UP and Meet Hank!!!

For those of you who haven't seen Up, it is a must-go see movie.  I will even go as far to say that Up is my favorite Pixar film (even over Toy Story).  I warn you the beginning is a bit sad; I actually shed a couple tears in the theatre.  It is about an old man who promised his wife that they would go to Paradise Falls in South America.  After her passing, he decides that it is now or never so he releases helium balloons through his fireplace and up, up, and away he goes along with an unexpected guest, Russell. Russell is a wilderness explorer (similar to boy scouts) that was looking to help the man and receive his "helping the elderly" badge.  Once in South America, Russell and the man work to walk the suspended home the rest of the way.  Along the way, they meet Dug, a dog with a translating collar that lets him speak.  Dug's owner is looking for a large bird to bring back to America and sure enough the three of them run into and Kevin, the large bird.  Anyway, I don't want to reveal too much about the movie because I think everyone should go see it.

I love this movie mostly because of the dogs and their translating collars.  I love animals and I think the writers do a great job of impersonating dogs.  I can't help but think of my goofy pug-beagle mix, Hank, while watching the movie.  If Hank could talk, I can just imagine Hank saying some of the things the dogs in the movie say.  Dug talks about how much he loves his master and the other dogs are easily distracted by tennis balls and squirrels.  I love it!!!  Hank is obsessed with tennis balls, squirrels, and mail trucks.  He is very similar to Dug and it makes me like the movie that much more!

The Last Song

The Last Song  by Nicholas Sparks was staring at me every time I walked in to Barnes & Noble and I finally broke down and bought the hardcover copy last week.  I am usually able to hold off until it comes out in paperback, but not this one and I'm glad I didn't wait.  What a great book.  I just love this author!!!! For anyone who saw The Notebook and liked it, this book is for you (along with any other book written by Nicholas Sparks)!!  His book just suck me in and I can't stop reading them.  I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but lets face it, I really shouldn't be reading for leisure while I'm taking 19 grad credits.  What am I thinking?!  To give you a run-down of the book, it is about a 17 year old girl, Ronnie, who is forced to spend the summer with her father whom she hasn't spoke with for three years.  Well she ends up meeting this wonderful guy, Will, who is the complete opposite of her.  This is a book about life, unconditional love, and learning to forgive yourself.  Even though I had a good understanding of how the book was going to end, I guess I didn't prepare myself enough and ending up on the verge of tears by the end.  I wouldn't let that stop you from reading this book though... it definitely has a lot to offer.  As I was looking for a picture to post on the blog, I found out that this book is going to become a movie and will be released in 2010.  I was a little disappointed to see that Miley Cyrus was going to be Ronnie in the film, but who knows, maybe she will surprise us (I hope at least).  After a little more investigation, I found out Nicholas Sparks wrote the screenplay before writing the book and I personally think this is lame.  Stick to the books Nicholas and if the movies come they come.  Anyway, read this book and if you enjoy this book, I think you would also enjoy Dear John. (which of course is also being made into a movie ).  Dear John is a great book that I actually read in 1 day (yes it's that good)!