Monday, November 30, 2009

Welcome the Holiday Season

When you live in Phoenix, snow or even temperatures below freezing is hardly a common experience. In fact in the city where 360 days are sunny, sometimes having a day with temperature in 40s is the most awaited day. And that days reminds me that it is indeed the holiday season. But this year with recession and job loss and hard times I was not in great spirits to look forward to holiday season.

But this Saturday, we just decided to accompany few friends who had already left for Sedona and take a drive to northern Arizona and forget about the routine issues. The drive through Sedona is always beautiful and I enjoy just being there. However, even thought we wanted to stop at Sedona, we missed the exit and ended up going further north towards Flagstaff and suddenly where the directions said Flagstaff 6 miles, we realized that we had drove a little too far than what we wanted. But we were in for a wonderful surprise. When we decided to turn around and drive south, suddenly out of nowhere it started snowing! Snowflakes falling from the sky. I have seen snow after it snowed on roads but I don't think I actually saw snowflakes in last four years (first time in Galtinburg). The sudden snow made me so happy that we ended up bringing out friends from Sedona to Flagstaff.

I stood near a gas station just enjoying snow on my face. It was beautiful. There were Christmas lights in the gas station and Christmas songs on the stereo. Suddenly, the economy and the recession and all those negative thoughts flew out of window and I realized "It is indeed the holiday season". Sometimes in the midst of all the problems, I received an unexpected gift of snow. My holiday season started then and there. I don't need any gifts when I have the SNOW just 3 hours away :)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Movie Marathon

For some holiday season means lot of shopping and meeting family. For me it means end of school work, relaxing time to watch as many movies as I can. So taking advantage of this holiday season I am making most of it by watching new and old movies and having a really good time. So here are few ones I enjoyed recently.
New Moon - Unfortunately, the movie was not as good as I thought it would be. Interestingly, I liked Twilight better than the book. The New Moon movie followed the book but somehow it was too slow and at times boring. First of all, the book has lot of emotions that are not easy to portray on screen. The whole relationship between Jacob and Bella is amazingly written but movie doesn't do justice to that part. Secondly, Robert Pattison sucks as Edward. I thought the same way when I saw Twilight but in New Moon he sucks even more. Especially after all the "hot" werewolves, he looks pale and as if he would die if the wolf even looks at him. Somehow he doesn't look Edward. He doesn't have the charm, maturity and classiness the character calls for. The surprise item in the package is not Taylor Lautner but it's Dakota Fanning. Man, that girl can act. She is there for few minutes but it's hard not to notice her cold Jane. Especially her smile sends chills through your spines. I really liked the whole Volturi sequence. The mysterious Volturi make justice to the notion of the Highest Authority in the Vampire clan. Lastly, Jacon. Taylor Lautner does a great job and looks extremely amazing. He looks the Wolf he is supposed to look. Young but mature, sometimes childlike and sometimes possessive. Bravo, boy! Overall the movie failed to impress me. I am not sure if I would recommend the movie not worth the money you spend on it. But if you get it online, it might be "not too horrible" watch.
Harry Potter Series - It's my love, period. I enjoyed reading the books and watching movies over and over. I still have to watch the Half Blood Prince. So I decided to rerun all five before arriving at six. Believe me it is worth the time and efforts.
Journey to the Center of the Earth - This is the new one. If you are a Jules Verne fan, you will enjoy this one. I have seen the movie by the same name made for television. It was much longer than the 2008 flick. But 2008 with Brandon Fraser is definitely entertaining. However, the movie also was made for 3-D and I am sure it must one hell of an experience to watch in 3-D. Unfortunately I watched it on DVD. But nonetheless, movie is fast paced and entertaining. I would highly recommend it everyone who loves Jules Verne and enjoys the crazy ideas like parallel world in the earth's center.

These are just few ones. Of course there are vampire movies and other fantasy fictions. I am definitely enjoying the holidays.