Sunday at the Movies

The first real cold has settled in here. Groan. If not a cure, there is a balm for the suffering. Four Audrey Hepburn movies are currently on Netflix Instant (in the States): Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Charade, & How to Steal a Million. And it's early enough to rent one of the others - there are still rental shops, correct? 

If you'd like other film suggestions, try A Better Queue for Netflix; it's not perfect, but it's a start. One sees people complain on Twitter about the choices. Unless you spend all day, every day watching series television on demand (you know who you are) , there are plenty of choices. 

 If you prefer something French, this is from last summer. That feels like a million years ago. *sob* xoxo

PS: Roger Ebert is the best person to consult about Netflix Instant. Follow him on Twitter, too, & not just for film recommendations.

(Audrey looking out over Paris by Bill Avery)

Summer Sunday in France

If you're not there: pretend. There is a particularly long list of good French films (& films set in France) available on Netflix Instant this summer. (Use A Better Queue for a quick list.) Some favorites: My Best Friend, La Cage Aux Folles, Pauline at the Beach, & Happily Ever After.

For some Paris daydreaming, visit the Haven in Paris blog & the Girls' Guide to Paris. And GG friend Carole will be back in Paris for most of the rest of the summer. Visit her at Paris Breakfasts for all the news. If you don't know what to make for dinner, here's a great idea, especially if you live near a good fish market (we do:).

Happy Sunday!

ciao/the Mgmt

(photograph detail crop by Gordon W. Gahan/National Geographic)

Enchanted April

It's Sunday & that means Mad Men but we watch it on Mondays via iTunes. So what to do? Especially if you're not feeling very well? Watch Enchanted April (1992) on Netflix Instant (or in a pinch, on YouTube). It's a rather leisurely film & there are complaints about that but it feels quite right today. Honestly, we aren't feeling well enough to write much but if you're not sold by Italy + 1920s + amazing cast, read this review.

If there's puff pastry in the freezer, you could make these, as GG's editor did. Serve with cold white wine & begin looking at flat rentals because that's what you'll want to do immediately after it ends. *sigh*

ciao-meow/GGCM

(film still crop via Beauty Dart)

Have a Great Weekend

It's raining here but that's no excuse to be bored. Do something new or something you've not done in a while. Some fun links:

Amnesty International presents The Secret Policeman's Ball on Sunday. For the first time, it will be in NYC & guess what? You can watch the Radio City Music Hall show online. (The show begins at 7pm Eastern.)

To make this weekend: Pineapple Crisp (with ginger & lime). Bonus: low-sodium

The Red Balloon is streaming on Netflix Instant. How long has it been since you watched it? It's only 34 minutes.

How to draw elephants (for kids of all ages).

All the Downton Ladies (hilarious gifs)

Cute, fast, DIY mini salt & pepper shakers for picnics, your office.

Farewell, Davy Jones.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via IMDb)

Sunday Charade

Here at GG Central, we will be juggling the Super Bowl (yep) & Downton Abbey. But perhaps you're not interested in either option.

What about whipping up something French for supper & watching Charade with Audrey Hepburn & Cary Grant? You can watch for free online (in America). It's also on Netflix Instant. The movie is a lot of fun & actually kind of scary (spoiler alert: Audrey & Cary survive). There's pretty Paris scenery (& the witty opening is in Switzerland).

Have a great (rest of the) weekend, wherever you live!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via Doctor Macro)

Have a Romantic Evening

Take a break from shopping madness to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's; it's available on Netflix Instant (here in the States). We're under-the-weather here (both editor & redheaded cat) but we hope to pick up the posting rate soon. Cheers!

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: Please remember Toys for Tots & other holiday collection activities in your part of the world.

(photograph via FanPop)

It's Been a Hard Day's Night

We're still sitting in the midst of a computer crisis so we'll not be able to watch A Hard Day's Night on Netflix Instant (tonight) but you can. Also, the National Museums Liverpool has a fun page, The Beatles Games. The big daddy of the sites is, of course, The Beatles. Have fun & have a great weekend!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(The Quarry Men by Mike McCartney)

Kings of Pastry

KINGS OF PASTRY Theatrical Trailer from Pennebaker Hegedus Films on Vimeo.

So far, this week seems to be going in the direction of "what's good for a coffee break." Giulia's editor recently watched Kings of Pastry (on Netflix Instant) while cooking dinner. Excessively diverting isn't the half of it. Definitely watch (or rent). Carol of Paris Breakfasts even has a label devoted to the Kings. Visit her for all the skinny. Definitely watch the trailer below.

ciao-sugary-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Le Portillon)

Oh, Elmo

If you don't love Elmo, we don't want to hear about it! Being Elmo, A Puppeteer's Journey is a terrific new documentary now showing in cities across the States. It will be opening throughout November & December. It opens here in the Washington, DC area on the 11th. If it's not scheduled to show, why not (nicely) demand it? Here.

Of course, Sesame Street's site has many excellent games, coloring pages, & other activities. Here's Elmo's page. Have fun!

ciao-meow/GGCM

Update - 6 April 2012 Being Elmo is currently being shown on PBS stations. It is also available streaming on Netflix.

(Elmo by elmo elmo)

Halloween Prep

There's time over the weekend to get ready for Halloween. We'll be posting about good causes & Halloween soon. For tonight, though, if you're in North America, Netflix Instant has 39 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents available. We just scared ourselves silly watching a few. Boo!

ciao-shivery-meow/GGCM

(photograph via Hitchcock Wiki)

Have a Classic Saturday

Several Jeanne Moreau films are available on Netflix Instant right now. If you can't get out to the movies tonight, that would be a great bet. You can sign up & watch right away (no, we do not work for Netflix!) Jules et Jim is available until Tuesday, the 21st. After that it will be DVD only for awhile. Have a great Saturday!

ciao-meow/GG Film Central

(photograph via Jeanne Moreau Is My Hero - same here!)

1000 Frames of Hitchcock

Some film fun. Check out the 1000 Frames of Hitchcock project, which is..."an attempt to reduce each of the 52 available major Hitchcock films down to just 1000 frames. The aim of the project is to create a library of images which can be used to illustrate blog posts, web articles and reviews, etc." Thanks to the thoughtful folks behind the project.

If you can't wait for a To Catch a Thief DVD in the mail, Netflix has a few Hitchcock titles available instantly (the most famous being Dial M for Murder).

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Grace Kelly & Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief)

Two Royal Weddings

The AFI Silver Theatre near GG Central is showing The Young Victoria & Royal Wedding (Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling) in a tongue-in-cheek tip of the top hat to the royal wedding across the Pond next Friday. We don't want to take any business away from the Silver (& we will be seeing Jane Eyre there soon) but both films are available on Netflix Instant. These two films could not be more different but they're enjoyable in their separate ways.

Have a great Friday evening!

ciao-meow/GG's editor

(photographs via IMDb)