The Grace and Confidence of Cinderella

I have been wanting to write something about the new, beautiful film Cinderella that everyone and their stepmother's cat has been blogging about and writing profound and insightful posts about, but I wasn't sure what to say that hadn't already been said before.  And then, I thought of something that I wanted to say, something that no one else to my knowledge has talked about yet.  So here we go.

We talk all about the time of the stereotypes of men in films - how they are either a) immature and rude b) sleazy and creepy or c) apathetic.  In any case they are all seen as never as good as the women they are paired with, and it is a step down for the leading lady to end up with them.  That's been covered a lot, and it has also been talked about how Prince Charming/Kit is a beautiful example of the opposite of all of that.  But that is not what I want to talk about here.

What I do want to bring attention to, is the fact that women in films have a stereotypes as well.  The slutty, bottle blond stereotype yes, but that is typically reserved for supporting characters.  Main actresses in films and television have a tendency, rather, to fall into the clumsy stereotype.  You know - awkward, says the wrong thing at the wrong time, thinks she's alone and does something weird or embarrassing and then turns around to find the romantic interest/everyone she knows is watching her.  She trips a lot, she falls, she is uncomfortable with herself.  Usually by the end of the film she has achieved enough grace to fulfill whatever plot element is required, but she is still clumsy and awkward enough to remind the audience that she is "a real woman."  This applies predominantly to romantic films, not  adventure or thriller films, which is the reason I bring it up.

Cinderella is not that woman.  It didn't hit me until almost the end of the film, that subconsciously I had been waiting for that stereotype to emerge in someway.  I had been waiting for her to fall off her horse when she met the Prince, I had been expecting her to trip or make a fool of herself in front of her stepsisters, I had thought she would act the awkward, uncertain country girl dressed as a princess when she went to the ball.  I was surprised when she never said anything odd or embarrassing to the prince in the garden.

Throughout the film, Cinderella was the picture of grace, and confidence.  Once I realized it, it was so refreshing to see her step out of the carriage, utterly sure of herself and her belonging there.  It was beautiful to see her enter the ballroom with as much grace as if she had been born to it, to see her pause on the staircase and curtsy to the crowd that was staring at her, and then walk with confidence right up to the Prince, without faltering or becoming flustered when she realized the man she thought was merely an apprentice was actually the heir to the throne.

She didn't murmur "Oh, but I don't know how to dance!" when the Prince asked her.  She didn't trip, she didn't fall.... she didn't do any of the things that we have come to expect from the leading lady in a romantic film.

We are growing used to being told that a woman must be clumsy or awkward in order to be "real".  We will probably mess up, or say the wrong thing at an important moment, or stutter, or generally look silly in the eyes of the person we are trying to make a good impression on.  We are forgetting that a lady can be full of grace and class and confidence.  We can walk into a room filled with people without having to feel apologetic for being there.  We can dance with all the beauty of royalty without feeling ashamed of our more humble origins.

Being graceful does not make us any less of a "real woman."  Yes, of course we'll all have our clumsy and awkward moments - after all, we are human.  What we cannot do, however, is let our humanness give an us excuse to stay within the safety net of being clumsy and awkward and keep us from venturing into the risky area of maintaining an air of poise and class.

Cinderella is a fairy tale princess, you might argue. Of course she is going to be filled with elegance and grace.  Yes, and no, is my answer.  Look at Ana, from Frozen.  Or Merida from Brave.  I'm not saying that I don't love them, but they were princesses who were anything but pictures of grace.  Princess does not equal being a lady, and a princess character being a lady does not mean it is an unrealistic goal for us "real women."  Look at Audrey Hepburn, or Grace Kelly.  We used to admire such elegance and beautiful confidence, we don't do so as much any more.

To have Cinderella possess all those qualities and not fall down into the stereotype of a clumsy and awkward girl was the element of the film that really captured my attention.  The cinematography and design of the film was breathtaking, and the execution of the story and the character development was superb to be sure.  But it was the depiction of Cinderella as a lady, as a woman of style and grace and such confidence that made me a fan, and is the reason I look forward to watching this film over and over again.  Let us hope Hollywood takes note, and gives us more women like her in the future.

Love is an Open Door

Spoiler Free!

Let me start out by saying - see!  I can do blog posts other than just photos with a few lines of text!

After that, I will start off again by saying that you know I loved a movie when I walked out of the theater and said "I think Belle just got demoted from the position of my favorite Disney Princess."  And if you know me, you know that I think thought that Belle was by far the best Disney Princess ever.  My love for Belle has gotten a case of cold feet however (hahaha - see, that was supposed to be funny.) because Elsa and Anna are quite simply, the best princesses Disney has ever created.

Frozen is loosely based off of the fairytale The Snow Queen by Hans Christen Andersen, and ended up being far different than what I was expecting.  (Don't bother watching the trailer or reading the movie theater synopsis).  Critics of Disney films who say that Disney gives you unrealistic expectations of men - yes, this one does too, but not how it usually happens.

I went to go see Frozen with my siblings, and that was the perfect company to go see it with.  Rather than focusing on a romance or running away from the evil queen, this tale centered around two sisters who loved each other very much.  The plot was strong, the characters were all very well developed and each stood firmly on their own.  The music was amazing, with a beautiful (what I'm assuming was some sort of Icelandic) chant at the start of the film, violin and pipes in the score and vocal songs ranging in various musical styles from your typical Disney musical, to quirky upbeat, to absolutely breathtaking and - dare I say - chilling ballad.  We laughed quite a bit and were on the edge our seats more than once.

Else and Anna really were pretty much perfect in every way.  They felt very real, and very relatable.  Elsa and I definitely had that eldest siblings bond going on, and while she received a little less screen time then Anna did she was still a well rounded character and you got a strong grasp of her fear, anxiety and struggle to just be normal.  She was elegant and strong

And Anna.  Oh Anna.  Has any Disney Princess ever felt more down to earth and just awesome?  She's awkward (That line in "For the First Time in Forever" - "Don't know if I'm elated or gassy But I'm somewhere in that zone") and so innocent and hopeful.

And together, they are just the best.  (Oh, this scene!)

If you go into see Frozen wanting the standard Disney Princess plot of damsel (most of the time) in distress meets handsome and charming prince/guy and after they go through some adventures and danger realize that they are in true love, you won't find it.

*Side note - hilarious bit in there between two characters (guy and a girl) about the girl wanting to marry a different guy right after she met him, and this guy thinks it's just stupid*

What you will find is a story about family, about trust, about the power of the love between sisters.  So go and see it.  In the mean time I will be listening to the soundtrack on repeat that I bought immediately after leaving the theater and planning out a music video for when/if it ever finally snows around here.

Enjoy!

You Will Know Me in This World

I had the wonderful opportunity to see the latest installment in The Chronicles of Narnia today... The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Yes, I cried.

I cried for Prince Caspian as well, but that was because Prince Caspian was the first time I had extensively followed a film making process - from casting to completion.  When I cried, it was because after all these months of waiting, I was finally getting to see the film.  When I cried today,  for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, it wasn't because I had been waiting for months.  No, I cried because for once they got something so beautifully and amazingly right that I couldn't help myself.  I cried because it was beautiful.  I know I already said that, but I can't describe it any other way.

There were a few things that I wasn't as fond of.  The green mist was a little bizzare and felt just a bit un-Narnian... okay, it felt rather un-Narnian, especially the first time you see it.  But it blended into the story well, and it gave some great moments for the characters, especially Edmund.  Who, by the way gets a wonderfully important role and SO much more screen time than in Prince Caspian.  Caspian was actually less of a main character than I thought he would be, but he was wonderful as well... and is he gorgeous or WHAT?  Lucy has definitely matured into a young lady, and she plays the role of Lucy just as wonderfully as ever.  She gets to be in a few fight scenes now and then, she is tempted, but in the end she's still the sweet, lovely girl who introduced her family to Narnia.

And Eustace.  All I can say is, they made a wonderful choice when they picked Will Poulter to play him and Will Poulter was outstanding.  The moment I heard him say his first line, I knew that they got him right.  I wasn't disappointed later on either.  He stayed Eustace Clarence Scrubb for the whole film and absolutely deserved that name.  I just loved the relationship that he and Reepicheep develop... oh, and yes.  Eustace stays a dragon for much longer than in the book.

There were changes from book to film, as we all knew there would be, but actually a good deal of it stayed very much the same.  It might appear to be quite different when you first see it... but when you pay attention, all that they did was add a few minor things (okay, the green mist wasn't minor) and move things around.  I think the shuffled scenes was one of the larger changes, but even though they are shuffled around, each island is still the same as it was in the book.

None of the things that I've just talked about is what made me cry, however.  I suppose they all built up to it, but the part that made me cry was the ending.  No matter what you think of the rest of the film, you. will. love. the end.  People say good-bye, they leave or they stay, and it really is sad knowing that Lucy and Edmund and Reepicheep will never be back and that kept the tears going, but what started me crying was Aslan.  People have been worried for months about how the ending would turn out... how well those important lines of Aslan's would be preserved.  So I will tell you now, you don't have to worry about that line.

"But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."

That is how he says it in the book, and that is how he says it in the film.  When I heard him say it, I knew how true it was and my heart felt so full and loved and I knew that Alsan was in this world and that I was  blessed to know him by his other name.

And that is why I cried.

The Young Victoria

 Today I went to the library and finally found a copy of "The Young Victoria".  I'd been looking for it every time I went to the library for several months, but it was always checked out and for some reason I never ordered it online.  I finally was able to borrow it today, and even though I can only have it for three days, and had to pay a dollar since it is a "hot" video, it was worth it.  It was so worth it.

"The Young Victoria" tells in part the story of Queen Victoria and her struggle to be the Ruler of England.  But more importantly, it tells the story of how Victoria, the sole ruler of England, found the sole ruler of her heart - Prince Albert.

Before I go further, a note to any parents or careful older siblings: there are some marriage scenes, but anything is implied, rather than explicit. All are clothed and on the whole, they are very tastefully and beautifully done.  I personally would have no problem with my younger siblings viewing this film with me.  As far as swearing, there was only one word in the entire film.

The characters are very well cast, featuring Emily Blunt, whom I have not seen before, as Victoria, Rupert Friend, whom I have seen as Mr. Wikham in "Pride and Prejudice" (2005) as Prince Albert.  There was also appearances by Miranda Richardson (Madame Giry, "The Phantom of the Opera"), Jim Broadbent (Professor Kirke, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe") and Harriet Walter (Fanny Dashwood, "Sense and Sensibility" and - Yavi, you'll like this - Mrs. Gowan, "Little Dorrit.")  The costumes were absolutely beautiful... and the musical score was just gorgeous.


And of course, the story.  A lovely young woman, a terribly handsome young man, a wonderful romance, a happy marriage - and best of all, it's real.

Top Three Hans Zimmer Film Scores

Dear Blog Readers,
I am in need of your input and assistance for an article I am writing about Hans Zimmer.  Don't know who he is?  Well, if you've seen any of the films listed in the poll to your left, you should.  And if by some bizarre reason you haven't seen any of those movies, you are bound to have seen one of his other works - I mean, the guy composed 130 films, you had to have seen one of them!

But anyhow, I'm writing an article about his music and I wanted to focus on three of his film scores (because I can't talk about or listen to 130 of them.) The ones I listed are the ones that I have heard all or at least pieces of and therefore they would be the easiest for me to write about.  However, if there is a film score (by Hans Zimmer) that I have NOT listed and you think should be on there, click the "other" button and then leave me a comment with the title and why you like the score.  The top three will get the most coverage in my article for the October Ink and Fairydust.

Thanks for helping me out and vote soon!  Procrastinator that I am, I have only less than one week to write...
The poll will be open all this week, but I'll probably take the top three by Wednesday/Thursday, unless on Friday something drastically changes.

Thanks Again!

August Rush

Watching films can have various effects on a person. Some make us laugh, others make us cry. Some get us fired up and ready to go out and take on the world; still others make us feel angry and frustrated. And then there are the films that give us the chills and fill us with wonder and awe. ‘August Rush’ is one of those films.
In a home for boys, located in the state of New York, lives a young boy who wants nothing more than to find his parents. He has no proof that this will happen, he has never met his parents, he doesn’t even know what their names are, but he knows that they will find each other someday. When the other boys at the home ridicule him for his hope, when kind social workers express their doubt, Evan Taylor keeps on believing that the music he hears in the world around him will lead him home someday.
Eleven years and fifteen days earlier, the music led his parents together. A concert cellist with a glittering career ahead of her and a determined father at her back and an Irish singer/songwriter with a rock band that he tours with his brothers. They are brought together by chance one night, a night that changes their lives. After that one night together, his parents never saw each other again and they nearly give up on the music that plays in their hearts.
It’s that music that prompts their son to run away from the boy’s home and draws him to the busy streets of New York. He follows the music he hears in the street noises and clamor of the city to an abandoned theater where children without parents and with musical abilities live under the watchful eye of ‘Wizard’, a man who knows what music is. It’s there that Evan has his first opportunity to express the music that lives and breathes inside of him, earning him a place among the rest of the children who play on the sidewalks and in the parks of New York for donations.
Wizard sees Evan’s potential for greatness and decides to do whatever he can to get Evan in the public where people can here him. Evan, now called August Rush, looks forward to this new adventure with excitement, until he realizes that while Wizard does want people to hear his talent, he wants the money it will bring more… and he doesn’t want August to ever find his parents. And that is one dream that August will never give up.
There are a few elements in the story that require a suspension of disbelief, but they don’t detract from the story. After all, doesn’t music often ask us to suspend our disbelief and for even just a moment believe that we can fly, become heroes, that all is right with the world and we haven’t a trouble or care in the world?
‘August Rush’ celebrates the beauty of music, tells a story of hope and determination and begs us to believe that family ties can never really be broken and will bring us together again if we let them. With a beautiful story and a powerful, breathtaking score, it reminds us that the music is all around us, all you have to do is listen.

Taking Chance - a Movie Review

A few weeks ago my family and I watched the film "Taking Chance". This is the review I wrote about it.

Two men, both were soldiers. They journeyed together across the country. One was going home; the other was bringing him there. From HBO Films comes “Taking Chance”, a moving story of honor, heroism and gratitude.

PFC Chance Phelps was a 19 year old Marine fighting in Iraq. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Strobl was a seventeen year member of the Marines on an office tour. When Chance – at one time from Strobl’s hometown – was killed in action, Col. Strobl volunteered to be his escort home.

The film itself is a work of art. Images and music make up the main part of the story-telling; dialogue is kept to a minimum. The directors pulled this technique off very well, creating a splendid visual experience. The first fifteen minutes are nearly silent, the producers instead setting the stage with a few lines of opening dialogue and images.

Watching this story unfold, you cannot help being moved to tears and filled with pride for our servicemen. You wish you could have been there with all the civilians who gave honor to Chance along his way home. In one particularly moving moment, Chance is making the final leg of the journey. The flag-draped coffin is clearly visible in the back of the funeral director’s van. Gradually, the few other vehicles on the highway turn on their lights and form a funeral procession for the fallen soldier.

“Taking Chance” has to be one of the best war films of recent times. The screenplay was written by Col. Strobl – thus the film stays away from added dramatics, adventures and unnecessary subplots that would mar the telling of Strobl’s tale. Instead, the viewer is treated to a simple and beautiful story. A story of honor, dignity, bravery and the gratitude of a nation; story well worth viewing.

“Phelps was wearing his Saint Christopher medal when he was killed on Good Friday. Eight days later, I handed the medallion to his mother. I didn’t know Chance before he died. Today, I miss him.” – Lt.Col. Mike Strobl

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 11

~ 1 ~
Since i mentioned in my last post how much i loved the preview for "Amazing Grace" i thought i would post it for those of you out there who have not seen this incredible movie, in the hopes that you'll be inspired to watch it. ;)



~ 2 ~
Also along the lines of Amazing Grace, some recent graphic art that i made.








~ 3 ~
Shadow of the Bear stuff!!!!!






~ 4 ~
Belated congratulations Yaviel Joan and Kathleen Mary-Agnes on your Holy Confirmation!


~ 5 ~
And i must go now, for two very important reasons... one, i have nothing more to post and two i am being dragged out the door. Farewell!

One Voice that Changed the Lives of Millions

About a week ago, my family and i watched the film "Amazing Grace", and tonight i watched it again. I'd heard about it from friends of mine, and after hearing about it enough times i actually went and got it from the library, where it so conveniently happened to be sitting on the shelf during one trip where i was told to "go find a movie for us to watch tonight". I can't believe i hadn't taken the initiative to get it before.

"Amazing Grace" was truly, amazing. There was a preview for the movie before the movie (where all the rest of the previews are) and while waiting for my mom to come we watched the preview and i fell in love with "Amazing Grace" right then and there. I loved it even more after i actually watched the film.

"Amazing Grace" is the story of William Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament for 45 years and a tireless advocate of abolition, better education, the poor and countless other social reforms. The movie mentions 'Wilber's' other causes, but focuses on his goal of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. In fact, the release was planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the passing of the Parliamentary Bill banning the slave trade.

My mother was wondering why, given the amazing accomplishments that Wilberforce achieved, we had never heard a bit about him before, but a biography on Wilberforce that i just finished reading gives a good analogy. It's a bit like when there is a dreadful disease, the book said. It consumes the populace, destroying the nation, but then a wonderful cure is invented that so totally wipes out the disease that people no longer remember there was a disease, or even a cure for it.

I was and am very inspired by the story of William Wilberforce. He worked tirelessly and doggedly for the end of slavery, even to the point of ruining his health. never giving up, supported by a slow growing group of like-minded people and in the end was able to rid the Empire of slavery.

Of course, after watching "Amazing Grace", i naturally thought of the parallels between slavery and abortion. Abortion is a more silent issue than slavery in the US was, but in England during Wilberforce's time slavery was a 'silent issue' as well. Slaves had previously been emancipated in England, so most people had no idea what slavery was really like. Slaves were in the West Indies, far across the Atlantic Ocean and far removed from public knowledge. The average Englishman had no concept of the cruilties and the horrors of slavery. They were told that the Africans were far better off as slaves, much like we are told that women are far better off without "unplanned pregnancies".

It gives me hope; if one man in Parliment could bring a "silent issue" to the attention of the government and the public, eventually winning over opposition and ridding the empire of a 'peculiar insitution'... could we be rid of abortion by having at least one or two politicians dedicated to the pro-life cause in our government?

With amazing grace, i think we could.

Narnia Fun

In honor of today being the one year anniversary of the release of the movie "Prince Caspian" (YAY!!!!) i am doing this Narnia Tag that i got from Vicki's blog. =)
(And as an added bonus, here is a link to the review i wrote about it.)

Fav. Narnia Book? The Horse and His Boy (shall reffer to it as HHB)

Fav. Character? Hmm, from the whole series - Aslan of course. And from HHB - Bree!!!!! Who else? ;)

Fav. Pevensie? Lucy is my favorite. Sorry Peter dear!

Fav, King or Queen? Alsan, naturally

Fav. Talking Animal? REEPICHEEP!

Fav. Gift from Father Christmas? That healing juice that Lucy got! Very handy!

Fav. Weapon? Oh lets see... Peter's sword!

Fav. Bad guy? Ooh... hmmm... well, NOT that monkey from The Last Battle. *shivers* Ick. I'd say i like the villian from HHB the best. (And i can't even remember his name. =P Aren't i a wonderful Narnia fan?)

Fav. "added scene" in movies? Okay, some people (a lot of people actually) are going to be mad but... i'm going to have to say the Susan/Caspian kiss. While i don't think they would have worked out in the long run so its fine with me that they got seperated, i do like that part.

Fav outfit (in movie)?

Lucy's going home dress from PC, above and beyond! And then the girl's coronation gowns from LLW

Fav. Line or quote from book or movie?

1. "Yes, i am a mouse" ~ Reepicheep
   
2. "I was so tall!" "You were older then" "As opposed to know, hundreds of years later, when you're younger" ~ Lucy, Susan and Edmund
3. "Don't you ever get tired of being treated like a kid?" "Um, we are kids?" 'Well i wasn't always." ~ Peter and Emudnd
4. "I wish you would all stop acting like grown-ups!" "I am a grown-up". ~ Lucy and Trumpkin
   
5. “Tell me Prince…” “King.” “Pardon me?” “It’s King Edmund, actually. Just King though. Peter’s the High King. I know. It’s confusing.” ~Miraz and Ed
6. "Beaver also mentioned you planned on turning him into a hat" ~ Aslan
7. "Shut up! You think you are dead, but you're not!" ~ Edmund, in the bloopers. ;)
   

WHO DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

~Mr. or Mrs. Beaver? Oh uh... Mr. Beaver

Orieus or Glenstorm? Mmm, Orieus. He has more clothing on.

Peter or Edmund? I shall shock you all and say that i like Edmund better. =)

Susan or Lucy? Lucy!

Jadis or Miraz? Oh i like Miraz better. At least he's not some half-giant person. And he has a cool accent.

Jill or Eustace? Eustace

Reepicheep or Trufflehunter? Reepicheep!!!!

Trumpkin or Nikabrik? Trumpkin!

Polly or Digory? I like Polly better

Bree or Hwin? Bree! And he should have married Hwin!

Aravis or Shasta? Shasta. Cooler name, cooler person.

Rilian or Tirian? Tirian!

Coriakin (the magician) or Ramandu (the star)? Ramandu i guess


Awww.... that's it? Oh well. It was fun! Happy-Anniversary-of-Prince-Caspian's-Release! (Ha ha ha)

*sits and waits for someone to ask: So if Peter isn't your favorite Pevensie, king or character and you like Edmund better ... then why did you marry Peter!?!?!"*

National Treasure Scenes

Hee hee, ok this is mainly for Hannah, showing her that I have proof that I walked the same ground as the famous Riley Poole! (Who happens to be her forum "boyfriend".)
My proof, photographs and a video. Watch the first couple of seconds of the video, and you will see Riley jump out of his van just in front of the National Archives, the same side as I took a picture of. Ha ha, that's why I took the picture. We were walking past and I was like "Oh my gosh, I've seen that before in National Treasure!" I tried to find a photo, but there aren't any. =P

/\ My photo

So while futilely searching for a photo of the National Archives from National Treasure, I kept running across that blasted photo below (it's everywhere! Ugh.) which reminded me that I had been to the Lincoln Memorial too! (Not that I forgot, but I had forgotten that Riley was there too. And Ben, can't forget Ben.)

/\ My photo!
/\ My photo!

/\ National Treasure's photo

Next time I go to D.C. I shall take a picture just like the NT one! Minus Ben and Riley, of course. =(

(Oh yeah, and I walked past the FBI building too. Did Ben go there in the movie? Because it didn't look the same... maybe I just don't remember or walked past a different side. *shrugs*)
And Hannah, please don't smash too many bottles on my head. Please?

The Christmas Edition of Guess the Quote

I've had people asking for me to do another round of 'Guess the Quote' so I thought I'd comply and do it again - with a Christmas twist this time! All the quotes will be from favorite Christmas movies. If you want to do this on your blog as well, here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.

2. Go to Internet Movie Database and find a quote from each movie.

3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.

4. Put it in bold when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.

5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

Have fun!

#1 - Yes, indeed. The Star of Christmas of Canterbury, one of the finest existing examples of sixth-century metalwork, given by St. Gregory the Great to the monks at Canterbury August 14, 592. This astonishing gold and silver five-point star later decorated the courts of King Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, and James the Lethargic before coming to rest at the church you see behind you in 1638. The star hasn't been publicly displayed since February 12, 1803, due to the perceived security risks from the reigns of King Charles the Greedy and Cedric the I'll-Eat-Anything-Star-Shaped!That's big news! - Remmirath The Star of Christmas

#2 - "Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?"
"You want me to kiss her, huh? "
"Ah, youth is wasted on the wrong people" - Autumn Rose, Delaney, Laura, Vicki It's A Wonderful Life

#3 - "He looks like a deranged Easter Bunny."
"He does not!"
"He does too, he looks like a pink nightmare." - Rachel, Delaney, Trina A Christmas Story

#4 - "Bob! Are you okay?"
[upside down in the snow] "Mousetrap. "
"What? "
[still upside down in the snow] "I wanted to play 'Mousetrap.' You roll your dice, you move your mice. Nobody gets hurt." - Remmirath The Toy that Saved Christmas

#5 - "How many days have you come with us on this journey?"
"One hundred and four."
"And how many days have you complained about it?"
"One hundred and five. ... I am counting tomorrow." Yaviel The Nativity Story

#6 - "You're a little absent-minded, spirit."
"No, I am a LARGE absent-minded spirit." - Autumn Rose, CM & Eddie, Delaney, Laura, Rodger, Vicki A Muppet Christmas Carol

#7 - "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
"Sure, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
"Lights, please.
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
That's what Christmas is all about," - Autumn Rose, CM &Eddie, Delaney, Laura, Rodger, Fishie A Charlie Brown Christmas

#8 - "I am the official sentry of the Isle of Misfit toys."
"A jack-in-the-box for a sentry?"
"Yes. My name is... "
"Don't tell me: Jack."
"No, Charlie. That's why I'm a misfit toy. My name is all wrong. No child wants to play with a Charlie-In-The-Box so I had to come here." - Autumn Rose, Laura, Rodger, Vicki Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

#9 - "You've got to excuse him, sir. You see, he just came to life, and he doesn't know much about such things. "
"Oh, well, okay. If he just came to life. Move along! That silly snowman. Once they come to life, they don't know nothin'. Come to life?'" - Remmirath Frosty the Snowman

#10 - "How could we do this? We forgot him."
"We didn't forget him. We just miscounted."
"What kind of a mother am I?"
"If it makes you feel any better, I forgot my reading glasses." - Rachel, Delaney, Laura, Rodger Home Alone

Butter and Bloopers

Butter and microwaves are so weird. Weird on the point of being villainous!
Not by themselves are they weird villans,, but when you try and do things with them together do they act strange. Hmm, must be the radioactive properties that have messed the insides of the microwaves brains!
But really, when you put butter in the microwave to 'soften it', it acts pretty strange sometimes. For example...
Today at lunch time, I took the plate of butter from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave. It was this little piece, only about a tablespoon, which you think would be at least soft after 5-6 seconds, right? Wrong! 5 secs, still hard and cold. So, knowing how fast these butters can warm up and melt on you, I put it in for 3 more seconds. Nothing. 5 more seconds. Ooh, it isn't as cold anymore! 5 more seconds, wow, I can actually use it to spread on stuff!
Having used up the tablespoon of butter and needing more, I take a stick from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave, on the butter plate. (No silly, a stick of butter! Why would I have a stick in my refrigerator?) So, I put that in for 15 seconds and... bingo! Perfect softness for spreading. Only 15 seconds and the big stick was softer then the little tablespoon! AGHHH!
So yeah, butter and microwaves are weird. If you still don't believe me...
Once upon a time I took the butter plate out of the refrigerator. It had a whole stick of butter and a little less then a tablespoon of butter on it, the plate. I put the butter plate in the microwave for 20 seconds or there about. And lo and behold, when I take it out... the stick of butter is soft enough for you to push your finger into it, no problem, but the little tiny insty winst piece... hard and cold! I kid you not!
Therefore, I proclaim that butter and microwaves must be in a grand conspiracy with each other. A dastardly and dreadful scheme to make us scream when our butter melts back to cream. They are definitely in cahoots together. So keep a weather eye on the microwave, and on your butter! Who knows what they might plan next.

No butter was harmed in the writing of this post.
Real butter was used, not margarine.
Don' t say more, say Mordor!

And if you are bored, here is the blooper real from the Prince Caspian DVD. (I got it off of NarniaWeb.)

Only 11 more days!!!!

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Last night, my family and I sat down to watch a wonderful movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It's a Frank Capra film, and is also - I do believe - the film that made Jimmy Stuart (Mr. Smith) famous.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is the story of a young man plucked out of 'the wilderness' and thrust into the dirty world of politics. It was interesting to discover, while watching the first several scenes, that politics hasn't really changed all that much. There is still those underhanded dealings and powerful political manipulations.
The story opens with a Senator's death and the other Senator (Sen. Paine, the Governor and the newspaper owner's (Mr. Taylor) struggle to pick out just the right man for the job. Someone who will take orders without complaint or any questions. Such a man is imperative, because the aforementioned three are all involved in the illegal dealings.... concerning a dam, and Willit Creek. (Remember that.) Well Mr. Taylor, who pretty much controls Sen. Paine and the Governor, wants one candidate and no one else, but the public violently wants another man. The poor governor is worn thin between the two opinions until his children suggest Jefferson Smith, leader of the Boy Rangers and the hero of all the kids and the parents in the state. So Mr. Smith it is!
One of my favorite things about Mr. Smith is the fact that he is so intensely patriotic and interested in the history of the country, like myself. As one character wryly remarks upon the arrival in D.C. "My head is swollen twice its size. I never knew our country had that much history."
Mr. Smith does not have an easy start, due to misquotations by the newspapermen, but Senator Paine, a good friend of Mr. Smith's father, helps him out and suggests that Smith propose a bill of his own. Smith gets excited about that and has his secretary Miss Saunders help him write it all in one night! The bill that Smith dearly wants to get passed concerns starting a boys camp, to get the boys out of the cities and into the wilderness, where they can learn how to be men and how to be free, to learn to value their country. He drops a bomb on certain Congressmen when he proposes that it be built on .... you guessed it .... Willit Creek, the very creek that Sen. Paine, Taylor and a few others had bought illegally.
Mr. Smith - after being kept out of the senate so he wouldn't find out - finds out about the plans for the dam. The execution begins. Paine at first tries to get Smith to cooperate, but when Smith refuses, Paine does the worst thing anyone could ever do, he betrays Smith and accuses him of - among other things - blackmail, lying, and stealing.
After a particularly vicious attack and denial from Mr. Paine, the man whom Smith has admired all of his life, Smith wants to run back to his state. Saunders - who has fallen in love with the naive senator - convinces him to stay and fight for his reputation and for the truth. The next day in the Senate, Jefferson Smith sets out to do just that.
When the President grants Smith the floor, I couldn't help feeling the urge to cheer when Smith reveals that he can and will keep the floor until he has proven that he is innocent of any charge. He wants the people of his state to hear what he has to say, so they know he is telling the truth. In order to keep the floor, he cannot sit down, nor can he stop talking. The battle now begins, with Smith holding power over the Senate and Taylor (who controls all of the newspapers) spreading lies back in the home state.
I absolutely love the scene when, after Smith has been talking for 7 1/2 hours, a fellow Senator rises and asks him if he would be willing to give up the floor so they can go to bed and re-adjourn in the morning. Smith turns to the President and asks if he will still have the floor if they do so. When he is told that he will not have it unless the Chair grants it to him, Smith nods and then starts up again with "The Constitution of the United States!"
Eventually, the truth does come through, but I won't tell you how, for fear of ruining the story.

This is a great movie, about one man standing up against the lies and corruption of Washington, no matter what. It is a story of courage and perseverance; Mr. Smith ends up talking for a few minutes short of a whole day. I couldn't help but wonder if any of the Senators that we have would have the determination, the honesty or the courage to fight for the truth for that long. Would any of us be able to, for that matter? Or would we simply resign ourselves to a ruined reputation and go home?
One of the things I love about old films, is that back then it was still OK to mention God, to quote the Bible in film productions and no one would protest. Mr. Smith quotes the Bible several times during his long fight, and if those had been left out, I don't think you could have gotten the point of the film across to your audience. I am sure they would have found a way around it, but it wouldn't have had the same meaning and depth as it did.

I highly recommend watching this film, especially during this political campaign filled with lies and ruthless power-grabbing. In addition to a valuable lesson in loving our neighbor as yourself, I also learned a lot about how the Senate works as well as how a bill gets passed. It's a wonderful, clean, family-friendly film and a real treat to watch. You can't go wrong, when Mr. Smith Goes to Washington!

The Phantom of the Opera

Masquerade

Music of the Night

All I Ask of You

Think of Me

The Phantom of the Opera. This one is THE best!

And of course, I just had to put the Overture on here! It is sooo neat the way they do it! There is a bit before the music starts, so if you don't want to watch all of the talking, go to 4:11 minutes and start there.

Elizabeth Isn't the King...

I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!

By a stroke of genius, I found this fantastic video of yours truly, Captain Fox Turner! There are two videos; same song, different versions, and all are good! Watch them and let me know which you like better. (Personally, I think I am great in both!) So without further ado:

Will Turner Can't Wait To Be King!!!!!!

POPCORN! SODA! ACTION!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to the Self-Proclaimed Pirates of the Caribbean Blog Week!

Introduction

Ahoy there mates! May I introduce mah self as Captain Fox Turner! I shall be your guide and poster during our sail this week through the waters of Pirates of the Caribbean fandom. And you shall always remember this as the day you met Captain. Fox. Turner.

Explanation

Why all the big tadoo?
Well mates, it's like this. A few months back, I had an idea for doing a week on me blog where all the posts had to with Pirates of the Caribbean, savvy? I then hit upon the revelation that this year is the fifth anniversary of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl entering the theaters! So it is a celebration like! It came out in theaters on July 9th, so I was going to do this that week, but due to a tragedy around that time, it has been postponed until today.

The Main Event (For today!)

So mates, wi'out further ado... let us begin this week by setting sail into Enchanted waters! Presenting:

"That''s How You Know its Pirates of the Caribbean"

Time to Say "GoodBye!"

(watch this video first, will you?)

Bravo! What lovely singing! Ah, how I love that song! Sadly, I don't have it on a CD, but I do have the piano music for the heavenly duet, so that is sort of makes up for it.

So, just as I promised, I am saying farewell to you all be for I leave for Ave Cor Mariae Camp. I actually leave tomorrow, but I doubt I shall have time then to "say good bye". So, I am saying it now, Good Bye!

But, before I leave completely, I wish to welcome my forum sister Autumn Rose, to the blogosphere. This is a tad tardy, since she started on June 17th, but it is never too late! Please check out her blog "Lantern's Light", it really is a very nice one!



Here is a snippet from a humourus article she posted not to long ago:

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade named: BOOK.BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it.Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc. Here's how it works:BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits ofinformation. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder, which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects forfurther increases in information density; for now, BOOKs with more information simply use more pages.

Each sheet is scanned optically,...

To read the rest, visit her blog!

Hmm, this is about the third time that I've mentioned my forum relations. I shall have to do a post about them sometime in the near future!

Another thing, though I am gone, there will be posts for you. Blogger has this nifty little thing that lets you schedule your posts, and then it will post them for you! And since this upcoming week is the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as the Fourth of July, I couldn't very well leave you with nothing! (My patriotic and historically minded heart would not let me!) So, be sure to check next week... and though I am not here - leave a comment, please! I love getting comments!

Well, that is it. I shall miss you all very much! (Though I doubt I'd have time to think of you. ;)

So Long! Farewell! Now you can watch this video!

The Lord of the Rings in 60 seconds!

OK, I was going to post something more intellegent then another YouTube video... but this was so funny! A must watch! (Even if you haven't seen the Lord of the Rings!)

And, so you don't miss out on my brilliancy, here is what I was originally going to post today:

Today's Original Post

Hi y'all! I am hot, tired and un-inspired, and can' think of anything to write about, so you won't be getting a post today. Sorry!

(Well, that's it! Litterally, that is what I was going to post! Hope you like the movie!)

The Return to Narnia

It was May 16th. The day we had all been waiting for, for so long. The day my friends and I had been planning for and talking about for moths. Now it was here.

As I sat watching the opening footage of the new movie Prince Caspian, I could hardly believe that I was really there, watching it. It just didn't seem real. After all those movie trailers that I watched, I thought. All those months of looking at every photo shot I could find over and over again... all the discussion and speculation, now I am finally going to see it!
Is this real? I wondered.

Watching Caspian riding for his life, it finally sank in and I began crying in awe, excitement, amazement and gratitude for the gift I had been given in being able to see this movie. I have never felt that way about any film ever before. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, going to see a film for the first time. Never again will you have the feeling of sitting in a dark theater, straining to see what will happen next, because you've never seen this film before.

I knew right away that this would be not be anywhere near a faithful adaptation of the book, but I didn’t care. I had anticipated that fact, and made up my mind that it wouldn't ruin my enjoyment of the movie. I was here to have a great time. And I certainly did. I walked on air for two days straight after leaving the movie theater. Right now, hearing the music or seeing pictures would be enough to send me into raptures again.

After the first moments of disbelief, I was sucked into the action and had eyes and ears for nothing else. I giggled with delight as Reepicheep (He is sooo cute!) leapt on to the scene; my heart ached as hundreds of Narnian's were massacred due to messed up battle plans. I hated it when the credits stopped rolling.

I will admit that the movie did have its flaws (though few.) Example, for the majority of the movie, Peter was a complete jerk. (For those of you who have heard of my "engagement" to him, I have seriously considered ditching Peter for Reepicheep. ;) I can, however, understand where he was coming from, I might have even acted the same way if I were him. He 'repented' so to speak, so I might get married to him after all!

What I disliked the most was the fact that the filmmakers left out the gradual sightings of Aslan by the Pevensie children. They included Lucy being able to see him, but seemingly 'forgot' that as they walk down the river gorge and to Aslan's How, Edmund, Peter and Susan one by one are able to see him as well.

Also, was it just me, or have the centaurs started dressing differently since the Golden Age of Narnia? It seems to me that I remember them with a bit more clothing on their upper halves. Compare Orieus and Glenstorm.

On the positive side, I loved how the relationship between Lucy and Aslan was portrayed. By seeing Aslan through the eyes of Lucy, you were brought much closer to him then in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. He seemed warmer, more touchable, more real. I felt that I knew this Aslan better then I did in the LWW. Those little glances between Aslan and Lucy every now and then were fantastic, you could tell they must have been reading each others thoughts. Both of them were great!

And as for what has to have been the most controversial element in the whole film (hands down without a doubt) the Caspian/Susan romance, I have to say that it was very nicely done. With the possible exception of the farewell scene, it was never made the focus of attention, definitely being a side issue - from my perspective anyhow. The infamous kiss wasn't nearly as bad as it appeared in the trailer, because now you saw it in context and it seemed a natural thing for Susan to do. Now, don't hit me over the head, but I shall come out and say it - I liked the kissing scene. The romance was great too. (There now all you who hate it can come chasing after me.)

One of my favorite parts was listening to the wonderful musical score underlying the action. Much of the music was re-played from LWW, bringing you back to Narnia. I love the score for these films, and have listened to the LWW soundtrack over and over until I know every minute of it. I actually was able to predict when scenes in PC were going to switch by listening to the music and remembering what happened at that point in the LWW. (I was right, of course. It even switched to the scene I thought it would.) The credit songs were not the quality of the first film -also, I don't really care for that kind of music - but the first one did fit with the closing scenes of the movie really well.

For the movie - in the absence of Susan and Lucy's dresses - I looked at photos of their hair-do's and my sisters and I went with their hairstyles. My hair was similar to Susan's when she was wearing her purple dress, and I wore it like that the next day because I couldn't have done otherwise. =) Oh, and I did bring with my Prince Caspian (see below post). He enjoyed the film almost as much as I did, so he tells me.

Overall, I absolutly loved this film and I look forward to seeing it again - and again and again. It was wonderful to be brought back into Narnia once more, even a Narnia that differed from the books. I eagerly await setting sail on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010.

Ps. Yes, I admit now that Caspian has a Spanish accent! Though really, I still can't figure how you heard it from the few lines he said in the trailer. A bit distracting a times, but cool none the less.