Mirkwood Reflections

Since watching Oklahoma! (1999) this past weekend, I have recommended it to several people and the response is usually something like, "There's a new Oklahoma! ?" Well, 'new' is a relative term, but since the film version most people are familiar with is more than fifty years old, it seems appropriate here. Yep, FIFTY. The Shirley Jones movie came out in 1955, folks. That's been a few years. More than time for a remake, I think. I was already aware of this production since I'd seen a little bit of it on PBS's Great Performances a few years back. At the time, I was put off by the fact that it was NOT a movie adaptation, but rather a filmed stage production. The audience is sometimes visible, even purposefully visible. The sets are typical, although nicely conceived, theater sets - painted backdrops, simple props, etc... At the time, this turned me off and I didn't watch much of the show. (I've read recently that this production was actually fil...

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...