31 Days of Film - Day 3: Movie that makes you happy

Who doesn't love a good Mel Brooks creation? The Producers (Musical starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick) is one of my favorite Broadway shows. It was based on the film that Mel Brooks wrote and directed starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel, and then Mel brought it to Broadway several decades later. It became an instant classic, and its stars went on to reprise their roles when they took the musical to the movies.

Nathan and Matthew are perfect in their roles. I prefer them to their counterparts in the 1967 film version. Granted, they had far more time getting the feel for their characters, but still - they just had more energy and overall made for a funnier movie. The songs are catchy and play quite often from my iPod.

The supporting cast of characters are also a who's who in the comedy and stage world. Will Ferrell is surprisingly funny as Franz Liebkin the playwright who drafts the "love letter to Hitler", giving a very good skewed look of a German Nazi. Brooks, of course, is known for his stereotyping of Nazi's and taking a lot of jabs at the group of "neo-nazi nitwits." It never gets old. He even takes some shots at Hitler, and not just in the show's "Springtime For Hitler". We learn quite a bit that our history books never revealed (Hitler is a descendent from a long line of English Queens.)

This movie never fails to put me in a good mood. I'm a big fan of Nathan Lane anyway, and it's like this role was written for him (it wasn't, though, as the lines are almost identical to what was written for the 1967 version). As I said, both Lane and Broderick have great on screen chemistry as an unlikely duo turned partners and best friends. The music is fun, and it's Mel Brooks humor at its best.

In fact, I think I might plug it in and watch it right now...

31 Days of Film - Day 2: Movie that You hate...

Titanic is such a frustratingly stupid movie. Cameron had so much potential to tell a great tale, and instead he went about it all wrong - including grave robbing to make his movie seem more important (seriously, you do not need to travel the depths and bring up artifacts to use as props. Let it be!) He vilified many of the ships workers who have been "exonerated" countless times over, all for "dramatic effect" and then argued he did tons of "research" and felt that the film was accurate.

Never mind that his leading male character's name was the same as a crewman working in the boiler room of the ship. Whose body was never found (and I believe was either black or of another ethnic background). Nevermind that thousands of love sick teenagers found out and went to his "grave" thinking it was *the* Jack Dawson portrayed by DiCaprio. Cameron found it humorous.

The acting was subpar. In all of the viewings I've suffered through, DiCaprio and Winslet are by far the most disappointing performances. Their chemistry was contrived - partially due to the writing, but mainly because of DiCaprio's one note acting style. I know, I'm in the minority when it comes to all of this, but considering I don't buy into the storyline, I'm not biased towards the couple. Perhaps my dislike for Cameron clouds my judgement a tad, or the fact that I've only ever liked DiCaprio in one film (What's Eating Gilbert Grape). I don't know, I just know that I normally adore Kate in anything she's in and I can't stand her as Rose.

The secondary characters really shine, though. But, really, considering who plays them it should come as no surprise. Kathy Bates as the "unsinkable Molly Brown" was perfect casting, as was Victor Garber as Thomas Andrews - the ship's designer who had no desire to be sailing on her maiden voyage as his wife was due to give birth (but he was to pick up a crib in New York to bring back). Thankfully Andrews was not one of the villains in the film, as he typically is written, and is a very kind and sympathetic character.

Not as well liked are the Captain, is First Mate, and others - who are given the spotlight as the ones who doomed the ship. Nevermind it was really the head of the White Star line who demanded full steam ahead. Yes, the Captain made some costly mistakes, and his First Mate in turn, but to negate who really pushed for stupidity was a poor choice on Cameron's part. Also the shooting of passengers at the end - which was proven false in several reports/interviews/testimonials - was another "director's choice" that probably shouldn't have happened. Yes it was a very well circulated rumor/belief that it happened, but it vilified an entire group of men who were in an impossible situation doing the best they could amongst the chaos. The crew should not have been made to be the villains. It was corporate greed that sank the ship and killed 1500 people.

Seriously, I could go on and on and on about how much I hate this movie. But it will just make me angry for no good reason. Needless to say I avoid this movie like the plague and I HATE that it plays on one channel or another every week.

31 Days of Film - Day 1: Favorite Film

This is quite possibly one of the best movies of all time. I have a lot of favorites, and it could be that if you ask me again tomorrow I will give you a completely different answer. It all depends on my mood, but I think a lot of my family and friends would answer with this film as my favorite. I LOVE Tom Hanks in almost everything I've seen him in (the exception is his portrayal of Walt Disney, he's not even close!) and Forrest Gump is by far his best character.

A lot of people see this film as a comedy, or a dramady, and it IS funny. It has to be because the true subject matter is so serious and sad! Forrest is a symbol of hope and courage and heart. The film is such an encouragement to all viewers of every background/walk of life.

The cast is perfection, I mean who doesn't love Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan Taylor? Sally Fields as Mama Gump?

It's quotable, it's got a lot of great sight gags as well as some pretty incredible technology for the time that it was shot in (the way they splice him into history!). I love how they put him into some of our culture's greatest historic moments and yet it's still believable!

It's fun, it's quirky, it'll make you cry. And if it doesn't, well, then... you're just heartless. (I mean *I* get choked up and I'm dead inside!)

 

44 days till Disneyland!

Why do I blog?

I have absolutely no idea. Normally just a way to stay creative, share what's going on with me, vent... it's really just all about me. Me. Memememememememe!

31 Days of Film Challenge

Wish I'd found this one in time for July, but August is good, too. It's close to our Disney trip and Disney films will no doubt be a big part of this challenge!

Day 1- Your favorite film
Day 2- Your least favorite film
Day 3- A film that makes you happy
Day 4- A film that makes you sad
Day 5- A film that reminds you of someone
Day 6- A film that reminds you of a certain event
Day 7- A film with your favorite soundtrack
Day 8- A film that you can quote every line from
Day 9- The best documentary film
Day 10- A film from your favorite Director
Day 11- The best sports film
Day 12- A film with your favorite actor/actress
Day 13- A film with your least favorite actor/actress
Day 14- A film that you used to love but now hate
Day 15- The best horror film
Day 16- A film that you totally didn't "get"
Day 17- The most beautiful scene in any film
Day 18- The worst script in any film
Day 19- The first film you saw in a theater
Day 20- The best political film
Day 21- The film that not only changed the way you saw cinema, but the way you saw the world
Day 22- The film you should like, but don’t
Day 23- The funniest film you’ve ever seen
Day 24- Your “guilty pleasure” film
Day 25- The film that makes you want to be a filmmaker
Day 26- The film that should have never had a sequel
Day 27- A film from your childhood
Day 28- Your “perfect date” film
Day 29- A film that you will never tire of
Day 30- The “smartest” film you’ve seen
Day 31- The “perfect” film

Make Up?

Because of my sensitive skin, I rarely wear make up. When I do it's normally because I have my contacts in and I feel like I need to dress up my face. I have eye shadow, mascara... and that's about it. That's enough burning of my skin.

Besides, I have NO idea what I'm doing anyway when it comes to make up. Mom isn't much of a girly girl either so I've never had anyone explain it to me ha ha

Where in the world has Tonichelle been?

Not as catchy as "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego" but it'll have to do. Today's prompt is "where have you traveled?"

I haven't been many places. With 10 trips to Disney Parks under my belt that means I've skipped out on other trips, so far, but I'm hoping that will change... eventually.

But, other than Disney World and Disneyland I've been to 16 (maybe more that I'm forgetting?) states, drove through Canada, cruised to the Bahamas... and of course I've visited many spots in Alaska (and still haven't seen most of my state).

48 days till Disneyland 2014!

The prompt today is "what are you looking forward to" - and I think we all know what I'm looking forward to most - my Disneyland trip in September!

So what better way to celebrate that by giving you the "Cast of Characters" that will be going on this trip.

Probably my favorite set of Mickey ears EVER! Maleficent!

Tonichelle - aka, ME! This will be my fifth trip to Disneyland and 11th trip to a Disney park. The last time I went to Disneyland was in 2012 right after Carsland opened (we were there during summer vacation. Oh. My. Word. Do not recommend!). I'm pretty familiar with getting around the parks, but still haven't seen and done everything.

I am the trip planner/coordinator (by default). It's actually one of my favorite parts of a Disney trip - the planning. As much as it's stressful when trying to make sure everyone's wants/hopes get met or at least acknowledged, I just love doing all of the booking and coordinating. Crazy, I know. I have spreadsheets, and folders, and notebooks filled with the plans. It's the most organized part of my life!

I've been a huge fan of Disney my entire life, that I've gotten to go to the parks as many times as I have over the last few years (I only went once as a child, and once as a teen, the rest has been in adulthood!) has been a blessing. I love the history and nostalgia far more than the new stuff, so Disneyland holds a special place in my heart (as previous blog posts have shared). That I'm walking in Walt's footsteps makes Disneyland that much more special and I can forgive that it's less inclusive than Walt Disney World.

I am the first of our group that will make it into SoCal. I get in several hours before check in for the hotel, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll have our room ready early, otherwise I'm going to be smelling like airplane in their very small lobby for hours.

Gotta admit, they are pretty adorable together. Disgusting.

Erin & Wess - My "beastie" and her boy. Back in 2010 on the Road Trip From Hell we decided that to celebrate our 30th birthdays we would do a Disney cruise. It was something neither of us had done yet, and so we wanted to try something new. We also decided that since we went to Disney World on my birthday (January 2009) that we'd go around Erin's birthday this time. Considering Erin does not do birthdays very well (think Joey in "The One Where They All Turn 30") I figured she'd have more fun with the Mouse and company. It'd take her mind off of it a bit.

But as time drew near for the trip, we began pricing it out and it we kept wanting the park experience again. Then Erin met a boy. *cue dramatic music* Things changed. The two quickly fell in love (disgusting) and before long there were wedding bells. I headed for Montana and watched my best friend marry her best friend. But, before their wedding day I made the announcement to Erin and Wess that I thought that instead of a girls only trip, that Wess should come along with us on the 30th birthday celebration. I think I shocked both of them as I had been pretty adamant that it needed to stay a girls only thing. But, the three of us were getting along, and Wess has never been to a Disney Park.

We need to fix that. So the two of them are coming, and Erin and I just laugh like crazy evil people because we know Wess has NO idea what he's getting into with the two of us at Disney. The poor man. He'll need a lot of prayer this September for his sanity. But I have a feeling he will have a great time.

Erin and I met our freshman year of high school and became fast friends. We still don't know how that happened exactly, but Erin says it's too late for me to ditch her now. They say if you remain friends after 10 years you will always be friends. This year marks our 15th year of friendship. We're stuck with each other. And I am SO glad we are. I can't wait to celebrate with her. It's been over a year since we last gave each other a hug and smacked each other, we've only a month and a half left to go... the countdown is going to take forEVER.

Wess and Erin get in late on the 14th (many hours after me) so I will hopefully get to nap while I wait for them to make it to the hotel and then WATCH OUT ANAHEIM!

We've been great friends for 10 years, and we'll finally "meet!"

Aimee - my beautiful friend from Buffalo! We met online during our days as massive Star Wars fangirls (okay, well, nerds). It was about 10 years ago and it was through our greatestjournal accounts. It's crazy to think how much we've grown and changed and our friendship is soooooo unlikely, but thanks to "social media" and the interwebs here we are. I've made some pretty great friendships over the years online, but Aimee holds a special place in my heart. She's definitely one of the people I trust with a lot, and she keeps me honest! Ha ha. She definitely keeps me laughing.

Aimee coming on this trip happened rather... quickly... back in December. I blogged about it back in May. Aime and Erin share the same birthday so they will be the birthday twins on this trip. It will be Aimee's first time to the West Coast. We'd joked for years that we'd no doubt end up meeting for the first time at a Disney Park and now it's HAPPENING! I think I'm more excited for THAT than actually GOING to Disney!

Aimee is just as big a Disney nerd as I am, so I want to make sure that Disneyland is a special event for her. I'm sure it will be, but I have a feeling Wess and Erin will judge our fangirliness on all things Mr. Disney ha ha. Aimee gets in the day after the rest of us, and is only spending a few days (she has something called a job, psh!) but they'll be jam packed with Disney as well as the beach and a little bit of Hollywood. Gotta make sure that if she comes all this way she gets to experience the Pacific!


So there you have it! 48 days till DISNEY and BIRTHDAYS and FRIENDS!!!!!!!

Favorite Recipe - Cowboy Cookies

Since I've been asked for this recipe many times in the last week or so, I figured this would be the one that I'd use for today's prompt.

They are the bestest and biggest cookies EVER.

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies 

3 cups all-purpose flour 
1 tablespoon baking powder 
1 tablespoon baking soda 
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon salt 
1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter (at room temperature) 
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 
1-1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar 
3 large eggs 
1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips 
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 
2 cups sweetened flake coconut 
2 cups chopped pecans (8 ounces) 

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl. In 8-quart bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1 minute. Gradually beat in sugars; beat to combine, 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Beat in vanilla extract. Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut and pecans. For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Bake for 17 to 19 minutes, until edges are lightly browned; rotate sheets halfway through. Remove cookies from rack to cool. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. 

NOTE: For 6 dozen smaller cookies, use 2 tablespoons dough for each. Bake at 350 F for 15 to 18 minutes.

An Old Picture of Me

In honor of Ted Stevens Day in Alaska, I'll share an old photo of me enjoying the best of Alaska. I was five, I'd broken my arm (hence the missing right arm and dad holding on to my sunglasses-that are really his glasses), and I am driving the boat while fishing on... I'm not sure if it's Eagle River or the Kenai. We still lived in Anchorage at the time, so anything is possible.

The late Senator Ted Stevens is still a powerhouse name in Alaska. He fought to get us into statehood and fought for our state until he was illegally prosecuted and thrown out of the senate a year before his death (on his way to a fishing trip, plane crashed). Uncle Ted is a true Alaskan Patriot, and a few months after his passing Alaskans began honoring him by getting out and playing in the state that he loved. Every year on the last Saturday of July we come together to remember the man who made Alaska into the state that it is today.

So, come on, Alaskans, lets GET OUT AND PLAY!