Tonight’s hotel buffet dinner was meatballs and mashed potatoes… only the meatballs were swimming in gravy and not marinara sauce. Ryan and I took one look and turned right around and headed back to our hotel room to make a meal from the random food we have on hand.
Fortunately I had some more homemade veggie lasagna that I nabbed from my parents’ freezer stashed away in our freezer, so I fixed myself a big slice and dug in!
Much better than gravy meatballs.
After dinner Ryan and I went on a walk to explore the area and got a kick out of the swirly sidewalks.
They look like they should be covered in brick, painted yellow and placed in The Wizard of Oz movie.
Once we got back from our walk, it was time for us to hightail it to the movie theater!
The Help: The Movie
Ever since I read The Help and found out it was going to be made into a movie, I’ve been waiting for it to debut in theaters. (You may read my book review of The Help here.)
The Help is one of my all-time favorite books. Let’s just say I had high expectations for the movie.
I thought the movie (all two-and-a-half hours!) was very well done. The characters were well cast and the movie was heart warming, funny and emotional. And it gave me the same sense of hatred I had for Hilly Holbrook that I had when I read the book.
There’s so much to the movie – history, friendship, family, love and complete ignorance.
The movie did what the book did to me while I watched it: It made me think about how things were during that time in America. It’s so hard to believe the kind of awful prejudice detailed in the movie existed so openly not that long ago. Segregated bathrooms? It’s incomprehensible to me, but I am grateful for movies and books that take us back to this time to hopefully reiterate how far we’ve come and how crazy we once were.
I will say that the movie left out a lot of the back story and “behind the scenes” parts of The Help that really engaged me as a reader and helped develop the characters further. I found myself wishing more was included, but I think that happens anytime a book is made into a movie.
As a big-time lover of the book, I think I’m naturally overly critical of the movie. I really did enjoy it a lot and would absolutely recommend it to others, but the book still has my heart 100 percent.
And, for what it’s worth, Ryan said he liked the movie a lot. He was surprised that it wasn’t nearly as much of a “chick flick” as he anticipated and said it was really funny.
Now it’s bed time!
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That’s such a strange sidewalk! A neat little quirk of the town! I haven’t seen that movie, but I’ve always wanted to. Maybe I should make time to go?
I didn’t realize it was out yet! I’m slow. looved the book. glad to hear the movie was good. they’re never as good as the book but thats to be expected 🙂
Thank goodness for leftovers!!
And I’m so Glad you enjoyed The movie! I want to read it before seeing the movie.
I reALLY wnt to see that!!! aanddd wow.. i need lasagna now..
Thanks for the review! I am excited to see it.
I NEED to read the book before I see the movie – I feel like that’s the only way! Although movies usually aren’t as good – so maybe I should see it first, then read the book….to end on a high note! 🙂
Are books not always way better?! And frozen lasagna looks kinda deeeelicious 🙂
I’m definitely gonna check this movie out soon! Emma Stone is my girl crush! She was so great in Crazy, Stupid, Love!
I just imagine this hotel advertising the foods you describe every day in the worst possible way.
“Tonight, try our GRAVY BALLS!”
“Eggs! Now… with MORE GREASE THAN EVER BEFORE!”
“Chicken parm… SORT OF!”
(this hotel loves caps and exclamation points.)
I think I’ll have to read the book before the movie, just to get the full experience. But v. exciting that Ryan liked it!
Hehehe you just made me laugh out loud in work x
gravy ballllllllls!!!!!!!
and you’re spot-on with your advertising!
I’m always very over-critical of movie adaptations of books. You’re not alone, Julie!
There are so many movies I need to see! I haven’t even seen Water for Elephants yet! I just don’t know I will be able to convince my husband to see it with me 😉
I cannot wait to see the movie now! My boyfriend and I trade off on movies. We saw Cowboys and Aliens a couple weeks ago, and this Friday he’s taking me to see the Glee 3D movie. So it’s going to be a little bit before I get to see The Help..
I need to borrow this book from my sister ASAP! I feel like I need to read it prior to seeing the movie! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
So now I have to drop everything and read the book. Along with the half of America that didn’t read it before the movie came out.
Thanks to the freezer for the lasagna! Homemade always wins….. As for the movie! YAY! I can’t wait to see it! …..The book is always better, especially if you read it before you go to the move! Glad you included a his & hers opinion ….maybe the husband will see it with me 🙂
I just finished the book (like, today) and can’t wait to see the movie!!!!
I want to see the movie but I’m patient enough for it to come out on netflix haha. For a 2hr+ movie I’m surprised that they were capable of leaving stuff out ha!
Sounds like the movie was a success! My opinion is that the movie can NEVER be as good as the book, so the best you can really hope for is an entertaining movie experience.
Glad you had a backup available for dinner! I hate being at the mercy of buffets/hotels where there aren’t very many options! It’s always good to be prepared!
I saw The Help tonight too and LOVED IT! I also read the book and agree that it left out some parts, but what post book movie hasn’t? I would also like to state that I have NEVER cried that much in a movie.. please tell me you crried?! If I hadn’t been trying hard to keep my composer I would have bust out in hysterical tears at least twice. The way people are treated in that movie just made me so angry, even when I knew it was coming! My boyfriend really loved it too! Such a great movie. Everyone go see it 🙂
You just convinced me to go see it!
Loooooved that book but I’m not sure if I want to rush out and see the movie. I figured they’d leave quite a bit out (as usual). Books always top movies!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it after reading and loving the book. I’m afraid to see this movie because of how much I loved the book and don’t want to “ruin” the characters created in my head. I don’t think i would worry so much if it weren’t for “The Kite Runner” movie… totally ruined the book for me 🙁
the kite runner may be the next book i pick up. would you recommend it?
YES YES YES!! Also “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. I didn’t read them consecutively, but I think it would add to the experience of the books. By far, two of the BEST books I have ever read. They are similar to the help in the way that they capture your heart, but there is such a cultural difference that it’s hard to put down- I read ATSS in one night. I also recommend not seeing “The Kite Runner movie haha.
i cannot wait to see ‘the help’ this weekend! i love the book too. thanks for the great review:)
Finishing up the book now! Can’t wait to see the movie. Not so sure if my boyfriend will see it with me, but luckily my best friend Adam already said he wanted to (I knew we were best friends for a reason)
Btw, the lasagna looks so yummy! I wouldn’t be able to resist eating that if it were in my freezer!
I absolutely LOVED the book. I never have wanted to cry and jump for joy all in the same book. Miss Skeeter is my hero 🙂 I didn’t realize that the movie was out. I am definitely going to see it!!
I can hardly wait to see it. I’m going to make my husband read this post, so he can see that another man went to it and thought it was okay… he’s expressing some resistance to going haha
I read ‘The Help’ thanks to your review and absolutely loved it! I cannot wait to see the movie!
so glad you loved it! one of the best books ever! 🙂
I am so debating seeing this movie. I’ve seen so many adaptations that I’ve been disappointed in. Especially when I looooooove the book like I did this one.
PS… Did you see they made Sarah’s Key into a movie too?
Not sure what I even think about all these great books being made into movies. May give the Help a chance based upon your review. Thanks for sharing!
i did see that! but i can’t find it playing in a theater near me. boo!
Seriously one of my favorite books! Can’t wait to see the movie now!
The book was amazing. After seeing previews for the movie, and hearing so much about the book I read it and loved it!! You should definitely post the recipe for your mom’s vegetarian lasagna it looks delicious!
I really want to read this book! You’ve convinced.me!
Lasagna and a Movie! Sounds tasty! I can’t wait to see the movie although I haven’t read the book. Glad to hear it’s not to much of a ‘Chick Flick’
Great! I’m looking forward to seeing the movie too!
i really want to see the movie! especially since you said you thought the movie adaptation was pretty good! i hate when the movie version completely disappoints!
hmmmm….i wonder if i can convince the bf to go see it…
I loved the book of The Help, too, and also went to see the movie tonight. I REALLY enjoyed the movie! I think they did a wonderful job including as much as they possibly could of a pretty long book. It was already over 2.5 hours, so I knew some stuff would be cut, but I think they really kep the integrity of the book and that readers and non-readers of the book will both enjoy & understand the point of the story. Definitely a must see!
I went with my best friend, one of my sisters and a couple of her friends and we all loved it!! We all read the book, and I felt they followed very close with the book. Of course there was a lot left out, but I think they put in everything that was important to make the story work. The actresses were all fabulous!! It honestly did not feel like 2 1/2 hours to me at all:) I would definitely recommend it, and also highly recommend the book too!
I also have a book suggestion for you. I read Water For Elephants years ago and loved it, and I know you read it not long ago. The author – Sara Gruen – has a book called Ape House, and it is soooo good! I just finished it the other day, and loved it from start to finish! I also read The Glass Castle, and I’m glad it is getting better for you. The book was really good, and the follow up book is great too! As you can see, I love to read:) Can’t wait to hear your thoughts when you finish!
i finished the glass castle last night and actually really ended up enjoying it. once the family got out of the desert, it really picked up for me!
I found it started slow too, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. The next book is about her grandmother, and was also very interesting! It’s called Half Broke Horses. That family certainly experienced a different way of life!
I’m so glad the movie was good! I too loved the book but am usually dissapointed with the films! I hate the prejudice that occurred then but I hate that it STILL occurs even more. You would think in today’s world we would have learned tolerance and respect but many are still very closed minded.
Ps I’m very impressed with your hotel room meals! With few resources they seem to turn out great!
Ps
That’s so good to hear that Ryan enjoyed the movie! I was debating seeing it and will have to let my boyfriend know that another guy enjoyed it. Although, my boyfriend thought The Notebook was a really good story line. I think he just enjoyed looking at Rachel McAdams. 😉
Very excited to read this book and eventually see the movie. For once, I would like to have a book read before the movie comes out. I do know that will happen for the Hunger Games though!!!
I can not wait to see the movie! Thanks for your feedback on it!
My favourite quote from the movie:
“Love and hate are two horns on the same goat – and you need a goat!”
Hahahaha
I’m really glad to hear that Ryan liked it, because I’ve been contemplating trying to convince my fiance to go see the movie with me! I’ve been meaning to read the book for a while now, but after your review of the movie, I can’t decide if I’d rather read the book before or after the movie…
Gravy meatballs???? Eeeewww
I really, really want to see The Help!!! 😛
I absolutely LOVED The Help! It was so heart-warming. I actually found myself cheering for some of the characters as I read along! Now I can’t wait to see the movie! Woo hoo!
I still want to see the movie! it looks so cute 🙂
I too have read the book, and yesterday I took my mom to see the movie version of “The Help.” We both loved it! I loved the casting of Minny the most. I am so glad that the movie was well done and didn’t leave me wanting more, as some movie versions tend to do.
minny was my favorite, too!!
I hate Hilly in the book, too but I love Bryce Dallas Howard (I wish I could steal her hair 🙂 I wonder if she is going to start playing some “nice” roles?
Alysha @ShesOnTheRun
Yea – so glad to hear it was a good movie…can’t wait to see it – it’s not out yet here in Trinidad….hopefully we get it soon! xoxo
Ah thanks for the review!! I’m gonna drag my guy to go see it tonight, so I’m glad Ryan approved!
My mom and I are going to see the movie later tonight. I can’t wait, we both loved the book!