What I Watched

We don't have cable

but that doesn't stop me from watching

too much at times.

Here is (some) of what I watched in 2013

I didn't keep track the same way I did with the books

but here are the ones worth remembering.

Friday Night Lights.

I watched the whole thing.

Never thought I would be interested in a show about football 

but then I realized it's not actually about football

so I was hooked.

Loved it and will probably watch it again.

Orange is the New Black.

I signed up for Netflix for a month and watched this over the holidays.

Totally addictive.

I'd said I was going to read the book first

but I was looking for something to watch and I caved.

Totally addictive.

Breaking Bad.

This one wasn't as easy to watch because Walter White is such an ass.

(Fella can't stand him.)

We still haven't watched all of season 5 or season 6 so don't tell me what happens.

We'll get there.

Some others:

Like Crazy

Midnight Cowboy

The French Connection

I love Gene Hackman and we also watched:

The Conversation

(Brilliant! Francis Ford Coppola. 

He couldn't get financing until The Godfather came out 

and made some money. 

Gene Hackman said it was his favorite film he ever acted in 

and Coppola said it's his favorite film he ever made.

 If those aren't reasons to watch it, 

what more do you need?

Stories We Tell

(am I the only person who didn't think this was good?)

The Waiting Room

Exit Through the Gift Shop

(I now love Banksy after watching this film)

56 Up.

There were lots more but these are a few.

We'll see what I get up to this year.

they had lights inside their eyes

The image in that box probably doesn't exactly inspire you to click play.

But if you like movies about love

especially movies about love that seem like they really could happen,

then you should.

It's called Like Crazy.

I watched it last night

and it was really, really good.

It came out in 2011 so it's easy to find.

and I'd encourage you to do so.

It really stuck with me.

Made me feel something.

(and the soundtrack is divine)

Sniff.

golden nuggets

Have you seen Midnight Cowboy?

No, I hadn't either.

Fella has been picking up old VHS movies at Goodwill and Salvation Army

(yes - we still have a VCR. It comes in handy, I tell you.)

So he picked up Midnight Cowboy.

I think I was confusing it with a movie that has Sylvester Stallone in it

or maybe it's John Travolta

(I don't know what movie that is either...)

Anyway, Midnight Cowboy was really good. Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight both were great.

It's pretty depressing, though, so be warned.

But it's worth the gloom.

Last week we also watch The French Connection

( I really love Gene Hackman. He's amazing. Seriously.

Have you seen Heist? It's incredible.)

I had never seen this movie either.

There's a reason these movies are classics.

They are brilliant.

The actors are amazing.

And you see that what they did

has been copied and now seem like cliche

but for what they did

at the time they did it?

Genius.

stories we tell

It was me that wanted to see 

Stories We Tell

by Sarah Polley.

I'd heard it was good.

It has won some awards.

I was curious.

I was disappointed.

There were parts of this film that I liked.

There were moments that I thought seemed very real.

But there were times when I wondered

why did she make this film?

I like to think that even if I don't enjoy a film

I can take something away from it

and I did.

But it wasn't an understanding of why people love this film so much.

If anything, it was how ordinary life is.

And no matter how many Super 8 films you shoot 

of a housewife that as we watch them, 

she becomes someone glamourous and alluring -

in the end

she was bored 

Bored with her life

bored with her family.

Bored with it all.

And selfish.

Maybe I just didn't get it.

But I'm not sure there was anything to get.

It had an air of mystery to it

but in the end

we saw that the wizard behind the curtain 

was someone who couldn't remain loyal to her loved ones

and who repeatedly left them behind.

Yes, this is a harsh review

and I'm not discounting how hard it is to lose a parent

and how mythic they can become after they are gone.

I'm just saying that they don't always deserve it

and sometimes

the truth is the better memory to keep.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

We watched this film over the holidays.

It's not new

but it's pretty good.

I've never paid much attention to street art or graffiti, if you prefer, but some of the art shown in this film is oh-so-clever that it has piqued my interest.

Banksy, in particular.

Of course, this film isn't really about Banksy

it's about "Mr. Brainwash".

A "filmmaker" who follows street artists around and films them in action.

Mr. Brainwash eventually sees the light and starts to believe that he too, could be a street artist.

Primarily from stealing ideas from those street artists have let him tag along

but regardless, he thinks it's easy.

And perhaps it is.

This film is hilarious

and it opened my eyes to some really great art

in my own city.

You just have to look for it.

The Waiting Room

We don't ordinarily go to more than one film in a week

but this one was closing last Wednesday and after watching the trailer 

I didn't want to miss it.

Beware of Mr Baker was good

but this film affected me.

While I was watching it

I could think of little else

(nothing - in fact)

And I held back tears throughout.

I was sad to see people at the point where they couldn't access proper care for their loved ones

to see the fear

to see the results of the recession.

I'm not saying that Canada has a perfect healthcare system

but there are things we don't worry about in the same way.

I was trying to explain to fella afterwards what it was that got to me

and he made the point that all of the people in the film received care

and very good care it was

so they were in the right place

and they were treated well

And he was right.

So what was it exactly?

It was the people who worked in that hospital

The way they cared for those people.

Such kindness

And I've said it here before - kindness gets me every time.

I also loved that the subjects in the film were, in a way, kind of anonymous.

You don't even know all of their names

but the way they do their jobs is so admirable

and mostly goes unnoticed.

Which perhaps, is the very point.

The filmmakers dropped in

and took notice

but once they were gone

another day began 

just as the one before it.

If you get a chance

go see it.

It might change how you think

and feel

about the way you treat people.

It did for me.

Beware of Documentary Review Overload

We took the plunge.

We bought memberships to Bloor St. Cinema

We figured it was a safe bet -it was our second documentary in a month so it will pay for itself pretty quickly.

($33 for a year.$8 tickets. Popcorn upgrades!)

Last night we went to see:

It's a documentary about Ginger Baker, an incredible drummer who, quite frankly

was/is a bit of a nut.

He was also into heavy drug use for many years.

but, as with many music types

was a total genius

who revolutionized drumming.

He played for bands like Cream

(who's music I've never cared a fig about)

 and his talent is unmistakable. 

Raw.

real.

heartfelt.

It was great.

I've come to realize that even if I don't like the music of a particular band

it's still really interesting to learn about the people who made the music.

I guess that's why I like documentaries.

I'm all for make-believe

but sometimes it's nice to come back down to earth

and learn something new.

And eat popcorn at the same time.

56 Up

Last weekend fella and I went to see 56 Up.

It's the latest installment of a series of documentaries that started in 1964 

It's about a group of children

as the director checks in with them every 7 years

marking their progress and change 

as they grow up 

and now 

grow old.

I haven't seen all of the films

but I found this one very moving.

Our lives are often remembered by milestones

but these films show a different life from the usual movie fare. 

They are, in many ways, completely ordinary.

It's not their achievements that are being marked

but rather 

how they've gotten from then to now

and how they've lived.

It's a fascinating study.

And one that I hope continues 

with all of them

for many 7s to come.

emily blunt

I realized that I have a bit of a girl crush on Emily Blunt.

She can be kind of goofy

but super cute

and a pretty good actor too.

And I like her hair.

Over the holidays I watched

The Adjustment Bureau

 (which I initially thought wasn't as bad as I heard

and then it got, well, bad.)

But her hair was great in this movie.

I've decided to let my hair grow long

and this was the inspiration I need.

Her style is simple

and exactly what I want.

So I need to resist a visit to the hairdresser

and stay the course.

I also watched

The Five Year Engagement

This is not a great film

and it was about 40 minutes too long.

I think we felt, too much, just how cold and dismal Michigan winters were.

but again - super cute hair,

and Emily Blunt was great.

(There were weird make up things going on in this movie. 

Maybe it was my computer resolution 

but Jason Segel appeared to be wearing a lot of pancake makeup 

(if they still even use pancake makeup.)

Seriously - his neck was not the same colour as his face.

Anyway - it was worth it to watch both of these movies for the hair inspiration alone.

Stay the course.

That's the ticket.

Let it grow.

last night

On the weekend I watched a film called "Last Night".

Initially I was put off because Keira Knightly is in it and I kind of loathe her.

But it was time well wasted.

It is a gorgeous, intense little film about a married couple and infidelity.

I don't want to say too much but it gets a thumbs up for me.

Keira Knightly was really good. 

I might just have to reconsider my loathing.

Not Donnie Brasco

This weekend fella and I watched a couple of movies.

Originally we were going to watch Chinatown

because I've never seen it

but the copy we had wasn't playing properly so we went to the next in the list.

I haven't watched a lot of David Lynch movies

because frankly, they are too weird to be worth it.

I had hopes for this one

but it quickly descended into the more weird than worth category.

If anyone knows what this movie is about

please do share.

We also watched this one:

I usually confuse Donnie Darko with Donnie Brasco.

And even when I don't

I still assumed that it was a gangster movie.

It isn't.

This is a really good movie.

It has both of the Gyllenhals

a bit of scary

an evil bunny

and great music.

What more could you want?

The rest of the weekend was spent in the basement.

And thus

I hesitantly proclaim -

WE HAVE CONQUERED THE BASEMENT!

Stuff?

sorted

Junk?

tossed

Floor and counter surfaces?

bare.

How do I feel?

relieved.

Really, really relieved.

We're almost ready for guests!



Moonrise Kingdom

One thing I love about being on vacation 

is that you can take the time,

in the middle of the week

to go to early movies.

We took the time to see Moonrise Kingdom this week

and I'm glad we did.

It's sweet.

Make the time, if you can.

Money well spent.

The Artist

Seeing "The Artist" on New Year's Eve was a great way to finish up 2011.

(that and a big helping of sushi!)

It's a great, great movie. 

You should see it in the theatre.

It's wonderful on the big screen.

I think my goals for the upcoming year now include learning how to tap dance. 

It's just so...charming!

Blue Valentine

Last night I watched Blue Valentine.

Just a word of advice,

if you yourself are feeling a little "blue"

or your relationship might be heading towards the rocks

don't watch this movie.

The acting is great

and it's really well done

but it's heart-breaking

and kind of depressing.

No one is the bad guy. You can't lay blame on anyone.

But it made me sad.

Glad I watched it

but left me sad.



Let Me In

This movie

was

fantastic.

I mean, really, really good.

I told fella it was the best movie I'd seen in a long time.

He said

"better than Black Swan and The King's Speech?"

And I said,

"maybe.

I think this was a harder movie to make well."

Too bad it's only playing in Woodbridge....

What are your plans this weekend?

Since I've been sick for what seems like a lifetime, I'm planning on stocking up on healthy groceries.

My body has not felt right for ages - in part because of excess sugar consumption (aka Christmas)

and in part because of the cold that has overstayed it's welcome.

I'm hoping to be able to make a big pot of soup or stew every weekend.

That way I'll have something warm and tasty for lunch and I won't resort to eating

bagels and peanut butter every day.

This weekend I'm going to try this:

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/yellow-split-pea-soup-recipe.html

because it looks delicious and easy and I found out that fella loves yellow split peas!

(10 years? Who knew? Not me!)

We're also going to try to go see this:

It's supposed to be scary.

And I love scary.

It's also only playing out in the burbs and that's kind of scary all on it's own so....



Sniff

I don't think it's really fair that I had the flu on Tuesday

(so I didn't get out of bed all day) 

and on Wednesday I felt crummy 

(but still got out to see a movie!)

and last night I went to bed and felt nauseous for several hours, then slept fitfully

and woke up with an ass-kicker of a cold.

Um, I'm on vacation? 

Oh the injustice.

Good thing I'm throwing myself this pity party.

On the upside,

we went to see 

 on Wednesday afternoon

and it was completely entertaining 

(which was exactly what I needed).

And today, even though I felt like garbage on the first day of the new year,

I hauled my butt out of bed so we could go to an auction. 

I'm glad I did.

I'll post pics tomorrow!

But now I have to go brew some neo-citron.

Last night I watched Sex and the City 2.

I used to watch the show. I enjoyed it and it educated me in some ways.

I saw the last movie.

Loved the wedding dress, don't really remember the movie.

I belong to Zip.ca so I get dvds regularly

and tend to request things that I would never have paid to see in the theatre.

I didn't think this movie was necessarily one of those but after watching it,

I am rethinking my stance on that.

For the first 30 minutes,

I felt embarassed.

Embarassed that I was watching such a terribly written movie.

Embarassed for the actors that they signed on to such a terribly written movie

and had to speak those lines and act so foolish

Embarassed because, as beautiful as those women look,

they look like they are past their prime.

They kind of look

ridiculous.

And  I know they reference aging a lot in this one

but even so -

it all came off as kind of...

desperate.

I'm ok with the over the top fashion.

Ironically, that wasn't what I found ridiculous

(it was what I expected)

But I really hope,

for their sake,

that this is the end of the road for this concept.

Black Swan

Ah-freaking-mazing.

Loved it.

The Romantics

I can't wait to see this!

oh and I really want to read the book too.....