Movie Moments Part 4

This is the pen-ultimate post.  That is not a value judgment - just a placement judgment.  There is only one more after this one.  Here we go again.  

Spaceballs

Favorite Moment:  I must admit that I really think Mel Brooks is a comic genius.  At one point during the movie Dark Helmut (played perfectly by Rick Moranis) loses track of Lonestar and Barf and one of his underlings suggests watching the movie Spaceballs in order to find them.  There is new technology that allows the movies to be in the store before they are even done filming.  Therefore, they begin watching the movie and watch themselves watching the movie.  It's great fun.  Mel Brooks loves breaking the 4th wall and he does it so well.

Stardust

Favorite Moment:  Ricky Gervais and Robert DeNiro bartering.  Oh to have only been there when that scene was being filmed....  What is great about the scene, other than being hilarious, is that Deniro is doing what he does best (tough guy) and Gervais is doing what he does best (witty banter.)  A close second is the voodoo sword fight - and I realize how strange the sounds.  

Stranger than Fiction

Favorite Moment:  Like so many of the other movies that I enjoy - this one is full of so many little moments that it becomes hard to choose.  A few favorite tiny moments:  Dustin Hoffman asking Will Ferrell if he is happy that he's not a gollum.  Emma Thompson [insert any moment.]  And finally, Tony Hale (of Arrested Development fame) saying that nobody is too old to go to spacecamp.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Favorite Moment:  Edward Sanders singing "Now While I'm Around" because he has a beautiful voice.  It's also heartbreaking because he doesn't know who he's trying to protect.  

Sweet Home Alabama

Favorite Moment:  When Melanie finally realizes that her family has dignity and respects her parents.  This moment happens when Andrew comes back to her house and she suggests having the wedding in Alabama.  It's a small moment - but there is a sense of her finally starting to not be ashamed of where she's from, but perhaps feeling some pride.  As someone from a small town and rather proud of that upbringing (for whatever reason) I like that scene.

Sweet November

Favorite Moment:  This movie was a gift.  Just want to say that.  My favorite thing about this movie is the name of the little boy who befriends Keanu Reeves.  His name is Abner.  You're not going to lead a normal life with a name like that.

The First Wives Club

Favorite Moment:  During a Bar Mitzvah for the son of one of the "first wives" (Bette Midler) the ex-husband brings along his new girlfriend who is much younger and very beautiful.  Midler's character is furious and Diane Keaton (another first wife) asks in all sincerity, "Is she a gift?"  

The Italian Job

Favorite Moment:  I just watched this tonight.  I couldn't stop laughing during one moment, so I'll use that one.  Mark Wahlberg and Mos Def go to see "Skinny Pete" who is a 400 pound Hawaiian informant.  Before actually seeing Skinny Pete Wahlberg tells the Mos Def not to stare. Of course, he stares and then when he tries to talk he's looking everywhere but at Skinny Pete.  It's so awkward and funny.  

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Favorite Moment:  I have the 3rd Pirates movie and the 2nd Lord of the Rings... that's strange.  My favorite moment is Legolas and Gimli bantering before and during the battle.  While they are on the lookout Gimli is too short to see over the wall and is complaining.  Legolas responds by saying, "Shall I describe it to you, or would you like me to find you a box?"  Much needed humor before the battle.

The Phantom of the Opera

Favorite Moment:  You may have noticed I include "the" when alphabetizing.  I'm not ashamed. Favorite moment in Phantom of the Opera... oh yes.  Christine and Raoul have just finished singing on the roof with the Phantom listening on.  He reprises the song and runs up a statue and then pan out onto Paris.  It's a cool shot and you can really feel that in his mind he's been betrayed.

Tomorrow I'll post the last one.  

Movie Moments Part 3

The next installment of Katie's favorite movie moments.  I have decided not to include the tv shows that I own (Psych seasons 1&2, Ugly Betty Season 1) because there is way too much material for me to choose a favorite moment.  

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

Favorite Moment:  I bought this movie because I love the soundtrack.  As far as my favorite moment in the movie, however, I would have to say the scene where they elect the pirate king.  It's loud, chaotic, and nobody ever knows what's going on in Jack Sparrow's head.  Plus - I enjoy anytime that a female character goes on a journey towards self-discovery and in this series Elizabeth goes through a great journey.

Pride & Prejudice

Favorite Moment:  This is such a wonderful adaptation of the book (and I am a fan of the BBC version.)  My favorite moment comes from Tom Hollander (Mr. Collins) because he plays the character so different from what anyone would expect.  My favorite moment is at the private ball when Mr. Collins is trying to persue Elizabeth.  During the montage that is not really a montage there is a scene where he stands in the middle of the room holding a single flower and he exhales (as if in defeat.)  It's such a sweet little moment.  Later the flower returns when he proposes to Elizabeth.

P.S. I Love You

Favorite Moment:  Gerard Butler during the flashback of when his character and Hilary Swank's character first meet in Ireland.  The whole scene is priceless, actually.  Each person trying to impress the other and talking about things that neither person understands.  It's very innocent and funny and the scenery is gorgeous.  

Rent

Favorite Moment:  When the HIV support group sings "Another Day" beginning with the New Yorker who talks about how he doesn't always trust what the therapist says but will do it because it seems to be working.  There are some moments in that musical that are so real even though the characters are singing and that is one of them.  

Runaway Bride

Favorite Moment:  This is another movie where the main character goes on a journey of self-discovery.  I wonder what that says about me...  that's for another post.  Small moment that always cracks me up features Joan Cusack (the quirky best friend) cheering on her husband while trying not to move her lips.  It just seems like something I would have done.

Runaway Jury

Favorite Moment:  Since this is a John Grisham movie, you know there is a great twist at the end.  The best part is when the "bad guys" discover the twist when it is too late to do anything about it.  I've decided to stay vague about this particular movie in case you haven't seen it, because you really should see it.  You can borrow it from me if you like.

Sabrina

Favorite Moment:  Sabrina's first day in the fashion industry in Paris.  They are speaking French or barely recognizable English to her, she's running around like a mad man, she turns on a fan which causes the model to drop her contact which Sabrina then proceeds to step on... all in all it is just a bad day.  Later on the phone with her father, he's trying to console her and says that not everybody in Paris thinks she's an idiot to which she responds: that's only because they haven't met me yet.  That makes her character so real and believable.

Sense & Sensibility

Favorite Moment:  Some of these movies are so difficult to pick a favorite moment!  The best moment, for me, is when Elinor is so overcome with emotion that she just cannot hold it in anymore and starts to cry... really cry.  I know that feeling and as the audience I am so happy for her because she's finally able to feel what she hasn't allowed herself to feel for nearly the entire movie.  Emma Thompson just blows my mind and I love it.

Sister Act

Favorite Moment:  The first time we hear the shy nun sing out in church.  It's such a triumphant moment, I only wish they would have built that up a little bit more.  I also wish that it was that actress's real voice - but we can't get everything we wish for.  I also really love Sister Mary Clarence's table grace which is a mash up of the Lord's prayer, Psalm 23, the marriage vows, and the pledge of allegiance - what a great piece of writing.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Favorite Moment:  I love singing in movies, if you haven't noticed already.  I own a lot of musicals and there are still a couple more to go.  My favorite moment in this movie is the duet of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."  It's a beautiful rendition and that is the moment of revelation for the lead character - she wants to sing.  

That makes 30 movies so far.  I didn't realize I owned so many!  And yet - I never seem to have anything to watch.  :)

Movie Moments Part 2

I'm continuing this now because it's Friday and I don't want to do any homework after sitting through a 3 hour lecture.  Let us continue with my favorite movie moments!

Lars and the Real Girl

Favorite Moment:  This movie is made up of so many little moments that are so amazing.  If I had to choose - which I am making myself do - I would pick the moment when Lars realizes Bianca has a life of her own without him.  She was on her way to a party at the hospital and the lady giving her a ride tells Lars that no woman would just sit around all day and wait for him.  Even female dolls need their independence!

License to Wed

Favorite Moment:  3 words:  Never to Fart.  The whole scene where they debate whether or not the letter on the form is a P or an F is awesome.  Not to mention that it features Angela Kinsey of The Office and Bob Balaban (any Christopher Guest movie) who stole the scene.

Little Women

Favorite Moment:  How can I choose?  Any scene with Beth (Claire Danes) makes me sob.  When she gets the piano from Mr. Lawrence and her final speech to Jo.  In that speech she talks about being content with staying home, but that now she was going ahead of her sisters into the unknown.  [insert sobbing here]

Matilda

Favorite Moment:  Trunchbull is the principal of an elementary school and she hates children, but loves sweets.  One child has eaten her chocolate cake and for punishment has him eat an entire chocolate cake during an assembly.  The cake would feed like 50 people at least.  While the boy triumphs with the support of his peers thus foiling her plan - she succeeds in making me think about that scene every time I see chocolate cake.

Muriel's Wedding

Favorite Moment:  Again - a very small moment, but I bought the movie because of it.  Muriel ends up marrying an olympian swimmer who is trying to get Australian citizenship.  As Muriel comes down the aisle to ABBA's "I do, I do, I do" just beaming (this is her ultimate dream) he turns and gives this look... how to describe the look.  It's like he's been dropped kicked in the gut - it's hilarious and kind of sad at the same time.  The whole movie is that way, in fact.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Favorite Moment:  This movie is endlessly quotable.  "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know because nobody talk to me about nothing no more!"  "Why do you want to leave me?!"  "In my neck was my twin..."  and on it goes.  My favorite moments in this movie happen between Toula and her brother.  First is at the baptism when Toula doubts her value and her brother reassures her and reminds her that she is worth what Ian is doing for her.  The second is when her brother tells her he is taking some classes in art.  Not only do our actions change our lives, but the lives of those around us.  

Newsies

Favorite Moment:  The reprise of "Seize the Day" in front of Pullitzer's building.  The choreography is preparing us for the impending fight they boys will face.  It is also the only time we really see the main characters doing the same choreography as the other newsies.  Finally - love it because the actually reprise fills out the song with more harmony.  Dancing, singing, fighting, Christian Bale... recipe for a great movie.  

Once

Favorite Moment:  I love the part when Marketa Irglova's character is acting as Glen Hansard's agent toward the loan officer.  She picks out his suit and then becomes very outspoken during the interview.  It's much easier to defend someone else's talent than your own.  The whole movie is about two people having a real connection although they barely know one another - this is just one example of many.

Penelope

Favorite Moment:  Any moment with Peter Dinklage.  I think one of the best is when the character Edward licks Max's hand because Max has covered his mouth to stop him from talking.  Max says "He licked me" in disgust and Peter Dinklage's character, acting as the father figure to these two young men, tells Edward "ugh... don't lick Max."  Sometimes we find ourselves uttering the most ridiculous sentences in all seriousness.  I can only imagine what words come out of most parents' mouths with little children...

Persuasion

Favorite Moment:  Watching Captain Wentworth listen to Anne Elliot basically confessing her feelings for him (Wentworth) after over 8 years of being apart.  She's not confessing to him, but to another man during a discussion about whether males or females love the longest after a relationship has ended.  His face is priceless.  

Another 10 down.  I hope you find this interesting.  It's making me want to watch all of these movies now - and since I own them it is very tempting.

Favorite Movie Moments Part 1

Description of project: Katie will go through the movies she owns and describe her favorite moments from said movies and explain the significance of that moment. Some will be thought-provoking. Some will be comforting. Some will be revealing. Most will be lighthearted and silly (thereby revealing Katie's true character.) The movies will be covered in alphabetical order. 10 movies per post.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Favorite moment:  Despite the all-star cast including Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christian Bale and Stanley Tucci, my favorite moment comes from Sam Rockwell who is forced to play a woman in the play within the movie.  Normally the scene is played over the top to emphasize the ridiculous nature, but in this version, it is played very tenderly.  Rockwell takes off his wig and his voice is low as he laments over the death of his lover (in the play.)  Right when I was expecting to laugh I nearly cried.  

Bananas: Darren Streblow

This isn't actually a movie, but it is a DVD on my shelf.  Darren Streblow is a Christian stand-up comedian.  My favorite joke has to be either buck-tooth deer or larva boy.  I also love that he's from northern Minnnesota.  Go to http://www.darrenstreblow.com to see clips from his show. Hilarious stuff and totally clean.

Bend It Like Beckham

Favorite Moment:  Such a small moment in this movie, but so hilarious.  When Jules shows up at Jess' sister's wedding with her mother, her mother sees Jess wearing her shoes and says "Get your lesbian feet out of my shoes!"  Then a little old Indian lady says, "Lesbian... I thought she was a pisces."  I'm laughing now just thinking about that line.  Classic.  By the way, I'm a pisces. 

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

Favorite Moment:  There are so many.  I'll have to go with the song "My Eyes" which is a duet between Dr. Horrible and Penny (the good girl he secretly loves.)  One is singing of a world that is falling deeper and deeper into evil while the other sings of a world that has more and more hope.  It reminds me that reality has a lot to do with how we perceive it.  If we focus on the bad things happening (and there are plenty of terrible things happening) we might be overwhelmed.  However, if we focus on the many good things that are happening, we also might be overwhelmed.

First Knight

Favorite Moment:  Sean Connery as King Arthur is the best part of this movie.  The best line is when he tells the bad guy... forgetting name right now... that there are laws that enslave men and laws that set them free.  As a Christian that line is something straight out of Paul.  We were once enslaved to sin, but now we are enslaved to Christ and to one another in service.  Our new enslavement is our freedom.  

Fools Rush In

Favorite Moment:  In most romantic comedies one of the characters have some sort of obsession or some object that means a lot to them.  The other character then procures that object and the first person knows that the other person really cares.  What I like about this movie is that the object in question is a hotdog from New York City.  Bonding over hotdogs...

Goodnight and Good Luck

Favorite Moment: This whole movie is my favorite moment.  If I had to draw your attention to one thing - it would be the quote that Murrow uses to critique McCarthy "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves."  Sometimes bad things happen and we believe that it is just our fate and submit to evil out of fear.  It is our fear that creates a lot of problems.  We are flawed - we are depraved.  We must learn not to rely on ourselves, but on God.  

Hairspray

Favorite Moment:  One quote:  "Be ready for a whole lot of ugly coming at you from a never-ending parade of stupid."  This was said to an interracial couple concerning those who do approve of such things.  Although this movie is set in the 60s, there are many couples who probably feel they are the recipients of such parades.

Hope Floats

Favorite Moment:  Great advice.  "Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most.  Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning.  Just give hope a chance to float up.  And it will."  So true...

Someone Like You (out of order alphabetically because it is in the same case as Hope Floats)

Favorite Moment:  Hugh Jackman.  Oh wait, that's not a moment...  Let's see.  Jane's speech about real men is pretty good.  The true test of character for any person is to see how they handle crisis.  Real men (and women for that matter) stick with you and go through the tough times with you.  

Expressing Pain

Tuesday night severe back and neck pain woke me up in the middle of the night. After about an hour of unsuccessfully trying to find a comfortable position lying down, sitting or standing, I decided it was time to see a chiropractor. I have since gone to the chiropractor every day this week. Turns out, my neck is not shaped as it should be and my head is in the wrong position (both correctable problems.)

One of the things the chiropractor does during the adjustments is muscle work. He basically pushes down really hard on my neck with his thumb as I turn my head various ways. It's pretty painful, but it's a good pain because I know how much better I'm going to feel when he's done. (That is a reference to my uncle Jerry and his backrubs.)

So today he had me move a different way as he applied pressure with his thumb. I could tell those muscles were extremely tight. He said if I needed to curse or something because of the pain that it was alright. I told him that I don't really curse, which he found fascinating. (He also found it fascinating that I don't drink coffee and we don't have Dunkin Donuts in South Dakota.) He asked me how I did express myself when in pain - to which I replied - usually nothing.

I don't scream. I don't yell. I don't curse. My dad once took me on the corkscrew roller coaster at Valley Fair just to hear me scream - I didn't make one peep during the whole ride. I was scared - but I didn't scream.

After thinking about it some more this morning I have come to realize that I express any kind of pain with tears. I remember in high school that I was in a play. My character needed to have a bun in her hair and the only girl available to do my hair pulled it so tight that tears welled up in my eyes. I didn't scream or curse - just wiped away the tears before she saw them and went to find some aspirin.

I didn't cry today. I don't consider this pain to be so bad. Maybe it is because I've had tight muscles for so long that when someone works on them I am more focused on the relief than the current pain. Perhaps someone might find an analogy there about Christians facing pain and evil in this world in light of their concrete hope given in Jesus. Perhaps not...

Birthdays!

In honor of all my friends who have birthdays (which would be all of you! I hope...)

I really enjoy celebrating other peoples birthdays. Over the years I have done various things to celebrate my friends. Here is a little list of the more interesting ones:

- For Reid who lived on the other side of the state - I sent another friend of mine to his dorm with a cupcake. She had never met him before, and showed up at his door while on the phone with me. I learned later that they became pretty good friends after that - so double present.

- For Jess who shares the same birthday as me - I wrote a play about our friendship. I narrated the play which was about how we met. I used the girls in the service house to act it out. It was a lot of fun.

- Most recently - I had 10 of my friends call up Bridgett and wish her a happy birthday from me. These people didn't know Bridgett and she didn't know them. It was a lot more work that I had anticipated, but it was a lot of fun!

- One done to me: When I was in England, Bridgett called my house and left a message with one of the girls who lived there. When I returned from Paris the girl sang "Happy Birthday to Scuba Katie" to me. It was great!

- Another one done for me: My great aunt Bernie has sent me cakes through the mail on 2 different birthdays! She is also my birthday buddy.

What have you done for your friends on their birthdays? Has anyone done anything special for you?

this scares me...

Confession: I don't know what I'm doing starting in May and it scares me.

Whenever a person nears a graduation, they inevitably get the question, "So what are you going to do now?" I've never had a problem answering that question because I was going on for more education. This time I don't know what to say. I say, I'm going home. That's all I know right now.

Someone asked me the other day if I had begun applying for jobs - no. The problem is that I have no idea what kind of job I am qualified for. I look at teaching jobs with no experience or education credentials. I'll have a masters and end up in a job someone out of high school could do because that is where my work experience leaves me. I have spent my time during school working mostly as a secretary and at the church camp (with the exceptions of dream dinners and the USF writing center.)

I have thought about teaching English in a foreign country - specifically Korea. I keep coming back to that, but I want to be home for a little while before I leave again - at least a year. That means I need to find something for a year. Perhaps Korea won't happen - I'm just not sure at this point. If anyone thinks that Korea is an adventure you'd like to try - let me know!

The reason I am confessing the biggest stress in my life is that I need prayer. I need some direction for the immediate future - God has been faithful in providing jobs for me thus far - pray that he continues to open doors and provide opportunities for me.

Along with prayer, if you are aware of a job opportunity that might suit me - please let me know. Any advice of where to be looking for jobs would be appreciated.

Superbowl Sunday

That title is sort of misleading in that I didn't actually watch the superbowl yesterday.  Instead, I woke up at 4 am and watched the men's singles finals for the Australian Open.  My favorite player, Roger Federer of Switzerland (#2 in the world) was playing Rafael Nadal of Spain (#1 in the world.)  

The last time these two players competed for a major tournament title was at Wimbledon - at match that will go down in tennis history - a match I didn't manage to see.  I wasn't going to let that happen again - hence waking up in the middle of the night to watch tennis.

The tennis was fun to watch.  They are the two best players in the world and for the most part playing at the top of their game.  However, when all was said and done - Nadal ended the night with the championship cup and Federer with the silver plate.  It was hard to watch as Federer struggled to give a speech - something I had never seen him do before.  His dissapointment had brought him to tears.  It is good to see someone like Federer who is considered one of the best players of all time show how much this game means to him.  It's not about the money.

What I thought was really great was how Nadal treated Federer.  He consoled him and comforted him and honored him.  This is true sportsmanship - and one of the reasons I love watching tennis so much.  Nadal has earned my respect and I am more than happy to root for him (when he's not playing Federer!)

I read an article today about Michael Phelps apologizing for the picture of him doing drugs surfaced.  It seems to be very difficult these days to live up to the standards people have for you, especially if you are a famous athlete.  However, Federer and Nadal have proven that it is possible to be classy, dignified, and a great athlete.

On a personal side note - started going to the gym again.  One of my roommates is planning out a workout plan for me.  Feel free to keep me accountable and ask me how it's going when we talk.