Remi, Remi, Remi!

Oh, I know that you have been thinking "What has Remi been up to?" He has been very busy! He has learned that he prefers being an inside dog to an outside one, so he is inside pretty much anytime we are home. Sometimes I will put him out to go to the bathroom and he barks like he is being punished. I think we have created a monster!

You can't tell in this picture, because you can't see his tail wagging, but Remi loves when Mike picks him up! Plus I think the image of Mike holding a giant black lab is hilarious!

This is the day that Mike got his new iPhone (which he loves BTW) Remi jumped on the couch and snuggled onto my lap. That boy is crazy, but man is he cute!

Remember that "monster" I was talking about earlier? Well here is his, looking adorable sleeping with Mike, but taking up my side of the bed! Good thing I love these boys so much!



Mike and I drove up to Lehi to look at a dog named "Cole" that is looking for a new home. We were thinking about becoming a 2 dog family. We don't think it is going to work out, but here is a video of the dogs playing together. I had the best time watching Remi swim because I have never seen it before! Also, pay attention in the video to how many times he swims right past his bumper - we felt so bad that he couldn't see it!

Mega Review Monday

I had the chance to spend my "holiday" weekend just the way that I love - watching movies. It doesn't matter to me if it is new movies, re-watching movies, catching up on "missed" movies - this is my favorite way to spend time (double bonus points if Mike wants to see the movie too!!) My brother Ken hadn't seen Batman yet, so obviously I said LET'S GO! We saw it in IMAX and it was AWESOME (yet again) and my offer stands that if you would like to see it - give me a call!!

One of my favorite "geek pod casts" is The Totally Rad Show (free on itunes - I TOTALLY recommend it!) During their review of Batman, Alex (my favorite, the blond) said "I think this movie was a little long. Understand that by a little long I mean if you were to eat a bathtub full of ice-cream you would say that was GOOD but maybe a little too much?" They also said "This movie felt a little long, but I wouldn't change a single thing about it" I COMPLETELY AGREE AND LOVE THIS MOVIE (AND THIS PODCAST!!)

Mike and I finally watched "No Country For Old Men" a shame on our part really because this movie was talked about so much, we should be embarrassed by our late viewing (well I am, Mike doesn't think it matters) Anyway - this movie is incredibly dark, disturbing, creepy, graphic, and . . . .well . . . .I liked it! I wasn't sure at first because it was so different then I thought it would be, but I have let it settle and yes, I liked it - I loved Tommy Lee Jones in this role, and the entire movie is cast so well, written amazing, and shot beautifully.

Lastly, Mike and I watched "Gone Baby Gone" based on a novel and directed by Ben Affleck. Well, Uh, I didn't love this one. It seems strange to me that Ben would pick a movie that would paint Boston in such a bad light - this movie is so over the top in trying to prove that Boston is a cold, dark, heartless place with bad mothers, drug dealers, killers, and everything you would imagine in "the projects." The story takes an interesting twist, but all in all I found myself wondering "How long until it is over?" NEVER a good sign if you are thinking this during a movie!

GOOD NEWS!!! I will be a having a "movie day" this upcomming Sunday. Anyone who knows me, knows that this makes me truly happy. Thank you to the girls participating and I will have lots to blog about!!

Movie Review Monday (Sunday night because I couldn't wait!)

BATMAN - The Dark Knight

Written and Directed by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan - also directed "Memento" which I highly recommend if you have not seen it. Where do I even start?

Well OK - let me start by saying that I was VERY nervous about seeing this movie. Batman Begins was great and would lead me to believe that this movie would follow in its footsteps. BUT on the other hand I have already been so disappointed in many movies this year. (Indiana Jones tops the list) I went early to this movie so I could form my own opinion and not allow anyone to effect my viewing.

IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT - Coming from me, you need to understand that this speaks very high volume!!

"You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain"


"My Card"

We will get to Heath Ledger / The Joker in just a moment!!

The thing that I LOVED about this movie is that it wasn't just trying to be the 'next big comic book movie' it also was not trying to be the '#1 summer movie' It was trying (and becoming) one of the first movies, based on a comic book, to show exactly why it is that comic books can be so great.

Great characters. Amazing Story. Drama. Love. Good vs. Evil. I am not saying that there have not been good comic book movies, because there have - but this is in a completely different category.

For the first time (EVER) I am going to contain myself and only talk about this movie with people that have seen it. I want everyone to have the wonderful experience that I did in getting all their questions answered, including "Will this be as good as it should and can be?"

The one thing I will say is that I refuse (and hope you will as well) to answer the "who is the better joker" question. These 2 actors were asked to play the same villain, but that is where the similarities end. They were asked to play them in very different ways and in very different times. Both were BRILLIANT and I was happy to find this video showing them side by side.



Please see this movie. Please talk with me in specifics when you have. Please call me anytime you would like to see it again.

Oh and By the Way - Quite possibly one of my favorite opening scenes of all time.

Movie Review Monday!

Let me start off by saying that I was DETERMINED to make Wall-E this week's review. Mike does not want to see it, and he was out of town fishing. Perfect - right? Well it turns out that I am one of those people that has never gone to a movie theater alone. (are you like that too??) so I made a game plan. I would pick a theater that had reserved seating (so I could sit where I wanted with no problems) then I would show up right at start time (I am not going to lie - this is so I could sit down and the lights would dim before anyone could see I was alone!!) Because let's be honest - how many of you have ever gone to a movie and there is someone there alone? Yeah, most of us. I have never thought "What a loser" or "How come they don't have any friends or family" Seriously, I have never thought that!! So Why couldn't I follow through with my plan? Turns out I care about what people think more then I thought . . . . . . .this is something for me to ponder . . . . .

Moving on to this week's actual review.

THERE WILL BE BLOOD - directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and based on a book written in 1927 called "OIL!!" Once again - even though I am late to the game and should have seen this movie long ago, Here is the preview for you to enjoy.



I am not going to kid myself. I know that many (and by that I mean most) of you will not ever see this movie. For a lot of different reasons. I completely understand that, but must say . . . What a tragedy!! This movie is so great and so deserving of the many nominations that it received. Mike would describe this as "one of my weird movies" and he is probably a little correct. Paul Thomas Anderson has a very unique style and some people hate it. Some of his other movies are "Magnolia", "Punch Drunk Love", and "Boogie Nights" to give you an idea.

One of my favorite things about this movie is that I could have watched it with the MUTE on and still loved it. The cinematography is outstanding and I found myself amazed with the way this movie was shot. Not only the beauty of the scenery, but the way the director choose his angles and how we as the audience got to expierence the story. FANTASTIC.

Another thing that is a very gutsy (and rewarding) choice is that the first 5 - 10 minutes is dialog free, but tells you so much about who this man is and how he came to be, what he believes, and even how his family was formed. That is incredible story telling. It reminded me of the very powerful scenes in "Cast Away" when Tom Hanks was saying nothing, but you felt every emotion right along with him.

This is a story that covers a huge range of human behavior and emotion. I loved the journey and can't wait to sit down to watch it again. I always find it facinating to watch movies again and see how your eye and your brain pick things up in a very enjoyable and different way.

A Birthday, A BBQ, and New Best Friends

Keith, Allie, Hannah, and Nicholas were in town for the 4th of July!! Nick's Birthday is July 5th, so we had a BBQ get together to celebrate! We had SO MUCH fun!

When we first got there, the kids were loving Remi, but only from a distance. Out of the blue Hannah runs over to me and says "I am not afraid of Remi anymore!" Throughout the rest of the BBQ she would say things like "Don't worry, I am watching Remi" "Hey Keri, why won't Remi lick my hand?" "Whoa he drinks a lot of water" "I am gonna go check on Remi" "Does Remi want to come watch fireworks with us?"

It was adorable and Remi was absolutely loving all the extra attention! I put together a little slideshow of the day. Be sure to look out for a funny picture of me and Keith . . . . . Great job to Allie for actually being able to get the picture!!

Yummy!!

So Mike and I have been trying new recipes lately and the last one was SO GOOD that I thought I should share it. If you are looking for something super good, easy to make, simple ingredients, maybe vegetarian (for a night), and a crowd pleaser - Well here you go!!

BAKED ZITI WITH PESTO

1/2 pound Ziti
2 Tablespoons cooking oil
1 onion chopped (yes even Mike ate this)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups grated, packaged mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup store bought or homemade pesto

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8X8 baking dish
2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta for 7 minutes. It will be partially cooked. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again thoroughly.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stiring occaisonally, until tanslucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stiring, for about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, salt, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat and cook until very thick, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Remove the bay leaf. (BTW I was out of bay leaves and it was still good)
4. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, about half the parmesan, the pesto, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
5. Put half of the cooked pasta into the prepared baking dish and top with about a third of the tomato sauce. Spread the ricotta mixture on the sauce in an even layer. Cover with the remaining pasta and then the remaining sauce. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozarella and the remaining Parmesan. Drizzle with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. (I skipped that) Bake until bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting. Serves 4

Don't give up on me!!

I have many posts that I need to make . . . . . including some long past due Movie Reviews!! I have had quite a few people ask me about those, so I am glad that you are liking it. Sorry they have been MIA lately - blame bronchitis mostly, but grown up Keri doesn't get to see as many movies as she would like!! (How Sad) Hopefully I can turn that around. . . . . . Maybe I can even talk Mike into seeing Wall-E with me (Doubt it)

Just wanted to post a quick update - Better stuff coming soon!!