movie review: July '11

Foyle's War

My parents got me hooked on this daggum TV series while I holidayed with them last month.  Described as a British detective television series set during WWII, I was a bit skeptical at first.  But, given the fact that I was a spouse of a deployed husband, my girls retiring to bed at an early hour, and otherwise friendless in my hometown... I resorted to watching an episode with the 'rents.  So glad I did.  

While each episode is fictional, the events surround the storyline are purely historical and could have been taken right out of real life during the 1940-'45 era in England.  The whole series is immaculately clean (no swearing, sex, gore) YET still interesting and fun to watch.  I highly recommend these series.  There are six series altogether... and here is the best part:

You can find them at your library!!

I know... wonderful, eh?  Or, if you have a teeny tiny library and do Netflix, they are available via that revenue.  Trav and I have been borrowing the 1st season from the library and quite look forward to our evenings after the girls go down.  I just picked up a new one from the library today... DATE NIGHT!!  :-)

Alright, if you see any of these, let me know what you think, kapeesh?

day eleven

How appropriate!  I was just snuggling into our chair and a half, skittles by my side (this baby is going to be high on sugar when she comes out), ready to pop in one of my favorite movies (rented from the library), when I thought, "Maybe I should see what photo I'm supposed to post today and see if it's an easy one."  Wa-la!

DAY 11: A PHOTO OF YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE

I have loved this movie for a long time, first being introduced to it as a young girl.  The last time I watched it was shortly after we were newly married and I was aiming to educate my husband on all the classic musicals he had never seen growing up.  Most of them he endured (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sound of Music, etc.) but this one he LOVED, which made me so happy.  Tevye has always reminded me of my own father - somewhat by his looks, and somewhat by his stubborn spirit - thus endearing me to him even more than already possible.  I bawled my eyes out when the second daughter decides to leave home to be with her imprisoned husband in Siberia, and Tevye sings the song with her at the train station.  Something about being newly married and living far away in Mississippi and missing my family like crazy struck a chord inside me while watching that scene.  

Anyways, I'm off to watch it now... while little lady sleeps soundly upstairs, husband plugs away at work/school, and little baby pummels away at my insides.  This weekend's been interesting, so come back tomorrow for stories and pictures... Happy Lord's Day!

movie review: Sept. '10

I'm not much of a movie lover.  I'm picky about what I watch:
- no horror or major drama/action: I get scared too easily.
- not very many romantic comedies: Usually too stupid and a waste of time.
- no humor/slapstick comedy: See above and usually dirty.
- not very many movies based on books: The books are ALWAYS better and I'd rather read.

*This is why I, nearly 100% of the time, fail at games or conversations that involve entertainment/media.  I have usually no idea what movies/tv shows people are talking about.  And yes, then I feel dumb.  Oh well...*

I like movies that make me think about life.  That allow me to know more about people - the way they live, function, overcome/fail at life obstacles in scenarios that are different from my own life circumstances.  I came across one of those this weekend.

I read about this HBO film here.  I have no idea how long it's been out, so I may be way behind on the times, but, my mom and I searched for it at Blockbuster and after being denied there, we surprisingly happened upon it at our local Red Box!  Cha-ching!  

Temple Grandin is Autistic.  This condition has always baffled/intrigued me, as I worked with two Autistic children and 1 Asperger child while in college, and I was very happy to feel more knowledgeable after watching the film.  Temple was the first Autistic person to actually describe what it felt/was like to be Autistic and overcome her obstacles.  This movie was touching, interesting, humorous, and what I consider a "must-see."

Being a mother of a, albeit very different and on a lesser scale, special needs child, I was touched deeply with the emotional aspect of what Temple's mother went through, and watching Temple overcome many insults hurled her way throughout her lifetime.  Temple's mother's mantra was to remind her daughter that she was "different, but not less."  Yes, different, but not less.  What an important lesson for us all to learn about those different than us.

Try it.  Find it.  Enjoy it.  And let me know what you think/learn!

some thoughts on Snow White

I found the VHS of Snow White at the thrift store for $1.  Can't beat that.  And since we have a VHS player built into our TV (see? I told you it was old school...), I purchased it for Bella to enjoy.  We've been watching snippets of it the past couple days and finished it up this evening.  Here are my thoughts:

• The dwarfs are HILARIOUS!  Trav and I were cracking up at the clean, clever humor that each dwarf characterized.  Trav looked at me during part of it and said, "Ya gotta love the old, classic cartoons."  Yep.
• Snow White was randomly cleaning the stairs in her castle/prison, when along comes a prince.  He kinda freaks her out so she runs upstairs, but listens, hidden, while he sings his love to her.  Then he leaves.  That's it.  And that's the prince that she's dreaming of the whole movie.  I understand you gotta make it simple for the kids, but really??  
• The witch is really freaky.
• Snow White's voice is EXTREMELY high.  Enough said.  
• She also is COMPLETELY innocent (at best), gullible (more reasonable), dumb (at worst).
• While the graphics are nothing compared to the movies today, the simple drawings and art warmed me inside and made me feel like a kid, enjoying a sweet, old, clean movie... one where I knew there'd be no underlying sexual humor, or bad words, or disrespect thrown in.
• After she "dies," the dwarfs think she's too beautiful to burry, so they build her this glass coffin and keep "vigil by her side."  They were completely devastated when she "died," but the fact is, she'd only been with them for less than 24-hours.  Again, understand the simplicity, but still.... kinda weird.
• When the prince finds her, and she wakes, she remembers him from the castle/cleaning episode and travels off into the sunset with him, with a mere goodbye to the dwarfs who had been MOURNING her death!  Again, kinda freaky/weird.  

All in all, a classic... but as an adult watching it for the first time in 20 years or so... kinda weird!

dinner and a movie

I've been trying to meal plan a little better in my home.  We both like to eat out: him, because he likes all kinds of foods; me, because I don't prefer cooking.  But, it saves us a bundle to eat at home, so I am really aiming to be better at this.  I figure it's a little something that could help us out and make my husband feel treasured and thought of, if I had a meal ready for when he comes home exhausted from work.

I randomly bought some mozzarella cheese the other day, just cuz it sounded so yummy (I LOVE cheese).  Not knowing how to use it, other than eat the whole block and pack on some more pounds, I googled "mozzarella cheese."  This amazing site came up.  I've already used it a couple times for various recipes.  None of the recipes seem too difficult or time consuming (a good thing, in my book!), and all of them have been yummy!

My girlfriends and I are seemingly always trying to find/trade recipes that are a) simple & b) enjoyed by the whole family.  This one is definitely a keeper.  Trav LOVES it (which is not too surprising, as he LOVES all food), Bella "Mmm-mmm's" through the whole meal (which isn't too surprising either, since she's a good eater), and I enjoy it (which says a lot, since I'm the pickiest eater in our family).  Without further ado, here's the recipe:

Fresh Mozzarella Penne Pasta

(*with a bunch of my side notes/tips in red*)

8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes (I've bought the fresh stuff and the cheaper cheese and we actually prefer the cheaper mozzarella - both work)
3 medium tomatoes or 5 to 6 Roma tomatoes, peeled and diced (I always buy the cherry tomatoes and slice them in half)
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (I find a half cup is a little much for my taste. I do about 4/5 of 1/2 a cup.  :-))
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil (I've actually never added this: never had it on hand.  But I'm sure it'd be so yummy!)
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon coarse salt (I use sea salt)
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 teaspoons crushed red pepper or to taste (Also never added this, for same reason)
1 (16-ounce) package uncooked penne pasta (I've always used Rotini pasta, just because that's what I had on hand)
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, toss mozzarella cheese with tomatoes, avocados, garlic, olive oil, basil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and return to pan to keep warm. 

Add tomato mixture to prepared pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Transfer onto individual serving plates and garnish with parmesan cheese.

Makes 4 servings.  (This really does feed 4 adults and one baby quite nicely)

-- Make it and let me know what you think!!

And now onto the movie part of my title.  I watched "Casablanca" for the first time last night.  I don't know how that movie has slipped past me all this time, since I'm a lover of old movies.  I found the VHS (yes, we still use a VCR) at the library and decided to borrow it.  Loved it.  A classic, in so many ways.  And very redeemable.  Sincerely loved it.  Considering naming my next girl Ilsa.

movie review: July '09

Ah. Loved this movie. Watched it last night... and can't stop thinking about it. Clint Eastwood is always classic, but in this one, he warmed my heart and brought me in - hook.line.and.sinker. There is quite a bit of language, but as my Ma put it, "It just makes the movie."

I had to download the closing music today (Jamie Cullum - love him!), and am currently listening to it for the fourth time in a row.

Just one of those movies that makes you smile, think, laugh, possibly even cry. A five-star from this movie reviewer.

movie review: October '08

Trav and I watched this film last night - and loved it! I highly recommend renting/NetFlixing it, if possible. I'm into "relational" movies (as Travis put it), where the characters are developed in depth and you are able to become a part of their lives. It's not action packed or scary (two good things, in my book!)... just a film dealing with some social issues today in America and one of unexpected friendships. You will be touched.