Turn the Page

Since school has finished I've finished four books. Two of them I started before school ended, but I finished them once on "break", and started and finished two more since finals were done with. I'm feeling very proud of this fact, despite that we aren't talking about War and Peace or Moby Dick here. They weren't big books, but they were good books that I enjoyed, so I declare it a total win. What's up next? I still have to peruse my shelves of the unread to decide, but here's what I've just finished up and loved. And if you want to see what else I've got on my to-read list (besides what's listed in my sidebar here) you can click over to my pinterest board of books.

Not Dead Yet

Jeez, it's been forever since I had something to say. Thanks to school and a cold I've been pretty busy. I slept something like 15 hours yesterday, thanks to Nyquil and the illness that necessitated it. Since I last posted I've started school {hate it}, had the house's foundation examined {gotta repair it}, celebrated Josh's birthday {huzzah}, and seen The King's Speech three times {love it}. Okay, technically I've only seen it twice, but I've got plans to see the pre-noon showing with Mom tomorrow. We're smuggling in donuts {shhh}. I'm actually hoping {needing} to get a lot of stuff done this weekend. Tonight will be math homework, but I'm hoping it will be accompanied by a side of pizza or queso. Post morning movietimes tomorrow will be birthday shopping with Josh. He said he wanted clothes for his birthday. I also need to do some reading {Comp II and Govt}, some research, and some writing {History}. Our Service Learning Project this year is writing to an authority on behalf of a local historic building in need of preservation. I also desperately need to make a big batch of pancakes {Cinnamon Oat, mmmm} to stock the freezer for school days. There's the usual grocery shopping and laundry to be done {oh joy}. And on top of all that we need to get to work on a home inventory. There have apparently been several break-ins in the neighborhood, so that is on the urgent list- along with replacing the burned out bulb in the backyard and safety latches on the exterior doors that don't have them yet. It's beautiful and in the 70's outside today. I wish it could stay like this long enough for me to enjoy it, but it's supposed to be back to winter tempt by next week {sigh}. I'd love a picnic right about now.

Best In Show

One of my favorite events in the year is finally here. It's Westminster time! I have to leave work early cause my ride has an appointment, so I'm gonna do a little tidying and shower and then hunker down for some good dog watching. I was hoping to re-read my dog judging book beforehand, but it it snuck up on me and I didn't have time to anyway. Fell asleep watching Best In Show last night.

Weekend Roundup

Friday:
-Work, yuck
-Home to tidy up
-Discuss dance moves with Josh
-Make dinner & eat
-Veg out while the Fate Lions boys practice in the living room
-Send the boys off
-Watch What Not to Wear and Most Haunted episodes while entering 6 months of bank transactions into Money
-Josh comes home
-Hit the hay

Saturday:
-Rise & shine
-Coffee & toast
-Balance all accounts in Money while watching Take the Money and Run
-Watch a couple episodes of American Experience while tearing articles to keep out of Real Simples and having lunch
-Shower
-Get ready
-Rod & Steph come by to hang out before dinner
-Dinner at Fuzzy's
-Deedle's show at The Moon
-Back to apartment for more hanging out, including Holly
-Bedtime

Sunday:
-Up early
-Get ready
-Head to Movie Tavern for first showing of The Dark Knight
-Followed by Mamma Mia!- I want to see it again already!
-Grocery shopping right after movies
-Unload and put everything up
-Veg on the couch for 30 minutes
-See Josh off to recording studio
-Clean and prep two heads of lettuce, 2.5 lbs. of carrots, and lunch for today
-Clean kitchen
-Shower
-Dinner of chips & salsa while watching part 2 of Pride & Prejudice
-Sort socks and tidy bookshelf cubbies
-Finish rest of movie laying on bed
-Josh home
-Read a little bit
-Night-night

Manhattan

Thanks to the book on Woody Allen's work that I just finished I am hankering to go back to NYC more than ever. I decided to watch Manhattan Saturday night while the boys worked on music. Manhattan is truly one of my favorite films and always holds up for me under repeated viewing. I couldn't help but laugh out loud, and as always the intro left me breathless. It is probably one of my most favorite things captured on film, just beautiful. I always had "Rhapsody In Blue" running through my head as we explored the streets of Manhattan ourselves.

My Favorite Movies- 1940's

I didn't mean to go so long between posting my movie lists, but I guess time got away from me. The first installment of this list covered the 1930's, so it's time for the fabulous 40's! My 30's list showcased my love of the Marx Brothers, Fred & Ginger, and William Powell. There are some themes with my 40's favorites too- Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant, anyone? And remember, these lists aren't some kind of comprehensive guide to great cinematic moments, just my favorites.

Casablanca 1942- Well, duh. I could watch this movie endlessly. Cafe owner Rick, stuck in Casablanca by his past actions, never thinks he'll see the woman who wounded and embittered him again. But then the war throws Ilsa back into his life, but not without complications. Things can never be as innocent as they once were in Paris. Part romance, part spy, all good. This movie just gets better and better for me, as time goes by. (Don't worry, I just rolled my eyes at myself too)

Maltese Falcon 1941- Casablanca made me like Humphrey Bogart, but Maltese Falcon made me love him. Bogie's portrayal of Sam Spade, a clever, if unscrupulous, detective makes me swoon just a bit. Everyone is after the fabled falcon, and all their searches intersect in the hands of Spade. The chemistry between Bogart and Mary Astor is thick in this classic film noir.

My Favorite Wife 1940- Cary Grant and Irene Dunne made three movies together, and this is my personal favorite. In this romantic comedy, Grant and Dunne are husband and wife, but only for a moment as in the first 10 minutes Dunne is declared legally dead. Missing for 7 years after going down in a shipwreck, Dunne miraculously survived on a deserted island and makes it back home just in time to discover her new legal status- and that of her husband, newly remarried. Watching Grant try to figure out what to do with two wives makes for big laughs. This film was being remade with Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe when she died, and was eventually redone with Doris Day and James Garner under the title Move Over, Darling- a version that I also enjoy.

The Philadelphia Story 1940- This is one of my favorite films of all-time, no matter the decade. This is the 3rd of three movie pairings for Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Also starring Jimmy Stewart (in a role for which he won the best supporting actor Oscar) as a sarcastic writer, and Ruth Hussey as his photographer partner, who show up to get the scoop on Hepburn's impending wedding with the help of her ex-husband, Grant. But will the wedding go off without a hitch? And what is Grant's real motivation in popping up before his former bride is married to another? These great actors make the quick wit and clever writing shine.

Arsenic and Old Lace 1944- If you have ever doubted Cary Grant's comedic talents, or only known him as the dashing man from To Catch a Thief or An Affair To Remember, then this movie should set you straight. Grant is a dramatic critic, known for his negative opinion on matrimony, who has bitten the bullet and gotten himself hitched to the preacher's daughter on Halloween. Unfortunately, before there's any time for celebration he discovers that his aunt's have been committing some charitable murder. Just as he's trying to sort out his aunts, his criminal brother shows up at the family home. Handling his evil brother, murderous aunts, and new wife is almost enough to make him crack. Oh, and don't forget brother Teddy, who thinks he's Theodore Roosevelt. Can he handle his insane family without going crazy himself?

The Song of Bernadette 1943- The Song of Bernadette is the story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant in France, eventually to become Saint Bernadette. Bernadette sees the beautiful lady in the grotto, but no one will believe her. Almost all doubt her until the lady tells her to drink from the spring, and Bernadette scratches the spring from the dirt. It is eventually acknowledged by the church that Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary. To the end of her life Bernadette swears to the truth of her story, only claiming to have seen the beautiful lady. The waters of Lourdes that the lady told her about are believed to be healing, and people to this day make pilgrimages to drink from it.

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir 1947- So romantic! Gene Tierney is a widowed mother who moves to an old seaside cottage with her young daughter, played by Natalie Wood. There she has to deal with the spirit of the old sea captain, played by Rex Harrison, who haunts his former dwelling. She gains the captain's respect by persevering his scare tactics. He eventually wants her to stay so much that he helps secure her financial independence by helping her author his memoirs. But how can a ghost compete with the real man that comes into her life?

Rope 1948- One of Hitchcock's greatest technical achievements, it is also one of his most tension filled movies. Two school chums decide to embark on an experiment. They kill their friend, who they deem to be intellectually inferior to themselves. They then hold a dinner party, inviting those people closest to the dead, to see if they are indeed so clever that they can get away with the whole scheme right under everyone's noses. Also inviting their school professor whose ideas influenced their experiment, they run the risk of getting caught. But can their professor, Jimmy Stewart, prove his suspicions before his students get away with murder? This is the first of four collaborations between Jimmy Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock.

My Favorite Movies- 1930's

This afternoon when I breezed by Emily's blog I was so pleased to see a post about one of my favorite Woody Allen movies, Everyone Says I Love You. Another blogger commented that she wasn't very familiar with older films (kill me now if 1996 is old), and that she would love some recommendations from Emily. Well, obviously I am not Emily, but I thought this was a great idea. I immediately set out to come up with a list of my favorite movies to share with everyone. The thing is- I'm a big movie fan, especially older films. So, I've decided to share my favorite movies by the decade. First up is the 1930's, so here we go!

I'm a big Marx Brothers fan, and they made a lot of their movies through the 1930's.
Animal Crackers 1930- Hooray for Captain Spaulding! Groucho play Captain Spaulding, an African Explorer. At a party given in his honor a valuable painting disappears and lots of laughs ensue in the search for it.

Horse Feathers 1932- Funnily enough the song "Everyone Says I Love You" is the running theme of this movie, being written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, who also did the music for Animal Cracker as well as the screenplay for both. In this film the action centers around trying to improve a floundering college's reputation by getting together a winning football team- even if they have to buy the players!

A Night At The Opera 1936- This movie features some beautiful singing my Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones, who the Marx Brothers are trying to help achieve the operatic success they are dreaming of, while tripping up the opera snobs around them.

A Day At The Races 1937- This is my favorite Marx Brothers movie. Groucho plays Dr. Hackenbush, who is hired to help save a failing sanitarium. The owner of the sanitarium is desperate, but not desperate enough to believe that her love can win the money she needs with his newly purchase race horse.

If you've ever read my blog before you'd know that I'm a big Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers fan. And again, like the Marx Brothers, they made almost all of their movies together in the 30's.
The Gay Divorcee 1934- Fred & Ginger meet under strange circumstances at the Custom's Office. He likes her, she hates him. She wants to get a divorce and her attorney just happens to be friends with Fred. Everyone goes to a coastal resort and things get harried when Ginger thinks Fred is someone he isn't. Fantastic dance scene to Cole Porter's "Night and Day".

Top Hat 1935- If you like design then you should watch this movie purely to see the incredibly art deco "Venice" sets. This movie contains probably their most famous dance scene ever to Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek". Similar sort of preface to Gay Divorcee, but somehow doesn't take away from it at all.

The Thin Man 1934- This is one of my all-time favorite movies. William Powell and Myrna Loy make such a great team as Nick & Nora Charles that they made 5 more Thin Man movies after this, but the first is the best. Powell is a former detective, retired after marrying his well-to-do wife, Loy. But a Christmas vacation in New York drags him back into crime-solving when a former client disappears. Despite the mystery aspect this is a fantastic comedy.

My Man Godfrey 1936- My Man Godfrey stars Powell again, this time with his ex-wife Carole Lombard. Lombard is a flighty socialite, Powell a man down on his luck. A chance encounter results in her hiring him as the families new butler. But what will Godfrey have to endure working for a family just as crazy as she is? And what is the real truth about Godfrey? Again, too funny to put into words.

Stage Door 1937- This movie boasts a stellar cast of female talent- Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Gail Patrick, Lucille Ball, and Eve Arden to name a few. The story of a group of struggling actresses who all reside together in a theatrical boarding house. A lot of comedy and a lot of drama packed in one little movie.

Bringing Up Baby 1938- In the first of their three movies together, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant will make you laugh till you cry. Uptight scientist meets free-spirited socialite, throw in a dinosaur bone, a million dollars, and a leopard named Baby- it's a recipe for hilarity.

Getting Hitched

All this week AMC is showing two Alfred Hitchcock flicks per night, back to back. Last night they showed two of my personal favorites, Rear Window and Dial M for Murder. Grace Kelly is riveting in both films. We actually have the Dial M for Murder poster hanging in our living room. Tonight I can't wait to catch, or at least dvr for later viewing, Rope. Rope stars James Stewart, and is very interesting, as it was shot in a mere ten takes or so. If you are looking forward to the chills of the Halloween season then you should tune in to AMC this week and get a head start. And don't forget to look for Hitch's infamous cameos!

Oh, What's That You Say?

Whose movie is coming out tomorrow? Oh, the dreamiest of the dreamies. The most lovely, the most crush worthy-

















Oh, Mr. Firth. I don't know if this movie is going to be good, persay, but I do know that you will be fantastic. You reliable stud-muffin, you.

Un Americaine en Paris

The past two nights I've drifted off to sleep to the sounds of An American In Paris. This is one of my favorite musicals. I love the songs, I love the dance sequences, and I like to think that it's going to help me in my French lessons. That last part is probably not all that true, although it may keep me motivated to continue so that someday I can be an American in Paris too! I find Gene Kelly dreamy in this role, and I always wish I could dance as beautifully as Leslie Caron. I also get such a kick out of Oscar Levant. I think he has some of the best lines of the entire film. This movie can always brighten my day, put a smile on my face, and a song in my soul.