2009 June | Candice M. Yee | Thinking aloud...

“Up” to Satisfy High, High Expectations!

Posted on Jun 10, 2009 in Entertainment, Reviews

Last Friday, my bf and I finally got to see Up (in 3D, of course, and I’ve got the super sexy glasses to prove it!), and it was a surprisingly satisfying experience! Usually when there’s a movie that everyone is talking about, I end up being disappointed because my expectations have been so inflated… But this was definitely not the case with Disney’s Up!

[No worries if you're one of the few people who haven't seen Up yet. No spoilers here.]

Up is a genuinely thoughtful movie that successfully strikes a balance between charming quirkiness and difficult, sometimes-hard-to-admit life lessons. This movie constantly juxtaposes the dark and light elements of life, predominantly illustrated by the honest, innocent, exuberant 8-year-old Russell and the dark, lonely, slightly bitter 78-year-old Carl. Nonetheless, despite their obvious differences, it becomes clear that certain events in life affect both of them similarly and that everyone, no matter what age, needs things like love, friendship, adventures, and a home.

For me, Up was the kind of movie I could watch any day, no matter what mood I was in. The effortless signature Disney storytelling makes it easy to get sucked into the beautifully Pixar-animated world, and as usual, Pixar does a superb job creating characters whose details tell just as much about them as their dialogue. (Personally, I think some of the Pixar staff just enjoy animating old folks! :) )

The only bummer about this movie is that it might have made it much harder to find another movie this summer that isn’t disappointing despite all the hype. But maybe that’s a good thing!

A Lazy Saturday

Posted on Jun 6, 2009 in Babbling

After sleeping a whole 10 hours last night (easily double what I get during the week), woke up and went flower shopping with Mom. Found an amazing orchid, but didn’t buy it. Don’t trust myself to not kill it. :)

Ended up picking up a few hydrangeas (I like to call them “Martha Stewart flowers”). There was something so cool about looking in your back seat and seeing nothing but beautiful flowers! (Obviously, it doesn’t take a lot to make me happy. I’m a dork.)

Buying flowers is such a simple little pick-me-up. In college, my girlfriend and I used to go to Santa Cruz Farmer’s Market just to pick up a small bouquet of flowers to decorate our apartments with. It seems like such a small thing to do, but having something alive and beautiful in your window sill or in a vase on your desk can really lift one’s spirits (at least, in my experience).

I’ve just recently rediscovered my love of flowers (with the help of my man; before him, it had been years since I had been given flowers) and I’m tempted to try my hand at gardening. I’ve successfully nursed an orchid back to blossoming again (small feat, but I consider it an accomplishment. I usually just kill plants!). Though I’m thinking my impatience may get the better of me. Maybe gardening can help teach me patience!

Review: Catching the Laker game at Wokcano

Posted on Jun 5, 2009 in Foodie, Reviews, Sports

Last night, we decided to catch the game at Wokcano (Burbank) since it was local and something a little different. When I first walked in, I was slightly scared b/c it was completely empty. (I know, I know, Wokcano isn’t exactly a sports bar, but I didn’t want to bother with the lines, crowds, and subsequent wait at other places like Barney’s.) So I planted myself down on the couch with a good view of the TV and waited; the staff was very friendly and courteous, the music was “bumpin’”, and the vibe was, as usual, very un-Burbank. Wasn’t sure how far Wokcano was willing to digress from their “image” to accommodate some Lakers fans, but they nixed the club music during the game, which was pretty sweet.