Movies 46 | ***Dave Does the Blog

Knobs & Sticks

We watched Bedknobs & Broomsticks last night. With all due respect to my wife’s cherished childhood memories … … boy, was that a bad movie. While based on a book…

We watched Bedknobs & Broomsticks last night. With all due respect to my wife’s cherished childhood memories …

… boy, was that a bad movie.

While based on a book by a different writer, this 1971 Disney production tries to remake the 1964 Mary Poppins (both films share the same director, songwriting team, and adapters from the original books). A magical woman, unloved kids, a ne’er-do-well semi-romantic interest, a father figure who learns an important lesson about love (played in both films by David Tomlinson), a big dance number of street people, an extended animation/live-action sequence in the middle, all the elements are there, bigger and bolder than before.

But while Julie Andrews’ Mary is calm and wise (while still fun-loving), Angela Lansbury’s Eglantine Price is an absent-minded bumbler, an apprentice witch who, having done her duty, dismisses any thought of further magic with the same silly aplomb that Samantha Stevens did. The dance numbers are bigger, the animation more outrageous, the magical stuff more finely crafted, but any sense of heart, let alone plot, gets lost in the mish-mash. Songs and musical numbers (“Greatest Dance Hits of the British Empire!”) seem to flow out the need to insert them hither and thither, rather than being driven by the story.

Oh, and Nazis. We get to fight mildly menacing Nazis.

The only bright spot is that I can only think of the unholy furor that would happen today amongst some more conservative religious groups if Disney created a movie about an apprentice witch who takes in some homeless children …

Kids will probably enjoy this movie. Adults remembering their childhood viewing of it might, too. I … uh, didn’t. Though Margie seemed to like it, and since I got it as a gift to her, that makes me happy.

Man with a Monday Mission

Because I don’t have enough else to do (just kidding), it’s the Monday Mission 2.20: 1. When was the last time you went out with a true love of yours?…

Because I don’t have enough else to do (just kidding), it’s the Monday Mission 2.20:

1. When was the last time you went out with a true love of yours? What did you two do that made it so special?

Not counting going out to Spider-Man or Star Wars in the past week, it would be for our anniversary, I think. We went to Le Central and had a wonderful, romantic dinner, just the two of us. That’s all it takes to make it special.

2. Which far-away friend would you most like to see again?

Bunker, Miller, Kurt & Marina, all “live” friends from the past I’d like to see again. A handful of folks from high school that I lost touch with.

Heck, I can even see seeing my ex, Cheryl, some time — talk about old times and new times. I still consider her my friend, despite the, ah, strain in a relationship that divorce can entail. I have, needless to say, no romantic interest in her, and I don’t see making a habit of reunions or anything like that. But since I spent about fifteen years knowing, going with, or married to her, it’s not like I can just excise the whole relationship. And she seems to be doing a lot better, lately …

3. Any high or low points about this past weekend? What went on?

Actually, the weekend went quite in line with plans. The high points were probably seeing AotC, going to the church picnic, and getting plants planted in the yard. Low point was probably the stresses and strain of doing the Star Wars game where I was the only pre-AotC person who cared about staying “unspoiled.”

4. I’ve been thinking about getting a buzz-cut for the summer, a big change for me. Have you ever made any drastic changes to your appearance?

Probably the most drastic was getting my hair cut quite short last year. Haven’t regretted it since.

5. How long do you think a couple should date before they get married? Or if you are married, do you think you should have waited longer to get hitched?

Margie and I knew each other 15 years, and dated for a few before we married. I don’t think we rushed into anything.

My opinion? Anything under a two year courtship is rushing things.

6. I just found out my long-time friend does not like Star Wars (!) and has only seen the original 1977 movie! Have you ever discovered anything new or shocking about a long-time friend you thought you knew everything about?

Yes.

But I’m not going to discuss it here …

7. Well we had a nice picnic and saw the sunset, but now it’s dark and I think we should liven things up. Let’s call some of your friends and go out. Who do you want to invite and where should we all go?

Hey, I’d love to see Lord of the Rings again. Let’s call Jackie and Doyce. Maybe Randy and Rey & Jules, too. Then we can go to Red Robin and eat fries and drink vanilla cokes. Woo-hoo! Live it up! What a party animal!

BONUS: Why can’t ya be good to me?

Because you’ve been bad. Very, very bad. And now I must spank you …

So what did I really think?

I’m writing all of this before reading anyone else’s reviews, and I’m still just getting my arms around Attack of the Clones, figuring out what I did and didn’t like…

I’m writing all of this before reading anyone else’s reviews, and I’m still just getting my arms around Attack of the Clones, figuring out what I did and didn’t like about it.

And that’s probably a bad sign.

(WARNING – MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW)

Continue reading “So what did I really think?”

New! Improved!

It’s the fresh, vibrant, new, improved Friday Five! 1. What shampoo do you use? Whatever’s on sale that doesn’t cause Margie to break out in a rash. That means it’s…

It’s the fresh, vibrant, new, improved Friday Five!

1. What shampoo do you use?

Whatever’s on sale that doesn’t cause Margie to break out in a rash. That means it’s likely to be bulk, it’s likely to be lightly, if at all, scented, it’s likely to last us for a while, and it’s likely to be something different next time.

2. Do you use conditioner? What kind?

Yes, I do, though my hair is not exactly unmanageable at this point. As to what kind, see #1.

3. When was the last time you got your hair cut?

Probably four or five weeks ago, at Margie’s hands. I need to do it this weekend, since my folks are coming to visit next.

4. What styling products do you use?

Um … shampoo, conditioner, and hair cuts? Not much left to style after that … which is one reason I have it cut this short.

5. What’s your worst hair-related experience?

Its long, gradual, thinning-out on top?

Having to chop off my pony tail when I got married (Margie had some silly but irrefutable reasoning about “photographs” and “timeless appeal” and “you really don’t want folks laughing at our wedding snapshots in years to come)?

My hair has never been terribly easy to manage, and it’s not something I’ve been willing to dedicate my life to keeping under control, so back when I wore it longer it was prone to looking pretty shaggy. I do have a recollection of having to get a picture taken (driver’s license?) after it had been through a minor wind storm and was looking like I belonged down at the Mission …

6. BONUS UNSOLICITED QUESTION: What are you doing this weekend?

Friday:

Long work day for me, to make up hours to take next Friday off.

Comic book store and other errands on the way home, possibly including a trip to another KP clinic to look at their glasses selection.

Put the sprinklers on a 24-hour rain delay.

Star Wars RPG tonight, with my character up a level and adding a new class.

Poking my fingers in my ears and singing “LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!” loudly whenever people start talking about AotC.

Saturday:

It’s supposed to be my weekend to sleep in, but I think I’ll let Margie do the honors since she’s been Majorly Frazzled for a few weeks.

Plant plants from the plant sale last weekend.

Last “Hungry Flock” dinner for the season, this one down at the church instead of at someone’s house. We have to bring a dessert, which I’ve been thinking about making myself (Dave’s Famous Carrot Cake … yum!).

Sunday:

Church.

Church Picnic, including farewells to our pastor who’s going off on a four month sabbatical (and a richly deserved one, I’ll add).

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.

Dinner, including much chatting about one of the above bullet items (guess which one).

On a Monday Mission from God

It’s the Monday Mission … (Doyce questions his feelings about these sorts of Q&A posts. I say … coolness. I like structure. Structure is my friend. As long as I…

It’s the Monday Mission …

(Doyce questions his feelings about these sorts of Q&A posts. I say … coolness. I like structure. Structure is my friend. As long as I can get two cents in about the structure, I am happy being a salaryman sort of dude. But that’s just me.)

1. When was the last time your computer crashed? What happened?

At least twice since late February. Check the archives. Mutter mutter mutter …

2. Recommend a movie (new or old) for us to watch.

Undercover Blues, a spy comedy starring Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner. Light, fun, and full of quotable lines.

3. When was the last time someone told you that you were attractive (and you actually believed them)?

My wife makes noises about that frequently. On that subject I abstain, courteously.

4. Do you like to sleep in or wake up with the chickens?

I am so much into sleeping in. Unless it means I don’t get home until late. Which is why I wake up early enough to get into the office by six-frelling-o’clock in the a.m. — and sleep on weekends (when left to my own devices) until 10 or 11 a.m.

5. Are you gay, straight or bi? Ever been tempted to go the other way?

I am quite straight, and have never had any serious temptation to swing in any other direction (nor reason to). But I don’t equate that particular aesthetic into a moral direction for the rest of the populace.

6. What will be the next computer-related purchase you will make?

Ooooh. Most likely something on the order of a game. Unless it’s a replacement printer, which would only happen if someone bought the quasi-lemon we recently purchased.

7. What is your role when you are in relationships? A giver, a taker, or is it an equal balance?

Hopefully a balance. I suspect I am something of a taker, net, but that might just be my guilty conscience. Margie would have to answer that one.

BONUS: Would I lie to you?

Now would I say something that wasn’t true? I’m asking you, sugar, would I lie to you?

No windows, and no doors!

Disney is developing a movie based on its “Haunted Mansion” theme park ride. Isn’t it usually done the other way around? What next? Country Bear Jamboree? Pirates of the Caribbean?…

Disney is developing a movie based on its “Haunted Mansion” theme park ride. Isn’t it usually done the other way around?

What next? Country Bear Jamboree? Pirates of the Caribbean?

Well, yes.

(Via Boing Boing)

Lists of Four Things

4 things you would eat on the last day of your life: 1) A bag of Mother’s “Taffy” cookies. 2) A pepperoni pizza. 3) Haagen-Dazs Rum Raisin ice cream. 4)…

4 things you would eat on the last day of your life:
1) A bag of Mother’s “Taffy” cookies.
2) A pepperoni pizza.
3) Haagen-Dazs Rum Raisin ice cream.
4) Margie’s pepper steak.

4 CDs from your collection that you will never get tired of:
1) John Barry/Moviola
2) Pet Shop Boys/Actually
3) Eurythmics/Greatest Hits
4) Bangles/Greatest Hits

4 movies that you watch over and over:
1) Princess Bride
2) Undercover Blues
3) Judgement at Nuremberg
4) The Shadow

4 vacations you have taken:
1) Britain, with Margie.
2) The Grand Canyon, with my folks
3) My honeymoon, with Margie
4) Santa Fe, with Margie

4 things you’d like to learn:
1) To hit a golf ball straight, consistently.
2) Japanese
3) Philosophy (formally)
4) How to draw faces

4 beverages you drink frequently:
1) Coffee
2) Barq’s root beer
3) Grapefruit juice
4) Coke

4 TV shows that you liked when you were a kid:
1) I Love Lucy
2) Mission Impossible
3) Doctor Who
4) Star Trek

4 places to go in your city:
1) The Zoo
2) The Botanic Gardens
3) Lo-Do
4) Cherry Creek North

4 things to do when you’re bored:
1) Read
2) Watch TV
3) Blog
4) Read some more

4 things that never fail to cheer you up:
1) Margie’s smile
2) Katherine’s smile
3) Praise
4) Knights of the Dinner Table

(Via sillycow)

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride This is the ultimate date flick. It’s full of romantic, girlie-girl, passionate stuff for her (or him). It’s full of swordplay and action for him (or her)….

The Princess Bride

This is the ultimate date flick.

It’s full of romantic, girlie-girl, passionate stuff for her (or him).

It’s full of swordplay and action for him (or her).

And it’s full of wit, both subtle and over-the-top, for both of them.

And only a cad would, at the end, not want to give his (or her) sweet babboo a big, long, kiss.

Heck, you can even watch it when you parents are visiting. And the new DVD just out includes some keen new features.

Rent it. Buy it. Watch it. Enjoy it.

Potpourri

An odd and interesting morning. I’m off today, since my company does a 4-9s-and-a-4 schedule, which on holiday weekends translates into 4-9s-and-an-8 the week before, and 4-9s the week of,…

An odd and interesting morning. I’m off today, since my company does a 4-9s-and-a-4 schedule, which on holiday weekends translates into 4-9s-and-an-8 the week before, and 4-9s the week of, which means 4-day weekends. And that’s enough numbers. Suffice it to say that it was nice not working today.

Margie went in, though, so I’m Mr. Mom this morning. Which isn’t bad. Aside from occasionally becoming clingy, Katherine’s a good Squiggy.

Got to work on my web page (which is progressing nicely, save my inability to FTP the damned thing up to my web site. I don’t know if that’s a DollarHost problem, or a too-many-hops problem between my notebook and them. Irritating.).

[Oops. Had to read to Katherine, change Katherine, and put her down for a nap.]

In the meantime, watching Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom, and (on AMC), Ft. Apache. The second Indy outing is only watchable as an Indy movie. John Ford’s western is good stuff, though, with Henry Fonda, John Wayne, and black-and-white glory.