The end of the war is almost as overwhelming a topic as the war itself, as that's obviously where we are now, albeit with the war getting farther and farther into the past. Unfortunately, the war is barely taught in schools today, at least in the United States, and the number of people who directly … Continue reading During World War Two: Since the War
An Ode To Sidekicks (Lemon Butter Orzo and Sauteed Mushrooms)
The holiday season has arrived! It's finally cold in my neck of the woods, and everyone I know is extremely happy about it. It's been a long, hot summer. I was going to do something about Gilmore Girls for this month's Club 15 post, but that will all have to wait, because a Campbell's Soup … Continue reading An Ode To Sidekicks (Lemon Butter Orzo and Sauteed Mushrooms)
It’s A Wash
We're most definitely in the thick of fall now, and I say that because Placer County is typically late with the fall weather--as I've said before, we generally don't cool off too much until mid-October--but now we're getting rain and wind and all that stuff. Coziness...woo hoo! Naturally, the movies are starting to reflect Award … Continue reading It’s A Wash
Dining With Dracula (Mom and Grandma’s Baked Chicken)
Next to garlic, chicken is the food named more than any other in Bram Stoker's novel and in Dracula lore (See a list of other foods mentioned here). Why was it such a favorite? Who knows. Bram Stoker may have just liked it. When Bram Stoker's original novel was published in 1897, chicken was a … Continue reading Dining With Dracula (Mom and Grandma’s Baked Chicken)
Abbott and Costello Meet…
Abbott and Costello were quite the duo, of course, and they sure got around, even into some of Universal's best horror franchises. Actually, I should rephrase that. They met pretty much everyone, and if anyone hasn't seen the "Abbott and Costello Meet..." series, well, here's a treat. I've seen three of the five and the … Continue reading Abbott and Costello Meet…
We’re Back (In School)
Happy September! August was all too brief, but a wash in terms of movies. Well, mostly. At least it was a wash to the good side. I don't know about anyone else, but I can't believe summer's over. Well, I should rephrase that. Vacation is over, but the summer weather is still going strong. We're still getting … Continue reading We’re Back (In School)
The Merry Month of May
Ah, June. School's out, we hit century temps this week, my friends and I are planning a few day trips, my husband is keeping track of our AC usage because PG&E is freaking expensive and greedy, and it's all lazy, hazy and crazy. Oh, and our dishwasher's currently kaput. Who knew washing loads of dishes … Continue reading The Merry Month of May
Five Jane Powell Films
Time to run that marathon... Jane Powell was born Suzanne Lorraine Burce on April 1, 1929 in Portland, Oregon, and her story echoes that of many of her contemporaries: Her parents wanted her to be the next Shirley Temple. As such, Suzanne was pressed into singing lessons starting at age five. At fourteen, Suzanne won … Continue reading Five Jane Powell Films
January Movies Are Fun. So Much Fun.
Ah, January, that notorious cinematic wasteland. The repose of the How Did This Get Greenlit? movies. The repository of the Are We There Yet? flicks. The refuge of the Will Never Win Anything But Razzies pictures. So yeah, this list isn't exactly a rave. Heh. We're just gonna dive right in (click the images for … Continue reading January Movies Are Fun. So Much Fun.
It Wasn’t Terrible
How was everyone's November? In terms of the movies I saw, things went from meh to less than meh to not bad to not too shabby, with a slight dash of What the Heck Did I Just Watch (Looking at you, Freelance). In fairness, though, November's offerings could have been much, much worse. For one thing, I tried to review Netflix's All the Light … Continue reading It Wasn’t Terrible
Page To Screen: Emma
While it's hard to touch Pride and Prejudice in terms of screentime, Jane Austen's 1815 novel, Emma comes pretty close. Like Pride and Prejudice, one of Emma's major themes is marriage, but unlike that august work, there isn't the looming spectre of home passing to someone else in the event of Father's death. There is, however, the looming spectre of … Continue reading Page To Screen: Emma
Page To Screen: The Bridge of San Luis Rey
While Thornton Wilder is best known for his 1938 play, Our Town, he was by no means a one-hit wonder. Eleven years before Our Town, his novella (and only his second published work), The Bridge of San Luis Rey would release to wide acclaim and win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature the following year. For those who aren't … Continue reading Page To Screen: The Bridge of San Luis Rey
During World War Two: John Huston
We've come to the last of our five directors who went overseas during World War Two. John Huston was the youngest of the lot. Like his contemporaries, Huston distiguished himself during the war by making documentaries, and while they mostly did all right, one was too fake while another was too real. John Huston was … Continue reading During World War Two: John Huston
School’s Out For Summer
If anyone now has a certain Alice Cooper song in their heads, I'm heartily sorry...oh, wait, no, I'm not. 🙂 So yeah, as of today I am DONE with work until August tenth and I feel fine. It's been a good school year. Wild and crazy, but good. I'll miss the kids and the cat … Continue reading School’s Out For Summer
An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
The Pick My Movie Tag is back, guys, and it won't be the last time this year. This go-round, J-Dub of Dubsism nominated me (thank you, J-Dub!) because backsies are not only acceptable but encouraged. The challenge, should I choose to accept it, is to review a movie everyone likes but I can't stand. While … Continue reading An Embarrassment of Superhero Movies
During World War Two: Frank Capra
Frank Capra often stood alone. He was an underdog. He had no choice. He was, however, also a teacher of high ideals and human worth, and connected with his audience in ways the more cynical were always surprised at and maybe a little jealous. Born in 1897 in the Sicilian town of Palermo, Italy, Capra … Continue reading During World War Two: Frank Capra
Stage To Screen: Much Ado About Nothing
One of Shakespeare's most popular plays (and one of my favorites, too), is Much Ado About Nothing. Written in either 1598 or 1599, it's full of biting wit, passionate romance, and manipulation of both the shameful and shameless varieties. While it has a long production history, it has a short filmography. For those who might not be … Continue reading Stage To Screen: Much Ado About Nothing
Taking Up Room 