We had an epic family day Monday...and I'm even using the word in the right way. It was long, drawn out, great...not heroic or poetic, but epic nonetheless. ;) I have no pictures as I forgot to bring the camera, but it was a fun, full day.
We got out the door by 1pm after Charles and Bethany had worked in the morning and went after Christmas shopping at the old Christown Mall (they remodeled it and named it Spectrum Mall, but no one would call it that, so they finally renamed it Christown Spectrum....Arizonans are a little strong willed).
Spent Christmas gift money and gift cards. A lot of time was spent in lines and in dressing rooms.
We went to see Voyage of the Dawn Treader (new Narnia movie) also at Christown, which was not epic, but it was very good, probably my favorite one of the three Narnia movies so far. It had beautiful symbolism of temptation, sacrifice and Christian application that was a little lost in the others, even though it is apparent in the books. We had dinner at Appleby's, then went to Zoo Lights. The Phoenix zoo, where Bethany works is open at night from Thanksgiving til mid January with huge light displays, shows and fun stuff like carriage rides, polar slide, camels rides and a couple of animals exhibits. So she bought us tickets with her discount as our Christmas gifts.
We went home and watched White Christmas. We vowed not to watch it until Hannah arrived to watch it with us and we finally watched it on a night that Bethany was working. That was not okay with Bethany so we had to watch it again. We then played Wii (our family gift), lots of fun obstacle course games and Mii making.
Then we fell into our beds and fell soundly unconscious for the night.
Epic should also mean tiring-beyond-all-reason.
Showing posts with label Movie reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie reviews. Show all posts
December 29, 2010
June 5, 2009
Up please
Our 25th wedding anniversary was this past Monday. We decided to go to a movie and dinner and shipped off the kids to various places. After a little haggling over what to see, we decided on Up. All I can say is GO. It is such a cute movie, so different than what I expected. The first third or fourth of the movie is a very poignant look at a couple as they go through life together. Bring tissues, the story is played out quickly but so well done that you feel as if it could have been partly your story. It felt like that to me anyway. The first part lays a foundation for the story. Children may not 'get it' and be bored, but just tell them to wait and watch.
**spoiler**The rest of the movie is the adventure one spouse goes on, continuing his journey after his wife is gone. He goes on a very unexpected adventure, full of surprises that will have you laughing your heads off or rolling your eyes. But none of it is very predictable. I always appreciate a movie that is not full of predictable moments.
The end is uplifting (not meant to be a pun, but that is funny) and positive too. It's not goofy or predictable either.
It's just a really good, original story (a well organized and put together story), full of originality and character building moments.
November 10, 2008
You've Got Mangos
What is it about certain movies that just puts you in a good mood? You could and have watched them a hundred times. When Hannah was 17 or so we bought the movie You've Got Mail. It is set in New York City, has a fabulous, quirky soundtrack and it goes through three seasons of the year.....fall, winter, then spring. We used to put that movie on to play whenever we were home and felt You've Got Mailish....which was a lot. A friend borrowed it and kept it for months! MONTHS! I finally got tired of asking for it back and went to get it. ha
We quote parts of the movie and it never gets old. "My head is starting to get ....fuzzy." "I love daisies. They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" "I'm going to get eucalyptus candles cuz it makes my apartment smell Moss-ay." and of course, "Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry."
But lately I've latched on to an odd sounding quote. "I hope your mango's ripe."
Meg Ryan says it at a place in the movie where her feelings for this strange man are turning from loathing to friendly affection. And it struck me lately that what it means really is "I think I like you." "Thank you for being in my life." or even "Love ya." She says it while saying goodbye to him after a 'chance' meeting and it gets her through an awkward moment of not knowing how to give this time a benediction...because it was a turning pont.
You never really know about mangos, whether they are ripe or not. When they are just on the verge, but not really ripe it is a bitter mango and just turned ripe it is very sweet and smooth. (maybe like life) It is hoping for the best for a person in a very quirky way. I was trying to explain it to Hannah the other day and I've decided it's about the best little quote in the movie. And now you know it too. I looked for that scene from the movie on youtube, but it wasn't there. So...
I guess you'll just have to watch it now.....
We quote parts of the movie and it never gets old. "My head is starting to get ....fuzzy." "I love daisies. They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" "I'm going to get eucalyptus candles cuz it makes my apartment smell Moss-ay." and of course, "Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry."
But lately I've latched on to an odd sounding quote. "I hope your mango's ripe."
Meg Ryan says it at a place in the movie where her feelings for this strange man are turning from loathing to friendly affection. And it struck me lately that what it means really is "I think I like you." "Thank you for being in my life." or even "Love ya." She says it while saying goodbye to him after a 'chance' meeting and it gets her through an awkward moment of not knowing how to give this time a benediction...because it was a turning pont.
You never really know about mangos, whether they are ripe or not. When they are just on the verge, but not really ripe it is a bitter mango and just turned ripe it is very sweet and smooth. (maybe like life) It is hoping for the best for a person in a very quirky way. I was trying to explain it to Hannah the other day and I've decided it's about the best little quote in the movie. And now you know it too. I looked for that scene from the movie on youtube, but it wasn't there. So...
I guess you'll just have to watch it now.....
September 6, 2008
Generation gappy
My sisters and I took my mom to see the movie Mama Mia this afternoon. We wondered if she would like a movie that really relates to our generation as far as nostalgia and humor. We went to the "Mama Sing" version of the movie. It had all the lyrics at the bottom of the screen, sing-a-long style. So after the movie, I asked her if she liked the movie.
She said, "Well........it was no Sound of Music."
"It was what we used to call bawdy."
My sister, "I wonder what your Sunday School
ladies will think of you seeing it."
Mom, "Oh they've probably all seen it already.
But we'll have something to talk about now."
We laughed a lot today.
She said, "Well........it was no Sound of Music."
"It was what we used to call bawdy."
My sister, "I wonder what your Sunday School
ladies will think of you seeing it."
Mom, "Oh they've probably all seen it already.
But we'll have something to talk about now."
We laughed a lot today.
May 24, 2008
Prince Caspian: movie review
It's just after midnight. We got home an hour ago from seeing the new Narnia move, Prince Caspian. And I am on Sudafed because of a cold making it's way from my sinuses into my chest. My mind is just buzzing away, so here I am typing away. I hope this makes sense in the morning. ;)
First of all, it is a wonderful movie. Charles and I both think we like it better than the first one. It had a lot of fighting scenes in it and a couple of very intense evil scenes. I kept seeing Maggie with her hand over her eyes, but it was not graphic in anything but fighting. The cinematography was SO beautiful....very rich and lush and pure landscapes. I would love to know where they filmed it. I'll have to look it up later.
The costumes were very cool too. Everything was well thought out and lovely. Even down to the fighting armor and mouse accessories. (The mouse being one of my favorite characters in the entire movie. I am a sucker for talking animals, especially if they have little whiskery noses and fuzzy cheeks.) The costumes the people wore were so beautiful, so simple and elegant, yet lots of detail. My favorite costume was the one Prince Caspian wore for almost the whole movie. It was a blousy white shirt with embroidery on it (I used to have one or two like it in the 70's/80's) and his pants! They looked like suede or really more like velour or soft corduroy...hard to describe apparently.....embroidered down the sides, with buttons going up the outer thigh and fitted down the calf. I wish I could wear it! I would feel very swishy in that blouse. Well, nevermind....
Then it had the greatest scenes with the themes of trusting, faith, loyalty, devotion and brotherly love. I was blown away several times by the parallels of the siblings relationship with Aslan and ours with Christ. As I was pondering who the siblings would symbolize, it hit me that they are US. They are simply the sons and daughters of Eve and when their eyes were opened to Narnia and a world unseen by most, their true character developed and the direction and calling on their lives was clear. When Peter in his boyish pride chooses to trust his own instinct instead of following Aslan's way, the consequences were always humbling and painful. So many times the way Christ is showing us to go does not make sense to us right off the bat, so we choose to go by our instinct. But as Aslan was in the movie, Christ is faithful to us (even when we are not to Him). He leads us, lets us make mistakes, humbles us and then we are useable for His purposes.
*spoiler warning!*
One of my favorite parts is near the end. The siblings and the prince are kneeling before Aslan. He has just saved their necks in an unexpected way. They have each tried to do things on their own, only to realize where true power and strength lie. They learned they cannot do things in a beneficial way in life without Aslan's help and guidance. Then Aslan tells them "rise before me Kings and Queens of Narnia". So the four siblings rise, leaving the prince there, his head bowed. Then Aslan said, "I said rise." and the prince honestly says, "I am not a king. I'm not ready." then he admits he does not know very much and feels so unworthy of the title. And Aslan says, "That is how I know you ARE ready."
Kings and Queens of Narnia.... or wherever.... we are not to rule the world, but to help it find it's way, be a rescuer of the lost....be used to influence your world, to fight for what is Truth, and follow the leading of Christ, whether it makes sense to you or not.
Go see the movie. See if your heart swells at those themes. Notice the little mouse whiskers. Take in the scenery. Imagine me in that blouse and how swishy it would be! And see if you can see yourself in any of those characters and what stage of trusting and following Christ you are in.
First of all, it is a wonderful movie. Charles and I both think we like it better than the first one. It had a lot of fighting scenes in it and a couple of very intense evil scenes. I kept seeing Maggie with her hand over her eyes, but it was not graphic in anything but fighting. The cinematography was SO beautiful....very rich and lush and pure landscapes. I would love to know where they filmed it. I'll have to look it up later.
The costumes were very cool too. Everything was well thought out and lovely. Even down to the fighting armor and mouse accessories. (The mouse being one of my favorite characters in the entire movie. I am a sucker for talking animals, especially if they have little whiskery noses and fuzzy cheeks.) The costumes the people wore were so beautiful, so simple and elegant, yet lots of detail. My favorite costume was the one Prince Caspian wore for almost the whole movie. It was a blousy white shirt with embroidery on it (I used to have one or two like it in the 70's/80's) and his pants! They looked like suede or really more like velour or soft corduroy...hard to describe apparently.....embroidered down the sides, with buttons going up the outer thigh and fitted down the calf. I wish I could wear it! I would feel very swishy in that blouse. Well, nevermind....
Then it had the greatest scenes with the themes of trusting, faith, loyalty, devotion and brotherly love. I was blown away several times by the parallels of the siblings relationship with Aslan and ours with Christ. As I was pondering who the siblings would symbolize, it hit me that they are US. They are simply the sons and daughters of Eve and when their eyes were opened to Narnia and a world unseen by most, their true character developed and the direction and calling on their lives was clear. When Peter in his boyish pride chooses to trust his own instinct instead of following Aslan's way, the consequences were always humbling and painful. So many times the way Christ is showing us to go does not make sense to us right off the bat, so we choose to go by our instinct. But as Aslan was in the movie, Christ is faithful to us (even when we are not to Him). He leads us, lets us make mistakes, humbles us and then we are useable for His purposes.
*spoiler warning!*
One of my favorite parts is near the end. The siblings and the prince are kneeling before Aslan. He has just saved their necks in an unexpected way. They have each tried to do things on their own, only to realize where true power and strength lie. They learned they cannot do things in a beneficial way in life without Aslan's help and guidance. Then Aslan tells them "rise before me Kings and Queens of Narnia". So the four siblings rise, leaving the prince there, his head bowed. Then Aslan said, "I said rise." and the prince honestly says, "I am not a king. I'm not ready." then he admits he does not know very much and feels so unworthy of the title. And Aslan says, "That is how I know you ARE ready."
Kings and Queens of Narnia.... or wherever.... we are not to rule the world, but to help it find it's way, be a rescuer of the lost....be used to influence your world, to fight for what is Truth, and follow the leading of Christ, whether it makes sense to you or not.
Go see the movie. See if your heart swells at those themes. Notice the little mouse whiskers. Take in the scenery. Imagine me in that blouse and how swishy it would be! And see if you can see yourself in any of those characters and what stage of trusting and following Christ you are in.
April 4, 2008
Movie Review: Nim's Island
After a dry spell with very few desirable movies to choose from in theaters, I was excited to take Maggie, 10 and Charles, 48 (heehee) to see it. I had seen one commercial preview and heard only a couple of comments about it, but I knew we would like it.
We were not disappointed! Nim's Island is delightful....it is funny, sweet, innocent and a tear jerker in a few places. I think I had to pat Maggie three times.....so it's a three patter movie. But it is mostly full of laugh out loud moments. Some of the main characters are animals. The computer generated lizard will have you considering one as a pet. It's adorable! (just be reasonable...please remember it's just a CG lizard) And if, after that warning, you still want to get a lizard buddy, see my friend Michelle and her son Micah. They are raising some.
I won't do any spoiling. Just watch the preview. Then I suggest you go see it.
We were not disappointed! Nim's Island is delightful....it is funny, sweet, innocent and a tear jerker in a few places. I think I had to pat Maggie three times.....so it's a three patter movie. But it is mostly full of laugh out loud moments. Some of the main characters are animals. The computer generated lizard will have you considering one as a pet. It's adorable! (just be reasonable...please remember it's just a CG lizard) And if, after that warning, you still want to get a lizard buddy, see my friend Michelle and her son Micah. They are raising some.
I won't do any spoiling. Just watch the preview. Then I suggest you go see it.
January 11, 2008
Questioning Authority
Carol, at She Lives wants your opinion on a new movie. It hits the theaters in February and will either be shuffled over, cause a controversial stir, or it could open people's minds to questioning modern science propaganda and go on a journey of finding the truth to how our world began.
I had kind of heard about this project, but not enough to really examine it. After watching the trailer, I am excited about it! My husband was a biology major in college, taught science in a Christian high school for 5 years and talks about scientific things in his sermons often. Plus my dad was a Christian with very strong scientific leanings. So this is right up my alley! Ben Stein is a very talented guy. He just cracks me up on the Wonder Years and other movie bits. It is cool to see him doing something so meaningful, although he's been doing this a while....it's just now being brought to our attention.
I do not think scientists will be flocking in to see it, but everyday people will be....and those are the people who need to understand that scientific education and research in this country is largely filled with propaganda for an unproven theory.
The truth (in most areas) will set you free. Propaganda just leads you around by the snout. ;)
Now, there are a lot of scientists who do not put stock in Darwin's theory. None of it has actually ever been scientifically proven. And just because someone is exploring intelligent design does not mean they are a seeker of Christ or of religion at all....people just want truth and all of the scientific evidence and discoveries keep pointing to a purposeful design in the universe. There are also a lot of Christians who believe in a form of evolution, and that God is the one who got the ball rolling. So we can't generalize, but it doesn't really look like he does in the movie.
It looks like Stein simply wants to be heard....to provide a whisper in the public ear of questioning the authorities that be and not be afraid to explore other possibilities.
I have to be honest. I do hope that this movie will help spur people on to seeking God....seeking ultimate Truth. But I have always been irked by science books, television shows and some, but not all teachers trying to shove Darwinism down our minds. I would really love to see the scientific world FREE to explore all the possibilities, not just their personal leanings.
Oh yeah, so go over and tell Carol what you think and watch the trailer.
I had kind of heard about this project, but not enough to really examine it. After watching the trailer, I am excited about it! My husband was a biology major in college, taught science in a Christian high school for 5 years and talks about scientific things in his sermons often. Plus my dad was a Christian with very strong scientific leanings. So this is right up my alley! Ben Stein is a very talented guy. He just cracks me up on the Wonder Years and other movie bits. It is cool to see him doing something so meaningful, although he's been doing this a while....it's just now being brought to our attention.
I do not think scientists will be flocking in to see it, but everyday people will be....and those are the people who need to understand that scientific education and research in this country is largely filled with propaganda for an unproven theory.
The truth (in most areas) will set you free. Propaganda just leads you around by the snout. ;)
Now, there are a lot of scientists who do not put stock in Darwin's theory. None of it has actually ever been scientifically proven. And just because someone is exploring intelligent design does not mean they are a seeker of Christ or of religion at all....people just want truth and all of the scientific evidence and discoveries keep pointing to a purposeful design in the universe. There are also a lot of Christians who believe in a form of evolution, and that God is the one who got the ball rolling. So we can't generalize, but it doesn't really look like he does in the movie.
It looks like Stein simply wants to be heard....to provide a whisper in the public ear of questioning the authorities that be and not be afraid to explore other possibilities.
I have to be honest. I do hope that this movie will help spur people on to seeking God....seeking ultimate Truth. But I have always been irked by science books, television shows and some, but not all teachers trying to shove Darwinism down our minds. I would really love to see the scientific world FREE to explore all the possibilities, not just their personal leanings.
Oh yeah, so go over and tell Carol what you think and watch the trailer.
October 6, 2007
Movie Review: Miss Potter
My daughter Beth, brought home some movies last night and now I have a new one to add to my favorite movies list! Miss Potter is a high quality, beautiful movie with Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. She plays the quirky and loveable Beatrix Potter, struggling to get her children's books published and finding love for the first time at age 32.
You will love it. Rent it. Watch it.
Here's a preview:
You will love it. Rent it. Watch it.
Here's a preview:
September 3, 2007
Movie review: Charlotte's Web
Having read the book as a child and seen the animated, I think musical, version of the story, we opted not to see Charlotte's Web in the theatre last year. (it's soooo expensive to go to the movies with the whole family these days) Instead we waited for it to come out of dvd. And since it arrived at our door with the other 49cent dvds my husband ordered with a dvd club membership, we finally watched it. Well, we watched it three times this weekend to be exact. I LOVE IT. It is the cutest family movie I've seen in a while.The live action movie with computer generated animated animals was a little bit reminiscent of the movie Babe, but better much better computerized animation (like the spider spinning the web). And the story and sweetness of it was so much more. Besides the story of the pig, spider and farm animals, it is a wonderful story of a shy little girl's blossoming. Silly, sappy and totally predictable barnyard animal lines and jokes still had me giggling, even during the third viewing. An all star cast provides the voices for these wonderful animals. The scene where the baby spiders hatch is beautifully done, and is so sweet. But one of my favorite parts was the end, where the credits first begin to roll, the song Ordinary Miracle is sung by Sarah McLachlan and is accompanied by really well done still illustrations of the story. It is beautiful! So if you watch the movie, keep the dvd going at least through that song.
And aren't you lucky! I found it on youtube:
July 5, 2007
Movie review: Ratatouille
I took my daughter and neice, both 9, to see the new Disney movie today. You just need some nice cool place to go on days like this....when the heat hovers around 116F and even lazing around in the swimming pool makes your head pound. So we grabbed our Harkins 'loyal patron' cups and went to the matinee.
First of all, it was a really cute movie....good characters, setting, and writing. It was very charming and I loved that.
I just can't get past it being about rats.
Rats crawling around kitchens, through sewer pipes, slinking about in the dark and stampeeding in a full hoard of swinging tails and weird noses and the slinking......aaaarg! Not to mention preparing food in a restaurant! I hated it I hated it I hated it! Even now my stomach is feeling lurchy just thinking about it.
The girls loved it though.
Maybe it is because I grew up in the Willard generation.....*shudder*
If you've seen the movie, did this bother you? Or am I just over sensitive? I just know I don't think I"ll watch it....ever....again.
EVER!
ps....notice, no use of graphics or html links on this post....no word from angelfire 'help' yet. *grumbling*
First of all, it was a really cute movie....good characters, setting, and writing. It was very charming and I loved that.
I just can't get past it being about rats.
Rats crawling around kitchens, through sewer pipes, slinking about in the dark and stampeeding in a full hoard of swinging tails and weird noses and the slinking......aaaarg! Not to mention preparing food in a restaurant! I hated it I hated it I hated it! Even now my stomach is feeling lurchy just thinking about it.
The girls loved it though.
Maybe it is because I grew up in the Willard generation.....*shudder*
If you've seen the movie, did this bother you? Or am I just over sensitive? I just know I don't think I"ll watch it....ever....again.
EVER!
ps....notice, no use of graphics or html links on this post....no word from angelfire 'help' yet. *grumbling*
March 25, 2006
The Line
We rented Walk the Line, a movie about Johnny Cash's life the other day and our house was booming like a low-rider with Charles’ new surround sound cranked as we watched it. It’s an excellent movie…..and just as depressing as it should be. It is a battle between good and evil. The battle is played out in almost every character’s life as the movie pulses on. In the beginning, crossing the line of sin is flirted with, and then dived right into. But as the story progresses each character’s agonizing battle is portrayed very well….including adultery, drug and alcohol abuse, bitterness, family neglect and pride.
It is so elusive these days.....this line of right and wrong. Often there are no visible lines in our American way of life. But here is a very good starting place.
It is so elusive these days.....this line of right and wrong. Often there are no visible lines in our American way of life. But here is a very good starting place.
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