The Devil Inside: 1 Hour and 23 Minutes I will Never Get Back

The Devil Inside premiered on January 6, 2012 to less than stellar reviews. And, if my title is any indication, you can probably guess what kind of review I am about to give it.

The Devil Inside is shot in a sort of faux documentary way, think Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, with the editing being deliberatly shotty and the quality of the footage being something you could see on any home movie VHS you have stored away in your attic. They have attempted to give it that, "could this be real" appearance, and it really doesn't do it for me.

Now, as I have posted before, I am quite the fan of horror movies. I don't really know why, I am just thouroughly entertained by them. One of my favorite past times, is to go see a really horrible horror movie with my best friend and literally dissect everything that happens in the most ridiculous way ever. A little back story on that, is that we went to go see Drag Me To Hell our senior year of high school, and well, if you didn't see it, don't. Unless, you really want a good laugh at a possessed goat and a haunted button(not kidding). Anyway...we decided to see this movie because we had hear mixed reviews and we love horror movies.

All I have to say is thank god my brother works at the movie theater and got us in for free, because if I spent ten dollars on that movie, I wouldn't have been too happy.

The movie surrounds a young woman named Isabelle Rossi who sets off to find out if her mother was really possessed when she killed three people. She goes to Italy to learn all about exorcism. She heads over with a camera man to find out the truth, and well, in the process some ridiculously ridiculous things happen. Other people get possessed, bodies get thrown across the floor, exorcisms take place and oh, there was a barking dog at one point(which was the only part that scared anyone in the theater).

Rolling Stone said, "Ripping off The Exorcist while adding the "found footage" scam from the Paranormal Activity franchise, The Devil Inside manages not only to scrape the barrel's bottom but to drill a hole in said bottom and funnel deeper into the scum."

Forget about the fact that this type of movie has been done over and over again to try and acheive the same effect "The Exorcist" had on audiences in 1973. This movie was poorly executed and the plot was shotty at best. In all honesty, the movie went from bad to worse as it progressed. I don't think they really thought this thing through, because as my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin (all film majors) pointed out, there were way too many holes in the story.

But, by far the worst part of this movie was the ending. You are left with no resolution. You are left with a dramatic end to a dramatic movie that really gives you no sense of conclusion. The initial reaction of the packed theater was shock; not in the plot points the movie ended on, but in the way the movie ended. It literally cut to black, leaving one reminded of the whole Sopranos finale. If they let it go on for a tiny bit more, perhaps explaining what was to happen next, at the climax of this movie, then perhaps I wouldn't have been as dissappointed as I was. As one patron said when the credits started to roll, "Really? That was it!"

Entertainment Weekly said, "The Devil Inside's biggest shock arrives when it abruptly ends — just as it hits its stride."

The movie left me feeling unsatisfied in my quest for a good scary movie, but boy was it a great one to make fun of. Plenty of gold in that department. Honestly, I'd save your money and wait until this plays on TV in a few months. It's not even worth the hype, which is unfortunate because the commercials gave me some sort of hope. Although, when she visited her insane mother, it did sound like her mother was muttering the word, "Conneticut," whilst talking to her daughter; leaving me and my friends curious as to what the state that is home of Mystic aquarium had to do with a devil possession.

So, that was an hour and 23 minutes (the running time of the movie), that I will never get back; that's time I could have spent catching up on the newest episode of Jersey Shore or season five of How I Met Your Mother.

Fashion Inspiration: Pretty Little Liars PART DEUX

So, this time around for my "Fashion Inspiration" post, we will talk about the other half of the PLL girls: Emily and Spencer. Like my last post, this one will have example outfits and a little bit of my opinion on what their style really means.

Now, we will talk about Spencer Hastings(played by Troian Bellisario), of Pretty Little Liars.

Spencer is the most grounded of the group. She knows how to handle herself and her style, seamlesssly. She is preppy and always looks perfectly styled and put together. Even when she deals with boy drama and a ridiculous family that always expects perfection, she looks great.

Here is my idea of a Spencer-like outfit:

This outfit is a more dressy version of a Spencer outfit. The tailored pants and polka dotted cardigan top are the right amount of preppy. The heels are something I could see Spencer wearing to a dinner or function, but if this was for school, swap out the tailored pants and heels for riding boots and a pair of black jeggings or skinny jeans in a nice olive green. When she's more casual, Spencer throws in surprising pieces that are unexpected and really complete her look. I added the pearls because something about Spencer just screams sophistication. And a nice bag so she can throw all of her super sleuthing and SAT prep into it and go.

If you want to dress like Spencer; preppy is the way to go. Be sophisticated, but remember to dress for the occasion. And one thing that Spencer never does, is not know how to make sure an outfit is complete. I love her style a lot, and I really love Spencer in season 2!!

And finally, it's time to talk about the last of the Pretty Little Liars!! Let's talk about Emily Fields(played by Shay Mitchell).

Emily has to deal with coming to terms with who she is and everything that goes with that. She is the sporty one of the group and the most casual. She is always down to wear a tee shirt and jeans, and she always rocks a killer pair of boots. Also, her hair is always fabulous!!

So here is a very simple way to end this...with Emily Fields:

A simple loose tee shirt in a nice striking color will make a casual look a little different. Emily always wears a nice pair of jeans and simply wears boots to pull everything together. A small accessory is all you need to be like Emily. She doesn't overdo it with anything. She does often rock a leather jacket, so if you want to dress or funk it up a little, throw on a leather jacket!

I'd wear this to class or a simple day of running errands. Emily is a no fuss fashion girl. If your more glam, you can go for Hannah. If your more funky, go for Aria. And if quiet sophistication is what you're after, than Spencer is the girl for you. 

Each girl has a different look, and regardless of what your style is or what you want it to be, there is a girl's style you will fit into. 

I absolutely love this show and you should definitely check it out!!

So, this was the second part of my long fashion inspired post. I definitely want to do more like this, mostly because I love playing with polyvore!!

I hope you enjoyed!!

Xo

Fashion Inspiration: Pretty Little Liars

So, orignally, this little "segment" was four different posts, but the layout of the posts being back to back and all that jazz, annoyed me...so instead...I have decided to combine them for two awesome long posts about everything fashion from PLL! So, onward HO...(I think that's the saying).
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Pretty Little Liars is one of my favorite shows on TV right now. The show has a perfect blend of mystery, scandal, romance and of course, one of my favorite parts, fashion. Ever since the show started, I have found myself not only being enthralled by the constant questions that arise, but by the amazing and sometimes head scratching ensembles the four main girls wear.

The first girl I am going to delve into, is none other than miss fabulous herself, Hannah Marin(played by Ashley Benson). Hannah has to deal with some crazy and intense drama. Not only that, but the whole time, she is just trying to maintain this perfect image and be the best she can be. Her outfits always drip with young sophistication. She is what I would call the glam of the group. Sometimes, she overdoes it. Other times, she gets it just right. In my own style, I happen to dress the most like Hannah. Blazers are a favorite of hers, and I have been known to rock a few in my day. She always just seems to know how to look put together and fashionable, and I love her for it.

Now, for the "fashion inspired" part of this, I am going to show you a few examples from my favorite fashion procrastination tool, polyvore. These are just things I could see Hannah wearing, and honestly, these are the types of things I try to wear when I am feeling particularly Hannah-esque. So, without further ado...

Hannah always looks girlie with the right amount of edge. A top in a pretty color like a blush is flattering on everyone and gives the outfit a nice feminine touch. This top is a trendy sequin crop top. I paired it with skinny jeans because as much as Hannah loves dresses and skirts, personally I think jeans are just easy. The boots are my favorite part of this outfit. The heel makes it very Hannah and it has pretty accents on the side. A nice string of pearls is a simple accesory, and doesn't overwhelm the outfit. Finally, I topped it off with a great green bag to mix it up, and Hannah's signature blazer to keep the look polished.

Basically, if you want to be like Hannah, choose something very trendy, add some cute heels, some accessories, and a killer jacket, and you're ready to own the halls of Rosewood High.

This is my idea of a big Hannah outfit. It's something that I would wear to school or my internship. And it's definitely something you could get away with wearing on a night on the town. Just switch the boots for some cute pumps or booties, and the bag for a clutch.

Next, I am going to jump to Aria Montgomery(played by Lucy Hale) of Pretty Little Liars.

Aria is definitely the most unique of the girls. Her drama is all over the place, from cheating fathers to teacher boyfriends. One thing she doesn't let slide, however, is her fashion. She dresses how she wants and never seems to apologize for it. Many of her outfits are, out there, to say the least. But there's something so cool about everything she wears, even if it makes me scratch my head.

A funny little coincidence to this all, is that my style is like Hannah's and my best friend's happens to be more Aria. I just thought that was kind of funny, since they are best friends in the show, and she;s my best friend in real life, and no? okay, moving on...

For this outfit, I decided it was really about mixing patterns and textures. I started with a cute body-con leopard skirt. Aria loves her prints, and leopard is fun and actually quite versatile I paired it with a graphic tank top; the idea of mixing something as casual as a graphic shirt with a tight skirt is a funky twist. Aria always has cool tights or leggings to pull together a dress look, so I paired the skirt with lace tights with knee pads. This is definitely edgy, and Aria is all about fashion risks. Finally, a tan leather jacket to give it that tough feel. One feather earring because Aria is seriously in love with feathers(but then again, who isn't?). A pair of cute wedge booties to give you height and keep the look a little more dressy. And to finish it off, a very bohemian feeling bag with fringe. I think this outfit is really like what Aria would wear; a bunch of mixed pieces that together make up one really great look.

If you want to dress like Aria, don't be afraid to mix patterns and textures. If a piece doesn't look like it goes with another, try it anyway, you could be surprised. Don't skimp on the bohemian accessories, and feathers are a must. Aria loves fashion risks, and if you want to dress like her, don't be afraid to go out on a limb!!

That's all the time we have for today folks. Next installment, we will discuss the final two girls and what their style is all about! I love doing these posts...mostly because they are a great way to pass the time at work.

Until next time,
DC

Awards Season Fashion Dissected: 2012 People's Choice Awards

So, like I posted before, I took a long break from this blog, but I'm hoping to use the many boring hours at work to write some clever posts for you all to read. This time, I've decided to go back to the award shows that have been going on, and pick out my favorite and least favorite fashion looks. For this fashion dissection, I will be tackling the 2012 People's Choice Awards. So, at risk of making this post ridiculously long, I'm just going to jump into a few stars that stood out to me.

Miley Cyrus in David Koma:

The former Disney star really rocked the red carpet at the awards. The dress is age appropriate, which is something Miley doesn't always get right. The length is perfect on her and the pop of red with the shoes is just enough. The sheer paneling in the front gives off a subtly sexy vibe and with her hair pushed to the side and her makeup clean and simple, she truly was able to let her natural beauty shine.

Lucy Hale in Cengiz Abazoglu:

 Normally, I love everything the Pretty Little Liars star wears. However, I was not a fan of this side mullet-eque dress. If there was no side train, it would be an adorable asymmetrical dress with just enough interesting detail to make it fashion forward. Instead, I think Lucy tried to go forward but just didn't know where to stop. Fortunately for her, she is still unbelievably gorgeous, so she could wear a paper bag and she'd look good.

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison:

Not a fan of either of these looks. I appreciate the fashion risks, but I just don't think it completely worked. Ginnifer's hair and makeup is adorable, but the dress is too bright and the sleeves are trying to be couture or peasant-like or something. I just think she has done so much better and could have done somethign different. Jennifer's just kind of remidns me of a ball of yarn. I like the nude dress with the nude heels, but something about the dress is off to me. I like the idea she was going for with the top knot and red lip, because let's face it, a great way to wear a red lip perfectly is with a great top knot.That being said, I think there's too much to the top knot and it looks like a hat or a bird's nest. Either way, both ladies are gorgeous, so it's fine.

Emma Stone in Gucci: 

This is how you do formal wear without wearing a dress. The green color is amazing with her skin and hair. The jacket is tailored perfectly with just enough interesting detail. It gives her a kind of effortlessly pulled together look. It's clean and stunning at the same time.

Obviously, there were a ton more outfit choices that I could have dissected. But, I want to keep this post short and simple with only a few selections. If I kept going, this post would be way too long and even I would get bored reading it. Overall, there were hits and definite misses. Thank goodness it's only the People's Choice Awards. Hopefully some of the fashion faux pas won't be repeated during the bigger awards shows, like the Oscars.

Until my next fashion dissection, stay classy. (insert BBM tongue face here)

Beauty and The Beast in 3D

It's a tale as old as time. Song as old as rhyme. I think you know where I am going with this one...

"Beauty and The Beast" was released in 3D on January 13, 2012. Originally released in 1991, this 21 year old classic(hey, I'm almost 21, so I guess I can call myself that...) was received with open arms. According to Box Office Mojo, as of January 20th, the movie has made: $26,931,000.

After the success of the 3D version of "The Lion King", Disney decided to release a few other classics in 3D. This was a very smart business move, but should we be that surprised? I mean, considering it is one of the biggest companies of all time; you don't make stupid business decisions to become such a huge conglomerate. But, I digress.

"Beauty and The Beast," surrounds a young woman named, Belle(which just so happens to be a name synonymous for Beauty. Do you think that was a calculated move on the part of the business that dons mickey ears?). She lives in a small town in France with her father who is a crazy inventor. She, of course, is not your typical beauty and she loves to read, and of course because it is not a norm, everyone in her town thinks she is weird; like there's no such thing as beauty and brains in the same person.

Anyway, her father goes off to a fair and through some mishaps with a dark forest and a horse that should seriously go to training school or something, he ends up at a mysterious and completely ominous looking castle. The castle, of course, is home to none other than the Beast, whose name is, well, I don't know, Beast? Come to think of it, they pretty much call him Master and Belle doesn't really refer to her furry counter part as anything in particular.

When Belle finds our her father is in trouble, she runs off to the woods to help the distressed old inventor, who has been locked up by the Beast.She trades her own young life to save her father and ends up becoming a prisoner.

Some other stuff happens including a ridiculous drinking song, where every man at the bar apparently has a man crush on Gaston: the older more, burly fellow who wants Belle's heart.

Oh, and did I mention the entire castle is stocked with loads of colorful characters, and those characters just so happen to be talking inanimate objects like a candelabra and clock? No, well, yeah, there's that. It has to do with a curse that was put on the Beast when he was a young prince to try and show him it's all about inner beauty. And before I keep going, it's obviously a love story, and by the title you can pretty much tell everything else that happens.

So, listen, there is a lot of things that I will let slide when it comes to movies, music and pop culture in general. Don't know the name of Kim Kardashian's second husband? Don't worry, in about two months time, no one else will either. Haven't seen any of the Paranormal Activities? It's cool, horror movies aren't for everyone. Not a fan of Demi Lovato's amazing vocals and melodic tunes? Well, it's your loss, but to each his own. But, haven't seen "Beauty and The Beast"? Well, I'm sorry but that is just unacceptable, and quite frankly, a down wright crime. This movie wasn't nominated for a bunch of awards, including an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 1992, for nothing.

As I stated in my review of "The Lion King," my favorite Disney classic is in fact, "Beauty and The Beast." I think there is something quite quaint about the entire movie. The songs are so catchy and adorable, you can't help but sing along and bop your head to the beat. Entertainment Weekly said, "The songs unleash a chemical reaction of happiness."

I also think that the entire thing is far more realistic than any other Disney movie. And no, I don't mean because there are such things as talking tea kettles, magic curses and beasts. What I do mean however, is that the entire love story and message of the movie is something much more firm for young people to grasp on to, at least that's how I think of it. 

The idea is that beauty within is something much more powerful than what we see on the outside. Unfortunately for us, society doesn't see it like that. Belle saw past the Beast's appearance and saw something even greater. She fell in love with him, despite him looking scary and disgusting. It just so happened that when she said she loved him she broke the curse and he ended up being a gorgeous young man with golden flowing locks and arms that could snap a whole tree in zero seconds flat. I also like the idea of seeing someone for who they are and not what they are. Also, there is a little beast in all of us, is there not?


And a side note: can these Disney princesses' have better hair? I mean it's flowing, no frizz and has neatly placed curls. Granted, it's drawn in, but seriously, if there's something I can say for Disney movies,it's that they gave me completely unrealistic expectations in not only love, but in the ability to ride a horse through the forest whilst it is hailing outside, with a hood on, and still be able to walk into a castle with a perfectly styled up-do.

"Be Our Guest"

And, a completely irrelevant lesson I learned from this movie, is that out of every beast, a young Fabio-esque young prince can emerge(kind of like kissing a frog thing, except no kissing of an amphibian required).


So in my personal opinion, this movie is amazing. When I saw it in 3D, I was completely over taken by the 5 year old in me(I even wore my Beauty and The Beast sweatshirt). The 3D was okay, it honestly didn't do much for me. I still saw the same characters and places I love, albeit a little clearer.

Inside Pulse said, "As the movie progresses, the 3D only gives a little more dimension. It’s really noticeable during the bigger production numbers such as “Be Our Guest”, which is utterly joyful and enchanting, and also during the ballroom scene “Beauty and the Beast”, where every detail of that already gorgeous ballroom is enhanced. The climactic fight between Gaston and the Beast on top of the castle is heart-pounding, and when Gaston falls to his death, the 3D effects make him look like he is shrinking away from the audience."

I definitely recommend seeing this re-release before it goes out of theaters. It definitely beats trying to find a working VHS player and rewinding a tape all the way to the beginning(which I have not done since I purchased my first DVD, which was the first Harry Potter movie!).


So, as I did with my review of "The Lion King," I shall give this review two paws up (the Beast had paws so I feel as if this is not only completely relevant, but also clever).

Yeah...

Almost a month since a new post.

I had every intention of spending the short and boring days of winter posting about random popculture happenings...however, I spent a lot of that time sleeping and seeing friends and just having some fun before the craziness of second semester started. So, I am sorry that I didn't keep up with my original plan. And, not that my second semester shuffle has started that consists of classes, internship and two jobs...I fear I may not post as much as I would like. However, I will attempt to use my boring weekend job as a time to post fun and random posts of pop culture. For now, I am sitting here watching "Kourtney and Kim Take New York,"(I know, I don't know why, either) and typing up this update...and honestly, I hope I can keep up with my plan and post more. Because, as much as it was an annoying thing to do for class, writing about things I love is kind of a great way to spend my random free moments whilst browsing the internet aimlessly.

Until next post(which will hopefully be soon), 

DC