Kinda Disappointed

I don't know if it's the Olympics or what, but I am sadly disappointed at what is available this year for Black History month stories. Truly, I know we all wish that there were no need for such a thing. I have Scottish blood in me, and there is no "Scotch History Month". However, I do enjoy hearing the great biographies of those historical figures who shaped the rights and privileges that brought African Americans (AA) to where they are today.

I am not finding programming on PBS that I normally see. I can totally recommend the movie "Blind Side". I haven't seen it, but if it is at all close to the true story I have read, you must be prepared to cry.

So while I have been MIA, and wondering what to blog about, I got a nice message from one of my reader's, Hutch. Here is one of his recommendations for good movies honoring African American's for whom we owe a huge thanks. Their pioneering efforts brought all of us things today that we take for granted. Here is Hutch's message to me:

"S and I saw a movie the other night that you and M should watch. Normally, I'm no so forth-right with my movie suggestions, but I think in this case, it's appropriate, especially with this being Black History month. It's called "Something the Lord Made." It's not a "Christian" film by any means, the title just comes from a line by one of the main characters. We scored the movie from the public library, so you might be able to do the same. The two main actors are Alan Rickman and Mos Def. It's quality acting.

It's the story of Dr. Blalock and Vivien Thomas, the two men who invented and performed (in the 1940s) the first surgical fix for the congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot (what our oldest girl was born with). Only the kicker is that Blalock was white and Thomas was black. So for a long time, only Blalock and other doctors got credit. Anyway, interesting story for us because of the medical side (and given Lizzie's history, I wept like a school girl... but that's beside the point)... but after watching it I thought of you and Mike. The story of Vivien Thomas is one that I think your boys might like (he went on to write an autobiography later in life... it's now on my wish list).

Anywho, long message short, I recommend the film to you and Mike. It's not for your boys since there is some *choice* language, but I really think you would enjoy it."


There you have it. I have rearranged my Netflix queue.

Movies I Have Seen Recently

Okay, I love movies. I have missed them desperately since having kids. I have movies from Netflix sitting dusty on my entertainment center. But I have had the chance to see a few recently, here are my quick reviews:

* "Gran Torino". Great flick! It was not at all what I expected. It addresses a violent subject with little gratuitous violence. Clint Eastwood is still hot.

* From the IFC channel, "The Weight of Water". There are some very gratuitous sex scenes in this one. Several F bombs. Interesting story line if you can get beyond the offensiveness. It is has a lot of stars in it, Sean Penn, Josh Lucas, and Elizabeth Hurley. Yes, she can act when she is not flaunting her body, which she does in this movie. Again, you have to look beyond that and watch the story line carefully, it's intriguing.

* "Shop Girl" has Steve Martin and Claire Danes in it. It is dark. It's about an older man who wines and dines a younger, very naive girl. She falls in love with him, he uses her for sexual favors, and she figures it out. It has a great message. It is well acted. As far as I could see, there are no gratuitous sex scenes, which is nice considering that it's about a sexual affair.

* I have "Lake House" with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock sitting on my entertainment center. I am tempted to just not watch it. Everyone says it's bad.

* Good movies for Black History month....here is my list: Antwone Fisher, Glory Road, Remember the Titans, Radio, The Color Purple, The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till, and Mississippi Burning. That is off the top of my head, so I am sure I think of more later.

Christmas Cool Things

One of the most cherished traditions of our family at Christmas is to watch two favorite movies. In years past, we had to wait for network TV to show them. Then the advent of VCR's and now, DVD's, make it so we can turn it into and event.

What movies are they? "Christmas Story" with Peter Billingsly. We have it on DVD, and definitely love that movie. I showed it to my dad a few years ago, the man who is not a movie watcher. He loved it because it captured his childhood, and he had a Red Rider BB gun just like that when we was a kid. This year is the 25th anniversary of the movie and it sounds like a nice celebration is going on. Click here.

Now, the next one? "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is the most watched movie in our family. We know all the lines, we have studied each scene. In almost every scene we can show you funny things that you may not catch the first dozen times you watch it. We know all the trivia behind this cinematic nightmare (ie did you know during all the snow scenes, that is fake snow?? All of it, it was 80 degrees outside when they filmed all the outdoor snow scenes).

Charlie Brown Christmas? Frosty the Snowman? 'Twas the Night Before Christmas? No, those are not family favorites, but we watch them. But just not with the same vigor as those two. Did you learn something new about me today?

What a week, part II.

It's the morning after watching "PS I Love You".

Yep, all I heard was true. I cried incessantly.

It is Saturday morning and my eyes are puffy and swollen.

I recommend it, but my word, don't think you're dressing up and going out afterwards. You will be a mess. It is a great movie that touches on the grief after losing a husband, and not just the days afterwards, but the months afterwards. It has it's little Hollywood lack of believability in a few spots, but it definitely touches on what a mess it is to grieve.

Now, I need to find some Advil and an ice pack for my eyes.

What a week!

I might seem absent....because I am.

T minus thirty six hours and counting.....my husband coming back from being gone since Tuesday.

Why? He makes an annual pilgrimage to Scotland to meet with his PhD advisor. I am hoping this is one of the last times he makes this journey. He is on the home stretch of his doctorate degree, and I can't wait!

But more importantly, I can't wait for several things.

Here is my list of what I am looking forward to:

* Not being interrupted while taking a shower. I waited until really late last night (like past midnight) to take a shower, and I still got a little sleepy face poking into the shower asking me for milk.

* A break.

* Not wondering what every bump in the night I hear is. Wondering why the motion detector lights keep going off in the middle of the night. Security in general feels better with hubbie home. Although I have turned on the alarm so that we are safe inside while sleeping.

* To go to the grocery store. I know, I could go with the kids. But right now, three year old is really bad in public. It's a stage, and it shall pass, but it's hideous.

* Eating something other than peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, or tuna sandwiches. The kid fare is getting old.

* Having back up when I hit my wits end.

What I have enjoyed this week:

* Watching whatever I want on TV. I have no clue what is happening on the NFL and don't care to find out.

* Putting kids to bed at their actual bedtime, not when hubbie feels like it. No one is sleep deprived this week except me.

* Why? Because I am also catching up on my movies! "PS I Love You" is in the player waiting for me right now.

* I have the whole queen bed to myself including the covers. Except for the cat.

* I have an awesome friend who watched the kids for a couple of hours today, and it was great! I got a whole bunch of work done that has piled up. I ran a bunch of errands. It will make it easier to sleep tonight knowing a few things got checked off the urgent list.

* I am also planning a trip with the kids to the pumpkin patch tomorrow, weather permitting. Should be fun, and should also burn off the ants that have accumulated in two little boy's pants.

* I don't know if this counts, but it got done, and it needed to get done. Feels good to get it done. I cleaned out the chicken coop today. I know, gross. But with some recent rains, it needed to get done, and the chickens seemed relieved too. Now, I hope they reward me by laying some eggs soon!

Sigh.....my movie is calling.

I Played Hooky Today

Tracy and her husband were in town today! Her blog is listed as one of the ones I read. I got to meet her at my favorite coffee hang out in the Albina district (look under "seasonal" for "Van Port?" where I give a brief history of North Portland).

First, Tracy and her hubbie came over to our home to check out our chicken situation. They are considering putting together a little chicken set up and wanted to see ours. Of course, Tracy needed to try on BH's helmet. To her surprise it fit!



Although BH, was definitely not happy that she did that. He had just woken up and hadn't shaken off the grumpies yet.



What a treat! Plus a long time acquaintance joined us. Her name is AR. I know she will read this. I am big on not putting out full names without permission. For anyone who knows me personally, it's kind of fun--AR and I have the same name. Kind of unusual! We don't have a common name.

Anyway, AR and I go way back but truly on a very limited acquaintance level. What a treat to sit and have a light lunch and coffee with her, Tracy and Tracy's husband!

We talked about our national health care crisis, Enron, adoption. Black History month, racial issues, eHarmony.com, church, movies seen recently, playing Pack Rat on facebook.com, jobs, Discovery Channel shows, diet, etc. It was the coolest! Thank you all of you! I had such a wonderful morning, and I will just enjoy the warm fuzzies from it for days to come.

Plus, I am very much hoping that AR and I can ignite our relationship to more than acquaintances. What a treat to meet her and have quality time with her.

I learned more about African American issues. Thank you AR. She grew up in Brooklyn and has stories to tell. She also opened my eyes up more that the racial tension in this country is still pretty tight. Our work in racial equality, safety, and perceptions is not over. Again, what a treat to sit and listen and learn.

Here is the group photo! We had fun. Let's do it again sometime ladies and gentleman!

Horton Hears Something....

I don't know what to do with myself. I have been inside of a movie theatre twice this week. It might be when my kids are in junior high before that happens again.

We saw the very cute "Horton Hears a Who" with the kids. Obviously, it is rated G and is geared for the kids. I know that seems obvious, but there are some G movies out there right now that I won't take my kids to. The bumbling character of Horton left my kids in giggles.

I will tell you right now, there is a slur in reference to homeschooling that is quite derogatory in the beginning. I am not a homeschooling mom yet, but it made me bristle. It is the continued perpetuation of homeschoolers being from extremist, separatist, families because the parents don't want their kids being exposed to those outside heathens. It is one statement, but it made that impression on me. And it also left me hesitant to say it was a great movie. Moviemakers know exactly what they are doing when they write lines and make scenes. The scene where this happened could have been done so many different ways to get the same point across. Instead, just like how I bristle when adoption is portrayed poorly, the moviemakers decide to not show the truth but perpetuate the lie. Disappointing.

It was cute though. Jim Carrey and Steve Carell are the main characters voices and for once, Jim Carrey doesn't over do it. This movie doesn't suddenly become "Jim Carrey Hears a Who".

It is done by the same people who made "Ice Age". Honestly, I thought the story line of "Ice Age" was completely flat and not engaging to kids. Well, the screenplay to this one was already done in the story from Dr. Seuss, and it was very nicely done. The jungle scenes are absolutely rich and pleasing to the eye. The kids, who are friends of Horton, are completely cute. The Whoville people are the typical Dr. Seuss quirky Dr. Seuss characters. The Whoville story line was very nice in the ending in terms of family bonding, and that was nice and appreciated.

Good Movie--I Recommend It!

What do you know? For the first time in about two years my husband and I got to see a movie by ourselves--in a movie theatre!

Why is this rare? Two reasons--we don't have family nearby who can offer free/discounted babysitting.

When JM was a baby, and we did a movie night. Between dinner, movie, snack, and the babysitter--it was a $100 night. I looked at the hubbie and said, "I love you, but we can't afford this." We then knew we would need to rent movies to watch them affordably.

But because we were visiting our inlaws, we had an afternoon of babysitting. JM freaked a bit. It made me realize, we do need to go out more often. He shouldn't have a conniption when his parents go out on a date.

Anyway, we saw the movie "Juno". Loved it! Multilayered storyline, yet not overwhelming. It's basically a teen pregnancy from start to finish. It's nice in that it is light and somewhat comical, but definitely touches some tough topics. I really like her teenaged dialogue and yearning to be be cool. She, Juno the pregnant teen, is a mouthy geeky type and her performance earned her an Oscar nomination.

Some things were somewhat unrealistic. Her parents reaction was very calm, and that just doesn't happen.

What really intrigued me as I stepped back and really thought about it--all the different male roles. Juno's father, her boyfriend, teachers, and specifically, the adoptive father. All of them were very well portrayed showing that men have a hard time stepping up to the plate and being a man when it comes to childbirth, and specifically teen pregnancy. Yet when I sat back and thought about the women's roles it was pretty typical. Juno's best friend, step mom, and specifically, the adoptive mother of the baby. As flawed as each one of these women were--they stepped in and made Juno's pregnancy workable. Trust me, each one of these women were flawed. The variation of the characters specifically the men and the women, made this movie fascinating. That added with her quirky dialogue kept it light, yet not disrespectful.

The cinematography coupled with the music reminded me of "Napoleon Dinamite". That is where the similarities stops. But because of that, I am sure this movie will appeal to teenagers, and truthfully, it would be very appropriate for teenagers to see. There is nothing hugely inappropriate. I think a few swear words and a very implied sex scene.

I also cringe when I see Hollywood's depiction of adoption. There is always some huge myth that just angers me. It angers me because people, specifically women in a crisis pregnancy, will watch that movie and take what is being presented to them as fact. They will choose abortion over the untruth they have been fed about adoption from a movie. I just braced myself to get a tension headache.

It didn't happen. Adoption was presented very truthfully in this movie. It also shows the absolute nail biting that adoptive parents experience, and I think that has upset my cart a little the last few days, because obviously, I resonate with that.

But in the end, I am left with one thought. My hubbie agrees. This movie really does show how men can really buckle under the pressure of a baby and impending baby. Men, Juno thought, had the guts to handle it.

I really recommend "Juno".

New Twist on an Old Trick

Okay, I am not a "America's Got Talent" fan. I have watched a few episodes and enjoyed them, but never got into it.

So last night, I am driving around and the radio station I am listening to has the DJ's just going on and on and on about this magician, Kevin James. Not the "King of Queens" Kevin James. One of the DJ's is an amateur magician, who thinks he knows how the trick is done and won't share because it would be compromising his magician's oath. The other DJ is going on and on about how he doesn't really know how the trick is done, he should share his opinion, and understand his opinion is speculation. All DJ's were in agreement, it's a phenomenal illusion. I think I agree with her opinion--part of the fun of illusions is talking about it and trying to figure out how they are done. Since he isn't in "the know", sharing his thoughts is not breaking his little oath. Whatever--the two DJ's were ready to duke it out, it got pretty heated.

After listening to this while watching the sun set on the freeway gridlock, I was intrigued. I came home, found the video, which is swooshing through youtube right now. I have to say I am intrigued. It's an amazing illusion. I also did some youtube searching and watched other versions of the same trick he has done. So I got several angles and versions of the same illusion.

One hint I'll give to you, the guy on the table is his usual assistant, but he has had another assistant as well. In other versions the guy on the table has walked on his hands all over the stage and walked right up to audience members and shaken their hands. One of the discussions on the radio last night was the person on his hands was an animatronic thing. He isn't. Same for the legs, they all agreed the legs are a real person.

So let's do this. Watch this, and let's see what we all think. I'll also let you know what the DJ's decided in terms of how it is done. After watching it, I do agree with them how it is done.



Here is a version that has a lot more detail and not shortened for "America's Got Talent" time constraints. Notice, when the upper body is moving off stage, the original wheeled cart he came out on is gone. I think this will give you some good hints.



And yet another version where you see there is no editing. It's an amateur video from an audience member so there are no cuts. You can also see the torso person gets wheeled off the stage and then brought back to be stapled back together.

An Ending to a Great Day

End to a nice weekend! "Pride and Prejudice", the 1995 BBC version with Colin Firth is on Masterpiece Theatre. Sigh.....my day is complete.

Good Movie!

We dusted off our Netflix movies last night. The writer's strike has put a damper on evening television, have you noticed?

Anyway, we decided not to watch "Flicka" or "Scooby Doo". We'll watch "Flicka" tonight with the kids, and "Scooby Doo" is going back.

We watched "Capote". I can absolutely see why Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Academy for this. I still laugh my head off when I think of him in the scene in "Along Came Polly" where he describes "sharded". What a vastly different character that was!)

A few years ago, we read the book "In Cold Blood" in my book club, and I was a loser that month and didn't read it. Now I want to so bad! The movie is Truman Capote's journey to writing the book about a quadruple murder in Kansas. He can't finish the book until the case is finished, and the process pretty much finished him. He never wrote another book after that. You have to see the process of Truman's demise writing this incredibly difficult book about an incredibly difficult murder.

I also think Truman Capote didn't realize his book would start the whole genre of "True Crime" books. You know, those books that give kind of a biographical view of a crime, the players, the ending, etc. Ann Rule is a huge true crime novelist. You can also watch Court TV, now Tru TV, and see "Murder By the Book". Those are almost all true crime novelists. Thank you, Truman Capote.

One thing I appreciate as well--no explicit violence. Because this was a horrendous murder case, I just knew the opening scenes would be people being slaughtered. I just don't have the stomach for that. Slight, implied violence towards the end of the movie as the perpetrator is flashing back to the scene. The only thing about this movie, a few F bombs. I couldn't believe it! The subject matter is certainly not for kids by any stretch, but for an R rated movie I was pleasantly surprised at how I didn't have to cover my eyes and put aside my hate for constant, gratuitous swearing.

I recommend it! Plus, if you are a movie buff, like me, and haven't seen a movie in awhile, this is one to choose.