Friday, April 23, 2010

Grandma Kathleen On Skates and Other Distractions

Party time tonight. Once again I'll be biting off way more than I can chew, but it's a habit that keeps me young, not to mention fat and sassy. So tonight I'm going roller skating with 20 eight-year-olds. Oh, yes, I can still rock while I'm rollin'. But here's the amazing part: She's 8 years old! My oldest grandchild was just a baby...wasn't that last week? Heck, the week before that her daddy was just a baby. Wait, the week before that I was just a kid. Or maybe that last one hasn't changed. Anyway, tonight the Eagle boots are made for rolling. Wish me luck...

But I digress. Did anyone see the "Project Runway" finale last night? Did you think they picked the right winner? Just curious.

So I thought I'd suggest a couple of goodies for your weekend viewing pleasure in case you have some downtime in store.


We rented "Crazy Heart" as soon as it came out. Meant to see it in the theater but never quite got there. It's based on a novel, definitely character-driven. My kind of story. Excellent performances. Has anyone seen it? What did you think?



But this one is a must-see. It's one of those terrific indies that good actors clamor for and will do almost for scale. "Pirate Radio" is the funniest movie we've seen in a long time. My cowboy and I laughed aloud throughout, and our senses of humor are like night and day. Terrific cast--Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branaugh, even Emma Thompson. It's set in 1966--lovely year it was--back when the BBC had a stranglehold on music played on the radio. "Pirate" stations broadcast rock'n roll from ships off the coast of Great Britain. The movie is a celebration of rock music. It's delightful. Has anyone seen it? Your thoughts?

Don't miss the outtakes. They're wonderful in and of themselves, but terrific for the writer in us. You know those scenes you love but end up having to take out because they don't really move the story along? The director narrates, explaining where the idea came from, why it was left out and how hard it was to edit. You'll identify!

Finally, has anyone been watching "The Pacific"? This is a labor of love for Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, and it's every bit as good as "Band of Brothers." I've mentioned a time or ten that Daddy was a WWII vet and a career AF pilot. We were stationed on Guam for 2 years in the 50's, and I've been to Iwo Jima, so the war in the Pacific is really interesting to me. But I grew up with John Wayne war movies. This is different. This is real. It's character-driven, but the characters are 3 real WWII vets, who appear in interviews. The viewpoints are compelling. Yes, it's sometimes hard to watch, but I think it's important to for us to try. There's little doubt that we had to engage in WWII, but what soldiers endure in war is unimaginable, which might be why we still don't do them justice when they come home. This series is another Hanks/Spielberg masterwork.

So now I'll go strap on some extra padding.

Any comments on these shows? Recommendations for more? Or is the weather where you are just so gorgeous you can't spend a minute indoors?

16 comments:

Leanne said...

lol LOVED this blog Kathleen. You go from roller skating to the war in the Pacific without batting an eye.:) I love Project Runway, but I have a hard time finding when it's on!:/ I watched The Pacific once and it was hard for me to watch. I will make a note of Pirate Radio. That sounds like fun!:) Enjoy your skating party!

Michele Hauf said...

I've been wanting to see Pirate Radio so must try to find that at RedBox this weekend.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Leanne, all my thoughts are random these days.

Unknown said...

I saw Crazy Heart at the theater and had to buy it as soon as it came out Tuesday. I love, love, love it!

Thanks for the suggestion of Pirate Radio, I'm going to put it in my netflix que!
Peggy

Debra Dixon said...

Kathy-- Oh, my gosh! I haven't been roller skating in a zillion years. I hope you have a great time and I'll be laughing over here.

Haven't seen Pirate Radio but it's on our list to see. We've both been so busy or traveling.

Pacific is also on our "list." We don't get HBO. (I know, what's up with that?? Oh, right, I don't have time for any more distractions.) So we'll have to get it in DVD but I actually love that because we can watch them one after the other.

Cindy Gerard said...

I want me some of those roller skating cowboy boots!!! Way too cool!!

I read Crazy Hearts years ago and have always considered it one of my favorite books. I've been shying away from the movie because I'm afraid it won't hold up to the book, but considering it's Jeff Bridges, it's probably great.

Cindy Gerard said...

Oh - and I forgot to add that I did watch the Project Runway finale and I'm not at all certain they picked the right one as the winner. I liked them all but I honestly thought Neila and Emilio had better garments than Seth. I was really surprised they went with him.

Andria Bramlett said...

You totally rock, grandma! I just got home from taking pictures of my son heading off to his senior prom; just last week I was trailing after him with his passy and a blanket; OMG!

I'm one of those weird people that does not watch t.v...so project what? Just kidding, I know what it is, but I read two to four hundred pages a day, so no t.v. for me.

My husband and I loved the movie Eulogy. Quirky, funny, dynamic and loads of dysfuntion that really entertains!

Looking forward to Pirate Radio!

Anonymous said...

I've been watching the Pacific in Australia. I was wondering if the American audience had trouble understanding some of the Australian accents and language? We've just seen the Melbourne episode.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Deb, i didn't get to skate, so you don't get to laugh. I was busy womaning the party table, tying skates, welcoming guests. Grandpa watched over the skaters, but he forgot his wheeled boots. Our son got out there on skates, so all bases were nicely covered.

It was a great party. The kids had a blast. I was concerned that some of them hadn't skated before, but no worries. The experienced skaters were great about helping their friends, and everyone rolled on. Grands said it was "the best party ever."

Kathleen Eagle said...

Cindy, I'm with you on the Project Runway finale. I liked Seth a lot, but his collection not so much. The other two collections were wearable and stylish but still original. I wonder what the criteria really is.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Andria, "Eulogy" going on my list. And reading over TV is a winner in my book!

Kathleen Eagle said...

Anon, we're getting used to the Aussie lingo, what with all the movie stars you're putting out. Between the movie "Australia" and "The Pacific" we Yanks are getting some much needed history lessons about Australia's part in WWII.

Kathleen O said...

WTG girl.. rolling skating will keep you young... It amazing how the kids grow up right before your very eyes...

I have been wanting to see Pirate Radio and Crazy Heart... and I think eventually they will bring out Pacific on DVD.. like they did with Band of Brothers. I might have to wait for that.. I keep missing it on HBO.. I don't have a PVR so I can't tape it.. But I will get to it one of these days..

The last movie I saw was Invictus and it was fantastic.. Very moving and I would highly recommend it..

Sage Ravenwood said...

Alrighty...Project Runaway I think Emilio should have won. I've always thought his clothes had style that could be timeless.

Want to rent 'Crazy Heart' and can't wait to see 'Pirate Radio'.

I don't get HBO so will wait till the Pacific series is released on DVD to buy it. Yep said buy it. The same people who are responsible for Pacific, put together 'Band of Brothers'. Paul has watched the life out of 'Band of Brothers'.

I recently watched Paradise Road. It's about a group of woman who were Japanese POW's during WWII. Definitely puts our every day complaints into perspective. (Hugs)Indigo

Kathleen Eagle said...

Kathleen, I adored "Invictus"! And Indigo, I'm putting "Paradise Road" on the queue. I don't think I've seen it. Thanks!