Mirkwood Reflections

Howl's Moving Castle is one of those Japanese animated films that I've always discounted as clearly Not My Thing. I'll be really honest and admit that Moving Castle ended up in my Netflix Q merely because Christian Bale provided the voice of Howl. I have a slightly embarrassing habit of searching out as many of an "interesting" actor's movies as possible. I'm sure you'll forgive me this silly foible. Right? Right? Whatever brought Howl's Moving Castle to our family is irrelevant; I'm so glad we were allowed the opportunity to view this unusual animated film! My entire family was fascinated all the way thought, even my husband who rarely sits through any movie that doesn't star Jim Varney. The movie is originally Japanese but has been dubbed in English with well-known actors (Bale, Billy Crystal, Josh Hutcherson). We watched the English version, but I've been told that the Japanese track with English subtitles is very engaging and I d...

I haven't made a habit of watching the Oscars in recent years, but Hugh Jackman hosting was a draw I couldn't ignore. So, here are some of my thoughts thus far. LOVED Hugh's opening number. The man can sing AND dance. What an intimate seating arrangement this year too - the front row is just a step from the stage! Anne Hathaway was delightful in her cameo. I turned off the acceptance speech from Milk 's screenwriter because my children were still in the room and he was going on about gay marriage. I did understand his heartfelt comments, however, and I read somewhere that he stated, rightly, that God loves everyone - gay or straight. True enough. Because I hadn't yet turned it back on, I missed Wall-E winning Best Animated Film. I had really hoped Bolt might come out of left field and win. I enjoyed that film so MUCH more than Wall-E , but David was pulling for Wall-E . I enjoyed the romance montage, other than the now apparently obligatory homosexual kiss. Got a ...

Here's YOUR chance to give ME a review. This is a list of 2008 movies I wanted to see, but didn't manage to do it for one reason or another. All of them are on my To-View list. Any on this list you'd recommend or warn against? Bedtime Stories (PG) (2008) (Adam Sandler, Keri Russell) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13) (2008) (Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett) The Tale of Despereaux (G) (2008) (voices of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman) Yes Man (PG-13) (2008) (Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel) Australia (PG-13) (2008) (Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman) Quantum of Solace (PG-13) (2008) (Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko) Slumdog Millionaire (R) (2008) (Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal) Rachel Getting Married (R) (2008) (Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt) Changeling (R) (2008) (Angelina Jolie, Jeffrey Donovan) Fireproof (PG) (2008) (Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea) Nights in Rodanthe (PG-13) (2008) (Richard Gere, Diane Lane) Kung Fu Panda (PG) (2008) (voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman) Expelled: No ...

Here is a list of 2008 movies that I have viewed on DVD. Some were ones I was really looking forward to (Fool's Gold, at least until I read the reviews), others were the luck of the draw (Eagle Eye, Maryann had it.). The Duchess (PG-13) (2008) (Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes) - depressing Eagle Eye (PG-13) (2008) (Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan) - better than I imagined! The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG-13) (2008) (America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel) - interesting, but I don't think this series of movies is for young girls Space Chimps (G) (2008) (voices of Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines) - We really liked this! Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG) (2008) (Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson) - corny Get Smart (PG-13) (2008) (Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway) - David's new favorite! lol I found a lot to laugh at as well. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13) (2008) (Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf) - Terrible. Do not bother. Then She Found Me (R) (2008) (Hel...

Here is a list of movies I saw in the theater in 2008. Not a long list (eleven), but perhaps more than an average year? I guess I am going to the theater about once a month. Not too shabby. I still need to write reviews on several of them, but I've given you my 10 second recommendations instead. The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13) (2008) (Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly) - Do you like Keanu or sci-fi? Then see it. If not, don't bother. Bolt (PG) (2008) (voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus) - I didn't review this, but it was one of my favorite movies this year! GREAT FUN! Way better than Wall-E. Twilight (PG-13) (2008) (Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson) - My review The Dark Knight (PG-13) (2008) (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger) - My review Mamma Mia! (PG-13) (2008) (Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan) - My review WALL·E (G) (2008) (voices of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight) - Worth a viewing. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (PG) (2008) (Ben Barnes, William Moseley) - Read the...

Couple of short reviews for you. Movie night at Maryann's last night! Henry Poole Is Here PG (Luke Wilson) Artsy sort of film that explores the issues of faith and believing in miracles. Also explores relationships between people. I hated the music and the artsy cinematography, but utterly enjoyed the characterizations of Henry Poole, Esperanza, the checkout girl, the neighbor woman, and her daughter. (Don't remember a fiancee and an overbearing mother, as noted in the summary on Flixster, but oh well.) Worth a viewing if you can overlook the strange camera angles and odd pop music. Lots to talk about here! (Or if you enjoy that sort of thing, then it'll be a movie you love!) Henry Poole Is Here - IMDB page ; No Screenit.com Page Available Eagle Eye PG-13 (Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton) I liked this better than I thought I would. It's hard to tell you what it's about without giving away the plot, but this thriller is worthwhile. LaBeouf is i...

I've been neglecting this poor blog! I'll try harder in the future! Just four books in January. I tried hard, but reading time was scarce! I did write 27,000 words on my novel in January though! The Falcon and the Sparrow by M.L. Tyndall - 01/13/09 Good - Inspirational Regency (999 Category: Serendipity – Unplanned books I want to read ) Dominique is hired as a governess to the son of an English admiral but has a hidden agenda as a French spy, a task she is forced into to save her brother's life. I really enjoyed this Christian Regency romance! (Regencies are set at the beginning of the 19th century in England.) Far from your typical sappy Christian novel, this one dealt squarely with issues of faith and morality, rather than presenting a sanitized view of life. Both main characters were believable and likable. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich - 01/14/09 Good - Fiction (999 Category: Kindred Spirits - Books By Favorite Authors) An FTA has absconded with a magnetometer and ...