Things You Should Check Out, Volume 4

This beautiful little jewel of a film came out my freshman year in college (1992) but for some unfathomable reason, wasn't released on dvd in the U.S. until last week. I have personally been waiting for this film since I converted my movie collection to dvd a few years ago.

If you don't know what this movie's about, I can sum it up with one word: Love. Love of self, love of others, love of those who are difficult to love, love of nature, love of strangers.

It's the story of four British women who, for individual reasons decide to share a vacation at an Italian castle for the month of April. At first they struggle with themselves and each other, but because one is willing to love unconditionally the castle becomes a home, a "bucket of love". These women are transformed because they step outside themselves and choose to be different than they've always been.

My favorite moment is when Lottie (played by the magical Josie Lawrence) makes the realization that the problems in her marriage were not solely the responsibility of her cold and distant husband. She decides that instead of loving him in the manner he has loved her (not very well), she will love him with her whole heart. What a powerful message.

I also love that these women were miserable and instead of wallowing in it, chose to step outside of their comfort zone and make a difference in their lives. It makes me want to do the same (and a month in an Italian castle wouldn't hurt, you know?)

Finally, it's beautiful. A feast for the eyes.

Of course, this is a woman's movie (I refuse to call it a chick flick. It's too special for that), a period piece, and British. If those things aren't your cup o' tea, I understand, but I'd hate for you to miss it.

Why I will be seeing X-Men Origins: Wolverine

It's not because of this guy:



as lovely as he is (have you seen Australia? Probably not, but let me tell you....hubba hubba).

I'm going because this guy:



from my favorite tv show about high school sports is playing Gambit, a character who's super power is in some way related to fiery playing cards? Sorry X-Men nerds enthusiasts, I don't follow this stuff. I'm just in it for the cute boys.

But....the thing that made me decide to see this movie (even though I don't generally get excited about comic book related films) is that playing Hugh Jackman's half brother is this guy:



My boyfriend Alex (known as Aaron Jefferey in real life)! I know I might be the ONLY person in America who's decision to see this mega big budget shoot 'em up action film was made by the fact that a little known (in the U.S.) Australian television actor is playing a small supporting role.

But hey. That's how I roll.

I'm Dreaming of a Celluloid Christmas...

My friend Melissa recently posted the four movies she HAS to watch each year during Christmas and New Years. It got me thinking and I decided to do the same thing.

So, here goes:

#1



I know it's not a Christmas movie. They don't ever decorate a tree or give gifts, but there's something about this movie that touches my soul this time of year. I love the songs; I love Salzburg, Austria; I love the costumes; and most of all, I love Julie Andrews. The opening vision of Andrews in the Alps singing "The hills are alive with the sound of music" gives me chills just thinking about it, but it's the song "My Favorite Things" that I love most of all.



Maybe it's because Christmas break is the only time I have to watch a film this long, but I watch it every year about this time. And sing. Out loud. Alone. In my apartment.

#2



I just watched the remake (starring Dylan McDermott, hubba hubba) with my brother and sister-in-law and it's cute, but there's nothing like the original. They've colorized this one, but I'd recommend seeing it as intended in black and white. Although it was made in 1947 this one feels remarkable current to me. Maureen O'Hara is fantastic, the clothes are beautiful, and Natalie Wood: puleeeeeease. No other child has been that adorable or that smart on film, ever.



If you haven't seen this one, trust me, you're missing out.


#3



If you don't like old school musicals with big production numbers and improbable plots then this one's not for you. But, if you're still willing to give it a chance, I have two words for you: Rosemary Clooney.




This is billed as a Bing Crosby film, but to me, the star is and always will be Ms. Clooney. Added to that is the fact that she's singing Irving Berlin's music and BAM! You've got yourself a big time movie.

Hearing Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby singing "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" or watching the four main characters dressed in full Santa gear singing "White Christmas"? FUGGETABOUTIT. There are some low points (The number "Choreography" is one) , and you have to watch Danny Kaye (who I kind of see as that generation's Jim Carrey) pull a lot of silly faces, but the high points, to me, make this a yearly must see.

#4




There's a Will Ferrell movie on my must watch list. I can hardly believe it myself. But I love this movie, and it's proof that he's capable of being simultaneously sweet and hilarious, and I have watched it every Christmas since it was released. How can you not love a movie with lines like these:

"First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse cookie dough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle."

or

"I'm sorry I ruined your lives, and crammed eleven cookies into the VCR."

I don't think it's possible.
Buddy the Elf, "I love you. I love you! I LOOOOOOOVE YOU!"
And I agree, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." (see #1 on my list)



There's my list. What movies do you watch every year? Any suggestions for me?

It's a Wonderful Life. . . if you're not an OLD MAID.

*** Editor's note: I would like everyone reading this to note that my blog is a place wherein I relay things that pop into my head. I often exaggerate for effect. This post is an example of this. I would like to note that I am not miserable in my single state and this post is not a cry for help. So, although you may be tempted, there's really no need to leave me helpful hints for living a happy life. I'm good. Thank you, that is all.


When I was in high school I saw the classic film It's a Wonderful Life for the first time. If you know me, and I think most of you do, you know that I love all things Christmas. I'm not usually one for the super cheesy, but at Christmas time I say bring on the cheesiest, sappiest, most sugar coated sentimentality possible.

But....I must admit that I pretty much hated It's a Wonderful Life. Maybe it was the length or the glowing talking stars at the beginning. I don't know what it was back then, but I just didn't like it.

Last year my mom bought me the two dvd set of White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life. I've watched and rewatched White Christmas, but have ignored the other until Sunday afternoon.

So, did I like it? I must say that I was absolutely charmed. Jimmy Stewart was adorable dancing the charleston and positively kissable in his old school football sweater and pants while flirting with a nearly flawless Donna Reed. I spent the majority of the film downright ashamed of high school me for hating this film until they got to the pinnacle of the "what the world would be like without George" part when he asks Clarence what happened to his wife Mary, and they lost me.

For those of you who haven't seen the film, George and Mary fall in love when Mary is just 18 and then marry a couple of years later while she's being actively pursued by a guy who goes on to make millions. So, you might expect that what George discovered is that if he were never born she went on to marry this guy and become a cold and materialistic woman, unhappy with her life. But no.

Instead, Clarence, nearly in tears, tells George, "I'm not supposed to tell you what happened to Mary George." When Jimmy Stewart demands to know the truth, a terrified and horrified Clarence practically shouts, "Mary became AN OLD MAID!"

Then, to add insult to injury (for those of us who share this awful fate), George runs down the street to find Mary, with dark circles under her eyes, a dowdy grey dress and frumpy hat, round wire rimmed glasses, leaving her job as a librarian. Even worse, when George runs up to her she shrieks in fear and FAINTS!

I'm sure all of you know this already, but I must say from the spinster perspective that it removed most of the warm tingly feelings I had for the film up until that point.

I'm not saying that having a family and a husband that loves you isn't rewarding. I'm not saying that I don't want those very things for myself. What I'm saying is, "Is my life really the worst thing you could imagine?" I would hope not.

After it finished, I found myself giggling uncontrollably whenever I thought about Clarence's big reveal, happy I'm a spinster now rather than then.

Oh well, I've got to wrap this up and go and eke out the remainder of my miserable existence. Because, if the film is to be believed, it's possible that I could be living in an alternate reality wherein my George (who is the answer to all of my problems, naturally) has become discouraged and suicidal and wishes that he'd never been born. When his Clarence makes it so he apparently decides that not existing is better than being married to me. (Coincidentally this is similar to the response of every boy/man I've ever dated, so it's entirely possible)

At least I'm not bitter.

Goodbye Paul.

"When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."
-Ponyboy The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton



I discovered Paul Newman when I was about 18 years old and I've never been the same. My mom had always had a thing for him, but because he was "old" I'd never really paid attention. Then I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for the first time.



Oh.

My.

I realized then that I had seen the most beautiful man on the planet. My feelings on this subject have not changed. I love Paul Newman.




There are a lot of beautiful men in Hollywood, and I've had crushes on many of them throughout my life, but Paul has always been my constant. Why? Because not only did he have the most beautiful blue eyes ever created, a sly smile that made you want to simultaneously kiss him and smack his arm, and a body that just didn't quit, he was a good person.

Added to that is the fact that men loved him as much as women did. He was just cool, long before he was Cool Hand.

He loved his kids, he loved his wife, he loved his friends. He tried to make the world a better place.

83 is a good long life, but it's still sad to lose someone like him. Luckily, we'll always have this:

We deal in lead, friend

I forgot something else I did today: I watched one of my favorite movies of all time:



You just can't beat The Magnificent Seven. It's just cool. Seriously cool. Even if you don't love westerns you should watch it, if only for Steve McQueen.