Extreme happiness that rivals anything purchased at a certain coffeehouse.    

This has become my morning staple.  Thanks to SheSpeaks and Torani for allowing my the opportunity to try out the Torani syrup at home!  I highly recommending getting your hands on some of this stuff and trying it out in your home.  The possibilities are endless!!

Well, this is it. This is the end. With the release of Breaking Dawn Part 2 this Friday, the Twilight saga will be over. I really hate to say this (and I never thought I would) but I am ready for the end. This might be because I have just had enough of Kristen Stewart and her horrendous acting. I never envisioned when I picked up the first book back in the summer of 2008 that the whole franchise would become what it is today. (Thanks again to Andrea McMillian Hunter for putting the book in my hands!) I was one of those sad souls that were at the book store at midnight on the release date to pick up my pre-ordered copy of “Breaking Dawn” (although I only read the first chapter that night). I must admit that I was ultimately disappointed with this installment of the book as I found it to be very anti-climatic. I was interested to see how the film created a different spin on the ending.

As I am sure that everyone knows at this point, Bella is now a vampire following the “violent” birth of her hybrid daughter, Renesmee (even her name is a hybrid). In the world of Twilight, newborn vampires are really strong and extremely thirsty. Bella defies everyone expectations and exhibits incredible self control over her thirst (although she looks really angry when she hunts). She is also very strong, which is shown through an arm wrestling match with Emmett (Kellan Lutz). The more beautiful part, yeah- not so much. Of course, now that Bella is a vampire she and her husband Edward (Robert Pattinson) can get it on without breaking headboards (in the book, they break walls instead). Alas, with a PG-13 rating, the Earth shaking intimacy is left to the imagination where it is to remain for eternity.

Their daughter, being a super child, grows at an alarming rate and has special abilities. Her existence is brought to the attention of the rulers of the vampire world, the Volturi, who plan to do away with the child and all who are involved with her. With this knowledge, the Cullens along with some help from the now re-united (and ever growing) werewolf pack gather together essentially all vampires on Earth to “witness” on their behalf that Renesmee was born and not bitten. This brings forth a bunch of characters in name only (which I realize was necessary for the story but was just a waste of colored contacts & white face paint). The best of these new vampires has got to be Garrett (Pushing Daisies’ Lee Pace), who has been present in every US battle including Little Big Horn. When good meets evil in the final and ultimate showdown, heads will roll.

The acting in this installment seemed particularly horrible to me. Maybe was all of the dilated gold and red pupils, but everyone just seemed overly intense. The idea of Jacob (Taylor Lautner)pulling the ole werewolf imprinting trick on an infant is much more creepy when a (poorly CGI-ed) face is put on the infant. (In regards to the imprinting aspect of the story, it is theorized that Jacob had imprinted on Renesmee long before she was even thought of, so essentially he imprinted on one of Bella’s eggs.) Speaking of the CGI, it is even worse in this one than any of the other films. There are some scenes in which the CGI is bearable, but the running is particularly bad. As far as the end of the film, I think that it made the rest of the film worth it. The cards were stacked against screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg from the get go as the book had a very weak ending. Rosenberg spiced it up in the best way she could. I can say that no one will see the end coming. The last 30 minutes or so of this movie elicited the most vocal reaction from an audience that I have ever heard.

So, that’s it. Twilight is over. Yes, people were crying but not me (as any “regular” readers of mine know, movies don’t make me cry). It is bittersweet that the whole story is over. Sadly, I feel as though I am outgrowing Edward and Bella (finally, at 35..ha ha). It has been a nice journey with the good folks of Forks, WA but it is time to move on. I’m thinking Seattle or Portland maybe…

This video explains a lot of my incoherent ramblings lately. I love these videos!  I want to join forces with this group to come up with more of these.  Check them out at http://badlipreading.tumblr.com/

“The Hunger Games” — A Bad Lip Reading (by BadLipReading)

Do not go to this movie expecting a remake of the 1984 Red Dawn. While it is very similar, using the same characters and basic premise as the previous movie, the 2012 Red Dawn is more of a re-purpose. But it is a good re-purposing.

For those of you that are not familiar with this movie, it is the story of a small town that gets invaded by foreign troops, in this case they are from North Korea (although they were Chinese when this version was filmed in ’09). The troops take over and imprison those they deem a threat. A group of high school students led by the brother of the quarterback decide to fight back. Using what they can scavenge and steal from soliders, this guerilla group, dubbed the Wolverines, begins an uprising in their town.    

The two movies share the same characters but with some variations.  The same names are used but their duration and importance to the story are different.    The brothers, Jed and Matt Eckert, who were originally played by Patrick Swayze and sane Charlie Sheen (remember THAT guy?) are now played by Thor, er, I mean, Chris Hemsworth and Josh Peck.  The relationship between the brothers is much more strained due to abandonment issues.  The character Robert (originally played by my first movie crush, C. Thomas Howell) is portrayed by Josh Hutcherson (my current movie crush—there is irony here (yes, I am a boy-crazy teenager at heart)).  Robert is not as strong of a character in this Red Dawn as in the previous, but he is still the first one to raise his gun in the air and scream, “Wolverines!”, which has become one of the most iconic moments from this film.  Robert, along with the help of Darryl (Connor Cruise- aka Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s kid), has one of the most humorous scenes in the entire film.  Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays the Marine Andrew Tanner, looks eerily a lot like Powers Boothe, who played the role in the original.  The cast is more diverse, which also makes the movie more P.C. than the original.

The movie opens with sound bites and news clips discussing the state of the economy worldwide and the discussion of the possession of nuclear weapons.  This is an effective opening, because it puts the viewer in a “realistic” state of mind.  The audience goes into the movie knowing that the events that they are about to witness in the movie are not completely out of bounds.  There are several scenes from the original that are re-created, including a clever attack.  I was pleased to see one scene including a certain animal that I vividly remember from the original in the new version (but with a little twist).  Also, this film has some better lines than the original. (Side note- look for the ever so slight Cabin in the Woods reference towards the beginning of the film.)

As far as what I did not like from this movie, the camera work at times made me confused, being a bit too shaky for my liking (as in shakier than the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan).  I also felt like the ending of the film seemed forced.  Although it ends on a bit of a happier note than the original, it seemed a little too quick.  My biggest complaint is the casting of Josh Peck as Matt (who did a Q&A session after the showing).  He sounded like he was trying a little too hard to be the hero but just ended up sounding like he was in pain.  I would have much rather seen Josh Hutcherson as Matt. 

In short, I liked this movie.  I thought that it was a good update to the 1984 film.  The action is more creative and the characters are cheekier.  This film is also not as emotionally charged as the original Red Dawn which some people may not like.  (I don’t cry in movies. Ever.  And when I do, it doesn’t make me happy.)  For those folks who say that filmmakers should leave well enough alone and not remake the classics, I wouldn’t really consider this a remake.  I would give it a chance.

Somewhere in my boxes located in this house, there is a video tape that contains the very first MTV Movie Awards.  It had been an exciting year in movies, with such films as Wayne’s World, Point Break and Terminator 2 having been released.  This occurred in 1992.  I just completed the ninth grade.  Fast forward 20 years, and I am right back in the same place.  Only now I can say that I actually have worked in the industry that is being highlighted on the Awards Show and that I have actually rubbed elbows with some of the attendees.  Oh, I am so important.  My reason for mentioning this is just that I am still in a bit of shock that I have been able to follow my lifelong dream (although I am not currently employed in this industry).

Russell Brand is hosting tonight’s event.  He is kind of growing on me.  He was very endearing  in Rock of Ages.  His version of “Keep on Loving You” with the aide of Alec Baldwin was hilarious.  Russell almost immediately pokes fun at himself, which is always nice to see.  He touches on beating up the paparazzi and short lived celebrity marriages.  He makes a statement that he is going to have his eyes peeled for his next wife, as the last time that he hosted a MTV awards show he ended up marrying a woman that he met there.

* Best Onscreen Dirtbag-  Jennifer Anniston, Horrible Bosses
This is a new category this year.  I wonder if it is replacing the villain category or if this is just a step below actual villain.  Anyway, when I think of dirtbags, I think of men (sorry).  I do not think of Jennifer Anniston, quit arguably one of the most gorgeous women in entertainment and one of America’s Sweethearts.  I will admit that I have not yet seen this movie but from what I gather, she was quite nasty in it.  She thanks Friends for allowing her to embrace her inner sweetheart and this film for allowing her to play the dirtbag that she has always wanted to be.

*Breakthrough Performance- Shaliene Woodley, The Descendants
She was good in this role, which has been noted through her repeated big award nominations.  I was particularly in awe of her underwater crying scene.  And she really held her own against Mr. Clooney onscreen.  They had a great onscreen dynamic.  It is nice to see her getting recognition for a role other than the terrible one that she portrays on the terribly written The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

*Best Male Performance- Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games
Get ready, Josh- here it comes.  Now that THE main two series in the recent past are coming to a close, it is your turn to start getting lusted after.  And he is completely deserving of it, at least in my eyes.  I am Team Pee-niss, I mean- Team Peeta all the way! 

*Best Female Performance- Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games
First of all, I am really pleased to see that Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth are presenting this award.  With them presenting, it means that Ms. Personality herself was not nominated.  The winner was not a shocker to me (although Kristen Wiig would have been good too).  She was not there to accept the award, so Kristen tried to act really bummed about it (it didn’t really work for her).  I hope that Jennifer is ready too for what is going to happen to her in the future.  Kind of appropriate that Kristen was giving the award to Jennifer.  Almost as though she is passing on the Gauntlet to her.

*Best Kiss- Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
So, this one was a no brainer.  I mean, c’mon folks- it was their wedding kiss.  Sadly, Kristen was solo for the acceptance.  And it was really painful to watch.  She called on Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron and Taylor Lautner to come on stage to help her out.  Yeah, no takers.  Maybe that should tell you something, sweetie.  She ended up turning around for the old “I’m-making-out-with-myself” thing from fifth grade.  Then thanked everyone for “giving us this award, again”.  Can you tell that I am not a fan of hers?

*Generation Award- Johnny Depp
Johnny is my man.  I think that the man can do no wrong.  Even if the movie is complete crap, he is always brilliant.  Johnny was featured with a montage of movie clips and then he performed with The Black Keys.  Awesome as always.  A man of few words, Johnny accepted the award humbly and then went right back into playing guitar with The Black Keys.  It was nice to see him in this different way.

*Best Fight- Jennifer Lawrence & Josh Hutcherson vs. Alexander Ludwig, The Hunger Games
Fights to the death always seem to do really well in this category.  When the loser of said fight meets his demise at the jaws of computer animated dog-like creatures and the world is watching, you’ve got a winner on your hands. 

*Best Cast- cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2
It is amazing how the award for a cast is only accepted by one person.  Do they think that now that they are done with the whole circus, they no longer have to put in an effort?  Oh well, at least we know that this is the last time that we will be subjected the Harry Potter madness.  And only one more year of Twilight.  But fear not, there are many other series waiting for the glory.

*Best  Onscreen Transformation- Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games
Well played MT.  Having Joe Manginello come out as a half-dressed firefighter and repeatedly stroking an axe.  Nice touch.  The odds were definitely in her favor with this acceptance.  Really anyone from The Capitol could have won this award.  They are one odd looking bunch of folks.

*Trailblazer Award- Emma Stone
The video that led up to the acceptance was great.  Especially with Jim Carrey, on the heels of his video love letter that he sent to her.  She is a really great actress.  I won’t go into what I really know about her.  It doesn’t change the fact that she is really great and versatile.  She kind of played off the whole acceptance by talking about how people should not look up to her.  I am kind of confused right now.  Can we just go back to more of the lead in video?

*Best Movie- Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1

Well, color me shocked.  And Ms. Personality once again mans the mic in her slinky dress and Converse.  I really do think that she must be drunk.  I have never heard her say more unscripted words before.  And look at that, there are other folks from the cast there.  It was a nice little touch that Taylor Lautner drops the release date for Part 2.

So, these awards were not as entertaining as I had hoped they would be.  Russell Brand was a pretty good host.  I would have liked to see more category and a bit more fun.  I guess every year can’t be great.  You should all now tune in to Teen Wolf, which starts season 2 tonight.  (There, that is my Georgia Film & TV promo for the day.)

This magazine spread came out about a month ago in Entertainment Weekly.  I thought about doing a post on it at that time, but I had yet to complete my descent down the rabbit hole.  Now that I am a fan, and in the footsteps of my latest Man-candy post, the timing is right.  As I have said before, better late than never.

Sometimes I am a little late to jump on a bandwagon and this post presents another example of this.  In January, I decided to watch a few episodes of The Vampire Diaries because I had a friend that was going to be appearing as a member of Klaus’s hybrid army (at the time, I had no clue what that meant.)  The day after the first episode, I went to work loaded with questions for Wolf Girl about the show.  There was just too much being referred to that I was clueless about.  It was kind of strange that I had not seen a single episode until then considering my being a huge vampire fan and that the show is filmed near my hometown.  So, I decided to use my short term disability time to watch the show from episode 1 with the help of Netflix.  (During this time, I also realized that I know the former mayor of Mystic Falls.)  I will go ahead and throw my hat into the Stelena ring (although he is being a total jerk right now) but my feelings would not be hurt if she ended up with Damon (the guy just loves her so much!).  With that being said, I present to you a fashion spread from the April 2012 issue of Glamour magazine featuring Ian Somerhalder (that is Damon for you none watchers).

    Is it bad to be a little jealous of that mannequin?

Watch The Vampire Diaries on Thursday nights at 8 pm on The CW (and help support the Georgia film industry too)!

So, I thought that my post on last week’s show had been completed but apparently not.  I usually double check but for some reason I failed to do so.  Better late than never.

In an odd turn of events, the crew jumps way across the pond from Central America (well, LA really) to Switzerland for the over night dates.  Just as a reminder, the remaining ladies are Nicki, Lindzi and Courtney.  While in route to Europe, Ben contemplates his relationship with each of them.  (He likes that Courtney is quote “a little bit nerdy”.  I think that he is confusing nerdy for psycho.)  He feels like he may be falling in love with Lindzi but still has very strong feelings for Courtney.  But he is worried about the way that things have panned out with her and the other ladies.
                 
First up for the over nights is Nicki.  A helicopter comes to pick them up and takes them on a aerial tour (which sometimes got a little daredevil-ish).  Then they are dropped off on a mountain top for a picnic.  Ben tells Nicki that her father reminded him a lot of his late father, which she was very touched by.  After some reminiscing about the hometown visit, they attempt to share their feelings by  “screaming it from the mountain top”.  Unfortunately, their voices were barely about a yell.
             
Later in their date, they end up at a very rustic looking log cabin which is decked out to look all romantical.  He asks her how she views their future lives and weekends together.  She makes is clear that she would have no problem moving to Sonoma to live and work.  They start to discuss things the specifics, such as how many kids they each want (he wants 4, she wants 2).  Then he drops the card bomb on her.  Why is it that everyone always seems so surprised when they read the Fantasy Suite card?  It is not as if they didn’t see it coming.  Anyway, she accepts the opportunity to spend the night with Ben (I think that we all know what that really means).  They sit by the fire, they hot tub it, she drops the l-bomb again.  The date is left right there.

The next lucky lady is Lindzi.  As she is running towards Ben in her cardigan, she comments on how cold it is there.  Uh, yeah, you are in the Swiss Alps and it is November.  Put on a coat or two.  They are going to have an “adrenaline” date, which ends up being repelling off from a 300 foot ledge (sounds pretty awesome to me).  I have no doubt that she is freezing her little tail off at this point.  It didn’t really look like they are truly repelling so much as being lowed into a gorge on a wire.  The next portion of the date involves a hot tub in the open Swiss air.  He notices that she is being more affectionate, which he appreciates.  He even utters the phrase “I love Lindzi” to the cameras. 
                   

                    
The evening has them having a fancy dinner.  She looks really nice (as always), he looks like Walden Schmidt from Two and a Half Men.  Lindzi feels like she is finally over her previous heartbreak (you know, the one that no one else has ever experienced) and she ready for Ben.  She tells him that she is falling in love (but does not drop the bomb) and that she hopes that the process ends with a proposal.  Then he gives her the “surprise” card.  She too accepts it with open arms.  They just go straight to the bedroom.  Ben  tells the camera “I love Lindzi” again.
                                    
Lastly, he shares the day with Courtney.  He starts the day off with doubts about her past behavior, which he plans on addressing at some point.  They have a “very Swiss date” planned, which involves taking a train to a quaint little village nestled amongst the mountains.  Once they arrive, they purchase the makings for a little picnic, including Swiss cheese (how original).  She acts all coy and sweet.  She states that this is what their life is going to be like, with lots of travel and adventures.  No, sweetie- that is only what your life is like when ABC/ Disney is paying for it.  Their picnic takes place in a cow pasture where they start yelling at cows.  She tries to defend herself with past drama with the other ladies.  She tries to say that she had tried really hard to be friends with them but may have been misunderstood in the process.  This is the answer that you would give the person that you are trying to get in good with, not the actual truth.  He ends the conversation because he does not want to ruin their picnic.  She tells the camera that she is afraid that she is going to lose him over this.  Too little too late for those thoughts.
                  
For their night, they are set up in a wine cellar.  She admits that she regrets her previous actions with the other ladies.  She fears that he may think that she is being fake but he is afraid of how she will mesh with the other ladies in his life.  Courtney has told him in the past that she sometimes has trouble getting along with women.  I can not see this being a good thing.  Ben presents her with the Fantasy Suite card.  Obviously, she accepts it.  Again, she tries to play coy about it but lets be real.  They hang out in a little hot tub, which reminds me of the one from Boogie Nights.  Then that is the end of the dates so that we can now learn more about the next bachelorette, Emily Maynard.
              
During the morning of the Rose Ceremony, Ben gets a visitor to his room in the form of Kacie.  Talk about an awkward hello.  Basically she has come all the way to Switzerland to get some answers as to why she got the boot.  More or less, he blames it on their families and their backgrounds.  All of the perfection that was Kacie & Ben was not what it had appeared to be apparently.  Once she gets her answers, she attempts to talk some sense into Ben about Courtney.  It is hard to tell if he is annoyed by what she says or if he is just surprised by the whole thing.  He is afraid that he is being played by Courtney.  Finally, he has woken up!  Chris Harrison offers to allow Kacie to be included in the Rose Ceremony, but Ben turns it down.  (Apparently, this was the idea of the producers.  Kacie did not want anything to do with it.)
          
So, the moment of truth arrives.  Ben states that he is not going to make any final decisions until the last moment.  In other words, he has no clue what he wants at this point in the game.  The roses go to Lindzi and Courtney.  Sadly, it is the end of the line for Nicki.  If Ben knew the type of woman that he wanted, then he would have kept Nicki (who has more in common with Lindzi) and sent Courtney on her way.  He says that hers was the hardest goodbye that he has had to do so far.
     
I am not sure if there will be a show post next week as it is the Women Tell All episode.  I anticipate there being some blog worthy comments uttered.  Rumor has it, Courtney will be there to face the firing squad.  We will just have to wait until then.  Have a good week!

It is time for home towns!  This week, Ben gets to find out where the ladies get their charm (and evil) from.  It is sure to be filled with numerous uncomfortable silences and nervous laughs.  To begin the festivities, Ben travels to Ocala, Florida to meet Lindzi’s family.

          
Much like the first time they met, Lindzi rides up to meet Ben on horseback.  Since horses are such a big part of her life, she has planned their date around them.  She helps Ben get them set up for a carriage ride.  They then sit down for a little snack in a grassy area,  and I hope it is not full of horse waste.  During their snack, Lindzi gave Ben the specifics on her most recent past relationship and letting him know that her family did not approve of him.  While trying to figure out the words to “Over the River”, they take a carriage ride to her parents’ house (how very 1860s).  Upon arrival, Lindzi’s parents offered Ben a glass of wine (very appropriate).  They start to talk about the dates that they have had and the places that they have visited.  Ben and Lindzi tell her parents that their first date was in San Francisco and that it concluded at City Hall.  It just so happens that her parents were married at City Hall in San Francisco.  Now, what are the odds?  They then compete in a friendly carriage race.  Lindzi’s parents win and she & Ben have to pull her parents back to the house.

     
Lindzi has a serious talk with her mother.  Her mother then later her father has “the talk” with Ben.  Her mother basically tells Ben that Lindzi has led a sheltered life as far as men are concerned.  Lindzi is an only child so the protection factor is going to be particularly high with this family.  They keep harping on the fact that Lindzi has recently had her heartbroken.  The way they talk about it makes it seem as though she is the only person to ever have gone through it.  But they seem like a good couple of folks.  And they have awesome wine glasses (Mason jars on wine stems).  The day ends with her parents giving Ben their approval and blessing.  He admits to the cameras that he may be falling in love with Lindzi.  All looks good on Ocala, FL. 

The next stop on the parental tour is Clarksville, Tennessee for a visit to Kacie’s family.  She chooses to meet Ben at her high school, where she has arranged for the marching band to perform.  Low and behold, there at the back of the band is Kacie twirling her little baton.  Kacie tells Ben a little bit about her family history.  She lets Ben know about her grandparents love story and how she envies what they had.  She would like to model her own marriage after theirs.  Before Ben meets her parents, she lets him know that her father is a probation officer and that he doesn’t drink.  A non-drinker is not necessarily a good match for a winemaker.

Kacie’s parents were not crazy about her going on the show to begin with.  The glances and looks that are being thrown around, especially from Kacie, are loaded with skepticism.  She comes from a non-risk taking family and she is scared of what is going to happen.  During Ben and her father’s talk, her dad does not look impressed with Ben and Ben looks like he is about to crap himself.  It is not a particularly frightening discussion, just the normal stuff.  But toward the end of the discussion, her dad says to Ben that if he does not feel that Kacie is the one then he needs to please let Kacie sooner rather than later.  Her mother tells him that she does not approve of Kacie moving out to California before they get married.  So, she would rather that her daughter have a long distance relationship from Tennessee to California rather than “live in sin” prior to marriage?  These are supposedly the traditional southern views.  I have lived in the south for most of my life and there is no way that my parents would have opted for that over me moving out to the far away state where my fiance lived. 
     

When Kacie sits down to talk to her father alone, he basically makes her feel like pooh.  He tells her that if Ben were to ask him if he could marry her, he would say no.  He clearly does not believe Ben or trust Kacie’s judgement.  She is pretty sure that she is in love with him but now feeling bad about it due to her parents reactions.  All does not look good in Clarksville, TN.

         

Next stop, Fort Worth, Texas for a little visit with Nicki.  Nicki meets Ben in the Fort Worth Stockyards (which I know from experience to be a pretty cool place).  She gets him suited up with the perfect cowboy boots and cowboy hat.  They talk a little more about her past marriage since it will no doubt be brought up again at some point during the day.  She is a little worried that she may be jumping into another serious relationship so soon after her divorce.

     
Nicki’s parents are divorced but are together for the visit.  Both of her parents are understandably concerned about Nicki getting hurt by Ben (or “Bin” are they pronounce it).  Nicki lets her mother know that she is falling in love with him.  Her father is worried that he was too quick in giving away Nicki’s hand in marriage the first time (which I found incredibly touching to hear).  He feels like he let her down by doing that.  Nicki seems to have a really good family.  During dinner (of good ‘ole Texas barbecue), her dad gives them his blessing.  At the conclusion of the date, Ben admits that he had moments during the date where he felt like he was feeling like he was in love with Nicki.  All seems really well in Fort Worth, TX too.

      
The final parental stop is Scottsdale, Arizona to find out what went wrong with Courtney’s upbringing.  She begins by telling the camera that she feels bad about the way that she has treated the other ladies while on the  show.  Wait, did I hear that right?  She feels bad about something?  Ben plans on grilling her family about Courtney’s personality and how well she plays with others.  The discussions that Courtney has with her mother and her sister actually make her sound like she is a nice, normal woman.  It is just too bad that is not the face that she has showed to the cameras and other ladies. 

           
            
Following the meeting with the parents, Courtney and Ben go off for their alone time.  There is a wedding that is being set up in the park where they are hanging out.  She comments that she has always wanted to get married there.  It turns out that she has set up the whole thing.  She just so happens to have a bow tie, some rings and notebooks in which to write their vows in her purse.  Oh, and look at that- there is a minister at the end of the aisle.  She is using this whole set up to tell Ben that she is in love with him.  Seems a bit elaborate to me.  He says that he really likes that she put together this romantic and intimate setting to tell him this.  Sorry, but I found it a bit creepy and crazy.

Everyone returns to Los Angeles for the Rose Ceremony.  Understandably he is dreading the act of elimination but it must be done.  He decides to give the 3 waiting roses to Courtney, Lindzi and Nicki.  As heartbreaking as it is to see Kacie go, her hometown visit really did not do anything to make their budding relationship any better.  (In a side comment, Courtney looked like she felt obligated to give Kacie a goodbye hug but she made sure that Ben was looking first.)  Kacie handles the send off really well.  She is hurt, of course, and I find her potty mouth completely understandable.  It is just sad to see someone like her doubt that she is worthy of love.
    

This week begins with a deep sense of envy from me.  The group is going to Belize, which is a location that I have always wanted to go to.  Specifically, they are staying in Ambergris Caye.  Maybe someday…  Anyway, Ben admits right off that he is starting to have feelings of love but is not prepared to admit it to anyone.  He wants to use this week to reflect on the journey thus far since the women still present at the end of the week will be taking him home to meet their parents.  It is kind of hard to believe that this whole process is almost over.  Well, it is hard to believe for me, at least.

The ladies are presented with their temporary home, which is amazingly gorgeous.  Emily states that she is sharing the beautiful house with 4 other women and a shark (i.e. Courtney).  This week is going to consist of 3 one-on-one dates without a rose and one group date with a rose.  The first date card is given by Chris Harrison and is addressed to Lindzi.  Nicki was hoping that the card would have been for her and is reduced to tears.  Chill, sweetie, this is only the first date card of the week.  There is more to come, so just cool your jets. 

Ben picks up Lindzi in a, wait for it… helicopter.  All of the other ladies more or less pout when Ben whisks her away.  (Emily compares Ben to a “piece of delicious cheesecake” being taken away from her.)  Ben takes Lindzi on an aerial tour which ends over the Blue Hole.  The plan is to jump from the hovering helicopter into this interesting ring in the ocean, which is roughly 500 feet deep.  While this sounds pretty cool, I need to be able to feel the bottom of the place that I am swimming.  I would pretty much be freaking out.  So after the plunge (so pun-y), they climb onto a waiting yacht. 
                       

Dinner is set up on a candle lit pier.  Pretty ideal looking actually.  Lindzi admits to the cameras that she is falling in love with him but is afraid that he is not feeling the same way.  During their conversation, Lindzi tells Ben that she would love to take him home to her family and that she is falling for him.  They keep saying that they “took a huge leap of faith” on their date.  Okay, guys, we get the irony of the whole the date.  Now stop being corny.  They end their date by writing a little story together and putting it in a bottle.  And they set it sail in the ocean.  This date could not have been anymore cheesy.  It is a good thing that I am not lactose intolerant.

         

The second date card comes and it is for Emily.  Courtney gets all weepy that she is not the lucky one.  Hun, you have gotten all kinds of “special” time with Ben.  You don’t necessarily deserve a date.  But I actually believe that she is actually crying real tears this time.  She may actually feel real emotions after all.  As Emily is heading off on her date, Courtney states how excited she would be if he sends her home.  Uh, did you not catch the part where there are no roses on the one-on-one dates?

     

Emily boards a little plane which takes her to another part of the city.  Ben meets her and they climb on some bikes to tour the island.  They test the island foods, shop, dance, play basketball…they actually look like a real couple.  Ben decides that he wants them to have fresh lobster for dinner.  Unfortunately the man that they meet up with does not have any lobsters for them.  The man offers to take them out on a boat to catch their own lobsters.  Emily gushes over how much she loves that Ben is spontaneous and just chose to go diving for dinner.  If that was spontaneous, then I am the tooth fairy. 

The date with Emily seems to go really well.  During dinner, Emily brings up the fact that she wasted time that could have been focused on the two of them while she was worrying about Courtney.  Isn’t that what Ben said 3 weeks ago?  She extends a “formal” invitation to him to come home and meet her family.  (Since when is it her decision?)

Meanwhile, Courtney is having a heart to heart with Lindzi about Ben being on a date with Emily.  She tells her that she just feels like Ben is not sticking up for her when the others bad mouth her.  But the funny thing is that he has stuck up for her.  She also says that she is not sure that she wants to take him home to meet her family.  Also, if she gets the one-on-one card she feels that it would be too little too late.  Right now, I just want to make sure that I am watching the same show that she is experiencing.  Courtney is clearly delusional.  I guess that she is switching over to playing the sympathy card now that the bitch card is getting old.  She will not accept a rose if she does not get a one-on-one date.  I only wish that was the way that things worked out.  The last one-on-one date card comes and it is for Courtney.  So all of her bitching and whining were for nothing.  It is obvious that she has just broke the camels back with all of the other girls, especially Kacie.  “Good boy.  He listened.”  I was not aware that she was a consultant in these matters.

         

Courtney starts off her date with more whining to the cameras.  She says that he needs to step up his game or she is done.  Another private plane comes to take her away.  She is dropped off in a jungle-esque type area.  She again whines to the camera that she feels that things have fizzled between the two of them since it has been so long since their last one-on-one.  Did she totally forget about the whole skinny dipping incident that happened 2 cities ago?  They start off on a hike and end up at a Mayan temple.  I was secretly hoping that he was leading her to a human sacrifice.  Not to be.  Then she starts whining to Ben.  Telling him that she had yet another hard time while he was on his date with Emily since she was the one that had said bad things about her.  She also admits to him that she was going to refuse a rose if she didn’t get the date.  Well, she achieved her desired effect because Ben feels bad.  I read in this week’s US Weekly, that a friend close to Ben said that Ben is a bit geeky and that he has never had a model pay him any attention so he is totally diggin’ any attention that Courtney is giving him.  It is just unfortunate.  They climb to the top of the temple or ruins or whatever it is.  They continue on with the puns- “every step that we took was one step closer to being together”. 

During dinner, Ben tells Courtney that while they were sitting at the top of the temple he had a moment of clarity.  He said that he could see her in his future.  She then proceeds to act like she has won the whole thing based solely on that comment.  She continuously “shoots” the camera and says “I don’t want to get cocky though.”  Yeah- you are cocky every day of your being on the planet. Ben asks her to elaborate more on her journey on the show.  Cue the whining again.  The other women don’t know her and don’t try to and she has tried sooo hard to win everyone over.  Whatever, sweetie.  Ben seems a bit worried that she is a hard person to get along with in general.  He tells the camera that he is worried about being in a relationship with a woman that he really likes when no one else does.  Guess what, Ben….

            

The next morning, Ben sneaks into the house at the butt crack of dawn for the group date.  He wakes them all up and it turns into a quick shave marathon.  A catamaran meets them to take them out for a little shark diving.  While Kacie and Nicki are extremely excited, Rachel looks like she is about to wet herself.  She makes Ben promise her that the sharks will not eat them.  Nicki and Kacie jump right in while Ben is still sitting on the boat trying to coax Rachel into the water.  While they were all swimming, it seemed more like Rachel & Ben were on a one-on-one and Nicki & Kacie were 2 friends on vacation.

        

Back on land, the date continues at the house.  Nicki tells Ben that she too is falling in love with him and she wants to tell the trees, shells and the ocean.  Kacie tells him the same thing.  Ben then turns his attention to the rose on the table.  He reiterates how important this rose is since it signifies meeting the family.  He gives it to Kacie.  Then Courtney stands watch on the balcony.  She does not feel intimidated by any of the other girls, least of all Kacie (who she describes as a woman in a teenage boy’s body).  The date hits a lull and the ladies on the date tell Ben that they just want him to be happy.  They feel compelled to let him know about Courtney.  He was under the impression that the only problem with Courtney had to do with only Emily.  Nicki tells him that she does not feel that Courtney is there for the right reasons and Kacie backs her up on it.

The cocktail party starts under a somber cloud.  Courtney is the only one of the rose-less that feels confident going into the night.  Actually, she is annoyingly confident.  And she makes the statement that Ben is not the only guy in the world, which shocks the other ladies.  Chris Harrison arrives to inform the ladies that there will be no cocktail party and that Ben is certain what he wants to do.  Courtney tells the camera that she is ready to get rid of some of the girls and to call Ben her fiance. 

So, the Rose Ceremony starts with only one woman safe.  There are only 3 more roses to give out.  Before Ben begins the Rose Ceremony, he pulls Courtney aside to address her real reasons for her being there.  She plays Ben like a guitar.  I am here for all the right reasons, don’t listen to them, I have tried really hard, blah, blah, blah.  The remaining roses go to Nicki, Lindzi and Courtney (much to the dismay of everyone).  Emily looks as though she is going to pass out and Rachel looks about ready to vomit.  It is heartbreaking to see them, or at least to see Emily, go home.  The ladies tried all that they could to open Ben’s eyes to Courtney’s little game but to no avail.  As Ben was hugging Emily, Courtney made a snarky little comment and gave a little wave that I am shocked that Ben did not see.

So now, the ladies all go home to their families.  Next week, Ben will be visiting their hometowns and getting grilled by the parents.  It looks like the fathers are prepared to question Ben as though he were a terrorist.  I hope that you enjoyed this episode.  Have a great week!