10 Movie Characters I've Got A Crush On

Come on, admit it, at some point you, too, have crushed on a movie character.  Am I right?  Sitting there in the theater, eating your overpriced popcorn, you've nearly fallen out of your seat because suddenly there appears the most gorgeous, adorable, perfect character you've ever seen.  Right there in front of you.  Thirty feet tall.  Tall and beautiful.

And alas, they're not real.

And that hurts.

Thank goodness for DVD players and the ability to watch those movies over and over again.  And in the darkness of your own living room, you can close your eyes... and pretend....

Here are my top ten movie crushes, in no particular order...

1. Louis Connelly, August Rush

If you can, in fact, remove your jaw from the floor after witnessing any scene which involves Jonathan Rhys Meyers, you perhaps can then take the time to appreciate how absolutely adorable his character is.  Louis is a musician who meets The One.  When he loses her through circumstances beyond his control, he crashes.  But when he decides he's going to go out and find her, hope -- and music -- comes back into his life, and he takes up his guitar again.  And damn, he is good.  Pros: A nice guy, a great musician, very passionate.  Cons: Has some inner demons he needs to purge.

2. Clark Kent, Superman Returns

Some people think Lois Lane is kind of a moron.  Supposedly this is because she can not tell that Clark Kent is Superman, even though she has spent ample time with both of them.  But really, I think the main reason she is moronic because she is WITH ANOTHER GUY.  I mean sure, James Marsden's cute and all, but how can she ignore Brandon Routh's smoldering eyes?  How can she not see how completely beautiful a person he is?  Why is she still with James Marsden even, I don't know, ten seconds after Clark Kent's come back to Metropolis?  Really, Lois -- we need to have a talk.  Pros: Kind to children and animals.  Cons: Is kind of awkward and dweeby... OR IS HE? 

3. Gilbert Blythe, Anne Of Green Gables and Anne Of Green Gables: The Sequel

 

There is something to be said for a guy who truly loves just one girl, even when she gives him no hope whatsoever.  A guy who offers this girl rides to and from work.  Who offers a switcharoo so that she can have his job, because it's closer to her home.  And who stands by while she gets her act together, waiting as patiently as he can.  In some places, he'd be called a stalker.  But viewers know Gilbert Blythe's heart is true, and FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, ANNE, GET A CLUE!  (Whoa, did that just rhyme?  Go me!)  Pros: Sweet, patient, smart.  Cons: He does like to tease...

4. Mike Nelson, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie

Oh, Mike, Mike, Mike.  Mike's stuck on a spaceship called the Satellite of Love.  He lives with four robots.  They're forced to watch terrible, gut-wrenchingly awful movies, and yet -- he and his pals find humor in all of them.  Their riffs -- everything from obscure pop culture references to simply making fun of the stupidity on screen directly --  consistently leave me in stitches.  Pros: Mike is extremely witty and is patient with his robot friends, even though they give him a hard time.  Cons: He's sort of stuck... up in space.  Not much hope for a "life", really...

5. Benny Rodriguez,  

The Sandlot

I know, I know, the kid's like 13 years old and I should not be crushing on him at my age.  But considering I was about that age when I first saw the film, and considering the actor is, in fact, older than I am in real life, I see no wrongdoing.  So leave me alone, dangit!  Meanwhile, Benny is the most adorable member of the Sandlot squad.  He's the best at baseball, the fastest runner, and he's super sweet.  While the other Sandlot kids are cracking rude jokes about the new kid, Benny reaches out and invites him to play ball.  Pros: Total sweetheart, the only one brave enough to truly face "The Beast."  Cons: Has some personal fears he must overcome.  But hey, who doesn't?


6. Johnny Martin, Penelope

In this film, a twist on the "Beauty and the Beast" story, Johnny falls in love with Penelope, despite her fantastical disfigurement.  He sees her for her true beauty.  Now he's just got to get her to see that!  Pros: He's super sweet, and plays musical instruments like a pro.  Cons: He has some personal problems early on in the film, but he eventually cleans himself up.  Yay for reformation!

7. Indiana Jones, the first three Indiana Jones films

Brilliant, brave, and badass -- let's face it, Indiana Jones is the epitome of cool.  Pros: Good-looking, resourceful, can handle just about anything.  Cons: Except snakes.

8. Oliver Wood, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

It'd be one thing if Oliver Wood was just a good-looking Quidditch player... but no.  They had to go and cast a gorgeous Scottish actor (Sean Biggerstaff) in the role of the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.  Whenever Oliver goes about explaining the wizarding game to little Harry Potter, I tend to lose all sense of time and space.  Pros: The accent, omg the accent.  Cons: In the books, Oliver's kind of crazy.  But wait, who said anything about the books?  This list is about movie characters!  Forget that then -- Oliver is awesome.

9. Robin Hood, Disney's Robin Hood

I am not ashamed to admit I think an animated fox is kinda sexy.  Robin Hood is clever and brave and has an English accent, oh my.  Pros: He's a one-woman man, dutifully devoted to his childhood love, Maid Marion.  He would even die for her, which is totally romantic.  Cons: He's a little cocky, but at least he can back it up.  Have you seen him with a bow & arrow?

10. Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice (1995)

So he's prideful.  And prejudiced.  But only at first!  Elizabeth Bennet manages to warm & soften his heart like a yummy Tollhouse cookie.  Pros: Mr. Darcy is nice to his little sister, mean to anyone who'd try to hurt the women in his life, and looks great after a midday swim.  Cons: Always with the staring, the longing staring.  We're not Edward Cullen, here, Darcy!  And it's not polite to stare!  Oh, but it's okay... you're adorable, I forgive you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, looks like I couldn't stop at just 10! Here are four more movie characters I've got a crush on.

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I hope you enjoyed this list, and maybe even agreed with me on a few of them.  If not, tell me about your movie crushes.  And if you're currently in a relationship now and couldn't possibly admit to having any current crushes -- tell me who you liked when you were a kid.  Was it Han Solo?  Marty McFly?  Charles Foster Kane?  (Hey, I don't know how old you are!)  Leave some comments and let me know!

make mine art

I checked every CD tower. On the shelves. In boxes. Under the bed. Met some dust bunnies. Should probably clean someday. Couldn't find it anywhere. And then, at last, there it was -- in an obscure CD case nestled under papers I haven't touched in a year or more -- the CD-Rom of Paint Shop Pro 7, my favorite and most trustworthy art program.

I gingerly removed it from its sleeve and put it into the computer.  Would it install?  Would it work?  This is a newish computer I've got here -- what if it didn't work?  Then what was I going to do?  I could buy Paintshop Pro 9, sure, but that costs lots of money and besides, it's not as familiar to me as my friend, dear old #7.  No, it just had to work.

And then... the moment of truth....

IT WORKED!

As tears of relief and fondness sprung to my eyes, I kinda felt like Jodie Foster in Contact when she sees all the pretties in the wormhole in outer space.

"It's so beautiful!"

Yeah, Natalie Portman clone, I even kind of missed your stupid half face.

Now let's make some PICSHORES!!!1

Mango

So I was at the grocery store the other day when something in the produce section caught my eye.

Atop a mountain of its own kind, there it sat: a mango.

Mango. The word sounds so luscious... so sophisticated, yet ready to party.

I wanted one.

Problem: I had no idea how to tell if it was ripe.  I'd never bought a mango before.  The ones before me were orangey-red on one side and yellowish-green on the other.  Was that normal?  I felt I should ask one of the produce clerks, but there weren't any around.  So I just grabbed the first one I saw, made off with it and bought it.

Then it sat on my kitchen counter for a few days while I waited for it to change color.  You know, just in case that was the way with mangoes.  Apparently it wasn't.  Three days later, it was still two-toned and mysterious.

So I googled "mangoes" and stumbled upon a web page that described how to cut and eat them.   Fascinating stuff, that.  I mean, who knew you aren't supposed to eat the skin?  Or that there's a stone the size of Delaware in the center?  Now at least I knew what I was in for.  And according to the website, if my mango was slightly squooshy, it was ready to consume.  Mine was.  I got a knife and cut that mango open!  The icky, sticky juice oozed all over the place.  I wrestled a bit out of the skin and took a bite.

Um... ew.

Yeah.  After lusting after them in the supermarket, buying one on a whim, learning all about them, and dissecting one for myself, I finally concluded that mangoes are bitter and taste like air fresheners.

Yay for higher learning!  I think I'll tackle kumquats next.

Busted Benson Bubblers

Okay. Gonna talk about my day on the set of the Nancy Travis movie.

I was so excited when I got the message saying I'd been hired to be a driver in a TV movie they're filming here in Portland. It's been 2 years since I've gotten one of those, and seriously, being an extra is something I need to do at least once a year or else I start to get cranky. I know, I'm strange.

My call time was 7am on this particular day, and the location was downtown Portland, which thrilled me because I actually knew where to go. No worrying about maps or anything. Just wake up at an unholy hour, get in the car, and get there. Park, make my way to the holding area, fill out forms, wait.

The holding area was an old abandoned building with two large rooms for our use. Tables and folding chairs had been set up, but everything else was just icky. There were actual piles of bricks in some corners, and near one pillar was a 2-foot-high pile of dirt. Suffice it to say, the cast got their own quarters. (On Twilight everyone shared a big tent and tables and got to eat the same food.)

Our first scene was down by the waterfront. I was wearing black jeans, several shirts, and my purple jacket, but I was still cold, and it kept drizzling throughout most of the morning. We did a lot of walking scenes. I was supposed to walk up to a male extra, pretend to know him, and walk down a path with him. We were supposed to kind of hug. Ironically (?) we did at first, but by the 12th take we were barely even touching. Enough is enough! We also got to walk right in front of the camera once (there's a name for that, passing in front -- I forget what it is though. Basically you don't get seen, you're mostly just a fraction-of-a-second blur, which is to imply that the characters are in a crowded place.)

(I should mention there were about 20 of us there. 3 folks had been asked to bring their small dogs. Some had bicycles. One guy was asked to be a juggler. If they ask you to bring stuff you can get a bump in pay. I got one just for bringing my car, in case they needed a driver. My car ended up sitting parked in a lot all day, heh.)

I had a short conversation with the juggler, and spoke with another extra who mentioned there's going to be a Goonies reunion in Astoria next month. Sweet! Random.

A lot of joggers and bicyclers passed by on the waterfront trail while we were filming. Some stopped to ask what was going on. Others stopped to stare.

After a few hours, they sent us back to holding, then almost immediately called us back out there for more of the same. After another 45 minutes of shooting, the scene was finally done, and they told us to change into our second outfit. (All I had to do was change jackets; though for warmth I added an extra shirt underneath.)

Next up, they took us about two blocks away to a street corner, where'd they be filming for the rest of the day. They placed us and had us do a rehearsal, then sent us back to holding for lunch. On the Sony shoot we got cold pizza, Feast of Love we got sack lunches, and Twilight we got buffet -- here we had a food cart/motorhome thing with some people cooking inside. We could have steak, fish, mashed potatoes, tortellini, and/or green beans. I got tortellini and beans, but neither was great. Then inside the abandoned building they had a salad/fruit buffet and chocolate cake. The cake was the best thing. They gave us maybe 20 minutes to eat lunch and then we went back to work.



So in this scene they were shooting, Nancy Travis's character runs her SUV onto a curb and hits a Benson Bubbler. Water everywhere. The extras react with horror and concern. In one take, we had to run right up to her car window and peer inside. In another, we did the same thing, but the car wasn't actually there; we just ran toward the camera and pretend a mark was the car window. Later in the afternoon, a guy and I were placed on cafe chairs, so we got to sit while they filmed a bunch of drive-by stuff.

I got to talk a lot to the people around me. This one guy was completely hilarious; his name was B---y. He told us he got lots of extra work as a thug or a criminal, and had been told he looks like a lot of people, including Sammy Davis Jr. and the Prince of Dubai. ROFL. Then this other guy who was sitting near us told us he's always being told he looks like someone in particular. *I* thought he looked like Gabriel Byrne, but he didn't know who that was when I mentioned it. Nope, he pushed his hair back a bit and suddenly -- he was Steve Carell! It was friggin uncanny! So B---y called him "Steve" for the rest of the day.

While we were sitting there, B---y and I were talking about being extras on other projects, and he pointed out a blonde twentysomething woman who he had seen bossing the other extras around and acting like a know-it-all. "There's one on every set," he said. I said I'd never really encountered that before, but he assured me there was always one. She thus became known as Pink Shirt. Later, I found out exactly what he meant. Once, when we were all kind of gathered in a group, waiting, a random guy off the street came up and asked me for directions to the train station. After I gave them and he walked off, Pink Shirt demanded to know what he'd said, so I replied, and then she started contradicting my directions. (Except she was wrong.) The rest of the time was the same thing; she was spewing her bossy know-it-allness on everyone. And when she would, B---y and I would catch each other's eye and just start laughing. At one point, she snootily said to B---y that he shouldn't act a certain way, because "that's why you don't get asked back for more projects!" He'd already told me about the slew of projects he'd done, so that was pretty funny.

I should mention the pedestrians, because they were pretty entertaining also. Since the scene involved a car crash, and since extras usually stand around a lot, and since watching them set up shots is sometimes the only thing TO do, a lot of random Portlanders walking through the area would stop and stare. And they thought we were doing that also. They thought were were just standing around gawking. One guy even asked me if I'd seen what had happened (like it was a real car accident!) Sooo many people had to be asked to keep walking, because they'd just stop and stand there while they were trying to film. Once, a homeless woman with her cartful of earthly possession came charging right through and ended up dropping a water bottle and a triangular piece of cardboard. When one of the crewmembers stooped to pick it up for her she yelled "No, don't touch that!" She left, growling.

Ah, Portland.

Back to holding around 5:30, more waiting. The building was now devoid of chairs and tables! Furniture rapture in there. Also it was cold. I stood outside in the sun for quite a while. I spoke to one of the ladies who'd brought her dog, and told her about the upcoming Doggie Dash. A homeless man tried to sell the juggler guy and me a (probably stolen) bicycle for $20 and seemed flabbergasted when we turned him down.

Then more filming, and released at 8pm.

The strange thing was, I wasn't even tired, even though I'd been out there for 13 hours. It does help to get a good night's sleep beforehand. Although the next day, I was completely dragging. That's when it hit me.

So all in all it was a good experience. I was happy to get to see Nancy Travis. The cold and the rain sucked, as did the accommodations, but I've heard other extras talk of much worse, so I can't complain too much.

I'm guessing the movie will be out around Christmas, but nobody can seem to agree on what channel. CBS, NBC, Lifetime, or Hallmark? I'll post here when I know more.

* * *

8/27/23: Yes, I'm coming to you from the future with this long-awaited update!

The movie ended up being called A WALK IN MY SHOES. It aired on December 3, 2010 on NBC, and came out on DVD the very next day. Thanks, Wal-Mart! (Can't believe I just said that.)

B---y and I both appeared on-screen during the car crash scene, so that's fun!

I've been back to that street corner once or twice since the filming. Good times.

Dorky movie.

In the Hood

So I'm looking forward to a few movies this year. One of them is Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe.

When I first heard about it, I thought it would surely suck, at least for me.  For one thing, I've had an unexplained loathing of Russell Crowe ever since Russell Crowe started being Russell Crowe. Poor Russell's never had a chance to redeem himself in my eyes for the crime of being... well, him... because I've pretty much avoided all his films since, oh, 1997.  Also, originally Sienna Miller was rumored to be playing Maid Marian.  I dislike her on principle alone.  So that gave me two reasons to run in the other direction.

But dangit, I happen to like the concept of Robin Hood.  The Disney movie, the Kevin Costner movie, the BBC TV series o' eye candy, I love em all.  And from what I could tell, this new movie would be by-the-book Robin Hood.  Maybe even more edgy.  Certainly more promising than the Tom Cruise/Ben Stiller-proposed flick about the Hardy Boys all grown up, Hardy Men.  (If that one ever sees the light of day, there will be blood.)  But with the new Robin Hood?  No blasphemous potential, far as I could tell.

And now, as the opening of 2010's Robin Hood approaches, we're being given trailers and production stills to pore over.  One can only wonder... what will the movie really be like?  Let's take a look at some of the photos and consider what we see.

   

Here we have Russell Crowe.

Channeling David Morse...?

Or perhaps Gerard Butler...?

 

Either one is fine, really.

Robin Hood's love interest is played by Cate Blanchett, who will forever be embedded in my mind as Irena Spalko, from the last Indiana Jones movie.

That's not a good thing.

"Why, 'twasn't I who ruined the last Indiana Jones film!  It was that rogue Shia LeBeouf!  And the monkeys!  Oh, and also the script!"

"Land sakes, I have man boobs!  Who am I supposed to be, anyway?"

Mother Superior disapproves.

"Like my crown bonnet?  Stays on in the wind!  So very practical!"

"My horse is taller than your horse."

"Aw, shut up.  I'll trade you!"

 

Ricky Gervais IS Friar Tuck

"So sexy and handsome am I.  And yet so diabolical.  I seriously do believe I love me!"

Which reminds me.  Can ANY Prince John/Sheriff of Nottingham/Guy of Gisborne/Robin Hood villain be more awesome than Alan Rickman? 

No.  No they can not.

In conclusion, I present two Robin Hood posters: one from the newest film, and one from Prince of Thieves.

I have to say, the Kevin Costner poster kicks ass in the poster-ass-kicking department.  I mean, look at the two of them.  Kevin Costner's going, "Eat this fiery arrow, $&@#-%&@!!"  Russell looks like he's hunting wabbit.

So yeah, I'm still not quite sure about this new movie.  But I reserve the right to eat my words after seeing it.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll end up loving it.  And maybe I'll end up loving Russell Crowe, too!

o_O

Laughter: The Best Medicine... Of Doom

So I'm sitting in a coffee shop trying to ignore a middle-aged guy two tables away. He's sitting with a friend, and they are both laughing. But this guy in particular -- I'll call him Bill -- sounds like he's been dipping into the nitrous oxide. The laughter is pouring out of him, in all shapes, sizes, and forms (this includes cackling like a wicked witch), and I'm about ready to send some hot coffee his way. No, I don't mean buying him a drink. I mean THROW COFFEE AT HIS HEAD.

A second friend has just plunked himself down at Bill's table, which has prompted -- I kid you not -- a genuine burst of North Poleean Ho, Ho, Ho!s. Changin' it up a notch? Okay, Bill. Ack, he's varietized again! Here comes a round of Heh heh heh!s. Now I've become obsessed with counting the Hehs. I wonder, do more syllables directly correspond to more mirth? "Eh, that joke was mildly amusing. FOUR hehs, I say. Why, that last remark was especially witty! I shall bestow upon it a TEN-HEH salute! Eleven if you're lucky! And a coda of Ho, Ho, Ho!s, my good fellow!"

Hmmm.

Laughter is a bizarre thing, if you really think about it. Sure, it comes naturally, and yeah, some people love a good laugh. But think about it -- how many other normal bodily sounds draw so many question marks from those around you? Example: Let's say you're riding a bus (buses and bodily noises go hand-in-hand, after all). The guy sitting next to you sighs. Okay, you can assume he's having a hard day. Or he's tired. No cause for concern there. Maybe the guy burps. Rude, sure, but maybe he just downed a Big Gulp. A sneeze? Allergies. Cough? He needs to clear his throat. A laugh?

OH GOD, HE'S GOING TO KILL US ALL

It's frightening! It induces paranoia! I can't just accept that maybe he suddenly recalled a funny joke from eariler. No, ten bucks says he's sitting there thinking about world domination.

I guess when it comes right down to it, if someone's laughing, I want to be in on it. I want to know what's so darn funny. And if you're planning something diabolical, by all means, keep me informed.

Also, maybe, deep down, I want to be sitting here with someone who makes me laugh the way Bill's friends are making him laugh. Maybe I need to call up my buddies for a coffee date. We'll talk and reminisce and laugh to our hearts' delight, prompting the other patrons to wonder as to our sanity.

But I'll draw the line at Ho, Ho, Ho-ing.

Sorry, Bill... that's just weird.

Let down thy golden hair!

It makes me sad that I'm evidently the only one in the world who likes the movie Pocahontas. For me, it's this terrific movie about preserving nature, the importance of peace, being unselfish, and following your heart, but all I ever hear about it is how it's not historically accurate because Pocahontas never loved John Smith in real life and how she really was supposed to be 12 years old and curveless and how in reality she wouldn't have worn such a short skirt -- or any skirt at all, for that matter.

Well fine, but if you ignore all THAT....

Anyway, so Pocahontas -- the movie, not the short-skirted Native American beauty -- is going to be 15 years old this year. Pocahontas happens to be the last Disney movie I ever really got excited about. Beauty and the Beast was my first Disney obsession, and from the time that left theaters until Pocahontas came out, I longed for another movie that I could love as much. Aladdin was okay, but it just didn't give me the same feeling. Maybe because its main protagonist was male? No, no... 2/3 of my other Top 3 movies feature a male protagonist, so scratch that. The Lion King, which came out in 1994, had great music, but I didn't care for the story. Then in 1995, Pocahontas came along. And I went nuts for it. I still don't think it's anywhere near as good as BATB, but back in 1995 I was so excited for it. I got all the Burger King toys. And a crown. And stickers. And a big stuffed Meeko from the Disney Store.

Two main memories from the summer of 1995 stick out in my mind...

1) Watching Lois & Clark repeatedly while playing Tetris on my newly-acquired green Gameboy. (To this day, I still kick ass at Tetris, TYVM.)
2) Sitting in my pool in the backyard and singing the Pocahontas songs while playing with the BK toys. Which is embarrassing in that I was 14 and probably too old for that, and that the neighbors could probably hear me. O_o

One of the last animated (non-Pixar) Disney movies I ever saw in theaters was The Hunchback of Notre Dame in '96, and I actually saw it twice, but the second time was so that my cousin Sarah and I could hunt for Belle, cuz those crazy animators decided to put her in a village scene and that amused us greatly. Hunchback is a visually stunning film, even by today's standards, but the story's a bit dark and it lacks the whimsy of BATB.

And the more I think about it, the more I think what I want to see Disney make is fairy tales. Plain old, by-the-book-but-Disneyfied fairy tales. With talking sidekicks, of course, ones that are cute and brave, but for the love of all things good & pure, not sassy or lunkheaded. Or, hey, screw the sidekicks altogether... I mean, Robin Hood did okay without resorting to the inclusion of "things that talk what should not talk," right? Well, except for the animals... they all talked, but everybody in that movie was an animal (even Friar Tuck, though I'll be darned if I know exactly what he was) so I guess that doesn't count. In conclusion, this paragraph has lost all sense of direction.

I guess the main purpose of this blog entry (besides to defend poor Pocahontas) is to say I'm finally looking forward to another Disney movie. Formerly called Rapunzel, now called Tangled, I am anticipating its release with as much eagerness as a person my age can muster. (Yes, I'm 102, thanks for asking.) This one's been in the works for a few years, and they say it'll finally be out this year. And me? I'm all for it. Boy + girl + hijinks - complications = love. In November, I'll be there.


And Disney? It better be good.

My Favorite Movies Of The 2000's

On one of the forums I frequent, there's this thread going on right now where people are talking about their favorite movies of the 2000's. So I thought hey, that sounds neat, I'll do one here.

Please keep in mind that I don't watch a LOT of current movies. So just because you don't see a movie on this list doesn't mean I didn't like it -- it just means I never saw it. It's probably in my Netflix queue. Which has like 300 things on it now.

But without any further ado, here's my list of my favorite movies of the 2000s.


* * * * * * *

My Life Without Me (2003)

Sarah Polley stars as Ann, a woman with a husband and two kids who learns that she is dying. Instead of telling anyone about her impending fate, she decides to make a list describing what she wants to do with her remaining days. She records tapes for her daughters with words of wisdom, as much as she can offer for someone who has had the kind of life she has.

It sounds sad, but the film has a message of hope and inspiration. Ann's relationship with her daughters is compelling. It's not one I can watch too often, but it's very well done.

* * * * * * *

Nim's Island (2008)

Abigail Breslin and Gerard Butler play a daughter and dad who live together on a secluded island. Dad's a scientist; daughter's an animal lover and avid reader. When Dad gets lost at sea, it's up to Daughter to recruit help... but things don't go as she planned. Jodie Foster plays a fascinating character who joins the party halfway in.

* * * * * * *

Dear Frankie (2004)

Lizzie, a single mom, is on the run from her ex-husband. She lives with her mother and her young son Frankie, who is deaf. She's never told her son what a jerk his father is, and because her son is curious about his dad, Lizzie writes the boy letters, pretending to be the father. She has done so for years. She also does this because it's the only way she can truly "hear" her son. But one day, it looks like she may be busted when circumstances force her to produce The Real Thing, an in-the-flesh dad. So she goes looking for a man to pose as Frankie's father. What happens next is bittersweet and charming.

* * * * * * *

Harry Potter series (2001-2009)

Just like the books, which started out very kid-friendly and then got darker and more mature, so did these films. Though I prefer some to others (#3 and #6 are especially awesome) I think they all have their merits.

* * * * * * *

Superman Returns (2006)

For the first time since the 80's, Superman appeared on the big screen. And it was about darn time, I thought. The special effects were amazing, Brandon Routh (as Superman) was hot, and there was a sweet B-plot running through the film. But there were a few problems -- one being Lex Luthor. This age-old villain was not inspired, and his scenes dragged terribly. If you could get past that, it was a great movie. And it begged for a sequel. Unfortunately, the movie didn't meet box-office expectations, and it looks like if there ever is another Superman movie, it will either be a reboot or something much darker.

* * * * * * *

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)

Yeah, so I've never read the books. I really didn't have any interest in seeing the movies, either. But when everyone around you is constantly saying how great something is, sometimes you just gotta say, okay I'll try it. So I watched the first film with my college roommate and the 2nd and 3rd ones with my brother. The third was probably my favorite. It had a lot of kickass scenes. I loved Smeagol, that little creep. If The Hobbit ever makes it to theaters, I'll be there.

* * * * * * *

Cast Away (2000)

At first, you think the movie is just about a man who has to make a life for himself on a deserted island after a plane crash. Or you think it's a movie about a guy who has a strange attachment to a volleyball. But really, it's a movie about letting go. When Tom Hanks' character makes a bid for freedom toward the end (making a raft to get him off the island) he ends up having to sacrifice his one friend (Wilson the volleyball) when Wilson accidentally floats away. If Tom goes after Wilson, he'll get too far away from his raft and he'll probably die. But if he goes back to his raft, he has to let go of this thing that has come to be his friend. Many of us come upon a time in our lives when we have to make this kind of heart-wrenching decision.

Lots of symbolism in this movie, if you take the time to notice it. Many people found the end depressing, but I found it hopeful.

* * * * * * *

Charlotte's Web (2006)

In my opinion, this is one of the few book-to-movie translations that got almost everything just right. Dakota Fanning transcended the fact that she was a well-established child star and made me really believe she was little Fern. The film would have been near-perfect if not for the inclusion/addition of the wise-cracking crows. What was THAT?

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Batman Begins (2005)

I love the first half of the movie, where we get to see how Bruce Wayne came to be Batman. Sure, the scene where his parents get the death boot is sad, but the rest is great. Morgan Freeman's character helps with the gadgetry, and Michael Caine's character helps give Bruce some good swift kicks in the rear when he needs 'em. After a few misfires, he gets things right, and becomes a hero. Then the entire city goes haywire, which is kind of depressing, but then you've got...

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The Dark Knight (2008)

Yay, there is hope for Gotham City! Harvey Dent is here, and now maybe Bruce can sit back, relax, and get it on with his childhood sweetheart. Or maybe it's just not meant to be. Heath Ledger takes a turn as the insanely creepy Joker, who is probably one of the most brilliant villains ever. I mean really, he's crazy, but he's a freaking genius. Let's face it, crazy geniuses are the scariest of them all. Again, the end is depressing, but it leaves room for another sequel. I can't wait to see what's next.

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Lost In Austen (2008)

Every fanfic writer has probably thought about writing a story where they marysue themselves into the world of their fandom. In this movie, Jane Austen fan Amanda magically finds her way into the world of Pride & Prejudice, literally taking the place of Elizabeth Bennett. Fervently devoted to making sure everything goes as it should (ie Elizabeth + Mr. Darcy = Tru Luv), Amanda really only succeeds in screwing things up hardcore. But she does get Mr. Darcy to take a dip in the pond, ala Colin Firth, which is sure to delight many a fan of the 1995 P&P TV miniseries. And though true fans of P&P might not be pleased with the way things change thanks to Amanda, her influence doesn't destroy the universe, and some things still turn out okay. Or better than okay.

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Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Young Olive, not exactly the beauty queen type, gets a chance to participate in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. In order to get there, her family piles into a van and starts a cross-country journey. Along the way, many crazy things happen. A lot of the comedy is dark, and sometimes it gets downright depressing. But things really start rocking when they get to the beauty pageant and Olive does her talent routine. Eyebrows shoot through the ceiling, but the power of love brings the family together just when their littlest member needs them the most.

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Peter Pan (2003)

The book had come out nearly 100 years before, and it had been made into a Disney movie, been performed on stage many times, and even had a live-action sequel (Hook). But believe it or not, there'd never before been a live-action version of Peter Pan, nor had young Peter ever been played by a male actor (except for a few seconds of flashback in Hook). So it was about darn time.

The movie is magical and well-done, and it's a bit more mature than the Disney version. The casting was inspired, and the music is hauntingly beautiful. There's not much I don't enjoy about this movie.

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Away From Her (2006)

This is a bittersweet story about a couple of older folks who are faced with a dilemma when the wife begins to show signs of Alzheimer's. At first it seems like it's something they both can handle, but when the wife's lapses in memory put her life in danger, they decide to put her in a home. Tragically, it's the husband who has the hardest time with this, as he becomes very lonely. When he goes to visit his wife, he finds that she has made new friends, and her memories of HIM are diminishing. And due to the nature of her illness, he knows things might never get better.

Sad as it may be, this issue is all too real, and the movie really makes you think. Its sweet, heartfelt moments save it from being a total depress-fest.

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Where The Heart Is (2000)

A pregnant 17-year-old named Novalee (Natalie Portman) is abandoned by her boyfriend at a Wal-Mart, and after giving birth to the "Wal-Mart baby," she is taken in by members of the small town. She builds a life for herself and her daughter over the next five years. Every so often, the movie shifts perspective to show us what's happening with her rotten ex-boyfriend. The stories eventually converge, and Novalee learns an important life lesson before it's too late.

I really enjoy Novalee's storyline, but often skip the boyfriend's. Stockard Channing and Ashley Judd have supporting roles in this sweet, sometimes sad, story about love and loss.

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Dan In Real Life (2007)

Steve Carell stars in this dramedy about a single dad with three daughters. Akin to Parenthood, the movie features a large extended family and the relationships within. Family life is completely imperfect, but the story is easy to relate to. Carell's character is a sweet guy, and you want him to be happy -- but unfortunately, his happiness may lead to the unhappiness of someone else. Dilemmas, dilemmas.

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August Rush (2007)

Two young musicians (Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers) get together -- romantically -- producing a son. But fate drives all three of them apart, and they'll never all be happy unless they can find each other, somehow. Years later, music -- and the power of optimism -- bring them to the same city and the same time. It's a beautiful movie, even if it requires a lot of disbelief-suspending.

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Penelope (2006)

Hollywood has given us many versions of Cinderella, but has been a bit stingy with adaptations of Beauty and the Beast. But here we have one -- with the gender roles reversed. Full of bright, cheerful colors that give the movie a whimsical feel, Penelope is the story of a young woman (played by Christina Ricci) who is not conventionally beautiful. In fact, her face frightens all her perspective suitors. And in order to break her curse (the one that makes her look the way she does) she must find a guy to fall in love with her. Enter Max. He's good-looking, but he has some internal flaws. When the two of them get together, it's pure magic. But of course there are complications.

Though there are a few plot holes, and the American version of the DVD leaves out some important scenes, overall it's a delightful fairy tale of a film.

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Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Yet another adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. Though some P&P enthusiasts will prefer the longer, truer-to-the novel 1995 miniseries (the "Colin Firth" version, as some call it), this "shortened" version of the classic novel contains all the important stuff. Matthew MacFadyen, as Darcy, does an excellent transformation from snobby jerk to humble, likable cutiepie. Some of the other casting choices leave something to be desired, but overall it's a well-made adaptation.

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Others I enjoyed but don't have the energy to write about right now:

Attila (TV, 2001)
Holes (2003)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Feast Of Love (2007)
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Tuck Everlasting (2002)
Love Comes Softly (TV, 2003)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Spiderman (2002)
The Chronicles Of Narnia series (2005, 2008)
The Princess Diaries (2001)

Blather & blatherskite

I started a vlog. Links to the videos are to the left. I'm not sure which I enjoy more, blogging or vlogging. But who says I have to like one more than the other? Maybe I can just like them the same, and all will be right with the world.