Movies, movies, movies

We've been trying to catch up on some of the movies we missed recently. We watched Crash. What a movie! There is a scene that will remain with me as one of the best scenes ever in a movie. I'm glad it's getting recognized. It's weird because while we were watching it, I kept thinking it was a little over the top, but I'm still thinking about it almost a month later, if that tells you anything. And the actors are all great. (Well, except Brendan Fraser).

We'll have The Constant Gardener to watch this weekend. I'd like to try to cram in three or four more before the Academy Awards ceremony. Walk the Line, Brokeback Mountain, and Good Night and Good Luck are the top three on my list, with Capote a runner up. I have no desire to see Munich after hearing about it.

I'm in the middle of watching Adam's Rib at home. I think the best performance in the movie is Judy Holliday - who I don't really know anything about. But I'm always fascinated by Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn movies. I can't tell if they were just superb actors or if they couldn't hide how much in love they were, but their relationships on screen are more real and more believable than any others I've seen. If you ever get a chance - watch this one, State of the Union, and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

ADDENDUM TO ORIGINAL POST:
Amazingly enough, Born Yesterday with Judy Holliday was on TCM last night. She was great in this one-and won the Academy Award for her performance as a woman who never really stopped to use her brain until William Holden opens up the grand doors of history and learning to her. I think she would have gone on to become one of the greatest actresses of her day if she had not died from breast cancer at the early age of 43.

Magical Book

I read Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking during the holidays. I had heard her interviewed and decided I had to read this book. It chronicles the year after the unexpected death of her husband, and during which their only daughter is in and out of a coma. Since the book came out her daughter passed away also. You would think it would be one of the most depressing books ever, but it's not. It is written so honestly and with a matter-of-fact style, and it rings so true about what your mind and body go through while coping with grief. But I only got really teary-eyed a couple of times. I found myself agreeing with and sympathizing with her so often, I feel like I know her personally now. I have never read her work before this book, but I am ready to get started on some of her fiction works. I think the best thing about reading it during the holidays was how appreciative it made me of my family, and how I didn't want to take them or anything about my life for granted. I highly recommend it.

Welcome back Harry

I know I'm a little slow in getting to it, but I finally started the latest Harry Potter last week. We get the audio books and listen while in the car, and it's so great to have a story read to me. Especially when the person reading the story (Jim Dale) has won so many awards it's ridiculous, and is considered the best in his field. He's kept the voices constant for every character throughout six books now. But back to Harry. I keep driving Jav crazy, coming up with all of these crazy theories about what's happening. It's not my fault he read it first! I will think of nothing else until I finish.

Wonder Dog

We are trying to take the dogs to River Legacy Park every other weekend. What a great place - a veritable doggy paradise with tons of trails that seemingly go on forever. Yesterday, my almost 12-year-old Stanley kicked my butt. He just goes and goes, and doesn't ever seem to get tired. After an hour of hiking he didn't want to get in the car to go home. I, on the other hand, was completely worn out and ready for a nap. We've decided after watching the Animal Planet Dog Show the last couple of nights that he has Golden Retriever in him, along with Chow. I still think he has Husky in him too, because of his tail. Whatever he is, he's the best dog I ever could have asked for.

The process is messed up

The Senate Confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito are progressing nicely. Problem is, the democrats use the forum to make lengthy political diatribes instead of asking really good questions, the republicans fawn over the nominee and tell him to ignore those mean democrats, the nominee doesn't really answer any of the supposedly important questions, and the taxpayers' money gets wasted with each moment that goes by. The process seems to have become ridiculous and circus-like. Shouldn't the American public have more of a say-so in this decision? After all, if confirmed, the man will be making decisions that affect the freedoms of (or lack of freedoms of) all Americans, not just our representatives in Congress. (Come to think of it, are these people supposed to really represent me? - Yikes!)

I want to know more about how this man stands. He's young and has the possibility of being on the court for a really long time. Shouldn't these proceedings be more serious and meaningful?

Perfect Weekend

I think we all get so used to frantically running around before and during the holidays that January comes as a breath of fresh air. We didn't have anything we HAD to do all weekend. I had time for yoga on Saturday and walking the dogs on Sunday. I worked in the yard a couple of hours each day, and did some cleaning inside here and there. We went to Mass. We cooked healthy dinners together! each night. We ate breakfast out Sunday and browsed Barnes and Noble afterwards. I took a nap on Sunday afternoon. We watched The Commitments and laughed our way through the whole thing again. Jav fixed the sprinkler system. The whole weekend was absolute heaven, and I look forward to having many more like it.

Favorite Christmas memory, 2005

The neatest thing that happened this Christmas occurred at my brother and sister-in-law's house on Christmas afternoon. Their new house looked absolutely beautiful, there was a Chris Isaac Christmas CD on in the background, and my entire family was gathered around. One of us called someone a Scrooge, and Cade, my 4-year-old nephew, wanted to know what that meant. I started telling him the story of A Christmas Carol. Watching his little excited, interested face, and realizing that everyone got quiet and started listening to me - I tried to make it as magical and memorable as the first time I remember watching the movie as a kid. The scary parts were good and scary, I played down the Tiny Tim part a little, but really played up the end when Ebeneezer is transformed into a better person. Since I don't have kids yet, I didn't realize I could tell a story like that without the help of a book. And when I finished, Cade said, "Read it again, read it again!", which I thought was the ultimate complement, coming from someone I love so much. One day we'll read the book together.

Great movie, great music

While doing some last minute shopping at Target on Christmas Eve, I suddenly found the soundtrack from Garden State in my buggy. That Santa - he really knows his stuff. I had wanted that CD for months! The entire CD is very cool, very mellow songs. Perfect for driving, or for background music if a few friends are over for dinner. If you haven't seen the movie yet, you need to. My favorite scene is the party scene - which happens to correspond with my favorite song on the CD (In the Waiting Line by Zero 7). I'm not sure if the song makes the scene great or vice versa, but it really doesn't matter. Hollywood needs more of what Zach Braff has to offer.

Are we all on the same page?

I hate cliches. They drive me insane. Especially those related to the work place. If you can't say something even slightly original, just don't talk. I found this that sums up a lot of what I'm talking about. They left a couple off. The one the owner of my company says that makes me gnaw my teeth together: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". Being an animal lover, I also can't stand the ones like, "kill two birds with one stone", and "beating a dead horse".

On the other hand, I don't mind some of the ones I've heard in old movies. Ones that have more to do with people, instead of corporate mumbo jumbo. Maybe I should start a trend to try to bring these back.

For instance, if you meet someone who obviously remembers you but you have no idea who they are, instead of trying to slickly act like you remember them, say "Sir (or Ma'am), it seems you have me at a disadvantage.' Then stick out your hand. I saw John Wayne do this in one of his movies, and although it was a Western, I still think it would impress in a business environment.

Another one that isn't used near enough anymore is to say to a new young coworker or temp, "I can see you going places. You've got a real fire in your belly." Can't you just picture Spencer Tracy saying that to someone?

If you're determined to speak in cliches, why not have a little class about it?