Woolly Mutts

The Sundance Experience

Yesterday the weather was anything but conducive for yard work (of which there is a great deal) so we decided to drive up to Madison to see Jane Eyre.  The movie itself was just so lovely and perfect I nearly cried.  The casting could not have been better and I felt it did justice to the book very kindly.  There were changes, but none that made me dislike it, which I am prone to do  when a beloved book is done wrong.  The scenery was breathtaking and the costumes wonderful.  Oh, how I love a costume drama.  Jane Eyre was one of those movies were the dialogue is sparse but the communication between the characters huge and emotional and beautiful.  I adored it.  5 stars.

I am so glad that we did not wait for it to come to our area.  We drive fairly often to Madison to see a film, but we had never been to the Sundance.  Wow.  Have we been missing out.  It's located in the Hilldale Mall, which is in itself pretty fantastic.  There is a Target with it's own parking garage.   Some cities have a vibe; some good and some bad.  Madison has the best possible vibe I've known.  It's earthy and green, but trendy and academic.  In all ways cool. 

This is part of the interior.  To the right is a concessions area that has much more than your average movie offering and some of the best popcorn I have ever eaten.

Concessions area and let me tell you that it looked like this when we got there and when we left.  Lesson learned, leave LOTS of extra time for goodies.  There are seating areas with tables and also a large seating area with leather sofas and chairs to hang out in.  During the warmer months there is a rooftop bistro.  Cool factor at 10+. 

We thought we had left plenty of time, but there was a substantial line at the ticket counter where not only do you buy the ticket, but you choose the seat you want from a touch screen.  We got good seats and made our  way to the theater.  There is, btw, an amenities fee tacked on the the ticket.  I think it was $1.50.  I'm not entirely clear on exactly what this covers, but the tickets themselves weren't crazy overpriced so it seemed worth it. This is the hallway into the theater area:

The whole hallway is lined with up-lit birch trees. 

The seating is stadium and comfortable.  I saw a couple come in with a big plastic tray with food and drinks and it had a piece on the bottom that fit into the cup holder creating a sort of tray table.  More cool.

After the film we went into the mall to a store located directly across the hall called Playthings.  Greatest kids store ever.  Got Cambria some fun Easter basket goodies.  Looking forward to bringing her there some day.  Then we left the mall, crossed the street and grabbed a cupcake at Gigis Cupcakes.   It was such a good time.

On the way out I grabbed a Sundance catalog and was a teensy bit shocked by how crazy overpriced it was AND by the fact that I wanted pretty much every thing in it.  I did get some good jewelry ideas that I can recreate myself.  If you can't buy it, make it.

We came home and crashed.  The wind around here has been gale force of late and driving up and back fighting it and an early Spring shower of fat, white rain (after April 10 I refuse to acknowledge snow) AH was beat and so was I.   Today has arrived sunny and cool so he is out there working away.  I went to the grocery store and am doing indoor chores.  All in all it's been a very fine weekend.  Hope yours has been the same.

Bad movies and great books.

That's usually the way the story goes, right?  The books are always better than the movies.  For the purposes of today's post, however, the two are unrelated.

We have been on a major losing streak in the film department.  Aside from "Avatar", which we saw twice and loved it both times, most of the films we've viewed in recent weeks have been reasonably terrible.  Makes me wonder if it's me or the selection.  We've already discussed "Green Zone".  This one is getting much better reviews that I gave it, so I'll lay the blame there at my door.  "Repo Men" had a few redeeming moments (one involving a typewriter), but I still give it a thumbs down.  I wanted to love "Wolfman", because who doesn't love a good werewolf movie, but aside from some great actors and amazing costumes, it was pretty dismal.  "Book of Eli" was fairly good with an ending I did not see coming, and I actually enjoyed "Alice in Wonderland" quite a lot, so I should not paint the entire bunch with a dark brush.  Maybe the beautiful emotion of  "A Single Man" ruined me for those that followed.  I don't know.  At least there have been some very good books.

   Just like I need to have more than one knitting project going at a time, I also have at least two books that I am reading, or listening to, during the same time period.  One on the Kindle, one in the car and maybe one actual book.  After going through a bit of a dry book period, the latest have been very, very good. Last week I finished listening to "The Lost Symbol" and holy cow, was it fantastic.  The thing I love the most about Dan Brown's books it how much they make me think and want to research different ideas he presents.  They are the sort of books I what to read with a highlighter and Google nearby.  A great read and shines an interesting light on Washington DC.

  Also in the audio book department, I'm currently listening to "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane".  Amazing Husband listened to it first, and recommended it.  Moves back and forth from 1991 to the early 1700's and involves some history of the Salem witch trials.  The author has a really lovely descriptive style and I find myself driving around blocks or sitting in lots to hear just a bit more.  Looking forward to hearing how it ends.

  The next two were surprises for me and I read them via my Kindle.  Let me say that I have never been a fan of Regency Romances, or inspirational /Christian fiction and these books are both.  The first I read was "The Apothecary's's Daughter".  The story is so well told and the characters so interesting that all the reasons that I thought I didn't care for this type of book never entered my mind.  Another positive point for Kindle; the night I finished The Apothecary's Daughter I found myself in the bathroom at 2am feeling very unwell.  I brought my kindle into the bathroom and from my little nest of blankets on the floor I downloaded the next book, "The Silent Governess" right then and there.  Thirty seconds later it was available on my Kindle and I read several chapters until I felt well enough to return to bed.  I love my Kindle!  I have since finished TSG and am ready to read anything else Ms Klassen has written.  Just goes to show that how far an open mind can take you.

And finally, I have picked up "Eat, Pray, Love" to read for the third time. There is nothing I do not love about this book and each time I read it I find something new that speaks to my heart. 

Angels with attitude.

In search of somewhat mindless entertainment Amazing Husband and I went to see Legion last night. Ever since, alI those many years ago, A Knights Tale  I have really enjoyed  Paul Bettany and all of his widely diverse rolls.  And, well, there is something sort of awesome about a guy in wings.  Unless you too enjoy men in wings and mindless entertainment, you might want to save your dollars. Not that it was all bad.  We laughed quite a lot, though I'm guessing not all the parts that we laughed at were supposed to be funny. 

The synopsis is that God has gotten tired of all the human bulls*%t (their words, not mine), decides to wipe them off the earth and that Michael is just the angel for the job.  Mike, because he's kind of infatuated with humans, discovers an unborn child that could save the world and, disobeying God, comes to earth to protect above mentioned child from up coming apocalypse. Are you getting the Terminator vibe here?  Yeah, me too.   So, when Mike won't finish the job, God sends Gabriel (who is the actor who played Keamy on Lost...could not get past that) and there is an emotional, and funny Michael/Gabriel smack down.  Apparently the whole "soldier of God" gig comes complete with some serious weapon training.  Heavenly Special Forces. Who knew.  Also wings, being pretty and necessary for flying, also repel bullets and large, sharp objects.  I really need to get me some of those.

So, in closing, basically horrible film that can actually be rather enjoyable of you don't take it seriously.  A possible candidate for the Netflix que. Or not.

And again with the movies.

Saturday it was southwest to "A Single Man" (Colin Firth was robbed last night at the Golden Globes, I don't care how good Jeff Bridges was.) and Sunday north to "The Young Victoria". After previously cursing Rockford for it's lack of film variety, I do have to admit that it is quite conveniently located between Chicago and Madison.  I'm a glass half full kind of girl. :-)

So anyway, The Young Victoria.  Oh, how I adore a good costume drama.  Seriously, any time period, any subject matter, if they are dressed authentically I'm all about it.  Cultural history is endlessly fascinating to me.  Put them in costume and then tell me about how they loved each other......brilliant, and it was.  Where Saturday's viewing was constrained, quiet, and deeply emotional. Sunday's was huge, historical, overwhelming in detail.  I adored it.

Emily Blunt, who I have always enjoyed, was really wonderful as Victoria.  Rupert Friend (who I first fell in love with in "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" and is a must-see if you haven't) was the perfect Albert, conflicted, surprised to feel genuine affection, and then completely in love with Victoria.  Theirs was an epic time in England's history and an epic love.  At the end of the film they tell us that the two were together for twenty years and had nine children. Albert died at age 42 and every morning for the rest of Victoria's life (she died at 81) she had her maids lay his clothes out to honor him.  That choked me up a bit.  

There is a good bit of political maneuvering and were I better student of English history I would have enjoyed it more, though I was more than able to ignore the who-is-who-and-why to enjoy what they were wearing. :-)  Still, it was a beautiful story about a young queen and the love of her life.  You really can't ask for more than that. 

A Single Man

Once upon a time Rockford had a theater with multiple screens that played exclusively what they classified as "art house" films.  Regrettably, Rockford didn't have enough people, like myself, that enjoyed the artsier films and they closed it's doors.  Bad, bad Rockford.  You're gonna have to break out of this conservative box eventually, or, I'm gonna have to move.  I imagine it will be the later. This being the case, Amazing Husband and I frequently drive north or south to see films.  Yesterday we traveled to Barrington to see "A Single Man".  

Set in 1962, A Single Man follows George, a gay man who has recently lost his partner of sixteen years, through a significant day in his life.  It is filmed in a very stylized way with the colors going from warm to cool depending on the emotion, and this film is all about emotion.

Colin Firth is brilliant. More than brilliant.  If he doesn't get every award out there I'll be surprised.  Watching the scene where he receives the phone call that his partner has been killed, delivered by a cousin because the parents of the deceased refuse to acknowledge George as part of Jim's life, just broke my heart.  Broke. my. heart.  I admit to having a soft spot for Mr. Firth, but in this film he transcends everything else I've ever seen him in.  He plays George with such grace and depth that it's simply beautiful to watch.  Heart breaking-ly beautiful.

Tom Ford has done a fantastic job with this quietly profound story.  The colors, the costumes, the music, everything you see and hear are pieces of the story that are necessary to tell it.  I can't imagine how he edited it or let any image go.  I've read other reviewers report that the film is a commentary on being gay in the sixties, and certainly it opened a window to that, but for me, it is about love and life and the beauty of those things.  

I recommend it highly and in the theater rather than putting it on your Netflix que.  It needs all the theater has to offer to fully absorb it.  If you've seen it I'd love to hear your review.

What time is it? Now.

"There are no ordinary moments.  There is never nothing going on."

Think on that for a bit.

Then maybe rent Peaceful Warrior. 

It's WE, as apposed to ME.

As previously mentioned, I've been a little bit ill this week.  It's a lung thing and I hesitate to even mention the name because I don't want to give it any more power than it already has.  Sort of like Voldermort.  (oops)  Anyway, being home day after day, it's hard to tell just how well I really feel, so I decided it would be a perfect time to take myself to a nice dark, cool theater and see Sicko.

  Before I go any further, let me say that I am well aware that Michael Moore is a very controversial, much hated person.  I love that about him.  I have so much respect for a man that sees a problem, and folks, to say that there is a problem with heath care in this country is a gross understatement, and isn't afraid to do the research and speak up.  Loudly.  There are two sides to every story and it's up to us to do the homework.  I think he and Al Gore are (sing it with me) FABULOUS.  Create awareness and encourage the people to get involved.  How cool is that?  They make my hippie heart go all a-flutter.

So, it's me and about 10 other people in this theater, mostly women, mostly older.  The film if over 2 hours long and it seems like 15 minutes.  Most of the time I sat with my mouth hanging open. I laughed and I cried.  When the Cuban firefighters stood at attention to honor a few very ill first responders from 9/11 and then told them how desperately they had wished to come and lend aid, I cried a lot.   I wish I had thought to bring paper and take notes.  At the end the two ladies sitting in front of me got up and clapped.  So did I. 

One of the last things MM says at the end of the film is that we, as Americans, needs to begin thinking in terms of WE, as apposed to ME.  So true.  As I walk out I am behind a couple about my age.  The wife is saying something I could not hear to her husband. The husband, who was closer to me replied, "Yea, well Michael Moore is mostly full of shit.  None of that applied to me."   

You can lead a horse to water, but stupid is as stupid does.

If you've seen the film, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  If not, I encourage you to give it a go.  Hey, if nothing else it's two hours of cool darkness with excellent popcorn and treats.

Stranger Than Fiction

When I think of Will Ferrell my first mental image is the somewhat unpleasant, but completely hilarious SNL skit in which he wore nothing but a red-white-n-blue pair of skimpy briefs.  He is fearless in the pursuit of comedy.  In his impressive film career he has done a boat load of movies that are funny, but of somewhat questionable taste.  I have just watched one that will forever change my view of Will Ferrell from slightly silly, to profoundly talented.

Stranger Than Fiction is simply a lovely film.  I won't explain the plot, or give you a glimpse of a moment to look for.  Just watch it and enjoy.  It seems that Woolly Mutts has become your friendly neighborhood film review blog, but I just had to share this one.

Oh, and just in case you haven't seen this yet, head over to Funny or Die and see The Landlord. (and yes, I know it's not right to teach a little baby to say all those words, but holy moly is it funny.)

Who writes the history books?

When asked to name several men who shaped the history of the world, what names comes to mind?  Napoleon, Hitler, men whose names are quickly associated with violence.  It's what we were taught in school.  The name William Wilberforce ring any bells?

Friday night after work I decided to go see Amazing Grace.  I'm always up for a period piece and the subject matter (abolition of the slave trade in the UK) certainly appealed.  I was the only person in the theater below the age of AARP registration, but even so, almost every seat was filled.  Let me quickly clarify that this is not a religious film, despite the title's song reference.  Several of the main characters were spiritual men, but the impetuous was about valued humanity, not following God. (As a side note, let me say that organized religion scares me.  God, spirituality, or making decisions for moral reasons do not.  Just saying.)  William Wilberforce believed in the value of life.  I like that about him.  He was brave enough to voice that belief to all that would listen.  I had never really given the slave trade in Europe any thought.  Slavery here in the US was something we learned about in school, although that education was pretty scant in the specifics department.  I was rather shocked that many of the films main points were still very timely today. Did you know that today, in this world there are as many as 27 million (yes, million) people still enslaved?  Go to the website and read the statistics.  Sometimes I fear that the people of this planet have a complete inability to learn from past mistakes.

I loved this film.  I loved it so much that I took Amazing Husband back the following night to see it again.  It was beautiful and gripping and there were parts that I wanted to stand up and cheer.  One man can make a difference.  Wilberforce was living proof.  Go see it, and if you do, don't leave right away.  There is one of the most stirring renditions of "Amazing Grace" that you will ever hear at the very end.  Well worth sitting through a couple of cast credits.

FYI: the song "Amazing Grace" was written by a man who spent twenty years as the captain of a slave ship.