{Movie Review} The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

 

The Hobbit (book and movies) is very near and dear to my heart.  My freshman year in high school, while on our annual post-Christmas trip to the cabin, which usually spanned about a week or so, we got stranded. There were feet upon feet of snow, which was followed by days and days of rain. This is never a good mixture. This resulted in major mudslides that washed out portions of the highways.  Highway 17 was washed out, as was Highway 21. The avalanche gates up through Stanley were closed. We literally had no way out. We had to get pretty creative for entertainment, among other things. One of the things we did was read The Hobbit out loud, as a group of eight. At the time, I wanted nothing more than to be back home with all of my friends, going to school. Looking back, it was an adventure I will never forget. Much like Bilbo. ;-)  I would give anything to be stranded at the cabin again!

 

When Eric and I first got back in touch, many years ago, he had to force me to watch The Lord of the Rings movies. I understand they branch off from The Hobbit, but they just aren't the same. So when I heard they were making The Hobbit into a trilogy, I was extremely excited. The first two movies were excellent and followed the book precisely. The third movie, which we finally got to see the other night (I usually see these opening week, but my work schedule prevented it this time) was no different and did not disappoint. It was phenomenal. There was one portion that got a little to "fantasy" for me (ironic considering the entire premise) and I looked at Eric like, "really?" But it was short and moved on quickly. Overall, I am so pleased with how Peter Jackson brought this book to life. Every last character was so unique and he really brought out the heart of the story. I highly recommend reading The Hobbit, if you haven't yet, and even re-reading it if it's been 19 years.  (holy shit, it's been 19 years?!)  And then treat yourself to these movies.

I Sure Love These Little People

The last few weeks have really, REALLY limited my time with my kids. I have missed them so much. Now that trial is over, they keep asking me what we are going to do. Is it lame that I just want to hang out with them, cuddled up on the couch? And I certainly need to measure them from head to toe because I swear they have each grown six inches.

Victory

We turned our case over to the jury Thursday evening and got a call late yesterday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict. We ended up winning on four of five counts, which is a great success.  I'm so happy that the attorneys and I were able to pull this in for the clients.  However, after putting in two 80 hour weeks in a row and obliterating the monthly billable hour requirement, I'm pretty much taking the rest of the month off to get back into a normal life routine again.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

So I had a big appointment at the orthodontist today.  Six of my brackets needed to be taken off so that they could reposition new brackets for different movement. So for two glorious minutes, I didn't have any braces on six of my top teeth. While it's not the best picture, here is a preview of where we stand with a few months left until they ALL come off, for good!

Smelling the Color 9

 

Does that sound like the statement of a delirious person?

 

When your boss asks you to come in for two hours on a Sunday, run. Don't believe it. Just RUN. I was at work until 2:00 this morning, got home at 2:30, set the alarm for 5:30, and was back to the office at 7:00 this morning. I say it again:  screw this trial. 

I also remind myself:  OVERTIME.

Movie Reviews

 

Can I just say this trial SUCKS?

 

I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I have worked over the course of the last two weeks. Oh wait, sure I can. 80 hours one week, 67 this week. (Patiently awaiting those overtime checks, I might add.)  This trial has been like nothing I have ever experienced. I have been involved in numerous trials, in various capacities. This trial takes the cake as far as high level involvement, last minute prep, scrambling DURING the trial to find documents (when the attorneys don't even know what they are, no less) and mark them as new exhibits, flying over to the courthouse (sometimes 6-7 times each day) to run in documents, etc. Most days, I'm here at the office at 7:00 in the morning and not getting home until 11:00 at night. It's maddening and I have reached the end of my rope. The judge held court yesterday - that's right:  SATURDAY. The jurors were THRILLED about that. And we worked today, as well. I have worked 14 days straight. My billable hours for this month are going to be through the roof. The minute this trial is over, I'm taking the rest of the month off. 

 

After court wrapped up last night, I wanted nothing more than to veg. I was actually home in time to make dinner for my family, and I rented a couple of movies to accomplish that vegging.

 

 

Reclaim was actually a really good movie, based on (I'm sure) real events. The premise surrounded child trafficking, which is a very real and growing issue worldwide. And on a shallow note, I picked this movie to stare at Ryan Phillippe. Come on - he's certainly not the best actor out there, but when he's shirtless, his script can be a phone book for all I care. Bottom line:  this movie was fairly decent. And let's give props to John Cusack for doing a stellar job, as usual.

 

 

 

 

Oh, Denzel. He is so incredible and I will watch 99% of the movies he puts out. This was a great movie. I love watching him in these methodical roles - he really shines. He plays a former CIA-type guy, sort of doing his own vigilante justice in the world. It definitely has some great action and I really enjoyed this one in the few hours I had today away from the office.