{Movie Review} X-Men: First Class

This summer, movie goers will be given a slew of superhero movies to choose from and enjoy.  One of the first ones to hit the big screen is X-Men First Class.

X-Men First Class is the prequel to the successful X-Men Trilogy movie franchise.  The movie mainly takes place in 1962 during the heart of the Cuban missile crisis.  A young Charles Xavier, played by James McAvoy (later known as Professor X) starts up a school for humans with supernatural abilities.

The film begins in German occupied Poland, centering on a young boy, Erik Lensherr (adult character played by Michael Fassbender) being wrenched apart from his parents being led into a concentration camp.  The anger he feels at being separated from his parents lead to him demonstrating his ability to bend and control metal with his mind.  The Germans are fascinated by his abilities.  Dr. Schmidt wants him to demonstrate his abilities again.  Unfortunately, the young Erik can not.  Sensing it may be driven by anger, he brings in his mother and threatens to kill her on the count of 3 if he does not move a coin.  When he can't, Schmidt shoots her which then causes Erik to move the coin and bend all the metal in the room.  Schmidt is fascinated.  Meanwhile, in Westchester County, New York a young Charles Xavier comes face to face with a young homeless girl stealing food from his kitchen one evening.  Raven (the adult character played by Jennifer Lawrence), quickly and erroneously takes on the form of his dead mother.  He assures her there is nothing to be afraid of and she will never need to steal food again.  He invites her to stay with his family.

The movie then moves forward to 1962.  An adult Erik Lensherr is seeking revenge against Dr. Schmidt for killing his mother right in front of him and Charles Xavier is in England, with his now, foster sister, Raven, by his side, presenting his thesis on mutation at Oxford University.  Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, CIA agent Moira McTaggert witnesses first hand the abilities of mutated humans exhibiting supernatural abilities.  This leads her to seeking out Charles Xavier's help in capturing Sebastian Shaw and the other mutants who are controlling the decisions of world officials that can lead to a third World War.  This leads Charles to meeting and befriending Erik. 

The movie details how Erik becomes Magneto, leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, and what leads Charles Xavier/Professor X to becoming confined to a wheelchair and his fierce passion for seeking out and assisting others with supernatural abilities.

This movie received mixed reviews by critics and movie goers.  I personally enjoyed it. But I am a major superhero movie fan. I can safely say if you are not a fan of the X-Men Trilogy, are not a fan of comic books, or not much of an action film fan, this would not be a movie for you.  The movie goes into details on what started the XMen training school and how Charles and Erik's friendship developed and subsequently falls apart.  There is a lot of action involved between the mutants on the side of good and those on the side of evil.  It would definitely be a worthwhile movie to catch at a matinee viewing if you are on the fence. 

Embracing the Unexpected

Lil Diva and I had our day all planned out.  In fact, we had this day planned since the beginning of May.  We would wait till school ends and enjoy a Mom/Daughter day in NYC.  The pièce de résistance ..... the Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  It was all she talked about for weeks. 

The date was selected...Monday, June 20th, 2011.  Outfits were carefully chosen, purses stocked.  My father in law dropped us off in front of the museum steps and we quickly walked up to the door, eagerly anticipating the beautiful frocks we were about to see.  A tug of the door and ...locked! What? Maybe they want you to walk in through a specific door.  We tried the next one. Same thing.  I approached the security guard and he calmly stated "The museum is closed on Mondays". Oh no!  How could I have possibly not realized that?  The excitement of school being over and finally getting to see this exhibit, I didn't even think to check, or remembered for that matter, we can not make plans to visit the MET on a Mondays!

Lil Diva was crestfallen. I could see her eyes watering.  I felt terrible.  I know how much this meant for her.  She adores fashion and this day meant so much. " I really wanted to see this Mom.  I'm so sad. What are we going to do?"  My mind was racing to think of something just as exciting to do with our day. Of course being disappointed myself, I couldn't think of anything at the moment. So I called Mr. Man and he searched the internet, and found the perfect solution. 

One thing I may have not mentioned yet on my blog is how I came up with Lil Diva's nickname.  No, she does not make outlandish demands or prances around acting as though she is entitled to everything.  Quite the contrary.  She is a very well mannered, bright, mature young lady.  To the point she sometimes can't relate as well to her peers, most of which act like typical 12 year olds. Her alias comes from her fierce aspiration to become an actress.  Her determination has no bounds, so Lil Diva seemed perfect.

Mr. Man saved the day by recommending we go to NBC studio tour.  This peaked Lil Diva's interest.  Especially since the tour went into background information on how cameras worked, how they "trick" the audience into thinking there are more people in the studio audience than is actually there.  The careers that have taken off from being involved in Saturday Night Live, how long it takes to tape a season and so much more.  When the tour was over she said with a huge smile on her face,  "This was great!"  (When we met up with Mr. Man later that afternoon, she thanked him for the wonderful new plans he recommended).

The rest of the day consisted of a picnic lunch in Rockefeller Plaza, frozen hot chocolates from Serendipity, and explored FAO Schwartz.  We will be returning to NYC in a couple of weeks on a Wednesday instead, to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit.  But this past Monday's unexpected turn of events proved that we never know what new things we can discover when plans change suddenly.  It afforded Lil Diva with a valuable lesson....embrace the unexpected.

photo via WeheartIt

Alexander McQueen Resort 2012

via Sandy in the City

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

- Author Unknown 

photo via Tumblr

Summer Solstice

Happy First Day of Summer!

Today is the longest day of the year....as of tomorrow, the days will begin to shorten.  Most European countries acknowledge the day with bonfire celebrations.  I will celebrate it with a relaxing day in the backyard reading my stack of July magazine subscriptions that have arrived and watching Lil Man and Lil Diva have some water fun!

How will you mark Summer Solstice?

photo via pinterest

{What's Playing....}

Was blown away by this piano performance....

Happy Father's Day

Wishing all the daddies a Happy Father's Day!