In The Autumn Mood

Today I'm in the mood for Autumn. I ran to the dollar store and found these great paper leaves

(seen above).

I also collected branches from our yard and mounted a sturdy branch above the fireplace. Then I hot glued the leaves on the sturdy branch. Voila! Autumn.

When I'm in the Autumn mood I like to watch Practical Magic.

The movie is brilliant and the house (even though it's fake) is gorgeous.  

Happy Autumn!

A Selkie Love Story

Sometimes it's so hard to find good movies to watch. I'm very picky. So when I find one I like, I have to share. Here is one you must see if you are a romantic like me. ONDINE.

It's so good. I really enjoyed it. As the days go by I think about it more and more.

Put it in your queue on Netflix. It's a must see or I think you can still see it On Demand (not sure about that).

Without giving too much away it's about a fisherman, Colin Farrell, who finds a woman in his fishing net and thinks she might be a selkie. A female selkie is a seal that can shed her skin when she comes on land. If her seal coat is found she must become a wife.

Another really good movie that has the same selkie myth is Secret Of Roan Inish

This movie is a classic that my boys enjoy watching also.

Robin Hood

I saw Robin Hood last night. Opening night! That's saying a lot because I don't like crowds. So for me to grab a friend and go to opening night means I really wanted to see the movie.

With my heart pounding in anticipation I snuggled into my seat with my friend by my side.

Then it started.

Russell!

Oh Holy Knight is right.

WOW! And on a horse. Jeepers, that man can ride. (a flash of the Old Spice commercial flickers to life in my brain as I write this. I stamp it out but smile).

Yes, a man on a horse, sumpthin about that combo.

Okay back to the review.

My thoughts on Russell Crowe as Robin Hood- Outstanding. So very perfect. He is such a MAN. Really no other word for it. I think every woman knows what I mean. He is MALE. Sigh. Regardless of his personal life and personality he does have a commanding presence.

My thoughts on Cate Blanchett as Marian- Strong. Beautiful in her own way. A perfect match for Russell's maleness. Perfect casting.

Such a potential combo. Brilliant chemistry.

BUUUUT!

We want more. There was a surprising lack of the two together. I wish they would have taken out all the stuff around them and only had Robin and his Merry Men and Marian.

Maybe a little of the other stuff but not the entire movie filled with horses and bad guys plotting and old men making speeches and crap.

It was so disappointing.

Not enough time with Cate and Russell together. Long winded speeches by Russell were trying and so not necessary and a bit eye rolling.

I left feeling very disappointed. The acting was great but the storyline veered off target and missed. I won't be buying this one. Dang! A period film I won't want. Why are there so many of those? Why can't they make a period piece that has great actors with a good happy story? Come on!

Oh and I know they were trying to be all historically accurate and all but Little John's teeth were really distracting. Very hard to look at.

My Family And Other Animals

I know I am probably a little behind the times but I found the most incredible BBC production from 2007. My Family And Other Animals.

If you haven't seen it you need to.

The music alone will bring a smile to your face. But what really brought a smile to my face was Matthew Goode as Larry.

It's about a family escaping from the dreary weather in England in the 1930's. Of course the family is eccentric like only the British can be. They move to Corfu and then the fun begins.

This movie is based on Gerard Durrell's childhood adventures. He was a well know Zoologist and wrote over 37 books.

Very fun.

A must see

In My Mind I Am In Scotland

Sometimes you just need to get away. When I need to escape, I go to Scotland.

Now don’t get excited, the oil didn’t start flowing in North Dakota and yes you are correct, I still won’t get on a plane (I’ve seen Lost, come on).

The truth is I travel to Scotland with a permanent lay over on my couch. There I can stay for days with my eyes focused clearly on my favorite show. Its name is, Monarch Of The Glen and I am addicted to it.

It’s a BBC tv show or at least it was a BBC tv show. It ran its course, and is now sitting at Borders in the British TV section or sitting in the vaults at Netflix waiting for someone new to discover it.

I have never before been so fixated on a show or movie. Sure there have been movies that I think about long after I see them. And there are my favorites that I buy. But nothing has stayed on my mind and in my heart as much as Monarch Of The Glen.

What draws me to this particular show?

The answer on the surface could be easy. Maybe it's the handsome Laird, Archie MacDonald? He is absolutely adorable. Perhaps it’s the beautiful location, or the romance of Scotland and a castle? This is all true but it’s deeper than that. The shows creators (Monarch Of The Glen is actually a book) have created a unique and special world that happens to speak to me. I can’t help but want to step into the world of Glenbogle and there is not one specific reason why.

The show is definitely odd by now-a-days standards. There’s no sex, violence, or bad language. It’s not a thriller that keeps you guessing like Lost. It’s just quirky characters living a wonderfully unusual life. Like any good story, each character has their own issues and compelling story. One doesn’t outshine the other. All are interesting. I even like the exploits of the old and pompous Lord Killwillie.

The plot is solid – It’s about a young man, Archie, who is called back home to assist his ailing father in running the families ancestral castle and estate, which has fallen into bad times. Discovering he is the new Laird of Glenbogle, Archie reluctantly stays and tries to make the estate profitable. Doing so, he finds out his heart is truly back home in the Highlands. As you can imagine, there are funny and poignant trials, tribulations, and romance along the way.

Each time I watch an episode, I feel like I can escape for a while. Absorb into the surroundings of Glenbogle and lose myself in each character’s issues.

The only downfall is that it ends way too soon and then I have to return to life in Portland, Oregon which is not bad but I can only imagine that laundry is not as romantic as planning a Highland ball.

Cozy Up, Snuggle Down, And Watch Cary Grant

On a rainy cold Easter evening such as this, the best thing to do is, grab the fam, cozy up, snuggle down, and watch Cary Grant.

Here are my all time, tried and true, best Cary Grant movies ever. Rent them on Netflix.

Hoppy Easter!

Valentine Movie List

As Valentine's Day approaches everyone needs a little romance. Here is my list:

1. I Capture The Castle -is one of my favorite books and a wonderful movie. It is a must.

2. Love In a Cold Climate- So so very British. Nancy Mitford, the oldest of the famous Mitford Sisters wrote this book. The PBS adaptation is very good. Just remember to enter a room while saying-F-r-e-s-h (you'll get this once you see the movie).

3. Wives and Daughters, written by Elizabeth Gaskell this is a wonderful BBC production. So romantic and it has a very happy ending.

4. North And South,- No this is not the one about Ory Maine. This is another romance by Elizabeth Gaskell. Richard Artmitage is in this and does a wonderful job. He is UKlicious.

That's all for now.

Castles, Horses, And Russell, Oh My!

I am so excited. Another period piece with Russell Crowe. And what a period piece. I love the story of Robin Hood. I think it will be a brilliant movie and usually anything Cate Blanchett does is topnotch. What a wonderful pair and they are both over 35. Yippee! I have high hopes. Check it out here http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/robinhood/

Leap Year

Leap Year

Everything about this movie screamed ME!

1. Setting: Ireland,

2. One of my favorite actresses: Amy Adams

3. Romantic comedy

4. Handsome Irish pub owner: dark haired and gorgeous, scruffy looking. Love the hair and clothes.

So off I went on opening night something I don't like doing because I generally don't like crowds of people. And when it's busy I usually end up sitting by people that sneak in corn nuts. This time I was in luck. On one side of me my dear friend, the other an empty seat. (The crowds were probably waiting for the dvd- smart move).

Then it started. And yes Amy was lovely as ever. Funny cute and real. Matthew Goode was really really GOOD looking. Yes they were in Ireland and yes it was beautiful. It had such potential. Ho hum.

I so wanted to buy it for my Irish romantic movie collection (I still might just to gaze upon Matthew who probably is young enough to be my son and I mean that, sad but true).

Once the movie started I soon realize this was a Renter. For one thing why couldn't they find an Irish guy to play the Irish guy? You can't tell me there aren't any cute Irish guys available. For the entire movie Matthew's accent kept bugging me. It was only after the movie I found out why, because he wasn't Irish.

The story line seemed contrived really forced. I still wanted it to work but the situations they were put in just didn't. Example: it was really hard for me to believe a woman would walk up a hill, in the mud, in a tight skirt, in a down pour, in 3 to 4" heals, to see the view from the top of a castle even if she was following Matthew . . . okay I would think about it.

Even though the story was weak my heart longed for Ireland (I'll get there someday) and . . . Matthew Goode. So don't go see it if you want depth and cleverness. This movie was bland but beautiful. Sweet but not great.

Signing off.