There are some blogs out there that have a regular feature called Ten on Tuesday every week. One girl is a knitter. She comes up with a topic and she has a group of people who subscribe to her ToT feature, who in turn post their topic lists on their blogs.
Last week, the topic was Ten Favorite Oscar Winning Films. I had already written my pales-in-comparison Tuesday post, which was a lame Two for Tuesday missive with four pictures...but I did only talk about two things - my trip and the weather - so, deal with it.
I'm going to use this last week's topic and run with it over the next couple of weeks. Today, I will list my Ten Favorite Best Picture Winners...in year order:
1. Gone With the Wind (1939). I first read this book when I was in middle school and reread it about a dozen times before I got to college. The movie was a wonderful adaptation of the book. Of course, I wanted to be Scarlett.
2. Rebecca (1940). Being a second wife is not always easy.
3. All About Eve (1950). It just goes to show you that someone younger, prettier and stronger always comes along. Bette Davis and Anne Baxter were both nominated for Best Actress in this movie.
4. The Sting (1973). Robert Redford and Paul Newman (especially) were such eye candy in those days.
5. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). That was back when women could have it all. Well, I know that we can have it all, but these days, we don't necessarily want it...
6. Amadeus (1984). The sets!!! The costumes!!! It was a pretty film to watch.
7. Rain Man (1988). Such an interesting story, and Dustin Hoffman was incredible in it.
8. American Beauty (1999). What a put upon person that Kevin Spacey character was...This movie was a little quirky; so, you know I had to like it.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). - The Kid and I agree that Orlando Bloom looks better as an elf, and I think Viggo Mortensen needs those long hairs to look his best.
10. Slumdog Millionaire (2008). It was an endearing story.
So, there you have my list. What about you?
MK out.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Movie Monday - 2/14/2011
Happy Valentine's Day internets!!! I hope you and your sweetheart have something fun planned for today. At Chez Merry Karma, we are going to have a family dinner with heart shaped cookies and cupcakes - and some brownies thrown in for good measure. I think the VD cupid might have a couple of little treats that might involve candy or something...
It was another slow movie-watching week at the Merry Karma house, but I do have a few flicks about which to comment:
The Runaways, starring Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart, is about the 1970s band with the same name. Cherie Currie (Fanning) and Joan Jett (Stewart), along with Lita Ford and Sandy West were teenagers when they started the band under the direction of their abusive manager Kim Fowley, (Michael Shannon). Dakota did a great job. Kristen did alright. The movie showed all the seedy and inappropriate part of the business to which these kids were exposed. I guess they came through it all okay. Joan Jett is still out there performing. Cherie Currie is a chainsaw artist. She really is quite talented, but what a dangerous medium! Overall, it was alright.
It Might Get Loud is a really neat documentary looking at three of the best rock-n-roll guitarists of our time. Jimmy Page, the Edge and Jack White come together at the end in a jam session that is quite entertaining – The three have their own distinctive styles, but how they each got to this point is interestingly similar. Starting out, each artist was trying to rebel against the going style of the day to find a new voice…and I think each succeeded. I am very fascinated by the creative process and I thoroughly enjoyed this film.
The Invention of Lying is about a world where everyone tells the truth…until one day, one person doesn’t. Ricky Gervais, Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey and lots of others star in this predictable little film. It was cute.
Y'all have a good one!
MK out.
Friday, February 11, 2011
FO Friday - 2/11/2011
It's two-eleven-two-oh-eleven...just thought I'd share.
I realize it is not quite Valentine's Day, but Older Son is visiting and we thought we would practice making some sugar cookies. I posted a picture of them yesterday. I have a lo-o-o-ng way to go to get to SugarBelle's level; so, she shouldn't worry. This girl is phenomenally talented when it comes to making decorated cookies. I know her momma from one of my knitting groups. Her momma is pretty talented too - at writing and at knitting.
Had to take my momma to the doctor yesterday and luckily, I brought some knitting. I do think ahead at times...really. I worked on the gold linen wash cloth and started another in green using a plainer pattern, cause I needed something more automatic. I am at the point of the Lacy Top where a little concentration is needed; so, I didn't want to bring that along to the doctor's office. Good thing, cause the waiting room was full and just about everyone was on their cell phones. It amazes me the (should be) private conversations people have in a public place. Some were teetering quite close to the brink of the TMI category.
I do have some FOs to share though...with an inadequate picture, at that. Sorry. On the trip, since I couldn't finish the top, I made some hats for a charity project in which one of my knitting friends is participating. I had packed some yarn for other projects...There's that thinking ahead thing again...
I used Berroco Comfort and Ella Rae Amity that were leftovers from other hat projects. I adapted a pattern for the one on the top and just made up the other two.
MK out.
I realize it is not quite Valentine's Day, but Older Son is visiting and we thought we would practice making some sugar cookies. I posted a picture of them yesterday. I have a lo-o-o-ng way to go to get to SugarBelle's level; so, she shouldn't worry. This girl is phenomenally talented when it comes to making decorated cookies. I know her momma from one of my knitting groups. Her momma is pretty talented too - at writing and at knitting.
Had to take my momma to the doctor yesterday and luckily, I brought some knitting. I do think ahead at times...really. I worked on the gold linen wash cloth and started another in green using a plainer pattern, cause I needed something more automatic. I am at the point of the Lacy Top where a little concentration is needed; so, I didn't want to bring that along to the doctor's office. Good thing, cause the waiting room was full and just about everyone was on their cell phones. It amazes me the (should be) private conversations people have in a public place. Some were teetering quite close to the brink of the TMI category.
I do have some FOs to share though...with an inadequate picture, at that. Sorry. On the trip, since I couldn't finish the top, I made some hats for a charity project in which one of my knitting friends is participating. I had packed some yarn for other projects...There's that thinking ahead thing again...
MK out.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
WIP Wednesday - 2/9/2011
Another snow day has crippled the city...
I think my friends in Canada are laughing at us down here in Tey-has.
Since I won't be going down my driveway anytime soon, I'll show you what I am going to work on today.
First, we have the lacy top that I wanted to finish by the end of last month. Since I left for our trip without extra skeins of yarn in which to complete the project, it isn't quite finished...but close.
Oh, so close:
I've started a wash cloth out of the 100% linen Louet Euroflax Sport Weight. I am using a feather and fan pattern from the book Knitter's Stash. There are seven other patterns in the book, and I will have to decide which others to use:
Finally, the scrap blanky in its current state:
On days like today, having lots of yarn around is a good thing.
Oh...and one more thing. While I think it's a catchy tune, and Aggieland was represented, I have a little bone to pick with Jack Ingram. He didn't mention The Jewel of the Gulf, (aka my island hometown...la isla bonita...The G) in his little ditty.
Get a rope!
MK out.
I think my friends in Canada are laughing at us down here in Tey-has.
Since I won't be going down my driveway anytime soon, I'll show you what I am going to work on today.
First, we have the lacy top that I wanted to finish by the end of last month. Since I left for our trip without extra skeins of yarn in which to complete the project, it isn't quite finished...but close.
Oh, so close:
I've started a wash cloth out of the 100% linen Louet Euroflax Sport Weight. I am using a feather and fan pattern from the book Knitter's Stash. There are seven other patterns in the book, and I will have to decide which others to use:
Finally, the scrap blanky in its current state:
On days like today, having lots of yarn around is a good thing.
Oh...and one more thing. While I think it's a catchy tune, and Aggieland was represented, I have a little bone to pick with Jack Ingram. He didn't mention The Jewel of the Gulf, (aka my island hometown...la isla bonita...The G) in his little ditty.
Get a rope!
MK out.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Two for Tuesday...
1. Last week, we missed Ice-and-Snow-maggedon because we were on the west coast. I think it was the only place in the country that wasn't having too much weather.
In fact, it was beautiful out there.
A complete rainbow:
Two-fisted drinker:
I could not capture accurately the icy blue-green color in the top of the waves:
2. There's just a little snow left around my house - mostly on the north side and under the bushes. Otherwise, today was beautiful here.
It's supposed to snow again overnight. That should make tomorrow fun. I wonder if the schools have already decided to close.
MK out.
In fact, it was beautiful out there.
A complete rainbow:
Two-fisted drinker:
I could not capture accurately the icy blue-green color in the top of the waves:
2. There's just a little snow left around my house - mostly on the north side and under the bushes. Otherwise, today was beautiful here.
It's supposed to snow again overnight. That should make tomorrow fun. I wonder if the schools have already decided to close.
MK out.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Movie Monday - 2/7/2011
Hey, hey, hey....How is everyone today?
Can y'all believe the weather last week? Kids around here had four days off from school. The Husb and I were on a trip on the west coast; so, we missed all the hoopla. I am hearing rumors that more weather may be in store for us this week. Here's hoping...
When one drives from Tejas to the west coast, there is ample iPad-streaming movie time. I did identify two limiting factors: 1. It is better to watch when it is darkish...the sun really adds that glare dimension to the screen. 2. 3G works great when there are cell towers nearby...but if not...(Can you say "Mojave Desert?") And cell towers on the AT&T network....well...(Can you say "I love Verizon?")
What I watched:
Solitary Man, starring Michael Douglas, is a study of how actions have consequences. Douglas plays Ben Kalmen, a former very successful businessman who used to have it all. He had gone to the doctor one day and instead of having further tests to investigate an abnormality that his doctor saw, he chose to ignore it and assumed that he didn’t really have much time left. Further, he decided that he would live out the rest of his life by acting on his impulses, which caused him to lose everything. Susan Sarandon, Mary-Louise Parker and Danny DeVito also star in this film. The last scene determines if you are a cynic or a romantic. It was good.
Patricia Clarkson, Danny Glover, John Cena and Devon Graye star in Legendary. Cal is tired of being bullied at school and joins the wrestling team. He uses his participation to try to reunite his mother (Clarkson) with his older brother, Mike (Cena), who left home after their father was killed in an automobile collision. Mike was quite the wrestling star in high school and college; so Cal goes after him to get some training. It was predictable, but sweet.
In The Pope’s Toilet, Beto makes his living smuggling goods across the Brazilian border to Uruguay. It is 1988 and the Pope is set to visit his small town. His friends and neighbors take out loans to set up stands to feed the estimated throngs of people expected to travel to see the Pope, but Beto has a better idea. All these people eating and drinking will soon need a place to go to the bathroom; so, he sets out to build the perfect enclosed outhouse. He intends to charge a fee and make his fortune. The movie, in Spanish with English subtitles, was not as funny as the name or the premise may imply, but it was good.
The Art of the Steal is an interesting documentary about the art collection of Albert Barnes, a physician who became a millionaire in the pharmaceutical industry in the early part of the 20th Century. With his money, he started collecting Post-Impressionist paintings that were collectively worth billions at the time of his death in 1951. Because he didn’t have much regard for the Philadelphia elite and art snobs, he started the Barnes Foundation to keep his collection private. When he died, he thought he had an iron-clad will that prevented the sale, loan or otherwise removal of the art from the Foundation’s walls. He also thought he had chosen the right custodian for the Foundation. It really exposed the greed and political shenanigans that resulted in the violation of his wishes.
Paris, starring Juliette Binoche and Romaine Duris, is about two siblings who turn to each other (in a non-sexual way) when he finds out he has a heart condition and must alter his lifestyle, and she, being a single mother, is tired of being alone. There are several characters in this movie, in French with English subtitles, whose lives are interconnected. It was alright.
While in San Fran, we were able to catch a movie at the Sundance Kabuki Theater. I appreciated their feature of allowing you to pick your seats. That was a special touch. I think it would come in handy if the film was really popular or if you wanted to see it at a busy time. (Did you hear that Angelika?)
Biutiful is a dark film starring Javier Bardem. In Spanish with English subtitles, this movie is set in Barcelona, Spain. Bardem plays Uxbal, a divorced father, who finds out that he has terminal prostate cancer. I found it interesting that such a young man had stage four prostate cancer, but I guess it can happen. Anyway, he sets out to put his affairs in order, including atoning for the fact that his occupation – an underground criminal – prays on those less fortunate. It was alright, but with a running time of roughly two-and-a-half hours, it was about an hour too long. Javier Bardem gave a good performance though.
MK out.
Can y'all believe the weather last week? Kids around here had four days off from school. The Husb and I were on a trip on the west coast; so, we missed all the hoopla. I am hearing rumors that more weather may be in store for us this week. Here's hoping...
When one drives from Tejas to the west coast, there is ample iPad-streaming movie time. I did identify two limiting factors: 1. It is better to watch when it is darkish...the sun really adds that glare dimension to the screen. 2. 3G works great when there are cell towers nearby...but if not...(Can you say "Mojave Desert?") And cell towers on the AT&T network....well...(Can you say "I love Verizon?")
What I watched:
Solitary Man, starring Michael Douglas, is a study of how actions have consequences. Douglas plays Ben Kalmen, a former very successful businessman who used to have it all. He had gone to the doctor one day and instead of having further tests to investigate an abnormality that his doctor saw, he chose to ignore it and assumed that he didn’t really have much time left. Further, he decided that he would live out the rest of his life by acting on his impulses, which caused him to lose everything. Susan Sarandon, Mary-Louise Parker and Danny DeVito also star in this film. The last scene determines if you are a cynic or a romantic. It was good.
Patricia Clarkson, Danny Glover, John Cena and Devon Graye star in Legendary. Cal is tired of being bullied at school and joins the wrestling team. He uses his participation to try to reunite his mother (Clarkson) with his older brother, Mike (Cena), who left home after their father was killed in an automobile collision. Mike was quite the wrestling star in high school and college; so Cal goes after him to get some training. It was predictable, but sweet.
In The Pope’s Toilet, Beto makes his living smuggling goods across the Brazilian border to Uruguay. It is 1988 and the Pope is set to visit his small town. His friends and neighbors take out loans to set up stands to feed the estimated throngs of people expected to travel to see the Pope, but Beto has a better idea. All these people eating and drinking will soon need a place to go to the bathroom; so, he sets out to build the perfect enclosed outhouse. He intends to charge a fee and make his fortune. The movie, in Spanish with English subtitles, was not as funny as the name or the premise may imply, but it was good.
The Art of the Steal is an interesting documentary about the art collection of Albert Barnes, a physician who became a millionaire in the pharmaceutical industry in the early part of the 20th Century. With his money, he started collecting Post-Impressionist paintings that were collectively worth billions at the time of his death in 1951. Because he didn’t have much regard for the Philadelphia elite and art snobs, he started the Barnes Foundation to keep his collection private. When he died, he thought he had an iron-clad will that prevented the sale, loan or otherwise removal of the art from the Foundation’s walls. He also thought he had chosen the right custodian for the Foundation. It really exposed the greed and political shenanigans that resulted in the violation of his wishes.
Paris, starring Juliette Binoche and Romaine Duris, is about two siblings who turn to each other (in a non-sexual way) when he finds out he has a heart condition and must alter his lifestyle, and she, being a single mother, is tired of being alone. There are several characters in this movie, in French with English subtitles, whose lives are interconnected. It was alright.
While in San Fran, we were able to catch a movie at the Sundance Kabuki Theater. I appreciated their feature of allowing you to pick your seats. That was a special touch. I think it would come in handy if the film was really popular or if you wanted to see it at a busy time. (Did you hear that Angelika?)
Biutiful is a dark film starring Javier Bardem. In Spanish with English subtitles, this movie is set in Barcelona, Spain. Bardem plays Uxbal, a divorced father, who finds out that he has terminal prostate cancer. I found it interesting that such a young man had stage four prostate cancer, but I guess it can happen. Anyway, he sets out to put his affairs in order, including atoning for the fact that his occupation – an underground criminal – prays on those less fortunate. It was alright, but with a running time of roughly two-and-a-half hours, it was about an hour too long. Javier Bardem gave a good performance though.
MK out.
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