Movies Anyone?

So, my husband and I watch an inordinate amount of movies. It's just what we do. Often by the end of the day we are too exhausted to come up with anything more creative than put the kids down and crash in front of the TV. I also happened to marry into a movie-crazy family. Not even kidding... one brother-in-law is like a movie genius, we all fight to have him on our team while playing Scene-it, another BIL works in Hollywood, and all of them seem to have an uncanny knack of memorizing lines from movies (even if said movie was only watched once).

We've actually watched some really good movies recently (like within the past year, just don't want you to think we watch THAT many movies). I thought I would suggest some of our favorites, as the summer approaches and movie season starts but we are all too cheap to go the actual theaters, that you can get on DVD.

Family movies (okay, we don't actually watch these with our kids because they are still a little young, but we would be willing to watch them again as the kids get older).
Dragon Hunters - a little intense for the younger audience and slower paced, it was still really fun to watch and absolutely beautiful. Definite recommendation if you like foreign films. If not stick with Dragon Trainer, one of my husbands favorites.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - it's about a magical toy store, what's not to love?
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I like it much better than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Bandslam - we thought it was going to be a High School Musical wannabe, totally was NOT! Really great storyline, good character development, and way more depth than the trailers lead you to believe. We laughed, we cried, we loved it.
The Spy Next Door - completely cheesy, but we happen to be big Jackie Chan fans and it would be a fun one for the kids too.

Good girl-time movies (I watched these by myself, mainly while folding laundry, which has to be the most boring chore ever).
Bright Star - based on the three-year romance of John Keats and Fanny Brawne, it'll make you cry.
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend - super cute movie with a little twist at the end I was totally not expecting and it takes place in Salt Lake City (for all of you Utah people out there).
I'm Reed Fish - I still don't know how I feel about this one... let's just say it was interesting.
Leap Year - if you haven't seen this movie yet, go watch it. Right now.

Chick Flicks to watch as a date:
Notting Hill - yes my husband actually watched this one with me and it was his idea (I had actually never seen this one) and he loved it. You just can't go wrong with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.
500 Days of Summer - not your typical chick flick, which is why I think my husband liked it so much and I just love weird movies like this.
Penelope - another one that if you have not seen you must go watch, right now. Not only did we both love it, but it sends such a good message that I will make my teenagers watch this whether they want to or not.
Date Night - okay, not really a chick flick and probably shouldn't recommend it to just anyone, but seriously, we are just at that point in our lives where we were laughing because it is so true (although there were a few awkward scenes/jokes in the movie, just warning you).

Movies your Man will definitely watch:
Stone of Destiny - about a group of young college students who decide to steal the stone of Destiny (a symbol of Scotland) from under the Crowning throne in England in the 1950's. Brush up on your history a bit and then watch this movie.
Traitor - an action movie about terrorists.
Taken - finally, no talking bad-guy scene, yay! (Not recommended if you don't like violence).
Outsourced - jobs are outsourced to India (in fact, I believe there is a new NBC series based on the same thing), sorry not much of an explanation, we jut really liked it.
Unstoppable - we liked it enough that my husband wants to buy it.

Those are some of my random suggestions. I could go on, but for sake of time (and not wanting to completely admit to how many movies I actually watch) I will stop for now. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

I've come full circle

I love the movie Legally Blonde.

Now I realize, to many, Legally Blonde is nothing more than a Girl Power waste of time. However, those that just dismiss it as another brainless chick flick with slightly less male characters and a lot more pink are completely missing the point. I was sixteen when I first saw Legally Blonde with my best girlfriend Aubrey. As we lounged in her parents living room, I found myself relating to the struggles and triumphs of Ms. Elle Woods in oh-so-many ways. Somehow, I saw myself in the sassy, opinionated, and chic Elle (without the boobs, blonde hair, or wardrobe, of course). So often in high school, I was completely dismissed because I was perky, cute, and waaaay more than a bit of a flirt. It was automatically assumed I was vapid and empty-headed. I can't even tell you how often I had people insist I was making up a word they didn't recognize because they couldn't fathom I had a bigger vocabulary then they did [insert eye roll here]. Who cares if I say "like" more than my fair share, that doesn't mean I can't be intelligent. So, when I saw Elle deal with the same issues, I guess I just felt understood.


When I graduated from small-town Stillwater High School (Go Pioneers!), it was so refreshing to go to an intellectually-challenging college and have people assume that if you were there, you had to be a relatively smart cookie. I really, really enjoyed that aspect of school. Even when I got married, had my first baby, and was pregnant with my second (at the young age of 22, no less), people still assumed that I had some substance to me.


I'm sorry to say...I've come full circle. I'm once again Elle Woods, with flatter boobs and un-fabulous hair (what I wouldn't do for that volume *sigh*). Now that I'm no longer in school and am at home with three very young kids all. day. long., I find myself being, once again, completely dismissed. When I venture out for the necessary trip to Walmart or even [gasp!] the mall, people look at me like I'm certifiably insane or, even worse, completely through me. I was on a rare Girls Night Out a while back, and I got all excited that the person ringing me up at a store actually *saw* me and even carried on a conversation, no less. I don't know if my girlfriend really understood what the big deal was, but now that she's a mom herself, she probably does now. When people do talk to me, I often find myself talked down to. I don't know if they think because I procreate I must be an idiot or what. It's like, "Hello! I do have three children, but I do know how babies are made, I am aware of birth control, and I do have intelligent opinions! Thanks, buh-bye now." Never does someone ask me about my opinion on politics or religion or even the latest bestseller, they just ask me about my children...and that's about it. Don't get me wrong, I love talking about my kids, baby names, and potty-training, but I do have a brain just north of my uterus. So, while Elle lamented, "All people see when they look at me is blonde hair and big boobs," I'm complaining that all people see when they look at me is overactive kids and the mommy uniform.

Maybe I'm overreacting...heaven knows, I'm venting...I guess I'd just like someone to reassure me I'm not alone in feeling like this.

Anyone?

Move over Mr. Darcy!

On the suggestion of one of our readers, I decided to watch North & South, a BBC mini-series. (Thanks Liberty!) Thanks to Netflix and instant download I was able to watch it over a period of days during my son's nap-times. It didn't take me long to fall in love with Mr. Thornton.

Yes, that's right, my new fictional crush is Mr. Thornton. Sorry, Mr. Darcy. You were amazing, complex, noble, and somewhat broody, but Mr. Thornton puts you to shame. He's not prideful, he's passionate, which in his case is both a virtue and a vice. He is, in my humble opinion, hands down a more complex character than Mr. Darcy. And you've gotta love Richard Armitage, the actor who plays Mr. Thornton. *Warning: After the pictures is a spoiler.*



Isn't he just HOT?

And here he is as the broody Mr. Thornton...


I don't know if it's just my pregnancy hormones raging, or if Richard Armitage is just that good of an actor, but the closing sequence of the story was one of the most romantic scenes every portrayed. The smile, the kiss, the emotion so plainly written on both Mr. Thornton and Miss Hale's faces was just incredible.

And so I put my very high recommendation in with Liberty's to watch North & South, and I ask, who are your fictional crushes?

Oh - and yes dearest husband, you are still the hottest guy I know both in reality and fiction. :)

Chick Flicks

My sister is in town visiting me which means shopping, homemade spa nights, and of course, chick flicks. I have a lot of favorite chick flicks but I think my all time favorites are:

Pride & Prejudice



I like both the A&E 6 hour version and the Keira Knightley version. Right now I lean towards the Keira Knightley because I simply don't have the time to sit down and watch the six hour version, and the six hour version is enjoyed the most when you are able to watch it all the way through.

The other one I absolutely love is Mostly Martha.



Seriously, one of the best movies of all time.

My sister, who's 15, loves Twilight...



And let's face it, we all have to admit we've drooled over Robert Pattinson at one point and are equally excited to see Jacob in New Moon.

What is it about chick flicks that make us all gooey inside? Even those of us married and with children. My heart still skips a beat every time Mr. Darcy walks into the scene and the soup tasting scene in Mostly Martha just makes me melt. It could have something to do with the smile I can't wipe off my face every time my husband comes home from work. I guess I'm a romantic who just loves my romantic chick flicks. So, I ask, what are your favorite chick flicks? Any recommendations for me?