September | 2018 | My Hollywood Hangover

Movie of the Week: Crazy Rich Asians

Posted on September 24, 2018 by myhollywoodhangover

Unless you’ve been living under a large rock, chances are you’ve seen a preview for, or have heard someone talking about Crazy Rich Asians, the new film based off the novel by Kevin Kwan, starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding. The premise is simply: he’s rich, she’s not, they’re dating, how will this work out?

Like any rom com, it doesn’t work out at first , things get messy, but they all live happily ever after in the end. It’s a great film for mothers and daughters to see, to fall in love with love, or to help you realize, that at the end of the day, you are enough … don’t change for anyone. However, the movie wasn’t anything life altering for me as promised by the reviews. The film is a cute story, rather predictable, with humorous moments. The glamour, music, and actors, though, was what I enjoyed most!

First up, the glam: the colors, the parties, and that moment when Araminta Lee, played by Sonoya Mizuno, walked down the aisle with the water and the grass and those cute little lighty things the guests held up! M – A – G – I – C – A – L !!!! All the colors reminded me of La La Land, but what I loved more was the film was set outside of America. We got to witness the color, splendor, and glam of Singapore (and honestly Singapore better dish some cash for the free travel promotions!). Story aside, the film was just magnificent to look at.

Boosting up the visual beauty of the film was the music; honestly, it was just as important to the storytelling as was the backdrop. The wedding scene wouldn’t have been as beautiful as I mentioned if not for Kina Grannis singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in her angelic voice. The glitz and glam and fun outfits wouldn’t have fully popped if not for songs like “Material Girl” & “Money (That’s What I Want)” … and sung in Chinese! The music helped fuse the setting with the storytelling, while also making the film more lively.

So yes, we have an enjoyable rom com plot, but the setting and soundtrack enhance the film. However, something more needs to go into the mixture to be complete and that something is the cast. Let’s just go down the list shall we? Constance Wu is not only one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen, she also played her character beyoooond! Like, pleeeease Rachel Chu will you be my new bestie?! Henry Golding, with his British accent and nonchalant attitude towards his family’s wealth? Hubba hubba. No words can even describe how much Awkwafina’s character adds to the film, and finally … Gemma Chan. If Rachel Chu is my new bestie, then can Astrid Leong-Teo, ohh I don’t know, BE MY WIFE?! Her character is kind, poised, beautiful as hell, and all around my favorite character from the film.

Overall, an enjoyable film to see on a Sunday afternoon with both my mom and mother-in-law (who loves me by the way; nothing like in the film LOL!). While I wasn’t on the floor from it’s greatness (ie … To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), the setting, soundtrack, and cast made it a fun experience!

Emmy Recap

Posted on September 20, 2018 by myhollywoodhangover

Yesterday and all day today, every time I scroll Instagram, E! shares another photo from Monday’s 70th Primetime Emmy Awards. So I thought, I’ll write a recap, and here we are.

What I learned from watching the Emmys is that I clearly don’t watch as much TV as I thought I did … or I just don’t watch what is important. I was so beyond bored as I sat through all the Comedy and Limited Series awards. I don’t watch a single one of those shows. I get my comedy from Real Housewives and a Parks & Recs Netflix binge … the only limited series I watched this year was Waco, which I saw was nominated like once and lost.

Soooooo, what I’m getting at is … you were looking for my thoughts on the first two hours of awards?

One thing we can discuss? Fashion!! Some of my favorite looks included Emilia Clarke, Sandra Oh, and Ellie Kemper.

My favorite couple looks were ScarJo & Colin … and obviously Jessica & Justin! Which, now that I see them side by side, maybe they were my favs because they were so similar??

As for bad fashion? I was NOT here for Regina King as a highlighter, Tracee Ellis Ross as a teen girl’s comforter, or Chrissy Ty-ginn’s high neck chain gang look. Not posting pics because they were truly heinous (name that movie!).

Side bar: Why did I spell CT’s name like that? Haven’t you heard?? We’ve been saying it wrong all these years … along with Ariana Grande’s name! Plus, Burt and Ernie are gay together, and Kylie Jenner just tried milk in her cereal for the first time … LIKE, WHAT IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN AND THE BULLS*** THAT MAKES THE NEWS?! That I then must report on …

Moving on … I don’t know if it was the wine I was drinking, but I thought Colin and Michael were really funny, although some jokes and skits didn’t land (especially Maya Rudolph & Fred Armisen). In fact, much of the show felt like SNL skits … but honestly, I didn’t mind because I love Saturday Night Live. Clearly I have good taste because it won it’s 65th Emmy during the award show (at least, google said it was the show’s 65th award).

It wasn’t until about two & a half hours in that I started getting excited. That was about the time Darren Criss won for American Crime Story and John Mulaney won for his stand-up! And if those two awards didn’t wake you up …… did the unexpected proposal??? You can read the whole story here! As cynical as I usually am, I thought it was super sweet!

Finally, just as I was about to turn the show off, I started to hear Game of Thrones, Westworld, This is Us, and The Crown. My category has arrived!

Seriously, I was like a proud momma seeing Peter Dinklage, Thandie Newton, and Claire Foy win! Then … Game of Thrones taking Best Drama Series?!

I mean, I hoped, but you don’t take over a year, almost two, off and still win do you? YOU DO! I’m currently reading the second book in the series in prep for 2019 and just so I still have some GOT in my life (I also play the theme at any jukebox bar I can find!). Bend the knee, it’s still the best on TV!

I live tweeted the show; always go check me out on Twitter (find links when you scroll alllllll the way to the bottom of the blog –> IG is there too!). On deck this week is #RHOC & #RHOD, plus the hubs and I started watching Mayans M.C., the Sons spin off, and I plan to watch Sierra Burgess soon too! If you want to stay updated with MHH, click in the top right and enter your email to get a notification for each post! Happy reading, happy watching, happy discussing all the ridiculousness pop culture offers us!

The Real Recap: RHOC & RHOD

Posted on September 16, 2018 by myhollywoodhangover

Hi friends!! I haven’t written a post in a while due to middle school teaching and cheer being so busy, but what I’m never too busy for is watching the housewives. Now that we’re really getting into the seasons, I want to share my thoughts on the OC and Dallas women.

Orange County Housewives

RHOC has been kind of a mess lately. Last season with Lydia was such a bust, and this season it looked like we might be headed in the same direction. Kelly Dodd is saving the show. First, let’s discuss what’s hurting and what always seems to hurt on housewives: new cast members. I had to fast forward the scene with Vicki and Gina because it’s so hard to watch Gina struggle raising three very small children all on her own. Plus, she’s so much younger than the other women and is just removed from their deep, inner circle that she makes for boring tv. Don’t ask her back next season.

Who should be asked back? Heather, Alexis, or Gretchen! Bring back some OGs who have history with the Core 4, and who will ruffle feathers (especially Shannon’s … we’ll get to her shortly). As far as Emily goes, she shined on this week’s episode, freaking out in regards to Kelly’s comments about Shane (Emily’s husband). I can’t wait to see the aftermath next week! Kelly Dodd may be single and ready to mingle, as well as Shannon’s new ride or die, but she’s still the same Kelly, who makes obnoxious comments (“You’re a dork! You’re a little b***h!”) that I am so here for and is much needed to hold my attention of the show.

I could not have been more shocked to see Shannon feel guilty over how she makes everything about herself (which she does) in regards to her friendship with Tamra (who was wasted most of the episode). I want to root for Shannon because she’s gone through so much the last two years, but it’s to the point where she is becoming as unbearable to watch as Vicki. Again though, I was proud of her for taking a realty check with Tamra, as well as being a great friend to Kelly. I’m so so so here for their friendship!

Cheers to those two and cheers to Emily for helping me be excited to watch this week!

Dallas Housewives

Sooo … yay Brandi has a new baby, yay D’Andra is starting her own business (maybe), yay Kameron is still talking about Sparkle dog food …. oh wait. DALLAS IS BACK! I haven’t yet blogged about these women, (unless you count the time I went over their new taglines … click here!), so I’m excited to dive in and discuss the third season! As far as the actual ladies go, I’m always (and always will be) team LeeAnne, although the rodeo bar scenes were a bit much (that floor dancing!). I’m really loving Stephanie this season as well! And, I know so many people dislike her, but I kind of enjoy when Kameron is on my television. Brandi, to me, is the OG of Dallas, so I enjoy her for what she brings to the show and don’t ever want to see her leave, but she’s not my favorite favorite. However, I really can’t stand D’Andra or Cary (and thank goodness Cary was out of town this week & we didn’t have to see her much).

Umm … not really …

Anyway, I thought the Beaver Creek episodes were fun to watch and made me more excited for the bigger trip they’ll take later in the season. This week, it was nice to see Brandi with the ladies without Stephanie & Cary, and I’m glad Kameron brought it up to discuss. I’m suuuper interested to see how everything is going to play out with the new forming friendship of D’Andra & Brandi … mostly, will it give us another famous LeeAnne line?

The next episode looks a little boring, but I get that we’re still developing the season. I can’t wait for that confrontation between Brandi and LeeAnne in costume!

Image result for dallas housewives season 3

This isn’t a video … I just needed it for the reference I made 🙂

As always, come find me on Twitter or IG so we can discuss the women in further detail! This week expect another post because … THE EMMYS ARE TOMORROW NIGHT in which all of television (except, sadly, the housewives) are rewarded! I’ll be watching live, as well as Tweeting all the fashion, winners, and losers!

(see post script below)

Post Script:

I’ve been pretty quiet on all the Bachelor related drama that’s been in the news: Amanda’s arrest, Bekah’s pregnancy, Paradise finale, Jenna & Jordan … it’s not that I don’t care (everything is up on my IG), I’m just frustrated still about Colton being named Bach (read all my thoughts here: Colton is the Worst), and quite frankly … I’m needing a major Bachelor break. I need my homies, aka the housewives, to raise me up from this tv slump (which they have!) … thus, I won’t be discussing anymore Bachelor until Colton’s season … that is, if I watch!

Colton is the Worst

Posted on September 4, 2018 by myhollywoodhangover

I just have to put it all out there … can ABC PLEASE stop casting thirsty men as the Bachelor? For the past two seasons (and Colton will be #3) this has been the case. Don’t worry, I’m here to lay out all the facts. I know this won’t change the already horrible decision that’s been made; at least I’ll feel better though and getting all my feelings out may lessen my chance of not watching.

Nick Viall

Even his name describes the kind of person he is. He was cast two seasons ago as the Bachelor, and it was my first time watching the show (I’m a Bach baby). If you didn’t watch his season and don’t already think he’s the worst, take into account he was on the Bachelorette twice, Paradise once, and then was cast as the Bachelor … and still didn’t find love. Nick was terrible during his time as the Bachelor, and least we not forget this horrible moment …

He went on to do Dancing with the Stars and be an all around douche … oh yeah, and the girl he proposed to on his season? They didn’t even make it a year.

Arie Luyendyk

Arie was cast on the eighth season of the Bachelorette, only to then be cast as the Bachelor last year. I didn’t watch his first run on the show and barely made it through his boring Bachelor run. However, it was his break-up with Becca … ON TV … that makes him the worst.

Cool man, go be happy with Lauren … but you knew what you were doing to this girl and to have it shown on TV was so lame.

Nick was thirsty after he made an appearance four times on the show, plus went on DWTS. Arie was thirsty after he knew he chose the wrong girl and decided to air the breakup on the show. No one could be worse than those two right?

Wrong. Enter Colton, your new Bachelor. Let’s start at the beginning and run the timeline, shall we?

Exhibit A —

It’s 2016 and Colton thinks to himself, “How can I make myself a more famous NFL player?” I don’t know, how about date a gold medal Olympian? That’s what Colton did when he asked out Aly Raisman via social media. Don’t believe me? Click here for the story. Apparently their break-up was mutual, due to long distance. #whatever … she deserves better anyway.

Exhibit B —

Next, he hooks up with Tia from Arie’s season, while he’s being cast for The Bachelorette. Oh, how did the two of them start talking? Wouldn’t you know … social media! Sound familiar? Click here for that story. Come to find out though, Tia doesn’t become the Bachelorette, her friend Becca does. But that’s okay because Colton finds her attractive too (I think he has a thing for brunettes) and he goes on the show to date her.

Exhibit C —

Not only does the thirst monster get cast, he makes top 4. His virginity becomes a topic of interest, as does his relationship with Tia. Anything to keep a story line going and stay relevant, am I right? Alas though, it doesn’t work out between Colton and Becca; I’m sure with his new found fame, he’ll return home to run his charity. Wrong.

Exhibit D —

Colton goes to Paradise to reopen the can of worms that is him and Tia. Oh, and not only that … ABC has to bring Becca to Paradise to add more fuel to this lame fire. No Bachelor or Bachelorette has even attended Paradise right after his or her season ended; Becca is the first, and she’s only brought on to cause more drama with/for Colton. Becca apparently gives Colton the “closure” he needs, he makes Tia his girlfriend, only to dump her a few days later.

And now the guy is cast as the next Bachelor. Ughhhh I really don’t know if I can stomach watching him talk with his lisp, or cry, or discuss his virginity /Tia any more. Think they’ll cast Tia as one of the girls? I’d maybe watch then. All in all I could not be more annoyed with this decision. Justice for Blake and here’s to seeing if I actually watch.

Labor Day Re-Watch

Posted on September 3, 2018 by myhollywoodhangover

This year I choose to not labor by going back and analyzing some of my favorite TV time of the last two weeks: the Real Housewives of New York reunion parts 1 & 2, and the incredible Netflix movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which probably deserves an entire post of it’s own, but here we are).

Let’s go ahead and start with Peter and Lara Jean, that way if you’re only here for them (I see you Peterson girls!) you can stop reading when the housewives roll in!

Background

I’m not trying to sound all braggy, but I have been obsessed with Peter and Lara Jean’s story waaay before the movie ever came out. I read To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before & P.S. I Still Love You years ago, and then reread them before starting the movie. I’m currently reading the conclusion to the series, Always and Forever, Lara Jean. I hate to be that person who is all “The books are better” but come on, they always are, and I’ll get to why in a little bit. But first, everything I loved …

Film’s Successes

The worst thing a movie based off a successful novel can do is cast actors who are not even close to the characters. Whoever cast this film deserves an award because the actors are the people from the book. Peter, Lara Jean, Kitty, Margo, Chris, and the dad are exactly how I pictured they would be … like to a T! I love how awkward, yet endearing LJ is … I think Peter uses the term “quirky” in the books. I love how she’s an individual (the whole “better style” scene is great!), and unsure of herself, but then sure with Peter, but then pretends with him, but then ends up falling for him. Oh, and Peter! Where do I begin? His encounter with her on the track, then wanting an explanation at the diner, to being kind to Kitty, to their interaction at the party, to his realization he can talk to her about super personal issues, to the moment he tells her she was never second best, to him admitting he is in love with her in the end! His little scrunched nose and the way he grabs her is exactly how Jenny Han wrote him.

I could go on and on about how great the two of them are, both on their own and together, but I really think you should read the books. Lara Jean and Peter’s story is one for the ages, one Lara Jean could only dream of reading about, and lucky for us we actually get to!

My Only Criticisms

Warning** spoilers for those who haven’t read the books … and if you haven’t, what the heck are you doing?! (Haven’t I already mentioned this??)

So, in the books the hot tub video isn’t released until the second installment and only because the first book has to fit in all the drama with Josh; he kisses LJ! And, Peter shows up to confront the two of them at Thanksgiving and Josh and Peter almost fight; it’s epic! So I was a little disappointed that was left out of the movie. Also, Peter knew Gen released the video in the book and keeps it from LJ for a while, and that is the main plot of the second book. However, most people who are fans of the books know that the movie has to be condensed down, so this isn’t a huge critique.

I’ve heard a few other fans say the fact that Lara Jean goes into the hot tub in her nightgown was stupid; I thought it was kind of sexy of her (ugh & that leg wrap!) However, it was really dumb that she was able to dry off so fast and then sleep in the gross hot tub nightgown.

Really though, if those are my only complaints, then I actually don’t have any at all. This movie 100% did the books justice, hopefully encourages more people to read, and is the most epic love story, the new Jack & Rose, Noah & Allie of our generation!

Switching Gears …

I just want to quickly recap the RHONY reunion (both parts) for a second time. Click here for my post on part 1: RHONY: Part 1 Reunion. I didn’t blog part 2 (but I tweeted; follow me!) The reason I’m bringing it up now is because I felt so much happened I needed to re-watch and vent before Wednesday’s conclusion; Labor Day was the perfect day to do so!

A few thoughts ….

I seriously can not get over the reactions the women had while watching clips of Nutcrackergate, along with all the other digs Carole, Dorinda, & Ramona were making (at Bethenny). I can’t even imagine where the show can go from here based on the women’s current relationships; they’re all over the place, how will they even film together?
I’m so so so happy Sonja stuck up for Bethenny and she couldn’t have made better remarks!
I feel like the fact that everyone was so up in arms regarding the Nutcracker was ridiculous (bringing it up again; ugh sorry!); why do you care if B’s thank you was on camera or not; it’s just one more thing to harp on Bethenny about and it’s so so so dumb!
Ramona went off on her little rant to Bethenny because at the end of the day, she strongly wishes she could be Bethenny’s bff
Dorinda is insanely defensive regarding the Luann conflict in Columbia … telling Sonja she’s drunk all the time? Uh, no. Also, if you’re (Dorinda) going to get that upset about Lu’s “Here she goes” comment or whatever it was … it’s because there is probably truth in it. Dorinda would not have got that upset unless it was true that she was getting started on the wasty express.
We need a sit down with Lu in the Clubhouse. Stat!
Ramona’s face during the Lu arrest video ….
I didn’t realize the “Carole doesn’t have a career” comment was made during the season and I think Carole is really holding on to that.
It seems like Carole is upset about anything and everything Bethenny said about her, when in fact all the women talk about each other in their interviews; maybe Carole is more sensitive because Bethenny was her close friend … ??
AGE SHAMING IS NOT A THING!
Eeek… the resume into the current decade comment was a little harsh.
In the end, Carole wants to be the HBIC and if you’re B’s friend you will never ever ever get to be that; stop being so cool Carole.
Omg they’re like really yelling, Carole is really yelling.