I am forever Changed!!

I have always been a fan of Les Miserables. As you may know, the original story was a novel by Victor Hugo, published in the 1860's.   I loved the movie version with Liam Neeson as Jean Val Jean.  The story touches me in ways I have had a hard time explaining. It has been a novel, a mini series on the radio produced by the great Orson Welles, TV Miniseries, musicals, even a Japanese TV series called Inochimoyu. The story has been done over and over. So when I went for my Christmas present, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I went on Wednesday as a Christmas gift from my 15 year old son. Through out the experience I was constantly crying.  At one point I looked over at him, he too had tears in his eyes reflected by the light on the screen. He hates things emotional. What 15 year guy doesn't?  So after the experience I asked him what he thought about it.  He told me it was the best movie he ever saw. High praise for a guy that loves Call of Duty: black ops or Assassins Creed III. He said that it was powerful. So we talked about it for awhile afterward. He loved the character of Jean Valjean, my son wants to be a really good man.  It changed his view about religion too. He normally questions it with his scientific mind. He saw how powerful on a persons life it can be. He watched Bishop Myriel restore Jean Valjeans faith, and forever change his life. Nick was angry and touched by Fantine's journey in trying to care for her daughter and how she was mistreated. So if I had no other feelings for the movie, that would have been enough for me.

That said, I was so moved by the movie it affected me the rest of the day.  The movie it's self is so well done, it should have more than 4 Golden Globe nominations.  It will be a contender for Oscar night too.  I think definitely Ann Hathaway as Fantine and Hugh Jackman as Jean ValJean should be named. Russel Crowe did amazing job as the nemesis Javert. A surprise for me was in the performances of Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as Thenardier and Madam Thenardier, the corrupt inkeepers that cared for Fantine's daughter Cosette. They were one of the lighter parts of the movie, and there were not many. They registered stupid more than corrupt. Samantha Barks played Eponine their daughter. That actress did an amazing part as the girl who loved Marius (Eddie Redmayne), while he pined for the 17 year old Cossette (the wonderful Amanda Seyfried).  The acting in this movie was superb as was the singing.  In fact Amanda Seyfried was trained vocally in the technique she used to make her voice sound so young. It was beautiful.

There is another part of the movie for me that was thrilling, and moving.  The struggle of Jean Valjean to be completely transformed to a loving, caring honest man after all he had experienced. Like my son I was motivated by his journey, and the quality he tried to have. I also thought he was able to reinvent himself over and over because of his faith in God and his ability to go back to the convent as needed. It was as if he could go home again and recharge his batteries. The reason for this being thrilling to me is that when I hear of transformations now, they are usually being said about some new age philosophy. As a new-ager I think we forget that our greatest journeys are about how we treat our fellow beings and what kind of humans we are. It is one of my struggles also.

So the movie was magnificent. the music was good, the actors brilliant and the story timeless. If you have a chance to, go see it, I think it could remind you of what it is to be human. I have known humans that on the outside look good to the world, but on the inside they are unkind and judgmental.  Javert reminded me why being with the law is important, but being human and flawed is where the joy and love are.

One More Time A Christmas Story

So now the night is winding down.  It has been A Christmas Story all day long, like background music. The narration of Jean Shepard who wrote the Book "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash", takes on us on a family vacation to Hohman, Indiana in 1949.  The war was over, Americans were making babies, buying cars and houses, and living the American dream. Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas.  With every authority at Christmas repeating, "You'll Shoot Your Eye out".  

The cast is wonderful, with the toe head blond, be-speckled 10 year old boy retelling the story of his family Christmas. His father is played by the reknown Darrin McGavin, and though McGavin is no longer with us, he will live on as the cursing father of Ralphie Parker.  The man enamored with a cheap the looking plastic leg lamp, and net stockings. His mother is Melinda Dillon who I best remember in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. She is the long suffering wife and mother, who never gets a warm bite of food and protects Ralphie from the wrath of his father when he beats up the school bully. She is first to tell Ralphie "you'll shoot your eye out". When he answers her question as to what he wants for Christmas.

His little brother Randy (Ian Pretella) runs along behind him encased in a snow suit that allows no movement not even the dropping of his arms to his sides. Randy won't eat so his mother engages him in eating "like the piggie does" allowing Randy eat off his plate like an piggie, snorting and laughing through dinner.  The "old man" as Ralphie refers to his father as, has his head in the paper not seeming to care about the goings on of his family during dinner. His job is sneaking turkey, introducing the word Fragile (pronounced by the old man as Fra Jill lay) to the world and hitting the ailing furnace.

Ralphie has 2 side kicks, Flick (Scott Schwartz) and Schwartz (R.D. Robb). Schwartz is the genius who is "triple dogged dared" to stick his tongue to the flagpole to see what happens. The next scene is Ralphie's teacher, Miss Shields (Tedde Moore) standing out in the falling snow, as the firemen and police men get Schwartz' tongue off the pole.  To punish those encouraging Schwartz, Miss Shields assigns a theme paper, "What I want for Christmas".  Ralph can't wait to do the paper, fantasizing about an A +++, only to get a C+ and the words "you'll put your eye out".

The 3rd naysayer in the tale is Santa Claus at the department store downtown Hohman.He says this as he uses his foot to push Ralphie down the slide after his visit with Santa. The story is heartwarming with snow scenes that would do any Christmas proud, parents who love their boys, and a dad who gets his son the BB gun. Ralphie also gets footie pajamas that make him look like a girl Easter Bunny. The funniest scene is that his mother makes him try the pj's on. I think personally she took pleasure in seeing him in them. Who could blame her? I just rolled with laughter the first I saw it almost 30 years ago.  It is not Christmas without TBS' 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story.

So Christmas is over this year, we are tired, and I am off to bed, I just wanted to share a piece of my Christmas.  My son turned 15 today, it is permit year. Some sane person suggested I hire someone to teach him to drive.  I haven't decided, and as I am not the most sane person, it should not come as a shock to anyone.  For now I will just say good night, and have a great day tomorrow.

HO HO HO

It is Christmas Eve, and since this blog has always been about entertainment I want to discuss my favorite Christmas movies.  Now some of them are not Christmas at all, but hold some part of my heart during the season.  As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I am immediately ready for my Christmas movies.

This is true of my first Christmas favorite, Mamma Mia. I saw it about 4 years ago at Christmas time. I loved it and am a huge Abba fan.  I have fond memories of driving around North Phoenix looking at Christmas lights with my son, listening to Abba in the car. So when I think of that movie it is along with Christmas lights. This year I have fallen in love with another movie, that is becoming part of my Christmas movie marathon, it has nothing to do with Christmas, but is about love and a second chance.  It is We Bought a Zoo. I love Matt Damon and Scarlett Johanson, however, Maggie Elizabeth Jones is my new star. It tells the story of a man who has lost his wife, and drifts until he buys a house in the country that comes with a Zoo. It has the warmth of a great Christmas movie. So it is now part of my experience.

The second movie is slightly irreverent, and yet after turkey at Thanksgiving, it is my first of the season.  Christmas Vacation.  The wonderful Griswold Christmas, with exploding cats, Christmas tree fires, sleeping with your prepubescent brother, and green jello with kitty litter. Who doesn't love Randy Quaid as the white trash brother-in-law Eddie.


For a more British Christmas I found one in Love Actually. Honestly this is my new favorite of them all.  Love really is all around. It has Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister who falls for the cute yet foul-mouthed Natalie.  There is Alan Rickman as the straying husband of the very brilliant Emma Thompson.  Laura Linney as a codependent sister. Keira knightly and Andrew Lincoln (now of The Walking Dead fame) play part of an unrequited love triangle. Colin Firth is a jilted man who finds a new life with Portuguese Aurelia. Kris Marshall, finds love in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Shy sex body doubles Martin Freeman and Joanna Page fall in love and marry. Finally, Liam Neeson is the great and widowed step father to orphaned and in-love Sam (Thomas Sangster).  I love so many parts of the film it would be easier to tell you what I did not like, which is almost nothing.

I do love classics ! I always watch "It's a Wonderful Life", with the amazing Jimmy Stewart, and Donna Reed as the Baileys of Bedford Falls  Then there is White Christmas with Bing Crosby and the amazing Danny Kaye help their former commanding officer at the Pine Tree Ski Lodge save his business. It includes Vera-Ellen and the wonderful Rosemary Clooney.  There is another movie I love for Christmas, called Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. I used to confuse the two as they both take place at resorts, both are about buddies who are performers and both use the song "White Christmas".  Both are great films, but I personally think White Christmas is more magical.

There are wonderful TV Cartoons around the Holidays that are classics from my youth.  A Charlie Brown Christmas is a must see, along with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, that follows the song, and Frosty the Snow Man also follows the song of the same name and is a classic narrated by the late Burl Ives.

I love movies, and TV.  This time of year there are so many wonderful shows and movies I possess, but these are really the ones that introduce the Christmas season for me.  Movies are one the my most treasured experiences in my life, and I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. 

The number is 666!!

Now that school is started I am committed to writing this blog at least twice a week. No matter the work load.  I have come to love reviewing my favorite TV shows, movies, comics and anything that entertains me. So that takes me to my favorite TV viewing day, Sunday. I sat down to Dexter, and Homeland, when flipping through the channels I had picked up a new show called 666 Park Avenue.

Now that Deb Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) has uncovered her brother is a serial killer, she has decided Dexter (Michael C.Hall) has an addiction and she can help him beat it. He only has to spend every moment of everyday with her. Our clever Dexter however has learned to drug her steak (loaded syringe) to get a little time to himself when needed.  Not only that, La Guerta (Lauren Velez) is really trying to find out who the Bay Harbor Butcher is. If that were not enough, Dexter is having a problem with Louis Cook (Josh Greene). Louis appears to not fear Dexter, even after being threatened. So Dexter is having to "up" the terror in Louis' life.

 

On the Homeland front Carrie (Clair Danes) simply can not trust herself after being so wrong about Brodie  ( Damian lewis-though we know she is dead on target). So when of the informers she made will not speak to anyone else, they send Carrie with Saul (Mandy Patinkin) to Lebanon. It seems that Abu Nazir, a terrorist (who is a contact of Brodie's) is set up for capture. Brodie finds out and warns him at the last minute.  Carrie captures papers and a video of Brodie's involvement.  Saul watches it knowing she was right all along.  Carrie runs through the streets of Beruit looking like a crazy woman, but crazy like a fox.  When she goes home she is a little lonely for the CIA, she's missing being a part of it. So there is more than enough for an adrenaline rush with this show.

Now to my new find.  The infamous number 666, the mark of the beast is part of the title of this new supernatural drama, 666 Park Avenue. It is based on a book of the same name, and tells the story of a couple who live in the Drake in NYC. While living there they discover, that it is haunted, possessed and otherwise disturbed.  Jane Van Veen and Henry Martin (Rachael Taylor and Dave Annable) co-manage The Drake (filmed using the Beaux-Arts building, upper East Side Manhattan).  Early on, Jane is having a psychic connection with the building when it invades her sleep with a dream about a 53 year old murder. The building is haunted by murderous starlings, and even stranger owners, Olivia and Gavin Doran (Vanessa Williams and Terry O'Quinn). I am thinking this kind of weirdness is right up my alley and can't wait to see what develops.

So that is it for tonight, I am hoping you have a great week.  I will see you later!!

It's a Family Affair

I have not always appreciated the Family Channel from ABC.  I have feared mediocre entertainment disguised as wholesome family entertainment.  I have a new perspective because of a couple of things. First I have discovered they run the Gilmore Girls at 11am Monday-Friday. Who doesn't love Rory Gilmore? The Secret Life of The American Teenager has 1980's teen queen Molly Ringwald.  My most favorite find is Switched at Birth.

It is the story of Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano-April Nardini from Gilmore Girls) and Daphne Vasquez (Katie LeCleric). They were switched at birth in a hospital in Kansas. Bay's father was a famous ball player John Kennish (D.W. Moffett). Her mother was stay at home Kathryn (the wonderful Lea Thompson-Caroline in the City and The Back to The Future series). Her brother Toby (Louis Graebel from High School Musicals) resembles Daphne more than Bay.  Daphne grew up abandoned by her father early after she gets an ear infection and goes deaf. Her mother Regina (Constance Marie-George Lopez Show) is a recovering alcoholic hair dresser  They live in a working class neighborhood in Riverside, Missouri, with Daphne's grandmother played by Ivonne Coll.

After studying blood types in school, Bay wonders why she is different than her family.. Bada-bing bada-bang, and some genetic testing later, Bay is discovered not to be a biological Kennish. It is discovered that the hospital switched her with Daphne Vasquez.  When they meet it makes sense, Daphne, who is athletic with light colored hair blends right in with the Kennishes. There is where the story begins.  The Vasquez's come to live with the Kennishes in the guest house.  This enabled them to get to know each other, and to help Regina out in a financial bind.

Well now, the long lost husband (of Regina) Angelo Sorrento has come back, and learned the truth. It seems he left Regina because he believed she cheated. How could a Puerto Rican woman and an Italian man give birth to a light haired baby? I guess it never occurred to him, that maybe genetically someone married a blond, or that they were switched at birth. Anyway Regina has now had to marry him to keep him from being deported.  One other fact, Bay started dating Emmett Bledsoe (Sean Birdy) who Daphne secretly had a crush on.  They were friends from childhood. His mother is played by the famous Marlee Matlin.  Eventually though Emmett slept with Toby's girlfriend and Bay dumped him. So long faced Emmett is trying to be Bay's friend.  Yeah, like that works all the time.

Anyway, during October, from the 19th on, the ABC Family channel is going to have Halloween films every night.  They are among the likes of Beetlejuice and Hocus Pocus.  I am sure there will be a Tim Burton film in there too. So even though it is mostly G or PG13, the ABC Family Channel will have me watching. Those are some fun films!! I love Switched at Birth and can't wait for next Monday!!

 

Dexter is BACK!!

 

Ok, this was an exciting night on Showtime. Dexter came back, with a Homeland Chaser.  I have watched both since their beginnings, Dexter since 2006 and Homeland since 2011. Dexter (Michael C. Hall), I call the serial killer with good intentions. He only kills killers. It seems Dexter was rescued by a Miami cop when he was 3. The cop, Harry Morgan (James Remar) saw something in Dexter, and because Dexter was witness to his mother's murder, and was sitting in a pool of her blood, Harry thought his urge to kill needed to be contained. So he coached him and taught him how to use his powers for good. He still haunts Dexter now and then. Harry and his wife had a daughter, named Debra (Jennifer Carpenter) who basically lived in Dexter's shadow after Harry rescued and adopted him. With both of their parents gone both Debra and Dexter work for Miami Metro. He is a blood splatter specialist and Debra this year is the Lieutenant of his division.

 

Homeland began last season and introduces us to characters Carrie Mathison (Clair Danes), and Nicholas Brody (Brit Damien Lewis).  Carrie is an CIA agent who was tipped off that an American Prisoner of War in Iraq, has turned Al-Queda.  Immediately after, her Boss David Estes (David Harewood calls a meeting to divulge an American Marine had been rescued, thus enter Nicholas Brody.  So after 8 years Nicholas goes home to his wife Jessica Brody (Morena Baccarin) who played Anna in "V"). She is one of the most gorgeous women on TV.  It turns out Nicholas is Al-Queda and has been sent to take out some politicians.  Carrie comes to his own and convinces his daughter to call him, so he does not follow through on his suicide bombing mission.  Carrie is unceremoniously tossed from the CIA, and abandoned even by her mentor Saul (played by one of my faves Mandy Patinkin).  In the last frame Carrie is getting electro shock therapy for her bipolar disorder.

Last season on Dexter, Debra reveals in therapy she has a break through. She confesses that Dexter has always been there for her, and she might actually be in love with him. Before you judge, remember technically they are not related. Fast forward as she walks in on Dexter performing his ritual killing of Travis (Colin Hanks) the religious serial killer. She is shocked but agreed to help Dexter cover it up. So they remove the plastic and tell tale signs of Dexter's involvement, stab Travis with his sword in the same wound, and set the whole place on fire. Deb gets the gasoline. Deb is having a Post Traumatic Stress experience most of the rest of the episode.  At the scene Det. La Guerta (Lauren Velez) finds the blood slide in a crevice that Dexter dropped (you have to have souvenirs).

Dexter is having nightmares of trying to get away, and having all his credit cards declined. Which turns out to be a psychic premonition. Jamie (Aimee Garcia) his son's Harrison's babysitter has become involved a millionaire gamer Louis Greene (Josh Cooke) who is fascinated with Dexter. He logs on to Dexter's computer and steals credit card numbers from Dexter's aliases and cancels them. The exact premonition Dexter had. After a cop is killed, Dexter  who is needing to get control back in his life, goes after the killer and finishes him off.

When he goes home Deb is setting in Dexter's home with every piece of evidence strewn across his living room, including his blood splatter collection. The end for this week.  I am looking forward to this season #7, some guest stars are Calista Flockhart (Brothers and Sisters), Ray Stevenson, Jason Gedrick, and Yvonne Strahovski. So keep your hats on!!

This season begins in Homeland with people starting to doubt Nicholas Brody as he is now up for presidential running mate, and is acting funny.  No one doubts him more than his wife Jessica who finds his Koran and throws it on the floor. Nicholas freaks out just a little. Carrie is called back from her docile life with her sister and her father in to action. It seems an operative Carrie brought in will speak to no one else. So with a brunett wig, Carrie is off to Iraq, soon is evading capture, and it is clear, mania has over taken her. My son said she had crazy eyes.  Brody has found an ally in his daughter, who later helps him bury his desecrated Koran.  This show won Emmy's for Best Drama, Best Actor Damien Lewis and Best Actress Claire Danes.  This season they say will answer all your questions, so I would suggest you not miss it.  Have a good night!!

I know where Andy Botwin Went!!

 

Well, this one of my favorite times on television.  It is the new television season. Now on the cable channels new shows and seasons of beloved shows, start throughout the year.  On the mainstream ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, fall is a big deal. In fact I am a little behind. I love fall. I have fond memories of school starting and the new fall lineup on television. I am determined to catch up with them over the next couple of weeks.  There are 2 shows I want to address and both are on the fab 4 network shows.

The other day I was lamenting the ending of Weeds.  Mary-Louise Parker is already jumping into new work, with Red 2, remember how great she was with Bruce Willis? That is not all though, she is filming Feed The Dog, Les Passages, and finished up Jamesy Boy. So she is still a type A personality.  I was flipping through the channels and there he was, Andy Botwin, or Justin Kirk as he is known IRL. That's In Real Life for those of you who didn't know. I knew, I saw The Net.

He is the lead in a new NBC show called Animal Practice. He plays Dr. George Coleman.  Whereas Andy Botwin could never find a way to keep his thoughts to himself,  Dr. George Coleman, hates people.  So his conversations are limited. He loves his patients. There are 2 break away stars for me. First a Capuchin monkey named Dr.  Rizzo (Crystal).  He loves to paint to music, and dresses in the cutest clothes (Ok, I will stop the cuteness).  Next is animal handler Angela (Betsy Sodaro) she is quirky, even odd, yet loveable.  This last week she sold Dr. Rizzo's painting to a gallery, only to feel so much guilt she bought it back for an additional $200. They all work at Crane Animal hospital which caters to the rich and famous. Where Dr. Coleman's boss is his ex-girl-friend who inherited the business. She is Dorothy Crane (Joann Garcia Swisher).  If you love quirky comedies, you will certainly love this.

 

That leads me into a show I already watch and love. One that boasts a Weeds alumni.  It is Suburgatory. It is in it's second season on ABC. Jeremy Sisto plays single father George Altman. George moves his teenage daughter Tessa (Jane Levy) to the burbs to give her a better life. A redhead in a sea of blonde girls. They move from NYC to the fictitious suburb of Chatswin.  Now as someone who lives in the burbs, I completely understand Tessa's desire to chew her arm off to escape the burbs for NYC.  She makes a friend in the awkward Lisa Marie Shay (Allie Grant also a Weeds alumni- Isabel Hodes).   

George has a girlfriend, Eden (the famous Alicia Silverstone). She is about 8 months pregnant, as she is a surrogate mother for Noah and Jill (Alan Tudyk and Gillian Vigman).  I love that they wove Alicia Silverstone's vegan lifestyle in with Eden. I am sure they did this to annoy Tessa.  How are you supposed eat wonderful hot gooey pastries with frosting, while Eden is shoving whole grain down your throat? I get It. I know where Tessa is coming from. Even with a girlfriend the easy going George is a chick magnet, yet he doesn't exactly get it.  There are some great supporting actors in the show.  Ana Gesteyer (SNL alum), Jay Mohr, and Cheryl Hines.  The show's writing is clever and funny. So I would tell you to watch the show and enjoy the casting!!

Well, there is so much to write about for weeks to come, so I am stopping for tonight.  Tomorrow night Dexter the serial killer with a heart is back on. This year it should be great. His cop sister caught him knife hand over one of his victims.  Homeland is coming back tomorrow too, so have a great day and stay tuned!!