New Views: The Great Ziegfeld

So it's been a while since I've shared my life outside of the kitchen, try four months! But here I am with a little movie review for you all. That's right I'm still doing the Oscar thing, it's just taking me a reeeeaaaaallllyyy long time.

I do have a life contrary to popular belief :D

This week I watched The Great Ziegfeld for the first time. This spectacle of a movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1936, which is shocking to me. This movie doesn't seem like it's from the mid 30's at all. The effects are truly impressive with moving stages galore.

My luck with old movies has been very mixed and in general pretty disappointing. I wasn't expecting much from this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself entertained by the cocky Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. as he peddled his show acts and built his Broadway empire. It's always amazing to me how imaginative some people can be and Ziegfeld's creations were huge. As he says in the movie, 'the stairs need to be higher, always higher.'

The movie of course has its flaws, but even those I found amusing. All the women in old movies are complete jokes, always flinging themselves into the arms of men and acting like complete fools...but then again I guess not a whole lot has changed...

One flaw I couldn't look past was the movie's ending. Let's just say it was over dramatic and laughable which I don't think is what the directors were going for. Nevertheless I would still still give the film a 3.5 out of 5 because the movie is over 3 hours long and I made it all the way through without too much complaining.

Hopefully the rest of the 30's movies are as enjoyable, although I'm not going to hold me breath.

Check out my movie inspired snack Vindaloo Popcorn Mix over at HTIC. I promise it won't be another 4 months before you hear from me again!

My Favorite Things: The Office

When it comes to TV there is no other show I love more than The Office. I have seen every episode at least twice and many more than a dozen times.

I'm not kidding.

I just recently started watching the show a few years ago. Before then I honestly thought the show was stupid. My friend watched it and the few times I watched it with her I don't think I laughed once. Of misguided youth...

After winter exams one year, my roommates and I sat down and watched all the seasons in the span of about a week on Netflix. I was in love instantly. How can you not fall in love with Jim and Pam, cringe every time Michael does something insanely stupid or roll your eyes at Dwight's ridiculousness?

This season I wish The Office all the best because they'll be short a Steve Carell. I have faith the show can survive without him, but a lot of people are doubtful. I agree Steve carried a lot of weight on the show, but The Office has a seriously strong cast that I think will pull them through. I mean John Krazinski, Ed Helms or Rain Wilson could probably pull the show on their own, but The Office has all three! Plus the addition of James Spader should give Season 8 a good boost.

If any of you out there have not been bitten by The Office bug, it is time for you to give it a try. I promise you will be sucked in in no time. To get you started I've listed my top 10 episodes of all time, although it could have easily been longer.

That's what she said :D

1. Niagra Parts 1 and 2: This is my most favorite episode of The Office. I have seen it more times than I can count and if I'm ever having a bad day, this can make it instantly better. I hope one day I can find someone as sweet as Jim. John Krazinski is wonderful in this episode. Nothing feels forced and it just makes your heart melt (Season 6).

2. The Dundies: Jenna Fisher kicks ass in this episode. She plays drunk Pan so convincingly and she's absolutely hilarious. Her acceptance speech for her dundie steals the show (Season 2).
                  
3. Gay Witch Hunt: Michael is so wrong in this episode. I think Pam's face while he's trying to kiss Oscar sums it up perfectly (Season 3). 

4. Beach Games + The Job: I know I'm cheating because this is technically two episodes, but they go hand in hand with one another. These episodes features Pam's confession to Jim and then Jim interrupting Pam's talking head at the end. So cute (Season 4).

5. Dinner Party: the ultimate train wreck that you can't look away from. If you think you've ever been to an awkward party, just watch this and be grateful you're not here (Season 5).

6. Stress Relief Parts 1 and 2: the best cold opener in history (besides this one). Every single time I watch it I laugh so hard I cry. Oh Dwight. The scene where Michael leads the office in meditation is pretty hilarious too (Season 5).
                               
7. Company Picnic: this episode is precious because we see how great Michael actually is. Sure he acts like an idiot most of the time, but he acts like such a gentleman when he meets Holly's new boyfriend when he could be a complete asshole. His talking head at the end is really sweet too :D (Season 4)

                                           
8. Delivery Parts 1 and 2: I love any movie or show that has a funny "going to the hospital" scene and The Office did not dissapoint. One of my favorite Office quotes ever (Michael: "Should I bring a dictionary?" Oscar: "No the hospital supplies dictionaries, bring a thesaurus."). And of course, "wrong baby, wrong baby!"(Season 6)

9. Garage Sale: once again The Office can make you laugh and then tug at your heart strings (Season 7).

10. Casino Night: I love that this episode was written by Steve Carell because it is one of the biggest episodes of The Office. This is the episode where everything changes for Jim and Pam and it is done so well. This link is a whole bunch of Jim and Pam moments (Season 2)