Ben "Whips It!"

When my brother was visiting, we went to the opening night of Drew Barrymore's Directoral Debute: Whip It! I really liked it . . . although I wouldn't recommend it for teen girls . . . too much lying to the parents and making bad decisions, but overall, the message was fun and the action was great. I got all pumped to go to my local roller derby, but then, the theatre was packed with local roller derby girls. When I saw them in the light, I changed my mind.

The main stars of the movie Roller Derby Action were: Smashley Simpson, Babe Ruthless and Maggie Mayhem . . . now I just need a stage name for my own personal Roller Babe!

He's practicing for the big time . . . if he falls, he just bounces right back up!

He can get going pretty fast . . .

He skates in rain or shine, or menacing rain clouds . . .

He always wears his big brother Josh's ball cap, it makes him look cooler . . .

Uh Oh, he's goin' down!!

Give me some ideas for a good name for Ben, the Roller Derby Start (of my heart!)

Phenomenon

I watched an Oldie but Goodie on my new, wonderful TiVo today. I have a cold and decided to VEG after dinner while the kids played with cousins at Grandmas and Damian was at his LAST City Planning Commission meeting.

It was a party for myself, celebrating a return of my husband. I love sharing him with the Lord for Church Work, but dread the nights he's gone on City Business. I think he's served one night a month for 3 years on that thing. He used to be on the Board of Directors for a local Spanish Health Clinic, but that term ended last year.

OK, back to the movie. This is such a great movie . . . now, I don't know if it had a lot of swearing in it's original form, on the TiVo it was cleaned up to PG and it was wonderful.

It's s beautiful, emotional love story between the characters played by John Travolta and Kyra Sedgwick. It's more than that though. The message is one about treating others kindly, not matter their differences and celebrating how each of us are unique.

I saved it. We are getting a DVD burner for Christmas and I've been saving all my favorites to record and watch with my girls, when they are old enough. You probably saw this in '96 when it came out, but it's worth watching again.

Freedom Writers

I just watched a GREAT movie: Freedom Writers.

Hilary Swank plays a teacher that "saves" a class of integrated students that hate each other and have low scores. It looks to be a typical movie of this genre at first glance.

The teacher in me likes this genre in general, but I LOVED this movie.

It was real.
It was powerful.
It was emotional.
It was inspiring.

If you haven't seen it, go rent/TiVo it. Just be sure to MUTE the ONE "F" word at 1:50.

It's based on a book called, The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell (the teacher the movie is based on) I'm going to check it out and read it today on the drive HOME from Disneyland, OK? I'll get back to you if it's any good.

Somewhere in Time

This movie takes the cake on romantic chic flix. It was filmed in 1980, when I was in kindergarten, but it's timeless. I adore it, with all my heart, and the music is beautiful.

When I saw Jane Seymor presenting her art at a huge exhibit in NYC 2 years ago, I noticed she hasn't aged in the last 28 years, so I think it might be a true story . . . the whole time travel thing.

Or Botox might be true.

I just read the book (it was a book first) and the book was horrible. That doesn't happen often, does it? The book is bad, the movie is WONDERFUL . . . weird.

Eagle Eye

I saw this movie when I was in SLC with my brother, Paul. It was GREAT!! I hope Damian sees it while I'm in Italy for the next two weeks, I don't want him to miss it. It's a great hubby date night movie. But he'll have to go with his dad, since his date will be on some Italian Beach next Friday (and I've seen it!!) I'm leaving tomorow!! Stay posted for pictures of ITALY!! And my sister's wedding!


(Now, just so you know, I'm pre-published 2 weeks in advance, just in case I can't get an internet connection in Italy for some reason . . . I will keep trying, but there WILL be something new everyday here, so you don't miss me, while I'm NOT missing YOU!!)

JusTea and Tea Boogie!

This movie was made in honor of my brother-in-law's first day, starting a new school.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Don't be scared, JusTea. With moves, hair and clothes like that, you'll make lots of new friends.

JusTea is starting Law School 2-5 hours away (I can never remember) and will commute home on the weekends. You can tell in the "Movie" that his wife, Tea, is a completely WONDERFUL woman. So supportive and great . . . What you can't tell is that she is 9 months pregnant. . .only 17 more days until the 13th Idiart Grandbaby is born!!!

We are here for you, Tea, as this first year will make you a WEEKDAY WIDOW.

Some Kind of Wonderful

This is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE!! I have seen it a jillion time and just can't get enough. I recently watched it with Emily, in Alaska. I left her with a copy, since I already have my own. It's the least I could do.

Please people . . . rent this movie, tease up your BIG HAIR and live in the 80's a little. The music is GREAT and the romance is EVEN BETTER! You deserve it!

If anyone knows where I can get some red leather fringy gloves, I will trade one child for them!

Jay, Dray and Dunk in da House!

Hopefully, you were spared the movie that posted earlier this morning! Little computer cliche! Josh helped me make this "movie" of his break-dancing buddies. He's sick this morning and we all hope he's back to normal this afternoon! Turn off the playlist to get the full rap effect!

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Date with Mamma Mia!

My mom and I went to the movies last night. She has helped me so much with my kids this summer, it's the least I could do. Of course, she paid. And then she took me out to ice cream, after.

I saw this play on Broadway in NYC last spring, and I went to see the movie 4 days ago, on opening night in Anchorage, with Emily. I love ABBA and I love musicals. This movie is getting mixed reviews, but I loved it. I have got to go to Greece now, after "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "Mamma Mia!"

I bought the soundtrack and now my kids are learning these songs, to add to their Broadway Showtunes repertoire. I don't think "Mamma Mia" tunes will replace our ultimate favorite, "Wicked," but it is fun to hear Ben sing, "Mamma Mia, Here I go again, My, My, how can I mist you?!"