may the force be with...

Use that force YODA!

Fariha found this genius website...and so I couldn't resist. My name just fits perfectly...

May the Alex be with you.

Which movie was this quote from?

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here's to you 2009

First Snow & Champagne

2009 was indeed a full year. what better way to round up the year than with a list? so here's to you 2009!

-Frankfurt, I'm sure if we had met under better circumstances, we'd be great friends. Note to self: NEVER go to Frankfurt on a Sunday. and NEVER fly delta.

-Edinburgh, I miss you. I miss the fairy lights, the accents, the people, the PIG!

-Friendship. This was a year of friendship, both old and new. Full of laughs and many memories. I rekindled my love for sprigs of lavender, sparkles, and curry. Without you three girls, my life would be all but shambles (well there would definitely be less laughter). To new friends who share the love of all things Asian with me. And to friends who are sorely missed, pig-rabbit, happy squid and chuckles I MISS you all dearly.

-Europe in general. Prague, Venice, Berlin, Giverny, Paris, Rome, I MISS you.

-Traveling. Awkward encounters, meeting characters (nothing like a ukulele wielding Brit), and experiencing new places, food and cultures. All about the experience.

-Internship. Taste of the real world. Ouch.

-Senior year. Rothschild D-1, you simply just make me happy. Real academics, conference hell, racist caricatures...oh Sarah Lawrence i'll miss you.

-You're Beautiful. Best drama I have ever seen.

-Tae Kyung. My life is just infinitely better because he "exists."

-Happiness. No explanation necessary.

Here's to an eventful 2010!

without a word you made me know love

my life in a list...

1. panic
2. panic that leads to no productivity
3. consumed by you're beautiful
4. in serious need of a pig-rabbit
5. watching all the thanksgiving friend episodes
6. secret smiles for imaginary friends
7. being cracked out
8. being the reigning champ of procrastination
9. getting burned by lamps
10. wearing my red flats

simply beautorious

Westlands Gate!

Today I was falling asleep in class when all of a sudden a bee (not just any bee, it was a Queen bee, it was HUGE) landed on my shirt. To say the least it woke me up. But I yelled out in the middle of my class, "HOLY CRAP! NATURE IS ON ME!" As I proceeded to stand up and flail around, swatting my arms in the air in a blind panic. Later someone asked me, "so Alex...not big on the nature, huh?" Nature and I are not friends. I made it pretty damn sure that my entire fiction class knows too.

mysterious as the darkside of the moon

The moon this past Monday night. It was spooky and glorious!

pride and prejudice and zombies

"Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth and her sisters work their way outward, beheading zombie after zombie as they went." (15).

Seth Grahame-Smith takes the classic Jane Austen tale and turns it into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I was excited to read the book (I mean Elizabeth and Darcy kicking zombie arse? It sounds glorious!) Then I read it. It's not the zombies I have a problem with, oh no, it's his portrayal of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's "Master Liu." Master Liu clearly, is the Chinese master she had while training in Beijing all the ancient arts of weaponry. Who in order to teach her perseverance had her do a handstand for four days...straight.

But what really infuriates me is the conversation Mr. Darcy strikes up with Elizabeth. They are dancing their first dance at Netherfield (one of the most romantic tension sequences in literary history...and Seth ruins it.) when they run out of things to say (Austen gives them tensed banter, Seth gives them ignorant racism.)

I understand that Mr. Darcy was probably a racist given the time period but was that really necessary? Mr. Darcy is someone who I have been in love with since I was eight and now I have the satisfaction of knowing he thinks that my appearance is "strange." Mr. Darcy has been soiled by one man's interpretation that happened to be published AND became the New York Times best seller. It is appalling and unnecessary. How dare Grahame-Smith taint Mr. Darcy for me. Jane Austen did not mention any racial matters, so why then, Seth Grahame-Smith did you proceed to do so?

"'What think you of Orientals?' said he, smiling
'Orientals-oh! No. I am sure we never met the ame, or had the same feelings toward them.'
'But if that be the case, we may compare our different opinions. I think them a strange lot--both in appearance and custom, though having studied solely in Japan, I admit that the opinion may be incomplete. I should be most interested to hear of your time in the company of Chinamen.'
'No-I cannot talk of Orientals in a ball-room; my head is always full of something else.'
'The present always occupies you in such scenes--does it?'
'Yes, always,' she replied, without knowing what she said, for her thoughts had wandered far from the subject--to the pain of Master Liu's glowing brand searing her flesh [...] (75).

chuckles

Apparently I am just doing a list of all my top movies. So here goes the comedy one!

1. My Cousin Vinny
Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio & Marisa Tomei
1992
This is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen. You have two innocent boys from the East Coast driving through Alabama and accused of a crime they didn't commit. Then you take a clueless relative from Brooklyn come down to be their lawyer and you have a masterpiece. With the support of Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci's Vinny is hilarity. I absolutely love this movie.
Memorable Quotes:
"What about these pants I got on? You think they're okay?" -Vinny asking about what to wear for hunting.
"Imagine you're a deer. You're prancing along. You get thirsty. You spot a little brook. You put your little deer lips down to the cool, clear water, and BAM. A fuckin' bullet rips off part of your head. Your brains are lying on the ground in little bloody pieces. Now I ask ya, would you give a fuck what kind of pants the son-of-a-bitch who shot you was wearing?!" -Lisa

2. Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
John Cho & Kal Penn
2004
There is nothing like a watching a movie about two dudes who get high and go on an epic quest for white castle burgers. It is one of the first Asian-American comedies that has gone mainstream. Both Harold and Kumar have their intoxicating charms and add a slew of wonderful guest stars (NPH!) you have a winning comedy. It never fails to put a smile on my face though I've watched it more times than I can count.
Memorable Quotes:
"I forgot my cell phone." -Kumar
"You wanna run back and get it?" - Harold
[both turn and look at their front door 20 feet from them]
"No, we've gone too far." -Kumar


3. Zoolander
Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, & Will Ferrell
2001
I can quote this ENTIRE movie. It makes me laugh so hard that my sides burst! It never gets old even though the comedy is immature. You can't just help but laugh at the ridiculous concept--the conspiracy that male models are trained assassins. It's glorious. With a quirky villain in Will Ferrel's Mugatu and with endearing stupidity, Zoolander charms all.
Memorable Quotes:
"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?" -Zoolander
"Are you here to tell me what a bad eugoogoolizer I am?" -Zoolander
"I became..." -Matilda
"What?"- Hansel
"Bulimic." -Matilda
"You can read minds?!" -Zoolander
"What is this!? A center for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read good...if they can't even fit inside the building?!" -Zoolander


4. The Court Jester
Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury & Glynis Johns
1956
This is a ridiculous comedy about one man, Hawkins who holds the fate of the true heir to England's crown. He poses as a jester attempting to infiltrate the castle grounds. And as a jester it leads to different assassination plots, being put under a spell by a witch and falling in love. It is HILARIOUS. Danny Kaye provides much comic relief!
Memorable Quotes:
"I've got it! I've got it! The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle; the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true!" -Hawkins
"Right. But there's been a change. They broke the chalice from the palace. And replaced it with a flagon. With the figure of a dragon." -Grieslda
"But did you put the pellet with the poison in the vessel with the pestle?" -Hawkins
"No! The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with a dragon! The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true." -Grieslda

5. Young Frankesntein
Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle
1974
One of my favorite Mel Brook's movies. It is pure genius. Dr. Frederick Frankenstein is a scientist ashamed by his grandfather, the original Frankenstein. He prefers his name to be pronounced like, Fronkensteen to separate him from his heritage. With a sidekick like Igor and Peter Boyle playing the creation this movie is spectacularly hilarious!
Memorable Quotes:
"Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?" -Frankenstein
"Then you won't be angry?" -Igor
"I will NOT be angry." -Frankenstein
"Abby Someone." -Igor
"Abby who?" -Frankenstein
"Abby Normal." -Igor.


6. Arsenic and Old Lace
Cary Grant, Peter Lorne & Raymond Massey
1944
Mortimer Brewster has always known his family was a bit eccentric but to discover his two sweet elderly aunts have been killing men catches him off guard. After getting married to the girl next door, Mortimer spends the entire movie trying to handle his aunts and their mercy killings (they only kill elderly men who seem lonely and without homes.) One of his brothers thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt (who digs the "Panama Canal" in the basement for "yellow fever" victims) and his other brother is a deranged murderer who pays a visit (who has the face of Frankenstein). Then you add Peter Lorne as the mousy sidekick to Mortimer's deranged brother you've got a glorious comedy. This is one screwy comedy that sure will elicit some laughs.
Memorable Quotes:
"Chaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrggggeeeeeeeeee!" - Teddy


7. Duck Soup
Groucho, Harpo, Chico & Zeppo Marx
1933
Any movie that takes Groucho Marx and gives him political power is a win. As Rufus T. Firefly is cynical, sarcastic, quirky and just down right hilarious. He delivers his one liners with a punch. With the help of Groucho's comedic family this movie just comes together and you can't help but love its idiocy.
Memorable Quotes:
"I got a good mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it." -Rufus T. Firefly


8. Some Like It Hot
Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, & Marilyn Monroe
1959
When you get two jazz musicians who witness a crime and are on the run from the mob you have the best formula for a comedy. Now you take those two jazz musicians and turn them into women you have one of the best comedies of all time. Joe/Josephine and Jerry/Daphne in order to escape the wrath of the mob, become women and join an all woman jazz tour. Enter Marilyn Monroe as Sugar and you've got yourself a hell of a movie. Josephine befriends Sugar and Joe poses as a millionaire to woo her. Daphne on the other hand may have his eyes set on Sugar, but is being sought after by Osgood Fielding III. This movie is the perfect combination of laughs, romance and action.
Memorable Quotes:
"Oh, you don't understand, Osgood! Ehhh...I'm a man." - Jerry/Daphne
"Well, nobody's perfect." -Osgood


9. The Birdcage
Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Hank Azaria
1996
A gay couple's son wishes to get married to the daughter of a very conservative senator. Thus ensues a clever rouse of impressing the future-in-laws. Robin Williams is the owner of a gay cabaret club and Nathan Lane plays his overly sensitive companion. With Gene Hackman as the conservative senator and Hank Azaria as their housekeeper this movie supplies tons of laughter. It is hilarious.
Memorable Quotes:
"'You look tired' means 'you look old.' And 'you look rested' means 'you've had collagen.'" -Albert


10. Home Alone
Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
1990
This is the BEST holiday comedy. Kevin is the smartest eight year old I have ever seen. He out smarts the robbers and it's not only adorable but it's a touching story about the importance of ones family.
Memorable Quotes:
"Keep the change ya filthy animal!" -Gangster Johnny
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" -Kevin


11. The Pink Panther
Peter Sellers, David Niven
1963
Inspector Jacques Clouseau is a hot mess. He is utterly clueless but somehow he manages to get his job done. Now give Inspector Clouseau a important job of catching a jewel thief and you get some hearty laughs from his bumbling attempts at crime solving.
Memorable Quotes:
"Chase that gorilla!!" -Inspect Clouseau


12. Superbad
Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen
2007
This is just a boy's movie. But I love it. It's raunchy, offensive but damn right funny. I love the bfflie relationship between Evan and Seth and the pure comedy that is McLovin'. With the idiotic and offensive cops, Superbad is too funny to be disliked.
Memorable Quotes:
"I just want to tell the whole world that you're my best friend. I love you man. I want to shout it on the rooftops!" -Seth
"OH SHIT! The Cops!" -Officer Michaels & Slater
"And you landed on McLovin..."- Seth
"Yeah. It was between that or Muhammad." -Fogell
"Why the FUCK would it be between THAT or Muhammed?" -Seth
"Muhammad is the most commonly used name on Earth. Read a fucking book for once." -Fogell