'Tis the season... to watch movies
Dec. 19th, 2010 12:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mamagotchaI've been elfing along here all week, and it's been fun. I don't think I'm getting a holiday card or newsletter out before Christmas, though (and if we drive to KC, it won't be until after the new year), but I haven't entirely given up on it.
I scored a nice artificial tree off of Freecycle... the boys snooted it at first, but once the lights and ornaments were up, it looked great and I haven't heard any complaints.
I've been knitting like a mad thing, and I've done five projects for people this year... one really big one, one kinda hard, and three quickies. Sometimes I can knit and watch a movie, so lately I've been taking to sneaking off downstairs when I wake up early to knit and watch. Some of the interesting things I've tripped across on Netflix include the following:
"Max and Mary" -- A claymation story of two unlikely penpals: a little neglected Australian girl and a reclusive New York man with Asperger's. Simultaneously manages to be a blackhearted indictment of the idiocy of humanity, and an uplifting story of redemption.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" -- A documentary directed by Banksy, the notorious elusive graffiti artist. A fascinating study of the nature of art, commercialism, obsession and friendship that is almost painful to watch but ultimately worth it. (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cosm3, you should definitely check this movie out.)
"Death to Smoochy" -- I don't think I've seen Edward Norton onscreen before, but he reminded me of Owen Wilson (in a good way). His wide-eyed portrayal of the title character in this Danny Devito-directed dark comedy was totally believable all the way through... and wow, Robin Williams has come a long way from Mork, hasn't he?
"Sound and Fury" -- A heart-rending documentary on the struggles faced by parents of children who might benefit from cochlear implants. There were lots of issues related to parenting in general, how and why we make certain decisions for our children.
"This American Life" -- I knew TAL had a few television episodes, and I tried 'em out... but I think their formula works better on the radio. Or maybe I just picked some duds. Dunno.
"Moon" -- A terrific bit of science fiction that hearkens back to 2001 in many ways, with plenty of twists and thoughtful themes.
"The Riches" -- This series got canceled, which was a shame. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver led a wonderful ensemble cast that zig-zagged between the world of the destitute but close-knit Irish Travelers and the spoiled rotten American upper class. I understand why it got cut, though... the tension of the charade wore thin. Too bad it wasn't made as a miniseries, with a beginning-middle-end of a story. I didn't finish the second season, because I knew there wasn't going to be a resolution (unlike the Firefly story, which had adult actors and could be wrapped up with a movie later on, The Riches had several child actors that I'm sure have already outgrown their characters by now, so a movie is probably now out of the question).
"Son of Rambow" -- A lovely little movie that won me over with Bill Milner's portrayal of a boy on the threshold of growing up. Friendship and faith are explored with creativity and humor. Reminded me of "Stand By Me," but no body count or leeches.
"World's Greatest Dad" -- I'm halfway through this Robin Williams film. So far it's a bit bleak and ugly, but with a train-wreck fascination that makes me want to finish it. There are a few funny bits, but it's not at all a comedy (at least, not so far).
Monk -- I started this series based on some reviewers comparing it to House. Monk is no House. I love Tony Shaloub's characterization of the disturbed but well-meaning detective, and the loving shots of San Francisco as a setting are superb, but the contrivances of the mysteries (particularly Dale the Whale and the mental institution episodes) were so WTF? (along with the totally annoying Bitty Schram character) that I gave up the show pretty quickly.
But the big viewing event of the winter here at Chez Wildebeest has been Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (do not confuse it with the movie "Avatar," and steer clear of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender" movie). It's a good thing most TV is shite, because if it were all as good as Airbender, I'd never turn it off. It's a fantastic tale that totally absorbed all four of us. Linc and I first started watching it, and when Clay and Bill joined us, we rewatched several episodes... and I could watch it again and again. The art, characters, the humor, the music (oh, the music!)... it was entirely captivating, and if you are at all interested in adventure, the nature of good and evil, and just watching a wonderful yarn unfold before your eyes (one that is appropriate for all ages), this is it. I hesitate to tell any of the plot, because it's all so much fun to explore and discover on your own. All three seasons are on Netflix right now. Do yourself a favor and give it a go.
Another gorgeous kid-safe movie we tripped over was "The Secret of Kells," a rich and ornately drawn story of the Book of Kells.
Most of my knitting is done when Linc's around, and unfortunately most of Netflix's offerings for kids are utter dreck, so I love finding things like Avatar, Jim Henson's "The Storyteller," and Shaun the Sheep that are witty and engaging for all ages. Does anyone out there have other recommendations? (Holiday knitting is done, but it's still freakin' cold out there, and curling up with a warm kid and a good movie is a great way to wind down the day).
I scored a nice artificial tree off of Freecycle... the boys snooted it at first, but once the lights and ornaments were up, it looked great and I haven't heard any complaints.
I've been knitting like a mad thing, and I've done five projects for people this year... one really big one, one kinda hard, and three quickies. Sometimes I can knit and watch a movie, so lately I've been taking to sneaking off downstairs when I wake up early to knit and watch. Some of the interesting things I've tripped across on Netflix include the following:
"Max and Mary" -- A claymation story of two unlikely penpals: a little neglected Australian girl and a reclusive New York man with Asperger's. Simultaneously manages to be a blackhearted indictment of the idiocy of humanity, and an uplifting story of redemption.
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" -- A documentary directed by Banksy, the notorious elusive graffiti artist. A fascinating study of the nature of art, commercialism, obsession and friendship that is almost painful to watch but ultimately worth it. (
cosm3, you should definitely check this movie out.)"Death to Smoochy" -- I don't think I've seen Edward Norton onscreen before, but he reminded me of Owen Wilson (in a good way). His wide-eyed portrayal of the title character in this Danny Devito-directed dark comedy was totally believable all the way through... and wow, Robin Williams has come a long way from Mork, hasn't he?
"Sound and Fury" -- A heart-rending documentary on the struggles faced by parents of children who might benefit from cochlear implants. There were lots of issues related to parenting in general, how and why we make certain decisions for our children.
"This American Life" -- I knew TAL had a few television episodes, and I tried 'em out... but I think their formula works better on the radio. Or maybe I just picked some duds. Dunno.
"Moon" -- A terrific bit of science fiction that hearkens back to 2001 in many ways, with plenty of twists and thoughtful themes.
"The Riches" -- This series got canceled, which was a shame. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver led a wonderful ensemble cast that zig-zagged between the world of the destitute but close-knit Irish Travelers and the spoiled rotten American upper class. I understand why it got cut, though... the tension of the charade wore thin. Too bad it wasn't made as a miniseries, with a beginning-middle-end of a story. I didn't finish the second season, because I knew there wasn't going to be a resolution (unlike the Firefly story, which had adult actors and could be wrapped up with a movie later on, The Riches had several child actors that I'm sure have already outgrown their characters by now, so a movie is probably now out of the question).
"Son of Rambow" -- A lovely little movie that won me over with Bill Milner's portrayal of a boy on the threshold of growing up. Friendship and faith are explored with creativity and humor. Reminded me of "Stand By Me," but no body count or leeches.
"World's Greatest Dad" -- I'm halfway through this Robin Williams film. So far it's a bit bleak and ugly, but with a train-wreck fascination that makes me want to finish it. There are a few funny bits, but it's not at all a comedy (at least, not so far).
Monk -- I started this series based on some reviewers comparing it to House. Monk is no House. I love Tony Shaloub's characterization of the disturbed but well-meaning detective, and the loving shots of San Francisco as a setting are superb, but the contrivances of the mysteries (particularly Dale the Whale and the mental institution episodes) were so WTF? (along with the totally annoying Bitty Schram character) that I gave up the show pretty quickly.
But the big viewing event of the winter here at Chez Wildebeest has been Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (do not confuse it with the movie "Avatar," and steer clear of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender" movie). It's a good thing most TV is shite, because if it were all as good as Airbender, I'd never turn it off. It's a fantastic tale that totally absorbed all four of us. Linc and I first started watching it, and when Clay and Bill joined us, we rewatched several episodes... and I could watch it again and again. The art, characters, the humor, the music (oh, the music!)... it was entirely captivating, and if you are at all interested in adventure, the nature of good and evil, and just watching a wonderful yarn unfold before your eyes (one that is appropriate for all ages), this is it. I hesitate to tell any of the plot, because it's all so much fun to explore and discover on your own. All three seasons are on Netflix right now. Do yourself a favor and give it a go.
Another gorgeous kid-safe movie we tripped over was "The Secret of Kells," a rich and ornately drawn story of the Book of Kells.
Most of my knitting is done when Linc's around, and unfortunately most of Netflix's offerings for kids are utter dreck, so I love finding things like Avatar, Jim Henson's "The Storyteller," and Shaun the Sheep that are witty and engaging for all ages. Does anyone out there have other recommendations? (Holiday knitting is done, but it's still freakin' cold out there, and curling up with a warm kid and a good movie is a great way to wind down the day).
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-19 10:22 pm (UTC)I felt the same way about The Riches. The first season had me spellbound, and then it just fizzled. I think it would have been salvageable if they'd come up with some new challenges, but the original idea just didn't have enough depth to keep everyone busy.
Bitty Schram was only in the first two or three seasons of Monk and then left in a contract dispute. The main thing that kept me watching wasn't Tony Shalhoub, but Ted Levine as Stottlemeyer -- a brilliant, low-key straight-man performance that was all the wilder when I found out that he'd played Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs.
Have your kids watched The Never-Ending Story? It was Miles's favorite for many years.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 06:04 pm (UTC)Stottlemeyer was indeed wonderful.
Never-Ending Story is now queued up, thanks!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 07:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 07:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-19 11:36 pm (UTC)We really enjoyed the Nickelodeon "Avatar" series as well.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 05:06 am (UTC)We watch a lot of Mythbusters around here; that's pretty kid-friendly in my opinion. A good opportunity to talk about science vs. television science while still learning things. Fraggle Rock is in the IQ. So is all of Voltron, which is certainly not great cinema but nostalgic (and L loved it at Linc's age). Just a few that I see in my queue right now.
(Isn't there some way to be "friends" on Netflix so you can see my queue?)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 06:14 pm (UTC)Fraggle Rock was OK, the voices started getting on my nerves, but Linc likes it. Mythbusters is a long-time fave. We got to see How to Train your Dragon in theaters and like it (it was a surprise movie at the end of our $1 summer series! We totally thought we were gonna get stuck with the Scooby Doo movie or something like that), but we haven't seen Mr. Fox yet (it's in the queue now). We'll give Voltron a try, too.
Thanks for the reccs!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 06:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 06:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 07:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 09:12 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-12-20 05:17 pm (UTC)