Holiday Movies

Under-the-weather (again), ugh. But one thing that can help the stress of the holiday season (&/or feeling less-than-stellar) is a movie. Especially a favorite movie. Many movies are not necessarily focused on the holidays but have major scenes during that time of year (e.g., Bridget Jones's Diary, When Harry Met Sally, Hannah & Her Sisters, & Sleepless in Seattle are a few favorites). As much of a mess (narratively speaking) as Love Actually is, it is still enjoyable. And while there are many favorites, nothing will dislodge It's a Wonderful Life from our No. 1 holiday choice.

Here is the list of Holiday Classics on at our local AFI Silver Theatre (how lucky are we?!). And here is a post with some more good suggestions (& an excellent all round place to read up on classic film) from Paula's Cinema Club.

Make a list & go to the movies! (And have a pizza party while you're at it:) xoxo

(film still by Andy Scwartz via IMDb)

Ballet at the Movies

An alert to all ballet lovers, whether in the States, Europe, or Australia. The New York City Ballet's Nutcracker played live to audiences in movie theatres across America on Tuesday. (Here's the New York Times review.) The Bolshoi's Nutcracker is showing near us in the Washington, DC-area on Friday afternoon.*

These are positive developments for the ballet-loving public. Many do not have regular access to live in-theatre performances. Those who do may be unable to afford the tickets in this economy. And ballet companies win, too, by this introduction to a new audience: those who travel to New York & other ballet centers will surely be more likely to add a ballet performance to their itinerary.

ciao-pirouette-meow/GG

(photograph by Paul Kolnik via The New York Times)

*The live capture will be shown several times for those who cannot be at the 2pm performance.

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)

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! We're going to see Mia and the Migoo, are you? Consider going this weekend as proceeds from all ticket sales are being donated by the producers to The Canopy Project.

Be the first to see the breathtaking new animated adventure about a girl trying to save the world from destruction, Mia and the Migoo, and help us plant trees! The English version (it is a French production by Jacques-Remy Girerd) features John Di Maggio, Whoopi Goldberg, Matthew Modine, Wallace Shawn, and James Woods.

The producers GKIDS are donating 100 percent of Earth Day weekend (April 22-24) ticket proceeds, including purchases of advance tickets for upcoming Mia and the Migoo shows, to Earth Day Network's The Canopy Project to plant trees in deforested areas around the globe.

ciao-green-meow/GG Green Central

(images via Médiathèsques de Mauguio Carnon)

Sunday Style - Let's Bring Back

30 Things that Need to Stage a Comeback - Pronto! What's on your list? There's a slideshow compiled by Lesley Blume on The Huffington Post. She has a new book based on her columns Let's' Bring Back (started in 2007). Accuse of us of sentimental hogwash, we don't care. How bad can it be to wish for a return to manners, libraries, picnics, cool hotel lobbies, & hats on men? Waste some time, you know you want to, & vote for your faves. (Annie Hall still via Huffington Post under Long, Leisurely Evening Walks)

ciao-cheeky-meow/GG & her editor

Wings of Desire

Before Sen. Obama's visit to Berlin, Giulia & her editor thought about the many references to Wim Wender's film Wings of Desire (Der Himmel über Berlin) in the offing. WOD is one of the few films we own. Many people seem to forget about the Rilke connection to the film; we will post soon on that subject. [For our French friends, see Les ailes du désir]