Tuesday Top Ten: Bad Candy

This week I am doing the Top Ten Bad Candy with my wife. She will be posting her own list which you can find at her blog here:

Vanswisdom

Those who know me know that I have always loved candy. One of my favorite stores in Halifax is Freak Lunchbox which is an amazing candy store and has bulk Jelly Belly jelly beans which is one of my favorite candy.

But when you love something so much there is bound to be things that are gross. That is where this list goes. The candy I just can't stand to eat. Here we go:

10. Skittles Fizzle

 

 One of the mistakes in the Skittles brand. The powder used for the fizzle tastes gross and ruins one of my favorite candies.

9. Cookies and Cream Bar

 I love cookies and I love white chocolate so it mystifies me that I hate Cookies and Cream bars.
 

8. Hot Tamales

 I have grown a better taste to cinnamon now so I may need to try this candy again but as a kid I hated the taste of this stuff. 

7. Bit-o-Honey

The taste does not match the name of the candy. I can think of other ways to describe this candy that do not include the word honey.

6. Jones Soda Carbonated Candy

I love carbonated drinks so this candy should have been good but they fell far short of tasting good.
 

5. Coffee Crisp

 I hate coffee so obviously I'd hate it in a chocolate bar.
 

4. Turkish Delight

This stuff is deceivingly bad. It looks all tasty and chewy and then shocks you with how disgusting it is. 

3. Raisinets/Raisels

No matter how much they try I will never consider raisins to be good inside of candy. 
 

2. Thrills

I always found it amusing that they advertised that it tasted like soap. Do people really want to chew soap?

1. Black Licorice junk (especially Good and Plenty and Black Jelly Belly)

I've never understood people who like the way this stuff taste. When I get the black jelly beans in my packages they are the only ones I share with my dog unless I drop another color by accident.

From Page to Film: Breaking Dawn Part 1

I'm basing this post on the first two "Books" in the novel since that is what is included in the film. I wasn't expecting a great film since the book was slow and boring on it's own I couldn't see it being an exciting two hour film let alone four hours. After watching the first film I'm not sure how they can fill two more hours without having it drag like this film dragged.

The book mostly entails the characters sitting around waiting for things to happen. First they sit around and wait for the wedding. Then they sit around and wait for the baby to kill Bella. Then they do more waiting while they wait for Bella to wake up as a vampire.

First let me state that if I had watched this trailer first I could have just skipped the movie because it shows every key moment in the film. They either wanted to give it all away because they knew tweens would go see the film multiple times anyways or they had so little to use for the trailer that they had to show everything and hope people wouldn't notice.

For the most part the movie stayed fairly close to the novel. There were a few plot points left out or change to make it easier for people who never read the books. Although the amount of people seeing this film who didn't read the book is properly low.

There was only one scene that was worth watching and that is because the scene was hilariously bad. It was the scene with the Wolves deciding to attack the Cullens and they are in their wolf bodies. The voice over work is done so poorly that a moment that is supposed to be essential to the movie, Jacob choosing to be an Alpha to protect Bella, comes across as hilarious. I had to stop watching because I was laughing so hard. It reminded me of the old Transformers and GI Joe cartoons except those were cool in the 80's. 

The other scene that stood out was a scene with Jacob imprinting on a baby. Mostly because the scene was creepy. Watching the baby grow in Jacobs mind just seemed wrong to me. I disliked the imprinting idea in the novel and it did not translate well to film. Maybe it's because imprinting is like finding your soul mate and it just seems wrong to imprint with a baby.

I had read that the birth scene was gross. But it didn't bother me at all. Mostly because at the point I just wanted the film to be done.

Overall it was no worse then the previous three films. The acting was just as bad and the dialogue was just as clunky. The film gets bonus points for the scenes that were so hilariously bad that they could have fit into a bad spoof movie.

It's sad to see good actors like Billy Burke and Peter Facinelli. Especially Facinelli. My wife watches Nurse Jackie and although I don't care for the show I do like him as Dr. Cooper. When I do watch the show with Nessa I love it when he is on screen because the character is so well done.

The rest of the actors are just bad especially the actors playing the wolves. The scenes involving them are just dreadful and cringe worthy. Except for the scene mentioned above, but only because it reminds of old cartoons I loved as a kid.

They could have cut out like an hour of the film and included the last section of the film. But when you have girls who are willing to shell out the bucks to see Part Two then I can't blame the movie studio for taking advantage of the Twilight cash cow.

One more film to go!

Memories: Buttercup and Other Videos

I have decided that every so often I'm going to write an entry of a memory from my past. Some will be nice, happy memories and others will be difficult things to remember. It'll all depend on what I want to write about and how I remember it happening.

I've decided for the first one I'm start on the fun side of things and remember the videos made by our crew. 

 

Stupid things can happen when a group of guys who are bored have a camera and a lot of free time. 

Buttercup was definitely my favorite video that we made. It was a fun day coming up with the ideas for the different clips. I wish we had found the time to make the sequel we had planned.Trying to keep a straight face whiling washes Al's back or rubbing his chest was hard. I'm not sure how Al was able to lay there while I did it. 

I wish we had loaded the other videos we had made to You Tube. Like the mock documentary Al and Rene made of Troy sleeping. Or Mario trying to do "Mahna Mahna."

Watch this clip of the from The Muppet Show and imagine Mario singing it.

 

Two videos we made that really stuck with me as being fun to made was a video with a friend of mine being interviewed about his love of the Danger Zone and a commercial for a fake game called "Wife Beater 64." Both videos were so wrong and showcased so many stereotypes but coming up with the ideas were fun and the end result was hilarious in because the content was just wrong. 

The last video that I really enjoyed making was "Smashing Reviews", a video where we "reviewed" products and then smashed then apart. I remember Rory not wanting to be on camera and then being caught at the end as he was badly swinging a sledgehammer at a busted TV. 

Most of the time we made videos just because we lived in a small town with nothing else to do. But looking back they were some of the most fun I've ever had.

Music Monday: The Piglott Brothers - Alien Like You

 Lift your eyes and let me in
‘Cause baby I’m an alien like you
Would you ever wake at night and realize
The reason why you knew me then
Is maybe I’m an alien too
Would you ever let me be an alien with you

This song defines what love is to me.  

When you first fall in love it's a new feeling that consumes you. You don't want to do anything but be with that person that makes you feel so special and makes everything better. They consume your life and nothing else matters.

I believe love is everything. It's different for each person.  I remember when I first realized I was in love with Nessa I was so afraid. It was scary because you never know how the other person feels. I wasn't sure someone could love me. I knew from watching TV that sometimes one person reaches that moment faster then the other and I didn't want to be in the situation of saying the words and not hearing them back. Luckily for me so loved me as well so it worked out for me and the rest is history.

But love is like being an alien. It's a strange emotion that encompasses everything and the emotion separates you from the rest of the world because it's between only the two people involved.

That is why love is so special. It's amazing when you can find someone that fits into your mind as someone you want to spend every moment with. When you find that alien like you.

Tuesday Top Twenty: Favorite Drinks

I am going to be very honest. I stole this blog idea from my wife. Just the other day she made a top ten list of her favorite drinks and since I couldn't think of anything to write about I stole her idea. 

10. Clearly Canadian

 When I was younger and living on the reserve I use to always stop at the convenience store and grab a few bottles of this stuff and walk across the bridge to hang out with friends on the New Brunswick side. Since I spent most of my time on Dover Street I bought a lot of this stuff. 

 

9. Mountain Dew Code Red 

One of the many things I loved that not many other people appreciated. Hence why it went the way of so many other things I loved like the Arch Deluxe. 

 

8. Eggnog

Even though it is available all year now I still only drink it in November and December. It is a Christmas season tradition to drink as much of this stuff as possible. 

 

7.  McDonald’s Chocolate Milkshake

How can you not love a drink that is can also serve as a dessert. 

 

6. Fruitopia

When I was in high school I drank very little alcohol. What I did drink was a lot of Fruitopia. I remember at this one party I was dared to try to drink 48 cans of the stuff. I made it to 33 before getting sick.

5. David’s Tea Gogi Pop

Nessa found this great Tea Shop called David's Tea. They have tons of great flavors but Gogi Pop is by far my favorite tea from there.

4. Barq’s Root Beer

When Barq's was trying to launch the product I remember the Irving in Campbellton was selling the bottles for $0.75. And being the sugar and pop freak I am I drank a lot of it. Of course I got hooked and they jacked the price up. I still love it. 

 

3. Raspberry Ginger Ale

For a long time I would drink Ginger Ale. It was always what my mom made me drink when I was sick so I always associated it with being sick. Then I saw the Raspberry flavor and decided to try it out. I loved it and slowly tried Ginger Ale again. It's hard to find now but there is a Pizza place in Dartmouth that sells it in the can. 

 

2. Hot Chocolate

Some people love coffee. Give me Hot chocolate any day. I'm not picky. I'll drink almost any brand of Hot Chocolate. Nessa made me love it more when made with milk. As a kid my mom would only make it with water. How I make it now depends on how lazy I feel. 

1. Pepsi (All Types)

I was raised on Pepsi. Thinking about it now giving Pepsi to a kid is a horrible idea. I was addicted to the stuff and when I gave up pop later in life I had a headache with a week without the stuff. I still drink it now and when I do I drink it fast but I can live without it now. I use to have to have it all the time.

There isn't really a Pepsi brand I didn't like. I loved Crystal Pepsi before they pulled it and I love Pepsi Throwback now. Give me Pepsi over Coke any day.

Music Monday: Elton John - Benny and The Jets

 

Say, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet
But they're so spaced out, Bennie and the Jets
Oh but they're weird and they're wonderful
Oh Bennie she's really keen
She's got electric boots a mohair suit
You know I read it in a magazine
Bennie and the Jets

Today is my wife's birthday. She's not big on celebrating birthdays. It's just another day to her. But this blog is still dedicated to her. 

I chose Benny and The Jets because it always makes me smile when I remember her singing it. She first heard it in 27 Dresses and I love when she just sings "Be Be Be Benny and The Jets." I think those might be the only words she knows in the song but she sings the words who such affection and enthusiasm that makes me love her even more. 

Happy Birthday Nessa. I Love You!

Tuesday Top Ten: Bands that I am surprised to learn that Nessa enjoys

I received a text just last week from Nessa. She had informed me that she now liked rock music and listened to it while she studied. This was a new development. Previously she liked select rock songs/bands but never really committed to liking Rock Music. She grew up in Ontario where apparently kids were more into Hip Hop then Grunge.

That on it's own isn't totally surprising but when combined with her new liking for Country music and it's like a whole new Nessa.

Anyways here are ten bands that she has recent;y expressed interest in from listening to local radio or the Galaxy Rock station on cable. 

Matt Nathanson

Stars

Luke Bryan

Blake Shelton

Drums

Foster The People

Theory of the Deadman

Young The Giant

Pearl Jam

Metallica

From Page to Film: The Help

I'm gonna start a new blog topic comparing a book to it's film version. I'm gonna start this with "The Help" which I just finished reading and then found the movie and watched it.

I truly enjoyed the book. The characters were well thought out and seemed honest. I personally loved the character of Minny and absolutely hated Hilly, which was the point of the story. I've always been inspired by those who stood up for civil rights. From Martin Luther King Jr. to John and Bobby Kennedy. I grew up in a home where everyone was equal regardless of race and it bothers me that we still see racism today in some places. I enjoyed reading a story where people stood up for what they believed in and you see the friendship that can grow between people of different races. 

A friend of mine also reviewed the book recently (see her review here: Absolutely Amy) and she commented on how the book had a bitter sweet ending. Personally I thought it was a great ending. It wasn't entirely happy but it was filled with hope and faith which was all they had in those days. Hope and faith that someday people would change and the world would become a better place. A truly happy ending would have seemed fake to me. 

What the movie did right was the casting. The got every character right. My only qualm was with the fact that Emma Stone could never really be considered ugly but she is such an amazing actress who was a great choice as Skeeter. 

The movie flowed well but felt rushed. This opinion is only because I read the book first and knew they had made changes to both the story and the characters to fit it into a two hour movie. Even with these changes I loved the movie. It was funny in the right moments and sad in the right moments. 

I didn't like some of the changes to the Minny character. I felt they made her less critical of what was happening. Her character was more fierce in the novel but it's a small complaint since the actress was since able to deliver some of the best lines of the film. 

The character changes I did like were the changes to Skeeter's and Hilly's mothers. I liked that Hilly's mother had a few extra scenes to show her disapproval of Hilly. I loved that Skeeter's mother got to redeem herself in the film. I wanted it to happen in the book and it didn't. 

The movie also nailed the ending perfectly. It was filled with just as much sadness at the end as the novel but was also able to display the lasting image of hope and faith.

On it's own The Help is a great emotional film that I will gladly add to my movie collection when it is released. When compared to the novel it holds up much better then most other book adaptations. 

I think both must be experienced. If you haven't read the book yet I recommend reading the book before watching the film because like in most instances the book offers more story to enjoy that is left out of the novel.

Music Monday: Theme Songs that make for Great Songs.

Great songs last the test of time. Some songs come in and out of fashion but quickly die. For instance I enjoy some songs by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga but within a few months they are removed from my iPod for newer songs. Then there are songs that will stay on my iPod until it dies out and then those songs will be moved to the next piece of technology that I use to listen to music. 

This week I'm gonna share a few songs that were used as Theme songs for TV shows that I still listen too. 

The Rembrandts - I'll Be There For You

Friends

I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)

Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Want To Be 

One Tree Hill

I don't want to be
Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do
Is think of me and I have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms
Wondering what I've got to do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me

Lazlo Bane - Superman

Scrubs

Well
I know what I've been told,
You got to work to feed the soul
But I can't do this all on my own
No, I know, I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman

Phantom Planet - California

The OC

  

On the stereo
Listen as we go
Nothing's gonna stop me now
California here we come
Right back where we started from

Remy Zero - Save Me

Smallville

When they pull you under
And I would give you anything you want
Well all I wanted
All my dreams have fallen down
Crawling around somebody save me
And two warm hands break right through me
Somebody save me
I don't care how you do it
Just stay
Stay
Come on
I've been waiting for you

Carole King & Louise Goffin - Where You Lead I Will Follow 

Gilmore Girls

Where You Lead
I will follow
Anywhere that you tell me to
If you need-(If)you need me to be with you
I will follow
Where you lead

Tuesday Top Ten: Movies I Hate by Actors/Actress I Love

 Anyone who knows me knows I love watching movies. I am not overly picky and there are lots of movies I love even when others disagree. For instance I love Grease 2. 

I was watching That Thing You Do the other day and while watching Tom Hanks on the screen I was trying to think of a movie with him that I hated. I could only think of one (See List) but it then got me thinking of other movies I hated that featured actors or actresses I usually love. 

I then thought about why I didn't like these movies. In most causes it's not the fault of the actor. They do just fine. It's usually a story I don't care about or I can't identify with. In some cases it's because it features another actor or actress that I don't enjoy. And sometimes it's just a really bad movie. 

With each film something just didn't click for me.

10. Vanilla Sky (Cameron Diaz)

The movie had a good case and the story was ok. I just didn't enjoy how the movie played out at all. The concept of the film had been done before and since and it has been done much better.

9. Cast Away (Tom Hanks)

A movie about a guy stuck on an island just didn't appeal to me. I loved Gilligan's Island because it had various characters to work with. As great of an actor as Tom Hanks is I just could not but into this film. 
 
 8. Stuck on You (Matt Damon)

I love stupid comedy movies as much as the next guy but sometimes the movie is just too stupid.

7. Bewitched (Will Ferrel)

 

The first mistake was anyone thinking this was a good idea for a movie. The second mistake was casting Nicole Kidman.

6. Eyes Wide Shut (Tom Cruise)

The first mistake was anyone thinking this was a good idea for a movie. The second mistake was casting Nicole Kidman.

5. I Am Legend (Will Smith)

They should not have killed the dog. That instantly makes me hate the film.

4. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Brad Pitt)

I may be the only guy who cannot stand Angelina Jolie as a actress. I watched the film because I enjoy Brad Pitt movies but she seriously irritates me.

3. Little Nicky (Adam Sandler)

I love Adam Sandler movies so I should like this movie but I don't. I did enjoy Harvey Keitel as Satan though.

2. Gigli (Ben Affleck)

Do I really need to say what was wrong with this film?

1. Battlefield Earth (John Travolta)

I went to see this movie with Rory and Jen. While waiting for the movie to start the previews were on and after watching one preview I commented on how I did not want to see that movie. Rory and Jen agreed it looked bad. Then the words "Battlefield Earth" flashed on the screen and we realized that preview was really the opening for the film we were about to watch.

Sadly it only got worse from there.

Music Monday: Laura Izabor - If Tonight is My Last

If an angel came down to me
Ask what I would do differently
I would say nothing you see
I love someone truly
And If I do not see tomorrow
You know it's gonna be alright
'Cause I got my Baby
Right by my side

This song always makes me think of how lucky I am. In a world were so many people feel like they have no one I get to sleep next to a wonderful wife who makes me a better person. Since we've been together I have discovered so much. The best things I've discovered is Harry Potter and sushi. Also I've learned how amazing it is to love someone and have them love you back no matter how much you annoy them.
The song makes me realize I need to be grateful for what I have. It can all be gone at any time and I don't want to look back and feel like I wasted or didn't appreciate what I had.
When it is all over I want to be happy and ready.