Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

I have seen this movie before, but recently watched it again with some friends. I remember enjoying it the first time but I think I was better able to appreciate the storyline this time around. The story of four best friends split up for the summer as they each go their own way and plan to stay connected through a pair of jeans. The jeans will be passed from each girl and mark their adventures wherever they are and adventures is exactly what they have. Carmen is visiting her father in South Carolina for the summer where she finds he is getting married. She struggles with this new form of a family and how she will fit in. Lena visits her grandparents in Greece and finds love that she must hide from her grandparents because of a long forgotten feud between the two families (a slight Romeo and Juliette storyline). Tibby remains at home as she works at Wallman's and is determined to make a documentary. Despite her attempts to be callused toward much of her present circumstances, she finds a 12-year-old friend, Bailey, to soften her. Bridget goes to soccer camp in Mexico where she finds herself, but first she finds Eric. Bridget learns the value of love and what love isn't. They come together at the end of the summer still best friends learning and growing through their adventures.

You are bound to connect with one of these girls through the trials they encounter or just learn from their adventures. A great story of life, the choices we make and the consequences that come from these choices. In this movie, Hollywood does have somewhat of a conscience!

Woman of the Year

Loved it! Black and white movie with wonderful characters, played by Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Sam Craig, a New York sportswriter, listens to Tess Harding, a political columnist, on the radio as she "strikes out" over questions regarding baseball. He is baffled by her lack of knowledge and a feud entails between the two through their columns. The feuding stops when they see each other face-to-face and their attraction to each other takes over. Sam takes Tess to her first baseball game (one of my favorite scenes) and she learns to enjoy the sport and enjoys his company as well. The story follows the normal sequence of events: boy and girl meet, they fall in love, marry... and even a child comes into the picture. Tess is busy with work, is the chairwoman for a refugee committee and is named Woman of the Year while her marriage struggles.

The story is full of life. Real human life shown through a couple who tries to find the right balance of life, work and marriage. A good reminder of where we each need to put our effort and what our top priority should be, done through a "rom-com."

Time for a book...

It has been movie after movie. Although I haven't read a book since The Life of Pi, I decided to do an old favorite: Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield. With a name like Jolly how could it not be, well jolly? It is absolutely adorable, a family favorite that will truly become a family favorite of yours as well. Although I currently do not have the book, I intend to own it one day to read as a bedtime story. The trouble is finding it at a bookstore!

It is the story of a King who has a beautiful Princess daughter and a love of pickle-chiffon pie. Princes from every court come to the Princess in hopes of winning her love. To be polite she asks them to stay for dinner, meaning less pickle-chiffon pie for the King. The King dreams up a challenge for three princes. Each Prince is to go throughout the Kingdom and find the most amazing creature to win the heart of the Princess. On the way you will see a juggling lion, sewing mice and many other spectacular creatures. In the end, you learn about compassion and a kind heart.

czech dream

This was a very interesting movie. I really enjoyed it (although there are subtitles) but wish I would have known more of the culture and the events leading to this documentary.

Basic plot: Two Czech film students want to explore the extent of post-communist Prague. They create a super mart that doesn't really exist and film the reaction. They become the "managers" of Czech Dream and are given makeovers to look the part. They hire an ad agency and radio ads, billboards and jingles are created and are found all over Prague. On the day of the opening 4000 people show up, many show up a few hours early. The "managers" go through the whole ribbon-cutting ceremony with the grand opening and hand out little souvenirs. The store, which is simply scaffolding with a billboard in front, is a walk away and the reactions range from mad to humored. Some say they even expected it and that Czechs are very gullible so it didn't surprise them. My favorite responders were those who were actually pleased with this idea, it got them out of the house or gave the elderly exercise.

It was interesting to see the reactions and the whole process was incredible. While reviewing the ads the "managers" wanted to add a line about how the people wouldn't go away empty handed. The ad agency said they wouldn't include the line because they didn't want to lie to the people. The "managers" response, "You are already creating an ad for a store that doesn't exist and they would be coming away with an experience." Apparently that was too much for the ad agency. It was a good look into human nature and what people justify.

Nicholas Nickleby

Nicholas Nickleby and his sister, Kate, lose the life of their father and Nicholas is forced to be the man of the house. Actually, I don't know that forced is the correct word as Nicholas is one who does it out of personal duty and love for his sister and mother. He is sent to work as a teacher for Mr. Squeers, a one-eyed crotchety old man, who leads the boys to be fearful of him and treats them harshly. While there, Nicholas finds an older boy who is also there to work, Smike, who is essentially a slave for Squeers and his wife, who is just as unpleasant. Nicholas and Smike become true friends and Nicholas rescues Smike and they escape together. The rest of the story is romance, where Nicholas finds his hearts partner, Madeline. Don't worry Kate also finds her true love!

It is a story of true friendship and working through the trial of losing a loved family member. At the end the narrator asks what happens to one who loses a parent too early and describes that family isn't always blood related but those who we would give our blood for.

Mama Mia

The music definitely kept me entertained... I was the dancing queen during in the theater. I went into the movie not knowing the plot and enjoyed it, although there were some less than stellar parts and pretty shady images. I probably wouldn't see it again for these scenes.

Sophie is about to get married and wants to find out who she is before by finding out who her father is. She finds her mother's journal and finds three possible suspects and invites them to the wedding. Her mother nor her fiance are aware of her tricky plan. It is set in Greece, beautiful scenery and the adventure with Sophie as she tries to discover herself and who her father is.

Honey, honey, how it thrilled me! Take a chance on this movie for only two main reasons: the songs and seeing Pierce Brosnan sing a few!

North and South

I have decided to make this more of a media review because I don't finish books fast enough... probably because I read at night and end up falling asleep. Although, I do fall asleep during movies as well.

North and South is in the same feel as Pride and Prejudice and it is fantastic. It is the story of Margaret Hale's family being moved to Milton with a struggling economy. With the struggling economy also comes the fight between the union and the employer, Mr. Thornton. Margaret is cordial to Mr. Thornton but resists his friendship after watching him harshly treat one of his employees. The story continues and the feelings between the two are reconciled...

Miss Margaret, is truly to be admired as she crushes the challenges that come her way and of course finds love while doing so. Basically she puts me to shame as a woman with all she is able to handle. It is a great reminder of making the best of your situation, taking challenges head-on and going in with a smile.