Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-Book Adaptation

 

I’m late..I know! I have been working late plus my pain from my bad fall is coming out more so I’ve been lax in visiting people, my apologies, and creating this post. Wandering Through The Shelves created this TV  spotlight. So, let’s get it going…

1. M*A*S*H- 1972-1983

This is an incredible show that I’m so happy to have watched while it was still on TV and I was one of the millions who watched the TV finale which is still the highest rated TV program ever. It’s about a group of surgeons and nurses on a MASH unit who do their all saving soldiers in surgery while dealing with their hijinks off surgery. The main leads are Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda, who, at first starred in the show and later, became a writer and director of many episodes. Trapper John, played by Wayne Rogers and MacLean Stevenson, as Col.  Henry Blake. Loretta Swit was Margaret, “Hot Lips”, Houlahan as head nurse who is having an affair with Mgr. Frank Burns, an inept doctor who is a thorn in the side of Hawkeye and Trapper. Rounding out the cast is Gary Burghoff as Corp. Radar O’Reilly ( who appeared I. The film version), Corp. Max Klinger who dresses in dresses trying to get a section 8 and Father Mulcahy, played by William Christopher. Later on, when Rogers and Stevenson left the show, they were replaced by  Mike Farrell as BJ Hunnicutt and veteran actor, Harry(Or Henry) Morgan as Col. Henry Potter. When Larry Linville left after the 5th season, David Ogden Stiers, came in as Mgr. Charles Emerson Winchester the 3rd. There are so many classic episodes from this landmark series it’s hard to pick. I love the first 3 seasons when it was more comedic since some of the later episodes felt a bit preachy but they are still classic and one of the best later episodes is the dreams episode where each person dreams something and it is so memorable.

2. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE-1974-1983

I actually read the books when I was a kid and this series ventured way off the books but that doesn’t matter because it is a good tv show from star, writer and director, Michael Landon who plays the father, Charles Ingalls who brings his family, wife and 3 girls to Walnut Grove. From there, we often view the episodes through the eyes of Laura Ingalls, Half-Pint who is a happy kid that must deal with bully, Nellie Olsen. There are some great episodes and some have been comedic and some devastating. Michael Landon did not hold back when it comes to grief like the snowstorm episode or, later on in the series, the fire episode. It’s worth watching.

3. MILDRED PIERCE-2011

I went with this miniseries which is a remake of the famous 1945 film of the same name, starring Joan Crawford which, I believe, is better than this miniseries even though this is closer to the book than the older film. Kate Winslet plays Mildred who must deal with a husband who does not help her when the going gets tough. Her 2 daughters are so opposite from one another with Veda, a spoiled, nasty brat and Ray Pierce, a sweet-natured daughter who ends up dying throwing everyone into the whirlwind of this plot. Guy Pierce plays the debonair a-hole that Mildred falls for when she makes it big in the restaurant business. This is well acted but I do prefer the film version. I also love the Carol Burnett satire..so funny.

What tv shows, that were adapted from books, have you seen? Oh and I’m Ok but  more pain has come out all on my right side plus other pains in my hips, ankles and wrists. My pinkies are bluish and my knees…don’t look nice. I’m Going to work and am moving.

Andre Rieu in Concert!!

 

This past weekend I took my mom's best friend to Toronto to see Andre Rieu in concert. She introduced us to him through a DVD years ago and, yet, never saw him herself. It was beyond superb!! He did 2 sets plus another 40 minutes because the 20,000 people would not let him go. He played the Blue Danube where he had fun with it plus Bolero and so many other songs. He also had a Gospel choir who were just beyond excellent. Another music person, Songbird's Crazy World also has spoken about  Andre Rieu. My mom's friend was so happy..overjoyed which made me happy. I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me over at Curious As A Cathy.

One thing though, on our way home, we were at the bus stop and, to make a long story short, I fell over her suitcase which she parked right in front of me. My phone and glasses went flying. both my pinkies have swelled up as well as part of my hands. Wrists are sore. Both my knees are swollen with the right one double the size. My ankles hurt and, strangely, my left foot. I don't want to press down on it. My right side has taken a turn for the worse today so I really did a number. The people came rushing to me and were so sweet and helpful because I was bawling due to pain and shock. They helped me up and stayed with me on the bus talking to me so I would not think about the pain. Aside from that tumble, it was a fantastic weekend.

1. I WILL FOLLOW HIM

This song became famous in the early 60s sung by little Peggy March and got famous again when it was featured on the film, "Sister Act" that starred Whoopi Goldberg. Andre created something magical here and it was...great!

2. CHIANTI SONG

Andre has his own 3 tenors that can bring the house down. This is a fun German song..yes fun and German in the same sentence! What I love is the one gal, in his orchestra, is truly funny as well as talented who can play more than one instrument including the bagpipes. Here, she was salivating for some bubbly and downed it! You don't see it in this clip but it was in the concert I saw on Sunday.

3. AMAZING GRACE

This is a justly famous song from the late 1700s that is played often. On Sunday they played Scotland the Brave with Amazing Grace which was beautiful.

I tried to download a video but it didn't work...bummer.

Grape and Wine Festival

The last days of summer and looking into Fall. September has been the time for the Grape and Wine festival culminating in the big parade. The parade is sometimes good, sometimes…not, but I can count on the overweight Star Wars guys dressed up as Luke, let me eat fried butter, Skywalker who sit in their mom's basement salivating over Princess Iwannalayya in her slave outfit, walking in the parade with running shoes on. Well, talk about a running along sentence:). Now, before I get to some Wine movies, yesterday was my " who won the Oscar for Best Song in 1939" post. Of course, " Somewhere Over The Rainbow" won the Oscar but, “ I Poured My Heart Into This Song”, was nominated which means that popular tune,"Good Morning" wasn't even nominated. 

Ok, I am talking about movies with Wine or Vineyards. This was harder than I thought but I came up with 3...

1. FRENCH KISS-1995

I love this romantic comedy about a young woman, Meg Ryan, who finds out her fiance has dumped her for a cute French gal while he was at some conference. She decides to overcome her fear of flying and gets on a plane to get to Paris to win him back. She does not expect to meet an attractive conman, who gets under her skin, nor does she expect him to put an expensive necklace in her bag that he hid in a grapevine. Through a series of events, the 2 traipse through Paris before ending up on the French Riviera. I find this film enchanting and you love that this man, played wonderfully by Kevin Kline, wants to start his own vineyard. I even own the soundtrack.

2. SIDEWAYS-2004

I have not seen this film in years, but it's a fun dramady about a sad sack, played so well by Paul Giamatti as a teacher who hates his life but loves Wine. His friend is an oaf, played to the best of his oafness, by Thomas Hayden Church who is about to get married but wants to have one..or 2 final flings before getting married. They decide to enjoy the wine country meeting up with 2 gals, one played by Sandra Oh. To say it was gross when Paul's character drinks from the spit bucket is an understatement but it is hilarious. This won many awards including the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. In fact, Merlot wines took a hit when the character professed his disdain for Merlot and championed Pinot Noir which was selling out afterwards.

3. A GOOD YEAR-2006

I spoke about this film before but I really love it..the whole ambiance makes me just want to travel to France and enjoy life...I know money and reality. Russell Crowe stars as a Uber type A finance guy who finds out he inherited his Uncle's vineyard after his uncle dies. He decides he will sell it to make a profit but when he comes to the place, his memories take hold when he lived with his uncle, played by Albert Finley. It's enchanting, serene and full of life. The director, Ridley Scott and Crowe just finished filming, "Gladiator" and wanted to make a light-hearted film which this one was the result.

Added funny bonus...

Which films can you think of that deals with wine, grapes etc...?

Oscar Songs 1939

 

I thought I might as well tackle the big year of 1939 and see if you can guess which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and came up empty handed not even getting nominated. Over at Monday Music Moves Me  the theme is movie music and boy that packs a wallop! I could do songs for each year never mind scores like Dr. Zhivago or Gone With The Wind. Ok, here are 3 and see if you can guess correctly.

1. GOOD MORNING SUNG BY JUDY GARLAND & MICKEY ROONEY

We know this song from the great musical, “Singing in the Rain” that stars Gene Kelly but this song harkens back to these young teens who sang it in the film called, “Babes In Arms”. The song was created by Nacio Herb Brown(music) and Arthur Freed(lyrics)  and Freed became quite famous for his Freed Unit which produced many top notch musicals including “Singing in The Rain”.

2. SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW SUNG BY JUDY GARLAND

This is a very famous song and became Judy Garland’s theme song for the rest of her life. In fact, you can watch her sing this song from this innocent style to a heart-wrenching version that always puts a tear in my eye. If you want, you can view it here. This song was written by Harold Arlen(music) and Yip Harburg(lyrics) and they had to fight Louis B. Mayor and the other big wigs who wanted this song taken out of the film thinking it slowed it down. Thankfully, the musicians won. 

3.  I POURED MY HEART INTO A SONG SUNG BY RUDY VALLEE

This came from the film, “Second Fiddle”  often known as Irving Berlin’s musical since he wrote all the songs. It stars that hunk of a man Tyrone Power and Sonja Henie, the famous Norwegian Olympian figure skater who was famous in the 1930s for making many musicals. The audience loved her even though she had a thick accent and couldn’t act that well so most of her films were big box office.

So, which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which one got nadda? 

Which movie songs can you think of?

A Few Cards

 

Color Throwdown-CTD 760- Navy, Blue, Yellow

Happy Little Stampers- Watercolor Optional-Layers

The Flower Challenge- Use a Die

I had a lot of fun today. I created the background using colour bursts in blue, blue sparkle and yellow. You just dab the powder on water colour paper and it's like magic to see the colours appear. I stamped the flower in black and coloured it in with Gamsol pencil crayons. For the 4 corners I took a die cut and cut it out using my sizzex. I glues them in place and added the blue crystals  including the little butterfly. For some extra sparkle, I used stickles on the flower.

Christmas Card Throwdown - Theme Challenge- Christmas Mice

Crafty Animals- Anything Goes

Simon Says-Make it Cute

Christmas will be here before you know it and I love Christmas but wouldn't mind it being delayed. I had this cute mouse yawning but, I thought, I could make a group and they could be singing so..they are. I created the background with distress inks and flicked some water on it to give that splatter look, almost like snow falling. The mouse was stamped and masked( stamp it on sticky paper, cut it out and place it on the mouse for protection) in order to stamp the mouse 2 more times. The tree and sentiment were stamped and embossed in blue indigo. I layered onto different papers.

Addicted to Stamps- Any Occasion

Butterfly Challenge- Anything Goes

Happy Little Stampers-Birthday- Anything Goes 

Stamping Sensations-Garden Delights

Tic Tac Toe- TTTC226

I used Stencil, Free, Foliage

Girlie card galore! I tried this pink paint to see if it was still good...and it is. I took an Embossing folder and ran it through my cuddlebug and then applied this lavender paste gently across the top to highlight the leafy foliage. I stamped the flowers and coloured them in with my pastels. I stamped the butterflies, coloured them in with the pastels and fussy cut them out. I glued everything in place but used pop up dots for the flowers for added dimension. I finished it off with the birthday greeting. 

Happy Little Stampers- Stencil-Anything Goes

12 Months of Christmas- Christmas Baubles

Another Christmas card. I put my blue card in the star folder and wrung it through my cuddlebug to get the star images. I again used my lavender and gold paste to gently brush the colour o top of the stars. Using my sizzex machine, I used an ornament die cut in a shiny purple cardstock and glued it onto white sparkly paper. This was glued onto my silver sparkle cardstock.

See, I was busy!!

Thursday Movie Picks: Non-English Language Movies

 

Foreign film….I have not seen many to be honest and I know there are some that are great. I might be cheating, but I’m  choosing 3 films that are non-English but might be cheating…I don’t think so. Wandering through the Shelves has chosen a favourite theme. Here are my 3…

1. CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI-1920

I first saw this film when I was a teen and this film was only 59 years old which is how old I am now. Jeez this means films made in 1964 are 59 years old. Now this famous German Expressionist film is 103 years old…F&$#!  Ok…this is such a modern look to a strange film about a young man, in love with a woman, who are at a fair where a strange magician shows a somnambulist, played by Conrad Veidt, whom he controls via the mind. Of course, the old guy is bad who uses the zombie guy to steal but doesn’t count on the zombie falling for the beautiful girl. The sets are justifiably famous for being purposely off kilter and the people are dressed in black and white…even though you know it’s a black and white film. This is quite modern with a “oh snap!” ending. 

2. NIEBELUNGEN PART 1: SIEGFRIED-1924

This film is a 2 parter, directed by the famous, Fritz Lang, based on the epic German medieval saga called Der Niebelungenlied which I did read by the way. It has everything in it and is the granddaddy of soaps with Fantasy, love, drama, action…you name it. The plot is about a young warrior, Siegfried, who kills the famous dragon, Fafner and then bathes in its blood to become immune to spears, guns, bazookas..ok no bazookas or guns but let’s just say, he can’t be killed but he doesn’t realize a leaf has fallen on his back making him all too human in that one area. He fights and overpowers a famous Dwarf and gets the gold. From there, he meets up with the King Gunther who pines for Queen Brunnhild who makes it impossible for any man to win her hand that is until Sieggy. Through some creative trickery, Sieggy wins her hand but for King Gunther and Sig wins the hand of the King’s sister, Krimhold. It goes from there and it is a compelling look at the fantasy of this saga. I bet Peter Jackson watched this as an inspiration for his LOTR saga trilogy.

3. BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN-1925

Nope, not German but a Russian classic film by Sergei Eisenstein based on the true story of a mutiny set in 4 stages. We see the men on the battleship being mistreated by the higher ups which includes the poor men being fed maggot infested food but that’s the breaking point and then men mutiny. We think they are alone but they realize that many on land and sea believe in what they stand for. Oh yeah, it’s all about the evils of the Russian tzars and the Proletariat people who must stand in solidarity. This is in the early times of the Communist regime when it was still thought of as just (I can’t believe I wrote this with a straight face). The most famous, and often imitated scene are the Odessa steps montage sequence. It is very riveting and justifiably famous which was used as an homage in the film, “The Untouchables” which, in turn was parodied in a Naked Gun film starring the wonderful Leslie Nielsen. 

Which foreign films can you think of?

Angels are Always Near

 

I have always been attracted to angels and wonder if they truly do exist..I hope so. I know people have stated they’ve seen them, some credibly and others…in a potato chip. Cathy over at Curious As A Cathy, just lost her father and it’s rough. Most of us have all been there or, unfortunately, will be one day because this is a part of life. It’s sad but let’s hope they become the angels who watch over us…I like to believe they do. This is for Cathy…

1. UNINVITED SUNG BY ALANIS MORISSETTE-2007

I really love this song which was written by Canadian Alanis who also sang this song. I love the music and the way she sang it which comes from the film, “City of Angels” a love story about a doctor  and an Angel. I haven’t seen the movie because I’m not enamoured with the stars..Meg Ryan, who plays the doctor or Nicholas Cage, playing the Angel. I don’t mind Meg Ryan but more in the rom-com movies.

2. PANIS ANGELICUS SUNG BY MIRUSIA-2013

She is known as the Angel from Australia and was named by the famous conductor and owner of his famous orchestra, Andre Rieu. The words were written by Saint Thomas Aquinas in the 1200s and finally put to music, most famously by Cesar Franck in 1872. I just find it beautiful.

3. TO WHERE YOU ARE SUNG BY JOSH GROBIN-2001

I had no idea that Josh Grobin showed up on the TV show “Ally McBeal” back in 2001 introducing this song and becoming famous as a result. This song was written by Richard Marx and Linda Thompson and became quite famous back in 2001…the same year when the towers came down and many became angels that day. 

To Cathy and everyone who have lost a loved one.