BLOG: WORTH IT

Ok, so I was suppose to see Disney's Toy Story 3 last night, but the the non-3D screening was SOLD OUT and the only other screening was in 3D. So it got me thinking...'WORTH'. What does 'WORTH' mean in a world where everything from what you wear and what you use to listen to music is all about the name?

If you're a cheapo, like myself you'll probably already know the following thing's I'm going to list, but for those who prefer to buy things either "impulsively" or because of their brands and often find yourself frustrated when you see the item you just bought $20-$50 a few months or weeks later, here's the secret.

MOVIES
(DVDs and Blu-ray; New Release and Bargains)

1. NEW RELEASES: always, always, always W.A.I.T. The reason why movies start of with prices that range from $25-$30 is because their prices depend on how popular the movie was. If they've been on the screen usually their DVD prices will start at $20-$25, if they've been good on the bid screen then they'll cost $25-$30 (sometimes even $35) for your small screen. Often it's the same of Blu-ray.
2. "SALES": Sale prices range from $7-$30 dollars. Depending on what you're buying, the under $10 price range are often found in stores like Target and Big W, the only problem is, these stores don't really account for what films they have in the store - especially at these prices. JB Hi-Fi and Sanity stores account for their items, but their price range don't really go down as far as $7, they maintain the $10-$20 "sale prices". The good thing for JB Hi-Fi is the fact that their prices often reflect the quality of their sales - ie. you're paying for the rating of the film and the opinion of the store - and therefore you often find the best prices in terms of box-office quality.

Aiight...IS IT WORTH IT?

HOW TO BUY DVDs and BLU-RAY

Between the two options, it depends on what you have, DVDs are often cheaper than Blu-ray, but if your new TV comes with Blu-ray, I say why waste what's comes with your screen? So here we go.

You know that a DVD/Blu-ray is worth if...

1. It comes with SPECIAL FEATURES. This may sound stupid, but it's the truth. You want to know why people download their movie from the internet? It's because sometimes that's all you get in the DVD/Blu-ray disc - JUST THE MOVIE. If a movie is priced $20 on a sale it's either because it was: a) a really good movie or b) you're paying for the actual disc and the cover it's in. Though this may be subjective it's the truth. Look, personally, if you want "JUST THE MOVIE" get it legally on iTunes or Graboid.
2. If the price NEVER changes. If you're like me and have paid $30 for a movie just because you could only to find out 6 months later it was half the price, then you know how good it feels to by $15 DVD and 6 months after that it still the price you bought it for. If the price never changes - which is VERY rare, then you know it's a good buy. Often their the ones that are popular no matter what happens, like Mean Girls or The Notebook.

Vital Tips:

1. WAIT until you know the price isn't going to get any lower.
2. Always compare the prices, if there's a lower price somewhere else, you get to save more.

CDs
(Music)

1. NEW RELEASES: Wait, often $25 CDs go down to $15 in a matter of months. NEVER rush into buying anything.
2. SINGLE/ALBUM: The Album is better, but if you only want that one song, I suggest you get an iTunes card that way you don't waste $5 on 3 other versions of the song you don't even like.

HOW TO BUY ALBUMS

1. Be sure that the CD comes with a LYRIC BOOKLET. This may seem like another stupid thing, but think about it, you're forking out $20-$25 on a CD, I mean you could buy a lot with that, but instead you decide to use it for a CD. You want the MUSIC, and therefore, often want to SING ALONG with the songs, so that means, you're not only paying for the song, you're also paying for the RIGHTS of the lyrics. You don't want a piece of paper with their faces on it, if you wanted their face you could go to their website and save them. You want to sing along, 50% of the time the internet lyrics are wrong and take time - buying a CD with lyrics kills two bird with one stone.
2. Be sure that you like MOST of the songs. If you only like 5 out of 14 then you're better off with an iTunes card. Don't pay $20-$25 on something you wont even listen to that often. Get an iTunes card that way you know which ones you want and you can use your money on other songs and items too!

Vital Tips:

1. Find someone with the CD you want, see if it's got the lyric booklet and have a listen to the CD.
2. YouTube is often a good source too, you can usually ask the vloggers questions about the album/ single you want.

iTunes
(Music and Movies)

iTunes is a great place to purchase your music and films. As much as I seem to promote it, iTunes is just like any store. Sometimes their prices are not the best and sometimes it's better to wait for the DVD price to go down rather than the iTune price. I prefer to get my music on iTunes because it's often cheaper, if not I buy the actual disc. Movies on iTunes are best if you just want the movie.

Vital Tips:

1. Just SEE the prices. If you think it's best that to buy the disc rather than downloading it's up to you.
2. Compare the prices. Sometimes iTunes it really good to see the worth of your items - songs especially.

I hope it's been helpful, if not just go on with your shopping ways. :D


Next on sL: "Toy Story 3" and the Top 10 CHILDHOOD classics.

FILM: Big Fish

So this week I decided to watch a film that caught my eye in Target a few times.


Big Fish starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Billy Crudup and Helena Bonahm Carter.

Will Bloom (Crudup) always though his father's stories were always the best, then he grew up. Sitting at his wedding reception, he listens to his father's favorite tale for the hundredth time - what he was doing the day Will was born. Truth of the matter is, Ed Bloom (McGregor, Finney), was not fishing for the greatest fish in the river, no, he was like any other father waiting for his child to be born.

But stories like that were never enough for Ed, he liked to tell his life stories with a bit of flare with a side order of imagination. Unable to understand his father's strange need to re-create the past, Will endeavors to find the truth for himself. But when his father is at his death bed, Will is led to share the story.

Begin with one big fish, and end with another big fish.


This movie was absolutely well written, a Tim Burton classic. I loved it! I thought it had a great delicate balance of creativity and reality. I loved how Will had to get in touch with his inner child again and in turn, become the story teller and his father the listener.

It's a really good family film, I recommend it to those who enjoy a laugh and a touch of Tim Burton magic.

Fun Fact: An 8-year-old MILEY CYRUS stars in this movie, she plays the character "Ruthie".

sL star rating: 5 Stars

Next on sL: "How to buy your DVDs and CDs."

BLOG: TOP 10 CHICK FLICKS

Listen up LADIES! This list doesn't come from any magazine of TV broadcast, no this came straight from a couple of my friends from facebook. I understand if you don't agree, but nevertheless, I thought it'd be fun to let you know. :D

So without further a do...

stricklyLEISURE's TOP 10 CHICK FLICKS

No# 10: NEVER BEEN KISSED (Drew Barrymore and David Arquette)

Who disagree that this film deserves to be in the list? I mean it's the story of a copy-editor of the Chicago Sun Times who landed her big break as a journalist. But in her undercover feature, she doesn't just get to be 17 again, she finds out that no matter what era you go through high school, nothing truly changes. But of course - who can resist the fact the the title holds the promise of the PERFECT kiss?

No# 9: CLUELESS (Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd)

The typical teen movie that took the 90's by storm. From the fashion trends to the quirky lingo, Clueless changed the rules of teen films. Who could forget Cher Horowitz and her band of popular, yet eloquent friends? From her long blond hair to her classic platforms, Cher ruled the school. But for someone with great ideals and the wardrobe to match it, how could she be so Clueless?

No# 8: DEFINITELY MAYBE (Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz)

Love...hmmm...it's hard to define. There's a love that you share between your parent and siblings; love between you and your spouse; love between you and your children; heck! - there's even the love between you and your pets! But Will Hayes never thought he would fall in love 3 times in his life, fact of the matter is, love could be right in front of you.

No# 7: 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik)

Ahh, Shakespeare. Who can deny that he could write things straight through history? This modern adaptation of the beloved play, The Taming of The Shrew has captured all our hearts. The natural story of bad boy meets good girl - with a bit of money on the side - and (hypothetically) fall in love. No wonder we love it so much! - talk about D.R.A.M.A.

No# 6: THE PROPOSAL (Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds)

We've heard the story before, no green card, no America. But when Margaret Tate gets the boot, she decides to dig her heels and loop an engagement ring on her assistant's finger. Andrew Paxton is not happy, not only has he been sucked into this dead-end job, but now he's marrying the Devil. But who says love doesn't spring from...strong dislike?
No# 5: THE NOTEBOOK (Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling)

This list will not be complete with the Nicholas Spark classic. The story of a rich pretty girl falling in love with a strong-broad poor boy being torn apart by society and her family. But against all odds, they finally make it together in the end - and then we realise that she's forgotten everything, but he is by her side, till death brought them back together.

No# 4: A WALK TO REMEMBER (Mandy Moore and Shane West)

Another Sparks classic that cannot be overlooked. The tale of a good Christian girl who witness the miracle of her bad-boy boyfriend's attitude change. Jamie never gave Landon the time of day to insult or even involuntarily acknowledge her existence, she was an image of perfection. But when her righteousness intrigues him more than he intended, Landon finds himself so in love that he is by her side till the day she dies.

No# 3: SHE'S THE MAN (Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum)

So girls aren't as good as guys are they? Well, Viola decides she wants to prove her coach and ex-boyfriend wrong by pretending to be her brother Sebastian. When girls decided to dress up as guys, you know it's a recipe for disaster! But when push-comes-to-shove, Viola has to show her...umm...true form...in order to untangle the web of deceit that she's weaved!

No# 2: JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE (Brittany Snow, Jesse Metcalfe, Arielle Kebbel, Sophia Bush and Ashanti)

When a guy cheat's on you once it's harsh, but when a guy cheats on you 3 times, it's a war zone. Carrie, Beth and Heather all though the school stud, John Tucker was theirs. The all thought that they were the "only girl for him", but when new-girl Kate sees him for what he is, they decide that she has to become the ULTIMATE John Tucker charmer in order to pay-back all the hurt that John's inflicted on them. But Kate got cold feet...so what now? - definitely not ready to put up the white flag!

stricklyLEISURE's NO# 1 CHICK FLICK is....

MEAN GIRLS(Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried and Tina Fey)

Who can deny this ultimate chick flick the right to number 1? It's got the best quotes from, "That is sooo FETCH!" to "If you're from Africa, why are you white?" The Clueless for a whole new generation, Mean Girls takes "girl world" into serious considerations. With the reality placed before our eyes, behind all the humorous scenarios and outrageous rules, the message is loud and clear for all the ladies in the world - DON'T BE MEAN!

Hope you enjoyed!


Next on sL: "Big Fish" and why fantasy is always easier to grasp than reality.

FILM AND TELEVISION SHOWS: Starstruck // Sonny With A Chance

I'm sorry I haven't been on. It's been hectic lately! Anyway as promised, we're are going to have a STERLING KNIGHT fest girls. For those of you who are totally out of the Disney-loop and don't know who I am talking about, you'll recognise Mr. Knight in the Zac Efron film 17 Again. He plays Matthew Perry's son, Alex.

If not, I suggest you hire 17 Again or...


Starstruck starring: Sterling Knight and Danielle Campbell

Ever thought the life of a celebrity is only about the glitz and glamor? But for pop-star Christopher Wilde (Knight), it's all about the next step - which means doing everything it takes to prove that he's ready for a movie deal.

Now everyone knows that image is everything in the world of Tinseltown, but when Christopher comes across Jessica Olsen (Campbell), his purpose in life is tested. For a day Chris gets a taste of the normal life. But when the two worlds collide Christopher breaks Jessica's heart and Jessica turns her anger on the "prying mouths" of the tabloids.

But even Jessica can't deny that she's been Starstrucked.


This is definitely a typical Disney film. All good clean and fun, it's like High School Musical meets A Cinderella Story. But for what it's worth, it was much too fasted passed for my liking. I though the turn of events were well written but, overall too many things were happening one after the other.

Overall, a great cast dynamic, but the standout performance goes to Maggie Castle who plays, Sara Olsen - Jessica's sister. She definitely brought out the stereotypical "die-hard-fan" and brought to the classic Disney humour to the film. The other standout performer had to be new comer Danielle Campbell. She brought a delicate balance of the classic Disney heroine who is the perfect opposite to the male lead.

Fun Fact: The role for Christopher Wilde was actually given to Cody Linley (Jake Ryan of Hannah Montana), but was later given to Sterling.

sL star rating: 4 stars


SWAC: Episode 10 (Part II): Falling with the Falls starring: Demi Lovato, Sterling Knight, Tiffany Thornton, Brandon Smith, Doug Bruchu and Allisyn Ashley Arm.

Last episode, we saw Sonny falling in love with the number one show The Mackenzie Falls, this episode, we see Chad and Sonny on their first date!!! But is it all they've bargained for?

Both wanting a perfect date, as a result: DISASTER! You can almost hear the cast of So Random saying, "We TOLD YOU so!!!"

Is that all for the Greatest Actor of the Generation?

It's so good!!! Have a look:

It's about mid way, just go to YouTube to see the rest of it. :D

sL rating: 4 Stars




Next on sL: TOP 10 Chick Flicks chosen by YOU. :D

FILM: The Wedding Date // The Other Boleyn Girl //Julie and Julia

So as you know, I promised to write about the TOP 10 Chick Flicks as voted by you and my facebook friends. There's a lack in response at the moment so I decided to postpone the list until later - just like the Glee Finale.

So I decided to review three other movies in stead...


The Wedding Date starring: Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney and Amy Adams with Peter Egan and Holland Taylor.

Kat (Messing) never thought she would ever need an excuse to ever dial a number of an escort, but 7 messages and $6000 later, Nick Mercer (Mulroney) was sitting right next to her on a plane to London for her sister's wedding.

Amy (Adams) is ecstatic! In a few days she going to be Mrs. Edward Fletcher-Wooten. Everything was perfect! - that is until a dark secret is unlocked a few days before the wedding. Tying past with the present and seemingly into the future - it seems as though Nick is not being payed enough for what he bargained for.


I don't really know what to think about this movie. I don't think I liked it very much, it's not that I didn't get it, I just didn't appreciate it as much as I though I would. But a shout-out to my friend Nardine who suggested it. I don't know about this one really.

It was an alright movie, just not my thing I think. LOL.

sL star rating: 3 stars

(Notice Natalie Portman's necklace is the same necklace America Ferrera wears for Ugly Betty.)

The Other Boleyn Girl starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlette Johansson and Eric Bana

Henry VIII (Bana) is renowned for his track record as a King who has the power to have any woman he wants and dispose of her in any matter. But this movie, based on Philippa Gregory's novel, relates a story on the possible rise of the famous, Anne Boleyne (Portman).

If you've got brothers and sisters you know what sibling rivalry feels like. In the Boleyn home, the Boleyn girls have been raised to prepare themselves for marriage. And with true historical fashion, they are raised to believe in the possibility of marrying above their ranks, therefore, the best sister must be placed forward - in the case of Henry VIII, Anne is the only eligible daughter due to Mary's (Johanssen) recent marriage to William Carey (Benedic Cumberbatch).

But in the turn of the events, the King takes a liking to the the younger Boleyn girl. Forced to enter the King's courts, Mary find herself also entering his personal chambers when ever he pleases. Loathing her sister even further, Anne is exiled due to unladylike conduct. In her return Anne has learnt the art of manipulation. But is her craft enough to win the heart of the King and the people?


Though based on a novel, their are true historical figures that most people know about in British History. Figures such as Ann Boleyn, Henry VIII and Katherine the Great. But this movie was really good in the way that the events are almost believable. I love the different portrayal of Anne Boleyn. Often she portrayed as just another figure in history. But this film shows her as a feisty and ambitious woman.

Along with that, I think Natalie Portman delivers a strong performance. Eric Bana played the role of Henry VIII very well, although I couldn't take him seriously in Henry VIII's signatured over-sized coat. Scarlette Johansson does her character justice in her timidness and her gentleness.

What annoyed me was May was the one who gave him a son and he still didn't marry her. I mean think about it, he just executed Anne - who bore him a daughter - it's a win-win situation. England gets an heir and a queen. LOL...but that's not the point of the story is it?


sL star rating: 4 stars


Julie and Julia starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci and Chris Messina.

Ever felt like your life was going no where? Ever felt like you have no control of anything in your life? Welcome to the lives of Julia Childe and Julie Powell. Two women from different eras with a common interest, cooking.

Julia is in France and his trying her best to be more than what she was, so she decides to go to cooking school and work her way up the ranks. Julie on the other hand just wants a little bit more meaning in her life, so she decides to challenge herself.

With cooking school done, Julia's next endeavor is to get herself published as a cook. But it seems as though all she seems to receive are rejections. As life takes a toll on her goal to finish Julia Childe's cookbook in a year, Julie is almost convinced to give up.

So how does both story end?


This is a movie to see with your mum, although when I told my mum about it, she didn't seem interested. LOL. But it was so nice how well written it was. How the parallel worlds, though never once colliding, met because of similar encounters of life. It was a really good winter watch. Plus it inspired my to want to cook something, but I didn't. LOL.

I recommend it for the days to just want to feel warm and fussy. :D

sL star rating: 4 stars.


Next on sL: SWAC: Falling for the Falls - Part 2 and Starstruck, girls, we're going to have a Sterling Knight fest! Woohoo!!!

FILM: I Love You, Man

I don't now if there's such a thing as "guy-flicks" but I seriously think there should be. I mean think about it, "chick-flick". I guess I should make my own one up...hmmm...I got it!

"BROVIE® " it's a "Brovie".

BROVIE® (Bro-vee): A movie that is not under the "action" genre, but is very much enjoyed by mostly MALE audiences. (Definition by A. Kitong)

So if you're a guy and you know the movie you're watching is not an action film, or gory or even about war, but instead it's more like a guy version of something you've seen female friend watched and was a chick-flick, know that it's a Brovie®.

So, if you got all that...

I Love You, Man starring: Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones and Jason Segel

Peter's (Rudd) always been a lady's man - and by that we really mean a LADY'S MAN. He doesn't have a best friend and the only friends that he has seem to be tangible attachments who cares nothing about. Fiance, Zooey (Jones), is worried that he won't have anyone to stand by him at their up coming wedding.

So Peter goes in search for his best man.

In the twisted fate of coincidence, he meets Sydney Fife (Segel) at one of his open house. Finally finding someone, other than Zooey, who knows what he's thinking, Peter gets in-touch with his manly side for the first time.


This is a hilarious movie that I recommend any guy to see. As a girl I thought this was an awesome movie. But don't let my gender full you. This is seriously one of the best guy movie I have ever seen. It's full of guys humour (that I had to think really hard to get) and lots of manly things that don't even include anything dirty.

I really enjoyed watching this film. It is totally something that both guys and girls can appreciate.

sL star rating: 5 stars.

Next on sL: The Wedding Date, The Other Boleyn Girl and Julie and Julia

FILM: BandSLAM

So I have this theory that people who have been Disney-stars are stuck in a bubble. I mean, there's only a small percentage that escaped: Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. People like: Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff and now Miley Cyrus - along with the cast of HSM, are unders harsher criticism. It's like Shirley Temple all over again - you know, they changed her birth year to make her appear younger and kept making her dress shorter so it looked like she wasn't aging at all, until her parents decided enough was enough. But you know, Miss Temple made her own decision later on to go back into the limelight.

See the difference between Shirley Temple and these Disney starlets is that she knew what the limelight was like. She started really, really young, these Disney stars started when they were still trying to figure out what they want. Take Miley for example - she was 12 when she started being Hannah Montana and now she realises that she doesn't want to be "just-Hannah" she wants to be Miley. Her mistake? using her own name for the show and then changing it in real life. I mean common! If you want to be separated from your character stick to the script -ZOE Stewart.

With the cast of HSM I say they've got a better chance, they've been doing other films and television appearances before the musical - Efron: Summer Land and Hudgens: Thunderbirds. The thing is the only person doomed to be a Disney protege for life is Ashley Tisdale. She's been on the Disney channel for ages. I suppose she's blessed with some kind of eternal youth. But the good thing with Tisdale is the fact that's loyal to Disney, that's why she's been kept on for ages.

Anyway...

(I picked this picture is it resonates the non-Disney feel. The other one just didn't cut it. :P)

BandSLAM starring: Gaelan Connell, Alyson Machalka, Vanessa Hudgens and Lisa Kudrow

Ever felt the need to be invisible? Will (Connell) has. But when his mum (Kudrow) gets another awesome opportunity, they pack up their past life and saddle up for a new one. With Billy Idol as his constant guide (even if he doesn't reply to his e-mails) Will faces a new town and new school with the same skepticism that he's carried with him.

When an unexpected Samaritan by the name of Charlotte Banks (Machalka), asks for his help, he finds himself creating a new life for himself. His new identity as I can't go on, I will go on's MANAGER for this year's Band SLAM competition, he twists his past life to gain full approval.

But as fate would have it, Will has twisted fate's hand far to hard and now she's ready to unwind and hit him back with the truth.


To be honest, I thought this movie was going to be a real bore. I new it wasn't a Disney film, which I was really happy about. I like to see Disney people breaking out from the Micky-mold and experiencing other things. But the reason I thought it would be a bore was because I've seen so many movies like this already. I mean there was nothing new that the trailers presented. They only reason I watched it was to see all the funny parts in the trailer.

But I genuinely thought it was an awesome movie. I thought it was a good excuse to really get up-coming bands to be known. I also liked the fact that the music was really at the centre. It reminded me of my views with School of Rock. I though that movie was going to be boring too - I think I have this view with movies that seem to be aimed at kids - but it was a really EPIC film.

I will say that the other reason I saw this movie was to see how well Disney stars, Alyson Michalka and Venessa Hudgens go without the stereotypical Disney vibe. Sometimes a movie can do that. But honestly, they did really well. But I think the out-standing performance goes to Ryan Donowho, who plays "Basher" Martin, the drummer. I thought he was just awesome! LOL.

sL star rating: 4.5 Stars


Next on sL: I Love You, Man and why there such things are "guy-films" beyond the action genre.