Renewal

 

I’m back! It’s a new year and many start new resolutions only to go with the wind in a couple of weeks:)). The Golden Globes will be this Sunday which is the start of all the awards shows culminating with the Oscars. There are quite a few films that have new beginnings in whichever way you wish to think. Here are my 3…

1.  THE QUIET MAN-1952

I love this film and spoke bout it before but felt it fit this week’s theme because it is about a man who  wishes to forget his past by going back to his ancestral home of his mom-Ireland. There, he meets the wilful Maureen O’Hara whose brother refuses to give her dowry when he, John Wayne and Maureen marry. Wayne refuses to fight her brother and his actions make everyone believe, including his wife, that he is a coward. Only the priest is aware of the real reason. Wayne wants a new beginning but can he shake  his fears and can he truly win his love’s faith. It’s romantic, funny and full on fun especially when Wayne decides enough is enough. I love the whole movie but, especially,  how Wayne takes his wife on a journey to meet up with her brother. 

2. THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO-1993

I came across this little known film and watched it more than once and really enjoyed it. I had no idea it was based on a true story about a woman sent away by her family for disgracing them. She ends up in a wild town and decides to start fresh….as a man. She befriends the wild men matching them shot for shot with no one the wiser. It’s quite an interesting film and a very good one. I really love her new found ways.

3. UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN-2003

I love this film! I took in every part of this film and the beautiful locations that Diane Lane placed herself in to rebuild her life. She is a very successful author who ends up in a bad way after her divorce. She ends up on a tour of Tuscany and, seeing a home for sale, stops the bus, gets off and persuades the owner to sell it to her after a birds shits on her. You see her struggle renovating the home with many issues but also meeting a new romance. The true romance is this place she now calls home and the people she meets in the town and the 3 men she hires to fix her home. The home, like her, is battered, a bit older but has style and needs to be renewed to find their true self. 

So, what films make you think of renewal? Did you have a nice New Year’s? We watch the tv show, “Poldark” and feeling very happy at home and not with throngs of strangers. 

Music of the Christmas Blues and Happy New Year!

 

Somehow, Kaspar  has the right look…all suspect to the new year…what will it bring? Let us hope, with caution, we all have a good year. I skipped last week because I was just done in. I think we all were by Christmas. I spent Christmas Day in and out of sleep. I did too much, typical me,  and paid the price. Boxing Day was better and now the decorations are coming down but the Blues have not come in, thankfully. I am still partaking of the Monday Music Moves  Me which is about Christmas Blues.

1. I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS SUNG BY GREG LAKE-1975

I love this Christmas song which is a bit sad since it’s, actually, about the commercialism that seems to overtake the meaning of Christmas. I choose  to ignore it and enjoy the ending of this song which is really quite lovely. 

2. THE CHRISTMAS BLUES SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN-1954

This is a great song that I just came across. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

3. BLUE CHRISTMAS SUNG BY PORKY PIG-1980S

I did think this was done by Mel Blanc who did so many of the voices from these classic cartoons. It was actually done by Denny Brownlee who is a comedian. This sounds like it was done in someone’s living room with guests laughing. It always makes me laugh.

Hope your Christmas after wasn’t too blue and Happy New Year!