So it looks casting has been completed for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Hmm. The actresses cast for Luna and Tonks look *nothing* like the way I imagined the characters. I can’t really pinpoint why. I’d love to see a picture of the actress who was cast for Bellatrix Lestrange. I’ve always imagined her to be absolutely gorgeous… in an evil way, of course.
Anyway, they start filming on Monday! Yay!
EEEK. Maz and Sarah, you guys are totally right. I completely forgot Veronica Mars in my mid-season TV wrap-up below… oversight, really. I’m still watching but not with as much enthusiasm as I was over the summer when I got hooked. I don’t recognize the characters this season… I loved Veronica and Duncan last season (yes, both separately and together, as twisted as their relationship is) and now, they’re… ehh. I thought Logan and Weevil had so much potential and now Logan is an overexaggerated version of himself and Weevil barely has any screentime so who knows what he’s doing. It’s just disappointing. I had a lot of time on my hands this past weekend so I had an s1 marathon. Gawd, I devoured each disc. It was so engaging. I hope this season turns around. I *want* to love the show again!
Anyway, we recently got Netflix again so I’ve been catching movies I’ve wanted to see for some time…
Serenity
Now I know what the hype is all about. Really, really enjoyed the movie. I only watched a few episodes of Firefly when it was on the air and I have to admit that I was not impressed (being on the Friday night schedule also did not help matters). :/ I think I have the DVDs around here somewhere so I’m going to give it another chance.
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Cute, cute movie. And it totally made me cry! For some reason, though, I didn’t like Bridget at all. But in the book, I really loved her story. Maybe it was the actress? Or maybe the story about needing to feel loved just didn’t translate well on screen? Not sure. I do know that the movie totally made me want to visit Greece! One day. When I have lots of money.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Brad Pitt is HOT. (Seriously, he looks SO GOOD for his age). Angelina Jolie is HOT. I watched this movie purely to see pretty people wielding guns. It did not disappoint.
Up next is Crash…
Totally random — the artwork for the Dawson’s Creek season 6 DVDs is atrocious. I mean, really.
First off, I want to say THANKS to Marianne, Sarah, Mandy, Alie, and Becca for the great holiday cards! I LOVE THEM. 
My holiday cards, unfortunately, went out today. :/ I know, I’m horrible! No excuses. I just seriously procrastinated in writing and getting them mailed out. So sorry.
I saw Brokeback Mountain over the weekend (Oakland happens to be one of the limited engagement cities, yay) and I really, really liked it. It’s an extraordinarily sad story of love and how it doesn’t always conquer all. It deserves all the recognition it’s been receiving. All the principal actors (Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams) are amazing. They all really blew me away. Is it silly that I’m so proud of Michelle Williams and her supporting actress Golden Globe nomination? It’s little Jennifer from the Creek! Aww.
I just have to get through 1 more day of work this week… then I’m off to Southern CA on Thursday morning for the holiday. 
Can’t wait.
Got the Harry Potter track jacket! *dork*
Last chance for holiday cards! I really should have written them this weekend but I got lazy. Anyway, if you’d like to receive a card from me, please send me an email! They’re going out by the end of this week, I promise.
I got the chance to see Memoirs of a Geisha last Friday and I really, really liked it (it’s playing in select cities and yay, San Francisco is one of them). I read the book months ago but from what I remember, they kept all the major storylines and characterizations true to the source.
I saw Rent today and absolutely loved it. It’s obviously not in the same league as the musical (which is my most favorite stage show ever) but it comes really close.
I was happily surprised by Rosario Dawson’s performance. Her voice sounded great… I have to admit that I had my doubts about her but she proved me wrong. I’ve never cared for Maureen but Idina Menzel is seriously amazing (she looked so cute in the catsuit on New Year’s Eve). I could listen to her sing all day. Tracie Thoms also blew me away… just WOW. Her voice is so powerful. I loved her version of Joanne. And who could forget Jesse Martin? I have a soft spot for him. But was it just me or did he play Collins as a bit of a drunk? I don’t remember the character being like that in the stage show… but then it’s been about 5 years since I’ve seen it so maybe I forgot? Whatever, Collins and Angel are still the best, and most meaningful, couple. *sob*
My favorite number was La Vie Boheme. Such a great group song. They’re all smiling, having fun, dancing on tables… such an awesome scene. My other favorite songs include Another Day, Without You, Finale B… and they definitely didn’t disappoint. All the songs were spectacular. I think the movie soundtrack has a much MUCH edgier/harsher sound to it than the Original Broadway Cast soundtrack… it sounds fantastic. I wasn’t planning on purchasing the movie soundtrack since I have the OBC but now I’m so tempted.
The one thing I was upset about was Benny’s diminished role. Again, maybe my memory is failing me but I remember seeing him more often in the stage show. Regardless, it was a GREAT movie (I’m so proud of Christopher Columbus). I highly recommend it. GO SEE IT!
I also bought my Christmas tree today. Whee! It’s so tall and fluffy and smells SO GOOD. Ahhh, the holidays rock.
First off… HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christie! Hope you have a fantastic day!
Second… YaY CAL for winning the Big Game this past weekend. It was the first time I’d ever been to a Big Game and it was lots of fun. My ears are still ringing, though, from sitting in the student section with all the screaming fans.
Too bad I also got sick and had to stay home from work all day yesterday. I’ve been pretty miserable for the past few days but at least I caught up on TV. There’s always a bright side.
And now… random HP GoF thoughts.
LOVED HP4.
But then I’m not that easy to please.
Proper review later after I’ve gotten some sleep. I have to wake up for work in 3 hours!
Finally got my Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tickets. Midnight showing, baby!
Heh, I’m a dork.
I caught HBO’s First Look on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire tonight.
SQUEE.
It was only about 10 minutes long but there were quite a few new and/or extended scenes… Mad-Eye Moody teaching a Dark Arts class, Dumbledore looking into the pensieve, the chaos at the Quidditch World Cup, Harry in the tub with Myrtle and the Golden Egg, Harry asking Cho to the Yule Ball… OMG, there was more and IT’S JUST SO EXCITING. You can download the clip from HPANA.
Awww.
I should go buy my movie tickets this week. I love watching HP on opening day.
OMG. Look!
They are SO. CUTE. Aww. On a totally shallow note, I LOVE Emma’s necklaces and the way she’s layered them. So stylish.
And Dan finally cut his hair! Thank goodness. I did not care for the shaggy look at all. He looks much better with shorter hair. Too bad he didn’t cut his hair *before* filming Goblet of Fire. Oh well.
So… Is it November 16 yet?!?