Thursday, June 28, 2012

Kid Stuff -- Or Is It?




This month when my grandkids visit, we'll be watching some of the BEST kids animation movies EVER! Take a sneak peak at our party shows!

The Incredibles -- Why couldn't I have grown up in a family like this?
The Lion King -- Haven't seen it yet.
Dispicable Me -- Haven't seen it yet.
Ratatouille -- My favorite! Genius on every level.
Madagascar -- Love the cultural references that go over the kids' heads.
Tangled  -- Maximus the Horse ROCKS!
Kung Fu Panda  -- Po is my Bro!
Cars -- I always knew that cars had personality. Mine is a Bohemian coffee house singer.
Toy Story -- Makes me want to play with my toys so they don't get lonesome.
Pocahantas -- Haven't seen it yet.
Lady and the Tramp -- Best Doggy Rom Com.
101 Dalmatians -- Cutest pups EVER!

And we'll go to the theatre to see Brave which is SO gonna happen!

So which is your favorite?

Monday, June 25, 2012

Movie Music Monday: The Graduate

Just the best film soundtrack ever, thanks to Simon and Garfunkle.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Puppets RULE!



I'm a puppeteer. There's just something about bringing an inanimate object to life that captivates me. Must be the Frankenstein gene..."It's ALIVE!"

I have an enormouse puppet collection. They are my peeps. They love to perform and speak their minds.

I have "people" puppets (kids with red hair, black hair, pig tails, blonde hair, hillbillies, princesses, angels, doctors, etc.)

I have animal puppets (crow, frog, mouse, lion, dragon, penguin, cat, dog, wolf, zebra, etc.)

My goal is to learn to perform with marionets.

This was a good month for my puppets. Granddaughter Lily was visiting and we brought them all out and had a blast. She especially liked Dundee the Zebra puppet from Australia.

I also brought one lucky puppet (Billy Joe Crow) to Vacation Bible School this week to talk to the kids about flying from London to the United States.

Just yesterday I watched a movie called "The Beaver." Mel Gibson has psychological issues (in the movie!) and can only communicate through a beaver puppet. I was also mesmerized with the B story about his teen son Porter, which was compelling and beautful. The film was directed by Jodie Foster. This has become one of my favorite films.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Wicked Wednesday: Scorpio



Scorpio is a total psycho. How lame is it that when Dirty Harry catches the guy, he walks on a technicality?!.But Scorpio better watch his back cuz Harry says, "Sooner or later he's gonna stub his toe and I'll be right there."

Monday, June 18, 2012

Movie Music Monday: Nine to Five

This movie CRACKED ME UP! Lily Tomlin was hilarious in the hospital scene. Jane Fonda was great as the housewife turned secretary and totally rocked the inept newbie. Dolly Parton got to show off her hog-tying skills.

Friday, June 15, 2012

What's New?



Well, last weekend hubby and I trekked up to Sundance, Wyoming and checked out Devil's Tower. Got some good footage which I'll be putting together for a movie. Waiting for Muse to toss some ideas my way.

I wrote a short sketch I'll be performing this Sunday to promote our Vacation Bible School at church. I'm Lois Lane and I'll be interviewing VBS Man! VBS starts next week and I will be in charge of music -- teaching first through sixth graders to sing and dance. Gotta channel Gene Kelly.

Brainstorming script ideas with co-director Susan for the Cheyenne Shoot Out 24 Hour Filmmaking Festival which will be in October. Still no word from Muse.

Making a Shakespeare in the Park documentary short.

Creating a music video parody.

In other news, I'm trying out some new cupcake recipes and baking up a storm. Last week I made Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, garnished with chocolate sprinkles and a Hershey's Kiss. After that I made some delicious Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting dusted with yellow food glitter.

I took the Red Velvet to the Theatre Volunteers Awards Event. Everybody loved them (just like Sally Field). I took the Lemon cupcakes to the office and my coworkers were devastated by their awesomeness (to quote Kung Fu Panda).

Monday, June 11, 2012

Movie Music Monday: Chariots of Fire

When I saw this movie in the theatre in 1981, I had just started my running career. I was inspired to say the least. I've been running ever since. I love the look of joy on the runner's faces in this clip. That's how I feel when I run.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wicked Wednesdays: The Joker

Welcome to Wicked Wednesdays where we chat
about movie villains past, present and future.



Okay, I'll tell you right now. Batman is my favorite superhero. He's not an alien and he doesn't have super powers. His talent is his resourcefulness, courage and determination. And it doesn't hurt that he's got so much money he makes Donald Trump look like a hobo.

The most imposing Batman villain has got to be The Joker. Previous "Jokers" like the bombastic Jack Nicholson or the goofy Cesar Romero set the stage for the darkest, most demented Joker to ever rock Gotham City -- Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008).

Nevertheless, you can't help feeling a BIT sorry for him when he tells about his horrible childhood:

JOKER: You wanna know how I got these scars? My father, was a drinker, and a fiend. And one night, he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn't like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me and says, "Why so serious?" Comes at me with the knife. "WHY SO SERIOUS?" He sticks the blade in my mouth... "Let's put a smile on that face."

Which is your favorite Batman movie?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Titus Andronicus



If you want to see a movie that will visually blow your socks off, ya gotta see Titus Andronicus (2000)starring Anthony Hopkins. This was Shakespeare's first tragedy -- a violent, bloody revenge play set during the Roman Empire. Directed by Richard Griffin, Titus Andronicus incorporates modern sets (cars, motorcycles, etc.) with Ancient Rome derivative of Jesus Christ Superstar. Hopkins is outstanding.



Monday, June 4, 2012

Movie Music Monday: Working Girl

Great movie about the 1980s career woman starring Melanie Griffith with an amazing theme song by Carly Simon, "Let the River Run."

Friday, June 1, 2012

Coolest Dude EVER!



Okay, so I just finished a radio drama performance of "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon." Had a blast and the cast party is this Sunday!

In the mean time I was inspired to watch these classic films again. I knew Humphrey Bogart was cool, but seeing him this week I'm blown away by his awesomeness. He rolls his own smokes. He drinks bourbon. He flirts with women - and the women flirt with him. Bogey takes no guff from anyone. He stands his ground, even if it means a sock in the jaw or a slug from a fourty-five. Bogey is what every guy wants to be and what every girl wants. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

Woody Allen was inspired by Bogey's coolness when he wrote  his stage play, "Play It Again, Sam," about a recently divorced neurotic film buff who is given advice about women by Bogart's ghost.

Bogey talks:

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.

The whole world is about three drinks behind.

I stick my neck out for nobody.

My, my, my! Such a lot of guns around town and so few brains!

I collect blondes and bottles, too.

When your head says one thing and your whole life says another, your head always loses.

When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it.

People lose teeth talking like that. If you want to hang around, you'll be polite.