Boxtrolls w/ Friends & Family

8/7/15 Friday Night Movie

Friday nights we normally attend our local music and movie in the park near by. This years summer movie line up has been wonderful!
Tonight's show was to be The Boxtrolls, however due to weather they had to cancel both the band and the movie. (massive rain and wind)

Since we love to share things, we'd invited friends and neighbors to join us for the movie.
My kids have been looking forward to this movie for an entire week!
The first time my son watched Boxtrolls he sat in boxes for the entire next week! They were both so excited to see this movie in the park they wanted to bring boxes to sit in and spent a few days perfecting (decorating) their boxes.
So tonight when I knew it was going to rain and the show in the park would be cancelled, I invited our group to come to our place instead.

To make things even more perfect we turned the kid portion into a sleepover event! Blankets, boxes, kids and noise have been happening ever since!

Summer time for the kids is almost over but we are making the most of each and everyday. Best part was after we'd invited them we found out that we were hosting J's very first sleepover! Which of course rocked!

As for the movie this was my first time watching it (hubby watched it with the kids while I was out) I think this movie is very cute.

The Boxtrolls are adorable, the story line cute and engaging, the villain you really do dislike extremely. The end is hopeful.

The kids loved it, rooting for the good guys, booing the bad ones, staying in their boxes the entire movie. (those that had boxes)

Prissy shared her box with our new neighbor J.

I recommend this movie for all kids over 6, any younger and I'd recommend the parent viewing it first to see if it would be something they would like.

(ie being able to follow the story line and not being scared by some of the mild intense scenes.)

Tonight we had kids ages 7-11 over and each one loved it!

A Sprinkling of Magic

Every child's life needs some Magic...
                                                     ....*
                                                      *...
                                                         ..
                                                           *

For my children it's the tooth fairy

Now some have been confused.

We don't have Santa in our house and the Easter bunny isn't welcome either.

The part that people get confused on is WHY they aren't welcome.

They cover or gloss over important holy days.

I want my children to know and appreciate the real reason for Christmas and Easter.

It's not that I don't want my children to have dreams or a little bit of Magic, Childhood should have a small touch of Magic.

The Tooth fairy however, is allowed.

My children place their teeth into a bag (my girl has a tinkerbell tooth fairy pillow)

Last night my son finally lost his tooth - or rather papa finally was able to yank it from his head!

Due to the holiday we allowed him to place his tooth under his Christmas tree - easier for the toothfairy to find it.

Now both my children have been caught bragging to others that their tooth fairy doesn't bring them useless money.

They get toys, stickers, candy...

Pretty much whatever mama finds in dollar bins that looks cool and I hide it away for later.

A few weeks ago our friends Shayne & Sara invited our family to join them for a special showing of Arthur Christmas at Jordan Commons today at 9 am.

G'man, the cutie above, who looks fine now, woke up at 6 am SICK.

First it was vomit, then it switched to Diarrhea.

Really bad, every five minutes, can't make it to the potty Diarrhea.

In one hour he went through 6 changes of clothes.

I had to wash the floor twice!

I am tired and exhausted.

However, Papa and Prissy went to the movie.

G'man and I watched it on pause at home - pausing every time he ran for the potty!

Prissy came home with two huge goody bags!

Jordan Commons had Santa and Elves at the Theater and gave away very nice goody bags for everyone that came and even one little sick boy that didn't!

As for the movie, Arthur Christmas

I only recently got this move and watched it.

Its a new family holiday favorite!

One young man in the Santa family, but not a hopeful for the title, still cares.

He goes to extraordinary lengths, battles his own fears and in the end prevails on getting the last present delivered.

Its worth watching.

I encourage you to add it to your holiday watch list this year!

As for G'man - now that he cleaned out his whole intestinal track - he is fine.

Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith

Past away this morning at the age of 86

I grew up with Andy.

I watched both the Andy Griffith Show & Matlock. 

I have to say that he was one of the most talented actors, one of the few whose career was able to move seamlessly from a young actor career to an older actor career.

My all time favorite Andy Griffith movie is, No Time For Sergeants.

The ultimate crazy duo - the laid back and relaxed guy, best buds with the up tight, something to prove, nervous guy.

From the toilet salute to the, spit spit - Any body their?

This is a hilarious show about friendship.

Andy Griffith you will be missed but not forgotten.

Thank you for years of entertainment.

I have learned how to smile and laugh off the things you can't change.

I have learned that no case is hopeless.

I have learned that being a good friend is the most important thing you can be.

I have learned so many things from you over the years, thank you for sharing your life with me.

Tis The Season

This will be the first of several Christmas and then Holiday posts - most likely through the end of the year. Tomorrow I will post photos of the house inside and out decorated for Christmas.
Today, however, is all about the movies!

I love Christmas movies! I have a huge list of favorites - some are classics - others are what I call hidden gems.
I will give a small description for all my favorite hidden gems and only name out well known classics.
Otherwise this post would be a million miles long (only a very slight exaggeration).

Hogfather - Seriously first off its based on the disc world books (20th book) - second it is by far one of the Funniest movies I have ever watched!!! This is not a show for children under 12 - unless parents have viewed it first and know that their kids won't be scared or confused. With my kids they just can't follow the story line.

Man in the Santa Claus Suit - This has not come out yet on DVD and is only available on VHS however it is one of my FAVORITE movies. It follows 3 different men who rent Santa Claus suits at the same place at the same time. Each one finds a part of himself that he had lost. Two of the stories are incredible, the third not so much - they make the husband wrong for choosing work over family (and he is) but her right for choosing an apartment over her husband (to me they are both wrong Family comes first).

Carolina - I LOVE this movie! Its rated pg-13 for language and raunchy humor. It highlights two thanksgivings and one Christmas. Three girls are abandoned by their father on their grandmothers door step, Carolina, Georgia and Maine (each named for the state they were born in). Real people, real life, real love and real family. This movie has heart and an openness that is endearing.

City of Ember - This movie need more press! I can't say enough about this movie or how much I love it and the book series! A hidden city deep underground is mans last hope of survival. The problem is, over time they have lost their way and their history.
Everyone is in the dark about the future and every day things are breaking down - the city is dying. It does "qualify" as a Christmas movie as they do a sort of smallish poor mans version of Christmas. The story of hope and courage is also a great thing to watch at this time of year.

The Happy Elf - This is a over the top cute kids show. However, my kids love it and it does have some fun parts and is worth watching once a year. ;)

Last but not least is a show that every good Brit watches on Christmas!

Dr. Who Christmas Special - Out of the last 6 years of being on the air (revived from a few decades ago) they have made 4 Christmas specials this year's - airing Christmas day - episode's called, The doctor, the widow and the wardrobe. Its a must see!

The other movies that I like to watch during Christmas time.

A Christmas Story (the original), Scrooge (with Albert Finney none of the others come close to it),White Christmas, Fred Claus, How the Grinch stole Christmas, Polar Express, Babes in Toyland (again the original), Its a wonderful life (original is great in either black and white or color), The holiday, The Santa Claus 1-3,While you were sleeping & Sleepless in Seattle

The Guild!!!

I was never a nerd/geek/gamer until I married one. After a few years I quit again - lets face it I have enough drama in this life to handle a whole other life, but before quitting my game life I have been a guild leader/ guild vice president and a noob trainer.

I've played several online roll playing games and loved getting to know some of the people on line and yes just like in the show The Guild those lines blur. We met up with several of the people that we gamed with, dinner drinks and good times.The funny things is how quickly you can bond to people online.

My BFF and I have been friends almost 12 years. We see each other several times a week and talk frequently. When you game though you will play almost every night and part of every day with the same people. Fighting, sharing, talking and working side by side with the same group hours a day on end its easy to feel closer to them then your RL friends.

I have lost touch with my old guild friends, but for those out there that still game (like my hubby) - love gaming (like my cousin) or have gamed (me) Tomorrow Season Five of THE GUILD starts again this time they are going to comic-con!

If you have never seen The guild click this link to watch the first episode (each episode is 4-7 minutes long one season is like watching a movie).

The video is from a small collection of Guild music videos - just them in character having fun!

The Last Airbender - Movie Review

I know another movie review in the same day.

Don't worry I am not going to start doing a million of these.

The Last Airbender

I have watched this movie several times and today I read a shocking review where someone said everyone in the theater booed at the end!!

Honestly that shocked me.

I don't know what expectations they had when watching this movie, however, mine were met.

I loved the colors, cinematography and different styles of martial arts.

Each element fights with a different style - making several of the scenes a joy to watch.

This movie is the first movie titled - Book One - Water.

Where the Air-bender needs to Master Water.

There are another two movies (hopefully) to follow.

Each showing the Air-bender on his quest to learn Earth and Fire.

The last movie may prove to be the most difficult as the King of the Fire nation wants to kill the Avatar aka the last Air-bender.

There are moments when the show takes a slightly cheesy turn, but knowing that it was filmed for a family audience to me lessons it's cheesy factor.

What most people may not understand is why the dreaded machines of the Fire Nation are so horrible.

To me its clear, the other elements stayed pure.

When they needed any type of defense they used their element.

The idea of using anything else was a foreign concept and the other Nations did not adapt before being decimated and taken prisoner.

I give this movie a four star rating.

I also wish they were currently filming the second movie, but so far its still in concept.

Fly Away - Movie 2011

 

Fly Away - Movie Review

On Rotten Tomatoes they had the nerve to rate this movie as a C.
Biggest complaint that I could see was how it ends - or rather doesn't.

Lets face facts, any family that is living with an Autistic child or adult can explain (patiently and normally using small words lets face it - its a habit) Autism is life.
Each day can bring miracles and pain.
Challenges and Joys.
But it doesn't end.

Very few that are diagnosed with Autism will lose their "label" by adulthood. The movie doesn't end because life does not end.
Instead it ends with hope, not some fake happily ever after.

I found the movie to be a gem. The young Mandy is in the middle of the spectrum, she can learn, she can speak. She is severe enough that she needs specialized care and handling.
Its a movie that can touch most families on the spectrum. Even better its a movie I would recommend to many family members of those with Autism - Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and assorted others that live near the spectrum.


Each family is different, each family faces different challenges and yet there are some challenges that ALL on the spectrum face. They all face rounds of doctors, therapies and interviews with schools.

For my children I filled out a few papers, showed their shots cards and POOF! my children are placed into school.
For those on the spectrum it means several doctors visits, mounds of paper work, interviews with several schools and programs until they are finally accepted into a program. So a family that is already stressed and frazzled must go through TEN times the crap to get into a school then me a not so stressed parent.
It just doesn't seem fair and yet their is no end in sight.

Beautiful movie - I cried repeatedly, laughed and Awed. You will too!

Farewell Jane Russell

Today at the age of 89 Jane Russell passed away.

Here is the link to a well written article about Jane Russell 89 years of living.

She was best known for her role in Gentlemen prefer blonds, costarring Marilyn Monroe.

I loved her in many of her lesser known movies especially in The Paleface.

She was beautiful, stunning, and strong, making a wonderful and dynamic actress.

While many of my generation may not know her I was raised on her movies. She was loved by many and will be missed.

Aged in death, but preserved forever immortal and forever young on the screen that she loved.

Desperation and Dr. Suess

What do you do when you have a house full of sick people? You buy new movies!

Almost three hours of fun! Only down side to the video - No Play All button!!!
This has my favorite episode of The Lorax on it! If you have never watched it, you are missing out on something extraordinary!

My kids are in heaven and haven't moved a muscle since I started the DVD. This is good as they both have colds and need to calm down while warming up under their blankets.
My poor hubby is tuckered out and sleeping, my children are entranced and I am writing. All in all a good albeit sick day!
Hope your day is going better!

Carolina - Movie Review

This movie brings it all out to play.

Great cast

Fun script 

Shirley Maclaine is witty, diabolical and totally free.

Julia Stiles plays the lead

as a other side of the tracks girl who wants to be better

she just doesn't quite know what that means.

Its the story of family, of love and what truly matters in life.

Not for ages under 13

due to language, violence and adult comedy/humor.

My rating is a must watch 4.5 stars

My Indian movie favorites

In my quiet moments

when my husband is busy and the kids are wacthing 

Winnie the Pooh 

I have a secret passion.

An indulgence.

Bollywood!

Yes I am a follower 

of many a weird genre 

but none so fun as following

Indian movies

Some are funny, charming and witty.

Others are done badly

and are just not worth watching 

even at two in the morning.

So I have complied a short list of some of my favorites

I may add more later in time.

As I continue to find new and fun gems.

So 

Here's Bollywood!

  Beautiful movie

Crazy show with a weird ending but very fun!

A beautiful story of true love - even through pain there is love.

Love the music in this movie!
Love the hilarious mafia men on the tiny motor bike!
Love the idiot brother and the general good fun!

Stunningly beautiful movie!

Very funny!
Love the ending!
What are you doing up on the wall?
I am safer up here than down there?
Why?
Your going to kill me!

My Geeky Shows

So we finally found Firefly the whole series (ok only one season but that's all it lasted one season and one movie) at Sams Club for 18.88! Now we need to buy Serenity the movie accompaniment.

This is a family favorite, one of the best series ever made. However some how it fell through the cracks and got dumped! Sad, very very sad.

Next up I have some of my dorky gamers movies.

They have nominal acting,

not so great filming crews but honestly it adds to the believability of the shows.

This movie is called The Gamers Dorkness Rising - Love it!

Hilarious, Silly and a great late night laugh your bum off it's so bad in a fun way.

For anyone who has ever gamed they would love this movie.

(Especially if you ever played a or with a Bard)

All time best movie quote "Hide behind the pile of dead Bards!"

The next show is called The Guild there are two seasons - (two episodes: Season one, Season two)

Seriously funny!

This is a show of gamer misfits.

A group of Guild mates that play all day long.

It shows all the different people that play and how they play.

The show is about this girl and her video blog.

One of her guild mates thinks she is in love with him and shows up at her doorstep.

She starts to help him grow up while at the same time flirting with the guy next door.

It shows the ins and outs as well as the ups and downs 

of being Guildies in a face to face world.

This show does have one con - bad language.

5/31/10 add note: just watched the new guild 3 - WOW!
I can not wait for the next episode.
Really bad language, hilarious show.