6 movies to see this spring

February is such a dreary month. The excitement of the new year and new resolutions is waning, winter has taken its toll and it feels like spring is just around the corner, but taking its sweet time in walking around it. Know what I mean?

To pass the time — and avoid going totally stir-crazy — I love going out to see new movies. It's the perfect thing to do when it's too cold to hang outside but you just can't take another night of Netflix and chill. So, here are my top movie picks coming out in the next few months:

best holiday movies

Happy Tuesday! First, let me start by saying sorry for the lack of posts last week. If you saw my Instagram, you might know that I was sick (again) and decided to take the whole week off to get some very necessary R&R. Thank goodness it paid off, because I did not want to be sick for Christmas! Now... back to the fun part.

The holiday season is my absolute favorite time of the year, and one of my favorite traditions is watching some of the cheesiest, most stereotyped Christmas movies ever made. I know — how original, right? ;)

You know the ones: girl bemoans spending the holiday season alone, perfect guy shows up out of nowhere, kisses her under the mistletoe and Santa’s magic ensues; the holidays are romantic and perfect after all!!! When it comes to Christmas movies, the cheesier the better. There are only 3 (!!) days left till Christmas, but there's still time to watch your favorite movies! Which is what I'd love to be doing every single day in December. Basically, if you need me in the next 72 hours, you can find me watching ABC Family and Hallmark. Here are the movies I’m most excited to watch:

Holiday in Handcuffs. A personal favorite and possibly the epitome of Christmas cheesiness.

The Mistle-Tones. A Christmas musical?!?! Obviously, yes please.

The Holiday. In the realm of beautiful yet unrealistic scenarios, this is one of my favorites.

Snowglobe. A whole Christmas town that lives in a snow globe — ‘nuf said.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This one is less cheesy and more rite-of-passage, but it’s a classic that should be watched every year. (The Jim Carrey version, not the cartoon)

Holidaze. If it’s got Jennie Garth, it’s got to be good.

Snow Bride. What would Christmas be without a good lie to start a relationship?

A Royal Christmas. Spending the holidays in a castle, because it’s normal.

A Bride for Christmas. Trying to get someone to marry you by Christmas? No problem.

Let It Snow. Really, anything with Candace Cameron Bure is a holiday must.

Side note: Have you seen Bill Murray's Christmas special, A Very Murray Christmas, on Netflix? Adam and I watched it a couple weekends ago and it was... different. But highly enjoyable if you like weird, nonsensical things ;) 

P.S. my favorite holiday traditions and 7 things to do in Des Moines for the holidays

Movie review: 'Woman in Gold'

Adam and I went to see "Woman in Gold" last week, and I thought it was a beautiful movie. Have you seen it? It's the true story of Maria Altmann, who's fled from Austria with her husband after her family lost everything to the Nazis, including the famous painting known as Woman in Gold. The painting was a portrait of her aunt that had been stolen by the Nazis and kept in an Austrian museum. "Woman in Gold" became so revered that Altmann's case to reclaim her family's ownership to it reached the Supreme Court.

Here's a photo of the painting (it doesn't do it justice, though), which is now on permanent display in the Neue Galerie in New York City:

This movie was so touching. It showed Altmann's passionate fight for her family's paintings and flashbacks of her memories before and after the Nazi invasion. There is so much history to this story, but I think the movie focused more on the emotional history than the facts. And I think that's okay because it was such an emotional experience. Helen Mirren (Maria), Ryan Reynolds (Randy, Maria's lawyer) and Tatiana Maslany (young Maria) were wonderful at portraying all of those emotions.

I really loved this story. It left me wanting to learn more about it — so much so that I'm adding this book to my reading list.

Have you seen "Woman in Gold" yet? Will you? 

P.S. 'Horrible Bosses 2,' 8 movies for a rainy day and 9 movies to watch with your S.O.

8 movies to watch with your significant other

I can't believe Valentine's Day is this weekend already. Do you have any plans for it? Adam and I aren't big Valentine's people. Last year we went out to dinner and spent the night in watching old movies on Netflix, and this year we plan to do pretty much the same, except we'll be making dinner this time. What do you typically do for Valentine's Day? Is it a big deal or more of a non-event?

With so many bloggers writing about date ideas for couples celebrating the holiday, I thought I'd go another route and share some of my favorite movies to watch with a significant other. I know a lot of girls get really excited to dress up and go out for a special date, but this is for those like me who prefer a more laid back date — where sweatpants are perfectly acceptable!

1. Date Night. An underrated hit, in my book. This came out a few years ago and truthfully, I haven't seen it since I watched it the first time. But I remember really liking it. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are both great, and they can turn a maybe-stupid plot into a good movie.

2. Friends with Benefits / No Strings Attached. Since they're both essentially the same movie, it's really about your preferences here. I liked both of them, but I choose Ashton Kutcher and his "period mix" for my leading man.

3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Guys LOVE this movie. Seriously, I didn't hear the end of it from Adam and all his friends until I finally watched this movie last fall. But they were right — it's a pretty great movie, and a good one for couples.

4. Safe Haven. Because I had to have one Nicholas Sparks movie, right? I considered The Vow, but it kind of breaks my heart. I really enjoyed Safe Haven, and I think it is more in line with a guy's movie interests too. Plus, it hasn't been totally overdone yet.

6. Crazy, Stupid Love. A classic for couples of all ages. Adam actually really enjoys this movie, as do most guys I know. It's funny, charming and sweet — you can't go wrong with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

7. 10 Things I Hate About You. I think this will be on every movies-to-watch list I ever make. It is funny, quirky, sweet, romantic — and Heath Ledger sings on the bleachers! I will never stop loving this one.

8. If I Stay. I can't recommend this one enough. (But, if you haven't read the book, do that before you watch it.) It's such a sweet, romantic and tragic story. Grab the tissues and snuggle in tight, because you won't want to let go once it starts.

What do you think of my list? Any I missed? Let me know your favorites in the comments!

Related: non-cheesy Valentine's Day gift guide, and Valentine's Day outfit ideas

Movie review: 'Horrible Bosses 2'

Okay, so I came pretty late to the Horrible Bosses party...as in just saw it last weekend. I know. I'd been meaning to watch it, but it wasn't very high on my list. But when the sequel came out and Adam was dying to see it, I had a reason to watch it.

We wanted to see a movie last weekend, but Adam decided I couldn't see Horrible Bosses 2 without watching the first one, so we went to see Big Hero 6 instead (side note: such an awesome animated movie; if you haven't seen it yet, I definitely recommend it). So I finally watched Horrible Bosses with him and... I loved it. In large part because Charlie Day is my favorite human being right now (currently obsessed with Always Sunny in Philadelphia, in case you didn't know).

After that, I was super-excited to go see the new movie. It got pretty terrible reviews across the board, but honestly, we loved it. We laughed so hard throughout the whole movie! I think it might have helped that I had just seen the first one and it was all so fresh in my mind, whereas going back to the same characters and story after several years can be underwhelming if it's not done well.

But I didn't think it was as bad as critics say at all. The plots are supposed to be ridiculous — that's why it's funny. And everyone who returned to their roles did so flawlessly. The one-liners were heavy and hilarious, the drama was kind of intense at times, and Jennifer Aniston came back sexier and crazier than ever.

If you liked the first movie and you're looking for a good laugh at the expense of some ridiculous characters and plots...you'll probably like Horrible Bosses 2.

Have you seen it yet? Do you plan to?

Related: movies for a rainy day and Gone Girl.

(Photos via The Hollywood Reporter and The Bonus Review)

9 movies for a rainy (or sick) day

Rain seemed to be the theme of 2014 here in Central Iowa for a while. And even though it's been relatively dry for the last week or so, it's still cloudy and chilly — aka, Perfect Movie Marathon Weather.

Plus, I've been sick for the last week so laying on the couch watching movies in my pajamas sounds like heaven to me, regardless of the weather. Here are my marathon picks, with a variety of genres for every taste.

Wandering the web: a new series

What are your plans for the weekend? I'm heading out for a girls' trip to Kansas City with a couple of my wonderful friends. We're renting a small place on airbnb, and we'll probably do a little shopping, sight seeing and lounging. It'll be so nice to get away for a few days. Hope you enjoy your weekend, and here a few of my favorite things from around the web:

1. Birdman, starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Zach Galifianakis, came out last weekend and I really want to see it. But, sadly, so far there are no showings in Iowa. (Vulture)

2. These "punny" flower bouquets would be an adorable gift. As well as the DIY book that features them. (A Cup of Jo)

3. I adore these black peep toe booties. So perfect for fall. (Somewhere, Lately)

4. Gold playing cards would be an adorable coffee table accessory, and they'd be a perfect stocking-stuffer for Christmas! (Anthropologie)

5. How cute are these high-fashion pumpkins? Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington are my favorites. (Domaine)

6. I took this Ben Affleck butt-chin quiz the other day and my results were embarrassingly good. But I don't get tired of looking at him. (Vulture)

Gone Girl

Have you seen Gone Girl yet? Or read the book? I read it last spring and was utterly impressed with Gillian Flynn's talents. Typically I don't read thrillers, but Flynn is such an incredible talent; the details and thought put into the storyline is astounding.

Sometimes fiction is better than reality

I heard that quote once—in a TV show or movie probably, but I can't remember for sure—and thought of it today after seeing "If I Stay." I read the book several years ago, and the previews practically had me grasping for tissues already. It was so good. Heartbreaking and devastating, but also incredibly beautiful.

I won't give away any spoilers, but I have to talk about how the characters and their relationships in the story. Chloe Grace Moretz plays Mia, who has these amazing punk-rock, hippy-esque parents who encourage her to chase her dreams and live her life, even when it gets scary. And then she has this incredible boyfriend Adam, played by Jamie Blackley, who has his own band, a huge following and isn't afraid to show his emotional side. The family dynamic is so free and supportive, it's impossible to not want be a part of it. Her parents are the most understanding, fun and unselfish people. And Mia's relationship with Adam is beautiful to watch, even through the hard parts.

I love living through stories like this in books, but watching it unfold on-screen makes it seem so much more human—like someone really is out in the world living that life right now. Mia's relationships with her parents and boyfriend are so precious, you can't help but wish reality was a little bit as poetic as it is in fiction.

(Image via That's Normal)