UP
Yes Pixar has done it again people, this is one of the best Pixar films so far. I'll admit I was skeptical at first when I saw the previews but I gave Pixar the benefit of the doubt as they have never misfired (Cars was as close to a bad movie as they get), what I'm trying to say is that I went in not knowing what to expect. However, within the first 20 minutes and a couple tissues, I was hooked. The story of the old man Carl trying to capture his (and his wife's) childhood dreams was touching, funny, entertaining, and one of the best things I've seen on screen in a while. Here's a little clip:
Star Trek
Say what you want to about Star Trek and I've never been much of a Star Trek person but put J.J. Abrams behind something and I'll usually check it out. I was pleasantly surprised by this reboot, sure it doesn't have the gravitas of say the Batman reboot but it was just good plain fun. I think there is the perfect balance between Sci-Fi geekiness and summer action flick. Plus watching Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto isn't half bad either.
Gossip Girl
Yup I said it...I've been catching up on Manhattan elite's dirtiest laundry and I must say I can't wait to get that disc from Netflix. Now it's definitely not the best thing TV show but it is a good guilty pleasure and the first season is right up there with the first season of the OC in terms of really good (recent) high school shows. Plus it's set in the most fabulous city in the world. It's from the creator of the OC and one thing I really like about both of those shows is that it not only looks at the life of the high schoolers but it also looks at the parents and they actually have their own storylines, which is refreshing in shows like that to get a more mature story every now and then.
Podcasts
I'm lumping this all into one because I have become a podcast addict. I am currently subscribing to 8 podcasts, yes 8. I used to think that podcasts were the stupidest things but I stand corrected. I listen to my 8 weekly podcasts so fast that I find myself downloading older episodes to get me through the week until there are new episodes. Spending a lot of time on the train going to work and back, this is a good way to past the time on the way to work. Some of my favorites are NPR: This American Life, The Business (all about the entertainment business), and Scene Unseen, which is probably my favorite. These two film buffs have a weekly show reviewing one of the weeks new releases where one of them have seen the film and the other hasn't. It sounds stupid but they really funny and have great insight into films.
Barefoot Contessa
I am getting really into cooking and now that it's summer I finally have time to do some cooking and try new things. I was telling my brother about this and he told me I should start watching Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. At first I wasn't sold but I end up watching every episode that my DVR records and Ina Garten is just the best. She makes really easy recipes (for the most part) and even if you don't like the recipes she's making she give good tips on methods. Plus, she always has the most ridiculous "tasting" situations...just perfect!
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
Michael Chabon is one of my favorite writers and is one of the most unique American writers today. I've read almost all of his other books and they only get better as he gets older. This is his first full-length novel since he won the Pulitzer for The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (which I highly recommend). I haven't actually started this book yet but it's on my summer reading list (yes I have list, I'm a nerd) and it's the one I'm most excited about read.
And because I'm blogging about my favorite summer things, I'm adding this because it will be one of my favorite things about the summer as soon as it's released on July 17 (I think we all know what I'm talking about!) but just in case:
I get more excited every time I watch that trailer and I've already bought my tickets! We should all have a massive conversation together after we seen the movie!
That's all for now, talk to you guys soon!
