In the Picture: The Characters from "Whip It"

I saw "Whip It" yesterday for the first time and just like Bliss fell in love with the game, I fell in love with this movie. I loved it! Great directorial debut for Drew Barrymore and the film has some interesting characters. I only choose the one you really get to know. Here we go.

Bliss Cavender
Played by: Ellen Page
Bliss is tired of doing whatever her mom wants. She is figuring out a way to express herself and when she finds out about the roller derby, she decided to try out. Bliss is a fighter and proves to others that she can be tough. In this sport, Bliss finds her passion and she can finally do what she wants.

Maggie Mayhem
Played by: Kristen Wiig
Maggie is the captain of the Hurl Scouts and a real team player and leader. She is the one person everyone turns to and people trust. Maggie is the one telling Bliss she could be her own hero.

Smashley Simpson
Played by: Drew Barrymore
Smashley doesn’t have it all together. She’s a bit chaotic and never on time. Smashley wouldn’t be named Smashley if she didn’t take the punch once in a while. But she also knows how to deliver them. She is kick ass, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Iron Maven
Played by: Juliette Lewis
Maven is a very strong woman who got succesful in the roller derby on a later age. She’s the captain of a competitive team and she feels a bit threatened by Bliss. Maven doesn’t like the fact that Bliss is being so succesful this soon, when it took her five years to get to the point she is now. Although there’s a lot of rivalry between the two, they also have mutual respect for each other.

Pash
Played by: Alia Shawkat
Pash is Bliss’ best friend and someone who you can always rely on. Pash doesn’t believe that Bliss can be tough enough for the roller derby, but with making that statement she actually pushed Bliss in the right direction. She does everything to help Bliss, but to certain limits. Pash hates to be dissappointed in her friendship.

Razor
Played by: Andrew Wilson
Razor is the Hurls Scouts’ coach. The girls don’t really listen the him, but when Bliss enters he thinks of some new strategies. Razor takes the roller derby very seriously, as of his role as coach. More than his players.

Brooke Cavender
Played by: Marcia Gay Harden
Brooke is Bliss’ mother and has it all planned out for her. She wants Bliss to enter pageants, because she would learn a lot from that and it will eventually get her a husband. Entering the roller derby is not what she had in mind for her daughter, but eventually Brooke also realizes that pageants were never Bliss’ dream, just hers.

Johnny "Hot Tub" Rocket
Played by: Jimmy Fallon
Johnny is the announcer and a bit sleazy. Basically the only thing he does is commentate on the game and then go home and throw a party for the contestants. He has a hot tub, therefore the nickname, but when the girls are in, he can’t.

Earl Cavender
Played by: Daniel Stern
Earl is Bliss’ father and understands his wife. But he chooses Bliss’side. He thinks that his daughter should be able to make her own decisions in live, whatever makes her happy. Earl actually comes to love the roller derby and becomes Bliss’ number on fan.

Favorite Character: Maggie Mayhem

Movie Moments: "(500) Days of Summer"

The reason I love "(500) Days of Summer" so much is because it's fresh and original and not standard. It isn't standard in every way of the word. It's told in an extremely original way and you can't predict one second of the film. Just perfect. Here are my favorite moments in the movie, in the order the appear in the film.

Moment # 1: I love Summer
Tom realizes he is in love with Summer and starts to name things he loves about her. Her smile, her hair, her knees, the way she licks her lips before she talks, her heart-shaped birthmark on her neck, when she sleeps.

Moment # 2: Karaoke
Tom and Mackenzie go to a karaokebar with some co-workers and Summer also joins them. She starts singing “Sugertown” by Nancy Sinatra and later Tom sings “Here Comes Your Man” by The Pixies.

Moment # 3: Ikea
Tom and Summer are looking for coasters in Ikea and start pretending that it’s their home. Joining each other in a kitchen, were the sink doesn’t work. Then ending up in a bedroom, where they kiss each other on the bed. And then Tom telling Summer that there’s a Chinese family in their bathroom.

Moment # 4: Hall & Oates musical number
After spending the night with Summer, Tom feels great. He starts dancing with the people in the park, who are all dressed in blue. It sort of describes what Tom is feeling on that moment.

Moment # 5: Arm drawing
Tom shows Summer his favorite spot, because he loves the buildings. He says people don’t notice the beauty of it and if it were him he would make them notice. When Summer asks him how, he wants to draw it but doesn't have any paper. Tom starts drawing it on Summer's arm.

Moment # 6: Summer's appartement
Summer invites Tom over in her appartement, which means letting him in to her life. She starts telling Tom stories and it appears they are all stories she never told anyone else.

Moment # 7: Penis!!!
Tom and Summer are in the park together. They start saying the word penis, but everyime a little bit louder. Making it into a game of who dares to go further, eventually screaming the word penis in a park that also has children in it.

Moment # 8: I hate Summer
Everything Tom used to love about Summer, he now hates. Her crooked teeth, her 1960s haircut, her knobby knees, her cockroach-shaped splotch in her neck, the way she smack her lips before she talks, the sound of her laugh.

Moment # 9: Train
Tom meets Summer again on the train, on their way to a wedding, where they start talking and seem to have a lot of fun. On the way home, Summer falls a sleep and rests her head on Tom’s shoulder. Because Summer invited him to her party, he thinks he still has a shot.

Moment # 10: Expectations vs. reality
Tom attends a party hosted by Summer. We see his expectations on the left and reality on the right. They are different from each other. He finds out Summer is engaged and he will not have a future with her.

Moment # 11: Wall drawing
Tom feels inspired and starts drawing on his chalkboard.

Moment # 12: Bench
Tom is sitting in his favorite spot, where Summer meets up with him. Tom doesn’t understand why she never wanted him as a boyfriend and now married another guy. Summer: “I just woke up one day and I knew”. Tom: “Knew what”? Summer: “What I was never sure of with you”.

Moment # 13: Meeting Autumn
Tom is on his way to a job interview and meets a girl, who also applied for the job. They start talking and find out they share the same favorite spot. When Tom is called in, he returns and asks her out for a cup of coffee. First she declines but just a second later she says yes. He introduces himself and she tells him her name is Autumn.

Favorite moment: # 10: Expectations vs. reality

50 Books Challenge 2011 - # 45: The Shining by Stephen King

Title: The Shining
Author: Stephen King
Story: Danny is only five years old, but he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of an old hotel, his visions grow out of control. Cut off by blizzards, the hotel seems to develop an evil force, and who are the mysterious guests in the supposedly empty hotel?
Start: august 12th 2011
End: august 19th 2011
Comment: After seeing the movie an being a Stephen King fan, I can't believe I never read "The Shining". That's the main reason why I eventually picked it up. It took me a while to finish it, mostly because it was one of the most frightening books I've ever read. If you are a horror fan this is a essential read for you. King knows how to create a suspenseful atmosphere and I love his writing style. He is a magician with words, he can turn any topic into an interesting read. What I liked most about "The Shining" is that it's scary without using extreme gore. Some say it's a bit slow paced and I agree, but that didn't bother me. This story is so interesting that it will keep your attention at all times. "The Shining" was a satisfying read and it may inspire a few nightmares. Tip: don't read this book when you're home alone at night.
Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Tip # 50: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Tom Felton, Brian Cox

Description: The young scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is about to realize his life's work: the discovery of a cure for Alzheimer's. His experiments on primates, however, have uncommon side effects. The chimps increase in brain activity and Caeser is the first ape with that special intelligence.

Review: We first meet chimp 9, a primate that suceeds in solving the most complicated puzzles. Scientist Will is the one who developed a medicine that should cure alzheimers. He has a reason for wanting it to work, because his father Charles is suffering from the disease and getting worse every day. James Franco does a solid job by playing Will, who you learn to sympathize while the story developes. His father Charles, played by John Lithgow, is a very likeable character but so sad. I really felt sorry for him. Especially the scene where he tries to drive a car. Freida Pinto as Caroline does a fine job but her character is pretty one-dimensional, though she is the most sensible one. Boss Jacobs and bully Dodge did not deserve any sympathy and the entire film you wish only one destiny for them. The big star of the film is ape Caeser, played by Andy Serkis who also did a tremendous job as Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" series and as the giant gorilla in "King Kong". Is it possible to be nominated for an Oscar when you played an ape? He does an excellent job. It's clever acting and he easily overshadows his co-stars. The makers of the film managed to created a great personality for the apes and you hope they will reach their goal. It's the emotional core of the film that most impresses and the scenes between Caesar and Will are fantastic. The twist ending was pretty smart, I liked it. The complete movie is a visual treat, beautifully shot and I'm glad they didn't make the apes killer machines when they broke out. They just wanted freedom, well who doesn't?

Best of... Steven Spielberg

This is the first time I'm going to dedicade this item to a director. I only did actors and actresses and one time I did one for Stephen King movies. But who else to start with but Steven Spielberg, the master of directing. Here are my favorite Spielberg movies.

"Jaws"
You only see the shark after 45 minutes, but that is exactly why this movie is so great and other shark movies suck. Spielberg really knew how to build up the tension and even after wathcing it so many times it's still terrifying.

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
A very solid movie, terrific film about aliën contact. It wouldn't end up in a top 10 list, but it's a very memorable film from his earlier years as a director.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark"
Still the best in the series and by making this movie, Spielberg also created my favorite movie character of all-time. I love the scene with the guy who's swinging his swords and then Indy comes by and just shoots him. Iconic!

"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial"
How can you not love E.T.? What an adorable aliën and what a cute film. This is one of the few films that can still make me cry.

"Indiana Jones and te Tmeple of Doom"
Not as good as the first, but my second favorite. This one is a bit over the top some times, but without getting ridiculous. It's just perfect entertainment.

"The Color Purple"
How heartbreaking! This is such a sad story and so different from a lot of Spielberg's other work. I was so touched by Whoopi Goldberg and her fabulous acting in this beautiful movie.

"Empire of the Sun"
This has always been one of my favorites. Great performance by a very young Christian Bale, I was captivated by him. I think this is brilliant and just simply beautiful.

"Jurassic Park"
This movie is so great for so many reasons. First off course the dinosaurs. Second, the many great moments this movie has (check out my item movie moments) and the many memorable scenes it provided. Third, the great visuals and music. This is probably my favorite Spielberg movie and I think a lot of people share that with me.

"Schindler's List"
I remember seeing this movie in 6th grade. Very impressive movie, especially when you're younger. The girl in the red coat, who can forget. And Ralph Fiennes' role was just creepy good.

"The Lost World: Jurassic Park"
The second installment was very good also. I kinda missed Sam Neill and Laura Dern, but I came to like Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore. The scene in the trailer is my favorite and the one in the high grass with the raptors gives me the chills.

"Amistad"
Spielberg has a very diverse movie resume when it comes to the genres. "Amistad" was also very different from other movies he made and a great film. Althoug I don't really like watching Matthew McConaughey, because he simply can't act, he didn't bother me in this film.

"Saving Private Ryan"
Like I wrote when I was making this list for Tom Hanks, this movie has one of the best opening scene in cinema history. Just a very good movie, I can't say anything else.

"Artificial intelligence: A.I."
Haley Joel Osment did a very good job as the little robot boy with feelings. It's amazing to see how such a young boy can make us believe he is a robot. He's not just a boy pretending to be one. Someone once said that this is a movie with heart and brains. That's exactly what this is.

"Catch Me If You Can"
A very introvert film, but definitely worth watching. Great performances by Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio and a unbelievable story based on true events.

"The Terminal"
I just like it, basically because of Tom Hanks. That's all I'm gonna say.

"War of the Worlds"
Spielberg can not only create sweet and cute aliëns like E.T. The unearthly creatures from this film weren't exactly kind. A very exciting popcorn movie, with good acting by Tom Cruise and Tim Robbins.

There are some movies coming out in the upcoming years. Like "Lincoln", off course about Abraham Lincoln, "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tintin". I'm also quite excited to hear there will be a fourth "Jurassic Park". So many to look forward to.

Zoo Time

My brother Frank and I love going to the zoo, so yesterday we visited Gaiapark in Kerkrade, The Netherlands. The zoo was awarder three times in a row for being the best zoo of the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands en Luxembourg). I can understand why, because it's a beautiful zoo. The animals have plenty of space and the habitats are perfectly recreated. I'd like to share some of my pictures with you.

A gorilla. I would want to see them in the wild someday.

A hippo and her young.

A squirrel monkey, so cute. There were like 50 of them running around.

Me and on the left a very, very big rabbit. Not quite like my Oscar.

Yawn....

Frank with a lion in the background.

A cheetah, gorgeous.

A coypus. It looked like a beaver and had the tail of a rat. Cute animal.

Pic Spam: Freida Pinto

I'm planning on seeing "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes" this week, which off course stars James Franco, but also the lovely Freida Pinto. I first saw her in "Slumdog Millionaire" which was a great movie. So here are some nice pictures of Freida Pinto.