This posting will cover a number of topics. I have to stay home as I am sick, I want to give myself a chance to get better, and I don't want to spread it to any one else.
Tomorrow is my oldest daughter's birthday and I haven't seen her in person for a number of years. Thank the Lord there is Skype. She is kind of like an exotic flower; beautiful and unique. She is a very talented human being.
Angel my beautiful Shih-Tzu/Maltese mix has been learning a few tricks. My lovely intelligent mutt makes my days interesting, fun, and full.
Because I have been house bound I find that I am reading more than usual. I figure I shall have five instead of three good books read by this time next week.
I have seen three really good movies at the cinema since December.
1. I have seen Coco which in my humble opinion is a lovely story. It contains a riot of colourful characters, scenery, humour, magic, and is strangely believable.
2. Paddington 2, like the original, is absolutely one of the funniest mixes of human and animation I have seen since the first Paddington! Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and the rest of the original cast are spot on and blend beautifully with the new characters. I suspect Hugh Grant really enjoyed playing a faded West End actor. He is a bit of a psychopath. Grant has given himself a second life playing eccentric, narcissistic men past their prime. He is definitely playing one of those men you love to hate in this movie. Grant has made a really good move and he is hilarious in this sweet movie where our favourite bear and his family and friends win in the end.
3. Peter Rabbit was the last movie I attended and Peter was voiced by James Corden. I was a little confused with this one. I don't dislike the idea of him having to deal with Mr McGregor's nephew, played by Domhall Gleeson, but I wanted Peter to be the rabbit that Beatrix Potter invented. By the way, early on in the story the original nemisis' heart shuts down on him from too much cholesterol in the form of game pies, sugary or starchy foods, and heavy gravy. They took too much liberty with Peter's character. Although Potter dressed her critters in human clothes and often illustrated them standing on their hind feet she made sure to showcase their natural sides. The Peter I grew up with and loved did not ever have an arms race with Mr McGregor. Now the film's makers did do a good job of animation beside reality, everyone seemed to be walking on the same grass or gravel, and the movie was entertaining. However, I did not much appreciate Peter coming out with phrases like "chill" and "crushed it". All the other animals were too modernized for my taste as well. Rose Byrne plays Bea. She is the next door neighbour who is an artist. Her old fashioned water colours of Peter and his friends mimic the illustrations done by Potter long ago in the early 190o's. For me Byrne's character softens the movie and flittingly brings Peter and his friends back to Potter's time frame. It was a interesting movie. One, children who were not familiar with the Potter's books, would have enjoyed. Frankly when i got home, after thinking about it, I realized that it truly was quite a disappointment to me.
So I would give Coco and Paddington five stars each but Peter only deserves three.
Also I want to mention another movie from 2014 I happened to see on the television last month. The title is Gone Girl and although it is an older movie I really enjoyed it the second time around. It stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. The first part is extremely ordinary, however the second part of the film uproots any dullness perceived. At this point, it takes a quick turn into the thriller category, much like one of Hitchcock's movies. David Fincher is one of those directors who can enhance the narrative of a movie by editing it. Rosamund Park is great in her role, as many critics have told us. However, I think Ben Affleck does a marvelous job of playing the tired, oblivious, and boyish in a grand manner. His ability to carry it off so well may be the reason he was completely overlooked in this film. So buy or borrow this one, and enjoy it for the first of many times.
Well I had better let Angel say her two cents worth now.
Angel's Words of Heavenly Wisdom
The only thing that is bothering me today is that winter is still here! I can't get out much anymore because my Lady is sick and it has been too cold for us usually. I know spring will eventually come but it seems as though the winter has just been too long. Come on white flowers (snowdrops) and little purple blossoms (crocuses) show your little faces! That is all I want to say except thank you for putting their real names down Ruth.