Last Movie Reviews of 2009 - "Crazy Heart" & "It's Complicated"

Ron and I headed off to the city today to see "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges. It was a little film about a down-on-his-luck alcoholic country singer. Jeff was amazing and did a wonderful job singing and playing the guitar. Maggie Gyllenhall was his MUCH younger love interest. She was ok, but I felt like they fell for each other a little too quickly and conveniently. It was just a little cliche, but I really was impressed by Jeff's acting - he does deserve a nomination.

A couple days ago we went to see "It's Complicated." We took Jenn and Beckie and Brandon. I don't think they appreciated it half as much as Ron and I did. It really was hysterical! Bec made some comment like "Pretty good for an old person movie..." Hard not to be offended by that little comment, but I think she meant it in a good way! Anyway, for those of you in my age range...go see it! It really is funny and sad - a little bittersweet...It didn't make my Top 10 movies of 2009, but I'll give it an honorable mention here.

Good-bye 2009

Time to reflect on the year and all that happened...hmmmm....

The first thing that comes to mind is that I spent the first half of the year exhausted and miserable at work. My kids were afraid to call me and ask how I was doing because the answer was always the same. It was no fun for Ron either because he hates not being able to fix difficult situations for me - not that he didn't try! He's pretty great about pitching in and doing all he can - it just wasn't fixable. On a positive note, the second half of the year was spent learning a new job and getting very comfortable there. So happy!

Although my Girlies all live away from home, I got to see them all several times - even Jenn who lives in DC was able to combine a couple business trips with side trips to see the 'rents. It was fun to get out to the east coast to see her in her new environment as well. We took a couple trips to Santa Barbara, too, to help Beckie and Mandi set up their new apartments. It's been quite a ride watching my 3 daughters develop as adults. The amazing thing is how much I like them. They are all so different from each other but are such interesting individuals and almost always a lot of fun to be around.

Ron and I spent the majority of our time together and have done a fairly good job of adjusting to being parents of adult children. We don't mind our empty nest too much because it doesn't stay empty for too long. Our Baby Hurricane (to be renamed "Wild Thing" in 2010 because he's getting to be a big boy now and not so much a baby anymore) was a big part of our lives. He is definitely keeping us young and enabling us to do things that we wouldn't do otherwise - why else would we go to Fairyland or the park or baseball games or the pumpkin patch or to animated Disney movies?

So now that the year is coming to a close, I have to also think about my regrets...here are some in no particular order...
1. I did not lose any weight or get into shape - I didn't really try though. My stationery bike is serving as a clothes hanger right now.
2. I did not get to see or spend much time with family that is scattered over Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, New York and Germany. (you know who you are!).
3. Wish that there had been something I could have done to keep the ADHC from having to close. The sadness over that whole situation still overwhelming.
4. Wish I had been more organized at work and at home.
5. Wish I had started blogging sooner. No matter - I'm here now.

There are more, but I don't want to dwell on the negative. Onward and upward, right? Hmmm... that looks like the beginning of a list of New Year's resolutions! So, good-bye 2009 and bring it on 2010. Let's see whatcha got!

"Nine" & "Sherlock Holmes"

I've been having so much fun and playing with my girlies that I haven't had time to give you the scoop on the movies I have seen so far during the holiday. So here we go...

On Christmas day we unanimously decided to see "Nine." I was really impressed by how well the entire cast could sing - who knew that Penelope Cruz, Dame Judy Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis and even Sofia Loren could sing and so well?! (That was a relief because I still haven't gotten over Pierce Brosnan in "Mama Mia" - just awful!) The dance sequences were equally amazing - Penelope Cruz was HOT HOT HOT and naughty, Fergie really belted the "Be Italian" and did her sultry best, Kate Hudson reminded me of her mama Goldie Hawn in much younger days, Marion Cotillard was beautiful. Honestly, it was VERY well put together. However, for me it was lacking something and I really can't tell you what. Everyone else was pretty enthusiastic about it, but for some reason, something about it left me flat - maybe I should see it again...I do recommend it though - yes, go see it. We have to continue to support bringing musicals to the big screen.

Yesterday, we went to see "Sherlock Holmes." I have no reservations about telling you to go see this movie. If you are a fan of the old Sherlock Holmes movies, I think you will really enjoy the new twist on this old detective. Robert Downey, Jr. is wonderfully charming and funny as the very capable sleuth. Guy Ritchie did an excellent job directing this movie. The streets of London were never so gritty and cold. The fight sequences were really done well and the best part was that there were no guts spilling anywhere. Yes, there were some explosions, and several fight scenes, but I didn't feel that it was overdone. The relationship between Holmes and Watson was explained and that was a plus (even though I am NOT a fan of Jude Law he was very good as Dr. Watson and is definitely a keeper for these movies). Rachel McAdams was good but paled in comparison to Robert and Jude. This movie was GOOD and loads of FUN! Go see it!

Hoping to see "It's Complicated" today. Also, stay tuned for my best and worst list for 2009...coming soon....

It's the most hectic time of the year...

Another crazy weekend has passed as we hurtle towards the holidays. I decorated. I shopped. I wrapped. Fortunately, I was forced to slow down a bit after we picked up Baby Hurricane for a sleepover Saturday evening. I had been hearing that “The Princess and The Frog” was really good, so we asked Viliamu if he wanted to go to the movies. Of course he wanted to go see the “Toy Story” movie – he could watch Woody and Buzz 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! He was in good spirits, though, and was easy to convince that we should see a new movie.

He did really well at the theater, even though this wasn’t Disney’s best. I’ve gotten a bit spoiled by the Pixar movies. Baby got a little bored in the middle of the movie (that never happens with Buzz and Woody). I give the movie just a lukewarm recommendation.



Otherwise, Baby H was the highlight of my weekend. He was funny and charming as usual. The stuff that comes out of his mouth lately is really hysterical. After his bath, he wore his new Max suit pj’s (“Where the Wild Things Are”) and we read the book 3 times before he finally fell asleep. On Sunday we skyped with Mandi & Beckie after our regular biscuits & gravy breakfast, read the book again and had a very successful day with the potty. We played with cars and trucks and rolled around on the floor and sang songs. Then it was time to take him home. Before we left the house, he turned around and hugged me… really hugged me. I asked him, “What’s the matter, Baby? Why are you hugging me?” Without a second’s hesitation and very matter of fact-ly, he said “Because I love you.” It took everything I had in me not to turn into a weepy mess. I hugged him back and let him hug me til he was finished. I let the feeling wash over me. It pays to slow down and remember what’s really important during this hectic time of year.

This is one busy elf...

I should have posted a movie review this past Monday but I’ve been incredibly busy. The good news is that it’s been a very productive week for me. (Patting myself on the back now). I’m trying very hard to keep everything on an even keel this holiday season, but there are still things that HAVE to be done. Got the Christmas letter written and approved by all three girls. Cards got signed, addressed, stuffed with letters and photos and mailed on Monday. Big relief! I’m cutting back on some of the insanity that December usually is for me. The girls are all coming home before Christmas and there’s a certain amount of preparation that goes into a big visit. Thankfully, all three of them gave me permission to cut back on some of the decorations. This meant not putting up the 7.5 foot tree that is usually the centerpiece of the living room. That mean that I only put up six of my artificial trees instead of the usual 7 or 8! That’s a big step for me!

Anyway, I have started my shopping and am even mailing out a couple of packages today, thanks to my very helpful husband. I think it’s all going to be ok…(Big sigh…)

Here’s the movie review that should have been posted on Monday…

We were fortunate enough to be able to see a couple movies this past weekend. After work on Friday we headed up to San Francisco to see “Up in the Air.” This movie opened in limited release and SF was the closest place for us to see it. Besides, it gave us a chance to go to Holiday Lane at Macy’s (a Beeson Family tradition) and see the decorations at Union Square.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this movie. George Clooney is very good as the smooth termination specialist. He’s the guy that companies hire when they need to fire their staff and are too afraid to do it themselves – is there such a job? Nevertheless, he is very good at it and is also an expert at airline travel. The way I’m describing it doesn’t sound very interesting, but trust me when I tell you this movie is worth the price of the ticket. Anna Kendrick (Jessica from the Twilight movies) is surprisingly good as the new kid on the block who George’s character is forced to take under his wing. I’m not sure about all the Oscar buzz for this movie, but Ron and I both really enjoyed it.

On Saturday, we went to see “Everybody’s Fine.” This is not a movie for sad empty nest-ers. Robert Deniro is a man who is recently widowed and who is trying to connect with his four grown children. The kids all avoid him and lie to him albeit to protect him. The acting is good, but I needed more story, more background…I don’t know…more something. As I said, it was good, but stay away from this movie if you are sad about having an empty nest. Trust me.

Say it ain't so, Tiger!

Up until 6:55 am this morning, I was giving Tiger Woods the benefit of the doubt. Besides, what business is it of ours why he crashed his car - as long as he wasn't drinking and no one else was hurt? The media has been going crazy trying to find out what was going on at the Woods residence. I didn't believe that there was anything that we needed to know.

Then listening to the news this morning, I heard the voicemail message where he asks his mistress/lover/whatever she is to him to take her name off the phone because his wife saw her name in his phone - oh, whatever. It was his voice and he sounded like a guy that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Crap.

I have to say I am really disappointed. That's my own fault, though. I am one of those people that put Tiger on a pedestal. I'm sure he's just as human as I am or anyone else. He makes mistakes just like ANYONE ELSE. But still, crap.

The real thing is that I am SICK SICK SICK of the media digging into things that aren't anybody else's business. I didn't really need to know that Tiger is fooling around any more than I need to know who Jennifer Aniston is dating these days. Who cares?! Why is it any of my business. It's not. But I guess as long as "Inquiring Minds" want to know, the stinking paparazzi and muck-raking reporters will continue to dig and snoop and dish these stories.

It just makes me sad. I'm grateful that his kids are too young to understand right now.

December 1st - Here we go!

The holidays are upon us. Well, the holidays are actually sitting right on top of me and trying to squash me flat! Don't get me wrong - I love this time of year, but it always kicks me in the butt. There are always 5 more things on my daily "to do" list than I can realistically get to, but I still have them there taunting me.

I woke up tired today. It will probably be that way until after Christmas when I get a whole week off from work. Right now there are decorations strewn all over the living room. (Viliamu helped me put up a Christmas tree last Sunday and the house hasn't recovered yet!) I also have to get my annual holiday letter written to put into my Christmas cards. Still need to find my Christmas card list and address the envelopes. Have started making a few gifts but haven't really made a shopping list yet. The list goes on and on, BUT -

I'm going to TRY to take it easy this year and not rush around too much. Going to TRY not to bite off more than I can chew. Going to TRY to go to bed when I am tired....yeah, sure I am....