Mirkwood Reflections

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 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...

Wow, haven't posted much here lately. I've seen Bolt (LOVED it!) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (LOVED Keanu) in the theaters and plan to write reviews of both of those, when I can find the time. Movies I've seen for the first time on DVD include: John Tucker Must Die - not as awful as I assumed it would be Journey to the Center of the Earth - Ditto Sense & Sensibility (1995) - Excellent! Be sure to watch the deleted scenes! Possession - Pretty good Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - Not too bad! Get Smart - LOVED IT! Hilarious! And I've seen these on DVD, but had already seen them in the theater: Mamma Mia The Dark Knight Wall-E

Before Mamma Mia, this commercial played. Marla, Darlene, and I were appalled. Since we had missed seeing the website at the beginning of the ad, it looked to us like a remake of The Breakfast Club . "SACRILEGE!" "They had BETTER not be re-making The Breakfast Club !!?" At the end of the commercial, we all sighed in relief to note that this was merely a commercial for J.C. Penney. But it wouldn't be beyond the scope of imagination to predict a remake of the classic John Hughes 80's film. They remade WarGames , after all. And just about every 70's or 80's popular TV show, toy, or movie is either being remade or followed up with a sequel. ( Transformers , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , Lost Boys , Indiana Jones , Star Wars , The Smurfs , to mention only a few off the top of my head...)

Mamma mia, here I go again My my, how can I resist you? Mamma mia, does it show again? My my, just how much Ive missed you... What could be more fun than a chick flick? How about a musical chick flick? How about a chick flick set on a gorgeous Greek island? How about a chick flick with Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth SINGING, along with numerous attractive younger men? How about that same film along with two of your most fun-loving friends? Now you've got the picture! This is how I spent my afternoon today - watching the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia ! Sophie is getting married and she doesn't know who her father is, but she wants him to walk her down the aisle. She reads her mom's diary and realizes that there are three possibilities for her paternity. (Yes, this could lead to some interesting discussions with kids.) She invites all three men to her wedding on the remote Greek island where her mother runs a small hotel. Hilarity, misunderstanding, and...

I wrote this post for an email list and then - DING - a lightbulb moment! I can post this to my sadly neglected media review blog! So here you go..... ~~~~~ I saw Prince Caspian with my kids a couple weeks ago. Liked it. First one was better. (NOTE - Yeah, I know I owe y'all a review!) Wanted to take them to see Nim's Island , but wanted to read the book to them first. Now have read the book; need to make time to see the movie IF I can still find it showing somewhere. No plans to see Indiana Jones in the theatres, although I may be persuaded at some point if there is time (short supply here, except at 2 am). DVD will be good enough for me. I think. Ironman is on the list to see, since my oldest (David is THIRTEEN now) wants to see it VERY BADLY. I guess I can suffer through Robert Downey, Jr. (Very Big Grin) Let's see.... what else? For some odd reason I REALLY want to see Speed Racer . It tanked and got terrible reviews. But I still wanna see it. No tangible reason why e...