!

# 2 - Episode 15: Targets of Obsession
Jason McCann returns and he's making it personal. I liked the scene where Nick, Catherine, Vartann and Skip the bomb-guy went into that building, which was filled with boobytraps. And Nick shooting Justin Bieber, almost a classic CSI scene.

# 1 - Episode 19: Unleashed
When I read the synopsis of this episode, I thought it would be a standard episode. And Lady Heather returning wasn't really something I needed as a CSI fan. When I watched, I immediately titled it as my favorite of the season. Especially because of its secondary case, with the 17-year girl who committed suicide because she was the victim of cyberbullying. It was such a great episode, we basically have to thank George Eads for that. He was amazing.

The episodes I also loved, but just didn't make my top five: Episode 2: Pool Shark, Episode 8: Fracked, Episode 9: Wild Life and Episode 10: 418/ 427. Now I just have to wait for season 12.... That's going to be really hard.

A Life in Movies

I got this great idea after reading Fandango Groovers Blogathon . A life in movies. I know what my favorite movies are. I know what my favorite is from last year. But what if I have to pick my favorite film for every year since the year I was born in. I got really excited so I tried making a list of my own. Appears it wasn't that easy. Some years had so many great movies. But I made it! Here is my life in movies:


1984 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Indiana Jones is my all time favorite movie character. I never understood why this second installment was the least popular in the series, some even say the worst. For me it's a non-stop action, adventure ride and Harrison Ford is magnificent as Indiana Jones.
||Runner Up: Gremlins||


1985 - Back to the Future
This is such an inventive and exciting piece of filmmaking. It's almost impossible to overlook it. Doc Brown is one of the most hilarious movie professors I've ever seen and Marty McFly is the underdog hero who you come to love. It's a funny sci-fi movie I can watch over and over again.
||Runner Up: The Breakfast Club||


1986 - Stand By Me
Young as they are, they explore life and they test their friendship. Four different kids, an odd group, but you come to like every single one of them. It's heartwarming, sad, touching and funny.
||Runner Up: Platoon||


1987 - Empire of the Sun
This is a highly underrated movie from the hand of Steven Spielberg. I was truly captivaded by a young Christian Bale. Already he proved us his acting abilities. "Empire of the Sun" is a heartfelt and emotional story, that touches you time and time again.
||Runner Up: Full Metal Jacket||


1988 - Die Hard
Right after Indiana Jones we have John McClane, my second favorite movie character. We can be assured to be treated to two hours of non-stop action from beginning to end. This is definitely the best acion movie ever made.
||Runner Up: Gorilla's in the Mist||


1989 - Back to the Future 2
I always liked the second one a little more than the first. Especially because of the future world they created. Like that book they had, with all the sports results or the flying skateboard. And again Doc and Marty are a magical duo.
||Runner Up: When Harry Met Sally||


1990 - Dances with Wolves
A movie with an extreme length, but I doesn't bother me one second. It's a beautifully shot film and a well written story. Kevin Costner's best work so far, as an actor and director.
||Runner Up: Goodfellas||


1991 - Terminator 2: Judgement Day
The best sequel ever made, even better than its original. The story is so original and extremely smart. Schwarzenegger created one of the most iconic characters with great one-liners practically everyone can quote. And Linda Hamilton as the kick-ass mother we all wanted to be.
||Runners Up: Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Silence of the Lambs, Beauty & the Beast||


1992 - Reservoir Dogs
This movie was so brilliant, because practically the entire movie is shot in an abandonend warehouse. Great characters and fantastic dialogues that only Quentin Tarantino can get away with.
||Runner Up: Thunderheart||


1993 - Jurassic Park
After I saw "Jurassic Park" for the first time, I immediately wanted to rewatch it after the end titles. I was blown away by its great visual effects, the music, the action sequences, the characters and off course the dinosaurs. It's a visual treat, it's exciting and breath-taking! Everything about this movie is just great.
||Runner Up: Groundhog Day||


1994 - The Shawshank Redemption
This is my all-time favorite and everything about this movie is amazing. I don't know where to begin. I still don't understand how "The Shawshank Redemption" didn't win anything at the Academy Awards that year. It's a perfect picture and if you still haven't seen it you're really missing out.
||Runner Up: Forrest Gump||


1995 - Se7en
"Se7en" is a very clever film with a dark and morbid atmosphere. Especially the end scene is almost depressing. Kevin Spacey is brilliant as the serial killing John Doe.
||Runners Up: Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Usual Suspects||


1996 - Fargo
The Coen brothers made a film with a perfect combination of dark humor and drama. That's what I always love about their films. And you feel so sorry for William H. Macy, even though he's planning an awefull scam. Frances McDormand is really great as Marge Gunderson. So cool, literally.
||Runners Up: Leaving Las Vegas, Heat||


1997 - The Full Monty
I love the Brittish for making this film. The story itself is reason enough to watch the movie. My favourite scene is when the men are standing in line and the song Hot Stuff starts playing on the radio. All of a sudden the guys start practicing their routine. Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy are responsible for he most laughs and the reason I love this film.
||Runner Up: Good Will Hunting||


1998 - There's Something About Mary
The funniest movie ever made. Why I like it so much? The quirky characters, the physical jokes, Puffy the Dog, you name it. Really, can anyone tell me a reason why not to like this movie?
||Runner Up: The Big Lebowski||


1999 - The Green Mile
I seem to like Stephen King's prison books and Frank Darabont's prison movies. This is just another masterpiece and also one of the few movies that made me cry at the end. It's such a sad film, just heartbreaking. And you gotta love Tom.
||Runner Up: Fight Club||


2000 - High Fidelity
A lot of people don't understand why I love this movie so much. First, the story is very simple and to the point, but the way it is brought to us is phenomenal. Second, Rob Gordon is a guy I would marry and that doesn't make me weird. Third, the music and the way Rob explains his love for it. Fourth, the top fives he makes for everything. And you know I'm a sucker for lists.
||Runners Up: American Psycho, Memento||


2001 - A Beautiful Mind
At first it seems like a pretty standard story about a man who's misunderstood because of his extreme intelligence. Then it becomes a story of its own. Russell Crowe plays the role of John Nash perfectly, so intense. I never understood how he could win an oscar for "Gladiator" and not win it for "A Beautiful Mind". This is his best role ever.
||Runner Up: Mulholland Drive||


2002 - Catch Me If You Can
During the entire film you ask yourself one question: How the hell did he get away with it? Without any medical knowledge he becomes a doctor, he pretends to be a lawyer while breaking the law at the same time and he boards a plane as a pilot while never actually flying a plane. Unbelievable? No! He actually did all those things and he got away with it. "Catch Me If You Can" is a great mix of humor, drama, action and tension, which makes this film a succes. And even at the end of the movie, you'll ask yourself that same question: How the hell did he get away with it?
||Runner Up: Orange County||


2003 - Lost in Translation
Sometimes the most simple stories make the best films. This movie is the perfect example. However Bob and Charlotte are in the bussiest city on the planet, they feel alone. An uncommon but beautiful friendship arises from their meeting. One reason why I love this movie is because it's so realistic. The characters are so real and it's easy to identify yourself with them.
||Runner Up: 21 Grams, Kill Bill Vol. 1||


2004 - Kill Bill Vol. 2
Where volume 1 gave us a lot of action and gore, the second installment was more personal and had great dialogues. And a cool monologue at the beginning, that I can quote completely. My favorite Tarantino movie.
||Runners Up: The Motorcycle Diaries, Shaun of the Dead||


2005 - Pride & Prejudice
A perfect adaptation of my favorite Jane Austen novel. Keira Knightley is Elizabeth Bennett the way she was intented to, pure and free willing. A great lovestory for us hopeless romantics.
||Runners Up: Brokeback Mountain, Sin City, King Kong, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang||


2006 - Little Miss Sunshine
It's a quirky family, but all of the characters are so likeable. Especially Olive and Frank. And that yellow van, probably one of the most memorable movie vehicles.
||Runners Up: The Departed, The Da Vinci Code, V for Vendetta, The Prestige, Babel, The Painted Veil||


2007 - Hot Fuzz
I always loved the Brittish for its humor. And Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are such an awesome duo. We basically got to thank them for this great comedy. If you think "Shaun of the Dead" was great, you should see this one.
||Runners Up: Atonement, Into the Wild||


2008 - The Dark Knight
It was kind of a sucky movie year, but it gave us one unforgetable film. Heath Ledger is the most memorable actor, he's fantastic as the Joker. Even my brother had to admitt his brilliant performance and he's a Jack Nicholson fan.
||Runner Up: Happy Go Lucky||


2009 - (500) Days of Summer
This is so much more then your typical boy-girl story. It's told in a very unusual way. Tom wants what Summer doesn't want. The story has some unexpected twists and the movie is filmed in a very creative way. An unique way of telling a story, the colors, the music, the characters and the actors. And Joseph Gordon-Levitt is just adorable.
||Runners Up: Inglorious Basterds, Sherlock Holmes||


2010 - Inception
Not a very good movie year either. The two best had Leonardo DiCaprio in it. "Inception" is a movie like I never saw before. It's a visual treat, so intelligent, such an original story and a great cast. I loved this movie from the first minute.
||Runner Up: Shutter Island||

50 Books Challenge - # 26: One Day by David Nicholls

Title: One Day
Author: David Nicholls
Story: Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that? And every year that follows? Twenty years, two people, one day.
Start: may 5th 2011
End: may 11th 2011
Comment: When I started reading I found several similarities with "When Harry met Sally", but as the story developed it became a story of its own. I thought the way the story was told was unique. Each chapter covers the same day every year over two decades. I love how Nicholls described the relationship between Emma and Dexter. It's a realistic bond between a man and a woman, who think they can be just friends after spending a night together. Even though at least one of them is in a relationship everytime the meet each other again, the reader knows that Emma and Dexter are supposed to be together. I especially loved Emma. She was such a sweet woman. That's what made this ending so sad. And also because Dexter is growing on you as well, you feel sorry for him at the end. I can recommend this book to anyone, especially when you also like Nick Hornby books. This is a book that made me both laugh and cry, I truly loved it.
Rating: 5/ 5

Best of... Kirsten Dunst

I've always found her very charming and pretty. I like watching her movies. Kirsten Dunst is one of those actresses that you just can't resist. And she made some nice films. Here are my favorite Kirsten Dunst movies.

"Interview with the Vampire"
Allthough Tom Cruise was the big star in this movie, everyone was talking about Kirsten Dunst and that kiss. This is also one of the best vampire movies made.

"Little Woman"
A great story, about four young girls and their mother during Civil War, where their father is fighting. A close family with a very strong bond. Very touching.

"Jumanji"
I loved it as a kid and I still do. I can watch this film over and over again and still enjoy it as it is the first time I watch it. I always liked the idea of the boardgame coming to life, so original. My favorite part is the one where the stampede comes out of the game.

"The Virgin Suicides"
This movie was filmed so beautifully. The colors, the seasons, the actors. And well directed by Sofia Coppola. Kirsten Dunst did an awesome job with her role. Powerfull and flawless.

"Bring It On"
OK, not the best movie ever and certainly not with the best actors. But you have to admit that this is a fun movie. Sort of a guilty pleasure. And it wasn't as predictable as you thought it would be. The ending was a bit surprising.

"Crazy/ Beautiful"
It's not just another stereotypical teenmovie. The characters are more complicated and so is the story. This one surprised me.

"Spider-Man"
Still the best in the trilogy. Even though I'm not a superhero movie fan, I enjoyed "Spider-Man" so much. And there's great chemistry between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

"Mona Lisa Smile"
I think Kirsten's role was pretty excellent. She was sort of a heartless b****, but that's a side of her we don't see very often. It's not a very special movie, but quite entertaining. And I love the time it's set in.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
Awesome. Wonderfull. Genius. And Kirsten Dunst isn't even the best part of the film.

"Spider-Man 2"
The first is slightly better, but still this superhero flick is such a treat. I think the villain in the second movie is cooler. The Green Goblin wasn't scary enough for me, Doc Octopus is a little bit more believable.

"Wimbledon"
Oh how I love this one. I've never seen another movie about tennis before, so this is definitely the best their is ;) . And the combination of Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany is surprisingly good. They were great together. Even though the ending is a bit cheesy, I love this movie all the way!

"Elizabethtown"
Not your typical boy-girl story and a movie I liked right away. Allthough I'm not a Orlando Bloom fan at all, I kinda liked him in this one. And Kirsten, charming as ever.

"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People"
The reason I like this film is mostly because of Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. They are also the reasons why I watched it. And I actually liked it. And again a surprising good combination.

I haven't seen "All Good Things" which also stars Ryan Gosling. I actually want to see that someday.

Favorite Hollywood Couples

I'm not a girl that's all for the glitter and the glamour, but I do like to watch Hollywood stars on the red carpet or read about them in magazines or on the internet. Especially about Hollywood couples. Some even more then other, because I have my favorites. Here are my favorite Hollywood couples in random order:

- Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
- Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Emily Blunt and John Krasinski (They are probably my favorite couple)
- Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson
- Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly
- Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz
- Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
- Diane Lane and Josh Brolin
- Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith
- Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
- Claire Daines and Hugh Dancy

Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson were my actual favorites, but I also wasn't surprised to hear about their break-up either. Now Scarlett is dating Sean Penn. I also liked Jake Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger and Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams when they were together. I think the couples in my list are pretty stable, most of them are together for quite some time now. Who's your favorite Hollywood couple?

50 Books Challenge - # 25: Ape House by Sara Gruen

Title: Ape House
Author: Sara Gruen
Story: Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena are no ordinary apes. These bonobos, like others of their species, are capable of reason and carrying on deep relationships—but unlike most bonobos, they also know American Sign Language.Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn't understand people, but animals she gets—especially the bonobos. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she's ever felt among humans ... until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter who braves the ever-present animal rights protesters outside the lab to see what's really going on inside. When an explosion rocks the lab, severely injuring Isabel and "liberating" the apes, John's human interest piece turns into the story of a lifetime, one he'll risk his career and his marriage to follow. Then a reality TV show featuring the missing apes debuts under mysterious circumstances, and it immediately becomes the biggest—and unlikeliest—phenomenon in the history of modern media. Millions of fans are glued to their screens watching the apes order greasy take-out, have generous amounts of sex, and sign for Isabel to come get them. Now, to save her family of apes from this parody of human life, Isabel must connect with her own kind, including John, a green-haired vegan, and a retired porn star with her own agenda.
Start: may 1st 2011
End: may 4th 2011
Comment: After reading "Water for Elephants" I fell in love with Sara Gruen's writing. So I decided to read "Ape House". I found the plot very interesting and I was drawn to it. It's clear that Gruen is an animal lover, such as I, and that's what makes her writing so good. She writes as from heaven. Isabel Duncan is a wonderfull character. Her love for the apes was so genuine and honest. She was my favorite. I liked John too, but I didn't care much for his relationship with Amanda. I didn't like the fact that the humans get more pages then the animals. I thought it was supposed to be about them. The parts about Isabel and her apes were far more interesting, heartwarming and breathtaking. It actually makes me sick to my stomach that people would go this far for TV ratings. I liked the book, but her first was definitely better. But again Gruen proves she has a way with words and I wil continue reading her books.
Rating: 3,5/ 5