Thursday, December 8, 2016

Thursday Movie Picks-movies based on Toys


Well, last week I told you about some crap and now I have had a bit more which is why I did not reply to all your beautiful comments which, I have to say, I am humbled and so grateful for all of them. My cousin came on the weekend for a short visit mainly to see his Tante Fiti ( my mom). He saw my mom in the spring and has noticed a decline since then.  She is slumped over more and has no more life in her eyes. You never know, my mom could live another year...or not.  The other sad part is one of our fur babies died, Mia....last Thursday.  She slept with me, ate, and when I came home she greeted me as always. When my hubby went to change around 9pm, he petted her and kissed her and then we watched a movie. After the movie he went upstairs and found her laying on the carpet, peaceful but in she had passed away within an 1 1/2 from when we last saw her. It was very sudden and we are sad to lose a member of our family.

I am doing my best to enjoy the beautiful holidays and I promise to be more sparkly. This week it is all about toys. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves  to see what the others have chosen.

1. THE NUTCRACKER-1977



This is the famous ballet by Tschaikovsky that we all know about and is often showcased in many cities at this time of year.. This was a televised production film in Toronto, Canada, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov as the famed nutcracker. Clara is a young girl who receives a Nutcracker from her uncle and then dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life and brings her to a magical kingdom where she sees wondrous things including the fight with the Rat King or Mouse King. This is a TV production but it enchanted me when I was 13 and I would watch it every year it came on TV. Mikhail did get rid of the Sugar Plum Fairy which I think was wrong and the Arabian Dance was excluded due to time constraints (although they did film it and I have seen it since then) but, overall, a beautiful  re-enactment of this timeless story. In case any of you are wondering, yes, I can't help but look at that bulge and I wonder how many male ballet dancers enhanced it with a sock or something.

2. TOY STORY-1995


Who doesn't know this film and the 3 more that came after. I love this movie and will assume it will be everywhere today. An animated film that brought so many toys i grew up with to life. A young boy owns a toy cowboy named Woody who is in charge of all the other toys this boy owns. One day, the boy receives a new toy, Buzz Lightyear, whom he plays with and seems to like more than Woody, much to Woody's dismay. Buzz also seems to be wooing the rest of the toys making Woody even more jealous. Buzz has one problem...he doesn't realize he's a toy. It is an infectious story and that kids and adults enjoy. I love it and I think T. Rex is my favourite in this pack. Who owned a slinky??

3. SANTA CLAUSE 2-2002


This sequel is not as good as the first movie but it fit the bill. Santa has to get married or Christmas will cease to exist. Santa and another elf decide to create a toy replicate of Santa so the real Santa can find his lady love. Little did they know they created Donald Trump..um I mean a megalomaniacal despot... oh, yes Donald Trump:) As Santa goes about finding his wife (not in Thailand or Russia) and seeing to his naughty son, The nutty toy Santa places everyone on the naughty list since he has no real heart. It is up to the real Santa and his elves to take care of Trump and his toy soldiers (his cabinet). I had to have some fun:)

What movies about toys can you come up with?

63 comments:

  1. So sorry about Mia. Pets are like family. And sorry your mother is slowly declining. Prayers and thoughts with you.

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    1. Thanks Alex....Mia did seem to go in a nice way. My concern is my mom

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  2. I'm sorry to hear about Mia :( That's awful.

    I think Toy Story will be popular this week. I loved that movie when I was a kid, but the sequels kind of ruin it for me a bit now lol.

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    1. Thank you for you kind words. Toy Story is popular and I knew it would be

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  3. Oh, I'm so sorry about Mia. So unexpectedly sad and at this time of year too. I know you'll miss her for a very long time (forever). Sorry about your mom too. Its hard to see our parents age and to realize one day they won't be here with us.

    Absolutely loved Toy Story. Hard to believe it is over 20 years old! Where did that time go?

    betty

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. They really help. I love Toy Story and I enjoy all the movies

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  4. Sorry about your loss of a cat. Can I call A Christmas Story a toy movie? What boy doesn't want a Red Ryder BB Gun? I think Toy Story 2 is the funniest. Three made me cry. Never saw Santa Claus but may have to put it on the list. Love your DT comments.

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    1. A Christmas Story would fit I think. I wish I would have thought of that. I would suggest to see the first SANTA Clause movie...it's cute

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  5. So sorry about your pet. At least it was quick and peaceful.

    Toy Story is one of those rare series where the quality is maintained and in some cases even surpassed in the sequels. I think they may be pushing their luck with the soon-to-be-released part 4, though...

    The Santa Clause series is a guilty pleasure of mine. I actually really like the second one, or at least the parts where Santa is looking for a wife (having a bit of a crush on Elizabeth Mitchell helps). The stuff with the plastic Tim Allen is kinda dumb.

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    1. So nice to see you here. It was tough to see Mia but she is content now eating as much as she wants. I need to see all the Toy Story movies again. The SANTA Clause movies are cute but the first one is the best.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear about Mia. I've lost so many pets, I know exactly what it feels like :(

    I also picked Toy Story. Absolutely loved it. I never had a slinky but I really wanted one. Haven't seen your version of the Nutcracker but only the one with Barbie. I liked story and enjoyed the film, but I was a kid then, and I doubt I'd enjoy a Barbie flick today.

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    1. It is sad when one loses a pet and they are always in your heart. Toy Story is popular today. I actually saw parts of the Barbie one a few years back but I love this Nutcracker

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  7. My favorite Christmas movie is "One Magic Christmas," which was a box office failure because many found it too dark, but in my opinion it has the best Santa on film.

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    1. I had to look this movie up and I would like to see it. It was filmed in Ontario. Sounds like a good movie

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  8. Birgit,

    Sorry to hear about the tough times and I know how hard it can be to lose a pet. They become so much a part of our lives.

    Good choices! The Nutcracker is inspired! Such lovely music and a fine entertainment. You mentioned those bulges but I've often found myself thinking Lordy those really are tights-look at the back end! I enjoyed the first Santa Clause movie, I took my nieces and nephew to see it in the theatre when it was first out, but much less so the second. I know this is an unpopular stance but I HATED the first Toy Story-despite multiple tries-and never watched any of the others.

    I had a hard time with this one and ended up approaching it from an indirect angle. My films aren't necessarily based on toys but they play a significant role.

    Babes in Toyland aka March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)-In Toyland Stannie Dum (Stan Laurel) and Ollie Dee (Oliver Hardy), live in a shoe along with Mother Peep, Bo Peep, a mouse resembling Mickey Mouse (actually played by a live monkey in a costume), and many other children. The evil Silas Barnaby who wants to marry Bo Peep holds the mortgage on the shoe. Barnaby offers the old woman an ultimatum – unless Bo Peep agrees to marry him he will foreclose on the shoe. Widow Peep refuses, but is worried about where she'll get the money to pay the mortgage. Ollie and Stannie scheme to get the money including making wooden soldiers for Santa but bungle that (building 100 wooden soldiers at six feet tall, instead of 600 soldiers at one foot tall). After many false starts and chicanery happiness prevails.

    Pinocchio (1940)-Toymaker Gepetto carves an almost lifelike marionette who he names Pinocchio. Lonely he wishes that Pinocchio was a real boy. Overheard by a fairy who grants his wish and assigns Jiminy Cricket to watch over Pinocchio on his quest, the two start on a journey that will lead to him becoming that real boy. Classic Disney with many great songs including When You Wish Upon a Star.

    Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)-This is a cheat since it is a TV special but at least it’s seasonally appropriate! Narrated perfectly by Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman this tells the story of poor Rudolph who is born with a bright red nose making him an outcast, all of the other reindeer use to laugh and call him names…they’d never let poor Rudolph play in ANY reindeer games! Feeling isolated he runs off to the woods and meets elf Hermey, a frustrated wannabe dentist, and the two forge a friendship but run afoul of the Abominable Snow Monster. On the run they meet prospector Yukon Cornelius and the three flee to the Island of Misfit Toys. Returning home later they find Rudolph’s family threatened by the Abominable Snow Monster but manage to save the day until a blizzard blows into town causing Santa to consider cancelling Christmas. But wait! Santa goes to him and says “Rudolph with your nose so bright…won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” “Then how the reindeer loved him! As they shouted out with glee "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, You'll go down in history" As an added bonus all the Misfit Toys at last find happy homes!!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words...it's been a bit tough but Christmas will still be wonderful. I love your choices and knew you would pick Laurel & Hardy but I saw this film when I was a little girl and don't recall much. I have only seen pieces of Pinocchio...I know, weird! Now as for Rudolph....that show is as old as me:) I love it and found it close to my heart. Now what is wrong with Susie the doll?

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  9. There was The Lego Movie, which I've never seen, and Transformers, which I've never seen. I'm very sorry about Mia, but grateful it was a peaceful end. I've been through too many deaths. The sadness never ends, but they bring me such joy while they're here.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Death is never a fun thing...even what I just wrote sounds stupid. Mia did have a nice death and it would be nice to go that way. I haven't seen The Lego movie which was big this week along with Transformers which I have seen...not bad

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  10. My heart goes out to you, Birgit. ♥ Never easy to lose a pet, especially so suddenly. It's also difficult to watch an elderly parent decline. May you find some joy of the season, somehow. ((HUGS))

    Of the three movies, I've only seen The Santa Clause 2 (part one was partially filmed in my town and it's so fun to see the familiar streets go by! ☺ This totally made me LOL: "Little did they know they created Donald Trump..um I mean a megalomaniacal despot... oh, yes Donald Trump:)" Thanks for the laugh!

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    1. Yes, well, it does sound like Trump doesn't it?:) I do want to enjoy the holidays and I will. My concern is for my mom. It's so neat when you see your hometown in the movie. A Christmas Story was shot in St. Catharines.

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  11. So sorry about Mia. And your mother, too. There's something about this time of year that can be brutal.

    About your order, I need you to contact me via my Etsy shop so we can set things up. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/zizirho)

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    1. Thank you. Have to concentrate on my mom and enjoy eve moment. I will go to your etsy shop...thanks for the link.

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  12. Hope you're doing okay. At least with Mia it doesn't seem to have been a long, painful process.

    I saw Toy Story. I've seen live versions of The Nutcracker, but not the movie.

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    1. I'm ok and I do plan to enjoy the season. You are lucky to have seen the live versions which I have not seen...yet.

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  13. My favourite Christmas movie has to be White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kay - there is a toy horse in there at the end, so I hope that counts :)
    Sorry to hear about Mia and your mom. Take care.

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    1. Oh yes...I know the toy horse and she gives him a knight on a horse as well. That's a great mvie

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  14. Hi, Birgit!

    Forgive me for arriving later than usual to your post. I have been up since 3:30 am and on the road since 4:30 am and just now got back home.

    I reluctantly sat through Toy Story in the late 90s when Mrs. Shady and I played it for my toddler granddaughter (now a college sophomore). I have not seen the other two toy themed films.

    You already told me about Mia over at SDMM and again I will let you know how badly I feel about you losing your pet during the holidays or at any other time of the year for that matter. I also wish your mother was doing better and continue to pray that she will bounce back and that you and your family will have a happy Christmas. I play this card more often than I should, perhaps, and I do it, not for sympathy, but to let you know that you are not alone in what you are going through at the moment. When I was a boy my dad always struggled through the holidays because he lost his dad on Christmas day. In a bizarre coincidence, my dad also died on Christmas day and now I am the one battling the blues every year at this time.

    God bless you, dear friend BB!

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    1. Oh my, that is weird that both died on Christmas Day. It can bring sadness during this time especially when one sees on tv and movies, the "perfect" look of Christmas. My u Coe died Christmas Day and my Oma on Dec29th and Opa on Dec 30th. I refuse to give in to the doldrums for this time of year. I decorate and play Christmas music and will enjoy the season...and hug my mom a lot!

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  15. Sometimes we need more comfort than sparkle during the holidays, and I hope you find peace in yours.

    I've seen two of these but not Santa Clause 2. "Donald Trump..um I mean a megalomaniacal despot... oh, yes Donald Trump" lol

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    1. I will find peace and happiness at this time and as I said above, I plan to give my mom tons of hugs. Santa Clause 2 isn't near as good as the first movie but it's entertaining and that toy SANTA did remind me of Trump.

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  16. Sorry to hear about Mia, awful indeed when they pass as they are a member of the family.

    Toy Story is a great series for sure. Trump sure rings true in the Santa Clause 2 haha

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    1. It was sad to see her suddenly there but at least she didn't suffer. Toy Story is fun...the whole series is.

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  17. Sad to hear about Mia, and I'm sorry your mom isn't doing well. I hope things improve for you soon!

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    1. As the saying goes, it is what it is. One just has to make the best of things.

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  18. You are a sparkle, Birgit, you don't need to try. I love the Toy Story series. As a kid, I liked to watch Laurel & Hardy's Babes in Toyland. I bet it still holds. Big, warm hugs, Lady. Love you.

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    1. That is so very sweet...thank you so very much. I haven't seen that Laurel. &a Hardy movie since I was a little kid.

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  19. Sorry to hear about Mia. Hope you're doing OK.

    This is another -Santa Clause - I never knew was based on a toy! Insane!

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    1. This SANTA Clause is based on a toy...SANTA made himself:) Thank you do your kind words.

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  20. I'm so sorry about everything that has been going on in your life. Here's hoping you're soon through that cycle and everything will be roses and sunshine.
    I hated hearing about Mia, but so relieved she didn't suffer. Wishing you good memories. You did a good job of making sure she had a happy life.
    Seeing the Nutcracker live is on my bucket list.

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    1. Thank you so much. My gut feeling is that 2017 will be endings but new beginnings. My mom is very much on my mind and I fear she is coming near the end of her amazing life. I refuse, though, to have it darken Christmas.

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  21. Love me a good Toy Story. Is it that old? Never mind, then I need to think about how old I am. I saw the Nutcracker live. It was a fun, unique experience.

    Love you.

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    1. I can't believe it is that old either! I was shocked about that one. You are lucky to have seen that ballet live.

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  22. I enjoy Toy Story and I saw the first Santa Claus movie. Rudolph could maybe be a toy movie? Otherwise I am thinking that a lot of scary movies have dolls/toys as a main character.

    Hope you are doing well. Still sending hugs.
    ~Jess

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    1. I have seen Chucky but I just didn't want to use that now...besides I hate that movie. Rudolph really does work and it is so fun to watch it every year.

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  23. The Nutcracker is a holiday favorite for me. I have seen this portrayal you posted may times , and will go see a local company this next week for about my 20th year.

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    1. That's cool that you you have seen many versions of the Nutcracker including the one I mentioned here.

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  24. The Nutcracker.
    So many jokes. So little time.

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  25. Aw, hugs, Birgit, sorry about Mia and that your mom is declining. Take care and look after yourself.

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    1. Thank you so much. Mia is missed and my mom ...I've been missing for a while now because she is not the same since dementia set in.

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  26. Birgit, I am so sorry to hear about Mia. What a shock and a tragedy. I know all too well how hard it is to lose a fur-baby. They are such a part of our hearts and when they're gone, there is a big empty hole. May you find peace in the fact that you gave her a loving home. Her spirit will always be with you as that circle of love that you shared can never be broken. Sending you hugs.

    And I hope your mom gets to feeling better. It's so hard to watch our parents age. I just lost my Dad in October and it's really tough. Cherish every moment you have with your mom. Make each one count. At this stage in life, every moment is priceless.

    Thinking of you,

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. T is never easy when we see someone we love fail. My mom has dementia and, even though she knows who I am, it is not truly her. This is watching her days slowly end.

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  27. I'm so sorry that things have been so tough at your house. Losing a fur baby is always so difficult. And your mom... I'll be praying for you. It can be very taxing to get through a joyful season when it isn't all that joyful in your own heart. I hope that changes for you. Maybe some of the peace and joy of the season will work its way in.

    I saw that someone else mentioned A Christmas Story. I know its only loosely based on Ralphie and his desire for the Red Ryder BB Gun, but what would that movie be without it??? You'll shoot your eye out!!!

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    1. That movie is priceless and it was filmed in the city I live in. I do intend to enjoy the season because one must especially when sad days are around. I feel that 2017 will be the year of change.

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  28. I am really late to the party, Birgit, but wanted to stop by and see what you had posted last week. I am saddened about your adorable fur baby. I fear the day my beloved Bleubeard, who is the face of our blog, dies. I can truly feel your pain because I too have lost two fur babies in the past. Thank you for posting these films and keep looking ahead. I hope your mother lives many more years, too.

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  29. So sorry about you treasured pet. That's always so hard. As to your mom, my heart goes out to you. Having been through the declining years with my mother, I understand all of the complex emotions of a daughter. Thanks for the movie trailers as always. You remind of movies I either want to see or want to see again. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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  30. Toy Story is a classic.
    Hope you are having a festive day.

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  31. Only saw #2, and my DH & DD liked it. Not one of my favorites. Another I remember - long ago! - Babes in Toyland, with Tommy Sands. Lots of music and pretty costumes. Sorry to hear about your pet. This is so hard,& probably even more poignant with what is happening with your Mom. Take care, and enjoyed reading about these movies. It's always interesting to see what your picks are!!! TFS

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  32. Sorry to hear about Mia. It's never easy to lose something so close to you.

    As for the movies, I love the entire Toy Story trilogy, so any of them would work for me. Somehow, I've never sat through the entire thing of The Nutcracker, just bits and pieces.

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  33. Hi Birgit. So nice to see you at my blog. Thank you. I'm still on blog vacation but couldn't resist some seasonal fun. Very sorry to hear about your sweet cat, Mia. Animals touch our lives and hearts so deeply. I still miss my Simba and it's been over 5 years. Mia will always be a part of who you are. Sorry too about your mom. I hope this Christmas brings special moments with her that you can forever cherish.
    As for movies, my first thought is Toyland with Frankie and Annette. Probably not all that great of a movie but I loved those two at the time, in just about everything. I'm a huge fan of Tom Hank's Woodie too.

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  34. Sorry about Mia. And sorry your mother is slowly declining. Its so sad.

    Good list of movies.

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  35. Reading this breaks my heart. We become so attached to the little guys that losing them very difficult. I know Mia enjoyed a good life during her time with you.
    R
    P.S. I wish you'd put a Follow by Email widget on your blog.

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  36. Had to laugh about the Donald comparison.

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