Hello folks!
For the month of November, I plan on watching a movie about food at least once a week.
My book deal went through, so I'm not going to have time to watch movies while writing the next best novel. I'm kidding, it's not going to be a novel. It's non-fiction.
Thanks for keeping up with my October Challenge, now onto whole new and exciting challenges! Happy November!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Amityville Horror (1979)
It's Halloween!! Halloweeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnn! I love Halloween, if you couldn't tell.
I was so excited walking home after work today - seeing all the great, clever, cute, scary costumes. I could barely contain my excitement watching all the people wandering through my neighborhood, bags full of candy, giggling, laughing, screaming with joy.
I was hopping from foot to foot, clapping my hands, smiling so much my face hurt.
But it gets better. When I got home, there was a professional pianist playing our piano. A music recorder guarding the door, and some friends just hanging out. My home suddenly turned into a music studio! Of some of the few things I love more than Halloween, it's music.
I'm willing to bet we have over 100 musical instruments in our house (thanks to my musical Husband). I am grateful for all his gifts. Impromptu recordings in the living room, included.
This evening I'm having guests over to watch tonight's film, and I have no idea what tonight's movie will be! Movies will be presented and there will be a vote. I am simply providing the food, comfy chairs, and a great environment. I'm very excited to be ending this October Challenge in my home, with friends and family.
Now, I need to get the popcorn popped and the pizza cooked. See you all after the surprise show, and Happy Halloween!
Update:
Well the movie pick was the classic Amityville Horror! And I was surprised by how many people haven't seen it, or hadn't seen in a quite a long time. I felt it was a prefect fit for a nasty, rainy Halloween night in with friends.
I made pizza, popcorn, and supplied everyone with silly napkins. One couple brought chili. It was in a container with a skull and crossbones on the cover. Many hungry mouths did not heed the warning, and new levels of Hot Hot HOT were discovered. Perfect.
This movie scared the beejeezes out of me when I first saw it, and are still scenes where I want to cover my eyes and/or cringe into my blanket. However, since it's fairly dated at this point there are now scenes (decor of the house, especially) that can make anyone who might be getting a little uncomfortable watching the movie, laugh now and then.
As I discovered last night, this is a great movie to watch with friends - it is also a great movie to watch alone, if you love horror movies. Either way, be sure take a moment at some point to join the 'I've watched the original Amityville Horror club'.
Thank you everyone! See you all on this blog in the not to distant future! Not sure what to do next... we'll just have to wait and see.
I was so excited walking home after work today - seeing all the great, clever, cute, scary costumes. I could barely contain my excitement watching all the people wandering through my neighborhood, bags full of candy, giggling, laughing, screaming with joy.
I was hopping from foot to foot, clapping my hands, smiling so much my face hurt.
But it gets better. When I got home, there was a professional pianist playing our piano. A music recorder guarding the door, and some friends just hanging out. My home suddenly turned into a music studio! Of some of the few things I love more than Halloween, it's music.
I'm willing to bet we have over 100 musical instruments in our house (thanks to my musical Husband). I am grateful for all his gifts. Impromptu recordings in the living room, included.
This evening I'm having guests over to watch tonight's film, and I have no idea what tonight's movie will be! Movies will be presented and there will be a vote. I am simply providing the food, comfy chairs, and a great environment. I'm very excited to be ending this October Challenge in my home, with friends and family.
Now, I need to get the popcorn popped and the pizza cooked. See you all after the surprise show, and Happy Halloween!
Update:
Well the movie pick was the classic Amityville Horror! And I was surprised by how many people haven't seen it, or hadn't seen in a quite a long time. I felt it was a prefect fit for a nasty, rainy Halloween night in with friends.
I made pizza, popcorn, and supplied everyone with silly napkins. One couple brought chili. It was in a container with a skull and crossbones on the cover. Many hungry mouths did not heed the warning, and new levels of Hot Hot HOT were discovered. Perfect.
This movie scared the beejeezes out of me when I first saw it, and are still scenes where I want to cover my eyes and/or cringe into my blanket. However, since it's fairly dated at this point there are now scenes (decor of the house, especially) that can make anyone who might be getting a little uncomfortable watching the movie, laugh now and then.
As I discovered last night, this is a great movie to watch with friends - it is also a great movie to watch alone, if you love horror movies. Either way, be sure take a moment at some point to join the 'I've watched the original Amityville Horror club'.
Thank you everyone! See you all on this blog in the not to distant future! Not sure what to do next... we'll just have to wait and see.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Bones (2001)
I've been saving this one for a special occasion. I plucked this film off the Rain City Video shelf many times, held it close with joy, and then reluctantly put it back - knowing it had to wait until just the right time...that time is now.
That time is not tomorrow, Halloween, because I'm going to have people over and I wanted to keep this one all to myself. All To Myself! [slaps grab-grabby hands away].
I'm not even going to relay to you the many personal feelings I have for wanting to watch this film, Bones, I'm just going to share with you the words from the back of this DVD case - and then you'll understand why this movie must be watched:
"The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) is respected and loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and brutally murdered by corrupt cop Lupovich (Michael T. Weiss), Bones' elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto and his home a gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an after hours nightclub, unknowingly releasing Jimmy's tortured spirit. It's thrills and chills as blood spills when Jimmy's ghost sets about its rightful revenge, his killers unaware of the gruesome fate that awaits them. With each new victim the terror mounts and Bones' vengeance spins out of control threatening everyone in his path, including his former lover Pearl (Pam Grier)."
YOU SEE!
If Snoop Dogg didn't already win you over then certainly Pam Grier did. If she didn't, because - perhaps you're suffering from a serious illness that should be checked out by a doctor, stat - then there is always Michael T. Weiss, who... well, I've not heard of him before but apparently he's been in quite a few things (e.g. Days of Our Lives, if that's your thang).
Ultimately, Snoop Dogg coming after people from the dead - THAT is a film worth watching.
I'll be watching this after I take my Mom out to dinner for her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Update:
Okay, I got home a little too late to watch all of Bones, but what I have seen so far I LOVE! It has met and exceeded expectations and I can't wait to see how it ends. Already the dialog is spicy, dicey, and snarky = excellent, exactly what I expected. The effects are great; they even surprised me...scared me a little bit too.
More to come, but I want to finish the whole film before I give you my whole review. So far: you need to see this film.
Update update:
Oh. My. Goodness. This movie is great! You can't not like this film, and I really don't have the words to explain How Awesome this movie is. It's like trying to explain how awesome your dinner is while your mouth of completely full of it. It will be added to my collection. It should be, at the very least added to your 'Yup, I've seen it' collection.
Suggested pairing: watch with friends who love a good party, eat party food.
That time is not tomorrow, Halloween, because I'm going to have people over and I wanted to keep this one all to myself. All To Myself! [slaps grab-grabby hands away].
I'm not even going to relay to you the many personal feelings I have for wanting to watch this film, Bones, I'm just going to share with you the words from the back of this DVD case - and then you'll understand why this movie must be watched:
"The time is 1979. Jimmy Bones (Snoop Dogg) is respected and loved as the neighborhood protector. When he is betrayed and brutally murdered by corrupt cop Lupovich (Michael T. Weiss), Bones' elegant brownstone becomes his tomb. Twenty-two years later, the neighborhood has become a ghetto and his home a gothic ruin. Four teens renovate it as an after hours nightclub, unknowingly releasing Jimmy's tortured spirit. It's thrills and chills as blood spills when Jimmy's ghost sets about its rightful revenge, his killers unaware of the gruesome fate that awaits them. With each new victim the terror mounts and Bones' vengeance spins out of control threatening everyone in his path, including his former lover Pearl (Pam Grier)."
YOU SEE!
If Snoop Dogg didn't already win you over then certainly Pam Grier did. If she didn't, because - perhaps you're suffering from a serious illness that should be checked out by a doctor, stat - then there is always Michael T. Weiss, who... well, I've not heard of him before but apparently he's been in quite a few things (e.g. Days of Our Lives, if that's your thang).
Ultimately, Snoop Dogg coming after people from the dead - THAT is a film worth watching.
I'll be watching this after I take my Mom out to dinner for her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Update:
Okay, I got home a little too late to watch all of Bones, but what I have seen so far I LOVE! It has met and exceeded expectations and I can't wait to see how it ends. Already the dialog is spicy, dicey, and snarky = excellent, exactly what I expected. The effects are great; they even surprised me...scared me a little bit too.
More to come, but I want to finish the whole film before I give you my whole review. So far: you need to see this film.
Update update:
Oh. My. Goodness. This movie is great! You can't not like this film, and I really don't have the words to explain How Awesome this movie is. It's like trying to explain how awesome your dinner is while your mouth of completely full of it. It will be added to my collection. It should be, at the very least added to your 'Yup, I've seen it' collection.
Suggested pairing: watch with friends who love a good party, eat party food.
Monday, October 29, 2012
The Red Shoes aka Bunhongsin (2005)
Tonight's movie is yet another one that Netflix has been yelling at me to watch.
Based on the cover photo (a high heeled red shoe dripping with blood) I was far from impressed. Also, I couldn't agree with the tag line more: "One size kills all". Of course one shoe size kills all! What, are you new? That is why there are different shoe sizes.
The only killer "one size fits all" item I wear on my feet are my Monty Python Killer Rabbit slippers, which are promptly stolen and worn about the house by my neighbor's four year old girl when they stop by.
I'm not a shoe snob, but if my feet aren't happy in what I'm wearing then no one is happy. Thus: of course one (shoe) size would kill all (feet), and I have yet to wear a pair of red high heels that doesn't want me to go on a rampage after wearing them for 45 minutes.
But now on to the film: the Korean film The Red Shoes aka Bunhongsin. I'm expecting a lot from this film and seeing as I'm not getting to this movie until later in the evening, my chances of falling asleep are high. My update to this film may not arrive until tomorrow :)
Speaking of updates, if you haven't already noticed my updates to Willard and Nomads are finally up! Sorry for the delay, very busy weekend.
Suggested pairing: Something uncomfortable. For me, it was really salty pizza and cold left over glogg.
Update:
Okay, okay. This movie surprised me quite a bit. In good ways and in bad.
First: according to the resolution on my TV, the shoes were not Red, they were Pink, I dare say Fuchsia pink, actually. And quite an ugly pair of 'red' shoes for people/spirits to be fighting over, although I would be willing to guess that the shoes were more of an artistic statement about the story, people, and so on - and not shoes people actually 'die' for.
So I tip my hat to integrating random shoes found in a subway with a horror story: very original and well done.
Second: there were quite a few good stare-downs in the movie. And I mean, Stare-Downs. The kind where you clap your hands just a bit and want to start shouting "Fight, Fight, Fight!" I felt a little bad afterwards, but was intrigued that this movie brought out the angry moody teen in me.
I also started thinking about how much Asian horror movies are based on a woman scorned. Is it because of the long-standing patriarchal society? Where women have been so repressed (to mind boggling proportions); living under a thumb for so long then die without a hint of respect and dignity, and eventually come back from the dead with "You know what!? That was a bunch of bullsh*t! THAT. IS. IT! I've had it up to here! You can not tell me what to do anymore and I am going to make your life a living hell."
Because, I totally buy it, if that is the case. Thesis fodder, right here.
Good movie. Watch with shoe lovers and shoe haters. Do not watch with someone who stole your significant other or your favorite pair of shoes.
Based on the cover photo (a high heeled red shoe dripping with blood) I was far from impressed. Also, I couldn't agree with the tag line more: "One size kills all". Of course one shoe size kills all! What, are you new? That is why there are different shoe sizes.
The only killer "one size fits all" item I wear on my feet are my Monty Python Killer Rabbit slippers, which are promptly stolen and worn about the house by my neighbor's four year old girl when they stop by.
I'm not a shoe snob, but if my feet aren't happy in what I'm wearing then no one is happy. Thus: of course one (shoe) size would kill all (feet), and I have yet to wear a pair of red high heels that doesn't want me to go on a rampage after wearing them for 45 minutes.
But now on to the film: the Korean film The Red Shoes aka Bunhongsin. I'm expecting a lot from this film and seeing as I'm not getting to this movie until later in the evening, my chances of falling asleep are high. My update to this film may not arrive until tomorrow :)
Speaking of updates, if you haven't already noticed my updates to Willard and Nomads are finally up! Sorry for the delay, very busy weekend.
Suggested pairing: Something uncomfortable. For me, it was really salty pizza and cold left over glogg.
Update:
Okay, okay. This movie surprised me quite a bit. In good ways and in bad.
First: according to the resolution on my TV, the shoes were not Red, they were Pink, I dare say Fuchsia pink, actually. And quite an ugly pair of 'red' shoes for people/spirits to be fighting over, although I would be willing to guess that the shoes were more of an artistic statement about the story, people, and so on - and not shoes people actually 'die' for.
So I tip my hat to integrating random shoes found in a subway with a horror story: very original and well done.
Second: there were quite a few good stare-downs in the movie. And I mean, Stare-Downs. The kind where you clap your hands just a bit and want to start shouting "Fight, Fight, Fight!" I felt a little bad afterwards, but was intrigued that this movie brought out the angry moody teen in me.
I also started thinking about how much Asian horror movies are based on a woman scorned. Is it because of the long-standing patriarchal society? Where women have been so repressed (to mind boggling proportions); living under a thumb for so long then die without a hint of respect and dignity, and eventually come back from the dead with "You know what!? That was a bunch of bullsh*t! THAT. IS. IT! I've had it up to here! You can not tell me what to do anymore and I am going to make your life a living hell."
Because, I totally buy it, if that is the case. Thesis fodder, right here.
Good movie. Watch with shoe lovers and shoe haters. Do not watch with someone who stole your significant other or your favorite pair of shoes.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Willard (2003)
I have a feeling that I'm not going to want to call tonight's film a Horror Movie. And yet... and yet, I think it totally qualifies.
I've seen Willard pop up from time to time, been very curious about it, but not curious enough to take time out of my busy/absurd/hilarious day to watch a story about a man and his rats.
That Said! I just noticed that this movie stars Crispin Glover. Suddenly, everything has changed. Like when someone invites you to a party and you're ho-hum about it until they say "...so and so will be there..." - now you're totally interested and it is the best thing ever.
That is what happened to me with this film.
In other totally unrelated but related because everything is related in one way or another news: watching horror movies can help you loose weight. You're welcome:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9638876/Watching-horror-films-burns-nearly-200-calories-a-time.html
Tonight's pairing: home made french onion soup and home made glogg. It's a cold nasty night out there, I hope you keep warm everyone.
Update:
Hold on folks! The official update is coming soon (this evening)!
Update Update:
Willard! This is one of those delightfully horrific films where you want to cheer for the 'bad guy' - and then you're like, wait... who is the bad guy?
The character development in this film is: FAN-TASTIC and the cinematography is Wonderful! I really wished I could have seen this on the big screen. Although, maybe it's for the best that I didn't (bigger place, bigger rats?)
You get the heebeegeebees. You get some laughs. You get lots of 'No....Way....". You get sad. You get angry. You get confused at all the 'you gets'.
Great film. I'm going to buy it.
At the beginning of the film I turned to my Husband and said, "Maybe we should get a pet rat sometime". He shook his head (he's also seen the movie before). By the middle of the movie, I was thinking a pet rat would be a bad idea. By the end of the film I was itchy, concerned about living in a ground apartment, and fearful my canned goods could attract rats.
If you have a fear of rats then do not watch this film. If you're looking for a great new horror movie - watch this one, you're sure to enjoy it.
Suggested pairing: Ah....you might not want to eat anything during this movie.
I've seen Willard pop up from time to time, been very curious about it, but not curious enough to take time out of my busy/absurd/hilarious day to watch a story about a man and his rats.
That Said! I just noticed that this movie stars Crispin Glover. Suddenly, everything has changed. Like when someone invites you to a party and you're ho-hum about it until they say "...so and so will be there..." - now you're totally interested and it is the best thing ever.
That is what happened to me with this film.
In other totally unrelated but related because everything is related in one way or another news: watching horror movies can help you loose weight. You're welcome:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9638876/Watching-horror-films-burns-nearly-200-calories-a-time.html
Tonight's pairing: home made french onion soup and home made glogg. It's a cold nasty night out there, I hope you keep warm everyone.
Update:
Hold on folks! The official update is coming soon (this evening)!
Update Update:
Willard! This is one of those delightfully horrific films where you want to cheer for the 'bad guy' - and then you're like, wait... who is the bad guy?
The character development in this film is: FAN-TASTIC and the cinematography is Wonderful! I really wished I could have seen this on the big screen. Although, maybe it's for the best that I didn't (bigger place, bigger rats?)
You get the heebeegeebees. You get some laughs. You get lots of 'No....Way....". You get sad. You get angry. You get confused at all the 'you gets'.
Great film. I'm going to buy it.
At the beginning of the film I turned to my Husband and said, "Maybe we should get a pet rat sometime". He shook his head (he's also seen the movie before). By the middle of the movie, I was thinking a pet rat would be a bad idea. By the end of the film I was itchy, concerned about living in a ground apartment, and fearful my canned goods could attract rats.
If you have a fear of rats then do not watch this film. If you're looking for a great new horror movie - watch this one, you're sure to enjoy it.
Suggested pairing: Ah....you might not want to eat anything during this movie.
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