So I think I’m about 6 months late for a rave review about The Blindside. You know, the movie about adoption. The movie that got Sandra Bullock a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Actress. Ring a bell?

It wasn’t for lack of interest, but movies in the theaters are few and far between in these parts. When my friend mentioned she’d rented The Blindside, I was glad to hear it was on DVD, and even gladder when she let me borrow while she had it out from Blockbuster. So last Sunday BgK and I sat down and watched. And watched. And watched. (it’s a long movie)

And? We LOVED. Of course it’s a neat and tidy, made-for-the-silver-screen story. I’m sure a fly on the wall in the Touhy family saw more drama, tension and issues then you’d ever see in a 2 1/2 hr movie. But it captured some of what happens when an older child joins a family. It touches on some issues when that child is of a different race.  And I think it captured what a mother goes through when a child joins her family through adoption or really, in this case, guardianship. The dance to get to know each other, the small doubts that come and go, and the fierce protectiveness that comes from knowing you are a child’s best advocate, protector and source of love.

My favorite parts all involved Leigh Ann (Bullock’s character). I loved her yelling at the football coach. I loved her walking next to Michael, looking so small and yet such a source of strength and love. I loved her insisting on going to talk to Michael’s biological mother, letting her know that her son was OK, and that he still has a place in his heart for her. I loved her going to look for him when he takes off.

And I loved Michael calling her, toward the end of the movie, “Mama”. I can only imagine how the real Mrs. Touhy felt when the real Michael called her  that.

If you haven’t seen it yet–go rent it already. You’ll be glad you did : )

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Slumdog Millionaire takes place and was filmed in Mumbai, India. Sweeping landscape, stunning color, amazing acting, and intense, intense drama. I have to say that I loved every minute of it, even the painful parts. I loved how the plot was based around “Who wants to be a Millionaire”, and I loved the Indian Regis-like host. The soundtrack is perfect, the three actors who played each of the main characters were incredible–I could go on and on…..

I don’t want to say too much to give it away, but I will say this : GO SEE IT.

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When the previews came out, I was turned off–infertility is no laughing matter! reproductive technology is serious business! etc, etc..how could it be funny and at all appropriate?

OMG it FUNNY. And touching. And true to heart.

Just got watch it…it’s funny, and who couldn’t use a little funny?

EDITED:Ok, the ending. I have a problem with the ending. But the rest of it? Fabulous and true to life. I guess it was made in Hollywood, so the ending sort of makes sense…..yet proliferates a myth that perpetually irks me. Still, very, very funny and well done.ITED:

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A Plumm Summer is set in the town of Peaks View, MT, circa 1968. Happy Herb (played by Henry Winkler, who will always be the Fonz in my book) is a local TV celebrity, whose beloved sidekick, puppet Froggy Doo goes missing during a public appearance. Concerned fan, Rocky (played by adorable Owen Pearce), and his older brother, Elliot (Chris J. Kelly) set off on the mission to find the missing local legend. Along the way, they befriend a new neighbor and get to try out methods of sleuthing previously only read about in the Hardy Boys and Trixie Belden adventures.

The scenery is breath-taking, the soundtrack reminiscent, and the characters are engaging. Maybe even more important then any of that, the movie is clean. And funny. And sweet. You could watch this movie with school-aged kids (8 and up, most definitely, maybe even a little younger) and not have to blush, cover your kid’s ears or eyes or anything. And you would enjoy the movie as well.

Next weekend (April 25, 26 & 27), this family film will be opening in select cities (various cities in California, Alabama, Minnesota and Montana)…please check it out!

Thanks to Mom Central for hooking me up with a preview of this fantastic film…it would have been a haul to make it to Minneapolis for the opening!

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I remember as a teenager discovering the world of Stephen King. My dad had a good collection of the early “classics” like Carrie, Firestarter, and The Shining (Red-Rum! Red-Rum!). I remember reading It one summer–I could only read during the day, in the living room when my family was home, otherwise I would be too seriously spooked to sleep.

I remember most of all reading the collection, The Four Seasons–particularly, The Body, which is the basis for one of my all-time favorite movies, Stand By Me. A great story line, a great cast of cute boys (Corey, River, Kiefer…)–what was there for a teenage girl not to like? I think we taped it off of HBO at one point, because I know I’ve watched it 50 times if I’ve watched it once. The movie came out in 1986, which is the year I turned 13, so I could completely relate (as well as any girl in 1986 could) to the cute boys on the screen and the summer of their 12th year. Learning how to really lean on your friends, the strong desire to do your own thing away from your parents, being intimidated by older teens–those are the classic issues of any 12 year old. Having them come to life on the big screen by cute boys was a total bonus.

I have to admit, as I’ve gotten older, I don’t pick up Stephen King as much as I used to, although I really enjoyed the Green Mile, and thought the movie was good as well. I know there is a lot more Stephen King material out there–I just haven’t picked it up lately. Which is a thought, actually–I should grab some of the ones I haven’t read from the library in the near future.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, the latest movie based on a novella, The Mist by Stephen King, is opening in theaters. The movie takes place in a grocery store, where shoppers become trapped inside by a–you guessed it–mysterious mist. In checking out the trailer, I may have enough guts to go see this one.

What is your favorite Stephen King book?

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Since it’s a rerun, there’s a huge red banner on the bottom of the screen saying “this has been previously recorded–phones closed”. Which got me thinking–if they have to put a banner ups that says “phones closed” that people must actually call when the phones are open.

So tell me–have you ever voted for a reality tv show? Did you call the toll-number or click online?? Come on, you can tell me….

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I almost glad the show’s on hiatus for a few months because I don’t think I can stand to listen to him anymore. Don’t even get me started on Burke. Or Alex. Or George.

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The other thing that got me, of course, was Addison’s abortion. Because, you know, babies can choose their fathers so easily. I thought the coverage of the topic was interesting–but even in this hypothetical situation, the fact that an abortion was the solution really bothered me. The older I get, the more pro-life I get. I can’t help it. It’s a baby, and while some days that’s overwhelming to the most motherly of mothers….it’s a baby, and someone, somewhere, would be thrilled to have that baby in their lives.

Ok, getting off my soapbox and back onto the show: also observed that it was interesting that there wasn’t all that much steam (or tension, really, snoring? who cares?) between Meredith and McDreamy, and yet the show was GREAT. And the farting in the hallway? So grade school, but soooo funny. And it was nice to laugh at something last night!

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Today M slept in (again) , logging a total of 13 hours of night time sleep. She was up for about 3 hours, drank a little, ate a little (she’s partial to bagels these days) and then was ready for a nap. She’s going on hour four of said nap.

I took this opportunity to watch a movie, Akeelah and the Bee. OMG, such a GREAT movie!! Seriously, check it out. Very upbeat, uplifting, cute and funny, clean, all around family fun. Totally good movie for all. Slightly predictable, but not annoyingly so.

Tomorrow L is staying home with M–so I can make an appearance at work, get out of the germ-infested house and go to a dr’s appt. You know it’s sad when you are looking forward to having an EMG. Ok, that’s a lie, I’m not looking forward to the actual shock-treatment like test I’ll be getting, but I’m looking forward to solving the weird sensations that have been plaguing my right leg for awhile now.

Not much else is new today. I missed the balloon launch at school–we are beginning to count down the 100 days to the 100th anniversary of the Montessori movement. We even had speical staff t-shirts made and everything. I don’t live far from school, but didn’t see any balloons in the sky at the appointed time. The school is working on getting the funds to send the entire staff to San Fransico in February, where there will be the annual professional development course as well as a centenary celebration. Included will be a trip to the grounds where the “glass classroom” was on display at the 1915 world’s fair. How cool is that???

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