Practical Magic Blog Party 2011

"There's a Little Witch in Every Woman"

This film has been an annual tradition in my household since discovering the magic for myself several years ago. Wether while enjoying a pot of coffee and snuggling up with my cat and submitting to the subsequent tide of romance and dreams, or sharing the magic with other heart sisters, each successive movie-watching episode never fails to transport me to another, somehow simpler and warmer, world. One day I hope to even share this with two "little witches" of my own, and teach them the importance of rosemary, the other use of salt, and of lavender's good luck.

One of the most important lessons I cherish in this film is when one of the Aunts professes:

"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage!"

What an essential and yet wise belief to instill in our children as well as eachother!

 Tonight, since the invitation sent by our lovely host, Frosted Petunias, specifically suggested a night of Midnight Margaritas inspired by the two Owens sisters' tradition, I have concocted by own Magnificent Margarita recipe!

INSTRUCTIONS:

"Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog.
Barbados lime is just the thing.
Cragged salt like a sailor's stubble!
Flip the switch and let the cauldron bubble!"

Ok, not really... but I promise it is just as fun!  

1 lime, juiced, plus 2 lime slices, for garnish
2 scoops lemon sorbet
4 scoops lime sherbet
4 shots tequila
1/2 shot Triple Sec

Place all ingredients in blender and process on high. Pour glasses and garnish with round slice of lime. AND DRINK!


And what possible Midnight Snakc could possibly be perfect for this summery drink, you ask?

Midnight Margarita Pizza of course!

Mmmmmm. My own personal concoction inspired by this very film:

1. I love Freschetta pizza crust, but you can of course make your own a purchase your favorite.

2. Garden vegetables: sun dried tomatoes, spinach leaves, and mushrooms

3. Splash of garlic and a tablespoon of butter to saute for the sauce

4. The best cheese ever! I heart simple mozzarella and pepperjack, but any combination will do of course!

5. Layer the pizza dough with the sauce, then half the cheese (4-8 oz), followed by the vegetables, and finally the rest of the cheeeesy goodness.

6. Cook in the oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

7. Party it up with the other witches!!!

Never Let Me Go

Redbox Find! Yay! I definitely was not interested in this film initially because of Kiera Knightley's involvement, but the subject matter finally piqued me enough for a Saturday movie night. 

While Kiera does play a significant role, the film's viewpoint is really from the main character (played by Katherine Mulligan). So yay! And you get to not like Kiera's character in the film for awhile, so I was happy with that lol.

The film explores a possible outcome of life if we "farmed" human beings for their organs. The main characters grow up in a relatively humane home compared to the homes that become prevalent when they become young adults. It really is a powerful social commentary, and a worthwhile $1.00 spent. 

 

Watching this movie, will also initiate a desire to knit lol. So much tweed and wool! I miss the cold weather so!!!

There Will Be Blood

I finally watched this Oscar and Academy Award winning film of 2007. Yes, finalement.

Originally a friend of mine showed me the very last scene of the film, and I never desired to see it after that. If you have seen this, you know what I speak of.

Nevertheless, this Thursday July and I got together to watch HP, only to discover we had already seen the film. Her backup netflix being this film, I acquiesced gracefully and settled down to be bored.

I was somewhat correct in the beginning (no I do not care about oil), but the cinemetography combined with the magnificent acting completely drew me in. By the end of the film I was hooked. Beautiful character performances; truly wonderful.

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

I was quite anxious to see this film since catching a brief trailer for it randomly. It seemed quite fun visually. Since Heath Ledger died during filming the advertisement for it pretty much didn't happen.

After seeing it I think the story itself was rather lacking... but the visual art direction was everything I anticipated. An odd film really, but quite enjoyable from an artistic standpoint.

The Young Victoria

We all know I love so many things about the Victorian Age, so of course I had to see this film.

Emily Blunt does such a wonderful job and I loved the character she brought in Jane Austen's Book Club so I was interested to see her rendition of the beloved Queen.

A+ of course!

The story that unfolds is lovely concerning her own personal character growth ascending the throne, along with the growth of her love.

All in all a lovely movie!

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Good film, all around. Not brilliant mind you, but good enough.

I knew he was only basing the film off of the novel and not remaking it, but I was surprised to find out the film is a compilaton of his own speculations to the end of Lewis Carrol's sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass, which of course I haven't even read. The plot was ok, but I think he was focused primarily on the visual presentation of Wonderland itself rather than the story line.

My question remains, how on earth did the White Queen end up with the kingdom in the first place when she is only the younger daughter? Seriously. How on earth did that mix up occur?

Funny side note though. Just recently I had decided on my own that my dream would be to have enough land for a hedge maze at the back of my property, a small orchard with possibly no more than 20 trees, and then of course a magnificent english garden. I had only just established this visually when all three elements were presented so nicely in this film: the english manor's hedge maze and gardens, and the White Queen's cherry trees!

So apparently I just have to marry some wealthy lord in england and I am all set!

Tim Burton side note; he is playing around with Disney on creating Sleeping Beauty from Malificent's point of view. Guess who the prospective actress is? Aneglina Jolie! I actually think she woul do an amazing job... We shall see though; this is only a very recent thought bubble.

Oscars 2010

The last and final celebratory day of festivities for 2009 films has ended. What glorious fun!


The night began with a wonderful win by Christian Waltz for his magnificently memorable performance portraying a villainous nazi in Inglourious Basterds. I was so happy because he realy deserved to win for best supporting actor role.


On to the real reason for the Oscars... Fashion!!! hehehe just kidding of course. But really, the dresses worn last night were by far much better overall than the previous award night shows. It was a wonderfully glamorous affair for sure.



My absolute favorite, which I was excited that I finally had one, was Sandra Bullock's. It was so reminiscent of a wedding dress in the diamond embroidery... yet the shape was perfect for a formal evening dress. It began with the vine embroidery at the top, which then pooled to her feet in a silky liquid silver fabric. Love, love, LOVE!




Did I mention I love bling. Shiny! Just beautiful. And of course, she won her very first Oscar!!!

Next up, Carey Mulligan. I pretty much fell in love with her earrings at first, I have to admit. With the lightness of her hair, I think they not only flattered her dress but also her face. Those earrings were way better than going with a necklace! She so rocked the short do.


The front of her gown actually ended rather short above her shoes, which I also loved. At first I was a bit hesitant but in the end I think the top really balances the bottom. Loved the beading....

Annnnnd, the beautiful Anne Kendrick. Her dress really represented the new spring 2010 colors of blush. Beautiful against her skin tone and hair color. Wonderfully romantic and ethereal I thought. Lovely.

The next dress that I found riveting was Elizabeth Banks. When she walked out to present, I was definitely all eyes on her. The blue was again, perfect for the spring season as well as her coloring, and it was just a fun dress! I could just imagine it swooshing and swishing across the red carpet...

All in all, beautiful dresses, and a wonderful event. Not as entertaining as others, but Steven Martin and Alec Baldwin hosted well together to be sure. Now for next year!

Bright Star

Yet another film set in the early victorian age...

This film is a portrayal of the end life and love of one of the most influential second generation romantic english poets. He is lumped in with Lord Byron and played a significant influential role in the poetry of Lord Tennison.

John Keats died at the age of 25 from tuberculosis, then termed the consumption, after a brief period of engagement to Fanny Brawne, the heroine of this movie.

The tombstone of his grave, at his request, reads "This Grave contains all that was mortal,
of a young English poet,
Who,
on his Death Bed,
in the Bitterness of his heart,
at the Malicious Power of his Enemies,
Desired these Words to be engraven on his Tomb Stone
'Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water'".

This epitomizes the view he held at death of the impermanncy of both life and fame.

This movie did a wonderful job of portaying the first years of Keats as a man and the last years of his life. The idea that a man, by the age of 25, was able to be such an influence on english literature that human begins are still reading his words and being impacted by them, humbles me. To think that my own goals and ambitions in life are so insignificant to the greater development of humanity, casts a somber light on my view of life.

I gave this movie a 4/5 rating, and feel its rather self explanatory. There were some unsatisfying lack of plot elements in the film which would have blasted this to a 5/5, but as is a 4 is pretty darn good.

Shopgirl

I have seen this movie once before, but fell onto it yet again a few evenings ago. It is rare that I can enjoy a movie after its mysteries have already unfolded, but this is one of those especially enjoyable treats.

I am not sure if this was a novel or an even older film remade, but it seems so many of the newer successful movies find inspiration from a prior era. I do know this version is not the original.

This IS NOT a comedy lol. I don't know why they advertise it that way, but its not. It is rather a sincere evaluation of relationships, with Steve Martin narrating periodically. Because most the entire film is centered around the thoughts and moments of these three characters... its very thoughtful and quiet actually.

Its simply a great film, and if you are in a thoughful mood, check it out! I also, heart Claire Danes.

I give it 4 stars! I not only obviously enjoy waltching it more than once, but the characters are identifiable and well developed, the plot is unpredictable and insightful, and there is a remarkable thought provoking emotional response to this film as well.

Sherlock Holmes

So I think a large part of the reason I really enjoyed this movie is based on two factors.

1. Robert Downy Junior. In his most recent movies with his sober acting, I think his talent has been able to shine forth much more strongly than before and have loved watching him develop his characters.

2. The visible relation to House was so strong it was great fun analyzing the the differences and similarities! Holmes and Watson versus House and Wilson... for example? The interplay of their relationship was almost identical! If only House had stayed true to the detective work of medicine rather than focusing on the drama. :(

And of course the time frame was wonderful!! I absolutely love the costume design and this gave me great inspiration for my wedding... lots to think about hehe. Bustles and top hats oh my!!! I already knew I wanted a great bustle for my dress, but maybe vests for the men...?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Ok. I know this is more than one full year after the theater release date of this film, but I only just now saw this movie.

Wonderful! There were definitely a few parts that veered away from the book word for word, but nothing too serious in my mind.

The musical score was actually really enjoyable and I definitely kept noticing it during various scenes. Normally I do not, except, of course, for Lord of the Rings. Even though it was, again, darker than the previous, I don't think it betrayed the nature of the novel.

Draco Malfoy's character was given more depth at this point in the story, and the actor's portrayal highlighted this well I believe. Brava!

Now all there is left to do, is wait for the next two films depicting the final and last book! I hope J. K. Rowling feels inspired to write more, either of this world but of new characters and plot (my personal hope) or even expanding on these characters futures as adults in the wizarding world.

Horrah for Harry Potter!

9

This is one of the newest Tim Burton films produced, and as we all know, I am a huge fan.

Besides the great christmas classic The Nightmare Before Christmas of course, there are several of his movies I love. The main aspect I enjoy is really his artistic expression... but there are always other elements as well.

1. Nightmare Before Christmas- I love this one because it introduced me to the artistic variability and freedom that clay animation can achieve. His pieces specifically reminded me of Brian Froud, the artist. This is one of my all time christmas classics!

2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- To be fair, I never liked the origical version because Willie Wonka always seemed evil and overly mean to me as a little person. Seeing this new version though which explained his actual history and then also changed the ending to be more of a moral and happy one, allowed me to enjoy the rest of the story. And... who didn't like Johnny Depps unique interpretation?

3. Sweeney Todd- Again, I was rather hesitant when I realized this was a musical unexpectedly and Johnny Depp doesn't really have the... training for a knock out performance that I so usually expect. But he surprised me and I really enjoyed the entire story and performance. I do like musicals though...

4. James and the Giant Peach- More creepy critters and great clay animation in this one. The story itself was more what I enjoyed which was of course a book first.

5. Sleepy Hollow- I was not expecting this film to be ironic or satirical in the least, so throughout the film I kept asking myself if I were insane or if the characters were really being humorous. Once I realized that I enjoyed the rest of the film quite well! Again... Johnny Depp appearance.

Apparently 9 was created in response to a video post on youtube which Tim Burton fund inspirational. I actually enjoyed the beginning of the film when 9 did not have a voice and had just been created. He wanders about his creator's world of diagrams, drawings, and clues with no idea and at this time you know this story could lead anywhere.

In the end it was a rather simple plot, and I had wished they could have made this more complex and involved and longer by far, but it was good for what it was. I am glad I went to the dollar theater for it though, too short to pay so much money!!

Inglourious Basterds

So this movie was insane.

Amazingly mind blowing, and insane.

Christoph Waltz did the most amazing job at playing his character, the Nazi Jew Hunter, Col. Hans Landa. I know publicity has been focused all on brad pitt who also did a wonderful job in the film, but Christoph Waltz hands down kicked ass.

Chapter One of the film not only kept me completely engrossed in the scene playing out before me but set the stage for the entire following two hours with no dissapointment. The plot unfolded gradually and the ending left me utterly emotionally satisfied.

I officially cannot wait for Quinten Terentino to create another film. This movie for sure will blow out oscar night. AMAZING!

Star Trek 2009

Opening night for Star Trek 2009 was quite low key here, yet the film did not disappoint.

The introductions for each of the original characters highlighted their personality quirks and inter-relationships. I want a sequel!!! Overall quite a wonderful experience and I recommend this for an enjoyable evening! :)

The absolute gorgeousness of the two main characters didn't ruin it either; Zachary Quinto is so attractive!!!