Lazy Sunday Movie: Soapdish

Maybe I should change the title to Lazy Movie. Since I don't usually go online on Sundays. I'll have to think about it.

Anywho, this is a great little piece of 80's hilarity. It's got quite the cast: Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Elizabeth Shue, Robert Downey Jr. & Whoopi Goldberg.

The premise is what happens behind the scenes at a Soap Opera tv show. You find out how everyone acts off screen. There's sex scandals, big secrets, drama and scheming. Pretty much everything that can cause wacky hijinks.

If you can't find it on tv or netflix it anytime soon. It's available now on Hulu.com. I know, I've become a Hulu pusher. But it's a great site.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Clue

Yes, it's again a Lazy Sunday Movie review on a day that isn't Sunday. Oh well. Deal.

This is one of my all time fave 80's movies. Clue. It has an all-star cast with Tim Curry as Wadsworth the Butler.

The plot is interesting. Six characters are invited to dinner: Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Ms. Scarlett, Mr. Green, Col. Mustard and Prof. Plum. While there they all discover that they are all being blackmailed and you find out what they did or are accused of doing.

One by one, people start dying. First it's Mr. Boddy. Then the Cook. Then all hell breaks loose and it's pandemonium. Who's the murderer? You gotta watch it to see.

This movie has great lines and is actually pretty good for being based on a board game. And one interesting thing, when the movie came out it had three different endings. Depending on which theater you went to you might end up seeing a different murderer. However, if you get/rent the dvd you can opt for the random ending or all three.

"No. Communism was just a Red Herring."

"The key is gone! "
"Never mind about the key, unlock the door! "
"I CAN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR WITHOUT THE KEY! "



And Happy St. Patrick's day to you all! Slainte!

Lazy Sunday Movie: Groundhog Day

In honor of our recent holiday...Groundhog Day. A paltry holiday to some. A modern interpretation of another holiday (Imbolc) to others.

Anywho, we get this funny movie that takes place on Groundhog Day. Bill Murray plays Phil Connors a sarcastic, narcistic weatherman who goes to Punxsutawney, PA to celebrate Punxsutawney Phil - The Weather Predicting Groundhog.

SPOILERS BELOW!!!!

While there he keeps reliving the same day over and over again. He tries to kill himself and succeeds many times, but then wakes up again and again. So now he tries to get Andie MacDowell (Rita) to fall in love with him. But it doesn't work. So finally he tries to just enjoy it, becomes a virtuoso jazz pianist, learns how to ice sculpt, and tries to help out everyone in the city. Turns out that's the way to not only having Rita fall in love with him, but he ends up breaking the cycle. He has the ultimate day. Now some may see this as a simple love story. I see it as a man who is in desperate need for a personality overhaul. His first idea at the thought of reliving the same day is to kill himself. Numerous times. Talk about needing a new outlook on life.

I think the point of the movie was that he needed to become a better person. And the benefit to him was by becoming a better man not only is he happier, but he is now open to love and able to get the love he wants.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Julie and Julia & Boeuf Bourguignon

I saw this movie over my Christmas vacation. I loved it and was really intrigued with the idea of cooking your way through the Art of French Cooking. Of course, I have no plans to do such a thing, but since my mother and I made Boeuf Bourguignon last night. I felt it was only fair to post this movie as my Lazy Sunday Movie of the week.

Julie and Julia is a movie that follows the lives of two women. Surprisingly enough named Julie and Julia. Julia Child's life is discussed, how she lives in Paris, how she became a cook, how she wrote a cookbook about French cooking in English before anyone else. It also discusses her relationship with her husband and family.

The other story line is about Julie Powell. She's a writer, but hates her day job and is trying to find a hobby. So she decides to write a blog about her decision to cook her way through Julia Child's Art of French Cooking.

So now, here's a faux pic of what our Boeuf Bourguignon looked like. Faux because we didn't have a decent camera to take a pic of our wonderful meal!

Lazy Sunday Movie: Cannibal the Musical

Such a great movie. My lovely sister-in-law and brother-in-law shared this gem of a movie with me a while ago. Very hilarious! If you haven't seen it, you need to hit up your netflix account and put it on your rental list.

The musical is about Alferd Packer. He was accused of cannibalism during a 1873 trek from Provo, UT to Breckenridge, CO. Since this musical was done by Trey Parker of South Park fame you can guess the humor.

Anywho, I give you "It's a Shpadoinkle Day" And you can go here to download the entire soundtrack.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Avatar (yes I know it's Tuesday, deal with it.)

Yesterday was a really rough day at the office. I guess that's what happens when the office is closed for two weeks. The first day back everyone has to call.

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season! I know I did. The little one has discovered stairs. Oh my. It was quite interesting to see Mommy and Daddy trying to figure out what will block the stairs (since we haven't had a chance to get a big enough gate.) It took three attempts. Man she's good at figuring things out.

Other than the numerous trips up and down the stairs with my daughter, not much else has happened. We had fun visiting family & friends. And now it's time to get back in the groove.

Without further ado, here's my Lazy Sunday Movie post a few days late.

AVATAR!!!!



I know it's been advertised and talked about by everyone lately. But it is really good. I went not expecting to like the movie, probably because I had no idea about the plot. But it was amazingly good. The Hubs really wanted to see this in 3D before it disappeared from the theaters. Honestly, I doubt the 3D will disappear anytime soon. We went two weeks after the opening weekend and it was PACKED!!!! And if you haven't seen it yet, you HAVE to see it in 3D!

I don't want to give too much of the plot away. But the main idea is there's another planet "Pandora". This planet has a particular mineral on it that sells like crazy on Earth. But there is an indigenous group living there already. The movie centers on this issue and looks at both sides.

I found this movie to be very interesting and it brought up a whole heap of philosophical questions for me.

Has anyone else seen it? What do you think?

Lazy Sunday Movie: The Polar Express

Ok, I know I keep mentioning this movie. But it is my favorite holiday movie. I love the premise. A little boy is having a "belief crisis" about Santa Claus. Does he exist? He has all this evidence that he doesn't. A picture of him pulling a department store Santa's beard off. Mechanical Santas in store windows. A definition of the North Pole as "devoid of life". Then on Christmas Eve he has a magical journey on a train that takes him to the North Pole to meet Santa. He meets different people on this train, fellow children (a little girl, a poor little boy, a know-it-all boy) the conductor, the engineers, and a hobo (ghost?).

While on the train he talks about Santa, does he exist? He wants to believe, but he doesn't want to be tricked. He doesn't want to find out it's all been a lie. He doesn't want to think he's been stupid for believing in something that doesn't exist.

All of the little boy's issues with Santa have been mirrored in my own spiritual journey this year. Is there a higher power? I have evidence that he/she doesn't, I didn't want to swallow a lie because everyone else believes. I am one that likes to be logical, rational, everything has a reason, a purpose. However, having had my beautiful daughter last year, I have started doubting all my logical and rational reasons for not believing in a higher power.

There has to be someone/something out there. Has to be. How else could the magic of life happen? The magic of conceiving, of carrying and growing a child in my womb, of delivering this living, breathing, giggling, smiling, laughing bundle of joy? It's too difficult for me to believe that this all is a happy coincidence.

So, now that I know there's a higher power, what form does it/he/she take?

I have issues with the traditional male patriarchal Christian idea of God. Issues going back to my early religious upbringing. Nothing against my parents, they put me in the best school they could afford. But being told constantly that what you do is wrong, you will always do wrong unless you believe/do exactly as you are told. Even then, humans are sinners. Ugh, enough.

I've done a lot of searching in my life. Which religious path is the one that speaks to me. Which one rings of truth? Well, none of them. So I decided to take a little of each different faith, meditation, prayer, energy work, spell work, ideas, rules, everything. I just needed to find a God/Goddess that made sense to me. I asked for signs, symbols, anything to show me evidence of a pressence. Isis made that connection to me. She reached out to me when I asked for a hand to hold. I feel for the first time in my life a connection to the divine. There is evidence! I had my magical journey. From my discussions with friends, and acquaintances, I have come to the same conclusion as the little boy. I belive. Like the conductor says to him, "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

Lazy Sunday Movie: Elf

This is my husband's favorite holiday movie. And it ranks in my top 5.

This is the story of Buddy the Elf (Will Farrell) who's really human. When he finds out he's human he sets out to meet his father (James Caan). His father doesn't know he has another son. Buddy's mom never told him and died when Buddy was a baby.

It's funny to see how a 30 year old man reacts to NYC and the "real world" when he's only been exposed to Santa, elves, toys and snow.

Very funny!!!

Lazy Sunday Movie: The Men Who Stare at Goats

The hubs and I went to see this a few days ago. I thought it was hilarious. He said it was okay. Sort of stupid. But again, I thought it was hilarious! I didn't have any major ideas about this movie going into it. Maybe he did. I don't know.

Anywho, The Men Who Stare at Goats focuses on Ewan McGregor's character Bob. He is a reporter who tries to make his ex-wife regret leaving him. So he goes to Iraq to write about what's going on. While there he runs into George Clooney's character Lyn Cassidy. Lyn and Bob end up running around Iraq and Bob learns all about the secret Army project of Psy Spies.

All in all a fun way to spend a few hours.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Exorcist: The Beginning

I watched Exorcist: The Beginning this weekend with my two best friends. Or rather, I fast-forwarded through the scary parts of this movie last Sunday with my friends. They aren't the biggest fans of scary movies, but I talked them into watching this one.

This prequel to the original Exorcist focuses on Father Merrin. If you've seen the original you know he's the older priest who helps exorcise Reagan. They mention in the original that he had an incident with evil in Africa many years ago. Well this movie is that story.

It starts in Africa with Merrin as an archaeologist. Apparently, he was a priest, but has turned his back on his faith. You find out later in the movie why. This is a great movie about archaeology, religion, faith, and history. As you can guess, Merrin finds his faith and vanquishes evil. Logical conclusion since he's in the original. But don't worry, I haven't given the movie away. Be aware though, this is not for the faint of heart. I was jumping at points (along with my very scared friends) and I've seen this before.
If you're a fan of the original, and possibly the numerous sequels, you'll enjoy this addition to the storyline.

Here's the soundtrack of the movie for your enjoyment.


***Note: I know it's not Sunday, but I was out of town last weekend. This week's Sunday movie will be posted on time.***

Lazy Sunday Movie: Under Seige

I used to be a big Steven Seagal fan. And my favorite movie of his is Under Seige. In his earlier movies he was really skinny and his later movies really fat. During Under Seige he was just right. LOL. I sound like Golidlocks here, fangirling out.

Anywho, I think this setting really played up his forumla right. He's a cook and former SEAL on the USS Missouri. He ends up fighting homegrown terrorists (Gary Busey, Tommy Lee Jones) that have taken control of the ship.

It's a good flick to watch on a lazy sunday movie.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Phenomenon

Hey everyone. Here's your weekly movie review. I watched Phenomenon recently.



If you haven't seen it, you should. It's about an small town kinda guy who sees a light on his birthday. It's a moving light and it knocks him out for a minute. After this, he can't sleep, reads at least 3 books a day, learns Portugese in 20 minutes and can move objects with his mind.

What happened to him? How can he do all this? Is there something he wants to teach us? What do you think of the movie?

Lazy Sunday Movie: Identity

Now I'm a football widow. And now that the hubs has Sunday ticket with Direct Tv. Luckily though we've got two big tv's and during the second set of games, he likes to go upstairs and smoke a cigar while watching a game. Which leaves me with a big tv too. So I decided that every Sunday from now on, regardless of sports, to offer up a movie review and recommendation.

This week's movie is Identity

As I was going up the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today,
I wish, I wish he'd go away.

I've seen this a few times and I always enjoy it. It is a bit of a scary movie, half slasher, half murder mystery. I was really surprised that it didn't end up making much money at the box office. It has an all star cast:

John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Rebecca DeMorney, Ray Liota, Alfred Molina, John C. McGinley, Jake Busey and others.

A bunch of people end up at a motel in Nevada during a flash flood. People are dying off one by one. Strangely in the order or their motel room number. They all have to figure out who's killing everyone before it's too late.

They find similarities between all of the characters and other strange things happen.

I'd fill you in on more, but I don't want to give away the movie.

If anyone's seen it or wants to discuss it, please let me know!!!!

People are dying off one by one. Strangely in the order of their room numbers.

Tuscan Pork Roast

Okay, this little beauty of a recipe is a comfort food of mine. My mom always made it when I was growing up and I tried my hand at it for the first time last weekend. Talk about a simple recipe.

Tuscan Pork Roast

3lb Pork Loin

Rub
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tbs. Olive Oil
1 tbs. Fennel (crushed)
1 tbs. Rosemary (crumbled)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix rub together and rub into meat. You can let it marinate for up to 8 hours in the fridge, but it's still great if you forgo the marinating time.

Cook at 350F until the center temperature is 170. (For a 4" diameter roast it takes about 2 hours.)

Cut into 1/2 slices. 1 roast will feed 4-6 people.

So yummy!!! (And for an extra yummy factor, I doubled the rub recipe so every bite had a ton of rub on it!!!)

I served it with salad, mashed potatoes and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perfect Sunday dinner.