Around this time of year, I like to get into the holiday season by watching the classic "Christmas Movies".
Here's a short list of the Advent MUST SEEs:
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street
Elf
and, of course, White Christmas
To tell you the truth, I only just watched White Christmas for the first time about 15 years ago, right around this time of year. We were living in an apartment in Monticello, and we had these neighbors, who rented a house on the other side of the parking lot. The mom was a few years older than me and was very...different from me. They had a couple of children together and their names were the first and last name of a famous musician. The man they named their kids after, happened to be a cousin of the dad of the family.
The kids played with little Trina and were very sweet, if not just a little rambunctious. The kids had very little discipline because their dad didn't work and their mom worked all the time. All in all, they were a nice family and they always had time for a visit. One day, the little girl (who was about 7 at the time) asked me if I'd watch a movie with her. She pulled out her FAVORITE tape and the whole family spazzed out when they found out I'd never watched it. The dad, especially, was aghast. "You mean you've nay-ver seen the White Christmas? Aye! It's the BES! OH! (singing in flat, out of tune voice) Seesters, seesters dare wear nehvar sohch deevoted seestairs...?" When I blankly stared at him (I mostly was just so surprised he had suddenly become so animated!), he looked at me with a "HOLY GUACAMOLE, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THIS AWESOME MOVIE BEFORE!" look. Clearly, me never seeing this movie was something he needed to remedy so, I settled down to watch this SOUPAIR movie with the family. After about 10 minutes, the dad was asleep, snoring on the couch.
I thought the movie had REALLY bad acting but the songs were good. When the movie came to the famous "Sisters" song, I finally figured out what the Mexican dad was trying to sing and it took all the couth I could muster to not bust a gut. The dad woke up at the end of the movie, scratched his stomach and offered me a beer. He then asked what I thought of the movie. I politely declined on the beer issue, and told him I liked it very much, thank you. He eyed me, warily, and asked if I wanted to borrow it. Of course, I borrowed it and watched it again. I needed to see what it was about that film that moved this family so much. It's almost like it provoked instant happiness in this family and it was OBVIOUSLY something on which they all agreed.
I still can't figure out what is so great about that movie. The only thing that I like about it is the sisters song. I felt so sorry for Rosemary Clooney because she was such an ugly duckling compared to Vera-Ellen. When I looked up Vera-Ellen on IMDB, I saw this unfortunate paragraph at the end of her bio:
It was discovered that Vera-Ellen silently battled anorexia throughout much of the 50s before doctors had even coined the term or devised treatments. Moreover, she developed severe arthritis following her retirement and was forced to revert to dance lessons again in order to combat it. If that wasn't enough, she had to endure two failed marriages while losing her only daughter, Victoria Ellen Rothschild, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1963. These tragic events turned her into a virtual recluse. Little was heard for decades until it was learned that she had died of cancer in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 1981. Less remembered today compared to several of the big stars that shared the stage with her, Vera-Ellen was a lithe and lovely presence who deserved so much more. Nevertheless, she has provided film lovers a lasting legacy and deserves to be called one of Hollywood's true dancing legends.
Whoa. No thanks. Hollywood sucks the life of the soul, doesn't it? By the way, I learned that Rosemary Clooney's son, Miguel Ferrer is the crabby boss guy on Crossing Jordan. Also, he was in Robocop. He's George Clooney's first cousin. Weird.
So, around about this time of year, every year, I watch that movie again, wonder if I'm missing something about how great it really is, wonder what ever happened to that strange family, remember the Mexican dad's rendition of the sisters song, and I giggle.
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December Movie Review
MAN! IT WAS COOOOOOLD TODAY! So, I decided to get the kids out of the house so they would stop climbing the walls and bugging each other. I also had to use the gift card that I got last year for the theater. It was 25 bucks, so I only had to shell out 5 dollars for all of our tickets!
We went to see The Princess and the Frog.
I thought it was going to be some super PC movie about black and white, injustice, blah blah blah...
BOY! Was I pleasantly surprised! I actually cried...well..."teared up a little" at some of the parts. I really liked the voices, the story, the characters...pretty much every thing about it. I can't really think of ONE controversial thing about it. There's a little bit of "voodoo" reference, but what Disney movie DOESN'T have some "magical, fantasy" aspect? They didn't over-do that part, and it was so unbelievable, you don't leave there thinking "Oh no! They're trying to turn my kids into superstitious voodoo priests!" or anything like that.
Thumbs up. Go see it. Even Mari and Tommy watched and stayed still for the whole thing. The 10 previews before the movie, I could have done without (Especially the Chipmunks movie...that one looks seriously disturbing.)!
We went to see The Princess and the Frog.
I thought it was going to be some super PC movie about black and white, injustice, blah blah blah...
BOY! Was I pleasantly surprised! I actually cried...well..."teared up a little" at some of the parts. I really liked the voices, the story, the characters...pretty much every thing about it. I can't really think of ONE controversial thing about it. There's a little bit of "voodoo" reference, but what Disney movie DOESN'T have some "magical, fantasy" aspect? They didn't over-do that part, and it was so unbelievable, you don't leave there thinking "Oh no! They're trying to turn my kids into superstitious voodoo priests!" or anything like that.
Thumbs up. Go see it. Even Mari and Tommy watched and stayed still for the whole thing. The 10 previews before the movie, I could have done without (Especially the Chipmunks movie...that one looks seriously disturbing.)!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Busted in December
Okay, so I missed ONE day. Big whoop.
Actually, we were very busy yesterday. In the morning, I went to the benefit breakfast for the Talleys. Their neighbors organized it (Applebee's facilitated the event) and the kids served the breakfast. A bunch of people donated some REALLY cool prizes (one I was hoping to win was the American Girl Doll. It was "Rebecca", the one Weazy was hoping to get for Christmas). I did not win, but it was really nice to be a part of something like that.
THEN, I had to do a whole bunch of last minute shopping for Anna's bachelorette party. It was so great the way it worked out. Butch and the other bro-in-laws went out to shoot in Menomonie (Anna's Matt's brother, Chris couldn't join them because he was called away for an emergency with their son, Mason...say a little prayer that they can figure the fever thing out!), but they had a very great time. They went to shoot clay pigeons at Matt's parent's farm, back to Menomonie for tavern fun, back to Matt's house for...I don't know...drinkin' dude stuff, I suppose. Butch reported that they had a great time.
Us girls (about 17 or so) went to Rachie's house (so nice of her to host it!) and made some DEEELICIOUS treats, chatted like girls do, and opened presents. Then, at 9pm, the LIMO came. We planned on heading to the cities to do some Christmas lights touring and visit a club or two...then Anna decided we should head back to our home town for some hick bar hopping. It was so so so fun to see Anna really enjoy herself and cut loose! We ended up at a bar where a local band was playing and I was so amused by how skeezy guys are these days...I suppose they were always like that, but my whole adult life, I've only been with Butch at the bars, so the skeezers would leave me alone. Not that they were "hitting" on me, mind you. Really, it's hard to be sexy and funky when you're 5 months pregnant with your 7th child and the only one NOT drinking! Anyway, the guys were super funny to watch. Some of the other groups we ran into were really funny too. There was this one girl who had a birthday party and they were wearing old bridesmaids dresses...not sure how the theme followed through...also there was a "purple party" for another birthday girl. That was was actually kind of cute. The guys in the party were all wearing festive necklaces along with the girls. Okay, it was kind of lame, but it was SOMETHING. All in all, it was a very successful party day. Here, at home, Trina entertained my three youngest and my sister's four until we got home at almost 2ish am. I was crashed.
I missed Mass this morning (which was a good thing, I heard since they let a nun talk for over 20 minutes!) so I am going to 6pm Mass. It's good to have that option as I was in no condition to sit at Mass this morning. I hadn't had a drink (unless you count sparkling apple cider?) but I felt like I had the WORST hangover. Now, I have this theory that the reason you feel so crappy the day after going out has less to do with the alcohol than the pounding music and the strain of having to talk over it, staying up later than you are used to, and having to contort your body into unusual shapes just to make your way in and out of crowded bars...oh wait, that's probably just me. I must have said, "Oh! Excuse me!" a thousand times last night because of my belly bumping into people.
Actually, we were very busy yesterday. In the morning, I went to the benefit breakfast for the Talleys. Their neighbors organized it (Applebee's facilitated the event) and the kids served the breakfast. A bunch of people donated some REALLY cool prizes (one I was hoping to win was the American Girl Doll. It was "Rebecca", the one Weazy was hoping to get for Christmas). I did not win, but it was really nice to be a part of something like that.
THEN, I had to do a whole bunch of last minute shopping for Anna's bachelorette party. It was so great the way it worked out. Butch and the other bro-in-laws went out to shoot in Menomonie (Anna's Matt's brother, Chris couldn't join them because he was called away for an emergency with their son, Mason...say a little prayer that they can figure the fever thing out!), but they had a very great time. They went to shoot clay pigeons at Matt's parent's farm, back to Menomonie for tavern fun, back to Matt's house for...I don't know...drinkin' dude stuff, I suppose. Butch reported that they had a great time.
Us girls (about 17 or so) went to Rachie's house (so nice of her to host it!) and made some DEEELICIOUS treats, chatted like girls do, and opened presents. Then, at 9pm, the LIMO came. We planned on heading to the cities to do some Christmas lights touring and visit a club or two...then Anna decided we should head back to our home town for some hick bar hopping. It was so so so fun to see Anna really enjoy herself and cut loose! We ended up at a bar where a local band was playing and I was so amused by how skeezy guys are these days...I suppose they were always like that, but my whole adult life, I've only been with Butch at the bars, so the skeezers would leave me alone. Not that they were "hitting" on me, mind you. Really, it's hard to be sexy and funky when you're 5 months pregnant with your 7th child and the only one NOT drinking! Anyway, the guys were super funny to watch. Some of the other groups we ran into were really funny too. There was this one girl who had a birthday party and they were wearing old bridesmaids dresses...not sure how the theme followed through...also there was a "purple party" for another birthday girl. That was was actually kind of cute. The guys in the party were all wearing festive necklaces along with the girls. Okay, it was kind of lame, but it was SOMETHING. All in all, it was a very successful party day. Here, at home, Trina entertained my three youngest and my sister's four until we got home at almost 2ish am. I was crashed.
I missed Mass this morning (which was a good thing, I heard since they let a nun talk for over 20 minutes!) so I am going to 6pm Mass. It's good to have that option as I was in no condition to sit at Mass this morning. I hadn't had a drink (unless you count sparkling apple cider?) but I felt like I had the WORST hangover. Now, I have this theory that the reason you feel so crappy the day after going out has less to do with the alcohol than the pounding music and the strain of having to talk over it, staying up later than you are used to, and having to contort your body into unusual shapes just to make your way in and out of crowded bars...oh wait, that's probably just me. I must have said, "Oh! Excuse me!" a thousand times last night because of my belly bumping into people.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Books That Made My Fingers Sore* And a Movie That Made Me Giggle
I read Tears Of God by Fr. Benedict Groeschel
It was one of the books I agreed to review for The Catholic Company. Here's the description from that site:
"Fr. Benedict Groeschel, best-selling author and beloved spiritual teacher, writer, and psychologist, wrote this latest book for all those who have suffered great sorrow or catastrophe in their lives and for those close to such persons, who share their deep suffering. Sorrow comes into the life of every person, but only into the lives of some people comes catastrophe. These are disasters that occur either suddenly or with terrible effects, like the death of a child. They can be natural disasters like hurricanes, or they can be horrific accidents or tragedies caused by people's evil acts. They can also arise from wars and situations of great tension."
I admit, I don't have a huge issue with worrying about "Oh why did this awful thing happen to meeeeeee?" but I know a lot of people who do, so I thought I'd get Fr. Groeschel's take on that whole deal. I liked his simple approach. He doesn't offer a million excuses as he explains how God's mercy works. I thought he might have a few too many teenyweeny, little, political jabs here and there that I didn't exactly agree with (I recognize them when my hackles go up as I'm reading), but I just took those details with a grain, realizing that that's the world he lives in and that's just fine. I turned them around in my mind a little, thinking that maybe I was just being sensitive. Sometimes, you know "the truth hurts"? But, upon further reflection, I don't think so. I just think that he is a religious man with a lot of good insight into the bad things that happen and the good God who helps us through those bad times, no matter how bad. It is a simple message, but sometimes, that is the kind that has the most impact.
I liked it. I do recommend it. I don't read that sort of book very often, you know, the sort of "religious, self-help book" but I could handle this one without getting bored or frustrated with it telling me a bunch of junk I already know. It's a very slim volume with a lot of compassion and truth in it. Check it out.
It also prepared me somewhat for the next book I read:
(which I didn't review specifically for The Catholic Company, but it is available at this link from them. I got it at my mom's house. My aunt had read it and borrowed it to my mom to read.)
I'm probably one of the few women in America who hadn't yet read the book...
Left To Tell
It is a true story.
I finished it in one day.
I don't think I can do justice to her story by telling you how I felt while reading it, but I'll try.
I felt cold and warm, all at the same time, while reading this book. Cold, from thinking about the worst that humanity can do to itself, and warmed by the love of God and the BEST that humanity can find to do for itself. Oh, just read it and you'll see what I mean. I can only say that I never knew anything about the Rwandan Genocide before I read it. I love world history. This thing happened in MY time, and I never knew ANY of it.
Read the book. PLEASE. This kind of thing has happened so many times before and could happen again in the blink of an eye. What will you do when/if it does? Prevent it from happening again. Learn about forgiveness and faith. READ THE BOOK.
Another "Catholic, self-help" book I've read lately (I know! I'm totally on a roll here! You should SEE my gross fingernails!) is called Daughters Forever, Sons Forever by Linda Kracht. I got it from Karen who opened a Catholic book store in the old convent/parish center in St. Michael. She wanted to know what I thought so here goes...
Normally, I am pretty critical of any kind of Theology of the Body stuff but this woman has really done her research. I would recommend this book for anyone, (with special instructions for the non-Catholic parent...being sensitive to the fact that these are universal truths, but that the protestant parent might not know anything about Catholic culture and might shy away from the terminology a bit). I also would like to publicly state, for the record, one of my wishes:
Whomever is in charge of raising our children, should Butch and I die while they are still young...This is the book you should read to understand our philosophy in how we wish them to be raised. It touches on the very sensitive things about being a teenager LONG BEFORE the whole "troubled teens" even take place!
I would love to quote from the book but I find everything so pertinent and good that I am just going to say that you should read this one, too. Not even especially if you have young children! This would be a good one for grandparents and any other person who knows some young person. How are they going to know this stuff unless we TELL them? I know a lot of adults who don't know this stuff, for Pete's sake!
Okeydokey, then. On to the movie review. I already commented on it on facebook but EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THE MOVIE "UP". There, I said it. I laughed very hard and cried a lot too. It had some of my favorite things in it....Old guys, silly little kids, and construction workers. Just trust me on this one and go see it asap. I wouldn't recommend it in 3D. It would take away from the beautiful work of art that I believe this movie is! Maybe save the 3D glasses for the second viewing?
*In case you didn't know, I bite my fingernails while I read. I don't know I'm doing it until I'm done reading and my fingers hurt. It's totally gross, I know...but I found out that not having any nails, and having calluses on my fingertips from years of biting really prepared me for playing the guitar!
It was one of the books I agreed to review for The Catholic Company. Here's the description from that site:
"Fr. Benedict Groeschel, best-selling author and beloved spiritual teacher, writer, and psychologist, wrote this latest book for all those who have suffered great sorrow or catastrophe in their lives and for those close to such persons, who share their deep suffering. Sorrow comes into the life of every person, but only into the lives of some people comes catastrophe. These are disasters that occur either suddenly or with terrible effects, like the death of a child. They can be natural disasters like hurricanes, or they can be horrific accidents or tragedies caused by people's evil acts. They can also arise from wars and situations of great tension."
I admit, I don't have a huge issue with worrying about "Oh why did this awful thing happen to meeeeeee?" but I know a lot of people who do, so I thought I'd get Fr. Groeschel's take on that whole deal. I liked his simple approach. He doesn't offer a million excuses as he explains how God's mercy works. I thought he might have a few too many teenyweeny, little, political jabs here and there that I didn't exactly agree with (I recognize them when my hackles go up as I'm reading), but I just took those details with a grain, realizing that that's the world he lives in and that's just fine. I turned them around in my mind a little, thinking that maybe I was just being sensitive. Sometimes, you know "the truth hurts"? But, upon further reflection, I don't think so. I just think that he is a religious man with a lot of good insight into the bad things that happen and the good God who helps us through those bad times, no matter how bad. It is a simple message, but sometimes, that is the kind that has the most impact.
I liked it. I do recommend it. I don't read that sort of book very often, you know, the sort of "religious, self-help book" but I could handle this one without getting bored or frustrated with it telling me a bunch of junk I already know. It's a very slim volume with a lot of compassion and truth in it. Check it out.
It also prepared me somewhat for the next book I read:
(which I didn't review specifically for The Catholic Company, but it is available at this link from them. I got it at my mom's house. My aunt had read it and borrowed it to my mom to read.)
I'm probably one of the few women in America who hadn't yet read the book...
Left To Tell
It is a true story.
I finished it in one day.
I don't think I can do justice to her story by telling you how I felt while reading it, but I'll try.
I felt cold and warm, all at the same time, while reading this book. Cold, from thinking about the worst that humanity can do to itself, and warmed by the love of God and the BEST that humanity can find to do for itself. Oh, just read it and you'll see what I mean. I can only say that I never knew anything about the Rwandan Genocide before I read it. I love world history. This thing happened in MY time, and I never knew ANY of it.
Read the book. PLEASE. This kind of thing has happened so many times before and could happen again in the blink of an eye. What will you do when/if it does? Prevent it from happening again. Learn about forgiveness and faith. READ THE BOOK.
Another "Catholic, self-help" book I've read lately (I know! I'm totally on a roll here! You should SEE my gross fingernails!) is called Daughters Forever, Sons Forever by Linda Kracht. I got it from Karen who opened a Catholic book store in the old convent/parish center in St. Michael. She wanted to know what I thought so here goes...
Normally, I am pretty critical of any kind of Theology of the Body stuff but this woman has really done her research. I would recommend this book for anyone, (with special instructions for the non-Catholic parent...being sensitive to the fact that these are universal truths, but that the protestant parent might not know anything about Catholic culture and might shy away from the terminology a bit). I also would like to publicly state, for the record, one of my wishes:
Whomever is in charge of raising our children, should Butch and I die while they are still young...This is the book you should read to understand our philosophy in how we wish them to be raised. It touches on the very sensitive things about being a teenager LONG BEFORE the whole "troubled teens" even take place!
I would love to quote from the book but I find everything so pertinent and good that I am just going to say that you should read this one, too. Not even especially if you have young children! This would be a good one for grandparents and any other person who knows some young person. How are they going to know this stuff unless we TELL them? I know a lot of adults who don't know this stuff, for Pete's sake!
Okeydokey, then. On to the movie review. I already commented on it on facebook but EVERYONE SHOULD SEE THE MOVIE "UP". There, I said it. I laughed very hard and cried a lot too. It had some of my favorite things in it....Old guys, silly little kids, and construction workers. Just trust me on this one and go see it asap. I wouldn't recommend it in 3D. It would take away from the beautiful work of art that I believe this movie is! Maybe save the 3D glasses for the second viewing?
*In case you didn't know, I bite my fingernails while I read. I don't know I'm doing it until I'm done reading and my fingers hurt. It's totally gross, I know...but I found out that not having any nails, and having calluses on my fingertips from years of biting really prepared me for playing the guitar!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
15 Minutes That Could Save a Life
Okay, it might not actually SAVE your life, but it will improve it. I guarantee you that! The most recent podcast inspired Trine to recall a story that you might be interested in reading (in the comments). Deacon Tim has a lovely story at the end about Senator Santorum and how God works in mysterious and wonderful ways.
Please visit Cyndi and Deacon Tim. It is only a 15 minute chat about life out here in the Catholic trenches. They are humble, decent people that really live their faith and hope to reach out to others out there who might sometimes feel like they are the only ones wrestling with matters of faith. Even if you are not Catholic, their chats will be relevant to you (and maybe help you to understand your Catholic brothers and sisters)!
PLUS, the extrasuperspecial bonus is that Cyndi has just the cutest voice. I wish she'd narrate one of those books on tape. Maybe some sort of historical romance novel or something about old-timey women of the West? I don't know but I love her soft, Okie accent!
Please visit Cyndi and Deacon Tim. It is only a 15 minute chat about life out here in the Catholic trenches. They are humble, decent people that really live their faith and hope to reach out to others out there who might sometimes feel like they are the only ones wrestling with matters of faith. Even if you are not Catholic, their chats will be relevant to you (and maybe help you to understand your Catholic brothers and sisters)!
PLUS, the extrasuperspecial bonus is that Cyndi has just the cutest voice. I wish she'd narrate one of those books on tape. Maybe some sort of historical romance novel or something about old-timey women of the West? I don't know but I love her soft, Okie accent!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wordy Thursday
Matty has been begging me all summer long to go to the MOA and, because it was his 11th birthday on the Feast of the Assumption, I finally had to take him.
I REALLLLLY didn't want to go. I even tried to bribe him yesterday morning. I promised all sorts of things but he didn't give in and he made me go against my will. I'm so very glad he did. He really had a nice time but, while he was on this super scary ride:
and I was feeding Tommy on a bench, I met a lady named Kimberly who happened to be a new homeschooler. We got to chatting (imagine that) and I found a new friend. God has ways of putting people together, I'm convinced of that.
I also took this picture (with my camera phone...still don't have a real camera) of a screen outside of the roller coaster. I wonder if Matty knew his picture was being taken?..NAW!
Tommy rode in the backpack all day with rests on benches here and there and a time out of crawl practice at Legoland. Matty brought his friends Brendan and Brady (brothers, neighbors) too. Trina watched the other kids at home and did a fine job babysitting.
It was a very nice day considering it was so humid and to spend the day outside would have stunk anyway.
Tomorrow is going to be AWESOME. I can't tell you why yet. Stay tuned...
OH! Today is my sister, Katrina's 34th birthday wow is that old or what? She's so old and wrinkly and today is her birthday and she's ooooooooooold and stuff. Did I mention she's 34?
SHE'S 34!
I thought I might post her phone number so you all can call her but she may have a problem with that. I also would post a picture of her but she REALLY would have a problem with THAT!
I REALLLLLY didn't want to go. I even tried to bribe him yesterday morning. I promised all sorts of things but he didn't give in and he made me go against my will. I'm so very glad he did. He really had a nice time but, while he was on this super scary ride:
and I was feeding Tommy on a bench, I met a lady named Kimberly who happened to be a new homeschooler. We got to chatting (imagine that) and I found a new friend. God has ways of putting people together, I'm convinced of that.
I also took this picture (with my camera phone...still don't have a real camera) of a screen outside of the roller coaster. I wonder if Matty knew his picture was being taken?..NAW!
Tommy rode in the backpack all day with rests on benches here and there and a time out of crawl practice at Legoland. Matty brought his friends Brendan and Brady (brothers, neighbors) too. Trina watched the other kids at home and did a fine job babysitting.
It was a very nice day considering it was so humid and to spend the day outside would have stunk anyway.
Tomorrow is going to be AWESOME. I can't tell you why yet. Stay tuned...
OH! Today is my sister, Katrina's 34th birthday wow is that old or what? She's so old and wrinkly and today is her birthday and she's ooooooooooold and stuff. Did I mention she's 34?
SHE'S 34!
I thought I might post her phone number so you all can call her but she may have a problem with that. I also would post a picture of her but she REALLY would have a problem with THAT!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Movie and a Question
Thanks for the suggestions.
I LOVED
Secondhand Lions (own it)
Count of Monte Cristo (make me melt, Jim)
Life is Beautiful (which should ONLY be viewed in Italian with English subtitles!)
I still haven't seen Return to Me but I'm looking forward to seeing what that's all about.
I reviewed Bella here (not worth all the hype Regnum Christi tried to gen up and it was a pretty lame that they produced the movie and went around trying to get their members to buy out the theaters all over the place. It was just a little embarrassing, in my opinion. If a movie is good, people will see it!)
Okay, just for fun...
What's the absolute WORST movie of all time that you've seen IN THE THEATER?
Mine?
Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour
I just giggle even thinking about it! You almost have to see it to believe how bad it is and to wonder what kind of incentive the producers had to produce to get that stinker on the big screen. Oghuh, I am practically gagging at the thought of a sequel (it was supposed to be "the first in a series" HAHAHAHAAAAA! I laughed so hard I think I peed a little in my granny panties when I read that!).
That would be so bad it might be good.
(oh, and thanks, "Feature Films for Families" for setting the bar so high in the area of "quality wholesome films for families" heeheehee, if you've been shnookered by those folks, you KNOW what I'm talking about!)
Facing the Giants (I saw on DVD but it WAS in theaters) is a close second!
I LOVED
Secondhand Lions (own it)
Count of Monte Cristo (make me melt, Jim)
Life is Beautiful (which should ONLY be viewed in Italian with English subtitles!)
I still haven't seen Return to Me but I'm looking forward to seeing what that's all about.
I reviewed Bella here (not worth all the hype Regnum Christi tried to gen up and it was a pretty lame that they produced the movie and went around trying to get their members to buy out the theaters all over the place. It was just a little embarrassing, in my opinion. If a movie is good, people will see it!)
Okay, just for fun...
What's the absolute WORST movie of all time that you've seen IN THE THEATER?
Mine?
Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour
I just giggle even thinking about it! You almost have to see it to believe how bad it is and to wonder what kind of incentive the producers had to produce to get that stinker on the big screen. Oghuh, I am practically gagging at the thought of a sequel (it was supposed to be "the first in a series" HAHAHAHAAAAA! I laughed so hard I think I peed a little in my granny panties when I read that!).
That would be so bad it might be good.
(oh, and thanks, "Feature Films for Families" for setting the bar so high in the area of "quality wholesome films for families" heeheehee, if you've been shnookered by those folks, you KNOW what I'm talking about!)
Facing the Giants (I saw on DVD but it WAS in theaters) is a close second!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Didjouknow I Watched Juno?
Short review? Hated it.
Long review? Fine! Here goes:
I purposely waited a while to watch it because I didn't want to be influenced by the hype. I also knew I wouldn't be able to watch it around the kids and I figured Butch wouldn't really like what looked to me a little too "chick flickish" for his taste and I don't get very much time to watch movies all by myself these days.
As I watched the beginning, I was looking at it from the stance of "could I possibly let Trina (almost 14) watch it if I edited just the beginning part?"
Uh, NO!
I know that some very good, Catholic blog writers have reviewed this movie positively so I really was set to enjoy it but was VERY let down. In my mind, this was a very depressing movie. It showed the base of every character almost to a person. It caricatured the ONE pro-life influence in the main character's life to the point of absurd stupidity. I thought that the filmmaker worked so hard to make the characters sound so witty and smart that they forgot that really, not EVERYONE is so witty and smart. The characters were very unlovable in my opinion. The main character seemed to have dead eyes like most seemingly soul-less teens these days (I know that not all teens are like that, but it sure seems like there are a lot of them around and I'd rather not they be glorified on film) I just couldn't really relate to anyone except maybe Jennifer Garner's character but even her, at the end was cynical and wooden (until she held the baby then of course she acted as most mother's would).
I have to say that the only thing in this movie that was really likable was the very end where the two fornicators sing a ditty to each other. It was a catchy tune.
Okay, I know that's harsh but this movie made me really not like people. I didn't see it as a pro-life movie at all. It made life seem like something that is created on a whim and judged at every turn as crude or cool depending on how the main character wanted us to think about it.
I thought that most of the lines in the movie were LAME instead of profound as many reviewers seemed to think.
I thought that the writer had a real anti-Christian attitude. Every time there was supposed to be a REAL devotion to anything "Jesus", it came off as forced or that the actor must have had a bad taste in their mouth to even say His name. The step-mom was particularly repulsive when she said something about a "gift from the baby Jesus". The dialogue was horrible, who talks like that? The writer is from Chicago and moved to Minnesota (yay us) so she throws all kinds of references in to things in the suburbs here near the twin cities but that comes off as forced as well.
I would rather have watched another "Die Hard" movie than one that tried to be so modern and hip and ended up being more depressing and putrid.
I really do feel sorry for the writer if this movie represents how she feels about the world and the people around her.
I could go into better detail but I'm a little fried from cleaning out drawers and organizing things all over the house. It's a never ending battle. I should have watched somthing to lift my spirits instead.
I'm heading to the Red Box to bring these movies back...
Can anyone recommend a good movie to get this bad taste out of my mouth?
Long review? Fine! Here goes:
I purposely waited a while to watch it because I didn't want to be influenced by the hype. I also knew I wouldn't be able to watch it around the kids and I figured Butch wouldn't really like what looked to me a little too "chick flickish" for his taste and I don't get very much time to watch movies all by myself these days.
As I watched the beginning, I was looking at it from the stance of "could I possibly let Trina (almost 14) watch it if I edited just the beginning part?"
Uh, NO!
I know that some very good, Catholic blog writers have reviewed this movie positively so I really was set to enjoy it but was VERY let down. In my mind, this was a very depressing movie. It showed the base of every character almost to a person. It caricatured the ONE pro-life influence in the main character's life to the point of absurd stupidity. I thought that the filmmaker worked so hard to make the characters sound so witty and smart that they forgot that really, not EVERYONE is so witty and smart. The characters were very unlovable in my opinion. The main character seemed to have dead eyes like most seemingly soul-less teens these days (I know that not all teens are like that, but it sure seems like there are a lot of them around and I'd rather not they be glorified on film) I just couldn't really relate to anyone except maybe Jennifer Garner's character but even her, at the end was cynical and wooden (until she held the baby then of course she acted as most mother's would).
I have to say that the only thing in this movie that was really likable was the very end where the two fornicators sing a ditty to each other. It was a catchy tune.
Okay, I know that's harsh but this movie made me really not like people. I didn't see it as a pro-life movie at all. It made life seem like something that is created on a whim and judged at every turn as crude or cool depending on how the main character wanted us to think about it.
I thought that most of the lines in the movie were LAME instead of profound as many reviewers seemed to think.
I thought that the writer had a real anti-Christian attitude. Every time there was supposed to be a REAL devotion to anything "Jesus", it came off as forced or that the actor must have had a bad taste in their mouth to even say His name. The step-mom was particularly repulsive when she said something about a "gift from the baby Jesus". The dialogue was horrible, who talks like that? The writer is from Chicago and moved to Minnesota (yay us) so she throws all kinds of references in to things in the suburbs here near the twin cities but that comes off as forced as well.
I would rather have watched another "Die Hard" movie than one that tried to be so modern and hip and ended up being more depressing and putrid.
I really do feel sorry for the writer if this movie represents how she feels about the world and the people around her.
I could go into better detail but I'm a little fried from cleaning out drawers and organizing things all over the house. It's a never ending battle. I should have watched somthing to lift my spirits instead.
I'm heading to the Red Box to bring these movies back...
Can anyone recommend a good movie to get this bad taste out of my mouth?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Parades In Minnahsohtuh
Today we enjoy the Monticello Riverfest parade. I love a parade!
As usual, the people watching is remarkable.
Especially the dude who sits by me in a "Keep Kids Off Drugs" who is totally stoned and spaced out.
We stand for the color guard and are so proud of any of the military people we see marching or retired ones that are riding.
We marvel at the horses and snicker at the pooper scoopers that follow them (why is poop so dang funny?).
We clap like crazy for the bands and the flag/fake wood rifle girls.
When Al Franken's wife and his posse with Al Franken signs (i.e. those dirty hippies with floppy hats and ugly brown sandals) pass by there are crickets, I swear. It is pretty funny but even funnier is this guy at the end of the posse who tries to get the crowd fired up and yells, "Do you want change, or more of the same?!" and Trina my supercoolsistersays, "MORE OF THE SAME!".
Heh heh heh.
We get more than a little nervous when the fat old guy shriners in the funny hats go by in their go-carts but clap when they pass by after a little formation show in front of us (it's really more of a sigh of relief clap, but it is pretty cool to see them "dancing" in their little cars!).
Don't you think it's a little ironic that the big trailer following them has a huge picture of a shriner holding a crutch in one hand and carrying a small child in the other? I swear they get within inches of the children along the parade route and I really fear that they might run over one if they aren't a little more careful!
We get all hopped up on tootsie rolls and fight over the vanilla ones. CURSES to those blue "frooties" that are really blue raspberry and NOT vanilla tootsies! That's false advertising or something!
We throw candy surreptitiously at the feet of the littlest ones so they think it was thrown at them in the first place and so they get a chance at a candy collection as big as the big kid's ones.
We get all star-struck (well, I do) when my hero in Washington comes by and hugs me so tight during our "can I get a picture with you?" hug, that I think I'm going to lose my breath!
Me and Trine marvel at how tiny and pretty she is and how we wish we could so totally be her when we grow up.
I just can't say enough good things about that woman!
(That picture was from my cell camera. Man, she makes me look like some kind of giant woman!)
I acted like such a dork when I saw that she was there in person. I was practically shaking when she walked away! I thanked her and told her she was my hero.
What a maroon. Could I sound any stupider?
Just for fun, you HAVE to watch a video or listen to some audio of her. She has the MOST cliche' MN accent in the whole state, yah. Me and Trine make fun of it all the time but I suppose if you heard us talking, you might think we sound just like her (if you aren't from MN)!
I love how she remains true to her conservative roots. I've never known her to step back from what she believes and that is so honorable! I hope she represents us for a good, long time.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Two Edge Talk
Check it out. It's a super cool chick and a dynamite deacon in once a week, frank, timely, and SHORT discussion of interesting Catholic matters.
They seem very REAL and honest and I really like their voices. You gotta listen to at least one podcast (which are all posted on their blog) and I'll bet you'll be hooked!
H/T mah sistuh
They seem very REAL and honest and I really like their voices. You gotta listen to at least one podcast (which are all posted on their blog) and I'll bet you'll be hooked!
H/T mah sistuh
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Photo Contest Entry
I found this post at around 11:30pm so I hope I can enter in under the wire! I thought that this picture of Thomas with Great-grandpa Bud was so funny. Thomas has such a goofy look on his face (he DOES look like his father, you know!) and I love it because this was the first time Grandpa was able to hold him. It's a funny picture and a precious reminder of a beautiful moment.
By the way, at the top of her blog she quotes her Grandma:
"One day God will have enough of your foolishness and demand that you hit your knees before Him. You can either do it willingly or He will put his hand upon your head and shove you to them."-Marie Lane
I LOVE that! I wish I could have come up with something so right and so profound!
By the way, at the top of her blog she quotes her Grandma:
"One day God will have enough of your foolishness and demand that you hit your knees before Him. You can either do it willingly or He will put his hand upon your head and shove you to them."-Marie Lane
I LOVE that! I wish I could have come up with something so right and so profound!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Deadliest Tuesday
This is probably unlike anything I've ever posted before:
I LOVE "Deadliest Catch"! The fourth season premiers on Tuesday night. YES! What's your favorite boat? Who is your favorite captain? Mine are the Northwestern and Sig Hansen. I just think they are really great fishermen, and have the best, most natural sense of humor. They don't seem to "ham it up" for the cameras and I love how they act toward their families. I'm sure their lives aren't EXACTLY as portrayed on the documentary, but I still think that over all the boats and crews, I would want to be on theirs the most...even though I'd be a greenhorn and be mercilessly teased, mocked, and given all the sh** jobs (like cutting bait, yuck). Also, they haven't lost any fishermen on that boat, ever. It seems like they run the tightest ship and have the prettiest, most loved boat.
Heehee, that paragraph reads like a "theme" a 1950's teacher would have assigned to her 4th grade students or something. I don't care, I'm a HUGE fan of this show and of these rough, sometimes crude, toothless, stubborn, strong, bullheaded, and BRAVE (or maybe a little stupid) men who fish for crab.
I found this on Wikipedia, and it makes me like the Hansen brothers even more...
"Non-Alaskan Seafood
The Hansen brothers, owners/operators of the Northwestern, have endorsed a brand of Russian King Crab being sold at discount chains such as Walmart. The decision to put the Northwestern name and colors on a non-Alaskan product has caused some controversy in the Alaskan fishing community, which the Hansens addressed in a November 2007 press release[6]. In the press release, the Hansens note that 50-70% of Alaskan King Crab is purchased by Japan and never reaches U.S. stores or restaurants; by bringing Russian King Crab to the American market, the Hansens hope that the increased demand for King Crab will benefit the Alaskan fishing fleet by raising the price of King Crab overall. According to the Hansens, the fact that, for the 2007 King Crab season, the price for King Crab went up $0.60 per pound indicates that the strategy of raising wholesale prices by increasing overall demand for King Crab appears to be working."
I LOVE "Deadliest Catch"! The fourth season premiers on Tuesday night. YES! What's your favorite boat? Who is your favorite captain? Mine are the Northwestern and Sig Hansen. I just think they are really great fishermen, and have the best, most natural sense of humor. They don't seem to "ham it up" for the cameras and I love how they act toward their families. I'm sure their lives aren't EXACTLY as portrayed on the documentary, but I still think that over all the boats and crews, I would want to be on theirs the most...even though I'd be a greenhorn and be mercilessly teased, mocked, and given all the sh** jobs (like cutting bait, yuck). Also, they haven't lost any fishermen on that boat, ever. It seems like they run the tightest ship and have the prettiest, most loved boat.
Heehee, that paragraph reads like a "theme" a 1950's teacher would have assigned to her 4th grade students or something. I don't care, I'm a HUGE fan of this show and of these rough, sometimes crude, toothless, stubborn, strong, bullheaded, and BRAVE (or maybe a little stupid) men who fish for crab.
I found this on Wikipedia, and it makes me like the Hansen brothers even more...
"Non-Alaskan Seafood
The Hansen brothers, owners/operators of the Northwestern, have endorsed a brand of Russian King Crab being sold at discount chains such as Walmart. The decision to put the Northwestern name and colors on a non-Alaskan product has caused some controversy in the Alaskan fishing community, which the Hansens addressed in a November 2007 press release[6]. In the press release, the Hansens note that 50-70% of Alaskan King Crab is purchased by Japan and never reaches U.S. stores or restaurants; by bringing Russian King Crab to the American market, the Hansens hope that the increased demand for King Crab will benefit the Alaskan fishing fleet by raising the price of King Crab overall. According to the Hansens, the fact that, for the 2007 King Crab season, the price for King Crab went up $0.60 per pound indicates that the strategy of raising wholesale prices by increasing overall demand for King Crab appears to be working."
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
I'm "Participating In A Trend"
(I heard it said like that one time on "What Not To Wear" and I liked it.)
I've resisted posting any kind of music before because it would always annoy me when I visited other blogs, and my speakers would be turned up, and I'd be blasted out of my seat (and maybe it would wake someone upstairs).
SO.
I've decided to try it out for a while since it seems to be "the thing", and I really like the music I've chosen. The theme for this playlist (if you haven't figured it out) is "places". Every song has a place name in it. If it's annoying you, please tell me.
I absolutely LOVE the artists and had albums, tapes, or CDs of them all at one time. My favorites of all time are Don Williams, Vern Gosdin, Gordon Lightfoot, Alison Krauss, and for all you people who don't know Minnesota...
I have a special treat.
Check out "Minnesota Redneck"
(If you have questions about any of the references in the song, just contact me. I may not be a true "MN Redneck", but I'm related to a LOT of them.)
Heeeheeheehee!
I've resisted posting any kind of music before because it would always annoy me when I visited other blogs, and my speakers would be turned up, and I'd be blasted out of my seat (and maybe it would wake someone upstairs).
SO.
I've decided to try it out for a while since it seems to be "the thing", and I really like the music I've chosen. The theme for this playlist (if you haven't figured it out) is "places". Every song has a place name in it. If it's annoying you, please tell me.
I absolutely LOVE the artists and had albums, tapes, or CDs of them all at one time. My favorites of all time are Don Williams, Vern Gosdin, Gordon Lightfoot, Alison Krauss, and for all you people who don't know Minnesota...
I have a special treat.
Check out "Minnesota Redneck"
(If you have questions about any of the references in the song, just contact me. I may not be a true "MN Redneck", but I'm related to a LOT of them.)
Heeeheeheehee!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
They Got Me! (Now With Pictures of the Fat Lady!)
There's no faking here. I was completely in shock!
Here I am "practicing" with Serviam!'s baby (his wonderful wife was there to surprise me). What a dolly! I hope he didn't get sick from being out in the super cold, but it was so lovely to be able to hold him!
My sister, Anna made me a "diaper cake". It was hilarious! It was such a cute idea and very useful (can one ever have "too many diapers"?)!
Here I am with one of three of my old, school chums (we all went to parish school together all the way through high school!)that were at the party. Megan is a doll for taking all of these pictures and all of them are so wonderful to have come. I'm all verklempt even thinking about it!
Trine called me last week to organize that "one more girl's night" before I had the baby...little did I know that she had broken into my email account and sent e-invites to a bunch of my good buddies for this:
"SHHHHHHHH!! It's a Surprise! We are having a party to pamper Laura AND the baby. Baby Thomas is due to arrive within a few weeks. Please come and help us give Laura some special attention. It is hard to believe that although this is her 6th baby, Laura has never had a baby shower, or rather, her sisters have never given her one! So, to make up for it, we'd like you to help us give her the special treatment for one night before the baby arrives. Ideas of things for Laura would be anything personal: slippers, massages, girly things, you know--things to pamper her. And as for little Thomas, since Laura works at a children's clothing store, well, all he needs is ....Pampers! (or Huggies :) ) Please don't disclose this to Laura. She does not want to be the center of attention but I think she deserves to be. Please call Katrina if you have any questions or issues with directions"
You should have seen my face (I did, because Megan chronicled it all with her camera!) when I walked into Trine's house and all of those faces were there when I was only expecting 3! Trine and Anna had really gone all out (I'll post pictures later) and had a nice spread and even cool decorations and a cute bottle of Barefoot champagne with a blue footprint on the bottle! Oh my gosh, it was shocking! I don't deserve such wonderful, generous friends. I really don't. My friend, Jan was there and gave me a pedicure at the end of the party (many had to leave early because of children and the EXTREME COLD (Dangerous wind chills as low as -40F)! I felt like I was in some kind of dreamworld or someone else's life for a while there. I got so many, wonderful gifts! It's going to take me all day tomorrow to put them all in their places (LOT'S of bath products...YEAH, BABY!). I got a ton of diapers (sizes N-4!) and some baby clothes, pampering products, you know...stuff ladies get at BABY SHOWERS! What a hoot! I thought about it and I remembered that my work at the time I had Katrina (13 years ago!) always wanted an excuse to have parties in the boardroom. I was so embarrassed that they had a shower for me that I told my mom at the time that I did NOT WANT a baby shower for either side of the family (even though it was the first grandchild/great grandchild for my mom's side). People were so generous at that time anyway so I didn't want to oblige them only one year after my wedding showers. I guess my sisters and mom remember better than me that I never had a baby shower! I joked tonight, "Gee, every sixth kid I get a shower, huh? Good deal, I get another one in about 10 years or so then!" Hahahahaha!
I'm still quite stunned! It's almost 12:30am and I'm in shock. I'll post more later and some cool pictures of me in all my surprised fatness!
P.S. Butch got a flat tire on his way home around 5pm tonight from getting our taxes done (it was a nail, he was able to flop into a fixit shop and it was an easy fix). When he got home, his friend Tony was waiting for him in the garage. He visited for a while and went to pick up his daughter and, whaddya know? He had a flat in our driveway! My bro-in-law came over here to hide the kids for the party so he drove Tony home and on his way...HE got a flat (I still don't know how they resolved that one)! There's something WEIRD going on! I found out later that Tony actually had TWO flat tires (his car is still in the driveway...no one was fixing any tires on a night like tonight! I think they tried but it was futile. I wonder if the extreme cold had anything to do with it? Some kind of tire virus going around?
Good night!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Do You Hear What I Hear?
This article moved me very much. I never knew the history of that song until now.
H/T The Curt Jester
H/T The Curt Jester
Weekend Activities
Trina had a nice party out in the garage for a couple of her friends (and occasionally her brothers and sisters). They had fun snacks:
They played "Apples to Apples", they goofed around, made hot cocoa, and did some "Carol-oke" (...as Weazy calls it. Trina has a karaoke machine and we bought a Christmas Karaoke CD). Trina's best friend, Kara came over earlier this week and I snapped this shot of her bonding with Niklaus. Niklaus calls Kara "my friend". Last year, she was included on his list of friends that he wanted to invite to his birthday party and this year was no different. It helps that Kara has 4 younger brothers and understands them pretty well!
Saturday night, Butch and I actually went on a DATE! We went with Trine (sis) and Matt (bro-in-law) to a Greek restaurant that Butch had done some work on the week before. It was kind of neat to try something different. The feta stuffed, char-broiled peppers were YUM! The meat and sea-food were so-so, the deserts were a little too still frozen, and the green beans (on the side) were yucky, canned and seemed so gross for a nice restaurant. The pita bread and yogurt/spiced dip was good, though. I loved the Greek red wine I tried. We probably won't go there again, but we decided that we should make an effort to try some new place every other month...and we got some good ideas of what we should make for our "big, fat, Greek Christmas" theme on Christmas eve this year. I tried to get a bunch of good pictures of us (to prove to ourselves that we were actually "out"!) but none of the couples ones turned out so I'll post this funny one of Trine and I toasting.
We look funny because we were trying for a "we are very used to fine dining and cosmopolitan living" pose hahahaha! We were sitting next to a cool picture of an old, Greek, street scene. The restaurant itself is pretty classy and nicely decorated but it was rather loud. I was expecting something cheesy with icky carpet and some cliche' Greek mandolin music in the background but there wasn't any of that.
I think it was the too rich food or maybe the yogurt dip, but I didn't feel very well when we got home and I think I may have gotten a touch of food poisoning. It may have been that the baby didn't like Greek food? Although, we all ate the same things and Trine did say that Matt felt a little sick too, so it may have just affected us for some reason. I guess that's the risk you take when you go out somewhere to eat! It was worth it! We had a nice time and the kids babysat themselves and didn't have any major blowups or fights (that I know of). They got Niklaus and Mariela to sleep just fine and had some of Trina's friends over to goof around with.
We were going to go get a tree tonight (Sunday) after Mass, but we decided that will be Monday's project (and decorating) instead. Sometime this week we plan to hit the MOA to see the decorations and to get some last minute presents. We'll see how that goes!
They played "Apples to Apples", they goofed around, made hot cocoa, and did some "Carol-oke" (...as Weazy calls it. Trina has a karaoke machine and we bought a Christmas Karaoke CD). Trina's best friend, Kara came over earlier this week and I snapped this shot of her bonding with Niklaus. Niklaus calls Kara "my friend". Last year, she was included on his list of friends that he wanted to invite to his birthday party and this year was no different. It helps that Kara has 4 younger brothers and understands them pretty well!
Saturday night, Butch and I actually went on a DATE! We went with Trine (sis) and Matt (bro-in-law) to a Greek restaurant that Butch had done some work on the week before. It was kind of neat to try something different. The feta stuffed, char-broiled peppers were YUM! The meat and sea-food were so-so, the deserts were a little too still frozen, and the green beans (on the side) were yucky, canned and seemed so gross for a nice restaurant. The pita bread and yogurt/spiced dip was good, though. I loved the Greek red wine I tried. We probably won't go there again, but we decided that we should make an effort to try some new place every other month...and we got some good ideas of what we should make for our "big, fat, Greek Christmas" theme on Christmas eve this year. I tried to get a bunch of good pictures of us (to prove to ourselves that we were actually "out"!) but none of the couples ones turned out so I'll post this funny one of Trine and I toasting.
We look funny because we were trying for a "we are very used to fine dining and cosmopolitan living" pose hahahaha! We were sitting next to a cool picture of an old, Greek, street scene. The restaurant itself is pretty classy and nicely decorated but it was rather loud. I was expecting something cheesy with icky carpet and some cliche' Greek mandolin music in the background but there wasn't any of that.
I think it was the too rich food or maybe the yogurt dip, but I didn't feel very well when we got home and I think I may have gotten a touch of food poisoning. It may have been that the baby didn't like Greek food? Although, we all ate the same things and Trine did say that Matt felt a little sick too, so it may have just affected us for some reason. I guess that's the risk you take when you go out somewhere to eat! It was worth it! We had a nice time and the kids babysat themselves and didn't have any major blowups or fights (that I know of). They got Niklaus and Mariela to sleep just fine and had some of Trina's friends over to goof around with.
We were going to go get a tree tonight (Sunday) after Mass, but we decided that will be Monday's project (and decorating) instead. Sometime this week we plan to hit the MOA to see the decorations and to get some last minute presents. We'll see how that goes!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
By The Grace Of God
...I was able to save this baby." He says. Like Amy wrote...get past the music video and promo and listen to the last few minutes.
It's amazing what one, little word or moment of kindness can do for all of mankind.
"...our dreams can be our worst enemies if our dreams are not aligned with God's will!" -Eduardo Verastegui
We saw Bella tonight. It was very good and I loved the message. A few criticisms I would have are that I didn't like all the shaky camera/extreme closeup action. The whole movie had sort of a strange flow that I would have liked to be a little smoother. I wish they would have stepped away a bit. I did love the interplay between the actors. They seemed like a real family. I believe they said a lot without a ton of dialogue and I loved the "Spanglish" in the whole film. I am happy that I didn't read anyone's review before I went to see it because I'm sure it would have ruined it for me. I'm really happy that it wasn't really a romantic story so much as it was about true love. That's all I'm going to say about it!
It's amazing what one, little word or moment of kindness can do for all of mankind.
"...our dreams can be our worst enemies if our dreams are not aligned with God's will!" -Eduardo Verastegui
We saw Bella tonight. It was very good and I loved the message. A few criticisms I would have are that I didn't like all the shaky camera/extreme closeup action. The whole movie had sort of a strange flow that I would have liked to be a little smoother. I wish they would have stepped away a bit. I did love the interplay between the actors. They seemed like a real family. I believe they said a lot without a ton of dialogue and I loved the "Spanglish" in the whole film. I am happy that I didn't read anyone's review before I went to see it because I'm sure it would have ruined it for me. I'm really happy that it wasn't really a romantic story so much as it was about true love. That's all I'm going to say about it!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Name That Tune?
She's got such style about the whole thing. I think she might be the next American Idol. She's got the funky hair for it. Although, it's a lot less funky since I just cut off her mullet last week.
You can see it's getting close to bedtime in that video because Bocker gets really wound up and was attacking Katrina while she was filming Mari. He runs all around in his underpants and picks on absolutely everyone until its actually time to go to bed.
Also, take not on how she says, "I want to see". She says it like this, "iwahsee, iwahsee" twice, just like that, every time. She wants to see her picture on the little screen in the back of the camera so soon I barely have time to catch her in her "cheeeeeeeese" poses. At the end of it, I'm trying to get her to say, "I love you" but she thinks I'm counting and keeps saying "two" after I say, "I...". She's VERY advanced! I especially love the way she just ignores Bocker's distractions and keeps on singing her song and riding her horse. She's all set to be a big sister, I can tell already!
She just kept going on and on. I think she might be saying, "Halloween" over and over but it sounded to me like "Purple Rain" which wouldn't make much sense since she's never heard that song (that I know of!). I did watch that movie in the middle of the night one time last week. It was as horrible as the last time I saw it. Prince is SO...well, I'll just let YOU fill in the blank on that deal. I remember it being such a huge thing for Minnesota when he rose to fame. He was/is such a weird duck (very talented guitar player, though) and just an absolute train wreck as an "actor". It was one of the worst movies I think I've ever wasted my time watching.
No...scratch that...Sarah Landon and the Paranormal Hour was the worst movie I've ever gone to a theater to see. I brought Trina for a special mom/daughter night (because it was the only pg playing) and we were the only ones in the whole theater...oh...except for the box elder bugs that were attracted to the warm spot in front of the projector and we saw their shadows crawling across the screen through the whole movie. THAT was the ONLY scary part of this movie, besides the acting. We laughed so hard at the actors attempts to be really dramatic. It was so cheesy, and stupid, and we found out it was supposed to be the "first in a series". Heeheeheehawhawhaw...if there's a "second in the series" it will most likely go STRAIGHT to dvd and not sell ANY copies. The actors were all related to the producers/directors I think, and they looked like they took some weekend acting classes right before filming. They had such robotronic hand gestures and poor delivery, it was worse than a third grade skit. Check the movie out when it comes out on DVD (if you have a free coupon or something), purely for the comedic value!
Monday, October 29, 2007
If I Had A Third Thumb
...I would stick it (along with the other two) firmly in the air for Dan In Real Life.
My super-cool-most-wonderfulest-awesomest-bestest husband in the whole, stinkin' world made me go out to a movie tonight with my sister. We laughed, we cried. I went into the movie not really knowing what the plot was going to be about (I recommend this for this particular movie) and I was so pleasantly surprised!
All of the characters were wonderfully cast (maybe with the exception of the 15 year old daughter, she was a bit overdone...but so was her character, so maybe that was right) and I love the fact that it all took place in basically one location. No supercrazy camera angles, no gratuitous you-know-what scenes, just a lot of laughs and a couple of good crys without anyone dying or getting in a horrible accident...I hate it when they put a child in danger in movies, it rips my heart out!
There are a couple of suggestive things, but I think I'm going to let my 13 year old see it because it will give her a good view of what it's like to parent willful teen-agers who act superdramatic and don't always listen. It shows a man who is pretty realistic (and I know that Steve Carell is usually so over the top, but I really believed him in this movie) and admits to his mistakes without getting all girly in the end. That's pretty hard to do!
Oh, and Juliette Binoche is, quite possibly, the most beautiful woman in the whole world. She just gets better with age. Dang, she's pretty. That accent is to die for.
I think Dane Cook is crude, disgusting, and a little hard to take but he was just perfect in this role and I ended up liking him a little more after this movie.
Dianne Wiest was also perfectly cast as the understanding, firm, but realistic matriarch of the family without her usual character's trait of being kind of wishy washy or doubtful. She was not trying to outshine all of the other actors and I loved her in this movie.
I really think that if Bella isn't playing yet in your town, you should check out this cute, diversion of a movie and don't be afraid to laugh really hard and get into it. The six other people in the theater were so quiet tonight, that it got me and Anna thinking that we were maybe liking it too much or something...but then we came to the conclusion that other people aren't as animated and fun as we are so it's definitely THEIR problem. If something is funny (even if it's not "realistic" enough for you) you should LAUGH. If something is poignantly sad, you should really cry and not be ashamed about it or afraid it will mess up your makeup.
I just saw Evan Almighty about two weeks ago (we bought it) and we all loved it. My favorite line in that movie was when he was in full Moses mode and he casually asks his quickly-growing-impatient-with-his-antics wife if "we have any unleavened bread?". I just found out that Steve Carell is a life-long Catholic. I don't know anything about his faith life, but he is a REALLY TALENTED actor that is very good at making fun of situations, himself, and NOT at the expense of other people. He shows much humility in his acting which I think is the funniest part of all.
My super-cool-most-wonderfulest-awesomest-bestest husband in the whole, stinkin' world made me go out to a movie tonight with my sister. We laughed, we cried. I went into the movie not really knowing what the plot was going to be about (I recommend this for this particular movie) and I was so pleasantly surprised!
All of the characters were wonderfully cast (maybe with the exception of the 15 year old daughter, she was a bit overdone...but so was her character, so maybe that was right) and I love the fact that it all took place in basically one location. No supercrazy camera angles, no gratuitous you-know-what scenes, just a lot of laughs and a couple of good crys without anyone dying or getting in a horrible accident...I hate it when they put a child in danger in movies, it rips my heart out!
There are a couple of suggestive things, but I think I'm going to let my 13 year old see it because it will give her a good view of what it's like to parent willful teen-agers who act superdramatic and don't always listen. It shows a man who is pretty realistic (and I know that Steve Carell is usually so over the top, but I really believed him in this movie) and admits to his mistakes without getting all girly in the end. That's pretty hard to do!
Oh, and Juliette Binoche is, quite possibly, the most beautiful woman in the whole world. She just gets better with age. Dang, she's pretty. That accent is to die for.
I think Dane Cook is crude, disgusting, and a little hard to take but he was just perfect in this role and I ended up liking him a little more after this movie.
Dianne Wiest was also perfectly cast as the understanding, firm, but realistic matriarch of the family without her usual character's trait of being kind of wishy washy or doubtful. She was not trying to outshine all of the other actors and I loved her in this movie.
I really think that if Bella isn't playing yet in your town, you should check out this cute, diversion of a movie and don't be afraid to laugh really hard and get into it. The six other people in the theater were so quiet tonight, that it got me and Anna thinking that we were maybe liking it too much or something...but then we came to the conclusion that other people aren't as animated and fun as we are so it's definitely THEIR problem. If something is funny (even if it's not "realistic" enough for you) you should LAUGH. If something is poignantly sad, you should really cry and not be ashamed about it or afraid it will mess up your makeup.
I just saw Evan Almighty about two weeks ago (we bought it) and we all loved it. My favorite line in that movie was when he was in full Moses mode and he casually asks his quickly-growing-impatient-with-his-antics wife if "we have any unleavened bread?". I just found out that Steve Carell is a life-long Catholic. I don't know anything about his faith life, but he is a REALLY TALENTED actor that is very good at making fun of situations, himself, and NOT at the expense of other people. He shows much humility in his acting which I think is the funniest part of all.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Beautiful Women In Art
How did the earlier artists capture the beauty of those women with just some paint? How did the modern artists miss the beauty so thoroughly?
This is such a super cool video, Anna, I thought you would really like it!
Grabbed from Fr. Z's website
This is such a super cool video, Anna, I thought you would really like it!
Grabbed from Fr. Z's website
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