Thursday Movie Picks-Small Towns

This week it is all about small towns...No blabbing away here (well, not much) so head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to find out what other movies take place in a small town. Here are my 3...

1. THE GREAT RUPERT-1950

This is also known as A Christmas Wish which stars Jimmy Durante as the head of the household who move into an apartment that is attached to another home. Durante's family are down on their luck while the other family are quite wealthy. The miser dad from the wealthy family has hidden his money in the walls because he's a bit ....squirrely (sorry). His son soon falls for the poor but pretty daughter next door. The fun part comes from Rupert, a squirrel that a vaudeville man can no longer afford to keep. The squirrel doesn't like living the rough life with the other squirrels so he makes his home..you guessed it, in the home of these 2 families. His bed...the money, but the squirrel decides he just has too much of this money so he lets it "rain down" just when the poor family pray for a break. Hijinks ensues all because of this squirrel. It is a silly but charming story with a very fun squirrel created by the Oscar winning George Pal. In fact, many people wrote in asking how someone could train the squirrel to do the stunts.

2. WHITE CHRISTMAS-1954

I hope everyone has seen this holiday classic with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. It is a fun musical with an over the top ending that I don't think one would ever find in an Inn. It begins  during WW2 with Bing and Kaye entertaining the troops. You meet their leader who is a stern but kindly general who treats his men right. After the war, the 2 become big entertainers who decide to see 2 sisters (at the behest of an old soldier friend of theirs) work their magic. Well, the sisters do and somehow all 4 end up going to a small inn where the sisters are to perform. The 2 men find out the Inn is run by their old general who sank all his money into it and is close to bankruptcy. Of course, they decide to put on a show. You see many dance numbers which has a Bob Fosse look about it. The ending is sweet and almost makes me cry. My favourite scene-when Bing and Kaye play the sisters and sing...Bing Crosby could not hold a straight face because of Kaye's antics so he is really laughing and it was kept in. Oh..and check out Vera-Ellen-a great dancer who only wears turtle necks and seems painfully thin. The rumours are that she had anorexia.

3. A CHRISTMAS STORY-1983

"You'll shoot your eye out!" This is such a fun film that brings back an era from the late 40's or 50's in a small town about a family with 2 boys. The older boy wants a BB gun but not just any BB Gun, he wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. He dreams about owning one but everywhere he goes, everyone, even Santa, tells him it is too dangerous. We get to know this boy, his younger brother who is too wrapped up (by mom) in his snow outfit to walk anywhere, his mom and his old man, who loves his new lamp. You have to laugh at the antics as we can all relate...I was the kid dying in my snow suit. I also put my tongue against a pole..yup, I did do that but I just cupped my hands around and kept breathing on my tongue (attached to the pole) and I was free. This movie was filmed partly in my home town:)

Bonus...

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-1946

Come on! You know I would choose this as well since this is my favourite film and I truly believe in what it conveys. If you haven't seen it, you are living under a rock somewhere. Remember, No man is a failure who has friends.

What are your 3....

Thursday Movie Picks-Ugly Duckling to Beautiful Swan

I’m in the busy days leading up to Christmas so I’m bad with posting my cards etc...This week it’s all about turning an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan and I would love to have someone professional do me up and wear some fancy couture gown with a dazzling sapphire necklace. Ok, so I’m in my pajamas with my blue robe, glasses and no make up....very comfy:) I picked 2 classics and a guilty pleasure. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves and see what other swans were chosen.

1. PYGMALION-1938

This film is about the closest to Shaw’s play and it is my favourite rendition because of the brilliant acting of Leslie Howard and Dame Wendy Hiller who was perfect as Eliza Doolittle. A renowned professor makes a bet with his friend and colleague that he could make a common guttersnipe a lady passing her off as a Dutchess at a ball. The professor is brutal, condescending, rude but brilliant with his creation. Eliza is stubborn, willful, brilliant and a beauty. It was remade as a musical with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn( Julie Andrews would have been better in the role she originated) called My Fair Lady but I find this comedic version better and the ball gown and look is much more fetching than the one Audrey wore.

2. NOW, VOYAGER-1942

This is one of the most famous of make-over films with Bette Davis as the mousy gal who is stifled by her domineering mother and sent away to get some mental help by the kindly doctor played by, the always great, Claude Rains. She comes back healed, not only within but outside as well. She takes a cruise and meets a man played by hubba Paul Henreid. They share a sleeping bag together and he often lights 2 cigarettes and gives one to her which was the epitome of sexual innuendo back in the day and made many women swoon. Another great film that is romantic but is more bout a woman who breaks free from being dominated and finds her purpose in life.

3. MISS CONGENIALITY-2000

This is my guilty pleasure that is shown often on tv and I still get a kick out of it especilly when poor Sandra Bullock has to undergo major treatment to make her look like a beauty pageant contestant. Yes, Sandra is too old for this role and the plot is silly but it’s funny and has no real meanness. She is an FBI agent who goes undercover to find out who wants to destroy the Miss USA pageant. She enters the contest with a preconceived opinion about the girls and finds out they are more than just fake everything. I love Michael Caine as her guru who does the impossible...makes her beautiful. It’s silly but I enjoy this flick.

What would you choose?

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-Work Place

I have not been around much because I have had friends stay over this past weekend, dinners out and now Christmas festivities is soon upon us. I apologize for not visiting like I want to but I have been busy making tags, bookmarks and cards. I will show them one day. This weekend I have to make my Advent Wreath and put up some decorations. This week for the movies....it's all about tv and we talk about the workplace. Head on over to Wandering Through the Shelves to see what the others have chosen. I love the 3 I chose this week as they are some of my favourites.

1.THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW-1970-1977

In honour of Mary Tyler Moore who died this year, I thought it only right to showcase her show especially with all the crap happening in the entertainment industry. She plays Mary Richards who is hired by WJM-TV as their Associate Producer. Her boss is Lou Grant, played wonderfully by Ed Asner. Murray Slaughter(Gavin Macleod) is the head writer, Ted Baxter (Ted Knight who is excellent!) as the vain and dumber than dumb newscaster, Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White) as the happy homemaker, Phyllis is Mary's landlady and friend (Cloris Leachman) and Rhoda is her best friend played by Valerie Harper. It's considered one of the best written comedies ever and a great shot in the arm for independent women who can make it anywhere! The antics in the newsroom was so funny especially when Ted Baxter goofed things up or Sue Ann was lusting after Lou. I loved it when Mary hosted a party because it was always a disaster. One of the best is the Chuckles the Clown episode...watch it on youtube!!

2. WKRP IN CINCINNATI-1978-1982

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!"  I love this show and the antics of all the people at this workplace from the bumbling but good hearted boss to the lecherous Herb Tarlek whom blonde Bombshell Jennifer, the secretary, had to always fend off and could...easily. Poor Less Nessman was a horrible reporter waiting for his walls and door to his own office. You have Andy hired to try to bring the radio station into the black and he hires Venus Flytrap as a DJ along with Dr. Johnny Fever, the spaced out DJ played brilliantly by Howard Hesseman. Bailey is a young newswoman trying to make her own claim. The famous Thanksgiving episode is just one of many. I think my favourite episode was to show the bad effects when drinking, unfortunately, Dr. Johnny Fever's reflexes just got better the more he drank.

3. FRASIER-1993-2004

This show is so well written, acted and intelligent with hilarious moments ("You dirty girl." "You Bad Boy") ...I watch this show any time I come across it. The character of Frasier started on another classic sitcom that would fit this theme, Cheers. Kelsey Grammar made the character so lovable and popular that he got his own show. Frasier, a psychiatrist,  takes a job at a Seattle radio talk show where he listens to the trials and tribulations of people who call in about their various problems. His producer is Roz a sexy and independent woman with a very healthy sex drive. Frasier takes in his grumpy dad who is a no nonsense ex cop with a leg injury so he needs a live in physiotherapist, Daphne Moon. Frasier also has a brother, Niles, who is just as uptight,and snooty as his brother. Niles is married to Maris, whom no one ever sees, but has the unrequited hots for Daphne. A great show that I still wish was on the air with new episodes.

I love Cheers, Are You Being Served and Fawlty Towers to add a few more. What would be your picks?

Thursday Movie Picks- Origin Movies

Happy Thanksgiving to my American blogger friends. May you find much blessings with family and friends. I hope you don’t go out on Friday when all the good wishes fly out the window as mothers beat each other up for the new Playstation or those pleather leggings that the size 24 gals must have. I had no idea what Origin movies meant and had to look it up. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen. Here are my 3...

1. THE STORY OF VERNON AND IRENE CASTLE-1939

This was the first film to show Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as a married couple and was their last film at RKO. I love Dancing With The Stars despite all the liberties that are taken with the ballroom and Latin dances. I always wanted to learn ballroom dancing and took classes once. It is much harder than one thinks. Vernon and Irene Castle were an actual married couple who redeveloped ballroom dancing as we know it today. The foxtrot became more defined as a ballroom dance because of this couple.  Fred Astaire wanted to keep the original dance the way the Castles danced it. I think it is a lovely film that tanked at the box office but is the sweetest of their films since it shows how they met, struggled and became famous.

2. ONE MILLION YEARS B.C.-1966

I could have chosen the 1940 version with Carole Landis but, come on, this is the one with Raquel Welch in her fur bikini. It is the beginning of man who seem to co-exist with dinosaurs which is fun to watch. The dark haired people seem even more primitive than the golden haired vixens. Of course a dark haired man falls for Welch and we get to see him fend off dinosaurs, watch women fight for a man and a Pterodactyl pick up Welch, as an appetizer, for her little birdies. Every teen boy’s wet dream movie.

3. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY-2014

I went with a new movie! This is all about a Han Solo type of dude who was taken off earth when he was a kid by some space pirates and now jet sets across the Galaxy. He steals an orb, not realizing its power, fights a green vixen, a nutty raccoon and a tree who are all after the orb. They end up in a prison where they meet Drax who tries to kill the green vixen. They find out what the orb does and they band together to save the galaxy. Vin Diesel delivers his best acting in his role as Groot (the tree). It is a fun, thrill ride, witty flick with great effects and music.

Thursday Movie Picks- Movies With Strong Strong Female Characters

This was my choice and who knew it would come at a time when all this crap has hit the news from Weinstein to Spacey. What is happening, especially in Hollywood, is not  new because this has been going on since the movies began. You better believe that Darryl F. Zanuck and Jack Warner make Weinstein and Spacey look like freshman in the sexual abuse arena. Marilyn Monroe was famous for saying, when she finally hit it big, “thank God, this is the last cock I’ll ever have to suck.” Sorry for the brutal language but it shows what women...and men, had to endure and still do. Anyway, I know there are many films that one can choose that features strong women and I chose women who are strong but not insane. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what everyone else has chosen. Here are my 3....

1. HIS GIRL FRIDAY-1940

How can I not choose this film! It stars Cary Grant as a newspaper editor who was married to his star reporter played beautifully by Rosalind Russell. They are now divorced and she is ready to marry a nice, boring insurance agent played by Ralph Bellamy (many jokes about poor Ralph in the film. He is also known as one of the old brothers from Trading Places) but not if Cary has anything to say about it. Hildy (Rosalind Russell) finds herself in the middle of a great news story and her true  love for the business overrides any want to be a housewife. Sharp direction by Howard Hawks with quick talking often over each other makes this a fast paced, funny film with a great cast and a woman in a position often held only by men.

2. ADAM`S RIB-1949

How can I not have a Katherine Hepburn film in this week`s theme. This is one of the best films of Tracy and Hepburn and, once again, a woman in a typically male dominated career. They play married lawyers who have a wonderful marriage until she takes the case of defending a woman who tried to kill her horrible excuse for a husband. The lawyer prosecuting the  the woman is Spencer Tracy-the  film husband of Hepburn. We see the antics in the court room and how Hepburn`s character, Amanda, plays every trick in the book to win the case even at the expense of her husband. Well written by Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon who were good friends of Tracy and Hepburn and knew how to bring out the best in each actor. It is also the Hollywood debut of the great Judy Holliday who died too young from cancer.

3. THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER-1955

This is a great film that could be considered a horror film, thriller or a fairy tale but no matter what one may call it, it is an excellent film that was unappreciated in its day to the point that the director, film star Charles Laughton, never directed another film. The Coen brothers, Spike Lee and many others have sited how they were influenced by this film which starts Robert Mitchum as an evil preacher after money he knew was hidden somewhere in a house with a widow and 2 small children. he cons the town and the widow whom he marries and murders trying to find the money. The 2 small children run for their lives as he tries to capture them. The children come to a small home with an elderly lady who stands up to this evil man and defends the children seeing right through the so-called preacher. Such great acting from Robert Mitchum who has LOVE tattooed on one hand and HATE on the other (Have you ever seen people with this on their fingers-it comes from this film) to Lillian Gish, she started in films almost when movies began and is considered one of the best actresses.

BONUS...

4. ERIN BROCKOVICH-2000

I had to go with a modern film and I chose this one because I felt Julia Roberts nailed it as the brassy,, in your face real woman-Erin Brockovich. She is hired as a legal assistant whom most in the office, can`t stand and she starts to investigate why a number of people are becoming very ill with cancer, tumours and other medical issues in the small town. When she brings the information to her boss, he sees the big problem and becomes a lawyer to the townsfolk. Through the unrelenting support and hound dog investigation of Erin, the lawyer brings the corruption and poisoning of the water supply of  the big company to the foreground. Everyone soon realizes not to mess with Ms. Brockovich. Julia won an Oscar for her role and she delivers a great performance in a well acted film.

Which films would you chooseÉ

Remakes Blogfest-Movies, Books, Music

I'm a bit late but here we go....I decided to join in on the fun and, of course, I went the movie way.This one was tough for me but I finally found my pick. Head over to the Great Alex J Cavanaugh's blog to check out the rest.

OCEAN'S ELEVEN-1960

Our computers at work suck! I can't seem to be able to download the film trailers here and I have no time this eve to even try on the computer at home so the movie posters will have to do. This was a big film for the day since it starred the Ratpack led by Frank Sinatra. These men whooped it up in Las Vegas and had many women in tow including Angie Dickinson. They play World War 2 vets who decide to steal from the top 4 casinos (back then). They are the essence of cool who  work out a unique way to steal millions. I always knew about this film but never had a chance to see it until this past year. I was a bit disappointed with it because the writing seemed to go more for the  "I am cool" vibe than having this film play out  the way it should have. You have a lot of  these men just play off one another except you notice they never want to piss off Frankie. I do think Sammy Davis Stole the show.

OCEAN'S ELEVEN-2001

I have to admit I really enjoyed this film much better than the original. They are cool, classy and humble so the script is tight, works well by developing the characters, and the cast do not think they are too cool for their own good. The main man, played by George Clooney is let out of prison and soon brings his old troop together to rob the big Casino of millions. I just found this remake to be better acted, and much more fun. They are not trying too hard like the original.

What do you think?

Thursday Movie Picks-An Adaptation You Want To See (of a book, Comic, Game etc... That hasn't been adapted yet)

Now that was a long title not the run off blecchh that happened to me last week.

November! I can't believe it but here we are, and soon it will be Christmas and the end of another year. At present, I am enjoying the beautiful leaves on the trees since we had a late fall. I know many of my blogger friends are excellent writers who have had books published. They would be tickled if their books would be converted into a film and I would go and see their films. This week it is all about adaptations of  anything you would love to see be made into a movie so here are my picks. I have to admit I had a tough time this week but let's see what the other film people chose, so head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves  to check out their picks.

1. MY PARENTS, FRANK (1913-1988) AND RUTH(1928-)

OK...shoot me because there is no book (yet) about my parents and to be honest, I feel overwhelmed at how to even begin. As some of you know, my mom was born in Wittenberg, Germany in 1928 and she grew up under the Hitler Regime. She has fond memories of Christmas, her forest across the road and school but she was also taken out of her home and forced into the Hitler Youth. She suffered the bombings of Hamburg, Dresden, met Hitler, lost 2 brothers in the war, worked with the resistance to stop the Germans by blowing up bridges (she placed the TNT under the bridges), suffered starvation, gang rape by 7 Russians, escaped to the West, brought food to her mom and got her dad out when he was let out of the Gulag and so much more. My dad was born in 1913 near Algonquin Park in Northern Ontario and was so poor he often had no food or proper clothing. Suffered the loss of his mother when he was 6 and endured beatings by his step mother. He worked in lumber camps when he was 14, endured the Great depression, met up with wolves , moose and bears and hopped trains to find work. He fought in the Canadian Army and was wounded near the end of the war. In the 50's they both traveled-he out west and back, my mom, finally, to Canada. They met in 1959 and wanted to marry but my mom's first husband would not grant a divorce. It took 3 years to try to get rid of this jerk and there is a whole other book just about their love. They started living together when it was not the right thing to do back then and my dad was a religious man but he loved my mom so much. I wish to honour them here especially since Saturday is November 11th which is our Remembrance Day for all the soldiers and civilians who dealt with war. I wear my poppy with pride!

2. LOUISE BROOKS-1989-BY BARRY PARIS

If you find a book written by this man, read it! I find him an excellent writer and his biographies on Louise Brooks and Garbo entertaining. If you don't know this woman, read up! She was a rebel from day 1 and didn't give a F*&;^% about what she should or shouldn't do. She was a hedonist so she loved parties, men and women and took off to Germany to make 2 of the best films ever made (in my humble opinion even if they are silents). She had affairs with Charlie Chaplin, Hearst's niece (so she was often at the Hearst mansion) and a one night stand with Garbo. She was highly intelligent and never sugar coated Hollywood. Due to her F. U. nature, she hurt her own career and ended up selling perfume in some retail store until she was rediscovered. What a life and I think Rooney Mara would be a good choice to play this woman.

3. APRIL IN HER EYES-1979-SONG BY CHRIS DE BURGH

This is such a haunting song that I fell in love with when I was in High School. It would be a fairy tale and a sad one but I would love to see this on the big screen. They would need a girl with beautiful eyes and ethereal....too bad Audrey Hepburn isn't around any more.

Bonus

OK..I have to put this down...

DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED-1967-MOODY BLUES

I love...I mean LOVE this album and consider it a classic in rock but also in classical music because the whole thing seems like an opera without the operatic vocals but of these men who comprise this great band. I think of it as days of the week from Tuesday Afternoon to Knights in White Satin. It would be so cool to see an artistic film with these songs and lyrics in mind but how would the plot go? Would there be a big love story? Would we see them when they are young until they are old with  "Another Day's useless energy spent?" Who would star in this. I like to see Hugh Jackman in it since I think he is the bee's knees.

OK so these are my picks. What would be yours?

Thursday Movie Picks-Stranger who bully many of the farmers. . We soon learn that Shane is very good with a gun which frightens his friends but the young also know that they need him. A quiet film with some major violence interspersed in this film. The cinematography is excellent and the story touching especially the unrequited love that develops between Shane and the farmer’s wife. . A classic with a kill( sorry) performance by Jack Palance.

Halloween brought out the strange people from a mother and daughter who decided to argue in my office to a woman who came on her scooter wearing her helmet, a coat and her pajama bottoms with pussy cats...she also had her knapsack...my little princess...she’s in her 40’s. Oops, today is not about strange people but people who are strangers. I almost picked Clint Eastwood in any of his Spaghetti Westerns but I chose one he directed instead. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to find out what other strangers in films fellow bloggers have chosen. Here are my 3...

1. THE STRANGER-1946

This is an excellent film directed by Orson Welles which doesn’t get much viewing but it should because it is a gem. It is a quaint town in Connecticut where a teacher is married  to Loretta Young( talk about nuts!), the daughter of the Supreme Court Justice. The teacher (Welles) loves clocks is fixing a large clock in the tower that has not worked in a long time. All seems great until Edward G Robinson comes to town, who knows a lot more about this teacher than anyone else does including the teacher’s wife. You see, Robinson is an FBI agent who knows that the teacher is actually a Nazi who masterminded the holocaust. An intense film with the Welles' filming style he is famous for and it is the first movie to show actual footage from the concentration camps.

2. SHANE-1953

“Shane! Come back! Come back...Shane!” Yes we know the stranger’s name soon into the movie who comes to a homesteader’s place and requests to have some water. They are a welcoming and humble family who let him stay. Shane is weary and enjoying this peaceful life, enjoying the family style as well as the life of a farmer. All is not well, since the farmers are up against the cattle ranchers and the ranchers are bullies who seem to be winning especially when they bring in the meanest gun fighter played to the hilt by Jack Palance. Shane would rather forget his past but he is compelled to help the settlers. An excellent film with beautiful cinematography and excellent acting by all with Jean Arthur in her last big screen performance.

3. HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER-1973

This is a Clint Eastwood film which he directed and stars in a film that is a western but could also qualify for a Halloween film as well. I won't tell you more about that aspect but it left me speechless at the end. He plays a stranger who comes to this town which looks decrepit and ugly. He is goaded by a man whom he shoots dead and then takes a girl into the barn for a good time...which she loves despite her feeble protests. The people in this town are fearful, greedy untrustworthy jerks except for a couple of people, one being a little person who becomes the stranger's right hand man. The townspeople all have a secret but so does the stranger. There are 3 outlaws coming to the town so the people hire the stranger to deal with them but they must abide by the stranger's requests. I love this movie which does not sugar coat the west at all.

What would be your 3?

Halloween card and book mark

First, let me tell you that I went to see my mom, with my best friend, and when we entered her floor, there she was in the dining room! The nurse said she was up and eating for all 3 meals!!! I was dumbfounded as I expected her to still be laying in her bed looking worse for wear. The PSW's were so happy and telling me she had 2 bowls of soup and I was happily flummoxed but I will take this and cherish it. She has been good all week and even recalled things she had not spoken about in a few years. When my friend told her she had separated from her spouse(narcissistic asshole), my mom did that knowing laugh which made my friend ask what she thought of her one day ex and my mom answered, "I thought he was a nit wit!" I love it!!   Now on with the show...

basic black cardstock, versamark ink pad, sizzex machine, die cut image, variety of perfect powders, brush.

Tuesday Throwdown-Spooktacular
Eclectic Ellapu-Dark vibrant colours or scary
Animal Friends-Halloween/Autumn
Happy Little Stampers-Anything Goes with Dies
The Male Room-Silhouettes

I love this die cut because you can do so much with this. I decided to have it cut out with my sizzex machine and then, carefully pulled the image from the die cut. I stamped all over with clear versa mark ink and, taking my pearl powders, I brushed on the colours where I wanted them. I glued the piece down on black cardstock and then placed it on orange cardstock. I added the silhouette of the cat, also down in powder, and added the spiderweb and pumpkins along with the saying.

distress inks, sun and cloud stamp, crackle paint, rubber stamps, scissors, tombow markers, embossing ink and powders.

Stamplorations:Tags-All About Fall and/or colours-Red, Orange, Gold
Simon Says-Anything Goes
Crafty Creations-Anything Goes

I made this sucker on a whim creating the background and trying the crackle paint. I hated the look and threw it in a corner where it stayed for quite a while. I finally picked up the piece of crap and dumped it on my table where I stared at the muck. Monday, I suddenly thought of an idea, which I have from time to time, and stamped, painted and fussy cut the owl image as well as the leaves (the smaller ones were embossed with powders). Now I like this bookmark but should I have a piece of ribbon or something attached to it on the upper left hand corner so it dangles down? Thoughts??

Thursday Movie Picks: TV Edition-TV Horror shows

I don’t have Netflix or HBO so the shows that will be talked about today, I have not seen, which is a bummer. Don’t adjust your sets as I am going back to some classic shows plus a couple of bonuses. I love the paranormal and have even experienced some odd occurrences so I always watch shows about this subject( unless it is those ghost hunter type shows). Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen.

1. ONE STEP BEYOND-1959-1961

This series, which I saw in reruns, really freaked me out. It came out around the same time as The Twilight Zone but it is like the Zone’s neglected sister...kind of like Jan to Marcia(Brady Bunch anyone??). This show was an anthology series that took eerie events that purported to actually happen, creating very creepy episodes. It shows many ghost stories but also stories of premonitions like Lincoln’s assassination to the Titanic sinking. The one story of a man staying at a home with an elderly woman, who is writing a story about the evils of the home, totally freaked me out. I still shudder when thinking about it. It was revised in 1978 which I watched where they duplicated most of the original shows including the haunted house one.

2.  KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER-1974-1975

Only 1 season was made of this frightening tv show that is a precursor for all the shows one sees now on Netflix and HBO. It is a classic and a cult tv show that nerds everywhere, love to watch and.... My name is Birgit and ...I am a nerd. This show is about a newspaperman that seems to find all these supernatural happenings and most don’t believe him. He fights off Dracula, meets ghosts and went into the sewers which still gives me nightmares. Very well acted with a humorous slant and scary as hell.

3. CREEPY CANADA-2002-2006

I love this anthology show that discusses all things creepy and weird that are purportedly true in Canada. They are half hour shows with real people talking about their experiences with reenactments. I loved watching this show since it was all things Canada and some events depicted are close to where I live. Obviously there are many ghost stories but also we have good ole Sasquatch. This show doesn’t have the gimmicks that many other shows have which is why it appeals to me.

Bonus....

4. THE TWILIGHT ZONE-1959-1964

I am re-watching this show right now since it is being shown on the Sci-Fi channel and it is a true classic that people around the world have seen. Rod Serling (brilliant man who died too soon) created this show and wrote many episodes and also appeared in later episodes since his voice is so distinctive that people wanted to see him. There are many famous episodes that are not horrific but some are like that nasty critter on the airplane wing that only poor William Shatner can see. Another poor man is trying to translate a book that aliens have given to men and another show has a man hearing howling in a monastery. Some shows are downright freaky.

5.  THE X-FILES-1993-2002

I expect this to be popular this week and with good reason since it still has new episodes coming out and so many know about this show even if they haven't watched it. I saw almost every episode and was hooked on it. Sometimes the episodes were lighter but, on the whole, they are dark and creepy. It starts off where a young FBI agency, who is also a doctor, is asked to keep her eyes on the the spook FBI agent in the basement-Fox Mulder. She is always trying to give logical, scientific explanations while Fox just rolls his eyes. He believes in aliens since his sister was abducted by one and as most of their family dies on one way or another, she slowly realizes not all is as it seems. Throw in some people who always seem to work against the duo (Won't cigarette smoking man die already!!) and plot twists that just mess your mind, you have some great work here. I have to admit 2 things...I feel that the writers even got confused with all the twists and turns and there is that one episode that is now banned in the U.S.  That episode is disgusting, creepy and gross but still good.

So many to choose from...which one would you talk about?

Thursday Movie Picks- Body Horror

I want to make things very clear, I am not hear to scare you with images of me in a bathing suit. I am not hear to mention Mama June from that Honey Boo Boo Show or basically those Walmart characters, but I will talk about body horror, this week’s theme from Wandering Through The Shelves.  Personally I think people who have tattoos all over their body is not appealing especially when they will get old and wrinkly...bleccchhh. Ok I chose these 3 films and hope they work with the theme.

1. THE WOLFMAN-1941

This is the film that started the whole wolfman franchise. Lon Chaney Jr plays sweet Lyle Talbot who goes back to his home after his brother’s passing. He ends up helping a little gypsy girl when something attacks the gypsy camp and Lyle gets bitten in the process. This is the beginning of the end for poor Lyle who now turns into the wolfman when there is a full moon. This movie might be tame compared to other wolfman movies but I love the atmosphere of this film. It takes on, like many horror films made from the ‘30s & '40s, the German Expressionism that was throughout the Silent films from Germany in the 1920s. I believe Jack Pierce created the wolfman and I still think the look is one of the best.

2.  HOUSE OF WAX-1953

This was the start of Vincent Price becoming synonymous with horror movies. He plays a talented wax sculpter in partnership with Burke who wants to burn the place down for the insurance money. Burke does burn the place down with Price in the building, hoping he died.....he didn’t. Price is very much alive and starts a new wax museum and has the help of his own Igor played by...Charles Bronson! The wax figures are hailed as very lifelike....almost too lifelike especially since people are disappearing. This was one of the first films made in 3D and a great movie with a unique take on the horror genre.

3.  ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU-1996

This is a remake of a 1932 film starring Charles Laughton and one I have to see still but I did see the remake which is just batshit crazy. This film was fraught with difficulties from the stars to the location shooting. I actually saw this movie in the theatre and didn’t mind it. I should watch it again since it is classified as a horrible film. So Kilmer helps save someone from a plane wreck in the water and takes him to an island. There they meet Dr. Moreau who is played by Marlon Brando whose face is very white (think Michael Jackson) plus he has his own mini me. Soon you find out this doctor is playing God By taking the DNA from animals and humans mutating the animals into human hybrids. These poor animals and humans undergo torture and pain. It is really quite the nutty movie and I bet, the original film is much better.

What would you choose?

Loving Animals..a Couple of Cards

I love animals even the ones that can destroy a garden or are considered pests. Now, I have been known to set mouse traps and get those little critters and rats can stay away, but I do love most creatures. I created 2 cards and hope you like them.

various brown cardstock, distress inks, apricot brown dye ink, rubber stamps, Gamsol Pencils, stencil, mica spray, embossing powder, scissors, stickles glitter

Christmas Cards All Year Round- Monochromatic browns
Addicted to Stamps-Holiday
Dream Valley-One For The Boys
Tuesday Throwdown-Stencilling

I had fun creating this card..I usually do especially when I want to escape  the craps of life. I took a basic white cardstock and  rubbed distress ink colours, in browns, and then wetted (is this a word?? meh...who cares) it down for a muted effect. I placed a wood stencil pattern over top and sprayed the bronze mica spray to achieve that background effect. I stamped the deer image and coloured it with gamsol pencils along with the mountain and trees in the background. I fussy cut the image and adhered it to the card. The snow part in front, I cut from the image and placed it with pop up dots to create some depth. I did the same thing with the 2 trees that I stamped on a separate piece of paper, cut them out and placed on each side of the mountain background. I stamped the Merry Christmas Stamp in bronze and embossed it with terra cotta powder. I added some stickles for some glitter and 2 border stickere that I coloured in brown marker.

white glossy cardstock, rainbow ink pad, roller, dog rubber stamp, post it note, scissors, leafy stamp and saying stamp, black ink pad.

Crafty Creations-Anything Goes
Glitter N' Sparkle-Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers:CAS-One Layer
Simon Says-Thinking Of You

My best friend, the one going through that horrible divorce, just lost her doggie, April. April was a border collie who kept my dear friend company through thick and thin. Unfortunately, April was 13 and had arthritis. She found her doggie, in the morning, all curled up as if asleep. I guess it's a great way to go but, as many of you know, it is horrible to suffer the loss of a pet so I made this quick card for her. I first stamped the image of the dog onto the glossy white card. I also stamped the same image on the post it note and then cut it out and placed over top of the main image on the card stock. I took my brayer(a roller) and rolled it over and over my one rainbow pad until enough colour was on it and simply rolled the colour onto the white card. I took off the post it note and, Voila!, the doggie image looked great! I stamped the leafy stamp around the edges and I stamped the saying and that is that! She loved her card.

Just to keep you posted, my mom is stable but going down. She eats a little but still loves her coffee so she drinks most of that. She ate her donut yesterday which is good. She no longer goes to the dining area and eats in her bed with the PSW's help or, if we are there, myself or my brother feeds her. She sleeps most of the time now but she still knows who we are which is good. I am going through pictures to get prepared and I have to laugh at how many pictures I have where my mom has her mouth open:)

Thursday Movie Picks-Dolls

Well, this one is tough this week. I did come up with 3 but it is the only 3 I have seen because evil dolls freak me out. There is one movie I have always wanted to see, Magic, with Anthony Hopkins so I hope someone brings this film up this week. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen. Without further adieu, here are my 3....

1. DEVIL DOLL- 1936

I came across this purely by accident and was so happy I did. It was Halloween time, my parents were gone for the weekend and I was home alone. I just closed the drapes on a window because, the chesterfield I was sitting on, was up against the window and I did not want to turn around and see Sasquatch looking in at me. Yes, I just watched some show about this Bigfoot and got totally freaked, so I changed the channel but there was nothing on but the Exorcist, Jaws and all other freaky movies so I setttled on a rerun of the Love Boat. After that was done, I went to TVO(Canadian) and the great Elwy Yost was talking about his double feature night. This movie was the next feature which starred Lionel Barrymore so I decided to watch this and loved it. He plays a banker, wrongly convicted of a crime, who escapes, with a scientist,and decides to take revenge. He knows how to create living dolls by shrinking people down and having them do his bidding (he learned this from the dying scientist). I thought the special effects, for this time period, was quite good plus it was well acted by Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan who plays his daughter. Well worth watching especially seeing Barrymore dressed as an old woman.

2. TRILOGY OF TERROR: AMELIA- 1975

This TV movie truly freaked the hell out of me and still does! Karen Black played characters in all 3 horror movies and this one stands out. She picks up this African doll that she, somehow, finds appealing. She is talking to her mom about the doll and that she was told never to have this gold chain come off the doll or the evil spirit will come alive and come after her. She laughs and we know what will happen.. yup the chain comes off and this evil creep comes alive. You watch as she tries to fend off this doll who wants to inhabit her soul. I have to admit, I did laugh when she placed the doll in the suitcase and the thing takes the knife and cuts suitcase so he can escape. It is creepy, freaky with an unnerving ending.

3.  CHILD'S PLAY- 1988

Stupid flick about a butt ugly doll that are all the rage( think cabbage patch dolls..God, they were ugly) and this kid wants for his birthday. Of course he gets the doll but this doll is possessed by an evil thug that died holding this doll. Who cares..stupid, dumb ass movie that became a huge hit and spawned many sequels. For a better review of this film plus all the sequels, go to A Film A Day. This poor gal decided to watch this film plus all the sequels

Now for a final doll that’s little girl loved in a beloved tv show, Family Affair, and always had me baffled why this girl loved this ghastly doll...talk about nightmares.

Cards made from the heart

It has been a very sad week with what happened in Las Vegas. I just don't understand the people who claim they must never alter that amendment when that amendment was created when muskets were the major weapon. Heck, back in the 1880s, Wyatt Earp with his brothers made sure to clean up the towns they were watching over by having all people leave their guns before they come into the town. Just think about it.

Ok, these 2 cards are made out of love. My first card was with the people who have been affected by the mass shooting in Las Vegas but it can be used for anyone who needs to know that love and remembrance is what is needed.

Cuddle bug machine, embossing folder, utility knife, butterfly stamp, gold dye ink and gold embossing powder, pastel chalks, gold paint pen, stickers

Addicted To Stamps-Make Your Mark
Alphabet Challenge-O for Oval
Color Throwdown- Orange, Tan, White
Retro Rubber Challenge-Hit The Road, Jack-RRCB72

Butterflies, in native teaching, means joy in life, and I thought this is needed this week more than ever. Think about it, The Monarch starts hitting the road and travels thousands of miles from Canada and Northern U.S. all the way to central Mexico. I stamped and embossed the butterflies, which I bought about 1 1/2 years ago, and coloured them with the pastel chalks. I embossed the folder by running it through the cuddlebug machine. I took my knife and cut out the oval centre which I adhered to the butterfly paper. I coloured the edge and filigree with the wink of Stella gold pen and added the corner stickers.

Brusho colour powders, bird home stamp, embossing dye ink and blue dye embossing powder, saying sticker.

Happy Little Stampers-CAS Challenge-One Layer
Crafty Creations-Anything Goes

This was an easy card and I tried to make it nice and simple called a CAS. I dabbed a bit of the brusho colour on the white cardstock and spritzed water to activate the colours. You never know what you are going to get. The colours just pop and run where ever they go. Once dry, I stamped the image and embossed it with a dark blue powder. I did the same with the corner stamps and, as per the norm, made them crooked. I added the saying and gave it to my hubby since we celebrated 11 years together. He is my rock and he is a wonderful guy even though I want to kill him on occasion:)

FYI?..I am all better and am hoping soon my pain will be better. I will let you know next week. My mom is slowly ebbing away. She is so skinny and now just wants to sleep. I know that I will get a call, unsure when, that she just never woke up. Truly a good way to go.

Thursday Movie Picks-Masks

It's October so it's all about the spooky but I veered away from that...a bit. I am not one for slasher films so, sorry Jason, it's just not meant to be. I could have easily picked Star Wars since Darth is an Iconic meanie but I didn't. I was stumped at first but then, all these movies came into my head since so many heroes wear masks. Head on over to Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the others have chosen. Here are my three....

1. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA-1943

This is an under-rated film and the least known of all the remakes but I really love this one and wish I could see it again. Claude Rains plays the Phantom who now has a back story...he is a composer and his work was stolen. He became disfigured and retreats to the underground but comes back to help the beautiful Christine since her voice has captivated the Phantom. It also captivates 2 other men who wish to have Christine all to their own. What will she do? I actually like how this ended since it was a bit ahead of its time (way to go Christine).

2.  THE MASK OF ZORRO-1998

This is another film that has been remade and remade. We have the great Douglas Fairbanks, Tyrone Power and George Hamilton playing this figure on film and there was a TV show also.. I went with this most recent outing since it is fun, adventurous and brought Catherine Zeta Jones to the masses...and to Michael Douglas, who saw her in this film and had to meet her. It begins where Zorro is captured by an evil man who takes Zorro's daughter to raise as his own. A couple of decades later, The man, much, much older, escapes prison when he finds out the evil man is returning with his now grown daughter. He meets up with a thief and starts training him to be the new Zorro. Zorro is for the man who wears a mask, saves the damsel and is heralded by the people. Antonio Banderas is great as Zorro and Anthony Hopkins plays the old Zorro really well. Entertaining movie for sure

3. THE DARK KNIGHT-2008

I think Christian Bale is the best Batman and this film, I think, is my favourite (love the first one with Liam Neeson too). We have masks everywhere in this film from Batman to the Joker wearing tons of cream make up to look the part of a psychopathic freak. You have a man that puts on a burlap bag to screw with the minds of people and have them go insane thinking there is an evil scarecrow. Lastly you have handsome Aaron Eckhart who becomes really disfigured and nasty since he becomes, literally, two-faced. Great action sequences, excellent performances that netted Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar and well written because it makes you think (If you were on that boat, would you push the button?).

I could have gone with Ironman, Spiderman, Capt. America..the list is long but those are my 3. Which would you choose?

Getting my mojo back

I feel much better which is a good thing. My mom...there was a scare last weekend but she rallied although she is very tired. I think her body is saying, "time to go" but she is just not ready yet, she has a strong will to live plus she is really scared and I don't blame her.

Anyway I created a couple of cards and happy to have done them and hope to do more

Rubber stamp, tombow markers, perfect pearls, water, border stickers, red glitter embossing powder.

CHNC-For A Man
Addicted to Stamps-Anything Goes
The Male Room-Technology
Sparkles Christmas-Animals
Happy Little Stampers Christmas-Sparkle

I started this quite a while ago and then I got ill. I thought this will work for technology because this was a huge thing in the later 1800's and early 20th century. I added some stickles and crystals because it's in my blood and I am a magpie at heart. I thought this was a fun card to do and who wouldn't want to be driving around in this type of car. I used perfect pearls with water to add the shimmer to the car, tree, Santa and the presents.

Reindeer stamp, leaves stamp, embossing powder, dye ink pads, sizzex machine, tree Die cut, powders, water, scissors, pop up darts, stickles.

CHNC-Anything Goes Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round-Use leaves
Animal Friends-Tic, Tac, Toe-I used the bottom-Tree, Leaves, Forest Fruits
Winter Wonderland-Anything Goes
Simon Says-Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers: Watercolour-Spritz
Dream Valley-One for the Girls

This is another fun one to create. I just realized both have deer in the card and that's aok in my book. They are critters after all. I have a circle leaf stamp that I stamped and embossed and after, I added the powders over tops and spritzed water to activate the colour. I dabbed the colour off a bit to create a softer effect. After stamping the deer, I cut out the trees with the sizzex machine and placed them on with pop up dots. I fussy cut the leaves out to create a little border on the top and bottom of the focal image. I added some stickles because glitter is a part of my soul. Oh, there are berries between the leaves but I didn't highlight them with red, I just added the stickles to them so they are hard to see.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday Movie Picks TV Edition- Family"Ward, don't be too hard on the Beaver."

It's the last Thursday of the month which means it's the tv edition over at Wandering Through The Shelves. This time it's all about family and this topic is ....ready......Huuuuge. One could go the animated route..Simpsons, Family Guy, The Flintstones, to comedy and drama, like This is Us, the biggie right now in TV land. It will be fun To see what everyone picks...here are my 3.

1. LEAVE IT TO BEAVER-1957-1963

"Ward, don't be too hard on the Beaver." "I'll try not to be, June."  Ah, the innocence of the 1950s and how we have so much fun with it now. This was all about the Cleaver family with the patriarch, Ward, his lovely wife who is always in high heels and pearls, June, and their 2 boys, Wally and the Beave. The Beave seems to always get into some hi jinks with Wally and his parents fixing up his mess and the Beave learning a lesson. Eddie Haskell was the family friend who was a snot but always tried to be charming. It's very corny and you truly want to see June drink some gin in the middle of the day and tell Ward to get his own fucking slippers, but you wish this type of family truly did exist....to some degree.

2. THE BRADY BUNCH-1969-1973

It's the story about a man named Brady.....so one is divorced with 3 kids and the other is widowed with 3 kids and they marry. With a happy maid, they all live in a nice home where all 6 kids share one bathroom and the 3 girls share a room and the 3 boys do the same. Yes, people actually grew up this way and didn't feel deprived. I watched this one constantly especially when it went into reruns. We all know Jan had an issue with her big sister, Marcia. Marcia got hit, by a football, in the nose and the boys were all horny but no one ever talked about it. Oh and Cindy had a cute lisp that made me just want to punch her lights out. Some famous faces were on this show like Davy Jones from The Monkees and Vincent Price in a Hawaiian episode. Corny but fun.

3. FAMILY-1976-1980

How can I talk about TV shows about family without mentioning this series that won Emmys and was the precursor for many shows including This Is Us. It revolves around..a family- the father and the stay at home mom. Her daughter who marries and quickly divorces, a brooding son and the teenage daughter who became a big break out Star, Kristy McNichol(who??) who has her own issues. Hey girls swooned when Leif Garrett played Kristy's boyfriend. Oh...where was I headed? Oh yes, the show. They dealt with many issues from divorce, abortion, sex that was considered ahead of its time.  I did watch it even though I couldn't stand Sada Thompson who played the mother. She was heralded as a great actress but I couldn't stand her. I would love to re-watch it now with the mind I have now(oh...that's scary). Oh Some greats were affiliated with this show from Mike Nichols to Joanne Woodward(who directed an episode I found out) and Henry Fonda.

I could have picked The Waltons which was another big family show but I found it incredibly boring. Say good night John-Boy....

Thursday Movie Picks-Just Not Funny Comedies

We've all been there...we rent a comedy or worse, we went to the theatre to see it and sat there, not even having a smile on our face. We leave with the feeling that 2 hours of our life has been sucked out of our life by the necromancers. There are comedians(comedians??) who have made it their life's work creating unfunny movies and we can name them, but we won't......Adam Sandler. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to find out the other comedy dreck that one needs to avoid. Here are my 3.....

1. THE NUTTY PROFESSOR-1963

Yup I went with this Jerry Lewis film, Lewis recently passed away, and many consider this film his masterwork in comedy...except me. It was even remade by Eddie Murphy, which I also can't stand. When I watched this film, in its entirety, I didn't laugh once. I found his nerd annoying and his Buddy Love character...annoying. I actually think the Buddy Love character was close to Lewis's own but that's just me. This is about a nerd who is laughed at, ridiculed and who can never find love. He creates a potion that turns him into a suave, good looking man about town. He is popular, has a way with the women but becomes more and more obnoxious. Unfortunately, he can't control when he turns back to the nerd and vice-versa. Annoying is the word.

2. ACE VENTURA, PET DETECTIVE-1994

I hated this film and couldn't watch it. I actually turned it off after 10 minutes because it sucked! When Jim Carrey starts playing this type of character, I want to punch his lights out. I rarely turn off a film but this was one of them. He plays a detective for pets and is hired to find a football team's mascot. The police make fun of him but he takes his work seriously. It was a hit in theatres...sigh

3. JACK AND JILL-2011

Adam Sandler....need I say more? I tried watching this but it was just too obnoxious. Adam plays Jack, a married man who has a twin sister who is horrible...also played by Adam Sandler....Jill. Thanksgiving becomes  a horrible mess and Jill takes off and goes from one misadventure to another....who cares. This actually has Al Pacino as  Al Pacino who has the hots for Jill! This was another film I couldn't sit through because it's a nightmare.

Which bad comedies come to mind for you.

Thursday Movie Picks: Financial World

I miss making cards! I'm back to work but I am still weak and am surprised by that since I thought I would be all better. I guess it takes time and I will get better. My mom is the same but talk about a survivor! Let's move on to happier things, namely movies:), this week it's all about the financial world and this genre is not my favourite even though I deal with finances but I'm a credit counsellor not a wheeler -dealer. I'm certain the ones I pick will be popular this week especially the last one. The brainchild of this weekly series is Wandering Through the Shelves, if you want to see what everyone else has chosen, head on over to this blog. Here are my 3....

1. TRADING PLACES-1983

I get a real kick out of this film which placed Eddie Murphy into big time movie land. He plays a con-artist, bum on the street who tries to make money by scamming people. Dan Ackroyd is a sucky who is filthy rich and works in the big financial world, a brokerage firm called Duke & Duke. The Dukes( played beautifully by the great old actors, Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche) are 2 brothers always laying bets often at people's expense. They decide to take the suck and the scammer and have them switch places. What they didn't count on are the 2 men, who are the pawns, to start working together and with a fun hooker in tow start to play their own game. It is fun, witty and well acted.

2. WORKING GIRL-1988

Even though this stars Melanie Griffith whom I can't stand, it is another fun film about a secretary to this snotty woman who doesn't treat her staff well at all. On a skiing trip, the snot breaks her leg. The secretary decides to take over the snot's position and wants to show her ideas to the financial world. She ends up not only stealing the snot's job but also the boyfriend. We like this movie because even though the girl is so, so wrong in what she has done, we condone it because her boss is a real bitch. A smart film and well acted by the leads, Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver and yes, even Melanie

3. WOLF OF WALL STREET-2013

This film garnered all types of awards. One can see that it is a Martin Scorsese film and it is well acted but I can't stand this movie. Yes, it is funny in parts, well written and I can see all the good points but I find it ugly just like Goodfellas. These are people I care nothing about and relish when they are finally caught and the film ends. It's about a man who plays the penny stocks only to create a huge scheme with securities involving Wall Street and the banking world. We see him screw the women, the people and the government and loving every minute. The whole place have people who love to bring in whores and screw them on the table while others wait in line, other women who work there enjoying their jobs..ughhhh. I won't watch this again. It is based on a true story by the way. It also stars Jonah Hill whom I dislike as I feel this person is an arrogant A Hole. Nope, I don't know why I think that, but I do. Oh, Lastly, I'm all for a good swear word, my favourite is the F word but  this movie vomits swear words like no tomorrow...big turn off.

What are your 3?